SHILLONG: On the 183rd death anniversary of U Tirot Sing Syiem, Superhits Red FM 93.5 felicitated Naomi Bakor Kharbyngar, one of Khasi female paddlers who is also into climbing and mountaineering.
The death anniversary of Khasi freedom fighter was organised by Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures (DBCIC)/Don Bosco Museum in collaboration with 93.5 Red FM Shillong on Tuesday.
Assistant programming head of the radio station, Desmond Sun said, “She is a very good example of the Tirot Sing of today.”
Speaking on the occasion, Kharbyngar said she got sight of the Great Himalayas from Malki at the tender age of six and quickly became enamoured by them.
“I made up my mind to climb the Himalayas and made research. It was not only difficult but also very expensive to go the Himalayas as there required a lot of training. Since it was a childhood yearning so I went ahead to pursue the goal,” she said.
Opportunity came knocking for the outdoor enthusiast in the form of Kingfisher Blue Mile Everest Base Camp trek, organize by Kingfisher and NDTV Good Times who organized a trek to Mount Everest base camp in the year 2014.
“I always wanted to climb Mt Everest and the opportunity to get to the base camp would be more than enough for me and to get a glance of the mountains,” Kharbyngar said.
She was the only North Easterner selected to go to the base camp and other nine other members from different states across the country.
“It is my love for the outdoors and mounts that has kept me going. I waited for years and years. I have realised that determination, perseverance and hard work are important. When you work hard, something good will happen even if the goal seem far away,” she said.
Later, speaking to reporters, she said the camp was led by outdoor enthusiast and former Miss India Gul Panag.
“Recently I climbed Stok Kangri which is the highest trekking peak in India which involves climbing and trekking. I was the only female in the team and it has been quite a journey,” Kharbyngar.
She said her dream was to trek the base camp of the 14 highest peaks in the world. “So far it will take a lifetime but I am on the path of going there and to scale many peaks, it does not matter whether the peak is big or small,” Kharbyngar.
Stating that she started pack-rafting in 2013, she said, “Although mountains are my first love but around Meghalaya, we don’t have snow-capped mountains. But then I am an outdoor enthusiast, so I got into paddling.”
“I paddle around many rivers in Meghalaya,” she said adding she also competed in local competitions rubbing shoulders with men.
Passionate about nature, she said going outdoors would make people realise their capabilities.