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India Today
29-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Why summiting of Himalayan peak from Nepal stirred up a storm in Sikkim
A recent expedition to Mount Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak located on the border between India and Nepal, by a team of mountaineers from the Nepalese side has sparked outrage in Sikkim. Such intense has been the reaction that the Chief Minister of the state, Prem Singh Tamang, wrote to the Centre, seeking a prohibition of such expeditions from the Nepal side. There is a reason behind this 8,586-metre-high Himalayan peak, considered sacred by the Bhutia and Lepcha communities of Sikkim, has long been off-limits to climbers from the Indian side. Expressing deep concern, CM Tamang wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the Centre to take steps to prevent such expeditions in the letter followed an outrage by the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), which condemned the ascent, demanding stricter enforcement of the ban to protect Sikkim's cultural heritage. A joint team of mountaineers from Arunachal Pradesh's National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), led by Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal, summited Mount Kangchenjunga, via the easier Nepal route on May 18. The expedition, part of the "Har Shikhar Tiranga" mission to hoist the national flag on India's second-highest peak, has now sparked outrage in Sikkim, where the mountain is revered as a sacred deity. India's highest peak, Mount K2 (8,611 metres), lies in Pakistan-Occupied SUMMIT BANNED UNDER PLACES OF WORSHIP ACTadvertisementSikkim, in 2001, banned expeditions to "Mount Khangchendzongna" under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on May 24 wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging diplomatic talks with Nepal to halt such climbs, citing the mountain's profound spiritual significance and a longstanding ban on scaling the peak called "Dzoe-Nga" by the locals."The recent reports of this ascent have caused widespread anguish among the people of Sikkim. The mountain is not just a peak, it is a living deity... In view of the above, we earnestly urge that this matter be treated with the utmost sensitivity and respect...," Tamang wrote, urging Shah to take up the matter with letter followed a condemnation of the assent from the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) demanding stricter enforcement of the ban to protect Sikkim's cultural heritage."This is not just about climbing; it's about respect, legality, and identity," the SIBLAC said, adding, "the Khangchendzonga", meaning "Five Treasures of the High Snows", is considered a guardian deity and the abode of ban on Mount Kangchenjunga's summits aligns with Article 371F of the Indian Constitution, which safeguards Sikkim's cultural and religious laws after it merged with India in the recent climb from the Nepal side, where no such ban exists, has reignited tensions, as it bypasses Sikkim's EASIER FROM NEPAL SIDEClimbing Kangchenjunga is technically easier from Nepal due to more accessible routes from the southwest, northwest, and northeast, compared to the near-vertical northeastern route from Sikkim, which has been closed since summits are active from the Nepal Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation issued permits to as many as 41 climbers between March 1 and April 25 alone. It generated USD 73,800 in royalty fees during the one-and-a-half-month climbing season, reported the Kathmandu-based daily, Mount Kangchenjunga continues to attract climbers from around the world, the challenge now lies in balancing mountaineering pursuits with the deep-rooted spiritual sentiments of the indigenous people of the Watch
India Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Indian women have better chance of playing FIFA World Cup than men: Bhaichung Bhutia
Former India captain and football legend Bhaichung Bhutia believes that the women's national team can play in the FIFA World Cup before the men's side. The Indian men's team has been dreaming about making it to the grandest stage in international football for quite some time but have failed to make it through. Speaking at India Today's State of the States: Sikkim at 50, Bhutia was asked if the men's team can make it. The former India captain said that it is definitely possible and FIFA increasing the number of participating teams for the tournament is an advantage. advertisementHowever, Bhutia believes that the level of competition in Asia makes it tough for India to crack down one of the four allocated spots at the moment. However, the legendary footballer feels that with the right generation of players and with a strong grassroots program, it can become a reality. "I think in life, if North Korea could play in a FIFA World Cup, I'm sure India can. And the good thing is—actually, the very good thing is—FIFA has increased the number of participating teams from, I think, 32 to maybe 48.""The difficult part for India is that Asia has over 60 countries, but we only get four spots to qualify for the World Cup. And those four spots are usually taken by Japan, Korea, and Australia—who, by the way, play in the Asian qualifiers. So Australia takes one, and the remaining spot usually goes to either Iran or Saudi Arabia."advertisement"So, it becomes nearly impossible for a country like India—or even China. China has been trying to qualify for the World Cup and still hasn't made it." "So, the level of competition is much more challenging. But yes, I believe we need the right generation of players—maybe seven or eight—born around the same time. We also need our grassroots football program to be very strong, where kids are playing every day, every week, and competing regularly.""We also need a strong education program for coaches," said Bhutia. Will the women's team make it to World Cup before men's side?Bhutia was asked if the women's team have a better chance of making it to the global tournament than the men's side and explained the reason behind it. The former India captain said that in the women's level, the major gulf countries aren't present, which gives India an advantage. However, Bhutia said that the absence of residential academies is hurting women's football to grow to its full potential. "Yes—much better. Absolutely. I'll tell you why. Maybe the ladies can show us the way. Again, just like in the men's format, the number of participating teams in women's football has increased. And when it comes to men's football, Gulf countries dominate. They own major clubs."advertisement"But in Gulf countries, women's football isn't big at all. So that gives countries like India a better opportunity and higher chances of qualifying. About 20 countries probably don't even participate in women's qualifiers. India's women's team is currently ranked much higher than the men's team globally.""But again, it comes down to grassroots investment and infrastructure. We don't have a single elite women's football academy in India. Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools is the only residential football academy for girls right now. There aren't enough girls at that level moving on to play in the Indian Women's League. That's where a lot of federations and academies must step up and invest—at the elite level—in girls' football.""Only then can we raise coaching standards, training quality, and competitive levels. I genuinely believe women's football in India has a much better chance of qualifying for the World Cup than the men's team," said Bhutia. India is 12th in the AFC rankings for women's and 22nd in men's. The major difference in the women's scenario has been the absence of Gulf countries. Trending Reel
India Today
18-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
On 50th Statehood Day, how Sikkim honoured its past, hailed the future
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 to India Today Magazine
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Preparations underway for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Sikkim after five years
The Sikkim government has accelerated infrastructure development for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Nathu La, a mountain pass in the Himalayas that connects the state with China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake, set to resume after a gap of five years, holds religious significance to Hindus as well as Jains and Buddhists. Two acclimatisation centres are being established between state capital Gangtok and Nathu La, while functional toilets and other travel-related infrastructure are also being developed for the pilgrims, said MLA Thinlay Tshering Bhutia. The pass is located under Bhutia's Kabi-Lungchok constituency and the legislator told reporters that he was assessing the ground situation to further enhance facilities for the Mansarovar Yatris. The Ministry of External Affairs last month said the Yatra is set to take place from June to August via two routes -- Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La in Sikkim. "Sikkim is a peaceful state and this is the main USP of travelling via the Nathu La border,' Bhutia said in the presence of officials of the forest, tourism and rural development departments. He said the Nathu La route, with availability of good roads, would provide the pilgrims with a safe and better travelling experience again. The Yatra was suspended initially in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently because of the military standoff between the two sides on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The militaries of India and China completed disengagement of troops at the two remaining friction points of Demchok and Depsang under a pact sealed on October 21 last year. In January, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Beijing and held talks with his Chinese counterpart Sun Weidong. In the meeting, the two sides decided to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and agreed to take certain people-centric steps to "stabilise and rebuild" ties. "This year, five batches, each consisting of 50 Yatris, and 10 batches, each consisting of 50 Yatris, are scheduled to travel through Uttarakhand State crossing over at Lipulekh Pass, and through Sikkim state crossing over at Nathu La Pass, respectively," the MEA earlier said in a statement. The MLA said that public representatives and officials from various government departments had accompanied him during visits to facilities and also look at avenues to further develop the existing infrastructure. "We have discussed many development initiatives for the area. We will now prepare a detailed estimate and submit it to the Tourism department," Bhutia said.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
HT Archives: Pact paves way for a democratic set up in Sikkim
New Delhi Sikkim's popularly elected representatives will administer law and order, finance, land revenue and economic development plans, according to the tripartite agreement between India, the Chogyal and the representatives of the State's three main political parties, the Janata Congress, the National Congress and the National Party that was signed in Gangtok last night. These portfolios, hitherto under the direct charge of the Chogyal, were a bone of contention between the hereditary ruler and the elected representatives under the diarchical constitutional arrangements replaced by the agreement. The agreement, which was made public today (May 16, 1975), provides for a State Assembly elected on adult suffrage and an executive council responsible to the Assembly. The Chogyal, under the agreement, becomes a constitutional ruler with direct executive authority only over 'the Palace establishment and the Sikkim Guards,' the latter a 200-strong armed constabulary. India, according to the agreement assumes overall responsibility for Sikkim's good administration, communal harmony and economic and social development in addition to its 'sole responsibility' for defence, territorial integrity of Sikkim and the conduct and regulation of external relations. The head of Sikkim's administration will be a Chief Executive who 'shall be appointed by the Chogyal on the nomination of the Government of India ' The Chief Executive will preside over the meetings of the Executive Council. The agreement also lays down that any difference of opinion between the Chief Executive and the Chogyal 'shall be referred to the Political Officer in Sikkim, who shall obtain the advice of the Government of India, which shall be binding'. The 'one man one vote' for the State Assembly, the agreement stipulates, should not lead to the domination of any single ethnic community. The provision evidently is intended to reassure the Bhutia, Lepcha and other ethnic minority groups against domination by Sikkimese of Nepali origin. who constitute about 80 % of the State's approximately three lakh population. The balance, it is said, is to be attained through a 'parity' of seats in the Assembly between the majority community and the ethnic minority groups, but the details of the arrangement are still to be worked out by the three parties concerned. There is also said to be an informal agreement among the parties concerned on the immediate appointment of an Advisory Council of eight to 10 popular representatives to discharge the State's executive functions, pending fresh elections in about six to eight months. Mr. B. S. Das, the Indian administrator, will head the Council. The following is the text of the agreement: 'Whereas the Chogyal and the people of Sikkim are convinced that their interest and the long term interest of Sikkim as a whole call for: (i)the establishment of a fully responsible Government in Sikkim with a more democratic Constitution, the guarantee of fundamental rights, the rule of law, an independent judiciary, and greater legislative and executive powers for the elected representatives of the people; (ii)a system of elections based on adult suffrage which will give equitable representation to all sections of the people on the basis of the principle of one man one vote; (iii)the strengthening of Indo Sikkim co-operation and interrelationships.'
