Gorkha Council to work for development of Gorkhas
SILCHAR, August 25: Lokenath Upadhyay, president of Gorkha Development Council, said that the very objective of the Council was to work for the welfare and well being of the Gorkhas spread across the State of Assam. It was also the declared policy of the body to maintain harmony and peace in the larger interest of all sections of people belonging to different communities and tribes. He made this observation while laying the foundation stone of “Gorkha Bhavan” here at Ram Krishna Mission Road today in the presence of Pradip Rai, president, Shubhoraj Gurung, secretary, and others.
Upadhyay pointed out that the Gorkha Bhavan would be a multipurpose building which would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 35 lakh. To begin with, an amount of Rs 2.5 lakh was sanctioned from the Council fund and the remaining amount would be allotted in phases. This step had been taken in view of the financial crunch and constraint of the Council which had to depend upon donations from individuals and organizations.
The Gorkha Bhavan would be a guest house for those Gorkhas who would be visiting Barak Valley from other parts of the State on different errands. It would also provide accommodation to students in pursuit of education or studies. Gorkhas in need of treatment of their sick and ailing as well as for their hospitalization could seek accommodation. In other words, as he said, once the Bhavan was completed and ready, it would serve the larger interest of the community. Of the 50 lakh population of Gorkhas in Assam, 20,000 lived in this valley. Their literacy rate on the whole was 50 per cent. The Council was aware of the various problems faced by the Gorkhas in the State and was taking them up with the authorities concerned for their resolutions. It was also working for creating employment opportunities for the Gorkha youths by providing vocational training in motor driving, mobile and computer repairing. For women, there was provision for sewing and tailoring, besides other professional courses. On this eventful occasion, the poor and needy Gorkhas were handed over corrugated tins as housing material. Notwithstanding the limited fund at its disposal, the Council was striving hard for the socio–economic and educational uplift of the Gorkhas and it was no doubt a noble mission undertaken. The emphasis was also on the protection, preservation and promotion of the rich culture, tradition and heritage of Gorkhas. Upadhyay assured that no stone would be left unturned to complete the Gorkha Bhavan.
Source: The Sentinel 26.08.2013
