sikkim-mandates-weekly-traditional-attire-day-in-govt-offices

Gangtok’s efforts to revive and celebrate its cultural heritage have taken another step forward with the Sikkim government directing all departments to observe a weekly ‘Traditional Wear Work Day’. A circular issued by the Home Department on Monday said the initiative, to be followed every Thursday, extends to government offices, public sector undertakings and banks.

 

The move follows a recent push by the state administration to foreground local identity and strengthen cultural awareness among employees, particularly at a time when Sikkim has been promoting indigenous practices through festivals, heritage projects and policies intended to preserve its ethnic mosaic. The circular noted that the state’s traditional attire symbolises not only craftsmanship but also the social histories of its communities, ranging from the Bhutia bakhu to the Lepcha dumvum and the Limbu mekhli.

 

According to the Home Department, the weekly observance is expected to encourage younger employees to reconnect with traditional values while allowing offices to showcase the diversity that shapes Sikkim’s social landscape. The circular stated that the initiative aims at fostering pride in the state’s unique cultural identity and promoting traditional values among employees.

 

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The directive takes effect immediately. “Effective immediately, all officers and staff members are encouraged to wear traditional attire representing Sikkim's diverse cultural fabric every Thursday,” the circular read.

 

Sikkim’s traditional attire reflects the rich blend of its Bhutia, Lepcha and Nepali communities, each contributing distinct garments woven into the state’s cultural narrative. The Bhutia bakhu, the Lepcha dumdyam and thokro-dum, and the Nepali daura-shuruwal and pharia are among the most recognisable garments worn across the hills. These dresses, crafted from hand-woven fabrics and often adorned with symbolic patterns, remain central to festivals, family ceremonies and public celebrations. The government’s decision to formalise a weekly observance seeks to ensure that these cultural expressions continue to thrive within everyday administrative life.

 

The government is expected to review feedback from departments after the first month of implementation, with the possibility of expanding the initiative to include cultural familiarisation sessions, exhibitions and curated displays in office premises.