3. Sikkim
Sikkim i.e. the "Goodly Region",
Standard Tibetan: is a landlocked
Indian state nestled in the Himalayas. The
state borders Nepal to the west,
Tibet Autonomous Region,
People's Republic of China to the north and
east, and Bhutan to the southeast. The state
of West Bengal borders Sikkim to its south.
4. People Of Sikkim
The people of Sikkim are simple and friendly
with natural gaiety. The customs and rituals
of Sikkim are as diverse as the ethnic that
inhabit the land. The predominant
communities are the LEPCHAS, BHUTIAS,
NEPALESE and smaller proportions of
LIMBUS.
5. USP Of Sikkim
With around 600,000 permanent residents,
Sikkim is the least populous state in India and
the second-smallest state after Goa in total
area. Kangchenjunga, the world's thirdhighest peak, is located on Sikkim's border
with Nepal.[6] Sikkim is a popular tourist
destination, owing to its culture, scenery and
biodiversity. It also has the only open border
between India and China.
6. LEGEND OF SIKKIM
Legend has it that the Buddhist saint
Guru Rinpoche visited Sikkim in the 9th century,
introduced Buddhism .Indeed, the
Namgyal dynasty was established in 1642. Over
the next 150 years, the kingdom witnessed
frequent raids and territorial losses to Nepalese
invaders. It allied itself with the
British rulers of India, but was soon annexed by
them. Later, Sikkim became a British
protectorate, before merging with India following
7. Languages Of Sikkim
Sikkim has 11 official languages: Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha
(since 1977), Limbu (since 1981), Newari, Rai, Gurung,
Mangar, Sherpa, Tamang (since 1995) and Sunwar
(since 1996).[7] English is taught in schools and used in
government documents. Sikkim is the only state in India
with an ethnic Nepalese majority.[8] The predominant
religions are Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism.
Gangtok is the capital and largest city. Sikkim's economy
is largely dependent on agriculture and tourism, and the
state has the fourth-smallest GDP among Indian states,[9]
although it is also among the fastest-growing.
8. Climate
Sikkim's climate ranges from sub-tropical in the south to tundra in the
northern parts. The tundra-type region in the north is clad by snow for
four months a year though the temperature drops below 0 °C (32 °F)
almost every night.[31] The peaks of north-western Sikkim are perpetually
frozen.[35] Most of the inhabited regions of Sikkim, however, witness a
temperate climate, with the temperatures seldom exceeding 28 ° C (82 °
F) in summer or dropping below 0 °C (32 °F) in winter. The mean monthly
temperature in summer is 15 °C.[36] The state has five seasons: winter,
summer, spring, and autumn, and a monsoon season between June and
September. The average annual temperature for most of Sikkim is
around 18 °C (64 °F). Sikkim is one of the few states in India to receive
regular snowfall. The snow line ranges from 20,000 feet in the north to
16,000 feet in the south.[37] During the monsoon, heavy rains increase
the possibility of landslides. The record for the longest period of
continuous rain is 11 days. In the northern region, because of high
altitude, temperatures drop below −40 °C (−40 °F) in winter.
9. Culture
T he Sikkimese culture finds expression in it's beautiful
art and craft. Knotted woollen carpets with the
dominating dragon emblem, and eight auspicious signs;
wood carvings, Lepcha handlooms in traditional designs
and rich colours for clothes, bags, linen and accessories;
leather jackets and handbags, articles of homemade
paper, Thanka (religious scroll paintings) and Sikkimese
Dragon Jewellery make a fascinating collection of
handicrafts, inspired by an age old culture.The Gumpa
being performed in Lachung during the Buddhist festival
of Losar.
10. Festivals Celebrated In
Sikkim
The Sikkimese Nepalese celebrate all major Hindu
festivals such as Diwali and Dussera. Local festivals
like Maghe Sankranti and Bhimsen Puja are
common.[75] Losar, Loosong, Saga Dawa,
Lhabab Duechen, Drupka Teshi and Bhumchu are
Buddhist festivals. During the Losar (Tibetan New
Year) most offices and educational institutions are
closed for a week.[76] Muslims celebrate Id-ul-fitr and
Muharram.[77] Christmas has also been promoted in
11. Music
Western
rock music and Hindi
songs have gained wide
acceptance among the
Sikkimese. Indigenous Nepali
rock and Lepcha music are also
popular.
12. Sports Of Sikkim
Common
sports in Sikkim are
Football and cricket. Hang
gliding and river rafting have
also been introduced in order
to promote tourism.
13. Education
Literacy in Sikkim is 69.68%, which breaks down into 76.73% for
males and 61.46% for females. There are a total of 1157
schools, including 765 schools run by the State government, 7
central government schools and 385 private schools. [93] Twelve
colleges and other institutions in Sikkim offer higher education.
The largest institution is the Sikkim Manipal University of
Technological Sciences, which offers higher education in
engineering, medicine and management. It also runs a host of
distance education programs in diverse fields. There are two
state-run polytechnical schools, Advanced Technical Training
Centre (ATTC) and Centre for Computers and Communication
Technology (CCCT) in Sikkim which offer diploma courses in
various branches of engineering.
