Philatelic workshop held at Darjeeling

Darjeeling, July 29 : Alpine Philatelic and Numismatic Society (APNS), Darjeeling organized a Philatelic Workshop at North Point Academy School, Singamari. The workshop was organized with a motive of educating interested individuals especially students, the Basics of Stamp Collecting.

The workshop was attended by interested students of schools like St. Joseph’s School, Rangbang High School, St. Robert’s School, Darjeeling Government College and North Point Academy. The students were made aware of the importance, advantages and fun in Stamp Collecting, which has almost become an extinct hobby in the Hills. Stamps and other postal stationery like First Day Covers, Brochures were handed out to the students. Ways of collecting, method of storing; safe keeping and sorting out stamps were taught with live demonstration.

This was a first workshop conducted in Darjeeling by the Society after the success of its maiden Exhibition, ALPINE-2018 that was organized on the 1st and 2nd of June 2018 at Hayden Hall, Darjeeling. The Society was formed in February 2018 with the sole motive of promoting and facilitating these two intellectual hobbies. This was the first of the many workshops that the Society has planned for. APNS had also conducted a display cum workshop at Tashi Namgyal Academy School, Gangtok, in collaboration with Sikkim Philatelic and Numismatic Society(SPNS). Both APNS and SPNS plan to organize many more workshops and exhibitions of both Philately-stamp collecting and Numismatics-Coin Collecting in collaboration with the schools in and around Darjeeling and Sikkim.

The society seems to be making quite an impact in the Hills as not just students but there are a lot of teachers, professionals, retired employees joining the Society every day. There are news of many others organizations trying to organize such exhibitions in Darjeeling after the initiative of the Society to revive these two hobbies, which were considered Dead hobbies in the Hills.  

Lohapul, eateries on the way to Siliguri

Lohapul, eateries on the way to Siliguri

Heritage Iron Bridge of Singtam gets facelift

Sikkim's oldest iron bridge at Singtam is getting a facelift. The 1929 build bridge will have stairs for public to cross the bridge. Suresh Pradhan, resident of Lal Bazaar, Singtam is the contractor.

Swatcha Shantinagar Swatcha Sikkim cleanness drive held

SINGTAM, JULY 08 : Swatcha Bharat Summer Internship Orientation program by ten students of Himalayan Pharmacy Institute, Mazhitar in association with Shantinagar Goan Sudhar Samiti was held today Shantinagar, Singtam. The orientation program included rally from Badminton Court at Rani Khola Walkway till Singtam Bazaar old Iron Bridge, followed by awareness drive on Sanitation and cleanness drive.

The cleanness drive at Rani Khola Walkway had collection of two sacks of wastes that included mostly chips wrappers, broken glasses and even sanitary materials. Krishna Chettri, President congratulated the Pharmacy students for visiting Shantinagar with good vision. Speaking on the ocassion he said the wastes collected during the cleanliness drive would be kept today and send to garbage vehicle tomorrow. 

He further said, it is really sad that along the Walkway today we found large numbers of dog’s shit and Human wastes. Walkway is meant for enjoying fresh river air, here all age of people comes for morning and evening walk and such human and dogs wastes gives a bad impression, added Chettri. He told, today we had cleaned all the wastes and after all this we have come to the conclusion that if we happen to come across who are responsible for these wastes whether human or dog’s we would do the lawful act, added Chettri.

Towards the end, students of Himalayan Pharmacy Institute conducted awareness program where they demonstrated about hand-washing technique and separate sanitation.

Bhanu Jayanti makes its first appearance at Shantinagar

SINGTAM, JULY 13: In a historic event, Bhanu Jayanti was celebrated by Shantinagar Goan Sudhar Samiti, Singtam for the first time. The highlight of the 204^th Bhanu Jayanti celebration was Ramayan Path, Poem Recitation and cultural program. KB Chettri, Principal Singtam SSS was the Chief Guest of the day. The other distinguished guests included Indra Prasad Chettri, President Kalyan Samaj, Adarsh Goan, South Sikkim as the Sabha Siromani followed by Mohan Pradhan Neeeraj, literary figure from Singtam, Roshan Rai, SHO, Singtam Police Station, Manzil Kharel, RO, Singtam Forest Department, Sundar Rai, AEO, Khamdong BAC, Bishnu Maya Sherpa and Rajni Singh, Councilors, Singtam Nagar Panchayat, CP Pradhan, Ganga Mukhia and others.

The day started with the Shova Yatra from Shantinagar to Archigos Academy, the program venue through Singtam bazar via rivers-side walkway. The day long program started with the honouring of the senior citizen of Shantinagar. Thereafter, Chief Guest, other guests and members of SGSS offered khadas at the Bhanu Bhakta’s cut out frame. LN Pradhan, Advisor, SGSS spoked in brief about the life of Bhanu Bhakta and the importance of the day. TB Pradhn, Advisor, SGSS was the host of the day.

Sudarshan Subba from Krypton Sketch Society Sikkim, Singtam was presented a certificate for paining a life size Bhanu Bhakta cut out frame that was presented to SGSS by him. Students from Singtam SSS, Sirwani SS, Sumin Linzey SS, Little Angel Academy, Adarsh Goan, Lower Tinek Kalyan Samaj, Sikkim Academy of Music, Singtam, Remanti Music Academy, Gangtok participated at Ramayan Path, Nepali Poem Recitation, song and dance program. Individual participants included Radhika Dulal, 77 years old lady reciting Ramayan Path followed by Tara Pradhan, Aditi Pokhrel, Bhanu Pokhrel, Gopal Subba, Shital Pradhan, Nishant Dulal and Anita Sewa.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohan Pradhan Neeraj, noted nepali literary figure from Singtam congratulated SGSS for organising such important event and appreciated that the Samiti had been doing good over the years. He mentioned SGSS had also observed ‘Bhasa Diwas’ last year. KB Chettri, Chief Guest spoked about the role of Bhanu Bhakta in uniting the nepali speaking communities across the world. He further said, it is our responsibility to carry forward the importance of language.

Indra Prasad Chettri, Sabha Shiromani of the day had extended cooperation from his Kalyan Samaj for any program that SGSS decides to do. He said different societies should come together to make better and strong Sikkim. Krishna Chettri, President SGSS told financial assistance should never be a big issue when we celebrate such occasion, even in a small amount we could organise a big event proved a bigger joy for us. He further thanked all the participants of the cultural and literary events along with all the distinguished guests in making the program a remembrance.