Last rites of late Neurosurgeon Dr Upendra Devkota was performed with state honours at Pashupati Aryaghat in Kathmandu on Tuesday. His body was cremated at electric crematorium according to the Hindu traditions. His wife Dr Madhu Dixit Devkota and their three daughters Medha, Vasudha and Manjari performed the last rituals.

A Cabinet meeting on Monday had decided to give state honours to the late doctor, known as father of modern Neuro Surgery in Nepal.

Dr Devkota’s corporeal remain was kept on the premises of National Institute of Neurological and Allied Sciences (Neuro Hospital) in Bansbari, Maharajgunj, from 8am to 1pm today for offering tributes. The hospital was founded by Dr Devkota.

His relatives, well-wishers, friends, high level politicians and other government officials reached the hospital to pay their last respects and offer condolences to the bereaved family.

Later, his body was taken to Pashupati through Chakrapath.

In his 34-year-long medical career, Devkota had performed more than 25,000 successful surgeries and played an instrumental role in bringing a number of important reforms in health sectors during his stint as Health Minister.  Devkota served as Health Minister in 2002 under the direct regime of then King Gyanendra Shah. Devkota made the decision to turn Bir Hospital into the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS).

A patient of gall bladder cancer, Dr Devkota was receiving medical attention at Neuro Hospital. He was treated for six months in the United Kingdom before bringing him back to Nepal on May 29 as the cancer seemed incurable. He wanted to come back to take his last breathe in his own country.

Neuro Hospital had confirmed that Dr Devkota died at 5:35 pm on Monday.