West remembers 18/09 temblor

GYALSHING, 19 Sept [IPR]: On the first anniversary of last year’s earthquake, the District Administration organized various programmes throughout West district. The programme commenced with offering of prayers by the officials of the district at Pemayangtse monastery for those who lost their lives in the disaster and for strengthening the resilience of the people of Sikkim.
A Rally, Essay and Painting competition on Disaster Management & Preparedness was organized at different schools. Street play was also performed at Gyalshing Bazaar, Pelling and Kyongsa by the National School of Drama, Gangtok.
A candle light rally was also held at Gyalshing bazaar where businessmen, NGOs, Panchayats and locals participated to pay their respect to the people who lost their lives in the devastation.

Chungthang remembers 2011 earthquake victims

CHUNGTHANG, 19 Sept: The public of Chungthang paid homage to lives lost in last year’s earthquake in a programme held at the Gurudwara complex on Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of the 18 September earthquake which had claimed 17 lives in Chungthang and a total of 69 lives in North Sikkim. Chungthang was the worst hit of all Sikkim towns by the earthquake last year.
The programme, organised by the SDM Office, was attended by Joint Secretary, SREDA, Tashi Chopel as the chief guest [he was the Chungthang SDM when the earthquake struck last year], SDM Chungthang, RK Yadav, Panchayat president Lendup Lepcha, Army officers, ITBP and Sikkim Police officers, Guru Nanak Lama Sahib committee members from Delhi, Punjab, Siliguri and Chungthang, representatives from state and national level NGOs and different departmental officials.
The programme started with prayers by Mani Aamas followed by presentation of certificates of appreciation to all the helping hands and rescue teams for their support in the aftermath of the earthquake last year.
After that, the ITBP jawans gave a demonstration on disaster risk reduction at Tasa Tengay Sec. School complex.
The chief guest in his address, thanked all the organizations for their help and coordination during the hour of crisis last year. The programme concluded with a candle light rally and two minutes silence for all those who lost their lives in the earthquake and also for Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche who passed away at Delhi on Tuesday morning.

North observes first anniv of the 2011 earthquake

MANGAN, 18 Sept: The first anniversary of last year’s 18 September earthquake was observed here in Mangan, North Sikkim today with the participation of people from all walks of life.  In the morning session, a rally was conducted from the old Bus stand to the community hall at Mangan which saw the participation of Sr. SP North, BK Tamang, ADC North, Prabhakar Verma, SDM Mangan, PW Lepcha, CMO North, KT Lepcha, departmental officials, members of Mangan Nagar Panchayat, students from Mangan Sr. Secondary School, North Sikkim Academy and the local populace.
A short function was also held at the community hall which started with two minutes silence to pray for the departed souls the earthquake victims followed by prayers. The ADC North, Prabhakar Verma deliberated on disaster management and preparedness and also made the announcement of 18 September being declared as the Disaster Risk Reduction Day and 2012-13 as the Disaster Risk Reduction Year.
The Sr. SP North while addressing the gathering informed that awareness on disaster management is very important and further highlighted that natural calamities cannot be stopped but can be mitigated. He also appreciated and extended his gratitude to all the organizations, officials and individuals for their support in relief and rehabilitation post the earthquake.
Also in the function, the National Service Scheme volunteers of Mangan SSS, NYK Mangan, EPCS Church and Mangan Nagar Panchayat were felicitated for their support in relief and rehabilitation in the aftermath of the earthquake.
After the function a short mock drill demonstration was also conducted by Sikkim Fire Services headed by DSP, BK Gurung. The function concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by SDM Mangan, PW Lepcha.
In the evening, the people of North District joined in a candle light rally carried out from the old Bus stand to Lower Mangan Bazaar.