Pandit to hoist Nepali flag in Antarctica

KATHMANDU, Dec 22: Mountaineer Sanjay Pandit, who has already ascended the tallest peak in the world -Mountain Everest-as well as the tallest peaks in the Europe, Africa and South America among others, is setting his eye on Antarctica. 

Pandit is leaving for the southernmost continent on Friday, carrying the Nepali national flag and ice axe handed over to him by Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun amid a programme at Lainchaur on Thursday. 

Pun was of confidence that Pandit would be successful in his mission. 

Pandit, following suit of the first Nepali to Antarctic Bhuwan Singh Bishukarma, will hoist Nepal's national flag in the South Pole. Singh had reached there as a part of Indian Army research team in 1986. 

Two more Nepalis have reached the ice-covered landmass after Singh. 

Parliamentarian Hira Bahadur KC, politician Madi Thapa, youth entrepreneur Raghu Puri, NRN-Japan General-Secretary Anuj Thapa among others jointly saw off mountaineer Pandit. RSS