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Darjeeling celebrates Everest Day ; releases a Special Cover on Tenzing Sherpa


A Special Cover featuring the Legend –Tenzing Norgay was released from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Darjeeling today commemorating the 105th Birth Anniversary of the Legend. The cover was released at a function organized by the HMI celebrating the 105th Birth Anniversary of Tenzing Norgay. After conquering the highest mountain peak – Mount Everest in 1953 with Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay was always associated with the HMI, Darjeeling ever since its establishment in the year 1954. He was the first Director of Field Training of the HMI and an advisor till his death.



A special cover is a cover (an envelope) that is released for a special person, occasion, monument or place.  It has to be approved by the Postal Department of India. They are released in limited quantities and so they hold philatelic values and are sought by Philatelists and collectors all around.
The special cover and the special cancellation for the event were designed by Vivek Yonzone, a National award-winning Philatelist from Darjeeling who is also the Secretary of Alpine Philatelic and Numismatic Society Darjeeling.


He said that it’s an honour to work on the cover of such an Icon, a Legend, the First Man on Top of Mt. Everest, and thanked the Principal of HMI, Capt. Jai Kishan for entrusting him with this responsibility and opportunity. Darjeeling last witnessed a Special Cover released in the year 2014, so this was a release after 5 years and it is also an effort to promote Philately in the Hills, which is the main motive of the Society, he added.

The cover was released by the Chief Guest, Sayeed Ahmed Baba, Jamling Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, son of the Legend, The District Magistrate of Darjeeling, The Director of Postal Services, Principal of HMI, Capt. Jai Kishan and Vivek Yonzone.

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