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

In the world of women's football, the 2024 SAFF Women's Championship has been a hot topic of discussion. The Nepal women's football team , led by the trailblazing striker Sabitra Bhandari , made headlines with their stunning victory in the semifinals, where they defeated India . This victory has brought the team into the limelight and highlighted the incredible talent and determination of players like Sabitra Bhandari, Priti Rai , and Rekha Poudel . Sabitra Bhandari: The Trailblazing Striker Sabitra Bhandari, affectionately known as Samba , hails from the picturesque village of Pamchowk in Lamjung, Nepal . At just 23, Bhandari has made headlines as the all-time highest goal scorer in Nepalese football history , netting an astonishing 49 goals and solidifying her status as the highest woman goal scorer in South Asia . Her journey began humbly, playing with boys in her village, where she first learned to hone her skills. “I never felt weaker than the boys,” she recalls, her ...

Adapted from the article written by Tsewang Choden Sherpa ,  teacher Posakay PS published in the Decadal Issue of the school magazine Posakey Primary School , established in 2005 under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), is a beacon of hope and commitment to education in the remote region of Chujachen under Rongli Sub-Division, Sikkim . The school was set up with the goal of providing quality elementary education to children aged 6 to 14, with a focus on eliminating educational disparities and creating a nurturing environment for young learners. The story of Posakey School began when intellectuals from the Human Resource Development Department (HRDD) of the Government of Sikkim , along with the local Panchayats , worked together to find a suitable piece of land for the school's construction. Thanks to the dedication of local leaders like Mr. Uttam Gurung , the groundwork for the school was established, and the school opened its doors on March 2, 2005. Initially, the school faced signif...

Major Durga Malla , the first Gorkha soldier in the Indian National Army (INA), devoted his life to India's independence. Born in July 1913 in Doiwala near Dehradun , he was the eldest son of Nb Sub Ganga Malla. At the age of 15, he was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi 's Dandi March , which sparked his vocal opposition to British rule. By 18, he had joined the 2/1 Gorkha Rifles in Dharamshala , aligning himself with the INA under Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose by 1942. His exceptional skills and dedication earned him the rank of Major and a vital role in intelligence operations. On March 27, 1944, while gathering enemy information, Malla was captured near Kohima . Tried and sentenced to death at the Red Fort in New Delhi , he faced coercion from authorities to confess his rebellion. Even under immense pressure, including the presence of his wife Sharda, whom he had married just three days before being recalled to duty, Malla remained resolute. His final words to her emphasized his fa...

Tendong Hill is a legendary name in Sikkimese culture, steeped in history and spirituality. Rising 8,350 feet in the Himalayas, it is located about 20 kilometers from the town of Namchi. This sacred mountain holds a special place in the hearts of the Lepcha people, who share a powerful story of survival—the tale of the great flood, a legacy echoed in cultures worldwide. Today, Tendong is celebrated during the Tenmdong Alho Rum Faat Festival , a beautiful occasion of gratitude for the mountain’s protection during that devastating deluge. I had been searching for the oldest published reference to this story when I discovered an account from Among the Himalayas by Major L.A. Waddell, published in 1900. This tale highlights the connection between the Sikkimese people and their natural surroundings. Long ago, when only the Rong (or Lepchas) inhabited this land, a terrible flood struck. The waters rose swiftly, drowning everyone in the valleys and covering all the mountains except for two: ...