According to an official, the directive reflects a broader initiative to honour and preserve the state’s cultural traditions. The order, issued by Secretary of the Department of Personnel Rinzing Chewang Bhutia on 29 April, states: “With a view to preserve and promote our cultural heritage and showcase our vibrant diversity, all officers and officials of Department of Personnel are hereby directed to wear their full traditional attire once a week every Thursday.”
The initiative coincides with a series of cultural events marking the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s statehood, including the recently launched Kuzu Cultural Festival. The festival was formally inaugurated on 2 May by Deputy Speaker Raj Kumari Thapa and is being organised by the Department of Culture.
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As part of the festivities, Thapa also flagged off a heritage walk and an art exhibition aimed at deepening public appreciation of Sikkim’s diverse traditions. The heritage walk, running from 1 to 10 May, invites participants to explore Gangtok’s cultural landmarks, oral histories, and spiritual spaces. Guided by local storytellers, the walk is designed to connect people to the city’s rich mosaic of communities and customs, encouraging preservation of its cultural identity.
The accompanying art exhibition, Yiwarra: The Canning Stock Route Exhibition, delves into the cultural, artistic, and historical ties between Aboriginal peoples and the Canning Stock Route in Australia. Alongside this, visitors can view 25 to 30 artefacts from the Sikkim State Archives, restored through ethical conservation techniques. Each item is displayed with documentation showing its condition before and after restoration, providing insight into the methods used to safeguard the region’s tangible heritage.
The exhibition is being held at Bhanu Udhyan, near the State Archives Building, and will be open to the public from 1 to 10 May.
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The event saw the presence of several dignitaries, including MLA and Advisor to the Urban Development and Food & Civil Supplies Departments Delay Namgyal Barfungpa, Gangtok Mayor Nell Bahadur Chettri, Deputy Mayor Tshering Palden Bhutia, and Culture Secretary Basant Lama.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
