Sporting Gandhi Jayanti at Thingchim

MANGAN, 04 Oct: Gandhi Jayanti was celebrated here at Thingchim in North Sikkim on 02 October with the Power Minister cum area MLA, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha as the chief guest accompanied by Member of Rajya Sabha, Hishey Lachungpa as the guest of honour.
Speaking at the function, the chief guest highlighted the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi and urged all the people to follow in his footsteps. “Sikkim is developing under the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister and we should support his pursuit for a better Sikkim,” the Minister said.
He also announced the sanctioning of the protection work for Thingchim under the 13th Finance Commission and further highlighted that maximum numbers of CMRHM and REDRH projects have been sanctioned in the area.
MP Hishey Lachungpa in his address informed that the demand for the extension of the Thingchim School playground will be fulfilled under the MP-LAD fund and assured all the people of the development of Thingchim since the area is a potential tourism destination.
The final match of the Late Phumzey Lachungpa memorial football tournament which was played between Ralak United and Tathangchen was also held on the day. Tathangchen won the match in penalty shootout and lifted the trophy with cash prize of Rs. 50,000 while the runner up team was awarded Rs. 30,000. The tournament which had started from 01 September had a total of 68 teams participating from across the state. Zilla member, Tshering Doma Bhutia highlighted about the function whereas the headmaster of Thingchim JHS delivered the welcome speech.
General secretary, Karma Dawa Bhutia said that the youth of Thingchim support the SDF party and also highlighted the need for essential infrastructure development in Thingchim.
Also present in the function were headmistress Mangshila Sr. Sec School, Chungkipo Lepcha, zilla and panchayat members, teachers and students from different schools and local residents.
Also on the day, the Thingchim football community raffle was drawn. The results are as follows: 1st prize; 000196, 2nd prize; 000152, 3rd Prize; 000118, 4th prize; 000351, 5th Prize; 000010. All winners should claim the prizes from the committee within 15 days.

Gandhi Jayanti celebration at South Regu JHS

GANGTOK, 03 Oct: The final match of the volleyball tourney organized by the South Regu Junior High School was held on the occasion of the 144th Gandhi Jayanti Celebration at the school premises on 02 October.
Talkharka [South Regu] defeated the South Regu JHS school staff team in the final match three sets to one. The tournament had started on 26 September.
BDO, Regu BAC, Sabindra Rai, who was present as the chief guest, assured full support for the development of the South Regu Junior High School. He encouraged students to participate in sports along with academics.
Furthermore, the BDO also thanked the school for conducting such a function and the participating teams as well.
Also during the function, South Regu JHS teacher, SW Bhutia, spoke on the importance of celebrating Gandhi Jayanti. The function was also addressed by the guest of honor, Panchayat, Mohan Rai, accompanied by headmaster of the school, Gyalpo Sherpa, and school teacher, ND Tamang.

South District Administration observes Gandhi Jayanti

NAMCHI, 03 Oct [IPR]: On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the South District Administration paid their respect to the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Gandhi Park Namchi. Chairman NMC, BT Tamang chaired the brief event and paid homage to the ‘Father of the Nation’. DC South, Prabhaker Verma, SP South,  Sonam Gyatso along with SDMs, HODs of all departments and members of NMC were present in the park to pay their respect on this day.

Governance in Sikkim based on Gandhian principles says CM GOVERNOR LAUNCHES INDIA’S FIRST CYBER VILLAGE PROJECT AT MELLI DARA PAIYONG GPU

GANGTOK, 03 Oct: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling called upon all the Sikkimese people to follow Gandhi’s philosophy of peace and non-violence while addressing the state level function observing the 144th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi here at Chintan Bhawan on 02 October.
“Gandhiji is one of the 10 most influential leaders of the world and won the entire world’s admiration with his sincerity, dedication and his philosophy of non-violence”, said the CM. He added that while most freedom struggles across the world saw a lot of bloodshed, Gandhiji led the country’s freedom struggle based on his philosophy of non-violence.
If India were governed on the principles laid down by the Father of the Nation it would have been the most powerful country in the world, he said further adding that Sikkim has adopted his beliefs in terms of achieving sustainable development using its natural resources, biodiversity, hydro power, eco-tourism, organic farming.
The Chief Minister appealed to the people of the state to think for the overall development of the state and live with the sense of ownership and belonging towards the society and the state thereby contributing towards making it more vibrant.
Governor Shriniwas Patil also launched India’s first Cyber Village Project at Melli Dara Paiyong GPU. The Cyber Village Project has been conceptualized by the Chief Minister of Sikkim.
The project, it was informed, ensures technology, broadband internet connectivity and e-governance at the grass root level. On the occasion six ward Panchayats of the 22-Melli Dara Paiyong Gram Panchayat Unit were presented with tablet PCs.
The project by the Information and Technology department is the first of its kind in India at the Micro Level which will be a boon for the public at large. The project is designed by the department of the IT in association with Techno Identity Pvt. Ltd., a Hyderabad-based firm specializing in e-governance.
The Governor in his address said the Mahatma Gandhi was a national icon who led the struggle for India's independence and added that the society is in need of such great people to guide the masses along the path of non-violence. He also congratulated the Chief Minister for establishing the first cyber village in the country.
The Governor also felicitated Hem Maya Sharma as the Best Anganwadi worker who was presented with a citation, certificate and a cash award. He also presented tokens of appreciation to Hukum Singh and Rampal Balmiki, Safai Karmacharis of Gangtok Municipal Corporation.
The celebration also witnessed the screening of the Documentary Film on Mahatma Gandhi produced by Information and Public Relation Department. Later, the Governor also visited Sir Thutob Namgyal Mermorial Hospital Gangtok and met the patients there.

CM calls for greater involvement of youth in developmental process ANNOUNCES SETTING UP OF SPORTS ACADEMY AT YANGANG

YANGANG, 03 Oct [IPR]: On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling announced the setting up of a Sports Academy at Yangang. He was speaking as the chief guest on the occasion of the 144th Gandhi Jayanti Celebration at the Police Training Centre ground.
Addressing the large gathering, the Chief Minister said that the sacrifice and the contribution of the local youth will help in the development of Yangang into a model village. He underlined that in order to create a model society, people need to shoulder the responsibility to maintain peace and security and collectively tackle the adversities which come their way.
The CM stated that it was his responsibility to keep the youth updated regarding various important issues and general information to broaden their horizon and thinking to help them advance in life.
He pointed out that the weakness of the society today lay in the underdeveloped mindset of the people which is hampering the development of the state. He urged the youth to divert their attention away from negative antisocial elements towards a constructive path.
Informing them about the upcoming Sikkim University and Bhaley Dhunga Skywalk in Yangang, he asked them to avail of all the opportunities that have been generated.
Highlighting various schemes for students, he appraised the gathering about the recent distribution of laptops in Gangtok. “In this hi-tech era, I want my underprivileged students to become equally technology friendly like that of the privileged ones in the society,” he said.
Mr. Chamling said that the endeavor of the state government today is all related to building the future of the younger generation. He asked the youth to develop critical thinking, debate on issues concerning the society today and carry out a comparative study to embrace the present position of Sikkim which he said is far developed and better than other states in the country.
Referring to the various benefits enjoyed by the people provided by the state government in different sectors, he said that the ‘taken for granted’ attitude of the people today may make this ‘democratic dividend a democratic deficit’. He called for enthusiasm and complete participation of the people especially the youth in the development and to protect the peace and security of the state.
“My goal is to eliminate mindset poverty and economic poverty in Sikkim which are the main disadvantages coming in the way of prosperity”, said the CM.
He then informed that the Janata Mela would be held after Diwali and all the related benefits would be distributed to the beneficiaries during that time. He stressed that this act of the government is only to make the people self reliant and capable.
He assured to provide complete support to the Yangang people with regard to all the government benefits and also reminded them that proper documents would be essential in availing such benefits. On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the Chief Minister asked the people to adopt the policy of Swadesh by involving themselves in promoting local produce through local occupational activities like farming, etc.
Area MLA/RMDD Minister, CB Karki also addressed the gathering while SDZP Adhakshya, CL Gurung delivered the welcome address.
In the finals of the open football tournament Late Lachi Maya Gurung Memorial Cup, played between United Football Club (UFC) Yangang and NDRC FC Yangang, UFC emerged victorious with 1-0 goal. UFC took the winner’s cup with certificates and cash prize of Rs 80,000 and NDRC received certificates and cash prize of Rs. 50,000.