GANGTOK, : The weeklong 12th foundation day of Organisation of Musicians & Artistes
of Sikkim (OMAS) here at MG Marg under the theme ‘Souvenirs of Sikkim’
concluded on Wednesday.
Panel
discussion on entrepreneurship and presentations by local artistes marked the
valedictory function attended by Soreng-Chakung MLA Aditya Golay as the chief
guest and Shyari MLA Tenzin Lamtha as the special guest.
The
OMAS-initiative ‘Souvenirs of Sikkim’ was supported by RAMP and Commerce &
Industries department, Government of Sikkim wherein local entrepreneurs
promoted and sold their products in the special stalls at MG Marg.
Also
present was Commerce & Industries secretary Karma D Youtso, MSME director M
Ravi Kumar, joint secretary Topden Zangpo, MSME assistant director
Bimala Chettri, the team of KPMG (RAMP), guests and others.
In
his address, Soreng-Chakung MLA Aditya Golay appreciated the ‘Souvenirs of
Sikkim’ initiative of OMAS as entrepreneurship is the future of Sikkim. He also
spoke on the steps taken by the State government to promote entrepreneurs and
artistes of Sikkim. He expressed that similar programmes could be held in
future for the growth of budding artists, musicians and entrepreneurship of Sikkim.
He appreciated the vibrant cultural and entrepreneurial spirit of Sikkim
showcased during the event.
The
OMAS foundation day event, which was held in collaboration with the Department
of Commerce and Industries and Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance
(RAMP), featured an array of cultural performances, panel discussions, and
entrepreneurial insights.
The
final day events commenced with a panel discussion that included local entrepreneurs
such as Pawan Bhandari (CEO of Haldi and Health), Nikhil Jabez Pradhan (CEO of
ApiCare), Sernya Palmo (CEO of Palmo Handicrafts), Lalita Pradhan (CEO of Lola
Blossoms Handicraft and Jewellery), and Bimala Chettri (assistant director,
Commerce and Industries department). The discussion focused on various
challenges and opportunities faced by local entrepreneurs.
OMAS
president Tshering Leezum presented the welcome address which was followed by a
vibrant folk performance by the Lepcha band, Lasomung Kup.
Sernya Palmo,
a local entrepreneur and CEO of Palmo Handicrafts, expressed her gratitude to
OMAS and the department of Commerce and Industries for providing a platform to
showcase Sikkim’s rich craftsmanship. She encouraged the younger generation to
take full advantage of government schemes like 'One Family, One Entrepreneur'
and advised them to work towards making Sikkim a prosperous State, as
envisioned by Chief Minister PS Golay.
Srijana Shrestha,
CEO of Agapi, a skincare brand founded in 2019, also shared her journey. She
highlighted the brand’s commitment to women empowerment, its representation at
the 'Empowering Women Globally' event at the American Centre, and its
distinction as the first enterprise from the region to have an advertisement
displayed on the Times Square billboard in New York City. Agapi’s focus on
using local herbs for skincare products is part of its broader mission to make
Sikkim globally recognizable, she shared.
A
Maruni dance performance by the 'G Sharp Dance Studio' followed the addresses.
Nikhil
Jabez Pradhan, CEO of ApiCare, a local beekeeping enterprise, discussed his
business’s core values: people, planet, and profit. He emphasized the company’s
commitment to supporting local farmers and beekeepers while promoting
sustainable beekeeping practices. He highlighted the ecological importance of
bees, which pollinate 75% of the world’s food, and discussed how ApiCare
reinvests its profits to improve the livelihoods of farmers and preserve
biodiversity.
The
audience was then treated to a classical Nepali dance performance by 'R N B
Dance Collective'.
Gyaltsen Bhutia,
president of the All Sikkim Lharipa Association, addressed the gathering,
stressing the importance of supporting local craftsmanship, including carvings
and thangka painting, which preserve Sikkim's traditional heritage. He urged
visitors to invest in these locally handcrafted products, as they help bolster
the local economy and encourage entrepreneurial growth.
The
evening continued with a performance by the ‘Rhythm n Rewind’ band, followed by
a welcome address by OMAS advisor TsheringWangchuk Lepcha. He shared how OMAS
was established in 2013 as a platform for emerging artists, when social media
was beginning to take hold in Sikkim. He acknowledged the support of the
Commerce and Industries Department, the Government of Sikkim, and RAMP, a World
Bank-supported initiative aimed at strengthening MSMEs across India.
Speaking
on the theme 'Souvenirs of Sikkim', Lepcha highlighted OMAS’s role in promoting
local entrepreneurship and creating a lasting cultural legacy. He also shared
OMAS’s contribution to social causes, such as disaster relief efforts for flash
floods in Uttarakhand, Kerala, Nagaland, and Sikkim, as well as the 2015 Nepal
Earthquake.
A
posthumous felicitation was then given to late Rahul Rai, the front man of
Tribal Rain, and late Mellow Gyatso, as well as the pioneering Western music
bands ‘The Orchid’ and ‘Flickers’.
The
event also featured an exciting beat box performance by Oggy and Phuntsok,
collectively known as Surge, who are ranked 8th nationally as a beat box tag
team.
The
evening continued with two Western music performances by Thinlay Yezer Bhutia,
followed by a surprise performance from Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha, OMAS’s founder
and advisor.
The
gathering also witnessed an energetic rap performance by emerging artists
Bosing, Shaggy P, and their group, before closing with a surprise performance
by co-anchor Ekta Limbu.
