India Today Sikkim@50 Conclave set to capture Himalayan state's highs
On May 22, the verdant hills of Sikkim will echo in spirit through the corridors of the Hyatt Regency, New Delhi, as the India Today Group hosts a landmark initiative, the State of the States Conclave: Sikkim@50, to celebrate five decades of the tiny Himalayan kingdom's merger with the Indian Union.The event will not just be a commemoration of these 50 years but a celebration of Sikkim's extraordinary journey—from a princely state to a national exemplar in organic farming, education, sustainable tourism and governance.advertisementThe conclave promises a day-long deep dive into the state's social, political, ecological and cultural evolution, told through stories of perseverance, policy, people and place.'This is going to be a special event. We all look forward to its success.' These words from Sikkim's chief minister Prem Singh Tamang, capture the mood—not just of the state's leader but its people whose progress speaks louder than words.
Tamang will set the tone of the conclave with the keynote address 'The Glorious Journey and the Illustrious Road Ahead', offering both reflection and vision.REMEMBERING THE ROOTS, MAPPING THE HEIGHTSBefore that, the event will open with a welcome address by Raj Chengappa, India Today group editorial director. After Tamang, former Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who hails from the Northeast, will offer a geostrategic overview of Sikkim—as a tranquil but critical vantage point, both diplomatically and defensively.advertisementAs the conversation shifts to education, expect stirring words from Raju Basnet, the state's education minister, and Prof. (Dr) Ashis Sharma, vice-chancellor of Sikkim University. Together with educationist Sony Virdi, they will explore how Sikkim has turned its Himalayan terrain into a classroom of innovation as well as a refuge for young minds seeking meaningful learning.ENTREPRENEURSHIP: LOCAL GRIT, GLOBAL VISIONAfter noon, the spotlight will turn to business—the heartbeat of modern Sikkim. From Rewaj Chettri, the dynamic founder of NE Taxi and currently officer on special duty for skill development, to Vipul Gupta of Cipla and Raj Lama of the Sikkim Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Cell, the conclave will shine a light on small and medium enterprises carving global identities from the mountains.Dr Kajal from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and M. Ravikumar from the industries department of Sikkim will offer a policy lens, proving that when government support meets grassroots grit, the Himalayan region can hum with commerce.SIKKIM FROM A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVEThe 'Bird's Eye View' session will see both Houses of Parliament represented, by Indra Hang Subba (Lok Sabha) and D.T. Lepcha (Rajya Sabha), alongside academic stalwart Prof. Vimal Khawas of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and bureaucrat Sandeep Tambe. They will offer a panoramic view of Sikkim's national significance and its quiet leadership in fields often overlooked.advertisementFUTURES, ICONS AND VOICESThe very next session, mapping Sikkim's years in the Indian Union, will be a compelling blend of political insight and policy futures. With Sikkim legislative assembly speaker Mingma Norbu Sherpa and veterans such as Prof. Mahendra P. Lama, the session promises to be both academic and accessible.And what's a story of Sikkim without its most iconic ambassador? Football legend Bhaichung Bhutia will grace the stage to reflect on 'Sikkim's Sporting Spirit: From the GOAT'—narrating how a small state raised a giant of Indian sport.Then comes a segment close to the state's heart—'Empowering Voices'—featuring an eclectic group: from mountaineer Manita Pradhan to handicraft entrepreneur Sernya Palmo and Rinzing Choden Bhutia, founder of Agapi Sikkim. Here, stories of courage, craftsmanship and community will come alive, painting Sikkim not as a statistic but a sentiment.ORGANIC DREAMS AND FOREST WISDOMFew Indian states command as much global respect for ecological responsibility as Sikkim. The closing afternoon session, 'Green Governance', will bring together agriculture minister Puran Kumar Gurung, forest secretary Pradip Kumar, environmentalist Swapan Mehra and the famed 'Kiwi Man' Budha Singh Subba.advertisementTheir combined narrative will show how policy, community will and indigenous wisdom created a rare balance—one where development and nature coexist.The final word will likely be from the Centre. Sukanta Majumdar, Union minister of state for DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region), will deliver a special address on 'India in Harmony', reflecting on how Sikkim's journey reflects the broader story of India—diverse, determined and deeply democratic.A JUBILEE: NOT JUST OF YEARS BUT IDEASAs the event winds down with high tea, it will also symbolically raise a toast to Sikkim's 50 years in the Indian Union—a half-century not marked by assimilation but by collaboration, one where the distinctive culture, governance ethos and geography of Sikkim have only enriched the Indian fabric. Fifty years ago, Sikkim's future in the Indian Union was an experiment. Today, it's an exemplar. On May 22, in Delhi, that exemplar will resonate loud and clear.Subscribe to India Today Magazine
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