Gangtok, June 2: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on June 1 launched a five-day orientation programme focused on Sikkim’s language, culture and traditions for its personnel deployed in the Himalayan state.
The programme was inaugurated at the headquarters of the 13th Battalion ITBP in Gangtok, with Deputy Inspector General Sanjeev Kumar Singh of the ITBP Sector Headquarters, Gangtok, attending the opening session.
According to an official statement, 40 personnel from the 11th, 13th, 48th and 63rd Battalions are participating in the training. The programme is being conducted by experts from the Department of Culture, Government of Sikkim, to provide structured exposure to the region’s cultural landscape.
The initiative is designed to familiarise personnel with Sikkim’s rich cultural heritage, local languages, customs, traditional cuisine and attire, enabling them to engage more effectively with local communities during their deployment.
The training module also includes detailed insights into the history, linguistic diversity and lifestyles of Sikkim’s three principal communities — Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali — which form the cultural foundation of the state.
Commandant Sunil Kandpal of the 13th Battalion and other senior officers were also present at the inauguration ceremony in Gangtok.
Officials said the programme is expected to strengthen cultural understanding among security personnel and foster closer coordination and trust between the force and local residents in the border region.
