Gangtok, Sept. 3: Mangan, the district headquarters
of north Sikkim, is gearing up to celebrate its 100th anniversary
in November.
The centenary celebrations, the first
of its kind in the state, are being planned on a “grand” scale.
The district machinery, along with the residents, are now working
overtime to give the town a facelift in time for the event.
From its humble beginning as a tiny trade outpost built in 1903,
comprising three shops, Mangan has evolved into a major town bustling
with activities. Today, the town is also the gateway to tourist destinations in
north Sikkim.
The town was set up by Rinzing Namgyal, the versatile feudal lord
of Mangan, on the orders of the British political officer to Sikkim,
John Claude White. It soon emerged as an important outpost for trade
with Tibet.
Another reason why 1903 is considered a special year in Sikkim's
history is because it marked the imperial adventurer Sir Francis
Younghusband's military expedition to Tibet which passed through
the erstwhile kingdom.
The Mangan Centenary Celebration Committee has been formed, with
the zilla adakshya (North) Lobzang G. Tenzing as its president,
to prepare a blueprint for the celebrations.
MLA Yishey Lachungpa is the panel's principal patron.
Tenzing said the three-day celebrations were scheduled to be held
on November 7, 8 and 9.
The signs of preparation for the centenary celebrations can be
seen in and around the town. Shops, kiosks and commercial establishments,
including hotels in the main town, sport uniform signboards designed
in typical Sikkimese style. Efforts to clean and sanitise the town
has made some progress and amenities are being upgraded keeping
the event in mind.
A centennial football tournament was organized recently to kick
off preparations. A lottery was held by the residents, the profit
of which would go towards funding a part of the celebrations.
Tenzing said chief minister Pawan Chamling had already confirmed
that he would attend the celebrations.
The chief minister, during his visit to the town a few months ago,
had sanctioned funds for the celebrations.
The celebrations would include a pop music competition, traditional
music and dance programmes, cultural programmes, food festivals,
exhibitions and fairs.
There would also be a host of other activities, including rural
sports.
Courtesy
The Telegraph |
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