Everest Day Observed

– Highlights Tourism

Nepal observed the12^th International Sagarmatha (Everest) Day in Kathmandu amidst various functions. The day marks the first conquest of the world’s highest peak Mt. Everest (Sagarmatha) by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953. The day is also considered significant for the promotion of Nepal’s tourism in the wake of “Nepal Visit 2020”.

Speaking on the occasion, president and member secretary of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) Mr. Santa Bir Lama said, “We need to open and permit many more mountains for tourists in the years to come because it is the mountains that attract foreigners. Nepal government is positive towards this end.”

Similarly, Chief Guest and Minister for Information and Communication for Technology Mr. Gokul Prasad Baskota said, “Government is positive to promote tourism in the country. That’s why we declared Nepal visit 2020.”

The Minister Baskota also gave away letters of appreciation to various distinguished mountaineers, tourism entrepreneurs and journalists.

South Korean mountaineer Mr. Um Huang Gill was awarded with “National Sagarmatha Award” with a purse of Rs 100000, while mountaineers Anthoni Gorden of Australia, Maya Dorjee and Gyanendra Shrestha of Nepal were awarded “Tenzing Hillary award” with appreciation letter and a purse of Rs 50,000 each.

The first Everest summiteer Hillary’s daughter Shera Hillary and mountaineer Jangbu Sherpa were also honored with appreciation letters on the occasion. Similarly, Dawa Tamang received a purse award of Rs 25000.

It was also divulged that over 8000 inland and foreign mountaineers have stepped on to the Mt. Everest till date in the last 66 years after Hillary and Tenzing climbed the Sagarmatha,

The anniversary was organized by 12^th International Sagarmatha (Everest) Day Organizing Committee at Kamaladi. The chair of organizing committee Mr. Mohan Krishna Sapkota presided over the anniversary.