Gangtok, Jan 31: In a notable act of community service, the 2017 batch of former Headmasters and Headmistresses from Government Junior High Schools (JHS) in Sikkim has donated essential medical equipment to the New STNM Hospital in Sochakgang. The donation was presented on Friday during a formal ceremony held at the hospital.

The event was attended by prominent officials, including GT Dhungel, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Raju Basnet, Minister of Education, Sports & Youth Affairs, and Ruth Yonzon, PCC and Medical Superintendent of STNM Hospital. Suresh Madan Rasaily, Assistant Medical Superintendent-1, along with members of the All Sikkim Headmasters/Headmistresses Government JHS 2017 Batch, also participated in the ceremony.

The donated items, which included wheelchairs, sterilizers, sphygmomanometers, and surgical gowns, were aimed at bolstering the hospital’s healthcare services. SK Lepcha, Vice President of the association, expressed gratitude to the ministers and hospital authorities for their support and underscored the significance of these contributions in strengthening the region’s healthcare infrastructure.

Health Minister Dhungel lauded the educators’ generosity, noting that such acts of kindness help ease the strain on public resources and promote a sense of social responsibility.

Education Minister Basnet also praised the initiative, calling the hospital a “top-tier temple” and acknowledging the continuing contributions of educators to society.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dhiraj Sharma, Executive Member of the association. Following the ceremony, officials toured the hospital’s store to inspect the donated medical equipment.

TP Sharma, General Secretary of the Sikkim Teachers’ Association and Advisor to the All Sikkim Headmasters/Headmistresses Government JHS 2017 Batch, revealed to the media that 41 headmasters and headmistresses had collectively raised approximately ₹3 lakh to fund the purchase of the equipment.

Sharma highlighted the educators’ commitment to social responsibility and expressed hope that the initiative would encourage other organizations to support public services, in line with the Chief Minister’s vision of a “Sunaulo and Samriddha Sikkim.”