HIV-infected Gopal Shrestha scales Mount Everest
KATHMANDU, May 22 । HIV-infected Gopal Shrestha of Ratnachowk in Pokhara scaled the Mount Everest on Wednesday morning. Director at the Department of Tourism, Meera Acharya, confirmed that Shrestha scaled the Mount Everest today morning.
Shrestha achieved this feat in 41st days. Shrestha, who had determined to reach a top the world’s highest peak following his ascent to Island Mountain, achieved this resolution 12 years later. “I had grown my desire to summit Mt Everest one day when I saw the world’s highest peak from top of Island Mountain,” shared elated Shrestha.
he was going to climb the world’s highest peak to spread awareness about HIV/Aids and drug abuses, reduce the number of HIV infected people and end discrimination against those living with the HIV.
He had said that he wanted to prove that the people living with HIV are also capable as other members in society and earn respect in the part of them in society.
Shrestha, a former national football player, had contracted the disease through syringe injection, according to family sources. Interested in adventure sports, Shrestha has already climbed over 200 mountains standing over 14,000 feet in Colorado in the US. Born in Bandipur rural municipality-1 of Tanahun district, Shrestha has been living in the US since 2054 BS. He works for a software company in Colorado State.
