“FOND FAREWELL TO LATE CHHETRA KUMARI GURUNG”

Dear All,

'In the quiet early hours of Wednesday, June 19, the world bid farewell to an extraordinary woman, Chhetra Kumari Gurung. Born on September 30, 1933, in the serene village of Ghanpokhara Gaun, Lamjung district, her journey through life was marked by resilience, love, and breaking societal norms.

Chhetra Kumari Gurung, the cherished daughter of the late Subba Dillijung Gurung and Amala Devi Gurung, was born when girls' education in her village was a rarity. Yet, her father, a forward-thinking man, ensured she was privately educated, which allowed her to read and write, a remarkable feat in those days. Her education blossomed under the guidance of a private teacher, and she often lost herself in the poetic verses and stories penned by her father.

In 1952, Chhetra Kumari entered an arranged marriage with Ganga Bahadur Gurung. Their union was blessed with six children: three sons and three daughters. Their firstborn, Chandra Bahadur Gurung, joined the Brigade of Gurkhas, rising to Major and earning the prestigious MVO as Queen's Gurkha Orderly Officer. Mohan Gurung, their second son, also joined the Brigade of Gurkhas, achieving the rank of Warrant Officer Class II, while their third son, Mahendra Gurung, became a Staff Sergeant in the same brigade. Their daughters, Kamala, Ram Maya, and Nirmala, each found success and happiness in their own right, creating lives filled with love and accomplishment.

Tragedy struck in 2003 when Chhetra Kumari's beloved husband passed away, leaving her a widow. Her strength and determination saw her through these tough times, and a few years later, her eldest son's efforts bore fruit when she was granted Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK. Moving to the UK and living with her youngest son was a dream she cherished and accomplished. For over a decade, she found a new home and new dreams in a foreign land, surrounded by the love of her family and even the chance to be looked after by her daughters Kamala and Nirmala, turn by turn every six months.

Chhetra Kumari's life was a testament to her role as a nurturing mother, a loving grandmother, and a doting great-grandmother. She witnessed four generations of her family, her legacy in each. Her days were filled with the joy of reading her father's literary works, a passion she maintained until her final moments.

Her passing was gentle, in the presence of her devoted daughter Kamala and youngest son Mahendra. For the last six months of her life, Kamala lovingly cared for her, a testament to the family's unbreakable bond and love. Despite the physical distance, her youngest daughter's heart was with her mother, even from Nepal.

At the age of 90, Chhetra Kumari Gurung left this world, having fulfilled her wishes and seen the fruits of her life's work in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her story is one of motivation and accomplishment, a beacon of inspiration for all who knew her.

The Colchester Gurung family had the honour of organizing a farewell for this legendary woman. In doing so, they honoured the wishes of her sons and celebrated a life lived with dignity and grace.

We are deeply grateful to Khenpo Rinpoche Shir Lama and Lama Gam Gurung for taking responsibility for sending Chhetra Kumari to heaven. Our heartfelt thanks to Hunnaball of Colchester for looking after her at their Chapel of Rest, the Colchester Gurungs for running the funeral and its associated administration, and the Gurkha Home for providing such delicious refreshments. We thank Captain Umesh Kumar Pun MVO for the drinks provided to the malamis. From the collection box, we raised £885 for the Kidney Patient Association Colchester/Clacton, a testament to the community's generosity and compassion. We also like to thank all the malamis who came from afar to witness the farewell to the late Chhetra Kumari Gurung. 

As we say goodbye to Chhetra Kumari Gurung, we extend our deepest condolences to her bereaved family. May she rest in eternal peace, her spirit forever surrounded by angels.

Goodbye, Chhetra Kumari Gurung.

Udai B Gurung MBE 

Coord Colchester Gurungs