Prime Minister Narendra Modi began the second day of his two-day visit to Sikkim on an engaging note on Tuesday, playing football with local youngsters in Gangtok before his official engagements. Later, addressing a gathering during the golden jubilee celebrations marking 50 years of Sikkim’s statehood, he described the state as the “heaven of the East,” praising its natural beauty, peace, and cultural harmony.
The Prime Minister also shared pictures of himself interacting with young players, reflecting a relaxed and energetic start to the day ahead of formal events.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
His visit came after a busy political schedule in West Bengal, from where he travelled directly to Sikkim following election campaigning. On Monday evening, his roadshow in Gangtok saw a massive turnout, with people lining the streets waving the national flag, cheering enthusiastically, and showcasing traditional music and dance performances.
On Tuesday morning, PM Modi addressed a large gathering at Paljor Stadium as part of the state’s 50th statehood anniversary celebrations. He congratulated the people of Sikkim and reiterated his description of the state as the “heaven of the East,” highlighting its unmatched scenic beauty, peace, and spiritual richness.
He also spoke about Sikkim’s natural diversity, especially its orchids, saying tourists who have not seen them “have not seen anything.” He expressed confidence that tourism in the state would grow significantly in the coming years.
Emphasising unity, the Prime Minister noted that while politics in India is often marked by divisions, Sikkim stands out for bringing people from different regions together during the celebrations.
Recalling a previous visit that was cancelled due to bad weather, he said he was happy to finally reach Gangtok and assured continued support for the state’s development.
He further stressed the importance of infrastructure growth, particularly the Sevoke-Rangpo railway project, which will connect Sikkim to the national railway network and boost economic development and tourism.
