Society of Economics Journalists-Nepal (Sejon), an umbrella body of business journalists in the country, has expressed deepest condolence to the family of Sanjay Neupane, the 45-year-old economics journalist who passed away on Saturday after suffering from brain tumour.

The absence of Neupane, who had previously served as executive member and vice president of Sejon, will be deeply felt by the business journalism sector, says a statement issued on Sunday.

Neupane, the former editor of the Karobar business daily, was suffering from Anaplastic astrocytoma, a rare malignant brain tumour. He was previously flown to the Haryana-based Medanta Hospital in India after he collapsed at home during the Dashain festival.

He breathed his last at Nepal Cancer Hospital in Lalitpur on Saturday evening.

Neupane began his journalism career more than two decades ago as a Lalitpur correspondent of Kantipur daily. He later became business bureau chief of the same daily.

A Hubert H Humphrey Fellow, Neupane pursued journalism studies in Maryland University of the US. After completing his studies, he briefly worked as the deputy chief reporter of Kantipur daily, before moving to Karobar business daily. “He had a positive attitude, was soft-spoken and helpful,” the statement adds.

Neupane’s last rites were performed on Saturday evening. He is survived by his wife and two children.