It was not until I received copies from the Director of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology that I could know what the Bulletin of Tibetology is presently all about though I had seen its copies displayed in Rachna books. When former Law Secretary Sri Bhim Raj Pradhan visited with his family accompanied by Dr. Kumar Pradhan for unwinding after the hectic 3-day Conference with seminars on Indian Nepalis last month, he expressed his surprise its being still published and on sale. Had the recent issue (Volume 41 No. 1 May 2005) been seen earlier, I would have certainly suggested him to start getting its copies once again even by subscribing to it.
It is not only because of the superb article on the Ritual and identity in the diaspora: the Newars in Sikkim by Dr. Bal Gopal Shrestha of the Leiden University of the Netherlands but also for other informative articles featured therein. We are still amazed what made Dr. Shrestha part with to share with the Institute in reaching readers through this Bulletin. Otherwise, it was the material for his forthcoming book on the research he did painstakingly by making his a month-long stay amidst us worthwhile by visiting almost all the prominent family of this particular section of the society.
The Newars in Sikkim has always been a source of curiosity for their contribution far and wide over the ages but yet to be acknowledged at such an international level. This was the first ever study on this particular minority section of the society that hardly forms six percent of the population here. Presently they may be politically miniscule that does not deserve to be reckoned with for its due share even barring a few stray cases but socially their presence is historic even to this day. Many still find them in an envious position for the dedication and loyalty they have earned that really makes them wonder how they are not the stuff that make them otherwise seeking place inside a Ghyampa or large pitcher at times of need! This could be the reason why serious research scholars working on Sikkim do not forget to include the Newars in their studies and why offers come to them for publishing the findings from all quarters in return as the dividend. We wish someone gets inspired reading the article to go on further in researching the Newars in Sikkim from the days they landed here invited. Ignorance or ignoring facts may not be fruitful but jeopardize overall development of our society.
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.
Douglas
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