Gorkha Icon

Sonam Tshering Lepcha

Know Our Icons July 31, 2020

Padmashri Ren. Sonam Tshering Lepcha – In Memorium

On the 14th of October 1960, Ren. Sonam became the first among Lepcha people to air his voice on All India Radio. In 1963, he staged his first Musical, “Teesta Rangeet” in Lepcha language. He has composed and compiled numerous Lepcha songs, researched on Lepcha musical instruments, and presented dance-dramas based on Lepcha folklore. He has also published “Vom Jat Ling Chhyo”, a book of Lepcha folk songs in 2011.

Shanti Rai Teesta

Know Our Icons May 29, 2019

Shanti Rai – The First Female Rafting and Rescuing Expert From Darjeeling

At the age of 16 she swam across the raging torrents of river Teesta, today Ms. Shanti Rai is a Rafting and Rescue expert, avid nature lover and a deeply passionate social worker. While our community is indeed very progressive, there are still many a fields that are viewed as being the sole domain of men, exploding into one such field was Shanti Rai – the first female Rafting and Rescue expert from our community, and perhaps in the country too.