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

A 12-hour bandh call by the supporters of the ruling SDF party was observed today. The bandh was called to protest the burning of Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling's effigy by the Shiv Sena activists on the 11th of September in Siliguri, West Bengal charging CM Chamling with having 'dual nationality. Except for Army and GREF all other Vehicles, as well as shops, were closed. Such a state bandh was last held ten years back. (photographs from Singtam)

BY SHITAL PRADHAN Today if i am asked what is the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to you, i do not have any second doubt and say i am very fortunate to be born in Sikkim.But my love for my Sikkim never happened in a flash point. It was the year 1996 and my first trip to Calcutta now they call it Kolkata, till then i never knew what was Sikkim really about. When i was asked about my place of origin i was too surprised to find that most of the people never had heard of Sikkim, they thought it to be part of either Nepal or Bhutan. It was with names of two Sikkim giant Danny Denzongpa and Bhaichung Bhutia i was able to relate that there is a small state of Sikkim a part of Indian union for the last 20 years. when i returned back at home i was swept off my feet, i was taken aback i never felt bad like that before and i thought within myself i never knew anything about Sikkim..how could i tell people about my Sikkim. This promoted me to learn more about Sikkim and over the years ...

Shital Pradhan Sometime I wonder, around the belt I sleep, The wonderful thoughts and off course the beauty, I believe, I am fortunate ever, Fortunate ever to be born, Born in this serene part of land, Sikkim, my serene Sikkim. The best part of it, Simplicity lies in every heart, Eagerness and handwork the synonym, Every child stores a dream, Dream to make big, shoves off. Among the crowd there is me, Mine heart that beats for my Sikkim. Monastery, green fields and mountains, That is my Sikkim. My identification and my reality, Better off and still on realm, My Sikkim, my serene Sikkim. Land of beautiful flowers, The ocean of fauna, Here I find, heaven’s pleasure, All the way I sing, I plight for myself. I love my Sikkim... Sikkim, my serene Sikkim.

scan from Kanchenjunga

Born : February 25 , 1948 , Yuksom Real Name: Tshering Phinsto Bhutia Danny Denzongpa was named by Jaya Bhaduri Wife: Gawa Son: Rinzing Daughter: Pema Primary education: Geysing Learnt Hindi in : Birla School , Nainital (1964) Graduation: St. Joshepp’s College, Darjeeling (B.Sc (Bio­Science) Danny Denzongpa participated in republic parade at Delhi in his college days. Won Governor’s Silver Medal as best NCC cadet. Acting course: Film and Television Institute of India in Pune Graduated with a Master of Arts (1st Class) in Dramatics First Film (Hindi): Mere Apne (1971) First song (Hindi): Sunno Sunno kasam se (with Asha Bhonsle in Kala Sona ) First Nepali film in Sikkim : Mashaal Popular Nepali Songs : chiso chiso hawa mah, Kanchi lai ghumauney Kathmandu sahahrah , Rato Rani Phule, hui bhanda chiso and Mann koh kura lai badhi narakha , Sunah katha euta...

BY SHITAL PRADHAN Part 1 SNT as Sikkim Nationalised Transport is popularly known has been a backbone of a rich old heritage in Sikkim transportation history. Set up in 1944 and more than 50 years later it is still going stronger, marching ahead with pride. It is believed anything to begin takes immense hardship and patience, in this article we would be carrying out the story of the first twenty-five years of Sikkim Nationalised Transport, a pride of Sikkim . The year was 1944; when the rest of the world was engaged in the disastrous Second World War, a department called Truck Department run by Government of Sikkim was the forefront of transportation in the hills of Sikkim . Sikkim then had….snowfall in the Northern Ranges in winter…rainfall exceeding 100 inches a year during monsoons… frequent landslides…subsidence… weak bridges…absence of airport. For a hilly region like that of Sikkim where major development in the field of transportation was merely a dream; Tr...

This is Mt Shital...from Sikkim. It looks more like a dormant volcano.

The gate is the only thing that's left of that Old Hospital out at Shantinagar, Singtam. It is said that the king of Sikkim, the late Chogyal Tashi Namgyal had visited this place to inaugurate the hospital. Today the hospital had been shifted to another place and over the years this lone gate stands against all odds. I have heard people talking to dismantle it since their loads on the truck do not pass beyond this gate but I ask if is it worth removing the pillar of the past. I say how many such heritage structures are there in Sikkim related to its great past.

BY SHITAL PRADHAN Sikkim is a home of religious front. Amidst the fact that these heritage sites are now a part of negligence but still richness lies in its glory of the past. With the wheel of clock things have gone through their mid way but there are certain strokes that pave its own path and remain the testimony of the hour. Through this blog I have always tried to give the best insight story to its reader regarding Sikkim, it’s past and present. Here comes a story of a Shiv mandir in Rhenock that has been weaving in a tale frozen in time. A Shivalaya at Rhenock Jeep stand near Bhanu Bhakta‘s statue had its own glory days and now lies in an affirm of deep silence. Once much crowded, Mandir is now on the verge of losing its charm. I met Sunder Kumar Pradhan, former Panchayat member from Rhenock in his early 80s some time back and have heard a fascinating story of this mandir. According to Pradhan, this mandir has been in its present position ever since he was a child. H...