PM Modi in his virtual address congratulated the people of Sikkim on 50th statehood anniversary and said, "I also wanted to be a part of this celebration with you. I left Delhi early in the morning and reached Bagdogra, but the weather prevented me from going further... But such a magnificent scene is in front of me, where people are everywhere... I apologise to all of you. But as the Chief Minister has invited me, I assure you that whenever the state government decides, I will come to Sikkim and attend the celebrations of Sikkim completing 50 years of statehood..."
PM Modi virtually laid the foundation and inaugurated multiple development projects in Sikkim, including a new 500-bedded District hospital worth over Rs 750 crore in Namchi district, Passenger Ropeway at Sangachoeling, Pelling in Gyalshing District, and the statue of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Atal Amrit Udyan at Sangkhola in Gangtok District.
PM Modi said, "Sikkim decided a democratic future for itself 50 years ago... The people of Sikkim believed that when everyone's voice was heard and everyone's rights were protected, everyone would have the same opportunities for progress. Today, I can say that the belief of each family of Sikkim has strengthened... In the last 50 years, Sikkim has become a model of nature and progress... In these 50 years, such stars have emerged from Sikkim who have illuminated India's sky..."
PM Modi added that in the last decade the Central government has brought the North East to the centre of development. “We are working on the resolution of Act East, with the ideology of Act Fast. Recently, the North East Investment Summit was held in Delhi, where investors announced big investments in the entire North East, including Sikkim. With this, big employment opportunities will be available to Sikkim's youth," he said.
Enjoying protectorate status under the Union of India after the country’s Independence in 1947, Sikkim became an Indian state on May 16, 1975, following a referendum.
Hoardings and banners with welcome messages to the prime minister have been put up in the state's capital, Gangtok, and its surrounding areas.
During his two-hour visit, the PM will release a commemorative coin, souvenir and stamp to mark the completion of 50 years of Sikkim as a state, the officials said.
The PM will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several projects, including a 500-bed district hospital worth over Rs 750 crore in Namchi, a passenger ropeway at Sangachoeling in Pelling in Gyalshing district, and a statue of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji at Atal Amrit Udyan in Gangtok.
The prime minister will also address a gathering of around one lakh people on the occasion of the statehood celebrations, they said.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made in and around the state capital for the PM's visit, while vehicles' movement is being restricted in Gangtok.