Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang met Dr. Projjwal Chandra Lama, Principal of Darjeeling Government College (DGC), along with members of the DGC Alumni Association, on Friday, 24 July 2026, to discuss preparations for the college's 78th Foundation Day celebrations scheduled for 5 August 2026. Darjeeling Lok Sabha MP Raju Bista of the BJP was also present at the meeting.

Context

The delegation called on Chief Minister Tamang at his office to brief him on the upcoming milestone celebrations of one of the Eastern Himalayas' oldest undergraduate institutions. Tamang, who shared personal ties with the college, described the occasion as an opportunity to 'reconnect with old friends and relive cherished college memories.' The meeting brought together a cross-party gathering, with SKM founder Tamang and BJP MP Bista seated alongside DGC's academic leadership.

Policy Backdrop

Darjeeling Government College was established in 1948, making it a foundational institution for higher education in the Darjeeling hills region of West Bengal. Over nearly eight decades, it has served students from the hills communities that straddle the Sikkim-West Bengal border, creating alumni networks that extend into both states' political and administrative circles. The DGC Alumni Association plays an active role in organising institutional events and maintaining bonds among former students across the region.

Stakeholders and Impact

The meeting underscores the longstanding personal and institutional links between Sikkim's political leadership and Darjeeling's educational institutions, rooted in shared linguistic and ethnic demographics across the two neighbouring regions. Cross-border alumni networks have historically facilitated non-partisan engagements between Sikkim Krantikari Morcha leaders and West Bengal-based representatives, even amid periodic state-level political differences. For the broader DGC family — students, faculty, and alumni — the participation of a sitting Chief Minister and a sitting Member of Parliament signals institutional recognition of the college's regional significance.

What's Next

All eyes will be on the 78th Foundation Day event on 5 August 2026, where any joint announcements or participation by political leaders could carry significance for the hills education landscape. CM Tamang extended wishes to 'the entire DGC family' for success and excellence in the celebrations, leaving open the possibility of a more formal role at the event. The gathering may also set a template for continued cooperation on cultural and educational matters between Sikkim and Darjeeling stakeholders.