Double amputee ex-Nepalese soldier scripts history; climbs Mt Everest with artificial legs: Official
Kathmandu (PTI): A double amputee ex-British Gurkha soldier has scaled Mt. Everest, scripting history by becoming the first in the category to scale the world's highest peak with artificial legs, an official said on Saturday.
Hari Budhamagar, 43, scaled the 8848.86-metre peak on Friday late afternoon.
"Double amputee ex-soldier Hari Budhamagar created history on Friday by becoming the first person with such conditions to scale Mt Everest," the official from the Department of Tourism said.
Budhamagar, who lost both his legs in the war in Afghanistan while fighting as a soldier of British Gorkha for the UK government in 2010, scaled Mt Everest with artificial legs.
He had postponed his plan to scale Mt Everest in 2018 after the government introduced a mountaineering regulation that banned blind, double-amputee and solo climbers from climbing the mountains, including Everest in 2017.
A writ petition was filed against the ban and in response to that the Supreme Court vacated the rule by issuing an order in 2018, paving the way for Budhamagar to create history.
On Sunday, five foreigners climbed the summit of Mount Everest.
Nepal has issued a record 466 permits to climb Mount Everest this spring, officials said.
Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks.
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Delhi polls: Congress promises Rs 25 lakh health cover under 'Jeevan Raksha Yojana'
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Wednesday promised a "Jeevan Raksha Yojana" for free health insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh if voted to power in Delhi.
Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said the proposed scheme would be a game-changer.
"The chances of the Congress forming the government in Delhi are increasing. I believe this is also necessary for the country," he said.
Gehlot also highlighted that the proposed scheme reflected the party's commitment to addressing Delhi residents' healthcare needs.
The party's campaign slogan "Hogi Har Zarurat Puri, Congress Hai Zaroori" was prominently displayed during the announcement, highlighting the Congress's "promise" of ensuring essential services for all.
Gehlot said the proposed scheme aimed at providing comprehensive health coverage to families, covering medical expenses for critical illnesses, hospitalisations, and treatments.
"Congress is the party which has kept this country united till date. We believe that the Congress takes along all the castes and religions," he stated.
This health scheme was very successful in Rajasthan and it will be successful in Delhi also. This is a universal scheme which will be for all the people of Delhi, he said.
"I believe that you can win elections by polarisation, but cannot run the country or develop it. Bringing back Congress in Delhi is very important. Sheila Dikshit gave excellent governance and the modern Delhi. We would like to bring that era back in the national capital," Gehlot said.
Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav said that after the success of the scheme in Rajasthan, Delhi also needed it.
"I am proud of the fact that Gehlot launched this scheme in Rajasthan by the name of Chiranjeevi and after its tremendous success there, we realised that the Delhi also needed it so that the people would get proper treatment here," Yadav added.
On Monday, Congress announced 'Pyaari Didi Yojana', promising a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 to women if voted to power in the national capital.
Polling for the 70-member Delhi assembly will be held on February 5 and votes counted on February 8.
