Matters India Reporter
Darjeeling, September 21, 2020 – First community radio of the hills is set to train three radio journalists for Lepcha Development Board to air weekly programs in Lepcha language on Radio Salesian 90.8 FM – The Voice of the Hills. The weekly programs will also be available on web radio ‘Radiosalesian’ on ‘Listen2MyRadio’ App.
West Bengal Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board (estd 2011) Chairman and Member Secretary have jointly nominated Suk Tshering Lepcha, Liesa Lepcha and Jilbert Lepcha of Kalimpong to undergo one month intense, hands on radio journalist training with Radio Salesian from September 21- October 20.
Radio Salesian Program Coordinator RJ Samir who has trained 3 batches of Assam Don Bosco University Guwahati Mass Communication students in the past two years says, “At the end of this one month training, the interns will be able to handle all aspects of radio content creation, program packaging and delivery as well as radio program production and studio management.”
All five RJs currently working with Radio Salesian have been trained under the same program coordinator.
Director of Radio Salesian Fr. C.M. Paul says, “It is mandatory for community radio to promote indigenous and ethnic cultures and languages of the local population. As such we consider it our privilege to collaborate with 18 distinct Tribal Development Boards existing in the hills.”
Speaking at the inauguration Principal of Salesian College assures, “Radio Salesian is committed to the Nepali Speech Community of Darjeeling which is a conglomerate of diverse ethnic groups that made a mark over a century of modern education, redefining their distinctive identities by melding them into the people and culture of Darjeeling, having its own flavor as does the Darjeeling Tea.”
Principal cautioned radio journalists on the need of “melding of the people should not be seen as a threat, but as something enriching.”
The word Lepcha (endogamy Roang kup) is considered to be the anglicised version of the Nepalese word ‘lepche’ meaning “vile speakers” or “inarticulate speech”. Lepcha’s speak a Tibeto-Burman language which some classify as Himalayish.
The Lepcha people inhabit the region, currently falling under the state of Sikkim; Kalimpong and Darjeeling Districts of West Bengal; eastern Nepal and the southwestern parts of Bhutan. In Sikkim Lepcha’s are about 15% of the population.
Most Lepchas are Buddhist, a religion brought by the Bhutias from the north, although a large number of Lepchas have today adopted Christianity. Some Lepchas have not given up their shamanistic religion, which is known as Mun. In practice, rituals from Mun and Buddhism are frequently observed alongside one another among some Lepchas.
According to 2011 census Lepcha population totals 80,316 with significant populations in India (Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts amounting to 76,871) and Nepal census 2011 states Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung Districts hold 3,445.
The Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (ILTA) belives there are over 1.5 lakh (1,50,000) Lepcha population in West Bengal out of which, over 90% resides in Darjeeling and Kalimpong.
Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board (MLLDB) one of 18 Development Boards in the hills was formed in 2011