Updated:- 28/Oct/2022
A Museum dedicated to the Victoria cross awardee and war hero Late Ganju Lama has been established by his family at his ancestral Sangmoo village in South Sikkim.
For knocking down two Japanese tanks with an anti-tank weapon during World War II, Ganju Lama well known as the ‘tank killer’, his statue is also erected here.
The Museum was inaugurated by Chief Minister Prem Tamang and displayed his medals, souvenirs, artifacts, uniforms, and the memorabilia attached to the soldier. Also, he congratulated Lama’s family members for their achievement and called the establishment of the museum and the statue as a “historic event”.
It was also announced by him that stories about Lama and other courageous men and women would be incorporated into the school curriculum so that the students cognize them and their works. Along with this, he also said that the museum will also be included on the tourist map and provide a guide for visitors.
Born as Gyamtso Shangdarpa, Lama joined the British Indian Army at the age of 17. He was then honoured with the prestigious war medal two years later in 1944.
Till his retirement in 1968 after Independence, he remained with the 11th Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army and after his retirement, he was designated as honorary ADC to the President of India for life.
Later, he also established a school in his village and got involved in social work and then, died in his village on June 30, 2000.
A Gate at an army complex is also named after him in Gangtok.
Pema Ledya, his son thanked the Chief Minister for inaugurating the museum and the Indian Army for helping the family in establishing it. He also added to this that people might have forgotten about Ganju Lama but the museum will help in spreading his stories to the world.
