Remodelled BL House Inaugurated by Chief Minister PS Golay At Tibet Road, Gangtok
The Chief Minister of Sikkim, Mr Prem Singh Tamang-Golay , inaugurated the Remodelled Bhutia-Lepcha House(BL House) at Tibet Road today. The inauguration had the presence of Member of Parliament Lok The post Remodelled BL House Inaugurated by Chief Minister PS Golay At Tibet Road, Gangtok appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .
24th Convocation ceremony of SMU held : 1029 graduates and post-graduates awarded degrees
The 24th Convocation of Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) took place on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the SMU campus in Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim. A total of 1029 diplomas, graduates and The post 24th Convocation ceremony of SMU held : 1029 graduates and post-graduates awarded degrees appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .
PM Modi Unveils Dev-Projects Worth Rs.6,640 Cr to Boost Tribal Welfare in Bihars Jamui
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled development projects totaling Rs.6,640 crore in Bihars Jamui district on Friday, marking the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda, celebrated nationwide as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. In honor of Mundas legacy, Modi introduced a commemorative coin and postal stamp and virtually participated in the Grih Pravesh ceremony for 11,000 houses built under the PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) to provide secure housing for tribal families. Modi also inaugurated 23 mobile medical units under PM-JANMAN and launched an additional 30 units through the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), aiming to improve healthcare access in remote tribal regions. These initiatives reflect a strong emphasis on enhancing infrastructure, healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities in tribal areas. In support of tribal education, Modi inaugurated 10 Eklavya Model Residential Schools and launched 300 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras to promote tribal entrepreneurship. He also inaugurated two Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museums in Madhya Pradesh and two Tribal Research Institutes in Srinagar and Gangtok, focused on preserving tribal heritage and history. The Prime Minister further laid foundation stones for 500 kilometers of new roads and 100 multi-purpose community centers across tribal regions. Housing expansion was also prioritized, with foundation stones laid for 25,000 homes under PM-JANMAN, 1.16 lakh homes under DAJGUA, and 370 hostels dedicated to tribal students. These projects signify a significant commitment to uplift tribal communities and foster inclusive development in underserved regions. President Murmu, VP Dhankhar and Speaker Om Birla Honor Bhagwan Birsa Munda on Janjatiya Gaurav PM Modi's Dual Visit: Bodoland Mahotsav in Delhi,Tribal Pride Celebrations in Odisha, Bihar Rahul Gandhi Pays Tribute to Guru Nanak and Birsa Munda, Celebrating Unity and Heritage
PM Modi unveils Rs 6,640 crore projects from Bihar
Jamui: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled development projects worth Rs 6,640 crore from Bihar's Jamui district on Friday. Modi was in the district to attend a function organised on the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, which is celebrated as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas'. He unveiled a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Munda. He also virtually participated in the 'Grih Pravesh' of 11,000 houses built for tribal families under the PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). The projects unveiled by the PM were focused on improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and livelihood generation in tribal regions, according to an official statement. He launched 23 mobile medical units (MMUs) under PM-JANMAN, and 30 additional MMUs under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) to enhance healthcare accessibility in remote tribal areas. He inaugurated 10 Eklavya Model Residential Schools and 300 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and improving livelihoods. He also inaugurated two Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museums in Chhindwara and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, and two Tribal Research Institutes in Srinagar and Gangtok to document and preserve the history of tribal communities. The PM laid the foundation stones for 500 km of new roads and 100 multi-purpose centres that would serve as community hubs in tribal areas. He also laid the foundation stones of 25,000 new houses under PM-JANMAN, and 1.16 lakh houses under DAJGUA, along with 370 hostels for tribal students.
PM to visit Bihar's Jamui today
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jamui in Bihar, which borders poll-bound Jharkhand, on Friday. The Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 6,640 crores, aimed at uplifting tribal communities and improving infrastructure in rural and remote areas of the region, which the BJP hopes will have an impact on tribal-dominated Jharkhand. The PM will visit Jamui to commemorate Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, marking the commencement of the 150th birth anniversary celebration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Mr Modi will unveil a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The PM will participate in the Grih Pravesh of 11,000 awas built under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). He will also inaugurate 23 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) launched under PM-JANMAN and an additional 30 MMUs under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) to enhance healthcare access in tribal areas. The Prime Minister will inaugurate 300 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) to promote tribal entrepreneurship and support livelihood generation and 10 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, worth around Rs 450 crores, dedicated to tribal students. He will also virtually inaugurate two Tribal Freedom Fighters Museums in Chhindwara and Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh and two Tribal Research Institutes in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir and Gangtok, Sikkim to document and preserve the rich history and heritage of tribal communities. He will lay the foundation stone of 500 km of new roads to improve connectivity in tribal regions and 100 Multi-Purpose Centres (MPCs) to act as community hubs under PM JANMAN. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of 25 additional Eklavya Model Residential Schools, worth over Rs 1,110 crores, furthering the commitment of quality education for tribal children. Mr Modi will also sanction various development projects that include 25,000 new Awas under PM JANMAN worth around Rs 500 crore and 1.16 lakh Awas under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) worth over Rs 1,960 crore, 66 hostels under PM JANMAN and 304 hostels under DAJGUA worth over Rs. 1,100 crore, 50 new MPCs, 55 MMUs and 65 anganwadi centres under PM JANMAN, six Centres of Competency for Sickle Cell Anaemia elimination along with 330 projects for upgradation of Ashram Schools, hostels, Government Residential Schools among others under DAJGUA, worth around Rs 500 crores.
France Ambassador visits Himalayan Zoological Park in Sikkim
GANGTOK, Nov 13: The Ambassador of France to India, Thierry Mathou visited the Himalayan Zoological Park in Sikkims Bulbuley area on Wednesday. Secretary cum PCCF of Forest and Environment department Pradeep Kumar and other officials welcomed Mathou and the French delegation and told them about ongoing projects and initiatives such as My Child from the []
French ambassador meets Sikkim chief secretary, seeks to deepen cooperation
GANGTOK, Nov 11 : French ambassador Thierry Mathou met Sikkims Chief Secretary VB Pathak in Gangtok on Monday. He was accompanied by his spouse Cecile Mathou and officials of the French consulate in Kolkata to the meeting at the Tashiling Secretariat. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to deepen cooperation. Mathou noted the historical ties between France and Sikkim, notably through Alexandra David-Neel who spent nearly three years in Sikkim and authored over 30 books, including Magic and [] The post French ambassador meets Sikkim chief secretary, seeks to deepen cooperation appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Sikkim CM mourns loss of two women in Surat Fire
GANGTOK, Nov 7: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang expressed sorrow over the fire incident in Gujarats Surat which claimed the lives of two women from the northeastern state on Wednesday evening. In an official statement on Thursday, Tamang extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of the states support during []
Sikkim forms committee for inclusion of 12 communities in ST list
GANGTOK, Nov 5: The Sikkim government has set up a 12-member committee to conduct a study and make recommendations to the Centre for the inclusion of 12 communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs). Anthropological Survey of India Director BV Sharma will be the chairman of the committee, while JNUs senior professor Mahendra P []
SKMs Aditya Golay, Satish Chandra Rai file nomination papers for bypolls
GANGTOK, Oct 21: Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) candidates Aditya Golay and Satish Chandra Rai on Monday filed their nomination papers for the bypolls to the Soreng-Chakung and Namchi-Singhithang assembly constituencies, respectively. Golay submitted nomination papers at the office of the Returning Officer (Soreng) Dhiraj Subedi, while Rai did so at the office of the Returning []
Rajnath performs 'Shastra Puja' at Army's 33 Corps HQ on Dussehra
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday performed Shastra Puja (worship of weapons) on the occasion of Vijayadashami at the headquarters of an Army corps in West Bengal. Vijayadashami marks the end of Navratra and is celebrated as the festival of Dussehra. On the occasion of Vijayadashami in India, there has been a long-standing tradition of weapon worship. Today, I performed 'Shastra Puja' at the 33 Corps headquarters in Sukna, Darjeeling, Singh posted on X in Hindi. Singh also shared photographs. Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, senior officers and jawans were also present on the occasion. Singh was scheduled to address the Army Commanders Conference in Gangtok on Friday in person. But due to bad weather in the Sikkim capital, he addressed them through video conference from the Army location in Sukna.
Rajnath Singh Performs Shastra Puja, Celebrates Vijayadashami With Armed Forces In Gangtok
New Delhi, Oct 12: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh performed Shastra Puja and celebrated the festival of Vijayadashami with the armed forces personnel in Gangtok, Sikkim on Saturday. He applied tilak to the armed forces personnel who greeted them, saying Jai Hind. The Union Minister also posed for a picture with the armed forces personnel. Earlier in the day, he extended Vijayadashami greetings to the nation. Later in the day, he is scheduled to e-inaugurate 75 infrastructure projects worth Rs 2,236 [] The post Rajnath Singh Performs Shastra Puja, Celebrates Vijayadashami With Armed Forces In Gangtok appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Army Chief Launches Agniastra Multi-Target Detonation Device In Gangtok
The Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi on Friday, officially launched Agniastra, a portable multi-target detonation device, during the Army Commanders Conference in Gangtok.
Army Chief launches 'Agniastra' multi-target detonation device during Gangtok conference
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi unveiled 'Agniastra,' a multi-target detonation device, at the Army Commanders Conference in Gangtok. Developed by Major Rajprasad RS, the device has a range of 2.5 kilometers and can detonate multiple targets simultaneously. It enhances room interventions and bunker destructions, offering benefits for counter-terrorism operations.
First phase of Army Commanders' Conference to be in Sikkim forward area
The two-phase Army Commanders' Conference during which the army will review current operational preparedness and deliberate on critical strategies is set to begin in Sikkim on Thursday. The second ACC this year is being organised in a hybrid mode, with the first phase planned on October 10-11 in a forward location at Gangtok, the defence ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. Top army commanders will brainstorm conceptual issues, and review and assess the overall security situation during the key conference. As the nation faces numerous regional security challenges, the upcoming Army Commanders' Conference scheduled to commence in Sikkim tomorrow, assumes significance, it said. Conducting the conference of senior commanders at a forward location underlines the Indian Army's focus on ground realities, the ministry said. The commanders' conclave in a forward area in Sikkim, which is close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), comes amid the lingering border row in eastern .
1st phase of Army Commanders Conference to be held in forward area in Sikkim
New Delhi: The two-phase Army Commanders' Conference during which the army will review current operational preparedness and deliberate on critical strategies is set to begin in Sikkim on Thursday. The second ACC this year is being organised in a hybrid mode, with the first phase planned on October 10-11 in a forward location at Gangtok, [] The post 1st phase of Army Commanders Conference to be held in forward area in Sikkim appeared first on Northlines .
Heavy rain in Sikkim triggers multiple landslides, damages bridge
GANGTOK: Heavy rains in Sikkim over the last three days have triggered multiple landslides in several areas and caused significant damage to the old Rang-Rang bridge, considered the gateway to the northern part of the state, officials said on Friday. With the bridge down, Mangan district headquarters is cut off from the rest of the state. The alternative route via Dzongu is also blocked due to damage to the Sankhalang bridge last year. The district administration is currently assessing the damage and working to restore connectivity as soon as possible, they said. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the state over the next two days, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall. In Soreng district's Daramdin area, several villages have reported numerous landslides that have damaged homes and resulted in livestock losses. The district administration is evaluating the extent of the damage, and relief measures are underway. Additionally, the NHPC power plant's dams (Teesta Low Dam III and IV) have been opened to maintain safe water levels in the reservoirs, officials said. NHPC has alerted residents living along the Teesta River about the water release and advised them to avoid the riverbanks along NH10 due to potential flooding risks, they said. Traffic congestion has been reported along NH-10 due to multiple landslides, with tourists experiencing delays of three to four hours. They have been advised to use the alternative route via Lava and Kalimpong, officials said. Meanwhile, the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) urged the people to avoid unnecessary travel in the wake of torrential downpour lashing Sikkim over the past three days with no end in sight. We request all citizens to avoid unnecessary travel unless necessary and stay safe and vigilant, SKM spokesperson Bikas Basnet said in a statement. He also urged the party cadres to remain vigilant and to assist people wherever relief and rescue efforts are required in Sikkim due to heavy rains taking place in the state. He said that the people should stay alert and in case of any emergency may contact local authorities like the SDM, BDO and police officials. Basnet also said that Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang is monitoring the situation closely and is in constant touch with the authorities. Sikkim landslide is a warning to upcoming hydro-projects
AIFF chief discusses development of football with Sikkim CM
Gangtok: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said that All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey called on him and discussed the development of the game in the Himalayan state. I had the opportunity to meet and engage with Shri Kalyan Chaubey, President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Our discussion focused on the development of football in our state, exploring various initiatives that could create better opportunities for aspiring football players, Tamang said in a social media post. Tamang said that he informed Chaubey about the growing popularity of club football culture in Sikkim and stressed the importance of nurturing budding talents to promote the next generation of footballers. During the meeting on Sunday, Chaubey also appreciated the state government's endeavor towards the promotion of football in Sikkim and assured the chief minister of full support from the association.
Four Army Personnel Killed in Road Accident in Sikkim
Gangtok: Four Army personnel were killed in a road accident in Sikkim's Pakyong district on Thursday, police said. The vehicle carrying Army's EMC personnel stationed at Binnaguri, West Bengal skidded off the road at Vertical Bhir along the Rhenock-Rongli highway and fell into a forest down below, they said. There were four occupants in the vehicle all whom died on the spot, the police said. The deceased are Sepoy Pradip Patel from Madhya Pradesh, CFN W Peter resident of Imphal, Naik Gursev Singh resident of Haryana and Subedar K Thangapandi resident of Tamil Nadu. Police said that the cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained and investigation is on. The bodies of the deceased were handed over to the Army, the police added.
Sikkim plans to make state a sports hub, holds talks with Gautam Gambhir
Gangtok: Sikkim Tourism Minister Tshering T Bhutia met Indian cricket team coach Gautam Gambhir and discussed about the potential of making the Himalayan state a sporting hub. Bhutia met Gambhir in New Delhi on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by the sports department issued here. Sikkim has the potential to become a premier destination for sports tourism and related activities, the minister said. The state has natural beauty and a conducive environment for various sports, he said. During their discussion, Gambhir expressed commitment to supporting development of sports across the country, the statement said. Bhutia is in Delhi to attend a conference on industries.
Sikkim: 4 held, including 3 minors for sexually harassing specially-abled woman
Gangtok: The Sikkim Police on Thursday arrested a man and detained three minors for allegedly sexually harassing an elderly specially-abled woman, an officer said. The group has also been accused of uploading video footage of the alleged act on social media, he said. The incident at Jorethang town bus parking complex took place on August Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Congress criticises govt over untimely fund allotment for Sikkim landslide
NEW DELHI: The main opposition party Congress has condemned the Union Government over Sikkim landslide for not allocating funds to act timely to mitigate the disaster. Further, It has allowed unplanned hydro-projects in the environmentally fragile region that made Sikkim prone to disasters. Jairam Ramesh, General Secretary and a senior leader of the Congress accused the government of practicing vendetta politics that did not allocate enough funds for irrigation and flood mitigation to West Bengal which is equally affected. The Union Budget of July 2024 made the vague promise of assistance without any details of funds for Sikkim, states Ramesh. In a classic case of the Government's confrontational federalism, the Budget was indifferent to the areas in West Bengal which were equally affected, he further said. A massive landslide disaster in Sikkim has substantially damaged the Teesta V, a 510 MW hydel power station on the Teesta river on August 20 morning in Balutar, Sikkim, 20 km southwest of capital city Gangtok. This disaster comes on the heels of the Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) and riverine floods in the Teesta River basin in October 2023, which caused massive devastation in Sikkim and Kalimpong, West Bengal. Moreover, the National Highway 10, the lifeline of Sikkim and Kalimpong, runs along the Teesta and has been in a precarious state with frequent landslides and closures. In his one page statement, he pointed out unplanned construction of hydropower projects in the ecological fragile Himalayan region made Sikkim as disaster prone. Ramesh underlined that the National Hydropower Development Corporation (NHDC) has been carrying out 47 hydropower projects in different stages of development on the Teesta River in Sikkim and West Bengal. Of them, nine have been commissioned, work on 15 dams is going on and another 28 are in the pipeline. The October 2023 disaster was provoked by the GLOF, but it only reached its catastrophic scales due to the failure of the Teesta-III dam, states Ramesh. The mismanagement in the debris disposal has also resulted in the riverbed level going up, making the region more flood prone, he added. Amidst these hydel projects, IRCON has also undertaken tunnelling of this sensitive region for the Sivok-Rangpo railway line (14 tunnels), contributing to the region's increased vulnerability.
Sikkim landslides: Cong flays govt over hydel projs set up without thought
In the wake of landslides in Sikkim, the Congress on Wednesday hit out at the government and said hydel projects in ecologically fragile regions have been coming up over the past few years without giving adequate thought to their cumulative environmental impact. The opposition party also asserted that dams on the Teesta river are the prime example of how ecology is being fundamentally altered with grave consequences for this and future generations. A massive landslide struck east Sikkim on Tuesday, damaging parts of a 510-mw hydroelectric project on the Teesta river. The landslide happened at Dipu Dara near Singtam in Gangtok district around 7.30 am, causing significant damage to the powerhouse of the Teesta Stage V hydroelectric project of the NHPC. In a statement, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said a series of landslide disasters in Sikkim has substantially damaged the Teesta V, a 510 MW hydel power station on the Teesta. This disaster comes o
Houses, NHPC building damaged in Teesta dam site landslide in Sikkim
GUWAHATI: A major landslide damaged six residential houses and a GIS building of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) in Sikkim on Tuesday. The disaster occurred at the site of NHPCs 510 MW Teesta-V hydropower station at Dipudara near Singtam town in the Gangtok district. The glacial lake outburst flood of October last year had damaged the power station and it was under construction. Official sources said major cracks developed along the Singtam-Dikchu road, rendering it inaccessible. The authorities cleared an alternative passage for communication. Gangtok District Collector Tushar Nikhare, who visited the site along with other officials, told TNIE that the NHPC plant head reported that the GIS building suffered severe damage. An expert team of the NHPC from Delhi will visit the power station to assess the situation and losses and plan remedial works. Instructions have been given to the department of mines and geology for carrying out a detailed investigation of landslides and suggest short-term and long-term restoration work, Nikhare said. He added that following the evacuation, the affected people had been shifted to an NHPC guest house at Balutar. The district administration directed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to immediately start the restoration work. The BRO assured that the road would be made operational at the earliest. The NHPC said the area of the Teesta Basin region had been subject to periodic natural subsidence/landslides during the ongoing monsoon season. Todays incident of landslide also occurred due to subsidence/landslide over Tail Race Tunnel (TRT) outlet structure and behind GIS building. This has affected TRT gate hoist structure and part of the GIS building. The power station is currently not operational and undergoing restoration works after flash flood of October 2023, the NHPC said in a statement.
Animal rights activists protest shooting of stray dog in Sikkim
The dog was shot and buried on Kazi Road in the States capital Gangtok on July 19
Tibetan bodies laud Sikkim MP for his call to refer to LAC as India-Tibet border
GANGTOK, Aug 4: Six Tibetan organisations have lauded Sikkims Rajya Sabha MP D T Lepcha for his call to refer to the Line of Actual Control as the India-Tibet border and not as the India-China border. Lepcha, while speaking in the upper House of Parliament earlier this week, had said that the border should be referred to as the India-Tibet border and not as the India-China border and a central government instruction must be issued to Army, BRO and other [] The post Tibetan bodies laud Sikkim MP for his call to refer to LAC as India-Tibet border appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
NEW DELHI: A parliamentary panel has highlighted significant delays in the installation of telemetry systems vital for real-time data collection and flood forecasting in some critical flood-prone areas. The committee's report on the performance audit of schemes for flood control and forecasting, submitted to the 17th Lok Sabha and tabled in the 18th Lok Sabha on Friday, underscores the need for urgent action to ensure timely and effective flood management. According to the report, the installation of telemetry systems - vital for real-time data collection and flood forecasting - had been completed at all stations except three - Khanabal under the Chenab division, and Sara Thang and Dambong under the Gangtok division. The delay at Khanabal is attributed to a court case pending since 2018 while non-clearance from the forest department has stalled installations at Sara Thang and Dambong since 2017. The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti informed the committee that an alternative location for the Khanabal station had been identified and installation of the telemetry system was expected to commence shortly. However, the committee expressed its dissatisfaction with the prolonged delays. Noting that an alternate location has since been identified for the installation of the telemetry system in place of Khanabal under the Chenab division, the committee fails to fathom the reason for the delay in installation of the same, the report stated. Emphasising the critical role of telemetry stations, the committee highlighted their importance in the collection and transmission of automatic real-time data, formulation of flood forecasts, and rapid dissemination of information. It called for earnest efforts to expedite the installation of the telemetry systems in Sikkim and other pending locations. The committee desires that earnest effort should be taken for installation of the telemetry systems in Sikkim in a time-bound manner so as to enable concerned agencies to undertake mitigation measures for reducing the risk of disasters from floods based on the data made available by these stations, the report stated. The committee also recommended regular inspections and maintenance for all installed telemetry systems around the country. Recognising the diverse topography of India and the unpredictable nature of natural calamities, the committee called for a comprehensive action plan and an infallible system to handle worst-case scenarios and improve quick-response measures during floods.
The French Institute In India Announces The Villa Swagatam 2024-2025 Laureates
New Delhi: The French Institute in India is pleased to announce the selection of the 29 laureates of the second edition of its residency programme Villa Swagatam for 2024-2025. From August 2024 to August 2025, French and Indian artists and writers will explore the rich cultures of India, Bangladesh, and France, spending between one and three months at their designated residences. Their host organizations have been chosen for their outstanding capacity to offer their residents an immersion in the vibrant creative milieus of their respective countries. This flagship initiative underscores the French Institute in Indias dedication to promoting cross-cultural exchanges in the realms of art and crafts and literature. In its second edition, Villa Swagatam has expanded with four new residencies in India (Jaipur Rugs, Hampi Art Labs, Eklavya Foundation, and Sunaparanta Centre for the Arts) and one in Bangladesh (Brihatta Art Foundation). Bringing the initiative to a full circle, Villa Swagatam has also introduced opportunities for Indian creators to come to France. The French residencies cover a wide spectrum of artistic forms, such as dance (Centre National de la Danse), visual arts (Biennale de Lyon, La Napoule Art Foundation), arts and crafts (Mobilier National and Cit de la Cramique/Manufacture de Svres), poetry (Maison de la Posie de Nantes), comics (Cit Internationale de la Bande Dessine et de lImage), and literature (Villa Gillet, La Marelle, La Maison Julien Gracq). Lauding the winners, H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, said: Reciprocity plays a vital role in our concept of cultural cooperation. The Villa Swagatam programme would not be complete if exchanges did not flow both ways, with Indian artists and writers being welcomed in French institutions. We are proud to have been able to introduce this feature from the second edition and wish to extend the programme to more neighbouring countries in the coming editions. This comes as a natural development after the remarkable achievements of the 17 winners of Villa Swagatam's inaugural edition in 2023-2024. Several artists have garnered significant international acclaim through notable exhibitions and presentations. Writers and graphic novelists are currently authoring books that explore India's rich traditions and unique landscapes, underscoring the programme's commitment to nurturing artistic and literary cooperation. The call for applications for this second edition, from April 9th to June 2nd, 2024, was open to writers, graphic novelists, visual artists, designers, and cultural practitioners. The entire Villa Swagatam network, comprising French and Indian organizations, publicized the offer among their communities. Out of the nearly 450 applicants, 210 were French and 237 Indians, showing a great interest in more culture exchange and people to people relationship in the context of the bilateral relationship between France and India. The final selection, made jointly by the French Institute in India, and the French and the Indian partner organizations, includes a diverse group of talented individuals. The selected 29 residents ranging from up-and-coming artists to established professionals, each one of them bringing unique perspectives and aspirations to the programme. Hear more about the projects from the laureates: Rohini Kejriwal, an Indian author from Bangalore who will be welcomed at Maison de la Posie in Nantes: As the founder of The Alipore Post, an independent publishing platform celebrating art, poetry, and music, I have dedicated myself to fostering community and belonging through the arts. Now in its ninth year, The Alipore Post has evolved from a poetry newsletter into a thriving creative community. My motivation to become a resident of Villa Swagatam in France stems from a deep desire to further my mission of democratizing poetry and nurturing creativity. My project, The Poet's Playground seeks to document and create a playground for poetry and visual art in response to the charming terrain, culture, cuisine and people of Nantes. Estelle Coppolani, French author from Reunion Island who will be welcomed at Sangam House in Bangalore: My poetic work is inspired by my native island, Reunion Island, and in particular by my family history. Like many other people on my island, my Indian origins go back to the time of indentured labour. After the abolition of slavery in 1848, many French colonies reorganized their plantation system with massive Asian migrations, the vast majority of whom came from South India. These migrations reshaped entirely the islands, socially and culturally. South-Indian literary traditions are one of the many traces we preserved from this period. Dance and theater are the main focus of my project. I'd like to draw a parallel between the forms derived from Terukkuttu, Bayalataa or Kathakali theaters recreated in Reunion Island during the period of indentured labour (mid-19th century), and the contemporary South Indian theatrical scenes I'll be discovering during my stay. Kunaal Kyhan Seolekar, an Indian designer and architect from Pune, who will be welcomed at Mobilier National and Manufacture de Sevres, in Paris: I have been striving to create a synergy between Europe and India in my design practice, collaborating with European manufacturers while sharing my Indian heritage and culture. My passion lies in 20th-century furniture design, working with materials like wood, metal, upholstery, ceramics, fiberglass, and textiles. I aim to refine my designs to their most sustainable versions, focusing on the intersection of upholstery and wood furniture making. My design aesthetic is sculptural and organic, inspired by modern 20th-century classics, integrating these learnings directly into my practice. Antonin Mongin, French researcher and artisan/designer who will be welcomed at Vastrakala Craft Residency near Chennai: I want to carry out my residency at Villa Swagatam to anchor my conceptual and creative practice in India. I would like to carry out a project linking the collection of hair donations from the Tirumala Temple, where pilgrims' hair is cut as an offering, with traditional embroidery practices at Vastrakala. This allows me to explore the origin of fibres used in artisanal textile activities, aiming to create textiles that encapsulate the individual stories and spiritual devotion of each donor. By integrating these elements, I seek to challenge the conventional view of cut hair as a commodity and instead elevate it to a precious and singular fibre with unique conceptual and material values. All Villa Swagatam residency winners will be mentored by partners dedicated to enhancing their professional skills and be given the chance to explore new techniques and environments to further their practice. For many participants, this will be their first opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultures of France and India, where they are committed to fostering meaningful, long-term collaborations. For those already acquainted with these spaces, this is a unique opportunity to renew their professional and creative connections and advance specific projects. The Villa Swagatam network consists of 29 residences divided into 3 categories: Residencies in France: Biennale de Lyon, Jeune Cration Internationale (Lyon) Centre National de la Danse (Pantin) La Maison de la Posie de Nantes (Nantes) La Maison des Auteurs - Cit Internationale de la Bande Dessine et de lImage (Angoulme and Goa) La Maison Julien Gracq (Saint-Florent-Le-Vieil) La Marelle (La Ciotat) La Napoule Art Foundation - International collective residency (Chteau de La Napoule) La Napoule Art Foundation x Prameya Art Foundation (Chteau de La Napoule) Nomination of the laureate to be announced later. La Villa Gillet (Lyon) Mobilier National and Cit de la cramique / Manufacture de Svres (Paris) Literature Residencies in India: Alice Boner Institute (Varanasi) Eklavya Foundation (Bhopal) Himalayan Writing Residency (Sathkol) MAD Salon+Lab (Bangalore) Prakriti Foundation Residency (Chennai) Rachna Books (Gangtok) Sangam House (Bangalore) Sunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts (Angoulme and Goa) Tara Books (Auroville) Arts and Crafts Residencies in India and Bangladesh: Brihatta Art Foundation (Dhaka) Hampi Art Labs (Hampi) Jaipur Rugs (Jaipur) Kalhath Institute (Lucknow) Katkatha Puppet Art Trust (Delhi - Mussoorie) Khoj International Residency (New Delhi) Nila House (Jaipur) Public Arts Trust of India (Jodhpur) Serendipity Arts (New Delhi) Vastrakala Craft (Chennai) 2024 - 2025 laureates: 1. Ada, artist 2. Adrien La Fille, novelist 3. Ainesh Madan, dancer and choreographer 4. Antonin Mongin, researcher and artisan/designer 5. Ayesha Singh, artist 6. Bijal Vaccharajani, writer 7. Desire Moheb - Zandi, Textile Artist 8. Elvira Voynarovska, artist 9. Estelle Coppolani, poet and playwright 10. Fabien Toulme, graphic novelist 11. Floriane Zaslavsky, essayist 12. Gaspard Combes, artist 13. Jean-Marc Troubet Troubs, graphic novelist 14. Jeremy Demester, artist 15. Julia Lebrao Sendra, artist 16. Kunaal Kyhaan Seoleokar, designer and architect 17. Laurence Hugues, writer 18. Lauren Januhowski, textile artist 19. Lokesh Khodke, comic book writer 20. Marisol Santana, designer 21. Mathilde Rives, author-illustrator 22. Niyati Bhat, writer and Translator 23. Pauline Guerrier, artist 24. Rahul Bishnoi, playwright and researcher 25. Rohini Kejriwal, poet 26. Saba Niknam, artist 27. Sahil Naik, artist 28. Thibault Marthouret, poet 29. Valia Russo, artist
