New Delhi, August 26: Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister called on Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the President of India Saturday. The Chief Minister congratulated prez Patil on assuming the charge of President of India and apprised her that after having merged with India about three decades back there has not been a single Minister from Sikkim inducted in the Union Cabinet nor a Governor or a Supreme Court Judge appointed from Sikkim. Despite this, the people of Sikkim are very happy and emotionally integrated with the national mainstream. The State can also boast of being the most peaceful State in the country though it is surrounded by three international borders. He also apprised her about developmental initiatives made by the State Government in the various fields, especially in Tourism, Hydro-Power, Horticulture/Floriculture in Sikkim. The President fondly remembered her recent visit to Sikkim and appreciated the State Govt's. concerted steps for socio-economic development of the people of the State especially the empowerment of women. The Chief Minister further apprised about some of the issues concerning Sikkim pending with the Central Government particularly the construction of Airport, Rail link connectivity and reservation of Assembly seats for Limboo and Tamang Communities in Sikkim and sought for her blessings in this regard. The President gave assurance that she would personally look into these issues for early resolution.The Chief Minister extended an invitation to the President of India to inaugurate the International Flori Show to be held in the month of March, 2008 at Gangtok, according to a press communique received from the Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House, New Delhi.He was accompanied by R.B. Subba, Minister, Commerce & Industry, Hishey Lachungapa, Minister, Health, N.D. Rai, M.P. (Lok Sabha), O.T. Lepcha, M.P. (Rajya Sabha), R.S. Basnet, Pr. Secretary to CM and Anil K. Ganeriwala, Resident Commissioner. Similarly, he called on Mohammad Hamid Ansari, the Vice President of India on 24th August, 07. The Vice President of India showed keen interest in the development State, its people, their way of living, livelihood and art & culture.Chief Minister extended an invitation on behalf of the people of Sikkim to the Vice President to visit Sikkim. The Vice President kindly accepted the invitation and assured that Sikkim would be one of the few destinations he would like to visit.
