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

“I am happy I made my state “Sikkim” proud- -- Roshan Prasad” Roshan Prasad, a 24-year-old local guy from Singtam is pursuing his study at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Kolkata. He came into the limelight when he became the first person from North East India to design the Special Cover for India Post. His design was released in a mega event on July 29, 2010. He is also the winner of a National Award at the National Philately Exhibition at Vadodra last December. Roshan Prasad is also the Team Manager of Hills Boy’s United FC, a football team for the boys of the Hills-based in Kolkata. 1. How do you feel about your achievement of becoming the first from the North-East to design a Special Cover for India Post? Roshan Prasad : It’s an honor for me to become the first from the North East to design a Special Cover for India Post and that too of The National Club of India “Mohun Bagan AC”. I am happy I made my state “Sikkim” proud. For this, I especially would like to t...

I am very happy to learn that my very good friend, my colleague of Weekend Review days Yishey D has come up with a book on Lepcha folk tales “Legends of the Lepchas”. Illustrated by noted cartoonist Pankaj Thapa, the book is a collection of 22 folk tales woven from the lepcha legends.  I would like to congratulate the team of Legends of the Lepchas. pic: Rachna Books

SINGTAM:  The monthly literary forum  Basibiyalo,  which has been a huge success among the crowds in and around Singtam, completed its 27th monthly meeting today at East Point SSS.  The highlight of the day was Miss Pooja Sharma's felicitation from Rangpo in the presence of noted Nepali cine actor Uttam Pradhan and Bishal Chamling.   The other guests present on the occasion were  Maha Kavi  Chakrapani Bhattarai, SK Pakhrin, a noted folk song singer from Sikkim and Pradip Subba, President of Singtam Motor Vehicle Association.  Also present on the occasion were members of Spark NGO represented by Praveen Pradhan, President, Nangshel Sherpa, Vice President and Rajni Pradhan, the General Secretary. The huge assembled crowds hugely applauded the cultural activities and drew immense attention to the day-long program. Mohan Pradhan “Niraj” talking to this reporter told that Basibiyalo has succeeded in making its mark among its followers. This liter...

There has always been a debate about the oldest monastery in Sikkim, and I have come across certain general knowledge books based on Sikkim that depict Dubdi as the oldest.   I do not know how far I am correct. Still, the mother of all books on Sikkim History,  The Gazetteer of Sikhim,  written by HH Rishley and published from Calcutta in 1894, writes Sanga Chelling (meaning  The Place of Secret Spells ) Monastery near Pelling was built in 1697.  The Dubdi (meaning  The Hermit's Cell ) Monastery near Yuksom was built in 1701. I believe in the case of the Sanga Choling and Dubdi issue, it was in later years that the original Sanga Choling monastery was burned and reconstructed in 1965. The confusion started here when most writers wrote their work as Dubdi was the first monastery of Sikkim. When an actual building is removed (here burned), as in the case of Sanga Choling, how correct are we to replace its original construction years. The State Governme...

source: www.britishpathe.com MAHARANI BRINGS HOME THE BABY <p>Your browser does not support iframes.</p> Full title reads: "New York. Maharani Brings Home The Baby". New York, United States of America (USA). LV The Maharani of Sikkim (Miss Hope Cooke) comes down from aircraft with the Crown Prince and her six month old baby Prince. CU The Maharani. CU The six month old baby. GV Palace in Sikkim. SV The Maharani and Maharaja just before their marriage. CU The Maharani. CU The Maharaja. GV Crowds gathered for the wedding. SV The Maharani and the Maharaja seated for the ceremony. LV The scarf is put round the Maharani's neck. CU The Maharani. LV The Maharani carrying her baby comes from the airport building. CU SV The Maharani and baby. (F.G.)

Floral beauty at Lakshumana Chowk, Lingtu

Singtam: In one of the rare instance to have been witnessed at Sikkim, Prakash Sundas an upcoming local singer from Gangtok celebrated the 38 th birthday of famed Bollyhood Singer Kailash Kher at Spark NGO office at Singtam on July 7. A cake with the name of Kailash Kher beautifully written was distributed among the members of Spark NGO along with other sweet items. A gorkhay khada was placed at the photo frame of Kailash Kher. Later Prakash Sundas went on to sing more than half a dozen songs of his singing idol. Prakash Sundas is a rising singer from Gangtok who had been to Indian Idol 5 auditions this year and had succeeded in reaching the third round at Mumbai audition. He was the only Sikkimese among more than 20 participants to have cleared the Kolkata auditions. In recent times he had been doing stage shows in different part of the state. I have never met my idol but have listen to his voice, I do wish to god that someday I get a chance to meet him and I shall surely sin...

Without a doubt, the land of Sikkim is full of mystery; the more you believe, the more you understand the mystery hidden inside it, and the legend guiding this mystic land smiles back. I have often heard stories about mysterious magical tales that relive the world of that fantasy, which people still accept as accurate once Sikkim is part of it. Some are enveloped in the footprints of learned men, some strange symbols are said to be the footprints of animals, statues that pour tears, or even those that sweat. There are many more such examples to follow, but I believe these mysterious happenings are beyond the common man's understanding. Only the time immortal has the secrets to these mysteries.      Tashiding is one of the most mysterious places, and there are also a few mysterious materials that these materialistic worlds find difficult to consider. As I said earlier in my first article, this was my first visit to this mystic place, and I feel I missed out on a few...

In Memorium On 10th Death Anniversary Capt. Ganju Lama VC MM PD (7 July 1922 - 1 July 2000) Time takes away the edge of grief But memory turns back every leaf Gone from our lives one so dear But in our hearts forever near. Time changes many things but not the Memory this day brings Till now you are still in our minds and hearts for the love and lessons of life that u gave us Memories are like leaves of gold They never tarnish or grow old Locked in our hearts, You will always be Loved and remembered , For all eternity It isn't what we write, It isn't what we say Its how we feel deep inside As we think of you today... ten years on..   Deeply remembered and missed by all Pema Chuki Kazini (Wife) & All Family Members & Relatives