Shri Pawan Chamling inaugurates 3-day Namchi Mahotsav- calls for greater public participation

Namchi, October 28, 2010: The Namchi Mahotsav 2010 was inaugurated today by the Chief Minister, Mr Pawan Chamling who is also the Chief Patron of Namchi Mahotsav celebration.  This three day long festival scheduled from 28^th – 30^th October 2010 is organized by Namchi Mahotsav Celebration Committee (NMCC).

Addressing the gathering at Bhaichung Stadium, the Chief Minister today announced that Food Craft Institute of Sikkim would be opened up in all the four districts of the state to help the unemployed educated youth to avail training in food and hospitality sector. Mr Chamling informed that his ambitious venture to make Sikkim a fully Organic State in the world is underway and would be possible evermore if the people cooperated by adopting organic lifestyle here in the state. He also informed that the State Government along with the Police Department is going to take up serious action upon the ongoing drugs abuse in the state. He said that drugs is the root of all evils happening in the state right now and he would take extensive measures to save the younger generation form this anti social element. He called for the cooperation of all in joining hands with the government to eradicate the drugs abuse and asked the public to act responsible immediately by taking action upon any one found using this harmful element even if the accuse is their own or a stranger. He also commended the recent act of Namchi police when they caught some teachers of surrounding government schools red handed gambling during school hours. He said that act like this is not a good example to the youth especially coming from the Teachers who are considered to be ideal role model of the society. While at this he also asked the officials to show empathy and humanity to the public while dealing with them for their official works especially from rural areas.

Saying that today the state has come far ahead into becoming the most happening state in the country with all the developments taking place in rapid pace, on the other hand this development will remain futile and stagnant in future if the people do not take up the responsibility of making full utilization of these developments said Mr Chamling. He said that the biggest drawback faced by the State today is that the people of Sikkim overlooked the fact to become responsible citizens. Everything is an opportunity for the people here as there are so many developmental activities coming up in all the corners of the state, but to accept this developmental phase of the state and be able to realize the value of it is absent in the outlook of the Sikkimese people. This is the only disadvantage that we face today and to tackle this drawback the people have to broaden their horizon towards the present status of Sikkim.

Speaking about the opportunities, he said Namchi Mahotsav brings many opportunities for people of Namchi and surrounding areas. He added that the people should link this occasion with tourism industry to promote and showcase their art, culture, tradition, lifestyle to attract the domestic and international visitors which should not only help in the growth of tourism sector but also should be able to provide sufficient information to a researcher for his research work through the three day long fest which otherwise would take him a year to do so. Talking about the inauguration of the remodeled Gandhi Park at Namchi, he said that this is one of the assets being added to Namchi’s many other assets and said that the people have to prepare themselves to utilize the occasion to their advantage. As developments take place, demands for various facilities also rise and to meet these demands, the people of Sikkim have to come forward as hoteliers, service providers, travel agents, agriculturists, instead of handing over these opportunities to the outside agencies said the Chief Minister. Mr Chamling said that the people of Namchi should discard from their mind the misconception that Namchi Mahotsav is only a festival organized by the State Government and its sycophants solely for their benefit but the fact is that this festival is organized to promote the tourism sector of Namchi and surrounding areas and bring opportunities of all kind to the residents of Namchi and nearby areas for them to become prosperous.

The Chief Minister assured that the State Government would provide all kind of support to the unemployed youth to avail trainings in any field, financial support and other necessities to make them self reliant in any profession of their choice. While at this Mr Chamling said that the case of unemployment could not be erased just by providing white collared jobs however it could be tackled with by the youth by taking up every opportunities coming up from the developments to become self-reliant.

Today Sikkim has been able to deliver a good image of herself to the world through her performance and ability to grow in many sectors but this can be sustained only as long as the peace and security of the state is safeguarded by her people said the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister earlier visited the painting exhibition gallery where paintings of contemporary and traditional theme were displayed brought by local artists. Amongst these paintings was a handsome portrait painting of the Chief Minister done by Indra Kari Limboo, a young artist of 24yrs old who has just completed his graduation resident of Yuksom West Sikkim. Thereafter he also visited the flower exhibition show and the handicraft stalls put up by 13 local self help groups Namchi and surrounding areas.

The Chief Minister was felicitated by the Namchi Mahotsav Celebration Committee. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also released the books ‘South District, an ultimate Tourism Destination’ and ‘Yellow Pages of Namchi’ of South District Tourism Development Society and NMCC respectively. The Chief Minister felicitated the travel writer and researcher from England, Mr Bradley Mayheu who is here to write about village home stay tourism to include in his next book Travel Planet.

Later in the evening, the Chief Minister visited all the traditional food stalls put up by various local communities.

Then he sat for the later part of the programme, the musical night which was a pure show of local talent participated by 21 local contestants performing in an open competitive category including boys and girls from different constituencies of Sikkim. The Chief Minister expressed his appreciation and satisfaction at seeing the young talented aspirants of his state and he felicitated them with khadas and souvenirs before they set the stage on fire with their amazing performance. It may be mentioned here that the local participants were performing their songs to music played by local musicians as well. The Chief Minister also released the audio video musical album of Tenzing Sherpa during the evening programme.

Earlier the Area MLA Namchi Singhithang, Mr Binod Rai, Tourism Minister, Mr Bhim Dhungel and Tourism Secretary Mr SBS Baduria also spoke on the occasion.

The DC South Mr AK Singh delivered the welcome address.

The opening day programme was attended by the Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Chairpersons, HODs, Officials, Panchayat members, School Heads, Tourists and local gentry.

-(IPR)