KATHMANDU, March 14: Literary writer Lil Bahadur Chhetri has passed away at the age of 92.
Chhetri, a permanent resident of Assam, India, breathed his last at Guwahati on Thursday night, chief editor of literary magazine 'Shabdapath', Murari Sigdel said.
Chhetri was honoured with the Jagadambashree Award in recognition of his contribution to the enrichment of Nepali language and literature through literary writing.
'Mainali Fiction Honour' to Sagar
He had penned novels such as 'Basain' and 'Atripta Ra Bahmaputrako Chheuchhau', and a collection of prose 'Assam Ma Nepali Bhashiko Sahrogahro' as well as short fiction, essays and plays.
Chhetri who had received various awards, including Bhanu Award was feted with the Padma Shri, India's highest civilian award, by the Government of India.
PM Oli expresses sorrow
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed sorrow over the passing of writer Lil Bahadur Chhetri and offered heartfelt tributes.
In a social media post on Facebook, Prime Minister Oli has conveyed deep condolences to Kshetri's grieving family, relatives, and literary admirers.
"Lil Bahadur Chhetri 's novel 'Basai' touched the hearts of every student attending the campus. His works, including 'Basai,' depict the suffering of entire villages forced to migrate to places like Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, and Bhutan during World War II. His novel 'Brahmaputra Ko Cheu Chau,' which earned him India's prestigious 'Sahitya Akademi Award,' also narrates the struggles of Nepali people in Northeast India," the Prime Minister wrote, sharing an image of the cover of Chhetri novel 'Basai.'
