SINGTAM SHINES AS HOBBY FESTIVAL MAKES ITS SIKKIM DEBUT

 SINGTAM, MAY 31: Sikkim Philatelic and Numismatic Society celebrated its 12^th anniversary with a hobby exhibition at Bihari Dharamsala, Singtam on May 30th, 2017. Inspire 2017- a hobby fest featured display of stamps, coins, bank notes, antiques, matchbox collection, autographs, old newspapers, identity cards and button flowers.

KN Rai, Hon’ble Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Other distinguished guests included President and Councillors (Singtam Nagar Panchayat and Rangpo Nagar Panchayat), SDPO (Rangpo), SHO (Singtam), Range Officer (T-Singtam), President (Sirwani Chisopani GPU), MEO (Singtam), Head/ Representatives of Institutions/students (Singtam SSS, East Point SSS, Sirwani SS, Ralap SS, Sumin Linzey SS, Singlebong JHS, Sakyong Chisopani JHS, Burung JHS, Lower Tanak PS and Mt Zion - Singtam), social workers and others.

The event was organised in association with Summit Times, English daily newspaper from Gangtok and Singtam Nagar Panchayat. The other associated partners are ‘Proud to be a Sikkimese’ blog and Cricket Philately.

Chief Guest KN Rai inaugurated the Heritage Post Box near the famed Water Fountain of Singtam along with a stone carving on Sikkim Postal History. He then walked towards the Exhibition Hall with more than 200 students making two rows of line on his both side. Rai visited the exhibition hall and interacted with every individual who had displayed their priceless collections.

The second phase of the program started with Nirmal Mangar, host of the noon session. Ganesh Pradhan, President SPNS welcomed the guests and spoke about the event. Vivek Yonzone,  Council member, SPNS gave a power point presentation on hobby that was appreciated by the crowded audience.

Hon’ble Speaker, SLA on his speech appreciated the efforts made by SPNS. He appealed to the students to follow hobby and make an identity on it. He further said the younger generation should make the society and the state proud.

The members of SPNS that displayed their collections were Ganesh Pradhan, Deepen Pradhan, Vikrant Yonzone, Shital Pradhan, Sushil Karthak, Roshan Prasad, Vivek Yonzone, Krishna Chettri, Yogesh Gurung, Padam Parajuli and Sishir Pradhan. Postal Department stall was also displayed under the guidance of Sameer Pradhan.

Singtam Nagar Panchayat, Roshan Prasad, Sharad Dhamala and the team from Postal Department Binita Tamang, Dhiraj Tamang and Abhik Pal were felicitated on the day for their contribution towards the installation of the Heritage Post Box. Three students each from eight schools participated at the Painting Competition on the theme of Swacha Bharat Abhiyan that was eventually won by East Point SSS bagging the 1^st and the 3^rd position and a student from Ralap SS winning the second position.

Roshan Prasad, Treasurer, SPNS spoke about the importance of installing the Heritage Post Box, first of its kind in Sikkim where the postal history dates back to 1888. Shital Pradhan, General Secretary, SPNS informed the hall about the 12 years of progress made by the members of Sikkim Philatelic and Numismatic Society. Pradhan informed about the national and international accolades received by the fellow members.