208th Birth Anniversary of Adi Kavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya at Namchi

Namchi, 13th July (IPR): The 208th Birth Anniversary of Adi Kavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya organized by the Dakshin Sikkim Sahitya Sammelan and District Administrative Centre Namchi District was held at Officer’s Club, today. The event was attended by Chairman Namchi Municipal Council Mr. Ganesh Rai as the Chief Guest alongside Chairman Skill Development Board Mr. Satish Chandra Rai, Additional Political Secretary (Namchi) Ms. Anjeeta Rajalim, DC (Namchi) Mr. M. Bharani Kumar, ADC (Namchi) Mr. Satyan Pradhan, President Dakshin Sikkim Sahitya Sammelan Dr. Nayan Rai, representatives from the sammelan, officials, students and other literature personalities.
The day’s event commenced with offering of prayers and garland at Bhanu Shailik by the Chief Guest and dignitaries present followed by the Sobha Yatra.
The Chief Guest addressed the gathering and spelled out the implication of observing Bhanu Jayanti celebrations in the state. Citing Adi Kavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya as an inspirational figure, Mr. Ganesh Rai remarked that since Bhanu Bhakta Acharya laid the foundation of Nepali literature he is revered as a significant literary figure in the Nepali community, globally. He urged the present and the coming generation to draw inspiration from Adi Kavi’s work and Nepali heritage and make their community and state proud in various spheres.
He also apprised the gathering about various components of the event such as Sobha Yatra, Ramayan path and kavita path that reflects the diverse cultural fabric of our society which immortalises the memory of our renowned poet Bhanu Bhakta Acharya. Moreover, he further informed that establishing a cultural bhawan at Namchi will be looked into at the earliest.
DC (Namchi) also addresses the program wherein he deliberated upon the impact left behind by the iconic poet, Adikabi. He spoke on how Bhanubhakta was the first Nepali poet who translated the great epic “Ramayana” from Sanskrit to Nepali and further stated that his writing is still significant in our society. Mr. Bharani also highlighted that it was Adikabi’s creation that the foundation of Nepali literature was laid.
The day’s event saw students from various schools participating in Ramayan Path, Kavita Path and other entertainment cultural and traditional arrangements.The program also witnessed the Bhanu Jayanti Celebrations committee felicitating sarangi musician and singer Mr. Bishnu Prasad Regmi for his rich contribution in the music field.
In Kavita Path the first position was grabbed by Sushmita Chettri from New Secondary School the second and third position was secured by Riksang Bhutia and Rikisha Karki from Namchi Public School.
In Ramayan Path the first, second and third position was grabbed by Namchi Girls’ Senior Secondary School, New Secondary School and Namchi Senior Secondary School, respectively.
Similarly, in painting category themed on the life cycle of Adi Kavi Bhanu Bhakta the first position was won by Barnabas Rai from New Light Academy, the second and third position was given to Saroj Rai from New Secondary School followed by Palmu Tamang from Namchi Public School.
The winner and runner-up in all the category were given certificates and awards by the organizing committee.
Additionally, students from Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Institute for the Visually Handicapped, Boomtar also presented a cultural extravaganza.