HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN Dec 8-13, 2011

Dalai Lama wants to visit Burma

Yangon, Dec 7: Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama expressed his desire to visit Burma to pay homage at the country's holiest shrine of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon.

The message was conveyed to leaders of Burmese Buddhist monks at the Global Buddhist Congregation 2011 held in New Delhi on Nov. 27, The Irrawaddy magazine reported.

“The Dalai Lama said he has a great friendship with Burmese monks because they are well-versed in Buddhist scripture and also strictly follow the code of conduct of monkhood. And he wants to pay a pilgrimage to Shwedagon,” said Ashin Nyanissara, an influential Burmese Buddhist monk who joined the event in Delhi.

Burmese Buddhist monks responded to the Dalai Lama by saying that he would be invited to Burma at an appropriate time, Ashin Nyanissara said in a note posted on the internet.

But it is not clear when the Dalai Lama intends to come to Burma or if the Burmese government, a major ally of China, would issue a visa. Burma has already angered Beijing recently through the suspension of the Chinese-backed hydropower dam project in northern Burma.

Come, modernize Bhutan's crafts: Queen Mother of Bhutan

Ahmedabad, Dec 7: The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, said she is looking forward to partnerships with India in various fields. The Queen Mother, who has been actively involved in promoting social causes, including the promotion and preservation of the art of weaving in Bhutan, said that India and Bhutan can draw from each other's proficiency.

"Bhutan's art of weaving has gained international recognition and is the source of livelihood for many. In Bhutan, design is limited to colour combinations and pattern motifs. I believe a lot can be done, especially by building partnerships," the Queen Mother said at the 32nd convocation of National Institute of Design (NID) on Monday.

The Queen Mother, who was the chief guest at the convocation, said that the biggest challenge for Bhutan is to replace traditional techniques in crafts with modern technology without forgetting traditional skills and knowledge.

"I am impressed that since its inception NID has upheld its vision of providing holistic education. NID's role in promoting design along with the role of artisans is worth emulating," the Queen Mother said while inviting young designers of NID to play a role in Bhutan's development.

Tibetan women at UN climate meet in Durban

Durban, Dec 7: Two members of the Tibetan Women’s Association (WTA)  – Tenzin Woebum, head of Women’s Environment and Development Desk (WEDD) and Tenzin Dolma, Joint secretary, who represent Tibet Third Pole (T3P) – arrived here on November 28 to take part in the two-week Conference of Parties (COP-17) meeting (November 28 – December 9), an undertaking of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Tibetan delegates joined NGOs from around the world at the UN’s climate change negotiations to advocate for equitable and durable solutions to the world’s growing climate-change crisis and significantly to represent Tibet at the conference, according to a press release of the WTA.

Around 11,810 delegates: 1409 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), 86 Inter Governmental Organizations (IGOs) from 200 countries – are taking part in the deliberation.

Funded substantially by TWA and partly by the Global Fund for Women, the Tibet presence was made possible by accreditation and letters of invitation accorded by Global Campaign for Climate Action and Oxfam, South Africa respectively both through the International Tibet Network, thus providing an alternative voice for Tibet at the biggest climate meeting.

Scientists have termed Tibet as the Third Pole in terms of its storage of glacier ice and its status as a reservoir for the world’s largest rivers which feed one billion people in 10 downstream countries in south East Asia.

China’s response to the growing climate-change crisis in Tibet has been two-fold. First, China has begun building dozens of mega-dams and water diversion projects to capture and re-direct water from India and SE Asia to an increasingly thirsty China.

Second, China is forcibly removing all of Tibet’s 2.25 million nomadic herders, creating a human-rights crisis masquerading as conservation. This human-rights crisis comes despite the nomads’ traditional ecosystem knowledge and millennia of sustainable stewardship of Tibet’s grassland ecosystems, and despite scientific evidence that shows the nomads’ positive role in promoting ecosystem abundance, diversity, and resilience, the release said.

 “The world has gathered in Durban to continue addressing the ethical challenge that climate change has created.  Does a sovereign nation have a moral responsibility to act not only in its own self-interest, but also in the interest of people living beyond its borders? China’s actions in Tibet answer – no”, states Woebum, head of the Tibetan delegation.

Nepali Buddhists resent Prachanda link with Lumbini

Kathmandu, Dec 7: The Buddhist community in Nepal are not too happy with former Prime Minister and Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda)’s association with a development project on Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Prachanda has been made head of a national committee formed by the government to develop Lumbini. He is also vice-chairman of Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (APEC), a Hong Kong based NGO, that had run into controversy over its US $ 3 billion Lumbini development plan.

Buddhists, who comprise around 11%  of Nepal's population, are unhappy with Prachanda's association with Lumbini as he is a Hindu and has a violent past.

"Prachanda is responsible for deaths of thousands during the civil war and is not a Buddhist. He should have no role in Lumbini's development," said Amar Deep Moktan, a Buddhist, according to a journal.

Moktan is spokesperson of a new group called Coordination of Preservation of Buddhists' Concerns which enjoys support of nearly 100 Buddhist social, religious, youth and women groups in Nepal.

On December 7 nearly 5,000-10,000 Buddhists from all parts of Nepal will gather in Kathmandu to take part in a silent rally against Prachanda and demand protection of their religious rights.

Last month Prachanda had met UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon and sought his help to develop Lumbini. Buddhists in Nepal also sent a letter to Moon protesting the Maoist leader's association with Lumbini.

Despite Nepal's transition from a Hindu kingdom to a secular republic three years ago, Buddhists still feel neglected and sidelined by the nearly 80% Hindus in the country.

4 Himalayan nations clinch deal on climate change

  Thimphu, Dec 7: Four Himalayan nations facing the threat of weather changes have agreed to collaborate on ways to adapt to climate change after a two-day summit in Bhutan.

India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan were part of the Climate Summit for a Living Himalayas held in Bhutan’s capital Thimphu recently. They agreed to cooperate on energy, water, food and biodiversity issues, Associated Press reported.

 “The success of our initiative will not only have direct and immediate benefits for our own people, but we could be setting a worthy precedent for other countries that share similar conditions,” Bhutan’s Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y. Thinley said according to a press statement.

Pakistan, China and Afghanistan were absent from the summit but organizers downplayed that, saying that the summit was focused on securing ecosystems, endangered species, and food and water sources for only the Himalayas’ eastern part.

The summit called for action amid the international community’s inability to agree on limiting greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global climate change. The next round of U.N. climate talks begin in Durban, South Africa on Nov. 28, but the expectations of any breakthrough there are limited.

As part of the declaration the four nations agreed to work together to increase access to “affordable and reliable” clean energy resources and technology through a regional knowledge sharing mechanism, a press statement from the World Wildlife Fund said.

The most contentious part of the talks dealt with water security, according to the WWF release, but the four nations did agree to work together on ecosystem and disaster management, sharing their knowledge in water use efficiency.

 NC leader vows to fight on for JK autonomy

L. Verma

Srinagar, Dec 7: Senior National Conference leader, Mustafa Kamal, who was recently ousted from party posts by the high command, on Monday vowed to continue the ‘war’ with New Delhi "till autonomy is restored to Jammu and Kashmir".

Briefing reporters here, Kamal said that the party will not remain silent till the internal autonomy resolution passed by the state legislature is implemented by the central government.

“It is imperative for New Delhi to address political aspirations of the state and the hearts and minds of the people can only be won when they take political initiatives like restoration of autonomy for the resolution of the Kashmir issue,” Kamal said.

 “Our efforts will continue. We will not remain silent. We will not get tired. We will precede the unresolved agenda of Sheikh Sahib for which he spent years in jails for political settlement of the Kashmir issue,” he added.

To a question about his possible inclusion in the state cabinet, Kamal said, “Chief Minister and Congress high command has the authority to include any one in the cabinet and sack any one. Let us wait.”

“National Conference is fighting against wrongs done by New Delhi since 1953. They have to undo the wrongs and key lies in restoration of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir,”  he added after paying homage to his father and National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah on his 106 birth anniversary.

Dev Anand was a college student in Dharamsala

Dharamsala, Dec 7: The legendary actor Dev Anand who died due to cardiac arrest in London on Saturday had special bonding with Dharamsala, unofficially declared as winter capital of Himachal Pradesh and popular all over the world for being abode of the Dalai Lama.

The local government college where the legendary actor had studied and passed his intermediate has not even a single picture of one of the greatest legends of Indian film industry.

The charming actor who made huge name and fame in the movie world had given some breathtaking stage performances at the Dharamsala College when he studied here from 1938-1940. The actor loved the cool environs and calm ambience of the college located in the backdrop of Dhauladhar ranges.

Later he went to Lahore and enrolled himself at the college there. Some of the students of the college currently studying said that it is a matter of great honour and pride that legendary actor Dev Anand had studied here. They said that Dev Anand’s association with the college would always be written in the golden chapters of the history.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal in his condolence message said that with the death of Dev Anand, an era of film industry has come to an end. He said that Dev Anand was a versatile actor and a great human being. He said the void created by his demise was difficult to be filled in the history of Indian Cinema.

Editorial

SACRED RATHONGCHU

Go Ahead And Face The Music

The intentions of the Sikkim Government and anti-mega hydropower projects in Sikkim are clear: there is no scope for consensus. If this stand persists it will inevitably lead to a showdown which the Chamling Government cannot afford at this juncture when it is facing growing pressure from the Opposition on various issues – corruption, dictatorial rule, misuse of quake funds, identity of ‘Sikkim Subjects’  etc.

The State Government and the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, which have been ruling Sikkim for the fourth consecutive terms, ought to know by now that it is not just the indigenous minority Buddhist Bhutia-Lepcha tribals who are against the projects. The majority Sikkimese Nepalese and the old business community of Sikkim are gradually realizing the need to take care of Sikkim if they wish to live in Sikkim in peace and prosperity.

Presently, the anti-dam protesters are confined to three hydropower projects over sacred Rathongchu river in the Tashiding-Yuksam region in West Sikkim. This region is of great significance to Sikkim in terms of history, culture and religion. As the agitators move forward they are likely to come on a common platform with anti-dam activists who are opposing mega projects on the Teesta river in North Sikkim.

Monks of Sikkim want “anti-Buddhist” hydro projects scrapped

Support 8 organizations’ opposition to mega hydro power projects over sacred Rathongchu

Gangtok, Dec 7: The monk body of the former Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom has urged Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to ignore the alleged unreliable report submitted by a panel on hydropower projects in West Sikkim and uphold the religious sentiments of the people and scrap mega hydro projects in that district.

Supporting the demand for scrapping of these projects by 8 social organizations in the State, the ‘Monks of Sikkim’ in a press statement by its General Secretary Lopen Tshering Norbu Lama here yesterday demanded that  all “anti-Buddhist” hydro projects over “sacred Rathongchu” river in West Sikkim should be scrapped immediately.

“All the Sikkimese monks and monasteries welcome the endeavors jointly made by eight organizations to protect and preserve the sacred Rathongchu from being polluted or desecrated,” the release said.

“The Sikkimese monks also questions the veracity and authenticity of the recommendation of the high power State Committee lead by Chief Secretary when, in its so-called recommendation/Report, it utterly failed to addressed the religious-spiritual aspects associated with the anti Buddhist Projects vis-a-vis Denjong Neyig,” the release said.

“It is very surprising that these committee members even did not considered it befitting to interview any Rinpoches, Khenpos, Tsampos, Lamas to realize the religious aspect or implication of the projects,” the release said and added, “We reject the so-called recommendation of this Committee.”

The stand adopted by the monk body follows the demand on the issue made by 8 social organizations in the State which have urged Chamling to scrap the projects or face agitation.

The organizations that want Sikkim’s sacred religious and cultural heritage, besides the environment and ecology of the State, preserved are: Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO), All Sikkim Monastery Association (ASMAN), Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim (CLOS), Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), All Sikkim Educated Self Employed and Unemployed Association (ASESE&U), Peoples’ Forum on Earth Quake (PFOE), Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan (NASS) and SAVE Sikkim (SAVE).

They have come together on a platform called Platform for Joint Action Against Ting-Ting, Tashiding and Lethang Hydro Power Projects in West Sikkim on December 3.

GNLF celebrates 6^th Schedule deal in hills

C. Tamang

Darjeeling, Dec 7: After its short break the GNLF has started mobilizing its party units in various parts of Darjeeling.

This week its supporters held rallies across the hills ostensibly to celebrate the 6^th anniversary of the agreement that promised autonomy for Darjeeling under the 6^th Schedule of the Constitution.

GNLF supporters feel that even as the people, by and large, have not accepted the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and the cry for Gorkhaland has been revived the only solution to the hills problem would be within the purview of the 6^th Schedule.

According to reports, the celebrations at Barbotey, Bijanbari-Phulbazar, Rimbick-Lodhama, Rohini and Mirik was authorized by the GNLF supremo Subash Ghising.

Though the GNLF has not been able to win any seats in the recent Assembly polls at least 40,000 votes were polled by its candidates.

Gorkhas-Adivasis for joint campaign on GATA

Kumani (Kalimpong), Dec 7: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and the Adivasis has agreed to form joint committees and campaign for Gorkha Adivasi Territorial Administration (GATA), a set-up that seeks to cover the Darjeeling hills and the Dooars and Terai.

The Morcha also said it was willing to spend 50 per cent of the Rs 200 crore that the Centre had promised to the GTA for the development of the Dooars and the Terai, a national daily reported.

Last week, north Bengal development minister Gautam Deb had said an agreement had already been reached with the Morcha and the government would not consider any fresh proposals like GATA.

But Morcha president Bimal Gurung and party general secretary Roshan Giri shared the dais with Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad leaders here on Sunday to pitch their support for GATA.

After the meeting at the forest grounds here, Gurung told reporters that changing the name of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) to GATA will not be a problem.

“Once the governor gives his assent to the GTA Bill, we will sit together with the Centre and the state and the name will be changed (to Gata). That will not be a problem,” Gurung said.

PM faces naked protesters in Manipur

Imphal, Dec 7: Seven male volunteers of Manipur People’s Party (MPP) Youth Front led by its president Maniton Mangang stripped off at their office complex to protest Prime Minister Manmohon Singh’s visit to the State on Saturday.

The naked protest was carried out under the banner “Welcome Prime Minister of India with Black Carpet.”

The protestors shouted the slogans “No Supra State Body in Northeastern Region”, “We Condemn Insensitive Attitude to NE People by Indian Government”, “Stop Divide and Rule Policy Amongst Ethnic People of NE Region”, “Stop Negligence of Northeastern People” etc.

Speaking to media persons prior to the naked protest, MPP Youth Front President, Maniton Mangang stated that the Central government has remained insensitive towards the suffering of the people of Manipur who have been facing the torments of economic blockade for several months.

The Prime Minister should make a clear statement on the proposed “Supra State Body” for the Nagas. The issues of Northeastern region should be dealt by the Centre seriously, he said.

Paresh Barua hiding in China or Burma

P. Ghosh

Guwahati, Dec 7: A top ULFA functionary and an Indian journalist were arrested by the Myanmar Army on Saturday. Home Secretary RK Singh has confirmed about the arrest of the two people to the media.

The top ULFA functionary arrested is not Paresh Barua but the so called Lt Col Jibon Moran. He was the

finance secretary of ULFA. The journalist arrested by the Myanmar army Rajiv Bhattacharjee was working in newly started Guwahati newspaper called Seven Sisters Post, a regional daily said.

Rajiv Bhattacharjee had recently posted on Facebook and Twitter that he was going to interview ULFA leader Paresh Baruah in November first week in the Myanmar jungles. Since then the Myanmar media is agog with news that Paresh Baruah has been arrested.

It seems that Bhattacharjee was either arrested while he was on route to interview Paresh Baruah or he was meeting Jibon Moran.

According to intelligence inputs Paresh Baruah operates between Chengdu province in China and Kachin state in Myanmar.

Funds for ‘Dimasaland’ movement detected in Nepal

New Delhi, Dec 7: In a major breakthrough for efforts to curb terror funding, Indian agencies tracked a payment routed by a northeastern insurgent group from Singapore to Nepal, and got Kathmandu to seize the payment.

According to sources, the amount belongs to Dima Haolam Daogah (Jewel faction) aka Black Widow, an insurgent group active in Assam and Nagaland. The amount of $200,000 was remitted through proper banking channels from Singapore to Nepal to an account with Everest Bank's branch in New Baneswar in Kathmandu, The Times of India reported.

The outfit has been demanding a homeland - 'Dimasaland' - for the Dimasa people in areas falling under both the states.

Investigators believe the payment of $200,000 (approx Rs 1 crore) was transferred by Niranjan Hojai, the self-styled commander-in-chief of DHD (J). Hojai is named as a key accused in two cases filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into diversion of public funds in the northeast for insurgent activities, and also figures in several insurgency related cases. The money was remitted from a Citibank branch in Singapore into the account of Sarita Giri Rai, Hojai's wife who lives in Kathmandu, the report said.

After Indian intelligence agencies picked up specific information about the money transfer, Nepal and Singapore authorities were alerted. Even before Singapore reverted with the banking details, Nepal authorities had detected the unusually high bank transfer, and seized it.

Rai was summoned for questioning and she couldn't explain the source and reason for the huge amount. Sources said she admitted to investigators that the money belonged to her husband.