March 18, 2005        

While I am still researching more about Mr. Girmee Sherpa, a renowned literary figure yet undiscovered Pride of the global Sherpa community, it is with my great interest and honor that I would like to share this information with our faithful readers of the Sherpa E-TALK.

Soon, I hope to be able to present him as a guest on regular E-TALK.

Mr. Girmee Sherpa, who is one of the few renowned literary figures of Sikkim, was born at Bhareng Basti, West Sikkim on December 1, 1948. He had his early education at Ripdi School and later on received Bachelor of Arts from North Bengal University.

Under the able guidance and financial support of his grandmother Late Nima Sherpa of Ripdi Basti he established "Hamro Pustakalaya" at Ripdi School in 1967. A number of his articles were published in news and literary magazines published from Sikkim, Darjeeling, Assam, Banaras and Nepal. His articles ranged from poems, short stories to literary criticism. During his college days he was Co-Editor of “Zhilka” a monthly literary magazine published from Darjeeling. He was Advisor of fortnightly news paper “Jhataro" edited and published by Late Mr. Nubir Lucksom in 1968. He had spared no efforts to rejuvenate youths Library, Gangtok and its publication "Navjyoti" a leading literary magazine of Sikkim. The magazine was widely read in Sikkim, Darjeeling, Assam, Dooars, Banaras and Nepal. He was also one of the editors of literary monthly magazine "Pratibhimba" published by the editor themselves from Gangtok in 1978. He was also one of the editors of "Smarika" literary collection published by Bhanu Salik Nirman Samiti, Gangtok in 1981.

Girmee Sherpa represented students of Darjeeling Govt. College in various literary, social forum like Nepal Bhasha Prayog Gare Samity then headed by Prof. Prem Sherpa Biroki, Organisation 'Nepali' headed by Mr Subash Ghising and was General Secretaries of a number of noted organizations and associations and was a member of General Council of Sahitya Academy, New Delhi, member of Nepali Advisory Board, Text Book Committee of Government of Sikkim and was member of Indian delegation of Joint Technical Indo- Nepal Boundary Committee in 1995. He has also worked as Reader for Sahitya Academy, New Delhi for selection of Nepali writer for Sahitya Academy Award in a particular year.

He has two books to his credit namely (i) Bajo Din Mathi Palayiaka Kehi Phul Ham (ii) Hypocrite (Chanp-Gurash Ra Anya Kabita)

Mr. Girmee Sherpa's outstanding contribution towards the promotion of Nepali language and literature has been recognized by one and all. He was honored with Sahitya Academy award in 1991 for his book Hypocrite Chanp-Gurash Ra Anya Kabita. The book was adjudged as the most outstanding literary contribution. The same book has been selected as one of the master pieces of Nepali literature by the National Book Trust. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Bhanu Purashkar in 1992 for his long and outstanding contribution for the enrichment of Nepali literature. In a rare gesture the Government of Sikkim had invited him to the Cabinet meeting of the Council of Ministers and felicitated him on behalf of the people of Sikkim in 1992 for his accomplishment.

He is the first and only Sherpa IAS Officer in Sikkim Cadre. Simple, soft spoken and perfectionist Girmee Sherpa is one of the most respected persons in the literary world.

* Source of the above information on Mr. Girmee Sherpa is the “Sikkiminfo”