SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday June 28 – July 4, 2014

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Fiery Assembly session: Opp keeps govt on its toes

SKM LEGISLATORS WALKOUT IN PROTEST AGAINST ‘ANTI-NATIONAL’ TAG

Gangtok, June 27: For the first time in years the budget session of the Assembly this time has been a fiery one. Led by Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) President PS Golay, the treasury bench was kept on its toes with members of the Opposition comprising 10 MLAs refusing to budge and cornered the government on many issues ranging from Article 371F, Assembly seat reservation for Tamang and Limbu communities, water shortage and poor maintenance of roads in the State.

On Tuesday, the Sangha MLA Sonam Kaloen Lama charged the government of its neglect in not mentioning the long-pending demand for restoration of Assembly seats of Sikkimese Nepalese in the Governor’s address.

There was heated exchange of words when Chief Minister Pawan Chamling alleged that any reference to the historic Tripartite Agreement of May 8, 1973 was ‘anti-national’.

The Chief Minister’s refusal to acknowledge a letter communicated to the Union Government by his own Chief Secretary ND Chingapa in 2006 that suggested seat reservation issue for Limbu- Tamangs  be kept on hold did not go down well with the Opposition.

The government’s failure to grant income tax exemption to the State’s old settlers figured in the Assembly debate. Chamling closed the lid on this explosive issue by stating that the matter was with the Supreme Court.

Another touchy issue raised in the Assembly by the Opposition was the government’s move to do away with the categorisation of a section of Nepalese listed as Most Backward Classes (MBC) and to revert them back to their former OBC status.

The drama in the Assembly climaxed when the entire Opposition legislators led by Golay staged a walkout from the Assembly today in protest against the move to brand Opposition legislators as ‘anti-national’ when they raised issues regarding Article 371F.

“When we raised the issue of Article 371F we were termed anti-national and we walked out of the House in protest. When we talk about Article 371F we were accused of going against the Constitution,” Golay said at a hurriedly convened press conference after the walkout.

Golay also alleged that the Speaker KN Rai acted in a discriminatory manner and failed to observe the rules of the House. The walkout was also in protest against the Speaker’s decision to expunge Golay’s statement on numerous issues during Zero Hour from proceedings of the House.

On Monday, the Chief Minister presented the annual budget of Rs 6666.71 crore of which the plan outlay is fixed at Rs 3497.03 and non-plan at Rs. 3169.68.

Shamar Rinpoche: cremation in Kathmandu on July 31

Kudung to remain in Kalimpong for a fortnight from July 1

Gangtok, June 27: The funeral of Shamar Rinpoche, who passed away in Germany on June 11, will be held in Kathmandu on July 31, coinciding with the auspicious day when Lord Buddha first turned the Wheel of Dharma.

One of the most prominent spiritual figures of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the most influential personalities of Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism died of cardiac arrest at the meditation center of his Bodhi Path organization in Renchen-Ulm, sources said. He was only 61.

   Shamar Rinpoche Mipham Chokyi Lodro was born in Derge, Kham, in eastern Tibet. At the age of four he was recognized by the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpei Dorje,  as the 14th Shamarpa.

The 14th Shamar Rinpoche is one of the three main disciples of the previous Karmapa. After the death of the 16th Karmapa, Shamarpa recognized Thaye Dorje as the 17th Karmapa in 1994. However, Tai Situpa Rinpoche chose another boy, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, as the 17th Karmapa who was also approved by the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

In a statement after his meeting with the Dalai Lama on August 13, 2010, Shamar Rinpoche said, “I met His Holiness the Dalai Lama iin Dharamsala at His Holiness’ residence. We had a discussion for approximately one and a half hours and had a very important and detailed exchange of views regarding the ongoing Karmapa controversy and its possible solution. Although this matter is not easily resolved, since it is connected to the politics of China and India as well, with His Holiness Dalai Lama’s blessing and support I am confident that there will be an amicable solution, which will be beneficial for the Karma Kagyü lineage, as well as for Tibetan Buddhism in general.”          

Several thousand Buddhists from all over the world met at Renchen village to pay their last respects to Shamar Rinpoche. His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje led the impressive farewell ceremony for his teacher. He accompanied Shamar Rinpoche on his last journey to New Delhi, where his mortal remains is being kept.

Shamar Rinpoche himself did not fear death. In one of his last teachings he said: "You don't need to be afraid of death if you know how to practice [meditation] in death."

After his death, letters of condolence were received from many high masters of Tibetan Buddhism as well as the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Bhutan. "I have known Rinpoche for many years and my family and I will always remember Shamar Rinpoche as a close and dear friend," His Majesty Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the 4th King of Bhutan, wrote.

  With its more than 180 meditation and study centers, the Karma Kagyu is the most widespread Buddhist school in Germany. It is worldwide represented by more than 900 monasteries as well as meditation centers under the guidance of Karmapa Thaye Dorje.

Since the Kudung of Sharmar Rinpoche arrived at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute (KIBI) from Germany, His Holiness Karmapa Thaye Dorje along with the sangha have been performing daily prayers.

The Kudung of Shamar Rinpoche, accompanied by His Holiness Karmapa Thaye Dorje, will be leaving for Kalimpong on the July 1. Devotees of the Late Rinpoche from Bhutan, Sikkim and Darjeeling will pay their respects to the departed soul while the Kudung remains for a fortnight at  Kalimpong’s Shri Diwakar Vihara Buddhist Research and Educational Institute that Rinpoche had established.

Attempts were made to bring the Kudung to Rumtek monastery in Sikkim but the authorities refused to give permission citing law and order problem.

On July 14, His Holiness Karmapa Thaye Dorje will be accompanying Kudung of Rinpoche on the final journey to Shar Minub Monastery in Kathmandu, the main seat of Shamar Rinpoche, which will be the final resting place for his Kudung. The cremation will take place on July 31, which coincides with the first turning of the dharma wheel by Buddha Shakyamuni.

During Sharmar Rinpoche’s lifetime, it was his wish to build a Kudung stupa in the land of his own seat. Thus, a stupa will be constructed to contain the remains of the 14th Shamarpa.

HIMALAYAN Buddhism

Shamar Rinpoche fled Tibet with 16^th Karmapa and settled in Sikkim

14th Shamarpa Mipham Chökyi Lodrö (1952 – 2014)

Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche died of a cardiac arrest on June 11th, 2014 in Renchen-Ulm, Germany, at the age of 62. Many Buddhists worldwide are deeply stricken by his death. With heartfelt thankfulness and great respect we bid farewell to our lineage holder.

The 14th Shamarpa Mipham Chokyi Lodro was one of the highest Lamas of Tibetan Buddhism. As lineage holder of the Karma Kagyu tradition, against much political resistance, he enthroned Trinley Thaye Dorje as the 17th Karmapa in accordance to the tradition.

Mipham Chökyi Lodrö was born in Derge (East Tibet) in 1952. At four years of age he was recognized as the 14th incarnation of the Shamar Tulkus by his uncle, the 16th Karmapa.

Together with the 16th Karmapa he fled the Chinese occupied Tibet in 1959, leaving his Tibetan seat Yangpachen behind, finally reaching Sikkim. At Rumtek monastery, he received a traditional training and the complete transmission of the Karma Kagyu School. Subsequently the Karmapa, the head of the tradition, appointed him as the next lineage holder.

Thus the 16th Karmapa followed the history of the Karma Kagyu tradition. Many Shamarpas before had been the closest students of the respective Karmapas as well as the teacher of the succeeding one. Next to the Karmapa’s, the tradition of the Shamarpas is the second oldest lineage of Buddhist masters leaving clues prior to their death predicting their next reincarnation in order to be able to continue the activity of their predecessors as soon as possible. The lineage of the Shamar Tulkus goes back to the 13th century.

     The 14th Shamar Rinpoche and the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa.

In 1967, the 16th Karmapa confirmed Kunzig Shamarpa in an official document as the second highest Lama of the Karma Kagyu school, thereby appointing him with the responsibility of finding and enthroning the next lineage holder. Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje died in 1981. To share the responsibility of administrating Rumtek, Karmapa’s seat in exile, and other affairs of the Karma Kagyu tradition, a council of young high-ranking Lamas more or less of the same age had formed. Along with Shamar Rinpoche, it consisted of Situ Rinpoche, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and Gyaltsab Rinpoche.

Soon disagreements arose among the four. Shamar Rinpoche had clues about the reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa. Because of the Chinese occupation it was difficult to get in touch with his family in Central Tibet. Meanwhile Situ Rinpoche sought for cooperation with the Chinese authorities to abet a limited revival of Buddhism and the reconstruction of destroyed monasteries in Tibet. The situation got increasingly critical when in spring of 1992 Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, who had repeatedly been mediating between the two parties, died in a car accident.

  Situ Rinpoche named a nomad boy from East Tibet as the new Karmapa candidate and enthroned him at the Karmapas’ main seat at Tsurphu monastery, giving him the name Urgyen Trinley Dorje. Beforehand, he had obtained the consent of the Chinese government as well as the Dalai Lama, the political leader of Tibetans in exile.

While Situ Rinpoche’s Karmapa candidate Urgyen Trinley Dorje was not allowed to travel and the Communist Party was trying to put him up for political purposes, Shamarpa prepared the flight of his Karmapa Thaye Dorje from Tibet. It was very important for him, that the future Karmapa should be able to grow up and work in freedom.

In accordance with the tradition of the Karma Kagyu lineage, Shamar Rinpoche, after the Karmapa the highest-ranking lineage holder, enthrones Thaye Dorje as the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa.

Aided by Western Buddhists, Karmapa Thaye Dorje reached India. At the beginning of 1994, he was officially enthroned according to the tradition of the Karma Kagyu lineage by the Shamarpa. In the following years, the relationship between Shamarpa and the Tibet Government in Exile was not always easy. Legal disputes about Karmapa’s seat in exile at Rumtek and the relics stored there dragged out. In various talks with the Dalai Lama, Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche tried to find a mutual agreement for the situation.

Shamar Rinpoche was a highly respected teacher of Buddhists in the East and the West. He gave numerous teachings and empowerments in Diamondway Buddhist Centers and at the Europe Center, the international meeting point of Diamondway Buddhism in Immenstadt. To meet the needs of his Western students especially following his curriculum, in the 1990s Shamarpa founded the Bodhi Path centers which today are represented in 20 countries throughout Europe, America and Asia.

In “Creating a Transparent Democracy” he drafted a model for a political system and a society inspired by Buddhist principles. The preface was written by the South African bishop and Nobel Peace laureate Desmond Tutu. He also wrote an extensive biography of the 10th Karmapa Choying Dorje (1604-1674) who lived in difficult political times in Tibet. Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche also founded an organization for the protection of animals called “Infinite Compassion Foundation” that especially worked for a humane treatment of productive livestock.

A few days before his death Shamar Rinpoche guided a meditation course in Renchen-Ulm. One of his last teachings was: “You don’t have to be afraid of death if you know how to practice in death.” (Bodi Path Renchen-Ulm Karmapa in Deutschland (German) Shamarpa.org)

Editorial

‘SIKKIM SUBJECT’ ISSUE

Right Move, Wrong Time

The move that could have got the overwhelming support of bonafide Sikkimese is now met with derision and suspicion. The Chamling Government’s decision to accord top priority to ‘Sikkim Subjects’, citizens of the former Kingdom of Sikkim, in matters pertaining to employment, incentives, facilities etc. in Sikkim is widely perceived to be a move to punish those who sided with the Opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and voted against the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) in the recent Assembly and Lok Sabha polls rather than a genuine effort to protect the rights and interests of bonafide Sikkimese who basically hail from the three ethnic communities – Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese of Sikkimese origin. And yet this decision – irrespective of whatever the motive and undue delay in its implementation – if pursued to its logical conclusion will go a long way in giving justice to the Sikkimese people who have for long hoped and prayed that the Chamling Government and in particular the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling, himself will come to their senses and honour the commitment made to the Sikkimese people before the 1994 Assembly polls. It is most unfortunate that the present government which  has been in power for over two decades since December 1994 is now realizing the present predicament faced by the locals and taking precautionary measures to set things right.

If he is serious Chamling ought to follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s example of setting an ideal example and starting the clearing up process right from the top. Firstly, the present legislators, including the two MPs, must disclose their Sikkim Subject Certificate in original for public scrutiny. The alleged 35,000 fake Sikkim Subject Certificates held by a section of the State’s residents must be scrapped with immediate effect. Secondly, Article 371F, which is based on the historic May 8, 1973 Tripartite Agreement, ensures that Assembly seats be reserved for bonafide Sikkimese possessing genuine Sikkim Subject Certificate. Therefore, the Chamling Government must revive its demand for reservation of Assembly seats for Sikkimese Nepalese. The 12 reserved seats in the Assembly should also be restored to bonafide Sikkimese Bhutia-Lepchas. The Modi Government, too, must honour the terms of Sikkim’s merger and restore the traditional political rights of the Sikkimese people at the earliest.

Narendra Modi’s Bhutan visit will expand India’s influence in Asia

By CLAUDE ARPI

     School children greeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bhutan recently.

On Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at Thimphu. A touching ceremonial welcome by Bhutanese school children awaited him. It was Modi’s first visit abroad.

Fifty six years ago Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, visited Bhutan too. But it was another era.

In October 1958, in a letter to the Chief Ministers, Nehru recalls: “After I left Gangtok, I was almost entirely cut off from communications till my return to Gangtok two and a half weeks later. I received an occasional message by wireless from Delhi. …There were no newspapers at all and I had a sensation of being in another world.”

At that time, it was no question of landing anywhere in Bhutan. The PM, Indira Gandhi and their entourage had to undertake a long trek via the Chumbi Valley in Tibet. It was the customary and easiest road to reach the Kingdom of the Dragon. India had just built a road till Nathu-la, the border between Sikkim and Tibet.

Nehru remarked: “On the Tibetan side, this road will be a much simpler proposition than the one that we have built on our side. Through road traffic would make a great difference to trade as well as to travellers. There is still a considerable inflow of goods from India to Tibet although this has gone down during the last year or two.”

Why should the trade have gone down? Simply because the Chinese had established themselves on the Tibetan plateau and had decided to drastically reduce the trade exchanges between India and Tibet.

At that time, India still had a Consulate General in Lhasa and 3 Trade Agencies in Gyantse, Yatung and Gartok (Western Tibet).

Nehru, who spent 2 nights in Yatung’s Trade Agency, recalled: “Yatung was a small spread out town. The main market road was full of Indian shops. There were, I believe, over ninety such shops, many of them having started business in the course of the last three years, when this trade was highly profitable. Conditions were more difficult now and so a number of these Indian shops were closing up. The Chinese authorities had put up a number of new buildings-schools, hospital, community centre and residential houses for themselves. Our own Trade Agent’s house had its own little hospital and buildings for the staff.”

Unfortunately, the relations with the Himalayan States, which have for centuries been so important to India, deteriorated a few months later, with the uprising in Lhasa in March 1959 and the consequent flight of the Dalai Lama to India. Thereafter, the Chinese tightened their grip on the Tibetan plateau; this was a tragedy for India and its security.

By paying his first visit to Bhutan, Narendra Modi has probably decided to change the tide.

The Times of India reported that Modi has “stepped up a charm offensive with neighbours to try to check China’s influence in the region.”

Before leaving, the PMO had released a statement putting the visit in perspective: “Bound by common interests and shared prosperity, India and Bhutan enjoy a unique and special relationship, which has been forged by ties of geography, history and culture. Therefore, Bhutan as the destination for my first visit abroad as Prime Minister is a natural choice. Relations with Bhutan will be a key foreign policy priority of my Government.”

Modi’s first visit abroad comes ahead of the 22nd round of bilateral talks between Bhutan and China which are expected to take place in July or August. Since 1986, these talks are officially aimed at resolving the long-pending border dispute between Bhutan and China.

For some time now, Thimphu has been tempted to have a more official relationship with Beijing. It is probably why Modi was accompanied by Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.

On August 9 last year, the then NSA Shivshankar Menon visited Bhutan. There was more in his visit than a routine exchange on the 11th Bhutanese Plan.

It was clear that the NSA’s main purpose was to see with the Bhutanese Government how to handle the border talks with China.

The 21st round of boundary talks between Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Rinzim Dorje and the Chinese vice-Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were to be held two weeks later.

The New Indian Express then mentioned “a shift in emphasis from the disputed north-western, close to Siliguri corridor, to the central parts of Bhutan,” this made Delhi nervous.

The Sino-Bhutanese border talks have always had serious strategic implications for India’s security.

A particular Chinese claim worries India. It is the Doklam plateau, adjacent to the hyper-strategic Chumbi valley, crossed by Nehru 56 years ago. This is the real nightmare for India.

At the time of Menon’s visit, Liu Zengyi, a research fellow at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies admitted in The Global Times that for India, China’s advances in the Doklam area was a strategic threat to the Siliguri corridor: “As a country located between China and India, Bhutan serves as a buffer and is of critical strategic importance to the Siliguri corridor, a narrow stretch of land (known as chicken’s neck) that connects India’s north-eastern States to the rest of India. …The corridor is considered a vulnerable bottleneck for India’s national security. New Delhi worries that China will send troops to the corridor if a China-Indian military clash breaks out.”

It is indeed a vital issue for New Delhi. Incidentally, the present Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay’s constituency is adjacent to the territory claimed by China.

 Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his visit to Bhutan in 1958.

Interestingly, when Nehru crossed the Chumbi valley in 1958, there was no discrepancy between the Chinese and Bhutanese maps (except for eastern Bhutan where Beijing did not recognise the McMahon Line) and no claim on Doklam.

Since then, the PLA has intruded in several areas and has built important infrastructure, such as the road from Yatung to Phari in the Chumbi Valley. The Doklam area overlooks this highway. The Chinese engineers have also built traversal roads and set up a communication network within the disputed area. By grabbing the Doklam Plateau, Beijing considerably enlarged the Chumbi valley and its access to Sikkim and Siliguri.

How to dislodge the Chinese will not be an easy task. At the same time, the cordial people-to-people relations between India and Bhutan had to be reaffirmed. A Bhutanese well—known nature photographer wrote in his blog: “In recent times, our relationship has digressed from being trustworthy buddies to that of being an estranged couple – slowly drifting apart with the danger of finally ending in divorce. This would be so unfortunate. …I hope that somewhere tucked away in a small corner of his luggage, Mister Modi brings with him a brand new and re-tinkered foreign policy initiative towards Bhutan that is progressive and based on trust and good intention.”

Let’s hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit would have also achieved this. (niticentral)

Centre to invest Rs 5,000 crore to set up 8,000 telecom towers in northeast

New Delhi, June 27: The Union Government will invest Rs 5,000 crore to set up over 8,000 telecom towers in northeastern region.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, said improving telecom connectivity in the north east is one of the top priorities of the government.

Telecom Commission had cleared the proposal a few days ago.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had last year recommended an investment plan to improve services in north east India, PTI reported.

The TRAI recommended a 2 percent discount on annual license fees for telecom operators that cover at least 80 percent of habitations with a population of 250 and subsidies for installation of solar power units at telecom towers.

The Indian regulator also recommended investments to provide seamless connectivity across national highways in the north east region covering Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

State-run companies BSNL and Power Grid Corporation of India recently signed an agreement to improve telecom connectivity in the region.

The Telecom Commission has approved the long-pending project of installing mobile towers in nine Naxal-hit states, for which BSNL had submitted an estimate of Rs 3,241 crore, which was higher than Rs 3,046 crore approved by the Cabinet.

The project will be placed before the Cabinet for final approval.

 Road projects along China border to get fast-track approval

New Delhi, June 27: After giving two quick green clearances to defence projects, the environment ministry has now decided to fast-track road projects along India-China border. These road projects within 100 kilometres of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are crucial for troop movements and other related developments for security point of view.

A decision on environmental and forest clearances on building defence infrastructure in areas in the 100 km-range from the LAC can be taken by the state governments concerned, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said. "Construction of roads within 100 kilometres of Line of Actual Control will be given fast-track approval", said the environment minister Prakash Javadekar. A policy in this regard will be formulated very soon, he told reporters. The 4,056-km-long LAC with China touches four states — J&K, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim, The Times of India reported.

Interestingly, it is the second such decision keeping China in mind.

The ministry has earlier given its go ahead to set up a radar station at Narcondam in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The project was pending for long despite repeated requests from the defence establishment which wanted to install the radar at the strategic location in view of suspected Chinese presence and "listening post" on nearby Coco Island.

China-made aircraft starts commercial flights in Nepal

Kathmandu, June 27: Nepal's first ever China-made aircraft, a 58-seater Modern Ark 60 (MA60), started commercial operations on Wednesday, Nepali officials said.

The MA60 was handed over to the Nepal Airlines Corporation by the Chinese government in April, Xinhua reported.

"The plane made its first successful commercial operation from Kathmandu's airport to Biratnagar," Ram Hari Sharma, spokesperson for the Nepali airline said.

 Airline executives said the plane was operated by two Chinese pilots from China's Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation, the producer of the aircraft.

Lhasa-Shigatse rail link by Sept

Lhasa, June 27: When it opened eight years ago, the railway from Golmud to Lhasa was one of the most ambitious rail ventures ever attempted. At a cost of $4 billion, tracks were built across 550km (340 miles) of permafrost, reaching an altitude of 5,000 metres (16,400 feet)—the highest railway in the world. This September, an extension of the line will open from Lhasa to Shigatse, the first part of a further plan to knit Tibet into the rest of China.

The line to Shigatse stretches 250km southwest of Lhasa and will reduce the five-hour road journey to two hours by rail. As well as allowing easier access for tourists to Tibet’s second city, it will make an area rich in natural resources more accessible. (The Chinese name for Tibet, Xizang, translates as “Western treasurehouse”.) In the autumn the construction is due to start on another extension, running 400km from Lhasa to Nyingtri, a county with large hydropower potential.

By 2020 the aim is to complete several other major rail routes connecting Tibet with its neighbouring provinces of Xinjiang, Sichuan and Yunnan (see map). One of them, a 1,900km railway from Lhasa to Chengdu, will cost more than $20 billion.

Two more railways from Shigatse to the Nepalese and Indian borders, at Nyalam and Dromo, are also planned, to the alarm of the Indian government, which last week announced plans to fortify 54 new border posts in Arunachal Pradesh, a north-eastern state that China invaded in 1962.

LITERARY

 ‘Anglo-Indians are in search of an identity

Kevin Martin’s debut work, Double Cream, Memsahib?, a novel-in-verse, was launched in Chennai recently

When Kevin Martin speaks, there are no hurried sentences rushing into each other. He is calm and relaxed, and weighs each question carefully before answering it. “My mind is a strange place. It’s very volatile, but I use it to my advantage while writing,” says the Anglo-Indian author from Sydney.

Kevin was born and raised in Podanur, Tamil Nadu. The eldest of four children, he says he inherited the writing bug from his mother who was a teacher. In Chennai to launch his début fiction novel-in-verse Double Cream, Memsahib? Kevin says that he is highly influenced by Vikram Seth (whose Golden Gate is also a novel in verse). “I admire the man and his style of writing. I began writing with his work as the standard to reach,” he says with a smile.

The story revolves around Darius Rembrandt, a young, shy, poetry-writing Anglo-Indian boy who witnesses two English soldiers raping a woman on the banks of the Hooghly on the day India is granted independence. What follows is a roller-coaster ride of emotions: horror and wonderment vie with each other as the narrative follows the characters whose lives get intertwined by fate. “We Anglo-Indians might be happy with our lives, but we are always in search of an identity. My book reflects that search,” says Kevin.

“Fate is something I strongly believe in even in real life,” he adds. “That’s what has brought me here. Like Frederick Forsyth when he was trying to find a publisher for Day of the Jackal, I too had a file full of rejection letters. You know, the type which lavishly compliments your work and follows it up with a ‘but’,” he says.

Fate pointed Kevin to a Morrissey concert in Brisbane; the concert in Sydney had sold out. “I didn’t want to miss it as he’s my favourite singer. While I was in Brisbane, I stayed at my aunt’s house. She handed me some copies of Anglos In The Wind (AITW) and also told me about Anglo Ink,” says Kevin.

“I must confess that I hadn’t heard of AITW till then,” says Kevin, giving its editor, Harry MacLure, an apologetic look.

When Harry, who is also the publisher of Anglo Ink, wrote back to Kevin, the latter kept looking for a ‘but’ in the mail.

“Harry had also given the manuscript to someone else, and they too gave the go ahead. For so long, I had only heard ‘No’ to my book. All of a sudden, there were two people saying yes!” he says, recalling the excitement and exhilaration that came with his book being accepted.

But why verse? “I began writing in prose, but it fell flat. I then tried blank verse, but it didn’t reflect our community — we are anything but blank. The richness and vibrancy of sonnets capture the vibe of Anglo-Indians, and despite my apprehensions, I stuck with it and I’m quite happy with the result,” says Kevin. With a grin, he adds, “When I started off, the going was quite slow: I wrote at the rate of 85 words a day. Stephen King recommends 1,000 words a day.”

To young writers, Kevin says, “Remember that writing is a lonely, lonely task. You will be confronted by the tyranny of the blank page: it masters you until you fill it with your words and master it.”

The book was released by S. Muthiah, editor of Madras Musings and received by author, playwright and poet Shreekumar Varma. Theatre personality N.S. Yamuna and Superintendent of Customs, Chennai, Richard O’Connor read excerpts from the novel. The launch was co-hosted by Madras Book Club at Vivanta By Taj Connemara.

 (Double Cream, Memsahib? (Rs. 350) is available online at www.angloink.com. - The Hindu. Note from Sikkim Observer Editor: Kevin Martin and I not only did our TTC (Darjeeling) from the same institution but also taught at Mt. Hermon School, Darjeeling, and played for the school’s cricket team.)

DISTINCT IDENTITY

Within the Union

Gradual dilution of Sikkim’s distinct identity

May  8^th 1973: Historic day for Sikkim

By Jigme N Kazi

In the first picture I’m with three historic personalities of Sikkim politics: Kazi Lhendup Dorji Khangsarpa (centre), the first Chief Minister of Sikkim (1974-1979), Krishna Chandra Pradhan (on Kazi’s right), and Bhim Bahadur Gurung (on Kazi’s left). The three were signatories to the historic May 8, 1973 Tripartite Agreement. This pact was signed between the Government of India, Chogyal of Sikkim and leaders of three major political parties in Sikkim. Former Gangtok MLA and Mayor Balchand Sarda is on the extreme left in the picture.
While LD Kazi represented the Sikkim National Congress in the historic Agreement, KC Pradhan and BB Gurung belonged to the Sikkim Janata Congress. The Late Netuk Tsering represented the Sikkim National Party.
The Agreement while curtailing the Chogyal’s power gave more political rights to the majority Sikkimese Nepalese. It also brought Sikkim closer to India.
The May 8, 1973 Agreement gradually paved way for Sikkim’s absorption into the Indian Union in April-May 1975. Article 371F of the Constitution of India, which provides special status to Sikkim, is based on the May 8th Agreement. 
Viewed from the historical perspective, the 1890 Convention signed between Great Britain and China and the Indo-Sikkim Treaty of 1950 paved way for the May 8th 1973 Tripartite Agreement. Under the 1890 Convention Sikkim was made a British Protectorate. The Protectorate status continued after India’s Independence under the 1950 Treaty.

After the Indian takeover of Sikkim in 1975 Article 371F of the Constitution defined Sikkim’s status within the Indian Union.
The dilution of Sikkim’s special place within India has been a source of constant political tension in the former kingdom after the ‘merger’ in 1975. If the tension continues it may eventually lead to political uncertainty in this strategic and sensitive border region.
In the other picture I'm with former Sikkim Chief Minister NB Bhandari, former Sikkim Lok Sabha MP PM Subba and former Sikkim minister KN Upreti at a function in Gangtok on Article 371F a few years back. Are we mourning the death of our distinct identity within the Union? Upreti once said gradual dilution of Article 371F will lead to its inevitable death. Now that electoral politics is over for the moment will concerned Sikkimese come together and save Sikkim and the Sikkimese people?

Just Out!!

Book: The Lone Warrior: Exiled In My Homeland

Author: Jigme N Kazi

Publisher: Hill Media Publications, Gangtok, Sikkim

Price: Rs. 525/-

AVAILABLE AT:

Observer Building, Nam Nang, Gangtok, Sikkim

Kandoika, New Market, MG Marg, Gangtok, Sikkim

Good Books: Old Market, MG Marg, Gangtok, Sikkim

Jainco: New Metro Point, 31A National Highway, Gangtok, Sikkim

Rachna: Development Area, Gangtok, Sikkiim

Bulk copies available at Observer Building, Nam Nang, Gangtok, Sikkim.

GRADUAL DILUTION OF SIKKIM’S DISTINCT IDENTITY
In the first picture I’m with three historic personalities of Sikkim politics: Kazi Lhendup Dorji Khangsarpa (centre), the first Chief Minister of Sikkim (1974-1979), Krishna Chandra Pradhan (on Kazi’s right), and Bhim Bahadur Gurung (on Kazi’s left). The three were signatories to the historic May 8, 1973 Tripartite Agreement. This pact was signed between the Government of India, Chogyal of Sikkim and leaders of three major political parties in Sikkim. Former Gangtok MLA and Mayor Balchand Sarda is on the extreme left in the picture.

While LD Kazi represented the Sikkim National Congress in the historic Agreement, KC Pradhan and BB Gurung belonged to the Sikkim Janata Congress. The Late Netuk Tsering represented the Sikkim National Party.
The Agreement while curtailing the Chogyal’s power gave more political rights to the majority Sikkimese Nepalese. It also brought Sikkim closer to India.
The May 8, 1973 Agreement gradually paved way for Sikkim’s absorption into the Indian Union in April-May 1975. Article 371F of the Constitution of India, which provides special status to Sikkim, is based on the May 8th Agreement. 
Viewed from the historical perspective, the 1890 Convention signed between Great Britain and China and the Indo-Sikkim Treaty of 1950 paved way for the May 8th 1973 Tripartite Agreement. Under the 1890 Convention Sikkim was made a British Protectorate. The Protectorate status continued after India’s Independence under the 1950 Treaty.
After the Indian takeover of Sikkim in 1975 Article 371F of the Constitution defined Sikkim’s status within the Indian Union.
The dilution of Sikkim’s special place within India has been a source of constant political tension in the former kingdom after the ‘merger’ in 1975. If the tension continues it may eventually lead to political uncertainty in this strategic and sensitive border region.
In the other picture I'm with former Sikkim Chief Minister NB Bhandari, former Sikkim Lok Sabha MP PM Subba and former Sikkim minister KN Upreti at a function in Gangtok on Article 371F a few years back.

SIKKIM OBSERVER Page 1 Saturday June 21, 2014

Karmapa saddened by demise of Shamar Rinpoche

“My aspirations are yet to be fulfilled”

Karmapa with Shamar Rinpoche

Dharamshala. June 20: The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, has condoled the demise of the 14th Shamar Rinpoche, Mipham Chokyi Lodro, a senior religious leader of Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.

 “I have had an unshakable faith and respect towards Rinpoche from the time I was young," Karmapa  said in a statement issued on 12 June, 2014.

"I had the good fortune of meeting Rinpoche once, with the hope of benefiting the Buddha dharma in general and the lineage in particular, and with the expectation that I may be able to offer some service towards his Dharma activities," he said, adding: "Unfortunately, my aspirations have not, as yet, been fulfilled," The Tibet Post International reported.

Karmapa  said that Sharmapa Rinpoche's "sudden passing away is a matter of great sadness."

He urged his followers to offer prayers: "As soon as I came to know of this hard to believe news, I instructed Rumtek Monastery, (the main seat of our lineage) and other monasteries to make offerings and perform pujas as grand as possible for 49 days. As Rinpoche had taken rest from the degenerate age of strife into the expanse of peace for a while."

"I live with great hope and strong aspirations that Shamar Rinpoche’s reincarnation will embody the life stories of his predecessors, and that good fortune and harmony within the lineage will arise soon," the statement said.

Shamar Rinpoche passed away in Germany on June 11. He was one of the three remaining Regents of Rumtek monastery in Sikkim.

Why Modi's first foreign visit sends a signal to China

New Delhi, June 20: China has been attempting to gain strategic leverage over India by deepening ties with Bhutan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept this in mind when he visited Bhutan this week.

Modi’s decision to make Bhutan the destination of his first official foreign visit is a further indication that his new government has made revitalising neighbourhood ties a priority, according to Monika Chansoria, a Senior Fellow and Head of the China-study Programme at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, New Delhi.

Bhutan’s geographical position makes it a key strategic asset, being landlocked between China’s Tibet Autonomous Region to the north and Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to the west and south. Though Bhutan and China do not have established official diplomatic ties, they do maintain political and people-to-people contacts, and a degree of economic cooperation.

Indian official circles are aware of Chinese attempts to gain strategic leverage over India by deepening ties with Bhutan, and was kept in mind during the Prime Minster’s visit.

China shares a 470-km border with Bhutan to the north and has held 21 rounds of essentially fruitless boundary talks with China to resolve the boundary dispute. In the boundary-resolution dialogues between Thimphu and Beijing, the Chinese appear particularly focused on the Doklam Plateau (measuring 270 sq. km).

The Doklam Plateau is extremely close to the vital Chumbi Valley area and the Siliguri Corridor, the lifeline that connects India’s Northeast to the rest of the country. By making this plateau a key strategic pivot in the India-Bhutan-China equation, Beijing is working towards expanding its strategic advantage in the Chumbi Valley as well as closing in on access to the Siliguri Corridor, which lies 500 km from the Chumbi Valley.

This is why the recent announcement of Gautam Bambawale as India’s next Ambassador to Bhutan comes as a very interesting development. Bambawale currently serves as Joint Secretary, East Asia, in the Ministry of External Affairs, and was the lead negotiator of the India-China Border Defence Cooperation agreement, signed in October 2013 by Manmohan Singh and Chinese premier Li Keqiang. Bambawale will be adept at assessing the critical issues, especially those pertaining to boundary resolution.

Modi for strengthening of Bharat-Bhutan relations

Thimphu, June 20: Making Bhutan his first foreign destination, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday vowed to nurture bilateral relations which he described as "B2B – Bharat to Bhutan" as he held talks with the Bhutanese King and the Premier, discussing an entire gamut of ties.

Embarking on a two-day trip here to display "special and unique" status for Bhutan in India's foreign policy, Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the Supreme Court complex built by India as part of the developmental cooperation. "The primary focus of both the meetings was the extensive development cooperation between the two countries and measures to enhance the economic ties," official sources said, PTI reported.

 Modi described the bilateral relations as "B2B relations – Bharat to Bhutan relations," the sources said on his meeting with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

Modi announced doubling of scholarships being provided to Bhutanese students in India which will now be worth Rs two crore. Prime Minister Modi also promised to assist Bhutan in setting up a digital library which will provide access to Bhutanese youth to two million books and periodicals.

The fact that the Prime Minister chose Bhutan as his first foreign destination assumes significance since China has lately intensified efforts to woo it and establish full- fledged diplomatic ties with Thimphu. Modi, accompanied by External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, was accorded a grand welcome as he arrived at the Paro airport and was received by Tobgay and several of his Cabinet colleagues.

The Bhutanese government rolled out the red carpet as Modi was given a ceremonial guard of honour. The Prime Minister drove down from Paro to Thimphu, a distance of about 50 km, traversing through the picturesque mountainous ranges.

 Common people, including children, in colourful attire lined up most of the road between Paro and Thimphu, waving Indian and Bhutanese flags. Big hoardings carrying Modi's photographs also could be seen en route. Modi's meeting with the Bhutanese King lasted for nearly an hour and then he held talks with Tobgay. Modi expressed satisfaction at India being considered as a privileged partner of Bhutan and underlined that his government "would not only nurture these strong bonds but would also strengthen them."

Woman dies due to GREF, govt negligence: SKM

roads in North Sikkim has led to the death of a woman on Monday.

Gangtok, June 20: Negligence of the State Government and GREF on construction and maintenance of roads in North Sikkim has led to the death of a woman on Monday.

In his letter to Chief Secretary R. Ongmu, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) MLA from Kabi Longtsok, North Sikkim, Ugen Nedup Bhutia, has alleged that an elderly woman from Namok died on Monday because she could not get timely and emergent medical treatment.

This was mainly due to poor condition of the North Sikkim Highway and ill-equipped and poorly-staffed primary health centre at Phodong.

Despite numerous representations made to the concerned authorities road condition of the tribal-inhabited area of north district continues to suffer.

The MLA has asked for sufficient number of excavators along the highway on a permanent basis.

“It is however not understandable as to why this kind of delay in prompt maintenance or restoration of roads particularly in the North district is witnessed every time that apparently also speaks the volume of a step motherly treatment that is being meted out,” Bhutia said in the letter.

If India becomes communal, Kashmir will not remain with it: Abdullah

“Kashimir is our home, why should we go to Pakistan”

Former Union Minister and Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) candidate Farooq Abdullah addressing an election campaign rally in Budgam (J&K). (PTI Photo)

Srinagar, June 20: Former Union Minister and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah said recently that Kashmir wouldn’t be part of an India that is “communal” and that those who “vote for Modi should jump into the sea”.

“India can’t be communal,” Farooq said addressing a rally in Srinagar’s Khanyar neighbourhood. “If India becomes communal, Kashmir will not remain with India. It will not remain.” The people of Kashmir will not accept communalism at any cost, he said.

Referring to statements by BJP Bihar leader Giriraj Singh and VHP leader Pravin Togadia, Farooq said: “And then they say those who don’t vote for (Narendra) Modi should go to Pakistan. (I say) those who vote for Modi should jump into the sea… Why should we go? This is our home. We are its owners,” PTI reported.

Earlier, NC leader and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said that he would prefer going to Pakistan than to stop criticising Modi.

In Delhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back at Farooq Abdullah over his remarks, saying India does not need a certificate from him to become secular.

“Neither the country nor Jammu and Kashmir need a certificate from Farooq Abdullah to become secular. The actual matter of worry is the corrupt government run in Jammu and Kashmir by Abdullah and his son (Omar),” BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Sikkim grateful to former CJI on Assembly seat issue

Make Sikkim a happy place: Justice Venkatachaliah

Former Supreme Court of India Chief Justice, Justice MN Venkatachaliah, with Jigme N. Kazi in Bangalore on April 25, 2014.

Bangalore, June 20: Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India, Justice MN Venkatachaliah, who in 1993 gave a historic verdict upholding Sikkim Legislative Assembly reservation of 12 seats for the Bhutia-Lepchas and 1 for the Sangha, representing Buddhist monasteries in the former Buddhist kingdom of Sikkim, wants the people of Sikkim to be happy.

“Make Sikkim a happy place. People there deserve to be happy,” the former CJI told Jigme N Kazi, author and journalist, who called on him at his residence here recently.

Kazi, who has been made President of Sikkim unit of the All India Patriotic Forum (AIPF), was accompanied by Forum President Maj. Gen (Retd.) MK Paul.

Justice Venkatachaliah is the Patron-in-Chief of the Forum. Other prominent members of the Forum include Gen. (Retd.) SF Rodrigues, Lt. Gen (Retd.) and former Governor of Assam and JK SK Sinha, former Judge of Supreme Court Santosh Hegde and former Chief Secretary of Sikkim KS Rao.

Kazi has also been made a member of the 11-member National Advisory Council of the Forum. Sonam Dorjee, a senior teacher of Tashi Namgyal Academy (TNA), Gangtok, has also been appointed Secretary and Treasurer of the Forum’s Sikkim unit.

While thanking Justice Venkatachaliah for the Supreme Court’s historic verdict in the Assembly seat case, Kazi also presented his books – Inside Sikim: Against the Tide and The Lone Warrior: Exiled In My Homeland – to the former CJI.

Inside Sikkim, while making references to Justice Venkatachaliah’s verdict on the seat case, gives a thorough background on the whole issue.

In his order, Justice Venkatachaliah, while upholding Assembly seat reservation of the indigenous Bhutia-Lepchas and Sangha under Article 371F of the Constitution, observed: “The inequalities in representation in the present case are an inheritance and compulsion from the past. Historical considerations have justified a differential treatment.”

These words made all the difference to the struggle for preservation of Sikkim’s distinct identity within the Union.

Editorial

SPECIAL  STATUS

An Article Of Faith

    Union Minister and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah needs to be applauded for his bold stand by those who defend the ‘special status’ provided by the Constitution to several states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Northeast and Sikkim.  Abdullah’s recent warning that Kashmir will not be a part of India if the Modi-led BJP government pursues its Hindutva agenda and goes ‘communal’. Much the same sentiments will be echoed in the Northeastern states of the country, including Sikkim, if New Delhi is bent on erasing the distinct identity and concessions provided to the peoples of the frontier regions during their ‘merger’ with the Indian Union.

    The BJP manifesto states that the party is committed to abrogating Article 370. If the BJP rakes up the controversial issue to strengthen its hold among the subcontinent’s Hindu populace there is likely to be a major political uncertainty in most border states of the country which feel uncomfortable with the way New Delhi has been handling their affairs. An editorial in Greater Kashmir newspaper recently stated: “The Article (Art 370) has actually served as a bridge to facilitate J&K’s accession with India. Its abrogation would be tantamount to burning this bridge.” JK’s main opposition party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has said that Article 370 cannot be abrogated without bringing into question the fundamentals of that relationship. While terming Article 370 as “an article of faith”, the PDP said Article 370 is non-negotiable and irrevocable.

      It may be recalled that the Supreme Court of India during the hearing of a controversial case to abrogate Article 371F (Sikkim) in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly seat reservation issue in early 1984 observed that if Article 371F is abrogated Sikkim will not remain a part of India. It may not be an overstatement to state that if New Delhi continues to dilute the special provisions meant for JK and Northeastern states, including Sikkim, the people of the region may soon lose faith in India and decide not to be a part of it.

"Rise oh fallen fighters, rise and take your stance again!"

                                                                                       BOB MARLEY

                                                                                          Since1986

                                     Sikkim OBSERVER

                                                              The VOICE OF SIKKIM

MAY 8th, 1973: Historic Day for Sikkim

Gradual dilution of Sikkim’s distinct identity

In this picture I’m with three historic personalities of Sikkim politics: Kazi Lhendup Dorji Khangsarpa (centre), the first Chief Minister of Sikkim (1974-1979), Krishna Chandra Pradhan (on Kazi’s right), and Bhim Bahadur Gurung (on Kazi’s left). The three were signatories to the historic May 8, 1973 Tripartite Agreement. This pact was signed between the Government of India, Chogyal of Sikkim and leaders of three major political parties in Sikkim. Former Gangtok MLA and Mayor Balchand Sarda is on the extreme left in the picture.

While LD Kazi represented the Sikkim National Congress in the historic Agreement, KC Pradhan and BB Gurung belonged to the Sikkim Janata Congress. The Late Netuk Tsering represented the Sikkim National Party.

The Agreement while curtailing the Chogyal’s power gave more political rights to the majority Sikkimese Nepalese. It also brought Sikkim closer to India.

The May 8, 1973 Agreement gradually paved way for Sikkim’s absorption into the Indian Union in April-May 1975. Article 371F of the Constitution of India, which provides special status to Sikkim, is based on the May 8^th Agreement.

Viewed from the historical perspective, the 1890 Convention signed between Great Britain and China and the Indo-Sikkim Treaty of  1950 paved way for the May 8^th 1973 Tripartite Agreement. Under the 1890 Convention Sikkim was made a British Protectorate. The Protectorate status continued after India’s Independence under the 1950 Treaty.

After the Indian takeover of Sikkim in 1975 Article 371F of the Constitution defined Sikkim’s status within the Indian Union.

The dilution of Sikkim’s special place within India has been a source of constant political tension in the former kingdom after the ‘merger’ in 1975. If the tension continues it may eventually lead to political uncertainty in this strategic and sensitive border region.

SIKKIM OBSERVER April 9-12, 2014

Read, re-read and read again: jigmkazi@gmail.com, jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

Those who love Sikkim will vote for SKM: Golay

“Throw out corrupt and dictatorial regime”

Gangtok, April 8: In his final message to the people of Sikkim PS Golay, President of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), has urged the people to save Sikkim from the corrupt and dictatorial regime of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and vote his party to power on April 12.

Addressing a meeting at Rongli, east district, this week Golay said, "People who love Sikkim will vote for SKM on April 12 and throw out this corrupt and dictatorial regime."

SKM, formed about a year back with its call for parivartan (change), has captured the imagination of the people, many of whom see a wave in favour of the party. Significantly, people from all over the State, particularly youngsters, have been actively engaged in the poll campaign this time as never before.

To crown its efforts to root out communalism, casteism and corruption and to usher in a new era of real development and real democracy, two former chief ministers, NB Bhandari and BB Gooroong, have backed SKM. Bhandari is expected to address SKM’s last big public meeting before the polls at Rongpo, east district, tomorrow.

To ensure that most Sikkimese vote for SKM, 8 minority Bhutia-Lepcha organizations, including the Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), representing their communities have sided with Goley and have urged all to vote for SKM. As votes of majority Nepalese get split between the two contending Nepali leaders, Chamling and Golay, votes of the minorities and the business community are crucial

There is excitement in the air as the people see a huge opportunity, after 20 long years, to form their own government and save Sikkim for future generations after Saturday’s elections.

Bhandari backs SKM, to campaign for Parivartan

Gangtok, April 8: Former three-term chief minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who earlier appealed for opposition unity in the State and later announced his retirement from ‘active politics,’  has backed the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s demand for change in the former kingdom, which has been ruled by Chief Minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front President  Pawan Chamling for two decades since 1994.

Bhandari has also agreed to campaign for SKM to ensure that change comes to Sikkim. Bhandari, who began his term as chief minister in 1979 and later  led the Congress party in the State for ten years in the opposition (2003-2013), also indicated that he would act as a ‘watchdog’ in State politics after the ensuing polls, slated for April 12.

“The people of Sikkim want change and our support for SKM is based on people’s wishes. We are also happy with the pro-Sikkimese manifesto of SKM. The SDF manifesto is nothing but a repetition of failed promises made in 2009 elections. SDF is fooling people with its manifesto,” he said.

"Seeing the wave in favour of change, I decided to leave the field clear. SKM is sure to win minimum 22 seats. It is certain to form the government this time. It is a party of youth, led by a young leader. Golay is my 'meet bhai'. I wish him well. I ask all my workers, supporters and well-wishers to vote for SKM and allow the younger generation to shape a new Sikkim."

During a press conference held here this week, Bhandari said, “We will support SKM because it is time that this 20 year long corrupt and casteist government should go”.

Responding to Bhandari’s timely gesture, SKM President PS Golay said, "Sikkim will not forget Bhandari's sacrifice. His support will be remembered as a milestone in our journey towards change."

Bhandari is expected to address SKM’s last big public meeting before the polls in Rongpo, east district,  tomorrow (Apr 9).

Reacting to the new situation, SDF spokesperson Bhim Dahal said, “Bhandari's extending support to the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha has no relevance in this election. He has lost credibility and even failed to field a single candidate from his party. His support to any SKM candidate will not affect the SDF party. He is a spent force.”

Gooroong bats for ‘change’ in Sikkim

Gangtok, April 8: In a surprise move former chief minister BB Gooroong, who is a

former political advisor to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, has lent his weight to Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s campaign for change in the State.

 “The present election is being fought bitterly and the ruling party has to accept that the youth leadership has emerged who are not going to take things lying down. There is frustration among the educated youths as the government of the day has failed to provide them gainful employment,” Gooroong said in an exclusive interview to Sikkim Express.

“The emergence of Golay as an opposition in Sikkim’s politics has given them a new hope and aspirations. What we see today is an anti-incumbency factor among the people of Sikkim. Yes, change is inevitable and the political baton should be passed on to the younger leadership,” Gooroong, also a former Executive Councillor (minister) of the Chogyal era’s Sikkim Council said.

Give me 10 more years to turn Sikkim into Singapore: Chamling

Gangtok, April 8:  “Give me 10 years more and I will make Sikkim better than Singapore. Singapore is Singapore because the Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was given 40 years to rule. We have done so much for last 20 years, if you give me another 10 years I will turn Sikkim into Singapore," Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said during his public meeting here at Syari.

“There were two classes in Sikkim, the haves and the have-nots. It was only due to the farsighted pro-poor policies of the SDF government  that all have been able to realize their cherished dreams and aspirations,” Chamling pointed out and added, “Rich people can do with any kind of government but poor people need our care. We don’t want poor to be subjugated. We will make them rich.”

    During his thinly-attended public meeting here at Thakurbari on Saturday Chamling, visibly annoyed rows of empty chairs in front of him, said ‘Facebook’ politics in the State would not be able to compete with his party’s twenty-year rule in the State.

   In another public meeting held here at Burtuk, the SDF chief turned his heat on his rival, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha President PS Golay. "This jilliganthey (meaning Golay) is Buddhist by religion however he does not follow Buddhism because his religion is that of Hitler. Inspite of his efforts this jilliganthey cannot make any difference to our party because our party will swipe all 32 seats in the upcoming polls.”

“His party will be defeated badly on April 12 and will be finished forever.”

 Aware of lack of public participation at the SDF meeting at Thakurbari,  a SDF leader is supposed to have ordered, "Go get some crowds fast. Did you see the photo Talk Sikkim posted? I don't care from where…just get it. We have to quickly post a photo too. Chitto!! Get the cyber army ready."

SIBLAC, 7 BL organizations to  campaign for SKM

Gangtok, April 8: The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) and seven other Bhutia-Lepcha (BL) associations have declared their support for Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM).

The minority BLs are convinced that SKM has given a better deal for Sikkim and Sikkimese, particularly for the minority tribal communities, than the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front. The promises are reflected in the party manifesto, SIBLAC chief and former minister Tseten Tashi Bhutia said during a press conference held here.

Bhutia said for the BLs the most important promise of the SKM is to abolish the Land Transfer Act of 2005, which allows companies from outside to take lands of Sikkimese, including Bhutia and Lepcha communities on lease basis.

“SKM has promised to scrap hydel power projects being constructed in holy places and has given commitment to maintain the sanctity of all holy places in Sikkim. They have also promised to focus on development in North Sikkim and stated that they will form a Dzongu Development Board,” said Bhutia.

Safeguards for old laws and protection given to Sikkim under Article 371F of the Constitution are also other reasons for giving support to the SKM.

SIBLAC chief also pointed out that BL organizations would now go to the districts to urge people to vote SKM to power.

Other BL organizations which have opted for SKM are: National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO), Bhutia-Lepcha Protection Force (BLPF), Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim (CLOS), Save Kabi-Lungstok Committee, Save Sikkim and Monks of Sikkim.

SNPP rejects ‘tribal status’ demand, raises Nepali Assembly seat issue

Gangtok, April 8: The Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) has rejected the demand for ‘tribal status’ for the State raised by various parties. Instead, it wants to focus on the ‘Sikkim Subject Certificate’, an identity document of bonafide Sikkimese belonging to the three ethnic communities – Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese of Sikkimese origin.

In a press statement, SNPP President Biraj Adhikari has also emphasized on Assembly seat reservation for Sikkimese Nepalese.

“No political party has talked about seat reservation for Nepali communities in the state assembly. It is a major concern for the people of Sikkim,” Adhikari said.

“All parties including SDF have promised to fully protect Article 371F. Maximum violation of Article 371 has taken under the SDF government and the party should feel ashamed to say that it will protect Article 371F. The party has now stopped even including the assurance of a Local Protection Act in its manifesto,” SNPP release said.

“In the coming elections, Sikkimese should only focus on the special constitutional provisions guaranteed to us – the Bhutia, Lepchas and Nepali. No other factor is as important. People must question the candidates how their parties can restore the violated Old Laws of Sikkim.”

“We don’t agree with the Tribal status for Sikkim that is being promised by parties. We already have the Sikkim Subject Certificate and are being given various benefits because of it so there is no need to make Sikkim a Tribal state,” the release added. (also see Sikkim Liberation Party on seat issue on page 3)

Ghising comes to Mamata’s rescue, backs Bhaichung

Bhaichung belongs to the hills: GNLF

Darjeeling, April 8: In a boost to Trinamool Congress candidate Bhaichung Bhutia's prospects for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, the GNLF on Friday announced its support for the former Indian soccer captain.

"Bhaichung belongs to the hills. We are supporting him," the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) said in statement issued on behalf of party president Subhas Ghising, The Indian Express reported.

Bhutia is engaged in a tough fight for the April 17 polls in the constituency against the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM)-backed Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Surinder Singh Ahluwalia and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) candidate Saman Pathak.

   The GNLF spearheaded a violent movement in the 1980s, demanding that a separate state of Gorkhaland be carved out of the north Bengal hills, leading to the formation of the semi-autonomous development body Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) in 1988.

Ghising was the chairman of the DGHC for two decades. However, he lost his influence in the hills after his trusted aide Bimal Gurung broke away from the GNLF in 2007 to form the GJM, which has now taken over the mantle of the Gorkhaland movement.

The GJM forced Ghising to leave the hills in 2008. He returned before the 2011 assembly polls but went away again soon after his party received a drubbing in the polls.

Ghising recently returned to the hills for the Lok Sabha polls. There was much speculation on whether he would put up a candidate or announce his support for some other party.

Trinamool leader and West Bengal cabinet minister Gautam Deb welcomed the GNLF's move.

"Bhaichung will win by a huge margin," said Deb.

Editorial

CHANGE VS CONTINUITY

Change That We Seek

   By fielding the ruling party’s old guard Pawan Chamling may be playing it safe – to avoid further dissidence within the SDF – and at the same time rewarding loyalty but this move has proved to be a boon for the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), whose campaign for change is led by a young leader PS Golay and whose followers are mostly youngsters. Those who were 10 years when Chamling came to power in 1994 are now 30. Another 5 or even 10 years under SDF would be disastrous for Sikkim’s future given the fact that the people, by and large, have rejected casteist, communal and corrupt government under one-man rule and one party system. Not being satisfied with two decades of autocratic rule Chamling now wants 10 more years from the people to turn Sikkim into Singapore. Sikkim will and should be Sikkim and this is the will of the people. Sikkim used to be a paradise with beautiful people.

   Real democracy must give people a chance to change things. Any system that fails to do this cannot be following the democratic process. The change that we believe in and seek is simple: we want to live in peace and in harmony with each other and nature; we want the rule of law to govern us and not one-man rule; freedom from fear, end to injustice and strict adherence to the democratic process in all sphere of life is what the people want. The change that we seek should also preserve our rich and unique cultural and natural heritage while safeguarding  Sikkim’s special status within the Union. We gave Chamling a chance to set things right in 1994; give Golay a chance now.

LS seat: SKM’s TN Dhakal to take on ruling party’s PD Rai

TN Dhakal

Gangtok, April 8: Tek Nath Dhakal, a retired civil servant, ought to be lucky that got Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s ticket to contest the lone Lok Sabha polls. He would be luckier if he wins. And judging by the winds of change blowing across the State Dhakal could well be Sikkim’s next MP in the Lok Sabha.

Dhakal, who many a times courted controversy, first came to limelight in early 1980s when he appeared in the cover of Spotlight of Sikkim, a newsmagazine published by Hill Media Publications, which also publishes Sikkim Observer. The issue was ‘Sikkim Subject Certificate’ and Dhakal put his full weight behind it.

The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s PD Rai is likely to give a tough completion to the SKM nominee. But the anti-incumbency factor and Rai being  renominated again may go in Dhakal’s favour.

PD Rai

AD Subba also seems to be a lucky man. After he packed up his Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad and merged it with the Congress he was made its Working President. When the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee’s President Kunga Nima Lepcha quit the party to join SKM Subba was made SPCC President. And now he is contesting the LS polls as Congress candidate. 

Subba’s constant engagement with street politics may earn him some votes but the Congress party’s poll prospects in the State and in the country is not very encouraging.

NB Khatiwada

   Former SDF’s Lok Sabha MP Nakul Rai, who rebelled against the leadership, is TMC’s LS candidate. TMC being the ruling party in neighbouring West Bengal and given the fact that the party is trying to make inroads in Darjeeling and Sikkim there is every possibility of  Rai getting some support in the State.

Nakul Rai

  Former MLA and merger veteran Nar Bahadur Khatiwada’s efforts to get elected to the Lok Sabha from Sikkim or Darjeeling have been futile. The last time he contested the LS seat in Sikkim he got around 4000 votes only.

But this time its different. Khatiwada is the BJP candidate and Narendra Modi is all set to become the next Prime Minister of the country. So hopes are very high for the veteran politician who is yet to be rewarded politically for his merger moves.

AD Subba

And finally, Aam Aadmi Party’s Kaushal Rai, too, is trying his luck for the lone LS seat. Good luck to him for he needs it to ensure that his security deposit is not forfeited.

Sikkimese will become minority if Assembly seats not restored, influx remain unchecked: DN Nepal

Gangtok, April 8: The Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) has decided to support the NDA. Its Chairman Duk Nath Nepal is confident that by supporting the NDA Sikkim’s long pending demand on restoration of Assembly seats for Sikkimese Nepalese would be met.

  In a press statement, Nepal said the Congress party “ditched and hoodwinked” the Sikkimese people on the Assembly seats issue. Nepal said BJP has always been against influx of outsiders and “Sikkim has became safe den of migrants and illegal influx which need to be checked with immediate effect.”

The SLP also believes that the BJP is perhaps the only party which will be able to rescue the country from “the clutches of near bankruptcy, acute corruption and soaring inflation.”

Nepal said if Assembly seats , which were abolished “illegally and unconstitutionally” , were not restored and influx checked, the ethnic Bhutia, Lepcha and Nepali communities in the State  will one day “become minority in their own land”.

The SLP chief also noted that as the BJP is in favour of smaller states it would be able to solve the statehood demand of neighbouring Darjeeling.