Linguist and senior litterateur Bal Krishna Pokharel passed away on Sunday at the age of 86. He had long been suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes. At around 1 am today, Pokharel was rushed to hospital after sudden deterioration in his health condition. He was declared dead on arrival.

In the third week of January, Pokharel had suffered a brain stroke when he had gone to his daughter’s residence in Siliguri, a bordering town in India. After undergoing treatment in Siliguri for two days, he was taken to Kathmandu-based Norvic Hospital. As his health showed no sign of improvement, Pokharel was taken to his residence in Biratnagar.

Later, he was taken to Shree Hospital in Biratnagar as his condition relapsed following minor progress. He was discharged from the hospital a few days back, his son Munal Pokharel said.

Born in Chisapanigadi of Makwanpur district in 1990 BS, Pokharel did his Masters in Linguistics from Kolkata University. He started teaching at Tribhuvan University from 2019 BS. He taught at Linguistics at Morang Campus. He retired from teaching in 2046 BS. Pokharel also worked as a member of the then Royal Nepal Academy from 2036 BS to 2041 BS.

Nepali Brihat Sabdakosh, a Nepali dictionary, was published in 2040 BS under Pokharel’s leadership. He has authored nearly four dozen books. Lately, he was working on an epic poetry titled ‘Rupa Rani’. The book was due to be published both in English and Nepali language. According his student, poet and critic Hari Baral, his last work of literature had almost been completed.

The recipient of Madan Puraskar in 2021 BS for his ‘Nepali Bhasa and Sahitya’, Pokharel was honoured with dozens of prizes. His wife died four years ago. He is survived by a son and two daughters.

He body was cremated at Paropakarghat, Biratnagar on Sunday. Province 1 Social Development Minister Jeevan Ghimire honoured him by draping the national flag over his body. Biratnagar Metropolitan Mayor Bhim Parajuli and Professor Dr Tanka Neupane, among others, talked about his contribution to Nepali language and literature.