SCHOLARS DISCUSS CROSS BORDER TRADE CORRIDOR, TRADITIONAL FARMING; SIKKIM GOVT TO SET UP RESEARCH CENTRE

New Delhi, June 26: The Doctorate Association of Sikkim (DAS) organised a one-day special talk sessions at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok. The talk on ‘Exploring the Sikkim, Nepal Corridor: unveiling perspective via the Chewabhanjyang pass’ was chaired by Professor Mahendra P Lama while ‘Conservation and promotion of traditional crops: Prospects in Sikkim’ was chaired by Professor Laxuman Sharma.

Prof. Lama is a development economist who was the pro-vice chancellor of IGNOU and the founding VC of Sikkim University. He is presently a senior Professor in the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi; Chief Economic Adviser in the Government of Sikkim and Member of the Eminent Persons Group on Nepal-India Relations appointed by the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal.

His talk primarily focused on providing a comprehensive understanding of the Sikkim-Nepal corridor, with a particular focus on the Chewabhanjyang Pass. The talk highlighted the strategic importance of the Sikkim-Nepal corridor as a potential route for tourism, business, and trade between the two nations.

Prof. Lama discussed the potential economic benefits and opportunities that can arise from the development of the Sikkim-Nepal corridor. He also spoke about the challenges and potential solutions while encouraging dialogue among stakeholders to foster collaboration and generate innovative ideas for sustainable development along the corridor.

Professor Laxuman Sharma is the head of Department of Horticulture at Sikkim University. His area of specialisation is Organic and Hill Horticulture, Fruit Science, Microbial Biotechnology. His talk highlighted Sikkim’s status as a natural farming state in India and its unique approach to sustainable agricultural practices. He spoke about the diverse agricultural opportunities in Sikkim, including organic farming, horticulture, floriculture, and medicinal plants. Prof. Sharma threw light on the role of agriculture in generating livelihood source for the youths of Sikkim and elucidated the role of Government policies, support systems and funding opportunities in facilitating the growth of agricultural sector in the state.

State Education Minister Kunga Nima Lepcha attended the programme today as the Chief Guest along with Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Indra Hang Subba who was present as the guest of Honour. Also present were VC Kanchenjunga State University, Professors, Scholars and students from various Universities of Sikkim.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang recently announced that a

Research Centre for doctorates will soon be established in the State where the emphasis will be laid on devising ways through which the academic faculty, and research culture of the growing doctorate fraternity of Sikkim could be enhanced and put into practice which will be one of its kind and much more useful institution for the doctorates.