Actor Veera pays tribute to mountaineer Nims Dai; says, "Legends never truly leave the mountains"
Chennai, Aug 2
Well known Tamil actor Veera, who is best known for his performance in the superhit Tamil film, 'Rajathandhiram', has paid glowing tributes to one of the world's greatest mountaineers, Nirmal Purja, popularly known as Nims Dai, who tragically passed away on Thursday after an avalanche struck the expedition party he was leading to Pakistan's Broad Peak, the 8,051-metre mountain in the Karakoram range.
Taking to his Instagram stories section to pay glowing tributes to the legendary mountaineer, Veera wrote, "Today, the world doesn't just mourn a mountaineer-it mourns a man who taught millions that courage can take us beyond impossible."
He went on to say, "Nims Dai didn't just climb peaks. He gave hope to dreamers, strength to climbers, and inspired an entire generation to look higher. Though his journey has ended, his spirit will forever live in every mountain, every summit, and every heart he inspired."
He concluded his tribute saying, "Rest in Peace, Nims Dai. Legends never truly leave the mountains."
For the unaware, Nirmal Purja was born in Nepal's Dhaulagiri region and raised in Chitwan. He made history by climbing all 14 of the world's 8,000-metre peaks in just over six months under his 'Project Possible', shattering the previous record of nearly eight years.
By summiting Broad Peak, he hoped to become the first person in history to climb all 14 eight-thousand metre mountains twice.
Before the tragedy, Purja had revealed in a Facebook post on July 27 that Broad Peak had not been part of his original plan, as he had intended to climb only Gasherbrum II (G2). However, an opportunity to summit Broad Peak arose, and he did not want to miss the chance to make history.
"This was never the plan. Initially, the plan was to climb just G2. But just before setting off for Pakistan, I ran the numbers on my 8,000m summits. That's when it hit me: if I tick off Broad Peak whilst I'm here, only one remains -- Cho Oyu. Then I become the FIRST person in history to climb all 14 eight-thousanders twice. Without oxygen," he had said in his post.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As an Indian who loves trekking in the Himalayas, Nims Dai was a hero to many of us. I remember watching documentaries about his record-breaking climb and feeling goosebumps. It's heartbreaking that such a brilliant life was cut short. But as Veera said, legends indeed never truly leave the mountains. RIP to a true pioneer. ❤️
Very sad news indeed. While I appreciate the tribute by actor Veera, I also feel that we should perhaps question the risks that these extreme expeditions carry. Yes, Nims was chasing history, but at what cost? The mountains can be unforgiving, and maybe sometimes we push too hard. Just my personal opinion, but I do wonder if it was worth the risk.
This is such a profound loss. Nims Dai wasn't just a mountaineer; he was proof that with determination, even the most impossible dreams are achievable. His story inspired so many young people across Nepal, India, and the world to aim higher. The fact that he wanted to climb all 14 peaks twice without oxygen shows his extraordinary dedication. My condolences to his loved ones. 🌹
I've been following Nims's career since his military service days. He was a special forces Gurkha before becoming the greatest mountaineer of our time. His 'Project Possible' was a testament to his incredible willpower. It's devastating to lose such a legend. My thoughts are with his family and the entire mountaineering fraternity. Rest in peace, Nims Dai.
Growing up in a Tamil household, I
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