Kathmandu, Jan. 11 : Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Tarini Dutta Chataut, at a programme hosted by Nepal Mountaineering Association here today, felicitated mountaineers Babu Chhiri Sherpa, Appa Sherpa, Miss Lakpa Sherpa and Pemba Doma Sherpa for setting new world records in expeditions to Mt Sagarmatha (Everest).
On the occasion, he said that HMG would extend all possible assistance to boost tourism in the country and called for extended cooperation to attract domestic and foreign tourists.
Speaking on behalf of the mountaineers felicitated, Babu Chhiri Sherpa said that with the inspiration of all the Nepalese, he had been enthused to set new records, and that he would set up a Babu Chhiri Trust to promote tourism activities.
Association president Tasi Sherpa said that it was the duty of one and all to honour those engaged in the hard and challenging task of climbing expeditions and setting new world records.
Babu Chhiri set a world record by climbing Everest in 16 hours and 15 minutes while Appa Sherpa has reached the highest peak of the world for the 11th time.
Likewise, Miss Lakpa Sherpa is the second Nepali woman mountaineer to reach the Everest summit and Pemba Sherpa the first Nepali woman to undertake the expedition from the northern side.
On the occasion, Appa Sherpa was awarded Rs 100,000 and Lakpa Sherpa and Pemba Sherpa Rs 75,000 each.