Remembering U Sharma (Editorial)
(This editorial is written in memory of U Sharma, who contributed nearly a dozen of his short stories from Thimphu in Bhutaneseliterature.com. It is an outcome of our effort with family sources for getting information about a well placed Bhutanese writer who wished to remain anonymous all of his life. He passed away unseen on 1st Nov. 2012. On the auspicious occasion of thirteenth day Hindu rituals, we join the family members to pray for his peaceful rest in heaven. – Editors, Bhutaneseliterature.com.)
Literature Council Of Bhutan (LCOB) and Bhutaneseliterature.com are currently mourning passing away of a writer. Since our formation we have never been through such a devastation as this. We haven’t had to lose even a simpleton creator until one of our men of letters, U Sharma, went terrestrially missing.
Born on 10th of May 1967 to a farm family in Lower Bockray, Tshirang Bhutan, Late Omnath Pokhrel, who used to write under the pen name of U Sharma, was the third son born to Badrinath and Sabitra Pokhrels. Having been born in a big farm family, he was fortunate to join schooling at Damphu Junior High School from his tender age. A rare child should have such inborn qualities, was seen in him by everyone from early. He was said to be the talk of the village. His dealings and uncommon manners had subdued the attention of his teachers, neighbors, peers and others. He stood fourth in the National Civil Service Examination in 1990 and went to Zhemgang for his National Service. He stood fourth in the National Civil Service Examination in 1990 and went to Zhemgang for his National Service. Due to an abrupt political situation Omnath’s dreams (After completing his lower secondary education from his home town school, he was placed by the Ministry of Education at the thenYanchanphug Central School (YCS), a very renowned school in the capital, Thimphu for his secondary education. He was then, sent to Sherubse College, in eastern Bhutan for his pre-university degree. He failed to stand second in any of the levels. This merited him government sponsored scholarship to pursue his University degree from Hindu College, in New Delhi.)Due to an abrupt political situation Omnath’s dreams shattered. The unfair No Objection Certificate (NOC) system introduced by the government stood as a wall between him and his aspirations. That he was deprived of the document due to the implicated involvement of his sibling is still a mystery to be solved. Omnath’s dreams of serving his nation and materializing his dreams became a distant reality. His mates got employed but he was not. This was the beginning of his decline. However, he didn’t give up hope, for hope is the rope that swings life through.
He began his career with private sectors. Later he tried his luck in the field of teaching. Though he had joined with a great reluctance he outshone in this profession and churned out hundreds of smart students. He was declared the best teacher by the district administrator of Wangduephodrang. Believe it or not, his ex-students are a testimony to this.
Apart from his professional career, he was an avid reader too, and, that enabled him to pen dozens of contemporary short stories. His mastery of vocabulary was enviable. He often solved crossword puzzle in minutes. He often travelled in Bhutan, India and Nepal to bring out the common threads that bound the people of South Asia. His stories are cantered around the theme of injustice, inequality and the need to build a more just and equitable system. Often taking a fictional style Om’s characters are the same typical South Asians that are the victims of poverty, injustice and political suppression. Whether it is Pagal Karma wiping his Dasho’s car or intelligent Barun’s expulsion from the country; the coincidence shown in Consanguinity in Jeopardy, Omnath wove black humour with suspense and entertained as well as informed his readers fully.
Omanth was a victim of a closed system. Fearing repression he even created U Sharma, Babesa, Thimphu Bhutan to launch some of his work. A dozen or so of his work were published in www.bhutaneseliterature.com, one of the much browsed literary websites run by literary persons from outside and inside Bhutan.
Om’s acquaintances know well that he was a writer in the making. Definitely he didn’t earn a Booker or Pulitzer, but he had the potentials. Many of works are still awaiting publicity.
Fate would have it Om could not complete his writing career. As most writers are he had a certain sense of idiosyncrasy. Despite all the efforts of his family members he chose to tread a path that reached him to a dead end. We received the news of his sudden, sad demise on 1 November 2012. He left us in deep sorrow without letting any of his relatives; friends and readers know that his tenure to remain amidst us was nearing. He heeded his Maker’s choice and surrendered to cruel fate. His physical absence has caused irreparable loss to his family and to all who that know him.
Editors
Bhutaneseliterature.com