“I am proud that I have come here to participate in the march at such an old age to draw the attention of the world to the fact that our Himalayas are melting,” Ang Rita told Republica during a 12 hour bus journey from Amsterdam, Holland, to Copenhagen on Wednesday.[break]
On the other hand, 12 women climbers from Nepal, including the 10 women summiteers of the 2008 inclusive climbing expedition, are now in Copenhagen to participate in the historic event.
“We are proud to be here to represent Nepal and voice a common concern,” Maya Gurung, a young achiever, who climbed the Everest last year, said, adding, “I am also happy that the government has given us importance and recognized our hard work.”
A team comprising of 52 delegates led by Forest and Soil Conservation Minister, Deepak Bohara, reached the capital city of Denmark on Wednesday for the event. Famous folk singers from home like Bom Bahadur Karki and Komal Oli are set to perform at the parliament square. A huge number of Non-Resident Nepalis along with Nepali students studying in Copenhagen have been mobilized for the function.
“The program will last for one hour during which we will have Nepali songs and dances to cheer the crowd,” Minister Bohara said. He added, “There will be a local Jazz band and Nepali madal players picked locally for the event.”
Singer Karki, who has gained fame over the years for his social awareness songs has prepared two numbers in famous folk tunes like deusi song and resham phiriri tune. “Just like my songs in the past which always leaves a message for the audience, this time too the songs will have climate change connotation,” Karki shared with Republica while passing through Germany in the same bus. He has 80 albums to his credit and his last song on illegal trade in tiger parts sung in original deusi tune became highly famous among the conservationists from home and abroad.
Besides, four cabinet ministers reached Copenhagen Thursday to participate in the program on Friday. Among them are foreign, finance, environment and tourism ministers. A team of 10 journalists from national media too are in the team. The ministers are scheduled to speak after the march and address a press conference. Apa, Dawa Sherpa, Mayor of Prague and other summiteers too will speak on the occasion, the NTNC (National Trust for Nature Conservation) organizers have said.
“The event has been organized with much fanfare. But our main aim is to give a clear message that the Himalayas are melting,” Siddhartha Bajracharya of NTNC told Republica at the event venue Thursday, adding, “We are confident that at least 1500 people will participate in the march.”
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