English weekly ‘Pro-Sikkim’ launched

GANGTOK, 29 Nov: A new weekly newspaper, Pro- Sikkim, with the tagline ‘the Thinking News Weekly’ was launched by Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee president Nar Bahadur Bhandari, here at Press Club of Sikkim today.
The four-page tabloid is published and edited by Tenzing Bhutia and will come out every Sunday. The publisher also has plans to start an online version of the newspaper in the near future.
Addressing media persons today, Mr Bhutia mentioned that apart from issues related to Sikkim and the Sikkimese people, the newspaper will also carry analytical reports on different incidents and news covered during the week. “There is a need for such newspapers as Sikkim has failed to preserve its identity for which political leaders and the civil society are equally responsible,” he said.
Mr Bhutia mentioned that the merger of Sikkim, Article 371F and where Sikkim is headed are important issues and added that people have to move forward by looking into Sikkim’s history.
Extending his congratulations on the launch, Mr Bhandari said that it is a historic day as such a newspaper is the need of the hour for the Sikkimese people. Appreciating the initiative of Mr Bhutia, he stated that although the newspaper might have problems surviving in such times, they should continue with the good work. He further assured all possible support from his side.
Stating that “I am not anti-India but I am pro-Sikkim,” Mr Bhandari opined that Article 371 F has eroded in the hands of the present government. The SPCC president also informed that he will soon be starting Street Corner meetings all over the state.