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.