The Sikkim State Congress,or SSC,was an annexationist political party in the Kingdom of Sikkim. It was founded in 1947 and worked closely with the Indian National Congress (INC) to successfully achieve the annexation of Sikkim to India. Other parties established by the INC to serve India's interests in its near abroad included the Nepal State Congress Party and the Bhutan State Congress Party.
The history of Sikkim begins with the indigenous Lepcha's contact with early Tibetan settlers. Historically,Sikkim was a sovereign Monarchical State in the eastern Himalayas. Later a protectorate of India followed by a merger with India and official recognition as a state of India. Lepchas were the main inhabitants as well as the Ruler of the land up to 1641. Lepchas are generally considered to be the first people,indigenous to Sikkim also includes Darjeeling.
Sikkimese are people who inhabit the Indian state of Sikkim. The dominance ethnic diversity of Sikkim is represented by 'Lho-Mon-Tsong-Tsum' that identifies origin of three races since seventeenth century. The term 'Lho' refers to Bhutias (Lhopo) means south who migrated from Southern Tibet,the term 'Mon' refers to Lepchas (Rong) lived in lower Eastern Himalayas and the term 'Tsong' refers to Limbus,another tribe of Sikkim. The pre-theocratic phase of Sikkim was inhabited by the Kiratis,“Sikkim is also known as the home of the Kirati tribesmen from the pre-historic times.Society in Sikkim is characterised by multiple ethnicity and possesses attributes of a plural society. The present population of Sikkim is composed of different races and ethnic groups,viz.,the Lepchas,the Bhutias,the Nepalis and the Plainsmen,who came and settled in different phases of history. The historic 8 May agreement between Chogyal,Government of India and political parties of Sikkim defines Sikkimese as Sikkimese of Bhutia-Lepcha origin or Sikkimese of Nepali origin including Tsongs and Schedule castes. The community in Sikkim is inclusive of three sub-cultural sectors:the Kiratis,the Newaris and the Indian Gorkhas.
Mahananda Poudyal was an Indian writer,teacher,social worker and political thinker.
Indian Gorkhas,also known as Indian Nepalis,are an ethno-cultural group native to India,who speak Nepali as a common language. They inhabit mainly the states of Sikkim,West Bengal,Northeast and Uttarakhand,including their diaspora elsewhere in India and abroad. The modern term "Indian Gorkha" is used to differentiate the Nepali language Speaking Indians from Nepalis.
General elections were held in Sikkim in May 1953. The Sikkim National Party and the Sikkim State Congress both won six seats. Voter turnout was less than 30%.
Kumar Pradhan was an Indian historian and writer whose research interests include the History of the Eastern Himalayas,Genealogical studies and the Nepali literature. Pradhan has also edited and written a number of literary journals and anthologies and published learned articles in Nepali. He was the chief editor of Sunchari Samachar and other prominent Nepali newspapers.
Kedar Nath Gurung is an Indian educationist and writer of Nepalese literature,known for his satirical expressions. He was honored by the Government of India,in 2012,with the fourth highest Indian civilian award of Padma Shri.
Gadul Singh Lama,popularly known as Sanu Lama,is an Indian fiction writer,poet and translator of Nepali literature. An engineer by profession,he has published three short story anthologies and his stories have been translated into English,Hindi,Urdu,Assamese and Oriya languages. He is a recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award (1993),apart from other awards such as Sikkim Bhanu Puraskar,Dr. Shova Kanti Thegim Smrithi Puraskar and Madan Byakhanmala Puraskar. The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of the Padma Shri,in 2005,for his contributions to literature.
Tulsiram Sharma 'Kashyap' was an Indian writer and politician in the Nepali language from Sikkim,India. He is a recipient of Sahitya Academy Award in Nepali for his poetry Aama in 1990. He is the second generation writers of modern era of Nepali literature who has contributed to all genres of literature.
Sonam Tshering Lepcha was an Indian folk musician,composer and lyricist. He was the first among Lepcha people to air his voice on All India Radio and was credited with the revival of Lepcha culture,one of the indigenous cultures of the Indian state of Sikkim. He was reported to be credited with over 400 folk songs,102 folk dances and 10 dance dramas. He died on 30 July,2020 due to cardiac arrest.
Hamro Sikkim Party is a regional political party in the Indian state of Sikkim. The incumbent president of this party is Bhaichung Bhutia. Its election symbol is a Whistle.
Gangtok Assembly constituency is one of the 32 assembly constituencies of Sikkim a north east state of India. Gangtok is part of Sikkim Lok Sabha constituency. This Constituency is Scheduled Tribe constituency from 2009.
Kashiraj Pradhan popularly known as Kashi Babu was an Indian pre-merger politician and journalist in Sikkim. He was the President of Sikkim State Congress party,a member of the Sikkim State Council and Executive Council of Sikkim serving multiple terms in office. Known as the Father of Sikkimese journalism,he was the founder and publisher of Sikkim’s first news magazine Kanchenjunga.
Nahakul Pradhan also known as Nakul Pradhan was a Sikkimese pre-merger politician,pro-democracy leader,a member of the Sikkim State Council and Executive Council of Sikkim serving multiple terms. He was the President of the Sikkim State Congress party and the Editor of Sikkim’s first news magazine Kanchenjunga.
Bhuta-Lepcha is an ethnic grouping consisting of people of the Bhutia and Lepcha communities in Sikkim,India. Both these groups are listed as Scheduled Tribes by the Government of India.
The State Council of Sikkim was the legislative body of the erstwhile Kingdom of Sikkim,which was located in the Himalayas,between India and China.
Tashi Tshering was the first Chief Minister in erstwhile Kingdom of Sikkim from 8 May 1949 to 6 June 1949. He was the President of Sikkim State Congress.
G.T. Dhungel is an Indian politician who is currently serving as the Member of Sikkim Legislative Assembly from the Upper Tadong Constituency.
