Singtam Sakha Guthi celebrates Kwati Punhi; felicitates International Medalist Bhawika Pradhan

12.08.22, Singtam: Members of Newa Bhay Bowneykuthi, Singtam Sakha Guthi observed the Kwati Punhi Festival at Nepali Dharalsala, Singtam. Highlights of the festival celebration included launching the organisation's magazine, felicitation program and the special newar dish Kwati served to all the invited audiences.

The Chief Guest, Shyam Kumar Rai, Assistant Director, Government Food Department, Singtam along with Nirmal Pradhan, President, Sikkim Newar Guthi and other distinguished guests released Jhigu Saa, the annual magazine of Newa Bhay Bowneykuthi. The activities of NBB, Singtam Sakha Guthi since its formation in December 2018 were published.

The other guests present in the celebration included Ujal Pandey (MEO Singtam Nagar Panchayat), Kishore Chettri, Bindhya Subba and Yad Kumari Bishwakarma (all Councillors), Ganesh Pradhan (Food Inspector, Singtam), Sundar Rai (AEO Duga BAC), Prashant Pradhan (Chairman NHPC), Suresh Kr. Pradhan (Principal Singtam SSS), PB Subba (HM, Sakyong Chisopani JHS), MK Pradhan, Advisor, SNG, Dr Sushen Pradhan, (General Secretary, Sikkim Newar Guthi), Raj Pradhan (GS IJC), Binita Pradhan (CEC, SNG), IK Pradhan, (CEC SNG), MK Pradhan, (Exam Officer, SSTRB), Tinku Adhikari (President Singtam Motor Transport Welfare Drivers Association) and members of Sikkim Newar Guthi and Newa Bhay Bowneykuthi.

Karna Kumari Pradhan, a resident of Gangtok and her family had donated land for the construction of the Newar Mandir at Lower Tinek near Singtam. She was honoured with a citation for her noble gesture. Bhawika Pradhan, a Physique Model who had won the third position in the recently held 54th Asian Body Building and Physique Sports Championship was congratulated and presented with a memento. The Sister duo of Nisha Pradhan and Sarita Pradhan from Burung, near Singtam were also presented with a memento for the emerging entrepreneurs.

Anmol Pradhan sang a newar song while Ishmita Pradhan and Sushmita Pradhan presented a newar dance performance appreciated by the gathered audience. Dilu Pradhan readout her poem dedicated to Newars.

‘Kwa’ meaning Hot and ‘ti’ meaning soup were explained by DK Pradhan, a member of NBB, Singtam in his speech. He said Kwati is a hot soup made of nine sprouting beans, benefit to better health and a tradition carried out in the newar culture for ages.

Gopal Pradhan, President, Newa Bhay Bowneykuthi speaking on the occasion shared the journey of the organisation of four years. Nirmal Pradhan, President Sikkim Newar Guthi congratulated the efforts of NBB, Singtam Sakha for organising the event. Every Newar celebrates Kwati Punhi at their home to bring the community celebration under one roof is an achievement, said Nirmal Pradhan. Shyam Rai, the chief guest also admired the endeavour of the Newa Bhay Bowneykuthi for inviting different communities to celebrate the occasion. Prakash Kazi Sakya was the host of the day while Shital Pradhan was the host for the Mementoes presentation.

JANHA BAGCHA TEESTA RANGIT

This was a national song of Sikkim sung in the Nepali language during the monarchy system. During the merger with India, the song got banned and later re-released. Two words on the 8th para, which earlier said 'Rajah rah Rani,' were replaced with "Janmah bhumi." This song was dedicated to the King and Queen of Sikkim. The song lyrics were penned by Sanu Lama, and the music was composed by Dushyant Lama. The song was first sung on the birth anniversary of Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal on April 4, 1970, at Gangtok by Aruna Lama, Dawa Lama, and Manikamal Chettri. JANHA BAGCHA TEESTA RANGIT, JAHAN KANCHENDZONGA SEER YEHI HO HAMRO DHANA KO DESH, TAPAWAN HO PYARO SIKKIM INTERLUDE PHULCHAN YEHA AANGANAI MAA, CHAAP , GURAS, SUNAKHARI SWARGASARI SUNDAR DESH KO HAMRO PYARO PYARO JANMAHBHUMI JANHA BAGCHA…… BATASHLE BOKCHAA YAHA, TATHAGAT KO AAMAR WAANI ...

Early Poets of Sikkim : Subhash Deepak

During the early two decades of the twentieth century young boys belonging to rich and aristocratic families including upper caste Brahmins were sent to Darjeeling or Benares for studies. These young boys naturally got an opportunity to encounter the new trends of awakening like the National movement of Indian Independence. The influence of great literary personalities like Lekhnath Poudyal (1884-1965), Lakshmi Prasad Devkota (1909-1965) and Balkrishna Sama (1902-1981) is very much evident on the poets associated with Apatan Sahitya Parishad . This was the time when Parasmani Pradhan , Surya Bikram Gewali and their worthy associates had already had their influences on the young poets. ‘The tide of awakening had swept throughout the area like Sikkim , Darjeeling, Benares and Dehradun . During the second and third decade of 20th century Dharanidhar Koirala’s ‘ Naibedya ’ (1920), Mahananda Sapkota’s ‘ Mana Lahari ’ (1920) marked a break with the traditi...

Snake like fish caught in Singtam River

The Indian mottled eel, locally known as Raj Bam, was recovered from the Singtam River at Golitar this early morning. The snake-like fish weighed around 7 kg and was four feet long. The local people said that they had never seen this species for so long. Such mysterious-looking marine fish are also sighted from time to time on the river banks, local people added.

Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

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