Senior journalist Pushkar Lal Shrestha passes away

KATHMANDU: Senior journalist and Kamana Publications' founding chair Pushkar Lal Shrestha passed away today at the age of 60.

Shrestha breathed his last at Thapathali-based Norvic International Hospital, when he was admitted for treatment. About five months ago, he had undergone a nose surgery and later a kidney stone removal surgery. Following the second surgery, he had been diagnosed with additional health problems.

Doctors had suspected him of having Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and had referred him to the Haryana-based Medanta Hospital in India. He was brought back home after the treatment was unsuccessful and was admitted in Norvic where he underwent physiotherapy.

He had been admitted to Mediciti Hospital a month ago and had been receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to complications in his health.

Shrestha was again re-admitted to Norvic Hospital as per the advice of doctors involved in his treatment.

Pushkar Lal Shrestha was born in August 1959. He was the founding chair of Kamana Publications and Nepal Media Society, and has been active in journalism for a long time. He has also served as the executive member of Minimum Wage Determination Committee, Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Nepal Press Institute, Editors Society Nepal, Nepal Press Club and Press Council Nepal.

For his contributions, Shrestha was honoured with the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, Trishakti Patta and Birendra Aishwarya Service Medal. He was also the recipient of the Press Council Award.

Shrestha's mortal remains will be kept at Bhugol Park today for last tributes before being cremated at Pashupati Aryaghat

Shrestha is survived by his spouse and three sons.