Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan participated in Sikkim’s 51st Statehood Day festivities in Gangtok during his inaugural visit to the Himalayan state. Due to adverse weather conditions, his planned helicopter journey from Bagdogra airport to Gangtok was replaced by a road trip via National Highway-10.
The helicopter transport was canceled due to poor visibility and inclement weather in the area. Radhakrishnan arrived at the Rangpo border checkpost around 11:30 a.m. and proceeded to Lok Bhawan in Gangtok, where he was welcomed by Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay, along with other dignitaries.
In Gangtok, the Vice President was greeted with a ceremonial Guard of Honour by the Sikkim Armed Police. He later participated in the Statehood Day event at Manan Kendra, where he, alongside officials and citizens, commemorated Sikkim’s journey as India’s 22nd state. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang honored Radhakrishnan with the traditional Lepcha hat ‘Sumok Thyaktuk’ as a symbol of respect and cultural significance.
