157th Gandhi Jayanti celebrated at MG Marg with focus on sanitation, waste management and civic participation

GANGTOK, (IPR): The 157th Gandhi Jayanti was celebrated at Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Gangtok, on Friday with a programme highlighting cleanliness, sanitation, waste management and community participation. Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang graced the occasion.

The programme commenced with the flag-off of 12 advanced sewage and waste collection equipment, along with the handover of the equipment by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. to the Urban Development Department, Government of Sikkim, under the Toyota CSR Programme for FY 2026-27. The initiative is aimed at strengthening mechanised sanitation and supporting efforts towards the elimination of manual scavenging.

Bikram Gulati of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. handed over the keys to the Governor and the Chief Minister.

The dignitaries thereafter paid floral tributes and offered khadas at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi, honouring the enduring legacy and ideals of the Father of the Nation.

The occasion also witnessed the presentation of a series of awards and recognitions to individuals, institutions, Self-Help Groups, and Urban and Rural Local Bodies for their contributions towards cleanliness, sanitation and waste management.

Under the Cleanest Gram Panchayat Award 2026, presented through the Rural Development Department, Poklok Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU) secured first position and received a cash award of Rs 5 lakh. Sukrabarey Suntalay GPU secured second position and received Rs 3 lakh, while Passingdang Saffo GPU and Rimbi Timbong GPU jointly secured third position and received Rs 1 lakh each.

The Swachhata Mitra Awards were presented to personnel of the Gangtok Sewerage Division under the Public Health Engineering Department, Government of Sikkim. Gopal Dahal, Mangal Tshering Lepcha, Laxman Sharma and Pema Gyatso Lepcha received Rs 10,000 each, along with Certificates of Appreciation, in recognition of their dedicated services.

Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the ENGAGE-2025-26 Inter-College Competition, organised by the Urban Development Department. Loyola College of Education, Namchi secured first position, followed by Harkamaya College of Education, Tadong in second place and Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government College, Tadong in third.

Cash rewards and Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Safai Karamcharis from Urban Local Bodies in recognition of their contribution to maintaining sanitation services across the State. The recipients included Diwas Chettri of Namchi Municipal Corporation, Samten Tamang of Mangan Nagar Panchayat, Kamala Bardewa of Singtam Nagar Panchayat, Sukriya Rai of Rangpo Nagar Panchayat, Mr Norbu Tshering Bhutia of Gyalshing Nagar Panchayat, Gopal Singh Rai of Nayabazar Jorethang Nagar Panchayat, and Bishal Rawat, Sonam Bhutia, Shouvik Chatterjee and Asis Basnett Chettri of Gangtok Municipal Corporation.

Under the Swachha Shehar Abhiyaan, the Jagriti SHG of Nayabazar, Jorethang, was recognised as the best-performing Self-Help Group and received a cash award of Rs 50,000.

The Chandmari Ward was recognised as the Cleanest Ward under the Gangtok Municipal Corporation and was presented with a cheque of Rs 1 lakh along with a Certificate of Appreciation.

The Cleanest Urban Local Body Awards were also presented. Gangtok Municipal Corporation secured first position and received Rs 8 lakh, followed by Nayabazar Jorethang Nagar Panchayat in second position with Rs 6 lakh, and Rangpo Nagar Panchayat in third position with Rs 4 lakh.

In recognition of their contribution to solid waste management, Certificates of Appreciation along with cash rewards of Rs 5,000 each were presented to GMC personnel. The awardees included Sonam Tshering Bhutia, Mahesh Chandra Dahal, Prashant Rai, Tenzing Dolkar Bhutia, Dilip Biswakarma, Bhakta Prasad Dhakal, Nim Rinchen Bhutia, Nar Bahadur Chettri, Nari Maya Gurung, Suk Ram Biswakarma and Swarsati Ramu Damu.

The programme also witnessed the release of the WOW Gangtok Report, prepared by the Gangtok Municipal Corporation, documenting the initiatives and efforts undertaken towards improving waste management in the city.

In another contribution towards strengthening waste management infrastructure, GNS Builders handed over the key of a waste management vehicle to the State Government.

Expressing their appreciation for the development of a back drain in the area, citizens of 14 Upper MG Marg thanked the Chief Minister for the initiative. As a token of gratitude, a thangka was presented to the Chief Minister by Gangtok MLA Delay Namgyal Barfungpa and Executive Councillor, GMC, Sundeep Malu.

The Safaa Gangtok App, developed by the Urban Development Department, was subsequently launched by the Governor and the Chief Minister. The application is designed to provide citizens with convenient access to waste management-related services at the click of a button.

A video showcasing waste management initiatives in Gangtok was also screened by the Gangtok Municipal Corporation.

The official mascot and logo of Yonex-Sunrise 49th Inter State, Inter Zonal & Junior National Badminton Championships 2026 was digitally launched by the Governor and Chief Minister.

In attendance were key dignitaries including Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Political Secretary to CM, Jacob Khaling, Chief Secretary, Advisors, Chairpersons, Adhakshya and Upa Adhakshya of Gangtok, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Councillors, GMC, distinguished guests along with Heads of Departments from various departments, OSDs and officers and officials of the state government.

The programme highlighted the State Government’s continued efforts towards strengthening sanitation and waste management systems while encouraging greater citizen participation and community ownership. The observance also recognised the contribution of sanitation workers, local bodies, Self-Help Groups and other stakeholders working towards cleaner, healthier and more sustainable communities.