Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebrated in Sikkim

GANGTOK, (IPR): Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas or Tribal Pride Day was celebrated today at Manan Kendra to honour the tribal freedom fighter, Birsa Munda, on his birth anniversary.

Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas was observed with a cultural and literary programme organised by the Tribal Research Institute, Social Welfare department.

Principal of EMRS Parkha, Usha Sharma and Sonam Yangzom Bhutia, principal of EMRS School Swayam, were the special guests at the event.

The event began with inter-school quiz competition on the theme of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. The participating teams in the quiz competition included students from EMRS Gangyap, Suntaley, Parkha, Swayam and Ashram School, Jhusingthang.

Islan Nath and Dewakar Basnett were the quiz masters.

The participating EMRS schools and Asharam School students also performed various solo songs and dances.

The event continued with a panel discussion regarding the role of tribal leaders in the Indian Freedom Movement.

Pema Wangchuk, consulting editor, Summit Times, Dr Satyadeep Chettri, senior associate professor, Chemistry department, Nar Bahadur Bhandari Degree College, Bidhan Golay, assistant professor, Department of Political Science, School of Social Sciences, Sikkim University and Kishore Rai, assistant professor, Sociology, ICFAI University participated in the panel discussion.

Thereafter, Tshewang Gyaccho, secretary, Social Welfare department, welcomed the chief guest of the event, Aditya Tamang (Golay) MLA, Soreng. He also marked his gratitude to the members of different tribal associations of the State for their presence at the event. He thanked all the panel participants for sharing their views on this special day dedicated to tribals across India. He stated that Birsa Munda's name always stands tall for his concern for tribal communities and his role in bringing the landmark legislation for the protection of tribal rights.

Such contributions should be acknowledged, added Gyaccho. He further stated that Sikkim is home to many tribal communities with rich cultures and great traditions, which must be preserved to safeguard our cultural heritage. He appreciated students' active participation and urged them to learn about their culture and traditions.

The local tribal communities of the State, including representatives from Bhutia, Lepcha, Limboo, Tamang and Sherpa, presented various cultural shows.

MLA, Soreng, Aditya Tamang(Golay), in his short address, congratulated the winners of the competition. He appreciated the Social Welfare department for organising the day-long event to commemorate the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.

He said that Birsa Munda is revered as God by tribal communities across India who fought against British colonialism and native feudalism. He stated that the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas will be celebrated every year to commemorate the earnest contribution and effort of the tribals during the freedom struggle and for the preservation of cultural heritage and promotion of Indian values of national pride, valor and hospitality. He congratulated the winners and appreciated their effort.

Earlier, Aditya Tamang (Golay) presented medals, certificates and the trophy to the winners of the quiz competition. The second place was bagged by EMRS Gangyap (West District), and EMRS Swayam (North District) won the first position.

Similarly, the 1st runner-up for the essay competition was given to EMRS Swayam, and EMRS Parkha achieved the 1st position.

Likewise, the painting competition's winner was from Ashram School, Jhusingthang, and the first runner-up position went to EMRS Parkha.

It is to be noted that the essay writing and painting competitions were held on November 15.

Later, the judges of Oviya Art Circle, representatives of the tribal communities and the panel dignitaries were felicitated with a memento by the chief guest and the secretary, Social Welfare department.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Suman Gurung, special secretary-cum-director, Tribal Affairs Division, Social Welfare department.