Friday, Jan 17, 2025 10:30 [IST]
Last Update: Friday, Jan 17, 2025 04:56 [IST]
Dzongu on the road to recovery
Recently, Dzongu celebrated the Namprikdang Namsoong
festival at Namprikdang Ground, a site of immense cultural and spiritual
significance. This festival, celebrated since 1976 at the confluence of the
Teesta and Kanaka rivers, is an essential cultural event for the Lepcha
community in Dzongu. Namprikdang Ground is a sacred site where the people of
Dzongu have been worshiping their guardian deities for centuries, and it holds
a special place in the hearts of the local population. The land is considered blessed
with unique treasures that set Dzongu apart from other regions in Sikkim.
However, Dzongu's topography, with its steep cliffs, deep
gorges, and challenging landforms, has made infrastructure development
particularly difficult. Despite these constraints, the current government has
shown unwavering commitment to the region's progress. The recent Glacial Lake
Outburst Flood (GLOF) on October 3, 2023, devastated many areas, including
Dzongu. The disaster destroyed essential infrastructure, including the
suspension bridges at Sangkalang and Phidang, cutting off connectivity to Dzongu
for several months. In response, the local Lepcha community, with their
traditional knowledge and skills, built indigenous cane bridges over the Teesta
River to temporarily restore connectivity.
The Honorable Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh
Golay, acted swiftly in the aftermath of the GLOF disaster. He visited the
affected areas, provided immediate relief materials, and ensured that the
restoration of connectivity became a priority. The government funded the
reconstruction of the suspension bridges at both Sangkalang and Phidang.
However, when a subsequent cloudburst in June 2024 collapsed the newly
constructed bridge, the government again stepped in, funding the restoration of
an indigenous cane bridge to re-establish critical connections for Dzongu and
surrounding areas.
In addition to these emergency response efforts, numerous
development initiatives are currently underway, and many more are in the
planning or approval stages. These projects aim to improve infrastructure,
education, healthcare, social welfare, and connectivity in Dzongu. Some of the
key developmental activities undertaken by the present government includes the
steel suspension bridge at Phidang which is already operational, work on the
steel suspension bridge at Sangkalang is under construction and is expected to
be completed by April 2025. The infrastructure development, roads and bridges
construction and up-gradation under the present government includes,
one-kilometer road construction in Lum, construction of a steel bridge and
approach road to Lum village, playground construction at Sangtok, Lower Dzongu,
road carpeting of Gor School and steel bridge construction in Lum Gor Sangtok
GPU, road widening and carpeting of Gumpa roads in Hee Gyathang, construction
of Gram Panchayat Kendra at Lingdong, road carpeting from Shipger to
Passingdang, road carpeting from Passingdang to Laven, construction of a new
road from Laven to Sakyoung (the last village in Dzongu), road carpeting from
Passingdang to Lingthem, construction of Lepcha Museum at Lingthem Gumpa, construction
of a Bailey footbridge at Mantam and a Bailey motorable bridge at Mantam,
up-gradation of the road from 6th Mile Tingvong to Pentong, upgradation of the
Sangkalang Bay Sakyong road from CWC Passingdang to Kayem bridge point, road
widening of Pentong from Bay village, construction of a new suspension bridge
connecting Pentong and Sakyong, renovation and up-gradation of Tholung Gumpa,
footpath construction from Bay village to Tholung, restoration and revival of
Namprikdang Ground, along with water supply and sanitation facilities to
support the celebration of the Namsoong festival. Apart from this,
approximately 100 suspension bridges are currently with the department for
approval and sanction. Once approved, these bridges will provide connectivity
to all villages across Dzongu. In the case of Social Welfare and Healthcare the
assistance include a major heart surgery for Sangey Ongmu Lepcha, a 14-year-old
child from Dzongu, successful medical treatment for Mr. Thendup Lepcha from
Upper Dzongu, provision of an ambulance vehicle at Hee Gyathang PHC and
Passingdang to improve healthcare accessibility.
For the welfare of people, around 340 beneficiaries from
Dzongu have received government-supported homes under the SGAY scheme, around
292 families have received inverters, GCI sheets, and other materials for home
improvements. Numerous individuals from Dzongu who previously had no government
employment have now government jobs. Many local entrepreneurs have received
financial assistance for their livelihood.
In the field of Education a model school is under
construction at Hee Gyathang. Every year, students from the Lepcha community
especially from Dzongu are provided with a special quota for admission to Tashi
Namgyal Academy. Chief Minister's Educational Assistance is being provided to
students for higher studies, ensuring they have access to quality education
opportunities.
Likewise, a Lepcha Museum has been constructed at Lingthem
Gumpa to preserve and promote Lepcha culture and heritage, restoration and
improvement of Namprikdang Ground to ensure that the cultural significance of
the site is maintained for future generations. The government has committed to
sustainable development in Dzongu, ensuring that the region grows while
preserving its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Efforts are being made to
provide affordable housing, employment opportunities, and social security to
the people of Dzongu, empowering them to lead better lives.
These are just a few examples of the many development
projects and welfare initiatives currently underway or in the pipeline for
Dzongu. Under the dynamic leadership of Honorable Chief Minister Shri Prem
Singh Tamang Golay, Dzongu is rapidly progressing toward a future of
sustainable growth and prosperity.
The baseless accusations being spread by certain individuals
affiliated with political parties are not only unfounded but also harmful to
the progress that is being made in Dzongu. The government remains fully
committed to the development of the region and will continue to support its
people through every challenge.
We urge everyone to stay informed and not be misled by false
information or political statements aimed at gaining personal or political
mileage. The people of Dzongu have seen a positive transformation under the
present government, and we remain confident that this progress will continue in
the years to come.
Your’s etc,
Mahindra Pradhan
Concerned citizen of Dzongu