The Sikkim Podcast

Award winning Lepcha culture conservationist and founding member of Dzongu based NGO, Mutanchi Lom Aal Shezum, Namgyal Lepcha talks about the 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood [GLOF] and its impact in Dzongu, North Sikkim. The GLOF only intensified the already existing problems faced by Dzongu and further pushed back development in the area. Disclaimer: This interview was taken on 25 July 2025 in Dzongu. The Sangkalang bridge was rebuilt a few days after this video was taken.

In his early twenties, Nopu Bhutia set out for Tibet as a muleteer—one of 46 men from the hills of Sikkim and Kalimpong who carried trade across the high Himalaya.Now 90, living in Dalapchand, his memories come in fragments—but each one opens a window into a world that has all but disappeared.Speaking to Sikkim Ko, he recalls the journeys, the people, and a way of life that once connected these mountains across borders.Mr Bhutia can be heard referring to ‘Nechung’ or ’Naytsang’ repeatedly in this video. The word means hotel or guesthouse in Tibetan. THE ROUTE: Kalimpong, Pedong, Dalapchand, Phadamchen, Gnathang, Nathula and Jelepla, Rinchengong now renamed Xiayadongxiang, and Phari now renamed Pagri. He also mentions Yatung which is Yadong now.Interview by Tshering EdenAnimation by Sensorium Design Studio#tibet #tibettrade #indochinaborder #nathula #jelepla #muleteer #kalimpong #sikkim #sikkimtibet #pedong #dalapchand #phadamchen

Presenting the inaugural edition of Sikkim Ko Kura, an interview series where we engage with Sikkimese voices to discuss the issues closest to their hearts. Our first guest is Gyatso Lepcha, a dedicated river activist and social entrepreneur from Dzongu. In this episode, he shares his journey with Pema Wangchuk—from participating in protests against hydel projects to becoming the proud owner of Mayal Lyang Homestay. Mr. Lepcha opens up about the challenges and rewards of living for Dzongu and advocating for its future. To learn more about Mayal Lyang Homestay http://www.mayallyang.com #hydelprotest #dzongu #northsikkim #sikkimtourism #sikkimhomestay #mayallyang #sikkimko #sikkimkokura Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9?si=c88f30dc35d84426 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-sikkim-podcast/id1477491928 Video shot by Tshering Eden and edited by Loven Lama. Note: This video was recorded on 12 Oct 2024.

In this episode we discuss the delay in disbursement of salaries to the 22000 temporary employees, meeting on left-out communities chaired by the Sikkim CM, Sikkim Pollution Control Board, Disaster Risk Reduction Day, appointment of Advisors, reduction in vehicle tax, and revision of OPD timings.Oh and Happy Dasain everyone! #sikkim #temporaryemployees #leftoutcommunities #spcb #disasterriskreduction #tribalstatus Follow us on Instagraminstagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9... Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/.../the-sikkim.../id1477491928 Video shot and edited by Loven Lama.Note: This episode was recorded on 09 Oct 2024.

In this week's episode we discuss the results of the Traffic Survey carried out by the Gangtok Traffic Police, hike in DA, action against late payment of electricity bills, landslides in the past few days across the state, visit of Jagadguru Shankaracharya, 'strip search' incident at Rangpo, meeting on land acquisition issues related to National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL, and, a look back at the 2023 floods that ravaged Sikkim and parts of West Bengal. #sikkim #sikkimko #sikkimgovernment #gangtoktraffic #teestaflood #dahike #nh10 Chapters 04:40 Traffic Survey Results 36:52 Hike in Dearness Allowance 38:40 Power Dept Advisor on delays in electricity bill payment 42:45 The recent landslides across the state 48:52 Meeting on land acquisition issues related to NHIDCL, BRO, and PGCIL 53:40 Jagadguru Shankaracharya’s visit to Sikkim 58:00 ’Strip search’ incident of Rangpo 1:02:25 First free wifi village of Sikkim 1:03:35 Highway update 1:06:07 A year after the Teesta Flood of 2023 Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0... Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast... Video shot and edited by Loven Lama. Note: This episode was recorded on 01 Oct 2024.

In this episode we discuss the weather, extension of OPD timings for government doctors, Gangtok traffic and the survey by Gangtok Police on solving the traffic problem in the city, decentralisation of tourist permit system, hike in royalties on forest produce, launch of Online Land Stability Reporting System in the state, Fossil Park proposal at Mamley, animal fat in Tirupati ladoo controversy, and one nation one election proposal.  #globalwarming #gangtoktraffic #touristpermit #sikkimtourism #nathulapermit #fossilpark #onlinelandstabilityreportingsystem #tirupatiladoo #sikkim #onenationoneelection  Follow us on Instagram http://instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook  http://facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X  @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9?si=c88f30dc35d84426 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-sikkim-podcast/id1477491928 Video shot and edited by Loven Lama. Note: This episode was recorded on 24 Sept 2024. 

In this episode we discuss the ban on private practice by Govt doctors, hike in vehicle tax in Sikkim,  Nathula Day and the Chola skirmish of 1967, Sikkim govt clarification on the delay in payment of wages to 20,000 temporary employees, and major infrastructure development announcements by the Chief Minister of Sikkim, PS Tamang.  We also discuss the protests against Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra in the north-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. #beefban #nathuladay #aapsu #tur #meghalaya #arunachalpradesh #gaudhwaj #sikkim #vehicletax #sikkimdocs Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook  facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X  @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9?si=c88f30dc35d84426 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-sikkim-podcast/id1477491928 Video shot and edited by Loven Lama. Note: This episode was recorded on 16 Sept 2024. 

We really wanted to thank our viewers/listeners for the comments they have been leaving on our videos, and so we bring to you Sikkim Ko Comments. We want to underline some of the comments left by you, respond to some, and take inspiration from some. Hope you like this video. Please leave a comment and let us know. Location: Temi Tea Garden, Namchi District, Sikkim. Video shot and edited by Loven Lama. #sikkimko #sikkimkocomments #sikkimkopodcast

In this episode we discuss the fire at Modern Senior Secondary School, mass transfer of Government Primary Teachers, Vigilance raids on SBS officials, ban on police personnel making videos in uniform for social media, Jyotiraditya Scindia visit, fresh violence in Manipur, and more. #sikkimnews #teachertransfers #jyotiradityascindia #donerministry #manipur #kamalaharris #donaldtrump #sikkimko Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9?si=c88f30dc35d84426 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-sikkim-podcast/id1477491928 Video shot and edited by Loven Lama. Note: This episode was recorded on 11 Sept 2024.

In this episode we talk about the tussle between Sikkim Football Association and Football Development Private Limited regarding the Sikkim Premier League, malicious rumour mongering against some restauranteurs, Facial recognition devices in govt offices, MeToo movement in Malayalam film industry, Himachal Pradesh govt in financial crisis, and more. #sikkimnews #sfa #sikkimfootball #fdpl #sikkimpremierleauge #metooindia #malayalammovie #himachalpradesh #sikkimko #hemacomitteereport Chapters 2:50 Sikkim Premier League controversy 32:00 Malicious rumour mongering about certain restaurants of Gangtok 49:35 Biodiversity Heritage Site proposal for Singi Badang Sacred Pond in Yuksam Dubdi and Pawo Hungri Sacred Grove in Labing Gerethang 53:28 Facial Recognition devices in Govt offices 01:01:15 Extension of deadline for registration of tourism related businesses with the government 01:02:18 MeToo movement in the Malayalam film industry 01:18:30 Himachal Pradesh government in financial crisis 01:26:40 Why are GLOF Surveys being conducted in the country? Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/sikkim_ko Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/Sikkim-Ko-103191552433696 We are also on X @Sikkim_Ko You will also find The Sikkim Podcast on most podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, etc. Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7sdFFk0zq5dbuN3eSm1PE9?si=c88f30dc35d84426 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-sikkim-podcast/id1477491928 Video shot and edited by Loven Lama. Note: This episode was recorded on 04 Sept 2024.