Gangtok, May 22: The 102nd birth anniversary of Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal, the last King of Sikkim, was commemorated with a heartfelt tribute at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology in Gangtok. This year’s celebration featured a special exhibition and book launch, honouring the extraordinary lifelong friendship between the late monarch and Nari K. Rustomji, the distinguished Indian civil servant who played a pivotal role in Sikkim’s political evolution.
The event was graced by Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur, along with members of the Rustomji family and local dignitaries. The highlight of the ceremony was the personal reflections shared by Rustomji’s daughters, Shahnaz Rustomji Slater and Rashne Rustomji Athayde, who travelled to Sikkim after five decades to honour their father’s legacy.
“My father’s first exposure to Sikkim was in 1943, during a visit with the then Crown Prince, Palden Thondup Namgyal. They formed an instant connection—an empathy and admiration for the land and its people that lasted a lifetime,” shared Shahnaz Rustomji Slater.
Rashne Rustomji Athayde recalled vivid childhood memories from their time in Sikkim when her father served as Chief Secretary:
“Returning to Sikkim after 50 years is deeply emotional for us. The Chogyal was warm and visionary, once arranging a tent for us at the Palace in an hour, even checking on us during a thunderstorm. He and our father shared a dream for Sikkim—bringing education and healthcare to even the remotest villages. They travelled on horseback, connecting with communities and honouring local cultures.”
Nari K. Rustomji (1919–1993) was a key figure in Sikkim’s modern history. Though not always formally titled Dewan, his role as Political Officer for Sikkim and Bhutan in the 1950s and 60s gave him de facto authority akin to that of a prime minister. He served under both Chogyal Tashi Namgyal and his son, Palden Thondup Namgyal, advising them during critical decades of transformation leading up to Sikkim’s merger with India in 1975.
Dr. Passang D. Phempu, Director of the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, explained the significance of this year’s celebration:
“Rather than hold another academic event, we chose to spotlight the deep personal bond between Nari Rustomji and the last Chogyal—a friendship that began in 1942 and shaped much of modern Sikkim. During their era, institutions such as Sikkim Nationalised Transport, State Bank of Sikkim, Sikkim Handloom and Handicrafts, and even our own Namgyal Institute of Tibetology were founded. Thanks to the Rustomji family’s generous sharing of rare documents and photos—many never seen publicly before—we can honour a legacy long overlooked.”
Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
