GANGTOK, : The second day of OMAS 12th foundation day celebrations
here at MG Marg was marked by the distinguished presence of Health & Culture
minister GT Dhungel as the chief guest with Gangtok Mayor Neel Bahadur Chettri
as the special guest.
The
event commenced with an inspiring address by OMAS advisor Tshering Wangchuk
Lepcha who shared about the OMAS’s 12-year journey. He elaborated on the foundation
day’s theme, ‘Souvenirs of Sikkim’, highlighting how this initiative not only
boosts the local economy but also allows tourists to take home authentic,
locally-made products—proudly showcasing Sikkim’s craftsmanship.
This
initiative, he noted, addresses the growing issue of Chinese-made products
flooding the market. He cited examples of high-quality local brands like Katana
and ArtiStain, which have immense potential if marketed to the right audience.
The
grand finale of the event, scheduled for March 26, promises to be an
extravagant celebration.
Following
the address, the audience was treated to a vibrant Maruni dance performance by
the G Sharp School of Performing Arts.
In
his address, minister Dhungel expressed his admiration for OMAS, commending the
organization for providing a platform to local artists, entrepreneurs,
craftsmen, and artisans. He encouraged individuals to consider entrepreneurship
as a viable career path, highlighting how it contributes to job creation and
strengthens the local economy. He assured that the Government of Sikkim offers
various support schemes to help aspiring entrepreneurs.
Dhungel
also underscored the importance of promoting locally-made products on national
and international stages. He shared the inspiring success story of Agapi, a
skincare brand from Sikkim that advocates for women’s empowerment.
Agapi
has gained recognition, representing Sikkim at the Empowering Women Globally
event at the American Centre, and became the first regional enterprise to display
an advertisement on the Times Square billboard in New York City. The brand also
served as the official vendor at the 2023 G20 Summit.
Dhungel
encouraged emerging entrepreneurs to draw inspiration from Agapi's success.He
also stressed the need to develop high-quality souvenirs in Sikkim to counter
the increasing sale of Chinese products. While praising the craftsmanship of
local artisans, he advised them to focus on the finishing touches of their
products, noting that “face value” is crucial in attracting customers. He
further encouraged tourists to explore local cuisines, as each community in
Sikkim has its distinct culinary traditions, offering a deeper cultural
experience.
In
his concluding remarks, the minister urged the organizers to expand this
initiative to other districts of Sikkim, fostering awareness and contributing
to the overall upliftment of society. He also encouraged entrepreneurs to take
full advantage of the various government schemes available to support their
ventures.
Gyaltsen
Bhutia, president of the All Sikkim Lharipa Association, also took the stage to
highlight the importance of locally handcrafted products. He urged attendees to
support the local economy, which plays a crucial role in boosting the
confidence of local entrepreneurs who dedicate their time and effort to their
craft.
The
program continued with an impressive contemporary dance performance by ‘R and B’.
Nikhil
Javesh Pradhan, a prominent entrepreneur from Sikkim and CEO of ApiCare, shared
his perspective on the purpose-driven nature of businesses. He highlighted that
beekeeping is not only a livelihood but a generational craft. However, he
acknowledged the challenges of traditional beekeeping methods, which are often
unsustainable. ApiCare, therefore, offers training on sustainable practices to
beekeepers across the State.
The
event concluded with the minister visiting the diverse range of stalls, where
he purchased various local handicrafts, clothing items, and sampled the
delicious local cuisines, offering his full support to the initiative.
The
day witnessed open-mic performances by local artistes and those who were
visiting MG Marg.
