Thursday, Jun 18, 2026 10:45 [IST]
Last Update: Thursday, Jun 18, 2026 05:14 [IST]
GANGTOK,: As part of the nationwide outreach programme commemorating 12 years of
the Union Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Minister of
State for Labour & Employment and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSME), Shobha Karandlaje, visited and interacted with prominent personalities
and families of Sikkim whose contributions have significantly shaped the
State's progress in education, organic farming, entrepreneurship, and social
empowerment.
The
outreach programme is being conducted across Sikkim to connect with citizens
and highlight the transformative initiatives of the government over the past 12
years, informs a State BJP press release on Wednesday.
As
a part of the initiative, Union MoS visited the family of the Padma Shriawardee
Late Tula Ram Upreti at 6th Mile, Tadong, and paid her respects to his enduring
legacy.
Tula
Ram Upreti, fondly remembered as the "Father of Organic Farming" in
Sikkim, dedicated more than eight decades to traditional, chemical-free farming
and was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2023 for his pioneering contributions
to organic agriculture.
The
MoS then met Sony Virdi, Founder and Chairman of the Mount Zion Chain of
Schools, Gangtok. Through Zion Kidzee, established in 2005, Virdi introduced
the play-way method of learning in Sikkim and has since pioneered initiatives
such as online NEET and JEE coaching and financial literacy in school
curricula.
The
Minister further interacted with entrepreneur and social activist Shova Rai, a
second-generation entrepreneur, job creator, and advocate for women's
empowerment. Through her free skill-development initiatives in baking, salon
services, painting, and pickle-making, she has trained and empowered women and
youth across Sikkim.
The
MoS also met several other eminent personalities here during the outreach
programme and lauded their contributions towards building an empowered and
self-reliant society and promoting organic farming, in line with the vision of Viksit
Bharat and Viksit Sikkim, the State BJP release informs.
