Gangtok:The former Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri L.D. Kazi Khangsarpa passed away on July 28 evening in his residence at Kalimpong. He was 103 years old and he was under treatment and his condition was stable since a week. Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling soon after hearing the demise of first Chief of Sikkim rushed to Kalimpong to pay last tribute to the former CM. Shri Kazi was the first Chief Minister soon after the merger of Sikkim in 1975 and he is considered the architect of the merger of Sikkim into Indian Union. With his passing away, an era of Sikkim history is ended.
Sikkim’s first chief minister Lhendup Dorjee Khangsharpa, popularly known as L.D. Kazi, was conferred the Sikkim Ratna, the highest civilian state award for outstanding service to the people of Sikkim at the 57th Independence Day celebrations held at TNA ground in 2004. This was the first time this award is being conferred by the state government with Kazi having been chosen as the first recipient. Earlier this year, Kazi was awarded the Padma Vibhushan by the Union government for his contributions to the nation. The award also entitles Kazi to a monthly pension of Rs 5,000. He has already been receiving Rs 5,000 as monthly pension from the state government as an appreciation grant for having bagged the Padma Vibhushan.
The citation handed over to him by the chief minister reads: “In recognition of his exemplary contribution to the state of Sikkim, the state government hereby confers on Padma Vibhushan Shri Kazi Lhendup Dorjee Khangsharpa, the decoration of Sikkim Ratna on the occasion of Independence Day, 2004.”
The citation further mentions that “with a clear concept of establishing a democratic set up and rule of law in Sikkim, L. D. Kazi formed the Sikkim National Congress and continued his political struggle for the emancipation of the Sikkimese from their feudal masters. He was ultimately successful in bringing about democracy in the state of Sikkim and on the basis of one-man-one-vote, became the first chief minister of Sikkim”.
The citation handed over to him by the chief minister reads: “In recognition of his exemplary contribution to the state of Sikkim, the state government hereby confers on Padma Vibhushan Shri Kazi Lhendup Dorjee Khangsharpa, the decoration of Sikkim Ratna on the occasion of Independence Day, 2004.”The citation further mentions that “with a clear concept of establishing a democratic set up and rule of law in Sikkim, L. D. Kazi formed the Sikkim National Congress and continued his political struggle for the emancipation of the Sikkimese from their feudal masters. He was ultimately successful in bringing about democracy in the state of Sikkim and on the basis of one-man-one-vote, became the first chief minister of Sikkim”.
L. D. Kazi, was born in 1904 in Pakyong East District. He was the founder President of Sikkim Praja Mandal, which was established in 1946. He was the first man to advocate the theory of one person one vote in the state.The founder member of democratic movement in Sikkim.
L. D. Kazi and some other like minded people formed a party called Sikkim State Congress in 1947, with a view to form Democratic form of Government in Sikkim. He remained the president of the party from 1953 to 1958. He became the 1st Chief Minister of Sikkim on 14 MAY, 1975 - 17 AUGUST, 1979.
L. D. Kazi and some other like minded people formed a party called Sikkim State Congress in 1947, with a view to form Democratic form of Government in Sikkim. He remained the president of the party from 1953 to 1958. He became the 1st Chief Minister of Sikkim on 14 MAY, 1975 - 17 AUGUST, 1979.
