Hero’s welcome to Manipur mountaineers

Sobhapati Samom

IMPHAL, June 7 – Hero’s welcome were given to five Manipuris who scaled Mt Everest – the highest peak in the world (29,029 ft) and their team during a reception here on Thursday.

Civil society leaders, well wishers and relatives of the climbers turned up at Tulihal Airport here this morning to welcome them back.

Later, the team leader of the 1st North East India Top of the World Mt Everest Expedition 2013, Dr L Surjit Singh, who is also the president of Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) along with Mt Everest summitters N Chingkjheinganba, N Bidyapati, Puyamcha Mohon accompanied by two other NCC climbers Ph Bidyachand and Ch Shanker who also scaled the peak last month, drove straight to the Khuman Lampak main stadium to attend a felicitation programme by United Committee Manipur (UCM) and All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO).

Tarun Saikia and David became the first Assamese and first Mizo to scale the Mt Everest while N Bidyapati of Manipur and Wangsuk of Meghalaya became the first women Everesters from their respective States. Interestingly, Anshu Jamsenpa of Arunachal became the first mother of two who scaled Everest thrice while Sikkim’s K Sherpa was the oldest in NE to scale the peak.

The Assam Government has announced cash awards of Rs 20 lakh each to two Assam Everesters Tarun Saikia and Manish Deka while Manipur Government announced Rs 10 lakh each to its five Everesters.