HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN      Dec 21-27, 2011

GOLAY TO PLAY PICNIC-PUJA POLITICS AGAINST CHAMLING

Gangtok, Dec 20: The warm-up for 2012 politics in the State will begin at a puja-cum-picnic programme hosted by supporters of dissident ruling party leader PS Golay at Rolu near Jorethang in South Sikkim tomorrow.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling will find it difficult to clamp down on the participants of the function this time as the event is being organized to pray of the victims of the recent earthquake in the State.

The controversial event which will take place tomorrow (Dec 21) comes on the eve of Losoong-Namsoong, Christmas celebrations in the State. Golay, a former minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) legislator, who has lately been actively touring the State, is expected to attend the function.

The Chamling Government’s clampdown on those who took part in the 2009 Rolu picnic has not deterred anti-Chamling forces in the State taking shelter under Golay’s leadership.

The proposed controversial event comes at a time when the Opposition leadership in the State is planning a united front against Chamling.

Cambodian MPs call for China-Tibet dialogue

Dharamshala, Dec 20: A group of parliamentarians of Cambodia has made a strong call for an end to the human rights violations in Tibet, urging China to engage in sincere dialogue with the Tibetan side to resolve the issue of Tibet.

"It is with a strong sense of unity that we Cambodian parliamentarians support the recent move by British Parliamentarians to halt the continuing injustice in Tibet," noted a press release issued by three MPs, Son Chhay , Cheam Channy and Yont Tharo from the opposition Sam Rainsy party, Tibet Net reported.

Expressing serious concern over the recent spate of self-immolations in Tibet, the MPs said, "these acts of self-immolation make sense when one considers the decades of repression, intimidation, fear, and violence that Tibetans have endured daily under China's rule which only appears to be worsening."

The MPs stressed that the Chinese officials should review their past ruthless actions and policies on Tibet.

They strongly disapproved of the Chinese move to force Tibetans under 18 years of age to attend government schools, imposing fines of 3,000 yuan on a single child if he was to become a monk or study at monastery school.

"China needs to realise that it will be unable to change Tibetans' hearts and minds," the Cambodian MPs said.

"We demand that the Chinese Government must immediately put an end to its oppressive policy and human rights violations, and begin sincere dialogue with the Dalai Lama," they said.

Havel ‘a source of inspiration’: Dalai Lama

‘Havel’s voice for human freedom could not be silenced’

Dharamsala, Dec 20: Vaclav Havel, a close friend of the Dalai Lama and a longtime supporter of the Tibetan people, died on Sunday at his home in the northern Czech Republic after a prolonged illness. He was 75.

Born in 1936, Vaclav Havel rose to prominence as a dissident playwright in the 1970s through his involvement with the human rights manifesto Charter 77 demanding democratic changes.

In 1989, the year of Czechoslovakia's Velvet Revolution, Havel led the extraordinary display of people power which toppled the ruling communist regime. The world watched with astonishment as, within weeks, the dissident playwright became president, phayul.com reported.

As president, he presided over Czechoslovakia's transition to democracy and a free-market economy and oversaw its peaceful 1993 split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

He was elected first president of the Czech Republic in January 1993, serving until 2003 when he resigned as his health deteriorated.

Havel became the first world leader to invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his nation and receive him as a visiting Head of Nation soon after he became President in 1990. Since then, the Dalai Lama has visited Czech Republic nine times and met Havel on numerous occasions.

The Dalai Lama traveled to Prague earlier this month to meet an ailing Havel. Arriving straight from the airport, the Dalai Lama spent over an hour, interacting with his close friend. Following the meeting, the Tibetan spiritual leader called Havel “a source of inspiration” for his firm stance on the principles of democracy and human rights.

Havel was awarded the Light of Truth Award in 2004 by the Dalai Lama for his outstanding contribution to public understanding of Tibet and its current plight.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "deeply saddened" and that Europe owed Havel a "profound debt".

"Havel devoted his life to the cause of human freedom. For years, Communism tried to crush him, and to extinguish his voice. But Havel could not be silenced.”

Air China begins daily Beijing-Lhasa service

Beijing, Dec 20: Air China began daily non-stop service between Beijing and Tibet’s capital Lhasa on December 15, the flight representing the first non-stop scheduled service between the two cities.

The Lhasa Gonggar Airport is situated at an elevation of 3,570 meters (11,710 feet). It is one of the highest airports in the world and is surrounded by very high mountains, which range from 17,500 feet to more than 20,000 feet in height.

Air China is operating the Beijing-Lhasa route with Airbus A319s which are certified for Required Navigation Performance – Authorization Required (RNP-AR) exact-navigation flying. The Airbus A319 is well known for its excellent performance from high-altitude airports.

According to Air China, the crews operating the route are highly experienced in flying routes over the “Roof of the World”, the phrase often used to describe the mountainous Himalayan country in which the Tibetan plateau lies.

Air China has given the daily round-trip the flight numbers CA4125 and CA4126. Each one-way flight takes four hours.

At present, the service is the only non-stop flight between Beijing and Lhasa. Air China says that in high season it will operate Airbus 330 widebodies on the route.

Air China has been actively involved in forming the air transport network serving Tibet and says it has helped further the Tibet Autonomous Region’s economy, culture and tourism.

Air China now operates more than 100 flights a week into and out of Tibet. The airline says its new Beijing-Lhasa service will play an instrumental role in bringing more travelers to Tibet and promoting local economic growth.

Nepal PM launches JNU-Nepal Alumni Association

Kathmandu, Dec 20: With a view to creating a better atmosphere for Indo-Nepal relations Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai launched the Alumni Association of JNU-Nepal Chapter (AAJ-Nepal) here on Saturday.

The Association is the first ever international chapter of JNU with more than 150 members that includes distinguished personalities from different sectors in Nepal, including the Prime Minister.

Professor Alka Acharya, International Student Advisor, JNU, among others was also present during the launching function.

Bhattarai, a scholar from the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University, recalled his student life at the varsity campus during the early 80s at the function.

 57-year-old Bhattarai said he has emotional attachment with the New Delhi-based University that has produced a number of scholars and politicians.

"I have learnt many things from JNU which I have been able to put into practice in the real life," said Bhattarai, who got his Ph.D. from the university.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Jayanta Prasad, who had also studied in JNU in the early seventies, said that JNU has promoted connectivity among different people.

Gorkhaland demand revived, rallies to follow next month

C. Tamang

Darjeeling, Dec 20: After dithering over GTA, GTA, the Gorkha Yuba Morcha, the youth wing of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has begun its agitation for Gorkhaland state.

The first rally on the issue was held at Mongpo in Darjeeling on Sunday. The presence of Asha Gurung, wife of Morcha chief Bimal Gurung was a pointer that the GJM was behind the statehood demand.

“The GTA was thrust upon us. By creating it, the legitimate desire of the people of Darjeeling was not fulfilled. It’s true that we did not have the GJM top brass with us. But we have got the mandate to carry on with our agitation,” said Gorkha Yuba Morcha chief P. Rai, reported a national daily.

The youth wing will hold rallies in Kurseong (Jan 7), Mirik (Jan 16), Kalimpong (Jan 22), Siliguri (Jan 29) and finally in Darjeeling (Feb 5).

Minor quakes recorded on Sikkim-Nepal, India-Myanmar borders

New Delhi, Dec 20: Two minor earthquakes were recorded in the border regions between India and Myanmar and the Indian state of Sikkim with Nepal in the early hours of Tuesday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the first quake, measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale, had its epicentre at latitude 24.1 degrees North and longitude 94.3 degrees East and occurred at 0035 hours at a depth of 70 km in the India-Myanmar border region, netindia news network reported.

The second quake, measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale, had its epicentre at latitude 28 degrees North and longitude 88.2 degrees East. It occurred at 0305 hours today at a depth of 35 km in the border region between Sikkim and Nepal, an IMD bulletin added.

We want an honourable solution: Muivah

“Ball now in Centre’s court”

Dimapur, Dec 20: NSCN (I-M) general secretary, Th. Muivah, who arrived here on Saturday from New Delhi, said Naga people were eagerly waiting for the Centre to take initiative in finding out an amicable solution to the vexed Naga issue.

Replying to a query about the outcome of the meeting with Union Home Minister recently, Muivah said the ball was now in the Centre’s court, adding the Centre has to take initiative, Nagaland Post reported.

“We are all waiting for that,” said 76-year-old NSCN leader on his arrival at Dimapur Airport.

NSCN (I-M) chairman Isaac Chishi Swu had already arrived here on December 15.

According to NSCN (I-M) sources, the two leaders have arrived to spend Christmas with the fellow cadres. “They have come to stay close with the fellow cadres during the festive season,” sources added.

The NSCN leader, who arrived here on Saturday afternoon, was escorted away by NSCN cadres in a bullet proof vehicle, bringing the interaction with media persons to an abrupt end, which lasted for about two minutes.

Earlier, on December 13, top NSCN (I-M) leaders Isaac Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to discuss for an “honourable solution” acceptable to all.

Sources also said that the NSCN (I-M) leaders have arrived to talk with the “home authority” on what they have discussed with the centre.

Burmese nationals held in Tripura

Illegal influx into India continues

Agartala, Dec 20:  Illegal influx of Myanmarese nationals into India through Bangladesh has continued, with 31 held for sneaking into Tripura, police said here on Saturday. Among the arrested were nine children and seven women.

With this, 83 Myanmarese nationals, comprising Rohingya Muslim and Buddhist tribals, seeking jobs in India have crossed over to Tripura state from Bangladesh since mid last year, reported IANS.

"All the 31 Myanmarese nationals were arrested by the police at Bokafa, 90 km from Agartala, late Friday night," sub-divisional police official Amitava Paul told reporters.

"They told the interrogators that they are planning to leave for elsewhere in India via Guwahati in search of jobs," he said.

"All the foreign nationals are Rohingya Muslims who entered Tripura illegally through Sabroom border from Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southeast Bangladesh," he added.

On Saturday, the Myanmarese nationals were presented before a local court, which sent them to 14 days' judicial custody. The illegal entrants would be sent to Bangladesh after completion of legal formalities, the police official said.

They told the police officials that authorities in Myanmar were indifferent to the problems of the people living in the hilly areas bordering India and Bangladesh.

"Intermittently, the Myanmarese Army has unleashed atrocities on a section of nationals, especially Rohingya Muslim and Buddhist communities," the official said after interrogating the Myanmarese nationals.

Over 50,000 Myanmarese have been living in different parts of neighbouring Mizoram, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh, and working at various shops and factories after obtaining work permits.

Since the mid-1990s, over 225,000 Myanmar nationals, mostly Rohingya Muslims, have been sheltering in the Teknaf region in Cox's Bazar district of southeastern Bangladesh.

Four Indian northeastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam share a 1,880-km border with Bangladesh, while Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh share a 1,640-km unfenced border with Myanmar.

The mountainous terrain, dense forests and other hindrances make the unfenced borders porous and vulnerable, enabling illegal immigrants and intruders cross over without any hurdle.

Anti-big dam blockade will continue: Gogoi

P. Ghosh          

Guwahati, Dec 20: An indefinite blockade against transportation of raw materials and equipment for an NHPC hydel power project at Gerukamukh on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border has been launched jointly by various anti-big dam organisations.

Thousands of protesters have come together in north Lakhimpur district of Assam and blocked the national highway 52 that leads to the NHPC dam site in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.

The blockade call has been given by several organisations, including the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP).

Leaders and members of various groups, including the AASU and different political parties, have also joined the protests, UNI reported.

KMSS general secretary Akhil Gogoi said the blockade will continue till the NHPC is forced to stop their construction activities at Gerukamukh.

"We will block all trucks and vehicles carrying raw materials and other equipment to the dam site. Of course, we will allow essentials, like ration for the workers, to move," he said.

  Gogoi said work at the transmission towers that are being built to carry the power out of the dam will also be blocked by the protesters.

"If we do not apply these strategies to pressurise NHPC and the government, our voices will go unheard," he added.

The anti-big dam protesters had forced the administration to stop a turbine-carrying truck at Lakhimpur since December 1.

The NHPC is building a 2000 MW hydel power project on lower Subansiri river at Gerukamukh, which has led to widespread protests in downstream areas of Assam.

“Sino-Indian relations is marked by fear and suspicion

Tibetan poet and activist Tenzin Tsundue shot to fame when in 2002, he scaled 14 floors of Mumbai's Oberoi Towers - where the then Chinese PM Zhu Rongji was addressing Indian business magnates - to unfurl a Tibetan flag. Known for his impassioned writing, the activist also described as one of India's most stylish people, Tsundue spoke with The Times of India’s Amardeep Banerjee about the recent Global Buddhist Conference that became controversial, Buddhist monks immolating themselves and how the Dalai Lama's retirement has impacted the Tibetan movement:

Amardeep Banerjee: The recent Global Buddhist Conference attracted Chinese criticism with President Pratibha Patil and PM Manmohan Singh opting out apparently due to China's objections - your view?

Tenzin Tsundue: The fact that India stood its ground in hosting the Buddhist congregation and also having the Dalai Lama as chief guest at the valedictory function is a matter of pride. Unlike the Beijing 2008 Olympics period, the Indian government this year is much more confident about not submitting under Chinese pressure. As a refugee living here in India, India's rising power is very reassuring.

Q: But many are not reassured - more than 10 Tibetan monks have attempted self-immolation in the past one year. Do you see self-immolation as a legitimate form of protest?

A: Ever since the 2008 Tibetan uprising, the Chinese government has become insecure in its control over Tibet. Inter-national media and tourists cannot travel freely in Tibet, peoples' movement is curtailed. It is this draconian police rule that's suffocating the Tibetans, pushing them to self-immolation. These are desperate acts to protest against Chinese police brutality and demand freedom. Living in India, i have no moral right to question its legitimacy.

Q: Meanwhile, how has the Dalai Lama's retirement from politics impacted the Tibetan movement?

A: The devolution of political power from the Dalai Lama should be looked at as an act of renunciation. The Dalai Lama's decision made the Tibetan people elect their own leadership and be accountable in all political matters. This is our answer to Chinese propaganda which says that exiled Tibetans only want to recreate the old feudal society. But more than that, we've had the success of 50 years of experimenting with democracy.

Q: How do you view current Sino-Indian relations?

A: The 60-year relationship between India and China that started after the Chinese occupation of Tibet has been marked mostly by fear and suspicion earlier. It's now characterised by economic competition and misplaced diplomacy. One of the main issues is the 4,057-km border. India's claim to Arunachal Pradesh is based on the 1914 McMahon Treaty while China doesn't recognise this treaty.

When the basic approaches are different, a solution is un-likely to come by anytime soon. Today, India is under pressure because of China's humongous military build-up in Tibet, its control of the Himalayan rivers and China's instigation of Pakistan. Because of the friction, both countries are militarising the Himalayas from either side - unless Tibet is restored as the buffer zone as before, India and China are forever going to be at cold war.

Q: However, is the 'Free Tibet' demand practical?

A: From India, we see only China's money and military might. We do not see the 80,000 protest incidents that rock China each year which are beaten down with brutality. And this is getting worse, so much that the Dalai Lama recently observed China's internal security budget is higher than its external defence budget, meaning they have more enemies on the inside than the outside ant their rigidity about control is pushing the country to the brink of an implosion.

WINTER Festival

Losoong celebrations in Sikkim: Chham and Chhang

The Losoong Festival in Sikkim begins each year in the 10th month of the Tibetan calendar. Surely there can be no better time to plan your trip to Sikkim. It gives you the wonderful opportunity to be a part of a religious festival and fair and also be witness to the extravagant carnival.

Losoong Festival is another way of celebrating the Sikkimese New Year. Held in the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar, the Loosong Festival of Sikkim, which takes place at the end of the harvest season, rejoice and pray for a better harvest for the next year.

Held generally in the month of December, Loosong Festival is the most vibrant festival of Sikkim where one can get to see the customary Chham (lama dance), the colorful garments and get the taste of mountain festive passion.

A traditional festival of the Bhutias of Sikkim, once the ruling class, the Loosong Festival, is to welcome the new season with a magnificent exuberant celebrations.

The traditional Chham dance takes place at the monasteries where the people dress up as divinities and perform the dance. The dances are a way to exorcize the evil spirits and welcome the good spirit of the Sikkimese New Year.

If one wishes to be a part of the celebrations you can also take a sip of the local wine Chaang and get submerged in the festive mood. The occasion is also celebrated by traditional archery competitions.

The Loosong Festival in Sikkim is an important festival and tourists from all over the world visit Sikkim to be a part of this sacred festival.