Chief Minister inaugurates LebunbaPungwa Ne-ing Yuk Him at Darap

KUSH HANG LEEWANG & IPR

GEYZING, : Chief Minister P.S. Golay inaugurated LebunbaPungwa Ne-ing Yuk Him at Darap, West Sikkim on Monday.

In his address, the Chief Ministerstated that the new Manghim-cum-meditation centre is not just for followers of Yuma Mang but is open to everyone seeking spiritual solace. 

The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Yuma Mang for gracing the occasion with her blessings. He also extended appreciation to Tulku Rinpoche for his presence. Acknowledging the collective efforts of MLAs, government officials, Panchayati Raj functionaries, and the public, he lauded their dedication in bringing this sacred project to fruition. 

He maintained that it was due to blessings of Yuma Mang and the people of Sikkim, he has been able to serve Sikkim as the Chief Minister. He also mentioned that the SKM government has initiated numerous community-based religious projects in the State.

Reflecting on the challenges faced during the project’s early phases, including the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, the Chief Minister stressed the power of resilience and a positive mind set in overcoming adversity.

Golay accused SDF of failing to allocate the required budget after laying the foundation stone in 2019, leaving the project incomplete. He emphasized that the SKM government revised the budget and ensured its completion within four years.

“I am happy to see this project come to fruition in a short span, and I believe the Manghim-cum-meditation centre will fulfil the spiritual aspirations of the people,” the Chief Minister added.

The Chief Minister also announced an annual grant of Rs. 10 lakh from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the management and maintenance of the LebunbaPungwa Ne-ing Yuk Him.

Addressing the alarming rise in suicide cases in Sikkim, the Chief Minister emphasized that meditation, spiritualism, and yoga play a crucial role in achieving peace, purpose, and mental well-being. He stated that these practices can curb suicidal tendencies and promote a healthy, meaningful life free from greed, alcoholism, and excessive materialism.

SikkumSiyongSepsing Yuma Mang expressed deep gratitude to the Chief Minister and the State government for fulfilling the long-standing demand. She emphasized that the Manghim-cum-meditation center would serve as a vital space for fostering and strengthening Yuma religion and spiritualism in Sikkim.

In her religious discourse, the Yuma Mang urged the congregation to lead a simple and pious life by letting go of greed, negativity and excessive materialism. She stressed that unhappiness and suffering arise from extreme greed and the pursuit of worldly pleasures.

She shared her mission of spreading spiritual awareness and emphasized that serving the weak, needy and downtrodden is equivalent to serving god. She reiterated that love and kindness restore humanity and that all religions are different paths leading to the same divine force.

Tourism minister T.T.Bhutia, MLAs L.N. Sharma, ErungTenzingLepcha and Rikshal D. Bhutia, LokSabha MP Indra Hang Subba, Gyalshing DC Tenzing D. Denzongpa, SP Tshering Sherpa, SP, zilla and gram panchayats were also present on the occasion.

The three-storey spiritual centre which includes a separate Manghim, meditation halls and other facilities has been constructed by State Building & Housing department at a cost of Rs. 12.92 crore.

As per the technical reported presented by Asha Gurung, PCE-cum-secretary, Building & Housing department, the three-storied structure with GCI roofing spans 2,964.25 sq. ft. of plinth area and 22,701.69 sq. ft. built area. The ground floor has living spaces, dormitories, a dining hall and an emporium, multipurpose hall and guest rooms on the first floor, and prayer and meditation rooms, kitchen, dining hall, bedrooms and Yuma Mang’s residence on the second floor.