Itahari, Feb. 13: A democratic fighter and a veteran litterateur of eastern Nepal Chhabilal Pokhrel passed away at the age of 95 at his own residence in Dharan this afternoon.
The late Pokhrel was talking to his relatives about literature and democracy till 10:00 this morning at the intensive care unit of b.p. koirala Institute of Health Sciences.
Born in Kachinde village in Dhankuta district in 1961 b.s., he is survived by his wife and six sons.
Mr. Pokhrel was awarded the Samajik Sewa Puraskar, the Mahendra Pragya Puraskar, the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu fourth class, the Ganeshman Pragya Pratisthan Samman, the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar honour from the Indian Dalit Literary Conference, the Keshar Singh and Khadga Kumari Karki award and various other literary, religious and social awards.
The late Pokhrel has to his credit various works in Nepali including Mahatmagandhi Astangayog Ra Adarsha Byabahar, Vedko Somras Ra Jand Rakshiko Itihans, Adhunik Drishti Ma Balmiki Ramayan, Sankhya Darshan, Boudik Siddanta Ra Manav Samaj, Bhav Tarang, Hamro Dharma, Ved Dekhika Dharma Ra matharu, etc.
Likewise, he has also to his credit other books such as Ishai Samudaya Ek Samikchha, Samalochanako Kasima Devasur Sangram, Muktachayan Sanskriti Ra nepal, Kirant and Hamiharu Ra shastraharu Ko Charcha. Koumudisar and Muktachayan, also by him, are in Sanskrit.
A propagator of modern education, Pokhrel was jailed in 2007 b.s. for one month in Dhankuta and he had started most of the schools in Dharan and Dhankuta in his lifetime. He had also launched a movement for equal education to one and all for the first time.
Founder of the Gokundeswor high school of Dhankuta, public high school of Dharan, Mahendra Multiple Campus, Sarvajanik Vidya Bhawan of Dharan, Sriram Sanskrit Pathshala, Pindeswor Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, Chandra Sanskrit Secondary School, the late Pokhrel was a social reformer and a fighter for caste equality.
His body will be cremated according to the Vedic rituals tomorrow, his family sources said.
The body lies in state at his own residence in Dharan 12, Chatara line for the people to pay their last respects.