Sikkim Declared "The best region to visit in 2014" by "Lonely Planet"

It was thrilling to know that Sikkim - the picturesque north eastern state of India - has been declared "The best region to visit in 2014" by "Lonely Planet", the prominent global travel guide followed by travel enthusiasts across the world.

Sikkim is fortunate to be blessed with a heavenly beauty (like many other states and regions of India). But tapping that beauty in a smart and innovative manner is a different thing, which requires passion, imagination and dedication. The Sikkim Govt has done it successfully, and it deserves hearty congrats from everybody. This honour has come as a result of Sikkim’s strong focus on developing its tourism sector, with its dedication being reflected from facts, such as being the first Indian state to espouse a proper eco-tourism policy formulated by US and Japanese experts.

It may be mentioned that while making its selection, “Lonely Planet” has expressed appreciation for the community-based tourism model successfully developed by the state.  

Sikkim – The Fairy Tale Land That This World Is Lucky To Have

On the lap of snow-white mountains – amidst lush green forests and crystal clear rivers – there lies a fairy tale land

Named Sikkim, it is a land that in the true sense is amazing, magnificent and grand.

Boasting of rich and colourful folk cultures, courtesy its indigenous communities

Sikkim also has a marvelous religious appeal, being a key hub of Buddhist practice.

It is a spectacular land that personifies beauty, enigma, mysticism and myth

It is a piece of land that this world is genuinely fortunate to have been endowed with.

Darjeeling Is In West Bengal

Well, this is a message meant precisely for all those Indians who DO NOT know that Darjeeling is in the state of West Bengal, and feel that it is in the beautiful state of Sikkim.

Since I shifted to Delhi from Kolkata in 2001, I have come across a huge number of people who do not know that Darjeeling is in my home state of West Bengal, with most of them having this perception that Darjeeling is in Sikkim.

It is only after my latest such experience on 13th November 2009, where one colleague expressed surprise to know that Darjeeling is in West Bengal, that I decided to make this posting to inform everybody that Darjeeling is in West Bengal.

And yes, I will also like to dispel this misconception of a number of people that Siliguri is in North-East India. In reality, Siliguri is in West Bengal, and is in fact my place of birth.