I will appreciate the sentiments of the people – Shring La

I have not portrayed myself as a candidate. It will be according to the opinion of the people of Darjeeling, Kalimpong , Kurseong and Mirik

KalimNews, Kalimpong, 4 February 2024: "The issue of me being a BJP candidate from the Darjeeling constituency is a matter of public opinion. I have not portrayed myself as a candidate. It will be according to the opinion of the people of Darjeeling, Kalimpong , Kurseong and Mirik, " said Dr Harshvardhan Shring La, IFS, former foreign secretary and diplomat. 

"I have served the Government of India for forty years and now I have expressed my desire to live here. I have my house in Darjeeling and also in Siliguri and in this area my socio-economic programme is being implemented. I will be working on the basis of visualizing upon the response of the people as in today's programme and also stressing the sentiments of the Gorkhas." added Shring La.

After a meeting organized by the Kalimpong chapter of the Darjeeling Welfare Society at the May Fair Hotel in Kalimpong, Harshvardhan Shring La, former Foreign Secretary to the Government of India addressed the local media persons.  

Talking to the reporters, Shring La said “ I am very happy to come to Kalimpong because I have a family relation with Kalimpong, I know this beautiful city very well because I visited it many times when I was a child.  I am very happy to meet cross section of the society, veteran people and former soldiers. I could understand that what are their problems, what could be their solution and how could we bring changes. Change has to come from within. Everyone was of the similar opinion that we all can bring change together.”

On enquiring about the purpose of the days meet, he said “ today's event is just a social event for me, it is an opportunity to meet our people. Kalimpong is our important and famous city, I have come to understand its priorities, thoughts and issues.”

When asked about the opinion of some BJP leaders stating that the BJP leadership is divided into two parts over his name, he said “I have never said that I am the candidate of the party, I am not even the member of the party, I don't know anything, I am just an individual. I have a social organization, I will do what I am doing for the good of the society, as a citizen of the country, society, region, I will do what I do for the benefit of the people according to my rights.

I will do things in the best interest of our people. If you do it, you can do it, if you don't do it, I don't need it.”

Today's program was presided over by retired Colonel Kunga Tshering Sherpa in which the Chief Guest was Dinesh Chandra Nepal, IFS. In the program conducted by Surjamani Pradhan, the chief coordinator Sanjogita Subba explained the objective of the programme.

Shring La, the founder president of the Darjeeling Welfare Society was felicitated by its Kalimpong branch. 

Former National Hockey Captain Bharat Chhetri, former Football Player Urgen Lama, International Marathon Runner Roshni Rai, Sushant Thapa, Karate Gold Medalist, Tashi Dorjee Sherpa Taekwondo champion, Jimmy Lepcha, Judge of National Archery etc. were felicitated in the programme. Shring La also addressed the gathered public and mentioned the importance of Kalimpong. 

He also stated that Darjeeling Welfare Society has been working since 2014 and was registered only in 2023.

In the programme, computers and printers were also handed over to Git Kolbong Primary School, Lava Higher Secondary School and Gorubathan High School.