Gangtok, July 12: Singapore yesterday, Sikkim today.

His stint as a commentator on Euro 2004 over, Bhaichung Bhutia is back in town for the Sikkim Samman Sammilan felicitation programme on Wednesday. The government has organised the event as part of the 190th Bhanu Jayanti celebrations.

A clutch of celebrities will arrive here for the programme, which will see around 100 Nepali-speaking citizens felicitated for their contributions in various fields.

Bhaichung arrived here on Friday, but couldn’t stay away from football for too long. He made his way to the TNA ground yesterday to watch his home club, United Sikkim Sporting Club, trash Boy’s Club in the semi-final of the Sikkim Football Association Senior Division League.

Bhaichung left for Tinkitam, his native village in south Sikkim, today, but he will return well in time for Wednesday’s ceremony.

Some other home grown stars who will grace the function are Chandan Singh Rawat, a former footballer who arrived here today, and Danny Denzongpa, who has been staying at his Pangthang farm house, near Gangtok, for a month.

The actor has confirmed his participation in the programme. This is the first time that he will be felicitated in his home state. He was selected for the Sikkim State Award along with Bhaichung three years ago, but failed to turn up for the programme.

Miss India Earth Jyoti Brahmin, actress Mala Sinha, Nepali director Tulsi Ghimirey, musician Louis Banks, mountaineers Jamling Tenzing and Nawang Gombu, footballer Shyam Thapa, Indian Forest Service topper of 2004 Surabhi Rai, international boxing referee Ganesh Bahadur Giri and other luminaries in the fields of medicine, journalism, social work and administration will be felicitated during the three-day Bhanu Jayanti celebrations.

Chief minister Pawan Chamling will be the master of ceremonies at Chintan Bhavan on Wednesday. Many prominent politicians, including former chief ministers of the state, are also being felicitated.

However, it is unlikely that Congress leader and former chief minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari will be present at the function.

Bhandari is in New Delhi and sources close to him say he has been unwell for the past few days. The Congressman’s absence will rob shutterbugs of an opportunity to photograph a rival leader felicitate another.

DGHC chairman Subash Ghisingh, who was invited for the felicitation programme, will not come, sources said.