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

Picnic photograph of members of Singtam Driver Association-(most probably 1980s) LtoR: Lakpa Daju, Basant Agarwal, Hira Pradhan, Aatup Lepcha, Gandhey (गन्दे), Somaney Aaseng . (Identified by Mohan Pradhan Neeraj)

SINGTAM, AUGUST: Shantinagar Gaon Sudhar Samiti celebrated Nepali Bhasa Diwas with a plantation drive, poetry and talks on the development of the Nepali language. The celebration was organised in two phases, the morning phase had Ashoka saplings being planted around the Badminton Court, near Rani Khola Walkway, Shantinagar. More than two dozen saplings were planted by the members of the Shantinagar Gaon Sudhar Samiti. Krishna Chettri, President of SGSS led the plantation drive. Those saplings were gifted by Madan Tamang, Singtam. The second phase program was held at the premises of LN Pradhan (Chief Advisor, SGSS)’s residence at Shantinagar including poetry recitation and talks on the development of the Nepali language. Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’, a noted Nepali literary writer from Singtam was the Chief Guest of the day-long program. Mahesh Dahal ‘Raley’, a poet from Chisopani, Singtam was the Guest of Honour. Other guests to present on the occasion included CP Pradhan, Praja Pradhan,...

SINGTAM, JULY 29:  Singtam Basibiyalo made a special appearance during the inauguration of the new school building of Sumin Mangthang JHS on July 28. BB Rai, Area MLA Namcheybong Constituency  inaugurated the new building while other guests included Puran Gurung, Chairman Denzong Agricultural Co-Operative Society, Sonam Dezongpa, Joint Director, HRDD and others. Highlight of the day was inauguration of the school building along with felicitation program, cultural program and a football match. Famed literary forum Singtam Basibiayalo had been a platform for singers, dancers and poets in and around Singtam since last two decades. At the function in Sumin Mangthang too, participants from Basibiyalo presented song and dance program. Dinesh Dahal, Pritam Sundas, Srizu Basnet and Dristi Dahal entertained the gathered crowds with their soulful songs while Surabhi Chettri performed a classical dance. Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’, Sansthapak Singtam Basibiyalo was the host o...

SINGTAM, NOVEMBER 22: Singtam gets its first photography club. At a function attended by photographic admirers from Singtam and beyond, the Photographic Society of Sikkim (PSS) was officially announced, and its logo was released at Kid Zee School, Dhamala Colony.   Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’, Sansthapak of Singtam Basibiyalo, was the Chief Guest of the occasion. Plans to organize photography awareness workshops, field trips, and the honing of photographic skills were discussed. The members' portfolios were also distributed. Shital Pradhan, blogger at Proud to be a Sikkimese, hosted the program and gave a welcome speech. Milan Sharma spoke about the importance of establishing the Photographic Society of Sikkim and different agendas that could benefit society through the hobby of photography. Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’, the program's chief guest, released the logo of the Photographic Society of Sikkim. In his address to the gathered audience, Pradhan congratulated the team...

SINGTAM, SEPTEMBER 25: In a small gathering at Singtam, Dinesh Dahal and Nimesh Dahal participants of ‘Himali Pratibha ko Khoj’ were congratulated by the members of Singtam Basibiyalo. The D ahal brothers had participated in the recently concluded state-level ‘Himali Pratibha ko Khoj’ in a separate category where Dinesh Dahal stood fourth in the singing category while Nimesh Dahal, his younger brother went on to bag the third position in the instrumental category. The brothers were offered khadas for their performances. The brothers also entertained the gathered audience with soulful music. Present on the occasion were Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’, Sansthapak Singtam Basibiyalo, T B Pradhan, Advisor, Singtam Basibiyalo, President  Rangpo - Singtam Zonal Newar Guthi, Arjun Chettri, Headmaster Rikape Primary School, Kripesh Singh, Teacher, Burdang JHS, Gangaa Mukhiya and Geeta Sharma (Sikkim Academy of Music, Singtam), Roshan Rai, HDFC bank, members of Singtam Basibiyalo and staf...

SINGTAM, OCTOBER 15 : Global Hand-Washing Day was observed at Sawney Primary School, West Pandam, East Sikkim, under Duga GVK today.  In a small program held at the school, Mohan Pradhan, Headmaster, spoke briefly about the importance of health and sanitation.  Mrs Sharmila Silal, PRT of the school, demonstrated the five steps of hand washing in front of the gathered students and teachers.  Padam Gautam, BR Subba, Nandu Sharma, and Tulshi Pradhan, teachers, also spoke on the occasion. Ganesh Pradhan, the teacher, went on to say that such activities have been followed at schools for a long time and that everyone should make them a daily habit. Safalta Pradhan, the School prefect, followed the steps taught by her teacher and also demonstrated them before her friends.

SINGTAM, SEPTEMBER 6:  NEWA, a documentary based on the Newar Language and Culture produced by Badhaichha Creation, Singtam, was officially released at the Production House Office at Singtam.  Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj,’ Sansthapak and Singtam Basibiyalo clicked the video file that was uploaded to YouTube.  Present on the occasion were Praveen Pradhan, Managing Director, Badhaichha Creation, and his members, including Bikash Pradhan, Shital Pradhan, Pramod Pradhan, Pranay Pradhan, and others.  NEWA documentary will be released at the Indra Jatra celebration on September 8th at Golitar, Singtam. The documentary features Uttam Pradhan, a famed actor in Nepali cinema, along with Newari dance performers from Dentam Sakha Guthi. It also  focuses on learning the Newar Language, which was designed by Bikash Pradhan, a Newar Language teacher from Namthang SSS.  Bikram Pradhan, Chief Whip, Government of Sikkim, and Rohit Kr. Pradhan, President Sikkim Newar Guthi, Ga...

SINGTAM, SEPTEMBER 4: Badhaichha Creation, Singtam, has created a documentary aptly named “NEWA” based on Newar Language and Culture. The documentary will be officially released on the auspicious occasion of Indra Jatra at Singtam. Indra Jatra, the biggest festival of the Newar community, is being held for the first time outside Gangtok. The event was held under Sikkim Newar Guthi and organized by the Indra Jatra Celebration Committee 2014. Praveen Pradhan, managing director of Badhaichha Creation, Singtam, said in a press release, "We have considered this project, keeping in mind that we need to conserve our culture and traditions. We feel proud to say that Sikkim is the only region in the world where the Newar language is recognized as an official state language, and for that, we shall always remain grateful to the Chief Minister of Sikkim." Uttam Pradhan, famed actor and now Chairman of Sikkim Music, Drama, Dance, and Film Board, played a pivotal role in the documen...

SINGTAM, DECEMBER 19:  Singtam Basibiyalo and Singtam Newar Kalyan Sangathan had jointly congratulated Praveen Pradhan, Managing Director Badhaichha Creation, Singtam for being felicitated by the Sikkim State Aids Control Society at MG Marg, Gangtok. Praveen Pradhan, President RRC Badhaichha Creation, Singtam was felicitated for his outstanding contribution towards HIV/AIDS awareness camapign on the inaugural day of the two day long Red Ribbon Carnival 2013. Praveen Pradhan had thanked the officials of Sikkim State Aids Control Society for giving him an opportunity to work for better society. Praveen Pradhan had been actively involved in the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign since last few years. Pradhan had so far performed 18 voluntary blood donations and had completed 84 schools during the recent Youth Intervention under Multi Media Campaign 2013-14 for the schools at East District. RRC Badhaichha Creation was the host of the campaign at East District. Singtam Newar Kalyan Sang...

SINGTAM, SEPTMBER 24:  Youth Intervention under Multi Media Campaign 2013-14 for the schools of East Sikkim started from Chisopani JHS today. The program was organized by Red Ribbon Club Badhaichha Creation under Sikkim State AIDS Control Society, Gangtok.  Present on the occasion was Mahesh Dahal, Headmaster Chisopani JHS and his staff along with Mohan Pradhan, Headmaster Sawney Primary School who was invited by the Chisoani JHS as a guest for the programme. The team of RRC Badhaichha Creation and SSACS visited Chisopani JHS and interacted with the students. They organized different competition for the students. The competition included Painting, Slogan and interaction games on the themes of HIV/ AIDS and Drug Abuse. The winners were presented prizes at the end of the programme. Phampets and Posters related to HIV/AIDS, Drug Abuse, Blood Donation and others was also distributed to the school. Praveen Pradhan, RRC Badhaichha Creation on the occasion spoked about the con...

SINGTAM, AUGUST 5: Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’ was elected the President of new executive body of Singtam Newar Kalyan Sangathan at a general meeting held at Nepali Dharmasala, Singtam on August 4. The meeting was attended by more than 200 pradhan communities from Golitar, Manpari Busty, Sirwani, Toppakhani, Sang Khola, Bardang, Sawaney, Shanti Colony, Lal Bazaar, Mandir Line and Shantinagar. PK Pradhan, Advisor Singtam Newar Kalyan Sangathan was the President of the meeting. Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’, the new President of Singtam Newar Kalyan Sangathan thanked the members of the Sangathan for giving him the responsibility and assured everyone that he would give his best to make every newars in the state proud. The highlight of the meeting was the formation of the new executive body of Singtam Newar Kalyan Sangathan, talks on celebrating Indra Jatra 2013 at Singtam by the Sangathan, annual financial report of the Sangathan, membership drive, Zonal committee formation and others. S...