Himalayan Guardian August 10, 2011

Lobsang Sangay sworn-in as Tibet's PM-in-exile

NEW ERA FOR TIBETAN DEMOCRACY

Himalayan News Network

Dharamsala, Aug 9: Harvard scholar Lobsang Sangay was on Monday sworn in as the new prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, succeeding the Dalai Lama as the movement's political leader.

43-year old Sangay, who replaces Samdong Rimpoche as Kalon Tripa (prime minister) of Tibetan Central Administration, was administered oath by Ngawang Phelgyal, the chief justice commissioner, at a public function presided over by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

Over 5,000 Tibetans, including community leaders settled outside Tibet and India, braved heavy showers to witness the ceremony, PTI reported.

In his brief speech, the 76-year-old Dalai Lama expressed his gratitude to the Tibetans in exile for participating in the democratic process by electing the Kalon Tripa and members of the Tibetan parliament.

"We have handed over all political responsibilities and all the powers now vest in democratically-elected leadership of Lobsang Sangay," the Dalai Lama said in his speech in Tibetan language. The Dalai Lama remains the spiritual head of the Tibetans.

A senior fellow of Harvard Law School, Sangay steps into the shoes of 73-year-old monk-scholar Samdhong Rinpoche, who was elected twice as Kalon Tripa and held the post for the past 10 years.  

Rinpoche, in his address both in Tibetan and English languages said, "This is a new chapter in Tibetan history and a joint step towards a genuine democracy."

Recalling the sacrifices made by his elders, Sangay in his first speech said, "I am here not because of my personal achievement but as a result of the hard work and sacrifices made by older generations in Tibet and in exile and today I pledge to carry forward and build upon the great legacy of our elders".

Cong files PIL against Chamling on corruption in Supreme Court

Gangtok, Aug 9: The Supreme Court has asked the State Government to respond to a petition filed by a State Congress leader urging the apex court to annul a decision taken last year by the State Government disallowing the CBI to probe into charges of corruption against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his past and present cabinet colleagues.

The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) spokesperson Bhim Dahal admitted that the apex court had issued a notice to the State Government to submit its argument in response to the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Sikkim Pradesh Congress Vice-President Kunga Nima Lepcha.

While briefing the media here on Saturday,  Dahal said corruption cases against the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues were “politically-motivated.” He added that petitions against members of the ruling party was based on “fake statements” aimed at “inflicting mental pressure” on the Chief Minister and his family members.

Former Chief Minister and Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) President Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who is under increasing pressure to go against Chamling on the corruption issue, said the Congress party was compelled to move the apex court since the State Government issued a notification last year disallowing the CBI to probe into charges of corruption against Chamling & Co.

Bhandari had earlier stated that the State Government’s refusal to allow the CBI to probe into charges of corruption against Chamling was proof enough that the accused are guilty and are trying to save their skin.

According to Lepcha, the apex court after hearing his petition asked him to file fresh petition challenging the State Government’s decision not to allow CBI to probe into cases in Sikkim. This decision refers to the “letter” given to the CBI in this connection, Lepcha said.

I’m not pro-China: Prachanda

Kathmandu, Aug 9: Nepal's Maoist supremo Prachanda has rejected the tag that he is pro-China, saying that he is neither against China nor India.

“I am not pro-China. It is wrong to label me pro-China simply because I was supposed to attend the meeting of the Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation for the development of Lumbini,” he said prior to his departure to Malaysia.

He will attend the meeting of Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation in Malaysia, scheduled to kick off on Monday.

Prachanda is one of the 10 co-chairmen of the Hong Kong based foundation, which had signed a MoU with United Nations International Development Organisation (UNIDO) for bringing a $3 billion project to convert Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha on the Nepal-India border, into a “Mecca for Buddhists.”

 “India has also launched so many projects in Nepal. I had proposed to construct east-west railway line in Nepal during my Prime ministership... It would be wrong to label me as pro-India on that basis,” he said.

Nepal, due to its geopolitical position, needs to maintain equal distance while developing friendly relations with both of its neighbours, the Maoist chief said.

Prachanda said he has initiated talks to bring international aid to develop Lumbini as Mecca for Buddhists.

“This will not only develop Lumbini, but also bring economic prosperity to the entire country,” he said.

Chinese delegation to visit Nepal next week

Tibet, security concerns  on agenda

Himalayan News Network

Kathmandu, Aug 9: A 50-member official delegation led by a senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will be visiting Nepal next week.

The delegation will discuss various issues including bilateral cooperation, investment and, most significantly, China’s concern over “activities detrimental to Chinese interest”, according to information conveyed to the Nepali side.

The delegation will be led by Zhou Yongkang who is the ninth ranked official in the all powerful standing committee of the CPC. Zhao, who heads the Central Political and Legislative Committee, was China’s security Minister between 2003 and 2007. He was also a member of the high-level committee to oversee Tibet affairs.

The Chinese ambassador Yang Houlan, while briefing Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha Prakash Saturday, is believed to have said that China’s security concerns are the top priority.

 During the three day visit, Zhou is scheduled to meet President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal. He is also likely to meet Maoist chief Prachanda and Nepali Congress chief Sushil Koirala.

 Immigrants from Nepal, Bhutan, Burma growing in US

Sam Levin

Burmese, Bhutanese and Nepalese immigrants are flocking to Queens in such large numbers that they've earned their own separate categories in the U.S. Census count.

Breaking out from the "Other Asian" grouping, these South Asian residents have planted roots throughout the city, together quadrupling in size over the past decade.

"In Queens, there's a fast-growing South Asian community," said Howard Shih, the Census programs director for the Asian American Federation advocacy group, which recently released a report. "Once there's a core immigrant group, you start drawing more people."

In 2000, the "Other Asian" category included fewer than 2,000 Queens residents but has since skyrocketed to more than 7,000 in the 2010 count - including 240 Bhutanese, 2,132 Burmese and 4,930 Nepalese.

The actual numbers may also be much higher due to undercounting, experts said.

These three groups are concentrated in Sunnyside, Maspeth, Elmhurst, Woodside and Jackson Heights, according to the Asian American Federation.

"Because of the way the U.S. has grouped everyone together, the South Asian community has often been less visible," said Seema Agnani, executive director of Chhaya Community Development Corp., a South Asian housing group in Queens.

Recognition through new categories is significant, said Bishnu Pradhan, 40, a Woodside resident formerly on the board of the Association of Bhutanese in America.

"It's important for us to have a separate category, rather than be lumped into one," said Pradhan, an accountant. "The population of the Bhutanese will grow."

Like many Bhutanese immigrants who end up in Queens, Pradhan is a refugee who originally moved to Nepal from Bhutan, a small South Asian country in the Himalayas.

Pradhan was one of the first from Bhutan in the borough in 1998, he said, adding that he has seen the population grow.

"In Queens, because there are people from several South Asian countries, they feel like they are at home," he said.

"We have a lot of people from Nepal and India who are already established in the Queens area," said Ravi Gurung, a Bhutanese resident of Woodside, who moved to Queens 12 years ago. "Every corner, we find someone we can talk with."

Pema Dorji, a 35-year-old Woodside resident from Bhutan, said it was an important step for him to come to Queens - and he's glad the Census Bureau is recognizing that.

"My dream was to be here," said Dorji, who works for a shipping company. "I'm very proud to be Bhutanese. We are a small country, but we are known in the world.

Defiant Tibetan official arrested, released

Jamyang Dorjee

Kathmandu, Aug 9: The daring press conference by the new Honorary Chief Coordinator of the Tibetan welfare office Thinley Lama, in Kathmandu on 7th August 2011, itself merits news.

At a time when the Tibetan welfare office is officially closed and when former coordinators feel hesitant to introduce themselves and even handout visiting card to friends, Lama came out openly in the press and informed about the purpose of the Tibetan welfare office in Nepal and how it can serve both the Tibetans and also the host Government of which he is a citizen.

He said, “After coming into exile, Tibetan Welfare Office is established as a non political, nonprofit social organization and actively working to help the Tibetan refugees and to reach their voice to the Nepal Government.  This office is not against any individual, society or any country. It only aims to be a coordinator between the Tibetan refugees and Nepal Government and to acquaint the Tibetan refugees with the law of the land and also provide various protections guaranteed by the international organizations for refugees.”

Secondly, he once again informed the Nepali national media, the unchangeable historical facts . He said “In fact the marriage of Nepalese princess Brikuti of Patan to the king Songtsen Gampo of Tibet sealed our relationship further not only as neighbor but our ‘Samdi’ marriage relationship”

He also highlighted the plight of the undocumented Tibetan refugees and urged the Government to make laws addressing the welfare of the Tibetan refugees and include in the new constitution.

Naturally, Lama was arrested after 20 minutes and taken to Hanuman Doka police station where, according to him, the Superintendent of Police, like a pressure cooker, about to burst from pressure above, received him with his belt in  hand ready to hit and shouted at him.

But. Lama, who also worked as a village development officer of Langtang village and who had a stint in Nepali politics, knows how to shout back and things cooled down. The arrival of HURON (Human rights group) team led by Sudhir Pathak ensured that law took its own course and he was released by 8 pm on the same day.

Bhutan falling behind in foreign investment: UN

T. Dem

Bhutan, Aug 9: Despite revising the foreign direct investment policy with extensive investment liberalisation measures, Bhutan is not able to attract foreign investment, according to a recent UN World Investment Report.

The report which studies global FDI inflow has put Bhutan at the bottom with Nepal, Afghanistan and the democratic people's republic of Korea.

A survey carried out by the world bank earlier this year called the investment climate assessment also rated Bhutan as not very 'investment friendly' and that access to finance was one major constraint.

The world bank survey pointed out lack of infrastructure as a major reason for poor performance in the investment sector despite doing well in terms of peace and political stability.

Large transnational companies which form the majority of global investment frequently bypass investment opportunities in LDCs where markets are typically small and operating conditions are costly and challenging stated the WIR report.

The report called for prudent measures to attract investment like capitalising on external economic conditions, economic reforms, infrastructure and private sector development.

It stated governments in LDCs should liberalise the infrastructure sector with a stable regulatory framework. Similarly development partners, the report suggested should also provide direct participation in infrastructure development, technical assistance and soft lending.

A major constraint for Bhutan, which is categorised as a landlocked least developed country is small market, locational factor, poor infrastructure and transport bottlenecks.

Separatist leaders put under house arrest in J&K

L. Verma

Srinagar, Aug 9: Several top separatist leaders, including chairmen of both factions of the Hurriyat Conference were put under house arrest here on Monday.

The hour arrest is seen as a preventive measure to ensure that violent protests are avoided following the death of a youth recently.

Hardline Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani was not allowed to move out of his Hyderpora residence. Geelani had called for peaceful protests against alleged human rights violations, including the custodial death of Nazim Rashid in Sopore town of Baramulla district on July 31.

The  moderate Hurriyat Conference faction's chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was also confined to his house at Nigeen, official sources said.

Other leaders who were put under house arrest included Shabi Ahmad Shah, Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari, Nayeem Ahmad Khan and Shahidul Islam, sources said.

Sources said the separatist leaders were put under house arrest as their presence at Friday congregations could have led to protests, which sometimes turn violent.

The separatist camp expressed resentment at the government's decision to put curbs on their movement on the first Friday of the Islamic fasting month of Ramzan, PTI reported.

"This is interference in our religious matters. Muslims wait for 11 months to be able to observe Ramzan but this government is insensitive to Islamic beliefs," a spokesman of the Geelani-led Hurriyat said.

EDITORIAL

BATTLING CORRUPTION

Tough Days Ahead For Chamling

When Congress leaders filed a petition before the Supreme Court on graft charges against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and others a few years back the apex court headed by former Chief Justice KG Balakrishanan kept the case dangling for a long time even after the judgment was reserved. Finally in March 2010 the case was dismissed much to the disappointment of not only the Congress party but all those in Sikkim who have been fighting an unsuccessful battle against rampant corruption in the State. While passing its judgment the Supreme Court said the court cannot give direction to probe against corruption charges against politicians. But Justice Balakrishnan gave one ray of hope to the petitioners; they may take up the case with investigating agencies.

The Congress party then promptly took up the matter with the CBI. However, it faced another hurdle as the State Government by a gazette notification issued in July 2010 passed an order which disallowed the CBI from investigating any case in Sikkim with the State Government’s approval. The recent PIL filed by the Congress party in the Supreme Court seeks to annul this notification so that the CBI may proceed with its investigation against Chamling & Co.

While former Chief Minister and Chamling’s arch rival Nar Bahadur Bhandari has already given a detailed account of disproportionate assets case against Chamling and his present and past Cabinet colleagues  in the party’s Sikkim Brahmaloot magazine, the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front has rejected allegation of corruption in high places as “baseless” and “politically motivated”. With the Supreme Court clamping down heavily on alleged graft cases where politicians and bureaucrats are involved Chamling & Co are likely to face an uphill task battling charges of corruption, especially when there is a nation-wide campaign against corruption led by social activist Anna Hazare and Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev. What is worse for Chamling is the fact that the Congress party and the BJP in Sikkim are united in their fight against corruption and most people in Sikkim want them to win.

J&K people favour unity, political settlement

Holding that a majority of people in J&K are against any division of the state and favour a political settlement, central interlocutors on Wednesday said they will submit their final report to Government without including the separatists’ views if they fail to come forward for talks.

Wrapping up their tenth visit to Jammu and Kashmir, head of the panel of interlocutors Dileep Padgaonkar said four “common” views have emerged from the team’s interactions with the people with the other two being -- power sharing among the state’s regions and restoring the pluralistic and tolerant culture.

Referring to separatists’ position so far, he said, “We have repeatedly said we are ready for talks, either open or closed door, whenever and wherever they want. The decision has to be taken by them.

“However, if they don’t come forward we will still submit our report on the basis of interactions we have had with people from various walks of life,” Padgaonkar told reporters.

He said the panel has laid down a “roadmap” for the Centre to carry forward the suggestions that have been made by it.

To a question about demands for trifurcation of the State, Mr. Padgaonkar said that people are against the division of the State and want it to remain united.

He said the last meeting between foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan “gives us hope that there will be movement forward in weeks to come towards a peaceful resolution of the situation”.

Ms. Radha Kumar, a member of the interlocutors’ panel, said that “everybody in the State is looking for solution that will accommodate each aspiration to largest possible extent”.

“They are looking for a practical, feasible, workable solution. That is something very unusual. They (people) have such practical, feasible, imaginary and visionary approaches,” Kumar said.

Asked about the outcome of the various interactions and round table conferences, Padgaonkar said, “As far as commonalities are concerned, first and foremost, everyone is convinced that only way to achieve a political settlement is through a process of dialogue.”

He said that there is a clear understanding that militancy and violence have not served any purpose and have worsened the situation.

“Second view is that there is need to maintain the integrity of state. The third commonality is the need for power sharing between regions and sub-region and within region to communities,” he said.

Interlocutors have undertaken 10 visits to Jammu and Kashmir covering 18 districts, met 550 delegations of political parties, academicians, NGOs, social, religious organisations and civil society, besides newly elected panchayat members.

“The fourth and most important is what has happened in past 20 years, everybody agrees to the need to restore the tolerant and pluralistic culture of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

On whether they “felt embarrassed” after the separatists declined to meet them, Padgaonkar said, “We are not embarrassed. They (separatists) too have constraints and compulsions. But they alone can decide what and where to talk to us. As I said if they come forward (for dialogue) it will enrich our report.”(PTI)

Eyeing China, India plans railways in disputed State of Arunachal

JASON OVERDORF

India will build 3 railway lines to Arunachal Pradesh to counter Chinese infrastructure projects along the disputed border

In a move to counter China's efforts to claim territory along the disputed border, India plans to build three railway lines in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, including one that will connect the ethnic Tibetan center of Tawang to the state of Assam, the Indian Express reports.

In the past, India has avoided developing infrastructure along the border, with the logic that roads and railways might facilitate an invading army. But in recent years, China's moves to develop its side of the Line of Actual Control have prompted India also to consider development and tourism as political instruments to bulwark its claims of sovereignty over the region.

Of the railway lines that have been proposed, the Tawang line is the most significant, considering the strategic importance of the area which is also a major Indian military base, the paper said. At present, the only way to reach the area is by helicopter or a road that frequently closes down in bad weather.

Beijing lays claim to 90,000 sq km of land in the border state, which it claims as part of southern Tibet, and has reacted angrily to visits by state dignitaries and especially the 2009 visit of the Dalai Lama.

Many observers type China's bellicose stance on the border as part of an effort to tie India down with regional issues and military worries so that it cannot expand its power in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.  But border disputes in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh lay at the heart of the 1962 war between the two nations, and they have never been resolved.

SIKKIM: REMEMBERING THE LOST KINGDOM

Sikkim is high in the Himalaya Mountains of India, bordered by Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. The setting is remarkable, with steep slopes, thatched cottages, Buddhist temples, cobbled paths and terraced fields. During many visits from 1965 to 1971, Alice S. Kandell photographed vivid scenes from daily life, documenting the culture of the tiny kingdom before it vanished.

Three hundred of these extraordinary photographs, showing both people and landscapes, are now online at the Library of Congress. Photographer Kandell has dedicated the rights to the public to encourage worldwide access. Researchers who visit the Library can consult the entire collection of 15,000 color and black-and-white images, which Kandell donated to the Library in 2010.

Sikkim was an independent kingdom in the Himalayas ruled by a hereditary line of kings (Chogyal) from the 17th century until it became a British protectorate, then an Indian protectorate in 1950. Sikkim was formally annexed by India in 1975. In culture and religion, it has been linked closely with Tibet, from which its first king migrated.

In 1963, the last Chogyal, Palden Thondup Namgyal, married Hope Cooke, an American student at Sarah Lawrence College. Cooke then became the Queen of Sikkim and lived with the king and their children during the final years of the kingdom. Due to this fairy-tale romance, Sikkim became well known in America through major magazines and newspapers.

Kandell, Cooke’s college friend, became a frequent visitor to the small, mountainous kingdom and, at the Chogyal’s request, embarked on a project to document the Buddhist way of life in Sikkim. While traveling extensively through a country not much larger than Delaware, Kandell went high in the mountains to meet farmers and traders and photograph their families and homes. She visited monasteries and attended religious ceremonies with monks and lamas, captivated by the music, masks and dances. She captured formal and informal scenes with the royal family in Gangtok, as well as artisans with their crafts, children in schools and the mountainous landscape.

"I tried to use my camera to communicate the warmth and openness of the people of Sikkim. I wanted to capture the beauty that is everywhere," Kandell said.

Prince Palden Namgyal of Sikkim, who lives in New York, said "Dr. Kandell’s collection of photographs represents a rare and valuable snapshot of an era that many young Sikkimese have very little knowledge of today. The pictures are not only beautiful but represent an important historical record of our family. More importantly, they capture the culture, tradition and daily life of a far simpler and more innocent time. We are very grateful to the Library of Congress for preserving Dr. Kandell’s collection and making it accessible to all."

Inspired by her experiences in Sikkim, Kandell assembled a major collection of Budhhist art and religious objects. She also retained her connections to the Sikkimese people. In 2010, Hope Cooke joined Kandell at the Library of Congress to describe their work in Sikkim. The webcast from this program, "A Tour of the Lost Kingdom: Sikkim," can be viewed online.

The Prints and Photographs Division is responsible for acquiring, preserving, securing, processing and serving the Library's unique and vast collection of visual materials, which includes more than 14 million photographs, historical prints, posters, cartoons, fine-art prints, and architectural and engineering designs. (artdaily.org)

OPINION

The Murdoch crisis and lessons for India's media

PRAFUL BIDWAI

Much of our media is no longer geared to report on the reality of Indian society or inform the public on the socio-economic and political processes at work, including shifts in the balance of power between different groups -- leave alone promote comprehension of the complex dynamics that are shaping decision-making structures and India's changing relations with the rest of the world.

The mainstream paradigm in the Indian media, with a few honourable exceptions, is shockingly insensitive to the real concerns of flesh-and-blood people, especially the poor and underprivileged. Its principal -- and matter-of-factly stated -- aim is to "pump sunshine" into the life of the consumerist elite.

There is a major lesson for the Indian media in the crisis besetting the Murdoch empire. Murdochisation will not work, and cannot succeed commercially, beyond a point. It won't be a surprise if News Corp is subjected in Britain to restrictions on its news-gathering and business practices. Ultimately, Murdochisation will be damaged irreparably by its crisis of credibility. There is simply no substitute for the basic values of journalism -- truthfulness, accuracy and relevance in reporting pluralism in the expression of views, and functioning with a sense of social responsibility.

In the British case, the exposure of News Corporation's serious wrongdoing was driven strongly by public outrage and revulsion at NOTW's involvement in sleaze. In India, middle-class conscience has not been outraged enough by the illegitimate interaction between corporate interests, mainstream politics and journalists, exposed in the Radia tapes. Most of the journalists implicated in that episode have had to pay a very low price for their power-broking activities.

Much of India's big corporate media has acquired a conservative and retrograde character. It faces a serious crisis of credibility. If it does not reform itself, it will find its greatest asset getting rapidly devalued and eventually vanishing. Robbed of authenticity, reliability and credibility, the media will no longer matter to large numbers of people except as a source of cheap entertainment.

Journalism will then cease to be all that makes it worthy and socially relevant: an honest, investigative, analytical, public-oriented and ethical enterprise. That would be a grave tragedy and a terrible disservice to democracy. (rediffnews)

EDITOR’S Choice
Book Review: The Breath of God
The Adventurous Pursuit of a New Truth
John Berten
More than a hundred years ago, Nicholas Notovitch, a Russian journalist, made an astonishing discovery. Hidden within an isolated monastery in the Himalayan Mountains, Notovitch stumbled upon a text that could provide a link between Eastern and Western religions. According to this remarkable ancient book, the world’s various faiths are not as disparate as they seem. But the book never reached the public, and its mighty secret disappeared with it…
In our present day, scholar Grant Matthews is determined to find this enigmatic book so that its reality can be shared with the world. Of course, Matthews has no idea what such a quest entails. As if the terrain of the Himalayas was not rough enough, he now has the weight of a conspiracy on his shoulders, one hatched by fanatical believers who refuse to recognize the potential of this mystery’s full realization. In their eyes, it would shatter faith and lead to the instability of the world’s great religions. And they will stop at nothing to keep this book from being made public. Matthews could with his success change our very understanding of divinity, and religion would never be the same, but first he has to survive.
Join Matthews on his exciting journey in The Breath of God: A Novel of Suspense. Based upon actual historical accounts, this piece is fast-paced and purpose-driven, the perfect read for any suspense fanatic. Lovers of thrilling, religiously-oriented fiction will thoroughly enjoy The Breath of God. Jeffrey Small, the author of the novel, is an award-winning writer and speaker who has a passion for and expertise in the area of religious studies.
About the Author: Jeffrey Small
Jeffrey graduated summa cum laude from Yale University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. While at Yale, he served as Publisher and Senior Editor of the Yale Herald. He then graduatedmagna cum laude from Harvard Law School where he was elected to the Board of Student Advisors and taught speech, legal writing, and research. Jeffrey next earned a Masters in the Study of Religions from Oxford University in England where he was a member of Oriel College.
Jeffrey is active in the Episcopal Church, current serving as a member of the Board of Trustees at General Theological Seminary in New York, but he has also studied Yoga in India and practised Buddhist meditation in Bhutan.

GJM team meets PM, PC with reserve forests demand

 ‘Gorkha Certificate’ issue raised

C. Tamang

Darjeeling, Aug 9: A Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) delegation led by its chief Bimal Gurung last week met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Minister P. Chidambaram and Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and raised several issues, including transfer of reserve forests in Darjeeling under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), tax exemption and ‘Gorkha Certificate’.

Led by GJM President, the delegation comprised of General Secretary Roshan Giri along with Central Committee members Jyoti Rai and Diwakar Gurung.

During its meeting with Chidambaram on Friday the GJM demanded that at least 1,115 sq km of the reserve forest under the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), which is said to cover almost 40 per cent of the geographical area of Darjeeling hills, be transferred to the GTA.

Along with the transfer of the Tauzi department and inclusion of Terai and Dooars in the GTA, transfer of the reserve forest has been a key demand put forward by the GJM to the central and state governments.

The Morcha has also urged the Centre to provide tax benefits to the GTA provided under the North East Council (NEC)

During their meeting with the Prime Minister the Morcha delegation raised the issue of the establishment of a central university and an IIT or an IIM in Darjeeling.

"We requested the Prime Minister along with the Union Finance and Home Minister for an extension of the special benefits enjoyed by the North East States to the GTA. The seven north east States enjoy tax holidays, subsidies and special grants. All these benefits should be extended to the GTA,” said Rai.

The GJM delegation also requested that the GTA be made the authority for handing out "Gorkha Certificates." Gorkha Certificate is a proof of identity (for a Gorkha) required for availing physical exemption in armed and paramilitary forces and for joining the Gorkha Brigade of the Indian Army.

"Till date there is no agency or person assigned to issue this certificate and persons requiring Gorkha Certificates have been filing affidavits. The GTA should be given the power to issue Gorkha certificates,” said Rai.

GJM students wing stops civil society rally in Darjeeling

Himalayan News Network

Darjeeling, Aug 9: Civil society in Darjeeling was not allowed to support social activist Anna Hazare’s nation-wide anti-corruption campaign.

The Darjeeling Civil Society had to cancel its rally in support of Anna Hazare on Saturday after the Vidyarthi Morcha, the student wing of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, objected to the involvement of students without its permission.

The rally had to be called off much to the disappointment of those who had assembled at Chowrasta.

 “A section of the student leaders came up to us and objected to the rally. They said we should have taken permission from them, as students were being involved in the rally,” said B.K. Pradhan, the president of the civil society, a national daily reported.

“We had already informed the district magistrate and the superintendent of police about the rally. We did not know that we even had to seek permission from student leaders,” said Pradhan.

“Normality is slowly returning to the hills and democratic voices should be respected.”

Morcha vice-president Amrit Yonzone said the Vidyarthi Morcha fully supported the fight against corruption but it should have been informed about the event.

 “If any untoward incident had occurred while taking out the rally people would have blamed the Vidyarthi Morcha as we are the sole representative of the students,” Yonzone said.

KURSEONG: A historic place where Sikkim king was born and Subash Chandra Bose sought refuge

Kurseong, a lesser known destination on the tourist map lies between Siliguri and Darjeeling at an altitude of 1458 mts. The rich flora of Kurseong is so fascinating that it has aptly been described as a ‘Botanists’ Paradise’. White orchids grow in plenty around picturesque Kurseong. All around Kurseong are some of the famous tea plantations, growing some of the best varieties of famous Darjeeling tea.

Peace, serenity and healthy climate of Kurseong have attracted many a great person to this place. Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore and the great composer Atul Prasad Sen got inspiration for some of their famous works while staying at Kurseong.

Sister Nivedita, the great disciple of Swami Vivekananda, made Kurseong her home. Even Mark Twain is believed to have spent some time in Kurseong in 1885.

Fazul Haque, the Prime Minister of undivided Bengal also stayed here. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was interned by the colonial Government for a couple of months in a house at Giddhapahar near Kurseong town in 1936.

Even Chogyal (king) Thutob Namgyal of Sikkim spent some time in Kurseong when he was under house arrest under the British. Sikkim’s 11^th Chogyal, Sir Tashi Namgyal, was born in Kurseong in October 1893 to Thutob Namgyal’s wife Yishey Dolma when the couple were under house arrest.

Darjeeling, which includes Kurseong, was once a part of the kingdom of Sikkim. After it was ‘gifted’ to the British in 1835, the Raj annexed Darjeeling in 1860, leading to bitter opposition from Sikkim and the royal family, the Namgyal Dynasty, which ruled Sikkim effectively since 1642.

Greater Cooch Behar statehood stir reaches Delhi

Hunger strike began on July 18, the day GTA was signed

Jalpaiguri, Aug 9: The hunger strike observed by members of Greater Cooch Behar People’s Association (GCPA) for their demand of the separate state of Cooch Behar entered eighth day on Monday.

After remaining silent over the issue for more than five years, nearly 10,000 members of GCPA began an indefinite hunger strike at the district headquarter on July 18 to coincide with the signing of the tripartite agreement between Bengal government, Centre and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha that paved the way for setting up of an autonomous council for the Hills.

The movement almost lost steam in the last five years after most of its prominent leaders, including Banshibadan Burman, and many others were sent behind the bars. Till date, 125 people, who were on hunger strike, have been hospitalised. The GCPA is also holding a simultaneous hunger strike with 80 activists at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

“We are now peacefully agitating through hunger strike, but if we are not paid attention, we will launch a greater movement,” Burman added.

Sikkim’s Rhenock post office to get heritage tag

Rhenock (Sikkim), Aug 9: Rhenock post office in east Sikkim is likely to get heritage status.

The post office, believed to be the first in Sikkim, came into existence in 1910, ANA reported.

Ganesh Kumar Pradhan, owner of the Ram Gauri Sangralaya museum, said the post office’s seal was stamped on a catalogue of Rhenock’s Chandra Nursery that began in 1910.

"The famous Chandra Nursery began its service in 1910, this post office would have existed even before that. The catalogue shows its postal address at Rhenock post office that is why I believe the post office has been there before that," said Pradhan.

Pradhan added that the post office deserved to be accorded the heritage status as it was the oldest in the State.

 "I had seen the post office when I was a kid and from here used to send flower saplings to outside Sikkim and clients in Britain. From there, mail also used to be sent to Tibet through the Jelep La Pass," said 91-year-old Chaygu Tshering Bhutia, headman at the time of Sikkim kingdom.

 Rhenock bazaar, close to Kalimpong, Bhutan and the Chumbi Valley in Tibet, was an important trading centre during the Raj period. After annexing Darjeeling from Sikkim in 1860 the British Raj gradually focused on building a trade route to Tibet through Jelep La in eastern Sikkim. Rhenock, due to its location, naturally became an important trading town in early part of the 20^th century. The town still maintains its old-world charm.