The remains of world-renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja– one of the 10 mountaineers caught in a deadly avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir last month –have arrived in the United Kingdom, where he is due to receive a guard of honour at his funeral, according to the president of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) UK.
Purja’s family has issued a statement saying they have been deeply touched by the extraordinary outpouring of love, respect, and support for the mountaineer from people across the UK and around the world. “Nimsdai’s funeral is a private family funeral. The family has nevertheless sought, wherever reasonably possible, to enable those closest to Nimsdai and representatives of the many communities and organisations connected with him to pay their respects,” the statement read. “We are immensely grateful for the love, respect and support shown towards Nimsdai. At this exceptionally difficult time, we respectfully ask for everyone’s understanding and cooperation and, above all, that the family be given the space to grieve and lay Nimsdai to rest with the dignity, privacy and respect he deserves,” the statement added.
Purja’s family received his remains on August 9, and they have since been kept at an undisclosed location for security reasons, according to Magar.
“We have been informed that Nimsdai’s body has arrived in the UK, and his funeral is scheduled toward the end of August,” Prem Gaha Magar, president of NRNA UK, told NDTV. The statement acknowledged growing criticism over gatekeeping the legendary mountaineer’s last rites but said the “family must prioritise the safe and respectful conduct of the funeral and preserve the private nature of this deeply personal occasion.
Former Deputy Speaker of Nepal and Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Indira Rana Magar, who demanded the “national hero” title for Purja, will be in London to attend the funeral.
