Shanti Mishra
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
22 June 1938
Shanti Mishra | |
|---|---|
शान्ति मिश्र | |
 | |
| Born | Shanti Shrestha 22 June 1938 Jhochhen, Kathmandu |
| Died | 15 May 2019 (aged 80) Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
| Education | MA (History, Library Science) |
| Alma mater | Vanderbilt University |
| Occupations | Lecturer, librarian, writer, translator |
| Known for | First Nepali female librarian |
| Spouse |
Narayan Mishra (m. 1970) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parents |
|
Shanti Mishra (née Shrestha; 22 June 1938 – 15 May 2019) was a Nepali lecturer, librarian, writer and translator.[1][2] She was the first Nepali female full-time lecturer and first Nepali female librarian. She was the first female librarian of Tribhuvan University Central Library. She also served as the founding director of PEN chapter of Nepal.[3]
Mishra was born on 22 June 1938 (7 Ashadh 1995 BS) in Jhochhen, Kathmandu, as the eldest daughter to father Janaki Lal Shrestha and mother Krishna Devi Shrestha. She had one younger brother and a younger sister.
She received her IA and BA degree from Scottish Church College, Calcutta and an MA degree in history from Calcutta University. In 1959, when the Tribhuvan University Central Library was established, she received an opportunity to study library science in USA. She received an MA degree in library science from George Peabody Library School, Vanderbilt University.[4]
Professional career
She returned to Nepal in 1962. She was appointed as the Chief Librarian of TU Central Library on 1 May 1963 (18 Baisakh 2020 BS). The library was initially at Tripureshwor and shifted to Kirtipur in 1967. During a visit by British educationalists in her tenure in 1969, the library was announced as "almost unique in Southeast Asia". The visit was covered by the BBC and the library became a token of pride in the country.[5] She worked in Tribhuvan University for three decades.[citation needed]
She, with her husband wrote a book on library science titled Pustakalaya Bigyan ko Ruprekha. The book was published in 2038 BS (1981-1982). She then wrote a memoir Voice of Truth: The Challenges and Struggles of a Nepalese Woman, depicting the hardships of a woman in South-Asia. The book was published in 1994. She also wrote Tri. Vi. Kendriya Pustakalaya ko Gaurabshali Kahani ra Hamro Sewa, a book on the history of TU Central library, co-written with her husband. She retired in 2049 BS (1992-1993).[4]
She also served as the Member-Secretary of the International Women's Year Committee of Nepal in 1975. She was one of the signing members for the establishment of the PEN chapter in Nepal alongside prominent writers such as Greta Rana, Toya Gurung, Ashesh Malla, Bhuwan Dhungana, Dhruba Chandra Gautam, etc. She served as the founding director of the PEN International Nepal.[6]
She also served as Chairman of Martin Chautari, Advisor to the Sancharika Samuha (Women Media Group), UNESCO Consultant for the construction of a modern library in Bhutan in 1985 and the Vice-Chairman of the Rudra Raj Pandey Sahitya Sewa Samiti. Mishra was also an honorary member of the United Nations Women's Organization and the Active Women of Nepal.[4]
Bibliography
- Pustakalaya Bigyan ko Ruprekha (transl. An overview of library science; 2038 BS (1981-1982), co-written with Narayan Mishra)
- Voice of Truth: The Challenges and Struggles of a Nepalese Woman (1994)
- A Widow's Gift (Novel, 2008)
- Tri. Vi. Kendriya Pustakalaya ko Gaurabshali Kahani ra Hamro Sewa (transl. Glorious Story of TU Central Library and Our Service; 2018, co-written with Narayan Mishra)
Translation
- Rupamati (1999, written by Rudra Raj Pande)
