KATHMANDU, Oct 15: Dignitaries including Prime Minister KP Oli, ministers, senior leaders from various political parties and professionals have expressed condolences over the demise of Hemraj Gyawali, the legendary publisher and founding Chairman of Nepal Republic Media.

Seventy-nine years old Gyawali passed away in the course of treatment at Shahid Gangalal Hospital following a mild heart attack Saturday evening and his last rites were performed at Pashupati Aryaghat at night.

Prime Minister Oli tweeted on Saturday that he was sad to hear about the demise of publisher Gyawali. "I would like to express my deep condolences to the bereaved family members and relatives," he wrote on Twitter.

Expressing his condolence on the demise of publisher Gyawali, former Prime Minister and the President of Nepali Congress, Sher Bahadur Deuba said Gyawali's demise was an irreparable loss to Nepal's media fraternity. "The founding Chairman of Nepal Republic Media, Hemraj Gyawali's demise is really an irreparable loss. May his soul rest in peace, and may God give his family the strength to brave this tragedy. We will always be missing him," Deuba twitted.

Former Prime Minister and Convener of Naya Shakti Party, Baburam Bhattarai, also expressed deep condolence on the demise of Gyawali.

"I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of the leading figure of Nepal's professional journalism, and the Founding Chairman of Kantipur Publications and Nepal Republic Media Hem Raj Gyawali. The Nepali free press and democracy will remember him forever," Bhattarai tweeted.

Former senior bureaucrat Gyawali was one of the founders of Kantipur Publications. Gyawali, who started Kantipur Publications after retiring from government service, established another media house, Nepal Republica Media. The NRM publishes Nagarik and Republica dailies. It also publishes an infotainment weekly Sukrabar, Pariwar Monthly and runs Nagarik Network, Radio Nagarik, and separate news portals.

Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari too expressed his condolence to bereaved family members and relatives. He lauded Gyawali's role in the field of Nepali journalism calling him as an "exemplary one for all.”

Industrialist Binod Chaudhary remembered Gyawali as the 'father figure' of Nepali professional journalism. “Hemraj Gyawali was the father figure of Nepali professional journalism. His contributions to the field will always be remembered,” he tweeted.

President of Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Bhaban Bhatta, Bishnu Rimal, chief political adviser to PM Oli, also expressed their condolences through social media.

Gyawali, who remained active in the promotion of private media in Nepal, was the founding chairman of Nepal's leading media house, Kantipur Publications, for over a decade before starting the NRM. Former senior bureaucrat Gyawali is a well-known figure in the fields of Nepali literature, culture, language and eastern philosophy.

Gyawali is also remembered for his initiatives to revive the Sanskrit language in Nepal. He actively wrote articles for Nagarik Daily until a few weeks ago.

FNJ: Gyawali a competentmedia advocate
Expressing deep sorrow over the demise of publisher Hemraj Gyawali, the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) said on Sunday that the Nepali media industry has lost a competent, experienced, and professional media advocate.

In a condolence statement, the umbrella organization of Nepali journalists recalled the significant contribution made by late Gyawali to the promotion of Nepali professional media, art, language, literature and culture.

“Nepali media sector will remember him forever for his contributions to this sector," the FNJ statement said.

 
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