Obituary

Dr R. B. BISWAKARMA

Kiran Rasaily

A priceless treasure of Sikkim and a multi-talented personality

(24th March, 1947 to 29th June 2026)

Late Kiran Kumar Rasaily, affectionately known as "Kiran Sir", was an invaluable asset to Sikkim and a versatile figure within the Sikkimese community. He was a passionate proponent of heritage-conscious design, skillfully merging contemporary architecture with the state's rich cultural heritage. His engineering contributions have garnered recognition in Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Nepal, owing to his exceptional talent in architectural design. Possessing a diverse array of skills, Kiran Sir significantly impacted the fields of Arts, Culture, Literature, Music, Photography, and Sports. He was a prominent social worker, actively involved with various social organizations, sports associations, and clubs, serving as an advisor not only in Sikkim but also in West Bengal, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Throughout his professional career, Kiran Sir made numerous noteworthy contributions to the Sikkim State. He is fondly remembered by the people of Sikkim as the architect behind the historic Tashiling Secretariat Building in Gangtok. In 2005, he became the second member of the Sikkimese Scheduled Castes community to attain the position of Principal Chief Engineer cum Secretary. The Schedule of Rates in Civil Engineering was first introduced by B.K. Rasaily in 1972, with a subsequent revision conducted by Kiran in 1977.In his personal life, Kiran Sir  was known for his loyalty, dedication, and affluence, in addition to being a highly sought-after counselor, technical expert, and advisor for government departments and various social organizations.

Early life & Education

Kiran Sir hailed from Gangtok, the place of his birth and upbringing. He was born on March 24, 1947, to the late Chandraman Rasaily and the late Smt. Mangala Devi Rasaily, and he comes from an affluent family. The Rasaily family is well-regarded in Sikkim due to their educational achievements. His father, the late Chandraman Rasaily, was a well-educated individual who maintained good relations with the Chogyal Dynasty of that time. He had four brothers and one sister, all of whom are well-educated and occupy esteemed positions in both government and private sectors.

Kiran Sir began his primary education at Paljor Namgyal Girls High School. He continued his early education at Tashi Namgyal Academy and subsequently enrolled in Sir Tashi Namgyal Higher Secondary School, where he was part of the inaugural graduating class in 1966. He demonstrated exceptional academic abilities from a young age. His outstanding achievements in both academics and extracurricular activities earned him a government scholarship to study Bachelor of Civil Engineering at North Bengal University, which he completed in 1972.

Service Career

Kiran Sir began his professional journey on June 18, 1973, as a Section Officer in the Sikkim Public Works Department, Government of Sikkim. His career as an engineer and architect has been notably successful. He accomplished numerous significant projects in various roles. In September 1988, he was elevated to the position of Superintendent Engineer for the Urban Development & Housing Department, while also serving as Secretary of the Sikkim Housing & Development Board, Government of Sikkim, a role, he held until May 1995. From May 2001 to May 2005, he acted as the Chief Engineer for the Urban Development & Housing Department and Secretary of the Sikkim Housing & Development Board, Government of Sikkim. Throughout his tenure with the State Government in various capacities, he took on roles as engineer-in-charge, structural designer, and architectural designer for several prestigious building projects under the Government of Sikkim. In May 2001, he was appointed as the Chief Engineer in the Buildings & Housing Department and retired on March 31, 2005, as the Principal Chief Engineer cum Secretary. The Schedule of Rates in Civil Engineering was first introduced by B.K. Rasaily in 1972, with a subsequent revision conducted by Kiran Sir in 1977.

Professional Contributions

Kiran Sir lived a life characterized by exceptional service and creativity, making notable contributions across various sectors in Sikkim, which are worthy of recognition and serve as valuable lessons for the current generation.Following his retirement from government service, he took on the role of a consultant for the Sikkim Government, specifically in the Buildings & Housing Department and Pilgrimage Tourism under the Tourism & Civil Aviation Department. His significant contributions to the architectural design and enhancement of numerous Temples, Churches, Gumpas, Schools, private Colleges, and Auditoriums in Sikkim, as well as in West Bengal, Nepal, and Bhutan, are commendable. In addition to his professional endeavors, he was an enthusiastic painter, photographer, musician, and a dedicated supporter of the arts.

Kiran Sir was a trained architect. Upon joining the Sikkim Government, he played a pivotal role in shaping modern Sikkim by designing major landmark structures such as the Old State Secretariat, Nar Bahadur Bhandari Degree College, Namchi Loyola College, the Police Headquarters in Gangtok, the State Bank of Sikkim, Chintan Bhawan, the Shirdi Sai Mandir in Namchi, the Sai Madir at Darmdin, the Pranami Mandir at Namphing, the Vishwavinayak Mandir at Rhenock, Thakurbari Mandir, the Saraswati Mandir at 5^th Mile, Tadong, St. Thomas Church in Gangtok, St. Joseph School at Martam, Kamrang College, Don Bosco School at Soreng, the government quarters at Deorali, residences for legislators, the new officers’ and staff quarters at Raj Bhavan, Siniolchu Lodge, the Namchi Administrative Centre, the Sai Mandir at Kalimpong, the Pranami Mandir at Devghat in Nepal, and numerous other significant infrastructure projects.

Music

In addition to his architectural pursuits, Kiran Sir was a talented painter, photographer, and musician, actively engaged in the preservation of Sikkim’s cultural heritage. He is recognized as a prominent musician within Sikkimese society. He acquired foundational knowledge of Indian classical and folk music from his father, who passed away while serving as Secretary to the Government of Sikkim. Additionally, he studied the Italian piano accordion under the guidance of the late Mr. Twan Yang in Gangtok. He began composing music at the age of 16, creating numerous patriotic songs for schools, colleges, and public events. In 2016, he composed a piece to honor the birthday of His Royal Majesty, the King of Bhutan, at the request of the Hindu Dharma Samudaya of Bhutan. During his youth, he represented Sikkim at various national-level cultural events across India, Nepal, and Bhutan. In 1965, he led a delegation of approximately 150 individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds to participate in a religious and cultural program in Nepal and various states in India. Likewise, in 1973, he directed a cultural troupe of 52 artists to Kathmandu, Nepal.

Literature & Photography

Kiran Sir was an accomplished writer, composer, choreographer, and photographer. He served as a counselor and expert in numerous literary programs, both in government and private events. In 1965, he launched Sikkim's inaugural literary magazine, "Munal," which focuses on art and music. A passionate enthusiast, he had an extensive collection of photographs to his name. His work has been featured in various prestigious calendars over the years. For the past 35 years, he had been a life member of the India International Photographic Council in New Delhi. Additionally, he had conducted several photography workshops at both local and national levels in Gangtok.

Painting and Arts

In Sikkim, Kiran Sir is recognized as a prominent painter and artist. He acquired his painting skills from the late Mr. R. Singh, a teacher, and the late Mr. Twan Yang of Gangtok. He conducted numerous workshops and exhibitions focused on painting on various occasions. His significant work titled "Mahan Bharat ko Sundar Sikkim" in December 2006 attracted a large audience of artists from Nepal. He was the pioneer in introducing the use of fibreglass materials for mural fabrication, which is now extensively utilized by various artists and artisans in Sikkim for Mandir and Gumpa projects.

Social Organizations

Kiran Sirwas a prominent figure within civil society. Characterized by his humility, politeness, cordiality, and down-to-earth demeanor, he was often perceived as cheerful and consistently wearing a smile. Kiran Sir was involved with numerous high-profile social organizations in Sikkim and West Bengal. In 2020, he organized various programs under the auspices of Sanskar Bharati Sikkim and Sanskar Bharati Poorvottar Vision, including Sarhad ko Swaranjali in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh in November 2013, Hamari Sanskriti Hamari Pehechan in January 2015, and Ramayana Mahabharat Poorvottar Sambandh, which included discourses, exhibitions, and seminars in Gangtok in March 2016. Additionally, he participated in the Akhil Bharatiya Kala Sadhak event in Kurukshetra, Haryana in October 2017. His significant affiliations with social organizations include the Sikkim Akademi of Fine Arts, where he was a founder member of Vivid Kala Akademi in Gangtok, a founder and life member of the Nepali Sahitya Parishad, an advisor for the Sikkim Pragya Pratiathan established in 2015, the president of the Sanskar Bharati Sikkim Chapter, a founding member of the Sikkim Football Association since the tenure of Shri P.K. Pradhan, the founding president of the SFA, and a member of the All Sikkim Scheduled Castes Welfare Association from its inception to the present day, as well as an advisor for the Sikkim Bishwakarma (Kami) Kalyan Samity.

Honours & Awards

Kiran Sir’s contributions, particularly in the fields of architectural design and the arts, have garnered national recognition. He received accolades from numerous esteemed organizations in Sikkim, West Bengal, Nepal, and Bhutan. In 2019, he was awarded the Bhanu Puraskar in Music, and he also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the All Sikkim Scheduled Welfare Association. Additionally, he was acknowledged by the Sikkim Biswakarma Kalyan Samity in 2024.

Social Life

He was married to Mrs. Radha Rasaily. The couple had three daughters and one son, all of whom are successfully established in the business sectors of Sikkim and Delhi. He was known for his energy, discipline, and commitment to his responsibilities. He maintained the same level of momentum and dedication to his profession even after retiring from his service career. Even at over 80 years of age, he remained fit and active, engaging in daily routines such as Yoga and Medicine, and regularly participating in social obligations both within and outside Sikkim.

Journey to Heaven

Kiran Sir breathed his last on the evening of June 29, 2026, at the STNMHospital following a prolonged illness. His demise signifies a significant loss for Sikkim. In a condolence message, the Hon’ble Governor, Chief Minister, Ministers, MLAs, Sikkim Football Association, Press Club of Sikkim (PCS), Journalists' Union of Sikkim (JUS), Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), and numerous prominent figures from Sikkim acknowledged his remarkable contributions to the welfare of the Sikkimese people.

The passing of Kiran Rasaily represents the loss of one of Sikkim’s most esteemed creative minds. He was always held in high regard for his unwavering public service and significant societal contributions. We extend our deepest condolences to his grieving family, friends, and admirers. May the Almighty provide them with strength during this challenging period, and may his noble soul find eternal peace.

To honor his dedicated and historic contributions, it is fitting that the new Secretariat Building be named "Kiran Rasaily Bhawan," which would stand as the highest tribute to his legacy.

(The article has been prepared in consultation with Kiran Rasaily Sir in 2024. The writer is the General Secretary, Sikkim Biswakarma Kalyan Samiti)