When Nungshi and Tashi Malik finished school in 2009, they weren’t sure what they wanted to do. “It was our father who suggested we go in for a mountaineering course. It hadn’t even crossed our mind, but by the time we finished the beginners’ course, we were hooked,” says Nungshi.
It also helped that they seemed to have a natural acumen for the outdoor sport. In fact, the Everest Twins, as they are popularly known now, were given the moniker even before they conquered the highest peak in the world.
The 25-year-old sisters, who have completed the Explorer’s Grand Slam (reach the North and South Poles, and climb the highest summit on each of the seven continents) apart from climbing Mount Everest, could give anyone a complex. But, sharing their story at an event organised by the FICCI Ladies Organisation, they spoke with honesty and humility about their experiences. They also took part in the Radiant Wellness Conclave.
“Our mother didn’t want us to do any of this, considering it isn’t the safest ‘hobby’ in the world,” they laugh. After a lot of convincing, they were allowed to tackle Kilimanjaro. And, there was no stopping them after that. From the hazardous forests of Papua New Guinea, where they were attacked by a cannibal, to the steep gradients of Denali in Alaska (North America’s highest mountain), Tashi says, “While physical strength is important, it is mental endurance that has taken us everywhere. Having my sister with me made all the difference in the world.”
After their well-received talk, they join us offstage for a quick chat. As always, the sisters are dressed in matching clothes: today, it’s floral peplum tops and dark blue jeans. “We love being seen as a single unit, and while our tastes differ, we’re okay with having to put up with each other’s choices,” says Nungshi, who loves reminding everyone that she’s the elder of the twins.
But, if they were famous for something individually, Nungshi would like to be known for her art, and Tashi, for her dancing.
Spending the time they do together, is there something they don’t know about each other? Nungshi asks her sister, “Do you have a boyfriend I don’t know about?” Tashi rolls her eyes and retorts, “Why don’t you tell me something I don’t know?” Nungshi says, “I may not say it, but I do compete with you more than I compete with myself.” This is news to Tashi, who vows to beat her sister at everything from now on.
Their camaraderie and mutual respect is evident, as they give each other the credit for everything they have achieved so far.
And, for youngsters who have battled with nature and experienced so much adventure, what’s left on the bucket list? Tashi says bungee jumping, while Nungshi wants to go skydiving. Ever the daredevil, she glances up at her mother while saying, “Not the usual kind; I want to try the one where they jump off a cliff wearing a special kind of suit. It’s almost like flying.”
