Choden Lepcha of Sikkim receives ONE India award

Social worker Choden Lepcha (second from right) with Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. founder of ‘My Home India’ Sunil Deodhar, Vice-Chancellor of Central University Bilaspur Dr Anjila Gupta and former Governor of Tripura and Bihar Dr D Y Patil look on.

Raju Vernekar, KaimNews, 15 November 2019: “ Our North East (O.N.E.) India award for 2019 was presented by Maharashtra Governor Bhagar Singh Koshyari to Choden Lepcha, social activist and novelist from Sikkim at a glittering function held at Veer Savarkar National Memorial at Shivaji Park, Dadar West, in Mumbai on Wednesday.

The O.N.E. India award instituted by “My Home India” was presented in recognition of Choden Lepcha’s work in the field of culture, education and welfare of the Lepcha community. Choden Lepcha has been engaged in alcohol and drug de-addiction work and has been fighting for the welfare of the Lepcha community since long. The award comprised Rs one lakh, a memento and a scroll of honour.

On the occasion the Governor complimented ‘My Home India’ for its efforts in bringing about emotional integration of the people of North East with the rest of the country. 

He applauded Choden Lepcha for matching her novel writings with noble social work. Former Governor of Tripura and Bihar Dr D Y Patil, founder of ‘My Home India’ Sunil Deodhar, Chairman of Saraswat Bank Gautam Thakur and Vice-Chancellor of Central University Bilaspur Dr Anjila Gupta, Shravan Jha, CEO, My Home India were prominent among those present.

While replying to the felicitation, Choden Lepcha dedicated the award to the Lepcha community. “ I came from a small village of Sikkim to Mumbai by an aeroplane for the first time. I saw a bungalow of mega star Amitabh  Bachchan. I felt like I was in a dream land. This award has increased my responsibility. I promise to do more work when I return to Sikkim. I could not take higher education, but I am happy that the organisation like “My Home India” has been extending helping hand”  she said.

ONE India award is presented every year to an outstanding achiever who has worked for North eastern states and to further bolster nationalistic feeling all across North eastern states.