Namprikdang Namsoong Festival gets underway

MANGAN, 19 Dec: The five-day Namprikdang Namsoong Festival 2012 was inaugurated by North Zilla Adhakshya Anguli Lepcha today. The festival, organized by the Namprikdang Namsoong Celebration Committee here at Namprikdang Ground in Upper Dzongu at the confluence of the Teesta and Tholung Chu, has grown in significance over the years.
The general secretary of the celebration committee, Samten Lepcha, while speaking to NOW! informed that the Namsoong festivities at Namprikdang began in the year 1976 and the festival includes folk dances , traditional food stalls from and outside the state, traditional games and other entertainment for visitors. The Zilla Adhakshya was accompanied to the inauguration by the North Zilla Upadhakshya, Nim Tshering Lepcha, as the special guest.
Following the welcome speech by the NNCC general secretary, the cultural secretary NNCC, Namgyal Lepcha underlined the history and importance of the Namsoong Festival here at this confluence.
The Upadhakshya in turn spoke about the development taking place in North Sikkim in terms of preserving tradition and culture and stressed on the ongoing project of a multipurpose ground at Naga and the Bongthing School coming up at the same venue.
The chief guest, Anguli Lepcha, in her address highlighted that the Namsoong was a festival of all communities and urged the people to participate in the celebrations at Namprikdang. She also thanked the people of North Sikkim for their unconditional support in electing her to the post of Zilla Adhyaksha and assured that she will work for the people.
A colourful cultural programme was also part of the programme. The inaugural function was also attended by Chairman Milk Union, Choden Lepcha, former chairperson Chumki Saring Lepcha, district officials and people from all walks of life.