IBN7 Diamond State Award for Sikkim in ‘water & sanitation’


GANGTOK, October 9: Continuing its award winning spree, Sikkim received ‘IBN7 Diamond States Award’ after the State was adjudged the best small State in ‘water and sanitation’ category.

New Delhi Resident Commissioner Arvind Kumar received the award on behalf of the Sikkim government during a glittering function yesterday evening at New Delhi which was attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar as the chief guest.

Kerala and Goa won the top honour as the nation’s best big and small States during the function. Sikkim ranked fourth in the top five small states of the IBN7 rankings.

A press release informs that Sikkim was felicitated at IBN7 Diamond States Award for its significant contribution in the water and sanitation which are critical parameters of a nation’s overall well-being.

In spite of the growth that India has experienced in recent years, basic facilities like safe drinking water and sanitation remain a problem area, the release reminded.
During the award presentation ceremony, the Speaker delivered the key note address followed by an interactive session including the Chief Ministers, leaders and dignitaries and attended by dignitaries from various walks of life which included cabinet ministers, eminent politicians, lawyers and bureaucrats.

The release informs that the grand finale will be telecasted on IBN7 at 8 pm on October 11 and on CNN-IBN at 8 pm on October 17.

IBN7 Diamond States Awards is a path-breaking editorial initiative for recognizing human and social development efforts by the States of India, the release states. It added that the selection process for the ‘IBN7 Diamond States Awards 2009’ was a credible multi-pronged approach involving secondary data from authentic sources and primary data from a nationwide research exercise.