GYALSHING: Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh (AKRS) Sikkim is gearing up for the State-level Sakewa Festival 2024, a cultural festival of Rai community set to take place on November 20 at Tathang village near Khechuperi in Gyalshing district.
A final preparatory meeting was held today at Tathang.
The meeting chaired by Bhojraj Rai, Minister Urban development and food & civil supplies department was attended by DS Limboo Zilla Adakshya Gyalshing, Dr SK Rai Chairman Sikkim state food commission, RK Waling chairman Denzong Agricultural Co-operative Society, Sandesh Subba Gyalshing SDM, Nandu Gurung CLC president, SK Sampang celebration committee President, AKRS executive members, line department officials, Zilla and gram panchayats, local stakeholders and Rai community members.
In his opening remarks, SK Samphang organising committee president emphasized the cultural importance of Sakewa to the Rai community and noted plans for a grand celebration. The agenda included discussions on logistical arrangements like parking, cultural programming, and accommodations to ensure a smooth celebration.
A state-level committee has been established to oversee the preparations, with Minister Bhojraj Rai as the chief patron of the organising committee.
Tathang village, located near Khechuperi Lake one of Sikkim’s sacred lakes will serve as an ideal backdrop for this year’s celebration. The venue is expected to host various cultural performances, including traditional Rai dances like Silli and Sakela, as well as demonstrations of ethnic attire, music, and cuisine that showcase the unique identity of the Kirat Rai people.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay is slated to attend as the chief guest at the event.
During the meeting, Minister Bhojraj Rai urged the line departments and the Rai community to work collaboratively to ensure a well-organized and grand celebration. He stressed the need for unity and inclusiveness, appealing for a non-partisan approach and calling upon community members to contribute selflessly to the festival’s success. He underscored the importance of broad community participation. “Though Sakewa is a Rai festival, it is essential that every Sikkimese community takes part, as this celebration strengthens unity and showcases our collective cultural heritage,” he remarked.
The festival will feature a series of cultural & traditional programs including the showcase of Rai cultural performances, ethnic costumes, food items, poetry competition in the Rai language. Besides that various stalls that could be put up as part of the celebrations. These range from traditional food stalls, a stall of antiques, costumes and a stall and art exhibitions etc. Attendees will also have the chance to visit stalls featuring traditional foods, costumes, and Rai literatures.
Following the meeting, the dignitaries conducted a joint inspection of the festival site to assess preparations.
- Report from DIO Gyalshing
