Sukmaya Tamang honoured with Gwala Ratna Award at 5th Gwala Diwas celebration in Gangtok

The vibrant spirit of Sikkim’s dairy community was on full display at the 5th Gwala Diwas celebration held at Manan Kendra, Gangtok, where Sukmaya Tamang from Middle Kubindey MPCS, Namchi District, was conferred with the prestigious Gwala Ratna Award 2025. The award, comprising a citation and a cheque of ₹3 lakh, was presented by Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Puran Kumar Gurung.

Sukmaya Tamang’s dedication and hard work in the dairy sector earned her state-wide recognition. She recorded the highest milk supply of 35,376 litres to the Sikkim Milk Union, making her the top individual contributor in the state. In addition to this remarkable feat, she also received the highest milk incentives totaling ₹2,83,008, reflecting her consistent efforts and commitment to dairy farming.

The event, organized by the Sikkim Milk Union, also honoured Milk Producer Cooperative Societies (MPCS) for their outstanding performance. Melli MPCS secured the first position with the highest collective milk supply and was awarded a cash prize of ₹10 lakh. Ben MPCS came in second, receiving ₹7 lakh, while Begani MPCS stood third with a ₹5 lakh reward.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Puran Kumar Gurung congratulated the awardees and extended warm wishes to all dairy farmers of the state. He lauded the progressive strides made by Sikkim’s dairy sector under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang, noting that the incentives and support provided to farmers in Sikkim are unmatched across the country.

“Our government has shown unwavering concern and respect for our dairy farmers,” the Minister said. “Thanks to the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang, we have prioritized the welfare of farmers and strengthened the backbone of our rural economy.”