Friday, November 8, 2013

Remembering Arun Kumar Pradhan KC PRADHAN

In the passing away of Arun Kumar Pradhan, Sikkim lost one the stalwarts of its bureaucracy. Like a few others, he saw the changes in Sikkim’s history and destiny from very close quarters. At a time when Sunanda Datta-Ray thought it fit to bring out a revised edition of his book on Sikkim [Smash and Grab in Sikkim] after a lapse of 30 years, old memories are being resurrected. His story is one of him and the Jungkhyang-the Chogyal P.T. Namgyal. Besides what he did capture stunningly, there are still many untold stories among old stalwarts who saw history in the making. Arun Kumar was one of them.
He used to narrate his own version, being the scion of pioneer politician Gobardhan Pradhan of Praja Sammelan based at Temi-Tarku with his comrade-in-arms and equally politically inspired Dhan Bahadur Tewari as the joint leader. Kazi Lhendup Dorjee was then a young handsome lad assigned as an Agent to source vegetables to supply to the British troops during the War. His frequent sojourn was Tarku- the Mecca of vegetable growing in Sikkim, with Dhan Bahadur Tewari as the fountain head. Kazi Dorjee later formed his own political party, Praja Mandal, at Chakung. These again with that of Praja Sudharak Samaj led by Tashi Tsering brought about Sikkim State Congress in December 1947. This instinct and having seen the largest Library of books – Manokamna Library - in Sikkim in those hoary days with books coming from various Embassies and High Commissions in loads, so large enough beyond the capability of lone Dakwalla to carry from Singtam – the nearest Post Office, inculcated in Arun Kumar many varied values in life that is truly Sikkimese. Gobardhan Pradhan was one man who used to advocate that Sikkimese of diverse communities, especially the Nepalese and the Bhutias, should live in harmony and was great advocate of mixed marriages. During my stay in Temi as young Forest Officer he used to discuss the issue at great lengths, including designing of dresses which truly amalgamate the communities. It sounded queer to me then, but as I reflect back, I realize how farsighted man he was to bring about a sense of belonging in his own simple ways. Truly he was ahead of our times.
We failed to capture the rich knowledge and experience of Arun Pradhan when he was alive. Likewise there are rich experience and anecdotes among such stalwarts stilling living with us. It will be a tragedy if all these storehouses of knowledge go down in history unknown and unrecorded. The era of fear is over. We are proud to be part of a great vibrant nation with opportunities all round. But it will be matter of shame if the generations yet to come miss all sides of the stories and end up making their own assumptions and have to gulp the history of Sikkim written by some obscure historian alien to Sikkim.
Adieu, Kaka Arun, we miss you as you were the beacon of hope in our community and you were the brainchild of annual Indrajatra Festival at Gangtok with a view to bring the members of the community together to a common venue at least once a year and showcase our rich cultural heritage The community is proud of your farsightedness.
We pray to the Almighty that your soul rest in peace.

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