General public and various political leaders including Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba paid final tribute to late veteran culture expert and historian Satya Mohan Joshi.

Joshi’s body is being kept at the Lalitpur Metropolitan City office premises until 4pm today for the general public to pay final tributes.

Joshi passed away on Sunday morning while undergoing treatment at KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital. He was 103.

Joshi’s body will be handed over to the hospital for research as per the pledge of the noted historian.

Last year, the Joshi couple signed an agreement with the hospital to donate their bodies to the hospital for research after their death.

Prime Minister Deuba paid tribute to Joshi by draping the national flag over his body.

Likewise, CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal also offered condolences to Joshi.

Joshi will also be paid tribute with state honours. According to Phanindra Pokharel, spokesperson at the Home Ministry, a contingent of Nepal Police will offer a condolence salute to Joshi.

“The ministry has sent a letter to the Police Headquarters following a decision to offer a condolence salute to Joshi,” said Pokharel.

Lalitpur Police Circle Chief Senior Superintendent Yagya Binod Pokhrel informed that preparations are underway to offer a condolence salute to Joshi at the metropolitan office premises at 4 pm today.

Likewise, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jiwan Ram Shrestha said that he will make a proposal for a one day public holiday in honour of Joshi at the next Cabinet meeting.

“I will make the proposal at the next Cabinet meeting and the date for the public holiday will be finalised by the Ministry of Home Affairs,” said Shrestha.