29th anniversary of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Everest’s ascent

On the 29th anniversary of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Everest’s ascent, which was also the first by a Nepali woman, the Pasang Lhamu Foundation conducted a lively panel discussion at The Malla Hotel, Leknath Marg. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa was the first Nepali woman to blaze the trail to the summit of Mt. Everest and created mountaineering history on April 22, 1993. She was also decreed as a National Luminary of the country on 22nd April 2002.

In her memory and in an effort to support the women and children of the mountainous and the hilly regions the Pasang Lhamu Foundation was established in 1993 as a non-political, non-profit making social national non-governmental organisation. The foremost aim of this organisation is to uplift and empower women in the country and support the welfare of mountaineers, and their families

The program was commenced with a welcome speech from the vice president of the foundation, Lhakpa Futi Sherpa, who is also one of the cousins of Pasang's. Recalling the good old days, she said that, “When we were in the base camp (on the journey to climb Everest), I remember Lhamu getting a letter from her youngest daughter. In that letter, we also saw a drawing where she drew her mother reaching to the summit.”

“After seeing that, both of us and the team started crying. Losing her left us downhearted but at the same time we were happy with her achievement," she adds. Lhamu was not only committed to her dream but that was also the reason why she succeeded. She made her people and nation proud and became a great inspiration.

Then the event was followed by a panel discussion by different generations of dignitaries.

Guest speakers

Ambica Shrestha; Women entrepreneur in Nepal

Being a renowned women entrepreneur, she has been working in various sectors such as tourism, heritage, culture and environment preservation. Presently, she is also the President of the Dwarika’s Group, the Managing Director of Kathmandu Travels and Tours, the Hon. Consul of Spain, the President of the Nepal Heritage Society, the Founding President of the Federation of Business and Professional Women - Nepal and a member of the Industry and Trade Promotion Dialogue Committee.

Lhamo Yangchen Sherpa; Medical doctor

With 13 years of M&E and research experiences, working nationally and internationally as a senior researcher, she is a medical doctor with degrees of M.Sc (Epidemiology) and Phd in Epidemiology. She is also the head of RME, a health specialist, and an executive director in various organisations/universities. From a reviewer of international journals to senior advisor II RME at IPAS, she is a generalist.

Anisha Gurung; National cyclist of Nepal

24 years old Anisha Gurung is a national cyclist, a trail runner, and a solo traveller. It has been almost 5 years since she started cycling. On the other hand, being a conscious consumer, she has always supported sustainable practices. To spread the message on the importance of local products, she initiated her own local business.

With these three dignitaries, the panel discussion was led by journalist Bibhu Luitel. They talked about how to draw inspiration from Pasang Lhamu and how to break the barriers and take a lead.

According to Shrestha, “Lhamu, at a time when the society was conservative, did something very courageous. I really think she had great support from her husband, friends and relatives. That gave her the courage to go ahead and break the barriers.”

Likewise, Sherpa added, “We have not even started to question what was the motive behind her climbing the mountain? We are just starting to unfold; why was she doing what she did? She climbed a mountain when there was no hospital in the Solukhumbu district. It was her small step to break the barrier.”

Adding further Gurung says, “I am going to relate my life story with Lhamu’s story. In this patriarchal society, there is gender discrimination going on. 4 years ago, I came to Kathmandu from Dharan for no specific reason. After coming here I made up my mind to do something with my life rather than just sitting within the four corners of a room.”

After the discussion, the event was followed by a brief question and answer session with the guests and the audience. Shrestha, Sherpa and Gurung were handed a token of love by the second president of Pasang Lhamu Foundation and the son of Pasang Lhamua and Namgyal Sherpa. There was also a scholarship distribution program and a Pasang Lhamu memorial park plan. At last, the event ended with a documentary trailer of Lhamu’s mountaineering journey.