Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday announced that Pakyong Airport, the only airport in the Himalayan state, will be renamed after Sikkim’s first freedom fighter, Trilochan Pokhrel.
“The Pakyong Airport will be renamed Trilochan Pokhrel Airport in honour of the freedom activist who belonged to the Khas, Chettri, Bahun community,” Tamang said while addressing the 31st Foundation Day celebration of the Akhil Sikkim Khas Chettri Bahun Kalyan Sangh at Rangpo ground near the West Bengal border.
Trilochan Pokhrel, popularly known as “Gandhi Pokhrel”, is regarded as the first independence activist from Sikkim. He was actively associated with the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.
The airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 24, 2018.
Marking the organisation’s foundation day, Tamang said the milestone reflected more than three decades of collective resolve, unity and service towards the upliftment of the community.
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“Over the years, the Sangh has played a meaningful role in fostering solidarity, preserving our rich cultural heritage, and strengthening the bonds that
connect us not only within the community but across the broader fabric of Sikkim,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that Sikkim has long been known for its harmony in diversity, where communities coexist with mutual respect and shared aspirations.
Also present at the event, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said that 12 communities in Sikkim and 11 in West Bengal were still awaiting Scheduled Tribe recognition, and the matter was under consideration of the Centre.
“We are now in the final stages of achieving this recognition as Bengal and Sikkim have moved together to pursue it. We are now waiting for this announcement from the Centre,” Bista said.
During the programme, social worker Kipu Tshering Lepcha was conferred with the Sikkim Gaurav Samman award.
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