Born on 22nd September 1928, the fourth
son of Sh. Manbir Singh Rasaily, Financial
Secretary to His Highness, the Maharaja
of Sikkim, Sir Tashi Namgyal, Mr. M.M.
Rasaily studied upto Class IV at Sir Tashi Namgyal
High SChool and went to join Mt. Hermon School,
Darjeeling as a boarder, from where he completed
his Senior Cambridge in 1943. He pursued his B.Sc.
at St. Xaviers College, Calcutta and later shifted to
the Government College, Darjeeling, when they
introduced the subject Botany. Before going for his
higher studies he taught Science and Geography
at Sir Tashi Namgyal High School for sometime as
there was no subject teacher available at that time. From the year 1955-58 he underwent Higher
Forestry training at Indian Forest College, Dehradun.
After successful completion of his training he came
back and joined the Sikkim Forest Department as
Assistant Conservator of Forest on 1st of March 1960.
He became DFO, East when Sh. Arjan Singh was the
Conservator of Forest on deputation from Punjab.
He took the charge as Head of Forest Department
as Conservator of Forest after the tenure of Shri
Dakman Lama.
He served as a bureaucrat for 35 years. Working in
tandem with the vision of the 12th Chogyal of Sikkim,
His Highness, Palden Thondup Namgyal, he helped
to set up the State Trading Corporation of Sikkim,
the State Lottery (for aiding Development Plans),
the Sikkim Jewels, the Sikkim Time Corporation and
the Sikkim Supreme Factory at Singtam. At the time
of Chinese invasion in 1964 he was entrusted with
the work of Civil Defence Commissioner. He was
also the Auditor General of Sikkim till 1974. Overall,
during his tenure he held the responsibilities of
Auditor General as well as Secretaries of different
Departments like Trade, Industries and Commerce,
Tourism, Education, Motor Vehicle, Home and also
as Director Vigilance. He retired from the service in
1988 when he was posted as Home Secretary.
Apart from the committed service to Sikkim, he was
also involved in other activities. He was one of the
founding members of the Rotary Club in Sikkim.
He
was an avid footballer and played for the school
team, college team and also the town team which
consisted of officers serving the Chogyal of Sikkim. He accompanied the Chogyal Palden Thondup
Namgyal in his visits to Switzerland, UK and also Birendra of Nepal. He also helped strengthen the Sri
Satya Sai organization of Sikkim as its President and also
helped in designing and completion of the Sai Mandir at
Baluwakhani, Gangtok.
He was conferred the Denzong Thu ki Norbu (The
Jewel of Sikkim), the highest civilian award of the then
Kingdom of Sikkim. He received this award in the year
1974 from His Highness, the Chogyal Palden Thondup
Namgyal. He also conferred the Pema Dorjee medal, for
his dedicated service.
He retired from Government service in 1988 when he
was Additional Chief Secretary cum Home Secretary. He
now leads a quiet life reading and writing.
- Sangeeta Madan Rasaily (Daughter)
- SIKKIM FORESTRY : A 100 YEARS OF SERVICE
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