Friday, Jul 14, 2023 08:00 [IST]
Last Update: Friday, Jul 14, 2023 02:24 [IST]
GANGTOK, (IPR): To commemorate the 209th Bhanu Jayanti, Nepali Sahitya Parishad Sikkim organised an award ceremony and cultural event here at Manan Kendra today.
The event was attended by SLA Speaker Arun Kumar Upreti, deputy Speaker Sangay Lepcha, Rural Development minister Sonam Lama, who was also the chairman of the organising committee, MLA Y.T. Lepcha, Chief Minister’s political secretary Jacob Khaling, Gangtok mayor, deputy mayor, councillors, literary personalities, representatives from different organisations, teachers, students, and local gentry.
In his welcome address, Nepali Sahitya Parishad president Hari Dhungel thanked everyone present for their support. He also extended his gratitude to the State government for its exceptional mission and vision of strengthening language and culture.
Speaker Arun Upreti, in his address, commended the organising committee for holding such an outstanding event and extended his congratulations. He highlighted Adikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya’s contributions to the Nepali literature, culture, and language and encouraged everyone to uphold and safeguard the unique traditions and culture for the State's holistic development and well-being.
He expressed his greetings to all of the invited visitors, including those from Nepal and several other States. He congratulated the winners and participants in the traditional and cultural events. He thanked everyone who came and took part in the celebration of Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya's birthday anniversary.
During the State-level Bhanu Jayanti celebration, eminent writer Thiru Prasad Nepal was conferred with the Bhanu Puraskar 2023.
Similarly, Bhasa Sewa Sri Samman was presented to Sanu Subba, Sahitya Sewa Sri Samman to Kumar Nepali, Sangeet Sewa Sri Samman to Dushyant Pariyar, Natya Sewa Sri Samman to Mahendra Bajgain, Patrakarita Sewa Sri Samman to Vishnu Neopaney, Nritya Sewa Sri Samman to Dilu Tamang and Chitrakarita Sewa Sri Samman to Diwakar Lamichaney.
Likewise, Bhasa Gaurav Samman was conferred to Keden Bhutia and Chuksung Lepcha in recognition of their contributions in Bhutia and Lepcha language respectively.
The Nepali Sahitya Parishad also felicitated the eminent personalities from Nepal, namely, Madankrishna Shrestha and Hari Bansh Acharya.
The organising committee had also organised an inter-school and open Ramayana Paath, Kavita Paath, along with tableau and traditional procession competitions this year.
West Point senior secondary school, Sichey SSS and Dorali girls’ SSS stood first, second and third respectively in inter-school Ramayan Paath competition.
The national level Ramayan Paath competition winners are: Rita Sharma (first), Bhimlall Pandey (second) and Dayaram Bhattarai (third).
In national level poem competition, Smita Rai (Kalimpong), Suraj Sharma (Darjeeling) and Suchan Pradhan (Rehnock) stood first, second and third respectively.
In inter-school poem competition, Sabina Rai (Biraspati Parsai SSS), Basanti Rai (Bojoghari SSS) and Anjali Chettri (Mangsari JHS) stood first, second and third respectively.in inter-school Shova Yatra competition, Sai Prashanti Vidya Mandir, Gangtok, Luing SSS and Tadong SSS stood first, second and third respectively. In open Shova Yatra competition, Akhil Sikkim Anusuchit Jati Kalyan Sangh, Sikkim Newar Guthi Sangh and Akhil Sikkim Thami Sangh stood first, second and third respectively.
In inter-school Sanskritik Jhaki competition, Deorali girls’ SSS, Bojoghari SSS and West Point SSS stood first, second and third respectively. In the open category, Gurung Association of Sikkim, Akhil Sikkim Khas Chettri Bahun Kalyan Sangh and Arithang Samaj stood first, second and third respectively.
The annual publication of the Nepali Sahitya Parishad’s ‘Bhanu Smarika’ and a few other publications were also released on the occasion by the dignitaries.
The programme concluded with presentation of appreciation Letters to various organisations and prize distribution.
