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

Nothing beats the energy of the Singtam Golitar Mela! From the sacred vibes of Maghey Sankranti to the vibrant stalls along the riverside, this is where the heart of Sikkim beats loudest in January. So glad I caught this moment. 

East Point Senior Secondary School, Golitar, celebrated World Environment Day with a series of activities to raise awareness about environmental conservation and sustainability. The celebration began with a skit during the morning assembly, intertwined with a song by Class XI students, emphasizing the importance of ecological conservation and individual responsibility. Following the skit, students participated in a "Best Out of Waste" project, showcasing their creativity by making useful items from waste materials. Awards were presented to students from junior, sub-junior, and senior categories by the respected Head Ma'am. A plantation activity was also organized, where students and staff planted saplings around the school premises. The day concluded with a cleanliness drive, where students and teachers cleaned the school grounds and surrounding areas.

I had heard from old folks that a portion of the film 'Jewel Thief' was shot at Singtam on the road stretch opposite Thakurbari Mandir, where Dev Anand was running at the road chased by Police, but sadly, that shot never made it to the silver screen. Two major Hindi films were shot in Sikkim - 'Romeo in Sikkim' and 'Road to Sikkim' but I have no knowledge whether the film had any scene at Singtam.   Then, in the mid-90s came the Hindi film 'Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat', the debut film of Rani Mukherjee, where I was part of a crowd watching the shooting done near the old STNM Hospital flyover. One of the songs Palkon Mein Sapne Chamke Ahista beautifully sang by our own Nepali singer Poornima (Sushma Shrestha) is shot in different locales of Sikkim including Changu Lake and of course Singtam. The video of the song is given below, and just watching her jumping from one stone to another, she had a sudden slip at the riverside near Golitar.    

SINGTAM, JUNE 14: The star players of Indian Super League are set to kick the ball at Golitar Ground, Singtam for a special exhibition football match on June 18. The special program that also includes felicitation ceremony of more than two dozen star players is unique in the history of Singtam. Members of Howlers Sporting Club, Golitar has done this unthinkable. The young team of HSC will be facing the star studded team of ISL. Gopal Baraily, MLA Central Pandam would graced the occasion as the Chief Guest that will also have other popular football faces and other sports players of Sikkim as Special Guests. Senior pro from India team Nirmal Chettri, Sanju Pradhan, Bikash Jairu and Robin Gurung will be among the glittering stars of the day. Lhamu Tamang, a young boxer from Adarsh Gaon who had been selected for SAI camp at Bhopal for Youth Commonwealth Games in Brahamas (to be held this July) would also be felicitated on the occasion.  Nishant Subba, President HSC said ...

The  Indian mottled eel,  locally known as Raj Bam,   was recovered from the Singtam River at Golitar this early morning.  The snake-like fish weighed around 7 kg and was four feet long. The local people said that they had never seen this species for so long. Such mysterious-looking marine fish are also sighted from time to time on the river banks, local people added.

Singtam: An annual meeting of Singtam Newar Kalyan Sangathan was held on December 21, 2009, at Bihari Dharamsala at Singtam. A day-long function was held that discussed various topics for the betterment of the community. The new resolution passed in the meeting included a major presence of the Newari women from Singtam in the organisation towards a better society. Also included in the talks was the encouragement of the Newari language and Newari customs among the people. Newari members from Golitar, Manpari Busty, Sirwani, Toppakhani, Sang Khola, Bardang, Sawaney, Shanti Colony, Lal Bazaar, Mandir Line and Shantinagar attended the meeting. The organisation's new portfolio was also presented on the given day. The new body has TB Pradhan as the President, Saran Pradhan as Vice President, Mohan Pradhan “Neeraj” as General Secretary, BB Pradhan as Joint Secretary, Bikash Pradhan as Treasurer, Uday Pradhan as Store Secretary, Shital Pradhan and Ganesh Pradhan as Publicity Secretary, ...