Detailed List of Famous People from Darjeeling District
A comprehensive guide to notable personalities from Darjeeling District
Agam Singh Giri
WriterAn Indian lyricist and poet who composed in the Nepali language, Agam Singh Giri originated from Darjeeling, West Bengal. His lifetime spanned from the 27th of December, 1927, until his passing on the 31st of January, 1971.
Ambica Shrestha
HotelierServing as the president of Dwarika's Hotels and Resorts up until her passing, Ambica Shrestha (12 February 1933 – 18 July 2024) was a highly acclaimed Nepalese hotelier. Furthermore, she stood as a pivotal figure dedicated to the safeguarding of Nepal's cultural heritage.
Aruna Lama
SingerLeaving an indelible mark as one of the best singers in Nepali music, Aruna Lama (9 September 1945 – 4 February 1998) is popularly known as the 'Nightingale of the Hills'. Hundreds of Nepali songs, including some for Nepali film, were sung by this Indian-born Nepali language vocalist from Darjeeling.
Asit Rai
WriterIn 1981, the Sahitya Akademi Award was received by Asit Rai for his novel, *Naya Kshitij Ko Khoj*. Hailing from India's Darjeeling district, he is a novelist and writer in the Nepali language.
Chandra Kishore Shrestha
Community MotivatorBelonging to the Indian Gorkha community and hailing from the Darjeeling hills of India, Chandra Kishore Shrestha is a widely recognized community motivator, lyricist, film scriptwriter, theater activist, journalist, political analyst, social thinker, social worker, and dramatist.
Chokila Iyer
Indian DiplomatAn Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1964 batch, Chokila Iyer is an Indian diplomat and civil servant. The role of Ambassador of India to Ireland was served by her. Furthermore, between March 2001 and June 2002, the position of India's first female foreign secretary was held by her.
Crispin Chettri
FootballerHaving internationally represented India at the youth level, former footballer Crispin Chettri (born 20 January 1975) is an Indian football manager. Currently, the position of head coach for the India women's national football team is held by him, and he previously served in the same capacity for the Indian women's club Odisha.
Dal Bahadur Gurung
Funny Character in FolkloreConsidered by many people to be imaginary because of several unrealistic tales and jokes about him, Dal Bahadur Gurung (1922–1992) is popularly known as 'Hum Jayega'. He is a person frequently cited as a funny character within the folklore and jokes of Manipur, Assam, Sikkim, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Nepal.
Dev Kumari Thapa
Story WriterBorn in Kurseong, Darjeeling, India, on April 14, 1928, to Ramadevi and Hasta Bahadur Katuwal, Dev Kumari Thapa lost her father before she was even born. By the time she was approximately ten years old, the passing of her mother left her orphaned at an early age, resulting in her grandmother taking on the responsibility of raising her. Throughout her lifetime, which concluded on May 5, 2011, she established herself as an Indian author of the Nepali language whose work consisted mainly of writing stories.
Eklabya Sharma
Environmental ScientistThe Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, was awarded in 2024 to Eklabya Sharma for his work in environmental science. Born on 11 May 1958, the Indian ecologist and environmental scientist is widely known for his contributions toward sustainable development and mountain ecosystem research within the Himalayan region.
Guman Singh Chamling
WriterThe Sahitya Akademi Award was bestowed upon Guman Singh Chamling in 1979 in recognition of Maulo, his collection of essays. Hailing from India's Darjeeling district, he authored his works as a novelist and writer in the Nepali language.
Hillol Kargupta
ScientistUntil July 2014, Hillol Kargupta held the position of computer science professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. An established scientist, academic, and entrepreneur, he currently presides as the president and co-founder of Agnik, a data analytics company specializing in the Internet of Things and connected cars. In addition to these roles, the board of KD2U—an organization aimed at promoting the practice, education, and research of data analytics within mobile and distributed environments—is chaired by him.
Iman Xin Chemjong
Writer And PhilosopherShowcasing Nepal as a Hindu cultural monolith devoid of alternative narratives, the official Nepalese doctrine had its perceptions challenged by the research and publications concerning Kirant history and culture. These contributions were made by Iman Singh Chemjong Limbu, a Limbu historian, writer, linguist, lexicographer, folklorist, and philosopher of Nepal. His entire life was devoted to the documentation and study of the various facets of Kirat Limbu tradition and culture. Chemjong pursued these activities at a time when they were frowned upon and even punished by the Nepalese ruling elite as being subversive and "anti-national."
Indra Bahadur Rai
WriterHailing from Darjeeling, India, Indra Bahadur Rai (3 February 1927 – 6 March 2018) was an Indian literary critic and author who wrote in the Nepali language. Over the course of his life, a diverse body of work was authored by him, encompassing novels, short stories, criticism, and multiple essays. Raat Bhari Huri Chalyo and Kheer remain some of the most widely recognized stories penned by him. Alongside Bairagi Kainla and Ishwar Ballav, a significant literary movement within Nepali literature, identified as Tesro Aayam, was initiated by Rai. Furthermore, his contributions were formally recognized in 1977 when the inaugural Sahitya Akademi Award for the Nepali language was awarded to him.
Jamling Tenzing Norgay
Mountaineer And AuthorThe son of Tenzing Norgay, Jamling Tenzing Norgay was born on 23 April 1965 in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. As an Indian mountaineer and author, he is best known for summiting Mount Everest as part of the 1996 Everest IMAX expedition.
Jyoti Prakash Tamang
Food MicrobiologistRecognized for his studies on fermented food, Jyoti Prakash Tamang (16 November 1961 – 29 April 2025) held the position of Senior Professor in Microbiology at Sikkim Central University. Over the course of 39 years, the Indian food microbiologist focused his work on the alcoholic beverages and fermented foods of South East Asia, as well as the Himalayan regions of Bhutan, Nepal, and India.
Kunti Moktan
SingerIn addition to her career as a vocalist, Nepali singer Kunti Moktan shares her expertise by teaching music at various schools. Born in Darjeeling on July 11, 1962, she possesses classical training and performs both modern and Nepali folk music. Her musical projects usually involve collaborations with her husband, Shila Bahadur Moktan, who is himself a singer and a musician. She remains best known, however, for her folk-pop tracks, specifically the songs Mathi Mathi Sailungey Ma, Nishthuri Mayalu, and Choli Ramro.
Mahendra P. Lama
Professor And Development EconomistCurrently serving in New Delhi as a senior Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University within the School of International Studies, Mahendra P. Lama is an Indian development economist and professor. Previously, he worked as the pro-vice chancellor of IGNOU, as well as the founding vice chancellor of Sikkim University in India. By stepping into that founding role at the age of 45, he became the youngest vice chancellor of a National Central University in India.
Man Bahadur Rai
Indian Army OfficerA profoundly decorated Gorkha officer within the Indian Army, Man Bahadur Rai, AC, MC, IDSM (10 January 1914 – 14 February 2011), was awarded India's highest peacetime gallantry decoration, the Ashoka Chakra. By receiving this prestigious award during his lifetime, he achieved a historic milestone as the very first officer, and merely the third serviceman overall, within the Indian Army to be so distinguished while alive. Furthermore, out of all who have been granted the Ashoka Chakra, he was only the fourth individual to be decorated while still living.
Mani Kumar Chetri
CardiologistIndian cardiologist Mani Kumar Chetri (23 May 1920 – 5 April 2026) was recognized by the Government of India in 1974 with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest Indian civilian award. In addition to being an elected fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, he served as the director of Kolkata's IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, as well as the director of the West Bengal State Health Services.
Nanda Hangkhim
WriterFor his collection of short stories, Satta Grahan, the Sahitya Akademi Award (2014) was bestowed upon Nanda Hangkhim. Hailing from Darjeeling district, India, he is a writer whose literary works are composed in the Nepali language.
Navneet Aditya Waiba
SingerWorking alongside her brother, producer and manager Satya Aditya, Indian singer Navneet Aditya Waiba maintains the true essence of the folk music genre. By utilizing traditional musical instruments, they produce authentic, traditional Nepali folk songs. Primarily performing in the Nepali language, Navneet is the daughter of the pioneer of Nepali folk music, the late Hira Devi Waiba.
Nawang Gombu Sherpa
Sherpa MountaineerBorn in Minzu, Tibet, Nawang Gombu (1 May 1936 – 24 April 2011) was a Sherpa mountaineer who subsequently acquired Indian citizenship, a transition also made by several of his family members, including his uncle Tenzing Norgay. An early climbing milestone was set when the record for the youngest Sherpa to ascend to an altitude of 26,000 feet was secured by him. By 1964, the 24,645-foot peak of Nanda Devi was successfully conquered by Gombu, earning him the distinction of being the first Indian and the third individual globally to accomplish this feat. He is most celebrated for becoming the first man in the world to reach the summit of Mount Everest twice.
Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi
Indian hotelierAlso referred to as Biki Oberoi, Indian hotelier Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi (3 February 1929 – 14 November 2023) held the position of executive chairman for The Oberoi Group. Managing a network of luxury hotels under the Trident and Oberoi Hotels & Resorts brands, this corporation operates as the third-largest hospitality chain in India.
Rangu Souriya
Social ActivistRecipient of the 2011 Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Awards, Rangu Souriya serves as an Indian activist and social worker dedicated to the welfare of women and children. Operating out of Siliguri, she established a non-profit organization known as the Kanchanjunga Uddhar Kendra. Through this foundation, she focuses her efforts on providing aid to individuals who have fallen victim to sex trafficking across Nepal, North East India, and Darjeeling.
Reena Kaushal Dharmshaktu
Adventure Sports PersonThe distinction of being the first Indian woman to ski from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole belongs to Reena Kaushal Dharmshaktu, who covered a distance of 900 kilometers.
Shukla Bose
Education ActivistCommencing her professional life as a convent school educator in Kolkata, Shukla Bose subsequently relocated to Bhutan, where she was employed at an army school. In addition to these early teaching endeavors, a period of seven years was dedicated to serving as a volunteer alongside Mother Teresa at the Missionaries of Charity. She is founder of the Parikrma Humanity Foundation. Based in Bangalore, India, this nonprofit organization is responsible for operating English-medium schools dedicated to the education of underprivileged children.
Sonia Jabbar
Wildlife ConservationistAwarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar—India's highest civilian award for women—in 2019, Sonia Jabbar is an Indian wildlife conservationist and plantation owner. The transformation of her Darjeeling tea estate commenced in 2012, when she altered the property to enable the safe passage and accommodation of elephants migrating between Assam and Nepal. Subsequently, further elephant conservation initiatives were launched by Jabbar, encompassing a pilot crop insurance program for adjacent farms, alongside a re-wilding endeavor designed to establish a 100-acre forest.
Sudhanshu Saria
Film MakerRecognized as an acclaimed Indian filmmaker, Sudhanshu Saria was born amidst the tea estates of Darjeeling into the Gopaldhara Tea Estate family. His educational background includes studies at The Doon School, followed by graduation from Ithaca College in New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film and Photography. A National Film Award was subsequently won by Saria for his direction of the short film Knock Knock Knock.
Tenzing Sonam
Film MakerJointly operating the production company White Crane Films alongside his partner, Ritu Sarin, is the avenue through which Tenzing Sonam conducts his work. Born on January 16, 1959, he is an essayist, writer, and film director of Tibetan descent who is currently based in Dharamshala.
Yangdup Lama
Indian EntrepreneurRenowned as one of India's finest mixologists, Yangdup Lama is an Indian entrepreneur, bar owner, author, and bartender.
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