India puts on hero's welcome for Sir Edmund

5.00pm

Sir Edmund Hillary has received a hero's welcome in India on his way to Nepal to celebrate conquering Mt Everest 50 years ago.

Sir Edmund was honoured at a function in New Delhi yesterday when Indian prime minister Vajpayee said the entire population of India saluted him.

"We thank you for coming here all the way to join us in celebrating this proud moment," the PM said.

More than 1200 people, including school children and many of India's mountaineering greats, were at the function when a commemorative stamp was released to mark the 1953 ascent.

Outside the entrance to the New Zealand High Commission, where Sir Edmund was high commissioner for several years, the road was named after Sir Edmund in the presence of Tenzing's son Jamling Tenzing.

Sir Edmund and his wife Lady June Hillary were due to leave India tomorrow after a two-day visit and head for Nepal where the country was to put on a raft of events to mark the May 29, 1953, event.

- NZPA