8th Kalebungaratna Award goes to Prof TB Subba and Excellence in Journalism to Sanjay Pradhan

Prof TB Subba and Sanjay Pradhan

KalimNews, Kalimpong, 17 December 2022: Kalimpong Press Club is going to present the prestigious Kalebungratna Award to Prof. Tanka Bahadur Subba, the former Vice-Chancellor of Sikkim University. Likewise, the Excellence in Journalism award for journalism will be given to senior journalist Sanjay Pradhan. 

Kallimpong Press Club in collaboration with Eastern Himalayan Journalists Union is organizing an award presentation ceremony at Hotel Trace on 20th December 2022.

The award will be presented in the presence of senior officers of Kalimpong, officials of active social organizations and institutions, public representatives, political leaders and senior citizens.

Citizens of Kalimpong district who made and are still making significant and notable contributions, contributing exceptional service to the society in various fields, such promising people of who has not yet received any prestigious award are being honoured by Kalimpong Press Club with Kalebung Ratna Award every year. This is to inspire and encourage such personalities and others for such exemplary work.

But during the Pandemic period, the club was unable to continue the programme, so now it has decided to give continuity to present this award from this year.

In the same way, promising journalists from the eastern Himalayan region who are giving significant contribution to the society through journalism are awarded with “Excellence in Journalism”.

Former Kalebungratna Puraskar awardees are - First KRP recipient - Mt Everest runner Manoj Dahal, hockey goalkeeper Bharat Chhetri and horticulturist Dr Mikthuk S Fanning. 2nd KRP Recipient - Artist Lalit Golay; 3rd KRP Recipient - Social activist Sudesh Pradhan; The fourth KRP recipient was entrepreneur Babita Ghatani Dhamala, the fifth KRP recipient was Roshni Rai, a marathon runner, the sixth KRP recipient was scientist Sunil Kaul and the seventh KRP recipient was Lakshmi Limbu Kaushal, an industrialist and ex-tea garden manager.

The 8th Kalebungratna Award is being given this year to a person who has made significant contributions in the field of education and to the society. Two names were nominated by the jury, out of which it has decided to award to the son of the soil who is considered to be a renowned writer and scholar. Professor T B (Tank Bahadur) Subba of Tanek Basti in Kalimpong, the former Vice Chancellor of Sikkim University who served in NBU and NEHU for more than 37 years is being awarded the 8th Kaleybung Ratna Puraskar for the year 2022.

Even though he was born in a rural area of Kalimpong, he made significant contribution in the field of education. Ethnicity, state and development a case study of Gorkhaland movement in Darjeeling and The Quiet Hills: a study of agrarian relations in Hill Darjeeling are some of the books written by Prof TB Subba. He wrote 14 national and 4 international books and numerous research papers based on ethnicity and social relations of Indian Nepalese /Gorkhas. He analyzed books, research papers, edited and published journals and books  and also had been speakers at several national and international seminars.

Similarly, a promising journalist from the Eastern Himalayas who has been a successful journalist by raising social awareness through journalism, is being awarded this year's “Excellence in Journalism”. Senior journalist Sanjay Pradhan of Kurseong, the recipient of this award has been doing journalism for 31 years and is currently involved in editing monthly magazines, online daily portals, YouTube and Facebook page of the digital media. He is also engaged to an anti Human trafficking NGO of the region.