Yadav Pant


Yadav Prasad Pant was a Nepalese economist and politician. During his career he held several high level positions including senior economist at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand; Governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank ; Ambassador to Japan ; and Minister for Commerce, Supplies, Finance |Finance] and Water Resources. He died at the age of 82 in Bumrungrad Hospital in Thailand.
Panta introduced the Nepalese economy to the world by his writings.

Early Life and Education

Source:
Dr. Pant was born in Kathmandu, Nepal, as the only child of Bishnu Prasad Pant and Bhisma Kumari Pant. After the passing of his mother when he was six years old, he spent much of his childhood in Banaras, India. At the age of 18, he married Rama Pandey, daughter of Sardar Rudra Raj Pandey and Chet Kumari Pandey, on 11 June 1943.
He earned his B.A. from Patna University in 1946 and completed his M.A. in Economics from Banaras Hindu University in 1948. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from BHU in 1954, becoming the first Ph.D. holder in Nepal. In 1976, BHU awarded him a D.Litt for his book Problems of Fiscal and Monetary Policy: A Case Study of Nepal.

Academic and Professional Career

Between 1953 and 1957, Dr. Pant served as Professor of Economics at Tri-Chandra College, teaching Development Economics and History of the Indian Economy. His extensive service to Nepal's economic governance includes roles as:
He also chaired several state-owned enterprises, including Nepal Airlines Corporation, Nepal Oil Corporation, and National Commercial Bank.

International Engagements

Dr. Pant was the first Nepali to serve in the United Nations system, as an economist at UN ECAFE between 1957–59. He represented Nepal at numerous global platforms, including:
He played a central role in the establishment of ADB and represented Nepal in several high-level summits, conferences, and bilateral commissions. He frequently delivered keynote addresses and participated in economic forums across Europe, Asia, and North America.

Political Career

Dr. Pant served as:
He was nominated to the Rastriya Panchayat in 1980 and later elected from Nawalparasi in 1986. He was a founder member and Vice President of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party and played an active role in its international affiliations.

Cultural and Social Contributions

Dr. Pant was deeply involved in Nepal’s cultural and social institutions. His roles included:
He contributed to numerous organizations promoting international development, economic studies, and intercultural relations.

Honors and Decorations

Dr. Pant received many national and international honors:
Dr. Pant authored over 20 books and more than 300 articles on economics, planning, trade, and development. His notable works include:
  • Planning for Prosperity in Nepal
  • Economic Development of Nepal
  • Problems in Fiscal and Monetary Policy: A Case Study of Nepal
  • Population Growth and Employment Opportunities in Nepal * Trade and Co-operation in South Asia
Many of his publications were used as reference texts in policymaking and academic institutions.

Death

Dr. Yadav Prasad Pant died on 14 November 2007 while undergoing treatment at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok. He was cremated at Arya Ghat, Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, the following day.