Friday, January 28, 2011

Darjeeling’s Roseberry School is Helen Jones’ dream come true story


Himalayan Guardian Jan 12, 2011

Darjeeling, Jan 11: Darjeeling’s newly-established school, Roseberry School, had a unique beginning. Its founder Helen Jones, a retired teacher from Middlesbrough in north England, organized a 100-mile walk in England to raise funds for the school.
The school, founded in 2006, is now four years old. Four years ago, Helen Jones(66) formed the charity School Aid India. Its aim was to set up a school for disadvantaged children in Darjeeling - the Roseberry School.
The project was so successful the tiny school ran out of space after a year, and an appeal for building funds was launched.
After many visits to Darjeeling, Helen and the school’s director found suitable land and got permission to put up an extension.
Helen said: “Darjeeling is in the foothills of the Himalayas, and the land is steep, so construction will be complicated and expensive.
“All the excavations will be done by hand, and all the soil has to be carried away on porters’ backs.
“It is hard and dangerous work, and it needed a lot of planning. So it was fantastic to get an email with the first pictures of work starting - and on Christmas Day too.”
Helen has been helped at School Aid India by a team of trustees and supporters. Together they have raised £50,000 for the work.
Helen said: “It may well not be enough to complete the extension, especially since the value of the pound has fallen, but we will just have to be patient and keep working hard on the fundraising.”
Schools in Darjeeling are closed at this time of year because it’s cold and they have no heating, but when Roseberry reopens in March, there will be almost 100 pupils.
School Aid India buys all their uniforms and pays for the teachers, so that even the poorest children can get a good education.

Govt rejects CBI probe against Chamling, sets up enquiry commission


Himalayan Guardian Gangtok    Jan 12, 2011

Govt rejects CBI probe against Chamling, sets up enquiry commission

Himalayan News Network
Gangtok, Jan 11: The State Government has rejected the demand for CBI probe against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his Cabinet colleagues in corruption charges leveled by State Congress leaders.
Instead, it has decided to set up an enquiry commission to probe into the charges.
The Assembly on Tuesday endorsed this decision and adopted a unanimous resolution for a commission of inquiry to go into the allegations of disproportionate assets against Chamling and some of his former and present Cabinet colleagues.
The commission,  under the provisions of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, will be headed by retired chief justice of the Sikkim High Court Justice R K Patra.
The resolution, proposed by Health Minister D N Takarpa, was seconded by B S Panth.
The resolution said the move to set up the commission was in the general interest of the people.
Chamling, the leader of the House, said that he and his other colleagues, against whom the allegations were leveled, would not take part in the discussions over the resolution.
Meanwhile, Opposition leaders scoffed at the decision to set up the commission and called the move “an eyewash.” They said the new move was aimed at delaying CBI probe into the charges in the disproportionate assets case against the Chief Minister.
After the Supreme Court dismissed their petition last March the petitioners (Cong leaders), as advised by the apex court, approached the CBI for investigation.
Khyentse Rinpoche to lead puja in Tashiding



                    

Khyentse Rinpoche




S. Norbu

Gangtok, Jan 11: Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, one of the well-known lamas of Tibetan Buddhism abroad, is expected to arrive here tomorrow to lead a puja in Tashiding in West Sikkim.
Monks from various monasteries in the State will also participate in the puja which is for peace and prosperity in the State.
Rinpoche (born 1961), also known as Khyentse Norbu, is a Bhutanese lama, filmmaker, and writer. His two major films are The Cup (1999) and Travellers and Magicians (2003). He is the author of the book What Makes You Not a Buddhist (Shambhala, 2007)1. He is also a prominent tulku associated with Dzongsar Monastery in Derge, Eastern Tibet.
At the age of seven Rinpoche was recognized as the third 'mindstream emanation' of the founder of Khyentse lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.
The first incarnation was Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892), who helped found the Rime or ecumenical school of Tibetan Buddhism, centred in Dzongsar Monastery in Sichuan. Followers of this non-sectarian school sought to identify and make use of the best methods from the various schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
 The second incarnation was the renowned lama Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro (1893–1959), who lived at the Palace Monastery (Tsuklakhang) after he fled Tibet in 1956-57.
Until the age of twelve Khyentse Norbu studied at the Palace Monastery in Gangtok.


Thursday, January 13, 2011

Sikkim Observer Jan 8-14, 2011

Filming of Alexandra David-Neel in progress in Lachen
R. Namgyal
Lachen, Jan 7: The life and times of French adventurer and practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism Alexandra David-Neel who visited Sikkim early last century is currently being filmed in Lachen, North Sikkim.
The ‘tele-film’ is being made by Indian and French film makers who have come to Lachen to film her life in a cave at Dewthang near the village of Thangu where she spent her time in deep meditation.
David-Neel was born in Paris on October 24, 1868. By the age of fifteen she had already begun to study music and also obtained her first occult reading matter, an English journal produced by the Society of the Supreme Gnosis.
An opera singer and a scholar of eastern religion, David-Neel became the first Western woman to reach Tibet's forbidden city of Lhasa. Disguised as a pilgrim, and accompanied only by a young Sikkimese lama, she travelled by mule, yak and horse.
David-Neel first came to Sikkim in 1911-12 on  the invitation of Crown Prince Sidkeong Tulku.
In the period 1914-1916 she lived in a cave in Dewthang near Thangu in Lachen in North Sikkim near the Tibetan border. The young Sikkimese lama Aphur Yongden, who looked after her in Sikkim, also became her lifelong traveling companion.
During the 2 years in Sikkim she came under the spiritual guidance of Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche of Lachen Monastery, whose meditation cave was just above hers at Dewthang.
Resign and face probe, former Sikkim Guv tells ex-CJI
New Delhi, Jan 7: Former Sikkim Governor Sudarshan Agarwal has urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman KG Balakrishnan to resign and face probe following allegations that his relations are involved in multi-crore corrupt practices.
 Agarwal, who is also a former member of the NHRC, in a letter written to Justice Balakrishnan on December 29, 2010, said: “It is with deep pain and anguish — nay, with a deep sense of shock — that I read in the national dailies a news item about your son-in-law's assets growing over 120 times in a short span of four years — ironically during the period you served as Chief Justice of India.”
He said: “Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, who is a role model for probity in public life, has appealed to the President of India to politely advise you to resign as chairman of the NHRC and offer yourself for an inquiry to be conducted by a panel of three eminent judges. This is the only way you can redeem your reputation. The litigant public would take this news with a sense of shock.”
Agarwal said  rumours afloat in the corridors of the Supreme Court and elsewhere were indeed disturbing.
“Corruption to my mind is a serious violation of human rights, and surely the chairman of the NHRC must not be perceived to be a violator of human rights. It is therefore necessary to clear your name,” he said in the letter to Justice Balakrishnan.
Agarwal said: “I have served with three former Chief Justices of India, all of whom have brought added glory, dignity and respect to the highest judicial office. One of them is the late Justice M. Hidayatullah, who served as Vice-President of India when I served as Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha. The other two were Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah and Justice J.S. Verma, both of whom served as chairman of NHRC while I served as a Member of the Commission.
“All three were role models of probity in public life apart from their exceptional erudition. If people lose faith in the judiciary, it will be a sad day for the country and a big blow to our democratic polity.”
He said: “I am a strong votary of probity in public life. When you were Chief Justice of India, I had written to you expressing my concern about retired Supreme Court Judges engaging in arbitration cases while holding office as chairman of various commissions, as also appearing in foreign courts on behalf of private parties. I did not receive any reply even though two of your predecessors did write back to me agreeing with what I said, but they too did not take any steps to stem this unhealthy practice.
“I would earnestly appeal to you to consider resigning from your present office and offer to face an inquiry to clear your name from any whiff of wrongdoing. This will restore your credibility and also strengthen public confidence in the institution of judiciary — the bulwark of democracy,” the letter added.


Bhandari meets CBI chief, demands speedy probe into Chamling’s corruption charges
BJP meets Chief Secy, demands CBI investigation
By A Staff Reporter
Gangtok, Jan 7: The State Government’s reported refusal to allow the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe into charges of corruption against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his Cabinet colleagues is proof enough that the accused are guilty and are trying to save their skin, according to former chief minister and Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) President Nar Bahadur Bhandari.
Bhandari now wants Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take the initiative and grant permission to the CBI to investigate into the corruption charges.
 “The State Government is not allowing the CBI to investigate. This proves that the Chief Minister is trying to save himself,” the former chief minister said here before leaving for Delhi to pressurize the UPA Government and the party high command to give green signal to the CBI.
On his return from Delhi on Thursday, Bhandari said he met the CBI Director, who has sent another reminder to the State Government to allow the CBI to come to Sikkim for investigation. Bhandari threatened to bring the State under President’s rule if the Chamling Government refuses to oblige the CBI.
The CBI recently approached the State Government to allow it to probe into corruption charges against Chamling and others after it found prima-facie case following its preliminary investigation.
Bhandari also appealed to Governor BP Singh to use his special power under Article 371F of the Constitution and dismiss the Chamling Government for gross economic misconduct and also to ensure free and fair investigation.
State Congress leaders approached the CBI against Chamling after the Supreme Court dismissed their petition in March 2010. The apex court directed the petitioners to approach investigating agencies with the “incriminating material.”
State Congress leaders have threatened to move the Supreme Court if the authorities are not responsive.
BJP for CBI probe
On Tuesday, the State unit of the BJP approached the Chief Secretary TT Dorji to allow the CBI to begin investigation against Chamling and others, including former ministers.
Meanwhile, the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front said corruption allegations against Chamling was “baseless.”
Defending the Chief Minister, State’s Lok Sabha MP P D Rai and former LS MP Bhim Dahal said corruption charges against members of the ruling party were “politically motivated.”

EDITORIAL CREATIVE TOURISM The Mystic Adventurer

SIKKIM OBSERVER  Jan 8, 2011
Lachen Valley in North Sikkim occupies a significant portion of Sikkim’s territory. Not only does its northern and western borders touch Tibet (China) and Nepal, Lachen Valley, yet unexplored and undefiled by visitors, is perhaps the most enchanting region which could be carefully nurtured for growth of tourism industry. Besides its scenic beauty it is also a sacred place where Guru Rinpoche (Lord Padmasambhava) in the 8th century once trod and blessed the land.
His Holiness Sakya Trizin, Head of Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, a Sakya Lama who is held in high esteem by all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, chose the Lachen route to flee Tibet after the Chinese occupation of that country. In the early 20th century a French lady, Alexandra David-Neel, spent around two years in a cave in Dewthang in Lachen to seek the blessing and guidance of Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche in matters spiritual.
It is indeed heartening to know that some film makers from India and France are presently engaged in making a film on David-Neel. Efforts were made by a France-based trust of David-Neel to revive the French lady’s connection with Sikkim but so far it has largely gone unnoticed. The authorities in Sikkim seem to be engrossed only in big, multi-crore projects such as construction of huge statues of religious figures to attract tourists. Both the local people and the authorities need to apply their mind and do some real re-thinking and be more creative in making Sikkim truly a tourist-friendly destination. Preservation and promotion of Sikkim’s natural and cultural history demands deft handling if we are to promote the region as a Buddhist circuit in the tourism sector.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Filming of Alexandra David-Neel in progress in Lachen

Sikkim Observer Jan 8-14, 2010
R. Namgyal
Lachen, Jan 7: The life and times of French adventurer and practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism Alexandra David-Neel who visited Sikkim early last century is currently being filmed in Lachen, North Sikkim.
The ‘tele-film’ is being made by Indian and French film makers who have come to Lachen to film her life in a cave at Dewthang near the village of Thangu where she spent her time in deep meditation.
David-Neel was born in Paris on October 24, 1868. By the age of fifteen she had already begun to study music and also obtained her first occult reading matter, an English journal produced by the Society of the Supreme Gnosis.
An opera singer and a scholar of eastern religion, David-Neel became the first Western woman to reach Tibet's forbidden city of Lhasa. Disguised as a pilgrim, and accompanied only by a young Sikkimese lama, she travelled by mule, yak and horse.
David-Neel first came to Sikkim in 1911-12 on  the invitation of Crown Prince Sidkeong Tulku.
In the period 1914-1916 she lived in a cave in Dewthang near Thangu in Lachen in North Sikkim near the Tibetan border. The young Sikkimese lama Aphur Yongden, who looked after her in Sikkim, also became her lifelong traveling companion.
During the 2 years in Sikkim she came under the spiritual guidance of Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche of Lachen Monastery, whose meditation cave was just above hers at Dewthang.

Jigme N Kazi offers khadas to HH Dalai Lama in Dharamsala in December 2009.





Bhandari meets CBI chief, demands speedy probe into Chamling’s corruption charges

BJP meets Chief Secy, demands CBI investigation
Sikkim Observer Jan 8-14, 2010

By A Staff Reporter
Gangtok, Jan 7: The State Government’s reported refusal to allow the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe into charges of corruption against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his Cabinet colleagues is proof enough that the accused are guilty and are trying to save their skin, according to former chief minister and Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) President Nar Bahadur Bhandari.
Bhandari now wants Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take the initiative and grant permission to the CBI to investigate into the corruption charges.
 “The State Government is not allowing the CBI to investigate. This proves that the Chief Minister is trying to save himself,” the former chief minister said here before leaving for Delhi to pressurize the UPA Government and the party high command to give green signal to the CBI.
On his return from Delhi on Thursday, Bhandari said he met the CBI Director, who has sent another reminder to the State Government to allow the CBI to come to Sikkim for investigation. Bhandari threatened to bring the State under President’s rule if the Chamling Government refuses to oblige the CBI.
The CBI recently approached the State Government to allow it to probe into corruption charges against Chamling and others after it found prima-facie case following its preliminary investigation.
Bhandari also appealed to Governor BP Singh to use his special power under Article 371F of the Constitution and dismiss the Chamling Government for gross economic misconduct and also to ensure free and fair investigation.
State Congress leaders approached the CBI against Chamling after the Supreme Court dismissed their petition in March 2010. The apex court directed the petitioners to approach investigating agencies with the “incriminating material.”
State Congress leaders have threatened to move the Supreme Court if the authorities are not responsive.
BJP for CBI probe
On Tuesday, the State unit of the BJP approached the Chief Secretary TT Dorji to allow the CBI to begin investigation against Chamling and others, including former ministers.
Meanwhile, the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front said corruption allegations against Chamling was “baseless.”
Defending the Chief Minister, State’s Lok Sabha MP P D Rai and former LS MP Bhim Dahal said corruption charges against members of the ruling party were “politically motivated.”


 

Resign and face probe, former Sikkim Guv tells ex-CJI

Sikkim Observer, Jan 8-14, 2011
Observer News Service

New Delhi, Jan 7: Former Sikkim Governor Sudarshan Agarwal has urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman KG Balakrishnan to resign and face probe following allegations that his relations are involved in multi-crore corrupt practices.
 Agarwal, who is also a former member of the NHRC, in a letter written to Justice Balakrishnan on December 29, 2010, said: “It is with deep pain and anguish — nay, with a deep sense of shock — that I read in the national dailies a news item about your son-in-law's assets growing over 120 times in a short span of four years — ironically during the period you served as Chief Justice of India.”
He said: “Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, who is a role model for probity in public life, has appealed to the President of India to politely advise you to resign as chairman of the NHRC and offer yourself for an inquiry to be conducted by a panel of three eminent judges. This is the only way you can redeem your reputation. The litigant public would take this news with a sense of shock.”
Agarwal said  rumours afloat in the corridors of the Supreme Court and elsewhere were indeed disturbing.
“Corruption to my mind is a serious violation of human rights, and surely the chairman of the NHRC must not be perceived to be a violator of human rights. It is therefore necessary to clear your name,” he said in the letter to Justice Balakrishnan.
Agarwal said: “I have served with three former Chief Justices of India, all of whom have brought added glory, dignity and respect to the highest judicial office. One of them is the late Justice M. Hidayatullah, who served as Vice-President of India when I served as Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha. The other two were Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah and Justice J.S. Verma, both of whom served as chairman of NHRC while I served as a Member of the Commission.
“All three were role models of probity in public life apart from their exceptional erudition. If people lose faith in the judiciary, it will be a sad day for the country and a big blow to our democratic polity.”
He said: “I am a strong votary of probity in public life. When you were Chief Justice of India, I had written to you expressing my concern about retired Supreme Court Judges engaging in arbitration cases while holding office as chairman of various commissions, as also appearing in foreign courts on behalf of private parties. I did not receive any reply even though two of your predecessors did write back to me agreeing with what I said, but they too did not take any steps to stem this unhealthy practice.
“I would earnestly appeal to you to consider resigning from your present office and offer to face an inquiry to clear your name from any whiff of wrongdoing. This will restore your credibility and also strengthen public confidence in the institution of judiciary — the bulwark of democracy,” the letter added.