Namchi- The Head Quarter of South Sikkim in 1966

South Sikkim occupies an important place in igniting the slumbered Sikkimese populace against the oppression made by the Kazis and Thikadars, the erstwhile ruling cliques of Sikkim. It is to be mention here that in the 40’s of the last century, few sons of Sikkimese peasantry, who hailed from this part began to dream for an egalitarian set up for the better administration of the kingdom of Sikkim. Keeping this in mind, they started an underground movement known as Member Party at a place called Namthang in South Sikkim. Amid to the paucity of political agenda and ideologies we are compelled to accept it as the first political organization of politically barren Sikkim. The foundation of such organization among the isolated Sikkimese peasantry has not only lighted the idea of political consciousness but, also rejected the opinion of Karl Marx which says “they cannot represent themselves: they must be represented”. But, Sikkim formerly being a secluded Kingdom, such instances had never received any attention from the enlightened historians.  

Namchi in 1966

 In the midst of a hegemonic, autocratic or authoritarian political structure people from the other parts of the Kingdom began to raise the voices against the corrupt practices of the ruling cliques. If we have to justify these incidents from a subaltern perspective than one can say that a tussle was on its way between the subalterns and the elites.  With the foundation of Rajya Praja Sammelan in 1946, by the peasants of Temi Tarku, South Sikkim has plunged itself on its way towards democracy.

The silent whispers of the remote villages began to make a huge clamor when the educated sons of peasant families like Chandra Das Rai of Namchi, Nayan Tshering Lepcha of Namthang, and the Tiwari brothers of Temi Tarku began to join it. The need of an umbrella organization in Sikkim was also felt by the South District which ultimately paved the way for the establishment Sikkim State Congress on 7^th of December 1947. Mr. Chandra Das Rai from Namchi delivered a flamboyant speech to the masses in his flawless Nepali which also played a vital role in breeding the ideas of resistance among the politically illiterate Sikkimese peasants.

In the anti-merger movement of the 70’s people like Durga Prasad Rajalim of Namchi played an imperative part to protect the inviolability of his motherland. Further, the place has also produced people like ex- Chief Minister Mr. N. B. Bhandari (who had his education at Namchi and later started his political career from the very place) and the present Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling. In sports too, South Sikkim has given us Mr. Bhaichung Bhutia, the star of Indian Football and Tarundeep Rai the Indian archer. In addition to these, the district has given birth to poets like Agam Singh Tamang APATAN and many other talents related to various fields. Thus, the historical importance of South Sikkim cannot be underestimated.

During my eight years of stay at Namchi, I tried my best to find some old pictures of it. I have been able to stumble on an old picture that dates back to the 40’s but, due to a very low resolution I am unable to identify the place. Somebody told me that the picture was taken in 1949 in the midst of No Rent Campaign at Alley Ground. It is to be noted here, the new Indian Dewan John S Lal had to face a great difficulty posed by the State Congress when he reached Namchi to collect the tax from the peasants in the said year. He got an experience of the people’s attitude during his visit to Namchi; he had to face a huge demonstration led by the State Congress leaders Nayan Tshering Lepcha and Chandra Das Rai.

But, I am not sure weather the picture is related to this event or not. Therefore, until I will not be able to get authentic information about it its not appropriate for me to post it on my blog. However, picture of today’s post is reliable. It is a view of Namchi Senior Secondary School in the present day. This was taken by some unknown person in 1966. I am greatly thankful to Anup Sarkar for sharing this valuable piece of information with me. The picture speaks many words about Namchi, the present District Head Quarter of South Sikkim.

Extract from the Citation of Military Medal of VC Ganju Lama

Citation of Military Medal

No.78763 Rifleman Ganju Lama MM

7th Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army

"On 17th May, 1944 two companies moved forward to Mile 33 on the Imphal-Tiddim Road to secure a road block position in that area. B company was operating on the East of the main road and located an enemy position with many bunkers. The leading platoon attacked and cleared the outlaying bunker area and on reaching the nala came under heavy machine gun fire from three enemy tanks which were harboured there. Rifleman Ganju Lama was No.1 on the PIAT (projector infantry anti-tank) attached to the forward platoon and on seeing their difficulty immediately stalked forward and secured a position for his weapon, although by this time the enemy tanks had opened fire with H E from their 37mm Guns, Rifleman Ganju Lama then opened fire at 60 yards range and with his second bomb scored a direct hit on a tank which was later seen to be on fire. The platoon was later recalled on orders from the company commander and Ganju Lama remained to cover their withdrawal. Throughout this action this rifleman displayed remarkable resource, coolness and entire disregard for his personal safety, setting a high example to all in his vicinity".

The London Gazette Notification

Dated 5th of October, 1944.

The Government of India also recognized the valour of this gallant by appointing Ganju Lama as an ADC to the President of India in 1964. He got his retirement from the said post in 1972. The Government of Sikkim has renamed the Ravangla- Tarku Road as Ganju Lama Road.

                                                                                                                                                                                     

Picture above VC Ganju Lama with Queen of England

Picture below VC Ganju Lama with his family at Sangmoo in South Sikkim

Ganju Lama- A Gallant from Sikkim

Rifleman Ganju Lama was born on 8^th May 1923 at Sangmo village in Southern Sikkim. His father Late Kinchok Bhutia was a Mandal of the village and his mother Ninzem Bhutia was a pious Buddhist. The real name of Ganju Lama was Gyamtso.

Since his childhood Ganju wanted to join army. He was greatly inspired from his elder brother who was also an army in British India. When young Ganju joined the British army the Second World was at its pinnacle. The Great War had invited a huge devastation to the British Empire as well. To tackle the situation of scarcity in the British force, the British Indian Government appointed officials known as Gallawals in various parts of Sikkim. The main task of these Gallawals was to provide eligible people for the British army.

Young Ganju Lama was then at Singtam Bazar when he met a Gallawal named Jit Man Limbu. It was the latter who took Ganju to Ghoom at Darjeeling from where he was appointed as a rifleman in 7th GR on 27^th July 1942.

Rifleman Ganju Lama was a proficient in handling anti-tank PIAT gun. It was in the scuffle against the Japanese on 17^th May 1944 which is also known as Battle of Imphal-Tediem Road, he had been able to demolish a Japanese tank from a distance of 60 feet.

On 12^th June 1944, when the Company of Ganju Lama was at a place called Ninthokhong (Burma) a fierce battle took place between the British and the Japanese. It was in this battle the Sikkimese son Ganju showed his real courage and reached the foe’s area amidst to the frequent bombard from the opposition. While heading towards his enemies side he was sternly wounded and had broken his left wrist. But, without caring much about his life and his wounds Ganju knock down inestimable tanks with hand grenades.

For the heroism that he had shown in the battle of Ninthokhong Rifleman Ganju Lama was awarded with Victoria Cross, the highest Gallantry Medal of the British Force. The declaration of the British Government about the event was published in the London Gazette on 5^th September 1944. The summary of the Declaration is as under:-

"The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of Victoria Cross to No.78763 Rifleman Ganju Lama, 7^th Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army".  

Sikkim is always proud of You…..!!!!

Certificate to Ganju Lama From Sikkim Palace

Pema Dorjee the highest Civilian Award of Independent Sikkim to Ganju Lama by the Last Chogyal of Sikkim Palden Thondup Namgyal.