The Government of Sikkim has declared that every Thursday will be observed as “Traditional Wear Work Day” for all government employees, including those working in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and banks. According to a circular issued by the Home Department, the initiative is intended to instill pride in Sikkim’s distinct cultural identity and to encourage the preservation of traditional values among employees. Starting immediately, all officers and staff members are urged to wear traditional clothing that reflects the state’s diverse cultural heritage each Thursday.

The circular stated: “Recognizing the rich cultural diversity and timeless traditions that shape Sikkim’s unique identity, the Government is dedicated to nurturing pride in our heritage among all employees and affiliated organizations. Therefore, all officers and staff across Departments, PSUs, and Banks under the Government of Sikkim shall observe ‘Traditional Wear Work Day’ every Thursday. On this day, employees are encouraged to dress in traditional attire that represents Sikkim’s varied cultural fabric.”

In a separate development, local butterfly experts have made a significant discovery — the Black-spot Royal (Tajuria luculentus) butterfly has now been recorded in Sikkim, extending its known range. With this finding, Sikkim joins Manipur and Meghalaya as part of the butterfly’s known distribution. The discovery was published in the March–June 2025 issue of Bionotes, a quarterly newsletter released by the Butterfly Research Centre in Bhimtal, Uttarakhand. Previously, the species had only been documented in Manipur, Meghalaya, and Nepal.

During a field survey on April 19 at Noam Panang in Dzongu, North Sikkim, researchers observed the elusive butterfly feeding on tree blossoms alongside 30–35 other butterfly species. The newsletter confirmed that this finding both extends the known distribution of Tajuria luculentus to Sikkim and verifies its presence in the state. The study was conducted by Sikkim-based butterfly researchers Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha, Monish Kumar Thapa, Sonam Pintso Sherpa, and Nosang M. Limboo, marking the first confirmed record of the Black-spot Royal from Sikkim.