PAKYONG, (IPR): Dr Indra Hang Subba, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), graced the concluding day of the Pakyong Literary Festival 2024, held today at Lampokhari Lake in Aritar, commemorating two days dedicated to literary and artistic excellence.
The festival was organised by the District Administrative Centre (DAC) of Pakyong District.
This event celebrated the 50th anniversary of Sikkim's Statehood, emphasising significant themes such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and Nasha Mukt Bharat, Nasha Mukt Sikkim.
The event was also graced by Bishnu Kumar Khatiwada, Advisor to CM, along with Urgen Lepcha, Confidential Assistant to CM.
The second day began with the chief guest visiting the book and SHG stalls, as well as competition venues, where he interacted with participants and lauded their creativity.
In his address, the Lok Sabha MP expressed his privilege in being part of the festival and extended gratitude to students and teachers for their enthusiastic participation. He emphasised the role of literature in shaping leadership skills and highlighted the importance of self-sufficiency as Sikkim progresses in its journey of 50 years of Statehood.
He also advocated for promoting local authors, ensuring their works resonate in school libraries to strengthen regional literature. He expressed hope for the festival to grow in significance in the years ahead.
Khatiwada underscored the festival’s role as a platform for students to explore new ideas and encouraged the organisation of similar events in schools to inspire young minds.
The day featured a panel discussion on the topic "How Do We Further Inculcate the Habit of Reading and Writing Amongst the Younger Generation?"
Panellists shared their perspectives, followed by an engaging cross-discussion and audience interaction.
Adding to the literary fervour, the chief guest released works by three local authors.
A story-writing session captivated participants with thought-provoking themes such as “When I woke up, I couldn’t remember my own name...” and “I received a letter with no return address, containing only three words: Run, and don’t look back.”
An open quiz competition, themed on the 50 years of Statehood celebration, was also conducted in collaboration with IPR, Pakyong district.
The two-day festival also featured an Information and Education Campaign (IEC) under the ongoing Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) programme, enriching the event with community-orientated initiatives.
These sessions encouraged creativity and storytelling among the attendees. The day also witnessed impactful Nukkad Natak (street play) performances by students from various schools, addressing social themes of Nasha Mukt Bharat, Nasha Mukt Sikkim and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.
The festival concluded with a prize distribution ceremony celebrating the winners of various competitions.
Pranisha Sanyasi of RGB Government Secondary School Tarpin clinched the top prize in the story-writing competition, while Kelsang Lhamu Sherpa of Kumari Pema Tseduen Government Secondary School was the runner-up.
In the Nukkad Natak competition, Aho Senti Senior Secondary School secured first place, with Mulukey Secondary School as the runners-up.
Also present were the DC Pakyong, ADC Pakyong, SDM (HQ), SDM Pakyong, SDM Rongli along with the heads of offices from various departments, teachers and students.