Press Release
Press Release Issued by the Office of the Press Secretary to the Hon’ble Chief Minister
Information & Public Relations Department
Swabhimaan ko Naya Yug: CM Prem Singh Tamang Golay Honours Trilochan Pokhrel and Savitri Devi in Sikkim’s Journey of Pride
The 31st Khas Diwas at Rangpo shall be remembered in the annals of Sikkim’s history less as a commemorative gathering and more as a defining moment in the State’s enduring tryst with its heritage. When the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Prem Singh Tamang Golay, announced that the Pakyong Greenfield Airport would be renamed in honor of Trilochan Pokhrel, who is popularly revered as ‘Bandey Pokhrel’ or Gandhi Pokhrel', and that the Sikkim Medical College would proudly bear the name of Savitri Devi, also known as Helen Lepcha, it was clear that these decisions carried a resonance extending far beyond the requirements of official protocol.
Sikkim is a land where communities of diverse languages, faiths, and traditions have coexisted for generations. Its strength has always resided not only in its mountains and rivers but in the mutual respect its people maintain for one another’s heritage. By choosing to honour two freedom fighters whose lives were defined by sacrifice and service, the Chief Minister has reaffirmed a truth that binds the State together, which is that Sikkim’s identity is built upon collective contribution.
For decades, the stories of Trilochan Pokhrel and Savitri Devi have been remembered in homes, in quiet conversations, and in local histories. Their names may not have echoed loudly beyond the hills, and only those curious about Sikkim’s history may know about them. Yet their courage was no less significant. Bringing those names into public institutions transforms remembrance into permanence. An airport is not merely a structure of steel and concrete; it is a gateway. A medical college is not simply a building; it is a place where futures are shaped. To inscribe these spaces with the names of Sikkim’s patriots is to ensure that history walks beside every traveller and every student.
There is unity in such acts. When a daughter of the soil and a son of Sikkim are equally honoured, it sends a quiet but powerful message: that the state recognises merit and sacrifice above all divisions. It tells young people across districts and communities that Sikkim’s history belongs to everyone. In a time when societies everywhere are negotiating questions of identity and belonging, this gesture anchors Sikkim in a narrative of shared pride rather than separation.
The decision also connects heritage with development. The renaming of Pakyong Greenfield Airport links Sikkim’s principal gateway to the legacy of a man who stood for self-reliance and national consciousness. The naming of Savitri Devi Medical College reminds us that those who devote their lives to the nation will be honoured. In this way, the past does not remain distant; it becomes part of everyday life.
These steps were taken by Shri. Prem Singh Tamang Golay stems from his firm commitment to fostering unity among the diverse Sikkimese communities who were, he vouches, previously kept divided for political benefits at the cost of social harmony. They invite families to tell stories, teachers to revisit lessons, and young citizens to ask questions about those who came before them. They also strengthen the emotional bond between people and public institutions. When citizens see their history honoured, a natural bond grows between people and public institutions.
Sikkim’s journey has always been unique, shaped by its geography, its diversity and its resilient spirit. By consciously preserving and celebrating its historic personalities, the state affirms that development and memory need not move in opposite directions. Progress can carry tradition forward rather than leaving it behind.
In honouring Trilochan Pokhrel and Savitri Devi, Sikkim is not only recognising two remarkable lives. It is reinforcing a collective identity, renewing faith in unity, and ensuring that its history remains alive in the spaces where its future will unfold.
During his address, the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri. Prem Singh Tamang Golay, also announced the declaration of the advent of 'Swabhimaan Ko Naya Yug’, reaffirming his vision of guiding Sikkim into a new era founded on dignity, unity, and inclusive progress.
In his remarks, he laid particular emphasis on the need to preserve the history, traditions, and cultural heritage of every community in Sikkim, recognising that the strength of the state lies in honouring its diversity with equal respect. He stressed that the stories, languages, and customs of all communities must be safeguarded with sincerity, and that the contributions of those personalities who have selflessly served their community, the state, and the nation must be remembered with gratitude and dignity.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister further announced that educational institutions across Sikkim shall observe ‘Miteri Saptaha’ (Week of Friendship and Harmony), a dedicated week during which students will engage in the demonstration of the art, culture, language, heritage, and folktales of every community. This initiative is designed to ensure that our youth gain a comprehensive understanding of one another's customs and traditions. He emphasized that 'prejudice is the daughter of ignorance' and, accordingly, Miteri Saptaha envisions the eradication of communal biases that often arise from a lack of mutual cultural awareness.
By acknowledging such individuals and their sacrifices, he said, Sikkim not only pays tribute to its past but also inspires future generations to serve with integrity and pride. The declaration of ‘Swabhimaan Ko Naya Yug’ thus carries a deeper meaning: a collective commitment to unity without erasing identity, to progress without forgetting heritage, and to governance that seeks not to divide and rule, but to unite and serve every citizen with fairness and respect.
The 31st Khas Diwas at Rangpo shall be remembered in the annals of Sikkim’s history less as a commemorative gathering and more as a defining moment in the State’s enduring tryst with its heritage. When the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Prem Singh Tamang Golay, announced that the Pakyong Greenfield Airport would be renamed in honor of Trilochan Pokhrel, who is popularly revered as ‘Bandey Pokhrel’ or Gandhi Pokhrel', and that the Sikkim Medical College would proudly bear the name of Savitri Devi, also known as Helen Lepcha, it was clear that these decisions carried a resonance extending far beyond the requirements of official protocol.
Sikkim is a land where communities of diverse languages, faiths, and traditions have coexisted for generations. Its strength has always resided not only in its mountains and rivers but in the mutual respect its people maintain for one another’s heritage. By choosing to honour two freedom fighters whose lives were defined by sacrifice and service, the Chief Minister has reaffirmed a truth that binds the State together, which is that Sikkim’s identity is built upon collective contribution.
For decades, the stories of Trilochan Pokhrel and Savitri Devi have been remembered in homes, in quiet conversations, and in local histories. Their names may not have echoed loudly beyond the hills, and only those curious about Sikkim’s history may know about them. Yet their courage was no less significant. Bringing those names into public institutions transforms remembrance into permanence. An airport is not merely a structure of steel and concrete; it is a gateway. A medical college is not simply a building; it is a place where futures are shaped. To inscribe these spaces with the names of Sikkim’s patriots is to ensure that history walks beside every traveller and every student.
There is unity in such acts. When a daughter of the soil and a son of Sikkim are equally honoured, it sends a quiet but powerful message: that the state recognises merit and sacrifice above all divisions. It tells young people across districts and communities that Sikkim’s history belongs to everyone. In a time when societies everywhere are negotiating questions of identity and belonging, this gesture anchors Sikkim in a narrative of shared pride rather than separation.
The decision also connects heritage with development. The renaming of Pakyong Greenfield Airport links Sikkim’s principal gateway to the legacy of a man who stood for self-reliance and national consciousness. The naming of Savitri Devi Medical College reminds us that those who devote their lives to the nation will be honoured. In this way, the past does not remain distant; it becomes part of everyday life.
These steps were taken by Shri. Prem Singh Tamang Golay stems from his firm commitment to fostering unity among the diverse Sikkimese communities who were, he vouches, previously kept divided for political benefits at the cost of social harmony. They invite families to tell stories, teachers to revisit lessons, and young citizens to ask questions about those who came before them. They also strengthen the emotional bond between people and public institutions. When citizens see their history honoured, a natural bond grows between people and public institutions.
Sikkim’s journey has always been unique, shaped by its geography, its diversity and its resilient spirit. By consciously preserving and celebrating its historic personalities, the state affirms that development and memory need not move in opposite directions. Progress can carry tradition forward rather than leaving it behind.
In honouring Trilochan Pokhrel and Savitri Devi, Sikkim is not only recognising two remarkable lives. It is reinforcing a collective identity, renewing faith in unity, and ensuring that its history remains alive in the spaces where its future will unfold.
During his address, the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri. Prem Singh Tamang Golay, also announced the declaration of the advent of 'Swabhimaan Ko Naya Yug’, reaffirming his vision of guiding Sikkim into a new era founded on dignity, unity, and inclusive progress.
In his remarks, he laid particular emphasis on the need to preserve the history, traditions, and cultural heritage of every community in Sikkim, recognising that the strength of the state lies in honouring its diversity with equal respect. He stressed that the stories, languages, and customs of all communities must be safeguarded with sincerity, and that the contributions of those personalities who have selflessly served their community, the state, and the nation must be remembered with gratitude and dignity.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister further announced that educational institutions across Sikkim shall observe ‘Miteri Saptaha’ (Week of Friendship and Harmony), a dedicated week during which students will engage in the demonstration of the art, culture, language, heritage, and folktales of every community. This initiative is designed to ensure that our youth gain a comprehensive understanding of one another's customs and traditions. He emphasized that 'prejudice is the daughter of ignorance' and, accordingly, Miteri Saptaha envisions the eradication of communal biases that often arise from a lack of mutual cultural awareness.
By acknowledging such individuals and their sacrifices, he said, Sikkim not only pays tribute to its past but also inspires future generations to serve with integrity and pride. The declaration of ‘Swabhimaan Ko Naya Yug’ thus carries a deeper meaning: a collective commitment to unity without erasing identity, to progress without forgetting heritage, and to governance that seeks not to divide and rule, but to unite and serve every citizen with fairness and respect.