Gangtok, 14th November, 2011: “Build a prosperous Sikkim and serve not just the state but the whole of the nation”, said Governor, Balmiki Prasad Singh to children on the occasion of Children’s Day at Chintan Bhawan on Monday. Children’s Day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of the first Prime Minister of India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.

Sikkim paid respect to the first Prime Minister on his 122nd Birth Anniversary. The programme began with the garlanding of the bust of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru at Zero Mile, J.N.Road, Gangtok by the Governor, Balmiki Prasad Singh, Minister HRDD, N.K.Pradhan and other dignitaries. It was followed by the main function held at Chintan Bhawan.

The programme started with the lighting of ceremonial lamps in front of the potrait of Pt Nehru by the Governor and other dignitaries on the dais. Students of Modern Secondary School and Sir Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School sang various patriotic songs on this occasion.

On the occasion, the Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh presented Rs 1.50 lakhs as financial assistance to Multanchi Lom Aal Shezum (MLAS), Dzongu for Lepcha model house-cum-museum and Rs 1.50 lakhs to Press Club of Sikkim for promotion of rural reporting in Sikkim.

In his speech on the 122nd Birth Anniversary of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, the Governor said that Pt Nehru was a visionary of India and he along with our Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi ushered our country to freedom. Nehru was against communalism which is a menace to the society and thus it has to be fought for building a United India. He was the main person behind building the Election Commission, the Public Service Commission and fought vehemently for the independence of judiciary. In 1951 Nehru along with Maulana Azad laid the foundation stone of the 1st Institute of Technology at Kharagpur, informed the Governor.

The Governor said that children are the future of any society and thus they have to work hard to acquire skills. He stated that the female literacy is a matter of concern in the state and Sikkim should show the way in leading female literacy towards excellence.

The initiative of the state government in giving opportunity to the rural children for higher education in public schools was also applauded by the Governor.

Governor Singh said that Nehru had special love for Sikkim and he visited Sikkim four times. Nehru wanted Sikkim to be a representatory of culture and he was the pioneer in setting up of the Namgyal Institute of Technology. Nehru was also the person behind Sikkim’s Five year plan.

The Governor Mr Balmiki Prasad Singh said that Sikkim is progressing well and despite the tragedy of 18th September Earthquake the state has bounced back. He expressed hope that the pace of development would not go down.

HRDD minister N.K.Pradhan started his speech by remembering the Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and stated that children are the future of our nation and this day was remembered in honour of India’s 1st Prime Minister’s birthday who always believed that the future of the country nestled in the hands of the children. Mr Pradhan advocated that children should get best of education in a holistic pattern and it depends upon us to make them into responsible citizens. He stated that each one of us have responsibility towards every human being and that parents play the most crucial and pivotal role in shaping their future.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Secretary, HRDD, C.S. Rao.

 

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