Gangtok, 14th August 2009

Dear sisters and brothers,

On the occasion of our 63rd Independence Day, I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to all of you. On this occasion, I offer my gratitude to the brave members of the Armed Forces and Para-military forces who guard the borders of Sikkim. I also congratulate the Independence Day awardees for Meritorious Service and the personnel of Sikkim Police.

Today, as we celebrate our freedom, let us solemnly remember our freedom fighters who under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi made many sacrifices, including of their lives, to liberate the motherland. During the freedom struggle, Mahatma Gandhi taught us the noble ideals of truth and non-violence and wanted free India to practice values of democracy and secularism and work for allround development of the people, particularly, paying special attention to the needs and aspirations of the poorest of the poor.

In his famous ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech of 14th August, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru articulated the challenge before us as “the ending of poverty and ignorance, disease and inequality of opportunities.” Good governance must aim at expansion in social opportunities and removal of poverty. Good governance, as I perceive it, means securing justice, empowerment, employment and efficient delivery of services.

Democracy is at the centre of our good governance under which the people regularly participate in elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies. Recently, the national elections were held and a new Government has come to power at the Centre. The people of Sikkim, too, have exercised their democratic rights by electing their representatives to the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha. I congratulate each one of you, dear citizens, for your massive participation in a peaceful and orderly fashion in this festival of democracy. I say it with a sense of pride that the total percentage of vote cast in Sikkim appears to be the highest in the country.

India has made progress in all fields. Similarly, we in Sikkim are working for an accelerated pace of growth along with building an inclusive social order. As 22nd State of the Indian Union, Sikkim has made significant progress in socio-economic and political domain. We have marched ahead alongwith the States and Union Territories of the Indian Union.

Our progress in democratic and planned development has brought several opportunities to our people to lead a life of dignity, free from deprivation and discrimination. An unwavering democratic spirit and a deep sense of patriotism of the people of the State are making meaningful contribution to India’s strength and its place in the comity of nations.

Women are key to progress. Women can bring constructive, creative and sustainable solutions. In Sikkim provisions have been made to empower the women by giving them the right to inherit equal share in family property and adequate representation in Panchayati Raj institutions, and in jobs in Government and public sector undertakings of the State.

We achieved an impressive ten percent growth rate throughout the 10th Plan period and hope to do so in the ongoing 11th Plan period as well. The per capita income has multiplied from Rs. 8,905 in 1995 to Rs. 29,561 in 2007. As per advance estimates this figure has gone upto Rs.37,557 in 2008-09.

Sikkim is privileged in being a special category State. Most of the funds that percolate from Government of India is based on 90% grant and 10% loan. We must work for judicious utilization of our resources that would create durable assets which, in turn, will generate both employment opportunities and revenues.

Infrastructure projects such as telecommunication, transport network and power are being given special emphasis to provide basic facilities to the people for rapid progress. The restoration of the NH 31A has begun. An alternative highway from Sevoke in West Bengal to Gangtok is being taken up for construction. A rail link to Sikkim would connect Sevoke to Rangpo in the first phase and Rangpo to Gangtok in the second phase has been approved as a national project. The construction work on a greenfield airport at Pakyong has commenced under the aegis of the Airport Authority of India and it will be operational within the next three years. 

Thanks to the commissioning of 510 MW Teesta Hydrolectric Project Stage-V as well as the operationalization of the 60 MW Rangeet Hydel Project along with several mini and micro-hydel projects, we are now a surplus State in energy.

As a State rich in natural resources, Sikkim has identified certain areas as priority sectors for comprehensive development. They include eco-tourism, hydro-power generation, horticulture and floriculture, hospitality services, small scale clean industry including pharmaceutical units on a sustainable basis.

The unique floral wealth of the State is attracting new investments. A few concerned local educated youth and NGOs are spearheading a concerted campaign towards conservation and systematic harnessing of our fragile resources of medicinal herbs and plants. The need is to sensibly harness the opportunity unfolding before us to benefit the local farmers.

Sikkim has positioned itself as a premier tourist destination with its pristine environment and social tranquility. Our conscious effort in regard to human resource development is to create a pool of technical expertise in the hospitability sector has been already underlined as a priority.  We must focus on marketing strategy and publicise various explored sectors of tourism like eco-tourism, adventure tourism, village tourism, besides its rich socio-religious and cultural facets like Buddhist monasteries and stupas which have been the centres of ancient religious rituals and practices. We must also fully utilize the infrastructure already created by the government in this behalf.

Our concerted efforts to provide quality education has yielded positive outcomes with literacy rate of 68.80 ( as per 2001 census) improving quickly to touch an impressive 82 percent today. The girl student enrolment has been remarkable.

We are working towards building one model school each for all the four districts. In this programme, the best students after passing Class V would be selected and admitted in Class VI in the model schools and also to good schools outside the State so that they are given the best quality education and groomed upto Class XII to compete at the national level.  

The establishment of the Sikkim University under national university scheme for each State has been a major break-through in providing the basic infrastructure to play a pivotal role in streamlining and furthering the development of educational programmes in the higher education sector.

In a democracy, the citizen’s right to life and liberty could be secured only through the rule and law. Our Judiciary has played a vital role as an important organ of the State in making meaningful contribution to good governance. The High Court of Sikkim has commenced its year long Golden Jubilee Celebrations this year.

The people of the State are looking forward to the creation of greater opportunities. Itdemands that we must work seriously to fulfill their aspirations. Sikkim must provide sustainable livelihood to the people.

My own experience tells me that when you provide productive work on a regular basis to a couple, their children would automatically go to schools. It is through work that a person can plan the way in which his ambition can be fulfilled. With regular work life is no longer just about survival, but about investing in a better future for the children. Above all, when one has regular work, there is strong incentive to maintain a stable society.

Government has formulated flagship programmes for improving the lives of the people. I call upon all those involved in the implementation of the development and social welfare schemes to work with dedication and zeal keeping before themselves the need of ensuring that these benefits reach the poorest of the poor. We must root out corruption from our system and enhance efficiency in governance.

We have inherited certain social evils. There is disturbing trend of increasing suicide rates and drug addiction. Elimination of addiction and a fight against social evils would require sustained efforts from all sections of the society. I call upon non-governmental organizations, civil society bodies and concerned citizens to come forward to render a helping hand.

The growth and the role of the media are expanding in Sikkim. The media can play a very meaningful part both in securing transparency in implementation of flagship programmes and in eradication of social evils. I would urge them to do so.

As the tricolor flies today all over the country including at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, we shall look up to the India’s national flag both with a sense of pride and reverence.

Peace, tranquility, harmony and the warmth of the people of Sikkim is a shining example and a part of Sikkimese way of life. Let us preserve it.

I know we have enormous tasks ahead of us. As long as there are hamlets and homes without employment, health care and education, we will not rest. Let us all take a pledge to build Sikkim as a model State of the Indian Union.

JAI HIND.