Last Sikkim Chogyal's centenary birth anniversary celebrations end

NITESH RPRADHAN, EOI, GANGTOK, 22 MAY 2023 : The year-long celebrations for the centennial birth anniversary of Sikkim's former monarch Palden Thondup Namgyal, which was being held at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, came to a close today.

The event today witnessed the presence of Ministers Kunga Nima Lepcha, Sonam Lama, Samdup Lepcha, current head of Namgyal Royal House Wangchuk Namgyal, members of the erstwhile royal family as well as members of the civil society, who gathered to pay homage to the former Chogyal (king).

People paid rich tributes to the last Chogyal, who they said had played a significant role in shaping the history and culture of Sikkim.

Minister Kunga Nima Lepcha, speaking on behalf of the government, expressed deep gratitude to the former Chogyal for his "visionary leadership and unwavering commitment

to the welfare of Sikkim's people." 

He highlighted the Chogyal's notable efforts in modernizing Sikkim and establishing institutions that continue to benefit the state's residents today.

"He had planned several developmental projects for Sikkim," said Minister Lepcha. After a series of events and programmes in the last few days, the concluding event was held at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT) at Deorali in Gangtok.

Former Crown Prince Wangchuk Namgyal, the son of the late Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal and current head of the Namgyal Royal House, also attended the event, along with former prince Palden Gyurmed Namgyal, former princess Hope Leezum Namgyal and delegates representing the royal family of Bhutan.

Also present were Sikkim's NIT Secretary Pema Wangyal Rinzing, members of the centennial celebration organising committee as well as various NIT board members, staff and students of the Institute, artistes.

No personal invitations were sent and the three-day events were open to all, the event organisers said.

The closing event today began with the lighting of the lamp and offering of khadas to the statue of the Late Chogyal at the Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal Memorial Park on the NIT premises.

'Soldep,' a traditional monastic ritual of offering prayers, was performed by monk Yap Lopen Tempa from the Enchey Monastery. Similarly, Pemayangtse Pangtoed Bas or Pangtoed dancers performed the 'Dzongkoe or ceremonial dance around the statue of the Chogyal.

Traditional Lepcha and Limboo priests also offered their prayers for peace and prosperity.

Minister Kunga Nima Lepcha briefly spoke about his past experiences as a child and shared his fond recollection of spending joyful time at the Palace grounds and interacting with the then Chogyal. He said that amongst the multitude of contributions of the Late Chogyal, the most significant was the signing of the 8th May Tripartite Agreement of I973.

"It was because of this agreement that the rights of the three communities of Bhutia, Lepcha and Nepali of Sikkim are protected under Article 371 F of the Indian Constitution," Mr Lepcha said.

The closing event ended with cultural presentations by various artistes from different NGOs and cultural groups representing the communities of Sikkim.

A story telling session was also presented by the Lepcha Youth Association of Darjeeling, accompanied by a musical group from Dzongu in North Sikkim.

Courtesy & source- Echo of India