HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN Sept 14, 2011

Pang Lhabsol celebrated throughout Sikkim

Himalayan News Network

Gangtok, Sept 13: Once in a year the Sikkimese people collectively pay obeisance to their guardian mountain deities and yesterday the annual Pang Lhabsol was celebrated throughout Sikkim.

The traditional ritualistic lama dances known as chham were performed in several monasteries, including Pemayangtse, Rabang and Lachen monasteries in west, south and north districts respectively.

In the capital, prayers were offered at the royal Tsuklhakhang monastery and also at the venue of the ‘Statue of Unity’, where Governor BP Singh was also present.

A dance competition among ethnic communities was also organized in the capital which had the participation of several schools and clubs.

While Pang Lhabsol is being celebrated as ‘unity day’ by the people who recall the solemn oath of brotherhood observed by the ancestors of the indigenous Bhutia-Lepcha communities – Lepcha chief Thekongtek and Bhutia ruler Khye Bumsa – in the 13^th century, this autumn festival is traditionally observed as the day when the Sikkimese people pay obeisance to their guardian deities – Khangchendzonga and Yabdu – and pray for peace and prosperity of the land.

Peace process to conclude in a month: Prachanda

Biratnagar, Sept 13: Chairman of the UCPN-Maoist, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said on Sunday that the peace process would be concluded in a month which thereby expedites the constitution writing.

Before returning to the capital city following a three-day personal visit to the region, chairman Dahal told journalists at Biratnagar that his party has been flexible to take the peace process to a logical conclusion.

Responding to a query, chairman Dahal said as the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML have also been positive for peace and constitution, both the task would be concluded on the fixed date.

He stressed for unity among the big political parties for peace and new constitution.

Media reports in India and Nepal wondered whether the Maoist leader visited Siliguri this week as the former PM was reportedly missing after a function in Gorkha district in Nepal.

Nepal detains 20 Tibetans for illegal crossing

Kathmandu, Sept 13: Police in Nepal say they have detained 20 Tibetans who trekked the treacherous Himalayan trail for more than two weeks from their mountain homes.

Police spokesman Binod Shrestha said the 15 men and five women were detained Monday after they crossed the border, AP reported.

They are aged 18 to 21 years old and are being transported to the capital, Katmandu.

Tibetan refugees who are detained in Nepal are generally handed over to the United Nations' refugee agency. The U.N. helps them on their journey to the Indian town of Dharmsala where the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama lives.

Hundreds of Tibetans trek into Nepal every year to visit Dalai Lama. They walk route to avoid Chinese border guards.

China’s rule in Tibet is undemocratic: exiled Tibetan PM

Arvind Sharma

Dharamsala, Sept 13: The newly-elected Prime Minister of Tibetans in exile, Lobsang Sangay, described the Dalai Lama as a “true democrat” and a “magnanimous people’s leader.”

His statement on the Tibetan spiritual leader came during the 51^st celebrations of Tibetan Democracy Day. Stating that he was “fully committed” to the Dalai Lama’s “vision of a democratic and secular” Tibet, Sangay said, “I can say with confidence that our exile democratic administration is far superior to China's colonial rule in Tibet.”

“Tibetans in Tibet live under harsh autocracy while those of us in exile enjoy democracy”, he added.

In another dig at the Chinese authorities, Sangay said, “While I have the mandate of the Tibetan world, the Party Secretary of “Tibet Autonomous Region” (TAR) is hand picked by Beijing, and has never been a Tibetan. We are part of a democratic family in the world, China is not. “

“The Kalon Tripa is the legitimate representative of the Tibetan people, while China’s rule in Tibet is undemocratic and illegitimate,” he added.

Referring to the democratic process among exiled Tibetans, Sangay said, “The time has now come for us to demonstrate that we can survive and indeed thrive independently with our new responsibilities. We must actively participate in the democratic process by ensuring that our leaders remain accountable and true to the democratic spirit.”

CBI  to seek Interpol help in Bhutan lottery scam

Sikkim officials questioned on irregularities

Himalayan News Service

Kochi, Sept 13: The CBI will seek the help of the Interpol to question the officials of Bhutan Government in connection with the illegal lotteries scam of Kerala which is said to have caused a drain of `80,000 crore from the State. The agency will soon make a formal request to the Interpol in this connection.

The decision to extend the probe into the illegal lotteries scam to Bhutan was taken by the agency on the basis of the discovery that Santiago Martin, the “lottery king” who was the operator for Sikkim and Bhutan lotteries in Kerala, had carried out several irregularities in the business, a national daily reported.

Investigating officials had visited Gangtok in this connection and had questioned several Government officials there. However, the CBI has to get the assistance and permission of the Interpol for any such action to be carried out in Bhutan. Sources expected to get such clearance without any difficulty.

The investigators had confiscated hundreds of documents proving irregularities during raids in premises owned by Martin and his close relative John Kennedy in several parts of the country. The agency has served notices to the business partners of Martin asking them to appear before the investigators for questioning.

The CBI had taken over the probe into the illegal lotteries scam, which had become a huge issue in the last Assembly election in Kerala, after a directive from the Kerala High Court on May 24. The court order had come on a petition filed by Congress leader VD Satheesan, who had taken up the issue as a political weapon against the CPI(M)-led LDF.

Editorial

BHATTARAI’S CHALLENGE

Take The Middle Path

A country that ousted its monarch to ensure restoration of full-fledged democracy Nepal did itself a favour by electing Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai as its new Prime Minister. It is ironic that even when the Maoists are the largest party in the Parliament they failed to have their own man as PM and had to choose non-Maoists to lead the country for some time. As chief of the Maoist party Prachanda was the natural choice for the PM’s post. But non-Maoist parties and their MPs made it impossible for the Maoist chief to lead the country as PM. Bhattarai could and should have been elected to the highest post earlier. This would have enabled the Parliament to draft the new constitution on time. However, his choice is welcome and one hopes that the alumnus from JNU will be able to strike a fine balance and take the middle path in dealing with Nepal’s two giant neighbours.

The madhesi  parties, which want a federal structure for Nepal, are likely to extract their pound of flesh by supporting Bhattarai who has promised to give a new constitution to the country within at least six months. In a democracy the voice of the majority must prevail. However, Nepal faces a tricky situation with the Indian-origin Nepalese gradually gaining the upper hand politically. Bhattarai must also note that China’s growing interest in developing Nepal’s economy is keenly watched by New Delhi. There is a general feeling among a large section of the Nepalese that Indian influence in Nepal’s internal politics, which is growing, is unacceptable. While stating that “Nepal is not anti-Indian,” Bhattarai is firm on the belief that guarding Nepal’s sovereignty “should not be seen as being anti-Indian.”

“Woeser is one of the most eloquent and fiercest critics of Chinese oppression in Tibet”

Tibetan writer Woeser receives Prince Claus Award for outstanding cultural achievement and influence

The well-known essayist and blogger Woeser, who lives in Beijing, has been awarded a Prince Claus Award by the Netherlands-based Prince Claus Fund for her outstanding achievements in the field of culture.

The Prince Claus Awards are presented annually to individuals, groups and organisations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean for their outstanding achievements in the field of culture and development and the positive effect of their work on their direct environment and on the wider cultural or social field. A press release by the Prince Claus Fund yesterday announcing the news, stated: “We are delighted to honour Woeser whose writings offer a unique perspective on the complexity of the current situation in Tibet.”   

   Tsering Jampa, Executive Director of the International Campaign for Tibet in Europe, said: “This award is richly-deserved; Woeser is one of the most eloquent and fiercest critics of Chinese oppression in Tibet, who has demonstrated breath-taking courage in documenting the struggle to preserve a unique and precious cultural identity. This important award also honours many more Tibetan writers and intellectuals, many of whom are serving long prison sentences and have endured torture simply for expressing the truth in their work.”

The news of the award coincided with the 18th International Book Fair in Beijing, of which the Netherlands is the host country. Jampa said: “We are working together with International PEN in the Netherlands and Amnesty International in raising awareness about Tibetan writers in prison. The Prince Claus Award for Woeser draws attention to their importance as they seek to peacefully articulate their concerns, and voice the sense of anguish, loss and dispossession due to the repression in Tibet today. We have urged Dutch writers at the Book Fair to hold these individuals in their thoughts and to speak about them whenever possible.”

Professor Tsering Shakya, an expert in contemporary Tibetan writing, compares Woeser's situation to that of the late Russian dissident writer, Alexandra Solzhenitsyn, saying: "It is the duty of courageous writers to speak of the unspeakable and lift the veil from the dark corners where horror is hidden...The events of March 2008 created a new memory and it will be narrated from generation to generation. Today, memory is no longer hidden...but advertised in cyberspace to share with the rest of the world - and in this respect Woeser occupies a unique position as chronicler of modern Tibetan memory. Her blog [and writings] have become the voice of Tibet."

Woeser was born in Lhasa, but grew up speaking Chinese after her father, who served in the People's Liberation Army, was transferred to a Tibetan area in Sichuan Province. As a member of the privileged elite, she was later admitted to a Chinese literature program for minority nationalities. It was only when she moved back to Lhasa as a young woman, where she worked as an editor for the leading Tibetan literary magazine, that she began to discover the reality of Tibet's past and to learn about Tibetan Buddhism. While in Lhasa, Woeser (who, like many Tibetans, is known by just one name) began to document the effects of religious repression, massive immigration of Chinese and unbalanced economic development.

In 2004, after her book 'Notes on Tibet' , was banned, she was informed that all her working hours would be devoted to political re-education. She moved to Beijing, and she later married Wang Lixiong, an author and commentator on Tibet who has been outspoken in his support for human rights and his willingness to take seriously the needs and concerns of Tibetans. In various ground-breaking essays, Wang Lixiong has outlined why he thinks that the Dalai Lama is the key to resolve the question of Tibet, and in March he was a signatory to a letter urging dialogue between Chinese leaders and the Dalai Lama, so as to "eliminate animosity and bring about national reconciliation".

  Woeser has published almost daily updates and comments online since March 2008, when an overwhelmingly peaceful uprising across the Tibetan plateau transformed the political landscape. At the height of the protests, more than 3 million internet users visited Woeser's blog, and her daily updates were translated into numerous languages. The personal stories she includes in her writing - the blind monk who committed suicide, the lama who was beaten when he tried to prevent a protest from escalating - bring home to the outside world the reality of the current crackdown in Tibet and its deeper significance.

'Tibet's True Heart', Woeser's new collection of poetry, translated from Chinese and with comprehensive notes, can be purchased online for $22 plus shipping from Ragged Banner. (International Campaign for Tibet)

Role of Church in Myanmar

US Church leaders pay solidarity visit to Myanmar

Myanmar was visited by an ecumenical solidarity team representing the World Council of Churches (WCC) from 4 to 9 August 2011 as part of the Council’s commitment to involve churches in conflict situations. This was a follow-up to a WCC Living Letters team visit to Myanmar in late 2010.

The five participants in the international ecumenical solidarity team included WCC Central Committee members, Asian church representatives from neighbouring countries and WCC staff.

The members of the solidarity team were given opportunities to understand the social and economic realities of the people under the new political dispensation in the country.

Prior to the visit to Myanmar, the members of the delegation visited a refugee camp in Thailand populated by hundreds of Myanmar citizens who had to flee from conflict zones in Myanmar and who crossed the border to Thailand where they are now waiting for grants of asylum in other countries.

Rev. Rothangliani Chhangte, a member of the WCC Central Committee representing the American Baptist Churches (ABC) in the USA observed that the international community needs to be more conscious of the problems in Myanmar, especially the plight of refugees who are seeking asylum in a third country.

At the last Central Committee meeting, Chhangte made an intervention on the need for ecumenical accompaniment to address the plight of Myanmar citizens and the situation of internally displaced people, refugees and migrant workers from Myanmar. Upon her return from Myanmar, she stated that a “re-opening of the registration process in refugee camps in Thailand is much needed. There are more than 150,000 refugees living in crowded camps along the Thai-Burma border."

"In 2005, the Thai government allowed the UNHCR to register people who wanted to be resettled in a third country." However, she added, "This was a one-time registration, and since then the Thai government has resisted requests to re-open registration. The United States has resettled the bulk of the refugees along with a few European countries, Canada and Australia.”

Chhangte coordinates the work of the ABC dealing with migrants from Myanmar in the United States. She reports that “the American Baptist Churches currently have more than 100 congregations across the USA with sizable numbers of Myanmarese who have migrated to the US. More than 80,000 Myanmar refuges have migrated to the U.S since 2006.”

Semegnish Asfaw, who coordinates WCC Living Letters team visits, said that “the members of the solidarity team noted that the youth and women were not so hopeful about their future, given the current situation in the country, although there has been a political change recently. After the long years of conflicts and political stalemate in the country, many young people think that their future seems pretty gloomy.”

The team heard stories of human trafficking, especially of women and young girls. Hundreds of women have been trafficked to neighbouring countries in recent years for forced marriages or forced labour.

In a meeting with church leaders in Myanmar, the visiting delegation heard that since the last general election in November 2010, “Myanmar is slowly evolving towards a more democratic state. However, the new political trend is to introduce changes in a rather slow process which may not be appreciated by the people, who have suffered long enough.”

Dr Mathews George Chunakara, director of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs of the WCC, said that “the church leaders in Myanmar are concerned about the resumption of the conflicts in several states where Christians constitute a large segment of the population.”

According to Mathews George, “Over years the Myanmar churches have played roles in peace and reconciliation, and the effectiveness of that witness is visible in ceasefire agreements in areas like Kachin state, where the ethnic Kachin tribes represented by the Kachin Independent Army and Kachin independence organizations were in conflict with the Myanmar military for years. However, ceasefire negotiations have stalled since the end of June, posing a serious threat to any reasonable political changes in the country.”

Church leaders reported that in Kachin state, several thousand people have been displaced as a result of the conflict that broke out in past weeks, and people are facing serious food shortages as well as the spread of diseases including malaria.

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, from the [Lutheran] Church of Norway. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland. (WCC)

Ghising and govt conspired against me because I opposed DGHC: Chattrey Subba

Darjeeling, Sept 13: Seventy one years old Chattrey Subba is considering taking sannyas from politics. However the rebel did not fail to criticize the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA- an administrative arrangement for the Darjeeling Hills) and pitched for the separate state of Gorkhaland. It was a day of mixed emotions at the Subba household at Raushey Bazar in Kalimpong on Saturday, the day after Chattrey's release from the correctional home after 10 long years. While the family celebrated his return; bail being denied to his son Santosh Subba in a different case, cast a long shadow on the revelry.

Subba had been arrested on March 24, 2001 in connection with the Subash Ghising assassination bid case. He was finally acquitted on September 9, 2011.

Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) leader Subash Ghising, then the Chairman of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) had been attacked at Saath-ghoomti under the Kurseong sub division, on his way back from Delhi. Two police drivers died in the attack along with a suspected attacker. Six others were injured.

“Whosoever raises the demand for Gorkhaland is either murdered as in the case of Madan Tamang or sent behind bars like me. Even the GTA deal has been clinched over Madan Tamang’s dead body. Blackmailing over the murder forced a compromise” alleged Subba.

“I believe that only Gorkhaland can resolve the crisis of the Gorkhas. I do not have faith in anything less. Because I opposed the DGHC earlier Ghising along with the government conspired and sent me behind bars. The attack on Ghising was orchestrated by Ghising and the government to put me behind bars. While in the Correctional Home the government had offered me a high power Council which I could head. However I did not accept their proposal hence I was forced to languish in jail. They even tried to kill me” alleged Subba.

He stated that while he was in the correctional home in 2003 he had a severe heart ailment and was shifted from the Jalpaiguri Correctional Home to a medical facility in Kolkata. “There they had kept me under heavy security without giving me a single medicine for my cardiac ailment. But seeing that I did not die they were forced to send me back to the correctional home in Jalpaiguri.

Subba used to head the militant wing of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) during the violent agitation of the 80’s led by Subash Ghising. He however had parted ways with Ghising over the formation of the DGHC in 1988. He  had floated a new outfit Gorkha Liberation Organisation (GLO) Subba had vehemently opposed the DGHC and had given a call for the continuation of the separate state agitation.

“Councils and similar administrative bodies delay the main goal of separate State. It also does not fulfill the political identity issue not accords a political security to the Gorkhas. Only a separate state than ensure this” stated Subba.

When questioned on his future plans, Subba stated “My family members want me to retire from politics and I am planning to do so.” More than 10 years behind bars seemed to have dampened the rebel spirit.

Regarding his son Santosh Subba being arrested in the Kalimpong blast incident, Subba stated “If he is guilty he should be punished. If not they should not keep him behind bars like they did to me for 10 years after which they acquitted me. I have lost precious years of my life”

On July 26, 2011, the Kalimpong motor stand was rocked by a low intensity blast at around 3am in the morning with a stove allegedly planted below a North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) bus having exploded. Santosh was arrested in connection with this case on July 31.

“I am happy that my husband is back home after 10 long years but I am also sad that my son is behind bars though he is innocent like his father” stated Monika Subba, wife of Chattrey Subba. (Hindustan Times)

GJM to honour Chamling on Gorkhaland resolution

Himalayan News Network

Gangtok, Sept 13: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) will honour Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for passing a resolution in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for creation of Gorkhaland.

Morcha chief Bimal Gurung, who was holidaying in west Sikkim with his colleagues last week, said felicitate Chamling with ‘Nagrik Samman’ on October 14. The felicitation function is likely to be held in Kalimpong, it is learnt

Gurung expressed his appreciation to Chamling for supporting the demand for creation of Gorkhaland and passing a resolution in the Sikkim Assembly recently.

Gurung said his party would not interfere in Sikkim politics and threatened to take action against party members who disobeyed the party’s diktat on this line.

A delegation of Morcha’s central committee led by party general secretary Roshan Giri met Chamling here on March 31 this year to thank him for passing the Gorkhaland resolution in the Assembly during the budget session on March 29.

Youth body to hold open debate on ‘Black Bill’

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, Sept 13: TheAll Sikkim Educated Self Employed and Unemployed Association

(ASESE&UA) is likely to request Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to participate in a debate on the public order bill that he wants to re-introduce in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly soon.

The Association President, Nawin Kiran Pradhan, said the youth body wants an “open debate” and has urged the Chief Minister to come out openly for a debate on the controversial bill that the Opposition has dubbed as the “Black Bill” aimed at suppressing basic fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution.

“We also plan to invite eminent journalists, judges and intellectuals for the debate during a seminar soon,” said Pradhan.

“People are still confused about the Bill, so the association has decided to conduct a debate on the bill to know the real facts and acts of the bill,” Pradhan said. 

Though the association has said the tentative date for the proposed debate would be Sept 25 nothing has been finalized, said a member of the association.

After tabling the Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill on August 11 Chamling was to forced to withdraw it on August 26 in the face of stiff opposition, resulting in a massive public rally here on August 24 sponsored by Nagarik Adhikar Surakcha Sangathan (NASS), which allegedly had the backing of rebel ruling party legislator and former minister PS Tamang.

Subsequently, the Chief Minister threatened to table the bill again after seeking support from the people.

Attacks on media condemned in Arunachal

Himalayan News Network

Itanagar, Sept 13: The Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) and

Arunachal Press Club (APC) have strongly condemned attacks on mediapersons covering the recent 48-hour bandh called in the capital.

"We are not going to tolerate intimidation and threats anymore," said members of the media during an emergency meeting of the body held here on Thursday.

Mediapersons, including employees of TV channels, were intimidated during the bandh while stones were pelted at the residence of a newspaper's CEO. An IPR vehicle on press duty was also damaged during the bandh. These acts deserve strong condemnation, said the state's media bodies.

Condemning the repeated attacks on mediapersons in the state, the APUWJ and the APC called upon the people of Arunachal to come out in support of media and other professionals so they are allowed to discharge their duties fearlessly, without any intimidation or threats.

Remembering Jupiter Yambem on 10^th anniv of 9/11

New York, Sept 13:  Born and raised in Imphal in Manipur, Jupiter Yambem, 47 lived the immigrant’s dream in America. At the top of his class in SUNY New Paltz, he was snapped up by some of New York City’s most famous restaurants, including the Rainbow Room and then Windows on the World, where he worked as a banquet manager. He thrived on the energy of New York and adored his curly auburn-haired American wife from Syracuse who he met in college in the early eighties and their son.

Jupiter Yambem’s wife, Nancy McCardle Yambem, remembers frantically calling her husband on September 11. He never answered. Everyone in the Windows of the World restaurant on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center survived the impact when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower at 8:46 am, but died when the tower collapsed after burning for 102 minutes.

On the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks, Yambem and her son Santi whose name is pronounced Shanti, like others who lost family on September 11, 2001 carry the heavy legacy of that day.

“It has been ten years and we miss Jupiter. We will always miss him. He was amazing. We have a small Hindu shrine in our house to Jupiter,” said Yambem whose house is cluttered with photos of her college sweetheart.

Jupiter came to America at the age of 21 from India to work in a summer camp with children with visual impairment. After he got done with the camp he decided to stay on in America and went to college at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

“We met in college in 1981 and hung out with the same crowd. We started seeing each other in 1984 as a couple. We married in 1991 so I knew him — know him — for 20 years,” said Yambem still finding it painful to use the past tense.

 “Santi is trying to be as normal a kid as he can. He is in the 10th Grade now. He was in kindergarten when his father died. His life has changed greatly from being a five-year-old to a teen,” said Yambem about her tall boy who plays rock guitar and trumpet in the school band.

 “We have a home in Manipur. We go every two years. Santi has been since he was a year old. He is very familiar with Manipuri culture and his family back home. It is basically our second home.”

Jupiter held fast to his Indian roots. Keeping his Indian citizenship, he co-founded the North American Manipur Association (NAMA), consisting of a small group of Manipuri families that sought to promote and preserve their culture. NAMA has since expanded into a network of 40 Manipuri families and supports causes in Manipur.

Jupiter was a man with feet in two worlds and his last rites reflected his love for India and America. He was cremated on September 18, at the Cedar Hill Hindu Crematorium in New York and his ashes were scattered in India, along his favourite hiking trail in Tiger Hill, in Darjeeling. (Firstpost)

Hope DARJEELING

Come, take a walk with me and I’ll show you around

Jigme N Kazi

I’m happy that my first piece on Hope Darjeeling comes a few days after the West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Bill. By this time next year the GTA (hopefully) would be fully functional after the successful completion of its first elections early next year. For the people of Darjeeling and their sympathizers in India and abroad it is so important that those who run the GTA makes the new venture a real success. Otherwise we would witness the repetition of what has happened in the hills since the tripartite Darjeeling accord was signed in 1985. If this happens it would mean a total disaster and a person like me – and there are many such persons – would have to resign myself to the fact that Darjeeling – the place where I grew up and loved so much – is a lost case.

But we all have our hopes for Darjeeling to bloom and regain its past glory. And there are justifiable reasons for this. My days, years and a decade and half plus one year’s stay (1963-1979 -  with one year gap in Sikkim) in Darjeeling was more than wonderful. Being a sportsman, who loved and excelled in football and cricket, allowed me to move around and not to get  confined within the ‘old and friendly walls’ of Mt Hermon School (MH). The games and our other sporting and outdoor activities took us to Kalimpong and Kurseong, which are an integral part of Darjeeling hills. It is but natural that over the years I grew fond of places other than Darj itself.

One of my school friends once told me “absence is to love what wind is to fire; it enflames the great, it extinguishes the small.” Out of sight, therefore, is not necessarily out of mind. Ever since I finally left Darj in the winter of 1979 – after  ten years of schooling at MH (1963-1972), two years in college (TTC – 1974-1975) and four years of teaching at MH (1976-1979) – I have visited my second home several times and most of the time these visits were wonderful and exhilarating. Unlike Sikkim, where I reside, Darj makes me feel good and come alive. I don’t care much for the dirt, the crowd and local politics; I look beyond these things and take my breath of fresh air and return home refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated. Given  an opportunity I’d rather settle in Darj than in Sikkim.

Jagjit Singh (SC 1971), a Hermonite who ran several hotels in Siliguri till very recently, always used to say, “We Hermonites are too emotional!” But what kind of emotion is this when most Hermonites (the name we give to ourselves) cannot get over this emotion even after 15, 20, 30 or even 40 years after saying our last good bye to our alma mater?

The answer came to me from Barry Ison, an ex-student and ex-teacher of MH from Australia, who continues to linger on in Bangladesh for some reason or the other. “It’s not emotion. It is passion,” he said and I knew he was right. Unlike emotion, which comes and goes, the depth of passion cannot be easily fathomed or forgotten.

Two college girls from Japan – Mari Kugue and Risato Hotta – were the reasons for my unscheduled trip to Darj this time (August). And for the first time I could take things a bit easy, relax awhile and move around in Darj at my own pace.

The girls were wonderful and very cooperative. As we wanted to touch the ground and feel the air the best way to do this was to walk. And walk we did. “We walked for 18 kilometers today,” said Mari after our walk to MH and back on the first day. Apparently, the distance that we traveled gets registered in their mobile! The next day we walked at least 20 kms covering the zoo, Shruberry Park and the Japanese temple.

During the short stopover at Surendra and Saroj Rongong’s (my former colleagues at MH who have now retired) Villa Everest hotel on the way back from the Japanese temple we enthusiastically talked about MH’s revival with the involvement of all Hermonites – past and present.

Founded in 1895 below Chowrasta in Darjeeling, Mt. Hermon started off badly when several of its students were killed in the tragic 1898 earthquake. But undaunted by the disaster Ms Emma Knowles, an American missionary and founder of the school, struggled on with faith in God and a strong sense of purpose and determination. The outcome of her struggle and sacrifice was Queen’s Hill School, later re-named Mt. Hermon in 1929. Lord Lytton remarked that the present school building, located in a 100 acre land below Singamari, was one of the finest buildings in Asia.

MH went through another lean period in the 1940s during the second world war when many of its students and staff members from abroad had to leave India. The school enrolment dropped drastically and the school was nearly closed had it not been for the efforts of Bishop Bohn Frederick Fisher and Rev Halsey E. Dewey. After Rev David G Stewart took charge of the school as its Principal in 1953 MH was back on its feet and in the next ten years of the Stewart era Mt. Hermon had more than regained its past glory. Graeme Armstrong Murray, who took over MH from Stewart in 1964, took MH to greater heights.

“MH is again going through a bad phase and it needs our support badly and we must respond positively to the challenges ahead,” I told the Rongongs, who showed their interest in taking another look at MH.

At first I wanted to take a cab to the school (MH) and then walk back. Finally, we shared a taxi from the bazaar taxi stand which charged Rs 8 each to reach Singamari at North Point. During my time the taxi fair used to be Rs1/-. Along the way I decided to stop ahead of North Point College to say hello to my old school teacher John West. But he wasn’t there and so we walked on and on the way I enquired about Mahindra and Udai, two great footballers who are younger brothers of the well-known Benu Subba, a star in East Bengal who later joined MH. Benu is now no more but the memories of the two of us representing MH as strikers on the football field can never be erased.

We made a thorough survey of the school, the playground and the boys hostel at Fernhill. I showed the girls the class rooms where I studied and taught. We relaxed in front of the Stewart Building, built in 1963 in honour of our former Principal Rev David G Stewart, whose wife Dorothy passed away in New Zealand on August 15, 2011. Naturally, my thoughts and prayers were for Mr and Mrs. Stewart and their family members as I sat quietly in front of the Stewart building. Luckily, my almost-disfunctional digital camera managed to take a photo of the 1963 staff members from the school corridor, where many past photographs were displayed. 1963 was my first year at MH and last year of the Stewarts. God bless them.

MH looks a bit rundown but the uplifting thing is that a new dining-room-cum kitchen is coming up at the place where the old gym used to be. This was actually my idea that somehow has become a reality. Fantastic!  I persuaded the Sikkim Hermonites Association to put pressure on the authorities on this project.

MH Principal George Fernandes, who was my colleague in the staff way back in mid-1970s, has only one year left before he retires at the end of next year.  Since the early 1990s MH has been going through a bad phase but Fernandes has managed to stabilize things a bit.

My hopes and dreams for Darj is not limited to MH alone. Asia’s most distinguished schools came up in Darjeeling after the British takeover of the place from Sikkim in the 19^th century. Schools such as St. Paul’s, St. Joseph’s, Loreto Convent (Darj), Dr. Graham’s Homes, St. Augustine’s School, St. Joseph’s Convent (Kalimpong) and Goethal’s Memorial School, Victoria School and Dow Hills School (Kurseong) should never be allowed to “go down the drain” and become a thing of the past during our time. We need to rise up to the challenges that we face in our generation.

When the political leadership in Darjeeling and Calcutta has promised to give “top priority to education” in the hills, hill people, particularly alumni of these schools, should come forward and give a helping hand.

Darjeeling deserves a better future. It needs us. We can and must reach out and touch each other from wherever we are. This column that I have started is my way of saying that I care no matter what has happened to our beloved Darjeeling. Charity begins at home and we must take the first step to reach higher grounds from the area of our interest. We must move ahead confidently with hope and courage and create a better future for ourselves, our children and those who make Darjeeling their place of habitation in the days and years to come.

SIKKIM OBSERVER Sept 12-16, 2011

Demand for Karmapa’s return to Rumtek raised in Rajya Sabha

Gangtok, Sept 11: The State Government has urged the Centre to allow the 17^th Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorjee, to visit his seat-in-exile at Rumtek monastery in east Sikkim.

The lone Rajya Sabha member from Sikkim, OT Lepcha, while speaking in the House Wednesday said the 17^th Karmapa should be allowed to visit Sikkim to uphold the “religious sentiments” of the people.

Lepcha said despite repeated requests to the Centre on the issue by the State Government and various social organisations in the past so many years “no progress has been made in the matter.”

“I request the Central government to permit the visit of His Holiness 17^th Karmapa to Sikkim keeping in view of the religious sentiments of the people,” Lepcha said in the Rajya Sabha.

If the Centre does not allow the Karmapa to visit Rumtek monastery in view of the “controversy” associated with several claimants to the Karmapa seat then the Karmapa may be allowed to visit Ralong or Phodong monasteries in the State, which belong to the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

“His followers are now demanding that if, in view of the controversy involved in the Rumtek monastery, it is not possible to allow Karmapa to visit his seat there, he may be permitted to visit either Ralang monastery or Phudong monastery for darshan and blessings,” said Lepcha.

The 16^th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, who passed away in 1981, built the Rumtek monastery (Dharma Chakra Centre) after he was given a piece of land by the 11^th ruler of Sikkim, Chogyal Tashi Namgyal, following the Karmapa’s escape from Tibet before the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959.

Ralong gompa, the first Kargyu monastery in Sikkim was built in1730 during the reign of the 4^th king, Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal, who met the 12^th Karmapa lama, Changchub Dorje (1703-1732) in Tibet during his visit to that country.

Though almost all monasteries in Sikkim, a former Buddhist kingdom, belong to the Nyingmapa order (old school) of Tibetan Buddhism, the State has three main Kargyu monasteries – Ralong, Phodong and Rumtek.

Both Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his predecessor Nar Bahadur Bhandari have been demanding the early return of the 17^th Karmapa, who presently resides in Dharamsala, to return to Rumtek.

Why has worship of Sikkim’s guardian deities reduced to a bazaar affair?

SIBLAC objects to ‘intentional distortions’ on Sikkim history

Jigme N Kazi

Gangtok, Sept 11: The fight against dilution of Sikkim’s cultural heritage is out in the open. The State Government’s failure to correct distortions regarding celebration of Pang Lhabsol has been condemned by an apex body of the minority indigenous Buddhist Bhutia-Lepcha tribals in the State.

If the IPR Secretary KS Tobgay had not intervened the Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) would have burnt copies of the Sikkim Studies Series, which allegedly carries distorted version of Sikkim’s history.

That this would have taken place on the eve of the annual Pang Lhabsol celebrations would have been a great embarrassment to the Chamling Government. According to SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia, it was Chief Minister Pawan Chamling who released the Sikkim Study Series in the capital on August 28, 2004.

“SIBLAC has frequently been approaching the Government pointing intentional distortions and unacceptable errors in the same, demanding early rectifications, for the benefit of all,” Bhutia said in a press statement and added that the failure of the government to correct the distortions despite assurances has angered the minority community in the State.

“However, owing to the prompt and immediate response” of the IPR Secretary , the organization has “decided to withdraw its scheduled plan to burn the copies of the existing edition” of the Sikkim Studies Series.

Apart from wrong dates on celebrations of this unique festival names of many historical characters are also incorrect. Worse still is the allegation that the Chogyals of Sikkim have been labeled as “instruments of colonial expansions.”

“The authors have blatantly used phrase like “instruments of colonial expansions” (Page 110, last Para). What is the intention of mentioning the King of the Land as Colonial Expansionist? Does the Study Series consider Sikkim Chogyals as expansionists? Doesn’t it see difference between an Expansionist and a Ruler? The Chogyals and their ancestors were Rulers of the Land for over 700 years. The authors, it seems have not understood Sikkimese History and its implication. It is very misleading that the glorious rule of Namgyal Dynasty is concocted with derogatory remarks,” said SIBLAC.

 SIBLAC has also highlighted the manner in which a religious affair such as Pang Lhabsol sacred to Sikkim’s history and religion has been turned into a bazaar tamasha. Despite objections and pleas by concerned Sikkimese the Chamling Government has turned a deaf ear to the demand that celebrations of this unique event be restored to its original glory.

Today, the celebration of Pang Lhabsol has become a political and business affair with singing, dancing and speeches at the bazaar.

The worship of the presiding deities of Sikkim on Pang Phabsol is a solemn and sacred occasion. Farcical focus on ‘unity and communal harmony’ by those who resort to ‘divide and rule’ to stay in power may be done on another day but not on Pang Lhabsol.

SIBLAC has rightly pointed out: “The main function of Pang Lhabsol is and never been organised at the venue of the Statues of Unity (at MG Marg) as wrongfully mentioned” in the book.

“In fact, on the final day of the week-long long observation, Pangtoed Chham is performed at the Royal Tsuglhakhang as a musical offering to the presiding deities of Sikkim,” Bhutia said.

If Chamling wishes to continue staying in power he ought to remember this dictum: “whom the gods wish to destroy they first make them mad.”

Chamling ought to know what former chief minister NB Bhandari told me from his hospital bed here last month, “Though they are quite slow in their reaction there is devi-dewta in Sikkim.”

Gandhi Jayanti body to felicitate Bhaichung

Gangtok, Sept 11: Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia will be felicitated by the Gandhi Jayanti Celebration Committee of Sangmoo, south Sikkim.

The decision to felicitate Bhaichung was taken because of his immense contribution to the game, said Wang Tshering Shangdarpa, chairman of the celebration committee.

 “Bhaichung has made us proud at national and international level and inspired hundreds of locals and outsiders to follow the game of football, said Shandarpa during a press meet here yesterday.  

The celebration is scheduled to be started from September 14 with an open Boys Football tournament at the play ground of Sangmoo Junior High school. Former Minister D D Bhutia will inaugurate the celebration. The finals will be held on October 2, during Gandhi Jayanti.

At least 35 teams are expected to take part in the tournament.

Editorial

SIKKIM’S FUTURE

Take Time To Think

As anti-Chamling campaign gains momentum in a State ruled by one party, the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, for more than 17 years there is always the temptation to forge  some sort of unity among the Opposition to take on the ruling elite. This happened when NB Bhandari, Chamling’s predecessor, reigned supreme for over a decade and half and the people rallied behind the ‘Mandal Messiah’ in a bid to topple the Bhandari regime. Chamling’s think-tank at that time thought that the newly-formed SDF (formed in early 1993) was capable of ousting Bhandari in the 1994 Assembly elections. If it hadn’t been for dissidence within Bhandari’s ruling Sikkim Sangram Parishad that finally ousted Bhandari in mid-May 1994 Chamling may not have been able to come to power. Even without Bhandari in power and with a weak and friendly Congress government ruling the State for six months prior to the November 1994 Assembly polls Chamling’s party managed to get only 19 seats in the 32-member House, leaving Bhandari with 10 seats.

   There was a serious move in early 1993 to form a ‘tribal party’ to unite a section of the Opposition and oppose Bhandari. The leaders of this section were not in favour of placing all eggs in Chamling’s basket. In fact, they did not trust Chamling, who was in the Bhandari Cabinet before he formed his own political outfit based on OBC support. The fact that Sikkim is politically back to square one goes to prove how trustworthy Chamling has been. Sikkim today faces very much the same situation and many people want all anti-Chamling forces to come together and join the PS Tamang (Golay) camp. Though Golay has not come out openly against Chamling his supporters are very active and it is only a matter of time when the SDF rebel takes on Chamling openly. For those who are fed up with the Chamling regime and want a change there is always the temptation to place all eggs in one basket. The recent squabble within the Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) may be influenced by those who want a section of its leadership to join Golay. Is this a wise move? Sikkim does not have the luxury of repeating the same mistakes again. The Sikkimese people must not allow repetition of what has been witnessed in the last several decades in the name of democracy and economic development.

Raj Bhavan to produce organic tea

Observer News Service

 Gangtok, Sept 11: Eight acres of land at Raj Bhavan here will be brought under organic tea plantation in a phased manner.

Temi Tea Estate, producers of Temi Tea in the State, will provide technical expertise to the project and the produce will be used by the Raj Bhavan, according to an official release.

The project is an initiative of Governor BP Singh, who wants to make Raj Bhavan “an exemplary place having variety of organic flowers and plants.”

A tea plantation programme was carried out in an acre of land in Raj Bhavan yesterday where the Governor was present along with Commerce and Industries Minister Ms Neeru Sewa, Tea Board Chairman Gagan Rai and government officials.

The participants of the programme planted tea saplings at the Raj Bhavan Organic Garden yesterday morning.

Raj Bhavan was earlier known as The Residency, the official residence of India’s Political Officer in the former Himalayan Kingdom. Located on a hill above the town, the Residency was built after Sikkim’s first Political Officer, Claude White, took charge of the administration in the then kingdom in the latter part of the 19^th century when Sikkim became a British Protectorate.

PANG LHABSOL : Worship of Sikkim’s Guardian Deities

J. Kalzang

This unique Buddhist festival celebrates the eternal bond between the people, nature and the mountain gods.

Pang Lhabsol, a festival commemorating the conservation of Mt. Kanchenjunga as the guardian deity of Sikkim, is a unique Buddhist festival in the Himalaya.

The lotus-born tantric master, Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, who introduced Buddhism in the Himalayas and Tibet in the 8^th century, is believed to have visited Sikkim and bound the mountain spirits on oath to protect the people. The four sacred caves in Sikkim where Guru Rinpoche meditated are perhaps the most sacred pilgrimage centres for Buddhist devotees in the former kingdom of Sikkim.

There is also the belief that Pang Lhabsol has its origin in the Lepcha people's belief that the mountain is their place of origin. It is also believed that the festival has its roots in Lhatsun Chenpo's (the propagator of Buddhism in Sikkim) vision. It is said that while meditating in a cave at Dzongri in west Sikkim, the mountain the guardian deity of the state appeared to him in a vision.

Subsequently, Chador Namgyal, the third Chogyal of Sikkim, introduced the "pangtoed" dance and dedicated it to Kanchenjunga as a war deity. The actual origin of the festival is said to be the blood-brotherhood pact between the Lepcha bongthing, Thekung Tek, and Khye-Bumsa, the ancestor of the Namgyal Dynasty of Sikkim in the 13^th century. During the signing of this historic pact, the local deities were invoked to witness the event.

Pang Lhabsol combines masked dance with warrior dance, giving the festival an inherent drama, which surpasses that found in other Buddhist festivals. There are resplendent costumes and colorful masks, and the choreography is spectacular. Kanchenjunga itself is represented by a dancer wearing a red mask mounted with five human skulls, on top of which are mounted flags.

Yabdu, Kanchenjunga's Supreme Commander, wears a black mask, while the warriors who accompany them are attired in the traditional Sikkimese battle dress, complete with helmets, swords and shields. The dramatic entry of Mahakala, the protector of the dharma, or faith, is one of the highlights of the dance. It is Mahakala who commands Kanchenjunga and Yabdu to defend the faith and bring peace and prosperity to Sikkim.

Shouts of victory greet his appearance as it is he who commands the god Khangchendzonga, to defend the faith and bring peace and prosperity to the people. Three horses with attendants in the fashion of Kham, form where the Namgyal dynasty came, are held ready to be mounted by Dzonga, Yabdul and Nyenchen Thangla, a mountain god from Tibet.

A week prior to the dance, the lamas of Pemayangtse monastery (Sikkim’s premier monastery) in west Sikkim, where the festival takes place, offer prayers, invoking Dzonga - the popular local name for Kanchenjunga - to protect the land and look after the people. The festival of Pang Lhabsol is held on the 15th day of the seventh month of the Tibetan calendar, which falls around August-September.

SIKKIM OBSERVER Sept 3-9, 2011

Chamling likely to table ‘Black Bill’ again after seeking mass support

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Sept 2: Less than three days after the controversial ‘Black Bill’, which sought to curtail protest rallies in the State, Chief Minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front President Pawan Chamling threatened to re-introduce the Bill in the State Legislative Assembly.

Referring to the Bill’s withdrawal, Chamling said he wanted the people to “debate” over the provisions of the Bills as the Opposition “misled and misinformed” the people regarding the good intentions of the Bill.

While addressing the House on Tuesday, Chamling said the objective of the Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill, which was abruptly withdrawn in the Assembly on August 26 after it was tabled on August 11, was to make the State free from drugs, religious violence and waving of black flags.

He said the proposed Bill was not against provisions of the constitution (Art 19) that guaranteed freedom of speech and expression.

Meanwhile, the SDF is believed to be distributing pamphlets to the people in a bid to educating them on the provisions of the Bill, which, it said, wanted communal harmony, peace and tranquility in the State.

Sikkim MPs for strong Lokpal Bill

Gangtok, Sept 2: Both Sikkim MPs have supported enactment of a strong Lokpal Bill which would bring government officials under its purview.

In a statement in Lok Sabha, ruling party MP PD Rai he was in favour of a “very strong and robust” Lokpal Bill that would help to preserve “probity in public life.”

“We are for the enactment of a very strong and robust Lok Pal Bill. All the good points of all the proposed bills that have come before the Government should be incorporated,” Rai said in the Lok Sabha while participating in the debate in the House recently.

Sikkim’s Rajya Sabha MP OT Lepcha, who also belongs to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), extended his full support to a strong Lokpal Bill.

The two MPs said “bringing the lower bureaucracy within its ambit is important and we fully agree. The officials of the Central Government can be brought under the Lok Pal.”

“I would like to state that my party will continue to work toward making of nation that believes in democratic principles, probity in public life and continuous improvement in the way public goods and services are delivered to the aam aadmi,” the two MPs said in their respective Houses.

SDF is a divided house: Nepal

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, Sept 2: The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) President Pawan Chamling’s failure to act firmly against its erring legislator, PS Tamang (Golay), for anti-party activities have sent a confusing signal to party workers and supporters of the ruling party.

  Stating that Golay had “openly supported” the August 24 rally in the capital, organized by the  Nagarik Adhikar  Suraksha Sangathan (NASS), Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) Convenor Duk Nath Nepal also pointed out that people are becoming the worst sufferers because of division within the ruling party.

“The vertical crack between Chamling and Goley affecting the party and the government is leading to the suffering of the Sikkimese people,” Nepal said in a statement.

Because of this “the ruling SDF is gradually losing its grip over the party and its workers.” Nepal said. “The division right from the government office to Panchayat level between Chamling and Goley has reached such a level that the common people have become the ultimate sufferers.”

Nepal pointed out that the party which is in power for the fourth consecutive term is now disintegrating. The SLP leader’s comments comes subsequent to resignation and expulsion of several party workers, including former Lok Sabha MP, Nakul Rai.

While NASS President TN Dhakal refuses to acknowledge Golay’s influence in his organization it is now an open secret that most influential members of the Dhakal-led non-political organization are loyal to the SDF rebel leader.

SNPP to probe financial dealings of Siliguri daily

My party is intact, says Adhikari

Gangtok, Sept 2: While stating that the Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) is intact and is not on the “verge of a split” as alleged in a Siliguri-based Nepali daily, party President Biraj Adhikari said his party is against “unscrupulous business houses”

and a section of  the media in the  State which are against the interests of bonafide Sikkimese.

During its meeting held here this week, SNPP decided to form a committee to probe into “financial dealings of the corporate owners of the newspaper” to find out “whether they are connected to the mafia of companies which are exploiting and sucking the natural resources of Sikkim.”

“The party in a preliminary investigation, has indeed determined that the said paper “Himalaya Darpan” has been promoted by an industrial house in Siliguri and this house has been investing large sums of money in Sikkim and have acquired some immovable assets in the recent past,” Adhikari said.

Referring to a report carried in  Himali Darpan, Adhikari said the report gave the impression that because  “the majority of the party refused”  to join the anti-corruption and anti-Black Bill protest rally in the capital on August 24 it was termed as a “sell out”, which would lead to “split” in the party, Adhikari said in a press statement.

Adhikari admitted that he had met ruling party MLA Ugyen Gyatso in a shop at Daragaon in Tadong but this had nothing to do with the reported “sell out” to the ruling party as alleged in the media report.

Adhikari said, “Why is a newspaper from Siliguri trying to show the people of Sikkim that talking to any other MLA of SDF, other than one, is a crime?”

BHUTIA BODY WRITES TO CHOGYAL WANGCHUK NAMGYAL

“Come back, bless and guide us”

Jigme N Kazi

Gangtok, Sept 2: A vocal non-political organization of Sikkimese Bhutias have urged the 13^th Chogyal of Sikkim, Wangchuk Namgyal, a Bhutia, to return to the Palace and resume his duties as dharmaraj (religious ruler) of the former Buddhist kingdom.

Ever since his father’s (Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal) death in 1982, Namgyal has been undergoing spiritual retreats in Sikkim, Nepal and Bhutia. Most of the time he stays away from Sikkim.

As a result of his absence from the State many religious festivals, particularly the Pang Lhabsol festival, worship of Sikkim’s Guardian Deities who reside on Mt. Khangchendzonga, are virtually non-existent in the capital today.

The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO) has now urged the Chogyal to come back and “guide and bless the Sikkimese people.”

In a letter to the Chogyal, NASBO President Sonam Kaleon has requested him to “revive, bless and guide the annual” Pang Lhabsol celebrations which usually falls in the months of August-September.

“The people of Sikkim would be the first one to share all the responsibilities required for such revival in a befitting, dedicated and determined manner,” Kaleon said in the letter.

Though the Chogyal has been living outside the State, NASBO is aware and appreciative of his continued dharma activities in Sikkim, which include “spiritual, academic or physical” developments in the State.

The Chogyal belongs to the Namgyal dynasty which ruled Sikkim for over three centuries from 1642 until its takeover by India, its protecting power, in 1975.

The ancestors of the Namgyal dynasty, namely Khye Bumsa, struck an eternal bond of blood brotherhood with Lepcha chief Thekongtek at Kabi Longtsok near Gangtok in the 13^th century, which finally led to coronation of Chogyal Phuntsog Namgyal four hundreds years later at Yuksam, west Sikkim, in 1642. It is said the guardian deities of Sikkim, including Khangchendzonga witnessed the pact signed in blood between the Bhutia and Lepcha chiefs.

Chador Namgyal, the third Chogyal of Sikkim, introduced the "pangtoed" dance and dedicated it to Kanchenjunga. This unique dance is also performed during Pang Lhabsol celebrations.

The lotus-born Guru Rinpoche (Lord Padmasambhava), originally from Swat Valley in Pakistan who visited Sikkim in the 8^th century, is believed to have visited and blessed Sikkim and bound the local deities on oath to protect the land and its people. Therefore, Pang Lhabsol festival has a special religious and historical significance to Sikkim and Sikkimese people.

INDIA BANDH!

Is It A Necessary Evil?

Among the most serious of the evils to be encountered in India today apart from corruption are the strikes or bandhs as they are called in India by organized bodies of workmen or by common gullible public at the behest of governments, politicians and vested interest groups. That strikes are great evils, is universally accepted. Some people affirm that they are unmitigated evils; some think that however mischievous, they are not preventable; while others affirm that they are necessary as preventing even greater calamities! If used for appropriate and apt reasons then it is justified. However, in some parts of India such as Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal it seems that general strikes called by politicians are a great nuisance to the public at large.

In many countries strikes are banned or modified e.g in France a law "on social dialogue and continuity of public service” was adopted in August 2007 and took effect in January 2008. In the USA, The Railway Labor Act bans strikes by United States airline and railroad employees except in narrowly defined circumstances. The Mamata Government’s recent call to take a second look on bandhs in West Bengal should be given serious thought by all concerned. Ten persons calling a bandh or calling road blockades cannot and should not be allowed to hold 10 lakh to ransom. In today’s world, particularly with a variety of tools for free expression, eg google and twitter, there is no need to call bandhs and force the general public to suffer. There ought to be designated protest spaces, big and small, for people to ventilate their grievances without disturbing public life.

TEACHERS’ DAY: You Truly Are My Wealth

As he completes twenty five years of dedicated service in the teaching profession, former teacher of Sikkim’s prestigious Tashi Namgyal Academy (TNA), Leonard Lefevre, who now teaches at Padma Choeling School in Gangtok, says students are the teachers’ greatest reward.                                                                                                                                     

LEONARD LEFEVRE

On the mantelpiece at home is a plaque presented by the North Point School Alumni to my mother, thanking her for her many years of dedicated teaching service at St. Joseph’s School, North Point, Darjeeling. The words inscribed below the school crest say with great simplicity “We are your Wealth”.  As I complete twenty five in the teaching service the words take on a special meaning to me.

My mind goes back to the year it all began in 1987. I was a green horn fresh out of college, ‘still wet behind the ears’, but I guess I took to teaching like a duck takes to water.  I did, however, enjoy an unfair advantage on two counts. First, I had the “Lefevre teaching gene” encoded in my DNA! Mum and Dad had taught generations of North Pointers and my elder brother Andre is Headmaster of the Junior School at N.P. Second, I had the support and guidance of Principals with great vision that reposed great faith and belief in me.

I remember bumping into my Zoology Professor in N.P. College soon after I started working at TNA. On hearing that I was teaching Biology in Grades 8, 9 and 10 she almost had an epileptic fit and when she had recovered sufficiently she looked imploringly towards the Heavens and exclaimed, “God help your kids!!” I guess God has been putting in a lot of “Overtime” for the last twenty-five years!  And I must thank Almighty God for the many opportunities He has provided me with to reach out to the young people of the region and guiding and protecting me in my work. Back in College I remember writing a short piece for the “North Pointer” magazine entitled ‘Heaven Watches Over Fools Like Me’.

Now I know for sure that it’s true. In the year 1977 our Religious Knowledge teacher Brother Jim Mara s.j. wrote the words “Hammer Stoutly, Pray Devoutly” on the blackboard of Class 7.I remember trying to figure out their meaning. Today I know not just the meaning of the words but the importance of working hard and having unshakeable faith in God.

 In April of 1994 God called Dad to be by His side. I still remember one of the letters Dad had written me when I started teaching in TNA. He mentioned two fundamental truths of the teaching profession: “A teacher will always be a learner” and “Teaching does not offer great financial rewards but it can make you very rich”. No truer words have ever been spoken. Every day, every lesson provides an opportunity to learn something new. I have learnt so much from my Principals, my colleagues and mainly from my students that I will never be able to repay the debt I owe them. When I left T.N.A in 2006 I left my students with a long Litany of “I have learnts…” The list has only got longer as the years have rolled by. The rewards that teaching brings are mainly in the form of “intangibles”. Intangibles may not put food on the table but they sure can warm the “cockles of the heart” and sure can “lift you in one breath towards heaven”, and they can make you very rich. And part of that richness and wealth comes from the knowledge that one’s students are doing well in life.

As I stroll down the new look M.G. Marg in Gangtok I bump into so many of my old students. We always stop to chat and catch up on old times and remember students of bygone days.  I feel extremely blessed and proud to have been a part of their lives. Just to look at a few examples:-Baichung Bhutia – The  talisman and captain extraordinaire of the India Soccer Team, and a host of avid footballers who have qualified for and are playing soccer for various clubs in India. Most recently a kid who I looked after in Mangan who is on his way to play a tournament hosted by Arsenal at the  Emirates Stadium in London: Karma Lendup – The  Chief designer of an electronics giant of South Korea and other  alumni of NID who are working independently or helping the Govt. of Sikkim in their own quiet way: Dawa Tshering Lepcha – The  film maker whose documentary was placed fourth  in the World Film  Festival in London this year and a lot of “cartoon characters in school” who are now animation designers: Karma Samten Paljor perhaps the most recognizable face of CNN-IBN and recipient of the best T.V. Journalist award in India last year.  Rajeev Chettri who has held top executive posts at Adidas and Nokia. Sanjog Prakash Raya – The  architect who designed Mayfair Resorts, Gangtok  and a truckload of architects whose work dot the entire landscape of Sikkim and beyond: engineers, doctors, nurses,  bank managers and bankers, businessmen, hoteliers, lecturers, professors, civil servants, politicians, police officers, forest officials, environmentalists, veterinary doctors, lawyers, artists, the owner of a ‘one of a kind book shop’, business entrepreneurs, fashion designers, dancers who are the best in the state of Sikkim, radio jockeys, rock musicians (just heard that Girish Pradhan has won the best vocalist award in India), sound engineers and more recently even teachers.

In fact one of them came up to me the other day and declared proudly ‘Sir I wanna be a teacher like you!” I think I had one my “Zoology Professor moments” and before I could recover he went on, “Sir I even carry my guitar to class!!” Not surprising, since he was a big G’n’R fan in school. I’m sure his kids love him! Why and even a Rinpoche! In fact I should have had him at the head of the list but I am sure “Agya” wont mind!! And what is most heartening to learn is that they are are making a mark for themselves not just in Sikkim but are spread all across India and the globe!\

 I would like to believe that I have a hand or a foot or maybe just a finger (never mind which one!) in their success.

I also pause to remember those students who who are no longer with us like Nigel Cashmore, Steve Lepcha, Mahendra Karki, Rup Singh Lachenpa, all extremely successful sportsmen who had enthralled us on the sports field, and have left behind a lot of fond memories.

 To all my Students whom I have had the privilege to teach at Tashi Namgyal Academy, St. Joseph’s North Point, North Sikkim Academy, Mangan and my students of Padma Odzer Choeling, Chongey Tar I may not ever get an opportunity to thank you and tell you this personally but I am extremely proud of you and you are extremely precious to me and you truly are my wealth.                                                 

Gorkhaland Bill, WB renaming on Sept 2

GJM objects to draft Bill, says spirit of GTA lost

Observer News Service

Calcutta, Sept 2: The Mamata Banerjee government will table in the Assembly the all-party resolution on renaming West Bengal on September 2, the last day of the ongoing monsoon session.

“After the official resolution on renaming West Bengal as Paschimbanga is passed in the Assembly, it will be sent to Parliament,” Speaker Biman Banerjee said.

Both Houses of Parliament will have to approve the resolution before it is sent to the Union home ministry, which will take the final call.

On August 20, Mamata had chaired an all-party meeting in which a consensus was reached on the renaming.

MLAs of both the ruling party and the Opposition said there was “no scope for disagreement” on the official resolution.

The government will also table the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Bill 2011, on Friday, said Trinamul’s Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, the Assembly chief whip.

The GJM leadership, including the four MLAs, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri and chairman of GJM study forum L B Pariyar, on Wednesday held an urgent meeting with Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh and Commerce and Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee and demanded immediate amendment to the Bill before it is placed before the Assembly on September 2.   

   According to GJM sources, the Bill has mentioned the new autonomous adminstrative body as Gorkha Territorial Administrative Sabha, while in the agreement it was mentioned as Gorkha Territorial Administration.

Giri said: “We have to fight for the administrative and financial powers, which were omitted in the draft Bill. Moreover, the word “sabha” has repetitively come up in the draft in place of the administrative body.”

The power of the autonomy and the self governance has also been curtailed and the draft does not mention for the security of the ethnic identity, added the source.

Harka Bahadur Chhtrei, GJM MLA, said: “The spirit of the memorandum is lost in the GTA draft bill. There are major omission of such clauses, which will not allow the autonomy to function in the area. If this Bill is passed in the Assembly, the autonomous body — GTA — will lose its existence. We have requested the government to consider an amendment to the Bill.”

Chhatre Subba verdict on Sept 9

Observer News Service

Jalpaiguri, Sept 2: The verdict in a case of murder attempt on Gorkha National Liberation Front leader Subash Ghisingh, in which the prime accused is Chhatre Subba, could not be delivered on Tuesday because of a computer that refused to function.

It has been over a decade that Subba and his associates are being tried. A large number of supporters of Chhatre arrived from different places in Darjeeling to hear the verdict.

But, when Subba and the other accused were finally produced in the court of the additional district and sessions judge around it was found that the computer in the courtroom was not working. Left without any option, the judge, Sanchita Kar, postponed the delivery of the verdict. It will be pronounced on September 9.

But the event has made Chhatre supporters unhappy. "It took more than 10 years for the court to come to the delivery of the judgement. We were really hoping to hear something good, the reason we have travelled all along from Darjeeling. Let's hope that on September 9, the verdict will be pronounced," one of them said.

Chhatre was arrested from the Indo-Nepal border in March 2001 and a case was lodged against him in the Darjeeling sessions court. He was charged with trying to assassinate Ghisingh, then Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council chairman, at Saat Ghoomti near Kurseong on February 10, 2001. Police also arrested 13 others in the case who were also charged with attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and possession of arms.

The trial, however, did not take place in Darjeeling as Chhatrey appealed before Calcutta high court to shift his case from Darjeeling to Jalpaiguri for a "fair and impartial trial".

Are Sikkimese Bhutias tilting towards Golay?

NASBO welcomes Golay’s call for Sikkimese unity

Gangtok, Sept 2: The support extended to PS Tamang (Golay), dissident ruling Sikkim Democratic Front legislator by Sikkimese Bhutia tribals has added a new dimension to the anti-Chamling campaign in the State.

The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organization (NASBO) has welcomed

Golay’s appeal for unity among Sikkimese Nepalese who are fragmented into various groups.

Unity among the Sikkimese people will ultimately protect the unique and distinct identity of Sikkim and the Sikkimese people, NASBO President, Sonam Kaleon said in a press statement.

Kaleon, a former senior civil servant, has also shown his appreciation for Golay’s bid to restore the political rights of Sikkimese Nepalese through restoration of their seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly as per provisions of Article 371F of the constitution.

It is also significant to note NASBO’s support to the recent (Aug 24) anti-corruption rally organized in the capital by the Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan (NASS), which is dominated by pro-Golay elements.

The rally was called to protest against the public order bill, dubbed as the “Black Bill” by the Opposition, tabled in the Assembly by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on August 11. Due to stiff opposition the bill was abruptly withdrawn on August 26.

One of the main grievances highlighted by NASBO is the 1978 Scheduled Tribes Order which has diluted the distinct identity of the ‘Sikkimese Bhutias’. The organization has also opposed mega hydro power projects near Tashiding in west Sikkim, which is of great historical and religious significance to Sikkim, earlier known as ‘Beyul Dema Jong’ (hidden valley of grains).

Tamangs and Gurungs among the Nepalese community share the same religion – Buddhism – with the State’s minority indigenous Bhutia-Lepcha tribals, who are largely disillusioned with the Chamling Government. Political allegiance to Golay by the Buddhist community in the State would adversely affect the ruling party’s support base. The SDF came to power in 1994 due to the support of OBCs and tribals in the State.

PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW People Have A Right To Know

“Public Order Bill is aimed at restricting fundamental human and constitutional rights”

Former Minister and Convenor of Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) Tseten Tashi Bhutia in his letter, dated August 15, 2011, to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said the Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill, which was tabled in the House by the Chief Minister on August 11 and then withdrawn on August 26, 2011, while trying to curb social evils violates the fundamental rights of Indian citizens in Sikkim guaranteed under the Constitution. Bhutia also submitted a copy of his letter to the Chief Minister to Governor BP Singh urging him to use his power under the Constitution to stop the passage of the Bill in the House. Full text reproduced:

To,                                                                                                          Dated: 15/08/2011

Shri Pawan Kumar Chamling

Hon’ble Chief Minister

Government of Sikkim

Gangtok, Sikkim.                                                                                

SUB: OPINION OF A PRUDENT SIKKIMESE ON THE SIKKIM PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF DISTURBANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER BILL, (BILL NO .10 of 2011.)

Respected Sir,

I, the undersigned would like to draw your attention, introspection in regard to the Bill No.10 of 2011 introduced by your good self as Minister Incharge, on 11.08.2011 in the State Legislative Assembly .

2.         The Bill No 10 of 2011 titled as “SIKKIM PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF DISTURBANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER BILL” with its objects and reasons for a special law to address social vices and offences being committed disturbing public order which affect peace and tranquillity in Sikkim and the sate government after due deliberation felt that there is need to deal with such types of offences affecting public order and with that object the Bill has been framed and tabled in the House.

3.         It is humbly stated that the Bill has given a wide connotation to the meaning of disturbance of public order. The Bill proposes to bring various contrasting acts within the definition of disturbance of public order, for, e.g., the act of holding processions, hunger strikes, obstructing any public works undertaken by government agencies, any act which causes health hazards or threaten healthy life and security of others ,harms peaceful living , causes public nuisance or imperils or annoys the public, extortion, drug abuse, employing child labour, drunkenness or smoking by persons below 18 years of age, minors visiting bars and discotheques, digging or causing obstruction to public thoroughfare and laying of unauthorized pipes for water connection or any other unauthorized connectivity of any form.

4.         The Bill in the present form appears to have been introduced with a sole intention to infringe various basic Human Rights and Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India in Part-III.

5.         Though the Bill has also tried to bring in other social evil acts within the realm of an act which causes disturbances of public order, with pure intention to camouflage the real intent of restricting, curtailing the Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Part III of the Constitution of India by Articles 14, 19, 21 and 25. The undersigned would further like to state that the proposed Bill No 10 of 2011 suffers from various defects and illegality and hence it is unconstitutional and ultra-vires. The undersigned would like to urge the following grounds and points for your consideration:-

A.                    That the proposed Bill’s provisions are in direct conflict with the Fundamental Rights of all citizens of India in Sikkim guaranteed under part III of the Constitution. The proposed Bill, through the various provisions has sought to violate the various International Humanitarian Laws such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other covenants. 

B.                    That there is no explanation given for public cause/purpose to come within the purview of clause (2) to(6) of Article 19 by which the Bill can be justified to impose such unreasonable restrictions on the Fundamental Rights of a citizen. Further, the restrictions to be imposed by the Bill are arbitrary and excessive in nature which goes beyond the requirement of the interest of the general public. It is important to mention that holding processions or hunger strikes etc. are democratic ways of fair criticism and dissent against unjust, unfair, illegal and unconstitutional acts or conduct of State (Govt officials), which the public or an individual feels that the Government or State has failed to carry out its duty and obligation for the protection of the Citizen’s Fundamental Rights.

C.                    That it is also pertinent to mention that the proposed Bill is trying to restrict the Fundamental Right of a citizen, to preach, profess and practice his or her religion and hence violative and  contrary to the concept of secularism guaranteed by Article 25 and the very Preamble to the Constitution. It is pertinent to mention that the various rallies and processions are taken by individuals, associations, groups and socio-political organisations or public spirited persons on the ground that there is need for seeking protection of one’s own religion, places of religious worship and significance, customs, conventions and culture. It is further paramount to state that the Constitution of India under Article 25 guarantees the right to freedom of religion. It is further stated that right to perform a religious ceremony or rituals may be acquired by age old customs of the community. We Sikkimese revere and highly respect the places of worship and perform religious ceremony and rituals to preserve and propagate our rich religious and cultural heritage.

The Bill, if enacted into law, would directly violate the freedom of religion guaranteed by Article 25 of the Constitution. When there is threat/infringement to the same the particular community should have the right to express their opinion in regard to the oppression of their religion or customs (Dharma). Thus to hold a peaceful procession or hunger strike (Satyagraha) etc. cannot be  termed a disturbance of public order in the opinion of the person whose religious rights are  infringed, sentiment hurt or practices prohibited by law made by the State.

D.             The mandate of Article 51-A (f), (g), (h) and (j) of Part IVA of our Constitution requires every citizen to perform the Fundamental Duties and in order to perform those duties, a citizen has to exercise his Fundamental Rights because the two are co-relative . Further more the proposed Bill is in direct conflict with the various International Covenants and Protocols, for e.g. it is in direct conflict with Article 19 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which reads as “everyone has a right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.

E.                     That it is also pertinent to mention that only reasonable restrictions can  be imposed on the Fundamental Right of a citizen and anything contrary to reasonable restriction would be illegal,  unconstitutional and repugnant to the mandate of Article 14 and 19 of the Constitution.

F.                     The proposed Bill prima facie appears to be unreasonable, unnecessary and unwarranted in the situation and context of Sikkim, where you have ruled the state very smoothly over the past 17 years and not a singular situation has ever arisen or event taken place affecting the peace and tranquillity of the state. As a conscious citizen and former legislator, I do not see any justification for such a draconian law as no such situation is likely to affect public order in this strategic border state. The Bill in its present form is potentially harmful to the persons of minor age and the machinery of the state may abuse the provision of the law adversely affecting the future prospects of such minor citizens. The Indian Penal Code and other Central Acts extended to and enforced in Sikkim are adequate to deal with the situations contemplated under the proposed Bill.

G.                    It is further stated that right to hold processions or hunger strikes or obstructing public works undertaken by the government agencies in which the public at large is not satisfied or happy is a medium of expressing the public opinion to the Government and its agencies that have put a veil in their eyes against public interest. Hence it is a means of fair criticism and gives a chance for the government to improve their approach for larger public interest and hence by bringing such Bill the government itself is acting contrary to its own interest and against the concept of better and transparent governance. It is humbly stated that even in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland where there are dangerously disturbed areas, the

government of those states do permit the public to exercise their right to freedom of speech and expression and in case of emergencies the state government have taken recourse to those reasonable procedures as prescribed under the applicable laws to tackle such situations having tendencies to cause public disturbances in the area.

H.                    I would like to place on record the considered view expressed by Justice Bhagabati Prasad Banerjee, an eminent retired judge of the High Court of Calcutta who opines that – “Even though a portion of the law related to public order has been placed on the State List and the state has the power to enact legislation on them, the Bill placed by the Sikkim government will not be considered as valid if challenged in court… But as far as public disorders like promoting enmity or hatred or disaffection among different communities are concerned, there are strong central laws for it. On these issues, a state government can not enact any law.”

I.                      I personally feel that the Bill ought to have been published and circulated in draft form eliciting public opinion and views and comments of experts in the various walks of life in the state and people would have got an opportunity to either support or oppose such a law. No such opportunity has been given to the people to express their opinion thereby disregarding a vital pillar of democratic governance in which Sikkim is lagging far behind compared to the other sister states of the country. Furthermore, if the Bill is enacted into law the same is going to be challenged in the proper judicial forum and is bound to be declared ultra-vires the Constitution.

J.                     It is humbly stated that the Bill proposes to set up a special court and makes the offences cognizable and non-bailable, which upon conviction shall attract imprisonment of not less than five years and fine of Rs 50,000. The procedure to be followed or laid down differs substantially from the ordinary procedure to the prejudice of the accused and hence violates Article 14 and goes against certain relevant procedural sections of the Criminal Procedure Code 1973. For e.g. a person involved in an act of joining peaceful assembly and procession or taking recourse to hunger strike for betterment of particular community, showing general concern in regard to various social issues like environment, and smoking by persons of minor age, visiting bars and discotheques are generally taken into police custody and released on bail. In regard to the minors, they are sent to Juvenile Justice Homes and further even in the rarest of the rare case, they are not penalised for five years imprisonment. It is humbly stated that such a law may be necessary in public interest in dangerously disturbed areas or parts of a state where chaos and disorder prevails for a long period of time.

K.                    It is further stated that even if the proposed law satisfies the test of reasonable classification under Article 14, it has to be tested on the anvil of Article 21 of the Constitution and the various authoritative verdicts of the Supreme Court binding on all authorities throughout the country. Reference may kindly be made of the case in the Special Courts Bill, 1978 reported in 1979(1) SCC 380: AIR 1979 SC 478.

L.                     The Bill, if passed, would go against the aims and object of the Act as the public at large would be adversely affected and innocents would be behind the bars until the trial is concluded and is acquitted by the special court. Hence, the chances of abuse of powers by the police and politically motivated persons would be greater thus leading to further threat to peace , tranquillity and public order in a border state like Sikkim which has remained peaceful over the past several decades.

Thus in short and in toto, it can be said that the Bill No 10 of 2011 suffers from various defects, illegality, unconstitutionality and is an affirmative threat designed to create fear psychosis in the minds of peace-loving  and God-fearing people of Sikkim who have lived in complete peace and harmony in this Himalayan State. I therefore strongly urge you to withdraw the said Bill or circulate it for eliciting public response and opinion.

I trust that you will act in the best interest of people of Sikkim upholding the Constitutional values, rights and freedoms for which we became a part of India in 1975.

  Thanking You

                                                                                                                          Yours faithfully

                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                     Tseten Tashi Bhutia.

                                                                                                                    Former Minister.