SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday Sept 26-Oct 3, 2014

Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

     Darjeeling Das Studio’s Mohan Das Pradhan taking a walk near Chowrasta, Darjeeling.

Get ready to win ‘regional war’, Xi tells army chiefs

Beijing/New Delhi, Sept 26: Chinese President Xi Jinping has promoted three People's Liberation Army (PLA) generals known to be close to him and also asked his troops to "improve their combat readiness and sharpen their ability to win a regional war in the age of information technology".

The move might help him achieve greater loyalty within the military forces, something he has also demanded from army chiefs, the South China Morning Post reported on Monday.

"The headquarters of all PLA (People's Liberation Army) forces should improve their combat readiness and sharpen their ability to win a regional war in the age of information technology," Xi said at a meeting with the country’s military elite, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported.

    "The headquarters of PLA forces must have absolute loyalty and firm faith in the Communist Party of China, guarantee a smooth chain of command and make sure all decisions from the central leadership are fully implemented," Xi said.

Reports said the promotions were ordered after Xi summoned 15 top generals to Beijing on Sunday and spoke to them in PLA chief Fang Fenghui's presence. Significantly, Xi also said military commanders should "have a better understanding of international and domestic security situations".

"All PLA forces should follow the instructions of President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the central military commission (CMC), and update their operations to meet new goals and missions set by the CMC," Xinhua news agency quoted an official statement as saying.

The call for loyalty and combat readiness comes as China’s border confrontation with India escalates. Chinese troops have several times crossed the so called Line of Actual Control (LAC) – a demarcation line between Indian and Chinese territory – in the Ladakh region over the last week. The standoff has prompted questions about whether the Chinese army at the border was following instructions from Beijing or acting on its own.

On Monday, the press office for China's Defense Ministry dismissed the confrontation as a by-product of a longstanding misunderstanding over where the border between the two countries should lie.

"The China-India boundary dispute is an issue left over from history,” the military’s statement said. “The boundary between the two countries has not been demarcated until now and there are differing perceptions with regards to the line of actual control (LAC)."

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunyin separately insisted on Monday that there was no need to have "unnecessary suspicion" on both sides on the border issue.

She said the leaders of the two countries have reached an important consensus on politically resolving the border issue through friendly mechanism, The Times of India reported.

"China and India have sufficient capacity and confidence to maintain peace and tranquility in the boundary areas," she said.

BJP demands Chamling’s dismissal for misleading PM on ‘Organic State’ claim

Raises corruption issue with Governor

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi recently.

Gangtok, Sept 26: The BJP has sought the ‘dismissal’ of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for lying to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ‘misleading’ the people on the ‘organic State’ issue and for his refusal to allow the CBI to investigate into corruption charges leveled against him.

In its memorandum submitted to the Governor, the BJP said the State Government’s refusal to allow the CBI to probe into charges of corruption against Chamling will lead to ‘disturbance of peace and tranquility’ in the State.

A delegation of the Sikkim unit of the BJP, led by party President Palden Wangchuk Khangsarpa and Jayananda Kumar Singh, chief of BJP’s Kisan Morcha, submitted the memorandum to the Governor here on Wednesday.

“The Chief Minister of Sikkim, besides claiming funds from the Government of India, he personally appraised the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India that Sikkim has attained the organic mission started from the year 2003 and has been declared to be the only organic State in the Country,” the memorandum said.

Based on the Chief Minister’s claim Kisan Morcha chief and a team of the party’s State unit conducted a “study and fact-finding mission” in the State and found that “Sikkim has not attained the organic mission as claimed” by the Chief Minister, a release of the party said.

The BJP has claimed that “130 produce of Sikkim had been sent to European agencies for testing and that only three of these Sikkim produce had been accepted as organic,” the release said.

Singh said “he was not aware that Sikkim had been officially declared nor certified as an organic state and it was wrong of the Sikkim CM to have lied to the Prime Minister in this regard.”

It added that “farmers are still using the inorganic materials, pesticide including other insecticides and inorganic insect repellant in their farms.” It also added that the State Government’s reply under the Right to Information Act (RTI) also confirmed their finding that Chamling had been “misleading the people of Sikkim” and “constitutional authorities”   like the Prime Minister on “organic mission”.

The Chief Minister should “resign on moral grounds for having made the Prime Minister of India make statements which were not true,” a party release said.

It added, “The false statement of the Sikkim CM had caused the Prime Minister of India to make untrue declarations at the international level at Nepal and Bhutan. This, said Shri Singh, is enough reason for the Sikkim CM to tender his resignation.”

In its memorandum, the BJP has alleged that despite charges of corruption pending against Chamling he has not allowed the CBI to probe into the charges.

“The Chief Minister who himself is involved in corruption cases cannot at any cost cause to issue Notification to stop investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation more so when the prima facie case has been established after conducting preliminary investigation and inquiry,” the memorandum said.

While stating that “non grant of permission” by the State Government for CBI probe into corruption cases “may lead to disturbance of peace and tranquility in the State”, the BJP has demanded that the Governor exercise his constitutional powers and “dismiss the Government headed” by Chamling.

Flag meet in Ladakh held, but standoff is yet to end

New Delhi, Sept 26: To end the standoff along Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, China has demanded that the Indian Army give up construction of a road, which they have planned to build along the undefined border. Sources said China has also asked India to destroy the canals which are being constructed from NREGA funds in Demchok sector of Ladakh, The Indian Express reported.

India has also objected to a bridge, which China has constructed on their side in Chumar over the past six months. Hours before a flag meeting was to be held on Thursday between India and China, two face-offs were reported in Chumar, a source said.

The two issues were raised during the flag meeting held on Thursday on request of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). The stand-off, which started on September 10, has refused to die down and the buildup has increased at least at eight locations in Ladakh.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in New York on Thursday said India and China have resolved the standoff at the Ladakh border. The withdrawal of troops will begin on Friday and be completed by September 30, Swaraj said, describing the resolution of the issue as a "big accomplishment”, PTI reported.

Swaraj's statement came after she discussed the border standoff issue with Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi at the United Nations.

Earlier, Indian soldiers were deployed in the stand-off zone, while 15 battalions and reserve units in eastern Ladakh have been kept at high alert.

Amid continuing standoff on the borders, India on Tuesday said engagements with China were underway at "different levels and different places" and made it clear that the country's border security was in safe hands.

India's response came a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping asked the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to be combat ready to win a "regional war".

Meanwhile, New Delhi is working on naming a Special Representative as demanded by China during President Xi Jingpin's visit to India last week to hold talks on the border issue and demarcation of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), they said.

Nepal parties threaten agitation if federal structure demand ignored

Kathmandu, Sept 26: Fearing that the ruling parties might attempt to frame a new constitution on the basis of numerical strength ignoring consensus, the Federal Republican Alliance has stepped up efforts to seek support of fringe parties.

The Federal Republican Alliance comprising Unified CPN-Maoist, Federal Socialist Party-Nepal and five Madhesi parties has pledged to fight for identity-based federalism.

The Federal Republican Alliance held a meeting with United Front for Common Agendas (UFCA), an alliance of nine fringe parties that supported Sushil Koirala’s candidacy for premiership and solicited their support for identity-based federalism, The Himalayan reported.

Sadbhavana Party Co-chair Laxman Lal Karna said the parties united under UFCA agreed to collaborate for a consensus-based constitution.

FSP-N Chair Ashok Kumar Rai said they told the constituents of UFCA that a new constitution should be based on the spirit of people’s war, popular movement II, Comprehensive Peace Accord, Madhes uprising and various movements launched by Janajatis, Muslims, Dalits and other marginalised groups.

Unified CPN-Maoist Secretary Barshaman Pun on Wednesday warned his party would hit the street if the ruling coalition partners tried to promulgate the constitution through voting process on the basis of numerical majority.

Speaking at an interaction in Bharatpur, Pun warned, “If the ruling coalition partners — the NC and UML — try to deliver the constitution through mathematical numbers bypassing the Maoists, Madhes-based parties and ethnic communities, we shall take to the street.”

BOLD INITIATIVE

To Tibet Through Sikkim

While not much headway has been made in terms of volume and frequency of trade at the Indo-Tibet border at Nathula in east Sikkim the fact that resumption of the border trade at Nathula in 2006 has not caused any hindrance to Indo-China relations is an indication that Asia’s two giants are opening up and coming closer. Last week’s historic decision by visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open the Nathula route for pilgrims to visit Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar in western Tibet is indeed a step in the right direction. Hopefully, the route will be opened at the earliest. The move to open the Himalayan frontier for trade and pilgrimage will surely pave way for tourism and people-to-people contact between the two growing economies.

 At a latter stage decisions should be taken for Tibetans in Tibet and Chinese Buddhists to visit Buddhist pilgrimage places in India. If the Nathula experiment is successful Lachen, Lachung and Jelepla routes should also be opened for trade, tourism and pilgrimage. For centuries the nomadic highlanders of Lachen and Lachung valleys in north Sikkim traded with Tibet through North Sikkim. This came to an end after the 1962 Chinese invasion of Sikkim. India was then protecting Sikkim, whose defence, communication and foreign affairs were with New Delhi. Having embarked on a courageous journey towards friendship and development Beijing and New Delhi must now give top priority to gaining the trust and confidence of the peoples of the Himalayan region, including Tibet, Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal. Security ultimately lies with the people and not territory.

PEOPLE&PLACES Mt. Kailash

Mt. Kailash: Myth and Mystery

Mt. Kailash or Mt. Kailas (Tibetan: Gang Tise or Gang Rinpoche; Chinese: Gangdisi Shan) is a striking peak in the Himalayan mountains of western Tibet. The source of some of the longest rivers in Asia, Kailash is a sacred mountain for four faiths: Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and followers of the indigenous Tibetan religion of Bön. Next to the mountain are two sacred lakes, the most important of which is Lake Manasarowar.

Myth and Mystery

According to Hindu mythology, Shiva, the god of destruction and regeneration, resides at the summit of a legendary mountain named Kailāśā. Mount Kailāśā is regarded in many sects of Hinduism as Paradise, the ultimate destination of souls and the spiritual center of the world.

According to a description in the Puranas, Mount Kailash's four faces are made of crystal, ruby, gold, and lapis lazuli; it is the pillar of the world; rises 84,000 leagues high; is the center of the world mandala; and is located at the heart of six mountain ranges symbolizing a lotus. From it flow four rivers, which stretch to the four quarters of the world and divide the world into four regions.

This legendary mountain has long been identified with the striking peak in the Himalayas that now bears its name. Shiva is therefore believed to dwell at its summit. Some traditions say the mountain is Shiva's linga, while Lake Manasarowar is the yoni of his consort.

The importance of this holy mountain in Hinduism is reflected, among other places, at the famous Ellora Caves in India, where the largest and most important rock-carved temple is dedicated to Mount Kailash.

Tibetan Buddhists believe that Kailash is the home of the Buddha Demchok (also known as Demchog or Chakrasamvara), who represents supreme bliss. They also say it was on this sacred mountain that Buddhism displaced Bön as the primary religion of Tibet.

According to legend, Milarepa, champion of Tantric Buddhism, arrived in Tibet to challenge Naro-Bonchung, representative of Bön. The two magicians engaged in a great sorcerous battle, but neither was able to gain a decisive advantage.

Finally, it was agreed that whoever could reach the summit of Kailash first would be the victor. While Naro-Bonchung soared up the slope on a magic drum, Milarepa's followers were dumbfounded to see him sitting still and meditating. Yet when Naro-Bonchung was nearly at the top, Milarepa suddenly moved into action and overtook him by riding on the rays of the sun, thus winning the contest and bringing Buddhism to Tibet.

In Jainism, Kailash is known as Mount Ashtapada and is the site where the founder of their faith, Rishabhadeva, attained liberation from rebirth.

In Bön, the religion which predates Buddhism in Tibet, the mountain is believed to be the abode of the sky goddess Sipaimen.

What to See at Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash rises to 22,028 feet (6,714 m) in one of the highest and most rugged parts of the Himalayas. Made of black rock, the symmetrical peak has a distinctive diamond-like shape with four steep facades. The south face has a vertical gash across its horizontal layers, creating the appearance of a swastika - an ancient symbol of good luck in this part of the world.

The landscape around the mountain is rugged and dry but crossed by crystalline blue streams and other bodies of water. Near the sacred mountain is the source of the Indus, Sutlej and Bramaputra rivers and on its south side are two freshwater lakes, the easternmost of which is the highly sacred Lake Manasarowar (Mapam). With an altitude of 14,950 feet, Mansarovar is the highest body of fresh water in the world. The other lake, Rakshastal, also has legendary significance.

Pilgrimage

Every year, thousands make a pilgrimage to Kailash, following a tradition going back thousands of years. Pilgrims of several religions believe that circumambulating (walking around) Mount Kailash will remove sins and bring good fortune. The pilgrimage around the sacred mountain is called the Kailash Kora.

It is said that one trip around the sacred mountain will wipe away all the sins (bad karma) of one's current lifetime; 108 revolutions will remove the sins of all one's lifetimes and bring salvation from reincarnation (moksa). Alternatively, pilgrims who complete one circumbulation of Kailash and bathe in the frigid waters of Lake Mansarovar will also bring salvation.

No pilgrims climb Mt. Kailash; all four religions believe it would be a serious act of sacrilege to set foot on its slopes. Legend has it that the only person to have reached the summit is the Buddhist champion Milarepa (who flew to the top in the 12th century) and that all others who have ventured to defy the taboo have died in the process.

     A drive to Mt. Kailash from Shigatse, Tibet. (Pix:Mohan Pradhan - The Trekking Company – Australia)

The rugged path around Mount Kailash is 32 miles (52 km) long, following a blue mountain stream much of the way. Altitudes range from 15,000 feet at the start to 19,000 feet at the Dolma Pass. The circumambulation is made in a clockwise direction by Hindus and Buddhists but counterclockwise by followers of the Jain and Bön religions.

A typical journey lasts about three days, but some try to earn extra merit by completing the entire walk in a single day. Braving the uneven terrain, high altitudes and variable weather, these hardy souls can complete the trek in about 15 hours.

Other pilgrims seek special merit by taking much longer to circle the holy mountain: instead of walking, they perform body-length prostrations for the entire 32 miles. The pilgrim bends down, kneels, prostrates full-length, makes a mark with his fingers, rises to his knees, prays, and then crawls forward on hands and knees to the mark made by his/her fingers before repeating the process. It requires at least four days of physical endurance to perform the circumambulation this way.

The mountain is located in a particularly remote and inhospitable area of the Tibetan Himalayas. Only those in the best health are able to undertake the journey even to the starting point of the circumambulation, let alone walk 52 km in a single day. A few modern amenities, such as benches, resting places and refreshment kiosks, exist to aid the pilgrims in their devotions.

Shigatse, Tibet                                                                           (Pix:Mohan Pradhan - The Trekking Company – Australia)

Most pilgrims and trekkers take three days to complete the journey around Mount Kailash from the city of Darchen, aiming for Drirapuk Monastery on the first night, crossing Dolma La Pass and arriving at Zutrulpuk Monastery the second night, and finally returning to Darchen on the third day.

Monastery accommodation is not always available, so travelers must carry tents and food. To help with the burden, yaks and porters can be hired in Darchen for about ¥100 per day. The path frequently crosses mountain streams, so waterproof boots or an extra pair of shoes is essential.

Getting There

Most pilgrims begin their journey overland from Kathmandu or Lhasa. From there, they travel over the Tibetan plateau (ranging 10,000-16,000 feet in elevation) in a rented Jeep. It is a long journey with four night stops in camps, finally arriving at Darchen (elevation: 4600 m).

Western visitors usually need a guide, vehicle, driver, and a military permit to visit Kailash, all of which are arranged on tours from Kathmandu or Lhasa. The short version of the tour takes 14 days and cost around ¥15,000 ($1,950), which can be split among four travelers. The longer 21-day tours run about ¥17,000 ($2,210).

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Liar’s Dice’ starring Sikkim’s Geetanjali Thapa seleted for Oscars

(Left) President Pranab Mukherjee presents best female actress award to Geetanjali Thapa for her role in Hindi film ‘Liar’s Dice’ during the ‘61st National Film Awards 2013’ function in New Delhi in May 2014.

 Mumbai, Sept 26: Hindi film ‘Liar’s Dice’, a road drama about a tribal woman’s journey to find her missing husband, has been selected as India’s official entry to the upcoming Academy awards in the best foreign film category.

Directed by Geetu Mohandas and starring Geetanjali Thapa and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in lead roles, ‘Liar’s Dice’ beat 29 other films to represent India at the Oscars 2015, Supran Sen, secretary general of the Film Federation of India (FFI) told PTI.

Sen said FFI, which nominates the Oscar entry from India every year, had received a record submission of 30 films.

Set in a village near the Indo-Tibetan border, the film’s story follows a young tribal woman whose husband has failed to return home after leaving to work in Delhi many months ago.

She decides to go to Delhi with her young daughter to search for him and on the way meets an Army deserter, Siddiqui, who realizing the perils of the journey ahead for them, decides to accompany them to their destination.

’Liar’s Dice’, Mohandas’ feature debut, was critically acclaimed in the festival circuits. It was selected at the Sundance Film Festival and International Film Festival Rotterdam.

The film won the National award for best actress to Thapa and best cinematography award to Mohandas’ cinematographer husband Rajeev Ravi.

India has never won an Oscar in the best foreign film category. The last Indian film that made it to the final five nominees at the Oscars was Ashutosh Gowariker’s ‘Lagaan’.

’Mother India’ and ‘Salaam Bombay’ are the only other two Indian films to have made it to the top five. The 87th Academy awards will take place on February 22.

SPORT

Kalimpong’s Taekwondo Master Manoj Yonzone gets global recognition

Kalimpong, Sept 26: International Master Instructor, Manoz Yonzone, of Kalimpong recently returned from Korea after undergoing further advanced training in the Korean Martial Art of Taekwondo. He attended the 36^th  Foreigner’s Taekwondo Masters Course during the month of July. The internationally recognized course was attended by more than 130 Master Instructors from over fifty countries.

            It was conducted by the World Taekwondo Academy (Kukkiwon) at its swanky and world class modern sprawling complex located in Taekwondowon, Muju, Korea. This was the first time the course was held in/shifted to its recently opened new training complex. On previous years, the course was held in Kukkiwon, Seoul.

            On the successful completion of the intensive course, he was issued a Global Taekwondo Teaching License by the World Taekwondo Academy.

            Master Manoz Yonzone (5th Dan Black Belt, WTF) then travelled to Seoul, Korea where he again did an intensive month-long training in Taekwondo at the Sangrok World Taekwondo Academy under the personal guidance and instruction of his Korean Grand Master Chang Seong Dong (9th Dan Black Belt, WTF).

            He has been a practising student of Grand Master Chang Seong Dong since 1996. At the conclusion of this year’s Taekwondo training, Grand Master Chang Seong Dong designated Master Manoz Yonzone as the Certified Chief Instructor (West Bengal, India) of the Sangrok World Taekwondo Academy which is recognized by the World Taekwondo Federation. Furthermore, as per the rules and regulations of the Sangrok World Taekwondo Academy, Master Manoz Yonzone was also promoted to 6th Dan Black Belt.

            A B.Com graduate, Master Manoz Yonzone lives in Kalimpong and Mumbai. He is an alumnus of Mt. Hermon School and St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling. He continues to share his Taekwondo and martial skills and vast experiences of over 38 years with his extended Taekwondo family of students and fellow instructors.

Master Manoj Yonzone’s Martial Arts Details:

Number of years trained: 38 years

Styles Learnt: Budokwan Karate / WTF Taekwondo / Choi Kwang Do

Instructors:

BudokwanKarate :

– Sensei Puran Pal Nepali (4^th Degree Black Belt – India)

WTF Taekwondo:

-          Master Pasang FoningLepcha (4^th Dan WTF Black Belt - India)  

-          Grand Master Chang Seong Dong (9^th Dan WTF Black Belt – Korea)

Choi Kwang Do:

-          Founding Grand Master Choi Kwang Jo (9^th Dan Black Belt – USA)

Martial Arts Certified Rankings:

-          Brown/Black Belt (Budokwan Karate – India)

-          3^rd Dan Black Belt (Choi Kwang Do International – USA)

-          5^th Dan WTF Black Belt (Taekwondo –World Taekwondo Federation, Korea)

-          6^th Dan Black Belt (Taekwondo – Sangrok World Taekwondo Academy – Korea)

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN International Himalayan Weekly          Sept 20-26, 2014   Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

TO TIBET VIA SIKKIM

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra through Nathula

New Delhi, Sept, 19: In a major political gesture, Chinese President Xi Jinping has agreed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposal for the opening of a new route for Indian pilgrims visiting Kailash and Mansarovar in Tibet via Sikkim.

The opening of the route was sought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their first meeting in Fortaleza in Brazil in July this year. Expectations were  high that the route through Nathu La border point in East Sikkim would be part of the big gesture of friendship not only to strike chord with Modi but also the people at large, specially the Hindus and Buddhists considering its religious importance.

Modi wanted the second route for the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, keeping in view the terrain difficulties of the existing routes through Uttarakhand and Nepal which involved arduous journey involving heavy tracking or by mules.

The Yatra being organized by external affairs ministry goes through Lipu Pass, Himalayan pass connecting the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand in India with the old trading town of Taklakot in Tibet. The route was badly damaged in recent floods in Uttarakhand. Tour companies organize similar tours through Nepal which are equally tough, making it difficult for aged and not so healthy people to undertake the pilgrimage.

The journey, however, may become more comfortable through Nathu La pass, used for a limited border trade since 2006, as the pilgrims could travel by vans, bikes  and busses up to Mansorvar and Kailash directly.

Officials say the opening of the post will not affect the nature of the border dispute as the clause states that it is subject to the overall agreement of the boundary and would be specified in any new MOU.

The issue figured in the talks on Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs held here in April this year.

The new route, though longer, takes pilgrims from Nathu La to Shigatse also known as Xigaze, the second biggest city in Tibet after provincial Capital Lhasa by road. From there the pilgrims could comfortably travel to Mansarovar and Kailash using well laid out highway.

Modi and Xi on Thursday agreed to quickly resolve the border dispute and demarcate the Line of Actual Control to improve peace and cooperation between both countries.

Addressing the media after the conclusion of one-on-one meeting with visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping, Modi said India is concerned about the frequent incursions along the border. The Line of Actual Control should be demarcated soon to ensure peace and tranquility in the area, he said.

President Xi, in response, said that China will work to settle the border issue at the earliest date. Since the border is not demarcated there will be some incidents, but both countries are capable of settling it at various levels without causing a bigger impact, he said.

Both sides pledged to improve people-to-people contacts and cultural ties. The year 2015 will be celebrated as a 'Visit India' year in China and 2016 will be celebrated as 'Visit China' year in India.

Nepal leader demanding ‘Independent Madhesh’ arrested

Kathmandu, Sept 19: A prominent activist from Nepal’s Madhesh region who is seeking inclusion of the right to secede in the country’s new constitution has been arrested for anti-national activities.

Dr CK Raut, a PhD from University of Cambridge and a former employee of Raytheon, a US defense contractor, was arrested on Saturday evening in Morang district in eastern Nepal while returning home from a public rally.

“He has been charged with public offence. Investigations are on and more charges could be pressed later if any involvement in anti-national activities is confirmed,” said Nepal Police spokesperson TP Lamsal.

Both the activist and his associate Satyanarayan Mandal who were arrested together were produced in a district court on Sunday and remanded to police custody for six days.

Raut, who returned from US to Nepal in 2011, is the central coordinator of Alliance for Independent Madhesh, which is seeking establishment of an independent and sovereign Madhesh, the plain region in southern Nepal.

His arrest has already created a stir in Nepal with rights activists within the country and abroad terming it extra-judicial and an attack on freedom of speech and expression.

Madhesh, which borders India, comprise nearly half of Nepal’s total population of 27 million. There has been uprisings in past in the region demanding more inclusion and equality for people from the region.

With the country drafting a new constitution the demand has gained more momentum with Madheshi parties seeking inclusion of provisions that guarantee equal rights to Madheshis and ensure development of the region.

Chinese Prez more open-minded, realistic: Dalai Lama

‘Build Sino-Indian relations on the basis of mutual trust’

Dharamsala, Sept 19: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday appreciated Chinese President Xi Jinping as being open-minded and realistic, while expressing hope that he can take the India-China bilateral relations forward.

Speaking to reporters at a time when the Chinese head of state is in New Delhi to take the ties forward, the Dalai Lama however stressed that it is important to build Sino-Indian relations on the basis of mutual trust.

“Xi Jinping's thinking is more realistic and more open-minded, so he can learn more from India,” the Tibetan leader noted, ZeeNews reported.

"I think the Chinese President should learn some of India's experience. Look, east India, south India, west India, north India, different language, different script. But no danger of separation. Isn't it? Democratic rule, rule of law and free media..." he said.

Reacting to Tibetans' protest in Delhi against the visiting Chinese President, the Dalai Lama stressed, "Actually the Tibetan problem (is) also (a) problem of India. Before 1950, you see the whole northern border, really peaceful, no single soldier. So India's problem."

The Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in northern India, however, added that “understanding comes through talks”.

"So sooner or later you have to solve these problems, not by force but by understanding and talk. Understanding comes through talk, only through personal contact."

NATHULA PASS

Historic Route, Historic Move

Throughout Sikkim’s history the Nathula Pass in East Sikkim has played a historic role in the region. It was through this route that the ancestors of Sikkim’s Namgyal Dynasty came to Sikkim in the 13^th century and formed the kingdom. After the British Raj in India became a Protectorate of the former kingdom in 1890 Indo-Tibet trade began through this route. In the early 1990s the British expedition under Colonel Francis Younghusband laid siege on Lhasa using the Nathula route, leading to the establishment of trading posts in Tibet near Chumbi Valley. The Dalai Lama and Jawaharlal Nehru used this route to enter Sikkim or travel to Bhutan through Sikkim.

After the 1962 Indo-China war the Nathula Pass was sealed and it reopened only in 2006 when India and China resumed the traditional border trade. Significantly, 2006 was declared as the year of Sino-Indian friendship. Though resumption of border trade at Nathula has not been too successful the opening of this route for Indian pilgrims to travel to Kailash and Manasarovar in western Tibet is perhaps a major historic event in the region since the China’s takeover of Tibet in 1959 and India’s annexation of Sikkim in 1975. Hopefully, the historic move to open Sikkim’s frontier with Tibet will go a long way in strengthening Indo-China friendship. In the process Sikkim and Tibet should benefit the most in every respect.

Editorial

NATHULA PASS

Historic Route, Historic Move

Throughout Sikkim’s history the Nathula Pass in East Sikkim has played a historic role in the region. It was through this route that the ancestors of Sikkim’s Namgyal Dynasty came to Sikkim in the 13^th century and formed the kingdom. After the British Raj in India became a Protectorate of the former kingdom in 1890 Indo-Tibet trade began through this route. In the early 1990s the British expedition under Colonel Francis Younghusband laid siege on Lhasa using the Nathula route, leading to the establishment of trading posts in Tibet near Chumbi Valley. The Dalai Lama and Jawaharlal Nehru used this route to enter Sikkim or travel to Bhutan through Sikkim.

After the 1962 Indo-China war the Nathula Pass was sealed and it reopened only in 2006 when India and China resumed the traditional border trade. Significantly, 2006 was declared as the year of Sino-Indian friendship. Though resumption of border trade at Nathula has not been too successful the opening of this route for Indian pilgrims to travel to Kailash and Manasarovar in western Tibet is perhaps a major historic event in the region since the China’s takeover of Tibet in 1959 and India’s annexation of Sikkim in 1975. Hopefully, the historic move to open Sikkim’s frontier with Tibet will go a long way in strengthening Indo-China friendship. In the process Sikkim and Tibet should benefit the most in every respect.

RN Chamling wins Sikkim Assembly seat as independent

Losers are SDF & BJP-SKM alliance

Gangtok, Sept 19: Independent candidate RN Chamling won Rangang-Yangang assembly seat by 708 votes defeating his nearest Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) nominee Kumari Mangar in Sikkim.

While chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling's younger brother RN Chamling, who fought the seat as an independent candidate polled 4,788 votes, Kumari Mangar of the ruling SDF got 4,080 votes.

BJP's Bikash Basnett came third with 351 votes.  BJP allied with Sikkim Krantikari Morch (SKM) for the polls. Basnet was SKM’s  Assembly candidate for the same seat in the recent Assembly polls. Bishnu Prasad Adhikari of Congress finished last with only 28 votes, less than 46 votes cast under NOTA.

The byelection was necessitated following relinquishing of the seat by the chief minister as he retained Namchi-Singithang constituency which he had also won in the last assembly elections.

With RN Chamling's win, SDF is down to 21 MLAs in the Assembly. Opposition bench increases to 11.

“This is not my victory but the victory of the people. In a democracy, such things should happen where an independent manages to win an election. This was not happening in Sikkim for a long time. I will work with the entire Rangang-Yangang people for the development of the constituency,” said RN Chamling after the results were out.

Gorkhaland movement has moved to Delhi

Darjeeling, Sept 19: The movement for creation of Gorkhaland has moved from Darjeeling hills to New Delhi. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha which is spearheading the demand for a new State has begun demonstrations in New Delhi since yesterday.

"The movement will begin with a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on 18th to 19th December. To be followed by a public meeting at Talkotra Stadium on 20th," said Bimal Gurung, GJM President .

Every board members of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, the autonomous administrative body of Darjeeling have been instructed to volunteer two months’ salary for the movement.

Party members have been asked to be present in Delhi for the rallies.

Darjeeling’s Makaibari tea most expensive in country

Darjeeling, Sept 19: After being sold at a record price of $1,850 (around R1.12 lakh) per kg, Darjeeling’s Makaibari tea estate has become one of the most expensive tea producers in India.

“It is a matter of great pleasure and pride that Indian Tea, Makaibari, has booked orders at a record price of $1,850 per kg. That the orders have come from Japan, the UK and the US is also noteworthy,” Tea Board chairman Siddharth said.

He said at a time when the Tea Board and the tea industry are grappling with the issues of value addition and brand building, this news has come as a shot in the arm, PTI reported.

“Makaibari has been an iconic tea garden and we are very pleased to note that even after its ownership has recently changed hands, the high standard of its quality and recognition has grown further,” Siddharth said.

Raja Banerjee: King of Makaibari tea estate

Darjeeling Tea Association secretary Kaushik Basu said this is the highest ever price he has ever heard of for Indian tea. “But this is a one off case. We have heard that it was a small sale of around 5 kg. I don't think it was a commercial sale or auction. It may have been sold on charity,” he told PTI.

Located in Kurseong, Makaibari is the ancestral property of Raja Banerjee who had recently sold off 90% of his stake to Luxmi group.

Assam DGP commits suicide after CBI raids

Guwahati, Sept 19: Former Assam Director General of Police Shankar Barua, quizzed recently by CBI in connection with Saradha scam, allegedly shot himself dead at his residence on Wednesday (September 17).

Guwahati Senior Superintendent of Police A P Tiwari told PTI that Barua was rushed to a local nursing home at around 12 noon and was declared dead there.

"Barua is no more. We are investigating. We cannot say anything now. Only after the investigation we can talk about details," Tiwari said. Barua's body has been sent for post-marten. He was admitted to another hospital last week after he complained of heart problems and was released from there this morning.

"He came home and within half an hour he went to the terrace and shot himself with a pistol. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital by family members,'' a close family member said. Barua's name got linked with the scam after an employee of Saradha's media house here alleged last year that he had provided 'protection' to them in Assam which was arranged by popular Assamese singer and filmmaker Sadananda Gogoi on behalf of the group.

Gogoi was taken to Kolkata by CBI for further questioning and was subsequently arrested on September 12. CBI had conducted raids on 12 premises on August 28 in connection with the multi crore rupees ponzi scheme scam. The raids were carried out at the residences of two former Assam ministers, including that of former health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Barua and Gogoi, among others.

Glimpses of the HIMALAYA

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology holds three-day Buddhist Festival

The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has been promoting Buddhism in a big way, and this week’s 3-day Boudh Mahotsav Buddhist Festival at the world-renowned Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT) in Gangtok  is part of its concerted efforts to promote Buddhism in the same land where the Buddha himself once preached and in the former Buddhist Kingdom of Sikkim.

It is, therefore,  fitting that the Buddhist Festival is being held at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology that has, for over half a century, worked tirelessly to preserve, document and disseminate the knowledge of all the four Sects and Schools of Buddhism, as well as Bon. The Institute is today a centre for excellence in Buddhist studies in North East India.

Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Gangtok (Pix: Sonam Deki)

    Inaugurated by Cultural Affairs Minister GM Gurung on September 16, , some of the events being showcased at the Buddhist Festival were : Lama chanting, Cham dance, Sand mandala, Butter sculpture, Thangka painting, and promotion of Sowa Rigpa, the Ancient Tibetan Science of Healing.

The Black Hat Lama Dance (shanag) performed during the Festival dates back to 841 AD when Tibet was ruled by its 43^rd King Langdharma, who was destroying Buddhism in Tibet. During the course of the dance Lhalung Palghi Dorji assassinated the King using a bow and arrow. The Black Hat dance, therefore, symbolises the subjugation of evil and negative forces.

Participation of folk dance troupes from seven states of the country, mainly from the Himalayan region, were an added attraction for the Festival.

The showpiece of the Buddhist Festival  has remained  the NIT Museum which has a substantial collection of rare Buddhist artifacts. There  was also a free Medical Camp where the Sowa Rigpa team from the Central University of Tibetan Studies, Saranath, Varanasi will see up to a maximum of 60 patients in a day and provide free consultation and medicines for a month.

 On the second day of the Festival Governor Shriniwas Patil witnessed colourful cultural programme showcasing folk dances from Arunachal Pradesh named as Aji Lhamu, Ghasayari from Uttarakhand, Kinnauri Nati from Himachal Pradesh, Sangrai Mog from Tripura, Ghusari Dance from Andhra Pradesh and Singhi Dance from Sikkim on the occasion.

Since its establishment in 1958, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology has sponsored and promoted research on the religion, history, language, art and culture of the people of the Tibetan cultural area which includes Sikkim. The NIT library holds one of the largest collections of Tibetan works in the world outside Tibet and a museum of Tibetan iconography and religious art.

The site on which the institute was established was donated by the late Chogyal (king) of Sikkim Sir Tashi Namgyal. The foundation stone of the institute was laid by the 14th Dalai Lama on the 10th of February 1957 and the Institute was declared open by the late Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on the 1st of October 1958. The institute’s main building is an imposing monument and a splendid example of Sikkimese architecture.

In 2002, the NIT's new director, Tashi Densapa,  a retired Secretary of the Sikkim Government, undertook to expand the Institute, restructure its research wing and open its doors to international collaboration. This is being done through the creation of new research and fellowship programs, the holding of lecture series, seminars and international conferences, the publication of the Bulletin of Tibetology, monographs and conference proceedings, and through collaboration with foreign scholars.

The Institute has now become a dynamic research centre in the Eastern Himalayas actively promoting Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, including its sub-field of Sikkim Studies.

ENVIRONMENT

Give the public a role in ‘Clean Ganga’ project, says Rajendra Pachauri

Rajendra Pachauri

India’s holiest river is due for a clean-up, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking personal responsibility for restoring the Ganga and ridding the 2,500 km long river of industrial effluents and untreated sewage.

Uma Bharti, Modi’s minister for water resources and Ganges rejuvenation, has said the river would be clean in three years. Earlier this month, India’s Supreme Court asked the government for a roadmap on the project so that the court could monitor it.

Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), spoke to Reuters on the Ganga project, the need for transparency and how the public could help.

Excerpts from the interview:

Reuters: A lot of government money has been spent since 1986 on cleaning the Ganga and the new government has created a separate ministry for it. Where do you think we have fallen short?

Rajendra Pachauri: Frankly, this is symptomatic of many other programmes where government money has been spent on a large scale, without commensurate results. Government cannot implement this as an activity which is going to be totally under government control. If you look at the sources of pollution, they come from a whole range of activities. Even if you have sewage treatment plants, they are not functioning. Another major problem is the community is not really being involved. I personally think it will work if you make it a movement involving all the stakeholders. Central government can be releasing money, but where is the assurance that the money is utilized properly for the right purposes? What you really need is the mobilization of all the stakeholders.

Q: The project is also largely in the hands of bureaucracy – there is hardly any public involvement.

A: I won’t minimize the role of bureaucracy, but what you would like to see is an enhanced role of the public and other stakeholders, for they have not actually been brought into the efforts to clean the Ganga. They have to feel part of it, they have to feel responsible for achieving results. You can set up citizen bodies in the habitations you have along the river.

Q: How can we ensure the big industrial houses fall in line?

A: Of course, you need transparency. If somebody, no matter how big the unit is, violates rules, that should be highlighted, that should be monitored and made known to everybody.

Q: The new government has said it would develop the river for tourism, transportation, fisheries and power generation. Are cleanliness efforts driven more by commercial interests than ecological concerns?

A: I agree, but let me give you an example. You look at the river in Paris. Everybody wants to walk around that river. You have restaurants and other attractions, places where people want to go to. By this, these people themselves become stakeholders in keeping the river healthy. You are actually enhancing the value of cleanliness by giving people an opportunity to benefit from the cleanliness.

Q: There are mixed opinions on whether the exploitation of natural resources, development of industries and urbanization has upset the ecological balance.

A: You need to create a balance. See what happened in Pune [referring to a recent landslide]. You cut down the trees on a slope and start living. Now when there is rainfall, obviously you are going to have mudslides. In Uttarakhand, you allowed construction in the flood plain of the river at that height. You have eight-storey buildings, which is absolutely ridiculous in a hill location like that. In Punjab also, water has been chemically polluted to such an extent that it is leading to high incidents of cancer.    

   How are we enhancing the welfare of human society by creating this kind of damage? I don’t say you don’t have to increase the output of goods and services, for we are a poor society and there are people who are still deprived, but why can’t we do it in a way that is environment friendly. That’s the whole purpose of the legislation we have.

Q: How do we strike this balance?

A: I think we need a system by which we carry out evaluation of the environment impact. This also requires changes in our institutions. At the stage of design of a particular project, you need to take into account all the environmental implications and try to redress them in the design of the project itself. What is even more important is a proper follow-up. You see, often you have a project where you have given a clearance, which requires certain actions to be taken. Is there any monitoring of those actions? No. Once the project has got cleared, then the people are at freedom to implement it the way they want. There is absolutely no oversight of how the project is implemented.

SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday Sept 13-19, 2014

Blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

CBI coming to Sikkim to hang corrupt leaders: Union Minister

We have been fooled on ‘organic state’ claim: BJP

(L to R) SKM President PS Golay, BJP candidate Bikash Basnet and Union Tribal Minister Jual Oram in Rabongla, South Sikkim, on Thursday. (Pix: Prabin Khaling)

Gangtok, Sept12: The clock seems to be ticking fast on Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s stay in power. The Centre has taken a strong view on issues regarding alleged misuse of public money and corrupt practices of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his former and present Cabinet ministers.

While urging the people to vote for BJP candidate Bikash Basnet for the Rangang-Yangang Assembly constituency by-polls, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said the BJP and the Central Government want a “corruption-free Sikkim”.

Realising the state of affairs in Sikkim, Oram declared that CBI will soon come to Sikkim and threatened to place all corrupt leaders behind bars. He even went on to say that Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) chief PS Golay would become the next chief minister if BJP wins in the by-polls.

“It is a matter of great concern that despite release in the Central government fund, the Sikkim government has failed to start the construction of Sikkim University (in Yangang). This is very unfortunate and I will take the matter with HRD Minister,” the Union Minister said during his address at a public meeting in Rabong, South Sikkim yesterday.

Both the Union Minister and the BJP-in-charge for Northeast, Parmanand Raut, attacked the SDF government on its ‘Organic State’ claim. They stated that wrong information was given to the Prime Minister, who had been misled on the matter. "The real updated information will be reported to the Union government soon so that proper monitoring of funds to Sikkim can be done," they said, Talk Sikkim reported.

 “Vote for BJP candidate Bikash Basnet to win and see what happens to ‘chalaak, chatur’ Chief  Minister of Sikkim within six months”, the Union Minister said. He added, “In name of organic farming Chamling has not only fooled Janta but also fooled India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

“This is a harsh reality that the Prime Minister is being grossly misguided by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling who is saying that Sikkim is becoming an organic state, which is not true at all. I have come to know that chemical fertilisers are still being used here. I will inform the Prime Minister about the matter once I reach Delhi,” the Minister said, The Telegraph reported.

“Give us one seat. That will be a stepping stone for PS Golay to become the Chief Minister as we support him," Oram assured. SKM is in alliance with BJP for the by-polls.

Golay and BJP State unit President Palden Wangchuk Khangsarpa were present during the public meeting.

The by-poll was necessitated after Chamling resigned from the seat and retained Namchi-Singhithang, having contested and won from both the constituencies in the April Assembly polls. Basnet took on Chamling in the April polls on a Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) ticket but lost by over 3,000 votes.

Independent candidate Rup Narayan Chamling, who is the Chief Minister’s brother, is giving a tough fight to the ruling SDF candidate Kumari Mangar.

There are over 11,700 electors, who will cast their votes in 14 polling stations in three sectors. The votes will be counted Sep 16. Irrespective of whoever wins the political situation is likely to hot up from next week.

WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR

Jigme N. Kazi

People power must win over money power for democracy to triumph in Sikkim

Gol

 Gola

Gangtok, Sept 12: It took nearly three years to merge the NB Bhandari-led Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP) with the Congress party in 2001-2003. It has taken less than  three months to forge the SKM-BJP alliance in Sikkim this year.

Golay

Had the leaders of the alliance taken up the matter more seriously the opposition would have been in a better position today. However, they are to be applauded and congratulated for their efforts and achievements. BJP Sikkim unit President Palden Wangchuk Khangsarpa and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) President PS Golay were able to stitch an alliance and field Bikash Basnet, formerly with the SKM, as BJP candidate for the by-polls of Rangang-Yangang Assembly constituency.

Irrespective of the by-poll results the new development in itself is a big achievement for Sikkim. Aided by their able lieutenants Khangsarpa and Golay are expected to take the alliance to greater heights as this is the need of the hour.

   By choosing Golay over Chief Minister Pawan Chamling the BJP has sent the right message to the people of Sikkim and India as well. For many national parties and politicians Sikkim is a testing ground where most of them have failed miserably. The BJP has taken the right step and at the right time.

The reason why SSP-Cong merger could not take off fast as planned was because Congress leaders in the State as well as at the Centre were ‘managed’ and influenced by money-power (My book The Lone Warrior: Exiled In My Homeland gives a detailed account on this issue). This has not happened with the BJP this time and it is a good sign that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah are serious about their campaign on corruption-free India.

Khangsarpa

However, when the going gets tough the tough gets going and Pawan Chamling will do all he can to have his way. He may already be working overtime to get in touch with the BJP-SKM camp and BJP’s central leadership through the backdoor to ensure that competent and committed persons do not play a vital role in rejuvenating the BJP in Sikkim. Already things are moving too slow in making things difficult for the present dispensation. This is a warning which must be heeded at the earliest otherwise all tall claims of the BJP-SKM alliance will come to naught.

Editorial

MADAN MOHAN RASAILY

Hail to The Jewel of Sikkim

He was the first senior officer close to the former Chogyal of Sikkim to get the boot for his open defiance and firm opposition to Sikkim’s takeover in 1974-75. He is perhaps the only Sikkimese to be awarded the Denzong Thuki Norbu (The Heart Jewel of Sikkim), the highest civilian award of the Kingdom of Sikkim. Madan Mohan Rasaily, who passed away peacefully at 90 in his homeland last week, will surely rest in peace for he remained a true and loyal ‘Son of Sikkim’, when his king and country needed him the most and when others deserted them and took the easy way out and yielded to pressures and lures of life.

    And while “‘little men’ who rule the roost in Sikkim will have been consigned to dust,” posterity will look back to men like MM Rasaily who, despite life’s trials and tribulations, stood firm and remained loyal to their motherland and to the high ideals and values they uphold in life. The ‘merger’ era was a testing time for Sikkim’s leadership – political and administrative. Those who went for short-term gains or who had their own axe to grind were used by the authorities to go against the Chogyal and Sikkim. But men like the former Home Secretary-cum-Additional Chief Secretary and Auditor-General of Sikkim stood like a rock and “sacrificed petty considerations for the lofty ideal” they espoused. Such men will surely have a place in Sikkim’s long and chequered history. And because of men like MM Rasaily and his mentor Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal true and faithful sons and daughters of Sikkim “will be able to walk with their heads held high whatever their circumstances in life happen to be.”

NIT’s Buddhist festival begins on Sunday

Gangtok, Sept 12: The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT) is organising a 3-day Boudh Mahotsav Buddhist Festival in Sikkim from Sunday under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The festival is intended to showcase some of the tangible aspects of Buddhism and to promote the values of peace, non-violence, compassion and loving kindness practiced by the Buddha.

The Ministry of Culture has been promoting Buddhism in a big way, and this Boudh Mahotsav is part of its concerted efforts to promote Buddhism in the same land where the Buddha himself once preached, a NIT release said.

It is fitting that the Buddhist Festival is being held at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology that has, for over half a century, worked tirelessly to preserve, document and disseminate the knowledge of all the four Sects and Schools of Buddhism, as well as Bon. The Institute is today a centre for excellence in Buddhist studies in North East India, the release added.

    Some of the events being showcased at the Buddhist Festival are: Lama chanting, Cham dance, Sand mandala, Butter sculpture, Thangka painting, and promotion of Sowa Rigpa, the Ancient Tibetan Science of Healing. The showpiece of the Buddhist Festival will be the NIT Museum which has a substantial collection of rare Buddhist artifacts. Additionally, folk dance troupes from seven states of India will be participating.

There will be a free Medical Camp where the Sowa Rigpa team from the Central University of Tibetan Studies, Saranath, Varanasi will see up to a maximum of 60 patients in a day and provide free consultation and medicines for a month.

Lachen Rinpoche remembered during Pang Lhabsol celebrations in Lachen

Lachen, Sept 12: The Pang Lhabsol celebrations in Lachen, North Sikkim, this year was a special occasion to remember and honour Late Lachen Rinpoche who passed away in 2012.

According to Lachen Pipon Janam Lachenpa, the function was organized in Thangu in Lachen to honour Lachen Gomchen who was the real source of inspiration when the celebrations began at the newly-constructed Thangu monastery a few years back.

   The Pipon and Lachen Pang Lhabsol Committee member Rinzing Chewang were in Gangtok to invite all well-wishers of the Late Rinpoche to grace the occasion.

    While the annual function in hounour of Sikkim’s Guardian Deities was held  at the Tsuklakhang Monastery in Gangtok, similar function was also organized in Rabong, South Sikkim, and Pemayangtse Monastery, West Sikkim, and other monasteries in the State.

Pang Lhabsol, a festival commemorating the conservation of Mt. Kanchenjunga as the guardian deity of the State, is unique to Sikkim. It has its origin in the Lepcha people's belief that the mountain is their place of origin. It is also believed that the festival has its roots in Lhatsun Chenpo's (the propagator of Buddhism in Sikkim) vision.

The occasion also commemorates the treaty of brotherhood between the Lepchas and Bhutias, where Kye Bumsa the then Bhutia leader signed the brotherhood treaty with the Lepcha Chieftain Thekong Tek at Kabi Lunstok in North Sikkim in the 13^th century.

LEST WE FORGET Jupiter Yambem

Manipur’s North Pointer Jupiter Yambem is remembered on 9/11

Jupiter Yambem

Jupiter Yambem became part of World History 13 years ago: Laba Yambem

It was a solemn and sad day for us here at home.I still remember him taking me atop the World Trade Centre way back in 1991 and watched an aircraft flying below.10 years later I watched in horror seeing the aircrafts crashing in at the WTC. It was literally watching my brother being killed thousands of miles away on TV.At first I thought it was a new Hollywood blocbuster that had just been released. Then I saw the streamers Breaking News WTC under attack, then I said to myself my god that is where Jupiter works. It was with a sense of despair and hopelessness that I spent the next few hours as all communications with New York was down. His body was mercifully recovered and cremated there but his ashes returned home to be sprinkled over the Loktak Lake here in his homeland in faraway Manipur.

In 2002, I accompanied my late father who was well in his 80s then to pray at Ground Zero which then resembled a bombed out place.We prayed for his soul then.Then 10 years after 2001 came the news if Bin Laden' s own death.I had then said that 'now with his death my brother' s soul can now rest in peace' and also' may Allah the merciful forgive you Bin Laden'.

2014 marked the 13th anniversary of his death and we had a simple ceremony at home where I offered Tarpan according to Hindu Vedic rites and the priest read out a passage from the Shrimad Bhagwat Gita- it was on the Karma Yogi dealing with duties of a man on earth.

Laba Yambem

Two of his Manipuri friends now in the USA, L.Somi Roy from New York and Devdas Laishram from San Fransisco were present and so were Dr.Kh.Ratankumar Singh Minister Works, Irengbam Hemichandra Minister PHED, R.K.Anand MLA besides his childhood friends Pradip Phanjoubam Editor Imphal Free Press, Hawaibam Dileep IAS Director Education, Moirangthem Lakhsmi IAS Secretary Transport, Shyamcharan Singh Chief Engineer Police Housing Corporation and a host of other well wishers and friends and relatives had gathered.

I also wish to thank all my FB friends for showing solidarity with us on this day that our beloved Jupiter Yambem became part of World History 13 years ago.

North America Tribute to Jupiter Yambem

Jupiter Yambem was born and raised in the remote state of Manipur in the northeast corner of India. At the age of 21 he came to the United States and promptly took up a career in some of New York City's most famous restaurants, including the Rainbow Room and then Windows on the World, where he worked as a banquet manager. But even as he planted hardy roots here, marrying a woman from Syracuse, settling down in Beacon, N.Y., joining an environmental group dedicated to protecting the Hudson River, becoming friends with Pete Seeger, signing on as assistant coach for his son Santi's soccer team Mr. Yambem, 41, held fast to his Indian past. Retaining his Indian citizenship, he co- founded the North American Manipur Association, a small group of Manipur families that sought to promote and preserve the culture of their homeland over here. He had two purposes, said his wife, Nancy Yambem. He wanted his son to know something of his heritage, to see the dances and hear the music and taste the food. But he also wanted to construct a bridge, however modest, between two vastly different cultures.

A Sept 11 family honours a proud Manipuri

New York: Born and raised in Imphal in Manipur, Jupiter Yambem, 47 lived the immigrant’s dream in America. At the top of his class in SUNY New Paltz, he was snapped up by some of New York City's most famous restaurants, including the Rainbow Room and then Windows on the World, where he worked as a banquet manager. He thrived on the energy of New York and adored his curly auburn-haired American wife from Syracuse who he met in college in the early eighties and their son.

Jupiter Yambem’s wife, Nancy McCardle Yambem, remembers frantically calling her husband on September 11. He never answered. Everyone in the Windows of the World restaurant on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center survived the impact when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower at 8:46 am, but died when the tower collapsed after burning for 102 minutes.

Nancy Yambem with her late husband Jupiter Yambem and son Shanti.

On the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks, Yambem and her son Santi whose name is pronounced Shanti, like others who lost family on September 11, 2001 carry the heavy legacy of that day.

“It has been ten years and we miss Jupiter. We will always miss him. He was amazing. We have a small Hindu shrine in our house to Jupiter,” said Yambem whose house is cluttered with photos of her college sweetheart.

Jupiter came to America at the age of 21 from India to work in a summer camp with children with visual impairment. After he got done with the camp he decided to stay on in America and went to college at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

“We met in college in 1981 and hung out with the same crowd. We started seeing each other in 1984 as a couple. We married in 1991 so I knew him — know him — for 20 years,” said Yambem still finding it painful to use the past tense.

For those kids who lost a parent on 9/11, fitting in and getting back to life as usual is an ongoing process. Jupiter was a hands-on dad and signed on as assistant coach for his five-year-old son’s soccer team.

“Santi is trying to be as normal a kid as he can. He is in the 10th Grade now. He was in kindergarten when his father died. His life has changed greatly from being a five-year-old to a teen,” said Yambem about her tall boy who plays rock guitar and trumpet in the school band.

Santi was traumatized by his father’s death and had trouble sleeping after the 9/11 tragedy. Jupiter called his son Chinglailakba or dragon tamer in Manipuri. Not someone who fights dragons, Yambem explains, but someone who tames them.

“Jupiter used to call Santi Chingalai or Paki Chingalai, kind of Papa’s dragon tamer,” said Yambem, who has kept Santi close to his Indian roots.

“We have a home in Manipur. We go every two years. Santi has been since he was a year old. He is very familiar with Manipuri culture and his family back home. It is basically our second home.”

Jupiter held fast to his Indian roots. Keeping his Indian citizenship, he co-founded the North American Manipur Association (NAMA), consisting of a small group of Manipuri families that sought to promote and preserve their culture. NAMA has since expanded into a network of 40 Manipuri families and supports causes in Manipur.

“We started NAMA with the idea of getting Manipuri families together once a year over the long Fourth of July weekend to eat Manipuri food, teach the kids Manipuri dance and have them perform. It has evolved over the years and supports Manipuri causes,” said Yambem who went to the NAMA convention this year in Edison, New Jersey with her son Santi and current husband.

Yambem has moved on in many ways. She's in a new home and has remarried but says she is seldom separated from the constant reminders of the 9/11 tragedy.

“Being a 9/11 family is kind of constant. You are brought back to it because it is always on the news, or on TV. In a normal death situation you usually get a break from the death, but in our lives you kind of see it almost every day. If you have a day where there is nothing related then all of a sudden you spot a bumper sticker on a car that says ‘Never Forget’. You see a picture of the Twin Towers and you are brought right back to it,” said Yambem.

“I try to put it aside, but it is never really put aside. It is a difficult kind of death to deal with. My new husband has been incredibly understanding of that and knew coming into the relationship that we are a 9/11 family. He has been supportive in my continual grieving process and at times missing Jupiter. He is a good guy.”

They will be attending the opening on Sunday of the September 11 Memorial in New York, designed by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker. The memorial will open for the first time on Sunday, for a ceremony for family members of 9/11 victims. The public will have a chance to see it beginning Monday. The memorial complex spreads out over eight acres, encompassing the pavilion of the 9/11 Memorial Museum, more than 400 oak trees and a grassy glade.

“A lot of work has gone into the memorial so it’s nice that it is finally done. It is a beautiful memorial for those who died including Jupiter,” said Yambem who is still emotional and raw as she talks about Jupiter, who was seen as the “life of the party” by his many Indian and American friends.

Jupiter was a man with feet in two worlds and his last rites reflected his love for India and America. He was cremated on September 18, at the Cedar Hill Hindu Crematorium in New York and his ashes were scattered in India, along his favourite hiking trail in Tiger Hill, in Darjeeling. Jupiter’s friend, American folk singer Pete Seeger sang “Turn, Turn, Turn” at his memorial service at Beacon Riverfront Park on the banks of the Hudson River. (The Hindustan Times - Sept 11, 2011)