KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has honoured members of the First Women Journalists Everest Expedition-2018.

PM Oli hounored the women journalists for successfully scaling the highest peak in the world, amidst a programme held at the PM’s official residence on Friday evening.

On the occasion, PM Oli said the morale emanating from climbing Everest should be channelled to other courageous works. “You have climbed Everest once, now there is no need to climb it again and again,” he said.

He was of the opinion that there should not be carelessness when climbing the mountains. “We should not make the subject of climbing mountains a subject of entertainment. You should not go if your health does not permit or take risk out of compulsion. You should make an effort to climb if your health is good; and when the risk is less, you will achieve success,” PM Oli added.

The PM shared his young-age desire to climb Everest and why he was unable to do so. “I also had a wish to climb Mt Everest. However, due to prison life and also having to remain underground, I could not do so. When I was released from jail, my frail health condition did not permit me to take on the task either.”

PM Oli’s wife Radhika Shakya honoured the five women journalists for successfully scaling Everest. Journalists Rojita Buddhacharya, Rosha Basnet, Deuralee Chamling and Kalpana Maharjan successfully climbed Mt Everest. Priya Laxmi Karki returned from 7,000 metres on Everest due to health condition.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwor Pokharel, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gokul Prasad Banskota, and Nepal Communist Party General Secretary Bishnu Prasad Poudel among others also honoured the journalists.