MANGAN: Roads and Bridges minister Nar Bahadur Dahal inaugurated the State Level Namprikdang Namsoong Festival 2024-25, organised by the Namprikdang Namsoong Celebration Committee (NNCC) on January 10. The festival will run till January 12.
The day began with the arrival of chief guest Nar Bahadur Dahal. He was received by Minister for Forest and Environment-cum-Area MLA Dzongu Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, SDM Dzongu Gideon Lepcha, BDO Dzongu Mahendra Tamang, Zilla and ward Panchayat members, committee members and public.
The chief guest inaugurated the event with a visit to the puja and exhibition stalls, where he offered prayers and lit prayer lamps at the puja stall. Guests also visited the stalls, interacting with participants and appreciating their contributions to the festival.
Cultural richness was on display with tribal dances by the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (E.Z.C.C.), representing the Lepcha, Bhutia, and Nepali communities. This was followed by a felicitation programme. The felicitation programme honoured individuals and recognised their dedication to supporting community welfare.
The event also featured traditional sports competitions, including archery and tug-of-war, organised for both men and women. These activities not only added to the festive spirit but also highlighted the importance of preserving indigenous sports as a vital aspect of the region’s cultural identity.
In his address, the chief guest highlighted the significance of the Namsoong Festival as a platform to preserve and showcase the unique traditions of North Sikkim. He expressed his gratitude for being invited to the event and congratulated the organisers for successfully hosting it, despite the challenges posed by the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) that occurred on 3rd-4th October 2023, which severely impacted the area. He extended his appreciation to the army, BRO, and GREF for their relentless efforts in restoring connectivity to the region. Additionally, he encouraged the local community and the district administration to work collectively towards promoting the cultural heritage of the region.
It may be noted that the evening programme will include guest dance performances and a live musical performance by Yankee Yolmo.
- IPR Report
