HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN     Gangtok Wednesday Dec 12-18, 2012  

Pro-Sikkim editor Tenzing Bhutia’s death ‘mysterious’, unacceptable: Sikkim Liberation Party

Prince Tenzing, Tashi Topden, Chukie Topden died under similar circumstances 

Tenzing Bhutia (left)

Gangtok, Dec 11: The Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) has taken a serious view of the untimely death of Tenzing Bhutia, political activist and editor of the recently-launched Pro-Sikkim English weekly, who died in a car crash in Rumtek, east Sikkim, on December 5.

SLP Convenor and journalist-cum-writer DN Nepal said Bhutia’s death was “mysterious” and his party has taken a serious view of how and why he died.

“It is a clear fact that any person taking a pro-Sikkim stand have met with this kind of mysterious death in accident,” Nepal said in a press statement.

Nepal said Sikkim’s Prince Tenzing, former Secretary Tashi Topden and social activist Chukie Topden, who were pro-Sikkim, died in a car crash “in similar circumstance.” 

(L to R) Nari Rustomji, Chogyal Palden Thondup and Prince Tenzing

While Prince Tenzing died in a car crash in Nam Nang (Gangtok) on March 11, 1978, Topden and his sister Chukie died after their car went down the road near Rabong, south Sikkim, on April 6, 2009.

SLP feels these deaths have “sinister and diabolic design,” and as such the party is not ready to accept Tenzing’s death as a “normal incident.”

Nepal said while pro-Sikkim Nepalese leaders were either sidelined or lured to luxurious living, pro-Sikkim people among the minority Bhutia-Lepchas faced “mysterious and fatal death.”

Tashi Topden

Nepal also noted that the timing and manner of the Sikkim-Darjeeling merger issue presently raised in the local media and by politicians has further added to the “mystery” of Tenzing’s death.

Chukie Topden

SNPP appeals to all Sikkimese to oppose Sikkim-Darjeeling merger move

Centre has betrayed Sikkimese, violated merger terms: Biraj

Biraj Adhikari

Gangtok, Dec 11: The Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) has vehemently opposed the reported move to merge Darjeeling with Sikkim. It said it would oppose the move “with all the power at its disposal and appeals to all Sikkimese people to do the same.”

SNPP President Biraj Adhikari said his party had a thorough discussion on a report carried in a local daily regarding “conspiracy being hatched by the Central Government and the Sikkim CM (Pawan Chamling) to merge Darjeeling with Sikkim.”

“The party discussed the fact that this would yet be another excellent example of betrayal by the Central Government after signing the 8th May agreement with the people of Sikkim in the year 1973,” a press statement by SNPP said.

Adhikari said the Centre “forcefully enforced the 36^th Amendment without the people’s consent.” This act of the Parliament led to Sikkim’s merger with India in 1975. Since then the Centre is “hell bent” on erasing the “identity of the Sikkimese people forever.” 

While condemning “the sinister efforts” of the Centre and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to merge Darjeeling with Sikkim, the SNPP has called for formation of Gorkhaland state without further delay.      

Issue of rights violations in Tibet raised in Lok Sabha

New Delhi, Dec 11: On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, BJP yesterday raised in the Lok Sabha the issue of rights violations in Tibet, while CPI(M) alleged that similar problem exists in Jammu and Kashmir.

BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said the Chinese have been carrying out the "grossest" violations of human rights in Tibet over last 60 years because of which 81 Tibetans have committed suicide during this period, PTI reported.

66 Tibetans have committed self-immolation since January this year and "worse, the response of the Chinese is more repression", Sinha, former External Affairs Minister, said in Special Mentions during the Zero Hour.

He said Tibetans were troubled because of "excessive use of military force", religious restrictions, disappearances and detentions, removal of nomads and degradation of ecological system in the region under Chinese rule.

Sinha wanted the House to express "deepest heartfelt condolences" over Tibetans' plight and call upon the Chinese to "listen to the anguish" and "ensure people (in Tibet) get their rights".

"I call upon Parliament to speak up," he appealed.

Immediately after, CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharia rose to allege "blatant" human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir by security forces.

He referred to the demand for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir and said the central government had not taken any decision even after recommendation from the State Government.

Nepal: only two days to form unity govt

Kathmandu, Dec 11: As Nepal's main parties struggled to form a national unity government, President Ram Baran Yadav on Friday gave them another six days to strike a deal, the second such extension to the original November 29 deadline.

Yadav's move came a day after crucial talks between the ruling alliance comprising UCPN-Maoist and Joint Madhesi Front and opposition Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML on naming a consensus prime ministerial candidate failed, despite being given an extra seven days to do so after they missed the original deadline.

It was the second time that the president had extended the deadline issued to political parties to form a national consensus government that would replace the incumbent government led by Premier Baburam Bhattarai of UCPN-Maoist.

Earlier, NC had nominated its President Sushil Koirala as the candidate for prime minister after the UCPN-Maoist and the CPN-UML asked it to recommend its candidate.

Exiled Tibetan govt to launch ‘Solidarity with Tibet’ campaign

New Delhi, Dec 11: Cautioning Asian nations about the threat emanating from Beijing’s ambitions of a Greater China, the Prime Minister of the Tibetan government in exile, Lobsang Sangay, on Saturday appealed for worldwide support to “solidarity with Tibet” campaign in 2013.

Speaking to media persons here, he said he would visit the Tibetan settlement at Mundgod, near Hubli, on December 10, 2012, the Human Rights Day, to launch the campaign.

The worldwide campaign would help create awareness and mount pressure on China at a time when the country was attempting to demonstrate that it had the upper hand over territorial disputes by releasing a map of Greater China.

“Despite the increasing number of self-immolations, the international community remains largely unaware of what is going on inside Tibet. The Chinese government has responded to the self-immolations with further repressive policies, and sentencing of individuals suspected of having shared information regarding the self-immolations with the outside world. We will provide accurate information about events in Tibet to everyone during our campaign. I appeal to the international community and governments to stand for justice by answering the universal aspirations of Tibetans in Tibet: the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans,” he added.

Asked about unsuccessful Sino-Indian talks in recent years,  Sangay remarked “We have dealt with China, and know exactly how the leaders react. Our delegations also had similar experience with the Chinese government. Passports issued recently with a map of Greater China are based on ethnology, and shows a major portion of Nepal as part of Greater China. Now, even the people of Nepal are apprehensive about the designs of China,” he added.

Sangay said the “solidarity with Tibet” campaign would build on lobbying efforts initiated in 2012 through parliamentarians and organisations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Reporters’ Without Borders, and the US Congressional Executive Commission on China.

Chorten Nyima: Another Hidden Valley

Chorten Nyima - a mountain range and a mythological 'hidden valley' (beyul) lies within a remote region of the Tibet-Sikkim Himalayas at the junction of three countries, Tibet, Sikkim and Nepal. Pristine and untouched, this pilgrimage site is virtually unknown to outsiders and its scenic beauty rivaled only by Karchu Lapchi and Tsari. From the complex, snow fields and glaciers are only an hour's walk away.

Today, this ancient retreat in south Tibet again draws a constant flow of pilgrims; for some Nyingmapa followers, Chorten Nyima is perhaps a greater spiritual prize than Mt Kailash, mainly because of the sustained spiritual activities of Guru Rinpoche in the area. It is regarded as the North Gate of the magically powerful Dremojong Beyul (Sikkim), a 'hidden valley' situated deep within the Tibet-Sikkim divide. This beyul, together with Pemako and others, functions as a paradisiacal refuge for all Tibetans in times of great national stress.

Sikkimese threatens to raise demerger demand

“Sikkim is for Sikkimese only”                                             

Gangtok, Dec 11: The reported bid to merge Darjeeling with Sikkim has evoked radical reactions from the Sikkimese. Dr. Shiva Kumar Sharma, Population & Conservation Geneticist, has threatened to demand Sikkim’s demerger if the Centre goes ahead with the reported plan.

In a press statement circulated widely among local journalists, Sharma said “… if the Centre moves ahead with this merger issue, we Sikkimese strongly press demerger of Sikkim from India.”

He said “Sikkimese shall not tolerate being dominated, humiliated and looted by any one in future. If the Centre fails to protect the rights and privileges of Sikkimese the consequences would be terrifying.”

Reacting to a report in a local daily entitled ‘Centre keen on Sikkim-Drjeeling merger,’ Sharma said Sikkim and the Sikkimese people enjoy a distinct status within the Union after the merger and this cannot be taken away.

“The agenda of Sikkim-Darjeeling merger is a conspiracy hatched out by the Central Government to completely betray the people of Sikkim,” Sharma said while adding “As a concern and educated person of Sikkim, I would, at first, vehemently condemn the agenda of Sikkim-Darjeeling merger as it has been moved by the Central Government. This move also indicates the Centre’s secret plan of diluting the agenda of Gorkhaland.”

“All Indian citizens must know one fact that Sikkim is for Sikkimese only and not for others,” Sharma said.

“Sikkimese were the subjects of the Chogyal of Sikkim before merger with the Union of India in 1975 and only the Sikkim Subject Certificate holders and their descendants are Sikkimese and shall remain the same.”

‘Sons of soil’ to guard China border in Sikkim

New Delhi, Dec 11: India’s policy of integrating local soldiers or “sons of the soil” with the Indian Army in guarding the frontier with China will now be extended to Sikkim. This will complete an arch of locally recruited battalions to be integrated with the Army and stationed from Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir in the North to Arunachal Pradesh in the East.

The Cabinet Committee of Security has given its nod to raising a battalion of “Sikkim Scouts” that will be tasked with guarding high passes and portions of the north-eastern part of Sikkim, besides keeping an eye on the routes of ingress, according to reports.

Initially, 28 officers, 44 Junior Commissioned Officers and 862 jawans will form the battalion. The raising of the battalion will cost the government Rs 32. 50 crore, while the annual recurring cost will be Rs 34.45 crore. The battalion will be ready and raised in 30 months i.e. mid of 2015.

It will take time to recruit and train boys from Sikkim to form the battalion of “sons of the soil”, said sources.

The Army has integrated battalions of locally recruited soldiers under “Ladakh Scouts” and “Arunachal Scouts” (two battalions each), “Kumaon Scouts”, “Garhwal Scouts” and “Dogra Scouts” (one battalion each). Battalions comprising locally recruited soldiers hold a strategic advantage. The local recruits have instinctive knowledge of their mountainous terrain, do not require skills training to survive in harsh climatic conditions and can gather information from local population easily.

Over 350 infantry battalions are stationed all over the country and are moved every few years to keep them abreast with different terrains and threat levels.

“Arunachal Scouts” was the last one to be raised. General JJ Singh (retd) had proposed it during his tenure as Army Chief and the Cabinet approved it in 2009. Its first battalion was raised in 2010. The second one was approved later.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

Seal border, check influx: Mahanta

“Illegal migration from across the border was politically motivated”

New Delhi, Dec 11:  The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) on Saturday demanded immediate steps from the Centre to seal the Indo-Bangladesh border to check unabated illegal immigration from across the boundary.

Referring to the recent spate of violence in Kokrajhar in Assam, AGP President and former Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta blamed the Centre for not taking tough measures. He said the Centre must immediately seal the international border in Assam and deploy enough mechanism to check the exodus.

"There are government records which show the presence of foreigners in Assam. Continuous rise of immigrants have endangered the population of Assamese existence," he said at a seminar on infiltration, ethnic divide and how to bring a solution to the troubled Assam, PTI reported.

The function was organised by the Delhi Chapter of All Assam Lawyers' Association.

Deputy Chief of Bodoland Territorial Council Kampa Borgayari said illegal migration from across the border was politically motivated and supported by religious extremist forces.

"It is not a mere economic migration but it is an invasion and infiltration," he said.

Borgayari said there were many laws in force in the country but none of them have been able to deter or stop the illegal migration.

President of Bodo Women's Justice Forum Anjali Daimari asked the indigenous people of the state to come together to fight the problem of illegal migration.

"The land hungry immigrants have come with political agenda," she said.

Army agrees to domicile certificates for recruitment

Itanagar, Dec 11: The army in Arunachal Pradesh has agreed in principle to consider domicile certificates as valid proof of residence during recruitment rallies. This follows an initiative by Governor Gen (retd) J J Singh to fill up vacancies in the army.

"This consideration is only for the non-Arunachal Pradesh scheduled tribes residents settled in Arunachal Pradesh for long periods and will not affect the reservation quota for the scheduled tribes of the state," a Raj Bhavan communique said here on Saturday.

Singh had taken up the matter with Army Chief General Bikram Singh recently, TNN reported.

In his letter to the army chief, the governor pointed out that as per State Government policy, no permanent resident certificate is issued to non-residents of the State.

As a result, they were not recruited by the army and vacant posts under general are diverted to other states.

With the revised procedure, the State is likely to see more residents getting recruited by the army during the rally, scheduled for December 3-5 at Tezu in Lohit district.

State finance, planning and PWD minister Chowna Mein first highlighted the issue before the Governor and also made concerted efforts to ensure that these residents get their due and maximum representation in the armed forces.

Losoong: A Sikkimese Harvest Festival

By Sonam Deki and Kunga Chukie

Though Losoong (celebration of the year) is annually celebrated as a harvest festival in Sikkim the occasion is also traditionally regarded as the Sikkimese New Year. The event  normally falls in the month of December and towards the end of the 10^th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar and is basically celebrated by Sikkimese Bhutias. However, the Sikkimese Bhutias who live in the northern regions of Lachen and Lachung, Losoong is normally celebrated in the month of January.

 At the close of the year the farmer's rejoice and celebrate their harvest. Losoong marks the end of the harvest season and is a traditional celebration to thank the gods and each other for the good harvest and to offer prayers for the next season.

The festival is marked by Chaam (masked) dances at several monasteries in Sikkim. The dances symbolize the exorcizing of the evil spirits of the year and the welcoming of the good spirit of the New Year.

They also make offerings to the gods, both in the monasteries and in their domestic shrines.  It is best to see this festival in rural areas of Sikkim, where it is celebrated more pompously with traditional archery competitions and other events.

To the Sikkimese, Losoong is more of a private affair. People get up before dawn to take bath and wear new clothes. Later, all the family members sit together to perform pujas for peace and prosperity.

SIKKIM OBSERVER Page 1        December 8, 2012

Chamling appears before Patra Commission on graft charges

Gangtok, Dec 7: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling last Thursday appeared before Justice Patra Commission of Inquiry that was constituted last year to probe allegations of corruption against him and some of his colleagues.

Chamling made an appearance before the Commission to reply and clarify on the allegations made by the State unit of the Congress party, according to a statement of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF).

Chamling, a four-time chief minister, was accused by the Congress of amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. Similar accusations were made against some of his ministerial colleagues as well.

Chamling’s party moved a resolution last year for instituting a panel to probe the allegations. The SDF statement said that Chamling’s appearance before the Commission was “in conformity with the rule of law and democratic values” that the CM had been adhering to.

Opposition parties have alleged that the probe is an eyewash to fool the people.

Tenzing’s death is a great loss to Sikkimese

     Late Tenzing Bhutia (right) with NASBO President Sonam Lama Kaloen during the hearing of the 97 MW Tashiding     

     Hydro Electric Project case at the Sikkim High Court premises last Monday (Nov 26). Bhutia, along with Kaloen, had     

     challenged the project in the Supreme Court. The case was referred to the Sikkim High Court.

Gangtok, Dec 7: The Press Club of Sikkim has condoled the “untimely death” of Tenzing Bhutia, editor of ' Pro-Sikkim' English weekly, which was launched only last week.

Bhutia met with a fatal car accident on Wednesday evening near Adampool in lower Rumtek.

In a statement, the PCS said Bhutia’s demise is “a great loss to the press and media fraternity” in the State.

The National Sikkimese Bhutia organization (NASBO 371F) said Bhutia’s passing away is “an irreparable loss to anyone who would not hesitate to consider himself a ‘Proud Sikkimese’.”

In a statement, NASBO President Sonam Kaloen said Bhutia was always concerned about the “ever diluting distinct identity and rights of Sikkim and the Sikkimese people.”

 In his efforts to preserve Sikkim’s distinct identity Bhutia worked with Denjong Lho-men Chog-du and Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC).

600 lamas, nuns participate in historic puja in Tashiding monastery

Gangtok, Dec 7: Around 600 lamas and nuns participated in the just-concluded ten-day-long historic puja in Tashiding monastery in West Sikkim.

Monks and nuns from 50 monasteries from all over Sikkim, including Taktse (Gangtok) and Sikkim Institute of Higher Nyingma Studies, Deorali, participated in the recitation of one hundred thousand prayers of Guru Rinpoche’s Le’u Dun Bumtherma which ended on Sunday.

Organised by Conservancy for Trans Himalayan Art and Culture (CTAC) with the consent of the State Government, this historic puja, which began in Tashiding on November 23, was led by several highly-placed lamas and rinpoches: Gonjang Rinpoche, Lachung Rinpoche and Khenpo Lha Tshering.

Drakar Tashiding is believed to be the most sacred place for Sikkimese Buddhism. This place was visited by Guru Rinpoche and Yishey Tsogyal in the 8^th century.

The Le’u Dun Bumtherma prayers “was never recited one hundred thousand times at a time at a particular event,” according to Jamyang Dorjee, regional coordinator of CTAC. This was done for the first time in Tashiding. Dorjee said one of the most outstanding achievements was that monks representing Nyingma and Kyagyu orders participated in the prayers.

Some of the prominent sponsors of the puja were Gyari Rinpoche (Lodi Gyari, former special envoy of HH Dalai Lama), Mindroling Tulku Penam Rinpoche (Dehrudun), Sogyal Rinpoche and Hollywood actor Richard Gere.

7-day Kagyu Monlam puja begins in Bodhgaya on Dec 14

     Sikkim’s Sonam Yongda (second from left) along with Sikkimese contingent receiving HH 17^th Karmapa Trinley Thaye     

     Dorje at Bodhgaya during 2011 Kagyu Monlam.

Bodhgaya, Dec 7: The annual Kagyu Mönlam Chenmo 2012 commences here on Dec 14 and will continue till Dec 20.

His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje, who is expected to reach here on Dec 13, will preside over the entire Mönlam session for 7 days at the Sacred Mahabodhi Stupa, under the Bodhi tree, where Buddha Shakyamuni attained Enlightenment 2500 years ago.

The organizing Committee has already started their planning and preparations for this mega event in which about 50, 000 trulkus, khenpos, rinpoche, monks, nuns and lay devotees from across the world and particularly the Himalayas- Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan - are expected to participate in offering Grand Prayers for universal peace and prosperity.

 The 14th Gyalwang Shamarpa Mipham Chokyi Lodrue is also expected to attend the Grand Prayer.

Editorial

 PRO-SIKKIM

The Time Is Now

The tragic and untimely death of Tenzing C’wang Bhutia, who just last week launched his Pro-Sikkim English weekly, ought to remind us that procrastination is the thief of time and those who wish to contribute something meaningful to society must do it now and not leave the task to some other time. ‘If you put off doing what you ought to do, you will end up not having enough time to do it properly.” Though Tenzing spent most of his life as an employee of the State Bank of India his heart was elsewhere. His flirtation with journalism and social organizations in the past three decades revolved around certain issues that concern the people of Sikkim. At the heart of his political activism was his passion to preserve Sikkim’s distinct identity within the framework of the Constitution of India.

Tenzing’s death is a personal loss to the editor of this paper. He worked tirelessly and enthusiastically for the Nepali edition of Sikkim Observer in the early 1990s when the establishment made it very difficult for independent journalists to function freely. Tenzing’s first known publication was The Sikkimese, an English weekly published from Gangtok. Due to various reasons it folded up. During the launch of Pro-Sikkim in Gangtok last week former chief minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari rightly said that being “pro-Sikkim” does not mean that we are “anti-India.” New Delhi ought to come to a more realistic view of the situation in the former kingdom if it wishes to protect its security interests in the region. If there are those who genuinely feel the need to preserve Sikkim’s distinct identity within the bounds of India then they should appreciate and honour Tenzing’s loudable contributions for a just cause. Death cannot and must not be the ultimate victor if there are those who dare to dream for a more free and just society.

SC acts on Tamang murder plea, issues notices to CBI

Gorkha leader Madan Tamang  was murdered in Darjeeling on May 21, 2010. (left)

New Delhi, Dec 7: The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Centre and West Bengal government on a plea seeking a fresh probe into the killing of a Gorkha leader in Darjeeling following allegation that investigation by state police and CBI were "tainted, biased and malafide".

A bench of Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and justices S S Nijjar and J Chelameswar also issued notices to the CBI, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal police and the Darjeeling Police on a petition by Bharati Tamang seeking the probe into the murder of her husband Madan Tamang, president of All India Gorkha League.

Bharati, in her plea, also sought quashing of the charge- sheets filed by the CID and the CBI on August 30, 2010 and August 20, 2011 respectively, saying "investigation has suppressed vital information and evidence whilst submitting both the chargesheet and the supplementary chargesheet in order to exclude the same from the materials to be used in prosecution of the co-conspirators."

She has also sought a direction from the apex court to appoint "an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising of senior officers headed by a competent person or authority of impeccable credentials" to conduct a fresh probe into the conspiracy and murder of Madan Tamang on May 21, 2010 at Darjeeling.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Bharati, sought appointment of the SIT alleging the "police failed to arrest, interrogate and arraign the accused persons named in the complaint and the FIR lodged pursuant thereto which was vital for establishing the extent of the conspiracy to commit the murder."

Tamang was killed allegedly by "a group of about four hundred supporters of Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) carrying deadly arms" on the morning of May 21, 2010 when he was overseeing preparations for a public meeting.

Bharati also said that "despite handing over of investigation to the CBI, the same yielded the arraignment of only one more accused whilst keeping quiet about the role of the main persons against whom allegations had been levelled and against whom substantial evidence is already forthcoming."

She has accused the Centre and the State of trying to protect top leaders of GJM whom she has arraigned as parties.

On September 26, the Calcutta High Court had granted bail to four persons, Swadesh Rai Majhi, Sipen Maley, Sumi Rai and Puran Rai, accused in case.

Prime accused Nicole Tamang, a GJM central committee member, fled from CID custody following his arrest on August 15 from a hideout at Bijonbari in Darjeeling.

SFA mourns death of Bhaichung’s father

Gangtok, Dec 7: The Sikkim Football Association convened an emergent meeting to condole the sudden death of Sonam Topden Bhutia, the father of Bhaichung Bhutia.

Sonam Topden, 73 years of age, passed away on Thursday (December 6, 2012) morning in his residence at Tinkitam, South Sikkim. He is survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter.

SFA members observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed soul. All the members expressed their deep condolences to Bhaichung and his family at their hour of bereavement.

After jet crash it is now bear scare in Dzongu

Gangtok, Dec 7: After the recent plane crash the bears have invaded the Lepcha-dominated region of Dzongu in North Sikkim.

The villagers of Lower Gyer of Shipgyer in Upper Dzongu have been advised by the panchayat members to refrain from entering the jungle there owing to the risk of wild bear attacks, official sources said on Thursday.

One person was killed there in a bear attack last week, they said, PTI reported.

It is learnt that the bear is still in the jungles around the village with more sightings reported in the area and the panchayat secretary has also advised the people to even avoid the approach footpath which connects with the PWD road after daylight hours.

A Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in an inaccessible forested area in Dzongu last Friday with the pilot suffering serious injuries.  

The fighter jet, on a routine sortie from the Hashimara airbase near Siliguri in West Bengal, crashed near Lik in Upper Dzongu with the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Yogesh Yadav, suffering serious injuries and the wreckage catching fire.

    "A court of inquiry has been ordered into the crash," IAF Group Captain Amit Mahajan told PTI in Shillong.

 Centre clears proposal on Sikkim Scouts battalion

New Delhi, Dec 7: The Government yesterday cleared proposals worth over Rs 13,000 crore for a major expansion of the strategic Naval air base at Karwar where the Russian-origin aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov will be berthed and raising a new battalion of Sikkim Scouts for the Army.

The proposals were cleared at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here, Navy sources said.

The CCS cleared a proposal to raise the first battalion of Sikkim Scouts for the Army which will mainly comprise youth from the northeastern state.

The new battalion will be established on the lines of Ladakh Scouts, which is mainly deployed in the region from where the troops are drawn.

On the need for having such battalions, Army officers said the two primary reasons were local youth's natural acclimatisation to the region's terrain, weather and environment.

Sikkim has a population of just 5.4 lakh as per 2001 census and according to government figures, 60 per cent of them are below 24 years of age.

India's border with China along Sikkim extends to 222 km. China claims a small tract of territory in Sikkim called the 'Finger Area' too.

Under the plan, Navy will carry out the expansion of the Karwar base on the country's western sea board in Karnataka where it will berth Admiral Gorshkov, now rechristened INS Vikramaditya, and carry out military aircraft operations. The aircraft carrier is expected to join the Navy next year end, Outlook magazine reported.

It plans to deploy the Scorpene submarines and a number of surface ships at the base after the completion of the over Rs 10,000 crore project at Karwar.

Codenamed Project Seabird Phase IIA, the work will involve construction of a wide range of new facilities and augmentation of certain existing facilities, they said.

As per the plans, the Navy will be able to base around 30 major warships at Karwar after the completion of Phase-IIA by 2017-18.

It is also planning to establish a Naval Air Station there for deploying fixed and rotary wing ship-based military aircraft, they said.

Project Seabird has been dogged by long delays, fund crunches and truncated clearances since it was first approved in 1985 at an initial cost of Rs 350 crore.

Phase-I, which was completed at a cost of Rs 2,629 crore in 2005-06, has enabled the Navy to base more than 15 warships at Karwar.

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN     Wednesday Nov 28-Dec 4, 2012  

Mount Hermon gave me a sound foundation: CJI

    Chief Justice Altamas Kabir (third from right) at Mt. Hermon School's Speech Day function in    

    Darjeeling on November 24, 2012.

Darjeeling, Nov 27: Chief Justice of India Justice Altamas Kabir candidly acknowledged that he owed much to his alma mater for what he is today. “What we are today is because of the basic grounding that we got from Mount Hermon School,” Justice Kabir said during his brief address at the school’s annual Speech Day function here on Saturday.

“The values that you inculcate stand in good stead throughout life,” he said while adding that he was “extremely honoured” to be back after 56 years.

Justice Kabir spoke fondly of his three years in Mt. Hermon, where he remembers having ‘basmati rice and mutton balls for lunch’ not forgetting the ‘toy train rides and Going Home Day songs.’ He also recollected that David G. Stewart was the Principal when he was in school. He said former Principal GA Murray, who became Principal in 1964 when Stewart left, was “large as life.”

More than 150 ex-students and teachers attended the function. Prominent among them were P. Russell (UK), Rocky Gardner, Amar Rai (Chairman of Darjeeling Municipality), Justice Indrajit Mohanti, Tshering Dorji (Home Secretary, Bhutan), Karma Bhutia (Sports Secretary, Sikkim) and Mr. and Mrs. S. Rongong. Several ex-teachers were felicitated during the function.

Several Managing Committee members of the school, including Bishop Dr. Philip Maish, and Gorkha Territorial Administration’s executive member Roshan Giri were also present during the occasion.

The outgoing Principal George Fernandes, who served the school for 35 years, appealed to all Hermonites to look after their alma mater. Bishop Maish announced that a ‘Hermonite’ has been selected as the next Principal of the school. For almost a year now Hermonites from all over the world have been urging the school authorities to appoint a credible Hermonite as the next Principal to ensure that the school regains its past glory.

Map row: India retaliates, issues visas stamped with Indian map

New Delhi, Nov 27: India and China are back to sparring over territorial claims involving Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin.

It all started with the Chinese government showing Arunachal and entire Aksai Chin as part of its territory in maps of the country on their new e-passports.

Unhappy at this, the Indian embassy in Beijing is said to be issuing visas to Chinese nationals with a map of India showing Arunachal and Aksai Chin as its territories, The Hindustan Times reported.

After the water marks in the new Chinese e-passports showed Arunachal and Aksai Chin as part of China, the Indian mission started issuing visas with Indian maps including these places as part of its territory.

India has begun to mark its visas for anyone travelling from China to India with its official map that shows the disputed areas of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh as part of India. This was done to retaliate against Beijing’s newly issued hi-tech passports that show these areas as part

of China in a map embossed inside.

The new passports have also angered several of China’s neighbours as it includes almost the entire South China Sea as also Taiwan, which broke away after a civil war in 1949, as part of its own territory.

Official maps issued by China have along included the territories, both land and sea, disputed with India and the other neighbours like Vietnam and Philippines.

Editorial

LOOK EAST

Handle With Care

Ahead of the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-India dialogue relationship, visiting diplomats from the South-east Asian region have rightly stressed the need for improvement of physical connectivity between the North East and Myanmar for full realisation of India’s Look East Policy. Improved connectivity will surely go a long way in expanding relationships between the two sides in areas of security, trade, commerce, tourism, culture and people-to-people contacts. However, it must be borne in mind that the ‘Look East Policy’, which was mooted two decades ago, could not take off due mainly to the slow process of India’s infrastructure development in the border states and the failure of the authorities to tackle the insurgents in the region.

According to Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, the global focus has now shifted to Asia and the Pacific region which accounts for three billion of the world's population and 40 percent of the GDP. The changed political situation in Myanmar is likely to lead to a final settlement of tribal problems in the country’s northern region. India, too, must engage itself genuinely in tackling somewhat the same issues in the northeast. Pumping money through corrupt politicians and unconcerned and unresponsive bureaucracy is not the ideal way to deal with the situation. The northeasterners, by and large, are only asking that while progress and development take place care should be taken not to disturb their fragile environment and distinct ethnic identities.

‘Solidarity March’ organized by Sikkim Tibetans to protest self-immolations

Gangtok, Nov 27: Hundreds of exiled Tibetans began a 120-kilometer-long march from Sikkim to West Bengal, as a mark of protest against incidents of self-immolations caused by Chinese atrocities.

The ‘Solidarity Peace March’ is organised by the Tibetan Youth Club (TYC) of Gangtok. The President of the Tibetan Youth Club of Gangtok, Chung Chung Bhutia, said: “We are organising this march from Gangtok to Siliguri as a mark of protest against Chinese atrocities on our compatriots in Tibet. Though, China says that they have human rights but Tibetans are not given their rights, which is invoking them to resort to self-immolation. Till now, the number of self-immolations has increased to 79,” ANI reported.

In an appeal by the TYC it said, “The overwhelming message from Tibet is that change must come now. Thousands upon thousands of people of conscience are standing in solidarity with Tibetans in this hour of crisis…”

Recently, Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, had pressed China to investigate the dozens of self-immolations by Tibetans.

The United Nations’ most senior human rights official had called on China to address frustrations that have led to Tibetans’ desperate protests, including some 60 self-immolations since March 2011.

China has refused, and continues to blocks foreign journalists from the region. It has set up road blocks to some Tibetan areas where there has been unrest.

Tensions over Tibet are at their highest in years after a spate of protests over Chinese rule and self-immolations by Tibetan activists, which have prompted a Chinese security crackdown.

Some 78 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since March 2011 in protest against Chinese rule over Tibetan region. At least 64 have died, according to Tibetan rights groups.

JMM to spread wings in North Bengal

JMM to tie-up with GJM for panchayat polls

Ranchi, Nov 27: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has decided to expand its base and the political fray in northern West Bengal likely to be held in March-April 2013. This would be the first time Shibu Soren's party would venture into West Bengal.

Contesting polls in northern Bengal makes sense for the party as North Bengal has a sizeable tribal population with roots in Jharkhand. Keeping in mind the possibility of victory in elections in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Darjeeling and Cooch Bihar areas of North Bengal, the party has decided to contest for all panchayat seats in the election.

Sources in party said the average tribal population in the Dooars Terai region is around 40%. "People from almost all major Jharkhand tribes - Santhal, Oraon and Munda - live in these four places. We hope the tribals will vote for JMM representatives in the election as we can take up their cause with more conviction than any other party," said the source.

Party spokesman Supriyo Bhattacharya said the focus of the party till now was on Jharkhand, or Greater Jharkhand, which covers some parts of Chattisgarh, Odisha and southern districts of West Bengal, and is close to the state and also has a sizeable tribal population.

"Our's is one of the few parties in the country that has always fought for rights of tribals. We have decided to expand our organization even in North Bengal as it has a good tribal population with links to Jharkhand. Our party has already entered into a tie-up with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and will jointly contest the panchayat election," said Bhattacharya. GJM will contest the election in the remaining districts and JMM will support their candidates in these places.

Meanwhile, senior leaders of the party, including chief Shibu Soren along with deputy chief minister Hemant Soren, will visit these four areas and try to build an organization that is strong at grassroots level. "According to our estimates, each of these places - particularly Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar - has more than 40% population with roots in Jharkhand. We are sure the tribal population will vote in favour of the JMM candidates," he added.

Former Mt. Hermon School teacher Miss P. Russell of UK at the Hermonite reunion in Darjeeling on Friday (Nov 23). Miss Russell will also attend Hermonite reunions in Gangtok, Kalimpong and Siliguri before returning home after meeting school friends in Chennai.

Gorkhas must have ‘national perspective’: Pradeep Yonzon

Gangtok, Nov 27: Former National Secretary of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) Pradeep Yonzon stressed the need to work towards a ‘national perspective’ while working for welfare of the Gorkha community in the country.

While speaking at a state level meeting of the BGP in Singtam, south Sikkim, last week, Yonzon, also a former minister of the State, said no matter how tough the situation is the Gorkha community and its apex body must be kept alive.

The meeting, chaired by BGP Working President Narayan Bhattarai, discussed future plans and programmes of the organization in the State, including the forthcoming annual convention in Legship, West Sikkim, scheduled for next week on December 2.

The meeting was also attended by its patron members C.P. Giri, A.B. Gurung, LN Poudyal, Surendra Kumar Dhungel, N.P. Gautam, S. Pandey and Prabin Khaling.

One day a Bangladeshi will become Assam’s CM: Gadkari

‘Infiltrators have outnumbered native people in 11 of 27 districts in Assam’

Agartala, Nov 27: If infiltration is not checked, one day a Bangladeshi will become the Chief Minister of Assam, BJP president Nitin Gadkari warned on Thursday. He also took a dig at the Congress by calling it a "maa-beta" (mother-son) party.

"The infiltration from Bangladesh has been unchecked in northeastern States, especially in Assam," Gadkari said, while addressing the 'Janajagaran Samabesh' (mass awareness gathering) here, IANS reported.

He said that in 11 of the 27 districts of Assam, the infiltrators had outnumbered the native people. "The number of infiltrators in Assam is fast rising," said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president.

Slamming the Congress, he said: "Congress has become a 'maa-beta' (mother-son) party, it has no vision."

Claiming that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government was virtually in the intensive care unit, he said that despite the 57-year rule of the Congress at the centre the country was still fighting poverty. "Wrong policies and corruption ... of the UPA government have further increased poverty in India," Gadkari said.

Claiming that the BJP-led alliance would come to power at the centre in 2014, Gadkari said their government would ensure that capitals of all the northeastern states get broad-gauge railway connectivity. Only Assam and Tripura have the facility at present. "There is inadequate rail and road network in the northeast ... even though there are huge resources in the industry-starved region," the BJP leader said.

Gadkari arrived here Wednesday night and held meetings with state party leaders for a campaign ahead of the assembly elections likely in February next year.

Comparing the BJP-ruled Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh with other states, Gadkari said: "Like Congress-ruled states, Left-ruled states have also remained heavily underdeveloped."

Six advanced landing grounds to be prepared in Arunachal

Tezpur, Nov 27: Six advanced landing grounds will be prepared immediately by Indian Air Force in Arunachal Pradesh for emergency landing of defence aircraft and helicopters.

The advanced landing grounds would be set up at Ziro, Vijay Nagar, Mechuka, Pasighat, Tuting and Walong, defence sources said here on Friday.

The Border Road Organisation here under Army's 4 Corps has taken measures to complete surface communication projects within the stipulated period, the sources said.

Union DoNER minister Paban Singh Ghatowar during a visit to the State earlier this week had said Rs 35 crore had been earmarked by his ministry for development of surface communication along the Sino-India border.

Ghatowar had also suggested that the Army and Air Force build up suitable surface and air communication there.

The defence sources said the 417 km long road along the Sino-India border in Arunachal Pradesh is expected to be completed this year.

SIKKIM OBSERVER                                  Nov 21-24, 2012

CJI Altamas Kabir to visit Mt. Hermon on Nov 24

Darjeeling, Nov 20: Chief Justice of India Justice Altamas Kabir will arrive here on Saturday to attend Mt. Hermon School’s annual Speech Day function to be held on the same day.

Justice Kabir is an ex-student of Mt. Hermon, founded by American missionaries in 1895, and studied there in mid-fifties. It is on the initiative of the Hermonites, alumni of the school, that Justice Kabir has been invited as Chief Guest on this special occasion.

Justice Kabir will be accompanied by Hermonite Justice Indrajit Mohanty of Orrisa High Court and Hermonite Krishna Goenka from Delhi.

At least 150-200 ex-students and ex-teachers from India, Nepal and Bhutan will be present at the school during the Speech Day function. Former teacher Miss P. Russell will be among those who will be present during the ‘grand reunion’ in Darjeeling. Russell, who comes from UK, is expected to visit Kalimpong and Darjeeling.

A grand reunion dinner has been organized by the Darjeeling Hermonites Association for the Hermonites on the eve of Justice Kabir’s visit here at Mayfair resort on Friday.

The Sikkim Hermonites will host a reunion dinner for Russell at Hotel Tashi Delek (Gangtok) on November 26.

Following Justice Kabir’s elevation to the high post on September 29 this year, a delegation of Sikkim and Delhi Hermonites called on him at his residence in New Delhi to felicitate him.

Justice Kabir’s visit to his alma mater is significant as the school is going through a tough period in all respect. Global Hermonites, including past principals and teachers, have urged the owners of the school, the Methodist Church of India, to take strong measures to strengthen the school with a view to regain its past glory.

Chinese diplomats visit jailed Chinese national

Gangtok, Nov 20: A three-member Chinese delegation led by Minister Counsellor Fan Fei arrived here on Sunday on a three-day trip to the State.

While the main purpose of the visit could not be ascertained the team met Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso and also met a Chinese national, Langta Jaincan, who has been detained here at the Rongyek jail since last month.

Jaincan, who has been booked under Official Secrets Act for alleged espionage activities, was caught taking pictures on Indian territory in Nathula in east Sikkim last month.

According to reports, the visit of the team was cleared by the Ministry of External Affairs.

It is interesting to note what PTI filed from New Delhi on the visit: “For the first time, a high-level team of Chinese diplomats are in Sikkim on Monday in connection with consular issues, a “reconfirmation” of Beijing’s stance of accepting the State as part of India.”

It added, “The visit is expected to be seen by the South Block as “acknowledgement and reconfirmation” of changed stance of Beijing, which has accepted India’s sovereignty over Sikkim in last eight to nine years.”

The report went on to add, “China had questioned Sikkim’s accession to India and refused to grant visas on this ground to people from the state, even if they were listed as part of an Indian government delegation.”

Mount Hermon: Rising up from the ashes

By Jigme N Kazi

Knowles

Founder: Miss Emma L. Knowles (1840-1924)

When Miss Emma L. Knowles, an educational missionary under the Women’s Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States, founded Mount Hermon School on March 11, 1895 the school was called ‘Arcadia’ and was located below Chowrasta facing Lebong in Darjeeling.

Miss Knowles had already spent many years in India as Principal of schools for European girls at Nainital and Calcutta before coming to Darjeeling.

Emma Knowles played a major role in establishing the Wellesley Girls High School in Naini Tal and having worked at the Calcutta Girls' School she realised the need for a similar school to be set up in Darjeeling's favourable climate.

She began ‘Arcadia’ with only 13 students. Deeply religious and a committed Christian, Miss Knowles was convinced that it was God’s will to establish a school for girls in Darjeeling. Within threes years of the founding of the school a terrible earthquake in 1898 completely damaged the school building, killing several of its students in the tragic incident.

Undaunted by the terrible disaster and faith in the Almighty, Miss Knowles purchased a piece of land near the railway station in Darjeeling town just above the Hill Cart Road and continued with the work. By 1902, the school had at least four dwelling houses and a three-storey building. The enrolment of the school rose to 50 and the school was renamed Queen’s Hill School (QHS).

Miss Carolyn J. Stahl

From the beginning of the century till 1929, it was Miss Carolyn J. Stahl, who really served the school, first as an assistant to Miss Knowles, and then as the Principal from 1918 to 1929.

Stahl

Queen’s Hill School was nearly closed down in 1914 due to shortage of funds but because of the concern and dedication of both Miss Knowles and Miss Stahl the school survived. Miss Stahl, also from America and a member of Women’s Foreign Missionary Society, believed that “any great task can be accomplished by the exercise of boundless faith, much intercessory prayer and ceaseless work.”

By 1918, the enrolment rose to 163 and the school authorities felt the need to find a suitable site for expansion of the school.

Queen's Hill School was primarily for the children of missionaries and other Europeans as most white people were called. The students were taught a British curriculum.

Bishop Frederick Bohn Fisher

Though he did not become Principal of the school, Bishop Frederick Bohn Fisher is regarded as one of the four Founders of Mt. Hermon School. Born in Pennsylvania in the US in 1882, Bishop Fisher was elected to the Episcopacy and came to India as a missionary and became the Bishop of Calcutta and served in the Thoburn Methodist Church in Calcutta.

As a prominent Methodist Church leader, Rev. Fisher took a live interest on Queen’s Hill School. The present location of the school was purchased from Lebong Tea Company, Grand Hotel (Calcutta) and Mount Everest Hotel (Darjeeling) in 1920. Bishop Fisher played a vital role in the purchase of the new estate.

The inauguration of the new school building, which has been described as “one of the finest buildings in the Orient,” was performed by Lord Lytton, then the Governor General of Bengal, in May 26, 1926. Initially, the school had around 100 acres.

Fisher

In 1929-30, Rev. ES Johnson of the Thoburn Methodist Church (Calcutta) became Principal of the two schools located in the new campus – Queen’s Hill School for Girls and Bishop Fisher School for Boys – and in the same year (1930) and for the third time the school was renamed Mount Hermon School and became a co-educational institution.

In their honour Mt. Hermon still continues the tradition of awarding best girl and boy students every year during its annual Speech Day: Miss Stahl Cup for Best Girl Student and Bishop Fisher Cup for Best Boy Student.

Bishop Fisher knew Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore on intimate terms. “He seemed to me to be one of the few Christians who walked in the fear of the Lord, and, therefore, feared no man,” was Gandhi’s comment on Bishop Fisher, who died of a heart attack in 1938.

Among the former principals of Mt. Hermon after Miss Stahl, Mrs. Lila Engberg (Principal – 1931-1935) needs a special mention mainly because it was she who helped and inspired MH to move forward after the devastating January 15, 1934 earthquake that caused severe damage to the main school building.

Mrs. Engberg not only managed to mobilize huge amount of funds to rebuild the school building but also made sure that repair and reconstruction works were done on time to enable the school to begin its next academic session in March 1935 without much difficulty.

Rev. Halsey E. Dewey

Mt. Hermon endured another major crisis in the early 1940s. The effect of the Second World War hit the school badly as most of its students were from abroad. The school was nearly closed down in 1943. Not only were the funds low the enrolment also dropped to only 120. The uncertainty of the future of the mission in India also had an adverse effect on the school.

Dewey

But it was Rev. Halsey E. Dewey, who became the Principal in 1938, who was chiefly responsible for keeping the school going during one of its darkest periods. Rev. Dewey, who is one of the four Founders of the school, had heavy responsibilities for mission work in Bengal and as staff were hard to get he found it increasingly difficult to keep the school going and was nearly closed down in 1952. Between 1938, when Rev. Dewey became the Principal, through to the 1940s and 1952, when Rev. Dewey left, MH had two other Principals: Rev. M.A. Clare (1942) and Mrs. R. Forsgren (1947).

Rev. David G. Stewart

Mt. Hermon really and truly emerged as a great educational institution in the sub-continent when Rev. David. G. Stewart of the New Zealand Chinese Inland Mission (now renamed Overseas Missionary Fellowship) took over the school as its Principal in 1954.

From only about 100 students in early 1950s, the school grew to well over three hundred students by the time Rev. Stewart left at the end of 1963. The school grew not only in strength but in standards and character. In 1961-62, Mt. Hermon was adjudged the best boarding school in India.

Stewart

By mid-1950s MH had a mix of children of different nationalities - American, Australian, New Zealanders, British, Europeans, Indians, Anglo-Indians, Tibetans, Sikkimese, Burmese, Bhutanese, Nepalese, Chinese and even students from Thailand who used to fly all the way out to India for the school term.

It was in 1960 that the school was divided into four Houses named after its Founders and Heads: Knowles (green), Stahl (red), Fisher (yellow) and Dewey (blue).

G. A. Murray

Mr. Graeme A. Murray of New Zealand was already the Acting Principal during Rev. Stewart’s last year in MH. He naturally took over the school as Principal in 1964 after Rev. Stewart’s departure. Mr. Murray finally left MH after 24 years of service to the school in 1978.

Mr. Murray built on the solid foundation laid down by Rev. Stewart and Mt. Hermon blossomed and went from strength to strength during his tenure as Principal. Under Mr. Murray’s leadership Mt. Hermon maintained its high standard in all spheres – academic, sports & games, music, plays & dramas etc.

Mr. Murray was blessed by a group of dedicated and competent members of the staff: Mrs. Joy Rongong, Mr. and Mrs. Mathai, Miss C. Hawke, Mr. and Mrs. W. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Gardner, Mrs. Alexandra, Miss P. Russell, Miss Bilcliffe, Mr. and Mrs. Lunnon, Mr. and Mrs. Ismail, Mr. and Mrs. West to name a few.

Rev. J. A. Johnston

Rev. John Johnston, whose association with MH goes back to 1959, became the next Principal in 1979 after Mr. Murray left at the end of 1978.  Rev. Johnston from Australia was a quiet, soft-spoken gentleman. During his tenure as Principal Darjeeling went through an uncertain political period when the main demand of the local Gorkha (Nepali) population was for creation of a separate state of ‘Gorkhaland.’

Because of the new political environment most schools in Darjeeling, including MH, faced many difficulties during this period. However, Rev. Johnston somehow managed to stay the course and MH was able to pull through the turbulent period.

    Mr. and Mrs. Johnston with GA Murray (centre)

Uncertain future

Jeff Gardner, an ex-teacher of MH, who later became Rector of St. Paul’s School, Darjeeling, took over the school in 1992 after Rev. Johnston left in 1989.

The school’s future after Rev. Johnston’s departure was uncertain. It may be recalled that most senior teachers of the school left MH in 1978 and this created a huge gap in the teaching faculty.

Mr. Gardner was already the Senior Master when Mr. Murray was the Principal. His taking over the school as Principal in 1992 gave much hope and confidence to all Hermonites and well-wishers of the school that the school was in good hands.

The manner in which the school was run after Mr. Johnston and Mr. Gardner left (1993-94!)  prompted Hermonites in the region to urge the Managing Committee, which runs the school on behalf of the Methodist Church of India, to make Mr. George Fernandes, who was on the staff from 1977 during Mr. Murray’s tenure, the Principal to ensure stability of the school. Mr. Fernandes and his wife Saroj (Pradhan) Fernandes (a Hermonite), who took charge of MH in 2000-01 have made much contribution to keep the school going and to stabilize the situation when it seemed MH was being troubled on all fronts.

‘MH Revival’ Campaign

In order to revitalize all aspects of the school’s life Hermonites from all over the world from the beginning of 2012 have been unitedly urging the Managing Committee to appoint a competent Hermonite as Principal to set things in order so that the school regains its past glory and continues to give valuable service to society.

 Despite overwhelming concern shown by global Hermonites throughout 2012 on the school’s future survival and success the school authorities, Managing Committee Members and the Methodist Church of India have not responded to the Hermonites’ call for ‘MH Revival’.

   The main building of the school has been badly damaged after the September 18, 2011 earthquake, staff cottages which were burnt down or in disrepair have not been rebuilt or maintained, school campus has been encroached and worse is the rapid fall in the enrolment…the present strength of boarders is said to be just over 200. There is also the justifiable apprehension that MH may be closed down in the near future or die a natural death if its problems are not properly addressed at the earliest.

Editorial

CHANGE OF GUARD

Hope In Tibet

The Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay’s statement that it is time for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet has come at a time when Chinese Communist Party has endorsed Xi Jinping as the country’s next President. Sangay made the statement in Dharamsala last week while inaugurating the three-day Second Special International Tibet Support Groups Meeting. “This special meeting will send a clear message that Tibetan supporters will make sure that the Tibet issue remains alive till freedom is restored and Dalai Lama's return to Tibet,” Sangay  said.

Though talks with the Chinese government has failed the Dalai Lama still hopes to return to Tibet one day. When that day comes he has promised to return his power to create a local government under Chinese rule.  His proposal for ‘genuine autonomy’ for Tibet under China has yet to receive positive response from China. With Xi taking over reins of power in China shortly there is much optimism for an amicable solution to the Tibet issue. Earlier, political experts thought that Beijing is not really looking for a solution to the issue, but simply waiting for the Dalai Lama to die. However, this perception may change with the change of guard in China.

The Dalai Lama (77) once had a special relationship with Xi’s late father Xi Zhongxun, a liberal-minded former vice-premier. He recalls the elder Xi as "very friendly, comparatively more open-minded, very nice." Xi senior had a close bond with the Tibetan leader who once gave the elder Xi an expensive watch in 1954, a gift that the senior party official was still wearing decades later. Xi senior, who died in 2002, was believed to be a dove in the party, championing the rights of Tibetans, Uighurs and other ethnic minorities. He also opposed the army crackdown on the 1989 Tiananmen student protests and was alone in criticising the sacking of liberal party chief Hu Yaobang by the Old Guard in 1987. Tibetan exiles see other small signs that Xi could take a softer line on Tibet - his wife is a Buddhist, and Xi went out of his way in 2006, while party boss of Zhejiang province, to host the first World Buddhist Forum in the provincial capital.

PEOPLE & PLACES Bhutan&Sikkim

‘Sikkim has a very deep cultural and religious link with Bhutan’

By Jamyang Dorjee

     Denzong Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal during Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuk’s coronation in Thimphu in      

     1974.

Dassain holiday this year was most memorable as I visited Bhutan with my family for a pilgrimage to Paro, Bumthang, Wangdue Phodrang and Thimpu. I would like to share some of my thoughts here.

Liu Duenpa seven line prayers spoken by Guru Rinpoche in the 7th century, which most Nyingmapa practitioner recites every day even orally states " Paro Taktsang Kewtsang ru……maong Semchen namla thukje sik " meaning; in the cave of Paro Taktsang, where I subdued the evil spirits and meditated, all the sentient beings who visits in future will be blessed. It is therefore considered fortunate for a follower of Guru Rinpoche to be able to visit these places of pilgrimage, sit and contemplate there for a while, recite the texts and reflect upon the great deeds of this spiritual master. Paro is little more than 4 hrs drive from Indian border at Phuntsokling. It is recommended to start the 3 hrs uphill trek to Paro Taktsang cave early in the morning so that one reaches the cave and Lhakhangs before sunrise.

What amazed me more was the effort by the Royal Government of Bhutan in constructing a much secured footpaths on the last and the most difficult leg of the steep cliff, have security guards maintaining the sanctity; ensuring that citizens of Bhutan while visiting the cave/Lhakangs wear their traditional dress, making sure foreigners enter the area in a respectful attire, ban mobile phones, cameras, tobacco or tobacco products inside the compound. Just like the Sikhs insists that a devotee cover their head while visiting a Gurdwara, the Bhutanese zealously guard the holy place, make you feel that they respect pilgrims but at the same time do not encourage casual tourists who might fancy taking a photograph sitting on the lap of Guru’s statue.

Guru Rinpoche referring to Bumthang in the Liu Duenpa prayer text further says ‘Lho chok monkha ri la ku je shak” meaning; I leave the prints of my body on the southern hills of Monkha ri (Bumthang). Bumthang is about 8 hours drive from Paro, where visitors require a special permit.

We were fortunate enough to be at the time of Bumthang Tsechu, an annual festival where a giant appliqué thangka of Guru Rinpoche is displayed to the masses and mask dances are performed.

We were blessed to see the imprints of Guru’s body well preserved on the rocks inside Kurje Lhakhang, a giant juniper tree believed to be planted upside down by Guru Rinpoche provides shade to the main Monastery and the famous ‘drup chu’, a natural spring water believed to have miraculous healing power is just a walking distance from the compound.

Across the hill from Kurje Lhakang is another holy five hundred years old monastery called Tamshing Lhakang; the original monastery of Terton Pema Lingpa who also said to have visited Sikkim and constructed a small Lhakang in west Sikkim at Pelling.

Few minutes’ drive from Tamshing Lhakhang, we visited the Jampa Lhakhang commissioned by Choegyal Songtsen Gambo of Tibet in the 7th century. I was told that of the 108 such Lhakangs commissioned by him, only two survived and that is one in Bumthang and another in Paro. Guides tell you that when Tibet was occupied by China in 1959, the two dragon’s carvings behind the statue shed tears of blood for many days! One can actually see the traces of the tears and this is a very strong evidence of the emotional bonds between Tibetans and Bhutanese. Every Tibetans must come and re-visit history and appreciate the efforts by the people and the Government of Bhutan for maintaining the monastery so well even today.

Bhutan today is the only surviving Buddhist kingdom practising the Nalanda tradition or Tibetan Buddhism as a state religion, their King being the unifying factor. Interestingly, I also learnt that during the Nepali Dassain festival, the Bhutanese of Nepali origin paid their respect to His Majesty the fifth as an avatar of Vishnu, a Hindu god, which is unique. It is a universal fact that every sentient being wants happiness and nobody wants suffering but the pursuit of happiness is different in different countries. Both United State’s mixed economy theory heavily dependent on measuring GDP and China's reformist leader Deng Xiaoping’s slogan “to be rich is glorious" have not necessarily made the American or the Chinese citizens happier, as projected by the never ending violence, cut throat competition, corruption, nepotism and cynicism around the world every day.

GNH or Gross National Happiness, the guiding principle of the government and Constitution of Bhutan believes that the progress of a nation should be viewed not only through the lens of economics but also from spiritual, social, cultural and ecological perspectives. During my travel, I could visibly see the impact of the GNH in at least two most important development sectors in Bhutan which is the hydro power generation and tourism. The hydro power projects in Bhutan have ensured that there is no demographic change because the Bhutanese themselves manages the project after its completion. Instead of dolling cash to the land acquired from the public, the project builds markets, schools and houses for the families, like in Wangdue Phodrang areas thus ensuring sustainable income to the public for generations to come. By and large people are not only happy but proud of this balanced development.

Another important sector is tourism. Bhutan realized that its strength lies in its rich cultural heritage and pristine environment. Keeping this in view they invested in maintaining the existing holy places, providing international quality roads, encouraging locals to invest in hotels with a touch of tradition and discouraging multi storied concrete structures. In order to attract quality tourists the Government standardized the fees for foreign tourists as 250 USD per person per day, which many believes will discourage tourism initially but today seeing the number of tourists coming in, people do realizes the far sightedness vision of their Government.

 Almost all the guides that I came across were dignified, well educated, well versed with Buddhist philosophy and above all proud of their culture. In Sikkim, I recall with great respect, the farsighted vision of former Chief Secretary K. C. Pradhan, under whom I was fortunate to serve for few years. He also had similar vision, always insisted on quality tourism in Sikkim and in fact suggested a standard rate for Dzongri trek. But unfortunately, nobody heeded his advice and the sanctity of Dzongri trek is no more.

As a human being, especially somebody like me who retired after working for a long time in Sikkim Government in tourism and culture sector, naturally one feels to reflect upon the development here and try to learn a lesson or two. Recent years in Sikkim, we have seen series of tourism projects both implemented and on pipeline for construction of huge statues of Buddhist deities on hill tops besides a magnificent Char dham Hindu temple at Namchi. It is certainly encouraging and may have the potential to attract tourists but its spiritual benefit to the land and people will depend on the motivation of the investor at the first place, irrespective of the fact that these monuments were blessed by spiritual masters or not.

Interestingly, I met many friends and retired officers from Sikkim en route at Paro Taktsang. The guide told me that this week alone, two thousand Sikkimese visited the place. Sikkim has a very deep cultural and religious link with Bhutan. The first 5- year development plan of Bhutan was scripted by Burmiok Athing Densappa of Sikkim. He was deputed by Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal on request of His Majesty the 3rd King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk of Bhutan.

As I mentioned above, the traces of culture in Pelling, West Sikkim could be found rooted in Pemalingpa monastery at Bumthang. In Sikkim today, only a small Menthang exists at the tri-junction of Pelling Bazar and the name of the place is attributed to the Terton. Baylangdra Nye at Wangdue, another sacred cave is believed to be the place where Terton Dorji Lingpa discovered a Buddhist text on the Dorling lineage in the 8th century. Later he established his main monastery in south Sikkim at Burfung called Doling Gompa and a branch in Bhutia Busty, Darjeeling. Darjeeling originally known as Dorjeeling was named as a place for Terton Dorji Lingpa.

Coming back to Sikkim and its developments, it will be equally important to do a SWOT analysis and understand the strength of Sikkim. For Buddhists it is the hidden paradise blessed by Guru Rinpoche and for nature lovers like Hookers it is the kingdom of rhododendron. Driving through Sikkim is like going through a beautiful album provided the roads are good. Guru Padma Sambhava in fact according to the text “Denjong Neyik” has given a complete geographical description of the sacred places including the four holy caves etc.

Maintaining these existing holy places as described by the Guru Rinpoche will definitely attract the follower of Vajrayana Buddhists numbering to 20 million besides casual tourists. Khadro Sangphu, at Rishi used to attract thousands of Bhutanese pilgrims during the winters for hot spring. Today this sacred site remains neglected and even marginalized by the hydro projects. Preservation efforts of these places will not only bring sustainable economic benefits to the people but will maintain the sanctity of the place for many more generations to come.

Swami Vevekanada had said “Half of our life we waste in trying to be somebody who we are not and by the time we realize who we are there is nothing much left to do” It is time to be realistic, understand the strength within and develop Sikkim as it is and not try to make something which it never was at the first place. A balanced development must have national security, cultural, spiritual and environment factors incorporated into it. (The writer is former civil servant, Government of Sikkim and Regional Coordinator for the Conservancy of Himalayan Arts and Culture, a nonprofit NGO based in Washington DC. He can be reached at jamyangdorjee@yahoo.com)