After a strenuous two-week battle with COVID-19, Ujwal Thapa passed away Tuesday afternoon (June 1st, 2021) at the age of 44. The trail-blazing political leader and activist co-founded the Bibeksheel political party, an alternative to the corrupt, failing leadership within the Nepalese government.
He truly was an inspiring beacon of hope, encouraging the youth of Nepal to protest the traditional dirty politics. His final social media posts capture his honorable moral character.
In an Instagram post, posted 6 days prior to his death, Thapa shared a selfie in a hospital bed with oxygen tubes. The sorrowful photo contrasts to his optimistic caption, which honors Buddha’s birthday and inspires hope to his friends and followers:
A photo of Boudhanath temple, posted on the same day as the aforementioned selfie, also includes wise words which commemorates Buddha’s teachings:
As for his final tweets, Thapa shared an uplifting word of advice to his supporters, encouraging forgiveness and virtue:
https://twitter.com/ujwalthapa/status/1388865611195895809
His last Twitter post on May 2nd contained a link to Paloma Faith singing “Only Love Can Hurt Like This”, with the simple (and in retrospect, dismal) caption “Have a Good Night (Day)”.
https://twitter.com/ujwalthapa/status/1388889771024568321
Check out his website :Whynepal.com
Ujwal who went to Budanilkantha School was also the co-founder of entrepreneurial forum Entrepreneurs for Nepal and WordPress Nepal.
Politicians to Friends/Well-wishers react on social media:-
“A lifelong seeker, a pioneer thinker, a selfless leader who had an innate ability to bring people from all walks of life together to manifest his vision of bringing positive change in the nation, be it through entrepreneurship or politics. A rare gem who led from behind while motivating youth to emerge as leaders themselves and shine.” Sumona Balla Malla told Nepalisite.
“Hidden talent, unique and bold. He did in action what rest of us, including myself, could only talk about and wish for. They (most Nepali voters) said that Bibeksheel Nepali was more of a social service entity than a political party. I would assume they are right. Ujwal may not have played our typical politician games. But he provide service through leadership and leadership through service. We saw that during the earthquake of 2015 when he led the way while other politicians were a few steps behind.” Roopesh Joshi told Nepalisite.
“Ujwal is a rare man who — with no expert degrees, no mainstream political party support, no electoral victory to his name, and no previous high-paying job credentials — comes perhaps once in a generation in a country like ours. There are people who have authority and power. And there are people like Ujwal who have courage and influence. I see enormous heartfelt outpouring of support, affection, love and concern for him in this light.” Ashutosh Tiwari
“He would always advise me not to be “yet another-pampered-college graduate”, who has had no worldly experience, just to be an incompetent member of society and workforce. The screenshot below is a conversation of us, where he is reminding me of this while we talked about my higher studies plan.” Bobby Basnet on Medium
विवेकशील साझा पार्टीका संस्थापक संयोजक उज्ज्वल थापाको निधनको खवरबाट स्तब्ध भएको छु। दिवंगत थापाप्रति भावपूर्ण श्रद्धाञ्जलि र शोकाकुल परिवारजनमा गहिरो समवेदना व्यक्त गर्दछु ।
— K P Sharma Oli (@kpsharmaoli) June 1, 2021
नेपाली राजनीतिको एक उज्वल नक्षत्र तथा आशाको धरोहर उज्वल थापा महायात्रामा प्रस्थान गर्नु भयो। वैकुण्ठ वास होस्।
हार्दिक श्रद्धाञ्जलीशान्ता दिज्यू र उदयबहादुर थापामा हार्दिक समवेदना pic.twitter.com/0vZykCcwEE
— Kamal Thapa (@KTnepal) June 1, 2021
"उज्ज्वल थापाको कामले तानेको होस् वा व्यक्तित्वले, कोरोनाविरूद्ध कठिन संघर्ष गरिरहेका बेला उनलाई धेरैले सम्झिएका छन्। सद्भाव र सहयोग बर्साएका छन्। एउटा मानिसले योभन्दा धेरै कमाउने के नै छ र!"https://t.co/Jp2LAvmIp7
— Rabindra Mishra (@RabindraMishra) May 30, 2021
उज्वल थापा हामी बिच रहनुभएन।एक असल मान्छे र प्रिय मित्रको निधनले अत्यन्त मर्माहत छु।नेपाली राजनीति र समाजलाई रूपान्तरण गर्न मनैदेखि लागिरहेको एउटा अथक अभियन्ताको अभाव सधैँ खड्किरहनेछ।उहाँको आत्माको चीर शान्तिको कामना!
परिवारजनमा हार्दिक समवेदना! pic.twitter.com/t4kIlwQHMm— Gagan Thapa (@thapagk) June 1, 2021
नेपालमा वैकल्पिक राजनीतिक अभियानका अगुवा तथा असल मानव उज्ज्वल थापाको असामयिक निधनले देशलाई अपूरणीय क्षति भएको छ। वहाॅको निधन पश्चात पनि वैकल्पिक राजनीतिको औचित्य अरू बढेर जानेछ।वहाॅप्रति हार्दिक श्रद्धान्जली तथा आफन्तजनमा गहीरो समवेदना! pic.twitter.com/iBsvtvyJeJ
— Baburam Bhattarai (@brb1954) June 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/MohnaAnsari/status/1399693635327696898
https://twitter.com/hamrorabi/status/1399704713709330445
Ujjwal Thapa has left us as a real hero but very early. He had been a inspiration for many youth. Hope his movement and vision to add alternative dimension and give brith to next political power go on. #ujwalthapa
— Suyog Anup Jha (@SAJ29Union) June 1, 2021
Rest In Peace, Ujwal Thapa. May your ideas and passion for change live forever. pic.twitter.com/ZtheWj6VX3
— Anup Kaphle (@AnupKaphle) June 1, 2021
June 1 2000 – Late King Birendra
June 1 2021 – Ujwal ThapaWe lost 2 diamonds of #Nepal on this day.
Nepal will remember you Mr. Thapa!
21 years passed out but sadly there is still no change in #Nepalese politics, mentality & strategy.#RIP #UjwalThapa #Sad #Nepali #Kathmandu
— Sandesh Lamsal (@sandesh__1994) June 1, 2021
Check out some of his videos below:-
— Shreeram Paudel (@srpaudel) June 1, 2021
Protect LOKTANTRA from this LOOT TANTRA
In the video that was taken in 2013, Ujwal is seen addressing the public in Basantapur explaining the reason behind choosing “Dog/कुकुर ” as a symbol of his party Bibeksheel Nepali (now called as Bibeksheel Sajha).
Interview with Prem Baniya
