BRIEF HISTORY OF GOVT. SR. SEC. SCHOOL RHENOCK,

 

It is evident that human have created history with the desire of achieving more. Territorial expansions by waging war between kingdoms are something which is not unheard of. Similar condition was with the kingdom of Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim and India with British Rulers gaining their autonomy over all of these kingdoms. In 1788 Nepal with the Gorkha rulers made invasion upon Sikkim, consequently they took Limbuana and the former capital Rabdentse in their possession. The Gurkha ruler returned some parts of the occupied areas of Sikkim to the British Rulers through the Treaty of Sugauli in 1815. But the British rulers retained most of the plain areas themselves and returned some of the hill areas of Sikkim and thus Sikkim recovered some of its lost areas occupied by the Gorkhas through the Treaty of Titalia in 1817. However, Sikkim came under British protectorate through British- Sikkim Tumlong Treaty of 1861. They also annexed Darjeeling areas of Sikkim in 1835 in the pretext of Health Sanitation unconditionally. The British ruler established Political Office in Sikkim in 1887-88 and interference in the Sikkim administration and in other aspects.

Thus with the British gaining its power in Indian soil, many changes took place in socio- economic sphere of the country. Their thirst for expansion of colony and trade soon darted towards Tibet [China]. Sikkim being an en- route to Tibet, the British made explicit inroads toward Sikkim. Simultaneously, numerous missionaries from Europe like, The American Mission, The Dutach and Danes Mission ventured on the Indian soil with two- fold intention of bringing educational reform and the other being propagation of Christianity. The Scottish Mission made their first advent when Rev. John Anderson arrived in Madras in 1837. He was the first Scottish Presbyterian missionary. Of many educational institutes that were established by the missionaries in different parts of the country, few were also established in Darjeeling and Kalimpong

 The church of Scotland Mission had visited Sikkim form Kalimpong several times in 1880s, but was unable to obtain permission from a missionary to reside there. Reverend MacFarlane sought help from the local Lepcha community (Christian converts) to spread the gospel among their tribesmen settled in Sikkim. However, due to the ongoing political turmoil in the state and people tempted with their initial taste of democracy, even the chogyal found it difficult to overpower the prevailing political commotion.   Thus, describing the main activities of missionaries as evangelistic, educational vocational, and medicinal, many dispensaries and schools were opened at Rhenock, Seriyong and Dentam. It is said that there were 11 dispensaries in Sikkim (McKay, 2004:40:2 25-48)

 Consequently, along with the establishment of medical dispensary, the Scottish Mission, planted the sapling of Rhenock Sr. Sec. School, at Rhenock Bazar in the form of a Primary School, In the year 1879. But, owing to its confined land area, the local community decided to shift it to a more spacious area. As fortune would favour, the then social worker and a renowned senior officer (Mr. Chhetal Tashi KAZI also known as Rhenock Kazi) who worked under the Royal Govt. of Sikkim consented to donate a plot of his land for establishing a school. Thus, the school was shifted to the area where at present the school stands today.

The school was taken over by the Govt. of Sikkim on 1st August 1957 where Mr. S.T. Karthak was entrusted upon the duty of Headmastership of the newly shifted primary school. Sooner, the school was upgraded to Junior High School with Mr. J.S. Lall Pradhan as the new headmaster of the school. With the increasing population in the local places and lack of schools, the students taking admission in the school increased, which led to a public demand for upgradation of the school to Secondary School. In the year 1978 Mr. R.M. Saha became the Head of the newly upgraded Secondary School. Further, under the principalship of Miss Lachi Pradhan, the school became a Senior Secondary School in the year 1991. The school is affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education.

With the squall of time, the school has now become one of the major education imparting institutes in the entire constituency, Apart from the mainstream courses (Humanites, Science and Commerce), vocation courses like Information Technology and Travel &Tourism are also offered. These courses are indeed, widely emerging as the most career oriented programmes in the present scenario. The school also boasts of its wide area and serene atmosphere which facilitates the students to learn in a conducive environment.

 

Refrence:

1.      History, Culture and Customs of Sikkim by J.R. Subba

2.      Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

3.      School Head chronological board of School

Remembering My Grandfather… P.K. Sir

 

As a kid, there was one thing about my house that would surprise me most… a long queue of people desperately waiting outside of my house with folded papers in their hand. My kindergarten day reveled nothing much of it, but as days passed by, my inquisitive grew stronger to contemplate upon the reason as to why many people would frequently visit my house. The mystery was finally unleashed when my mother told me that my grandfather being a teacher, would help people to write applications addressing their problems, grievances and demand. Many would come to discuss and seek for suggestion concerning their personal and social problems too. As during those days, the ray of education was yet to shine in the life of majority of people.

 

PK Sir, was a name which was much adored by the locals during those years. It was later, when I came to know that he was also known by the name “Kazi Sir”. Born to a humble family of Shri Harka Bahadur Pradhan and Smt. Phulmaya Pradhan on 15th July 1935, the family legacy of Tintaley Pariwar of Aritar Rhenock, Sikkim, Puspa Kumar Pradhan was the first child. He started elementary education in a school which was established by Scottish mission (1879) at Renock Bazar, Sikkim. Due to lack of higher classes in the school, and unavailability of educational institutes in the adjoining area, he joined St. Geroge School, Pedong in the year 1946. At the verge of completion of his education there, he married Rukmini Pradhan, a daughter of Catholic parents, Shri George Pradhan and Smt. Manika Subba. Shri Henri Joshi Pradhan (Vice Principal, St. George School) was her elder brother. Thereafter, he came back to Sikkim and started working as a teacher under Government of Sikkim. After serving for a prolong period of almost four decades, he retired from his service in the year 1993 and joined the then recently established St Joseph’s School.

 

Shri P.K. Pradhan’s life nurtured during the time when Britishers were still lurking in the soil of India and Sikkim. Sikkim, still a country then, took shelter under the umbrella of Indian Union for her security and the people of Sikkim had started to taste the sweetness of democracy. As such, many changes were taking place in the socio- political sphere of Sikkim.

 

Shri. Puspa Kumar Pradhan, as people remark was a man of great conviction. His contribution is felt in almost every sphere of social strata. Be it professional, social, religious, educational or political, he was a vibrant person with committed heart.  As a teacher, he took charges of majority of work of the school to uplift education in the society. As a social worker, he tried helping people with their problems as he was in good terms with the government. He wrote application for them and also helped to address their predicaments before the concerned department. He was a role model in his family, guiding every child and encouraging them to pursue education. He was also an avid laity of his religion. He played a key role in establishing Catholic Church in Rhenock in the year 1989 donating a plot of land which belonged to his mother Phul Maya Pradan at Kingstone Aritar.   As such, he was conferred with numerous awards and felicitation by State Govt, NGO and Religious Institutions. The same adorned the wall of my living room.

Out of his many attributes, one of his commendable initiations is that... Since he himself had tasted the nectar of Mission school (St. George School, Pedong) during his school life, he understood how important education was for society. As such, from the very beginning he was very desperate to establish an English Medium School at Rhenock.  As fortune would favour, a proposal came from Roman Catholic Diocese of Darjeeling for establishing Mission School at Rhenock, but it was protested vehemently by the then people as rumors of religious conversion flared the atmosphere. Consequent upon the resentment of people, the school was established in Pakyong as St. Xavier’s School.   However, due to his relentless effort and prayers, a second opportunity knocked the door and he would never miss this time. Thus the sapling of St. Joseph’s School, Kingstone Rhenock was planted. Not forgetting the hardships and dedication made by Shri Issac Mukhia (Retd. Assistant Director, Education Deptt. Govt. of Sikkim) and Reverent Priests like Father Rene Singh, Father Alfonse Lepcha, Father Adward, Father Paul D’ Suza, Father Fredrick Rai, Father Sukden Lepcha (Present Principal), Father Francis Banerjee, Father Sanjok Rai, and many other partaker in the establishment of the school which has now nurtured in its mellow fruitfulness.

It was on 17th April 2020, he left for a heavenly abode, after battling his life succumbed with major brain hemorrhage. Looking back at his life in a close range, I feel proud to carry the family lineage of a man of such spirit. As years would roll by, his name may be lost in the squall of time, but the fruit yielded out of his hardship shall be tasted by many generations to come in future.

Kingstone Ward, Aritar GPU, Pakyong District, Sikkim

 

THE LOST GLORY

 The lost Glory

There once used to be 

An earth so green 

Cold wind blowing over the mountains 

Were clean

There once used to flow 

River so blue 

Words spoken those days 

Were true.

Morning dawn was full of twittering birds

That kept people's heart 

Full of trust.

But now the glory has been killed 

Trust and faith has been sealed 

Happiness has flown to distant horizon 

Love and care lies dead and frozen 

Every heart I feel is full of fear 

Ever eye I see is full of tear

The earth is barren so is our soul

What lies ahead are 

Starkey darkness with satanic growl.

Where are our virtues? 

Where are our foes?

Who raptured humanity 

With scars and sores?

Our world shall remain the same

Unless we find a perfect frame

Stars of Earth

 Stars of Earth 

"Stars of Earth" we summon you

For your are the future with virtues new

Stars of Earth, upon you we lay our Faith

For your are our successor to surpass our death

"Stars of Earth" on your shoulder we rest our burden 

For you are our hope to cleanse the world so mundane

But with the ravage of time 

you seen to have lost the spark.

Your heart turning bleak and your spirits dark.

Tell me who has overcast your life with the darkest cloud? 

And doomed your destiny with plague and drought.

With hopes shattered everwhere the tears run dry

Amidst the crowd echoes a wailing mother's cry

What has turned you so evil?

What has turned you so pale?

If so be your nature a deceiving trails 

What would redeem us from torments we fail?

CAN THE DEMAND OF AD-HOC TEACHERS BE JUSTIFIED?

I can’t understand why people develop such trivial attitude towards adhoc teachers in Sikkim. The recent facebook status uploaded by many people regarding their dislike towards the adhoc teachers’ demand and the comments made by some dim-witted people calling them losers and incompetent, whereas some making a mockery out of them while some giving them a political stance were indeed so defiant that I could not refrain from outpouring my opinion.

It is evident that the adhoc teachers have been playing a significant role in the holistic development of our students. Their contribution towards the students’ scholastic and co- scholastic sphere is at par to the contribution made by any regular teachers. The demands laid forth by the adhoc teachers are quite justifiable to some extent.

Competency of Ad-hoc Teachers- Many time I come across post on Social Medias where people call ad-hoc teachers incompetent. It is a known fact that, in order to get a job of a teacher one has to undergo a series of almost six exams and interviews. Starting with their prescribed qualification like Bachelor Degree for GT, Master Degree for PGT and Class XII for primary teacher [1], followed by entrance exam for perusing B.Ed or D.El.Ed degree [2], only after passing the entrance one get to pursue the said degree. After a prolong study of two or one year and undergoing workshop based activities one is eligible to sit for the final exam of B.Ed or D.El.Ed degree [3]. The journey of qualifying for teacher does not end here. Furthermore, one has to prepare for Teacher’s Eligibility Test [STET] [4]. Only after qualifying the hurdles of these four exams they are eligible for written [5] and viva- voice interview [6]. Therefor it is understood that a teacher working on ad-hoc basis has definitely qualified four series of examinations, which I doubt any employee working under any department would do. Despite being goaded with such qualification and experience so much of almost 23 years people call them incompetent.

Does ad- hoc teachers fail to qualify interview? Well! Handful of them do but majority of them have the capability to qualify but the post created by the department is so less that they cannot get through. For a ley man’s example, if 4 sweets are kept in front of ten children, how many would eat it, obviously four fastest children would get the opportunity [qualify] to have it, but does it mean that the other six are incompetent or failure? One should understand that every new post created are being filled up by teachers who were working on ad- hoc basis earlier.

Feasibility for regionalizing ad-hoc teachers completing 5 years and above- The Government itself has made provision to regularize ad- hoc, work charge and MR employees working in various departments who have completed 5 years and above, then why is there so much reluctance to imply the same provision for ad-hoc teachers who have all the prescribed qualification as per NCTE norms and service term? Teaching being a profession which requires ample experience, the prescribed criteria of 5 years and above best fits for ad- hoc teachers.

Do schools in Sikkim require more regular teachers? The answer would definitely be YES! The recent data on regular and ad-hoc teachers ratio shows that majority of the teachers working in school of Sikkim are under Ad- hoc basis. The data is best justified when ad-hoc teachers had called for pen down strike in the previous year, majority of the school had suffer due to lack of regular teachers. Further, with the recent notification on upgradation of schools, one can easily figure out that more teachers are required for those schools.  

Taking into account the above predicaments, if provision be made for regular continuation or regularization for ad-hoc teachers, than this will indirectly benefit the students in the long run, as schools would be getting teachers from the very beginning of their academic session, principles and headmasters need not go for customary rat- race, hunting for the teachers in the department when the school starts.

Since there aren’t adequate regular posts created by the department, the ad-hoc teachers are at least filling that vacant post in most of the schools, and have been a great asset for overall affairs of the school administration. They are teachers who have spent 5 to 10 years or even more years of their life, imparting education to the students; they are age- barred and unable to opt for other job. Inspite of job insecurity, and family pressure, they have devoted their life for creating good doctors, engineers, teachers and above all good citizens of our society out of plain students. Their versatility is show when students are inspired and involved in different school activities or through NGOs like Red Ribbon.

After all the contribution they have been making to this noble profession, the ad-hoc teacher does not deserve to be treated like a scum.   The department ought to make some provision for them to work in a secure environment. furthermore, some strategic amenities like regular continuation for teachers who have not completed prescribed term [with fresh appointment order every year], remunerating the teachers on seniority basis, making certain reservation for adhoc teachers while recruiting regular teachers, provision for availing maternity leave [if they should have the right to conceive] or giving some relaxation on TET criterion, can be managed by the department so that the adhoc teachers feel that their efforts are being acknowledged.   

The recently ongoing turmoil of has set a rift between ad-hoc teachers and the department. This has not only disrupted school functioning, but has posed a threat to the students from completion of their syllabus. The Human Resource Development Department, which is considered to be the most venerated and elite department of Sikkim should come- up with convincing strategy and curb the growing rift at its earliest, because in the long run, students are the one who are suffering from this commotion.    

Teaching is one such profession which needs optimum dedication and commitment. Therefore, it is the duty and responsibility of every individual to encourage their potentialities and motivate them to work even better for the students, rather than making a mockery out of them on social networks and portraying them with baseless political fabric. As majority of the ad-hoc teacher are young and energetic, the department should relish the opportunity to outsource their potentialities for the betterment of the students. Every youth are not useless but they are used less, Moreover, they are also the sons and daughters of the soil who epitomize a true Sikkimese.      

HURDLES OF GORKHALAND

Gorkhaland movement is not a new phenomenon; in fact the movement finds its history unfolded way back in the year 1907 when THE HILLMAN ASSCOIATION had first been vocal to raise the demand of separate Gorkha region. Subsequently, the demand for Gorkhaland was carried out by Subash Gishing, the supremo of Gorkha Natioanl Liberation Front in 1980s. However, the short- term movement came to an abrupt end with the formation of Darjeeling Gorkah Hill Council [DGHC]. Since then the hill was apparently experiencing serene atmosphere for a decade or more but underneath discontentment was gradually engulfing the heart of people as DGHC had failed to satisfy the expectance of the people. When turmoil gradually overcast in the atmosphere of hills, Bimal Gurung, under his newly formed party Gorkha Janamukti Morcha, started gaining much popularity in the hills; He thus became the torchbearer for Gorkhaland movement. Under his leadership, few short- term movement was launched demanding for separate statehood, each having unexpected failure. Ultimately, his spark became feeble when he was handed the treasury key of Gorkha Terotorial Administration [GTA].

Speculating over the history of Gorkhaland, the following factors can be generalized which attributes to its failure

1.      LACK OF FARSIGHTEDNESS AMONG OUR LEADERS: Be it Subash Ghishing or his predecessors, all have shown signs of lack of farsightedness. Almost all the movement started rampantly, which lacked proper strategy as to what the leader were up to and what were the people supposed to do. What could easily be concluded was that the entire movement was based on trial and error method. The leaders failed to convince the entire mass, thus losing the overall involvement of people. Deviating from the target goal of Gorkhaland and accepting DCHC and GTA as an ultimate option consequently triggered an adverse effect on the aspiration of the people.  

2.      LACK OF TRUST BETWEEN THE LEADERS AND THE PEOPLE: It is hard to figure out, whether it’s lack of accountability of our leaders or lack of transparency, if not everyone, majority of the people would turn discontent among the leader during the course of movement. The adamant demeanor of the leader would always provoke discontentment among the general masses. Furthermore, even the people would falter by being suspicious towards their leader thereby losing their ground and easily fall prey to the self-generated perception of every individual.  

3.      EXCESSIVE DOMINATION OF RELIGION, CASTE AND COMMUNITY: it is a known fact that there is always a tendency of Hill people getting excessively influenced by Religion, Cast or Community. For instance, Jaswant Singh’s candidature as a BJP representing the Hills in MP election was very hard to be accepted for many minority Gorkhas, as their insecurity always asserted BJP to be the replica of Hindutva. Such notion among the people results in losing unity among the people and consequently pollutes the entire scenario with vanity. Similarly, viewing every plan of action initiated by the leaders with suspicion by one religion or cast or community to the other would again pacify the momentum of the movement.

4.      LACK OF CONCEPT REGARDING GORKHALAND: It was really overwhelming to come across many posts on social medias like facebook and whatsapp which clarified the very concept of why Gorkhaland? As many of us are seldom aware of what the actual cause is? I still remember, talking to friends during college days, it was baffling to come across some who hardly knew what the demand for Gorkhaland was all about. Such ignorance and insensitivity of our people has been the root cause of hindrance to the entire movement.

5.      EDUCATE YOURSELF AND EDUCATE OUR BENGALI BRETHREN WITH THE LEGITIMACY OF GORKHALAND DEMAND: majority of our Bengali brethren have turned hostile with our demand as they are under false assumption that Gorkhas are trying to snatch away their land. However, the reality is that Gorkhas has claimed to only what were legitimately theirs, Darjeeling and the adjoining hills which had been and is being nurtured by the Gorkhas. For example, Darjeeling was always part of Sikkim until 1835, when the king of Sikkim presented Darjeeling to be used as a sanatorium by the British under certain accorded agreements. Likewise, Kalimpong too was a part of Sikkim, which was later on snatched by Bhutan and consequently by British India.  We can educate our nation through Social Medias or through dialects. However, using of abusive language on social media would worsen the entire scenario. Do not involve in baseless quarrel on social medias rather copy and paste the write- ups on the history of Gorkhas, I bet there are plenty available on your wall.

6.      UNITY AMONG THE LOCAL POLITICAL PARTIES:  it is indeed commendable to seen our local parties united under the banner of Gorkhaland at this juncture. However, the scenario was not similar during the previous movements. Walking the trails of Gorkhaland Movement, the milestones have frequently been marked with the blots of disintegration among our political parties which has eventually led to fights and quarrels among our own people.

I am sure there are numerous other factors apart from the mentioned above, which have remained unnoticed or untouched by my confined knowledge. However, I feel it is the responsibility of every Gorkha to contemplate on factors which turn out impetuous on our journey of Gorkhaland. It is thus necessary to initiate remedial measure to curb every factor which becomes a hurdle in our march to Gorkhaland. The Gorkhaland demand which has surfaced with much intensity in the recent days is indeed a century old demand. The demand for separate statehood named “Gorkhaland” is much justified in all technical aspects of Indian Constitution. Historically, the place had always been inhabited by the indigenous Gorkhas since time immemorial. Constitutionally, the place has every feasible criterion to qualify herself to the formation of a separate state as culturally and linguistically nothing is found common between the ruled and the ruler. Darjeeling which was once considered as a heavenly abode or “the queen of hills” has not only lost her beauty but has been kept in the darkness of ignorance and deprivation.

The biggest reason as to why the issue of Gorkhaland has been sidelined hitherto by both center and state is because both the forms of government have never tried to comprehend upon the history of this place. The fatal steps taken by the people of Hills, risking their life, with their face soaked in blood yet screaming their throats out “We Want Gorkhaland!!!” envisage the fact that Gorkhaland is the last resort to proclaim their lost Identity in India. To make themselves be recognized as a community who has served the nation since the time of her Independence, a community who has contributed in drafting of our constitution, a community who has ornamented the national anthem with the tune of violin, the community who has been sacrificing their life fighting in the frontiers to safeguard the nation, a community who stands as an epitome of loyalty and bravery before the world.  And yet, after all the sacrifices and vitality showered for the shake of nation, they loiter in the country without Identity. Any part of the country they travel to, they are treated as second class citizen or for that matter a citizen of Nepal.

Furthermore, for a community who could resolve to penetrate the harsh Himalayan forest and venture to settle on the lap of freezing Himalayas, thus converting the vast stretch of rugged mountain and spiny forest into a QUEEN OF HILLS, the demand for Gorkhaland should not be unattainable.

FIRST COME FIRST SERVE

Making casual conversation with a fish vendor during one of my customary shopping, I asked him to pack a kilogram of fresh fish which was listed as an essential commodity in my shopping list. Our conversation was getting rather prolong as I was complimenting the vendor for always giving me fresh fish ever since I had made my first purchase in his shop. Sensing I was the only customer in his shop and to alleviate his boredom momentarily, he too was sharing his business tips to compensate my compliment. No sooner, a high ranking policeman stood beside me, the vendors made an abrupt end to the conversation I was submerged in and started entertaining his demand “kati kg pack garnu sir???” how much should I pack? His humorous face suddenly turned serious. To my utter surprise, I realized that the vender had already started to chop new fish keeping aside the scattered slices he had already chopped. It did not take him even a minute or two to pack the new customer’s share. Before my mind was reasoning the sudden change in the scenario, the vendor was already handing over the packed to the new customer.

The taste of power is the sweetest among all. Be it politics, bureaucracy or a commoner, when it comes to handling of entrusted power, we often fail to use it in an appropriate way. As such, we often land up making our subordinates so fear stricken that his mere presence directs everything. Moreover, police department is considered to be an epitome of discipline and as far as discipline is concerned, it follows the principle of “First come first serve” rather than the distorted notion of “whoever comes, power gets served first”.

FAMILY VALUES

Reluctant to make a start for a trip to Gangtok, I was thinking about the bumpy road of Rorathang and Rangpo an en-route to Gangtok. The heavy downpour of monsoon had worsened the road with puddles and landslides at every intervals of a kilometre. A new travellers would not hesitate to call it a roller coaster than an ordinary journey.

My thoughts suddenly left me when my wife got a bit cranky "tapailai aasti Ko hapta nai bhaneko hoina? Didn't I inform you last week??? She had already sensed my slogging gestures which ment that I was not interested to go. "Ki mo gari magayera jum? Or should I take a hired taxi??? Her hitherto amiable demeanour was now ebbing with anger and I had completely forgotten that we were supposed to make a visit to my in-laws that day. My two and a half old baby girls added in her quacks voice "Buwa ta k saro birseko houu" my father has really become forgetful, a tone though innocent yet matured enough to make me feel more embarrassed. She too was desperate to see her widowed grandmother and her Aunt (wife's youngest sister) who had recently come from Dubai for a very short vacation.

A two hour journey took almost 5 hours due to frequent jam. A narrow road wherein the tyres of a big sized Truck could barely be accomodated was now overjamed with long convoy of company buses and Army Vehicle moving from either end. Over the last decade private companies in this area have musroomed more randomly than a cancer cell.

No sooner, had we reached the house, my wife was hugging her mother and her sister so tight that they never wanted to let themself depart any more. It had been almost a year since they had met each other. Watching them embracing in such bond of compassion made my steaming ego evaporate against the warmth of their love.

Making a visit to in-laws would generally manifest boredom for many arrogant husband such as myself. However, if we can keep aside our masculine ego and feel with a compassionate heart, our wife too deservs her share of family happiness. To value her feeling and become the most reliable support system should be the foremost prioritie of a husband. Above all a husband can be naughty but not WICKED

HEART VS BRAIN

HEART VS BRAIN

A crashing sound at one of the rooms brought every one of us out of our room. With confused face our eyes darted at every rooms to inspect the sound which has disturbed the tranquility of our house. Oh! Christ it’s our aaja (grandfather) screamed my mother, perplexed at the sight that was something which her eyes could not believe. Panicked by her shrilling scream, ever one of us started rushing toward the room. To our bewilderment, the first thing we could see was fresh blood spilling all over the floor. Amidst the floor laid our moaning grandfather, with blood gushing out from his nostril and ears. His cream shirt was already soaked with blood. It did not take us long to comprehend that he had tripped and banged his head on the concrete floor, we hurried him to the closely parked vehicle. The vehicle leaped away in a spurt of gravel leaving behind a dense cloud of smoke.

Now, as he staggers around the room, he shivers in fatigue, as such, he has to be supported, at least form either sides. It has been one week since he had been discharged from the hospital after spending one month in ICU. The MRI reports showed that almost half of his brain cells had been damaged due to excessive clotting of blood. He has survived a severe hemorrhage remarks a neurologist, as he flips over the report. He adds with a deep sigh “thank god he was not paralyzed.” Since then, there has been a great change in his behavior. The incident has made him realize the trauma and forget everything about himself. Despite his unnatural behavior and blemished trauma, there is one thing about him that surprises me... every time I go near him, he holds my hand gently and calls my name softly. “Timelay khana khayou?” Did you have your food? is his first statement to start a conversation with me.

Today, as the world has reached the zenith of technological advancement, there is hardly anything left unveiled beyond the perception of human intelligence. However, there is another dimension of human being called spirituality which is yet to be explored by science. A brain, that succumbs rigorously damaged of its neurons, hardly remembers anything of its own but never fail to recognize a face which is highly adored by the heart. Furthermore, the distorted brain miraculously resonates adoration to the face it loves.

SHIVA KUMAR RAI JAYANTI CELEBRATED AT RHENOCK, EAST SIKKIM

SHIVA KUMAR RAI JAYANTI CELEBRATED AT RHENOCK, EAST SIKKIM

The birth anniversary of renowned Nepali Literary figure Late Shiva Kumar Rai was celebrated at Rhenock, East Sikkim on 26^th of April 2018. The celebration was graced by the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shir Pawan Kumar Chamling, GTA Chief Shri Benoy Lama and galaxy of renowned literary persons from Darjeeling, Kersoung, Assam, Gangtok along with thousands of people witnessing the programme.

Biography

Shiva Kumar Rai was born on 26 April 1919 at Rhenock, Sikkim. His father Dhojbir Rai was post-master and because of the constant transfer of this father's post, Rai initially took his primary lessons at home. Only after coming to Kurseong  he had a regular education. Rai did his schooling at Pushparani Middle School in Kurseong and later at Darjeeling Government School in Darjeeling, where he met notable teachers such as Dharnidhar Sharma, Surya Bikram Gyawali and Parasmani Pradhan. He passed his metric examination in 1937. He completed his B.A. from St. Joseph's College, Darjeeling in 1939 and graduated from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata in 1941. After finishing college, in 1942, Rai became a secretary of Burma Saranarthi Mukti Samiti, a committee set up for helping the Burmese refugees of World War II. During this time, he came into contact with many Nepali refugees from Burma. While conversing with them, he felt the need to write about their turmoils in life, which took shape into his famous novel Dak Bangla, published in 1957.

Rai was very active in politics and was affiliated with the All India Gorkha League. In 1948, he was elected as an MLA from the erstwhile Jorebungalow constituency to the West Bengal Assembly. He was the Deputy Labour Minister of West Bengal from 1952 to 1957. Rai died on 22 July 1995.

Literature

Shiva Kumar Rai started his writing career in the late 1930s when he was in college. His first work was published in a hand-written youth magazine titled Bansuri. He was also the editor of this magazine. His first printed work, a poem titled Birahi Ko Basanta, is found in Rup Narayan Singh-edited magazine Khoji. His poems and writings were published in journals such as Gorkha, Diyo, Yug Vani, and Sahitya Sroth. His first story titled Prakriti Putri was published in Sharda journal in 1944. His landmark book Frontier, a collection of stories, was published in 1956. His story Chaata won the prestigious Ratnashri Award in Nepal in 1969. In 1978, he won the Sahitya Academy Award for his short story collection Khaharey. In 1994, he was awarded the Agam Singh Giri Smriti Puraskaar by the Sikkim Sahitya Parishad and was felicitated by the Nepali Sahitya Sammelan, Darjeeling the same year.

Works

- Daafe Chari (1954)

- Frontier (1956)

- Dak Bangla (1957)

- Yatra (1956)

- Khaharey (1976)

- Bara Dinner (1978)

- Shiva Kumar Rai Ka Saath Katha (1994)