Sonakshi Sarkar

Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai has earned a place on the global stage with her debut feature film, Shape of Momo (Nepali title: Chhora Jastai), being selected for the 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival in Spain. The film will compete in the prestigious ‘New Directors’ category, a segment renowned for spotlighting the most promising emerging voices in world cinema.This selection marks a historic moment—not just for Rai as a first-time feature director, but also for Sikkim and the broader Indian Nepali-speaking community, whose stories are seldom represented at such prominent international film events. Set in Rai’s home villages of Nandok…

The lifeline highway connecting Sikkim to the rest of India—National Highway 10 (NH-10)—has been completely shut down for three days following landslides and severe road damage triggered by relentless monsoon rains. The highway will remain closed to all vehicular traffic from 8 PM on August 3 to 6 PM on August 6, as urgent repair work is undertaken by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). The most alarming development occurred in West Bengal’s Kalimpong district, where a major crack was detected near a landslide-prone stretch between Coronation Bridge and Chitrey. Officials stated that the closure is essential…

More than 32,190 farmers in Sikkim have received financial support under the 20th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. The installment was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, as part of a nationwide disbursement of ₹20,500 crore directly into the bank accounts of over 9.53 crore eligible farmers.This direct financial transfer of ₹2,000 per farmer is part of the annual ₹6,000 assistance provided in three equal installments under the scheme. The money is meant to support basic farming needs such as purchasing seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs. In Sikkim, the number of farmers…

Sikkim's lone Lok Sabha MP, Indra Hang Subba, met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on August 1, pressing for urgent flood control and restoration measures along National Highway-10, which connects Sikkim to the rest of India. Subba submitted a memorandum highlighting the highway’s vulnerability to monsoon-induced landslides and floods, particularly along the Teesta River stretch in Kalimpong, West Bengal. He flagged the recurring damage between Sevoke and Melli as life-threatening for commuters and locals. The October 2023 flash flood, which altered the Teesta's course and raised the riverbed, worsened the situation with silt and debris accumulation, he…

The state of Sikkim celebrated the first anniversary of Governor Om Prakash Mathur’s tenure with a grand event titled Utkarsh Utsav, commemorating a year of service marked by development, inclusivity, and people-centric outreach. Reflecting on his journey as the 18th Governor of Sikkim, Mathur expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people and reaffirmed his commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth. “This year has been full of learning, inspiration, and meaningful connections,” he said, recalling his swearing-in at Raj Bhavan just a year ago. Over the past year, Governor Mathur traversed the state—from high-altitude Donkela Pass to festive events like Maghey Mela…