Queen’s Baton will carry forward the rich legacy of democracy and absolute

 peace prevailing in Sikkim: Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling

Gangtok, July 16, 2010: The Hon’ble Chief Minister received the Queen’s Baton at the Palzor Stadium in Gangtok this evening along with His Excellency Governor of Sikkim, Shri Balmiki Prasad Singh. As part of the Queen’s Baton Relay of the Commonwealth Games, the Baton was received by government dignitaries, sportspersons and officials at the Sikkim’ border town Rangpo this morning which reached the capital town of Gangtok this evening.

Speaking on the special occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling said, “On behalf of the people of Sikkim, I express immense happiness to be part of this great tradition of the Commonwealth Games. During its long journey outside and within India, the Queen’s Baton Relay entered Sikkim this morning. And, I daresay, it has entered the most peaceful State, its natural ally in its commitment to fostering world peace. This event in itself fosters fraternity among the commonwealth members.

The promotion of representative democracy and individual liberty, the pursuit of equality and opposition to racism, to fight against poverty, ignorance and disease are also great values that the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) represents and brings in its wake. Sikkim with its natural endowments, peace and tranquillity readily espouse common and shared values and objectives of the Commonwealth as enshrined in its institutional framework.

“India is greatly honoured and privileged to host this edition of Commonwealth Games in October this year. As the multi-national and multi-sports events features thousands of elite athletes from members of Commonwealth of Nations, amongst them many of Sikkim’s participating athletes will get great exposure to hone inherent talent and skills groomed and tutored amidst the Himalayan splendour”.

“Sikkim has contributed its might by offering to the country some great athletes in various disciplines. Late Sonam Gyatso, the first Sikkimese to scale Mount Everest, Lt. Pem Dorjee Bhutia (more widely known as Neelu), Jaslall Pradhan, Bhaichung Bhutia, Tarundeep Rai, Chungda Sherpa, Nirmal Chettri, Sanju Pradhan, Nirmal Dahal Special Olympic Bharat Medal winner, mountaineers Phul Maya Tamang, Yangzee Sherpa and others are some of the sporting names who brought laurel to the State. We have groomed a host of other names from the State, who have excelled at the regional, national and international arena in number of fields including mountaineering, sports, martial arts and the like.

“During the last one and half decade, the Government of Sikkim has consistently identified local talent and groomed them through a well thought through process. Local talent find Footballer Uttam Rai who is just 15 is going to play for India under 16 in the Tata Tea Arsenal Club. Similarly Nitin Rai is playing for the Staten Island Cricket Club in New York.

He briefly mentioned the state government’s new and innovative measures to encourage Sikkimese youth sports, including attractive cash awards for the achievers in national and international level”.

Dr. Chamling said, “The Queen’s Baton (QBR), created in 1958, has travelled through many civilisations; through the desert sands, through the refreshing mountain breeze and across Continents. But the message it has carried ever since has remained the same- that peace, humanity, democracy and equality must remain the order of the day- be it yesterday, today or tomorrow.

“Tomorrow, we will pass the Baton to fellow citizen across border for its next leg of the journey. When the Baton embarks thus, memories of its ride on the docile yak, high in the Sikkim Himalaya, will be accompanied by the experience of mesmerising peace. Thus, Sikkim would have passed on its message to the world of experiencing happiness and peace, harmony in living with Nature; highlighting life’s true values of forbearance, restrain and tolerance”.