Lepcha Rongring Self learning programme receives World Summit Award 2023

 Rongring Lepcha Culture Welfare Society is the only organisation in India to receive World Summit Award 2023 in the category of culture and heritage.

KalimNews, Kalimpong, 27 February 2024: Rongring Self learning programme a project of Rongring Lepcha Culture Welfare Society (RLCWS) is awarded the prestigious World Summit Award, an international award in the category of culture and heritage for the year 2023. It is also said that to receive this award, a team of RLCWS will go to Chile in South America during 10-17 April 2024.

It is the only organisation in India to receive this prestigious award in this category.  During a press conference in Kalimpong, Gideon Lepcha of the RLCWS in the presence of STS Lepcha, Gideon Tasho Lepcha and Jongmit Lepcha informed that the RLCWS has been formed to address the multifaceted challenges associated with preserving endangered languages, particularly focusing on Lepcha. 

Its technical team with language teachers comprising of Zerah Rongong Lepcha, Abel Rongong Lepcha, Chewang Lepcha, Nima Namchu Lepcha, Gideon Taso Lepcha has produced this Lepcha language self learning mobile and web application and can be browsed at portal https://rongring.com/rongring-platform/.

The Wangboo Framework provides beginners with a cohesive set of rules for accurate reading and writing. The Rongring SaaS platform offers a digital solution with six courses, addressing scalability and accessibility challenges. Additionally, RLCWS organized eight online webinars, featuring experts discussing various aspects of Lepcha culture, heritage, and language, fostering awareness and understanding. These efforts collectively aim to overcome obstacles like limited engagement, cultural influence, and the high dropout rate in learning the complex language structure.

To preserve the Lepcha vanishing tribe, Mayel Crafts Kalimpong started conducting language classes in different villages for more than two decades and the task was handed over to RLCWS in 2021. Since then RLWCS started the project for the Rongring online language classroom and finally could start this online application. 

This online class has helped over 300 students to read and write in Lepcha since its inception. Students from all over India, and beyond like United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, Maldives, Czech Republic, Nepal & Bhutan have so far attended it from where students log in every week. Lepchas are considered to be one of the indigenous tribe of the Himalayan region and are mostly inhabitants of Sikkim, West Bengal (Hill region), eastern Nepal, western and south western Bhutan and Tibet. It is also said that it is considered to be one of the aboriginal languages, pre dating the arrival of Tibetan and Nepali languages. 

This language is mostly prevalent amongst the people of Sikkim, Kalimpong and Darjeeling of West Bengal and in parts of Nepal and Bhutan. The language has its own dialect, script and grammar and has a rich repository of literature. According to the tradition, it was devised in the 17th century by scholar Thikúng Men Salóng. Keeping in view the urgent need to revive the Lepcha language an innovative venture was initiated by Gideon Taso Lepcha in 2020 to start the online Lepcha Language through “Rongring course” which has a vision to create awareness and promote the Lepcha language locally and globally in all the communities. 

Addressing the conference Gideon Taso Lepcha stated that the World Summit Awards play a pivotal role in advancing the agendas of the UN WSIS and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by showcasing creative uses of digital innovation. By recognizing and promoting local content with societal impact, the WSA demonstrates the richness and diversity of innovative applications worldwide. Moreover, the awards foster knowledge exchange, offer platforms of inspiration, and enhance a global multi-stakeholder network committed to driving positive change.

He also added that in addition to its educational initiatives, RLCWS has forged strategic partnerships with universities in Canada, India and Japan. Collaborating with Tokyo University, RLCWS (Rongring Society) co-authored an ancient Lepcha folktale titled "Kasaok Book" in the Japanese language, contributing to cross-cultural dialogue and understanding. Furthermore, RLCWS (Rongring Society) successfully concluded a comprehensive translation project for Tokyo University, paving the way for the integration of Lepcha language courses within the university curriculum. 

Similarly, RLCWS collaboration with Toronto University has facilitated the identification of high-caliber Lepcha language experts and supervised the recording of over 13,000 letters and words for the development of a Lepcha language mobile application.

He further said, “RLCWS will attend the upcoming WSA event in Chile from the 10-17"' April to receive the award, which will be filled with opportunities for networking, collaboration, and inspiration. Amidst a gathering of 400 leaders from 182 countries, RLCWS   will have the chance to showcase its work, forge meaningful partnerships, and exchange ideas with like-minded innovators. 

The event serves as a platform for RLCWS to amplify its impact, share its success stories, and inspire others to join the movement for cultural preservation through digital innovation. Winning this Global Award is a matter of great pride for our Nation, for the tribal community across India, for the people of Himalayan region, especially for the people of our region Darjeeling Kalimpong Hills and Sikkim.”