GEYZING, :
Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh (AKRS) Sikkim is gearing up for the State-level Sakewa
Festival 2024, to be celebrated on November 20 at Tathang village, near
Khechuperi in Gyalshing district.
A
final preparatory meeting was held today to ensure smooth arrangements for the
festival, the meeting chaired by Urban Development minister Bhojraj Rai. Also
present were zilla adhakshya D.S. Limboo, Sikkim State Food Commission chairman
Dr. S.K. Rai, Denzong Agricultural Co-operative Society chairman R.K. Waling, Gyalshing
SDM Sandesh Subba, CLC president Nandu Gurung, celebration committee president
S.K. Samphang, AKRS executive members, line department officials, zilla and
gram panchayat members, local stakeholders and Rai community members.
Samphang,
in his opening remarks, mentioned that Sakewa is an important cultural festival
of Rai community and it would be celebrated in a grand manner this year at
Tathang village under Gyalshing district.
The
State-level Sakewa festival is organised by Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh (AKRS) Sikkim
with support from the State government, line departments and local
stakeholders.
A
State-level committee has been established to oversee the preparations with
minister Bhojraj Rai as the chief patron and Samphang as the celebration
committee president. Patrons of the festival also include Kala Rai, Jacob
Khaling, Bina Rai and S.S. Bokhim.
Various
agendas in-line with a grand celebration of Sakewa festival were discussed at
the meeting. Aspects pertaining to the celebration such as parking facilities,
cultural programs, accommodations, were tabled during the meeting.
Tathang
village, located near the serene Khechuperi Lake, will serve as an ideal
backdrop for this year’s festival, symbolizing a deep connection to the natural
and spiritual landscapes of the region. 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 P.S. Golay has consented to attend the event as the chief guest.
Minister
Bhojraj Rai, in his address, directed line departments to render all possible
support in the celebration. He urged everyone to contribute relentlessly to
make the festival a grand success. He called upon AKRS Sikkim members to work
collectively and contribute selflessly. He asked for active and collective
efforts from each member of the community. He said, there should be no politics
and political discrimination in the celebration. He appealed to all the
community members to indulge in it to make a State-level event a grand success.
The
festival will feature a series of cultural and traditional programmes including
the showcase of Rai cultural performances, ethnic costumes, food items, poetry
competition in the Rai language.
A
joint inspection of the festival venue was conducted after the meeting in which
the dignitaries thoroughly inspected the venue.
