Sikkim is a one of the eight Northeastern States of India which borders Tibet in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Nepal in the west, and West Bengal in the south. Sikkim as a Himalayan state, is famous for its biodiversity, including alpine and subtropical climates, as well as being a home to India’s highest peak (third highest in the world)Mount Kangchenjunga. Gangtok is the capital city of Sikkim.
HISTORY OF SIKKIM
The name Sikkim is derived from the Limbu words SU HIM, which means “New House”. The early inhabitants of the region are the Lepchas.The other tribes are Naong, Chang, Mon etc. The Bhutias began entering into Sikkim from Tibet in the 14th century. When the kingdom of Sikkim was established in 1642, , came from the Bhutia community.
The first Kingdom of Sikkim was founded by Phuntsog Namgyal, the first chogyal (temporal and spiritual king) in 1642. The Namgyal dynasty continued to rule Sikkim until 1975. By 1817 Sikkim had become a de facto protectorate of Britain.
In 1835, The British East India Company obtained the city of Darjiling from Sikkim. After years of conflict with the British and subsequent military defeat of Sikkim, the Anglo-Sikkimese Treaty of 1861 established Sikkim as a princely state under British paramountcy (though leaving the issue of sovereignty undefined). After 1947, Sikkim continued its protectorate status with the Republic of India. It enjoyed the highest literacy rate and per capita income among Himalayan states. In 1973, anti-royalist riots took place in front of the Chogyal’s palace. In a special referendum held in 1975, the merger of Sikkim with India had been decided and it became the 22nd state of India on May 16, 1975.
Sikkim’s culture shows strong Tibetan influences and it retains a character derived from the various tribes of Sikkim and their pre-Buddhist customs. The most important festival of the year is the Phanglhapsol festival in August or September, in which masked dancers perform in honour of Kanchenjunga, the presiding deity.
Modern day Sikkim is a multiethnic and multilingual state with a higher rate of literacy rate in the country. The official languages of the state are English, Nepali, Sikkimese and Lepcha. The other official languages include Gurung, Limbu, Magar, Mukhia, Newari, Rai, Sherpa and Tamang for the purpose of preservation of culture and tradition in the state.
SIKKIM GOES ORGANIC
Sikkim just achieved the feat of being the world’s first organic state and has been awarded UN Future Policy Gold Award 2018, also known as the Oscar for best policies, beating 51 nominated policies from 25 different countries. It has achieved its ambition to convert its agriculture to fully organic over the interval of 2003 to 2016. it is an outstanding example of successfully transforming the food system and thereby ensuring benefits of over 66,000 family farmers, reaching beyond just organic production to include socioeconomic aspects such as consumption and market expansion, rural development and sustainable tourism with its comprehensive and inclusive approach.
