State-level Tendong Lho Rum Faat celebrated at Mt. Tendong

CM ANNOUNCES ROPEWAY FOR TENDONG HILL
NAMCHI, 08 Aug: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today announced the construction of a ropeway at Tendong hill in South Sikkim and a state tour where he will visit every constituency of South and West in the first phase followed by East and North in the second phase. The tour is slated to begin after 15 August.
The Chief Minister trekked 7 kms uphill from Damthang today to offer prayers at Mount Tendong on the occasion of Tendong Lho Rum Faat. He was accompanied by Speaker KN Rai, Deputy Speaker Sonam Gyatso Lepcha and Legal Advisor to CM, KT Gyaltsen.
Addressing the occasion, the Chief Minister said that providing security to all religions, cultures, customs and traditions has been one of the major achievements of the 20-year SDF government in Sikkim. The State government believes in social democracy and inclusive politics wherein every caste and community of the state enjoys equal opportunity and rights thereby being a true secular government, he stated.
“Our government has always given equal opportunities to people of all religions, communities, cultures and traditions of Sikkim. It is our government which declared a state holiday for this festival of the Lepcha community and our government will keep its promises given to the people of Sikkim,” he added.
He further said that every religion teaches us to love and respect humanity and nature and this teaching must not be confined within religious preaching but should be incorporated in our daily lives so that our society will grow towards a secure future. The Chief Minister urged members of all communities to work for the benefit of the Sikkimese society rather than indulge in creating confusion, unrest and hatred amongst various communities.
Regarding the Lepcha and Bhutia community of Sikkim, Mr Chamling said that all the rights and protection has been given to them by this government. The opposition parties have tried many times to spread their false propagandas and issues in Sikkim but people should believe in our constitution and should not be misled by such people, he added.
The CM also assured to give full support to every religion and community of Sikkim in their development. He also supported the decision taken by the Tendong Lho Rum Faat celebration committee that this festival will be celebrated at Tendong Hill every year.
Stating that the development of a community is ensured when every individual of the community is educated and aware of his/ her rights, privileges and responsibilities, Mr Chamling said, “Our government has brought about opportunities in different fields and the youth should grab these opportunities and utilize them in proper way”.
He further said that every individual in the state has, directly or indirectly, benefitted from the SDF government in the last 20 years and the party and government looks forward to bring more opportunities. He assured to complete all works and fulfill all demands in the next five years.
Regarding the ropeway at Tendong hill, the CM asked the committee members to place all the needs and demands for the development of Tendong Hill to the government.
The programme was also addressed by the Chairman of Tendong Lho Rum Faat organizing committee DT Lepcha and president OT Lepcha. After offering prayers at Tendong hill, the CM also planted a sapling.
Earlier, while trekking uphill, the CM said that reserve forests and wildlife are our true wealth and instructed forest officers to stop grazing in reserve forest areas and hunting of animals and birds.
This is the first time that Tendong hill has hosted such a state-level Tendong Lho Rum Faat celebration. Hundreds of people from different parts of Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong came together to celebrate Tendong Lho Rum Faat.
The celebration started with an auspicious Rum- Faat (prayers) by Bongthings from 6 a.m. onwards. A unique feature of the prayers and offerings was the presence of the 12 feet tall “Longchok” [stone] installed on the hill which was brought all the way from Yuksom, West Sikkim.
A part of Tendong hill where an old monastery is also located has been handed over to the Lepcha community by the State Government for religious purposes. Members of Lepcha community from Sikkim and from other neighbouring places like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Bhutan and Nepal had also gathered at Tendong Hill today to celebrate the festival.
The celebration of Tendong Lho Rum Faat on such a scale started in the year 1993 in the state and was declared as one of the state functions and has been included as a holiday in the Almanac since the year 1997. At present the Forest Department is looking after the cleanliness and maintenance of the Hill and its surrounding areas. The department has also constructed a footpath from Damthang Bazaar till the hilltop for the convenience of visitors and devotees.