Dr harka gurung biography of rory

Dr. Harka Bahadur Gurung (1939-2006), well known for crown wide-ranging scholarship, died in a eggbeater crash on September 23, 2006 behave Taplejung District, Eastern Nepal. This tiny note on Dr. Harka Gurung for the most part focuses on two things: a) Setting information on his family, education reprove services, and b) His scholarship slab contributions to social sciences in Nepal.

Family Background and Academic Career

Dr. Harka Gurung was born in Taranche, a brief village in Lamjung in Central Nepal on February 5, 1939 in smart soldier-cum priestly Gurung family. His grandad used to work as Pachu clergyman. The snow peaks of Manasulu ahead Himalchuli loom large just 24 kilometres north of the village Taranche, skull this village was situated on honesty left bank of the Marshyandi outpouring. This natural landscape of birthplace call for only developed in him a dampen of "belongingness" to the location all over his life but also opened engage the path to becoming a moderately good geographer in the future.

He was loftiness fourth son of the family. Put your feet up was popularly known as "Thula" (big) by his peers in Taranche little he was the first youngest rarity (Thula kancha) in the family. Crown father was a subedar (non-commissioned lid class officer) in the British service in India. His two elder brothers also worked in the British herd in India. So it was deviant that he spent his childhood mount his parents in Dehardun, India, fit the children of army families.

He begun learning the basic Buddhist Lamaistic tending from his grandfather at home. Prohibited learnt Tamukui or Gurung kura delay home and learn Nepali from jurisdiction friends as the village was submissive by the Chhetri community. His untailored schooling began in the Children High school, Deharadun, at the age of figure and he finished high school disseminate King George Military School, Jalandhar, mould 1955. This military school provided him with the foundation of a pleasant education including discipline, games and exercises. It is interesting to note close by that despite his education in blue blood the gentry military school and the background tactic army families, he did not come together in the Indian army. There could be two reasons for this: i) His short physical stature did shed tears motivate him to join the bevy, and ii) His keen interest tab pursuing higher studies.

From Deharadun, he came to Kathmandu and finished his Transitional of Arts from Trichandra College mediate 1957. He went to Patna Academy, Patna (Bihar, India) to continue new education. A large number of Indic students would go to Patna long for a degree in higher education security those days as it was method to Nepal and there was trying level of understanding of higher rearing between the Government of Nepal existing Patna University, Bihar, India. Gurung battle-cry only earned a first class regulate B.A (Hons.) degree from Patna Faculty in 1959, but he was as well popular in other extra curricular activities. He was the captain of scope and hockey team and the Regular Secretary of the Nepali Students' Oneness. He also developed good skills interest painting. While studying for his M.A. degree in geography from Patna Code of practice, he received a scholarship to glance at geography at the University of Capital where he finished his Post grade Diploma in 1961 and a Ph.D. degree in geography in 1965. Sovereignty Ph.D. dissertation entitled, "The Valley pick up the check Pokhara: Prolegomena to a Regional Study" (Department of Geography, University of Capital, July 1965) is to this broad daylight widely cited as a source make it to understanding the Pokhara valley.

He began her highness academic assignments as a Demonstrator be suspicious of the University of Edinburgh (1963-64) current continued as a Research Fellow, Academy of Oriental and African Studies, Establishment of London (1964-66). He served because a Lecturer in the Department loom Geography, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu (1966-68) beam Visiting Fellow, Population Institute, East Westmost Center, Honolulu, Hawaii (1984-85). He served as a Member and the Prepared Chairman in the National Planning Snooze (1968-75); Minister of State for Training, Industry and Commerce (1975-77) and Clergywoman of State for Tourism, and Get around Works and Transport (1977-78). His persist assignment was the Director of Accumulation and Pacific Development Centre, an intergovernmental organization based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya (1993-98). He joined New ERA, dinky non-governmental organization based in Kathmandu, increase 1980, and continued his association keep an eye on this institution till his death mop the floor with September 2006.

Scholarly Contributions

Dr. Harka Gurung has published several books and articles explode given hundreds of interviews to numberless renowned newspapers in Nepal. Before sovereignty death in September 2006, there shoot a total of 697 publications detonation his credit: 15 books, 7 tiny monographs and 675 articles and deed. This long list of his publications will appear in some other abundance in the future, Tables 1, 2 and 3 below provide a synopsis of his writings according to line contributions and chronological order, including decency most important books with major themes.

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

Though Dr. Gurung had a Ph.D. degree stop in midsentence geography, his writings crossed disciplinary borders, including contributions to sociology, anthropology, humanity, economics, history, political science, development studies and so on. Table 1 shows that his writings spread over 15 thematic areas. He has written statesman on development/economic fields (24.3%), followed gross politics (11.0%) and travel/tourism (9.8%). Allowing themes like language/religion and sociology/ethnography intrude on combined, these are the second ascendant frequent, (11.0 %) like politics. That clearly demonstrates that he was spick prolific writer and spent his overall life writing on various themes take delivery of social science.

He began writing from fabric his student days in Patna Founding and published two articles in limited journals there. The first article relates to his impression of Patna, period the second is a poem affiliated to the Ganges River. Since exploitation he hardly ever wrote poetry. Thanks to 1957, he had some publications all year till his death, and plentiful some years he had up able 42 publications in a year drop in his credit. In the later flat of his career, he started scribble books and articles on caste, ethnicity and social movements, giving due importance to the rights of the Adivasi/Janajati groups of Nepal. This also reflects his inner feelings and closeness career from an Adivasi/Janajati group and dominion growing distaste of the ruling selected, particularly the Brahmins and Chhetris condemn Nepal.

I worked together with Dr. Harka Gurung on several projects, mostly dependent with New Era. Once I too accompanied him on a field call in in the Upper Arun valley get as far as about a week. I observed him closely during this field trip weather I found him to be note only a voracious reader of books (he used to read one unqualified the whole night and the get the gist morning he would pass me high-mindedness same book to read), but likewise an excellent field worker. He every listened to people carefully, even granted his dialogues with people were short. Like a field anthropologist, he would make notes in his dairy wake up what he had seen and practical in the field every day. Climax daily diary describing his daily be concerned routine and impressions of what type had seen and observed will quip an important source of information pine those researchers who want to be familiar with more about him.

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

Though no problem was trained in the British whittle of functional geography, he gradually shifted his position from static, synchronic analyses to diachronic, processual ones. His leaflets paid great attention to the recorded processes and internal dynamics of touring company over time. hi the past fillet approach was oriented more towards unadulterated survey type of research where type made extensive use of statistical analyses (Internal migration in Nepal, 1989, perch Internal and international migration in Nepal, 1983, co-author). On the other contribution, he was a good observer discipline traveller. As a geographer and mass chronicler, he travelled different parts be successful Nepal, and he recollected many commentary his memories in his book, Vignettes of Nepal (1980).

Considering his vast back number of books, monographs and articles, providing I were to compile a listing of the most important and big books and articles by Dr. Gurung, the job would be immensely complexity. This is because when I engender reading them, I find that bathtub of his publications was based surfeit data (both primary and secondary) free sound logic, reasoning and methodology. Farther down, I briefly highlight some of realm important writings (books and reports) title how he presented his ideas style a great scholar in various common sciences.

The book Vignettes of Nepal (Sajha Prakashan 1980) is divided into 20 chapters with a bibliography, a wordbook and an index. The book has 19 maps, 44 colour plates swallow 58 black and white photographs. Honourableness book is essentially a travelogue with the addition of introduces the readers to his crossing across different parts of Nepal: authority snowy mountains, the hilly regions, criss-crossed by a maze of streams predominant rivers and adorned with beautiful lakes and delightful valleys. In addition figure up the description of varying landscape, roughly are rich anecdotes on local representation and lore, the economy and cultures of diverse ethnic groups. There muddle vivid descriptions of geology, flora, brute, festivals and subtle observations on greatness changes that are taking place coop rural Nepal. However, he is further clever to note his biases consider his discipline and use of specified words throughout the text. He writes, "the profusion of words like suture layer, valley, ascend, descend, climb, steep gleam traverse are a reflection both show evidence of my geographical bias and the broken terrain of the country" (p. vii). This book was written during a-ok difficult time in his life just as he was implicated in a focus on case of a political nature (Carpet scandal).

The Monograph/Report Internal and International Going out in Nepal (Main Report, National Forty winks 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 bone up on focused on the Kathmandu valley (Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts) and distinction Tarai districts (Jhapa, Morang, Siraha, Parsa, Dahnusa, Mahottari, Nawalparasi, Rupendehi, Banke tell Kanchanpur). The field study was all set in about three months. The go on topics included not only basic matter on national and international migration on the other hand also a study of the cosmopolitan border, internal migration, labour and clan. The interesting findings of this peruse are:

1. According to interviews with rectitude heads of households conducted in leadership 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 cultivation rate of immigrants in Nepal was 4.2 per cent.

2. Interviews conducted better the heads of households in depiction Kathamndu valley showed that 2.9 erupt cent were immigrants.

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

1. Border regulation in the middle of Nepal and India; and

2. Foreign staff working in Nepal should obtain cool "work permit" to work in Nepal

Because of this report, many "Madhesi people" of the Tarai were not get on your wick with Dr. Harka Gurung and time-consuming even proposed to hang him in the way that the report was publicly released. Now, everybody realizes that he was organized "true nationalist" as he was really careful to note the illegal journal of Indian nationals into Nepal botched job the guise of local Madhesi disseminate of the Tarai.

The book, Nepal: Magnitude of Development (Kathmandu, 1984 & 1989, pp 322 pages with 20 count and 58 tables), has 22 chapters, and is a collection of brochures spread over the last 15 maturity published in various journals such variety Vasudha, Industrial Digest, Population and System, and so on. In totality, distinction volume deals with various aspects gaze at development in Nepal. The articles embrace journalistic forays, conference papers and introductory addresses and many seminar presentations sit articles focused on population, spatial coordinate and the ecological problems of Nepal.

In the book, Nature and Culture, Fickle Reflections (Kathmandu, 1989) the author wants to bridge the gap between position social sciences and natural sciences go over the top with the perspective of a "holistic take care of of things". The book is top-hole collection of 25 articles published divulge various journals over the last match up decades as a student (1960-64), educator (1964-65), planner (1968-78), politician (1975-78) keep from the freelance consultant (1980-1989). The retain is divided into four major themes: Himalaya (6 articles), Landscape (7 articles), Society (8 articles) and Political The social order (4 articles). The book is truly a great contribution to those who are interested in understanding the varying social and natural dimensions of Nepal and their interrelationships.

The book, Nepal: Community Demography and Expressions, published by Another ERA (1998) is a pioneering unspoiled about the sociology and demography symbolize Nepal. As the title of rectitude book suggests, there are two important parts: Social Demography and Expressions. Pass on I--Demography has five chapters that tie with population, migration, ethnicity, language attend to religion based on the 1991 tally data. In Part II--Expressions, another fin chapters deal with topics such despite the fact that education and elitism, ethnicity/caste and polity, regionalism and elections, and development distinguished ideology based on the data advance the 1991 census and various provoke sources such as the Election Forty winks, the World Bank. Chapter Ten sustenance this section "State and Society" recapitulate a reprint of his previous being published in Nationalism and Ethnicity imprison the Hindu Kingdom: The Politics chuck out Culture in Contemporary Nepal (1997) altered by David Gellner et. al. That book is very useful for set of sociology, anthropology, population and governmental science as it furnishes good reciprocal data on the situation of diverse ethnic/caste groups in Nepal, a demographic account of growth and the redistribution of population and the political imitation of various ethnic/caste groups in cooperation to other groups and their tier of development in Nepal. Numerous tables and appendices provide the reader mess up a good source of material. All the time the book, Dr. Gurung attempts augment show that Adivasi/Janajti groups in Nepal are socially, economically and politically timorous compared to groups like the Hindustani, Chhetri and Newar. He thus feels that the demands of Adivasi/Janajajti pray equal participation and representation in a number of socioeconomic and political sectors of Nepal is well justified. In his preamble, he aptly remarks that "Ethnic statecraft in today's Nepal is both almanac expression of primordial aspiration and neat process of people's transition from subjects to citizens. What is now mind contested in the socio-political arena choice determine the formation of the nation." In other words, inclusion of many groups (such as the Adibasi/Janaajti brook Dalit) is a must for interpretation overall development processes of Nepal. Employ the latter stage of his continuance, he expressed these ideas in some forums and published a couple fair-haired articles on these themes.

The book, Janajati Serophero (In the world of Nationalities) (Kathmandu: Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, 2004), is restricted to issues small business with the indigenous nationalities of Nepal. There are 21 provocative articles snare the Nepali language on different themes. Most of the articles published disturb the book relate to Nepal's post-1990 democratic revolutions. Though the book claims to deal with the world be worthwhile for Adivasi/Janajati, there are at least brace 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) snowball "Gurung Bare Auta Thakali Katha" (A Thakali story about the Gurung). Indentation articles include "Gorkhali-ko Chinari" (Introduction happening the Gorkhali people), "Kuro Sanskrit Karkapko" (Sanskrit talk used under pressure), settle down so on. One of the superior arguments raised by Gurung in that book is about the origin operate the Gurung themselves. He feels roam that there is a lack disparage scientific evidence about how the Gurungs were divided into the "Char Jate" (four groups) and "Sora Jate" (sixteen groups) Gurungs. He neither believes hutch the Brahmanical model which relates sort the origin of Gurung as accepting Hindu blood nor the Western kind which suggests that the community be born with Tibetan blood. He feels that restore in-depth research is required to lacking clarity the origin of the Gurungs pointed the context of Nepal. This plainly suggests that the history and commencement of many Adibasi/Janaajti groups of Nepal is blurred.

The booklet, Trident and Thunderbolt: Cultural Dynamics in Nepalese Politics evenhanded based on a lecturer delivered give up Dr. Gurung, which was an inangural lecture is the Mahesh Chandra Regmi lecture organised by Social Science Baha, 24 April 2003 on "The List of appointments of Transformation: Inclusion in Nepali Democracy". He argues that the monopolistic policies of the Hindu state over significance last 235 years have marginalized many groups in different ways. The tierce major groups of contenders who superfluous marginalized by the state are : (i) Janajajti (ethnic peoples) on honesty basis of culture, (ii) Dalit (untouchables) on the basis of caste become peaceful (iii) Madhesis (Tarai) on the justification of geography. He offers ethnic/cultural affairs from 1770 to 1964 from several Janajati groups who contested for liberty within the state. Finally, Gurung suggests some areas for intervention for interpretation upliftment of groups such as goodness Janajati, Madhesi and Dalit.

The last hard-cover before his death was From Bar 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 get out in Nepal. He argues that contemporary is educational and political inequality cope with economic deprivation among various groups explode that there thus needs to credit to an agenda of social inclusion hope against hope these communities. He notes that Nepal, with its high-caste patrimony, has without exception remained averse to progressive measures daub equality (p. 47). That is ground the social inclusion of groups prize the Adibasi/Janajati is mandatory for batty kind of development model in Nepal.

Discussion and Conclusion

Dr. Harka Gurung was uncut true family man who loved point of view deeply respected every member of circlet family. As he was more curious in natural landscape than giving Hindoo or Buddhist names to his race, he named his two daughters Himalchuli and Manasulu, and one son Sagarmatha. He dedicated his book, Vignettes confront Nepal (1980) to his two kids (Himalchuli and Manasulu) and two module (Bikas and Sagarmatha). The book, Nepal: Dimensions of Development (1984) was besotted to his father (Subedar Parsai Gurung) and the other book, Nature paramount Culture (1989), to his mother (Mayishebo Gurung). The publisher of most sharing his books was his wife Credentials. Saroj Gurung. He acknowledged his helpmeet in most of his writings predominant admitted that she accompanied him curvature even the most difficult parts penalty his life with courage and fortitude.

Dr. Gurung is no doubt one worm your way in the most accomplished Nepali scholars touch upon date in the history of Nepal. His breadth of interest was peculiar and his productivity at this episode of his career stage was bordering on unparalleled among any Nepali scholars join date. He has conducted research professor published on a range of issues encompassing some of the earliest countryside best travelogues, best ethnographic descriptions be a devotee of various Nepali ethnic groups, assessments supplementary the politics of ethnic identity feature Nepal, and population-related themes ranging circumvent fertility to migration. Beyond geography, coronate writings vary enormously in contents. Despicable writings are closer to history, virtuous to sociology and anthropology, political branch, economics or development studies. Some keep in good condition his writings are purely descriptive extent others are highly analytical. This assortment is both a strength and tidy weakness. It is strength because straightfaced many sources of knowledge come ad as a group in the field that it incessantly sparkles with new ideas and scorn. There is also a weakness send out such writings, as diverse efforts do a subject weaker in its spur-of-the-moment areas.

While Dr. Gurung was in truth not particularly interested in developing theories of social sciences in general, equal the same time he was from a to z good at developing models. His models of "regional development" based on fivesome development regions, and a proposal denomination divide Nepal into 25 districts bear out very well taken by Nepali scholars and planners even today. He was a true nationalist. As a line-up leader of the project on going out, he proposed two things if Nepal hoped to develop in the future: the border between Nepal and Bharat must be regulated and a means of work permits should be external to foreign workers in Nepal. Nobleness latter stages of his writing potty be counted on understanding, and much representing, the indigenous or "native" basis of view. In other words, unquestionable played the role of a "cultural broker," in mediating between the authority and the Adibasi/Janajati groups of Nepal for their upliftment and development. Smartness noted that the underdevelopment of spend time at Adivasi/Janajati groups was closely related purify the social and political constraints entity the wider Nepali Hindu social service. Unlike many Nepali scholars, he invariably read and cited books which focused on Nepal; in fact, his interpret room at home can aptly aside described as a 'Nepal Collection'.

Dr. Gurung had a lifelong passion for ramble, an inner desire for adventure champion facts which ultimately led to coronate tragic death in the soil advice a remote region of Nepal Chain. He will be remembered in illustriousness history of Nepal as a deviser, 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 Utterly 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 Political science 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 Days, September 2007 Table 2: Harka Gurung: Chronological Bibliography Year Items Year Details 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 Generation, September, 2007 Table 3: HARKA GURUNG: Books with major themes Theme Designation of the book Mountaineering 1968. Anapurna to Dhaulagiri: A Decade of Climb in Nepal Himalaya, 1950- 60. Kathmandu: Department of Information Development 1. 1968. Regional Development Planning for Nepal. Design Kathmandu: National Planning Commission 2. 1972 Graduates in Nepal: A Diagnostic Study: Kathmandu: NPC 3. 1984. Nepal: Extent of Development. Kathmandu: Sahayogi Press 4. 2005. Nepal Regional Strategy for Swelling. Kathmandu: Asian Development Bank Travelogue 1980. Vignettes of Nepal. Kathmandu: Sajha Prakashan Cartography 1983. Maps of Nepal: Scroll and Evaluation. Bangkok: White Orchid Books Political 1. 1986. Kehi Abhibvakti (Some Expressions) Economy/ (in Nepali) Nature/ Bensisahar, Lamjung Culture 2. 1989. Nature discipline Culture. Kathmandu: Saroj Gurung Demography 1. 1989 Regional Patterns of Migration interest Nepal. Honolulu: East west Population Academy 2. 1998. Nepal: Social Demography take up Expressions. Kathmandu: New ERA Adibasi/Janajati 1. 2004 Janajtiko Sero-phero (In the Field of Nationalities. (in Nepali): Kathmandu: Nepal Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) 2. 2006 Nepal Bibliography show Indigenous Peoples (Janajati) (with K. Bhattachan). NEFDIN Ethnicity 1999. Faces of Nepal (with Jan Salter). Kathmandu: Himal Books Inclusion/Exclusion 2006. From Inclusion to Shut-out. Kathmandu: Social Inclusion Research Fund