News & Announcement
Minister Samdup Lepcha inaugurates Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada at TRI, Assam Lingzey
Pakyong, November 01 (IPR): Minister, Social Welfare Department, Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan Welfare Department and Printing & Stationery Department, Mr Samdup Lepcha, attended the valedictory programme of the week-long training-cum-workshop for primary tribal language teachers at the Tribal Research Institute and Training Centre, Assam Lingzey, today.
The training-cum-workshop was organised by the Tribal Research Institute and Training Centre, Social Welfare Department, in collaboration with the Education Department, Government of Sikkim, with support from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
The valedictory session was also attended by Chairman, Primitive Tribe Welfare Board, Mr Chewang Norbu Lepcha; Chairman, Scheduled Caste Welfare Board, Mr Shekhar Sewa and Chairman, OBC Board, Mr Hukum Chandra Rai as guests of honour alongside Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Ms Sarika Pradhan.
During the programme, the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada was inaugurated, marking its observance from November 1 to 15, 2025. The occasion marks the culmination of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh and commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda on 15 November 2025.
The chief guest, Mr Samdup Lepcha, in his address acknowledged the efforts of the organisers and expressed gratitude towards participating teachers and resource persons for their dedication and contribution to the workshop.
Encouraging the teachers, he stated that they form the backbone of society and that tribal language teachers have a key role in both educating students and preserving tribal languages. He emphasised that language is fundamental to cultural identity and that its loss would mean the loss of heritage. He further urged the teachers to share their knowledge within their schools and communities to promote awareness of tribal languages, culture, and the various schemes and initiatives of the Social Welfare Department for the welfare of tribal communities, and also encouraged them to wear traditional attire as a way to preserve and promote cultural heritage and showcase the vibrant diversity of Sikkim.
The chief guest reflected on the life and contributions of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and highlighted the observance of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada across the country from 1 to 15 November 2025, marking the culmination of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh.
In her keynote address, Ms Sarika Pradhan highlighted the observance of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, held to celebrate and commemorate the tribal communities of India and to honour the contribution of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. She informed that the Social Welfare Department has been observing the event throughout the year through various programmes.
She noted that language is not only a medium of communication but also a means of preserving culture and heritage.
Expressing concern over the decline of tribal languages among the younger generation, she emphasised the need to instil pride and interest in one’s language from an early age.
She informed that, with support from the Education Department, a module was developed to help teachers introduce tribal languages effectively at the primary level and encourage children to learn and preserve their language, which formed the basis of the training programme.
She further mentioned that teachers play a central role in shaping children, who are the future citizens of the country, and that strengthening their capacity is essential for promoting language education and cultural preservation.
She expressed hope that the training would help children connect with their roots and sustain Sikkim’s linguistic and cultural heritage. She urged participants to share feedback and suggestions to enhance the module further.
Prior to the session, Special Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Mr Suman Gurung, presented an overview of the training-cum-workshop, outlining its objectives to train teachers engaged in teaching tribal languages at the primary level, enhance their pedagogical skills, and support the preparation of tribal language teaching materials, to make teachers aware of the future of tribal languages in context of the National Education Policy 2020, and to promote the tribal languages for long-term sustainability.
During the course of the training, which commenced on October 27, sessions covered diverse topics related to the development of tribal languages and literature, preparation of teaching-learning materials, pedagogical techniques, grammar, cultural awareness, use of multimedia, and the roles and responsibilities of tribal language teachers. The sessions also included discussions on language history, poetry, astrology, and learning outcomes for effective teaching in primary schools.
This was followed by an experience-sharing session by teachers representing five tribal languages, who reflected on their learnings and the practical aspects of the training.
The training-cum-workshop saw the participation of 150 primary tribal language teachers from across the state.
The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participants.
Also present at the programme were the Additional Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Ms Bandana Chettri, officials from Social Welfare Department, officials from Education Department, officials from Tribal Research Institute and Training Centre, resource persons and Textbook Officers and Assistant Textbook Officers.
The training-cum-workshop was organised by the Tribal Research Institute and Training Centre, Social Welfare Department, in collaboration with the Education Department, Government of Sikkim, with support from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
The valedictory session was also attended by Chairman, Primitive Tribe Welfare Board, Mr Chewang Norbu Lepcha; Chairman, Scheduled Caste Welfare Board, Mr Shekhar Sewa and Chairman, OBC Board, Mr Hukum Chandra Rai as guests of honour alongside Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Ms Sarika Pradhan.
During the programme, the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada was inaugurated, marking its observance from November 1 to 15, 2025. The occasion marks the culmination of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh and commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda on 15 November 2025.
The chief guest, Mr Samdup Lepcha, in his address acknowledged the efforts of the organisers and expressed gratitude towards participating teachers and resource persons for their dedication and contribution to the workshop.
Encouraging the teachers, he stated that they form the backbone of society and that tribal language teachers have a key role in both educating students and preserving tribal languages. He emphasised that language is fundamental to cultural identity and that its loss would mean the loss of heritage. He further urged the teachers to share their knowledge within their schools and communities to promote awareness of tribal languages, culture, and the various schemes and initiatives of the Social Welfare Department for the welfare of tribal communities, and also encouraged them to wear traditional attire as a way to preserve and promote cultural heritage and showcase the vibrant diversity of Sikkim.
The chief guest reflected on the life and contributions of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and highlighted the observance of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada across the country from 1 to 15 November 2025, marking the culmination of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh.
In her keynote address, Ms Sarika Pradhan highlighted the observance of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, held to celebrate and commemorate the tribal communities of India and to honour the contribution of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. She informed that the Social Welfare Department has been observing the event throughout the year through various programmes.
She noted that language is not only a medium of communication but also a means of preserving culture and heritage.
Expressing concern over the decline of tribal languages among the younger generation, she emphasised the need to instil pride and interest in one’s language from an early age.
She informed that, with support from the Education Department, a module was developed to help teachers introduce tribal languages effectively at the primary level and encourage children to learn and preserve their language, which formed the basis of the training programme.
She further mentioned that teachers play a central role in shaping children, who are the future citizens of the country, and that strengthening their capacity is essential for promoting language education and cultural preservation.
She expressed hope that the training would help children connect with their roots and sustain Sikkim’s linguistic and cultural heritage. She urged participants to share feedback and suggestions to enhance the module further.
Prior to the session, Special Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Mr Suman Gurung, presented an overview of the training-cum-workshop, outlining its objectives to train teachers engaged in teaching tribal languages at the primary level, enhance their pedagogical skills, and support the preparation of tribal language teaching materials, to make teachers aware of the future of tribal languages in context of the National Education Policy 2020, and to promote the tribal languages for long-term sustainability.
During the course of the training, which commenced on October 27, sessions covered diverse topics related to the development of tribal languages and literature, preparation of teaching-learning materials, pedagogical techniques, grammar, cultural awareness, use of multimedia, and the roles and responsibilities of tribal language teachers. The sessions also included discussions on language history, poetry, astrology, and learning outcomes for effective teaching in primary schools.
This was followed by an experience-sharing session by teachers representing five tribal languages, who reflected on their learnings and the practical aspects of the training.
The training-cum-workshop saw the participation of 150 primary tribal language teachers from across the state.
The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participants.
Also present at the programme were the Additional Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Ms Bandana Chettri, officials from Social Welfare Department, officials from Education Department, officials from Tribal Research Institute and Training Centre, resource persons and Textbook Officers and Assistant Textbook Officers.
