KATHMANDU, Aug 16: Former Nepali ambassador to India and Bhutan and senior Nepali educationist Prof. Harshanaryan Dhaubhadel has passed away in Calgary, Canada, at the age of 90.
Dhaubhadel, who had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for a long time, was taken to his daughter Nisha’s home after further hospital treatment was no longer possible. He died there, his son-in-law Jyoti Vaidya said. Three of his four daughters live in Canada, while one lives in the United States.
Born in Siraha in Falgun 1992 BS, Dhaubhadel’s ancestors were originally from Bhaktapur. His grandfather, Shankardas, moved to Siraha for employment, after which the family settled in Tarai.
Dhaubhadel completed his education up to Grade 8 in Siraha and studied from Grades 9 to 12 in Jainagar, India. He then earned his BA and B.Ed. from Tri Chandra College and Patna University, followed by an M.Ed. from Jawaharlal Nehru University in Allahabad. In 1983, he completed a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Oregon in the United States.
Bhutan Watch exposes deepening Human Rights crisis in Bhutan in...
He began his professional career as principal of Siddhartha Banasthali School. He then served Tribhuvan University continuously for about 36 years, from 2021 BS to 2057 BS. During his tenure, he served as a professor, warden of Kanti Hostel, Campus Chief of Mahendra Ratna Campus, Tahachal, assistant dean and dean of the Faculty of Education, and executive director of the Centre for Educational Development and Research, CERID.
Even after retiring from regular service, he continued working as a consultant for various educational institutions until 2068 BS.
A left-leaning intellectual, Dhaubhadel also played a prominent role in Nepal’s democratic movement. As president of the Nepal Professors Association and the Professional Federation, he played a leading role in representing university professors during the 1990 People’s Movement.
He was also a member of the commission formed to investigate the 1993 Dasdhunga accident. From 1995 to 1996, corresponding to 2051 BS, he served as Nepal’s ambassador to India and Bhutan.
Dhaubhadel was a founder of Seto Gurans and remained actively involved in various social organizations working in human rights, the welfare of the visually impaired, the deaf community and people with disabilities.
He is survived by their four daughters, Dr. Sangeeta, engineer Nisha, Rashmi and Dr. Pragya, as well as their sons-in-law and four grandchildren.
-1788334701.webp)
