Ram Prasad (1949-2015)

A PROMINENT OLD SETTLER OF SIKKIM

Late Ram Prasad (popularly known as Deojee Prasad), son of Lt. Deojee Prasad, born on January 28, 1949, passed away on  April 23, 2015. His Anthyesthi Kriya falls on May 9, 2015 (Saturday).

Ram Prasad began his schooling at Soldier’s Board school, located below Paljor Stadium Road, Gangtok, and then moved to Tashi Namgyal  Academy (TNA). At Soldier’s Board school his  Headmaster was Mr. Pradhan (father of Late M. K. Pradhan,  locally known as Khambu OC).  VN Langer, TNA’s most prominent Principal, headed the prestigious institution when Ram Prasad was a student there. His music teacher was Pariyar and his language teacher and also his favourite teacher was  Late Lobon Rinzing Lama of Kazi Road, Gangtok. His House Captain (House – D) was his favourite Agya, Late Sherap Palden of Tathangchen, Gangtok, who later became a minister in the Bhandari Cabinet (1979-1984).  

During his school days Ram Prasad was a good 100 meters runner and an excellent athlete. He was very fond of sports, especially football. He never missed a single football match from the 1st Governor’s Gold Cup to the last in 2014. His brother, Bijay Kumar Prasad, represented Sikkim’s 1st State football team at Santosh Trophy as a goalkeeper. He used to play football at the Palace ground in Tathangchen with the Late Crown Prince, Tenzing Namgyal.

Late in 1967, Ram Prasad got married to Late Shail Devi who belonged to Simchuthang (Manglay, near Yangang in South Sikkim.  Shail Devi was the great granddaughter of Sirju Ram and granddaughter of Nagina Ram and was the daughter of Ram Prasad Ram, who were a great businessmen of Manglay Busty, South Sikkim. Her ‘Meeth’ father was Namphrik Mondol of Ben-Namphrik, South Sikkim. Coincidently, Late Ram Prasad’s name and his father in-law’s name was the same.

 Ram Prasad is survived by two sons, Ajit Kumar Prasad and Amresh Kumar Prasad and four daughters . He also has two brothers, Bijay Kumar Prasad and Bikash Kumar Prasad, and three sisters.  His two grandsons are Raj Aryan Prasad and Raj Armaan Prasad.

 Ram Prasad’s great great grandfather was Lt. Dhanna Shah who first came to Sikkim in1850s and settled at Penlong, near Tashi View Point in North Sikkim. In Penlong  Dhanna Shah established himself as manufacturer and retailer of distilled liquor. This business was followed by his great grandfather Kali Charan Shah and his great grand uncle Babu Ram. Their descendants, Jibodhan Shah and Manobodh Shah, continued with the same business. A Trade License of 1930 issued by the Sikkim Durbar is a prized possession of the Prasad family. By 1930s the Prasads were not only the manufacturer and retailer of distilled liquor they also had the exclusive right to sell imported liquor in the Kingdom of Sikkim.

Later, Ram Prasad’s ancestors shifted to Singtam Bazaar in East Sikkim and opened a grocery shop. After the disastrous fire in Singtam Bazaar Ram Prasad’s family moved to Deorali Bazaar, below Gangtok, in 1954. Most of Ram Prasad’s family properties and valuable documents were burnt during the fire in Singtam.

The family properties in Singtam are presently managed by one of Ram Prasad’s cousins, Chandrika Prasad. After Ram Prasad began his business in Gangtok it was his cousin, Ram Naresh Prasad, who looked after the family’s Deorali business and properties.

Ram Prasad’s father Lt. Deojee Prasad and uncle Shivji Prasad opened a ration shop at Gangtok  Bazaar, now known as Mahatma Gandhi Marg. Late Deojee Prasad opened another shop under the name “Deojee Prasad Ram Prasad” (DR). Their business flourished and all of Kazi Road, Tathangchen and 80 % of government employees were their customers. The Prasad brothers even supplied ration to the Palace and also to those residing at J. N. Road and Yatung in Tibet.

Ram Prasad had a very successful life as a businessman. In the early 1990s he was the whole seller of rice, which was managed by himself and his father. Later he converted his business into travels and transportation agency under the name of “Plaza Tours & Travels” which was managed by himself and his two sons, Ajit Kr. Prasad and Amresh Kr. Prasad.

 Ram Prasad always looked for excellence, was well motivated and enthusiastic at whatever he did. In his travel and transportation business he was the first person to introduce luxury taxi and to make Toyota Innova Taxi popular in Sikkim.

 Ram Prasad was well known for his commendable contribution towards Sikkimese society. He was the Founder-President of Food Merchant Association of Sikkim. He was also the Vice-President of Sikkim Chamber of Commerce for more than 12 years. Ram Prasad was the Founder -Member of Bihari Kalyan Samiti. He was also one of the sponsors of Burial Graveyard in Ranipool, East Sikkim.

With his passing away Sikkim will miss one of the most prominent members of the former kingdom’s old settlers who mixed freely and friendly with all residents of the State.