Pokhara Metropolis honours Everest summiteer Gopal Shrestha POKHARA:Pokhara Metropolitan City has honoured the Everest summiteer Gopal Shrestha today. Mayor of the metropolis Maan Bahadur GC honoured Shrestha amid a programme here by wrapping him with a shawl and presenting him with tokens of appreciation. Shrestha, who is HIV infected, hails from Ratnachok in Pokhara-7, Kaski district. Shrestha was given the honour for representing Pokhara and successfully summiting the highest peak of the world. 56-year-old Shrestha reached the top of the world on May 22. At the programme, Mayor GC congratulated Shrestha, and giving his example stated that with courage and patience anyone can reach their goal. He further said, Shrestha has become a source of inspiration and added that having an ailment does not make a person any less capable. On the occasion, Shrestha gave the credit for his success to the love and support he has received from the Pokhara community. He said, "It is important to change the perception of the society towards persons with HIV." He added, "I climbed the Everest to give the message that we too are capable and would like to express gratitude to all who rendered their support to me." Shrestha, who has been living with HIV for the past 25 years, had tried climbing Everest in 2015. He had returned from the base camp during that time due to the earthquakes but had lost five of his fellow climbers.