Gangtok, April 22, 2026 – In a powerful display of environmental advocacy and social inclusion, the International Association for People Nature and Environmental Management (IAPNEM), led by its visionary Founder and Chairperson, Dr. Sanghamitra Sarkar, collaborated with Special Olympics Bharat Sikkim Chapter (SOBSC) to celebrate International Earth Day at the REWA Special School for Children with Disabilities.
The event, themed “Our Power, Our Planet,” moved beyond traditional environmentalism by ensuring that children with disabilities were not just spectators, but active protagonists in the fight against climate change.
Bridging the Gap: Inclusiveness in Action
Under the leadership of Dr. Sarkar, IAPNEM has long championed the philosophy that environmental sustainability is inseparable from social inclusiveness. By partnering with Special Olympics Bharat, Sikkim Chapter the organization successfully brought the message of the “Mother Earth” to a demographic often left out of the global climate conversation.
The day was marked by the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Shri Kuber Sharma (President, SOBSC) and Dr. Sanghamitra Sarkar (Chairperson, IAPNEM). This strategic partnership aims to foster long-term collaborative efforts where environmental management meets social empowerment.
A Day of Learning and Soulful Performances:
The celebration commenced at 10:30 AM with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the Honourable Chief Guest, Phurba Rinzing Sherpa, Chairman of Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim.
“The future of our planet lies in our hands and the choices we make today,” noted the Chief Guest, commending the organizers for their focus on collective responsibility.
Other Dignitaries & Special Guests present in the event were:
• Guest of Honour: Shri P.N. Pradhan (Assistant Commissioner, Women, Child, Senior Citizens & Divyangjan Department).
• Special Guests:
• Shri Jagdish Sharma (Eminent literary figure and Director, Art, Culture and Literature division, IAPNEM)
• Shri G. Lepcha (Treasurer, SOB, SC and Advisor, IAPNEM)
• Shri Tshering Tashi (Vice President, SOB, SC and Advisor, IAPNEM)
• Shri Ganesh Chandra Khanal (Area Director, SOB, SC and President, IAPNEM)
Apart from them, teachers from different schools took part in the programme.
The Participating Institutions for the event were:
• REWA School for Children with Disabilities (Special Needs) – Upper Syari, Gangtok
• Asha Kiran Special School (Speech & Hearing Impaired) – Sichey, Gangtok
• P.M. Shri Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School (Mainstream) – Deorali, Gangtok
• Tadong Senior Secondary School (Mainstream) – Tadong, Gangtok
The students of REWA Special School stole the show with a soulful opening song and heartfelt performances that resonated with the theme of hope and purity. To ensure the message of conservation was accessible to all, young members of IAPNEM and SOB, SC delivered an insightful presentation on climate change, followed by an interactive quiz session which saw enthusiastic participation from the specially-abled students. Starting from the welcome address to dance performances on this year’s theme song on Earth Day, the entire event was mediated by the young members of SOB, SC and IAPNEM, who were Ms. Chungkipo Bhutia, Ms. shreeya Dahal, Sri Aswin Thapa, Sri Hemant Sharma and Sri Anup Sapkota.
Greening the Future
The initiative translated awareness into action through two primary drives:
Medicinal Plantation Drive: Students and dignitaries joined hands to plant medicinal herbs, symbolizing a practical step toward a healthier ecosystem.
Cleaning Drive: A community cleanliness campaign was conducted to instill the values of responsible citizenship and environmental consciousness.
Recognition and Future Outlook
The event concluded with the distribution of certificates by the Chief Guest Shri Phurba Rinzing Sherpa along with Sri Kuber Sharma, President, SOBSC and Dr. Sanghamitra Sarkar, Chairperson, IAPNEM, Shri G.C Lepcha, Treasurer, SOBSC and Advisor, IAPNEM to the participating students, acknowledging their vital role in the movement.
In his closing remarks, Shri Kuber Sharma thanked IAPNEM and Dr. Sarkar for their dedication to making environmental education inclusive. He detailed the specific skills required for the livelihood of special needs individuals in Sikkim and outlined a roadmap for sports excellence, aiming for National and International representation. Shri G C Khanal, Area Director, SOB, SC and President, IAPNEM concluded the programme with a formal vote of thanks which was followed by an inclusive community lunch shared by all dignitaries, teachers, and students.
The 2026 Earth Day celebration at the Rewa School for Children with Disabilities has set a new benchmark for how environmental organizations can work across sectors to ensure that the call to protect our planet is heard by every member of society, regardless of ability.
