On the occasion of Mount Everest Platinum Jubilee and 16th International Sagarmatha Day celebration, Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) in coordination with the main organizing committee formed under the chairmanship of Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) Secretary Mr. Suresh Adhikari, organized a special program on Thursday at Aloft Hotel, Thamel in hounouring the vetran climbers Sir Edmund Hillary's son Mr. Peter Hillary, Grandson Mr. Alexander Hillary, and Tenzing Norgay's son Mr. Jamling Norgay, grandson Mr. Tashi Sherpa, as well as other Mount Everest climbers present in the program, are honored with a Sagarmatha badge.
The event was held and invited from around the world including Honorable former Prime Minister of New Zealand Ms. Halen Clark, and family members of Sir Ed and Tenzing. Other distinguished guests included excellencies from several nations, including Ambassador of New Zealand Mr. David Pine, world-renowned climbers, Director General of the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Country Representative of WWF Dr. Ghanashyam Gurung, and other high-level government representatives.
President of NMA Mr. Sherpa extended his gratitude to the family members of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, and others present at the event for their presence. Before the event, Himalayan Trust UK organized a documentary show regarding 1st successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. The documentary show was followed by a discussion program with Mr. Peter, Mr. Jamling, and Ms. Sue Layden (Daughter of Colonel John Hunt. Colonel John was the leader of the 1953 successful ascent of Mount Everest) sharing their memories from their fathers' diaries and answering some questions regarding the epic expedition. Being one of the speakers of the evening, Nepali record-holder climber Ms. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa also shared her experience regarding mountaineering.
