Sikkim’s environment & educational initiatives win SKOCH Award

GANGTOK,: The Sikkim government’s flagship initiative ‘Mero Rukh Mero Santati’ has been conferred the prestigious SKOCH Silver Award 2024.

The SKOCH Award is known for its rigorous and outcome-based assessment process. Forest secretary Pradeep Kumar received the award during the ceremony held in New Delhi, a press release informs.

‘Mero Rukh Mero Santati’ was recognized for its innovative approach to creating a carbon-neutral future for Sikkim. The initiative involves the plantation of 108 trees to commemorate the birth of every child in Sikkim, contributing to a greener, more sustainable environment.

“The initiative has already been widely acknowledged and appreciated both nationally and globally for its novelty. The initiative gains much more significance in the contemporary times in view of the rising pollution in cities like Delhi, where even breathing is becoming a challenge. The current situation brings out this moot point that just the physical wealth and good education is not enough for our children to live happily. We have to leave a clean environment too for our future generation,” states the press release.

Through ‘Mero Rukh Mero Santati’, Sikkim aims to foster a deep connection between communities and nature, leaving behind a lasting green legacy and striving for carbon neutrality. The initiative is seen as the best lifetime gift parents can give to their children, ensuring a healthier and greener world for the generations to come.

Likewise, the State Education department received SKOCH Gold Award for education management and monitoring information system. School Education secretary Tashi Chophel received the award, the release mentions.

The Education Monitoring and Management Information System (EMMIS), implemented by the Education Department, Government of Sikkim, is a transformative initiative enabling data-driven decision-making in schools. This comprehensive platform integrates real-time student and staff attendance, school infrastructure, and academic performance data. By streamlining processes such as transfer certificates and attendance monitoring, EMMIS ensures transparency, accountability and effective resource allocation and good governance. Its success has garnered the prestigious SKOCH Gold Award, highlighting its role in revolutionizing education management in Sikkim, the release adds.