SHILLONG: Naomi Bakor Kharbyngar, a mountaineer, was felicitated for her achievements on the 183rd death anniversary of U Tirot Sing Syiem on Tuesday.
Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures (DBCIC),Don Bosco Museum in collaboration with 93.5 Red FM Shillong observed the death anniversary of the Khasi freedom fighter.
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, who is also a paddler, said she could see the Great Himalayas from Malki at the tender age of six and quickly became enamored by the mountain range.
“I made up my mind to climb the Himalayas and did research. It is difficult to go the Himalayas because it is very expensive and there is a lot of training involved. But since it was my childhood yearning, I went ahead to pursue my goal,” she said.
Opportunity came knocking for the outdoor enthusiast in the form of the Kingfisher Blue Mile Everest Base Camp trek in 2014 organised by Kingfisher and NDTV Good Times.
“I always wanted to climb Mt Everest and the opportunity to get to the base camp would be more than enough for me to get a glance of the mountains,” Kharbyngar said.
She was the only one from the Northeast selected to go to the base camp along with other nine other members from different states.
“It is my love for the outdoors and mountains that keeps me going. I waited for years. I realise that determination, perseverance and hard work are important. When you work hard, something good happens even if the goal seems 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. I was the only female in the team and it has been quite a journey,” said Kharbyngar.
She said her dream is 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 being there and to scale many peaks. It does not matter whether the peak is big or small,” Kharbyngar said. 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 that she also competed in local competitions, rubbing shoulders with men.
Passionate about nature, she said, going outdoors will make people realise their capabilities.
