Rangpo prepares to host 2nd Aama Samman Diwas

KUNAL RAI

GANGTOK,: Preparations for the upcoming 2nd Aama Samman Diwas, which will be observed alongside the 9th Jan Unmukti Diwas at Rangpo, are underway in full swing.

As part of the preparations for the grand celebration, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) party leadership along with party karyakartas held a final preparatory meeting at Rangpo on Tuesday.

The meeting was chaired by SKM Secretary General Arun Upreti and attended by ministers, MLAs, advisors, chairpersons, OSDs, party executives, frontal organisation members, and other functionaries.

During the meeting, the party resolved to organise the flagship programme on a grand scale at the Rangpo Playground as a tribute to the mothers of Sikkim, acknowledging their sacrifices, resilience, and unwavering contribution towards families and society.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, who is also the SKM president, has introduced two new awards under the Aama Samman initiative, which will be presented during the 2nd Aama Samman Diwas programme.

The Aama Samman Puraskar will recognise one deserving mother from each constituency with a cash award of Rs 51,000. The recipients will be selected from among mothers who are not beneficiaries of the Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana.

The Pragatisheel Aama Puraskar will honour three exemplary mothers who have made remarkable and inspiring use of the financial assistance provided under the Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana. The awardees will receive cash prizes of Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh, and Rs 2 lakh respectively.

The Aama Samman Diwas on August 10 is being organised as an expression of gratitude towards the mothers of Sikkim, recognising their lifelong dedication, love, and sacrifices for their families and communities, said the party.

Political Secretary to the Chief Minister and SKM spokesperson Bikash Basnet stated that the party and the State government are fully prepared to host the significant event at Rangpo Playground on August 10, marking the 9th Jan Unmukti Diwas and the 2nd Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana celebration.

He informed that the event was initially planned to be held at Namchi this year but was shifted to Rangpo due to traffic-related concerns and other logistical issues to ensure greater convenience for citizens attending the programme.

Basnet further informed that Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay had announced the introduction of the Aama Samman Puraskar and Pragatisheel Aama Puraskar on August 4 as additional initiatives under the Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana, which currently benefits around 32,000 mothers across the State.

He added that although Aama Samman Diwas is a government programme organised by the Social Welfare Department, its coincidence with Jan Unmukti Diwas, an important political occasion for SKM, has brought the party and its karyakartas together to ensure the success of the celebration.

Meanwhile, SKM Political Secretary and spokesperson Jacob Khaling highlighted the significance of August 10 for the party, stating that Jan Unmukti Diwas commemorates the release of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay from imprisonment following what the party describes as a political conspiracy by the then government.

Khaling stated that the day holds significance not only as the release day of the party president but also as a day associated with the aspirations and sentiments of the people of Sikkim. He mentioned that SKM workers had initially planned to celebrate and honour their leader on the occasion, but recognising Tamang’s deep respect and regard for mothers, the day was dedicated to all mothers of Sikkim through the Aama Samman Diwas initiative.

Regarding the shift of venue from Namchi to Rangpo, Khaling stated that Bhaichung Stadium at Namchi, developed under the present government, is an internationally recognised sporting facility with importance for the future of athletes. Therefore, the party decided not to disrupt sporting activities for a political event.

He assured that all necessary arrangements are being made to manage traffic smoothly on the day of the celebration and added that the party and the government are fully geared up for the successful organisation of the 9th Jan Unmukti Diwas and the 2nd Aama Samman Diwas.