Republic Day felicitates achievers who make Sikkim proud

GANGTOK, 27 Jan [IPR]: Governor of Sikkim, Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil unfurled the National Flag and received the National Salute amidst the National Anthem tune during the State Level Republic Day celebration here at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok. This was followed by the Governor’s review of the Parade and march-past.
The event was attended by Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling, Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Heads of Government Departments, recipients of various awards, Senior Government Officers, and the public at large.
The Governor, in his address, conveyed his warm greetings to the people of the state and nation and recalled with reverence and gratitude the sacrifices made by the valiant freedom fighters. He stated that the Constitution of India has been in effective operation in Sikkim, which is reflected in the peace and harmony prevailing in the State. He appealed to the people of Sikkim to preserve this healthy environment of peace and harmony for the all round betterment and prosperity of the State.
The Governor threw light on the commendable progress made by the State during the 11th Plan Period, and stated that the 12th Plan will focus more on development of social sectors and rural development, with special emphasis on education.
He highlighted the various initiatives of the Government ranging from rural development, health, education, and skill building initiatives. The Governor also touched upon the progress made in the fields of tourism, agriculture and horticulture.
The day was also marked by the Governor Mr. Patil conferring the State Civilian Awards to five recipients. The awards comprise of three Sikkim Khel Ratna awards which carries a cash award of Rs. 2 lakhs, a gold plated silver medal, a shawl, a memento, a citation and an additional cash of Rs. 8 lakhs as cost of house site; and two Sikkim Sewa Samman which carries a cash award of Rs. 1 lakh, a silver medal, a shawl, a memento and a citation.
The recipients of this year’s State Civilian Awards are Kazi Sherpa [Sikkim Khel Ratna], Ravindra Kumar [ Sikkim Khel Ratna], Anand Gurung [Sikkim Khel Ratna], Tshering Namgyal [Sikkim Sewa Samman] and Dorjee Rinchen Lama [Sikkim Sewa Samman].
The Governor also conferred the Sikkim State Meritorious Service Awards, Appreciation Letters to Government employees, local entrepreneurs and best performing farmers, and felicitated World War-II Veterans of Sikkim.
The Governor also officially released a book ‘Green Governance Environmental Stewardship in Sikkim’ by IPR Department, Documentary Film ‘Sikkim: A True Nature’ by IPR Department and I.T Mission Information, Technology Department.
The Governor accompanied by the Chief Minister also visited the Army equipment display. The Republic Day Celebration also comprised of Army Pipe Band Display, Band Music by Sikkim Police, cultural programme and Martial Arts Demonstration by 3rd IRBn.
Meritorious Service Award to Government Employees:
1. Sandeep Tambe, IFS, Special Secretary. RMDD.
2. S. Gyatso Bhutia, Additional Director, Ecclesiastical Affairs Department.
3. Pintso Namgyal Bhutia,Dy.Director (East), Food & Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department.
4. Gajendra Prasad Sharma, Deputy Director, District Collectorate, East, Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department.
5. Shova Lama, Assistant Director, Tourism & Civil Aviation Department.
6. Pema Chewang Bhutia, Accounts Officer, PGIPF Division, Finance, Revenue & Expenditure Department.
7. Bom Bahadur Chettri, Sub Inspector, 1st IRBn,Pipaley, Sikkim Police.
8. Pritiman Rai,Assistant Sub-Inspector, SAP,Pangthang,Sikkim Police.
9. Chung Chung Bhutia, Primary Teacher, West Point Sr. Sec. School, HRDD.
10. Mani Kumar Thapa, Head Constable, Traffic E & N,Gangtok,Sikkim Police.
11. Jiwan Gazmer, Driver, Tourism & Civil Aviation Department.
12. Phuchung Lepcha,Chowkidar, Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department
Letters of Appreciation to Government employees:-
1. Dup Tshering Kazi, Horticulture Inspector, Horticulture & Cash Crop Development Department,
2. Krishna Kumari Gurung, Junior Traffic Assistant, SNT Division, Transport Department.

Letters of Appreciation to Entrepreneurs:
1. Pema T. Topgyal, Development Area, Gangtok.
2. Passang Dorjee Sherpa, West Sikkim.
3. Hemanth Rai, Nandok, East Sikkim.
4. Noorjahan Begum, Lower Burtuk, Gangtok.
5. Gyatso Lepcha, Upper Dzongu, North Sikkim.
6. Ajay Agarwal, Gangtok.
7. Raman Shresta, Development Area, Gangtok.
8. Indra Bhadur Limboo, Darap, West Sikkim.
9. Chewang Bonpo, Kewzing, South Sikkim.
10. Ganesh Kumar Chhetri, Bermoik Martam, West Sikkim.
11. Dil Bahadur Chettri, Gyalshing, West Sikkim.
12. Manish Raj Shrestha, Gangtok.
13. Rohit Paul Rai, Deorali, Gangtok.
Letter of Appreciation to best performing farmers:
1. Samroo Ugen Paljor Lepcha, Hee Gyathang, North Sikkim.
2. Mohan Psd. Rai, Turuk, South Sikkim.
3. Jorden Lepcha, Pokjer, South Sikkim.
4. Trishna Toya Rai, Kalikhola, South Sikkim.
5. Nandalall Subba, Daramdin, West Sikkim.
6. Bishnu Rai, Radong, East Sikkim.
7. Prakash Dhamala, Sawney Basti, East Sikkim.