Upper Marlboro, MD – Santhalal Pradhan, a respected Mathematics teacher originally from Bharatpur, Nepal, has tragically passed away. His sudden death occurred last night, leaving his family, friends, and community members in shock and mourning.
Santhalal, known affectionately as “Santa Sir,” moved to the United States in 2015 to seek a better future for his family. Throughout his time in the U.S., he faced numerous challenges, including a traumatic robbery at gunpoint in Texas and a debilitating neurological illness in 2019 that left him bedridden for over six months. Despite these hardships, he remained hopeful, supporting his family financially and dreaming of returning to Nepal to reunite with his loved ones.
Santhalal is survived by his wife, who has been eagerly awaiting his return, and their two children—a daughter still in school and a son just starting his career. His sudden passing has left his family devastated.
A GoFundMe campaign, organized by Ramesh Acharya, has been launched to raise funds to bring Santhalal’s body back to Nepal so his family can say their final goodbyes and perform the last rites according to their traditions. So far, the campaign has raised $750 of its $50,000 goal.
Expressing her grief, Debaki Thapa wrote on Facebook, “Everyone, please support Santhalal Pradhan Sir! We are heartbroken by his sudden passing. He was a great friend and a teacher at Small Heaven School, Kalyanpur. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and eternal peace to the departed soul. Rest in peace, Santa Sir.”
Nistha Shrestha also shared her condolences, saying, “Heartbroken by the sudden loss of Santhalal Sir. May his soul find peace. Please help us bring him back home for a proper farewell.”
Santhalal Pradhan’s life was marked by perseverance and dedication to his family and students. His sudden death has left a void in the hearts of many who knew him. The community is coming together to honor his memory and support his family during this difficult time.