In what climbers are calling a miracle, a 52-year-old Sherpa guide, who was presumed dead after he went missing while descending Mount Everest on May 29, was found alive near base camp on Thursday morning, six days later.Dawa ‘Hillary’ Sherpa – who earned the nickname for her mountaineering expertise – climbed more than 12 km from the Yellow Band (25,000 ft) to Crampon Point (17,000 ft) in difficult weather without food, water or supplemental oxygen, crossing the dangerous Khumbu Icefall after the climbing season ended and ropes and ladders were removed on the route.His family, having lost hope, were reciting prayers for his funeral when they were told that Dawa had been saved, searching for food, water and discarded bottled oxygen in the remaining tents.Dawa was descending after climbing Everest at 5 pm on May 28 with a group that included British climber Chris Thrall, a former Royal Marine and a Polish climber, when he was last seen near the Yellow Band on May 29. Reports state that the Polish climber reached base camp, but claimed not to be reached.Dawa praises ‘tiger of the mountains’ for ‘surviving on snow, a packet of biscuits’Thrall also “paid tribute” to Dawa on social media, saying, “RIP… Mero Dai” (Rest in peace, my elder brother). In a 13-minute video posted on Instagram on Wednesday, Thrall said, “Dawa sat down to rest with his backpack. These guys carry heavy stuff…” He added that he examined Dawa before moving on. “I turned to him and said, ‘Hillary, are you okay brother?’ He said, ‘Yes, yes, I’m fine, Chris.’ Please go.”Thrall said that as he descended, he saw a Polish climber from his team who “had frostbite and was out of supplemental oxygen”. He said, “I come from the British Royal Marines – we are taught to never leave anyone behind… I only have half a tank of oxygen left. Do I take the Polish climber who has frostbite, or go back for the Sherpa who will likely recover and do just fine as he has done hundreds of times before? His account of events has not been verified.

Thrall said he shared oxygen with the Polish climber and descended with him, and later reported Dawa missing after reaching lower camps. After increasing online criticism for not returning for the claim, Thrall said he was tired of being called a “killer”. Once Dava was found alive, Thrall said he was “overjoyed and happy for her and her wonderful family”.The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) cleaning team, which was removing root equipment, spotted Dawa near Crampon Point and brought him down before he was taken to a Kathmandu hospital due to frostbite and other complications. “He is in intensive care but out of danger,” a doctor at Kathmandu’s HAMS hospital said.For the climbers and guides, what was most important was not only that Dawa survived for nearly six days without supplies, but that he passed through active crevasses and broken areas. “Two days in a crevasse deep below Camp I after a whole week in the death zone? Surviving on snow and a packet of biscuits at that altitude is an incredible feat of mental strength. He is a tiger of the mountains,” high altitude guide Nima Tenzing Sherpa told TOI.“Many guides and mountaineers have raised questions over the delay in locating Dawa. Mingma Si Sherpa, an independent high-altitude porter, told TOI that climbers often make “dangerous assumptions” about Sherpas because of their experience. “Foreign climbers believe we are invincible – a dangerous mentality. When a client is asked by a guide to move on so they can rest, they trust that expertise. Thrall made a textbook choice of survival in brutal conditions.“

New Delhi: Amid ongoing Indian efforts to diversify its oil supply, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Venezuela’s acting President Delsey Rodriguez and discussed ways to deepen energy partnership.The Latin American country, which tops the list of countries with the largest proven oil reserves, has emerged as one of the top crude oil suppliers to India in recent weeks.Although no agreement was signed, both sides focused on securing long-term energy contracts, citing “full complementarity” in the energy sector. In a post on Twitter, the PM said they held wide-ranging discussions on enhancing cooperation not only in energy but also in critical minerals, technology, agriculture, health and people-to-people ties.As India looks to diversify, Venezuela leads the way: Great opportunities existAs a valued partner in Latin America, our close cooperation with Venezuela is of vital importance to the Global South. We will continue to work together for the mutual benefit of the people of our nations,” the PM said.After effectively taking control of Venezuela’s oil industry, the US had put pressure on India to resume purchases from the country. India was one of the largest importers of Venezuelan crude in 2020 when it halted purchases due to US sanctions.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, ahead of his visit to India last month, had first announced that Rodriguez would visit India soon. According to officials, Rodriguez’s message was that Venezuela is open for business, and there are great opportunities for India as it looks to diversify its supplies at a time when the Strait of Hormuz is under siege from the US-Iran conflict.“Venezuela sees India as a stable demand for many years to come. Therefore, there is a complete complementarity both upstream and downstream to work in the energy sector,” said Rudrendra Tandon, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, adding that Venezuela has already emerged as the third largest supplier to India in terms of spot purchases this month.The discussions also focused on enhancing cooperation in sectors such as mining, agriculture, critical minerals and pharmaceuticals. Asked whether payment for the crude would be made directly to the US or Venezuelan government, the official said the actual work would be done by commercial entities in both the public and private sectors.“All of these companies operate on a global scale in global markets. Therefore, they have to consider the existing payment methods that will be adopted when carrying out economic activity in Venezuela,” Tandon said.On details of the energy partnership the two sides are considering, the official said oil exporters realize the importance of India as a stable and long-term buyer. “Therefore, it is in their interest to enter into long-term contracts rather than making spot purchases. We hope that at some stage, we will move to long-term secure supplies from all our suppliers,” the official said. He said the Indian refining industry is well equipped to handle Venezuela’s “hard” crude.The Ministry of External Affairs said that during her five-day working visit to India, Delsey Rodriguez will visit several sites related to the energy, pharmaceuticals and auto sectors to gain knowledge about India’s technological and industrial capabilities and explore opportunities for cooperation.

CM Yogi on Thursday reviewed the progress of various projects of the state tourism department.

Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath On Thursday directed officials to look at tourism as an engine of economic growth and job creation rather than merely an infrastructure creation exercise.While presiding over the review meeting of the Tourism Department, Yogi approved major amendments in the state’s Tourism Policy-2022.He also reviewed a series of heritage, cultural and spiritual tourism projects.Yogi said that UP’s tourism strategy should be linked to cultural renaissance, local enterprise and global recognition.“Tourism has the potential to provide a new impetus to the cultural economy of the state by creating opportunities for local products, handicrafts, traditional arts, cuisine, culture and service sector,” the CM said.Officials said new concepts like ‘tradition’ heritage experience centres, agri-tourism and vineyard tourism will be included in the policy framework. There was also discussion on developing Neem Karoli Baba Circuit and Bundelkhand Fort Circuit as new tourist destinations.Yogi said the revised policy should focus on attracting investment, generating employment and providing unique experiences to visitors. He stressed that tourism should directly contribute to local economies by strengthening development Uttar PradeshCultural identity of.The meeting also reviewed the progress under the Gyan Bharatam Mission, which aims to preserve India’s knowledge heritage through conservation and digitization of ancient manuscripts.Officials told the CM that more than 13.7 lakh manuscripts have been surveyed, digitized or preserved so far. Yogi said that preservation of manuscripts is not just an archival exercise but an effort to connect future generations with the roots of India’s civilization.The CM also reviewed the newly constructed Naval Shaurya Vatika in Lucknow and the under-construction INS Gomti Shaurya Museum.Officials said the museum will showcase the history of the Indian Navy, maritime traditions and the journey of INS Gomti through interactive galleries, simulators and experiential exhibits. Yogi directed that this facility should be managed by Lucknow Development Authority.Yogi also reviewed the work of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Agra and directed officials to highlight Shivaji’s visit to Agra, his role in the establishment of Swarajya and the historical ties between the Maratha Empire and Uttar Pradesh.He said that Ahilyabai Holkar’s contribution in the restoration of Kashi Vishwanath Temple and conservation of pilgrimage sites should also be prominently displayed.Reviewing the comprehensive development plan of Naimisharanya, the CM described it as a vibrant center of Vedic knowledge, spiritual practice and cultural heritage. He directed the officials to carry forward the development works in mission mode while maintaining a balance between religious faith, environmental protection and modern facilities.The proposed master plan includes a Veda Vigyan Centre, welfare facilities, riverfront development, pilgrim facilities and an interpretation center designed to showcase the heritage of Naimisharanya through immersive technologies.The integrated master plan for Mirzapur-Vindhyachal region was also reviewed in the meeting. Yogi directed the officials to prepare for the demand of pilgrims in future and comprehensively develop the Trikon Parikrama area.He also called for an attractive presentation of the mythological story of Mata Sati near Vindhyavasini Shakti Peeth and asked the officials to explore private sector participation for the project.The CM reviewed the conservation and enhancement works at the ancient Somnath temple in Chitrakoot and stressed that heritage sites should be preserved without compromising their historical authenticity and architectural character.The CM said that the spiritual, historical and cultural assets of Uttar Pradesh should be developed in such a way that the experience of visitors is enhanced while maintaining their authenticity. He directed the officials to adopt an integrated approach combining infrastructure development, heritage conservation, environmental sustainability and local community participation.Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh, Chief Secretary SP Goyal, Additional Chief Secretary Tourism Amrit Abhijat and senior officials of the Tourism Department and related agencies were present in the review meeting.