KATHMANDU, JULY 2
Former prime minister and Chairman of CPN-Maoist (Centre) Puspa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said he is committed to establishing a tourism university in Nepal.
Unveiling a statue of his son late Sakar Dahal 'Prakash' at Kakani, Nuwakot on Friday, Dahal assured the mountaineers that he will lead the campaign to establish such a university in the country.
"I will put forth this proposal at the meeting of the ruling alliance soon," he added, "Our country needs a tourism university."
Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) established the statue of late Sakar Dahal in the premises of International Mountaineers Memorial Park (IMMP) Kakani, honouring his ascent to Mount Everest. The statue was unveiled on the same day of late Dahal's birthday.
"Establishment of this statue is an honour to all mountaineers. I'd like to extend sincere thanks to NMA for this task," Dahal added.
Former PM Dahal proposed that the NMA should be entrusted with more responsibility for the promotion and management of tourism in the coming days.
Responding to the grievances of mountaineers about lack of social security, Dahal insisted that the state should address those issues.
Former minister and Member of the House of Representatives Hit Bahadur Tamang appreciated the placement of the statue at IMMP Kakani. "This would help to promote tourism in the area," Tamang said.
Late Dahal's colleague Krishna KC, recalling the summit of the world's tallest peak together, said Dahal was a brave and enthusiastic person.
Veteran climber Ang Dawa Sherpa and Doma Sherpa, speaking at the ceremony, proposed that the state should establish a special fund for financial security of Nepali mountaineers.
Immediate past president of NMA, Shanta Bir Lama, said the statue was built in honour of all mountaineers.
NMA President Nima Nuru Sherpa extended sincere appreciation to all those who contributed for building the statue. The ceremony was moderated by Senior Vice-President of NMA Thakur Raj Pandey.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 3, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
