Namchi, 18th December, 2023: ‘Namchi Christmas Fest 2023’ was organized by NCF Committee under All Sikkim Christian Organization (ASCO) in Kisan Bazaar, today, to unite all denominations and create one platform for the celebration of Christmas.

Around 300 churches and their neighbours from all over Sikkim were invited to the event, and the chief guest in today’s programme was the chief minister of Sikkim, PS Tamang (Golay), and his spouse Krishna Rai, was present as the special guest.

Namchi Christmas Fest 2023 also had Christmas Football Tournament Cup organized in Bhaichung Stadium from December 11 to December 20, stalls by different churches from December 16 to December 24, gift presentations to Namchi District Hospital and Old Age Home Boomtar on December 16, carol singing from December 05 to December 25, love feast on December 17 and 18, cultural presentations by local youths, choir presentation by international choir group of Nagaland, and Christian band performances by Hephzibah Band of Kathmandu Nepal, and many others.

During today’s event, some demands from many more like registration of churches, Sunday haart to be shifted on Friday for hawkers and churchgoers, and multipurpose Christian community centre, were read to the chief minister by ASCO representatives.

The event in Kisan Bazaar also saw the cumulative of cultural and carol presentations, word of exhortation by the chief guest, Christmas message by pastor John Tshering Lepcha, and love feast.

During his addressal, the chief guest of the event, chief minister PS Tamang, applauded ASCO for organizing Christmas Fest in Namchi, and added that people of all caste, creed, culture and religion could openly celebrate their respective festivals only from the year SKM party came to its ruling in 2019. “It is the biggest freedom you can enjoy in life,” he added.

He also invited the gathered to join in the upcoming celebration of pre-Christmas celebration in Gangtok on December 22, and prayer walk with pastor reverend Dinakaran.

While addressing to the memorandum submitted by ASCO representatives during the keynote speech by the chief patron of NCF 2023, Satish Chandra Rai, PS Tamang said that all works and those pending will be completed without failure in addition to the special grants for the demands.

After the event, the chief minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang, visited the residence of the Late BP Bhandari in Namchi. 

Likewise, he also visited the residence of Late Pikash Subba in Namthang Maneydara Gram Panchayat who lost his life in a tragic accident recently. 

Chief Minister alongside his spouse, Krishna Rai, extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends, offering prayers for the departed souls to rest in eternal peace.