Sikkim

Heavy rain, winds cut power in Gangtok

Heavy rain, winds cut power in Gangtok

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…
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Sikkim milk breaks silence on viral video controversy

Sikkim milk breaks silence on viral video controversy

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…
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33 schools shine at Dentam TLM Exhibition in Sikkim

33 schools shine at Dentam TLM Exhibition in Sikkim

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…
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Lachung, Lachen, Yumthang routes open despite rumours

Lachung, Lachen, Yumthang routes open despite rumours

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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Sikkim BJP flags ‘serious lapse’ in STNM hospital services

Sikkim BJP flags ‘serious lapse’ in STNM hospital services

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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Sikkim’s Nathula corridor closed after heavy snowfall

Sikkim’s Nathula corridor closed after heavy snowfall

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

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

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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Sikkim commemorates 134th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar

Sikkim commemorates 134th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar

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

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

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

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

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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