Sunday, May 03, 2026 15:15 [IST]
Last Update: Sunday, May 03, 2026 09:42 [IST]
In a powerful display of environmental advocacy and social inclusion, the International Association for People Nature and Environmental Management (IAPNEM), led by its visionary Founder and Chairperson, Dr. Sanghamitra Sarkar, collaborated with Special Olympics Bharat Sikkim Chapter (SOBSC) to celebrate International Earth Day at the REWA Special School for Children with Disabilities on April 22, 2026 at Gangtok, Sikkim.
The event, themed "Our Power, Our Planet," moved beyond traditional environmentalism by ensuring that children with disabilities were not just spectators, but active protagonists in the fight against climate change.
Bridging the Gap: Inclusiveness in
Action
Under the leadership of Dr. Sarkar, IAPNEM has long championed the philosophy that environmental sustainability is inseparable from social inclusiveness. By partnering with Special Olympics Bharat, Sikkim Chapter the organization successfully brought the message of the "Mother Earth" to a demographic often left out of the global climate conversation.
The day was marked by the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Shri Kuber Sharma (President, SOBSC) and Dr. Sanghamitra Sarkar (Chairperson, IAPNEM). This strategic partnership aims to foster long-term collaborative efforts where environmental management meets social empowerment.
A Day of Learning and Soulful
Performances:
The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest, Phurba Rinzing Sherpa, Chairman of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, who underscored the importance of collective responsibility, stating that “the future of our planet lies in our hands and the choices we make today,” while commending the organisers for their initiative. The event was attended by Guest of Honour Shri P.N. Pradhan, Assistant Commissioner, Women, Child, Senior Citizens and Divyangjan Department, along with Special Guests Shri Jagdish Sharma, eminent literary figure and Director of the Art, Culture and Literature Division at IAPNEM; Shri G. Lepcha, Treasurer of SOB, SC and Advisor, IAPNEM; Shri Tshering Tashi, Vice President of SOB, SC and Advisor, IAPNEM; and Shri Ganesh Chandra Khanal, Area Director of SOB, SC and President, IAPNEM. Teachers from various schools also participated in the programme, which saw the involvement of institutions including REWA School for Children with Disabilities (Upper Syari), Asha Kiran Special School (Sichey), PM Shri Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School (Deorali), and Tadong Senior Secondary School (Tadong), all based in Gangtok.
The students of REWA Special School stole the show with a soulful opening song and heartfelt performances that resonated with the theme of hope and purity. To ensure the message of conservation was accessible to all, young members of IAPNEM and SOB, SC delivered an insightful presentation on climate change, followed by an interactive quiz session which saw enthusiastic participation from the specially-abled students. Starting from the welcome address to dance performances on this year's theme song on Earth Day, the entire event was mediated by the young members of SOB, SC and IAPNEM, who were Ms. Chungkipo Bhutia, Ms. Shreeya Dahal, Sri Aswin Thapa, Sri Hemant Sharma and Sri Anup Sapkota.
Greening the Future
The initiative translated awareness into action through two primary drives:
Medicinal Plantation Drive: Students and dignitaries joined hands to plant medicinal herbs, symbolizing a practical step toward a healthier ecosystem.
Cleaning Drive: A community cleanliness campaign was conducted to instill the values of responsible citizenship and environmental consciousness.
Recognition and Future Outlook
The event concluded with the distribution of certificates by the Chief Guest Shri Phurba Rinzing Sherpa along with other dignitaries. In his closing remarks, Shri Kuber Sharma thanked IAPNEM and Dr. Sarkar for their dedication to making environmental education inclusive. He detailed the specific skills required for the livelihood of special needs individuals in Sikkim and outlined a roadmap for sports excellence, aiming for National and International representation. Shri G C Khanal, Area Director, SOB, SC and President, IAPNEM concluded the programme with a formal vote of thanks which was followed by an inclusive community lunch shared by all dignitaries, teachers, and students.
The 2026 Earth Day celebration at the Rewa School for Children with Disabilities has set a new benchmark for how environmental organizations can work across sectors to ensure that the call to protect our planet is heard by every member of society, regardless of ability.
