Sikkim Print

30/07/2023

02/06/2022

Northeastern state of Sikkim has
received recognition as the "world's first organic
state" by the "World Book of Records London".
This award emphasised the fact that Sikkim has
become the first state in the world to implement
100% organic policy, thus eliminating the use of
chemical fertilizers and pesticides - a
transformation that has benefited over 66,000
farming households.
Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad was named in the
"first Organic State in the World" as well as the
"Crime Free State" with the best governance
award.
Meanwhile, WBR Chairman Dr. Diwakar Sukul and
British Parliament MP Virendra Sharma
congratulated the Governor and the state on this
prestigious achievement.
It's worth noting that the World Book of Records,
based in London, catalogues and authenticates
extraordinary records from around the world. It
has a global network that enables it to work from
anywhere on the planet.
The state has also won the prestigious Future
Policy Gold Award from the UN Food and
Agriculture (FAO), after beating 51 nominations
from around the world. Former Sikkim Chief
Minister Pawn Kumar Chamling has received the
coveted award.

25/05/2022

Sikkim bans sale of pigs after African Swine Fever cases detected in state.

The Sikkim government has temporarily banned the sale of pigs in the state after cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) were reported in North Sikkim district, an official said on Wednesday. A total of 117 pigs have died in various parts of the state in the past two months.

Animal Husbandry Department Secretary Dr P Senthil Kumar has cautioned the general public to refrain from eating pork and has also stated that the first tests of the samples which were taken from the pigs in North Sikkim district had come out positive for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) on February 23 this year. On February 29 the first case of African Swine Fever was detected. He also informed that there was a 20 per cent chance of pigs dying from the virus but in Sikkim the death rate of pigs that have died from the virus presently stands at 1 per cent.

The Animal Husbandry Department secretary said the state government is working on a war footing to counter the spread of the virus and that awareness programmes on the same are being conducted throughout the state.

20/12/2021

Meet Sanjay Budhathoki from Sikkim
who is founder a CEO of Body vibe gym, Body builder, a professional gym trainer and a entrepreneur who has been participated in world Raw power Lifting championships competition which is held in Russia moscow.
53 different countries have been participated to the world championship competition.
sanjay is Representing INDIA and his Home state Sikkim in world stage lets Wish him all the best.

Photo courtesy: Social Media

16/12/2021

Full STORY
Cardiologist Sanjay Upreti stepped in to help the Sikkim government-run hospital’s female sanitation worker as the suspect attacked her with a knife. He was also attacked, police said.

A doctor and a female sanitation worker were injured in a knife attack allegedly by a 42-year-old man inside the Sikkim government-run New STNM Hospital at Gangtok on Monday afternoon, police said.

The victims are in serious condition and undergoing treatment at the hospital. The attacker has been arrested.
Witnesses said the doctor was stabbed when he tried to help the woman who appeared to be the attacker’s primary target.
BK Tamang, deputy inspector general and spokesperson of Sikkim Police, said: “The attacker first stabbed Kala Chhetri, a safai karmachari, multiple times and then stabbed Sanjay Upreti, a doctor from the cardiology department.”
Police suspect the attacker, identified as Thinley Bhutia, has a personal grudge against the woman, Tamang added.
Chief minister PS Tamang expressed shock on the incident.
“The murderous attack is highly condemnable. The attacker has been arrested. We will ensure that he gets stringent punishment,” he said.
Eyewitnesses said it was lunchtime when the attacker appeared on the fourth-floor corridor and started shouting. “The man suddenly attacked the safai karmachari with a knife. She landed on the floor in a pool of blood. The man attacked the doctor when he tried to rescue the woman and ran away,” said a nurse who did not want to be identified.

11/12/2021

He always wears a ‘Sikkim Scouts’ tab.

Because Sikkim Scouts is affiliated with the 11th Gorkha Rifles, and uses its insignia and flag, with the addition of the words ‘Sikkim Scouts’. They also share the same regimental centre in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

General Rawat who is from the Gorkha rifles was the Colonel of the Regiment for 11 Gorkha Rifles and Sikkim Scouts, which is an honorary designation given to a general ranking officer. So, even though he was not a part of Sikkim Scouts, being the Colonel of the Regiment, he wears the Sikkim Scouts tab.

Sikkim Scouts was raised in 2013 and made operational in 2015 boosted by him. It is the youngest regiment of the Indian Army. It was formed along the lines of Ladakh Scouts and Arunachal Scouts and similarly recruits from the Himalayan state and is dedicated to border defence and mountain warfare.

10/12/2021

The Sikkim government on Tuesday tabled a bill in the assembly, proposing to carve out two more districts in the state. Land Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Kunga Nima Lepcha introduced the Sikkim (Re-organization of Districts) Bill, 2021 in the House on the second day of the fifth session of the 10th assembly.

The new districts will be known as Pakyong, a sub-division of East Sikkim, and Soreng, a sub-division of West Sikkim, he said.

Explaining the government's objectives and reasons for the proposal, he said the new districts will strengthen governance in the backdrop of the growing population and aspirations of people.

08/12/2021

In a hilarious incident, instead of a coconut, a newly constructed road cracked. A portion of a newly constructed road cracked when a BJP MLA smashed a coconut on the road to mark its inauguration in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district. To which MLA sat on dharna and scolded officials over the corruption and poor quality of road.

Irrigation department constructed a road near the canal in Bijnor. The 7 km road was constructed at ₹1.16 crore. A total of 7 km of road is planned to be connected to Kadapur, Jhalapur, Uledha and Himpur.

Meanwhile UP Congress took a dig at the scenario and criticised the Govt. tweeting " one road could not bear the blow of a single coconut. This is called development".

07/12/2021

The Sikkim Global Film Festival, which was scheduled to begin on December 10 in Gangtok, was postponed by the state on Monday in view of the uncertain situation due to Omicron variant of the coronavirus disease, people familiar with the matter said.

Sikkim imposed a ban on the entry of foreigners last week. Apart from the domestic film industry, the four-day festival was expected to be attended by celebrities from several countries, according to government officials.
“A high-level meeting held in Gangtok on Monday and chaired by chief minister Prem Singh Tamang took the decision to postpone the festival,” said a statement issued by the Sikkim information department.
Sikkim, which shares a border with China, Nepal and Bhutan, announced a ban on entry of foreign nationals in March last year when Covid-19 cases started rising across India. Sikkim has recorded 405 deaths and 32374 positive cases till Monday.
Pooja Sharma, chairperson of the Sikkim Film Production Board, said, “Preparations for the festival were almost complete. Many actors, directors and producers had confirmed their participation.”

03/12/2021

Both Omicron patients found in Karnataka were fully vaccinated, govt says no plan for boosters

Three primary contacts and two secondary contacts of the Indian patient also tested positive between 22 and 25 November, Karnataka health officials said in a statement. All are in isolation. A total of 13 of the man’s primary contacts and 205 secondary contacts have been traced so far.

The 66-year-old South African national travelled from that country on 20 November with a negative Covid test report, and was tested at Bengaluru airport, the report for which came out positive. There were 24 primary contacts, all of whom have tested negative. This individual left India on 27 November.

about 45-52 mutations, including about 26-32 in the spike protein, Omicron is “of the order of 500 per cent more competitively infectious”.

The ‘heavily mutated’ Omicron variant was first identified by officials in South Africa. The mutation raised “serious” concerns after it seemed to dominate all infections in the country in less than two weeks.

27/11/2021

South African researchers have identified a new SARS-CoV-2 variant called B.1.1.529, which has at least 32 mutations in the spike protein that are likely to lead to immune resistance and faster spread.

The mutation raised “serious” concerns after it seemed to dominate all infections in South Africa in less than two weeks, amid a fresh spike in Covid-19 cases in the country.

Here is a mutation variant of serious concern,” Health Minister Joe Phaahla said at a media event, according to a Bloomberg report. “We were hopeful that we might have a longer break in between waves — possibly that it would hold off to late December or even next year January.”

Tulio de Oliveira, director of South Africa’s Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation, also put out a Twitter thread on the issue.

“This new variant is really worrisome at the mutational level. South Africa and Africa will need support (financial, public health, scientific) to control it so it does not spread in the world. Our poor and deprived population can not be in lockdown without financial support,” de Oliveira said.

So far, no sequence of the variant has been detected in India. However, the Indian government has sounded alarm on the situation.

According to Vinod Scaria, a researcher at the Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology in New Delhi, the new variant is concerning because it has as many as 32 mutations — a number of which are linked to immune escape and increased transmissibility.

This variant is reported to have a significantly high number of mutations, and thus, has serious public health implications for the country, in view of recently relaxed visa restrictions and opening up of international travel,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, de Oliveira said South Africa is working round the clock to understand effects of the variant on transmissibility, vaccines, re-infection, disease severity, and diagnostics.

“We do have funding for science, but South Africa and Africa need financial help to support their deprived population and health system,” he wrote.

He also appealed to American billionaires including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet to support Africa and South Africa financially to “control and extinguish variants”.

19/11/2021

PM Narendra Modi on Friday announced that the government has decided to repeal the three farm laws, which were at the centre of protests by farmers for the past year. Addressing the nation on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, the Prime Minister said the three laws were for the benefit of farmers but "we couldn't convince a section of farmers despite best efforts"

21/10/2021

Is This MG marg Gangtok..!!!
In social media one video was getting viral while army personals helping the Residents specially on Instagram claiming that this video coming from Sikkim MG marg but Facts is This video was taken in Nainital INDIA lake overflow due to heavy rainfall atleast 24 people Reported Dead..!!

20/10/2021

Many thanks to the Vice President of India whose anticipated visit has done some good for the roads between Pakyong -Ranipool.

Hopefully the visit extends to two more months as going by the looks of the way it is carpeted, the road would withstand another 30 days max.

Another two months of delay would have the roads carpeted again before his visit.

I am happiest for our elderly who take this route and would have an easier time traveling for a few weeks, happiest for the sick and the recovering who would have better ease of travel, happiest for the vehicles who would require less maintenance for the next three plus weeks, happiest for everyone who would complain less of our roads while they travel through them.

Hail our Vice President. He should come to Sikkim through Pakyong every two months so that our contractors at least give us motorable roads.

Have a good evening ahead folks. Cheers 🙂

Post & photo by Dewakar Basnet

19/10/2021

Raise of Teesta Water Levels!!
With the rest of the Northeast continues to witness extreme heat, Sikkim is facing torrential rains for the past few days.
Across the state, various roads have been blocked or cut off by landslides. Stay Alert..!!! SHARE

19/10/2021

No matter whom you will blame Government or Management..!
We have got multispeciality Hospital
Useless we don’t get responsible Citizens things will not change.
Please respect our public properties Don’t just blame authorities Be Responsible of your own.
Year Ago Team of all sikkim luxury vehicle owners cm driver welfare association Gangtok.
Cleaned multispeciality hospital sokethang did selfless Work but again Hospital being same as Before.
Be Civilized..!!!

Really Sad to see!!!!?????

17/10/2021

wrong depiction of Khukri in ‘Gorkha’ poster, invites suggestions for accurate portrayal from Ex Army

Actor Akshay Kumar, who recently unveiled the poster of his upcoming movie Gorkha on Saturday, responded to a tweet that called out the flaw in the representation of Khukri, a curved knife broadening towards the point, used by Gorkhas.

Major Manik Jolly, an ex Gorkha officer, shared the poster of Akshay Kumar’s movie Gorkha along with the reference picture of the Khukri weapon. Major Jolly expressed his gratitude to the actor for making a movie on the Gorkhas but pointed out that the weapon depicted in the poster was not Khukri. He said Khukri is not a sword and it strikes from the inner side of the blade.

The actor responded to the tweet thanking Major Jolly for pointing out the flaw in the poster. He further added that he is proud and honoured to be making Gorkha and would appreciate getting suggestions to keep the details in the movie closest to reality.

“Dear Maj Jolly, thank you so much for pointing this out. We’ll take utmost care while filming. I’m very proud and honoured to be making Gorkha. Any suggestions to get it closest to reality would be most appreciated,” Kumar said.

16/10/2021

The Himalayan state of Sikkim is making a big move for the environment by doing away with plastic bottles. In a decisive step to end plastic pollution, Chief Minister PS Tamang has banned packaged mineral water bottles from the state with effect from 1 January 2022. Natural water resources such as rivers as well as reusable bottles have been encouraged as alternatives.
CM Tamang specified that the three-month buffer has been given to establishments to exhaust their existing supply of mineral water bottles.

Sikkim has always been ahead of the game in reducing plastic pollution in the country. In 1998, they became the first state to ban disposable plastic bags below 50 microns. In 2016 they discontinued the use of styrofoam and thermocol disposable plates and cutlery in the entire state.

In fact, this isn’t the first time they have spoken of banning plastic water bottles. In 2016, they restricted their use from government offices and events by encouraging the use of filtered water, water dispensers and reusable water bottles. Lachen in North Sikkim was declared plastic-free in 2012 and travellers to the region were asked to either dispose of their plastic bottles or transfer their water into reusable ones, available at all shops in the area. Vehicles were (and continue to be) checked at random to make sure no plastic bottles made their way into the town.

15/10/2021

Akshay kumar upcoming Movie GORKHA as he Represents GORKHA regiment major general Ian Cardozo
Sometimes you come across stories so inspiring that you just want to make them. - on the life of legendary war hero, Major General Ian Cardozo is one such film. Honoured to essay the role of an icon and present this special film.

Directed By - Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan
Written By - Neeraj Yadav & Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan
Produced By - Aanand L Rai &

Colour Yellow Productions

13/10/2021

Fact-check: Sikkim not ‘fully vaccinated’ as claimed by media outlets

Sikkim stands at 5,19,996 doses, with the first dose accounting for 98-99 per cent, while the second dose stands at 4,16,372 doses accounting for 78 per cent.

In reality, as per the latest data on immunisation shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Sikkim stands at 5,19,996 doses, with the first dose accounting for 98-99 per cent, while the second dose stands at 4,16,372 doses accounting for 78 per cent.

Even if the number of doses was not exact, Goa became the first to inoculate 100 per cent of its population with the first dose in early September, followed by few Union territories as well as states like Himachal Pradesh, which have claimed to have inoculated 100 per cent of its people with just first dose, and not the second dose.

Speaking with Media houses , State Immunisation Officer Dr Phumzay Denzongpa stated, “No, we are not fully vaccinated yet. Yes, the numbers for the first dose may be very close or may have crossed over the 100 per cent mark. The first dose reaching 100 per cent is pretty afresh. Elsewhere, we are still receiving COVID-19 cases, so when that happens the individual is not supposed to be inoculated with the vaccine for almost three months. So, how can we attain 100 per cent so soon? In terms of the second dose, we have just breached the 80 per cent mark. Until the second dose covers all the population, we cannot claim to be 100 per cent or fully vaccinated. Yesterday’s vaccination coverage shows that we are close to 80 per cent with the second dose.”

07/10/2021

GANGTOK: Former health minister of Sikkim Arjun Kumar Ghatani was detained by the Sadar police officials on charges of domestic violence on Thursday.

A case has been registered against Ghatani under section 498(7) (domestic violence) of the Indian Penal Code.

The former minister was taken for questioning after his wife filed a complaint accusing the former minister of physical assault on several occasions

02/10/2021

Govt collects GST revenue over Rs 1.17 lakh crore in Sept; Sikkim records highest jump in collection.

Sikkim saw the highest jump of 144 percent in the contributing figures. From Rs 106 crore in September 2020, the number has gone up to Rs 260 crore in the same month in 2021.

India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection remained above the Rs 1 lakh crore mark for the third straight month in September at over Rs 1.17 lakh crore, the finance ministry said on Friday.

The revenue for September 2021 is 23 percent higher than the GST revenue in September 2020.

01/10/2021

Sikkim, Bihar likely to see very heavy rainfall on October 2

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall over Bihar on October 2 and sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on October 2 and 3.
"Very Heavy rainfall also likely over Gangetic West Bengal on 30th September; over Bihar on 02nd October; Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim on 02nd and 03rd October; extremely heavy falls (> 20 cm)

29/09/2021

let us meet one such corona warrior
a doctor, a defender and now the second woman from Sikkim to become a captain in the Indian Army.

If we were to look for heroes among us in the COVID-19 pandemic, then doctors would be the first that would come to our mind.

Deepshika Chettri was commissioned into the Indian Army on October 21, 2020. As a doctor, she has volunteered, freelanced and worked in several rural parts of south India. An alumna of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, she did her internship at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in Delhi.

“Since childhood, I moulded my life in a way to be able to join the forces someday. I took up mathematics after Class 10 along with biology with a motive to join the National Defence Academy. Only later, I learnt that girls weren’t allowed there,” said Chettri.
So, Chettri took up biology in a bid to become a doctor in the armed forces. “In transit, I fell in love with medicine and I love being a doctor as much as I love being a soldier. I am deeply grateful that I get to live the best of both the worlds as a combat medic,” she added.
However, getting selected for the Indian Army was not an easy task for the 26-year-old doctor. “It’s not an easy process, especially for girls. There are thousands of smart, able and motivated doctors who apply and there are merely 15-30 seats for women every couple of years,” she said.
Then, the medical exam is another hurdle. “However, I am deeply grateful because I remember my last interview went really well. When I walked out of the hall, I had the subtle confidence that I was selected,” she said.
At school, Chettri was part of Bharat Scouts & Guides in Tashi Namgyal Academy. She was also the school head girl at St Joseph’s Convent. She went on to join NCC at Birla Balika Vidyapeeth in Pilani till 2013.

Chettri credits her father for the motivation to become an Army doctor. “My father, Rajendra Kumar Chettri, is a well known name in Sikkim football and now in badminton. Being a sportsman, he ensured that I stayed fit and disciplined all throughout my life. He saw that spark in me before I saw it in myself. He has always trusted me more than society,” she said.

We are proud of you 🙏

27/09/2021

what makes NAKIMA very expensive? that gets people all nostalgic and warm?

nakima flowers burst forth from plants that grow from rhizomes. The plants grow to a height of two-and-a-half feet and the flowers are found closer to the base. Ideally, this plant grows in a temperate forest at an altitude of 4,000 feet above mean sea level and above.

Nakima is also popular in Nepal and Bhutan; in the latter, it is often cooked with meat and consumed as bottled Pickles
Research shows that besides being easy-to-cultivate, this plant also has high nutritive (protein and fibre) and therapeutic values, and has the potential to be more popular among end-users.

Right now, not many people outside of Gangtok know about nakima. Even those living in nearby towns like Kalimpong, Siliguri and Darjeeling and the other sister states of the North East are not really aware of this rare treat, which people willingly pay a huge price for.

This year, the initial crop hit the market in the first week of September with a sale price of Rs 600 to Rs 800 a kilogramme (kg).

If have already Consumed it Share your feed back how you Describe it’s Taste.??

By Using

Photo courtesy: Lungsuhang organic stall

25/09/2021

India footballer Sanju Pradhan provided aid to needy in his native Sikkim

Veteran India midfielder Sanju Pradhan is currently busy preparing for the challenges that lie ahead in the I-League Qualifiers with his new club FC Bengaluru United.
However, till he had joined his teammates for their pre-season routines, the 32-year-old was busy giving back to society.
Active footballers do not get to spend a great deal of time at home, and when Sanju was afforded such an opportunity, he used the time to help out the people in need in his native village of Daramdin in Sikkim.

Sanju, who has represented India as well on the international level, has opened his own football academy in Sikkim, through which he attempts to do his social work.

"We send relief rations to people that are in need. It is basic stuff like rice, dal, oil, sugar, salt – just the essentials, but if that helps people in any way, we are happy."
While Sanju Pradhan is with his club FC Bengaluru United, playing in the Durand Cup, before travelling to Bengaluru for the I-League Qualifiers, the work in his hometown continues.
"It's very important for me to be able to help, especially since I am also from a family of poor farmers. Football has given me a lot of things in life, and I feel that it is also important to give back to society.
"It's as big an achievement for me as winning any tournament," he said

Photo courtesy: various

21/09/2021

Everything You Need To Know About 'Katley' The Newly Announced State Fish Of Sikkim.

In Sikkim, Katley is found in varied altitudes covering entire state predominantly confined in Teesta and Rangit rivers and their tributaries. In the year 1992,

The fish has high market value and is highly preferred by the public in the state.
In Sikkim Katley is one of the dominant fish species in Teesta river which originates from the glaciers of the North.

They are found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Bhutan, Pakistan and Vietnam. Katley fish can grow up to around 120 centimetres and can weigh over 10 kilograms.

Photo courtesy:

19/09/2021

19-year-old Maitri Patel from Surat has created history by becoming the youngest commercial pilot in India.

Maitri's father Kantilal Patel used to ferry passengers from Surat to Mumbai airport for a living and watch the planes take off and land. That is when he decided that his daughter would fly a plane and travel the world. He even sold off a piece of his ancestral land to arrange fees for a flight training course in the US.

After finishing class 12, Maitri left for the US to undergo this training programme. Having completed the 18-month course in just 12 months, she has returned to Surat. Setting eyes on the future, she now aims to fly the Boeing aircraft for which she will begin training soon.

17/09/2021

Can you eat for one month?