The festival had the Cultural Affairs and Heritage Minister, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, as the chief guest accompanied by Health Minister, DN Takarpa, UD&HD Minister DB Thapa, historian Dr Nalini Panda, former MP, OT Lepcha, former MLA, Manita Mangar, panchayat members and members of Mangar community.
A press release issued by publicity secretary of the Sangh, Bishnu Rana Mangar informs that the celebration started with prayers and offerings by priests followed by inspection of exhibition stalls at the venue by the chief guest and other guests.
On the occasion, the organizing committee also felicitated the first State Minister from the Mangar community, DB Thapa and the first MLA from the community, Manita Mangar. Artists from Kadamtam, Gangtok, Suldung, Tinzerbung, Salghari and Mangar Sangh of India presented dances and other cultural items of the Mangar community, while young singer from Darjeeling, Prayat Rana also performed.
In his address, the chief guest stated that everyone needs to come forward for the protection and preservation of the language, culture and traditional heritage of any community and added that the state government has been supporting every community in the state in this regard.
ASMS’s language-literature development committee advisor, Santosh Alley spoke on the significance of Barahimizong festival, while ASMS president, Asal Thapa thanked the Chief Minister for financial support from the government to construct the Mangar Bhawan.
Health Minister, Mr Takarpa, ASMS West district president, JM Thapa and other members of the organizing committee also addressed the programme.
