UDAYA CHANDRA VASISTHA - A SANSKRIT LEGEND OF SIKKIM

Shri Udaya Chandra Vasistha (Bhandari) born and bought up at small hamlet of Tarpin Busty of Rhenock, East Sikkim who was born on January 1, 1930 on the lap of Father  Late Chhabilal Vasistha and Mother Late Naramaya Vasistha . He was widely acclaimed since his school days in his area with good academic progress. Mr. Vasistha had done is Vedantacharya from Varanaseya Sanskrit University in 1958 AD,  Hindi Visarad (Graduate) in literature and Vyakaran Madhyama from Uttar Pradesh, Bachelor of Arts from Varanasi (Banaras) in 1959 AD, BT from Calcutta in 1961-62 AD. Besides served as a institutional head of different schools viz. Headmaster of Government High School, Namchi South Sikkim from 1960- 70, Headmaster, Government High School, Central Pandam ,East Sikkim, Headmaster, Rhenock Government High School, East Sikkim and with his highly academic and literary background in Sanskrit later he was deputed as a  Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Ecclesiastical Department ,Government of Sikkim,Gangtok.1990-1993.

He was actively involved with different social organization in and around and nominated as a President for  Tirtha Yatra Samiti, President Pushpanjali Samiti, President of various religious committees besides he was also a Member Secretary of Sikkim Khadi and Village Industries Board, Gangtok, Sikkim.

Mr. Vasistha literary works had defined himself as a living Sanskrit Legend of Sikkim with his some listed works like  Shrimad Bhagawad Maha Puran Nepali Sarsangraha–Translated from Sanskrit into Nepali language, Astawakra Geeta –Translated from Sanskrit into Nepali, The Festivals of Sikkim–all the festivals mostly observe in Sikkim by Brahamin, Chhetri Tamang, Bhutia, Lepcha, Newar, Rai and other ethnic groups mostly following Hindu ,Buddhist, Christian ,Kirat and other communities of Sikkim, Sukti Sudha (Own Creation)-Nepali Poem , The Ninth Incarnation of Lord Buddha-Nepali Prose, Yog Sandarpika –Nepali Prose, Garur Puran with scientific reasons of the Hindu rituals, Jeevan Chintan- detail of life history of  Mr.U C Vasistha in poetic form, Bal Geeta –Collection of  hymns (shlok) from Geeta with translation in Nepali targeted to give knowledge to school children which is not published yet.

Shri U C Vasistha has helped the Government of Sikkim for establishment Vishwa Vinayak Temple in Rhenock and many more in different places in Sikkim, Sanskrit College in Gayzing,West Sikkim, Sanskrit Pathsalas including examination Centres recognized by Sampurnananda Sanskrit University and Rastriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi. He worked as the President and Secretary in different respected institutions and organizations like  Gayatri Gyan Vidya Pith, Tirtha Yatra Samiti, Bhanubhakta Memorial Organization etc. He has participated in Vedic Yagya, Preaching’s for social reformation of society, religion and literature.

Shri U.C. Vasistha with his wife

On his prolong contribution for the development of Nepali Language and Literature , he was awarded by Nagarik Manch as “ Antarrastriya Nagarik Swarna Samman “ ,All Assam Gorkha Sammelan and Felicitations  by different organizations, “Bhanu Puraskar” a prestigious Literary Award given every year in the auspicious occasion of Bhanu Jayanti which is nominated by panel of judges from Nepali Sahitya Parisad Sikkim of Government of Sikkim, Declared as “Aathaun Shikhar Purush” by Cultural Department , Government of Sikkim and Sahitya Sammelan and many more awards from various renowned organizations for his great contribution in the field of literature and Sanskrit as a specialty. Moreover, he has many articles still left to publish which can be a great contribution for the society .

Mr. Vasistha is survived by four children two daughters and two sons. Mrs. Vasistha  was also an elected Panchayat Member and served the post for 15 years with strong support from him. Memorable moments which are counted in Mr. Vasistha was when he got rewarded with Antarrastriya Nagarik Swarna Samman from Nagarik Manch Nepal in the same time he got an honor by Nepal Pragya Pratisthan by then President Dr.Basudev Tripathee. In the same time of his visit to Nepal he got an invitation by then King Gyanedra in Sheetal Niwas his residence for tea party. Those days were really honorable and enjoyable for Mr. Vasistha. He also accepted invitation from Chief District officer Mr.Gehanath Bhandari to visit Bhaktapur and Nagarkot with family.

To name a few he used to be a teacher for various renowned personalities of Sikkim which includes the likes of Former Chief Minister of Sikkim Nar Bahadur Bhandari, Sanchaman Limboo, D.D. Bhutia, Late Athup Lepcha, Late Tulsi Ram Kashyap and many more. 

[Compiled by Suresh K . Lama of Majhitar, East Sikkim as per information received from Mrs. Samjhana Dhakal daughter of Shri. U.C. Vasistha who is already settled and married at Kathmandu , Nepal . Readers can get him in sureshlama@yahoo.com] Published in 18th August 2013 Sunday Sikkim Express Daily.