Dil Kumari Bhandari

Dil Kumari Bhandari (Nepali: दिल कुमारी भण्डारी) is a former and the first woman member of parliament (Lok Sabha) from Sikkim. She was also the president of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, an organization of the Indian Gorkhas till 2012. She has been constantly working for the cause of Nepali-speaking people, her most notable contribution being the inclusion of the Nepali language in the Eight Schedule of the Indian constitution.[1]

Dil Kumari Bhandari
Former Member of Parliament
In office
May 1985-27 November 1989; 20 June 1991 – 10 May 1996
Personal details
Born (1949-05-14) 14 May 1949
Bana Puttabong, Darjeeling, India
NationalityIndian
Political partySikkim Sangram Parishad
Spouse(s)Nar Bahadur Bhandari
ResidenceGangtok, Sikkim, India

Early life and education

Dil Kumari Bhandari was born on 14 May 1949 in the village of Bana Puttabong in Darjeeling district, India. She comes from a highly cultured and traditional Rai family. She studied up to pre- university level.[2] Dil Kumari was elected as a Member of Parliament from Sikkim twice from May 1985 to 27 November 1989 and from 20 June 1991 to 10 May 1996[3]

Career

She worked as a teacher, social worker and journalist.[4]

Political career

In 8th Lok Sabha elections of Sikkim in 1984, Nar Bahadur Bhandari swept the polls by securing 56, 614 seats out of 86, 024 seats. Dil Kumari Bhandari lost in this Assembly election. But Nar Bahadur Bhandari had to quit his seat in parliament, owing to the fact that he was elected to the State Assembly to become the chief minister of the state. As a result, a by- election was ordered in April 1985 wherein nine candidates including Dil Kumari Bhandari filed their nominations. But at the eleventh hour, everyone except Dil Kumari Bhandari, withdrew their nominations. As a result, she was declared elected unopposed and she served the Assembly till 27, November 1989.

In the 9th Lok Sabha election from Sikkim in year 1989, Dil Kumari Bhandari (Indian National Congress) winning only 28, 822 out of 1, 33, 699 seats while the winner, Nandu Thapa (Sikkim Sangram Parishad) won 91, 608 seats.[5]

In the 10th Lok Sabha election from Sikkim in year 1991, Dil Kumari Bhandari, who had returned to Sikkim Sangram Parishad, won the election by securing 1, 03, 970 votes from a total of 1,18, 502 valid votes, serving the assembly up to 20 June 1991.[6]

Personal life

She married Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who later became the chief minister of Sikkim, on 28 March 1968. She is the mother of a son and three daughters.[7]

Awards and recognition

The Sikkim Sewa Ratna for 2016, the second highest civilian award of the state, was conferred upon Dil Kumari Bhandari for her contribution in the inclusion of Nepali language in the Eight Schedule of the Indian constitution.[8]

She is also a recipient of Gaurav Award, from the Hamro Swabhiman.[9]

References
  1. "5 Parliamentarians Who Helped Sikkim Become a Flourishing State". Nelive. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  2. "Bio-Data of Member of X Lok Sabha". www.indiapress.org. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  3. http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok10/mp73.htm.
  4. "Bio-Data of Member of X Lok Sabha". www.indiapress.org. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  5. Lama, Mahendra P. (1994). Sikkim: Society, Polity, Economy, Environment. Indus Publishing. ISBN 9788173870132.
  6. Lama, Mahendra P. (1994). Sikkim: Society, Polity, Economy, Environment. Indus Publishing. ISBN 9788173870132.
  7. "Bio-Data of Member of X Lok Sabha". www.indiapress.org. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  8. "Sikkim Sewa Ratna conferred on 42nd State Day". India.com. Press Trust of India. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  9. "Gaurav Awardee | Hamro Swabhiman". hamroswabhiman.com. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
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