Legendary Nepali litterateur and social worker from Gorubathan in the Dooars region in north Bengal, Haimandas Rai ‘Kirat’ passed away at the Malbazaar sub-divisional hospital in the Dooars last night. He was 101.
He was the recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award for his great contribution to Nepali literature.
Apart from an iconic literary figure and social worker, he was also an educationist in the Dooars, while he was a teacher by profession.
“He was also a publisher and has several publications under his name. He has published books written by noted Nepali literary figures like Indra Bahadur Rai, Guman Singh Chamling, Asit Rai and others,” sources said.
“In his lifetime, he contributed immensely to the betterment and promotion of Nepali literature and Nepali language in the Dooars region. Besides these, he has taken several initiatives and good work for the benefit of the society,” they added.
As soon as the news of the demise spread, individuals, associations, organisations and political leaders, including chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration chief Anit Thapa, expressed their condolences on the sad demise of the iconic Nepali litterateur.
“The demise of Kirat is a huge loss to Nepali literature, and the Late Kirat’s contribution to Nepali literature and Nepali language is immeasurable,” they said.
“I am deeply saddened at the demise of the eminent Nepali litterateur Haiman Das Rai Kirat… The Gorkha Territorial Administration had also awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to Nepali literature. His death is an irreparable loss to the world of Nepali literature,” Miss Banerjee said in a condolence message.