We Lubricate the Wheels of Democracy  

“But our greatest strength is in the power of our ideas, which are still new in many lands. Across the world, we see them embraced and we rejoice. Our hopes, our hearts, and our hands are with those on every continent who are building democracy and freedom. Their cause is America’s cause.”

                   -          President Bill Clinton’s inaugural address

                                                                                                                                  January 21, 1993

    The content and delivery of Clinton’s inaugural speech not only fascinated me; it inspired me. For me and for Sikkim Observer and for the people of Sikkim, 1993 was a momentous year. The Observer, which was not very regular since the ransacking of its printing Press in January 1990 and refusal of local printers to print the paper in October 1991, finally ceased publication in May 1993. I was forced to resort to this measure since even printers in Siliguri refused to oblige me for fear of incurring the wrath of those in power in Sikkim.

    Press Freedom Rally in Gangtok, June 19, 1993.

    1993 marked my tenth year in journalism. I had experienced a lot in these ten years and so I decided to write a book on it. The book – “Inside Sikkim :Against the Tide” – was finally released at the Press Club of India in New Delhi in December 1993. The book (387 pages) ended rather abruptly but in retrospect the last chapter (Struggle And Triumph) was significant. The final paragraphs of the book had quotes from the address that I had delivered at the Paljor Stadium to a small gathering of local media during the rally protesting suppression of freedom of the Press in the State.

   In a written message on this historic protest rally as the President of the Sikkim Press Association on June 19, 1993, I stated: “Let me remind you today that media organizations cannot alone ensure and protect the freedom of the Press. In the final analysis, it is the people who have to come forward and provide the much-needed protection to journalists and safeguard freedom of the Press. But we as journalists, must make our stand very clear. We must stand firm and resolute in our stand. While our opinions as journalists may differ on various issues and matters, we cannot and must not allow vested interests or our own selfish motives to creep in and deprive us of the opportunity to stand erect and united on the issue of the Freedom of the Press.

   It is not how many of us are here today to support the cause of the Freedom of Press that matters; but how much faith, sincerity and dedication that we have in the righteousness of our cause…Today, we are here to lodge a symbolic protest. But if our voice is not heard and if the suppression of the Freedom of Press still continues despite the stand that we have taken here today, we must not be content with mere symbolism. We must raise a voice in every village and town in this State…We must continue to press on until ten thousand conscious citizens in Sikkim come together and raise their voice and rally support for Freedom of Press in Sikkim.”

   The quick and dramatic response of the people was beyond my wildest imagination. On June 22 and 23, just three days after our rally, thousands of pro-democracy activists under the leadership of Mr. Pawan Chamling, President of the Sikkim Democratic Front, held protest rallies in Gangtok. The SDF rally was a significant breakthrough for democratic forces in the State fighting against the dictatorial Bhandari regime. The confrontation between pro-democracy activists and the Bhandari Government in June 1993 is now being seen as a watershed in Sikkim’s contemporary political history.

   While we do not claim to be the champion of the freedom of Press and freedom of expression and movement in the State, it is important to note that both Sikkim Observer and its staff have contributed their share in restoration of democracy and decency in Sikkim. I refuse to believe that Sikkim Observer and our other publications are our only contribution in my decade and half experience in the Fourth Estate. Newspapers have a significant role to play in a small State like Sikkim. But I would like those who know me well and our readers in particular to know that what we at the Observer have tried to do is to build an Institution called the Press.

   The Press is not just journalists, papers and machines. It has to be seen essentially as one of the major pillars of democracy. While legislators in the country and the world raise emotive issues such as restoration of democracy from time to time it is the Press which lubricates the wheels of democracy day in and day out.

   Due to social and political environment in the State in the past few decades, the Press has had to shoulder the additional burden of constantly being the lone torchbearer of freedom and democracy. Recently, the former chief minister, Mr. Sanchaman Limboo, confided to me, “You are a great survivor.”

   My past experience has taught me that the art of survival is to stick to your guts. Credibility pays in the long run. We believe that we have not struggled in vain and that our ten long years of struggling and surviving will pay rich dividends to all in this part of the world in the years to come.

                                                                                                                              (Ref: Sikkim Observer, August 10, 1996)