Sonakshi Sarkar

Sikkim’s lone Member of Parliament, Dr. Indra Hang Subba, has formally appealed to the Ministry of Education to reinstate Rai, Sherpa, Tamang, and Gurung languages as optional second vernacular subjects in Classes XI and XII under the CBSE curriculum. The appeal comes after a joint representation was submitted by four prominent community organizations in Sikkim, emphasizing the importance of linguistic continuity and cultural preservation. Dr. Subba personally met Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at Parliament House and Minister of State for Education Dr. Sukanta Majumdar at his residence, advocating for the inclusion of these indigenous languages, which are already taught…

scheme offering Rs 5 lakh annual coverage for licensed commercial taxi drivers. The announcement was made during the Seventh Sarathi Samman Diwas, a day dedicated to recognising the contributions of taxi drivers. Initially, the scheme will benefit around 5,000 registered commercial drivers across the state, with plans to expand the coverage in future phases. “Taxi drivers are the unsung backbone of our state’s mobility and economy,” said CM Tamang. “Their tireless efforts ensure connectivity in our challenging terrain and support the state's economic growth.” The Chief Minister also commended the increasing participation of women drivers, calling it a positive step…

The Sikkim unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has publicly distanced itself from former party member YT Lepcha, asserting that he no longer holds any association—formal or informal—with the party. In a strongly worded press statement issued on July 25, BJP Sikkim declared that any political statements issued by Lepcha in the party’s name are entirely “personal, misleading, and unauthorised.” The party’s decision to sever ties with Lepcha stems from his open endorsement of a rival political party during the 2024 General Elections. Terming his actions a breach of party discipline, the BJP stated, “By aligning himself with a…

The Union Ministry of Communications’ claim that Sikkim has achieved 100% mobile network coverage across all 68 border villages under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) scheme has sparked criticism from tourists and local operators who report persistent connectivity issues in key destinations. While the Centre announced the installation of 11 new mobile towers, tourists travelling to Nathula Pass, Baba Mandir, and Tsongmo Lake highlighted frequent blackouts in these high-altitude areas. “There was no network after 3rd Mile Check Post. UPI and calls didn’t work — even Airtel failed,” said Surinder Singh, a tourist from Guwahati. Local driver Ajay Tamang confirmed,…

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Sikkim-Darjeeling Prant, organised a three-day student training camp — the Prant Abhyas Varg — at Janta Bhawan in Gangtok. The camp witnessed enthusiastic participation from over sixty students representing various colleges and universities across the state. The camp offered an immersive experience through lectures, group discussions, ideological sessions, and cultural activities, all designed to cultivate discipline, leadership, and a strong sense of cultural and social awareness among students. Organisers emphasised that the purpose of the training was not limited to academic growth but extended to nurturing character, civic sense, and emotional bonding with society…