BB Gurung never fails to surprise me

  

 This article on Sikkim’s former chief minister BB Gooroong (Gurung) was sent to The Statesman for its Northeast page on December 5, 2011. I was a contributor from Sikkim for this page but it was never published for reasons best known to the publishers. I’m placing this in the public domain to record my work.

  The man who always supported the status quo and became a part of it in a political career spanning more than fifty years surprised me again when I learnt that he remembered me during a media function here recently.

Bhim Bahadur Gooroong urged mediapersons in the State to read my first book, Inside Sikkim: Against the Tide, during a recent function where he awarded five local journalists with “Positive Journalism” grant. The grant came from the State Government.

     Gooroong (centre) during a media function in Gangtok in June 2010 (file photo).

Would Chief Minister Pawan Chamling approve Gooroong’s reference to my book during such an occasion when IPR Secretary KS Tobgay was also present and when I’m still in the bad books of the authorities? I really don’t know, but I feel that the former Chief Minister was freely expressing his views not caring for anyone’s views on his remarks, which the local media purposely ignored for reasons best known to them. Though Against the Tide was looked upon by many as an anti-Bhandari book the establishment has been treating me as one indulging in “negative journalism” in the past one decade or so. So, Gooroong, a former journalist, did a brave thing by asking the local media to read my book. But will they ever read and go against the tide? I won’t blame them if they don’t. There’s a big price to be paid for exercising one’s freedom in Sikkim. Everyone knows that but pretend not to.

 Another credit due to Gooroong from me is when he was the Chief Guest during last year’s function of the Sikkim Federation of Working Journalists (SFWJ), which I still head. During the function, six local journalists, including myself, were felicitated by the Federation, an affiliate of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ), with “Press Freedom” award for taking part in a press freedom protest rally in Gangtok on June 19, 1993, when the political situation was unfavourable towards freedom of expression and movement in the State.

When Chamling launched my book in Gangtok in February 1994 I was lucky. Within three months (it has nothing to do with my book) Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who was in power for nearly fifteen years at a stretch, was eased out of power. Dissident legislators within his party (Sikkim Sangram Parishad) used the income tax issue to throw him out. He never came back to power since then.

In May 1984, Gooroong, who earlier defected to the Congress (I) government headed by Bhandari, sided with dissident Congress legislators to go against Bhandari. The dissidents were successful and Gooroong became the Chief Minister – but only for 13 days!

In February 1982, Gooroong, then an MLA representing RC Poudyal’s opposition Congress (R),  led ten legislators – six  from the ruling Congress party and four from the opposition –  in a revolt against New Delhi by acknowledging former Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal’s second son Prince Wangchuk Namgyal as the 13^th “Chogyal of Sikkim.” The revolt took place on the day of the Chogyal’s funeral on February 19, 1982.

   The sad thing with the old man is that the opportunistic tendencies in him got the better of him than his rebellious streak. Otherwise Sikkim would be a better place to live.

 Last and final reminder: Sikkimese Nepalese at the crossroads

By Jigme N. Kazi

(This article was carried in Talk Sikkim magazine in January 2013. I am placing this in Facebook and in my blog to remind the people of Sikkim the political dilemma faced by bonafide Sikkimese, particularly Sikkimese Nepalese. If Sikkim’s political leadership fails to act decisively and promptly on preservation of the distinct identity of Sikkimese Nepalese we may soon witness the beginning of the end of Sikkimese unity and identity.)

   Reservation of seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for Limbus and Tamangs on the basis of their status as scheduled tribes will hasten the death knell of the distinct identity of Sikkimese Nepalese in the former kingdom of Sikkim. As has been witnessed, dilution of Sikkim’s special status within the Union has been a gradual process and New Delhi seems to be succeeding in its efforts to erase whatever is left of Sikkim’s past.

   Despite its repeated emphasis on preservation of Sikkim’s special status as per provisions of Article 371F of the Constitution the political leadership in the State has unitedly demanded reservation of Assembly seats for the Limbu-Tamang community, who have been declared scheduled tribes in 2002. Is this move a bid to appeal to the Limbu-Tamang vote-bank or is our political leadership confused and directionless?

Interestingly, the Limbus and Tamangs, who belong to the Nepali community and were earlier bracketed among the OBC (other backward classes) in the State, themselves are vociferous in seeking Assembly seat reservation for their communities. Only last month (Jan 2013), the All Sikkim Limboo Krantikari Yuva Sangh called for an indefinite ‘Sikkim bandh’ to press their demand on the seat issue. The Sangh has appealed to all political parties, including the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), and social organizations to support its demand.

   It may be recalled that in 2006, the Sikkim Limboo Tamang Tribal Forum (SLTTF), while urging its representatives in the Assembly to protect the political rights of the two tribal communities, regretted that even after obtaining ST status they were yet to be given seat reservation in the State Assembly. The Sikkim Limboo Tamang Joint Action Community (SLTJAC) blamed the Chamling Government for not doing enough to ensure that seats in the Assembly are reserved for the two communities.

The demand for reservation of Assembly seats for Limbu and Tamang communities was raised in the Lok Sabha by BJP MP Balkrishna K Shukla, who was in-charge of Sikkim, in May last year.

BJP State unit President Padam Chettri said the people of Sikkim are grateful to the BJP for raising the issue in the Parliament. He alleged that even the two MPs from Sikkim have not raised the issue in the House and have “completely ignored the burning issue.”

   Interestingly, in reply to Shukla’s question on whether the UPA government is aware that the Sikkim Legislative Assembly does not have seats reserved for the Scheduled Tribes of Sikkim and what action is being taken to “preserve and protect” the STs in the State Assembly, former Union Law Minister and senior Congressman Salman Khurshid said the 12 seats reserved in the Assembly were meant for ‘Bhutia-Lepchas’ as per the historic 1973 tripartite agreement between the Government of India, the Chogyal and political parties of Sikkim. Seats were reserved for the Bhutia-Lepchas on the basis of their ethnicity and not because they were tribals, Khurshid informed the House.

Khurshid, who is now the Union External Affairs Minister, said Assembly seat reservation for STs in the State would depend on the population of the Limbus and Tamangs on the basis of 2011 census. “Any increase/decrease in the present status could be considered only after wider debate from all the stake holders in the State of Sikkim,” Khurshid said.

   It may be noted that the Sikkim Limboo-Tamang Joint Action Committee had in 2005 sought deferment of the process of delimitation of Assembly constituencies in Sikkim till a special census is conducted to ascertain the population of the two tribes. In a memorandum to the Delimitation Commission, the Committee President PR Subba urged the authorities not to go ahead with the exercise till a census to update the population of the Limbus and Tamangs was taken up.

   In 2009, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram stated in the Rajya Sabha that any proposal for reservation for Tamang and Limbu tribes in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly can be considered only after compilation of results of the 2011 census

''At present no authentic population figures for Limboo and Tamang communities are available. If reservation for these communities is to be considered as per proportion of their population in the state, as recommended by the state Government, the same can be available only after the results of the 2011 census are compiled,'' Chidambaram informed the Rajya Sabha.

   The Minister also said there had been a proposal from the Sikkim Government to increase the number of seats in the Legislative Assembly, from the present 32, to a minimum of 40. A resolution passed by the State Legislature of Sikkim on September 16, 2004 also said that reservation be provided for Limbu and Tamang communities.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last November Chamling stressed the need to address the issue for early resolution of Assembly seat reservation of the Limbu-Tamang community.

   It may also be recalled that in July 2008, Chamling tabled a White Paper in the Assembly on efforts made by his government in securing ST status for the Limbu-Tamang community and to secure Assembly seat reservation for them.

It now appears that another Assembly polls, scheduled for 2014, will come and go without seats being reserved for the Limbus and Tamangs. The UPA Government has stated in the Lok Sabha that until the population figures of Sikkim are made available on the basis of 2011 census the seat reservation issue would linger on. Even if the population figures are made known now more time will be needed to formulate a new seat arrangement in the Assembly, which will be followed by fresh demarcation of Assembly constituencies in the State.

   Perhaps this leaves us enough time to think over what we really want. Do the Sikkimese Nepalese prefer to be divided and gradually disintegrate in the near future? Or do they want to preserve their special status while also embracing their constitutional rights? The ball is in their court.

   Assembly seats traditionally reserved for Sikkimese Nepalese were done away with in 1979. Ever since, Sikkim’s political parties have been demanding restoration of their political rights. Why are our politicians speaking in two voices now? (Courtesy: Talk Sikkim, January 20, 2013)

Let’s Move Ahead And Look Beyond The Horizon

To My Dear Readers,

Firstly, let me wish you warm Greetings from Sikkim for the New Year. Happy New Year and may all your hopes and dreams start unfolding from the first day of 2015.

Thank you for your good wishes and support; let us look forward to many more years of sharing and caring.

From now on I wish to let my readers know more about what I am and have been doing in the past three decades in this exclusive blog. So far I have been updating my readers on what has been reported in my two weeklies: Sikkim Observer and Himalayan Guardian. Henceforth the Observer and Guardian will have separate blogs: sikkimobserver.blogspot.com and himalayanguardian.blogspot.com.

My blog will continue as jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com; it will be more personal and I hope you will soon come to like what has been carried on this page.

Happy New Year!

Jigme N. Kazi

Gangtok, Sikkim

January 2, 2015

MADAN TAMANG

Let us shed tears for the lone warrior killed in battle

Jigme N Kazi

I never got to meet him and was terribly shocked to learn of his death through a friend. It was a terrible mistake, a shameful act, and the hill people will suffer from the absence of the lone and uncompromising voice that always spoke the truth – fearlessly.

When the dust settles down and emotions die with the passage of time what really matters in the long run is that the Gorkha warrior died in battle for the right cause – for freedom, democracy and Gorkhaland.

Madan Tamang was born on June 1 (less than two weeks before his 63^rd birthday), 1948 in Meghma village near Manebhanjang in Darjeeling at the Indo-Nepal border. After his schooling (St. Robert’s) and college (St. Joseph’s) – both in Darjeeling – Tamang plunged into politics and joined the All India Gorkha League in 1969. He held the post of General Secretary of the League for ten years (1972-1981) and in 2001  took over the party as its President.

Tamang quit the League in 1981 and formed his own political outfit, Pranta Parishad, whose prime objective was creation of a separate state for the Gorkhas. He left the Parishad in 1990 and formed the Gorkha Democratic Front. When the Front merged with the League in 2001 Tamang became the President of the party, a post that he held till his death.

All along his forty-year political career Tamang kept his democratic credentials intact while relentlessly, often at great personal risk, pursuing his political objectives, which mainly revolved round political and economic rights of the Gorkhas in India. His contribution towards the inclusion of Nepali/Gorkha language in the 8^th schedule of the Constitution has been widely acknowledged. The fulfillment of this demand gave the Indian Gorkhas a sense of dignity and belonging.

Tamang could have – and many feel that he should have – joined Subash Ghising in the ’80s when the Gorkhaland movement was at its peak. Many again felt that he should have joined Bimal Gurung but he did not. He had his own reasons for hacking a lonesome path. We all know that while Ghising succumbed to pressure and accepted a Council instead of Gorkhaland, Gurung is all set to settle for an interim set-up, which Tamang says is a permanent arrangement.

Most Gorkha leaders in Darjeeling hills are serious about the statehood demand. They only differ on the method of achieving this goal. Tamang and his colleagues in the party and other Opposition leaders want to adopt a more peaceful and democratic means to achieve their cherished goal.

RB Rai of the CPRM rightly pointed out when they formed the Democratic Front recently:  “We need Gorkhaland but before that we need democracy.” Hill people and their leaders need to first establish their democratic credentials before they decide to run a state. Only fools rush where angels fear to tread.

My counsel to Gorkha leaders from Darjeeling who meet me has always been this: “You people are demanding a homeland. We are almost homeless in our own homeland! Be careful of leaders who promise great things but fail to deliver.”

A few months back I spoke to Madan daju for the first time on the phone. I wanted to meet him during my next visit to Darjeeling. His immediate response was, “Are your Jigme N Kazi? When are you coming? We must meet.”

Unfortunately, the meeting did not take place and this is one of my life’s few regrets. I have spent sixteen formative years in Darjeeling and hold my head in shame that this thing should happen to such a leader.

Since May 21, 1998 me and my family members always make a point to remember my late father who passed away on this day twelve years ago. When we lit 108 butter lamps on May 21, 2010 I also prayed for the one who was slain on that day.  Madan daju will always be remembered along with my dad from now on. May his dreams live on and soul rest in peace. (Sikkim Observer, May 23-30, 2010)

SIKKIM OBSERVER July 21, 2012

Press rewards Kazi for three-decade contribution to journalism

Honour ‘merger terms’, Kazi tells Centre

Gangtok, July 20: Senior journalist Jigme N Kazi said his acceptance of this year’s Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar award, conferred by the Press Club of Sikkim here on Tuesday, was proof enough that the Fourth Estate in the State is trying to set itself free and improve its image as a strong and independent institution.

Kazi, also a writer, was conferred with the award in recognition of his “significant contribution” towards “development of journalism” in the State in the past three decades.

Kazi, editor of Sikkim Observer and Himalayan Guardian,  was conferred the award for his “outstanding contribution and dedication made during last three decades in the field of journalism,” according to Press Club Working President Vishnu Neopaney’s letter to Kazi informing of the Press Club’s “unanimous decision” to confer the award on its decadal foundation year.

The “Most Promising Journalist” award went to Bishal Gurung while Mohan Lama, Darjeeling correspondent of Sikkim’s Samai Dainik, was also felicitated by the Press Club. Gurung is the State correspondent of Hindustan Samachar news agency.

Theatre activist and senior journalist CK Shrestha of Kalimpong, who was the Chief Guest for the occasion, urged the media in the State to remain united in “thought” and side with the people in all situation. “Merely reporting will not do. You must tell the truth,” Shrestha said.

While IPR Secretary KS Tobgay assured the Press that the government would positively look into all the problems faced the media in the State, Press Club advisor CD Rai, who was the chairman of the function, said Kazi not only deserved the award but his writings were “balanced.”

While urging the media to remain strong, free, united and independent, Kazi called on the people, including the authorities, to respect and respond positively to the urges of the media to remain  free and independent.

“I believe that by conferring this award to this long-time black-listed man, who is forced to live in self-imposed exile in his own homeland, the Press in Sikkim is sending a clear message to those who care to listen. And that message is loud and clear: the Press in Sikkim wants to be more free and independent and those in power and the people at large should take note and respect this stand,” Kazi said in his acceptance speech.

Kazi, who has authored two books, “Inside Sikkim: Against the Tide,” and “Sikkim for Sikkimese”, also appealed to the Centre not to ignore the “hopes and aspirations” of the Sikkimese people and honour the terms of Sikkim’s ‘merger’.

“Even if our political leadership has failed us time and again, India must live up to the expectations of the Sikkimese people. If it continues to ignore the hopes and aspirations of those who sacrificed their country so that this nation may live in peace and security there may come a day when Sikkim will become a hot-bed of international politics,” Kazi warned.

SIBLAC, NASBO pat for Kazi, Press Club

 Gangtok, July 20: The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has congratulated writer-journalist Jigme N Kazi for being conferred with this year’s Khangchendzonga Kalam Award by the Press Club of Sikkim.

This is “an honor overdue since long back,” SIBLAC General Secretary Pem Tshering Lepcha said in a Press statement.

The organization, which represents the indigenous Bhutias and Lepcha tribals in the State, also thanked the Press Club of Sikkim for “rightly nominating” Kazi for the award.

It said Kazi’s “spirit and quality” of “fighting with wisdom” was “outstanding and simply awesome.”

SIBLAC Convenor and former Minister Tseten Tashi Bhutia and National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO - 371F) President Sonam Kaleon met Kazi, who received the award at a function here on Tuesday, at his residence here and offered traditional khada to congratulate him.

The Sikkim-Darjeeling Unification Forum (SDUF) General Secretary Shankar Hang Subba also offered a khada and congratulated Kazi here last week.

Padam Chettri, President of Sikkim unit of the BJP, also complimented Kazi for his achievement.

Sikkim Observer May 5, 2012

Editorial

PRESS FREEDOM

We Mourn The Closure Of Gangtok Weeklies

Ever heard of Female Journalist Association? We have one in Sikkim by that name and surprisingly while other media organizations are busy entertaining the public and at times playing the role of a public relations body, the Female Journalist Association has urged the State Government to give a better deal to Gangtok weeklies in matters regarding release of government advertisements. The IPR Minister CB Karki has again assured the Press that the government would respond positively on the issue.  Perhaps it will do something this time as the next Assembly polls are nearing.

Sadly the death of several credible Gangtok-based weeklies and other journals in the past few years is something that free societies should be worried about. Weeklies such as Weekend Review and Mid-Week are no more. We mourn their untimely death or indefinite closure. The Sikkimese and Sikkim Observer (Nepali edition) are also off the newsstands for a long time. Journals such as Talk Sikkim and Hill People have been forced to shut down due mainly to financial constraints. In such a scenario the claim that the Press in Sikkim is free and vibrant has no basis. Quality is what people are looking for in the media and this is in short supply in today’s Sikkim. A casual glance at which newspapers are getting government advertisements and how often will reveal the state of the Press in Sikkim. Let the facts be revealed and the truth will be out in the public domain.

 July 14, 2012

SIKKIM OBSERVER Editorial

TAKING A STAND

Local Press: Regaining Lost Ground

The editor of this paper –whether he likes it or not – finally gets some kind of recognition. The question being asked is not ‘why’ he is getting the award but ‘why now’. This question is relevant and needs to be explained. When the President of the Press Club of Sikkim, Bhim Rawat, rang up Sikkim Observer editor Jigme N. Kazi last week and told him that he was being awarded this year’s Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar award by the Press Club Kazi wanted to know why he was being conferred with this award and at this time. Was it politically-motivated or has the local Press come of age, Kazi asked. Rawat’s two colleagues, Joseph Lepcha and Bishnu Neopany, both senior journalists in the State, met Kazi and reiterated the Press Club’s recent efforts to regain the local media’s independent image. While appreciating the new development within the local media, Kazi informed them that the Press Club and its members should be ready to face any consequences for associating themselves with a ‘black-listed journalist’, who has been living in self-imposed exile in his own homeland for nearly three decades mainly because he refuses to be ‘bought over’. Kazi is among the few public figures in the State who has kept his credibility intact – personally, professionally and politically (he ‘flirted’ with politics for a while in early 2000s but for a good cause)

      However, Kazi’s decision to accept the award will surely evoke mixed reactions. While one gentleman close to the editor said, “They had the guts to give you the award,” (to which the editor replied, “You have judged well.”) one senior journalist said, “The Press Club is not as independent as its members claim.” Another senior journalist commented: “They have finally come to their senses and rewarded you.” And yet one contractor from North Sikkim, who is close to Kazi, said, “Does this mean you have Chamling’s blessings?”  The fact of the matter is that in Chamling’s Sikkim all those who do not bow down to the powers-that-be are harassed or ignored. Anyone or any organization that tries to identify itself with those who fail to toe the official line are perceived to be digging their own grave.

      While the image of the local Press, by and large, is not too impressive there are those within the Fourth Estate in the State who are not happy with the way the Press has been projected and perceived in a State where dissenting voices find it very difficult to be heard. And yet the people depend on the Press and expect it to ventilate their grievances all the time and take on the high and mighty at times. The Press, too, depend on the people to react and respond to situations. It also expects the people to come to its aid when it is being attacked and hounded by the authorities. The sad part of the story is that people keep mum when the Press is under pressure. Did you even take the trouble to talk to Hamro Prajashakti journalists who were beaten up in their own work places in Gangtok on July 4, 2008? Did you care to call on this editor when his press was ransacked in early 1990, his Press vehicles set on fire in October 2001 and June 2004 in front of his printing press building in Gangtok? And which newspaper-reader even bothers to take a casual glance at the ongoing economic suppression of many local newspapers, including this paper, in the State? If the local Press is trying to set itself free help and support must be given by the people at large. By accepting the award Kazi has, once again, made his stand clear and sided with the foot soldiers of freedom and democracy in Sikkim. The local Press, too, has spoken – loud and clear.

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN  July 28, 2012

‘Black-listed’ Kazi finally gets recognition, appeals for Press freedom

“India must live up to the expectations of the Sikkimese people”

 Gangtok, July 17: Journalist-cum-writer Jigme N Kazi was today honoured with this year’s ‘Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar’ award by the Press Club of Sikkim.

Kazi, editor of Sikkim Observer and Himalayan Guardian,  was conferred the award for his “outstanding contribution and dedication made during last three decades in the field of journalism,” according to Press Club Working President Vishnu Neopaney’s letter to Kazi informing of the Press Club’s “unanimous decision” to confer the award on its decadal foundation year.

The “Most Promising Journalist” award went to Bishal Gurung while Mohan Lama, Darjeeling correspondent of Sikkim’s Samai Dainik, was also felicitated by the Press Club. Gurung is the State correspondent of Hindustan Samachar news agency.

Theatre activist and senior journalist CK Shrestha of Kalimpong, who was the Chief Guest for the occasion, urged the media in the State to remain united in “thought” and side with the people in all situation. “Merely reporting will not do. You must tell the truth,” Shrestha said.

While IPR Secretary KS Tobgay assured the Press that the government would positively look into all the problems faced the media in the State, Press Club advisor CD Rai, who was the chairman of the function, said Kazi not only deserved the award but his writings were “balanced.”

While urging the media to remain strong, free, united and independent, Kazi called on the people, including the authorities, to respect and respond positively to the urges of the media to remain  free and independent.

“I believe that by conferring this award to this long-time black-listed man, who is forced to live in self-imposed exile in his own homeland, the Press in Sikkim is sending a clear message to those who care to listen. And that message is loud and clear: the Press in Sikkim wants to be more free and independent and those in power and the people at large should take note and respect this stand,” Kazi said in his acceptance speech.

Kazi, who has authored two books, “Inside Sikkim: Against the Tide,” and “Sikkim for Sikkimese”, also appealed to the Centre not to ignore the “hopes and aspirations” of the Sikkimese people and honour the terms of Sikkim’s ‘merger’.

“Even if our political leadership has failed us time and again, India must live up to the expectations of the Sikkimese people. If it continues to ignore the hopes and aspirations of those who sacrificed their country so that this nation may live in peace and security there may come a day when Sikkim will become a hot-bed of international politics,” Kazi warned.

                                             KHANGCHENDZONGA

                                                                              Kalam Puraskar 2012

                                                     Conferred by Press Club of Sikkim

                                       

                                                      Acceptance Speech

                                                       Jigme N Kazi

                                                                  July 17, 2012

  Hon’ble Chief Guest, Secretary IPR, Press Club Advisor, President Press Club of Sikkim, distinguished guests and friends,

   On Receiving the Award: I feel very privileged to be here today to receive the Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar award from the Press Club of Sikkim on its decadal foundation year. I am told by the Press Club that it had “unanimously decided” to confer this award for my “outstanding contribution and dedication” made during the last three decades (1983-2012) in the field of journalism.

   I believe that by conferring this award to this long-time black-listed man, who is forced to live in self-imposed exile in his own homeland, the Press in Sikkim is sending a clear message to those who care to listen. And that message is loud and clear: the Press in Sikkim wants to be more free and independent and those in power and the people at large should take note of it and respect its stand.

   I enjoy doing what I do – be it eating, taking a walk or writing. I seek no reward and recognition in doing these things even if what I do benefits those around me.

   People often criticize me of being stubborn and always swimming against the tide. Let me remind them of what US vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin said: “Only dead fish go with the flow.” Living with walking corpses all these years has been a very painful experience. It is better to be exiled in foreign shores than having to undergo constant suffocation at home. However, if this is the cross that I was born to bare then I must live with it whether I like it or not.

   Yes, we have more journalists and more newspapers today than when I started in this profession 30 years back. But I’m not too sure whether we are more free, objective and independent in our reporting. What is more important in life is quality, not quantity, and this also applies to the Fourth Estate, particularly when so many people depend and look up to the Press to make the right decision.

   Sikkimese Society: If we cannot uphold certain basic and fundamental values of human existence such as freedom, democracy, justice, self-respect and the rule of law we miss the opportunity that life offers to each one of us. The first indication of a society’s degeneration is when individuals live and work only for themselves. Sikkim is on the verge of being a dead and decadent society. Our constant efforts to camouflage ourselves will not work in the long run. We will be fully exposed when the time comes.

   We locals often distance ourselves from the byaparis, the business community, for encroaching into our economic and political rights and interests. Little do we realize that while they sell potatoes, tomatoes etc. we are the real byaparis. We have sold our king, our flag, our country, our distinct identity and political rights. Not content with this we are still selling our hills and valleys, our lakes and rivers, our land and people, our religion and culture, and worse of all our self-respect and dignity. Is it really worth sweating it out for such people?

   Sikkim Politics: Me and my kind have lived through this bitter period in Sikkim’s history. In our efforts to fight for the common cause we have brought down five chief ministers and made four chief ministers in the past so many years.  We did this for a good cause and without any selfish motive. We are not to be blamed if our political leadership continuously fails us and lets us down the moment they come to power.

   I took leave from the Fourth Estate at the end of the year 2000 to make my personal contribution to Sikkim politics when I was convinced that those we backed were betraying us and the issues we raised for petty considerations. Unlike many others, I could not hang around and hide myself safe and secure in a small corner when I was convinced that we were being led to a dead-end street. I left active politics after three and half years in August 2004 when I was fully convinced that I was heading nowhere and those around me were still deeply involved in petty politics. There is no future for Sikkim and the Sikkimese if our political leadership – ruling and opposition – fails to rise above mundane things and continues to mislead the people while making great promises.

   It is futile to fight for the distinct identity of Sikkim within the Union if the leaders of our larger community are not sure of who they are, whom they represent, and what they really want. Nepal’s political situation, where ethnic communities are being reduced to a minority in the land of their origin, has still not opened our eyes. This is because while our head is still not clear our heart is full of greed. When will we ever live in a place where the mind is without fear and the head is held high? When will this non-stop looting stop? Corruption has reached a point of no return. Disillusionment has set in and this seems to be irreversible. These are dangerous trends in a sensitive and strategic border State like Sikkim.

   India’s Role in Sikkim: Even if our political leadership has failed us time and again, India must live up to the expectations of the Sikkimese people. If it continues to ignore the hopes and aspirations of those who sacrificed their country so that this nation may live in peace and security there may come a day when Sikkim will become a hot-bed of international politics. We may not see that day but that day is not afar if India fails to honour its commitments made to Sikkim and the Sikkimese people during the takeover.

   The gradual dilution of our distinct identity, political rights and social harmony originates from New Delhi. The erosion of our unique and distinct cultural identity, the systematic manner in which seeds of division are sown in our social fabric, and finally the destruction caused to our fragile environment and ecology cannot and must not be easily condoned. We cannot blame our leaders only; we, too, have shamelessly become agents of division, disunity and destruction. We have sown the wind; we will surely reap the whirlwind.

   Hope and Gratitude: I’m grateful to the Press Club of Sikkim for recognizing my work and honouring me on this very special day. This is the time and the moment to renew our pledge for a strong, united, free and independent Press in the State.

   On this special day I want to remember those who have helped me in my three-decade-long career. Some of them are late Chukie Tobden, Suresh Pramar, Devraj Ranjit, Tenzing Chewang and Pema Wangchuk. I also owe a deep sense of gratitude to the Chamling Government and to those who worked or in any way associated with my printing press and publications.

   Living the way I did is a risky business and I want to say how happy and grateful I am to my wife Tsering, her parents,  and my four kids – Tashi, Yangchen, Sonam and Kunga – for letting me live my life freely and dangerously for so long.

   I hope my endeavours will light up your path and help you to bear the burden of being free and independent in a hostile climate in the days and years to come. My message to you on this day comes from Rev. Jesse Jackson: “Stand up, don’t bow! Stand up, don’t bow!”

   On Myself: French Emperor Napoleon Bonarpate (1769-1821) once said: “There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit.”

   I have already said “I have accepted the death of my dreams” a few years back and I stand by it.

   However, I have filed my petition in the court of Khangchendzonga, Sikkim’s Guardian Deity, to seek justice – for Sikkim, the Sikkimese people and for myself. I am still patiently waiting for the verdict. That this award should come at this time and in the name of our Presiding Deity is not only very auspicious but meaningful as well.

   Thank you all, both for this wonderful award and your determination to preserve the integrity, independence and freedom of the Press in Sikkim.

DG STEWART: OUR 'MH' DAYS

When the Late Mr. DG Stewart left MH (Mt Hermon) at the end of 1963 most of the staff members of the school were foreigners (see 1963 Staff pix).

In the school staff pix of 1964 we see Mr. Murray stepping into Mr. Stewart’s shoes.

Mr. Stewart visited MH in 1978, my second last year in MH as a teacher. He was the Chief Guest for Speech Day in November 1978. In the same year in another photo we see Mr. Stewart with some ex-students on the staff. There were 13 ex-students on the staff in 1978. These two photographs appear in the annual Hermonite magazine which I edited. The magazine was dedicated to Mr and Mrs. Murray for their 24 years of service in MH. Mr Murray retired at the end of 1978. It was my best year as a teacher in MH.

I got hold of these precious pictures from UK Hermonites’ website and I want to thank them, particularly James Sinclair, and share these photographs with fellow Hermonites.

Jigme N Kazi

(MH – 1963-1979)

Sikkim (India)

Gangtok, Dec 24, 2014-12-24

Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com