In a proud moment for the Gurung community and the nation as a whole, 18 mountain climbers from Dharche Rural Municipality in Gorkha district were felicitated in a special ceremony held in Kathmandu. These climbers were honored for their extraordinary achievement of summiting peaks above 8,000 meters, including some of the most challenging mountains in the world.
The felicitation program, organized by the Atharsayakhola Tamu Society, took place on Monday in the federal capital and celebrated the climbers’ outstanding contribution to the recognition of the Gurung community and Nepal’s mountaineering heritage.
Celebration of Courage and National Honor
The ceremony was graced by Resham Gurung, Vice Chairman of the Indigenous Nationalities Upliftment Foundation; Laxman Gurung, Chairman of Dharche Rural Municipality; and Dhan Bahadur Gurung, Chairman of the Atharsayakhola Tamu Society. These dignitaries jointly presented tokens of appreciation, certificates, and garlands to the climbers who have conquered some of the highest and most treacherous mountains on Earth.
Speaking at the event, Resham Gurung praised the climbers’ bravery and their symbolic representation of Nepali strength, resilience, and national pride. “These climbers are not just mountaineers, they are ambassadors of our culture, heritage, and determination. Their feats at the world’s highest altitudes have made the Gurung community and all of Nepal immensely proud,” he said.
The Heroes Behind the Heights
The climbers felicitated at the event include:
- Pur Bahadur Gurung
- Iman Gurung
- Suman Gurung
- Om Bahadur Gurung
- Sandip Gurung
- Ram Bahadur Gurung
- Sujal Gurung
- Nanu Maya Gurung
- Budh Gurung
- Keshav Gurung
- Purna Gurung
- Mulal Gurung
- Bish Bahadur Gurung
- Dambar Gurung
- Manuman Gurung
- Tulsing Gurung
- Ash Bahadur Gurung
Each of these individuals has demonstrated exceptional courage and skill, climbing peaks that exceed 8,000 meters, among them, Mount Everest (Sagarmatha), Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, and other Himalayan giants.
Women Breaking Barriers
One of the most notable names on the list is Nanu Maya Gurung, whose achievement also reflects the growing presence of women in high-altitude mountaineering. Her inclusion was met with enthusiastic applause, as she represented the breaking of traditional gender roles in what has historically been a male-dominated endeavor. Her story of perseverance and passion has become a source of inspiration for young women in rural Nepal who wish to pursue adventurous and unconventional paths.
The Role of Dharche Rural Municipality
Chairman Laxman Gurung of Dharche Rural Municipality praised the climbers and reaffirmed the local government’s support for tourism, mountaineering, and skill development initiatives. He emphasized that the mountainous landscape of Gorkha, particularly Dharche, offers immense potential in adventure tourism and that local youths should be supported through proper training, exposure, and incentives. “Our community has produced some of the best climbers in the world. It is our responsibility to recognize their efforts and encourage the next generation to follow in their footsteps,” said Chairman Gurung.
Cultural Identity and Community Pride
Chairman Dhan Bahadur Gurung of the Atharsayakhola Tamu Society highlighted that the recognition was not only about mountaineering achievements but also about honoring the cultural heritage and contribution of the Gurung community to Nepal’s national identity. He mentioned that the society will continue to organize such events to promote the talents and dedication of the community’s members. “These climbers have carved their names into the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas and, in doing so, have brought global recognition to the Gurung identity,” he said.
Promoting Adventure and National Unity
The event concluded with a collective call to invest more in mountaineering infrastructure, safety, and training, especially at the grassroots level. Leaders urged the government and private sector to acknowledge the importance of climbers, many of whom hail from humble backgrounds and risk their lives for national pride and global tourism. There were also cultural performances and a documentary screening showcasing the journeys of the climbers, from their remote villages in Gorkha to the summits of the world’s tallest mountains.
Saluting the Summit Conquerors
This felicitation program served not only as a recognition of past accomplishments but also as a motivational milestone for future generations of climbers in Nepal. As the honored climbers returned to their communities, they carried with them not just medals and certificates, but the collective admiration of a grateful nation.
In a country where the Himalayas define both the geography and the spirit of its people, these brave mountaineers from Dharche have stood tall, not just on the peaks they scaled, but in the hearts of all who dream of touching the sky.
