SIKKIM OBSERVER Dec 17-23, 2011

My support to Golay is conditional: Poudyal

“Golay must quit SDF and form his own party”

Gangtok, Dec 16: Veteran politician Ram Chandra Poudyal said his support to dissident ruling party legislator and former Minister PS Golay was conditional.

“I will support him if he proves that he is capable of leading a united front and dislodging Chamling,” Poudyal said in an exclusive interview to Sikkim Observer.

“I never said Golay is the future leader of Sikkim as reported in local papers,” Poudyal said. “What I said was that he has the potential to become a leader but he has to prove his worth to the people.”

“Like Chamling and Bhandari, Golay must be able to lead a revolt against Chamling and win elections on his own strength,” he added.

“As of now Golay is still with the SDF and is an MLA of the ruling party. He has to resign from the Assembly and form his own party to prove his leadership quality if he has any,” Poudyal said and added that he is willing to talk to former Chief Minister and Sikkim Congress President N B Bhandari to forge a united front to take on Chief Minister and SDF chief Pawan Chamling.

“Several politicians, including former MP Nakul Rai, CPIM’s Anjan Upadhaya, DN Nepal and NB Khatiwada, have met me recently on the present political situation in Sikkim,” Poudyal pointed out.

He said he is keen to become a “catalyst” for opposition unity and want the people to take advantage of him. He said he would also brief Congress and BJP’s central leadership to seek their support in opposing Chamling.

“I have now completed my religious studies and want to work for the people. I don’t want to become CM or MP,” Poudyal said, whose party, Sikkim Congress (I) won 11 of the 32 seats in the crucial election after the merger in 1979.

“I now don’t want to confine myself to working for the Nepalese only. I want to work for all Sikkimese, including those not within the three ethnic (Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepalese) communities,” said  Poudyal.

He said he has moved to his ancestral village at Chotta Singtam in east Sikkim after nearly two years’ self-imposed exile in Siliguri. “I will be moving to Gangtok shortly,” Poudyal said hinting that this move would expedite formation of a united front against Chamling.

Justice Kohli is Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court

Gangtok, Dec 16: Justice Permod Kohli was formally sworn in as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Sikkim on Monday. The oath of office was administered by Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh at the Raj Bhawan.

Prior to his elevation, Justice Kohli was serving at Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was among those who witnessed the oath taking function.

Justice SP Wangdi took temporary charge of the High Court as Acting Chief Justice recently after former Sikkim High Court Chief Justice PD Dinakaran was forced to resign following allegations of corruption against him.

Justice Kohli joined the Bar at Jammu on October 12, 1972. He was appointed Additional Advocate General of the State during Governor’s rule in 1990 and took over as the Advocate General in December 1990. He continued as Advocate General till January 1992 and was designated senior advocate in April 1991.

He was later appointed Additional Judge of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court on 7 January 2003 and as permanent Judge on 3 January 2005. He was later transferred to the Jharkhand High Court in Ranchi and took oath on May 4, 2006. He was later transferred to Punjab and Haryana High Court and took oath on May 10, 2007.

17^th SDF GOVT FORMATION DAY

I’m satisfied, says Chamling

Gangtok, December 16: Chief Minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front President Pawan Chamling has expressed satisfaction over his government’s performance in the past 17 years.

At an indoor function to mark the completion of 17 years of the formation of SDF Government in the State here at was at Chintan Bhawan on Monday, Chamling said he was fully satisfied with the achievements of his government on all fronts since it came to power on December 12, 1994.

He said his government would rededicate itself to the task that lie ahead. “We still have huge responsibility ahead of us,” he said.

The Chief Minister urged his officials to do their best to ensure that people are served well. “The facilities provided by the government should reach the people,” Chamling said.

      A brief report on the achievements of the government during the last 17 years was presented by Development Commissioner A.K.Yadav.

      The Chief Minister also released an illustrative book on earthquake of September 18, 2011 published by the Information and Public Relations Department.

After he was expelled from the NB Bhandari-led Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP) for indulging in “communal and casteist politics” in 1992, Chamling formed his own political outfit – Sikkim Democratic Front – in March 1993.

Elections to the State Legislative Assembly was held in November 1994 six months after Bhandari was ousted from power by dissident SSP legislators who formed a Congress government in the State.

In the Assembly polls Chamling’s SDF won 19 seats and formed the government. The Chamling-led SDF returned to power in 1999, 2004 and 2009. The SDF chief hopes to set a new record by making a comeback in the 2014 Assembly polls.

Supreme Court takes up Teesta hydel project transfer case

New Delhi, Dec 16: The Supreme Court on Monday (12.12.2011) heard a petition filed by Anand Lama on hydropower projects in Sikkim and fixed February as the next date for hearing.

The matter, a transfer petition, was listed for February on the request made by Lama’s counsel Raju Ramachandran during the hearing of the case on Monday.

The court made the following order after hearing the case: “At the request of Mr. Raju Ramachandran, learned senior counsel appearing for Petitioner, let this matter be listed in the month of February, 2012.”

Lama, a prominent local resident of Gangtok, sought for transfer of the case to the Supreme Court from the High Court of Sikkim.

He had filed a PIL in August 2011 and the date for admission of the case was fixed for November 15. Since his lawyer could not attend the case on the date fixed the Court adjourned the hearing of the case to March 2012.

Besides approaching the High Court, Lama has also filed a written complaint with the CBI, which is currently engaged in probing Lok Sabha MP Jagan Mohan Reddy’s disproportionate assets, including his investments in several hydro power projects in the State.

Reddy is believed to have made huge investments in the State’s biggest power project – the 1200 MW Teesta Stage III, located at Chungthang in North Sikkim. This project is run by Teesta Urja Limited and Himurja Infra Pvt Ltd.

Some of the respondents in the case are Union of India, Sikkim Government, Sikkim Power Development Corporation, Power Department, CBI, CAG and Teesta Urja Limited.

German club’s farewell football match for Bhaichung

Audi Football Summit in New Delhi on Jan 10

The exhibition match between the most successful German club, FC Bayern Muenchen and Indian National team will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, on January 10, 2012. The historic match will be a farewell for the Indian football icon, Bhaichung Bhutia, and the proceeds of the event will go to support the quake-affected people in Sikkim.

As part of the joint endeavour to bring international football to India, Audi is proud to extend its strong relationship with FC Bayern Muenchen, to promote the game here, and salute a true Indian football hero. The 111-year-old FC Bayern Muenchen, which has Audi as its premier partner, has won the German national championship, Bundesliga, 22 times and 15 other major titles.

To mark the countdown to the Audi Football Summit, FC Bayern Muenchen legend and a member of the German winning team of the 1974 FIFA World Cup, Paul Breitner said, “India can be a football power in years to come. It just needs to believe in its potential. Traditionally, both Germany and India have enjoyed a cultural and business relationship for years and it's time that we also work together in developing the popular sport of football in India. The Audi Football Summit is a big step towards achieving this goal. I hope that millions of youngsters will be inspired to play the game after watching their heroes in the exhibition match.”

Former Indian captain Baichung Bhutia who could not make it to the press conference owing to bad weather said in a telephonic interview during the conference that he was honoured by the gesture to give him a memorable farewell. Bhutia said. “As a footballer I always tried to put my best foot forward for the Indian National team, for my fans and my clubs. I would like to thank Audi India, FC Bayern Muenchen and my team-mates in the Indian national team. This is the best farewell I could have imagined.”

FC Bayern Muenchen, led by head coach Jupp Heynecks, will be stopping in Qatar for a training camp on their route to India. The German giants will turn up in their full strength for their Indian tour. Captain Philipp Lahm, arguably the world's best full back, Thomas Muller, the winner of the 'Golden Boot' in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, are expected to be in the star line-up for the match against the Indian National team.

On this occasion, Audi India MD, Michael Perschke said, “Audi is passionate about the sport of football and extremely proud about their association with FC Bayern Muenchen. Through this partnership, Audi India seeks to bring the world’s most popular sport to India and provide a strong platform for its budding talent. The Audi Football Summit in Delhi is a very prestigious event for us. We hope to attract millions of Indians to enjoy the game and inspire thousands of children to play football."

AIFF General Secretary, Kushal Das, who was also present at the press conference said, “It is the dawn of a new era in Indian football. Germany has produced world-class teams for many decades and FC Bayern Muenchen is one of the most respected clubs in the world. We hope that through the Audi Football Summit, we create excitement and awareness about the sport in India. Audi is truly committed to football and their initiative will immensely help in lifting the standard of Indian football.” (espnstar.com)

HERMONITES REUNION

All SIKKIM HERMONITES are requested to attend:-

1)      The Christmas celebrations organized by Class IV Staff of Mt. Hermon School at the school premises in Darjeeling on (Dec 25-Jan 1, 2012).

2)      Hermonites reunion after Christmas and before New Year at Hotel Tashi Delek, Gangtok. Former Mt. Hermon Principal Rev. J. A. Johnston and Mrs. Val Johnston (Tasmania), along with Sherab and Roslyn Namgyal & family (Australia) will be present at the reunion.

3)      Meetings on future of Mt. Hermon School in Gangtok and Darjeeling.

For details of the above programmes kindly contact Hermonite Punam Agarwal, Punam Building, MG Marg, Gangtok, ( 94343-39433).

Hermonite mobile phone nos:  , 94346-30097, 94343-57997, 97330-00888, 98320-66296, 94341-09784

(Karma P. Bhutia)

President

Sikkim Hermonites Association

Alexandra David-Neel: "the most astonishing woman of our time

Alexandra David-Neel was the first European woman to reach Lhasa.

By Barbara and Michael Foster

In 1965 Lawrence Durrell, on assignment from a popular woman's magazine, interviewed the 96-year-old Alexandra David-Neel at her home in Digne, in the south of France. Famous for her earlier adventures in India, China and Tibet, and the books recording these, Alexandra is best known for her daring journey to Lhasa over the Trans-Himalayas in midwinter 1924. Accompanied by her adopted son Lama Yongden, she was disguised as a beggar/pilgrim and eluded soldiers, brigands and officials of the British Empire. David-Neel became the first European woman to reach Tibet's forbidden capital, and she remains the most accurate, extensive source on the arcane Buddhist practices of a nearly vanished world. Durrell called her "the most astonishing woman of our time."

   When we interviewed the renowned novelist in a Greek neighborhood in the South Bronx, while researching our biography, "The Secret Lives of Alexandra David-Neel," he fondly recalled her eternally youthful air. Although worn down by the hardship of her travels, Alexandra kept a radiance that had drawn countless admirers, including generals and heads of state. She was born Alexandrine Marie David (a distant relation of the artist David) in Paris in 1868 to a left-leaning father, a publisher and a puritanical mother.    

     Alexandra began her career as a lovely opera singer, complimented by Massenet. When her voice broke, she became a strongly feminist writer, while her interest in Eastern philosophy matured. In 1904 she married Philip Neel, manager of the French railways in Tunisia. It was a marriage of convenience for both parties, and Alexandra soon took off for India. Her one significant love affair, with Sidkeong Tulku, the young, handsome, reforming Maharaja of Sikkim, ended tragically when he died in pain, poisoned, in 1914.

   Alexandra, for solace and enlightenment, turned to the Gomchen of Lachen, the Hermetic master of a small monastery in a mountain village near the Tibetan border. Stout and ugly, the locals believed he could fly through the air, kill men by a glance and command demons. But the British authorities respected him, and with this wizard Alexandra seemed to magically learn Tibetan. His occult knowledge formed the basis of her "Magic and Mystery in Tibet," translated round the world. The practices the Gomchen taught her -- such as tumo, breathing to create heat to ward off the piercing cold of the snows -- permitted David-Neel to succeed on her journey via unexplored country to Tibet's capital. Her "My Journey to Lhasa," published in New York, London and Paris in 1927, became an instant classic of travel and adventure.

Above Lachen was the Gomchen's cave, at 12,000 feet, where he spent most of his time in meditation. Along with her adopted son, 15-year-old Lama Yongden, Alexandra took up residence in a nearby, sparsely furnished cave, to which she adjoined her tent, cooking utensils and her bathing tub. She agreed to become the Gomchen's disciple and promised him obedience. For the next two years, in cave, tent or cell, she studied tantric Buddhism with the Gomchen by conversation, reading texts, practice and telepathy. The Gomchen and Alexandra would sit together in silence, focused on the imagined aspects of a deity -- perhaps Vajrapani, the protector -- their goal being an entirely unified mental state. Afterward the Gomchen would quiz his pupil, who became sufficiently adept that in her trek to Lhasa she could receive messages "written on the wind."

    Alexandra became adept at tumo breathing, involving meditation on the fire within. For a final exam she bathed in a mountain stream on a moonlit night, then sat naked, meditating until dawn. She caught a cold, but tumo would save her life on the journey to Lhasa. First, she visited the Panchen Lama, second in the hierarchy to the Dalai Lama, at Shigatse, Tibet, crossing the forbidden border. She was impressed by the Panchen's erudition, and she realized that in Tibet she was coming in contact with a wise, civilized people. In contrast, the British Political Officer, Sir Charles Bell, despite being a Tibet enthusiast, had Alexandra expelled from both Tibet and Sikkim.

   Undaunted, Alexandra headed for Kum Bum monastery in Eastern Tibet via China. The Manchu dynasty had collapsed, China was in turmoil, but Alexandra pushed on past brigands and warlords and immersed herself in the monastic life and the study of rare manuscripts at Kum Bum. She observed the practices of Bon, an ancient faith, and she engaged in some of their occult practices. In August 1922, with the help of another learned British official, Sir George Pereira, Alexandra began her zigzag journey to Lhasa. Alexandra was 55 when, along with Yongden, she defeated the fierce Himalayan winter and rugged terrain to achieve her goal.

    The epic story of Alexandra and Yongden's reaching Lhasa is too incredible to summarize here. Victorious, Alexandra descended to India, flaunted her triumph before British officials, and sailed for France. She made her home at Digne at the foot of the Basses-Alpes, which she joked were "Himalayas for pygmies." She stocked her villa Samten Dzong (fortress of meditation) with a collection of tankas, masks, prayer rugs, manuscripts and photos -- a miniature Tibet. She even brought home a necklace of gold coins, a gift from Sidkeong. She had refused to spend even one, no matter how desperate her need.

Over the next 40 years Alexandra and Yongden wrote two-dozen books on Eastern themes, ranging from adventure classics to "The Secret Oral Teachings In Tibetan Buddhist Sects," praised by Alan Watts as "wonderfully lucid." Occasionally, the pair -- she dressed in a lama's robes, he in a black suit -- sallied forth to lecture in European capitals, always planning new voyages of discovery that she grew too arthritic to undertake. At 100 Alexandra renewed her passport, fruitlessly planning a trip across Russia that would end at New York.

    Yongden had predeceased Alexandra, who passed away in 1969, just shy of her 101st birthday. At Samten Dzong, now a museum, some mementos from Alexandra's forbidden journey remain: a compass, a cooking pot, her automatic pistol, a native hat, box cameras, a Tibetan rosary made of 108 pieces of human skulls. Alexandra's real legacy endures in her books, which have inspired many Westerners to travel to Tibet, to study Tibetan Buddhism and to live the adventure that is life. (HuffPost)

(Barbara and Michael Foster are the authors of two biographies of Alexandra David-Neel: 'Forbidden Journey' and 'The Secret Lives of Alexandra David-Neel')

Govt keeping eye on Chinese works in border areas: Antony

New Delhi, Dec 16: The Central Government on Wednesday said that special attention is being paid to Chinese infrastructure development in border regions and necessary steps have been taken to address national security concerns through development of rail, roads and air fields in such areas.

“Government is aware that China is developing infrastructure in border regions opposite India in Tibet and Xinjinag Autonomous Region. This includes Qinghai-Tibet railway line with proposed extension upto Xigaze and Nyingchi and development of road and airport facilities,” Defence Minister A.K. Antony told the Rajya Sabha.

He was replying to a question on Chinese construction works along the borders and the steps taken by government to meet security challenges there.

In his written reply, Antony said, “Government is giving careful and special attention to development of infrastructure in border areas opposite China in order to meet our strategic and security requirements and to facilitate economic development of these areas.”

Maintaining that all developments having a bearing on India’s security are under constant watch, Antony said attention is paid for developing infrastructure in the states sharing a border with China.

“This includes the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh,” he said, adding, “Security concerns are adequately addressed through development of rail, roads and forward air fields as well as the operational capabilities of the armed forces.”

“SCRAP HYDEL PROJECT IN SACRED SIKKIM”

Tashiding youth body warning against hydel projects

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Dec 16: The Tashya Tsogpo (Youth Organisation) of Tashiding in West Sikkim has supported the recently-formed “Common Platform” in its fight against hydropower projects in sacred areas in the State.

“We the youths of Tashiding are in full support of recently formed Common Platform of different organisations in fighting against the haphazard Hydel Projects mushrooming in Sikkim in particularly proposed over sacred rivers, rocks and lands all over Sikkim.,” a press release of the Tsogpo said.

“Sikkim is the land of Mahayana Buddhism protected and safeguarded by the Constitution of India under Article 371F and Places of Worship (Special Provision) Act 1991,” it added.

“Tashiding Bhum-Chu (Holy Vase Water), the origin of which dates back to the time of Great Master Guru Padmasambhava in 8th. Century is in a great risk today because of the proposed unwanted three Hydel Projects (Lethang HEP, Ting-Ting HEP and Tashiding HEP) over Rathong Chu River,” the release further added.

The youth body warned, “The water from the upper part of Rathong Chu is use to replace and refill in this holy vase. Any provocation and pollution of Rathong Chu River will tantamount to attack on sanctity and sacredness of the water.”

“Scrap hydel projects to preserve heritage”

Gangtok, Dec 16: The Kalzang Welfare Association of Tashiding in West Sikkim has requested Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to scrap the proposed hydropower projects on sacred Rathonchu River in West Sikkim.

“We are very much optimistic that the Hon’ble Chief Minister would definitely yield to the demands being made by the Buddhist followers of Sikkim,” a press release of the organization said.

The Association said “it is also our responsibility to preserve and protect our dharma, heritage and above all, its sacredness as unfolded by Guru Rinpoche.”

The release said Yuksam-Tashiding-Pemayangtse in West Sikkim area forms the nucleus of Bayul Dremo Jong (Sikkim) and should be declared a sacred area by the government.

North Sikkim Club supports anti-Rathongchu hydropower project platform

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Dec 16: The Rongong Youth Club of Rongong-Phodong in North Sikkim has welcomed the recent formation of a joint action committee by several social organizations in the State to oppose mega hydropower projects over Rathongchu River in West Sikkim.

In a press release, the Club said, “We would like to extend our full support for the noble cause and like to request this platform to include proposed 99MW Dikchu HEP being constructed by Sneha Kinetic Power Project Pvt. Ltd. in North Sikkim also in the list to be scrapped.”

“We cannot compromise with the Holy Bum-Chu festival of Tashiding Monastery which is globally famous and known today in the name of unwanted power project,” the release said.

While stating that the “wounds” of the September 18 earthquake in the State “is still fresh in the mind Sikkimese people” the Club has requested the State Government to abide by the advice given by the Minorities Commission and scrap the three projects over Rathongchu.

Central panel meet on quake victims

New Delhi, Dec 16: Stung by reminders from Odisha (Orissa) and Sikkim, the Centre’s High Level Committee (HLC) was expected to convene a meeting  here yesterday to clear financial aid for the two states affected by natural calamities. Sikkim — hit by a massive earthquake on September 18 —has sought Rs7, 400 crore from the Centre under the disaster response fund. Odisha had asked for Rsn 3,265.38 crore after it suffered two floods in September.

The HLC, headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, has Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Home Minister P Chidambaram and the plan panel Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia as members.

While Sikkim is learnt to have submitted a memorandum on November 28 to the home ministry demanding relief, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has written a letter to finance minister on December 2, asking the Centre to quickly dispose monetary aid.