Communal harmony essential for State’s progress: CM

Golay to start Janta Bhetghat programme with Soreng-Chakung before March

SORENG,: Chief Minister P.S. Golay has emphasized the significance of communal harmony for the overall development of Sikkim, highlighting the SKM government’s efforts in fostering unity among the State’s diverse communities since coming to power.

“Communal harmony is essential for the State’s progress and the SKM government has successfully nurtured it through its secular approach and inclusive policies,” said the Chief Minister on Monday during the State-level celebration of Sonam Lochar at Soreng.

Sonam Lochar, celebrated as the Tamang community’s New Year, falls on January 30 this year.

The Chief Minister explained that the State-level celebration was preponed to allow the Tamang community members to observe the festival on its official date with their families. He mentioned that the State government has been preponing community festivals to facilitate such public celebrations.

Reiterating the importance of communal harmony, Golay stressed that all Sikkimese communities should be free to celebrate their cultural heritage without political interference. He called for unity among communities, emphasizing that divisions based on caste and religion must be avoided. He also urged the promotion of traditional attires and food items unique to Sikkimese communities, reminding everyone not to lose touch with their roots and cultural heritage.

Golay maintained that he attended the Sonam Lochar celebration not as a representative of the Tamang community but as a Chief Minister.  A Chief Minister is for all Sikkimese communities and just not for a particular community that he belongs to, he stated.

Golay also responded to various demands placed by area MLA Aditya Golay for Soreng district. He asserted that the genuine developmental demands would be fulfilled with priority.

The demands placed by MLA Aditya Golay included a visit by the Chief Minister to Soreng-Chakung constituency with Janta Bhetghat Karyakram, establishment of Tamang Cultural and Research Centre at Gumpadara under Melli constituency, introduction of a one-way route in Soreng Bazaar to address traffic congestion, development of Jautar Stadium at Soreng and construction of a parking plaza at Soreng Bazaar.

In response, the Chief Minister assured that all genuine demands would be prioritized and fulfilled. He revealed that Rs. 89 crore had already been sanctioned for the parking plaza project which would begin soon. He also criticized the previous SDF government for neglecting Jautar Stadium, adding that the SKM government completed the stadium and would further develop it by laying artificial turf.

Golay announced that his Janta Bhetghat programme would begin from Soreng-Chakung constituency before March, as a gesture of gratitude to its residents for their overwhelming support to SKM party in the Assembly elections.

The Sonam Lochar celebration featured traditional Tamang food stalls and cultural activities. Golay’s mother, Dhan Maya Tamang, and his spouse, Sarda Tamang, were also present alongside ministers and MLAs.

The organizing committee felicitated the Chief Minister for his contributions toward the upliftment of all communities in Sikkim alongside 15 individual achievers from the Tamang community. Tamang scholars and artists from Nepal and the Darjeeling hills also participated in the event.