Sikkim - The Purbottar

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.”…

10 Jul

Sikkim promotes women leaders from grassroots to government

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government has appointed 12 women leaders from Self Help Groups (SHGs) as Chairpersons and Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) across various state departments. This bold initiative aims to deepen women’s participation in policymaking and administration while recognizing grassroots leadership. The announcement has been widely welcomed as a powerful signal of the state’s commitment to women's empowerment and local development. The appointments are expected to bring fresh community-driven perspectives into public administration and inspire more women across the state to pursue leadership roles. Expressing gratitude, the newly appointed women leaders collectively thanked Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for acknowledging…

09 Jul

All 6 Sikkim districts shine in 2023–24 SDG index

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim has emerged as a regional leader in sustainable development, with all six of its districts securing the prestigious ‘Front Runner’ status in the North Eastern Region District Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index 2023–24. The state now stands among the best-performing states in the Northeast, alongside Mizoram and Tripura, showcasing a balanced and inclusive approach to development. The index, released on July 7 by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MoDoNER) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), evaluates the performance of districts across 16 thematic SDG areas, including health, education, gender equality,…

08 Jul

CM Prem Singh Tamang empowers SHG women with key posts

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), has appointed 11 women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) as Chairpersons of various government departments, while another SHG member has been designated as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Panchayati Raj Department. The appointments mark a bold step toward inclusive governance, positioning grassroots women leaders at the heart of policymaking and public administration. The initiative is the first of its kind in India, redefining how SHG members—traditionally engaged in micro-finance and local development—can play formal roles in state governance and administration. The move follows a public pledge…

07 Jul

Tibetans and Sikkimese unite to celebrate Dalai Lama’s 90 years

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the revered Tibetan spiritual leader, was celebrated with deep reverence and festivity in Chandmari, Gangtok, on Saturday. The celebration highlighted not only his spiritual influence, but also his enduring global message of non-violence, compassion, and harmony. The event, organized by the Tibetan Settlement Office and the Tibetan community in Gangtok, drew a large gathering of devotees, local citizens, and dignitaries. The Chief Guest was Sikkim Legislative Assembly Speaker Mingma Norbu Sherpa, while other prominent attendees included Member of Parliament Indra Hang Subba, Director General of Police Akshay Sachdeva, and Syari…

07 Jul

Sikkim pays glowing tribute to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on 125th birth anniversary

Mohini BarmanSikkim

The 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a towering nationalist figure and architect of India’s cultural unity, was solemnly observed in Sikkim with a commemorative event at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang led the tributes, joined by the Deputy Speaker, Cabinet Ministers, Lok Sabha MP, MLAs, dignitaries, and senior officials. In his keynote address, Chief Minister Tamang described Dr. Mookerjee as a “visionary thinker, a dedicated educationist, and a fearless advocate for India’s unity and integrity.” “On this sacred milestone, we solemnly remember a visionary who laid the foundation for a self-reliant and united Bharat,”…