Kathmandu, Jan. 2 -- Bhinda Swari Shah, Nepal's first female ambassador, passed away at her residence on Thursday morning. She was 92.

She made history in 1988 when she became Nepal's first female ambassador to India through the foreign service. The then King Birendra Shah appointed her as Nepal's ambassador to India. After her tenure as envoy to India, she served briefly as the additional secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before retiring. Bhinda Swari is also the mother of banker Anil Keshary Shah.

Born in 1933 in Kurseong, India, Bhinda Swari was the daughter of Padma Sundar Malla, who was forced into exile due to the actions of the then Rana Prime Minister, Chandra Shumsher. Padma Sundar pursued his education in electrical...