The Governor of Sikkim, Om Prakash Mathur, flagged off the National Integration Tour – Buddhist Circuit at Raj Bhavan on Monday. The tour, organized by the Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army, aims to promote national unity and offer students from Sikkim a chance to explore India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

Twenty students from the Government Secondary School Karbey in Namchi District, who have never traveled outside the state, will participate in the ten-day tour. Accompanied by two teachers, the group will visit significant Buddhist pilgrimage sites such as Nalanda, Rajgir, Gaya, Varanasi, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Sravasti, and Lucknow before returning to Bengdubi. Major Anand Mohan Singh will lead the delegation.

During the flag-off ceremony, Governor Mathur emphasized the educational value of the tour, encouraging students to broaden their perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of India’s diverse cultures. The Governor also presented travel bags and momentos to the students as a gesture of encouragement.

The ceremony was attended by GOC of the 17th Mountain Division, M S Rathore, Commissioner cum Secretary to the Governor, Jitendra Raje, along with officials from the Indian Army and Raj Bhavan.

The flag-in ceremony for the tour will be held at the Sukna Headquarters Corps on 6th February 2025.