Sikkim - The Purbottar

30 Jul

Landslides Disrupt Key Routes To Sikkim & Kalimpong

Purbalee DuttaNews, Sikkim

NH-10, the vital highway connecting Sikkim and Kalimpong to the plains, was shut down on Tuesday morning after the Teesta River overflowed onto the road following heavy overnight rainfall in North Sikkim. A similar situation affected the route to Darjeeling. The river’s water level began to recede around noon, allowing the highway to reopen, but a massive traffic jam ensued, with vehicles stuck for hours. Locals reported flooding in areas like Rabi Jhora, 29th Mile, and near the Teesta Bridge at Teesta Bazar, cutting off access between Kalimpong, Sikkim, and Darjeeling. Authorities had issued alerts in Melli, Teesta Bazar, and…

29 Jul

Dr. Subba fights for Rai, Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung languages in schools

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim’s lone Member of Parliament, Dr. Indra Hang Subba, has formally appealed to the Ministry of Education to reinstate Rai, Sherpa, Tamang, and Gurung languages as optional second vernacular subjects in Classes XI and XII under the CBSE curriculum. The appeal comes after a joint representation was submitted by four prominent community organizations in Sikkim, emphasizing the importance of linguistic continuity and cultural preservation. Dr. Subba personally met Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at Parliament House and Minister of State for Education Dr. Sukanta Majumdar at his residence, advocating for the inclusion of these indigenous languages, which are already taught…

29 Jul

MP Seeks CBSE Inclusion For Sherpa, Rai, Tamang, and Gurung Languages

Purbalee DuttaSikkim, State News

Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba has written to the Ministry of Education, supporting a joint appeal by four major community groups in Sikkim—Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh, Denjong Sherpa Association, Sikkim Tamang Buddhist Association, and All Sikkim Gurung (Tamu) Buddhist Association. They are urging the inclusion of Rai, Sherpa, Tamang, and Gurung languages as optional second languages in CBSE Classes XI and XII. Indra Hang met Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State for Education Dr. Sukanta Majumdar to stress the cultural and educational value of this request. The Ministry had previously rejected the appeal in a letter…

28 Jul

New insurance plan for Sikkim taxi drivers launched

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

scheme offering Rs 5 lakh annual coverage for licensed commercial taxi drivers. The announcement was made during the Seventh Sarathi Samman Diwas, a day dedicated to recognising the contributions of taxi drivers. Initially, the scheme will benefit around 5,000 registered commercial drivers across the state, with plans to expand the coverage in future phases. “Taxi drivers are the unsung backbone of our state’s mobility and economy,” said CM Tamang. “Their tireless efforts ensure connectivity in our challenging terrain and support the state's economic growth.” The Chief Minister also commended the increasing participation of women drivers, calling it a positive step…

26 Jul

Man Along With His Daughter Jumps Into Rangit River

Purbalee DuttaNews, Sikkim

Tragically, on Friday night, a young guy and his seven-month-old daughter apparently leaped into the Rangit River from the Gamon Bridge near Legship Bazaar. The man is from Jaigaon, West Bengal, and was living with his wife at his in-laws' house in Legship, according to sources. Following the receipt of information, Geyzing police and Legship locals began a search that lasted into the evening. However, the flooded river and diminishing light made the task difficult. The search may be momentarily halted and recommenced on Saturday morning, according to authorities. Citing the river's powerful current and rising water levels as a…

26 Jul

YT Lepcha no longer associated with BJP, says Sikkim unit

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has publicly distanced itself from former party member YT Lepcha, asserting that he no longer holds any association—formal or informal—with the party. In a strongly worded press statement issued on July 25, BJP Sikkim declared that any political statements issued by Lepcha in the party’s name are entirely “personal, misleading, and unauthorised.” The party’s decision to sever ties with Lepcha stems from his open endorsement of a rival political party during the 2024 General Elections. Terming his actions a breach of party discipline, the BJP stated, “By aligning himself with a…

25 Jul

Govt says all Sikkim villages have network, locals disagree

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Union Ministry of Communications’ claim that Sikkim has achieved 100% mobile network coverage across all 68 border villages under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) scheme has sparked criticism from tourists and local operators who report persistent connectivity issues in key destinations. While the Centre announced the installation of 11 new mobile towers, tourists travelling to Nathula Pass, Baba Mandir, and Tsongmo Lake highlighted frequent blackouts in these high-altitude areas. “There was no network after 3rd Mile Check Post. UPI and calls didn’t work — even Airtel failed,” said Surinder Singh, a tourist from Guwahati. Local driver Ajay Tamang confirmed,…

25 Jul

Despite Centre’s 100% Network Connectivity Claim, Nathu La Border Faces Signal Drop

Purbalee DuttaNews, Sikkim

A day after the Central Government declared that Sikkim has achieved 100% mobile network coverage across its 68 border villages, tourists and local drivers have raised concerns about persistent network issues in high-altitude tourist spots such as Nathu La Pass, Tsomgo Lake, and Baba Mandir. In a written statement to Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba on July 23, the Union Ministry of Communications announced that 11 mobile towers had been installed under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) scheme, covering all border villages. Sikkim and Assam were noted as the only Northeastern states to reach this milestone. However, on-ground experiences tell…

24 Jul

India connects 100% of Sikkim’s border villages to mobile network

Banasree SarkarSikkim

The Government of India has achieved complete mobile network coverage in all 68 identified border villages of Sikkim, and has successfully covered over 90% of similar habitations across the Northeastern states. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha by Sikkim MP Dr. Indra Hang Subba, the Ministry of Communications revealed that 4,696 out of 5,200 remote villages along international borders in the Northeast have now been connected. The milestone is especially significant for Sikkim, which shares strategic boundaries with China, Nepal, and Bhutan. The Digital Bharat Nidhi (earlier known as the Universal Service Obligation Fund or USOF) has played…

23 Jul

Sikkim MP urges centre to speed up development work

Banasree SarkarSikkim

Rajya Sabha MP D.T. Lepcha from Sikkim called upon the Central Government to fast-track infrastructure development in the Himalayan state. As Sikkim marks 50 years of its statehood, Lepcha said this is the right time for the Centre to prioritise the state’s development, especially in view of its strategic location and ongoing infrastructure challenges. “Sikkim is celebrating its golden jubilee, but the benefits of development have yet to fully reach our people,” Lepcha stated in the Upper House. He highlighted the state's sensitive geographical position, sharing borders with China, Bhutan, and Nepal, which demands stronger connectivity and robust civic infrastructure…