Sikkim Sandesh

12/01/2024

25/09/2023

On the first day of a four-day trip to North Sikkim, the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang, visited 29 Kabi Lunchuk. The 29 Kabi Lunchuk CLC Youth Wings, along with a large crowd, greeted him warmly.

12/06/2023

Pakyong, June 12th (IPR): The first coordination meeting for the upcoming 209th Bhanu Jayanti celebration was held today at Pakyong Yakten Gram Prashasan.

The meeting was called on to organise and facilitate the 209th birth anniversary of Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya.

Various discussions and action plans were discussed on how to make the event exclusive at the district level. An array of committees were also formed in order to execute the event effectively and efficiently.

Mr. D.T. Lepcha, MLA Nathong Machong, encouraged the members and coordinators to organise a thriving event at the district level. He advised the committee to be efficient in their duties and responsibilities prior planning. Similarly, he urged the officials to collaborate effectively in order to make this district-level Bhanu Jayanti celebration a huge success.

District Collector Pakyong,Mr. Tashi Chophel, suggested organising competitions in all sub-divisions to bring participants from every region to compete on the occasion.

The meeting had the presence of Zilla Adhakshya, Mrs.Laden Bhutia, Zilla Upadakshya, Mrs. Prabha Pradhan, Advisor (Food and Civil Supplies), Mr. Inchung Bhutia, OSD Agriculture, Mr. P.K. S***a, Additional Political Secretary to HCM, Mr. Bishal Sharma, executive members of the committees, school heads, NGO representatives, officials from various departments, and civil society members.

05/06/2023

Gangtok, June 5 (IPR):
Urging daily Environmental stewardship on World Environment Day, Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang emphasised the importance of not leaving any land barren in Sikkim.

He further highlighted the newly introduced Government policy "Mero Rukh Mero Santati", which entails planting 100 saplings every time a new baby is born.

As a part of the event, Chief Minister planted a Peach ‘Arucha’ sapling alongside his spouse, Madam Krishna Rai at the recently established Late Dr Mahendra Pradhan Botanical Park, located within the premises of Nar Bahadhur Bhandari Government Degree College.

Chief Minister was accompanied by Forest Minister Karma Loday Bhutia and area MLA GT Dhungel.

Government of Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang-Golay

02/06/2023

Press release from Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department
Government of Sikkim

Animal Husbandry Department, Sikkim participates in the National Summer Meet on Animal Husbandry and Dairy Sector at Srinagar.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt of India has organized National Summer Meet on Animal Husbandry and Dairying sector on 1st-2nd June, 2023 at SKICC, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.

The World Milk Day was also celebrated on the sidelines to raise awareness about the nutritional value and benefits of milk, recognize the contributions of dairy farmers, processors, and consumers, and foster meaningful discussions and exchanges of ideas during the summer meet. The objective of the Summer Meet is to draw out the expectations of states and UTs to create a convergence framework for effective programme implementation at the ground level, review the progress of schemes, and discuss outcomes and mid-course corrections.

Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying graced the event as Chief Guest in the august presence of Shri Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor, J&K, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The Ministers and Secretaries of Animal Husbandry Dept of various States across the country are attending the event along with state AHD officials. In the Ministry’s presentation, the performance of Sikkim in various schemes of Government of India was appreciated.

From Sikkim, Hon'ble Minister AH&VS Lok Nath Sharma, Secretary, Dr. P. Senthil Kumar and Addl Director, SLDB, Dr. Karma Doma Bhutia are attending the meet. During the first session, HM-AH&VS Shri Lok Nath Sharma and the Secretary made the following proposals and suggestions to benefit the state of Sikkim.

• Resumption of RKVY for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services
• Established of Central Veterinary University/College in Sikkim
• Support for creation of Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries in the state.
• Components for poor farmers under NLM be included such as distribution of cows, goats, sheep, pig., etc.,
• Creation of In vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer Technology centre in Sikkim
• Conservation and propagation of High land Animal Husbandry especially Yak and Tibetan sheep.
• Special package for Animal Husbandry in North Eastern states and Hilly states.

On the side-lines of the meeting, Sikkim team met Hon’ble Union Cabinet Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Shri. Parshottam Rupala and sought support for various programs in Sikkim. Hon’ble minister assured all support in the field of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Development in Sikkim and also assured continued support of the ministry to Sikkim.

02/06/2023

Minister MN Sherpa Inaugurated Shops of Sikkim Supreme, Temi Tea and Cafeteria at SNT Gangtok organised by SNT Department.

The Chief guest of the program were Minister SNT MN Sherpa, Secretary SNT Raj Yadav, Chairman SNT Basant Tamang, Special Secretary OSD Railway Mingur Bhutia, Pramod Pradhan Deputy GM SNT and Railway, NT Bhutia AST PRS Gangtok, Manish Pradhan GM SNT, Dupka Sherpa Chief Engineer, Temi Tea Board Chairman Tashi T Bhutia, Chandra Rani Rai MD Sikkim Supreme Along with Other distinguished persons were present.

Reports: Deepak Phuel

02/06/2023

Woman Dies after a Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Strikes at Lower Samdong.

SIKKIM: Lower Samdong was struck by a disastrous weather event yesterday around 4 PM, as torrential rain accompanied by powerful winds wreaked havoc in the area.

The severe storm resulted in the destruction of numerous trees and bushes and, sadly, claimed a life. Saraswati Rai, a resident of Subhithang in Lower Samdong and the wife of Santosh Rai, met a tragic fate when she was fatally struck by a large tree during the tempestuous conditions.

The local community and authorities swiftly responded to the distressing incident, joining forces in a courageous rescue operation.

Zilla Adhakshya Balaram Adhikari, IC/Makha outpost Hari Prasad Adhikari, HC Yadap Pradhan, L/nk Dom Bdr Chettri, HC Santa Kr Rai, L/NK Nim Tsh Lepcha, and Ward Panchayat Narbada Bhattrai, along with concerned villagers, rushed to the scene to provide assistance and support.

In an effort to restore access and clear the debris caused by the fallen trees, a dedicated team from the Forest Department, led by BO Bhola Dangal, worked tirelessly to eliminate road blockages and ensure the safety of the affected area.

Following the unfortunate incident, the body of Saraswati Rai was carefully transported to Singtam District Hospital for a post-mortem examination

Insights: Deepak Phuel Sharma

29/05/2023

Tenzing Norgay, born Namgyal Wangdi, was the first mountaineer to reach the top of Mount Everest, assisted by Edmund Hillary of New Zealand. Norgay's birthday is a contentious issue. Norgay himself was unsure of the actual date of his birth, but he was positive it was in the latter half of May.

He decided to celebrate his birthday on May 29, 1953, because that was the day he reached the peak of Mount Everest. Nepal formally declared International Mount Everest Day on May 29, 2008, to honour Norgay and Hillary's achievement.

The peak was formerly known as Sagarmatha in Sanskrit and Nepali. It was eventually renamed Everest. Despite his protestations, the largest mountain in the Tibetan language was dubbed "Chomolungma" or "Mother Goddess of the World" in 1865 in honour of George Everest, a former Surveyor General of India.

Norgay is Indian-Nepali Sherpa, but there is conflicting evidence about where he was born. Norgay mentions in his book, 'Man of Everest: The book of Tenzing,' that he was born and raised in Northeastern Nepal's Tengboche village in Solukhumbu district. However, his son, Jamling Tenzing Norgay, said in the book 'Touching My Father's Soul: A Sherpa's Sacred Journey to the Summit of Everest,' that Norgay was born in U-Tsang, Tibet.

Tenzing Norgay participated in six Everest expeditions, but none of them reached the summit of Mount Everest, which stands at 8,849 metres (29,032 ft). Over 300 mountaineers have died as a result of extreme cold and high winds, as well as thick snow and a shortage of oxygen, including George Mallory and Andrew Irvine of the 1924 expedition.

Norgay struck gold on his seventh attempt. He and Hillary were the first two mountaineers to reach the summit on May 29, 1953, at 11.30 a.m. Norgay was awarded the George Medal by Queen Elizabeth II that year, as well as the Order of the Star of Nepal, 1st Class, and the Padma Bhushan in 1959. The Nepalese government dedicated an entire peak after him in September 2013.

24/05/2023

Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, on May 23 launched the Bahini scheme.

The project aims to offer all secondary and senior secondary school-aged girls in the state with free and safe sanitary pads distribution.

The Bahini scheme is a government initiative in Sikkim that seeks to provide free and safe sanitary pads to all secondary and senior secondary school-aged girls in the state.

Vending machines will be Installed in 210 government schools, and vending machines will be installed in institutions, broadening the program's scope.

It aims to empower young girls and address menstrual hygiene requirements.

24/05/2023

Magnificent view from top of the world Mt. Everest & Know the History of Everest

Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world which stands tall at 8848 m high altitude from sea level.

Mount Everest was name after Sir George Everest in 1865 AD. It is located in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal.

Mount Everest have it's different Indigenous names , known in Nepalese as Sagarmatha and in the Tibetan language they are called as Chomolungma (Zhumulangma). There are other local names also provided for Mount Everest like Third pole, Peak xv, and local sherpa’s: The Mountain Guide they called Deudhunga.

It is estimated that Everest is 60 million years old. As the Indian subcontinental plate collides with the Eurasian continental plate, Everest is the result of tectonic plate movement. Before the 19th century, no one know that Mount Everest was the highest point on the planet.

Sir Edmund Percival Hillary KG and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa conquered Mount Everest for the first time on May 29, 1953 (AD). Nepal is home to eight of the top 10 mountains. Mount Everest is the most well-known of them all. Climbers make an effort to summit Mount Everest in 1920.

📷 : Suman Gurung

22/05/2023

FIRST SANITARY PAD WAS MANUFACTURED & LAUNCHED IN SIKKIM BY WDS REWLAKHA SHG.

Sikkim : Chuchachen Under Pakyong District WDS Women Rewlakha village has started an initiative to enable adolescent girls and young women of local self-help groups produce sanitary napkins that have become popular in nearby areas.

The napkin has been branded as AaFNAI and women have been promoting the product through existing self-help groups and retail shops in the area.

During the Launching Programme Convenor SKM Nari Wing Burtuk Palmu Sherpa along With Geeta Rai SKM Nari Shakti Members.

The team was lead by Chuchachen Area Incharge Damber Kumar Pradhan along with Zilla Panchayats and others Dignitaries were present.

The project also created employable opportunity for local women to generate income by making sanitary napkins and in each village engaged in marketing of the product.

The Akshay Kumar-starrer Pad Man, which captures on reel Muruganantham's fight to ensure menstrual hygiene for women, has woken up the state government from slumber.

The film has already caught the imagination of the nation with the social media playing a big role in breaking the taboo associated with discussing menstrual hygiene of women in public.

20/05/2023

Gangtok, May 20 (IPR): The Sikkim Legislative Assembly passed the General Budget of Rs. 12,146.51 crore for the financial year 2023-24 on the final day of the Seventh Session of the Tenth Assembly (Budget Session 2023-24) of the SLA today.

The Annual General Budget for the financial year 2023-24 had been presented to the House on the first day of the Budget Session on 17th May 2023 by Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang, also the Minister-in-Charge of Finance Department, Government of Sikkim.

The budgetary profile for the financial year 2023-24 reads: “Against a gross expenditure provision of Rs. 12146.51 crore, (Rupees twelve thousand one hundred forty six crore and fifty one lakh) the net outgo comes to Rs. 11806.51 crore (Rupees eleven thousand eight hundred six crores and fifty one lakh) after taking into account recoveries amounting to Rs. 340.00 crore (Rupees three hundred forty crore).”

The House also passed the Sikkim Appropriation Bill, 2023 (Bill No. 08 of 2023) for the Annual General Budget 2023-24, which was introduced and moved for consideration by the Chief Minister, also the Minister-in-Charge of Finance Department, Shri Prem Singh Tamang.
The Sikkim Appropriation Bill, 2023 (Bill No. 08 of 2023) is introduced in pursuance of clause (1) of Article 204 of the Constitution of India to provide for the appropriation out of the Consolidated Fund of the State of Sikkim of the money required to meet the expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of the State of Sikkim and Grants made by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for the expenditure of the Government of Sikkim for the Financial year, 2023-24.

The Chief Minister, also the Minister-in-Charge of the Finance Department, also presented reports, namely,
i) Evaluation Report of Compliance to Provisions of the Sikkim FRBM Act: Fiscal Year 2020-21
ii) Medium-Term Fiscal Plan for Sikkim 2023-24 to 2025-26
iii) Annual Consolidated Audit Report on the Accounts of Panchayati Raj Institutions & Municipalities for the Financial Year 2021-22
Subsequently, Chairman Public Accounts Committee, Shri Aditya Golay, presented the following Reports of Public Accounts Committee:
i) 130th Report on Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year ended 31st March 2015
ii) 131st Report on Separate Audit Report on the Accounts of Sikkim State Legal Services Authority for the year ended 31st March 2015 to 31st March 2018

Likewise, Speaker Shri Arun K. Upreti presented the following Annual Reports of the Government Departments in the House:
i) Annual Progress Report of Ecclesiastical Department for the year 2021-22 and 2022-23
ii) Annual Report of Rural Development Department for the year 2021-22
iii) Annual Report of Printing and Stationary Department for the year 2021-22
iv) Annual Progress Report of Agriculture Department for the year 2021-22

In his valedictory remarks, Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang extended gratitude to Governor Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya for his valuable address on the first day of the Budget Session and Speaker Shri Arun K. Upreti for conducting a successful budget session for the financial year 2023-24.
He gave a brief summary of the four-day budget session and shared delight over the passing of the State annual budget, focused on the upliftment of the rural population. He congratulated the Members of Sikkim Legislative Assembly for passing the two University Bills with the vision of transforming Sikkim into an education hub.
The Chief Minister extended gratitude to all the members for their valuable suggestions and assured that all the suggestions put forth in the House would be taken into consideration. He also thanked the Deputy Speaker, Chief Secretary, DGP, ACSs, Secretaries, press and media fraternity and all other personnel involved in the smooth conduct of the Budget session 2023-24.

Speaker, SLA, Shri Arun K. Upreti, expressed satisfaction over the smooth conduct of the four-daylong Budget Session 2023-24 and took the opportunity to thank the Governor for his valuable budget address and the Chief Minister for introducing the State Annual Budget 2023-24 that is well aligned with the hopes and aspirations of the people of Sikkim.
He also extended gratitude to all the members of the House for their active participation and positive deliberations throughout the session while respectfully abiding by the Assembly protocol.

The valedictory remarks also had the participation of MLAs, Shri D.R. Thapa, Shri Em Prasad Sharma, Smt. Farwanti Tamang, Smt. Rajkumari Thapa, Shri L.N. Sharma, and Shri K.S. Lepcha.
The House was adjourned sine die.

-24

19/05/2023

Gangtok, May 18 (IPR): The second day of the Seventh Session of Tenth Assembly (Budget Session 2023-24) commenced today with the obituary reference on the demise of former Member of Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Late Shri Ugen Pintso Bhutia.

Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Shri Arun K. Upreti, in his obituary reference, paid his condolences to the bereaved family of former MLA, Tashiding Constituency, late Ugen Pintso Bhutia, who left for his heavenly abode on 3rd May, 2023 at District Hospital, Gyalshing. He was 78.
Born on 6th February, 1945 to late Shri Kunzang Tenzing Kazi and late Smt. Chultim Kazini, late Ugen Pintso Bhutia is survived by his wife, three daughters, one son and grandchildren. He was popularly known as ‘Yap Jetha’.
He was elected consecutively for two terms of 1985-89 and 1989-94 as a member of SLA from Tashiding constituency as a candidate of Sikkim Sangram Parishad Party. During his tenure as MLA, Tashiding constituency witnessed many developmental works. He served as Chairman of State Bank of Sikkim, Power & Electricity Board and Sikkim Trading Corporation of Sikkim (STCS).

Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang, in his obituary reference, said that the passing away of the former MLA late Ugen Pintso Bhutia is a great loss for the people of Tashiding constituency and the society as a whole. He was a soft-spoken, kind-hearted, a dedicated social worker and a hardworking leader in his constituency, he added.
The Chief Minister offered his heartfelt condolences and expressed his empathy towards the family of the departed.

The obituary reference was also participated by Deputy Speaker, SLA, Shri Sangay Lepcha, Minister for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department, Shri Lok Nath Sharma, and MLA Shri Pawan Chamling.
Thereafter, two-minute silence was observed in the House to pay homage to the departed.

This was followed by the Question Hour session wherein several queries were raised by various MLAs in the House.

In reply to concerns put forth by MLA, Shri Pawan Kumar Chamling about the judgement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition No. 59/2013 & 1283/2021 delivered on 13th January, 2023 and subsequent enactment of the Finance Act, 2023 and insertion of the addition clauses (iv) & (v) to Section 10 (26AAA) in the Income Tax Act, 1961,
the Chief Minister, also the leader of the House, Shri Prem Singh Tamang, informed that the Government of Sikkim filed counter affidavits in the matter of Writ Petition (Civil) No. 59 of 2013, Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim and others vs. Union of India and others on 30th November, 2013 and on 6th April, 2019. Certified copies of relevant counter affidavits were placed before the House.
With reference to Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1283/2021- Rapden Lepcha and others vs. Union of India and another, the matter was tagged with Writ Petition (Civil) No. 59 of 2013 vide Order, dated: 31.01.2022 passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court.

In reply to the query raised by MLA Shri Pawan Chamling with regard to the status of the two resolutions passed on 9th February, 2013 and 10th April, 2023 in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister said both resolutions have been forwarded to the Government of India.
He stated that Resolution 1 of 2023 adopted on 9th February, 2023 was forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Finance and Resolution 2 of 2023 adopted on 10th April, 2023 was forwarded to the Ministry of Finance.

In reply to concerns raised by MLA Shri Pawan Chamling over his demand of making public the entire set of document and case files, the Chief Minister, also the leader of the House, said that no such requisition for any White Paper, documents and case files has been made by the Member in the House during the previous sessions.
Replying to the supplementary question raised by MLA Shri Pawan Chamling, the Chief Minister said that no clause of Article 371F has been violated and clause (iv) and (v) of Finance Act 2023 is only for income tax exemption.
“The Finance Bill amendment is only for the income tax purposes as per the Supreme Court order in no way impinges upon the definition of Sikkimese.”, he added.
With regard to concerns over the dilution of 371F, the Chief Minister also the Leader of the house Shri Prem Singh Tamang informed that the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister have assured that the identity of the Sikkimese is non-negotiable and that the old settlers are entitled for the Income Tax Exemption.

With the query set forth by MLA Shri D.R. Thapa on the status report of the fact-finding Committee constituted by the Government in connection with SPSC Examination held on January,2023, and the number of students appearing for the said exam, the Chief Minister also the Leader of the House informed the house that a High Powered Committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary, Shri R. Telang, was constituted to place all the aspiring candidates at an equal footing and to provide them an equal opportunity as well to avoid further loss of time of the candidates.
A total of 9,376 candidates have appeared for the exam out of which 7,439 candidates were present for Paper-I and 7,387 candidates were present for Paper II.

In reply to the supplementary question raised by MLA, Shri Pawan Chamling regarding the action taken up by SPSC in the combined recruitment examination wherein he questioned about the action taken by the State government held on January, 2023, the Chief Minister also the Leader of the House informed that the Committee has barred 8 students from appearing in the examination.

While replying to the question put forth by MLA Shri D.R. Thapa regarding the regularisation criteria of Temporary/Adhoc/MR/Contract Employees, the Chief Minister also the Leader of the House informed that the services of all the temporary employees who are continuously serving in the State Government on Work-charged/MR/Adhoc/Consolidated pay belonging to Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ category including Home Guards for 8 years or more as on 31st December of every calendar year may be considered for regularisation in the respective departments subject to availability of vacancies.

To the Supplementary question raised by MLA, Shri Pawan Chamling regarding the criteria for Adhoc recruitment, the Chief Minister also the Leader of the House informed that the employee should mandatorily hold a COI, Married/ Unmarried certificate, if married COI certificate of the spouse and an Employment Card.

The Question Hour was followed by discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s address which presented in the House on the first day of the Budget Session on 17th May, 2023.

While participating in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s address, MLA Shri Pawan Kumar Chamling, welcomed some of the programmes and policies initiated by the present government as laid down in the Governor’s address like the Bahini scheme and the initiation of saffron cultivation in Sikkim among others. He also made some suggestions before the House on strengthening the concept of effective and good governance in the State.

Welcoming the Governor’s address, MLA Shri Sonam Tshering Venchungpa also welcomed the decision of the SPSC committee in allowing all candidates who appeared for the preliminary examination for Sikkim Services (Combined Recruitment) Examination, 2022 to sit for the main examination, terming decision to be “natural justice”.

Replying to the discussion on Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s address, the Chief Minister extended gratitude to the MLAs for their valuable suggestions put forth and sought support from the members of the House in strengthening and promoting economic growth and development in the State.

During the discussion on the Annual Budget 2023-24, which was presented in the House on the first day of the Budget Session on 17th May 2023, several questions were raised by the MLAs in the House.

In reply to concerns put forth with regard to the Traffic congestion in Gangtok, the Chief Minister informed the house that the problems being faced by the general public is being taken up as top priority by the State government. Mini-Secretariat at Lumsey has also been proposed to contain the growing traffic congestion problem of Gangtok. Also, Ranipool/Ray Khola/Sichey alternative road is also being considered for de-congestion of the National highway.

Replying to query on the shortfall of the Budget, the Chief Minister replied that it was due to Central Taxes share and the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic. He assured the House that the Government is working to resolve the issue of the Sikkimese identity and ensured the tribal status of the 12 left out communities.
Further, he added on the utilization of educated youth to increase the per capita income of the State through Startup Scheme.

Thereafter, the House passed the Separate Demand for Grants of various departments for the Financial Year 2023-24 presented by:

i) Minister of , Agriculture Department; Horticulture Department; Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department and Labour Department, Government of Sikkim, Shri L.N. Sharma

ii) Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation and Commerce & Industries Department; Information and Public Relations and Printing and Stationeries Department, Government of Sikkim, Shri B.S. Panth

iii) Minister of Education Department; Law Department; Parliamentary Affairs Department; Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, and Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Government of Sikkim, Shri K.N. Lepcha

iv) Minister of Urban Development Department and Food & Civil Supplies Department, Government of Sikkim, Shri L.B. Das

The House was then adjourned till 10:00 am tomorrow, 19th of May, 2023.

18/05/2023

Churpi - Hardest cheese in the world is sold at Lall Bazar, Gangtok

A traditional product prepared by pastoralists in the highlands of the Eastern Himalayas, chhurpi is a protein-rich cheese with a smoky flavour and hard consistency that gradually becomes chewier the longer you gnaw at it.

📷 : Rajesh Pradhan

18/05/2023

The Congress has opted on a 2.5-year rotating term for both Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar.

According to HT, Siddaramaiah has been named Karnataka's new chief minister, with DK Shivakumar as his deputy. The Congress has voted to give both leaders a two-and-a-half-year rotational term. The decision puts an end to days of uncertainty following the grand old party's resounding triumph in the southern state.

Siddaramaiah is to be sworn in as CM on May 20 in Bengaluru.

18/05/2023

Ms Pooja Sharma, chairman of the Sikkim Film Promotion Board, took part in an important panel discussion at the 76th Cannes Film Festival during the opening ceremony of the India Pavilion.

She informed the audience about the numerous prospects and uniqueness of North East India as a filming site, as well as the efforts launched by the Sikkim Government under the dynamic and proactive leadership of Hon'ble Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. The seminar covered the efforts being made to establish India as a full-service filmmaking destination, as well as how to improve the ease of doing business.

18/05/2023

Pelling is a hill station in Gyalshing district of Sikkim.

Pelling is nestled at an altitude of 2,150 m (7,200 feet). The town is located at a distance of 10 km from Gyalshing city, the district headquarters and 131 km from Gangtok

18/05/2023

Nepali climber Kami Rita Sherpa reached the top of Mount Everest for the 27th time on Wednesday, reclaiming the record for the most summits of the world's highest mountain.

"He successfully reached the summit this morning guiding a Vietnamese climber," Mingma Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks, his expedition organiser, told AFP.

The 53-year-old had held the title since 2018, when he ascended Everest for the 22nd time, passing the previous mark he shared with two other Sherpa climbers, both of whom have since retired.

But on Sunday another climber, Pasang Dawa Sherpa, 46, tied the record by reaching the top for the 26th time.

A guide for more than two decades, Kami Rita Sherpa first summited the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) peak in 1994 when working for a commercial expedition.

Since then, he has climbed Everest almost every year, several times leading the first rope-fixing team to open the route to the world's highest point.

"These records were made not with an intention to make them but during my work as a guide," Sherpa told AFP last month as he headed to the base camp.

Dubbed "the Everest man", Sherpa was born in 1970 in Thame, a village in the Himalayas renowned as a breeding ground for successful mountaineers.

Growing up, Sherpa watched his father and then his brother don climbing gear to join expeditions as mountain guides, and was soon following in their footsteps.

In 2019, he reached the summit twice in the span of six days.

Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring, when temperatures are warm and winds are typically calm.

Authorities have issued 478 permits to foreign climbers this year, the $11,000 fee part of total costs for a summit ranging from $45,000 to $200,000.

Since most will need a guide, more than 900 people -- a record -- will try to summit this season, which runs until early June.

Nepali guides, usually ethnic Sherpas from the valleys around Everest, are considered the backbone of the climbing industry and bear huge risks to carry equipment and food, fix ropes and repair ladders.

(News from Syndicate News feed)