Sikkim celebrates 211th Bhanu Jayanti with tributes to Adi Kavi and Sanu Lama

The 211th birth anniversary of Adi Kavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya was celebrated with respect and cultural pride at Bhanu Udyan in Gangtok today. The event, held in the heart of the capital, brought together top dignitaries, schoolchildren, literature enthusiasts, and the general public. This year’s celebration carried a special meaning as it was themed around “Sikkim’s Golden Jubilee and the Nation’s Golden Achievements.”

The Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim, Shri Om Prakash Mathur, attended the event as the chief guest. He was joined by Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang, ministers, the Member of Parliament, MLAs, senior government officials, public representatives, and cultural figures.

As the ceremony began, the Governor paid heartfelt tribute to the late Padma Shri awardee and noted Nepali litterateur, Shri G.S. Lama, popularly known as Sanu Lama. Calling his passing an “irreparable loss to Sikkimese Nepali literature and culture,” the Governor’s words brought a solemn tone to the otherwise festive event. A minute of silence was also observed in Lama’s memory.

Governor Mathur garlanded the statue of Bhanu Bhakta Acharya and offered his respects. In his address, he emphasized that language is not just a tool for communication, but the soul of a civilization. “When we honour our mother tongue, we celebrate our glorious past and shape a promising future,” he said.

He further added that Bhanu Jayanti is not just a festival, but a symbol of unity, identity, and cultural pride for the Nepali-speaking community. He described Adi Kavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya’s literary contributions as a form of “cultural renaissance” that uplifted the Nepali language and connected generations through poetry and shared values.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang also addressed the gathering and echoed the Governor’s sentiments.