Sikkim has made remarkable progress: Governor

GANGTOK,: Governor Ganga Prasad has said Sikkim has successfully emerged as one of the leading States in many sectors.
“Sikkim, though, one of the youngest and smallest States of the country, has made remarkable progress and has successfully emerged as one of the leading States in many sectors. We have set the track for development and progress for other States to follow and learn from,” said the Governor in his Independence Day message to the people of Sikkim.
“Our dedication towards the preservation of the environment, our commitment to social justice, upliftment of the poor, and our conviction to make Sikkim a paradise has been reflected in our policy, programmes and various achievements. The State government since its formation has vehemently addressed the issues pertaining to the health sector along with the much needed push in the education sector.”
The Governor mentioned that the State government is giving thrust on health, education, rural development, and building up of infrastructure in all sectors to ensure fast paced sustainable development in the State.
“Since the formation of the State government, there has been a radical improvement in the health sector with upgradation of hospitals, PHCs, etc. within the State. The aim is to make basic health services widely accessible to the public in every nook and corner of the State along with upgradation of health infrastructure to ensure state of the art healthcare facilities,” said the Governor.
Prasad added that the State government has entered into an agreement with the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences for 50 fully free and 30 full payment MBBS seats. With this, we have access to 80 medical education seats annually and students belonging to the poorest section of the society can now aspire to become medical professionals, he said.
The Governor shared that up-gradation of Namchi Hospital to a 300-bedded hospital with all state-of-the-art facilities is under construction to benefit the inhabitants of south and west districts. 15. A full-fledged Cancer Hospital at Jorethang in Public Private Partnership mode is also under active construction, he said.
On the education front, the Governor mentioned mentioned that the State government is setting up a green field higher educational institute of excellence at Chakung, West Sikkim.
“Further, to mitigate the difficulties of students desirous of taking higher studies at Masters level, extension study centres of Sikkim University for master courses in different colleges of Sikkim is also being initiated. Also, in order to reach out to our students even in the remotest corners of the State, the department is in the process of establishing 32 community radio stations with the support of the Government of India.”
“It is the State Government’s earnest desire to turn Sikkim into an education hub which will cater to students from all across the globe. The State government is committed to achieving this vision as one of its topmost priorities,” said the Governor.
In his message, the Governor highlighted that tourism sector and other allied services have been the worst-hit sectors during this Covid-19 pandemic. Consistent efforts are being made by the State government to work out ways in which the glory of this sector can be restored; lockdown impact related relief and reconstruction measures along with few major projects to boost the tourism industry are being looked into, he said.
The Governor shared that the State government has a vision to give a giant fillip to the rural tourism sector by promoting mega homestay and allied activities to share the dividend of tourism industry with the rural populace all over Sikkim, post Covid pandemic.
“This proposal will include construction of 1000 high quality traditional houses suitable for hosting high value tourists in the rural areas to be constructed by the government and handed over to beneficiaries for earning their livelihood. The homestay will be constructed with three ethnic designs of Nepali, Bhutia and Lepcha architecture complete with furniture etc. The homestay beneficiaries shall also be trained and exposed to the business/promotion of homestays and hospitality industry for better management of the homestays.”
Prasad added that the State government has worked tirelessly to provide all round village connectivity, potable drinking water to the remotest corners, rural housing scheme, rural marketing centres, establishment of PHSCs, schools and Block Administrative Centres so that the villagers are not deprived.