27 December 2011 marked the completion of 100 years of Jana Gana Mana, our national anthem, since it was sung for the first. In this connection I want to draw the attention of parliamentarians as well as national leadership of India to think and rethink the speech of honorable chief minister of Sikkim Dr. Pawan Kumar Chamling in a seminar on regional parties at Jamia Millia Islamia University at New Delhi on April 25, 2011. Dr. Chamling suggested his call for substitution of word ‘Sindh’ with ‘Sikkim’ in the national anthem to promote a sense of emotional national integration of Sikkemese people with India Union. He further said “In the same context, I suggest earlier and still say why not substitute the word ‘Sindh’ in our national anthem with the word ‘Sikkim’? The basic fact is when India became independent Sikkim was not in the national mainstream. Now has not that fact altered? This will further cement the edifice of emotional integration and justice done to the peace-loving citizens of India. Please forgive me, if I am blamed for inviting storms into a tea cup”, - (Chamling). Unlike many princely states and the subsequent events of consolidation after India’s Independence, Sikkim entered into the federal structure of the Indian Union in May 1975 based on free choice and collective wishes of the Sikkimese people. From both national and regional perspective, Sikkim has made the best contribution ever towards national integration and patriotism. “Do we not as Sikkimese people deserve better understanding of our hopes and aspirations? After the merger, not a single cabinet berth has been allotted to Sikkim’s MPs and not a single Sikkimese has been appointed to any constitutional post”, said Chamling. The Chief Minister also spoke on about how Sikkim has redefined the concept of a border state. “We in Sikkim have successfully redefined the concept of a border State. Peace, communal harmony, security, growth and development are indicators of this. Our people are living a decent life from insurgency and terrorism. We have proved that a border State could be equally or even more progressive and developed. This we have proved in actual terms thus making a great contribution towards advancing the cause of nation building”, said Chamling.
In this context why we the people of democratic India not think and rethink the suggestion of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling that “‘Sindh’ to be substituted with ‘Sikkim’ in national anthem”? Now Sindh is no more in India and Sikkim is 22nd state with 36th amendment of Indian Constitution. If we can amend our Constitution then why not our national anthem? If the word ‘Sikkim’ finds a place in our national anthem, it would indeed be a proud moment for all Sikkimese people and will certainly facilitate their emotional integration with the rest of the nation. It will persuade youth and coming generations to become better citizens and strive harder to strengthen this bond as an Indian. This issue should be raised in the Parliament and discussion should be made on this.
