GANGTOK, August 10: A sub-committee has been formed by the Sikkim unit of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) to oversee preparations for the upcoming Balidan Diwas celebrations proposed to be held at Pakyong in East Sikkim on August 25.
The BGP has been regularly organizing August 25 as ‘Balidan Diwas’ since 2003 on a national scale to honour the supreme sacrifice given by fighter Sahid Major Durga Malla for the nation whose struggle ended in martyrdom on August 24, 1944. Malla was hanged on August 25, 1944 by the British.
The sub-committee was formed during a meeting of the Parisangh chaired by Sikkim unit president Dr Kamal Gurung. The meeting resolved to celebrate Balidan Diwas at Pakyong on a Northeastern level for which, preparations are already over.
BGP representatives from Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will be present during the Balidan Diwas celebrations as special invitees, the BGP functionaries said in the meeting.
Former BGP working president CK Shrestha was also present during the meeting.
In his address, Shrestha said that efforts must be made to deliver State holiday status to Balidan Diwas and then work to convince the Centre to recognize the contributions made by the Indian Gorkhas.
The Sikkim BGP president, Dr Kamal Gurung said that the family members of lone freedom fighter from Sikkim, Helen Lepcha will be felicitated by the BGP during the function.
Similarly, ex-servicemen from Pakyong area above the age of 70 years will be honoured by the Sikkim BGP on the occasion along with other supportive organizations, informs a press release.
The BGP is a non-government national level organization of Indian Gorkha.
च्याँदेखि चिहानसम्मको साथी केवल तिम्रो आफ्नो जाति
Shaheed Durga Malla
The Gorkhas are known for their commitment to the nation and they have made great sacrifices to protect its territory and its citizens. The BGP pays homage to these brave souls who have laid down their lives for the country on August 25, the day when Shaheed Durga Malla was hanged by the British in Delhi. However, Balidaan Diwas not only commemorates the martyrdom of Durga Malla, the first Gorkha martyr in the fight against the Colonial British, but also all others who have given their blood in the service of the motherland. So that day, the BGP also pays homage to freedom fighters like Shaheed Dal Bahadur Thapa, Dal Bahadur Giri, Chhabilal Upadhyaya, etc, and to those Gorkhas who have died in fighting enemy soldiers in wars, against terrorists from outside and in extremist-related violence in India.
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