Date: September 19, 2026

Former Central Committee Member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Tek Raj Thami, was cremated at Pashupati Aryaghat on Saturday by making a symbolic body out of kusha grass, in accordance with the Thami community’s traditional rites. The FNJ is deeply shocked and saddened by the news of his death.

Thami had gone missing after the massive flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa on Bhadra 10, 2083, while travelling through Rasuwa towards Kerung. As no positive information about him had been received even after three weeks, the final rites were performed with the consent of his family under the leadership of the Thami community.

During the cremation ceremony at Pashupati Aryaghat, FNJ President Nirmala Sharma, along with office-bearers and Central Committee members, paid their last respects to Thami. A one-minute silence was also observed.

Late Thami is survived by his mother, father, wife and a daughter. His wife, Kalika Khadka, is also a journalist.

Active in journalism for the past two decades, Thami worked at Sagarmatha Television and ABC Television before joining Naya Patrika Daily, where he was working most recently. Thami had established a strong identity in investigative journalism. He served as a Central Committee Member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists from 2074/05/06 to 2077/12/25.

The FNJ pays heartfelt tribute to late Thami and wishes eternal peace for the departed soul. At this hour of grief, the FNJ also extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, including his wife Kalika, and wishes them strength and courage to endure the loss.

Meanwhile, the FNJ Bhaktapur Branch has informed that journalist Shekhar Dhungana, a member of the FNJ Bhaktapur Branch, who had gone missing along with his wife from Bhadra 10, 2083, during a visit to Manasarovar, was cremated with kusha grass on Bhadra 18 in accordance with Hindu traditions.

The final rites were performed after no positive information about him had been received until the eighth day since he went missing.

The FNJ pays heartfelt tribute to late Dhungana and wishes eternal peace for the departed soul. The FNJ also extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family and wishes them strength and courage to endure this difficult time.

Dhungana had worked for a long time at various newspapers, including Deshantar Weekly.

With the deaths of Thami and Dhungana, the Nepali journalism sector has lost two capable, experienced, fearless and skilled journalists, while the FNJ has lost active and dedicated members.

Regarding Raj Kumar Nepali, a former Executive Committee Member of the FNJ Nuwakot Branch and President of the National Dalit Journalists Association, Nuwakot, who remains missing following the devastating flood, his family has informed that they will make further decisions only after receiving the DNA test report.

Ram Prasad Dahal
General Secretary