Sikkim - The Purbottar

11 Oct

To encourage local innovation and entrepreneurship, Sikkim starts a cohort program

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government launched a Cohort programme on Thursday at the Digital Nomad Village, Yakten. Organised by the District Administrative Centre (DAC) Pakyong in collaboration with Nomad Village, the initiative aims to connect aspiring and established entrepreneurs with professionals across India specializing in technology, marketing, finance, and design. The programme provides an intensive platform for entrepreneurs to engage in problem-solving sessions, brainstorm innovative solutions, and address practical challenges in their businesses. By promoting knowledge sharing and mentorship, the initiative seeks to nurture local talent and foster sustainable business growth across the state. Speaking at the launch, Member of Parliament Indra…

10 Oct

Meghalaya loses to Sikkim in the U-19 Opening for the Vinoo Mankad Trophy despite hat-trick heroics

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

In an exciting start to the U-19 Men’s Vinoo Mankad Trophy 2025–26, Sikkim registered a hard-fought three-wicket victory over Meghalaya, overcoming a spirited bowling performance that included a stunning hat-trick from a Meghalaya bowler. The match, played on Wednesday, marked a thrilling opener to the prestigious youth tournament, showcasing the emerging cricketing talent from the Northeast. Opting to field first after winning the toss, Sikkim’s bowlers dominated the early stages, bundling Meghalaya out for 99 runs in 36.4 overs. The disciplined bowling attack kept the pressure constant, forcing early breakthroughs and denying Meghalaya any significant partnerships. For Meghalaya, Gaurav Narleng…

09 Oct

Amit Shah’s impending visit is reviewed by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Wednesday chaired a high-level coordination meeting at Samman Bhawan to review the preparations for Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s upcoming visit to the state. The meeting brought together senior officials from various departments to finalise logistical arrangements, event schedules, and inter-departmental coordination, with a special focus on upholding Sikkim’s trademark warmth and hospitality. According to officials, the visit by the Union Home Minister will include his participation in the Rashtriya Sahkari Sammelan-2025, a major event designed to strengthen India’s cooperative movement and promote new economic opportunities in Sikkim. During his visit, Shah is…

08 Oct

Mamata declares aid for landslide victims and condemns Sikkim hydro projects for the Teesta flooding

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed serious concern over worsening floods in North Bengal, attributing the Teesta river’s overflow to hydel projects in neighbouring Sikkim. She said continuous rainfall, combined with obstructions from these projects, has aggravated flooding in districts such as Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar. “The location of Bengal is like a boat. When floods occur in Sikkim or Nepal, the water naturally flows down to us,” Banerjee explained. “The dams and hydel structures in Sikkim are disrupting the river’s natural course, preventing normal water flow and causing it to overflow into our plains.” The Chief…

06 Oct

Amar Subba, the “Marathon Man” of Sikkim, excels at the Malaysia Ultra Trail 2025

Banasree SarkarSikkim

Amar Subba, fondly known as the “Marathon Man of Sikkim,” has once again brought pride to the state and the nation by delivering an impressive performance at the Malaysia Ultra Trail by UTMB 2025. Competing in the 50 km category, Subba secured 11th position in his world age group with a finish time of 10 hours, 3 minutes, and 21 seconds, ranking 121st overall among 700 finishers. Among the three Indian participants in the category, Subba emerged as the highest-ranked finisher, reaffirming his status as one of India’s most consistent long-distance runners. The Malaysia Ultra Trail by UTMB is recognized…

04 Oct

Singtam murder case: Two people are being held after a government worker is killed in a fight at Lall Bazaar

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Singtam Police have registered a murder case against two individuals following the death of 39-year-old government employee Dinesh Pradhan after a violent altercation at Lall Bazaar on Thursday night. The incident occurred around 7 PM when a heated dispute broke out between Pradhan and the two accused, Ishlam Sheikh and Jalal Sheikh, who run a meat shop in Singtam. The quarrel quickly escalated, leaving Pradhan with serious injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Both accused have been arrested, and a case of murder has been filed under Section 103 of the…

27 Sep

The governor of Sikkim showcases drone technology and crop value addition during an agri-workshop

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur on Friday emphasized the importance of value addition in agriculture, particularly for high-value crops like large cardamom, and highlighted the growing role of drone technology in modern farming. Speaking at a workshop organized by the ICAR–Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Zone VI, Guwahati, in collaboration with Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal, Mathur urged scientists and researchers to focus on enhancing crop quality and income for farmers through innovative technologies. The workshop, attended by senior officials and agriculture experts, also underlined the need to expand Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in Sikkim. These centers serve as…

26 Sep

The BJP demands that the Sikkim Garib Awas Yojna beneficiaries be reexamined

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation visited the Rural Development Department (RDD) office in Pakyong District on Thursday to review the implementation of the Sikkim Garib Awas Yojna (SGAY), a flagship housing scheme launched by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. During the visit, the delegation met with RDD officials to raise concerns over the current list of beneficiaries. BJP leader Sangay Gyatso Bhutia emphasized the need for a thorough re-evaluation of the list to ensure that the scheme benefits only genuinely deserving individuals. “Our primary concern is that the housing scheme reaches the truly needy,” Bhutia said. “A strict and…

25 Sep

Road improvements are urgently needed in Sikkim to protect the economy and tourism

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim is seeking immediate restoration and strengthening of its key road networks after severe floods and landslides disrupted the state’s economy and tourism sector. BJP Sikkim State President DR Thapa met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss urgent infrastructure interventions aimed at ensuring reliable connectivity across the state. During the meeting, Thapa highlighted the deteriorating condition of National Highway 10 (NH-10), Sikkim’s primary artery connecting the state with West Bengal and the rest of India. The highway sustained heavy damage from the 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood and recurrent landslides…

24 Sep

Gangtok taxi associations call for a stop to the City Runner minibus service

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Central Joint Action Committee (CJAC), representing 68 taxi associations in Gangtok, has called on the Sikkim Government to immediately suspend the “City Runner” minibus service operated by Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT), citing severe impact on the livelihoods of thousands of local taxi drivers. The City Runner service, launched recently, involves 17-seater minibuses operating on city routes and between Ranipool and Gangtok. While authorities have projected the service as an affordable and convenient transport option, local taxi operators argue that it has created unfair competition, reducing passenger demand for taxis. Speaking on behalf of the CJAC, President Karma Tshering Tamang…