Leaders offer tribute to Basnet, Pradhan expresses condolences

Kathmandu, August, 18: Senior Nepalese leaders offered the last tribute to the deceased R.B. Basnet in Bir Hospital today.

Nepalese Minister for Peace Ram Chandra Poudel, Finance Minister Dr. Ram Saran Mahat, Vice-President of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala and former Foreign Minister Chakra Prashad Bastola paid last tribute to the late Basnet.

Several Bhutanese students, teachers and leaders residing in Kathmandu were also gathered in the hospital to pay the last tribute to late Basnet. Leaders who were present in the hospital premises included Tek Nath Rizal, Ratan Gajmere, Jogen Gajmere, Thinley Penjore and Hari Adhikari Bangaley.

The deceased body was taken to Jhapa. According to family sources, the dead body would be criminated tomorrow in Kankai Mai River of Jhapa.

Meanwhile, senior Bhutanese rights activist S.K. Pradhan residing in the US has expressed his deep condolences over the untimely demise of R.B. Basnet.

He was one of those few leaders who was well known inside Bhutan, among ministers, top bureaucrats, business community, army, police, royal family and in general public quoted Pradhan in an email circular to Bhutan News Service.

Pradhan has mentioned that his death is an irreparable loss not only to us but also to his supporters inside Bhutan as a true leader dedicated to the cause of democracy and freedom in the country.

Late Basnet had joined the Bhutanese bureaucracy as a promising Lhotshampa officer and made substantial contribution in strengthening the budget department and the State Trading Corporation of Bhutan as its director and managing director respectively.

According to Pradhan, Basnet was close to former king Jigme Singye Wangchuck and contemporary to Bhutanese prime ministers, Jigme Y. Thinley, Khandu Wangchuk and Sangye Nedup.

“The Bhutanese people will always remember him as true son of Bhutan who made great sacrifices for a noble cause” , said Pradhan. Bhutan News Service