TADONG (Gangtok), May 23: The 42 students, comprising both boys and girls, from Samdong Senior Secondary School have successfully completed their five-day rock climbing course at Samdong in East Sikkim. National Social Service (NSS) had initiated the progammme in collaboration with the Tenzing Norgay Climbing Club, a wing of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling. The three instructors ~ Mr Prashant Allay, Mr Ganesh Chettri and Mr Sonam Lepcha ~ trained the 42 students who are also the members of NSS. "Three of them will be selected for rock climbing training at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) in Darjeeling to be sponsored by state government," said Mr Norzang Lepcha, MLA. "The state government had invested Rs 14.75 lakh for the promotion of rock climbing-cum-tourism spot in the area," Mr lepcha, said. The 42 rock climbers were felicitated with certificates by Tenzing Norgay Climbing Club (TNCC), Darjeeling. "Today's students should focus on adventure sports which is rare in the region," said Mr Nawang Gompu Sherpa, who was the guest of honour on the occasion. Mr Sherpa, who has the distinction of climbing the Mount Everest twice, said: "Sikkim is one of the best places for adventure sports. The state government should give more emphasis on it." Sikkim, with its natural beautiful along with its stiff craggy terrain and rocks, had allured the government to boost adventure sports. This was the first time that the NSS initiated and organised rock climbing in the state.
(Statesman News Service)
Sikkim Served Fresh Daily
