Issue #4

Hello, Sikkim!

November is close to its end and the cold is setting in. Not sure how this year’s winter is going to be but we hope all the events are going to keep the winter blues away. Meanwhile, here’s what made headlines and conversations this week.

Khaas Khabar

Sikkim has become the first state in the country to release a fully researched, long-term mental health and suicide prevention strategy. Developed by Sikkim Inspires, Health & Family Welfare Department, and national mental health experts, the plan entailed months of listening to communities across the state.

One major intervention is Atmiyata, a community-led support model starting in Namchi district. Under this model -

• Trained community volunteers, known as "Champions" and "Mitras," identify individuals in distress.
• They provide 4-6 sessions of counseling and support.
• They help connect people with formal mental health services and social welfare benefits.
• They also raise community awareness about mental health issues through activities like showing films.

The aim: reduce the treatment gap by at least 30% and expand the programme statewide within three years.

Sikkim has been battling high suicide rates for a while now. According to the National Crime Records Bureau data, Sikkim had the second highest rate of suicides per lakh of population in 2023. Andaman and Nicobar islands had the highest suicide rate at 49.6 followed by Sikkim at 40.2% and then Kerala at 30.6 percent

Across India, family problems and illness accounted for 31.9% and 19% of total suicides respectively. In Sikkim, one-third (96 cases) of the cases were due to illness alone.

However, it is a strategy that needs to become a policy for real action to begin.
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Also last week...

​A beautiful find from Dzongu — the Brown Onyx (Horaga viola) was photographed in Sikkim for the first time ever. Although listed in butterfly guides as being present in Sikkim, there was no visual proof until now. The sighting, made on 19 November, adds to Sikkim’s rich biodiversity story. The butterfly was spotted and recorded in the field by Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha, Sonam Pintso Sherpa, and Nosang M. Limboo.

​Sakewa celebrations kicked off at Paubik Naitam with the installation of the sacred Toshlung which looks somewhat like the Lepcha longchok. The Rai community gathered in prayer, dance, and thanksgiving to Mother Earth as the festival season gets underway.

One more thing

Oh, and buckle up—a supercar rally is coming to Sikkim! Yes, you might actually see a Lamborghini climbing Chandmari ko baato. That’s the talk of the town as the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan event gears up. Organized by the Mumbai-based The Supercar Route group (Zain Rais Entertainment and Bay Experiences), the rally will start from Sukna in West Bengal and head to Cho La and Nathu La in Sikkim. Being held from 11-15 November, the rally is supported by the Black Cat Division under the Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army and the Government of Sikkim.

That's all for this week. See you next week!