'28th Pasang Memorial Day' observed

The first Nepali woman to climb the world's highest mountain, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa was remembered on the occasion of '28th Pasang Memorial Day' today.

Sherpa had stood atop Mt Everest, on Baisakh 10, 2050 BS (April 22, 1993). However, she went to glory while descending from the peak owing to adverse weather conditions.

On the occasion, a programme was organised to mark the day, in Chuchchepati, Kathmandu.

Chief guest at the programme, former Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Gokul Prasad Baskota, garlanded the statue of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa. Similarly, late Sherpa's spouse Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa, also a patron of Pasang Lhamu Mountaineering Academy, and President of the academy, Sitaram Sapkota, Nepal Mountain Academy President Lakhpa Phuti Sherpa, among others, offered bouquets of flowers in memory of late sherpa. The attendants also mourned for late Sherpa in the programme held with precautionary measures, as directed by the government.

On the occasion, Baskota handed over the certificates of Late Tendi Sherpa Memorial Scholarship to 20 students of Pasang Lhamu Campus by the academy. The scholarship certificate distribution that was halted last year due to the lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic was conducted today and certificates were handed over to the campus coordinator Phurba Sherpa, the academy's General Secretary Chhetu Sherpa informed.

Pasang Lhamu Sherpa was posthumously felicitated as 'National Vibhuti' for being the first Nepali woman to scale Mount Everest. Late King Birendra had then decorated her with the highest prestigious 'Nepal Tara' medal. A postal stamp was also issued in her name. Likewise, many places and schools in the country bear her name in honour of Late Sherpa.

The symbol of courage and a source of inspiration to many Nepali women, Late Pasang Lhamu Sherpa's biography has been included in various educational curricula.