HAIL MOUNT HERMON!

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep...”

  By Jigme N.Kazi

 In the two years from now, MH will celebrate its 100^th birth anniversary on March 11, 1995. Hermonites all over the world, particularly in India and the neighbouring areas, are making preparations to make the centenary year a grand success. This has led to the setting up of the All Indian Hermonites Association (AIHA) with its headquarters in Darjeeling. Pratap Singh Rai (MH 1964-68), who is in-charge of the Association’s activities in this field, have been very active in his work. The ex-students in Siliguri have recently formed The Foothills Hermonites with Jagdish Singh (MH 1962-1971) becoming one of the most active members. The Mount Hermon Alumni Association Nepal (MHAAN) of Nepal led by Tom Creese (MH 1955-63), Sulee Hung (MH 1962-1970) and Annie (Gardner) Vaidya (MH 1968-1979) is also quite active and will definitely participate in the centenary celebrations.

   The occasion will give us an opportunity to focus our attention on the school, which needs help and guidance in various fields. Its problems and prospects will have to be studies in depth and a concrete plan of action has to be initiated by all Hermonites, friends and well-wishers of the school to take our 

dear old MH into the 21^st century and beyond.

 We live and die, but life must go on. The ideals and values and the high standards set by the school must continue to enrich our lives and the lives of those around us. March 11, 1995 will indeed be an occasion for us when we can, once more, join our hands and hearts together, and sing the school hymn in full-throated voice and mean it:

“Beloved Mount Hermon, we greet thee,

Thy daughters and sons from afar

As of as we pause in our toiling

To hail thee whose children we are.

Hail, Mount Hermon! Hail, Mount Hermon!

Safe for aye in memory's shrine.

Hail, Mount Hermon! Dear Mount Hermon!

Praise and love be ever thine.

     I loved MH and wanted to stay back, but something in me pulled forward and I had to finally move out. And as 1979 approached, I knew it would be my last year in MH. By then I had made up my mind to leave the teaching profession. MH had given me so much and the only way to show my gratitude was to give myself for the school for a few years.

   My attitude to life has always been to give my best to whatever work in undertake. I certainly would not be able to do this if I did not enjoy what I was doing. I realised that I would not enjoy being in the teaching profession if I was not working in MH. It was partly because of this that I opted for another profession and decided to go for law studies.

   My attitude to life is best described in these words from my little quotation book, which I have kept with me since 1967-68: “Behold, I do not give lectures or little charity; when I give, I give myself”. I gave myself to MH fully and completely.

   And as I look back now, I think the most valuable and the lasting thing that I have learnt from MH was not in the classroom, but on the playground; not from my textbooks, but from people and from everyday experiences. Taking part in the various school activities, leading various teams and finally the 1^st XI football team and going through our many defeats and victories on the playing field, have been some of the greatest moments of my life. Giving my best shot and fighting till the very end, irrespective of consequences, is what I have learnt from MH. And as I look back over these fourteen years away from the old and familiar surroundings, I know that whatever MH taught me during my brief sojourn in Darjeeling has withstood the test of time.

   In the final talk to the school on November 25, 1979, I said, “I venture into new frontiers with good intentions, high ideals and faith in God. To those who will be leaving us at the end of this year, let me urge you to give your life to a great cause. The kind of person we are in tea years time will reflect what we have learnt here in MH. I will you all the very best.”

   And with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat, I gave my last few words to the school, which had been my home for sixteen short years: “Sometimes when you reach out for a dream, you have to leave something behind. I leave behind my school, my friends, my home...my MH.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

I left MH at the end of 1979; but a part of me has always remained behind. And, I guess, a part of MH has always been with me. Hail Mount Hermon!

(Ref: Inside Sikkim: Against The Tide, Jigme N. Kazi, published by Hill Media Publications, Gangtok, 1993)

DEATH OF A JOURNALIST: END OF AN ERA

Veteran journalist S. Nihal Singh died last month, aged 88. He was a great journalist and author of several books. He edited The Statesman and The Indian Express.

Singh was awarded the prestigious International Editor of the Year Award in New York for opposing the Emergency imposed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

As a tribute to an eminent journalist I want to mention what he said about us in relation to press freedom in India. It comes from the Preface of my book, Inside Sikkim: Against the Tide, published in December 1993:

"In his column, Mediawatch, published Sunday magazine of Calcutta, eminent journalist and recently-elected President of the Press Club of India, S. Nihal Singh, observes: “...the fighters of press freedom are not those who declaim the virtues of the freedom of the press at great gatherings, useful as such exercises are as reminders of principles. They are the small-town journalists who spurn temptations of political patronage and personal monetary gain to do their jobs honestly.”

Singh then goes on to add: “The fourth estate has a growing responsibility in pinpointing the evils because it is often the only pillar of democracy to be found in these areas.” He finally comments: “But newspapers need to do more to support lone journalists fighting against great odds...It is, therefore, the duty of the national press to highlight the sacrifices of little-known men and women fighting at the real frontiers of press freedom...The old battle against India Gandhi’s Emergency was fought and won in the capital and other metropolitan centres. The new battles are now raging elsewhere. Let us salute those who are fighting them.”

Salutations, Sir!

GURUDONGMAR-GURU NANAK CONTROVERSY

The latest story on the Gurudongmar-Guru Nanak controversy in Lachen, North Sikkim, carried in The Week this week gives a distorted picture of the issue that refuses to fade away.
There is no Chinese hand in the controversy. The issue needs a fresh look if the authorities are keen on maintaining peace and tranquility in this strategic and sensitive border State.

The authorities have failed to take note of what I said in my book, "The Lone Warrior: Exiled In My Homeland" (published in 2014), where I quoted the statement of the Green Circle (NGO) on the issue:"As you are aware, the Gurudongmar lake is not only one of the most beautiful lakes of Sikkim but also held sacred by the locals. The army, because of its proximity and influence over these area cannot go about misrepresenting facts. Such gradual and systematic distortion of history only serves to sow the seeds of discontent and tension for the present and future generations...
Construction of a permanent structure at 17,200 feet with marble, chandeliers and works is totally uncalled for and changing the surface of the lake by moving earth to create parking space is most deplorable.
In an extremely sensitive ecosystem where even footprints stay for months, the army, we hope will take more responsibility and care of their environs which would be better served than find itself championing chauvinistic cultural imperialism."

RAI BAHADUR LAMA UGYEN GYATSO OF YANGANG
This is the residence of Rai Bahadur Lama Ugyen Gyatso of Yangang. Here he is seen with his wife Chum Changchub Dolma at Yangang Kothi in 1900.

My grandfather Lobsang Gyaltsen and grandmother Chum Seden Kazi of Libing House, who inherited the Yangang Estate, is seen here in front of Yangang Kothi in the 1960s.
The third photo of my wife Tsering T. Namgyal and I were taken at Yangang Kothi during a family wedding in the early 2000.
The Sikkim University is located around Yangang Kothi, Yangang, South Sikkim. Progress means change. And yet there is the need to preserve the sanctity of the past. 
“Take from the altars of the past the fire - not the ashes.”
                                                                ―Jean Jaures

LAST CALL FOR SIKKIMESE UNITY & IDENTITY 
Bonafide 'Sikkimese Nepalese' possessing genuine 'Sikkim Subject Certificate' must be included in the Scheduled Tribes list as 'Sikkimese' and not as Gorkhas as in the case of Sikkimese Bhutia-Lepchas.
Seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly must be reserved for bonafide Sikkimese on the basis of them being 'Sikkim Subjects' and not on the basis of them being Gorkhas.

 (L to R ) Journalist Jigme N Kazi, former Chief Minister, Late NB Bhandari, former Lok Sabha MP, Pahalman Subba, and former Minister, KN Upreti, at a seminar on Sikkimese identity in Gangtok several years back)

Let all Gorkhas in Sikkim, other than Sikkimese Nepalese, be included in the ST list as Gorkhas. Give maximum benefits to the old business community in Sikkim. And let other residents of Sikkim feel that they too belong to this place; treat them with respect and dignity.
HOWEVER, if the Sikkimese Nepalese want to part ways with Sikkimese Bhutias and Lepchas this is the time to speak up loud and clear. Silence is consent. Whatever decision they take must be respected. We may part ways but must live together in peace and harmony. There is no other way.

SIKKIM SALVO ON DOKLAM

With Xi firmly positioned and the Modi magic fading it is time to take a realistic look at the Doklam issue.
Sikkim, now a part of India, became a British Protectorate in 1890. Till early 20th century the Sikkim King (Chogyal) had his Palace in Chumbi Valley, which was then a part of Sikkim.

The 'gifting' of Darjeeling to British India in 1835, led to the annexation of Darjeeling (then a part of Sikkim) in 1860. Britain virtually took over Sikkim after annexing Darjeeling. 

The 1890 Convention between China and Britain ignored the two other stakeholders, Tibet and Sikkim.
Today, only China and India are busy debating over Doklam, where yaks once grazed. Sikkim, Tibet and Bhutan must have their say. 
The two giants of Asia must note that “Security depends on people, not territory.”

                            Chogyal: ‘Soul of Sikkim’

Palden Thondup Namgyal ‘one of the greatest sons of Sikkim’:Chamling

  On the occasion of the 36^th Funeral Day of Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal (1923-1982), (the historic funeral took place in Gangtok on February 19, 1982), let me re-publish what was published in my Sikkim Observer in 1999 on the Chogyal of Sikkim.

The Governor, Choudhary Randhir Singh, described the late Chogyal, Palden Thondup Namgyal, as a “noble soul”, a “moral giant” and a great friend of India. Laying the foundation stone of the statue of the 12^th Chogyal in Gangtok this week the Governor said he was proud to be associated with the works of the late Chogyal and the people of Sikkim.

The Governor said the Chogyal represented the cultural history of the State which dates back to several centuries. He said the installation of the statue at the complex of the Research Institute of Tibetology (SRIT) had not only raised the stature of the Institute but the choice of the location was apt as the former Chogyal was the “soul” behind the establishment of the research centre.

He said the Choygal, who many years ago invited Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to inaugurate the Institute, was a “noble soul who left his impact on Tibetology and preservation of the cultural history of Sikkim.” He added, “The Choygal in heaven must be happy that his soil is safe with Mother India.”

The Governor expressed his happiness over the decision of the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling, and his Cabinet members to install a statue of the late Chogyal. “I’m proud to be associated with the installation of the statue. I congratulate you all from the innermost recesses of my heart on this decision.”

Paying rich tributes to the late Chogyal, the Chief Minister said the 12^th Chogyal was “one of the greatest sons of Sikkim” and it was apt for the people to acknowledge his greatness and remember him for all times to come. He said, “While we are proud citizens of this great country the 300 years of history of the State should not be forgotten.”

Chamling said on completion of 24 years as a part of the Indian Union it was important to “keep the history of Sikkim alive.” He said during the Chogyal’s rule the foundation of the State’s economic development was established. While urging the people to preserve the State’s rich cultural heritage, history and communal harmony, the Chief Minister said, “Whatever has happened and lost its gone. Now let us look forward and build a better future for Sikkim and the Sikkimese.”

The Chief Minister revealed that the idea of installing the statue of the Chogyal came when the State Government decided to scrap the Rathong Chu hydel project in west district two years back. “It is our duty to preserve our history,” Chamling said while adding that “these historical sites” will become a part of the State’s history which was ruled by the Namgyal dynasty for over 300 years. Yuksam, the first capital of the former kingdom, has now been turned into a heritage centre after the controversial hydel project was scrapped.

The Chief Minister said the Cabinet last week decided to change the name of the Sikkm Research Institute of Tibetology (SRIT) to Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. The Institute was previously known as Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. The Board of Directors of the SRIT had earlier decided to restore the name “Namgyal Institute of Tibetology”, which was changed in 1975-76. The premises of the statue will be declared as “Palden Thondup Memorial Park”.

The PWD Minister, D.D. Bhutia, said the late Chogyal was “the greatest son of Sikkim”. Bhutia said, “Our government will not only install the statue of the late Chogyal but will also improve and create the surroundings befitting the status of one of the greatest sons of Sikkim.”

“I feel that we should not forget our history, our rich cultural heritage and communal harmony,” Bhutia told the distinguished gathering of royal family members and former Chief Minister, L.D. Kazi, and ex-secretaries, Jigdal Densapa, Kunzang Sherab and L.B. Chettri.

                                       (Ref: Sikkim Observer, May 22-29, 1999)