'Lahure Ko Sangharsha' hits market

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 4: Lahure Ko Sangharsha (Struggle Of A Lahure), an autobiography of former British Gurkha Cham Bahadur Pun, has hit the local book stalls.

Co-authored and edited by journalist Amrit Bhadgaule, the book centres on the author’s dedicated service to Karbakeli region for two decades. Karbakeli is regarded as the totem (religious leader) of the Pun community. Ram Chan and Kul Chan, two sons of Karbakeli, are regarded as clan deities of the community. 

Kafaldanda, the birthplace of author Pun, is known as Karbakeli region of late. It is located in Annapurna Rural Municipality-8 of Myagdi district. Pun has dedicated his retired life to the renaissance of Pun community's identity. He served in the British Army for 15 years. Then after, served the sultan of Brunei for some years.

“Cham Bahadur is the leader of Karbakeli region's promotion,” Magsaysay winner Nepali scientist Mahabir Pun has written in the blurb, “He is an example that a Lahure can do much for his birthplace. His dedication inspires everyone to pay the debt of the  motherland.'

Journalist Bhadgaule speculated that if only a person like Cham Bahadur Pun was in every village, the country would get metamorphosised very soon. Bhadgaule has commented in the book, “He has incomparably contributed to the social, cultural and touristic development of the Karbakeli region. Eventually, the region has become an attractive destination for tourists.”

Cham Bahadur is not only a campaigner but also an artiste, writer and researcher. He has produced some Nepali films and acted as well. “He made a significant contribution to the development of the Punhill-Fulbari-Karbakeli- Beni Bazaar trail which is well known as Karbakeli Echo Trek,” journalist Surendra Rana commented in the book. “He is, in a real sense, a karmayogi who contributed to the construction of the gallery of Pun community in the critical time of COVID-19 lockdown.'

The autobiography has 164 pages and 34 sub-heads including The Beautiful Kafaldanda, My Rebellious Ancestors, I Could not Reply The Love Letter, After The Migration to England, The Beni Bazaar Of That Time, Karbakeli Echo Trek and The Unforgettable among others.