Happy 100th!

GANGTOK, 13 May: Arab Lama, popularly known as “Yap Geylong”, celebrated his 100th birthday with friends and family here at his residence at Deorali on Sunday.
Born to Phurgey Lama and Thomkim Bhutia in the Wood Tiger year 1914 at Mangnam village in West Sikkim, Yap Geylong completed 100 years as per the Tibetan Calendar in January earlier this year.
Yap Geylong started his early life as a shifting cultivator and then began trading in local products with Darjeeling from Mangnam via Borong, Rabong, Damthang, Namchi, Kitam, Majhitar in South Sikkim and Badamtam, Singhamari Tea Estate. This journey, at that time had to be covered on foot.
At the age of 22, he along with four other friends, crossed over Nathula and proceeded to Tsurphu Monastery, the Karmapa’s seat in Tibet, to join the monastic way of life. He stayed in Tsurphu Monastery for three years and took the vows to become a Geylong. While in Tibet, he mastered the masked dance and was especially empowered by the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa to perform ‘Shyo Cham’ [Stag Dance].
On his return from Tibet, he joined Ralong Monastery and continued performing Stag Dance for twenty-five years. During the reign of Chogyal he was also appointed as Block Mandal of five blocks i.e. Sada-Phamtam in South Sikkim and Karjee, Mangnam, Narkhola, Dhupidara in West Sikkim. He was conferred a certificate in recognition of “Efficient and Dedicated Service” as Mandal by the Chogyal on 04th April 1972.
Yap Geylong has nine sons and daughters, 51 grand children and 25 great grand children. Regulars at Deorali Chorte will recognize him from his morning walks there.
The centurion celebrated his 100 years at home with family and friends, including a fellow senior citizen, albeit much younger close friend, former Chief Minister BB Gooroong.