Gangtok: In a heartfelt appeal, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has called upon the people of the state to re-establish their connection with the soil and nature, emphasising the profound benefits for both individual well-being and the future of Sikkim. Speaking at the official launch of the ‘Connect to Earth and Shramdaan for Green Sikkim’ initiative, the Chief Minister underscored a growing disconnect between humans and the natural world, often symbolised by the shoes we wear.
“While we proudly stand on the earth, we often do so wearing shoes, symbolizing the growing distance between people and Mother Earth,” he remarked to a gathering of officials and citizens. He passionately urged everyone to dedicate at least one moment a week to walking barefoot and working directly with the soil, advocating for a spiritual and physical rebuilding of their relationship with the land that sustains them. “When we work with the soil, we receive blessings from Mother Earth, who is like our mother,” he added, questioning, “And what greater blessing can there be than that?”
Chief Minister Tamang clarified that this was not merely a personal endeavour but a state-level initiative, firmly backed by government policy. He highlighted the proactive involvement of the forest department, which is already conducting meetings across districts from Soreng to Yuksom to advance this crucial idea. He affirmed his personal commitment to monitoring the progress of the initiative, ensuring its widespread implementation.
Beyond environmental benefits, the Chief Minister linked this reconnection with the earth to health, pointing out the rise in lifestyle diseases like diabetes, liver, and kidney issues. He posited that a reliance on packaged food, even during festive seasons like Dashain and Tihar, has replaced the traditional diet of locally grown produce, contributing to these ailments. He advocated for the simple practice of walking barefoot in one’s courtyard or field for a couple of hours, asserting, “You will feel grounded. Your depression and sugar levels will go down.”
To make this vision a tangible reality, Mr. Tamang has instructed all government offices, including district and subdivision offices, to dedicate one day a week to working on the land. He encouraged converting unused spaces around offices into fertile plots and mandated weekly progress updates via WhatsApp. He cited an example where a barren patch, if cultivated, could yield up to Rs 50,000, while cautioning against providing assistance to those unwilling to put in the effort. He also urged officials and the public to shed any embarrassment associated with manual labour, asserting the importance of leading by example.
Drawing a parallel with Japan’s reverence for nature, the Chief Minister stressed that Sikkim’s essence lies in every village, every hill, and every corner of the state, not just urban centers like Gangtok or Namchi. Recalling the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, he highlighted the inadequacy of wealth in the face of health crises, reinforcing the paramount need to care for nature.
In a deeply symbolic gesture, he proposed treating trees as family members, suggesting that 108 trees be planted in a child’s name upon their birth, transforming it into a religious custom to secure the child’s future. This vision is being concretised through the newly launched Sishu Samriddhi Yojana (Child Prosperity Scheme), which offers parents who plant 108 trees in their child’s name a fixed deposit of Rs 10,800, maturing when the child turns 18. Taking this commitment further, the Chief Minister announced an upcoming government order making proof of tree plantation a mandatory requirement for job applicants, even at the panchayat level.
Ultimately, the Chief Minister concluded, this programme transcends mere tree planting; it is about cultivating a way of life that reinstates nature and the land at its very core. “Connect to Earth,” he urged, “This is how we heal ourselves. This is how we build Sikkim’s future.”
Read More: Cross-Border Smuggling Bid Foiled: Two Killed in BSF Firing in South Tripura