Bajhang, May 30 : Sangita Rokaya of Dhuli in Saipal Rural Municipality-4 is the first Bajhangi girl to reach the peak of the highest mountain of the world Sagarmatha or Everest. The 26-year-old successfully climbed the mountain on May 17 with the help of Pioneer Adventure Company.
Rokaya was atop Mt Sagarmatha with
the message to put an ending to the Chhaupadi practice, an age-old practice of
banishing women to a shed away from home during menstruation. She displayed the
banner reading "Mt Everest Mission Chhaupadi practice Elimination: An
Attempt of a daughter from far western Nepal: Sangita Rokaya".
Rokaya attempted to climb Saipal
Himal (7031 meters) for the first time three years ago along with four other
Bajhangi girls. Climbers from Spain, Italy and the US were also in the team.
But due to bad weather, the attempt was not successful.
However, strong determination led
to her finally scaling the world's highest mountain. "I had to work hard
to convince everyone including my family," said Rokaya. She said that it
was more difficult to raise expenses for the expedition than to climb Mount
Everest.
Rokaya said that she climbed
Everest on the condition that she would pay half the amount later to the
adventure company. The expedition has cost her Rs. 2.5 million. (RSS)