There are leaders who follow the path, and then there are leaders who create the path for others to follow. In Sikkim, under the inspirational leadership of Chief Minister Shri P.S. Golay, we are witnessing the dawn of a new era of governance—one so proactive and visionary that it consistently sets the benchmark for the rest of India. The guiding principle of this government has become a powerful truth: “What P.S. Golay thinks today, the entire nation follows tomorrow.” As Sikkim voters, we see how Golay’s bold decisions today become national models tomorrow. His leadership blends compassion with courage: he leads with the welfare of mothers, workers and the needy at heart, inspiring confidence that Sikkim’s way is the country’s way to progress.
A Pioneer Against Online Gaming
Consider the menace of illegal online gaming that ensnared citizens across the country. While many states were silent as new gambling websites mushroomed, PS Golay’s government acted swiftly. Beginning in late 2023, Sikkim blocked dozens of illegal gaming sites and even wrote to New Delhi demanding nationwide rules. In fact, officials say Sikkim’s findings helped shape India’s Online Gaming Bill 2025. As one officer put it, the new central law “incorporates nearly all the issues Sikkim raised”. In short, PS Golay banned predatory gaming before the Centre did – proving Sikkim didn’t just solve a problem for itself; it provided a working solution for India.
Green Leadership on the Global Stage
This pioneering spirit is the hallmark of our government. Look at the globally acclaimed ‘Mero Rukh Mero Santati’ initiative, a beautiful programme that weaves environmentalism into the very fabric of our family life by planting 108 trees for every newborn. Launched on February 2, 2023, this heartfelt initiative received praise at the prestigious COP28 climate conference in Dubai, making every Sikkimese heart swell with pride. It was more than a year later, on June 5, 2024, that the Government of India launched its own ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, a wonderful initiative inspired by the path Sikkim had already illuminated.
Compassion at the Heart of Governance
But visionary leadership is not just about pioneering policies; it is about a deep, unwavering compassion for the people. The Golay government has introduced welfare schemes that are a testament to its commitment to every single citizen. Today, Sikkim is home to what is arguably the country’s most impactful women’s empowerment scheme, the ‘Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana’. No other state in India provides its non-working mothers with an annual grant of ₹40,000, a sum that brings dignity, security, and autonomy into their hands. This, combined with the ‘Aama Sahayog Yojana’ providing four free LPG cylinders annually, shows a government that understands and honours the central role of a mother in our society. It’s easy to see why Sikkim’s mothers trust “Bhai/Daju/chora PS Golay” to look after their families. By putting money directly in women’s hands – and literally keeping their kitchens warm with free gas – PS Golay has empowered our households like no other government has.
This covenant of care extends to every corner of our society. For couples dreaming of parenthood, the ‘Vatsalya Scheme’ offers a grant of ₹3 lakhs for IVF treatment, turning hope into reality for families like that of Usha and Indra Bahadur Tamang, who now hold their child thanks to this support. The government has also expanded medical support for patients facing costly treatments like organ transplants, cancer care, or trauma surgery. Through schemes such as the Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Scheme and MMSSY, even the poorest Sikkimese can access advanced care without financial ruin.
Together, these measures – from IVF grants to health care cheques – underscore his compassionate approach. As Golay emphasized: “No Sikkimese should suffer for lack of medical care.”
PS Golay has also been steadfast in fulfilling long-awaited promises of job security. In early 2024 the government issued a major regularization order: all casual and temporary state employees who had served four years were made permanent. PS Golay personally assured workers, “You need not worry. This is ‘Golay Ko Guarantee’ … We have discussed all the required aspects with the Finance secretary, chief secretary and State cabinet before taking this regularization decision”
This is in stark contrast to the previous regime’s mishandling of employment schemes. Recall the controversial “One Family One Job” (OFOJ) initiative – thousands of youth were appointed overnight, but in recent years many were left in uncertainty. PS Golay’s administration refused to abandon them. PS Golay’s government fought in court to defend these employees and ensure their jobs were secured fairly. By turning uncertainty into stability, he restored dignity to thousands of families
A Leader Who Walks Ahead
Taken together, these initiatives prove one truth. Chief Minister P.S. Golay is not just building a ‘Sunaulo Sikkim’ (Golden Sikkim); he is crafting a model of leadership that serves as a beacon for the entire nation.
He banned online gaming before the Centre. He honoured filial piety through Shravan Kumar award. He empowered mothers like no other state. He secured jobs that were once only dreams. And he gave hope to families seeking healthcare and children.
This is not coincidence—it is leadership. It is the courage to act first, the compassion to care deeply, and the foresight to set an example for the nation.
This is the governance we are proud of. It is a governance of foresight, of courage, and of profound empathy. We, the people of Sikkim, are not just beneficiaries of this progress; we are partners in a journey that is shaping the future of India.
We see our Chief Minister not as a distant politician but as a brother or friend who champions our causes. Whether it’s a mother getting LPG in her kitchen, a youth assured of a government job, or a couple finally holding their infant, we feel PS Golay’s policies touching our daily lives. His model of leadership – caring, courageous, and proactive – suggests that what he thinks today, the nation follows tomorrow.
As Sikkim moves forward under his guidance, many here truly believe in his promise: “Golay Ko Guarantee”. And having seen these ground-breaking achievements, we share that faith.
Originally Written By
DR PRATIK SHARMA
GANGTOK
