The 279th Birth Anniversary Celebration of His Majesty the King, Pano Gaeboo Achyok of Damsang, was celebrated with pomp and ceremony on 20th December 2010 at Mela Ground, Kalimpong, West Bengal. Indigenous Lepchas from Darjeeling, Sikkim Hills, Kolkata, New Delhi and other places assembled in great numbers, approximetly nine thousand of them, in their fine traditional Lepcha dresses. The Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong, organised a huge but very peaceful rally of the Lepchas from 10th Mile to Mela Ground passing through the Main Road, Kalimpong, with their sacred cry ‘Aachuley !’ Aachuley ! Aachuley ! and it was really a magnificent sight to behold.
Master of the ceremony, Ren N.T.Lepcha, very efficiently conducted various Lepcha programmes. Ren Rumden Lepcha and Ren Dorjee T. Lepcha, representating the Lepcha Youth Association, Headquarters Kalimpong, expressed their thoughts on the Lepchas of Mayel Lyang. The Lepcha youth leaders spoke in impeccable Lepcha telling the world that the ancient and very rich Lepcha language, literature and culture is not vanishing but it is flourishing in the Lepcha world today.
Various Lepcha cultural groups from Dzongu, See Aa Ree, Sikkim, Kurseong, Meerek, Singringtam, Sokhyam, Karmi, St. Joseph’s School, Git-Dabling, Kalimpong and other places demonstrated and proved to the world that the ancient Lepcha culture, tradition is still alive and well.
Ren Gautam Lepcha of Mamring, Sittong received the ‘Aathing K.P.Tamsang Lepcha Language and Literary Award 2010’ for this outstanding work on the conservation, maintenance and development of the Lepcha language and literature in Mayel Lyang.
The following Lepcha bilingual journal and calender were also released on the day:
1. King Gaeboo Achyok 2010 (Annual Lepcha Magazine)
2. Lepcha Calendar 2011
The President, Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong,
Ren Lyangsong Tamsang Lepcha, speaking on the occasion, called upon the Lepchas, from
different walks of life, to unite under one ‘Taarsyaok’ the Lepcha flag, and work unitedly for peace, prosperity, dignity and honour of the original indigenous and true sons of the soil, the Lepchas. He emplored the Lepchas to stand firm, dignified and follow the truth.
Ren Lyangsong Tamsang, especially, addressing the Lepcha youths and children ask them to follow the path shown by the Lepcha King, Pano Gaeboo Aachyok to attain the Lepchas’ ultimate gaol. He repeatedly said that the Lepchas should not and must not falter at all in their aims and objectives. The Lepchas, he added, must be ready to give their sweat, blood and even life for the good cause of the Lepchas and their identity. He further said that the Lepchas can always learn from his Majesty the King, Pano Gaeboo Achyok of Damsang.
The 279th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Pano Gaeboo Achyok on 20th December 2010 was a resounding success.
A Senior Correspondent
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