A saying is often repeated in Nepal\u2019s history: \u201cThe land cursed by Sati.\u201d History contains numerous episodes in which individuals who contributed to the country and society were subjected to neglect, conspiracies and tragic fates. Dalbir Singh Sunar of Surkhet is one such forgotten chapter of this paradox.<\/p>\n
Around five decades ago, Dalbir made extraordinary contributions to the development and infrastructure of Surkhet. His death occurred under mysterious circumstances, and discussion of his contributions gradually faded. Yet the bridges, equipment and infrastructure he built through his own skills, experience and creativity left an important mark on Surkhet\u2019s development journey.<\/p>\n
Limited Formal Education, Extraordinary Talent<\/strong><\/p>\n Born in Ratikhola of Dailekh in 1978 BS, Dalbir Singh Sunar had very little formal education. He studied only up to around Grade Three. However, the limitations of formal education could not restrain his talent.<\/p>\n Dalbir came to Surkhet from Dailekh with his father and began his life working as a blacksmith. While making iron tools, he continued to expand his skills. He could make everything from household agricultural tools such as spades, hoes and sickles to more complex equipment.<\/p>\n He had a natural tendency to find solutions to problems on his own. This creativity gradually transformed him from an ordinary blacksmith into a highly talented local inventor.<\/p>\n Dream of Building a Bridge over the Bheri<\/strong><\/p>\n Dalbir had witnessed firsthand the difficulties faced by local residents during the monsoon when the Bheri River became swollen and turbulent. Around 2019 BS, he therefore planned to build a suspension bridge over the river.<\/p>\n Despite the lack of financial resources and technical assistance, he relied on his own skills. He prepared long iron chains, wires and other materials himself. Local residents also helped erect the supporting structures and strengthen the bridge. Wooden planks were then placed to make the bridge suitable for pedestrians.<\/p>\n After constructing a bridge at Ranighat in Surkhet, he built a suspension bridge about 435 feet long over the Bheri River at Uttarganga. He later constructed bridges at Ramghat, Chigad Khola and other locations.<\/p>\n These bridges made transportation easier for local residents. Bridge construction not only became a defining part of his identity but also helped bring his talent to wider public attention.<\/p>\n Built a Roller for Surkhet Airport with His Own Ingenuity<\/p>\n Around 2020 BS, preparations were underway for King Mahendra\u2019s visit to Surkhet. Since Surkhet was not connected by road networks, construction of an airport was initiated. However, there was no way to transport a road roller needed to level the land.<\/p>\n Dalbir then came up with his own solution.<\/strong><\/p>\n Using a large sal tree log, he built a roller that could be pulled by people and loaded with additional weight. It helped level the ground during airport construction. The equipment, built using locally available resources, is said to have been preserved by the local army unit for a long time.<\/p>\n Local resources were also used to transport soil during the airport construction. Large bags made by stitching buffalo hides were used to carry soil.<\/p>\n Came to the Attention of King Mahendra<\/strong><\/p>\n Army officials in Surkhet informed King Mahendra about Dalbir\u2019s bridges, roller and other works. Impressed by his extraordinary talent as a local innovator, the King invited Dalbir to meet him.<\/p>\n During the meeting with the King, Dalbir received a reward of Rs 400. The meeting further strengthened his confidence.<\/p>\n Impressed by his talent and dedication, King Mahendra reportedly appointed him to a position at the District Panchayat, believing he could contribute to Surkhet\u2019s development. Although Dalbir had no formal engineering education, he was given responsibility as a sub-overseer based on his practical experience and skills.<\/p>\n From Bridges to Road Alignment<\/strong><\/p>\n After receiving a government position, Dalbir\u2019s field of work expanded further. Working with American Peace Corps volunteer Allen Fairbank, he contributed to the construction of suspension bridges over various streams in Dailekh.<\/p>\n According to the available accounts, he was directly involved in suspension bridge projects over Dhungeshwor Khola, Lohore Khola at Chupr\u0101, the source area of Chamghat Khola at Shirsthan and other locations.<\/p>\n He is also reported to have supervised the alignment of the motor road from Surkhet through Dailekh to Jumla and worked on the alignment of the Surkhet\u2013Nepalgunj road.<\/p>\n From Typewriters to Helicopters<\/strong><\/p>\n Dalbir\u2019s talents were not limited to bridges and roads. Accounts state that he could repair iron equipment, gold ornaments, guns, typewriters, Petromax lamps, watches, radios and communication devices.<\/p>\n On one occasion, the typewriter belonging to American Peace Corps volunteer Allen broke down. After examining it, Dalbir discovered that one of its teeth had broken. He went to his forge, made a replacement tooth and fitted it into the typewriter, after which it worked again.<\/p>\n In another incident, an army helicopter that had reached Taraghat in Dailekh broke down and could not fly. Dalbir was called to repair it. In a remote area where the necessary technical personnel were unavailable, he reportedly managed to bring the helicopter back into operation. Following this, he became known within the army unit as \u201cDalbir, who could even fix a helicopter.\u201d<\/p>\n His experimental abilities were further demonstrated when he built and operated a water-powered mill at Itram Khola in Surkhet.<\/p>\n An Inspiration Even for Foreign Technicians<\/strong><\/p>\n American citizen Allen Fairbank, who worked with Dalbir in Surkhet for four years, was reportedly impressed by his abilities. Allen regarded Dalbir\u2019s wife, Motisara, as his elder sister.<\/p>\n Even after completing his Peace Corps training, Allen returned to Nepal twice and stayed at Motisara\u2019s home in Surkhet. Their continued family relationship also highlights the human side of Dalbir\u2019s life.<\/p>\n Tasked with Making a Gift for the King<\/strong><\/p>\n During King Birendra\u2019s visit to western Nepal, Dalbir\u2019s talents were again utilized in preparations for the King\u2019s welcome in Surkhet. Then-army officer Aditya Shumsher Rana assigned him the responsibility of making the welcome gate, reception platform and a special gift for the King.<\/p>\n Dalbir spent around three months preparing the special gift. After the King\u2019s visit, he received a reward, while his son Shyamlal was also given an opportunity to join the Nepal Army.<\/p>\n But the family\u2019s happiness did not last long.<\/p>\n Mysterious Death at the Age of 52<\/strong><\/p>\n In Baisakh 2030 BS, Dalbir had traveled to Badepip\u0101l in Surkhet for government work. He had been assigned to a suspension bridge project over the Bheri River there. On the night of Baisakh 19, he went to sleep.<\/p>\n The following morning, he was not found in his bed. After a search, his body was discovered hanging from a tree at a chautara near Bageshwori School in Badepip\u0101l.<\/p>\n Following the incident, many suspected that his death was not suicide but murder. However, the case was not investigated thoroughly due to a lack of sufficient evidence. Eventually, his death was recorded as suicide.<\/p>\n Questions about the cause of his death remain even today.<\/p>\n Accounts also mention that Dalbir had previously been involved in a dispute with some individuals over the alignment of the Surkhet\u2013Nepalgunj road. He had reportedly refused pressure to alter the alignment to serve certain interests. Some time later, his body was found hanging.<\/p>\n Even the King\u2019s Order Was Not Implemented<\/strong><\/p>\n After Dalbir\u2019s death, his family faced an even greater crisis. They had no permanent house and insufficient land, making it difficult to support the family.<\/p>\n His wife Motisara later sent a petition to King Birendra with the help of others. According to accounts, the King ordered that Dalbir\u2019s family be provided with land for a house free of charge and financial assistance for construction.<\/p>\n But the order was never implemented.<\/p>\n Although the order reportedly reached the administrative authorities and District Panchayat officials at the time, the family received neither land nor funds to build a house. There are also allegations that Motisara, who was illiterate, was asked to put her thumbprint on documents but never received the actual benefits of the land or financial assistance.<\/p>\n Motisara raised her children under difficult circumstances. She died in 2059 BS.<\/p>\n A Name Forgotten by History<\/strong><\/p>\n Today, many of Dalbir Singh Sunar\u2019s descendants are no longer alive. As his surviving family members and grandchildren have grown older, direct memories of his contributions have gradually faded.<\/p>\n Yet his contributions to Surkhet\u2014from bridges, roads and airport construction to the invention and repair of various types of equipment\u2014remain worthy of remembrance.<\/p>\n Although he had limited formal education, the work he accomplished through experience, skill and curiosity can be viewed in today\u2019s terms as an outstanding example of local innovation and applied science.<\/p>\n The story of Dalbir Singh Sunar is not merely the biography of an individual. It also raises the question of how talented people who lack opportunities can disappear from the pages of history.<\/p>\n Nearly five decades later, bringing his life story back into public discussion is not simply about providing land or a house to his family. The deeper question is: Have we given Dalbir Singh Sunar, who devoted his life to the development of Surkhet, the recognition he deserves?<\/p>\n It is time for Surkhet and Dailekh to consider remembering his contributions, establishing an honor or memorial in his name, and passing his story on to a new generation.<\/p>\n Because history does not belong only to those who made decisions in royal palaces. Sometimes, the hands that shape history are those of an uneducated worker striking iron at a blacksmith\u2019s forge.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A saying is often repeated in Nepal\u2019s history: \u201cThe land cursed by Sati.\u201d History contains numerous episodes in which individuals who contributed to the country and society were subjected to neglect, conspiracies and tragic fates. Dalbir Singh Sunar of Surkhet is one such forgotten chapter of this paradox. Around five decades ago, Dalbir made extraordinary […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":44,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/en.samatakhabar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Basant-bk.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.samatakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.samatakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.samatakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.samatakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.samatakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=42"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/en.samatakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45,"href":"https:\/\/en.samatakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42\/revisions\/45"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.samatakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/44"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.samatakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=42"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.samatakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=42"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.samatakhabar.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=42"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}