Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

11.08.26: In a major boost to the local transport community, the Sikkim Motor Transport Workers Association, Singtam, East Sikkim, successfully held its Annual General Assembly today at the Assembly Hall. Presided over by driver member Shri Bhuwan Subba Limbu alongside Association President Shri Upendra Sampang, the assembly unanimously passed 19 landmark resolutions aimed at driver welfare, strict discipline, and institutional growth. To safeguard drivers and their families against unexpected financial burdens, the Association has officially launched a comprehensive monetary relief scheme designed to provide a vital safety net during health crises, family losses, and major life milestones. The structured fund offers substantial medical support—including up to ₹1,00,000 for kidney transplants, ₹50,000 for out-of-state referrals, and ₹10,000 for non-major illnesses—alongside family welfare benefits such as ₹40,000 in bereavement relief for the family of a deceased active driver and ₹6,0...

  Khamdong, August 10, 2026: PM SHRI Sonamati Memorial Government Senior Secondary School (PMSHRI SMGSSS), Khamdong, observed Aama Samman Diwas on Monday with a heartfelt tribute to mothers and women of the local community. The programme was organised by the school in collaboration with IDCC 2026 Khamdong as part of the celebrations leading up to the 80th Independence Day. The programme was graced by the mother of Shri Sonam Lama Sir, Ecclesiastical Minister, RMDD, as the Chief Guest. Her presence added special significance to the occasion, which was dedicated to recognising the invaluable role of mothers in families and society. As a gesture of respect, love and gratitude, mothers from the surrounding areas were felicitated with traditional shawls. The gesture acknowledged their sacrifices, unconditional care and contribution towards nurturing families and communities. The occasion also featured a Cultural Competition as part of the 80th Independence Day celebrations. Stude...

17.08.25, Singtam: Students of Knight Chess Academy, Singtam delivered an outstanding performance at the Inter-School Chess Tournament 2025 held at TNSSS, Gangtok, securing multiple podium finishes across various age categories in both boys’ and girls’ sections. Representing schools across the region, our academy players showcased not only skill and strategy but also exemplary sportsmanship. The tournament featured a highly competitive field, and our players rose to the occasion with commendable results. In the boys’ section, standout performances included Parichay Subbha (6th), Karan Ojha (7th), and Yedhant Agarwal (8th) in the Open category, all with 7 points. In the Under-13 category, Suyog Shital Pradhan secured 2nd place with 7 points, and Pratik Sunar came 6th with 6.5 points. Aarav Pradhan dominated the Under-11 category, claiming 1st position with 7 points, while Dipttom Bhattacharya followed with a 3rd place finish (6 points). In the Under-9 category, Advait Dubey achieved...

  21.06.26: Shri Norden Tshering Tamang has been elected as the new President of the Sikkim Motor Transportation Workers Association (SMTWA). In the election held today, Tamang secured 195 votes, defeating his rivals, Shri Rajesh Lama (166 votes), Shri Rupen Limboo (28 votes), and Shri Rukesh Lama (1 vote). For the Vice President post, Shri Deepak Pradhan and Shri Rajesh Darnal both received an equal count of 193 votes each, while Shri Rajesh Tamang received 8 votes. Following the tie, Shri Darnal stepped down to support Shri Pradhan's candidature, confirming Shri Deepak Pradhan as the Vice President. For the General Secretary post, Shri Pranesh Sharma defeated Shri Basant Pradhan with a final count of 233 to 161 votes. The Election Committee was managed by an administrative team including Shri Kumar Rai (In-charge), Shri Tenzing Sherpa, Shri Pradip Tamang, Shri Lakpa Tamang, Shri Bhanu Lepcha, Shri Khunarayan Sharma, Shri Santosh Pradhan, and Shri Mohan Pradhan. It was fur...

  The Ridge in Gangtok, known for its long and narrow hilltop, is widely popular today as Ridge Park, a must-see destination for tourists. Some twenty-three years ago, while working as a news reporter for Weekend Review, I first heard of the King Edward bust at Ridge Park and the small, traditional memorial house associated with the King Edward Memorial. Since then, I have struggled to find documents to support this claim. However, I am pleased to have finally found a reference to the King Edward Memorial in the 1922 book, A Concise History of the Darjeeling District Since 1835 with a Complete Itinerary of Tours in Sikkim and the District by E. C. Dozey. While much remains unknown about the original King Edward bust, it was eventually replaced by a bust of John Claude White, which was later succeeded by a bust of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. Interestingly, about ten years ago, I discovered the original bust of J.C. White sitting under a tree on the prem...

The Lt. Shanker Lamichaney Chess Tournament 2026 was held on June 7, 2026, at Singtam. 40 players participated in the tournament and showed great strategic skills across five competitive rounds. In the Under-18 age category, Aarav Pradhan secured the 1st position, followed by Arnav Rai in 2nd place, and Suyog Shital Pradhan in 3rd place, with all three top achievers remaining unbeaten throughout the entire tournament. In the Under-11 age category, the top spot was claimed by Sufiyan Nasim, while Yedhant Agarwal took the 2nd position, and Palak Agarwal finished strong in 3rd position. The event was organized at Euphoria Restaurant, Singtam, in collaboration with the Knight Chess Academy Singtam. To support the young local talents of Singtam, the tournament was sponsored by the family of Lt. Shanker Lamichaney – Mrs. Devika Lamichaney (his wife) and sons – Ashish Lamichaney and Anand Lamichaney. Notably, this is the very first time a chess tournament has been hosted inside a restaurant...

  Local chess talents Suyog Shital Pradhan and Aarav Pradhan have officially secured their FIDE ratings following a stellar performance at the recently concluded 6th Dolakha International Chess Tournament 2026 in Nepal. Suyog earned a standard rating of 1495 and a rapid rating of 1595, while Aarav achieved a standard rating of 1478 and a rapid rating of 1570.

 

14.04.26: East Point Senior Secondary School, in technical collaboration with the Sikkim Chess Association (SCA), successfully hosted the inaugural 1st East Point Inter-School Rapid Chess Tournament 2026 today. The event saw a massive turnout of nearly 300 students representing 30 schools from across the region, gathered to compete in a showcase of intellectual skill and discipline. The tournament was graced by Chief Guest Smt. Kusum Tamang (President, West Pendam GPU), alongside SCA President Shri Lila Prasad Acharya and other distinguished guests. Director Nishant Subba emphasized that the event aligns with NEP 2020 guidelines, promoting holistic education by encouraging students to engage in sports that build concentration and strategic thinking. The competition was fiercely contested across multiple age groups, highlighting the growing chess talent in Sikkim. In the Under 7 category, Aavya Agarwal (Girls) and Nivaan Agarwal (Boys) secured first place, followed by runners-up Tritya ...