Awareness and tourism promotion peddle into Syari constituency

GANGTOK, 31 May: Parts of Syari constituency spread from Chandmari to Pabyuk-Naitam greeted a rally of 20 mountain bikers who peddled its off-roads accompanied by a motorcade lead by the area MLA, Speaker KT Gyaltsen. The main agenda of the initiative was to initiate direct interaction between the youth in village schools and representatives of different associations to promote tourism initiatives in the area through the message of a Healthy Sikkim.

The Speaker kicked off the drive at around 11 a.m. this morning from Chandmari. The overcast weather was perfect for cycling and the convoy rolled into its first pit-stop at Chongay Primary School Ground where students from Padma Odzer Choeling School and residents from the surrounding area had thronged to welcome the mountain bikers and the convoy. 
Here, the first interactive session between the officials of the Health Department who also marked the day as World Anti Tobacco Day, officials of the Department of Tourism, social organizations such as the Recovering Users Network [RUN], the members of the mountain bikers group, representatives like the first professional woman travel guide, Yangchen T. Lepcha and the area MLA was held for a brief while by which time the sun came out in full force.
The resource persons- the rally was at heart an awareness drive - shared their experiences and delved on ways and means by which the constituency could develop itself into a tourist destination of note.  Further, the message of an alcohol and drug free society to make the best use of the resources in the constituency was also shared here.
The mountain bikers, a young group of around 40 members in the East district alone, spoke on how the area could be promoted as a mountain biking destination and how the locals could benefit from this initiative.
It may be informed here that this was arguably the first of its kind exercise in the area. The drive was fascinating for many who had assembled along the road to greet the mountain bikers with strong cheering.
From here, the drive moved to its next location - Bhusuk Junior High School, the cyclists negotiating the difficult route which was cleared of traffic by the traffic wing of Sikkim Police who moved with the convoy throughout the day. Here too, the students and the school administration had set up a small interactive session in which the students showed an overwhelming interest in the mountain bikes.
Sure enough, the members of the mountain bikers group showed the children what exactly a mountain bike was - how the different gears worked and how one could assemble and dismantle a cycle in just minutes.
Here, the Health department officials distributed anti-tobacco pamphlets and KC Nima of RUN spoke to the children of the ill effects of drug and alcohol abuse. It was also shared that these were social diseases and could be treated and if one wanted, help was available.
After almost an hour at the venue, the cyclists pushed off for Pabyuk Secondary School. After a tiring uphill climb, the cyclists reached the school ground where they were welcomed by applauding children carrying ‘pom-poms’ and flags. The cyclists managed to peddle up to the ground even as many vehicles in the convoy could not negotiate the slush, curves and incline.
Even the area MLA walked it up to the school ground after the bus behind the cyclists held up traffic when it got stuck in the heavy slush.
Even here, the same routine of sharing and interaction was carried out from where everyone walked it up to Pabyuk Monastery established in the late 1700’s. Here, the monks, the youth, panchayats and the councilors of the constituency had arranged for a well deserved luncheon. After a quick reception here and offering of prayers, the convoy was treated to an exquisite culinary experience of all locally produced organic and traditional food.
Here, the day-long programme concluded with the area MLA thanking the entire team which had collaborated to make the programme a success.  From here, the cyclists moved on to Gangtok via Assam Lingzey.