HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN     Nov 14-20, 2012  

Japanese MPs should visit Tibet: Dalai Lama

Tokyo, Nov 13: The Dalai Lama on Tuesday urged Japanese lawmakers to visit Tibet to find out the reasons for a spate of self-immolations, after Beijing accused him of instigating the deadly protests against Chinese rule.

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader was addressing around 130 parliamentarians, including Shinzo Abe, a former premier who is seen as a favourite to retake the role in forthcoming general elections.

The welcome rolled out for the Dalai Lama -- albeit a non-governmental one -- earned Japan a rebuke from Beijing for giving succour to a man they say is a dangerous separatist.

"I request some parliamentary groups, 'Visit Tibet'," including areas where Tibetans have died in "very sad" self-immolations, the Dalai Lama told the meeting in Japan's diet, or parliament.

"Perhaps the (Chinese) authorities, leaders of China, I think, may get the true picture" of self-immolations if foreign lawmakers report what is actually happening there, the 77-year-old added.

Two Tibetans died in separate self-immolations on Monday, taking to nine the number of people who have set themselves on fire in the last week in protest at Chinese rule.

Reports of their deaths came hours after the Dalai Lama urged the Chinese government seriously to investigate the incidents, saying it is more interested in criticising him than finding the reason behind them.

In response, China's foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei accused the spiritual leader of encouraging the suicides, saying he was sacrificing lives "to achieve his goal of Tibetan independence".

"Japanese right-wing forces have been blatantly supporting Dalai's anti-China separatist activities and interfering in China's internal affairs, which China strongly condemns,” Hong said.

Ahead of the Dalai Lama's speech, Abe, the front-runner in the race to become prime minister in upcoming general elections, called on fellow lawmakers to use diplomatic means to help stop the immolations.

"I promise to continue to support Tibet and do my best to change the situation in Tibet in which (people) are oppressed," the hawkish conservative said.

Abe's stance will likely come under scrutiny for its possible implications for Sino-Japanese relations, already strained by a row over the sovereignty of islands in the East China Sea.

The lawmakers adopted a statement strongly urging China to improve its "unlawful suppression of human rights against Tibetans and Uighurs".

Suu Kyi visits India after 40 years

New Delhi, Nov 13:  Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who arrived here today, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Suu Kyi is on a six-day visit to India during which she will meet various leaders of the country. She will also visit her alma mater, Lady Sri Ram College in New Delhi, where she will interact with the faculty and the students.

The Nobel prize winner spent her formative years in India when her mother was the country's ambassador to India and Nepal.  She studied at the Convent of Jesus and Mary School and graduated in political science from Lady Shri Ram College.

Suu Kyi began her day today by paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. She then visited Shantivan to pay tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru. Later in the day, she will deliver the Nehru Memorial Lecture on the occasion of the former PM's birth anniversary.

"People keep asking me about my expectations. My visit is an attempt to strengthen ties between the two countries. There are things in India that have changed and some that haven't changed. I am glad some things haven't changed since years. If I have expectations from the Indian government, I will not tell it to the media," Suu Kyi, who is an inspiration for those fighting oppressive regimes around the world, told reporters.

Suu Kyi is Myanmar's opposition leader and the chairperson of the National League of Democracy of Myanmar. Her visit to India is part of India's engagement with the multi-party polity in Myanmar. During her nearly week-long stay, she will also meet Vice President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid.

India awarded Suu Kyi the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in 1992 while she was under house arrest under the military government in Myanmar.

Sharmila completes 12 years fast

Imphal, Nov 13: The 'Iron Lady of Manipur' Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been on a hunger strike since 2000 demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA),  completed 12 years of fast last Monday.

Sharmila, a civil rights activist, began her hunger strike after the death of ten people in an alleged encounter with the Assam Rifles at Malom in Imphal valley on November 2, 2000.

She has been demanding repeal of AFSPA which the human rights activists hold as a draconian law.

Currently she is in judicial custody where she is forcibly fed through her nose.

Tourism boom in Nepal: India scores over China

Kathmandu, Nov 13: Despite recent mortal avalanches in its crowded Himalayan mountains, Nepal is heading into a record year in tourist arrivals in 2012.

According to data for the first eight months of the year, arrivals by air progressed by 16.3%, reaching a record of 377,043 international arrivals. Strong growth is coming from Nepal’s two giant neighbours, India and China. Indian air arrivals jumped by 24.1% from January to August, topping 126,472 arrivals. China performed even better with a growth of 27.5%, reaching a total of 31,204 visitors. Other Asian markets showing strong performances are Japan, up by 17.9%, Korea (up y 12.3%) and Malaysia (up by 11.9%).
Surprisingly, Europe performed extremely well despite the current economic recession. Total air arrivals from the continent reached 91,042, a 14.8% improvement over 2011… Europe remains an extremely important market for Nepal, generating 24.1% of all arrivals between January and August of this year.
Tourism experts point out that the very good performance of tourism this year is also due to the restrictions taking place for foreigners trying to visit Tibet. Talking recently to CNN, Grayson Schaffer, senior editor at Outside magazine, declared that Mount Manaslu proved particularly popular this year among travellers after Chinese authorities restricted tourist visas, making access difficult to Cho Oyu or Shishapangma, two 8,000m (26,000 ft) peaks on the border with Tibet.
Strong interest to trek in Nepal is likely to continue as the government unveiled early October new trekking routes, following promises made to former Maoist rebels to help them economically by promoting tourism. The new trekking routes –named the “Guerilla Trek” pass through the battlegrounds of the country's decade-long insurgency. Hikers will then be able to discover unspoilt natural landscapes, authentic centuries-old villages, which served once as bases for Maoist troups.
The government hopes that tourism will help spreading prosperity beyond the usual tourist sites of the the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and the Everest region.

Bhutan foundation to support monks, nuns

Thimphu, Nov 13:  A religious organisation has been established here in a novel initiative to sustain 43 religious centres, training over 1,000 monks and nuns in different parts of Bhutan.

The Pedling Choeki Gatshel Foundation drew an overwhelming response from its members on the very first night of its launch on Thursday, as it raised 2.8 Bhutanese Ngultrum ($52,000) as contributions from them, Kuensel reported.

According to the ninth Gantey Trulku, Kunzang Rigzin Pema Namgyel, who heads this foundation, children of the economically deprived families usually become monks as they find it beyond their means to attend schools, IANS reported.

"The foundation's fund would go a long way in making these students stand on their own feet," Kuenselonline quoted him as saying.

He believes the rich Buddhist religious culture could be promoted through two ways --imparting knowledge and spreading Buddhism.

The foundation's fund would be used to renovate and construct lhakhangs (temples) in various parts of the country.

While Gantey Trulku will be the permanent chairperson of the foundation, four other board members have been appointed. In future, the four members are to be elected.

Monks completing the ninth standard in a shedra, or the place of learning will be given a masters degree certificate in Buddhist studies.

Kashmir Sikhs want National Minority Commission extended J&K

Srinagar, Nov 13: Instead of Jammu and Kashmir government's intention to form a new minority commission, a Sikh body last Sunday demanded the extension of current National Commission for Minority Act 1992 in the state.

In a statement All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee appreciated the Union Ministry's motion of taking over the issue of minorities with the State Government, The Hindustan Times reported.

The committee chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina pointed out that the government should extend the current National Commission for Minority Act 1992 in J&K, instead of drafting a new minority commission for Minority "on the designs of some people dominating the state government."

"If state government tries to sabotage the minority rights of Sikhs, Christians and Buddhists, then all the rightfully deserving minorities of the state will jointly instigate a political campaign against the new minority commission draft," Raina said.

"Some people with vested interests already having reservation quota in the State want to have the privilege of dual reservation status which will not be expectable to us in any form. According to the guidelines of National Minority Commission, Muslims enjoying the minority status at the national level should not be eligible for minority quota at state level in J&K where they are already a majority community," he stated.

"In the state, as per the 2001 population census, the Kashmir division of the state has 0.88% as Sikhs and 0.11% as Buddhists and others. The population of Jammu division has 3.57% as Sikhs and 0.51% as Buddhists and others.  So it clearly states that the Sikhs, Christians and Buddhists are the minorities in dire need of government benefits through the implementation of the NCM Act 1992," the statement said.

Raina stated that in a "recent meeting with the President of India, Pranab Mujherjee" they were given assurance for early implementation of Minority status in the State.

"If present ruling coalition government NC and Congress fail to do so then minority communities of J&K will be disappointed in them and would have no other alternative than launch an agitation against them in the coming elections. This shows that state government is more serious towards the vote bank politics rather than inclusive development of the State," the Sikh leader said.

Editorial

LOOK EAST

The Die Has Been Cast

As of now, out of a total of 157 panchayat wards in east district where polls were held 42 independents have won while 102 wards went to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, which has been in power since 1994. Repoll may be held in 13 wards in this district as results were withheld due to ‘tabulation error.’ It is expected that some of these wards will go to independents. It is significant that performance of independent candidates, who have the backing of rebel ruling party leader PS Golay, from east district is far better than the other three districts. Gangtok, the State capital, is located in east district. The capital is not only the centre of business and administration but also the heart of the State where politicians, intellectuals and social activists mingle frequently and freely to discuss and debate on various issues that concern Sikkim.

East district is heavily populated by two major sections of the State’s population which play a dominant role in politics: Bahun-Chettris and Bhutia-Lepchas. The other major ethnic combination in Sikkim is the Rai-Limbus, who dominate south and west districts. It is pertinent to point out that just before the panchayat polls former chief minister and Sikkim Congress President Nar Bahadur Bhandari has been openly siding with Golay during his public meetings. Ever since his ouster from power in 1994 Bhandari has proved his hold in the east district during Assembly polls. If polarization of political forces on ethnic/caste lines is expected to take place in the 2014 Assembly polls then the battle lines have already been drawn during the panchayat polls. Much political heat is likely to generate after Golay forms his own political outfit shortly.

CII to promote industries in North Bengal

North Bengal has huge potential for growth and development: Deb

    Deb (inset) and Siliguri town with majestic Kanchenjunga (in Sikkim) in the background.

Siliguri, Nov 13: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recently organised North Bengal Conclave here to promote North Bengal in the industrial space.

North Bengal has a strategic location with its neighboring states like Sikkim, Assam, Bihar and the International Boundaries with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. The region has witnessed substantial development in the recent years.

Against this backdrop, CII in association with West Bengal Department of Tourism, organized North Bengal Conclave Siliguri town last month, IBNS reported.

The Conclave was inaugurated by state North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb.

Addressing the gathering, Deb said that this forum would definitely promote the region in the development space.

He said that North Bengal is endowed with a magnificent view of the Himalayas, dense forests and wild life sanctuaries.

"North Bengal possesses huge potential of growth and development. Through industrialization economic growth can be accelerated in North Bengal," said Deb.

He stated that the region consists of six districts and there is tremendous growth potential in the districts of North Bengal in terms of small and medium enterprises (SMEs); as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Dasho Tsering Wangda, Consul General, Royal Bhutanese Consulate, said that North Bengal has not yet reaped its full potential. Siliguri is the immediate business centre of the Bhutanese. He stressed on strengthening ties between India and Bhutan.

Abida Islam, Bangladesh Dy. High Commission, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, stated that the economy of Bangladesh has maintained a growth rate of 6% on an average.

"Trade and investment are the pillars of economic growth. Over the years, India and Bangladesh has maintained a long and cordial relation. She stated that during the last three years significant developments has taken place between India and Bangladesh," said Islam.

She stressed on the need for improved facilities for the increase in bilateral trade.

Growth in production of large cardamom from Sikkim?

Gangtok, Nov 13: After a decade long gloomy spell, the bright days are back for Sikkim's large cardamom. The State, considered as large cardamom epicenter of the world, is expecting high growth in auction sales of this aromatic spice in 2012-13.

"The glory is coming back after decade long low yield, low quality and low price spell. We expect over 100% growth in sales this year over last year figures. We had a sale of 4 Metric Ton (MT) in 2010-11, the first year of organized sales of large cardamom through open auction. That went up to 16MT in 11-12.

This year, this is expected to be around 40 Metric ton. Against Rs 1100/kg average price of last two years, it is expected to reach Rs 1300/kg. Beginning by mid November, the fortnightly auctions will be conducted till June 2012," said P C Roy senior zonal manager Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Cooperation (NERAMAC), an agency under administrative control of GoI's Department of North East Region, The Economic Times reported.

NERAMAC operates the only large cardamom auction center of India at Rangpo in Sikkim.

Beside 6 available wild varieties, Amomum subulatumis the main traditionally cultured species in Sikkim, the epicenter of India's large cardamom arena that produces around 80% of national annual yield. Remaining 20% comes from Darjeeling hills and North East Region. India is the world leader by producing over 50% of global yield.

Beside consuming 1500 to 1800 MT, India is an important exporter of this cash crop mainly to Pakistan, Singapore or Middle East where Sikkim's large cardamom is the preferred choice due to its distinctive aroma and colour.

SDF SWEEPS PANCHAYAT POLLS

Independents get 40% of votes, bag 92 panchayat wards, 5 zilla seats; east district leaning towards independents

Gangtok, Nov 13: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front has swept the panchayat polls by winning 895 of the total of 987 panchayat wards, leaving the independents with only 92 wards. In the zilla polls, SDF bagged 103 seats while 5 seats went to independents.

Results of 13 wards in east district, where the performance of independent candidates are better than the other three districts, was initially withheld due a ‘tabulation error.’ However, after a recheck of the polls results, SDF bagged 11 wards in east district, leaving only 2 to independents.

More than 50 per sent of seats in gram panchayat and substantial percentage of seats of zilla seats were won by the ruling party even before the polls as these seats were uncontested. Thus, out of 430 wards where polls were held SDF won 328 seats. Of the 70 contesting zilla seats the ruling party won 65 seats.

This year’s panchayat polls were keenly watched as rebel ruling party legislator and former minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) claimed that over 150 independent candidates were his supporters.

Opposition parties did not contest the polls stating that they were not in favour of party-based panchayat polls.

However, both camps – ruling and opposition – have claimed ‘victory’ in the just-concluded elections to the two-tier panchayat system in the State.

While Chief Minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front President Pawan Chamling has hailed his party’s landslide victory in the panchayat polls as a “victory” of the people, his rivals, including former chief minister and State Congress President NB Bhandari, said the results of the polls was a “victory” of the people who want change in the State.

Close aides of former minister and dissident ruling party leader PS Golay say the fact that as many as 92 independents have been voted from the panchayat wards is an indication that there are disgruntled elements within the ruling dispensation.

They say Golay did not participate in the panchayat polls but helped those who fought against the ruling party as independents.

What is noteworthy is that around 40 per cent of votes polled went to independents.

Naga People’s Front against EVMs in Nagaland polls

Kohima, Nov 13: The ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) has opposed the use of electronic voting machines (EVM) in the ensuing Nagaland Assembly election.

In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, NPF secretary general KG Kenye said that the party has deliberated on the pros and cons of the use of EVMs and has come to the conclusion that the universal adult franchise as enshrined in the Constitution of India would best be assured to the people through the use of the ballot paper system.

The NPF pointed out that the EVMs provide no physical proof of votes cast and also do not give the voter any physical proof of his or her vote.

Furthermore, the NPF said even the most developed countries continue to use the ballot paper during elections. "Universal adult franchise is the very foundation of democracy and it is necessary that a voter should have physical proof of his or her vote which he or she has cast. Physical proof of every vote ensures transparency and leaves no room for any error or manipulation," stated the letter.

Nagaland assembly's tenure comes to an end on March 26, 2013 and the election is likely to be held in February or March next year.

N-E states to launch joint operation against militants

Aizawl, Nov 13: The police of Tripura and Mizoram have decided to launch a joint operation to flush out militants from areas bordering south Assam, officials said.

DIGs of Tripura and Mizoram, Gaurav Tripathi and C Zoramna respectively, agreed at a recent meeting at Kanchanpur in North Tripura that they would hold joint exercises and the next move against extremism and cross border crimes would be coordinated with Assam.

"Since Barak Valley shares border with Mizoram and Tripura, we are always in touch with police administration of Kolasib in Mizoram and North Tripura in our operations against militants," DIG of South Assam Binod Kumar said.

"Any operation involving Assam would be fruitful in tackling militancy and other crimes," he added.

During the joint operations, the target would be the hideouts and bases of militant groups along the border areas on the basis of shared information, sources said.

In remote areas of the three states, like south of Hailakandi and Karimganj districts in Assam, breakaway groups have cropped up and were extorting people, the sources said.

It is often reported that North-East based extremists continue to operate in Chittagong Hills Tract in Bangladesh and use the Tripura-Assam-Mizoram corridor for their movement to Myanmar, now a favourite destination for them.

The routes and corridors have been identified and only a combined operation can block their movement, they said.

Besides tackling the extremists, other inter-state crimes such as hijacking of vehicles from highways, smuggling of fake currency notes, contraband goods and human trafficking could also be tracked in the operation.

INTERVIEW Dipak Gyawali

“We need to rethink development in the light of climate change”

Dipak Gyawali, research director of the Nepal Water Conservation Foundation, explains that an area as diverse as the Himalayas needs localised, 'toad's-eye' science if it is to learn how to adapt to climate change. Interview by Isabel Hilton, editor of ChinaDialogue, part of the Guardian Environment Network.

Isabel Hilton: How accurate are predictions of future climate impacts in the region?

Dipak Gyawali: Here is a sense of confusion: the implications of what is happening seem more and more horrendous and some things are pretty certain. Beyond that, though, the models predict all kinds of things. The question of the Himalayas has not really begun to be addressed and the science has a very long way to go on precipitation and the social effects.

Q: How can science become more relevant to the region?

A: The effects in different parts of the Himalaya and south Asia will be very different and it's not all about glaciers. The Maldives will be drowned; Sri Lanka may have more tsunamis and more intense storms; Bangladesh will have its own problems. They will not be impacted directly by the glaciers; the interest in the glaciers is that they are powerful indicators: they tell you clearly that something is wrong. It's like going to the doctor with a fever: you know you are sick. But we don't have the science to be able to make accurate predictions of impacts over a hugely diverse region.

Some of them are predictable: spring is coming a week earlier, for instance; things begin to grow, but it is We also looked at some major regional catastrophes, signature events like the failure of the Indian monsoon or the floods in the Terai, to see how people were affected. It's essential to find out what is happening, and we believe we need to rethink development in the light of climate change. That has not happened yet.

Q: Presumably it has not happened because the development agencies have not had this kind of detailed input?

A: That's precisely the point. The remote sensing and the satellites give us the eagle-eye view, which is essential but not enough. In a country as diverse geographically and socially as Nepal – there are more than 90 languages and 103 caste and ethnic groups – the eagle-eye view needs to be complemented by the view from the ground, what I call "toad's-eye" science.

Q: Because high-level science can't be broken down into what is happening in any given local area?

A: Yes. You are dealing with such diversity: ecological, geographical, cultural and ethnic diversity. The reason we focused on this toad's-eye view is that we found people were not sitting around waiting for an agreement at the COP15 in Copenhagen. Millions are voting with their feet every day at the grass-roots level, reacting with civic science and traditional knowledge. This is what people are basing their everyday decisions on.

High science to come down off its high horse and meet up with civic science and traditional knowledge, in order to understand what is happening, so that national governments can also plan. The high science has to start looking at why there are more male flowers on the cucumbers, why berries are ripening at the wrong

Q: Have you a better idea of who is vulnerable as a result of this work?

A: Yes. The conventional wisdom is that the most vulnerable people are the poorest of the poor, but we have found that it is actually the lower middle classes. The reason is that the poorest of the poor have never had enough land to keep their families for the whole year, so they have always had to diversify their sources of income: they do seasonal labour and have those networks and connections already. They have a built-in resilience, so if their harvest is worse than usual, they just go and work longer.

The lower middle classes, though, have had enough land to be able to depend on their crops. They might survive one bad year, but two or three wipe them out, and then you get what you are seeing in India – farmers committing suicide. That is also happening in Nepal. The poorest are suffering, but it is not fatal. The people who are really being hit are the lower middle classes and upwards, which has implications for social stability.

Q: What adaptation is possible in these circumstances?

A: The solutions have to come out of the watershed and out of the problem-shed. You can talk about big solutions – building high dams – which can take 40 years. We don't know in Nepal if a government will last 40 days. The solutions have to be what these millions of households can take. Can they be helped? How can they be helped? We just haven't done the science for that. We need civic science; ground-level truth.

SIKKIM OBSERVER Nov 17-23

Bhandari calls for opposition unity, sides with Golay

Gangtok, Nov 16: Former chief minister and Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee President NB Bhandari has reiterated the need for opposition unity in the State to dislodge the Chamling Government, which has been in power for nearly two decades.

This revelation came during a public meeting at Bhandari’s native village of Malbasey, near Soreong in west district recently. Bhandari and rebel ruling party legislator PS Golay were invited by Phurba Singh Tamang, who contested for the Malbasey Zilla Panchayat seat.

Though Golay was not present at the meeting due to his engagement in a legal matter, Bhandari said there was some kind of understanding between the Congress party and Golay and his supporters. He also pointed in the ensuing panchayat polls he and Golay were together.

Former MLA and Golay’s aide Bhoj Raj Rai said their new party will be ‘led’ by Golay and ‘blessed’ by Bhandari.

The former chief minister has been raising the issue of opposition unity to oppose the ruling party and government.

Bhandari said independent candidates who win in the ensuing polls would be with the government formed by the new party.

Demand for Assembly seat reservation for Nepalese raised in seminar

Gangtok, Nov 16: After keeping the issue in cold storage for years the demand for restoration of seats reserved for Sikkimese Nepalese in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly has again been raised by the political leadership of the State in the opposition camp.

The issue was raised during a seminar held here recently where former chief minister and State Congress President Nar Bahadur Bhandari, former Sikkim Lok Sabha MPs, PM Subba and Nakul Das Rai, former ministers KN Upreti and Tseten Tashi Bhutia were present.

Apart from the demand on Assembly seat reservation of the Nepalese those who aired their views at the seminar said politicization of the panchayat system was not in the interest of the people.

The seminar was organized by Concerned Society of Sikkim, whose convenor is Nakul Das Rai. According to Rai the seminar was organized for “leaders and intellectuals” to “sensitize” people on important issues concerning the State with a view to “promoting consensus” on these issues.

Most of the participants belonged to various opposition parties while there were few who represented social organizations.

Former chief secretary PK Pradhan and former MLAs NB Khatiwada and Pradeep Yonzone were also present during the function. (also see edit on page 2)

SIKKIM REMEMBERS NEHRU ON HIS BIRTHDAY

Gangtok, Nov 16: The birthday of the first Prime Minister of India Pd. Jawaharlal Nehru was celebrated here on Wednesday. The function started with garlanding the bust of Pd. Nehru at Zero Mile, Jawarharlal Nehru Road, by Governor BP Singh which was followed by main function at Chintan Bhawan.

    (L to R) Prince Palden Thondup Namgyal, Indira Gandhi, Chogyal Tashi Namgyal, Jawaharlal Nehru, Political Officer      

    Apa Pant and Dewan Nari Rustomji in Sikkim in 1958.

Recalling Nehru’s affection for Sikkim, Singh revealed the former Prime Minister’s interest in starting the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT)m which is a treasure trove of Tibetan and Himalayan  literature and artifacts.

Founded by Chogyal Tashi Namgyal of Sikkim in 1958, the institute was inaugurated by Nehru on October 1, 1958. The other two institutes of its kind are in Tokyo and Moscow.

While expressing satisfaction over the work undertaken by the State Government in providing basic facilities and education to children, the Governor urged civil society to ensure prevention of child labour, which he said was not only illegal but immoral as well.

Editorial

SIKKIM ISSUES

Role Of The Intellectual

Former Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Nakul Das Rai’s efforts to hold a seminar for ‘leaders and intellectuals’ in Gangtok to seek their views on vital issues that concern Sikkim is a welcome step given the lack of exchange of views on such issues in Sikkim these days. Rai not only belonged to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, which always boasted of restoring democracy in Sikkim, but is also in a comfortable position – now that he is no more with the ruling party – to judge whether Sikkim and the Sikkimese people are in a better position now or then when his former party took over the reigns of power in 1994. Understandably, almost all active participants at the seminar are politicians or would-be future ‘leaders’ of the State and seeking their views on the prevailing political situation in Sikkim would only provide a platform for them to hit against the ruling dispensation. It would be naïve on our part to expect any kind of balanced views from such people on issues and challenges that Sikkim faces.

Generally speaking, an intellectual is a person who is quite detached from society but who at the same time can evoke strong response from people by the views they express and represent. Intellectuals can be writers, musicians, artists, philosophers, social scientists, political activists etc. Someone rightly said: “The essential role of an intellectual is that of a dissident, a time-consuming, long and silent process.” Politicians can also be termed as intellectual though there are very few politicians who are intellectuals. The role of intellectuals have limited use in a society such as in Sikkim where autocracy prevails in a democratic set-up.  One-man-rule and one-party-system in Sikkim has been going on for nearly four decades and to expect people to exercise their democratic rights freely and fearlessly in such an atmosphere is a bit too much to expect from them. This is why Rai and his companions found it very difficult to trace people who may fall under the general definition of an intellectual. On the other hand there is no dearth of ‘leaders’ in Sikkim who come in many shades and who become active only during elections. We ought to know by now that yesterdays ‘unconcerned’ citizens become ‘concerned’ citizens today and today’s concerned citizens become unconcerned citizens once they assume power. That is why society does not take note of issues they raise no matter how important they may be. This perhaps is the main issue in Sikkim which needs debating.

US Senate honours Tibetan leader Lodi Gyari

Gangtok, Nov 16:  Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recently introduced a resolution to honor the contributions of Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari as Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and in promoting the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Tibetan people.

 Senators Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Mark Udall (D-N.M.), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), John McCain (R-AZ), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Caif.) joined Kerry as original cosponsors.

“Lodi Gyari committed himself at a very young age to tear down the walls of the oppression in Tibet, and went on to be an effective leader and spokesperson for the Tibetan people and a loyal envoy for His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” said Sen. Kerry. “We honor all of the work he has done to advance the cause of the Tibetan people, and their struggle for genuine autonomy, human rights, and dignity, and for the preservation of Tibetan linguistic, cultural and religious traditions once and for all.”

Gyari, who was born in Nyarong, Kham in 1949, was recognized according to Tibetan Buddhist tradition as a reincarnate lama and began his monastic studies at 4 years of age in Lhumorhab Monastery, which was located in what is now Kardze Prefecture, Sichuan Province.

In 1958, 9-year-old Gyari fled Nyarong with his family after Chinese occupation of his country and sought refuge in India and lived in Darjeeling for some time and studied in Mt. Hermon School.

 Gyari “began a career-long commitment to the Tibetan struggle against Chinese oppression in Tibet,” the resolution said and pointed out that he also became editor for the Tibetan Freedom Press, founder of the Tibetan Review, the first English language journal published by Tibetans in exile, and a founding member of the Tibetan Youth Congress.

Gyari served as a civil servant in the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as Chairman of the Tibetan Parliament in exile, and as a Deputy Cabinet Minister for the Departments of Religious Affairs and Health and Cabinet Minister for the Department of Information and International Relations.

In 1991, Gyari moved to the United States in the capacity of Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and was soon after selected to be President of the International Campaign for Tibet.

Since then Gyari has met with leaders and diplomats of governments around the world and with Members of the United States Congress and parliaments of other nations to work for the cause of Tibet and Tibetans.

In 1998, His Holiness the Dalai Lama authorized Special Envoy Lodi Gyari to be the principal person to reestablish contact with the Chinese government on the Tibetan issue.

Between September 2002 and January 2010, Gyari led the Dalai Lama’s negotiating team in 9 formal rounds of meetings with Chinese officials with “tireless drive and immense skill, winning the respect of the international community,” the resolution said.

The resolution has taken note of Gyari’s achievements in “building an international coalition support for Tibet,” with a view to preserving “the distinct culture and religious traditions of Tibet.”

After the Dalai Lama gave up political power Gyari, too, resigned from his post.

Dirty Angels ride for a cause

Gangtok, Nov 16: The Dirty Angels Bikers Club of Sikkim has been proving to be a group of messiahs for the needy. Roaring through the hills, the young boys from Sikkim show that behind their leather jackets and tough looks, is a will to make a difference.

Mayalmu Sang, an NGO in Tadong, located below here, is one of the many stops that the young bikers make. They help them with supplies and at times are all ears. Mayalmu Sang member says, "They come and support us, it feels very nice. We need donations and help."

Sometimes through words and often through signs, the men prove that when language fails, all you need is the will to reach out. Mayalmu Sang inmate Bishnu Tamang says, "It's good when the brothers come to visit us. We feel loved when people from outside come and accept us the way we are," CNNIBN reported.

Organising fund-raisers and spreading the message of help, they are men on a mission. Dirty Angels Motorcycles Club founder Tshering Lepcha says, "We are a bridge between the government and the youth and we tell them to be positive in life, not to drugs but to reach out."

"It's a passion for all of us and our bikes are a medium for us. When we go out on ten bikes, people look at us, we get attention," says Dirty Angels member Ringzing Nadikpa. For a state where most young men and women aspire for a government job, these men have decided to do their bit for others.

Govt lifts ban on import of eggs

Gangtok, Nov 16: The State Government has finally acted on public grievances on shortage of eggs in the State and has lifted the ban on import of poultry eggs.

Animal Husbandry Secretary DP Sharma said the ban has been temporarily lifted for three months till December 31 “in view shortage of poultry eggs in the local market.”

Sharma said the department will carry a survey on demand and supply of eggs in the State.

The State Government had banned import of poultry products in 2009 after the outbreak of bird flu in neighbouring West Bengal.

However, the ban was not lifted even after bird flu scare was over. Observers have pointed out that this situation helped special interest groups in the State to make a fast buck.

There has also been a growing demand for lifting ban on sale of imported chicken in the State. Compared to local chicken sold in the market cost of imported chicken are cheaper.

OBITUARY Rinchen Doma Reechung

She was a perfectionist par excellence

BY KC PRADHAN

    The Late Mrs. Rinchen Doma Reechung at the reception she organized for the visiting President of India, Neelam    

    Sanjeeva Reddy (seated on her left), at Pemayangtse Tourist Lodge, Geyzing (West Sikkim), in October 1979. Also seen in 

    the picture are former Sikkim Governor BB Lal (on her right) and Chief Minister NB Bhandari (front).

Sikkim lost another eminent personality in Rinchen Doma Reechung. She did her Preliminary Law from Mumbai and joined the Sikkim Durbar Service in 1969 as Assistant Superintendent, GICI (Govt. Institute of Cottage Industries). She was one the ablest administrators and a no-nonsense officer blessed with drive and artistic talents.

During my long tenure in Sikkim Tourism, I got to see her administrative capabilities from very close quarters and feel no hesitation in endorsing that every assignment entrusted to her was carried out with perfection and finesse unknown at that time.

She was at the Department when tourism was in a nascent stage in Sikkim and we tried to use her prodigious skills to the best extent possible. For example, when Sikkim was allotted a corner for a Sikkim Tourism Counter at the Bagdogra airport, she was assigned the task to design and execute it. She did it so well that it remained a real showcase to project Sikkim.

She was meticulous - a perfectionist par excellence I should say – which is a rarity in the administration. She was undoubtedly a one person army and once a job was assigned she did not tolerate any interference. She was a workaholic to the extent that she ruined her health many times by stressing herself too much. I remember the way she organized several functions, including the visit of the then President of India, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, to organizing Sikkim Evenings at Sikkim House in New Delhi with poise and finesse that flowed in her so effortlessly. Her contributions to the realm of Sikkim Tourism are immense.

As Secretary Culture, she brought in many innovative ideas and the various programmes performed in various parts of the country were highly appreciated. Her contributions at GICI, where she brought in a breath of fresh air, are equally praiseworthy.

It needs to be accepted that she laid the foundations of many of the departments that she was associated with. She was a hard task-master and considerate at the same time and her subordinates loved her. As for her bosses, they needed special skills to handle her.

It is hard to get an Officer so dedicated to her job, such a perfectionist and honest to the core. Like her late father, Tse Ten Tashi (TTT), an eminent personality in his own versatile manner, she was a person in a hurry. Idleness was not in her nature and she did not tolerate it in others either. In many ways, like her father, she was ahead of her times.

She accompanied her late husband Reechung Rinpoche, hailing from the illustrious Pheunkhang nobility of Lhasa in Tibet – the family OF 11^TH Dalai Lama dating back to 1838 – and also once Director of the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, to many foreign sojourns. He, a very humble personality, was an authority on the Tibetan system of medicines.

It was she who persuaded her husband to write a book on it and the outcome was ‘Histoire De La Medecine Tibetaine’ written in French in association with his long-time friend Jean-Paul R. Claudon and Published by Wellcome Trust, London, in 1989. The book was first of its kind and was very well received and he was highly respected.

Temperamentally they were poles apart, but yet they had high regard for each other. If Rinpoche was the fountainhead of knowledge on very many intricate Tibetan rituals, Rinchen Doma was the driving force who brought grace wherever they travelled abroad. She was a rare personality infused with Sikkimese ethos. Aggressive and yet humble and knew perfectly well how to glide in high circles with grace and humility.

Sadly, her health deteriorated over the years and led a forlorn life confined in her apartment in Development Area, Gangtok. Their large families were, however, always by her side to boost her morale. In her passing away the illustrious Rhenock nobility lost their seniormost member in the family.

We miss her immensely. We pray to the Almighty that her soul rest in peace. (KC Pradhan is a former Chief Secretary, Sikkim.)

Sikkim Observer Nov 10, 2012

Jigme N Kazi'a blog is : jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

Democracy essential for media: Guv

Press must offer “guidance and leadership”: Justice Katju

     Governor BP Singh addressing the gathering at the National Media Conference in Gangtok on Wednesday.

Gangtok, Nov 9: Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh was quite critical of a section of the media which catered to the needs to the “rich and powerful” at the cost of the general public.

While he described the Press as “lamp of democracy”, Singh pointed out that the Press cannot be seen to serve society if it catered to the interest of the “rich and powerful.”

Speaking at the inaugural function of the National Media Conference here at Chintan Bhawan on Wednesday, Singh said, “Media is essential for democracy but democracy is also essential for media.”

Singh, who is himself an author and scholar, wondered what purpose would media houses serve if they are run by corporate bodies. “If corporates run media  - whose interest do they serve?” said Singh. He said the role of the Press is to “inform and guide” society and not merely for “entertainment.”

Taking another dig at the media, Singh also referred to “advertisement-related Freedom of Press” during his brief and very enlightening talk to mediapersons, who had gathered here to address the “problems and prospects” of media in the backward northeast region of the country.

Press Council of India Chairman Justice Markandey Katju said the main role of media in the country, which is going through a very difficult “transitional period” is to offer “guidance” and “leadership.”

This is Justice Katju’s second visit to Sikkim – his first was in 1973 when Sikkim was an independent country.

Justice Katju said freedom of speech and expression is meaningless in a country such as India where a vast majority of its people are still living in abject poverty.

He said the Press must help the people to overcome their difficulties and “change society” so that people can live with dignity and decency.

IPR Minister CB Kari, IPR Secretary KS Tobgay, President Indian Journalists Union SN Sinha, senior journalist from Sikkim – Pema Wangchuk and Amit Patro – also  spoke on the occasion.

The conference, which had participants from mediapersons from outside the State, was organised by Sikkim Journalists Union, Press Club of Sikkim and Indian Journalists Union in collaboration with the Information and Public Relations Department, Sikkim Government.

Golay gets warm welcome in Lachen, Lachung

“No development in North Sikkim”

   PS Golay (inset) with the Lachenpas in Lachen on Thursday.

Lachen, Nov 9: Rebel leader PS Golay’s visit to the tribal-dominated district of North Sikkim, particularly in Lachen and Lachung, immediately after the recent panchayat polls has been keenly observed.

“I have come here not seek your votes but to find out the problems you are facing,” Golay said at the Dzumsa (traditional assembly of the people) in Lachen yesterday.

Golay arrived here from Lachung on Wednesday and was well-received by the people here. He visited the Lachen Monastery and met the lamas and sought their blessing.

During his public meeting at the Dzumsa the next day, the former minister, who is on the verge of forming his own political party, said the main problems faced by the people of Lachen and Lachung are scarcity of drinking water, poor roads and lack of power. He said he was concerned about the lack of development in Lachen and Lachung although funds are available.

North Sikkim, particularly Lachen-Lachung and Dzongu region, is inhabited largely by Sikkim’s pure stock of Bhutias and Lepchas and as such the rebel leader’s visit to the district to measure the ground before he forms his own political outfit was important, according to his supporters.

SDF sweeps panchayat polls, both camps claim ‘victory’

Gangtok, Nov 9: Both camps – ruling and opposition – have claimed ‘victory’ in the just-concluded elections to the two-tier panchayat system in the State.

While Chief Minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front President Pawan Chamling has hailed his party’s landslide victory in the panchayat polls as a “victory” of the people, his rivals, including former chief minister and State Congress President NB Bhandari, said the results of the polls was a “victory” of the people who want change in the State.

Close aides of former minister and dissident ruling party leader PS Golay say the fact that as many as 92 independents have been voted from the panchayat wards is an indication that there are disgruntled elements within the ruling dispensation.

They say Golay did not participate in the panchayat polls but helped those who fought against the ruling party as independents.

Referring to the results of the 13 wards in east district, Golay aide Jacob Khaling said the manner in which the results were withheld and announced later on was a “conspiracy” to defeat independents candidates in east district where 44 independents have been elected. SDF bagged 11 wards in east district after the recheck, leaving only 2 to independents.
More than 50 per sent of seats in gram panchayat and substantial percentage of seats of zilla seats were won by the ruling party even before the polls as these seats were uncontested. Thus, out of 430 wards where polls were held SDF won 339 seats. Out of the total of 987 wards the ruling party has bagged 895 wards, leaving 92 wards to independents.

Of the 70 contesting zilla seats the ruling party won 65 seats. In the zilla polls, SDF bagged 103 seats while 5 seats went to independents. (also see page 3)

CM raises Limboo-Tamang seat issue with PM, Shinde

PM to visit Sikkim in February

Gangtok, Nov 9: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling wants an early resolution to the demand for Assembly seat reservations for Limboos and Tamangs, who have been declared scheduled tribes in the State.

He raised this issue during his meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in New Delhi yesterday.

Presently, of the 32 seats in the Assembly 12 seats are reserved for Bhutia-Lepchas, 2 for scheduled castes, 1 for Sangha and the rest 17 seats are in the general category. If the State Government fails to get the demand met it may lose the support of the Limboos and Tamangs for whom this promise was made by the State Government on several occasions. Assembly polls in the State are scheduled for early 2014 and as such this demand is critical to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, whose main political base has been the OBC community to which the Limboos and Tamangs, who belong to the Nepalese community, once belonged.

During his meeting with Shinde, the Chief Minister also raised the issue of granting ST status to ‘left out’ communities in the State.

The Chief Minister also urged the Centre to allow His Holiness the 17^th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorjee to visit the State in March next year when His Holiness the Dalai Lama inaugurates the Buddha Park in Ravangla, South Sikkim.

During his meeting with Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Power Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Chamling urged the Centre to help the State harness its hydro power potentials. Chamling invited the Minister to visit the State in this regard at an early date.

On the invitation extended by the Chief Minister, Singh said he would visit the State in February next year to inaugurate the Second International Flower Festival and lay the foundation stone of Sikkim University in Yangang, South Sikkim.

Editorial

FREE PRESS

News Is What Someone Wants To Suppress

The point that Governor BP Singh was making at the National Media Conference in Gangtok this week was well taken by a section of the media present at the meet. Singh rightly questioned the value and credibility of news and information procured from media houses which catered to the ‘rich and powerful’ and at times are backed or owned by the corporates. Those who advocate press freedom among mediapersons must seriously take note of the Governor’s comment on ‘advertisement-related press freedom.’ Those who serve the interest of special interest groups cannot and must not be allowed to be clubbed along with those who represent the Fourth Estate, internationally regarded as one of the four pillars of democracy. We are reminded of what Lord Northcliffe, a British publisher of the last century,  said about news: “News is what somebody somewhere wants to suppress; all the rest is advertising.” Mediapersons – local, regional, national and international – ought to know how true this observation is. Governors rarely make controversial statements in public and that, too, on touchy issues. Singh must be applauded for his candid remarks; he was telling the truth. His observation that while the media is essential for democracy, democracy is also essential for the media ought to evoke the right response from those in power who preach so much about democracy and yet practise autocracy.

The State Government and media establishments responsible for the conference have done the right thing by holding such a meet on the “problems and prospects” faced by the media in the northeast. Normally, the problems faced by the Press in this region and elsewhere concern journalists and media establishments which are independent and who do not work for the ‘rich and powerful.’ As such care should have been taken by the organizers to get reactions and views from mediapersons who are more independent and credible. We waste so much time, energy and resources by holding seminars and workshops on various issues that are not properly conducted. If the motive of the media conference is to learn of the ‘problems and prospects’ faced by the media in the northeast a more close and interactive session among few interested persons would have been more beneficial. Perhaps this could be taken up in our next session. However, what ought to be noted is that at the heart of challenges facing the Press in the region and the country is that vested interests don’t want a free Press. In such a scenario, the Press must play a leading role in giving the right guidance and direction on numerous issues faced by the people.

GTA Chief Executive Bimal Gurung gets Minister of State rank

Darjeeling, Nov 9: The state government on Tuesday formally upgraded Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chief executive Bimal Gurung to the rank of a minister (MIC) of state with independent charges. The governor's office faxed an order to the GTA and the Darjeeling district administration apprising the State Government's decision.

"At present, I am on an official tour in Delhi and have not got hold of the state government order. But yes, the GTA chief executive has been promoted to the status of MIC of state," Darjeeling DM and chief principal secretary to the GTA Saumitra Mohan said.

GTA deputy chief executive Colonel (retired) Ramesh Allay has been made the minister of state (MOS) while the GTA Sabha chairman Pradeep Pradhan has been conferred the rank of a deputy minister.

"It is a protocol status that has been given to us by the state government as we did not have any so far in spite of being GTA members. This is a welcome decision," said one of the members on condition of anonymity. Fourteen executive members of the GTA have also been upgraded and given the rank of secretaries to the state government.

The GTA member pointed out the order was to be implemented with immediate effect: "The order has come from the governor's office which mentions that it should be come into immediate effect."

 PANCHAYAT POLLS

11 SDF candidates, 2 independents win in east district after result recheck

Gangtok, Nov 9: There was no re-poll in the 13 wards in east district where results were withheld due to ‘tabulation error.’ Instead the east district collector-cum-district panchayat election officer D. Anandan on Wednesday said after the matter was examined by the State Election Commission it was found that a re-poll was not necessary as there was only a “simple mistake” during  “transferring of the result from the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to the result sheet,” an official release said.

The release also said, “It is further observed that the contesting candidate of these wards have neither submitted their objection and claim for a re-poll in writing, without receipt of which the proposal for re poll should not have been initiated.”

The Election Commission had directed the Returning Officer of respective Gram Panchayat Wards to recheck the record available in EVMs pertaining to these wards, recount the votes in the presence of contesting candidates or their counting agents and declare the results.

According to the results, 11 SDF and 2 independent candidates were declared winners from the 13 wards.

Local media condemn attack on Now office          

Gangtok, Nov 9: Media organizations in the State have condemned the attack on the office of Sikkim Now, an English daily published from Gangtok, and have demanded

safety of journalists working in the State.

Reacting to the incident, the Press Club of Sikkim said Now’s office was attacked by supporters of one Mrs Bibi Doma Tamang at 11.15 p.m on Wednesday night.

Tamang led her supporters and “attacked the office of the daily” and “damaged signboards, doors and window panels etc.,” according to the Club’s General Secretary Joseph Lepcha.

Tamang, a candidate for panchayat ward from Kabi Tingda constituency in north district, was defeated in the recent election, the release said.

The Press Club, which has the support of Indian Journalists’ Union, Journalist Club of Siliguri and Press Club of Kalimpong, has urged the State Government to ensure safety of journalists and newspaper houses in the State. It has also urged the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front to “take action against those members who were involved in the attack.”

While condemning the attack, the Sikkim Federation of Working Journalists (SFWJ) said the “failure of the administration to bring to book those elements responsible for attack on media houses in Sikkim during the past has emboldened such elements to vent their displeasure on media houses and the journalists.”

The Federation has urged the administration “to ensure safety and security of all media persons and houses of Sikkim.”  It has reiterated its demand on providing “CCTV cameras to all media houses so that journalists and media houses in the region work in a safe and secure environment to carry out their professional duties,” a press statement by Federation’s General Secretary Khagendramani Pradhan said.

Political parties and social organizations have also condemned the attack. The local media held a protest rally here yesterday over the attack.

Take proposals seriously, Chief Secy tells central team

Gangtok, Nov 9: A high-level inter-ministerial team of the Government of India headed by V Vumlunmang, Joint Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs, held a wrap-up meeting on damages occurred during the recent flash floods and landslide in the State.

The meeting was presided over by the Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso in presence of Additional Chief Secretary R. Ongmu along with the entire departmental heads here on Thursday.

The meeting discussed the findings of the central team and report prepared by the State Government, according to an official release.

Vumlunmang appreciated the efforts of the State Government and assured that his team would make the recommendations sympathetically to the Centre.

Gyatso urged the central team to view the State Government’s proposal with all seriousness keeping in view the peculiar situation of the hill State.

Eye camp held at Lingee, cataract operation in Namchi shortly

Lingee (South Sikkim), Nov 9: Cataract Screening Camp for south district held an eye  camp in Lingee Primary Health Sub Center (PHSC) on Wednesday.

Led Eye Specialist Dr. Twinkey Bhutia and her team, which included eye technician Ms Praneeta Chetteri, the camp screened some 50 patients from the area for refractive error and cataract and detected 8 cataract patients. The patients have been invited for free cataract operation camp which will be held in Namchi District Hospital on November 22-24.

Chief Medical Officer (South) Dr. Bimal Rai, who was also present during the camp, visited Lingmoo and Lingee PHSCs and inspected them.

During the camp he also informed that during the up-coming free cataract operation camp in Namchi, patients belonging to BPL category will also be given free transportation.

Cataract Screening Camp for the people of Namchi and surrounding areas will be held on November 20-21.  Till date, 46 patients have been detected with cataract problem in south district. They are likely to undergo cataract operation shortly.

‘Mountain Explorers’ cyclists to create awareness on environment, creativity

Gangtok, Nov 9: The newly-formed mountain cyclist group – ‘Mountain Explorers’ – wants to create better awareness on safeguarding the environment and supporting creativity among the youths of the State.

Launched here on Sunday, the cyclists’ first trip in the State was a tour of adjoining areas of the capital. The 70 km expedition started here at Tashi View Point and covered areas such as Bhusuk, Assam Lingzey and Pakyong.

Chief coordinator of the group Prabin Khaling’s idea was supported well by the other coordinators and members to make the adventure successful.

In future, “Mountain Explorer” will initiate adventure ride in the unexplored parts of the State with social messages. “With such kinds of pollution-free tour covering remote and inaccessible villages, we hope that we can create awareness among the youths and spread our message of adventure sports and beautiful nature”, said Khaling.

With strong focus on clean environment the boys took a ride amid the lush green forest of Bhusuk Valley, rough tracks enroute to Assam Lingzey, crossing Bhusuk River, streams and bridges. The tour also covered lots of landmarks and tourist sites like Pabyuik Monastery and the popular home stay at Paanchtheng village.

The other coordinators of the adventure group “Mountain Explorers” include Samir Hang Subba and Bhaichung Yonzon. The members include Sumit Chettri, Karma Bhutia, Dawa Bhutia, Raju Chettri (technician), Sameer Subba, Sonai Biswajeet Chakroborthy (technician). The tour was also supported by the Gangtok based travel agency, Himalayan Footprints.