SIKKIM OBSERVER July 26, 2012

Golay places it safe, abstains from voting

‘Conspiracy’,says Golay aide Bhojraj Rai

Rebel leader and dissident MLA PS Golay

Gangtok, July 24: Dissident ruling party legislator PS Tamang (Golay) did not cast his vote for the presidential polls. He was not in the House to cast his vote on July 19.

However, one vote from the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front went in favour of PA Sangma, the candidate of the BJP. Two votes were declared invalid.

Golay’s aide Bhojraj Rai alleged that the ruling party had conspired against Golay to create misunderstanding with the UPA. By casting one vote in Sangma’s favour, the SDF, which supports the UPA, tried to implicate that it was Golay’s vote that went against the UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee, Rai, a former MLA, said in a press statement.

Rai said the rebel leader, who was ready to take part in the polls, was aware of the conspiracy and abstained himself from voting. This has exposed the conspiracy and cheap politics of the ruling party, Rai said.

Pranab got 28 votes valued at 196 while Sangma got one vote valued at 7.

Teachers must know fundamentals of law: Justice Wangdi

Justice SP Wangdi

Gyalshing, July 25: Justice SP Wangdi of the High Court of Sikkim highlighted the importance of teachers to be well-equipped with the fundamentals of law. This would not only benefit them in their teaching career but would also help students to know the value of legal knowledge.

Justice Wangdi, who presided over the valedictory function of a two-day held here this week, handed away certificates to fifty government teachers of schools in the west district who attended the workshop.

The two-day programme on basics of law and para-legal volunteers was organized jointly by Sikkim State Legal Services and Human Resource Development Department (HRD) here at the Zilla Panchayat Bhawan.

Local scribes form Journalist Union of Sikkim, gets affiliated to national body

Members of the newly-formed Journalist Union of Sikkim (JUS) with representatives of Indian Journalist Union (IJU – seated) at the Press Club of Sikkim, Gangtok, on Sunday.

Gangtok, July 25: Local scribes have formed the Journalist Union of Sikkim (JUS) under the presidentship of Bhim Rawat. The new body will be affiliated to the Indian Journalist Union (IJU).

IJU President SN Sinha was here to form the Sikkim unit of the national body at a function held here at the Press Club of Sikkim office on Sunday, according to a press release of the JUS.

President of Assam Journalist Union, Geetartha Pathak, was also present during the function.

The Executive Committee of the JUS are: Bhim Rawat (President), Neeta Nirash, Vishnu Neopaney and KK Chettri (Vice-President) Joseph Lepcha (General Secretary), Nirmal Manger, Shekhar Khawas and Pradeep Mizar (Joint-Secretary), Prabin Khaling (Treasurer), Samir Subba (Assistant Treasurer), Bishal Gurung and Chewan K. Dahal (Publicity Secretary).

15 executive members of the committee are: Roshan Chettri (The Sikkim Daily Encounter), Rupesh Sharma (Himalibela), Menuka Pandey (Samay Dainik), Prakash Adhikari (News Live), Anusha Gurung (Sikkim Now), Chandra Prashad Dahal (Hamro Prajasakti), Amber Lachikathi (Himalaya Darpan), Bijoy Gurung (Sikkim Express), Arjun Piyush (Himilibela), Sandeep Rai (Himalayan Mirror), Homnath Dabari (Samay Dainik), Sanjay Agrawal (District  convener, East ), Wangchuk Bhutia (District convener, North ), Namo Dixit (District  convener, South) and Madhu Sharma (District  Convener, West) .

The new body will raise issues and problems pertaining to the working journalists in the State, the release said.

The first meeting of the new body will be to hold a two-day national seminar on the problems of journalists and newspapers in the country in Gangtok on October 6-7 this year.

The IJU will also hold its convention of the national executive committee during the two-day meet. The IJU has its state units in 24 states, including Sikkim.

SACRED SIKKIM: II

Relics of Buddha preserved at Norbugang Chorten in Yuksam

By Sonam Yongda

The sacred landscape consists of a large congregation of gompas or monastries such as Dubdi, Pemayangste, Tashiding, Ralang, Norbugang Sinon, Melli etc. Dubdi is the first Buddhist monastry in Sikkim and can be reached after an arduous climb being located on a hill in a verdant forest- a sacred grove near Yuksam. A stone throne shaded by a three hundred year old Cypress tree still stands here today. A footprint on the stone in front of the throne is said to belong to Lhatsun Namkha Jigme and is worshipped by the Sikkimese people.

Norbugang Chorten in Yuksam, West Sikkim

Opposite this throne is the Norbugang Chorten (stupa), which contains soil and water from all over Sikkim. Norbugang is the oldest chorten built in Sikkim and is believed to contain the conch shell, hair and cloth of the past and present Buddha and also the cloth of Maha-Maudgalaya and Sariputra (two disciples of Lord Buddha). It also contains the left shoe of Lord Padmasambhava and hair of Khandu Yashe Chogay (Consort of Lord Padmasambhava.)

The Pemayangste monastery commands a magnificent view of the Khangchen Dzonga and houses priceless religious idols and icons. Its interiors are covered with brightly painted murals of the Tibetan Buddhism pantheon. The site of the Tashiding monastery at the junction of the great Rangit and Rathongchu rivers is believed to have been miraculously raised up by Guru Padmasambhava. The holiest chorten of Sikkim, the Thongwa Rondol is situated here and it is said that a mere glimpse of this chorten is enough to cleanse all sins.

Premier Lama Ngadag Senpa Chenpo, after reciting 'vajra guru mantra' a hundred thousand times filled the precious vase with holy water which is regarded as very auspicious. The water of this vase is kept inside Tashiding monastery and taken out once every year. The level of water is predictive of future events and natural calamities. Apart from these important sacred sites which attract a large number of devotees during festivals, the landscape also consists of numerous monasteries and sacred sites of local significance, each village in the region having its  own a monastery and places of worship.

Tashiding Monastery, Tashiding, West Sikkim.

     During the annual Bumchu Festival of Tashiding (observed since many centuries ago), the water of the Rathongchu river is mixed with the holy water of the vase in Tashiding monastery. The Rathongchu River turns slightly white at the exact location where it meets River Rangeet. It is from this place that a designated quantity of water is collected for the holy vase, and distributed among thousands of devotees who come to this place not only from Sikkim but from the farthest regions of the Himalayas such as Nepal, Bhutan and West Bengal.

In the month of August during the Pang Lhabsol festival, Buddhist monks perform rituals and prayers in the name of the Khangchen Dzonga deity. The monks and devotees go all the way up to Dzongri, 'Dhaplha Gang' to offer prayers ánd offerings to the Khangchendzonga deities for a good harvest and to free the whole country from disease, hunger, famine war etc. Kathog, Khecheopalri lakes, etc. are important lakes in this area. Yuksam is considered as 'Lhakhang' or altar for offerings to the Khangchendzonga deities.

The seven holy lakes surrounding Khangchendzonga viz Khecheopari, Katok, Tso, Bar Cho Marpu, Phu Cho Karpu, Ka Bur La Tso, Sume Ten Tso and Darfuk Yum Tso are the seven offering bowls to the Khangchendzonga deities. Every landscape of highland, midland and low land and every river, stream, cave big trees have guardian deities (Yulha Zibda) of their own and therefore during the morning ritual in every monastery these deities are worshipped.

There are two monasteries in Dubdi, and the smaller one is dedicated to the protector deities of the region. The people of Yuksam make an offering of newly harvested food crops every season to thank these deities for their blessings. The head monk has the power to divert hailstorms, cyclones and other natural calamities with the recitation of mantras. This helps in preventing the crops from getting destroyed.

The region has many forested areas recognized as ‘sacred groves’ that are associated with the monasteries managed by the Lamas. Sacred groves, are sometimes also referred to as gynas (an ethnic Bhotia word meaning ‘forest garden’) They may either be stand-alone entities or part of a larger ‘sacred landscape’, as is the case of the entire forested region of the ‘sacred’ cultural landscape of Demojong.

Khecheopalri lake in West Sikkim

It is also, mentioned in the text that burning of any undesirable things like meat, killings, destructions of objects of worship like stupas, cutting down of trees and plants, misuse of lakes, destruction or, defacement of hills and rocks of the sacred areas of Sikkim would directly affect the deities of Sikkim and will invite disasters and natural calamities.

Khecheopalri known as the 'wishing lake' is one of the most sacred lakes of Sikkim. According to legend, Khecheopalri lake was originally situated at Yuksam, where people dumped carcasses of animals and other dirty things desecrating and polluting the sacred waters. This annoyed the deities of the lake which got shifted to its current location at Khecheopalri.

On the fifteenth day of the first month of the Sikkimese calendar a special puja is offered by the monk of Khecheopalri monastery and the community of Kecheopalri village in order to propitiate the lake deities to avert disease, natural calamities and personal harm. It is believed that any large scale destruction induced by human being within these areas will destroy these hidden treasures and will harm them. (to be continued)

PRIDE OF SIKKIM Padam Singh Gurung

By Shital Pradhan

The late Padam Singh Gurung (seated) with his grand children and great grand children.
Rifleman Padam Singh Gurung was a war veteran

It has been just thirteen days since he left this world but for those who knew him his legacy will live for forever. This World War II veteran was in his 100^th year when he passed away at Singtam, East Sikkim, recently after prolonged illness.  

 Recipient of Burma War Medal, Jammu and Kashmir Medal, Independence Medal (India) and Republic Day Award (Sikkim), Rifleman Padam Singh Gurung, born in 1913, was indeed the pride of Singtam and we are proud to be associated with this legend.

Popularly known as Singtam Thakurbari Mandir’s ‘Gurung Bajey’, Rifleman Padam Singh Gurung joined the 58 Gorkha Regiment, then known as the 3rd Battalion of Second Gorkha Rifles (3/2 GR), at a tender age of 19 as a rifleman.  The year was 1941 and the World War II had already started.
Gurung did his initial military training at Dehradun and later his unit was shifted to Loralai, Baluchistan (Pakistan), for further training that suited the mountainous terrains in Burma, where they were to be sent.
The 3/2 GR moved from Baluchistan to Quetta and then to Lahore by road. Thereafter, the unit moved to Tiruchinapalli (Tamil Nadu) through rail route and from there to Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram), capital of Kerala State). The unit was then dispatched to Burma through sea route. The Battalion landed at the southern tip of Burma and immediately joined the fight against the Japanese. The year was January 1942. The 58 Gorkha Regiment stayed for over three years at Burma where Gurung had participated in all the War Operations till Japanese army surrendered in 1945.
Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’, noted Nepali literary writer from Singtam, remembers Gurung as a legend and a pilgrim of his generation. Pradhan recalls having a talk with the late Rifleman a few months back about his days at Burma during the WWII.
Gurung had said, “Japanese troops had invaded Rangoon and most part of Burma (now Myanmar) then. Our battalion was part of British Indian Army that fought the Irrawaddy River Operation against the Imperial Japanese Army. Every day for several hours heavy artillery firing was done from both sides along the Irrawaddy River.
“The situation there was such that we never knew that we would be alive to see our families back home. Bullets were passing through us.  In another instance, at Arakan Mountains, the Japanese troop had made captive Indian Army soldiers in their bunkers. It was here that 58 Gorkha Regiment showed their bravery and attacked the enemy post and released the Indian Army soldiers unhurt.”
Bhaskar Gurung recalls his grandfather talk about those army days when they did not possess well-equipped weapons as today but the sheer determination, courage, patriotism and the love for their country ultimately made them victorious. Bhaskar proudly says his grandfather always felt proud and honoured to have fought for the country. He believed that success comes through hard work and sacrifice and there is no short cut.
In his short stint of 13 years in the army he went on to win Burma War Medal, Jammu and Kashmir Medal, Independence Medal (India). Gurung was 31 when he retired from his service in 1953.
Married to Bhim Maya Gurung, who passed away in 1997, Gurung left behind three sons: Mani Kumar Gurung, Prem Kumar Gurung and Santosh Kumar Gurung and a daughter Sarda Gurung and half a dozen grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The Government of Sikkim honoured Gurung with the Republic Day Award in 2011 at the Republic Day function in Gangtok. Singtam Basibiyalo, a monthly literary, had also felicitated him last August. Gurung was an active member of the All India Ex-Serviceman Association of Delhi. He donated his land for the construction of Rajya Sainik Aaram Ghar at Singtam, which is used by ex-serviceman today.

He was also the land donor and the founder of Singtam Sai Samiti way back in 1970s. Gurung Bajey was also closely associated with the construction and development of Government Fruit Preservatory Factory, Singtam.  His involvement towards the construction of Singtam Nepali Dharamsala in early 2000 is also well-known.

Northeast ditches Sangma, sides with Pranab

New Delhi, July 25: Though the former Lok Sabha Speaker, Purno Agitok Sangma, who was fielded by the NDA-AIADMK-BJD in the recent presidential poll, claimed that he had the backing of the All India Tribal Council, he was able to manage just 9.64 per cent of the total votes from the MLAs of the eight northeastern hill States.

His rival and UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee, who was declared elected as the President on Sunday, got as much as 87.75 per cent of the votes. There were around 2.61 per cent invalid votes (total 13 votes).

A quick look at the voting pattern showed that Sangma was able to get the support of 48 of the 498 MLAs in the region, whereas Mukherjee received 437 votes.

While Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura Legislative Assemblies have a strength of 60 members each, Assam has 126 members. Sikkim (32) and Mizoram (40) are the other States.

The only consolation is that in Meghalaya, where Sangma and his son are MLAs, he received the support of 23 of the 60 members. In Tripura, Sikkim and Manipur, he got one vote each; in Aunachal Pradesh, two votes, and in Mizoram, 7. In Nagaland, he drew a blank and in Assam, Sangma obtained the votes of only 13 of the 126 members in the Assembly.

 Sangma obtained the highest votes of MLAs of Madhya Pradesh — 156, against Mukherjee’s 73 votes (total membership 230). This was followed by Tamil Nadu, which gave Sangma 148 votes against Mukherjee’s 45 (234) and Gujarat — Sangma, 123, Mukherjee, 59 (182).

In Mukherjee’s case, he got the record-breaking support of 351 members of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, against Mr. Sangma’s 46 (total membership 403).

This was followed by West Bengal, where the President-elect got 275 votes and Sangma, just three votes (294), and Maharashtra —  Mukherjee, 225, Sangma, 47 (288).

Editorial

MONEY POWER

Demand For Code Of Conduct

Allegations against the establishment for using threats and money power to wean away votes to get Pranab Mukherjee elected as the next President of India cannot be taken as a mere outburst of a frustrated loser, PA Sangma, who even failed miserably to get the much-needed votes from his own Northeast region. A large section of legislators in the Northeast would certainly have backed Sangma as he is a member of their clan and they would certainly want a tribal in the top post of the country. To say that caste politics in the polls to the highest office of the land is demeaning of the post is hypocritical and naïve.

 Who are the legislators who are ruling the states and the country? Many of them not only have criminal background but are well-known for their corrupt deeds. This is not say that Pranab would have lost the polls if the whole system in the entire country is neat and clean. But the reality – something many people pretend not to know – is that threats (CBI) and money power which come in the form of financial packages do work. In fact, the whole system in the country is corrupt to the core and this has a direct bearing on political activities such as the presidential polls. It is worth noting that Rs. 57,000 was given to Uttar Pradesh and Rs. 27,000 crore to Bihar as financial packages recently when Pranab was the Union Finance Minister. Many former CMs and prospective CMs are also under the CBI scanner. Therefore, Sangma’s suggestion that elections to the post of president and vice-president must come under the code of conduct is valid and reasonable.

Teesta III hydro project likely to be ready by Dec 2013

Gangtok, July 25: The 1,200 MW Teesta-III hydro project in Chungthang in North Sikkim, delayed by natural calamities and legal hurdles, is likely to be commissioned by December 2013. The project, which would supply power Sikkim, Haryana and Rajasthan, among others, is being developed by Teesta Urja, where four entities, including Sikkim government have stakes.

Power trading solutions provider PTC India, which holds 11% stake, said the project is expected to be ready by the end of next year, PTI reported.

"The construction activity of Teesta III project got affected due to the earthquake of September 2011. The project is now expected to be commissioned in December 2013," PTC India chairman and managing director Tantra Narayan Thakur told PTI.

Singapore-based Asian Genco Pte holds 50.1% stake in Teesta III while Sikkim government and Athena Projects Pvt Ltd has 26% and 11% shareholding, respectively.

Going by initial schedule, first unit of Teesta III was to be commissioned in August 2011, as per Teesta Urja website. The project would have six units of 200 MW each.

Sources said that more than 70% of work at Teesta III has been completed.

Apart from last year's earthquake that affected the project site, differences between Teesta Urja Ltd and Sikkim government have also delayed the implementation of Teesta III.

A Teesta Urja official said that delays have escalated the project costs, which is now estimated to be around Rs. 8,000 crore. Initially, the project expenses were projected at about Rs. 5,700 crore.

Earlier this month, issues regarding transfer of 26% stake to Sikkim government were resolved, sources said.

The Sikkim government had resorted to legal action on the issue of transfer of 26% stake in the project to itself.

On July 13, Rural Electrification Corp -- one of the lenders for the project -- had convened a meeting of Teesta Urja stakeholders. REC has proposed to take up cost over run funding to the tune of Rs. 1,000 crore.

According to the minutes of the meeting, Sikkim government officials assured support on all project-related issues, including infusion of equity and issue of no objection certificate (NOC), for bridge construction.

The run of the river project was awarded by the Sikkim government to Teesta Urja Ltd on BOOT (Build Own Operate Transfer) basis for a period of 35 years.

Finnish mission in Lachen

A Missionary School in Lachen, North Sikkim, around 1938. The Finnish missionaries taught the Lachenpas not only how to read and write in English but also how to weave rugs and plant potatoes.

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN      July 25, 2012

Prachanda to clean up corruption tag

Kathmandu, July 24: Maoist chief Prachanda has decided to vacate his multi-crore mansion and return expensive vehicles he was using after strong criticism from within and outside the party over his luxurious lifestyle.

Addressing the closing session of the five-day long plenum of UCPN-Maoist party yesterday, Prachanda said he would vacate the Lazimpat residence after making a new arrangement, PTI reported.

He also said that he would only use vehicles provided by the government.

His high-profile residence had made headlines in the media. Soon after Prachanda moved into the mansion from his previous residence, a section of party cadres had claimed that he had purchased the multi-crore property.

While aides claimed that Prachanda had been staying in the house on rent, party insiders say the mansion was actually bought in the name of a close associate of Prachanda.

"I have been staying on rent. But it was rumoured that I have bought the house," Prachanda said. "Being a former prime minister, the government should provide me a house and a vehicle," he said. (see page 2)

Team Anna to expose Pranab on July 25

We will release proof of corruption against Pranab: Kejriwal

New Delhi, July 24:  Team Anna claimed on Sunday that they have “proof” of corruption against Pranab Mukherjee and it would be made public on 25 July when they launch an indefinite fast coinciding with his swearing-in as the President.

“The Prime Minister is corrupt, now we have a corrupt President as well. We will release proof of corruption against Pranab Mukherjee on 25 July during our fast,” Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal said, Reuters reported.

Kejriwal was speaking at a rally here to drum up support for Team Anna‘s indefinite fast in the national capital from Wednesday, saying they are ready for a “fight to finish” and will not be satisfied with mere assurances.

Led by Kejriwal, Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan, the car and bike rally began from Rajghat and reached Jantar Mantar where they spoke against the UPA government for its alleged inaction in tackling corruption.

“We are ready for fight to finish. This time around we are not going to give up our fast on mere assurances. We will end our agitation only after we get solutions to our demand.

“We don’t trust the government anymore. Either we’ll get solutions or our bodies will be lifted from here,” Kejriwal told the protesters.

‘Common Cause’, a public interest organization, has decided to join hands with Team Anna to make its July 25 indefinite strike a success. The organization said it will launch its anti-corruption logo, which has been designed by the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.

China for stability, not separatism in Tibet

Beijing, July 24: China wants stability in Tibet, not separatism. The battle against separatism should be stepped up in Tibet where "ethnic unity, social harmony and stability is the lifeline," a top Chinese leader has said.

Underlining the importance of maintaining stability in the remote Himalayan region, Li Changchun, a Standing Committee member of the Politburo of the Communist Party's Central Committee, said that improving people's livelihood should always be "a top priority" for the Tibet government, PTI reported.

Li, ranked fifth in the hierarchy of the ruling Communist Party, was on a five-day visit to Tibet's Nyingtri and Lhasa, places where Beijing plans to undertake multi-billion dollar tourism projects.

"Ethnic unity, social harmony and stability is the lifeline for Tibet," he said, adding that the ethnic unity education and the anti-separatism battle should be deepened.

Li stressed on ethnic unity and cultural development in southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, as well as building an "ideological basis" for anti-secession and stability maintenance, he said.

Tibet should seize the opportunity of the implementation of the western development strategy, and innovative efforts should be made to promote the region's leapfrog development and lasting stability, Li was quoted as saying.

“The centre is using the CBI as its puppet”

Ramdev threatens to launch movement against black money

Dehradun, July 24:  Yoga Guru Ramdev on Saturday staged a dharna in protest against the arrest of his aide Balkrishna accusing the Centre of misusing the CBI to harass nationalist people. He also vowed to fight black money and corruption through a renewed agitation, which would start from August 9 in New Delhi and said he would continue to fight for bringing back Rs 400 lakh crore of black money stashed abroad.

"Acharya Balkrishna is not a terrorist or a criminal, rather he has honestly worked for the welfare of crores of people through his knowledge on Ayurveda. We are standing by him on moral grounds," Ramdev told reporters here at Lachhiwala area where he was stopped by the police.

Later, Ramdev sat on a dharna in front of the CBI office here to protest against the arrest of Balkrishna.

He criticised the centre for misusing their investigative agencies for harassing people, who dedicated their lives for the sake of people. "The centre is using the CBI as its puppet," he said.

Regarding the allegations on his aide Acharya Balkrishna for obtaining passport on fake documents, Ramdev claimed that Nepalese government has already communicated to India that Balkrishna is not a Nepalese citizen.

Ramdev said he was not scared of any investigation against him as well as his trust.

"I am not scared. Only those people should be scared who have stashed the country's money in foreign banks," he said.

Hydel projects pose threat to vegetation, aquatic life in Kullu

Manali, July 24: The impact of hundreds of hydroelectric projects being constructed in Himachal are are slowly but clearly becoming visible in the shape of vanishing aquatic life, depleting vegetation, water pollution, reducing irrigation water and livelihood of locals. The problem would deepen in the entire state in the near future, environmentalists have warned.

Villagers in Kinnaur have been complaining drying up of traditional water sources, specially streams near under-construction hydel projects at Sainj, Manikaran valley and Jagatsukh areas. Residents of villages downstream the Jagatsukh river, which has been diverted to Prini river through a tunnel, said that reduced water in the river has left their canals useless, making vegetation along the riverside vanish fast.

Similar to the situation in Kangra district, medium and small hydel projects are posing threat to fish and other aquatic life in Kullu, sources said. Most cold water brooks and rivers in Kullu district are rich with trout and other aquatic species, but the HP fisheries department has already issued NOC to 42 of the 58 proposed projects, TNN reported.

Says Dinesh Sharma, an environmentalist, who has been observing the impact of arbitrary and unplanned setting up of hydel projects in Kullu, which are changing the ecology of the area, "Water is being diverted from its natural course. Vegetation near water is diminishing and new breed of plants is replacing old varieties. Fish and other aquatic life, which thrive in big streams are either dying or are searching for new habitats."

Sharma said he has been studying the effects of diversion of water from Duhangan river near Manali and found that the decrease in mass of water was not only causing a rise in water temperature but also increasing the temperature in its immediate atmosphere and also reducing humidity in the surroundings. "Water temperature is increasing in the reservoirs and timings of rains have changed in the area," he added.

According to Kishan Thakur, another environmentalist, tunneling and underground blasting for projects is affecting the centuries-old underground routes of water, the impact of which would become visible soon. "Blasting causes cracks in earth and changes the course of underground water. Scared by the blasts, animals have already vacated nearby natural habitats. The only benefit from the projects is abundance of power, but it has many drawbacks, which are being manifested gradually."

According to data, over 500 hydel projects have been allotted to government and private sector players in Himachal Pradesh. Till July 2011, about 271 projects had applied for no objection certificate from Himachal Pradesh fisheries department. Of these, only about half-a-dozen projects have been rejected, while over 230 projects have been given NOC while others were under consideration.

In Kullu district, 58 projects had applied for NOC district whereas 57 projects are proposed in Shimla district. Promoters of the projects have deposited an amount of Rs 32.96 crore towards fisheries development funds with the fisheries department, sources said.

Editorial

MAMATA’S GESTURES

Take Full Advantage

Knowing the mood of the hill people in Darjeeling on the demand for separate statehood the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) is unlikely to give up its demand for ‘Gorkhaland’. One cannot read too much into Harka Bahadur Chhetri’s speech in Kolkata during the Trinamool Congress’s rally. To say that the Morcha has given up statehood for the new council, the GTA, mainly because of Mamata Banerjee’s increasing popularity in the hills of Darjeeling is to view the present happenings in Darjeeling from a wrong angle. Of course, the people in the hills are very fond of didi and for many reasons. She has not only given top priority to the political churnings and economic aspirations of the hill people, she has also made several trips to Darjeeling in the past one year to sympathise with the people. Hill people will certainly view her recent trip to Kalimpong on Bhanu Jayanti as striking the right chord given the Gorkha people’s emotional identification with Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, whom many regard as a unifying factor for the Nepali/Gorkha community the world over.

The withdrawal of Trinamool’s candidates from the GTA polls was a magnanimous gesture on Mamata’s part. Now the ball is fully in GJM’s court and with its President Bimal Gurung expected to lead the new administration Darjeeling will not only heave a sigh of relief but its people will look forward to speedy economic development that is needed. Gurung cannot afford to go the Subash Ghising way, which is to say that the administration should be open, transparent and less corrupt and politics in the hills should be more democratic where the opposition should have its say. Unlike the Left Front government, which gave Ghising a free hand leading to the present mess in the hills, the Mamata government must keep a live interest on how the GTA runs. Gurung has repeatedly said that the GTA is a stepping stone for creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland. If that is to be believed Gurung must show how well he can handle a council before he attempts to become the first chief minister of Gorkhaland.

Britain was against Chinese influence in Bhutan

China’s growing presence in Tibet led to strengthening of Anglo-Bhutanese relations in early 20^th century

King Ugyen Wangchuck of Bhutan and Chogyal Thutob Namgyal of Sikkim at the coronation of  King George V as Emperor of India in Delhi in 1911.

The increasing influence on Tibet exerted by the Chinese in the beginning of the 20th century posed a grave threat to the security of Bhutan. The British-Indian Government and the Bhutanese Government viewed it crucial to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries. Lord Minto, the new Viceroy even advocated for an increase in the subsidy and a closer relations with Bhutan to encounter the possibility and danger of the Chinese government interfering in the Bhutanese affairs.
Charles A. Bell as the Political Officer in Sikhim, re-emphasized on the urgency and the need for strengthening the Anglo-Bhutanese relations as the Chinese activities began to intensify in Tibet. In a report on the British relations with China, Tibet and Bhutan Charles A. Bell wrote, “our policy with regard to Bhutan should be to show her all the friendliness we can and if opportunity offers, to make a brief treaty with her so as to enable us to control her foreign relations while leaving her absolute freedom in her internal affairs. This will enable us to keep Chinese agents, Chinese troops and Chinese influence generally out of the country……”
This resulted in London’s agreement to revise the 1865 Treaty of Sinchula. Consequently, Charles A. Bell accompanied by Captain Robert Kennedy was sent to Bhutan to negotiate on the revision of the Treaty of Sinchula. The British proposed for an increase in the subsidy to Rs. 100,000. Arms and ammunitions were also brought at the request of the King. On 8 January 1910 corresponding to the 27th day of the 11th month of the Earth Bird year the Treaty was successfully concluded at Punakha. The British-India Government was represented by Charles A. Bell and Bhutan by Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck.
The revised terms of the 1865 Treaty of Sinchula as incorporated in the Treaty of Punakha were as follows:
• By amending Article IV of the Treaty of Sinchula, the British Government increased the annual subsidy payment for the Duar areas to the Government of Bhutan from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 100,000 with effect from the 10 January 1910.
• By amending article VIII of the Treaty of Sinchula, the British undertook to exercise no interference in the internal administration of Bhutan. On its part, the Bhutanese Government agreed to consult the British Government in regard to its external relations.
• Further, in the event of disputes with or complaints against the various rulers of Sikkim and Cooch Bihar, the Bhutanese Government agreed to refer the matters to the British Government for arbitration and settlement.
Bhutan also received a portion of land at Kalimpong to set up a Bhutanese Agent and was authorised to use the Calcutta mint for making a new die for copper coins. The British-Indian Government also assured to assist Bhutan in developing its natural resources. Further, Mr. Dover, the former State Engineer from Sikkim examined the road from Bahsa to Chuka to make it mule worthy at an estimated cost of Nu. 55,000.
The signing of this treaty ensured a long and a lasting peace and friendship between the two countries. It was signed at a time when the powerful nations of the world were beginning to divide themselves into two power blocs. It was also a time when hostility between these power blocs was escalating beyond control. There was every possibility of small nations being absorbed and influenced by powerful nations if it did not have a close, reliable and a powerful ally.
Thus, the signing of the treaty was beneficial for both the nations. On one hand, the security and sovereignty of Bhutan was ensured. On the other, the fear of the British-Indian Government that Bhutan would come under the influence of other powerful nations and threaten its security and dominance in India was no more significant. Since the signing of the treaty, the two Governments collaborated to ameliorate the bond and support one another. Further, the steadfast cordial relationship that Bhutan and India enjoys today is definitely a beautiful legacy of the Treaty of Punakha. (Bhutan2008.bt)
Mamata-Bimal golden handshake leaves hills in Morcha hands

Mamata withdraws TMC candidates from GTA polls

Kolkata, July 24: Clearing the way for complete dominance of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) in the proposed Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced the withdrawal of her party’s candidates from the GTA polls.

GTA is an autonomous body to look after the administration of the Darjeeling district and its foothills. GTA elections are scheduled to take place on July 29.

The Gorkhaland Janmukti Morcha (GJM), a dominant political outfit in the Darjeeling hills, has obtained 28 out of the 45 seats to the GTA.

“There were 17 contestants participating in GTA elections from the Trinamool Congress. We have decided to withdraw our nominations. We do not want confrontation with GJM,” Mamata said while addressing the rally commemorating on July 21 as Martyrs’ Day.

The rally was attended by GJM leaders and MLAs like Mr Harka Bahadur Chhetri.

Mamata’s a move that paves the way for the main hill party, the GJM, to win all the 45 seats uncontested.

The announcement came soon after Chhetri heaped lavish praise on her, saying Darjeeling and West Bengal will remain together under her stewardship. July 21 was the last date for withdrawal of candidature from the GTA polls.

"The GJM has already won a majority by winning 28 seats uncontested. In the larger political interest, all our 17 candidates will withdraw their nominations. We are doing this out of our love for the people of the hills, though the last date of withdrawal is already gone," Banerjee said.

"We do not want any confrontation with the GJM. We will go to Darjeeling Aug 4 for the swearing-in ceremony," said Mamata, addressing a mammoth Trinamool Congress rally here.

Thrukpa Tsezhi: Turning the Wheel of Dharma

Sikkim’s unique Buddhist festival

Thrukpa Teshi festival is celebrated by the Buddhists all over the world. On this special day the Buddha preached his first sermon of four Noble Truths to his five disciples at a deer park in Sarnath. It is one of the four major Buddhist festivals. The first turning of the Wheel of Dharma began seven weeks after Buddha’s enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.

The first Noble Truth is the truth of suffering. The second Noble Truth is the truth of the origin of suffering. The third Noble Truth is the cessation of the suffering. The fourth Noble Truth is the truth of the Eight Fold Path leading to Nirvana.

This day is celebrated on the fourth day (Tsezhi) of the sixth month (Thrukpa) of the Tibetan calendar in the month of July or August every year. This festival is celebrated all over the former Buddhist Kingdom of Sikkim.

In Muguthang in Lachen, North Sikkim, the locals celebrate the festival with a yak race, which is participated by the Drokpas (yak herders). Prayers and pujas are held all over Sikkim, including the Palace monastery of Tsuglhakhang in Gangtok.

In Lachen and in many other places the occasion is also celebrated as local deities day and prayers and sang (incense) are offered to local deities of respective regions in Sikkim as well as to Khangchendzonga, Sikkim’s Guardian Deity. Some families also worship their ancestral deities (Pho-lha) on this day.

Finnish mission in Lachen

A Missionary School in Lachen, North Sikkim, around 1938. The Finnish missionaries taught the Lachenpas not only how to read and write in English but also how to weave rugs and plant potatoes.

India to strengthen military preparedness along Indo-China border

Security panel to raise 2^nd battalion of Arunachal Scouts

New Delhi, July 24:  Aiming to strengthen military preparedness along the China border, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is understood to have discussed the proposal for raising the second battalion of Army’s Arunachal Scouts.

The CCS meeting in New Delhi, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, is understood to have discussed the proposal to raise the second battalion of Arunachal Scouts to protect country’s boundary with China in the northeastern state, sources said.

The proposal has come up for discussion before the CCS around two months after the first battalion of the Arunachal Scouts was deployed in Riyang district there, reported PTI.

In Scouts battalions, the officers are from the regular Army whereas the majority of the soldiers are drawn from local areas. The Arunachal Scouts has been formed on the lines of the Ladkah Scouts which is deployed in high altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

During the 25th anniversary celebrations of statehood of Arunachal Pradesh, Defence Minister AK Antony had announced the raising of second battalion of Arunachal Scouts.

He had also said that special emphasis is being given to the operationalisation of Advance Landing Grounds (ALGs) which will be of immense use and importance for the locals and military.

In the backdrop of aggressive modernisation of military infrastructure by China on its side of the boundary, India has taken various steps to strengthen its defences.

Assam remembers American missionary

Bronson compiled first Assamese dictionary

Hill Media Network

Guwahati, July 24: Assam on Friday remembered the American Baptist missionary who compiled the first Assamese dictionary in 1867 and brought out the first Assamese newspaper named ‘Orunodoi’ in 1845. Friday (July 20) was Reverend Miles Bronson’s 200th birth anniversary.

Born on 20 July 1812 in New York, Bronson arrived in Assam as part of the American Baptist Mission in 1836. He first set up a school at Namsang in eastern Assam and brought out ‘A Spelling Book and Vocabulary in English, Assamese, Singpho and Naga’ in 1839 before shifting to Sivasagar to bring out ‘Orunodoi’.

“We can never forget the contributions of Bronson and his associates including Nathan Brown and Oliver Cutter to the development of Assamese language. While he arrived less than 10 years after the Brahmaputra Valley was annexed to British India, he wrote many books that helped enrich several languages of the region,’ Assam Sahitya Sabha general secretary Paramananda Rajbangshi said, Hindustan Times reported.

The Sabha, he added, has drawn up a year-long programme to mark Bronson’s birth bi-centenary. To be celebrated as the Year of the Dictionary, the schedule includes publication of at least two new Assamese dictionaries, a series of seminars and awareness programmes on dictionaries, setting up of three bronze busts of Bronson and generating awareness about correct use of the language on television and other social media.

Bronson wrote two books in Garo (Meghalaya) language in 1863 before the first Assamese dictionary containing 14,000 words in 1867. His team’s biggest contribution, though, was in restoring Assamese as official language and medium of instruction in Assam in1873 after it was replaced by Bengali in 1836 by the British.

“Had it not been for Bronson’s team, Assam would not have seen the birth of the first newspaper within 19 years of British occupation of the Brahmaputra valley,” said veteran journalist Profulla Chandra Borua, a compiler on journalism in Assam.

Bronson, incidentally, was the first missionary to try to evangelize the Nagas. He returned to the US in 1878 and died in Eton Rapids on November 10, 1883.

Don’t want to break their hearts: Naga Olympian

Dimapur, July 24: Overwhelmed by the attention she is getting in Nagaland for being only the second athlete from the State to qualify for the Olympics, Indian women's archery team member Chekrovolu Swuro says winning a medal in London would not just be a personal high but also an expression of her gratitude to her "tribe".

In 1948, Nagaland's Dr Talirmen Ao led a barefoot Indian football team to become the first Olympian from the Northeastern hilly State bordering Myanmar.    

Being the second Naga Olympian after Dr Ao, the 29-year-old from Dzulha village of Phek district of Nagaland is a popular figure in the State, Times of India reported.    

In fact, chief minister Neiphiu Rio is all set to fly London with his entourage to cheer for Swuro during the July 27-August 12 extravaganza.    

"There are prayers for me (at the Nagaland churches). The chief minister (Neiphiu Rio) has wished me luck personally. He is also likely to fly to London to cheer for us. It's a proud moment for me," Swuro said in an interview.   

"They are very happy for me and doing every little thing possible for me. It's an additional responsibility on me. I'm overwhelmed. I don't want to break their hearts," said the sub-inspector with the Nagaland Police.    

The Ahoms Of Assam

Ahom King Chao Lung Siuka-pha

The Ahoms, the dominant Tai group of Assam belong to the great Tai ethnic and linguistic family of South-East Asia. The original homeland of the Ahoms was Yunum of Southern China. They came to Assam and established a tiny kingdom in 1228 A.D in the easternmost part of India with Charaideo as its capital in the district of Sivasagar under the leadership of Siuka-pha, a Tai prince from Southern China.

Before the advent of the Ahoms, Assam was known variously as Pragjyotisha and Kamarupa in different period of time. In the epic period, the country was divided into Sonitpur, Kundil Rajya and Pragjyotisha. In addition there were the kingdoms of Hidimba, Davaka, Manipur and Tripura. Later the kingdom of Kamarupa arose in early Christian era, but this kingdom disappeared by the middle of the twelfth century A.D.

Another kingdom known as Kamata also appeared in this region by this time. Taking advantage of this weakness of the Kamarupa, Kamata kingdom, the chiefs of the Koch and Mech tribes organized several independent principalities on the western part of the kingdom of Kamarupa. Thus prior to the advent of the Ahoms, this land of the Brahmaputra was divided politically, socially and racially.

The Ahom Monument

The Ahoms under Siuka-pha came and founded the first Tai kingdom in 1228 A.D. The tiny kingdom thus formed, was gradually extended by them eastward and westward in stages and thus they became the undisputed lord of the entire Brahmaputra Valley from Sadiya on the east to the river Manaha on the west. The Ahoms created history by ruling gloriously this land for six hundred years.

Thirty eight rulers belongs to Ahom royal dynasty ruled Assam from 1228 A.D to 1826 A.D. It was during their long protracted reign that the land and the people came to be designated as “Assam” and “Assamese”. Till today they are known by such names. It may be considered as  their greatest contribution to the land of their adoption i.e, Assam.

INTERVIEW Bimal Gurung

“GTA is only the preparation for the separate state of Gorkhaland”

(L to R): Dinesh Trivedi, member Trinamool Congress party, Mamata Banerjee, chief minister West Bengal, Bimal Gurung, leader Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and Home Minster P. Chidambaram, at the signing of the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) agreement on this July 18, 2011, near Siliguri in West Bengal.

Bimal Gurung has been a major force in the movement to carve out a separate state for Nepali-speaking Indians or Gorkhas from West Bengal, since 2007.

Gurung, 49, broke away with the Gorkha National Liberation Front chief Subhash Ghisingh and formed a separate party, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, in October 2007. For now Gurung has to make do with the autonomous Gorkhaland Territorial Administration or GTA.

In an exclusive interview with India Ink’s Anuradha Sharma in Kolkata recently, Gurung shared his views on numerous subjects. Escerpts:

Anuradha Sharma: You come from a very humble background. You were one of the militant leaders of the Gorkhaland movement of late ’80s. Today you are carrying the hopes of thousands of Indian Nepalis. How do you describe your personal political journey?

Bimal Gurung: I was born to a very poor family, so poor that having finished one meal, we would wonder when the next one would be. I have done odd jobs ever since my early days and so could not acquire good education. I became a part of the violent agitation spurred by the dream of Gorkhaland. I was young like all other youths who took part in that agitation. There was no one to guide us, to tell us that the gun is of no use, that you should be holding the pen instead. Neither did the political leadership seem to care. And in the end after all the sacrifices, they sold the Gorkhaland dream.

Sharma: Why did it take you so long to oppose Subhash Ghisingh?

Gurung: It was the politics of fear that he resorted to. The general feeling the people in the hills had was they would be killed if they opposed him. In 2005, I first said at a public meeting in my village (Tukvar) that we want Gorkhaland and not the Sixth Schedule status that Subhash Ghisingh was rooting for.  My family members and friends got very worried for my safety and would ask me to keep a low profile. But in 2007, when Subhash Ghisingh brought home a Sixth Schedule status, I parted ways with him and formed my own party on October 7 and started a new agitation. This agitation is non-violent, intellectual.

Sharma: Your detractors accuse you of muzzling opposition voices in the Hills?

Gurung: There is no opposition, actually, just a few opposition leaders without practically any supporters. The so called leaders kept quiet all the time when they had an opportunity to speak for the Hills people, for Gorkhaland. Today, I and our party have brought our Gorkhlanad agitation this far, from sadak to sansad (street to the Parliament). It does not suit them to now pretend to be standing up for the people and raising the Gorkhaland demand. Do you think the people will be convinced by them?

Sharma: What role did Prashant Tamang, the Gorkha winner of Indian Idol, play in your party’s success? While Ghisingh chose not to engage with the singer, you organized fan clubs and canvased for him in the talent hunt. Did that help you build a ready base of supporters?

Gurung: Prashant’s victory was a matter of our pride. We had backed him with all that we had. Besides, he got the whole Gorkha community united. He stirred nationalism in the hearts of the people. That helped the movement.

Sharma: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration is now a reality. What next?

Gurung: Gorkhaland, of course. The GTA is only the preparation for the separate state of Gorkhaland.

Sharma: Do you see that happening anytime soon?

Gurung: Oh yes. In six months (from the formation of GTA), or a year maybe. I will not let it delay further.

Sharma: But you had given such a deadline earlier too. You had said that you’d achieve Gorkhaland by March 2010.

Gurung: I was misled. I trusted some wrong people and made mistakes.

Sharma: The chief minister, whose state government is signatory to the GTA agreement, has categorically spoken against the creation of a separate state.

Gurung: Goji-ko ho? (Is it anyone’s personal property?) So many states have been created in India since Independence. Why should only the Gorkhas not be allowed to have their state? Nothing short of statehood is a complete solution to the problems of the Gorkhas, be it identity or development. The geopolitical situation of the region logically demands a separate state.

Sharma: Do you have a road map for the development of Darjeeling hills? What will be the focus areas of the GTA?

Gurung: Yes, we have elaborate plans for development in the hills, of bringing back the lost glory of Darjeeling. Education is our top-most priority. Education was the worst hit sector during the violent Gorkhaland agitation of the ’80s. Once upon a time we had some of India’s best schools and colleges.

Look at what the agitation and 22 years of Subhash Ghisingh’s rule has done! It has set our hills back by 40 years. We will also focus on industry and employment generation. Unemployment is a major problem with our youths.

Sharma: Do you still believe the Trinamool government is better than the former Left Front government?

Gurung: Yes. Mamata Banerjee as a chief minister feels strongly for the hills. She played an active role in making the GTA come through. But she is a political leader and her political interests tend to go against the interest of the people of the hills.

Sharma: Why is it that your deputy, Roshan Giri (general secretary), and not you, who signs on all official agreements with the government, including the GTA?

Gurung: I will sign only on a separate Gorkhaland state agreement.

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.