Today, he is remembered
as Sikkim’s first COVID-19 death patient. Obituaries poured from different section
of the societies including the ‘who is who’ of Sikkim. For many of his old
students, not able to attend their favourite teacher’s last walk remains the
most unfortunate scenario in their life. He was a highly respected individual,
much appreciated for his simpleton lifestyle who dedicated his life in teaching
profession. Without doubt, Rongli has lost one of her proud son.
My Dhaba (my father’s
elder brother), Ghanashyam Pradhan, lovingly called ‘GS Sir’, by one and all
was a retired former Headmaster of Phadamchen SSS. An educationist with vibrant
thoughts that was shown in his teaching days had been the trademark of his more
than two decade long illustrious profession. He enjoyed his retire life at
Rongli, his birthplace with his wife, two sons (Praveen Pradhan and Pranay
Pradhan) and his grandchildren; also contributing in certain social gatherings.
His elder daughter (Ambika Pradhan) works as a nurse at New STNM Hospital at
Sokaythang and is based on Gangtok.
Dhaba had just
celebrated his 69th birthday this July 1st. It was on July 24th, I had my last
mobile conversation with him; he was not keeping well. He was having mild fever
and dysentery. Next morning, news came that he was taken to Rongli PHC. He was
on IV drips the entire day. Later late evening, we were informed Dhaba has been
diagnosed with symptoms of Covid-19 and was referred to New STNM, the very
night. Everything happened all of a sudden; next morning we heard the sad
update that Dhaba breathed his last on the morning of July 26th, 2020. We, the
family members are still in complete disbelief that he is no more with us.
Dhaba was a jovial
person, always full of life. He was born to Late Siba Narayan Pradhan and Late
Nirlata Pradhan and the eldest of the ten brothers and sisters. A complete
family man, he was always fond of his family, his brothers, sisters, nephews
and others.
He did his early
schooling at Kumari Pema Tsedeun Middle English School, Rongli. Ghanashyam
Pradhan was among the first 8 students to have got a Sikkim State scholarship
to study outside Independent Sikkim. He joined the Wynberg-Allen School at
Mussoorie. Some students to join Wynberg-Allen School in the early 60s
included, Mingma Bhutia, Tej Rasaily, Gopal Rai, late Janak Kumar Chettri and
others. His junior was PD Rai, former MP from Sikkim.
But at any time, if one
mentioned him about his staying at Wynberg-Allen School, he never made a
gimmick in sharing off his best years of his life. I had always admired the
English ascent and the fluency he had and without doubt all thank to
Wynberg-Allen School, those teachers, friends and to that atmosphere for it.
Vivid to my memory, in
November 2nd 2009, Mr. & Mrs. Pakianathan and Mr. & Mrs. Firth (very
sad to hear him pass away few months back) teachers from Wynberg-Allen School
had visited Sikkim and met my Dhaba and a couple of other Sikkimese students of
old days. I had requested my Dhaba to be part of that epic re-union that
happened after forty years, to which he gladly agreed. It was me, Dhaba and
Dhama and an unexpected aura of yesteryears.
The meet was held at
Hotel Tibet, Gangtok; when the teachers moved into the Hotel, Dhaba walked
towards them. He introduced himself and they hug each other. Watching both of
them hug was something you don’t often come across. A smart and healthier
Pakianathan teasing his student using sticks to walk was an interesting matter
of laugh that still revolves around my memory.
Mr. Pakianathan would
talk “Oh! Ganashyam”, in his UK ascent he was a nice student, a leader of a
Gardening Club and a sports enthusiast, in reply Dhaba added what I am today is
all due to Mr. Pakianathan’s lesson of mathematics and his morals. Mrs.
Pakianathan, Dhaba’s social study passed on a smile whereas Mr. Firth too added
his views on Dhaba in his couple of year’s stint as a teacher at Wynberg-Allen
School. They talked about those days, those students, those colleagues.
All of a sudden the
topic of conversation shifted to “Gundruk”, yes you heard me right and Mr.
Pakianathan recollected his memories of Gundruk, which he in his own words told
“He (Dhaba) brought me a sack of Gundruk from Sikkim once and it was Gundruk
all the week till it was finished” and we all laughed.
I was watching
everything as one watch over in a silver screen, I could see the enthusiasm and
shine in Dhaba’s face and I could read his mind as he was preparing to come out
with every thought possible of those days to make the noon-time more momentous.
He also had brought along with him old Wynberg-Allen School day’s photographs
from his album that had the groups of Sikkim. He showed it to Mr. Firth, and he
was able to identify few of them.
That day was one such
big occasion where I saw different emotion on my Dhaba’s face. The excitement
of exchanging words with former teachers was nothing more than a fantasy, he
later told me. He had then told me, let alone visiting Mussoorie, they came all
the way from UK to meet us was like angel coming themselves to bless you.
Dhaba had few years
back shown me a letter from Mr. LO Edwards (He too passed away this year), his
old Headmaster at Wynberg-Allen School. His former Headmaster had written – It
was good to know you choose to serve as a teacher, where you can serve and
touch many lives, even though the remuneration is paltry. My Dhaba was very
touched with his words.
With the advent of
technology and my interest in blog, I used to share Dhaba’s anecdotes with rest
of the world. This was the medium where Dhaba’s friends from Wynberg - Allen
days contacted me and off-lately few of his good old friends were in contact
with him. Just few days before his passing away, Kanwaljit Singh Narula, his
friend from Bangkok had contacted him. I felt it very hard to pass-on the
message that his school friend with whom he had talked few days back after more
than 50 years was no more.
After my Dhaba’s sad
demise, his condolences call, whatsapp messages and emails from his Wynberg
friends has not stopped. As we do, they too do miss their dear friend, ‘’very
much”!!
Published in Sikkim Express - 09.08.2020
