ILAM, Jan 25: Funds have started pouring in from all over the world in support of the family of debt-ridden Prem Prasad Acharya, 37, of Illam, who committed self-immolation in front of the Federal Parliament building in the capital on Tuesday.
Acharya's wife Nanuka Adhikari's bank account has started receiving money from Nepalis living within the country and abroad. Before committing self-immolation, Acharya of Suryodaya Municipality-11 had mentioned that he had debts of more than Rs 6 million.
Yes, financial freedom matters!
He also pleaded with everyone to save his wife and family from debt. He also mentioned his wife Nanuka's bank account number in the same note. And, he wrote, “If there are any kind-hearted people, please help my wife to pay my debt. She may follow his path. Our two daughters will be orphans.”
Soon after he committed self-immolation, the aid money started pouring in. After he succumbed to the burn injuries at 5.30 AM on Wednesday and the news of his demise spread through various media outlets, kind-hearted people started a support campaign for Acharya’s family not only in Nepal but also in different countries across the world.
Now the supporters of Acharya's family are publishing the receipt of money deposited in the account of his wife Nanuka on social media and asking others to help.
Nepalese living in America, Canada, Japan and other countries are also collecting money to pay Acharya's debt and for his children's education. It has been seen on social media that Nepalis living abroad have started a campaign with a target of collecting US$20,000. Nepali nationals living in different countries of the world are donating from $10 to $100. It is not yet clear how much money has been deposited so far.
In the note written by Acharya, it is mentioned that he was forced to commit self-immolation because he was deeply in debt in businesses involving travel agency, hotel, milk product business, tea and fermented leafy vegetables business, and agricultural farm. He said that he had chosen the path of suicide after his hard-earned money from foreign employment had gone down the drain along with all of his family's property including house and vehicle. He blamed the country's extreme corruption and impunity as the reasons behind this tragic end.
