Sonakshi Sarkar

The Alley Dechen Choling Gumpa in Namchi witnessed a spiritually vibrant celebration of Lhabab Duchen, drawing monks, devotees, and well-wishers to participate in a two-day ceremony dedicated to peace, prosperity, and the well-being of all sentient beings. The sacred event was presided over by His Eminence Kyabje Dhakpo Rinpoche, featuring traditional rituals such as Rewa Sangh, Solkha, and Tse-wang offerings, performed with deep reverence and devotion. The ceremonies commemorated the Buddha’s descent from the heavenly realms, reinforcing the spiritual significance of Lhabab Duchen in the Buddhist calendar. In addition to the religious observances, the celebration paid heartfelt tribute to the…

Sikkim’s trail runner Shanti Rai has brought pride to her state by securing first place in the Kohima Ultra Trail 70 km open female category at the Trail Run Championship held in Kohima, Nagaland, on November 8, 2025. She completed the challenging 70-kilometre run in 10 hours and 52 minutes, earning applause from fellow runners, sports enthusiasts, and people across Sikkim. The Kohima Ultra Trail is known for its tough route, steep hills, and rough mountain paths that test both physical strength and mental endurance. Competing against experienced runners from across the country, Shanti displayed remarkable stamina, focus, and willpower…

While emphasizing the need for capacity building and skill enhancement in key sectors, Sikkim Minister Puran Gurung highlighted that the state, despite being the second most literate in the North East after Mizoram, continues to face challenges in human resource development. Addressing a gathering in Pakyong, Minister Gurung observed that Sikkim’s high literacy rate has not yet fully translated into technical expertise, entrepreneurship, or innovation, particularly in emerging sectors such as fisheries, livestock, and cooperative ventures. He stressed that while the state has made significant progress in education, there remains a pressing need to invest in skill development and professional…

In a move to ensure uninterrupted connectivity and the timely completion of highway projects in Sikkim, Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officials of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) at its headquarters in New Delhi. The discussions primarily focused on the progress of works along NH-10 and other national highways across the state. The NHIDCL delegation included Manoj Kumar, Executive Director (Technical); U.J. Chamargore, Director (Technical); Ankush Mehta, General Manager; and Ashok Kumar Saha, Regional Officer (Sikkim), while Executive Director Jagdeep Singh of Siliguri joined via video conferencing. Officials…

A resident of Singtam in Sikkim has reportedly lost ₹6.36 lakh after falling prey to a sophisticated online investment scam operated through a fake Telegram account. The victim, believing he was dealing with a legitimate firm, transferred money in multiple instalments over a period stretching from June 27 to September 3. According to police sources, the fraudster promised high returns and convinced the individual to send funds through Google Pay to several bank accounts. When the victim began questioning the delay in receiving profits, he was pressured into paying an additional ₹1 lakh on the false assurance that the amount…

A one-day awareness programme on anti-human trafficking was held at the Ranka BAC Hall on October 31, organised by the Sikkim State Commission for Women in collaboration with the National Commission for Women. The programme focused on strengthening community vigilance, improving coordination among agencies, and empowering vulnerable groups through awareness, legal support and protection mechanisms. The event brought together senior students of Ranka Senior Secondary School, Self-Help Group members, ASHA workers, NGO representatives, Ward Panchayat leaders, officials from the Block Development Administration, and staff from the GPU and One-Stop Centre, Gangtok. The broad participation reflected the shared responsibility required to…