“Although we don’t have anything to give in return, we bless this village with prosperity forever”
GANGTOK, April 12: Every cloud has a silver lining. 17 years after the massive landslide (1990) that swept ‘everything’ of Tek Bahadhur Chettri (75) and Harka Maya Chettri (70), silver lining shined on the old couple with aids from Saipatri Samaj in finding a home at Labsi Gaon in Middle Syari, Gangtok.
The devastating landslide of 1990 – marked as a black chapter of Sikkim, left the couple childless leading to the demise of their siblings at ripe youth. As the terrible memories run fresh, Harka Maya Chettri recounts, “It still haunts me as a horrible nightmare, even after 17 years of the incident”.
The devastating landslide of 1990 – marked as a black chapter of Sikkim, left the couple childless leading to the demise of their siblings at ripe youth. As the terrible memories run fresh, Harka Maya Chettri recounts, “It still haunts me as a horrible nightmare, even after 17 years of the incident”.
Inept to earn lively hood for old age, the couple was left hardly with any thing, when Saipatri Samaj of Middle Syari, Gangtok stepped ahead with something worthy. Formed with the aim to provide its assistance to the deprived people of its locality, Saipatri Samaj was formed in the year 2004. The Samaj came as a strong support for the helpless Chettri couple in constructing a home for them without any departmental assistance.
According to Ugyen Sherpa, advisor to the Samiti, all the villagers joined hands in construction of the house, some contributing with cash and kind, some with man power and the like. The roof was replaced with GICI sheets and the walls with the fresh wood.
With short of words to express their gratitude towards the villagers, the old couple admitted, “It is very difficult to reside without any support and children. But for us, the villagers are everything. Although we don’t have anything to give in return, we bless this village with prosperity forever”.
The land wherein the couple is residing presently is registered in the name of Bhaichung Lepcha of Upper Syari, who allocated the land to these couple till their last breath. So far earning their square meal a day is concerned, the husband and wife is supported by their compassionate neighbours.
Yet, this is not an end of the welcome initiatives the Saipatri Samaj is upto. In similar type of mission, the Samaj is constructing another house for a deprived widow Man Maya Rai. Noteworthy here is, not a penny from the government has been asked for these noble causes.
Joining hands in the mission with Saipatri Samaj are the active students, teachers and members of Sai Samiti, who constructed a CC footpath nearly of two kilometers with a fund of Rs 65,000 allocated by National Service Scheme (NSS) of Kendra Vidyalaya.
With Saiparti Samaj, the general impression of the local masses now reads as cooperation and unity among the people – a living example of gratifying social evolution, is making way into the development of the society at large – a society congenial for one and all.
According to Ugyen Sherpa, advisor to the Samiti, all the villagers joined hands in construction of the house, some contributing with cash and kind, some with man power and the like. The roof was replaced with GICI sheets and the walls with the fresh wood.
With short of words to express their gratitude towards the villagers, the old couple admitted, “It is very difficult to reside without any support and children. But for us, the villagers are everything. Although we don’t have anything to give in return, we bless this village with prosperity forever”.
The land wherein the couple is residing presently is registered in the name of Bhaichung Lepcha of Upper Syari, who allocated the land to these couple till their last breath. So far earning their square meal a day is concerned, the husband and wife is supported by their compassionate neighbours.
Yet, this is not an end of the welcome initiatives the Saipatri Samaj is upto. In similar type of mission, the Samaj is constructing another house for a deprived widow Man Maya Rai. Noteworthy here is, not a penny from the government has been asked for these noble causes.
Joining hands in the mission with Saipatri Samaj are the active students, teachers and members of Sai Samiti, who constructed a CC footpath nearly of two kilometers with a fund of Rs 65,000 allocated by National Service Scheme (NSS) of Kendra Vidyalaya.
With Saiparti Samaj, the general impression of the local masses now reads as cooperation and unity among the people – a living example of gratifying social evolution, is making way into the development of the society at large – a society congenial for one and all.
(sikkim express)
