Wednesday, May 27, 2026 22:45 [IST]
Last Update: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 17:17 [IST]
GANGTOK, :
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday visited Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and
Ridge Park Orchidarium here on the first day of her three-day visit to Sikkim.
Murmu
arrived in Gangtok earlier in the day and was received at Libing Helipad by
Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.
Sikkim
Legislative Assembly Speaker M.N. Sherpa, Deputy Speaker Raj Kumari Thapa,
ministers, MLAs, senior civil and police officials and representatives of
Indian Army were also present to welcome the President.
At
the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, at Deorali, Murmu toured the premises and
viewed rare artefacts, murals, manuscripts and exhibits reflecting the region’s
rich Buddhist cultural heritage.
The
President also interacted with officials and representatives of the institute,
who apprised her of the efforts being undertaken towards the preservation,
documentation and promotion of Himalayan Buddhist culture and traditional
knowledge systems.
Earlier,
the President visited the Ridge Park orchidarium at Swarna Jyanti Maitreya
Manjari Complex, where she was introduced to Sikkim’s floral heritage including
the 507 orchid species found in the State.
During
the visit, she was shown various orchid species and cultural symbols such as
“Thunpa Puen Zhi” or the “Four Harmonious Friends”. A key highlight of the
visit was ‘Cymbidium Namo’, a unique orchid species named in honour of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, informs an IPR release.
Governor
Mathur, Chief Minister Tamang, ministers and senior government officials
accompanied the President during the visits.
Later
in the evening, the President attended a State banquet hosted by Governor Om
Prakash Mathur in her honour at Lok Bhawan.
During
her stay in Sikkim, Murmu is scheduled to visit Nathu La Pass on Indo-China
border and attend the 7th convocation of Sikkim University on Wednesday, and
present ‘President of India’s Police Colour’ to Sikkim Police on Thursday.
