Sikkim Herald

The program was graced by Shri. Samdup Lepcha, Area MLA cum Minister Roads & Bridge and Culture & Heritage Department Government of Sikkim as a Chief Guest Accompanied by All Panchayat’s of 12- Ringhim Nampatan GPU Mangan Block, Divisional Forest Officer(Social Forestry) Mangan Division, Shri. Zigdal Lachenpa, Divisional Forest Officer (T), Pempa Dadul Lachenpa, Assistant Conservation of Forest ( Social Forestry) Mangan Division, Ms. Shanta Subba, along with the Front line Staff and office Staff of Social Forestry Mangan Division and JFMC, SHG Kalow Nampatan of Ringhim Nampatan Mangan Block and Mangan Police.

On the Plantation drive, various species of Saplings were planted at Gram Prasasan Kendra.

The visiting team had the experience of reaching the far-flung farm in the Maneybong Dentam constituency, amidst heavy rainfall. Banpala sheep is one of the indigenous breeds of the Himalayan state of Sikkim.

During the visit, Minister Sharma instructed the official to put up a proposal for the up-gradation of farms with ancillary tourism facilities. He also advised introducing an angora variety of rabbits at Begha farm in view of its suitable climatic zone for the particular breed.

Shri Shamsher Rai, Zilla Adhakshya and Shri Basant Lama Director, Panchayat (RMDD) handed over the keys to Shri Tempo Gyaltsen, Chief Medical Officer (East) and Shri Manoj Mishra, District Medical Superintendent, Singtam Hospital during the function held at the conference hall of EDZP, Sichey, Gangtok.

Speaking, on the occasion Shri Shamsher Rai said that the initiative for donating the ambulance is for the benefit of the people as a social welfare activity. He appreciated the contribution of East District Zilla Panchayat which is committed fully to the well-being of the society. He further informed that the fund utilized for purchasing the ambulance was used from the Deen Dayal Puraskar Award Fund that was awarded to the State in 2020-2021.

Shri Tempo Gyaltsen Chief Medical Officer, East thanked East District Zilla Panchayat for their contribution to procuring the ambulance, which was a necessary requirement for Singtam Hospital. He said that Singtam lies in the industrial belt of the State where a large number of workers from the factories depend on the facilities provided at Singtam Hospital for medical care. Apart from that, he also informed that patients from Dikchu, Temi, Yangyang, Rangpo, and Rongli come to Singtam Hospital and an added ambulance will boost the healthcare infrastructure of the area, in terms of transporting patients from far-flung areas. He assured me that the ambulance will cater to the need of the patients efficiently.

Shri Basant Lama, Director, Panchayat, said that it is a motivating step that will act as a huge support system for doctors to treat patients by providing them with basic healthcare facilities, and providing people with access to healthcare facilities at the time of emergency who require medical monitoring in transit and non-invasive airway management.

Shri D R Sharma, Joint Director, Zilla Panchayat gave a brief description of the ambulance. He informed that the ambulance is equipped with facilities like air conditioning, a basic life support system, an analog oxygen delivery system, an autoloader stretcher trolley with a floor mounting mechanism, and a doctor’s seat.

The function was attended by Zilla Panchayats (East), line department officials, officers, and staff of East District Zilla Panchayat.

Hon’ble Minister cum Area MLA Gyalshing Bermiok Constituency Shri Lok Nath Sharma graced the event as the chief guest and was accompanied by Advisor AH & VS, Government of Sikkim Shri Durga Prasad Pradhan, Senior Superintendent of Police, Gyalshing Shri Hari Chettri, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Gyalshing Shri Nakul Pradhan, Chairman NHPC Shri Ganga Ram Bhattarai, BDO Hee Martam BAC Shri Kailash Gurung, functionaries and representatives of various committees under District Level, Core Level, Block Development Society, SHG Federations and NGOs.

Minister Sharma, in his address, foremost, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for being able to be a part of such a historic programme which celebrates the essence of ‘Nari Shakti’ Women Empowerment and equally advocates for them to be capable of doing much more toward the upliftment of the society. While sensitised on the inception of NGOs in the state, vividly recalled his initial days when he was only able to make small efforts with all he had and performed various activities in pursuit of the sole motive of public benefit and holistic upliftment, while running the NGO at the proximity of his house.

Further, convened the message of congratulation, assistive gestures and applauded by HCM of Sikkim Shri Prem Singh Tamang, and deliberated on the various visionary provisions in favour of grassroot level upliftment in the living quality of people residing in the state. He even expressed immense delights on the successful progression of the programme in spite of the present odds and appreciated BDS and BDO Hee Martam for bestowed honour.

Furthermore, deliberated on various State Government Schemes and initiatives that primarily focused to provide assistance for those who can render hard work and have a competitive efficiency. In regard, he even motivated all to grab on to the avail opportunity and urged them to be serious and responsible towards the allotted work. Later, he also assured of the required intervention and support from his context at all levels and informed me about taking the word of utmost concern to the HCM of Sikkim as a priority.

BDO Hee Martam, BAC Shri Gurung, thanked the Hon’ble Minister for his imparted appreciable efforts for well being of the general people, particularly to his concerned block and termed it to be exemplary in all aspects. Speaking on SRLM, marked respect to various eminent personnel for their timely initiatives and interventions. He even motived all to exercise positive result-oriented efforts and informed on the State Government’s desire of tagging together with SHGs federations to walk along for the sole motive of community upliftment.

The programme saw felicitation to the Hon’ble Minister for his impeccable support and commendable contributions made in favour of the holistic growth of Block Development Society, Hee Martam Block. Himali Vikas Sanstha, NGO was also felicitated for their praise-worthy efforts made from its inception in favour of the people. Computer accessories with printers to the SHG Federations were donated on goodwill to further strengthen the working mechanism by the Hon’ble Minister and even bestowed upon awards to the best performing SHG and SHG Federation for Financial Year 21-22.

Earlier, A daylong programme was commenced with the visit of the Chief Guest to install SHG Product Stalls. Thereafter, he was honoured through a traditional scarf and handing over of a Flower Bouquet by BDS representatives, followed by the lighting of a Lamp and a welcome Song. At the progression, A dramatic performance on ‘SHG Ko Mahatwa’ was presented by Chingthang GPU Federation and dance performances by Omchung SHG Federation, Pechrek Hee Patal SHG Federation, Martam SHG Federation and Chingthang GPU federation poured colour into the programme.

Shri. Pankaj Gupta of Ms. J.S. Pigments, Kolkata, made a detailed presentation over PowerPoint on the hazards of e-waste and mechanisms for its Reduce, Recover, Reuse, Recycling and disposal in accordance with the E-Waste Management and Handling Rules 2016. He highlighted that JS Pigments, certified by the Pollution Control Boards of Sikkim & West Bengal, has been working in this field for the last ten years and that e-waste contains many toxic elements such as Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Beryllium Oxide, Sulphur etc. On the other hand, recyclable elements can be retrieved from waste such as Aluminum, iron,

precious metals (gold, silver), Copper

tin, zinc, Silicon etc.

The DC in her remarks articulated that the District Administration encourages all offices, households and individuals to collect their waste and deposit it periodically at the Collection Centre established at the DAC. She reiterated that all departments must adhere to the circular issued for waste collection at respective office complexes, institutions, and GPUs. MEO – GNP and ADC Development were instructed to immediately set up proper collection mechanisms for Urban and Gramin areas respectively. The MEO mentioned that a collection center has been planned at the GNP office area that would cater to the waste of the Gyalshing bazaar. The DC further appealed to everyone present for awareness at the grassroots level on engaging in this waste collection drive-through fora such as Gram Sabhas and Jan Sunwais and other public gatherings. Once the waste collection attains around 5 tonnes (one truckload), it would then be taken by the Recycling company to be recycled at their center in West Bengal. DC also briefed everyone that the District Administration would soon be signing an MoU with the SPCB-certified agency.

The resource person, Shri. Gupta presented and explained further on categories of electrical & electronic equipment, responsibilities of the manufacturer, responsibilities of the producer, responsibilities of the consumer, storage of E-Waste, toxic substances present and effects on the environment, effects on human health, recyclable elements found in the E-Waste, environmental benefits of recycling E-Waste, informal sector recycling and collection & recycling process. He also expressed his gratitude towards the DC and District Administration for involvement and collaboration with JS Pigments Private limited.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair.

The programme was supported by HDFC Bank Parivartan through a (CSR) initiative. The SOULS Citizen Foundation is a non-profit trust formed by a group of like-minded people focusing on creating awareness and motivating all age groups of the Indian population on Healthcare and the Environment. It is committed to nurturing the growing youth capital of India and is devoted to creating a credible knowledge base and an empowered resource centre for addressing key environmental and sustainability issues.

The NGO which initiated its project in Pakyong in July 2020 as HRDP has the objective to train beneficiaries towards sustainable development and sustainable livelihood in two GPUs- Amba and Thekbong Parakha (covering 10 villages) falling under the Pakyong district. The Foundation provides training in various disciplines such as health & hygiene, education sector, ICDS renovation work, digital learning (smart class), sustainable agriculture farming (organic farming), clean energy, tailoring training, rural tourism, food packaging unit, bee farming, fish culture and floriculture for beneficiaries of 10 villages under Amba and Thekabong Parakha GPU. The beneficiary is also eligible for a one-time grant through the HDFC Bank Parivartan unit.

Project Manager, SOULS Citizen Foundation- Mrs. Sangeeta Dahal gave brief information on the “SOULS Citizen Foundation project” in the Pakyong district. She gave a project review of 2 years through a PowerPoint presentation. She talked about the project’s objective, project intervention map and HRDP SOULS focus areas. She highlighted activities of SOULS in Pakyong such as health camps, installation of water storage tanks, up-gradation of Anganwadi centres, up-gradation of Govt schools, formation and strengthening of Farmer’s Producer Group, vet camps, promotion of poultry, model integrated farm, formalising, enterprise as spice processing centre, tailoring training and mushroom production unit. She also highlighted the completed activities of SOULS Citizen Foundation such as solar light installation in public places, observation of International Women’s day, observation of world water day and strengthening of community.

BDO Parakha- Mr. Pradeep Gurung, talked about the introduction of smart classes in various schools in Amba and appreciated the work committed by the Foundation. He also thanked the HRDP project for various developments taking place in various GPUs in the Pakyong district.

Mr. Tshering Norgyal Theengh- SDM Pakyong, highlighted the activities of the HRDP project. He said that the ten villages which were chosen for the project are lucky. Further, he requested the HRDP project to recognize the poorest of the poor and include them in sustainable livelihood programmes and focus on marketing.

ADC Pakyong in her address said that implementation is a big work and for this role, VDC and Panchayat members play a bigger role. She stressed the importance of involving a productive age group (17-40) in sustainable livelihood programmes, due to the rise of suicide rates in the district. She requested Panchayats and VDC to attract the “productive age group” for the livelihood programmes and to assess their mental health as they are vulnerable to suicidal tendencies. Further, she assured the stakeholders that the DAC and line departments will leave no stone turned to assist the Citizens Foundation in its endeavour to bring sustainable development to rural areas. She also cautioned the gathering to respect and sustain the development which has taken place so far.

She requested the Foundation to sensitize the new trainees about the marketing potential and to continue their work. Furthermore, she directed the Panchayats to gather data which will be a measuring tool for the development so far. In the end, she thanked the Citizens Foundation SOULS and the HDFC bank for recent developments in the two GPUs.

Mr. Kamal Kafle, Retired Special Secretary-Home Department (Government of Sikkim) during his speech said that we have abandoned the ways of our ancestors by giving up on agriculture and cattle rearing activities. He thanked the Citizens Foundation for bringing back this tradition. He apprised everyone about the potential of farming in Sikkim as most of the land is unused. Giving an example of local products like churpee, he encouraged the farmers to find innovative ways to sell their products. In addition, he said that we as a State can only be self-reliant if we boost our agricultural products. Reiterating the words of ADC, he once again thanked the Citizens Foundation and HDFC Parivartan for this initiative. In the end, he hoped that such programmes will continue to be conducted in the near future.

During the programme, Mamring and Linkey Ward were felicitated with letters of Appreciation in recognition for their contribution and support towards the successful implementation of SOULS activities in their respective wards.

Various producer groups and school representatives shared their experience and thanked the HDFC Parivartan Unit and Citizen Foundation SOULS for providing revenue, training and equipment to them which will lead to sustainable livelihood/development in the GPUs.

Also present in the programme were concerned Govt officials, Panchayat members, representatives from the Village Development Committee, representatives of SOULS Citizen Foundation, representatives from HDFC Bank, various SHGs, representatives from schools, and beneficiaries and the general public.

The district-level award was conferred to the schools in two categories overall and sub-categories. 7 schools from the district were awarded in the overall category and 12 schools in the sub-categories. 10 schools from the list of awardees will go on to compete at the state level and further move on to compete at the National level.

Chief Guest, DC Mangan, Shri A.B. Karki in his address congratulated the winner on being recognized by the government as the best school in the district and said that it is a big achievement for the district. He mentioned the various scope of development in the educational sector and said that various activities to bridge the gap between the students and the administration will be conducted. He urged everyone to take initiative in the cleanliness drive held every Friday in order to make the district a model of cleanliness.