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

SINGTAM, SEPTEMBER 24:   Mahesh Dahal, Headmaster of Sakyong Chisopani JHS, congratulated his students for successfully participating in the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan, which was held at Khamdong on September 18 and 19. A small program was held at the school premises, and the participating students were presented with medals. The GPU level Under 16 boys & girls sporting events had participants from Khamdong GPU, Simik Lingzey GPU, Sirwani- Chisopani GPU, and Dungdung-Thasa GPU falling under the Khamdong Block Administration. Boys and girls participated in boxing, archery, badminton, Kho-kho, and football games.  The students of Sakyong Chisopani JHS, representing Sirwani Chisopani JHS, won the football final, defeating their rival GPU team by two goals to one.  Roshna Gurung, a class vi student, placed first in an archery event. In addition to the football and archery events, the boys of Sakyong Chisopani JHS were runners-up in the Kho Kho event. The school...

Paan Singh Tomar was a strange name for a Hindi film to me when I read about it in a newspaper a few months back.  The fact that I have been a fan of Irrfan Khan since his  Banegi Apni Baat  days made it obvious for me to watch this movie, and as the name suggested, I was sure I might have something very different to watch. Story of an athlete of a world-class, seven times national champions at Steeple Chase in the 50s and 60s, a participant at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games and his journey as a “baaghi” as Irrfan Khan playing Paan Singh Tomar repeats in the movie is the backdrop of the story.  No doubt Paan Singh Tomar, the persona, is the winner of the movie, a sportsman who faded with time and, despite bringing laurels to the nation, was forced to rise against the law. This movie can be listed as one of the best movies by Irrfan Khan, and his natural acting has made Paan Singh Tomar live on screen.  The newspaper clip Paan Singh Tomar with his wife Indir...

A few days back Nirmika, my good old friend informed me about the Silver Jubilee of the formation of East Point Senior Secondary School, the next year. I could not hide my surprise how in a nip twenty-four long years passed by.  Recently East Point Senior Secondary school received a certificate from the Human Resource Development Department, Government of Sikkim for standing out among the best school in the State of Sikkim in Private Sectors to have contributed to the development of education; I was among the many who felt proud of that moment. I being associated with this school since its early days, I can proudly say I have seen this school grow from pillar to pillar. It really is a proud moment to witness the school you have studied receive accolades.  Some twenty-four years back this esteemed school made its start from nowhere with just a handful of dedicated teaching staff and a visionary Principal Madam. The year was 1988 when I had just changed to a new school East Poi...

Tsering Dorjee, a young Tibetan from Gangtok, Sikkim, was awarded black belt Go-dan degree from International Karate Do Gojukai Association (IKGA), World Headquarter, Tokyo, Japan after going through the rigorous test and competitions in Tokyo. Go-dan degree, equivalent to PhD degree is considered to be one of the highest accomplishments in martial arts world. source: www.phayul.com

{ Much before Ravangla was claimed 'the home of volleyball in Sikkim’; it was Singtam that had its synonyms with the game of volleyball. } Singtam is a major business 'power-house' town in the state of Sikkim and also the gateway to the other three districts of Sikkim. Once known in and across the state for its volleyball skills; Singtam of today is a crowded bazaar. Every small space in Singtam is filled with household buildings and shopping complexes. Old folks still talk about those golden days of the volleyball matches that were played here and how the small town of Singtam then had its own dignity and supremacy. Looking back at those bygone days when volleyball was not only a game but a religion, it is nothing more of nostalgia. The people of Singtam have always been great admirers of sports, be it cricket, football and, of course, volleyball. The Orchid Club of Singtam is now a part of Singtam folklore. When people talk of Singtam, it would always veer around volleyba...