Dehradun, February 21, 2026 – Darjeeling Lok Sabha MP Raju Bista participated in the Gorkha Himalayan Festival 2026 organised by the Shaheed Durga Malla Memorial Trust in Dehradun today.
The vibrant cultural festival brought together artists, singers, dancers, and craftsmen from the Gorkha, Garhwali, Kumaoni, and Jaunsari communities across Darjeeling, Sikkim, Assam, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. The event showcased traditional performances, folk music, dance forms, and Himalayan cuisine and attire.
Bista paid rich tributes to the land of Gorkha martyrs, especially Shaheed Major Durga Malla, and highlighted Dehradun’s significant contribution to Gorkha language, literature, culture, science, and technology. He described the city as a unifying force for the Gorkha community across India.
Emphasising unity as the community’s greatest strength, Bista said, “When Gorkhas stand together, we can overcome any challenge.” He praised the organisers for successfully bringing the rich Himalayan cultural heritage under one platform and expressed hope that such festivals will continue to strengthen bonds within the community.
The festival is seen as a major platform to preserve and promote Gorkha identity, history, and cultural legacy in the Himalayan region.
Source: X/Raju Bista