GANGTOK, Jan 4 - Attending the ongoing State-level Namprikdang Namsoong Festival at Mangan in North district as the chief guest, Sikkim Chief Minister PS Tamang today reiterated his commitment to develop Dzongu, the abode of the Lepcha community in north Sikkim, under a �Care Dzongu Programme�.
Tamang stated his vision to carry out development activities in the fields of tourism, education and road connectivity. He announced construction of a road from Passingdong to Kayong soon and assured other development works including establishment of a foot suspension bridge at Mentam, road connectivity from Kayam to Tingbong, extension and carpeting of the Rangrang-Mangan Road, and completion of other pending projects.
The Chief Minister also made a case for summer tourism at Dzongu and showcasing of its indigenous culture and traditions. He referred to the potential of Dzongu in diverse fields, and encouraged the youths to take the region to greater heights of development.
Minister of Agriculture Lok Nath Sharma, in his address, termed the adoption of Ranghim, Nampatam, Malling and Pakshep as model villages in the North district, as a historic occasion. He stressed that the purpose is to uplift the socio-economic standards of farmers. He urged the villagers to avail of the benefits meant for model villages. He also highlighted the closeness of the Namsoong Festival to agricultural activities, and informed about the financial incentives for milk producers and farmers.
The minister stated that the process of inauguration of model villages has been completed in all four districts of the State.
Minister Samdup Lepcha threw light on the religious and cultural significance of the Namsoong, Losoong and Losar festivals and stated that the celebration of the Namsoong Festival officially started in 1979. He elaborated on the priority accorded by the State Government to awarding educational scholarships, particularly to the students of Dzongu. He also outlined the development works to be taken up in the Dzongu constituency.
