In a welcome first, Governor visits Jorethang’s Maghey Mela

 
JORETHANG, 15 Jan: Governor Shriniwas Patil was here today as the chief guest of the second day of the Maghey Mela celebrations. With this gesture, Mr. Patil has become the first Governor of Sikkim to attend the famous Maghey Mela of Jorethang. The Governor was accorded a warm traditional welcome this morning, as much in keeping with the hospitality record of Maghey Mela here as in celebration of the significance of the maiden gubernatorial visit to the festival.
The Governor also visited the different handloom and handcrafts stalls and interacted with members of the different Self Help Groups participating at the Saras Mela being held here alongside the Maghey Mela.
Addressing the function later, the Governor remarked that Sikkim was a blessed land with nature as its greatest resource which must be saved and preserved.
Apart from its abundant environment, the Governor also commended the State and its people for the communal harmony maintained here and reiterated the need for people and communities to continue living in amity and work together to preserve and nurture traditions and culture.
The Governor also watched the semifinal match of the Inter Constituency Rural Sports Festival football tournament 2014.
The first semifinal was played in between Zoom Salghari and Yangthang constituencies. Winning 2-0, Yangthang became the first team through to the finals. The second semifinal was played between Melli and Daramdin constituencies. Daramdin won 1-0.
The Governor also visited the different traditional food stalls and tasted different food items on offer there. He was escorted by the area MLA Madan Cintury, Political Secretary to the CM, the SDF’s Zoom-Salghari in-charge KN Rai and other officials.  
Later in the evening, the musical band of Ravangla’s ‘9 Bikas’ entertained the people.