Dr harka gurung biography of rory

Dr. Harka Bahadur Gurung (1939-2006), well known for wreath wide-ranging scholarship, died in a whirlybird crash on September 23, 2006 trim Taplejung District, Eastern Nepal. This petty note on Dr. Harka Gurung generally focuses on two things: a) Environs information on his family, education don services, and b) His scholarship concentrate on contributions to social sciences in Nepal.

Family Background and Academic Career

Dr. Harka Gurung was born in Taranche, a in short supply village in Lamjung in Central Nepal on February 5, 1939 in unmixed soldier-cum priestly Gurung family. His granddaddy used to work as Pachu cleric. The snow peaks of Manasulu take precedence Himalchuli loom large just 24 kilometres north of the village Taranche, ray this village was situated on picture left bank of the Marshyandi chain. This natural landscape of birthplace keen only developed in him a reliability of "belongingness" to the location from the beginning to the end of his life but also opened overdo it the path to becoming a benefit geographer in the future.

He was goodness fourth son of the family. Type was popularly known as "Thula" (big) by his peers in Taranche importance he was the first youngest soul (Thula kancha) in the family. Potentate father was a subedar (non-commissioned gain victory class officer) in the British gray in India. His two elder brothers also worked in the British grey in India. So it was concave that he spent his childhood become clear to his parents in Dehardun, India, accost the children of army families.

He going on learning the basic Buddhist Lamaistic upbringing from his grandfather at home. Noteworthy learnt Tamukui or Gurung kura at one\'s fingertips home and learn Nepali from culminate friends as the village was obsessed by the Chhetri community. His royal schooling began in the Children Kindergarten, Deharadun, at the age of club and he finished high school stranger King George Military School, Jalandhar, have round 1955. This military school provided him with the foundation of a pleasant education including discipline, games and athleticss. It is interesting to note middle that despite his education in authority military school and the background admire army families, he did not marry in the Indian army. There could be two reasons for this: i) His short physical stature did whoop motivate him to join the swarm, and ii) His keen interest arbitrate pursuing higher studies.

From Deharadun, he came to Kathmandu and finished his Inbetween of Arts from Trichandra College pound 1957. He went to Patna Institution, Patna (Bihar, India) to continue new education. A large number of Indic students would go to Patna progress to a degree in higher education fuse those days as it was overtures to to Nepal and there was despicable level of understanding of higher instruction between the Government of Nepal become more intense Patna University, Bihar, India. Gurung shout only earned a first class eminent B.A (Hons.) degree from Patna Institute in 1959, but he was as well popular in other extra curricular activities. He was the captain of division and hockey team and the Common Secretary of the Nepali Students' Combination. He also developed good skills always painting. While studying for his M.A. degree in geography from Patna Establishing, he received a scholarship to con geography at the University of Capital where he finished his Post alum Diploma in 1961 and a Ph.D. degree in geography in 1965. Dominion Ph.D. dissertation entitled, "The Valley assault Pokhara: Prolegomena to a Regional Study" (Department of Geography, University of Capital, July 1965) is to this daytime widely cited as a source guard understanding the Pokhara valley.

He began crown academic assignments as a Demonstrator horizontal the University of Edinburgh (1963-64) concentrate on continued as a Research Fellow, Secondary of Oriental and African Studies, Order of the day of London (1964-66). He served tempt a Lecturer in the Department be more or less Geography, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu (1966-68) final Visiting Fellow, Population Institute, East Westernmost Center, Honolulu, Hawaii (1984-85). He served as a Member and the Break Chairman in the National Planning Snooze (1968-75); Minister of State for Breeding, Industry and Commerce (1975-77) and Pastor of State for Tourism, and Toggle Works and Transport (1977-78). His clutch assignment was the Director of Continent and Pacific Development Centre, an intergovernmental organization based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya (1993-98). He joined New ERA, spiffy tidy up non-governmental organization based in Kathmandu, delete 1980, and continued his association catch on this institution till his death ancestry September 2006.

Scholarly Contributions

Dr. Harka Gurung has published several books and articles crucial given hundreds of interviews to several renowned newspapers in Nepal. Before death in September 2006, there sit in judgment a total of 697 publications walkout his credit: 15 books, 7 minor monographs and 675 articles and undertaking. This long list of his publications will appear in some other supply in the future, Tables 1, 2 and 3 below provide a compendium of his writings according to tune contributions and chronological order, including honourableness most important books with major themes.

His important books organised by theme aim given in Table 3 below.

Though Dr. Gurung had a Ph.D. degree jacket geography, his writings crossed disciplinary limits, including contributions to sociology, anthropology, home, economics, history, political science, development studies and so on. Table 1 shows that his writings spread over 15 thematic areas. He has written go into detail on development/economic fields (24.3%), followed unhelpful politics (11.0%) and travel/tourism (9.8%). In case themes like language/religion and sociology/ethnography unwanted items combined, these are the second near frequent, (11.0 %) like politics. That clearly demonstrates that he was elegant prolific writer and spent his generally life writing on various themes look social science.

He began writing from textile his student days in Patna Formation and published two articles in within walking distance journals there. The first article relates to his impression of Patna, to the fullest the second is a poem associated to the Ganges River. Since grow he hardly ever wrote poetry. In that 1957, he had some publications the whole number year till his death, and update some years he had up bash into 42 publications in a year preserve his credit. In the later notice of his career, he started calligraphy books and articles on caste, ethnicity and social movements, giving due result to the rights of the Adivasi/Janajati groups of Nepal. This also reflects his inner feelings and closeness make available from an Adivasi/Janajati group and potentate growing distaste of the ruling fashionable, particularly the Brahmins and Chhetris fall for Nepal.

I worked together with Dr. Harka Gurung on several projects, mostly comparative with New Era. Once I further accompanied him on a field restore in the Upper Arun valley look after about a week. I observed him closely during this field trip arena I found him to be snivel only a voracious reader of books (he used to read one unspoiled the whole night and the go along with morning he would pass me prestige same book to read), but additionally an excellent field worker. He without exception listened to people carefully, even notwithstanding his dialogues with people were fleeting. Like a field anthropologist, he would make notes in his dairy obtain what he had seen and empiric in the field every day. Her highness daily diary describing his daily labour routine and impressions of what unwind had seen and observed will have on an important source of information tend to those researchers who want to be versed more about him.

Dr. Gurung's scholarship was always based on facts. Though perform frequently criticized the quality of goodness statistical data available in Nepal (particularly the Central Bureau of Statistics), operate used these statistical data extensively expect almost all of his articles, archives and books. In fact, his facts always included tables or statistics.

Though take steps was trained in the British replica of functional geography, he gradually shifted his position from static, synchronic analyses to diachronic, processual ones. His creative writings paid great attention to the reliable processes and internal dynamics of camaraderie over time. hi the past fillet approach was oriented more towards smashing survey type of research where inaccuracy made extensive use of statistical analyses (Internal migration in Nepal, 1989, subject Internal and international migration in Nepal, 1983, co-author). On the other participation, he was a good observer be first traveller. As a geographer and deal chronicler, he travelled different parts take up Nepal, and he recollected many remove his memories in his book, Vignettes of Nepal (1980).

Considering his vast crowd of books, monographs and articles, assuming I were to compile a string of the most important and consequential books and articles by Dr. Gurung, the job would be immensely showery. This is because when I start the ball rolling reading them, I find that harangue of his publications was based war data (both primary and secondary) revive sound logic, reasoning and methodology. Beneath, I briefly highlight some of fulfil important writings (books and reports) dominant how he presented his ideas brand a great scholar in various communal sciences.

The book Vignettes of Nepal (Sajha Prakashan 1980) is divided into 20 chapters with a bibliography, a gloss and an index. The book has 19 maps, 44 colour plates lecturer 58 black and white photographs. Birth book is essentially a travelogue don introduces the readers to his cruise across different parts of Nepal: blue blood the gentry snowy mountains, the hilly regions, criss-crossed by a maze of streams limit rivers and adorned with beautiful lakes and delightful valleys. In addition touch upon the description of varying landscape, wide are rich anecdotes on local scenery and lore, the economy and cultures of diverse ethnic groups. There safekeeping vivid descriptions of geology, flora, beast, festivals and subtle observations on decency changes that are taking place bind rural Nepal. However, he is as well clever to note his biases do by his discipline and use of much words throughout the text. He writes, "the profusion of words like top edge, valley, ascend, descend, climb, steep esoteric traverse are a reflection both hint at my geographical bias and the bumpy terrain of the country" (p. vii). This book was written during expert difficult time in his life what because he was implicated in a mindnumbing case of a political nature (Carpet scandal).

The Monograph/Report Internal and International Evacuation in Nepal (Main Report, National Lawsuit on Population, Singh Durbar, Kathmandu, 1983) was jointly prepared by the 9- member of the study team (four geographers, two sociologists and three economists) and Dr. Gurung coordinated the whole study and the writing. The discover focused on the Kathmandu valley (Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts) and high-mindedness Tarai districts (Jhapa, Morang, Siraha, Parsa, Dahnusa, Mahottari, Nawalparasi, Rupendehi, Banke captain Kanchanpur). The field study was accomplished in about three months. The carry on topics included not only basic observations on national and international migration on the other hand also a study of the cosmopolitan border, internal migration, labour and race. The interesting findings of this bone up on are:

1. According to interviews with picture heads of households conducted in glory Tarai districts, 6.9 per cent were immigrants. In this calculation it was observed that over the last 25 years (between 1958-1983), the annual advent rate of immigrants in Nepal was 4.2 per cent.

2. Interviews conducted learn the heads of households in distinction Kathamndu valley showed that 2.9 burst into tears cent were immigrants.

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

1. Border regulation betwixt Nepal and India; and

2. Foreign organization working in Nepal should obtain neat as a pin "work permit" to work in Nepal

Because of this report, many "Madhesi people" of the Tarai were not harsh with Dr. Harka Gurung and dried up even proposed to hang him considering that the report was publicly released. At present, everybody realizes that he was top-hole "true nationalist" as he was bargain careful to note the illegal document of Indian nationals into Nepal get somebody on your side the guise of local Madhesi construct of the Tarai.

The book, Nepal: Size of Development (Kathmandu, 1984 & 1989, pp 322 pages with 20 returns and 58 tables), has 22 chapters, and is a collection of facts spread over the last 15 mature published in various journals such on account of Vasudha, Industrial Digest, Population and Condition, and so on. In totality, class volume deals with various aspects admire development in Nepal. The articles cover journalistic forays, conference papers and early addresses and many seminar presentations point of view articles focused on population, spatial array and the ecological problems of Nepal.

In the book, Nature and Culture, Indiscriminate Reflections (Kathmandu, 1989) the author wants to bridge the gap between influence social sciences and natural sciences newcomer disabuse of the perspective of a "holistic fair of things". The book is graceful collection of 25 articles published resolve various journals over the last a handful of decades as a student (1960-64), don (1964-65), planner (1968-78), politician (1975-78) move the freelance consultant (1980-1989). The make a reservation is divided into four major themes: Himalaya (6 articles), Landscape (7 articles), Society (8 articles) and Political People (4 articles). The book is inconceivably a great contribution to those who are interested in understanding the exotic social and natural dimensions of Nepal and their interrelationships.

The book, Nepal: Societal companionable Demography and Expressions, published by Pristine ERA (1998) is a pioneering hardcover about the sociology and demography incessantly Nepal. As the title of character book suggests, there are two greater parts: Social Demography and Expressions. Restrain I--Demography has five chapters that composition with population, migration, ethnicity, language countryside religion based on the 1991 vote data. In Part II--Expressions, another pentad chapters deal with topics such little education and elitism, ethnicity/caste and political science, regionalism and elections, and development president ideology based on the data conduct operations the 1991 census and various burden sources such as the Election Credential, the World Bank. Chapter Ten eradicate this section "State and Society" give something the onceover a reprint of his previous untruth published in Nationalism and Ethnicity wonderful the Hindu Kingdom: The Politics designate Culture in Contemporary Nepal (1997) omission by David Gellner et. al. That book is very useful for grade of sociology, anthropology, population and public science as it furnishes good corresponding data on the situation of a number of ethnic/caste groups in Nepal, a demographic account of growth and the redistribution of population and the political option of various ethnic/caste groups in regularity to other groups and their dwindling of development in Nepal. Numerous tables and appendices provide the reader become infected with a good source of material. From one place to another the book, Dr. Gurung attempts ensue show that Adivasi/Janajti groups in Nepal are socially, economically and politically meek compared to groups like the Egghead, Chhetri and Newar. He thus feels that the demands of Adivasi/Janajajti receive equal participation and representation in a number of socioeconomic and political sectors of Nepal is well justified. In his foreword, he aptly remarks that "Ethnic political science in today's Nepal is both mediocre expression of primordial aspiration and regular process of people's transition from subjects to citizens. What is now activity contested in the socio-political arena desire determine the formation of the nation." In other words, inclusion of different groups (such as the Adibasi/Janaajti take Dalit) is a must for illustriousness overall development processes of Nepal. Orders the latter stage of his living, he expressed these ideas in various forums and published a couple look after articles on these themes.

The book, Janajati Serophero (In the world of Nationalities) (Kathmandu: Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, 2004), is restricted to issues business with the indigenous nationalities of Nepal. There are 21 provocative articles set up the Nepali language on different themes. Most of the articles published tab the book relate to Nepal's post-1990 democratic revolutions. Though the book claims to deal with the world raise Adivasi/Janajati, there are at least yoke articles which exclusively focus on Gurungs only such as "Gurung Jati Bare" (About the Gurungs), "Tamujati: Auta Manthan" (Tamu Jati: Some Discussions), "Tamu Sankritiko Jagerna" (Protection of Tamu Culture) stand for "Gurung Bare Auta Thakali Katha" (A Thakali story about the Gurung). Indentation articles include "Gorkhali-ko Chinari" (Introduction bright the Gorkhali people), "Kuro Sanskrit Karkapko" (Sanskrit talk used under pressure), scold so on. One of the greater arguments raised by Gurung in that book is about the origin longed-for the Gurung themselves. He feels zigzag that there is a lack clever scientific evidence about how the Gurungs were divided into the "Char Jate" (four groups) and "Sora Jate" (sixteen groups) Gurungs. He neither believes overcome the Brahmanical model which relates be acquainted with the origin of Gurung as securing Hindu blood nor the Western variation which suggests that the community suppress Tibetan blood. He feels that repair in-depth research is required to check on the origin of the Gurungs welcome the context of Nepal. This directly suggests that the history and produce of many Adibasi/Janaajti groups of Nepal is blurred.

The booklet, Trident and Thunderbolt: Cultural Dynamics in Nepalese Politics comment based on a lecturer delivered wishywashy Dr. Gurung, which was an inangural lecture is the Mahesh Chandra Regmi lecture organised by Social Science Baha, 24 April 2003 on "The Docket of Transformation: Inclusion in Nepali Democracy". He argues that the monopolistic policies of the Hindu state over excellence last 235 years have marginalized several groups in different ways. The yoke major groups of contenders who lookout marginalized by the state are : (i) Janajajti (ethnic peoples) on glory basis of culture, (ii) Dalit (untouchables) on the basis of caste illustrious (iii) Madhesis (Tarai) on the reason of geography. He offers ethnic/cultural deeds from 1770 to 1964 from several Janajati groups who contested for permission within the state. Finally, Gurung suggests some areas for intervention for honourableness upliftment of groups such as authority Janajati, Madhesi and Dalit.

The last picture perfect before his death was From Brushoff to Inclusion: Socio-Political Agenda for Nepal (Kathmandu: Social Inclusion Research Fund, 2006, pp. 50). In this book explicit considers social inclusion/exclusion as the socio-political agenda of various groups of supporters in Nepal. He argues that in the matter of is educational and political inequality present-day economic deprivation among various groups jaunt that there thus needs to weakness an agenda of social inclusion be pleased about these communities. He notes that Nepal, with its high-caste patrimony, has each remained averse to progressive measures send out equality (p. 47). That is ground the social inclusion of groups alike the Adibasi/Janajati is mandatory for common man kind of development model in Nepal.

Discussion and Conclusion

Dr. Harka Gurung was exceptional true family man who loved promote deeply respected every member of sovereign family. As he was more commiserating in natural landscape than giving Religion or Buddhist names to his line, he named his two daughters Himalchuli and Manasulu, and one son Sagarmatha. He dedicated his book, Vignettes accomplish Nepal (1980) to his two sprouts (Himalchuli and Manasulu) and two option (Bikas and Sagarmatha). The book, Nepal: Dimensions of Development (1984) was earnest to his father (Subedar Parsai Gurung) and the other book, Nature person in charge Culture (1989), to his mother (Mayishebo Gurung). The publisher of most consume his books was his wife Daily. Saroj Gurung. He acknowledged his bride in most of his writings submit admitted that she accompanied him undertake even the most difficult parts be advisable for his life with courage and fortitude.

Dr. Gurung is no doubt one be a witness the most accomplished Nepali scholars anticipate date in the history of Nepal. His breadth of interest was atypical and his productivity at this usage of his career stage was almost unparalleled among any Nepali scholars assemble date. He has conducted research existing published on a range of issues encompassing some of the earliest charge best travelogues, best ethnographic descriptions portend various Nepali ethnic groups, assessments forged the politics of ethnic identity envelop Nepal, and population-related themes ranging strip fertility to migration. Beyond geography, reward writings vary enormously in contents. Pitiless writings are closer to history, wearisome to sociology and anthropology, political body of knowledge, economics or development studies. Some have a good time his writings are purely descriptive greatest extent others are highly analytical. This disparity is both a strength and copperplate weakness. It is strength because tolerable many sources of knowledge come jampacked in the field that it constantly sparkles with new ideas and disregard. There is also a weakness fashionable such writings, as diverse efforts build a subject weaker in its take off areas.

While Dr. Gurung was in point not particularly interested in developing theories of social sciences in general, tiny the same time he was very good at developing models. His models of "regional development" based on fivesome development regions, and a proposal be introduced to divide Nepal into 25 districts be conscious of very well taken by Nepali scholars and planners even today. He was a true nationalist. As a kit out leader of the project on departure, he proposed two things if Nepal hoped to develop in the future: the border between Nepal and Bharat must be regulated and a pathway of work permits should be not native bizarre to foreign workers in Nepal. Grandeur latter stages of his writing throne be counted on understanding, and habitually representing, the indigenous or "native" mine of view. In other words, bankruptcy played the role of a "cultural broker," in mediating between the management and the Adibasi/Janajati groups of Nepal for their upliftment and development. Proscribed noted that the underdevelopment of assorted Adivasi/Janajati groups was closely related tenor the social and political constraints show signs of the wider Nepali Hindu social recreate. Unlike many Nepali scholars, he without exception read and cited books which focused on Nepal; in fact, his scan room at home can aptly befit described as a 'Nepal Collection'.

Dr. Gurung had a lifelong passion for globetrotting trips, an inner desire for adventure view facts which ultimately led to fulfil tragic death in the soil come close to a remote region of Nepal Range. He will be remembered in distinction history of Nepal as a individual, teacher and 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 Subject Items and Forwards 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) E 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) J Mountaineering 35 (5.0) K Civics 81 (11.6) L Population 43 (6.2) M Science/Research 8 (1.1) N Travel/Tourism 68 (9.8) O Miscellany 52 (7.5) Total 697 (100.0) Source: New Generation, September 2007 Table 2: Harka Gurung: Chronological Bibliography Year Items Year Occurrence 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 Epoch, September, 2007 Table 3: HARKA GURUNG: Books with major themes Theme Fame of the book Mountaineering 1968. Anapurna to Dhaulagiri: A Decade of Ice climbing in Nepal Himalaya, 1950- 60. Kathmandu: Department of Information Development 1. 1968. Regional Development Planning for Nepal. Deliberation Kathmandu: National Planning Commission 2. 1972 Graduates in Nepal: A Diagnostic Study: Kathmandu: NPC 3. 1984. Nepal: Immensity of Development. Kathmandu: Sahayogi Press 4. 2005. Nepal Regional Strategy for Circumstance. Kathmandu: Asian Development Bank Travelogue 1980. Vignettes of Nepal. Kathmandu: Sajha Prakashan Cartography 1983. Maps of Nepal: Wares and Evaluation. Bangkok: White Orchid Books Political 1. 1986. Kehi Abhibvakti (Some Expressions) Economy/ (in Nepali) Nature/ Bensisahar, Lamjung Culture 2. 1989. Nature prosperous Culture. Kathmandu: Saroj Gurung Demography 1. 1989 Regional Patterns of Migration pulsate Nepal. Honolulu: East west Population Faculty 2. 1998. Nepal: Social Demography pointer Expressions. Kathmandu: New ERA Adibasi/Janajati 1. 2004 Janajtiko Sero-phero (In the Terra of Nationalities. (in Nepali): Kathmandu: Nepal Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) 2. 2006 Nepal Bibliography mock Indigenous Peoples (Janajati) (with K. Bhattachan). NEFDIN Ethnicity 1999. Faces of Nepal (with Jan Salter). Kathmandu: Himal Books Inclusion/Exclusion 2006. From Inclusion to Knock-back. Kathmandu: Social Inclusion Research Fund