AKRS felicitates Republic Day Tableau team

GANGTOK, 12 Feb: The Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh [AKRS] organised a felicitation program for the Republic Day parade Sikkim Sakewa Tableau and Sili team on 11 Feb at Seven Hills Resort, Namchi. The Sakewa Tableu along with Sili team had represented Sikkim on the 63rd Republic day parade at Rajpath, Delhi.
The chief coordinator for all committees of AKRS, Tika Maya Chamling was present as the chief guest for the occasion while the Lok Sabha MP, PD Rai was the guest of honour. Similarly the program was attended by Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, KN Rai, Chairman Temi Tea Board, Gagan Rai, the first president of AKRS, Andrew Rai, current president, Dr. SK Rai, a founder member of AKRS, Mohan Dungmali, prominent artist Hemu Rai and other dignitaries.
The day witnessed the reunion of the founder and senior members of the Sangh. In his welcome speech Dr. S.K Rai congratulated and thanked the participants of the Tableau and all others involved with it.
An AKRS press release informs that the felicitation program comprised of offering betebung, sayabung and shawals to the elders while the children participating in the sili dance were awarded certificates of participation. Altogether 40 participants were felicitated during the occasion.
A founder member of AKRS, Mohan Dungmali shared his experiences in the making and presentation of the tableau at Delhi. He also shared his nostalgic feelings of the struggle for the formation of the Sangh and appealed to every one to support its cause, the release informs.
Thanking the state government he informed that an amount of Rs. 1 crore has already been received for the construction of Paruhang Sapten Mangkhim at Ranka which is estimated to cost about Rs.8 crore on completion. In his address, Gagan Rai thanked and congratulated the tableau team and informed about the progress of the ongoing Mangkhim construction at Chemchey. He informed that the project is almost on the verge of completion and may take another month and also thanked all the members for their contributions for the same.
He also briefed on the upcoming project of the construction of the Kirawa Study Centre at Singithang, Namchi. The former and first AKRS president, Andrew Rai stated that every individual in the sangh is gifted with different talents and qualities and it is through their contribution that we all can uplift the people of the community and society as a whole.
The Political Secretary to Chief Minister K.N Rai praised and thanked the artist Hemu Rai the brain child behind the design of the tableau. He also congratulated and thanked all those involved in making the tableau a success. Further, he stated that just like the tableau team got the opportunity to go to Delhi and meet top leaders and visit places likewise responsibility has come upon their shoulders to go back to their blocks and further share their talents with others and help propagate the rich culture.
Member of Parliament, PD Rai speaking on the significance of the tableau stated “It has formed the element of Cultural Consciousness of India and further enriched our emotional integration with the nation”, the release mentions. The chief guest, Tika Maya Chamling in her address thanked all the participants and members of the tableau for creating history and making the tableau a success. Further, she stated that the tableau has proved the existence of Rai community and further enriched and added itself as one of the many colours of culture that exists in India.
She also stressed on the need to construct Mangkhims since it establishes the existence of the community in the region. She urged everyone for the participation and contribution towards the construction of such Mangkhims in the region.
 “Coming forward and working for the upliftment of the community is not a communal issue but suppressing and dominating other communities and depriving them of their rights is a communal issue” said the chief guest, the release adds. Further, she urged all the public representatives hailing from the community to come forward and work for the Sangh. Lastly, the vote of thanks was delivered by the district president AKRS South, Dr.Nayan Rai.