Sonakshi Sarkar

In a proud moment for North Sikkim, Chewang Laden Lachungpa (Khyoungbarpa), a resident of the remote high-altitude village of Lachung, has successfully cracked the prestigious GATE 2025 examination in Civil Engineering.Chewang, daughter of Kassang Chewang Khyoungbarpa, is an alumnus of Tashi Namgyal Academy, Gangtok, and completed her engineering degree from Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT). Her achievement has brought immense pride not only to her family and village but to the entire state. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is one of India’s toughest and most competitive exams, opening doors for postgraduate engineering courses and top positions in…

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on June 6 launched a vital aerial relief and evacuation operation in North Sikkim, airlifting 44 stranded individuals from the landslide-affected area of Chaten and delivering over a tonne of essential supplies. Using an MI-17 helicopter, the IAF carried out sorties from Pakyong Greenfield Airport, transporting 1,300 kg of relief materials and five officials from the Food and Civil Supplies Department to the cut-off region. Among the evacuees were 17 local residents. Officials confirmed that the aerial mission also supports the rotation and redeployment of army personnel, aiding on-ground operations amid ongoing disruptions caused by…

Sikkim has recorded 15 active COVID-19 cases, all exhibiting mild symptoms, according to state Health Minister G.T. Dhungel. Addressing the public, the minister emphasized that there are no severe cases, and all infected individuals are currently in isolation to prevent community transmission. Dhungel noted that the rise in cases aligns with a broader national trend, with neighboring states also reporting increasing infections. “We urge citizens not to panic but to remain alert and follow health advisories,” he said. The minister reiterated the importance of preventive measures such as mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and social distancing. He stressed that complacency could lead…

In a remarkable green initiative, 5,552 families across Sikkim have registered under the ‘Mero Rukh Mero Santati’ campaign to plant 108 trees for every newborn, reinforcing a unique blend of environmental conservation and cultural tradition. Launched by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang in February 2023, the initiative promotes tree plantation as a sacred duty associated with childbirth. The number 108, considered holy in Indian tradition, symbolizes blessings and life. With monsoon planting season underway, more than 5 lakh saplings are expected to be planted this year. According to the Forest and Environment Department, Namchi leads with 1,200 registrations, followed by…

Sikkim Chief Secretary R. Telang chaired a high-level review meeting on June 2 to assess the escalating disaster situation in Mangan district, where continuous rainfall and landslides have severely disrupted normal life. With roads blocked and essential services crippled, the administration is focused on restoring power, telecom, and transport links. Mangan District Magistrate Anant Jain briefed the chief secretary via video conference on rescue efforts and infrastructural damage. Over 1,678 stranded tourists from Lachung and Chungthang were evacuated on Monday, though more than 100 remain stranded in Lachen, according to DGP Akshay Sachdeva. The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority has…

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has restored vital road connectivity to Lachung in Sikkim’s Mangan district, paving the way for the evacuation of nearly 1,500 stranded tourists from Lachung and Lachen starting Monday, officials confirmed. Following heavy rains and a sudden cloudburst on May 30, extensive damage was inflicted across North Sikkim’s key tourist routes, including landslides, breaches, and damaged bridges. The affected roads—Lachung-Chungthang-Shipgyere-Sanklang-Dikchu and others—were left impassable, trapping hundreds of tourists. BRO teams cleared landslides, repaired damaged stretches, and restored one-way vehicular passage near the suspension bridge at Phidang, ensuring safe transit for rescue operations. Two bailey bridges on…