JIGME N KAZI

Saturday, July 21, 2012

SIKKIM OBSERVER July 21, 2012

BRO for tunneling on Nathula road

Gangtok, July 20: The Border Roads Organisation, which maintains roads along the national highway in the State, has suggested tunneling along some parts of the Gangtok-Nathula road to avoid frequent road blockades due to landslides.

BRO officials have suggested a one-kilometer tunnel at most problematic spot at 17th Mile on Gangtok-Nathula road as a permanent solution, All India Radio reported.

The Nathula border trade route, which was closed since last week following severe landslides, has now re-opened for vehicular traffic.

The route is used by the tourists and traders to reach Indo- China Border. Continuous rain across Sikkim in the last few days also affected the National Highway 31-A, the only route connecting the state to the rest of the country.

The Border Road Organisation said that landslides occurred at five places between Singtam and Melli about 65 kilometers away from Gangtok.

BRO officials said though landslides in the State during rainy season are normal, last year’s devastating earthquake in the State has affected the soil making it more soft and loose and more prone to landslides.

Press rewards Kazi for three-decade contribution to journalism

Honour ‘merger terms’, Kazi tells Centre

(L to R) IPR Secretary KS Tobgay, CK Shrestha, Jigme N Kazi, CD Rai and Joseph Lepcha at the Press Club of Sikkim function in Gangtok on Tuesday.

Gangtok, July 20: Senior journalist Jigme N Kazi said his acceptance of this year’s Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar award, conferred by the Press Club of Sikkim here on Tuesday, was proof enough that the Fourth Estate in the State is trying to set itself free and improve its image as a strong and independent institution.

Kazi, also a writer, was conferred with the award in recognition of his “significant contribution” towards “development of journalism” in the State in the past three decades.

Kazi, editor of Sikkim Observer and Himalayan Guardian, was conferred the award for his “outstanding contribution and dedication made during last three decades in the field of journalism,” according to Press Club Working President Vishnu Neopaney’s letter to Kazi informing of the Press Club’s “unanimous decision” to confer the award on its decadal foundation year.

The “Most Promising Journalist” award went to Bishal Gurung while Mohan Lama, Darjeeling correspondent of Sikkim’s Samai Dainik, was also felicitated by the Press Club. Gurung is the State correspondent of Hindustan Samachar news agency.

Theatre activist and senior journalist CK Shrestha of Kalimpong, who was the Chief Guest for the occasion, urged the media in the State to remain united in “thought” and side with the people in all situation. “Merely reporting will not do. You must tell the truth,” Shrestha said.

While IPR Secretary KS Tobgay assured the Press that the government would positively look into all the problems faced the media in the State, Press Club advisor CD Rai, who was the chairman of the function, said Kazi not only deserved the award but his writings were “balanced.”

While urging the media to remain strong, free, united and independent, Kazi called on the people, including the authorities, to respect and respond positively to the urges of the media to remain free and independent.

“I believe that by conferring this award to this long-time black-listed man, who is forced to live in self-imposed exile in his own homeland, the Press in Sikkim is sending a clear message to those who care to listen. And that message is loud and clear: the Press in Sikkim wants to be more free and independent and those in power and the people at large should take note and respect this stand,” Kazi said in his acceptance speech.

Kazi, who has authored two books, “Inside Sikkim: Against the Tide,” and “Sikkim for Sikkimese”, also appealed to the Centre not to ignore the “hopes and aspirations” of the Sikkimese people and honour the terms of Sikkim’s ‘merger’.

“Even if our political leadership has failed us time and again, India must live up to the expectations of the Sikkimese people. If it continues to ignore the hopes and aspirations of those who sacrificed their country so that this nation may live in peace and security there may come a day when Sikkim will become a hot-bed of international politics,” Kazi warned.

SIBLAC, NASBO pat for Kazi, Press Club

Tseten Tashi Bhutia and Jigme N Kazi

Gangtok, July 20: The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has congratulated writer-journalist Jigme N Kazi for being conferred with this year’s Khangchendzonga Kalam Award by the Press Club of Sikkim.

This is “an honor overdue since long back,” SIBLAC General Secretary Pem Tshering Lepcha said in a Press statement.

The organization, which represents the indigenous Bhutias and Lepcha tribals in the State, also thanked

the Press Club of Sikkim for “rightly nominating” Kazi for the award.

It said Kazi’s “spirit and quality” of “fighting with wisdom” was “outstanding and simply awesome.” SIBLAC Convenor and former Minister Tseten Tashi Bhutia and National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO - 371F) President Sonam Kaleon met Kazi, who received the award at a function here on Tuesday, at his residence here and offered traditional khada to congratulate him.

The Sikkim-Darjeeling Unification Forum (SDUF) General Secretary Shankar Hang Subba also offered a khada and congratulated Kazi here last week.

Padam Chettri, President of Sikkim unit of the BJP, also complimented Kazi for his achievement.

Editorial

LEADERSHIP CHANGE

Take The Lead, Rahul

Now that Rahul Gandhi has decided to play a greater role in the Congress party and UPA government Congress workers can heave a sigh of relief. While Rahul’s role in the party would be decided by his mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, with the consent of the party leadership, it is quite certain that whatever portfolio Rahul takes in the government he will surely be projected as the party’s prime ministerial candidate. That these developments should take place at a time when two senior UPA leaders – Pranab Mukherjee and Sharad Pawar – are either elevated or almost sidelined is significant.

Rahul’s decision to play a more proactive role in the party as well as the government comes a day after Sonia Gandhi said that it was for Rahul to decide for himself on playing a larger role in the party. Sonia has been taking this stand as far as her children’s decision on politics is concerned. She must now act more like the party President than a mother in deciding Rahul’s future role in the party and the government. Rahul’s performance in the UP Assembly polls was far from satisfactory but his sincerity and eagerness to build up the party from the grassroots all over the country must be appreciated. Hard work and sincerity will pay in the long run. All said and done Rahul is a potential youth leader in the country and if given the chance he most probably will prove his critics wrong.

Congress leaders and workers, too, must play their role in shaping the direction in which they want the party and the country to go under Rahul. The old-timers in the party as well as the government must be replaced by young and new faces. Rajiv Gandhi brought with him his own team when he became prime minister. Rahul, too, must be given the same right to do this. The young Gandhi needs to set aside the culture of sycophancy within the Congress, encourage inner party democracy, collective leaders – and not centralized – and build up regional leaders. There must be a fine balance between the powers of regional leaders and the party high command. Rahul’s decision to take greater responsibility in the party and the government is well-timed. Two years is more than enough to test his mettle in the general elections in 2014.

SACRED SIKKIM-I

Demajong: The Sacred Land of Hidden Treasures

Introduction

Sikkim as Mahaguru Padmasambhava’s most sacred hidden country Bay-yul Dhebu Phunsum Chopei Jong (Demo Jong) has a very long tradition of Buddhism which has been the official religion. It was Mahaguru Padmasambhava who actually introduced Buddhism in this hidden country in the 8^th Century A.D and has since been deeply ingrained in the psyche of the Sikkimese people. Sometime in the 7th

SONAM YONGDA century A.D.

Lord Padmasambhava was invited to Tibet by King Trishong Deutsen to establish and introduce Buddhism. It is believed that on his way to Tibet, he went via Sikkim and is said to have hid a large number of both major and minor Treasures (Ters) in a region below Mount Khangchen Dzonga for the benefit and rejuvenation the dharma when the same would be uprooted in Tibet. More of these sacred hidden treasures such as Denjong Neyig (guide to the sacred locations of Demo Jong), Nesol (Offering to the local guardian deities of Demojong) Rigzin Sogdrub, etc. were later discovered by Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo in the late 16th century who institutionalized Buddhism in Sikkim.

Ney-Sol the directory of holy places kept in monasteries and referred to as a guide book has prophesied that Sikkim will become a Buddhist country one day. Accordingly to the year 1642, three great monks from Tibet came to Sikkim via north south and west gates and met at Norbugang, (Yuksam.) Yuksam in the Lepcha language translates as the meeting place of the three learned ones. After consulting the 'Ney Sol', these three monks consecrated Phuntsok Nymgyal as the first Dharma Raja. The first Denjong Chogyal (Dharma Raja) soon after his enthronement proclaimed Buddhism as the national religion of Sikkim and appointed 18 Buddhist monks as ministers out of the total number of 36. Buddhism was a State religion until Sikkim became a part of India in 1975.

Dedicated to the ruling deity Padmasambhava, an incarnate of Lord Buddha, Demojong which translates to “hidden valley full of treasure fruit and flower”, is considered as a sacred land blessed by lord Padmasambhava. It extends from the peak of Kanchendzonga, down to areas of lush tropical rainforest and is part of the Khangchen Dzonga Biosphere Reserve.

It is mentioned that Khangchen Dzonga, the abode of the guardian deity of Sikkim is surrounded by other deities of Sikkim, identified in the form of mountains, rocks, waterfalls, lakes, trees and sacred caves like the Great Four Caves and Lakes. There is mention of most of the places within the vicinity of the Khangchen Dzonga such as Dubdi, Thragmo Rong, Phamo Rong, Tashiding, Sangha-Choeling, Pemayangtse, Rabdentse, Rathongchu, etc, as abodes of deities guarding the land from all directions.

The region also has a number of glacial lakes in the higher reaches which are very sacred. The Rathongchu, itself sacred river, has its source in nine holy lakes at the higher elevations, next to the grand Khangchen Dzonga peak. Besides the river, the Yuksam region itself is considered to have 109 hidden lakes. These visible and hidden lakes identified by treasure reveler (Ter-ten-pas) are presiding deities, representing wrathful and compassionate forces which could be both positive as well as negative. The Demojong is viewed as the land of happiness and, according to the sacred text Neysol, the abode of an assemblage of female divinities known as Mamo Khandos. Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo prescribed prayers to appease and propitiate the deities of Sikkim. (to be concluded)

Khenpo Dechen Dorje’s last journey: Phensang to Tashiding

Chorten Gompa, Gangtok

Tashiding (West Sikkim), July 20: The mortal remains of the late His Eminence the Dorje Lopen of Phensang Monastery, Khyen Rinpoche Dechen Dorje, was consigned to flames here at the Tashiding monastery complex on Wednesday.

Purified by the chanting of prayers and mantras by Rinpoches, Tulkus, Khyenpos and Udor-Choe-Sum of Sikkim at Drakar Tashiding, the mortal remains was consigned to flames at round 1.00 pm on a specially built ‘Phurkhang’ amid chanting of prayers by monks in the presence of an impressive gathering of mourners.

The Kudung of the late Rinpoche, which reached at Tashiding Monastery at mid-day, was taken to the monastery where short prayers were offered. The Kudung procession began from Phensang monastery early in the morning and was brought down to the Guru Lhakhang at Chorten monastery in Gangtok for prayers and for local residents to pay their last respects.

When the Kudung arrived at Tashiding, it was accorded supreme Sikkimese Buddhist honor and protocol reserved for very high and accomplished Buddhist lamas, according to Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia.

Reverently called ‘Phensang Khyen Rinpoche’ by his disciples, the entire rituals and prayers were presided over by Kyabje Denjong Lhatrul Terchen Rinpoche (Yangthang Rinpoche).

SIKKIM OBSERVER July 21, 2012

(L to R) IPR Secretary KS Tobgay, Chief Guest CK Shrestha, Sikkim Observer Editor Jigme N Kazi, Press Club Advisor CD Rai, Press Club General Secretary Joseph Lepcha and Press Club President Bhim Rawat at the Press Club of Sikkim function in Gangtok on July 17, 2012.

LIVING IN SELF-IMPOSED EXILE IN MY OWN HOMELAD

“Only dead fish go with the flow”

The Press Club of Sikkim conferred the “Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar 2012” award to journalist-cum-writer Jigme N Kazi at a function in Gangtok on July 17, 2012. The following is the full text of Kazi’s acceptance speech:

Hon’ble Chief Guest, Secretary IPR, Press Club Advisor, Press Club President, distinguished guests and friends,

On Receiving the Award: I feel very privileged to be here today to receive the Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar award from the Press Club of Sikkim on its decadal foundation year. I am told by the Press Club that it had “unanimously decided” to confer this award for my “outstanding contribution and dedication” made during the last three decades (1983-2012) in the field of journalism.

I believe that by conferring this award to this long-time black-listed man, who is forced to live in self-imposed exile in his own homeland, the Press in Sikkim is sending a clear message to those who care to listen. And that message is loud and clear: the Press in Sikkim wants to be more free and independent and those in power and the people at large should take note of it and respect its stand.

I enjoy doing what I do – be it eating, taking a walk or writing. I seek no reward and recognition in doing these things even if what I do benefits those around me.

People often criticize me of being stubborn and always swimming against the tide. Let me remind them of what US vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin said: “Only dead fish go with the flow.” Living with walking corpses all these years has been a very painful experience. It is better to be exiled in foreign shores than having to undergo constant suffocation at home. However, if this is the cross that I was born to bare then I must live with it whether I like it or not.

Yes, we have more journalists and more newspapers today than when I started in this profession 30 years back. But I’m not too sure whether we are more free, objective and independent in our reporting. What is more important in life is quality, not quantity, and this also applies to the Fourth Estate, particularly when so many people depend and look up to the Press to make the right decision.

Sikkimese Society: If we cannot uphold certain basic and fundamental values of human existence such as freedom, democracy, justice, self-respect and the rule of law we miss the opportunity that life offers to each one of us. The first indication of a society’s degeneration is when individuals live and work only for themselves. Sikkim is on the verge of being a dead and decadent society. Our constant efforts to camouflage ourselves will not work in the long run. We will be fully exposed when the time comes.

We locals often distance ourselves from the byaparis, the business community, for encroaching into our economic and political rights and interests. Little do we realize that while they sell potatoes, tomatoes etc. we are the real byaparis. We have sold our king, our flag, our country, our distinct identity and political rights. Not content with this we are still selling our hills and valleys, our lakes and rivers, our land and people, our religion and culture, and worse of all our self-respect and dignity. Is it really worth sweating it out for such people?

Sikkim Politics: Me and my kind have lived through this bitter period in Sikkim’s history. In our efforts to fight for the common cause we have brought down five chief ministers and made four chief ministers in the past so many years. We did this for a good cause and without any selfish motive. We are not to be blamed if our political leadership continuously fails us and lets us down the moment they come to power.

I took leave from the Fourth Estate at the end of the year 2000 to make my personal contribution to Sikkim politics when I was convinced that those we backed were betraying us and the issues we raised for petty considerations. Unlike many others, I could not hang around and hide myself safe and secure in a small corner when I was convinced that we were being led to a dead-end street. I left active politics after three and half years in August 2004 when I was fully convinced that I was heading nowhere and those around me were still deeply involved in petty politics. There is no future for Sikkim and the Sikkimese if our political leadership – ruling and opposition – fails to rise above mundane things and continues to mislead the people while making great promises.

It is futile to fight for the distinct identity of Sikkim within the Union if the leaders of our larger community are not sure of who they are, whom they represent, and what they really want. Nepal’s political situation, where ethnic communities are being reduced to a minority in the land of their origin, has still not opened our eyes. This is because while our head is still not clear our heart is full of greed. When will we ever live in a place where the mind is without fear and the head is held high? When will this non-stop looting stop? Corruption has reached a point of no return. Disillusionment has set in and this seems to be irreversible. These are dangerous trends in a sensitive and strategic border State like Sikkim.

India’s Role in Sikkim: Even if our political leadership has failed us time and again, India must live up to the expectations of the Sikkimese people. If it continues to ignore the hopes and aspirations of those who sacrificed their country so that this nation may live in peace and security there may come a day when Sikkim will become a hot-bed of international politics. We may not see that day but that day is not afar if India fails to honour its commitments made to Sikkim and the Sikkimese people during the takeover.

The gradual dilution of our distinct identity, political rights and social harmony originates from New Delhi. The erosion of our unique and distinct cultural identity, the systematic manner in which seeds of division are sown in our social fabric, and finally the destruction caused to our fragile environment and ecology cannot and must not be easily condoned. We cannot blame our leaders only; we, too, have shamelessly become agents of division, disunity and destruction. We have sown the wind; we will surely reap the whirlwind.

Hope and Gratitude: I’m grateful to the Press Club of Sikkim for recognizing my work and honouring me on this very special day. This is the time and the moment to renew our pledge for a strong, united, free and independent Press in the State.

On this special day I want to remember those who have helped me in my three-decade-long career. Some of them are late Chukie Tobden, Suresh Pramar, Devraj Ranjit, Tenzing Chewang and Pema Wangchuk. I also owe a deep sense of gratitude to the Chamling Government and to those who worked or in any way associated with my printing press and publications.

Living the way I did is a risky business and I want to say how happy and grateful I am to my wife Tsering, her parents, and my four kids – Tashi, Yangchen, Sonam and Kunga – for letting me live my life freely and dangerously for so long.

I hope my endeavours will light up your path and help you to bear the burden of being free and independent in a hostile climate in the days and years to come. My message to you on this day comes from Rev. Jesse Jackson: “Stand up, don’t bow! Stand up, don’t bow!”

On Myself: French Emperor Napoleon Bonarpate (1769-1821) once said: “There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit.”

I have already said “I have accepted the death of my dreams” a few years back and I stand by it.

However, I have filed my petition in the court of Khangchendzonga, Sikkim’s Guardian Deity, to seek justice – for Sikkim, the Sikkimese people and for myself. I am still patiently waiting for the verdict. That this award should come at this time and in the name of our Presiding Deity is not only very auspicious but meaningful as well.

Thank you all, both for this wonderful award and your determination to preserve the integrity, independence and freedom of the Press in Sikkim.

July 14, 2012

SIKKIM OBSERER Editorial

TAKING A STAND

Local Press: Regaining Lost Ground

The editor of this paper –whether he likes it or not – finally gets some kind of recognition. The question being asked is not ‘why’ he is getting the award but ‘why now’. This question is relevant and needs to be explained. When the President of the Press Club of Sikkim, Bhim Rawat, rang up Sikkim Observer editor Jigme N. Kazi last week and told him that he was being awarded this year’s Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar award by the Press Club Kazi wanted to know why he was being conferred with this award and at this time. Was it politically-motivated or has the local Press come of age, Kazi asked. Rawat’s two colleagues, Joseph Lepcha and Bishnu Neopany, both senior journalists in the State, met Kazi and reiterated the Press Club’s recent efforts to regain the local media’s independent image. While appreciating the new development within the local media, Kazi informed them that the Press Club and its members should be ready to face any consequences for associating themselves with a ‘black-listed journalist’, who has been living in self-imposed exile in his own homeland for nearly three decades mainly because he refuses to be ‘bought over’. Kazi is among the few public figures in the State who has kept his credibility intact – personally, professionally and politically (he ‘flirted’ with politics for a while in early 2000s but for a good cause)

However, Kazi’s decision to accept the award will surely evoke mixed reactions. While one gentleman close to the editor said, “They had the guts to give you the award,” (to which the editor replied, “You have judged well.”) one senior journalist said, “The Press Club is not as independent as its members claim.” Another senior journalist commented: “They have finally come to their senses and rewarded you.” And yet one contractor from North Sikkim, who is close to Kazi, said, “Does this mean you have Chamling’s blessings?” The fact of the matter is that in Chamling’s Sikkim all those who do not bow down to the powers-that-be are harassed or ignored. Anyone or any organization that tries to identify itself with those who fail to toe the official line are perceived to be digging their own grave.

While the image of the local Press, by and large, is not too impressive there are those within the Fourth Estate in the State who are not happy with the way the Press has been projected and perceived in a State where dissenting voices find it very difficult to be heard. And yet the people depend on the Press and expect it to ventilate their grievances all the time and take on the high and mighty at times. The Press, too, depend on the people to react and respond to situations. It also expects the people to come to its aid when it is being attacked and hounded by the authorities. The sad part of the story is that people keep mum when the Press is under pressure. Did you even take the trouble to talk to Hamro Prajashakti journalists who were beaten up in their own work places in Gangtok on July 4, 2008? Did you care to call on this editor when his press was ransacked in early 1990, his Press vehicles set on fire in October 2001 and June 2004 in front of his printing press building in Gangtok? And which newspaper-reader even bothers to take a casual glance at the ongoing economic suppression of many local newspapers, including this paper, in the State? If the local Press is trying to set itself free help and support must be given by the people at large. By accepting the award Kazi has, once again, made his stand clear and sided with the foot soldiers of freedom and democracy in Sikkim. The local Press, too, has spoken – loud and clear.

Friday, July 20, 2012

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN July 18, 2012

Mamata Banerjee lighting a lamp at the Bhanu Jayanti function in Kalimpong on Friday.

Mamata attends Bhanu Bhakta function, reaches out to people

“I have not come here to do politics. I want Darjeeling to prosper"

Kalimpong, July 17: Reaching out to the people of Darjeeling, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday made it to the function organized to celebrate the 198^th birth anniversary of Nepali poet Bhanu Bhakta Acharya.

Speaking at the function, Mamata made it very clear that she had not come to campaign for her party for the ensuing Gorkhaland Territorial Administration elections but to urge the people to work for development of Darjeeling.

“I have not come here to do politics. I want Darjeeling to prosper."

The chief minister said that though she was a busy person, "yet I will come here again and again for the development of the hills."

She said, "We will be happy if you are happy. Bengal cannot be happy without Darjeeling. We want both Darjeeling and junglemahal to smile."

Later, Mamata had a meeting with Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) President Bimal Gurung at Orchid House in Kalimpong.

Gurung said, "We'll run the Gorkha Territorial Administration well to bring in development in Darjeeling hills."

"Our friendship with Trinamool Congress will remain all the same though we'll contest in a few seats during GTA polls. We are happy that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has come to visit various places in Darjeeling again," he said.

As the Morcha secured an absolute majority in the proposed GTA, Mamata stressed on peace and democracy in the region.

She also called for unity between the people residing in the state's hills and plains.

"Without Darjeeling, West Bengal cannot remain in peace. It is easy to politicise and divide and rule, but not easy to unite," the chief minister said.

‘Black-listed’ Kazi finally gets recognition, appeals for Press freedom

“India must live up to the expectations of the Sikkimese people”

Gangtok, July 17: Journalist-cum-writer Jigme N Kazi was today honoured with this year’s ‘Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar’ award by the Press Club of Sikkim.

KALIMPONG HERITAGE HOMES Himalayan Hotel

History

The house that is now the Himalayan Hotel Kalimpong, was the family home of David Macdonald. Macdonald was posted to Tibet as a British Trade Agent, serving in Yatung and Gyantse IN THE Chumbi Valley until his retirement in 1924.

Macdonald assisted the 13th Dalai Lama's escape from Tibet in 1910, and he was later invited to Lhasa in 1921. Prior to his retirement he served briefly as Britain's Political Officer in Sikkim, in charge of Britain's relations with Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim. After his retirement, Macdonald shifted to this house and rented part of it as a hotel. The Himalayan Hotel still remains the residence of the Macdonald family.

Arunachal media may demand CBI probe on scribe assault

Itanagar, July 17: The Arunachal Press Club (APC) and Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) has unanimously resolved to shut down all media houses in the State today in protest against the attack on Arunachal Time’s Associate Editor Tongam Rina.

Condemning Sunday’s incident as an attack on the press fraternity, a meeting of the APC and APUWJ also decided to boycott news and advertisements of the State Government for 15 days, which would be reviewed if the culprits were not arrested.

The organizations demanded that the State Government book the culprits under non-bailable section within 7 days and the case be fast-tracked through a special court to award exemplary punishment or else hand over the case to CBI forthwith.

The members also resolved to send a delegation to New Delhi and Guwahati to stage protest and to highlight the repeated atrocities being committed on the press fraternity.

Unidentified gunmen had yesterday shot at and critically injured an associate editor when she was entering office.

The Dalai Lama shares a light moment with some of the elders of the Tibetan Muslim community during his visit to the Tibetan Public School in Srinagar, J&K, on July 14. (Photo/OHDDL/Tenzin Choejor

Pro-federal forces to hit streets if no consensus on federal structure: Mahato

Kathmandu, July 17: An all-party meeting organised by Sadbhavana Party held here last weekend concluded that only a new constitution, and not a change of guard as sought by opposition parties, could resolve the present political deadlock.

The meeting agreed that if political parties failed to forge consensus on unsettled issues of the constitution, they should agree to incorporate the agreed agendas and leave the issue of the 10-Pradesh model proposed by the State Restructuring Commission (SRC) to the new Constituent Assembly.

Reading out the recommendation endorsed by the two-day 'mini-Parliament' convened here, Sadbhavana Party Chairman Rajendra Mahato said, "After political parties reach consensus on the contentious issues of federal structure, the constitution can be promulgated through reinstatement of the Constituent Assembly for a brief period".

This recommendation comes at a time when some opposition leaders are demanding that the issue of single ethnic identity based federal structure be settled through referendum.

The meeting concluded that the SRC proposed 10-Pradesh model could be approved or some minor amendments could be made to the proposal.

“A new constitution should be promulgated only through CA, not any commission and the constitution should guarantee identity based federalism,” read the declaration issued at the end of the two-day gathering.

In case political parties cannot agree to reinstate the Parliament, fresh election must be conducted to resume the task of drafting the constitution, Mahato said.

If no solution can be reached through dialogue and discussion then all pro-federal forces and republican forces should come to the street forming a joint front among Madhesis, Dalits, indigenous and ethnic communities for the cause of promulgating the constitution with ethnic identity based federal structure, Mahato said.

The meeting was attended by various political leaders, including Maoist chief Prachanda.

3500 MW Indo-Bhutan hydropower projects to begin in Bhutan soon

Thimphu, July 17: Works for several new hydropower projects of total 3500 MW capacity under Indo-Bhutan joint initiative is set to begin within next one year. The project would not only offer significant financial benefit to Bhutan, it will brighten India's power profile to a great extent, as well.

The most important one in this list of projects is Sankosh. Though downsized recently by the Empowered Joint Group (EJG) of high government officials of Bhutan and India to a 2560 MW from its earlier planned capacity of 4050MW, this is still the single largest power project in Bhutan, The Economic Times reported.

According to Economic Affairs Minister of Bhutan K Wangchuk, pre-construction infrastructure works, including building access bridges and roads, are to start in August 2012 in both sides of the border by respective government agencies. Construction of main work, including the dam and power house, is likely to begin in 2013.

Though initially planned to be a joint venture with its 51% owned by Indian PSUs and rest with Bhutan's Government owned hydropower agency Druk Green Power Corporation, the $110 billion project has been remodeled to be established under a different inter governmental model in which India will provide entire funding.

However, agreements pertaining many facets of the project, including tax and duty exemptions, funding process, Indian PSUs participation etc, are likely to get signed by end July.

Beside Sankosh, works for four other hydropower projects in the list, including Kholongchhu (600MW), Chamkharchhu (770MW), Bunakha (180MW) and Wangchhu (570MW), are expected to start by this year.

Bhutan is committed to develop 10,000MW new power generation capacity dedicated for India by 2020. And, "India is also keen on utilizing Bhutan's untapped hydropower potential," said India's Union power Minister S K Shinde.

Dalai Lama visits JK after 25 years

Srinagar, July 17: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama is presently on a weeklong visit to the State, which comes after a gap of 25 years.

Hundreds turned up for a glimpse of the Buddhist spiritual leader here last week when he arrived. The reception, organized by the Tibetan Muslims, was in Srinagar’s old city.

The old city’s Sangeen Darwaza is home to around 200 Tibetan families of Kashmiri ancestry, with dozens more living in adjoining localities. They say they are the children of Tibetan women and Kashmiri traders who had settled in Tibet seven centuries ago.

They have surnames like Qazi, Sheikh, Bhat, Wani and Tramboo but their features resemble those of the Tserings and Lamas of Ladakh. What distinguishes them from other Tibetans is their religion.

They are Muslims, who had fled Tibet during a Chinese crackdown in 1959. But what they share with Buddhist Tibetans is their love for the Dalai Lama. It is they who played the host.

“His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, is our king, our leader. We all love him. That is why we are here,” said Masood Bhat, a Tibetan Muslim volunteer who had joined dozens of others to organise the programme at Tibetan Public School.

“It is not just Tibetan Muslims who are here. As you can see, a majority of students in this school are Kashmiris and they, along with their parents and others in our locality, are here.”

The participants, including girls in colourful clothes but in purdah and elderly women in traditional Tibetan Chuba dresses, lined up to receive the Dalai Lama along with chief minister Omar Abdullah and other dignitaries.

“We should all strive to create a harmonious society where we will care for each other,” the Dalai Lama said. He later visited a mosque built by Tibetan Muslims, and joined the prayers.

Nasir Qazi, the chairperson of the school management committee, said they offered him Kashmiri wazwaan, Ladakhi momos and other dishes.

“He relished the food,” Qazi, whose office has a portrait of the Dalai Lama, said. “But more important, he loved the way we spoke fluent Tibetan.”

The last time the Buddhist spiritual leader had visited Srinagar was in 1988.

Editorial

TIBET-J&K-SIKKIM

Demand For Special Status

Historically, Tibet, the former Himalayan Kingdom of Sikkim and the State of Jammu and Kashimir share much in common. Today, it is not only religion and culture that binds the peoples of these areas but a shared sense of having a special status within China and India. Legally, while Jammu and Kashmir’s special status comes under Article 370 of the Constitution, Article 371F protects Sikkim. China’s constitution also guarantees autonomy for the Tibet region of Kham, Amdo and Utsang. However, in reality these three provinces in the Himalayan region do not enjoy the special status provided to them. Despite the Dalai Lama’s insistence that he wants ‘genuine autonomy’ for Tibet under China Beijing continues to label the Tibetan spiritual leader a ‘splittist.’

Only very recently BJP leader Arun Jaitley pointed out that that the “special status to J&K was a historical blunder” and even threatened to launch a movement if the Centre accepts the report of its interlocutors pertaining to “special status” for Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370. Jaitley, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, blamed Jawarharlal Nehru for incorporating Article 370 in the Constitution. Though there has not been such a threat on Sikkim the gradual dilution of its distinct identity within the Union has been resented by the Sikkimese and the Centre is not paying any heed to it. As in Tibet, the influx of non-ethnic groups in Sikkim has threatened the survival of bonafide Sikkimese, including Sikkimese Nepalese, who were subjects of the Chogyal. Beijing and New Delhi, it they wish to come closer, must address the grievances of those living in the border region of the two countries.

IB and RAW role in Karmapa Controversy

Divergent views on funds controversy reflect conflict of interest

The lack of coordination and divergence of views between the two principal intelligence agencies, IB and R&AW, has never been felt more acutely than in the way New Delhi plays out its Tibet and China policies.

Early last year a jeep was intercepted by the Himachal Pradesh police coming in from Punjab. On inspection the police found cash worth Rs1 crore stacked in bundles. As investigations progressed, the links led to the 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje (UTD), who has been in India ever since his dramatic escape from China many years ago. Soon after an FIR was registered, officers from the IB and R&AW were called in to do their discreet inquiries and give their assessment to the government.

What was not stated, but known was that while R&AW was keen to maintain a good equation with the UTD faction, the IB was pushing for a rival Tibetan faction, headed by Trinley Thaye Dorje (TTD). The seeds of disarray had already been sown.

As expected, both agencies came up with diametrically differing views. R&AW argued, and with considerable merit, that the UTD faction of the Tibetan diaspora was the most powerful and influential of factions. The TTD was virtually unknown in the Tibetan diaspora.

Their assessment was that the cash that was discovered was a routine development among the Tibetans residing in India who did not have any other means to conclude their land deals. The IB sent across a detailed note claiming that the cash had come in from China through intermediaries in Hong Kong and was being used by the Karmapa to fund espionage activities against the Tibetan-government-in-exile in Dharmashala.

Matters came to a head when the Karmapa, who was named as an accused in the case, filed an application stating that his name be dropped from the case as he did not have anything to do with the cash. But the IB, backed by the union Ministry of Home Affairs, stuck to its guns while R&AW was left to fight a solitary battle in the meetings of the National Intelligence Board (NIB). The NIB is the apex intelligence sharing mechanism in India’s security architecture with the IB, R&AW chiefs sharing the table with the National Security Adviser (NSA), the foreign secretary and the home secretary.

The IB felt that the Karmapa and his affiliates had created a maze of organisations that did not have clearance to receive funds from abroad. The IB argued that the Karmapa had created two organisations, the Saraswati Charitable trust and the KGT since 2003, concealing the Tibetan identities of its trustees.

The R&AW disagreed in its assessment. They pointed out that the Chinese currency stacks found in the subsequent raids were genuine donations from Tibetans living under Chinese occupation. They argued that had it been funds for espionage activities then they would have sent the money in Indian currency and not left such a huge trail pointing back to the Chinese.

Instead, R&AW argued that New Delhi needed to engage the Karmapa and the UTD more actively to retain its influence over the Tibetan diaspora and continue to act as leverage in all negotiations with the Chinese.

Faced with such divergent views, the government held a series of meetings in February and July this year to resolve the issue. It agreed that both factions, the UTD and the TTD would get equal play from the government. It was agreed that both religious leaders would be allowed to travel abroad and be given equal assistance from Indian missions abroad. However, the bulk of the decisions would be held in abeyance, held hostage to the factional fights between IB and R&AW. (DNA)