Prime Minister engages with youth, attends Sikkim’s 50th statehood celebrations, and inaugurates multiple development projects.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday joined a group of youngsters for a game of football in Gangtok, describing the experience as an “energising session”.
Sharing images from the interaction on X, he wrote, “Nothing like playing some football with my young friends in Sikkim on a lovely Gangtok morning!” In another post, he added, “Clearly, an energising football session with these youngsters!”
Football remains one of the most popular sports in India’s northeastern states, often rivaling cricket in regions such as Sikkim, Mizoram, Manipur, and Meghalaya. Despite accounting for only around 3.8% of India’s population, the region consistently produces a significant share of professional football talent, including players in the Indian Super League (ISL).
The Prime Minister arrived in Gangtok on Monday to attend the closing ceremony marking 50 years of Sikkim’s statehood. His visit drew enthusiastic crowds, with residents lining the streets during a two-kilometre-long cultural roadshow.
Earlier, Modi interacted with Padma awardees and individuals from diverse fields, including social work, arts, education, and sports. He described the interaction as “enriching” and said it was “wonderful discussing a wide range of issues” with participants.
Officials said discussions covered development, innovation, education, social welfare, and opportunities for youth, with attendees sharing their experiences and suggestions.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit the Orchidarium in Gangtok, developed as an Orchid Experience Centre showcasing the state’s biodiversity.
He will also attend the Golden Jubilee closing ceremony at Paljor Stadium, where he is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects across infrastructure, healthcare, education, tourism, and other sectors.
Key initiatives include a 100-bedded Ayurveda hospital in Yangang, a Sowa Rigpa hospital at NIT Deorali, the permanent campus of Sikkim University, and multiple educational institutions and IT-enabled school infrastructure projects.
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