Press Release
Press Club of Sikkim Celebrates 23rd Foundation Day, Felicitates Journalists and Writers
Information & Public Relations Department
Gangtok, July 17 (IPR):
The 23rd Foundation Day of the Press Club of Sikkim (PCS) was held at Chintan Bhawan, today.
Minister for Rural Development Department and Cooperation Department Mr Arun Kumar Upreti, attended the event as Chief Guest. Minister Health and Family Welfare and Culture Department Mr GT Dhungel, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr Kunga Nima Lepcha, Press Advisor to Chief Minister Mr Birendra Tamling, Advisor IPR Department Mr SB Subba, and Secretary IPR Department Ms Annapurna Alley, were also present.
The programme commenced with a moment of silence observed in memory of Padma Shri Late Sanu Lama, honouring his legacy and contributions to literature and society.
In his address, Minister Mr Arun Kumar Upreti conveyed his greetings to the press fraternity and congratulated the award recipients. He spoke on the Government’s support for journalists' welfare, including medical insurance, travel assistance, pension schemes, and accreditation. He stated that the Government welcomed constructive feedback from the media and reiterated its focus on strengthening the media sector.
Mr Arun Kumar Upreti also reiterated the Chief Minister’s vision of building a Sunaulo, Samarth, and Samriddha Sikkim, highlighting the State Government’s commitment to fostering a progressive, self-reliant, and prosperous Sikkim through inclusive development and collective effort.
In his welcome address, President PCS Mr Bhim Rawat, spoke about the journey of the Press Club since it began. He shared how the Press Club has grown over the years and talked about its role in supporting public dialogue and providing a platform for discussion on important issues.
The Patrakarita Seva Gaurav Samman was conferred on four senior journalists in recognition of their longstanding service:
1 Ms H K Khawas
2 Mr Chitra Bahadur Chettri
3 Mr Binod Tamang
4 Mr Narendra Rai
Mr MD Ramzan of Namchi was honoured with the Samachar Patra Vitrak Samman in recognition of his dedicated service as a newspaper distributor.
Journalist Mr Pema Wangchen Lama was presented with the Lagansheel Yuwa Patrakarita Puraskar, in recognition of his work in photojournalism. He expressed gratitude for being the first photojournalist to receive the award and reaffirmed his commitment to upholding journalistic integrity.
Journalist Poet Mr Pravin Khaling was felicited for having been conferred with Dr Shova Kanti Thegim (Lepcha) Memorial Award during the 28th Dr Shova Kanti Thegim (Lepcha) Memorial Award ceremony held earlier on July 4, 2025, in recognition of his contributions to literature and journalism.
The Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar was awarded to Journalist and co-founder of EastMojo, Mr Karma Samten Paljor. The awardee expressed gratitude for being recognised in his home state and encouraged young people to pursue journalism with dedication. He also urged fellow journalists to uphold the truth and build credible sources. Mr Karma Samten Paljor is a recipient of four national honours, including the Ramnath Goenka Award for Investigative Journalism.
The cash awards consisted of ₹31,000 for the Kanchenjunga Kalam Puraskar and ₹11,000 for the Dedicated Young Journalist Award from the Press Club of Sikkim, and ₹1,01,000 for the Kanchenjunga Kalam Puraskar and ₹51,000 for the Dedicated Young Journalist Award from the Government of Sikkim through the Information and Public Relations Department.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by the General Secretary PCS Mr DR Dulal.
The event had the presence of Cabinet Ministers, MLA-cum-Advisors, Adhyaksha and Upadhyaksha Gangtok District, Zilla Panchayat members, Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Councillors, Advisors, Chairpersons, OSDs, Director IPRD Mr Umesh Sunam, officials and officers from IPRD, personnel from paramilitary forces, members of Nepali Sahitya Parishad Sikkim, journalists from across the State, students from various institutions, and officials from the Chief Minister’s Office.
The 23rd Foundation Day of the Press Club of Sikkim (PCS) was held at Chintan Bhawan, today.
Minister for Rural Development Department and Cooperation Department Mr Arun Kumar Upreti, attended the event as Chief Guest. Minister Health and Family Welfare and Culture Department Mr GT Dhungel, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr Kunga Nima Lepcha, Press Advisor to Chief Minister Mr Birendra Tamling, Advisor IPR Department Mr SB Subba, and Secretary IPR Department Ms Annapurna Alley, were also present.
The programme commenced with a moment of silence observed in memory of Padma Shri Late Sanu Lama, honouring his legacy and contributions to literature and society.
In his address, Minister Mr Arun Kumar Upreti conveyed his greetings to the press fraternity and congratulated the award recipients. He spoke on the Government’s support for journalists' welfare, including medical insurance, travel assistance, pension schemes, and accreditation. He stated that the Government welcomed constructive feedback from the media and reiterated its focus on strengthening the media sector.
Mr Arun Kumar Upreti also reiterated the Chief Minister’s vision of building a Sunaulo, Samarth, and Samriddha Sikkim, highlighting the State Government’s commitment to fostering a progressive, self-reliant, and prosperous Sikkim through inclusive development and collective effort.
In his welcome address, President PCS Mr Bhim Rawat, spoke about the journey of the Press Club since it began. He shared how the Press Club has grown over the years and talked about its role in supporting public dialogue and providing a platform for discussion on important issues.
The Patrakarita Seva Gaurav Samman was conferred on four senior journalists in recognition of their longstanding service:
1 Ms H K Khawas
2 Mr Chitra Bahadur Chettri
3 Mr Binod Tamang
4 Mr Narendra Rai
Mr MD Ramzan of Namchi was honoured with the Samachar Patra Vitrak Samman in recognition of his dedicated service as a newspaper distributor.
Journalist Mr Pema Wangchen Lama was presented with the Lagansheel Yuwa Patrakarita Puraskar, in recognition of his work in photojournalism. He expressed gratitude for being the first photojournalist to receive the award and reaffirmed his commitment to upholding journalistic integrity.
Journalist Poet Mr Pravin Khaling was felicited for having been conferred with Dr Shova Kanti Thegim (Lepcha) Memorial Award during the 28th Dr Shova Kanti Thegim (Lepcha) Memorial Award ceremony held earlier on July 4, 2025, in recognition of his contributions to literature and journalism.
The Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar was awarded to Journalist and co-founder of EastMojo, Mr Karma Samten Paljor. The awardee expressed gratitude for being recognised in his home state and encouraged young people to pursue journalism with dedication. He also urged fellow journalists to uphold the truth and build credible sources. Mr Karma Samten Paljor is a recipient of four national honours, including the Ramnath Goenka Award for Investigative Journalism.
The cash awards consisted of ₹31,000 for the Kanchenjunga Kalam Puraskar and ₹11,000 for the Dedicated Young Journalist Award from the Press Club of Sikkim, and ₹1,01,000 for the Kanchenjunga Kalam Puraskar and ₹51,000 for the Dedicated Young Journalist Award from the Government of Sikkim through the Information and Public Relations Department.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by the General Secretary PCS Mr DR Dulal.
The event had the presence of Cabinet Ministers, MLA-cum-Advisors, Adhyaksha and Upadhyaksha Gangtok District, Zilla Panchayat members, Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Councillors, Advisors, Chairpersons, OSDs, Director IPRD Mr Umesh Sunam, officials and officers from IPRD, personnel from paramilitary forces, members of Nepali Sahitya Parishad Sikkim, journalists from across the State, students from various institutions, and officials from the Chief Minister’s Office.