Tenzing was the first Indian to scale the highest peak of the world, the Mount Everest (height 8,848 metres) on 29, March 1953. He achieved this mountaineering feat together with Sir Edmund Hillary the well known adventurist of New Zealand.

Tenzing was born in Nepal in a poor family. Tenzing was a follower of Buddhism and had acquired the Indian citizenship in 1933. The childhood name of Tenzing was Namgyal Wagundi. He was also called Khumjung Bhutia.

The Government of India conferred the title of 'Padma Bhushan' on Tenzing in 1959. Tenzing was also awarded the George Medal in recognition of his excellent service in the field of mountaineering. For imparting training in mountaineering the Government of India established the 'Himalayan Mountaineering Institute' at Darjeeling in West Bengal In1954 and Tenzing was appointed Director (training ) in this Institute. Tenzing Norgay was nick named as 'Tiger of Snows'.