Sikkim: Past and Present

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Sikkim, an erstwhile Himalayan Kingdom, became a State of Indian Republic in 1975. Bestowed with rich fauna and flora, scenic beauty of great and mighty snow-capped peaks and green forests, rugged topography, cold yet salubrious climate, Sikkim has had a study and struggling people of Sikkim have preserved a distinct cultural and historical identity.

The present book portrays a vivid account of different aspects of Sikkim-its history, politics, sociology and economy. Organised in seven chapters viz., Sikkim: an overview, abode of snows, history modern state, profile of land and people, socio-cultural beliefs and traditions, and towards development etc., this multi-disciplinary work will prove useful and informative to academics, policy planners and general readers.

H.G. JOSHI (b.1970) holds a Masters' degree in Political Science besides a Law degree from the Kumaon University. A Journalist by penchant, he worked for a brief stint with a Delhi-based Weekly. Propagating Socio-political awareness among masses in Central Himalayan region, he has been actively engaged with grass- root level politics in Uttaranchal. Having great guest from fascinating study of North-eastern states, he has two books to his credit besides many articles on contemporary social issues in different newspapers.

Sikkim, an erstwhile Himalayan Kingdom became a state of Indian Union in 1975. Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan all touch its borders. Here, the scenic beauty of mighty snow-capped peaks, such as the 28,162-foot Kanchenjuga on the Nepal-Sikkim border, mingles with the romanticism of an historical past. There are huge, pine-covered forests bordering terraces of rice. Sikkim's simple, sturdy, and struggling people have preserved a distinct cultural and historical identity. Its villages of quaint wooden buildings huge rugged Himalayan slopes, lights of little hamlets glitter like a myriad of glow-worms in the evening. Old Buddhist monasteries perch on rocky shelves beneath the eternal snows. A mule train picks its way over the sharp rocks that pave the old trade route to Lhasa, Tibet; for here in Sikkim, is a past living in the present.

From Sikkim's easily traversed passes, which give access to the Tibetan Chumbi Valley, the comparatively low (15,200 feet) and gently graded approaches of the Nathu La (Nathu Pass) lead directly to the core region of Tibet around Lhasa. Sikkim occupies a commanding position over the historic Kalimpong-Lhasa trade route, the subject of a continuous succession of international arguments and treaties.

Due to mountains peculiarities, modern infrastructure development is a tough task involving huge expenditure. Under the existing agro-climatic conditions, horticulture, floriculture, off-season vegetables and orchids have flourishing potential. Salubrious hilly climate of Sikkim can boost the exploitation of tremendous potential of tourism industry. Forest-based eco-friendly industries, and other traditional handicrafts may prove an asset to a less developed economy of Sikkim.