P.M. MODI’s SIKKIM VISIT : A LOOK AT PROJECTS INAUGURATED/ FOUNDATIONS LAYED
Having worked in Sikkim for over 35 years (1984-2019), I may fail in my task if I donot look at and comment on excellant arrangements made by Govt.of Sikkim and the resultant success of the Prime Minister’s two day tour to the vibrant and happening jewel of Asta Luxmi–Sikkim.
A young Sikkimese may be surprised to note that Sikkim has been visited by the Prime Minister only six times since 1990, say over a period of 36 years and that total visits may be less than a dozen.
Such decisions are usually taken in view of location of a state, challenges therein, quality and potential of population, holding of election in the state and members of Parliament representing the state. In view of these parameters many states may not get the attention they may deserve.
Visit of Indira Gandhi in 1975 soon after Sikkim joined the mainstream of nation, may be known by now to all who care not only to take lessons from history but also consider subsequent developments as important milestones in the body politic of the state.
Visit of V.P. Singh in 1990
I watched this, rather hurried, part of a day visit in the Summer of 1990 when he addressed a public meeting at much smaller Paljor Stadium. While Secretaries were huddled together in a bus to the venue, we, as Joint Secretaries had to walk on a traffic free day.
Visit of A.B.Vajpayee, 2003
This visit was co ordinated by me as a Resident Commissioner. It was somewhat a detailed affair when not only he relaxed and addressed people at Paljor stadium but also named a newly developed Orchid as ‘Kalpana Chawla’. Another orchid was named after him as a mark of respect by Pawan Chamling, the then Chief Minister.
Visit of Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2011
As Dr. Singh’s visit was a hurried one soon after the Earthquake of Sept.11 in 2011, many learnt of it after he took off. I remember having seen him on T.V., visiting the victims at STNM hospital ,Gangtok during this shortest visit by a P.M. But he would take interest in Sikkim whenever we used to call on him in Delhi during 2002-03.
JUST CONCLUDED VISIT : Not Official But A Reflection of Love For Sikkim
After the visit of Dr.Mammohan Singh, there was a gap of five years. Sri Narendra Modi visited Sikkim as P.M.for the first time from Feb.16-17, 2016 to declare Sikkim as the first Organic State/place of the World much against apprehensions expressed at that point of time. It gave us a lot of mileage apart from boosting our agricultural, horticultural and tourism prospects.
Subsequently, he paid a visit from September 23 to 24 in 2018 to inauguarate the first Airport of the state at Pakyong (and 100th one of the country).
I should not say, but I had to put in a lot of efforts as the Chief Secretary to ensure the success of aforesaid two visits of ModiJee.
His two day, third visit to Small & Beautiful Sikkim has just ended.This record of three visits may remain unbroken for many years to come. But what was lacking was declaration of a Special Package for the State in view of its Impressive Track Record.
At this juncture , one should not forget his visit to South Sikkim and M.G.Marg in 2008-09 as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.When a hurried visit to M.G. Marg was proposed to him on February 16, 2016, no wonder he turned it down. But true to his style, he praised the renovation and complete makeover of M.G.Marg while delivering a historic speech at Chintan Bhawan. Needless to say, the spot continues to be Crowning Glory of The State.
Just Concluded Visit In Retrospect
The VIP visit should be looked at from following angles :
# Gracing the closing ceremony of year long Golden Jubilee events of the state that began on May 16, 2025,
# Interface with Cleanliness drives & initiatives of the state — Like any positive and forward looking person, he had praised the efforts during the entire Road Show from Ganju Lama Dwar to M.G. Marg and Hospital Dara,
# Interaction sessions with the Padma Awardees, Sportspersons and Artists.
This supplemented the feel he may have imbibed even all along his road journey,
# Marvellous Look of Common man in traditional attire, jewellery, headgear etc. certainly left a lasting impression. Apart from what was seen on the road, show of unity in diversity, called ‘One Thousand Steps of Unity’ by 1500 artists was a mesmerizing experience even for the people of the state,
# Feel of talented local Youth when this 76 year “young man” tried his leg at Football at Lok Bhawan grounds and gave autographs also,
Inaugurations & Laying Foundation Stones
A close look reveals that Prime Minister inaugurated a massive number of projects/schemes and that his ‘virtual’ foundation stone layings were just confined to two projects :
÷ 100 bedded Ayurveda Hospital at Yangyang and ÷ Two major bridges over Teesta river at Sirwani and Lower Samdong.
Both of these would not only ease but enhance connectivity between Gangtok & Namchi Districts.
Prime Minister’s hectic round of inaugurations began with actual opening of a nicely expanded Orchidarium opposite White Hall on top of Gangtok, which had display of over two thousand Orchid plants. Acknowledging presence of over 650 species of Orchids, he lauded ecological heritage of the Swarn Jayanti Maitri Manjari Park.
Following were opened/ inaugurated in virtual mode:
• 30 bedded integrated Sowa Rikpa Hospital at NIT, Deorali,
• Permanent Campus of Sikkim University at Yangyang,
• Helen Lepcha Medical College at Socheygang, Gangtok,
• Administrative block of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University of Excellance at Chakung,
• Dentam Professional College, Gyalshing District,
• Model Residential School at Hee Gyathang, Mangan District,
• A College at Mangshila again in Mangan District,
• A Monastic Hostel cum Classrooms at Boomtar Monastery in Namchi,
• I.T. Enabled services in 160 schools,
• Inaugurations of two roads,
• Upgradations of Transmission system of Gangtok,
• Mini Secretariat Building at Lumse,
• Provision of Housing & Administrative facilities,
• River Pollution Control Works,
• Gangtok Ridge Redevelopment works,
• New facility for Acclimitization of Mansarovar Yatris,
• IFFCO Processing Plant, AND
• Indoor Sports & Cricket Infrastructure in 6 places.
IN A NUTSHELL
P.M. Modi launched altogether thirty development projects worth Rs.Four thousand and Eighteen Crores while gracing the closing ceremony of State’s Golden Jubilee.
FOCUS AREAS
Focus was on :
Education, Health, Tourism,
Connectivity, Power, Showcasing of Cleanliness, Display of Cultural Patterns of State, Discipline of People, and
Resolve of The Go Getter State Government To Show The Spirit of Performing Tasks, Given A Chance.
TO CONCLUDE
Statement and announcements of the P.M.would go a long way when he spoke about :
(a) Vibrance & well preserved Cultural heritage of Sikkim,
(b) A mention of Cleanliness would give requisite message both to people & tourists,
(c) A word about long lingering Sevoke-Rangpo Rail Project may further bolster the construction works,
AND
(d) Stress on Education & Health were in right perspective, so was his hint towards better connectivity and healthy & sustainable Tourism.
Last but not the least, as a person associated with three out of last six P.M.’s visits, May I request :
— To take adequate steps for addressing the environmental concerns with a view NOT to exceed carrying capacity of the place concerned,
— To consider inviting all the former Chief Ministers and a few selected Chief Secretaries to such functions and
— Also to make arrangements for increasing the number of On The Spot inaugurations and foundation stone layings. It may strengthen the “connect” between the combine of leaders & Bureaucracy on the one hand AND the masses, on the other.
(The author is former Chief Secretary, Sikkim. Views are strictly personal)
