Latest news with #SikkimTourismDevelopmentCorporation
The Hindu
41 minutes ago
- The Hindu
First batch of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims return to India, feted by Sikkim
The Sikkim government on Tuesday (July 1, 2025) feted the first batch of 39 people who returned from their pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in China's Tibet. Each pilgrim was presented with a khada, a traditional ceremonial scarf, and a certificate of participation in the 22-day trip by the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) and the State Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Certificates of participation were also presented to two liaison officers and a medical officer who accompanied the 33 pilgrims from Gangtok to the Kailash Mansarovar stretch of the journey. 'For many, it remains a dream to make it to Kailash Mansarovar, one of the holiest pilgrimages for Indians. Your successful journey will be an inspiration for others to undergo the once-in-a-lifetime experience,' said C.S. Rao, Sikkim's Additional Chief Secretary in charge of Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, after giving away the certificates. Rajendra Chhetri, Chief Executive Officer of the STDC, said the Minister of External Affairs chose the corporation as the nodal agency to manage the Indian leg of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2015. 'We managed the yatra for five years till 2019, but it was paused after the COVID-19 pandemic and border tensions with China. We had to hurriedly manage two acclimatisation centres — one at 17th Mile at an altitude of 11,000 ft and the other at Sherathang (13,500 ft) — after we received confirmation in February-end that the yatra would be resumed,' he told The Hindu. 'The return of the first batch with all members in high spirits is encouraging, but it will be a job well done only after the tenth batch completes the yatra successfully in August,' he said. The first batch of pilgrims, aged between 19 and 69, is scheduled to depart Sikkim on Wednesday and fly to Delhi via Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal. The buses that will drop them at Baghdogra will pick up the fourth batch of tourists. One of the tourists, Mumbai-based Pranav Gupta, narrated his experience. 'The feeling of having been at the abode of Lord Shiva is indescribable, but as the first batch of Indian tourists, we had the responsibility on our shoulders — to set the tone with the right attitude and behaviour in a foreign land,' he said.
NDTV
20-06-2025
- NDTV
After 5 Years, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Resumes Through Sikkim
New Delhi: The first batch of 36 pilgrims taking part in the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra crossed over to the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) of China through Nathula border in Sikkim this morning. The first batch of pilgrims between the ages of 21 and 70 years is being escorted by two Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel as liaison officers towards the Chinese side. The pilgrimage was flagged off by Governor Om Prakash Mathur at Nathula. He was joined by Deputy Speaker Raj Kumari Thapa along with other ministers and legislators. The pilgrims will be spending 11 days in the Tibetan Autonomous Region to reach Mt Kailash and Mansarovar Lake. They were received by the People's Republic of China's officials and army personnel at the border with China. After a five-year gap, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nathula Pass in Sikkim has resumed with a batch of 36 pilgrims - 23 male and 13 female - heading to the 18 Mile base on Monday, ahead of their scheduled journey to Mansarovar on June 20. The pilgrims stayed at the newly constructed acclimatisation centre at 18 Mile for two days, followed by another two-day stay at Sherathang. On Friday, after their medical status and documents were checked, they crossed over to the Chinese side. "This is a proud moment for Sikkim and the country. Hosting the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through our state is not just an honour but also an opportunity to showcase our hospitality and infrastructure. We've already begun receiving positive feedback from the pilgrims," said the CEO of Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation, Rajendra Chettri. "This is (also) a proud moment for the STDC because the trust the Ministry of External Affairs has placed in the STDC is just enormous. I think our experience and past record speak for themselves. We have been speaking to the yatris for feedback and taking care of them. Overall, it has been a very satisfying experience for us as well," Mr Chettri added.
NDTV
16-06-2025
- NDTV
First Batch Of Kailash Mansarovar Yatris Leave For Nathula Pass
New Delhi: After a five-year gap, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nathula Pass in Sikkim has resumed with a batch of 36 pilgrims - 23 male and 13 female - heading to the 18 Mile base on Monday, ahead of their scheduled journey to Mansarovar on June 20. The group of pilgrims was briefed by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) before their departure. The team will be accompanied by liaison officers, cooks, ITBP personnel, and a doctor throughout their journey. "It's a very important yatra and a great duty as a Liaison Officer to take the yatris to that holy place. Most of the yatris are of old age, but they are full of energy, full of vigour, and are excited to complete the yatra. A medical checkup has already been carried out (once) in Delhi. The ITBP is also going to conduct a medical checkup," Sanjay Kumar Kothari, Liaison Officer, told NDTV. "ITBP personnel are also going with us to the Chinese side, and we have cooks and doctors from ITBP. Given all the assistance provided by all the agencies, we hope to be able to complete the yatra in the best possible way," Mr Kothari added. The briefing was conducted by the ITBP, the co-along hosts with the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC), who are in charge of providing security to the yatris till Nathula. "We have made all the arrangements for the yatris. All normal arrangements are there, and our people will be there to help in terms of medical help and security arrangements as well," Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Deputy Inspector General (Sikkim), ITBP, told reporters. The pilgrims would first stay at the newly constructed acclimatisation centre at 18 Mile for two days, followed by another two-day stay at Sherathang. On the sixth day, after their medical status and documents are checked, they will cross over to the Chinese side. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang will flag off the yatris when they leave for the yatra. Citizens up to the age of 70 years can apply for the yatra, and they are chosen through an online procedure overseen by the Ministry of External Affairs. To support their physical and mental readiness for the yatra, the pilgrims will be kept engaged through light activities, including visits to local tourist spots, yoga sessions, and bhajan gatherings. "This is a proud moment for Sikkim and the country. Hosting the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through our state is not just an honour but also an opportunity to showcase our hospitality and infrastructure. We've already begun receiving positive feedback from the pilgrims," said the CEO of Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation, Rajendra Chettri. "This is (also) a proud moment for the STDC because the trust the Ministry of External Affairs has placed in the STDC is just enormous. I think our experience and past record speak for themselves. We have been speaking to the yatris for feedback and taking care of them. Overall, it has been a very satisfying experience for us as well," Mr Chettri added.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Officials scramble to rescue more than 1,000 stranded tourists after rare event sparks emergency: 'Movement [is] nearly impossible'
More than 1,000 tourists and hundreds of vehicles were temporarily stranded after massive landslides hit India in late April, prompting authorities to halt travel to the area. Multiple landslides occurred in the Indian state of Sikkim. As Business Standard reported, continuous rain on April 24 preceded the slides, which occurred at multiple points on at least two roads. Debris from the landslides, along with heavy flooding, caused many cars to be trapped and made "movement nearly impossible," according to the outlet. Many of the tourists were stranded in the town of Chungthang and stayed one night in a gurudwara, a Sikh house of worship. The following morning, they were evacuated by authorities, who, per The Indian Express, were also able to get the vehicles across a reconstructed bridge that was reopened to traffic. Still, the threat of further slides and dangerous road conditions forced officials to stop issuing travel permits for a period and cancel permits that had been authorized in advance. This extreme weather event posed significant safety risks, damaged critical road infrastructure, and hampered the region's tourism-based economy. Lukendra Rasaily, former chair of the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation, announced a couple of days later that "all the people were evacuated and no casualties have been reported. … the Border Road Organisation are working on clearing the roads. Lachung will open for tourists ..." Fortunately, there were no reported casualties in this case. But sadly, it isn't the only recent example of extreme weather leading to treacherous landslides. Last summer, more than 200 people died in Ethiopia as a result of heavy rain and subsequent mudslides. In Brazil, catastrophic flooding and landslides caused more than 140 deaths and displaced more than 165,000 people. And one of the largest single-day rain events in the history of Kerala, India, led to a landslide that killed more than 250 people. As heat-trapping gases continue to be released into our atmosphere, rising global temperatures up the likelihood of landslides, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, and more. Experts see a trend of increased frequency and intensity of such climate shocks. Scientists are still working to refine early warning systems local to the communities in India most vulnerable to landslides. Last summer, just 10 days before a disastrous event, the Geological Survey of India installed a system that leverages artificial intelligence to forecast slides and alert authorities as well as the public. According to The New Indian Express, "it failed to foresee the devastating landslide that struck Mundakkai, due to ongoing refinements and accuracy improvements." What would you do if natural disasters were threatening your home? Move somewhere else Reinforce my home Nothing This is happening already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. When it comes to extreme weather, knowledge can truly be lifesaving. In 2024, a report from the United States Geological Survey said that 44% of the country is at risk of landslides. The agency's map shows the likelihood of such an event where you live. If you are in a high-risk area, you can never be too prepared. The Red Cross offers a landslide-preparation guide, which includes knowing your risk and developing an evacuation plan. Understanding the root causes of extreme weather is another way to be prepared. From there, we can take meaningful actions to reduce our environmental impacts. Switching to electric vehicles en masse, encouraging our communities to go solar, and sharing knowledge with friends and family can make a difference. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Indian Express
All tourists safely evacuated, Lachung to open for tourists from today: Officials
ALL THE tourists – a large number of whom were stranded after a landslide in northern Sikkim due to heavy rain in the region – have now been safely evacuated and there are no casualties, officials said on Tuesday. The tourists had been stranded for one night (Thursday) but rescue operations began at the earliest, the officials said. Former chairman Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation Lukendra Rasaily said, 'Two days ago, all the people were evacuated and no casualties have been reported. The Sikkim Police are taking care of everything and the Border Road Organisation (BRO) are working on clearing the roads. Lachung will open for tourists from Wednesday.' Samrat Sanyal, secretary, Himalayan Hospitality and tourism development network, told The Indian Express, 'There were around 1,400 tourists from across the country who were visiting Sikkim at that point in time all have been evacuated and have safely returned home .' After heavy rains on April 24, 2025, which triggered massive landslides in North Sikkim, the Chungthang-Lachung Road was blocked at six major points. Restoration efforts by the BRO and local authorities cleared the road for light vehicles on Saturday, enabling the safe evacuation of over 1,000 stranded tourists to Gangtok. From Chungthang, the vehicles reached Mangan, the district headquarters, via a reconstructed bailey bridge at Sangkalang which was opened for traffic movement. Landslides have occurred at Munshithang on the Lachen-Chungthang road and at Lema/Bob on the Lachung-Chungthang road. The situation was aggravated due to continuous rain in the region. The district administration had instructed all tour operators not to send tourists to North Sikkim on Friday and until further notice, but with the roads being cleared, the situation will soon be back to normal, officials said.
