KATHMANDU, Oct 27: The French government has conferred the highest French civil distinction “Knight of the Legion of Honour” on Nepali trekking entrepreneur Ang Norbu Sherpa for his outstanding contribution in saving lives of French tourists during the great earthquakes of April and May last year.

On behalf of the President of the French Republic, Yves Carmona, Ambassador of France to Nepal, conferred Ang Norbu Sherpa, Managing Director of Adventure 6,000 Company Private Limited, with the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honor), in France on Wednesday.

French Ambassador to Nepal, Yves Carmona conferring Knight of the Legion of Honor on Ang Norbu Sherpa, Managing Director of Adventure 6000 Company Private Limited, at the Residence of France on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy: French Embassy in Kathmandu)

Created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, la Légion d'Honneur (“the Legion of Honor”) is the highest civilian award given by the French Republic for outstanding service to France, regardless of the nationality of the recipients.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Carmona said, “You saved, at your own risk, the lives of many of our compatriots.  You chartered helicopters to search the missing French, alive or dead, in extreme conditions - bad weather, numerous and violent aftershocks, landslides and rock fall, and we are very grateful for that.”

Accepting the honor, Sherpa said, “I am very humbled that the Government of France has bestowed on me this honor which I will cherish forever.  France holds a special place in my heart and I have deep relations with France, both professionally and personally.”

The President of the French Republic is the Grand Master of the Order of the Legion of Honor.

 
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