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The Sikkim government has announced that all its employees, including those in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and banks, will now observe Traditional Wear Work Day every Thursday. The decision, issued through a Home Department circular, takes immediate effect and is aimed at celebrating the state’s cultural identity and fostering pride among its workforce.

The government said the weekly initiative would serve as a reminder of Sikkim’s cultural unity and diversity. “In recognition of the rich cultural diversity and enduring traditions that define the unique identity of Sikkim, the Government of Sikkim is committed to fostering pride in our cultural heritage among all its employees and affiliated organisations,” the circular stated. Employees have been encouraged to wear traditional attire reflecting the state’s many ethnic communities.

Officials said the move is not just symbolic but part of a larger effort to strengthen local identity and appreciation of Sikkim’s indigenous customs. The government believes that such measures can deepen cultural awareness and ensure that traditional practices are preserved across generations.

The initiative aligns with Sikkim’s long-standing approach to cultural conservation. Over the years, the state has undertaken programmes to protect its languages, festivals, and art forms - now extending the idea into the workplace. By encouraging traditional wear once a week, the administration hopes to make cultural representation a regular and visible part of public life.

Meanwhile, Sikkim’s ecological diversity received another boost with the confirmed sighting of the Black-spot Royal butterfly (Tajuria luculentus) in the state for the first time. The finding, reported in the March-June 2025 issue of Bionotes, a quarterly newsletter published by the Butterfly Research Centre in Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, extends the known range of the species to Sikkim.

Previously recorded only in Manipur, Meghalaya, and Nepal, the butterfly was observed on April 19 during a field survey at Noam Panang in Dzongu, North Sikkim. The species was seen feeding high in a tree alongside around 30 to 35 other butterfly varieties. “The current finding not only extends the known distribution of Tajuria luculentus to Sikkim but also confirms its presence in the state,” the newsletter said.

The discovery was made by Sikkim-based researchers Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha, Monish Kumar Thapa, Sonam Pintso Sherpa, and Nosang M. Limboo. Their study marks an important addition to the state’s natural records and highlights the richness of its butterfly fauna.

Ankit Kumar is a Senior Sub Editor at Zee Business. He covers international affairs, politics, climate change, business, finance and global elections. With experience acros