Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday   Sept 14-20, 2013    

Old settlers urged to withdraw petition from Supreme Court

Gangtok, Sept 13: The Denzong Welfare Association (DWA) has reiterated its demand for withdrawal of the old settlers’ petition in the Supreme Court on the income tax issue.

It has alleged that instead of withdrawing its petition as demanded by DWA, the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS) has merely made some amendments, according to DWA President Phurba Sherpa.

“Instead of withdrawing the said petition, the petitioners have complained before the court that because of the threats received to their lives from Sikkimese people they are compelled to go for some amendments in the said petition,” Sherpa said in a press release.

The DWA sees this as an “anti-Sikkimese…conspiracy”, Sherpa said.

The DWA will hold a meeting here tomorrow to chalk out its future course of action on the issue, Sherpa said. It has threatened to take the matter to New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar if the withdrawal demand is not met. The DWA has also decided to submit memorandum to the President, Prime Minister, MPs and Sikkim Governor and Chief Minister on the issue. These issues will be taken up during the proposed meeting here, Sherpa said.

Chamling demands Assembly seats for Limbus, Tamangs

Gangtok, Sept 13: The Centre has been urged to grant seat reservations for Limbu and Tamang communities in the State in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

The matter was raised during Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s meeting with Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in New Delhi on Tuesday, according to an official release.

The Chief Minister pointed out that while the 12 Assembly seats reserved for Bhutia-Lepchas should not be touched, the Limbus and Tamangs, who were granted Scheduled Tribe status in 2002, should be provided with reservation of seats in the Assembly at the earliest.

“The census of 2011 having been completed, the next exercise for expeditious grant of reservation in the State Assembly for Limboo & Tamang communities needs to be undertaken forthwith,” Chamling said. 

Chamling has also reiterated his government’s demand for ST status for the rest of Sikkimese Nepalese residing in the State. Limbus and Tamangs belong to the Nepalese community and were categorized as OBCs earlier. Among major Nepalese in the State who are demanding ST status are Rai, Gurung and Mangar. Chamling is from the Rai community.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the two issues are “highly sensitive and emotive” in view of the forthcoming elections in 2014.

Of the 32 seats in the Assembly, 12 seats are reserved for Bhutia-Lepchas, 2 for Scheduled Castes (Nepalese), 1 for Sangha and the rest of the 17 seats are in the general category. During the Chogyal era, Sikkimese Nepalese, though still the majority community, had seats reserved in the Assembly. This was abolished four years after the merger in 1979.

Restoration of Sikkimese Nepalese seats in the Assembly has been a major demand of all political parties in the State. However, a section of the Nepalese leadership want Assembly seat reservation based on population to ensure dominance of their community in the State.

Brisk business in Darjeeling after bandh relaxation    

People’s pressure forced lifting of strike: Opp leaders

 Darjeeling, Sept 13: The hills of Darjeeling came alive from moribund state as the forty-eight hours relaxation from strike began on Monday with brisk business activity.

After six weeks of sporadic shut down the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) suspended strike for two days on Monday and Tuesday before chalking out future course of action for separate statehood movement.

Shopkeepers opened their shutters before sunrise to resume quick business, and transporters began ferrying people down to Siliguri nearly 100 kms from this town for bulk marketing as most of the essentials and rations are imported from the plains, IBNS reported.

Long ques were seen at the ATMs, so in all the nationalised banks as money transactions had been affected for weeks due different types shut down in the hills.

"It is like celebrating the freedom after remaining home for days," a septuagenarian, who preferred not to be identified, said.

The GJM, which is spearheading the statehood movement, has empowered the newly form Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee (GJAC) to dictate the terms of the movement.

Nearly every essential item is in short supply or out of stock for owing to sporadic shut down since July 29 when the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government announced formation of Telangana by dividing Andhra Pradesh.

All the government offices were also opened and attendance was almost 100 per cent because salary for August is still unpaid due shut down.

Hundreds of empty trucks sped down to the hills for Siliguri and returned back by the evening with loads of rations and essentials.

Cooking gas, kerosene were also short of supplies and most of the petrol pumps were also having difficulties owing to out of stocks of diesel and petrol.

Students of schools and colleges started returning in anticipation of reopening their institutions from Sept 13 as announced by the GJM.

Even a section of pro-Gorkhaland supporters voiced resentment of sporadic shut down and demanded some alternative to sustain the movement.

Meanwhile, the All India Gorkha League Vice-President, Laxman Pradhan, said the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha-backed Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee had to ‘put on hold’ the agitation up to 20 October due to tremendous pressure from the Hill people when the GJMM had failed to pacify the Centre and the State.

The Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had asked the GJAC representatives he would take initiative to convene a tripartite meet on condition if they call off the agitation.

“The GJMM’s movement for separate statehood flopped midway because of the Central government’s reluctance and non-cooperation from the state government. The fate of the third phase of separate statehood movement initiated by the GJMM proved a flop show and it would be very difficult for them in continuing the agitation keeping the people in pain,” Pradhan said.

The Hill-based CPI-M leader, K B Watter, said: “The GJMM had to call off its agitation because Hill people decided to go against the agitation after facing acute food crisis due to the prolonged agitation since 29 July. Had the GJMM called off the strike earlier, people would have started leading normal life in the Hills.”

The GJMM chief, Bimal Gurung, who is also chairman of the GJAC, said on his Facebook page: “The Union home minister has clearly stated that no new state would be created ‘immediately’. We reiterate that the demand for Gorkhaland is not achievable immediately and it requires stepwise dialogue to resolve the century old crisis of statehood.”

55 SDF supporters join SKM in Yuksam

Gangtok, Sept 13: Fifty five supporters of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) from Yuksam, West Sikkim, resigned from the ruling party and joined the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), according to SKM leader Jacob Khaling Rai.

SKM meeting in Yuksam, West Sikkim.

Earlier, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling welcomed more than 600 people into his ruling Sikkim Democratic Front at Samman Bhawan. Most of those who joined SDF are said to be from SKM.

In a bid to revitalize youth force in the State, the ruling party has decided to begin a campaign under the leadership of Ugen Gyatso, MLA.

Gyatso, Youth Incharge of the SDF, said a Bikers Wing of the party will tour all four districts of the State. The tour will culminate on December 31, when SDF holds a public meeting in Jorethang.

The ruling party’s efforts to mobilize the youth may due to the fact that most of PS Golay’s ardent supporters in the State are young people who are looking for change to save Sikkim for future generations.

PLIGHT OF THOLUNG GOMPA

“The Government of Sikkim pumps crores into the construction of artificial pilgrimage sites while the genuine heritage sanctuaries are left to crumble away”

The much-revered Tholung monastery in Upper Dzongu, North Sikkim, which houses precious relics belonging to Lhatsun Chenpo (Sikkim Patron Lama), was severely damaged in the 18 September, 2011 earthquake.

Two years later, the monastery still awaits reconstruction, Talk Sikkim website reported. The public here has expressed deep dissatisfaction over the delay in carrying out restoration work of the monastery as well as the delay in making the footpath from Lingzya safer for the people.

Readers have reacted this way in Facebook: Watsha Chettri Kunwar Ajay Anavigya:  “I have been there for several times.... it should be declared as a precious heritage site....”

Stefan Daehler wrote: “Anyway, all these shortcomings did not prevent Renjyong Mutanchi Rong Tarjum from honouring the CM with the first ever Mayal Kumshee Award. Looks like they are absolutely glad with the performance of the present administration ...”

Daehler added: “The GoS pumps crores into the construction of artificial pilgrimage sites while the genuine heritage sanctuaries are left to crumble away. Anyone believes this is NOT a designed development?”

Jenny Lama questioned: “What happened to the earthquake fund?”

Kenaz Lepcha said: “Government is waiting for the THIRD SHOCK......and it will be of Magnitude 9+ in Richter Scale. May be we will be writing our feelings in Paradise...”

Editorial

MODI vs ADVANI vs RAHUL

Race For The Top Post Begins

There is no doubt that India needs strong political leadership to set things right, including its economy. But in an era of coalition politics there is no place for aggressive and forceful leaders such as BJP’s Narendra Modi. What is preferred is leaders who are able to unite all factions, form the government and take the country forward. Sonia Gandhi’s choice of Manmohan Singh was a good move as he was able to take all aboard. But now Singh himself sees the need for Rahul Gandhi to take over as the next PM. Bihar’s former chief minister Laloo Prasad Yadav may be right in wondering whether there was any chance of either of them – Modi and Advani - entering that office.

   Even if Advani relents to BJP’s request to fall in line there are other senior leaders such as Sushma Swaraj and Yashwant Sinha who have to be won over. And there are other pro-Advani leaders in the BJP and allies which are unlikely to give full support to Modi. It is difficult to believe that a party which won 18.8 percent of votes, down from 22.2 percent previously, is expecting to oust a corrupt and non-performing government without the wholehearted support of its seniormost leaders. The Congress, on the other hand, is in a comfortable position in the choice of its prime ministerial candidate. Rahul Gandhi, looked upon as a genuine team leader, is more likely to unite his party and win over more allies than Modi or Advani.

Sikkim Stag antlers discovered during North Sikkim lakes expedition

Gangtok, Sept 13: The Department of Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management, Government of Sikkim, successfully conducted the first ever multi-disciplinary team expedition to Ocean Lake Gyam Tsona, Gurudongmar Tso and Tso Lhamo, all in Sikkim’s cold desert in North Sikkim from 3-7 September 2013. 

Participants included officers and young scientists from Departments of Mines & Geology, Science & Technology, Ecclesiastical Affairs, Sikkim Government College, Botanical Survey of India, and from Forest Dept: State Pollution Control Board, Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation & F orest Management Project (SBFP) researchers, State Biodiversity Board / Biodiversity Research Wing and Territorial Circle, according to a press release.

The 18-strong team collected samples of water, soil, rocks, flora and documented fauna from these three lakes which are the sources of Sikkim’s lifeline River Tista.  A more in-depth study was conducted around the Ocean Lake Gyam Tsona and its feeder spring Mirdo (Flintstone), to check its Tethys origin, ecological importance, reason for its brackishness and existing efforts to revive this dying lake. 

 This was achieved thanks to all support extended by the Indian Army stationed in the area.  It would take a while to collate and complete the investigations, but one of the highlights of the tour was a find by one of the army officials of the enormous antlers of the Sikkim Stag or Tibet Red Deer, (known to be extinct from present day Sikkim limits) from the dried lake bed.

Sikkim’s first greenfield airport to be completed next year

Sikkim Tourism Minister Bhim Prasad Dhungel with Union Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi in New Delhi recently.

Gangtok, Sept 13: Sikkim’s first greenfield airport at Pakyong, East Sikkim,  will be completed the end of next year, according to Tourism Minister Bhim Prasad Dhungel.

This statement came after Dhungel met Union Tourism Minister   K. Chiranjeevi in New Delhi earlier this week.

The Pakyong airport, being built at an altitude of 4,700 ft, will be one of the five highest airports in India. The reinforcement wall on the project is 80 m high and is said to be one of the tallest reinforcement walls in the world, according to an official release.

The Rs 300 crore project is being carried out by Airport Authority of India in a 200 acre land. The location is about 39 km from the capital. The airport is likely to be commissioned by March 2015.

Gangyap’s EMRS enthralls Gangtokians with Beatles show

By KUNGA CHUKIE & SONAM DEKI

      (pix: Voice of Sikkim)                                                                                                                                         

A select section of Gangtokians on Sunday got a rare treat of a musical show based on some of the best songs of the Beatles of the ’60s. Staged by students of Eklavya Model Residency School (EMRS) of Gangyap, West Sikkim, here at Manan Bhawan, the show, “Across The Universe”, was based on a fictional love story set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War in the 1960s.

   Directed by Sidharth Yonzone, the school’s Principal, “Across The Universe” is a musical play adapted from the movie ‘Across The Universe’ directed by Julie Taymor.

Set against the anti-war protests, rock & roll revolution, and mind-expanding psychedelia of the 1960s, ‘Across The Universe’ follows the arduous journey of star-crossed lovers, Jude and Lucy, as they and a small group of musicians are swept up in the raging waters of the volatile counterculture movement.

Performed live by students and teachers of EMRS the show is a welcome change to theatre-starved Gangtokians. Peppered with all the popular Beatles songs, the show promises to be an enjoyable sing-along for Beatles fans.

The musical play was first launched in Geyzing, West Sikkim, on August 28 and thereafter in Namchi on August 30. “We have plans to stage the show in Kalimpong also,” says Yonzone’s father Binod Yonzone, an ardent Beatles fan who had his own band during his school days in Mt. Hermon School, Darjeeling.

Gangyap’s EMRS, a model residential school for tribal people, is a co-ed secondary school. It was established by the Tribal Ministry, Government of India. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the scheme of establishing Eklavya Model Residential schools (EMRS) in the country since 1997-1998. These institutions help to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribes students in tribal areas.

The other EMR school in Sikkim is located in Swyaam, North Sikkim. These schools in Sikkim are affiliated to CBSE.

The project of residential schools is designed with specific objective of supporting educational facilities to poor ST children who are unable to avail good education due to absence of schools in their neighbourhood. The main purpose of EMRS is to increase the literacy rates among the ST students and to bring them at par with the other communities of the State.

The EMRS at Gangyap has carved a niche for itself in the field of Women’s Basketball by winning all State Basketball Championships, North Eastern Level Basketball Championships, since 2008. It also won the Under 19 CBSE National Basketball Championship in 2011.

The musical performance this year is another feather in the school’s popularity cap. Gangtokians and others are hopeful of a similar treat next year.

Speaker KT Gyaltsen, Education Minister NK Pradhan and Sikkim University Vice-Chancellor Tanka Bahadur Subba were among those who were present during the show. Gyaltsen described the performance as “excellent”.