Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced that former Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari and former Member of Parliament Dil Kumari Bhandari will be posthumously conferred the prestigious “Nepali Birasad Sangrakshan Upadi” in recognition of their lifelong contributions to the promotion and preservation of the Nepali language.
The award, set to be officially bestowed on August 20, 2026, acknowledges the leaders’ tireless dedication to the cultural and linguistic identity of the Nepali-speaking community in Sikkim and across India. Chief Minister Tamang described Nar Bahadur Bhandari as a visionary leader whose courage and efforts gave Sikkim and the Gorkha community a strong political voice, while Dil Kumari Bhandari is remembered as a trailblazer who fought relentlessly to secure recognition for Nepali in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who served as Sikkim’s Chief Minister for over 14 years, is credited with uniting the Nepali-speaking population and strengthening their identity within India’s democratic framework. Dil Kumari Bhandari, Sikkim’s first woman Member of Parliament, championed the cause of Nepali language, culture, and identity at the national level, leaving an enduring legacy.
Chief Minister Tamang emphasized that the “Nepali Birasad Sangrakshan Upadi” is more than an award—it is a mark of respect and a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices made to secure a dignified status for the Nepali language. Their efforts culminated in 1992, when Nepali was formally included in the Eighth Schedule, a milestone that continues to benefit generations of Nepali speakers.