Gangtok: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded Sikkim’s glorious 50-year democratic journey, virtually addressing a celebratory event from Bagdogra, West Bengal. He hailed the northeastern state as a “model of progress” and a “symbol of India’s rich culture and heritage,” expressing regret for his inability to be present physically in Gangtok due to inclement weather.
“Fifty years ago, Sikkim chose a democratic future. Not just geographically, but Sikkim aspired to become part of India’s soul,” stated PM Modi, addressing the ‘Sikkim@50: Where Progress Meets Purpose and Nature Nurtures Growth’ programme via videoconference. Though grounded, the Prime Minister assured the people of Sikkim of a future visit. “I apologise to all of you. But as the Chief Minister has invited me, I assure you that whenever the state government decides, I will come to Sikkim and attend the celebrations,” he affirmed.
The Prime Minister highlighted Sikkim’s remarkable transformation since its integration into the Indian Union in 1975. He specifically praised the state’s impressive per capita income, its unwavering commitment to organic farming, and its exemplary efforts in ecological sustainability. “In 50 years, Sikkim… became a model of progress with nature. A huge garden of biodiversity was created. The state became 100 per cent organic. It emerged as a symbol of the richness of culture and heritage,” he elaborated.
PM Modi further underscored the central government’s dedicated focus on the Northeast since 2014, emphasising that “balanced development” is crucial for India’s overall growth. He made a pointed reference to the recently concluded Rising Northeast 2025 Summit in New Delhi, which saw significant investment commitments, including for Sikkim, promising numerous job opportunities within the region.
He cited infrastructure improvements as a pivotal turning point for Sikkim and the broader region, spotlighting the construction of over 400 km of new national highways within the state and the enhanced connectivity between Sikkim and Darjeeling facilitated by the Atal Setu. “Where once the distance from Delhi was a wall in the path of development, now new doors of development are opening,” PM Modi added, signalling a new era of accessibility and growth.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several key development projects during the virtual event. These included a 500-bedded district hospital in Namchi, a passenger ropeway at Sangachoeling in Gyalshing district, and a statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Atal Amrit Udyan in Gangtok, underlining a comprehensive development agenda.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, extending a virtual welcome to the Prime Minister, conveyed the sentiments of the Sikkimese people. “Despite wanting to, you could not come here personally on this historic occasion. Still, the people of Sikkim want to give you a hearty welcome… I request that if you can attend these celebrations at least once, we will be very grateful,” he expressed.
The ceremony also saw the release of commemorative items marking the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s statehood – a special coin and stamp – by CM Tamang and Governor Om Prakash Mathur, in the virtual presence of the Prime Minister, marking the golden milestone.
PM Modi’s outreach continues over the next two days with planned visits to West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, where he is slated to inaugurate and launch projects collectively valued at over Rs 70,000 crore, maintaining a robust pace of developmental initiatives across the nation.
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