Editorial
SIKKIMESE SOLIDARITY
Initiative Must Come From Sikkimese Nepalese
Opposition leaders in Sikkim Sikkim Sikkim
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 Sikkim
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
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 Sikkim
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
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
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 Sikkim
Recently, BJP President Nitin Gadkari, while campaigning for his party in Assam
In Sikkim , the NB Bhandari-led Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee’s “Sikkim Nepal
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
Only Article 371F protects Sikkim’s distinct identity, not ST status: Upreti
Gangtok, May 6: Former minister KN Upreti said Sikkim
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
Upreti also accused the Government of India for failing to protect Sikkim
He said Sikkim
“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
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
” DespiteChina Tibet Tibet
” Despite
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.
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
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
In his first formal press statement after the recent controversy on the activities of his monastery His Holiness the 17th 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
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 Tibet India India where my illustrious predecessor, His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, also found refuge in India , and established Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim India Tibet Tibet
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.
Today, India India India India
I am deeply conscious that India
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
What is more significant to note is the fact that Ghising is not raising the Gorkhaland demand this time. He wants Darjeeling New Delhi
The Rana Dynasty ruled Nepal
The Rana dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Nepal 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
He was deposed by his relatives, where he settled in Jhari Pani, near Mussoorie, where his Fairlawn Palace
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
"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
Through the Beijing China will bring this point further down south to the slender Siliguri corridor joining the Northeast to the rest of India Beijing 's claim in Bhutan China China
Worse, China can deny even these messages from the Beijing India swallow the Chinese propaganda that New Delhi has always rebuffed Beijing
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 Tibet China Beijing Tibet is expected to only harden Beijing
"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 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 US , Japan and India in Central Asia are also viewed as catalysts for an anti-China coalition. India US , controls the sea-lanes to the Malacca Strait India to balance China
The standard Chinese policy, therefore, is to ensure that India Pakistan Bangladesh is the new sparkling pearl in Beijing 's "garland of pearls" strategy against India 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
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
SC breather for Sikkim
Himalayan News Network
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.
“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
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 U.S.
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
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
One case in point is the repression at Kirti Monastery in northeastern Tibet Tibet Tibet is in the best interests of China
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.
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.
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
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.
