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Women power for 11 Sikkim departments; ladies posted as chairpersons of departmentsThe Sikkim government has appointed 1...
09/07/2025

Women power for 11 Sikkim departments; ladies posted as chairpersons of departments

The Sikkim government has appointed 11 women from self-help groups (SHGs) as chairpersons of various state departments and one as officer on special duty (OSD), making it the first state in India to formally induct SHG women into top administrative roles.

The initiative, led by chief minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), is being widely hailed as a pioneering experiment that redefines the role of women in governance, not merely as welfare recipients but as decision-makers shaping public policy, said an observer.

According to Rewaj Chettri, OSD to the CM, these appointments were not top-down nominations but were made through democratic processes within SHG networks. “With more than 5,500 SHGs and nearly 55,000 women members across Sikkim, this move is a paradigm shift in how governments perceive and engage with community leadership,” he said.

Sikkim has consistently set national benchmarks in empowering women in governance. The state currently has women serving as deputy speaker, deputy mayor of Gangtok, and numerous heads of urban and rural bodies. Over 20 women have also been appointed as departmental secretaries under the current administration.

“Yet, this step of elevating women from SHGs to lead state departments may be the most transformative chapter so far,” added Rewaj Chettri.

The newly appointed chairpersons and their respective departments are:

Ongkit Lepcha (horticulture)
Lilly Rai (agriculture)
Chumila Bhutia (public health engineering)
Nim Chiki Sherpa (commerce and industries)
Anuradha Gurung (fisheries)
Bidya Biswakarma (cooperation)
Khus Maya Tamang (water resources)
Kala Pradhan (food processing industries)
Doma Lepcha (animal husbandry and veterinary services)
Shanti Limboo (Sikkim Consumer Cooperative Society)
Mingma Lhasa Sherpa (capacity building, skill development, youth empowerment and self-reliance)
Indra Kala Chettri (officer on special duty, panchayati raj department)

An Air India passenger plane has crashed in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. According to Air India, flight number AI 171 from Ahmeda...
12/06/2025

An Air India passenger plane has crashed in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. According to Air India, flight number AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed.

The plane crashed just 5 minutes after takeoff. There were 169 Indian passengers on board the plane. In addition, there were 53 British, 1 Canadian, 7 Portuguese passengers. Similarly, there are 2 pilots and 10 crew members.

#अहमदाबाद #एयरइंडिया

Sikkim landslide: Two more bodies recoveredGangtok: Two more bodies were recovered on Tuesday from the site of the lands...
10/06/2025

Sikkim landslide: Two more bodies recovered

Gangtok: Two more bodies were recovered on Tuesday from the site of the landslide at Chaten in North Sikkim, a police officer said.

'Two more bodies - a male and a female - have been recovered from the site of landslide on June 1,' Mangan, Superintendent of Police (SP), Sonam Detchu Bhutia said.

"Two more bodies - a male and a female - have been recovered from the site of landslide on June 1," Mangan, Superintendent of Police (SP), Sonam Detchu Bhutia said.

The SP said that the bodies were yet to be identified.

Following the recovery of the two bodies, three of six missing persons in the landslide on the army camp in Chaten have been recovered, Bhutia said.

The rescuers on Monday had recovered the body of an Army man Sainudheen PK.

The search operation is underway to find out if there are more missing persons despite challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions, the SP said.

The search and rescue operation is being led by the Army in coordination with local authorities and disaster response teams.

Apart from the missing persons, three army personnel had lost their lives and four others were injured in the landslide.

North Sikkim has been hit by multiple landslides triggered by heavy rain, disrupting road and telecommunication connectivity.

Around 2,000 tourists had also been stranded in north Sikkim's Lachen, Lachung and Chungthang towns due to inclement weather conditions for days before being evacuated by road and air in rescue operations earlier this week.

UP Couple On Honeymoon Missing After Car Falls 1,000 Feet Into Sikkim RiverKaushalendra Pratap Singh and Ankita Singh, w...
09/06/2025

UP Couple On Honeymoon Missing After Car Falls 1,000 Feet Into Sikkim River

Kaushalendra Pratap Singh and Ankita Singh, who got married on May 5, left for Sikkim on May 24. On the evening of May 29, what was supposed to be a blissful vacation turned into a nightmare for the couple and their families.

A newly married couple from Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh district went to Sikkim for their honeymoon. 15 days on, they are yet to return home.

Kaushalendra Pratap Singh and Ankita Singh, who got married on May 5, left for Sikkim on May 24. On the evening of May 29, what was supposed to be a blissful vacation turned into a nightmare for the couple and their families. The car they were travelling in fell 1,000 feet into the Teesta river in the landslide-hit Mangan district.

The car skidded off the road near Munsithang along the Lachen-Lachung highway.

Among the nine others travelling with them, one died and two were injured. Eight passengers are still missing. The driver, Passang Denu Sherpa of Singhik in North Sikkim, died on the spot while Swayam Supratim Nayak and Sairaj Jena from Odisha were rescued on the night of the accident.

Kaushalendra Pratap Singh's father, Sher Bahadur Singh, is in Sikkim to look for his son and daughter-in-law.

"My son and daughter-in-law are missing after their vehicle fell into a stream in Sikkim. I appeal to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to request his Sikkim counterpart to expedite the search and rescue operations," Mr Singh, with folded hands, appealed through a video message.

He said that he would not return home till he finds them.

"It's our eighth day here. We visited the accident spot several times. Whatever things have been recovered from the spot, nothing belongs to my son and his wife. I won't return home till I find them. I request everyone to pray for the lives of my son and daughter-in-law," he added.

The search for the missing eight tourists is being carried out by personnel of the NDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, Forest Department, Tourism Department, TAAS (Travel Agents Association of Sikkim), and police. However, bad weather is hindering the rescue work.

Waaree Solar Americas inks 586 MW module supply agreement in USWaaree Solar Americas, a wholly owned US subsidiary of Wa...
03/06/2025

Waaree Solar Americas inks 586 MW module supply agreement in US
Waaree Solar Americas, a wholly owned US subsidiary of Waaree Energies Limited, has inked a 586 MW solar module supply agreement with a US-based independent power producer. The project is valued at $176 million.
The modules will be manufactured in the company’s facility in Brookshire, Texas, and are scheduled for delivery during the financial year 2026-27 across four projects. Furthermore, the modules will leverage several domestically produced components, aligning with the Investment Tax Credit guidelines for domestic content requirements.
Waaree Solar Americas contributes to a sustainable and energy-independent future through its US manufacturing capabilities. The company’s solar products support sustainable development and are backed by the latest technological advancements. Waaree Solar Americas has established a local manufacturing facility with 3.2 GW capacity, of which 1.6 GW is operational and the remaining 1.6 GW is under ex*****on.
WAAREE Group

The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has conveyed profound grief over the devastating events unfolding in North Sikkim, wh...
03/06/2025

The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has conveyed profound grief over the devastating events unfolding in North Sikkim, where persistent heavy rains have triggered landslides and floods, resulting in significant loss of life and damage to infrastructure.
In a strong message of condolence, the party mourned the deaths caused by a fatal landslide on June 1 at an Indian Army camp in Chaten, Lachen, located in Mangan district. The incident claimed the lives of Havaldar Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur, and porter Abhishek Lakhada. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) expressed his sorrow, stating, “I am deeply pained by the loss of these brave souls. My heartfelt condolences go out to their families.”
The party also expressed concern over a separate tragedy on the Chungthang-Lachen highway, where a tourist vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into the Teesta River. While two individuals have been rescued, several others remain missing, and intensive search efforts are underway.
Recognizing the bravery and tireless efforts of emergency responders, SKM extended appreciation to the Sikkim Police, Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and other personnel who continue to work around the clock under hazardous conditions.
The Chief Minister is actively monitoring the situation and guiding relief and evacuation operations to ensure swift assistance to affected individuals. The government remains on high alert, mobilizing all available resources to respond to the crisis.
SKM has appealed to the public to exercise caution, especially in areas near riverbanks and landslide-prone zones, and to refrain from unnecessary travel until weather conditions improve. Citizens are urged to adhere strictly to advisories issued by authorities.
Reaffirming its commitment to the people of Sikkim, the SKM party pledged continued support and solidarity with those impacted by the natural disasters.

29/05/2025

Drone show to light up Gangtok sky tonight

While yellow alert for rain and thunderstorm has been issued for West Bengal, heavy rainfall in northern Sikkim on Tuesd...
23/05/2025

While yellow alert for rain and thunderstorm has been issued for West Bengal, heavy rainfall in northern Sikkim on Tuesday and Wednesday led to landslides in the neighbouring state, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded there.

Officials said the road linking Lachen and Lachung has been closed for traffic and a substantial section of the road between Sankelan and Phidang has been damaged.

Sources said issuance of new permits for tourists in north Sikkim has been halted, and all previously issued online permits have been revoked. The district administration said that the permits will remain suspended as long as the situation persists.

A heavy downpour throughout Tuesday triggered landslides in various places of north Sikkim and snapped connectivity with...
22/05/2025

A heavy downpour throughout Tuesday triggered landslides in various places of north Sikkim and snapped connectivity with Lachen and Lachung, two popular tourist destinations of the mountain state.

Multiple landslides caused traffic to a halt on several roads connecting Mangan, the headquarters of the sole district in the northern part of the state which sits on the India-China border.

On Wednesday, traffic was restored in some of the routes, but with restrictions. The situation prompted the state administration to stop issuing permits to tourists intending to travel to north Sikkim.

“Three roads which connect Mangan with Chungthang, that is, the road via Sangkalang bridge, via Toong Naga and Phidang are closed because of landslides. That is why vehicles could not move to Chungthang, a junction from where different roads head for Lachen and Lachung,” said a source in the district administration.

Drug Bust in Ravangla: Namchi Police Seize He**in and Spasmo Capsules, One ArrestedRavangla, May 21: In a major breakth...
21/05/2025

Drug Bust in Ravangla: Namchi Police Seize He**in and Spasmo Capsules, One Arrested
Ravangla, May 21: In a major breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking, the Namchi District Police seized a significant quantity of banned substances during a raid conducted in Ravangla earlier today.
Based on reliable intelligence, a police team launched a swift operation targeting the residence of a suspected drug dealer, identified as Mangal Singh S***a alias Chuchu. Following the raid, authorities extended their search to his taxi, which led to the recovery of a quantity of suspected he**in and Windlas Spasmo capsules—both falling under the category of illegal narcotics.
Officials confirmed that a criminal case has been filed at the Ravangla Police Station under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and the Sikkim Anti-Drugs Act (SADA), 2006.
The Namchi Police reaffirmed their commitment to combating drug-related crimes and emphasized that investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the network involved.
**inSeizure

Sikkim records 21 snow leopards in first Statewide survey In a landmark for wildlife conservation in the Eastern Himalay...
20/05/2025

Sikkim records 21 snow leopards in first Statewide survey

In a landmark for wildlife conservation in the Eastern Himalayas, the Government of sikkim and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-India jointly released the Statewide Assessment of the Population and Density of Snow Leopards in Sikkim during the 50th Statehood Day celebrations at Paljor Stadium.

The report confirms the presence of 21 snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in the State, with an estimated density of 0.40 snow leopards per 100 sq km.

The elusive big cats were found mainly in the Lachen and Lachung reserve forests of North Sikkim.

The study, part of the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI), was conducted by the Forest and Environment Department, Government of Sikkim, with WWF-India as the technical partner appointed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India.

The survey employed over 200 camera traps across 99 strategic locations, capturing more than 6.2 lakh images from altitudes between 3,500m to 6,000m.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra set to resume via Sikkim's Nathula Pass after 5 years of suspensionThe Kailash Mansarovar Yatra...
19/05/2025

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra set to resume via Sikkim's Nathula Pass after 5 years of suspension
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is set to resume via Nathula from June this year, marking the end of a five-year suspension caused by the Doklam standoff in 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Sunil Kumar, Labour Incharge, said, "The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is going to start soon. The renovation and reconstruction of acclimatisation centres are expected to be completed within the next four to five days. Acclimatisation centres are being established along the route. A total of 50-60 people will be here at the acclimatisation centre.

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