HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN     Aug 30-Sept 5, 2014

Blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

BJP-SKM alliance to take on SDF for Assembly by-polls

Its RN Chamling vs Bikash Basnet

SKM President PS Golay with BJP President Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday.

Even before the electoral battle has begun the Opposition has scored a major victory. In a move that is likely to set the agenda for future politics in the State, the BJP has forged an alliance with the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), which has 10 MLAs in the 32-member House.

Bikash Basnet

SKM’s Bikash Basnet is now the BJP’s candidate for the Rangang-Yangang by-polls of the Assembly seat vacated by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, who contested and won from two seats in the recent Assembly polls.

Basnet’s main contender is Chamling’s younger brother RN Chamling, who is contesting as an independent. Most people believe that the ruling party’s bid to field Kumari Mangar as its official candidate is “a drama.”

RN Chamling

Former Lok Sabha MP Nakul Rai has questioned Chamling’s failure to take disciplinary action against his brother for filing his paper. Rai says Rup Narayan “is an integral part of SDF.”

Significantly, SKM chief and MLA PS Goley along with his MLAs on Wednesday met BJP President Amit Shah in New Delhi, where the two parties discussed ways to “root out corruption” and fight for “restoration of democracy” in the State.

Basnet is expected to give a tough fight to Chamling’s brother. In any case, for the BJP-SKM combine its a “heads I win, tails you lose” kind of a situation.

Election to Rangang-Yangang constituency is slated for September 13.

Talks on for Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet: China

China’s government in Tibet claims that the Dalai Lama is in talks with Beijing through “personal envoys”, but the talks are only about the possibility of his return to Tibet.

Wu Yingjie, the Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee for Tibet, told a group of Indian journalists in Lhasa on Sunday that the talks with the Dalai were “ongoing and always smooth, but we are discussing only his future, not Tibet’s.”

Wu said many Tibetan leaders had chosen to return to Tibet in recent years, giving the example of a senior Lama in Chengdu who returned from Switzerland, The Hindu reported.

“All Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama and the people around him, can return if they accept Tibet and Taiwan as part of China, and give up ‘splittist’ efforts,” he said.

When asked about the political talks with envoys from Dharamsala, that broke down after nine rounds in 2010, he termed their demands unacceptable. “How can the Dalai Lama demand that China withdraw its army from Tibet?” asked  Wu. “The army is a symbol of our state. Will India agree to withdraw its Army from Arunachal Pradesh?” he said.

Wu also rejected the proposal by the Prime Minister of the self-styled “Tibetan government in exile”, Lobsang Sangay, for a larger region to be included in the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

Himalayan Airlines plans maiden Kathmandu-Lhasa flight in October

Himalayan Airlines, a company newly forged by China's Tibet Airlines and two Nepali companies, is scheduled to launch its maiden flight on October 28, said the Chinese shareholder here on Wednesday.

The joint venture will launch direct flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa and Kathmandu to Chengdu using aircraft including Airbus 319 and Airbus 320.

The new airline was set up in partnership with Nepal's HIF (Himalaya Infrastructure Fund) Aviation Investment Company and Yeti World Investment Company, with the two firms jointly holding 51% of the stakes in the joint venture and the rest owned by Tibet Airlines, Xinhua reported.

The agreement among the three companies was signed here on Monday. Cheng Yiru, chairman of Himalayan Airlines, said the new company has plans to buy 15 Airbus 320 in the next five years. It is expected to create over 1,000 jobs in Nepal.

Nepal has been Tibet's biggest trade partner since 2006, accounting for 58.5% of Tibet's total US$3.3 billion in foreign trade in 2013.

A train comes to Shigatse from Lhasa for the first time

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway has formally opened its Lhasa-Shigatse track to passengers. With the inauguration of the 253-kilometer track recently, the high-elevation railway has reached closer to Nepal. “We plan to extend the line up to Kerung in the long run,” said Yang Chu Lin, an official at the Shigatse Railway Service.

The second largest Tibetan city of Shigatse is about 540 kilometers from Kerung (Kyirong), the nearest Chinese town from Nepal, while the bordering Nepali district of Rasuwa is 35 kilometers away from there. Kathmandu is 110 kilometers from the district.

Carrying 800 passengers and two dozen journalists, the first train that departed from Lhasa at 9 a.m. on Saturday arrived in Shigatse at noon, traveling at an average speed of 120 kilometers per hour.

“The train service saves time and money of passengers,” said Chhedung, an official at the Shigatse Foreign Affairs Department. “The service will prove a boon for the Shigatse prefecture in boosting tourism and economic development.”

The new train has cut travel time between the two cities by half. A bus takes six hours to travel the distance. The train fare, 45 yuan, is half that of a bus.

“The extension of the railway further to Kerung and to the Nepali Capital could benefit Nepal hugely,” said Hari Prasad Basyal, Nepali Consular in Lhasa. “Nepali leadership should consider seriously about constructing railways in the country.”

‘Wonder Herb’ discovered in Ladakh

In the high hostile peaks of the Himalayas where sustaining life is a challenge in itself, Indian scientists say they have found a "wonder herb" which can regulate the immune system, help adapt to the mountain environment and, above all, protect from radioactivity.

Rhodiola, a herb found in the cold and highland climate, has led India's leading scientists to wonder if it is the end to the quest for "Sanjeevani", the mythical herb that gave renewed life to Ram's brother Lakshman in the epic Ramayana.

Locally called 'Solo' in Ladakh, the qualities of Rhodiola were largely unknown so far. The leafy parts of the plant were used as vegetable by locals. However, research by the Leh-based Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) is exploring the therapeutic values of the herb that shows it can do wonders for the troops posted in difficult high altitude areas like the 5,400-metres-high Siachen glacier.

"Rhodiola is a wonder plant that has immunomodulatory (enhancing immune), adaptogenic (adapting to difficult climatic condition) and radio-protecting abilities due to presence of secondary metabolites and phytoactive compounds unique to the plant," R.B. Srivastava, Director, DIHAR, told IANS.

Srivastava said the herb can mitigate the effects of gamma radiation used in bombs in biochemical warfare.

"A concerted effort involving conservation, propagation and sustainable utilisation of this unique medicinal herb will surely result in rediscovery of Sanjeevani for the troops deployed in extreme climatic condition along Himalayan frontiers," said the director.

The Leh-based lab of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the world's highest agro-animal research laboratory, has been researching on this wonder plant for more than a decade.

"While its adaptogenic qualities can help the soldiers in adjusting to the low pressure-low oxygen environment, the plant has also been found to have anti-depressant and appetizer properties," said Srivastava.

Editorial

ARMY TAKEOVER

Junta Raj In Neighbourhood

The army chief  General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who deposed Thailand’s civilian government three months ago, has been selected as the kingdom’s prime minister. A handpicked legislature stacked with military officers held a vote on Thursday to select the country’s prime minister. This week, Pakistan's powerful army chief General Raheel Sharif intervened publicly in the country's political crisis, agreeing to mediate between the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and protesters demanding his resignation. The move follows a backroom political deal that government officials privately said ceded important powers over defense and foreign policy from the government to the military. The military's political intervention underscored the weakness of Pakistan's democracy just 16 months after the country's first democratic transition raised hopes that the civilian authorities would assert themselves over the country's long dominant military. In Burma, Shwe Mann, leader of the army-backed ruling party, is unlikely to yield easily to the demand that Aung San Suu Kyi be allowed to contest the ensuing parliamentary polls that people looking forward to. Presently, Suu Kyi is constitutionally barred from becoming president.

Nationalised banks organise camps for Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana scheme

 As part of the financial inclusion mission that was launched throughout the country yesterday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , the State Bank of India, the Lead Bank in the State of Sikkim,  organised a Mega Camp  here yesterday for opening Savings bank Accounts.

Similar Mega Camps were also organized at Singtam and the District headquarters at Namchi, Gyalshing and Mangan. These camps are being organized by Canara Bank, HDFC, Central Bank of India and SBI respectively, according to Convener, State Level Banker's Committee of the SBI’s Regional Office.

While Chief Minister Pawan Chamling launched the programme here in the morning, in the evening Governor Shrinivas Patil was the chief guest at the mega camp function.

 The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana lies at the core of the Prime Minister's development philosophy of  “Sab Ka Sath Sab Ka Vikas”.  As the nation move rapidly forward in this knowledge era with modern banking and financial systems, it is untenable that a large majority of  population is deprived of basic banking facilities, a release of the SBI said.

The vast majority of the poor and the marginalized who are trapped in a perpetual cycle of exclusion and deprivation need to be addressed. In order to break that cycle - the Jan Dhan Yojana is envisaged as the first step in that direction. With a bank account, every household gains access to banking and credit facilities. This will enable them to come out of the grip of moneylenders, manage to keep away from financial crises caused by emergent needs, and most importantly, benefit from a range of financial products.

Under the Jan Dhan Yojana, every account holder gets a RuPay debit card with a Rs 1,00,000/- accident cover and will be covered by insurance and pension products at later stage, the release added.

OPEN LETTER TO CM ON FAKE ‘SIKKIM SUBJECTS’ ISSUE

To

The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim

Mintokgang

Gangtok-737101

East Sikkim

Dated: 25/08/2014

Sub:   Open Memorandum vis-à-vis Purification of Sikkim Subject

          Certificate / COIs

Hon’ble Sir,

Purify Sikkim Subject Certificate (SSC) Register:
The sacred document which was submitted / surrendered to Home Ministry, Govt. of India during the time of Sikkim annexation/merger in 1975 was Sikkim Subject Certificate (SSC) register on the basis of which, all the Sikkimese had become Indian.  Hope a copy of the same SSC register is lying with the Government of Sikkim today.

“As per estimates published by a local paper, in Sikkim we have:"

1. Fake Certificate of Identification (C.O.I) holders = 1, 19, 289
2. Fake Sikkim Subject certificate (S.S.C) holders    =     31, 180
                                                                           Total  =1, 50, 469
Total of 1, 50, 469 “fraudster” or illegal and fake documents.

What we think today is;

       It is not only important but sense urgent and need of the hour to purify the SSC register in the interest of our future generation, else talking big about protection and safeguard of Sikkim and the Sikkimese will become a futile exercise that would imminently jeopardise our own posterity.

 This further becomes most urgent, significant and relevant given the present government of Sikkim’s priorities and insistence to the Sikkim Subject Certificate /COI on all its policies and programmes as being announced or formulated particularly with the inauguration of its present term of governance, which is most appreciable gesture on its part.

In fact, every State and government has the sacred responsibility of safeguarding its native people. The stand taken by the Government if really implemented both in letter and spirit, it will rejuvenate the effect and significance of SSC and COI and would go a long way in ensuring the socio-politico and economic state of the Sikkimese at-large. This shall certainly curtail the ever increasing influx thereby establishing a sense of pride and security amongst our Sikkimese people. If not, the illegal SSC/COI holders will get multiplied and one fine day original Sikkimese will be kicking out from their home land. So it’s now or never.

Therefore, we appeal the political parties of Sikkim to rise above politics. We don’t mind to come out openly in support of the Government if it’s really committed and wanted to eliminate, reject or withdraw the illegal Sikkim Subject Certificate/C.O.I. issued so far.

Political parties in Sikkim should understand that unless this is realized, whatever programmes/policies they come out with will never achieve its target which would only then be meant for securing a mere vote bank and accompanying politics.

Let’s accomplish this and posterity shall salute you and our generation with awe & veneration.

Submitted in the interest of Sikkim and the Sikkimese please

Yours Sincerely

 Tseten Tashi Bhutia, Ex-MLA

TNA Principal to get national award from Prez

Tashi Namgyal Academy Principal, Kuldip Singh Heran, has been selected for this year's National Award. The prestigious award will be presented to the TNA Principal by President Pranab Mukherjee on Teachers'Day in New Delhi on September 5.
This reward and recognition of the school, named after Sikkim's former King, Chogyal Tashi Namgyal, comes at a time when TNA is preparing for the celebration of its 50th anniversary.

Kuldip Singh Heran

Sikkim’s unique festival of Pang Lhabsol

This year’s traditional Pang Lhabsol is being observed at Tsuklakhang monastery in Gangtok. Lamas of Pemayangtse monastery and some lay people will take part in the celebrations of the worship of Sikkim Guardian Deities, which include Sikkim’s unique pangtoed dance.

This unique festival is also being observed all over the State with pomp and gaiety, particularly at Rabong in South Sikkim.(pix below)

FASHION

Vanity Fair honours Bhutan’s fashionable monarch

The 2014 Vanity Fair International Best-Dressed List includes all the usual suspects: Kate Middleton, Cate Blanchett and Pharrell Williams, to name a few. But among all the obvious choices, there's at least one name on there that we didn't expect to see.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan made this year's cut under the "Originals" category. And upon further investigation, he's actually a pretty obvious choice. From mixing prints to incorporating bold color, it's no wonder Bhutan is one of the happiest countries on earth: their 31-year-old king has got it going on.In fact, the glossy has been privy to his majesty's style for a while. He made the list back in 2011, too.

Pang Lhabsol celebrations down the years

SIKKIM OBSERVER  Saturday Aug 23-29, 2014

Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

MAKING A FASHION STATEMENT: PM Narendra Modi during his visit to Gangtok (Sikkim) in 2009. He is seen with members of the local business community. (Pix: Babulal Malu)

NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Sikkim Governor Shrinivas Patil involved in multi-crore Pune land scam: BJP

CBI PROBE DEMANDED BY MAHARASHTRA BJP

Gangtok, Aug 22: Is Sikkim Governor Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil involved in a multi-crore Pune land deal racket that began in 1989 when he was Pune’s District Collector?

Prominent builders and businessmen have been named in a First Information Report or FIR filed by the Pune police in a case relating to a massive land scam allegedly worth hundreds of crores of rupees. Among those named in the FIR are KM Goenka and 2G spectrum allocation scandal accused Vinod Goenka and Shahid Balwa of DB Realty and builder Atul Chordia of the Panchshil Realty Group, The Hindustan Times and NDTV reported recently.

The 326-acre land at the heart of the dispute is located in the city's prime Yerawada area, near the Pune airport.

The Goenkas, who claimed the land was gifted to their family by Peshwa rulers in 1952, had fought a decades-long battle with the government over it. In 1989, they approached the then Chief Minister Sharad Pawar to settle the dispute.

Patil, who was then Pune District Collector, subsequently granted the land, worth an estimated Rs 300 crore in 1989, to Mukund Bhavan Trust. The Trust, run by the Goenkas, handed over developmental rights to Chordia's company Panchshil Realty Group. Panchshil Tech Park, a company floated by Chordiya, constructed towering high-rises on the disputed land.

Patil later opted for voluntary retirement and joined Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He won the Lok Sabha election in 1999 and 2004 from Maharashtra's Karad and is currently serving as the Governor of Sikkim. Patil (73) was appointed Sikkim Governor on July 4, 2013.

    Ravi Barhate, a Right to Information activist, has since established via documents obtained under the Act that forged papers were used to grab the government land, the report said.

Some crucial documents, including confidential letters exchanged between senior state government officials, clearly show that the prime land was handed over to the Trust after the State Government drastically changed its stand on the issue in 1989.

In a confidential letter written to the then Pune Divisional Commissioner on January 1, 1992, Navin Kumar, the then settlement commissioner and director, wrote, "The change of government stand needs to be investigated to find out who had taken the decision to grant 326 acres of land to the trust".

NCP chief Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule and her husband Sadanand Sule also had stakes in Panchshil Tech Park. After Balwa and Goenka's name cropped up in connection to the 2G scam, they had surrendered their share and exited the company.

In April 2011, Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Eknath Khadse (BJP) had demanded a thorough probe into questionable land deals in Maharashtra. In the wake of his demand, the state director general of police had asked for a detailed report on the status of investigations and complaints into major land scams.

Following the police complaints, Khadse demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigations in the land allotments. He said the state police would not do any progress in the investigations because the FIRs were filed four years after the matter was raised by him in the legislature. “The cover-up has already started. I request the state government to recommend a CBI probe in this matter and other 115 cases of similar nature that together caused a loss of Rs. 70000 crore to the state exchequer.”

The BJP leader said he would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for seeking CBI investigations. “The Union government can very well ask CBI to probe the deals of defence-related land in Pune. The state government, if willing, may also recommend a CBI probe,” he said.

School, college education free for ‘Sikkimese’ students

Gangtok, Aug 22: From now on school and college education for bonafide Sikkimese students possessing Sikkim Subjects Certificate (SSC) will be free.

This was announced by Chief Minsiter Pawan Chamling this week following the State Cabinet’s approval.

Sikkimese student has been defined as bona fide Sikkimese having valid documents like the Sikkim Subject Certificate or their descendents with identification certificates.

Bona fide Sikkimese students having already submitted their tuition fees will receive a refund as per a recent Human Resources Development Department (HRDD) proposal.

A press note issued by the Home Department said students who do not possess such documentation and are enrolled at government colleges and schools will have to pay the prescribed fees.

This proposal of the Human Resource Development Department was approved by the cabinet at its last sitting held on August 12 last, chaired by the Chief Minister, PTI reported.   

This waiver of fees will be applicable with retrospective effect from the current academic session 2014 and the cabinet has also sanctioned and approved the proposal of the HRDD to "refund" the fees already deposited by Sikkimese students.

This announcement follows a four-fold increase in college fees imposed by the HRDD from the current academic session, which had triggerred protest by the students. The fee was initially rolled back followed by the Chief Minister's announcement that all fees would be waived for Sikkimese students up to college level.

BL organizations support Chamling on free education for Sikkimese students

Gangtok, Aug 22: The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) and National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO) have welcomed the Chamling Government’s decision to make school and college education free for bonafide Sikkimese students in the State.

SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia has urged the State Government to consider extending social, economic and political benefits, facilities and safeguards to all Sikkimese possessing genuine Sikkim Subject Certificate  (SSC) and Certificate of Identification (CoI), a release of the organization said.

Referring to former Chief Secretary Sonam Wangdi’s claim published in a local daily that there were 31,180 fake SSC holders and 1,19,289 CoI  fake holders in the State, SIBLAC Convenor has asked the State Government to probe into the allegations and come out with a White Paper.

He said if the allegation is true then at least 25% of the State’s population possess fake identity documents.

In a statement after its meeting held here on Wednesday, NASBO President Pintso Bhutia said, “This decision of the government is something of which we feel proud of. We look forward for such positive approach on the part of the government which is more conducive of Article 371F of the Indian Constitution.”

It added, “We support this decision of the State…this kind of governance is something which is surely welcomed by our Sikkimese people.”

Chinese troops enter Indian territory, India denies

A file photo of Chinese soldiers holding a flags reading "you've crossed the border, please go back" in their hands.

Leh/New Delhi, Aug 22:  The Indian Army has denied reports that Chinese troops have entered deep into Indian territory in Depsang, the same area in Ladakh where they had pitched tents in April last year, leading to a tense three-week stand-off.

Chinese troops had entered 25 to 30 km into Indian territory in the Burtse area of north Ladakh, pitched tents and held up flags that read, "This is Chinese territory, go back," PTI reported.

The area is at an altitude of 17,000 feet.

Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Tuesday dismissed reports that Chinese troops had entered 25 to 30 km deep into Indian territory in Burtse area in Ladakh. “There is nothing like that,” he said in reply to a question.

Sources said Chinese troops had indeed entered Indian territory on Sunday and pitched four tents with flags on them claiming that this was their territory. They were there for about 24 hours before returning, the sources said.

"No incursion or encroachment of Indian Territory by China has taken place along the India-China border," an Army spokesperson said.

He, however, said that because there is a difference in the way the two countries perceive the disputed border called the Line of Actual Control or LAC, "transgressions do occur" from time to time.

A Quick Reaction Team that had accompanied the Indian team failed to make any headway with the Chinese, who refused to budge from their position, the agency reported. It said the Indian troops finally returned to their base and informed senior officers.

The Burtse area, which is adjacent to Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), forms part of the huge Depsang plains which India says is its territory. But the Chinese dispute this. The area includes an air field which was operationalised by the Indian Air Force last year for a short while.

In April last year, the stand-off over the Chinese troops pitching tents for 21 days here led to diplomatic tension. The Chinese returned only after four flag meetings between the two sides.

To deal with such incidents, India and China signed the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement or BDCA in October last year.

J&K’s Article 370 challenged in Supreme Court

New Delhi, Aug 22: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to Centre on a plea which challenged the provisions of Article 370, which provides special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

The plea, filed by a Delhi-based NGO, asks why a law passed by the J&K Assembly "deprives people from other parts of the country from acquiring immovable assets or seek employment in the state."

The plea also questions the "inability to challenge any law made by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly" even if it is allegedly "unconstitutional".

Revocation of Article 370 has been a long-standing demand of the right-wing groups in the country, including some affiliated to the ruling BJP.

Though the Modi government has not taken any position on Article 370, a remark made shortly after coming to power by Minister of State in the PMO, Jitendra Singh, on the Centre being open to debate on the contentious provision, had evoked sharp responses.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had warned that any attempt to reopen the debate on Article 370 would force the state to revisit its terms of accession to the Indian Union.

In its election manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had said it is in favour of abrogating Article 370, but said the issue will be discussed with all stakeholders before a decision is made.

In December last year at a rally in Jammu, Narendra Modi had suggested that it should be probed whether Article 370 has indeed benefited the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

Former Sikkim CM NB Bhandari being felicitated by GJM chief Bimal Gurung for his contribution for constitutional recognition of Nepali language in Darjeeling on Wednesday. (Pix: The Telegraph)

Editorial

SOUL OF SIKKIM

Preserve It, Cherish It

The Bhutias of Sikkimese origin in Sikkim have been on the receiving end for a long time stretching back to early 1970s when India fomented communal politics to take over the former kingdom. And yet bravehearts of this community despite encountering countless trials and tribulations refuses to give up and bow down to the diktats of those in power. For them the values  they uphold and their love and devotion to all things Sikkimese are top priorities.

It is time that the Sikkimese people understood how they live their lives and why. The late Sikkimese writer Lal Bahadur Basnet once wrote this on one of the most outstanding Bhutia rulers of Sikkim: “During the hour of his trial, when his very throne was at stake, Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal stood like a rock and sacrificed petty considerations for the lofty ideal he had espoused. He lost, but in the very process of losing his throne and status, he rose to his full stature.” This is the spirit that moves the world. It is the spirit of Sikkim. Preserve it for posterity even if the prevailing situation doesn’t allow it. For one day Sikkim will surely rise to its full stature and preserve Sikkim for Sikkimese.

Northeast CMs' meet to decide roadmap for development

Modi to meet Northeast CMs soon

Union Minister VK Singh with Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling in New Delhi recently. (Right)

Agartala, Aug 22: DoNER Minister Gen. (retd) V.K. Singh would meet the chief ministers of all eight northeastern states in Guwahati Aug 21-22 to decide a roadmap for the development of the region, an official said here Monday.

This would be the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) minister's first meeting with the chief ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur and Sikkim, IANS reported.

"The meeting would discuss and resolve various strategies and plans on agriculture, roadways, education, power, transport, tourism, industries and health sectors of the region," an official of the North Eastern Council (NEC) said.

He said various expert groups and specialists would also make presentations highlighting the scope and available resources of the region.

The meeting would also discuss the ongoing projects of the NEC.

After assuming office in May, V.K. Singh held several meetings with top officials of both the DoNER ministry and the NEC in New Delhi and Guwahati to familiarise himself about the northeastern states and functioning of his ministry and the council.

A Tripura government official said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also agreed to convene a meeting soon of the eight chief ministers to resolve various problems of the region.

Modi's assurance came on Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's request when he met the prime minister in New Delhi recently.

The official said Sarkar and Modi discussed issues such as connectivity, policy intervention, infrastructure, agricultural, educational, health service and tourism.

Sikkim BJP to be revived, to contribute to the tallest statue in the world: Khangsarpa

Sikkim BJP meet in Gangtok recently (pix: sikkimnow)

Gangtok, Aug 22: The Sikkim unit of the BJP has decided that Sikkim would contribute towards the construction of the proposed 182 metre tall Statue of Unity, a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, to be constructed in Gujarat.

It has also decided to revamp its party unit in the State. As per suggestions from the party at the centre it was decided that party cadres would fan out across the State and make appeals to farmers and other rustic people to contribute ploughshare tips and other used iron-made farm implements that would be melted and added to the ores collected from across the nation that would go into the making of the statue, Sikkim BJP President Palden Wangchuk Khangsarpa said.

During its meeting held here this week the party also thrashed out details and a strategy related to the upcoming bye-election at 15 Yangang-Rangang Constituency for which, the last the last date of filing of candidature is 27 August 2014. Voting is to take place on 13 September and counting is to be concluded on 16 September 2014, a party release said.

 However, a final decision as to the candidate representing the party and other details will be declared only after the green light from the party high command at the centre.

The Sikkim BJP will also be undertaking a mass membership drive, in both the urban and rural areas of, in accordance with the instructions of the new President  Amit Shah.

Other points discussed during its meeting were the matter of setting up of a state head office at Gangtok, as well as district offices at the district-level.

Matters regarding formation of  office bearers at the district and ward levels were also discussed.

FASHION

Sikkim’s Anandita Tamang walks the ramp at Lakme fashion show

The Lakme Fashion Week has seen models and Bollywood stars walking the ramp, but this time even children joined them for a special show. World’s famous toy shops – Hamley’s and Mattel hosted the first kids fashion show at the Lakme Fashion Week.

After a city-wise audition and workshops held across the country, Anandita Tamang of Sikkim was selected to walk the ramp. Anandita is daughter of Suresh Tamang and Neelam Rasaily and a class 8 student of Delhi Public School. Her mother Neelam Rasaily is in-charge of looking after the patients at DKK Bhawan, New Delhi.

“It was great fun and I got to meet so many people and make new friends,” said an excited Anandita. (Talk Sikkim)

One more reward for Sikkimese writer Yishey Doma

Gangtok, Aug 22: The Rashtrapati Bhavan’s ‘In-Residence Programme’ will feature two artists and two writers in September next month.

The writers and artists selected by an expert committee on the basis of a nation-wide application process are Yishey Doma from Sikkim and Dr. Vempalli Gangadhar from Andhra Pradesh, Rahool Saksena from Tamil Nadu and Pratap Sudhir Morey from Maharashtra. They will stay at the Rashtrapati Bhavan from September 8 to 26 next month.

Yishey Doma, winner of the “Sikkim Sahitya Samman 2013” is a journalist and writer and works for Sikkim Express.  She is the author of several books, including Legends of the Lepchas: Folktales from Sikki,  Sikkim: the Hidden Fruitful Valley, Sikkim: A Traveller's Companion and The Legacy Maker: Pawan Chamling's Ideas that Shaped Sikkim.

The ‘In-Residence’ Programme for writers, artists was launched by the President of India on December 11, 2013 with a view to encourage young and upcoming writers and artists by facilitating them to stay close to nature in the picturesque and serene surroundings of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The Programme seeks to provide an environment which will inspire creative thinking and rejuvenate artistic impulses.

SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday Aug 16-22, 2014

Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

Let us make a new India together: Modi

      Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort to celebrate Independence Day in New Delhi. 

New Delhi, Aug 15: In his maiden Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to work for a new and clean India by shedding the "poison" of communalism and making the country the world's manufacturing hub.

Addressing tens of thousands of cheering people gathered at the Red Fort complex on a bright morning, Modi spoke for over an hour, focusing mainly on nation building and underlining the need to forge national consensus on major issues.

In the process, Modi, 63, who took charge of India May 26, outlined his vision for the country, frankly admitting the faults within and calling on neighbouring countries to team up with India to battle poverty, The Times of India reported.

He also announced a burial of the Planning Commission, saying it was not needed any more. He said a new institution will take its place.

For the first time in years, there was no reference to Pakistan in the Independence Day address. Indeed, he made no mention to any other country except neighbouring Bhutan and Nepal which he recently visited.

Indians, he said, needed to give up the "poison" of casteism and communalism and added it was a shame that these plagued India even so many years after Independence.

"How long will this continue?" he asked, sounding emotive. "We have fought enough, we have killed enough. Turn back and see, has anyone gained anything?"

He said decades of bloodshed had caused deep wounds to "Bharat Mata", adding there should be no violence for 10 years.

Wearing his trademark white half-sleeve kurta pyjama with a polka-dotted flaming orange turban, Modi reached the 17th century Red Fort after paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.

Before beginning the speech, Modi — in a departure from convention — took salute from the armed forces. He spoke mostly extempore, occasionally looking down for a peek at his notes.

Asking the world to "Come, Make in India!", Modi urged global investors to make this country a manufacturing hub.

"I tell the world, Make in India! Sell anywhere but manufacture here. We have the skill and talent."

He said it should be every Indian's dream to see "Made in India" products around the world — green friendly and with zero defects.

Reiterating his dream to make India a clean place, Modi asked: "Do we want to live in filth?"

He said India should become clean and hygienic by 2019 — the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a staunch believer in cleanliness.

Dubbed by critics as a divisive personality, the prime minister underlined the need to take everyone along. "Let us walk together, think together, and make a determination to take ahead the nation together."

Lending a personal touch, the prime minister hailed Indian democracy for allowing a person from "a poor family, an ordinary family" to assume the country's top post.

"I stand before you today not as the prime minister but as the Pradhan Sevak (Chief Public Servant)." The remark, made at the start of his speech, drew thunderous applause.

Modi also called himself "an outsider to Delhi. But an outsider came to Delhi and got an insider view (of the administration)".

China inaugurates new Tibet rail link close to Sikkim

Beijing, Aug 15: China inaugurated its second railway line in Tibet, built at a cost of US $2.16 billion, close to Indian border in Sikkim, enhancing mobility of its military in the remote and strategic Himalayan region.

The 253-km railway line links Tibet's provincial capital Lhasa with Xigaze, the second-largest city in Tibet and also the traditional seat of the pro-Beijing Panchen Lama -- stated to be second important Monk in Tibetan hierarchy, PTI reported.

The new line near the Indian border in Sikkim is also close to China's border with Nepal and Bhutan. It reduces the travel time between Lhasa and Xigaze from the current four hours by highway to around two hours, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The new line near the Indian border in Sikkim is also close to China's border with Nepal and Bhutan.

It is the second railway line in Tibet and an extension of the Qinghai-Tibet railway, the world's highest rail link connecting China's mainland with Tibet.

Construction of the railway line started in 2010 with an investment of 13.28 billion yuan (US $2.16 billion).

In addition to this, China last month unveiled plans to construct a new crucial railway line in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh, which Chinese analysts say could act as a "bargaining chip" during the border talks with India.

The construction of another railway line linking Lhasa to Nyingchi in the east is also expected to start soon, recent official media report said. Nyingchi is located right close to Arunachal, the nearest area to the border. China claims Arunachal as part of Tibet. The railway expansion will connect, Nepal, Bhutan and India by 2020, the report said.

The growing Chinese railway network in Tibet is likely to leverage Beijing's claim over the disputed border region, experts claim. It would also help Chinese military strategically by reducing the travel time to the remote southern Tibetan region, they add.

The construction of a railway connecting Xigaze with Gyirong county, close to Nepal, will be constructed under the five year plan ending 2020, an official recently said. Gyirong county has a checkpoint connecting Nepal and Yatung county, close to Indian border near Sikkim and Bhutan, a trade centre bordering India and Bhutan.

Finally, alumni of Darj schools in Sikkim all set to rock

Forms ‘Good Old Days Club’ to revive spirit of camaraderie

Gangtok, Aug 16: Alumni of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong’s renowned missionary (public) schools residing in Sikkim yesterday (Aug 15) formed the 'Good Old Days Club' (GODc) in Gangtok.
“The main purpose of the body is to renew old bonds and have a good time together,” said one of the members at the informal launch of the Club.
The members of the Club will be ex-students of St. Paul’s School, St. Joseph’s School, Mt. Hermon School, Loteto Convent (Darjeeling), Goethal’s Memorial School, Dow Hill School, St. Helens Convent, Victoria School (Kurseong), Dr. Graham’s Homes, St. Augustine’s School, St. Joseph’s Convent (Kalimpong).
These schools were founded by foreign missionaries in Darjeeling hills in the 19th century, when the region came under the British Raj in India.

Initially conceived by Sikkim Hermonites Association a few years back, the Club will reach out to all alumni of these schools in the State to make the association an active forum for renewal of friendship and preservation/celebration of the unique spirit of camaraderie that alumni of these schools enjoy.
‘One of the main reasons for the alumni of these schools to come together on a regular basis is that no matter who we are or what we do our 'hard disk' is the same! We started our life together, lets end it in the same spirit,” said Hermonite Jigme N. Kazi.

Those who were present at the historic dinner get-together on August 15 at Hotel Tashi Delek were: Ashwin Oberoi and Govind Alley (Goethal’s Memorial School), A. Dutta (Victoria School), Sonam Dorji (St. Augustine’s School), Navin Prasad (Dr. Graham’s Homes), Wangyal Topden and Tashi Gyatso (St. Joseph’s School) and OT Bhutia, Surenderpal Singh Lamba, Uttam Pradhan, Ramesh Lakhotia and Jigme N Kazi (Mt. Hermon School).

A formal launch of the GODc will take place shortly with a larger body, followed by the keenly-awaited 'bash' to set the ball rolling.

Sikkim’s IHM comes first in national culinary competition in Kerala

IHM Sikkim’s Kunga Chukie Namgyal Kazi and Lhaden Wangmo Bhutia received the award in chef competition in Kovalam (Kerala) last week. (left)

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 15: Participants from the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Gangtok, bagged the first prize in the national culinary competition organised by the Spices Board and International Pepper Community.

Kunga Chukie Namgyal Kazi and Lhaden Wangmu Bhutia of Gangtok IHM lifted the prize comprising Rs.50,000, a trophy and certificate at the competition that concluded at Kovalam beach resort here last Saturday.

The competition, "Pepp It Up 2014", attracted teams from 20 hotel management institutions across the country, a Spices Board release said.

Kartik Malviya and Shubhadev of IHM Bhopal came second winning Rs. 25,000, while D Suresh Krishna and S Muthupandian of PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, won the third prize (Rs. 15,000).

"The history of commerce and trade in our country is the history of Pepper... However, with the advent of time, the charm of Pepper as the flag-bearer of Indian culture has started deteriorating," the release said.

Spices Board in collaboration with the International Pepper Community conducted 'Pepp it up-2014', to promote the usage of pepper and to inspire promising culinary talents, A Jayathilak, Chairman, Spices Board, said.

The Sikkim team was led by IHM teacher Pragya Chettri and accompanied by Sonam Deki Namgyal Kazi.

While Kunga stood first in her first and second year annual exams, her twin sister Sonam ranked 5^th in her class in the second year and Lhaden came 5^th in her first year.

IHM, affiliated to National Council for Hotel Management under Ministry of Tourism (Govt of Indai), is among the top ten colleges in India that offers degree and diploma courses in hotel management. With the new award IHM’s status has shot up considerably.

Editorial

FIRE IN THE BELLY

Keeping Movements Alive

The Tibetan people’s demand for ‘genuine autonomy’ within China is much like the Sikkimese people’s struggle for preservation of its ‘special status’ within India. These aspirations are within the framework of the constitution of both the two countries. It is a fact that India’s annexation of  Sikkim in 1975 after China took over Tibet in 1959 was primarily motivated by security concerns. These touchy issues should be taken up by those who profess to champion human freedom and dignity. Tibetan freedom should not be a monopoly of Tibetans alone and Sikkimese people’s desire to live without fear and in freedom in their homeland should be a concern for all freedom-loving people. Unfortunately, Tibetan Youth Congress’ weeklong session in Gangtok failed to address these issues. This is most unfortunate. If there is no fire in the belly people’s movements will surely die a slow death.

ART & CULTURE

Tibetan calligraphy exhibition held in Delhi

Jamyang Dorjee Chakrishar with HH the Gyalwa Karmapa, Guest of Honour at the exhibition. (left)

The first ever Tibetan calligraphy show, Divinity in Syllables, featuring artist Jamyang Dorjee Chakrishar from Sikkim was held in New Delhi at the India International Centre (IIC) this week.

Works of Anis Siddiqui from Delhi were also on display at the exhibition. Their works display the history and the spiritual links of this art form cutting across different cultures.

Islamic calligraphy evolved as an artistic form of reverence for it was through the art of writing that the Holy Quran, the word of God as revealed in revelations to Prophet Mohammad, was recorded and disseminated to the humanity. Through the centuries it has been continuously refined and imaginatively embellished to become the most recognizable visual form of Islamic art.

Buddhist calligraphy too had its roots in the dissemination of the teachings of the Buddha dharma. It evolved as an integral and independent art form along with other forms of Buddhist art such as a very rich iconography as exemplified by its murals, frescos, thangkas and sculptures.

The Buddhist calligraphy on display in the exhibition is in Bhoti language which has its roots in the Gupta, Sanskrit and Brahmi script of the shared Indic culture. The art of calligraphy has been integral to the dissemination of Buddha’s teaching and is also a proof of the richness of the Bhoti language.

Together Buddhist and Islamic calligraphy epitomize as true repository of the ancient wisdom and message of the divine for the benefit of the mankind and all sentient beings. This exhibition is a step towards initiating an understanding through a common artistic e

I-DAY Celebrations

Sikkim student takes part in ‘celebration of excellence’

Gangtok, Aug 15: Nima Doma Bhutia was invited by the CBSE to attend the Independence Day celebrations as a part of 'celebration of excellence' for being selected 'best player in basketball' in 3 consecutive years in the CBSE Nationals played in Tamil Nadu, Jaipur & Agra (winning the national championship twice & securing runners once in 2011, 2012, & 2013).

Nima Doma also secured 90% in her CBSE class XII exams.

Nima Doma Bhutia, eldest child of Dorjee Samdup Bhutia & Chingthit Bhutia of Tashiding Monastery, West Sikkim, studied Eklavya Model Residentia School for Scheduled Tribe in Gangyap in West Sikkim.

She was present for the PM's speech at Red Fort on 15th August.

SPACE FOR OPPOSITION: Normally ruling government politicians and government officials hog the limelight in Sikkim even during sporting and social functions. But things are gradually changing, thanks to the presence of a strong opposition in Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM). This picture during I-Day football match near Gangtok shows the players with SKM’s Gangtok MLA Pintso Chopel Lepcha (standing with khada).

LITERARY

Brooks’ book release on Dr. Graham’s Homes history

Brooks

Kalimpong, Aug 15: Former Principal of Dr. Graham’s Homes Bernard T. Brooks’ book, “Footprints of the First 100 Years: The Kalimpong Homes”, will be launched here at the school complex on September 7.

Among the notable speakers for the function are Mrs. Margaretta Purtill (batch of 1960), President, London OGBs Association (UK), Capt. Prakash Pradhan (1982 batch), President, Sikkim Grahamites Association, Karma Nidup Bhutia (batch of 1968) and President, Kalimpong OGBs Association,  Dr. M.S. Foning (batch of 1972)

Brooks will be present during the function, which include scripture reading and prayer.

High tea and sale of books will follow the conclusion of the book release function.

Dr. Graham's Homes was founded in 1900 by Reverend Dr. John Anderson Graham, a Church of Scotland missionary, who settled in Kalimpong and worked with the local community for several years during the early part of the 20th century. His original concept was to establish a refuge for poor and needy Anglo-Indian children, who had no other means of support.

Dalai Lama should return to ‘Free Tibet’: RB Subba

Gangtok, Aug 15: Sikkim this week sought for the return of the Tibetan exiled leader the Dalai Lama to a ‘Free Tibet”.

Showing concern on ‘basic human rights and freedom’ in Tibet, Human Resources Development Minister RB Subba said “We believe that basic human rights and freedom should be something that all human beings enjoy.”

    Speaking at the 45^th meet of the Tibetan Youth Congress here on Tuesday, Subba said, “The situation inside Tibet must be resolved soon and I hope and pray that His Holiness will be able to return to a Free Tibet in the near future".

Subba, who was the Chief Guest of the function, said that it is an honor to hold the TYC meet in Sikkim and wished it success in its fight for Tibet's “freedom and independence,” The Tibet Post reported.

Prominent among those present at the function was Kasur Gyalo Dhondup, the elder brother of the Dalai Lama. Observers said this is a rare public appearance by Thondup, who spoke of the Tibetan struggle and expressed hope that change will come to Tibet.

The TYC held discussions on a variety of topics ranging from Tibet's freedom and independence, campaigns to release political prisoners and security of the Dalai Lama.

BL Protection Force warns SDF leader

    Sangha MLA Sonam Koloen Lama and aide Pintso Chewang with Union Home Minister         

    Rajnath Singh in New Delhi recently.

Gangtok, Aug 15: The Bhutia-Lepcha Protection Force (BLPF) has warned former Speaker and ruling party spokesman KT Gyaltsen not to politics with the sentiments of the people.

Reacting strongly against Gyaltsen’s recent statements against Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s Sangha MLA, Sonam Kaloen Lama, BLPF President Phigu Tshering Bhutia in a press statement not only condemned the statement but alleged that the SDF spokesman and legal advisor to the Chief Minister was involved in “dirty politics”.

The BLPF while warning “puppets like Mr Gyaltsen to keep his mouth shut & not play politics with our sentiments” has also urged the people to react  and condemn “baseless allegations” made against the Sangha MLA.

During his visit to Delhi, the Sangha MLA met several national leaders, including union ministers, and briefed them on various issues of the State.

Chinese Army transgressed Sino-Indian border: Kiren Rijiju

New Delhi, Aug 15: The Chinese Army has transgressed the Sino-Indian border 334 times this year and a total of 1,278 times between 2010-13, Rajya Sabha was informed.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the People's Liberation Army transgressed the border 334 times till August 4, 2014, 411 times in 2013, 426 times in 2012, 213 times in 2011 and on 228 occasions in 2010.

"However, there are cases of transgression due to difference in perception of Line of Actual Control," he said in reply to a written question.

Rijiju said the Indo Tibetan Border Police, the border guarding force deployed on Sino-Indian border, has reported one transgression in Dorjila in 2013 and one transgression in Naku area in 2014 in Sikkim.

The Minister said no "intrusion" has been reported or taken place along India-China border, including Sikkim, during the last five years.