Over 500 Everesters to gather in Nepal

Kathmandu, May 20: Over 500 Everesters from around the globe, including 13 expeditioners from India, will gather here for a three-day event starting May 27 to mark the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Nepal government will host the event to honour the Everest summiteers, according to Nepal Mountaineering Association. So far 202 Everesters from 38 countries, including 13 climbers from India have confirmed their participation for the event. Invitations have been sent to over 700 summiteers. "The objective of the celebration is to give international exposure to Nepal as the prime expedition and sporting destinations in the world," Nepalese minister of state for tourism and civil aviation Rabibhakta Shrestha said addressing a pre-celebration media briefing.
Hillary, who is also the honorary president of the Mt Everest golden jubilee celebrations committee, is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on May 23.

Nepal government has also decided to grant honourary citizenship to Hillary during the occasion.

However, the government is yet to decide on the demand made by Nepal mountaineering association to posthumously honour Tenzing by declaring him the national hero.

During the event, Nepal has decided to waive 30 us dollars visa fee for the expeditioners. They will also get 50 per cent concession on visa fees during their future visits. Bureau Report