KATHMANDU, JULY 11

The last rites of legendary climber Shambhu Tamang were performed with the state honours at Swayambhu in Kathmandu this afternoon. Tamang died of cancer at the age of 70 while undergoing treatment at Lalitpur-based hospital on July 7.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jeevan Ram Shrestha, former minister Hishila Yami and other high-level dignitaries were present there to pay last tribute to Tamang. Minister Shrestha draped the national flag on the body of late Tamang. The Nepal police team offered a guard of honor and a gun salute to late Tamang when monks, nuns, mountaineers, tourism entrepreneurs and relatives took part in the funeral procession.

Minister Shrestha termed that Tamang's demise was a great loss for the mountaineering sector and the nation. Earlier, the Council of Ministers had decided to pay the state honours to Tamang upon the request from Nepal Mountaineering Association. NMA President Nima Nuru Sherpa said that Tamang was a founder of NMA and was also contributing to the association as an advisor for a long time.

In 1973, at the age of 17 years, 6 months and 15 days, Tamang climbed scaled Mt Everest setting a world record as the youngest Everest summiteer in the world. Tamang also climbed many mountains leading different expeditions in Nepal.

Tamang is survived by a son and a daughter. Born to a middle class family in Sindhupachowk village, Tamang was awarded with different national and international awards and also served as the honourary member of various tourism-related organisations, Sherpa recounted.

NMA President Sherpa also thanked the government for its decision to perform his last rites with the state honours and also for contributing Rs 1 million rupees for his treatment.