HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN     Wednesday May 29 –June 4, 2013  

Blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

“Sons of the soil to be SSP govt’s policy”

BHANDARI’S BACK

SSP raises May 8^th issue, wants 1970 as cut-off year for old settlers, Karmapa back in Rumtek

Gangtok, May 28: Three-term chief minister and anti-merger veteran politician is back in active politics after nearly a decade as president of the State unit of the Congress party.

Nar Bahadur Bhandari virtually went into poll-mode on May 24 last week when he revived his old regional party – Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP) – during the 29^th birth anniversary of his party here at Sangram Bhavan.

After his removal from the post of SPCC President on April 20 by the party high command SSP leaders – Rajendra Upreti, Kamal Rai and NT Lachenpa – welcomed Bhandari back into the party and made him its President.

“May 8, 1973 Agreement and Article 371F of the Constitution will be my party’s manifesto,” Bhandari said during the meeting.

He not only wants restoration of the political rights of the Sikkimese through seat reservation in the Assembly but wants 1970 to be made the cut-off year to identify ‘old settlers’ or purano byaparies of the former kingdom.

Reiterating his earlier stand on the Karmapa controversy, Bhandari said he wants the 17^th Karmapa, Ugyen Thinley Dorjee, back in Rumtek.

“Sons of the soil will continue be my party’s policy when SSP forms the government,” the former chief minister (1979-1994) said.

He favours President’s rule in the State before the Assembly polls due early next year. He said he would hold talks with opposition leaders, including PS Golay, on opposition unity to dislodge Chief Minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front chief Pawan Chamling.

 Bhandari’s book on the merger period and Congress party’s “Sikkim Mahaloot” magazine, which details Chamling and his colleagues’ alleged corrupt practices, were also released and distributed during the SSP anniversary.

Bhutan to begin National Assembly voting

Thimphu, May 28: Voters in the isolated Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan will begin electing their second ever government this week, five years after the country's Buddhist "dragon kings" gave way to democracy.

The electorate of less than 400,000 people will choose from four parties on Friday when the primary round of voting for the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, commences.

The two most popular parties will then contest a run-off round on July 13 to form the next government, AAP reported.

Bhutan, which is landlocked by Asian giants India to the south and China to the north, held its first election in 2008 after the monarchy ceded absolute power and actively led the move to a parliamentary democracy.

Party leaders kicked-off the election season in early May with a televised debate. Bhutan was the last country in the world to introduce TV in 1999 and it remains fiercely protective of its national identity and culture.

Tibet could emerge as trade route for Sino-India commerce

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang with President Pranab Mukherjee (right)

Beijing, May 28:  With Premier Li Keqiang promising to further open up China's huge market to Indian products to bridge the ballooning trade deficit, Tibet could emerge as the trade route between the two countries, a Chinese expert has said.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry is studying a proposal to set up new comprehensive economic cooperation zones in Tibet, to link the two biggest emerging economies and to strive to meet the India-China trade target of $100 billion by 2015, Wang Rui, a researcher at a Commerce Ministry think tank, said.

The biggest obstacle to improving the negotiations is the trade imbalance between the two nations, Wang, researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation told state-run China Daily.

Her comments came as the trade imbalance dominated the just concluded India visit of Li who promised to open up Chinese markets for Indian products.

While Natulla in Sikkim was regarded as one important land route, Indian officials say Jelep-La, through Kalimpong in West Bengal close to the India-Bhutan-Tibet tri-junction was also regarded as yet another route that could be explored for cross-border trade.

"There are solutions to helping the two countries maintain rapid growth in bilateral trade and investment," Li was quoted by the media here as saying at a banquet at the China-India Commercial Summit.

China and India are discussing boosting an equal and fair environment to promote two-way trade and investment, he said in Mumbai yesterday.

China will open its market wider and work with India to jointly mitigate the bilateral trade imbalance, Li told business leaders in New Delhi earlier.

He pledged support for Chinese companies stepping up investment in India, and help for Indian products to access the Chinese market.

Never lose hope, Meghalaya Guv tells Tibetan MPs

     Tibetan parliamentry delegation with the Governor of Meghalaya, Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary

Dharamshala, May 28: Top leaders of the northeast Indian state of Meghalaya met with a Tibetan parliamentary delegation on a multi-state lobbying campaign and pledged political support to resolve the Tibetan issue.

The three-member Tibetan parliamentary delegation, led by former speaker Pema Jugney, were on the eighth and final leg of their North-East zone ‘All India Parliamentary Lobby Campaign.’

On May 24, the Tibetan MPs were received by the Governor of Meghalaya, Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary at the Raj Bhavan in Shillong, phayul.com reported.

According to Dhardon Shalring, MP and member of the delegation, Mooshahary, after being briefed at length about the current crisis in Tibet, said that Tibetans “must never lose hope.”

“Hope is what will keep you all going and victory will be an eventuality,” Dhardon quoted the Governor, who served as the former Director-General of National Security Gaurds and the Border Security Force as saying.

“The Governor expressed appreciation for the ‘tenacity, arduousness and the resolve of the exile Tibetans’ and referred to them as ‘true crusaders of the movement,’” she added.

The Tibetan delegation met with Deputy Chief Minister of the State, Rowell Lingdo, the incumbent acting Chief Minister. According to Sharling, Lingdo condemned the “atrocious policies of the Chinese Government” and said that China must “realise, respect and respond to the true aspirations of the Tibetan people and the Tibetan leadership’s call for dialogue to resolve the crisis.”

 The Tibetan MPs also called on the Deputy Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Sanbor Shullai, who reiterated his support for the Tibetan cause. He noted that the Indian Government “should treat the Tibetan issue as a special issue and raise it during diplomatic engagements with the Chinese leaders.”

The North-East zone ‘All India Parliamentary Lobby Campaign’ concluded their lobbying efforts after a series of successful lobbying campaigns in West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya.

Editorial

HILL TOURISM

Avoid Strike Calls

The decision to call for an indefinite strikes in the hills of Darjeeling last weekend to protest against arrest of hill leaders allegedly involved in violence and then withdrawing it could have been avoided. Thousands of tourists in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong abruptly left the hills when the strike was called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM). Many tourists could not visit the hills due to the strike call. Fortunately, good sense prevailed and GJM activists resorted to indefinite hunger strike to register their protest. In future politicians should resort to bandhs as a last resort when all avenues to settle their grievances fail. Political agitations in the hills have ruined the hill economy. The people must be given their rightful share in building up their economic base which is basically the tourism industry. It is presently the peak tourism season in the hills and the flow of tourists visiting Darjeeling hills should not be disturbed.

Muivah meets Manipur king for better understanding between Meitis and Nagas

Muivah with Manipur King Leishemba Sanajaoba in Nagaland last week. (left)

Manipur’s titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba had a meeting with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (IM)’s general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah at Hebron in Dimapur in May third week.

According to a report in the bilingual monthly Pandam, the meeting was also attended by Chingsubam Wangambi Leima, president of Meetei National Front (MNF) and others. During the meeting, King Sanajaoba presented a Meitei khudei (Dhoti) to Ato Kilonser Muivah while Chingsubam Wangambi Leima presented a Leirum cloth (Meetei shawl) to Muivah and other NSCN (IM) leaders in the meeting.

After Oja Akaba expired, the Chingsubam family met Muivah in 2007 and the latest meeting at Hebron was held in accordance with Muivah’s wish that the King of Manipur should join the next meeting, the report added.

Although there was no concrete agreement or commitment during the meeting, it was regarded as the first positive step to clear misunderstandings and promote rapport between the Meiteis and Nagas.

According to the report, Muivah said, “It would be a blunder to believe lndia will solve our Meitei/Naga problem. Meiteis and Nagas should understand each other, not blame anyone. He said that mistake lies with the Meiteis as well as the Nagas and the problem will remain unless there is mutual understanding between the two”.

Muivah further said that “We (Nagas and Meiteis) must decide our own destiny and our future will be the outcome of this decision”.

Muivah further said that since Naga-lndia and Meitei-lndia problems are different, their solutions would also be different.

Nagas will extend any possible help in solving the Meitei problem if a solution to the Naga problem is brought about, the report added.

In the meeting, Leishemba Sanajaoba is reported to have said that there are numerous misunderstandings between the Nagas and Meiteis. And it is high time the Nagas and Meiteis clear up these misunderstandings.

MNF leader Chingsubam Wangambi Leima said that the bond of love and harmony which existed amongst the various ethnic groups living together in the hills and plains of Manipur has been severed by the wedge of Hinduism. She added that we should find a way to enable us live in peace and harmony again. (The Assam Tribune)

Sikkim Rais celebrate Sakewa as communal harmony day

Chamling, Deo and Rai (right) at Sakewa festival celebrations at Saramsara on Monday.
 Gangtok May 28: The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs and Rural Management Development Department V Kishore C.S Deo, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and Sikkim’s lone Lok Sabha MP PD Rai were present yesterday during the celebrations of the annual Sakewa festival of the Rai community at Saramsara Garden, Ranipul, East Sikkim. 

The festival was celebrated as communal harmony day in the State. Both Chamling and Rai belong to the dominant Rai community in the State. Though Hindus by religion the Rais, like most hill tribes, have their own form of nature worship.

Sakewa is celebrated with great enthusiasm by all Rais. One of the oldest festivals in the hills it is celebrated as a big harvest festival with the worship of nature. It is also known as Bhoomi pooja or land worshipping ceremony. Kirat Rais are basically nature worshippers and during the festival prayers are offered to the natural supreme power, the creator of the universe for peace protection and well being of all living and non living things of the universe.

The Sakewa festival is also celebrated with the Sakewa Sili or ceremonial dances, which have their own significance and unique charm. Dances in different postures depicting the behavior of animals, birds, etc are performed to express gratitude to the creator.

Several literary figures of the State from various communities were felicitated during the festival.

Gangyap school holds 1^st basketball tourney in West Sikkim

Gangtok, May 28: Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Gangyap, West Sikkim, organized an invitational basketball for men's and women from the 24th - 26th of this month.

The tournament started on the 24th with PL Subba (MLA, Yangthang) attending as Chief Guest for the opening ceremony. A total of 4 teams, including St. Philomena, Kalimpong, took part in the women's category while there were 6 teams in the men's category, including a team of Bhutanese students.

In the women's category the 'allstars' (senior EMRSteam) lifted the championship defeating St. Philomena, Kalimpong by 4 points 53 - 49. The 3rd position was taken by 'dazzlers' (junior EMRS  team). Fabiana Lepcha of St. Philomena received a trophy for the 'highest scorer' with 60 points in her 3 games while Pema Lhamu Bhutia of 'dazzlers' was selected as the 'Most Valuable Player'.

In the men's category, 'Mustang' of Darjeeling beat 'Hoopsters' of Gangtok (1st Runner Up), 50 -31, in the very exciting final to win the championship. While 'Ballbursters' of Tashiding beat 'Crusaders', Jorethang , 30 -19 to win 3rd position.

Anuj Pradhan of 'Ballbursters', Tashiding was the 'highest scorer' with 57 points in his 4 games while Pala of 'Mustang', darjeeling was adjudged the MVP. Sonam Barfungpa of the 'Hoopsters' also had a great tournament with 56 points in his games.

The Invitational Tournament also had a 'partner shoot-out competition' for both the categories in which St. Philomena, Kalimpong won and 'Dazzlers', emrs stood 2nd. Similarly, 'Mustang', Darjeeling won the partner shoot out while Ball Bursters, Tashiding stood second.

For the closing ceremony on the 26th May, the chief guest was Dawcho Lepcha, MLA of the concerned constituency who praised EMRS for organising such a grand basketball tournament. The final was also attended by BDO, Gyalshing, SK Gurung also member secretary of the school.

 PEOPLE & PLACES Kalimpong

Kalimpong was once known as Daamsaang

By LYANGSONG TAMSANG

This fort is the only fort to the last Lepcha King- Gyabo Achuk. Lepchas are the original natives of this place. Lepchas has to concede this fort to the Bhutanese who then lost it to the British in the Anglo-Bhutanese war of 1864 AD. The fort ever since is in ruins. One can hikes to this fort. Huge fir trees line this place and the view from here is stunning. (left)

Ashley Eden, a British India Government Agent at the Bhutanese Court, on May 7, 1864 wrote to the British India Government from Darjeeling expressing his strong views concerning the adoption of measures to secure the frontier from the Bhutanese aggression.  One of his choices was - ‘ The temporary occupation of the country, to be followed by the withdrawal of the occupying force after destroying the forts and letting the people see and feel our power to reach them at any future time.’

Today’s Kalimpong was then known as “Daamsaang”, a Lepcha word and name meaning ‘fortified’.  A series of Lepcha forts in ruin can still be found around the Kalimpong Sub-Division.  “Daamsaang Fort” was constructed by the Lepcha King, Pano Gaeboo Achyok.  He was assassinated by the Bhutanese at Daalim Fort and his kingdom, “Daamsaang Lyaang” was taken away by the Bhutanese.

The name, “Kalimpong” is derived from three Lepcha syllables; ‘Kaa’ in Lepcha means ours, ‘len’ means to assemble and finally ‘pung’ means a hillock or knoll.  It means a hillock where the Lepchas assemble. 

This particular hillock or knoll can be seen today at Durpin Golf Course just below the Circuit House; a flat site with three pine trees standing.  The oldest Lepcha monastery built in 1691 existed in this very hillock where the Lepchas of Bom, Daanggrao, Sungleepung, Chhyobo, Purbaong, Tasyey Ngaaso, Tasyeyding, Tanek etc.  used to assemble.

 In the name of development, the Lepchas living in an around the monastery and today’s Kalimpong town were evicted and their monastery shifted to ‘Kafyer’ meaning arrow roots in Lepcha, now erroneously called ‘Kafer’, situated on the opposite side of Kalimpong town, in 1903.  Kafyer was infested with leeches and Himalayan black bears; owing to the lack of Lepcha followers of the monastery and thin population at Kafyer, it was once again shifted to the present day site of the monastery at Bom, Kalimpong next to the Lepcha Museum in 1921 by the then Lepcha leader, Aathing Sando Tshering Tamsang. This Lepcha monastery, one of the oldest, is aptly known as ‘Kaalenpung Rong Gomboo’ meaning the Kalimpong Lepcha Monastery in Lepcha.

Captain Perkins bombarded this Daamsaang Fort from ‘Ree Syee Saom’, a commanding position on the opposite and southern side of Daamsaang Fort, and destroyed it.  ‘Ree’ in Lepcha means terrace, ‘Syee’ means to see or view and ‘Saom’ means to take a rest for a little while.  It literally means a terrace like place from where one can see, view, the Daamsaang Fort, Himalayas, Ree Naok Valley in Sikkim, borders of Sikkim and Bhutan and the Tibetan Passes, Nathula and Jelepla, gateways to Tibet and take rest for a little while.  In short, a view point.  The Lepchas have given such appropriate and beautiful names of places but today this name in particular is corruptly pronounced as ‘Rishisum’.

On 10 December 1864, the Daamsaang Fort was surrendered by the Bhutanese to Colonel Haughton.  It was then occupied by a detachment of fifty men of the 17th Native Infantry under the command of Lieutenant Dawes.