SKM celebrates 16th Rholu Diwas with ‘Sunaulo Sikkim’ call

KUNAL RAI

GANGTOK,: The ruling SKM on Saturday celebrated its 16^th Rholu Diwas in a grand manner at Rholu fields located along Melli-Jorethang highway in South Sikkim.

Rholu Diwas is a major calendar event of the Krantikaris, celebrated on this day annually since 2009.

Party president and Chief Minister PS Golay was unable to attend this Rholu Diwas as he was taking part in the crucial NEC meeting happening the same day at Agartala which was chaired by Union Home minister Amit Shah.

SLA Speaker MN Sherpa was the chief guest for the 16^th Rholu Diwas, attended by senior SKM functionaries, frontal organisations and party workers in large numbers from across Sikkim.

In his address, Sherpa highlighted the significance of Rholu Diwas which led to the ‘Parivartan’ movement under the leadership of party president PS Golay in 2009.

“We were a part of the historic Rholu picnic but the then government took harsh steps towards the picnic attendees including the government employees. Many were victimized, transferred or suspended. But the ardent Krantikaris continued their movement for ‘Parivartan’ under our party leader’s leadership,” said Sherpa.

Sherpa informed the gathering that the SKM president could not attend this Rholu Diwas celebration as he had to attend the important NEC plenary meeting at Agartala for the welfare and development of Sikkim and Sikkimese.

Sherpa called upon the SKM cadre to stand firmly with the party’s policies and ideologies. It should be our collective responsibility to strengthen the party, he said.

“It was due to inclusive politics and brotherhood vision of our party leader that a true ‘Parivartan’ has happened in Sikkim. Earlier our State was divided on caste, community and religion lines but our leader has united all Sikkimese with his love and inclusive policies. We must come together to realize the ‘Sunaulo, Samriddh and Samartha Sikkim’ vision of our leader,” said Sherpa.

Former MLA Krishna Rai attended the Rholu Diwas programme as a special guest.

Besides cultural presentations by the SKM culture wing, the event also saw felicitation of several SKM workers for their dedication and contributions to the party.

Urban Development minister Bhoj Raj Rai also addressed the celebrations while SLA deputy Speaker Raj Kumari Thapa read out the Chief Minister’s message to the people of Sikkim on 16^th Rholu Diwas.