16/05/2023
| MESSAGE
My heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of Sikkim on the historic occasion of the 48th State Day 2023. The day outlines the vision and determination of our forefathers, the founding fathers, and the pioneers of democracy when they took the lead in shaping democratic objectives and projected the course of the journey of Sikkim to become the 22nd state of the Indian Union.
State Day is an occasion for introspection as to what we have accomplished and what remains to be achieved. It gives us a prospect to look back and take pride in the progress which can be accredited to the passionate contribution of our people in the developmental process.
The unprecedented evolution and transformation that the state has witnessed in the last decades have endured the hallmark of this democratic conversion. Today, Sikkim stands giant among the states and is working in collaboration with the union government to chart its journey to greater heights of progress and prosperity. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the revenue mobilization in the state did not suffer, and as of now the revenue percentage for the Financial year 2022-23 stands at 57%, higher as compared to the revenue generated during the Financial year 2018-19.
Apart from COVID-19, the world faced an additional crisis in the shape and form of the Russia-Ukraine war. Our government acted promptly and coordinated a joint effort with help from the central government to bring back Sikkimese students stranded in Ukraine. Likewise, recently, we also launched "Operation Guransh" and brought back 148 Sikkimese students from Manipur.
After the formation of our government, we have initiated many programmes, projects, and schemes beneficial for the people, namely SGAY, SUGAY, 50 free Medical Seats and 30 on fifty percent payment, Aama Yojana, Vatsalya Yojana, NB Bhandari Fellowship Programme, APATAN Fellowship Programme, Mero Rukh Mero Santati, One Family One Entrepreneur, A day for Mother Earth, increment for bonafide Sikkimese govt employees (second and third child), CMMAC and more.
On this important occasion, I pay my respects and thank the former Chief Ministers of Sikkim, Padma Vibhushan, Late Shri L. D. Kazi, Late Shri Nar Bahadur Bhandari, Late Shri B B Gurung, Late Shri S M S***a, and Shri Pawan Chamling along with their cabinet colleagues, legislators, and executive.
I also congratulate and thank the litterateurs, scholars, and the journalist fraternity who have lent a hand in shaping and manifesting the status of our state to a magnificent level. I extend my reverence and gratitude to all the people of Sikkim.
Our government has prioritized the health and education sector besides fulfilling the urgent requirements direly required by the public. People in the state can now avail quality health services in addition to medical assistance from the Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Cell and ‘Garib Janakalyan Prakoshta’, a non-profitable organization.
Similarly, state-of-the-art hospitals, equipped with modern facilities are being set up in Namchi, Singtam, Mangan, and Soreng. Numerous projects like world-class cancer hospitals are being constructed, which will elevate our state in terms of health and medical treatment. We are sincerely working towards making Sikkim an education hub. World-class educational institutions like the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University of Excellence are being established, and Kanchenjunga State University has been upgraded to impart quality education to the students. Likewise, we have a goal to establish one university in every constituency. Further, in this context, we have provided manpower in government schools with comprehensive infrastructures, fulfilling all required basic amenities.
Our state has also received several accolades in the past few years including the Swach Survekshan Grameen Award (2nd in the North-East region), 5th Happiest State in the country, and 2nd in the North-East region, 1st among small states in the Northeast's criminal justice system and many more.
I take this moment to express my gratitude to the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Union Cabinet Ministers, and the central government for all the assistance provided to Sikkim. I would like to acknowledge the contributions of all the former Governors, Chief Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, and MLAs of Sikkim for their role in shaping the future of our beloved state and would also like to thank the Hon'ble Governor Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, incumbent Cabinet Ministers, and Hon'ble MLAs.
Everything we have achieved to date would not be possible without the dedication, support, and commitment of the government employees and the Sikkimese people, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
On this historic day, let us join hands to work in harmony and take Sikkim to greater elevations of progress and prosperity. People’s involvement is essential for the progress of any democratic civilization. Let us work from dawn till dusk to endure the stimulus of development by utilizing our natural and human capital in a more cognizant and cautious manner.
I thank and congratulate the founding fathers of democracy, who have contributed immensely along the journey of a democratic setup in the state.
With Best Wishes!
Jai Hind!
Jai Sikkim!
