Litterateur Rai’s statue to be built in Kurseong

SNS, Kurseong 28 November 2014: The premises of the Gorkha Jaatiya Vhibhuti Udhyan, earlier known as the Jaatiya Kavi Udhyan and the Bhanu Udhan, at Acharya Path in Kurseong was abuzz with activity as prominent litterateurs of Darjeeling Hills gathered there and laid the foundation stone for the statue of eminent Nepali literary figure and social worker, the late Shiva Kumar Rai. 

Along with litterateurs like Krishna Singh Moktan and Nar Bahadur Dahal, Kurseong MLA Rohit Sharma, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) sabha members Anit Thapa and Prabha Chettri were also present at the function, as chief guest Indra Bahadur Rai, another renowned litterateur, laid the foundation stone. 

Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest highlighted the late Mr Rai’s works and his “great contribution” to society and literature. “Shiva Kumar Rai was born for literature. While he was deputy labour minister in the west Bengal government under the then CM BC Roy, he did a lot for the benefit of the society,” Mr Rai said. 

According to him, four more statues – that of Indian Nepali literary figures Rup Narayan Sinha, Parasmani Pradhan, Indra Sundas and Ram Krishna Sharma-- should also be built in the Hills. 

Earlier, the premises where the event was held were popularly known as Bhanu Udhan as only the statue of the pioneer Nepali poet Bhanu Bhakta Achrya was erected there. Later in 2006, during the foundation stone laying ceremony for Jatiya Kavi Agam Singh Giri there by Padma Shri Sanu Lama, the premises had been renamed the Jaatiya Kavi Udhyan. 

It, however, got the new name~Gorkha Jaatiya Vhibhuti Udhyan~only yesterday after the new foundation stone was laid there. 

The Gorkha Jaatiya Vhibhuti Udhyan is currently under renovation. All the statues are sculpted by artisan Bhola Pal.