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

FIRST IN SIKKIM SERIES:  Meenakshi Madan Rai made history as the first Sikkimese woman appointed High Court Judge. She was sworn in on April 13, 2015, in Gangtok, when the then Governor Shriniwas Patil administered her oath.  Rai is the third Sikkimese to hold this position and the first female Justice in the High Court of Sikkim. Previously, Justice AP Subba was the first from Sikkim appointed to the High Court bench in October 2004, and Justice SP Wangdi followed in June 2009. 

FIRST IN SIKKIM SERIES : 06.04.24: Central Referral Hospital (CRH) proudly welcomes Dr. Sunita Dhakal, Sikkim’s first Head & Neck Surgeon, to the Ear Nose & Throat (ENT) department.  Holding a Master of Surgery in Ear, Nose, and Throat, alongside a Master of Chirurgiae (M.Ch.) in Head & Neck Surgery, Dr. Dhakal brings unparalleled expertise in cancers of the oral cavity, maxilla, larynx, pharynx, thyroid, parotid, and reconstructive surgeries of the head and neck. Operating on Mondays and Saturdays, she offers personalized consultations, integrating cutting-edge techniques. With Dr. Dhakal’s compassionate approach and advanced skills, CRH anticipates enhanced community service. Patients can schedule consultations to benefit from her expertise and CRH's state-of-the-art facilities.

FIRST IN SIKKIM SERIES: 27.05.23, BORDANG, WEST PANDAM - Pritam Shilal , a resident of Bordang, West Pandam, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first International Referee in Boxing from the state of Sikkim . This remarkable achievement comes after Pritam completed the IBA 1 Star R&J Course organized by the International Boxing Association, held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from April 3 to 8, 2023. Pritam's journey began in 2018 when he completed the National level 1st Star R&J boxing referee course in Dergaon, Assam. He displayed exceptional dedication and talent, subsequently pursuing and completing the 2-Star R&J and 3-Star R&J courses. His expertise as a referee has been witnessed at various regional and national-level events, including the North East Olympics, East Zones, Elite Nationals, Khelo India, and National Games. Recognizing his outstanding abilities, Pritam Shilal was honoured with the title of Best Referee at the Sub Junior Nationals held in ...

  FIRST IN SIKKIM SERIES: This paperclip takes you back to 2006 when Denzong Water Industry, the first spring mineral water plant of Sikkim, was set up at Chisopani, 3 km from Singtam. This water plant, though not in working condition today, is on the way to Sakyong Chisopani JHS, where I work as a primary teacher. I know Shri SK Gurung, a socially active individual and a very good friend of our school. He has provided us different materials over the course of time and was one of the key people who helped our then Sakyong Chisopani Primary School move on to Sakyong Chisopani JHS.  Coming back to the water plant, I do not know how the idea of a water plant was initiated in this area in the mid-2000s, but ever since I joined the school in 2013, the biggest hurdle this village faces is the water crisis. Even though the efforts need appreciation.

Chatur Singh Rai First Speaker of Sikkim Legislative Assembly Late Chatur Singh Rai was born on May 22, 1909, and completed his education at Darjeeling. He was the second son of the late Krishna Kumar Rai, who was serving as Assistant Superintendent with the Government of India, later known as the Political Office in Sikkim. Mr. Rai joined the then British Government and thereafter joined the service of the Government of Sikkim from September 1929 to October 1965 as an Executive Officer in departments like works, press, education, and others. During his service tenure, he was awarded various Certificates of Honour in recognition of his contributions and meritorious service by the Government of Sikkim. He was nominated as the Sikkim Census Officer in 1940-41, 1950-51, and 1960-61. He was the President of the Sikkim Census Silver Medals on all occasions. After retirement, Mr. Rai was elected Vice President of the Sikkim Council in 1967. In 1967, he was elected Councillor from Gangtok c...

FIRST IN SIKKIM SERIES: 'Phynyx' - Junu Pundi Kunchund - Yangmu (Class XII) as lead vocalist, Sangay Doma Bhutia (Class XII) on guitar and vocals. Annies Pamo Lepcha (Class X) is on bass guitar and vocals. Rinzi Lhamu (Class XI) is on percussion and vocals, and Dechen Sherpa (Class IX) is on drums. These girls blew other Rock Bands out of the competition with their renditions of 'Pretty Women by Roy Orbison’.   pic: Sikkim Express

FIRST IN SIKKIM SERIES:  To Shri Dille Singh Ghale goes the credit of being the first Forest Manager of the Himalayan Kingdom of Sikkim in 1905, and such was his dedication towards his duty that he did not even let off his wife for not following Forest Rules. His wife had illegally brought a head load of firewood from the forest area illegally, for which Dille Singh Ghale imposed a fine of five rupees on her. Despite the intervention of Durbar, his wife was not able to seek any help, and eventually, she paid off the fine. The incident shows how firm and sincere he was towards his duty.  It was under his direction that the classification and demarcation of forest land into three categories of Reserve Forest, Khasmal, and Gorucharan were done and notified from 1908 to 1912. The basis of scientific forest management was thus initiated by him. He is also the person behind the publication of the first Forest Manual in 1914.  About his contribution, he can eventual...

First in Sikkim from SIKKIM EXPRESS GANGTOK, March 6: Driving along the busy streets of Gangtok, Sikkim’s first woman taxi driver today said she was happy to be at par with men, who have been dominating the profession so far. A 44-year-old Dawa Phutti Bhutia, hailing from Pangthang in East Sikkim, has earned the rare feat of becoming the first woman taxi driver in the State. Daughter of Ugyen Dorjee Lepcha and Late Phungchung Lepcha, Ms Bhutia, debuted taxi driving on March 3. “It has been more than a year since the State Government had approved woman taxi drivers in the State, but sadly, no woman came forward to take advantage of this great opportunity. So I took the initiative, which I am sure will serve as an encouragement to other Sikkimese women to come forward and take up this profession,” the owner of SK 04-8670 says with a smile.  Asked how she felt driving a taxi, she said, “I...

FIRST IN SIKKIM  SERIES: The first lottery draws in Sikkim were held on April 4, 1972. The first prize was 1,00,000 and an ambassador vehicle, while the second prize was 10,000 and an air trip from India to America.    The winner of the first lottery draw, Mr. Ranchodbhai Nathabhai Parmar, was handed over the prize money by the Maharajkumari of Sikkim in the presence of Executive Councilors and other officials from Sikkim and India. Mr. Ranchodbhai Nathabhai Parmar was a resident of Baroda in the state of Gujarat in India.