Everest Day is celebrated every year jointly by Non-Resident Nepal Association of New Zealand (NRNA-NZ) and the Himalayan Trust in New Zealand and in Nepal. The 69th anniversary celebration kick started with a Nepalese cultural evening and honouring the Hillary family at the Fickling Centre at Three Kings in Auckland on Sunday 29th May.

Participating dignitaries including Race Relation Commissioner Meng Foon, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, National MP Melissa Lee and wife and son of late Sir Edmund Hillary, Dame June Hillary and Peter Hillary were present among many others from different spectrum m of community.

NRNA-NZ President Uddhav Adhikary started the programme with his welcome speech and later Sir Edmond Hillary’s Peter Hillary was honoured by the Nepalese Association for his contribution to the Nepalese community and continuing the legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary in Nepal, over the years. New Zealand’s Sir Edmund Hillary and his Nepalese associate Tenzing Norgay together scaled the world ‘s highest summit on 29th May 1953. The official government celebrations will take place at Wellington in New Zealand Parliament on 31st May and then different parts of the world including in Nepal. Nepalese Association spokesperson said that preparations have already started to commemorate 70th year of ascent on the top of the world, next year.

A representative from Nepalese Embassy also attended the event and he thanked Nepalese Association and the New Zealand government for their continuing support to the Nepalese community. Several cultural programmes and dance performance were presented on this occasion on this occasion and all attendees enjoyed a sumptuous food served at the end of the programme. -TIN Bureau