Padam Singh ‘Apatan’ remembered with Memorial Lecture

AMEET OBEROI GANGTOK, 11 Sept: The first “Padam Singh Subba Apatan Memorial Lecture,” organised by the Sikkim Akademi, was held at the MLA Hostel conference hall, here today, coinciding with Padam Singh Subba’s 88th birth anniversary. Respected literary figure Mahananda Poudyal was present as the chief guest accompanied by Rudra Poudyal [retd. principal director, HRDD], senior journalist CD Rai and GS Lama [president, Sikkim Akademi], members of Limboo associations from Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Bijanbari and Dooars. The memorial lecture was delivered by Mr. CD Rai.
“It gives me great honour and immense pride to be given this opportunity to speak on the life of Padam Singh Subba,” said Mr. Rai. Born on 11 September, 1923 at Timburbung in West Sikkim, ‘Apatan’s’ father was a ‘Mandal’ who knew the value of education and Padam Singh ‘Apatan’ received education in Darjeeling.
Padam Singh Subba and his three friends [Agamsingh Tamang, Tulsibahadur Chettri and Nima Wangi Targain] formed the Apatan Sahitya Parishad in April 1947 with the main objective of promoting and developing Nepali language and literature in Sikkim. Initially, the Parishad functioned as an ‘underground body’ for about six months and announced its presence at a grand public meeting, informed Mr. Rai.
Mr. Rai further highlighted that Padam Singh Subba was conferred the Bhanu Puraskar in 1989 for his contribution to Nepali language and literature and added that he also fathered the development of the Limboo language and literature in Sikkim. Padam Singh Subba’s contributions for the development of the Nepali and Limboo languages and literature are recognised not only in Sikkim, Darjeeling, but all over the country, he stated.
The gathering was also addressed by Rudra Poudyal, Jagat Subba [eldest son of Padam Singh Subba], GS Lama [president Sikkim Akademi] and the chief guest Mahananda Poudyal who shared that Padam Singh Subba was a very humble and down to earth person and lauded his contributions towards the development of both the Nepali and Limboo languages for the people.
Mr. CD Rai was also felicitated today with the first Padam Singh Subba Apatan Memorial Samman.