Season 3 of 'Books and Us' begins in Sikkim, a region shaped by its diverse communities, layered history, and the sacred presence of Khangchendzonga ( or Kanchenjunga). In this episode, I revisit the landmark non-fiction book ‘Khangchendzonga – Sacred Summit' with its co-author, journalist Pema Wangchuk ( pamdorjee@gmail.com ), to explore the cultural, historical, and spiritual stories that define the Eastern Himalayas. Pema's co-author was Mita Zulca. In this interview, the non-fiction author takes us through Sikkim’s defining moments — the 14th‑century 'Treaty of Blood Brotherhood' between the Lepchas and Bhutias, the coronation of the first Chogyal, and the deep relationship between the people and their guardian mountain. We also look at early explorer-writers like Joseph Hooker (Himalayan Journals) and Douglas Freshfield (Round Khangchenjunga), and how their contrasting styles reveal two very different moments in British engagement in Sikkim and beyond. In this conversation, Pema patiently guides us through Sikkim’s multi-layered and nuanced cultural and historical landscape and its deep, almost familial relationship with its sacred summit, Khangchendzonga, the highest peak in India, rising to 28,196 feet. Pema has been reporting from Sikkim since 1994 and currently serves as Consulting Editor at Summit Times, Gangtok. He has also co-edited 'The Birds Have Lost Their Way', a collection of essays on hydel projects and climate change in the region. This conversation brings alive a Sikkim where myth, memory,and geography are inseparable. The book is a rich tapestry, bringing forth the many facets of this land — its mysteries, its ethereal beauty, and the stories that have inspired countless travellers over the past few centuries. It certainly calls for a second episode, one in which we will journey deeper into the great mountaineering expeditions, the Western travellers who tried to make sense of these high valleys, and of course, the enduring legend of the Yeti. Stay Tuned “If you’ve been to Sikkim, what memory or moment from your time there has stayed with you?” Please send your answer to the email address below, and we will include your feedback in the next part. podcast@ramonproductions.org Join the ‘Books and Us Community' on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19X2sQwnbU/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/?utm_source=pwa_homescreen&__pwa=1 X - @booksnuspodcast
