Barnet Councillor, Lachhya Gurung, completes Open University Degree

London — Barnet Borough councillor and semi-retired businessman Lachhya Gurung has added a new milestone to an already extraordinary life story, graduating with a degree in social sciences (politics) from the Open University at the age of 64.

Gurung’s journey began in Tangting, a remote village in Nepal situated 1,685 metres above sea level and a two-hour drive from Pokhara. One of five brothers, he grew up herding sheep in a hillside community without roads or electricity. He wore his first pair of shoes at 14 and saw a car for the first time at 12.

“It was a tough life,” recalls Gurung, who received his degree at London’s Barbican, cheered on by his wife and three adult children.

At 19, like many young men from his village, he joined the British Gurkhas. He served for 19 years, eventually rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. His military career took him to Hong Kong, where he was based until its handover to China in 1997.

After leaving the service, his years with the Gurkhas made him eligible to settle in the United Kingdom, a move he made in 2005. In London, he focused on raising his family and building a business. He became part of a consortium of Nepali entrepreneurs running one of the UK’s largest Nepali grocery companies, catering to the growing diaspora.

Only after stepping back from his role as managing director did he find time for public service. He was elected a councillor for Edgwarebury ward and later served as Deputy Mayor of Barnet.

“I realised that most of the local councillors were professionals with university backgrounds,” he said. “It appeared I was the only one who hadn’t been to university.”

Determined to deepen his understanding of politics, Gurung enrolled with the Open University at the age of 58. He says the experience showed him that age is no barrier to learning, and he drew motivation from classmates in their seventies.

Now a proud graduate, Gurung acknowledges the road was not always easy but says he has finally fulfilled a long-held ambition.

“I didn’t have the opportunity to study when I was young. This degree is a dream come true,” Mr Gurung told the Open University News