Birth: 6 January 1920, Lamjung
Death: 10 June 2021, Lainchaur

Narakanta Adhikari invested 47 of his 102 years in the civil service, where he worked as auditor general, and secretary at various ministries such as finance, defense, and agriculture. But Adhikari’s illustrious bureaucratic career isn’t his only enduring legacy.

Those who knew Adhikari call him a gentle soul and someone who was fun to work with. Adhikari, who completed his schooling and Bachelor’s degree from Durbar High School and Trichandra College and then graduated in law, was a man of integrity. He stayed away from partisan politics and knew how to handle pressure from powerful people when it came to his job.

Adhikari, during his career in civil service, worked with many people, including rulers from the Rana dynasty. When those in power sought favors, Adhikari always resisted and even refused to take orders at times. Because of this, he was often transferred from one station to another—and his promotion was halted on several occasions for noncompliance.

Besides his occupation, Adhikari was also known for being a patron of education. An avid reader himself, Adhikari donated 20 ropanis of land and Rs 1 million for the construction of a school and a high school in his Lamjung hometown. He and his son donated around Rs 800,000 for the construction of a library at the same place. 

Adhikari also wrote many Nepali books, with his first published work coming out when he was 76. Some of his better-known works are: Patanjali Yog Sutra (2004), Amarapuriv Vanda Mathiko Nandan Ban (2007), Geeta: Maile Bujeka Kehi Kura (2016), Chintan, Manan, Adhyayan Garda Ramro Huncha Ki! (2009), and Shiva Mahimn Stotra (2016). He also published much in Sanskrit.

Chintan, Manan, Adhyayan Garda Ramro Huncha Ki!, which was published when Adhikari was 90, is a guide to duties one has to perform each day of the year to be successful. His literary works were influenced by ancient philosophers and religious scholars.

At the age of 13, Adhikari tied the knot with nine-year-old Ramadevi Acharya, a distant relative of Aadikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya’s descendants. The couple had two sons and four daughters. Growing up, Adhikari was strict with their education. Not just them, he also gave shelter to students from Lamjung who came to Kathmandu—until they found a proper hostel or room.

Upon his demise at the age of 101 at his Lainchaur residence, many Lamjung folks mourned the passing of the ‘Guardian of Duradanda’. He is survived by two sons and a daughter.