Pride of Sikkim 01 : Sonam Gyatso (Mountaineering, Mt. Everest, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee)

Sonam Gyatso is the second Indian and the first Sikkimese to climb Mount Everest. He was part of the first successful Indian Everest Expeditions that climbed Mount Everest in May 1965. He then held the record for the oldest person (aged 42) to reach the Summit and also for the longest time (50 min) spent at the peak without an oxygen supply. In the same year, the Indian government honoured his achievement with the Padma Bhushan.

He was also honoured with Padma Shri and Arjuna Award. Gyatso is the only Sikkimese to feature in an Indian stamp. He established Sonam Gyatso Mountaineering Institute (SGMI), a mountaineering school in Gangtok.