Sikkim: a photo video by Alvin Martin

Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayas. It is the least populous state in India and the second-smallest in area after Goa.The thumb-shaped state borders Nepal in the west, the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north and the east and Bhutan in the southeast. The Indian state of West Bengal borders Sikkim to its south.Despite its small area of 7,096 square kilometers (2,740 sq mi), Sikkim is geographically diverse due to its location in the Himalayas. The climate ranges from subtropical to high alpine. Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak, is located on the border of Sikkim with Nepal. Sikkim is a popular tourist destination owing to its culture, scenic beauty and biodiversity.

King and Queen of Sikkim visiting Washington.

King of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal, on the right, and his wife, American born Hope Cooke, on a visit to Washington (November 18, 1971 )

Arthur E. Scott photograph collection

Special Cover of the first running train philatelic exhibition

The first philatelic exhibition on a running train

A new record was set on the rail tracks at Siliguri Junction on June 5, 2006, when for the first time in India and across the globe, a running philatelic exhibition was conducted. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, UNESCO recognized world heritage, ran for 31 kilometres in 10 hours from Siliguri Junction to Agony Point, with a halt at Sukuna to mark its 125th year. 

The program jointly conducted by the Siliguri Philatelic Society (SPS) and Sikkim Philatelic Club (SPC) had added a new page in the history of Indian Philately. Noted Railway Philatelist Vikas Singh of Ghaziabad, the man behind the concept, had booked the train for the day

for this purpose. The event named “Heritage 06” was held on June 5 and 6, 2006. On the first day, the exhibition was held at Siliguri Junction Railway Station where the well-decorated Train 788-B was flagged off at Agony Point, Tindharia at around 7.30 am. Stamps, Special Covers and First Day Covers on Indian Railway mounted on 40 sheets were exhibited inside the two bogies of the toy train.

Present on the occasion was K B Chursa, Superintendent of Post Offices Jalpaiguri Post Office, Dipok Dey - eminent philatelist from Kolkata, Vikas Singh, noted railway philatelist from Ghaziabad, S K Biswas President of Siliguri Philatelic Society, Shital Pradhan Secretary, Sikkim Philatelic Club, Postal and Railway officials and the philatelists Chiranjiv Chakraborty, Biswajit Bhattacharya, Padam Parajuli, Sumnima Parajuli, all from Siliguri, Ganesh Pradhan and Shishir Pradhan from Sikkim while Asit Ghosh and Manoranjan Bhattacharya represented Cooch Bihar Philatelic Association.

The event finds mention in Stanley Gibbon magazine

Shital Pradhan conducted the program on the running train. Biswas welcomed all aboard and told the passengers on board the significance of the achievement of the day. He added that this event held on a small platform will generate enough curiosity in India and other parts of the World. Pawan Agarwal, Secretary, SPS also addressed the audience.

Dipok Dey conducted a workshop on philately explaining the beauty of the stamp and how a beginner can generate this hobby for its commercial use too. The Chief Guest K B Chursa released a special cover and stamp booklet on this occasion, who presented the first Special Cover to Vikas Singh.

The next phase of the function was held at Bangabandhu Manch. A stamp exhibition with over 2000 stamps was displayed followed by a painting exhibition and quiz competition. Both the associations of SPS and SPC are trying to mark the achievement recognized by an entry in the Limca Book of Records and the Guinness Book of Records.

Photo Feature of Sikkim's No.1 Dancer grand finale - i

Mingma Sherpa and Om Prakash Sewa wins Sikkim’s No.1 Dancer trophy

SINGTAM, JULY 20: The grand finale of “Sikkim’s No.1 Dancer 2012-13”, Search for the Sikkim’s best solo dancer  for the Junior and Senior categories concluded at Singtam Community Hall on July 18. Mingma Sherpa from Namchi went on to win the title of “Sikkim’s No.1 Dancer” for the Senior Category while Om Prakash Sewa from Changey, Pakyong was adjudged the winner of the Junior Category.

A group dance performance from Step Dance Sensation Academy, Namchi dedicated towards the Uttrakhand nature tragedy was the major highlight of the day that was highly appreciated by the gathered audiences.  

Prashant Pradhan and Gyaltsen Bhutia, both from Gangtok were awarded 1^st Runner-Up and 2^nd Second Runner-Up in the Senior Category. Similarly Priyance Sharda from Gangtok and Samuel Thapa from Reshi-Rhenock were awarded 1^st Runner-Up and 2^nd Second Runner-Up in the Junior Category. Sheetal Rai from Senior Category and Priyance Sharda from Junior Category were also awarded Best Costume of the event.

Ugen T Gyatso Bhutia, Chief Whip, Government of Sikkim was the Chief Guest on the day while Am Prasad Sharma, Area MLA was the Special Guest. Other distinguished guest on the gathering included Indra Pradhan (Chairperson- Sikkim’s No.1 Dancer), SK Pradhan, President and Councilors (Singtam Nagar Panchayat), Kamlesh Agarwal, Naren Chettri, Kishore Dungmali, DK Subba, Ghanashyam Pradhan and others.

Sushma Chettri, Anu Pradhan, Rajeev Tamang was the judges of the grand finale while Uma Baby, nepali cine star was the celebrity judge of the day. Remanti Rai (Sikkim Samman 2013 awardee) and Prakash Pradhan were the Master of Ceremony. Singers Ramman Rai, Prakash Sundas, Gangaa Mukhia ((Sikkim Samman 2012 awardee) and Geeta Sharma (Sikkim Samman 2012 awardee) enthralled the audiences with their soothing voice.

Om Prakash Sewa

Bikash Pradhan, Bharat Jyoti 2013 Awardee was felicitated by Badhaichha Creation for becoming the first Sikkimese to win the prestigious “Bharat Jyoti” national award. The memento was handed over by Ugen T Gyatso Bhutia, Chief Guest of the event. Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’, Sansthapak, Singtam Basibiyalo presented a memento to Praveen Pradhan, Managing Director, Badhaichha Creation for successfully organizing the grand finale. Distinguished guests who had been associated with the event were also awarded an appreciation letter.

Praveen Pradhan speaking on the occasion thanked Associate Partners, Media Partners and every supporter behind the success of the event.  Pradhan went on to say, Badhaichha Creation shall always remain grateful towards the young talents for their energetic performances that was appreciated by the audiences. Sikkim’s No.1 Dancer was our first presentation and we have many more events in the offing, we hope we shall receive same love and warmth that we have received for this event added, Pradhan.

Badhaichha Creation from Singtam was the organizer of the event that had more than 200 participants from different corners of the state of Sikkim. Singtam Basibiyalo and Proud to be a Sikkimese (blog) was the Associate Partners, while Media Partners included Nayuma Television, Sikkim Express, Samay Dainik, Voice of Sikkim and 91.9 FM. The mega event was supported by SPARK NGO (Singtam), Cricket Philately and Sikkim Tamang Youth Society.

Independence Volleyball tourney at Mazhitar

Press Release

Majhitar-Rangpo 16^th.July.2013: Majhitar Educated Unemployed Youth Cooperative Society is organizing 2^nd Late Man Rupa Gurung Memorial Volleyball Tournament on the occasion of Independence Day Celebration. Tournament will start from 2^nd of August 2013. MEUYCS is a registered active body in Majhitar Rangpo mostly known for their social works around those areas.  With the success of their debut organized tournament last year, this year also they are organizing this tournament in a very big way. Memorial Cup is named after Late Mother of Minister of Building & Housing Department Smt. Tilu Gurung. All matches will be played at Majhitar School Ground and last date of entry is fixed on 28^th of July 2013 up to 4 pm. Trophy carries cash prize of Rs. 50,000/- for winner and Rs. 30,000/- for runners up.

President of MEUYCS Sandeep Chettri has thanks all the Majhitar Youths and citizens of Majhitar for their cooperation to the society. Team who is interested to enter this tournament can contact 09851846643/09851508686 or mail at muycs10@gmail.com

Photo feature of 199th Bhanu Jayanti Celebration at Timi Bazaar

Singtam Basibiyalo receives honour at 199th Bhanu Jayanti Celebration

SINGTAM, JULY 14: Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’, Sansthapak Singtam Basibiyalo was awarded a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for his contribution towards society through the platform of ‘Basibiyalo’ at 199^th Bhanu Jayanti Celebration held at Timi bazaar. The citation and shawl was presented to Neeraj by Evanarayan Nepal, noted literary persona who was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The 199^th Bhanu Jayanti Celebration held at Timi bazaar was a Constituency Level Celebration of Timi Namphing Constituency. “Jatiya Ekta Diwas” was the theme of the event.

Basibiyalo over the last two decades had been promoting culture and literature in the state. It had been a popular platform for people in and around the state of Sikkim to showcase their talent in the field of Culture and Literature. Many youngsters have raise from this platform and made their own mark in their respective fields.

22 members of Singtam Basibiyalo had attended the Jayanti Celebration held at Timi bazaar headed by Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’, Praveen Pradhan, Prakash Subedi and others. A small program was also organized by Basibiyalo at the Bhanu Jayanti celebration that was enjoyed by the masses. The performers of the day included Prakash Sundas (singer), Prahalad Poudhyal (poet), RP Sharma and Anirudh Sharma (comedy skit play) and a folk dance by Deepanjali & her group.

We are very happy to be part of the grand Bhanu Jayanti Celebration and we shall remain thankful towards the Committee for the invitation to perform our small programme at the celebration, added Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’. Neeraj further added he shall always keep by heart the honour and respect he had received from Timi.

Sikkim Tamang Buddhist Association condems Bodhagaya incident

Press Release

Basant Moktan

The most sacred place for Buddhists all over the world, Bodh Gaya, that the Buddha gained Enlightenment has been desecrated by terrorists and insurgents. The Sacred Buddhist Shrine in Bihar is one of the most honoured religious places of worship of the Buddhists the World over and the Sikkim Tamang Buddhist Association unreservedly condemn the serial attack. This is a very sad situation to treat a religion that spreads Friendliness (Metta), Compassion (Karuna), Appreciative Joy (Muditha) and Equanimity (Upeksha), General Secretary of Sikkim Tamang Buddhist Association Shri Basant Moktan said.

Shri Moktan was referring to the latest terrorist attack that took place in the holy sacred place of Buddhists around the world, Bodh Gaya on Sunday.

Moktan further noted that the safety of these places should be the responsibility of the Indian Government and those responsible for this heinous should be brought to book.

“No religious centre should be the target of any terrorist or individual, as these religious places spread holy messages to the world. The whole world should denounce these types of attacks that vandalize and desecrate sacred lands around the world,” he further added.

“A comprehensive investigation should be carried out by the Central Government to find the real reason behind the attack, “Shri. Basant Moktan requested.

We also express our heartfelt sympathies to the victims of this dastardly attack and urge the government and the relevant authorities to investigate into the incident and bring to book those responsible,” the statement added.