Srijunga Cultural Society celebrates 31st foundation day

THARPU, 23 Aug: The Srijunga Yakthung Sakthim Phujumbo (“Srijunga Cultural Society”) celebrated its 31st foundation day in grand manner here at the Yakthung Sakthim Heem (Limboo Cultural Centre) today with the Cultural Affair Minister, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, present as the chief guest, accompanied by the Roads & Bridges Minister, the area [Soreng-Chakung] MLA RB Subba and legal advisor to the Chief Minister, RB Subba, present as special guests.
The Srijunga Yakthung Sakthim Phujumbo was established on 23 August 1980 with the aim to preserve and promote Limboo culture and traditions in the state as well as outside. The foundation day observance began with the offering of obeisance to Srijunga.
The main attraction of this daylong celebration was the song & dance competition among a pool of 51 cultural troupes not only from across Sikkim, but from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong as well.
While speaking on the occasion, the legal advisor to the CM, Mr. Subba, observed that the Yakthung Sakthim Heem was in need of immediate maintenance work and called on the chief guest of the day, the Cultural Affairs Minister to look into the matter.
He remarked that the Phujumbo has travelled a long distance to reach the present stage and highlighted that the main aim of the organisation was to preserve the culture, tradition and language of the Limboo community.
He stressed that the organisation had played a substantial role in getting the community included in the Scheduled Tribes list. While welcoming the fact that Limboo language was now being offered up to the BA level, he urged the HRD Department to take learning in the subject up to the university level now.
Similarly, his namesake, the area MLA Mr. RB Subba reminded the audience of how it was the commitment of the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to celebrate the cultures of all communities residing in Sikkim that the birth anniversary of Mahatma Srijunga is now enjoyed as a Government Holiday in Sikkim. “Under Mr. Chamling’s dynamic leadership, all communities of Sikkim are enjoying equal right and security,” he stressed.
The Cultural Affairs Minister, in turn, congratulated the Phujumbo for its consistent efforts towards preserving the culture and traditions of the community.
The Minister also took the opportunity to comment on the political scenario in the State and referring to the rally-call issued by the Nagrik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan Sikkim for 24 August, dismissed it as a self-centred undertaking of a vested-interest group which was trying to capitalise on the goodwill enjoyed by Anna Hazare across the country. He urged the people not to get taken in by the arguments of this group, alleging that NASSS was pursuing a political agenda in the garb of a social organisation.
The function was also attended by MLAs Chandra Maya Subba, Tenzi Sherpa and PL Subba, advisor Housing & Building Department, JB Tamang, government officers of West Sikkim, Zilla Panchayat and panchayat members and the local people.