Overview: Sikkim is a multi-ethnic state on top of the great Eastern Himalayas, became a part of India in 1973. It shares an international border with Tibet (Now China). Broadly, the population can be divided into Tribal and Non- Tribal groups. The people from the plain mostly involved in Trade and services represent a marginal group.

Basic facts: As per the 2001 census of India, the total population of the state is 5, 40,493, whereas in 1991 it was 4, 06,457 only. Decadal population growth has gone up for 1991-01 to 32.98% .as in 1981-91 it was only 28.47%. The overall density of population in the state is 76 per sq. km. East district is the most populated as North's density with only 7, is least populated. Sex ratio (Females per thousand Male) is 875. The State (at National Level) has the literacy rate 69.68% (16th)

People groups in Sikkim:
The Nepalese comprise over 70% of Sikkim’s population. They began to settle down in Sikkim since the last two decades of 19th century as encouraged by the British. The Nepali community of Sikkim is a mélange of various castes and a highly stratified society, speaking their own vernacular and having a culture of their own. They are divided into the Bahuns, Chettris, Newars, Mangers, Murmis, Rais, Limbus, Tamangs, Gurungs and scheduled caste namely Kamis, Damais and Sarkis. The New Nepali settlers were invited and brought as an agrarian force and promoters of sharecrops. They introduced the terrace farming to give the landscape an unimpeachable beauty and a sensible agricultural system which suited very much the terrain of Sikkim.

Nepali language-the lingua-franca of the State is spoken by all communities in Sikkim. It is widely taught in schools and colleges in the State.

The Lepchas were the earliest inhabitants of the land, the food gathering people who claimed they came from Mayel, a legendary kingdom on the slopes of Khangchendzonga. They lived in close harmony with nature, as it gave them all they needed—the flesh of animals, fruits, medicinal herbs, honey and fibres that could be woven in fabric.

They called themselves, Rong Pa literally meaning ravine folk or the Mutanchi, meaning the beloved people of the mother earth. The Lepchas also call themselves as Rongkup (Children of Rong) followed Bongthing and worshipped the spirits of mountains, forests and rivers that is to say nature in general. They are a simple people in rhythm with nature. They speak Lepcha language - an ancient language with its own script and language. Agriculture is their main occupation and cardamom, cinnamon, paddy and oranges are their main crops. The Lepcha tribe is now spread in all parts of Sikkim

The Bhutias came to Sikkim sometime in the 15th century and are mainly descendants of the early settlers from Tibet and Bhutan. The Bhutia villages are big and are arranged in tiers on undulating hills. They are followers of Buddhism and the monasteries occupy predominant place and play an important role in the socio-cultural life of the Bhutias. They prefer to live in patriarchal joint family. The Bhutia families are known as the category of village headmen and Landlords or Kazis.

Others are people from other states of India settled in Sikkim. Firstly, the Marwaris who belong to business community, who came to promote trade via Sikkim to Tibet and later also in Sikkim and have settled in Sikkim since long. Besides there are people from Bihar and Haryana involved in business and other associated works and allied professions. Rest of the people from other States are employed in Central and State Government jobs and in other professional areas like teaching and other technical areas.

Tibetans. Interestingly there are many Tibetans settled in Sikkim and their status is same as prevalent in other parts of the Country. Still the Tibetans feel comfortable and are very much at home because of the similar culture, language, traditions, religion followed in Sikkim by the ethnic Sikkimese Bhutias and Lepchas.

Christianity in Sikkim: Eventhough, Christianity was preached in and around Darjeeling by foreign missionaries since the time of British rule, the number of Christians in Sikkim has not considerably increased apart from the number of service/educational institutions. After the unification of Sikkim with Indian republic in 1973, there is much more accessibility to this landlocked mountain state from West Bengal for other state missionaries. Also, many indigenous Churches are blooming with the sincere labor of trained local missionaries who work among their own communities. PGT is enthusiastically exploring the unreached areas of Sikkim.

PGT in Sikkim: A number of PGT Churches and fellowships are worshipping God in Truth and Spirit, across Sikkim. The fall into different categories of people groups. We see the harvest in Sikkim pleantyful and praying to the Lord of harvest for more laborers to join us.

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