Sikkim - The Purbottar

01 Aug

Raj Bhavan Holds ‘Utkarsh Utsav’

Purbalee DuttaNews, Sikkim

Raj Bhavan Sikkim hosted a special event, ‘Utkarsh Utsav,’ on Thursday to mark the completion of one year of Om Prakash Mathur's tenure as the 18th Governor of Sikkim. The celebration saw the presence of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder, Speaker M.N. Sherpa, and other dignitaries. A key moment was the release of the book Jaise Mene Janna, featuring the Governor’s speeches over the year. Reflecting on his journey, Governor Mathur spoke about his travels across the state, including visits to border villages under the Vibrant Villages Programme. He praised Sikkim’s people for their unity, sustainability…

31 Jul

Sikkim launches ‘Aama Samman Diwas’ to recognise mothers’ role

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Government of Sikkim has officially declared August 10 as “Aama Samman Diwas” (Mother’s Honour Day), to be observed annually in recognition of the immense contributions made by mothers to family, society, and the state. The announcement was made through a formal notification issued by Chief Secretary R. Telang, marking a unique initiative aimed at honouring motherhood in both spirit and practice. The notification described mothers as central figures in shaping the lives of future generations through compassion, empathy, and deeply rooted values. Their silent sacrifices, emotional labour, and selfless devotion to raising responsible citizens, the government stated, are vital…

31 Jul

Sikkim To Be Developed As Model State In Cancer Prevention

Purbalee DuttaNews, Sikkim

Cancer cases in Sikkim are rising at a concerning pace, prompting strong action from the state government. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, the Health and Family Welfare Department and the Department of Science and Technology have been working together to address the issue. A detailed analysis of decade-long cancer data revealed distinct trends in cancer types, ethnicity, and geographic patterns. This data was shared with the Department of Health Research and Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, along with a request for targeted interventions. In response, an expert consultation on cancer prevention and control in Sikkim…

30 Jul

Heavy rain causes landslides and floods in Sikkim and Bengal

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Relentless monsoon rains have triggered widespread landslides and flooding across Sikkim and adjoining districts of West Bengal, disrupting vital road links and severely impacting connectivity. The swelling Teesta river overflowed its embankments near 29 Mile, submerging a significant portion of National Highway-10 (NH-10) — the lifeline that connects Sikkim with Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts of West Bengal.Officials confirmed that a massive landslide at Tarkhola in Kalimpong district halted traffic movement between Sevoke and Rangpo, further worsening the situation. Another major slide occurred at Bardang between Singtam and Rangpo, blocking NH-10 completely. Due to continuous rainfall since Sunday, restoration efforts have…

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…