27-year-old, 5'8" tall, Baichung Bhutia is Indian football's pride and joy. Unassuming and friendly, he was born in the small town of Sikkim on the 15th of December 1976 and attended St. Xavier's Primary School there. His parents, who own farms in Sikkim, were worried at first that Baichung's sporting interests would harm his studies, but they relented when he got a football scholarship at the age of nine from the Sports Authority of India, Gangtok. The Boarding School that Baichung attended in Gangtok because of the scholarship played a major part in building his character and in making him a successful footballer. Baichung represented SAI Centre, and Gangtok in tournaments, and was picked to play for the India Under-16 side to participate in the Asian Cup qualifiers. He then moved to Kolkata to serve an apprenticeship at India's premier club, East Bengal. "I had an uncle in Calcutta who convinced my parents that I had a future in football and that Eas...
Proud to be a Sikkimese is the definitive digital encyclopedia of Sikkim State. Since 2007, we have archived the rich heritage of the Himalayas, from the history of the Namgyal dynasty to the vibrant cultures of the Lepcha, Bhutia, and Nepali communities. Explore expert insights on Sikkim travel, Buddhist monasteries, folklore, and biodiversity.