Lower Dzongu marks Susakurtot organic mela with cultural extravaganza and traditional games

DZONGU, 06 Jan: Susakurtot, an organic fair which had started on 04 January, concluded here at Gor Secondary School ground in Lower Dzongu, North Sikkim today. The three-day organic mela which was organized by the Susakurtot Committee and the Panchayat members of Lum/Gor/Sangtok GPU saw participation from different Self Help Groups, NGOs and the general public of Dzongu.

The main motive of the festival is to keep local traditions alive with a host of activities like display of traditional Lepcha equipments, traditional cultural extravaganza, traditional games, local organic products, traditional food stalls and many more. As usual, there was a ban on sale of country liquor during the Mela and local organic wine, chee and arok were provided for the visitors instead.
The valedictory function today had Chief Whip cum Tumin-Lingee MLA, Ugen T Gyatso Bhutia as the chief guest accompanied by Zilla Adhyaksha North, Khamsoong Lepcha as the special guest.
Panchayat Secretary, Tshering Gyatso Lepcha delivered the welcome speech followed by President Susakurtot Organizing Committee, Phigu Lepcha’s address wherein he highlighted about the importance of the organic mela and the history of the Susakurtot.
Chief guest, Ugen T Gyatso Bhutia in his address appreciated the efforts of the organizing committee and urged every youth and cheli to come forward in keeping their traditions alive. Mr. Bhutia urged farmers to take up organic farming and the gathering to organize the Suskurtot on a larger scale in the coming years.
The chief guest and distinguished guests also visited the stalls set up by the different SHGs and NGOs. A colorful cultural programme was also presented by the different GPUs.
The Department of Agriculture headed by Deputy Director North, TT Lepcha also held an awareness camp on ATMA during the organic mela. Also on the day, competitions in different traditional games like segregation of maize, weaving, fastest hair combing etc. among the women of different wards was held. Likewise, pumpkin breaking, breaking of banana trunk, etc among the boys of different wards was held.
The winners of the competition were awarded with the prizes by the chief guest. Earlier in his speech, the Zilla Adhyaksha North, Khamsoong Lepcha spoke on the early Lepcha inhabitants, their living standards, their equipments and their food habits. He also informed that construction of the new road to Lum village in Lower Dzongu has been approved and further highlighted about the infrastructural development in Dzongu.
The function was also attended by CDPO BAC Passingdang, Hishey Lhamu Bhutia, Zilla member Chedup Lepcha, officials of various departments, Panchayat members and the general public.