Pang Lhabsol festivities begin in Ravangla

NAMCHI, 05 Sept: The weeklong Pang Lhabsol celebration in Ravangla began today at the Mane Chokerling complex there. The festival of peace and harmony when the Sikkimese worship their guardian deity, Khangchendzonga, will conclude here on 12 Sept.
Today, on the inaugural day of the festival, Parliament Secretary, Namchi-Singithang MLA, Binod Rai, was present as the chief guest.
A variety of cultural performances by the schools and youth clubs from surrounding areas marked the first day’s celebrations.
Addressing the inaugural function, Mr. Rai said “Pang Lhabsol reflects the rich culture and tradition of Sikkim and its people and unites the ethnic communities on one platform to conserve the tradition and culture of the State.”
He further commented that Sikkim has potential for stronger tourism which was why the State government, with the help of Pang Lhabsol Celebration Committee, has brought the State’s custom, traditions and culture to the tourism centre-stage. The time had come, he said, to unitedly “take this festival and our culture, tradition to the world market”.
Speaking on peace and security of Sikkim, Mr. Rai said that the recent rally by opposition politicians in the name of the Anna Hazare movement was not to support the noble movement of Anna Hazare but to protest against the government and mislead the people of Sikkim.
Area MLA, Sonam Gyatsho Bhutia, in his welcome address, said the world now identifies Ravangla with Pang Lhabsol and exuded confidence that the town was on its way to become a tourist hot spot in the very near future. He urged the educated youth to take up opportunities in the tourism sector seriously.
The main attraction of the festival is the Pang Lhabsol Open Volley Ball tournament which got underway today. A total of 9 local teams from different parts of the state will be fighting in the preliminary round of the tournament.
The second round of the tournament will be played among 6 teams in which Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Eastern Railways will feature. The finals of the tournament will be played on 12 Sept and the winning team will be awarded with a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh along with a trophy and runners-up will receive Rs. 1 lakh and a trophy.
Today, 7th Vikas Army [Ravangla] took on Rabong Boys and went down 2-1. On Tuesday, Ben will go up against Namchi.
Apart from this, a special cultural programme by a Bhutanese troupe, different cultural groups of Sikkim, Open Invitational Volleyball Tournament organized by State Sports and Youth Affairs Department along with departmental stalls, SHG stalls are the additional attraction of the festival.
This year’s festival is being organized by the new celebration committee which was formed recently under the chairmanship of MLA Sonam Gyatsho Bhutia. The new committee has RMDD Minister, CB Karki as the chief patron, Bikash Rai as general secretary, Zigmei D. Bhutia as joint secretary, Ongda Bhutia as treasurer, and Bhawani Gurung as publicity secretary along with other members and advisors.