67th Independence Day: Sikkim’s CM Pawan Chamling’s Message
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67th Independence Day, 2013
Message of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling
My dear fellow citizens of the State and our Country
On the auspicious occasion of the 67th Independence Day of the Nation, I extend my warm and hearty greetings and congratulate my beloved people of Sikkim. Today, we remember thousands of Indian patriots, freedom fighters, valiant soldiers and other compatriots who took to the streets against the British yoke. We remember with our respect that they did not chose death just in vain and gained independence, we must continue to shoulder greater responsibility and be prepared to make sacrifices if necessary to ensure that the purpose that drove them to supreme sacrifices is genuinely fulfilled and met by all of us. I call upon my fellow citizens to once again rededicate ourselves to the task of state and nation building on this great occasion.
Over the decades, the country has overcome many challenges to emerge stronger and resilient. As a democratic Nation, we adhere to our tradition to find unity in diversity and which is governed under the democratic principles that we established after years of struggle. With responsibility comes accountability and having been made the master of own destiny, we must ensure that our words and action are positive and responsible and not detrimental to progress, development and overall unity of the Country.
Sikkim as the 22nd State of the great Nation has successfully come out of the relative isolation to become one of the most progressive states of the Indian Union. In fact, the Sikkimese people have been able to provide unique model of its development in a number of sectors including environment, eco-tourism, agriculture, horticulture, education, health, rural development, power and social justice. Fellow countrymen and policy makers have been highly impressed by our development models, many of them being replicated in other parts of the Country. This, I say, is the fruit of democracy, that left to our own resources, knowledge and choice, we have successfully devised our own development programs that best fulfil people’s hopes and aspiration, the needs and requirement based on centre-state federal arrangement.
The Sikkim Democratic Front party, having been elected to run the government in 1994 has successfully passed the tests of fire and today Sikkim is known for its political stability, good governance, development tempo and security and socio-political order. We have proved ourselves with our sincere and hard work and the Sikkimese people are well aware of our exemplary achievements in all spheres of development. And this has happened because of two cardinal principles that we uphold and advocate as practitioners of democracy and the democratic principles.
Firstly, is the establishment of an even society where dissent is acknowledged and differences form part of the growing experience. My fellow Sikkimese will appreciate that we have established a more tolerant society where political differences among different political parties are respected and people are free to express themselves without any hindrances.
Secondly, our demands for the people of Sikkim have been relentlessly pursued by our Government. Not single opportunity has been wasted to keep pressing for fulfilment of their demands. During the recent visit of Hon’ble President of India, the important demand of Limboo and Tamang seats in Assembly was again put forward. Ours is a democratic country where all demands are pressed for democratically by us. Similarly, our demand for scheduling as STs of all left-out communities was also pressed for.
My fellow Sikkimese
We have worked diligently towards identification and scientific harnessing of state’s natural resources on a sustainable basis to promote development of eco-tourism, hydro-power generation, organic farming, horticulture and floriculture etc. as our comparative and competitive advantages vis-a-vis other states in the Country. This process of economic diversification has considerably brightened up state’s economy and at the same time created thousands of employment for local Sikkimese youths in the State. In fact, Country’s highest growth rate of 22.8 percent recorded by Sikkim during the eleventh Five Year Plan period, is attributed to commissioning of power projects, strengthening of small scale industries- primarily pharmaceutical industry, accessibility to market and increasing financial services. This is reflective of how Sikkim has benefitted from our correct judgment on economic vision and the many initiatives to boost local economy at a very local level.
Sikkim through a long process of imaginative intervention, hard work and consistent policy framework, has achieved many milestones of development which is manifested in high growth regime, high happiness index and smooth socio-political progress. Under rural development, urban infrastructure building, education, health, power generation, organic farming etc. Sikkim has carved a niche for itself in the Country. On this auspicious occasion, I thank fellow Sikkimese for the faith and trust our party and the government enjoyed and their cooperation to successfully implement many of the pro-people schemes in the State.
Ever since the formation of SDF Government in 1994, we have regularly allocated 70% of the State budget for rural development and rural upliftment. The result is before us. State’s poverty ratio has come down to 13% with no extreme case of poverty in the State. We are aiming to transform Sikkim into the first poverty free State in the country within 5 years.
We have launched the Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission wherein the Government provides free modern concrete house costing over Rs. 5 lakhs to each homeless to make Sikkim a kutcha house free State by the year 2015.
We have achieved over 90% electrification of rural houses and near total coverage under rural drinking water in all the villages.
Decentralisation and devolution of powers to the grass root has been put in place. Village Cooperatives have been allocated construction work worth Rs. 3 crores generating employment opportunities at the Gram Panchayat Unit level. These are all part of our democratic exercise intended to involve people at the grass root level to do rural upliftment by the people themselves.
All development activities in the State have been environment friendly. The existing ban on felling of trees, killing of wildlife, grazing in the forest areas, ban on the use of plastic bag and host of other initiatives have been enforced in Sikkim. Various environment conservation measures have been launched in the State including the Smriti Van in 1999, State Green Mission in 2006, 10 Minutes to Earth Programme in 2009 have effectively transformed Sikkim into a green state. This year the period between June 15th to 30th, has been declared as Environment Festival and under this Paryavaran Mahaotsav program a total of 2,66,384 saplings were planted state-wide during this year alone. This is an initiative exclusively meant to maintain the green cover and cleanliness across the State through people’s participation which has been extensive and overwhelming.
Beautification of State highways and other roads are carried out under avenue plantations and are declared as eco-highways. Obviously, result is before us to see as the state’s forest cover has increased by over 3.53% from 44.06% in 1995 to 47.59% in 2009. All our development programs centre around the eco-city concept to promote clean and green environment. Sikkim is being consistently rated as the Greenest State in the country on the basis of year-round assessment by reputed centres of Excellence and environmental bodies as “most sustainable”.
Organic farming is the next big thing which is happening in Sikkim. This is an economically viable and sustainable occupation. In spite of initial hardship, we have today emerged as a pioneer leader in organic farming in the Country.
As on today 39,000 hectares of land is already under conversion and the remaining 11,000 hectares shall be taken up in the Financial Year 2013-14 and the entire State shall be organically certified by the year 2015.
Education, as the most effective agent of human development cannot be overemphasized. The State Government has become the first government to invest 20 percent of plan allocation for his sector. Education is free upto College level and there are host of free incentives available for the school children.
We launched the Chief Minister’s Meritorious Scholarship Scheme and Chief Minister’s Free Scholarship Scheme in 2010 as part of our campaign to infuse merit and competition among the youths.
Small Family scheme and prerna yojana has already benefitted hundreds of children
Four additional degree colleges at Namchi, Geyzing, Rhenock and Burtuk and one B.Ed. College have been established at Soreng
We have laid the foundation of higher education in Sikkim with Central University. Permanent campus is being developed at Yangang. The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukhrjee has been pleased to lay the foundation stone of the new University campus on June 16, 2013
Large number of technical institutions have been established in the State including Agriculture Engineering College, Pharmacy College, Institute of Hotel Management, ICFAI College, Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, National Institute of Technology, Manipal Medical College, Manipal Engineering College, Manipal Nursing College , Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Advanced Technical Training Centre (ATTC) and Centre for Computers and Communication Technology (CCCT) established in 1999
Lepcha, Bhutia and Limboo languages being taught upto College level. We are envisioning to teach these languages upto the University level soon.
Languages belonging to different ethnic communities recognised as state languages. As per this policy, languages including Sherpa, Gurung, Newar, Tamang, Manger, Mukhia and Rai being taught at the school level
In addition to Environmental studies, modalities involving study on organic farming, life skill based education, Health and family based education is being actively pursued
The Government is going to introduce digital format for a more illustrative and interactive education in schools
Tribal schools at Soyam in North Sikkim and Tashiding in West Sikkim have been established.
Teachers’ Retirement age increased from 58 years to 60 years since 2006 as an honour to our school teachers to carry with noble task of educating our children
Mukhya Mantri Saaksharta Abhiyan launched on 15th August 2010 to raise the literacy rate of 82 percent to 100 percent by 2015.
Fellow citizens
I take immense pride to record that Sikkim has remained the first State in India to take up skill development and capacity building programs for the young Sikkimese. The State Government took the first initiative way back in 2002-2003 by launching the Skill Development and capacity building programs. We also launched Chief Minister’s Self Employment Scheme to provide for interest-free loan for the initial two-three years to enable Sikkimese youths take up small business ventures.
We established the full-fledged Directorate of Capacity Building in Sikkim. We also started the State Institute of Capacity Building in December 2009 at Karfectar.
Forty two Livelihood Schools set up in all constituencies to take up training in basic trade like masonry and carpentry among the young school drop outs. Sikkimese graduates have been and are being sponsored for coaching in IAS and allied services in reputed coaching centres of India. Coaching in army and banking service, aeronautical, atomic engineering etc. similarly been organized.
ITIs in all districts opened; Centres for distant learning established
The ultimate objective of our Government has been to provide access to best education opportunity and best educational facilities to our children. This way, we want to encourage our people to be knowledgeable, capable and self reliant so that they become our most responsible and best citizens of our great Nation and live respectable life, shouldering democratic duties and enjoy democratic rights fruitfully.
Delivery of quality health to the citizens of the State is a top priority of the State Government. Free health services, medicines and free treatment have been provided to the people at government’s expenses- the first State to do so
Emphasis is given to curative and preventive measures. Under curative health care, government provides free treatment to BPL families outside the state; Rs.2.00 lakhs medical grant introduced under the Mukhya Mantri Jeewan Raksha Kosh scheme; free treatment and 100% medical reimbursement available for government employees. Under preventive measures, government holds regular health awareness campaign, provides free Hepatitis B vaccination, MDR vaccination, free distribution of Iron Folic Acid tablet, Calcium tablets, Free vaccination to prevent cervical cancer
Compulsory annual health check up under the CATCH program initiated which is unique and the first of its kind in the Country. Over 90 percent of state population already covered
Monthly honorarium for the Aganwadi workers in villages has been raised to Rs. 5200
One time maternity allowance of Rs. 5000 at the time of institutional delivery and a monthly Rs. 300 as nutrition allowance introduced for new born babies for the initial six years under the Mukhiya Mantri Sishu Suraksha Yojana Avam Sutkeri Shayog Yojana
Free hearing aid, focal lens provided to the people
Life expectancy of Sikkimese people increased by over 2 years on average; the IMR of 26 per 1000 is far better than the national average of 44 per 1000. The ultimate aim would be making Sikkim MDR free, Drugs free and AIDS free.
The 575 bedded multi-specialty hospital which is being constructed at Gangtok is around 70% complete. Once construction of hospital is completed and fully operational, our Government will provide the best medical facilities and treatment to the people of Sikkim at an affordable cost.
Sikkim has the distinct record of maintaining gender equity and the percentage of women work force in many areas is more than the male counterpart.
To ensure empowerment of women 50% of Panchayat seats, 30 percent in government job have been reserved for women, a historical step in the whole country. I heartily congratulate all the women office bearers under the panchayati raj who were chosen by the people at the grass root level for their participation and contribution to the state building campaign. We have had a woman Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly and a number of women Ministers, Chairpersons, Zilla Adhakshya and Up-Adhakshya.
Unmarried woman pension scheme of Rs. 600 per month introduced for woman above 45 years
In case of identified children of transgender category (children belonging to different gender orientation), a monthly Rs 2,000 allowance provided for the initial six years and thereafter 100% sponsorship for their education till graduation level is been implemented in the State.
Society and the Country cannot progress without ensuring social justice. The state government having understood this essential truth is undertaking lot of social upliftment measures to ensure balanced growth among all sections of people. Women are given equal status and socio-political rights to ensure their development.
Compassionate Appointment scheme introduced for non-gazetted employees. Chief Minister’s Rural Universal Financial Inclusion Programme launched in 2010 under which bank accounts are opened in the name of the head of the female member of the household.
In terms of providing social justice and empowering the weaker section of the people, the SDF government has achieved what is known as the social engineering of the most extraordinary kind. This includes addressing the felt need of the downtrodden people, women and the weaker section of the people and focused incentives for their upliftment.
As part of socio-cultural measures, Rai, Gurung, Mangar, Sunar, Bhujel, Limboo and Tamang granted OBC status in the central list in 1995. Later, Thami, Sanyasi also granted OBC status in the central list in 1999 and Jogi & Dewan in 2000
Bahun, Chettri and Newar granted OBC status at the state level in 2003. Limboo and Tamang communities granted ST status in 2003
Lepcha Community granted Primitive Tribe recognition at the State level
All Sikkim Subject Holders and their descendants exempted from Central Direct Income Tax
Sikkim joined North East Council as the 8th member on December 23, 2002
Nathula route reopened on July 6, 2006 after 44 years of closure
A life size statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar installed at Sikkim Legislative Assembly premises. Statue of Kazi Lhendup Dorji Khangsherpa installed at Chintan Bhawan on the occasion 34th State Day, 2008. Statue of PT Namgyal installed at Chorten complex, Deorali
Grants under Old Age Pension increased from Rs. 100 to Rs. 600 and Rs. 1000 for elderly citizens above 80 years of age
To the World War II pensioners or their widows, the State Government is providing 100 percent additional family pension at par with rate being received from the Central Government (Rs. 3000). That means they are receiving double benefits
The State Government has decided to increase the ex-gratia grant to battle casualty for our jawans from Rs. 8 lakhs to Rs. 15 lakhs
Increase in orphanage grant at the state level from the existing Rs. 100 per month to Rs. 500/
A unique scheme, namely Samajik Sewa Bhatta of Rs 600 per month introduced on 1st September 2008 for our faith healers and practitioners of animistic tradition. Rs. 600 honorarium also introduced for the folk dancers, singers etc.
One time grant of Rs. 20,000 introduced under the Widow Remarriage Scheme and Inter-caste marriage incentive of Rs. 20,000 introduced.
The State Government has declared community festivals as Government Gazette holidays like Losar, Tendong-Lho-Rum-Faat Guru Padmahambhava’s Birthday, Srijunga’s Birthday, Sakewa, Sonam Lochar, Tamu Lochar and Barahi-Mizong. This has helped preservation and promotion of indigenous identity of the three ethnic communities as manifesting in cultural festivals, food habits, traditional costumes, local dialects etc.
The State Government has taken all steps to implement programmes relating to village employment guarantee, housing and sanitation. Drinking water and electricity is provided free of tariff to the deserving citizens. Other basic necessities and infrastructures provided free of cost which is nowhere to be found in country
The Sikkim Democratic Front Government is village oriented with emphasis on creation of infrastructure like village roads, carpeting and strengthening of roads upto the GPU level.
In fact, the total road network of 1700 kms in 1994 has increased to 3600 kms today accounting for 1900 kms of new road construction during the last eighteen years making Sikkim as the highest road density state in the country.
Promotion of Eco-tourism in Sikkim is very successful. We promote Village tourism, Home-stay, Culture tourism, Pilgrimage tourism, Nature tourism Adventure tourism and City Tourism
The present footfall of over 8 lakhs annually is slated to be targeted over 50 lakhs during the 12th Plan. We are promoting village/rural tourism and home stays as a means to promote more livelihood option among our villagers. We will continue to pursue eco-tourism as a thrust area for development of the State during the 12th Five Year Plan Period.
Some unique and extraordinary projects to promote tourism in Sikkim have been commissioned and many of them under construction. Statue of Guru Rimpoche, Siddeshwar Dham, and Buddha Park are some of the unique projects to promote pilgrimage tourism.
National Highway 31A is the lifeline of Sikkim. Airport, Rail line and alternate Highway are being built to provide total relief to the people of Sikkim.
70% of the work has been completed with regard to construction of Airport. The tentative time line for completion of the Airport project is March 2015.
These two important modes of connectivity will put Sikkim on the air and rail map of the country. It will further act as a catalyst to boost the economy of the State and bring prosperity to the people in times to come.
The State Government has drawn up comprehensive programs for empowering our youths with the 21st century knowledge, skill and capacity. At present our youths are highly certificate oriented who need to be re-oriented with new thinking. They should be able to decide early what they want to do in life. I call upon all of them to make our education a blessing and not a burden.
The State Government has been creating host of opportunities for them both in government sectors and private sectors. If they choose to work in government sector, they must prepare themselves by undergoing civil service coaching and training. The State Government sponsors training programs and coaching for our youths in IAS and allied services, banking, defence services etc. We have to remember that in spite of tribe specific reservation, there is competition even within the reserved category like under STs and SCs. Therefore, our people must be competitive with world class calibre.
Let me remind our people that there are host of opportunities outside government sector. Unemployment among our educated youths is chiefly because our people are not willing to harness the many job openings and diverse opportunities available outside government. Our people must seek employment in other sectors. Let me inform our younger generation that prospective entrepreneurs willing to initiate business ventures locally is given top most priority with regard to issuing of licences, term loan, interest free loan etc.
The Government sector has a limitation. It is not possible for everyone to get a Government job. This is a truth that we all need to accept. The people of developed countries have accepted this truth long time ago. Our educated youth must not get frustrated in case they do not get a Government job and should get better employment and take advantage of better opportunity outside government sectors being created in Sikkim.
When we formed the Government in 1994 after the overwhelming public mandate in favour of the Sikkim Democratic Front party, the number of Government employees was 23,700 including MR/Workcharged employees which has increased manifold as of today. That means, employment under government sector is near saturated.
Our educated youth must accept the reality and the truth and opt for new age professions and careers. They must become dynamic entrepreneurs. The future of Sikkim is in the hands of the youth. And more importantly, Sikkim will become the way we make it. So we all need to work together to make Sikkim better. We all need to have a sense of ownership and belonging. I consider students and youth like my own sons and daughters and as my family members. I am concerned about you, about your future. I want to see you all happy, progressive and prosperous.
Realising the paucity of Government jobs and the increasing number of educated youth, the State Government has come up with a number of schemes, provisions and programmes to enable and empower the youth to take up different careers and professions instead of just hoping and waiting for a Government job.
We were the first State in the country to start the Directorate of Capacity Building in order to make our youth job-ready for the private and corporate sector. We want to provide knowledge, skills and capacity to our youth to make them self-reliant and independent.
Not only this, the State Government has also launched the Chief Minister’s Self Employment Scheme under which loans up to Rs. 10 lakh is given to educated unemployed youth to encourage them to start their own business and enterprise. Loans are also provided by different financial institutions. All banks in Sikkim are for us, are for the Sikkimese people. I urge our youth to avail of the benefits that banks have for them. The Government has created many employment and business opportunities for the youth which they must use for their benefit.
The larger challenge with the Government today is changing the mindset of people. We must change the mindset that complement 21st century time; must choose 21stcentury trade and profession. We must change as per time and place. I also call upon my fellow Sikkimese to revive traditional sense of self-respect and the tradition of dignity of labour that characterized our society earlier.
As global phenomenon, rising unemployment among youths is a cause of concern even in Sikkim. However, I always maintain that unemployment in Sikkim is not because of absence of work, but our people need to acquire employable skills and technical education before they are absorbed in the many industrial units being set up in Sikkim. We may recall that youth unemployment in the European Union is as high has 23 percent and the member Nations are committing budget consolidation to bail out crippling economy and address record unemployment among youths between age group of 15-24 who are not employed, not in education, not in training either.
Compared to this, we have zero unemployment in Sikkim. We actually suffer from illusory and skewed definition of unemployment where people think that absence of white-collared government job is unemployment. This is not so. Unemployment means absence of any avenue, any opportunity to work anywhere in the State. Whereas in Sikkim section of youth population accounting for less than 2 percent, not in organized employment roll, are being sponsored for various training programs to prepare them for some gainful employment in and outside the State. In the new century, men are judged by his knowledge, human quality and his capacity to deliver the good.
While I deliver this year’s Independence Day message, I must emphasise that together with all section of population, following different professions, government employees in Sikkim are the best looked after employees in the entire country. They enjoy the best salary structure and best facility in the country. There is regular promotion avenues created even after cadre review on a regular basis. Government employees are sponsored for training both inside and outside the Country on a daily basis.
The teaching community receive comparatively the highest salary in the State. Promotion avenues introduced for Group D employees including office peons, who are able to live a more dignified life today.
The Government introduced Compassionate appointment scheme when the sole bread earner meet with untimely death. We have the best wages for the casual workers which is Rs. 200 per day at the minimum.
Winning swaraj from the foreign rule was also the beginning of the process of self-determination and self rule. By being critical of our own works, the State Government has always tried to update and upgrade our effort to provide holistic development in the State. This means re-emphasis on our traditional, constitutional safeguards and the many policy announcements to attain supreme happiness for our people. My fellow Sikkimese are well aware of the pro-people measures undertaken over the decades.
v Sikkim and the Sikkimese people enjoy special constitutional privilege and safeguards as provided under Article 371 F of the Constitution. Constitutional protection and guarantees as contained under the Article is fully protected by the State Government.
v Rights and privileges due to Bhutia-Lepcha Communities have been duly protected and promoted.
v All communities belonging to Nepali constellation have been recognized as Backward Classes at the national and the state level.
v Resolution seeking minority status for the Nepali community has been passed in Sikkim Legislative Assembly in 2005
v Socio-political rights of all sections of Sikkimese people are fully protected.
v Limboo and Tamang communities having been granted tribal recognition, now the State Government is working sincerely to secure seat reservation for the communities in the State Assembly
v The State Government is pursuing our demand for inclusion of all left-out Sikkimese Nepali communities in the list of Scheduled Tribe on the basis of Burman Commission recommendation. Resolution seeking ST status already passed in Sikkim Legislative Assembly and forwarded to the Central Government
v Once the ST status for the Sikkimese Nepalese is secured, seat reservation for the Nepali Communities in the State Assembly would by logically and constitutionally admissible. So the Schedule Tribe status for the community is very vital to get seat reservation for the Nepali communities. The State Government is working towards this direction most honestly and sincerely
v Resolution seeking Income tax exemption for old settlers and government employees and their descendents as left-out community already passed in Sikkim Legislative Assembly and forwarded to the Central government
v On accidental death of taxi drivers, government provides Rs. 2 lakhs as grants
v The State Government has announced its policy decision to provide one government job for each BPL family. The modality is being worked out and actual implementation will take place as soon as possible
v The State Government has made policy announcement to regularise all the existing Muster Roll and Workcharged Employees on a phased manner. This is an important announcement made by the State Government to honour the hopes and aspirations of thousands of irregular employees. We would require some more time before we implement this after all the administrative and budgetary provisions are provided for.
v The Lepcha Community has been notified as Primitive Tribe Welfare Board. 5 % seat reservation has been made exclusively for the Lepchas in higher education. Lepcha Primitive Tribe Welfare Board has been constituted.
v In order to provide food security to the people, the State Government has been giving essential commodities at different subsidised rates under various schemes. Till date, thousands of Sikkimese households were covered under the Extended Antodaya Yojana with 35 kg of free rice per household and additional 15 kgs to households with more than six members. The State Government has now extended this benefit of free rice to additional over 7000 households previously covered under Mukhya Mantri Anadan Yojana and who were availing of subsidized rice at the rate of Rs. 3 per kg. Hence, with effect from 1st August 2013, thousands of additional households are being covered under Antodaya Annadan Yojana with provision for 35 kgs free rice and additional 15 kgs to households with more than six members. This scheme of giving free rice to our people as explained above is not given by any other state government except Sikkim. The remaining Sikkimese households under Mukhya Mantri Khadya Surakha Abhiyan, are being provided 35 kgs of rice per household at subsidized rate of Rs. 2 per kilo and additional 15 kgs rice at the subsidized rate of Rs. 2 per kg who were previously getting rice at the rate of Rs. 4 per kg In addition, other food commodities are also highly subsidised including that of sugar.
v Based on village-to-village tour demands from the public, a number of benefits already distributed to the identified beneficiaries. Recently, over 300 goats and number of other benefits distributed.
v Next program of the State Government would be further consolidation and providing quality products to all the households including qualitative road, qualitative electricity, qualitative drinking water, qualitative education, qualitative health service etc.
Sikkim as a land of peace and tranquillity has always been our special privilege. And it is necessary that freedom and rights, peace and security that we enjoy in Sikkim is protected and further promoted by every citizen in Sikkim.
Over the decades, the State Government has promoted Sikkim’s image as a progressive State within and outside the Country and the name and fame of Sikkim has been duly acknowledged by fellow Indians and people from all walks of life.
Therefore, as we celebrate the 67th Independence Day, we remain duty bound to protect all that Sikkim as the 22nd State of the Indian Union embodies, including the accelerated development tempo, peaceful and respectful citizens that the Nation could be proud of.
We have to see that the present atmosphere of development, mutual respect and co-existence is not disturbed by any elements with their ulterior motive. We must together work towards promotion of peace and mutual harmony, should never create doubt among different communities of people, different castes and never ever pollute human mind. As for myself and as per true democratic tradition, I have always tried to treat all my political adversaries with utmost respect and always honoured their fundamental rights to oppose me, my policy and my love for the people.
Before I conclude, I once again send my greetings to the fellow citizens and call upon them to protect freedom at all costs, so that we remain forever committed to the sovereignty and integrity of the Nation. And towards that objective, I am proud to share that the Sikkimese people have already proved quite worthy and capable of safeguarding the spirit and principles of freedom and self-determination.
Thank you
Jai Hind
