Gangtok, July 31: Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur on Friday completed two years in office, with the occasion marked by an official function held at Ashirvad Hall, Lok Bhawan in Gangtok.
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| Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur felicitates an award recipient during a ceremony marking his completion of two years in office at Lok Bhawan, Gangtok, on July 31, 2026. (Image: DIO Gangtok) |
Addressing the gathering, the Governor expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of Sikkim, saying the warmth and hospitality extended by the people had surpassed even that of his home region. Reflecting on his public life since 1972, he said he had always believed in staying connected with the people through regular visits to Gram Panchayat Units (GPUs).
To commemorate the milestone, Mathur announced a new initiative to honour district academic toppers. He noted with pride that five of the six toppers were young women, describing the achievement as a strong reflection of women's empowerment in the State.
The Governor also praised Sikkim's accomplishments, highlighting its status as India's first fully organic State, its environmental initiatives such as planting 108 trees to celebrate the birth of every child, and its peaceful social environment, low crime rate, and strong communal harmony. He reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the State Government for Sikkim's continued development.
Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly M.N. Sherpa congratulated the Governor on completing two successful years in office and lauded his leadership, environmental initiatives, and efforts to make Lok Bhawan a more accessible, people-centric institution. He also appreciated the Governor's support for border security forces and his commitment to sustainable development and cultural preservation.
Minister Sonam Lama praised the Governor's guidance and said Sikkim was making steady progress towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 under the leadership of Governor Mathur and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.
Minister Arun Kumar Upreti also commended the Governor's humility and dedication to public service, highlighting his initiatives to promote social harmony, youth development, and cultural preservation.
During the event, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Advaitananda Giri, Founder and Chairman of the International Meditation Foundation, delivered a discourse on spirituality and human values. He described service to society as a path to spiritual fulfilment and urged that human values remain central even as artificial intelligence continues to advance rapidly.
Secretary to the Governor Jitendra Singh Raje presented a summary of the Governor's achievements over the past two years, including the adoption of Chungthang village, promotion of border tourism, electrification of border villages, support for entrepreneurs and sports, women's empowerment initiatives, and improvements in Army infrastructure.
The programme also featured cultural performances representing the Lepcha, Bhutia, and Nepali communities. A felicitation ceremony honoured Class X district toppers, security personnel, progressive farmers, Lok Bhawan staff, and sanitation workers for their outstanding contributions.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Pradeep Tripathi and was attended by several Cabinet ministers, MLAs, senior government officials, police personnel, and other dignitaries.
