SIKKIM OBSERVER Sept 12-16, 2011

Demand for Karmapa’s return to Rumtek raised in Rajya Sabha

Gangtok, Sept 11: The State Government has urged the Centre to allow the 17^th Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorjee, to visit his seat-in-exile at Rumtek monastery in east Sikkim.

The lone Rajya Sabha member from Sikkim, OT Lepcha, while speaking in the House Wednesday said the 17^th Karmapa should be allowed to visit Sikkim to uphold the “religious sentiments” of the people.

Lepcha said despite repeated requests to the Centre on the issue by the State Government and various social organisations in the past so many years “no progress has been made in the matter.”

“I request the Central government to permit the visit of His Holiness 17^th Karmapa to Sikkim keeping in view of the religious sentiments of the people,” Lepcha said in the Rajya Sabha.

If the Centre does not allow the Karmapa to visit Rumtek monastery in view of the “controversy” associated with several claimants to the Karmapa seat then the Karmapa may be allowed to visit Ralong or Phodong monasteries in the State, which belong to the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

“His followers are now demanding that if, in view of the controversy involved in the Rumtek monastery, it is not possible to allow Karmapa to visit his seat there, he may be permitted to visit either Ralang monastery or Phudong monastery for darshan and blessings,” said Lepcha.

The 16^th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, who passed away in 1981, built the Rumtek monastery (Dharma Chakra Centre) after he was given a piece of land by the 11^th ruler of Sikkim, Chogyal Tashi Namgyal, following the Karmapa’s escape from Tibet before the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959.

Ralong gompa, the first Kargyu monastery in Sikkim was built in1730 during the reign of the 4^th king, Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal, who met the 12^th Karmapa lama, Changchub Dorje (1703-1732) in Tibet during his visit to that country.

Though almost all monasteries in Sikkim, a former Buddhist kingdom, belong to the Nyingmapa order (old school) of Tibetan Buddhism, the State has three main Kargyu monasteries – Ralong, Phodong and Rumtek.

Both Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his predecessor Nar Bahadur Bhandari have been demanding the early return of the 17^th Karmapa, who presently resides in Dharamsala, to return to Rumtek.

Why has worship of Sikkim’s guardian deities reduced to a bazaar affair?

SIBLAC objects to ‘intentional distortions’ on Sikkim history

Jigme N Kazi

Gangtok, Sept 11: The fight against dilution of Sikkim’s cultural heritage is out in the open. The State Government’s failure to correct distortions regarding celebration of Pang Lhabsol has been condemned by an apex body of the minority indigenous Buddhist Bhutia-Lepcha tribals in the State.

If the IPR Secretary KS Tobgay had not intervened the Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) would have burnt copies of the Sikkim Studies Series, which allegedly carries distorted version of Sikkim’s history.

That this would have taken place on the eve of the annual Pang Lhabsol celebrations would have been a great embarrassment to the Chamling Government. According to SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia, it was Chief Minister Pawan Chamling who released the Sikkim Study Series in the capital on August 28, 2004.

“SIBLAC has frequently been approaching the Government pointing intentional distortions and unacceptable errors in the same, demanding early rectifications, for the benefit of all,” Bhutia said in a press statement and added that the failure of the government to correct the distortions despite assurances has angered the minority community in the State.

“However, owing to the prompt and immediate response” of the IPR Secretary , the organization has “decided to withdraw its scheduled plan to burn the copies of the existing edition” of the Sikkim Studies Series.

Apart from wrong dates on celebrations of this unique festival names of many historical characters are also incorrect. Worse still is the allegation that the Chogyals of Sikkim have been labeled as “instruments of colonial expansions.”

“The authors have blatantly used phrase like “instruments of colonial expansions” (Page 110, last Para). What is the intention of mentioning the King of the Land as Colonial Expansionist? Does the Study Series consider Sikkim Chogyals as expansionists? Doesn’t it see difference between an Expansionist and a Ruler? The Chogyals and their ancestors were Rulers of the Land for over 700 years. The authors, it seems have not understood Sikkimese History and its implication. It is very misleading that the glorious rule of Namgyal Dynasty is concocted with derogatory remarks,” said SIBLAC.

 SIBLAC has also highlighted the manner in which a religious affair such as Pang Lhabsol sacred to Sikkim’s history and religion has been turned into a bazaar tamasha. Despite objections and pleas by concerned Sikkimese the Chamling Government has turned a deaf ear to the demand that celebrations of this unique event be restored to its original glory.

Today, the celebration of Pang Lhabsol has become a political and business affair with singing, dancing and speeches at the bazaar.

The worship of the presiding deities of Sikkim on Pang Phabsol is a solemn and sacred occasion. Farcical focus on ‘unity and communal harmony’ by those who resort to ‘divide and rule’ to stay in power may be done on another day but not on Pang Lhabsol.

SIBLAC has rightly pointed out: “The main function of Pang Lhabsol is and never been organised at the venue of the Statues of Unity (at MG Marg) as wrongfully mentioned” in the book.

“In fact, on the final day of the week-long long observation, Pangtoed Chham is performed at the Royal Tsuglhakhang as a musical offering to the presiding deities of Sikkim,” Bhutia said.

If Chamling wishes to continue staying in power he ought to remember this dictum: “whom the gods wish to destroy they first make them mad.”

Chamling ought to know what former chief minister NB Bhandari told me from his hospital bed here last month, “Though they are quite slow in their reaction there is devi-dewta in Sikkim.”

Gandhi Jayanti body to felicitate Bhaichung

Gangtok, Sept 11: Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia will be felicitated by the Gandhi Jayanti Celebration Committee of Sangmoo, south Sikkim.

The decision to felicitate Bhaichung was taken because of his immense contribution to the game, said Wang Tshering Shangdarpa, chairman of the celebration committee.

 “Bhaichung has made us proud at national and international level and inspired hundreds of locals and outsiders to follow the game of football, said Shandarpa during a press meet here yesterday.  

The celebration is scheduled to be started from September 14 with an open Boys Football tournament at the play ground of Sangmoo Junior High school. Former Minister D D Bhutia will inaugurate the celebration. The finals will be held on October 2, during Gandhi Jayanti.

At least 35 teams are expected to take part in the tournament.

Editorial

SIKKIM’S FUTURE

Take Time To Think

As anti-Chamling campaign gains momentum in a State ruled by one party, the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, for more than 17 years there is always the temptation to forge  some sort of unity among the Opposition to take on the ruling elite. This happened when NB Bhandari, Chamling’s predecessor, reigned supreme for over a decade and half and the people rallied behind the ‘Mandal Messiah’ in a bid to topple the Bhandari regime. Chamling’s think-tank at that time thought that the newly-formed SDF (formed in early 1993) was capable of ousting Bhandari in the 1994 Assembly elections. If it hadn’t been for dissidence within Bhandari’s ruling Sikkim Sangram Parishad that finally ousted Bhandari in mid-May 1994 Chamling may not have been able to come to power. Even without Bhandari in power and with a weak and friendly Congress government ruling the State for six months prior to the November 1994 Assembly polls Chamling’s party managed to get only 19 seats in the 32-member House, leaving Bhandari with 10 seats.

   There was a serious move in early 1993 to form a ‘tribal party’ to unite a section of the Opposition and oppose Bhandari. The leaders of this section were not in favour of placing all eggs in Chamling’s basket. In fact, they did not trust Chamling, who was in the Bhandari Cabinet before he formed his own political outfit based on OBC support. The fact that Sikkim is politically back to square one goes to prove how trustworthy Chamling has been. Sikkim today faces very much the same situation and many people want all anti-Chamling forces to come together and join the PS Tamang (Golay) camp. Though Golay has not come out openly against Chamling his supporters are very active and it is only a matter of time when the SDF rebel takes on Chamling openly. For those who are fed up with the Chamling regime and want a change there is always the temptation to place all eggs in one basket. The recent squabble within the Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) may be influenced by those who want a section of its leadership to join Golay. Is this a wise move? Sikkim does not have the luxury of repeating the same mistakes again. The Sikkimese people must not allow repetition of what has been witnessed in the last several decades in the name of democracy and economic development.

Raj Bhavan to produce organic tea

Observer News Service

 Gangtok, Sept 11: Eight acres of land at Raj Bhavan here will be brought under organic tea plantation in a phased manner.

Temi Tea Estate, producers of Temi Tea in the State, will provide technical expertise to the project and the produce will be used by the Raj Bhavan, according to an official release.

The project is an initiative of Governor BP Singh, who wants to make Raj Bhavan “an exemplary place having variety of organic flowers and plants.”

A tea plantation programme was carried out in an acre of land in Raj Bhavan yesterday where the Governor was present along with Commerce and Industries Minister Ms Neeru Sewa, Tea Board Chairman Gagan Rai and government officials.

The participants of the programme planted tea saplings at the Raj Bhavan Organic Garden yesterday morning.

Raj Bhavan was earlier known as The Residency, the official residence of India’s Political Officer in the former Himalayan Kingdom. Located on a hill above the town, the Residency was built after Sikkim’s first Political Officer, Claude White, took charge of the administration in the then kingdom in the latter part of the 19^th century when Sikkim became a British Protectorate.

PANG LHABSOL : Worship of Sikkim’s Guardian Deities

J. Kalzang

This unique Buddhist festival celebrates the eternal bond between the people, nature and the mountain gods.

Pang Lhabsol, a festival commemorating the conservation of Mt. Kanchenjunga as the guardian deity of Sikkim, is a unique Buddhist festival in the Himalaya.

The lotus-born tantric master, Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, who introduced Buddhism in the Himalayas and Tibet in the 8^th century, is believed to have visited Sikkim and bound the mountain spirits on oath to protect the people. The four sacred caves in Sikkim where Guru Rinpoche meditated are perhaps the most sacred pilgrimage centres for Buddhist devotees in the former kingdom of Sikkim.

There is also the belief that Pang Lhabsol 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. It is said that while meditating in a cave at Dzongri in west Sikkim, the mountain the guardian deity of the state appeared to him in a vision.

Subsequently, Chador Namgyal, the third Chogyal of Sikkim, introduced the "pangtoed" dance and dedicated it to Kanchenjunga as a war deity. The actual origin of the festival is said to be the blood-brotherhood pact between the Lepcha bongthing, Thekung Tek, and Khye-Bumsa, the ancestor of the Namgyal Dynasty of Sikkim in the 13^th century. During the signing of this historic pact, the local deities were invoked to witness the event.

Pang Lhabsol combines masked dance with warrior dance, giving the festival an inherent drama, which surpasses that found in other Buddhist festivals. There are resplendent costumes and colorful masks, and the choreography is spectacular. Kanchenjunga itself is represented by a dancer wearing a red mask mounted with five human skulls, on top of which are mounted flags.

Yabdu, Kanchenjunga's Supreme Commander, wears a black mask, while the warriors who accompany them are attired in the traditional Sikkimese battle dress, complete with helmets, swords and shields. The dramatic entry of Mahakala, the protector of the dharma, or faith, is one of the highlights of the dance. It is Mahakala who commands Kanchenjunga and Yabdu to defend the faith and bring peace and prosperity to Sikkim.

Shouts of victory greet his appearance as it is he who commands the god Khangchendzonga, to defend the faith and bring peace and prosperity to the people. Three horses with attendants in the fashion of Kham, form where the Namgyal dynasty came, are held ready to be mounted by Dzonga, Yabdul and Nyenchen Thangla, a mountain god from Tibet.

A week prior to the dance, the lamas of Pemayangtse monastery (Sikkim’s premier monastery) in west Sikkim, where the festival takes place, offer prayers, invoking Dzonga - the popular local name for Kanchenjunga - to protect the land and look after the people. The festival of Pang Lhabsol is held on the 15th day of the seventh month of the Tibetan calendar, which falls around August-September.

SIKKIM OBSERVER Sept 3-9, 2011

Chamling likely to table ‘Black Bill’ again after seeking mass support

Observer News Service

Gangtok, Sept 2: Less than three days after the controversial ‘Black Bill’, which sought to curtail protest rallies in the State, Chief Minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front President Pawan Chamling threatened to re-introduce the Bill in the State Legislative Assembly.

Referring to the Bill’s withdrawal, Chamling said he wanted the people to “debate” over the provisions of the Bills as the Opposition “misled and misinformed” the people regarding the good intentions of the Bill.

While addressing the House on Tuesday, Chamling said the objective of the Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill, which was abruptly withdrawn in the Assembly on August 26 after it was tabled on August 11, was to make the State free from drugs, religious violence and waving of black flags.

He said the proposed Bill was not against provisions of the constitution (Art 19) that guaranteed freedom of speech and expression.

Meanwhile, the SDF is believed to be distributing pamphlets to the people in a bid to educating them on the provisions of the Bill, which, it said, wanted communal harmony, peace and tranquility in the State.

Sikkim MPs for strong Lokpal Bill

Gangtok, Sept 2: Both Sikkim MPs have supported enactment of a strong Lokpal Bill which would bring government officials under its purview.

In a statement in Lok Sabha, ruling party MP PD Rai he was in favour of a “very strong and robust” Lokpal Bill that would help to preserve “probity in public life.”

“We are for the enactment of a very strong and robust Lok Pal Bill. All the good points of all the proposed bills that have come before the Government should be incorporated,” Rai said in the Lok Sabha while participating in the debate in the House recently.

Sikkim’s Rajya Sabha MP OT Lepcha, who also belongs to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), extended his full support to a strong Lokpal Bill.

The two MPs said “bringing the lower bureaucracy within its ambit is important and we fully agree. The officials of the Central Government can be brought under the Lok Pal.”

“I would like to state that my party will continue to work toward making of nation that believes in democratic principles, probity in public life and continuous improvement in the way public goods and services are delivered to the aam aadmi,” the two MPs said in their respective Houses.

SDF is a divided house: Nepal

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, Sept 2: The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) President Pawan Chamling’s failure to act firmly against its erring legislator, PS Tamang (Golay), for anti-party activities have sent a confusing signal to party workers and supporters of the ruling party.

  Stating that Golay had “openly supported” the August 24 rally in the capital, organized by the  Nagarik Adhikar  Suraksha Sangathan (NASS), Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) Convenor Duk Nath Nepal also pointed out that people are becoming the worst sufferers because of division within the ruling party.

“The vertical crack between Chamling and Goley affecting the party and the government is leading to the suffering of the Sikkimese people,” Nepal said in a statement.

Because of this “the ruling SDF is gradually losing its grip over the party and its workers.” Nepal said. “The division right from the government office to Panchayat level between Chamling and Goley has reached such a level that the common people have become the ultimate sufferers.”

Nepal pointed out that the party which is in power for the fourth consecutive term is now disintegrating. The SLP leader’s comments comes subsequent to resignation and expulsion of several party workers, including former Lok Sabha MP, Nakul Rai.

While NASS President TN Dhakal refuses to acknowledge Golay’s influence in his organization it is now an open secret that most influential members of the Dhakal-led non-political organization are loyal to the SDF rebel leader.

SNPP to probe financial dealings of Siliguri daily

My party is intact, says Adhikari

Gangtok, Sept 2: While stating that the Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) is intact and is not on the “verge of a split” as alleged in a Siliguri-based Nepali daily, party President Biraj Adhikari said his party is against “unscrupulous business houses”

and a section of  the media in the  State which are against the interests of bonafide Sikkimese.

During its meeting held here this week, SNPP decided to form a committee to probe into “financial dealings of the corporate owners of the newspaper” to find out “whether they are connected to the mafia of companies which are exploiting and sucking the natural resources of Sikkim.”

“The party in a preliminary investigation, has indeed determined that the said paper “Himalaya Darpan” has been promoted by an industrial house in Siliguri and this house has been investing large sums of money in Sikkim and have acquired some immovable assets in the recent past,” Adhikari said.

Referring to a report carried in  Himali Darpan, Adhikari said the report gave the impression that because  “the majority of the party refused”  to join the anti-corruption and anti-Black Bill protest rally in the capital on August 24 it was termed as a “sell out”, which would lead to “split” in the party, Adhikari said in a press statement.

Adhikari admitted that he had met ruling party MLA Ugyen Gyatso in a shop at Daragaon in Tadong but this had nothing to do with the reported “sell out” to the ruling party as alleged in the media report.

Adhikari said, “Why is a newspaper from Siliguri trying to show the people of Sikkim that talking to any other MLA of SDF, other than one, is a crime?”

BHUTIA BODY WRITES TO CHOGYAL WANGCHUK NAMGYAL

“Come back, bless and guide us”

Jigme N Kazi

Gangtok, Sept 2: A vocal non-political organization of Sikkimese Bhutias have urged the 13^th Chogyal of Sikkim, Wangchuk Namgyal, a Bhutia, to return to the Palace and resume his duties as dharmaraj (religious ruler) of the former Buddhist kingdom.

Ever since his father’s (Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal) death in 1982, Namgyal has been undergoing spiritual retreats in Sikkim, Nepal and Bhutia. Most of the time he stays away from Sikkim.

As a result of his absence from the State many religious festivals, particularly the Pang Lhabsol festival, worship of Sikkim’s Guardian Deities who reside on Mt. Khangchendzonga, are virtually non-existent in the capital today.

The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO) has now urged the Chogyal to come back and “guide and bless the Sikkimese people.”

In a letter to the Chogyal, NASBO President Sonam Kaleon has requested him to “revive, bless and guide the annual” Pang Lhabsol celebrations which usually falls in the months of August-September.

“The people of Sikkim would be the first one to share all the responsibilities required for such revival in a befitting, dedicated and determined manner,” Kaleon said in the letter.

Though the Chogyal has been living outside the State, NASBO is aware and appreciative of his continued dharma activities in Sikkim, which include “spiritual, academic or physical” developments in the State.

The Chogyal belongs to the Namgyal dynasty which ruled Sikkim for over three centuries from 1642 until its takeover by India, its protecting power, in 1975.

The ancestors of the Namgyal dynasty, namely Khye Bumsa, struck an eternal bond of blood brotherhood with Lepcha chief Thekongtek at Kabi Longtsok near Gangtok in the 13^th century, which finally led to coronation of Chogyal Phuntsog Namgyal four hundreds years later at Yuksam, west Sikkim, in 1642. It is said the guardian deities of Sikkim, including Khangchendzonga witnessed the pact signed in blood between the Bhutia and Lepcha chiefs.

Chador Namgyal, the third Chogyal of Sikkim, introduced the "pangtoed" dance and dedicated it to Kanchenjunga. This unique dance is also performed during Pang Lhabsol celebrations.

The lotus-born Guru Rinpoche (Lord Padmasambhava), originally from Swat Valley in Pakistan who visited Sikkim in the 8^th century, is believed to have visited and blessed Sikkim and bound the local deities on oath to protect the land and its people. Therefore, Pang Lhabsol festival has a special religious and historical significance to Sikkim and Sikkimese people.

INDIA BANDH!

Is It A Necessary Evil?

Among the most serious of the evils to be encountered in India today apart from corruption are the strikes or bandhs as they are called in India by organized bodies of workmen or by common gullible public at the behest of governments, politicians and vested interest groups. That strikes are great evils, is universally accepted. Some people affirm that they are unmitigated evils; some think that however mischievous, they are not preventable; while others affirm that they are necessary as preventing even greater calamities! If used for appropriate and apt reasons then it is justified. However, in some parts of India such as Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal it seems that general strikes called by politicians are a great nuisance to the public at large.

In many countries strikes are banned or modified e.g in France a law "on social dialogue and continuity of public service” was adopted in August 2007 and took effect in January 2008. In the USA, The Railway Labor Act bans strikes by United States airline and railroad employees except in narrowly defined circumstances. The Mamata Government’s recent call to take a second look on bandhs in West Bengal should be given serious thought by all concerned. Ten persons calling a bandh or calling road blockades cannot and should not be allowed to hold 10 lakh to ransom. In today’s world, particularly with a variety of tools for free expression, eg google and twitter, there is no need to call bandhs and force the general public to suffer. There ought to be designated protest spaces, big and small, for people to ventilate their grievances without disturbing public life.

TEACHERS’ DAY: You Truly Are My Wealth

As he completes twenty five years of dedicated service in the teaching profession, former teacher of Sikkim’s prestigious Tashi Namgyal Academy (TNA), Leonard Lefevre, who now teaches at Padma Choeling School in Gangtok, says students are the teachers’ greatest reward.                                                                                                                                     

LEONARD LEFEVRE

On the mantelpiece at home is a plaque presented by the North Point School Alumni to my mother, thanking her for her many years of dedicated teaching service at St. Joseph’s School, North Point, Darjeeling. The words inscribed below the school crest say with great simplicity “We are your Wealth”.  As I complete twenty five in the teaching service the words take on a special meaning to me.

My mind goes back to the year it all began in 1987. I was a green horn fresh out of college, ‘still wet behind the ears’, but I guess I took to teaching like a duck takes to water.  I did, however, enjoy an unfair advantage on two counts. First, I had the “Lefevre teaching gene” encoded in my DNA! Mum and Dad had taught generations of North Pointers and my elder brother Andre is Headmaster of the Junior School at N.P. Second, I had the support and guidance of Principals with great vision that reposed great faith and belief in me.

I remember bumping into my Zoology Professor in N.P. College soon after I started working at TNA. On hearing that I was teaching Biology in Grades 8, 9 and 10 she almost had an epileptic fit and when she had recovered sufficiently she looked imploringly towards the Heavens and exclaimed, “God help your kids!!” I guess God has been putting in a lot of “Overtime” for the last twenty-five years!  And I must thank Almighty God for the many opportunities He has provided me with to reach out to the young people of the region and guiding and protecting me in my work. Back in College I remember writing a short piece for the “North Pointer” magazine entitled ‘Heaven Watches Over Fools Like Me’.

Now I know for sure that it’s true. In the year 1977 our Religious Knowledge teacher Brother Jim Mara s.j. wrote the words “Hammer Stoutly, Pray Devoutly” on the blackboard of Class 7.I remember trying to figure out their meaning. Today I know not just the meaning of the words but the importance of working hard and having unshakeable faith in God.

 In April of 1994 God called Dad to be by His side. I still remember one of the letters Dad had written me when I started teaching in TNA. He mentioned two fundamental truths of the teaching profession: “A teacher will always be a learner” and “Teaching does not offer great financial rewards but it can make you very rich”. No truer words have ever been spoken. Every day, every lesson provides an opportunity to learn something new. I have learnt so much from my Principals, my colleagues and mainly from my students that I will never be able to repay the debt I owe them. When I left T.N.A in 2006 I left my students with a long Litany of “I have learnts…” The list has only got longer as the years have rolled by. The rewards that teaching brings are mainly in the form of “intangibles”. Intangibles may not put food on the table but they sure can warm the “cockles of the heart” and sure can “lift you in one breath towards heaven”, and they can make you very rich. And part of that richness and wealth comes from the knowledge that one’s students are doing well in life.

As I stroll down the new look M.G. Marg in Gangtok I bump into so many of my old students. We always stop to chat and catch up on old times and remember students of bygone days.  I feel extremely blessed and proud to have been a part of their lives. Just to look at a few examples:-Baichung Bhutia – The  talisman and captain extraordinaire of the India Soccer Team, and a host of avid footballers who have qualified for and are playing soccer for various clubs in India. Most recently a kid who I looked after in Mangan who is on his way to play a tournament hosted by Arsenal at the  Emirates Stadium in London: Karma Lendup – The  Chief designer of an electronics giant of South Korea and other  alumni of NID who are working independently or helping the Govt. of Sikkim in their own quiet way: Dawa Tshering Lepcha – The  film maker whose documentary was placed fourth  in the World Film  Festival in London this year and a lot of “cartoon characters in school” who are now animation designers: Karma Samten Paljor perhaps the most recognizable face of CNN-IBN and recipient of the best T.V. Journalist award in India last year.  Rajeev Chettri who has held top executive posts at Adidas and Nokia. Sanjog Prakash Raya – The  architect who designed Mayfair Resorts, Gangtok  and a truckload of architects whose work dot the entire landscape of Sikkim and beyond: engineers, doctors, nurses,  bank managers and bankers, businessmen, hoteliers, lecturers, professors, civil servants, politicians, police officers, forest officials, environmentalists, veterinary doctors, lawyers, artists, the owner of a ‘one of a kind book shop’, business entrepreneurs, fashion designers, dancers who are the best in the state of Sikkim, radio jockeys, rock musicians (just heard that Girish Pradhan has won the best vocalist award in India), sound engineers and more recently even teachers.

In fact one of them came up to me the other day and declared proudly ‘Sir I wanna be a teacher like you!” I think I had one my “Zoology Professor moments” and before I could recover he went on, “Sir I even carry my guitar to class!!” Not surprising, since he was a big G’n’R fan in school. I’m sure his kids love him! Why and even a Rinpoche! In fact I should have had him at the head of the list but I am sure “Agya” wont mind!! And what is most heartening to learn is that they are are making a mark for themselves not just in Sikkim but are spread all across India and the globe!\

 I would like to believe that I have a hand or a foot or maybe just a finger (never mind which one!) in their success.

I also pause to remember those students who who are no longer with us like Nigel Cashmore, Steve Lepcha, Mahendra Karki, Rup Singh Lachenpa, all extremely successful sportsmen who had enthralled us on the sports field, and have left behind a lot of fond memories.

 To all my Students whom I have had the privilege to teach at Tashi Namgyal Academy, St. Joseph’s North Point, North Sikkim Academy, Mangan and my students of Padma Odzer Choeling, Chongey Tar I may not ever get an opportunity to thank you and tell you this personally but I am extremely proud of you and you are extremely precious to me and you truly are my wealth.                                                 

Gorkhaland Bill, WB renaming on Sept 2

GJM objects to draft Bill, says spirit of GTA lost

Observer News Service

Calcutta, Sept 2: The Mamata Banerjee government will table in the Assembly the all-party resolution on renaming West Bengal on September 2, the last day of the ongoing monsoon session.

“After the official resolution on renaming West Bengal as Paschimbanga is passed in the Assembly, it will be sent to Parliament,” Speaker Biman Banerjee said.

Both Houses of Parliament will have to approve the resolution before it is sent to the Union home ministry, which will take the final call.

On August 20, Mamata had chaired an all-party meeting in which a consensus was reached on the renaming.

MLAs of both the ruling party and the Opposition said there was “no scope for disagreement” on the official resolution.

The government will also table the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Bill 2011, on Friday, said Trinamul’s Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, the Assembly chief whip.

The GJM leadership, including the four MLAs, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri and chairman of GJM study forum L B Pariyar, on Wednesday held an urgent meeting with Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh and Commerce and Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee and demanded immediate amendment to the Bill before it is placed before the Assembly on September 2.   

   According to GJM sources, the Bill has mentioned the new autonomous adminstrative body as Gorkha Territorial Administrative Sabha, while in the agreement it was mentioned as Gorkha Territorial Administration.

Giri said: “We have to fight for the administrative and financial powers, which were omitted in the draft Bill. Moreover, the word “sabha” has repetitively come up in the draft in place of the administrative body.”

The power of the autonomy and the self governance has also been curtailed and the draft does not mention for the security of the ethnic identity, added the source.

Harka Bahadur Chhtrei, GJM MLA, said: “The spirit of the memorandum is lost in the GTA draft bill. There are major omission of such clauses, which will not allow the autonomy to function in the area. If this Bill is passed in the Assembly, the autonomous body — GTA — will lose its existence. We have requested the government to consider an amendment to the Bill.”

Chhatre Subba verdict on Sept 9

Observer News Service

Jalpaiguri, Sept 2: The verdict in a case of murder attempt on Gorkha National Liberation Front leader Subash Ghisingh, in which the prime accused is Chhatre Subba, could not be delivered on Tuesday because of a computer that refused to function.

It has been over a decade that Subba and his associates are being tried. A large number of supporters of Chhatre arrived from different places in Darjeeling to hear the verdict.

But, when Subba and the other accused were finally produced in the court of the additional district and sessions judge around it was found that the computer in the courtroom was not working. Left without any option, the judge, Sanchita Kar, postponed the delivery of the verdict. It will be pronounced on September 9.

But the event has made Chhatre supporters unhappy. "It took more than 10 years for the court to come to the delivery of the judgement. We were really hoping to hear something good, the reason we have travelled all along from Darjeeling. Let's hope that on September 9, the verdict will be pronounced," one of them said.

Chhatre was arrested from the Indo-Nepal border in March 2001 and a case was lodged against him in the Darjeeling sessions court. He was charged with trying to assassinate Ghisingh, then Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council chairman, at Saat Ghoomti near Kurseong on February 10, 2001. Police also arrested 13 others in the case who were also charged with attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and possession of arms.

The trial, however, did not take place in Darjeeling as Chhatrey appealed before Calcutta high court to shift his case from Darjeeling to Jalpaiguri for a "fair and impartial trial".

Are Sikkimese Bhutias tilting towards Golay?

NASBO welcomes Golay’s call for Sikkimese unity

Gangtok, Sept 2: The support extended to PS Tamang (Golay), dissident ruling Sikkim Democratic Front legislator by Sikkimese Bhutia tribals has added a new dimension to the anti-Chamling campaign in the State.

The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organization (NASBO) has welcomed

Golay’s appeal for unity among Sikkimese Nepalese who are fragmented into various groups.

Unity among the Sikkimese people will ultimately protect the unique and distinct identity of Sikkim and the Sikkimese people, NASBO President, Sonam Kaleon said in a press statement.

Kaleon, a former senior civil servant, has also shown his appreciation for Golay’s bid to restore the political rights of Sikkimese Nepalese through restoration of their seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly as per provisions of Article 371F of the constitution.

It is also significant to note NASBO’s support to the recent (Aug 24) anti-corruption rally organized in the capital by the Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan (NASS), which is dominated by pro-Golay elements.

The rally was called to protest against the public order bill, dubbed as the “Black Bill” by the Opposition, tabled in the Assembly by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on August 11. Due to stiff opposition the bill was abruptly withdrawn on August 26.

One of the main grievances highlighted by NASBO is the 1978 Scheduled Tribes Order which has diluted the distinct identity of the ‘Sikkimese Bhutias’. The organization has also opposed mega hydro power projects near Tashiding in west Sikkim, which is of great historical and religious significance to Sikkim, earlier known as ‘Beyul Dema Jong’ (hidden valley of grains).

Tamangs and Gurungs among the Nepalese community share the same religion – Buddhism – with the State’s minority indigenous Bhutia-Lepcha tribals, who are largely disillusioned with the Chamling Government. Political allegiance to Golay by the Buddhist community in the State would adversely affect the ruling party’s support base. The SDF came to power in 1994 due to the support of OBCs and tribals in the State.

PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW People Have A Right To Know

“Public Order Bill is aimed at restricting fundamental human and constitutional rights”

Former Minister and Convenor of Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) Tseten Tashi Bhutia in his letter, dated August 15, 2011, to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said the Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill, which was tabled in the House by the Chief Minister on August 11 and then withdrawn on August 26, 2011, while trying to curb social evils violates the fundamental rights of Indian citizens in Sikkim guaranteed under the Constitution. Bhutia also submitted a copy of his letter to the Chief Minister to Governor BP Singh urging him to use his power under the Constitution to stop the passage of the Bill in the House. Full text reproduced:

To,                                                                                                          Dated: 15/08/2011

Shri Pawan Kumar Chamling

Hon’ble Chief Minister

Government of Sikkim

Gangtok, Sikkim.                                                                                

SUB: OPINION OF A PRUDENT SIKKIMESE ON THE SIKKIM PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF DISTURBANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER BILL, (BILL NO .10 of 2011.)

Respected Sir,

I, the undersigned would like to draw your attention, introspection in regard to the Bill No.10 of 2011 introduced by your good self as Minister Incharge, on 11.08.2011 in the State Legislative Assembly .

2.         The Bill No 10 of 2011 titled as “SIKKIM PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF DISTURBANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER BILL” with its objects and reasons for a special law to address social vices and offences being committed disturbing public order which affect peace and tranquillity in Sikkim and the sate government after due deliberation felt that there is need to deal with such types of offences affecting public order and with that object the Bill has been framed and tabled in the House.

3.         It is humbly stated that the Bill has given a wide connotation to the meaning of disturbance of public order. The Bill proposes to bring various contrasting acts within the definition of disturbance of public order, for, e.g., the act of holding processions, hunger strikes, obstructing any public works undertaken by government agencies, any act which causes health hazards or threaten healthy life and security of others ,harms peaceful living , causes public nuisance or imperils or annoys the public, extortion, drug abuse, employing child labour, drunkenness or smoking by persons below 18 years of age, minors visiting bars and discotheques, digging or causing obstruction to public thoroughfare and laying of unauthorized pipes for water connection or any other unauthorized connectivity of any form.

4.         The Bill in the present form appears to have been introduced with a sole intention to infringe various basic Human Rights and Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India in Part-III.

5.         Though the Bill has also tried to bring in other social evil acts within the realm of an act which causes disturbances of public order, with pure intention to camouflage the real intent of restricting, curtailing the Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Part III of the Constitution of India by Articles 14, 19, 21 and 25. The undersigned would further like to state that the proposed Bill No 10 of 2011 suffers from various defects and illegality and hence it is unconstitutional and ultra-vires. The undersigned would like to urge the following grounds and points for your consideration:-

A.                    That the proposed Bill’s provisions are in direct conflict with the Fundamental Rights of all citizens of India in Sikkim guaranteed under part III of the Constitution. The proposed Bill, through the various provisions has sought to violate the various International Humanitarian Laws such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other covenants. 

B.                    That there is no explanation given for public cause/purpose to come within the purview of clause (2) to(6) of Article 19 by which the Bill can be justified to impose such unreasonable restrictions on the Fundamental Rights of a citizen. Further, the restrictions to be imposed by the Bill are arbitrary and excessive in nature which goes beyond the requirement of the interest of the general public. It is important to mention that holding processions or hunger strikes etc. are democratic ways of fair criticism and dissent against unjust, unfair, illegal and unconstitutional acts or conduct of State (Govt officials), which the public or an individual feels that the Government or State has failed to carry out its duty and obligation for the protection of the Citizen’s Fundamental Rights.

C.                    That it is also pertinent to mention that the proposed Bill is trying to restrict the Fundamental Right of a citizen, to preach, profess and practice his or her religion and hence violative and  contrary to the concept of secularism guaranteed by Article 25 and the very Preamble to the Constitution. It is pertinent to mention that the various rallies and processions are taken by individuals, associations, groups and socio-political organisations or public spirited persons on the ground that there is need for seeking protection of one’s own religion, places of religious worship and significance, customs, conventions and culture. It is further paramount to state that the Constitution of India under Article 25 guarantees the right to freedom of religion. It is further stated that right to perform a religious ceremony or rituals may be acquired by age old customs of the community. We Sikkimese revere and highly respect the places of worship and perform religious ceremony and rituals to preserve and propagate our rich religious and cultural heritage.

The Bill, if enacted into law, would directly violate the freedom of religion guaranteed by Article 25 of the Constitution. When there is threat/infringement to the same the particular community should have the right to express their opinion in regard to the oppression of their religion or customs (Dharma). Thus to hold a peaceful procession or hunger strike (Satyagraha) etc. cannot be  termed a disturbance of public order in the opinion of the person whose religious rights are  infringed, sentiment hurt or practices prohibited by law made by the State.

D.             The mandate of Article 51-A (f), (g), (h) and (j) of Part IVA of our Constitution requires every citizen to perform the Fundamental Duties and in order to perform those duties, a citizen has to exercise his Fundamental Rights because the two are co-relative . Further more the proposed Bill is in direct conflict with the various International Covenants and Protocols, for e.g. it is in direct conflict with Article 19 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which reads as “everyone has a right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.

E.                     That it is also pertinent to mention that only reasonable restrictions can  be imposed on the Fundamental Right of a citizen and anything contrary to reasonable restriction would be illegal,  unconstitutional and repugnant to the mandate of Article 14 and 19 of the Constitution.

F.                     The proposed Bill prima facie appears to be unreasonable, unnecessary and unwarranted in the situation and context of Sikkim, where you have ruled the state very smoothly over the past 17 years and not a singular situation has ever arisen or event taken place affecting the peace and tranquillity of the state. As a conscious citizen and former legislator, I do not see any justification for such a draconian law as no such situation is likely to affect public order in this strategic border state. The Bill in its present form is potentially harmful to the persons of minor age and the machinery of the state may abuse the provision of the law adversely affecting the future prospects of such minor citizens. The Indian Penal Code and other Central Acts extended to and enforced in Sikkim are adequate to deal with the situations contemplated under the proposed Bill.

G.                    It is further stated that right to hold processions or hunger strikes or obstructing public works undertaken by the government agencies in which the public at large is not satisfied or happy is a medium of expressing the public opinion to the Government and its agencies that have put a veil in their eyes against public interest. Hence it is a means of fair criticism and gives a chance for the government to improve their approach for larger public interest and hence by bringing such Bill the government itself is acting contrary to its own interest and against the concept of better and transparent governance. It is humbly stated that even in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland where there are dangerously disturbed areas, the

government of those states do permit the public to exercise their right to freedom of speech and expression and in case of emergencies the state government have taken recourse to those reasonable procedures as prescribed under the applicable laws to tackle such situations having tendencies to cause public disturbances in the area.

H.                    I would like to place on record the considered view expressed by Justice Bhagabati Prasad Banerjee, an eminent retired judge of the High Court of Calcutta who opines that – “Even though a portion of the law related to public order has been placed on the State List and the state has the power to enact legislation on them, the Bill placed by the Sikkim government will not be considered as valid if challenged in court… But as far as public disorders like promoting enmity or hatred or disaffection among different communities are concerned, there are strong central laws for it. On these issues, a state government can not enact any law.”

I.                      I personally feel that the Bill ought to have been published and circulated in draft form eliciting public opinion and views and comments of experts in the various walks of life in the state and people would have got an opportunity to either support or oppose such a law. No such opportunity has been given to the people to express their opinion thereby disregarding a vital pillar of democratic governance in which Sikkim is lagging far behind compared to the other sister states of the country. Furthermore, if the Bill is enacted into law the same is going to be challenged in the proper judicial forum and is bound to be declared ultra-vires the Constitution.

J.                     It is humbly stated that the Bill proposes to set up a special court and makes the offences cognizable and non-bailable, which upon conviction shall attract imprisonment of not less than five years and fine of Rs 50,000. The procedure to be followed or laid down differs substantially from the ordinary procedure to the prejudice of the accused and hence violates Article 14 and goes against certain relevant procedural sections of the Criminal Procedure Code 1973. For e.g. a person involved in an act of joining peaceful assembly and procession or taking recourse to hunger strike for betterment of particular community, showing general concern in regard to various social issues like environment, and smoking by persons of minor age, visiting bars and discotheques are generally taken into police custody and released on bail. In regard to the minors, they are sent to Juvenile Justice Homes and further even in the rarest of the rare case, they are not penalised for five years imprisonment. It is humbly stated that such a law may be necessary in public interest in dangerously disturbed areas or parts of a state where chaos and disorder prevails for a long period of time.

K.                    It is further stated that even if the proposed law satisfies the test of reasonable classification under Article 14, it has to be tested on the anvil of Article 21 of the Constitution and the various authoritative verdicts of the Supreme Court binding on all authorities throughout the country. Reference may kindly be made of the case in the Special Courts Bill, 1978 reported in 1979(1) SCC 380: AIR 1979 SC 478.

L.                     The Bill, if passed, would go against the aims and object of the Act as the public at large would be adversely affected and innocents would be behind the bars until the trial is concluded and is acquitted by the special court. Hence, the chances of abuse of powers by the police and politically motivated persons would be greater thus leading to further threat to peace , tranquillity and public order in a border state like Sikkim which has remained peaceful over the past several decades.

Thus in short and in toto, it can be said that the Bill No 10 of 2011 suffers from various defects, illegality, unconstitutionality and is an affirmative threat designed to create fear psychosis in the minds of peace-loving  and God-fearing people of Sikkim who have lived in complete peace and harmony in this Himalayan State. I therefore strongly urge you to withdraw the said Bill or circulate it for eliciting public response and opinion.

I trust that you will act in the best interest of people of Sikkim upholding the Constitutional values, rights and freedoms for which we became a part of India in 1975.

  Thanking You

                                                                                                                          Yours faithfully

                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                     Tseten Tashi Bhutia.

                                                                                                                    Former Minister.

Himalayan Guardian Aug 31, 2011

Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai is Nepal’s new PM

FOREIGN POLICY TO BE BASED ON ‘PANCHASHEEL’

RP Sharma

Kathmandu, Aug 30: Nepal’s newly-elected Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, a senior Maoist leader, is likely to follow a policy of maintaining equidistance between its two giants – India and China.

An alumnus of New Delhi’s Jawaharlal’s Nehru University (JNU), however, said the former Himalayan kingdom’s relations with India should be based on principles enunciated in the ‘Panchasheel’, which stressed on mutual respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty of the countries in the region, including India and China.

Nepal participated in the Asian-African Conference held in Bandung in Indonesia in 1955, which laid emphasis on the five principles of peaceful coexistence also known as Panchasheel.

“We should also maintain balanced relations with both the neighbours (India and China) and that should be based on theory of Panchasheel,” Bhattarai said after being elected Prime Minister on Sunday.

 “This is the last opportunity,” Bhattarai told the Parliament before the vote on Sunday. “I am determined to complete the peace process and constitution drafting.”

Ending two weeks of uncertainty,  Bhattarai (57), vice chairman of Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and former finance minister

defeated his Nepali Congress rival Ram Chandra Poudel by a margin of 105 votes.

Bhattarai secured support of 340 members of the 594-member parliament.

Bhattarai’s victory became certain prior to voting as United Democratic Madeshi Forum (UDMF), the conglomeration of five Madhesi parties with 71 seats, announced its support to the Maoist leader.

Leaders of UDMF decided on extending support after Maoists agreed to a four point deal that included details on integration and rehabilitation of former Maoist combatants and making Nepal Army more inclusive. 

Bhattarai’s election follows resignation of his predecessor Jhalanath Khanal on August 15 to make way for a national consensus government. But since parties failed to arrive at consensus on government formation, the prime minister was elected through majority vote in parliament.

An alumnus of Delhi School of Planning and Architecture and Jawaharlal Nehru University, election of the farmer’s son from Gorkha to the top post is expected to speed up the stalled peace and constitution drafting processes.

GTA Bill likely to be tabled in Assembly this week

C. Tamang

Darjeeling, Aug 30: The much-awaited legislation to set up the the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in Darjeeling is likely to be tabled in the West Bengal Assembly later this week.

Sources said according to the government’s chief whip Sobhondeb Chattopadhaya the GTA Bill is likely to be tabled in the Assembly on September 2.

“We have a plan to table the GTA bill on September 2,” he told a national daily. He said after the Assembly passes the Bill it will be sent to the standing committee for a review.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has kept the hill affairs portfolio with her, is expected to table the GTA in the House anytime this week.

Gorkha Janmukti Morchas President Bimal Gurung has urged the authorities to expedite the formation of the GTA to enable development works to take place in the hills at the earliest.

Sub-SAARC group in the offing

Rethinking on regional cooperation

Himalayan News Network

New Delhi, Aug 30: Formation of a sub-SAARC group consisting India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan is likely to take place soon.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to discuss the sub-regional proposal on trade with Sheikh Hasina during his visit to Dhaka next month.

“There is rethinking on the whole paradigm of regional cooperation,” a Bangladesh official who recently visited Dehi said.

“We are within Saarc and ultimately want that forum to succeed, but we are now also working to take forward a sub-regional trade movement. This looks promising and could move at a much faster pace,” Bangladesh commerce minister Farouk Khan said.

South Asian free trade has been affected by the relations between India and Pakistan. The latter refuses to give India the most favoured nation status, while India views all investment proposals from Pakistan with suspicion.

However, trade among India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka are on a more even keel. India allows Nepal and Bhutan duty free access to its market for all their manufactured goods and allows duty free transit of any imports from these countries.

 “We want to cash in on the relationship between these four nations… Trade will be in goods, services and in energy resources,” Khan said. Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Tariq Karim, is on a visit to Bhutan to take the move to forge a sub-regional trade movement forward.

Bangladesh wants a sub-regional pact for road and rail connectivity, electric grid and water resources management with India, Nepal and Bhutan.

Ranjan Mathai, the newly appointed India’s foreign secretary, is scheduled to arrive Nepal in the third week of September next month, reports said.

 “The challenges were dealing with our foreign policy and its outreach through diplomacy in a holistic way, which takes care of our political and strategic interests, combines the economic and commercial interests of the country, and keeps in mind also the cultural image of the country and the way in which we portray ourselves in the world,” Mathai said while briefing the media.

Bhutan-Singapore air links soon

T. Dem

Thimphu, Aug 30: Bhutan and Singapore will establish an air services agreement (ASA) next week, according to the department of civil aviation (DCA).

The agreement will allow national airline, Drukair and upcoming private airline, Tashi Air, the rights to fly to Singapore. A civil aviation team from Singapore will arrive in the country to work out technical details of the ASA, prior to a final agreement.

Drukair plans to operate to Singapore twice a week from March next year, according to the airline's commercial manager, Tshering Penjor. But he said that this would also depend on when Drukair is able to acquire a third airbus jet. Drukair will also have the rights to operate to Singapore through Kolkata, India and Dhaka, Bangladesh.

A representative for Tashi Air said that its international destinations will only be worked out once the airline's domestic obligations are fulfilled. The private airline's aircraft is expected to arrive in the first week of October.

Tibetan monks to be tried for ‘murder’

Himalayan News Network

Beijing, Aug 30: Three monks in a Tibetan region of China will go on trial for murder next week over the death by self-immolation of another monk in March, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Friday.

The three have been charged with “plotting, instigating and assisting in” the death of their fellow monk at the Kirti Tibetan Buddhist monastery, Xinhua quoted the Maerkang County People’s Court as saying in a statement.

A fourth monk has also been accused of moving and hiding Phuntsog, the man who had set himself alight – thus preventing emergency treatment and leading to his death, it said.

The young monk set himself on fire on March 16, the third anniversary of anti-government rioting in Lhasa. His death triggered protests, prompting a clampdown by authorities around the monastery in Sichuan province.

But the New York-based International Campaign for Tibet said that the monks had rescued Phuntsog from police, who had begun beating him after extinguishing the flames, and took him to the monastery before returning him to hospital.

Phuntsog was the second monk at Kirti to set himself on fire since the anti-Chinese riots in Lhasa of March 2008, the bloodiest in Tibet in 20 years.

According to the London-based Free Tibet rights group, citing local contacts, that monk was heard to shout just before setting himself alight, “We Tibetan people want freedom", “Long live the Dalai Lama” and “Let the Dalai Lama return to Tibet”.

Many Tibetans in China are angry about what they view as increasing domination by China’s majority Han ethnic group, and accuse the government of trying to dilute their culture.

Beijing removes hardline Chinese official from Tibet

Lhasa, Aug 30: Hardline Chinese official Zhang Qingli (60) known for his tough stance against the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has been removed from his post as Communist Party chief of restive Tibet and moved to Heibei, a Catholic-inhabited province near Beijing.

Zhang was in charge of Tibet in 2008 when protests in Lhasa gave way to deadly riots that rippled across other ethnic Tibetan areas. After the protests, he called the Dalai Lama a “jackal in Buddhist monk’s robes.”

Nepal’s apex court extends Parliament deadline

RP Sharma

Kathmandu, Aug 30:  Nepal's top court has upheld the Communist-led government''s decision to amend the interim constitution to extending the term of parliament by three months on May 29 which expires on August 31.

The Supreme Court's five-member special bench of Chief Justice Khil Raj issued the ruling, citing the doctrine of necessity, according to court sources, PTI reported.

The apex court scrapped a writ petition challenging the decision of parliamemt to extend its term for three months.

Last time the term of the parliament was extended for three months that will expire on August 31 if Parliament fails to endorse the bill.

Uttarakhand Gorkhas in OBC list

Himalayan News Network

Dehradun, Aug 30: The Gorkhas of Uttarakhand have enlisted in the Central list of OBCs, according to a Government of India (GoI) notification dated June 16, 2011.

However, Bahuns and Chettris (Brahmins and Kshatriya), who belong to the Gorkha community have not been included in the OBC (Other Backward Classes) list.

Castes/ communities are ordinarily included in the Central List of OBCs on the advice of National Commission for Backward Classes. No advice for inclusion of Brahmins and Khatris under Gorkha community for Uttarakhand has been received, according to reports.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri D. Napoleon in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. (PIB)

Buddhist community in Darjeeling becoming more assertive

C. Tamang

Darjeeling, Aug 30: The Buddhist community in Darjeeling hills have demanded Minority Concentrated District (MCD) status for speedy development of the region.

The All Buddhist Minority Welfare Association President MS Bomzon claims that the population of religious minorities in Darjeeling which include Buddhists, Muslims and Christians is around 40 per cent.

“The state government has come up with a policy to declare a particular district Minority Concentrated District (MCD) if the minorities form 25-30 per cent of the population. But the same status has not been extended to Darjeeling district despite its higher concentration of minorities,” said Bomzon.

Majority of Buddhists in the hills come from Bhutia, Tamang, Lepcha, Tibetan, Sherpa and Gurung communities.

 “The government has accorded this status where the concentration of Muslim population is high. They have conveniently forgotten us,” said Bomzon. “An MCD status would entail benefits for construction of houses and stipends for education to minority members, among others.”

The Association has also demanded declaration of Buddha Purnima (Buddha’s birthday) as a government holiday and inclusion of one member from the Buddhist community from Darjeeling in the State Government’s Minority Commission.

R Moktan, an influential member of the Tamang community in Kalimpong, said the minority Buddhists in Darjeeling may also demand seat reservation in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) for protection of their political rights, preservation of their cultural heritage and economic development.

Sikkim Bhutia-Lepchas support Darjeeling Lepcha agitation

Himalayan News Network

Gangtok, Aug 30: The minority indigenous Bhutia-Lepcha tribals in Sikkim have supported the Lepchas of Darjeeling for their demand for setting up of Lepcha Development Council.

The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Community (SIBLAC), an umbrella organization of the Bhutia-Lepchas of Sikkim, who ruled the former Buddhist kingdom for more than  eight hundred years, during a meeting held here recently urged both the Centre and West Bengal Government to respond positively to the demand for a development body raised by the Lepcha Right Movement (LRM).

“The current movement of the Lepchas is not only the cry of this particular community, but a reflection of oppression of all the oppressed class of the society,” a SIBLAC press release said.

The Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association – SLYA (Renjyong Mutanchi Rong Ong Shejum ) has also lent their moral support to the LRM. Association President Ongden Tshering Lepcha during a meeting of the organsiation here last week said the demand for formation of Lepcha Development Council in Darjeeling genuine and as per the constitution.

While stating that the Lepchas are the original inhabitants of Darjeeling, Lepcha said fulfillment of the demand would not affect other communities in the hills.

Darjeeling Lepchas have been holding rallies in Kolkata since August 9 to press their demand.

Bhupendra Lepcha, convener of the LRM, said: “We have also lined up a series of agitation.”

“We will also start a mass indefinite hunger strike from September 19 in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Mirik, Siliguri, Calcutta and Delhi,” said the LRM chief. Road and rail blockades and civil disobedience are part of the indefinite strike.

The LRM also has the support of the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (ILTA), which has been in the forefront of espousing the community’s cause.

The Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Forum, which is the political arm of the ILTA, had earlier demanded reservation of seats for the community in the Gorkha Territorial Administration to ensure that they remained an integral part of the political system in their homeland.

Editorial

MINORITY RIGHTS

A Better Deal For Lepchas

The indigenous Lepchas of Darjeeling are now becoming more assertive and demanding a better deal from the State Government. Having been neglected for more than three decades by the Left Front Government in West Bengal the Lepchas, who consider themselves as the original inhabitants of Sikkim and Darjeeling, are hopeful that the Mamata Government would be more responsive to their plea which is for accelerated economic development for their community. The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) also needs to take a serious view of the educational and economic backwardness of this hill tribe and empower them politically and economically. The Lepchas themselves must rise from their slumber and actively participate in the democratic process.

While their brethrens are agitating in the heat in Kolkata for protection of their cultural, political and economic rights it is but natural for Sikkimese Bhutia-Lepchas to lend their support to the agitators. For centuries prior to the British intervention in Darjeeling in latter part of the 19thcentury the Lepchas and Bhutias of Sikkimese origin have been living amicably in undivided Sikkim, which include Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong. During the anti-Teesta hydro power agitation in Dzongu in northern Sikkim a few years back the Lepchas of Kalimpong lent active support to the anti-mega dam activists in Sikkim. In a democracy while the majority rules the minority must be protected. The minority Lepchas in Darjeeling, being the original inhabitants of that place, must be allowed to live with respect and dignity in the land of their origin.

Protect Gorkha identity, Dewan tells BGP

Balidan Diwas observed in Sikkim

By A Staff Reporter

Gangtok, Aug 30: Former secretary CP Dewan said the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP)’s main objective is to protect and preserve the identity of Gorkha community in the country and urged everyone to make the non-political organization strong.

Speaking at the 68th Balidan Diwas organized here recently by the BGP’s Sikkim unit, Dewan, who was the chief guest said, “We have to respect the contribution of martyrs who made their sacrifice so that India is free from the British rule.”

Sikkim BGP chief Kamal Gurung while addressing the gathering said there were still many Gorkha martyrs whose sacrifices for the country are not recognized and it is organisations such as the BGP which must record their contributions in history books.

Senior journalist Bijay Bantawa while presenting a seminar paper on contribution of Gorkha community to the nation said the BGP should always provide the right direction to the Gorkha community in the country. Bantawa said Major Durga Malla, a freedom fighter had sacrificed his life for India’s freedom.

Sikkim BGP secretary Prabin Khaling, in his address, said that the Parisangh has mannaged to trace out the ancestral home of Indian freedom fighter from Sikkim, Helen Lepha who was known as Sabitri Devi during her participation in the national movement.

"Her ancestral home has been traced out in South Sikkim and we have requested the state government to name the Namchi Central Park as Sabitri Devi park.We have received positive response from the government," said Khaling.

Migrants outnumber tribals in Manipur:Report

Himalayan News Network

Imphal, Aug 30:  Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on Friday said the government will urge the Centre to re-introduce the Inner Line Permit(ILP) system or Inner Line (IL) Regulation in the State once the Cabinet takes a decision in this regard.

“Let the Cabinet first take a decision so that the government can urge the Centre,” said Ibobi while clarifying on a private members’ resolution by N Mangi on the re-introduction of ILP system in the State, a local daily reported.

Ibobi also expressed the need to take certain precautionary measures to monitor influx in the State, particularly in the border town of Moreh. Opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam said there will be a demographic and social change if the government fails to regulate the influx in the State.

“Every village in my constituency has a Myanmarese. They settle here after their marriage with the local girls,” Opposition MLA Morung Makunga, who wished to have a regulatory system in the State to monitor entry of migrants, said.

Makunga, who represents Tengnoupal constituency in Manipur’s Chandel district bordering Myanmar, claimed that the total number of voters in his constituency has been surprisingly risen from 21,000 to 40,000.

According to a report compiled by United Committee Manipur ‘Influx of Migrants into Manipur’, the number of migrants (7,04,488) outnumbered the State’s indigenous tribal population (6,70,782) while the majority indigenous Meetei was just 9,18,626 (2001 census).

Another opposition MLA RK Anand said the situation took a grim turn when the ILP system was removed from the State in November 1950. Since then, the number of migrants has increased at a rapid rate. Presently ILP Regulation was in force in three NE States – Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.

Stapled visa issue not to hinder Indo-China relations: China

Bangalore, Aug 30: China says the issue of stapled visas will not come in the way of Indo-China relations.

"This issue (stapled visas) does not hinder our cooperation. Our cooperation is going on very well," said Zhang Yan, the Chinese Ambassador to India.

He said India and China are discussing ways to find a solution regarding Beijing's policy to issue stapled visas to residents of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, PTI reported.

"This is the issue being discussed between the two governments. So, that means the two governments are working on it. So, once we have the solution, you will know. We are working on that," Zhang told PTI.

He replied in the affirmative when asked if India and China are "working" to review this policy, which has emerged as a sticky issue between the two countries.

 “Our cooperation is going on very well” and the stapled visa issue “does not hinder our cooperation,” the Chinese Ambassador said.

India had last month expressed unhappiness over the issuance of stapled visas by China to five sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh with government sources, saying, "We are still searching for a de-stapler."

The Chinese Embassy had issued stapled visas to five karate players from Arunachal Pradesh preventing them from taking part in an international championship in China.

China started issuing stapled visas to people from Jammu and Kashmir from 2008.

INTERVIEW/Akhil Gogoi

“Anna is the movement that has mass support”

Akhil Gogoi, an RTI activist from Assam, has been part of activist Anna Hazare's inner circle since the last two years. In an interview with rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore, he explains how the core members of Team Anna swung into action and carried the movement forward when Hazare and his aides Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia were arrested by the Delhi  police on August 16. Akhil is one of the 22 members who form the core group of Team Anna.

Question: The movement not only moved ahead but blossomed after Anna Hazare's arrest. How did that happen?

Answer: Anna doesn't work for the propagation of the movement. He is the movement. There are 22 members in the core committee who swung into action once Annaji and others were arrested. This core team communicates with the media and it is this team that ran the movement from behind the scenes after Anna's arrest.

Q: What did you actually do? Could you tell us the sequence of steps you undertook to take the movement forward?

A: Firstly, we contacted the various mass movements in progress across the country and asked them to lend us their support. Then the core committee took a policy decision to methodically implement our plan of action in Annaji's, Arvindji's, Kiranji's and Manish's absence. All the decision-making power was then in the hands of the core committee.

Q: India Against Corruption volunteers are collecting donations from the people who have gathered here. How much money do you think you will collect in the next few days?

A: The collection is on in full swing now. In the next few days, I think we should be able to collect at least Rs 1 crore from all over the country.

Q: The IAC's website lists out the expenses and collection statement only till April 13, 2011. By when do you think will you be able to give the public the full picture of your expense and collection statement?

A: I think within a week of the successful completion of this movement against corruption we should be able to update our website with (information about) all the money collected and how and where we spent it during the agitation.

The mighty Sikkimese sniper calls it a day

“Bhaichung is God’s gift to Indian football.”

It doesn’t matter whether Bhaichung Bhutia is a media creation or not. He will, however, remain the face of Indian football for a long time to come.

The poster-boy of Indian football brought the curtain down on his decorated career after being bothered by a recurring calf-muscle injury for the last nine months.

Being the only player to score a century of appearances in national colours (43 goals from 109 matches), Bhutia is at peace with himself. “I gave my all on the field and enjoyed every moment of it. I would like to be remembered just as a footballer,” said the Sikkim striker, who went on to become the youngest Indian goal-scorer in 1995.

The Arjuna and Padma Shri awardee played a vital role in placing India on the world map. In another of India’s firsts, Bhutia signed a three-year deal with Bury FC in 1999 to become the first player to ply his trade in professional football.

Bhutia’s erstwhile striking partner and another rare breed belonging to great Indian strikers — IM Vijayan — had once famously said: “Baichung is God’s gift to Indian football.” The previous national coach Bob Houghton went as far as comparing the footballer to ‘God of cricket’ Sachin Tendulkar. Such was Bhutia’s impact on the beautiful game.

The former Indian captain’s glittering 16-year career, however, was not short of controversies. Once, he refused to carry the Olympic torch for the 2008 Beijing Games in support of the Tibetan movement. On another occasion, he preferred a TV reality show ahead of an I-League club for Mohun Bagan.

In addition, he had not always seen eye to eye with the AIFF. But former Indian coach Syed Nayeemuddin’s caustic remark on the Indian talisman being a traitor was reckless to say the least.

Bhutia’s partners in his heyday have hailed the contributions of the ‘little mighty Sikkimese Sniper’. (Deccan Chronicle)