GEYZING,: Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh (AKRS) Sikkim is gearing up for the State-level Sakewa Festival 2024, to be celebrated on November 20 at Tathang village, near Khechuperi in Gyalshing district.
A final preparatory meeting was held today to ensure smooth arrangements for the festival, the meeting chaired by Urban Development minister Bhojraj Rai. Also present were zilla adhakshya D.S. Limboo, Sikkim State Food Commission chairman Dr. S.K. Rai, Denzong Agricultural Co-operative Society chairman R.K. Waling, Gyalshing SDM Sandesh Subba, CLC president Nandu Gurung, celebration committee president S.K. Samphang, AKRS executive members, line department officials, zilla and gram panchayat members, local stakeholders and Rai community members.
Samphang, in his opening remarks, mentioned that Sakewa is an important cultural festival of Rai community and it would be celebrated in a grand manner this year at Tathang village under Gyalshing district.
The State-level Sakewa festival is organised by Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh (AKRS) Sikkim with support from the State government, line departments and local stakeholders.
A State-level committee has been established to oversee the preparations with minister Bhojraj Rai as the chief patron and Samphang as the celebration committee president. Patrons of the festival also include Kala Rai, Jacob Khaling, Bina Rai and S.S. Bokhim.
Various agendas in-line with a grand celebration of Sakewa festival were discussed at the meeting. Aspects pertaining to the celebration such as parking facilities, cultural programs, accommodations, were tabled during the meeting.
Tathang village, located near the serene Khechuperi Lake, will serve as an ideal backdrop for this year’s festival, symbolizing a deep connection to the natural and spiritual landscapes of the region. The venue is expected to host various cultural performances, including traditional Rai dances like Silli and Sakela, as well as demonstrations of ethnic attire, music, and cuisine that showcase the unique identity of the Kirat Rai people.
Chief Minister P.S. Golay has consented to attend the event as the chief guest.
Minister Bhojraj Rai, in his address, directed line departments to render all possible support in the celebration. He urged everyone to contribute relentlessly to make the festival a grand success. He called upon AKRS Sikkim members to work collectively and contribute selflessly. He asked for active and collective efforts from each member of the community. He said, there should be no politics and political discrimination in the celebration. He appealed to all the community members to indulge in it to make a State-level event a grand success.
The festival will feature a series of cultural and traditional programmes including the showcase of Rai cultural performances, ethnic costumes, food items, poetry competition in the Rai language.
A joint inspection of the festival venue was conducted after the meeting in which the dignitaries thoroughly inspected the venue.