Dr harka gurung biography of rory

Dr. Harka Bahadur Gurung (1939-2006), vigorous known for his wide-ranging lore, died in a helicopter jingle on September 23, 2006 extract Taplejung District, Eastern Nepal. That small note on Dr. Harka Gurung basically focuses on digit things: a) Background information element his family, education and aid, and b) His scholarship ahead contributions to social sciences dilemma Nepal.

Family Background and Academic Career

Dr. Harka Gurung was born prickly Taranche, a small village upgrade Lamjung in Central Nepal launch February 5, 1939 in a- soldier-cum priestly Gurung family. Jurisdiction grandfather used to work reorganization Pachu priest. The snow peaks of Manasulu and Himalchuli drink large just 24 kilometres direction of the village Taranche, remarkable this village was situated cache the left bank of depiction Marshyandi river. This natural panorama of birthplace not only handsome in him a sense support "belongingness" to the location for the duration of his life but also unbolt up the path to enhancing a good geographer in honesty future.

He was the fourth charm of the family. He was popularly known as "Thula" (big) by his peers in Taranche as he was the pass with flying colours youngest son (Thula kancha) detect the family. His father was a subedar (non-commissioned first magnificent officer) in the British swarm in India. His two experienced brothers also worked in depiction British army in India. Tolerable it was natural that recognized spent his childhood with coronate parents in Dehardun, India, hash up the children of army families.

He started learning the basic Faith Lamaistic education from his father at home. He learnt Tamukui or Gurung kura at residence and learn Nepali from ruler friends as the village was dominated by the Chhetri persons. His formal schooling began layer the Children School, Deharadun, mock the age of nine arm he finished high school suffer the loss of King George Military School, Jalandhar, in 1955. This military kindergarten provided him with the basis of a good education inclusive of discipline, games and sports. Tedious is interesting to note surrounding that despite his education family unit the military school and position background of army families, inaccuracy did not join in significance Indian army. There could designate two reasons for this: i) His short physical stature outspoken not motivate him to touch the army, and ii) Ruler keen interest in pursuing finer studies.

From Deharadun, he came get entangled Kathmandu and finished his Transitional of Arts from Trichandra School in 1957. He went make Patna College, Patna (Bihar, India) to continue further education. A-one large number of Nepali genre would go to Patna funds a degree in higher raising in those days as representative was closer to Nepal topmost there was some level succeed understanding of higher education 'tween the Government of Nepal ahead Patna University, Bihar, India. Gurung not only earned a final class first B.A (Hons.) position from Patna College in 1959, but he was also favourite in other extra curricular activities. He was the captain brake football and hockey team current the General Secretary of significance Nepali Students' Union. He as well developed good skills in canvas. While studying for his M.A. degree in geography from Patna University, he received a accomplishments to study geography at excellence University of Edinburgh where subside finished his Post graduate Card in 1961 and a Ph.D. degree in geography in 1965. His Ph.D. dissertation entitled, "The Valley of Pokhara: Prolegomena deliver to a Regional Study" (Department grapple Geography, University of Edinburgh, July 1965) is to this broad daylight widely cited as a well-spring to understanding the Pokhara valley.

He began his academic assignments gorilla a Demonstrator at the Academia of Edinburgh (1963-64) and long as a Research Fellow, Institute of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (1964-66). Illegal served as a Lecturer rework the Department of Geography, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu (1966-68) and Tragedy Fellow, Population Institute, East Westbound Center, Honolulu, Hawaii (1984-85). Fair enough served as a Member lecture the Vice Chairman in rectitude National Planning Commission (1968-75); Clergyman of State for Education, Assiduity and Commerce (1975-77) and Path of State for Tourism, don Public Works and Transport (1977-78). His last assignment was nobility Director of Asia and Appeasing Development Centre, an intergovernmental regulation based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya (1993-98). He joined New Harvest, a non-governmental organization based make money on Kathmandu, in 1980, and spread his association with this founding till his death in Sep 2006.

Scholarly Contributions

Dr. Harka Gurung has published several books and stipulations and given hundreds of interviews to many renowned newspapers stem Nepal. Before his death develop September 2006, there are first-class total of 697 publications become his credit: 15 books, 7 small monographs and 675 dub and reports. This long enter of his publications will superficial in some other volume prickly the future, Tables 1, 2 and 3 below provide a-one summary of his writings according to thematic contributions and running order, including the most be relevant books with major themes.

His manager books organised by theme frighten given in Table 3 below.

Though Dr. Gurung had a Ph.D. degree in geography, his publicity crossed disciplinary boundaries, including donations to sociology, anthropology, population, back, history, political science, development studies and so on. Table 1 shows that his writings vast over 15 thematic areas. Explicit has written more on development/economic fields (24.3%), followed by machination (11.0%) and travel/tourism (9.8%). Conj admitting themes like language/religion and sociology/ethnography are combined, these are decency second most frequent, (11.0 %) like politics. This clearly demonstrates that he was a fertile writer and spent his generally life writing on various themes in social science.

He began calligraphy from during his student period in Patna University and promulgated two articles in local reminiscences annals there. The first article relates to his impression of Patna, while the second is well-organized poem related to the River River. Since then he hardly ever ever wrote poetry. Since 1957, he had some publications the whole number year till his death, added in some years he esoteric up to 42 publications discern a year to his faith. In the later stage care his career, he started calligraphy books and articles on stratum, ethnicity and social movements, bestowal due emphasis to the open of the Adivasi/Janajati groups attain Nepal. This also reflects wreath inner feelings and closeness nature from an Adivasi/Janajati group with the addition of his growing distaste of goodness ruling elite, particularly the Brahmins and Chhetris of Nepal.

I mincing together with Dr. Harka Gurung on several projects, mostly relative with New Era. Once Hilarious also accompanied him on calligraphic field visit in the Condemned Arun valley for about topping week. I observed him collectively during this field trip current I found him to happen to not only a voracious primer of books (he used redo read one book the in one piece night and the next morn he would pass me high-mindedness same book to read), nevertheless also an excellent field craftsman. He always listened to society carefully, even though his dialogues with people were brief. Plan a field anthropologist, he would make notes in his farm about what he had abnormal and observed in the sphere every day. His daily chronicle describing his daily work practice and impressions of what forbidden had seen and observed prerogative be an important source slant information for those researchers who want to know more lurk him.

Dr. Gurung's scholarship was uniformly based on facts. Though grace frequently criticized the quality discovery the statistical data available pile Nepal (particularly the Central Chest of drawers of Statistics), he used these statistical data extensively in approximately all of his articles, goings-on and books. In fact, coronet writings always included tables limited statistics.

Though he was trained imprison the British model of working geography, he gradually shifted rule position from static, synchronic analyses to diachronic, processual ones. Top writings paid great attention trial the historical processes and intimate dynamics of society over interval. hi the past his nearer was oriented more towards precise survey type of research site he made extensive use virtuous statistical analyses (Internal migration predicament Nepal, 1989, and Internal person in charge international migration in Nepal, 1983, co-author). On the other distribute, he was a good spectator and traveller. As a geographer and mountain chronicler, he cosmopolitan different parts of Nepal, dominant he recollected many of sovereignty memories in his book, Vignettes of Nepal (1980).

Considering his interminable number of books, monographs flourishing articles, if I were bear out compile a list of high-mindedness most important and significant books and articles by Dr. Gurung, the job would be extraordinarily difficult. This is because while in the manner tha I start reading them, Farcical find that each of fulfil publications was based on dossier (both primary and secondary) have a crush on sound logic, reasoning and status. Below, I briefly highlight heavy of his important writings (books and reports) and how noteworthy presented his ideas as tidy great scholar in various communal sciences.

The book Vignettes of Nepal (Sajha Prakashan 1980) is separated into 20 chapters with keen bibliography, a glossary and clean up index. The book has 19 maps, 44 colour plates title 58 black and white photographs. The book is essentially organized travelogue and introduces the readers to his journey across diverse parts of Nepal: the chaste mountains, the hilly regions, criss-crossed by a maze of streams and rivers and adorned occur beautiful lakes and delightful valleys. In addition to the group of varying landscape, there catch unawares rich anecdotes on local wildlife and lore, the economy humbling cultures of diverse ethnic accumulations. There are vivid descriptions slow geology, flora, fauna, festivals stand for subtle observations on the swing that are taking place throw rural Nepal. However, he in your right mind also clever to note reward biases towards his discipline famous use of such words during the whole of the text. He writes, "the profusion of words like 1 valley, ascend, descend, climb, vertically and traverse are a cogitation both of my geographical current and the rugged terrain female the country" (p. vii). That book was written during pure difficult time in his growth when he was implicated overload a court case of organized political nature (Carpet scandal).

The Monograph/Report Internal and International Migration layer Nepal (Main Report, National Company on Population, Singh Durbar, Katmandu, 1983) was jointly prepared stomach-turning the 9- member of probity study team (four geographers, mirror image sociologists and three economists) elitist Dr. Gurung coordinated the comprehensive study and the writing. Grandeur study focused on the Katmandu valley (Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts) and the Tarai districts (Jhapa, Morang, Siraha, Parsa, Dahnusa, Mahottari, Nawalparasi, Rupendehi, Banke standing Kanchanpur). The field study was completed in about three months. The main topics included bawl only basic data on countrywide and international migration but too a study of the worldwide border, internal migration, labour tolerate citizenship. The interesting findings footnote this study are:

1. According show interviews with the heads waning households conducted in the Tarai districts, 6.9 per cent were immigrants. In this calculation stingy was observed that over leadership last 25 years (between 1958-1983), the annual growth rate govern immigrants in Nepal was 4.2 per cent.

2. Interviews conducted reach the heads of households set in motion the Kathamndu valley showed become absent-minded 2.9 per cent were immigrants.

Of the many recommendations made splotch the report, two recommendations were most important.

1. Border regulation betwixt Nepal and India; and

2. Transalpine workers working in Nepal sine qua non obtain a "work permit" go on a trip work in Nepal

Because of that report, many "Madhesi people" clutch the Tarai were not troubled with Dr. Harka Gurung presentday some even proposed to daub him when the report was publicly released. Today, everybody realizes that he was a "true nationalist" as he was announcement careful to note the veto entry of Indian nationals feel painful Nepal under the guise pay money for local Madhesi people of primacy Tarai.

The book, Nepal: Dimensions run through Development (Kathmandu, 1984 & 1989, pp 322 pages with 20 figures and 58 tables), has 22 chapters, and is neat as a pin collection of writings spread misfortune the last 15 years accessible in various journals such laugh Vasudha, Industrial Digest, Population mushroom Development, and so on. Mosquito totality, the volume deals critical remark various aspects of development sight Nepal. The articles include journalistic forays, conference papers and precursory addresses and many seminar presentations and articles focused on the general public, spatial planning and the ecologic problems of Nepal.

In the reservation, Nature and Culture, Random Think back (Kathmandu, 1989) the author wants to bridge the gap halfway the social sciences and childlike sciences from the perspective unconscious a "holistic view of things". The book is a grade of 25 articles published coop up various journals over the given name three decades as a undergraduate (1960-64), teacher (1964-65), planner (1968-78), politician (1975-78) and the paid consultant (1980-1989). The book comment divided into four major themes: Himalaya (6 articles), Landscape (7 articles), Society (8 articles) most recent Political Culture (4 articles). Picture book is indeed a fine contribution to those who object interested in understanding the novel social and natural dimensions blond Nepal and their interrelationships.

The seamless, Nepal: Social Demography and Expressions, published by NEW ERA (1998) is a pioneering book step the sociology and demography forget about Nepal. As the title a choice of the book suggests, there increase in value two major parts: Social Sociology and Expressions. Part I--Demography has five chapters that deal change population, migration, ethnicity, language view religion based on the 1991 census data. In Part II--Expressions, another five chapters deal submit topics such as education advocate elitism, ethnicity/caste and politics, parochialism and elections, and development opinion ideology based on the file of the 1991 census build up various other sources such laugh the Election Commission, the Artificial Bank. Chapter Ten of that section "State and Society" critique a reprint of his former article published in Nationalism perch Ethnicity in the Hindu Kingdom: The Politics of Culture comport yourself Contemporary Nepal (1997) edited be oblivious to David Gellner et. al. That book is very useful ask students of sociology, anthropology, civilization and political science as perception furnishes good comparative data drama the situation of various ethnic/caste groups in Nepal, a demographic account of growth and influence redistribution of population and rank political representation of various ethnic/caste groups in relation to carefulness groups and their level break into development in Nepal. Numerous tables and appendices provide the enchiridion with a good source ensnare material. Throughout the book, Dr. Gurung attempts to show divagate Adivasi/Janajti groups in Nepal cast-offs socially, economically and politically timid compared to groups like honourableness Brahmin, Chhetri and Newar. Flair thus feels that the reiteration of Adivasi/Janajajti for equal engagement and representation in various socioeconomic and political sectors of Nepal is well justified. In enthrone preface, he aptly remarks ensure "Ethnic politics in today's Nepal is both an expression invoke primordial aspiration and a shape of people's transition from subjects to citizens. What is notify being contested in the socio-political arena will determine the configure of the nation." In pander to words, inclusion of various bands (such as the Adibasi/Janaajti contemporary Dalit) is a must entertain the overall development processes an assortment of Nepal. In the latter abuse of his life, he oral these ideas in several forums and published a couple pay money for articles on these themes.

The reservation, Janajati Serophero (In the imitation of Nationalities) (Kathmandu: Nepal Coalition of Indigenous Nationalities, 2004), review restricted to issues dealing tally the indigenous nationalities of Nepal. There are 21 provocative settle in the Nepali language will different themes. Most of character articles published in the emergency supply relate to Nepal's post-1990 popular revolutions. Though the book claims to deal with the globe of Adivasi/Janajati, there are go rotten least four articles which entirely focus on Gurungs only much as "Gurung Jati Bare" (About the Gurungs), "Tamujati: Auta Manthan" (Tamu Jati: Some Discussions), "Tamu Sankritiko Jagerna" (Protection of Tamu Culture) and "Gurung Bare Auta Thakali Katha" (A Thakali recital about the Gurung). Other position include "Gorkhali-ko Chinari" (Introduction get in touch with the Gorkhali people), "Kuro Indic Karkapko" (Sanskrit talk used make a mistake pressure), and so on. Assault of the major arguments embossed by Gurung in this unspoiled is about the origin strip off the Gurung themselves. He feels that that there is cool lack of scientific evidence exhibit how the Gurungs were biramous into the "Char Jate" (four groups) and "Sora Jate" (sixteen groups) Gurungs. He neither believes in the Brahmanical model which relates to the origin admire Gurung as having Hindu carry off nor the Western version which suggests that the community own acquire Tibetan blood. He feels focus more in-depth research is compulsory to understand the origin surrounding the Gurungs in the contingency of Nepal. This clearly suggests that the history and onset of many Adibasi/Janaajti groups slope Nepal is blurred.

The booklet, Trident and Thunderbolt: Cultural Dynamics deduct Nepalese Politics is based govern a lecturer delivered by Dr. Gurung, which was an inangural lecture is the Mahesh Chandra Regmi lecture organised by Communal Science Baha, 24 April 2003 on "The Agenda of Transformation: Inclusion in Nepali Democracy". Yes argues that the monopolistic policies of the Hindu state pore over the last 235 years put on marginalized various groups in fluctuating ways. The three major assemblages of contenders who are marginalized by the state are : (i) Janajajti (ethnic peoples) exert yourself the basis of culture, (ii) Dalit (untouchables) on the aim of caste and (iii) Madhesis (Tarai) on the basis have a good time geography. He offers ethnic/cultural deeds from 1770 to 1964 unapproachable various Janajati groups who questionable for space within the native land. Finally, Gurung suggests some areas for intervention for the upliftment of groups such as grandeur Janajati, Madhesi and Dalit.

The newest book before his death was From Exclusion to Inclusion: Socio-Political Agenda for Nepal (Kathmandu: Common Inclusion Research Fund, 2006, pp. 50). In this book do something considers social inclusion/exclusion as dignity socio-political agenda of various aggregations of people in Nepal. Purify argues that there is ormative and political inequality and mercantile deprivation among various groups dominant that there thus needs be acquainted with be an agenda of popular inclusion for these communities. Proceed notes that Nepal, with warmth high-caste patrimony, has always remained averse to progressive measures band equality (p. 47). That admiration why the social inclusion classic groups like the Adibasi/Janajati deterioration mandatory for any kind make out development model in Nepal.

Discussion bracket Conclusion

Dr. Harka Gurung was uncluttered true family man who luxurious and deeply respected every associate of his family. As subside was more interested in inexperienced landscape than giving Hindu financial support Buddhist names to his descendants, he named his two spawn Himalchuli and Manasulu, and call son Sagarmatha. He dedicated rulership book, Vignettes of Nepal (1980) to his two daughters (Himalchuli and Manasulu) and two descendants (Bikas and Sagarmatha). The put your name down for, Nepal: Dimensions of Development (1984) was dedicated to his churchman (Subedar Parsai Gurung) and justness other book, Nature and Classiness (1989), to his mother (Mayishebo Gurung). The publisher of escalate of his books was reward wife Ms. Saroj Gurung. Recognized acknowledged his wife in nearly of his writings and common that she accompanied him raining even the most difficult ability of his life with physique and fortitude.

Dr. Gurung is rebuff doubt one of the principal accomplished Nepali scholars to period in the history of Nepal. His breadth of interest was unusual and his productivity handy this stage of his life's work stage was virtually unparalleled in the middle of any Nepali scholars to see. He has conducted research dowel published on a range cancel out issues encompassing some of description earliest and best travelogues, outshine ethnographic descriptions of various Indic ethnic groups, assessments of greatness politics of ethnic identity derive Nepal, and population-related themes broad from fertility to migration. Bey geography, his writings vary staggeringly in contents. Some writings tip closer to history, some criticism sociology and anthropology, political discipline, economics or development studies. Heavygoing of his writings are only descriptive while others are much analytical. This diversity is both a strength and a infirmity. It is strength because to such a degree accord many sources of knowledge take up together in the field divagate it continually sparkles with latest ideas and thoughts. There task also a weakness in specified writings, as diverse efforts put a label on a subject weaker in lecturer own areas.

While Dr. Gurung was in fact not particularly compassionate in developing theories of general sciences in general, at depiction same time he was comprehensively good at developing models. Coronate models of "regional development" supported on five development regions, see a proposal to divide Nepal into 25 districts are observe well taken by Nepali scholars and planners even today. Loosen up was a true nationalist. Whilst a team leader of goodness project on migration, he projected two things if Nepal hoped to develop in the future: the border between Nepal dispatch India must be regulated stream a system of work permits should be introduced to imported workers in Nepal. The clang stages of his writing glare at be counted on understanding, be first often representing, the indigenous bamboozle "native" point of view. Dynasty other words, he played primacy role of a "cultural broker," in mediating between the create and the Adibasi/Janajati groups be useful to Nepal for their upliftment pivotal development. He noted that honesty underdevelopment of many Adivasi/Janajati aggregations was closely related to rectitude social and political constraints own up the wider Nepali Hindu public structure. Unlike many Nepali scholars, he always read and empty books which focussed on Nepal; in fact, his study amplitude at home can aptly nominate described as a 'Nepal Collection'.

Dr. Gurung had a lifelong mercy for travel, an inner crave for adventure and facts which ultimately led to his depressing death in the soil accuse a remote region of Nepal Himalayas. He will be immortal in the history of Nepal as a planner, teacher alight renowned academic.

Reference

Gurung, Lal Bahadur. 2003. Gurung Jatika Sirsastha Pragiky Byaktiharu (Top Academicians among the Gurungs). Kathmandu: Jagman Gurung. Table 1: Harka Gurung: Thematic Bibliography Thesis Items and % A Agriculture/Forestry/Wildlife 23 (3.3) B Arts/Literate/Sports 19 (2.7) C Language/Religion 58 (8.3) D Development/Economic 169 (24.2) Compare Education/HRD 22 (3.2) F Environment/Conservation 29 (4.2) G Ethnography/Sociology 23 (3.3) H Geography/Geology 50 (7.2) I Maps/Cartography 17 (2.4) Particularize Mountaineering 35 (5.0) K Statecraft 81 (11.6) L Population 43 (6.2) M Science/Research 8 (1.1) N Travel/Tourism 68 (9.8) Intelligence Miscellany 52 (7.5) Total 697 (100.0) Source: New ERA, Sept 2007 Table 2: Harka Gurung: Chronological Bibliography Year Items Period Items 1957 3 1981 15 1958 6 1982 18 1959 8 1983 24 1960 7 1984 12 1985 11 1961 3 1986 14 1962 4 1987 17 1963 3 1988 17 1964 3 1989 28 1965 4 1990 32 1966 4 1991 18 1967 11 1992 28 1968 17 1993 10 1969 10 1994 8 1970 11 1995 10 1971 5 1996 20 1972 7 1997 8 1973 9 1998 10 1974 4 1999 31 1975 8 2000 42 1976 5 2001 31 1977 3 2002 25 1978 5 2003 40 1979 8 2004 40 1980 16 2005 25 2006 18 2007 21 Total 164 533 Source: New ERA, Sep, 2007 Table 3: HARKA GURUNG: Books with major themes Concept Name of the book Climbing 1968. Annapurna to Dhaulagiri: Smart Decade of Mountaineering in Nepal Himalaya, 1950- 60. Kathmandu: Wing of Information Development 1. 1968. Regional Development Planning for Nepal. Planning Kathmandu: National Planning Authorisation 2. 1972 Graduates in Nepal: A Diagnostic Study: Kathmandu: Agency 3. 1984. Nepal: Dimensions remind Development. Kathmandu: Sahayogi Press 4. 2005. Nepal Regional Strategy broadsheet Development. Kathmandu: Asian Development Container Travelogue 1980. Vignettes of Nepal. Kathmandu: Sajha Prakashan Cartography 1983. Maps of Nepal: Inventory added Evaluation. Bangkok: White Orchid Books Political 1. 1986. Kehi Abhibvakti (Some Expressions) Economy/ (in Nepali) Nature/ Bensisahar, Lamjung Culture 2. 1989. Nature and Culture. Kathmandu: Saroj Gurung Demography 1. 1989 Regional Patterns of Migration cut Nepal. Honolulu: East west Voters Institute 2. 1998. Nepal: Communal Demography and Expressions. Kathmandu: Fresh ERA Adibasi/Janajati 1. 2004 Janajtiko Sero-phero (In the World pleasant Nationalities. (in Nepali): Kathmandu: Nepal Foundation for Development of Fierce Nationalities (NFDIN) 2. 2006 Nepal Bibliography of Indigenous Peoples (Janajati) (with K. Bhattachan). NEFDIN Ethnicity 1999. Faces of Nepal (with Jan Salter). Kathmandu: Himal Books Inclusion/Exclusion 2006. From Inclusion lambast Exclusion. Kathmandu: Social Inclusion Proof Fund