Sikkim

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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14 Apr

Sikkim commemorates 134th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The 134th Birth Anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was commemorated today at a special function held at the Sikkim Legislative Assembly complex. The event was chaired by the Governor of Sikkim, Om Prakash Mathur, and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. It was attended by Speaker MN Sherpa, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Advisors, Chairpersons, and other dignitaries who gathered to pay tribute to the architect of the Indian Constitution.

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14 Apr

Sikkim NGO under fire as 192 distributed goats d*e mysteriously

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

In a shocking incident from Sikkim's Gyalshing district, 192 goats distributed under a government-linked welfare scheme have mysteriously died, triggering an official investigation into possible procedural violations and negligence. The goats were handed over to beneficiaries in the Arithang-Chongrang GPU on March 4 by the NGO Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi (RGVN) and its local coordinators. According to Gyalshing District Collector-cum-District Magistrate Tenzing D. Denzongpa, the distribution was carried out without prior approval from the District Administration or the Animal Husbandry Department. “The goats were not quarantined or subjected to medical checks, as mandated by state regulations,” Denzongpa said in a…

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12 Apr

Dilu Tamang to showcase Sikkim’s rich heritage at ‘Ullas’ in Japan

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim’s celebrated folk dancer Dil Kumari Tamang, popularly known as Dilu, is all set to represent India at the international cultural event ‘Ullas’ in Osaka, Japan, scheduled for April 12. Her selection has been hailed as a proud moment for the state. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang extended his heartfelt congratulations to Dilu, who was chosen by the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s national academy for music, dance, and drama. She is among just 13 artistes selected from across the country for the event. Dilu will perform three traditional Sikkimese folk dances — Maruni, Ghatu, and Tamang Selo — which…

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10 Apr

Sikkim’s education gets a boost with first Model School in Lingzey

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Tuesday inaugurated the state’s first-ever model school at Lingzey under the Namcheybong constituency, aiming to provide quality and inclusive education, especially for students from underprivileged backgrounds. Calling it a “transformative moment,” Tamang said the model school reflects the state government’s commitment to equitable education. “Every child deserves a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their background. This school is a step toward that goal,” the Chief Minister said at the event. He emphasized that education is more than academic success—it is a pathway to empowerment and equality. The model school, he added, is…

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09 Apr

Om Prakash Mathur reviews Sikkim projects, will attend ‘Gangtok Got Talent’

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur held a review meeting with Gangtok District Magistrate Tushar G. Nikhare at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday, focusing on key development schemes in the district. The discussion centred around the implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme, a central government initiative aimed at improving remote border villages. The DM briefed the Governor on major ongoing projects, including the Kuzu Eco Park at Gnathang, sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The eco-park is expected to promote rural tourism, generate jobs, and support sustainable development in the region. Governor Mathur praised the district administration for its dedication to…

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08 Apr

Sikkim advisor Lama proposes regional trade and transport plan

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

In a significant push for regional cooperation, Professor Mahendra P Lama, Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of Sikkim, has unveiled a comprehensive plan to transform trade and transport connectivity in Eastern South Asia. In his latest paper titled “Strengthening Trade and Transport Connectivity in Eastern South Asia”, published by UNESCAP in March 2025, Lama identifies the lack of efficient infrastructure and outdated border systems as key barriers to regional integration between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN). Lama emphasizes that despite shared borders and historical ties, the region faces high trade costs, poor road and rail networks, and complicated…

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