**Executive Summary**
On May 27, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu attended the seventh convocation of Sikkim University in Gangtok, highlighting Sikkim’s achievement of becoming a fully literate state. The visit emphasized the university's role in cultural preservation and environmental stewardship, alongside the inauguration of public service initiatives for women and waste management. The President called for students to contribute to national development goals aimed at achieving a "developed India" by 2047.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**State Achievements and Recognition**
* **Full Literacy:** Sikkim was officially recognized and congratulated for achieving the status of a fully literate state.
* **Organic Leadership:** The state was reaffirmed as India’s first fully organic state (achieved in 2016), serving as a national model for sustainable development.
* **Environmental Initiatives:** Efforts such as curbing plastic usage and promoting organic farming were cited as inspirations for the country.
**University Responsibilities and Academic Goals**
* **Preservation Mandate:** Sikkim University holds a special responsibility to preserve the region’s unique language, culture, and environment.
* **Holistic Education:** The institution is noted for integrating modern education with local traditions, ecological consciousness, and social responsibility.
* **Regional Progress:** The development of the North-Eastern region is framed as indispensable for the inclusive progress of India.
**National Vision and Student Empowerment**
* **Vision 2047:** The President outlined a trajectory toward building a developed nation by the year 2047.
* **Values for Success:** Students were urged to internalize the values of efficiency, equity, and sustainability while pursuing their careers.
* **Social Impact:** Graduates are encouraged to use their competence to improve the lives of marginalized sections of society.
**Infrastructure and Public Welfare**
* **Women’s Transport:** The President flagged off the ‘Ama Didi Bahini Bus Sewa,’ a fleet of pink buses dedicated to women.
* **Waste Management:** New Resource Recovery vehicles were launched to enhance solid waste management in Gangtok.
**Impact Analysis**
**Sikkim University Students**
**Impact:** Graduates are recognized as vital assets for national self-reliance and the development of the North-Eastern region.
**Action Required:** Students must focus on collaboration rather than isolation, define clear short-term and long-term objectives, and work toward the betterment of society.
**Sikkim University (The Institution)**
**Impact:** The university is positioned as more than a research center; it is a guardian of regional identity and ecological awareness.
**Action Required:** The institution must continue to integrate local traditions and environmental conservation into its modern academic curriculum.
**Sikkim State Government**
**Impact:** The government receives national validation for its literacy and environmental policies.
**Action Required:** Authorities must maintain the momentum of the newly launched transport and waste management initiatives and continue to balance development with nature conservation.
**General Public of Sikkim**
**Impact:** Citizens are identified as stakeholders in the state’s "distinct identity" regarding biodiversity and cleanliness.
**Action Required:** Individuals are encouraged to assume personal responsibility for the cleanliness of their surroundings and the nurturing of nature.
Key Entities Referenced
President Droupadi Murmu: The President of India who graced the seventh convocation of Sikkim University and launched regional developmental initiatives.
Sikkim University: The primary educational institution highlighted for its role in preserving the North-Eastern region's language, culture, and biodiversity.
Ama Didi Bahini Bus Sewa: A transport initiative involving pink buses dedicated to women, flagged off by the President during her visit.
Gangtok, Sikkim: The central location of the event, recognized for achieving the status of a fully literate state and India's first fully organic state.
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES CONVOCATION
CEREMONY OF SIKKIM UNIVERSITY
SIKKIM UNIVERSITY HAS A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF
PRESERVING THE REGION'S LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND
ENVIRONMENT: PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU
THE PRESIDENT URGES STUDENTS TO EMPOWER
THEMSELVES THROUGH EDUCATION AND WORK FOR THE
BETTERMENT OF THE SOCIETY AND NATION
PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU CONGRATULATES THE
SIKKIM GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE ON SIKKIM BEING
DECLARED A FULLY LITERATE STATE
Posted On: 27 MAY 2026 6:34PM by PIB Delhi
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced the seventh convocation ceremony of Sikkim
University at Gangtok, Sikkim today (May 27, 2026).Speaking on the occasion, the President said that Sikkim holds a distinct identity for its natural beauty,
culture and biodiversity. Kanchenjunga, one of the highest peaks in the Himalayas, stands as nature's
invaluable gift to Sikkim. The people of Sikkim revere this peak as their guardian deity. A profound sense
of responsibility toward the conservation and nurturing of nature is evident among them.
The President said that it is a matter of immense pride for Sikkim that it became India's first fully organic
state in 2016. She was happy to note that Sikkim has demonstrated that development and nature
conservation can indeed go hand in hand. She stated that initiatives such as curbing plastic usage,
promoting organic farming, and protecting the environment serve as an inspiration for the entire nation. If
every individual were to assume responsibility for the cleanliness of their surroundings, as well as for
nature and society, the country could achieve rapid progress.The President said that it is a matter of pride for all fellow citizens, especially the people of Sikkim, that
Sikkim has now become a fully literate state. She congratulated the government and people of Sikkim for
this landmark achievement.
The President said that the development of the North-Eastern region is indispensable for the inclusive
progress of the country. The youth of this region possess immense talent. She urged the students of Sikkim
University, hailing from Sikkim as well as other states, to stay connected to each other and to move
forward with a collective spirit of contributing to national development. She said that through their
competence and dedication, they can improve the lives of people belonging to marginalized sections of
society. In doing so, they can play important role in fostering inclusive development.
The President said that Sikkim University bears special responsibility of preserving the region's language,
culture, and environment, apart from being a centre for education and research. She was happy to note that
this university integrates modern education with local traditions, ecological consciousness and social
responsibility. She said that it is the appropriate path to foster the holistic development of students.The President said that education is a vital instrument for self-reliance. She urged students to empower
themselves through education and work for the betterment of the nation and society. She advised them to
always have complete faith in their own capabilities; learn from the experiences and knowledge of others;
achieve progress through collaboration, not in isolation; and define both short-term and long-term
objectives and formulate a strategy to achieve them. She said that we are advancing towards the goal of
building a developed India by the year 2047. She expressed confidence that the students will move
forward in their chosen fields internalizing the values of efficiency, equity, and sustainability.
Earlier in the day, the President flagged off the 'Ama Didi Bahini Bus Sewa' - pink buses for women, and
Resource Recovery vehicles for solid waste management at Gangtok, Sikkim.
Please click here to see the President's speech-
***
MJPS/SS/PRK
(Release ID: 2265982) Visitor Counter : 1090
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Nepali , Assamese , Punjabi , Tamil , Malayalam