Press Conference - 7 January

A press conference was organized on 7 January 2008 at NMA to shade light on Annual Winter Aspirant Guide Course 2008 to be conducted jointly by Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA) from 5 - 25 January 2008 at Kathmandu, Langtang and Paldor under the supervision of Mr. Anselme Baud, member of IMFGA. Mr. Dinesh Hari Adhikari, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) was the chief guest for the program. NMA President Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa welcomed all the guests while Mr. Sunar Gurung, President of NNMGA highlighted about the importance of the training for the Nepalese mountaineers. He mentioned that mountaineers having completed Basic and Advance Mountaineering Course with Ecole National Ski de'alpanism degree conducted at ENSA, France are the basic requirements for this training. Supervisor from International Federation of Mountain Guide Association (IMFGA) Mr. Anseleme Baud expressed his happiness for the effort to carry out such training and asured that this training will definitely produce skilled mountaineers. The chief guest, in his speech, congratulated NMA for being able to conduct such type of training of international standard to provide international standard Nepali guide. He assured the cooperation from MoCTA to NMA to conduct further such trainings to develop mountaineering profession as a safe tourism profession. 10 male and 1 female trainees are participating in this training.

Certificate distribution- 11 Jan

In the program organized at NMA on 11 Jan, certificates were given away to the 14 participants (12 male and 2 female), first batch of Basic Introductory Mountaineering Training carried out at Kathmandu and Kakani from 23 Sep -5 Oct (First part) and 6 Jan - 11 Jan 2008 (Second part). Mr. Sunar Gurung, Technical Director, Petzl Foundation, and chief instructor Ms. Dominique Jean highlighted on the different aspects of the training. Mr. Khadananda Dhakal, Under Secretary, delivering the message, admired the endeavor of NMA to conduct such type of training with an aim to produce skilled manpower for the promotion of mountain tourism.

IInd Batch of Basic Introductory Mountaineering Training- 11 Jan

The second batch of Basic Introductory Mountaineering Training started from13 Jan 2008. In a program organized at NMA premises on 11 Jan, chief guest Mr. Khadananda Dhakal distributed booklets of the course to the 14 male participants. In the absence of our President, Acting President Mr. Zimba Zangbu Sherpa informed that NMA intends to provide the training to 42 trainees annually under this program.

Condolence program - 11 Jan

A condolence program was organized at NMA Secretariat on11 Jan 2008 in order to pay tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary, the conqueror of Mt. Everest. Hon'ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prithivi Subba Gurung was the chief guest of the program. Mr. Leela Mani Paudyal, Secretary, MoCTCA was also present in the program. Hon'ble Minister expressed that the contribution of Edmund Hillary in the Nepalese mountaineering tourism is immeasurable. He stated his contribution in the field of education, health of Khumbu region incomparable and exemplary. Likewise, Mr. Leela Mani Paudyal remembered the repeated requests of Edmund Hillary to stop in issuing permit to ascend Mt. Everest for the time being as a step to conserve the environment of Mt. Everest. Acting President Mr. Zimba Zangbu Sherpa said that the contribution of Edmund Hillary cannot be limited in the mountaineering sector only. His involvement in philanthropic activities like establishment of schools, hospitals in Khumbu region is commendable. He also informed that the condolence book will be kept at NMA premises. Journalists, well-wishers, mountain lovers were also present in the program.

NMA President appointed as Advisor- 14 Jan

NMA President Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa was nominated Advisor of the Advisory Board of Nepal Canyoning Association. We congratulate him.

Financial Assistance - 14 Jan

Central Secretariat Meeting held on 14 Jan decided to financially assist 9th Open Paragliding Competition (19-21 January) and Canyoning Training cum Workshop & Demonstration (25 Jan - 6 Feb ) to be organized by TAAN Pokhara Chapter and Nepal Canyoning Association respectively.

NMA's request for artifacts- 17 Jan

In honor of late Sir Edmund Hillary's contribution to the mountaineering tourism in Nepal, NMA has dispatched a letter to Madame June Hillary on 17 January mentioning some proposals as mentioned below sent to Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

1. Declaration of Lukla airport as Sir Edmund Hillary Airport, Lukla
2. Unnamed Himalayan Peak be declared Sir Edmund Hillary Peak,
3. Lukla - Everest Base Camp trail be declared as Hillary trail,
4. A monument (Statue) to be placed in an appropriate place in his honour,
5. Lukla Airport be named as Hillary Airport,
6. On the funeral day, 22nd January, 2008, national flag of Nepal be fluttered at half mast.

In the same letter, NMA requests Madame to provide some of the Sir Edmund Hillary's valuable artifacts for display in International Mountain Museum, Pokhara. On 20 Jan, NMA has also requested to Right Hon'ble Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to put forward the above proposals in the cabinet meeting.

Final respect to Hillary- 22 Jan

Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal Mountaineering Association and Nepal Tourism Board organized a memorial service on 22 January to memorize the contribution of Sir Edmund Hillary in mountaineering sector. Chief Guest for the program, Mr. Leela Mani Paudyal, Secretary for Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation stated that Hillary's contribution in the tourism sector was praiseworthy and the government would announce an annual event to honor him. Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa, President, NMA shade light on the exemplary contribution of Hillary for Sherpa community. Similarly, Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha, CEO, NTB said that he inspired Nepalese in conserving the environment in Everest region and helped us to understand the importance of Eco friendly tourism.

The condolence message of NMA is posted on the following websites.

http://www.everestnews.com/stories2008/sired01222008.htm

http://www.alpinist.com/doc/web07-08w/rb-ang-tshering-sherpa-hillary-tribute

http://www.mounteverest.net/news.php?news=16947

http://www.theuiaa.org/news_detail.php?ID=33

Some photos from Mt. Everest Golden Jubilee Celebration 2003

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