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

  Felicitates Journalist Sanjay Agarwal and Educationist KB Chettri Singtam, October 5 : The 79th birth anniversary of NB Bhandari, former Chief Minister of Sikkim was observed by members of Shantinagar Gaon Sudhar Samiti, Singtam. A short felicitation program and distribution of certificates and mementos of Nepali Bhasa Diwas was presented. Sanjay Agarwal and KB Chettri were the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour of the program. Dr. Bhumika Dulal was the Special Guest. The program started by observing two minute silence on the passing away of Dr. AH Khan, Advisor of SGSS. Dr. Khan was a popular physician and known to all for his simplicity.   He was a sportsperson and had shown his skill in cricket and badminton. The photo frame of Shri NB Bhandari was offered khada and lighting of lamp was done by the Chief Guest. Krishna Chettri, President SGSS in his welcome speech talked about the importance of the day. He also spoke about the postponement of the Gandhi Jay...

  I still remember RB Subba, Hon’ble Minister for Human Resource Development Department of Sikkim, during his recently concluded Teacher’s Day speech at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok said, “…..this year is a sad one as one of my teachers passed away who had taught me at my elementary classes. A teacher with whom I fought against and defeated in his last political battle. He was none other than NB Bhandari, former Chief Minister of Sikkim”.  Nar Bahadhur Bhandari, three times Chief Minister of Sikkim, passed away two days before my 39th birthday day in New Delhi (July 16, 2017) after a prolonged illness. I was in shock, like most of the Sikkimese and Nepali-speaking population, that just a few weeks back, a letter written by Mr. Bhandari to Bhim Rawat, President of the Press Club of Sikkim, had surfaced on Social Media regarding his words on the ongoing Gorkhaland issue. He would come back to support the movement of the Gorkhaland.  Returning to my childhood, I don’t r...

The stage was set for the Yuvraj of Indian Politics at Palzor Stadium, Gangtok. Like many others, I was in a queue at the stadium's entrance gate under the scorching summer sun. With crowds rushing up like ants, the scenario everywhere was much different from what  usually happens in Sikkim politics.  I could hear national integration songs being scored up loudly on microphones as if I was about to witness a National festival, much like Independence Day or Republic Day. Among the crowd, I was holding a small handbag with an umbrella inside, as rainfall is unpredictable in this part of the region these days. Congress supporters of all ages from every corner of the state had gathered. With all the hushing and pushing, I made my way to the security personnel who were checking every individual entering the stadium. I had my bag in front of me, and as I was ready to open the zip of my bag, I was told to keep aside the bag before entering the stadium. I showed them it was only an um...