Tales of Nepalis in Myanmar, Thailand

Kathmandu, Apr. 4: Chairperson of Thai Nepali Association (TNA) Kumar Karki has come up with an autobiography of his life ‘Jeevan Shangharsh’ (Life Struggle).

He says it is the story of his life and experiences in the birthplace, workplace and ancestral place. But the book happens to be a history of the Nepalis in Myanmar and Thailand as he recounts tales of Nepalis in Burma and Thailand, their mobility in the country and progress.

It tries to explain the migration of Nepalis to Burma, their livelihood and preservation óf their culture without any direct connection with Nepal.

There are approximately 300,000 people of Nepali origin in Myanmar and 100,000 in Thailand.

‘Jeevan Sangharsh’ covers the contribution made by people of Nepali origin and their organisations in preserving the Nepali identity.

“We remain Nepalis as long as our language and culture are conserved… this association has been doing exemplary work in the Nepali language, culture and identity conservation,” said Karki at a programme organised to unveil his book.

Culture expert Satya Mohan Joshi, film superstar Rajesh Hamal, Prof. Ram Krishna Regmi, actress Bhuwan Chand, Chintamani Yogi and others jointly unveiled the book.  

Joshi said that the book was an enlightening cultural account of the struggle of the Nepali diaspora.

“It will contribute to rejuvenating the Nepali language, culture and civilisation in Myanmar and Thailand. We are Nepalis anywhere in the world, without any distinction: the book carries this view,” he said.

According to Prof. Regmi, the book is a bridge between Nepal and the Nepali diaspora. It is not only a book of Karki’s story but also a description of the Nepalis outside the country.

Superstar Hamal said that the book was a must read by all Nepalis all over the world to know what it means to be a Nepali.

Karki, on behalf of the TNA, led community-relief works in the immediate aftermath of the devastating Gorkha Earthquake 2015 and rebuilding of 46 houses in Majhi Gaun near Melamchi in Sindhupalchowk. He has been honoured with the Social Work Award by the President of Nepal.

He also handed a cheque of Rs. 500,000 to the Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation on the occasion.

The book, which has already been released in Myanmar and Thailand, is edited by Ramesh Khadka and published by Media Services Nepal.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 5 April 2018.