GANGTOK, Sept 25: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Friday highlighted the contribution of the Newar community to the state’s development, saying the Indrajatra festival embodied values of nature, agriculture, remembrance, community and harmony.
Addressing the state-level Indrajatra Celebration 2026 organised by the Sikkim Newar Guthi (SNG), Tamang said members of the Newar community had made significant contributions to Sikkim’s administration, agriculture, trade, mining, culture, arts, sports and social service.
He recalled the contributions of early Newar pioneers, including Laxmidas Pradhan and Chandrabir Pradhan, to administration, agriculture, trade, copper mining and coin production during the early years of Sikkim’s history.
“Indrajatra is not merely a festival but a celebration of nature, agriculture, remembrance, community and harmony,” Tamang said, stressing that the festival carried a message of mutual respect and goodwill.
The Chief Minister also highlighted achievements of members of the Newar community in administration, mountaineering, sports, arts and music, saying their contributions had helped bring recognition to Sikkim.
Tamang said the state government was committed to inclusive development and had taken steps to provide communities with greater space to strengthen their institutions and promote their cultural and social interests.
Referring to the Chief Minister’s Education Assistance Scheme, he said students across Sikkim, including those from the Newar community, had benefited from financial assistance for higher education, medical education and other professional courses.
During the programme, Tamang handed over the land parcha to the Sikkim Newar Guthi for construction of its bhawan and unveiled the logo of the first Sikkim Travel and Tourism Fair 2026.
He also felicitated the recipients of the Newar Ratna Samman 2026 and Bhanji Bhrikuti Samman. Suryavir Tuladhar, Govind Prasad Pradhan and Ganesh Kumar Pradhan received the Newar Ratna Samman, while Suchitna Tamang was conferred the Bhanji Bhrikuti Samman.
Tamang also released Smarika 2026, the annual publication documenting the community’s activities, achievements and cultural heritage, along with the Ritual Book and Newar Indrajatra Song.
The fourth day of the state-level celebration featured traditional Newar performances and rituals, including Kumari Nritya, Bajrayogini Nritya, Newari folk dance, Dhimey Dance and Pancha Kumari Nritya, besides musical performances and community offerings.
