KATHMANDU: New York's Queens street has officially been co-named 'Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Way' on the occasion of the platinum jubilee of the first ascent of Mt Everest.

'The 75th street from Broadway to Woodside is now Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Way,' Passang Nima Sherpa, President of US Nepal Climber Association Inc, informed.

Earlier, the New York City Council passed a bill to co-name the street as 'Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Way' to honour the Nepali community.

A special ceremony was held on May 29 to unveil the street sign for Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Way. Council member Shekar Krishnan from District 25 in the New York City Council chaired the event to mark the occasion coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the first successful summit of Mt Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary in 1953.

During the program attended by a large Nepali community, Councilmember Shekar Krishnan appreciated the Nepali community, terming the co-naming of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Way as a proud moment.

Krishnan emphasized that the street naming was a step toward rectifying the lack of recognition and a testament to the vibrancy, strength, and influence of the Nepali community.

He also acknowledged the role of former council member Daniel Dromm, who introduced a resolution in the City Council to name the street Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Way.

The event was graced by the presence of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa's sons, Norbu Tenzing Norgay and Dhamey Tenzing Norgay. Norbu expressed his joy in being part of the occasion, considering the street naming a great honor.

'People should dream big, taking inspiration from his father,' Norbu said adding that the street's name serves as a reminder that success requires hard work and persistent efforts.

Michael Gianaris, the Deputy Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, Assembly members Steven Raga, Catalina Cruz, Julie Won and Jessica González-Rojas applauded the Nepali community's contributions to heritage and history and extended their gratitude on the historic occasion of the Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Way co-naming.

During the event, Acting Consul General Bishnu Prasad Gautam thanked Nepali community and also expressed gratitude to the New York City Council for leading the street naming process.

Passang Nima Sherpa, President of the US Nepal Climbers Association and other delegates expressed their gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Way co-naming program. They emphasized that the co-naming of a street in New York City after Tenzing Norgay Sherpa filled Nepalis with a sense of pride.

Yangkila Sherpa, provincial assembly member of the Bagmati province and other high-level dignitaries were also present on the occasion, said Pema Chhewang Sherpa, founder of the Everest Awakening. 'It was really a proud moment for all Nepali people,' he said.