BP Koirala’s 113th Birth Anniversary Being Observed Across Nepal

The 113th birth anniversary of BP Koirala, Nepal’s first democratically elected prime minister and a major figure in the country’s political and literary history, is being observed across Nepal today. Born on Bhadra 24, 1971 BS, Koirala played a leading role in the struggle against the Rana regime and for the establishment and restoration of democracy. He became Nepal’s first elected prime minister after the Nepali Congress won a two thirds majority in the 2015 BS general election. During his tenure, he introduced land reforms, including the abolition of the birta system, and promoted the principles of nationalism, democracy and socialism. After the elected government was removed on Poush 1, 2017 BS, he was imprisoned and later spent eight years in exile in India. He returned to Nepal on Poush 16, 2033 BS under his policy of national unity and reconciliation, despite facing legal cases.

Koirala also made a lasting contribution to Nepali literature and is regarded as a pioneer of psychological realism in Nepali writing. His major works include the novels Teen Ghumti, Modi Aain, Hitler Ra Yahudi, Sumnima, Narendradai and Babu, Aama Ra Chhora, along with the story collections Shweta Bhairavi and Doshi Chasma. He died of cancer on Shrawan 6, 2039 BS. The BP Museum, established at the former Sundarijal prison where Koirala and other political leaders were detained, preserves materials from his political life, including items linked to the 2007 BS revolution and the aircraft hijacked by the Nepali Congress in 2030 BS. Various programs are being organized across the country by the Nepali Congress, its affiliated organizations and the BP Museum to mark his birth anniversary.