GURUNG Vs GHISING IN DARJEELING

Himalayan Guardian    April 13, 2011

GURUNG Vs GHISING IN DARJEELING

Darjeeling, April 12: The Assembly elections in West Bengal has provided the right atmosphere for the two Gorkha leaders of the region – former DGHC chairman and GNLF supremo Subash Ghising and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung – to fight it out in the open.

The polls have forced Ghising to end his 3-year exile in the foothills in Jalpaiguri and return to Darjeeling and continue with his fight for Indian Gorkhas’ identity and political rights.

While issues such as Gurung’s call for Gorkhaland and Ghising’s fight for 6^th Schedule status for Darjeeling will play a major role in the outcome of the polls the main fight now is between Gurung and Ghising even as politics become more personalized.

Gurung wants Ghising to quit Darjeeling after the polls. Ghising says he has come back for good and is not leaving the hills come what may. See page 6 for full story.

I’m not going back, Ghising tells Gurung

C. Tamang

Darjeeling, April 12: Despite threats from his rival and one-time protégé, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha President Bimal Gurung, former Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) and Gorkha National Liberation Front chief Subash Ghising said he not only intends to stay put in Darjeeling even after the Assembly polls but also wants to be included in the ongoing tripartite talks between the Centre, West Bengal Government and GJM.

Ghising’s return to Darjeeling after three years of forced exile in Jalpaiguru in North Bengal is not being welcomed by Gurung, who at once threatened to drive him from the hills after the polls. The Morcha chief retracted a bit after anti-Morcha parties in the hills criticized Gurung for his undemocratic and dictatorial tendencies. Gurung now says the people will get rid of Ghising after the polls.

Gurung is not only perturbed by Ghising’s demand that he be included in the tripartite talks but also for going against the Gorkhaland demand and raising the 6^th Schedule issue.

 “At present, the Central and State governments are talking to groups and people from Darjeeling who do not understand what an interim council is all about. The GNLF should be made a party to the talks,” Ghising said.
 The GNLF will work actively to have the new Gorkha Hill Council Bill passed in Parliament after it was passed in the West Bengal Assembly in 2005, he added.

Ghising said he still sticks to his demand of bringing the entire Darjeeling hills under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

“My stand is still the same and I want the DGHC to have more powers with 45 departments under the Sixth Schedule,” Ghising told reporters.

The hills have become tense as GNLF leaders and supporters began preparing to defend Ghising in the wake of Gurung’s threat of driving the GNLF chief out of Darjeeling after the polls.

According to a senior police official, GNLF supporters were encouraged after Ghising came back to Darjeeling. “According to the information we have, both groups have mobilised goons in reserve. Several meetings were held at GJM offices, during which plans were made to oust Ghising again from Darjeeling. Confrontation resulting in bloodshed is likely after polls in the hills,” the official said.

Prakash Dahal, GNLF candidate in Kurseong, said, “We are lucky to have Ghising back in the hills. In 2008, we were chased out of our place forcibly. Our chief instructed us against any sort of confrontation. But this time, he has told us that he will not leave the hills under any circumstances. We will protect him till the end of our life.”

The GNLF on Monday lodged a formal complaint regarding alleged intimidation by the Morcha.  “Our party has viewed these threats seriously and we would protect our party president and the party with our lives, come what may. We would sincerely like the esteemed institution to intervene so that blood will not be spilled pre-and post-election,” said the complaint.

Elections to the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly will be held in six phases. The first phase of polling for 54 seats, including in the Hills, will be on April 18 and the sixth and final phase on May 10. Counting of votes will be taken up on May 13. The fate of 38 candidates, including three GNLF candidates from six seats of Darjeeling district, will be decided in the first phase. In the last Assembly polls the GNLF won all three seats from Darjeeling hills.

Darjeeling Lepchas to boycott Assembly polls

Siliguri, April 12: Lepchas, an indigenous scheduled tribe community of Darjeeling hills, are likely to boycott the coming Assembly elections protesting the alleged step-motherly treatment meted out to them by the Centre and the State Government.

LS Tamsong, leader of 'Lepchas of Darjeeling', on Thursday said nearly one lakh Lepchas residing in the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling were living in an "inhuman" condition and announced the community would boycott the ensuing Assembly polls.

Tamsang, President of the Indigenous Tribal Association (ITA), gave the poll boycott call at a gathering of Lepchas at the Bagha Jatin Park here.

"Since Independence the villages they live in have seen no development," Tamsong said while addressing a gathering of the community here.

The general secretary of the organisation, Posong Tshering Lepcha, said that the Census 2011 had put Lepcha population at around 43,000, but actually their number is minimum one lakh.

He said that though officially they had been accorded the status of a scheduled tribe, they had hardly been given any associated benefit or facility entitled to them.

Besides, neither the State Government nor the Centre was ready to listen to the demand for constitutional recognition of the Lepcha language. (Sikkim Observer)

Morcha MLAs to quit after polls: Chhetri

Himalayan News Network

Darjeeling, April 13: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha legislators will quit the Assembly after the poll if they get elected to press their demand for Gorkhaland state.

"GJM's target is not to participate in the West Bengal Assembly proceedings, but to have a separate state carved out from the northern part of the state, including Darjeeling Hills. We have decided to resign as MLAs after we are elected. We have already informed the president of India about our decision,' GJM spokesperson Harka Bahadur Chhetri said.

   Chhetri, who is contesting from the Kalimpong assembly constituency, said the GJM decided to participate in the elections for the sake of the Gorkhaland movement.

He said the GJM decided to take part in the poll process to ensure that non-GJM candidates of the Opposition are not elected, IANS reported.

The GJM is confident of winning all three seats - Kalimpong, Kurseong and Darjeeling.

"We have decided to support whosoever is useful in raising our demand. The BJP is the only one to raise our demand at the national level; so as a matter of gratitude we have decided to support them for the Madarihat seat, while in other constituencies we would extend our support to the Trinamool and the Congress with only one objective - to end the Marxist dictatorship," Chhetri said.

On the issue of merging Darjeeling Hills with Sikkim after the recent resolution passed by the Sikkim assembly supporting the cause of Gorkhaland, he said: "We want a separate Gorkha state of our own. But we are thankful to them for extending support to our cause."

EDITORIAL

GURUNG’S MASTERSTROKE

Choosing Competent Representatives

His critics accuse him of throttling the voice of democracy in Darjeeling hills. Their accusation seems justified when one views how the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) President Subash Ghising was forced to flee Darjeeling and seek shelter in the plains and the gruesome manner the All India Gorkha League (AIGL) President Madan Tamang was hacked to death in broad daylight in Darjeeling town. These two unfortunate events in the hills took place during Bimal Gurung-led Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s rule in the past few years. Because of this AIGL and CPRM, two major political parties in Darjeeling, have made restoration of democracy one of their main political agenda. The two parties are convinced that without democracy creation of Gorkhaland state in the hills would be futile.

However, the choice of Gurung’s party candidates contesting from the three prestigious Assembly seats of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong is noteworthy and the Morcha chief needs to be congratulated for opting men of substance to represent the hill people in the West Bengal Assembly (if ever they get elected) after the ensuing Assembly polls. While one of the candidates (Trilok Dewan) is a retired IAS officer and former chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh, the other two (Harka Bahadur Chhetri – a doctorate in botany & party spokesman –  and Rohit Sharma) teaches in a Kalimpong school and Kurseong College respectively.

While Nepali/Gorkha leaders in neighbouring Sikkim make use of prominent citizens and intellectuals to help build up their party and finally reject them in place of pliable candidates to contest Assembly polls or once their government is formed, Gurung, on the other hand, has shown a better example which needs to be emulated if hill leaders in this part of the region wish to offer good governance to the people. Darjeeling is the jewel of West Bengal and those ruling it ought to realize the need for good and capable people to run the show whether it be political parties, interim set-up, Union Territory or Gorkhaland itself.

New Delhi for separate Himalayan policy

SHISHIR PRASHANT

With food security remaining a big concern in the 1.2 billion nation, the Centre is planning to devise a separate policy for the Himalayan region comprising states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh to boost their overall growth.

“Discussions have already started for a separate policy for the Himalayan region comprising sectors like agriculture, fishery, horticulture, animal husbandry and others. We are involving leading non-governmental organisations (NGOs), central institutions and experts in this endeavour,” said Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) Director General Dr S Ayappan, on the sidelines of a workshop on future strategy on the Himalayan region.

The greater emphasis will be given on the hill mechanism for a cost-effective approach, experts said. The main concern of the new policy will be to fulfill the requirements of the hills where land holdings, are small, soil erosion is rampant, biodiversity is rich and climate change is a seen as big factor, experts said.

Other factors like haphazard growth, water shortage, rapid migration, unemployment will also be taken into account into the future policy, said Anil P Joshi, whose Dehradun-based NGO, HESCO, has taken the initiative to work for the separate Himalayan policy. “This workshop is the first step towards the future policy initiatives. Our big goal will be to devise the agriculture policy at the first stage at the centre level for the entire Himalayan region,” said Joshi.

Chipko movement leader Sunderlal Bahuguna, a recipient of Padma Vibhushan, also supported the idea of the separate policy saying big dams like Tehri were creating destruction of the region’s rich biodiversity.

With Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee focusing on the nutrient millets, Ayappan said a budgetary provision of Rs 300 crore has been made for boosting the growth of agri-millets like mandua (finger millet) which have tremendous potential in states like Uttarakhand.

Entire system has become corrupt: Assam RTI activist

P. Ghosh

Guwahati, April 12: Assam on Sunday erupted in protests against the detention of an RTI activist by the police. Akhil Gogoi, who is also the general secretary of farmers’ body Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), was detained along with some leaders while he was addressing a press conference.

Immediately after his detention, groups and individuals expressed their anger by blocking roads and a highway amidst shouting anti-government slogans throughout the State.

Within two hours of his arrest Gogoi was released. The police not only apologized to him but also assured a thorough probe in the incident. The authorities earlier said that he was arrested under for violation of Section 144 Cr.PC and violation of model code of conduct.

After his release Gogoi addressed a rally before taking out the proposed march in support of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and made a scathing attack on the government for the arbitrary detention. “I was detained because the government is afraid of the KMSS. I learnt I was freed at the instruction of the chief minister. The government could not expect such a spontaneous reaction from the people,” he said.

“I am not a member of any political party and as such my holding a press conference does not violate the model code of conduct,” he said while being whisked away by the police.

The KMSS recently launched a crusade against the Congress government in the State on corruption.

“The entire system has become corrupt. The Congress has to be taught a lesson if people want to get rid of corruption by lawmakers and bureaucrats. But if the party is voted to power again, we will only encourage it,” Gogoi, winner of an RTI award, said here recently.

No monitoring mechanism for implementation of GoI, NEC funds in Sikkim: CAG report

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, April 12: The annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on management of finances in the State released here recently reveal that though the Government of India (GoI) transferred Rs 231.79 crore to the State Implementing Agencies during 2009-10 for various projects  in the State the actual amount spent could not be ascertained  due to proper documentation of such projects.

In five such schemes, including MG-NREGA and PMGSY, the Centre had released a total of Rs 164.28 crore. Out of this Rs 27.67 crore remained unutilized, CAG report revealed.

The report said, “…there is no single agency monitoring the funds directly transferred by the GoI and there is no readily available data on how much is actually spent in any particular year on major flagship schemes…funded directly by the GoI.”

Even projects funded under the North Eastern Council (NEC) failed to achieve the desire target, CAG report said. While only 62% of works could be completed within the stipulated time frame the report revealed that objectives were not achieved in 11 (44%) out of 25 schemes.

It said due to “improper survey and planning”, “preparation of defective project reports” and “non-implementation” and “delay” in implementation of projects funds released by NEC for “balanced socio-economic development of the State”, unfortunately, “remained largely unachieved.”

The report also pointed out that “Monitoring mechanism was inadequate and impact of the Schemes was never evaluated.”

HISTORY

The royal family of Cooch Behar

                                             

It is believed that the ancient Koch kingdom of Cooch Behar was known as ‘Kamta’ and the kings called themselves ‘Kamteshwar’ or the lords of Kamta.

Archeological records indicate that the medieval history of Cooch Behar dates back to the Pala-Senas period in 11-12th century A.D. Sculptures, coins, temples and mosques in the area proves this fact and the remains found at Rajpat, Dinhata, exposes the ancient capital of Kamtapur ruled by the Khen kings. It is believed that deep within the mound at Rajpat, which is presently protected by the Archeological Survey of India, lays the palaces of Kamtapur and the Kamteswari Temple.

The Narayan dynasty was formed on the ruins of the Kingdom of Kamrup, established by the first Maharaja, Chandan Narayan in 1510 A.D.; he was of Koch and Mech descent. After him, his successor to the throne, Maharaja Vishnu Narayan and his son Maharaja Nara Narayan expanded the empire by conquering vast areas of land in the region.

The Narayan dynasty ruled Cooch Behar from the 16th century and maintained its rule even after the Battle of Plassey in 1757 - the battle between Siraj-ud-daula and the East India Company. Near about the 18th century, following the invasion by the king of Bhutan, the kingdom of Cooch Behar came under the protection of the British Empire. After independence, it was ceded to the Government of India, and was finally merged with the state of West Bengal.

The royal families of Cooch Behar were heavily influenced by British culture, tradition and education and enjoyed great privileges from Queen Victoria. This trend was made popular, especially, by Maharaja Nripendra Bahadur Narayan who ruled Cooch Behar from 1863 – 1911; two of his daughters married Europeans and all his children was educated in England. The family belonged to the Rajbanshi and was very cultured, modern and broad-minded in their views; they actively promoted social reforms and Indian literature in India and the European countries.

The legacy of the Narayan Dynasty can be found in the royal palaces, buildings and temples built by the successive kings in Cooch Behar; for instance, the Rajbari Palace, and other heritage buildings were erected during the rule of these kings.

Tibetan glaciers melting at alarming rate: Dalai Lama

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN VOL 1 No 14 Page 1 April 6, 2011

Tibetan glaciers melting at alarming rate: Dalai Lama

Shellee Tyler

Dharamsala, April 5: The Tibetan Spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has said that he is concerned over the melting of glaciers in the Tibetan plateau as they seem to be melting at an alarming rate. The glaciers are a lifeline for the Asian rivers, including the Indus and the Ganges.

 He is concerned that once the glaciers melt away, then the rivers will dry up and water supplies will be threatened. This could affect over a billion people that live in India and some in China as well.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama used research provided by Chinese experts, saying that “the Tibetan glaciers are retreating faster than anywhere else in the world”. He added that the ecology in Tibet is “something very, very essential”.

"India, a free country, I think should express more serious concern, that's I think important. This is nothing to do with politics, just everybody's interest, including Chinese people also," said the Tibetan spiritual leader and Nobel laureate when he was delivering the 3rd Birth Centenary Lecture in New Delhi last Saturday in honor of former Indian President R. Venkataraman.

He expressed his concern not just for the Tibetan people, but because; “millions of Indians use water coming from the Himalayan glacier, so you have a certain right to show your concern about the ecology of that plateau”.

He also expressed his concern over water shortages in the region, and the strain that is starting to show on access to freshwater in both India and China.

“In terms of the ecological aspect of the issue, more than a billion people in the Asian regions maybe depend on the water that comes from rivers that originate on the Tibetan plateau. Therefore, people in the region who will be impacted by changes to the Tibetan environment have the right to express their concern at the future of Tibet,” said the Dalai Lama.(planetsave)

RAY OF HOPE IN SIKKIM

SIKKIM-TIBET-NEPAL

From Monarchy to Anarchy!

Ruled by the Chogyals (dharmaraj) of the Namgyal Dynasty since 1642 the former Buddhist Kingdom of Sikkim came under the political and religious influence of the ancestors of the Namgyal House since the 13^th century. British domination in India finally paved way for Sikkim becoming the 22^nd State of India in 1975. And yet in the past three and half decades Sikkim has been ruled by two men – Nar Bahadur Bhandari and Pawan Kumar Chamling, who are both Nepalese.  It is ironical that the Sikkimese people, though belonging to the world’s largest democracy, still yearn for freedom, democracy and rule of law. In many ways Sikkim functions like one of the countries in the Middle East which is presently in turmoil. Behind every ‘dictator’ is a bigger power.

Unfortunately, Nepal’s struggle for democracy ended in abolition of its monarchy. This indeed is the surest and swiftest way to takeover a country. Sikkim is a fine example in this regard. The former Hindu Kingdom, ruled by the Shah Dynasty ever since 1769, is yet to settle down politically. In fact, Nepal is yet to give itself a new Constitution to govern its people. Nepalese don’t like to admit openly but their new threat is from the Terai region where the Indian-origin madhesis are becoming more assertive politically even as the country tries desperately to retain its distinct identity despite increasing influence from its northern and southern neighbours.

Slowly but steadily Bhutan is showing the way. Its peaceful transition to democracy and the quiet and yet impressive development on the economic front while retaining its distinct Buddhist identity is a matter of pride and joy not only to the Drukpas but also to the Sikkimese and Nepalese who have much to learn from the Druk Kingdom. Bhutan has learnt much from Sikkim and it has learnt it well. While keeping India more than happy the Bhutanese have mastered the intricate of diplomacy. India, too, must have learnt some lessons along the way.

GJM to support TMC-Cong alliance in Dooars: Gurung

From Our Correspondent

Darjeeling, April 5: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has decided to support the Trinamool-Congress alliance for Assembly seats in the plains.

The Morcha has announced that it will support the Trinamool Congress and Congress candidates in the Terai and Dooars leaving the Left camp worried.

There are seven in Jalpaiguri district, where the Morcha has a sizeable number of followers among the Gorkha community.

“Our aim is to drive out the Left Front from power as it has done nothing for the people of the Hills in the 34 years of its rule. We have faith in Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee who has already started developmental works for Darjeeling through Railways and we are hopeful that she will do more when she comes to power,” GJM president Bimal Gurung said.

"We have fielded candidates in the three assembly constituencies in Darjeeling. Now we will extend our support to Trinamool and Congress in the plains of Siliguri and Dooars," Gurung added.

Meanwhile, Jaswant Singh, senior BJP leader and Darjeeling MP, will campaign for the Morcha candidates in the hills.

Singh, who arrived here today, will campaign till April 10.

Elections will only be a drama: RB Rai

C. Tamang

Darjeeling, April 5: Politicians and political parties love to contest elections. Even those who do not want to be under “Bengal” are taking part in the polls. Their excuse is that they, if elected, want to raise the Gorkhaland issue in Bengal’s Legislative Assembly!

But the CPRM has taken a different view on the ensuing Assembly polls in West Bengal. It does not want to take part in the polls mainly because its party chief RB Rai feels that the whole thing is a “drama” to hoodwink the people into believing that party candidates are fighting for Gorkhaland.

“Elections will only be a drama and the CPRM does not want to participate in the polls,” said Rai.

Rai’s party has gone one step further. It has decided the people not to cast their votes to register their protest. CPRM believes that while Subash Ghising’s GNLF’s main issue for the polls is the 6^th Schedule the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha is all set to settle for an interim set-up after the polls. Other parties contesting the polls such as the CPM and TMC are against division of Bengal.

CPRM opted to stay out of the polls after its attempts to field “consensus” candidates for the polls failed.

C K’s Gorkha Forum to campaign for Congress in Assembly polls in Assam, WB

Kalimpong, April 5: Former Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Working President CK Shrestha (65), who recently formed his own political outfit, United Gorkha Forum for Congress (UGFC), has urged all Gorkhas in the country to identify themselves with the Congress party.

Shrestha’s move comes on the eve of Assembly elections in Assam and West Bengal, where support of Gorkha voters are vital to both regional and national parties.

In Assam the Congress is trying to come to power for the third time and in Bengal the TMC-Cong combine are making concerted efforts to oust the ruling CPM.

The Forum, based in Guwahati, has CK as its Convenor. According to Shrestha, in 126 Assembly constituencies in Assam the strength of Gorkhas is 16%.

The Forum’s ad-hoc committee has members from Northeast, including Sikkim and Kalimpong.

Ruling party calls for two-day ‘Sikkim Bandh’, holds rallies

Bandh a drama: Opp

Gangtok, April 5: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) may be delighted on the ‘success’ of its two-day bandh called in the State on April 4-5 but the Opposition is convinced that the bandh was just a “joke” and a “drama” imposed on the people.

While former Minister and dissident Congress leader KN Upreti described the two-day bandh as a “comedy drama” of the SDF, the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party (SHRPP) President AD Subba said the bandh was “unfortunate” and “embarrassing”. Subba said the bandh proved that private companies are not listening to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to give employment to the locals.

Upreti alleged that after accepting “commission” from private parties and having failed  to sign MoUs with them the ruling party was now calling for a bandh.

Upreti said all along the ruling party has been assuring the youths that their rights are safeguarded by the party. “What has happened now?” Upreti questioned. He added that the ruling party has an absolute majority in the House with all 32 seats in its kitty and calling a two-day bandh against some private parties is a “big joke.”

The Matri Bhumi Suraksha Sangathan (MBSS) Convenor DN Nepal has also labeled the bandh as a “political drama” of the ruling party.

Even the ruling party’s BM Ramudamu, Vice-President of the ruling party’s labour wing, All Sikkim Democratic Labour Front (ASDLF), has reportedly admitted that the State Government failed to sign MoUs with pharmaceuticals major Cipla which has two units in the State.

The Labour Front called for the two-bandh to pressurize private companies and business houses to given employment to Sikkimese youths.

Most locals agreed with Opposition leaders in calling the bandh a drama. “The bandh proves that the ruling party, which has been in power for over 16 years, has failed the people,” said an observer.

One peculiar aspect of the bandh was that it was an opportunity for the ruling party to hold rallies all over the State on numerous issues. This is something new in the country as a whole.

Sikkimese pay rich tribute to Chogyal’s ‘outstanding and uncompromising’ contribution to Sikkim

Gangtok, April 5: Paying rich tribute to the late 12^th Chogyal (king) of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal, on his official-birthday-cum-coronation anniversary the indigenous Bhutias and Lepchas of the former kingdom acknowledged the Chogyal’s “outstanding and uncompromising” stand on Sikkim and Sikkimese.

Despite facing “overwhelming odds” for the “rights of the Sikkimese people” the former Chogyal, who died in January 1982 after losing his kingdom to its protecting power in 1975, followed by the sudden ‘death’ of his eldest son (Prince Tenzing) in 1978, and finally divorcing his American wife, stuck to his principled stand till the very end, stated a press release by Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) Convenor and former Minister, Tseten Tashi Bhutia.

The statement by the apex body of the minority Bhutia-Lepcha tribals was made on the occasion of the “official” birthday and coronation anniversary of the late Chogyal, which falls on April 4. The Chogyal, who was born on May 23, 1923, was crowned 12^th Chogyal of Sikkim on April 4, 1965 after the death of his father, Sir Tashi Namgyal, who passed away in December 1963.

The organization was unable to observe its proposed function to celebrate the occasion at the Namgyal Park near the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT) located below the capital on April 4 this week as the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front had called for a two-day Sikkim bandh on April 4-5, the release said.

Describing the Chogyal as “Father of Democracy”, SIBLAC said the late Chogyal will  “always be held in the highest of esteem by the Sikkimese people for the principles he endeavored single-handed in his keen quest to ensure the pride and rights of the Sikkimese people.”

Recalling the Sikkim Legislative Assembly’s historic obituary reference made on the Chogyal, SIBLAC said, “posterity and his descendants would always hold their head high for the entire outstanding and uncompromising stand he took against the overwhelming odds during his whole lifetime.”

SIBLAC also appealed to the Indian Government and politicians to abide by the commitment made to the Sikkimese people in the historic May 8^th Tripartite Agreement of 1973 signed by the Chogyal, Government of India and leaders of three major political parties in Sikkim representing the three ethnic communities of Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese.

Sikkimese to finally witness Satyajit Ray’s Sikkim on April 6

Yangchen Namgyal

After waiting for four decades, two bans and a two-day ‘Sikkim Bandh’ Satyajit Ray’s Sikkim, a controversial 52-minute documentary made in 1971, will be screened in Gangtok (Sikkim)  for the first time at the Vajra cinema hall on April 6.

The film was to be screened on April 4, to coincide with Palden Thondup Namgyal, the 12^th Chogyal’s (king) 46^th anniversary of his coronation. However, due to the two-day Sikkim bandh called by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s labour wing the screening of the film was, unfortunately, postponed to April 6.

The consecration of Palden Thondup Namgyal as the 12^th Chogyal took place at the Tsuklakhang Monastery, the royal chapel, on April 4, 1965 less than two years after the demise of his father, Chogyal Tashi Namgyal, who passed away peacefully in December 1963.

The Chogyal’s marriage to Hope Cooke (an American), a rare treat for the global media, took place in Gangtok on March 1963.

The late Chogyal, during whose term as king Sikkim was absorbed into the Indian Union in 1975, was actually born on May 23, 1923 and not on April 4 as reported by the media.

Commissioned by the Chogyal in the late 1960s, the documentary was first banned by the Chogyal and then the  Indian Government when the Himalayan kingdom merged with India in April 1975.

“Baba was also taken aback when the Indian government decided to ban Sikkim because it highlighted the monarchy. Baba had always maintained that what the documentary showed was part of history,” says Ray’s filmmaker son Sandip.

“The king and the queen of Sikkim had objected to a very interesting scene showing a royal feast. The queen Hope Cooke said it was ‘wicked’. So Baba had to cut a few shots but he was not happy with it at all. He had never faced such a situation before,” recalled Sandip.

A print that the Satyajit Ray Society retrieved from the Chogyal’s family was damaged beyond repair. Finally, a print that had made its way to London was traced and restored by the Academy of Motion Picture.

 A print of the film was discovered in the archives of the British Film Academy in 2003, which is being restored digitally, according to  Josef Lindner, preservationist with the US Academy of Motion Pictures, whose major restoration projects include 'The Sound of Music,' and 'Patton.’

Sandip saw the restored copy a few years back at the Nantes Three Continents Film Festival in France.

“Baba had been to this festival before, and shooting the documentary had been very difficult for him. We had gone to places like Lachen (north Sikkim) where it was very difficult to travel at that time. There was no electricity and we would work at night in candlelight. But despite the cuts, I think Sikkim would still be a very interesting documentary to see,” Sandip said.

Sikkim was recently screened at the Kolkata Film Festival, but none of the screenings were "officially recognized", said Art & Culture Trust (ACT)’s managing trustee Ugyen Chopel, a renowned Sikkimese filmmaker. The ACT now has exclusive rights over the film.

The much-awaited premiere is likely to be attended not only by Sikkim Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh, and Mumbai-based actor-director Tinu Anand, who had assisted Ray in the film, but by the public at large.

GORKHALAND RESOLUTION

SIKKIM OBSERVER   Vol 20 No 16 Page 1 April 2 2011

GORKHALAND RESOLUTION: CHEERS IN SIKKIM, DARJEELING; FEARS IN BENGAL

Gorkhas to felicitate Chamling; resolution ‘unconstitutional’ & against ‘Parliamentary norms’: WB Govt; no division of Bengal, says Trinamool

Observer News Service

Gangtok, April 1: The passing of a resolution in the Sikkim Assembly demanding creation of a separate State of Gorkhaland has been cheered by the people of Darjeeling and Sikkim but received a thumbs-down from neighbouring West Bengal.

It is significant to note that the resolution was passed three weeks after Gorkha Janmukti Morcha President Bimal Gurung met Chief Minister Pawan Chamling in Gangtok and a few weeks before Assembly polls in West Bengal, where the Morcha has fielded three candidates from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong.

The resolution will surely go in favour of Morcha candidates whose main issue for the polls is Gorkhaland.

In a statement after the passing of what has been described as a “historic” event favouring Gorkhaland, the Morcha chief said he was “overwhelmed” by the unanimous resolution of the Assembly, whose 32 legislators belong to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which has been in power since 1994.

“I am overwhelmed with intense happiness on hearing that the legislative assembly of Sikkim state has unanimously passed a resolution supporting the demands for the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland,” Gurung said in his letter to Chamling.

“I have no words to express the gratitude of all Gorkhas for your wholehearted support and initiative to give the much needed recognition to our demand,” Gurung added.

“Sikkim is the real owner of Darjeeling because it was a part and parcel of Sikkim before the Britishers came. And we are happy that at last they have taken a stand in our favour. Now we are even ready to be part of that state rather than staying with Bengal, because it has not done anything for us. We will now tell the Centre to consider the resolution,” Harka Bahadur Chhetri, Morcha spokesman, told a national daily.

The Morcha has decided to felicitate Chamling for passing the resolution, according to the party’s spokesman Benoy Tamang.

While Sikkim and Darjeeling celebrate their permanent bond of friendship and brotherhood as reflected in the resolution leaders of West Bengal have responded negatively against Chamling’s latest move on Gorkhaland.

West Bengal Assembly Speaker Hasim Abdul Halim termed the passing of the resolution by Sikkim Assembly supporing creation of Gorkhaland “unfortunate” and not in tune with Parliamentary norms and tradition.

“I cannot call it unconstitutional but it is against Parliamentary norms,’’ Halim said in a report in the Indian Express.

Ashok Bhattacharya, West Bengal’s Minister for Urban Development, said the passing of the resolution was “unconstitutional.”

The Trinamool Congress also condemned the move and said the Sikkim Assembly, by passing the resolution, violated parliamentary norms and vitiated federal spirit.

 “The Sikkim Assembly has no business to pass a resolution regarding an area under West Bengal. We are very much against any further division of Bengal,” said Saugata Roy, senior Trinamool leader and Union Minister of State for Urban Development, the Express reported.

The Sikkim Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution in favour of the creation of Gorkhaland, saying the separate state was a “genuine and legitimate” demand of the people of Darjeeling hills.

“The people of Darjeeling have been demanding Gorkhaland state…. The demand of the people of Darjeeling for formation of state is genuine, legitimate, legally justified and within the parameters of the Constitution of India. The Central Government may kindly consider the legitimate demands of the people of Darjeeling for statehood and take necessary steps as required under the Constitution,” reads the resolution.

Chamling said Gorkhaland was the “ultimate and permanent solution to ensure peace, security and development of Sikkim and the region and free movement on National Highway 31A”.

“Our government has given peace, communal harmony and security to the state and its people… In this peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the state, disturbances with no signs of normalcy and decrease taking place for so many years in the neighbouring areas of Darjeeling in West Bengal affecting our lifeline National Highway 31A clearly indicates that only a permanent solution is the remedy,” said the Chief Minister while moving the motion.

Meanwhile, a four-member central committee of the Morcha led by its General Secretary Roshan Giri met Chamling here on Thursday to convey the party’s appreciation and gratitude to Chamling for passing the resolution.

The team has also invited Chamling to Darjeeling to felicitate him for his support on the statehood issue.

Assembly passes resolution on IT exemption for ‘left out’ persons

Observer News Service

Gangtok, April 1: The Sikkim Assembly resolution demanding exemption of payment of income tax under the Income Tax Act 1961 has been welcomed by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s Byapari Morcha.

Morcha’s General Secretary Shanker Agarwal said the resolution was “historic” and has been welcomed by the people, according to a press release of the Morcha.

The resolution passed in the Budget session of the Assembly last week was proposed by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and seconded by ruling party’s Gangtok MLA Dorjee Namgyal Bhutia.

The resolution seeks  IT exemption for “left out” categories of persons having agricultural land in rural areas, business community who have permanently settled in Sikkim prior to 1961 and those who were in government service before December 1969  and who are permanently settled in Sikkim.

The resolution says names of the above category of people were “left out” from the Sikkim Subject Register and were thus deprived of their rights on IT exemption.

As of now the ‘Sikkim Subjects’, whose names are in the Sikkim Subject Register, are enjoying IT exemption. The Chamling Government wants the same rights to be enjoyed by old settlers of Sikkim who have been “left out” from the Register for various reasons.

   It may be noted that the Government wants tax exemption not only for members of the old business community majority of whom are plainspeople but also for farmers and government servants who have settled in Sikkim before 1961 and 1969.

According to official sources, of the 6 lac residents in the State less than half are ‘Sikkim Subjects’ who belong to the three ethnic communities – Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese.

Bhutia-Lepchas to oppose Assembly seat reduction, ready to defend political rights

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, April 1: The minority Sikkimese Bhutia-Lepcha tribals in the State feel betrayed by the Sikkim Assembly’s bid to reduce seats reserved for the two communities in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

This indication came after the Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution in the Budget session seeking increase of seats in the Assembly from 32 to 40, according to a press release of Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC).

A meeting of the Committee chaired by its President Tseten Tashi Bhutia here on Wednesday expressed “anger and disappointment” over the “nature of the resolution” passed by the Assembly, a press release by the Committee’s General Secretary PT Lepcha said.

The two indigenous communities who were made scheduled tribes in 1978, three years after the controversial merger in 1975, are convinced that increase of seats in the Assembly  to 40 without increase of 12 seats reserved for them would lead to the dilution of their political rights and distinct identity safeguarded by Article 371F of the Constitution.

Presently, of the 32 seats 12 are reserved for the Bhutia-Lepchas, one for Sangha, two for Scheduled Castes (who are Nepalese) leaving 17 seats in the general category.

The minority Bhutia-Lepchas feel betrayed by the Chamling Government’s latest move to dilute the political rights of their community, the release said.

The resolution not only violates the “terms of Sikkim’s merger” but is also against national interest, the release said and added that the Bhutia-Lepchas would fight “tooth and nail” against the mischievous “designs” of anti-Bhutia-Lepcha elements.

“If need be, the Bhutia-Lepchas are ready to come down to streets,” SIBLAC warned. (

Bhutia body condemns Guv’s stand on Bhutia-Lepcha rights

Observer News Service

Gangtok, April 1: The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organization (NASBO 371F), a non-political organization of the State’s ethnic Bhutias, has strongly condemned Governor B P Singh’s recent statement in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly on the political rights of the minority indigenous Bhutia-Lepcha tribals of the State.

In a press statement NASBO said the Governor’s address in the House on March 23 regarding increase of Assembly seats is against the minority community.

During its general meeting held here NASBO has not only rejected the Governor’s intention to erode the political rights of the Bhutia-Lepcha tribals but said that it was “unfortunate” that the Had of the State should openly carry out an “anti-Bhutia-Lepcha agenda” in the House.

The organization’s demand that there be proportionate increase in the seats reserved for the Bhutia-Lepchas in the House if ever there is an increase of seats in the Assembly has been ignored, NASBO said in a Press release.

NASBO has also noted the failure of the 13 Bhutia-Lepcha representatives in the House to defend the rights of the minority community.

CAG report indicts Govt on power project implementation in Sikkim

Observer News Service

Gangtok, April 1: The annual report of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on management of State finances has come down heavily on the State Government on the manner in which hydel project works are being carried out in the State.

The report said the State Government awarded project works to private parties at “throwaway charges” leading to neglect of “environmental issues”, loss in revenue and lack of development in the local area concerned.

Briefing the media here on Tuesday after the report was placed before the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, the Accountant General of Sikkim, Dinesh Bhagata, said even though the State Government had not framed any Public Private Partnership (PPP) policy for the State, the Government opened the power sector to private developers.

“The State Government commenced award of hydro power projects to Independent Power Producers (IPP) without working out any effective modality and finalizing any plan or policy,” the CAG report said.

“Unplanned execution” at “throwaway charges” and “lack of monitoring mechanism in implementation of the power projects resulted in unfruitful expenditure of Rs 8.96 crore beside cost overrun of Rs 7.73 crore, blockage of funds Rs 14.53 crore and irregular diversion of project funds of Rs 16.17 crore,” the report said.

The most startling revelations on power projects in the State in the CAG report is imposition of upfront premium on private developers at a meager rate of Rs 10,000 per MW. This has led to loss of revenue ranging between Rs 60.08 crore to Rs 279.87 crore.

Worse is the fact that the State lost precious revenue ranging from Rs 2,514.49 crore to 2,622.76 crore per year due to imposition of penalty at an “abysmal low rate” of Rs 10,000 per MW per month for delay of commissioning of projects by private developers.

“Non-implementation of specific condition in the agreements drawn with 16 private developers for regular contribution towards local area development led to loss of Rs 245.20 crore annually,” the report revealed.

The report also said award of two power projects to Gati Infrastructures Ltd, a private developer, in November 2003 at a comparatively low rate of 12 per cent royalty for the entire agreement period, led to a potential loss of Rs 143.50 crore per annum from the 16^th year of operation onwards.

Referring to environmental issues during implementation of power projects, the report said “Adequate steps to safeguard the environment viz. catchment area treatment plans, protection and preservation of reverine fishes etc. had not been taken during implementation of hydro power projects” in the State. (also see edit on page 2)

Two-day Sikkim Bandh on April 4-5

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, April 1: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s labour wing, the All Sikkim Democratic Labour Front (ASDLF), has called a 48-hour bandh in the State from 6 am on April 4 (Monday).

Briefing the media, Front’s Vice-President BM Ramudamu and General Secretary Norzang Lepcha said the bandh has been called to pressurize the concerned authorities for 100% employment for locals in central government offices, PSUs and business establishments in the State.

The Front said the bandh has been called in view of the failure of these units to comply with repeated requests made on employment of locals.

While tourist vehicles will not be allowed to ply during the two-day bandh, essential services such as ambulance, fire services, army, BRO etc will be exempted from the bandh.

EDITORIAL

CAG REPORT

Indictment And The Ground Reality

Despite claims made by the State Government on the State’s development the latest annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is quite a strong indictment of the performance of various departments. What is most worrisome is that in many areas the report has observed that schemes are being implemented without any policy and planning. For instance, in the Sikkim Public Works Department (Roads and Bridges) “unrestrained” and “indiscriminate” sanctioning of projects without availability of funds under “non-existence policy” has led to loss of Rs 341.22 crore to the State exchequer. The most astounding disclosure was that Sikkim has one contractor for every 26 citizens. This would mean that the State, which has a population of 6 lacs, can boast of at least 23,000 contractors! It is an open secret that contract work go to only a handful of ruling party supporters leaving 99.99% of the  so-called “contractors” to be satisfied with “pack money”, a term used as bribe money paid to a host of bidders to step aside to enable  the chosen few to grab the job.

Added to these irregularities is CAG’s disclosure that the “monotoring mechanism” to evaluate implementation and impact of various schemes was not only “inadequate” but “data” to assess even major flagship schemes funded by the Central Government was not  readily available. While brifing the local media after the CAG report was submitted to the State Assembly CAG authorities said the department depends much on the media and the Opposition to bring the important issues highlighted in the report in the public domain. This indeed is a tall expectation considering how independent journalists and newspapers can be wonover or browbeated if they exercise their freedom beyond the laxman rekha. Opposition parties and leaders, too, face the same heat. Under the law, courts can also take note of CAG report on its own (suo moto) and initiate action against the culprits. But in small States like Sikkim Judges also come under great pressure if they choose to strictly follow the law and exercise the independence of the Judiciary. The ground reality is that this year’s CAG report will be another of those rituals in our system where reports, including important ones, are placed before the people and then forgotten.

16^th Karmapa’s  Rumtek residence in total disrepair

K. Tenzing

Visitors to the world-renowned seat-in-exile (Dharma Chakra Centre – commonly known as ‘Rumtek Monastery’) of the 16^th Karmapa who passed away in Chicago on November 5, 1981, do not take much notice of the small two-storeyed structure located behind the main monastery and on the right side of the shedra (monastic college) .

This is because the structure which was once the residence of His Holiness the 16^th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje is in a dilapidated condition. The paintings on the walls have almost disappeared and the windows are almost falling off or are held by old and rusted corrugated metal sheets (chadar).

If you happen to take a closer look inside from the windows the articles, including furniture, on the ground floor are in terrible condition. A 1986 calendar hung on the wall reminded visitors that the house has been unused for a long time.

When asked why the house has been abandoned a young monk who is a student of the monastery’s Nalanda University for Higher Buddhist Studies (shedra) said. “There is a case” and so no one has been allowed to enter the house which is locked.

Near the residence where there used to be a small sanctuary for birds (the Karmapa was fond of birds) is now occupied by army personnel who have been manning the monastery complex ever since the Karmapa controversy surfaced in early 1990s.

Apart from this the Karmapa’s residence the rest of the structures in the monastery complex are quite well maintained. The question which comes to one’s mind is plain and simple: is this the way to honour a highly respected religious figure of Tibetan Buddhism and the Head of the Kargyu lineage who sought refuge in Sikkim after Communist China’s takeover of his country? Who is responsible for this sad state of affairs and why has the concerned authorities not done anything about it for so long?

Followers of the tulkus of the 16^th Karmapa in particular who want the early return of the Karmapa to Rumtek (East Sikkim) ought to take a second look at the house of the one who lived in Sikkim and blessed the people for more than two decades and do something about it at the earliest.

ON MY OWN

Jigme N Kazi

Preservation of Sikkim’s cultural heritage begins at Tsuklakhang

Charity, they say, begins at home. This also applies to preservation of one’s culture. A quiet and yet very impressive beginning is being made at the Tsuklakhang monastery in Gangtok towards preservation of Sikkim’s rich and unique cultural heritage.

“Our culture springs from our Buddhist heritage. It is the basis of all Sikkimese culture to flourish,” says Hope Leezum, daughter of the late Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal, the 12^th King of the former kingdom of Sikkim.

Sikkim was a Buddhist kingdom ruled by the Chogyals of the Namgyal Dynasty for more than 300 years. But before the advent of the Namgyal Dynasty in 1642 the ancestors of the Namgyal Dynasty virtually ruled the region, which was much bigger than the present area, for more than 400 years after a blood brotherhood treaty between the Lepchas and Bhutias in the 13^th century.

Those who have not visited the Palace area where the monastery is located should pay a visit at the earliest. The entire premises of the monastery has got an impressive facelift. The recently-constructed buildings housing about 100 Sikkimese monks are beautifully painted, the lawn is kept clean with flowers and plants well-arranged, the outer and part of the inner portions of the monastery have also been repainted. And there is also a newly-made open resthouse built in traditional Sikkimese style – simple and yet elegant – at the back of the monastery.

If one is more perceptive one would also notice the long pole at the centre of the courtyard in front of the monastery holding a huge square-shaped lungta (windhorse) prayer flag. The only eye-sore in the area is the new building painted in dark gray. Hopefully, this building, too, will get a new-look soon to match the surrounding area.

And yet the most impressive of the Tsuklakhang Trust’s recent initiative is the restoration work of old and rare murals inside the walls of the two-storeyed monastery. Here Andre Alexander from Germany and Anca Nicolaescu, a Romania from Paris, aided by three artisans from Ladakh, are making concerted efforts to restore the mural paintings that dates back to 1920s.

Andre, who is Chairman of Tibet Heritage Fund and Leh Old Town Initiative, says he will spend about a year in Sikkim at the Tsuklakhang  for the restoration work. His colleague Anca, a painting conservator, hopes to train locals in the art of cultural preservation vis-à-vis restoration of mural paintings.

Tibet Heritage Fund (THF), an international non-profit organization registered in Germany, has been consultant to UNESCO and other international organizations for projects across Asia ranging from sustainable development of towns and settlements, housing and water/sanitation work, to cultural exchange projects, academic research and vocational training.

THF was also involved in relief work after the Yushu earthquake and the Ladakh flashflood. It also participated in the recovery of a 10th century Buddhist stone carving, the design and construction of a museum for Ladakh, restoration of a 14th century monastery in Amdo, and the restoration of a 13th century temple in Ladakh.

“The idea is that once they (Andre and Anca) leave Sikkim after completing the project locals who are trained under them should be able to shoulder the responsibility of doing similar restoration work under their guidance,” says Hope Leezum (she is locally referred to as Semla (Princess) and her full name is Hope Leezum Namgyal Tobden).

Technically, there are three main steps for restoration of mural paintings at the Tsuklakhang: 1. Remove the soot from the paintings with soap. 2. Remove the transparent yellowish-coloured varnish coating from the painting with white spirit or alcohol. 3. Repaint the portion which have been erased.

Briefing the media, who were also keen to learn the art, Andre says “mineral paint” was used to paint the murals which not only depicted gods and goddesses of the Buddhist world but also local deities. Small areas of the wall which have fallen down will be replaced by “mud plaster’, says Andre, who has worked on similar projects, including restoration works where construction work is involved.

During his stay in Ladakh (15 years and Lhasa (7 years) Andre worked on projects such as restoration of Jokhang temple in Lhasa, restoration of the 9^th century Meru Nyingba monastery in Lhasa and 14^th century murals and buildings in Ladakh.

Sikkim’s Tsuklakhang Trust was formed by Chogyal Wangchuk Namgyal, who is still undergoing retreats in the Himalaya, in 1982 with the objective of preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Sikkim, which was ruled by the Chogyals (dharmaraj) since 1642 under the Namgyal Dynasty.

The mural paintings at the Tsuklakhang was carried out in the 1920s under the guidance of Tharing Rinpoche (Jigdal Pao),  son of Gyalmo (Maharani) Yishey Dolma from her first husband Lhasey Kusho, explains Hope Leezum. No repainting has been carried out after the original painting which is said to be one of the finest in the entire Himalayan belt and comparable to the best in Tibet.

In fact, the 9^th Panchen Lama had deputed his Lharipa to supervise the mural paintings at the Tsuklakhang, the Royal Chapel where the Chogyals were consecrated, during the reign of Sikkim’s 11^th Chogyal Tashi Namgyal, whose long rule (1914-1963) saw many progressive developments in Sikkim.

In fact, Sir Tashi Namgyal was fortunate to regain the Chogyal’s power earlier usurped by the British Raj’s first Political Officer Claude White, who ruled Sikkim with a bunch of anti-Sikkim elements from around 1887 to around 1918. White’s main agenda in Sikkim was to ensure that Sikkim became a British Protectorate to enable Great Britain to have easy access to Tibet and finally to China through Sikkim for its imperialistic designs in Asia.

Both Andre and Anca, who live among the lamas in the monastery premises, are working on a voluntary basis. “We welcome local volunteers for the job. Just doing the work is our chog (spiritual practice),” says Hope Leezum, who is a representative of the Palace in the Trust. She hopes the Trust’s “merit project” will inspire all Sikkimese to be proud of their cultural heritage and get involved in Sikkim’s cultural revival.