KalimNews, June 22, 2025, Darjeeling : In a significant ceremony held on June 22, 2025, in Darjeeling, Renuleena Subba, the former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Kalimpong and a key leader of the All India Gorkha League, was honored with the Subash Ghisingh Memorial Highest Civilian Award. The award, which is named after the renowned political leader and founder of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), was conferred upon Subba for her exceptional contributions to the welfare of the Gorkha community.
The award was presented by Anit Thapa, Chief Executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), during an event marking the 89th birth anniversary of Subash Ghisingh. held at Gorkha Rangamanch in Darjeeling, In the presence of notable leaders such as Neeraj Zimba, MLA of Darjeeling, and Ruden Sada, MLA of Kalimpong, Subba was given a shawl, a citation, a memento, and a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh.
The Subash Ghisingh Memorial Award is an annual recognition presented by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) to individuals who have made significant contributions to the community, particularly in areas such as social work, education, cultural preservation, and overall development. This prestigious award serves as a tribute to Ghisingh’s leadership, which led to the creation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) and later the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. Ghisingh played a crucial role in advocating for the rights and autonomy of the Gorkha people, particularly in the Darjeeling district, where he fought for self-governance.
Renuleena Subba, a trailblazer in her own right, became the first female MLA of the Darjeeling Hills and earned the distinction of being a two-time MLA in 1977 and 1982, representing the Gorkha community as an independent candidate of the All India Gorkha League. Despite the specific details of her contributions being less widely known, Subba’s service to the community has spanned various sectors, including social justice, leadership, and cultural advocacy. In recognition of her selfless dedication, she was given the honor of being the first recipient of this prestigious award.
At 85 years old, Renuleena Subba, who was once a primary school teacher, has earned the moniker of the “Iron Lady of Cinchona” for her resilience and leadership. Her involvement in politics, coupled with her unwavering commitment to the Gorkha cause, was instrumental in creating positive change in the region.
While the ceremony was a moment of celebration, not everyone in the Subba family shared in the joy. Des Bhakt Subba, Renuleena Subba’s son, had expressed his discomfort regarding the award, noting the history of political conflict between the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and his family. He had shared how his family had faced social boycott and harassment during the period of agitation led by Ghisingh’s party, and he criticized the award’s association with someone who had caused his family significant trauma.
However, despite the criticism, the event remained largely focused on honoring the legacy of Subash Ghisingh, and Anit Thapa, the Chief Executive of the GTA, used the occasion to announce that the auditorium of the Gorkha Rangamanch (formerly known as Bhanu Bhawan) would be named the Subash Ghising Auditorium in honor of Ghisingh’s lasting impact. Thapa emphasized that despite any political differences, Ghisingh’s role as a founding leader in the fight for Gorkha rights could not be denied.
Thapa also addressed the pressing issue of land rights for the Gorkha community, stating that a significant portion of the land where many Gorkhas reside is still not officially owned by them. He reiterated that Subash Ghisingh had fought for the rights of Gorkha families to own their land and called on Gorkha leaders to come together to address these issues, urging them to unite for the welfare of the community.
The ceremony also saw addresses from Mann Ghisingh, President of the GNLF, who praised Anit Thapa’s gesture as a tribute to his late father. In her remarks, Renuleena Subba emphasized the need for positive politics that rises above divisive rhetoric, stating that everyone should remember the good deeds of Subash Ghisingh and work together for the betterment of the Gorkha community.
The event was a poignant reminder of the complex history and ongoing struggles of the Gorkha people, while also marking a step forward in recognizing those who continue to work toward unity, progress, and the preservation of the Gorkha identity.
