‘Indrajatra is an indigenous festival for all the Nepalese’: CM

Gangtok: “The Newar culture is very rich. Indrajatra is an indigenous festival not only for Newars but for all the Nepalese,” stated the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling while addressing a hall packed gathering at Manan Kendra on the occasion of Indrajatra celebrations today evening.Before his address, the CM offered his prayers for the people who had lost their lives in the earthquake of September 18, 2011 and wished eternal peace for the departed souls. He appreciated the performances put up by the Guthi and the speech delivered by the Guest Speaker from Nepal, Dr. Tunda Bajracharya, about Lord Indra and Kumari worship and related stories.The CM said, in future too, such programmes should be organised.The CM then talked about the contribution made by the Newar community towards the development of the state and congratulated them for having played a major role in the history of Sikkim whether be it in business, politics, trade, literature, etc.“The state government seeks to restore, safeguard and promote all ethnic culture and language of the people,” he said and assured that the government will strive to take Newari language upto college level.

In this regard, he urged the scholars of the community to go for research work in the field of language, literature, culture and tradition of the community.“The Newari youths must make efforts to get skills after graduation, as these days without skills it is not possible to get jobs,” he advised and also urged the parents to ensure that their children get properly educated. Education, he said is better than any other property or inheritance.The CM also gave Rs.2 lakhs to the Guthi for having organised such a grand programme on Indrajatra festival.President of the Guthi, RK Pradhan, demanded an establishment of a Newari Research Centre, to which CM readily agreed.The Newar community thanked the CM for recognizing Newari language as the state language and having 13 schools teach Newari as a second language upto class 10. They also thanked him for donating Rs 50 lakhs for the construction of Newari Bhawan and for declaring Indrajatra as a state holiday. 

Sikkimmail