Touched by death, liberated by life: Story of valiant Captain Gurung
“Kaal Sanga Kusti” is an unconventional biography of a man who has lived and fought death throughout his life both as a former Gorkha soldier and as a cancer survivor. The book authored by Chun Bahadur Gurung encapsulates all the ups and downs of Captain Aash Bahadur Gurung’s memorable and determined life, from his difficult childhood in rural Khewang (reidentified today as Okhle), Syangja, his experience at the British Army, his stint with the Gurkha Reserve Unit (GRU) in Brunei, as a virtuous social worker, and finally, to his valiant defeat of stage-four prostate cancer at the age of 82.
What makes this biography unconventional is the author’s approach to not only depicting Captain Gurung’s life but also enriching the readers by providing overlooked and neglected narratives, such as the tale of the once glorious Mukhiya system of Kewang, the might of Duma Gurung, who defied the Bhirkote Rajas, the struggles of being a “Laure,” and the science behind the holistic approach to healing.
At its core, however, the book centers on Captain Gurung, starting from his agrarian days when he worked for days on end, tirelessly, as a “Bause” in his native village of Kewang. Those days were both difficult and formative for him, particularly after the death of his father. The book captures the wonderful ethos of traditional Nepali society, much to the credit of the author. Similarly, the book’s focus on Daxmi Gurung, Captain Gurung’s mother, is emotional and might hit home for many readers. Daxmi endured much during her life. Widowed young, she raised Gurung and his three siblings independently. Her wisdom and tenacity continue to influence Captain Gurung even to this day.
In his late teens, Gurung’s aspirations grew, and the desire to enroll in the British Army intensified. The book covers his conscription process in Paklihawa, setting up the readers for the next phase in his life. The biographer, Chun Bahadur Gurung, then, places the readers right in the middle of the 1962 Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, where Gurung, now a “fit for fight” British Gorkha soldier, showcases his ability to navigate through various impediments in the dense jungles of Indonesia. This section of the book is an interesting read as it grabs the readers’ attention with its tension and realism. The book also brings forth the inequality prevalent in the British Army, as Captain Ash recounts he and his fellow Nepali soldiers being subjected to unfair treatment.
Lasting eight chapters and chronologically tied, the author takes some time to get to Captain Gurung’s battle with cancer. And here, the focus is on the holistic approach to healing, which Captain Gurung credits as his remedy. The author accentuates the importance of the combination of spiritual, medical, ayurvedic, and familial harmony against a debilitating and soul-crushing disease like cancer. This, today, is unorthodox and might even surprise modern readers. But the intention of the book is to highlight how effective alternative remedies can be if synergized with medical science. And while the book lapses into over-expositions for evidence, it just about manages to keep the narrative interesting.
The author’s dedication towards telling an authentic story is discernible as sufficient references are provided to back his argument. But the book sometimes digresses and bears the burden of being an academically credible work. This results in regular fluctuations in the pace it strives to maintain, which might throw off some readers. Also, the constant shift from B.S to A.D. and vice versa creates unwanted confusion. Nevertheless, the book addresses various contemporary social issues by drawing on historical analysis and the experiences of Captain Gurung, which makes it a unique reading experience, and with simple language, the book is seamless, despite its issues with pacing. “Kaal Sanga Kusti” is a must-read as you get a first-hand account of victory over cancer by a man whose life is nothing short of a parable. The journey is emotional, enlightening, and definitely thought-provoking.
