Baisakhi Parva with Ekta Diwas theme celebrated in Sikkim

DICHEN ONGMU

No outsiders can take away our rights if we stay united: CM tells Sikkimese communities
GANGTOK,: People in Sikkim live in unity irrespective of the communities they belong to and the Baisakhi Parva ‘Ekta Diwas’ today proves it as we are witnessing the participation of all the 21 communities at this occasion, said Chief Minister P.S. Golay at Manan Kendra on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister was addressing the Baisakhi Parva, the start of Nepali New Year as per Bikram Sambat and celebrated for this year with ‘Ekta Diwas’ theme in Sikkim by Nepali Sahitya Parishad (NSP) Sikkim.
Golay said Baisakhi Parva is a festival of Sikkim also and called upon the Sikkimese communities to strengthen their communal harmony. “If we stay together in unity then nobody can supress us, no one can take away our rights. We should avoid enmity among us, take a firm stand for each other and not let any outsiders take advantage of us,” he said.
The Chief Minister appealed poets and writers to spread the message of staying in communal harmony and unity. He highlighted that NSP Sikkim is an umbrella body which supports litterateurs of all communities. Writers who cannot publish their literary work due to financial issues can reach out to this organisation who will willingly publish it for you, he said.
He also appealed students to value and preserve their tradition and culture.
“Our government has never discriminated people on the basis of their religion and community. Rather we have successfully kept everyone intact and taking our Sikkim forward with the support of the Sikkimese”, he said.
Golay accused the previous SDF government of doing politics on religion and communities. ‘Kirtey kaagaz’ (anonymous pamphlets) were circulated to generate misunderstandings among different communities here, he said.
The Chief Minister also appealed the people not to panic regarding second wave of Covid pandemic as Sikkim is prepared and safe in comparison to other States. “We are capable to fight Covid-19 but we must not take it lightly. Our people must abide by our new notifications for the smooth functioning of our day to day life”, he urged.
NPS Sikkim president Rudra Poudyal highlighted on the importance of Baisakhi Parva and urged everyone to preserve and promote their respective culture and traditions.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched a book titled ‘Sikkim Ka Bhasha: Dasha Evam Disha’ edited by Dr. Tek Bahadur Chettri and published by Nepali Sahitya Parishad Sikkim.
Earlier, the celebrations started with a Shova Yatra from Sikkim Legislative Assembly complex to Manan Kendra. It was participated by various communities in their traditional attire. The Chief Minister and dignitaries also took part in the Shova Yatra.
At Manan Bhawan, the Chief Minister was accorded a warm welcome by the the celebration committee. He visited the stalls where various traditional musical instruments, artefacts, and other traditional items were displayed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chief Minister P.S. Golay made some major announcements during his Baisakhi Parva speech at Manan Kendra. The announcements were:
- Names of the places in Sikkim to be now rectified into their original names in order to preserve their cultural and historical significance.
- Pending religious infrastructures to be completed at the earliest.
- 11 left-out communities to have centre in the capital.
- Students to wear their traditional attire once a month in school/college from new session