Gyalshing, October 12 (IPR): The Limboo community celebrated Balihang Tongnam, one of its most significant cultural festivals of the Limboo community, in a grand and vibrant manner at Yuksam, Gyalshing district today. The celebration featured a variety of cultural and traditional programmes showcasing the rich heritage of the ethnic Limboo community.
The event was organised by the Balihang Tongnam Celebration Committee with support from various organisations, community-based bodies, and local NGOs, the celebration drew a large gathering of people from different communities.
Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation and Commerce & Industries-cum-Area MLA, Mr Tshering T Bhutia, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Upon arrival, the minister was accorded a traditional welcome by the organising committee members and locals, followed by a foot rally to the venue. Upon arrival, the Chief Guest lit the Ladhung Semi at the Manghim at the venue and offered prayers.
Among the dignitaries present were Former Deputy Speaker Mr Sangay Lepcha, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr GM Lepcha, Advisor to STCS Mr DR Limboo, Advisor to Commerce & Industries Department Mr Sherman Limboo, Zilla Adakshya (Gyalshing) Mr Ds Limboo, Advisor to State Medicinal Plants Board Mr NB Limboo, Chairperson of Sikkim Cooperative Society Ms Shanti Limboo, Chairman Ecclesiastical Affairs Mr Chokay Kazi, SDM Yuksam Mr CS Limboo, OSD to Tourism & Civil Aviation Department Mr Mingma Lepcha, OSD Yuksam-Tashiding Mr Basant Tamang, BDOs, officials from various departments, along with several eminent personalities of the Limboo community, local dignitaries, and a large gathering of the public from various communities.
The celebration at the main stage commenced with a welcome address by the President of the Balihang Tongnam Celebration Committee, Mr Song Hang Limboo. This was followed by an enlightening address by Mr Karna Hang Tamling, Assistant Professor and Head of the Limboo Department at Sikkim Alpine University, who briefed the gathering on the historical and cultural significance of the Balihang Tongnam festival.
Throughout the day, various cultural performances such as Yarakma, Hakparay, Ke-lang, and Tam-Akey Lang were showcased, reflecting the diversity and depth of Limboo traditions. The presentation of Laringak-Namlingak further highlighted the essence of the celebration.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest extended warm greetings to the Limboo community on behalf of the State Government. He spoke on the importance of preserving cultural identity and promoting communal harmony.
He highlighted that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, every community in Sikkim has been provided with equal opportunities for cultural promotion, development, and welfare. He emphasized that the State Government has prioritised inclusivity and communal harmony by supporting the growth of languages, literature, and cultural traditions of all communities.
Commending the Limboo community for its rich cultural heritage, the Minister urged the younger generation to preserve and carry forward the legacy of their ancestors. He also outlined several welfare initiatives of the State Government, including free medical support, educational assistance for economically weaker students, and scholarships enabling Sikkimese youths to pursue higher studies, such as MBBS, both in India and abroad.
Highlighting ongoing development projects, he stated that the Yuksam-Tashiding constituency has been given special priority by the Chief Minister for infrastructural and socio-economic progress.
Adding to the festive spirit, cultural presentations from the Bhutia, Lepcha, Limboo, and Nepali communities showcased the unity in diversity of Sikkim’s social fabric.
The Chief Guest and other dignitaries also visited various traditional stalls set up at the venue, including the Yuma Manghim.
It may be mentioned here that this event was held as a pre-festival celebration, with the main Balihang Tongnam festival coinciding with the forthcoming Diwali festival.
The day-long celebration, jointly compered by Mr Temen Limboo, Ms Ikla Limboo, and Ms Laoti Limboo, concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr Milan Lungsuhang, General Secretary of the Organising Committee.