Businessman Gopal Hamal donates a hearse in Dhangadi

Dhangadhi: Maheshwar Dutta Bhatt, 78, father of Pushkar Dutta Bhatt of Hasanpur in Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan-5 of Kailali, passed away on December 19. The deceased who was an inhabitant of Hasanpur in Dhangadhi Sub Metropolitan was supposed to be taken to Sivaganga in Gauriganga Municipality for cremation. Gopal Hamal, a businessman from Far-West, who is a childhood friend of the deceased's son Pushkar Dutt, was also present at the funeral procession.

During the procession he witnessed the corpse hanging out of the window due to lack of space in the vehicle a as there was no suitable hearse in the city to carry the body. Gopal Pathak, a member of the board of directors of Navjivan Sahakari and Buddhiraj Pathak, the father of Shyam Pathak, the chairman of Dhangadhi Jaycee, passed away on January 11. Pathak's last rites took place at Mohana Aryaghat in Dhangadhi.

While, Gapal Pathak faced similar problems while transporting his father's corpse. Seeing this made businessman Hamal very unhappy. He realised that the dearth of a herase adds to ones problem after losing their dear ones, considering this Hamal on Thursday said that he has placed an order for a van which will further be modified and turned into a hearse to alleviate the grief of the bereaved family members during the funeral of their loved ones.

Businessman Hamal, who is also a former central member of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, has announced to arrange a free departure vehicle to make the journey to cremation ground dignified.

He told a press conference in Dhangadhi on Thursday, "I saw bodies of people I know being transported with difficulties, each one deserves to leave the world with respect and dignity. I've seen bodies cramped up in the back seats of vehicles while taxi drivers refuse to carry a dead body even after being offered exorbitant amounts of money.

Therefore, I decided to start a free hearse service. The van will have a photo of the deceased infront, it will be decorated with flowers, the vehicle will have separate cabins for the body and the driver and it will have enough seats to accommodate the family of the deceased.

It will also have a donation box for people who wish to donate. The vehicle will operate up to Mohana River Aryaghat and Godawari River Aryaghat in Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan.

The responsibility of its management has been given to Siddharaj Paneru, a social worker from Dhangadhi." Hamal also said that in the near future, if any organization is willing to take up the responsibility of its operation, it can be handed over to them.