Jigme N Kazi blog: www.jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

SIKKIM OBSERVER    Sept 8, 2012

Altamas Kabir to become CJI on Sept 29

Kabir studied at Mt. Hermon School and Calcutta Boys School

New Delhi, Sept 7: Justice Altamas Kabir, the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court, will become the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) on September 29.

Setting the ball rolling for the appointment of his successor, CJI SH Kapadia — who retires on that day — has recommended the name of Justice Kabir to the government, so he can take up the top post of the country’s judiciary.

After the completion of formalities, Justice Kabir will be sworn in as the country’s next CJI by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan on September 29.

Justice Kabir (64) will head the country’s judiciary for a little over nine months, until he retires on July 19 next year.

Justice Kabir will be the 39th Chief Justice of India, and the fourth Muslim to hold the top post in India’s history.

Born in Faridpur (now in Bangladesh) on July 19, 1948, Justice Kabir studied at Mount Hermon School in Darjeeling, Calcutta Boys School and Presidency College, Kolkata.

He began his legal career as a lawyer in the Calcutta High Court in 1973 and was appointed as a permanent judge of the same court in 1990.

Justice Kabir was elevated to the post of Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court in 1995, and later promoted to the Supreme Court in 2005.   

He is the nephew of late union minister Humayun Kabir, who served with Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri  and Indira Gandhi.

Sikkim teachers get National Award

Gangtok, Sept 7: Sikkim’s Loknath Koirala receiving the National Award from President Pranab Mukherjee on Teachers Day in New Delhi on September 5. Amrit Thakuri, headmaster of Government Primary School, Rongli, East Sikkim, also received the National Award. Koirala is a teacher at the Government Junior High School, Lingee Payong, South Sikkim.

Editorial

MEDIA’S ROLE

Publish And Be Damned

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s angry reaction against The Washington Post’s bid to portray him as a ‘tragic figure’ is understandable. The Post is not only an influential paper in Washington it is also widely read in the West. It was The Washington Post that exposed the ‘Watergate scandal’ and brought down US President Richard Nixon in 1974. By labeling Singh as India’s ‘silent’ Prime Minister, particularly when the ‘coalgate scandal’ has rocked the Parliament and hit the headlines, the Post has hit the UPA and the Congress party where it really hurts and exposed India’s ruling elite to the outside world. There is much truth in the fact that the ‘dithering’ Prime Minister has not only become a ‘tragic figure’ but is silently tolerating the abuses heaped on him and his government by the media – national and foreign – and the opposition while ‘heading a deeply corrupt government.’

   Reactions against the Post for its timely and truthful reporting is immature and childish. The UPA as well as the Congress party have reacted much the same way in dealing with Team Anna, which is involved in a nationwide anti-graft campaign that is basically aimed at Singh & Co. Isn’t it a fact that corruption scandals in India has now become an everyday event, that the economic slowdown is badly affecting the poor and middle class, and that foreign firms are shying away from India mainly because of its inefficient and corrupt administration? Trying to shoot the messenger and ignoring the message is not an ideal way to handle things, particularly the media. The Post need not apologize to the Prime Minister’s Office; Singh, his colleagues and the Congress party owe an apology to the Indian people for their ominous silence in leading India to the present tragedy.

WATER CRISIS

Frequent Disruptions Intolerable

Gangtokians unjustifiably tolerated the supply of muddy drinking water for a few days this week. People who are not used to speaking up even when they are badly hurt doesn’t deserve to be heard. Surprisingly, even the politicians kept mum. However, those responsible for our health care and the PWD (PHE), which looks after the supply of drinking water in the State, should be made accountable for the mismanagement in regular supply of drinking water.

Unlike in the past, residents in the State capital had to face acute drinking water shortage on several occasions this year. Department officials’ often blame landslides for irregular supply of drinking water. Almost every time when there is a slight downpour the pipes are washed away or damaged. Now that the monsoon is almost over the concerned authorities need to see what has gone wrong and where. Either the construction works are of poor quality or the materials and equipment used for water supply lines are sub-standard. Timely and effective action needs to be taken to ensure that Gangtok is supplied with safe and regular supply of drinking water.

228 children, 5 homes to benefit from central scheme

Gangtok, Sept 7: At least 228 children in five homes in the State will benefit under the Intergrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), which inter-alia aims to provide rehabilitation services to children in difficult circumstances.

The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. In all the Government of India has sanctioned construction of 802 homes for the benefit of 37,481 children besides construction of 121 open shelters that will benefit 10,647 children.

This was stated by Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, a PIB press release said.

  Under this scheme financial assistance is provided to State Governments/UT Administrations for setting up of and maintenance of Open Shelters, either by themselves or through voluntary organisations, for short-term community based care and shelter for such children, which include contact points at railway stations, bus stands, crowded market areas etc.

The scheme also provides grants for homes of various types for children in difficult circumstances. Children requiring long-term stay and other rehabilitation facilities are referred to Children’s Homes.

Dalapchand school celebrates Teachers’ Day

Dalapchand, Sept 7:  Dalapchand Senior Secondary School observed the 124th Teacher’s Day celebration at its school premises in a colourful event.

The students of the school organized a cultural festival that included songs and dances. ST Bhutia, Head Master of the school along with his staff, were present on the occasion.

Ravi Pradhan, Cultural Captain of the school, was the host of the day. Prava Poudhyal, Discipline Captain, presented the welcome speech. Inter-House group dances were the major highlights of the day.

Araj Gurung, Ravi Pradhan, Prerna Rai, Rohan Chettri and Ujjwal Rai entertained the crowd with soulful songs.

UN Mishra, Senior Teacher of the school gave a brief outline on the life of S Radhakrishnan on whose birth anniversary Teacher’s Day is celebrated in India. The Headmaster of the school in his speech talked about the importance of relationship between the students and teachers. Bipen Pradhan gave the vote of thanks. Lunch was also arranged for the teachers.

23 teachers rewarded on Teachers’ Day

Gangtok, Sept 7: This year, State Government conferred twenty three teachers across the State with State awards which carries a Certificate along with Rs one lakh as award money and Commendation Award which carries a Certificate along with fifty thousand as award money.

The State awardees were Namdul Zangpo Bhutia, HM, LOngboo Primary School, North; Betina Pradhan, PT Reshi SS, West; Tulman Rai, HM, Chiya Dara PS, South; Dhurva Basista, HM, Rhenock Reshi PS, East in Primary Teachers Category.

In the Secondary Category the awardees were  RK Mishra, GT, Biology, Singhik SS, North;  Camelus Lepcha, Lepcha language teacher, Yuksom SSS, West; Mr. Ongden Tshering Lepcha, PGT Lepcha, Namchi SSS, South and  Hari Prakash Rawat, GT, Maths, Chujachen SSS, East.

The Commendation certificates were presented to  Jay Jay Lepcha, PT, Lingthem JHS, North; Chenga Tshering, PT, Munsithang PS, North;  Chenzey Temba Sherpa, PT, Pelling SSS, West; Passang Temba Sherpa, PT, Ribdi SS, West; Ugen Paljor Bhutia, PT Temi SSS, South; Sukbir Tamang, HM, Politam PS, South; Peden Bhutia, HM Chongeytar PS, East; Kalpana Pradhan, PT, Rongpo JHS, East; Hemlata Rai, GT, Arts, Lachung Sec School; Prakash Chadra Subba, GT Maths, Daramdin SS, West; Prem Lall Sharma, GT Arts, Dentam SSS, West; Bipin Chandra Rai, HM, Maniram SS, South; Daisy D Bhutia, GT Arts, Melli Bazar SS, South; DB Century, HM Martam JHS East and Bhanu Chettri, HM Amba JHS, East Sikkim.

 While addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said that the teachers act as the foundation for creating responsible citizens and good human beings.

 ‘If the society is blessed with good teachers, the society is bound to be good’, said the Chief Minister.

Minister for HRDD, N.K. Pradhan said that teacher profession is the noblest profession that any human being can look forward to and asked the teachers to work in such a manner that it justifies their profession. 

For China, Arunachal is ‘South Tibet’

New Delhi, Sept 7: China "illegally" refers to Arunachal Pradesh as ‘South Tibet’ and claims around 90,000 sq km of Indian territory, Rajya Sabha was informed last Thursday

"China disputes the international boundary between India and China in the eastern sector and claims approximately 90,000 sq km of Indian territory in the State of Arunachal Pradesh," minister of state for external affairs E Ahamed said in written reply.

"China illegally refers to Arunachal Pradesh as 'Southern Tibet'," he said.

The minister said China has been told that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India.

Excellence in journalism award by Press Council of India

New Delhi, Sept 7: The Press Council of India, which has been mandated by Parliament to improve the standards of journalism, has extended the deadline of sending entries for its newly instituted National Awards to promote excellence in print media.

As the awards instituted by PCI carry national importance, it was felt that the time given for filing of nominations from all over the country was too short to give wide publicity to the event. Nominations can now be sent till September 20, 2012. The earlier deadline was August 16, 2012, PIB release said.

The awards are to be given in six categories, with the “Raja Ram Mohan Roy National Award for Excellence in Journalism”, carrying the highest cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh.

The other categories are Rural Journalism, Developmental Reporting, Stree Shakti and Photo Journalism, in which there are two sub categories – single news picture and photo feature. These carry a cash component of Rs.50,000/- each.

Besides the cash component, these awards consist of plaque and citation. PCI, the national press watchdog, is entrusted with the responsibility of encouraging the media to observe the principle of “Freedom with Responsibility” while persuing its duties.

Other details of Eligibility Criteria, Entry Form, Declaration Forms and Rules are available on the website of the Council (http://presscouncil.nic.in : National Awards for Excellence in Journalism)

Cleanliness drive at Tsomgo Lake

Gangtok, Sept 7: A cleanliness drive at Tsomgo Lake, near Nathula in east Sikkim, was organized by   Tourism & Civil Aviation Department on Tuesday in collaboration with Police Check Post, Tsomgo Pokhari Sangrakshan Samiti (TPSS),  JN Road Taxi Drivers / owners Association , Live to Love organization, and Tour Operators, namely Classic Tours &Travels, United tours and Travels, Pheonix Tours &Travels, Red Lotus Tours & Travels, Tsomgo Dokan Association.

The campaign was mainly conducted to bring awareness among the  local people  as well as to ensure that their responsibilities of keeping the area clean is taken seriously by every individual, an IPR release said.

Tsomgo, Nathula and Baba Mandir being one of the most important yourist destinations, it was felt that regular monitoring on cleanliness is of utmost importance. The Department will be organizing such programme from time to time not only in this area but all over the State.

The Department requested Tsomgo Pokhari Sangarkshan Samiti to dispose the collected garbage on weekly basis, similarly Dokan Association of Tsomgo also was requested to help in keeping the area clean.

Inspection of the road along the Nathula access was also conducted with representative of Border Roads Organization. The BRO has assured that the road condition shall be improved before the coming tourists season.

SIKKIM People & Places

TEESTA UPRISING: A Journey to Dzongu

By Samir Mehta

Growing up, I was always fascinated by stories of Lepcha culture and wanted to visit their tribal reserve of Dzongu in North Sikkim, India, where the Lepcha are believed to have originated. Recently I had the opportunity to make this trip and jumped at the chance. Dzongu surpassed all of my expectations. It is a rich landscape of snow-clad mountains, evergreen forests, gurgling streams, waterfalls, and roaring rivers. It is home to the region’s rich biodiversity. Small villages dot the landscape and are seen through the wisps of smoke escaping from chimneys.

The Lepchas are warm, friendly, simple and hardworking people. They are religious and we saw water powered prayer wheels in many villages. Every house we stayed in, we were welcomed with their. The entire family would busy itself to look after our every need and comfort. Their traditional millet drink would not stop flowing. I probably gained weight during the trip.

Lepcha culture is rich with stories and traditions – such as the all-night singing festival in which young Lepcha men and women woo their potential mate through songs – and rivers play a central role in many of these stories and in their beliefs. For example, the Lepcha believe that in death, the departed soul travels up the Teesta and Rangyong rivers to the base of Mt. Kanchendzonga, their sacred final resting place.

Sadly these sacred place and the lives of the Lepchas are threatened by large hydropower projects. In Sikkim, the provincial government has awarded contracts to private operators for 26 large hydropower projects on the Teesta River, seven of which would affect Dzongu province.

The 300 MW Panan Dam is planned for the heart of Dzongu on the Rangyong River. The Lepchas are fighting this project and believe that they have the blessings of their ancestors in doing so: On the day that developers for the Panam project addressed communities who would be displaced by the dam, the Rangyong River experienced a flash flood, without any warning – there was no cloud burst, nor any rain. Was this just coincidence, or could it be something more?

Panan Dam site in Dzongu, North Sikkim

The Panan Dam is a stone’s throw from the Kanchendzonga National Park and Biosphere Reserve. The company responsible for the project, Himagiri Hydro Energy Pvt. Ltd., has no prior experience in hydropower development. The project has applied for CDM credits (which local groups, with the support of International Rivers, have opposed). However, the dam has not yet received clearance from the National Board of Wildlife, the financing has not been finalized, and other legal requirements have been overlooked. Local groups are now proposing legal action against the Panan Dam.

Another project that is tearing at the hearts of the Lepcha tribe is the 520 MW Teesta IV Dam – planned for the Teesta River– that forms the eastern boundary of Dzongu Reserve. The Teesta River flows through the length of Sikkim and is considered to be the lifeline of the state. The Teesta IV Dam is planned for the last free-flowing stretch of the Teesta River between Teesta III – currently under construction – and Teesta V, already completed. The proposed Teesta IV Dam and its construction, especially the intake tunnel, would destroy a sacred lake that is believed to be the heart of where a Lepcha clan originated.

The Lepchas boycotted the public hearing that is part of the environmental clearance process. The Expert Committee of the (Federal) Ministry of Environment and Forests is scheduled to consider granting environmental clearance for the project at a meeting this month. While the threats of the Teesta IV Dam are very real, all is not lost. NGOs like Affected Citizens of Teesta, Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee and others have been relentlessly opposing dams in the region. To date, the government of Sikkim has scrapped 10 dams, due to local opposition. People are concerned about the impacts of the dams on the environment and their way of life. They think and feel that the large migrant worker population, mainly from the plains, that will arrive during the construction of the dams will threaten their society’s social and cultural fabric. I have observed that across the width of the Indian Himalayas the hill people are different from those in the plains. The hill people are simpler, warmer, friendlier and trusting.

The indigenous people of Sikkim are continuing their opposition to the Teesta IV Dam, but they need our help. Please take a few minutes to watch this short slideshow that shows the beauty of the Teesta River and her people, and details the urgent threats posed by rapid hydropower development in the region.

Then I hope you will help me spread the word about the threat to the Teesta River by sharing the slideshow with your friends and family. Check back for more updates on how you can take action to support the groups in Sikkim who are fighting to protect their last stretch of free-flowing river. (international rivers – people, water, life)