No tribute could ever come close to adequately describing Siddhi Man Singh Basnyat’s achievements and accomplishments.
Your story is the greatest legacy that you will leave to your friends. It’s the longest-lasting legacy you will leave to your heirs. —Steve Saint
Siddhi Man Singh Basnyat, was a legend of Nepal. My Uncle (MaMa) was a Director of the Shikhar Insurance Company Limited, Former Deputy General Manager, Rashtriya Beena Sansthan, Former General Manager, Sagarmatha Insurance Company, Managing Director, NB Insurance Company.
As part of my undergraduate Economic study, I spend one summer working with him at the Ratriya Beema Sansthan in Kathmandu. During that time, I had opportunity to learn about his life and contribution he had made in Nepal. But during each visit to Nepal, I would make sure to visit him and get his blessings and listen his new jokes. He would say “May god bless you Bhangababu, it is so nice for you to visit the Oldman”.
The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. —William James
My MaMa was a mentor, friend, husband, father and grandfather— he lived a life of many roles and with many talents including his charming smile and corny jokes.
As author Peter Strople said “Legacy is not leaving something for people. It’s leaving something in people”.
Peter Strople
His family and friends remember him as a gentle soul who enjoyed telling jokes, smoking 555 cigarette and very dear friend of the Johnnie Walker. Every time, we met we had some social drink and talked about everything and anything.
All my friends call him MaMa (Uncle) as well, that is a typical Nepalese gesture of respect. In Nepalese culture my uncle becomes my friends’ uncle as well. That is one nice thing about Nepalese culture, I like, RESPECT for elders.
Born in Old Baneshowr, Kathmandu, Nepal, MaMa would ultimately become one of the most beloved and well-respected persons in Kathmandu. He was the pillar of his community and friends and family. Among other responsibilities fulfilled, he served on many profit and non-profit organizations as a board member. Known for his excellence in Insurance Business in Nepal, he was respected by all.
The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith. —Billy Graham
While his notoriety was great and his accolades numerous, for many in his community, he was a mentor and wise advisor of his pack, helping everyone who needed help. Approachable and authentic, he was available to his friends, family and community people to help anyway possible. He walked through this world with exceptional grace, strength, and wisdom. His friends and family were his preoccupation, the communities were his family, the world was his stage. He travelled the world with his insurance business.
Thank you for your prayers for his family and friends and especially for his two sons, Rajendra and Bijendra.
May you rest in eternal peace COMPASSIONATE and funny MaMa. We will miss your jokes and having social and enjoyable drink with you.
In memory of him and to keep his legacy alive, our family will be setting up a special scholarship for poor children in Nepal, maybe with this scholarship, we can educate and produce another Siddhi Man, who is kind, gentle and compassionate just like him.
The Asha Project 