GANGTOK,: Chief Minister PS Golay on Sunday asserted that the proposed Ed
Sheeran concert during Sikkim’s Golden Jubilee celebrations would be funded
through sponsorships and it does not involve government expenses.
“Recently
I had said that we will try to bring Ed Sheeran to Sikkim but I had not said
that the government will bear the expenses. We will bring him without any
expenses from the government, the government will only provide logistics
support. We will bring him through sponsorships,” said the Chief Minister. He
was addressing the Namprikdang Namsoong Festival concluding day programme at
Namprikdang, Dzongu.
After the
‘Ed Sheeran performance’ announcement, opposition parties here have been
accusing the SKM government of prioritizing high-cost entertainment over the
pressing requirements of the people.
Responding
to these allegations, the Chief Minister maintained that no government money
would be spent on the proposed Ed Sheeran concert in Sikkim. “We have
well-wishers who have expressed their readiness to sponsor and bring the world
famous singer to Sikkim and do ticket system. If Ed Sheeran comes without Sarkari karcha then what is the problem?
He will make Sikkim famous world over. Thousands of people from outside will
come to watch his show and they will stay in our hotels, visit our beautiful
locations and generate business for every tourism stakeholder,” he said.
Golay
added that the opposition is trying to make the ‘Ed Sheeran concert’ an issue
without understanding how much tourism benefits and international mileage
Sikkim will get through the international musician. Instead of speaking
mindlessly, they should focus on why their party workers are leaving the party
and do an analysis on why they were rejected by the people in the 2024
elections, he said.
In his
address, the Chief Minister shared that the State government is not funding
mega entertainment events happening in Sikkim but facilitating sponsorships
through well-wishers and industrialists who do business here. We are not doing
‘manoranjan’ (entertainment) but doing publicity of Sikkim without any
government expenses, they (opposition) are envious when grand programmes take
place in the State, he said.
He added
that renowned singer Kailash Kher is performing at Jorethang Maghey Mela and
the show is happening without government expenses, the expenses are met through
sponsorship. Similar sponsorships have been facilitated to have performances of
other artistes at Jorethang, he said.
Golay also
rejected the allegation that the SKM government is focused only on
entertainment and festival celebrations. He highlighted that it is the
government’s duty to support communities and organisations to celebrate their
traditional and cultural festivals. “Today under the SKM government, all
communities are grandly celebrating their festivals without any fear while the
so-called opposition are saying that we are busy only in entertainment. It is
our responsibility to encourage and support communities to celebrate their
festivals as it is related with their culture and identity. Those opposing the
cultural festivals are against the communities of Sikkim,” he said.
The Chief
Minister added that the SKM government, besides supporting every community, has
been working diligently to uplift the poor people and extend every possible
help to the poor patients and students of Sikkim.
Furthermore,
the Chief Minister assured that the historic Namprikdang area, which was
affected by the floods in 2023, would be renovated and restored in a more
sustainable manner. He also spoke about the importance of safeguarding
traditions and culture, urging everyone to preserve the rich legacy of the
Namprikdang Namsoong Festival, which has been celebrated for 49 years till
date.
The
State-level Namprikdang Namsoong festival organised with the theme ‘Roots &
Horizons’ successfully highlighted Dzongu region’s rich cultural heritage and
vibrant traditions over its three-day run.
In his
welcome address, area MLA-Forest minister Pintso Namgyal Lepcha thanked the
Chief Minister for the development work done in Dzongu and expressed his
gratitude to the local community for their ongoing support. He also highlighted
the festival’s roots dating back to its inception in 1976 and emphasised the
desire to elevate the festival to even greater heights in the future.
A
highlight of the closing ceremony was the cultural performances sponsored by
Eastern Zonal Culture Centre, Ministry of Culture, featuring traditional dance
and music of Sikkim as well as other States, in association with Culture department,
Sikkim. Traditional sports competitions were also an important part of the
festival with the tug of war (for men and women) finals taking place today. In
addition, the event included distribution of cheques to the beneficiaries and
the presentation of awards to individuals and groups who made significant
contributions to community welfare and celebration.
