NASBO not to observe Republic Day 2011

NASBO [National Sikkimese Bhutia Organization 371F] PR

25 Jan, Gangtok: In view of the ongoing threat to the Sikkimese Buddhist Dharma, its identity and sacredness consequent upon to the State Power Department’s insistence to pollute the sacred Rathongchu in the west district of Sikkim by haphazardly implementing three power projects viz. Lithang Hydro-Power Project, Ting Ting Hydro-Power Project and Tashiding Hydro-Power Project, the organization in its yesterday’s meeting decided not to observe this year’s Republic Day on January 26, 2011.

Though Sikkim lost its international identity from the world map in 1975, the Sikkimese people gracefully accepted such development, said NASBO in its report. “However, we no more can afford to lose our distinct religious identity and its sacredness in the name of development. We cannot sit idle and let such anti dharma activities have their sway in the long run. We never expected such betrayal from the Indian Government who should not even spare our religion, the very cradle of Sikkimese civilization and evolution. Observance of Republic Day or for that matter, any other Indian National occasions in Sikkim becomes futile and a senseless exercise if the same continue to disrespect and ignore our religion, culture and heritage”, said NASBO in its report.

The organisation has called upon the concerned authorities to initiate all necessary actions in scrapping all the above indicated three anti-Buddhist Power Projects that seeks to pollute the sacred Rathongchu.