PM Modi celebrates 50 years of Sikkim’s democratic journey and remarkable growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted the impressive progress Sikkim has made over the past fifty years since it chose a democratic path and became an important part of India. Speaking at the Sikkim @50 event through a virtual platform, Mr. Modi said that Sikkim did not just join India on the map, but it became part of India’s soul. This decision was based on the strong belief that when the rights and interests of everyone are protected, equal chances for development will come.

The Prime Minister said that today, Sikkim’s faith in this idea has been proven true. He called Sikkim a shining example of how nature and development can grow together peacefully. This harmony between protecting the environment and bringing progress is something many other states can learn from.

PM Modi recalled a time not long ago when travelling to find jobs, get education, or seek healthcare was very hard in the region. But he said this has changed a lot in the past decade. He shared that around 400 kilometres of new national highways have been built in Sikkim, making travel faster and safer. Besides, over 100 kilometres of new roads have been constructed in rural areas to connect villages better with towns.

The Prime Minister also mentioned the Atal Setu bridge, which has greatly improved the road link between Sikkim and Darjeeling. This has helped people travel more easily and has boosted trade and tourism in the region.

PM Modi spoke about his government’s focus on balanced and inclusive development. He said that every part of India has something special to offer and that the government is making the Northeast region a key part of India’s development plans. The “Act East” policy is being carried out with an “Act Fast” attitude to speed up progress in these states.

The Prime Minister also praised Sikkim for becoming India’s first fully organic state. Sikkim’s farmers are leading the way in natural farming methods without harmful chemicals, showing the path for the rest of the country. He said the state is also working on organic fish farming and hopes that Sikkim will soon become a green model for the world.

Along with these achievements, PM Modi virtually inaugurated important projects in Sikkim, including a large hospital in Namchi and a passenger ropeway at Sangachoeling, which will support tourism.

Originally, the Prime Minister planned to attend the event in Gangtok in person, but bad weather forced him to address the gathering from Bagdogra.

Besides Sikkim, PM Modi is on a tour of other states. Today, he will visit West Bengal to start a City Gas Distribution project, then head to Bihar to open the new terminal building of Patna Airport. Tomorrow, he will inaugurate projects worth over Rs 48,500 crore in Karakat, Bihar, and then visit Kanpur Nagar in Uttar Pradesh to launch projects worth nearly Rs 21,000 crore.