Sikkim chief minister P S Golay on Thursday inaugurated the five-day long Jorethang Maghey Sankranti Mela 2020.
Themed ‘Hamro Sanskriti Hamro Gaurav’, the mela is organized by Jorethang Maghey Mela Celebration Committee.
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Also present were the chief minister’s spouse Saradha Golay, cabinet ministers, MLAs, Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba, political secretary to the chief minister, chairpersons, advisors, chief secretary, government officials, mela committee members, and public at large.
At the onset of the inauguration, the chief guest offered his prayers at the Trikaleshwar temple and visited the departmental stalls located at Jorethang volleyball ground.
Thereafter he inaugurated Sikkim SARAS Trade Fair.
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Addressing the gathering, the chief minister extended his best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Maghey Sankranti 2020.
He spoke at length about the importance of this event and informed that this day is particularly observed as the ending of Paush and the beginning of Magh month, according to Hindu lunar calendar.
He also added that during the Sankranti festival, most of the households use tarul as the main component to mark the festival.
This year the State Government has planned to celebrate the Jorethang Maghey Sankranti mela in a different way by inculcating a sense of sportsmanship by playing different tournaments such as 9th All India Chief Minister’s Gold Cup International Football Tournament and inter-constituency football tournament.
The chief minister highlighted that Sikkim should produce talents particularly in the field of sports and bring about laurels to the State and the country.
He added that Jorethang in due course of time should be transformed into a must-visit tourism spot as this place has strong connectivity toward the south and west districts.
He urged the officials to work in tandem with the locals and positively change Jorethang into the most sought after destination.
The chief minister also brought to light that this mela should attract much business opportunities for the locals and the budding entrepreneurs in order to earn profit.
Speaking about infrastructural development, the chief minister said a state-of-art hospital, college and Nepali Sanskriti Bhawan will be set up in the locality.
The budget for the same will be allocated during the next financial year.
Speaking on the occasion, area MLA and mela celebration chief patron Sunita Gazmer highlighted in detail about the various features of Jorethang Maghey Sankranti Mela.
She brought to light that the public can select from a variety of happening events namely that of adventure games (paragliding), football competition, cultural and musical night, SARAS Fair, departmental stalls, and many more.
Gazmer also informed that this year the mela will incorporate an open for all walkathon which will highlight about child sexual abuse.
During the programme, the chief minister distributed golden cards to five beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PMJAY).
The final of inter-constituency football tournament was played between Barfung and Salghari-Zoom constituencies wherein the latter emerged winner with a 1-0 score.
Sanjeev Rai from Salghari-Zoom team was named ‘Man of the Match’.
As informed by the chief minister, the winners of this tournament will get direct entry into the next Chief Minister’s and Governor’s Gold Cup tournaments.
He also said that a state-level football team will be constituted comprising of the best players from this tournament.
This is done so that young sportspersons from the State can get a platform in which they can show their talent, he said.