Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
Governor of Sikkim Shri Om Mathur Ji, the popular, energetic youth and my dear friend Shri Prem Singh Tamang Ji, my colleagues in Parliament Shri Dorjee Shering Lepcha Ji, Dr. Indra Hang Subba Ji, Shri Dilli Ram Thapa Ji, and my dear brothers and sisters of Sikkim.
To all the people of Sikkim, many congratulations and best wishes on the Golden Jubilee. Namaste, Tashi Delek!
Kham-ri-mo! How are you all?
Friends,
Yesterday afternoon I reached Gangtok, and before coming here, I was a little busy in the hustle and bustle of the Bengal elections. As soon as I arrived here, a new feeling, a new joy, an atmosphere of celebration all around, my heart was filled with happiness. The rain at night, then the coolness of the morning, and this bright sunshine-Sikkim’s colors are truly unique.
Friends,
Sikkim, the heaven of the East, the garden of orchids, its unmatched beauty, its peace, its spiritual joy-this experience is obtained with great fortune. Today I also went to see the orchids here. For me, the time fixed was less, so I spent more time there. And I say to tourists across the country, to nature-loving tourists, if they have not seen the orchids of Sikkim, then they have seen nothing. And I am confident that this time tourists will surpass all the figures of Sikkim’s tourism. In the orchids I saw the colors of nature, their joy, my mind is still immersed in it.
Friends,
Today we have the opportunity to celebrate the 50-year journey of Sikkim. When the occasion is so historic and happening in such a divine atmosphere, its grandeur increases many times. This Paljor Stadium today is filled with that wonderful aura. The cultural programs held here, the captivating performances of the artists, the enthusiasm shown by the people of Sikkim, the beautiful scenery of nature in the mountains and sky in front-it seemed as if nature and culture had come alive together. Truly these memories will always remain in my heart. And I congratulate all those who did the choreography, all those who sang. And today’s program, I would like that TV, media, Doordarshan show it to the country again and again. When in the country, for political interests, attempts are made for linguistic divisions, provincialism, discrimination, today Sikkim has shown the vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. In this small program, they presented the whole of India before the eyes. And even now, the seating arrangement they have made, I can see from above, it is the whole of India, and people are sitting in the attire of their respective states. Over there Gujarat, people are sitting in Gujarati clothes. Truly, truly you have won hearts. Not Modi’s heart, but the heart of the whole of India you have won today. This is what devotion to India is, this is what patriotism is. In the new generation, this is how the feeling of patriotism arises. Many congratulations to you all.
Friends,
Coming to Sikkim gives me great happiness also because last time I could not reach here due to bad weather. I had to connect with you online from Bagdogra. That regret of not being able to meet you here remained in my mind. And whenever Prem Singh Ji met me, my eyes lowered that you worked so hard, I could not come. And therefore I was waiting, that wait has been fulfilled today through this occasion.
Friends,
Meeting the people of Sikkim always gives me a different peace. Your gentleness, your simplicity, the smile on your faces is wonderful. Even before coming here, I met many talented people of Sikkim. Intellectuals of Sikkim, Padma awardees, artists and footballers-I spoke with them on different subjects.
Friends,
The road show yesterday evening, I have not forgotten it yet, and perhaps will never forget it. In hands, our beloved tricolor. Continuous chants of Bharat Mata Ki Jai, and the proclamation of Vande Mataram, the whole atmosphere was filled with the pictures of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. From Ganju Lama Gate to Lok Bhavan, the way my brothers and sisters of Sikkim poured out their love, the way all ethnic communities welcomed, each community with its own attire, its own music, its own traditions-the whole atmosphere turned into a grand festival. This scene was like different colors blooming in the lap of nature. In large numbers, my mothers and sisters, children and elders also came to give their blessings. And one of the best things I saw throughout the way was the cleanliness of Sikkim’s roads. Salute to you all. No dirt anywhere, cleanliness in the air, cleanliness on the roads. You people of Sikkim are true protectors of nature, brand ambassadors. I again say to the countrymen, come to Sikkim. How clean, how well-maintained you have kept Sikkim.
Brothers and sisters,
For the road show yesterday, and for this event now, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you and all the artists. I congratulate you. I give many congratulations to the people of Sikkim and to all the countrymen on this celebration of the important 50-year journey. I assure you, the debt of your love, your affection, your blessings, I will leave no effort to repay it.
Friends,
The journey of Sikkim is a journey of human values. It is a journey of carrying development and heritage together. Many generations of Sikkim have carried forward this journey. In the past 50 years, all those who have advanced Sikkim, brought it here, I heartily congratulate them today, I honor them. At the time, whoever had to do whatever they did, they gave to Sikkim. Now, the responsibility is on us, upon us. The government of Sikkim, under the leadership of my friend Prem Singh Ji, is working with full honesty to preserve the heritage of Sikkim and to accelerate development. For us, Sikkim, the North East, is not only an important part of the country, but it is India’s ‘Ashta Lakshmi’. The North East is India’s ‘Ashta Lakshmi’. Therefore, we are working on the policy of ‘Act East’, and we have also taken the resolve of ‘Act Fast’ for the North East. And therefore, ‘Act East’, ‘Act Fast’. Today also, more than 30 projects worth thousands of crores of rupees have been inaugurated and foundation stones laid here. These include projects of roads, power, tourism, health, education, all kinds. The challenges that came in the areas of North Sikkim after 2023 have also been taken into account. Wherever connectivity was affected, focus has been on strengthening it again. I give many congratulations to all the people of Sikkim for these.
Friends,
The great strength of our Sikkim is its tourism economy. The area of Sikkim is less than one percent of the country’s total area, but more than 25 percent of the country’s floral diversity is found in our Sikkim. Here there are about 500 species of birds, about 700 species of butterflies, beautiful forest cover, the wonderful attraction of Kanchenjunga, so much is here. Therefore, everyone wants to come to Sikkim again and again.
Friends,
A very large number of people’s income in Sikkim is connected with tourism. And tourism grows only when the infrastructure of that state is good. That is why we are focusing the most on Sikkim’s connectivity and infrastructure. In recent years, hundreds of kilometers of highways have been built here. Work is progressing rapidly to take roads to every village. Such modern infrastructure, which earlier was not even imagined, is today becoming reality. The construction of the expressway from Bagdogra to Gangtok, the Sevok-Rangpo rail line-these projects are becoming the means to connect Sikkim with the whole country. New national highways are also being built here. In cities like Gangtok, projects like ring roads are necessary for the future. Work is moving forward in this direction too.
Brothers and sisters,
The work that the BJP government is doing today could have been done earlier also, but Congress governments always pushed back the development of Sikkim. Take the example of the Sevok-Rangpo rail line. This project was approved in 2008–2009, but no work happened on the ground, it remained stuck on paper. The project remained lying in files. After the BJP government came to the Centre, development again gained speed. For the first time, rail is going to reach Sikkim.
Friends,
To promote tourism, we also need new ideas. Today we are working with this thinking. The construction of ropeways in Bhaledunga, Yen-Yeng, and Pelling is an example of this. A skywalk is also being built in Bhaledunga. And now preparations are being made to build a glass deck skywalk on Singhshore Bridge. Work is also being done to improve the border experience at places like Nathula and Namli
Friends,
With these efforts of our government, your life will become easier, the number of tourists coming to Sikkim will increase further, and your income will also grow. And I always urge tourists across the country: when you travel, whether for adventure tourism or environment tourism, wherever you go, it should be compulsory to spend 5 percent of your travel budget on buying local products. The path to making local vocal begins here. Wherever you go, eat the local food, buy the local items, take them as souvenirs. So that the people here, the small groups living far away in the mountains, the sisters who make such wonderful things in self-help groups, buyers should come from across the country, and this will also increase employment opportunities here.
Friends,
In Sikkim, there is also great scope for eco-wellness tourism, we are promoting this too. To ensure that local people get maximum income from tourism, 1,000 homestays are also being built. Infrastructure is also being supported for adventure tourism.
Friends,
Another sky of possibilities for Sikkim is in sports. The youth here have proved their capacity and talent in sports on big stages. In football, boxing, archery, players from here have brought glory to Sikkim and the country.
Friends,
To advance these talents, we are running movements like ‘Khelo India’ and ‘Fit India’. The State Sports Academy here has also been revived. Sports events like the Sikkim Premier League are being promoted, so that more and more players get the chance to play, and their performance improves.
Friends,
There is also a proposal for a state-of-the-art boxing academy in the name of Jaslal Pradhan Ji. Projects like Integrated Sports and Cultural Village are also moving forward. This will give better facilities to the youth of Sikkim, and they will be able to shine their sports further.
Friends,
Among the projects inaugurated and foundation stones laid today, many big works related to the health sector are also included. There was a time when Congress governments had completely ignored Sikkim and the North East. Health services here used to be very limited. Because of this, tourists also hesitated to come here. But today that challenge is ending. Today in Sikkim, about 200 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are functioning. Today there are 4 district hospitals, a tertiary care hospital, wellness centers, and thousands of people are benefiting from Ayush facilities here. After the inauguration of Drezong Namgyal Sowa Rigpa Hospital, Sikkim’s healthcare system will get a further boost.
Brothers and sisters,
Along with health infrastructure, people should also get cheap treatment, our government is committed to this too. Earlier we had given Ayushman cards to the poor for free treatment. Now this facility is also being given to all elderly people aged 70 years and above. Along with this, medicines are also available at very cheap prices at Jan Aushadhi Kendras. With these efforts, the lives of people here have become easier, and your expenditure on treatment is also decreasing.
Friends,
Today the world’s perspective on economic progress and resources is changing rapidly. Today the world is talking about sustainable lifestyle. Today the world’s focus is on clean energy. Today organic foods are being given priority. I am happy that our North East and Sikkim are big centers of this futuristic growth. Sikkim has shown direction to the whole country. Sikkim had already declared the entire state organic 10 years ago, in 2016. Our Demazong is now not only known for rice production, its identity has now become for organic rice. Large cardamom, ginger, turmeric, avocado, kiwi-so many products are reaching the markets of the country and the world. Hundreds of species of medicinal plants are also found in Sikkim. These too are becoming a means of increasing the income of local people.
Friends,
Sikkim’s model of organic and natural farming is an inspiration for the whole country. Sikkim’s lifestyle, Sikkim’s resolve, today these have become part of the nation’s vision. To promote natural farming here, organic processing plants have also been started. This is giving farmers the opportunity to connect directly with the market.
Friends,
In Sikkim’s economic progress, a very big role is also played by the self-help groups here and by these women. The products of these self-help groups have reached big markets, and Digital India is playing a big role in this. Platforms like “Swayam Sikkim” are today empowering these women.
Friends,
In the field of clean energy, Sikkim has a wide capacity. While preserving the environment here, we have to make further use of this potential of Sikkim. I know, environmental protection is the nature of the people of Sikkim. When the country started the initiative of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, the people of Sikkim carried it forward with a sense of duty, and the Chief Minister here inspired the people with the initiative “Mero Rukh Mero Santati”. Under this, 108 trees are planted at the birth of every child. I feel this initiative is an inspiration for the whole world. We have to carry forward our efforts connected to the environment with even more dedication. This is our heritage, which we have to keep safe for the next generation.
Friends,
Sikkim should move forward even faster, give speed to the dream of a developed India, for this we have to work together. We have to take Sikkim to new heights. With this resolve, once again, I give you all best wishes on this occasion. I wish you all a bright future. And today, after 50 years of this journey, now we have to complete two milestones. What will we do when Sikkim’s journey reaches 100 years? What will we do by the time Sikkim’s journey reaches 75 years? And when the country’s independence reaches 100 years, the dream of a developed India in 2047, for that we should start preparing today and move forward with resolve. With this feeling, once again I express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you. Thank you very much. Say with me-
Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram.
Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram.
Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram.
Vande Mataram.
