Yuksom (Sikkim), December 26, 2013:

Adventure Training Programme organized by the Department of Sports & Youth Affair, Government of Sikkim for 160 (18yrs to 28 yrs girls and boys) educated unemployed youths of border areas of the three districts of Sikkim namely East, West and North, which consisted of Trekking from Yuksom to Tshoka, Dzongri and Thangsing, rock climbing, river crossing and other trainings on tourist guide, commando barge and corroding came to an end on Christmas.

The valedictory function was attended by the Minister for Animal Husbandry, Live Stock, Fisheries & Veterinary Services Development Department and area MLA Mr. Dawcho Lepcha as chief guest along with host of other dignitaries and Special Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Department Ms. Nima Laden Ethuenpa, Joint Director Mrs. Doma Tshering Bhutia and other officials from the department were present.

During his valedictory speech Minister Mr. Lepcha congratulated all the participants and advised them to use the knowledge which they must have gained from this 10 days training programme not only to be a professional in the field but also as a good human being.

He stressed on the importance of being earnest and honest and how it was necessary to not only be successful in life but also be a good human being.

Further he added that the Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Chamling led government has always come up with visionary and innovative programmes for youths as well as other people and they should utilized the opportunities to the optimum and take full advantage of it.

He also gave away the certificates to the participants for successfully completing the training programme and also to the 24 well trained and highly qualified instructors and resources persons from Sikkim Armature Mountaineering Association (SAMA) and the local instructors who were involved in training and guiding these youths for ten days.

Mr. Tenzing Chundi was adjudged the overall best performer in the adventure training programme and he was awarded with medal and certificate by the chief guest.

The guests were also entertained by the cultural show presented by the participants and they were also awarded for the show by the chief guest.

The curtains were drawn to this 10 days adventure training programme by Joint Director Sports and Youth Affairs department Mrs. Doma Tshering Bhuita with her vote of thanks.

Earlier on 16th December in the opening ceremony Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs department N.K Pradhan attended the function as the chief guest and Minister and area MLA Mr. Dawcho Lepcha as guest of honor, along with Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs department Mr. T.R Poudyal, Special Secretary Ms. Nima Laden Ethuenpa.

The 160 youths who attended this training programme was divided into 4 groups. While group A and B went for 4 days trekking from 17th to 20th December from Yuksom to Tshoka, Dzongri and Thangsing group C and D who were on camp Yuksom were given comprehensive training on rock climbing in Yuksom and river crossing in Rathong Chu river near Yuksom and a short trek to Khechoperi lake and vice versa.

The participants during the course of the trek not only covered the area of Kanchenjunga National Park but also cleaned the area on their return by picking up all the garbage plastics and other wastes that they saw around.

Special mention should be made here about the food that were given to the participants, best of food meat, dry fruits and other fruits along with health drink and soups were given during the trek and also otherwise.

While speaking to few of the participants they were extremely happy and grateful to the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for coming up with such innovative and nice programme for the youths.

They also expressed they heartfelt gratitude towards the minister and the officials of the Sports and Youth Affairs department for organizing such training programme.

These youths were so inspired by the training programme and the training secession which was so comprehensive and well organized by the resource persons and the experts, that they thoroughly enjoyed the training session and also learned the tricks and trade of the adventure training programme.

The youths were so impressed with the 10 days training secession that they have also expressed their desire to participate in such camps again and also hoped that other youths will also get chance to participate in such training programmes in the near future.

With the participants taking the training secession seriously and enjoying it thoroughly, some of these trainees will surely go into the adventure tourism, rock climbing, or become a mountaineer in the near future.

The participants also indulged themselves in recreation programmes every evening and dances and songs were performed every evening as a part of personality development and exchange of ideas between the youths of these three districts of Sikkim.

Special mention should be made here for the department of Sports and Youth Affairs department for successfully organizing such a nice programme for the border year unemployed youths and for meticulously organizing such a big programme in such testing conditions.