The Lepchas are the acknowledged natives of the Darjeeling district from long before the time the present political boundaries were drawn. During the last century and half they have, in general, not been able to keep pace with the transformation of the region from their scattered, sheltered village habitations to the bustling cosmopolitan hill station with a flourishing tea and tourism industry and thus have, in the process been marginalized.
The intention of the Government therefore is clearly to bring about positive chance and contribute to the upliftment to the Community and has outlined a modest role of the Board.
The Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board came into existence on 5th August 2013. it has been formed for the board purpose to protect, promote and safeguard the Lepcha language, tradition and culture to undertake activities for the overall development of the Lepcha Community and anything incidental and conducive for the attainment.
Ren Lyangsong Tamsang is the Chairman of the Board which is a registered Society under the Administrative control of the Tribal Development Department of the Government of the West Bengal.
The Board has conceived and prepared several schemes and projects in furtherance of its objectives.
Despite the hardship faced due to terrain and inaccessibility the Board is striving hard to achieve social culture and educational upliftment of the Lepchas.
The Chief Minister of West Bengal graced the Foundation Day celebration of the WBMLLDB in kalimpong on the 16th September 2015. Just as the Lepchas welcomed her as the Kingchoom Darmit with resounding applause, she promised them of her continued support and the promise to come again. During her speech she said she loved the Hills of Darjeeling and wanted it to be a place of peace and happy people that peace should reign in the Hills.
Many writers and linguists have spoken highly of the Lepcha Language that has withstood the ravages of time.
Many writers and linguists have spoken highly of the Lepcha Language that has withstood the ravages of time. Many selfless lovers of the language have devoted their whole lives for the preservation and development the language. Thanks to them both written and spoken from have remained intact and in common use.
In order to preserve and propagate the language the Board has sought to encourage publication of works of literature in any form in the Lepcha language. As results of this many works in Lepcha are being published every year on Lepcha themes and culture.
Recently, the Board has on its own published translations of some works of Smt Mahasweta Devi who devoted her works life to the upliftment of the downtrodden in the Lepcha Language. The translation of the "Gitanjali" by the Noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore has also been done in Lepcha. It is the endeavor of the Board to cover selected works of every Language for the enrichment of thr language and culture.
Aathing KP Tamsang Birth Anniversary
Open Archery Com.Darjeeling St. Poul on 15th March 2018
287th Birth Anniversary of Pano Gaeboo Achyok