Nepal Mountaineering Association successfully celebrated 18th International Mountain Day at International Mountain Museum, Pokhara on 11th December, 2021 in the presence of the Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale as a Chief Guest and Speaker of Province-04 Mr. Netra Nath Adhikari as a Special Guest.

The program was started with a eloquence competition which was moderated by Executive Director of International Mountain Museum Ms. Nirmala Neupane. The juries were Secretary of NMA Mr. Tikaram Gurung, Dr. Ram Chandra Baral, Dr. Ramji Sharma & Mr. Nabin Pokhrel. The tiktok competition result was hold as NMA did not receive the proper tiktok videos from the participants which would help IMM publicize more. Therefore the team elongated the time period for the video receiving till the IMM Day which is celebrated each year on February 5. After the completion of eloquence competition, the media talk show was conducted on the topic “Role of Media in the promotion of International Mountain Museum. The program was hosted by Mr. Jeewan Raj Sapkota. The panelist were Former President of Federation of Nepali Journalists Mr. Dipendra Shrestha, Vice President of Federation of Nepali Journalists, Kaski Ms. Jamuna Barsha Sharma, Beuro Chief of Annapurna Post Mr. Keshab Sharan Lamichhane, Newsman of Nepal Television Mr. Parshuram Sharma and General Secretary of Nepal Mountaineering Association Mr. Kul Bahadur Gurung whereas the moderator was Reporter of Kantipur Post Mr. Dipak Pariyar.

After the arrival of Honorable Minister the formal program started which was moderated by the General Secretary of NMA Mr. Kul Bahadur Gurung. The chief guest, special guests and guests were seated and the formal program began. Welcome speech were presented by the veteran climbers Ms. Poornima Shrestha and Mr. Kami Rita Sherpa. Ms. Poornima Shrestha shared her memorable as well as bitter experience during her summit journey. She also shared the struggles a mountaineer has to face and appreciated the hard work of the Sherpa in the mountains. She mentioned “Expedition in mountains might be possible without oxygen cylinder but is surely impossible without the Sherpa”. The World Record Holder Mr. Kami Rota Sherpa who has already summited Mt. Everest 25 times added that Nepal is known by only two things which are Mt. Everest and the Sherpa. He mentioned these days the number of climbers have been degrading and is becoming a serious issues in the field of mountaineering. Therefore he requested the Honorable minister to give more attention in this serious matter. The Co-Convener of IMM Committee Mr. Bijay Gurung during his welcome speech thanked everyone for showing up in the event on behalf of NMA and IMM. He praised how beautiful Pokhara and International Mountain Museum is and requested everyone to work from their side in the promotion and publicity of IMM. He also appreciated the deeds of Late. Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah and Late. Dr. Harka Gurung.

The lamp lightening ceremony was done by the honorable minister. During his speech he praised the climbers for their hard work and victory they have achieved. He said that her personally and the government has been working for the development of Pokhara and its heritage sites. He also promised to help International Mountain Museum to renovate its different areas. He remembered and congratulated Mr. Nirmal Purja for creating a history and making our nation renowned all over the world. He mentioned that the government has also been working for the management of the damp sides and International Airport of Pokhara. He added Pokhara has many potentialities and will surely initiate in the development works of Gandaki Province. After his speech the certificates were handed over to all the participants whereas he also handed over some amount to the cultural dancers as an appreciation for their amazing cultural dance performance. Before leaving to Kathmandu he planted a tree on his name in the garden of IMM. After the completion of the formal event NMA hosted a hi tea where all the delegates and participants were invited.