IN MEMORY OF LIFE AND LEGACY OF TIRTHA MAN SAKYA

In memory of our dear Chairperson Mr. Tirtha Man Shakya, who passed away on April 17, 2024 at the age of 81 years, the Nepal Law Society (NLS) organized a program on April 26, 2024 where his contemporaries, colleagues, and friends shared about the rich legacy he has left behind. His close family members were also present at the program.

The program was chaired by Ms. Pushpa Bhusal, newly elected chairperson of the NLS. The NLS Executive Director Mr. Krishna Man Pradhan shared about the life-long contributions and achievements of Mr. Shakya. He said the NLS was in mourning at his passing and would miss his guidance.

Mr. Phanindra Gautam, Secretary of the Ministry of Law and Justice; Mr. Agni Kharel, senior advocate and former Law Minister; Mr. Madhab Prasad Poudel, former Law Secretary and former Chairperson of Nepal Law Commission; Mr. Chiribabu Maharjan, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City; Mr. Tek Prasad Dhungana, justice of the Supreme Court; and Mr. Kalyan Shrestha, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal remembered the legacy of Mr. Shakya. His younger son Mr. Surendra Man Shakya recalled fond memories and said they will continue to inspire.

Mr. Shakya was known as pre-eminent law drafting expert with deep legal insights. The speakers recalled how Mr. Sakya always measured the drafts with the constitutional provisions and stood on his ground where necessary. From his early days as section officer till he became chief secretary, he was always looked upon whenever the government wanted to bring in a new draft of any kind of law. He was expert on framework, language and content of any draft of legislations. He was given the leadership of technical drafting team during both the first and second Constituent Assembly period. He held such high positions including Law Secretary, Chief Secretary and Chairperson of the Public Service Commission Nepal. Upon his retirement from Public Service Commission, Mr. Sakya was the chairperson of Nepal Law Society from 2017 till April 17, 2024.