On the passing away of Changanlall Sarda:

KC PRADHAN, a Senior Citizen.

On the demise of octogenarian Chhaganlall Sarda, Sikkim is poorer for his sage advice on all matters related to health. He was neither a doctor nor a pharmacist by profession, yet, his was the sound advice for treatment of any illness.
He was a tall figure at MG Marg in his own right and every senior citizen of Gangtok, or Sikkim for that matter, knew him well and in turn he knew them all very intimately and greeted them with grace whenever they stepped into his shop or passed by. Later, the little shop was named Life Line Medical Centre. In keeping with the times almost all the shops on the MG Marg donned a new avatar but he and his family continued to lead an unpretentious lifestyle and the shop too retained its simplicity with the traditional gaddi covered with white cloth – big enough for four to sit on. It was a real adda for the Gangtokians with the jovial Late PC Yapla topping the list of regulars. He was such a frequent visitor that he knew where the various types of medicines were stacked.
The shop was a hub for gossip to gather the latest news around town and collect mails and all sundries – virtually a post office – besides, of course, collecting the monthly course of medicines. Everybody relies on their meticulousness and in times where spurious drugs tend to sneak in, their supply is considered safe and reliable without an iota of doubt.
Interestingly, the old man with all his sagacity used to advise one and all to refrain from taking too much medication. As an old timer, and knowing how the pharmaceutical companies are taking us for a ride, his sage advice was samai ko phal khanu hos. In other words, develop the habit of eating fresh vegetables and fruits that Sikkim’s bountiful climate produces seasonally. This was his mantra for good health.
The Late Changanlall Sarda, and for that matter the reputed families of Motilal Lakhotia, late Khyaliram Singhi, late Chiranjilal Khatri, late Mamraj Agarwal, late Ridhkaran-Madangopal, the well extended Sarda-clan and many others are all part of a very old business community settled in Sikkim many generations ago. Their contribution to Sikkim in the field of trade is great. In the passing away of Chaganlall ji, a dignified personality and gentleman in the truest sense, we lost another stalwart. We pray that his soul rests in peace and his family continues to serve the people of Gangtok in the field of medicine as usual in the high standards set by their patriarch over decades of perseverance.