State-level Gurung Tamu Lochar celebrated at Parakha

AJAY THAMI

PAKYONG, : The State-level Gurung Tamu Lochar Utsav was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Parakha, Pakyong today.

Chief Minister P.S. Golay attended the event as the chief guest, accompanied by Speaker M.N. Sherpa, Deputy Speaker, ministers, MLAs and other dignitaries. Representatives of the Tamu community from Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri, Dooars and Nepal also participated in the event.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Golay extended his best wishes to the Gurung community on the occasion of Tamu Lochar, the New Year festival of Gurung. He emphasized the importance of such festivals in preserving cultural heritage and promoting unity.  

He also urged attendees to take proactive measures to protect and preserve their traditions, language and traditional attire.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also announced a fund of Rs. 75 lakh for land acquisition for Chupcha Choling Gurung Monastery at Parakha, Rs. 50 lakh for tea plantations in Parakha. He also assured to sanction fund for the maintenance of monasteries, roads and the development of Chochen Lake in Gnathang Machong constituency. He further announced Chief Minister’s Archery Tournament at Karthok with plans for a district-level archery training institute.

The Chief Minister assured government support for local language education in schools and requested associations to recommend qualified language teachers.

“In order to preserve the goat pastures which are Gurung community traditions, we will make laws to allow their sheep, cows and goats to graze in the forest.”

The Chief Minister also visited Vheri Ghoat, Rodhi Ghar and various stalls to witness collectibles and artefacts from the historical period.

Agriculture minister Puran Gurung, the chief patron of the event, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his support. He placed two demands for the Gurung community – establishment of Shreda at Parakha Monastery and Rodhi Ghar in Pakyong district.

Gnathang-Machong MLA and patron Pamin Lepcha, in her welcome address, emphasized the need for repairs and maintenance of monasteries, religious institutions and roads in her constituency.  

The event also witnessed captivating cultural performances by various Gurung community representatives from Sikkim, Darjeeling and Nepal.