CM inaugurates renovated Rinchen Choeling Monastery at Meghi Dara

KUSH HANG LEEWANG

GEYZING,: Chief Minister P.S. Golay on Sunday inaugurated the newly-renovated Rinchen Choeling Monastery and a cultural centre at Meghi Dara, near Rinchenpong. The project was initiated under the Rabindranath Tagore Park and Rinchen Choeling Monastery Project, overseen by the State Tourism department.

Tourism secretary Prakash Chettri, in his technical report, said that the project is being executed in two phases with the first phase seeing reconstruction of the monastery, a study centre, parking facilities, and a monastic-style entrance gate.

In his address, the Chief Minister emphasized the cultural and tourism significance of the project, noting Meghi Dara’s historical connection with Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. He described the initiative as a crucial development for both cultural preservation and local tourism.

Golay expressed gratitude to the Tourism department, contractors and monastery management committee for timely completion of the first phase of the work under Rabindranath Tagore Park and Cultural Centre project.

The Chief Minister said that the Rabindranath Tagore Park project was an old demand of the locals which remained ignored under the previous SDF government. He maintained that it was only after SKM came to power, the project was sanctioned in a due course.

"The SDF government did nothing in terms of development in Rinchenpong and it was due to own efforts of the locals hat tourism flourished in the region. The previous government never paid heed to old local developmental demands", Golay said.

On the river front development and heritage site project of Legship, Golay expressed disappointment over delayed start of the project and expressed that he would not visit Legship till the project does not complete.

“I won't visit Legship till the project is completed. I am unaware about why the work is pending. It should not get delayed…if concerned contractor is not willing to work even after funds for the project have been sanctioned then the project may get re-tendered.”

Earlier, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for Kunzang Chokerling monastery at Hee Patal and participated in Rapney (consecration ritual) ceremony of eight sacred stupas established at the monastery premises.