Sikkim Design Week reaches Mangan

MANGAN, (IPR): The Commerce & Industries department, under the Sikkim Integrated Service Provision and Innovation for Reviving Economies (Sikkim INSPIRES) program, inaugurated the Sikkim Design Week 2025 (SDW25) with the Mangan Chapter—a two-day initiative from May 24 to May 25 hosted at Mangan Nagar Panchayat and Zilla Bhavan in Mangan.

The District Design Connect for Mangan district was formally inaugurated today by minister, Social Welfare, WCSC&D Welfare and Printing & Stationeries departments, Samdup Lepcha here at Mangan Nagar Panchayat Bhavan.

The Mangan Chapter commenced with the inauguration of the Craft Bazar at Nagar Panchayat Bhavan, in the presence of Commerce & Industries secretary Karma D. Youtso, director-cum-additional secretary Choden Gyatso, joint secretary Topden Zangpo, Mangan DC Anant Jain, Mangan ADC Pema Wangchen Namkarpa, Mangan Welfare officer Ganesh Thapa, district officials, knowledge partners and local gentry.

This engaging marketplace showcases local artistry, entrepreneurship, and cultural preservation, including exquisite handicrafts, handlooms, and traditional Thangka paintings.

The inaugural ceremony began with offering of khadas, followed by the stall inauguration and visits showcasing local talent and entrepreneurial ventures. The chief guest explored the workshops, witnessing first-hand the creativity and innovation unfolding in Mangan.

Following the inauguration, three key workshops were conducted by the Knowledge Partners NID, Alsisar Impact, and Studio Kapi, providing valuable learning opportunities for participants.

Workshops Driving Innovation & Learning:

The Mangan Chapter features three dynamic workshops, fostering creativity and professional growth:

• Idea to Business Model (Venue: Zilla Bhavan) – Led by ALSISAR IMPACT, this workshop offers live mentoring, feedback sessions, and guided pitching to help students and aspiring entrepreneurs turn creative ideas into structured ventures.

• Design Thinking & Visual Communication (Venue: Mangan Nagar Panchayat Hall) – Hosted by experts from National Institute of Design (NID), these sessions focus on problem-solving, product innovation, and visual storytelling, cultivating core design skills among students and professionals.

• The Art of Anime & Manga (Venue: Mangan Nagar Panchayat Bhavan)– Led by StudioKapi, this interactive session delves into Japanese storytelling, character design, paneling, and emotional arcs in manga illustration.

SDW25 celebrates Sikkim’s vibrant creative economy, emerging industries, and entrepreneurial drive while fostering inclusivity among MSMEs, artisans, startups, and creative professionals. The district-level engagements through the District Design Connect pave the way for the grand event in Gangtok from June 3–7.

District Design Connect: Taking Design to the Grassroots

To ensure widespread participation and impact, the "District Design Connect" events were conceptualized as crucial precursors to the main Sikkim Design Week. These two-day events, which commenced on May 2 in Soreng, followed by successful editions in Gyalshing (May 7-8) and Namchi (May 19-20), are designed to engage local communities directly.

Each "District Design Connect" features a rich program of workshops led by the Knowledge Partners National Institute of Design (NID): Conducting insightful workshops on various aspects of design, ALSISAR Impact: Focusing on entrepreneurship and providing guidance for budding local businesses, Studio Kapi: Offering engaging workshops on Anime and Manga, tapping into contemporary creative trends.

"My District My Pride": Celebrating Local Talent

In conjunction with the District Design Connect events, a State-wide competition titled "My District My Pride" is currently underway. This competition encourages citizens from all districts to showcase their unique design sensibilities and local pride. The final results of this exciting competition will be announced during the main Sikkim Design Week event in June, adding a competitive and celebratory element to the overall initiative

The Sikkim Design Week stands as a testament to the state’s progressive vision, blending heritage with contemporary innovation, empowering local businesses, and fostering entrepreneurship. As the Mangan Chapter paves the way, anticipation builds for the larger Gangtok event, promising an exchange of ideas, creativity, and industry leadership.