It was around this time long back when most of the present generation had not been born perhaps and nor had the august body of our community. We had the rare opportunity with the help of some likeminded friends of propounding the Sikkim Newar Guthi.
It was an important phase in the annals of history for the Newars in Sikkim but unfortunately unrecognized and unsung in spite of the brilliant opening it had. If not for anything else, it should have been recorded and documented for academic purposes and for the sake of posterity that there was some awareness here amongst us regarding its slowly deteriorating condition due to the onslaught of the modern era. We had already lost our language while our culture and tradition was on the verge of extinction. We would not have been here had it not been for the foresight, determination and dedication of our forefathers.
With a view to conserve, preserve and promote our literature, art, culture, etc. possible only through a social organization, a need was felt to have one for the Newars as well. So, on 27 May in 1982 we constituted one in the name and style of the Sikkim Newar Guthi. We had in a communication in Nepali as well as Newar language printed in this inland letter invited views from fellow citizens of the Newar community residing in Sikkim by 30 June 1982. We were also to keep in touch with similar communications in future as well.
Things did not take course as expected and soon the matter fizzled out. It had the reason too but not quite apparent. We found it better to shelve it and wait for the opportune moment rather than to risk our career. We decided to keep mum without discussing it even amongst ourselves. Late Daya Prasad Pradhan recollects in his memoir, “…..Towards 1987 when Sri Rajiva Shrestha and Sri Ganesh Pradhan made contact with people of the community on the need of having the Newar Guthi, I also extended my support to it emphasizing the necessity and its importance. But that fizzled out. Nothing was heard about it thereafter.” There were two more without whose name the story would be incomplete – Hare Ram Pradhan and Dhan Bahadur Shrestha, whose contributions to the society and the State are far and many.
Sikkim Newar Guthi completed two precious decades but unfortunately nothing has been done to take care of this historically important aspect of the Newar society. No blame game. People at the helm of affairs may be too occupied with day to day affairs to involve themselves in such a petty matter. Or is it out of ignorance on the part of the management responsible to the society - intentionally or otherwise all through this period while much water has flown down the Teesta. We do not want any appreciation or felicitation or even recognition of this fact but simply wish to put the record right with due care to the somehow ignored chapter of our brilliant history.
Disclaimer: This is a personal account on an important aspect in my knowledge without any motives otherwise but to share in order to put it to record properly at its proper place with proper authority without further loss of time. Contact shrestars@gmail.com
It was an important phase in the annals of history for the Newars in Sikkim but unfortunately unrecognized and unsung in spite of the brilliant opening it had. If not for anything else, it should have been recorded and documented for academic purposes and for the sake of posterity that there was some awareness here amongst us regarding its slowly deteriorating condition due to the onslaught of the modern era. We had already lost our language while our culture and tradition was on the verge of extinction. We would not have been here had it not been for the foresight, determination and dedication of our forefathers.
With a view to conserve, preserve and promote our literature, art, culture, etc. possible only through a social organization, a need was felt to have one for the Newars as well. So, on 27 May in 1982 we constituted one in the name and style of the Sikkim Newar Guthi. We had in a communication in Nepali as well as Newar language printed in this inland letter invited views from fellow citizens of the Newar community residing in Sikkim by 30 June 1982. We were also to keep in touch with similar communications in future as well.
Things did not take course as expected and soon the matter fizzled out. It had the reason too but not quite apparent. We found it better to shelve it and wait for the opportune moment rather than to risk our career. We decided to keep mum without discussing it even amongst ourselves. Late Daya Prasad Pradhan recollects in his memoir, “…..Towards 1987 when Sri Rajiva Shrestha and Sri Ganesh Pradhan made contact with people of the community on the need of having the Newar Guthi, I also extended my support to it emphasizing the necessity and its importance. But that fizzled out. Nothing was heard about it thereafter.” There were two more without whose name the story would be incomplete – Hare Ram Pradhan and Dhan Bahadur Shrestha, whose contributions to the society and the State are far and many.
Sikkim Newar Guthi completed two precious decades but unfortunately nothing has been done to take care of this historically important aspect of the Newar society. No blame game. People at the helm of affairs may be too occupied with day to day affairs to involve themselves in such a petty matter. Or is it out of ignorance on the part of the management responsible to the society - intentionally or otherwise all through this period while much water has flown down the Teesta. We do not want any appreciation or felicitation or even recognition of this fact but simply wish to put the record right with due care to the somehow ignored chapter of our brilliant history.
Disclaimer: This is a personal account on an important aspect in my knowledge without any motives otherwise but to share in order to put it to record properly at its proper place with proper authority without further loss of time. Contact shrestars@gmail.com
