MUKESH SHARMA

Kalimpong, October 16:

The road between CK Chowk to Trikon at Kalimpong is called Ongden road. But people who travel through this road frequently hardly knows Ongden, after whom the road was named. Dr. Ongden Rongong Lepcha is one such personality who delivered his selfless services to the people of Kalimpong during the British regime.

Only a few know about this person, and no doubt, the Lepcha community only comes under this few. Others might have forgotten or many may even not know about him. However, the Lepcha community very well remembers their one of a kind. The community, like every year, paid tribute to dr Ongden’s statue situated at the Town Hall premises today.

During the programme, the Secretary of the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association tracing back history said that the present sub divisional hospital, was established by the British in 1893 after which it was run under the name of Scottish Charity. During that time the medical students were sent to Trampel Medical School at Patna and Dr Ongden was one of them. After his college, he started his services at the sub divisional hospital.

Thus, recognizing his contribution, the British in the year 1934 made his statue and placed it at the Motor Stand. Later it was shifted to Victoria Memorial Church and from there it was again shifted to his residence.

After much hardships by the Lepcha community, the statue was shifted at the Town Hall premises in 2004.