Kathmandu. MYAGDI: Annapurna Rural Municipality of Myagdi district has given a public holiday on Monday to mourn the demise of world record holder Nirmal Purja, popularly known as Nims Dai. Purja was born in Annapurna-3 in Dana of Nepal when he was killed in an avalanche while climbing Broad Peak in Pakistan.

Issuing a press release on Sunday, Rural Municipality Chairman Bharat Kumar Pun said the demise of Purja has shocked and saddened the entire Myagdi people along with the family members of the rural municipality. Expressing sorrow over the demise of the deceased, the rural municipality has decided to declare a holiday on Monday in all offices, wards, health institutions and schools.

According to the rural municipality, Purja’s contribution to taking the Nepali mountaineering sector to a new height in the world, establishing the identity and pride of Nepali mountaineers in the international level and presenting an unparalleled example of courage, leadership and dedication will always be remembered.

The demise of Purja has caused an irreparable loss to the global mountaineering community, reads a notice issued by the rural municipality.