Sonakshi Sarkar

Nishikant Dubey, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology (2024–25), called for conferring the Bharat Ratna on the Dalai Lama and confirmed the launch of a new Doordarshan program dedicated to Sikkim’s Bhutia and Lepcha communities.During his four-day visit to Guwahati, Siliguri, and Gangtok, Dubey addressed a range of issues tied to regional culture, national integration, and public broadcasting. Speaking to reporters, he said, “A dedicated program on Bhutia and Lepcha culture will soon be aired on Doordarshan, starting next month. This initiative will offer national visibility to the unique traditions, languages, and customs of these communities.”…

The Sikkim government has appointed 12 women leaders from Self Help Groups (SHGs) as Chairpersons and Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) across various state departments. This bold initiative aims to deepen women’s participation in policymaking and administration while recognizing grassroots leadership. The announcement has been widely welcomed as a powerful signal of the state’s commitment to women's empowerment and local development. The appointments are expected to bring fresh community-driven perspectives into public administration and inspire more women across the state to pursue leadership roles. Expressing gratitude, the newly appointed women leaders collectively thanked Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for acknowledging…

Sikkim has emerged as a regional leader in sustainable development, with all six of its districts securing the prestigious ‘Front Runner’ status in the North Eastern Region District Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index 2023–24. The state now stands among the best-performing states in the Northeast, alongside Mizoram and Tripura, showcasing a balanced and inclusive approach to development. The index, released on July 7 by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MoDoNER) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), evaluates the performance of districts across 16 thematic SDG areas, including health, education, gender equality,…

The Sikkim government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), has appointed 11 women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) as Chairpersons of various government departments, while another SHG member has been designated as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Panchayati Raj Department. The appointments mark a bold step toward inclusive governance, positioning grassroots women leaders at the heart of policymaking and public administration. The initiative is the first of its kind in India, redefining how SHG members—traditionally engaged in micro-finance and local development—can play formal roles in state governance and administration. The move follows a public pledge…

The 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the revered Tibetan spiritual leader, was celebrated with deep reverence and festivity in Chandmari, Gangtok, on Saturday. The celebration highlighted not only his spiritual influence, but also his enduring global message of non-violence, compassion, and harmony. The event, organized by the Tibetan Settlement Office and the Tibetan community in Gangtok, drew a large gathering of devotees, local citizens, and dignitaries. The Chief Guest was Sikkim Legislative Assembly Speaker Mingma Norbu Sherpa, while other prominent attendees included Member of Parliament Indra Hang Subba, Director General of Police Akshay Sachdeva, and Syari…