News & Announcement
DC Soreng Chairs Coordination Meeting for the Upcoming State Level Maghey Sankranti Mela 2026
Soreng, October 31 (IPR): DC (Soreng) Mr Dhiraj Subedi chaired the first coordination meeting for the upcoming State Level Maghey Sankranti Mela 2026 at the District Administrative Centre (DAC), Soreng, today. The meeting witnessed the participation of Heads of Departments from various line departments and members of the Maghey Sankranti Mela Committee.
In his address, DC (Soreng) Mr Dhiraj Subedi extended a warm welcome to all attendees and shared his vision for celebrating the State Level Maghey Sankranti Mela in alignment with the vision of the Chief Minister of Sikkim Mr Prem Singh Tamang to establish the festival as a prominent annual event on the State’s calendar and to give it global recognition. He emphasised the need to celebrate the festival on a grand scale, drawing inspiration from renowned regional festivals such as the Hornbill Festival of the Northeast.
Reflecting on the successes of the previous year’s celebration, he also highlighted areas that required improvement. He underscored the importance of meticulous planning, effective coordination and timely execution to ensure a smooth and impactful celebration in 2026. Also, he stressed the various roles and responsibilities of the specific duties assigned to the departments. Encouraging a collaborative approach, he called for suggestions and innovative ideas from all stakeholders present to make the upcoming edition more vibrant and inclusive.
Addressing the house, ADC I (Soreng) Mr DR Bista, who shared a series of valuable suggestions aimed at enhancing the scale and inclusivity of the State Level Maghey Sankranti Mela 2026. He proposed that a special platform be provided to the PM Vishwakarma Artisans, where they can exhibit and sell their traditional crafts and creations. He stated that such an initiative would not only promote local artistry but also integrate the National Flagship Programme. PM Vishwakarma Scheme into the celebration, offering artisans greater exposure and economic opportunity.
Addressing the recurring issue of accommodation shortages during the Mela, he suggested the establishment of a “Homestay Promotional Zone” featuring comprehensive details of available homestays, as this initiative aligns with the vision of the Chief Minister of Sikkim Mr Prem Singh Tamang, to position Soreng District as a tourism destination. He highlighted that promoting local homestays would not only help address accommodation needs but also generate sustainable livelihoods for local residents through tourism.
In addition, he proposed the promotion of religious and pilgrimage tourism by incorporating a holy bath area complemented by Sandhya Aarti, which would enhance the spiritual and cultural experience for visitors. He further suggested organising a traditional attire parade in designated areas to showcase the diverse cultural heritage of the region. He also recommended developing Nayabazar, to be promoted under the unique title “Suntala Bazaar,” celebrating West Sikkim’s renowned orange produce and reviving traditional market practices. Also, he proposed the revival of traditional attractions such as the Animal Fair, adding a nostalgic and cultural element to the Mela.
ASP Soreng Mr Parsu Ram Sharma also spoke on the challenges of police personnel during the event and highlighted various points for proper manpower and traffic management. He also emphasised the meeting with the various taxi drivers and other stakeholders to discuss some relevant issues of the event.
The house was also address by the Director (SIRD) and General Secretary of the Maghey Sankranti Mela Committee Mr Bishal Mukhia, who presented a comprehensive overview of the upcoming celebrations.
Speaking under the guidance and vision of the Chief Minister of Sikkim Mr Prem Singh Tamang, he emphasised the importance of meticulous preparation and urged all departments and stakeholders to work collectively towards organising the event in a grand and impactful manner. He further called for the adoption of stronger promotional strategies to enhance the reach and visibility of the Mela at both state and national levels.
He also provided a brief insight into the history and cultural significance of the Maghey Sankranti Mela, tracing its evolution into one of the most anticipated celebrations in the region. He elaborated on the proposed action plan, outlining various activities and programs designed to attract tourists and celebrate the diverse traditions of Sikkim, while focusing on income generation and livelihoods to the locals.
Highlighting the logistical arrangements, he informed the house about designated areas for stalls, expos, mini Goa, mini circus and Meena Bazaar, which are expected to add vibrancy and entertainment to the festivities. He also shared plans for the establishment of a dedicated help desk to assist visitors with accommodation, along with measures for traffic regulation, beautification drives and infrastructure enhancement at key locations, including Nayabazar, Akar Bridge and Jorethang.
The meeting also featured an open house discussion where a range of important operational and logistical issues were discussed , emphasising the need for adequate public toilet facilities at all event venues and the implementation of comprehensive safety measures in coordination with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).
Further discussions focused on maintaining law and order, waste management, regulating traffic, identifying designated parking zones and arranging reliable cab services to ensure smooth mobility for visitors. The house also highlighted the importance of standardising food rates across all stalls to ensure uniform pricing and quality control. Overall, the discussions underscored the importance of inter-departmental coordination, planning and active community participation to ensure a safe, organised and vibrant celebration of the State Level Maghey Sankranti Mela 2026.
Also, present at the meeting were ASP (Soreng) Mr Parshu Ram Sharma, Addl. Director (Agriculture) Mr Pranaya Gurung, Addl. Director (AH &VS) Dr. Kishore Thapa, SE (Power) Mr Deepak Sharma, DE (Power) Mr Binod Rai, SDM (HQ) Mr Prem K Subba, SDM (Soreng) Ms Sakchum Lepcha, SDM (Jorethang) Mr Yogen Syangden, Deputy Director (Horticulture) Mr DP Sharma, DFO (E&SC) Mr Joshep Lepcha, DIO (IPRD) Dr. Aaron E Lepcha, RO (Forest) Mr Kanchan K Gurung, ASI (UDD) Mr Gaurav Subba, O/c (Fire Service, Soreng) Mr Bishnu Sharma, Senior NMCO (Health) Mr Purna Kumar Rai, JEs and other officials.
In his address, DC (Soreng) Mr Dhiraj Subedi extended a warm welcome to all attendees and shared his vision for celebrating the State Level Maghey Sankranti Mela in alignment with the vision of the Chief Minister of Sikkim Mr Prem Singh Tamang to establish the festival as a prominent annual event on the State’s calendar and to give it global recognition. He emphasised the need to celebrate the festival on a grand scale, drawing inspiration from renowned regional festivals such as the Hornbill Festival of the Northeast.
Reflecting on the successes of the previous year’s celebration, he also highlighted areas that required improvement. He underscored the importance of meticulous planning, effective coordination and timely execution to ensure a smooth and impactful celebration in 2026. Also, he stressed the various roles and responsibilities of the specific duties assigned to the departments. Encouraging a collaborative approach, he called for suggestions and innovative ideas from all stakeholders present to make the upcoming edition more vibrant and inclusive.
Addressing the house, ADC I (Soreng) Mr DR Bista, who shared a series of valuable suggestions aimed at enhancing the scale and inclusivity of the State Level Maghey Sankranti Mela 2026. He proposed that a special platform be provided to the PM Vishwakarma Artisans, where they can exhibit and sell their traditional crafts and creations. He stated that such an initiative would not only promote local artistry but also integrate the National Flagship Programme. PM Vishwakarma Scheme into the celebration, offering artisans greater exposure and economic opportunity.
Addressing the recurring issue of accommodation shortages during the Mela, he suggested the establishment of a “Homestay Promotional Zone” featuring comprehensive details of available homestays, as this initiative aligns with the vision of the Chief Minister of Sikkim Mr Prem Singh Tamang, to position Soreng District as a tourism destination. He highlighted that promoting local homestays would not only help address accommodation needs but also generate sustainable livelihoods for local residents through tourism.
In addition, he proposed the promotion of religious and pilgrimage tourism by incorporating a holy bath area complemented by Sandhya Aarti, which would enhance the spiritual and cultural experience for visitors. He further suggested organising a traditional attire parade in designated areas to showcase the diverse cultural heritage of the region. He also recommended developing Nayabazar, to be promoted under the unique title “Suntala Bazaar,” celebrating West Sikkim’s renowned orange produce and reviving traditional market practices. Also, he proposed the revival of traditional attractions such as the Animal Fair, adding a nostalgic and cultural element to the Mela.
ASP Soreng Mr Parsu Ram Sharma also spoke on the challenges of police personnel during the event and highlighted various points for proper manpower and traffic management. He also emphasised the meeting with the various taxi drivers and other stakeholders to discuss some relevant issues of the event.
The house was also address by the Director (SIRD) and General Secretary of the Maghey Sankranti Mela Committee Mr Bishal Mukhia, who presented a comprehensive overview of the upcoming celebrations.
Speaking under the guidance and vision of the Chief Minister of Sikkim Mr Prem Singh Tamang, he emphasised the importance of meticulous preparation and urged all departments and stakeholders to work collectively towards organising the event in a grand and impactful manner. He further called for the adoption of stronger promotional strategies to enhance the reach and visibility of the Mela at both state and national levels.
He also provided a brief insight into the history and cultural significance of the Maghey Sankranti Mela, tracing its evolution into one of the most anticipated celebrations in the region. He elaborated on the proposed action plan, outlining various activities and programs designed to attract tourists and celebrate the diverse traditions of Sikkim, while focusing on income generation and livelihoods to the locals.
Highlighting the logistical arrangements, he informed the house about designated areas for stalls, expos, mini Goa, mini circus and Meena Bazaar, which are expected to add vibrancy and entertainment to the festivities. He also shared plans for the establishment of a dedicated help desk to assist visitors with accommodation, along with measures for traffic regulation, beautification drives and infrastructure enhancement at key locations, including Nayabazar, Akar Bridge and Jorethang.
The meeting also featured an open house discussion where a range of important operational and logistical issues were discussed , emphasising the need for adequate public toilet facilities at all event venues and the implementation of comprehensive safety measures in coordination with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).
Further discussions focused on maintaining law and order, waste management, regulating traffic, identifying designated parking zones and arranging reliable cab services to ensure smooth mobility for visitors. The house also highlighted the importance of standardising food rates across all stalls to ensure uniform pricing and quality control. Overall, the discussions underscored the importance of inter-departmental coordination, planning and active community participation to ensure a safe, organised and vibrant celebration of the State Level Maghey Sankranti Mela 2026.
Also, present at the meeting were ASP (Soreng) Mr Parshu Ram Sharma, Addl. Director (Agriculture) Mr Pranaya Gurung, Addl. Director (AH &VS) Dr. Kishore Thapa, SE (Power) Mr Deepak Sharma, DE (Power) Mr Binod Rai, SDM (HQ) Mr Prem K Subba, SDM (Soreng) Ms Sakchum Lepcha, SDM (Jorethang) Mr Yogen Syangden, Deputy Director (Horticulture) Mr DP Sharma, DFO (E&SC) Mr Joshep Lepcha, DIO (IPRD) Dr. Aaron E Lepcha, RO (Forest) Mr Kanchan K Gurung, ASI (UDD) Mr Gaurav Subba, O/c (Fire Service, Soreng) Mr Bishnu Sharma, Senior NMCO (Health) Mr Purna Kumar Rai, JEs and other officials.
