Date: September 21, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Eighteen mountaineers who have summited the highest peak on earth, Mt. Everest, gathered at a rally in front of the United Nations building on Tuesday at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 47th Street, New York, USA while world leaders gathered in the United Nations. The climbers present at the rally were Appa Sherpa (scaled Mt Everest 20 times), First South Asian Journalist to summit Mt. Everest Mr. Ang Chhiring Sherpa, Nima Gombu Sherpa (scaled Mt Everest 15 times), Pasag Rinji Sherpa (Scaled 5 times), Ang Pasang Sherpa, Ang Phurba Sherpa, Chuldim Nurbu Sherpa, Kipa Sherpa, Lakpa Gelje Sherpa, Mingma Chiring Sherpa, Mingma Nurbu Sherpa, Pasang Kami Sherpa, Chuldim nuru Sherpa, Serap Jangbu Sherpa, Sonam Sherpa, Nima gombu Sherpa, Ang babu ( jinpa) Sherpa, AC Sherpa, and Dawa Stephen Sherpa. The rally was organized as a series of event began with a cabinet meeting at Kalapaththar, the Everest Base Camp in Nepal and an awareness rally at Copenhagen.
Speaking at the event, the head of the Nepal’s delegation to the United Nation and the Home Minister of Nepal Mr. Bhim Rawal appealed international leaders to pay attention and support to stop melting Himalayas and snow. He praised the efforts organized by the Non Resident Nepalis and also added that the government of Nepal is committed to work on this issue.
Coordinator of the event, Mr. Ang Chirring Sherpa, a NY resident and First South Asian Journalist to summit Mt. Everest, welcomed the crowd and his opening remarks included witnessing melting snows and glaciers in the region. Mr. Suman R. Timsina, President of NRN NCC of USA (aka NRN America), emphasized that it is not just a task or an event but is a responsibility of every Nepali and is an issue of their identity. He appealed that we must take message to our local community from this rally and spread a message to increase awareness and educate others on the impact. Permanent Representative of Nepal to the UN Mr. Gyan C Acharya added that his office is fully committed to influence other nations in his capacity at UN. Past Asstt Secretary Gen of UN, Mr. Kul Chandra Gautam, asked everyone to act now and thanked organizers for organizing such rally in timely manner.
Honorary Counselor of Nepal to US and an acclaimed folk singer Mr. Prem Raja Mahat dedicated a song to the theme of Save the Himalayas and his song drew serious attention to Nepali identity, climate change and socio-cultural and environmental impact. Forest Minister of Nepal, Mr. Deepak Bohara, talked about the commitment of the present government of Nepal and recognized all the climbers. Environmentalist and the Executive Director of NTNC, Dr. Siddhartha Bajracharya, laid out more known impacts of climate change and global warming in the Himalayas.
Speaking on the occasion, number of climbers including Appa Sherpa, Dawa Stephen Sherpa, Sonam Sherpa, Jangbu Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Kipa Sherpa, Ang Phurba Sherpa, AC Sherpa and others appealed to draw the attention of the international community to stop the impact of global warming. They requested industrial nations to understand the impact of melting glaciers and snows on human life. They shared their experience of witnessing such impacts from the top of the world as many times as 20 by Appa Sherpa. Prof. David Burleson of Harvard University, Tom Broadbant of Green venture Adventures, renowned Nepali athlete Mr. Deepak Bista,,Karma G. Sherpa, President of FIPNA, Mr. Aditya Maharjan, Gen Secretary of FIPNA, Mr. Parhald KC of Boston, Actress Ms. Gaury Malla, Mr. Bhuwan Gurung of Boston, Gen Secretary of Sherpa Kiydug and Langhali Association. Ms. Sharmila Uprety, Joint Secretary of NAJA, Mr. Ananta Risal, President of FONNJ Mr. Khagendra Chettry and many other spoke on this occasion. Co-Coordinators of the event Dr. Binod Shah and Mr. Tek Gurung asked everyone to rise above everything and work united for such cause. Dr. Shah added that if we do not act, impact of those melting snow will be miserable. Renowned writer, musician, traveler, and daughter of Late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan added that the impact of the 3rd largest pile of snow is in Himalayas and the impact of disappearance of snow and melting is unimaginable and appealed international community to work and Save the Himalayas.
A noted poet and community activist Mr. Tsewang Sherpa Lama and Dr, Tara Niraula moderated the event very well and energized the crowd with enchanting of the slogans, Mr. Yam Baral and other singer dedicated one more song to the cause and was composed by Mr. Tek Gurung.
An online petition to collect signature was also taken to the United Nations with the help of Nepal Mission to get signature of other nations to appeal UN and global community to Save the Himalayas. A petition will be submitted to UN Secretary General and will also be sent to global leadership. A record holder climber Mr. Appa Sherpa, also addressed leaders of International Community on the issue at Save the Himalayas inside the United Nations. Estimated number of attendees was over 200.
The Rally was organized by NRN NCC USA in collaboration with the Government of Nepal and National Trust for Nature Conservation. Representatives from over 10 States and a number of Nepali organizations participated in the rally. It was sponsored by local supporters of the rally.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDCHu5CmckE&feature=player_embedded
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWXkdQyKYoI&feature=player_embedded
(videos and pictures are from US Nepal online, Himali Swarharu and Suman Timsina. More pictures are available on NRNNCC facebook)
