Everest Cargo Pvt. Ltd, licensee of FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation, has signed an agreement with the First Inclusive Women's Sagarmatha Expedition (FIWSE) to support the venture, with cash contribution worth Rs 250,000.Speaking at a press meeting organized at The Summit Hotel on Wednesday, Pranil M S Pradhan, Director-Business Development of EDC/ FedEx, expressed, “Everest De Cargo is proud to be associated with FIWSE, which is being initiated for a noble cause.”

He further informed, “We believe it is our duty and responsibility to support and encourage such young people who are taking steps to make positive impacts on the society.”FIWSE 2008 is an initiative to encourage more women to participate in mountaineering and to provide additional opportunities for participation by women in mountaineering throughout Nepal.

Explaining the main objective of the undertaking, Sushmita Maskey, expedition coordinator, said, “The aim of FIWSE is two-fold and extends beyond the summit of Mount Everest. It seeks to equip the aforementioned climbers with the skills to assume important positions in mountaineering and other adventure sport professions.”She further cited, “It also  opens the door for other Nepali women from many cultural and economic backgrounds. The expedition is about breaking down barriers for Nepali women in the current male-dominated society and inspiring them for confidence to pursue new roles, not just within climbing and adventure sports but also within Nepal itself.”The expedition team, that includes 10 female mountaineers from the different parts of Nepal, will depart on April 14 to Lukla. On the way to Everest Base Camp, the team will also scale Mt Lobuche West.

World summit record holder Pemba Dorje Sherpa and mountaineering instructor Da Gombu Sherpa are leading the team as a climbing team and general leader respectively.The team includes Sushmita Maskey from Kathmandu, Nima Doma Sherpa from Dolakha, Asha Kumari Singh from Mahottari, Nawang Phuti Sherpa from Taplejung, Pujan Acharya from Dolakha, Chunu Shrestha from Kathmandu, Usha Bista from Kailali, Maya Gurung from Sindhupalchok, Pema Diki Sherpa from Dolakha and Shailee Basnet from Kathmandu. ( e-kantipur.com)