Kumar Bahukhandi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday shared glimpses of himself playing football with youngsters in Gangtok (X.com)
Posting on X, the Prime Minister shared a video of the interaction, writing that there is “nothing like playing football with young friends on a lovely Gangtok morning.”
Gangtok: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday April 28, 2026 shared glimpses of himself playing football with youngsters in Gangtok, highlighting a lighter moment during his visit to Sikkim.
Posting on X, the Prime Minister shared a video of the interaction, writing that there is “nothing like playing football with young friends on a lovely Gangtok morning.” The visuals showed him engaging warmly with children on a football ground, drawing enthusiastic reactions.
The post quickly gained traction online, with users praising his outreach to youth and emphasis on sports and fitness. During his visit, Modi is also scheduled to visit the Orchidarium, part of the Swarnajayanti Maitri Manjari Park, developed as a world-class orchid experience centre showcasing the state’s rich biodiversity.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister will attend the closing ceremony of Sikkim’s 50th year of statehood celebrations at Paljor Stadium. He will inaugurate, launch, and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹4,000 crore and address the gathering.
The projects span sectors including infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, education, power, urban development, environment, tourism, and agriculture, aimed at promoting inclusive growth in the state.
In healthcare, Modi will lay the foundation stone for a 100-bedded Ayurveda hospital at Yangang in Namchi district and inaugurate a 30-bedded Integrated Sowa Rigpa Hospital at NIT Deorali, enhancing access to traditional medicine systems.
In education, he will inaugurate the permanent campus of Sikkim University at Yangang, along with facilities at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University of Excellence, Helen Lepcha Medical College, and other institutions. He will also launch IT-enabled infrastructure projects across 160 schools.
To improve connectivity, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation for two double-lane steel arch bridges over the Teesta River and inaugurate road upgrades linking Birdhang and Namchi. In the power sector, he will inaugurate upgrades to the transmission and distribution network in Gangtok to ensure reliable electricity supply.
Urban development initiatives include the inauguration of the Jan Seva Sachivalaya at Lumsey, the Civil Service Officers Institute in Gangtok, and multiple housing projects for urban poor and government personnel.
Environmental efforts include sewerage system rehabilitation in Singtam and pollution abatement projects for the Rani Chu. In tourism, Modi will inaugurate redevelopment projects in Gangtok, eco-tourism and pilgrimage infrastructure, and facilities linked to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
He will also inaugurate the Sikkim IFFCO Processing Plant to boost agro-processing and indoor cricket facilities in Rangpo to promote sports. The visit marks a key moment in Sikkim’s Golden Jubilee year and reflects the government’s focus on accelerating development in the Northeast region.
( Source : ANI )
