Gwala Day 2026 Celebrated at Namchi-Sikkim

Namchi, July 1 (IPR): The Sikkim Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Limited celebrated Gwala Day 2026 at the Town Hall, Namchi, today, recognising the invaluable contribution of dairy farmers and milk producers towards the socio-economic development of the State.

The programme was graced by the presence of The Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang, as the Chief Guest, accompanied by Deputy Speaker (SLA) Ms Raj Kumari Thapa along with Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry &Veterinary Services Department Mr Puran Gurung.

The programme commenced with the arrival of dignitaries, followed by the traditional offering of Khada and bouquets to the Chief Guest, Guests of Honour and other dignitaries. The ceremonial lighting of the lamp marked the formal inauguration of the celebration.

The Chief Minister, in his address, extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the entire fraternity of the Sikkim Milk Union on the occasion of the 6th Gwala Diwas 2026. He expressed immense satisfaction over the remarkable growth of Gwala Diwas since its inception in 2021, stating that the celebration has evolved into a significant platform to honour the invaluable contributions of dairy farmers, milk producers, and the Gwala (herder) community, whose hard work continues to strengthen Sikkim’s rural economy and dairy sector.

The Chief Minister noted that 1st July is a day of multiple important observances. Along with Gwala Diwas, it marks State-level Doctors’ Day and National Chartered Accountants Day. He conveyed his sincere gratitude to the doctors and healthcare professionals for their selfless service and dedication towards safeguarding the health of the people. On the occasion, he officially announced that 1st July shall henceforth be observed every year as Gwala Diwas in the State.

Highlighting the Government’s commitment towards environmental conservation, the Chief Minister announced that Sikkim Paryavaran Parva will be observed from 1st to 14th July every year to honour Mother Earth and encourage citizens to actively participate in protecting nature. As part of the campaign, he informed that on 7th July, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:07 a.m., all non-essential vehicular movement across the State will come to a complete halt as a symbolic gesture promoting climate action, reduction of carbon emissions, and environmental awareness.

Recalling his childhood days, the Chief Minister shared that as a school-going student, he would carry milk to different locations before attending classes. He remarked that Gwala Diwas holds a special place in his heart because he personally understands the struggles and dedication of dairy farmers. In recognition of their contribution, he announced that apart from cash awards and felicitation, the State Government will fully sponsor higher education for children of Gwala families who aspire to pursue studies beyond school. He also announced that 27th July will henceforth be observed to honour the contribution of the driver community.

Congratulating the recipients of the awards, the Chief Minister felicitated Mr Arun Rai of Pabyuik MPCS, Gangtok, who received the Gwala Ratna Puraskar 2026. He also congratulated the three best-performing milk-producing centres, which were awarded cash incentives of ₹10 lakh, ₹7 lakh and ₹5 lakh, respectively. Appreciating the tremendous progress achieved by the dairy sector since 2021, he noted that the Sikkim Milk Union has increased its daily milk procurement from nearly 68,000 litres to over 71,000 litres, reflecting the steady growth of the sector.

Speaking extensively on the welfare initiatives of the State Government, the Chief Minister highlighted the success of the Chief Minister’s Education Assistance Scheme (CMEAS), which has been extending financial support ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 to deserving students. Citing the inspiring example of Ms Chunu Rai from Meyong village in Gyalshing district, he said that her dream of becoming a professional pilot became a reality with assistance from the State Government.

The CM further highlighted various flagship welfare programmes being implemented for the benefit of all sections of society. He informed that under the rural housing programme, more than 11,000 houses have already been allotted and are targeted for completion by 2027. He also spoke about the success of the Sikkim Garib Awas Yojana (SGAY), under which permanent houses costing approximately ₹17.51 lakh each are being provided to eligible beneficiaries, and the Sikkim Garib Urban Awas Yojana (SUGAY), which extends similar housing support to the urban poor.

Reaffirming the Government’s commitment towards women’s welfare, he highlighted initiatives such as the Aama Yojana, Aama Sahyog Yojana, which provides four free LPG cylinder refills annually to eligible mothers, and Bahini Yojana, which has ensured free sanitary pads for secondary and senior secondary school-going girls since 2020. Referring to the recent judgment of the Supreme Court recognising menstrual hygiene as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution, he welcomed the decision mandating free biodegradable sanitary pads in schools across the country.

He also spoke about the recently launched Vatsalaya Scheme, which provides financial assistance of ₹3 lakh to married couples facing infertility. He further highlighted several other people-centric initiatives, including the Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Scheme, Chief Minister’s Self Employment Assistance Scheme, Old Age Pension Scheme, Kalakar Bharosa Samelan, and Mero Rukh Mero Santati, among others.

Emphasising healthcare as one of the Government’s highest priorities, the Chief Minister announced that the Sikkim Garib Jan Kalyan Prakostha, in collaboration with the District Health Department, will organise a mass screening and surgical programme for kidney and gallbladder stone patients in Namchi District under the supervision of expert medical professionals, making quality healthcare more accessible and convenient for the people.

The CM also underscored the important role of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services in strengthening the livestock and dairy sectors. He appreciated the contribution of Self-Help Groups towards rural livelihoods and announced that a dedicated Panchayat Samelan will be organised across all six districts to recognise and strengthen grassroots governance. He further announced that the State-level Bhanu Jayanti Celebration 2026 will be observed on 13th July in Soreng District Sikkim. The Chief Minister reiterated the State Government’s commitment towards inclusive development, assuring that every section of society—from farmers and women to youth, senior citizens, artists, entrepreneurs and rural communities—will continue to benefit from people-centric welfare schemes aimed at building a prosperous, healthy and self-reliant Sikkim.

Concluding his speech, the CM appreciated the dedicated efforts of the Sikkim Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Limited, cooperative societies and dairy farmers in maintaining quality standards and ensuring consistent growth in milk production. Referring to the launch of new dairy products, he stated that value addition and product diversification would not only create new market opportunities but also enhance the identity and competitiveness of Sikkim’s dairy products across the region. He urged the younger generation to view dairy farming as a promising entrepreneurial venture and called upon all stakeholders to work collectively towards achieving self-reliance, food security and inclusive rural development.

Minister for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Mr Puran Kumar Gurung, in his address, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Sikkim Milk Union and the dairy farming community on the celebration of the 6th Gwala Diwas 2026. He applauded the remarkable progress made by the Department over the years and credited its growth to the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang. He stated that the State Government has consistently remained committed to supporting farmers and the rural community through various welfare initiatives. Urging all officers and employees to continue working with dedication and unity, he called upon them to collectively strive towards achieving self-reliance and further strengthening the dairy and livestock sector.

Earlier, the programme commenced with a short address by the Principal Director-cum-Secretary, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Dr Sharman Rai, followed by a PowerPoint presentation on the overview of the Sikkim Milk Union by Dr T B Ghatani, Managing Director, Sikkim Milk Union. An informative film titled “Bharosa Ko Doshro Naam…” was also screened, following which the characters featured in the film were presented with tokens of appreciation.

The Chief Guest was felicitated by the Advisor, Board of Directors and Management of the Sikkim Milk Union. This was followed by the felicitation of the Guests of Honour and representatives of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) by the Advisor, Board of Directors and Management of the Sikkim Milk Union.

The Chief Guest then officially launched Indrakil Rasdana, Peda, Lollipop and Butterscotch-flavoured Ice Cream developed by the Sikkim Milk Union.

The Chief guest, subsequently distributed district-wise awards to the Best Performing Village Milk Producers’ Cooperative Societies.

The awardees were:

Pakyong District: Budang MPCS

Gangtok District: Naitam MPCS

Namchi District: Melli MPCS

Gyalshing District: Leydung MPCS

Soreng District: Upper Sribadam MPCS

Mangan District: Tingzay MPCS

All the winning Milk Producers’ Cooperative Societies were honoured with cash prizes along with mementos.

The programme also witnessed the felicitation of Pabyuik MPCS, Gangtok, as the Best Performing Milk Producers’ Cooperative Society in the State, which was presented with a cash prize and a memento.

Thereafter, Mr Aditya Pandey was felicitated as the Best Performing Student from the Gwala Community and was presented with a cash prize of Rs 1 Lakh and a memento.

The Department of Cooperation, along with Apex Cooperative Societies, also launched the Computerization of the RCS Office Portal. The programme included the distribution of share certificates by the Cooperation Department, SICUN, SIMFED, DACS and SISCO Bank, distribution of ATM cards to PACS and DCS by SISCO Bank, and the presentation of a cheque of ₹5 lakh by DACS to Middle Pabong Women’s Labour Cooperative Society and Namphing Temi Tarku for poultry farming under the Contract Farming Scheme.

The Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department also distributed animal neck bands to the two best-performing dairy farmers, accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation showcasing their achievements.

The programme concluded with the declaration and conferring of the prestigious Gwala Ratna Puraskar 2026 upon Mr Arun Rai, who was honoured with a cash award of ₹3 lakh along with a memento in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the dairy sector.

Present during today’s programme were, Council of Ministers, Political Secretary to HCM Mr Jacob Khaling Rai, Namchi-Singithang MLA Mr Satish Chandra Rai, Zilla Adhakshya Namchi Ms Anjeeta Rajalim, MLA’s , Chairpersons and Advisors, OSDs, Principal Directors, Directors, Secretaries, Councillors, DC Namchi Ms Anupa Tamling, Sr Sp Namchi Ms Sonam Doma Bhutia, ADC’s, SDM’s, HoOs from various Line Departments, Fisheries Departments, senior government officials, representatives of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), members of milk producers’ cooperative societies, dairy farmers and officials of the Sikkim Milk Union. Representative from (NDTV) Mr Sandeep Kumar, dignitaries and and the Gwala public at large.

Source : Dairynews7x7 July 2nd 2026 Report From DIO Namchi