PM Modi leads mega roadshow in Gangtok
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a mega roadshow in Gangtok on Monday evening after arriving in Sikkim to attend the closing ceremony of the 50 years of statehood celebrations.
Modi, who wore a traditional Bhutia cap and a Lepcha coat, was received at the Libing helipad by Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.
From the helipad, the PM began the roadshow, which concluded at Lok Bhavan, where he will stay overnight. On the open vehicle, Modi was flanked by CM Tamang on his left and State BJP president DR Thapa on his right.
Large crowds lined the roads for hours, waving national flags and waiting to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister.
As his convoy moved slowly through the city, people broke into celebrations.
Some enthusiastic supporters chanted “Modi, Modi, Modi”, while a few women were seen showering flower petals in his direction.
Modi acknowledged the cheering crowds by waving continuously.
Tamang was also seen urging the gathered people to cheer for the PM during the roadshow.
The route of the roadshow was decorated, with arch gates erected at several points and large cut-outs of Modi placed along the roads. On Tuesday, Modi will visit the Orchidarium in Gangtok.
To commemorate the golden jubilee of Sikkim’s statehood and showcase the State’s ecological and floral heritage, the ‘Swarnajayanti Maitri Manjari’ Park has been developed as a world-class Orchid Experience Centre.
The PM will also participate in the closing ceremony of Sikkim’s 50th statehood celebrations at Paljor Stadium, where he will unveil development projects worth over Rs 4,000 crore.
The projects cover several sectors, including infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, education, power, urban development, environment, tourism and agriculture.
Modi is also scheduled to address the gathering on the occasion.
He was expected to attend the opening ceremony of the year-long celebrations last year, but could not reach the venue due to inclement weather.
However, he addressed the event virtually from Siliguri in neighbouring West Bengal.
“With immense fervour and heartfelt enthusiasm, the people of Sikkim accorded a grand and resounding welcome to PM on his arrival in Gangtok,” he said in a social media post.
