Lepcha youth organize quiz competition on R-Day

GANGTOK, 29 Jan: Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association organized a Quiz Competition on the theme of Republic Day on 26 January 2015 at T.N.S.S. School auditorium. The programme was part of the ongoing Winter Coaching Class 2014-15 session organized by SLYA and was attended by Sonam Dupden Lepcha (Chairman, Primitive Tribe Welfare Board) as the chief guest.

SLYA campaigns for Primitive Tribe job reservation

GANGTOK, 26 Nov: The first phase of the Interaction and Revival Tour of District Branches and Village Level branches of the Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association [SLYA], Central Executive Committee concluded on 24 November.
A press release informs that two teams comprising of SLYA president Ongden Tsh. Lepcha and vice president Passang Dorjee Lepcha visited the West District, South District and some parts of East District.
The main agenda of the programme was a signature campaign for equal reservation in government jobs for the Lepcha youth in the state. The Lepcha youth from the village level want the government to provide equal opportunity to Lepchas in government jobs as they are far behind as compared to other communities of Sikkim, the release states.
They have urged the government to consider this long pending demand of the Association.
The Lepcha youths of Sikkim particularly from the rural areas are dissatisfied with the HRDD for not implementing the 5% reservation for Primitive Tribes in higher studies this year even after the Chief Minister had declared it last year, the release mentions.
During the tour the executive body of the village level branches was also formed. SLYA nominated Phup Tshering Lepcha as president and Nim Tshering Lepcha as general secretary of Rhenock branch, Dong Tshering Lepcha as president and Jabina Lepcha as general secretary of Daramdin branch, Budup Lepcha as president and Nimkit Lepcha as general secretary of Dentam-Gitang branch, Chentheo Dorjee Lepcha as president and Norchoo Lepcha as general secretary of Namthang-Palitam branch.
The Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association CEC has also appealed to all the Lepcha youth of Sikkim to come forward and help the Association in this signature campaign which has to be completed by mid-December 2013.
The Association further appeals to all the Rong aspirants to send their wards who are appearing for the Board examination next year for the Winter Coaching Class provided by the Association at T.N.S.S. School. The enrollment forms will be issued till 10 December.
The two-month coaching will start from 15 December. BPL students from other communities are also welcome. Applicants of the Lepcha community will have to show their Primitive Tribe certificate for enrollment.
The Association’s second and last phase of the Tour will resume from the first week of December in the North and East District, the release adds.

SLYA to begin Lepcha language classes

GANGTOK, 20 Oct: The Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association has announced plans to start a Lepcha Language Coaching Class for all the interested Lepchas as well as Lepcha language enthusiasts.
A press communiqué received from the SLYA publicity secretary Rickel Lepcha informs that the SLYA central executive committee has decided that these classes begin on 10 November and be offered 3 days a week at Kurmom Lee, Development Area, Gangtok.
Enrolment fee has been set at Rs 500 and learners will be provided with a Lepcha Dictionary, it is informed.
For forms, registration and other information, contact Dupden Lepcha at 95932-66936.

SLYA urges Govt to reconsider site proposed for Kali statue

GANGTOK, 21 Jan: Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association [SLYA] has expressed reservations over the site proposed for the construction of a statue of goddess Kali at the Pandim Garhi in Central Pendam, East Sikkim by the state government.
A press release from the association informs that an SLYA team undertook a reconnaissance tour of the area on 20 January and has placed its report with the State government urging it to reconsider the location selected for the proposed construction.
The release mentions that the present site lies within the Pandim Garhi compound considered a heritage site by the Lepchas and “might undermine the sanctity of the centuries old heritage structure and greatly hurt the cultural ethos of the Lepcha people”.
The association has further expressed that in view of the dearth of verifiable chronicles of the Lepcha community that has hampered the reconstruction of the prehistory of Sikkim, such structures as the Pandim Garhi must be preserved.
The release further states that “while acknowledging the unprecedented developments brought about by the present government and its relentless endeavour in transforming Sikkim into one the most popular tourist destinations of India, the organisation vehemently believes that the present government will take a holistic view of the situation and shall come up with new approach that might be devoid of compromising the sanctity of the heritage site”.

Sikkim Lepcha Youth Assoc congratulates CM on Bharat Asmita Award

GANGTOK, 07 Feb: Renjyong Mutanchi Rong Ong Schejum [Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association] has congratulated the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for being conferred with the prestigious “Bharat Asmita Jeewan Gharav Puraskar 2012”, Special Award for Life Time Achievement by the MIT Group of Institutions, Pune.
In a meeting of the association convened at its head office at Development Area today, advisors and executive members congratulated the CM on behalf of the association.
A press release states that it was appropriate that the CM was conferred with this prestigious award, which he fully deserves.

Book on folktales of Dzongu released

GANGTOK, 05 Feb: ‘Dzongu Nye Mayellyang Sikkim’, the first book by Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha was released by the HRDD Minister, NK Pradhan in a function organized by the Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association [SLYA] today.
The book has a foreword by writer Gener “Ghjie” V Talan of Philippines and is a compilation of folklores of Noom Panang, Nayving Cave, Mulongmung Cave, a love story of Sumfuk Punu and Lungzong, Fenn and others. It has been mentioned that these classic folklores of Dzongu have never been put on paper before and are aptly supported by photographs of different locales and people around Dzongu.
After releasing the book, the HRDD Minister congratulated Sonam Wangchuk for his first book on Dzongu and appreciated the beautiful and informative manner of presentation.
“People who go through this book will get an idea about the culture and background of Dzongu,” said Mr Pradhan.
Sonam Wangchuk hails from Noom-Panang in Dzongu and is a 3rd year BCA student of SMIT, Majhitar at present. A writer and photographer, he is the son of Sherap Pintso Lepcha and Dukmit Lepcha.
Speaking to NOW! Sonam said that anyone could look up the general information on Dzongu online but this book would help people to know how Dzongu looks like as it mostly contains photographs of Dzongu. While, the folktales in the book were passed onto him by his late grandfather, Naku Tshering Lepcha.
“My book is inspired from the beautiful and mystical places of Dzongu, which is really a paradise on earth,” said Sonam. Another objective behind writing this book, added Sonam, was to encourage people to save the rich culture and traditional heritage of Dzongu.
He expressed his gratitude to his parents, family members, friends and all well-wishers who supported him in this project. While, SLYA members expressed that it was a matter of great honor that someone like Sonam from the Lepcha community had taken such an initiative.
The book is priced at Rs 500 and interested persons can also contact sonamWC.lep@gmail.com or 098007-24684. The book will be available in the market soon and part of the sale will go towards charity.

2 students awarded with Students of the Year award by SLYA

GANGTOK, 05 Feb: Gaymit Lepcha of class X and Puran Gurung of class XII were awarded with the ‘Students of the Year’ by the Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association [SLYA] on the occasion of the valedictory function of the winter coaching camp today here at Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School auditorium.
A total of 136 students of class X and XII from all four districts had gone through this month-long coaching camp organized by SLYA starting 02 January.
SLYA president, Ongden Tshering Lepcha informed that 44 students of class XII and 92 students from class X were taught by 14 teachers on different subjects in the coaching camp. He further informed that last year the SLYA had conducted same coaching camp for 134 students from all over the state and students had since then shown great improvement in their academic performance.
Mr Lepcha also informed that the SLYA has been organizing this coaching camp every year since 1997 for the students of not only Lepcha community but from other communities as well. He informed that the association has been trying to assist students in their academics who were not able to afford private coaching camps to prepare themselves for the board examinations.
In his valedictory address, HRDD Minister congratulated the SLYA for taking such a productive initiative for the students and further congratulated the teachers of the camp for coming forward to teach students and sacrificing their winter vacation. He stated that the concept of education had now changed and taken on a new dimension. He stated that this change is good for the students and education system and for the future of the country as well.
“The Right to Education Act has vested the on every individual the responsibility of the success of the education system,” he said. He further stressed that the teachers have a great role to play but at the same time students, parents, school managing committee along with every individual have equal responsibilities towards the education system.
Mr Pradhan stressed that this is a century of challenge and students need to prepare themselves with competitive passion. He added that such coaching camp was an opportunity for the students to prepare themselves for future competitions.
He stated that the state government too had started state-wide coaching camps for the class X and XII students since the previous year.
The function started with the welcome address by SLYA joint secretary, Rinzing Ongmu Rongmit and concluded with the vote of thanks by SLYA general secretary-II, Lobsang Chopel Lepcha.

SLYA team tours North Sikkim, collects update and grievances

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: A team of Renjyong Mutachi Rong Ong Shejum (Sikkim Lepcha Youth Associaiton) consisting of the members from Rakdong Branch, Fumbong Lho Timpyem and Reymindu Timpyem Kyong Ong Shezum and led by its cultural secretary, Karma Tshering Lepcha toured earthquake affected parts of North Sikkim recently, a press release informs.

Lepcha youth meeting discusses PTG status and demands

MANGAN, 25 July: Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association (SLYA) North District organised a meeting in coordination with the association’s central body here at the Zilla Bhawan yesterday.
The SLYA North District president, Kukoo Pakimoo, in his address, detailed that the association was working in different sectors for the upliftment of the Lepcha tribe and that the district level meeting had been called to follow up on the changes that the Primitive Tribe Group status accorded to Lepchas has brought about.