Gangtok, 28 April (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged tourists to visit Sikkim, describing the Himalayan state as the “heaven of the East” and the “garden of the Northeast.”

Speaking at the closing ceremony of Sikkim’s 50th‑year statehood celebrations in Gangtok, he linked tourism with development, lauded the state’s natural and cultural bounty, and inaugurated and laid the foundation of development projects worth over ₹4,000 crore.

“Heaven of the East” and “garden of the Northeast”

Addressing a packed gathering at Paljor Stadium, PM Modi said that if people want to see what the “eastern paradise” looks like, they must visit Sikkim and experience its unmatched beauty firsthand. Recalling the region’s past neglect, he observed that earlier governments had paid little attention to Sikkim’s and the Northeast’s development, and that the absence of adequate health infrastructure once deterred many tourists from travelling here.

Noting the progress made, he highlighted that the state now has four new district‑level hospitals and 22 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, making it safer and more attractive for visitors. Praising Sikkim’s cultural harmony, he said the state exemplifies the idea of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” at a time when divisive politics is being promoted elsewhere in the country.

Rich biodiversity and identity

The Prime Minister pointed out that Sikkim accounts for more than 25 percent of India’s floral diversity, with over 500 bird species and around 700 different kinds of butterflies. The Kanchenjunga range, he added, adds to the state’s identity, turning the entire landscape into a living canvas of nature and culture. By calling Sikkim both the “heaven of the East” and the “garden of the Northeast,” he sought to position it as a top‑tier global‑tourism destination beyond its image as just a hill station.

Appeal to tourists: buy local, strengthen the economy

PM Modi appealed to tourists to visit Sikkim and actively support the local economy by purchasing regional products. He suggested that at least 5 percent of a traveller’s budget should be spent on buying local goods such as handicrafts, organic produce, and traditional textiles. Stressing the importance of responsible tourism, he said travellers should eat local food where they stay and prefer home‑grown brands over imported ones, arguing that such habits would directly empower local artisans, farmers, and small entrepreneurs.

Sports, wellness and tourism push

The Prime Minister underlined that the Centre is working with the Sikkim government to boost sports and wellness tourism, with the revived state sports academy and national‑level initiatives such as Khelo India and Fit India being rolled out in the region. He also highlighted the encouragement being given to events like the Sikkim Premier League, alongside the development of about 1,000 homestays, which will help spread tourism benefits to villages and smaller towns.

Inauguration of ₹4,000+ crore projects

On the occasion, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various projects worth over ₹4,000 crore, spanning connectivity, healthcare, education, power, urban infrastructure, environment, tourism, and agriculture. These include two new bridges over the Teesta River, road‑upgradation works, sewage and pollution‑control systems, and green‑tourism and pilgrimage‑tourism schemes aimed at promoting sustainable growth.

In the health sector, the foundation of a 100‑bedded Ayurveda hospital in Yangang, Namchi, and a 30‑bedded Sowa‑Rigpa hospital in Deurali, NIT Sikkim, was laid, while several educational institutions—such as the Sikkim University campus, new medical and vocational colleges, and model schools—were formally opened. IT infrastructure has been rolled out in 160 schools to modernise education and bridge the digital divide.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar