MAY 24, 1984, FORTY YEARS AGO

BACHENDRI ON EVEREST

AN INDIAN WOMAN has done it. Bachendri Pal, 28-year-old economics lecturer from Uttarkashi in UP, became the first Indian woman to set foot on the summit of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. She reached the Everest through the South Col route along with two male colleagues, mountaineering Inspector Lhatoo Dorjee, 39, and Nepalese Sherpa Sardar Ang Dorjee. About 15 minutes later, another member of the Indian team, Sonam Palzor, 35, a company commandant of the Indo-tibetan Border Police, also reached the summit. The four were on the top for 43 minutes.

POLICE FIRING KILLS 8

THE ARMY MOVED into several parts of Bombay following escalation of violence in some spots. A mob attacked the Trombay police station and the police opened fire, killing eight and injuring 14. Nearly 150 persons were arrested. According to police commissioner J F Ribeiro, a mob was proceeding towards Bharatnagar when the police tried to intercept it. The mob was armed with sodawater bottles, knives and acid bulbs.

A FREE PRESS IN PUNJAB

A PRESS RELEASE signed by various media associations, features on page one. It reads: “We, the Editors, journalists, publishers and mediamen pledge to maintain complete solidarity to preserve and uphold the freedom of the Press in the wake of mounting threats and physical assaults, in Punjab. We will not buckle under threats of bullets and shall present a true and unbiased record of events. The killings and murders of journalists and innocent citizens will not solve any problem nor will it help extremists achieve their own professed goal. The Press shall help public opinion to assert itself against the cult of violence and shall give due publicity to all moves for maintaining communal harmony.”