News & Announcement

Soreng District Celebrates 211th Bhanu Jayanti

Date: 13-Jul-2025
Soreng, July 13 (IPR):
The 211th Bhanu Jayanti was celebrated at the Sawrna Jayanti Rangshala of Soreng Senior Secondary School, today.
The celebration began at Bhanu Salik, where the MLA (Soreng-Chakung) Mr Aditya Golay, offered khadas and lit the ceremonial lamp. This was followed by the traditional Shova Yatra from Dara Bazaar to school premises with participants dressed in colorful traditional attire.
The event was graced by MLA (Soreng-Chakung) Mr Aditya Golay who attended as the Chief Guest, while Senior Literary Figure, writer and philosopher Mrs Anita Niroula joined the occasion as the Guest of Honour and was accompanied by Vice chairman (Institute for Transforming Sikkim) Mr CP Sharma, Advisor (IPR) Mr Suk Bahadur Subba, Zilla Adakshya Mrs Tila Devi Gurung, Chairman (Sikkim Agriculture and Horticulture Board) Mr CK Rana, Additional Political Secretary Mr Erastus Lucksom, Chairperson (Fisheries) Mrs Anuradha Gurung, Zilla Panchayat Members, Panchayat Members, DC (Soreng) Mr Dhiraj Subedi, SP (Soreng) Mr Nahkul Pradhan, ADC-I Mr Dr Bista, ADC- II Mr Santosh Kuram Allay, ADC (Dev) Mr Gaayas Pegha, OSD to MLA (Soreng Chakung) Mr Rajen Basnett, OSD (Excise Department) Mr Reman Thapa, OSD (Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department) Mr PP Sharma, SDMs, Heads of Departments, BDOs, Officers and Officials of various line departments, principals, headmasters, teachers, students and general public.
Mr Aditya Golay addressed the gathering by expressing his heartfelt condolences on the passing of Padma Shri Awardee Sanu Lama, acknowledging his immense contribution to literature and extending sympathies to the bereaved family.
He then, congratulated the organising committee for successfully conducting the event and extended his best wishes to the newly appointed Chairpersons, Advisors, Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) and Additional Political Secretaries (APS). He further, encouraged them to take full responsibility in their roles and work with commitment for the betterment of the public.
Speaking on the importance of literature, he encouraged students and the younger generation to carry forward the literary legacy and give equal focus to literature alongside other academic and professional fields. He also assured that more literature-related programmes will be organised in the future, and highlighted that Chief Minister of Sikkim Mr Prem Singh Tamang also gives strong emphasis to the promotion of literature and culture in the state.
Additionally, he shared his vision for the development of the Soreng-Chakung constituency, with a focus on tourism. He spoke about the recent participation of the Tourism Association of Soreng District at the Tourism Trade Fair (TTF) held in Kolkata marking the first time the district took part in such an event. He proudly stated that Soreng was recognised as the “Most Promising Upcoming Tourism Destination in Sikkim.” He praised the quality of the presentation and brochures prepared by the association. He also, thanked the Tourism Department and Sikkim INSPIRES for their support and guidance in helping the district achieve this recognition.
He also encouraged youth to explore alternative opportunities beyond government employment. He highlighted potential areas for growth and shared updates on key upcoming projects, including the Nateej Subhash Chandra Bose Centre of Excellence University, which is expected to bring long-term benefits to the region. He reiterated that adventure tourism holds great potential in Soreng-Chakung and encouraged all present to work together with a shared vision under the spirit of “Team Soreng.”
The guest speaker Mrs Anita Niroula addressed the gathering by warmly welcoming everyone present and expressing her heartfelt gratitude to the organisers for inviting her as the Guest of Honour. In her speech, she highlighted Soreng’s significant contribution in shaping prominent political and administrative figures, recalling former Chief Ministers and other notable personalities who hailed from the region. She praised Soreng for its inspiration and strength in leadership.
She then, commended the district’s “One Day at School” initiative and gave a brief overview of the Bhanu Jayanti celebrations, touching on its history in Sikkim. She reflected on the challenges faced in establishing the Bhanu Bhakta statue (Shailak) in Gangtok. Additionally, she spoke about Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, referring to him as the Aadi Kavi, and mentioned how he drew inspiration from a grasscutter “Ghasi” to write his first poem, an event that marked the beginning of his literary journey.
She further shared her insightful views on the enduring relevance and responsibility of literature in society. Describing literature as both the mirror of a community and the pen through which a writer communicates societal truths, she emphasised its vital role in shaping collective thought and preserving cultural identity. According to her, literature is not merely an artistic expression but a powerful tool that reflects the values, struggles, and aspirations of a people.
She also expressed concern over the stagnation that can occur when literary works remain anchored solely in the past. She stressed the importance of continually renewing and evolving literature to reflect the realities of the present era. In this regard, she urged writers to engage more deeply with contemporary issues, draw inspiration from the younger generation and create works that are both relevant and practical in today’s context. Literature, she noted, must speak to current challenges and hopes rather than be confined to historical narratives alone.
Concluding her address, she made a heartfelt appeal for social harmony. She emphasised the need for unity and mutual respect, calling on all communities to rise above caste-based divisions. In her words, fostering an inclusive spirit is essential not only for literature but for the overall growth and strength of a society.
Earlier, also a heartfelt tribute was paid to Padma Shri Awardee Sanu Lama, the eminent Nepali literary figure who passed away on 12th July 2025. Assistant Director (IT)-cum-Member of Literary Sub Committee (BJCC) Mr Amir Bhandari gave a brief overview of his life and legacy, highlighting his major literary contributions along with the national honors he received including the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Shri.
"Sanu Lama was not just a literary figure, but an era in himself. Though his voice has fallen silent, his words will continue to speak across generations," he said.
To honour his memory, his iconic composition “Jaha Bagchha Teesta Rangeet” was played during the program, filling the venue with emotion and reverence.
During the programme the winners for the Senior Secondary Inter-School Poetry Competition were also awarded and their names are as follows:
1. Khusboo Kami
2. Smriti Chettri
3. Aasna Chettri
For the Senior Secondary Inter-School Extempore Speech Competition, the winners are as follows:
1. Anmol Sharma
2. Pratibha Sharma
3. Stephen Biswakarma
For the Open Poem Competition, the winners are as follows:
1. Abilash Tamang
2. Prayash Pradhan
3. Bir Bahadur Khatri
For the Inter-Departmental Ramayan Path Competition, the winning departments are as follows:
1. Land Revenue Department
2. Agriculture and Horticulture Department
All participants were given a memento and a certificate of participation as a token of appreciation. Adding to the event, Ms Shovya Bhujel, a student studying in class II of Woodstock Secondary School, took part in the poetry recital, showcasing the emerging talent and enthusiasm of the younger generation.
As a token of appreciation, the organising committee felicitated the Guest of Honour Ms Anita Niroula with a memento in recognition of her gracious presence. The occasion also witnessed the official launch of the book “A Tribute to Adhikavi – 6th Edition”, authored by Mr Kishan Dahal and Ms Pratima Chettri adding a meaningful literary touch to the event.
The organising committee also felicitated the following-
1. Vice Chairman (Institute for Transforming Sikkim) Mr CP Sharma.
2. Advisor (IPR) Mr Suk Bahadur Subba.
3. Additional Political Secretary (Soreng) Mr Erastus Lucksom.
4. Chairman (Sikkim Agriculture and Horticulture Board) Mr CK Rana.
5. Chairperson (Fisheries) Mrs Anuradha Gurung.
6. OSD to MLA (Soreng-Chakung) Mr Rajen Basnett.
7. OSD (Excise Department) Mr Reman Thapa.
8. OSD (Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department) Mr PP Sharma.
9. Principal Don Bosco School.
During the event, Mr Aditya Golay was also felicitated with a statue of Aadi Kavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya presented to him by Mr Jaya Rai as a mark of respect and tribute to the great poet.
Initially, a welcome address was delivered by DC (Soreng) Mr Dhiraj Subedi while the vote of thanks was proposed by RO/DD (LR&DM) Mr BB Rai.