Sikkim state lies
in northeastern India. On the southern slopes of the Himalayas
Sikkim is bounded on the north and northeast by the Tibet
Autonomous Region of China, on the southeast by Bhutan,
on the south by West Bengal and on the west by Nepal. The
area is 7096 sq km. One of the highest regions in India,
Sikkim is traversed by the main range of the Himalayas and
by several spur ranges. It is entirely mountainous, with
one - third of the land covered with dense forests of sal,
sambal and bamboo, which are mostly inaccessible and unexploited.
Kanchenjunga (8,598 m/28,209 ft) one of the highest peaks
in the world lies in Sikkim.
Sikkim receives heavy
rainfall. The perennial river Tista, and its tributaries,
which are fed by both snow and rain, waters it. The climate
ranges from tropical to alpine. Generally the lowlands are
hot and humid, the hills are temperate, and the mountains
are permanently covered with snow. Average January temperatures
in Gangtok, a hill city, range from 4° to 14° C (39° to
57° F); in May the average temperatures range from 14° to
22° C (57° to 72° F). Annual rainfall varies from about
1300 to 5000 mm (about 50 to 200 in), depending on the altitude
and region of the state.
Sikkim has a single-chamber
legislative assembly with 32 members. The state sends two
members to the Indian national parliament: one to the Rajya
Sabha (Upper House) and one to the Lok Sabha (Lower House).
Local government is based on four
administrative districts. Gangtok is the Capital of this
hilly state.
History
Sikkim is, today, a state of the
Indian Union, due to a combination of politically significant
events. Ruled by the Gyalpo rulers as a political entity
till the 18th century, Sikkim appealed to the British
for help to overthrow the emigrant Bhutanese and Nepali
Gorkhas, who threatened to outnumber the natives. A series
of events led to the state becoming a protectorate of
the British. In 1950, three years after India attained
independence from Britain, a treaty was signed between
Sikkim and India that made Sikkim an Indian protectorate.
India assumed responsibility for the external relations,
defense, and strategic communications of Sikkim. The terms
of the 1950 Indo-Sikkimese treaty, however, included increased
popular participation in government, and five general
elections based on adult suffrage were held between 1952
and 1974. In the last of these elections, two rival parties
merged to form the Sikkim Congress, which swept the polls.
The party launched a campaign to obtain greater political
liberties and rights that the chogyal attempted to suppress.
With the situation getting out of control, the chogyal
asked the government of India to take over the administration.
India prepared a constitution for Sikkim that was approved
by its national assembly in 1974. In a 1975 special referendum,
more than 97 percent of the electorate voted for the merger
of Sikkim with India. Sikkim became the 22nd state of
the Indian Union on May 15, 1975.
Society and Culture
The population
of Sikkim comprises three main groups of people, the
Lepchas, Bhutias and the Nepalese. The Lephhas, also
called Kongpa, or the people of the ravines are said
to be the original inhabitants of Sikkim. There is a
popular legend about them that, from beneath the slopes
of Kanchenjunga, God created a man and a woman from
whom all Sikkimese descended. These first people were
called Lepcha and their land was known as Mayal Lyang.
The Lepcha are great industrialists, speak a distinct
dialect and have their own names for rivers, flowers,
plants, animals, and even insects.
Bhutias, the next
major community had their original home in Tibet, and
came and settled in Sikkim about seven centuries ago.
They introduced Buddhism in Sikkim, and this is today
the state's major religion. The Bhutias are successful
traders and agriculturists, are generally more tough
than the others, and can be found tending cattle even
at very high altitudes.
The Nepalese form
the third major ethnic group in Sikkim, and today form
the dominant population. They came to Sikkim as recently
as two centuries ago, many during the Gurkha invasions
and they are Hindu by religion.
The population
is mostly rural, living in scattered hamlets and villages.
Gangtok, with fewer than 30,000 people, is Sikkim's
largest settlement; other towns, in descending order
of population, include Singtam, Rongphu, Jorthang, Nayabazar,
Mangan, Gyalshing, and Namchi.
Hindi is the official
language, with English as the working language of the
government; Lepcha, Bhutia, Nepali, and Limbu are also
spoken.
The Sikkimese,
are by nature, a simple, polite and non - aggressive
people. Being devout Buddhists, they celebrate their
festivals with a characteristic mixture of abandon and
reserve. Life in Sikkim is according to some, a never
- ending festival, for there are vibrant festivities
throughout the year. They are the reflection of the
rich cultural heritage of the state, which combines
Buddhism and Hinduism with the original traditions of
the Lepchas. The major monastries like Pemayangtse,
Tsuklakhang, Enchey and Rumtek are important venues
for Buddhist festivals. Pang Lhabsol, Drukpa Tseshi,
Losoong, Saga Dawa and Dasain are the most popular festivals.
A favorite form of celebration is drinking of 'Chang',
the millet beer of the Himalayas. Packed into tall bamboo
containers, the drink is sipped through a bamboo pipe.
One of the most
colorful performances in the world is Sikkim's mask
dances, performed by Lamas in the 'gompa' (monastery)
courtyards. The fascinating dances of Kagyat and the
masked Rumtek, and Enchey 'Chaams' (ritual dance of
the lamas), are the popular dances, which recreate legends
and myths, connected with Buddhism, and the eternal
triumph of good over evil.
Knotted woolen
carpets with the dominating dragon emblem, and eight
auspicious signs; wood carvings, Lepcha handlooms in
traditional designs and rich colors for clothes, bags,
linen and accessories; leather jackets and handbags,
articles of homemade paper, Thanka (religious scroll
paintings) and Sikkimese Dragon Jewelry make a fascinating
collection of handicrafts, inspired by an age old culture.
Economy and Infrastructure
The economy of
Sikkim is basically agrarian. Maize, rice, wheat,
potato, large cardamom, ginger and orange are the
principal crops. Ginger, potato, orange and off-season
vegetables are the other cash crops. Sikkim is one
of the world's main producers of cardamom.
Livestock includes
cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and poultry. Cattle and
buffalo are limited mainly to the subtropical humid
belt, while yaks and sheep are herded in the higher
elevations in the north.
Copper, lead,
zinc, coal, graphite, and limestone are among the
minerals found in the state, though not all are commercially
exploited. Forest resources and hydroelectric potential
are considerable. A number of industrial units have
also come up in the state in the area of fruit jams
and juices, bakery products, beer, plastic goods,
wristwatches and leather goods. Traditional handicrafts,
tourism, and the development of new industry are also
important to Sikkim's economy
Roads, though
not extensive, are the primary mode of travel. Ropeways
have also been provided at many points. The capital
of Gangtok is nearly 75 miles from the nearest airport
at Baghdogra and 70 miles from the railhead at Shiliguri,
both in West Bengal. Important hydel power projects
include Kalez Hydel Project and Lachung in North Sikkim.
Hotels of Arunachal Pradesh
The State has
hotels of star and non-star category catering to the
needs of the tourists visiting Sikkim. Besides it
has resorts, restaurants and cafés, which cater to
the needs of all segments of travelers.
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