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 Mt Everest. He was part of the first successful Indian Everest Expeditions that climbed Mount Everest on May 1965. He then held the record of the oldest person (aged 42) to reach the Summit and also the longest time (50 min) spend at the peak without an oxygen supply. India Government honoured his achievement with Padma Bhushan in the same year.

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.