SIKKIM OBSERVER  Jan 8, 2012

China denies visa to pilot from Arunachal

New Delhi, Jan 7: Sino-Indian relations are under strain again after the proposed visit of a 30-member Indian military tri-services delegation to China starting Sunday was put on hold on Friday evening following China’s alleged refusal to grant a visa to an IAF fighter pilot from Arunachal Pradesh who was part of the delegation.

China allegedly refused to grant the visa to Group Captain M. Panging, an IAF Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter pilot posted at Tezpur, Assam, sources in the armed forces said.

But there appeared to be another twist in the tale of the visas for the 30-member delegation. Other sources, however, blamed the armed forces for reportedly not taking the mandatory approval of the screening committee of secretaries comprising the Cabinet Secretary and the secretary (expenditure) in the finance ministry. They said the delegation submitted their passports for visas without this approval. On realising this, they decided to withdraw the passport applications of all 30 members.

The claim, however, was disputed by sources in the armed forces who maintained that there were no procedural glitches and that there were problems in obtaining the Chinese visa only for the IAF officer from Arunachal.

The frontline Sukhoi squadrons in the Northeast have significantly bolstered India’s defence preparedness. China has been maintaining for long that Arunachal Pradesh is part of its territory which it considers as south Tibet. The Chinese do not grant visas to anyone from Arunachal due to the Chinese claim that the people of Arunachal are Chinese citizens. India considers Arunachal Pradesh an integral part of its territory.

  Sources said the Indian military delegation was to visit Beijing and Shanghai and that the visit was a reciprocal one.

This is the second time in the recent past that China has denied a visa to an Indian military officer. Two years ago, China had denied a visa to the then Indian Army Northern Command chief, Lt. Gen. B.S. Jaswal, following which defence exchanges between the two countries were suspended but later restored last year.

NIT to set up disaster management centre in Sikkim

Allahabad, Jan 7: The upcoming National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Sikkim will set up a disaster management centre to carry rescue operation in times of natural disasters, revealed the newly appointed director of NIT-Sikkim, Prof AB Samaddar.

Prof Samaddar, who till recently headed the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, was in the city on Saturday. The decision, he said, has been taken in wake of the powerful earthquake that hit the Himalayan state last year, The Times of India reported.

He said the Ministry of Human Resource and Development has given nod to the centre and the Sikkim government too has pledged support for it.

The eco-friendly campus of NIT-Sikkim is being developed with an initial budget of Rs 150 crore on an area of 300 acres.

Prof Samaddar said Sikkim has immense potential for tourism and in the wake of this MHRD will try to develop NIT-Sikkim on Education -Tourism policy. This would pave the way to attract foreign students vying to get admission in NITs, he added.

Prof Samaddar said the institute would focus on inter-disciplinary studies along with special emphasis on research activities.

Besides, the institute is also planning to set up an Intellectual Property Cell to help locals and tribes preserve and safeguard their traditional knowledge in the field of medicines and other crafts.

RS seat: Aspirants remain mum

Gangtok, Jan 7: Former ministers and several founder-members of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) are hoping to become the State’s next Rajya Sabha member.

The term of the present Rajya Sabha MP OT Lepcha expires next month on February 23.

The notification for the election would be issued on January 13 and the last date for making nominations is January 20.

While the scrutiny of nominations would be done on January 21, the last date for withdrawal of candidatures has been fixed as January 23 for polling to be held on January 30, 2012. Counting of votes would be held the same day.

Though the lone RS seat has been unofficially reserved for minority Bhutia-Lepcha tribals the possibility of the vacancy being filled up a member of the majority Nepalese community cannot be ruled out.

The Election Commission has declared that the poll process has to be completed by February 3.

A staunch senior member of the SDF from south district who is hoping to get the nomination said, “It is up to the Chief Minister to decide on the matter.”

Hermonites back Jigme Kazi for post of Mt. Hermon School Principal

Gangtok, Jan 7: Author and journalist Jigme N Kazi is likely to say “yes” if he is asked to be the next Principal of his alma mater Mount Hermon School, Darjeeling.

George Fernandes, the present Principal of the school, retires in March 2012 and Hermonites all over the world want a “Hermonite” to head the school to pull through this very difficult period for the school.

The Sikkim Hermonites Association headed by Karma Bhutia, presently Secretary, Sports Department, has urged global Hermonite fraternity to support Kazi’s candidature. The Association has passed a resolution urging the authorities to make Kazi the next Principal of the school and also to nominate two Hermonites in the school’s Managing Committee, which not only appoints the principal but also frames all policies of the school.

While most alumni bodies in India and abroad are likely to back Kazi’s candidature the decision to appoint the new principal lies with the Committee, whose members belong to the Methodist Church of India.

Kazi not only did his schooling in Mt. Hermon he also did his teachers’ training at the school and also taught there for four years.

Prominent among the former principals who are likely to back Kazi are Rev. DG Stewart, Mr. GA Murray (New Zealand), Rev JA Johnston (Australia) and Mr. Jeff Gardner (India). Apart from ex-students of the school Kazi will also have the backing of influential former teachers of the school.

While Kazi edits two English weeklies owned by him, Sikkim Observer and Himalayan Guardian, his wife TT Namgyal is a senior teacher at the prestigeous Tashi Namgyal Academy.

Editorial

CONG-TMC RIFT

Regain Mamata’s Confidence

The Congress party cannot afford to annoy the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) particularly when Assembly elections in several key states, including Uttar Pradesh, are round the corner. Realizing that the Samajwadi Party (SP) cannot be trusted to ally with it the Congress party is trying to play down the rift between its close ally Trinamool saying it is open to having a UPA co-ordination committee, a suggestion mooted by Banerjee. This indication when the Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the “disagreements between both parties” are part of a “coalition politics” and the Congress was ready to “solve this problem by discussions.”

Apart from disagreement between the two parties on key issues – Lokpal and FDI for instance – Banerjee has alleged the Congress of working in collaboration with Communist Party of India (Marxists) against TMC in the West Bengal. Banerjee’s outbursts against Congress should not be taken lightly: "If Congress feels they can go with CPI-M, they can do it. (The) Door is open for them," she threatened. The Congress may improve its tally in UP polls but it has a long way to go in forming its government there. Therefore, it must regain TMC’s confidence as early as possible.

RAJYA SABHA SEAT

Wanted: Competent & Credible Candidate

If Chief Minister Pawan Chamling wants to win back the support of the Bhutia-Lepcha tribals of Sikkim he must choose a competent and credible person to represent the minority community for the lone Rajya Sabha seat. The present Rajya Sabha MP OT Lepcha comes from the Lepcha community and it is expected that the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front opts from someone from the “Sikkimese Bhutia” community this time. However, if the candidate is a “Bhutia” as per the definition of the Scheduled Tribes Order of 1978 and not a “Sikkimese Bhutia” then Chamling is likely to face the wrath of the Bhutias of Sikkimese origin in the next Assembly polls.

Sikkimese people in general are acutely aware of the manner in which “non-Sikkimese” have been given party tickets and elected to the Assembly/Parliament. The minority community have always been demanding “genuine representation” of their community in the Assembly as well as in the Parliament. Though most people expect Chamling to opt for a pliable person for the RS seat he may also surprise his critics and choose a credible candidate to represent Sikkim in the Upper House of the Parliament.

Sikkim Lotteries banned in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 7: Though the ban on Sikkim Lotteries is a victory of the State’s long-drawn efforts, it is unlikely to have any effect on the lottery market in the state.

Following the state government’s refusal to collect advance sales tax from Bhutan and Sikkim lotteries in 2009, the agents of both the lotteries had allegedly been carrying out illegal trade in the Kerala market.

A couple of police cases were also registered in various parts of the state on the illegal two-digit and three-digit draws carried out by some leading agents based on the Sikkim and Bhutan lottery results.

The State Lotteries Department had recently cancelled the agency of one of its leading agents after it was found carrying out the illegal trade of other-state lotteries.

Some also suspect that the Centre’s move is to give a clean chit to the agents of Sikkim Lotteries.

It is also to be noted that the Centre has not taken any such measure against Bhutan Lotteries which is also alleged of violating rules in the State.

A solution to the current violations is by strengthening of the Lottery Monitoring Cell which became inactive after the cases related to lottery rule violations were transferred to the CBI. It is learnt that the proposal submitted by the State Lotteries Department is being considered by the Taxes and Home Departments. "The new cell which will have senior-level police officials will help the government clamp down on the illegal trade,’’ said a senior official of the Lotteries Department.

The state government had started to put pressure on the Centre for a ban on other-state lotteries as early as in 2004. In 2006, only Bhutan and Sikkim Lotteries applied for sales tax registration in the State. Later, following widespread complaints of violations of Central Lotteries (Regulation) Act, the State Government refused to collect advance sales tax from both the lotteries.

Karmapa calls for Tibetan unity in Bodhgaya

“Preserve Tibetan culture and religion”

Bodhgaya, Jan 7: His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje has called for unity among Tibetans to preserve their religion and culture.

Addressing more than 8,000 Buddhist devotees, including Tibetans, here today the Tibetan spiritual leader said “We received the Buddhadharma that is so precious to us directly from India. Now, many of us have settled here in exile. Therefore, I do not need to tell you how close and profound this relationship between Tibet and India is. From the hardships you yourselves were willing to undertake to come here to this holy place of Bodhgaya, you can perceive this directly. This alone shows very clearly the deep sense of devotion and affection that we Tibetans feel for India.”

The Karmapa described His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the sole person for uniting the Tibetan people. He praised His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his activities and the vast scope of his vision in leading the Tibetan people.

“The main job of you Tibetans within Tibet is to guard and preserve Tibetan culture and religion,” the Karmapa said. “It is the job of us Tibetans in India and other free countries to let the world know what is going on within Tibet.”

He went on to stress, “I want you to know that we here in exile are well aware of the sufferings and problems you face in Tibet. Do not despair, please think long term and seek out skillful means to guard the Tibetan religion and culture.”

SIKKIM OBSERVER Dec 17-23, 2011

Editorial

DEATH & NEGLIGENCE

Expedite Road Construction Work

Six tourists died  in North Sikkim in a road accident which could have been avoided. The recent earthquake and the sluggish pace of road widening work on the North Sikkim Highway (NSH) by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has forced the people to avoid traveling on this route. The only option to reach the tribal-dominated region of North Sikkim, perhaps the most attractive tourist destination in the State, is take the alternate route through Dikchu. The victims of Tuesday night’s car accident were taking the short cut route via Dikchu from Mangan, headquarters of North Sikkim, to reach Siliguri. Had they taken the usual NSH route their death could have been avoided.

Even after the intervention of the High Court of Sikkim road construction work all over Sikkim has not improved. While clearance of land acquisition files and adequate funds for construction and maintenance of roads in the State may have hampered the work there is the need for proper supervision and efficient execution of jobs at hand on the highways and other roads in the State. The State Government, Opposition parties, NGOs and the people in general must put more pressure on the concerned authorities before the next Monsoon sets in.

‘SAVE SIKKIM’ CRY

May  Lead To ‘Sikkim Bachao Andolan’

Anti-mega dam protesters in Sikkim are joining hands and becoming more active and assertive than ever before. Already several non-political organizations have formed a joint action platform to pressurize the authorities to scrap several hydel projects in the State, including those that are connected to the holy Rathongchu River in West Sikkim. If the authorities think that the Rathongchu controversy is confined to the indigenous Bhutia-Lepcha tribals they are mistaken. Unlike before the Buddhist community in Sikkim is growing. The Gurungs (Tamu) and Tamangs among the majority  Nepali community  are discovering their Buddhist roots and taking active part in preservation of their cultural heritage. A section of the Limbus also profess Buddhism. Other major Buddhist communities in Sikkim include Tibetans, Sherpas and Chumbipas. It is only a matter of time when they join hands with the Bhutia-Lepchas to preserve their distinct identity.

So far Opposition parties have kept themselves aloof from the anti-dam agitation in the State. However, they have taken their own stand and method in protesting against mega hydel projects in the State. There is, however, a distinct possibility of the ‘Save Sikkim’ campaign on big dams turning into a bigger ‘Sikkim Bachao Andolan’ that would also include issues related to mega hydropower projects in Sikkim. Ram Chandra Poudyal’s eagerness to unite the Opposition to make the anti-Chamling agitation more effective has come at a time when social organisations are almost ready to come out in the open opposing the Chamling Government if it is adamant in going ahead with more than 30 projects in sacred Sikkim.

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN      Dec 21-27, 2011

GOLAY TO PLAY PICNIC-PUJA POLITICS AGAINST CHAMLING

Gangtok, Dec 20: The warm-up for 2012 politics in the State will begin at a puja-cum-picnic programme hosted by supporters of dissident ruling party leader PS Golay at Rolu near Jorethang in South Sikkim tomorrow.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling will find it difficult to clamp down on the participants of the function this time as the event is being organized to pray of the victims of the recent earthquake in the State.

The controversial event which will take place tomorrow (Dec 21) comes on the eve of Losoong-Namsoong, Christmas celebrations in the State. Golay, a former minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) legislator, who has lately been actively touring the State, is expected to attend the function.

The Chamling Government’s clampdown on those who took part in the 2009 Rolu picnic has not deterred anti-Chamling forces in the State taking shelter under Golay’s leadership.

The proposed controversial event comes at a time when the Opposition leadership in the State is planning a united front against Chamling.

Cambodian MPs call for China-Tibet dialogue

Dharamshala, Dec 20: A group of parliamentarians of Cambodia has made a strong call for an end to the human rights violations in Tibet, urging China to engage in sincere dialogue with the Tibetan side to resolve the issue of Tibet.

"It is with a strong sense of unity that we Cambodian parliamentarians support the recent move by British Parliamentarians to halt the continuing injustice in Tibet," noted a press release issued by three MPs, Son Chhay , Cheam Channy and Yont Tharo from the opposition Sam Rainsy party, Tibet Net reported.

Expressing serious concern over the recent spate of self-immolations in Tibet, the MPs said, "these acts of self-immolation make sense when one considers the decades of repression, intimidation, fear, and violence that Tibetans have endured daily under China's rule which only appears to be worsening."

The MPs stressed that the Chinese officials should review their past ruthless actions and policies on Tibet.

They strongly disapproved of the Chinese move to force Tibetans under 18 years of age to attend government schools, imposing fines of 3,000 yuan on a single child if he was to become a monk or study at monastery school.

"China needs to realise that it will be unable to change Tibetans' hearts and minds," the Cambodian MPs said.

"We demand that the Chinese Government must immediately put an end to its oppressive policy and human rights violations, and begin sincere dialogue with the Dalai Lama," they said.

Havel ‘a source of inspiration’: Dalai Lama

‘Havel’s voice for human freedom could not be silenced’

Dharamsala, Dec 20: Vaclav Havel, a close friend of the Dalai Lama and a longtime supporter of the Tibetan people, died on Sunday at his home in the northern Czech Republic after a prolonged illness. He was 75.

Born in 1936, Vaclav Havel rose to prominence as a dissident playwright in the 1970s through his involvement with the human rights manifesto Charter 77 demanding democratic changes.

In 1989, the year of Czechoslovakia's Velvet Revolution, Havel led the extraordinary display of people power which toppled the ruling communist regime. The world watched with astonishment as, within weeks, the dissident playwright became president, phayul.com reported.

As president, he presided over Czechoslovakia's transition to democracy and a free-market economy and oversaw its peaceful 1993 split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

He was elected first president of the Czech Republic in January 1993, serving until 2003 when he resigned as his health deteriorated.

Havel became the first world leader to invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his nation and receive him as a visiting Head of Nation soon after he became President in 1990. Since then, the Dalai Lama has visited Czech Republic nine times and met Havel on numerous occasions.

The Dalai Lama traveled to Prague earlier this month to meet an ailing Havel. Arriving straight from the airport, the Dalai Lama spent over an hour, interacting with his close friend. Following the meeting, the Tibetan spiritual leader called Havel “a source of inspiration” for his firm stance on the principles of democracy and human rights.

Havel was awarded the Light of Truth Award in 2004 by the Dalai Lama for his outstanding contribution to public understanding of Tibet and its current plight.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "deeply saddened" and that Europe owed Havel a "profound debt".

"Havel devoted his life to the cause of human freedom. For years, Communism tried to crush him, and to extinguish his voice. But Havel could not be silenced.”

Air China begins daily Beijing-Lhasa service

Beijing, Dec 20: Air China began daily non-stop service between Beijing and Tibet’s capital Lhasa on December 15, the flight representing the first non-stop scheduled service between the two cities.

The Lhasa Gonggar Airport is situated at an elevation of 3,570 meters (11,710 feet). It is one of the highest airports in the world and is surrounded by very high mountains, which range from 17,500 feet to more than 20,000 feet in height.

Air China is operating the Beijing-Lhasa route with Airbus A319s which are certified for Required Navigation Performance – Authorization Required (RNP-AR) exact-navigation flying. The Airbus A319 is well known for its excellent performance from high-altitude airports.

According to Air China, the crews operating the route are highly experienced in flying routes over the “Roof of the World”, the phrase often used to describe the mountainous Himalayan country in which the Tibetan plateau lies.

Air China has given the daily round-trip the flight numbers CA4125 and CA4126. Each one-way flight takes four hours.

At present, the service is the only non-stop flight between Beijing and Lhasa. Air China says that in high season it will operate Airbus 330 widebodies on the route.

Air China has been actively involved in forming the air transport network serving Tibet and says it has helped further the Tibet Autonomous Region’s economy, culture and tourism.

Air China now operates more than 100 flights a week into and out of Tibet. The airline says its new Beijing-Lhasa service will play an instrumental role in bringing more travelers to Tibet and promoting local economic growth.

Nepal PM launches JNU-Nepal Alumni Association

Kathmandu, Dec 20: With a view to creating a better atmosphere for Indo-Nepal relations Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai launched the Alumni Association of JNU-Nepal Chapter (AAJ-Nepal) here on Saturday.

The Association is the first ever international chapter of JNU with more than 150 members that includes distinguished personalities from different sectors in Nepal, including the Prime Minister.

Professor Alka Acharya, International Student Advisor, JNU, among others was also present during the launching function.

Bhattarai, a scholar from the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University, recalled his student life at the varsity campus during the early 80s at the function.

 57-year-old Bhattarai said he has emotional attachment with the New Delhi-based University that has produced a number of scholars and politicians.

"I have learnt many things from JNU which I have been able to put into practice in the real life," said Bhattarai, who got his Ph.D. from the university.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Jayanta Prasad, who had also studied in JNU in the early seventies, said that JNU has promoted connectivity among different people.

Gorkhaland demand revived, rallies to follow next month

C. Tamang

Darjeeling, Dec 20: After dithering over GTA, GTA, the Gorkha Yuba Morcha, the youth wing of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has begun its agitation for Gorkhaland state.

The first rally on the issue was held at Mongpo in Darjeeling on Sunday. The presence of Asha Gurung, wife of Morcha chief Bimal Gurung was a pointer that the GJM was behind the statehood demand.

“The GTA was thrust upon us. By creating it, the legitimate desire of the people of Darjeeling was not fulfilled. It’s true that we did not have the GJM top brass with us. But we have got the mandate to carry on with our agitation,” said Gorkha Yuba Morcha chief P. Rai, reported a national daily.

The youth wing will hold rallies in Kurseong (Jan 7), Mirik (Jan 16), Kalimpong (Jan 22), Siliguri (Jan 29) and finally in Darjeeling (Feb 5).

Minor quakes recorded on Sikkim-Nepal, India-Myanmar borders

New Delhi, Dec 20: Two minor earthquakes were recorded in the border regions between India and Myanmar and the Indian state of Sikkim with Nepal in the early hours of Tuesday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the first quake, measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale, had its epicentre at latitude 24.1 degrees North and longitude 94.3 degrees East and occurred at 0035 hours at a depth of 70 km in the India-Myanmar border region, netindia news network reported.

The second quake, measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale, had its epicentre at latitude 28 degrees North and longitude 88.2 degrees East. It occurred at 0305 hours today at a depth of 35 km in the border region between Sikkim and Nepal, an IMD bulletin added.

We want an honourable solution: Muivah

“Ball now in Centre’s court”

Dimapur, Dec 20: NSCN (I-M) general secretary, Th. Muivah, who arrived here on Saturday from New Delhi, said Naga people were eagerly waiting for the Centre to take initiative in finding out an amicable solution to the vexed Naga issue.

Replying to a query about the outcome of the meeting with Union Home Minister recently, Muivah said the ball was now in the Centre’s court, adding the Centre has to take initiative, Nagaland Post reported.

“We are all waiting for that,” said 76-year-old NSCN leader on his arrival at Dimapur Airport.

NSCN (I-M) chairman Isaac Chishi Swu had already arrived here on December 15.

According to NSCN (I-M) sources, the two leaders have arrived to spend Christmas with the fellow cadres. “They have come to stay close with the fellow cadres during the festive season,” sources added.

The NSCN leader, who arrived here on Saturday afternoon, was escorted away by NSCN cadres in a bullet proof vehicle, bringing the interaction with media persons to an abrupt end, which lasted for about two minutes.

Earlier, on December 13, top NSCN (I-M) leaders Isaac Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to discuss for an “honourable solution” acceptable to all.

Sources also said that the NSCN (I-M) leaders have arrived to talk with the “home authority” on what they have discussed with the centre.

Burmese nationals held in Tripura

Illegal influx into India continues

Agartala, Dec 20:  Illegal influx of Myanmarese nationals into India through Bangladesh has continued, with 31 held for sneaking into Tripura, police said here on Saturday. Among the arrested were nine children and seven women.

With this, 83 Myanmarese nationals, comprising Rohingya Muslim and Buddhist tribals, seeking jobs in India have crossed over to Tripura state from Bangladesh since mid last year, reported IANS.

"All the 31 Myanmarese nationals were arrested by the police at Bokafa, 90 km from Agartala, late Friday night," sub-divisional police official Amitava Paul told reporters.

"They told the interrogators that they are planning to leave for elsewhere in India via Guwahati in search of jobs," he said.

"All the foreign nationals are Rohingya Muslims who entered Tripura illegally through Sabroom border from Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southeast Bangladesh," he added.

On Saturday, the Myanmarese nationals were presented before a local court, which sent them to 14 days' judicial custody. The illegal entrants would be sent to Bangladesh after completion of legal formalities, the police official said.

They told the police officials that authorities in Myanmar were indifferent to the problems of the people living in the hilly areas bordering India and Bangladesh.

"Intermittently, the Myanmarese Army has unleashed atrocities on a section of nationals, especially Rohingya Muslim and Buddhist communities," the official said after interrogating the Myanmarese nationals.

Over 50,000 Myanmarese have been living in different parts of neighbouring Mizoram, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh, and working at various shops and factories after obtaining work permits.

Since the mid-1990s, over 225,000 Myanmar nationals, mostly Rohingya Muslims, have been sheltering in the Teknaf region in Cox's Bazar district of southeastern Bangladesh.

Four Indian northeastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam share a 1,880-km border with Bangladesh, while Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh share a 1,640-km unfenced border with Myanmar.

The mountainous terrain, dense forests and other hindrances make the unfenced borders porous and vulnerable, enabling illegal immigrants and intruders cross over without any hurdle.

Anti-big dam blockade will continue: Gogoi

P. Ghosh          

Guwahati, Dec 20: An indefinite blockade against transportation of raw materials and equipment for an NHPC hydel power project at Gerukamukh on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border has been launched jointly by various anti-big dam organisations.

Thousands of protesters have come together in north Lakhimpur district of Assam and blocked the national highway 52 that leads to the NHPC dam site in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.

The blockade call has been given by several organisations, including the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP).

Leaders and members of various groups, including the AASU and different political parties, have also joined the protests, UNI reported.

KMSS general secretary Akhil Gogoi said the blockade will continue till the NHPC is forced to stop their construction activities at Gerukamukh.

"We will block all trucks and vehicles carrying raw materials and other equipment to the dam site. Of course, we will allow essentials, like ration for the workers, to move," he said.

  Gogoi said work at the transmission towers that are being built to carry the power out of the dam will also be blocked by the protesters.

"If we do not apply these strategies to pressurise NHPC and the government, our voices will go unheard," he added.

The anti-big dam protesters had forced the administration to stop a turbine-carrying truck at Lakhimpur since December 1.

The NHPC is building a 2000 MW hydel power project on lower Subansiri river at Gerukamukh, which has led to widespread protests in downstream areas of Assam.

“Sino-Indian relations is marked by fear and suspicion

Tibetan poet and activist Tenzin Tsundue shot to fame when in 2002, he scaled 14 floors of Mumbai's Oberoi Towers - where the then Chinese PM Zhu Rongji was addressing Indian business magnates - to unfurl a Tibetan flag. Known for his impassioned writing, the activist also described as one of India's most stylish people, Tsundue spoke with The Times of India’s Amardeep Banerjee about the recent Global Buddhist Conference that became controversial, Buddhist monks immolating themselves and how the Dalai Lama's retirement has impacted the Tibetan movement:

Amardeep Banerjee: The recent Global Buddhist Conference attracted Chinese criticism with President Pratibha Patil and PM Manmohan Singh opting out apparently due to China's objections - your view?

Tenzin Tsundue: The fact that India stood its ground in hosting the Buddhist congregation and also having the Dalai Lama as chief guest at the valedictory function is a matter of pride. Unlike the Beijing 2008 Olympics period, the Indian government this year is much more confident about not submitting under Chinese pressure. As a refugee living here in India, India's rising power is very reassuring.

Q: But many are not reassured - more than 10 Tibetan monks have attempted self-immolation in the past one year. Do you see self-immolation as a legitimate form of protest?

A: Ever since the 2008 Tibetan uprising, the Chinese government has become insecure in its control over Tibet. Inter-national media and tourists cannot travel freely in Tibet, peoples' movement is curtailed. It is this draconian police rule that's suffocating the Tibetans, pushing them to self-immolation. These are desperate acts to protest against Chinese police brutality and demand freedom. Living in India, i have no moral right to question its legitimacy.

Q: Meanwhile, how has the Dalai Lama's retirement from politics impacted the Tibetan movement?

A: The devolution of political power from the Dalai Lama should be looked at as an act of renunciation. The Dalai Lama's decision made the Tibetan people elect their own leadership and be accountable in all political matters. This is our answer to Chinese propaganda which says that exiled Tibetans only want to recreate the old feudal society. But more than that, we've had the success of 50 years of experimenting with democracy.

Q: How do you view current Sino-Indian relations?

A: The 60-year relationship between India and China that started after the Chinese occupation of Tibet has been marked mostly by fear and suspicion earlier. It's now characterised by economic competition and misplaced diplomacy. One of the main issues is the 4,057-km border. India's claim to Arunachal Pradesh is based on the 1914 McMahon Treaty while China doesn't recognise this treaty.

When the basic approaches are different, a solution is un-likely to come by anytime soon. Today, India is under pressure because of China's humongous military build-up in Tibet, its control of the Himalayan rivers and China's instigation of Pakistan. Because of the friction, both countries are militarising the Himalayas from either side - unless Tibet is restored as the buffer zone as before, India and China are forever going to be at cold war.

Q: However, is the 'Free Tibet' demand practical?

A: From India, we see only China's money and military might. We do not see the 80,000 protest incidents that rock China each year which are beaten down with brutality. And this is getting worse, so much that the Dalai Lama recently observed China's internal security budget is higher than its external defence budget, meaning they have more enemies on the inside than the outside ant their rigidity about control is pushing the country to the brink of an implosion.

WINTER Festival

Losoong celebrations in Sikkim: Chham and Chhang

The Losoong Festival in Sikkim begins each year in the 10th month of the Tibetan calendar. Surely there can be no better time to plan your trip to Sikkim. It gives you the wonderful opportunity to be a part of a religious festival and fair and also be witness to the extravagant carnival.

Losoong Festival is another way of celebrating the Sikkimese New Year. Held in the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar, the Loosong Festival of Sikkim, which takes place at the end of the harvest season, rejoice and pray for a better harvest for the next year.

Held generally in the month of December, Loosong Festival is the most vibrant festival of Sikkim where one can get to see the customary Chham (lama dance), the colorful garments and get the taste of mountain festive passion.

A traditional festival of the Bhutias of Sikkim, once the ruling class, the Loosong Festival, is to welcome the new season with a magnificent exuberant celebrations.

The traditional Chham dance takes place at the monasteries where the people dress up as divinities and perform the dance. The dances are a way to exorcize the evil spirits and welcome the good spirit of the Sikkimese New Year.

If one wishes to be a part of the celebrations you can also take a sip of the local wine Chaang and get submerged in the festive mood. The occasion is also celebrated by traditional archery competitions.

The Loosong Festival in Sikkim is an important festival and tourists from all over the world visit Sikkim to be a part of this sacred festival.

SIKKIM OBSERVER Dec 17-23, 2011

My support to Golay is conditional: Poudyal

“Golay must quit SDF and form his own party”

Gangtok, Dec 16: Veteran politician Ram Chandra Poudyal said his support to dissident ruling party legislator and former Minister PS Golay was conditional.

“I will support him if he proves that he is capable of leading a united front and dislodging Chamling,” Poudyal said in an exclusive interview to Sikkim Observer.

“I never said Golay is the future leader of Sikkim as reported in local papers,” Poudyal said. “What I said was that he has the potential to become a leader but he has to prove his worth to the people.”

“Like Chamling and Bhandari, Golay must be able to lead a revolt against Chamling and win elections on his own strength,” he added.

“As of now Golay is still with the SDF and is an MLA of the ruling party. He has to resign from the Assembly and form his own party to prove his leadership quality if he has any,” Poudyal said and added that he is willing to talk to former Chief Minister and Sikkim Congress President N B Bhandari to forge a united front to take on Chief Minister and SDF chief Pawan Chamling.

“Several politicians, including former MP Nakul Rai, CPIM’s Anjan Upadhaya, DN Nepal and NB Khatiwada, have met me recently on the present political situation in Sikkim,” Poudyal pointed out.

He said he is keen to become a “catalyst” for opposition unity and want the people to take advantage of him. He said he would also brief Congress and BJP’s central leadership to seek their support in opposing Chamling.

“I have now completed my religious studies and want to work for the people. I don’t want to become CM or MP,” Poudyal said, whose party, Sikkim Congress (I) won 11 of the 32 seats in the crucial election after the merger in 1979.

“I now don’t want to confine myself to working for the Nepalese only. I want to work for all Sikkimese, including those not within the three ethnic (Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepalese) communities,” said  Poudyal.

He said he has moved to his ancestral village at Chotta Singtam in east Sikkim after nearly two years’ self-imposed exile in Siliguri. “I will be moving to Gangtok shortly,” Poudyal said hinting that this move would expedite formation of a united front against Chamling.

Justice Kohli is Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court

Gangtok, Dec 16: Justice Permod Kohli was formally sworn in as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Sikkim on Monday. The oath of office was administered by Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh at the Raj Bhawan.

Prior to his elevation, Justice Kohli was serving at Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was among those who witnessed the oath taking function.

Justice SP Wangdi took temporary charge of the High Court as Acting Chief Justice recently after former Sikkim High Court Chief Justice PD Dinakaran was forced to resign following allegations of corruption against him.

Justice Kohli joined the Bar at Jammu on October 12, 1972. He was appointed Additional Advocate General of the State during Governor’s rule in 1990 and took over as the Advocate General in December 1990. He continued as Advocate General till January 1992 and was designated senior advocate in April 1991.

He was later appointed Additional Judge of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court on 7 January 2003 and as permanent Judge on 3 January 2005. He was later transferred to the Jharkhand High Court in Ranchi and took oath on May 4, 2006. He was later transferred to Punjab and Haryana High Court and took oath on May 10, 2007.

17^th SDF GOVT FORMATION DAY

I’m satisfied, says Chamling

Gangtok, December 16: Chief Minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front President Pawan Chamling has expressed satisfaction over his government’s performance in the past 17 years.

At an indoor function to mark the completion of 17 years of the formation of SDF Government in the State here at was at Chintan Bhawan on Monday, Chamling said he was fully satisfied with the achievements of his government on all fronts since it came to power on December 12, 1994.

He said his government would rededicate itself to the task that lie ahead. “We still have huge responsibility ahead of us,” he said.

The Chief Minister urged his officials to do their best to ensure that people are served well. “The facilities provided by the government should reach the people,” Chamling said.

      A brief report on the achievements of the government during the last 17 years was presented by Development Commissioner A.K.Yadav.

      The Chief Minister also released an illustrative book on earthquake of September 18, 2011 published by the Information and Public Relations Department.

After he was expelled from the NB Bhandari-led Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP) for indulging in “communal and casteist politics” in 1992, Chamling formed his own political outfit – Sikkim Democratic Front – in March 1993.

Elections to the State Legislative Assembly was held in November 1994 six months after Bhandari was ousted from power by dissident SSP legislators who formed a Congress government in the State.

In the Assembly polls Chamling’s SDF won 19 seats and formed the government. The Chamling-led SDF returned to power in 1999, 2004 and 2009. The SDF chief hopes to set a new record by making a comeback in the 2014 Assembly polls.

Supreme Court takes up Teesta hydel project transfer case

New Delhi, Dec 16: The Supreme Court on Monday (12.12.2011) heard a petition filed by Anand Lama on hydropower projects in Sikkim and fixed February as the next date for hearing.

The matter, a transfer petition, was listed for February on the request made by Lama’s counsel Raju Ramachandran during the hearing of the case on Monday.

The court made the following order after hearing the case: “At the request of Mr. Raju Ramachandran, learned senior counsel appearing for Petitioner, let this matter be listed in the month of February, 2012.”

Lama, a prominent local resident of Gangtok, sought for transfer of the case to the Supreme Court from the High Court of Sikkim.

He had filed a PIL in August 2011 and the date for admission of the case was fixed for November 15. Since his lawyer could not attend the case on the date fixed the Court adjourned the hearing of the case to March 2012.

Besides approaching the High Court, Lama has also filed a written complaint with the CBI, which is currently engaged in probing Lok Sabha MP Jagan Mohan Reddy’s disproportionate assets, including his investments in several hydro power projects in the State.

Reddy is believed to have made huge investments in the State’s biggest power project – the 1200 MW Teesta Stage III, located at Chungthang in North Sikkim. This project is run by Teesta Urja Limited and Himurja Infra Pvt Ltd.

Some of the respondents in the case are Union of India, Sikkim Government, Sikkim Power Development Corporation, Power Department, CBI, CAG and Teesta Urja Limited.

German club’s farewell football match for Bhaichung

Audi Football Summit in New Delhi on Jan 10

The exhibition match between the most successful German club, FC Bayern Muenchen and Indian National team will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, on January 10, 2012. The historic match will be a farewell for the Indian football icon, Bhaichung Bhutia, and the proceeds of the event will go to support the quake-affected people in Sikkim.

As part of the joint endeavour to bring international football to India, Audi is proud to extend its strong relationship with FC Bayern Muenchen, to promote the game here, and salute a true Indian football hero. The 111-year-old FC Bayern Muenchen, which has Audi as its premier partner, has won the German national championship, Bundesliga, 22 times and 15 other major titles.

To mark the countdown to the Audi Football Summit, FC Bayern Muenchen legend and a member of the German winning team of the 1974 FIFA World Cup, Paul Breitner said, “India can be a football power in years to come. It just needs to believe in its potential. Traditionally, both Germany and India have enjoyed a cultural and business relationship for years and it's time that we also work together in developing the popular sport of football in India. The Audi Football Summit is a big step towards achieving this goal. I hope that millions of youngsters will be inspired to play the game after watching their heroes in the exhibition match.”

Former Indian captain Baichung Bhutia who could not make it to the press conference owing to bad weather said in a telephonic interview during the conference that he was honoured by the gesture to give him a memorable farewell. Bhutia said. “As a footballer I always tried to put my best foot forward for the Indian National team, for my fans and my clubs. I would like to thank Audi India, FC Bayern Muenchen and my team-mates in the Indian national team. This is the best farewell I could have imagined.”

FC Bayern Muenchen, led by head coach Jupp Heynecks, will be stopping in Qatar for a training camp on their route to India. The German giants will turn up in their full strength for their Indian tour. Captain Philipp Lahm, arguably the world's best full back, Thomas Muller, the winner of the 'Golden Boot' in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, are expected to be in the star line-up for the match against the Indian National team.

On this occasion, Audi India MD, Michael Perschke said, “Audi is passionate about the sport of football and extremely proud about their association with FC Bayern Muenchen. Through this partnership, Audi India seeks to bring the world’s most popular sport to India and provide a strong platform for its budding talent. The Audi Football Summit in Delhi is a very prestigious event for us. We hope to attract millions of Indians to enjoy the game and inspire thousands of children to play football."

AIFF General Secretary, Kushal Das, who was also present at the press conference said, “It is the dawn of a new era in Indian football. Germany has produced world-class teams for many decades and FC Bayern Muenchen is one of the most respected clubs in the world. We hope that through the Audi Football Summit, we create excitement and awareness about the sport in India. Audi is truly committed to football and their initiative will immensely help in lifting the standard of Indian football.” (espnstar.com)

HERMONITES REUNION

All SIKKIM HERMONITES are requested to attend:-

1)      The Christmas celebrations organized by Class IV Staff of Mt. Hermon School at the school premises in Darjeeling on (Dec 25-Jan 1, 2012).

2)      Hermonites reunion after Christmas and before New Year at Hotel Tashi Delek, Gangtok. Former Mt. Hermon Principal Rev. J. A. Johnston and Mrs. Val Johnston (Tasmania), along with Sherab and Roslyn Namgyal & family (Australia) will be present at the reunion.

3)      Meetings on future of Mt. Hermon School in Gangtok and Darjeeling.

For details of the above programmes kindly contact Hermonite Punam Agarwal, Punam Building, MG Marg, Gangtok, ( 94343-39433).

Hermonite mobile phone nos:  , 94346-30097, 94343-57997, 97330-00888, 98320-66296, 94341-09784

(Karma P. Bhutia)

President

Sikkim Hermonites Association

Alexandra David-Neel: "the most astonishing woman of our time

Alexandra David-Neel was the first European woman to reach Lhasa.

By Barbara and Michael Foster

In 1965 Lawrence Durrell, on assignment from a popular woman's magazine, interviewed the 96-year-old Alexandra David-Neel at her home in Digne, in the south of France. Famous for her earlier adventures in India, China and Tibet, and the books recording these, Alexandra is best known for her daring journey to Lhasa over the Trans-Himalayas in midwinter 1924. Accompanied by her adopted son Lama Yongden, she was disguised as a beggar/pilgrim and eluded soldiers, brigands and officials of the British Empire. David-Neel became the first European woman to reach Tibet's forbidden capital, and she remains the most accurate, extensive source on the arcane Buddhist practices of a nearly vanished world. Durrell called her "the most astonishing woman of our time."

   When we interviewed the renowned novelist in a Greek neighborhood in the South Bronx, while researching our biography, "The Secret Lives of Alexandra David-Neel," he fondly recalled her eternally youthful air. Although worn down by the hardship of her travels, Alexandra kept a radiance that had drawn countless admirers, including generals and heads of state. She was born Alexandrine Marie David (a distant relation of the artist David) in Paris in 1868 to a left-leaning father, a publisher and a puritanical mother.    

     Alexandra began her career as a lovely opera singer, complimented by Massenet. When her voice broke, she became a strongly feminist writer, while her interest in Eastern philosophy matured. In 1904 she married Philip Neel, manager of the French railways in Tunisia. It was a marriage of convenience for both parties, and Alexandra soon took off for India. Her one significant love affair, with Sidkeong Tulku, the young, handsome, reforming Maharaja of Sikkim, ended tragically when he died in pain, poisoned, in 1914.

   Alexandra, for solace and enlightenment, turned to the Gomchen of Lachen, the Hermetic master of a small monastery in a mountain village near the Tibetan border. Stout and ugly, the locals believed he could fly through the air, kill men by a glance and command demons. But the British authorities respected him, and with this wizard Alexandra seemed to magically learn Tibetan. His occult knowledge formed the basis of her "Magic and Mystery in Tibet," translated round the world. The practices the Gomchen taught her -- such as tumo, breathing to create heat to ward off the piercing cold of the snows -- permitted David-Neel to succeed on her journey via unexplored country to Tibet's capital. Her "My Journey to Lhasa," published in New York, London and Paris in 1927, became an instant classic of travel and adventure.

Above Lachen was the Gomchen's cave, at 12,000 feet, where he spent most of his time in meditation. Along with her adopted son, 15-year-old Lama Yongden, Alexandra took up residence in a nearby, sparsely furnished cave, to which she adjoined her tent, cooking utensils and her bathing tub. She agreed to become the Gomchen's disciple and promised him obedience. For the next two years, in cave, tent or cell, she studied tantric Buddhism with the Gomchen by conversation, reading texts, practice and telepathy. The Gomchen and Alexandra would sit together in silence, focused on the imagined aspects of a deity -- perhaps Vajrapani, the protector -- their goal being an entirely unified mental state. Afterward the Gomchen would quiz his pupil, who became sufficiently adept that in her trek to Lhasa she could receive messages "written on the wind."

    Alexandra became adept at tumo breathing, involving meditation on the fire within. For a final exam she bathed in a mountain stream on a moonlit night, then sat naked, meditating until dawn. She caught a cold, but tumo would save her life on the journey to Lhasa. First, she visited the Panchen Lama, second in the hierarchy to the Dalai Lama, at Shigatse, Tibet, crossing the forbidden border. She was impressed by the Panchen's erudition, and she realized that in Tibet she was coming in contact with a wise, civilized people. In contrast, the British Political Officer, Sir Charles Bell, despite being a Tibet enthusiast, had Alexandra expelled from both Tibet and Sikkim.

   Undaunted, Alexandra headed for Kum Bum monastery in Eastern Tibet via China. The Manchu dynasty had collapsed, China was in turmoil, but Alexandra pushed on past brigands and warlords and immersed herself in the monastic life and the study of rare manuscripts at Kum Bum. She observed the practices of Bon, an ancient faith, and she engaged in some of their occult practices. In August 1922, with the help of another learned British official, Sir George Pereira, Alexandra began her zigzag journey to Lhasa. Alexandra was 55 when, along with Yongden, she defeated the fierce Himalayan winter and rugged terrain to achieve her goal.

    The epic story of Alexandra and Yongden's reaching Lhasa is too incredible to summarize here. Victorious, Alexandra descended to India, flaunted her triumph before British officials, and sailed for France. She made her home at Digne at the foot of the Basses-Alpes, which she joked were "Himalayas for pygmies." She stocked her villa Samten Dzong (fortress of meditation) with a collection of tankas, masks, prayer rugs, manuscripts and photos -- a miniature Tibet. She even brought home a necklace of gold coins, a gift from Sidkeong. She had refused to spend even one, no matter how desperate her need.

Over the next 40 years Alexandra and Yongden wrote two-dozen books on Eastern themes, ranging from adventure classics to "The Secret Oral Teachings In Tibetan Buddhist Sects," praised by Alan Watts as "wonderfully lucid." Occasionally, the pair -- she dressed in a lama's robes, he in a black suit -- sallied forth to lecture in European capitals, always planning new voyages of discovery that she grew too arthritic to undertake. At 100 Alexandra renewed her passport, fruitlessly planning a trip across Russia that would end at New York.

    Yongden had predeceased Alexandra, who passed away in 1969, just shy of her 101st birthday. At Samten Dzong, now a museum, some mementos from Alexandra's forbidden journey remain: a compass, a cooking pot, her automatic pistol, a native hat, box cameras, a Tibetan rosary made of 108 pieces of human skulls. Alexandra's real legacy endures in her books, which have inspired many Westerners to travel to Tibet, to study Tibetan Buddhism and to live the adventure that is life. (HuffPost)

(Barbara and Michael Foster are the authors of two biographies of Alexandra David-Neel: 'Forbidden Journey' and 'The Secret Lives of Alexandra David-Neel')

Govt keeping eye on Chinese works in border areas: Antony

New Delhi, Dec 16: The Central Government on Wednesday said that special attention is being paid to Chinese infrastructure development in border regions and necessary steps have been taken to address national security concerns through development of rail, roads and air fields in such areas.

“Government is aware that China is developing infrastructure in border regions opposite India in Tibet and Xinjinag Autonomous Region. This includes Qinghai-Tibet railway line with proposed extension upto Xigaze and Nyingchi and development of road and airport facilities,” Defence Minister A.K. Antony told the Rajya Sabha.

He was replying to a question on Chinese construction works along the borders and the steps taken by government to meet security challenges there.

In his written reply, Antony said, “Government is giving careful and special attention to development of infrastructure in border areas opposite China in order to meet our strategic and security requirements and to facilitate economic development of these areas.”

Maintaining that all developments having a bearing on India’s security are under constant watch, Antony said attention is paid for developing infrastructure in the states sharing a border with China.

“This includes the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh,” he said, adding, “Security concerns are adequately addressed through development of rail, roads and forward air fields as well as the operational capabilities of the armed forces.”

“SCRAP HYDEL PROJECT IN SACRED SIKKIM”

Tashiding youth body warning against hydel projects

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Dec 16: The Tashya Tsogpo (Youth Organisation) of Tashiding in West Sikkim has supported the recently-formed “Common Platform” in its fight against hydropower projects in sacred areas in the State.

“We the youths of Tashiding are in full support of recently formed Common Platform of different organisations in fighting against the haphazard Hydel Projects mushrooming in Sikkim in particularly proposed over sacred rivers, rocks and lands all over Sikkim.,” a press release of the Tsogpo said.

“Sikkim is the land of Mahayana Buddhism protected and safeguarded by the Constitution of India under Article 371F and Places of Worship (Special Provision) Act 1991,” it added.

“Tashiding Bhum-Chu (Holy Vase Water), the origin of which dates back to the time of Great Master Guru Padmasambhava in 8th. Century is in a great risk today because of the proposed unwanted three Hydel Projects (Lethang HEP, Ting-Ting HEP and Tashiding HEP) over Rathong Chu River,” the release further added.

The youth body warned, “The water from the upper part of Rathong Chu is use to replace and refill in this holy vase. Any provocation and pollution of Rathong Chu River will tantamount to attack on sanctity and sacredness of the water.”

“Scrap hydel projects to preserve heritage”

Gangtok, Dec 16: The Kalzang Welfare Association of Tashiding in West Sikkim has requested Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to scrap the proposed hydropower projects on sacred Rathonchu River in West Sikkim.

“We are very much optimistic that the Hon’ble Chief Minister would definitely yield to the demands being made by the Buddhist followers of Sikkim,” a press release of the organization said.

The Association said “it is also our responsibility to preserve and protect our dharma, heritage and above all, its sacredness as unfolded by Guru Rinpoche.”

The release said Yuksam-Tashiding-Pemayangtse in West Sikkim area forms the nucleus of Bayul Dremo Jong (Sikkim) and should be declared a sacred area by the government.

North Sikkim Club supports anti-Rathongchu hydropower project platform

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Dec 16: The Rongong Youth Club of Rongong-Phodong in North Sikkim has welcomed the recent formation of a joint action committee by several social organizations in the State to oppose mega hydropower projects over Rathongchu River in West Sikkim.

In a press release, the Club said, “We would like to extend our full support for the noble cause and like to request this platform to include proposed 99MW Dikchu HEP being constructed by Sneha Kinetic Power Project Pvt. Ltd. in North Sikkim also in the list to be scrapped.”

“We cannot compromise with the Holy Bum-Chu festival of Tashiding Monastery which is globally famous and known today in the name of unwanted power project,” the release said.

While stating that the “wounds” of the September 18 earthquake in the State “is still fresh in the mind Sikkimese people” the Club has requested the State Government to abide by the advice given by the Minorities Commission and scrap the three projects over Rathongchu.

Central panel meet on quake victims

New Delhi, Dec 16: Stung by reminders from Odisha (Orissa) and Sikkim, the Centre’s High Level Committee (HLC) was expected to convene a meeting  here yesterday to clear financial aid for the two states affected by natural calamities. Sikkim — hit by a massive earthquake on September 18 —has sought Rs7, 400 crore from the Centre under the disaster response fund. Odisha had asked for Rsn 3,265.38 crore after it suffered two floods in September.

The HLC, headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, has Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Home Minister P Chidambaram and the plan panel Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia as members.

While Sikkim is learnt to have submitted a memorandum on November 28 to the home ministry demanding relief, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has written a letter to finance minister on December 2, asking the Centre to quickly dispose monetary aid.

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN Dec 8-13, 2011

Dalai Lama wants to visit Burma

Yangon, Dec 7: Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama expressed his desire to visit Burma to pay homage at the country's holiest shrine of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon.

The message was conveyed to leaders of Burmese Buddhist monks at the Global Buddhist Congregation 2011 held in New Delhi on Nov. 27, The Irrawaddy magazine reported.

“The Dalai Lama said he has a great friendship with Burmese monks because they are well-versed in Buddhist scripture and also strictly follow the code of conduct of monkhood. And he wants to pay a pilgrimage to Shwedagon,” said Ashin Nyanissara, an influential Burmese Buddhist monk who joined the event in Delhi.

Burmese Buddhist monks responded to the Dalai Lama by saying that he would be invited to Burma at an appropriate time, Ashin Nyanissara said in a note posted on the internet.

But it is not clear when the Dalai Lama intends to come to Burma or if the Burmese government, a major ally of China, would issue a visa. Burma has already angered Beijing recently through the suspension of the Chinese-backed hydropower dam project in northern Burma.

Come, modernize Bhutan's crafts: Queen Mother of Bhutan

Ahmedabad, Dec 7: The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, said she is looking forward to partnerships with India in various fields. The Queen Mother, who has been actively involved in promoting social causes, including the promotion and preservation of the art of weaving in Bhutan, said that India and Bhutan can draw from each other's proficiency.

"Bhutan's art of weaving has gained international recognition and is the source of livelihood for many. In Bhutan, design is limited to colour combinations and pattern motifs. I believe a lot can be done, especially by building partnerships," the Queen Mother said at the 32nd convocation of National Institute of Design (NID) on Monday.

The Queen Mother, who was the chief guest at the convocation, said that the biggest challenge for Bhutan is to replace traditional techniques in crafts with modern technology without forgetting traditional skills and knowledge.

"I am impressed that since its inception NID has upheld its vision of providing holistic education. NID's role in promoting design along with the role of artisans is worth emulating," the Queen Mother said while inviting young designers of NID to play a role in Bhutan's development.

Tibetan women at UN climate meet in Durban

Durban, Dec 7: Two members of the Tibetan Women’s Association (WTA)  – Tenzin Woebum, head of Women’s Environment and Development Desk (WEDD) and Tenzin Dolma, Joint secretary, who represent Tibet Third Pole (T3P) – arrived here on November 28 to take part in the two-week Conference of Parties (COP-17) meeting (November 28 – December 9), an undertaking of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Tibetan delegates joined NGOs from around the world at the UN’s climate change negotiations to advocate for equitable and durable solutions to the world’s growing climate-change crisis and significantly to represent Tibet at the conference, according to a press release of the WTA.

Around 11,810 delegates: 1409 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), 86 Inter Governmental Organizations (IGOs) from 200 countries – are taking part in the deliberation.

Funded substantially by TWA and partly by the Global Fund for Women, the Tibet presence was made possible by accreditation and letters of invitation accorded by Global Campaign for Climate Action and Oxfam, South Africa respectively both through the International Tibet Network, thus providing an alternative voice for Tibet at the biggest climate meeting.

Scientists have termed Tibet as the Third Pole in terms of its storage of glacier ice and its status as a reservoir for the world’s largest rivers which feed one billion people in 10 downstream countries in south East Asia.

China’s response to the growing climate-change crisis in Tibet has been two-fold. First, China has begun building dozens of mega-dams and water diversion projects to capture and re-direct water from India and SE Asia to an increasingly thirsty China.

Second, China is forcibly removing all of Tibet’s 2.25 million nomadic herders, creating a human-rights crisis masquerading as conservation. This human-rights crisis comes despite the nomads’ traditional ecosystem knowledge and millennia of sustainable stewardship of Tibet’s grassland ecosystems, and despite scientific evidence that shows the nomads’ positive role in promoting ecosystem abundance, diversity, and resilience, the release said.

 “The world has gathered in Durban to continue addressing the ethical challenge that climate change has created.  Does a sovereign nation have a moral responsibility to act not only in its own self-interest, but also in the interest of people living beyond its borders? China’s actions in Tibet answer – no”, states Woebum, head of the Tibetan delegation.

Nepali Buddhists resent Prachanda link with Lumbini

Kathmandu, Dec 7: The Buddhist community in Nepal are not too happy with former Prime Minister and Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda)’s association with a development project on Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Prachanda has been made head of a national committee formed by the government to develop Lumbini. He is also vice-chairman of Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (APEC), a Hong Kong based NGO, that had run into controversy over its US $ 3 billion Lumbini development plan.

Buddhists, who comprise around 11%  of Nepal's population, are unhappy with Prachanda's association with Lumbini as he is a Hindu and has a violent past.

"Prachanda is responsible for deaths of thousands during the civil war and is not a Buddhist. He should have no role in Lumbini's development," said Amar Deep Moktan, a Buddhist, according to a journal.

Moktan is spokesperson of a new group called Coordination of Preservation of Buddhists' Concerns which enjoys support of nearly 100 Buddhist social, religious, youth and women groups in Nepal.

On December 7 nearly 5,000-10,000 Buddhists from all parts of Nepal will gather in Kathmandu to take part in a silent rally against Prachanda and demand protection of their religious rights.

Last month Prachanda had met UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon and sought his help to develop Lumbini. Buddhists in Nepal also sent a letter to Moon protesting the Maoist leader's association with Lumbini.

Despite Nepal's transition from a Hindu kingdom to a secular republic three years ago, Buddhists still feel neglected and sidelined by the nearly 80% Hindus in the country.

4 Himalayan nations clinch deal on climate change

  Thimphu, Dec 7: Four Himalayan nations facing the threat of weather changes have agreed to collaborate on ways to adapt to climate change after a two-day summit in Bhutan.

India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan were part of the Climate Summit for a Living Himalayas held in Bhutan’s capital Thimphu recently. They agreed to cooperate on energy, water, food and biodiversity issues, Associated Press reported.

 “The success of our initiative will not only have direct and immediate benefits for our own people, but we could be setting a worthy precedent for other countries that share similar conditions,” Bhutan’s Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y. Thinley said according to a press statement.

Pakistan, China and Afghanistan were absent from the summit but organizers downplayed that, saying that the summit was focused on securing ecosystems, endangered species, and food and water sources for only the Himalayas’ eastern part.

The summit called for action amid the international community’s inability to agree on limiting greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global climate change. The next round of U.N. climate talks begin in Durban, South Africa on Nov. 28, but the expectations of any breakthrough there are limited.

As part of the declaration the four nations agreed to work together to increase access to “affordable and reliable” clean energy resources and technology through a regional knowledge sharing mechanism, a press statement from the World Wildlife Fund said.

The most contentious part of the talks dealt with water security, according to the WWF release, but the four nations did agree to work together on ecosystem and disaster management, sharing their knowledge in water use efficiency.

 NC leader vows to fight on for JK autonomy

L. Verma

Srinagar, Dec 7: Senior National Conference leader, Mustafa Kamal, who was recently ousted from party posts by the high command, on Monday vowed to continue the ‘war’ with New Delhi "till autonomy is restored to Jammu and Kashmir".

Briefing reporters here, Kamal said that the party will not remain silent till the internal autonomy resolution passed by the state legislature is implemented by the central government.

“It is imperative for New Delhi to address political aspirations of the state and the hearts and minds of the people can only be won when they take political initiatives like restoration of autonomy for the resolution of the Kashmir issue,” Kamal said.

 “Our efforts will continue. We will not remain silent. We will not get tired. We will precede the unresolved agenda of Sheikh Sahib for which he spent years in jails for political settlement of the Kashmir issue,” he added.

To a question about his possible inclusion in the state cabinet, Kamal said, “Chief Minister and Congress high command has the authority to include any one in the cabinet and sack any one. Let us wait.”

“National Conference is fighting against wrongs done by New Delhi since 1953. They have to undo the wrongs and key lies in restoration of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir,”  he added after paying homage to his father and National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah on his 106 birth anniversary.

Dev Anand was a college student in Dharamsala

Dharamsala, Dec 7: The legendary actor Dev Anand who died due to cardiac arrest in London on Saturday had special bonding with Dharamsala, unofficially declared as winter capital of Himachal Pradesh and popular all over the world for being abode of the Dalai Lama.

The local government college where the legendary actor had studied and passed his intermediate has not even a single picture of one of the greatest legends of Indian film industry.

The charming actor who made huge name and fame in the movie world had given some breathtaking stage performances at the Dharamsala College when he studied here from 1938-1940. The actor loved the cool environs and calm ambience of the college located in the backdrop of Dhauladhar ranges.

Later he went to Lahore and enrolled himself at the college there. Some of the students of the college currently studying said that it is a matter of great honour and pride that legendary actor Dev Anand had studied here. They said that Dev Anand’s association with the college would always be written in the golden chapters of the history.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal in his condolence message said that with the death of Dev Anand, an era of film industry has come to an end. He said that Dev Anand was a versatile actor and a great human being. He said the void created by his demise was difficult to be filled in the history of Indian Cinema.

Editorial

SACRED RATHONGCHU

Go Ahead And Face The Music

The intentions of the Sikkim Government and anti-mega hydropower projects in Sikkim are clear: there is no scope for consensus. If this stand persists it will inevitably lead to a showdown which the Chamling Government cannot afford at this juncture when it is facing growing pressure from the Opposition on various issues – corruption, dictatorial rule, misuse of quake funds, identity of ‘Sikkim Subjects’  etc.

The State Government and the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, which have been ruling Sikkim for the fourth consecutive terms, ought to know by now that it is not just the indigenous minority Buddhist Bhutia-Lepcha tribals who are against the projects. The majority Sikkimese Nepalese and the old business community of Sikkim are gradually realizing the need to take care of Sikkim if they wish to live in Sikkim in peace and prosperity.

Presently, the anti-dam protesters are confined to three hydropower projects over sacred Rathongchu river in the Tashiding-Yuksam region in West Sikkim. This region is of great significance to Sikkim in terms of history, culture and religion. As the agitators move forward they are likely to come on a common platform with anti-dam activists who are opposing mega projects on the Teesta river in North Sikkim.

Monks of Sikkim want “anti-Buddhist” hydro projects scrapped

Support 8 organizations’ opposition to mega hydro power projects over sacred Rathongchu

Gangtok, Dec 7: The monk body of the former Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom has urged Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to ignore the alleged unreliable report submitted by a panel on hydropower projects in West Sikkim and uphold the religious sentiments of the people and scrap mega hydro projects in that district.

Supporting the demand for scrapping of these projects by 8 social organizations in the State, the ‘Monks of Sikkim’ in a press statement by its General Secretary Lopen Tshering Norbu Lama here yesterday demanded that  all “anti-Buddhist” hydro projects over “sacred Rathongchu” river in West Sikkim should be scrapped immediately.

“All the Sikkimese monks and monasteries welcome the endeavors jointly made by eight organizations to protect and preserve the sacred Rathongchu from being polluted or desecrated,” the release said.

“The Sikkimese monks also questions the veracity and authenticity of the recommendation of the high power State Committee lead by Chief Secretary when, in its so-called recommendation/Report, it utterly failed to addressed the religious-spiritual aspects associated with the anti Buddhist Projects vis-a-vis Denjong Neyig,” the release said.

“It is very surprising that these committee members even did not considered it befitting to interview any Rinpoches, Khenpos, Tsampos, Lamas to realize the religious aspect or implication of the projects,” the release said and added, “We reject the so-called recommendation of this Committee.”

The stand adopted by the monk body follows the demand on the issue made by 8 social organizations in the State which have urged Chamling to scrap the projects or face agitation.

The organizations that want Sikkim’s sacred religious and cultural heritage, besides the environment and ecology of the State, preserved are: Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO), All Sikkim Monastery Association (ASMAN), Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim (CLOS), Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), All Sikkim Educated Self Employed and Unemployed Association (ASESE&U), Peoples’ Forum on Earth Quake (PFOE), Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan (NASS) and SAVE Sikkim (SAVE).

They have come together on a platform called Platform for Joint Action Against Ting-Ting, Tashiding and Lethang Hydro Power Projects in West Sikkim on December 3.

GNLF celebrates 6^th Schedule deal in hills

C. Tamang

Darjeeling, Dec 7: After its short break the GNLF has started mobilizing its party units in various parts of Darjeeling.

This week its supporters held rallies across the hills ostensibly to celebrate the 6^th anniversary of the agreement that promised autonomy for Darjeeling under the 6^th Schedule of the Constitution.

GNLF supporters feel that even as the people, by and large, have not accepted the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and the cry for Gorkhaland has been revived the only solution to the hills problem would be within the purview of the 6^th Schedule.

According to reports, the celebrations at Barbotey, Bijanbari-Phulbazar, Rimbick-Lodhama, Rohini and Mirik was authorized by the GNLF supremo Subash Ghising.

Though the GNLF has not been able to win any seats in the recent Assembly polls at least 40,000 votes were polled by its candidates.

Gorkhas-Adivasis for joint campaign on GATA

Kumani (Kalimpong), Dec 7: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and the Adivasis has agreed to form joint committees and campaign for Gorkha Adivasi Territorial Administration (GATA), a set-up that seeks to cover the Darjeeling hills and the Dooars and Terai.

The Morcha also said it was willing to spend 50 per cent of the Rs 200 crore that the Centre had promised to the GTA for the development of the Dooars and the Terai, a national daily reported.

Last week, north Bengal development minister Gautam Deb had said an agreement had already been reached with the Morcha and the government would not consider any fresh proposals like GATA.

But Morcha president Bimal Gurung and party general secretary Roshan Giri shared the dais with Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad leaders here on Sunday to pitch their support for GATA.

After the meeting at the forest grounds here, Gurung told reporters that changing the name of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) to GATA will not be a problem.

“Once the governor gives his assent to the GTA Bill, we will sit together with the Centre and the state and the name will be changed (to Gata). That will not be a problem,” Gurung said.

PM faces naked protesters in Manipur

Imphal, Dec 7: Seven male volunteers of Manipur People’s Party (MPP) Youth Front led by its president Maniton Mangang stripped off at their office complex to protest Prime Minister Manmohon Singh’s visit to the State on Saturday.

The naked protest was carried out under the banner “Welcome Prime Minister of India with Black Carpet.”

The protestors shouted the slogans “No Supra State Body in Northeastern Region”, “We Condemn Insensitive Attitude to NE People by Indian Government”, “Stop Divide and Rule Policy Amongst Ethnic People of NE Region”, “Stop Negligence of Northeastern People” etc.

Speaking to media persons prior to the naked protest, MPP Youth Front President, Maniton Mangang stated that the Central government has remained insensitive towards the suffering of the people of Manipur who have been facing the torments of economic blockade for several months.

The Prime Minister should make a clear statement on the proposed “Supra State Body” for the Nagas. The issues of Northeastern region should be dealt by the Centre seriously, he said.

Paresh Barua hiding in China or Burma

P. Ghosh

Guwahati, Dec 7: A top ULFA functionary and an Indian journalist were arrested by the Myanmar Army on Saturday. Home Secretary RK Singh has confirmed about the arrest of the two people to the media.

The top ULFA functionary arrested is not Paresh Barua but the so called Lt Col Jibon Moran. He was the

finance secretary of ULFA. The journalist arrested by the Myanmar army Rajiv Bhattacharjee was working in newly started Guwahati newspaper called Seven Sisters Post, a regional daily said.

Rajiv Bhattacharjee had recently posted on Facebook and Twitter that he was going to interview ULFA leader Paresh Baruah in November first week in the Myanmar jungles. Since then the Myanmar media is agog with news that Paresh Baruah has been arrested.

It seems that Bhattacharjee was either arrested while he was on route to interview Paresh Baruah or he was meeting Jibon Moran.

According to intelligence inputs Paresh Baruah operates between Chengdu province in China and Kachin state in Myanmar.

Funds for ‘Dimasaland’ movement detected in Nepal

New Delhi, Dec 7: In a major breakthrough for efforts to curb terror funding, Indian agencies tracked a payment routed by a northeastern insurgent group from Singapore to Nepal, and got Kathmandu to seize the payment.

According to sources, the amount belongs to Dima Haolam Daogah (Jewel faction) aka Black Widow, an insurgent group active in Assam and Nagaland. The amount of $200,000 was remitted through proper banking channels from Singapore to Nepal to an account with Everest Bank's branch in New Baneswar in Kathmandu, The Times of India reported.

The outfit has been demanding a homeland - 'Dimasaland' - for the Dimasa people in areas falling under both the states.

Investigators believe the payment of $200,000 (approx Rs 1 crore) was transferred by Niranjan Hojai, the self-styled commander-in-chief of DHD (J). Hojai is named as a key accused in two cases filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into diversion of public funds in the northeast for insurgent activities, and also figures in several insurgency related cases. The money was remitted from a Citibank branch in Singapore into the account of Sarita Giri Rai, Hojai's wife who lives in Kathmandu, the report said.

After Indian intelligence agencies picked up specific information about the money transfer, Nepal and Singapore authorities were alerted. Even before Singapore reverted with the banking details, Nepal authorities had detected the unusually high bank transfer, and seized it.

Rai was summoned for questioning and she couldn't explain the source and reason for the huge amount. Sources said she admitted to investigators that the money belonged to her husband.