Shram Daan Park inaugurated at Rimbi, showcasing community-driven development

<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif"><b>GEYZING,:</b> The spirit of Shram Daan (voluntary community service) has borne fruit in the Rimbi–Timbrong GPU, where public infrastructure has been developed through voluntary labour and contributions from individuals, social organisations and local residents.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The Multipurpose Shram Daan Park, equipped with tourism-related amenities, was inaugurated on Tuesday by Rural Development Department (RDD) Minister Arun Upreti at the Rimbi riverbank under the Yuksam–Tashiding constituency in West Sikkim.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Tourism Minister and Area MLA Tshering T. Bhutia, Maneybung-Dentam MLA Sudesh Kumar Subba, Geyzing DC Tenzing D. Denzongpa and other dignitaries were also present at the inaugural programme.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Addressing the gathering, Rimbi–Timbrong GPU president Mangal Rai, under whose initiative the park was conceived and developed, highlighted the challenges faced during the project and acknowledged the contributions, dedication and commitment of various social organisations, individuals and members of the local community.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Rai said the establishment of the Shram Daan Park faced several hurdles in its initial phase, as the concept was the first of its kind in Sikkim. He noted that the idea of Shram Daan was unfamiliar to many people, leading to scepticism about its viability and success.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">“It was not easy to convince people about the concept of Shram Daan during the initial stages of the project. However, over time, people came forward and extended their generous support to the initiative. Shram Daan Park belongs to the people and stands as a testament to their collective contributions,” Rai said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">He added that the successful completion of the park demonstrates what can be achieved through collective effort and community participation. Describing the initiative as a remarkable example of public cooperation, Rai said it has shown that nothing is impossible when a community comes together with a shared vision and commitment to a noble cause.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">In his brief address, Tourism Minister Tshering T. Bhutia described the Shram Daan Park as a creation born out of the love, commitment and collective effort of people who placed public welfare above personal interests.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">He said it was perhaps the first time in Sikkim that a public infrastructure project had been established entirely through Shram Daan without government assistance. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">According to Bhutia, the initiative serves as an inspiration and demonstrates that development goals can be achieved successfully when projects are driven by a sense of public ownership and supported through community participation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Highlighting the tourism potential of West Sikkim, Bhutia stressed the need for convergence between tourism infrastructure and the tourism sector to ensure sustainable growth. He added that such integration would create employment opportunities for the youth while contributing to the State's economic development.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Tourism is a crucial sector for ensuring Sikkim’s economic growth, and contributing to the sector even through a small initiative can make a sustainable difference, he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Minister Arun Upreti described Shram Daan as a “Maha Daan” necessary for the holistic development of a locality, region and State. He said Shram Daan should not be viewed as a reflection of government failure, but rather as an expression of the collective will of people to contribute towards the development of their locality without depending solely on government support.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Congratulating the people of Rimbi, social organisations and individuals for their contributions towards the establishment of the park, Upreti termed the facility a valuable public asset.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">He also described the efforts of the Rimbi-Timbrong GPU as an exemplary model of community leadership and congratulated Mangal Rai for promoting the culture of Shram Daan in Sikkim.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The minister said the initiative has inspired people across the State and fostered a stronger sense of unity, togetherness and collective responsibility towards community development.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">“This concept, which was new and untested in Sikkim, was a bold initiative of the Rimbi-Timbrong GPU. The success of the project proves that people still extend wholehearted support to constructive causes,” Upreti said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>

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