Breaking Rocks and Barriers: Memoirs of a Geologist and Mountaineer

“What makes a person happy? In my mind, the most important attribute of happiness is the freedom to do what one is passionate about.”If you take away just one thing from this book, let it be this: Don't let society dictate your limits.This book is not just a memoir, but an inspiration. It dares you to dream big, no matter what odds are stacked against you.Sudipta ma'am, a middle-class Bengali woman in a nascent India grappling with patriarchy, defied societal norms to forge her own destiny. She became the first Indian woman to reach Antarctica, a feat preceded by daring ascents of unexplored Himalayan peaks.Being a geologist I could relate to a lot of her field experiences, the fun, the risks, and the occasional encounter with helpful locals. Love for travel is one reason I took up geology as a subject too. One of my favourite field trips was in the Pyrenees in Spain. I could relate to her when she spoke of the local food and wine! Over time you learn to love the rocks and listen to the stories they have to tell. Geology is a subject that humbles you by showing you your place in the vast ever evolving universe.The book chronicles the exhilarating highs and lows of her life, from tragedies to adventures and the remarkable people she met along the way. It offers insights into mountaineering, geology, wildlife, and the fascinating world of new terms like sastrug and nunatak, and the evolution of India's Antarctic expeditions.I highly recommend this book to everyone. Grab a copy and get inspired and dare to dream a different dream.

Nice book.Succinct and inspiring.Full marks to mam Sudipta ji

Truely loved the book ..beautifully written....and came to know that our success depends much more on our efforts, our dream, untiring efforts to overcome adverse circumstances out of our control...and lastly ..determination to break the glass ceiling..Would love to read much more books of prof. Sudipta Sengupta...

I have gone through the book thoroughly and found various shades of a woman scientist - a geologist, a mountaineer, an expeditioner and a dynamic lady who lived her life the way she wanted.Her writing is simple and honest. The book has a continuity and clarity of expression.I had the privilege of being a part of the Indian Scientific Expedition of which Dr. Sudipta was also a member. I got to know her closely. She has given a detailed and realistic description of our Expedition which took me 40 years down the memory lane.