KATHMANDU (AFP) - An elderly Nepalese man who is just 41cm tall is stepping up his campaign to be recognised as the world's shortest person.

Master Nau, 73, who is confined to a wheelchair, recently flew from his remote village southwest of the capital Kathmandu to press his request to be recognised in the Guinness World Records.

Wearing sunglasses and clutching his citizenship card, Mr Nau was greeted at Kathmandu airport by photographers and the media.

Now back home in Bhairahawa village, where he lives with his youngest brother's family, life has returned to normal.

"I am very happy," Mr Nau said in a barely audible voice over the phone on Monday.

Mr Nau is staking his claim as the shortest person in an "immovable" category, which according to the Guinness World Records recognises a person who cannot walk.

His rival, a Taiwanese man, who holds the current record in the category, stands 68cm.

Officials from Guinness World Records have said Mr Nau could qualify for the record, according to world record enthusiast Thaneshwar Guragain, who has taken up Mr Nau's claim and is corresponding with the organisation.

Mr Nau's niece Seema Sheikh said he leads an active life.

"He is fond of travelling and likes to meet people and talk about life," said Ms Sheikh.

"He also likes hot and delicious food and loves to listen to Hindi and Nepali songs. We often hire a rickshaw to take him to the market because he loves it," she said.

"But whenever he goes out, people stop to look at him. Soon a small crowd would gather, which makes it difficult."

A fellow Nepalese man, Chandra Bahadur Dangi, 74, holds the current record for the world's shortest man in the "movable" category. He measures 54.6cm tall.