State Level Children’s Day was celebrated at Chintan Bhawan

State Level Children’s Day function to commemorate the 129th Birth Anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was celebrated in a grand manner at Chintan Bhawan today.



Organized by the Human Resource and Development Department, the event was graced by the Hon’ble Governor Shri Ganga Prasad as the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling as the Guest of Honour and it also had the presence of the Advisor HRDD Shri O.T.Lepcha, Minister HRDD Shri R.B.Subba, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, HODs, officers, teachers and children from various schools.



In the morning the Hon’ble Governor and the Hon’ble Chief Minister paid respect to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru by garlanding his bust at Ridge Park near Mintokgang after which they proceeded towards Chintan Bhawan.



The programme started with the offering of bouquets to the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour after which the ceremonial lamp was lit. Lumsay Junior High Song presented the welcome song and another patriotic song was presented by students of Rongey Junior High School.



While addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Governor expressed his delight in being a part of this wonderful occasion. He said that children are the future of tomorrow and greatness of any country is evaluated by the youth force in it, thus it is our duty to make sure that we create an atmosphere of constructive development. He elaborated on the meaningfulness of the day and threw light on Pandit Nehru’s fondness for children and how he was referred to lovingly as Chacha Nehru. Stating that childhood is the most important aspect of any individual, he laid stress on it being full of memories and happy so that they grow up being strong and content individuals. The Hon’ble Governor talked about the all round development of the state and said that progress should continue in all fields, for this the contribution of future generation is of utmost importance. He encouraged all the young children present to focus on their studies and work towards making a name for their state and their nation. Discipline and hard work is the key mantra to success, he reiterated before ending his speech.



 The Hon’ble Chief Minister in his address said that children constitute the greatest asset of a nation and a nation prospers or progresses only if the hidden potential lying in the children are tapped and utilized for the benefit of the State and the Nation. He said that Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the main pioneers of modern India and his immense contribution specially in building the foundation of all the reputed Infrastructures in the country are still acknowledged. Stating that everyone should first give impetus in being a good human being, the Chief Minister laid stress on ‘karma’ and not ‘kriya’, he said that a person should leave his legacy behind and leave an imprint in the world so that his contributions are always remembered in times to come.

Talking about the brand Organic Sikkim the Chief Minister further highlighted that since the state has achieved such recognition worldwide, research work on health benefits by consuming Organic food should be carried out and we should as individuals be thankful for the peace and security prevalent in the state and not take it for granted.



The Chief Minister said that education has always been a priority of the state government and the objective has always been to make education free and accessible to all, thus education has been made free till college level along with other scholarships schemes within the country and in reputed institutions across the globe as well. In addition, he stated that MBBS course in the upcoming Medical College at Sichey will be provided free of cost to the local students. Shri Chamling also announced that 90% of jobs will be reserved to local candidates in the private sector.



Talking about the administration, he said that it should be democratic and not personalized. Welfare schemes such as compassionate appointments, old age pensions, free medical facilities to BPL and APL people should be done at the Department level and should not require recommendation of the Chief Minister since it creates lot of hassle to the common people. He also announced that Sikkimese women married outside the state can hold properties and Government jobs in her name. Non- Sikkimese women married to Sikkimese men will also get all the rights of a bonafide Sikkimese, the Chief Minister announced. He said that in Sikkim all men and women are treated equal and there is no gender discrimination. He also instructed that signages in all the places should be written in three languages, viz English, Devnagiri and dominant local language of that particular place.



At the end he said that we must rededicate ourselves to building a State and a Nation where child rights are guaranteed and secured so that every child rightfully grows up in an atmosphere of safety and comfort.



Earlier the teachers of Deorali Sr. Seconday School presented a beautiful song dedicating it to the students on Children’s Day which was followed by a speech on Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru by Hishey Wangchuk Sherpa, a student of Bojoghari Sr Secondary School.



Cash awards was also distributed to the winners of  Essay Competition on Organic Farming. Mr. Sayal Chettri of Namthang Sr. Secondary School was awarded the First prize consisting of trophy, certificate and cash prize of Rs. 10,000. Second prize was awarded to Mr. Bishal Ramudamu of Yangang Sr. Secondary School and the Third prize was awarded to Mr. Hussel Zangpo of Bariakhop Sr. Secondary School.



Earlier the welcome address was presented by Special Secretary, Higher Education, HRDD and the vote of thanks was delivered by Director, School Education, HRDD.