Who first summited Mount Everest?

Tenzing Norgay (left) and Sir Edmund Hillary taking a break on the icy slopes leading to Mt Everest. They made history for their ascent to the world's highest peak on May 29, 1953. Photo: Royal Geographical Society

In 1997, I had the privilege of chaperoning the late Sir Edmund Hillary during his visit to support our Malaysia Everest 1997 Project. At the time, I was editing a newspaper that was a major supporter of the initiative. On May 23 that year, M. Magendran and N. Mohanadas proudly planted the Jalur Gemilang atop the world’s highest peak.

N. Mohanadas (holding the camera) and M. Magendran created history when they set foot on the summit of Mt Everest in 1997.