Governor of Sikkim laid the foundation stone of Maharishi Dayanand Hostel for Students Scholastic Development

Gangtok: Governor of Sikkim Shri Ganga Prasad lai d the foundation stone of Maharishi Dayanand Hostel for Students Scholastic Development at Sonam Tshering Marg, Gangtok, today, in the august presence of Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), and Padmabhushan Mahashay Dharmpal, Chairman MDH and President, Akhil Bhartiya Dayanand Sewashram Sangh (ABDSS).
Organized under the aegis of Akhil Bhartiya Dayanand Sewashram Sangh in Association with Arya Samaj, Gangtok, the foundation stone laying ceremony had the presence and participation of Cabinet Ministers Shri B.S. Panth, Shri Samdup Lepcha, and Shri Sanjit Kharel, Chief Secretary, Sikkim, Shri S.C. Gupta, DGP Sikkim Shri A. Shankar Rao, President, Sarv. Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Shri Suresh Chandra Arya, Secretary, SAPS, Shri Prakash Arya, Vice President, ABDSS, Shri Vinay Arya, General Secretary, ABDSS, Shri Joginder Khattar, President, Arya Samaj Sikkim, Shri Jagdish Pradhan, host of other dignitaries, and senior Members and representatives of Arya Samaj from Sikkim and other parts of the country.

Before laying the foundation stone of the upcoming infrastructure, the dignitaries participated in the Hawan Ceremony amidst the chanting of Vedic Hymns by students and Members of the Samaj.

The proposed Hostel for Students Scholastic Development, once established, will impart free of cost education to underprivileged children. The Centre will impart holistic education focusing on social, intellectual, cultural and skill development of children.

The Organizing committee expressed their profound gratitude to the Governor of Sikkim Shri Ganga Prasad, and Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang for allotting the site to the ABDSS to carry out its activities.

The Governor and Chief Minister congratulated and extended their best wishes to the ABDSS for their future endeavours.

Later, addressing the indoor programme at Chintan Bhawan as the chief guest, Governor Shri Ganga Prasad profusely thanked Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang for his forthcoming support and commitment for the completion of the project. The Governor highlighted about the unique features of Sikkim which is culturally and naturally rich. He also mentioned that Sikkim had created a distinct identity as a fully organic farming state, which is being replicated in other States.
Speaking about the teachings of Arya Samaj, he added that Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is the basic message of the Vedas.
He lauded the effort of each Member of the Samaj and its sister organizations towards organizing the event, and urged them to give continuity to the zeal to complete the hostel project at the earliest.
He thanked the Chief Minister for solving the land issues being faced by the Arya Samaj in Rumtek. He praised the service projects being taken up by the organization at the local level.
The Governor said that he would continue to represent Sikkim in the best possible way with the central government. He added that the Central Government has laid great focus on the North East. He urged everybody concerned to leverage on the importance being given to North Eastern region by the Government of India. He expressed hope that Pakyong Airport will be re-operational at the earliest so that Sikkim can connect with ease with other states as well as South East Asia.
The Governor concluded his address by congratulating everyone for the foundation stone laying ceremony and urged all for their support and contribution, and take Sikkim to new heights of development.

Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang in his address expressed his gratitude to the Governor of Sikkim for his noble thought and idea of establishing this project in Sikkim. Similarly, he expressed his gratitude to Padmabhushan Shri Mahashay Dharmpal, Chairman MDH and President ABDSS, whose contribution towards Sikkim will be written in golden letters.
The Chief Minister praised the ideology of Arya Samaj and the great service being carried out by different wings of the organization throughout the world.
He also gave a brief about the establishment of Arya Samaj in the hills of Sikkim and Darjeeling, and urged the Members to work with renewed enthusiasm.

He announced that the State Government will support the organization whenever required. He stressed that the Government is fully committed for the development of education. He added that the Government is committed to develop Gurukul system of education in the State. He expressed happiness that the project is being created for the development of our children. He informed that the State Government has appointed 171 Sanskrit Graduate teachers for the propagation of the language.
The Chief Minister congratulated the State President of Arya Samaj Sikkim Shri Jagdish Pradhan and his team for the success of the program and for the new infrastructure. He stressed that the facility will cater exclusively for the children of Sikkim. He urged the local body to fully involve themselves in the construction process, and apprise the government if any bottleneck arises. He assured that the Government will lend all possible support for the project.

Padmabhushan Shri Mahashay Dharmpal Ji in his address expressed his gratitude to the Governor of Sikkim for inviting him to Sikkim. He expressed his praise for the beauty of Sikkim and said he was fortunate to be able to visit the State for the first time.
He thanked the Chief Minister of Sikkim for his audience and for his whole hearted support for the project.
It was announced that Shri Padmabhushan Mahashay Dharmpal has committed an amount of Rupees Two Crore Fifty One Lakh for the Students Scholastic Hostel project.

Swami Sampoornanand Maharaj Ji, disciple of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Ji in his brief address said that a great deed is the result of a great thought or idea. He lauded the Governor of Sikkim for conceiving the idea and the Chief Minister for lending his positive support, and Mahashay Dharmpal Ji for taking a huge step towards realize the noble idea through his commitment.

The programme also had address by Executive Members of sister organizations of Arya Samaj, felicitations, and colourful cultural performances by students of Dayanand Anglo Vedic (DAV) Schools from different parts of the country.
Earlier, the programme began with welcome address by President, Sarv Arya Pratinidhi Sabha Shri Suresh Chandra Arya.
The programme was conducted by Delhi Arya Pratinidhi Sabha Mahamantri, Shri Vinay Arya, who also highlighted about the background of the programme. He also announced that a total amount of Rupees Fifty One Lakhs ws committed in today’s programme. Some of the contributors were felicitated towards the end of the program.