Gangtok, July 1, 2025 – In a grand celebration at Manan Kendra, Gangtok, the Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Limited and the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services marked the 5th edition of Gwala Diwas, honouring the dairy farmers, cooperative societies, and innovators who are transforming the dairy sector in Sikkim.
The event was graced by Minister Puran Kumar Gurung, who emphasised the pivotal role of dairy in rural livelihoods, youth development, and public health. In his keynote, he called for deeper investment in indigenous cattle breeding under the Gokul Mission, the development of dairy clusters, and greater youth involvement to future-proof Sikkim’s dairy economy.
“Dairy is not just an industry—it’s the backbone of rural resilience and nutritional security,” said Gurung. “We must celebrate our farmers and co-operatives and empower the next generation with modern practices and sustainable models.”
Milestones and Recognitions
Dr. Sharman Rai and Dr. T.B. Ghatani addressed the audience, sharing the Union’s journey, new marketing plans, and infrastructure goals. Highlights included:
- Launch of a mascot punchline and screening of the documentary “Glory Story of Sikkim Milk Union”
- Educational film “Gwala Gyan” on cattle nutrition and feed best practices
- Mascot designers Dhananjay Sahani and Ayoosh Rai awarded ₹10,000 each
- Top district awards to Namchi and others with cash prizes up to ₹20,000
State-Level Dairy Excellence Awards
- 🏆 Melli MPCS – ₹10 lakh (Best Performing Cooperative)
- 🥈 Ben MPCS – ₹7 lakh
- 🥉 Begani MPCS – ₹5 lakh
Individual honours included Chunkey Sherpa (academic excellence), Sancha Bahadur Tamang (differently-abled milk pourer), and several dairy officers recognised for their innovation and marketing efforts.
The highest honour, Gwala Ratna Award 2024–25, was presented to Sukmaya Tamang from Melli, recognising her lifelong dedication to dairy farming.
The Minister concluded with a broader social message, proposing campaigns to combat online gaming addiction and drug abuse, and called for improved governance and rural support systems.
