Sikkim Statehood Day

In News

• Sikkim recently observed its 47th statehood day. It became the 22nd state of India on 16 May 1975. 

About Sikkim State (Gangtok)_

• History: 
  • The Kingdom of Sikkim was founded by the Namgyal dynasty in the 17th century. It was ruled by Buddhist priest-kings known as the Chogyal. 
  • It became a princely state of British India in 1890.
  • In 1950, three years after India’s independence, a treaty was signed between Sikkim and the Republic of India. Under which the former continued its status as a ‘protectorate’ state within the Union of India.
    • A protectorate state is a smaller country which is protected by a larger, sovereign nation. Such a state has autonomy over its internal affairs, while the larger country controls policies such as foreign affairs, defence, communications etc.
  • In September 1974, the Chogyals, Sikkim’s ruler, called for a referendum, as demands, seeking the now-former kingdom’s integration with India, had begun to rise.
  • In April 1975, after an appeal by the Prime Minister of Sikkim, the Indian Army entered and took control of the kingdom.
  • In the subsequent referendum, as many as 97.5 per cent of participants voted in favour of joining India, while 2.45 per cent voted against the proposal.
  • On May 15, 1975, then-President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, signed a constitutional amendment, and, a day later, Sikkim became the 22nd state of India; the position of the Chogyal was abolished as well.
• Location: 
  • Situated in Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is the least populous and second smallest among the Indian states.
  • It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Nepal in the west, and West Bengal in the south.
• Geography:
  • Mount Kanchenjunga (India’s highest peak and the world’s third-highest mountain) is situated here.
  • Kanchenjunga National Park (KNP) is India’s high-elevation conservation area.
  • In 2016, UNESCO declared KNP as a World Heritage Site under the ‘mixed’ category (sites containing elements of both natural and cultural significance).
  • Major Rivers: Teesta River and its tributaries such as the Rangit, Lhonak, Talung, and Lachung.
  • Sikkim is the world’s first 100 per cent organic state. The state also bagged the prestigious Future Policy Gold Award from the UN Food and Agriculture (FAO).

Source: Print