What’s nerdier than wishing the second wedding anniversary to my partner by releasing the acknowledgment section of my doctoral dissertation online? So, here it is in full.
Several individuals have made my dissertation possible, and I pay my sincere gratitude to all of them, beyond the names mentioned below. As a researcher, I am indebted to all my research interlocutors who gave me their precious time, shared their thoughts and energy, and made me a part of their lives. I am especially grateful to all the maiju and mama for all the laughs we shared and tears we shed together.
The thorough guidance by my supervisor A/P Kelvin E.Y. Low over the years has made this dissertation possible. I am thankful I could work with Prof. Kelvin who tirelessly guided me, read my drafts, talked to me, consoled me, gave me ideas and hope, and patiently watched me grow.
The detailed and constructive comments from A/P Eric Thompson and Dr. Adelyn Lim on the draft have given me a direction in finalizing this dissertation and food for thought for future publications. I am also thankful to A/P Sidharthan Maunaguru and Dr. John Prabhu Solomon for their close guidance and suggestions on key ideas that laid the foundation of this research. The interactive sessions with both were enlightening. I am also grateful I could talk to Dr. George Radics, Dr. Chitra Venkataramani, Dr. Emily Chua, Prof. Vineeta Sinha, A/P Elaine Lynn-Ee Ho, Dr. Kamalini Ramdas, Dr. Ivan Kwek, Dr. Lou Antolihao, A/P Maribeth Erb, A/P Narayanan Ganapathy, Prof. Syed Farid Alatas, and Prof. Volker Smidt about and beyond my research. I thank Ms Raja for her patience and constant support.
I pay my gratitude to Gaumaya Gurung and Puspa Sunuwar Koinch for making my online presence possible during and post(?)-Covid. I always cherish our friendship. Knowing [the incredible] Bhawana Limbu and sharing many insights helped my fieldwork and writing. I also thank all the ‘Maiju ko Chautari’ and ‘Project Together’ volunteers, especially Roshni Gurung, Sushila Thapa didi, and Anusha. Lex Limbu and Binod Dhoj Khadka escalated my virtual presence and helped me grow ample connections for interviews. I thank everyone who supported me through social media and elsewhere. Dhiraj Ghotane always motivated me with his passion.
I am thankful to the Gurkha Memorial Museum (GMM) and all its staff for their generosity and kind support. The guidance by GMM Chair Major Yam Bahadur Gurung helped me walk through the archive with ease.
The charm of Amrit Kumar Bhandari made me feel at home in Pokhara. Cheers to the zillion cups of coffee and tea we shared together! Also, I read somewhere: ‘it is completely fine to include “coffee” in your acknowledgment,’ and here, I am doing that – thank you, coffee! The tireless work of transcribing done by Pushpa Gurung made my life a lot easier. She deserves a special mention also for taking me to Lamjung and introducing me to the Gurung culture and her amazing extended family and kin. There were a few more people who helped me find a home in Pokhara: Shashi aunty, Khima Gurung didi, my landlord’s family, Sabitri Gautam didi, Manish Kunwar, Anisha, Abinash, Bikash, and Jhalak Subedi, among others.
Dristy Gurung’s presence made Pokhara fun. Although we could not go for long treks together, I am thankful for our everyday walks over innumerable laughter and frustrations.
Hari Sharma’s occasional phone calls were not just to check on how I was doing but also came with tips about Gurkha women. His mentorship over the years has been illuminating. The guidance of Pratyoush Onta, Suresh Dhakal, Deepak Thapa, Bandita Sijapati, Rajendra Pradhan, Soumyadeep Banerjee, Lea Sgier, Nadia Jones Gailani, Jeevan Raj Sharma, Navin Rawal, among others has shaped the academic in me. Janak Rai taught me how to maintain academic and personal humility.
I am always grateful to a special group of people—Manjari, Roojaa, Amrita, Sampreety, Neha, Dawa, Kranti, Prashanta, Promina, Swagat dai. To Rekha di, who has seen it all closely. And to Pratikshya, Lipy, Bindiya, Utsav, Udayan, Prabesh, Kamala didi, Sugat, Luja, and scores of people from ICIMOD who made me dance. Thank you Ujjwol for being a constant and for your unconditional friendship. I am indebted to Ashmita for her warmth. I am thankful to Asha Lata Devi for her unlimited selflessness and innocence. (Sorry for missing your wedding, Lata!)
I also thank everyone at CESLAM/Baha/ASD for all their kind support and guidance, especially Ajaya Subedi, Rita Bhujel, Jagadish Aryal, Jivan Baniya, Arjun Kharel, and Sadikshya Bhattarai. I am thankful to the Martin Chautari team, especially Rukh Gurung, Aman Garu, and Ramesh Parajuli for their academic support. I am grateful for the mentorship of Avash Piya and Premila Tamang (van Ommen). Thanks to Sangharsha Dai for checking on me regularly.
Several people made Singapore home too. Prashant Mainaly and Shaleen Khanal have seen both highs and lows. Pradeep Gautam with his wide smile always cheered me up. Andrew, Veronica, Chen Ying, Chern Yin, Radhika C, Radhika S, Shuya, Liuyan, Aarthi, Tiffany, Wen Li, Shrestha, Suraj, Meera, and Mohini at NUS made me grow both academically and personally.
Vaishali has always been a support system and confidant. Although she is away, she has closely seen my struggles and shared my happiness.
Khem dai’s regular ‘k chha Sharma ji?’ kept me thinking about my work and kept me going. He has closely watched over me and regularly checked if I was doing okay. He has made me read, question and edit, and edit, and edit. Thank you, Khem dai, for everything! We shall have many hikes together.
Baa, Aama have seen me do things that have amused them. I will continue to make them proud. The warmth of Nani, Jwai, and Bibek Dai has made life beautiful. Samyak, Serena, Anoma, Sophia, and Samarth have shown me hope. Thank you, Maa, Hajurbaa, and Hazuraama for all your blessings. Baba, Mommy, Sashwot, Arjun have remained as pillars.
Soni Khanal has been my best friend, support system, confidant, mentor, life-coach, motivator, and whatnot. Had she not sat across the table watching me over, my writing would have drifted with the way-more-frequent-than-required number of breaks I take. Although she was busy with her own work, she ensured that I kept track of time and writing. She gave me hope when I had lost it. She provided the much-needed kicks when I was feeling low. Soni has seen me drift in confusion, she has seen me find my eureka moments, she has seen me laugh, and she has seen me cry. But amidst all that, she trusted in me. Thank you for showering me with love, Soni! You are incredibly amazing! I love you!
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