Often, all it takes is just a few words, one story — one honest appeal — to change the course of someone’s life. That is exactly what happened when an article published in The Shillong Times shed light on the silent suffering of Shri Bir Bikram Thapa, an acclaimed yet long-forgotten Gorkha writer, painter and poet from Meghalaya.
The article, written by the founder of this website– Indiangorkha.com, was not just a call for help — it was a call to remember, to recognize, and to rally around someone who had given the community so much through his words, yet had quietly faded from the public eye.
And the response was overwhelming!
The story struck a deep chord across the Indian Gorkha community. Within hours, the response was overwhelming. People from Barapathar area-Shillong and nearby localities came forward, visited him, and offered emotional support. For someone who had spent a lifetime contributing to Nepali literature, it was a long-overdue embrace from the very people he had once written for.
Upon following up, we were informed that the Zila Sainik Welfare Officer also visited him. The Gorkha Training Centre (GTC) also took note. In what felt like poetic justice, his long-pending ECHS and CSD cards—essential for accessing healthcare and basic facilities for ex-servicemen—were processed and handed over to him by GTC officials in a matter of 2 days! For years, bureaucratic delays and silence had left him without access to the very systems meant to support him. But this time, a story changed
In a personal call to our founder, Shri Thapa expressed his deep gratitude. What moved us most was his decision to return the funds that were being collected by concerned individuals for his care. He said his needs were now being met, thanks to the renewed attention and action from the community and authorities.
What touched us even more deeply was a public post he made on his personal Facebook page, thanking the founder of Indian Gorkha for helping shine a light on his condition. Link to post
As we reflect on this incredible turn of events, we’re reminded of why we started Indian Gorkha in the first place—to tell stories that matter, to connect communities through truth and empathy, and to honour those who have shaped our history and culture.
Shri Bir Bikram Thapa is more than a writer. He is a living archive of our shared history—one who carried the voice of our people through literature and art when very few were listening. His paintings, poetry, and prose continue to be studied by scholars across Sikkim, North Bengal, and Assam.
This follow-up is not just a story of what happened next—it’s a reminder that our stories, when penned with the right intentions, can change lives. The founder would like to thank each and everyone who forwarded the news article to their contacts and ignited a chain reaction. A special thanks to Mr. Roshan Rai and to each and everyone who helped. Thank you for rekindling our belief in the power of honest words. This is why indiangorkha.com exists.
Your kindness reminded us that community isn’t just a word—it’s action.
Want to write for us? Reach out to us at indiakogorkha@gmail.com!