SIKKIM: Ravangla will be the world’s first city of its kind, says CM

BY PRAKASH CHETTRI

Namchi: “The entire area of Ravangla Bazaar and its surroundings will be developed as Rhododendron Aerobic city and the government has already decided to start the project soon in Ravangla after which this tiny town of south district will be the world’s first city of it’s kind”. This was announced Sunday, August 22, by the Chief Minster Dr. Pawan Chamling as chief guest at the inauguration of Pang Lhabsol Festival here.

The day’s function was curtain raiser Pang Lhabsol festival at Ravangla. In his address Chief Minister said that this was the 27th year of Pang Lhabsol celebration at Ravangla, “but this is the 10th year of its grand celebration after the initiatives taken by the present SDF government”. He said every festival in Sikkim should be developed “as a tourist festival” and his government has decided to start a number of developmental projects in and around Ravangla, so that this town gets a brand name in the tourism map and attracts large number of tourists.

At Bhaley dhunga above Ravangla the Sky Walk project is started for which the Government of India has sanctioned Rs.200 crore for the project, he noted. Mentioning the prolonged controversy over Dutchi he said, the government has agreed on the decision of Dutchi, the site allotted by Dutchi has been recognized by the government and the department of UD&HD will register the land. 50% of the revenue collected from these areas will be provided to Dutchi while rest 50% will be of Government, he said. Maintaining that the present SDF Government was the “government of all”, Chief Minister said “this was the only government in the entire world to provide equal right and security to all class and community people of the state”.

He declared that, like Gangtok and Namchi, the Ravangla town will also developed as a modern and beautiful town. Acknowledging that some people of Ravangla may have to suffer during remodeling the town, he pleaded for cooperation of all in making Sikkim the state of his vision.
On the occasion, Chief Minister congratulated the first IAS officer from South District Karma Rinchen of Kewzing, for his achievement. He was also felicitated on the occasion by the Pang Lhabsol Celebration Committee (PLCC). He was given a felicitation citation by the Chief Minster. Earlier, Chief Minister attended the offering of puja at Karma Tenling Gumpa, Ravangla, and after receiving Kwang he declared the three days long Pang Lhabsol Celebration 2010 open at Manechokerling complex here. The final celebration will be held on 24th August 2010.

Area MLA cum PLCC patron Sonam Gyatso Bhutia in his address said that the celebration of Pang Lhabsol was started in Ravangla from the year 1984 and this was the 27th year of the celebration. He said, with the theme of ‘Monsoon Tourism’, this festival of Pang Lhabsol has been planned as a tourist festival this time.

The final match of Inter Constituency Rural Sports Girls’ Volleyball Tournament was a big attraction of the inaugural function. In this final match Poklok Kamrang, constituency of the Chief Minister, defeated Namchi Singithang constituency by two consecutive sets. The winning constituency was awarded cash prize of Rs.30000 and a trophy while the runner up team got Rs.20000 and a trophy. In addition, Chief Minister gave another Rs.50000 to the winning team and Rs.30000 to the runner up team. following which the total amount became 80 thousand and 50 thousand respectively.

The people were highly appreciative of a live concert in the evening and a number of colorful cultural presentations.

[FROM SIKKIM REPORTER / EDITED BY ASHOK CHATTERJEE]