Sikkim - The Purbottar

11 Apr

Gangtok Faces Severe Water Crisis Across Multiple Localities

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Several areas of Gangtok are facing a serious water shortage, with residents reporting major disruption in daily life due to irregular and insufficient supply.Localities such as Dara Gaon, Tadong and 6th Mile, along with nearby areas, have been among the worst affected. Residents said the water distribution system has failed in recent days, forcing many families to struggle for basic drinking water.The shortage has also affected students and small business owners. With academic schedules underway, many students are finding it difficult to manage studies without access to clean water. Locals said the situation has added to stress and inconvenience, especially…

11 Apr

Ablaze 2026 Grand Finale Held at Nar Bahadur Bhandari College, Gangtok

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The grand finale of Ablaze 2026 was held with much enthusiasm at the auditorium of Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government College in Gangtok, bringing together students, teachers and guests for a full day of cultural programmes and competitions.Justice A.P. Subba, Chairperson of Lokayukta, Sikkim, attended the event as the chief guest, while Arjun Kumar Ghatani, Advisor to the AYUSH Department, Government of Sikkim, was the guest of honour. The programme began with the arrival of dignitaries, followed by the national anthem and a welcome address by Vice Chancellor Jagannath Patnaik of ICFAI University Sikkim. The formal session included felicitation of guests,…

10 Apr

Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam amendment process advances; government moves closer to 33% women representation rollout

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Indra Hang Subba, Member of Parliament from Sikkim, has welcomed the Union Cabinet’s approval of a draft amendment Bill aimed at implementing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies from 2029.According to reports, the Centre is preparing changes to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to make the long-awaited provision operational. The move is expected to ensure that one-third of seats are reserved for women starting from the 2029 general elections. To enable discussion and passage of the proposed amendments, the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament has been extended by three days, from April 16…

10 Apr

Indian Oil Corporation Limited coordination restores LPG supply; ministry doubles 5kg cylinder support for vulnerable groups

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government has announced that the supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has been fully restored across the state, bringing relief to households after a recent disruption.In an official statement issued on April 9, the state’s Food and Civil Supplies Department said that LPG availability has returned to 100 per cent of pre-crisis levels. The restoration ensures that consumers can now access cooking gas cylinders without difficulty in all districts.Earlier, supplies had dropped to around 80 per cent after Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) reduced distribution due to a nationwide shortage. The shortage was linked to disruptions in global…

09 Apr

Scholars Gather in Deorali to Celebrate Legacy of Himalayan Women and Alexandra David-Neel

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The inaugural ceremony of a two-day international symposium on “Great Women in the Himalayas” was held on Thursday at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology in Deorali, marking the beginning of discussions on the role and contributions of women in the Himalayan region. The symposium is being organised to commemorate the legacy of Alexandra David-Neel, known for her pioneering journeys across Tibet and the Himalayas, and her work in bringing Himalayan culture and spirituality to the wider world. Scholars, researchers and students from different regions have gathered for the event to share their research and perspectives. The discussions are focused on…

09 Apr

Army Rescues 135 Stranded Tourists in Lachen, Evacuation of 1,000 More Underway

riya EditorSikkim

Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps has launched Operation ‘Him Setu’ to evacuate stranded tourists in Lachen, North Sikkim with 135 tourists safely evacuated, along with 32 light vehicles and 10 motorcycles, official sources said on Thursday morning. Evacuation is being conducted in phases. Approximately 1,000 tourists remain in Lachen, with sustained efforts underway to ensure their safe evacuation at the earliest. An Army official stated, “Our foremost priority is the safety and well-being of every citizen. Our teams remain committed to providing all necessary assistance on the ground.” The situation continues to be closely monitored.Army vehicles were employed for towing civilian…

09 Apr

Sikkim CM Calls on Sithamaraman;Discusses Key Developmental Priorities

riya EditorSikkim

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang called on Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Wednesday and discussed key developmental priorities of Sikkim, with emphasis on strengthening financial support, enhancing infrastructure, and accelerating sustainable growth in the State. Tamang expressed his gratitude to the finance minister for the inclusion of Part–X, “Pride of Hills: Special Development Assistance for the Hill States,” under SASCI 2026–27, along with the generous allocation earmarked therein. The Chief Minister also thanked Sitharaman for the recognition of the unique challenges faced by hill states and for the continued support extended…

08 Apr

Authorities Begin Regulated Rescue from Lachen as Road Damage Blocks Taram Chu

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The rescue and evacuation of stranded tourists in North Sikkim began on Wednesday under a regulated movement plan issued by the District Magistrate of Mangan, as authorities stepped up efforts to bring back those stuck in the Lachen sector. According to the plan, around 30 vehicles were scheduled to leave Lachen early in the morning and move towards Thangu. Officials said the vehicles would proceed further to Donkyla only after receiving clearance from the Army, as part of a coordinated and carefully monitored rescue operation. All other vehicles have been asked to remain on standby at Lachen until fresh instructions…

08 Apr

Rescue Teams Mobilize; Hundreds of Tourists Safely Moved Amid Taram Chu Road Breach

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The evacuation of tourists stranded in North Sikkim has started, bringing relief to hundreds who had been stuck for the past few days due to a damaged road.District Collector Anant Jain confirmed the development while speaking to Sikkim Chronicle. He said that rescue and evacuation teams have already begun moving people out from the affected areas in a phased manner.According to officials, around 170 vehicles and nearly 70 bikes have so far reached Donkela as part of the ongoing operation. These vehicles are being used to transport tourists safely from the stranded locations. Nearly 1,200 tourists had been stuck in…

08 Apr

Indian Army Opens Blocked Roads in Sikkim, Evacuation Underway

riya EditorSikkim

Stranded tourists in Lachen, Sikkim, are being evacuated through a cleared route by the Indian Army following heavy snowfall. This operation began on Wednesday morning and involves the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in collaboration with the District Administration and local officials. The evacuation is executed in batches to handle the challenging terrain effectively. Key officials, including District Collector Anant Jain and SP Mangan LB Chettri, supervised the process on-site. Officials praised the resilience and community spirit of Lachen's residents during this challenging time, noting the strong response from local organizations and stakeholders, which has garnered appreciation from the tourists and…