India, May 28 -- Sikkim, India's least populous and the second-smallest among Indian states, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its statehood on Thursday, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also travel to the state on the occasion and inaugurate several projects, including a 500-bed hospital built at a cost of Rs.750 crores at Namchi, a passenger ropeway at Gyalshing and a statue of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Gangtok.

"India is very proud of the contribution of Sikkim towards national progress. The unique culture of Sikkim is also widely admired," PM Modi said in a post on X, announcing his visit to celebrate the 50th anniversary.

Sikkim health minister GT Dhungel said the mu...