Sikkim - The Purbottar

02 Apr

CM seeks peace, strength and prosperity for Sikkim during temple visit

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday joined Governor Om Prakash Mathur to offer prayers at Hanuman Tok on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, seeking blessings for the people of the state.The Chief Minister said he visited the temple in the morning and took part in prayers in a calm and spiritual setting. He said the occasion was important and gave an opportunity to pray for strength and guidance. In a message shared after the visit, Tamang said prayers were offered for courage to face challenges, wisdom to follow the right path, and the ability to serve people with…

02 Apr

School shutdowns may hurt access for poor students, calls decision “short-sighted”

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A social activist has strongly criticised the Sikkim government’s recent decision to shut down 17 government-run primary schools, saying the move could harm access to education for children from weaker sections.In a press statement, Pravin Sharma (Upreti), a social activist, said the decision does not reflect the ground realities faced by students, especially those from disadvantaged families who depend on government schools not only for education but also for basic support.He said the government appears to have taken the step without a proper and detailed assessment of the reasons behind low student enrollment. According to him, issues such as poor…

28 Mar

Tourism Leaders Focus on Sustainable Growth and Regional Branding at Week-Long

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The North East India Tourism Confederation successfully concluded its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Tourism Convention 2026, held from March 22 to 27 across Namsai, Anini, and Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh. The week-long event brought together tourism stakeholders from all eight Northeastern states with a common aim to promote the region as a major global tourism destination. The AGM, held on March 22, saw participation from 24 Executive Committee members representing different states. During the meeting, key organisational matters were discussed, and a new leadership team was elected through a democratic process. Tsering Wange was elected as President, while E.…

27 Mar

Indian Railways Begins Final Survey for Gangtok–Nathu La Railway Line

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Indian Railways has started the final location survey for a proposed railway line that will connect Gangtok with Nathu La in Sikkim, marking another step in expanding rail connectivity in the Himalayan state. The latest survey comes after the completion of a similar exercise for the 34.7 km Rangpo–Gangtok railway section. Officials said the new study will help determine the exact alignment, technical feasibility and cost estimates for the Gangtok–Nathu La stretch, which is seen as strategically and economically important. According to a report by The Times of India, construction work on the proposed line is expected to begin within…

26 Mar

Pakyong District Begins Nomination Process for Sikkim Civic Polls

riya EditorSikkim

The nomination process for the General Municipal Election 2026 in Pakyong district is ongoing at the District Administrative Centre (DAC), with the fourth day of filing taking place on Thursday. The first nomination was submitted by Sancha Maya Tamang, representing the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), for the 05 Dikling–Chalamthang Ward within the Pakyong Nagar Panchayat. The submission was made at the office of the Assistant Municipal Returning Officer-cum-Additional District Collector, Pulkit, who then administered the oath of affirmation to the candidate. The nomination filing hours are set from 11 am to 3 pm and will remain open until March 30,…

25 Mar

SMWA Athletes Meet Governor After National Championship Success

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A group of athletes from the Sikkim Masters Weightlifting Association (SMWA), along with medal winners from the 5th National Masters Weightlifting Championship 2026, met the Governor of Sikkim on Tuesday in Gangtok. The delegation was led by SMWA President Lakpa Sherpa. The team had recently taken part in the national-level championship and delivered a notable performance, marking an important step for masters weightlifting from the state. During the meeting, the Governor welcomed the athletes and congratulated them for their achievements at the national event. He acknowledged their effort and discipline, noting that their performance was a matter of pride for…

24 Mar

Discovery Boosts Sikkim’s Known Dragonfly and Damselfly Count to 93

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A recent scientific study has reported 11 species of dragonflies and damselflies, together known as odonates, for the first time from the Sikkim Himalaya, bringing fresh attention to the region’s rich but still less-studied insect diversity. The findings have been published in the international journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences, one of the oldest scientific journals in the country. Researchers said the discovery adds important new information to the understanding of biodiversity in the Himalayan region. The study was carried out by Neera Rawat, a Ph.D. scholar in the Department of Zoology at…

24 Mar

Police Probe Ongoing as Motive Remains Unclear in Sabitri Sharma Dea*th

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Yangang Police have arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with the suspected murder of former panchayat member Sabitri Sharma in Sripatam village near Yangang, officials said. According to police sources, Sharma, who was living alone at her residence, was found dead under suspicious circumstances. The incident created panic in the locality, with neighbours and residents raising alarm after the body was discovered. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, police detained Anuj Basnet, a neighbour of the deceased. He was later arrested in connection with the case. Police described Basnet as an alleged habitual offender. He is currently in police custody and…

23 Mar

Sikkim International Film Festival concludes with valedictory ceremony, sets vision for future growth

riya EditorSikkim

The Sikkim International Film Festival (SIFF) 2026 concluded on a high note on Sunday evening with a valedictory ceremony held after the final screenings at the festival venue. The closing proceedings commenced following the screening of Tara: The Lost Star and Dhokbu: The Keeper, which marked the final films of the festival. Chairman, Sikkim Music, Drama, Dance and Film Board, Tashi Tshering Bhutia, in his address, described the hosting of an international film festival in Sikkim for the first time as a matter of immense pride for the state. Bhutia lauded the Information and Public Relations Department, under the leadership…

09 Mar

North Sikkim tourism reopens: Permits for Lachen, Gurudongmar Lake issued again

nanika EditorSikkim

Tourism to popular destinations in North Sikkim, including Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake, has officially resumed as the district administration began issuing travel permits from March 9. The decision was announced by the administration of Mangan District in coordination with the Tourism Department.According to Mangan District Collector Anant Jain, tourists can now obtain permits for travel to Lachen and nearby areas from Monday. The permits will be issued through the district collectorate in Mangan as well as through authorized travel operators, following government guidelines.The issuance of tourist permits to these destinations had been suspended since 2023 after a glacial lake outburst…