ON TOP OF WORLD

There was a statue of the Buddha at the summit; placed there by the Sherpas. I knelt down and bowed in front of it. I felt complete. When I looked around I felt I ruled the world; with the Himalayas stretching out below me and nothing to obstruct my view. A month after he had set out; sixteen-year-old Arjun Vajpai stood on top of the world; having conquered Mount Everest. At that time he was the youngest non-Sherpa person in the world to do so. He remains the youngest Indian to have climbed the peak. It had indeed been a long journey. Arjun s fascination with mountains began at the age of ten; nurtured and encouraged by his parents; teachers; and close friends. As a trekker and an athlete; he had trained and worked hard to achieve this amazing feat of endurance. This is Arjun s story in his own words. Accompany him on an adventure of a lifetime; read about his incredible ascent; and learn what it takes to be a mountaineer. On Top of the World is an unforgettable story of inspiration; fortitude and courage; of having a seemingly impossible dream and daring to chase it.