Gorkhas in Kohima celebrate 209th Bhanu Jayanti

The Gorkha community of Kohima celebrated the 209th birth anniversary of Bhanubhakta Acharya (Bhanu Jayanti) organised by Gorkha Sahitya Kala Sanstha under the aegis of Gorkha Public Panchayat Kohima (GPPK) at its multi-purpose hall in Chandmari on Thursday.
Speaking as the special guest of the occasion, Dr Tseilhoutuo (Ato) Rhutso, MLA of 9-Kohima Town Assembly Constituency, acknowledged Acharya as a poet, writer and also starting the Nepali language.
“We remember him because he gave to the society,” he said while encouraging the Gorkha community to imbibe the personality of giving.
Talking about the presence of Gorkha in Nagaland, especially in Kohima, Dr. Ato said the history of Gorkha settling in Kohima – the Angami region goes back almost 200 years since the British regime.
He said that because of the friendly, honest and brave nature of the Gorkha people, they managed to build up strong relationships not only with the Britishers but also stayed back and became friendly with the Nagas while also developing brotherhood and friendship with the local populace.
The MLA said the contribution of Gorkhas towards nation building was immense and they had made lots of contribution in building the Kohima town post WW-II and also during the most turbulent time of Naga history as most of the other mainland people left Nagaland but they remained back.
“Your sacrificial contribution to the Nagas has been recognized and therefore you have been declared as non-Naga indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland,” he added.
He also recollected that Aradhura and Chandmari were known as the two Gorkha villages in Kohima but later were declared as colonies.
“You are part and parcel of Nagaland and we expect more contributions from the Gorkha community,” he said, adding that the relationship between Gorkhas and Angami community was time tested and will go for centuries to come.
On his part, Dr Ato assured to do his best to uplift the Gorkha community.
The occasion was also marked by presentation of awards to the different competitions and seven days library hours-cum-hands on computer programme conducted by GPPK during the summer break of students.
Sudha Das Academic Excellence Award was received by Pabitra Dhakal of Little Flower Higher Secondary School Kohima for securing 92% marks which is the highest amongst the Gorkha female students of Kohima in HSLC 2023.
Chaired by Rommi Rai, the programme commenced with lighting of lamp by the special guest and dignitaries while the welcome address was delivered by GSKSK president Chandra Kumar Lama. Youths of Chandmari presented the welcome song while former president of GPPK Gayatri Devi presented the brief life sketch of Bhanubhakta Acharya. Parboti & Kalpana enthralled the gathering with a cultural dance while GPPK president Santu Thapa delivered the vote of thanks.