Sikkim - The Purbottar

28 Apr

Candlelight march in Gangtok honors Pahalgam attack victims

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Hundreds of people gathered in Gangtok today to condemn the recent terror attack at Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. A candlelight march, led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, saw participation from government officials, public representatives, and citizens from all walks of life. The Chief Minister, joined by his Cabinet colleagues and senior officials, expressed deep sorrow over the attack. He said the march symbolized Sikkim’s collective stand against terrorism and its commitment to peace, harmony, and brotherhood. “The people of Sikkim are united in rejecting violence and supporting a future of peace,” Tamang stated. Participants carrying candles walked solemnly through…

26 Apr

Siddheshwara Dham’s 15th year celebrated with divine fervor

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Friday attended the grand concluding ceremony of the week-long Shrimad Bhagavat Saptaha Gyan Mahayajna at Siddheshwara Dham, commemorating the 15th Foundation Year of the revered pilgrimage site in Namchi. The spiritual event, which began on April 19, drew hundreds of devotees from across the region. Chief Minister Tamang described his presence at the ceremony as a “profound honour” and praised the week-long gathering as a celebration of “divine devotion and collective faith.” Led by Jagatguru Ananta Bidhushtu Balashanta Mohan Sharan Devacharya Maharaj and Shri Bihari Saran Guru Maharaj, the discourse focused on values…

25 Apr

Sikkim halts tourist travel to Lachen, Lachung after landslides

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim Police's Permit Cell has announced the suspension of all tourist permits for North Sikkim, effective from April 25, 2025, due to ongoing heavy rainfall and landslides that have blocked vital roads. This decision comes as over 1,000 tourists remain stranded in Lachung, with roads leading to popular tourist destinations like Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake rendered impassable. The advisory, issued on April 24, highlights significant landslides at Munshithang along the Lachen-Chungthang road and at Lema/Bob on the Lachung-Chungthang road, making these routes unsafe. Although the road to Chungthang remains open, authorities have warned that it is unsafe to travel…

24 Apr

Heavy rain, winds cut power in Gangtok

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Strong winds and heavy rainfall have left several parts of Gangtok without electricity for over 12 hours following a storm on April 23, which caused significant damage to the town's power infrastructure. The storm uprooted trees, which fell on power lines and electric poles, leading to major power outages in areas like Deorali, Tadong, and Upper Sichey. Residents reported losing power late Wednesday evening, and as of Thursday morning, electricity had still not been restored. The ongoing power cut has caused disruptions for both households and businesses, as people are struggling without lights, internet, and essential services. The Power Department…

22 Apr

Sikkim milk breaks silence on viral video controversy

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A viral video showing what appeared to be curdled milk from the Sikkim Co-operative Milk Producers' Union Limited (Sikkim Milk) has sparked widespread alarm. The footage, posted on social media, shows a packet of Sikkim Milk curdling into clumps, leading some viewers to mistake it for contamination or plastic-like substances. In response, Sikkim Milk clarified that the milk shown in the video had passed its "Use By" date, which caused the natural curdling process. The Union explained that once milk exceeds its expiration date, microbial activity can lead to spoilage, even if the milk was initially pasteurized. The Union also…

18 Apr

33 schools shine at Dentam TLM Exhibition in Sikkim

Banasree SarkarSikkimSikkim MP

Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba reaffirmed his commitment to improving education in the region during his visit to the Teaching-Learning Materials (TLM) Exhibition-cum-Competition held on April 18 at Dentam. The event, organized by the Office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) N. K. Karki, saw the participation of 33 schools from the Dentam subdivision. The exhibition focused on showcasing creative and student-developed teaching tools designed to enhance classroom learning. MP Subba praised the event for its role in promoting student-centric, engaging, and innovative teaching methods. “Education should inspire discovery, critical thinking, and creativity,” Subba said, echoing the vision of…

17 Apr

Lachung, Lachen, Yumthang routes open despite rumours

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Tourists planning trips to North Sikkim can breathe a sigh of relief as roads to popular destinations like Lachung, Lachen, Yumthang, and Zero Point will remain open from April 19 to 25, despite rumours of a shutdown. The clarification was issued by the Superintendent of Police, Mangan District, on April 15, stating that no closures are planned. However, due to the Toong-Naga road being closed, the only operational route—Dickchu-Sankalang-Shipgyer-Chungthang—is experiencing heavy congestion. To manage traffic and ensure safety, strict movement regulations for heavy vehicles have been put in place: Phidang–Sankalang–Chungthang: Movement allowed from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM Chungthang–Sankalang–Phidang: Movement…

16 Apr

Sikkim BJP flags ‘serious lapse’ in STNM hospital services

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Sikkim, has voiced strong concern over the recurring disruption in water supply at the STNM Hospital in Sochakgang, terming it a serious failure in basic public service delivery. In a press statement issued on Tuesday, BJP Sikkim State President Dr. Thapa condemned the ongoing irregular water supply at the state’s premier government hospital, stating that the issue has become a weekly ordeal for patients and their families. “A hospital requires 24/7 water access for hygiene, care, and patient dignity. The current state of affairs is unacceptable,” Thapa said, questioning whether the problem stems from departmental…

16 Apr

Sikkim’s Nathula corridor closed after heavy snowfall

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Heavy snowfall along the Nathula-Tsomgo Lake corridor in East Sikkim on Tuesday left hundreds of tourists stranded, prompting an urgent rescue response by district authorities and emergency teams. Officials confirmed that over 1,500 vehicles with valid permits were allowed to access the popular tourist route earlier in the day. However, the sudden intensification of snowfall, particularly near Changu Lake and Nathula Pass, caused severe road blockages and traffic congestion. Rescue operations were swiftly launched to aid the stranded tourists. Local authorities deployed road-clearing equipment and coordinated with police and paramilitary forces to evacuate people from affected zones. The priority remains…

15 Apr

India’s first live photo of female Kaiser-i-Hind butterfly captured in Sikkim

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

In a landmark moment for India's wildlife conservation efforts, the first-ever live photograph of a female Kaiser-i-Hind butterfly (Teinopalpus imperialis, Hope 1843) has been captured in Sikkim. The rare sighting occurred on January 3, 2025, at 2:30 PM in the temperate forests of Ravangla, situated at an altitude of 2,300 meters. The stunning photograph was taken by Dr. Chewang Norbu Bhutia and Dr. Hishey Ongmu Bhutia, a veterinary couple and residents of Ravangla. The Kaiser-i-Hind, known as the "Emperor of India," is a highly elusive and endangered species, protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, highlighting…