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

The Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur was something I didn’t know much about until my team and I found a hotel nearby. We had just arrived in Udaipur, Tripura , for a week-long North-East Chess Tournament (December 17-21). When we got to the Udaipur Railway Station, I was surprised by its palace-like structure. I couldn’t believe I was in North-East India and not in Rajasthan ! There were 45 chess players in total, along with over 60 parents cheering us on. Our team from Singtam included nine players from Mt. Zion Academy and East Point SSS. While looking for hotels, we stumbled upon the footsteps of Mata Bari , the home of the Tripura Sundari Temple, which is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas . The area around the temple reminded me of Chaurasta in Darjeeling , and there were plenty of shops selling Pera , a sweet that devotees like to offer as prasadam . Nearby, we discovered Kalyan Sagar , a lovely pond filled with different kinds of fish and tortoises. Devotees often feed the fis...

05.09.23: I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the State Government of Sikkim , CEO Madam , Samagra Siksha AD Sir ( Gangtok District , Education Department), AD Sir, AEO Sir, and CRC Madam and staff (Education Department, Khamdong BAC ) and the selection committee of the Award for honouring me with the prestigious Sikkim State Commendation Certificate Award 2023 during the Teachers Day Celebration held at Manan Kendra, Gangtok . (In Picture: Shri Prem Singh Tamang, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Kunga Nima Lepcha , Hon'ble Education Minister of Sikkim, and Shri Ravindra Telang , IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Education Department) On this auspicious occasion, I would like to express my thanks to my former colleagues, students, and Headmasters of Burung JHS , Dalapchand SS , and Sakyong Chisopani JHS, where I had rendered 18 years of service. It was a privilege to work with you all and contribute to improving our schools and students. I'd like to tha...

27.07.21 : Received today the Souvenir and Certificate of the First Circle Level Online Philatelic Exhibition NEPEX 2021. The event was organized by Chief Postmaster General, North East Circle, Shillong. Talking about this souvenir, I like this stone-like carving. It is the representation of the seven northeast states of India. Whoever designed it or had this concept is highly appreciated. Thank You Shillong Postal Service and India Post.

SINGTAM, DECEMBER 18:   Swaminath Prasad, President, Sikkim Bihari Jagaran Manch inaugurated the New Heaven Dance Academy opposite of Vital Clinic at Rangpo on December 16. Distinguished guests to attend the program included Sanjay Agarwal and Dipak Gurung, members of the Press Club of Sikkim, Johny Rai, Social Media-man from Singtam, Bhim Sharma and Shital Pradhan, teachers, and others.  After a hiatus of four years, New Heaven Dance Institute is making a re-start at Rangpo. Bishnu Suman is the Director cum Dance Choreographer of New Heaven Dance Institute and also the man behind so many successful dancers that have won accolades in and beyond the state of Sikkim. Suman shared his dancing journey in Sikkim and thanked every individual for supporting him and his Institute.  Originally from Delhi, Bishnu Suman has made Sikkim his second home for the last two decades. Over the years the students of New Heaven Dance Institute had participated in numerous s...

Shantinagar, January 26:  Members of Shantinagar Gaon Sudhar Samiti celebrated the 69th Republic Day with joy and enthusiasm at the Badminton Court near Rani Khola Walkway.  Nandu Dutraj, President of the Sri Seti Sangha Devi Mandir Committee and a prominent social worker, was the day's Chief Guest. Also present on the occasion were Deepa Chettri, Panchayat Shantinagar ward, Krishna Chettri, President SGSS, all executive members, Advisors, and members of Samiti.  The Chief Guest unfurled the national flag, and people of all ages sang the national anthem. The other highlight of the day was a boxing exhibition match between the students of Pritam Silal, a former National Boxer. PP Upretti, Vice President of SGSS, hosted the event. Krishna Chettri, President of SGSS, gave a welcome speech. Shital Pradhan, a member of SGSS, briefly discussed the day's importance. Dal Bahadhur Gurung, the lone Nepali representative at the then Constitutional Drafting Committee, was...

Engineers build bridges, Doctors save lives, and Police ensure law & order, but the teacher builds all of them; in that sense, they are the true Nation Builders. Acknowledging the efforts of the teachers, who are the True Nation Builders, is crucial. Rotary India Literacy Mission's Nation Builder Award recognizes one outstanding teacher from a school through an evaluation process that involves the participation of the Principal/ Head Teacher and 10 students for each school. This year, the Rotary Club of Gangtok chose 25 schools in East Sikkim and evaluated the teachers of these 25 schools.  The 25 outstanding teachers of these schools were awarded the Nation Builder Award by the Rotary Club of Gangtok after a brief citation presentation program of the Club with Joint Director East, Human Resources Development Department (HRDD), Govt. Of Sikkim, Mrs Tshering Keyee as chief guest at Hotel Tara Palace, they all received recognition in front of the Honourable Governor of ...

SINGTAM, MARCH 9: On March 8, 2017, a special screening of the Nepali feature film Parcel was held at ATTC Hall, Burdang. More than twenty personalities from different fields in Singtam and beyond were felicitated.    Tilu Gurung, MLA Rateypani, was the Chief Guest of the evening. Other distinguished guests included Gopal Baraily - MLA West Pandam, Shyam Pradhan - MLA Arithang, Dr. Mechung Bhutia - MLA Martam Rumtek, DB Giri - SP East, Ajay Rai - SDPO, and others related to films and cultural background.    Kishore Limbu, actor and producer of Parcel, was also felicitated in the evening. Distinguished personalities belonging to different fields were awarded letters of appreciation. Those included Uttam Pradhan, Chairman—of Sikkim Film Board; Chunnilal Ghimeray—film Director; AB Gurung—BDO Namthang; Ugen T Bhutia—Panchayat President Sang; Sonam Palden Barfungpa—Principal ATTC, Krishna Chettri, TB Pradhan, Bimal Lamichaney, Mohan Pradhan, Shital Pradhan, Tinku Adhika...

It's a proud moment for me...two of the students I had an opportunity to teach during last year HCM Scholarship Refresher Course at Sirwani SS has got through...one from Ralap SS and other from Singtam SSS.

Thank You, Burung JHS, for the honour.(09.12.15) I feel blessed to have received my first honour as a school teacher from the school where I was first posted. MY SPEECH ON THE OCCASION Good afternoon to all, with due permission from today's Chief Guest, Special Guest, and distinguished guests from my department, HRDD, and others. I am standing on the premises of a school where I started my journey as a school teacher. I stayed here for six long years, and I am thankful to the school administration for considering me worthy of recognition. I find myself blessed to receive my first honour as a school teacher from the school where I was first posted. During my early years, I was told that teaching was a beautiful profession. Despite this, I was made aware that it is not the easiest of professions. Honour, whether large or small, encourages you to improvise your efforts to bring out the best in you. To give back to society, I became a teacher. Today, it might seem...

  Interview of the week 1.       Please give a brief introduction of yourself. (A short bio. including where are you from) Hi, I am Shital Pradhan from Shantinagar, Singtam, Sikkim. I am a primary school teacher at Sakyong Chisopani JHS; a blogger and a biodiversity admirer from the heart. I started blogging in 2007 with my popular blog on Sikkim aptly called Proud To Be a Sikkimese ( http://sikhim.blogspot.in/ )”;  From this January (2014), I am working on my new blog “Sikkim Biodiversity”  ( http://sikkimbiodiversity.blogspot.in/ ).  2.       We learn that you were part of a mothing event concurrent to the observance of the National Moth Week 2014. Tell us about your event. (Where and when did it take place etc?) Since I am interested in clicking photographs of the rich Biodiversity of Sikkim, when I learned about Moth Week, I got excited and wanted to be part of it. I had not heard anyone i...

SINGTAM, AUGUST 5: Praveen Pradhan (Managing Director), Bikash Pradhan and Shital Pradhan of Badhaichha Creation, Singtam along with Biren Lama of White Horse Production, Gangtok visited the residence of Uttam Pradhan on the evening of August 4 and congratulated him for becoming the Chairman of Sikkim Music, Drama, Dance, and Film Board.  He was offered Khadas by both the members of the Production House. Pradhan, in return, thanked everyone and assured them to work with better creativity in days to come.