HMI to offer Tenzing Norgay Award from 2007

Darjeeling, Oct 15 (UNI) Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today announced the introduction of Tenzing Norgay Award in the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) after the legendary Everester, who was lifetime advisor to the institute.

Addressing HMI's golden Jubilee celebrations, Mr Mukherjee, who is also the President of the institute, said the Tenzing Norgay Mountaineering Award would be conferred to an outstanding explorer/mountaineer along with Rs 1 lakh from year 2007.

He said the institute has produced many legends since 1954, founded by Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and then West Bengal Chief Minister Dr B.C.Roy.

Mr Mukherjee said the HMI's Tenzing award would not be restricted to any country and will be given to an utstanding explorer/ mountaineer for his/her lifetime contribution.

Several Everesters and mountaineers including Nawang Gombu (frist person to climb Everest twice), Dorjee Latoo, Nima Tashi and, Sonam Topgay were falicitated by the institute. All were associated with the HMI and brought laurels for the country in adventure.

Mr Mukherjee said the HMI trained some 24,996 students including 1025 foreigners till now. The HMI was founded a year after Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary climbed the world's tallest mountain the Everest in Nepal.

HMI's principal J.S.Dhilon said the institute would sponsor underprivileged children for their mountaineering courses.

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