Why is singer Raju Lama scaling Mt Everest?

KATHMANDU, April 9: Few days ago, I announced plans to scale Mt Everest on social media and a television program. It didn’t get anyone’s attention until I received a flag of Nepal from the Minister to be held on my summit day. After that I received numerous phone calls. It made me clear that only those activities in which Ministers are involved get popularity in this country.

I have been planning my Everest expedition for one year. I successfully summited Lobuche Peak, 6,119 meters, last year and have already spent 10 to 12 days in Everest Base Camp. Besides, I have already scaled numerous peaks higher than 4,000 meters. It includes two mountains from the Langtang region, Dudhkunda of Solukhumbu, Pikey Peak among others. Also, I have recently completed a ‘basic course’ for mountaineering. I think I am prepared now.

It has been in my bucket list for a long period

I have always wanted to scale Mt Everest once. Summiting Lobuche last year has inspired even more. Besides, many of my friends are mountaineers who have always been inspiring me to summit Everest. So, I have decided to begin my Everest expedition from April 10, 2022. I hope I will be successful.

I am scaling Mt Everest in a bid to raise the issues of climate change, global warming and make people aware about it. Our mountains are the most vulnerable to climate change. Our glaciers are vanishing and the snow is melting. If it continues and no effective measures are not taken, our mountains will no longer be mountains by next two to three centuries. If it happens, what are we leaving behind for our upcoming generations? What if there is no snow on Mt Everest? 

We get to see mountains. It is the right of our coming generation to see the same. It is our responsibility to protect and preserve them. These are the sorts of messages I want to disseminate while scaling Mt Everest.

Recently, a devastating flash flood and landslide in Melamchi River of Sindhupalchok took lives of hundreds of people and thousands have been displaced. This is the result of climate change and our failure to protect our environment. I am also a victim of that disaster. It swept away my house and land there.

Annually, many big cities and human settlements are inundated by flash floods in the Terai region. Isn’t it the effects of climate change?

Sagarmatha Concert

I am also organizing a concert at the Camp 2 of Mt Everest. I want to draw the attention of global communities to act and take actions against climate change.

So far, no concert has been held at an altitude higher than 6,500 meters, so it is going to be history in itself. I urge the government, authorities concerned and the general public to take the issues of climate change seriously. It is a small step today for a bigger and brighter tomorrow.

There will be no band with me. I will be playing a guitar and singing as it is challenging to take a music band with me at that altitude. 

Our Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Prem Bahadur Ale has recently provided a flag of Nepal to me. I will be holding the flag high on the summit day at the top of the world.

There is no sponsor of the expedition

I will be scaling Mt Everest with my personal investment and support from some of my friends. After the expedition, I have decided to launch a campaign of afforestation. Me and some of my friends have already established a fund for it. I urge one and all to participate in the campaign.

Besides, I am also collaborating with the Nepal Army in the cleanliness of Himalayan regions in Nepal. I recently recorded a song titled ‘ Safa Himal Aviyan’ prepared by the Nepal Army.

(Based on conversation with singer Raju Lama)