To help students understand complex environment of the classroom, and to promote the all-round development of students, 54 members under the theme “Towards excellence” from Nagaland government schools led by the guides commenced its tour to Sikkim from June 11 to 17.
The seven-day tour was organized and sponsored by the State Mission Authority (SMA) Nagaland for class 8 toppers 2011 from government schools in Nagaland. The team was led by Chongliu Co-ordinator SMA, Kikhu coordinator SMA,Chumbenthung coordinator SMA.
All the 11 District Mission Authority (DMA) took part in this mission by sending the toppers selected by SMA.
For many it was their first time traveling outside the state and the extreme heat inside the train.
On June12, the team was welcomed by Sikkim guide Ashok, Gukoh and Kancha from Tamu tour and Trek Agency, Gangtok where they were taken to Gangtok by road.
The touring team were taken for sightseeing where they visited places of historical, public importance, besides, educational institutes, and other development institutes.
During their visit to Anchy Monestery, Gangtok Water fall, Ropeway, Handicraft exhibition, Chogyal Memorial Park (Ridge Park), Tashi view point, Ban Jhankri falls and Energy Park and Shiva Statue, the children interacted with the people of Sikkim.
The team also visited Guru Padmasambhava statue about 90kms from Gangtok at Namchi town, district headquarter of South Sikkim.
The statue is believed to be the tallest statue of Guru Rimpoche and is situated at the top of Samdruptsa at 135 feet.
The foundation stone of the statue was laid by H.H Dalai Lama on October 22, 1997.
On the way to Namchi town, the team also visited Temi Tea estate, believed to be the best tea supplier and exporter of Sikkim.
The capital city of Sikkim is fittingly called Gangtok, which means ‘the town on the hilltop’ in the local Bhutia language with cool weather like Kohima.
The team stationed at Hotel Delamere at Gangtok and interestingly, the Hotel Manager was none other than Gukul a Napalese born and brought up from Kohima.
Throughout the tour, the team were guided by Tamu Tour and Trek Agency, Gangtok.
Despite having only 0.22% of land, Sikkim is one among the 26 biodiversity hotspots, a veritable treasure house of some of the world’s most beautiful streams lakes and waterfalls.
Inhabited by 80% Nepalese, there are Bhutias and Lepchas who were said to be the original Sikkimese.
Since the government of Nagaland also aims to promote social and moral character building, one day was reserved for cultural activities and folk song dance, indigenous Naga story, through the art of story telling, drama and through literature activities including painting competition at Gangtok on June 15.
On their way back to Nagaland, the train got delayed by 10 hours due to flood in West Bengal and team had to spend one night in the train station.
For some students, the journey to Sikkim was a lifetime experience.
Scenic Sikkim, the mystical wonderland, nestling in the heart of the Majestic eastern Himalayas is wedged between West Bengal, Nepal, China and Bhutan.
Lepchas, the inhabitants of the state call it “Nye-mae-el” or their “Heaven,” for Napalese.
Although warmer than its neighbour Darjeeling, Gangtok is still a hill town with widely varying weather patterns, so take extra care when packing.
The town can be an ideal staging point for your travel across Sikkim’s other district, as you take advantage of top-notch tourism agencies, first class hotels at the end of your Sikkim adventure.