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

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Gangtok, December 3: Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur announced on Wednesday that Raj Bhavan has now been renamed as ‘Lok Bhavan’ . This change was made after a direction from the Union Home Ministry on November 25. The Governor said that the new name will be used from now onwards for all official work. He also said that this step will help make the place more open and friendly for the people, and will strengthen democratic values. Many years ago, after the Sikkim Expedition in 1888, the British government appointed John Claude White as the first Political Officer of Sikkim in 1889. He loved Sikkim and decided to build a beautiful residence there. This building later became known as Raj Bhavan. He chose the site himself and wrote about the experience in his 1909 book. After Claude White, many British officers lived and worked there, including Sir Charles Bell, Major W.L. Campbell, Lt. Colonel W.F. O’Conner, Major F.M. Bailey, Major J.L.R. Weir, Frederick Williamson, Sir Basil Go...

28.11.25: The Dongeythang Philatelic Club under the Sikkim Post Department, Gangtok, was officially inaugurated at Dongeythang Primary School on November 25th, 2025.  The initiative aims to encourage students to develop an interest in philately and understand the cultural and historical value of postage stamps. This year, seven students have been selected as the first members of the club. To mark the occasion, a stamp drawing competition on the theme “National Flag of India” was organised, where students showcased creativity and enthusiasm. Participants also explored a display of philatelic collections, including the latest postage stamp issued on Sikkim, making the event both educational and inspiring.

Children’s Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Dongeythang Primary School. Sports and cultural programmes were the highlights of the event. Shri Vickey Tamang, Dance Director of VMatrix Dance Academy, Singtam, along with his assistant choreographer, Miss Guras Baniya, graced the occasion as special guests. Shri Karma Rinzing Bhutia, School In-charge, served as the host of the day. The day-long celebration began with the offering of khada to the portrait of Jawaharlal Nehru, whose birthday is observed as Children’s Day. Shri Shital Pradhan, Headmaster of the school, congratulated everyone on the occasion. A cake was jointly cut by the outgoing Class V students to mark the celebration. Shri Bhim Prasad Dahal, Senior Teacher, delivered the welcome address. Students participated with joy and enthusiasm in various sports events and dance performances. Sports activities for guardians were also organised, adding more excitement to the day. Both Shri Vickey Tamang and Miss Guras Baniya...

Singtam , November 3, 2025 : Students from  Knight Chess Academy , Singtam, performed remarkably well at two major chess events — the  Late Hari Pd. Katel and ST Sherpa Memorial Chess Championship 2025 held at Kalimpong , and the Rapid Chess Tournament 2025 held at Darjeeling . In the Kalimpong Championship,  Rajvedi Rai  secured the 1st position in the Under-9 Girls category, while  Yedhant Agarwal  and Evan Moktan claimed the 2nd and 3rd positions respectively in the Under-9 Boys category. Pallak Agarwal won the 1st position in the Under-11 Girls category, Edha Singh secured 3rd position in the same category, and Suyog Shital Pradhan emerged Champion in the Under-13 Boys category. Parichay Subba claimed the 1st position in the Under-15 Boys category, while Manasvi Acharya received the title of Best Girl of the T...

Suyog Shital Pradhan has earned his first chess rating of 1445 . His latest rated event was the 3rd Nitai Ghosh Memorial Rating Open 2025 , a five-day, nine-round tournament organized by Jalpaiguri Chess Academy at Greater Kailash The Palace , Jalpaiguri, from 10th to 14th October 2025 .

(First published in PAU , Newa Journal , Gangtok , Vol 6, No. 1: September 2024) Meyju Sonia Pradhan , daughter of Bhaju Bishnu Pradhan and Meyju Leela Maya Pradhan, was born on 2nd November 2003. Currently pursuing her graduation at Nar Bahadur Bhandari Degree College , she has already made a name for herself in the pageant world. Sonia was the 2nd runner-up in Miss Newar 2023 and also shone brightly as the 2nd runner-up in the Meyju Sikkim 2023 competition held during Indra Jatra 2023 . Hailing from Tumlabong, Ranipool , she proudly claimed the title of Miss Universe Sikkim 2024 at the event organized by Positude Sikkim , where Anavi Baniya from Rangpo and Yodenla Bhutia from Soreng were crowned 1st and 2nd runner-up, respectively. Now, Meyju Sonia is all set to represent the Himalayas region on the national stage at Miss Universe India 2024 . Her journey, beginning on 9th September and continuing until 22nd September in Jaipur , Rajasthan, will see her competing with the top 51...

8.09.25 – Dongeythang Primary School celebrated its postponed Teacher's Day with great joy and enthusiasm, honouring its own Karma Rinzing Bhutia , a primary teacher recently awarded the Sikkim State Teachers Day Award . The celebration had been delayed to allow for his recognition by the Education Department, Government of Sikkim , at a state-level ceremony at Manan Kendra, Gangtok . Upon his return, Mr. Bhutia received a warm welcome from Senior Teacher Bhim Prasad Dahal and his colleagues. Highlights of the day-long program included students, parents, and staff offering traditional Khadas to the awardee. Both students and teachers contributed to the program with a variety of engaging cultural performances. The event commenced with the lighting of a lamp and the offering of a Khada to a portrait of Late Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the former President of India in whose honour Teacher's Day is celebrated nationwide. Speeches were delivered by Miss Bipashna Dahal, the school c...

PALANPUR, GUJARAT – The Samanway Pratisthan , a Vadodara -based NGO, has concluded its four-day Changemakers Meet 2025 , a national program celebrating individuals who have made significant societal contributions. The event, which began on September 5, was supported by the India Foundation and Banas Dairy , Asia’s largest dairy farm. For three months, the Samanway Pratisthan conducted a nationwide search for "unsung heroes" for its first-ever meet under The Changemakers Network (TCN). The program's theme was "Be a Sarathi of Viksit Bharat 2047." From 27 states, 51 "Changemakers" were selected for their exceptional work in fields like health, education, and social service. Lomas Dhungel , a mathematics teacher from Government Senior Secondary School, Makha, Gangtok district , was specifically recognized for his socio-environmental project, "Hariyo Makha - Sikkim Against Pollution" that was started in 2015. The event was chaired by Shanka...

Deepanjali Pradhan (First published in PAU, Newa Journal, Gangtok , 2024) After hearing the word “ Bhoto Jatra ” people might think that the Newar people are crazy for celebrating the festival of the vest. What is so important about the vest? It is important to know what a bhoto jatra is and why it is celebrated. Well, there are no such festivals in newa community which does not explain the existence and the importance of any festivals, traditions, and rituals.   So here goes the story for celebrating “ Bhoto Jatra”. According to the legend, it is said that “ Once the wife of Karakal Nagraj had an eye disease which was not getting cured even after doing so many medications. There lived a farmer ( Jyapu ) who said that he can heal her eye problem and Nagraj let him try. Then the farmer rubbed on his body with his hand and collected the dirt and put it in the eyes of Nagraj’s wife. After which his wife was instantly cured, seeing to which Nagraj was overjoyed and rewarded the...

15.03.2025 : Among the 21 students participating in the 5th Shiv Lata Free Scholarship Examination 2025, Master Arluv Gurung and Miss Yankey Gurung successfully passed the scholarship exam. Both students received certificates of achievement, school bags, exercise copies, books, and a set of school and house dresses during the function at Riverine Elementary School, Melatar, Rongli. The scholarship prioritizes students who have completed class V and belong to the BPL category, with support from the Shiv Lata family. Shiva Narayan Pradhan, a former teacher at a school in Rongli (now known as Kumari Pema Tseduen Secondary School), has been instrumental in its establishment. The selected students will be able to avail themselves of free education at Riverine Elementary School for classes VI-VIII.

16.08.25, Singtam : Government Primary School, Dongeythang, celebrated India's 79th Independence Day with a grand and patriotic program. Mrs. Gaki Doma Bhutia, Panchayat of Simick Ward and SMC President, and Mrs. Phurmit Lepcha, Panchayat of Lingzey Ward and Vice President of Simik Lingzey GPU, served as the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, respectively, and unfurled the tricolor flag. Distinguished guests, students, staff, and parents were present on the occasion. The day's highlight was the hoisting of the national flag by the Chief Guest, accompanied by the National Anthem and a spirited march past by the students of Dongeythang Primary School. Shri Bhim Prasad Dahal delivered the welcome speech. Shri LB Pradhan, former Headmaster of the school, and Shri RP Sharma, former teacher, were felicitated on the occasion for their contributions to the school's development. The program was a vibrant showcase of talent and patriotism, featuring cultural presentations by students f...

15.08.25: Lata Memorial Public School, in collaboration with the Shantinagar Gaon Sudhar Samiti, celebrated the 79th Independence Day with great pride and enthusiasm today, August 15, 2025. The program was graced by Shri Bhakta Bahadur Chettri, a retired Army Officer, as the Chief Guest, and Smt Rajni Singh Cintury, President of the School Management Committee (SMC), as the Guest of Honour. Mr. Manish Pradhan, Principal cum Director of LMPS, and Shri Krishna Chettri, President of the SGSS, attended as Special Guests. The LMPS students participated in a parade that helped them learn about India's freedom struggle and encouraged patriotism, unity, and discipline. They also took an active part in patriotic songs, sports, and a cultural program. The celebration ended with a ceremony to distribute medals and certificates to the students.

17.08.25, Singtam: Students of Knight Chess Academy, Singtam delivered an outstanding performance at the Inter-School Chess Tournament 2025 held at TNSSS, Gangtok , securing multiple podium finishes across various age categories in both boys’ and girls’ sections. Representing schools across the region, our academy players showcased not only skill and strategy but also exemplary sportsmanship. The tournament featured a highly competitive field, and our players rose to the occasion with commendable results. In the boys’ section, standout performances included Parichay Subbha (6th), Karan Ojha (7th), and Yedhant Agarwal (8th) in the Open category , all with 7 points. In the Under-13 category, Suyog Shital Pradhan secured 2nd place with 7 points, and Pratik Sunar came 6th with 6.5 points. Aarav Pradhan dominated the Under-11 category, claiming 1st position with 7 points, while Dipttom Bhattacharya followed with a 3rd place finish (6 points). In the Under-9 category, Advait Dube...

This 1928 letter from Maharaja Tashi Namgyal of Sikkim is printed on the official royal letterhead , featuring the crest of the Kingdom of Sikkim at the top center. The crest includes traditional Sikkimese symbols , mythical creatures , and a crown, reflecting the monarchy’s authority and Buddhist heritage. This version of the crest was used during Sikkim’s status as a princely state under British paramountcy . In later years, the royal crest was redesigned and replaced. (PIC: from internet)

FIFTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD MR. BEPIN BEHARI LAL, I.C.S., TOOK OATH AS FIRST GOVERNOR OF SIKKIM AT A SIMPLE BUT IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY HELD AT RAJBHAVAN ON MAY 16. THE OATH WAS ADMINISTERED BY MR JUSTICE RAJINDER SACHAR, CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE HIGH COURT OF SIKKIM. The function was held at a specially erected pandal at the Rajbhavan lawns and was attended, among others by Chief Minister Kazi Lhendup Dorji, Kazini of Chakung, members ofthe  Cabinet Mr B.P. Dahal, Mr B.P. Kharel, Mr Dorji Tsering, Mr Naye Tsering Lepcha, and Mr Rinzing Tongden Lepcha, Deputy Speaker of Sikkim Assembly Mr C.S. Rai, Members of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, General Secretary of Congress Party Mr S.K. Rai, and top civil and army officials. Later, Mr Lal administered he oath of office and secrecy to Kazi as Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues under the Indian Constitution. On his arrival at Rajbhavan Mr Lal was received by Kazi and his Cabinet colleagues. He was presented with an impressive Guard of Honour b...

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Newar and Our Culture in the Context of Sikkim:  An Exploration of Tradition, Heritage, and Identity   Ajay Pradhan,  MA Sociology,  Sadam Sakha, Sikkim (First published in PAU, Newa Journal, Gangtok, 2024)   Introduction Sikkim, a small Himalayan state in India, is a melting pot of diverse cultures and communities, is a land of diverse cultures and rich traditions. While it is known primarily for its vibrant mix of ethnic groups, such as the Lepchas, Bhutias, and Nepalis. Among them, the Newar community stands out for its unique traditions, customs, and contributions to the state. The Newar community has played a significant role in shaping the cultural tapestry of this Himalayan state. Our culture, which is a unique blend of Hinduism and Buddhism, has not only survived but also thrived in Sikkim. The Newars, known for their craftsmanship, artistry, and vast cultural practices, began migrating to Sikkim during the 19th and early 20th centuries. In Sikki...

Dr. CL Pradhan, Dentam (First published in PAU, Newa Journal, Gangtok, 2024) Culture defines people’s values, beliefs, and personal interests. Culture is important because it allows people to maintain a unique identity in society. Newars are famous for their unique lifestyle and have rituals and customs which have to be followed from Birth till Death. They have their way of celebrating festivals, performing marriage ceremonies, and funerals. One of the old and still alive cultures is our unique way of celebrating the marriage ritual during childhood in a girl child is  Ehee  ( Bel-Bibaha ).  Newars are a linguistic and cultural community of Indo Aryan and Tibeto-Burman ethnicities following Hindu and Buddhist religions. Newars are known for their contributions to art, sculpture, architecture, culture, literature, music industry, trade, agriculture, and cuisine, and left their mark on the art of Central Asia . The Newar Society was traditionally divided into occupati...