LIKE the majestic Mount Everest, the golden jubilee celebrations of the first ascent of the highest peak in the world, began with the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announcing setting up of a new institute for mountaineering and allied sports in the North-East and presenting Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award to 13 persons.

"Both of you (Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay) achieved what seemed like a dream then," the Prime Minister said, adding that nearly 1,300 persons had since stood on the highest summit so far.

He said: "Climbing the Himalayan peaks is not an ordinary adventure. It is a spiritual sport, which purifies our lives and urges us to conquer hatred, prejudice, mutual strife and other instincts that have disfigured life on our beautiful planet."

Pointing out to Hillary, who was in the Capital to attend the function, Vajpayee said: "You showed them the way and the romantic saga of Mount Everest continues to this day."