MUKESH SHARMA

Kalimpong, December 20:

The 281st birth anniversary of Punu Gaybu Achyuk, the Lepcha king was observed in a grand manner at Mela ground on Thursday, under the presidentship of Padmashree, Sonam Tshering Lepcha. The Lepcha community from Darjeeling hills, Sikkim, Dooars, Bhutan, Nepal, Kolkata, etc. were present at large in the function organized under the aegis of the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (ILTA).

LS Tamsang, President of ILTA, who was present as the chief guest speaking about Punu Gaybu Achyuk informed that he was the king of the Lepchas who sacrificed himself for the community. He is an inspiration for the Lepcha community, he added.

4 books written about the Lepcha king were released along with a fashion show and cultural programme being put up.

In one hand the state government recently has given approval for the formation of Lepcha Development Council, while in the other the GTA has insisted that instead of the Council it should be a Board which should be under the GTA. None of the Lepcha representatives present at the function were able to give a clear answer to the questions raised by the media regarding the same.

However, the ILTA President said that as an after effect of today’s mammoth gathering of the Lepchas the community’s voice will be heard till Kolkata and Delhi.

“The Lepcha community represents truth. Thus, to save the purity of this place we need to unite. Our unity is our identity”, stated Tamsang and added that the youths must come forward in order to save the language, culture and tradition.