Last rites of missing journalist Thami performed at Aryaghat

KATHMANDU: The last rites of journalist Tekraj Thami, who went missing after the devastating Bhotekoshi floods, took place today at Pashupati Aryaghat in Kathmandu.

Thami, a reporter for Naya Patrika Daily, had been out of touch since August 26. In a poignant ceremony, an effigy made of Kusha grass was cremated, following the traditional Hindu practice known as Kusa-puttalika-daha, or Kush Putla Cremation. Dil Bahadur Thami gave dagbatti (lighting the funeral pyre) of his son Tekraj Thami.

This ritual, rooted in ancient Hindu texts like the Bhavisya Purana, serves to free the soul of someone whose physical remains cannot be found due to drowning, natural disasters, or conflict.

Born on Jestha 14, 2042 BS, in Kalinchok Village-2, Babare, Dolakha, Thami had a vibrant career in journalism spanning over two decades. He was a journalism graduate who had made significant contributions to Naya Patrika, HBC FM, Sagarmatha Television, and ABC Television.

He was a lecturer of journalism at Bageshwari Campus and Samriddhi Campus, and was actively involved in training aspiring journalists and writers.

Tekraj was the coordinator of the Thami language page for Gorakhpatra daily and held leadership roles as the former vice-president of Nepal Thami Samaj and treasurer of the Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Journalists (FoNIJ).

On the evening of August 25, he rode his motorcycle to Rasuwagarhi via Dhunche to participate in a programme hosted by ‘South Asia Research Center in Southwest China,’ scheduled for August 10 in Kerung, Xizang Autonomous Region of China.

During the funeral, Nirmala Sharma, the President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, honoured Thami by draping the FNJ flag over his symbolic body. Rana Bahadur Thami, the President of Nepal Thami Samaj, also paid his respects.

The ceremony was attended by former ministers Parvat Gurung and Anand Pokharel, along with journalists and employees from RSS and Naya Patrika, including Press Chautari chair Ganesh Pandey.

Thami was married to RSS journalist Kalika Khadka. He is survived by a daughter. (RSS)