Sikkim doing pivotal role in regional integration

Sikkim doing pivotal role in regional integration


December 21st, 2008
Gangtok, Sikkim: An international discourse on ‘Regionalism Approach to Regional Integration in South Asia: Prospects and Opportunities’ organized by Sikkim University was held on Friday at Chintan Bhavan which was presided by Mr.P.D.Rai, Deputy Chairman of Sikkim State Planning Commission.

Mr. Rai, in his address said “Sikkim is doing a pivotal role under the leadership of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling in regional integration”. Recently Sikkim was awarded 4th J.R.D.Tata award on 14 different disciplines including social justice, good governance, health and environment conservation. Besides, it got Rastriya Nirmal Puruskar on sanitation and brought Buddha’s relic from Thailand. These are all the regional manifestations, he said.

Speaking on financial crisis and terrorism, Mr.Rai said the world is seriously affected by present financial crisis and global terrorism and Sikkim is also a part of the global village.

He said at a time when there is hue and cry about global warming, ‘Sikkim has taken number of initiatives to conserve the environment’.

Prof. Mahendra P.Lama, Vice Chancellor of Sikkim University said, “South Asia as a whole has the hydle power potential of 19, 4310 MW, whereas we have hardly harnessed 41577 MW i.e, 21.39 percent of the total. There is tremendous scope in regional cooperation in energy sector”.

Mr. Gem Thsering, general manager of Bhutan Power Corporation, Thimpu, also attended the programme. He said Bhutan is the youngest democracy of the world. “India as a big brother is cooperating small brother Bhutan which is a global example”, he remarked. From Sichuan University, Prof. Li Tao, executive Dean of the university and Prof. Chandan Mahanta of Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, also addressed the session.

Earlier in a technical session of the same programme organized held at Conference Hall of Chintan Bhavan Governor Mr. B.P.Singh said the world is moving to a greater degree of co-operation in facing political and economic changes and “today, issues like health and education are also being addressed on a global scale”. Sub-regions have the advantages of geographical proximity, social cultural cohesiveness and economic complementary. Economic and social malaise can be tackled effectively by sharing resources and experience, he noted.

Source: Sikkim Reporter