Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Sikkim CM announces steps to promote Lepcha language, heritage
On Saturday, the leader of Sikkim, a state in India, spoke at a big festival called Tendong Lho Rum Faat.
This festival is very special to the Lepcha people, who have lived in Sikkim for a very long time.
The Chief Minister said the government is helping the Lepcha language by teaching it in colleges and universities.
He also said a school in Dzongu will become a special model school for the community.
The government wants the Lepcha, Bhutia and Limboo languages to be officially recognized in India's Constitution.
Sikkim is working with UNESCO to bring back the old tradition of making bridges from cane and bamboo.
Many Lepcha students received money to help them continue their studies.
A brave Lepcha woman who climbed the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, was honored at the festival.
The festival reminded everyone to thank nature and take care of the environment.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said his government has extended Lepcha language teaching to government colleges and universities and created an Assistant Professor post for the language.
The Hee-Gyathang Senior Secondary School in Dzongu will be developed as a Chief Minister's Model School, described as a 'gift' to the Lepcha community.
The government has sought inclusion of Lepcha, Bhutia and Limboo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, and 166 Lepcha students received higher education assistance.
Sikkim is collaborating with UNESCO to document and revive Ru-Soam, the traditional Lepcha cane and bamboo bridge-making tradition, while the Stairway to Heaven project at Daramdin has reached 70 per cent completion.
Gnersongmit Lepcha, the first Lepcha woman to summit Mount Everest, was felicitated, and a record certificate was presented for the largest gathering of 32 Tungbuk players.
- Who
- Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, along with ministers, MLAs, officials and Lepcha community leaders, at the Tendong Lho Rum Faat celebrations
- What
- Announced government steps to promote Lepcha language and heritage, including teaching the language in colleges and universities, a new model school, UNESCO collaboration and community awards
- When
- Saturday, August 8, during the Tendong Lho Rum Faat festival
- Where
- Gangtok, Sikkim
- Why
- To preserve Lepcha language, culture, traditional knowledge and the environment alongside development
- Chief Minister
- Prem Singh Tamang
- Festival
- Tendong Lho Rum Faat
- Location
- Gangtok, Sikkim
- New model school
- Hee-Gyathang Senior Secondary School, Dzongu
- Eighth Schedule languages
- Lepcha, Bhutia and Limboo
- UNESCO collaboration
- Documenting and reviving Ru-Soam bridge-making tradition
- Daramdin project progress
- Stairway to Heaven at 70 per cent completion
- Education assistance
- 166 Lepcha students under Chief Minister's Education Assistance Scheme