KATHMANDU, Oct 23: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has expressed sorrow over the demise of the first woman to scale Mt Everest, Junko Tabei. She passed away on Thursday at the age of 77. 

Issuing a press release on Sunday, President Deuba recalled that Tabei had continued her visit to Nepal after her scaled the Everest in 1975 taking Nepal as her second home. 

Deuba said that Tabei had provided support to control increasing environmental pollution in the Everest area in recent time and construction of local schools. 

The press release further stated that she had played crucial role in the development and promotion of tourism sector in Nepal being an honorary tourism ambassador. Love, harmony and support of Tabei would always be remembered in Nepali history. 

"The news of the demise of Tabei hurt party the President. With her demise Nepal has lost a true friend and she would always be remembered among Nepali people,” stressed the press release. 
Extending deep sorrow on her passing away on the behalf of Nepali Congress and personal side, he expressed sincere sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family. 

Tabei, who was atop Everest in 1975 at the age of 35, had set world records by climbing mountains of all seven continents across the world. RSS