Rokaya first from Bajhang to reach atop Sagarmatha
Sangita Rokaya of Dhuli in Saipal Rural Municipality-4 is the first Bajhangi girl to reach the peak of the highest mountain of the world Sagarmatha or Everest. The 26-year-old successfully climbed the mountain on May 17 with the help of Pioneer Adventure Company.
Rokaya was atop Mt Sagarmatha with the message to put an ending to the Chhaupadi practice, an age-old practice of banishing women to a shed away from home during menstruation. She displayed the banner reading "Mt Everest Mission Chhaupadi practice Elimination: An Attempt of a daughter from far western Nepal: Sangita Rokaya".
Rokaya attempted to climb Saipal Himal (7031 meters) for the first time three years ago along with four other Bajhangi girls. Climbers from Spain, Italy and the US were also in the team. But...