Media Release – International Sagarmatha (Everest) Day
Statement by the President of the Fiji Mountaineering and Climbing Association Mr.Savneel Sangeet Kumar on the occasion of International Sagarmatha (Everest) Day
On behalf of the Fiji Mountaineering and Climbing Association, I am delighted to share this message on the occasion of the International Sagarmatha (Everest) Day.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the historic ascent to the summit of Mount Sagarmatha (Everest) by Sir Edmund Hillary and Shri Tenzing Norgay Sherpa.
Indeed, their achievement was a remarkable one.At a time when there was lack of technology, high quality clothing and equipmentandconditionswere unknown at the higher-end of Sagarmatha (Everest), still, Sir Hillary and Shri Norgay were able to reach the summit of this mountain.They have inspired millions of people throughout the world and will continue to amaze the generations to come.
We proudly cherish the moments Sir Hillary spent in Fiji.The story of his climbs at Joske’s Thumb isstill shared by Fijians and his establishment of the Fiji Rucksack Club is still very active.
The journey to the summit of Mount Sagarmatha (Everest) was not that simple. There were several attempts made by several people to reach the summit of this mountain.Shri Norgay had made six attempts before he gained success.
Sir Hillary and Shri Norgay were members of the 9th British expeditionwhen they finally reached the summit of Mount Sagarmatha (Everest) on the 29th of May 1953 at around 11:00 AM.
Mountains require a lot of dedication and self-reflection from their climbers.It is not a run to the top. Any scalereachedon any mountainis an achievement on its own and is worth celebrating.
Today, in the pursuit of making some sort of record, often many people seriously injure themselves.Manyfeed themselves with substances that harm their health in the long run. There is need for more awareness on this aspect of mountaineering.
Mountain sports like hiking, trekking, descending and rock climbing are becoming very popular in Fiji.They come at very reasonable or no cost at all and they keep our citizens healthy and fit.
While going to the mountains, people should be mindful that they maintain the highest level of safety and that they do not disturb the mountain surrounding or pollute the environment.
The Association is also delighted to see that Fijians are also visitingcountries like New Zealand, China, India and Nepal for their mountaineering endeavors. These endeavors strengthen Fiji’s bilateral relations with these countries.
The Association is also working with Sport Climbing Fiji (SCF) on a climbing gym project. The project when completed will enable Fijians to enjoy climbing on artificial walls.
Finally, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate all those mountaineerswho attempted this year’ssummer expedition to Mount Sagarmatha (Everest) and our best for the winter expeditions.
A very happy Sagarmatha (Everest) Day to you all.
Keep climbing from peak to peak.
Statement by the High Commissioner of New Zealand to Fiji Her Excellency Charlotte Darlow on the occasion of International Sagarmatha (Everest) Day
The New Zealand High Commission to Fiji is honoured to recognise this year’s International Sagarmatha (Everest) Day, in collaboration with the Fiji Mountaineering and Climbing Association and other partners.
It is particularly special to be marking the 70th anniversary of the historic ascent to the summit of Mount Sagarmatha/Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. Even though 70 years have passed since that momentous occasion, and despite the feats of technological innovation that the world has witnessed over that period, we still collectively marvel at the spirit, endurance, vision, and perseverance that Hillary and Norgay encapsulated through their ascent.
Indeed, their achievements have inspired countless people across the world – including in both Aotearoa New Zealand and Fiji – to push themselves to their physical and cognitive limits, and in doing so to grow as individuals.
Many people have been inspired by Hillary and Norgay to carry out their own mountaineering and climbing endeavours. For example, many people each year reach the summit of Aoraki/Mount Cook in Aotearoa New Zealand, and Mount Tomanivi in Fiji. Of course, reaching these peaks is not the only way to celebrate mountaineering or climbing success. It is simply the pursuit of fun, skill, exercise, and challenge – no matter the final destination – that is worth celebrating.
And it is not only through mountaineering and climbing that we can push ourselves to achieve individual accomplishments – each of us has our own ‘Sagarmatha/Everest’ in our lives to set our sights on and to overcome. International Sagarmatha (Everest) Day is a moment where we can reflect on what this means to each of us, and we can redouble our efforts to overcome those challenges and to find success in our lives.
We are also reminded on this day about the power of connecting across societies and across international borders. Aotearoa New Zealand is proud of the role that Sir Edmund Hillary played in bringing our country closer to Nepal and to South Asia more broadly. In this light, we also celebrate the many people who have nurtured the long-standing bonds that connect Aotearoa New Zealand and Fiji, through sporting, social, and cultural connections that bind us together and enable us again, to grow.
Sir Edmund Hillary was active and respected across a range of fields beyond mountaineering, including spending time in the 1980s as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to India (concurrently Ambassador to Nepal and High Commissioner to Bangladesh), his philanthropic work in Nepal in particular, and a range of other advocacy roles. His legacy across Aotearoa New Zealand, and across the world, still remains strong to this day. He was one of only a very small number of Kiwis to have been given a state funeral in New Zealand without having held high political office, when he passed away in 2008 at the age of 88.
In fact, Sir Edmund Hillary’s legacy extends directly to Fiji as well; he was briefly stationed in Fiji as a Royal New Zealand Air Force flying boat navigator during World War II. As we commemorated last month on ANZAC Day, he is one of the many people who brought New Zealand and Fiji closer together during that period through a sense of shared service and duty for the greater good.
The New Zealand High Commission would like to extend our well wishes to all commemorating International Sagarmatha (Everest) Day.
Statement on the occasion of International Sagarmatha (Everest) Day by Dr. Satendra Singh of the Fiji Association in Auckland (Inc.)
On behalf of Lady June Hillary, I am delighted to greet the Fiji Mountaineering and Climbing Association on this celebration, marking Everest Day, and with it, a special tribute to the late Sir Edmund Hillary and Shri Tensing Norgay.
Sir Edmund Hillary remains an iconic New Zealander, whose exploits with mountaineering began at an early age. He would often relate how mountains fascinated him. While serving with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) at Laucala Bay during the Second World War, Hillary ventured to climb Joske’s Thumb. He failed to reach the summit despite two attempts, going on in 1953 to reach the world’s highest peak – Mt Everest. Three decades later, Sir Ed returned to Fiji as his appointment with Joske’s Thumb remained. Together with a group of local climbers, Sir Edmund Hillary reached the top.
Several years ago, Sir Edmund Hillary’s influence was the topic of an essay competition for senior secondary students in Fiji, offered by the NZ High Commission in Suva. Lady June Hillary and I were the judges and read hundreds of entries. Students wrote about his adventures, his simple love of nature and ways to safeguard our natural inheritance among values which have never been as relevant as in our present, somewhat desperate attempts to combat the effects of climate change.
Sagarmatha Day reminds us to value, enjoy and protect our world. Sir Edmund’s example mirrors many efforts to enjoy mountaineering and to ensure nature is treated with utmost respect.
At the 50th Anniversary of his ascent of Mt Everest in 2003, Sir Edmund Hillary told a group of Fijian children at Government House, Auckland, about Sagarmatha, joyfully encouraging them to view mountains with special affection, and with his infectious smile, related the story of his appointments with Joske’s Thumb near Suva. I attach a picture of that memorable occasion which may serve to remind us of the great legacy that Sir Edmund Hillary left not just for mountaineering, but for our beautiful world.
Wishing you an enjoyable Sagarmatha Day.
Dr. Satendra Singh
Officer, New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM)
Officer, Order of Fiji (OF)
Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award, President of India, (PBSA)
Queen’s Service Order (QSM)
