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

http://sikkimbiodiversity.blogspot.in/

I had been writing on different topics related to Sikkim for the last 10 years. From flipping over the pages of Sikkim heritage to Sikkim royal family, from century-old Sikkim Postal History to Shapi, and today we will talk about an unusual plant species. Rather a strange case, at least to me and a few of my friends with whom I share the photographs. This was something weird, never reported or heard before. I was thrilled to find this particular banana species growing along the National Highway while on the way to Gangtok a few days back. On that particular day near Orange Village Resort, there was a long queue of vehicles where an army vehicle had collided with a Bolero. From the queued line of vehicles where I was sited, I came across this banana species planted in front of a nearby residence. It took me by surprise and I could not help myself to go near the plant. I had never come across such a banana plant with its flower and fruits growing upright towards the sky a...

In terms of Sikkim’s perspective, the first three expeditions holds special for a person by the name of Gyalzen Kazi, who was a landlord but played an important role during the expeditions. Gyalzen Kazi was the interpreter for the 1921 Everest Expedition and had worked both as interpreter and Sirdar (Chief Climbing Sherpa) on the 1922 and 1924 Expedition. It is well said that Gyalzen Kazi and Karma Paul (another interpreter from Darjeeling) were the first ‘Sherpas’ to have helped the Everest Expeditions. Gyalzen Kazi was known more for his role of interpreter and Sirdar but to my findings he was the first mountain explorer of Sikkim. Another interesting finding that came to me was the page of Aritar Dak Bunglow Visitor Book that has the name of five mountaineers of the 1922 Mt Everest Expedition. Charles G. Bruce, Edward "Teddy" F. Norton, Dr Arthur Wakefield, C. John Morris and C. Geoffrey Bruce had signed at the visitor book during their stay at the Dak Bungalow on Ju...

A popular blog of royal families “Radical Royalist” shares an interesting anecdote related to Chogyal Wangchuk Tenzing Namgyal, the present heir to the Namgyal Dynasty. The anecdote shared by his fellow freind during his schooling days at London. I am sure my reader would love it. The anecdote says about the talk between the two friend Prince Wangchuk and David (his friend)……. “He [Prince Wangchuk] used to accompany a small group of us to the pub at lunchtimes. He was never a big drinker, but used to participate in the banter, and enjoy the company. One day I asked him where he came from - he replied: “Sikkim – it’s a small country in the Himalayas, between Bhutan and Nepal”. I then asked, “So why are you here in London, Wangchuk?” “Oh, my father thought it would be a good idea for me to get a British education”. My next question was: “So what does your father do in Sikkim, Wangchuk?” “Oh, he’s in the government.” “So what does he do in the government, Wangchuk?” “Oh, he’s quite sen...

Kishore Dungmali ’s latest nepali movie venture “ Anmol Tshan ” is all set to have a grand premiere at Manan Kendra Bhawan, Gangtok on 22nd of this month. Sneha Rai of Majhitar and Shalom Kabo along with child artist Anurup Rai are the central characters of the movie. The story of Anmol Tshan depicts the life of the ordinary people. The film was shot at beautiful locations of Sikkim , Kalimpong and Kolkata .   The film had been the taking point in the nepali speaking populations of Sikkim, West Bengal , Assam and other parts of India since few months after its promotional audio was leaked and had gone viral. Anmol Tshan is the second film under the banner of Sinai Enterprises produced by Kishore Dungmali which had earlier made a popular nepali film Angalo Yo Maya Ko starring Indian Idol Prashan Tamang . The film is directed by Anmol Gurung , a young Mass Communication Post Graduate. After its premiere at Sikkim, film will be screnned worldwide.

Botanists Frank Ludlow and George Sherriff with Frederick Williamson in-front of Residency (Now Raj Bhawan) in Gangtok (1933). The botanist duo had visited Sikkim and Tibet in 30s and early 40s for specimen collection.  (Photo Source: Wikipedia)

The fire took place arond  12. 50 am of Februay 2, 2014. 17 houses had been completely damaged and 27 familes removed. No human injury had been reported till now.