SIKKIMESE SOLIDARITY

SIKKIM OBSERVER   Vol 20 No 12 Page 1 May 7 2011

Editorial

SIKKIMESE SOLIDARITY

Initiative Must Come From Sikkimese Nepalese

Opposition leaders in Sikkim are basicially harpening on the same theme these days. They want permanent safeguards for Sikkimese who possess genuine Sikkim Subject Certificates. Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his colleagues used to say the same thing before they came to power in 1994. Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who ruled Sikkim for nearly a decade and half before Chamling, too, made the same promises. In fact, Bhandari and his Sikkim Parishad, which overthrew the Kazi Government in the State’s first Assembly polls after the ‘merger’ in 1979, promised more than safeguards under Article 371F of the Constitution; they wanted de-merger. “Desh Farkaow” (return Sikkim) was their slogan.  After more than three and half decades down the line Sikkimese people are just scraping through in every respect and those who made tall promises have been accused of not only betraying the people but indulging in rampant corruption.

   If Sikkimese – Bhutias, Lepchas, and Nepalese of Sikkimese origin – are to stand united as aspired by Bharat Basnet-led Sikkim Solidarity Forum for Gorkhaland, then the initiative and leadership must come from the majority Sikkimese Nepalese community. Unfortunately, the Sikkimese Nepalese leadership has miserably failed the people on basic issues and long-term interest of the Sikkimese people. After nearly four decades let-down by the Nepalese leadership in Sikkim the minority Bhutia-Lepcha tribals have now been forced to do some real hard thinking. Mere statements, speeches, resolutions, emotional expressions of any kind will now not stir the hearts and minds of genuine Sikkimese if the political leadership in Sikkim do not have the will to carry on the noble and much-needed task to fight for all Sikkimese, including those other than ‘Sikkim Subjects’ who have been living in Sikkim for generations and have made Sikkim their homeland. The political leadership in the former kingdom needs to do an indepth self-introspection before embarking on yet another sentimental journey leading to nowhere. Even if the Sikkimese people do not deserve anything as they, with few honourable exceptions, are only after the mundane things of life and nothing else, ‘Sikkim’ should not be allowed to forever live on hope and die in despair. It should be given one more chance to come back to life and remain the homeland of generations of Sikkimese yet to be born.

Solidarity Forum demands ST status for Sikkimese Nepalese

Sikkimese Nepalese leadership has failed us: Basnet

Observer News Service

Gangtok, May 6: Realizing the need to safeguard Sikkim’s distinct identity and the political rights of the Sikkimese Nepalese, Sikkim Solidarity Forum for Gorkhaland has demanded that all Sikkimese be declared ‘scheduled tribes’ in the State.

Briefing the media at a press conference here yesterday, Forum Chief Convenor Bharat Basnet has demanded that Nepalese of Sikkimese origin, who possess Sikkim Subjects Certificates and were ‘Sikkim Subjects’ in the former kingdom, should be declared scheduled tribes.

Presently, only Tamangs and Limbus from the majority Nepalese community have been granted ST status in the State. The Bhutias and Lepchas obtained ST status way back in 1978.

Basnet made a fervent appeal to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to pass a one-point resolution in the State Assembly demanding ST status for all Sikkimese Nepalese.

“If Chamling does that I’m ready to join the ruling party,” Basnet said.

He said inclusion of all Sikkimese Nepalese in the ST list in the State would go a long way in preserving Sikkim’s distinct identity as per the provisions of May 8, 1973 tripartite agreement and Article 371F of the Constitution. “This is the only way to preserve the political rights of Sikkimese Nepalese and restore communal harmony in Sikkim,” Basnet said.

Basnet, a senior Congressman who was recently expelled from the party along with others, including former minister KN Upreti, for alleged anti-party activities, said the leadership of the Sikkimese Nepalese has completely failed Sikkim and the Sikkimese people.

He said Sikkimese Nepalese should now be willing to handover the post of chief ministership to a capable person from the minority Bhutia-Lepcha community.

Referring to the Forum’s activities on Gorkhaland, Basnet said after his organization got active Gorkha Janmukti Morcha President Bimal Gurung met Chamling. “This meet led to passing of Gorkhaland resolution in the Sikkim Assembly,” Basnet said.

BJP HOLDS ANTI-CORRUPTION DHARNA IN GANGTOK

Threatens to raise issue in New Delhi

Observer News Service

Gangtok, May 6: The State unit of the BJP has threatened to raise the corruption issue against the Chamling Government at Jantar-Mantar in New Delhi next month if the State Government fails to act on the alleged rampant corruption in the administration as reported in the latest CAG report.

Briefing reporters during the party’s dharna on corruption in front of the District Collectorate office here on Tuesday, BJP Sikkim unit President Padam Chettri said if the concerned authorities fail to act on the report on corruption raised by the BJP with 30 days his party would raise the issue at Jantar-Mantar in New Delhi.

BJP Lok Sabha MP from Bihar, Nikhil Chowdhury, who had come to attend the dharna to back the State unit’s anti-corruption campaign in the State, said at a press conference that the party is likely to raise the corruption issue in the Parliament and may also demand that the issue be referred to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the House as all the 32 members of the Sikkim Assembly belong to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), leaving no Opposition members in the Assembly to raise corruption issue against the government.

Chowdhury has been appointed as the Sikkim in-charge in the Lok Sabha by the central BJP leadership. The central BJP has already formed a panel to look into alleged massive corruption in the northeast, including Sikkim.

 Recently, BJP President Nitin Gadkari, while campaigning for his party in Assam for the Assembly polls, said his party would raise alleged rampant corruption in the northeast with President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The alleged corruption scandal in northeast runs into Rs 63,000 crore, according to Gadkari, who released a report entitled ““Congress Government’s Loot of North East” in Guwahati recently.

In Sikkim, the NB Bhandari-led Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee’s “Sikkim Mahaloot”, a 108-page colour magazine detailing corruption in the Chamling Government, is doing the rounds. The magazine has been published in English and Nepal. Copies have also been submitted to the Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who is said to have given the green signal to the party on the corruption issue. The matter is presently pending with the CBI awaiting the Prime Minister’s go-ahead.

Senior Congress leader and former Minsiter KN Upreti had earlier alleged that around Rs 4,000 crore has been misappropriated by the Chamling Government.

Chettri, while quoting CAG report, said more than Rs 6,000 crore has been misused by the Chamling Government. He has written to Governor BP Singh and Chief Secretary ND Chingapa demanding necessary action on the matter. If the concerned authorities fail to act on time the BJP will hold a dharna in New Delhi shortly, Chettri said.

Only Article 371F protects Sikkim’s distinct identity, not ST status: Upreti

Gangtok, May 6: Former minister KN Upreti said Sikkim’s “distinct identity” can only be preserved if Article 371F is implemented in “letter and spirit.”

Opposing the Sikkim Solidarity Forum for Gorkhaland’s demand  on scheduled tribes status for all Sikkimese Nepalese in the State, Upreti in a press statement said the view that the distinct identity of the three ethnic communities in the State can be saved if the entire Sikkimese Nepalese in the State are declared scheduled tribes is “erroneous.”

The former minister said Sikkim’s special status can only be preserved under Article 371F. Unfortunately, former chief minister, N B Bhandari, and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling used the provisions of Article 371F with an “ulterior motive” and played with “the sentiments of local people.”

Upreti also accused the Government of India for failing to protect Sikkim’s distinct identity under Article 371F.

He said Sikkim’s special status has been diluted due to old laws being replaced by new laws. He added that the three ethnic communities – Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese – and the old settlers can “survive” only under Article 371F and May 8, 1973 agreement.

“Inviting the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to get tribal status neither gives us protection nor preserves our distinct character,” Upreti said.

He has appealed to “right-thinking” local people to oppose the move to erode Sikkim’s “special feature.”

Khando’s death great loss for Tibetans: Samdhong Rinpoche

Observer News Serevice

Dharamsala, May 6: The Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration on Wednesday condoled the sad demise of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, who died in a helicopter crash in Lobothang near Tawang District.

In a condolence message, Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche expressed "deep sadness and worry about the tragic demise of a young, honest and one of the best chief ministers” of Arunachal Pradesh.

“Moreover, he has brought immense development and improvement in the lives of the people of Arunachal Pradesh and the Tibetans living in there,” Kalon Tripa said.

“Since his death is a great loss to both the Tibetans and the people of Arunachal Pradesh, I, along with my cabinet colleagues offer our prayers and heartfelt condolences to the people of the state and his family members,” Kalon Tripa said.

A special prayer service will be organised by the Department of Religion and Culture at the Tsuglagkhang, the main temple in Dharamsala on 5 May, Kalon Tripa said.

The Core Group for Tibetan Cause in India said Khandu was not only an  “ardent Buddhist” and a “staunch follower” of the Dalai Lama but also “a great friend of Tibet.”

In a statement, the Group’s National Convenor, NK Trikha, said Khandu  “held Tibet deep in his heart and had even visited Dharamshala to express his solidarity with the Tibetan cause.”
” Despite China’s pressure, he stood firm and invited His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh as a State Guest.  He was a true friend of Tibet. His tragic demise is a huge loss to the Tibetans and friends of Tibet all over the world,” the statements added.

Khandu was declared dead on Thursday in a helicopter crash, six days after the copter carrying him dropped off the radar.

The wreckage was sighted on Wednesday after an aerial survey of the difficult terrain in the State's Tawang district, from where it had taken off on Saturday.

Besides the chief minister 5 others on board also died in the tragic incident.

 BJP seeks CBI probe against Chidambaram in 2G scam

New Delhi, May 6:  The BJP on Thursday launched a campaign seeking to corner the UPA government on corruption by using the PAC report on the 2G spectrum scam.

Former finance minister Yashwant Sinha fired the first salvo, demanding that home minister P Chidambaram be investigated by the CBI for his alleged role in the spectrum scam when he was finance minister, Financial Express reported.

The party, which kicked off what it terms “a campaign against corruption against a government of the corrupt” will be launching a series of public meetings, with the first being held in New Delhi on Thursday.

Sinha, who had taken on Chidambaram even earlier, said, “P Chidambaram is a master at obfuscation, and has not been able to explain why he first objected and then later fell in with plans to allocate 2G the way it was. Till his role is probed by the CBI, the investigation into the 2G spectrum allocation will not be complete,” he said.

Chidambaram had, after Sinha’s initial allegations last week, already clarified that, “the note of January 15, 2008, was sent to solely deal with the issue of the charges for spectrum, also known as spectrum usage charges.” The note, he maintained, made three very specific suggestions for raising additional revenue, including price discovery through the auction route.

PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW People Have A Right To Know

“I am deeply grateful to India and will not do anything against its interests”

In his first formal press statement after the recent controversy on the activities of his monastery His Holiness the 17^th Gyalwa Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, says that he is not a “Chinese agent” as alleged and India has become his “home” after he escaped from Tibet in January 2000.

There have been many media reports recently about the Karmapa name and institution. I did not respond to them because I did not want to add unnecessary public controversy while the investigation was at a critical stage.

However, the time has come to make certain fundamentals clear to those who may still nurse any doubts. Let me at the outset state categorically that:

1.      I am not a Chinese spy, agent or plant in India.

2.      I am deeply grateful to the Government of India for giving me refuge in this great country and for all the courtesy and hospitality shown to me since my arrival here. I am also very moved by the marks of affection that the Indian people have always showered on me. India is my home now and I would never do anything against the interest of the country or her people.

3.      His Holiness the Dalai Lama is my spiritual and temporal leader, and I am committed to the well-being of the Tibetan people.

It would appear from media speculation that some people still wonder why I left Tibet in December, 1999. I have given press interviews on the subject previously. Today, I wish to reiterate that my spiritual education as the 17th Karmapa could not be completed if I had remained in Tibet. I had to receive the oral teachings of the Karmapa Lineage which have been passed down in an unbroken chain from India since the time of Lord Buddha. The origins of my lineage are in Nalanda whose great scholar, Naropa, received the teachings from his teacher, the Mahasiddha Tilopa. Naropa transmitted these teachings to the Tibetan Marpa, who passed them on to his disciple, Milarepa, and thence to Gampopa, from which they passed to Dusum Khyenpa, the first Karmapa. The Karmapa Lineage is thus deeply rooted in India where my illustrious predecessor, His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, also found refuge in India, and established Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim. All the gurus of my lineage were in India. The Chinese Government would not allow them to visit me in Tibet. I could not live up to the high expectations from my position without their spiritual guidance. If I had stayed in Tibet, I strongly believe I would have had to denounce His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

Tibet is under Communist China's totalitarian regime. Unlike democratic India, there is no religious freedom there.  Many Tibetans, including the illustrious heads of the different sects of Tibetan Buddhism had to flee to India following the Cultural Revolution. Even today, distressing news is coming out of Tibet regarding the current unrest at Kirti Monastery in the Tibetan area of Ngaba in Sichuan province. On March 16th, the self-immolation of a young monk named Phuntsok reveals the underlying tension that has been simmering for decades due to China's misguided policies addressing the grievances and resentments of the Tibetan people.

Reports say that the ongoing military siege of Kirti Monastery, the arrest of over 300 monks, and the death of two elderly local residents in police beatings have increased fears that if the authorities did not abandon use of force, the situation may deteriorate into full-scale violence costing lives of hundreds of unarmed and innocent Tibetans. I understand there are still some 2,200 monks completely isolated and the monastery is blockaded by the security police; the fate of these monks is still unknown owing to the April 21st official order sealing the Ngaba and Kandze areas to visitors.

Frequent peaceful protests carried out by the Tibetans are symptoms of a broken and wounded people desperately crying out for the restoration of their cultural identity, religious and human rights. Since Kirti Monastery is very important with great historical significance throughout the Ngaba region, I join His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Eminence Kyabche Kirti Rinpoche in their appeal to the Central Chinese Government and the international community to peacefully resolve the current crisis in Ngaba.

Tibet was an independent nation from ancient times. It maintained strong religious, cultural and trade ties with India. The common border was open and peaceful, allowing not only the free movement of trade and people but also the flow of the finest thoughts of human civilization. Hindus and Jains revered Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake as places of holy pilgrimage. Tibetans regarded India as the holy land of Lord Buddha and aspired to make a pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya. Buddhism came to Tibet from India. Along with Buddhism came much of the Tibetan language and the Tibetan script which was derived from ancient Indian scripts. We honour Indian saints and sages like Shantaraksita, Padmasambhava, Atisha, and many others who came to Tibet. Scholars and practitioners from renowned institutions of learning like Nalanda and Vikramasila inspired many of our religious schools.

Today, India is our second home. The Tibetan culture and religion has flourished in India's free and welcoming atmosphere. India has given refuge to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to many Buddhist lineage heads who have set up monasteries around the country. Tibetan Buddhism, culture and the Tibetan way of life thrive in India.

I am deeply conscious that India has not only saved Tibetans and their way of life from extinction but also enabled us to draw inspiration from this holy land of the Buddha and take Buddhism to distant parts of the world where it was unknown previously. I pray that Lord Buddha's teachings and Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence combined together become a source of peace and harmony for the entire world.

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN   EDITORIAL PAGE 4 May 4, 2011

GHISING’S COMBACK

Heat In The Himalaya

Even if none of his party candidates win in the Assembly elections the Gorkha National Liberation Front chief Subash Ghising has made a comeback of sorts in hill politics after three years of hibernation in the plains. The GNLF, which won all three seats in the last Assembly polls and has fielded candidates from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, is poised to revive and strengthen its base in Darjeeling hills, where people are disillusioned and confused with the way things are.  Despite threat to his life the GNLF supremo dared to return to the hills and that too during elections when emotions are high. While hundreds of his party supporters welcomed him during public meetings, a rare event in the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha-dominated hill region, Ghising threw another challenge to Morcha leader Bimal Gurung by demanding that his party be made party to the ongoing tripartite talks.

What is more significant to note is the fact that Ghising is not raising the Gorkhaland demand this time. He wants Darjeeling hills to come under the 6^th Schedule of the Constitution. Even if we are not in agreement with his views on the 6^th Schedule the fact that he chose to make a comeback with this demand when the prevailing mood of the hill people is for Gorkhaland state is in itself a mark of leadership that dares to go against the current. Ghising has his own reasons for going against the tide. Perceptive observers are convinced that while the Gorkhaland issue may be a vote-catching tool during elections most hill parties have reconciled to the fact that creation of a new state is not possible at the present juncture. Ghising is more realistic and an experienced hand in dealing with New Delhi and Kolkata. Hill politics, therefore, is bound to heat up after the polls no matter who wins in the hills and at Writer’s Building when results are declared on May 13 (Friday the 13^th).

The Rana Dynasty ruled Nepal for over 100 years

The Rana dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Nepal from 1846 until 1953, reducing the Shah monarch to a figurehead and making Prime Minister and other government positions hereditary. The dynasty is descended from one Bal Narsingh Kunwar of Kaski who moved to Gorkha in the early 18th century and entered the service of Raja Nara Bhupal Shah around 1740, and of Bhimsen Thapa (1775-1839 who is counted among the National heroes of Nepal.

Janga Bahadur Kunwar began the dynasty. He came to power through the 1846 Kot massacre  where 36 members of the palace court, including the Prime Minister and a relative of the King Chautariya Fate Janga Shah, were murdered. These were unstable times and Janga Bahadur brought stability to the country by putting himself firmly in control. He took the title Rana ("king"), the honorific Shrī Tīn  meaning his name was preceeded by Shrī-Shrī-Shrī, and was accorded 19-gun salutes by the British Raj.

 However Shah kings were Shrī Pānch  -- Shrī-Shrī-Shrī-Shrī-Shrī -- called Maharājdhirāj "king of kings", and given 21-gun salutes. Junga Bahadur's sons and brothers inherited the title Rana and took it as their family name instead of Kunwar.

After Junga Bahadur's death his brother Ranodip Singh Rana took the Prime Ministership and title of Junga as per Junga's established wishes. However, the childless Prime Minister Ranodip was murdered by four of his nephews (sons of Dhir Shumshere Rana, youngest and most trusted brother of Jung). This was because against Jung's wishes Ranaudip wanted to pass on the hereditary title and position of Prime Minister to Jung's family only, while Jung had firmly established a system where the eldest member of the Rana dynasty should get the position as he himself had passed on his title to his brother and not his son after his demise.

This did not sit well with Dhir's elder sons, so just as their uncle Jung āengineered the Kot massacre for the stability of the nation, so too the unfortunate hand that Ranodip played led to his murder and the firm establishment of the Shamshere Rana rule. Most notable among the Shamshere Prime Ministers were Bir, Chandra and Juddha, who established the first banks, schools, hydro power plant and industries. They also adapted the full name of Shamshere Jung Bahadur Rana in honour of their uncle. The children of Jung Bahadur mainly lived outside of Kathmandu, in Nepal and mainly in India after escaping the coup d'état of 1885.

The shortest serving Rana was Dev Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana who ruled for two months in 1901, he was deposed by his brothers because of his open display of guilt for what has happened during the coup. Known as "The Reformist" for his progressive policies, he proclaimed universal education, began to building schools, took steps to abolish slavery, and introduced several other social welfare schemes.

He also made improvements to the arsenal at Nakkhu (south of Kathmandu) and started The Gorkhapatra newspaper. Dev Shumsher felt guilty for what had transpired during the coup, also a key incident happened during the coup which affected him deeply. He was held at gunpoint by General Dhoj Narsingh Rana, but was allowed to live and forgiven. For this, he felt a lot of guilt and asked for the exiled family members to return to Nepal. This brought him to a clash with his immediate brothers.

He was deposed by his relatives, where he settled in Jhari Pani, near Mussoorie, where his Fairlawn Palace once stood. A developer purchased the palace and tore it down, replacing it with cottages. All that remains are a few of the original gates and a small portion of the palace skeleton.

The Ranas were acclaimed and given much prestige and a 19-gun salute by British as well. All with the exception of Deva Shamsher received knighthoods. The Rana dynasty developed into a powerful family clan and are still very influential in the country today. The family formed a close alliance with the Shah dynasty via marriage. (Wikipedia)

OPINION

 P. STOBDAN

Beijing weaving ‘garland of pearls’ around India

"Hide your strength and bide your time" is an old Chinese strategy

The Chinese are masters of the art of denial and deception. At a recent closed-door meeting of a reputed Beijing-based think-tank, Chinese experts told three Indians that China would be "magnanimous" in Aksai Chin if India agreed to give up Tawang. Among the Chinese experts were Sun Shi Hai, deputy director of Asia Pacific Studies and advisor to the highest in the country's power structure; Ma Jia Li, a senior analyst connected with China's foreign intelligence arm; and Chen Rui Sheng, a former ambassador to India. The so-called Indian representatives, by contrast, didn't possess expertise in the Sino-India relationship.

Through the Beijing meet, the Chinese have emphatically conveyed that Tawang is non-negotiable in a final settlement of the border issue. Located strategically at the Bhutan-Tibet-India tri-junction, a transfer of Tawang to China will bring this point further down south to the slender Siliguri corridor joining the Northeast to the rest of India. With Beijing's claim in Bhutan also inching closer to the Indian border, the Chinese threat needs no elucidation. If China's minimum demand in the eastern sector has been defined 'unofficially' to a certain extent, the so-called offer of concessions in the western sector remains vague. Mostly, this offer has been qualified by the phrase, "China will consider".

Worse, China can deny even these messages from the Beijing meet. This has been its habit, its history. Deng Xiaoping offered in 1988 a package deal on the border. It was withdrawn as "just a concept" when Indian officials sought clarifications. And yet, many in India swallow the Chinese propaganda that New Delhi has always rebuffed Beijing's reasonable overtures for resolving the border issue!

The Chinese are only interested in resolving the border issue on their terms. And these terms extend beyond Tawang to cover all of Arunachal Pradesh, which appears linked to Beijing's Tibet policy. They feel their control over Tibet is incomplete without Arunachal. Didn't ambassador Sun Yuxi declare that the whole of Arunachal belongs to China? Should they not manage to regain Arunachal now, they'd encourage the Tibetans to lay claims to the State once a deal is struck between Beijing and the Dalai Lama. Completion of the ongoing railway project in Tibet is expected to only harden Beijing's position in the eastern sector.

"Hide your strength and bide your time" is an old Chinese strategy. This involves lulling their opponent into disarming, while they acquire overwhelming strength. Then they suddenly pounce upon their foe. For decades, China worked behind the veil of being a Third World country, implementing the theory that says development and security must go together; that in the absence of one the other can't be achieved.

The veil is now slipping off. The Chinese Institute of Contemporary International Relations, a think-tank supported by China's external intelligence agency, recently unveiled the "Greater Peripheral" theory of emerging as an "independent big power". This was most recently showcased through a commitment of $5 billion in assistance to 48 African countries. The scheme was earlier applied in its immediate periphery (East and Central Asia) where it had used a varied mix of instruments—diplomacy, political support, economic allurement and military aid—to acquire heft and influence.

The greater periphery strategy includes both big and small nations. Of the several US-led alliances in the region, Beijing perceives the following as vital: US-Japan, US-Australia and US-India, which can coalesce into a US-Japan-Australia-India alliance to encircle China. Independent interests of the US, Japan and India in Central Asia are also viewed as catalysts for an anti-China coalition. India is seen as the weakest of the above actors. But then it straddles the Indian Ocean and, along with the US, controls the sea-lanes to the Malacca Strait and beyond. Most of the ASEAN countries are also increasingly looking at India to balance China's force projection in the region.

The standard Chinese policy, therefore, is to ensure that India is surrounded by inimical neighbours. Thus, Pakistan was elevated to a nuclear weapons power through illegal proliferation. Bangladesh is the new sparkling pearl in Beijing's "garland of pearls" strategy against India. Not only is it arming Bangladesh, it is assisting Dhaka to build a nuclear reactor. This Chinese strategy is expected to only accentuate. (Professor Stobdan is the director of the Strategic and Regional Studies, University of Jammu.)

NE students back Manipur’s “Iron Lady”

Himalayan News Network

Guwahati, May 3: The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), the banner organization of all the major students’ unions in the seven Northeastern states, has launched a fresh region-wide agitation to press for its demand to repeal the ‘draconian’ Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act ,1958. This Act provides sweeping powers to security forces fighting insurgents in the region and allegedly precipitated many cases of human rights violation and aberrations in the region for over five decades.

The NESO has started its fresh agitation in solidarity with Manipur’s ‘Iron Lady’, Irom Sanu Sharmila, who has been on hunger strike for over ten years demanding scrapping of the AFSPA. The activists of the NESO would wear black cloth on their mouth to register protest against the continuation of the  Act in the region to protest the central government’s inaction on the demand.

“The Government of India which buckled under the hunger-strike resorted to by Gandhian leader Anna Hazare against corruption, has adopted a grossly discriminatory attitude towards Manipur’s iron lady Irom Sharmila on fast since November 2, 2000 demanding scrapping of the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 that has been in force in the North East for about five decades,” stated NESO chairman Dr Samujjal Bhatacharrya.

The NESO has expressed its anguish over the Centre’s lukewarm attitude towards fasting Sharmila and termed it ‘inhuman’ and lambasted the Centre for adopting an overall attitude of treating the people of North East as second class citizens of the country.

“Nowhere in the world a lady has been on fast for more than a decade for the causes of her fellow people and the Government of India is keeping her under judicial custody in a hospital in Imphal. It is outrageous,” Bhattacharrya said.

Bhaichung joins Tibetan rally in Shillong

P. Ghosh

Shillong, May 3: Indian football skipper Bhaichung Bhutia last Friday joined a candle-light procession by Tibetans here protesting the alleged atrocities by Chinese forces on monks in Tibet.

Tibetans in Shillong were protesting the repression by Chinese forces at Kirti Monastery in Ngaba province.

"We should join hands for tranquility and peace of the people," Bhutia said. "We are praying for the monks who are under house arrest in Kirti Monastery," he added.

Regional Tibetan Youth Congress president Gompu Tenzin said at least three monks have been beaten to death while over 300 arrested by Chinese forces at Kirti Monastry in Northern Tibet.

The 100-odd protesters displayed placards saying 'Release the Monks', 'We want Peace' and 'Stop the Starvation of Monks'. (also see page 2)

Himalayan Children’s Home of the Tharchins

Kalimpong’s Himalayan Children’s Home was established in 1962 by the Late Rev. G Tharchin and his wife Margaret Tharchin, who was a German missionary working in West Bengal.

In 1956, Rev. Tharchin became the first local Tibetan Pastor. Seeing the plight of many destitute and displaced children of Tibetan refugees after the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959 the Tharchins started a small Children’s Home in Kalimpong from their residence.

The school started with only five students. The Home is located at Tirpai hill above the main bazaar.

After the couple passed away the Home was looked after by their son Rev SG Tharchin and his wife since 1975. Most of the students belonged to ethnic communities of the region – Nepalese, Tibetans, Sikkimese and Bhutanese.

Presently, Himalayan Children’s Home has around 100 students between  the age group of 5 to 18. To cater to similar needs, the Tharchins have opened two similar branches in Nepal (in Ayabari town at the foothills in southern Nepal) and at the Indo-Bhutan border township of Chamurchi. Each of these Homes, run in rented houses, has at present 25 students.

SC breather for Sikkim CJ in corruption case

Himalayan News Network

New Delhi, May 3: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed all further proceedings of the three-member panel probing corruption and other charges against Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court P.D. Dinakaran.

A Bench of Justices H S Bedi and C K Prasad stayed the impeachment inquiry, saying it cannot continue in the larger interests of natural justice if Justice Dinakaran has even a mere “apprehension” that the men judging him are biased.

The stay for two weeks was granted after senior counsel Amarendra Saran and counsel Romy Chacko, appearing for Justice Dinakaran, pointed out that the committee had passed orders without even hearing the petitioner, raising the question of bias.

In his petition, Justice Dinakaran challenged the April 24 order of the committee rejecting his plea that Rao recuse himself from the committee, on grounds of bias. Once the apprehension of bias was raised against a member, he said, an order compelling him/her to continue to serve was fraught with disastrous consequences, impinging on his fundamental rights.

He alleged that Rao was part of a delegation that met then CJI K G Balakrishnan in 2009 to protest his elevation to the Supreme Court.

The probe panel led by Justice Aftab Alam of the SC, which was appointed by Rajya Sabha Chairperson Hamid Ansari, has framed 16 charges against Justice Dinakaran, including possession of wealth disproportionate to his sources of income and encroachment on public property and land belonging to Dalits.

Jamir back in State politics, to contest by-election

For the interest of Naga people, we must win: Rio

Kohima, May 3: After 60 years in politics former Nagaland Chief Minister, who served as Governor of Goa and Maharashtra, is back in State politics.

Jamir, one of the seniormost Congress leaders in the country, will be contesting the ensuing by-election from Aonglenden Assembly constituency on May 7. If declared a winner he could pose a threat to the present Democratic Alliance of Nagaland Government led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

 Jamir wants to make a comeback to contribute towards “peace, unity and prosperity” of the Naga people. “Let us look forward to the future with hope and great expectation, where the younger generation of the Nagas would feel proud of themselves,” he said.

Jamir expressed his appreciation to the Congress party for unanimously recommending his candidature and thereby giving him the opportunity to play an active role in Naga politics once again.

Campaigning for his party (Naga People’s Front), Rio said when regional parties come to power, there is peace and harmony; however when nationl parties come to power in the State, there is trouble.

Rio said that political vision of the NPF party is to work for the protection of the Naga people’s identity and culture and to work for the development of the State.

“We must win. For the interest of the Naga people, we must win. For the future of the Naga people, we must win,” said Rio during his poll campaign.

Jamir’s return has not only rejuvenated the State Congress, but has also posed a major challenge to the ruling Nagaland People’s Front, which has won two consecutive Assembly elections.

Jamir launched his campaign by stating that decades of armed conflict had not only brought untold misery and hardship to the Nagas, but had also divided the tribal society.

“We cannot blame others for this and we cannot deny that Naga society lies mortally wounded because of its own follies,” he had said.

INTERVIEW/Lobsang Sangay

“I would like to continue the dialogue with China”

Lobsang Sangay is the first Kalon Tripa, or prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, to come to power since the Dalai Lama announced he would relinquish his political responsibilities last month. As such,  Sangay will have an unprecedented role to play in the future of the Tibetan movement.

The results of the election for the new prime minister, which took place March 20, were announced in India’s Himalayan town of Dharamsala, where the exiled government is based, on Wednesday.

Born in a Tibetan refugee settlement in India’s hill station of Darjeeling in 1968,  Sangay moved to the U.S. in 1995 to study at Harvard Law School, where he later completed a doctorate on the history of Tibet’s exiled government. He has been living in the U.S. since, and is now a senior fellow at the school.

Before moving to the U.S. he was an active member of the Tibetan Youth Congress in Delhi, participating in many protests against Chinese rule in Tibet.

Sangay, who is set to take office in August, is widely seen as the face of political change among Tibet’s exiled community. In a telephone interview with India Real Time, he talked about his approach to the job and the plights of Buddhist monks at Kirti Monastery, located in a traditionally Tibetan area of China’s Sichuan province, following police crackdowns on unrest there over the past month. Edited excerpts:

IRT: How do you feel about being the first Prime Minister to be elected since the Dalai Lama announced his retirement from politics?

Sangay: It’s humbling and also an honor and a privilege that Tibetans have entrusted their hope and aspirations in me and I will do the best in my capacity to live up to the expectations of Tibetans.

I regard His Holiness’ top down gift of democracy as magnanimous. For Tibetans it remains a difficult decision to digest and I, for one, will do my best to promote His Holiness’ vision of a secular, democratic, Tibetan society. This will always remain my inspiration.

IRT: What will your top priority be as Prime Minister?

Sangay: My number one priority is to end the suffering of Tibetans inside Tibet, to have the Chinese government recognize the identity and dignity of Tibetans and to find a peaceful way to address the issue of Tibet.

Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King are all great leaders of the nonviolent movement who achieved their goals through both dialogue with the other side and, yes, by also confronting unjust policies as required.

IRT: What is your policy line on China?

Sangay: In my 16 years at Harvard, I organized conferences and met hundreds of Chinese scholars. I would like to continue the dialogue at the people level and if the Chinese government is willing, also at the government level.

More moderate policies and attitudes will serve their interests, too. Tibet is under occupation and there is ongoing repression, cultural assimilation and economic marginalization.

One case in point is the repression at Kirti Monastery in northeastern Tibet. It is a symptom of the ongoing tragedy in Tibet which must end. Moving away from its hard-line policy on Tibet is in the best interests of China, too. It would improve its image in the eyes of the international community.

IRT: You’ve attracted a lot of support from young Tibetans in exile. What message do you have for them?

Sangay: I come from a humble background. My parents had to make many sacrifices for me to go to the Tibetan refugee school. I spent my winter vacations working in the woods to help my parents. The person I have become is mainly because of the education I got and because of my hard work. I hope to inspire the young generation to pursue their education.

I’ll do my best to provide the opportunities, through policies and funding, so that they will be able to stand on their own feet and become successful professionals in the future.

IRT: How would you respond to critics who say you have little experience in government?

Sangay: I have an understanding of the government’s political institutions, I’ve dialogued with Chinese people and have confronted unjust policies of the Chinese government. I am also familiar with the Indian government and its people, which is also important for the role of Kalon Tripa.

Although I do not have direct experience of government, I have had exposure to the inner workings of Dharamsala because I spend a lot of time there. People have taken me for who I am. If you look around the world there are a lot or prime ministers and presidents who are in their forties, from Barack Obama in the U.S., to Julia Gillard in Australia, to David Cameron in the U.K. They are doing fine and I should be fine as well.

NAWANG GOMBU: YOUNGEST HERO OF 1953 EVEREST EXPEDITION

Nawang Gombu (79), the youngest member of the 1953 team that put Sir Edmund Hillary on the summit of Mount Everest, who died at his home in Darjeeling last week (April 25), was the first person in the world to scale Mt. Everest, the world’s highest peak, twice.

Prominent among those who were present during his funeral in Darjeeling last Thursday was Bachendri Pal, a close friend of the deceased who was India’s first woman to climb Everest in 1984. "We not only shared a professional relationship but he was more like a father figure to me. Besides being a great mountaineer, he was also an explorer. His death is a great loss to the nation," Pal said.

Gombu was barely 21 when he joined his uncle Tenzing Norgay -- who eventually summitted with Hillary -- on the first successful expedition to climb the world's highest peak.

Gombu missed out on the summit in 1953, but got there 10 years later and again in 1965 -- making him the first person to scale the mountain twice.

Born in Tibet, he had moved with his family to Nepal before finally settling in the Indian hill town of Darjeeling.

Ang Tshering Sherpa, former president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association and a leading organiser of Everest expeditions, said his death was a "great loss" to the mountaineering community.

"We know that his passing will not only leave a void in our lives, but in the hearts of all those who knew him," he said.

Harvard scholar Sangay is new PM of exiled Tibetans

SIKKIM OBSERVER  Vol 20 No 11  Page 2 April 30, 2011

Dharamsala, April 29: Lobsang Sangay, a 42-year-old Harvard scholar, has been elected by Tibetans across the world as the new Prime Minister of Tibet’s government-in-exile.

The results of the elections to the 44-seat Tibetan Parliament and Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) were declared on Wednesday after completion of the counting of votes and compilation of the reports received from 56 regional election commissions.

The new Prime Minister would take charge on August 15 after the term of incumbent Prime Minister S Rimpoche ends.

Congratulating the newly-elected Prime Minister, Samdhong Rinpoche said, “I and my fellow members of the Kashag (cabinet) would like to extend our congratulations to Sangay for winning the election with an overwhelming majority.”

Sangay polled 27,051 votes (55 percent) in the final round of polling held March 20. Out of 83,990 registered voters, 49,184 cast their ballots.

Upreti supports BJP on corruption charges against Chamling govt,  demands probe

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, April 29: Former Minister and dissident Congress leader KN Upreti has backed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sikkim Unit President Padam Chettri’s allegation that Chief Minister Pawan Chamling is more corrupt than former Union Telecom Minister A. Raja, who has been chargesheeted by the CBI in the 2G scam and placed in judicial custody.

Lending support to the BJP leader, Upreti said Chettri’s allegation against corruption in the State administration was based on “CAG report.”

The allegation leveled by Chettri as “far as the level of corruption in the State is concerned is absolutely true and we too support his statement,” Upreti said in a Press statement.

Upreti expressed his “serious concern” for Central Government agencies in the State ignoring rampant corruption in the State administration. The former Minister has also demanded a thorough probe into corruption in the State by Central agencies.

“The claim of the SDF Party that its Chief Minister Shri P.K.Chamling has clean image is ridiculous and only a section of blind supporters of the party believe to be so,” Upreti said.

The State unit of the BJP has submitted a memorandum to Governor BP Singh and Chief Secretary ND Chingapa on alleged rampant corruption in the State.

While stating that Chamling is more corrupt than Raja, Chettri, while briefing the media here, said as per the latest CAG report Rs. 6,254 crores have been embezzled by different departments in the State. The BJP has demanded the UPA Government at the Centre to act strongly and swiftly against the culprits in the State.

The BJP has also threatened to raise the issue in the Parliament and urged the people to support their anti-corruption campaign  in the State.

SC refuses to hear Sikkim CJ plea

Observer News Service

New Delhi, April 29: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to hear Sikkim High Court Chief Justice PD Dinakaran’s plea seeking stay of pre-impeachment probe by a Rajya Sabha-appointed committee into allegations of misconduct and corruption against him.

A bench comprising justices D K Jain and H L Dattu did not give any reason for recusing itself from hearing the matter.

"It will go before another bench in the mentioning list for tomorrow," the bench said.

Dinakaran on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court to stay impeachment proceedings against him for alleged corruption. (also see page 3)

Editorial

INDIA PRESS

Land Acquisition Controversy

The reported bid to acquire the premises of India Press near Balwakhani in Gangtok by the Sikkim Government has been opposed by a section of the workers of the printing press (India Press). They not only allege that around 13 acres of the land belonging to the press is being acquired by the State Government but have also opposed the move to acquire such a huge amount of prime land belonging to the Central Government. The workers fear that once the land is acquired the State Government may not make use of the land and give away to private parties. This has happened before at lower Tadong below Gangtok where land was acquired by the Sikkim Government from private parties, who belonged to the tribal community, for industrial purposes and later allotted to Ministers and senior civil servants close to the ruling party. Another justifiable apprehension of the workers of India Press is the fear that once the area is acquired they may lose their job. A thorough study needs to made keeping in view these facts before a final decision is taken on the issue.

If the reported bid to takeover land belonging to India Press is true then the Chamling Government needs to be congratulated for getting back a portion of Sikkim’s land which was once taken by the Centre. Apart from the Palace area the best part of Gangtok such as Libing, Balwakhani and Burtuk (Swastik), which fall on the ridge, have been acquired by the Centre for defence, intelligence, communication and road building offices and quarters. Precious land of the locals have also been acquired by the army in border areas, particularly in North and East Sikkim at the Indo-China (Tibet) border. The indiscriminate construction of multi-crore hydel projects besides other industrial houses in Sikkim has displaced many locals from their ancestral homeland. If the rate of sale of Sikkimese land continue within a dacade or so many Sikkimese will surely become refugees in their own homeland. Land acquisition in Sikkim, therefore, needs careful thinking by the people as well as the concerned authorities.

Dinakaran moves SC to stay probe against him

Observer News Service

New Delhi, April 29: Sikkim High Court Chief Justice PD Dinakaran has asked the Supreme Court to stay an inquiry against him by a Parliament-appointed panel.

The panel, appointed by the Rajya Sabha chairperson Hamid Ansari after the House initiated impeachment motion against him, had asked Dinakaran to respond to the 16 charges framed against him. The panel is examining charges of corruption, land grabbing, abuse of judicial office and amassing wealth disproportionate to known sources of income against Dinakaran, a national daily reported.

The three-member panel headed by Justice Aftab Alam of the SC, Karnataka High Court Chief Justice JS Khehar and senior advocate PP Rao had rejected Dinakaran's plea seeking stay on proceedings till he is supplied with all documents being looked into.

Dinakaran sought quashing of the panel's order, which rejected his appeal, seeking recusal of Rao alleging that he was biased. Dinakaran had said he apprehended that there was likelihood of bias in the proceedings as Rao had earlier campaigned against him when his elevation to the SC was under consideration, the report said.

Dinakaran's plea alleged that Rao was part of a delegation of lawyers which met then Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan in 2009, to oppose his elevation to the apex court.

"The impugned order passed by the Judges Inquiry Committee allowing a biased member to continue to serve as a member of the committee is hit by the principles of natural justice and, hence, violated Article 14 of the Constitution," he said. He pleaded that the apex court should quash the order passed by the panel on the recusal of Rao. The panel had on April 24 rejected Dinakaran's plea against Rao saying the objection should have been raised at the start of the proceedings. Rao did not participate in the meeting when this application was discussed.

Charges against Justice Dinakaran, who is due to retire on May 9, 2012, were leveled when he was Chief Justice of the Karnataka HC. He was subsequently transferred to the Sikkim High Court.

Dinakaran on Wednesday filed an application before the panel demanding that media be kept out of the hearing on the removal proceedings and that they be held ‘in-camera.'

Justice Dinakaran also filed an application seeking a review of the order on his preliminary objection that Rao should recuse himself from the probe as he was biased.

Rejecting the application, the committee said the hearing would begin on Thursday.

Tibetan human rights body demands release of nun

Observer News Service

Dharamsala, April 29: Jampa Tso (28), a nun from Badak Phuntsok Choeling Nunnery, Drangko County, Kardze “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture”, Sichuan, has been arrested after she shouted slogans calling for freedom in Tibet and distributed leaflets on 16 April 2011.

According to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), Jampa Tso staged her demonstration at a bridge leading to the market place in Derge County. Soon the police came to know about it and immediately arrested her.

After being arrested by Derge police, her family at Dangkho County was informed. When the family arrived at the Derge County Public Security Bureau Detention Centre they were denied a meeting. The family was told that Jampa Tso has committed a grave crime and they were intimidated from coming back.

During 2008 around hundred nuns from the Badak Nunnery protested against repressive rule of the Chinese government.  The authorities threatened that if they find any more political activities from the nunnery, the government will close the nunnery.

The TCHRD has called for immediate release of the nun. The forum said she should not be punished for expressing her opinion which is a fundamental human right.

SPORT Archery

United Bhutan lifts Chief Minister’s  Gold Cup

Gangtok, April 29: It was Bhutan vs Bhutan at the finals of the 12^th Chief Minister Gold Cup Archery Tournament held here this week.

United Bhutan lifted the trophy after defeating Pendent Cement (Bhutan) with 42 points against 40.

Sikkim Assembly Speaker KT Gyaltsen, while presenting the awards, said archery was not just a game but holding of archery tournaments help towards preservation of the cultural heritage of the people in the region.

Sikkim Archery Association President and Minister TT Bhutia expressed happiness over the successful conclusion of the tournament.

United Bhutan’s Tsewang Dorjee won the ‘Man of the Match’ award.

The 16-day tournament held here at Tathangchen was organized by the Sikkim Archery Association.

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.