MADAN TAMANG

Let us shed tears for the lone warrior killed in battle

Jigme N Kazi

I never got to meet him and was terribly shocked to learn of his death through a friend. It was a terrible mistake, a shameful act, and the hill people will suffer from the absence of the lone and uncompromising voice that always spoke the truth – fearlessly.

When the dust settles down and emotions die with the passage of time what really matters in the long run is that the Gorkha warrior died in battle for the right cause – for freedom, democracy and Gorkhaland.

Madan Tamang was born on June 1 (less than two weeks before his 63^rd birthday), 1948 in Meghma village near Manebhanjang in Darjeeling at the Indo-Nepal border. After his schooling (St. Robert’s) and college (St. Joseph’s) – both in Darjeeling – Tamang plunged into politics and joined the All India Gorkha League in 1969. He held the post of General Secretary of the League for ten years (1972-1981) and in 2001  took over the party as its President.

Tamang quit the League in 1981 and formed his own political outfit, Pranta Parishad, whose prime objective was creation of a separate state for the Gorkhas. He left the Parishad in 1990 and formed the Gorkha Democratic Front. When the Front merged with the League in 2001 Tamang became the President of the party, a post that he held till his death.

All along his forty-year political career Tamang kept his democratic credentials intact while relentlessly, often at great personal risk, pursuing his political objectives, which mainly revolved round political and economic rights of the Gorkhas in India. His contribution towards the inclusion of Nepali/Gorkha language in the 8^th schedule of the Constitution has been widely acknowledged. The fulfillment of this demand gave the Indian Gorkhas a sense of dignity and belonging.

Tamang could have – and many feel that he should have – joined Subash Ghising in the ’80s when the Gorkhaland movement was at its peak. Many again felt that he should have joined Bimal Gurung but he did not. He had his own reasons for hacking a lonesome path. We all know that while Ghising succumbed to pressure and accepted a Council instead of Gorkhaland, Gurung is all set to settle for an interim set-up, which Tamang says is a permanent arrangement.

Most Gorkha leaders in Darjeeling hills are serious about the statehood demand. They only differ on the method of achieving this goal. Tamang and his colleagues in the party and other Opposition leaders want to adopt a more peaceful and democratic means to achieve their cherished goal.

RB Rai of the CPRM rightly pointed out when they formed the Democratic Front recently:  “We need Gorkhaland but before that we need democracy.” Hill people and their leaders need to first establish their democratic credentials before they decide to run a state. Only fools rush where angels fear to tread.

My counsel to Gorkha leaders from Darjeeling who meet me has always been this: “You people are demanding a homeland. We are almost homeless in our own homeland! Be careful of leaders who promise great things but fail to deliver.”

A few months back I spoke to Madan daju for the first time on the phone. I wanted to meet him during my next visit to Darjeeling. His immediate response was, “Are your Jigme N Kazi? When are you coming? We must meet.”

Unfortunately, the meeting did not take place and this is one of my life’s few regrets. I have spent sixteen formative years in Darjeeling and hold my head in shame that this thing should happen to such a leader.

Since May 21, 1998 me and my family members always make a point to remember my late father who passed away on this day twelve years ago. When we lit 108 butter lamps on May 21, 2010 I also prayed for the one who was slain on that day.  Madan daju will always be remembered along with my dad from now on. May his dreams live on and soul rest in peace. (Sikkim Observer, May 23-30, 2010)

SIKKIM OBSERVER July 21, 2012

Press rewards Kazi for three-decade contribution to journalism

Honour ‘merger terms’, Kazi tells Centre

Gangtok, July 20: Senior journalist Jigme N Kazi said his acceptance of this year’s Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar award, conferred by the Press Club of Sikkim here on Tuesday, was proof enough that the Fourth Estate in the State is trying to set itself free and improve its image as a strong and independent institution.

Kazi, also a writer, was conferred with the award in recognition of his “significant contribution” towards “development of journalism” in the State in the past three decades.

Kazi, editor of Sikkim Observer and Himalayan Guardian,  was conferred the award for his “outstanding contribution and dedication made during last three decades in the field of journalism,” according to Press Club Working President Vishnu Neopaney’s letter to Kazi informing of the Press Club’s “unanimous decision” to confer the award on its decadal foundation year.

The “Most Promising Journalist” award went to Bishal Gurung while Mohan Lama, Darjeeling correspondent of Sikkim’s Samai Dainik, was also felicitated by the Press Club. Gurung is the State correspondent of Hindustan Samachar news agency.

Theatre activist and senior journalist CK Shrestha of Kalimpong, who was the Chief Guest for the occasion, urged the media in the State to remain united in “thought” and side with the people in all situation. “Merely reporting will not do. You must tell the truth,” Shrestha said.

While IPR Secretary KS Tobgay assured the Press that the government would positively look into all the problems faced the media in the State, Press Club advisor CD Rai, who was the chairman of the function, said Kazi not only deserved the award but his writings were “balanced.”

While urging the media to remain strong, free, united and independent, Kazi called on the people, including the authorities, to respect and respond positively to the urges of the media to remain  free and independent.

“I believe that by conferring this award to this long-time black-listed man, who is forced to live in self-imposed exile in his own homeland, the Press in Sikkim is sending a clear message to those who care to listen. And that message is loud and clear: the Press in Sikkim wants to be more free and independent and those in power and the people at large should take note and respect this stand,” Kazi said in his acceptance speech.

Kazi, who has authored two books, “Inside Sikkim: Against the Tide,” and “Sikkim for Sikkimese”, also appealed to the Centre not to ignore the “hopes and aspirations” of the Sikkimese people and honour the terms of Sikkim’s ‘merger’.

“Even if our political leadership has failed us time and again, India must live up to the expectations of the Sikkimese people. If it continues to ignore the hopes and aspirations of those who sacrificed their country so that this nation may live in peace and security there may come a day when Sikkim will become a hot-bed of international politics,” Kazi warned.

SIBLAC, NASBO pat for Kazi, Press Club

 Gangtok, July 20: The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has congratulated writer-journalist Jigme N Kazi for being conferred with this year’s Khangchendzonga Kalam Award by the Press Club of Sikkim.

This is “an honor overdue since long back,” SIBLAC General Secretary Pem Tshering Lepcha said in a Press statement.

The organization, which represents the indigenous Bhutias and Lepcha tribals in the State, also thanked the Press Club of Sikkim for “rightly nominating” Kazi for the award.

It said Kazi’s “spirit and quality” of “fighting with wisdom” was “outstanding and simply awesome.”

SIBLAC Convenor and former Minister Tseten Tashi Bhutia and National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO - 371F) President Sonam Kaleon met Kazi, who received the award at a function here on Tuesday, at his residence here and offered traditional khada to congratulate him.

The Sikkim-Darjeeling Unification Forum (SDUF) General Secretary Shankar Hang Subba also offered a khada and congratulated Kazi here last week.

Padam Chettri, President of Sikkim unit of the BJP, also complimented Kazi for his achievement.

Sikkim Observer May 5, 2012

Editorial

PRESS FREEDOM

We Mourn The Closure Of Gangtok Weeklies

Ever heard of Female Journalist Association? We have one in Sikkim by that name and surprisingly while other media organizations are busy entertaining the public and at times playing the role of a public relations body, the Female Journalist Association has urged the State Government to give a better deal to Gangtok weeklies in matters regarding release of government advertisements. The IPR Minister CB Karki has again assured the Press that the government would respond positively on the issue.  Perhaps it will do something this time as the next Assembly polls are nearing.

Sadly the death of several credible Gangtok-based weeklies and other journals in the past few years is something that free societies should be worried about. Weeklies such as Weekend Review and Mid-Week are no more. We mourn their untimely death or indefinite closure. The Sikkimese and Sikkim Observer (Nepali edition) are also off the newsstands for a long time. Journals such as Talk Sikkim and Hill People have been forced to shut down due mainly to financial constraints. In such a scenario the claim that the Press in Sikkim is free and vibrant has no basis. Quality is what people are looking for in the media and this is in short supply in today’s Sikkim. A casual glance at which newspapers are getting government advertisements and how often will reveal the state of the Press in Sikkim. Let the facts be revealed and the truth will be out in the public domain.

 July 14, 2012

SIKKIM OBSERVER Editorial

TAKING A STAND

Local Press: Regaining Lost Ground

The editor of this paper –whether he likes it or not – finally gets some kind of recognition. The question being asked is not ‘why’ he is getting the award but ‘why now’. This question is relevant and needs to be explained. When the President of the Press Club of Sikkim, Bhim Rawat, rang up Sikkim Observer editor Jigme N. Kazi last week and told him that he was being awarded this year’s Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar award by the Press Club Kazi wanted to know why he was being conferred with this award and at this time. Was it politically-motivated or has the local Press come of age, Kazi asked. Rawat’s two colleagues, Joseph Lepcha and Bishnu Neopany, both senior journalists in the State, met Kazi and reiterated the Press Club’s recent efforts to regain the local media’s independent image. While appreciating the new development within the local media, Kazi informed them that the Press Club and its members should be ready to face any consequences for associating themselves with a ‘black-listed journalist’, who has been living in self-imposed exile in his own homeland for nearly three decades mainly because he refuses to be ‘bought over’. Kazi is among the few public figures in the State who has kept his credibility intact – personally, professionally and politically (he ‘flirted’ with politics for a while in early 2000s but for a good cause)

      However, Kazi’s decision to accept the award will surely evoke mixed reactions. While one gentleman close to the editor said, “They had the guts to give you the award,” (to which the editor replied, “You have judged well.”) one senior journalist said, “The Press Club is not as independent as its members claim.” Another senior journalist commented: “They have finally come to their senses and rewarded you.” And yet one contractor from North Sikkim, who is close to Kazi, said, “Does this mean you have Chamling’s blessings?”  The fact of the matter is that in Chamling’s Sikkim all those who do not bow down to the powers-that-be are harassed or ignored. Anyone or any organization that tries to identify itself with those who fail to toe the official line are perceived to be digging their own grave.

      While the image of the local Press, by and large, is not too impressive there are those within the Fourth Estate in the State who are not happy with the way the Press has been projected and perceived in a State where dissenting voices find it very difficult to be heard. And yet the people depend on the Press and expect it to ventilate their grievances all the time and take on the high and mighty at times. The Press, too, depend on the people to react and respond to situations. It also expects the people to come to its aid when it is being attacked and hounded by the authorities. The sad part of the story is that people keep mum when the Press is under pressure. Did you even take the trouble to talk to Hamro Prajashakti journalists who were beaten up in their own work places in Gangtok on July 4, 2008? Did you care to call on this editor when his press was ransacked in early 1990, his Press vehicles set on fire in October 2001 and June 2004 in front of his printing press building in Gangtok? And which newspaper-reader even bothers to take a casual glance at the ongoing economic suppression of many local newspapers, including this paper, in the State? If the local Press is trying to set itself free help and support must be given by the people at large. By accepting the award Kazi has, once again, made his stand clear and sided with the foot soldiers of freedom and democracy in Sikkim. The local Press, too, has spoken – loud and clear.

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN  July 28, 2012

‘Black-listed’ Kazi finally gets recognition, appeals for Press freedom

“India must live up to the expectations of the Sikkimese people”

 Gangtok, July 17: Journalist-cum-writer Jigme N Kazi was today honoured with this year’s ‘Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar’ award by the Press Club of Sikkim.

Kazi, editor of Sikkim Observer and Himalayan Guardian,  was conferred the award for his “outstanding contribution and dedication made during last three decades in the field of journalism,” according to Press Club Working President Vishnu Neopaney’s letter to Kazi informing of the Press Club’s “unanimous decision” to confer the award on its decadal foundation year.

The “Most Promising Journalist” award went to Bishal Gurung while Mohan Lama, Darjeeling correspondent of Sikkim’s Samai Dainik, was also felicitated by the Press Club. Gurung is the State correspondent of Hindustan Samachar news agency.

Theatre activist and senior journalist CK Shrestha of Kalimpong, who was the Chief Guest for the occasion, urged the media in the State to remain united in “thought” and side with the people in all situation. “Merely reporting will not do. You must tell the truth,” Shrestha said.

While IPR Secretary KS Tobgay assured the Press that the government would positively look into all the problems faced the media in the State, Press Club advisor CD Rai, who was the chairman of the function, said Kazi not only deserved the award but his writings were “balanced.”

While urging the media to remain strong, free, united and independent, Kazi called on the people, including the authorities, to respect and respond positively to the urges of the media to remain  free and independent.

“I believe that by conferring this award to this long-time black-listed man, who is forced to live in self-imposed exile in his own homeland, the Press in Sikkim is sending a clear message to those who care to listen. And that message is loud and clear: the Press in Sikkim wants to be more free and independent and those in power and the people at large should take note and respect this stand,” Kazi said in his acceptance speech.

Kazi, who has authored two books, “Inside Sikkim: Against the Tide,” and “Sikkim for Sikkimese”, also appealed to the Centre not to ignore the “hopes and aspirations” of the Sikkimese people and honour the terms of Sikkim’s ‘merger’.

“Even if our political leadership has failed us time and again, India must live up to the expectations of the Sikkimese people. If it continues to ignore the hopes and aspirations of those who sacrificed their country so that this nation may live in peace and security there may come a day when Sikkim will become a hot-bed of international politics,” Kazi warned.

                                             KHANGCHENDZONGA

                                                                              Kalam Puraskar 2012

                                                     Conferred by Press Club of Sikkim

                                       

                                                      Acceptance Speech

                                                       Jigme N Kazi

                                                                  July 17, 2012

  Hon’ble Chief Guest, Secretary IPR, Press Club Advisor, President Press Club of Sikkim, distinguished guests and friends,

   On Receiving the Award: I feel very privileged to be here today to receive the Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar award from the Press Club of Sikkim on its decadal foundation year. I am told by the Press Club that it had “unanimously decided” to confer this award for my “outstanding contribution and dedication” made during the last three decades (1983-2012) in the field of journalism.

   I believe that by conferring this award to this long-time black-listed man, who is forced to live in self-imposed exile in his own homeland, the Press in Sikkim is sending a clear message to those who care to listen. And that message is loud and clear: the Press in Sikkim wants to be more free and independent and those in power and the people at large should take note of it and respect its stand.

   I enjoy doing what I do – be it eating, taking a walk or writing. I seek no reward and recognition in doing these things even if what I do benefits those around me.

   People often criticize me of being stubborn and always swimming against the tide. Let me remind them of what US vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin said: “Only dead fish go with the flow.” Living with walking corpses all these years has been a very painful experience. It is better to be exiled in foreign shores than having to undergo constant suffocation at home. However, if this is the cross that I was born to bare then I must live with it whether I like it or not.

   Yes, we have more journalists and more newspapers today than when I started in this profession 30 years back. But I’m not too sure whether we are more free, objective and independent in our reporting. What is more important in life is quality, not quantity, and this also applies to the Fourth Estate, particularly when so many people depend and look up to the Press to make the right decision.

   Sikkimese Society: If we cannot uphold certain basic and fundamental values of human existence such as freedom, democracy, justice, self-respect and the rule of law we miss the opportunity that life offers to each one of us. The first indication of a society’s degeneration is when individuals live and work only for themselves. Sikkim is on the verge of being a dead and decadent society. Our constant efforts to camouflage ourselves will not work in the long run. We will be fully exposed when the time comes.

   We locals often distance ourselves from the byaparis, the business community, for encroaching into our economic and political rights and interests. Little do we realize that while they sell potatoes, tomatoes etc. we are the real byaparis. We have sold our king, our flag, our country, our distinct identity and political rights. Not content with this we are still selling our hills and valleys, our lakes and rivers, our land and people, our religion and culture, and worse of all our self-respect and dignity. Is it really worth sweating it out for such people?

   Sikkim Politics: Me and my kind have lived through this bitter period in Sikkim’s history. In our efforts to fight for the common cause we have brought down five chief ministers and made four chief ministers in the past so many years.  We did this for a good cause and without any selfish motive. We are not to be blamed if our political leadership continuously fails us and lets us down the moment they come to power.

   I took leave from the Fourth Estate at the end of the year 2000 to make my personal contribution to Sikkim politics when I was convinced that those we backed were betraying us and the issues we raised for petty considerations. Unlike many others, I could not hang around and hide myself safe and secure in a small corner when I was convinced that we were being led to a dead-end street. I left active politics after three and half years in August 2004 when I was fully convinced that I was heading nowhere and those around me were still deeply involved in petty politics. There is no future for Sikkim and the Sikkimese if our political leadership – ruling and opposition – fails to rise above mundane things and continues to mislead the people while making great promises.

   It is futile to fight for the distinct identity of Sikkim within the Union if the leaders of our larger community are not sure of who they are, whom they represent, and what they really want. Nepal’s political situation, where ethnic communities are being reduced to a minority in the land of their origin, has still not opened our eyes. This is because while our head is still not clear our heart is full of greed. When will we ever live in a place where the mind is without fear and the head is held high? When will this non-stop looting stop? Corruption has reached a point of no return. Disillusionment has set in and this seems to be irreversible. These are dangerous trends in a sensitive and strategic border State like Sikkim.

   India’s Role in Sikkim: Even if our political leadership has failed us time and again, India must live up to the expectations of the Sikkimese people. If it continues to ignore the hopes and aspirations of those who sacrificed their country so that this nation may live in peace and security there may come a day when Sikkim will become a hot-bed of international politics. We may not see that day but that day is not afar if India fails to honour its commitments made to Sikkim and the Sikkimese people during the takeover.

   The gradual dilution of our distinct identity, political rights and social harmony originates from New Delhi. The erosion of our unique and distinct cultural identity, the systematic manner in which seeds of division are sown in our social fabric, and finally the destruction caused to our fragile environment and ecology cannot and must not be easily condoned. We cannot blame our leaders only; we, too, have shamelessly become agents of division, disunity and destruction. We have sown the wind; we will surely reap the whirlwind.

   Hope and Gratitude: I’m grateful to the Press Club of Sikkim for recognizing my work and honouring me on this very special day. This is the time and the moment to renew our pledge for a strong, united, free and independent Press in the State.

   On this special day I want to remember those who have helped me in my three-decade-long career. Some of them are late Chukie Tobden, Suresh Pramar, Devraj Ranjit, Tenzing Chewang and Pema Wangchuk. I also owe a deep sense of gratitude to the Chamling Government and to those who worked or in any way associated with my printing press and publications.

   Living the way I did is a risky business and I want to say how happy and grateful I am to my wife Tsering, her parents,  and my four kids – Tashi, Yangchen, Sonam and Kunga – for letting me live my life freely and dangerously for so long.

   I hope my endeavours will light up your path and help you to bear the burden of being free and independent in a hostile climate in the days and years to come. My message to you on this day comes from Rev. Jesse Jackson: “Stand up, don’t bow! Stand up, don’t bow!”

   On Myself: French Emperor Napoleon Bonarpate (1769-1821) once said: “There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit.”

   I have already said “I have accepted the death of my dreams” a few years back and I stand by it.

   However, I have filed my petition in the court of Khangchendzonga, Sikkim’s Guardian Deity, to seek justice – for Sikkim, the Sikkimese people and for myself. I am still patiently waiting for the verdict. That this award should come at this time and in the name of our Presiding Deity is not only very auspicious but meaningful as well.

   Thank you all, both for this wonderful award and your determination to preserve the integrity, independence and freedom of the Press in Sikkim.

DG STEWART: OUR 'MH' DAYS

When the Late Mr. DG Stewart left MH (Mt Hermon) at the end of 1963 most of the staff members of the school were foreigners (see 1963 Staff pix).

In the school staff pix of 1964 we see Mr. Murray stepping into Mr. Stewart’s shoes.

Mr. Stewart visited MH in 1978, my second last year in MH as a teacher. He was the Chief Guest for Speech Day in November 1978. In the same year in another photo we see Mr. Stewart with some ex-students on the staff. There were 13 ex-students on the staff in 1978. These two photographs appear in the annual Hermonite magazine which I edited. The magazine was dedicated to Mr and Mrs. Murray for their 24 years of service in MH. Mr Murray retired at the end of 1978. It was my best year as a teacher in MH.

I got hold of these precious pictures from UK Hermonites’ website and I want to thank them, particularly James Sinclair, and share these photographs with fellow Hermonites.

Jigme N Kazi

(MH – 1963-1979)

Sikkim (India)

Gangtok, Dec 24, 2014-12-24

Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

REV. DG STEWART REMEMBERED BY GRATEFUL SIKKIM HERMONITES

These photos are of Sikkim Hermonites during their condolence meeting in Gangtok on Dec 16, 2014 of former Mt. Hermon School Principal, Late Rev. David Garth Stewart, who passed away in Auckland, New Zealand, on Dec 12, 2014.

Sikkim Hermonites pay rich tributes to former Mt. Hermon School Principal DG Stewart

(L to R) Jigme N Kazi, Arthur Pazo, Raaj Bangar, Punam Agarwal, Uttam Pradhan, NK Pradhan, Tempo Bhutia, Udai P Sharma, Ram Gopal Pradhan, Shuva Pradhan and OT Bhutia. (Pix by Tashi RN Kazi)

Sikkim Hermonites paid rich tributes to their former Principal Rev David Garth Stewart, who passed away peacefully in Auckland, New Zealand, on December 12, 2014.

At a condolence meeting held in Gangtok (Sikkim) on December 16, 2014, grateful Hermonites, alumni of Darjeeling’s Mt. Hermon School  (founded in 1895), said Rev. Stewart who passed away at the age of 91 was a ‘man of God’ , whose dedication and commitment to the school when he was its Principal (1953-1963) raised the standard of the school  and brought it to becoming the best boarding school in India in 1961-62.

Former Minister and senior Hermonite  NK Pradhan said Rev Stewart was not only a towering personality, a great orator, but cared for each and every individual in the school. “We are what we are because of MH (Mt. Hermon) and we are grateful to Mr. Stewart for his love, affection and care.”

Reading from the Bible (Psalm 23), Jigme N Kazi, President of Hermonite International, said Rev Stewart, like King David in the Bible, was a “man after God’s own heart”.

Kazi, who also taught in MH, said, “God sent him to MH in the 1950s when the school was floundering and by the time he left it in 1963 our school was adjudged the best boarding school in India.” He added, “If we as Hermonites have contributed anything significant to society it is because we have been touched by this mighty man of God.”

Arthur Pazo, grandson of Gangtoks Pastor, Late CT Pazo, and Ram Gopal Pradhan prayed for the departed soul while Udai P. Sharma and Sikkim Hermonite Association (SHA) Vice-President Uttam K Pradhan also spoke on the occasion.

Among those present during the condolence meeting, where a two-minute silence was also observed, were Tempo Bhutia, Raaj Kumar Bangar, Punam Agarwal, OT Bhutia and Shuva Pradhan.

SHA President Karma Bhutia attended the funeral service in Auckland on December 16.

                                   A Tribute

  Rev. DG Stewart: A Man After God’s Own Heart

                                                           By Jigme N. Kazi

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever”. (Psalm: 23)

“Jigme, Can you tell me anything about the present situation?  I seem bereft of information.  I heard an indirect report that the school had started again this year, but with only 100 boarders, and that it was deeply in debt.”

This is what Mr. Stewart wrote to me on June 27, 2012 in my email. He was concerned about Mt. Hermon (MH) thereafter, too, and perhaps till the very end.

I am happy and proud of the fact that I was in MH in class 2 during his last year as Principal in 1963. I believe it was him or Mr. Murray who asked me, “Do you like the school?” when I entered the school building for the first time in 1963 from the front porch. I said, “Yes.”

And for 16 short years (1963-1972 – student (1974-1975 – TTC) and (1976-1979 – teacher) I lived in MH and had a good time. I am a part of MH and MH is a part of me.

I remember him as a football referee – he was very strict – and when he used to come to the school dining room to announce the name of the Saturday night movie. When he used to say, “And the movie is technicolour” he used to get a loud applause from us. Those days most of the movies were black & white.

When Mr. Stewart visited MH in the latter part of 1970s he spoke about the need to have men and women of ‘integrity’ in today’s world in the school chapel. He was a great speaker and he spoke with much conviction.

I spent more time with him when he came for the school’s centenary celebrations in 1995. Mr. Stewart, along with other former teachers and students, wanted the school Managing Committee to seek induction of Hermonites in the Committee to help the school to forge ahead.

Thereafter, we kept in touch with each other till the very end.

When I think of Mr. Stewart I often compare him with King David of the Old Testament. Like the warrior-king of Israel Mr. David Stewart, too, was “a man after God’s own heart”.

God sent him to MH in the 1950s when the school was floundering and by the time he left it in 1963 our school was adjudged the best boarding school in India.

If we as Hermonites have contributed anything significant to society it is because we have been touched by this mighty man of God. 

A Tribute to Rev. DG Stewart: A man after God’s own heart

“Jigme, Can you tell me anything about the present situation?  I seem bereft of information.  I heard an indirect report that the school had started again this year, but with only 100 boarders, and that it was deeply in debt.”

This is what Mr. Stewart wrote to me on June 27, 2012 in my email. He was concerned about Mt. Hermon (MH) thereafter, too, and perhaps till the very end.

I am happy and proud of the fact that I was in MH in class 2 during his last year as Principal in 1963. I believe it was him or Mr. Murray who asked me, “Do you like the school?” when I entered the school building for the first time in 1963 from the front porch. I said, “Yes.”

And for 16 short years (1963-1972 – student (1974-1975 – TTC) and (1976-1979 – teacher) I lived in MH and had a good time. I am a part of MH and MH is a part of me.

I remember him as a football referee – he was very strict – and when he used to come to the school dining room to announce the name of the Saturday night movie. When he used to say, “And the movie is technicolour” he used to get a loud applause from us. Those days most of the movies were black & white.

When Mr. Stewart visited MH in the latter part of 1970s he spoke about the need to have men and women of ‘integrity’ in today’s world in the school chapel. He was a great speaker and he spoke with much conviction.

I spent more time with him when he came for the school’s centenary celebrations in 1995. Mr. Stewart, along with other former teachers and students, wanted the school Managing Committee to seek induction of Hermonites in the Committee to help the school to forge ahead.

Thereafter, we kept in touch with each other till the very end.

When I think of Mr. Stewart I often compare him with King David of the Old Testament. Like the warrior-king of Israel Mr. David Stewart, too, was “a man after God’s own heart”.

God sent him to MH in the 1950s when the school was floundering and by the time he left it in 1963 our school was adjudged the best boarding school in India.

If we as Hermonites have contributed anything significant to society it is because we have been touched by this mighty man of God.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever”. (Psalm: 23)

My family with Mr. DG Stewart in Darjeeling during Mt. Hermon School’s centenary celebrations in 1995. My wife Tsering, son Tashi and daughters: Yangchen and twin daughters Sonam and Kunga (only part of the head of one of the twins is seen in the pix) are seen in the picture.

SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday Dec 13-19, 2014

Golay missing as Chamling celebrates his rule in Sikkim

Gangtok, Dec 12: As the ruling party celebrates its 20-year rule in the former kingdom Opposition leader Prem Singh Golay seems to have gone missing again.

Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) President and legislator’s disappearance and his reluctance to keep in touch with his party leaders and MLAs has resulted in a serious leadership crisis within the party.

Many within the top rank of the party, realizing Golay’s inability to take on the Chamling Government head-on, are believed to be looking out for another person to lead the party, which has 10 legislators in the House of 32.  Some members of the party leadership, including some MLAs, have expressed their willingness to join the BJP. However, the BJP, while having an alliance with the SKM, doesn’t seem too interested in fishing in troubled waters.

Presently, SKM legislators have camped themselves in Delhi. One reliable source said they have or will petition the Supreme Court requesting the apex court to allow the CBI to probe into corruption charges against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his Cabinet colleagues.

Despite Golay’s lack of presence in the State his MLAs have done remarkably well in voicing public grievances ranging from water shortage, bad roads to ‘organic Sikkim’.

While the Congress party in the State has almost become non-existent, the Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) seems to be reduced to making occasional press statements. And in the meanwhile the Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) leader DN Nepal is quietly going to the rural people with its message for change to safeguard ‘Sikkim for Sikkimese’. (also see page 3)

Khambu Rais to demand ST status during winter fest

Siliguri, Dec 12: The Khambu Rights Movement under the aegis of the All India Kirati Khambu Rai Association has decided to celebrate the community’s traditional winter festival ‘Sakela’ at Dudhay under Kurseong sub-division on December 14 in keeping with their demand for Scheduled Tribe status under Article 342 of the Constitution.

The Khambu Rais  of Sikkim and the Darjeeling hills and also Assam, has been demanding the central government for tribal status.

At a press conference held on Thursday at the Siliguri Journalists’ Club, All India Kirati Khambu Rai Association national convener Mahesh Rai said the objective behind holding the festival is to showcase the community’s rich culture and tradition as well as to demand for ST status, The Echo of India reported.

Thousands of Khambu Rais from across the nation will be participating in the festival and performing Sili Dance, Bhumi Puja and worshipping Mother Nature. According to Rai, the association has submitted a deputation to the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry and the Registrar General of India on the tribal status issue.

When asked if they are willing to accept the development board being offered by the state government, Rai said, “Tribal status is conferred by the central government. Hence we are demanding for such a status and have not thought about accepting a development board.

Editorial

TWO DECADES

Nothing Has Changed

    As Sikkim’s Pawan Chamling completes 20 years in office this week the measure of his success or failure must be seen by what he initially set out to achieve and what the people expected of him in the early 1990s. Chamling himself realized why people supported him even as they were becoming more and more restless and frustrated with Nar Bahadur Bhandari’s fourteen-and-half years’ (1979-1994) ‘misrule’. The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) chief made no secret of his desire to liberate Sikkim from dictatorship, communalism and corruption. Alas, twenty years down the line the Chamling Government is accused of the same things; the only addition being that casteism has been added to the chain of accusations leveled against the present dispensation.

     The saddest thing to note at this point of time is that even after the SDF’s claim on restoration of  democracy, when it came to power on December 12, 1994, the democratic rights of the Sikkimese people on Assembly seat issue have not yet been met. It was expected that after democracy was restored democratic and constitutional rights of the people should also be restored. Today the Chamling Government has forgotten the Assembly seat issue even as the Sikkimese people face an uncertain future.  We still live in fear and the rule of law has been replaced by one-man-rule once again. Chamling’s recent move to safeguard the rights and interests of bonafide Sikkimese – an initiative that has been applauded in certain quarters – should have begun twenty years back. Many even doubt his motive and method on the issue. Chamling’s claim on development and peace are two areas that the ruling party may want to boast about but only the Sikkimese know how hollow these claims are. And yet the farce goes on and the Centre, even under Modi, continues to reward the Chamling Government in more than one way. Perhaps the people, who do nothing about the way things are and expect someone to free them, deserve the government they get. In Sikkim, nothing has changed since 1975, 1979 and 1994.

China Never Signed The Simla Accord

By NORMAN LEACH

The Simla conference 1914

For the British, with an empire “on which the sun never set”, there were always treaties to sign and allies to work with. The gathering war clouds in Europe could not be allowed to interfere with trade and commerce in the rest of the empire.

On 24 March 1914 the British, Tibetans and Chinese sat down to formalize an accord that had been in the works since early 1913. Negotiated between the representatives of Britain, China and Tibet- the Simla Accord (named after the region where it was signed) was to establish the borders of Tibet and China and the form of government in Tibet.

Tibet first came to the attention of the British in the mid-19th century as they laid out the borders for north-east India. Tawang, an important trading town, was discovered to be within the borders of Tibet. The government in London, recognizing the importance of the town attempted to come to treaty arrangements with both China and Tibet.

There was some hope this could be accomplished as the British had earlier formalized treaties with the Qing regime in China confirming the boundaries between Tibet, Burma and Sikkim. The challenge for the British and Chinese was that the Tibetan government did not recognize China as having sovereignty in the country and rejected the treaties.

Britain responded by sending troops into the country in 1904 to force a treaty with the Tibetan government. By 1907 Britain and Russia had officially recognized Chines suzerainty (not full control but controlling influence) over Tibet.

The region settled into a routine, relatively independent existence until the Qing government sent troops into Tibet in 1910 to establish full Chinese control. The British responded with their own troops moving into the Arunachal Pradesh to rule the region under the North-East Frontier Agency. Through treaties with various tribal leaders the British effectively surrounded and limited Chinese rule in Tibet until the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1913. Tibet then declared itself independent, expelling all Chinese government and military personnel.

Sir Henry McMahon, 1862-1949.

The new government in China rejected the Tibetan declaration of independence and the British quickly pulled together a conference in Simla to resolve the issues. The British delegate, Sir Henry Mcmahon proposed dividing Tibet into “inner Tibet” and “outer Tibet.” Inner Tibet included Tibetan-inhabited areas in Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, and would be under the jurisdiction of the Chinese government. The rest of the country “Outer Tibet,” would remain autonomous.

The Accord also proposed boundaries between China and Tibet and between Tibet and British India.

The Chinese government and its representative Ivan Chen had grave concerns about the borders between Tibet and China as defined in the agreement. When Chen returned to China for consultations the British sign a separate trade agreement with Tibet.

Chamling completes 20-year rule

PM Modi congratulates Chamling: “admirable accomplishment”

Gangtok, Dec 12: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling completes 20 years in the office today. He formed the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government on December 12 in 1994 after defeating the Sikkim Sangram Parishad and Congress party.

He is also set to become the country's longest serving chief minister, breaking the record of late Communist leader Jyoti Basu who was chief minister of West Bengal for more than 23 years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Pawan Kumar Chamling on completing 20 years as the Chief Minister of Sikkim.

"I congratulate Shri Pawan Kumar Chamling on completing 20 years in office as Sikkim CM. It is truly an admirable accomplishment," Prime Minister Modi tweeted, ANI reported.

The ruling SDF has won 21 out of a total 32 seats on the plank of promoting peace, security and development. Ten seats have gone to Opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) while one is an independent.

Chamling was born on 22 September 1950 in Yangang, South Sikkim to Ashbahadur Chamling and Asharani Chamling. Chamling is also a Nepali language writer and recipient of the Bhanu Puraskar (2010) awarded by Sikkim Sahitya Parishad.

He was elected as the president of Yangang Gram Panchayat in 1982. In 1985, he was elected to the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for the first time. After being elected for the second time from Damthang constituency, he became the Minister for Industries, Information and Public Relations from 1989 to 1992 in the Nar Bahadur Bhandari cabinet.

After a series of major political upheavals in Sikkim, Chamling formed the Sikkim Democratic Front on March 4, 1993. The Sikkim Democratic Front won the 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2009 State Assembly elections under his leadership on the plank of peace prosperity and development.

NCERT book shows Sikkim, JK as separate countries

Gangtok, Dec 12: The NCERT social science book for Class VI, Social and Political Life-I, has redrawn the map of India in a way the Pakistani generals and Chinese mandarins would approve of.

 In a map on page 30, Jammu and Kashmir appears to be outside the periphery of the Indian state, shaded as it is in a colour similar to that used to mark neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan, India Today reported.

 On the preceding page, Sikkim and the North-east are marked as separate nations.

It may be mentioned that while JK became part of India on October 27, 1947, Sikkim joined the Union on May 16, 1975.

Says Lokesh Chandra, the recently appointed head of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), "These are factual errors which shouldn't be looked at through any ideological prism. The mistake should be corrected without delay and those responsible for it cornered."

NE body demands more incentives for hotel industry in Sikkim

Gangtok, Dec 12: Hotel & Restaurant Association of Eastern India (HRAEI) has demanded more fiscal incentives from the Sikkim government to make the State attractive destination for hotel investments.

HRAEI had organised an interactive meeting of hoteliers and restaurateurs of Sikkim in Gangtok  recently to understand the issues of the industry in the State as part of the Association’s third executive committee meeting.

Citing the good example of Assam, which has recently announced their Industrial Policy 2014, Sudesh Poddar, President, HRAEI urged the Sikkim government to follow suit so that the State can become a favoured destination for tourism investment. He demanded VAT exemption, luxury tax exemption, and entry tax exemption for goods brought into the State from outside for construction of hotels.

“Tourism is one of the most important vehicles for economic growth of Sikkim. God has gifted this State with limitless natural beauty and it is one of the most sought after tourism destination in India. Thus, we intend to draw the attention of the state government to key issues which are stumbling blocks to growth of hospitality industry in the State.”

Kailash Mansarovar: route better through Uttarakhand than Sikkim, Rawat tells Swaraj

Dehradun, Dec 12: Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Tuesday met Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj in Delhi and informed her about the State’s concerns on start of the new route to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the country other than the traditional route from Uttarakhand.

The Chief Minister asked Swaraj to ensure that the State does not lose its sole right to conduct the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. He said Uttarakhand was capable of providing better Kailash Mansarovar yatra route to pilgrims than the newly opened Nathula route from Sikkim, The Tribune reported.

The Chief Minister pointed out that it was only through the Uttarakhand route that pilgrims come across Chotta Kailash and Om Parwat, which are part of the traditional pilgrimage and thus, the Uttarakhand route holds much of religious significance.

Rawat disclosed that Uttarakhand was trying to reduce the distance of trekking route in the Kailash Mansarovar yatra, which will reduce the total travel time by four to six days. He said two new roads were also being built to facilitate the travel of pilgrims. “The state is also considering the start of Heli service for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims during the rainy season,” he said.

Rawat said regular helicopter service could also be provided to pilgrims from Pithoragarh district headquarters to Nabidhang.

PEOPLE & PLACES Sikkim

Winter fest to fetch maximum tourists

Gangtok, Dec 12: With a winter carnival and a film festival lined up this week, the tiny Himalayan state of Sikkim is trying to turn December into a peak tourist season.

Organised by the state Tourism Department, the six-day Sikkim Winter Carnival will start from December 14 where various cultural events, music shows, arts and crafts exhibitions and adventure activities like para-gliding, mountain biking and rock climbing would engage tourists.

Coinciding with this would be the 'Small Town Film Fest' which will showcase over 26 films by independent film-makers from all over the world over a four-day period.

Organised by Cafe Fiction, the festival also features works of three directors from Sikkim.

Another unforgettable moment for travellers would be the showering of flower petals from a helicopter flying over the Himalayas during one of the events.

Tourism department officials said they are expecting a 30 per cent increase in tourists this December.

"December is not our peak tourist season but we want to portray Sikkim as a round-the-year tourist attraction. The Himalayas have a different charm in the winters and we are banking on that. With so many activities planned for tourists we are expecting a 30-40 per cent hike in the number of tourists in December," Pema L Shangderpa of the department of tourism and civil aviation, PTI reported.

Contact: OBSERVER BUILDING

               Nam Nang Road, Gangtok

               SIKKIM

SIKKIM OBSERVER    Saturday Dec 13-19, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

Sudhanshu Saria’s His New Hands gets Remi Gold award

Siliguri, Dec 12: Budding filmmaker Sudhanshu Saria’s His New Hands was recently awarded the prestigious Remi Gold prize for Best Dramatic Short at the 47th WorldFest-Houston festival.

The film had its World Premiere in Competition at the 38th Hong Kong International Film Festival 2014 recently.

Siliguri’s Sudhanshu Saria, or Suds,  has worked as an entertainment executive in Los Angeles for the past seven years. In his various positions handling acquisitions – development  and distribution – he has helped bring various film and television projects such as  The Tudors

(Showtime/BBC), Fragments (Kate Beckinsale, Forest Whitaker), The Ideal (William H Macy, Meg Ryan) to fruition.

Suds received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film and Photography from Ithaca College, New York, USA. His previous work, premiered at film festivals like Hollyshorts and the Oscar qualifying Rio De Janeiro International, has taken him to the Berlinale Talent Campus and gotten him featured on shows on NPR and Good Morning America.

Sudhanshu Saria

His New Hands, his most recent short, had its World Premiere in Competition at the 38th Hong Kong International Film Festival 2014 and most recently was awarded the prestigious Remi Gold prize for Best Dramatic Short at the 47th WorldFest-Houston festival.

 It was screened at Sarasota, Omaha, Chennai and Johns Hopkins Film Festivals, was selected by the makers of the Red  camera for their annual showcase of the best films shot on their camera, and was awarded the Best Cinematography prize at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Mumbai.

   His New Hands, “ featuring acclaimed actor Andre Royo ( The Wire, The Spectacular  Now),  is a Faustian tale about the price of pursuing one's dreams set in the Old South,” says Saria and adds “The film was funded via crowdfunding and our donors are from all over the world. We shot the film in Los Angeles area and post-produced it entirely in Mumbai.”

I Am Here, a feature-length screenplay he wrote, was selected for the International Finance Forum at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.

Love , his feature writing and directing debut, is currently in post-production. As he climbs from peak to peak, Suds will surely live up to his college, founded in 1892, motto: “Commitment to Excellence.”