HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN International Himalayan Weekly          Sept 20-26, 2014   Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

TO TIBET VIA SIKKIM

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra through Nathula

New Delhi, Sept, 19: In a major political gesture, Chinese President Xi Jinping has agreed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposal for the opening of a new route for Indian pilgrims visiting Kailash and Mansarovar in Tibet via Sikkim.

The opening of the route was sought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their first meeting in Fortaleza in Brazil in July this year. Expectations were  high that the route through Nathu La border point in East Sikkim would be part of the big gesture of friendship not only to strike chord with Modi but also the people at large, specially the Hindus and Buddhists considering its religious importance.

Modi wanted the second route for the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, keeping in view the terrain difficulties of the existing routes through Uttarakhand and Nepal which involved arduous journey involving heavy tracking or by mules.

The Yatra being organized by external affairs ministry goes through Lipu Pass, Himalayan pass connecting the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand in India with the old trading town of Taklakot in Tibet. The route was badly damaged in recent floods in Uttarakhand. Tour companies organize similar tours through Nepal which are equally tough, making it difficult for aged and not so healthy people to undertake the pilgrimage.

The journey, however, may become more comfortable through Nathu La pass, used for a limited border trade since 2006, as the pilgrims could travel by vans, bikes  and busses up to Mansorvar and Kailash directly.

Officials say the opening of the post will not affect the nature of the border dispute as the clause states that it is subject to the overall agreement of the boundary and would be specified in any new MOU.

The issue figured in the talks on Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs held here in April this year.

The new route, though longer, takes pilgrims from Nathu La to Shigatse also known as Xigaze, the second biggest city in Tibet after provincial Capital Lhasa by road. From there the pilgrims could comfortably travel to Mansarovar and Kailash using well laid out highway.

Modi and Xi on Thursday agreed to quickly resolve the border dispute and demarcate the Line of Actual Control to improve peace and cooperation between both countries.

Addressing the media after the conclusion of one-on-one meeting with visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping, Modi said India is concerned about the frequent incursions along the border. The Line of Actual Control should be demarcated soon to ensure peace and tranquility in the area, he said.

President Xi, in response, said that China will work to settle the border issue at the earliest date. Since the border is not demarcated there will be some incidents, but both countries are capable of settling it at various levels without causing a bigger impact, he said.

Both sides pledged to improve people-to-people contacts and cultural ties. The year 2015 will be celebrated as a 'Visit India' year in China and 2016 will be celebrated as 'Visit China' year in India.

Nepal leader demanding ‘Independent Madhesh’ arrested

Kathmandu, Sept 19: A prominent activist from Nepal’s Madhesh region who is seeking inclusion of the right to secede in the country’s new constitution has been arrested for anti-national activities.

Dr CK Raut, a PhD from University of Cambridge and a former employee of Raytheon, a US defense contractor, was arrested on Saturday evening in Morang district in eastern Nepal while returning home from a public rally.

“He has been charged with public offence. Investigations are on and more charges could be pressed later if any involvement in anti-national activities is confirmed,” said Nepal Police spokesperson TP Lamsal.

Both the activist and his associate Satyanarayan Mandal who were arrested together were produced in a district court on Sunday and remanded to police custody for six days.

Raut, who returned from US to Nepal in 2011, is the central coordinator of Alliance for Independent Madhesh, which is seeking establishment of an independent and sovereign Madhesh, the plain region in southern Nepal.

His arrest has already created a stir in Nepal with rights activists within the country and abroad terming it extra-judicial and an attack on freedom of speech and expression.

Madhesh, which borders India, comprise nearly half of Nepal’s total population of 27 million. There has been uprisings in past in the region demanding more inclusion and equality for people from the region.

With the country drafting a new constitution the demand has gained more momentum with Madheshi parties seeking inclusion of provisions that guarantee equal rights to Madheshis and ensure development of the region.

Chinese Prez more open-minded, realistic: Dalai Lama

‘Build Sino-Indian relations on the basis of mutual trust’

Dharamsala, Sept 19: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday appreciated Chinese President Xi Jinping as being open-minded and realistic, while expressing hope that he can take the India-China bilateral relations forward.

Speaking to reporters at a time when the Chinese head of state is in New Delhi to take the ties forward, the Dalai Lama however stressed that it is important to build Sino-Indian relations on the basis of mutual trust.

“Xi Jinping's thinking is more realistic and more open-minded, so he can learn more from India,” the Tibetan leader noted, ZeeNews reported.

"I think the Chinese President should learn some of India's experience. Look, east India, south India, west India, north India, different language, different script. But no danger of separation. Isn't it? Democratic rule, rule of law and free media..." he said.

Reacting to Tibetans' protest in Delhi against the visiting Chinese President, the Dalai Lama stressed, "Actually the Tibetan problem (is) also (a) problem of India. Before 1950, you see the whole northern border, really peaceful, no single soldier. So India's problem."

The Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in northern India, however, added that “understanding comes through talks”.

"So sooner or later you have to solve these problems, not by force but by understanding and talk. Understanding comes through talk, only through personal contact."

NATHULA PASS

Historic Route, Historic Move

Throughout Sikkim’s history the Nathula Pass in East Sikkim has played a historic role in the region. It was through this route that the ancestors of Sikkim’s Namgyal Dynasty came to Sikkim in the 13^th century and formed the kingdom. After the British Raj in India became a Protectorate of the former kingdom in 1890 Indo-Tibet trade began through this route. In the early 1990s the British expedition under Colonel Francis Younghusband laid siege on Lhasa using the Nathula route, leading to the establishment of trading posts in Tibet near Chumbi Valley. The Dalai Lama and Jawaharlal Nehru used this route to enter Sikkim or travel to Bhutan through Sikkim.

After the 1962 Indo-China war the Nathula Pass was sealed and it reopened only in 2006 when India and China resumed the traditional border trade. Significantly, 2006 was declared as the year of Sino-Indian friendship. Though resumption of border trade at Nathula has not been too successful the opening of this route for Indian pilgrims to travel to Kailash and Manasarovar in western Tibet is perhaps a major historic event in the region since the China’s takeover of Tibet in 1959 and India’s annexation of Sikkim in 1975. Hopefully, the historic move to open Sikkim’s frontier with Tibet will go a long way in strengthening Indo-China friendship. In the process Sikkim and Tibet should benefit the most in every respect.

Editorial

NATHULA PASS

Historic Route, Historic Move

Throughout Sikkim’s history the Nathula Pass in East Sikkim has played a historic role in the region. It was through this route that the ancestors of Sikkim’s Namgyal Dynasty came to Sikkim in the 13^th century and formed the kingdom. After the British Raj in India became a Protectorate of the former kingdom in 1890 Indo-Tibet trade began through this route. In the early 1990s the British expedition under Colonel Francis Younghusband laid siege on Lhasa using the Nathula route, leading to the establishment of trading posts in Tibet near Chumbi Valley. The Dalai Lama and Jawaharlal Nehru used this route to enter Sikkim or travel to Bhutan through Sikkim.

After the 1962 Indo-China war the Nathula Pass was sealed and it reopened only in 2006 when India and China resumed the traditional border trade. Significantly, 2006 was declared as the year of Sino-Indian friendship. Though resumption of border trade at Nathula has not been too successful the opening of this route for Indian pilgrims to travel to Kailash and Manasarovar in western Tibet is perhaps a major historic event in the region since the China’s takeover of Tibet in 1959 and India’s annexation of Sikkim in 1975. Hopefully, the historic move to open Sikkim’s frontier with Tibet will go a long way in strengthening Indo-China friendship. In the process Sikkim and Tibet should benefit the most in every respect.

RN Chamling wins Sikkim Assembly seat as independent

Losers are SDF & BJP-SKM alliance

Gangtok, Sept 19: Independent candidate RN Chamling won Rangang-Yangang assembly seat by 708 votes defeating his nearest Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) nominee Kumari Mangar in Sikkim.

While chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling's younger brother RN Chamling, who fought the seat as an independent candidate polled 4,788 votes, Kumari Mangar of the ruling SDF got 4,080 votes.

BJP's Bikash Basnett came third with 351 votes.  BJP allied with Sikkim Krantikari Morch (SKM) for the polls. Basnet was SKM’s  Assembly candidate for the same seat in the recent Assembly polls. Bishnu Prasad Adhikari of Congress finished last with only 28 votes, less than 46 votes cast under NOTA.

The byelection was necessitated following relinquishing of the seat by the chief minister as he retained Namchi-Singithang constituency which he had also won in the last assembly elections.

With RN Chamling's win, SDF is down to 21 MLAs in the Assembly. Opposition bench increases to 11.

“This is not my victory but the victory of the people. In a democracy, such things should happen where an independent manages to win an election. This was not happening in Sikkim for a long time. I will work with the entire Rangang-Yangang people for the development of the constituency,” said RN Chamling after the results were out.

Gorkhaland movement has moved to Delhi

Darjeeling, Sept 19: The movement for creation of Gorkhaland has moved from Darjeeling hills to New Delhi. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha which is spearheading the demand for a new State has begun demonstrations in New Delhi since yesterday.

"The movement will begin with a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on 18th to 19th December. To be followed by a public meeting at Talkotra Stadium on 20th," said Bimal Gurung, GJM President .

Every board members of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, the autonomous administrative body of Darjeeling have been instructed to volunteer two months’ salary for the movement.

Party members have been asked to be present in Delhi for the rallies.

Darjeeling’s Makaibari tea most expensive in country

Darjeeling, Sept 19: After being sold at a record price of $1,850 (around R1.12 lakh) per kg, Darjeeling’s Makaibari tea estate has become one of the most expensive tea producers in India.

“It is a matter of great pleasure and pride that Indian Tea, Makaibari, has booked orders at a record price of $1,850 per kg. That the orders have come from Japan, the UK and the US is also noteworthy,” Tea Board chairman Siddharth said.

He said at a time when the Tea Board and the tea industry are grappling with the issues of value addition and brand building, this news has come as a shot in the arm, PTI reported.

“Makaibari has been an iconic tea garden and we are very pleased to note that even after its ownership has recently changed hands, the high standard of its quality and recognition has grown further,” Siddharth said.

Raja Banerjee: King of Makaibari tea estate

Darjeeling Tea Association secretary Kaushik Basu said this is the highest ever price he has ever heard of for Indian tea. “But this is a one off case. We have heard that it was a small sale of around 5 kg. I don't think it was a commercial sale or auction. It may have been sold on charity,” he told PTI.

Located in Kurseong, Makaibari is the ancestral property of Raja Banerjee who had recently sold off 90% of his stake to Luxmi group.

Assam DGP commits suicide after CBI raids

Guwahati, Sept 19: Former Assam Director General of Police Shankar Barua, quizzed recently by CBI in connection with Saradha scam, allegedly shot himself dead at his residence on Wednesday (September 17).

Guwahati Senior Superintendent of Police A P Tiwari told PTI that Barua was rushed to a local nursing home at around 12 noon and was declared dead there.

"Barua is no more. We are investigating. We cannot say anything now. Only after the investigation we can talk about details," Tiwari said. Barua's body has been sent for post-marten. He was admitted to another hospital last week after he complained of heart problems and was released from there this morning.

"He came home and within half an hour he went to the terrace and shot himself with a pistol. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital by family members,'' a close family member said. Barua's name got linked with the scam after an employee of Saradha's media house here alleged last year that he had provided 'protection' to them in Assam which was arranged by popular Assamese singer and filmmaker Sadananda Gogoi on behalf of the group.

Gogoi was taken to Kolkata by CBI for further questioning and was subsequently arrested on September 12. CBI had conducted raids on 12 premises on August 28 in connection with the multi crore rupees ponzi scheme scam. The raids were carried out at the residences of two former Assam ministers, including that of former health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Barua and Gogoi, among others.

Glimpses of the HIMALAYA

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology holds three-day Buddhist Festival

The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has been promoting Buddhism in a big way, and this week’s 3-day Boudh Mahotsav Buddhist Festival at the world-renowned Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT) in Gangtok  is part of its concerted efforts to promote Buddhism in the same land where the Buddha himself once preached and in the former Buddhist Kingdom of Sikkim.

It is, therefore,  fitting that the Buddhist Festival is being held at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology that has, for over half a century, worked tirelessly to preserve, document and disseminate the knowledge of all the four Sects and Schools of Buddhism, as well as Bon. The Institute is today a centre for excellence in Buddhist studies in North East India.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Gangtok (Pix: Sonam Deki)

    Inaugurated by Cultural Affairs Minister GM Gurung on September 16, , some of the events being showcased at the Buddhist Festival were : Lama chanting, Cham dance, Sand mandala, Butter sculpture, Thangka painting, and promotion of Sowa Rigpa, the Ancient Tibetan Science of Healing.

The Black Hat Lama Dance (shanag) performed during the Festival dates back to 841 AD when Tibet was ruled by its 43^rd King Langdharma, who was destroying Buddhism in Tibet. During the course of the dance Lhalung Palghi Dorji assassinated the King using a bow and arrow. The Black Hat dance, therefore, symbolises the subjugation of evil and negative forces.

Participation of folk dance troupes from seven states of the country, mainly from the Himalayan region, were an added attraction for the Festival.

The showpiece of the Buddhist Festival  has remained  the NIT Museum which has a substantial collection of rare Buddhist artifacts. There  was also a free Medical Camp where the Sowa Rigpa team from the Central University of Tibetan Studies, Saranath, Varanasi will see up to a maximum of 60 patients in a day and provide free consultation and medicines for a month.

 On the second day of the Festival Governor Shriniwas Patil witnessed colourful cultural programme showcasing folk dances from Arunachal Pradesh named as Aji Lhamu, Ghasayari from Uttarakhand, Kinnauri Nati from Himachal Pradesh, Sangrai Mog from Tripura, Ghusari Dance from Andhra Pradesh and Singhi Dance from Sikkim on the occasion.

Since its establishment in 1958, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology has sponsored and promoted research on the religion, history, language, art and culture of the people of the Tibetan cultural area which includes Sikkim. The NIT library holds one of the largest collections of Tibetan works in the world outside Tibet and a museum of Tibetan iconography and religious art.

The site on which the institute was established was donated by the late Chogyal (king) of Sikkim Sir Tashi Namgyal. The foundation stone of the institute was laid by the 14th Dalai Lama on the 10th of February 1957 and the Institute was declared open by the late Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on the 1st of October 1958. The institute’s main building is an imposing monument and a splendid example of Sikkimese architecture.

In 2002, the NIT's new director, Tashi Densapa,  a retired Secretary of the Sikkim Government, undertook to expand the Institute, restructure its research wing and open its doors to international collaboration. This is being done through the creation of new research and fellowship programs, the holding of lecture series, seminars and international conferences, the publication of the Bulletin of Tibetology, monographs and conference proceedings, and through collaboration with foreign scholars.

The Institute has now become a dynamic research centre in the Eastern Himalayas actively promoting Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, including its sub-field of Sikkim Studies.

ENVIRONMENT

Give the public a role in ‘Clean Ganga’ project, says Rajendra Pachauri

Rajendra Pachauri

India’s holiest river is due for a clean-up, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking personal responsibility for restoring the Ganga and ridding the 2,500 km long river of industrial effluents and untreated sewage.

Uma Bharti, Modi’s minister for water resources and Ganges rejuvenation, has said the river would be clean in three years. Earlier this month, India’s Supreme Court asked the government for a roadmap on the project so that the court could monitor it.

Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), spoke to Reuters on the Ganga project, the need for transparency and how the public could help.

Excerpts from the interview:

Reuters: A lot of government money has been spent since 1986 on cleaning the Ganga and the new government has created a separate ministry for it. Where do you think we have fallen short?

Rajendra Pachauri: Frankly, this is symptomatic of many other programmes where government money has been spent on a large scale, without commensurate results. Government cannot implement this as an activity which is going to be totally under government control. If you look at the sources of pollution, they come from a whole range of activities. Even if you have sewage treatment plants, they are not functioning. Another major problem is the community is not really being involved. I personally think it will work if you make it a movement involving all the stakeholders. Central government can be releasing money, but where is the assurance that the money is utilized properly for the right purposes? What you really need is the mobilization of all the stakeholders.

Q: The project is also largely in the hands of bureaucracy – there is hardly any public involvement.

A: I won’t minimize the role of bureaucracy, but what you would like to see is an enhanced role of the public and other stakeholders, for they have not actually been brought into the efforts to clean the Ganga. They have to feel part of it, they have to feel responsible for achieving results. You can set up citizen bodies in the habitations you have along the river.

Q: How can we ensure the big industrial houses fall in line?

A: Of course, you need transparency. If somebody, no matter how big the unit is, violates rules, that should be highlighted, that should be monitored and made known to everybody.

Q: The new government has said it would develop the river for tourism, transportation, fisheries and power generation. Are cleanliness efforts driven more by commercial interests than ecological concerns?

A: I agree, but let me give you an example. You look at the river in Paris. Everybody wants to walk around that river. You have restaurants and other attractions, places where people want to go to. By this, these people themselves become stakeholders in keeping the river healthy. You are actually enhancing the value of cleanliness by giving people an opportunity to benefit from the cleanliness.

Q: There are mixed opinions on whether the exploitation of natural resources, development of industries and urbanization has upset the ecological balance.

A: You need to create a balance. See what happened in Pune [referring to a recent landslide]. You cut down the trees on a slope and start living. Now when there is rainfall, obviously you are going to have mudslides. In Uttarakhand, you allowed construction in the flood plain of the river at that height. You have eight-storey buildings, which is absolutely ridiculous in a hill location like that. In Punjab also, water has been chemically polluted to such an extent that it is leading to high incidents of cancer.    

   How are we enhancing the welfare of human society by creating this kind of damage? I don’t say you don’t have to increase the output of goods and services, for we are a poor society and there are people who are still deprived, but why can’t we do it in a way that is environment friendly. That’s the whole purpose of the legislation we have.

Q: How do we strike this balance?

A: I think we need a system by which we carry out evaluation of the environment impact. This also requires changes in our institutions. At the stage of design of a particular project, you need to take into account all the environmental implications and try to redress them in the design of the project itself. What is even more important is a proper follow-up. You see, often you have a project where you have given a clearance, which requires certain actions to be taken. Is there any monitoring of those actions? No. Once the project has got cleared, then the people are at freedom to implement it the way they want. There is absolutely no oversight of how the project is implemented.