Sikkim - The Purbottar

28 Jan

Sikkim celebrates Sonam Lhochhar with vibrant performances and unity

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim marked the pre-celebration of the Sonam Lhochhar festival on January 27 at Joutar Ground, Soreng, with vibrant cultural performances and a message of unity. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang described the event as a "festival of pride" and emphasized its significance in preserving the traditions of the Tamang community. Highlighting the decision to pre-celebrate, CM Tamang stated, “January 30 is a notified holiday for Sonam Lhochhar, allowing the Tamang people to celebrate at home with prayers and blessings. The state-level event today enables wider participation while respecting traditional observances.” The celebration, attended by diverse communities, reflected the inclusive approach…

27 Jan

CAP Chief Ganesh Rai slams SKM Government on Foundation Day

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Citizen Action Party (CAP) chief Ganesh Rai launched a scathing attack on the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) government during the party’s third foundation day celebration in Rangpo. Rai accused the SKM of rampant corruption, mismanagement of public funds, and failure to fulfill electoral promises, asserting CAP’s commitment to clean and accountable governance. Marking 50 years of Sikkim’s integration with India, Rai expressed disappointment over the state’s political direction, claiming that personal interests have consistently overshadowed public welfare. “Ministers and politicians have been bought and sold, but CAP remains steadfast in its principles of transparency and accountability,” Rai stated. He…

24 Jan

Sikkim’s Tsomgo Lake gets 50,000 new trees for sustainability

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

plantation drive has been launched around Sikkim’s iconic Tsomgo Lake. Spearheaded by Grow-Trees.com, the initiative aims to plant 50,000 more trees, raising the total to two lakh.Tsomgo Lake, a glacial marvel in the Himalayas, recorded an unprecedented 2,628 visitors in a single day in 2024. While tourism bolsters the local economy, it also heightens pollution and habitat degradation.“Tourism, while beneficial, poses risks to fragile ecosystems,” said Pradip Shah, co-founder of Grow-Trees.com. “Our efforts focus on increasing green cover to promote sustainable tourism.” The project emphasizes planting resilient native species like Rhododendron and Silver Fir, suited to the Himalayan climate. Local…

23 Jan

Kailash Kher praises Sikkim CM Tamang’s role in promoting cultural unity

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Renowned singer and Padma Shri awardee Kailash Kher praised Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for his visionary leadership in elevating the Jorethang Maghey Sankranti Mela to national and international prominence. Kher, performing at the festival's grand closing ceremony, lauded CM Tamang's dedication to showcasing Sikkim's cultural richness on a global platform.“CM Tamang is like my brother, and his efforts to transform the Jorethang Maghey Mela are truly commendable,” Kher said, emphasizing the festival's potential to rival India's most celebrated cultural events. The artist expressed his commitment to supporting Sikkim's cultural initiatives, adding, “I will always stand with Sikkim and…

22 Jan

Maghey Sankranti Mela 2025 closes with Chief Minister’s key announcements

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The week-long Maghey Sankranti Mela 2025 at Jorethang Playground concluded on January 21 with a grand ceremony, marking a significant cultural event in Sikkim. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, speaking at the event, announced the closure of all ongoing melas in the state to facilitate uninterrupted preparation for the upcoming board exams for Class 10 and Class 12 students. "This year's mela is historic as it was inaugurated by the Governor for the first time in Sikkim's history," CM Tamang said. "Starting tomorrow, all melas will be closed to ensure our students can focus on their studies without distractions." The…

21 Jan

Sikkim’s financial future to be revealed in 16th Finance Commission’s 2025 report

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The 16th Finance Commission of India, chaired by Dr. Arvind Panagariya, announced that its final report on Sikkim's financial health and development will be released in October 2025. The announcement was made during a press conference in Gangtok on January 20, 2025. Dr. Panagariya highlighted the Commission’s ongoing evaluation of state finances, emphasizing the need for equitable fund allocation based on standardized criteria. Key factors under review include forest cover, GDP contributions, and per capita income. “While we acknowledge Sikkim’s leadership in sustainable development and energy security, we must maintain fairness in our recommendations across all states,” he stated. The…

20 Jan

Finance Commission chairman Arvind Panagariya meets Sikkim CM

Deep EditorSikkim

The full team of the 16th Finance Commission, led by its chairman Arvind Panagariya, met Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang at the state secretariat in Gangtok on Monday. Panagariya and his colleagues arrived in Sikkim on Sunday on a five-day visit for consultation with various stakeholders. "This morning, I had the distinct honor of meeting the Hon’ble Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, Prof. Arvind Panagariya Ji, along with the esteemed members and distinguished officials of the commission, at my office, Tashiling Secretariat," Tamang said in a social media post.

20 Jan

CM Prem Singh Tamang-Golay inspects Jautar Stadium for Sonam Lhochar

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay visited Jautar Stadium in Soreng district to review the preparations for the upcoming state-level Sonam Lhochar celebrations scheduled for later this month. During the inspection, the Chief Minister assessed the progress of arrangements and issued directives to officials to ensure timely completion of all tasks. He emphasized maintaining the highest standards of organization for the event, which holds significant cultural importance for the Tamang community. Sonam Lhochar, marking the Tamang New Year, is celebrated with traditional fervor and community participation across Sikkim. The state-level celebration at Jautar Stadium is expected to draw a large…

17 Jan

SIBLAC proposes white paper on Sikkim’s 50-year journey

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

As Sikkim marks 50 years of statehood, the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has urged the state government to issue a comprehensive "White Paper" assessing the state's progress and challenges over the past five decades. SIBLAC has proposed the document, titled Sikkim: Then and Now—50 Years of Progress and Challenges, to critically examine fiscal health, demographic changes, and political developments. Key concerns raised by SIBLAC: Fiscal Health: The committee highlighted rising debt, income disparity, and concerns over financial sustainability. Population Influx: Protective measures for indigenous rights and cultural preservation were emphasized. Constitutional Safeguards: SIBLAC demanded action against illegal land…

16 Jan

DAC in Gangtok launches new systems to enhance public service delivery

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The District Administrative Centre (DAC) in Gangtok took a major step toward modernization with the launch of advanced systems and upgraded infrastructure aimed at enhancing public service delivery. The inauguration ceremony, held on January 15, was led by Kala Rai, MLA of Burtuk and Advisor to the Rural Development Department. Key projects unveiled included a Renovated Single Window System, a Token Management System, and beautification initiatives within the DAC complex. The Token Management System, designed to streamline public work requests, was the highlight, with District Magistrate Tushar Nikhare emphasizing its user-friendly and transparent design. Rai, accompanied by senior officials like…