Birth Village of ‘Nimsdai’ in Mourning: Dream of Building a New House Left Unfulfilled

Myagdi. Dana in Annapurna Rural Municipality–3, Myagdi, is currently in mourning following the demise of world-record-holding mountaineer Nirmal Purja, known as 'Nimsdai'. Relatives, friends, and villagers in his birthplace are left stunned after he passed away during his ascent of Broad Peak in Pakistan.

Kamala KC, a relative of Nirmal, shared that after clinging to hope for four days for his safe return, that hope ultimately turned into despair. Recalling his visit to Dana two years ago, she mentioned that Nirmal had shared his plan to build a traditional-style house on their ancestral land, but that dream now remains unfulfilled.

Ramesh Purja, Nirmal’s childhood friend and Ward Chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality–3, stated that it was Nirmal’s courageous, determined, and goal-driven nature from a young age that enabled him to set historic records in world mountaineering. Nirmal had also envisioned constructing a shelter for porters at the Annapurna Base Camp.

Through the Nims Foundation, plans were underway to provide scholarships, educational materials to schools in Dana, and support for the tourism and healthcare sectors.

In honor of Nirmal, Annapurna Rural Municipality declared a public holiday of mourning on Monday and announced plans to erect his statue. The residents of Dana have also requested to immerse his ashes in his birthplace and establish a permanent memorial statue.

Transitioning from a British Gurkha soldier to a world-renowned mountaineer, Nirmal Purja set numerous records, including the fastest ascent of all 14 eight-thousand-meter peaks. Though his dream of building a home in his birthplace remains unfulfilled, the courage, inspiration, and contributions he left behind will forever remain immortal for Dana and the whole of Nepal.

Note: Police reported that the injured Mahato is undergoing treatment at the Provincial Hospital in Gorkha. The landslide swept the roadside house 20 meters below, destroying it completely. Police also stated that the neighboring four-story concrete house belonging to Krishnadev Mahotra suffered partial damage.