MUKESH SHARMA

Kalimpong, December 20:

The 282nd birth anniversary of Punu Gaybu Achyuk, the Lepcha king was observed in a grand manner at Mela ground today, under the presidentship of Padmashree, Sonam Tshering Lepcha. The Lepcha community from Darjeeling hills, Sikkim, Dooars, etc. were present at large in the function organized under the aegis of the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (ILTA).

This was the first time that the celebration was made after the formation of Myang Lyang lepcha development board MLLDB

Chief guest of the program Dhendup Adenmo Lepcha , former Secretary PWD, Govt of Sikkim.

LS Tamsang, President of MLDB, 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.

LDB is a board for the social , economic , linguistic , cultural an all round uplifment of lephas.'This board is by the lepchas,for the lepcha and to the lepchas' informing more he added that soon the intoductuion of lepcha language in the school will start.

Dorjee T lepcha president of ILTA told that we should be politically be aware as we have send many MP,s and MLA,s but we remained backward.We should be politically united too and this time organisation will direct all the community to vote.He said that we were blamed about division in community but we never did so.Many are against the intoduction of our language in school but we t make clear that it is the constitution of our country which has given the right .In art 350A Facilities for instruction in mother-tongue at primary stage.No body is above constitution he added

Yusuf Simick VP of the board added that we hope sooner tamang , gurung and other language will be taught in schools.we don't know to make enemy but our fight is to remove poorness within our community added simick

Lepcha Paper 'Achulay' and Dr.D.C.Roy book 'lepcha past and present'  were released along with a cultural programme being put up.

Meanwhile this year KP Tamsang language and literary award was presented to Pune Gebu Acyok school of Luingsyal.

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