Gangtok, Aug 15 (PTI): Sikkim marked the 79th Independence Day on Friday with a grand celebration at Palzor Stadium in Gangtok, where Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang hoisted the national flag.
Following the flag hoisting, the Chief Minister went for a ceremonial ride in an open jeep to review the guard of honour presented by the Sikkim Police personnel.
In a special initiative, Tamang awarded Rs 1 lakh each to 22 exceptional individuals, recognizing them with the Shrawan Kumar award for their dedication in taking care of their elderly parents. The remaining awardees of this accolade received their rewards in ceremonies held across different districts of Sikkim as part of the 79th Independence Day celebrations.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister conducted another flag hoisting ceremony at his official residence, Mintokgang.
"As we celebrate this historic day, let us reaffirm our pledge to uphold the sanctity of our constitution and dedicate ourselves to the welfare, unity, and development of our beloved nation," Tamang said.
In his Independence Day message, the Chief Minister extended warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Sikkim. "Today, we join the entire nation in celebrating the spirit of freedom, the sacrifices of our freedom fighters, and the strength of our great democracy," he stated.
Tamang further emphasized that Independence Day is not simply a reminder of our liberation from colonial rule but also an appeal to uphold the values of unity, integrity, and resilience that define the Indian nation. He urged citizens to remember with gratitude the countless individuals who sacrificed their lives for India's freedom.
Highlighting the state's development, he reiterated, "Our government is dedicated to building a self-reliant, equitable, and prosperous Sikkim where every child will have access to quality education, every youth will find opportunities, every farmer will be treated with dignity, and every family will have a secure future."
Tamang noted that clean energy, organic farming, digital connectivity, skill development, and tourism will remain the driving forces behind Sikkim's growth in the coming years.
Independence Day festivities echoed throughout the Himalayan state, celebrating the shared spirit of patriotism and unity.
(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)