Sikkim - The Purbottar

30 Dec

Shaan, Laure, 1974 AD to Headline 71st Maghey Sankranti Mela 2026 in Sikkim’s Jorethang

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The 71st Maghey Sankranti Mela 2026 in Jorethang is set to become one of the biggest cultural events in Sikkim with a long line-up of well-known artistes from Bollywood, Nepal and the region. The festival will run for nine days and will bring together music, culture and community celebrations in a grand way. One of the biggest highlights of the Mela will be the live performance by popular Bollywood playback singer Shaan, who is loved across India for his melodious voice and evergreen songs. Large crowds are expected to gather for his show, as his appearance has already created a…

27 Dec

Enthusiastic State-Level Tamu Lhochhar Celebration Held at Yangang in Sikkim

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The state-level celebration of Tamu Lhochhar, the New Year festival of the Gurung community, is being held at Yangang constituency in Sikkim with great enthusiasm and strong participation from people across the state. The programme is being organised as a major cultural event this year, and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) attended the function as the chief guest. Tamu Lhochhar is one of the most important festivals of the Gurung community. The word “Tamu” refers to the Gurung people, while “Lhochhar” means New Year. The festival marks the beginning of a new year according to the Gurung calendar and…

26 Dec

First-Ever Burtuk Half Marathon to Be Held on Valentine’s Day 2026 with ‘Run for Love & Life’ Theme

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The first edition of the Burtuk Half Marathon has been announced, and it will be held on 14 February 2026. The event is being organised by Ranka Sporting Club, and it will take place under the theme “Run for Love & Life.” The organisers say the marathon aims to bring the community together and encourage people to take up a simple, healthy way of living through running. This marathon has come up with strong support and guidance from the Honourable Chief Minister, Shri Prem Singh Tamang, and the Honourable Area MLA, Madam Kala Rai. Both leaders have been encouraging youth…

24 Dec

ZSI Scientists Identify Neelus sikkimensis in Eastern Himalayas

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Scientists have discovered a new species of springtail in the high-altitude regions of Sikkim, marking the first time this particular genus has been recorded in India. The discovery has added an important chapter to the country’s growing list of insect species and has once again drawn attention to the rich but fragile biodiversity of the Himalayan region. The species was identified by researchers from the Zoological Survey of India, one of the country’s leading scientific bodies involved in documenting animal life. The newly discovered springtail belongs to the genus Neelus and has been named Neelus sikkimensis, after the state where…

23 Dec

Indra Kumar Limboo, Ashok Kumar Tshong Named for Chemjong Literary and Special Awards 2026

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The 2026 Chemjong Literary Award will be conferred on noted Limboo writer Indra Kumar Limboo (Pokhim) of Sakyong, near Geyzing, in recognition of his long and dedicated contribution to Limboo literature. The award is considered one of the most respected honours in the Limboo literary world. Indra Kumar Limboo is a well-known novelist, poet and lyricist who has been closely associated with the Limboo literary movement for several decades. Through his writings and creative work, he has played an important role in the development, growth and promotion of the Limboo language. His work has helped preserve linguistic identity while encouraging…

23 Dec

Medhavi Skills University Ties Up with Scotland’s Qualifications Body for Global Opportunities for Indian Students

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Medhavi Skills University (MSU) has established a strategic Progression Partnership with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), aiming to enhance the internationalization of Indian higher education and align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This partnership is designed to provide globally aligned, skill-integrated learning pathways, enabling both Indian and international learners to engage in work-integrated, credit-bearing programs in India. These pathways offer clear progression routes towards universities and worldwide employment opportunities, directly supporting the NEP 2020 initiative to integrate vocational and higher education, strengthen national credit frameworks, and foster high-quality global connections. A notable signing ceremony featured a delegation from…

18 Dec

Sikkim Police Issue Strict Winter Safety Guidelines for Tourist Vehicles Amid Peak Season

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Office of the Inspector General of Police, Check Post Headquarters in Gangtok, has issued strict winter safety guidelines for all tourist vehicles moving across Sikkim. The order was released on December 16 and will remain in force from December through the end of March. The decision comes ahead of the peak tourist season when many visitors travel to snow-covered parts of the state. According to the order, police stations in Chungthang, Lachen, Lachung, Sheruthang and Kupup have been directed to enforce the rules closely. These are the areas where heavy snowfall, road blockages and sudden changes in weather often…

17 Dec

International Pedagogical Exchange Workshop Held at DIET Gyalshing to Promote Global Teaching Practices

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A full day of discussion, learning, and shared classroom experiences marked the Pedagogical Exchange Workshop held on December 12 at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Gyalshing. The workshop was organised by the Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee (KCC) in collaboration with the National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore, and DIET Gyalshing.The programme brought together teacher trainees from Singapore and educators from Gyalshing, creating a space for open academic exchange and professional interaction. The workshop aimed to strengthen international cooperation in teacher education and encourage the sharing of new and practical teaching methods that can be used in classrooms. The…

17 Dec

Supercars Roll On Silk Route To Promote Sikkim Tourism

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim hosted a supercar rally featuring 17 of the world’s most iconic high-performance vehicles — from Lamborghinis to Porsches — on the state’s rugged mountain terrain. According to officials, the rally was organised from December 12 to 15 under the Ministry of Defence’s ‘Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan’ initiative to boost battlefield and border tourism. The event was a civil–military initiative conducted under the aegis of Army’s Trishakti Corps in partnership with Super Car Route (Mumbai) and the Government of Sikkim, aimed at promoting responsible tourism, showcasing India’s border heritage and strengthening bonds between citizens and the Armed Forces. The event was…

16 Dec

Sikkim Assembly’s ST Recommendation for 12 Indigenous Communities Welcomed as Historic Step

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The decision of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly to recommend Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for 12 long-excluded indigenous communities has been welcomed by indigenous groups across the state, who described the move as a long-awaited step after decades of delay and uncertainty. The resolution was passed by the Assembly on December 12, approving and ratifying the final report of the Sikkim State High-Level Committee. The report recommends that 12 indigenous communities be included in the Scheduled Tribe list under the Constitution of India. With the Assembly’s approval now in place, the matter will move to the national level, where it will…