Rajendra Pradhan receives Kanchendzonga Kalam Puraskar: Isabella Gurung, Radha Pradhan, Press Club of Sikkim celebrates 21st Foundation Day

IPR & agencies, Gangtok, July 17, 2023: The 21st Foundation Day Celebration of Press Club of Sikkim was held today, here at Manan Kendra.

The event was graced by Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly,  Arun K. Upreti, as chief guest with Power Minister,  M.N. Sherpa, as guest of honour.

Also present were Advisor, IPR Department, Birendra Tamling, Advisor IT Department,  Tenzing Norbu Lamtha,  Chairperson, Film Board,  Pooja Sharma,  Press Advisor to HCM, C.P. Sharma, IPR Secretary, Namrata Thapa, Secretary Tourism, Prakash Chettri and others special guests and members of the press fraternity.

Associate Editor, Himali Bela, Rajendra Pradhan, was presented with the annual prestigious Kanchendzonga Kalam Puraskar 2023 while the Lagansheel Yuva Patrakar Samman 2023 was presented to Sikkim Express reporter, Isabella Gurung.

The Press Club presented its Varishtha Patrakar Samman 2023 to veteran journalist, Radha Pradhan.

The Press Club of Sikkim also presented its 'Unsung Hero' honour to Gangtok-resident Mahendra Dhakal in recognition of his tireless efforts to promote chess in Sikkim and to environmentalist Priyadarshinee Shreshtra in recognition of her tireless efforts to towards 'zero waste Himalaya', reducing plastic pollution and environment protection.

Addressing the gathering, SLA Speaker, Arun Upreti, said that the day not only marks a celebration of the esteemed profession of journalism but also serves as a reminder of the crucial role that the press plays in our society.

He urged the media fraternity to work together to find innovative solutions to ensure the sustainability and vitality of journalism in this ever-changing landscape.

On behalf of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang who is on an official visit to Dehradun, chief guest Upreti reiterated the Hon'ble Chief Minister's acknowledgement of the Press fraternity's role in State building.

In honour of the 21st foundation day of the Press Club of Sikkim (PCS), the speaker on behalf of the State government made some key announcements. Allotment order for the Press Club Bhawan at MP Golai, Tadong was issued which has been a long long pending demand of the press fraternity and was handed over to the President of the PCS.

One  'Traveller' vehicle as a logistical support to the Press Club was also handed over.. The Annual cash awards to journalists excelling in various fields have also been enhanced.

Apart from these, the State government has been extending all possible medical support to members and member families  of the Press Club of Sikkim.

Also, exposure trips and various other skill enhancement programmes are also being envisioned by the State government. 

Meanwhile Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang extended his heartiest congratulations to the awardees accorded with prestigious annual awards on the occasion of the foundation day of Press Club of Sikkim (PCS). 

He congratulated Associate Editor, Himali Bela, Rajendra Pradhan, presented with the prestigious Kanchendzonga Kalam Puraskar 2023. Likewise, he congratulated Isabella Gurung, a reporter from Sikkim Express, for receiving the Lagansheel Yuva Patrakar Samman 2023.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister expressed his congratulations to Radha Pradhan, a veteran journalist, for being honored with the Varishtha Patrakar Samman 2023.

The Chief Minister also commended the PCS for their new initiative called "Unsung Hero” and congratulated Environmentalist Priyadarshinee Shrestha and Mahendra Dhakal, General Secretary of the Sikkim Chess Association, for their outstanding contributions to society, which led to them being recognized and honored.