Tejeswor Babu Gongah: Committed to excellence

Tejeswor Babu Gongah, whose life reflects an unwavering commitment to education, culture, and public service, was born in Bhaktapur, Nepal in 1935. His early life was shaped by the natural environment–one with open space and no urban constraints–and the socio-political changes taking place at the time. He was raised by his maternal uncle who played a significant role in his early education. 

In 1940, when he was just five years old, his parents followed a traditional cultural practice. Children were given five freshly harvested rice grains without letting them touch their tongues. This practice was believed to bring knowledge and wisdom. Gongah ate the rice grains. This ritual was believed to ensure that he would become a learned and highly educated person.

Gongah started his formal education at the Bhaktapur English School, which later became Shree Padma High School. During this time, political changes were taking place in Nepal. In 1946, Prime Minister Padma Shamsher ascended the throne and transformed the school into a high school. These early years also marked a period of political awakening for Gongah.

During the height of the anti-Rana struggle, congress leaders came to speak at his school, criticizing the Rana regime for denying people their educational rights. Gongah recalls the moment vividly, though he was too young to understand the intricacies of politics. “We were told we would get free snacks and once we reached, they were giving the speech and we were forced to listen to them,” he says. He recalls wondering about the congress party, asking himself questions like, “Do they have three legs? Do they have horns?” He was fascinated but unaware of the true nature of the political discourse happening around him.

In 1948, Gongah moved to Kathmandu and continued his studies at JP High School. One of his teachers was Sarada Prasad Upadhyay, brother of the famous politician Surya Prasad Upadhyay. In 1953, after completing his School Leaving Certificate (SLC), Gongah enrolled at Tri Chandra Multiple Campus for his intermediate studies in arts. During his time at college, Gongah discovered his passion for teaching. He later worked as a headmaster there for three years. He also taught English at Shanker Dev Campus. 

His role at Shanker Dev Campus also coincided with his involvement in teaching Nepal Bhasa (Newar language), a skill that garnered significant attention. The General Secretary of Shanker Dev Campus approached him to teach Nepal Bhasa, as there was increasing pressure to preserve the language. Gongah happily accepted the offer and taught the language for around four years. His deep connection to his cultural roots made this an enriching experience.

As his career progressed, he transitioned into a government position as a section officer. However, his thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there. In pursuit of further education, Gongah traveled to the US to study Cultural Anthropology, a field that fascinated him. In America, he encountered a new academic environment. He found that success there was often linked to one’s ability to discuss ideas and engage in academic debate. 

His time in the US proved to be a transformative experience. Despite facing some initial challenges, such as being looked down upon by some peers for coming from a developing country, he persevered. He spent hours in the library, diligently studying the systems, cultures, and languages of his new environment. His efforts paid off when one of his professors, impressed by his academic rigor, publicly praised Gongah in class for preparing exceptional research notes. “I still have all the term papers that I had prepared at that time,” says a visibly emotional Gongah.

Over time, Gongah gained the respect of his peers, who began offering him help and support. They would bring him blankets, clothes, and provide transportation to and from his apartment. He also delivered numerous speeches and wore traditional Nepali attire, including the Dhaka topi (Nepali traditional hat), which helped him retain a sense of his cultural identity while abroad.

After returning to Nepal, Gongah resumed his role in the government service and continued to work in the training sector, imparting knowledge to new recruits. He was also entrusted with the position of training chief. His dedication to training and mentoring new generations of officers marked the continuation of his commitment to education.

Despite his deep engagement in public service and education, he has never been interested in active politics. Although he has witnessed many political changes in Nepal, from the fall of the Rana regime to the political turmoil and the rise of democracy, he has always preferred to focus on his work rather than getting involved in political activism. Instead, he has always been captivated by the rich culture of Nepal, which has greatly influenced his work and personal life.

He also served as the first elected president of the Bhaktapur Bidhyarthi Sangh (Bhaktapur Student Union) where he had the opportunity to meet many prominent poets and intellectuals, including the legendary Laxmi Prasad Devkota. “When I was preparing for my SLC exam, he was one of my tutors,” says Gongah.

He was deeply influenced by Devkota and attributes much of his writing style to Devkota’s influence. “He was a fluent English speaker and he spoke for nearly one hour when he visited the Soviet Union to participate in an international youth festival held in Bucharest in Romania. I was enthralled,” says Gongah. He adds Devkota was friendly and approachable despite his stature as a literary giant.

Throughout his life, Gongah has maintained a close relationship with the royal family. He worked closely with King Birendra and was frequently invited to brief the monarch on various government projects even after his retirement. 

In addition to his work in the government sector and academia, he is also a prolific writer. He began writing for Gorkhapatra when he was quite young and his articles earned him recognition. He was paid Rs 20 per article and Gongah confesses that he didn’t know you could get paid to write before that. He says his proficiency in English, honed during his time in the US, enabled him to write fluently and effectively. He continues to contribute to newspapers and engage in cultural and educational discourse through his writing.

He remains a respected figure in Nepal, admired for his work in education, culture, and public service. Even today, he continues to inspire those around him with his passion for knowledge, his commitment to excellence, and his deep respect for Nepal’s rich cultural heritage.