The
Sherpa-E-TALK In Memory of Late Ang Dorjee Lama
Feb 16, 2005
Welcome to the SHERPA-E-TALK.
I would like to wish a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year, Losar to
all living beings. On this Year of the Roster let us all make a resolution
not to eat CHICKEN MEAT!, and may mankind be blessed with the wisdom to
follow the path of the Lord Buddha. On this occasion of Losar I would
like to dedicate this segment of the SHERPA E-TALK to the memory of one
of the greatest Sherpa who I believe deserves to be remembered as " The
Pride of The Sherpa". This great person is none other than the late Ang
Dorjee Lama, a social worker, a journalist, a politician and a businessmen.
Mr. Ang Dorjee Lama was born in ward-number five, Shyama VDC of Dolakha
district in Nepal. Mr. Lama was married to Mrs. Phuti Lama (Sherpa) of
Khunde, Solukhumbu, Nepal. Mr. And Mrs. Lama were the proud parents of
their three sons, Pasang Dorjee Lama, Jigmi Lama, Nima Lama and daughter
Muna Lama (Sherpa). Mr. And Mrs. Lama died on Srawan 16, 2049 (Bikram
Sambat), in Nepal in a Thai airplane crash. Following are some of the
unique examples of many contributions made by Mr. Ang Dorjee Lama.
Social contribution:
It was Mr. Ang Dorjee Lama who first thought of a need of a community
place that belonged to the Sherpa community where Sherpas could proudly practise,
preserve and promote the Sherpa culture without fear and intimidation
from outside forces. It was due to his vision and tireless effort that the
Sherpa Sewa Kendra in Bhaudhanath, Kathamndu was established with the
help of many other Sherpas. Today it has become a symbol of unity
for Sherpas from all walks of life.
Political contribution through Journalism:
Mr. Ang Dorjee Lama was the first Sherpa to edit and publish a national
newspaper. That made him the first Sherpa journalist at the national level.
Mr. Lama published RAJDHANI WEEKLY, a national newspaper in 2040 (BS)
in order to promote social justice, welfare and equality. His newspaper,
RAJDHANI WEEKLY was banned from publication by the then Panchayat Government
under the anti-monarch charges, and he was jailed. Mr. Lama continued
to receive a great deal of physical and emotional torture in the prison
of Nepal under the Monarchism for his political views of equal justice,
freedom and democracy for all. He was one of the true champions in mobilizing
people for democracy against the autocracy. All past and current political
leaders unquestionably recognize Mr. Ang Dorjee Lama's contribution in
establishing democracy in Nepal. Tenjing Norgay Sherpa exemplified bravery
of the Sherpas and Mr. Ang Dorjee Lama exemplified intellectual intelligence
of the Sherpas. Those of us who were privileged to know him knew what
a great person Mr. Ang Dorjee Lama was and what he could have done for
the Sherpa community if only he was with us today. He is not with us to
celebrate this Losar with us, yet he will remain in our memory for many
Losars to come as " THE PRIDE OF THE SHERPAS". In memory of this extraordinary
personality, I present here few words of praises for late Ang Dorjee Lama
made by the political, social and journalist leaders of Nepal .
"Where there is a wish there is a way, the proverb was translated
into reality by the one and only late Ang Dorjee Lama" -- The honorable
Mr. Lama Pasang Sherpa, Member Royal Council of Nepal.
"B.P. Koirala recognized Late Ang Dorjee Lama trustworthy person. The Nepali
congress recognizes him to be a true friend of democracy in hard
times" -- Girijaprasad Koirala, President of Nepal Congress. "Late
Ang Dorjee Lama devoted himself in the activities of common good"
-- Madavkumar Nepal, General Secretary of Nepal Communist party."I like remembering the important contribution given by late Ang Dorjee
Lama for the democratic movement in Nepal" -- Pasupati Samsher J.B.RA.
President R.P.P. " Late Ang Dorjee Lama was for good governance for
the fundamental right of the people" -- Sherbahadur Deova, President of
Nepal Congress Democratic. "Late Ang Dorjee Lama was an articulated
speaker, friendly personality and a true social worker who devoted his
life for the well-being of the Sherpa communities and fought against
discrimination in the societies" -- Yankila Sherpa, Member of
Parliament, National assembly. "Late Ang Dorjee Lama was the
greatest person representing the Janajaaatiis.The nation will miss
him" -- Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Former Prim-minister of Nepal."Most people are born in the society for themselves. Late Ang Dorjee
Lama was born for the society, and shall remain for ever in the
society" -- Om Gurung, General Secretary of Nepal Endogenous People'
High Commission. "The root of Ang Dorjee Lama's success was his
determination" -- Sonam Tsering Sherpa, Advisor to the former
prim-minister of Nepal. "Late Ang Dorjee Lama was an example of
struggle, success, community service and devotion" -- Damannath Dungana,
Former house speaker. "Pleasure is in helping others, a Buddhist
principle has been truly practiced by Late Ang Dorjee Lama" -- Ang
Nawang Sherpa, Former Member of Parliament. "Late Ang Dorjee Lama not only help for human right, he fought for it" -- Padma Ratna
Tuladhar, Communist leader and human right activist. " Ang Dorjee Lama loved me like his own son. I became involved in politics
and social activities due to his influence" -- Jip Tshering Lama, Central
Member of Nepali Congress, Democratic.
"Late Ang Dorjee Lama wanted to commit himself for social revolution after democracy" -- Sudeep
Pathak, Nepal Human rights Organization. "Late Ang Dorjee Lama was truly a responsible leader of the society" -- Wangtse Sherpa, Former Member of Parliament. "Late Ang Dorjee Lama freely spoke against
wrongs" -- Durba Bahadur Pradhan, Formar I.G.P. "Late Ang Dorjee Lama was jailed for his commitment for multiparty system" -- Dr. Harka
Bahadur Gurung, Geologist and Diplomat. "Late Ang Dorjee Lama is a well known name in the Sherpa community.
If we don't honor our own, who will?" -- Kripa Sur Sherpa, President,
Nepal Sherpa Association, Central Executive Committee.
"Late Ang Dorjee Lama was a non-violent leader who believed in democracy" -- Dr. Jayaraj Acharya, Former
Permanent Representative of Nepal to U.N.O. "As a political leader and as journalist Late Ang Dorjee Lama never surrendered" -- Keshar
Nepal, Well known writer/journalist."Late Ang Dorjee Lama was an unique warrior of democracy" -- Mahendra Serchan, President RAJDHANI
DAILY NEWS. "It was late Ang Dorjee Lama who facilitated the use of his Jeep
to bring ill Sherpas to the hospital for care, and dead bodies to the
cemeteries when Sherpas first migrated in Kathmandu, Nepal." --
Sonam Gyaltsen Sherpa, President Sherpa Kendra, Kathmandu, Nepal.
"In the sad departure of your father Ang Dorjee Lama and
mother Phuti Lama ours sincere condolences to you and your family"
-- His Majesty the King Birendra and the Queen, Aiswarya of Nepal.
Finally, it is a privilege for me to have known late Ang Dorjee Lama
and his wife personally, and now it is an honor to pay them my respect
in their memory through this SHERPA E-TALK. With that said, let me finally
quote Mr. Lama himself, "Company should be with those who study hard
and have high morals/characters". This was one example of an advice
given to his son by Late Ang Dorjee Lama from his jail cell. Mr. Lama
was jailed twenty-four times during the movement for democracy in Nepal.
Thank you.
Tsewang sherpalama.
Note: A memorial statue of late Ang Dorjee Lama was recently installed
in Sherpa Sewa Kendra, Kathmandu Nepal.
Regular E-talk will return in two weeks. Please visit back.
If you have any
comments or would like
to suggest anyone's name for the Sherpa-E-Talk, you can email us at etalk@sherpakyidug.org