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Kazi Lhendup Dorjee
Kazi Lhendup Dorjee, commonly known as L.D.Kazi was born in Pakyong, East Sikkim in a Khangsarpa family in year 1904. Who later became the first Chief minister of state Sikkim, and died of heart attack in August 2007.
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Early Days
At the age of 6, he came to Rumtek Monastery to become a monk, and later the Chogyal Sidkeong Tulku Namgyal took him to Gangtok, where he studied in the Tibetan School. At the age of 16, Kazi returned to Rumtek Monastery and endured the strict training of Lamaism for two years. Later he succeeded as the Head Lama of Rumtek Monastery and served for 8 years. But soon he left the Monastery to work with his brother Phang Tshering, who had founded the Young Men's Buddhist Association at Darjeeling. The brothers also founded many schools in West Sikkim and devoted towards bringing social reforms in various parts of Sikkim.
Career in Politics
L.D. Kazi founded Sikkim Praja Mandal in 1945, as was elected its first President. Later he became the President of Sikkim State Congress and held the post till 1958. In 4th general election held in 1970, Kazi was appointed an Executive Councilor and was assigned the portfolio of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and Transport Authority. Under his presidency in 1973, the united party secured 31 out of 32 seats of State Assembly and became the first Chief Minister of Sikkim in 1974.
Positive and Negative impact of Kazi
During the Kazi's regime, people of Sikkim had seen both negative and positive aspects. He was even called a traitor. Under his leadership, the tiny himalayan kingdom Sikkim lost its identity. Bhutia-Lepcha seats on cabinet reduced to 12, which was 15 earlier. Central Service Cadre such as Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Forest Services (IFS), Indian Police Services (IPS) etc. were introduced in Sikkim, which as violated the Establishment Rule 4(4) of 1974. The Administrative power of Sikkim was handed over the (IAS/IFS/IPS) forever. Sikkim integrated into Indian Union without any constitutional protection of its limited area and the people. But if we look at the positive side, people of Sikkim acquired the Democratic rights, Sikkim was specially categorized in Indian union. The Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali languages have been recognized as the official languages of Sikkim in 1977.
Death
Kazi Lhendup Dorjee died of a heart attack on July 30, 2007 at his home in Kalimpong. Dorjee was 103 years old at the time of his death. Though he died of a heart attack, Dorjee had been suffering from liver problems for several years. Dorjee's funeral took place at the Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim on August 3, 2007.
The current Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Kumar Chamling, called Dorjee a distinguished statesman who helped to motivate Chamling to join Sikkim's democracy movement in 1973.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh released a statement following Dorjee's death saying, "I am deeply shocked and grieved to learn of the sad demise of Shri Kazi Lhendup Dorjee Khang Serpa, the first Chief Minister of Sikkim. He played a historic role as the architect of Sikkimâs accession to the Indian Union and had the distinction of spearheading the State as its first Chief Minister from 1974 to 1979. The pride of place occupied by Sikkim as an important State of our country and its impressive progress in many spheres owe a lot to numerous policies initiated by him. In his unfortunate passing away the country in general and the State of Sikkim in particular has lost a veteran public figure whose many sided contributions to nation building endeared him to the people."
References
- "History Culture and Custom of Sikkim" by J.R.Subba
- Wikipedia.org