Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday address the public gathering during the closing ceremony of Sikkim’s 50th Year of Statehood celebrations in Paljor Stadium.
He launched development projects worth over ₹4,000 crore in Sikkim while attending the closing ceremony of the state's 50 years of statehood celebrations.
The projects span a wide range of sectors such as infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, education, power, urban development, environment, tourism and agriculture, the officials said.
These projects are aimed at accelerating holistic and inclusive development in Sikkim.
The PM's visit marks an important milestone in the golden jubilee year of Sikkim's statehood and reflects the government's "continued commitment to the rapid and sustainable development of the Himalayan state", the officials said.
PM Modi declared that his government is moving beyond its "Act East" policy to "Act Fast" for India’s eight northeastern states. Speaking at the closing ceremony marking the golden jubilee of Sikkim’s statehood, the Prime Minister described the region as the nation’s "Ashtalakshmi"— a reference to the eight forms of the goddess Lakshmi representing prosperity and auspiciousness.
Central to the Prime Minister’s address was the role of tourism as the backbone of the Sikkimese economy. He emphasised that the government’s primary focus is on a major overhaul of connectivity to draw more visitors to the region. To this end, he announced several ambitious infrastructure projects, including the construction of an expressway from Bagdogra in West Bengal, a new ring road for Gangtok, and an expressway in Nathula. Moreover, he added that plans have been made for the construction of ropeway and skyways that will bring more modern transportation facilities to the region.
Apart from the construction work in the state, PM Modi commended its efforts towards protecting the environment. He observed that nature and culture appeared to be vibrant in the state of Sikkim. He admired the locals who act as brand ambassadors for conservation, adding that the purity of air and cleanliness of roads create a high benchmark for the nation. According to him, Sikkim is set to be an important center for organic farming and sustainable development.
PM Modi also mentioned that there has been considerable progress in eco-wellness and adventure tourism in the region, as 1,000 new homestays were planned to be created here. Moreover, Sikkim was cited by the Prime Minister as a good case study for "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat," implying that its social harmony is a good counterpoint for those trying to create divisions within the country.
The visit wasn't entirely focused on policy; earlier in the day, the Prime Minister was seen on the pitch playing football with local youngsters. He used the opportunity to pledge more support for sports infrastructure, specifically targeting football and archery.
Concluding his speech, PM Modi further took the opportunity to critique past administrations, accusing successive Congress governments of neglecting Sikkim’s development. He insisted that the current government is dedicated to providing affordable, high-quality healthcare and ensuring that projects for the region are no longer left on the back burner. He ended with a direct appeal to travellers across India and the world to visit what he described as the "Heaven of the East" to experience its natural beauty and famous orchids firsthand.
Also read: PM Modi joins youngsters for football in Sikkim
Follow us
