SIKKIM OBSERVER Oct 20, 2012

Hermonites felicitate Chief Justice of India

CJI to visit Darjeeling for Mt. Hermon School function on Nov 24

Senior Sikkim lawyer and Hermonite Udai P. Sharma felicitating Chief Justice of India Hermonite Justice Altamas Kabir in New Delhi on October 6, 2012. Also present at the function were (L to R) Mahesh Singh, Jigme N Kazi, Krishna Goenka and Karan Anand.

Gangtok, Oct 19: A delegation of Sikkim and Delhi Hermonites called on Chief Justice of India Justice Altamas Kabir at his residence in New Delhi on October 6.

During his hour-long chat with fellow Hermonites, alumni of Mt. Hermon School, Darjeeling, the CJI confirmed that he would be coming for the school’s annual Speech Day on November 24 next month. Justice Kabir, who was sworn in as the new CJI here on September 29, fondly recollected his school days at Mt. Hermon in mid-fifties.

The Hermonites called on the CJI to felicitate him for heading the country’s judiciary as the CJI. Sikkim Hermonites Association President Karma Bhutia, also Secretary of Sports Department, had sought the appointment with the CJI to felicitate him.

Two members of Sikkim Hermonites Association (SHA), Udai P. Sharma and Jigme N Kazi, were part of the eight-member delegation who met the Chief Justice.

The Delhi Hermonites Association (DHA) were represented by Mahesh Singh, Krishna Goenka and his daughter Ratika Goenka – also a Hermonite,  Karan Anand,  Anita (Adhikari) Sawhney and Shibesh Singh.

More than 150 Hermonites have confirmed their participation during the week-long reunions in Darjeeling in the third week of next month. “We are going to have a good time. At least 40 1979 batch will be present in Darjeeling for the reunion,” said Thinley Gyari, a Delhi-based Hermonite, in New Delhi.

Alumni from Bhutan, Nepal and also from abroad, including Miss P. Russell, an ex-teacher, will be present during the “grand reunion.”

Three Bangladeshis arrested for illegal entry

Gangtok, Oct 19: Three Bangladesh nationals have been arrested here for allegedly entering Sikkim without valid documents, the police said yesterday.

While one of the accused was arrested near the taxi stand outside the police headquarters, the other two were picked up at Rongpo in West Bengal-Sikkim border checkpost as they were trying to leave, PTI reported.

The duo checked into a hotel on Monday at around 7:30 pm and booked two rooms. The next day, the police moved in but they had already absconded, officials said.

Two laptop computers, an iPOD, flashdrivers, phones and modems were seized from the hotel room.

Sources inform that the three had initially given false addresses but broke down under interrogation and revealed their identity.

Sources said that while Md Islam is from Mohammadpur in Dhaka, Md Atik Rahman from Charadi village in Barisal district and Mir Ali is from village Badra police station of Satkhira in Bangladesh.

SIKKIM’S RINCHEN DOMLA IS MISS HIMALAYA 2012

Dharamsala, Oct 19: Twenty-three-year-old Rinchen Dolma from Sikkim was crowned the Miss Himalaya 2012 at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in McLeod Ganj on Saturday night. Dolma, a final-year college student from Chandigarh, was determined the winner among the five contestants by a panel of three judges.

After the crowning, Dolma said, “Goals are brain work and foot work; dreams are heart work.”

“I have always followed my dream. Today I am feeling proud and honoured to achieve the title Miss Himalaya 2012. I want to thank my family who were always there to support me to overcome every hurdle in life. I would also like to thank the Director  Lobsang Wangyal for giving us such a beautiful opportunity, Phayul website reported.

“Additionally, I would like to convey this message to all the youngsters that it is not only about winning or losing but it’s about gaining an unforgettable experience and meeting wonderful people.”

Dolma received Rs. one lakh in cash as the prize money. Rachna Dhiman from Kangra was declared the first runner-up. She received Rs.50,000, and Thinley Yangchen from Spiti, the second runner-up, received Rs. 25,000.

The show began with a performance of Snow Lion and Yak dance before a backdrop of a snow mountain range. The Director of the pageant introduced the idea and the mission of the Miss Himalaya Pageant event. Then a rich tribute was paid to the Tibetans who died for freedom of Tibet. A minute’s silence was also observed to express public support and solidarity with the people of Tibet.

The contestants then took to the stage for their Introduction round. This was followed by the presentation of the Traditional costume round. In the final Interview round, the judges asked different questions to the

Rs 7,000 crore lottery scam involves Sikkim, Bhutan

Kochi, Oct 19: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the multi-billion scam involving Santiago Martin, who distributed fake lotteries, has received data about the lottery published by the Sikkim Government. The CBI officials said that it would take more time for winding up the case investigation as they are yet to receive information from the Bhutan Government.

The CBI has received the details about the lotteries being published under the name of the Sikkim Government and the investigation in this regard will be completed within one month. The data on the number of lotteries released by the Sikkim Government has been obtained, sources said.

The serial number of the lotteries from Sikkim throws light on the fact that the majority of lotteries were printed illegally, The Indian Express reported.

The full picture of the scam will be available only after receiving data from the Bhutan government, said the CBI official. The CBI had been looking into the possibility of the involvement of the officials in Bhutan and Sikkim in the case. From the information received, the CBI officials revealed that they had not received the information about the involvement of the officials from these countries in the case. “A major chunk of the fake lotteries were from Bhutan, so we required the data from the Bhutan Government for completing the investigation,” the CBI official said.

CBI Kochi unit superintendent K Krishnakumar said that with the availability of data from the Bhutan Government, the crucial part of the investigation would be completed in two months. “The reason for the delay is because the data on the lottery published by the Bhutan government has not been released yet. But the talks with the Bhutan government is still on and we expect a positive response soon. Given the current development, we expect to reach the last part of the investigation by next month,” Krishnakumar said.

The CBI has registered a total of 32 cases in August 2011 pertaining to the lottery scams referred by the state of Kerala against lottery kingpin Santiago Martin. The cases related to lottery printing in 2005, 2008 and 2011 are under investigation. The CBI has submitted the FIR in the case at the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate. It is suspected that Santiago Martin and his allies garnered a profit of Rs 7,000 crore from the business in various states of the country.

FDI in retail sector will empower people:UPA

By Jigme N. Kazi

Gangtok, Oct 19: Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said steps are being taken to get rid of the “stagnation” in the economy for greater economic growth. While urging the people not to fear foreign investment in India, Chidambaram said foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail sector will eliminate “middlemen” and help small traders and entrepreneurs.

Inaugurating the two-day Economic Editors’ Conference in New Delhi last Monday, the Minister said the media has a great role in moulding “public opinion” which influence “decision making.” He accepted the fact that India was not “immune” to the global economic slowdown. “India’s economy is challenged” and “uncertainty is affecting markets everywhere,” he said.

Union Minister of Communication and Information Technology Kapil Sibal pointed out that at the “heart of economy is people’s ability to innovate.” He said “faster communication system” was vital for development. “Instant communication is a great source of empowerment,” Sibal said.

The Minister said the foundation for fibre optic network needs to be laid for faster economic growth in the county and expressed the hope that this would be done by the end of next year. He said faster data outflow to people through wireless network “will help empower people…it will lead to faster delivery of public services.”

Union Railways & Highways Minister CP Joshi emphasized the need for “safety” and “modernization” for improving the country’s rail network. He said by 2017, Kashmir will be connected with the rest of the country with rail link.

Asked about the demand for replacement of the BRO by other national agencies in managing Sikkim’s national highways, Joshi said while there is such a recommendation by some states handing over the work to other agencies is “not possible.” However, “the problems will be addressed,” he said.

Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar said despite a “delayed monsoon there is no drop in food production” this year. He said India is the world’s second largest food producer and “FDI is good for farmers.” He emphasized the need for a stable policy on import and export of food items.

“If there is excess production we should be allowed to export and if there is a decline we should be allowed to import,” Pawar said.

Union Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said, “Earlier, flying was for the rich but now flying is for economic growth.” Referring to security of passengers, Singh said, “Indian aviation sector is second to none in the world as regards security.”

He pointed out that Pawan Hans, which runs helicopter services in the country, has been asked to cover the Buddhist circuit between Varanasi and Sarnath.

Singh said civil aviation is not only about airports and planes but also about manufacture of machinery and precision parts. “Earlier, our planes go to neighbouring countries for maintenance. This has to stop,” Singh said.

Stating that he is “at home with regional press,” Power and Corporate Affairs Minister V. Moily assured that the country would not face “grid failure” anymore. He said the power sector is not only involved in generation but also in distribution.

Officials of his Ministry pointed out that less power effects double digit growth by 2 per cent. They are confident that “power growth will trigger GDP growth.” It may be pointed out that India has the third largest reservoir of coal in the world.

Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister S. Jaipal Reddy talked about the “growing needs of a growing economy of a developing nation.” He said the cost of oil “globally has gone up and this had made a huge difference to situation.”

Referring to the high cost of LPG cylinders, Reddy said the price burden has now been “passed on to the consumers from the government.” He admitted that “marketing” LPG cylinders is a great problem in far-flung areas of the country such as states in the Northeast.

The annual Economic Editors’ Conference had the participation of 35 senior journalists and writers from across the country, according to Neelam Kapur, Principal Director General (M&C), Press Information Bureau (PIB). The Conference was organized by PIB and the Ministry of Finance.

Editorial

OCTOBER 18, 1979

When Sikkim Humbled India

The victory of Sikkim Parishad party in the Assembly polls in Sikkim in October 1979 is a reminder that if the Sikkimese people are united nothing is impossible. The Parishad, led by Nar Bahadur Bhandari, a Sikkimese patriot hailing from the majority Nepalese community, had the tacit backing of the Chogyal of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal, who was unceremoniously dethroned by anti-Sikkimese forces projecting themselves as ‘democrats’ in early 1975. Ever since the  Indian-backed phony revolution  for ‘democracy’ began in the former kingdom in early 1973, Bhandari and other nationalist leaders from all three ethnic communities – Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese – struggled for seven long years to deliver justice to the Sikkimese people. Bhandari’s Parishad won 16 of the 32 seats in the Assembly and with the help of an independent candidate formed the government and ousted pro-India party led by LD Kazi from power. Significantly, the independent legislator was the Late Lachen Rinpoche, who won from the lone Sangha seat.

The rest of the seats in the Assembly were won by Ram Chandra Poudyal’s Congress (R) – 11 seats – and Nar Bahadur Khatiwada’s Prajatantra party – 4 seats. Poudyal won 11 seats mainly because he raised the demand for restoration of Assembly seats reserved for Sikkimese Nepalese in the Assembly, which were abolished in 1979. Kazi’s Sikkim Janata Party drew nil in the polls and Kazi himself lost from the Dzongu constituency in North Sikkim. While Bhandari’s party promised de-merger, Poudyal projected himself as a Nepali leader and focused on the seat issue. Unlike Khatiwada, Poudyal did not want merger but greater political power for the majority Nepalese. After the ‘merger’ in 1975 Khatiwada, too, revolted and said it was not the wishes of the Sikkimese people to merge its country with India. While the result of the Assembly polls in 1979 was hailed as victory of the Sikkimese people the fact that the Sikkimese people’s political leadership has failed to give justice to the people ever since is Sikkim’s greatest tragedy.

Sikkim: The gradual dilution of distinct identity

BHARAT BASNETT

      (L to R) Lepcha, Nepali and Bhutia.

The year 2012 has completed thirty-seven years of Sikkim being the twenty-second State of the Union of India. Within this period this erstwhile tiny Himalayan Kingdom, hitherto being a part of India, has witnessed much political scenario which is obviously akin to the milieu pervading all over the country. The very nonchalant behaviour of the little number of politicians in Sikkim now a part of history.

We have witnessed at least two political stalwarts in the last three decades who were unprecedentedly successful to achieve 100 % political mileage, obviously on the premise of promises, hopes and aspirations of the people in the state which are so imperative in context of Sikkim to maintain its uniqueness in the Indian mainstream. During the eighties, it was Nar Bahadur Bhandari who championed in maintaining his reign for three consecutive terms with absolute majority. He was followed by his own estranged MLA, Pawan Kumar Chamling, who has been in the power for four consecutive terms, needless to mention, with quite authoritative majority in the Assembly of the State.

Now coming to the main point, what has been and ought to be of utmost importance, apart from the financial developments and gains, in the State is the maintaining of its distinct political identity and ‘proper’ protection of the three ethnic communities, viz., socially, politically and economically. Why is such a special care necessary for the original people of Sikkim? It has a very simple reason.

The people, in general, of Sikkim may be considered ordinary, but not the three main ethnic communities, Bhutias, Lepchas and Nepalese, who inadvertently, by virtue of merger, have become the citizens of the Republic of India, twenty-eight years late, therefore, becoming twenty-eight years back-ward in the Indian main-stream.

Then the population of Sikkim was to the tune of two and a quarter lacs.  Therefore, it was unanimously agreed and understood in between the Centre and the Sikkim State for having created special provisions chiefly targeting to provide safeguard the ethnic communities of Sikkim, of which Late Chogyal Palden Thendup Namgyal, the then King of Sikkim, was also a party to the testimonials of these logistics or paraphernalia for the protection were (1). May 8 Tripartite Agreement of 1973 (2).  Special Constitutional Provision of 371 (F), and the like.

Our so-called guardian politicians never baffle in making promises for the protection of the interests of the original and genuine Sikkimese people before assuming the position in Mintokgang. However, once assuming the seat of governance, the ephemeral charm of money and inebriated by power, the lofty deliberations and promises during the election campaigns are thrown into the back-burner. Yet, the original Sikkimese people do not falter in keeping hopes with the politician one after the other. Here the intriguing point is – are the people of Sikkim always gullible or does the psyche of the politician always tumble once they come to power? The results of these kinds of lackadaisical attitudes of politicians of Sikkim and the Central Government have resulted in fast eroding of the genuine commitment upheld in the agreements mentioned above.

As a chronological study in the context of the political developments in Sikkim, the late L.D Kazi, the first Chief Minister of Sikkim, commonly known as the merger-hero, fought election in 1974 on the basis of the arrangement of complete reservation of seats for the ethnic communities of Sikkim comprising of Bhutia, Lepach and Nepali. Up until then, there was no such nomenclature or provision as ST, Scheduled Tribe, in Sikkim. The representation of the Bhutias and Lepchas used to take place under B.L. seats, the literal meaning being Bhutias and Lepchas; besides, the Sangha seat for the Buddhist Monks of Sikkim. Subsequent upon the merger of Sikkim in the Union of India in 1975, the general election of Sikkim was to be held in the year 1979, directly under the Election Commission of India, as the twenty-second State. Therefore, the ensuing election of 1979 was to contradict on the basis of the prevailing Sikkim’s Election Rule and the provision of the Election Commission of India. As a result, the government of India quickly proclaimed the ‘Schedule 1978’ which comprised to define the Scheduled Tribe of Sikkim as Lepcha and Bhutia. The term ‘Bhutia’ comprising of Dukpa, Tibetan, Yalmo, Kagatay, Dothapa, Sherpa and Bhutia itself, thereby the identity of Bhutias and Lepchas of Sikkim firmly established. Here, the matter to understand very seriously and subtly is the term “BL” which is exclusively for the State of Sikkim that does not upheld the definition of S.T. in general.

R.C. Poudyal, a minister in the L. D. Kazi Cabinet, had sued in the Supreme Court of India challenging the status of the provision of B.L. Seats and the Sangha Seat. On the contrary to the pleas of R.C. Poudyal the Supreme Court of India upheld the status of B.L. seat reservation and the Sangha seat thereby protecting the special provisions provided to the Sikkim state in accordance to the 8th May Agreement 1973 and the provision of 371(F) of the constitution of India.

Now the agenda at present in question is that the ensuing Panchayat Election of Sikkim State 2012, to be held on November 3, 2012, has notified S.T. in general whereas the special provision of BL has been categorically ignored. This subtle development provides enough room for apprehension for the Bhutia-Lepcha community in the State. This sudden change in the arrangement ignores the fundamental protection of BL, whereas opens the clear passage for other S.T. category of India in general, not withstanding the S.T. of only Sikkim.

Now this is not a question of sole protection of the BL community of Sikkim but the very fundamental premises of the special provisions enacted for the protection and safeguard of the three ethnic communities of Sikkim who have become the citizens of India after the merger.

Because of the easy-going attitude of the political leaders and the public in general of Sikkim, the Nepalese of Sikkimese origin has lost deceitfully their political rights in terms of seat reservation. Here it is the time to be concerned for the BL of Sikkim also not to be on the path of losing such political rights in the days to come. Here the BL seat in question should be taken not only as a mere electoral agenda but it glorifies the political heritage of Sikkim within Indian Union, which now is at stake. Let us not forget that during the  reign of Kazi we lost the reservation of Nepalese seats, way back in 1979. Now in the fourth term of Chamling, we are in the process of eliminating BL seat. Now is it not time for us to contemplate seriously and take judicious steps before it is too late? (Bharat Basnett is the Convenor of Sikkim Solidarity Forum)

Eye camp held in Kewzing, cataract camp in Namchi in Nov

Kewzing, Oct 19: An awareness-cum-technical camp on eyesight was held here last week on the occasion of World Eye Sight Day.

Organized by National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) and Namchi District Hospital Wing in collaboration with Mother NGO Drishti, Namchi, the camp was held at the premises of Kewzing Senior Secondary School, South Sikkim.

During the camp, Dr. Twinkey Bhutia, Eye Specialist of Namchi District Hospital, screened few locals detected with cataract and the students from class I to V of the said school. The locals were screened for refractive error, an IPR release said.

Dr. Bhutia also gave a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation on various eye diseases and its care.

Earlier, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of South District Dr. Bimal Rai in his address talked about the importance of healthy and quality life. He also highlighted on the importance of eye and its care.  Dr. Rai urged the gathering to take utmost care of ones eyes and avoid any kind of self-medication and treatment incase of any problem in eye or its sight, but visit the specialist immediately.

Dr. Rai also informed that Namchi District Hospital will be holding 3 days cataract camp from November 22, where the patients detected with cataract will be operated and treated for free.

He said that till November 7 all cataract patients of South District will be screened and they will also be given the facility of free operation during this camp.

Police seize sale of broiler eggs

Gangtok, Oct 19: Sadar Police on Monday evening seized twenty one cartons of broiler eggs being illegally sold from a shop at Lall bazaar in Gangtok.

According to the police, based on the source information the search was carried out after which the eggs were recovered from the grocery shop of one Yogendra Prasad.

Police has handed over the seized eggs to the senior inspector of Voluntary Health Association of Sikkim which was later disposed.

As per the government notification importing of chicken or any kind of poultry products in Sikkim from outside State is banned.

Prasad has been fined.

SNPP to support ex-MP on issues

Gangtok, Oct 19: The Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) President Biraj Adhikari expressed concern on the gradual dilution of Sikkim’s special status as provided under Article 371F of the Constitution.

Adhikari said his party members recently discussed the concern expressed by the State’s former Lok Sabha MP Nakul Das Rai over the deteriorating law and order situation in the State and the growing influx into the State.

Adhikari said his party will support Rai’s Concerned Society of Sikkim to create awareness on these issues among the people. Rai is the Convenor of the Society.

Adhikari in a press statement said his party was boycotting the ensuing panchayat polls as it is against party-based panchayat polls in the State.

Four-legged chicken living normally in Kitam village

Gangtok, Oct 19: A rare four-legged chicken was hatched in Kitam village in the State.

The bird has two normal front legs while a pair of limb-type bough suspended behind, ANI reported.

According to veterinary expert Arjun Adhikari there is no definite reason behind the deformity and could be operated.

"Polymelia is basically a genetic deformity. It happens during development of embryo and sometimes not only in chicks but other animals also this happens and it's not a surprising thing but it happens very rarely," said Adhikari.

The rare four-legged chicken was hatched five months ago and has been living a normal life like other chickens.

"If it a major vital organ, it needs a major surgery otherwise limps and all we can take out with minor surgery and they can survive for their normal life," Adhikari added.

Rotary Club holds meet on rural employment schemes

Gangtok, Oct 19: Sandeep Tambe, Special Secretary, RM&DD, said under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 65% of rural households in the State have been provided employment to the tune of 80 days which translates annually to about Rs. 10,000 per household.

 During his presentation of the scheme at a function of the Rotary Club of Gangtok recently, Tambe claimed that the implemention of the scheme not only created “durable assets” in the villages but led to income generation among the rural people, a release of the Club said.

“The assets created in the village relate to minor irrigation channels, torrent (jhora) training works, school playgrounds, village footpaths, horticulture and pasture development, land terracing etc. Other than providing employment, the Scheme has been able to create durable assets related to income generation in the villages,” the release said.

Sikkim teachers, students attend green meet in Hyderabad

Gangtok, Oct 19: Two teachers and three students from the State participated in last week’s “Young India for Biodiversity” held in Hyderabad during the 11th Conference of Parties (COP11) to the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD).

The Sikkim delegation of National Green Corps (NGC) programme comprising of two teachers, D. Biswas and D. Dong and three students from Deorali Girls Sr. Secondary School – Ongmu Lepcha, Eden Bhutia and Tseten Tamang – have  returned after participating in the event.

 Participated by about 15,000 delegates from over 185 countries and teachers and students across the country, the green school model of Deorali School was largely appreciated as the effective environment management system at school level, an IPR release said.

 The model highlighted school’s effective and sustainable practices over natural resources like water, air, land and also energy conservation and waste management. The school also made video and power-point presentation in the gathering, highlighting several green initiatives of Sikkim.

For its green school practices, Deorali Girls SSS had also been conferred as one of the best green schools of the nation by Centre for Science and Environment, a New Delhi based NGO during March 2012.

FOOTBALL

Sikkim’s Lako Phuti Bhutia in Team India

Gangtok, Oct 19:  Lako Phuti Bhutia has become the fourth international woman football player from Sikkim, after Pushpa Chhetri,  Anuradha Chhetri &  Nima Lhamu Bhutia. 

Lako is the member of India U-19 National Women Team, which is to participate in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) championship to be held in Malaysia.  After attending the coaching camp at Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat for one month, they will leave from Mumbai to Malaysia on October 17, according to Menla Ethenpa, General Secretary of Sikkim Football Association (SFA).

The Indian team will play two matches in the qualifying round. On October 20, they will play against Bangladesh and on October 24 they will play against Uzbekistan.  Lako hails from a remote village of Sribadam, West Sikkim, and is the daughter of Mikchen Bhutia and Late Pem Lhamu Bhutia.

Briefing the media, Ethenpa said SFA is very happy with her performances in the international arena. Before her departure to Mumbai enroute to Malaysia, Lako thanked the officials of the SFA, including the President, BK Roka, and her coach Palden Bhutia, for giving her the opportunity to represent the country.