HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN     Oct 18-24, 2014

Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

Don't threaten us, India tells China on Arunachal

Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir integral parts of India: Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi, Oct 17: Nobody should "threaten or warn India," said Home Minister Rajnath Singh after China objected to reported plans by India to build a 2,000-km long road along the border in Arunachal Pradesh.

"India has grown in strength. Both sides should resolve the border issue through dialogue," said the Home Minister yesterday.  Reacting to reports of the new road, China asked Delhi on Wednesday not to "further complicate" the dispute over the border.

"China has already spread their network of roads and rail network near the border. Whatever we make on our territory should not be a concern of China," said an unnamed official in the Home Ministry's border management department to news agency Reuters.

He was quoted as saying that the ministry was seeking cabinet approval for the road in Arunachal Pradesh and had preliminary support from the Prime Minister's Office.

"Before the border problem is solved, we hope the Indian side will not take any action that could further complicate the relevant issue, so as to preserve the current situation of peace and stability in the border area," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.

In September, the government eased environmental and other curbs on building roads and military facilities within 100 km of the border in Arunachal Pradesh to hasten the construction of some 6,000 km of roads.

India is concerned about China's development of airports and extensive road and railway networks in Tibet, which can give Beijing the ability to mobilize troops quickly along the border.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir are "integral and inalienable" parts of India and this has been clearly conveyed to China.

"The fact that Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir are integral and inalienable parts of India has been clearly conveyed to the Chinese side on several occasions, including at the highest level," Swaraj said in a letter to Congress MP Mullappally Ramachandran, who had voiced his concern over distribution of controversial maps by China to its military. The map showed Arunachal as part of China.

"China disputes the international boundary between India and China. In the eastern sector, China claims approximately 90,000 sq kms of Indian territory in the state of Arunachal Pradesh," Swaraj told Ramachandran in the letter.

PM Modi meets top military officers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with air force chief Arup Raha, navy chief DK Joshi,defense minister Arun Jaitley, and army chief Dalbir Singh Suhag, before attending the Combined Commanders Conference in New Delhi on Friday. (Pix:AP)

New Delhi, Oct 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met top military officers at the defence ministry War Room here on Friday, at a time when tension continues along the border with both China and Pakistan.

The Combined Commanders' Conference is the first meeting of the Prime Minister with all top commanders, including the three service chiefs, IANS reported.

The service chiefs are expected to give elaborate presentations to the PM on the security scenario.

Top sources in the defence ministry said the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir and transgressions by China in the northeast will be in the focus during the conference.

Other issues like prepardeness of the forces and threat perceptions will also be discussed.

Burma media body oppose ban on Hakha Post

Yangon, Oct 17: The Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) has expressed serious concern over the ban on a local newspaper by the province government of Chin in western Burma (Myanmar) and urged the Union government in Naypyidaw to allow the regular publication of the Hakha Post Newspaper.

Burma News International (BNI), an umbrella body of various progressive Burmese media outlets, said in a recent statement that the authorities had decided to ban the regional biweekly Hakha Post, which was published from the capital of Chin province, which is adjacent to India’s Manipur and Mizoram States, Asian Correspondent reported.

“BNI has learnt that since 29th September the Chin State government has temporarily forbidden publication of the Chin (Lai) language newspaper the Hakha Post Newspaper,” said the statement adding that the  district authority called the editor of Hakha Post and informed him about the decision of Chin government (read State’s chief minister Hung Ngai).

The Hakha Post is one of over 20 local newspapers with limited circulations in the capital Hakha and the surrounding areas of the underdeveloped province of Burma. Sparsely settled, the mountainous province has a population of around half a million, most of them are Christian Chin ethnic nationals.

According to the Chin government the newspaper would not be allowed to publish until it obtains a legal publishing permit. BNI, while showing faith in the transition of Burma from a military dictatorship to a multiparty democracy, urged the highest authorities "to allow full access to journalists and give them freedoms and rights".

"There has been a lack of news reporting for many years, especially from ethnic regions. The government has a responsibility to ensure ethnic people receive news and information. Moreover the government must stop this sort of ban on free speech and ensure everyone has proper access to news", added the BNI statement.

Supporting the BNI initiative, the northeast India based media people’s forum  JFA also appealed to the Burma President Thein Sein to look into the matter asking the Chin government to withdraw the ban on the newspaper immediately.

“Banning a regional newspaper will not serve any purpose to the Burmese authorities except spreading a negative impression about the regime and the nation as a whole,” said a JFA statement issued by its president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria.

The JFA, which has been consistently supporting the progressive media activists of Burma, also appealed to the pro-democracy Burmese icon Aung San Suu Kyi to take personal initiative to resolve the matter.

The forum strongly argued that if the Southeast Asian nation has truly adopted democracy the people in power there must stop their unwelcome opposition to the media.

Bhutan King  & Queen visit Varanasi

Varanasi, Oct 17: Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck along with his wife Jetsun Pema offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple and attended the famous Ganga aarti Dashashwamedh ghat, an official said in Varanasi.

The Bhutan royal also visited Sarnath, an important pilgrimage destination for Buddhists.

Autumn reunion for Hermonites in Thimphu

Thimphu, Oct 17: The Hermonites, alumni of Darjeeling’s Mt. Hermon School, from all over India, Nepal, Netherlands, Thailand and Australia arrived here last week for a three-day reunion during which they visited Paro and Punakha.

Members of the Bhutan Hermonites Association led by Home Secretary Tshering Dorji and Sonam Gyaltsen (Taki) organised the reunion. Dheera Sujan, who came all the way from the Netherlands, says she had a wonderful time and wants to come back again.

The reunion was followed by two reunions of the Hermonites in Gangtok and Kathmandu in Sept-Oct. While the 1969 batch of Hermonites are expected to meet in Darjeeling early next month the Kalimpong Hermonites are expected to celebrate the 5^th anniversary of their alumni body on Oct 31.

Calcutta Hermonites are coming in a big way to their alma mater in December. They have big plans for the school’s rejuvenation. This is likely to be followed up by the formation of the North East Hermonite Association (NEHA) in Imphal in January, 2015.

Bhutan royals grace Lawrence School celebrations

“This place is special to me as I met the queen for the first time here”

Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck gives awards to students during Founder’s Day celebration of Lawrence School at Sanawar on October 4. (Left)

Shimla, Oct 17: The three-day 167th Founder’s Day Celebrations of the Lawrence School Sanawar, founded in 1847, concluded on October 4 with the ceremony of trooping the school flag and an NCC Parade by the students. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the King of Bhutan and his wife Jetsun Pema who is an alumnus of the school were the chief guests on the occasion.

Lt General KJ Singh, GOC-in-C Western Command and his wife Anita Singh were the guests of honour.

Expressing gratitude and addressing the students, the King shared his moment of joy to visit his queen’s school. “This place is special to me as this is here, where I met the queen for the first time. I am thankful to this school for giving her a wonderful education,” aid Jigme Khesar.

He further added, “I am happy to be here in the school, it is an extraordinary establishment. Many Bhutanese students come to Indian Institutes to take quality education, only to return with economic development. India has contributed a lot by promoting education in Bhutan. It is a bedrock of the Indo-Bhutanese friendship.”

Lawrence School, Sanawar, Himachal Pradesh (Left)

Not only this, but the King also urged the students to safeguard their culture and spiritual heritage. “We must learn about the world we live in, we must invest the best in medicine and technology. But it is equally imperative to protect our values and cultural heritage,” he added.

The school headmaster Praveen Vasisht read out the school annual report which included the achievements of the school in the allied fields of academics, sports, cultural and extra-curricular activities. Besides healthy exchange programmes, the school also made its presence felt in Round Square activities and community service. The chief guest felicitated the staff and the students on the occasion and later took a round of the school with his wife, who had passed out from school in 2008.

As the old batch mates shared their cherished experiences and fond memories of school, celebrities like Pooja Bedi, former Bollywood actress and television talk show host along with Omar Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir representing the batch of 1989 were also present during the occasion. All the old Sanawarians, at the end planted saplings near the chapel in the memory of their departed batch mates.

Himachal apple growers doing good business

State’s revenue from apples is over Rs 3,500 cr per annum

Shimla, Oct 17: Apple growers in Himachal Pradesh have all the reasons to celebrate as apple business in the State has gone up by Rs. 1,000 crore this year, despite low production.

The local markets in Narkanda, Shimla, Dhali, Solan and Parwanoo in the State are particularly doing well, as the revenue generated has shot up to Rs. 4,500 crore from Rs. 3,500 crore last year.

Despite low apple production this year, the apple growers have no reason to complain due to the flourishing business. On an average, one box of apples costs about Rs. 1,000 but this year the price has been varying from Rs. 1,000 to 2,200 per box, ANI  reported.

"The economy of thousands of people here depends on the apple business, which generates over Rs 3,500 crore revenue for the people in the State. This year, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed a good apple business, adding more to the economy of the state," said trader Ram Mohan.

The growth in apple business is benefiting the state each year. We have done a good business, although, there has been a comparatively low production. However, farmers have grown apples of different varieties such as Royal Delicious, Golden, and Grimy this year," said Mohinder Satan, vice chairman Himachal Pradesh APMC Fruit Market in Shimla.

Editorial

‘LOOK EAST’

Settle Issues First

India’s ‘Look East’ and South East Asia’s ‘Look West’ policy for economic rejuvenation of the region cannot fully be achieved if the problems and prospects of the tribals of the region, who have long been ignored by the mainstream, continue to be ignored. Between the corrupt politicians/bureaucrats and gun-wielding insurgent groups in this region the ordinary people, by and large, face a bleak future. This must come to an end fast.

Democracy is yet to fully return to Burma but New Delhi, even under the new dispensation, has failed to take the initiative in the Northeast. Did Prime Minister Narendra Modi consult the stakeholders in Sikkim when he and Chinese President Xi Jinping decided to open the Nathula route for pilgrims? Security ultimately depends on the trust and confidence of the people, not merely acquisition of territory as is the case in Sikkim. Much is also at stake in Nagaland where the Naga issue still remains unresolved even when the people, including the NSCM (IM) and the State Government, are keen on further talks to resolve the issue. Look within before you look anywhere – East or West – and solve the pending issues at an early date.

Informal talks on for Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet

The Dalai Lama (centre) shares a moment with Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi (right) as fellow laureate Jody Williams looks on.

The Dalai Lama has said informal talks are continuing with the Chinese about a possible return to his homeland of Tibet, if only for a visit, and he has cautiously praised Chinese President Xi Jinping as a realist.

The Dalai Lama, 79, sat down for a brief interview in his temple in the north Indian town of Dharamsala before a celebration of the 25th anniversary of his Nobel peace prize, after a month of media speculation of a thaw between the exiled leader and the Chinese government.

The two sides have sparred for years over the future of Tibet. The Dalai Lama argues for autonomy for the Himalayan region he fled in 1959, while the Chinese accuse him of being a separatist. Just this week, another gathering of Nobel winners was cancelled in South Africa after that country wouldn't give the Dalai Lama a visa, reportedly under pressure from China.

Meanwhile, the Chinese have continued to increase their control over the Tibetan region, with a new railway line opening last month that will give greater access to its rich natural resources. Foreign travel is still greatly restricted. And more than 130 people have self-immolated to protest the Dalai Lama's exile, and call for freedom for Tibet, since 2009, including two during Mr Xi's recent visit to New Delhi.

Despite the recent tensions, speculation about improved relations between China and the Dalai Lama have been fuelled by remarks given by a Chinese Communist Party undersecretary who said discussions on the spiritual leader's return to his homeland were underway. In September, a popular Chinese website briefly displayed an article that said the Dalai Lama might return for a visit to a Buddhist shrine and meet party leaders.

The Dalai Lama also contributed to the media hubbub, praising Mr Xi as more "realistic" and "open-minded" than his predecessors while Mr Xi was on a high-profile trip to India in September. On Thursday, the Dalai Lama again praised Mr Xi for having "courageously tackled" the problem of government corruption. But he voiced concern over China's imprisonment of dissidents.

"The thing to say is that he's approached these problems more realistically," than other leaders in the past, the Dalai Lama said of Mr Xi. The Chinese leader's past praise of the Buddhist faith has also given the Dalai Lama hope they could find common ground.

"This is something new for a Communist Party leader to say something about spirituality," the Dalai Lama noted. "We'll see. I have some optimistic views. Still too early to say."

Some Tibet experts have scoffed at reports about an improvement in the relationship between China and the Dalai Lama, noting that China's strategy has long been to wait until the Dalai Lama dies to resolve the Tibet issue - as well as that of the holy man's successor. The Dalai Lama has said that his successor should be chosen by the Tibetan people, a desire which, if not honoured by the Chinese government, could result in widespread unrest.

The Dalai Lama and Tibet's government-in-exile launched a high-profile campaign in June to promote his "Middle Way Approach", which advocates for greater autonomy for Tibet but not complete independence. But finding complete support in the fractious Tibetan community around the hilly Indian town of Dharamsala has been difficult, according to Lobsang Sangay, the prime minister of Tibet's government in exile. Most younger activists from the Tibetan Youth Congress and others continue to call for independence for Tibet. (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Arunachal to provide inner line permit for Rajdhani passengers

Itanagar, Oct 17:  Arunachal Pradesh is planning to provide ILP (inner line permit) on arrival of the Rajdhani passengers and have proper online ILP service.

Clarifying the 'misunderstanding' on ILP issue for the Rajdhani passengers, state Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi in a statement said, "What we intend is to have proper online ILP service and provide on-arrival ILP, just like on-arrival visa facility.

The CS further said that persons having valid Rajdhani train ticket and proper proof of Indian domicile will be able to avail such facilities. Arunachal Pradesh is planning to provide ILP on arrival of the Rajdhani passengers and have proper online ILP service. Tourism Secretary Joram Beda is working out details in this regard, he added.

The Indian Railways is contemplating to introduce Rajdhani Express service between New Delhi and Naharlagun from November next.

SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday Oct 11-17, 2014

Blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

Sang offering to Sikkim’s Guardian Deities during the recent annual Pang Lhabsol celebrations at the Tsuklakhang Monastery, Gangtok.

Modi unlikely to meet NSCN-IM leaders

New Delhi, Oct 10: In what may not go down well with the NSCN-IM leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to meet the Naga leaders and instead the Home Ministry has been told that negotiations will take place only at the level of the Central interlocutor RN Ravi, highly placed sources said.

The move by the Modi Government may come as a surprise because the NSCN leaders have as a convention, called on the Prime Ministers in the past.

NSCN-IM top leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Th Muivah have sent feelers several times for a meeting with Modi, The Sangai Express and Assam Tribune reported. However, there has been no response from the Government to these feelers.

The two NSCN-IM leaders were politely informed that they should hold talks with the Government of India's interlocutor RN Ravi, who is also the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC).

In the past NSCN-IM leaders had met former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, HD Deve Gowda, IK Gujral and Dr Manmohan Singh.

The meetings resulted partly because the NSCN-IM leaders insisted that they would hold peace talks only at the 'highest level'.

Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah. (left)

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh continued with the convention by meeting the NSCN-IM chairman and general secretary at the start of both his tenures.

In an apparent reflection of the current NDA government's more hard-line stand on all security issues, there has been no decision so far on a meeting between the two NSCN-IM leaders and the Prime Minister.

"There is an interlocutor in place and he is perfectly capable of handling the talks," a source said.

An NSCN-IM delegation led by Swu and Muivah held a preliminary meeting with Ravi, a former Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau, on September 30.Since the meeting, other members of the NSCN-IM team have returned to Nagaland, while Swu and Muivah have stayed on in the capital.

It was not immediately clear when formal talks between the NSCN-IM and the NDA government would get under way.

Decade-old road projects on Indo-China border to be prioritized

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers patrol over a footbridge built over a stream near the Line of Control (LoC), a ceasefire line dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan, at Sabjiyan sector of Poonch district, August 8, 2013.

New Delhi, Oct 10: With few roads in high-altitude areas, patrolling is difficult and the border has become vulnerable to Chinese incursions.With few roads in high-altitude areas, patrolling is difficult and the border has become vulnerable to Chinese incursions.The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is pushing for the speedy construction of roads along the border with China, that have been pending for nearly a decade, in the wake of the recent incursions by Chinese troops in the Ladakh region.

With few roads in high altitude areas, patrolling is difficult and the border has become vulnerable to Chinese incursions over the past few years. The home ministry's project for erecting 27 roads for the movement of troops from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which guards the frontier with China, has been a non-starter as only three roads have been built so far, India Today reported.

The roads are to be constructed along the border in Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh. The plan envisages the construction of 804 km of roads and the project will cost an estimated Rs.1,937 crore.

"The Chinese forces have roads right up to their border outposts and our forces have to trek for days in some areas," said a home ministry official.

The project for constructing these roads was stuck because the Environment Ministry had not given green clearances, but now the NDA government wants to expedite the work and the required clearances have been obtained, officials said.

The project began in 2004 but not much work has been done so far. The Environment Ministry was reluctant to give environment clearances and the home ministry was unable to engage contractors.

"As of now, even the first phase of construction is not over. The project was divided into three to four phases. We are hoping after the recent stand-offs and the government claiming to be bold against China, the road construction will speed up," said an officer in the security establishment.

"Since there are no roads, our forces have to walk to border outposts. All the patrolling has to be done on foot, making the border vulnerable to incursions," the officer added.

Sources said there is also a need for dedicated air support for the ITBP to facilitate quicker movement of troops and for transporting rations and other materials.

The Home Ministry wants the Finance Ministry to also clear a proposal for building 54 new border outposts along the border. An in-principle approval was given to the plan by the previous UPA government just before the elections in April but no sanctions have been made so far.

HERMONITES FELICITATE GANGTOK MLA

Pays homage to MM Rasaily: ‘He was a patriot’

Gangtok, Oct 10: Gangtok MLA Pintso Chopel Lepcha, an alumnus of Mt. Hermon School (Darjeeling), was felicitated by the Hermonites on October 1, four months after he was elected to the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

Chopel, along with 9 others, represents the opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) in the Assembly. He represents the prestigious Gangtok constituency.

Ever since 1979 Hermonites have always been elected to the Sikkim Assembly: Athup Lepcha, OT Bhutia and NK Pradhan. They all became ministers. During the get-together the Hermonites expressed the hope that Chopel, too, will make it to the Council of Ministers some day.

The Hermonites also observed 2-minute silence in memory of Sikkimese Hermonite MM Rasaily, who passed away last month at the age of 89.

"Mr. Rasaily was a Sikkimese nationalist and a patriot. He stood for Sikkim during its darkest hour. We are happy and proud that he was a Hermonite," said Jigme N Kazi, journalist and author.

Visiting Hermonites Varongthip Lulitanond (Thailand) and Ravi Agarwal (Siliguri) also offered khadas to Chopel during the dinner get-together.

Sikkim Hermonite Association (SHA) President Karma Bhutia, retired chief engineer Uttam Pradhan, senior lawyer Udai P. Sharma and senior State Bank of India manager Thentok Lachungpa were among those who felicitated Gangtok legislator.

IHM’s Kunga Chukie gets State award for “Excellence”

Gangtok, Oct 10: Sikkim Institute of Hotel Management (IHM)’s final year student Kunga Chukie Namgyal Kazi was awarded the "Award of Excellence" for "Best Performing Student" for the year 2013-14 by the Sikkim Government's Tourism & Civil Aviation Department.

She received the award from the Sikkim Legislative Assembly Speaker KN Rai on the occasion of World Tourism Day (Sept 26, 2014) at a function held here at Mayfair. Ministers, ex-ministers, secretaries etc. were among those who were present at the function.

It may be mentioned that Kunga Chukie and her college friend Lhaden Wangmu Bhutia (Gensapa) in August this year bagged the first prize in the national culinary competition organised by the Spices Board and International Pepper Community in Kovalam, Kerala.

The two 3rd year students from IHM (Sikkim) lifted the prize comprising Rs 50,000, a trophy and certificate at the "Pepp It Up 2014" competition that attracted teams from 20 hotel management institutions across the country.

On this happy occasion, Kunga Chukie’s parents expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Tourism Department for the award and to the staff and students of IHM and also to the students and teachers of Tashi Namgyal Academy (TNA), Gangtok, where Kunga studied. “All of you have contributed to this success,” a message by the parents in Facebook said.

PEOPLE&PLACES The Hermonites

It’s springtime for the Hermonites

By JIGME N KAZI

Beginning from mid-September last month in Kathmandu, the Hermonites – alumni of Darjeeling’s co-ed Mt. Hermon School (founded by American missionaries in 1895) – are on the move. The three-day revival of the alumni in Nepal attracted at least 52 Hermonites.  For the Mount Hermon Alumni Association Nepal (MHAAN) it was a rare event in recent years.

Former Mayor of Biratnagar Ram Bhattarai was one of the prominent oldies who was among the MHAAN meet in Kathmandu. Anil Jatia, Bachan Gyawali, Sangeeta Prasai and Ashoke Pokharel were among the main organizers of the reunion, whose main aim was to revive the alumni body.

Kathmandu’s reunion was followed by a mini-reunion in Gangtok during Dusserah/Dassain. 1973 batch Hermonite Varongthip Lulitanond (Thip) has visited Sikkim at least 4-5 times in the recent past. This time he was accompanied by his batchmate Ravi Agarwal from Siliguri. The reunion get-together dinner on Oct 1 followed by a day-long trip to the Indo-Tibet border near Nathula in Tsangu and a rare treat by Sikkim Hermonite President Karma Bhutia at Mayfair resort was most relaxing and enjoyable.

Despite his busy schedule (Dassain) Thip’s batchmate Uttam Pradhan, as always, was on the driver’s seat during the Tsangu trip but missed the Mayfair treat! Arthur Pazo did well to arrange the permits to Tsangu, where the visitors were treated with sun, hail, rain, snow and a huge rainbow.

Thip says Hermonites meet should always be held in the hills and not in the cities. “Thank you to all…I’ll be back soon!” says Thip, who also joined the Hermonites at the Thimphu reunion (Oct 5-8)

The Thimphu reunion was basically organized for the batch of 1978-79 but others, as is usually the case, joined in. Corinne Brokken, Mala Sujan, Dheera Sujan and Varongthip Lulitanond were among  Hermonites from abroad who were present during the occasion. Former MP from Nagaland Apok Jamir, Mukesh Singh Adhupia, Yasmin Mukand Chung, Ratnakar Bhengra, Thinley Gyari, Geeta Bikst,  Nima Dhondup,  Binod Bhutra, Bebashis Brahma and Karan Anand were among those who enjoyed the brief autumn bonding that took place in Thimphu and Paro.

To Bhutan’s Home Secretary and former Ambassador to Thailand  Tsering Dorji, an active Hermonite, goes the credit of organizing the grand get-together in the Druk Kingdom. Autumn has returned to the hills but for the Hermonites its springtime!

Come November and we have the 1969 batch of Hermonites ascend to good old Darjeeling. I missed the Thimphu meet but will surely be one of the gatecrashers to this get-together in Darj. Had promised to have b’fast with James Lowangcha Wanglat at  Keventer’s, still a favourite haunt for Hermonites.

Prahalad Prasad, Om Prakash Kanwal, Raaj Kumar Bhangar (Lakhotia), Punam Agarwal, Marcus (Bappa) Dam  are among those expected to be there for the occasion. A visit to MH has also been planned.

The recently-revived Calcutta Hermonites, who seemed to be having bigger plans for MH, is planning a grand reunion in Darjeeling in December. Many from all over the region are expected to attend the get-together. Hashib Mondol is in-charge of the show.

Len Gangte and other Northeast Hermonites are planning to form the North East Hermonites Association (NEHA) in Imphal in January 2015. We are eager to form this club as there are many Hermonites all over the Northeast who are looking forward to formation of the association. “I’ll be there!” I told Len. And I will be there!!

Our school motto is “Non-Scholae Sed Vitae Discimus” (not for school but for life we learn). Most of these reunions are taking place 30-40 years after we last left our alma mater. We are now more than convinced that our foundation for life, friendship and camaraderie are strong and deep.    

    Therefore, the Hermonites’ motto “Closeness For Life!” and after life!! Hail Mt. Hermon!

NEPAL

SIKKIM

BHUTAN

SPORT

Ace footballer Hangu Norden is no more

Gangtok, Oct 10: The Sikkim Football Association (SFA) held a condolence meeting here at Football House on Tuesday to mourn the sad demise of Hangu Norden Lepcha, a renowned footballer of the State.

Hangu passed away at 2.15 a.m. on Tuesday morning at his residence here at Lall Bazar, after prolonged illness. He was 57 years old and leaves behind his wife Sonam Doma Lepcha and son Tashi Tseten Lepcha. He was one of the main coaches of Namchi Sports Hostel which was instituted with the main aim for "Search for More Bhaichung Project", a release of the SFA said.

    Hangu was also the coach and main mentor of Nirmal Chhetri and Sanju Pradhan, who are the ISL players of India and one of the highest paid footballers of the country today. He was the Chief Coach of Football with Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Government of Sikkim, till 2011.

Thereafter, he took voluntary retirement. Even after taking VRS, he was one of the regular visitors of Paljor Stadium, Gangtok. He was often seen giving advice and tips to the young budding footballers, SFA General Secretary Menla Yetenpa said.

Hangu represented Sikkim in various national level football tournaments like Santosh Trophy for many years and brought laurel to the State. Earlier, while serving in Indian Navy in Mumbai he used to be the main player of India Navy team.