Gorkhas must rise above party lines and unite for Hills: Golay

REZA PRADHAN

DARJEELING,: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) on Sunday called upon Gorkhas to rise above political affiliations and unite for the development of the Hills.

Addressing a gathering at Chowrasta during the KiratiKhambu Rai Cultural Festival organised to mark SakelaUbhauli, Golaymaintained that people had got a government they wanted in West Bengal and that time had come for all communities to come together.

“Everyone has their own party, but we have to rise above it. The time has come for all Gorkhas to unite and work for the hills. The Nepali community often tends to pull down those trying to succeed. This mindset needs to change. Whether Gorkhas live in the Hills, Sikkim or elsewhere in the country, we should help each other rise instead of pulling each other down,” he said.

The festival was attended by several dignitaries from Sikkim and Darjeeling including Darjeeling MP Raju Bista.

Golay said his visit to Darjeeling was to participate in a cultural event and not a political programme.

“I attended this programme because it is linked with our culture, language and traditions. Sikkim alone cannot work towards preserving them. We must all work together for their collective development,” he said.

In a post on social media, the Chief Minister congratulated KiratiKhambu Rai SanskritikSansthan (KKRSS) for organising the festival, saying the organisation had been working to preserve and promote the language, culture, traditions and identity of the Kirati community.

He said the Sakela festival symbolised harmony with nature, respect for ancestors and the values of unity, gratitude and mutual respect.

“Preserving our language and cultural heritage is our shared responsibility and our greatest gift to future generations,”Golay said.

Noting the close cultural ties between Sikkim and Darjeeling despite administrative boundaries, he said the two regions remained united by their shared language, traditions, history and culture.

“Let us continue to strengthen this enduring bond. I encourage the younger generation to take pride in their heritage while embracing the opportunities of the future,” he added.