MUMBAI: NINE on 91.9 FM the first FM station of Sikkim partnered The Namprikdang Namsoong Festival 2009  – Winter Festival (Lepcha), organized by the Local authorities under the aegis of Mangan Tourism Development Corporation to mark the beginning of the New Year.

The Namprikdang Namsoong Festival 2009 – one of the major festivals of Lepchas kicked off to a colourful start from 17th December 2009 at Namprithang, Mangan, North Sikkim.

A week long mela or fair was held at Namprikdang at the confluence of Tista and Tolung-Chu near Mangan in North Sikkim. An indigenous festival of the Lepchas , this festival shows a strong connection and affinities of the Lepchas with their culture and tradition. The festival began with a Lepcha Boongthing (priest) conducting the Chu Faat puja to usher in the New Year.

Exhbits on Lepcha's Cultural heritage, traditional music and dance, costumes, crafts, and cuisine was showcased at the festival.

The festival was inaugurated by the Area MLA Dzongu, Shri S.G Lepcha. The festival was graced by the presence of renowned dignitaries of Sikkim - Chairperson SCPCR, Shri C.Saring, Chairman Milk Union, Choden Lepcha, Ex-Chairman, Laden Lepcha, President NNFCC, Nezing Lepcha. Apart from these luminaries, Officers of Different Department, Panchayats and Committee members were also present at the inauguration

NINE on 91.9FM was instrumental in promoting the festival both on-air and on-ground. NINE Activation team was present on the inauguration day to catch the entire event on-air. Live links from the venue was aired on NINE FM, Gangtok.

To keep up with the mood, NINE activation team organized various ground activities and games everyday and gave away loads of NINE goodies. Hundreds of people from every part of Sikkim were present to witness and participate in the festival.

The festival ended on December 20. Chief Minister Pawan Chamling graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The entire festival was aired live on NINE on 91.9FM. Exclusive interviews of the official committee members were also broadcast live on NINE FM.

NINE FM has always believed in community-building and promoting the same. After the Tibet Festival and Namchi Mahautsov , now it's the Lepcha Winter Festival.Through these festivals and seminars what we try to inject in the minds of young generations is the importance of preserving our culture and traditions. It is an honour to be a part of these festivals... , said Mr. Bobby Gupta , CEO , NINE FM who was present to witness this week –long festival.