15/08/2026
80th Independence Day Celebration Concludes at Bajek
Soreng | August 15
The 80th Independence Day celebration, organised by the 24 Lower Timburbung Gram Panchayat Unit at the lower Bajek junior high School playground, concluded today with various cultural programmes, sports activities and felicitation ceremonies.
Shri A.B. S***a, Secretary, Roads and Bridges Department, Government of Sikkim, attended the closing programme as the Chief Guest. The programme was also attended by retired teacher K.B. Bhandari, N.B. Gurung, President of the Retired Employees Association, CLC President Bhanu S***a, OSD Rajen Basnet, Dinak Pandey, PA to MLA Aditya Golay, and Ashman S***a, CA to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, along with ex-servicemen, principals and teachers from various government and private schools, Panchayat representatives, senior citizens and local residents.
The programme began with the hoisting of the National Flag, followed by the National Anthem and patriotic songs. Students from eight different schools presented patriotic dances and cultural performances, adding to the celebration. A large number of people were present at the venue, with the futsal tournament attracting particular attention.
During the programme, ex-servicemen also carried a donation box to collect contributions for the victims of the recent Assam floods. People present at the programme were encouraged to contribute towards the relief efforts.
The organising committee also felicitated various individuals, organisations and Gram Panchayat Units for their contribution and support. Karthok-Bajek GPU, Tharpu GPU, Mangsari GPU and Upper Timburbong GPU were among those felicitated.
Naya Bihani Sangh Samaj, Green Society, Upper Bajek Samaj, JPYs, Ridhang Samaj, Mangsari Outpost and Jai Janmabhumi Swadesh Bharat Hamro Desh were also felicitated. Senior RTO H.B. Karki, a resident of Bajek, was honoured, while Chief Guest A.B. S***a was also specially felicitated by the organising committee.
The Women’s Tug of War final was held between Chumbung and Karthok, with Chumbung emerging victorious. In the Men’s Tug of War final, Timburbong defeated Karthok-Bajek.
In the Women’s exhibition futsal match, Karthok defeated Lower Timburbong 1–0.
The main attraction of the closing programme was the futsal final between Karthok and Tharpu United Boys KKS. Both teams remained goalless during regular time, taking the match to a penalty shootout. Tharpu United Boys KKS won 2–1 on penalties to claim the tournament title.
The winning team received a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, while the runner-up received ₹60,000. The cash prizes were sponsored by Soreng-Chakung MLA Aditya Golay.
The tournament trophy was sponsored by Sukraj S***a, SKM Soreng District Youth In-charge and resident of Barakhile, in memory of his late sister-in-law Tika Maya S***a. The cash prizes and trophies were presented by the Chief Guest and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest A.B. S***a informed that several road blacktopping works in Soreng have been approved through the initiative of Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay and Soreng-Chakung MLA Aditya Golay. He said road blacktopping works across Sikkim would begin after the monsoon season.
During his visit, Secretary S***a also inspected the Bajek landslide area along the Jorethang-Sombaria road. He said technical officials and engineers of the Soreng Roads and Bridges Department Division have been directed to conduct a site inspection and prepare a report on measures to control the landslide.
The programme concluded with the participation of local residents, sports lovers, senior citizens and guests, marking the successful completion of the 80th Independence Day celebration at Bajek.
