A ROYAL WEDDING IN DRUK YUL
King Jigme crowns Queen Pema
Hill Media Network
Amid clouds of incense and chanting monks, the hugely popular King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck crowned his queen at the end of a series of rituals in the 17th-century fortified monastery chosen for the occasion, AFP reported.
After a brief purification ceremony to start, they walked hand-in-hand and smiling to the inner sanctum of the monastery where an hour of blessings, prostrations and prayers culminated in the queen taking the throne.
The "Dragon King", an Oxford graduate who came to power in 2008 at the start of democracy in Bhutan
"She's very sweet and caring and she loves children," one of the king's cousins who studied with the queen, Yiwang Pindarica, told AFP after the marriage. "I'm sure she will help the king fulfil his duties."
Proceedings were beamed live across the country of 700,000 people and signaled the start of three days of joyful celebrations, with dancing, singing and drinking in towns and villages.
"You can be sure that our happiness is increasing," joked Karma Tshiteem, the head of the Gross National Happiness Commission, which vets government policy.
After the ceremony, the new queen and her husband, the fifth in a line of hereditary rulers who have reigned for the last 100 years, was due to greet crowds of well-wishers at a public celebration.
"From the day the king announced his wedding we have been excited," lawmaker Jagar Dorji told AFP as he arrived at the monastery, set at the confluence of two rivers and surrounded by mist-shrouded hills.
"This marriage assures the continuity of the royal family."
Pema, who often looked nervous as the heavily symbolic ceremony unfolded, wore an elaborately weaved outfit of gold, red and black.
She smiled anxiously as she received the crown. Her husband struggled to secure the embroidered headpiece which slipped off her hair several times before finally staying put.
Later the couple posed for photos, holding hands in front of the assembled media.
Security was tight around the monastery, with phone networks jammed and police enforcing strict controls on vehicles in a wide area.
The king, who is known to invite his subjects round for tea, had requested a simple and traditional ceremony. No foreign VIPs or fellow royals were among the assembled dignitaries and friends of the couple.
My dream is to turn Darjeeling into Switzerland: Mamata
Observer News Service
This is her visit to Darjeeling
Speaking at a function here on Tuesday, Mamata said hill and plains people should live and work together for their development.
Responding to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s demand for a special package of Rs 1000 crore relief and rehabilitation for the recent earthquake victims, Mamata said she would seek an additional Rs 500 crore from the Centre for rebuilding Darjeeling
The Chief Minister also announced sops and grants for various projects, including school education and road repairs. A spot assistance of Rs 20 crore for house-building was announced during her visit.
"The CM is like our mother. We are like her children. We can make demands of her," GJM chief Bimal Gurung had said.
"If Kashmir is the heaven of India , Darjeeling is the heaven of Bengal ," she said amid cheers. "Just having the heart and love does not help, work has to be done for those you love for their betterment. Darjeeling Switzerland
House damage compensation payment to end on Oct 15: Kharel
Observer News Service
Gangtok, Oct 14: The State Government is expected to complete the process of giving compensation to victims whose houses were damaged in last month’s earthquake by October 15, according to Relief Commissioner BK Kharel.
Kharel said on Tuesday that 70 per cent of those who had sought relief for house damages have been compensated.
He added the total amount claimed by people who suffered house damages was about Rs 50 crore.
Disbursement of compensation is being carried out by government officials, who are aided by MLAs and panchayats.
Meanwhile, about Rs 61 crore relief materials have been distributed all across the State, according to ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF).
The SDF has strongly condemned Opposition Congress party’s allegation that the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund was being misused.
A 9-member central damage assessment team led by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Shambhu Singh,visited earthquake affected areas in West Sikkim district, official sources said.
The team mainly assessed the damage caused to houses, roads, water and power supply structures besides agriculture and livestock.
CM for technical stability on Tashiling Secretariat
Observer News Service
Gangtok, Oct 14: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has asked the Mines and Geology Department to submit a geo technical stability report on Tashiling Secretariat, the State’s main government offices, which houses the chief minister and ministers’ offices, within a week to find out the feasibility of constructing the new secretariat at the same premises.
The secretariat is likely to be removed somewhere else if the present premises is found unsuitable, according to an official release.
This decision follows the inspection of the area carried out here today by the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso and heads of departments.
After the Secretariat building, located above the bazaar, was damaged during last month’s devastating earthquake which rocked the entire State on September 18, it has not been used and offices functioned from other places in the capital.
The final decision on the new Secretariat will be taken only after thorough study of the Geo Technical Stability Report of the present Tashiling Secretariat complex land, the Chief Minister said.
The new Secretariat will be retrofitted, earthquake proof, well equipped from security point of view with emergency exits.
Khangchendzonga may strike back again
Jigme N Kazi WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR
If India wants to exploit its hydropower potential to meet its requirements it should look somewhere else, not Sikkim India
Why was the Government of India so quick in announcing a Rs 1000 earthquake relief package for Sikkim when the State authorities were still fumbling over how much was actually damaged by the devastating September 18 (6.8 on Richter scale) earthquake? Did Central leaders rush to Sikkim after the quake reflect their concern for the welfare of the people or the companies that are incharge of hydropower projects in North Sikkim ?
While affected areas of Lachen, Lachung and Dzongu, which are largely inhabited by indigenous minority Bhutia-Lepcha tribals in North Sikkim, were totally ignored at the initial stage, civil and army authorities’ main focus was Chungthang, Pagong and Suffu in North Sikkim .
There’s no doubt that these areas were the worst affected as almost all those who died in the 9/18 quake were hydro project workers, including officials, of 1200 MW Stage III Teesta Hydro Project, the biggest hydro project in the State. This controversial project is being carried out by M/s Teesta Urja Project of the Athena Group of companies.
The haste and the highly objectionable manner in which the State Government, in collaboration with the Central Government, brokered a deal with Teesta Urja is known to many. Despite tremendous local opposition, including the longest hunger strike in the State, to these projects the authorities paid a deaf ear and went ahead with the projects.
Power-brokers, who first pretended to side with the Lepcha-dominated Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) in opposing hydro projects in Dzongu, helped to negotiate a deal between anti-dam activists and the State Government in 2008, leading to calling off the protest.
If you take a careful look around, those, including the so-called anti-dam activists who benefited from this deal, now find a place in the establishment’s administrative and business setup. Nobody reports on these things for fear of incurring the wrath of the powers-that-be. However, many people are aware of the hidden agenda of these power-brokers and how they function. And, as usual, life goes on and construction of mega hydro projects, too, continues.
The court of law ought to take a suo motto cognizance of reports that reveal the involvement of influential persons, including politicians and government officials, in mega hydro projects in Sikkim
Most of the Rs 1000 central earthquake relief funds will surely go towards repair and construction of road network in the State and it is expected that a large amount of this would be spent on the Toong-Pagong-Chungthang’s North Sikkim Highway, where power construction works are underway.
When enough is still not enough the only thing that will put a final end to human greed in this part of the mountain is another big shake-up that will place everyone and everything in the Teesta River and into the Indian Ocean.
Remember this well: Mangan, the headquarters of North Sikkim , was not the epicenter of the 9/18 earthquake; the epicenter was Khangchendzonga, the abode of the Guardian Deities of Sikkim. Most conscious Sikkimese who have helplessly fought against vested interests in preserving Sikkim’s natural and cultural heritage are convinced that their yulha-zhibda (country gods) have come to their rescue at the right time. Men’s extremity is indeed god’s opportunity.
I have said this before and wish to repeat it: whom the gods wish to destroy they first make them mad. To this let me add: fools rush where angels fear to tread. Let them, who fail to heed the warning, go ahead in their mad rush towards self-destruction.
Sakya Trizin to hold Fire Puja on Oct 17 for quake victims
Observer News Service
Gangtok, Oct 14: His Holiness Sakya Trizin, head of Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism, will perform a special Fire Puja (Tibetan: Jensek, Sanskrit: Yajna) here on October 17 for the victims of the recent earthquake in the State which killed more than 100 and caused extensive damages all over the State.
The Sakya Trizin, who arrived here on Sunday, met Chief Minister Pawan Chamling here on Monday along with his wife Gyalyum Chenmo and His Eminence Thartse Khen Rinpoche, the head of Ngorpa, sub-sect of the Sakyapa tradition.
During the meeting, His Holiness, who has already donated Rs one lakh for relief fund, expressed his deep shock and concern over the loss of lives and damages caused during the deadly September 18 quake. North Sikkim was the epicenter of the 6.8 magnitude quake.
At Samdruptse on Tuesday, His Holiness was received by the Sangha MLA Phitook Tshering and Dungzing Rinpoche of Serdup Monastery. Among those who received him at Samdruptse were the representatives of Alley Monastery, Ngadak Monastery, Tamang Gompa and the Gram Panchayats and local devotees.
His Holiness performed Trusol Rabney of the statue of Guru Rinpoche. During his brief visit at Samdruptse he bestowed Manjushri Lung (oral transmission) to the public in the temple, according to Sagnor Chotsog Centre Director Kunga Y. Hochotsang.
In Ravangla, His Holiness was received at Mani Chokhorling Monastery by former Minister and Adviser to the Ecclesiastical Department and Buddha Park Committee D D Bhutia. At Chokhorling Monastery, the Dorji Lopon of the monastery offered Mandal Tenzhug to His Holiness. As requested by the Monastery Committee, His Holiness bestowed Vajrakilaya oral transmission (Dorji Phurpa Lung). He later visited the Buddha Park Complex, where he gave private audiences and spent the night at the complex.
On Wednesday, His Holiness visited Tibetan Army Camp and Sakya Lelung Monastery, where he was received by Nyakton Rinpoche and the local devotees. His Holiness bestowed Manjushri empowerment and blessed the site for the construction of Nyakton monastery. His Holiness also visited Ravangla Tibetan Settlement and gave long life empowerment and Chenrizig (Avalokitesvara) Lung/ transmission and phowa to the public, as requested.
At the Ralong Kargyu monastery (Palchen Chokhorling Monastery), His Holiness will bestow the Drimed Nam Nyi empowerment. This monastery belongs to His Eminence Goshir Gyalsthab Rinpoche, one of the three Regents of the world-renowned Rumtek monastery in east Sikkim
During his month-long stay in the former Buddhist kingdom, His Holiness will give teachings and bestow initiations here at Ngor Gompa, where he is staying.
Ngor Gompa, established in the capital in the early 1960s at the Khenzong House premises, is celebrating its 50th anniversary and His Holiness’s visit here is in connection with the celebratory functions organized by the Centre.
Distribution of relief funds discriminatory: Upreti
Observer News Service
Gangtok, Oct 14: Senior Congress leader KN Upreti has alleged that distribution of earthquake relief funds to quake victims in the State is discriminatory.
Upreti said relief funds are being distributed by the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, Ministers, MLAs and members of the panchayat who belong to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front.
“The cash relief is being distributed not by the Govt. agencies after proper assessment of the damages but is being distributed directly” by elected members of the SDF, Upreti said in a press statement.
Upreti expressed serious concern over “discretionary grant” without “verification” of extent of damaged caused.
“There is allegation that even “Dasain Kharcha” were distributed from the relief fund,” Upreti said. “Victims are discriminated on the basis of party affiliation and proximity to concerned MLA’S/Panchayats,” he added.
Upreti said during a meeting of party supporters it was decided that the party would approach Governor BP Singh and also file a petition under RTI to seek information on sources and utilization of relief funds.
Royal honeymoon in Rajasthan
Observer News Service
Gangtok, Oct 14: The Bhutanese royal couple - King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Jetsun Pema – has chosen Rajasthan for their honeymoon.
The couple is expected arrive in Rajasthan on October 23. They will stay there till November 1. The Bhutanese royals will take a trip across Rajasthan on a special train arranged by the Indian government, India Today reported.
The young monarch shares a deep bond with India and Pema, too, studied at Lawrence School , Sanawar, in Himachal Pradesh and at St Joseph 's Convent in Kalimpong, West Bengal .
Following his meetings with the political leadership, including the PM, key ministers and senior officials on October 24, the royal delegation will leave for Rajasthan the next day via the special train. It is likely that the train will be designed on the lines of the famous Palace on Wheels.
Tashi Delek for royal Bhutanese couple from Sikkim
Gangtok, Oct 14: The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organization (NASBO 371 F) and Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), two organisations representing the indigenous Bhutia-Lepcha communities in Sikkim, have extended their greetings and good wishes to the Bhutanese King and Queen on their wedding on behalf of the “people of Sikkim.”
“On this 17th day of the eight Sikkimese Month of Iron Rabbit Year, corresponding to October 13, 2011, the people of Sikkim and this organization congratulate You, the Dorji Sem Kuden, illustrious grand-daughter of our beloved His Majesty the 9th Miwang Denjong Chogyal Sir Thutob Namgyal, on the auspicious occasion of the Royal Wedding of His Majesty the 5th Drug Gyalpo Miwang Jigme Khesar Nampar Gyalwai Wangchuk with Ashe Jetsun Pema La,” stated a message by SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia.
“On this occasion, we also profoundly remember the Late Denjong Sem Kuden Rani Chuni Wangmo, “Anyola”. We pray Mahaguru Padmasambhava to bless the Royal Couple, the Dorji Sem Kuden and the Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan with His eternal protection and blessings,” the message added.
The message by NASBO President Sonam Kaleon said, “On this 17th day of the eight Sikkimese Month of Iron Rabbit Year, corresponding to October 13, 2011, the people of Sikkim and this organization congratulate Your Royal Majesty, the 5th Drug Gyalpo Miwang Jigme Khesar Nampar Gyalwai Wangchuk and Ashe Jetsun Pema La on Your auspicious wedding. We pray Mahaguru Padmasambhava to bless the Royal couple and the Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan with His eternal protection and blessings.”
The wishes of the two Sikkimese organisations reflect the close geographical, historical and cultural bonds between the former Kingdom of Sikkim with Bhutan
Editorial
ANNA VS DIGVIJAY
“Change the colour of your glasses”
Anna Hazare has rightly hit back at Congress leader Digvijay Singh saying the charge of RSS support to his anti-corruption campaign was an attempt to defame him. He also ruled out joining politics or becoming a Presidential candidate. “I neither have the capacity nor the desire to become the President of India and wonder why the Congress and the BJP were talking in the air,” is how Hazare reacted to suggestions that he be made the next President. The political establishment always want to place uncomfortable persons on a pedestal to buy their silence.
Singh, who never ceases to see RSS stamp on Team Anna or Team Ramdev, got a stern warning from Anna this time: “I know very well that people throw stones only at those trees which bear fruits. People see the world in the colour of the glasses they wear. I think that the colour of your spectacle is wrong and you should change it,” he said in his letter to the Congress leader. The Gandhian has sought to puncture the points raised by Singh in his two letters in which the Congress general secretary had claimed that the RSS was backing Hazare's Lokpal campaign and that he was surrounded by associates who were anti-Congress.
ADVANTAGE BJP
Advani as Prime Minister
Despite denials by a section of the party leadership senior BJP leader Uma Bharti, who is well known for her straightforwardness, has now openly stated that LK Advani is the “most capable person” to lead the country as Prime Minister. Though the 84-year-old former deputy prime minister has judiciously maintained that his current nationwide yatra was not intended to project him as his party’s prime ministerial candidate, many people believe that his anti-corruption campaign is designed to unseat the Congress-led UPA Government in the next general elections, making him the frontrunner for the top job.
With corruption being a major issue for the polls and with Advani himself declaring that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was heading the most corrupt government in post-independent India
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