POKHARA: Khagendra Thapa Magar, who is a claimant of the world's shortest man, today set off on a tour of Europe from Pokhara.

He is visiting Rome, Italy, for a campaign to record his name in the Guinness Book of World Records. Locals here organised a special programme to bid farewell to Khagendra.

His friends of Sarasawati Higher Secondary School, relatives and well-wishers accompanied him from the Khagendra Thapa Magar Foundation at Prithivi Chowk to the Pokhara airport. According to Min Bahadur Rana, chairman of the Foundation, he is accompanying Khagendra and his father Rup Bahadur Thapa Magar to Europe with financial assistance from Euro Television in Rome.

Rana said the visit will assist them in writing Khagendra's name in the Guinness Book.

Khagendra was visibly happy at the airport before flying to Kathmandu in an Agni Air aircraft. They will be leaving to Rome from Kathmandu on February 21.

Telling of his excitement about going to Kathmandu and then Italy, Khagendra did not miss to say 'I love you' to the beautiful girls he met on his way to the airport. His parents, who were concerned about Khagendra's physical stature earlier, are happy now as people recognise them for being Khagendra's parents.

"I am very happy now as I am getting a chance to visit Europe because of my son," senior Magar said today.

Khagendra, who was born on Oct 14, 1992, in the Dhullu Baskot area in Baglung district, is studying in LKG. He celebrated his 18th birthday last year. Khagendra, who started to walk only at the age of eight, ceased growing at the age of 11. His relatives have been trying to get his name written in the Guinness Book since 2006. His citizenship was sent to the Guinness headquarters after the office asked for proof of him being an adult.

His parents are hopeful that their son will be listed by Guiness World Records as the shortest man in the world.

Ping Ping of China is currently the shortest man of the world recognised by the Guinness Book. He stands 29.5 inches tall, while Khagendra is only 20 inches tall and he weighs a mere 5.5 kg.