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

The 94th Foundation Day of Kumari Pema Tsedeun Government Secondary School , Rongli (formerly MKPT School ), was celebrated on September 29, 2023, with great pomp and show. Mr. Bishnu Kumar Khatiwara , Minister for Culture, Printing and Stationery, Government of Sikkim , graced the ceremony as the Chief Guest. Mr. K. B. Rai , Area MLA, 20 CHUJACHEN Constituency , Mrs. Laden Lama , President of Pakyong District Zilla Panchayat , Mr. Sujay Gurung , Member of Regu-Premlakha Territorial Constituency, along with the family members of Late Maharaja Kumari Pema Tsedeun (Princess), were amongst the Guests of Honour. Panchayat members, officers from the Education Department, RM&DD, social workers, well-wishers, retired teachers, retired government officials, SKM Party Functionaries, and generous trustees of the school, namely: Mr. Nima Wangdi Tamang, Mr. Pema Wangchuk Bhutia, Mr. Dhiren Gopal Shrestha, Mr. Khush Gopal Shrestha, Mr. Navin Tamang, Mrs. Junu Pradhan, Mrs. D. K. Pradhan, Mr. B...

 ALSO READ - Raj Kumari Pema Chuden school celebrating Chogyal Birthday (1961)

On June 23 rd , 2020, I received an email from Ellis Gordon, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, who wished to share an interesting story for my blog {Proud to be a Sikkimese (sikhim.blogspot.com)} about the royal silver-end caps she had in her family possession gifted by late Princes Pema Tsedeun Yapshi Pheunkhang way back around 1969. We shared a couple of emails as I wanted to know about her family and her family’s connection to the late princess. Ellis, the senior-level cyber-security engineer, said she has a pair of silver-end caps crafted for a hanging scroll that was made for her parents by the Sikkim Palace silver-smith under the order of Princess Pema Tsedeun Yapshi Pheunkhang during the late 60s. Tsedeun, as she liked to be addressed, told Ellis was a frequent dinner guest at their house in Washington D.C., USA. Tseduen, would visit his father on Capitol Hill where she was introduced to members of the US government such as Sen. Edward Kennedy.  ALSO READ - Royal...

The above photographs shows RajKumari Pema Tsedeun School now known as Rongli Junior High School celebrating Chogyal's Birthday (1961).

Photo shared by Karma Bhutia Chogyal Tashi Namgyal standing behind his wife Maharani Kunzang Dechhen. Children in front from photo's L-R: Crown Prince Paljor Namgyal, Chogyal P.T.Namgyal, Princess Pema Tsedeun Information shared by Tina Tashi

Gangtok, 1st October, 1968 Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Princess Sangay Dekila, Sir Tashi Namgyal, Shrimati Indira Gandhi [in kho (Bhutia Dress)], Princess Pema Tsedeun and Ashi Tashi Dorji of Bhutan. Information provided: Tenzin Chukie Tashi

--> Pic 1: Semla Pema Tsedeun Namgyal being painted by her father Late Chogyal Sir Tashi Namgyal ADDED INFORMATION BY SHITAL PRADHAN Former (Semla) Princess Pema Tsedeun Yapshi Pheunkhang Lhacham Kusho better known as “Kuku la” had passed away on December 2 nd , 2008 in Kolkata. She was the eldest daughter of late Chogyal Sir Tashi Namgyal. According to the notification issued by Sikkim Government, the State Government Offices and Educational Institutions shall remain closed throughout the State of Sikkim on 10th December 2008 to pay respect to the departed soul. Princess (Semla) Pema Tsedong Namgyal was born in Darjeeling on 6th September 1924, educated from St Joseph's Convent, Kalimpong. She had married Gompo Tsering Tendup Yapshi Pheunkhang at Tibet in October 1943 who passed away in 1977. She is survived by three children (Soden La).  --> Pic 2: Another lively photograph of Semla Pema Tsedeun Namgyal In his condolence message, Govern...