Northeast Desk, 23th September: Malbasey, the native village of the late former Chief Minister of Sikkim, Nar Bahadur Bhandari, will celebrate his 84th birth anniversary with a four-day event from October 2 to 5, 2024. Organized by the newly formed Bhandari Jayanti Celebration Committee, the festivities will take place in Soreng District and include a range of cultural and sporting activities to honor Bhandari’s legacy as the architect of modern Sikkim.
G.P. Dahal, a retired teacher and advisor to the committee, announced that key figures, including former MLA Aditya Gole as Chief Patron, will be involved in the organization. The committee is led by President Rajen Basnet, with support from Vice President Manoj Thapa and General Secretaries TB Rawat and Balram Sharma, among others.
Events planned for the celebration include a ward-level volleyball tournament, dance competitions, a super mum contest, and tug-of-war matches for both men and women. The opening ceremony on October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, will feature a cleanliness drive in tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
The commemoration will also focus on Bhandari’s significant contributions, particularly his role in securing the inclusion of the Nepali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Born on October 5, 1940, Bhandari served as Sikkim’s Chief Minister on three occasions and represented Sikkim in the Lok Sabha. He passed away on July 16, 2017, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to Sikkim’s development and pride within the Nepali-speaking community.
In recognition of his contributions, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM)-led government has declared October 5 a public holiday. The upcoming celebration aims to honor Bhandari’s lasting impact on Sikkim and its people.
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