On 50th Statehood Day, how Sikkim honoured its past, hailed the future

India Today

18-05-2025

Gangtok woke up to dense fog on May 16, but a sense of history in the making kept the mood brightened that morning. The Himalayan state of Sikkim was marking a golden milestone—50 years of integration with the Indian Union in 1975, the occasion as much about honouring the past as showcasing a progressive and inclusive future.The day began on a patriotic note as a Tiranga Rally, led by chief minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, wound its way from the vibrant M.G. Marg to the Paljor Stadium, hailing the armed forces for the recent valorous face-off with Pakistan. People lined the streets, draped in traditional attires and wrapped in the warmth of the occasion, waving flags and cheering the procession. At the stadium, accompanying the chief minister were a host of dignitaries, such as governor Om Prakash Mathur, chief secretary Ravindra Telang and Sikkim High Court chief justice Biswanath Somadder.advertisementBut the one thing that made this golden jubilee event even more unforgettable was a historic first—the ceremonial parade at Paljor Stadium was led by two women police officers, a watershed moment in the state's journey towards gender equity and representation. 'We thank our DGP (director general of police) Akshay Sachdeva, the government and our seniors for trusting us with this job on such a historic day. We are very happy,' said deputy superintendent of police Rinku Wongmu Bhutia, the parade commander.Bhutia, poised and commanding, stood alongside police inspector Tshomu Lachungpa, the second-in-charge, both women leading the parade with a quiet confidence that belied the profound significance of their roles. Eight platoons and 50 members of the police band followed their lead in seamless coordination, the crowd erupting into applause at the sight of the women in uniform charting the path forward.advertisement
Bhutia, a decorated officer, brought not only experience but international acclaim to the moment. From 2019 to 2020, she had served as part of the UN Peacekeeping Force in southern Sudan, earning respect for her leadership and courage.Lachungpa, whose name is sometimes spelt 'Chomu' to make it easier for others to pronounce, brought her own charm to the event. Her name itself is a poetic composite: 'Tsho' meaning lake, and 'Mu' meaning girl—'Girl from the Lake'.A native of Lachung in north Sikkim, her name and presence evoked the very soul of the mountains she represents. Like Rinku, she is from the Bhutia community, and their visibility at the helm of the parade spoke volumes about representation, empowerment and rooted pride.Yet, even nature had a moment of drama to offer. Just as the ceremony reached its crescendo, a dense fog suddenly rolled into the stadium, blanketing everything in mist and momentarily halting the proceedings. Visibility dropped to near-zero. But in true hill tradition, the delay was embraced with calm acceptance. 'This is the hills,' one spectator noted. 'The weather here changes its mind like poetry.'The celebrations continued with even greater fervour once the fog cleared. Inside Paljor Stadium, a vibrant mass dance performance unfolded as 1,100 schoolchildren from 18 schools, assisted by two dance academies and the state's cultural affairs department, performed synchronised routines, blending traditional Sikkimese dances with modern choreography. Dressed in vivid attire, their movements painted a live mural of the state's rich heritage and youthful aspirations.advertisementAmong those witnessing the celebrations with a special lens was Sonam Denzongpa, a Sikkimese woman who is now a resident of Australia for over 30 years. An entertainment entrepreneur, Denzongpa runs a production company and had returned home with her team to shoot a documentary on Sikkim's journey over the past five decades. 'Denzong is another name for Sikkim. So my surname suggests I am from Sikkim,' she shared proudly, her eyes reflecting the emotion of returning to a homeland in celebration.Denzongpa's presence added another layer of symbolism to the day—the Sikkimese diaspora reconnecting with their roots, contributing to the global storytelling of a small but culturally rich state. The mention of her surname naturally brings to mind Danny Denzongpa, the iconic Bollywood actor and a fellow Sikkimese whose legacy has long inspired pride among the people of the state.As the final notes of the police band faded into the mountain air and the sun dipped low behind the hills, Sikkim's 50th Statehood Day stood not merely as a commemoration but as a living, breathing tribute—to progress and perseverance, identity and inclusion, and above all, a people who have embraced modernity without losing their soul.advertisementSubscribe to India Today Magazine