KATHMANDU, MAY 11
Mukesh Kayastha, popularly called as 'living martyr', who spent a physically motionless life for 17 years, was given national honours in his final rite after he finally succumbed to head injuries he had suffered during the 2006 second democratic mass movement at the age of 15.
A band of Nepal Police played music of honours as Mukesh's father Krishnaman offered fire to the garlands and flowers-laden pyre of Mukesh, called dagbatti, during the final rites.
He was cremated at Ugratirtha Ghat located in his home town of Banepa Municipality in Kavre at around 3:00pm.
Mukesh died last evening at Shir Memorial Hospital during his treatment. Only a couple of days ago, he was taken to the hospital after his health started deteriorating.
Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Aman Lal Modi hoisted the national flag to pay homage for Mukesh for his contribution to the establishment and transition of the country to federal republicanism.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal offered his condolences to the family of Mukesh and expressed sorrow over his demise. PM Dahal took to Twitter to extend his grief and condolence to Mukesh's family.
Similarly, Minister of Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet, federal lawmakers Gokul Baskota, Suryaman Dong and Meena Tamang, Nepali Congress General Minister Bishwo Prakash Sharma and Home Secretary Dinesh Bhattarai reached the funeral site to pay tribute to Mukesh.
Bagmati Province lawmakers, including Lakshman Lamsal and Kanchan Chandra Bade also offered respects during the final rites.
Banepa Municipality and different political parties issued statements of condolence on the device.
Police had shot Mukesh in a temple during the mass protest held at Banepa Bazaar on 9 April 2006. Although, he survived the injuries, his body remained completely paralysed. As a result, he was confined to the bed.
Chair of Mukesh Foundation Hira Sharma said the first 10 years of his confinement was very difficult as he would not even show responses to anyone's call.
"But, in the past seven years he had shown some significant progress as he would respond to his mother's call. He would show signs of being happy and some hand movements were also noticed," Sharma said.
Only a few days ago, he had severe hiccups which was common for him. "But after his health condition started deteriorating, his family took him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with severe pneumonia from which he was unable to recover," Sharma told THT.
Mukesh has been awarded 'Warrior of Democracy' by the government. He is popular as 'living martyr' among the people. However, no official announcement to the end has been made.
"As the government didn't formally recognise him as a living martyr, our focus is to enlist his name in the list of martyrs," Sharma said.
The Mukesh Foundation has also been requesting Banepa Municipality to name an under-construction hospital after his name. Similarly, his parents have shown interest to donate some land to the foundation or hospitals so that it could be helpful to other people like him.
A version of this article appears in the print on May 12, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
