IT was a memorable day for Malaysia’s Mount Everest heroes – Datuk M. Magendran and Datuk N. Mohanadas – as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of their feat.
The Malaysian Indian Sports and Cultural Foundation (MISCF) and Youth and Sports Ministry organised the “Two decades of first Malaysians on Everest” event to honour Magendran, Mohanadas and the support crew.
Other members present at the event were Burhan Ibrahim, Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz, Norijah Abdul Ghani, Jamaluddin Mohamed Yusof, Mohd Zaidi Kamaruddin, R.C. Ramakrishnan, Amirruddin A. Samah and Zainuddin Hassan.
Burhan and Abdul Rahman were members of the mountaineering team.
Norijah was stationed at the base camp, Jamaluddin and Mohd Zaidi were president and secretary of the Malaysian Mountaineering Association, Ramakrishnan was manager of the secretariat in Kuala Lumpur while Amirruddin and Zainuddin were members of the RTM crew at the base camp.
Magendran, currently a teacher at SMK USJ 8 in Subang Jaya, said he would never forget May 23, 1997, the day he reached the summit of Mount Everest.
“We had to go through a gruelling programme to succeed in our ambition. We are glad the MISCF and Youth and Sports Ministry have not forgotten the members of the Malaysian team.
“It is good, as I had not met the crew for a long time. Some of them are from outside Klang Valley. This event has given me the opportunity to recall the days we spent together preparing for the mission,” said Magendran.
Mohanadas admitted that the gathering was a surprise.
“We did not expect such a positive reception. I am quite lost for words. I would like to thank MISCF and the Youth and Sports Ministry for initiating this programme.
“It was an opportunity to meet our friends after a long time,” said Mohanadas.
All the team members were presented with a certificate of appreciation to commemorate their achievement.
About 150 others were also present.
MISCF chairman Datuk T. Mohan said the first team to reach Mount Everest had created history and their achievement should be remembered.
“The 1997 team had created a path for Malaysians to scale the challenging Mount Everest. We have been informed that since then, about 20 Malaysians had scaled various peaks in the Himalayas,’’ said Mohan.
UFL managing director Datuk V. Radhakrishnan, who was also present, said they were one of the sponsors of the expedition in 1997.
“We are proud to be associated with the historical achievement and it brings back memories to celebrate the 20th anniversary with the Malaysian team.
“We must also not forget the sacrifices of the team members in creating history,” added Radhakrishnan.
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan said it was a meaningful event and commended the MISCF for initiating it.
“The Mt Everest ’97 team did the country proud. Malaysia was the first South-East Asian country to achieve the feat.
“We should never forget their sacrifices in realising the dream,” added Saravanan.
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