Gangtok, May 16 (PTI) Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Saturday lauded Sikkim for making rapid progress and said it will get railway connectivity by next year, which will further boost development and tourism in the state.
He pointed out the geographical location of Sikkim, which shares borders with China, Bhutan and Nepal, to describe the state as the sentinel of the country.
"Sikkim has made rapid progress on all fronts and preserved its culture and traditions at the same time," he said at the 51st state day celebrations held at Manan Kendra here.
The Himalayan state is a shining example of nature, culture and governance, Radhakrishnan said, adding the state is organic not just in terms of farming, but in character as well.
He praised the success of organic farming in Sikkim and said that these products must reach other parts of the country.
"Around 66,000 farmers are doing a commendable job by making Sikkim an organic state, producing various items on 76,000 hectares of land by using natural fertilisers," the vice-president said.
He also pointed out that 47 per cent of its area has forest cover, and a vast tract of land has been declared a protected area, which is the highest in the country in percentage terms.
Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Radhakrishnan said, "Sikkim is the heaven of the East."
The Vice-President said that Sikkim will get railway connectivity by next year, which will further boost development and tourism-related activities.
Reminiscing about Sikkim's integration with the Union of India when he was a student in the 1970s, he said, "I could have never imagined that 50 years down the line I would be in Sikkim as the Vice-President of India to attend the State Day celebrations."
He also paid fulsome tributes to Sikkim's first CM Kazi Lhendup Dorjee, describing him as a visionary leader who led the state's successful transition into an integral part of India.