Gangtok: Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) president and former Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has extended New Year 2026 greetings to the people of Sikkim, calling for a collective awakening and a renewed commitment to rebuilding a just, ethical, and inclusive society.
In his New Year message, Chamling urged people to treat the arrival of 2026 as a new beginning not only for individuals, but for society, the state, the nation, and the planet. He observed that many of the grave crises confronting humanity today—ranging from inequality and environmental degradation to political instability—are largely manmade, and therefore demand conscious and responsible corrective action.
Highlighting the growing concentration of wealth and power, Chamling expressed concern that the principle of “survival of the fittest” has come to dominate global and democratic systems, leaving the weak and vulnerable exposed to fear, oppression, and loss of dignity. He stated that democracy and democratic socialism have failed in practice when power becomes centralised in the hands of a few, enabling exploitation of people and plunder of natural resources.
The SDF president warned that widening inequality, erosion of ethical values, and the “big fish eating small fish” culture have deepened violence, distrust, and social fragmentation. He called upon society to reject unjust structures and replace them with systems founded on justice, equality, trust, and mutual respect.
Chamling also drew attention to serious global challenges such as nuclear weapons, terrorism, biological warfare, unchecked technological power, automation, climate change, pollution, water scarcity, food insecurity, pandemics, mental health crises, and declining fertility rates. He cautioned that misinformation, fundamentalism, superstition, and the weakening of scientific temper further undermine humanity’s ability to respond effectively to these interconnected threats.
Power Must Return to the People: Pawan Chamling’s New Year Message for 2026
Despite these concerns, Chamling emphasised that people possess immense collective power and opportunity. He asserted that land, natural resources, and life itself belong to all, and that citizens must make conscious choices about governance, social relations, and environmental stewardship. Stressing collective responsibility, he said safeguarding Sikkim’s rights, land, and resources is a shared duty to ensure a secure and prosperous future for coming generations.
Calling for navnirman—the rebuilding of society—Chamling urged people to work towards restoring human dignity, agency, and ethical governance. He expressed hope that 2026 would mark the beginning of a profound transformation for Sikkim and for humanity at large.
