Governor Om Prakash Mathur on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, inaugurated the expanded Sikkim Prerna Sthal memorial complex at Bardang in East Sikkim, paying tribute to soldiers who lost their lives serving the state and nation. The ceremony was attended by senior officials including the Director General of Police Akshay Sachdeva, Major General M.S. Rathore, other military and police dignitaries, and families of the martyrs. The memorial was developed under the Governor’s Secretariat and executed by the Indian Army in collaboration with the State government, with corporate social responsibility (CSR) support for the latest expansion.
Originally conceived to honour the 22 Indian Army personnel who died at Bardang during the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in October 2023, Sikkim Prerna Sthal has been built in phases. The first phase, which included the Sakalya Udyan holistic healing park, opened on October 11, 2024, and a 72-foot flag mast was installed in 2025. The 2026 expansion, supported by the Cello Foundation and other CSR partners, broadened the memorial’s scope to commemorate martyrs from Sikkim and soldiers from across India who died while serving in the state.
The enlarged complex now lists 294 names across 13 operations and includes visitor amenities designed for education and remembrance. New facilities feature the Rannbhoomi AV Hall, which showcases Sikkim’s martial history, a cafeteria, a reflexology park and other public spaces aimed at improving the visitor experience. Two documentaries — “Lt. General Sagat Singh” and “Sentinels of Sikkim” — were launched at the event, and cultural performances as well as a Taekwondo demonstration by school students were presented.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Mathur described the memorial as a fitting tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the armed forces. He said the project’s expansion came from his belief that the site should honour all those who made the supreme sacrifice while serving in Sikkim. He also reflected on India’s military history, noting painful lessons from the 1962 war and the resilience shown in the 1967 clashes, and credited national leadership and defence reforms for strengthening the armed forces.
Governor Mathur highlighted the Rannbhoomi Darshan initiative to promote battlefield tourism and named potential developments at Doka La, Cho La viewpoints and Nathu La Pass. He said the government will consult with the State to develop Sikkim Prerna Sthal as a major tourist destination. The Governor thanked CSR contributors, including Motilal Oswal and the Cello Foundation, for their support in bringing the memorial to fruition.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/governor-inaugurates-expanded-sikkim-prerna-sthal-at-bardang
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