One of the Editors of the Bhutan News Service (BNS), Rup Narayan Pokharel, is mourning the sudden death of his father Badri Nath Pokharel who died on Saturday afternoon in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
Late Pokharel was born on May 28, 1928 at Bockray, Kikorthang of Tsirang, and had served the nation as a village headman for 18 years as par his capacity. He was very popular with his nickname of ‘Mantri Ba’.
The Pokharel family reached Nepal for refuge on April 25, 1992, and was settled in Sanischare Refugee Camp in Morang district.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) resettled the family in California on August 15, 2009. Later in 2011, the Pokhrel family shifted to Pittsburgh.
Late Pokharel was diagnosed of bone marrow failure in 2010, and was being treated at UPMC Mercy Hospital when he breathed his last.
Meanwhile, the Bhutan Media Society (BMS) has stated that the entire exiled media team was shocked to hear the sudden death of Badri Nath Pokharel.
“Our thoughts and prayers are always with Editor Rup Narayan Pokharel and his entire family,” read a condolence message issued by the Society on Sunday.
BMS also lauded contributions made by late ‘Mantri Ba’ and said his death has caused an irreparable loss to the entire Bhutanese diaspora.
The Pittsburgh community is planning to cremate the dead body at 600 Dunster Street on May 21.
His wife, six sons, four daughters, 31 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren survive late Pokharel.
