NORTHEASTERN DEMOCRATIC FRONT

Himalayan Guardian Page 1  Gangtok    Feb 23, 2011 Vol 1 No 13

NE regional parties to form 

NORTHEASTERN DEMOCRATIC FRONT

Himalayan News Network

 New Delhi, Feb 22: Major regional parties in the northeast, including Sikkim, have decided to form a common front – ‘Northeastern Democratic Front’ – to take up common issues of the region.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker and NCP leader, P A Sangma, on Sunday said the parties have decided to form the Front in Guwahati soon.

The meeting, held at Sangma’s Aurangzeb Road House here, was attended by Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, Nagaland Chief Minister N Rio and former chief minister and AGP leader Prafulla Mahanta.

AGP President Chandra Mohan Patowary and representatives of Trinamool Congress, Mizo National Front, People’s Party of Arunachal and Manipur People’s Party were also present at the meeting.

The 8 northeast States together have the strength of 25 MPs in the Lok Sabha, out of which14 are from Assam.

China rail link near Sikkim-Bhutan border by 2017

Himalayan News Network

New Delhi, Feb 22: China is all set to extend its Tibet railway network into the strategically important Chumbi valley area, next to Sikkim and the Siliguri corridor. This was confirmed by a Chinese Railways Ministry map, put out last month, showing China’s “long term railway network plan”.

Until now, these plans were being loosely speculated upon, but they now have an official stamp on it. The latest map shows the railway line extending from Lhasa to Zangmu on the Nepal border, which is going to eventually extend into Nepal and even Kathmandu, the Indian Express reported.

According to the plan, another line will branch out midway from this link to Zangmu, at a place called Shigatse. This line will move east and go right up to Yadong (Yatung), on the mouth of the Chumbi Valley. This town is connected to Sikkim through the Nathu La pass and is strategically located on the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan.

The new railway link near Sikkim’s eastern border is expected to be completed by 2017.

Himalayan Guardian Page 2   NEPAL   TIBET   BHUTAN      Feb 23, 2011

Nepal Buddhists organize 1^st Monlam Chenmo in Nepal

R P Sharma

Kathmandu, Feb 22: The Nepal Himalayan Federation of Indigenous Buddhists, under the leadership of Shamar Rinpoche, organized the country’s 1^st Monlam Chenmo (The Great Prayer Festival) here on February 19-21.
The main purpose of holding the Monlam is to pray for the long life of all the holy Gurus of all traditions, for the survival and spreading of the Dharma in the minds of all sentient beings, and for world peace, according to Federation’s Coordinator, Shakun Sherchand.
Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, where most of the indigenous communities (Adivasi Janajatis) find solace in the cultural heritage of Buddhism mixed with Bonpo, Animistic and Shamanistic practices. The Magars, Managpas, Newars, Tamangs, Gurungs, Sherpas, Bhotes and Thakalis perform rituals closely related to Buddhism under the guidance of their dharma gurus and keep close to their sangha (religious communities), said a publication of the Federation.

The Tharus, the largest indigenous community( Adivasi Janajatis) inhabiting the terai are being equivocal of reclaiming their Buddhist heritage as they claim  Siddhartha Gautama’s matrilineal lineage to Maya Devi, who is believed to be  the daughter of a Tharu.
Swayambu and Bouddha are historical evidence of the continuation of faith and devotion of its local population towards the Buddha, Dharma (Teachings) and the Sangha, Sherchand said.

He said there are more than 65 gompas (religious monastic institutions of learning and service) in the Kathmandu valley and more than 6000 gompas (monasteries) in the country.
The 1st Monlam Chenmo, the collective “Great Prayer Festival”, was sanctified by H.H the 14th Kunzik Shamar Rinpoche in the presence of President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav and Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachadar.
The organizers are convinced that Lord Buddha’s teachings on peace, non-violence and peaceful coexistence is the answer for Nepal’s problems – political instability and constitutional uncertainty.

The Federation, which seeks to represent Buddhists residing in the Himalayan region from Mechi in the east to Mahakali in the west, says its prime motive of forming the organization is to protect and preserve the “identity” and “common heritage” of the “indigenous Buddhists” in the country, which are reflected in their “language, culture, religion and territory.”

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN   EDITORIAL PAGE 4  Feb 23, 2011

EDITORIAL

COMMON FRONT

People-to-People Contact Needed

The need to forge a common platform among political parties and social organisations in India’s northeastern region to raise common issues has always been felt by the peoples of this backward region. As such the decision to form the ‘Northeastern Democratic Front’ is a welcome move. But politicians being politicians no matter in which bottle they camouflage themselves people have their apprehensions of their action. That is why the previous ‘front’ floated by regional parties of the region failed mainly because the AGP, the main Opposition party in Assam, decided to ally with the BJP in the 1999 polls.

The proposed Northeastern Democratic Front is being viewed as an anti-Congress front and rightly so as some its key leaders, including PA Sangma, are anti-Congress. Leaders of regional parties in the region love to claim that they, being closer to the region and the people, have more understanding of local and regional issues unlike national party leaders, who visit the region once in a while and make tall claims. They are right in thinking this way but can they claim to have lived up to the expectations of the people they represent?

More than forming political fronts, which mainly serve the politicians and some bureaucrats, what is really needed is people-to-people interactions among the peoples of the northeast in various fields. And if the outcome of such interactions leads to formation of a bigger forum it would really and truly cater to the diverse needs of the people in the long run.

HILL PEOPLE/Sonam W. Ladenla

He strove for hill people unity in Darjeeling

Jiwan Labar

Sardar Bahadur Sonam W Ladenla was born in Bhutia Busty, Darjeeling in 19 June 1881. He joined the police department in 1898. In 1921 he was appointed as Superintendent Police of Darjeeling. During his tenure of police service, he was awarded with distinguished honours like “Kings Police Medal”, (Sardar Bahadur) in 1917, C.B.I, F.R.G.S, ADC etc. He retired in 1931 after 33 years of his remarkable service in the Police department. He had also solved many legal cases during his tenure as the honorary Magistrate in the district Court of Darjeeling. He was also the first Planter from the hills.

S W Laden was religious since his childhood, which prompted him to extend the Buddhism in Darjeeling hills and Sikkim. Most of the prominent Monasteries of Darjeeling hills and Sikkim have been built during his period, such as Ghoom Monastery, Alubari, Chitre, Rimbik, Lopchu, Tikling, Pedong, Kurseong, Darjeeling Tamang Monastery etc. he was also the founder members of these monasteries and General Buddhist Association of Sikkim. Under his supervision, Rai Saheb Kharga Bahadur Chettri constructed the Ghoom Monastery in 1923. He personally contributed Rs 4000/- for this Monastery, which was inaugurated by the then Governor. Moreover, only Tibetan monks were allowed to perform prayers in “Dara” (observatory hill).However during his tenure as Vice Chairman of Darjeeling Municipality, Nepali priests were also approved to perform prayers in the same place of “Dara”, which also entitled them of 40 percent of the total income of Dara. 

Darjeeling town could not have been constructed without S W Ladenla’s contributions. He was an active Municipal Commissioner and later he became vice-chairman of then renowned Darjeeling Municipality. He served Darjeeling town as a ‘City Father’. Gorkha Dhukha Niwaran Sammelan (GDNS), Nepali Sahitya Sammelan, District Library etc used to get Municipality Fund during his tenure.

He was also of the opinion for a separate homeland for a minority community of Darjeeling hills and Dooars from Bengal. So he became the founder member and the president of Hillmen's Association, which submitted a petition to Edwin Montague, the Secretary of State for India in 1917 saying that historically, culturally, ethnically, socially, religiously, linguistically there was no affinity between Bengal and Darjeeling. Signatories of the petition were S W Ladenla, Dr. Yensingh Sitling, Prem Singh Kumai, Kharga Bahadur Chettri, Meghbir Singh, Lachman Singh, Narprasad Kumai, and Deonidhi Upadhaya.

He was also concerned with communal harmony among Nepali, Bhote and Lapche. Under the advice of concerned citizen of then Darjeeling, he was able to form a Union called Hill Peoples’ Social Union in 1934. Later the Union was famous for the motto “NeBuLa”.

So long as Sardar Bahadur S W Ladenla was in the district there was peace but once they were out of it, there was turmoil. In 1921 no sooner had he left for Tibet than the non-co-operators began to make a stronghold in the district and riots and strikes took place in many gardens of the district.

S W Ladenla was a multi linguistic personality who was fluent in English, Tibetan, Hindi, Marwari, Bengali, Nepali, Lepcha etc. There was a tremendous contribution of S W Ladenla for the agitation of Nepali language in Darjeeling hills. He had profound relationship with Tibet. He was also assigned as an unofficial ambassador of Tibet by British sovereign of India. In 1904 he was famous for the strengthening of Indo-Tibet diplomatic relationship.

He died in 1936. He was a great figure of Darjeeling. Mackenzie Road had been changed into Ladenla Road after his death which is still a reminder of him to this day. (darjeelingtimes.com)

Sikkim University unable to start campus in Yangang

SIKKIM OBSERVER  Feb 7, 2011

Observer News Service                                                                                    

                                               New Delhi, Feb. 6: Sikkim University has not been able to start setting up its permanent campus in the State because of delay in transfer of land.

Begun with the goal of making it an education hub for the whole of Southeast Asia, the varsity has been functioning from 15 rented buildings in Gangtok since July 2007.

All its plans of having a world-class campus with a central school, advanced research facilities, a library and hospital facilities for staff and students have been hanging fire because 300 acres have yet to be handed over by the state government.

In 2007, a human resource development ministry committee had selected a site near Yangang in South Sikkim, for the campus. Under provisions of the Sikkim University Act, the land has to be provided free to the varsity by the hosting state.

However, in August that year, the Sikkim government requested the university to cough up Rs 15 crore as it would have to spend Rs 30 crore to acquire the plot from some 86 landowners. The varsity forwarded the request to the HRD ministry.

In April 2009, the ministry paid the university Rs 15 crore in two instalments to facilitate the land acquisition process. The money was then forwarded to the state government, which compensated the landowners but did not serve them notices to vacate the land.

Between April and June 2010, the varsity received four letters from the state asking it to take over the land. But whenever its team went to formalise the takeover, it found that none of the landowners had vacated their plots.

Sources said the varsity authorities had decided to take over the land only when there were “no encumbrances in the process”.

Irked by the unending delay, the varsity’s executive council sought the ministry’s intervention in November 2010 and also urged it to consider relocating the campus if the handover does not happen by March this year.

“The House (executive council) resolved that the matter be taken up by the ministry of HRD immediately with the government of Sikkim,” the November 3 resolution said.

“The ministry is also requested to consider other options, including relocation of the university, if the land is not handed over to the university during the current financial year (2010-11).”

According to the sources, the state government had not thought it necessary to serve formal notices on the compensated landowners. It had expected them to leave by default and the university to handle those who did not.

In one case the authorities in Sikkim were informed of the illegal manner in which land (about nearly 100 acres) was acquired from an influential family in Yangang for the university. The affected parties are likely to approach the court on this matter if the concerned authorities try to take away the land belonging to minority Bhutia-Lepcha tribal land forcefully.

Other reports said the state proposed to hand over the land only after roads were built, which would mean another four-five years.

Sikkim’s solidarity rally for Karmapa

Gangtok, Feb 6: Buddhists in the State held a massive rally in the capital  yesterday to display their solidarity with  Ugyen Thinley Dorje, the 17^th Karmapa, who is presently being hounded by the authorities on numerous chatges ranging from tax evasion to being a Chinese ‘spy’.

The rally, organized by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), Karmapa Reception Committee (KRC), and All Sikkim Buddhist Organisation, displayed national tri-colour and Buddhist flags.

Those who spoke at the meeting held here at Guards’ Ground condemned the allegations leveled against the Karmapa and demanded a thorough probe by the authorities.

They also demanded that the Karmapa be allowed to visit Rumtek monastery, the seat-in-exile of the previous Karmapa. The meeting threatened to embark on a long march’ to Delhi on the Karmapa issue.

‘China behind Karmapa raids’

Siliguri, Feb 6: Buddhist monks and officials in Siliguri claimed the raids against 17th Karmapa Lama followed by Chinese propaganda.

Sonam Lhundup Lama, Convener of the core group for the Tibetan Cause for the Northeast Region of India, believes that the raids were part of Chinese strategy to attack the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders' popularity in India., ANI reported.

"We feel that China always does such propaganda. They know that in India there are a number of people following Buddhism, and they want to treat them poorly and play propaganda. So there is no doubt of them having a role in this. China can do anything. They have power and money. The indication is very clear that China wants the followers of the Dalai Lama to vanish, and the population of Tibet will not be able to voice their problems," he said.

Commenting on the 1.1 million Yuan recovered from the monastery, Jampa Tenzing, a Buddhist Monk of the Sed-Gyed Monastery in Salugara, said that the Karmapa has a lot of followers from China and hence gets donations in the currency, the report said.

"If the students give them the money then the secretary of Karmapa cannot refuse, he said.

"But we believe that the Karmapa is innocent and there is no doubt about it. He is our leader and we worship and respect him," Tenzing added.

The Karmapa Lama is being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate officials, and continues to remain under the scanner for his alleged Chinese links.

Police have so far arrested several people in connection with the seizure and raided several places in Himachal Pradesh and New Delhi.

Karmapa's office had also maintained that Karmapa had nothing to do with currency and money was received by way of offerings and donations from disciples coming from different parts of the world, including China and Tibet.

Buddhists in the entire Himalayan belt are deeply hurt by wild accusations against Karmapa

Jamyang Dorjee

This article has reference to the Times of India’s newsitem, dated, January 30, 2011, entitled ‘Karmapa may be Chinese agent’.

We are deeply hurt not only because of the raids conducted in the premises of  the Karmapa (Ugyen Thinley Dorje) but more by the media trying to build an imaginative story, blowing up things  beyond proportion, and  throwing malicious accusations to the person of Karmapa as a Chinese spy.

The Karmapa is not only the spiritual Guru of the 6 million Tibetans in Tibet but also of  one crore Indian Himalayan Buddhist of Tibetan origin. We live in Sikkim and are as much Indian as the reporters in Delhi, who have no clue of spiritual relationship between us and our gurus, who transcend international borders.

The Karmapa, the Government of India is aware, receives constant flow of disciples from every country, including Tibetans from Tibet, and offer money in various currencies. That does not make him an international spy or for that matter a Chinese spy. Yes, the staffs were not sophisticated enough in putting up a foreign exchange counter to enable every visitor change their money into Indian currency before every audience.

For the Tibetans, India is what Mecca and Medina is for Muslims, and their faith in their gurus and their religion is strong as ever. Indian intellectuals are aware that during the 60 years in exile, all China’s money and power could not win the hearts of a single Tibetan to hurt India.

The report says, “Chinese have of late been using religious arguments to buttress their claim over Tawang” and tries to forcefully link, by quoting some unnamed intelligence sources, this with the Karmapa.

The media is doing exactly what the Chinese like their ‘friendly’ Indians to do for them.

Indian reporters should also be aware of  the sentiments of  Indian Buddhists and Tibetans, who have sacrificed their precious life in Kargil and Bangadesh for the security of their adopted nation. (The writer is a former senior civil servant of Sikkim Government.)

SIKKIM’S IDENTITY CRISIS – II

Sikkim Subject Register Cannot Be Amended Now

SONAM WANGDI

In this article former Chief Secretary of Sikkim, Sonam Wangdi, alumnus of London School of Economic (LSE), says governments of Sikkim and India erred in granting citizenship to around 73,000 ‘left out’ or ‘stateless’ persons residing in Sikkim in 1990-1991. Wangdi also goes on to say that all non-Sikkimese residents in the State are not eligible for Residential Certificate.

 “Non-Sikkimese employees in Sikkim, 1980”:

           On 26 March, 1980, in response to the question of a member of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly,  the Minister-in-charge  furnished  the House with the list of “non-Sikkimese employees in the Government of Sikkim,” along with their names and designations.[Proceedings of the Assembly 26 March, 1980 Pages 388-446].  According to the list, there were 1701 “non-Sikkimese employees” in the Government of Sikkim as on 26 March, 1980. I understand that many of them have passed away. The illegal and unconstitutional Sikkim Government’s recent order on Residential Certificate will make them “Sikkimese” jeopardizing the interests of the Sikkimese Bhutia, Lepcha, Nepalese and others.

73,431 illegally made citizens:

The Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs issued Order No 26030/36/90-I. C.I  dated the 7 th August, 1990. The relevant extracts are:

“Whereas, the State Government of Sikkim recommended the names of 74966 persons who were considered eligible for being included in the Register maintained under the Sikkim Subjects Regulation, 1961.

Whereas the Central Government have carefully examined the cases of 40,083 persons, whose details are given in the enclosed list.

The Central Government after careful consideration of all the facts and documents produced in respect of the 40,083 persons hereby determines that they were eligible to be included in the Register maintained under the Sikkim Subjects Regulation, 1961, and are accordingly, deemed to have become citizen (sic) of India with effect from  26 th April, 1975, in terms of Sikkim (Citizenship) Order, 1975.” [Gazette No 109 of 29 August, 1990 signed by P K Pradhan, Home Secretary, Emphasis added]

             The Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs issued another similar Order No 26030/36/90-IC I, dated the 8 th April, 1991: Pertinent lines are:

“Whereas, the State Government of Sikkim recommended the names of 73, 431 persons who were considered eligible for being included in the Register maintained under the Sikkim Subjects Regulation, 1961.

Whereas the Central Government determined vide their order of even number dated 7^th August, 1990 that 40,083 persons were Indian citizen (sic) w.e.f.  26.4. 1975 under Citizenship (Sikkim) Order, 1975

Whereas the Central Government carefully examined the cases of 33,348 persons more, whose details are given in the enclosed lists and have found them eligible to be included in the Register maintained under the Sikkim Subjects Regulation, 1961. The Central Government after careful consideration of all the facts  and documents  produced in respects (sic) of these 33,348 persons  hereby determines that all these persons be deemed to have become  citizens of India with effect from  26 th April, 1975, in terms of Sikkim (Citizenship) Order, 1975.” [Gazette No 70 of 25 April, 1991 signed by P K Pradhan, Home Secretary. Emphasis added]

          From a reading of the above paragraphs, the State Government of Sikkim recommended the names of 74966 persons in 1990 and 73, 431 persons in 1991, who were considered eligible for being included  in the Register maintained under the Sikkim Subjects Regulation, 1961. Moreover, the ‘enclosed’ list was never printed along with the Sikkim Government Gazettes No 109 of 1990 and 70 of 1991.  The people of Sikkim still do not know the 73,431 persons who had been “deemed to have become citizens of India with effect from 26 th April, 1975, in terms of Sikkim (Citizenship) Order, 1975.”

The 1975 Order, however, came into force only from 16 May, 1975 and not from 26 April, 1975 since the Citizenship Act, 1955[ No 57 of 1955] came into force on 16^th May, 1975 and not on 26 April, 1975. Hence the Central government could not have invoked the 1975 Citizenship Order as it did not exist on 26 April, 1975.

With my little knowledge, I am not in a position to understand how the Government of India deemed more than 73 thousand persons as Indian citizens. First, as stated above, the Sikkim (Citizenship) Order, 1975 was not in existence as on 26 April, 1975 as only on the 16 May, 1975 did the Citizenship Act, 1955 come into force. Secondly, the Citizenship Act and the Rules, made there under, do not provide for en masse conferment of Indian citizenship.

The grant of citizenship is an important statutory function and therefore the law provides that notices are issued after individual applications to the People of India whether they have any objection to granting citizenship to the applicants. Since the statutory provision of law was not complied with, the 73,431 persons cannot be considered Indian citizens. Nor, on the other hand, could they be considered as “Sikkim Subjects” since they do no have Serial No, Volume No and other particulars from the Sikkim Subject Register.

Sikkim Subject Register cannot be amended:

As all are aware, only the Sikkim king could have made Sikkim Subjects and after the kingdom became a part of history from 26 April de jure and 16 May, 1975 de facto, no authority could either add or amend the Sikkim Subject Register.  

       Before the grant of any Residential Card, we must study the legal and constitutional provisions. Moreover the term, “Resident” should be defined according to the Law.  

      According to the Constitution of India, only a person “who has been ordinarily resident in the territory of India” as on 25 January, 1945 can be conferred Indian citizenship on application. Similarly, the Sikkim Subject Regulation, 1961 [Repealed on 26 April, 1975] provided that only a person who  “has been ordinarily resident in the territory of Sikkim” as on 2 July, 1946 could be granted Sikkim subject-hood on application.

The Constitution and the Laws, governing the Indian Union and its constituent parts, are, therefore, absolutely clear and there is no room for any confusion. Neither is there any constitutional or legal provision for fixing any date such as 26 April, 1975 as done by the Sikkim Government; nor is there any law for any “Cut off” year as was done in Assam or Arunachal Pradesh.

Definition of a ‘resident’:

        An idea of what the word, “Resident” in the Sikkim context means can be understood from the following legal provisions:

The Sikkim Subject Regulation 1961: Section 3.1“Explanation:- No person shall be deemed to have his domicile in the territory of Sikkim unless -   (i) he is a person who has made Sikkim his permanent home and has severed his connections  with the country of his origin such as by parting with his property in that country or acquiring immovable property in Sikkim.” [The Sikkim Code, op cit P 244].

Therefore, any person having any property outside Sikkim during pre-merger and outside India after merger cannot be a citizen of India in the State of Sikkim. In order to qualify for being a ‘Resident’ of Sikkim, the person must have a ‘permanent home’ with the conditions mentioned above as on 2 July, 1946. Only the descendants of  persons who have a permanent home in Sikkim  are eligible to the Residential Card or Pink Card.  

               The Government must publish detailed particulars  of persons who are to be given Residential Card, such as names, ages, names of father or husband, occupation, village, block District, immovable  properties in rural and urban areas. There should be a body of eminent Sikkimese to screen the names.The procedure may take time but it will be worth the effort. The grant of Residential Card without complying with the provision of law may create problem in this sensitive border State. (concluded)

High Court grants interim stay to Royal Plaza, IT probe delayed

Himalayan Guardian, Jan 26, 2011

Gangtok, Jan 25: Two private companies have got a stay order from the High Court of Sikkim directing the Income Tax Department to desist from any further proceedings against them until further orders, officials said.

Teesta Rangit Pvt Ltd and Envision Pvt Ltd secured the interim stay order from the court yesterday on a writ petition filed by them, PTI reported.

The IT office had reportedly carried out a 35-hour survey at the offices of the two companies on December 23 in the absence of the owners of the companies.

While Teesta Rangit runs the Royal Plaza-cum-Casino Sikkim, Envision deals with sale of computers in the capital.

The two companies are linked to former lottery baron and former Assam MP Mani Kumar Subba who is facing CBI probe on his identity and business dealings.

Mystery of the missing soldier at Nathula

Tashi Pradhan

Indian Army personnel regularly worship the shrine of martyr soldier Harbhajan Singh at a temple in the Indo-China border in Nathula in East Sikkim.

Harbhajan Singh was an Indian army soldier who died at Nathula Pass while crossing a stream in 1968.

Indian Army soldiers built a shrine in his honour and it is believed that Harbhajan Singh, renamed as Baba, resides at the temple complex.

Residents of the region believe that Baba Harbhajan Singh has defeated death and is still doing his duty even after his death four decades ago.

The Indian Army regularly maintains his bed, uniform and keep his boots ready everyday.

Miracles such as his ironed uniform getting crumpled in the morning is a regular affair at this temple. His regiment promoted him as Honorary Captain and pays his salary and grants him annual leave and issues the railway warrant.

"Soldiers who have lived here told us that if they kept food for him they did not find it back and even if they find, then only in half quantity. His bed found wrinkled and they serve him tea like they use to do before and that also they find it in half quantity," said Sepoy Harish Kumar, a soldier.

"So, people feel Baba through all these things otherwise no one has seen him," he added.

The tourists visiting Sikkim during their trip to Nathula Pass have also shown immense interest in visiting this martyr soldier's temple.

Throughout the year every Sunday and Tuesday prayers are performed at Baba's temple and food is distributed to the devotees (ANI).

NE writers meet in Delhi on peace & culture

  P. Ghosh

Guwahati, Jan 25: Writers and poets from India’s northeast region will hold a two-day seminar on peace and culture in New Delhi this week-end.

The seminar is expected to explore if culture can play a proactive role in ushering peace in the trouble-torn region, according to Preeti Gill, editor of Subaan, a leading Delhi-based publishing house.

The two-day seminar, being organized by Zubaan in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation and India Habitat Centre, will feature photo exhibition and musical concert highlighting the rich cultural diversity of the region.

Prominent among the speakers are Mamang Dai (Arunachal Pradesh), Sanjoy Hazarika (Assam), Pradip Phanjoubam (Manipur), and Subhir Bhaumik (Tripura).

Meeting with Chidambaram positive: Giri

Himalayan Guardian Jan 26, 2011

New Delhi, Jan 25: Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram today held a meeting with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha on the demand for statehood to Gorkhaland and is understood to have deliberated on setting up of a regional authority for Gorkhas in Darjeeling.

“We had a detailed discussion on our demand with the Home Minister. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and was very positive,” GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri told reporters after an hour-long meeting, the Hindu reported.

Giri refused to divulge what transpired, but said the Central government should clear its stand on GJM’s demand.

Sources said the meeting deliberated on the possibility of setting up of the proposed Darjeeling Regional Authority comprising the districts of Darjeeling and adjoining areas but no decision has been taken, the report said.

However, it was not clear whether the interim authority would be set up before the West Bengal Assembly elections a few months away.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh was part of the delegation.

During the last tripartite political level talks, key issues, including territorial jurisdiction, were sorted out.

The Central and West Bengal governments have earlier worked on the subjects and departments which are expected to be handed over to the interim authority.

Sources said both the Central and West Bengal governments favoured limiting the proposed authority to just the hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong.

Since its inception in 2007, the GJM has been demanding a separate Gorkhaland State that includes the Siliguri sub-division of Darjeeling district in the plains and contiguous areas in neighbouring Jalpaiguri district.

Kalimpong Lepchas celebrate Gaeboo Aachyok’s 279^th  anniversary

Kalimpong, Jan 25: Lepchas of Darjeeling District celebrated the 279^th  birth anniversary of the Lepcha King Gaeboo Aachyok in Kalimpong recently.

Thousands of Lepchas from all over the district assembled at the Mela Ground here and shouted "Achuley" to greet each other. A simple function, organized by the Lepcha Tribal Association, was held  at Damsang Gari, a fort and  refuge place of the late King near Algarah about 18 km from here.

Lepchas are the aboriginal people of Eastern Himalayas and are found not only in the Darjeeling district but also in Sikkim, Nepal and Bhutan. Gaeboo Aachyok was a leader who fought the Bhutanese to save his vanishing tribe.

Aachyok was born in Lungshyol near Mangzing about 10 km away from Oodlabari in North Bengal. According to records, his kingdom’s territory extended from Paro in West Bhutan to Rhenock in East Sikkim. He was not very popular among the Bhutanese as he used to protest against the oppression of the Lepchas by the Bhutanese King. This compelled the Lepcha chief to leave Bhutan for good. 

It is said that Gaeboo appeared during the first Bhutanese attack in Sikkim in 1668 during the reign of King Debaraja, Chhoegyal Mijure Tempa of Bhutan (1668-1670). A legend says that Gaeboo sought the help of a Tibetan king for weapons to fight against the Bhutanese king.

A report says that during the period of fifth Dalai Lama, Bhutan invaded Sikkim. During this war Gaeboo fought against Bhutan and was killed in the war.

Another legend states that Gaeboo fought the Bhutanese army from Damsang Gari in Kalimpong. And yet another source says that he fought the Bhutanese army from a fort called Dalim Gari near Gorubathan and eastern Kalimpong and was killed there. (Darjeeling.com)

Sukhna land scam: Court martialled Lieutenant General P.K. Rath loses rank

Himalayan News Network

elhi, Jan 25: Lieutenant General P.K. Rath, who was found guilty in the Sukhna land scam by an Army Court in New Delhi, was on Saturday handed down a sentence including a two-year seniority loss and forfeiture of 15 years of service for pension purposes.

Lieutenant General Rath was found guilty on three counts -- firstly for providing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the construction of the building next to the Army headquarters in Sukna in North Bengal, secondly for signing a Memorandum of Understand (MoU) with the private builder, and thirdly for not informing the Eastern Command headquarters while the process was being carried on by him, ANI reported.

"To take rank and precedence as if appointment as substantiating the Lieutenant General bore dated May 24, 2010, forfeiture of 15 years service for pensionary benefits and severely reprimand," General Court Martial (GCM) Presiding Officer Lieutenant General I.J. Singh said in his verdict.

This verdict will now have to be confirmed by the Army Chief and the Defence Ministry.

The land scam came into the open in mid-2008 and the names of Lieutenant General Rath and Lieutenant General Avadhesh Prakash figured among the senior army officers who influenced the decision to issue the NOC to a Siliguri-based private builder to construct an educational institution on a 70-acre land adjacent to the Sukna military station in Darjeeling.

The private builder had floated a trust - Agarwal Geetanjali Education Trust - to set up an affiliate school of the prestigious Mayo College in the area. 

NATIONALITY VERDICT Tibetan Identity Will Remain Intact

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN   EDITORIAL PAGE 4  Jan 12, 2011

EDITORIAL

Delhi High Court’s recent verdict to confer Indian citizenship to descendants of Tibetans who fled Chinese occupation will certainly be debated and discussed by many, including Tibetans themselves. For most Indians the issue may not matter much but for the one lac Tibetan ‘refugees’ living in the sub-continent the ‘landmark’ verdict will certainly make a great impact on the lives of many Tibetans, particularly youngsters, who want greater opportunities and civil rights in the land (India) of their birth.

The apprehension that accepting Indian, or any other country’s citizenship, will lead to erosion of the Tibetan identity is not quite valid as Tibetans, like the Jews, will not easily give up their rich cultural and religious identity. Many Tibetans, including lamas, living in the west still feel greatly about the country of their origin despite the influence of western values and culture.

India has been home to Tibetan refugees for over half a century and it is but natural to let these people enjoy the rights and privileges enjoyed by Indian citizens, particularly when the Constitution allows it and an Act has been passed by the Parliament in this regard. Not all Tibetans in India are ‘refugees’. Many of them have settled in India’s northern borders for well over a century. New Delhi needs to ponder carefully on these issues, particularly in view of the unlikely early return of the Tibetans to their homeland.

Bhutan ready to accept Christianity

 Himalayan Guardian Jan 26, 2011

Thimphu, Jan 25: Christians in Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan has something to cheer about. The Druk Kingdom is about to grant the much-awaited official recognition to Christians residing in the country.

According to a report in the International Christian Concern, the Chhoedey Lhentshog, the authority that regulates religious organizations in Bhutan, during its meeting held here last month discussed how Christian organizations may be recognized to represent the community.

 Lhentshog Secretary Dorji Tshering when asked if Christians were likely to enjoy the same rights enjoyed by Buddhists and Hindus replied, “Absolutely.”

Bhutan had in 1969 and 1979 banned open practice of non-Buddhist and non-Hindu religions.

Initially, the government is likely to register only one Christian organization to represent all Christians in Bhutan, sources said.

Indo-Bangla land ports to benefit Nepal, Bhutan

Dhaka, Jan 25: Bangladesh and India have opened two land ports along the international border to boost bilateral trade and facilitate trading activity of neighbours Nepal and Bhutan.

The simultaneous openings of the two land ports on Saturday followed an understanding reached last year between the neighbours. India said it would also facilitate goods movement through Bangladesh's Chittagong and Mangla ports.

Soon after India's Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee opened a land port at Phulbari in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district, Bangladesh's Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury flagged-in a flower-bedecked Indian truck at the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh, the northernmost district of the country.

The opening of the land ports will help resume communication and movement between the two countries after more than six decades, since India was divided by the British in 1947.

Trade between Nepal and Bangladesh through Banglabandha has been continuing on a limited scale since its introduction in September 1997, The Daily Star reported.

Banglabandha will be an important land port thanks to broader trade with India, analysts said, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met her Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh in January 2010.

Chowdhury said importers and exporters have long been demanding opening of the port for goods transportation in and out of India. 'Today their demand is fulfilled.'

Iqbal Kaiser, president of the Panchagarh Chamber and Commerce and Industry, said the Banglabandha point was the key to developing regional trade. Siliguri is only five km from the port while it is 10 km from Jalpaiguri and 58 km from Darjeeling.

Mukherjee along with a 13-member delegation, including West Bengal Minister of Urban and Municipality Development Ashok Bhattacharya, joined in the inauguration, while Chowdhury led an 11-member team from Bangladesh.

Obama raises Tibet issue with Chinese Prez

Himalayan Guardian JaN 26, 2011

Washington, Jan 25: US President Barack Obama took the opportunity of a joint press conference with Chinese President Hu Jintao on 19 January 2011 to say that the United States supports "further dialogue between the government of China and the representatives of the Dalai Lama to resolve concerns and differences, including the preservation of the religious and cultural identity of the Tibetan people."

The press conference, held in the White House, saw President Obama sending a strong message to China on how it dealt with issues.

President Obama said, "I reaffirmed America's fundamental commitment to the universal rights of all people.  That includes basic human rights like freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association and demonstration, and of religion -- rights that are recognized in the Chinese constitution.  As I've said before, the United States speaks up for these freedoms and the dignity of every human being, not only because it is part of who we are as Americans, but we do so because we believe that by upholding these universal rights, all nations, including China, will ultimately be more prosperous and successful."

The Tibet reference came in the opening remarks after President Obama revealed that the United States and China have agreed to resume formal dialogue on human rights and to new exchanges to advance the rule of law. 

 President Obama said, "And even as we, the United States, recognize that Tibet is part of the People s Republic of China, the United States continues to support further dialogue between the government of China and the representatives of the Dalai Lama to resolve concerns and differences, including the preservation of the religious and cultural identity of the Tibetan people."

Three in race for Tibet PM post

Tashi Namgyal

Dharamshala, Jan 25:  Two months before the final round of the Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile) election, three names are still in the running for next Tibet's PM: Lobsang Sangay, Tenzin Namgyal Tethong and Tashi Wangdi.

The preliminary polls, held on October 3, offered  Sangay a comfortable first position with 22,489 votes out of the total 47,000 votes cast.  Tethong registered 12 319 votes while Wangdi, who served the Government-in-Exile as a cabinet minister, collected 2101 votes.

"Initially, there were six candidates, but today, only three remain. We could have allowed them to contest for the final elections but some of them withdrew, some of them resigned", Chief Election Comissioner Jamphel Choesang said.

Alongside the Kalon Tripa election, the Tibetan community in exile will vote for the Parliamentary elections. 94 candidates are running for 44 seats.

Choesang also raised the question of the participation, as abstention spectacularly went down from 73,2% at the last elections in 2006 to approximately 39% this year at the preliminary polls.

The Election Commission announced it is still expecting more voters for the last polls on March 20, as it presented fresh registration dates from November 30, 2010, to January 17, 2011 for eligible voters who didn't go to the polls on the preliminary round in October.