President of India Kovind graces the 5th convocation of Sikkim University

Speaking on the occasion, the President was happy to note that in a short span of about 12 years, Sikkim University has made serious efforts to develop the intellectual and cultural understanding of the people of the Eastern Himalayas.

He was also happy to note that to promote local languages and literatures, the university is teaching Limbu, Lepcha and Bhutia in its campus. And it has established the Centre for Endangered Languages for the conservation of extincting languages.

He said that preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Sikkim will prove to be a visionary initiative in protecting special identity of the State.

The President said that Sikkim has a strong possibility to become a model of development for other hill states. On the strength of conscious citizens, Sikkim is counted among the 10 leading states in the Human Development Index.

Sikkim has set an example in education, health, sanitation and protection of wildlife. It has also set an example before rest of the country in organic farming and becoming a clean, pollution-free state.

He said that we should resolve that our country would also become a harbinger of organic farming and free of pollution much like Sikkim.