Sikkim - The Purbottar

22 Jul

Over 60 students join ABVP’s Prant Abhyas Varg in Sikkim

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Sikkim-Darjeeling Prant, organised a three-day student training camp — the Prant Abhyas Varg — at Janta Bhawan in Gangtok. The camp witnessed enthusiastic participation from over sixty students representing various colleges and universities across the state. The camp offered an immersive experience through lectures, group discussions, ideological sessions, and cultural activities, all designed to cultivate discipline, leadership, and a strong sense of cultural and social awareness among students. Organisers emphasised that the purpose of the training was not limited to academic growth but extended to nurturing character, civic sense, and emotional bonding with society…

22 Jul

Puja Held At New Shiva Mandir In Raj Bhavan

Purbalee DuttaSikkim

On the auspicious second Monday of the holy month of Sawan (Shravan), Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay performed the ‘Pran Pratishtha Puja’ at the newly built Shiva Temple within the Raj Bhavan premises. The month of Sawan holds deep spiritual importance in Hindu tradition, and it is widely believed that offering prayers to Lord Shiva on Sawan Mondays brings divine blessings. According to a Raj Bhavan press release, the Governor and Chief Minister prayed for the prosperity of the State's citizens and the well-being of society during a special puja ritual held in the temple…

21 Jul

Dr. Indra Hang Subba raises alarm over Glacial melting in Sikkim

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) Lok Sabha MP Dr. Indra Hang Subba urged the central government to address a series of pressing issues that directly impact Sikkim and have far-reaching national implications. Representing the voice of Sikkim in the national forum, Dr. Subba called for a holistic approach to challenges that affect the region’s ecology, youth, infrastructure, and security. Speaking in clear and firm terms, he said these were not isolated concerns of a small Himalayan state, but urgent matters that require collective national attention. One of the most serious concerns raised by the MP was the alarming retreat of glaciers…

19 Jul

Gangtok clash sparks political dispute in Sikkim

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Political tensions flared in Sikkim after a reported violent incident near Gangtok’s Sadar Police Station on the night of July 17, involving members of the Citizen Action Party (CAP). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come down hard on the Sikkim Police, accusing them of negligence and demanding full disclosure, including CCTV footage from the site. The incident, which reportedly took place within or near the premises of Sadar Police Station, has reignited debate over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. BJP spokesperson Passang Gyali Sherpa, addressing the media in Gangtok, condemned the alleged attack and questioned…

17 Jul

Govt employees in Sikkim barred from seeking political help for promotions

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government has issued a fresh warning to all state government employees against using political or external influence to secure personal benefits related to service matters. The directive reinforces long-standing rules meant to ensure transparency and fairness in public service. The circular, issued by the Department of Personnel on July 15, was signed by Chief Secretary R. Telang and serves as a direct reminder of Rule 21 under the Sikkim Government Servants' Conduct Rules, 1981. This rule explicitly bars government employees from seeking political or other forms of external influence to advance their personal interests in areas such as…

16 Jul

Sikkim empowers police and vets to tackle animal cruelty

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government has launched a multi-agency crackdown, equipping police officers, veterinary professionals, and community volunteers with the tools and training necessary to treat animal abuse as a serious criminal offence. The campaign signals a shift in how the state plans to handle cruelty cases—not as minor infractions, but as precursors to deeper societal violence. On July 15, nearly 70 police officers from across the state participated in a dedicated workshop held at the Sikkim Police Headquarters. The session, organized jointly by the State Animal Husbandry Department and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, focused on strengthening…

15 Jul

Lepcha seeks support for modern tea processing unit in Sikkim’s Nathang-Machong region

editorSikkim

D.T. Lepcha, a member of the Rajya Sabha from Sikkim, has reiterated his call for the resuscitation of the ancient trade route between India and Tibet via the Nathula Pass. Dr. Lepcha met with Aishwarya Singh, Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce, today at Udyog Bhawan in New Delhi, to stress the economic and strategic significance of reopening the trade channel. Dr. Lepcha emphasized Sikkim's special status as a border state and stated that resuming trade through Nathula will strengthen regional ties, assist India's Act East Policy, and improve local economies. "There is historical significance to the Indo-Tibet trade…

14 Jul

Dorjee Tshering Lepcha demands border be officially named ‘Indo-Tibet’

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Dorjee Tshering Lepcha has renewed his call for the central government to officially recognise the boundary between Sikkim and the Tibet Autonomous Region as the "Indo-Tibet border", instead of the commonly used "Indo-China border." Citing historical and geopolitical concerns, Lepcha emphasized the need to reflect Tibet’s distinct identity in India’s official communications and policy narratives.During a visit to the border village of Machong in Sikkim on Saturday, Lepcha told reporters that the issue was not new and had already been raised by him during the 2024 Monsoon and 2025 Budget Sessions of Parliament. “This is…

12 Jul

Tourism in Sikkim gets a boost with people-centric approa

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim’s tourism sector is charting a renewed path of growth and inclusion under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, according to Lukendra Rasaily, Chairman of the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC). Addressing recent developments, Rasaily outlined a robust roadmap aimed at empowering local entrepreneurs, strengthening infrastructure, and promoting Sikkim’s rich cultural identity. “Tourism is not just about destinations—it’s about people, skills, and stories,” Rasaily said, attributing the state’s renewed tourism vision to the proactive involvement of the Chief Minister. He praised CM Tamang’s commitment to youth development and support for Self-Help Groups (SHGs), many of which are now…

11 Jul

Dalai Lama deserves Bharat Ratna for lifelong service to humanity : Nishikant Dubey

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

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.”…