Once a symbol of remoteness, Olangchung Gola is finding a new identity

For years, “You might be transferred to Olangchung Gola” was a familiar expression among government employees, used to describe an exceptionally remote posting. Even in rural Taplejung, people would jokingly say a football kicked far outside the field had “reached Gola.”

The settlement, however, has always had an identity beyond its isolation.