Press Release
Connect to Earth Plantation Drive at IHM Sajong
Information & Public Relations Department
Gangtok, June 28 (IPR):
The Connect to Earth plantation drive, organised by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department in collaboration with the Agriculture and Horticulture Department, took place today at the Institute of Hotel Management, Sajong.
This initiative, launched by the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang in 2023, focuses on sustainability, public participation in environmental action, and aims to promote human connection with nature.
Today’s occasion was graced by Minister of Commerce & Industries and Tourism & Civil Aviation Departments, Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia as the chief guest with Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Fisheries, and Horticulture Departments, Mr Puran Kumar Gurung as the guest of honour, and Advisor, Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Mr Sudesh Kumar Subba as the special guest.
In his address, Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia emphasised the importance of various health benefits of grounding or earthing — the practice of connecting with the Earth's natural electric charge. Highlighting the physical and mental health benefits of such practices, he noted that the agricultural practices preserved by the older generation must be passed down through generations.
Expressing concern over the gradual disappearance of traditional agricultural knowledge due to rapid development, he stated that the government is committed to preserving these practices through awareness programmes like Connect to Earth and Ek Ped Maa ke Naam, initiated under the leadership of the Chief Minister. He urged the people of Sikkim to grow vegetables or fruit-bearing trees at home to reduce dependence on inorganic produce from external sources. He concluded by encouraging healthy, sustainable, and eco-friendly lifestyles, including grounding and physical fitness.
In his remarks, Mr Puran Kumar Gurung appealed to politicians and bureaucrats to be role models in supporting such initiatives. He underlined the importance of physical fitness for mental health and urged people to avoid chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Representing the Agriculture and Horticulture Department, he assured that organic manure would be provided to those engaged in farming. He encouraged the youth to adopt modern, technology-driven farming practices. He also commended MEVEDIR’s recent export of 300 kg of Dalle Khursani to the Solomon Islands and concluded by thanking all attendees.
Mr Sudesh Kumar Subba stated that the Connect to Earth initiative, envisioned by the Chief Minister, is intended to foster a deeper connection between people and the Earth. He pointed out the initiative’s benefits for mental health, particularly in combating depression and anxiety, and praised its role in promoting physical fitness. He urged the public to incorporate such practices into their daily lives.
Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Mr CS Rao recalled that the initiative emerged from a two-day state-level workshop under the Chief Minister’s leadership. He noted that staff from the Agriculture and Horticulture Department prepared the nursery bed, where seeds and avocado saplings were sown by dignitaries. These seeds are to be transplanted within 21–28 days to grow into the desired-sized bulbs. He praised the initiative for supporting physical and mental health and preserving traditional agricultural heritage.
Earlier, the programme began with a briefing by agricultural farmer Mr Ambar Bahadur Chettri, at the greenhouse nursery on campus, who also demonstrated nursery bed preparation techniques.
The event saw the sowing and plantation of cabbage, cauliflower, capsicum, spinach, dhaniya, Dalle Khursani saplings, and avocado tree saplings.
The plantation drive had the participation of Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Ms Hondala Gyaltsen; PCE-cum-Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Mr Neeraj Pradhan; Additional Secretary cum Administrator of IHM Dr Prerna Chamling; Principal Director (Accounts) Mr Binod Sharma, along with senior officials and staff from the Tourism and Civil Aviation and Agriculture and Horticulture Departments.
The Connect to Earth plantation drive, organised by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department in collaboration with the Agriculture and Horticulture Department, took place today at the Institute of Hotel Management, Sajong.
This initiative, launched by the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang in 2023, focuses on sustainability, public participation in environmental action, and aims to promote human connection with nature.
Today’s occasion was graced by Minister of Commerce & Industries and Tourism & Civil Aviation Departments, Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia as the chief guest with Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Fisheries, and Horticulture Departments, Mr Puran Kumar Gurung as the guest of honour, and Advisor, Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Mr Sudesh Kumar Subba as the special guest.
In his address, Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia emphasised the importance of various health benefits of grounding or earthing — the practice of connecting with the Earth's natural electric charge. Highlighting the physical and mental health benefits of such practices, he noted that the agricultural practices preserved by the older generation must be passed down through generations.
Expressing concern over the gradual disappearance of traditional agricultural knowledge due to rapid development, he stated that the government is committed to preserving these practices through awareness programmes like Connect to Earth and Ek Ped Maa ke Naam, initiated under the leadership of the Chief Minister. He urged the people of Sikkim to grow vegetables or fruit-bearing trees at home to reduce dependence on inorganic produce from external sources. He concluded by encouraging healthy, sustainable, and eco-friendly lifestyles, including grounding and physical fitness.
In his remarks, Mr Puran Kumar Gurung appealed to politicians and bureaucrats to be role models in supporting such initiatives. He underlined the importance of physical fitness for mental health and urged people to avoid chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Representing the Agriculture and Horticulture Department, he assured that organic manure would be provided to those engaged in farming. He encouraged the youth to adopt modern, technology-driven farming practices. He also commended MEVEDIR’s recent export of 300 kg of Dalle Khursani to the Solomon Islands and concluded by thanking all attendees.
Mr Sudesh Kumar Subba stated that the Connect to Earth initiative, envisioned by the Chief Minister, is intended to foster a deeper connection between people and the Earth. He pointed out the initiative’s benefits for mental health, particularly in combating depression and anxiety, and praised its role in promoting physical fitness. He urged the public to incorporate such practices into their daily lives.
Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Mr CS Rao recalled that the initiative emerged from a two-day state-level workshop under the Chief Minister’s leadership. He noted that staff from the Agriculture and Horticulture Department prepared the nursery bed, where seeds and avocado saplings were sown by dignitaries. These seeds are to be transplanted within 21–28 days to grow into the desired-sized bulbs. He praised the initiative for supporting physical and mental health and preserving traditional agricultural heritage.
Earlier, the programme began with a briefing by agricultural farmer Mr Ambar Bahadur Chettri, at the greenhouse nursery on campus, who also demonstrated nursery bed preparation techniques.
The event saw the sowing and plantation of cabbage, cauliflower, capsicum, spinach, dhaniya, Dalle Khursani saplings, and avocado tree saplings.
The plantation drive had the participation of Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Ms Hondala Gyaltsen; PCE-cum-Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Mr Neeraj Pradhan; Additional Secretary cum Administrator of IHM Dr Prerna Chamling; Principal Director (Accounts) Mr Binod Sharma, along with senior officials and staff from the Tourism and Civil Aviation and Agriculture and Horticulture Departments.