->JJMC89 bot III: Moving :Category:Cities and towns in Pakyong District to :Category:Cities and towns in Pakyong district per Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Speedy

2021-11-10T21:17:39Z

Moving Category:Cities and towns in Pakyong District to Category:Cities and towns in Pakyong district per Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Speedy

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{{morefootnotes|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Pakyong
| native_name = पाकिम बजार
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| nickname =

| settlement_type = District Headquarter
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Pakyong
| pushpin_map = India Sikkim#India3#Asia
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Sikkim, India
| coordinates = {{coord|27.2394|N|88.5961|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Sikkim]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Pakyong District]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 1120
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Nepali language|Nepali]] (Gorkha), [[Bhutia language|Bhutia]], [[Lepcha language|Lepcha]], [[Limbu language|Limbu]], [[Newari language|Newari]], [[Kiranti languages|Rai]], [[Gurung language|Gurung]], Mangar, [[Sherpa language|Sherpa]], [[Tamang language|Tamang]] and [[Sunwar language|Sunwar]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 737 106
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 03592
| registration_plate = '''SK 07'''
| blank_name = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info = [[Oceanic climate|Cwb]]
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]]
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Sikkim (Lok Sabha constituency)|Sikkim Constituency]]
| blank6_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]]
| blank6_info_sec1 = [[Gnathang-Machong (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Gnathang-Machong]], [[Rhenock (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Rhenock]], [[Namchaybong (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Namcheybung]]
| website = {{URL|https://eastsikkim.nic.in}}
| footnotes =
}}

'''Pakyong''' is the district Headquarters of [[Pakyong District]] in the Indian state of [[Sikkim]], located in the foothills of the [[Himalayas]]. It holds many Government Offices. [[Pakyong Airport]] is the only airport of Sikkim. The "National Research Centre for Orchids", ([[Indian Council of Agricultural Research|ICAR Institute]]) is also located here.<ref>[http://www.sikkim.nic.in/nrco.htm] {{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

There is a missionary run school called St. Xavier's,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://zaverian.com/home.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2008-02-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306050509/http://www.zaverian.com/home.htm |archivedate=2008-03-06 }} St Xavier's School</ref> which ranked as one of the top two schools in Sikkim during the 1990s. Notable among its alumni are the Padmashri awardee footballer [[Baichung Bhutia]].

== History ==
The existence of [[United Kingdom|British]] bunkers at British Killa suggests the presence of armed bunkers sometime in the past.

The name ''Pakyong'' comes from the [[Lepcha language|Lepcha]] words ''pa yong'' meaning "bamboo of the bow", as it was a common practise of the Lepchas to name a place after the essential items found at a place.

On 24 September 2018, Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] inaugurated [[Pakyong Airport]]. Regular air service started on 4 October 2018.

== Geography ==
Located in East [[Sikkim]] at an altitude of {{convert|1700|m}},{{Clarify|reason=Doesn't match infobox|date=November 2019}} it shares its borders with [[Bhutan]] and [[Tibet]]. Topography is hilly and a good agricultural area.

The villages surrounding the small town are [[Namcheybong]], Ganchung, Kaputhang, Raigoan, Pachey, Samsing, Dikling, [[Tareythang]], [[Pacheykhani]], Pachak, Bering, [[Bering, East Sikkim|Bering]], Dugalakha, Linkey, Parkha, Machong, Daamlakha, [[Chalamthang, South Sikkim|Chalamthang]], Barapathing, Changeysenti, Amba, Mamring, Baasilakha and Karthok.

== Economy ==
The local economy is confined to the school and minor local businesses. [[Ginger]] is cultivated and [[floriculture]] is popular. The geography makes this viable. Goondruk, Kinema, Sinki are popular fermented foods sold in the local market. "Dalle Khorsani" (red chili) is popular among the local vegetable cultivators. Cow milk, curd, [[Chhurpi]] (residue of boiled buttermilk) are other means of earning income.

The crops like [[Black cardamom|Large Cardamom]], [[Thysanolaena|Broom Plant]] (Kuccho) and [[Ginger]] are traded in the town at their respective seasons.

There are many banks operating in the town.

== Transport ==
===Roadways===
Pakyong lies on [[National Highway 717A (India)|National Highway-717A]] connecting [[Bagrakote]] to [[Gangtok]] via [[Lava, West Bengal|Labha]], [[Algarah]].<ref> [https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/may/28/doklam-effect-sikkim-to-get-new-all-weather-highway-1820559.html] </ref>

The town is well connected to all major parts of Sikkim and its neighbouring states. Direct Taxi and Jeep services access almost all cities and towns of Sikkim and cities/towns of West Bengal like [[Siliguri]], [[Kalimpong]], [[Jaigaon]], [[Panitanki]], [[Malbazar]], [[Bagdogra]] etc.

'''Buses:'''

SNT Bus daily service connecting Pakyong to [[Sikkim Nationalised Transport Bus Terminus (Siliguri)]] via [[Rangpo]], [[Melli]], [[Sevoke]] etc originates from Pakyong.

Frequent SNT buses connecting [[Gangtok]] via [[Ranipool]] are available from the town after every half hour.
SNT buses connecting [[Rongli]], [[Rhenock]], [[Rorathang]] to [[Gangtok]] also runs via Pakyong.

===Railway===
The nearest railway station is [[Siliguri Junction]] which is 120 kilometres away and [[New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station|New Jalpaiguri Junction]] 126 kilometres away, The under construction [[Rangpo railway station]] is 21 kilometres away from the town.

===Airways===
[[Pakyong Airport|Pakyong Greenfield Airport]] has two parking bays and a terminal building, which can handle about 100 passengers at a time. The airport is located on top of a hill above Pakyong village at {{convert|4500|ft}} above sea level and it is spread across over 201 acres. The entire airport, including the runway, has been built on land which was itself created by building an embankment wall as high as 263 ft in deep valleys.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45624436|title=Is this one of the most beautiful airports?|date=2018-09-24|work=BBC News|access-date=2018-09-24|language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
Ethnic [[Nepalis]], who settled in the region during [[United Kingdom|British]] rule, comprise the majority of the population. [[Lepcha people|Lepcha]], native to the land, and [[Bhutias]] also constitute a sizable portion of the populace. [[Immigrant]] resident communities not native to the region include the [[Marwaris]] who form the backbone of the business community and own most of the shops; the Biharis who work in various trades, Bengalis involved in carpentry.

Thanks to the school, the town has attracted a cosmopolitan population with people from as far south as [[Kerala]] and [[Tamil Nadu]].

== Culture ==
[[Nepali language|Nepali]] (Sikkimese) is the most widely spoken language. English and Hindi are understood in most parts of the state. Other languages include [[Sikkimese language|Bhutia]] (Sikkimese), [[Standard Tibetan|Tibetan]] and [[Lepcha language|Lepcha]](Sikkimese).

All major Indian festivals, such as [[Diwali]], [[Dussehra]], [[Holi]], [[Ramnavami]], [[Janmashtami]], [[Teej]] and [[Makar Sankranti]] (the popular [[Hindu]] festivals) and [[Buddhist]] festivals like [[Losar]], [[Losoong Festival|Loosong]], [[Bhumchu]], [[Saga Dawa]], [[Lhabab Duechen]] and [[Drupka Teshi]] alongwith [[Christmas]], [[Easter]], [[Eid al-Fitr]] etc are celebrated, with most government offices and schools closing accordingly.

It is common to see school kids walking with guitars strung on their backs. [[Western culture|Western]] [[Hip-Hop music]] is popular. [[Association football|Football]] and [[cricket]] are the two most popular sports and the St Xavier's School ground serves as the tournament venue, most notably the [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] Cup, which have in the past featured teams from as far as [[Calcutta]], [[Nepal]] and [[Bhutan]].

Local favourites like [[Momo (food)|momo]], [[thukpa]], [[chowmein]], [[gyathuk]] and [[wonton]] are available in restaurants. ''Momo'' is a popular snack, with vegetables, chicken, beef or pork filling, steamed and served with soup. The hills traditionally have a liberal attitude towards alcohol and in many of the local functions like [[marriages]] etc., it plays an important role. A common local beverage is ''raksi''.

== Attractions ==
Attractions include Dikling ''mane-lakhang'', Shivalaya temple, Pacheykhani cave, Changey monastery, Pakyong Greenfield Airport, Devi Mandir, Karthok Monastery and a Monks’ Retreat Centre. Wednesday bazaar 'haat' is popular.

RDD complex is surrounded by pine trees and a small park. Trekking is available in Jhandi ''dara'', located at the topmost part of Pakyong. Nearby Noab ''gaon'' is also called the virgin valley and is the hill whose top is the British killa.

== Education ==
St. Xavier's School, JNV Pakyong, Dikling Sr. Sec School, Pakyong Bazar JHS, Pachey Senior Secondary School educate students. [[Pakim Palatine College, Pakyong|Pakim Palatine College]] provides higher education to local students and students from towns such as Gangtok, Rorathang, Rhenock, Ranipool and from Bhutan. Puspanjali school is one of the best developing autonomous educational institutions. Schools educate children in village areas too. [[Government Senior Secondary School Mamring East Sikkim|Government Senior Secondary School Mamring]] was established in 1952.
==News==
Pakyong Police Station of Pakyong in Pakyong District of Sikkim is ranked seventh among the top ten best performing police stations in the country according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India in 2020.<ref> {{Cite web|title=Pakyong Police Station comes 7th in top performing police stations of India|url=https://thenortheasttoday.com/states/sikkim/sikkim-pakyong-among-10-best-performing-police-stations-in/cid2513110.htm|website=thenortheasttoday.com}} </ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Pakyong district]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Sikkim]]

Pakyong - Revision history

->JJMC89 bot III: Moving :Category:Cities and towns in Pakyong District to :Category:Cities and towns in Pakyong district per Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Speedy