Penang awards datukship to Mount Everest climbers

Two Mount Everest climbers have been conferred the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) award which carries the title Datuk in conjunction with Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas' 72nd birthday celebration.N Mohanadas, 49, and M Magendran, 47, were among 176 people who received state awards at an investiture ceremony at Dewan Seri Pinang here today.The duo made Malaysians proud when they reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 23, 1997.Speaking to reporters after receiving the award, Mohanadas, who is National Sports Council (NSC) sports manager, said he did not expect to receive the award and thanked those who made it possible.



"The euphoria of receiving the award was like the first time when we set our foot on the summit of Mount Everest and returned home as national heroes," said Mohandas, who was accompanied by his wife, R Manimegalai.Meanwhile, Magendran, who is Shell Malaysia accounts manager, said Mohanadas and him were willing to help state governments develop mountain climbing sports."We are ready to impart our knowledge and experience in climbing Mount Everest," said Magendran, who was accompanied by his wife, V. Senthiamarai.Earlier, Penang chief minister's special adviser Chet Singh Karam Singh and Penang Hospital special A grade senior consultant Dr Lim Yu Hoe were honoured with the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN) award which carries the title Datuk Seri.

Source : Bernama