Gangtok, Sept 23 (IPR): The Women, Child, Senior Citizen & Divyangjan Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, organised an Intergenerational Walkathon at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, today as part of the activities leading up to the observance of International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) 2026 on October 1, 2026.
Organised in coordination with the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs and the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, the walkathon aimed to promote interaction, bonding and solidarity between senior citizens and younger generations, while encouraging greater participation and engagement across age groups.
The programme was attended by Commissioner-cum-Secretary, WCSC&DWD, Mr Jigme D Bhutia, Principal Director, Ms Urvashi Poudyal, Special Secretary, Ms Bandana Rai, along with officers and staff of the WCSC&DWD and representatives from the concerned departments.
Addressing the gathering, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, WCSC&DWD, Mr Jigme D Bhutia, thanked the senior citizens, children, participating institutions and officials involved in the organisation of the event.
He highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for interaction between generations and stated that the department would continue to facilitate similar activities that encourage participation, engagement and mutual understanding among different age groups.
At the onset, Special Secretary, WCSC&DWD, Ms Bandana Rai, briefed the gathering on the concept and purpose of the event. The walkathon was designed to bring different generations together through a shared activity, with senior citizens and younger participants paired together in the intergenerational category to reflect the core objective of fostering intergenerational integration.
The event saw a total participation of around 70 persons, including senior citizens, children, officers and staff.
Members of the Senior Citizen Foundation and Retired Government Employees Association participated in the walkathon, along with children from Child Care Institutions, namely Rainbow Children Home, Lingdok, Sita Panchawati Children Home, Ranka and Bhojogari Children Home.
Technical support was provided by Deputy Director, Mr Navin Lama, and Assistant Director, Mr Bhanu Chapagain, and other officials from the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs. A medical team from STNM Hospital was also present to provide medical assistance during the event.
Participants took part in senior citizen, younger generation and intergenerational categories.
In the senior citizen category, Mr Dorjee Tashi Bhutia secured first position, followed by Mr Tulsi Pradhan in second and Mr Ser Bahadur Chettri in third position.
In the younger generation category, Master Chetan Darjee of Sita Panchawati Children Home secured first position, Master Ayan Biswakarma of Rainbow Children Home secured second, and Master Santosh Rai of Sita Panchawati Children Home secured third position.
The intergenerational category paired senior citizens with younger participants, allowing them to participate as teams and underscoring the central message of the event. Mr Ser Bahadur Chettri and Master Prayash Darjee secured first position, followed by Mr HK Chettri and Ms Neeruta Rasaily in second, while Mr CK Basnett, Ms Reetika Rai and Master Navin Rana secured third position.
Medals and certificates were presented to the winners of the senior citizen and younger generation categories. Certificates were also presented to the participants in recognition of their participation in the walkathon.
It may be mentioned here, the winners of the intergenerational category will be presented with the medals and certificates on October 1 during the observance of International Day of Older Persons.
Report from DIO-GANGTOK