Press Release
Press Release from Tourism and Civil Aviation Department
Information & Public Relations Department
Valedictory Function of 4th Batch Training on Traditional Cuisine of Sikkim Held at IHM Gangtok.
The valedictory function for the 4th batch of the Training on Traditional Cuisine of Sikkim was successfully conducted at the Institute of Hotel Management, Gangtok on 13 February 2026. The training programme, conducted under the Sikkim INSPIRES initiative of the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation aimed to equip participants with practical skills and knowledge to preserve and promote authentic Sikkimese culinary traditions while strengthening livelihood opportunities.
The programme commenced with a warm welcome address by Ms. Kalpana Chhetri, Senior Lecturer, IHM Gangtok, who congratulated the participants on successfully completing the training. She appreciated their dedication and encouraged them to apply the knowledge and skills gained to enhance their culinary ventures and contribute to the promotion of Sikkim’s rich food heritage.
This was followed by an address from Mr. Sanjiv Pakehtra, Head of Department, IHM Gangtok, and Course Coordinator, who provided an overview of the training programme. He briefed the gathering on the various sessions conducted during the course, which included introduction to traditional Sikkimese ingredients, preparation techniques, hygiene and food safety practices, presentation skills, and practical demonstrations of authentic local dishes. He highlighted the importance of such structured training in strengthening professional competence and supporting entrepreneurship, particularly among homestay owners and local food entrepreneurs.
Mr. Nirmal Cintury, Deputy Director, Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation addressed the participants and spoke about the Sikkim INSPIRES programme and its focus on capacity building, livelihood enhancement, and strengthening community-based tourism. He emphasized that such initiatives play a vital role in empowering local communities, especially women and rural entrepreneurs, by equipping them with practical skills that can directly contribute to income generation.
The function was further addressed by Mr. Tenzing Gelay, Additional Director, Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, who spoke about the importance of preserving traditional cuisine as an integral part of Sikkim’s cultural identity and tourism experience. He noted that the training would help participants enhance and expand their food-related businesses and encouraged them to actively participate in future training programmes, events, and initiatives conducted under the INSPIRES programme. He emphasized that continued engagement and skill development are key to long-term growth and success in the hospitality and tourism sector.
The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Kuber Chettri, Assistant Manager, IHM Gangtok, who expressed gratitude to all present for their active involvement and contribution to the successful completion of the training programme. As part of the training, a field visit to Malinggo Homestay, a successful local homestay located at Assam Lingzey village led by Mr. Nirmal Cintury, Deputy Director Hospitality, accompanied by Mr. Karma C. Bhutia, Senior Lecturer, IHM Gangtok, was also organized to provide participants with practical exposure to homestay operations and best practices in managing and sustaining community-based hospitality enterprises.
The valedictory function for the 4th batch of the Training on Traditional Cuisine of Sikkim was successfully conducted at the Institute of Hotel Management, Gangtok on 13 February 2026. The training programme, conducted under the Sikkim INSPIRES initiative of the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation aimed to equip participants with practical skills and knowledge to preserve and promote authentic Sikkimese culinary traditions while strengthening livelihood opportunities.
The programme commenced with a warm welcome address by Ms. Kalpana Chhetri, Senior Lecturer, IHM Gangtok, who congratulated the participants on successfully completing the training. She appreciated their dedication and encouraged them to apply the knowledge and skills gained to enhance their culinary ventures and contribute to the promotion of Sikkim’s rich food heritage.
This was followed by an address from Mr. Sanjiv Pakehtra, Head of Department, IHM Gangtok, and Course Coordinator, who provided an overview of the training programme. He briefed the gathering on the various sessions conducted during the course, which included introduction to traditional Sikkimese ingredients, preparation techniques, hygiene and food safety practices, presentation skills, and practical demonstrations of authentic local dishes. He highlighted the importance of such structured training in strengthening professional competence and supporting entrepreneurship, particularly among homestay owners and local food entrepreneurs.
Mr. Nirmal Cintury, Deputy Director, Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation addressed the participants and spoke about the Sikkim INSPIRES programme and its focus on capacity building, livelihood enhancement, and strengthening community-based tourism. He emphasized that such initiatives play a vital role in empowering local communities, especially women and rural entrepreneurs, by equipping them with practical skills that can directly contribute to income generation.
The function was further addressed by Mr. Tenzing Gelay, Additional Director, Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, who spoke about the importance of preserving traditional cuisine as an integral part of Sikkim’s cultural identity and tourism experience. He noted that the training would help participants enhance and expand their food-related businesses and encouraged them to actively participate in future training programmes, events, and initiatives conducted under the INSPIRES programme. He emphasized that continued engagement and skill development are key to long-term growth and success in the hospitality and tourism sector.
The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Kuber Chettri, Assistant Manager, IHM Gangtok, who expressed gratitude to all present for their active involvement and contribution to the successful completion of the training programme. As part of the training, a field visit to Malinggo Homestay, a successful local homestay located at Assam Lingzey village led by Mr. Nirmal Cintury, Deputy Director Hospitality, accompanied by Mr. Karma C. Bhutia, Senior Lecturer, IHM Gangtok, was also organized to provide participants with practical exposure to homestay operations and best practices in managing and sustaining community-based hospitality enterprises.