Sikkim Herald

Gangtok, 23 Dec (IPR): Hon’ble Governor Shri Ganga Prasad launched the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project and Mobile Application in a programme held at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok today.

The launching programme organized by Education department with the support of Alkem Laboratories and Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reforms Movement was also attended by Hon’ble Minister for Education, Shri Kunga Nima Lepcha, Additional Chief Secretary, Shri G.P. Upadhyaya, Sulabh Sanitation Group, Founder and Padmabhusan Awardee, Shri B. Pathak, principals, teachers and students.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Ganga Prasad said, “School children are the main driving force of change in their household, society and communities. “I hope with the launch of WASH programme in all government schools will make an impact in Sikkim as it was good record in past, where people were imparted with the knowledge of hygienic practices across the country.” He remarked.

Governor said that students and teachers should be more sensitive towards sanitation, hygiene and water conservation. The issue of sanitation, health and education should be taken up vigorously. He expressed confident that the education department in collaboration with Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reforms Movement will remain committed to playing a significant role in maintaining proper hygiene, sanitation, water conservation, education etc.

Education Minister, Kunga Nima Lepcha expressed his gratitude to founder of Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reforms Movement and Padmabhushan, Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak for implementing such project in Sikkim.The Minister expressed pride in the fact that Sikkim is leading the effort in the nations’ cleanliness drive.

Additional Chief Secretary, Education Department, G. P Upadhyaya informed that the department is providing logistic support in reaching out to the schools across the State. The one year project, WASH will be implemented in the schools with an aim at bringing about a behavior change amongst the students by laying stress on sanitation and hygiene practices.

Earlier, Dr. Pathak highlighted the aims and objectives of Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reforms Movement in India and its achievements.
He informed that the cleanliness and sanitation drive which introduced the 2 pit Pour-Flush toilet has led to prevention of open defecation and safety and dignity of women who are going out to toilet. It also helps in providing cheap toilets in schools and rural areas.
Under Garima Project, two best schools namely; Rangpo Government Senior Secondary School, East Sikkim and Yangsum Government Secondary School, West Sikkim were awarded Best Schools. Likewise, Best Teacher was awarded to Ambika Dhakal from Temi Government Senior Secondary School, South Sikkim. Subsequently, five volunteers were also awarded with Best Volunteers.
The programme also saw felicitation to the Hon’ble Governor, Hon’ble Minister and Additional Chief Secretary by Dr. Pathak.

WASH which stands for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene is a project launched in association with Alkem Labratories and Education Department, Government of Sikkim, aims at bringing a behaviour change amongst the students by laying stress on sanitation and hygiene practices. The project also aims to bring about transformative changes related to water, sanitation, hygiene projects in schools and to ensure privacy and dignity for students especially girls. It believes that better health will lead to improved attendance and better student performance.

Gangtok, December 23: Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim Shri Ganga Prasad has paid homage and rich tributes to Late Swami Shraddhanand on his 93rd death anniversary.
A renowned educationist and social reformer, Swami Shraddhanand was a prolific Arya Samaj missionary who established universities and educational institutions in his pursuits to change the society through education. He also worked tirelessly towards bringing harmony and mutual trust between fragmented Indian society during early 20th Century.
“His teachings, life and contribution to society and the nation have inspired millions in the country and abroad to dedicate life for the welfare of underprivileged and downtrodden in the society. Let us all endeavour to walk the path shown by Swami Ji and move collectively towards reasoning and enlightenment for the betterment of all”, Hon’ble Governor said.

Rangpo, Dec 22: (IPR) Chief Minister Shri. Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) laid the foundation stone of two Integrated Processing Units of Sikkim IFFCO Organics Limited today in Rangpo East Sikkim, in the august presence of Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar.

The foundation stone laying ceremony had the special presence of Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Shri. L.B. Das, Minister for Agriculture and Horticulture, Government of Sikkim, Shri Lok Nath Sharma, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, MD, IFFCO, Dr. U.S. Awasthi among host of other dignitaries from the Government of India and the State Government, and farmers and stakeholders from throughout the State.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang said that the Joint Venture between Government of Sikkim and IFFCO Organics Limited has been envisaged to ensure that the farmers of Sikkim will get the rightful market for their produce, both nationally and internationally. He added that Sikkim is the first State of India to go 100% organic, committing itself to attain sustainable agriculture and to promote the Green Himalayan Economy. Thus, in order to protect the status of all the organic produce of the State, the integrated processing units will be processing and packaging these high-value crops and market them outside the State, he added. He said that the joint venture is a step in the direction of a safer food supply chain and environment protection. He emphasized on the point that this joint venture will ensure that the State of Sikkim fulfills the mission of doubling farmers’ income highlighted by the Government of India. He urged farmers of Sikkim to establish the gold standards of organic farming for not only farmers of India but the farmers of the world by showing them how we can ensure a healthier world yet making profit through organic farming. The Chief Minister stressed that the Processing Unit is being set up in Rangpo particularly because it is the gateway town and it would be convenient to market the produce outside the State. He emphasized that the employment opportunities emanating from the Processing Unit should be made available to the people of Sikkim. The Chief Minister thanked Union Minister for Agriculture & Family Welfare for his visit to the State and for his presence and participation in the foundation laying programme.

Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar applauded IFFCO and Government of Sikkim’s initiative to strengthen organic agriculture in the country and honing its capability to provide livelihood to the local farmers. This will help in boosting economy of North Eastern states of India as they are pre-dominantly dependent on agriculture. This project is in line with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s strategic thinking and planning to boost organic farming in the country hence doubling farmers’ income in 2020. The Union Minister appreciated the commitment of the Government and the people of Sikkim, especially the farming community, to convert their farms into organic, thus becoming the first State in the country to be 100% organic. The Union Minister assured full support to the State in the agriculture sector, and that all the demands placed by the Chief Minister and State Agriculture Minister would be fulfilled.

Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Shri. L.B. Das in his address urged Sikkim IFFCO Organics Limited to ensure that environmental norms are followed at every stage of the establishment of the Processing Unit. He also called for providing employment to local people in the Unit.

Minister, Agriculture & Horticulture, Government of Sikkim, Shri Lok Nath Sharma in his address stated that the foundation stone laying of the Integrated Processing Unit was a historic event and a milestone to boost agriculture in the state. The Minister stated that the establishment of Integrated Processing Unit is to ensure that the organic produce of the State are processed and packaged in one place and marketed outside the State. He stated that this would enhance the economy of the farmers as they would get the rightful price for their produce. The Minister also placed some demands before the Union Minister such as subsidy in Organic Fertilizer, support for formation of FPO, Inclusion of Buckwheat under Nutri-cereal Category under National Food Security Mission, Flexibility in guidelines, Enhancement in the scale of assistance, and increase financial support for focus crops namely Cardamom, Ginger, Turmeric and Buckwheat.

Managing Director, IFFCO, Dr. U.S. Awasthi said this is the beginning of a new era of organics at IFFCO. He further said that farmers can achieve any feat once they embrace food-processing with open arms. He said food-processing ensures value addition to the crops, which further ensures farmers make most profit out of their produce. It is IFFCO’s objective to begin this new decade with sustainable and environment-friendly agriculture for the farmers of the country. Sikkim IFFCO will be capable of promoting these certified organic products worldwide and enhancing the 100% organic image of Sikkim state globally. He emphasized that IFFCO has made dedicated efforts to retain soil fertility and ecological health by introducing organic fertilizers also.

Marketing Director, IFFCO, Shri Yogendra Kumar also highlighted in brief about the activities of IFFCO for the upliftment of the agrarian economy in the country.

Earlier, Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Government of Sikkim, Shri. R. Telang in his welcome address gave a brief introduction about Sikkim IFFCO project.

The programme also saw the Unveiling of ‘Sikkim IFFCO Organics Ltd’ Logo by the Chief Minister and Union Minister.

Sikkim IFFCO Organics Limited is a Joint Venture between world’s biggest fertilizer cooperative IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd.) and Government of Sikkim. It is formed to promote and market the organic produce of the country, especially from the State of Sikkim and other North-Eastern states of the country. The major commercial crops in which Sikkim IFFCO will operate are Ginger, Turmeric, Large Cardamom and Buckwheat. The initial cost of the project is INR 50 Crore. The manufacturing would kick start from December, 2020. All Sikkim IFFCO products will be certified 100% organic hence, non-toxic in nature.

It may be informed that Sikkim IFFCO has already signed two MoU’s – one with Blossoms Biodynamics, USA for utilizing their marketing and distribution in the North American markets and the other with Centar Dr. Rudolfa Steinera, Croatia for marketing its products in Croatia and the European Union.

The Ceremony came to a conclusion with vote of thanks proposed by Managing Director, Sikkim IFFCO, Shri. Mukul Srivastava.

Rangpo, Dec 22: (IPR) Chief Minister Shri. Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) laid the foundation stone of two Integrated Processing Units of Sikkim IFFCO Organics Limited a short while ago in Rangpo East Sikkim, in the august presence of Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar.
The foundation stone laying ceremony had the special presece of Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Shri. L.B. Das, Minister for Agriculture and Horticulture, Government of Sikkim, Shri Lok Nath Sharma, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Heads of various Departments of the State Government, MD, IFFCO, Dr. U.S. Awasthi among host of other dignitaries from the Government of India and the State Government, and farmers and stakeholders from throughout the State.