Sikkims Tourism Surge: Over 17 Lakh Visitors Flock to the Himalayan State in 2025
Gangtok, 7 Jan : Sikkim has recorded a significant milestone in its tourism sector, welcoming The post Sikkims Tourism Surge: Over 17 Lakh Visitors Flock to the Himalayan State in 2025 appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .
Butterfly Society of Sikkim Records New Host Plants for Indian Cabbage White in a First for India
Gangtok , 6 Jan : The Butterfly Society of Sikkim TPCF has reported a The post Butterfly Society of Sikkim Records New Host Plants for Indian Cabbage White in a First for India appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .
STA Clarifies Counter Permit Issue, Says Issuance Underway Without Disruption
Gangtok, 6 Jan : The State Transport Authority (STA) has clarified confusion regarding the issuance The post STA Clarifies Counter Permit Issue, Says Issuance Underway Without Disruption appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .
Gangtok, 5 Jan : Chaotic scenes were witnessed at the Yatayat Bhawan (SNT) complex in The post Thousands Converge at Yatayat Bhawan for West Bengal Counter Signatures; Stakeholders Criticize Lack of Digitization appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .
Justice Muhamed Mustaque Sworn In as New Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court
Gangtok, 4 Jan : In a significant development for the states judiciary, Justice Muhamed Mustaque The post Justice Muhamed Mustaque Sworn In as New Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .
A Muhamed Mustaque takes oath as Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court
GANGTOK, Jan 4: A Muhamed Mustaque on Sunday took oath as the Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court. Governor Om Prakash Mathur administered the oath of office to Justice Mustaque at a function held at the Lok Bhawan here. He became the 24th Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, along with his council of ministers and senior officials, were present on the occasion. Chief Justice Mustaque succeeds Biswanath Somadder, who retired recently. Justice Mustaque [] The post A Muhamed Mustaque takes oath as Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Gangtok, 1 Jan : While Sikkim celebrates the New Year, the state has one more The post Lochan Adhikari, First Engineer from Sikkim Appointed as Vice President of The Institution of Engineers (India) appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .
Congress MLA Gets Bail in Illegal Online Betting Case
ED sleuths arrested K.C. Veerendra, representing Chitradurga Assembly seat, in Gangtok, Sikkim before he was ferried to Bengaluru on transit remand.
Army jawan dies as raft capsizes in Sikkim's Teesta river
GANGTOK: An Army jawan died after a raft capsized in the Teesta river during a training exercise in Sikkim's Pakyong district, police said on Tuesday. The accident occurred during an annual rafting training programme for soldiers on Monday when a raft struck a damaged structure of a bridge and capsized in the river, and the jawan was swept away, a senior officer said. The iron bridge was damaged and fell into the river during the 2023 floods. An operation was immediately launched by the Army along with a team from Teesta Rescue Centre, he said. The body was recovered from the downstream of the river at Tar Khola under the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, and was sent for post-mortem examinations, the officer said. The deceased was identified as Lance Naik Rajasekhar of the 191 Artillery Regiment, he said. The rafting was underway between Bardang and Rangpo Mining when the accident occurred, he said.
India-China conflict sites in Sikkim are now tourist attractions
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang flags off 25 motorcycles and vehicles in Gangtok to mark the opening of Cho-La and Dok-La for visitors under the Bharat Rannbhoomi Darshan initiative
Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., Indias leading packaged drinking water company, organized a Mega Cleanliness Drive in partnership with the Katalytic Charter Educational Foundation (KCEF) . The activity was held across three charter schools and brought together total approximate 125 participants, students, teachers, volunteers, Bisleri representatives, and collected around 560 kg of waste across a stretch of 11 kms. The drive is part of the ongoing collaboration between Bisleri and KCEF to encourage students to build simple, everyday habits around waste management and recycling. Bisleri International and Katalytic Charter Educational Foundation came together to conduct a Mega Cleanliness Drive The event was attended by Mrs. Chimi Donka, Chief Education Officer, Gangtok District, Mr. Anugrah E Rai, Joint Director, School Education, Education Department, Mr. Tshering Yangchen Joint Director, IT, Education Department, Mr. N. B Chettri, Assistant Director, SE, Education Department and Ms. Choeki CEO of Katalytic Charter Educational Foundation, Community members were also present and encouraged students to look after the environment around them. The day began with a short opening ceremony, followed by the distribution of cleanup kits. Volunteers then spent two hours collecting and sorting waste from selected areas. Students were provided with gloves, masks, trash bags, and safety kits. The event included a small discussion on plastic waste management, and a photo session with students, followed by distribution of certificates to all the participants for their involvement. Speaking about the activity, Mr. K. Ganesh, Director Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd , said, At Bisleri, we try to involve young people and communities in simple actions that build long-term habits. This drive with KCEF is another step in that direction. We want students to feel confident about taking small but meaningful steps for the environment. Commenting on the initiative, Mrs. Chimi Donka, Chief Education Officer, Gangtok District said, "I am delighted to see students taking such an active role in promoting cleanliness and environmental awareness. Initiatives like this not only instils a sense of responsibility among young minds but also inspire our communities to embrace sustainable practices. I commend Bisleri International and KCEF for their continued efforts in nurturing a cleaner and greener Sikkim." The collaboration reflects Bisleris wider work on responsible plastic use, recycling, and community participation. Together with KCEF, the company aims to nurture a sense of shared responsibility and encourage young people in Sikkim to lead by example. AboutBisleri International Pvt. Ltd. With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country's largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 114 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water. Bisleri International has a strong presence with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Rev, Bisleri Spyci Jeera, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform - Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep. The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation and sustainability. For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com .
Army operationalises 3D concrete printing tech for quick construction of bunkers, sentry posts
GANGTOK, Dec 7: The Indian Army, in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad, has operationalised on-site 3D concrete printing technology for quick construction of bunkers, sentry posts and protective structures in forward areas of Sikkim, a Defence statement said. The capability already proven in other operational areas earlier has been effectively employed by the Trishakti Corps in the Himalayan state, it said. The indigenous robotic 3D concrete printer, equipped with a robotic arm, circular mixer, piston pump and generator, is [] The post Army operationalises 3D concrete printing tech for quick construction of bunkers, sentry posts appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Over 10,000 Women Sensitized: 7,200+ Participate in hrHPV Self-Testing 160+ Healthcare Workers Trained in Innovative Screening Techniques Field-tested Indigenously developed AI-Assisted Cervical Cancer screening device across multiple center s in Indian and across Bangladesh and Uganda Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) successfully convened the PRESCRIP-TEC Conference on November 1314, aligning with the Government of Indias Cervical Cancer Elimination Mission. MAHE's Manipal School of Information Sciences (MSIS), Prasanna School of Public Health (PSPH), and Kasturba Medical College (KMC, Manipal) organized the conference in Manipal. Transforming cervical cancer screening through collaboration: "PRESCRIP-TEC Conference" at MAHE The PRESCRIP-TEC consortium represents a powerful collaboration of global and national institutions including DBT, Tata Memorial Hospital, the University of Groningen (The Netherlands), and MAHE, which serves as the lead implementing partner in India. Together, they exemplify thought leadership and cross-sectoral partnership in advancing equitable womens health and Indias 2030 elimination target. The two-day event brought together national and international experts, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to discuss scalable innovations in cervical cancer screening under the Prevention and Screening Innovation Project Toward Elimination of Cervical Cancer (PRESCRIP-TEC), a global initiative jointly implemented by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the European Unions Horizon 2020 program. PRESCRIP-TECs Screen, Triage, and Treat model integrates community participation, digital health, and AI-enabled diagnostics. Across India, the project has sensitized over 10,000 women, facilitated 7,200+ hrHPV self-tests, and conducted 360+ AI-assisted Visual Inspections with Acetic Acid (VIA-AI) using the SAKHI Smart AI Kit for Healthcare Innovation. Over 100 community health workers and 60 medical professionals have been trained, reinforcing the models scalability and integration within primary healthcare systems. This approach, built on inclusivity and cost-effectiveness, serves as a replicable blueprint for cervical cancer elimination in low- and middle-income countries. A major highlight in PRESCRIP-TEC is Development and Field testing of AI Innovation Previously part of a Ph.D. at MAHE, Designed and refined at the Manipal School of Information Sciences, this indigenous AI-assisted decision-support system (AI-DSS) powers the VIA-AI component of the project, enabling accurate and affordable early detection in field settings. Currently undergoing validation across India, Bangladesh, and Uganda, the technology underscores Indias growing capability to develop and deploy homegrown digital health solutions of global relevance. Distinguished speakers included Dr. Abhishek Kunwar (WHO India), Dr. Anu Mary Oommen (CMC Vellore), Dr. Esmy P. Okkuru, Radiation Oncologist at CFCHC, Tamil Nadu and Dr. Bency Joseph (ICMR-NCDIR), alongside leading experts from across the world. Opening the conference, Dr. Keerthana Prasad, Professor and Director, MSIS, and Lead Principal Investigator of PRESCRIP-TEC , remarked, PRESCRIP-TEC represents a paradigm shift in how we approach cervical cancer screening in resource-limited settings. Through AI-assisted diagnostics and strong community engagement, we are transforming access to preventive healthcare and contributing to Indias 2030 elimination mission. The India implementation of PRESCRIP-TEC, involving MAHE, SDM College of Ayurveda (Udupi), Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai), Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute and Tata Medical Center (Kolkata), St. Johns Medical College (Bengaluru), and Sikkim Manipal University (Gangtok), concluded with actionable recommendations for integrating AI-based screening and cost-effective strategies into Indias national framework. By converging research, technology, and community action, PRESCRIP-TEC stands as a model for how collaborative innovation can drive national health transformation - placing India at the forefront of the global mission to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. www.prescriptec.org About Manipal Academy of Higher Education The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University. MAHE offers over 400 specializations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3 rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and enriching campus life.
Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang stable, under observation: Hospital bulletin
GANGTOK: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital following nose bleeding and high blood pressure, was stable on Friday morning, a bulletin issued by the health facility said. Tamang was brought to the Central Referral Hospital on Thursday, following a minor episode of nose bleeding and elevated blood pressure, the bulletin said. He received immediate medical attention and his condition was promptly stabilised, it said. The chief minister is currently under observation and remains stable, the CRH Medical Superintendent said, adding that there is no cause for concern at this time. The hospital will continue to monitor his condition as per standard protocol, and he will be discharged soon, the bulletin added.
GUWAHATI: Fans could not hold back their tears, both inside and outside theatre halls, after watching Roi Roi Binale , the last film featuring music icon Zubeen Garg, who died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19. The movie, directed by Rajesh Bhuyan and released on Friday, ran to packed houses across Assam and broke all opening day records, with most theatre halls scheduling up to five shows a day. The screening started as early as 4.25 am at several theatres. Tickets for all shows for the first week were sold out, and fans had booked the first three days tickets within an hour last week. The state is still grieving Gargs untimely demise, and there was an outpouring of emotion as fans thronged single-screen and multiplex theatres. In viral videos, some were seen seated long after shows were over, sobbing. As a mark of silent tribute, several theatre halls kept one seat reserved for Garg, 52. Roi Roi Binale was his dream project. For the first time in the history of Assamese films, a movie is being released in different parts of the country. It was screened in Patna, Ranchi, Dhanbad, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Mysore, Vellore, Visakhapatnam, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Lucknow, Jaipur, Vapi (Gujarat), Indore, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Raniganj, Maldah, Siliguri, Agartala, Dharmanagar, Cooch Behar, Raipur and Nagpur, said Siddharth Goenka, the films distributor. As a mark of silent tribute, several theatre halls kept one seat reserved for Garg, 52. Roi Roi Binale was his dream project. In cities like Bengaluru, Assamese films were earlier screened in only one or two theatres, but this time, it premiered in 17 theatres simultaneously. There will be 600 shows daily in Assam and the rest of the Northeast alone, which is unprecedented. Outside the Northeast, 96 halls would screen the movie with 170 shows daily, Goenka added. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), a constituent of Assams ruling coalition, booked all 218 seats for a show at a multiplex in Guwahati. AGP ministers Atul Bora and Keshab Mahanta watched the film along with party leaders and workers. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he would watch it privately. If I go to a cinema hall, it will cause inconvenience to people as I will be accompanied by my security personnel, he said. Garg plays the lead role of a blind musician in Roi Roi Binale , a musical love story that recounts the life and struggle of a visually impaired artist who experiences the world through sound, imagination and love. The film features 11 songs, all composed by Garg himself.
Four family members killed in Sikkim landslide; child survives
GANGTOK: Four members of a family lost their lives and one child was critically injured after a landslide, triggered by relentless rainfall, struck their home in Sikkims Gyalshing district late Thursday night, police said. The tragedy occurred in the Upper Rimbi area around midnight while the family was asleep. A senior police official confirmed that the landslide completely destroyed the residence. Gyalshing Superintendent of Police Tshering Sherpa said that Sikkim Police, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel and local residents responded swiftly to the scene and launched a rescue operation despite the continuous downpour. Three of the six family members died on the spot. Two injured women were rushed to the Gyalshing District Hospital, where one of them later succumbed to her injuries, Sherpa said. A seven-year-old boy was pulled out alive and has been admitted to the hospital for treatment. Despite difficult weather conditions, the rescue team acted promptly with the support of the local community. It has been a risky operation, but we have done our best to save lives. The operation is still underway, said SP Sherpa, who also expressed his gratitude to all those who assisted in the rescue efforts.
