KC PRADHAN

A JEWEL IN THE CROWN OF NEWAR COMMUNITY

                                            

Shri KC Pradhan, who has also served Sikkim as its Chief Secretary, and a respected plants man, is the first Indian and only the third Asian to receive the prestigious Veitch Memorial Medal of the Royal Horticulture Society, United Kingdom.

The Royal Horticultural Society conferred this prestigious award to Shri Pradhan for the year 2011. The awards ceremony was held on July 04 2011, at the Hampton Court Palace- Premiere Flower Show- the largest flower show in the world. Shri K.C.Pradhan however did not travel to England due to ill health, and the award, which was presented by Princess Alexandra, was received on his behalf by of the the Royal Horticultural Society. BBC had covered the awards ceremony live, on its BBC 2 channel.

The Veitch Memorial Medal (VMM) was instituted in the year 1870 in the memory of James Veitch of Chelsea in the United Kingdom. The Royal Horticultural Society, formed in 1804 is UK’s foremost gardening charity. The VMM is a prestigious prize given annually by the Royal Horticulture Society to persons of any nationality who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement and improvement of science and practice of horticulture.

In a more detailed introduction to Shri K.C. Pradhan, the Royal Horticulture Society states: “Keshab Pradhan saw eco-tourism as an engine of economic growth in Sikkim, India, and made the country special as a tourist destination. Amongst his many roles he also played an important part in developing the flower growing industry of the region and was Chief of Forest Services in Sikkim, retiring as Chief Secretary to the Government. Keshab had devoted the last 18 years of his life to gardening, disseminating his knowledge of nature conservation and floriculture, and has written three books.”

In 2003 the American Rhododendron Society (ARS) conferred upon Shri KC Pradhan the “Gold Medal Award” and in 2005 with the “Pioneer Achievement Award”. Along with this he was also presented a citation which read:” As Sikkim’s Chief Forester, your early recognition that the unique forest and mountain resources in Sikkim of rhododendrons and alpine plants are finite, made you a pioneer in environmental awareness. ...In this endeavour you become a pioneer in what today is known as eco-tourism. …You have gained the respect and thanks of a worldwide fellowship of Rhododendron lovers.”

Shri KC Pradhan’s finest hours were, as per the book “The Life and Times of a Plantsman in the SIKKIM HIMALAYAS” authored by Shri  Pradhan, was when an eminent Japanese botanist Professor Hiroshi Hara, had given the name Impatiens pradhanii to a new plant found by Shri Pradhan, and when The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling presented to Mrs Sonia Gandhi, a new orchid hybrid developed by Shri KC Pradhan and named it Brassolaeliocattleya Miraya, after her granddaughter, Miraya Vadra Gandhi

Shri Keshab Chandra Pradhan, lovingly addressed as KC Pradhan, was born in 1935 at Pacheykhani, to Rai Sahib Bhim Bahadur Pradhan, who headed the Forest Department of Sikkim for more than three decades. At a tender age of 10, when children his age are fond of comic books, Keshab knew the Latin names of all the orchids in his father’s garden.

Shri K.C. Pradhan’s  ancestors entered Sikkim after they escaped the Massacre that took place in 1846 at the kot (fort) adjacent to his family establishment at Makhan Tol, Kathmandu. His grandfather Chandrabir Kasaju, was born at Inacho Tol, Bhaktapur, in Nepal. Chandrabir, followed his legendary Taksari Laxmidas Pradhan to Sikkim, who was a successful merchant dealing in silk and brocades, but was compelled to flee Nepal after all the Nobles he had dealings with, were killed.

Shri KC Pradhan’s wife Shanti  comes from an army family. Her father, Lt.Col. Tulsi R. Pradhan, took part in the war in Burma in 1943, and later commanded the 4^th Gurkha regiment as well as the 17^th Assam Rifles. She started her career as a teacher, her first love, before tying the knot with KC Pradhan and later joined the government of Sikkim. She has a master’s degree from the State University of Connecticut, USA, and has served the government of Sikkim in various capacities.

Shri KC Pradhan’s first assignment in his 34 year long cherished career was as an Assistant Conservator of Forests with the government of Sikkim. He graduated from the prestigious Indian Forests College in Dehra Dun in 1959, and also had a stint at the Yale School of Forests, in New Haven, USA.  During his long tenure of 34 years in government services Pradhan headed various departments, like Tourism, Home, Education, and Finance. He served two years as the Chief Secretary and reached the pinnacle of  bureaucracy as Advisor to the government before retiring on July 1993.

In April 07, 2008 the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling honoured him with the State Award for his outstanding and life-time contribution in the field of floriculture and horticulture in Sikkim. The Chief Minister remarked that this recognition is something which has to be earned and cannot be purchased.

. The newar community is very proud that it has given them an eminent and towering personality like Shri Keshab Chandra Pradhan who is an Institution himself, with years of vast experience. A strong pillar Shri Pradhan helps, guides, blesses and encourages the community always. He lives a life of solace and serenity amongst his plants and trees, overlooking the Rumtek monastery in the distance. The closer looks to his beautiful flowers and trees in all its magnificent splendour, in his vast gardens and fruit orchards, centres his thoughts around his decision to “honour the past, imagine the future and keep marching on…” for the rest of his life.

Bibliography: 1.sikkimnow 4 July 2011

                       2.matina Feb 2009  book review by kesar lal shrestha

                      3.life and times of a plantsman in the Sikkim Himalayas by kc pradhan.