Pang Lhabsol celebration at MG Marg

NO CULTURAL PROGRAMME THIS TIME
GANGTOK, 01 Sept: Pang Lhabsol Celebration Committee 2014 called a meeting on Sunday to discuss preparations for the festival of the unity which is slated to be held from 07-09 September 2014 here in the capital.
During the meeting, president for the celebration committee, Thukchuk Lachungpa informed that this time there will be no cultural programmes owing to the ongoing construction of the dome over the Statue of Unity above MG Marg.
"We will be organising a grand Puja at the Statue of Unity. On the first day we will have a small Puja while on the final day we will host the Puja in a grand manner", said Mr Lachungpa.
A similar meeting will be held on 07 September, he informed and also urged the public to give their feedback for the Pang Lhabsol celebration. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling for supporting the construction of the Dome.
The meeting was attended by representatives of different associations as well.


 

Diwali celebration at MG Marg

Photo exhibition at MG Marg

GANGTOK, 22 Sept: A group of young photographers came together this weekend to exhibit their work in the capital. The exhibition, laid out outdoors at MG Marg, featured the works of trigger-happy shutterbugs Praveen Chettri, Satyam Rai, Raul Lama and Pema Wangchen.
The two-day exhibition, held on Saturday and Sunday, was organised by the recently established Gangtok-based Imago Creative Studio organized. Imago Creative Studio is a professional photography and video service located at MG Marg. It has been set up by Praveen Chettri, Raul Lama and Arvind Raj Gurung.
The objective of the exhibition was to promote photography as a professional career choice and as a hobby as well. It also sought to give locals an opportunity to view the work of these young Sikkimese photographers.
Nowadays everyone owns a DSLR camera but many do not know how to use them properly so with this initiative we hope to encourage them to learn more about photography, explained the organisers. “We have started with just four photographers but plan to collaborate with more local photographers in future”, they added.
The exhibition will be followed by a workshop on photography to be held on 29 September, which will have well-known photographer Chinlop Fudong Lepcha as the resource person. Mr Lepcha has around 20 years of experience in photography and has won many awards for his work, it is informed.

NE Tribal Folk Dance programme concludes at MG Marg

GANGTOK, 21 Jan: The three-day North Eastern Region Tribal Folk Dance programme, Purvottari, concluded today at MG Marg.
The programme was organized by the Culture and Heritage Department, Government of Sikkim in association with the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal, an autonomous body of the Government of India under Ministry of Culture.
Purvottari is an effort to explore the potential of heritage and cultural tourism in the Northeastern region. On the closing day today, around 140 artists among whom 40 were from Sikkim presented cultural performances.
Manipuri artists presented Rash Krishna Bhaklu dance of the Vaishnav community, Pang-Cholam, a part of the Sankirtana music by the drummers in spotless white costume and Thanga which is based on Manipuri martial arts.
The Nagas performed Chiiteli dance of the Chaka Lam community, depicting the harvesting done in fields by way of delicate movements. Assamese presented the famous Bihu and Gowalpar while dancers from Mizoram presented Sulam Kai Salakiya dance.
Artists from Meghalaya entertained the public through Rigalag dance, Tripura presented Hoja Giri, a ceremonial dance with candles [usually performed by unmarried girls in Tripura propitiating Goddess Laxmi]. Host state, Sikkim performed Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali dances. The most entertaining, being Serathi and Chutke dance.
‘It is felt that the youth today need to be acquainted with their culture and these cultural programmes aim at leaving at least some impression on young minds about the rich culture & tradition, costumes of the Northeast,’ said Jagadish Sharma, Special Officer on Duty of the Culture and Heritage department.
Senior Officer of the Sangrahalaya, Dr. R M Nayyal and Jagdish Sharma worked in coordination to conduct the programme successfully.
It is to be mentioned here, the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal seeks to promote and spread awareness on culture among the masses, document the different cultural aspects of different regions in the country and to help in preserving and protecting vanishing cultural legacies.

Pre-Christmas Celebration at MG Marg

GANGTOK, 23 Dec: Members of the Christian community of Gangtok and surrounding areas came together for the Pre-Christmas Celebration 2012 here at MG Marg on Saturday evening. The celebration was organized by all local Churches of Gangtok under the aegis of the United Christian Welfare Society of Sikkim [USWSS].
During the celebration, Christmas carols were presented by the choirs of different churches, while songs and dances were also presented by local and guest artists and groups. Another highlight of the celebration was a skit ‘Crown of Throne’ by The Man Called Jesus [TMCJ] group from Nepal, which presented the events related to Jesus Christ’s life.
Finally, the stage was also shared by Gangtok-based Christian bands, Metanoia and Solemn Faith. A message of Christmas was shared by Rev Robin Chettri from Assembly of God Church.
In his address, Sikkim Legislative Assembly Speaker, KT Gyaltsen, who was present as the chief guest, wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Speaking on the occasion, he expressed that every religion gives out the message of love, peace and service to humanity. The present government is a secular government and the Chief Minister has been working equally for welfare and protection of every religion and community in the state, the Speaker added.

Deepraj feted, Gangtok serenaded

GANGTOK, 09 Dec: A felicitation, thanksgiving cum cultural programme to celebrate Gangtok-lad Deepraj Rai’s performance in the recently concluded “India’s Got Talent” programme on national TV was organized by the Deepraj Rai Fan Club here at MG Marg today. The programme had the HRDD Minister NK Pradhan as chief guest accompanied by Gangtok MLA Dorjee Namgyal, Mayor KN Topgay, Deputy Mayor Shakti Singh, AKRS president Dr SK Rai and T Lachungpa.
In his short address, the Minister thanked the people of the State for voting for Deepraj Rai and ensuring that this talented singer figured in the top-3 of the talent hunt. Recognising that fans had come in to watch and fete Deepraj, the Minister said, “I will not take much time as people have not come to listen to speeches but to see their favourite star perform and to see the programme. So once again, I thank the people and the Deepraj Fan Club for all they have done”.
Deepraj was also felicitated by the chief guest and the Principal of his alma mater Sai Gurukool Academy, Tadong. The children of the school also performed a play and cultural programme.
The programme attracted a huge audience and was telecast live on Nayuma Television.

PANIC ’N REMEMBRANCE

Many more than expected people poured into MG Marg, Gangtok, on Tuesday evening as the appointed time arrived for the candlelight remembrance of the 2011 Earthquake drew close today. Apart from individuals and organisation who turned up for the vigil, also at the venue were residents scared out of their homes by the 4.1 temblor which coursed through the State at 5:56 pm, minutes before 6:10 p.m. when the 6.9 strong earthquake had hit Sikkim with devastating effect this day last year.

GANGTOK REMEMBERS 2011: Helping Hands Sikkim organised a candlelight memorial and prayers here at MG Marg today in remembrance of the lives lost in the 18 September 2011 earthquake. A large number of people turned up in front of the Tourism office for the candlelight vigil and prayers which began at 6:10 PM, the exact time when the quake had struck last year. Prayers were offered by leaders of all religions while Speaker KT Gyalsten, HRDD Minister NK Pradhan, Gangtok Mayor Dorjee Namgyal and Deputy Mayor Shakti Singh also joined the service. An audio CD titled ‘Lets pray campaign’ by artists from Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong was also launched on the day.

‘United we stand, divided we fall’

MG MARG PANG LHABSOL CELEBRATES SIKKIMESE UNITY
ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 31 Aug: Pang Lhabsol was celebrated here at the Statue of Unity premises on MG Marg today on the theme ‘United We Stand, Divided We Fall’. Organized by the Pang Lhabsol Celebration Committee, the function had Speaker KT Gyaltsen as the chief guest.
The celebration kicked off with traditional ritual offerings by monks and bongthings at the Statue of Unity complex. Addressing the celebration later, Speaker Mr Gyaltsen underlined that Pang Lhabsol is a festival that signifies brotherhood and unity. He went on to add that the existing peace, unity and bond of brotherhood between different communities in Sikkim reflects the essence of this festival.
Peace and unity has become the identity of Sikkim and it is the responsibility of the present generation to pass it on to many generations to come, Mr Gyaltsen added.
The programme was also addressed by HRDD Minister, NK Pradhan, Gangtok MLA Dorjee Namgyal who is also the Advisor PLCC, and president of the PLCC,  T Lachungpa where they collectively called on the people of Sikkim to continue to stay united and set an example for the world when it comes to maintaining peace and tranquillity.
Cultural competitions formed the heart of the Pang Lhabsol celebration here in Gangtok wherein the PLCC had organised interschool and open folk dance competition.  Sir Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School walked away with the winner’s trophy in the inter-school category followed by West Point Senior Secondary School and Tadong Senior Secondary School in the second and third positions respectively.
The top three schools were awarded trophies, certificates and cash awards of Rs.10000, Rs.8000 and Rs.6000 respectively. While in the open category, Danceshala Tibet Road emerged as the champions followed by Anmol Society and Sanskriti Sangrakshan Samiti, 5th Mile Tadong taking the second and third spots respectively.
The top three groups in the open category were also awarded with trophies, certificates and cash award of Rs.10000, Rs.8000 and Rs.6000 respectively. Similarly, the PLCC also gave away consolation cash prizes to all the participating groups apart from the winners.

Local talents to shine at MG Marg Pang Lhabsol

PRAYERS BEGIN AT STATUE OF UNITY
GANGTOK, 30 Aug: Gangtok is all set to celebrate Pang Lhabsol in a grand manner and a strong focus on cultural activities here at MG Marg on Friday. Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, KT Gyaltsen, is scheduled to attend the function as chief guest. Meanwhile, prayers at the Statue of Unity premises began this evening itself.
“This year the festival is dedicated to our local talents and we are giving more emphasis on prayers for peace in the state to ensure the wellness of people here in Sikkim. May this festival bring joy and happiness in their life always,” expressed Pang Lhabsol Celebration Committee president, T Lachungpa, while speaking to media persons today.
A total of 35 cultural troupes including schools, clubs and NGOs are scheduled to perform during the celebration tomorrow.
Mr Lachungpa added that Pang Lhabsol is one of its kind, celebrated only in Sikkim this festival represents unity, prosperity, peace and brotherhood of the people of the state. He further added that this festival is celebrated every year to bring peace, unity, prosperity and brotherhood in the state. This festival is not only of one or two communities but of every Sikkimese, said Mr Lachungpa.
On behalf of the celebration committee, Mr Lachungpa welcomed everyone to be part of the festival to promote peace, prosperity and unity among the people

Preparations begin for Pang Lhabsol festivities at MG Marg

GANGTOK, 05 August: “This year, the Pang Lhabsol celebrations at MG Marg will be grand like always and with more emphasis on prayers and rituals,” announced Thukchuk Lachungpa at a press briefing today. The prayers, he informed, will begin on the eve, 30 August, itself while the auditions for the cultural programme will be held on 26 August for student groups and other clubs at BL House. The theme, like every year, will be unity.
District troupes from all over the State will be present on the day which also feature the inauguration of  new stage at the venue. This time, the emphasis will be on local talent, Mr. Lachungpa informed.
The HRDD Minister, NK Prdhan, who chairs the organising committee, further informed that the festival’s observance her will be modelled as a complete Sikkimese festival worked around the theme of unity that the festival of Pang Lhabsol signifies for the State and its people.

Not such a good carrier

OVERLOADED UTILITY TRUCK SKIDS OFF AND CRASHES INTO MG MARG
GANGTOK, 03 July: A white Utility vehicle [SK-01D-0240] truck belonging to the Goodwill Company met with an accident while on its way to Children’s Park Taxi Stand this morning.
The vehicle was carrying a load of mineral water bottles for delivery at the time.
Shortly after the vehicle began its climb up from the MG Marg bifurcation, it lost traction near the private car park and started skidding backwards. The driver lost control and the vehicle veered off the road and crashed into the resting bench next to the District Control Room at MG Marg opposite the Tourism Office. The accident took place at around 7:15 AM. Fortunately, with schools on summer break and the incident taking place early in the day, this resting shed was unoccupied at the time and there were no pedestrians nearby either.
One of the workers of the company informed that the reason for the accident was due to brake failure, but as per eye witness accounts the vehicle was over loaded and could not pull the load up the road. Only the driver was inside the vehicle and escaped with minor injuries, it is learnt.
A case of rash and negilgent driving has been registered against the driver at the Sadar Police Station and the case is under investigation.

World Music Day 2012 at MG Marg

ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 21 June: World Music Day 2012 was celebrated at MG Marg today, which was also the concluding day of the “Glimpses of Sikkimese Culture” organised by Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department from 01 June. The World Music Day celebration was jointly organised by Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata and Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department, Government of Sikkim.
Culture Officer, Lata Rajalim while speaking to media persons informed that the concluding day of “Glimpses of Sikkimese Culture” was scheduled to be held on 30 June but due to the weather conditions it was postponed to coincide with the World Music Day which is celebrated by musicians and music lovers world wide on 21 June every year.
Speaking on the significance of World Music Day, Ms Rajalim said that this is the day for musicians and music lovers who perform for free, free concerts are organised in parks, train stations, etc. It also gives an opportunity for people to come together through music and there are no restrictions on this day, she added.
The Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department will continue to organise such events in the coming future, she concluded.

Zonal Cultural Centre’s silver jubilee celebration ‘Maatii Ke Rang’ begins at MG Marg

ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 10 June: The silver jubilee celebration, “Maatii ki Rang”, of the Zonal Cultural Centre kicked off on Saturday amidst a huge gathering at MG Marg in here. Secretary, Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department, Nalini G Pradhan formally inaugurated the three-day programme. The programme is being organized by the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with the Cultural Affairs and Heritage department of Sikkim.
“The three-day programme is a platform for cultural exchange. It’s meant not only to entertain tourists and locals but also to preserve and showcase the rich culture of the State”, said Secretary Mrs Pradhan.
The programme began with the traditional Maruni dance of the Nepali community which was appreciated by the crowds. “Even if it rains heavily, I and my family will watch the show till the end”, expressed Satyajit, a tourist who had come from Kolkata with his family. The Maruni dance was enjoyed by many elderly locals who were present as well and brought back memorable moments of the years gone by for them as expressed by one such senior citizen.
As the evening carried on, even the drizzle that followed did not deter tourists or locals as they swayed to the beats of Bihu, an Assamese dance.
 “I regard my trip to Sikkim as wonderful and memorable where I am being able to witness such rich cultural display in such romantic weather” said Aakriti, who is on her honeymoon trip here. Later in the evening, cultural troupes from Gujarat, Orissa, Jharkhand and many other places presented their rich culture on stage.
It may be recalled here that a month long programme ‘Glimpses of the Sikkimese culture’ was earlier kicked off on 01 June and concluded recently.
Earlier, the Secretary welcomed the guests by offering khadas and lighting the ceremonial lamp.

Change in MG Marg closure days for convenience of tourists

GANGTOK, 23 May: Gangtokians might have noticed the change in closure days of shops along the MG Marg of late. Earlier, the entire stretch from Old Market [from Tourism Office till Hari Stores] and the New Market [from Hari Stores to Star Cinema Hall] used to be closed on Tuesdays. However, now the New Market remains closed on Tuesdays, while the Old Market will remain shut on Sundays.
The change was put into effect by the Labour Department in response to a request from the Sikkim Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking to NOW!, Secretary, Labour Deptt, CT Wangdi explained that the Chamber had approached the department with regard to keeping at least one portion of the MG Marg open throughout the week so that tourists visiting the state did not have spend a day in the main town with the entire area closed.
Earlier, the entire stretch of MG Marg remain closed on Tuesdays causing inconvenience to visitors looking to make purchases on the day. “Instead of keeping the whole of MG Marg closed on Tuesdays, we have made changes in the closure days, so from now onwards only one side of MG Marg will be closed which will thereby be beneficial for the tourists as well as locals”, informed the Secretary.
Medicine shops, restaurants and fast food joints will remain open throughout the week, he added.
Since the shops situated along the National Highway remain closed on Sundays and most of the shops of the Old Market sell construction materials so they had asked that they also be allowed to remain closed on Sundays, Mr Wangdi mentioned.

Promoting Common Service Centres on the streets

GANGTOK, 18 March: A street play, aimed at informing the people about Common Service Centres and promoting the various services that the people can avail at these centres, was performed at MG Marg yesterday. CSCs, opened at the village level, seek to provide high quality and cost-effective video, voice and data content and services in the areas of e-governance, education, health, telemedicine, entertainment as well as other private services. The street play, scripted to generate awareness about this IT-enabled service, was organized by Outloud Enterprises which has been hired by the Information Technology Department to conduct awareness/ sensitization programmes on CSCs all over the state.
A highlight of the CSCs is that it will offer web-enabled e-governance services in rural areas, including application forms, certificates, and utility payments such as electricity, telephone and water bills. The idea behind CSCs is to develop a platform that can enable Government, private and social sector organizations to integrate their social and commercial goals for the benefit of rural populations in the remotest corners of the state through a combination of IT as well as non-IT services.
The street-play, a press release informs, was followed by distribution of pamphlets explaining the objectives behind the setting up of CSCs and details of the services offered by these CSCs which include Internet, Computer Typing, Printing, Train/Air Tickets, DTH/Mobile recharging etc.The awareness programme will travel to all sub-divisional towns on haat days. At present, there are 45 CSCs running in the state.
The release highlights that although people may have heard of such CSCs in their localities, they are mostly unaware of the services available there like Air/ Train ticketing, DTH/ Mobile recharging, and the latest awareness drive is expected to generate wider awareness and through it, greater patronage.
The Government of India has also recently approved the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) with the vision of providing all government services in an integrated manner at the citizen’s doorsteps at an affordable cost. NeGP is aimed at improving the quality, accessibility and effectiveness of government services to citizens and businesses with the help of ICT. It is structured on the philosophy of a centralized initiative with decentralized implementation.
One of the main infrastructure pillar that has been identified for successful implementation of NeGP is Common Services Centres (CSC). At present, citizens, especially those living in remote rural areas, have to travel long distances to avail a service through a government department or its local offices. This is time-consuming and costly affairs for a common man to access citizen services. To overcome this problem, as a part of the National e-Governance Plan vision, one computer and internet enabled Common Service Centre (CSC) is envisaged to set up for every six villages so that villagers can easily avail these services.

Beauties come forward for a clean and beautiful Sikkim

GANGTOK, 23 Feb: “If Miss Sikkim can come forward to keep the town clean then why not the common people?”, said organiser of the pageant, Raj Pradhan addressing the media today at MG Marg where the Miss Sikkim finalists participated in a cleanliness drive.
Illustrating this message the beauties along with the organising members helped clean the MG Marg today. Mr Pradhan further informed that the winner of Miss Sikkim Contest will be the brand ambassador of Travel Agents Association of Sikkim [organisers of the Sikkim Snow and Culture fest which is hosting the pageant] and will get the opportunity as well as the platform to participate in Femina Miss India East contest.
In order to encourage the young contestants all 29 girls will be given the opportunity to perform in the traditional round on the final day whereas earlier only 25 contestants were selected for the final round, he informed. Although participation has not been as high as hoped we will continue to organize the contest in the capital, Mr Pradhan added.
On behalf of the contestants, the organizers have asked for support and encouragement from the public. The crown for the winner has been sponsored by Nakshatra jewellery[MG Marg] while equipments for the cleanliness drive today were provided by Big Bazaar for which the organisers thanked Big Bazaar.
Well known singers [Nepal] Mingma Sherpa and Sushma Rai will be present at the finals at May Fair resort tomorrow while Thuckchuk Lachungpa will be present as the guest of honour, it was informed.

14 finalists selected for folk song comp at MG Marg

GANGTOK, 21 Feb: Auditions for the folk song competition  as part of Sikkim Snow and Culture Fest were held on 18, 19 and 21 Feb at Hotel Delamere, Church road.
Out of 38 participants in Bhutia, Lepcha and Nepali languages, 14 were selected for the grand finale to be held on 26 Feb at MG Marg. Names of the finalists are as follows; Rapden Bhutia, Tashi Tshering Bhutia, Chumi Denka Bhutia, Leydup Lama, Sonom Bhutia, Petrick Lepcha, Leemit Lepcha, Yankee Lepcha, Choki Lamu Lepcha, Indra Bdr Gurung and group, Pasang Doma, Pramod Sharma, Sheela Nepal and Basanti Rai.
The participants were judged by Kr Pakhrin [Nepali], Narayan Rai [Nepali], Tashi Ongmu Bhutia [Bhutia] and Dawa Lepcha [Lepcha].

MG Marg to remain open on the last two Tuesdays of Feb

SIKKIM SNOW FEST’S “AMIT PAUL NITE” POSTPONED TO APRIL
GANGTOK, 20 Feb: The State government has allowed shops and commercial establishments situated at MG Marg here to operate on Tuesdays of third and fourth week of February to supplement the tourism recovery efforts made by Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS).
The ‘Sikkim Snow & Cultural Festival’ is being organized by TAAS with the full support of the State government to attract tourists to the State. Cultural programmes are held every evening at MG Marg to entertain tourists and locals alike during the festival.
A press release informs that TAAS had approached the State Labour department to exempt shops and commercial units at MG Marg from the mandatory closure during Tuesdays so that tourists can shop and eat snacks. Tourists do not know shops are closed at MG Marg during Tuesdays so they may face problems when they are here during the festival, said TAAS president Lukendra Rasaily.
In response to TAAS’s request, the Labour department issued a notification today exempting all shops and commercial establishments at MG Marg from closing down this Tuesday (February 21 and next Tuesday (February 28) during the Snow festival, the release informs.
TAAS has out-sourced various event management groups to entertain tourists and locals during this period. We have lined up various entertainment programmes beside tours to snow covered areas and home stays in the villages, the release mentions.
As part of the programme AMIT PAUL NITE was slated for 22 February 2012 at TNA Ground by the Namdul Tours & Travels in collaboration with TAAS. Due to various reasons, the show “AMIT PAUL NITE “has been postponed to April 2012, the release informs. The primary reason for this is the upcoming board examinations. Those who have obtained entry passes can use the same for AMIT PAUL NITE in the month of April.

Folk Song competition at MG Marg

GANGTOK, 30 Jan: TAAS will be hosting an Open Folk Song Competition will be held here at MG Marg as part of the Sikkim Snow & Culture Fest, which is to start on 14 February.
Speaking to media persons today, TAAS Joint Secretary [South], Dhan Man Tamang, informed that the Travel Agents Association of Sikkim was going to hold an open folk song competition here at MG Marg during the Sikkim Snow & Culture Fest. As the name suggests, the competition is open to all.
Contestants can perform in any of the three languages - Bhutia, Lepcha or Nepali. Auditions are scheduled for 18 and 19 February at MG Marg itself and the finals scheduled for 26 February with a charity show, he added.
“The winner will take home a cash prize of Rs. 25,000, with the runner-up receiving Rs. 15,000 and the one coming third Rs. 10,000,” he further informed.
“The reason for holding this open folk song competition is to bring forward the hidden talents of the people and children of Sikkim and also work on the recovery mission of bringing back tourism after the 18 September, 2011 earthquake,” he further added.
Any person interested in taking part in the folk song competition can contact: 98325-86359, 94743-48851, 94750-11447.

MG Marg song & dance scores a hit, plans grand finale for 30 May

GANGTOK, 25 May: The dance and music soirees playing at the MG Marg every evening are being well received by tourists and locals here. A first of its kind initiative, these shows have been by the Tourism Department, with intention to entertain visiting tourists.
Karma Tshering Bhutia, public relations officer of the Department, informs that what is even more interesting is that the Department is not spending any money on the event.