SIKKIM
OBSERVER Saturday Aug 2-8, 2014
Blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com
Thousands attend Shamar Rinpoche’s cremation in
Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Aug 1: Thousands of mourners, many in tears, gathered here
yesterday to pay tribute to a senior Tibetan Buddhist monk whose cremation was
initially blocked by Nepal, sparking claims it had caved to pressure from
China.
Monks chanted
prayers and played traditional music as they lit the funeral pyre under the
shade of a multicoloured canopy surrounded by Buddhist flags, AFP reported.
Nepal, which had
initially granted approval for Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche's body to be transported
to Kathmandu from neighbouring India for cremation, retracted permission two
weeks later, fuelling accusations that it was bowing to pressure from Beijing.
Kathmandu denied
the claims and said it did not know that Rinpoche, who died of a heart attack
in Germany on June 11 at the age of 62, held a Bhutanese passport when the
original permit was issued.
The Himalayan
nation, home to around 20,000 Tibetans, is under intense pressure from China to
contain the activities of exiles who have fled their homeland.
After intense
lobbying from Tibetan Buddhist scholars and followers, Nepal overturned its
earlier ban but warned against hosting "any other function other than last
rites" at the funeral site.
Organisers said an
estimated 20,000 people attended the ceremony, including thousands who had
flown in from overseas.
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Organizers claimed
that hundreds of thousands of devotees from Nepal, India, China, Sri Lanka,
Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, United States, United Kingdom, Czech
Republic and Germany paid tribute to the late Guru, whose full designation is
Kunzing Shamar Rinpoche Mipham Chokyi Lodro, on Thursday. People from remote
parts of Nepal including Helambu of Sindhupalckhowk, Manang and Mustang among
other places also attended the funeral.
Shamarpa followers
recited from Buddhist holy texts praying for peace of the departed soul. The
17th Karmapa, Gyalwa Karmapa Trinle Thaye Dorje, who had arrived from India,
consigned the late Rinpoche’s mortal remains to the flames.
Minister for
Information and Communications Dr Minendra Rijal, Minister of State for Labor
Tek Bahadur Gurung, Thai ambassador to Nepal Kanthong Unakul, Bhutanese Royal
Guru Je Khenpo, and senior Buddhist leaders were present at the funeral
procession, the Republica reported.
Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk paying his respect to the kudung of late Shamar Rinpoche in Paro.
The late Rinpoche
was born in Tibet but was taken to Sikkim, when he was five.
Rinpoche travelled
to Nepal several times in the past. According to his closed ones, he wished to
have final rites at the same monastery which he established many years ago. The
monastery is the largest among hundreds of other Buddhist centers established
by him across the world.
The body of the
Tibetan Guru Rinpoche was brought to Kathmandu from Bhutan on Tuesday evening
after the Nepal government decided to allow his cremation here recognizing his
contribution to Nepal’s culture, religion and tradition.
Nepal’s decision
to allow the cremation to take place on its soil came after Prime Minister
Sushil Koirala returned from the United States following treatment for lung
cancer and held an emergency cabinet session to overrule his deputy prime
minister, Bam Dev Gautam.
“The cabinet
meeting endorsed a policy to cremate a foreigner’s body in Nepal if they have
cultural and religious ties to Nepal and wish to be cremated here,” said
Minendra Rijal, a government spokesman.
The kudung (mortals remains) was brought to
Paro on July 27 from Kalimpong, India, to allow Bhutanese devotees to receive
blessings and offer their respect. His
Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, accompanied by Her Majesty the
Gyaltsuen, offered prayers to the kudung
in Paro.
The kudung was flown to the Karmapa
international Buddhist institute (KIBI) in New Delhi from Germany on the
morning of June 22. The body was then
brought to Kalimpong on July 1.
Shamar Rinpoche,
who is believed to be the mind manifestation of Amitabha Buddha, remained with
the 16th Karmapa until his death in 1981.
SKM comes to Tibet Road from Tadong
SKM President inaugurating party head office at Tibet
Road, Gangtok, on Friday.
Gangtok, Aug 1: After firmly establishing its hold in the State
capital, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has shifted its party head office to
Tibet Road from Tadong.
SKM President and
Burtuk MLA PS Golay inaugurated the party office today amidst enthusiastic
party workers and supporters.
The party office
at Ghaley Compound at Tibet Road is located above MG Marg, the main bazaar in
the capital and has an easy approach.
Golay thanked
senior party leader Phuchung Bhutia for housing the party office in his building
at Tadong’s Convoy Ground.
In the recent
Assembly elections SKM won 10 seats in the 32-member House. Of these 8 seats
are from east district, one from north district and one Sangha candidate.
Before the polls, SDF had all 32 seats in its kitty.
In Gangtok, SKM
candidate Pintso Chopel Lepcha defeated ruling Sikkim Democratic Front
heavyweight Hissey Lachungpa by nearly 2000 votes.
Lepcha created
history by winning in all the booths in the reserved constituency of the
indigenous Bhutia-Lepchas from the prestigious Gangtok constituency. Tibet Road
is part of Gangtok Constituency.
Sikkim govt withholding Patra Commission's report:
Cong
Panel was formed
to stall CBI probe into graft cases: Padam Chettri
Gangtok, Aug 1: The state Congress on Monday alleged that the Sikkim
government has been "withholding" the Patra Commission report from the
assembly as well as the High Court for almost five months.
Addressing a press
conference, Sikkim PCC general secretary and spokesman Padam Bahadur Chettri
said the state had on July 24 filed an additional affidavit through the
Additional Secretary of Home Department informing that the Patra Commission had
submitted its report to the government on March 5.
The state
government had appointed the commission of inquiry headed by Justice (Retd) R K
Patra to inquire into allegations of corruption against the chief minister and
several cabinet ministers, Outlook magazine
reported.
He said as per the
provisions of the Commission of Inquiry Act, it is mandatory for the concerned
government to place the report of the commission of inquiry in the assembly.
Nearly five months
have passed since the commission submitted its report but the people of the
state have not been made aware of it and no action has been taken on it.
"If the
government had received the report from the Patra Commission on March 5 this
year then why was the report not tabled in the assembly?" Chettri asked. The report was not tabled as the
government does not want to act on the report, he claimed, PTI reported.
"As per
section 3 (4) of Commission of Inquiry Act it was incumbent upon the
appropriate government to give the action taken report within 6 months,"
he said.
"The whole
purpose of the Commission of Inquiry was to keep the CBI away from the
investigation and to curb the voice raised by the people of Sikkim against
corruption," Chhetri alleged, adding, "The Commission was appointed
illegally and now the report is also being withheld."
J B Darnal, who
had challenged the validity of the institution of Patra Commission in High
Court in 2011, also attended the meeting.
Chettri too had
filed an application in the HC for intervention claiming that the commission
was "illegally constituted" to prevent CBI from investigating. (full
text of press statement on page 2)
Restoration work at Dubdi Monastery after monsoon: ASI
Gangtok, Aug 1: Almost three years have passed by since the
catastrophic earthquake of September 11, 2011 and yet there is no sign of
restoration work at Sikkim’s oldest monastery, Dubdi Gompa, in West Sikkim.
However, there is
some hope now as Ashok Patel, Superintending Archeologist, and Pandas Das,
Conservation Assistant (in-charge Sikkim) of Archeological Survey of India,
Kolkata circle have assured that restoration work at the monastery will begin
after the rainy season.
This assurance was
given to Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia in
Kolkata this week.
The ASI officials
have given assurance that restoration work will start after the monsoon, said Bhutia,
who has threatened to raise the matter with the President of India if
restoration work does not begin soon.
Dubdi Monastery is
the first monastery of the former kingdom, which was established by Sikkim’s
Patron Saint Lhatsun Namkha Jigme soon after the installation of the first
Chogyal of Sikkim at Norbugang in Yuksam in West Sikkim in 1642.
Editorial
SIKKIM FAILS
Nepal, Bhutan Show
The Way
Nepal did well to
allow cremation of the late Shamar Rinpoche to take place in Kathmandu. Bhutan,
too, responded well and in a dignified way. The Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar
Namgyel Wangchuk and members of the royal family and other dignitaries paid
their respects to the late Rinpoche’s kudung
at Paro before it was taken to Kathmandu. Among the three former Himalayan
kingdoms only Sikkim failed to do its duty. It failed to pay due respects to
the departed soul who was not only the nephew of the 16th Karmapa
but also the second seniormost Lama in the Karma Kargyu lineage. While Drukpa
Kagyu is the main branch of Tibetan Buddhism practised in Bhutan there is a
sizable following of Karma Kagyu lineage in Sikkim.
Despite Chinese
pressure not to allow the cremation to take place in Kathmandu Nepal stood its
ground and pursued an independent path on the issue.
Shamar Rinpoche
had close religious connections with Nepal and Bhutan but it is in Sikkim that
he grew up under the care of the 16th Karmapa. After the Karmapa
controversy surfaced from early 1990s Shamar Rinpoche and Situ Rinpoche, two of
the four Regents of Rumtek monastery, were not allowed to enter Sikkim. The Sikkim
Government not only failed to allow the kudung
to come to Sikkim for devotees to pay their last respects it also passed a
resolution in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly soon after Shamar Rinpoche passed
away urging the Centre to allow Ugyen Thinley Dorje, who is widely regarded as
the 17th Karmapa, to visit Rumtek monastery, the seat-in-exile of
the 16th Karmapa. These are unfortunate, distasteful and
disrespectful developments
and at times such
as deaths people should rise above petty politics and religious leanings and
display a measure of humanity. That Sikkim failed to do this reflects on the
maturity of its people and political leadership.
LETTER TO THE Editor
Heavy vehicles
should not be allowed to ply on North Sikkim Highway
Sir,
The North Sikkim
Highway (NSH) keeps on getting blocked every now and then. So the only option
to reach our destination is to take the alternative route via Pangthang,
Tintek, Samdong, Dikchu and beyond.
The July 13, 2014
issue of Sikkim Express shows a huge
35.40 ton truck being hit by a landslide along the Highway. Who has given the
permission for the truck to ply on the road? Our roads are not made to
withstand such heavy loads. In fact, we’ve had an instance where a bridge had
collapsed along Singtam-Dikchu route leading to North Sikkim.
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The December 2011 bridge collapse at Ranchang Khola
near Dikchu on Singtam-Mangan highway killed 10 people. The bridge, constructed
and maintained by Project Swastik, was inaugurated on 03 April, 2009. The
bridge collapsed when a 48-wheeler heavy trailer of the Teesta Urja company,
which is constructing the 1200 MW hydel project (Teesta III) in Chungthang,
North Sikkim, was passing through it. (Pix:Sikkim
Now)
Heavy rains and
heavy vehicles are the main cause of weakening roads along the Highway.
Precious lives are lost due to ignorance; compensation for the deceased and
wounded is not the alternative.
Can the concerned
authorities of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) give us a guarantee that
roads along North Sikkim Highway are safe? There should be an alternative route
for heavy vehicles. Please don’t put our lives in danger. Spare a thought for
people travelling day in and day out along the Highway. Think of the tourists,
too.
There should be
immediate probe on heavy vehicles plying along the North Sikkim Highway in the
interest of the people.
N. Wangdi
Mangan
North Sikkim
SIKKIMArchives
Mule trains in North Sikkim
From
this week, Sikkim Observer will
revive its ‘SIKKIM Archives’ column. Readers are requested to participate with
their valuable and rare photographs of Sikkim.
A cane bridge over Teesta River connecting Mangan with
Dzongu at Sankalang in North Sikkim. This photograph, located by Lokesh Dewan,
was taken in 1894, after Sikkim became a British Protectorate.
A mule train crossing a
wooden bridge between Mangan and Chungthang, North Sikkim, in 1938. There were
no jeepable roads between Mangan and remote areas of Lachen and Lachung, North
Sikkim, till mid-1960s. In those days mule and yak trains were common mode of
transport in these farflung areas. It used to take about 7 days to reach Lachen
from Gangtok, capital of the former kingdom of Sikkim. (Pix
courtesy: Lokesh Dewan)
China ready for fair border solution with Bhutan
Focus will be on
Chumbi Valley
Beijing,
August 1: China on Monday made a strong pitch to
improve relations with Bhutan and expressed readiness for an early and "fair"
solution to their boundary dispute, amid efforts by the new Indian government
to cement ties with Thimpu.
State Councillor Yang Jiechi, the highest
diplomat in China's hierarchy, called for a comprehensive solution to the
China-Bhutan boundary issue when he met visiting Bhutanese Foreign Minister
Rinzin Dorje.
Yang, China's pointman
to discuss boundary issues with India, said China is willing to work with
Bhutan "to reach a fair, reasonable solution that is acceptable to both
sides at an early date so as to push forward bilateral exchanges and
cooperation in various fields," state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
China and Bhutan on
Friday held the 22nd round of boundary talks in Beijing to resolve issues
surrounding disputed land, which also borders India's northeastern states of
Sikkim and Arunanchal Pradesh.
Dorje is visiting China
after last month's high-profile visit of Modi to Bhutan, the first foreign
visit by the Indian prime minister, sending a strong message to accord priority
to take ties with Thimphu to a new high, PTI
reported.
Dorje said Bhutan
attaches great importance to relations with China and is committed to solve the
boundary issue at an early date.
Foreign Minister Wang
Yi also met Dorje on Monday. He said although the two countries have not
established diplomatic ties, China has always adhered to a good-neighbour
policy towards Bhutan.
Bhutan has remained
aloof from China since 1951 after Beijing took firm control of Tibet, which
shared borders with the Himalayan Kingdom.
Relations between
Beijing and Thimphu remained traditionally strained due to border disputes.
The two countries held
22 rounds of talks to resolve the dispute. They signed an agreement promising
to "maintain peace and tranquillity on the Bhutan-China border areas,"
in 1998.
China shares
470-km-long contiguous border with Bhutan, which is also close to India's
"chicken's neck" - the narrow Siliguri Corridor which links the
northeast passage.
Any settlement of the
Bhutan-China border dispute would be significant for India as Chumbi Valley, a
vital tri-junction between Bhutan, India and China is just about 500 km from
Siliguri corridor.
Former Chinese Premier
Wen Jiabao too had made a strong pitch to establish diplomatic ties with Bhutan
when he met his Bhutanese counterpart Jigmi Y Thinley on the sidelines of a UN
conference in Brazil in 2012.
The two countries did
not follow it up.
Lachenpas complain against BRO’s road construction
work
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Chuta Chu is just behind Lachen village.
Lachen,
Aug 1: Former Lachen Pipon Cho Bandu Lachenpa has alleged that Border Roads Organisation’s
protective wall along the road at Chuta Chu in Lachen is of poor quality.
The former village headman and Chodup
Lachenpa have alleged that the BRO is using “lowest quality of sand with small
quantity of cement” for construction of the protective wall, Talk Sikkim reported.
This area, which is located about a
kilometer ahead of Lamten, the main settlement of the Lachenpas, has always
been a trouble spot since the 1970s.
The Pipon has also alleged that several
protective walls between Mangan and Lachen along the North Sikkim Highway have already collapsed. Because of this
GREF’s efforts to widen the highway has not been a success.
The Pipon has urged the concerned
authorities to probe into the matter.
Govt jobs for ‘Sikkimese’ only, Lepchas to
get 5% job reservation
Gangtok, Aug 1: Sikkim government has
added the primitive tribes to the list of reserved communities and has reserved
five per cent of government jobs for them, official sources said.
The Lepchas have been accorded
primitive tribe status in Sikkim.
After restructuring the job
reservation format, the state government has reserved five per cent of
government jobs for them, they said.
As per an order issued by the
Department of Personnel recently, the State Government has approved the new
restructuring of reservation for all the Sikkimese communities in posts and
services to be filled up by direct recruitment under the state government and
public sector undertakings.
Road accident deaths highest in Bihar and Sikkim
34% of India's
accidental deaths take place on roads
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New
Delhi, Aug 1: More people died of accidental causes
in 2013 than the previous one with men out-numbering women in all kinds of such
casualties except 'fire accidents'. The latest data from National Crime Records
Bureau (NCRB) for 2013 show that a total of 4,00,517 people died of accidental
deaths in 2013, an increase of 1.4% over the previous year.
Road accidents continue to be the major
cause of unnatural accidental deaths recording 34.3% of all deaths, followed by
'sudden deaths' (7.8%), 'drowning' (7.5%), 'poisoning' (7.3%), 'railway
accidents' (7.2%) and 'fire accidents' (5.5%).
In the last category, 65.7% of those killed
were females as compared to 34.3% males indicating the country retains its
notorious reputation of burning daughters-in-law.
The data show that the rate of deaths per
thousand vehicles has decreased from 1.4 in 2009 to 0.9 in 2013, but is highest
in Bihar and Sikkim at 1.6 (each) followed by West Bengal at 1.5.
Encouragingly, deaths due to 'road accidents' in the country have decreased by
1.2% during 2013 (1,37,423) over 2012 (1,39,091).
Tamil Nadu has reported the maximum number
of road accidents (66,238) accounting for 15% of such accidents in the country,
Uttar Pradesh has reported 701 cases (50.5%) of 'rail-road' accidents and
Maharashtra has reported 8,165 cases (26.1%) of railway accidents, according to
the data. Curiously, 63.5% of all unnatural accidental deaths in Jammu and
Kashmir are due to road accidents.
In the category of accidental deaths due to
natural causes the country recorded a total 22,759 incidents in 2013. Of this,
12.4% deaths were due to lightning, 5.3% due to 'heat stroke' and 4.2% due to
'cold and exposure'.
All deaths attributable to nature in Sikkim
were due to landslide while 94.9% of accidental deaths reported in Tamil Nadu
were due to 'lightning'.
PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW
People Have A Right To Know
The
Sikkim unit of the Congress party in its letter to the Sikkim Chief Secretary
has questioned the State Government’s decision to close down schools and
colleges in the State despite the fact
that an amicable solution was reached between the government and student
community on the fee hike issue. Sikkim
Observer makes public SPCC President AD Subba’s letter:
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| AD Subba |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To,
The Chief Secretary
Government of Sikkim
Gangtok, Sikkim
Subject:
Memorandum
Date: 28/07/2014
Sir/Madam,
As per the Circular
No.179/Dir.(HE)/HRDD issued by the Human Resource Development
Department, Government of Sikkim on 22nd of July 2014, the schools
shall be closed from 22nd of July to 30th of July 2014.
The reason given by the circular was that the conditions were not conducive to
conduct classes. Even the Private Management was advised to run their
institutions at their own risk.
We are really concerned about the futures of the students as they are
not able to attend their regular classes, so who will be responsible if these
students fail to clear their Board Examinations next year. Here the matter is
not only about clearing but scoring and performing at par with the rest of the
students across our country. Even the other level students and colleges
students’ would face problems due to non-completion of their syllabus. What was
the reason behind closing the schools and colleges when the issue was solved?
Once the concerned authority
rolled down the fees and also fulfilled the other demands which was put forth
by the college students during their demonstration, we do not find any other
reason to shut down the educational institutions for so long. And on top of
that, it was really surprising when the teachers were asked to go to their
respective schools where students were on their unknown holidays. Here the
concerned department and authorities should be made accountable for such act of
negligence.
Every parent of our State is
worried whether their students would pass their examinations this year. Why
unnecessarily the educational institutional were closed saying “it was not
conducive to conduct classes”? We have witnessed that there is total peace
and harmony in the state and if at all any social element tries to disrupt it,
action should be taken against him/her. Our children should not face such loss,
as Education is the only basis for the development of any society and country
at large. Where Government claims to have a “Quality Education System”
in our state; we are really worried whether our students will be able to even
clear their examinations.
Therefore, Sikkim Pradesh
Congress Committee(SPCC) being the political party and the major stakeholder of
Sikkim State which has been contributing since years for the development of the
State, wants to put their demands to the
highest bureaucrat/administrator of the State, i.e. the Chief Secretary, and it
follows:
1)
The
schools should not be closed further and by any means the syllabus should be
covered within the required time.
2)
The
“Quality Education” should not be just the tag line but actual work should also
be done.
3)
Strict
actions should be given for the completion of their courses and if needed extra
tutorials classes should be provided by the HRDD, Govt. of Sikkim free of cost
for the Students attaining their Higher Education as they have to come out and
would face the toughest of competition for their future course of action.
4)
The
fees that were collected by the administrative bodies of schools and colleges
should be returned to the students within the stipulated time and such time
should be given by the concerned authority.
5)
It
should be ensure that the students of Sikkim should not bear any loss in the
field of education, so be it in any worst of situation, the Schools and
Colleges should not be closed.
6)
If
any organizations or group of people tries to disturb the law and order in the
state, strictest of action should be taken against them but before that their
demands should be given heard and brought to a table negotiation so that we
would not face such turmoil in our peaceful State.
7)
And
if at all a situation arises where the whole state would be suffering, we want
the State Government to act per the situation but without hampering the lives
of common people and students. Patients should be taken care and a prior notice
should be given for such indefinite shut down so that the people of Sikkim
would prepare themselves for such havoc.
With Warm Regards
Thanking you.
Dr. A.D. Subba
President, SPCC
Gangtok, Sikkim
SIKKIM FOOTBALL CONTROVERSY
Semi-final: SFA vs FCAS
Full
text of the statement issued by the Football Club Association of
Sikkim (FCAS) on its grievances against the Sikkim Football Association (SFA).
 |
| Executive members of SFA |
We strongly
condemn the unjustified statement in the form of release given by the Sikkim
Football Association published in local newspaper on 25th July 2014.
We have never
questioned about the contribution made by Sikkim Football Association and we
had all the way long supported Sikkim Football Association. Here we also like to
mention that it is not only the Sikkim Football Association or the clubs and
players who have contributed in the growth and shaping of football in Sikkim
but the credit of achievements also goes to the Government of Sikkim and every
citizen of Sikkim. We are very much thankful to the Government of Sikkim and
the people of Sikkim for their valuable contributions towards the sports.
The call of
boycott of the leagues was a joint decision taken up by the clubs under the
banner of Football Club Association of Sikkim (FCAS) due to the non-responsive
and un-sporting attitude shown by the Sikkim Football Association towards the
clubs and the players. As it had been more than last one year since when we
have been placing our righteous demands with the Sikkim Football Association
for the welfare of the game as a whole.
But we are shocked
to see their stubborn attitude time and again instead of giving the importance
and working towards the solution they are playing blame game with the clubs and
the FCAS. As we have many times stated it very clear and loud that we are not
against any individual or association. We formed this association only due to
the lack of foresightedness and improper functioning of Sikkim Football
Association which had degraded and hampered the clubs, players and the game as
a whole in our state.
We also strongly
condemn the Sikkim Football Association for terming our association as
“unauthorized”. We also like to quest that on what capacity and terms SFA can
call any association “unauthorized”? Are they the authority in Sikkim to
authorize any association?
We request the
Sikkim Football Association to reply to the above questions.
In their release
they have also mentioned that “it is an unethical decision from an unauthorized
body without understanding the basic responsibilities of running a football
club”. We would like to ask their association, do they have the understanding
and do they know their basic responsibilities of running a football
association?
We would also like
to know from them that how many members are there in the Sikkim Football
Association, and out of them how many are the state level or national level
footballers?
We would also like
to know why they fear giving the membership to ex-players, and the clubs who in
real terms had dedicated their life for this game. This clearly indicates about
some vested interest among the Sikkim Football Association? We would also like
to ask them what honors have they made to our ex-footballers?
In their release
they have mentioned that due to us “they (players) will be deprived of
participating in various tournaments conducted by the association. In this
regard we would like to know from the Sikkim Football Association which
“various” tournaments they are talking about? Are they talking about leagues if
it is so we agree to some extent.
But we would like
to know from them what about U-12, U-14, U-19 & women’s football
tournaments and district level tournaments, which are the real pillar and
foundation for the development of the upcoming and budding players of the
state? As it is the sole duty of the Sikkim Football Association to conduct the
above said tournament, we would like to know from Sikkim Football Association
that when and where these tournaments have been conducted please?
We would also like
to know how many tournaments and coaching camps they have organised in South,
West & North districts so far?
Further, they have
mentioned that “No state team (senior, junior & sub junior) could be
selected and participate at a national championship if the state leagues are
put on halt” and “no players will be selected for the coaching camps of the
various age group national squads”.
We would like to
know from the Sikkim Football Association that “when and where are the state
team selected”? When and where the senior, junior & sub junior teams are
send to participate for the tournaments? We would also like to know when and
where such selection are done?
We would also like
to know who were the designated members of the so called selection committee.
We would also like to know when and where such coaching camps have been held.
We would also like to know whether there were any Spotter or Selection
Committee during the leagues. We would also like to know how many players had
been selected from the leagues. We would also like to know how many players
have been promoted to other big clubs in india from the league/s?
(Had there been a
Spotter or Selection Committee during the league matches we would had one of
the best teams in India and many of our players would have been playing in
bigger clubs in India or abroad. Unfortunately due to the lack of vision of
Sikkim Football Association many talents have gone unspotted and their talent
in vain, because they were not provided with a platform for promotion after the
league which is the must duty of any state association).
Further we also strongly condemn the
allegations made by the Sikkim Football Association claiming in their release
stating “response has always being very discouraging due to the interference
and intimidation by certain external elements”. We would like to know what is
their understanding in calling “external elements”? We would like to request
the Sikkim Football Association to make public the names of such external
elements?
As this is
necessary to know for us and the people of Sikkim that who are such external
elements due to which our brothers are suffering and the talents are going in
waste. As marked and claimed by the Sikkim Football Association we urge them to
publish such names as soon as possible so that we can throw out such external
elements.
We further
reiterate and request the Sikkim Football Association to recover the loans
given to their members as this money was meant for the welfare of the football
in the state and not for individual benefits of the members of SFA.
We would also like
to inform the Sikkim Football Association that the money or fund with the
Sikkim Football Association belongs to the people of Sikkim and they don’t have
any right to misuse it by any means. As mostly the fund of Sikkim Football
Association is raised by the ticketing during the tournaments and as many times
Government of Sikkim had been supporting in the form of grants to the SFA.
As there are
endless list of queries we are just putting here with only few queries which we
sought explanation from the Sikkim Football Association. We also humbly request
and suggest the Sikkim Football Association to focus on the real issues and
work towards bringing the professionalism in the football fraternity of Sikkim.
We strongly appeal
them not to make baseless allegations on others in future. We also request them
not to run away from the main and core issues and to work sincerely for the
betterment of the football in the state for which we had many times extended
our hands.
We once again
humbly request the Sikkim Football Association not to act supreme and to call
upon the meeting with the FCAS to resolve the issues and to work together in a
righteous way to promote football in real means.
We also would like
to clarify that if invited by the Sikkim Football Association the clubs will be
playing the up-coming independence cup tournament at Paljor Stadium as it is
the tournament of Government of Sikkim.
We further would
like to make it clear that the FCAS is purely formed to bring this game back to
the shape and to work together with each and every individual and association.
And we would also strongly put forward that if all the above queries put by us
is not replied within suitable time, we will be forced to take up this matter
with the competent authority. As we stand united here not to play a blame game
but to fight for the right of up-coming generation.
As we had been
raising and requesting the Sikkim Football Association many times to fulfill
our righteous demands, instead of addressing the issues they had all the way
opted to confront and blame us in public domain. Now we had also clarified our
stand in public domain. Now it is for all to know whether our demands are
justified or not.
We would also like
to inform you all that the FSCA will be conducting the football tournament in
the last week of September.
(Phurba Sherpa)
General Secretary
Football Club Association of Sikkim (FCAS)
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