GANGTOK, Oct 5 - A programme to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister of Sikkim, late Nar Bahadur Bhandari was held at the Chintan Bhawan here today.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang graced the occasion as the chief guest. Also present in the function were Deputy Speaker Sangay Lepcha, Cabinet ministers, advisers, chairpersons, chairmen, mayor and deputy mayor, Gangtok, Chief Secretary, DGP, Heads of various government departments and senior officials.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched the Nar Bahadur Bhandari Fellowship Scheme in honour of the former Chief Minister.
The NB Bhandari Fellowship Scheme aims to provide an opportunity for Sikkim�s brightest and most promising graduate students to pursue higher studies in the top 20 universities of the world. The mission of this scheme is to provide exposure to Sikkimese students amidst the finest educators of the world.
The Chief Minister in his address extended his heartfelt tribute to the second Chief Minister of Sikkim, late NB Bhandari, on the occasion of his 80th birth anniversary.
The Chief Minister mentioned that NB Bhandari was not only a leader par excellence, but also the architect of modern Sikkim. His immense contribution towards the State and its people has been etched in the pages of history and shall always be remembered with great significance, he added.
The Chief Minister mentioned that late Bhandari was a true son of the soil and loved Sikkim and the Sikkimese people from the depth of his heart. His dynamic leadership during his term as Chief Minister stands out as a strong foundation and also as an inspiration to emulate. His most notable contribution being the inclusion of the Nepali language in 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India, he stated. He also mentioned that late Bhandari was a great personality and took each challenge on his stride and emerged victorious each time.
The Chief Minister said that significant advances that he implemented during his regime were that of rural development which focused on rural electrification, water supply and rural connectivity in Sikkim. He stressed that late Bhandari was a disciplinarian and an able administrator, and did not compromise on the quality of administration delivered during his tenure. Even with limited budget during his regime, he didn�t falter to deliver basic necessities and connectivity to rural Sikkim.
Chief Minister Tamang mentioned that Sikkim and the Sikkimese people shall always remain indebted to late Bhandari for his tremendous contribution in shaping Sikkim.
The Chief Minister also informed that as a mark of respect to late Bhandari, his birth anniversary was declared as a gazetted holiday in Sikkim since last year.
During the programme, a brief power point presentation on the NB Bhandari fellowship scheme was delivered by the Director of Technical and Higher Education Yishey D Yongda.
