Sikkim-Gateway to China

Mohen Naorem

So much has been written about the crumbling decadence, insurgency, AIDS, the poverty and hostile nature of North Eastern India that it is impossible to visit the region without pre-conceived idea. According to a friend who had recently returned, "There isn't any" seemed to be the current in-phrase. This included riot, ransom, violence, communication gap,... extremists. People are peace loving and world class in hospitality. Determined, I faced the prospect of a somewhat adventurous mission to taste the unexplored land and culture, with some stoic philosophic abandon!

I rested in Sikkim as my first itenerary. It is simultaneously touching and heart warming - a coupling with which I became very familiar, for the Sikkimese understand my urband accent - they have mastered the art of easy communication.

The state is enormously optimistic and investors would surely love to expand their ventures in this news destination. As the legendary Nathu-La pass has been re-opened for trade with China, visiting Sikkim is derigueur. Today, Sikkim becomes the gateway to China!

The hub of life is centred on the main city, Gangtok. Here, it is possible to buy anything - from laughing Buddha to wooden sculptures, from Chow-mein to pork momo and from local wine to strong beer. It's always busy - an inevitable tourist haunt that somehow never seems touristy.

From the high wall of the Rumtek monastry, there is a sensational panaromic view of the city. The magnificiant Mount Kanchengjunga can also be seen covered with silver white from here. In Gangtok, hotel prices were quite reasonable. As a visitor, eating out in the city can be surprisingly cheap and believe it or not I did not hear "There isn't any" once!

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