2 August 2006- Nepal-Japan 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relationship Expedition Nangpai Gosum (7,321m) - 2006
A press meet was organized at NMA Secretariat on 2 August 2006 regarding 50th Nepal Japan Diplomatic Relationship Expedition. Mountaineers from both the country are planning to jointly climb an unclimbed peak Nangpai Gosum, 7321m. It was informed that NMA and JWAF would jointly coordinate the expedition on behalf of the Government of Nepal and Japanese Government respectively. Mr. Kondo Kazuyoshi, Expedition Leader expressed his gratitude towards NMA for being the implementing agency for Nepal and wishes well for the success of the expedition. NMA is grateful to be part of this expedition.

Secretariat Meeting - 3 August 2006
NMA Secretariat meeting nominated NMA Secretary Mr. Narhari Bhandari as representative of NMA for the Tourism Promotion Committee formed by Nepal Chamber of Commerce.

Bagmati River Festival- 6 August 2006
NMA participated in the Dunga Daud organized by Nepal River Conservation Trust (NRCT) on the occasion of Bagmati River Festival-2006 to create environmental awareness among the youth. NMA has provided financial assistance to Bagmati River Festival.

Central Executive Board Meeting- 14 August 2006
The Board Meeting thanked Mr. Wonchu Sherpa, (President, Everest Summiteers' Association) for generous contribution of Ice-axe and Helmet to be presented to the Hon'ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Pradeep Gyawali, Chief Guest of NMA's Annual General Assembly 2006.

The Board Meeting also selected retired Colonel Mr. Madan K.C and journalist Mr. Kedar Man Singh as the recipients of Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah Pratibha Puraskaar-2006 and Dawa Norbu Sherpa Parbatiya Paryatan Patrakarita Puraskaar-2006 respectively. They were selected on the basis of recommendation from the committee formed under the convenership of Chief Advisor of NMA Dr. Harka Gurung.

Annual General Meeting- 15 August 2006
The Annual General Meeting of NMA held on 15 August 2006 at Hotel Hyatt, Boudha.

Ist Session ( 8:00 am)
Chief guest Hon'ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali inaugurated the Ist Session program by lighting the panas. After the welcome session, Chairperson of the program, NMA President Ang Tshering Sherpa presented the Minister with ice-axe, helmet as a gift. The representatives from different travel trade related organizations delivered their greetings to NMA in the program. Retired Colonel Mr. Madan K.C. was announced as the recipient of the Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah Pratibha Puraskaar-2006 for his successful courageous rescue at the highest altitude. Similarly, Mr. Kedar Man Singh, AFP was announced as the recipient of Dawa Norbu Sherpa Parbatiya Paryatan Patrakarita Puraskaar-2006 for his contribution in publicizing mountain tourism through media. The award is to be presented on NMA day on 1 November.

In the program, appreciation letters were presented to the associate members of NMA for issuing the highest number of climbing permits of NMA peaks. Likewise, NMA awarded letter of appreciation to volunteers and well-wishers for their coordination and cooperation in the successful completion of the mountain tourism promotional programs. Similarly, different media houses were felicitated with letter of appreciation to recognize their significant role in the promotion of mountaineering in Nepal. Lastly, Chief Guest Hon'ble Minister wholeheartedly appreciated all the activities of NMA, highly evaluating the activities of NMA in the promotion of mountain tourism globally, he further expressed his full support for the promotion of International Mountain Museum and International Mountaineers Memorial Park, the two-mega projects of NMA. He also encouraged NMA to continue their hard work towards development of mountaineering and mountaineering tourism in whole of Nepal.

IInd Session (12:00 pm)
After the announcement of required corum full filled, the closed session of AGM started. The meeting staged one-minute silence in the memory of well-wishers of NMA, who passed away last year. In the closed session, General Secretary Mr. Deebas Bickram Shah presented the progress report of the fiscal year 2061/2062 and 2062/2063 and Policies and Programs formulated for the fiscal year 2063/2064. Similarly Treasurer Mr. Ang Kaji Sherpa presented the Auditor's report of the fiscal year 2061/2062 and 2062/0623 and estimated budget for the fiscal year 2063/2064.

The general members held a thorough and extensive discussion on the presented reports. General Secretary and Treasurer answered the questions from the floor regarding both the reports. NMA President, IInd Vice President and Secretary also shed light on different aspects of the reports. Finally, the general members approved the progress report and the Auditor's Report of the fiscal year 2061/2062 and 2062/2063, as well as policies, programme and budget for the fiscal year 2063/2064.

IIIrd Session (4:00 pm)
The Extra-ordinary General Assembly was held on 15 August 2006 to amend the Statute of NMA 2047 (53/59). IInd Vice President and Member of Statute Drafting Preparatory Committee explains to the general members about necessity of some timely changes in the current statute. Mr. Harihar Dahal- Convener of the Statute Drafting Preparatory Committee highlighted about the points to be amended in the statute. After the comprehensive pointwise discussion among the general members, few points were to be revised to the need recognized by the general member, then the General Assembly approved the statute.

Basic Mountaineering Course 2006- 16 Aug 2006
The annual regular program of NMA- Basic Mountaineering Course-2006 started from 16 August 2006. There are altogether 37 students participating in this training program including 3 foreign nationals. 10 instructors (6 Nepalese and 4 Slovenians) took the theory classes till 26 August and after the trainees have left for Langtang for practical training.

Central Executive Board Meeting-25 August 2006
The Board Meeting held on 25 August 2006 assessed the Central Annual General Assembly 2064. The meeting expressed its gratitudes to the chief guest of the Central General Assembly 2064 Hon'ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali.

The meeting also deputed NMA President Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa and Board Member Mr. Da Gombu Sherpa as General Expedition Leader and Expedition Team Leader respectively for the expedition from Nepal to be held on the occasion of the completion of fifty years of diplomatic relationship between Nepal and Japan. Similarly, Mr. Moriya, President of JWAF is General Expedition Leader and Mr. Kondo Kazuyoshi is the Expedition Leader for the Japanese Expedition team.

Secretariat Meeting- 27 August 2006
Upon the information given by good friend of NMA Mr. Nico Smeets, the meeting decided to renovate the porter shed at Lobuje, which we helped to build in 2056, after the receipt of budget estimate.
The meeting also decided to provide the four months salary of one teacher of Kakani Ganesh Pre Primary School from the budget allocated for one year.

UAAA General Assembly and UIAA General Assembly- 27 August 2006
NMA decided to participate in General Assembly of UAAA (16-17 September 2006) and UIAA (13 -15 October 2006) to be held in Beijing, China and Banff, Canada respectively under the leadership of NMA President Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa.

Introduction of Mountaineering Gears
This is regular column of e-News to introduce mountain gears to the readers.
 

Helmet A helmet, used for safety, is a tough item of headwear that primarily protects the skull from the falling objects like pebbles while mountaineering.

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