Sagar Chhetri
Gangtok, Dec 19
Churches of Sikkim have come together to celebrate Sikkim Christmas Festival 2018 on the theme ‘Peace, Love & Harmony’ in a grand manner on 22 and 23 December here at MG Marg. The two-day long pre Christmas celebration will have a series of musical, cultural and other activities. An adhoc-committee comprising of members from different churches have also been formed to celebrate this state-level festival.
Addressing a press conference here today, adhoc committee president, Stephen Raj Karki mentioned that the people were already in Christmas mood so everyone can celebrate the Christmas together in this state-level Sikkim Christmas Festival. He informed that as all churches will be busy in celebrating the Christmas in their respective church on 25 December so the festival has been organised on 22 and 23 December.
The festival is scheduled to be inaugurated by Tourism Minister Ugen T Gyatso Bhutia on 22 December at 4 PM and the closing ceremony of the festival will have Agriculture Minister Somnath Poudyal as the chief guest. Mr Karki informed that the festival will have the performance by a renowned singer, Anju Panth from Nepal, a national-level Hallelujah Choir from South Sikkim and other groups and individuals.
SCF adhoc committee general secretary, Pastor Smile Gurung informed that the festival will also have the Christmas message by Rev BD Rai from Kalimpong and Rev Jonah Bal from Rangpo. He informed that another highlight of the festival was the stalls of traditional food and other items at MG Marg from 20 December to 05 January.
SCF adhoc committee publicity secretary, Andrew Chettri stated that another aim of the event was to promote Sikkim tourism through such event. He mentioned that MG Marg will also be decorated to give the Christmas feeling to the people. The committee has urged the people to be part of the festival to celebrate the Christmas.