Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday shared a lighter moment from his Sikkim visit, posting a video of himself playing football with children in Gangtok, even as his day’s schedule remained packed with official engagements.
The interaction, captured on video and shared on X, comes alongside a high-stakes visit marking Sikkim’s 50th year of statehood, where the Prime Minister is set to unveil and launch projects worth over ₹4,000 crore across multiple sectors.
“Nothing like playing some football with my young friends in Sikkim on a lovely Gangtok morning!,” the Prime Minister wrote, as visuals showed him joining youngsters on a football ground, drawing cheers from those present.
Clearly, an energising football session with these youngsters! pic.twitter.com/Xc99oCylqt
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 28, 2026
PM Modi’s Gangtok moment draws attention online
The clip quickly gained traction online, with users reacting to the Prime Minister’s informal interaction and his outreach to younger audiences. The visuals showed him engaging warmly with children, adding a personal touch to an otherwise official visit.
Nothing like playing some football with my young friends in Sikkim on a lovely Gangtok morning! pic.twitter.com/5xEceWBH1f
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 28, 2026
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit the Orchidarium in Gangtok, where the Swarnajayanti Maitri Manjari Park has been developed as a world-class Orchid Experience Centre to showcase the state’s floral diversity.
₹4,000 crore projects to mark Sikkim’s golden jubilee
Later in the day, the Prime Minister will attend the closing ceremony of Sikkim’s 50th Year of Statehood celebrations at Paljor Stadium. He is expected to inaugurate, launch and lay the foundation stone of multiple projects spanning infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, education and tourism, before addressing a public gathering.
Officials said the projects are aimed at boosting holistic and inclusive development across the state.
Focus on healthcare and education infrastructure
In the healthcare sector, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for a 100-bedded Ayurveda Hospital at Yangang in Namchi district. He will also inaugurate a 30-bedded Integrated Sowa Rigpa Hospital at NIT Deorali.
Education projects include the inauguration of the permanent campus of Sikkim University at Yangang, the administrative block of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University of Excellence at Chakung, and the Helen Lepcha Medical College in Gangtok district. Additional institutions such as the Dentam Professional College, model residential schools and a new Model Degree College at Mangshila are also part of the rollout.
The government will also launch IT-enabled infrastructure across 160 schools in the state.
Connectivity, power and urban upgrades on agenda
To improve connectivity, foundation stones will be laid for two double-lane steel arch bridges over the Teesta river, linking Namchi and Gangtok districts. The widening of the Birdhang-Namchi road via Kitchudumra will also be inaugurated to enhance inter-district travel.
In the power sector, the upgradation of the transmission and distribution network in Gangtok will be launched to ensure more reliable supply.
Urban development projects include the inauguration of the Jan Seva Sachivalaya at Lumsey, the Civil Service Officers Institute in Gangtok, and housing schemes under the Sikkim Urban Garib Awas Yojana, along with accommodation for police personnel.
Tourism, environment and agriculture projects
Environmental initiatives include sewerage system rehabilitation at Singtam and pollution abatement work for the Rani Chu river.
Tourism projects include redevelopment of the Ridge Precinct in Gangtok, eco-tourism infrastructure in Soreng, and facilities linked to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. A Yatri Niwas at Namphing and an eco-pilgrimage complex in Gyalshing district are also part of the plan.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Sikkim IFFCO Processing Plant to boost agro-processing and farmer livelihoods, along with indoor cricket facilities at Rangpo to promote sports.
Officials said the visit underscores the government’s focus on accelerating development in Sikkim and the wider Northeast region during the state’s golden jubilee year.