Khil Raj Regmi, chairman of the interim election government, awarded the medals to 40 national and international climbers. Nepal has been celebrating the diamond jubilee of the first ascent of Mt Everest by organizing series of programs in Kathmandu and Khumbu Region from May 26-29. [break]
Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal and Sir Edmun Hillary of New Zealand stepped on the summit of Mt Everest on this very day 60 years ago.
“The historic success on this day brought Nepal to the lime light of mountaineering world, opened a new era in the field of adventure activities and gave humanity a lesson that one can achieve success despite hard and dangerous situation if one keeps up with courage and dedication,” Regmi said, speaking at the awards ceremony.
He further added that the commemoration of May 29 as International Sagarmatha Day is a tribute to climbers who set records in multiple areas of mountaineering, to those who successfully climbed the top of the world, to those who lost their lives while climbing, to guides, porters and assistants without whose support climbers´ dream of reaching the peak would remain incomplete and to those whose direct and indirect support and cooperation has made the expeditions successful.
On the occasion, the government appointed Emily Rose Hillary, the grand daughter of Sir Edmund, as the honorary ambassador of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Speaking at the program, Emily said Nepal has huge influence on the Hillary family. “I am glad to be the honorary ambassador of a country with incredible diversity and richness,” said Emily.
Related story
Final preparations underway for Int’l Everest Summiteers Summit
