Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang to be honoured with ‘Rajya Ratna’ for promoting Nepali language
In addition, the Sikkim government has also started publishing official notifications and gazettes in the Nepali language.
LOCAL
The Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang, will be honoured with the prestigious title of ‘Rajya Ratna’ by the Nepali Sahitya Parishad Sikkim (NSPS) for his special efforts to promote the Nepali language in the state. This announcement was made ahead of the 34th Nepali Bhasha Manyata Diwas (Nepali Language Recognition Day), which will be celebrated on August 20.
According to local journalist Joseph Lepcha, this recognition is a mark of deep respect for the Chief Minister’s commitment to language and cultural preservation in Sikkim. He said the decision to honour the Chief Minister was warmly welcomed by the literary and cultural community.
One of the key reasons for this recognition is the state government’s decision to declare August 20 as a state holiday, in honour of the day when the Nepali language was officially recognised in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This move has been appreciated by many in the state, especially among the Nepali-speaking population.
In addition, the Sikkim government has also started publishing official notifications and gazettes in the Nepali language. This step is seen as a major milestone for the growth and recognition of the language in official and administrative spaces. Many people believe this will not only encourage the use of Nepali in day-to-day governance but will also inspire the younger generation to take pride in their mother tongue.
As a result of these important initiatives, the Nepali Sahitya Parishad Sikkim has decided to present the ‘Rajya Ratna’ title and a silver citation (Rajat Patra) to the Chief Minister during a special language honour ceremony to be held in Gangtok on August 20.
The upcoming celebration on August 20 is expected to witness wide participation from poets, writers, cultural groups, students, and government officials. Cultural performances, poetry readings, and discussions on the future of the Nepali language in Sikkim are also expected to take place during the event.