According to Nepalese Embassy in Cairo, Ambassador Dr Tabdar died while being rushed to nearby French Hospital at about 6:50 am.
Talking to Republica on the phone, the embassy´s attache Prem Baral said Dr Tabdar was rushed to the hospital after he complained of chest pain at about 6:40 am. The hospital is some 15-minute drive away from the official residence of envoy at 23, Al Hassan Street Mohandessin-Dokki.[break]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Spokesperson Arjun Bahadur Thapa said preparations are under way to bring the body home. “We learnt about the sad news this morning. Preparations are being made to bring the body home,” he said.
MoFA has asked Deputy Chief of Mission at the Nepalese Embassy in Israel Ramesh Prasad Khanal to go to Egypt for the necessary preparations. “We have booked a cargo passage. The body may reach Nepal in next two-three days,” said Baral.
Dr Tabdar was living in Cairo with his spouse and two aides.
The government had appointed Dr Tabdar as Nepal´s envoy to Egypt on October 29, 2009 for four years. He was appointed as envoy under the quota from ruling Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (Democratic)-led by Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar, who happens to be a close relative of the deceased.
Late Dr Tabdar had long been suffering from heart problems and had undergone angioplasty surgery at Norvic Hospital in Kathmandu last year. "He had invited me to visit Egypt when he last visited Nepal. I am shocked to learn about his demise," said Purushottam Tabdar, who his nephew of the late envoy.
Born in Biratnagar Sub-Metropolitan City-6, Kachanbari, Morang district, Dr Tabdar was actively involved in Nepali Congress until 2007. He was elected as Vice President of District Panchayat, Morang during Panchayati rule in 1980s.
After the restoration of democracy in 1990, he was elected Member of Parliament (MP) from Morang Constituency-6 in the first general election held in 1991 on NC ticket. He, however, had to face defeat in the mid-term election held in 1994 from the same constituency.
Late Dr Tabdar is survived by wife Rukmini, three sons --Anil, Sunil, Barun and two daughters -- Lata and Sunita. He had last visited Nepal in May, 2012 to attend the wedding of his youngest son.
This is the second instance of Nepalese ambassador dying of heart attack while serving the term. Then ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan Chuda Bahadur Hamal had died of heart attack while on duty in late 1990s.
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