Full transition of Darjeeling Loreto College to Southfield

Darjeeling, Nov. 11: Karma Lamu is the first recipient of the award, which was presented by B.B. Goorong, the chief political adviser to Chamling, at a ceremony held in the college auditorium today.

“When we were invited to perform our musical play, Dafey Chari, in Sikkim last year, Chamling offered us Rs 1 lakh. We decided to deposit the donation in a bank and use its interest to institute an award in the name of the chief minister,” said Rinzee Wangdi, the teacher in-charger of the college.

“I had become the Speaker of the Sikkim Assembly and then went on to be the finance minister and finally the chief minister. I own my success to Darjeeling and have always regretted for not having contributed to the place from where I had received so much,” said Goorong, who unfurled the logo.

The former chief minister of Sikkim had first come to Darjeeling in 1945 to study at St Robert’s High School. He had completed his graduation from St Joseph’s (North Point), after which he taught at Turnbull Hill School, and Rongo High School in Kalimpong subdivision, where he had served as the headmaster before returning to Sikkim.

Since Chamling is leaving for the US on an official tour, Goorong was sent to represent the chief minister.

The Loreto Sisters, who decided to hand over the college to the state government in June this year, were felicitated. “We were supposed to felicitate the sisters in June. However, the function could not be held for various problems. We extend our gratitude to the nuns for their contribution towards the society,” said Wangdi.

Loreto College, founded in 1964, was run by the Darjeeling Loreto Educational Society till June.

Sister Teresa, speaking on behalf of the Society said: “We are happy that we have been able to contribute toward society. The Loreto Sisters have always taken a cue from the Irish system of education. We opened the colleges for girls in Ireland and in Calcutta in India in 1911 and 1912 respectively. “