A Tribute To Late Nar Bahadur Bhandari

GYAN BAHADUR CHHETRI

Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrown upon them…Shakespeare in Twelfth Night

Nar Bahadur Bhandari was the first Chief Minister from the Gorkha community in India. He is referred to as the architect and father of modern Sikkim. He was not ‘born great’, he achieved it. He achieved ‘greatness’ by dint of his vision and perseverance. He held the office of the Chief Minister of Sikkim for two terms. As a Chief Minister both Nar Bahadur Bhandari and Pawan Kumar Chamling became leaders of entire Nepali speaking people scattered in different states of India. Becoming the Chief Minister of a state is not the only cause of his ‘greatness.” Mr Bhandari is highly respected more specifically in what he did for inclusion of Nepali language in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution.
As a result of prolonged 36 years’ democratic struggle by the Nepali speaking people of India for the recognition of their mother tongue, the Nepali language finally became one of the official languages of India. Akhil Bharatiya Nepali Bhasa Samity and many other organizations as well as individuals led and strengthened the language movement. Some youths came forward and put their signature for self-sacrifice. At the last phase of the movement Nar Bahadur Bhandari, the then Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim kicked the ball with all his might and scored the goal. He, In order to attain this goal, founded a new organization called Bharatiya Nepali Rastriya Parisad in 1991. In this way he became able to unite the Nepali speaking people under one umbrella organization, and to assemble many MPs and MLAs of the country at Gangtok in order to obtain their support in favor of Nepali language. 
Mr Bhandari’s better-half, Mrs Dil Kumari Bhandari is also equally respected for her role as a Member of Parliament. Nepali speaking world, especially the people of India sat beside their TV sets on 20th of 1992 for witnessing the passing of language Bill. Mrs Bhandari’s firm voice with tears in her eyes attracted the attention of Parliamentarians and the Bill was unanimously passed in the Lok Sabha. Simultaneously it was passed in the Rajya Sabha too. The Bill became an act on getting the approval of Hon’ble President of India. Since then the day of 20th August is celebrated with pomp and gay as Bhasha Manyata Divas by the Nepali speaking people at all Gorkhali dominated places  all over the country.
Soon after getting due recognition of Nepali language, soft spoken Mrs Dil Kumari Bhandari became undisputed popular leader of the Nepali speaking people of India. Responding to the voices of the people she gave up her political career and extended her valuable service as the President of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha. Erection of the statue of Saheed Durga Malla in front of the Parliament House is the greatest achievement under her leadership. The statue of the martyr tells the glory the Gorkhas who are not at all afraid of death in the battle field.
Anand Singh Thapa, the editor of the Nepali Weekly Jagrat Gorkha published from Dehradun along with his two co-workers namely Bir Singh Bhandari and Narendra Singh Rana submitted a memorandum to the then Hon’ble President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1956. The trio, thus, raised the voice for inclusion of the Nepali language in the Constitution which ignited the sentiment amongst the Gorkhas for a peaceful democratic movement. Indian Nepalese will always remember them for  laying  the foundation of the historic movement.
Mr Bhandari was born on 5th October 1940 at a remote village named Malbasey near Soreng  in West Sikkim. He got his primary and secondary education from Soreng and graduated from Darjeeling Government College. He served as a teacher in a High School for some years before joining  politics. He also earned name and fame as a writer and editor. His thought provoking articles were published in various local papers and magazines.
In 1977 Bhandari founded Sikkim Janata Party, won the election and became the Chief Minister of Sikkim. Under his Government, he initiated a series of program like provision of pure drinking water, free education up to college level. He also brought remarkable progress in agriculture, health, roads and tourism.
He founded a new political party named Sikkim Sangram Parisad and created a history by winning all the 32 Assembly seats of Sikkim. But in 1994 his party lost election to Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) led by Pawan Kumar Chamling. Thereafter he lost in subsequent elections and Pawan Kumar Chamling who was a colleague in his ministry became the Chief Minister of Sikkim.
In 1968, he was tied with nuptial knot with an educated young lady, Dil Kumari who came of a highly cultured Rai family of Darjeeling. Dil Kumari Bhandari created a history by becoming the first female M.P. from Sikkim. Like her husband,  Mrs Bhandari too, has been tirelessly working for the cause of Nepali-speaking people. Her most outstanding contributions are getting the Nepali Language bill passed in the Parliament and erecting a statue of Sahid Durga Mall in front of the Parliament House which stands as a symbol of  our pride and tells the glory the brave Gorkhas.
Mr Bhandari, the then Chief Minister of Sikkim visited Assam on several occasions in the last nineties decade. This author attended a few of his meetings in Sonitpur district of Assam in 1984.Thousands of Gorkhali people gathered and listened to his speech in Nepali Language. Probably, most of the people have hardly heard any National Leader speaking in Nepali language. Some old people tried to recall the lecture of Dambarsing Gurung which they had heard in their boyhood days. Chief Minister Bhandari was deputed to campaign in favor of  the Congress by Party  High Command. He addressed several meetings in Nepali dominated areas in Sonitpur and Lakhimpur districts of Assam. The Gorkhali people of Assam have great respect for him.
He breathed his last on 16 July 2017 in a hospital at New Delhi.
Nar Bahadur Bhandari may lose elections, but he has won the hearts of entire Nepali speaking populace of India. Mr. Bhandari, for his attractive personality, strong leadership and dedicated services  was widely respected by the entire Nepali-speaking people of India. He will be remembered with reverence for his efforts for inclusion of Nepali Language in the 8th Schedule of Indian constitution.
Bhandariji, you will never die. You have become immortal. You will remain in the hearts of the people and in your noble deeds.