Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang arrived in Darjeeling on Sunday, June 28, to demand tighter cultural bonds between the two neighboring regions. He spoke at the Kirati Khambu Rai Cultural Festival 2026, where Sakela Ubhauli celebrations drew crowds. The event hosted several officials, including Sikkim Minister Bhojraj Rai, West Bengal Minister Bishal Lama, and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista.
Tamang praised the Kirati Khambu Rai Cultural and Research Society for running the show. He told the crowd the gathering guards the language, history, and identity of the Kirati people. The festival honors nature and ancestral spirits. It demands unity, gratitude, and respect from all who attend.
The Chief Minister noted that administrative lines cannot cut the shared history of the Himalayan neighbors. "Sikkim and Darjeeling may be separated by administrative boundaries but remain united by a shared language, culture, traditions and history," Tamang said. He warned that holding onto heritage is a job for the next generation.
Young people must stay tethered to their roots while looking toward the future. Sakela Ubhauli remains a cornerstone for the Kirati Rai community. It uses rituals, music, and dance to give thanks to the earth and pray for a better life ahead.
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