Gangtok: In a heart-warming initiative that fuses ancient ethos with contemporary governance, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) Government, helmed by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay, has rolled out the Shravan Kumar Award. This novel scheme, announced during the state’s 77th Independence Day festivities, seeks to celebrate the profound devotion of children towards their parents, a virtue the government believes is crucial to the state’s social fabric.
The award, named after the iconic mythological figure famed for his selfless service to his blind parents, will be bestowed upon 199 individuals annually, with one exemplary recipient chosen from each Gram Panchayat Unit. Each honouree will receive a cash prize of ₹1 lakh as a token of appreciation for their unwavering commitment.
Chief Minister Tamang, in his address at Paljor Stadium, expressed concern over the “disturbing modern reality” of elders being abandoned, a trend he called anathema to Sikkim’s values. “If we fail to honour and care for our parents today, we risk losing not just our values but our identity as a society,” he remarked, underscoring the government’s resolve to reverse this trend. The inaugural awards will be presented on Independence Day each year, with this year’s Gangtok district awardees being felicitated by the Chief Minister himself. Recipients from the other five districts—Pakyong, Soreng, Namchi, Geyzing, and Mangan—will be honoured at parallel district-level events.
The Rural Development Department will oversee the entire process, from the initial nominations at the Gram Sabha level to the final selection by a District Verification Committee, which is led by the District Collector. This stringent process will involve thorough background checks to ensure that the chosen candidates truly embody the spirit of the award, based on criteria like continuous care, personal sacrifice, and moral integrity.
This new scheme is a natural extension of the SKM Government’s commitment to family values, complementing existing initiatives such as the Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana and Aama Sahayog Yojana. By instituting the Shravan Kumar Award, the government is signalling that true progress goes beyond mere infrastructure and policy, resting instead on the emotional and cultural foundations that cement a community. As the Chief Minister aptly put it, “True progress lies in walking alongside our elders, honouring their wisdom, and caring for them as they once cared for us.”
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