KKRSS celebrates Sakela Uvauli 2023 at Chowrasta

By Udhyan Rai Last updated Aug 4, 2023

May 15, 2023: Kiranti Khambu Rai Sanskritik Sasthan has consecutively celebrated its festival Sakela Uvauli 2023 at Chowrasta for the second time on May 13 and 14, 2023. Khambu Rai people from across the Darjeeling hills, the plains of North Bengal, and Sikkim gathered for the event. The details of the event are given in the messages of the General Secretary of KKRSS as follows:

Sewanne!

Firstly, we would like to apologise that we could not publish this bulletin on time, which we regret.

The celebration of Sakela Uvauli 2023 at Chowrasta was unanimously decided on June 14 by the CC meeting held on April 18, 2023, at GDNS.

The preparation of the Sakela Uvauli 2023 festival was carried out within 3 weeks. A shortage of funds was the greatest obstacle to organising the event as we wanted. Initially, we had decided to hold the event for two days and expected over 4,000 members from across the hills. However, due to a lack of funds, only a Day event was decided, and about two thousand members were invited. But it was witnessed in a single day that more than three thousand five hundred members enthusiastically participated in the event.

This year, it was a better-managed event than last year, and this was all because of the united efforts of our groups that actively participated in the activities and managed the Sakela Uvauli 2023. There were 13 subcommittees from 14 Sakhas from the adjoining areas of Darjeeling town, and a Sakela Uvauli 2023 committee was formed immediately after the CC meeting held on April 18, 2023. The Sakela Uvauli 2023 committee consisted of members who actively participated by following Sakhas: 1) Rangbull, ii) Ghoom, iii) Alubari Fulbari, iv) Alubari Rai gaon, v) Tungsung, vi) Bhotebusty, vii) Pandam, viii) Harsingh, ix) Singtam, x) Takhvar valley, xi) Rajbari-Kakjhora, xii) Dali, xiii) Batasey, xiv) Darjeeling Municipality ward no. 15/18/22/23/26/30. Kitchen and cooking responsibility was given to Pandam and Tungsung Sakha; all the Sakhas were given their respective tasks and responsibilities, which were carried out as per the given instructions. Sili was proficiently performed during the event by Sili groups from Harsingh, Dooars, Bijanbari, Mirik, Manebhanjyang, Rimbik, Sittong, Pokhrebong, Mirik Nigale, and Ghoom; likewise, Folk Musical Instrumental performances were performed by Shri Mohen Sampang of Harsingh Sakha and Shri K. B. Water and Chandra Kumar Rai of Goke Sakha. Above all, about 40 Mangpas and Mangmas from across the hills participated and graced the event Sakela Uvauli 2023. As always, the musical performances by Miss Sonu Rai and Shri Dinesh Rai elevated the event to another level. The event’s programme moderators were Shri Arun Prakash Rai and Shri Prakash Hangkhim. Thereby, the Central Committee would like to extend its warm Thanks to all the Mangmas, Mangpas, Sili groups, Folk musical groups, 14 Sakhas, and all the members that actively participated in the event Sakela Uvauli 2023 and completed the given tasks successfully.

After a long time, this year we have also been able to express and exhibit our long-pending demand in public: Schedule Tribe Status for Khambu Rai of India. A rally headed by Mangmas, Mangpas, and Sili groups was organised from the railway station to Chowrasta, with placards clearly displaying the demand for Tribal Status for Khambu Rai.

As usual, five Khambus of Darjeeling hills were felicitated for their distinguished works towards society during the event: Shri Arun Prakash Rai from Kalimpong, Shri Ninand Bajra Rai from Darjeeling, Shri M. C. Rai from Rimbik, Dr. Roshni Rai from Darjeeling, and Shri Mohen Sampang Rai from Harsingh, Darjeeling.

The Central Committee has also introduced a new Title song for the KKRSS by Sudhir Rai and team, which was inaugurated by the distinguished guest present during the event. Song is freely distributable, and all the Khambu living in the Darjeeling hills and plains of North Bengal are encouraged to use it.

Overall, the event Sakela Uvauli 2023 held at Chowrasta was a great success, although we initiated it with almost no funds but with great hope and expectation from our members and donors, particularly the members of the great 14 Sakhas around Darjeeling town.

Lastly, KKRSS will continue to organise such programmes and events in the coming days, which will also provide opportunities to unite the Khambus.

All the updates are available at our website, www.kkrss.org.

Alangne!

Udhyan Rai

General Secretary,

Central committee, KKRSS.

Pictures of the Event: