Kalimpong,Pradip Lohagun: While the political atmosphere in the country and Darjeeling hills alike, at the wake of 2014 Lok Sabha polls is in an exuberant mood, the announcement of Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association that the Lepcha community members will be unified has added fuel to the fire. ILTA had organized a function today at the Mela ground here to observe 282nd birth anniversary of last Lepcha king Gyabu Aachok where the organization leaders urged the community members to keep themselves politically aware. The ILTA representatives also asserted the Lepchas should not possess political differences among themselves.
Addressing the function ILTA president Dorjee T alleged the former MLAs and MPs of doing nothing in the benefit of the Lepchas in the rural areas. He said, “We elected many MLAs and MPs from here but none paid attention to the problems of our people who live in the rural areas. Now, the Lepchas must form a political unity.” Indicating at the upcoming LS polls Dorjee urged the community members to cast their votes in accordance to the direction that will be announced by the organization. With this announcement he made it clear the ILTA is likely to extend support to one candidate unanimously, which is undecided yet.
The ILTA president also took an opportunity to launch attacks on the regional political parties saying, “The political parties too must give a thought now. We were accused of creating communal divide in the hills when we were demanding for our right. The Lepchas love the hills; we want the future of the hills to be bright.” He also expressed dissatisfaction over the “opposition posed by some political parties” over the introduction of Lepcha language in the primary schools in the hills.
Speaking in the same function LDB president Langsong Tamsang claimed LDB to be a developmental set up created by the Lepchas for themselves. He said, “This Board (LDB) will ensure social, economic, lingual and cultural development of the Lepcha community. The Board is by the Lepcha, to the Lepcha and for the Lepcha.” He added soon Lepcha language will be incorporated in the primary schools in the hills.
Today’s function chaired by Dhendup Adenmo Lepcha, former Additional Secretary, PDWU, Sikkim Government, was also addressed by LDB vice-chairman Yungsung Simik. The function was also marked by presentation of Athing KP Tamsang Language and Literary Award to the Pune Gyabu Aachok School of Doring. On the same occasion a Lepcha magazine “Achule” and Prof. DC Roy’s book “Lepcha, Past and Present” were released.
Addressing the function ILTA president Dorjee T alleged the former MLAs and MPs of doing nothing in the benefit of the Lepchas in the rural areas. He said, “We elected many MLAs and MPs from here but none paid attention to the problems of our people who live in the rural areas. Now, the Lepchas must form a political unity.” Indicating at the upcoming LS polls Dorjee urged the community members to cast their votes in accordance to the direction that will be announced by the organization. With this announcement he made it clear the ILTA is likely to extend support to one candidate unanimously, which is undecided yet.
The ILTA president also took an opportunity to launch attacks on the regional political parties saying, “The political parties too must give a thought now. We were accused of creating communal divide in the hills when we were demanding for our right. The Lepchas love the hills; we want the future of the hills to be bright.” He also expressed dissatisfaction over the “opposition posed by some political parties” over the introduction of Lepcha language in the primary schools in the hills.
Speaking in the same function LDB president Langsong Tamsang claimed LDB to be a developmental set up created by the Lepchas for themselves. He said, “This Board (LDB) will ensure social, economic, lingual and cultural development of the Lepcha community. The Board is by the Lepcha, to the Lepcha and for the Lepcha.” He added soon Lepcha language will be incorporated in the primary schools in the hills.
Today’s function chaired by Dhendup Adenmo Lepcha, former Additional Secretary, PDWU, Sikkim Government, was also addressed by LDB vice-chairman Yungsung Simik. The function was also marked by presentation of Athing KP Tamsang Language and Literary Award to the Pune Gyabu Aachok School of Doring. On the same occasion a Lepcha magazine “Achule” and Prof. DC Roy’s book “Lepcha, Past and Present” were released.