News & Announcement
Union Minister of Culture and Tourism (GOI) visits Soreng District
Soreng, May 28 (IPR): Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India, Mr Gajendra Singh Shekhawatji visited Soreng District on an official tour scheduled from May 28 to 29, 2026.
During the visit, the Union Minister participated in review meetings and held interactions with the local youth and tourism stakeholders to assess the tourism potential and developmental prospects of the district.
As part of the tour, the Union Minister visited several prominent religious and tourism destinations including Sang Ngag Yangtze Monastery at Rinchenpong, Rinchen Chholing Monastery at Meghi Dara, Trout Farming Centre at Sribadam and Sribadam Waterfall. The visit highlighted the district’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and growing eco-tourism potential.
Highlighting the importance of tourism promotion, the Union Minister stressed the need to effectively market tourism destinations of Sikkim through digital platforms in order to enhance visibility and attract more domestic and international tourists to the State.
DC Soreng, Mr Dhiraj Subedi briefed the Union Minister on the overall developmental profile of Soreng District as an Aspirational District. He elaborated on the district administration’s initiatives towards promotion of eco-tourism, sustainable tourism and preservation of the district’s cultural and traditional heritage.
The DC further expressed gratitude to the Union Minister for visiting Soreng District and stated that such visits would significantly contribute towards strengthening the tourism sector and enhancing national-level recognition of the district’s unique cultural and natural assets.
During the visit to Sang Ngag Yangtze Monastery, the monastery committee briefed the Union Minister on the history and significance of Buddhism in the region, along with the activities and achievements of the monastery. The committee also shared their future aspirations, including the proposed construction of a statue of Amitabha Buddha and its importance in promoting Buddhist heritage, spirituality and religious tourism in the district.
The monastery committee presented souvenirs and tokens of appreciation to the Union Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion.
During the visit cultural performances showcasing the rich traditions and heritage of the region were also presented during the visit, adding vibrancy to the programme and reflecting the diverse cultural identity of Soreng District.
The Union Minister appreciated the cultural performances presented by the students and lauded the rich diversity, cultural roots, traditional values and unique cultural identity of the region. He encouraged the students and artists to continue practicing and preserving their traditional art forms for future generations.
During the evening programme, the Union Minister also interacted with students, tourism stakeholders and local residents. Addressing the gathering, he spoke about the rich and ancient Indian civilisation and its enduring cultural legacy which continues to remain relevant even today. He emphasised about the Prime Minister’s vision of "Viksit Bharat" and how essential it is important for development at all levels. He also encouraged tourism stakeholders and local entrepreneurs to embrace opportunities as they arise.
The visit is expected to further strengthen tourism development initiatives in the district while encouraging preservation of its cultural and spiritual heritage.
Present during the visits were MLA Rinchenpong Mr Erung Tenzing Lepcha, MLA Soreng Chakung Mr Aditya Golay, MLA Maneybong Dentam cum Advisor Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Mr Sudesh Subba, Zilla Adakshya (Soreng) Ms Tila Devi Gurung, APS to HCM (Soreng) Mr Eras Lucksom, Secretary (Tourism and Civil Aviation) Ms Hondala Gyaltsen, DC Soreng Mr Dhiraj Subedi, SP Soreng Mr Nahkul Pradhan, Director, EZCC Ministry of Culture (GOI) Mr Ashis Giri, ADC Soreng Mr DR Bista, Principal Chief Engineer (Tourism) Ms Shanti Tamang, OSD, SDM, BDO, DPO (Zilla), Engineers from Tourism Department, Officials from Tourism and Culture Department, and local stakeholders.
During the visit, the Union Minister participated in review meetings and held interactions with the local youth and tourism stakeholders to assess the tourism potential and developmental prospects of the district.
As part of the tour, the Union Minister visited several prominent religious and tourism destinations including Sang Ngag Yangtze Monastery at Rinchenpong, Rinchen Chholing Monastery at Meghi Dara, Trout Farming Centre at Sribadam and Sribadam Waterfall. The visit highlighted the district’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and growing eco-tourism potential.
Highlighting the importance of tourism promotion, the Union Minister stressed the need to effectively market tourism destinations of Sikkim through digital platforms in order to enhance visibility and attract more domestic and international tourists to the State.
DC Soreng, Mr Dhiraj Subedi briefed the Union Minister on the overall developmental profile of Soreng District as an Aspirational District. He elaborated on the district administration’s initiatives towards promotion of eco-tourism, sustainable tourism and preservation of the district’s cultural and traditional heritage.
The DC further expressed gratitude to the Union Minister for visiting Soreng District and stated that such visits would significantly contribute towards strengthening the tourism sector and enhancing national-level recognition of the district’s unique cultural and natural assets.
During the visit to Sang Ngag Yangtze Monastery, the monastery committee briefed the Union Minister on the history and significance of Buddhism in the region, along with the activities and achievements of the monastery. The committee also shared their future aspirations, including the proposed construction of a statue of Amitabha Buddha and its importance in promoting Buddhist heritage, spirituality and religious tourism in the district.
The monastery committee presented souvenirs and tokens of appreciation to the Union Minister and other dignitaries present on the occasion.
During the visit cultural performances showcasing the rich traditions and heritage of the region were also presented during the visit, adding vibrancy to the programme and reflecting the diverse cultural identity of Soreng District.
The Union Minister appreciated the cultural performances presented by the students and lauded the rich diversity, cultural roots, traditional values and unique cultural identity of the region. He encouraged the students and artists to continue practicing and preserving their traditional art forms for future generations.
During the evening programme, the Union Minister also interacted with students, tourism stakeholders and local residents. Addressing the gathering, he spoke about the rich and ancient Indian civilisation and its enduring cultural legacy which continues to remain relevant even today. He emphasised about the Prime Minister’s vision of "Viksit Bharat" and how essential it is important for development at all levels. He also encouraged tourism stakeholders and local entrepreneurs to embrace opportunities as they arise.
The visit is expected to further strengthen tourism development initiatives in the district while encouraging preservation of its cultural and spiritual heritage.
Present during the visits were MLA Rinchenpong Mr Erung Tenzing Lepcha, MLA Soreng Chakung Mr Aditya Golay, MLA Maneybong Dentam cum Advisor Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Mr Sudesh Subba, Zilla Adakshya (Soreng) Ms Tila Devi Gurung, APS to HCM (Soreng) Mr Eras Lucksom, Secretary (Tourism and Civil Aviation) Ms Hondala Gyaltsen, DC Soreng Mr Dhiraj Subedi, SP Soreng Mr Nahkul Pradhan, Director, EZCC Ministry of Culture (GOI) Mr Ashis Giri, ADC Soreng Mr DR Bista, Principal Chief Engineer (Tourism) Ms Shanti Tamang, OSD, SDM, BDO, DPO (Zilla), Engineers from Tourism Department, Officials from Tourism and Culture Department, and local stakeholders.
