The Sikkim Podcast

In his early twenties, Nopu Bhutia set out for Tibet as a muleteer—one of 46 men from the hills of Sikkim and Kalimpong who carried trade across the high Himalaya.Now 90, living in Dalapchand, his memories come in fragments—but each one opens a window into a world that has all but disappeared.Speaking to Sikkim Ko, he recalls the journeys, the people, and a way of life that once connected these mountains across borders.Mr Bhutia can be heard referring to ‘Nechung’ or ’Naytsang’ repeatedly in this video. The word means hotel or guesthouse in Tibetan. THE ROUTE: Kalimpong, Pedong, Dalapchand, Phadamchen, Gnathang, Nathula and Jelepla, Rinchengong now renamed Xiayadongxiang, and Phari now renamed Pagri. He also mentions Yatung which is Yadong now.Interview by Tshering EdenAnimation by Sensorium Design Studio#tibet #tibettrade #indochinaborder #nathula #jelepla #muleteer #kalimpong #sikkim #sikkimtibet #pedong #dalapchand #phadamchen

Presenting the inaugural edition of Sikkim Ko Kura, an interview series where we engage with Sikkimese voices to discuss the issues closest to their hearts. Our first guest is Gyatso Lepcha, a dedicated river activist and social entrepreneur from Dzongu. In this episode, he shares his journey with Pema Wangchuk—from participating in protests against hydel projects to becoming the proud owner of Mayal Lyang Homestay. Mr. Lepcha opens up about the challenges and rewards of living for Dzongu and advocating for its future. To learn more about Mayal Lyang Homestay http://www.mayallyang.com #hydelprotest #dzongu #northsikkim #sikkimtourism #sikkimhomestay #mayallyang #sikkimko #sikkimkokura Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9?si=c88f30dc35d84426 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-sikkim-podcast/id1477491928 Video shot by Tshering Eden and edited by Loven Lama. Note: This video was recorded on 12 Oct 2024.

In this episode we discuss the delay in disbursement of salaries to the 22000 temporary employees, meeting on left-out communities chaired by the Sikkim CM, Sikkim Pollution Control Board, Disaster Risk Reduction Day, appointment of Advisors, reduction in vehicle tax, and revision of OPD timings.Oh and Happy Dasain everyone! #sikkim #temporaryemployees #leftoutcommunities #spcb #disasterriskreduction #tribalstatus Follow us on Instagraminstagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9... Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/.../the-sikkim.../id1477491928 Video shot and edited by Loven Lama.Note: This episode was recorded on 09 Oct 2024.

In this week's episode we discuss the results of the Traffic Survey carried out by the Gangtok Traffic Police, hike in DA, action against late payment of electricity bills, landslides in the past few days across the state, visit of Jagadguru Shankaracharya, 'strip search' incident at Rangpo, meeting on land acquisition issues related to National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL, and, a look back at the 2023 floods that ravaged Sikkim and parts of West Bengal. #sikkim #sikkimko #sikkimgovernment #gangtoktraffic #teestaflood #dahike #nh10 Chapters 04:40 Traffic Survey Results 36:52 Hike in Dearness Allowance 38:40 Power Dept Advisor on delays in electricity bill payment 42:45 The recent landslides across the state 48:52 Meeting on land acquisition issues related to NHIDCL, BRO, and PGCIL 53:40 Jagadguru Shankaracharya’s visit to Sikkim 58:00 ’Strip search’ incident of Rangpo 1:02:25 First free wifi village of Sikkim 1:03:35 Highway update 1:06:07 A year after the Teesta Flood of 2023 Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0... Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast... Video shot and edited by Loven Lama. Note: This episode was recorded on 01 Oct 2024.

In this episode we discuss the weather, extension of OPD timings for government doctors, Gangtok traffic and the survey by Gangtok Police on solving the traffic problem in the city, decentralisation of tourist permit system, hike in royalties on forest produce, launch of Online Land Stability Reporting System in the state, Fossil Park proposal at Mamley, animal fat in Tirupati ladoo controversy, and one nation one election proposal.  #globalwarming #gangtoktraffic #touristpermit #sikkimtourism #nathulapermit #fossilpark #onlinelandstabilityreportingsystem #tirupatiladoo #sikkim #onenationoneelection  Follow us on Instagram http://instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook  http://facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X  @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9?si=c88f30dc35d84426 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-sikkim-podcast/id1477491928 Video shot and edited by Loven Lama. Note: This episode was recorded on 24 Sept 2024.

In this episode we discuss the ban on private practice by Govt doctors, hike in vehicle tax in Sikkim,  Nathula Day and the Chola skirmish of 1967, Sikkim govt clarification on the delay in payment of wages to 20,000 temporary employees, and major infrastructure development announcements by the Chief Minister of Sikkim, PS Tamang.  We also discuss the protests against Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra in the north-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. #beefban #nathuladay #aapsu #tur #meghalaya #arunachalpradesh #gaudhwaj #sikkim #vehicletax #sikkimdocs Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook  facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X  @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9?si=c88f30dc35d84426 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-sikkim-podcast/id1477491928 Video shot and edited by Loven Lama. Note: This episode was recorded on 16 Sept 2024. 

We really wanted to thank our viewers/listeners for the comments they have been leaving on our videos, and so we bring to you Sikkim Ko Comments. We want to underline some of the comments left by you, respond to some, and take inspiration from some. Hope you like this video. Please leave a comment and let us know. Location: Temi Tea Garden, Namchi District, Sikkim. Video shot and edited by Loven Lama. #sikkimko #sikkimkocomments #sikkimkopodcast

In this episode we discuss the fire at Modern Senior Secondary School, mass transfer of Government Primary Teachers, Vigilance raids on SBS officials, ban on police personnel making videos in uniform for social media, Jyotiraditya Scindia visit, fresh violence in Manipur, and more. #sikkimnews #teachertransfers #jyotiradityascindia #donerministry #manipur #kamalaharris #donaldtrump #sikkimko Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9?si=c88f30dc35d84426 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-sikkim-podcast/id1477491928 Video shot and edited by Loven Lama. Note: This episode was recorded on 11 Sept 2024.

In this episode we talk about the tussle between Sikkim Football Association and Football Development Private Limited regarding the Sikkim Premier League, malicious rumour mongering against some restauranteurs, Facial recognition devices in govt offices, MeToo movement in Malayalam film industry, Himachal Pradesh govt in financial crisis, and more. #sikkimnews #sfa #sikkimfootball #fdpl #sikkimpremierleauge #metooindia #malayalammovie #himachalpradesh #sikkimko #hemacomitteereport Chapters 2:50 Sikkim Premier League controversy 32:00 Malicious rumour mongering about certain restaurants of Gangtok 49:35 Biodiversity Heritage Site proposal for Singi Badang Sacred Pond in Yuksam Dubdi and Pawo Hungri Sacred Grove in Labing Gerethang 53:28 Facial Recognition devices in Govt offices 01:01:15 Extension of deadline for registration of tourism related businesses with the government 01:02:18 MeToo movement in the Malayalam film industry 01:18:30 Himachal Pradesh government in financial crisis 01:26:40 Why are GLOF Surveys being conducted in the country? Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9?si=c88f30dc35d84426 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-sikkim-podcast/id1477491928 Video shot and edited by Loven Lama. Note: This episode was recorded on 04 Sept 2024.

Sikkim CM, PS Tamang meets Union Minister of Communications and Minister of DONER, Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia; on 33rd Bhasa Manyata Diwas, Sikkim Govt announces notifications to be published in Nepali as well; Tourism Dept gets awarded; Glacial Lake Susceptibility Study and Community Outreach expedition to North Sikkim; West Bengal protests against rape and murder of doctor; Modi’s visit to Ukraine and; the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. #glofsikkim #sikkimtourism #sikkim #scindia #donerministry #westbengalprotests #modiukraine #telegramceo  Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook  facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X  @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9?si=c88f30dc35d84426 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-sikkim-podcast/id1477491928 Video shot and edited by Loven Lama. Note: This episode was recorded on 27 Aug 2024. 

In this episode we discuss the recent violent clash in Samdong, landslide at Balutar, and the state of Table Tennis in Sikkim.  Due to some technical issues we could not record the National and International sections this time. We will, however, bring you these discussions in separate videos later this week. #samdongviolence #balutarnhpc #tabletennis #sikkim #sikkimtabletennisclub #landslide  Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook  facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X  https://x.com/Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9?si=c88f30dc35d84426 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-sikkim-podcast/id1477491928 Note: This episode was recorded on 21 Aug 2024. 

In this episode we discuss the Sikkim Govt’s budget, rolling back of regularisation relaxation for Assistant Professors, and return of party-based Panchayat and Municipality elections in Sikkim. We also discuss Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from Olympic finals, Waqf board bill, UK protests, and the aftermath of student protests in Bangladesh. Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook  facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X  @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Note: This episode was recorded at Rabbit Hole on 12 Aug 2024.  #sikkimnews #sikkim #vineshphogat #waqfboardbill

Sikkim Govt announces Pollution Certificate fine relaxation, Insurance cover for drivers, and a few more benefits on the occasion of Sarathi Diwas. We also discuss the Supreme Court verdict allowing sub categorisation within SC/ST quotas, and the distasteful comments made by Anurag Thakur in the Parliament. And more... Follow us on Instagram @ instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook @ facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696

First budget session of the second SKM government, garbage bags in tourist vehicles, sovereign gold bonds scam?, and more in this episode of The Sikkim Podcast. The Sikkim Podcast is produced by Gangtok based media platform Sikkim Ko. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook #sikkimfloods #unionbudget2024 #goldbonds

In this episode, Tshering Eden [Features Editor, Summit Times] and Pema Wangchuk [Consulting Editor, Summit Times], talk about the state's efforts to tackle COVID-19 and what could be improved. They also touch upon the appointment of Sudesh Joshi as Additional Advocate General of Sikkim and the RTI filed by Nawin Kiran Pradhan of Sikkim Subject Committee on recruitment of 1600 temporary employees by the SKM Government since it came to power.  This episode was recorded on 07 Aug 2020. For suggestions and criticism please write to us at news@summittimes.com

This episode Tshering Eden [Features Editor, Summit Times] and Pema Wangchuk [Consulting Editor, Summit Times] discuss the illegal entry of 5 persons via Melli checkpost and COVID in the Armed and Paramilitary forces. This episode was recorded on 10 July 2020. On 11 July, 23 more cases of COVID among paramilitary forces were reported. For suggestions and criticism please write to us at news@summittimes.com

We are back! This episode Tshering Eden [Features Editor, Summit Times] and Pema Wangchuk [Consulting Editor, Summit Times] discuss the COVID-19 status of Sikkim. We have been gone for a long time and there is some catching up to do. This episode was recorded on 10 June 2020. Listen to this episode on Youtube at We are also on: Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/…/the-sikkim-podca…/id1477491928… Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9 Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts… Breaker - https://www.breaker.audio/the-sikkim-podcast Overcast - https://overcast.fm/itunes1477491928/the-sikkim-podcast RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/the-sikkim-podcast-GAlbyY Pocket Casts - https://pca.st/SL52mY For suggestions and criticism please write to us at news@summittimes.com

This episode we discuss some incidents that sparked controversy on social media and also ended up touching real lives, and not in a nice way. We talk about the MG Marg incident, confusion over the death of a person in DKK Bhawan and the need for clear communication to cut through the clutter on social media.

This episode Tshering Eden [Features Editor, Summit Times] and Pema Wangchuk [Consulting Editor, Summit Times] discuss the Aarogya Setu app, challenges for education sector, racist attacks on people from the North East, and more. This episode was recorded on 27 April 2020.

This episode Tshering Eden (Features Editor, SummitTimes) and Pema Wangchuk (Consulting Editor, SummitTimes) discuss the lockdown relaxation that was attempted and quickly abandoned and the confusion that ensued. We also discuss the issues of concern that grow with each passing day. This episode was recorded on 24 April 2020.