Minister Arun Upreti leads Press Club of Sikkim’s 23rd Foundation Day in CM's absence; honours journalistic excellence

The Press Club of Sikkim celebrated its 23rd Foundation Day with a solemn and proud gathering at Chintan Bhawan in Gangtok on July 17. The event, originally scheduled to be attended by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang as Chief Guest, saw Minister Arun Upreti stepping in to lead the proceedings after a last-minute change due to the Chief Minister’s unavailability.

Addressing the audience, Minister Arun Upreti said that he was informed at the last moment that Chief Minister Tamang would be unable to attend, and that he would represent him as the Chief Guest. “Today, I was supposed to attend this program organized by the Press Club of Sikkim, but at the last moment, I received a message that our respected Chief Minister was unable to make it and that I would be attending as the Chief Guest on his behalf,” Upreti said.

“Honoring the directive from the Hon’ble Chief Minister, I have come here. The seat where he was supposed to be present, I now occupy — and I feel deeply honored to be a part of this event in his place,” he added.

Using a metaphor that struck a chord with the audience, he said, “Looking around, I felt as if a grand feast had been prepared at home, yet salt was forgotten — just like how this well-organized event lacks the presence of our Hon’ble Chief Minister. Nonetheless, this program was full of substance, and the efforts of the Press Club are commendable.”

The ceremony was graced by several notable dignitaries, including Minister Shri G.T. Dhungel, Advisor to the Chief Minister Shri Kunga Nima Lepcha, Press Advisor Shri Bhim Rawat, MLA Shri Delay Namgyal Barfungpa, and senior officials from Gangtok Municipality and various government departments.

One of the key highlights of the day was the felicitation of distinguished journalists and media professionals who have contributed immensely to journalism in Sikkim and the larger region.

Veteran journalist and media entrepreneur Shri Karma Samten Paljor was conferred with the prestigious Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar 2025. Born in Rabong, Namchi District, Paljor has over 25 years of journalistic experience. His career began in 1999 at The Times of India. He went on to work with CNBC TV18 and later became a founding member of CNN News18, contributing significantly to national and regional journalism for more than a decade.

In 2018, Paljor co-founded Atvi Infotainment, the parent company of EastMojo.com — a leading digital platform dedicated to stories from Northeast India. Under his leadership, EastMojo has grown into a reliable voice for the region, known for telling stories that are often overlooked by mainstream media.

Paljor has received numerous accolades including the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards (2011, 2014), ENBA Awards (2013, 2014), and Reporter of the Year (2010). His shows such as Budget Yatra, Axe the Tax, Reporters Project, and India Positive are still remembered for their impact. He is also a Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellow and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Another moment of pride came when Pema Wang Chen Lama was honoured with the Lagansheel Yuwa Patrakar Puraskar 2025 for his exceptional contribution to photojournalism. Lama, a visual storyteller from Sikkim, has documented life and events with passion, depth, and artistic honesty.

His journey is inspiring. Leaving behind a stable corporate job, Lama chose to follow his calling in photography. His work has appeared in major newspapers, magazines, and international media, including BBC, Reuters, CNN, and Japan Times. His striking coverage of the devastating Sikkim floods brought him global attention.

Despite having no formal training, Lama’s passion and dedication have earned him a place among the most respected photographers in the region. His creativity is not limited to journalism. His public art installations such as the Heart Monument at Wellness Park and the Moon Sculpture at Ridge Park have added cultural value to Sikkim’s public spaces.

Other respected individuals felicitated at the event included Mrs. H.K. Khawas, Mr. Chitra Bahadur Chettri, Mr. Binu Tamang, Mr. Narendra Rai, and Mr. M.D. Ramzan for their long-standing contributions to the field of journalism in the state.

Minister Arun Upreti also extended his congratulations to journalist and poet Mr. Praveen Khaling, who was honored with the Dr. Subha Kanti Dikhim Puraskar 2025.

Reflecting on the journey of journalism in the state, Upreti emphasized the role played by the Sikkim government in empowering the press. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, he said the state has taken several important steps to support journalists.

These include allocation of permanent office space for the Press Club, provision of vehicles, financial assistance, health insurance coverage, higher government advertisement rates, and exposure tours for training and capacity building.

“All these initiatives reflect the government’s respect for the press and recognition of the role journalism plays,” he said.

However, the Minister was also candid in his remarks. He acknowledged that not all journalists are satisfied with the current state of affairs. “In a democracy, differing opinions are natural, and the government welcomes constructive criticism,” he said.

He stressed the importance of fair reporting and urged journalists to not only highlight negative stories but also give space to positive initiatives taken by the government. “Whether it is in rural development, education, healthcare, transparent governance, or youth empowerment — we must balance our narrative,” he said.

“Let our criticism be balanced, and let our analysis come with solutions — because our shared goal is to build a prosperous, strong, and vibrant Sikkim, where the press stands free, accountable, and in partnership with development,” he added.