Biography: Havildar Aaita singh Gurung

Interpreted by: Dev Gurung

DOB:  1912 AD

Gurung Star sign (Lho): Tiger

Date of Retirement : 1940 AD (Board Pension)

Eldest son of Late Subedar Indra Bir Gurung, Late Aaita Sing Gurung, resident of Thanamaula VDC-7, was born in city of Abbotabad knowan as Haptawaz in gurkhali circle in Pakistan ( then India) on 1912 AD.  He was brought up and schooled in India, and was recruited in Indian army in a tender age. After serving ten years in Indian army, he was retired by a medical Pension Board as a Sergeant, and went back to his village in Nepal. Then, the importance of education was not known to the people, especially to the people of rural areas. One who can work more, better he is, was the perception of the people.  Even in that kind of critical situation he gathered children  of the village, and started educating them at his home, which he gained during his stay in India. The young boys of the village would work during the day and go to gain education at his house at night. Slowly, the number of student started escalating and he was compelled to move to Khalte Dadda (hill) where a big Pipal tree is stationed. During that period lots of youths were also attracted to get recruited in the British and Indian army, and Singapore Police. He then, started giving a primary fitness exercise to the interested ones, which was needed to serve in the army. The education and the basic fitness exercise which he provided to the young villagers showed an outstanding performance in their army carrier, and his credit for their success cannot be ignored.

Since the worth of education was misunderstood by the villagers, they were always against the education and also blamed him that he spoilt their children. Even in that kind of hard situation he didn’t step back but he gave continuity for his objective. He also encouraged his students to participate in extracurricular activities and also originated a team for cultural performances. This cultural group groomed themselves and even welcomed and performed their beautiful songs and dances for the ones, who came back home from the foreign employment for a holiday. The money which was collected through the performances footed for a 3 day long picnic in a Byate khet (nursary field) along with the villagers annually. The motive behind this picnic was to unite the people of the village and to entertain them at the same time.

About 2012 B.S, after the  cruel and currupt regime of Rana’s was over, he held a meeting at Khalte Danda’s Pipal Tree, for the construction of School building. Villagers agreed on the  erection of school building but the problem aroused because of inadequate land for the school. Eventually the problem was solved when Tari’s Baje (Grandfather) agreed to donate a land ( where the school is situated ant the moment) for  the school. It is said that he got his vision back after he donated the land for the school. The construction of school house got started, soon after the land being received.

After completion of school building, Aita Sing himself, and Jaga Nath Pant started teaching to the students in the new building. The school was named as a  shree Krishna primary school, yet was not authorised by the educational board. The education of the school got popular and there was an accretion in the numbers of students. The administration of the school was looking for a new teacher and finally one of the teachers from Palpa, Mr. Pritam Bahadur Adhikari was brought to teach the students, in an agreement of monthly wages, and ration (food).

The school ran smoothly with the help from ex and serving soldiers from british and indian army be it financial or the necessary equipments and stationary

During 2016 BS Mr. Ganesh Bahadur Gurung (Campus Chief) of Thana Maula, submitted a written appeal to the Late king Mahendra, who was for a nationwide visit, for the approval of the name of the school and also some financial support from the government, which were  subsequently sanctioned. And the Shree Krishna Primary school was renamed as Jana Jyoti  Nimna Madhyamik (Lower secondary) Vidhyalaya.

Late Aaita Singh Gurung migrated from Khalte to Pokhara in the year 2017 BS,  most probably the first one to migrate from Khalte to Pokhara. He actively got involved in social work while he was in Pokhara. He acted as a bridge between villagers, who served in an Indian army and Indian Pension Camp, and always helped villagers, who had a problem with their pensions. He was always against the injustice and unfairness. After democracy, Tamu dhee, Pokhara was formed and he was also a life member of the organisation. Unfortunately, the founder of the school, an education lover passed away on 2057 BS, Falgun 2nd at his home in Pokhara, Naya bazar at the age of 89. Although, he is gone, we cherish his memories.