Gangtok, Aug 20 (PTI) A former school teacher and recipient of national teacher's award, Passangkit Lepcha, had died, family sources said today.
Lepcha yesterday died at the STNM hospital here after prolonged illness. She was 87.
Popularly known as 'Maili Guruama' (Our mother teacher) for her commitment to education in Sikkim, Lepcha had set up schools in Kalimpong and Pakyong in the 40s and 50s to impart education to children at a time when there were few schools in Darjeeling and Sikkim.
Her contribution to promoting education in Sikkim was recognised by the Centre after Lepcha was selected for the national teacher's award in 1987, the first woman recipient from the Himalayan state.
She was felicitated by the then President Giani Zail Singh at a function at Rashtrapati Bhawan on September 5, 1983
Sikkim Served Fresh Daily
