Gangtok Times Report
Lingtam, Jan 29
A paragliding training site of Sikkim Paragliding Association [SPA] at Lingtam in Martam-Nazitam under Martam-Rumtek constituency in East Sikkim was inaugurated by former panchayat president, SP Machangpa on Tuesday. The inaugural function started with offering of prayers of the training site by Buddhist monks.
In his address, Mr Machangpa stated that the inauguration of training site was a historic day for the people of the area. He mentioned about tireless efforts to introduce paragliding in the area has now finally been successful. He congratulated the people of Lingtam ward for such achievement and expressed his hope that the introduction of paragliding in the area will create immense opportunities for local youths and urged them to take the full advantage of these opportunities.
Mr Machangpa stated that the priority of the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to tourism sector has created lots of opportunities for local people to be self-reliant and self-employed. He encouraged the people of the area to come into home-stay, hotels and other areas of tourism. He also thanked Tempo Bhutia for providing land to SPA for the promotion of paragliding in the area.
Likewise, Lingtam ward president, Nimden Bhutia expressed her happiness on the introduction of paragliding in the area. She stated that the people of the area were fortunate to have the new infrastructure in the field of adventure sports and thanked SPA for the same. The programme was also addressed by Sports & Youth Affairs Department Additional Director CL Lepcha and Paramas L Oley from Telangana.
On the occasion, for paragliding pilots, Rinzing Doma Bhutia, Arjun Rai and others two took up their flights from Lingtam Dara.
The inauguration function was also attended by SPA president Raj Kumar Subba and other members, delegates and trainees from Telangana, Kanchendzonga Youth Club, Martam advisor, KT Machangpa, paragliding trainers and general public.