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

Dalapchand : Ravi Pradhan, a Class IX student from Upper Dalapchand SS made Sikkim proud when he stood fifth in a High Jump event among the other athletic performers from 29 states at recently concluded 5 th National Inter School Tournament Group 1.   Ravi Pradhan had received a memento and a certificate. Sikkim state was represented by two athlete Ravi Pradhan and Saran Gurung from Rhenock SSS while Bahai School, Tadong represented at boys and girls Basketball event. The Girl’s Team lost at the semi final while the Boy’s Team made up to quarterfinal. The National Level School event was held from April 18 to 21 at Rajnandgoan, Chhattisgarh. This event is held for a promotion of sports and games at Schools. According to the information received from Ravi Pradhan, he stood fifth with a jump of 5.9 m while the athlete from Kerela had a jump of 6.6 m to win the event. It was a nice experience to compete at such national event and I am happy that I performed my best, 5.9 m is my pe...

Dalapchand: The 33 rd edition of the famed Singtam Basibiyalo saw the felicitation of actress Bijayata Baraily for her marvelous performance in her debut Nepali film “ Angalo Yo Maya Ko ” at a gathering in Singtam Community Hall on April 24 th , 2011.   The colourful cultural program saw performers from Singtam, Chujachen and students of Upper Dalapchand SS entertaining the crowds. Singtam Basibiyalo has in short time become a most happening monthly event at Singtam and is growing with every passing day. Performers from different corners of the state find a proud moment to participate at the event and perform. Mohan Pradhan “Neeraj”, speaking on the occasion said that Singtam Basibiyalo is getting popularity and he thanked every members and non members for supporting him and his Singtam Basibiyalo.   TB Pradhan, Advisor Singtam Basibiyalo talking to this reporter told that this platform of performing arts is open to every individuals and groups who wanted to showcase their...

Dalapchand: Sajan Basnet, a local choreographer from Rongli who had helped the Upper Dalapchand Secondary School grab the third position at Inter School Folk Dance Competition at the recently concluded 5 th Lampokhari Paryatan 2011 at Aritar-Dalapchand Festival Ground was felicitated by Upper Dalapchand Secondary School staff. In a small gathering at school premises Sajan Basnet was felicitated by offering khadas by the staffs, Basnet was also handed over an appreciation certificate.  Speaking on the occasion Karma T Bhutia, Teacher told that the students had been benefitted from the dancing lessons of Sajan Basnet in a short time of 10 days. Upper Dalapchand Secondary School managed to get third position in a tough competition that had 11 schools from nearby regions giving their best. Our students performed better but it was not our day on that occasion. The crowds at the Festival appreciated our school’s dance presentation, we are happy for that, added Bhutia.  S T Bhuti...

Singtam: After a grand two-week show at Vajra Cinema Hall in Gangtok, much talked about Nepali film Angalo Yo Maya Ko produced by Kishor Dungmali from Mazhitar, Sikkim is ready to be released at Siliguri Multiplex. According to the information received from Kishore Dungmali, Producer of the film, AYMK shall be screened from April 22 at Cinemax Sevin Plaza, Siliguri. This is for the first time in India that a Nepali film shall be screened multiplex. Prashant Tamang, lead actor of the movie shall also be present on the occasion, he added. Kishore Dungmali felt proud that his film was well appreciated by the people and said that the film AYMK has opened a door for a film business in Sikkim. If our works are sincere and well organized, we all can make a better movie and make a name for Sikkim in the movie world. Dungamali added.   He further said he wished every people around should watch this movie with their family, this movie provides a social message and talk about the change we ...

The last day of the 5th Lampokhari Paryatan 2011 saw a musical evening with Kunti Moktan. A legendary singer Kunti Moktan sang a dozen song that made four thousand odd crowds dance to her song. Prakash Sundas was the only singer from Sikkim on that night to share the stage with Kunti Moktan. It is an achievement for this young boy to come this far.

Dalapchand, April 13: The second day of the Lampokhari Paryatan 2011 Festival saw Pooja Pariyar winning the Miss Lamphokari Beauty Pageant 2011 while Singer Prakash Sundas, an Indian Idol aspirant and winner of Namchi Mahotsav 2010 entertained the over two thousand crowds with his songs in the highly anticipated late evening show. The late evening show also had a Fashion Show by the renowned Models from Kolkata. Present on the occasion were Puran Gurung, Area MLA, Dhiraj Pradhan, BDO Rongli, Tenzing T Kaleon, SDM Rongli Sub-Division, KB Chamling, SDF Vice President, Bimal Dawari, Zilla Adhakshya, East and members of Lampokhari Paryatan 2011 Festival. Pooja Pariyar from Rhenock won over six other contestants to win the coveted Miss Lampokhari crown. Chunki Bhutia and Preeti Tamang were the first and second runners up respectively. The judges for the beauty contest were PK Subba, Deputy Director Agriculture, Passang Tamang, SSACS, Sonam Tshering Bhutia, DE Power, Rongli. The late evening...

  Lamphokhari Paryatan Mahotsav 2011 starts off

Dhiraj Pradhan SINGTAM: Sikkim contingent that had participated at 2 nd North East Youth Festival 2011 at Shillong went on to bag two second prizes at Solo Instrumental Competition and in Painting Competition, while they also secured third prize at the One Act Play competition.   According to the information received from Praveen Pradhan, the team leader of Sikkim Contingent; Dhiraj Pradhan from Rhenock stood second in painting competition while Sonam Waiba from Gangtok bagged a second prize with his guitar skill at Solo Instrumental competition.  A Nine member play group finished third at the One Act Play competition, informed Pradhan. The 2 ND NE Youth Festival was held from April 7 th till April 9 th    at Polo Ground, Shillong. The eight participating states that included Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura had partake in different competitive events at the Mega cultural celebration.  The competitive eve...

Day 1 of the two day All Sikkim Strike called on by SDF Labour Front at Rongli (4.4.11)

Celebrating 60th Birth Anniversary of Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal at Rongli School.

I never thought that someday, my passion for understanding Sikkim would have followers and well-wishers across the globe. Just before writing this article, I received an email from Volker from France wondering about my fascination with bringing out things about Sikkim that no one had ever thought about.  I was looking for information with him regarding a person named Robert Godet. He was a Frenchman, writer, photographer, adventure lover, and family friend to the Royal family of Sikkim. In the 1950s, he made several flights to Sikkim in his small two-seater airplane, probably making him the first to fly across the Himalayan Kingdom of Sikkim.    Sometimes, my friends call me a wanderer since I visit places looking for lost pieces of Sikkim's past. Sometimes, it's the oral documentation, while on a few other occasions, the materials I get around keep me silent. For the last decade, I had been at Singtam, my hometown, and doing my own research on Sikkim History, but thi...