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

  The release of the Permanent Pictorial Cancellation for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khangchendzonga National Park, was held at Hotel Tibet, Gangtok. The event took place in the presence of Shri Supriyo Ghosh, Postmaster General (Mails & Business Development), West Bengal Circle; Shri Suraj Thatal, Conservator and Field Director of Khangchendzonga National Park; Shri Ivan Lepcha, Principal of Paljor Namgyal Girls’ SSS; and Shri Shital Pradhan, an eminent philatelist of the region. The cancellation design features a Red Panda in its habitat, set against a stunning mountain backdrop.

Two Special Covers was released during the  SIKKIMPEX 2026.  Pumtong Pulit is a traditional bamboo wind instrument of the Lepcha community of Sikkim, deeply rooted in their cultural and religious life. Tungbuk is a three string instrument of the Lepcha community of Sikkim that plays a central role in Lepcha folk music, storytelling, and spiritual practices deeply revered for its rich cultural significance and distinctive acoustic quality.  

29.05.25: On the momentous occasion of the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s statehood , a special commemorative postage stamp and First Day Cover were jointly released by the Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim and the Hon’ble Chief Minister , in the presence of the Hon'ble Prime Minister (virtually). The Sikkim Philatelic Society expresses great pride and excitement over this historic philatelic achievement. This is the first postage stamp officially released in Sikkim. The cancellation on the First Day Cover is of the Legislative Assembly . The stamp is designed by Kamleshwar Singh. Presenting the first look of the postage stamp unveiled today, the beautifully crafted ₹5.00 stamp—issued by India Post —features the map of Sikkim and artistically showcases the state's rich cultural heritage , vibrant agriculture , and stunning natural beauty .

This philatelic material holds a significant place in the history of Indian philately . Designed by Shri Dipok Dey , a renowned artist, philatelist , and journalist based in Kolkata , it marks the first time an Indian created a United Nations stamp . This stamp on Child Survival was issued on 22 November 1985 in the 33-cent denomination . We at the Sikkim Philatelic Society have been honoured to receive his support since 2002 . Wishing you good health, dear sir.

  04.03.24: Roshan Prasad , a renowned philatelist hailing from Singtam , Sikkim , won the Large Silver award in the Literature Class at the EPAEX 2024 Stamp Exhibition held in Dubai , United Arab Emirates for his recently released book “ The Stamp Chronicles – A Journey Through Philately ” which was released at the Sikkim Awards 2023 by the Honorable Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay). The Exhibition was organised by Emirates Philatelic Association between 28th February – 3rd March 2024 at Dragon Mart 2 , Dubai to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of UAE – China diplomatic relations and to promote philately in the region where 66 participants from 9 countries participated. Roshan earned 78 marks out of 100 to secure his position and win the Large Silver medal. This is the second book Prasad has written on Stamp Collection with the motive to provide the readers with a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the world of postage stamps, encompassing topi...

  Shital Pradhan from Sikkim wins Vermeil Singtam, 14.02.24: The prestigious GANGTOKPEX 2024 (Feb 7-8), organised by Sikkim Post and held at Sir Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School, Gangtok concluded on a high note, showcasing the extraordinary talent of philatelists from Sikkim and nearby region. The Vermeil Medal , the highest honour in the senior category, was awarded to Shital Pradhan from Singtam, Sikkim, for his captivating exhibit titled " Sikkim Through Philately ," earning an impressive 72 marks. In the senior category, Silver Medals were bestowed upon Deepen Pradhan ( Rhenock - India Pre Independence), Sushil Karthak   ( Siliguri - Famous Indian), Anand Yonzone ( Darjeeling - The Postal System), and Nilema Yonzone (Darjeeling - Women Empowerment), each receiving 62 marks for their outstanding contributions. Bronze Medals were shared by Ganesh Kumar Pradhan (Rhenock - Philatelic Exhibition in India / Special Covers on Sikkim), Sishir Pradhan (World o...

16.10.23, Singtam: Sikkim Philatelists achieved remarkable success at the two-day TARAIPEX 2023 , a District Level Philatelic Exhibition organized by the Department of Posts at Ramkinkar Hall , Dinabandu Manch, Siliguri . In the senior category, Depen Pradhan secured a silver and a bronze medal for his exhibits “ India Pre-Independence " and ‘Indian Freedom Struggle through Philately’.  Similarly, Sishir Pradhan and Shital Pradhan each received a Bronze for their exhibits ' The World of Football ' and ' Special Covers of Sikkim ', respectively. Master Avishu Pradhan, a student of St. Joshep, Rhenock won a silver in the Junior category for his exhibit ' Stamps on Personalities '. Roshan Prasad, the other philatelist from Sikkim was in the invitee class.  Philatelists from North Bengal including Darjeeling, Siliguri and Cooch Behar and, Sikkim participated in the exhibition. The two-day program also featured a Letter Writing Competition, Sit and Draw compe...

Gangtok, May 10th, 2023 – The Sikkim Philatelic Society held a philatelic workshop at the Army Public School in Gangtok yesterday, with more than thirty students from classes five to nine in attendance. The workshop was organized by the Army Postal Office, Gangtok, in association with the Sikkim Philatelic Society and Gangtok HPO, Sikkim Post . The event saw the participation of Karamjit Singh, Field Post Master, 771 FPO, Gangtok; Sameer Pradhan, Marketing Executive Gangtok HPO , Sikkim Post; Ganesh Pradhan; Shital Pradhan, President and General Secretary, Sikkim Philatelic Society; and teachers and students of Army Public School , Gangtok. This workshop is part of a series of philatelic seminars organized by the Army in different parts of North Bengal and Sikkim. Shital Pradhan, General Secretary of the SPS, delivered a video presentation on the basics of philately to newcomers. Eleven aspiring stamp collectors founded the Army Public School's Black Cat Philatelic Club in Gangto...

25.11.22, Singtam : Four picture postcard on the theme of Sikkim was released by Ms J. Charukesi , the Chief Postmaster General, West Bengal Circle on a program held at Gangtok . Presence on the occasion was Mr Akhilesh Kumar Pandey, Postmaster General and Mr Naseef Abdul Kader, IA&AS Deputy Accountant General (Audit) Sikkim. The program was organised by the Department of Posts, Sikkim, Gangtok . Roshan Prasad , an eminent stamp collector and philatelic cover designer from Singtam had designed the four postcards – Mount Kanchenjunga , Tsomgo Lake , Red Panda and Blood Pheasant . Speaking on the occasion, Chief Post Master General appreciated the contribution of Prasad in designing the postcards and assured support of the Sikkim Philatelic Society in promoting philately in Sikkim.

 My articles on Philately 1.  Sikkim Postal History: Those early years - i 2.  Sikkim Postal History: Those early years - ii 3.  Sikkim Postal History: Those early years - iii 4.  Sikkim Postal History: Those early years-iv 5.  Singtam Heritage Post Box and its story 6.  My Stamp with my son's stamp 7.  Sikkim Philatelic Society completes a decade 8.  Bhutan postage stamp featured Sikkim as an Independent Country 9.  Sikkim Philatelic Society takes all three positions at Sr. Category DEPEX 2014 Stamp Exhibition 10.  The first philatelic exhibition on a running train 11.  Sikkim's first Philatelic Special Covers 12.  Sikkim Philatelists savor success at National Philatelic Exhibition 13.  Sikkim wins Silver and four Bronze at National Philatelic Exhibition 14.  Lingtam Dak Line 15.  Sikkim's Roshan Prasad designs Mohun Bagan's Special Cover 16.  Sikkim through Philately 17.  Two Sikkimese philatelis...

Two days SIKKIMPEX 2019 ended in a happy note and I would like to thank every individual involved in making the event a success. But sad to say not everyone is happy with this reborn Sikkim Philately. I did not wanted to write on this topic but being associated with Sikkim Philately since last twenty years I could not stop myself. Since last few days, I have received many calls from philatelists from different parts of India complaining about Sikkim philatelists being invited to other exhibitions but them not being invited here this time. And why and how was a stamp collector from Kolkata only invited? Please don’t make politics on it. Please don’t create controversy. We are stamp lovers and we are not interested in phila-politics. What do you expect from us where we have only three genuine stamp collectors since last twenty years? A philatelic exhibition was held at Sikkim after more than ten years. It was the greatest pleasure for the Sikkim’s stamp collectors. No one...

This MY STAMP was made on my son Suyog's stamp during Cooch Behar Exhibition 2017.

SINGTAM, JUNE 13: Eminent Philatelists from Sikkim and West Bengal jointly celebrated the completion of ten years of the Sikkim Philatelic Society . A get-together was organized at Ram-Gauri Sangralaya, Rhenock to mark the occasion where a small philatelic exhibition cum General Meeting of the Society was also held. The highlight of the day was the renaming of Sikkim Philatelic Society as Sikkim Philatelic and Numismatic Society . Plan to organize a stamp exhibition in September; formation of hobby club in schools, membership drive, and others was discussed. A general meeting was held where Sushil Karthak , a well-known philatelist from Siliguri , and Ravi Sevak , philatelist and numismatic expert from Kolkata was the President and the chairperson.  Different matters of importance for the development and the promotion of the hobby were discussed. Ganesh Pradhan , President of Sikkim Philatelic Society gave the welcome speech and appreciated the presence of the distingu...

Bhutan introduced its first postage stamps in 1962 (10th October).  In its inaugural issue, it featured seven definitive stamps in different denominations. The first stamp series introduced the Bhutan lifestyle. One of the stamps released finds a special place among the stamp collectors of Sikkim . Sikkim , though once an independent country , is today a proud part of the Indian Union . Sikkim became part of India in 1975.  The 15ch postage stamp issued from the country of Bhutan is probably the only postage stamp in the world of philately that showed Sikkim as an Independent Country. You can closely see an Independent Sikkim, below it India while East Pakistan now Bangladesh just beneath it. Bhutan is right to Sikkim in white while Tibet is on its top. It must be noted that in 1962 when this definitive stamp was released Sikkim was still an independent country.

SINGTAM, NOVEMBER 1: It was a rare achievement for the philatelists of Sikkim Philatelic Society at DEPEX 2014 held at Capitol Hall, Darjeeling on October 31.  Five-member philatelists from Sikkim Philatelic Society had participated in the Senior Category Open Competition (Outside Darjeeling) that featured philatelists from Sikkim, Mallbazaar , Jalpaiguri , Cooch Bihar , Gangarampur , and others. The first three positions in the category were won by Sikkim. Shital Pradhan won the first prize for his theme “ Sikkim through Philately ”, Roshan Prasad stood second while Ganesh Pradhan , Deepen Pradhan , and Padam Parajuli , three philatelists from Sikkim shared the joint third position. The two-day event (October 30 and 31) saw the release of two Special Covers on the 150 th year of St. Paul School and Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling . Another highlight of the event was the release of “ My Stamp ” which was highly appreciated by all.  A total of 70 f...

 first published in SPARK magazine, edited by Shital Pradhan “…..his hunger never stops.” This often-repeated phrase echoed by many of his friends aptly suits the persona of Mr. Ganesh Kumar Pradhan. Known mostly among the associates as a humble and soft-spoken gentleman, this grandfather has so far successfully carved a niche of himself among the odds.                               His Ram Gauri Sangalaya, named after his parent’s name is a self-made personal museum that has in a short time capitulated his name and fame across the state and beyond. The three-story museum house has had visitors including the Governor of Sikkim Shri V. Rama Rao, numerous ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretaries, DGPs, High ranked officials from Army, and others beyond the state to have been to his home. Some of the noted personalities of ‘who is who’ of Nepal...