Jigme N Kazi’s blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN      Sept 22, 2012

LACHEN RINPOCHE PASSES AWAY, FUNERAL IN LACHEN ON SEPT 26

Death “huge loss”: Guv; will leave “deep void”, says CM

Gangtok, Sept 21: The funeral of Lachen Rinpoche, who passed away in New Delhi on Tuesday morning, will be held in Lachen, North Sikkim, on Wednesday (Sept 26), according to monks of Lachen monastery.

The moral remains (kudung) of Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche arrived here on Wednesday night. On arrival the Kudung was taken to Chorten Gompa to receive the blessing of Dodrupchen Rinpoche. It finally reached the residence of the late Lachen Rinpoche at Development Area here at 10 p.m.

The Kudung of the former Sangha Minister (1979-1984) was received at the Sikkim-West Bengal border in Rongpo by monks, devotees and lay people. Earlier at Bagdogra airport the mortal remains of Rinpoche was received by Health Minister DN Takarpa, Sangha MLA PT Bhutia and Ecclesiastical Secretary Tenzing Gelek.

Senior Lachen Monastery lama Cho Thisung, who led a delegation of lamas to New Delhi to receive the kudung, said they witnessed two auspicious signs during their homeward journey: a rainbow in the sky during the flight and a slight drizzle on their arrival at Rongpo.

According to another senior Lachen Monastery lama Ngodor Lachenpa, the kudung will be taken to Lachen on Sunday and the funeral will be held in Lachen on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said he remembers Lachen Rinpoche as “a friend and colleague”. Both are originally from Yangang in south Sikkim. In a message, the Chief Minister said the passing away of Rinpoche “will leave a deep void not only amongst the Buddhists” but also among all sections of “Sikkimese society.”

In his condolence message Governor BP Singh said, “Kyabje Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche was one of Sikkim’s foremost Buddhist masters.  His death is indeed a huge loss” to the State.

 Meanwhile, a large number of people from all over the State have come to the capital to pay their last respects to the departed soul.

(top and bottom) Governor BP Singh and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling offer khadas to the kudung of Late Lachen Rinpoche in New Delhi on Sept 18, 2012

A unique horse festival in Dolpa goes back to 8^th century

Upper Dolpa (Nepal), Sept 21: The clansmen and monks of the mystical land of Upper Dolpa first gathered eight centuries ago to pray, feast, fight over property and vie for the title of fastest horseman in the Himalayas.

They have met every 12 years since in the Tibetan Year of the Dragon for a festival in modern-day Nepal centred around the world's highest horse race, although these days they ride for honour rather than land.

Around 50 cavaliers who have come from tiny villages dotted all over the Himalayas prepare to run the perilous course, a narrow strip of rocky river bed 4,300m (14,107 ft) above sea level in the rarified air of the world's tallest mountain range.

A horn signals the start and men in silk head dresses, leather coats lined with yak fur, golden chains and icons of the gods of animistic folk religions swinging from their necks gallop away on their ornately adorned ponies.

Thousands of monks and other devotees who have walked for days to the Shey Dragon Festival roar on their favourites and wave the flags of their gurus.

Some are simple, hardy mountain ponies developed from Mongolian stock while other riders mount swift and agile Nangchen horses, bred pure in the Kham region of northern Tibet since the 9th Century.

Scholars believe some breeds, unknown to the West until the 1990s, may be the "missing link" between the Przewalski horse, a wild Mongolian animal with neolithic origins, and modern ponies.

The Shey Dragon Festival, ostensibly a religious affair, is among the last of the great Himalayan clan gatherings that hark back to a time when warring tribes would meet over a week-long armistice to take their disputes to the sporting field.

Under the Tibetan Yarlung dynasty there was a large migration in the 8th century towards Dolpa, which changed hands between the Purang, Guge, Mongolian and Lo kingdoms over the following 800 years before being swallowed up by Nepal.

The festival, one of the most important events for Buddhist pilgrims, has taken place under all these regimes, with around 15,000 from across the world celebrating this year, over five days straddling August and September.

"It's nice to see this year the younger generation participating. In previous years it was only elderly people. I hope it continues to grow.

"Nepal is one of the weakest, poorest countries in the world and Upper Dolpa is the poorest part of Nepal so this is definitely the most difficult, remote festival in the world to get to."

Chinese transgressions along India borders despite talks

Dharamsala, Sept 21: India has recorded as many as 550 "transgressions" by Chinese troops from across occupied Tibet since Jan 2010, resulting in some kind of a face-off in one instance, but there has been no major border confrontation or an actual skirmish between the armies of the two sides.

The transgressions had occurred in all the three sectors — western (Ladakh), middle (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) and eastern (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh) across the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two sides, The Times of India reported.

The report cited sources in the Indian Army as saying the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops had also stepped up their aggressive patrolling in eastern Ladakh in recent months. It added that there was some kind of a face-off between PLA troops and Indian soldiers in the Chumar area of the Nyoma sector on Jul 29 when a large Chinese patrol crossed over into what is perceived to be Indian territory.

"Our patrol, which was also in the area, did a 'banner drill' (waved banners at the Chinese troops to show it was Indian territory) ... the two sides subsequently disengaged without any confrontation," the report quoted the source as saying.

The report spoke of India’s hope that the new bilateral boundary coordination mechanism, which became operational earlier this year after being inked during the 15th round of border talks between India’s national security advisor Shivshankar Menon and his Chinese counterpart Dai Bingguo, would help prevent border flare-ups between the two sides.

The report said India routinely takes up "specific incidents" of transgressions by the PLA through hotlines, flag meetings, border personnel meeting (BPM) and normal diplomatic channels. It added that during the fourth India-China annual defence dialogue last December, New Delhi also told Beijing that military patrols along the LAC should not be undertaken at night, nor should they "surprise each other".

Provide list of corrupt officials: Himachal High Court

Shimla, Sept 21:  The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the State’s chief secretary to furnish a list of government functionaries involved in corruption and moral turpitude cases over the past 10 years.

A division bench of Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice D.C. Chaudhary passed these orders on Thursday while hearing a petition filed by drug controller Sher Singh Thakur, who was convicted last year for corruption, against the state to set aside the departmental proceedings against him.

During the hearing, the court observed that since November 2011, the court has been directing the principal secretary (home) to furnish information regarding officials involved in corruption cases, IANS reported.

But the principal secretary had informed the court through an affidavit May 9, 2012, that this would take a lot of time as the information is to be consolidated by the administrative secretaries concerned after receiving it from departments, boards and corporations under their control.

The court observed “from November 2011 to May 2012 would have been sufficient enough time to call for the information and supply it to the court”.

“The court wonders what they have been doing for six months. Being a home secretary, a major part of the information could have been easily got available from police headquarters. There is no point in waiting for the report any further from the secretary (home). Therefore, the court directed the chief secretary to furnish the information within six weeks,” the judges observed.

The next hearing of the case has been listed for Oct 31.

Thakur was arrested by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in 2008 and was sentenced to three years’ rigorous imprisonment by a Solan court in June 2011 under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Editorial

LACHEN RINPOCHE

Prayer For His Swift Return

Sikkim’s unique spiritual heritage dates back to 8^th century when Lord Padmasambhava, commonly referred to as Guru Rinpoche (precious master), visited the sacred land of Beyul Demajong (the hidden valley of grains) and blessed its people. Some of the leading Sikkimese Bhutia families such as the Bonpas presumably settled in Sikkim when Bonism, Tibet’s indigenous religion, was suppressed during the introduction of Buddhism in that country under the patronage of King Trisong Duetsen and other rulers of his dynasty. Five hundred years after Guru Rinpoche visited and blessed Sikkim the Bhutia ruler Khye Bumsa and Lepcha chief Thekongtek swore eternal blood brotherhood at a place called Kabi-Lungtsok, located just north of Gangtok in North Sikkim, in the 13^th century. This sacred pact led to the coronation of the first Chogyal (dharmaraj – religious king) of Sikkim, Phuntsog Namgyal, four hundred years later in Yuksam, West Sikkim, in 1642 by three holy lamas from Tibet of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism to which Guru Rinpoche belonged.

The Late Lachen Rinpoche is believed to be the 4^th reincarnation of one of the four chief disciples of Terton Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, one of the three lamas who crowned the first Chogyal of Sikkim. Unlike many other rinpoches in Sikkim, who do not have much association with Sikkim and the Sikkimese people, Lachen Gomchen (great hermit) Rinpoche is a bonafide Sikkimese of the Gensapa clan and belong to a lineage whose origin is in Sikkim. Therefore, considering Lachen Rinpoche’s historical and religious connection with Sikkim the overwhelming and spontaneous outpouring of sorrow and grief at the time of his passing away is understandable. The late Rinpoche’s efforts to preserve Sikkim’s rich cultural and religious heritage and his involvement in the pro-Sikkim movement in the 1970s when Sikkim’s international political entity was being threatened must be looked upon in the right perspective to fully understand and appreciate the great contributions made by this spiritual master. May Sikkim and the Sikkimese people be blessed, once again, by his swift return to this blessed land.

“Lachen Rinpoche sought to preserve Sikkim’s unique spiritual heritage”

Gangtok, Sept 21: The Assembly of Sikkimese Monasteries (Dre-Goen Jingkyong Tsogchen) said the passing of Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche, who dedicated his life to preservation of the former Buddhist Kingdom’s “unique spiritual heritage”, is an “irreparable” loss to Sikkim

The Assembly’s Chief Coordinator Yapo Sonam Yongda in a press statement said the late Rinpoche was instrumental in reviving some of the “ever-fading tradition and dharma heritage of Sikkim.”

“His brief presence in the Government in the early 1980s witnessed the inauguration of monastic schools across Sikkim, and which now has become the nucleus to later advancement of students and practitioners in the spiritual pursuits,” Yongda said.

As the Chog-tso Kujen (Vice President) of the Assembly, Lachen Rinpoche dedicated “his everything” for the “cause of preserving Sikkim’s unique spiritual heritage.”

Referring to the rich legacy of Lachen Rinpoche’s predecessors, whose origin is connected to Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, Sikkim’s Patron Saint of the 17^th century, the Association has urged the government to declare a State holiday on the day of the funeral of the late Rinpoche, which falls on Sept 26.

The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) in its condolence message described the late Rinpoche as “an extremely important Vajrayana master and a senior incarnate of the Nyingma tradition.”

SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia in a press release said the late Rinpoche’s life was “extremely beneficial to the Nyingma lineage with its many monks and nuns. The institute of higher learning, retreat facilities, and the tradition of the rituals—everything was maintained perfectly in his monasteries under His dispensation.”                                     

SIBLAC has declared week long mourning in honor of the late Rinpoche.

 The Sikkim Hermonites Association also condoled the death of Lachen Rinpoche. During its brief meeting here on Thursday, Hermonite Internation President Jigme N Kazi gave a brief account of the late Rinpoche’s life and contribution made to Sikkimese society.

Moderate quake jolts Sikkim on Sept 18

Gangtok, Sept 21: Exactly a year after a powerful earthquake killed 90 people and ravaged large parts of Sikkim, a moderate tremor measuring 4.1 jolted the State on Tuesday evening, sending people out of their homes, but there was no immediate report of casualty or damage to properties.

As the quake struck at around 5:55 p.m. and lasted for about three seconds, people, with the devastation caused by last year's quake still fresh in memory, scampered out of their homes onto the roads and were reluctant to return fearing aftershocks, PTI reported.

Tuesday’s tremor came on a day when people across Sikkim performed 'puja' not only to remember those who perished in last year's quake but also praying against a repeat of the same disaster.

Candlelight processions were held in the capital as well as in Mangan, headquarters of North Sikkim, which bore the brunt of last year’s devastating quake.

“It is a warning to the people of Sikkim,” said several people in North Sikkim while referring to the quake.

Museum for Gorkha war heroes in Darjeeling

Darjeeling, Sept 21: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) last week laid the foundation stone for a Gorkha War Museum near Batasia Loop, 6 km from Darjeeling town, to remember and honour Gorkha war heroes.

According to Saumitra Mohan, Chief Principal Secretary of the GTA, the project is likely to cost Rs 1.50 crores and will be completed within a year.

The 2000 square feet land that will house the two-storey museum belongs to the land and land reforms department. While various artifacts associated with Gorkha soldiers, belonging to the Indian and British Army, will be on display on the first floor, the second and third floor will house a research centre and personnel souvenirs respectively. There will also be a lecture and cinema hall, it is learnt.

Most of the artifacts, souvenirs and war collection will be provided to the museum by Hemant Pradhan, a local private collector. Pradhan, over the past forty years, has managed to collect over 200 medals associated with the Indian and British Army. His collection includes army souvenirs from 1890 till that of Kargil war, army uniforms and photographs dating back to World War I and II.

"The Gorkhas have laid down their lives on several occasions to protect the country. But the people are yet to acknowledge their contribution. We want the museum to provide information about the Gorkha community and their contributions," said Binay Tamang, GTA executive member in charge of the information and cultural department. The GTA will also undertake the beautification of the area around the museum.

Bodos fear of becoming a minority in their own land: Shinde

“Situation is still far from normal"

New Delhi, Sept 21:  The Assam government has been warned that the situation arising out of the ethnic strife between Bodos and Muslims "is far from normal" and there was fear the communal tension may spread to other districts around the Bodo areas, said Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.

Shinde conveyed the assessment to the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his Race Course Residence here on Thursday, IANS reported.

The meeting was convened to mainly discuss the Assam violence witnessed since July 19 that has claimed 97 lives and left 4.8 lakh people in relief camps.

Shinde gave an overall assessment of the Assam violence and the situation prevailing in the Bodo Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) areas of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalgiri.

The home minister's assessment, according to the sources, was that Bodos' fear of becoming a minority in their own land was the reason for the troubles in the state.

The Bodos were worried they would get marginalised as migrants from other states within the country and from outside the country settled in their territory and this was the historical background for the violence being witnessed in Assam, he reportedly told the meeting

The central government also felt that though the developments of the recent days, when people of northeast origin returned to cities like Bangalore, Pune, Chennai and other places from where they had fled last month, was encouraging, "the situation is still far from being normal".

The miscreants, the government felt, were waiting to cause trouble and that the state governments needed to maintain vigil.

They also held that indications were clear that similar sectarian tension was spreading to neighbouring districts of the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) such as Barpeta, Karimganj and others.

Communal passion was still running high in some of the districts of the State, according to the central government.

It has also suggested to Assam government that to prevent such violence from recurring, a comprehensive security plan that is fool proof needs to be put in place.

Dimapur to host national seminar on oral history of Northeast

Dimapur, Sept 21: A galaxy of intellectuals will be present in Nagaland's commercial hub Dimapur at the end of October to participate in a national seminar on the theme, "Recovering the Oral Histories of North-Eastern India”.

The mega event, which  will be held on October 31 and November 1, is being  organised by the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) based in Shimla in collaboration with Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

Dr Sentila Yanger, who is the convenor of Nagaland chapter of INTACH, said about 25 resource persons from Tezpur University, North Eastern Hills University (NEHU), Mizoram University and  Manipur University will be participating in the two-day event, the Sangai Express reported.

These 25 resource persons will be presenting their papers in the seminar on the North East India region oral histories.

Arunachal media condemns attack on scribes

The office of Arunachal Times was vandalized by unknown miscreants on April 15, 2012.

Itanagar, Sept 21: Taking strong exception to unabated attacks on the media even after the deployment of security personnel in press establishments, the Arunachal Press Club ( APC) and Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) on Wednesday condemned the unprovoked assault on Arunachal Times employees on Tuesday.

The frequent attacks on mediapersons have become a major concern in the State. The two organizations have called on the state police to bring the culprits to book at the earliest.

A group of miscreants attacked two employees of The Arunachal Times, an English daily, here on Tuesday, sending shockwaves among the media fraternity. The two employees, Ranjit Sarkar and Sunando Bora, were attacked by miscreants in front of their office. The incident was, however, captured in the CCTV cameras in the daily's office. The attackers escaped on two motorcycles after other employees rushed to the entrance gate on hearing the screams of the two.

Sarkar was severely injured while Bora escaped with minor injuries. Police rushed to the spot and the duowas taken to RK Mission Hospital. A case has been registered and investigation launched.

The incident took place at the same spot, where Tongam Rina, the associate editor of the daily was shot at on July 15 last.

                  

SIKKIM OBSERVER    Sept 15, 2012

Jigme N Kazi’s blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

Work for welfare of people, Chamling tells officials

Committee to look into State cadre restructuring

Gangtok, Sept 14: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said the State Government will soon constitute a committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary of the State to restructure the cadre of various services of the State at par with the State Civil Service.

The committee is expected to submit its report to the government within three months, an IPR release said.

This decision comes in the wake of widespread dissatisfaction following the government’s recent decision to promote 150 officials. While those who were promoted were happy and grateful to the Chief Minister a large section of employees have been adversely affected by the promotions.

Addressing a meeting of officials of the State Government here at Manan Kendra yesterday, the Chief Minister said his government always kept the interest of the government employees in mind and urged them to work for the welfare of the people.

Chamling also talked about the administrative weakness in the government like poor monitoring in the system leading to poor quality of execution which is creating great loss to the government as well as to the people for whom the schemes of the government are being implemented, the release said.

The Chief Minister expressed his dissatisfaction over the inordinate delay in the pace of progress in the implementation various projects sanctioned after the September 18, 2011 earthquake and asked the officers to be very proactive in implementation of such projects in the interest of the State.

He urged the officers to frequently visit the villages so that they are well acquainted with the problems faced by the people of the villages.

He also asked the officers to be in the office during the office hours so that the people find the officers and staff in the office when they come for their work. He asked the officers to fix a day for the meetings amongst the officers and staff after 2 pm, preferably on Thursday and Friday.

Plea to Guv for strong Lokayukta Bill

BJP for CBI to probe graft charges in Sikkim

Gangtok, Sept 14: Governor BP Singh has been urged to look into the alleged anomalies in the Sikkim Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill 2012, which allegedly seeks to give undue weightage to the Chief Minister in the selection of the Lokayukta, an anti-corruption authority constituted at the State level to investigate allegations of corruption and mal-administration.

In their memorandum submitted to the Governor today, the BJP and Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party have alleged that the Bill, passed in the Assembly recently, defeats the “very purpose of taking action against corrupt elements” in the State.

It said Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, who is facing corruption charges, should not be allowed to nominate the Lokayukta.

According to the memorandum, in the original Sikkim Lokayukta Act of 2010 the Governor is chiefly responsible for appointing the Lokayukta after consulting the Chief Justice of the High Court of Sikkim, the Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and the Leader of the Opposition of State Legislature.

However, under the present amendment the Lokayukta is appointed by the Governor on the basis of recommendation of a Selection Committee headed by the Chief Minister as Chairperson and consisting of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Sikkim, Speaker of Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Leader of the Opposition of State Legislative and an eminent person nominated by the Cabinet.

The Bill also states that recommendation of the Selection Committee will be based on the decision of the majority of the members present in the Selection Committee meeting.

“We will not allow this kind of Lokayukta to investigate corruption cases against Pawan Kumar Chamling and his Cabinet Colleagues,” a press release of the two parties said. It added, “The Central Bureau of Investigation is the best investigative agency to investigate the charges.”

Scarcity of eggs, chicken in market

Gangtok, Sept 14: Table eggs and broiled chicken have now become rare commodities in Sikkim. After the recent ‘ban’ on sale of eggs and broiled chicken supplied from outside the State consumers in the landlocked Himalayan State have been forced to limit consumption of these items due to their non-availability and high cost.

White eggs are almost totally off the market now. The little amount of egg sales that you see in the market in the capital are ‘red eggs’. They are not only too costly but not readily available in the market. The ‘white eggs’, brought from outside the State, mainly from Siliguri, used to cost only Rs 5 per egg and Rs. 120 to Rs 130 per tray, which has 30 pieces. The ‘red eggs’, supplied from local poultry farms, cost Rs 10 per egg and per tray (30 pieces) it is around Rs 230-240.

“We have not been permitted to sell white eggs,” said a retailer in Lal Bazar. Another shopkeeper added, “Every now and then police personnel come to check our shops to see if we are selling white eggs.” He said sale of white eggs procured from Siliguri were banned recently.

Shopkeepers also revealed that due to high cost not many are buying red eggs even though their quality is better.

Sale of broiled chickens supplied from Siliguri has also been stopped in the State recently, according to chicken sellers in Lal Bazar. Sources said sale of broiled chicken supplied from Siliguri was banned about two years back to ensure that bird flu did not spread to the State. The ban is yet to be lifted officially, it is learnt.

Several Muslim family members in Lal Bazaar, who have been doing chicken business in the State since the 1950s, say most people prefer to buy chickens procured from Siliguri as it is cheap and costs only Rs 90/- to Rs 110/- per kg.

Grandson of late Mohammad Aliya, who once worked for the Chogyal, said, “At least 20 to 25 families of our community live in Gangtok and have been in the chicken business for over fifty years.” He pointed out that their shops at Lal Bazaar sell only local chickens presently supplied from Melli in south district.

They buy the chicken at Rs 90 per kg and sell at around Rs 130-140 per kg. Like sale of local eggs sale of locally supplied chickens is also poor. “We sell only about 12-15 pieces daily,” Aliya’s grandson said.

The ‘ban’ on sale of eggs and chickens supplied from outside the State has also affected hotels and restaurants. The prices of capital’s most-sought-after egg and chicken rolls counter at Chicken Roll House at Star Hall complex at MG Marg have shot up.

Eggs rolls, which used to cost Rs 25 per piece recently, has shot up to Rs 30 per piece. Prices of other egg-chicken related rolls have also increased.

Chief Secy tells secretaries to implement schemes

Gangtok, Sept 14: While addressing a coordination meeting of heads of departments here on Wednesday, Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso outlined the importance of the series of meetings Chief Minister Pawan Chamling is holding with government employees this week.

He said the Chief Minister will address several meetings this week which will be attended by most government employees, including heads of departments, accountants, junior engineers, LDCs and muster rolls.

These meetings are aimed at making the departments play a more “proactive role in the implementation” of the various programmes and policies of the government.

While dealing with legal matters, the Chief Secretary directed the secretaries to personally attend the legal matters of the department and to keep the Chief Secretary’s office informed accordingly. Besides, the legal matters should also be incorporated in the monthly departmental coordination meeting as well, he said.

Sikkimese youths to seek ‘change in governance’ in Sikkim

Gangtok, Sept 14: The All Sikkim Educated Self Employed & Unemployed has decided to hold a series of meetings with various political and social organizations on issues ranging from illegal appointment, irregular service extension, Sikkim Subject/COI, 371 F, law and order and violation of fundamental rights.

After this the Association will take the issues to the people and seek “change” in the political set-up in the State. This was decided during a general body meeting of the Association held here on Sunday. The meeting was conducted under the chairmanship of Chief Advisor PM Subba and was attended by its Patron Tseten Tashi Bhutia.

Youths from all over the State attended the meeting to discuss the burning issue of illegal appointment, irregular service extension, Sikkim Subject/COI, 371 F, law and order issue, violation of fundamental rights and democracy.

The Association said it has been approaching the government for a long time on the above issues but the response is negative.

Due to this, “the association has decided to widely and openly approach the citizens of the State for a change in governance,” Association President Nawin Kiran Pradhan said.

The Association has appealed to the people to “actively participate” in securing justice to the Sikkimese people.

Editorial

THEORY & PRACTICE

Chamling’s Sermons Continue

Government servants, particularly in Sikkim, are a pampered lot. Almost the whole of the budget – plan and non-plan - is spent on or by the 40,000 odd employees of the State Government. And yet they are a dissatisfied lot. The rest of the 5,60,000 residents of the State have to be content with almost nothing and yet our politicians continue to talk about a ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people.’ With whatever motivation it has the State Government recently chose to promote at least 150 officials. The Sikkim Legislative Assembly met this week and passed several bills which basically catered the upkeep of our legislators. We now hear that many VIPs are being given new vehicles when the old ones are still in good condition. Just who is paying for all these? Isn’t it the people who are made to shell out for the salaries and perks that the employees and other public servants enjoy?

After his prolonged talks with students Chief Minister Pawan Chamling is now meeting government employees and telling them that they need to pull up their socks to give a better image of his ‘pro-people government’.  Chamling is telling the employees that many schemes of the government are not being properly implemented and as a result the people are made to suffer. By now the people, by and large, are aware of what Chamling says and what the outcome is and because of this the administration is not only inefficient but directionless. Even during his first two terms in office the Chief Minister constantly complained of lacking the right team in the Cabinet and an unresponsive administration. He ought to know by now that mere sermons will not do to win the next Assembly elections, particularly when his former colleague and dissident ruling party legislator PS Tamang is going all over Sikkim and telling the people how Chamling & Co has messed up everything. The only sure way of getting some kind of sympathy and support is to practise what you preach, Mr. Chamling. This may be hard but it is the only alternative left for someone who may now be realizing that people have really lost confidence on the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s promises to “change the system of governance.”

SFA mourns footballer’s death

Gangtok, Sept 14: The Sikkim Football Association (SFA) held a condolence meeting here yesterday to mourn the sad and untimely demise of a football player of Namthang Football Academy Tsheten Andro Lepcha in a road accident at Namthang on Wednesday.

Lepcha was 15 years old and was a part of the Namthang Football Academy's football team which was to leave for Chennai this week to play in a football tournament.

The SFA described Lepcha as a “budding young footballer.” The meeting observed 2 minute silence as the mark of respect for the departed soul.

DARJEELING People & Places

Peaceful Retreats in the Hills of Darjeeling and Sikkim

  By CAROLYN O'DONNELL

The Chogyal and Gyalmo of Sikkim

Thanks to a friend who was related to Queen Elizabeth's cousin, I spent a weekend at one of the grand stately homes of England. It was a glimpse into a vanished age as I discovered rooms that had not been used in decades.

The Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling also gives the feeling of going back in time, though in a more vibrant way, to when this hill station was a vital part of the British Empire. And its royal connections are impressive too; the hotel's bar was where the last King of Sikkim met a Sarah Lawrence student named Hope Cooke who later became the Chogyal's Queen Consort.

The Chogyal was deposed by India in 1975, but the monarch's royal guesthouse is now the luxurious Elgin Nor-Khill hotel in the former Himalayan kingdom's capital of Gangtok, which just happened to be my next destination after Darjeeling.

During the British Raj (or rule) Darjeeling was known as "Queen of the Hills", a "Little England" that was the summer seat of Government in the mountains when humid Kolkata (then Calcutta) was the second city of the British Empire.

Its cooler environs were enhanced by glorious views of Mt Khangchendzonga, the highest mountain in India and third loftiest in the world, entertainments for the colonial elite, and the "eternal spring" necessary for growing sought-after Darjeeling tea.

The Windamere was a hilltop complex providing lodgings for "young English gentlemen." It became a hotel in 1939, and the decor has not changed since then. With white-gloved waiters who serve the tempting Anglo-Indian set menu in the candle-lit dining room each evening, and plenty of refreshments, including afternoon tea, it is a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the town below and a taste of Raj-era Colonial life in more ways than one.

To reach Darjeeling many fly to the local Bagdogra Airport, but I caught the night train from Kolkata to New Jaipalguri and then a "share jeep" to Darjeeling itself. Share jeeps are the cheap though not necessarily fast way to get around these parts. You can't argue about the price -- usually $4 or less -- but often jeeps are packed with 12-14 small Asian people. Westerners built on a larger scale may prefer to buy two seats; inquire through your hotel or at each town's jeep stand. Alternatively, reserve your own jeep or hire a driver.

The other way to ascend the hills is on the Unesco-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the "toy train." Revered by rail enthusiasts, the tiny steam engine chugs slowly along the narrow tracks that have weaved between shops and traffic since 1881. It's atmospheric, but slow. An alternative is to take a short trip from Darjeeling or one of its many stations. Book ahead in high season.

Leaving Darjeeling, the share jeep to the Gangtok is delayed so it is a relief to reach the elegant Nor-Khill (which means House of Jewels). The dining room is a colorful combination of Sikkimese design and Western comfort, and the food incorporates local, Indian and Western elements. One night I sampled tongba, a "beer" made from hot water poured on fermented millet, served in a bamboo "tankard," and Sikkimese dishes included gyako soup -- noodles, cabbage, chicken balls and egg strips in a delicious broth -- along with spiced combinations of nettles, mustard leaves and bamboo shoots, all silver service of course.

Pelling in West Sikkim is renowned for its views of Mt Khangchendzongda, and a room with a view at the Elgin Mount Pandim means you can set the alarm for sunrise and watch the peak change colors without even getting dressed. Set in 8 acres of gardens, the Sikkimese Royal Family owned the building before it became a hotel. One of Sikkim's most important monasteries is a few minutes' walk away, and as it was a full moon or puja (offering) day 300-year-old Pemaygangste Gompa reverberated with monks' drumming and chanting.

The 6.30 a.m. jeep to Kalimpong forgets me, but it returns and by lunchtime I am in this bustling bazaar town, and ready for more colonial comforts at Silver Oaks, once the home of a British jute millionaire. The beautiful gardens are very relaxing after the traffic, but there are Tibetan monasteries to visit and horticulture to investigate -- the orchids at Holumba Haven, artfully placed amid two acres of terraced greenery and appealing homestay cottages, are delightful, especially in May and October.

My final stop was Cochrane Place, once home of the Magistrate of Kurseong, after which a maharajah used it as a summer palace, before the present owners took over in 1997. On a ridge 1.2 miles out of town the views are fabulous, mountains on one side and hot plains on the other. The brew of choice here is fine Darjeeling tea, though I do have another tongba. Three chefs produce Western, Indian and Chinese cuisine, while dedicated tea-blender Laltu simmers some innovative concoctions, including tea blended with local passionfruit.

You could just stop here and watch the clouds, nature and birds, but organic Makaibari Tea Estateis a short walk away and there I meet the charismatic owner Rajah Banerjee, who is a pioneer of biodynamic farming. I taste some exquisite tea, including Silver Tips Imperial, the world's most expensive brew, while hearing more about Makaibari's community projects and the estate's homestay program.

As a guest at Cochrane Place I also visited the tranquil grounds of Ambootia teas, now the largest biodynamic tea estate in the world, and sample some of the teas it exports to Europe.

Many people say the hill country is not like the rest of India. At times it is just as noisy and untidy as the rest of the country, but the views, the friendly people and the legacy of the British make this part of the world special. (The Huffington Post)

Jigme N Kazi's blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

                                                

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN      PAGE 1   Sept 12, 2012

Sikkim varsity VC to attend Asian economic meet

Gangtok, Sept 11: The founding Vice Chancellor of Sikkim University, Prof Mahendra P Lama who also served as a member of the prestigious National Security Advisory Board of Government of India has been invited to represent India at the Inaugural Session of the 5th South Asian Economic Summit to be held from 10-13 September 2012 in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan.

This coveted annual Summit hosted in the pattern of World Economic Forum, is organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute, a widely acclaimed think-tank of Pakistan in collaboration with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and various United Nations Agencies.

The overarching theme of the Summit is “Making Growth Inclusive and Sustainable in South Asia”. The 3-day event will focus on framing observations and recommendations for the 18th SAARC Meeting of Prime Ministers to be held in Nepal. The Summit will involve politicians and civil-servants from member countries alongside professionals, experts, academics, business leaders already involved in Track-I / Track-II level of South Asian development agenda. There will be representations from all the 8 South Asian countries and also from many countries abroad.

Bhutan PM gets KISS award

Thimphu, Sept 11: Bhutan Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley received this year’s KISS Humanitarian Award 2012 at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) campus in Bhubaneswar. Thinley received the prestigious award at a ceremony held in KISS premises on Saturday.

Silvia Escobar Moreno, Special Ambassador for Human Rights Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Member of the Board of Helsinki Espana, Spain, Ghulam Farooq Wardak, Minister of Education, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and Anne F. Stenhammer, Representative and Regional Programme Director, UN Women, South Asia Sub-regional Office also graced the occasion.

Ten million travellers to Tibet  

Lhasa, Sept 11: Tourist arrivals to Tibet are anticipated to exceed ten million this year, according to Tibet Tourism Bureau Communist Party committee leader Yu Yungui.

Yungui said more than seven million tourists journeyed through Tibet between January and August; representing a 25 percent year-on-year increase, Xinhuanet news reported.

Themed cultural and activities, festivals and events attributed to the increase in visitor numbers. Large-scale advertising also aided in attracting tourists to Tibet, according to  Yungui.

These tourists are expected to deliver 12 billion yuan (US $1.89 billion) in revenue and boost the region’s gross domestic product by 17 percent, Yungui said.

According to government figures, Tibetan tourism employs 300,000 residents. Authorities are planning to welcome 15 million tourists annually by 2015.                                               

 Tibetan flag hoisted in eastern Tibet

 Dharamsala, Sept 11: In growing expressions of defiance against China’s rule, protesters have pulled down a Chinese flag and raised the Tibetan national flag at a school in eastern Tibet.

Leaflets calling for Tibet’s freedom, written in red ink, were also scattered around the flagpole.

According to exiled Tibetans with contacts in the region, the Chinese flag at a school in Dzachukha Wonpo region of Kardze in eastern Tibet was pulled down at around midnight on Friday. Instead, the ‘banned in Tibet’ Tibetan national flag was hoisted, phayul.com reported.

The same sources also confirmed that many leaflets carrying the words ‘Freedom for Tibet’ written in red ink were scattered on the school grounds.

Local Chinese government officials arrived at the school on Saturday and removed the Tibetan flag and the leaflets. Although no arrests have been made so far, officials have vowed to investigate the incident, the report said.

In the same region, earlier this year in February, Tibetans pulled down a Chinese flag at a flag raising ceremony.

A few days later, coinciding with the call for a global solidarity vigil for Tibet on February 8, Tibetans in Akhori town of Gyalrong in Amdo Ngaba region, pulled down all Chinese flags from government offices and hospitals in the town.

Earlier this month, despite heavy restrictions over the possession of portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tibet by the Chinese government, Tibetans in Bathang region paraded large pictures of the exiled spiritual leader.

Defying Chinese orders, Tibetans taking part in the enthronement ceremony of Trulku Tenzin Nyima, a reincarnate lama, at the Changkar Monastery were seen carrying large portraits of the Dalai Lama on their motorbikes.

Around 10,000 Tibetans had taken part in the ceremony on September 1.

Tibetans have been tortured and jailed for up to six years in prison over the possession of the Dalai Lama’s pictures and Tibetan national flags.

Editorial

SLOW & STEADY

Burma Is Opening Up

Myanmar government last month said it was abolishing the harsh practice of directly censoring the country's media, the most dramatic move yet toward allowing freedom of expression in the long-repressed nation. Under the new rules, journalists will no longer have to submit their work to state censors before publication as they for almost half a century. However, the government still has the right to crack down on journalists and even close publications deemed a threat to national security.

Burmese President Thein Sein's recent major reshuffle in his cabinet is aimed at ensuring greater and speedier reforms in Burma. Significantly, Kyaw Hsan, former information minister, widely seen as a hard-liner, has been replaced by Aung Kyi, former labour and social welfare minister, who has been acting as a liaison between the government and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the latest cabinet reshuffle.

Opposition leader Suu Kyi’s visit to US this month to receive Washington’s highest honour coincides with the likely homecoming of the legendary former general Kyaw Zaw are strong indications that Burma is finally opening up to the world and embracing its former rebels and comrades. These developments will surely be welcomed by Burma’s neighbours, particularly India and Thailand, which stand to gain in all respect. Though ruled by the military junta for nearly half a century Burma is steadily pursuing the path of freedom and democracy.

Sikkim Hermonites to felicitate Hermonite Justice Altamas Kabir

Gangtok, Sept 11: A delegation of alumni of Mt. Hermon School, Darjeeling, will pay a visit to Delhi next month to felicitate senior Supreme Court Judge Justice Altamas Kabir when he becomes the Chief Justice of India (CJI) on September 29.

CJI SH Kapadia, who retires on September 29, has recommended Kabir for the top post of the country’s judiciary.

Kabir (64) studied at Mt. Hermon School and Calcutta Boys School. Both the schools are run by the Methodist Church of India.

Kabir began his legal career as a lawyer in the Calcutta High Court in 1973 and was appointed as a permanent judge of the same court in 1990.

He is the nephew of late union minister Humayun Kabir, who served with Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi.

Delhi and Sikkim Hermonites will felicitate Kabir in New Delhi after he assumes office, senior lawyer and alumnus of Mt. Hermon Udai P. Sharma said.

Kabir is also expected to be the Chief Guest during the annual Speech Day function of Mt. Hermon School, which falls on November 24.

Alumni of Mt. Hermon, who are known as Hermonites, will come from various parts of the country for the Speech Day. “A grand reunion of the Hermonites is being planned for the special occasion in Darjeeling in November,” Hermonite Uttam Pradhan, Vice-President of Sikkim Hermonites Association, said.

Telangana statehood demand keeps ‘Gorkhaland’ dream alive

Kolkata, Sept 11:  The BJP’s promise to create a separate Telangana within three months of getting elected has fuelled the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s aspiration of a separate state of Gorkhaland.

In a closed-door meeting of the party held in Darjeeling last Thursday, all the leaders resolved “to fight for the separate state”, terming the newly formed Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) as the “first step in achieving Gorkhaland”.

The GJM leaders are of the opinion that if the BJP comes to power after the next general election due for 2014 and Telangana is carved out of Andhra Pradesh as promised, then they would pressurise the Central government for Gorkhaland in return for the support of the people of the Hills.

It is to be noted that BJP leader Jaswant Singh is an MP from Darjeeling, who won after getting the backing from the GJM in the 2009 polls.

Meanwhile, state BJP president Rahul Sinha said his party has always been in favour of Gorkhaland.

“Our party always supports formation of small states. We support the cause of Telangana. We also support the cause of Gorkhaland as people of the Hills have been neglected for decades,” Sinha said.

Decision to promote 150 officials is ‘historic’, says Chief Secy

     Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso addressing a function in Gangtok recently.

Gangtok, Sept 11: The State Civil Service Association has expressed its gratitude to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for the cadre review of the State Civil Service undertaken by the State Government and the promotions of the officers under the State Civil Service.

The decision to promote one hundred and fifty officials is ‘historic’, Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso said. He said such an act reflected the Chief Minister’s commitment for the welfare of the people in the State.

The Chief Secretary also extended his thanks to the Chief Minister on behalf of all civil servants and said that they are extremely grateful to him and assured him of all support for fulfillment of the aims, policies and programmes of the government.

While addressing the officials, the Chief Minister congratulated the officers and said that the government is the policy making authority and the bureaucracy is the implementing authority of policies adopted by the government and hence coordination between these two is very important for the welfare of the people and the State.

Jigme N Kazi blog: www.jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

SIKKIM OBSERVER    Sept 8, 2012

Altamas Kabir to become CJI on Sept 29

Kabir studied at Mt. Hermon School and Calcutta Boys School

New Delhi, Sept 7: Justice Altamas Kabir, the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court, will become the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) on September 29.

Setting the ball rolling for the appointment of his successor, CJI SH Kapadia — who retires on that day — has recommended the name of Justice Kabir to the government, so he can take up the top post of the country’s judiciary.

After the completion of formalities, Justice Kabir will be sworn in as the country’s next CJI by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan on September 29.

Justice Kabir (64) will head the country’s judiciary for a little over nine months, until he retires on July 19 next year.

Justice Kabir will be the 39th Chief Justice of India, and the fourth Muslim to hold the top post in India’s history.

Born in Faridpur (now in Bangladesh) on July 19, 1948, Justice Kabir studied at Mount Hermon School in Darjeeling, Calcutta Boys School and Presidency College, Kolkata.

He began his legal career as a lawyer in the Calcutta High Court in 1973 and was appointed as a permanent judge of the same court in 1990.

Justice Kabir was elevated to the post of Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court in 1995, and later promoted to the Supreme Court in 2005.   

He is the nephew of late union minister Humayun Kabir, who served with Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri  and Indira Gandhi.

Sikkim teachers get National Award

Gangtok, Sept 7: Sikkim’s Loknath Koirala receiving the National Award from President Pranab Mukherjee on Teachers Day in New Delhi on September 5. Amrit Thakuri, headmaster of Government Primary School, Rongli, East Sikkim, also received the National Award. Koirala is a teacher at the Government Junior High School, Lingee Payong, South Sikkim.

Editorial

MEDIA’S ROLE

Publish And Be Damned

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s angry reaction against The Washington Post’s bid to portray him as a ‘tragic figure’ is understandable. The Post is not only an influential paper in Washington it is also widely read in the West. It was The Washington Post that exposed the ‘Watergate scandal’ and brought down US President Richard Nixon in 1974. By labeling Singh as India’s ‘silent’ Prime Minister, particularly when the ‘coalgate scandal’ has rocked the Parliament and hit the headlines, the Post has hit the UPA and the Congress party where it really hurts and exposed India’s ruling elite to the outside world. There is much truth in the fact that the ‘dithering’ Prime Minister has not only become a ‘tragic figure’ but is silently tolerating the abuses heaped on him and his government by the media – national and foreign – and the opposition while ‘heading a deeply corrupt government.’

   Reactions against the Post for its timely and truthful reporting is immature and childish. The UPA as well as the Congress party have reacted much the same way in dealing with Team Anna, which is involved in a nationwide anti-graft campaign that is basically aimed at Singh & Co. Isn’t it a fact that corruption scandals in India has now become an everyday event, that the economic slowdown is badly affecting the poor and middle class, and that foreign firms are shying away from India mainly because of its inefficient and corrupt administration? Trying to shoot the messenger and ignoring the message is not an ideal way to handle things, particularly the media. The Post need not apologize to the Prime Minister’s Office; Singh, his colleagues and the Congress party owe an apology to the Indian people for their ominous silence in leading India to the present tragedy.

WATER CRISIS

Frequent Disruptions Intolerable

Gangtokians unjustifiably tolerated the supply of muddy drinking water for a few days this week. People who are not used to speaking up even when they are badly hurt doesn’t deserve to be heard. Surprisingly, even the politicians kept mum. However, those responsible for our health care and the PWD (PHE), which looks after the supply of drinking water in the State, should be made accountable for the mismanagement in regular supply of drinking water.

Unlike in the past, residents in the State capital had to face acute drinking water shortage on several occasions this year. Department officials’ often blame landslides for irregular supply of drinking water. Almost every time when there is a slight downpour the pipes are washed away or damaged. Now that the monsoon is almost over the concerned authorities need to see what has gone wrong and where. Either the construction works are of poor quality or the materials and equipment used for water supply lines are sub-standard. Timely and effective action needs to be taken to ensure that Gangtok is supplied with safe and regular supply of drinking water.

228 children, 5 homes to benefit from central scheme

Gangtok, Sept 7: At least 228 children in five homes in the State will benefit under the Intergrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), which inter-alia aims to provide rehabilitation services to children in difficult circumstances.

The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. In all the Government of India has sanctioned construction of 802 homes for the benefit of 37,481 children besides construction of 121 open shelters that will benefit 10,647 children.

This was stated by Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, a PIB press release said.

  Under this scheme financial assistance is provided to State Governments/UT Administrations for setting up of and maintenance of Open Shelters, either by themselves or through voluntary organisations, for short-term community based care and shelter for such children, which include contact points at railway stations, bus stands, crowded market areas etc.

The scheme also provides grants for homes of various types for children in difficult circumstances. Children requiring long-term stay and other rehabilitation facilities are referred to Children’s Homes.

Dalapchand school celebrates Teachers’ Day

Dalapchand, Sept 7:  Dalapchand Senior Secondary School observed the 124th Teacher’s Day celebration at its school premises in a colourful event.

The students of the school organized a cultural festival that included songs and dances. ST Bhutia, Head Master of the school along with his staff, were present on the occasion.

Ravi Pradhan, Cultural Captain of the school, was the host of the day. Prava Poudhyal, Discipline Captain, presented the welcome speech. Inter-House group dances were the major highlights of the day.

Araj Gurung, Ravi Pradhan, Prerna Rai, Rohan Chettri and Ujjwal Rai entertained the crowd with soulful songs.

UN Mishra, Senior Teacher of the school gave a brief outline on the life of S Radhakrishnan on whose birth anniversary Teacher’s Day is celebrated in India. The Headmaster of the school in his speech talked about the importance of relationship between the students and teachers. Bipen Pradhan gave the vote of thanks. Lunch was also arranged for the teachers.

23 teachers rewarded on Teachers’ Day

Gangtok, Sept 7: This year, State Government conferred twenty three teachers across the State with State awards which carries a Certificate along with Rs one lakh as award money and Commendation Award which carries a Certificate along with fifty thousand as award money.

The State awardees were Namdul Zangpo Bhutia, HM, LOngboo Primary School, North; Betina Pradhan, PT Reshi SS, West; Tulman Rai, HM, Chiya Dara PS, South; Dhurva Basista, HM, Rhenock Reshi PS, East in Primary Teachers Category.

In the Secondary Category the awardees were  RK Mishra, GT, Biology, Singhik SS, North;  Camelus Lepcha, Lepcha language teacher, Yuksom SSS, West; Mr. Ongden Tshering Lepcha, PGT Lepcha, Namchi SSS, South and  Hari Prakash Rawat, GT, Maths, Chujachen SSS, East.

The Commendation certificates were presented to  Jay Jay Lepcha, PT, Lingthem JHS, North; Chenga Tshering, PT, Munsithang PS, North;  Chenzey Temba Sherpa, PT, Pelling SSS, West; Passang Temba Sherpa, PT, Ribdi SS, West; Ugen Paljor Bhutia, PT Temi SSS, South; Sukbir Tamang, HM, Politam PS, South; Peden Bhutia, HM Chongeytar PS, East; Kalpana Pradhan, PT, Rongpo JHS, East; Hemlata Rai, GT, Arts, Lachung Sec School; Prakash Chadra Subba, GT Maths, Daramdin SS, West; Prem Lall Sharma, GT Arts, Dentam SSS, West; Bipin Chandra Rai, HM, Maniram SS, South; Daisy D Bhutia, GT Arts, Melli Bazar SS, South; DB Century, HM Martam JHS East and Bhanu Chettri, HM Amba JHS, East Sikkim.

 While addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said that the teachers act as the foundation for creating responsible citizens and good human beings.

 ‘If the society is blessed with good teachers, the society is bound to be good’, said the Chief Minister.

Minister for HRDD, N.K. Pradhan said that teacher profession is the noblest profession that any human being can look forward to and asked the teachers to work in such a manner that it justifies their profession. 

For China, Arunachal is ‘South Tibet’

New Delhi, Sept 7: China "illegally" refers to Arunachal Pradesh as ‘South Tibet’ and claims around 90,000 sq km of Indian territory, Rajya Sabha was informed last Thursday

"China disputes the international boundary between India and China in the eastern sector and claims approximately 90,000 sq km of Indian territory in the State of Arunachal Pradesh," minister of state for external affairs E Ahamed said in written reply.

"China illegally refers to Arunachal Pradesh as 'Southern Tibet'," he said.

The minister said China has been told that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India.

Excellence in journalism award by Press Council of India

New Delhi, Sept 7: The Press Council of India, which has been mandated by Parliament to improve the standards of journalism, has extended the deadline of sending entries for its newly instituted National Awards to promote excellence in print media.

As the awards instituted by PCI carry national importance, it was felt that the time given for filing of nominations from all over the country was too short to give wide publicity to the event. Nominations can now be sent till September 20, 2012. The earlier deadline was August 16, 2012, PIB release said.

The awards are to be given in six categories, with the “Raja Ram Mohan Roy National Award for Excellence in Journalism”, carrying the highest cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh.

The other categories are Rural Journalism, Developmental Reporting, Stree Shakti and Photo Journalism, in which there are two sub categories – single news picture and photo feature. These carry a cash component of Rs.50,000/- each.

Besides the cash component, these awards consist of plaque and citation. PCI, the national press watchdog, is entrusted with the responsibility of encouraging the media to observe the principle of “Freedom with Responsibility” while persuing its duties.

Other details of Eligibility Criteria, Entry Form, Declaration Forms and Rules are available on the website of the Council (http://presscouncil.nic.in : National Awards for Excellence in Journalism)

Cleanliness drive at Tsomgo Lake

Gangtok, Sept 7: A cleanliness drive at Tsomgo Lake, near Nathula in east Sikkim, was organized by   Tourism & Civil Aviation Department on Tuesday in collaboration with Police Check Post, Tsomgo Pokhari Sangrakshan Samiti (TPSS),  JN Road Taxi Drivers / owners Association , Live to Love organization, and Tour Operators, namely Classic Tours &Travels, United tours and Travels, Pheonix Tours &Travels, Red Lotus Tours & Travels, Tsomgo Dokan Association.

The campaign was mainly conducted to bring awareness among the  local people  as well as to ensure that their responsibilities of keeping the area clean is taken seriously by every individual, an IPR release said.

Tsomgo, Nathula and Baba Mandir being one of the most important yourist destinations, it was felt that regular monitoring on cleanliness is of utmost importance. The Department will be organizing such programme from time to time not only in this area but all over the State.

The Department requested Tsomgo Pokhari Sangarkshan Samiti to dispose the collected garbage on weekly basis, similarly Dokan Association of Tsomgo also was requested to help in keeping the area clean.

Inspection of the road along the Nathula access was also conducted with representative of Border Roads Organization. The BRO has assured that the road condition shall be improved before the coming tourists season.

SIKKIM People & Places

TEESTA UPRISING: A Journey to Dzongu

By Samir Mehta

Growing up, I was always fascinated by stories of Lepcha culture and wanted to visit their tribal reserve of Dzongu in North Sikkim, India, where the Lepcha are believed to have originated. Recently I had the opportunity to make this trip and jumped at the chance. Dzongu surpassed all of my expectations. It is a rich landscape of snow-clad mountains, evergreen forests, gurgling streams, waterfalls, and roaring rivers. It is home to the region’s rich biodiversity. Small villages dot the landscape and are seen through the wisps of smoke escaping from chimneys.

The Lepchas are warm, friendly, simple and hardworking people. They are religious and we saw water powered prayer wheels in many villages. Every house we stayed in, we were welcomed with their. The entire family would busy itself to look after our every need and comfort. Their traditional millet drink would not stop flowing. I probably gained weight during the trip.

Lepcha culture is rich with stories and traditions – such as the all-night singing festival in which young Lepcha men and women woo their potential mate through songs – and rivers play a central role in many of these stories and in their beliefs. For example, the Lepcha believe that in death, the departed soul travels up the Teesta and Rangyong rivers to the base of Mt. Kanchendzonga, their sacred final resting place.

Sadly these sacred place and the lives of the Lepchas are threatened by large hydropower projects. In Sikkim, the provincial government has awarded contracts to private operators for 26 large hydropower projects on the Teesta River, seven of which would affect Dzongu province.

The 300 MW Panan Dam is planned for the heart of Dzongu on the Rangyong River. The Lepchas are fighting this project and believe that they have the blessings of their ancestors in doing so: On the day that developers for the Panam project addressed communities who would be displaced by the dam, the Rangyong River experienced a flash flood, without any warning – there was no cloud burst, nor any rain. Was this just coincidence, or could it be something more?

Panan Dam site in Dzongu, North Sikkim

The Panan Dam is a stone’s throw from the Kanchendzonga National Park and Biosphere Reserve. The company responsible for the project, Himagiri Hydro Energy Pvt. Ltd., has no prior experience in hydropower development. The project has applied for CDM credits (which local groups, with the support of International Rivers, have opposed). However, the dam has not yet received clearance from the National Board of Wildlife, the financing has not been finalized, and other legal requirements have been overlooked. Local groups are now proposing legal action against the Panan Dam.

Another project that is tearing at the hearts of the Lepcha tribe is the 520 MW Teesta IV Dam – planned for the Teesta River– that forms the eastern boundary of Dzongu Reserve. The Teesta River flows through the length of Sikkim and is considered to be the lifeline of the state. The Teesta IV Dam is planned for the last free-flowing stretch of the Teesta River between Teesta III – currently under construction – and Teesta V, already completed. The proposed Teesta IV Dam and its construction, especially the intake tunnel, would destroy a sacred lake that is believed to be the heart of where a Lepcha clan originated.

The Lepchas boycotted the public hearing that is part of the environmental clearance process. The Expert Committee of the (Federal) Ministry of Environment and Forests is scheduled to consider granting environmental clearance for the project at a meeting this month. While the threats of the Teesta IV Dam are very real, all is not lost. NGOs like Affected Citizens of Teesta, Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee and others have been relentlessly opposing dams in the region. To date, the government of Sikkim has scrapped 10 dams, due to local opposition. People are concerned about the impacts of the dams on the environment and their way of life. They think and feel that the large migrant worker population, mainly from the plains, that will arrive during the construction of the dams will threaten their society’s social and cultural fabric. I have observed that across the width of the Indian Himalayas the hill people are different from those in the plains. The hill people are simpler, warmer, friendlier and trusting.

The indigenous people of Sikkim are continuing their opposition to the Teesta IV Dam, but they need our help. Please take a few minutes to watch this short slideshow that shows the beauty of the Teesta River and her people, and details the urgent threats posed by rapid hydropower development in the region.

Then I hope you will help me spread the word about the threat to the Teesta River by sharing the slideshow with your friends and family. Check back for more updates on how you can take action to support the groups in Sikkim who are fighting to protect their last stretch of free-flowing river. (international rivers – people, water, life)