Context: Recently, the state government of Sikkim celebrated the 45th anniversary of Sikkim Statehood Day. On this occassion(16th May) the Prime Minister greeted the people of the state and praised the traditions and culture of the state highlighting its contributions to the national progress.
History

• The Kingdom of Sikkim was founded by the Namgyal dynasty in the 17th century.
• It was ruled by a Buddhist priest-king known as the Chogyal.
• It became a princely state of British India in 1890.
• Before Indian independence, Jawaharlal Nehru, as the Vice President of the Executive Council, pushed through a resolution in the Indian Constituent Assembly to the effect that Sikkim and Bhutan, as Himalayan states, were not ‘Indian states’ and their future should be negotiated separately.
• Mean While Sikkim became a protectorate of India in 1950 following the Indo-Sikkimese Treaty, with India assuming responsibility for the external relations, defense and strategic communications of Sikkim.
• Sikkim became the 22nd state of India on 16th May 1975, following a statehood demand from the political leaders.
• The Namgyal dynasty ruled Sikkim until 1975.

About Sikkim Statehood Day

• It is celebrated the mark the formation of Sikkim as 22nd state of the Independent India on 16th May, 1975.
• In 1975, the Prime Minister of Sikkim appealed to the Indian Parliament for Sikkim to become a state of India. 
• The Indian Army in April took over the city of Gangtok and disarmed the Chogyal’s palace guards. 97.5 per cent of voters favoured a union with India and abolishing the monarchy.
• The state animal of Sikkim is Red Panda which is listed as 'Endangered' by IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
• Blood pheasant is the state bird of Sikkim which is listed as 'Least Concern' under IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
• The state flower of Sikkim is Dendrobium Nobile.

Geography and Culture of Sikkim

• Sikkim borders China in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Nepal in the west, and West Bengal in the south.
• Sikkim is also located close to India’s Siliguri Corridor near Bangladesh.
• Sikkim is the least populous and second smallest among the Indian states.
• Being a part of the Eastern Himalaya, Sikkim is notable for its biodiversity, including alpine and subtropical climates, as well as being a host to Kangchenjunga, the highest peak in India and third highest on Earth.
• Sikkim is drained by the Teesta river and its tributaries such as the Rangit, Lhonak, Talung and Lachung. Where Teesta river water conflict is one of the most contentious issues between India and Bangladesh and Teesta river is a tributary of Brahmaputra river.
• Sikkim’s capital and largest city is Gangtok.
• Almost 35% of the state is covered by the Khangchendzonga National Park.
• Modern Sikkim is a multiethnic and multilingual Indian state.
• The official languages of the state are English, Nepali, Sikkimese and Lepcha.
• Additional official languages include Gurung, Limbu, Magar, Mukhia, Newari, Rai, Sherpa and Tamang for the purpose of preservation of culture and tradition in the state.