Oldest Bhutanese in Australia passes away, journo Poudel in grief

Adelaide, August 14: The oldest member of Bhutanese community in Australia,Dhana Pati Poudel, died at the age of 98 at Lyell McEwin  Hospital at Elizabeth , Adelaide on Saturday the  14th at 2 pm.

Late Poudel

He had arrived Adelaide as part of the third country resettlement along with his grandson Ichha Poudel more than a year ago, who is a senior member of Bhutan Media Society and editor of Radio Bhutan Online.

The preparation for final rituals will probably  start only on Monday when all offices reopen here and is likely to be  cremated according to Hindu traditions by Wednesday.

With the death of Poudel, who was born in Bhutan, Bhutanese Diaspora has lost a resourceful person of Lhotsampa history in Bhutan. Poudel, who worked in East India Company offices in his age, was one of the oldest politically aware personalities of Bhutanese community.

He was also a stern advocate of the social justice who always stood for the socially inclusive community in Diaspora.

This is the second death but first natural death of Bhutanese Diaspora in Australia.