World Museum Day

The 18 May 2022 was a red-letter day for the Lepcha Gumba and Museum at Bong Basti, it was the World Museum Day and the inauguration was to take place of the Museum of Heritage located in the precincts of the Lepcha Gumba (temple). The Chief Guest was to be Dr Ms R Vimala , IAS, District Magistrate, Kalimpong District and the Guests of Honour were Mr Ruden Sada, Member Legislative Assembly, West Bengal and Mr Lyansong Tamsang, Chairman, West Bengal Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board (WMMLLDB).

There was excitement in the air as more than 200 students from various schools in Kalimpong had gathered, the previous day they had competed in the an essay competition on preserving local heritage and on Buddhism. Several teachers and Headmasters of the schools were also present.

After the inauguration of the Museum of Heritage, Lepcha Gumba (temple) by Dr Ms Vimala, the Chief Guest and Guests of Honour Mr Ruden Sada and Mr Tamsang went around the Museum and showed their appreciation on the displayed items, some more than 300 years old. The items have been given a new lease of life in cleaning, conservation and preservation of paintings, manuscripts and religious items by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), New Delhi.

Prizes were distributed for the Best Three Essays by Mr Ruden Sada, MLA the first two prizes went to St Augustine School and the third prize to St Joseph's School the inauguration ended with lunch for all assembled. The Museum of Heritage inauguration was covered extensively by newspapers and local Kalimpong TV.