Six State Everesters given Rs 10 lakh each
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 15 2013 : The jubilant nine members from the State, who were in the Ist NE India Top of the World Mt Everest Expedition organized by Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) under the sponsorship of North East Council, were given a hearty reception at Khuman Lampak Bal Bhawan here today.

The reception function was hosted jointly by Planning Department and Department of Youth Affairs and Sports with Chief Minister O Ibobi, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and Parliamentary Secretary in charge of Youth Affairs and Sports M Prithviraj as Chief Guest, President and Guest of Honour respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Ibobi stated that sport is a major strength of Manipur.

Our boys and girls have excelled in many fields of sports and have brought laurels and medals and so we need to nurture the talents of our youths.

He further stated that it is a tremendous achievement that 11 climbers including three from Manipur have scaled the Mount Everest.

While congratulating MMTA for having accomplished such an Expedition, the CM gave credit to the all members of the expedition as well as to those people who worked behind the scene.

Six State Everesters given Rs 10 lakh each

"The Expedition Team has made several records.

We have the youngest summiteer from North East India, Chingkheinganba Meitei, 16 years old boy from Manipur", the Chief Minister said, while praising Chingkheinganba Meitei who broke the record of being the youngest summiteer of India on 18th May 2013 .

However, his record was later broken by climbers from Himachal Pradesh on 21st May 2013, he added.

The Chief Minister also appreciated the fact that the Minister DoNER has agreed in principle to consider a proposal of MMTA for establishing a Regional Institute of Adventure at Lamdan.

All supports required from the state Government for funding the project from Ministry of DoNER/ NEC will be provided, he assured, adding that...

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the annual grant to MMTA has also been increased from Rs 7 lakh to Rs10 lakh.

In recognition of the extra ordinary achievements of mountaineers from Manipur, and the honour and pride, which they have brought to the State, the state Government handed over a cash award Rs10 lakhs to each summiteer and Team leader and Rs 2 lakh to all the members from Manipur in the Expedition.

Rs10 lakhs cash award were also given to Ph Bidyachandra Singh and Chirom Shangkar, summiteers of NCC cadets from Manipur, who were part of First NCC Expedition to Mount Everest 2013 organised by National Cadets Corps.

In addition to this, Rs 10 lakh cash award was given to Suraj Singh Nongmaithem, the first Mount Everest summiteer from Manipur.

Suraj accomplished the feat as a member of Sikkim Amateurs Mountaineering Association (SAMA) Mount Everest Expedition-2008 .