NATIONAL 9 (Spotlight Weelky)]

End Of An Era

Dayabir Singh Kansakar leaves behind a legacy of social service

By A CORRESPONDENT

True to his name, Dayabir Singh reflected compassion and strength throughout his life. When he silently passed away on February 5 at the age of 90, he left behind the exemplary legacy of Paropakar social movement.

Born in 1968 BS in Keltole, Kathmandu, Kansakar was the pioneer social activist of the country. He started social service at a time when the authoritarian Rana regime would suppress everything that could undermine its dictatorial rule in the country.

The first Nepalese to have donated his blood, Dayabir Singh opened a series of Paropakar social institutions to help the underprivileged. From orphanage to ambulance service and from training nurses to building hospital, he devoted his whole life to the improvement of society.

A man of the Gandhian mould, Dayabir was also active in promoting the small and cottage industries in the country. He always emphasized the role of small industries in the economic development of the country.

There is hardly any social sector that was left untouched by Dayabir. The focus of his attention remained on education, health and human service. Some of the major institutions he set up include Paropakar Indra Rajya Laxmi Maternity Hospital, Paropakar Orphanage, Paropakar Ambulance Service, Paropakar Higher Secondary School.

He was also the founding member of Nepal Red Cross Society and Sajha Cooperative beside leading a number of Buddhist committees. He also represented Nepal in a various social conferences abroad.

Recognizing his devotion to social work, Dayabir was decorated with various awards like the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu (Third and Fourth) and the Tri Shakti Patta.

At the fag end of his illustrious career, Dayabir Singh was bed-ridden due to illness. The prime minister, deputy prime minister, ministers, opposition party leaders, businessmen, social workers, intellectuals and many others from different walks of life came to pay their last respects to him on Tuesday. He was cremated in accordance with Buddhist traditions. He is survived by his wife, five sons and two daughters.

With his passing away, the social service sector of Nepal has had to bear an irreparable loss. This loss will be more closely felt by all those underprivileged people who had enjoyed his warm guardianship.

While the leaders present to pay their last respects stressed the need to emulate his principles, they would be paying true tribute if they took over the torch passed by Dayabir Singh Kansakar.