DARJEELING,: Darjeeling paid tributes in different forms to the legendary mountaineer Tenzing Norgay Sherpa today on the occasion of his 71st year since summiting Mt. Everest and his 110th birth anniversary.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) here hosted a special program to honor Sherpa, who served as the first field director of the institute. People from various backgrounds gathered to pay homage to Norgay, offering prayers and laying wreaths at his samadhi and statue located in the HMI premises.
Norgay's son, Jamling Tenzing Norgay reiterated the longstanding demand for his father to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, citing his pioneering achievement as the first Indian to summit Everest.
“This demand has been made by the people in Darjeeling and the Sherpa community for more than 10 years now. We are not fighting for it but waiting for it patiently. Good things will happen to good people and we will continue to request the government for this as my father deserves it. He was not only the first to summit Mt. Everest was also the first Indian to do so and bring the country into the limelight just a few years after the British left India. My father was also the first non-political icon recognized in the world for inspiring many people,” said Jamling.
To mark the occasion, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) launched a trekking route named after Tenzing Sherpa. The trail, named ‘Tenzing Sherpa Hiking Trail Edition 2’, spans from Chowrasta to Sidrapong passing through the Tibetan Museum at Gandhi Road, Ava Art Gallery, Burdwan Palace, Arya Tea Estate and Tenzing Sherpa’s house. The initiative aims to promote adventure tourism while celebrating Norgay's connection to the region.
Dawa Sherpa, chief coordinator of GTA's Adventure Tourism department, highlighted the importance of recognizing Norgay's contributions through such initiatives. The trek, covering 10 km, offers tourists a glimpse into the cultural and natural heritage of the region, ending at Sidrapong, the first hydro project in Asia.
Sherpa said that a trial run for the route had already been done with the trekking trail starting from Chowrasta. Following the launched of the trek route in the morning, about 45 people took part in the low altitude trek today.
Meanwhile, in a symbolic gesture of respect, a marathon covering 32 kms from Jorethang in Sikkim to Darjeeling was undertaken by Amar Subba and his students. The run aimed to honour Norgay's legacy and support the call for the Bharat Ratna.
HMI principal Group Captain Jai Kishan said, “Though Tenzing Norgay is remembered the world over today, it is even more special for HMI as he was the first field director of the institute. Not only people from Darjeeling got to pay tribute to the first Everester in our program today, but tourists who were present here became aware of Norgay’s birth anniversary, summit and his connection with the HMI.”