GANGTOK,: Sikkim Legislative Assembly Speaker Mingma Norbu Sherpa and Deputy Speaker Raj Kumari Thapa are presently on a study tour in Japan.
On November 11, the SLA delegation visited popular tourist sites in Tokyo including Mount Fuji, Senso-ji Temple, Harajuku, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo Skytree and Kawaguchiko Lake, informs a press release.
In the evening, a dinner was hosted in their honour by Tseten Nordon Cargyal, First Secretary and Head of Chancery at the Embassy of India in Japan, at her official residence in Shirokanedai, Minato-Ku, Tokyo.
Cargyal, a 2012-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, is notably the first Sikkimese woman to join the IFS. Her diplomatic career includes assignments in Buenos Aires, Dhaka and several divisions within the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Speaker and Deputy Speaker congratulated Cargyal on her achievements and encouraged Sikkim’s youth to pursue careers in civil services, drawing inspiration from her exemplary journey.
The Deputy Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, S. Toiho Yeptho, and other Indian officials including Minister (Consular) Dhiraj Mukhai and Third Secretary Aman Akash were also present at the event.
On November 12, the Sikkim delegation paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi by laying floral tributes and offering traditional khadas at his bust in Edogawa, Tokyo. Later, they were received by the Indian Ambassador to Japan, Sibi George, at the Indian Embassy in Kudanminami, Chiyoda City, Tokyo. The two sides exchanged views on areas of common interest. The Sikkim Speaker invited the Ambassador to visit Sikkim in the near future, the release adds.