GANGTOK,: The Sikkimese society should
live in harmony, regardless of caste and religion, as we have always done, and
not allow outsiders to influence our peaceful State, expressed Health minister
GT Dhungel.
He
was speaking at the 13th Foundation Day celebration of the Sikkim Krantikari
Morcha (SKM), organized by the 25 Upper Tadong constituency at the NB Bhandari
Government College playground.
The
world is always provoking, but we should not react; rather, we should remain in
harmony and peace, the minister added.
Minsiter-cum-area
MLA GT Dhungel, attended the celebration as the chief guest, with Garib
Jankalyan Prakoshta chief coordinator Prabhakar Golay as the guest of honour
and SKM Student Wing president Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha as the special guest.
Nepal’s
popular band, Sabin Rai and The Pharaoh, performed at the venue in the evening.
Dhungel
congratulated the gathering on the foundation day and warmly welcomed the
dignitaries.
“The
people of Sikkim should be grateful to Chief Minister PS Golay and the State
government. His support has helped the people of Sikkim in various ways. The
Sikkimese society should live in harmony, regardless of caste and religion, as
we have always done, and not allow outsiders to influence our peaceful State.
The world is always provoking, but we should not react; rather, we should
remain in harmony and peace. SKM believes in serving the people of Sikkim,” he
said.
Further,
Dhungel highlighted the State government’s efforts in strengthening the health
sector and his commitment to its development as the Health minister.
“With
the CM’s support, medicines, hospital machines, and equipment are now available
in all villages. MBBS students are being appointed in different districts as
nurses, doctors, technicians, and other medical professionals. All MLAs are
submitting the list of their areas’ needs to the CM. Earlier, there was only
one district hospital in Gangtok, but another district hospital was established
in Namchi, and Soreng will soon get one as well,” he added.
The
area MLA further stated that the ICAR road-widening project has been
sanctioned, and works are progressing.
Additionally,
the NBBGC playground, currently a nine-a-side ground, will be converted into an
eleven-a-side playground, serving as an alternative to Paljor Stadium.
The
22 associations/samajs of the 25 Upper Tadong constituency felicitated Dhungel
for his contributions to the development of the constituency.
During
the occasion, a video message from Chief Minister and SKM party president PS
Golay was played, in which he congratulated the people of Sikkim for their
dedication and perseverance.
SKM
Student Wing president Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha stated that SKM has made Sikkim
‘Atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant). “The political movement started 13 years ago at
Soreng playground when SKM was formed because the public wanted change.
The
colors of the SKM flag symbolize key values: orange represents self, red stands
for righteousness, and green signifies governance. Since 2013, the SKM party
has faced several challenges, but the three pillars of the party, CM Golay,
minister Sonam Lama, and SKM vice president Kunga Nima Lepcha, have played
crucial roles. In 2019, the SKM government came to power. Soon after, Minister
GT Dhungel joined the party, further strengthening SKM. Prabhakar Golay has
also been working extensively through the Garib Jan Kalyan Prakoshtha. The SKM
government has made Sikkim stronger, ensuring benefits for the people in
various sectors, including health, education, and employment,” he said.
Lepcha
also highlighted the achievements of the SKM Student Wing.
SKM
party founding member Rabden Bhutia was also felicitated during the event.
The
celebration featured cultural performances by local artists, and a five-minute
documentary showcasing the constituency’s development was screened.
