Darjeeling,
May 12: Tenzing Norgay has not been forgotten. The hill town
has got its act together for the final flourish before curtains
come down on the yearlong celebrations of the golden jubilee
of the conquest of Mount Everest.
Residents of the town are preparing ahead
for the weeklong gala christened Everest - the Darjeeling
Celebration. The extra effort is aimed not only at making
the event a befitting tribute to Edmund Hillary and Tenzing
Norgay's history-making ascent but also to get over the embarrassment
of failing to join the global celebrations which began on
May 29 last year.
`We have not forgotten Tenzing Norgay's
achievement. He is Darjeeling's most famous son. Our mistake
last year has spurred us to end the celebrations on a grand
note here, in the hero's hometown. We are determined to make
up for our mistakes,` said Samir Sharma, one of the organisers
of the show.
Mountain film festivals, heritage walks,
semi-acoustic musical afternoons - the organisers are going
the whole hog to ensure entertainment for everyone.
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, of which Tenzing was
the director from 1954 to 1986 - is also chipping in by hosting
the 2nd Tenzing Norgay Open Sport Climbing Competition. Entrants
from across the globe are expected to participate in the contest.
Everesters like Padmashree Nawang Gombu - the first man to
summit Mount Everest twice - will also be felicitated at the
celebrations.
The most touching tribute, however, has
been saved for last. At 11.30 am On May 29 - when, 50 years
ago, Hillary and Tenzing set foot on the highest peak on earth
- the original flag they had unfurled atop Everest will be
raised once again at HMI, where Tenzing's body rests.
A host of events, including an exhibition
of the gear used by Tenzing on his climb in 1953, have been
lined up for mountain maniacs. Adventure sports like parasailing
and white-water rafting have also been planned.
A film titled Everest, which was made by
a team, of which Jamling Tenzing Norgay - son of Tenzing Norgay
- was a member, will also be screened in the film festival.
Apart from the celebrations, the Darjeeling
NGO Network will hold a seminar, Challenges of the Himalayas,
to which mountain experts have been invited.
`The objective of holding the seminar is
to chalk out a concrete plan at the end of the celebration
so that we can work together to conserve the Himalayas,` said
Sharma.
Courtesy
The Telegraph |
Home
| About Us | Contact
Us | Site Map | Feedback
