On May 15 Sonam Bhote, a mountaineer from Arun Tours and Treks not only scaled Mt Everest for the first time in his life, but also launched the English Poetry Book titled, Bards’ Sketches jointly written by Wangdi Gyalpo, head of English department, Shuvatara International School and Bhote. This is the first ever-English poetry book launched on the top of the world.

Bhote was born in Sandakphu, Nepal. Gyalpo was born in Darjeeling. The fascinating thing about both of them is that, though born in different places, time brought them together. Both of them studied in Central School for Tibetans in Darjeeling, India. They came to Kathmandu almost at the same time and started working in their respective fields. “The main intention behind launching our book on top of the world is to prove to the world that Sherpas and Tibetans, who are basically regarded as mountaineers and high altitude porters, besides climbing also have the calibre to write poetry,” they said.

They added that, they want to arouse the awareness among Sherpas and Tibetans about the poetry. — Shirish R Tuladhar, Class X, Shuvatara Int’l School