Sikkim-ma Swargiya Laxmidas Pradhanko Yogdan
Bhuwan Prasad Pradhan                                                                        Rajiva Shanker Shresta 

Of the authors no more amidst us the name of Bhuwan Prasad Pradhan comes instantly to my mind. His poems in Nepali mostly appeared in the Kanchanjungha (Editor Kashi Raj Pradhan 1958-70) while some English poems were published in the Sikkim (Editor Kaiser Bahadur Thapa 1970-71). Both were fortnightly brought out from Gangtok that filled the void in the literary sphere here and his writings left an indelible mark in the life of the people in Sikkim and outside.

Grateful to his ancestors, viz. Taksari Chandrabir Newar and brother Laxmidas Newar, Bhuwan Prasad Pradhan has left us recorded the early history of modern Sikkim and for the contributions made by them. Based on the knowledge as a child he had from his grandmother before her death in 1937, Bhuwan Prasad Pradhan gives a short life sketch for a glimpse of the contributions of Laxmi Das Pradhan in Sikkim in Sikkimma Swargiya Laxmi Das Pradhanko Yogdan – Ek Jhalak (1993). Dedicating this to his ancestors, he acknowledged the support given by Prince Wangchuk Namgyal, Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari and all his near and dear relatives and of being inspired and encouraged by reading Sunanda Datta Ray’s Smash and Grab. On behalf of the publisher, Sikkim Bolchha Prakashan, Nar Bahadur Bhandari wrote of being pleased to present this booklet which was a brief account of an unforgettable chapter by the author out of devotion and loyalty to Sikkim that depict a bright era in the history of Sikkim. He also narrated in a simple and easy manner that after the foundation of Namgyal Dynasty was laid in Sikkim, the land of aborigine Lepchas, how the Newars found entry here and the role they played in the economic upliftment of the common people and their habitat. He hoped that this booklet would help in promoting communal harmony amongst the Sikkimese to show India and the world an outstanding example of kindness and like the Greek and reach the message of Udyogi sada Sukhi ,i.e.,  “Prosperity through Industry”.
                  
                 No one succeeds without effort...Those who succeed owe their success to their perseverance.
                                                                                                   Ramana Maharshi

A page SIKKIM STATE under Mofussil Stations from the Madras Directory of the Government of the Madras Presidency of the City of Madras – Complete Guide to the Government Offices, the Professional, Ecclesiastical, Legal and Commercial Communities of Madras (1929-35) brought out by the Thacker’s Press & Directories Ltd. 6/7 Bentinck Street Calcutta  what made an interesting reading to me was to find out the Newars in Sikkim State those days to share with my readers here:

SIKKIM STATE – Northern India

A Native State in the eastern Himalaya mountains, lying between 27˚ 9’ and 27˚ 58’ North Lat and 88˚ 4’ and 89˚ East long; and bounded on the north and north-east by Tibet, on the south east by Bhutan; on the south by the British District of Darjeeling; and on the west by Nepal. Area, 2,818 square miles. Capital :- Gangtok. Agencies, Tumlong and Rabdentso

Ruler :- H H Maharaja Sir Tashi Namgyal K C I E, Maharaja of Sikkim

Heir-apparent :- Maharaj Kumar Kunzang Paljor Namgyal

POLITICAL OFFICERS

   Poltl offr in Sikkim F. Williamson I C S Persnl asst Rai Bahadur Norbhu Dhondup – Hd clk Ramsunder Prasad

   British trade agt and asst to poltl offr Capt P C Hailey, Yatung and Gyantse (Tibet)

MEMBERS OF STATE COUNCIL

   Non-offls Naku Lama of Pemionchi, Rai Bahdr Lobzang Chhoden of Lingmo; Rai Sahib Ratnabahadur Pradhan of Rhenock; Balkrishna Pradhan of Namthang; Rai Sahib Hari Prasad Pradhan M A, B L of Sumbhuk and Kazi Tashi Dadul of Bermiak

   Offls Rup Narain B A, LLB, Rai Sahib Sonam Dadul and Rai Sahib Gyaltsen Kazi

Palace Household with Rai Bahdr Lobzang Chhoden as Pte secy to H H the Maharaja - None and

His Highness’ Private Estates with Pte mangr Rai Sahib Kazi Sonam Dadul – None

Space and time constraint does not permit to reproduce all the details as in the page 423-4 referred but a brief mention here to indicate where our predecessors contributed to the State and in what capacity during the period.

                                          
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

Our Newar culture is so rich and varied that we get ample opportunity to do something different and celebrate together in a unique way setting example to the rest.

Celebrating Jankwa in 2000 was such an effort to honour our parents on attaining the age of 83 years 4 months 4 ghadi and 4 palas of their Sahsrachandradarshanam or Maharatharohan – an age old tradition to celebrate the age sighting 1000 moons. We as their children got this rare opportunity but ourselves do not know whether the fate even reach near this age of our own life!

We could later pay homage to our deceased father by observing Gai Jatra in 2004 at our home town Rhenock, the only place out of Nepal where the festival is celebrated to pay tributes to the departed family members within the year of their sad demise. This practice too is fast waning away with no such processions being taken out in recent years.

To

John Claude White Esquire, CIE,
                Political Officer, Sikkim.

Sir,

We, the undersigned Nepalese Landholders of Sikkim, beg most respectfully to approach you on the eve of your departure from our midst, and venture to hope that you will be graciously pleased to accept this humble tribute of gratitude from a class of people who owes a great deal to your benign administration.

A short while ago when a rumour was afloat that you were leaving Sikkim for good, we refused to place any credence in it, but alas! we now find it is too true. After enjoying the benefit of your benign administration for nearly 20 years, we are now to lose a real benefactor, a loss which we consider irreparable.

Prior to your taking over the exalted position you have held in Sikkim, we had neither road nor bridges. But ever since your advent you have constructed a large number of good roads and bridges all over the country and have thus ensured facility of traffic which was quite unknown in this region – a facility which has vastly improved  the Commerce and Industry of this State.  This will for ever be a living monument to your administration of Sikkim and you will be gratefully remembered by its people for this act alone, if not for anything else.

Besides traffic facilities, you have conferred upon Sikkim many other blessings too numerous to detail in a short address like this. Permit us, however, to maintain a few. You have founded Charitable Dispensaries, established Nepalese and Bhutia Schools and Boarding houses, opened weaving schools, laid out beautiful vegetable and fruit gardens and encouraged gardening by a free distribution of seeds and grafts, and above all you have always guided and helped us by your invaluable advice and counsel. Your large heartedness, your impartiality in dealing with the various tribes living in this locality, Nepalese, Bhutias, Lepchas and others, your unique love for justice, your affable, courteous and kind manners, are household words in Sikkim.

To bid adieu to such an Officer who has endeared himself to every class and creed of the people of Sikkim is a matter of great grief to us. But you have decided to retire after along and honourable service and we feel that none has deserved rest better than yourself. May you enjoy the rest you have so richly earned. We venture to hope, however, that even in your retirement you will not forget us but will still continue to do us what good you can from the good old country where you are going.

We most fervently pray to the Great god of Heaven and Earth that He may shower upon you and yours His choicest blessings.

                                                                                                                                                        We have the honour to
                                                                                                                                                    Subscribe ourselves,    Sir,
                                                                                                                                                  Your most obedient servants,

                                                                                                                                            HARI DASS PRODHAN, RAI SAHEB,   
                                                                                                                                            LAMBODAR PRODHAN, RAI SAHEB,
                                                                                                                                            TULSI DASS PRODHAN,
                                                                                                                                            KALOORAM PRODHAN,       
                                                                                                                                            LATCHMI NARAIN PRODHAN,   
                                                                                                                                            DIRGHABUR PRODHAN,
                                                                                                                                            DALBAHADUR PRODHAN,
                                                                                                                                            SHREEBAHADUR PRODHAN,
                                                                                                                                            RATNA BAHADUR PRODHAN,
                                                                                                                                            DURGA SHAMSHER PRODHAN,
                                                                                                                                            HEERA LALL PRODHAN,   
                                                                                                                                                            on their own behalf and on
                                                                                                                                                                   behalf of other
GANGTOK,                                                                                                                                    Nepalese Residents of Sikkim.
SIKKIM,  
The 27th June 1908.                                                                                                     
                
H. C. Gangooly & Co., Printers, Calcutta.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Courtesy: Beryl Hartley, Great grand-daughter of Sir J.C. White, Oxford University, England – 26.10.07
                Through: K. C. Pradhan, Gangtok – Sikkim                                                                                         23.11.08
                                                                                                                -----
                                                                Text from the original reproduced in www.newarsinsikkim.org

Rajiva Shanker Shresta, Successor-in-Office and Ranjana Shresta of the Karuna Devi Smarak Dharmarth Guthi (Karuna Guthi) along with the family members attended the 9th Convention of the Newah Organization of America (NOA) in the Potomac Community Center, Potomac Maryland USA on Sunday the 30th May 2010.  Speaking as the Special Guest, Shresta apprised the august gathering of the advent and contribution of the Newar community in Sikkim since the arrival of Taksari Chandrabir Newar some 150 years ago. 

Extending hearty felicitations on behalf of all the Newars of Sikkim and India, thanking for the golden opportunity given to speak on the Sikkim Newars and appreciating the role played by organizations like NOA (or Ameriki Newah Guthi) in the conservation and promotion of Newar language, culture and tradition, Shresta stressed the need to work together for the betterment of our society. Whatever be the difference of opinion at individual level, the common goal should be achieved in the best of our capacity and capability. Successful we are contributing to the society in whatever capacity, position and wherever working with due loyalty to the government, state and the country we serve in. Not comments and criticism but suggest probable solution as way out to tackle the difficult situation we have been passing through. Mutual respect, better understanding and brotherhood would help serve greater Newar interest towards the conservation and preservation of our identity and ethos.