Remembering the Shining Lights of My Village: A Heartfelt Homage

"There is no certainty here
The permanent abode is elsewhere. 
Why burden this mortal life with such heavy worries? 
Behold the movement of time, how strange and mysterious it is— 
The one who is here today is gone tomorrow, reaching who knows where."

In recent days, the news of deaths among loved ones, neighbours, and kin back in the village has deeply saddened my soul. I remember Bhim Bahadur Imbung Kaka coming from Nagi during every Aunshi and Purnima in Medibung. Seeing him dressed impeccably in his Dhaka topi and Daura-Suruwal, performing the Dhaan Naach, brought so much joy to everyone watching. He had only just crossed his sixties when he suddenly passed away. in this hour of grief, I offer my heartfelt condolences to his son Mausam Imbung Limbu (film director, 'Phulendeko Bau') and the entire Imbung family.

Thirty years ago, young men in the village who had completed their SLC could be counted on one hand. To find someone with a B.Com degree, you practically had to travel to the city. Around 1988/89, Chandra Thebe—a son of Limbu from Sinam Hiruwadin who earned his B.Com from Mahendra Campus in Dharan—was a role model for everyone in the region. Though seven years my senior, he was my nephew by relation. It feels like only yesterday, in 1987, when he was tutoring and helping his younger brothers—Jahar Thuppuko Thebe, Kishor Thebe, Khagendra Thebe, Ramkumar Guragain, and Romananda Guragain—who had come to Tharpu Secondary School to study. A man of influential personality, Chandra began teaching at Sinam Higher Secondary School. The news that he has left us all at such an early age has left me in tears. At this sorrowful time, I express my deepest sympathies to Ram Thebe, his family, and the entire Thuppuko Thebe lineage.

I was also devastated to hear about the passing of young Shivakumar Kambang (my brother from Lungba, son of Ta-awa), who died in a road accident near Gopetar just a few days ago. My condolences go out to the Pahakholse clan and the entire Kambang family. Furthermore, our neighbour Srichampe Kanchi Kaki passed away only a few weeks ago. I still have vivid memories of her stopping me as I ran home from Sirise School to give me roasted maize. I remember the sweets her husband would bring back after collecting his pension from Darjeeling. My heart goes out to friend Pawan Mabo Mani and his family. And the death of my friend Dilkumar Seng from cancer just two months ago remains an enduring pain for me; Darimba village will have to wait a long time to find another social worker like him.

I pray for the eternal peace of the departed souls of Dilkumar Seng, Bhim Bahadur Imbung, Srichampe Kanchi Kaki, Chandra Thebe, and Shivakumar Kambang. You will all live on forever in my heart and mind.

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