Sikkim Democratic Front

Sikkim celebrates State Day with pomp and hope

Admin — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:11:38 +0000

Gangtok, May 16 (SRS) Sikkim Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on Thursday greeted the people of Sikkim on the occasion of 38th State Day and urged them to work hard to make Sikkim one of the most prosperous states in the country. Sikkim observes the State Day on May 16 every year to celebrate the integration of the state with India. This is the day when the feudal structure of monarchy gave way to democratic rule in the state. To mark the occasion, the state felicitated nearly two dozen people in recognition of their meritorious work in different fields during a special ceremony held at the Chintan Bhavan here. The awards were alternatively presented by the governor and the chief minister at the event attended by VVIPs and other important guests. They also released four books listing the state’s achievements, plan and vision. Praising the chief minister for his leadership role, Governor Singh said: “I’m a great admirer of the Chief Minister. His initiative to transform the society through education has been exemplary. The Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme has helped many poor students from the rural areas. And a day will come when every person in Sikkim would be looked upon as a person of merit.” He also said that the rest of the country today looks up to Sikkim as an example of peace and prosperity. “This has only been possible because of the harmony between culture, democracy and good governance,” the governor said. He lauded the chief minister for providing opportunities to people through good governance. “Democracy means good governance and giving people ample opportunity. The Chief Minister Chamling-led government has shown how to do that.” He also praised the civil servants and the police for their contribution. Chief Minister Chamling in his short message reminded the people on how the illustrious leaders of Sikkim in the past had worked hard to strengthen democracy and to bring about all round development in the state. He appealed to the people to also give their best in making Sikkim a prosperous state. Four books were also released to mark the occasion – the Gazetteer of Sikkim 2013, Sikkim Model -1994-2013 People and Development, the Urban Strategic Plan of Sikkim and the Comprehensive Mobility Plan Gangtok. A special honor, the L.D. Kazi award, was conferred to B.B. Mishra and Chandra Badhur Rai. They were each presented with Rs.1 lakh, a citation and shawl. The state’s highest civilian award, the Sikkim Sewa Ratna, was conferred to former politicians Sherab Palden Lepcha and N.B. Khatiwara. They were each presented with a cash award of Rs.2 lakh, memento, citation and shawl. The Sikkim Sewa Samman was given to 21 people for their meritorious work in various fields. They each received Rs.1 Lakh, medallion, citation and shawl. The State Day programme began with a welcome note from State Chief Secretary R. Ongmu and a presentation of patriotic songs from the students of the Modern and Tadong Senior Secondary School.

Pawan Chamling meets Senior Citizen

Admin — Mon, 13 May 2013 06:00:24 +0000

I was glad to meet the members of Sikkim Senior Citizens Society today, headed by Shri K.C Pradhan, former Chief Secretary and the President of the Society. I assured them that their demand for a Senior Citizens Habitat Centre in Gangtok will be looked into. I also suggested that they visit the Indian Habitat Centre at New Delhi to garner ideas for the Centre in Gangtok. I hope this Society will serve as the Think Tank of Sikkim and help us to combat undesirable activities like drug abuse/ alcoholism/ suicide/ various diseases etc that have plagued the Sikkimese society.

International Flower Show Sikkim 2013

Admin — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 02:19:41 +0000

The Government of Sikkim has decided to organize the 2nd International Flower show from 23-27 February 2013. The Horticulture & Cash Crops Development Department will be the Nodal Department for organizing the event.

The main objectives of organizing the show are:-

To showcase the floral potential of Sikkim.
To promote Floriculture Industry in Sikkim.
To provide Flower growers of Sikkim an International Exposition for understanding the Global trend of Floriculture Development and Flori-business.
To keep pace with the advancement of World Floriculture.
To highlight Sikkim as a Floriculture State / destination.
To promote Tourism in Sikkim.

INTERNATIONAL FLOWER SHOW 2013

Date of Show - 23rd to 1st March, 2013 .
Duration of the Show -
7 days
Venue -
Saramsa, East Sikkim
Expected No. of participants -
Flower show – 50
Materials – 100

Conference – 500
Expected No. of Visitors - 2,00,000
Source of funding - Govt. of Sikkim, Govt. of India.

The International Flower show 2013 will be a mega show, where participants from different states as well as from International are expected in a huge number. The targeted visitors to the show is around 1 Lakh, for which massive advertisements has been given in the local, national and International papers and magazines.

SPONSORS For organizing this mega event requires huge financial involvement, which can be pooled from different sources like, Government of Sikkim, Ministry of Agriculture (GoI), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER), APEDA, NHB etc

CM attends curtain raiser of Buddha Park “Tathagatha Tsal”

Admin — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 02:35:48 +0000

25 Feb, Rabong : In what could be the biggest and the greatest modern architectural structures of Sikkim “Tathagatha Tsal” (Buddha Park) which is now complete has one of the largest metal repousse Lord Buddha’s Statue in the world, was inspected today by the Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Chamling and also attended the Zung and curtain raiser ceremony in Rabong, South Sikkim.
Mr. Chamling during the occasion also unveiled the name of the Lord Buddha statue cum Park “Tathagatha Tsal” which has been given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he also launched the official website.and realised the promotional materials for the inaugural ceremony.
This event was also a prelude to the consecration of the “Tathagatha Tsal” by His Holiness the Dalia Lama between 24th to 26th March 2013.
The total area of the park is approximately 23 acres and the total cost of the project is Rs 39.20 Crores. Total height of Statue including Pema is 101 Feet and 2 inches and total height including thee is 137 feet and 2 inches. The face of the Lord Buddha statue is coated with 3.5 kgs of pure gold.
The walls of the central hall and the interiors of the area below the statue have been decorated with paintings of the story of Lord Buddha. The park also has a congregation hall which ahs the capacity to seat 600 people.
High standard lighting system installed by Power and Energy department Government of Sikkim adds to the beauty of the project and a beautiful light and sound can be witnessed in the evening.
Addressing a huge gathering in the state of art congregation hall in the Buddha Park, the Chief Minister Mr. Chamling expressed his contentment, sense of peacefulness and serenity in his heart and a great sense of satisfaction to have been able to realise this dream of having a statue of Lord Buddha in the area.
He also stated that with such great architectural wonder coming up in the area, not only the infrastructural development in the state has taken place, but the value of the area has also risen to astronomical proportions.
Now the people of the area are the owner of this great structure and project and they should earnestly shoulder the responsibility of looking after it and maintaining the park with their heart and mind, he appealed
Development in real sense happens when the opportunities are created and the Government has created ample opportunities for the people of Sikkim by conceptualizing and creating such projects and now it’s up to people to use it to their benefit and sustainable overall development, Mr. Chamling stated
Good Governance is highly responsible for the overall development and for maintaining a serene environment in the state and people should value and appreciate the efforts made by the government, the Chief Minister insisted.
Referring to the teaching of Lord Buddha the he also urged the people to follow the path of moderation and middle path in their lives and live a life of contentment and satisfaction by erasing desire and greed from their hearts.
Right objective, aim and deeds are of utmost importance for the people to be successful in life Mr. Chamling added.
Further he congratulated all involved in this project and showered ample prise for their hard work and dedication for coming up with such a great project.
Earlier Mr. Chamling attended the Ringsel ceremony at New Monastery at Ravang and in the presence of H.E Goshir Gyaltsab Rimpoche, Installation of Ringsel at main statue and Zung followed.
The Relics of Lord Buddha presented by 9 countries, for the “Tathagatha Tsal” (Buddha Park) were also installed in the central hall under the statue of Lord Buddha.
The relics were taken in a procession from the Rabong Karma Thekcheling Donkun Duppai Gatshal Monastery at the Mane Choekerling Complex to the present venue and led by H.E Goshir Gyaltsab Rimpoche and the Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Chamling.
During the function after the inspection of the park, which took place in the congregation hall, the project was formally handed over to Minister Tourism Mr. Bhim Dhungel by the former Minister Mr. D.D Bhutia who is also the member of the Sakyamuni Project.
The Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Chamling was also felicitated by Buddhist Organisation of Sikkim and was present with a citation letter during the function
Mr. Chamling also presented the certificates to the volunteers, during the function.
The function in the congregation hall which started with the welcome note by the Secretary Tourism Mr. K.S Topgay also saw addresses by the Area MLA, Mr. Sonam Gyatso Bhutia, Chief Secretary, Mr. Karma Gyatso and Mr. D.D Bhutia.
The Chief Minister also enjoyed light and sound show in the evening which not only left him but everyone present there mesmerised and mystique.
It was during the Pang Lhabsol celebration in the year 2005 in Rabong where the Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Chamling had expressed his desire to commemorate the 2550th Birth Anniversary of Lord Buddha in a befitting manner throughout the state.
It was his decision that the idea of building a statue of Lord Buddha to commemorate the event was conceived.
Mr. Chamling had desired a large statue if Lord Buddha to be installed in Rabong, South Sikkim to boost pilgrimage as well as religious tourism and help the growth and development of this area.

HCM’s Message on 64th Republic Day

Admin — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 04:46:21 +0000

On the auspicious occasion of the 64th Republic Day of the Country, I convey my heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of Sikkim and to my fellow countrymen. This is an occasion for all of us to re-dedicate ourselves to the ideals enshrined in the Constitution. You are aware that the principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, as epitomized in our constitution have been fully established in the State, making Sikkim as one of the most progressive States of the Indian Union.
In Sikkim, Democracy has taken deep roots which entails peaceful resolution of all differences through due coordination and consultation and also enough space to register protest in a democratic manner. Through a long process of democratic exercise, we have built a strong society that prospers on the essential human values of mutual friendship, tolerance and harmony. Let me also congratulate my fellow Sikkimese for their contribution and support to the State Government to carry forward all the development initiatives under the larger framework of our Constitution.
You are aware that after the transition of the 1975 into a democratic State, we have finally attained maturity to provide effective governance with emphasis on empowering the grassroot people and the involvement of the civil society in the development process. The vision of empowering the less empowered economically, socially, politically through democratic decentralization and forging strong partnership with agents of change and development like the Panchayati Raj Institutions and community based organizations have been achieved.
Although, we joined the mainstream development process only in 1975, Sikkim’s contribution towards nation building has been immense, both in terms of promoting long term peace and processing many innovative development models appropriate to country’s demography. As we prepare to enter into the 12th Plan period, Sikkim’s growth saga during the last 11th Plan continued unhampered. In fact, the State has averaged an annual growth of 12.6 percent over the last eight years, which is very impressive in the face of global economic meltdown affecting Country’s economic growth projection.

SIKKIM’S GLORY REVEALED ONCE AGAIN

Admin — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 22:02:52 +0000

Sikkim declared as Best Small State in the country .
Insecurity in terms of personal safety is acquiring a very dreadful dimension globally- Pawan Chamling
The state Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was awarded the Diamond State Award by Lok Sabha Speaker Mrs Meira Kumar in a glittering awards ceremony held in New Delhi today Goa and Uttrakhand were declared second and third runner up in the categeory of Best Small States
Sikkim was declared as best state in the country in the categeory of small states in overall achievements and the state was also declared best state in the country in citizen security,environment and water and sanitation categories..
While Speaking on this occasion Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said that the state has commissioned regular study on glaciers in Sikkim Himalayas. The eminent environmental scientists have found that glaciers are not receded in our Himalayas. He said that the state has instituted Glacier and Climate Change Commission headed by eminent scientist Mr Hasnain of the Country.He said that the people of the Sikkim breath fresh air from clean environment and as a Himalayan State Sikkim has contributed substantially towards environment and water security for the entire region and the Country through short-term and long-term conservation programs launched at the State level. He said that the state has with the launch of Harit Kranti Varsha in 1995-96, many on-going green programs including massive afforestation under ‘Ten Minutes to Earth’ program, Green Mission, Smriti Ban, and blanket ban on grazing, ban on use of plastics, ban on killing of wild animals and introduction of Environmental Studies in schools which has resulted in increase in forest cover from 43% in 1994 to 46% at present .

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said that all development programs in the state centre around the eco-city concept to promote clean and green environment. He said that Sikkim State was rated as the Greenest State through popular vote instituted by the prestigious Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi in 1999. Sikkim has been rated as “most sustainable under various parameters like reducing pressure on environment and state’s responses to maintain their environment. The government has adopted a very scientific approach towards solid waste management, regulate water usages and discourage encroachment. He further said that the state has also been honored with the first Nirmal Rajya award in December 2008 for achieving total sanitation coverage in the state . In order to conserve water sources, the government has undertaken innovative programs like ‘Dhara-vikas’ to protect water springs and water sources.
While speaking on citizen security, he said that Sikkim is the most peaceful State in the country as people live closest to the nature and the Sikkimese people are, by nature, peace loving and God-fearing. Over the last 20 years, The state , have provided complete safety to its citizens and that sense of hatred and bad feeling as witnessed in other parts of the country is not prevalent in Sikkim. He added that as a border state Sikkim is shouldering a very responsible task by remaining constantly vigilant to see that unrest in the neighboring State and the neighboring countries do not spill over into the State.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said that However, insecurity in terms of personal safety is acquiring a very dreadful dimension globally. The shooting incident in the US school and the recent incident in the capital city reflect urgency for further improving security and the apparatus available for weaker sections. We need to think very seriously about it. This concerns us too as women are not home makers only but leaders in their own right. Recently, we have concluded elections under the Panchayati Raj System in Sikkim. Fifty percent of seats were reserved for women and they have been elected to the post of Sabhapati, Adhayksha, Up-adhayakshya in Gram Panchayats and Zilla Panchayats. That means, we have effectively brought about positive change under what you call social engineering.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said that under health sector, citizens have access to free health facilities. The government stress on preventive measures. Sikkim was the first state in the country to provide for free Hepatitis ‘B’ vaccination for infant population. Under the ‘Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Annual and Total Check-up for Healthy Sikkim’ (CATCH) program, the health check-up for each citizen is undertaken annually at designated centers across the State. Launched on 26th August 2010, we have covered over 50 percent of our population under this program to compile the health profile of our citizens.
The multi-specialty 575-bedded Hospital is under construction in Gangtok a state government plan to locate own Medical College in the premises to facilitate higher medical studies in Sikkim. He said that the overall life expectancy of the Sikkimese people have increased by over 3 years during the last eighteen years.
The function was attended by Chief Ministers of various states ,Ministers of the states , Members of Parliament from both houses of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and prominent politicians and bureocrats and other eminent personalities

RAFFLE RESULT 2012

Admin — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 06:47:36 +0000

Triumphant in Panchayat poll, SDF confident of Assembly seats also

Admin — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 05:57:33 +0000

Gangtok: Having swept the Panchayat seats, of which the result was declared on November 5, the ruling SDF party on November 6 recorded its full confidence to repeat the same winning performance in Assembly elections to be held in 2014. “We will also win all the 32 Assembly seats and also the Lok Sabha seat if election is held for it also. If the Panchayat election is a semifinal then we will also win all the seats in the Assembly elections. We believe in scientific politics and do not make threatening speeches like others”, said SDF spokesperson Bhim Dahal in a press conference here at SDF Bhawan.
Along with the uncontested seats, the ruling front altogether won in 884 Gram Panchyat seats out of 987 seats and 103 seats out of 108 Zilla seats. Results of 13 wards in East Sikkim are pending due to a tabulation error during the counting process on Monday
“It was a splendid and record making victory of the SDF. We won almost 96 percent seats and results of 13 seats are yet to come. We congratulate the Sikkimese people, the party workers and our candidates”, said Mr. Dahal. “We also thank those independent candidates fielded by our political opponents for participating in the elections”, he said.
Ninety wards and five Zilla seats in Sikkim were bagged by independent candidates. However, the ruling front points out that most of these independents were in fact its party members. “There were more than three SDF candidates and the party left these areas as an open field. The figure of real independents actually contesting against our official party candidates is negligible”, Mr. Dahal said.
On whether the independents would be accepted by the ruling front, the SDF spokesperson said party president Pawan Chamling has directed the party chiefs in each of the four districts and the party’s research wing to study the cases.
“The research and analysis wing of our party will consult with the party presidents and vice presidents of each district and analyse the poll results. We will study where we won and where we lost and also the issue of independents. The study will be completed after Diwali and a report will be placed to the party president. Then a decision will be taken on the independents”, said Mr. Dahal. Asked about rebel party MLA Prem Singh Golay’s campaign for independents, Dahal said that Golay did campaign and held meetings in support of independent candidates contesting against the SDF candidates. “Golay does not have a political party and we cannot identify who are his candidates. It would have been better if he and his group contested under a political party banner instead of taking the backdoor option”, he said.
SDF vice president DT Lepcha pointed out that the ruling front won all the Panchayat seats in Upper Burtuk constituency of which Golay is th MLA. We had already won 95 percent seats uncontested and wherever contests were held, we won by a huge margin, he said.
Mr. Dahal added that Golay could also not do anything in Soreng-Chakung constituency of West district which is said to be his strong hold. “Soreng and Chakung were supposed to be the hotbed of Golay but we won there. Golay and former Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari had jointly campaigned for an independent candidate at Malbasey but we won there also”, he said.
The SDF spokesperson while congratulating the party’s winning candidates urged them to serve the people as a committed SDF soldier.

Sikkim Express

Admin — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 07:51:13 +0000

Himalayan Darpan

Admin — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 07:42:17 +0000