Open library named after Jiwan Theeng inaugurated at 13,066 feet

GANGTOK,: A public open library named after celebrated Sikkimese poet Jiwan Theeng was inaugurated Saturday at Kupup village, located at an altitude of 13,066 feet near the India-China border.

The ‘Mato Kavi Jiwan Theeng Open Library’ has been established by Chiya Kavita Sikkim to promote reading and literary culture in the remote Himalayan village, where mobile and internet connectivity remains limited.

Sikkim Akademi general secretary Purna Yonjan, who attended the inauguration as the chief guest, congratulated the organisers and assured continued support for the initiative.

Gnathang GPU vice president Mingma Lhamu Sherpa and village head Nima Sherpa were also present at the programme.

The library, currently housed in the courtyard of Neel Neha Homestay, is expected to serve local residents, students, tourists and security personnel deployed in the border region.

Homestay owner Ashok Kumar Bishwakarma has announced plans to construct a sheltered space within the next year to provide readers with a dedicated area for sitting and studying.

The initiative received support from the Sikkim Akademi and Janapaksha Prakashan, which contributed books, while members of Chiya Kavita Sikkim also donated books individually.

Kupup is situated close to the international border and has gained prominence with the opening of the Chola and Doklam areas for battlefield tourism.

Chiya Kavita Sikkim coordinator Prabin Khaling said the organisation wanted to develop the library into a recognised library in India and appealed to residents and other stakeholders to support its regular functioning and expansion.

Recalling the origin of the initiative, Khaling said a group of poets and book lovers had visited Kupup for a poetry jam on August 4 last year, when the idea of setting up an open library in the village was discussed.

"One year later, that dream has become a reality," he said, adding that the responsibility for the library now rested with the readers and residents of Kupup.

According to available information, the Kupup facility is possibly the second-highest-altitude public library in India. The public library at Chicham village in Himachal Pradesh's Spiti Valley, at around 13,596 feet, is considered the highest-altitude public library in the country.

The inauguration was followed by ‘Aagan Kavita’, a poetry session organised by Chiya Kavita Sikkim, in which poets recited works in Nepali, Hindi and English.

The programme also featured a flute performance by artist Sankumar Rai.