President Droupadi Murmu said the higher enrolment of girls than that of boys in Sikkim shows the priority of the people of the state towards education.

The President made the remark while attending the civic reception hosted in her honour by the Sikkim government on her visit to the state on Friday.

President Murmu noted that with a literacy rate of more than 80 per cent, Sikkim is one of the leading states in terms of education. Sikkim ranks first in the country in the enrolment for higher education.

"The enrolment of girls is higher than that of boys in Sikkim. This shows the priority of the people of Sikkim towards education," the President said.

Stating that Sikkim generates the least plastic waste among all the states in the country, the President said, "It reflects the commitment of the people of Sikkim towards cleanliness and sustainable development. This model of cleanliness could be followed by people in other states too".

Sikkim has set an example for other states by becoming a model of organic farming. This state has achieved the status of being the first ‘organic state’ of the country. Sikkim has set new standards for environment friendly development by banning the use of plastics, pesticides and chemicals, the President added.

The President also virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various projects related to education, health, road infrastructure and tourism at Gangtok on her first day of visit to Sikkim.

On Saturday, the President will interact with women achievers and members of SHGs at Tathagatha Tsal, Ravongla before returning to Delhi.