Tourism growth because of peace loving people of Sikkim: President

GANGTOK, April 15: President Pratibha Patil today ushered in a new chapter for Sikkim Tourism when she inaugurated the mega tourism project, Khangchendzonga Tourist Villa-cum-socio cultural amusement park at Ranka, East Sikkim.
West Bengal Governor MK Narayanan who has been given the additional charge for Sikkim, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, cabinet ministers and a host of dignitaries were present during the momentous occasion.

The hard work shown by Sikkim government towards promotion of tourism fetched rich compliments from the President who congratulated the State government for the vision and foresight to conceptualize and create such a world class tourism infrastructure in a time-bound manner. The park has been created in a manner that will not only make the tourists comfortable, but also give them opportunity to acquaint themselves with the local culture and lifestyle, she said in her inaugural address.

Expressing her happiness over the rapid strides taken by Sikkim in the tourism sector due the several inherent natural advantages, the President said pointed out the peace loving nature of Sikkimese people for the tourism growth of Sikkim.
“The growth of tourism has been possible because of the peace loving people of Sikkim, and I complement them”.

In her address, Patil also underlined the importance of developing a sustainable model for tourism that is conducive for the development of the State and benefiting the local people. The youth of the State can be given proper training so that they can find employment in this sector, which in turn will benefit with better management skills, she suggested.

The President expressed her hopes that the respect shown by Sikkim towards environment is carried forward through generations so that the incredible beauty and peace of Sikkim is preserved. “Sikkim’s variegated fauna and flora with its many species of plants, flowers and trees which are a rich repository of medicinal and aromatic herbs have made it one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. Its natural splendor and ecology are still unspoilt. I do hope that this respect towards the environment is carried forward through generations, so that the incredible beauty and peace of this land is preserved”, she said.

The President also expressed her admiration for the communal harmony existing in Sikkim. She complimented the Chief Minister for setting up targets to make Sikkim a poverty-free State by 2015. I am confident that confident that with political guidance, time bound implementation and proper monitoring, these targets will be achieved, she said.

At the same time, Patil said that efforts to reduce school dropouts must continue. “The literacy rate here is good, but efforts towards reducing school drop outs and ensuring the girl child goes to school must continue, as also to create higher education facilities”, she said.

The President also highlighted the need to focus on rural development.
“With 64 percent of the population of the State dependent on agriculture there is need to focus on rural development, on enhancing agricultural productivity and on increasing the income levels of the rural population. The climate obtaining here is conducive for cultivation of a range of crops, flowers and fruits. Agro based industries close to rural areas will lead to value addition at the local level and provide employment”, the President said.

Patil also emphasized the need for establishing vocational training institutes for women in Sikkim and to encourage them to set up their own small enterprises through Self Help Groups.

Earlier, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling in his address said that ever since forming the government in 1994, 70 percent of the annual budget has been allocated for rural development annually. The State government has been giving priority for eco-friendly development and eco-tourism is a very important aspect, he said.

The Chief Minister also highlighted major under construction infrastructural projects in the State including a Greenfield airport at Pakyong, rail link between Rangpo in East Sikkim to Sevoke in West Bengal and double laning of NH 31A. These are the various measures which can help to promote tourism of Sikkim, he said.
Chamling informed that the State government had placed a memorandum to the President yesterday evening seeking her assistance over the pending political demands of Sikkim.

The demands were seat reservation for the Limboo-Tamang communities in the Assembly, expansion of the strength of the Assembly, inclusion of the Bhutia-Lepcha language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution

and

income tax exemption to the left-outs persons of Sikkim. We seek blessings of the President, he said.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the achievements of his government since 1994 till date in his address.

West Bengal Governor MK Narayan who has been given additional charge of Sikkim also congratulated the Chief Minister for the world class tourism infrastructure at Ranka. The project is unique in the Northeast and a historical moment for Sikkim, he said.