Remembering Prof. Ayan Bahadur Shrestha

Respected person and an inspiring psychologist of Nepal, Prof. Dr. Ayan Bahadur Shrestha. We cherish the memory of working under him at the Department of Psychology, Tri-chandra college and later at Central Department of Psychology, Kirtipur, TU.

Prof. Shishir Subba, Tribhuvan University

He was an amazing and inspiring personality in the field of psychology. He always encouraged me to stablish counseling centre. I missed him !!! So sorry !!!

Dr. Ganga Pathak, Tri Chandra College

Prof. Ayan sir along with other senior psychologists including Panna Lal Pradhan (center). Photo: Ganga Pathak

Very sad news. Hardik Shradhanjali to Prof. Ayan Bahadur Shrestha. Heartfelt condolences to the family.

Dr. Kapil Dev Upadhyaya

As I know him since 30 years ago. He had completed Ph.D in Cross – Cultural Psychology from Allahabad University under the Prof. Durganand Shinha. He initially taught Educational psychology to B. Ed. and M. Ed. Students in different colleges. After opening M.A. in Psychology, he came to Trichandra College for teaching Psychology in Master level. In that time, Sarvagya Narayan Shrestha was the man who struggled in T. U. to open the master level class. Also role of Psychology ‘s students had been remarkable. At that time, I had completed M.A. Psychology from BHU, India. After completing my course, I taught M. A. second batch of students. In that period Sarala Thapa was the head of the department. prof. Ayan Bahadur Shrestha, Sarvagya Sir and Murari Regmi Sir were actively involved in M.A. level teaching. I had passed the PSC exam as a Psychologist then I left the college. In the course my job, I was selected for M. Phil. then after completed my Ph.D. in Cross-Cultural Psychology under Colombo plan from “ Advance Study Center, Meerut University”. Under his leadership, NPA organized regional conference of International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP) from January 3-7, 1992 in Blue Star hotel in Kathmandu. In that time , Sishir Subbha had contributed a lot for collection of papers for the conference and the journal. Based on my Ph.D. thesis on Cross – Cultural Psychology, l had given my paper to Sishir Subba. At last , he was a kind-hearted man and loved all psychology students.

Dr. Niranjan Prasad Upadhyaya, former chief psychologist at Public Service Commission (Lok Sewa)

Nepalese Psychological Association (NPA) hosted the 4th Asian Regional conference of International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP) from January 3-7, 1992 in Kathmandu. Ayan sir was the president of NPA at that time. A journal called Nepalese Psychologists was also published in the same year of which he was the chief editor. Photo: Ayan B Shrestha

May his departed soul rest in eternal peace.

Laila Lama, Trungram International Academy (TIA)

It is with great sadness that we have to accept the fact that Ayan sir is no longer with us. I was fortunate to meet him although it was much later when he was already retired and he was spending most of the times with his family. I remember him as kind and honest person. He was clear about his limitations. He never hesitated to say ‘I dont know’ which is a sign of a wise man. He was one of the persons who was loved by the Nepali Psychology community, I never met a person who criticized him in private though we have a culture where people praise in public but criticize in private. His book ‘Manobigyan ka Rochak Tathayaharu’ was one of the bestsellers and popularized psychology among the public. I am extremely grateful for his presence in the workshop we organized in 2012 at Martin Chautari. He was one of the key speakers in the panel of psychologists consisting of several generations.

Sujen Man Maharjan, Founder, NEPsychNet

On November 30, 2020, we (me and Usha Kiran maam) made a visit to Prof. Dr. Ayan Bahadur Shrestha sir at his residence to discuss development and history of psychology in Nepal. Ayan sir was happy to share some of his memories related to the development of psychology in Nepal. Ayan sir discussed and provided some valuable information to us. It was indeed a great opportunity to meet and discuss with him. We found Ayan sir very active and he seemed fine at that time but we had no clue that he would leave us so soon. We pray for his departed soul to rest in peace and express heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Prabin Shrestha

Remembering Ayan Sir as Head of Department (HoD) of Central Department of Psychology, TU Kirtipur, when I joined MA Clinical psychology in 1992. He is one of the frontiers in developing the academic field of Psychology in Nepal.
I pray for his soul to attain Sadhgati and my deepest condolences to his family.

Dr. Mita Rana (PhD)

Assoc.Prof/Clinical Psychologist
Dept. of Psychiatry & Mental Health
Institute of Medicine, TUTH
Kathmandu, Nepal

When I was studying at BA level, I found a book named मनोविज्ञान के हो (What is Psychology?), written by him, in a second-hand book shop at Bhrikuti Mandap. It was so short that it took me no more than 2 hours to complete reading the book. The book was written in such simple language that after reading it cleared much confusion that I had about various psychological concepts. I was so impressed by his skill to express complicated concepts in the simplest way possible and an urge to become his student developed within me. But, when I joined the university he was already retired. I met him few times in some formal or informal programs. Every time I met him, I got to learn something new from him.

He was a great teacher and a good human being. My heartfelt condolences to him.

Sandesh Dhakal

Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur

 

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