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

(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...