The Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang, laid the foundation stone of Sherpa Bhawan at Lumsey, Tadong, Gangtok on Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Sonam Lama, Minister Ecclesiastical Department, M.N.Sherpa, Minister Power Department, B.S.Pant, Minister, Tourism Department, G.M Gurung, former Minister, Area MLA, G.T Dhungel, Political Secretary to CMO, Press Secretary to CMO, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Gangtok, Zilla Adakshya, UPA Adakshya (Gangtok), Panchayats, HODs of different departments, Tenzing L. Bhutia, SP Gangtok, SDM, Gangtok, Advidors, Chairpersons, dignitaries, representatives of various associations and members of Denzong Sherpa Associations were present at the function.
Addressing the gathering, CM welcomed all the dignitaries and the large public from different corners of the State.
He said he is fortunate to be a part of the foundation stone laying ceremony of Sherpa Bhawan. He remarked that it is the love and trust of the people that gives him strength and energy to work for the people and the welfare of the State.
The new Bhawan would be built at an estimated cost of approximately six crores, sixty-two lakhs within twenty-four months, said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister briefed about the Nar Bahadur Bhandari Fellowship Scheme in honour of the former Chief Minister that aims to provide the opportunity for Sikkim’s brightest and most promising students to pursue higher studies in the top 20 Universities of the world. This scheme aims to give exposure to Sikkimese students among the finest educators in the world.
He also informed about the APATAN scheme, which provides aid and support for scholars who opt for Ph.D. and research in areas related to any language used in the State. The Chief Minister further informed about the Arya Pratibha Vikas scheme, which provides support and guidance for those aspirants who plan to take the elite Union & State Government Services, and urged students to take benefit of such schemes.
Similarly, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang also mentioned the upcoming G20 Summit and said that around 200 educated youth would be allowed to volunteer their service in different management capacities during G20 events, soon to be held in the State. He noted that these volunteers would present themselves wearing their traditional dress to reflect the diverse traditional culture of the State.
While addressing the gathering, Chief Minister reminded that Sikkim has always been a State with a diverse mix of cultures and traditions of different religions and languages. He added that language is an essential component of individual identity, which we must always cherish and preserve.
The Chief Minister also expressed his deep concern about the mention of the Sikkimese Nepali Community as foreigners in the recent Supreme court Verdict and asserted that the remark is in the observation part and not in the judgment part of the verdict. In this regard, he assured that the State Government would put all efforts for expunging the said remarks. The Chief Minister said that the state government has already initiated steps for filing the review petition for addressing the concerns of the Sikkimese Nepali community.
The ritual religious ceremony of the foundation stone was performed by the Khen Rinpoche Dawa Gyaltshen Sherpa. The Sherpa Bhawan will be five and a half-storey integrated multipurpose building covering an area of 18945sq.ft and with a ground coverage of 3563 sq. ft.
During the programme, the Denzong Sherpa Association Cultural Wing performed cultural songs and dances. Similarly, the Cultural Group from Lamhatta, Darjeeling, showcased a beautiful cultural dance during the programme.
G. T Dhungel, Area MLA congratulated the Sherpa Community and thanked the Chief Minister for his initiative of providing Sherpa Bhawan. He said that he would always work in tandem with the people and the Government and make sure that the public from the constituency he represents will always avail of benefits provided by the Government.
Likewise, M.N.Sherpa, in his short address, said that the new Sherpa Bhawan is strategically located and will serve the people well. He also recounted all his struggles during his political career for being a lone representative of the Sherpa Community.
Sangay Sherpa, Chief Patron of Denzong Sherpa Association, expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister the for his constant encouragement and support to the Sherpa Community.
A token of appreciation was also presented to the Chief Minister, Shri Prem Singh Tamang, from the Denzong Sherpa Association.
Earlier, Dorjee Sherpa Pinasa, President of the Denzong Sherpa Association, gave a brief report on the Sherpa community in his welcome speech.
The Chief Minister shared a message on his official facebook page congratulating the Sherpa community in Sikkim.
His message read: “Honoured to lay the foundation stone of the Sherpa Bhawan at Lumsey, Gangtok.
It is for the first time a Sherpa Bhawan is being constructed in Sikkim and I congratulate the Denzong Sherpa Association and the Sherpa community on this historic occasion.”
