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

It may sound strange, but the famed Lampokhari better known as Aritar Lake is not at Aritar but is found within the boundary of Dalapchand.  I, too, like many were unknown of this fact until during my two years stay at Dalapchand SS. I had come across people out there who told me myths of Lampokhari that were followed from one generation to another. The oral folk lore is fabled stories thou sometimes hard to believe but are nevertheless interesting to read. I believe it is these stories that gave birth to the charisma of Lampokhari that is today visited for its mesmerizing and unparalleled beauty. Dalapchand originally called Do-le-che means flattened rock as old people recount. This little-known village more popular for its green vegetables today was a major mule route to Tibet starting during British Expedition 1888 till the Indo-China conflict in the early 60s. Today more than five decades after the closing of the mule-driven trade along with the development of better tra...

SINGTAM, AUGUST 28:   Federation of Consumers Association of Sikkim (FCAS) held a meeting at Gangtok on August 27 to re-establish its organization.   Jayashree Pradhan was the President of the meeting that had people from different profession along with students participating and sharing their experiences. Kuber Dahal, Former Additional Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Mahesh Sharma, Assistant Controller, Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department along with people gathered from Gangtok, Singtam, Central Pandam and others were present on the occasion. Highlight of the meeting was to re-organise the organization. The members of the organization shared their experiences and echoed the importance of a forum that would raise voice for consumer related issues. The Consumer forum was started in 1997 but in the last few years it had lessened its work. New executive members were also formed on the occasion. Jayashree Pradhan...

“Anmol Chhan – A Christmas in September” from the makers of Super Hit nepali film “Angalo Yo Maya Ko” is making its way to cinema hall world –wide next month. Produced by Kishore Dungmali Rai under the banner of Sinai Enterprises , this nepali film shot at the beautiful locales of Sikkim and parts of Kalimpong and Kolkata is about family values and self-belief. Directed and story by Anmol Gurung , the story revolves around three people and their journey of life. Sneha Rai from Majhitar makes her debut as a lead actress. Shalom Kabo and child artiste Anurup Rai are the other lead actors in the film. The other artists include “Katha fame” Timothy Rai, Nita Pradhan, Sandhya Sundas, Suraj Chettri, Abigel Rasaily, Smriti Rai, Praveen Mangar, and others. Praja Pradhan and Smriti Rai are the Assistant Director and the Production Designer. Anand Rai and Anmol Gurung are the Music directors. Saikap Dev has given the background score while cinematography and editing are by Punu Lucks...

SINGTAM, AUGUST 26:   A small thanks giving program was organized at Chisopani JHS today to felicitate Geeta Sharma, Choreographer   for her contribution to the school at the recently held 67th Independence Day. Khadas was offered to Geeta Sharma by the school staff. Sharma was also presented an appreciation certificate and a gift. Mahesh Dahal, Headmaster of the school in his brief speech thanked Geeta Sharma for her involvement in the school’s dance activities as well as in the student’s drill that was performed at the school ground on the occasion of 67 th Independence Day. He further said, the public was entertained with the wonderful dance performed by the school students. During her short stay at the school, the students had been benefitted from her dancing lessons, added Dahal. Geeta Sharma in return thanked the school staff for giving her the responsibility and cooperation. She added she enjoyed being part of the school team. She especially thanked Romila Ra...

On the occasion of the 21st Nepali Language Recognition Day, I here share a photograph of people from Singtam waiting for the reception of Mr. and Mrs. NB Bhandari near the old Iron Bridge after nepali language was recognized and included in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution. (1992) Smt. Dil Kumari Bhandari, then Member of Parliament and Shri NB Bhandari, then Chief Minister of Sikkim had played a significant role in including Nepali as a National Language in Eight Schedule of the Constitution of India.

SINGTAM, AUGUST 20:   Canara Bank, Singtam Branch had provided financial assistance to six SC/ ST girls’ students of Government Sr. Sec. School, Singtam. The scheme called Canara Vidya Jyothi Scheme2013 was a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The cash prize was handed over to the students by Shri Am Prasad Sharma, Area MLA, Khamdong Singtam and Parliamentary Secretary on the occasion of 67 th Independence Day at Golitar, Singtam. Present on the occasion was distinguished guests that included Councilors of Singtam Nagar Panchayat, Dr. A.H. Khan, Jitendra Kumar, Manager, Canara Bank, Singtam Branch and others. The cash prizes of Rs. 2500 was presented to three girl students of classes v, vi and vii while the cash prize of Rs. 5000 was presented to the girl students of classes viii, ix and x. The girls honoured during the event were toppers in their respective classes. The students awarded included, Sarena Bardewa (Class V), Nisha Sundas (Class VI), Dhan M...

SINGTAM, AUGUST 16:   A history was created in Chisoapni JHS play ground with the mega celebration of the 67 th Independence Day. It was for the first time such a huge celebration was organized in the village. The major highlight of the celebration was the felicitations of 12 societal personalities, Inter School Football Tournament, Open Football Tournament, Inter School Nepali Folk Dance Competition and others. Shri Am Prasad Sharma, Area MLA cum Parliamentary Secretary was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The other guests present on the occasion were Major Rohan Louis (Melli), Bimal Lamichaney, President, Sirwani Chisopani GPU, LP Chettri, DE, Power & Energy Department, Toppakhani, Sumitra Gurung, Ward Panchayat and others. The program started with the welcome speech by Anu Gurung, teacher Chisoapni JHS. Captain Iqbaljit Singh, OIC, GREF unfurled the tri-colour flag in the morning and received the salute from the ‘March Past’ performed by the students of Chisoapni ...