Sikkim

Sikkim is a state in northeastern India. It borders Bhutan in the east, the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north and northeast, Koshi Province of Nepal in the west, and West Bengal in the south. Sikkim is the least populous and second-smallest among the Indian states. It is situated in the Eastern Himalaya and is home to Kangchenjunga, the highest peak in India and third-highest on Earth.

The Kingdom of Sikkim was founded by the Namgyal dynasty in the 17th century and was ruled by Buddhist priest-kings known as the Chogyal. In 1975, after a referendum, Sikkim joined India as its 22nd state.

Today, Sikkim is a multiethnic and multilingual state. The main religion is Hinduism, with many people also following Vajrayana Buddhist traditions. The economy depends mostly on agriculture and tourism.

Toponymy

The name Sikkim is thought to come from the Limbu words su meaning "new" and khyim meaning "palace" or "house". In Tibetan, it is called Drenjong, meaning "valley of rice". The Bhutias refer to it as Beyul Demazong, which translates to "the hidden valley of rice". The Lepcha people, who were the first people to live in Sikkim, called their home Nye-mae-el, meaning "paradise". In old Indian literature, Sikkim was known as Indrakil, the garden of the war god Indra.

History

Main article: History of Sikkim

The Lepchas are thought to be the first people to live in Sikkim. Other groups, like the Limbus and Magars, also settled in different parts of the land. In the 8th century, an important Buddhist teacher named Padmasambhava, or Guru Rinpoche, traveled through Sikkim. He brought Buddhism to the region and blessed the land.

In 1642, a leader named Phuntsog Namgyal became the first ruler, or Chogyal, of Sikkim. His descendants continued to lead the small kingdom. Over time, Sikkim faced challenges from nearby countries but managed to stay independent. In 1975, Sikkim decided to join India and became its 22nd state. This brought the monarchy to an end and made Sikkim part of the Indian Union.

In 2003, China officially recognized Sikkim as part of India, improving relations between the two countries. Sadly, in 2011, a strong earthquake caused damage and loss of life in Sikkim and nearby areas.

Geography

Sikkim is a beautiful state in northeastern India, surrounded by tall Himalayan mountains. It is home to Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain, which stands near the borders with Nepal and Tibet. The land is mostly hilly, with elevations ranging from 280 meters in the south to over 8,500 meters in the north.

The state has many rivers, including the Teesta River and its tributary, the Rangeet, which flow from north to south. Sikkim also features numerous glaciers, high-altitude lakes, and hot springs known for their therapeutic properties. The climate varies from subtropical in the south to tundra in the north, with most areas experiencing a temperate climate. The state is rich in plant and animal life, with many forests and wildlife sanctuaries.

Government and politics

See also: Elections in Sikkim and History of Sikkim

Sikkim has a parliamentary system of representative democracy, with universal suffrage for its residents. The government has three branches: executive, legislature, and judiciary. The executive branch is led by a governor, who is appointed by the President of India and mainly oversees the swearing-in of the chief minister. The chief minister, who holds the real executive power, is the leader of the party or coalition with the most seats in state elections. The legislature is unicameral, with 32 seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, including one reserved for the Sangha. Sikkim also has one seat each in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the two chambers of India’s national parliament. The judiciary includes the Sikkim High Court and lower courts.

Sikkim is environmentally conscious, banning plastic water bottles and polystyrene products. The state is divided into six districts: Gangtok District, Mangan District, Namchi District, Pakyong District, Geyzing District, and Soreng District. Each district is overseen by a district collector appointed by the state government. Due to its sensitive border location with China, many areas require official permits for foreigners to visit.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Sikkim

Sikkim's economy is mainly based on farming. People grow rice, maize, wheat, barley, oranges, tea, and especially cardamom. Sikkim grows more cardamom than any other state in India and has the largest area dedicated to cardamom farming. The state became the first in India to fully switch to organic farming by 2016.

Because of its hilly landscape, Sikkim does not have many big factories. However, some industries such as brewing, distilling, tanning, and watchmaking exist, mostly in the southern towns of Melli and Jorethang. There is also a small mining industry. Despite these challenges, Sikkim's economy has grown quickly since 2000. The government has also promoted tourism and gambling, with the first casino opening in 2009. The opening of the Nathu La pass in 2006 has helped increase trade with Tibet.

Transport

Air

Sikkim did not have any operational airport for a long time because of its rough terrain. However, in October 2018, Pakyong Airport, the state's first airport, located in Pakyong Town at a distance of 30 km (19 mi) from Gangtok, became operational after a four-year delay. It has been constructed by the Airports Authority of India and is one of the five highest airports in India.

Before October 2018, the closest operational airport to Sikkim was Bagdogra Airport near Siliguri in northern West Bengal. A daily helicopter service run by the Sikkim Helicopter Service connects Gangtok to Bagdogra; the flight is thirty minutes long and can carry four people. The Gangtok helipad is the only civilian helipad in the state.

Roads

National Highway 10 links Siliguri to Gangtok. Sikkim Nationalised Transport runs bus and truck services, and privately run bus, tourist taxi, and jeep services operate throughout Sikkim and also connect it to Siliguri. The state is connected to Tibet by the mountain pass of Nathu La.

Rail

Sikkim lacks significant railway infrastructure. The closest major railway stations are Siliguri Junction and New Jalpaiguri in neighbouring West Bengal. The New Sikkim Railway Project aims to connect the town of Rangpo in Sikkim with Sevoke on the West Bengal border. This line, known as the Sevoke-Rangpo Railway Line, is intended to support economic development and was initially planned to be completed by 2015, though its construction has faced delays.

Infrastructure

Sikkim's roads are taken care of by the Border Roads Organisation, a group that helps keep roads safe. The roads in southern Sikkim are in good shape because landslides, which can block roads, don't happen as often there. The state also has many miles of roads that the state government looks after.

Most of Sikkim's electricity comes from 19 hydroelectric power stations. Other sources include the National Thermal Power Corporation and the Power Grid Corporation of India. Even though almost every village has electricity, the power can be unstable. The state encourages using biogas and solar power for energy, mostly for lighting. Many households also have access to clean drinking water, and Sikkim was the first state in India to make sure everyone had proper sanitation facilities.

Demographics

Sikkim is the least populous state in India, with about 610,000 people living there, according to the 2011 census. It is also one of the least crowded states, with only 86 people for every square kilometre. The main language spoken in Sikkim is Nepali, but many other languages are also used, including Sikkimese, Limbu, Lepcha, Hindi, and Sherpa.

Most people in Sikkim follow Hinduism, but Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam are also practiced. The state is home to many temples, monasteries, churches, mosques, and gurdwaras, reflecting its rich cultural diversity.

Districts

Main article: List of districts of Sikkim

Sikkim has six districts, and each one is managed by a special government official called a district collector. These collectors help take care of everyday matters for the people living in their areas. Because Sikkim is close to important borders, the Indian Army looks after many parts of the state, and some areas are closed to visitors. If you want to go there, you need special permission, called a permit.

Culture

Sikkim's rich culture includes many colorful festivals. The Gorkhali people celebrate important Hindu festivals like Tihar (Diwali) and Dashain. Local festivals such as Maghe Sankranti, Ramnavmi, and Holi are also enjoyed. Buddhist festivals like Losar (Tibetan New Year), Saga Dawa, and Lhabab Duechen are celebrated with great enthusiasm. During Losar, many schools and offices close for a week.

Sikkim's cuisine is diverse, using many local fruits and vegetables. Popular dishes include noodle-based foods like thukpa and momos — small steamed dumplings filled with meat or vegetables. Traditional music and sports such as football and cricket are also part of everyday life in Sikkim.

Media

In 1957, a Nepali monthly magazine called Kanchenjunga became the first news outlet for the people of Sikkim.

Sikkim's southern urban areas have daily newspapers in English, Nepali, and Hindi. Some important local papers include Hamro Prajashakti, Himalayan Mirror, Sikkim Express, and Himalaya Darpan. The state also receives national newspapers like The Statesman, The Telegraph, The Hindu, and The Times of India. Online media such as Himgiri and Haalkhabar also cover news about Sikkim. Internet cafés are common in district capitals, and satellite television services like Airtel digital TV, Tata Sky, Dish TV, and DD Free Dish are popular.

Education

Main article: List of institutions of higher education in Sikkim

Sikkim has many schools and universities that help people learn and grow. In 2011, most adults in Sikkim could read and write, with more men knowing how to read than women. There are over a thousand schools in the state, some run by the government and others by private groups.

The state also has special schools for certain kinds of learning, like skills and technology. There are universities where students can study subjects like engineering, medicine, and more. Some students from Sikkim travel to bigger cities in India to continue their education.

Towns and cities

Sikkim has many interesting towns and cities. Some of the major ones include Gangtok, Pakyong, Namchi, Jorethang, Rangpo, and Singtam. There are also many smaller towns such as Gyalshing, Mangan, Soreng, Pelling, and Rhenock. Each of these places has its own unique charm and importance in the state.

Sports

Sikkim is a great place for many popular sports such as football, cricket, archery, volleyball, tennis, badminton, and athletics. The state also offers exciting adventure sports like paragliding, hiking, and mountain biking.

Some of the main stadiums in Sikkim include the Mining Cricket Stadium in Rangpo, the Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, the Bhaichung Stadium in Namchi, and the Resithang Athletics Stadium, also in Gangtok.