Nepal Mourns Loss of Central Bank Founder Himalaya Shamsher Rana
Nepal is mourning the loss of its first governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank of the country, Himalaya Shamsher Rana. Rana, 95, passed away this morning while receiving treatment at Norvic International Hospital in Thapathali, Kathmandu. Family sources said Rana had been suffering from pneumonia and pulmonary complications before his passing.
Rana was an influential figure in the country, known for his work in the civil society movement of Nepal, as well as being the founder of the Himalaya Bank and the first Finance Secretary of Nepal. His most recent efforts were in the formation of the General Election Observation Committee (GEOC), advocating for free, fair and impartial elections. Governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank, Maha Prasad Adhikari, paid tribute to Rana, saying that his passing was an “irreparable loss to the country“. He highlighted the late Rana‘s accomplishments, noting his contributions to launching a campaign of operating a Nepali single currency, and his time as Nepal‘s representative in the United Nations.
He is survived by two sons and two daughters.
