NEW AWAKENING

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN VOL 1 No 14 Page 1 March 2, 2011

EDITORIAL

NEW AWAKENING

Future of Gorkhas in India

The formation of the Sikkim unit of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) last month comes at a time when Gorkha leaders in neighbouring Darjeeling, which was once a part of Sikkim, have pitched their stand on the statehood issue of Gorkhaland. While the political leadership of Sikkim, dominated by the Nepalese, have supported the statehood demand the Morcha’s Sikkim unit’s role on creation of a new state for the Indian Gorkhas is likely to add a new dimension to the issue. However, to achieve the desired objectives much depends on the credibility and effectiveness of the leadership of the Sikkim unit.

Already, the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) is quite active in Sikkim and have been able to create a general awareness of the plight of the Gorkhas in India and the need to have their own state. The Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), too, had its Sikkim unit which is now almost defunct. Darjeeling’s Gorkha Rashtriya Congress (GRC),whose prime objective is unification of Darjeeling with Sikkim, has also been eying the Nepali population in Sikkim to support its demand. Presently, the Sikkimese Nepalese leadership may be against the unification demand and only supporting the statehood demand; but ultimately when Gorkhas/Nepalese residing in the region find themselves overwhelmed by the gradual influx from the plains they are likely to join hands to chalk out a common future.

PRACHANDA CALLS FOR PEOPLE’S FINAL REVOLT TO END NEPAL CRISIS

R P Sharma

Kathmandu, March 1: Maoists supremo Prachanda on Sunday called on his cadres to make "final preparations" for a people's revolt aimed at putting a swift end to the political stalemate in the former Hindu kingdom.

His call comes amid a power struggle to take control of key ministry of Nepal's new communist government led by Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, chairman of CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal – United Marxist-Leninist).

Prachanda, the chairman of Unified CPN (Maoist), called upon all factory workers affiliated to the Maoist party to make "final preparations" for launching the people's revolt.

He said all factories, industries and hotels across the country will be turned into barracks to ensure the success of the people's revolt the party is planning to launch.

Those who believe that the Maoists will not wage any people's revolt and think that it is just a bluff will soon get a rude shock, he warned.

Addressing a national conference of a workers' organisation affiliated to Maoist, All Nepal Trade Union Federation (Revolutionary), on the outskirts of the capital, he said the Maoists will not tolerate any attempt to sabotage the peace process and drafting of the new constitution as also to bring about a radical transformation in the country.

Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, who was elected by lawmakers after more than seven months of stalemate and 17 attempts on February 3, has been unable to complete his cabinet formation, amid disagreement over a power-sharing deal with the Maoists, with whose support he won the election.

The two main allies - CPN-UML and the Maoists - have failed to arrive at an understanding over the distribution of key portfolios. UCPN-Maoist, the largest party in the House, is demanding important portfolios, including the home ministry.

The Maoists have been pressing for the implementation of the seven point deal, which reportedly includes provisions like sharing the Prime Ministerial post between Khanal and Prachanda on rotational basis and forming separate unit in Nepal Army after the integration of the former Maoist combatants with the military.

The Maoists have threatened to withdraw support to the Khanal-led government in case their demand is not fulfilled, which is causing delay in expansion of the cabinet.

PM  to look into Karmapa controversy

Gangtok, March 1: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured a Buddhist delegation that he would personally look into the matter of Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje and review the entire case which was highlighted by the national media recently.

A Buddhist delegation called on the Prime Minister on Saturday to discuss the problems facing the Karmapa., PTI reported.

A press release issued by the leader of the Joint Action Committee of Buddhist Organisations of Sikkim, Kunzang Sherab, said that the Prime Minister reassured the delegation that “he fully understood the sentiments of the Buddhists” and promised that as soon as the Budget session was over he would personally look into the matter and review the entire case.

The delegation comprised Lok Sabha MP PD Rai, former MP and Union Minister from Ladakh, P. Namgyal, former member of the National Commission of Scheduled Tribes, Lama Lobzang, and former Sikkim MP and Ambassador, Karma Topden.

They also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister requesting him to “look into all the problems that the Karmapa was facing and allow him to visit Sikkim”.

The Centre on February 16 is understood to have given a clean chit to the Karmapa in the case relating to the huge foreign currency haul from his house in Dharamsala, saying the money had come in the form of donations and offerings by devotees.

Karen people sign human rights petition against Burma

Ethnic leaders in Nepal threaten to boycott census

Himalayan News Network

Kathmandu, March 1: The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities(NFIN) has threatened to boycott Census 2011 if the government fails to include participation of ethnic minorities in the census process and ‘mistakes’ in the enumeration relating to their identity relating to language and religion are not addressed.

“We want at least 38 percent enumerators from indigenous communities and mistakes related to language, religion, ethnicity and caste corrected in the questionnaire,” said Ang Kaji Sherpa, General Secretary of the Federation.

 “The CBS has not addressed our concerns. We believe there is still time for correction. If our call is ignored, we will boycott the census,” he added.

 Sherpas has demanded that census enumerators should be recruited from indigenous communities in proportion to their population.

The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) is all set to begin Census 2011 from May 15 in two phases. The second phase is set for June 17-27.

Controversy over changing of flag, emblem of Ladakh Council

L. Verma

Srinagar, March 1: Adoption of a new emblem and flag by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, has snowballed into a major political controversy with the ruling  National Conference and  the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describing it “mischief” and “unfortunate”.

The National Conference leader, Mustafa Kamal minced no words to take on the Congress for playing “mischief” with the State and his party (NC), saying; “They (Congress) still are on the path of playing mischief and letting us (NC) down as they have done in the past on several crucial occasions.”

“It was the mischief when this Hill Development Council was created in 1995 and now changing the emblem is yet another mischief. They (LHDC leaders) have almost declared the area as a separate region of J&K,” Kamal remarked.

The LAHDC, in a unanimous resolution passed last week, adopted the symbol with the Ashoka Pillar which almost resembles the national emblem. The Council is already using a separate flag.

Reacting to the issue, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said his government will take a decision after examining the matter.

"We are examining the issue. After all, it is a local municipality. Even the Srinagar municipality has a different emblem. We will examine the manner and take a decision," Omar said.

 The PDP has described the move to discard the State emblem by LAHDC as “unfortunate.”

 “The LAHDC decision is very unfortunate. If BJP or Ladakh Union Territory Front has adopted the resolution it could be understood as they have their own agendas. Since the decision was made by the Council controlled by the Congress, which always advocates integrity of the State, it is most regrettable.” PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said.

"PDP will fight any attempt to dilute the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under the Constitution. Leh is part of the State. The emblem controversy is unfortunate," Mufti added.

 “Nobody is undermining the state flag or emblem. They had already a logo and they have just changed it,” Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, who is a Congress leader, from Leh said.

 The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it would fully endorse the demand of Ladakh people for Union Territory. “We fully support the people of Ladakh on their demand for Union Territory status to Ladakh region,” BJP MLA, Ashok Khajuria said.

National emblem is our logo:LAHDC

Jammu, March 1: In a development of far reaching consequence, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) has discarded the state flag and adopted the national emblem -effectively distancing itself from the state's emblems and separatist politics.

Jammu and Kashmir has its own flag and emblem. The State secretariat both here and at Srinagar hoists two flags - the national tricolour and the State flag - while the ministers also use the two flags on their cars.

The Indian state symbol of Ashoka pillar with three visible lions has been adopted as the council's official logo. The LAHDC passed a resolution earlier this week, adopting the new emblem in which the rising sun and mountains provide a background to the Ashoka pillar.

"The national emblem of our country is now our logo. The council has already adopted it and we are now giving it final touches to ensure that it represents Ladakh's administrative set-up," said Congress leader and LAHDC councilor Tsewang Rigzin, who had moved the resolution for a new logo.

Rigzin, who is also a journalist, said that inclusion of the national emblem as the hill council's logo indicates that the LAHDC exists under a government act.

"It was the need of the hour to ensure that people in the outside world come to know that the hill council is a unique political dispensation for people of Ladakh," Rigzin said.

The 32-member  Council also passed a resolution for inclusion of Bodhi language in the Eight Schedule of the Constitution without any opposition.

“Home is where the struggle is”

TENZIN TSUNDUE

Indians call me 'ching chong', the Chinese arrested me when I walked into Tibet, beat me up in jail and threw me out and said 'Get out of here, you bloody Indian.' Who am I? I am born and brought up in India and speak four Indian languages, love Bollywood, have more Indian friends than those of my tribe. Who am I?

My identity card is called Registration Certificate. It says you are a foreigner, and your nationality is Tibetan. But for India there is no Tibet, it's only China, although we have Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Legally, no one is a refugee in India, there's no refugee law prevalent here, but India is home to the largest number of refugees, from Parsis to Burmese, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankan Tamils and Tibetans. My friend, Sopa, from our refugee camp in Kollegal, Karnataka, fought in the Kargil War. Two soldiers on either side of him were shot in their heads, and when the survivors were being decorated in Delhi, Indian soldiers were photographed with the President, while medals for Tibetans were pinned by an officer in the top floor room.

Rooms. We love rooms, bigger the better. That's what we live in, because home is a sacred dream reserved for some distant future, but, inevitably coming, because our Dalai Lama says so. Even our exile government staff live in rooms. When her boyfriend moves in, they set up a kitchen against one of the walls. Other walls are for books, clothes, a TV set and of course a door and a window. When she gets pregnant it becomes home, and then we all join the house-warming party. Our rooms are decorated with protest slogans and photos of bullet-ridden martyrs. We live in India, but our hearts are in Tibet. We are neither here nor there.

I grew up imagining homeland, a glorious return, but realize home is here where the struggle is. The struggle is the home. Tibetans make an annual pilgrimage. It's not to Bodh Gaya or Banares, it's to the local police station to seek an extension to stay in India for another year, a must for all Tibetans above 18, whether you came from Tibet in 1959, are born in India, or a celebrity escapee from Tibet in recent years. No exception. No one is above the law. Show your face and get the privilege.

Lobsang got a job as a waiter in Sweden. Excited, he packed for a two-year stint. At the last moment, just before his flight, the Delhi emigration officer said he has no clearance from the local police station. At 2 am, he had masala chai for 60 rupees at the airport and came back to Dharamsala.

Go anywhere, be a tourist in Kerala or Rajasthan, pretend that you are a native in the North East.We were promised a dreamland from childhood. Our people in Tibet fight Chinese guns with their prayers and militant hope to change Chinese minds with Buddhism. As an activist, I try Gandhi. Dalai Lama is too complicated; I keep my guru in my heart, but work with Gandhi from my head.

In 2008, when protests against the Beijing Olympics raged in India, I was arrested in Kullu. The reason? I hadn't registered my departure from Dharamsala. I was locked up for 11 days, with extended detention for 14 days in Dharamsala, watched over by two policemen.

Now even the Commonwealth Games are over, the World Cup is here, and still I have to appear for court cases the police have no interest in pursuing. After the recent high court ruling, Tibetans born in India are eligible for Indian citizenship. My Indian university friend recently pleaded with me to get rid of all my court cases and legal hassles. I said: "I am Indian, perhaps more Indian than you. Why do I need a certificate?" (The writer is a Tibetan poet and activist – Times of India)

Gurung firm on inclusion of Dooars

C. Tamang

Darjeeling, March 1: The political impasse in the hills of Darjeeling when the spring tourism season is about to begin has got the people worried again.

In his public meeting in Kumani on February 27 the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supremo Bimal Gurung may have stated that he would put on hold an embargo on the despatch of the first flush of Darjeeling tea from the Dooars but the deadline set for this is only March 6.

The party chief pointed out that the proposed embargo is aimed at improving the welfare of tea workers. Gurung wants the labourers’ daily wage to go up to Rs 120 to Rs 150 from the present Rs 67.

He wants the wage hike by March 6. “If that doesn’t happen, we will stop the despatch from the next day,” said Gurung.

Gurung has also overruled his party’s student wing decision calling for boycott of classes by students to support the statehood demand. The party now wants the students and teachers to wear black armband as a mark of protest.

The more worrying factor for the public is Gurung’s adamant stand on inclusion of the Gorkha-dominated portion of Dooars and Terai in the territory of the proposed Gorkhaland state.

 “Bengal is thinking that I will go to the hills after today’s meeting, but I will not leave this place until a decision on the inclusion of the Dooars and Terai is taken,” Gurung said and added, “I got a call from Delhi today, and they were talking about some declaration so that the territory issue can be taken up after the Assembly elections. I have said no to such a declaration. I will only agree if a clear stand is taken on the territory issue before the elections.”

Ethnically I’m a Tibetan-Burmese: Tripura king

S. Deki

Bangalore, March 1: Kirit Pradyot Deb Barman, the king of Tripura, last week admitted that though he was an indigenous tribe of Tripura ethnically he was of Tibetan-Burmese origin. “Ethnically I am a Tibetan-Burmese,” the king said.

This admission came during a function at the St. Joseph College of Arts and Science organized by a northeast and Tibetan students’ forum. Barman was the chief guest for mini-international cultural and food festival held at the college campus where at least 3,000 people had gathered.

The college has around 1000 north eastern students and one hundred Tibetan students.

"I am often questioned by many people that how I admitted such a huge number of north east people, and I told them that north east is not a one State, there are many states. Students from north east studying here belong to different tribes and communities consisting of eight states and 150 tribal languages," the college Principal, Dr. (Fr.) Ambrose Pinto Sj said.

He added, "Tibet, of course is different. There is no Tibetan state as yet. People of Tibet are rootless and homeless. It is necessary to provide them the support they need to create a home as they struggle."

Tashi Phuntsok, the chief representative of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), was among the distinguished guests at the function.

Maharaja Kirit Pradyot Deb Barman Manikya Bahadur, also known as P.B.K Manikya (born July 4, 1978) is the current king of the Royal House of Tripura. He succeeded to the throne of Tripura on November 27, 2006.

He is not only the Chairman of the Royal Heritage Hotel, Editor of The Northeast Today magazine, but also a member of the Indian National Congress.

The Tripura Dynasty is said to be  the second oldest in the world from a single straight line, the present king being the 186th. Only the Mikado Dynasty from Japan have an older lineage.

“The ‘Greater Nepal’ demand will become a movement one day”

PHANINDRA NEPAL, President of the Unified Nepal National Front (UNNF) and  a strong advocate of the ‘Greater Nepal’ concept, believes that the Nepalese people will one day turn the theory into a movement.

Nepal, who is also the author of two books: “The ABC of Greater Nepal” and “Nepal-Tista to Sutlej”, says grant of Nepali citizenship to “Indian migrants” will lead to a situation where the Nepalese will become a minority in their own homeland, leading to “Nepal becoming Bhutan first and Sikkim later.”

Question: You had been advocating the theory of “Greater Nepal” for a long time in the past? Has the theory died a premature death? What sort of response have you received from Nepali intellectuals during your campaign?

Nepal: My association with the “Greater Nepal” movement is more than a decade and a half long. I can tell you that “Greater Nepal” was not a matter of discussion in the past, now it has become a major issue in the country’s national politics. Thus there is no point in saying that the theory has died a premature death. This issue will continue to survive as long as Nepal does not get its lost territory back because of the Sugauli Treaty (signed between East India Company and Nepal on December 2, 1815)

I can also assure you that Nepali politics that is presently divided will one day be united in favour of “Greater Nepal”. It is also true that each and every Nepali share the pain deep inside their hearts because of the Sugauli Treaty.

We are trying to move ahead with the motive of transforming the demand for “Greater Nepal” into a movement.

It is for sure that the Indian side fears the movement for “Greater Nepal” originating from Nepali soil. This has indeed become a matter of headache for them. They fear that one day this movement may get international attention. If we get our lost territories back, Nepal’s eastern periphery can extend up to Bhutan and Bangladesh. This implies that the Indian-controlled eastern states will finally detach themselves from the Indian Union.

Q:  Media reports say that India has been constantly encroaching land belonging to Nepal in different parts of the country. However, the political parties, radical communists included, do not utter a single word in favour of their own country? How do you take their silence?

Nepal: The frequent media reports that the Indian side is encroaching upon our land are not at all fabricated. In reality, the Indian side has been exceeding all the limits and there is not a single adjoining district in Nepal that has not faced continuous Indian encroachment.

More perplexing is the response from the Nepali side. The silence exhibited by the political parties and the so-called Maoist revolutionaries is indeed surprising.

The Suguali Treaty became null and void right on 14th August 1947. Had we been smart enough to get back the lands that we lost through the treaty of Sugauli on August 14-15, 1947, the entire lost lands (including Darjeeling) would have been in our possession since then. But we failed.

Q: Many academics in Kathmandu see the influence of India in Nepal’s internal affairs and that too in a brazen manner. Do you see such influence in Nepali politics by India or  is it just a rumour only?

 Nepal: There is not only the Indian influence in Nepali politics but there is clearly an intervening Indian role in our internal matters.

Sometimes I also feel that India is not to be totally blamed for this. We have several examples of our own leadership publicly admitting its Indian leanings. They are merely pawns in the hands of foreigners. Until and unless we have leaders like “Mir Jaffar and Lhendup Dorje”(Sikkim’s first chief minister), Nepal will remain  as an Indian colony or at best a Protectorate.

We need such leadership that is more responsible to its own citizens and the country. Nepalese leadership should fear the wrath of its own people rather than fearing India.

Unless our leaders gets rid of the mindset that without India’s blessings they cannot acquire influential positions in Nepal India will continue to influence, interfere and intervene in our politics.

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.