Beng Khamdong

ABOUT:
Beng, ward under Singtam- Khamdong constituency is a beautiful place 15 kms upward from Singtam and 27 kms away from Gangtok via Rumtek with maximum number of Rai communities living in it. The total population living in it is to be estimated about 300. Beng previously known as"Bhirkuna" was famous for its good quality oranges with the name"Bhirkuna Orange" within and outside Sikkim like kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi etc. within no time, Beng Khamdong will be turned into “Orange Village” of Sikkim due to its good quality and high quantity production of oranges.
AGRICULTURE:
More emphasis has been given on the agricultural and horticultural practices in this area. Beng Khamdong is one of the village in Sikkim where Effective Micro organism Technology (EMT) has been used. EMT is a procedure where organic manure is produced. This iaa key concept in making Sikkim an Organic State. The produced organic manure is also being supplied to various parts of the state. Various registered farmers clubs are also functioning in Beng Khamdong to promote organic farming.
INCOME:
The main source of income of the villagers is from export of orange, vegetable, ginger and dairy products. Some farmers are also engaged in bee keeping, poultry farming and fisheries.
WARD DEVELOPMENT OFFICE:
Ward Developmental Office (WDO) has also been setup under Beng Khamdong for effectively carrying out and promoting ward developmental activities. WDO is headed by Ward Panchayat as a chairperson and is assisted by Office Assistant. It maintains and keeps the knowledge of all the development works going around, data of population, agricultural activities and basic amenities like health, education etc.
EDUCATION:
Beng Khamdong has a Bhirkuna Junior High School which was established in the year 1980 as a Lower Primary School. It was recently upgraded to Junior High School (JHS) in the year 2010. Around 300 students has enrolled for the session 2012. New school building wil be constructed shortly and the same has been sanctioned by the HRD Department. School managing Committee (SMC) has also proposed to upgrade the school till Class X (Secondary level). Beng Khamdong being a village inhabited mostly by rai community has maximum enrollment of Rai students in school. Thus keeping in view the same, Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh (AKRS) Beng block has also requested the HRD Department for provision of a Rai language teacher for the upliftment of the Rai community.
Recently a livelihood school of Horticulture has also been set up by the State Institute of Capacity Building for making the locals more efficient in agricultural & horticultural activities.
A night school for the uneducated house wives and elderly people of the village will be opened shortly. The same was also operational few years back. ICDS is also functional in the area since very long time. Another ICDS, also called Modern ICDS is also functioning which is equipped with all the modern equipments that helps in over all development of children before going to school.
HEALTH:
Good health, being one of the very important and basic needs of any individual to develop his/her personality; Beng Khamdong has been organizing Health & Sanitation programmes since very long time. Recently launched CATCH programme of the HC, HS & FW Department, Government of Sikkim has helped and made the villagers aware of the prevailing diseases and control of the same. ASHA workers have been actively engaged in the making of a healthy society. Ward Development Committee have planned to establish a Health Sub Centre within the ward.
TOURISM:
Tourism being the back bone of any developing countries, Government of Sikkim has been giving more emphasis on promoting tourism in various ways. Sikkim has been attracting many tourists, both domestic and international by its natural beauty. Beng Khamdong also carries the capabilities of attracting tourists by its natural beauty. Under the ward sabha, a proposal of setting up of “Home Stay” has also been put up by Ward Development Committee. Under the initiative taken by Ward Panchayat Shri. M. J. Rai, 6 dust bins has been installed at identified spots to make Beng Khamdong a litter free ward. The Government of Sikkim has already sanctioned grants for the construction of “Mangkhim” a Rai temple, which will add as an attraction for the tourists.