HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN      Oct 17, 2012

Jigme N Kazi’s blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

GOLAY, SDF SUPPORTERS CLASH IN NAMTHANG

7 injured, 29 arrested; Section 144 imposed in Namchi

Gangtok, Oct 16: Section 144 was imposed in Namchi, headquarters of south district and a bastion of ruling Sikkim Democractic Front, on Monday following reports of clashes between supporters of the ruling party and SDF dissident legislator PS Golay at Namthang, South Sikkim, on Sunday night.

Twenty nine supporters of the rebel leader, who is on the verge of forming his own political outfit, have also been arrested and detained at the district jail in Namchi. Section 144 was imposed in Namchi on Monday afternoon in view of the tense situation.

According to reports, five vehicles belonging to SDF supporters were damaged and seven party workers were injured during the clash.

Prominent among Golay’s supporters who were arrested and sent for 15 days judicial custody were Nima Theeng, Bikash Tamang, Jacob Khaling, Rudra Khatiwada, Suraj Rai and Sanjay Subba.

Golay’s supporters have named Minister Tilu Gurung and former minister GM Gurung for allegedly inciting violence in their FIR. Those arrested and detained have decided to go on hunger strike in jail till SDF supporters who attacked them are arrested.

Meanwhile, SDF has blamed Golay for inciting violence. The party’s  press release said the rebel leaders supporters attacked the SDF party office in Namthang, where area MLA Tilu Gurung was holding a party meeting.

Golay’s confidant Bhoj Raj Rai has alleged that SDF supporters had plans to attack Golay during his visit to Namthang, where he was met members of a bereaved family to pay his condolences. He said several vehicles belonging to Golay’s supporters were damaged by SDF workers in Namchi and they were forced to retaliate.

Chinese ‘spy’ held at Nathula

Gangtok, Oct 16: Tensions have escalated at the Indo-China border trade mart in Nathula, East Sikkim, after a Chinese national was allegedly apprehended by authorities on charges of espionage. Even as the incident has triggered hectic backdoor diplomacy between the various agencies of the central government, trading was suspended on Thursday over the incident. In fact, the Chinese authorities, sources inform, have put border trade on the mat saying that they will not allow trade to take place till the arrested person is released and returned.

With the espionage accused, Langki Jiancan (20) having been sent to judicial remand of up to 15 days today, it is unlikely that he can be handed over or released before that time period.

Langki was reportedly “intercepted” by the Indo Tibetan Border Police, the paramilitary agency manning the border with TAR, after he was caught taking photographs of a “restricted area” on his mobile phone.

In fact it is informed that on crossing the border at Nathula and while on route to the Sherathang Trade mart which is a couple of kilometers away, he started taking photographs. This is a highly restricted zone and heavily manned by the ITBP.

Sources also inform that he was at first warned not to take pictures but as he continued to do so he was then picked up by the ITBP and subsequently handed over to the Sherathang police. It may be stated here that the person has a valid trade pass and moreover, has relatives on this side of the border, that is, in Sikkim. It is informed that he had come to meet one of his relatives here at the mart site. The FIR, at the Sherathang police station, was filed by the ITBP, Assistant Commandant.

The accused was produced before the Magistrate, Gangtok courts where the police obtained a remand of 15 days. Langki has been sent up to judicial custody. His mobile phone has been seized and he has been charged under section 3 (b) of the Official Secrets Act.

Trade resumed, although on a low key, at the border yesterday. Fifty three Chinese traders reached Sherathang Mart to do business.

Nepal Maoists lift ban on Hindi movies

Kathmandu, Oct 16: Hindi movies are back in cinema theatres in Nepal from Thursday----10 days after hall owners decided to stop screening them following a ban imposed by a breakaway faction of ruling Maoists. A statement issued by the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist on Thursday stated that the party decided to lift the ban across the country in view of the coming festive season.

The party headed by hardliner Mohan Baidya, which split from the ruling Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) in June, had called for a ban on Hindi movies from September 10.

It is not yet clear whether the ban will again come into force once the Dashain and Tihar festivals end in mid-November.

The party had imposed a ban on ‘vulgar’ Hindi movies in a bid to ‘safeguard national sovereignty’ and ‘promote a self-reliant economy’.

Multiplexes and single screen theatres in Kathmandu began screening ‘Barfi’, ‘Heroine’, ‘Oh My God’ and ‘Kamal Dhamal Malamaal’---Hindi movies which were released before screening was stopped.

New releases like ‘Makhhi’ and comeback films of Sridevi (‘English Vinglish’) and Nepal’s Manisha Koirala (‘Bhoot Returns’) are likely to hit the screens from this week.

France supports Tibetans’ fight for preservation of cultural heritage

Paris, Oct 16: In a unique show of support for the Tibetan cause, more than 50 cities and towns in France have formally adopted villages and towns inside Tibet as sister cities.

The initiative launched by local Tibet support groups in France is aimed at “preserving the rich cultural heritage of Tibet” and to bring international concern over the “destruction of Tibet’s rich cultural heritage” in the parliaments and governments of democratic states.

On October 6, the city of Montbeliard in eastern Franche Comte and the municipality of Amfreville la Mivoie became the latest Municipalities in France to adopt Tibetan villages. While Montbeliard formally adopted Kharta, a small Tibetan village at the foothills of Mount Everest, Amfreville la Mivoie adopted Phari in western Tibet, Phayul website reported.

According to the Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration, the mayor of Montbeliard during the adoption ceremony underlined the importance of Tibet’s unique cultural identity and its preservation, which he said faced destruction at the hands of China. He also emphasised on the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people, which he said needed to be upheld and supported, while rendering the city’s total support to the non-violent struggle of the Tibetan people.

Speaking to Phayul, Tsering Dhondup, secretary of Bureau du Tibet in France said the main purpose of adopting the villages in Tibet is to “express support to the Tibetan people’s freedom and respect for their fundamental human rights.” “As of now, direct link between the places in France and Tibet is not possible due to the Chinese government but nevertheless it sends a strong message of political support,” he added.

To join the adoption campaign, Municipal Councils in the towns and cities have passed a motion “requesting European or UN resolutions, human rights, environment, and Tibetan cultural heritage to be respected in occupied Tibet.” After adopting a Tibetan village, the Municipality places a plaque symbolising the adoption of the Tibetan village at the entrance of their office.

Bhutan to pursue happiness policy, to go 100-percent organic

Thimphu, Oct 16: The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, famed for seeking “happiness” for its citizens, is aiming to become the first nation in the world to turn its home-grown food and farmers 100-percent organic.

The tiny Buddhist-majority nation wedged between China and India has an unusual and some say enviable approach to economic development, centered on protecting the environment and focusing on mental well-being.

Its development model measuring “Gross National Happiness” instead of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been discussed at the UN and has been publicly backed by leaders from Britain and France, among others, AFP reported.

It banned television until 1999, keeps out mass tourism to shield its culture from foreign influence, and most recently set up a weekly “pedestrians’ day” on Tuesdays that sees cars banned from town centers.

Its determination to chart a different path can be seen in its new policy to phase out artificial chemicals in farming in the next 10 years, making its staple foods of wheat and potatoes, as well as its fruits, 100 percent organic.

“Bhutan has decided to go for a green economy in light of the tremendous pressure we are exerting on the planet,” Agriculture Minister Pema Gyamtsho told AFP in an interview by telephone from Thimphu.

“If you go for very intensive agriculture it would imply the use of so many chemicals, which is not in keeping with our belief in Buddhism, which calls for us to live in harmony with nature.”

Bhutan has a population of just over 700,000, two-thirds of whom depend on farming in villages dotted around fertile southern plains and the soaring Himalayan peaks and deep valleys to the north.

Overwhelmingly forested, no more than three percent of the country’s land area is used for growing crops, says Gyamtsho, with the majority of farmers already organic and reliant on rotting leaves or compost as natural fertilizers.

“Only farmers in areas that are accessible by roads or have easy transport have access to chemicals,” he explained, saying chemical use was already “very low” by international standards.

In the large valleys, such as the one cradling the sleepy capital, chemicals are used to kill a local weed that is difficult to take out by hand — a challenge compounded by a lack of farm labor.

Elsewhere, the fertilizer urea is sometimes added to soil, while a fungicide to control leaf rust on wheat is also available.

“We have developed a strategy that is step-by-step. We cannot go organic overnight,” Gyamtsho said, describing a policy and roadmap which were formally adopted by the government last year.

“We have identified crops for which we can go organic immediately and certain crops for which we will have to phase out the use of chemicals, for rice in certain valleys for example.”

No threat from China in Ladakh: Shinde

Leh, Oct 16: Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who visited the Sino-Indian border in Ladakh area, said there was no infiltration by Chinese troops there.

He also said the issue of detection of 550-mt tunnel from Pakistan into Indian territory in Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir would be taken up with Pakistan at the highest level.

"I have been asked this question by mediapersons after my visit to Pangong Lake (Chinese bordering area in Ladakh) about the movement of Chinese there. I found there is no infiltration (transgression of Chinese troops)," he told reporters at forward border octroi post in Jammu district.

Shinde also said, "There is no problem from China (in Ladakh sector) till now."

On cross-border infiltration, he said, "It is right that some times infiltrations do take place, but our jawans and officers are doing a commendable job and I appreciate them."

He reviewed the progress of the cross-LOC trade and met a delegation of traders to discuss their problems.

Editorial

KHURSHID Vs KEJRIWAL

Fight Graft Tactfully, Forcefully

The fight against corruption in high places by India Against Corruption activists has now become a national affair. After taking on Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra, Arvind Kejriwal is now targeting one of Congress party chief’s most trusted lieutenants, Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid. While it is Kejriwal’s right to expose the corrupt in high places, to stage a day-to-day street rally, backed by a section of the electronic media, while demanding Khurshid’s resignation is not the proper way to fight against a corrupt system. Khurshid is not among those who are perceived to be corrupt. In fact, he is respected not only by Congress leaders but by others Opposition leaders and the public at large. If there is any mishandling of Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust funds managed by Khurshid and his wife then the law should take its own course and the guilty should not be spared.

Khurshid has rightly said he would not “give in to blackmailers” and would fight it out legally and politically. The manner in which Headlines Today TV channel has been reporting on the funds misuse issue by the Khurshids gives the impression that it is a highly-motivated campaign by vested interests. Kejriwal says that charges against Khurshid are based on an enquiry conducted by the Akhilesh Yadav Government in UP. Akhilesh’s father Mulayam Singh Yadav is presently facing CBI probe on charges of corruption. There should be an independent probe to look into the matter and a verdict should be declared at the earliest. Both camps are now poised to “fight tooth and nail” to prove who is right.

 GJM submits list of demands to CM, seeks total autonomy

 Demands more moujas in GTA; Rs 654 crore GTA budget approved

Darjeeling, Oct 16: The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) on Saturday renewed its demand for “total autonomy” in Darjeeling Hills and expressed displeasure over delay in transfer of departments to the recently-constituted Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

A six-member GJM delegation led by the party’s general secretary Roshan Giri met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and submitted a list of demands that include transfer of land and land revenue to GTA. The meeting was attended by the chief secretary and home secretary. A total of 59 departments are set to be transferred to the GTA.

“We want all the departments to be transferred immediately. Manpower, financial power, properties of these departments have to be transferred. But only 26 departments have so far been transferred. We have submitted our demands to the Chief Minister. We want full autonomy because GTA is an autonomous body. We want separate school and college service commissions under GTA. Recruitment of certain category of staff required concurrence of the state government. We do not want the government concurrence be taken since we enjoy autonomy,” Giri said. He said the “land and land revenue” have to be transferred to the GTA, The Indian Express reported.

Deputy chief of GTA Ramesh Allay said: “We expected more moujas would be included in the GTA. Out of 395 moujas we demanded, we got only five. The state government has set up a fact-finding committee to consider whether more moujas could be included. We will send our recommendation on this issue within a fortnight.” The issue has not been taken up “sincerely”, he said.

When asked how Banerjee reacted to their demands, Allay said: “She advised us to strengthen GTA”. “Out of Rs 200 crore promised to be given to GTA by the Centre each year, only Rs 85 crore has been given. The state government has provided Rs 173 crore from non-plan budget.”

Meanwhile, the GTA Sabha has passed an estimated budget plan of Rs 356 crore and Rs 298.10 crore under Plan and Non-plan expenditure heads respectively for the 2012-13 fiscal, GTA sources said on Wednesday.

The GTA had also sought Rs 362.98 crore as an interim fund over a period of eight months while passing the budget plan on Tuesday. Tourism has got a lot of importance in the budget proposals. The GTA plans to set up ropeways at Rohini, Dello and Tukvar in Darjeeling. Water kingdoms at Jamuney, Relli and Belta are also in the offing.

“We have proposed various project schemes to the government. We’ll need Rs 182.5 crore to implement the projects. For the water kingdom, we’ll need Rs 13 crore,” said Giri, GTA executive member and in-charge of the education department.

The Sabha also passed a resolution for a labour board, tourism development corporation and a regulated market in all the three sub-divisions of the hills.

The GTA Sabha has proposed to set up ITI hubs at Kalimpong, Mungpo and Darjeeling and polytechnic schools in Darjeeling and Mungpo.

Besides, three new colleges at Gorubathan, Pedong and Mirik and an engineering college at Tukdah have been approved by the GTA Sabha.

CJI to visit Darjeeling for Mt. Hermon School function on Nov 24

“Grand reunion” of Hermonites in Darjeeling in November

Senior Sikkim lawyer Udai P. Sharma (centre) offering khada to Chief Justice of India Justice Altamas Kabir in New Delhi on October 6. (L to R) Mahesh Singh, Jigme N Kazi, Justice Kabir, Krishna Goenka, Udai P. Sharma and Karan Anand

Darjeeling, Oct 16: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Altamas Kabir will be present at the Speech Day function of his alma mater Mt. Hermon School on November 24 next month.

This confirmation came when a group of Sikkim and Delhi Hermonites called on Justice Kabir (64) at his residence in New Delhi on October 6 to felicitate him for being appointed to the country’s top post in the Judiciary.

Justice Kabir, who spoke fondly of his days in Mt. Hermon, said he would arrive in Darjeeling either on November 23 or 24.

Two members of Sikkim Hermonites Association (SHA), Udai P. Sharma and Jigme N Kazi, were part of the eight-member delegation who met the Chief Justice.

The Delhi Hermonites Association (DHA) were represented by Mahesh Singh, Krishna Goenka and his daughter Ratika Goenka – also a Hermonite, Karan Anand, Anita (Adhikari) Sawhney and Shibesh Singh.

Karma Bhutia, President of SHA, had sought the appointment with Justice Kabir, after her assumed office on September 29, to felicitate him.

Justice Kabir will be the Chief Guest for the function at Mt. Hermon. More than 150 ex-students have already confirmed their participation in the programme.

“We are going to have a good time. At least 40 1979 batch will be present in Darjeeling for the reunion,” said Thinley Gyari in New Delhi.

Alumni from Bhutan, Nepal and also from abroad, including Miss P. Russell, an ex-teacher, will be present during the “grand reunion.”

    The two ladies are Ratika Goenka and Anita (Adhikari) Sawhney

Shibesh Singh is second from right

The first book in Assamese was Baptist missionary William Carey’s Bible

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi releases ‘Dharmapustak,’ the reprinted edition of the first Assamese printed book, at Guwahati Literary Festival-cum-Book Fair-2012 in Guwahati on Saturday. (pix: The Hindu)

Guwahati, Oct 16: A slice of Assam’s 200-year-old printing history came alive at the ongoing Guwahati Literary Festival and Book Fair here on Saturday when Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi released a reprint of the first printed book in Assamese Dharmapustak (an Assamese version of the Bible translated by Atmaram Sarma and printed in 1813).

The reprinted volume has been brought out by the Publication Board, Assam, the organiser of the literary festival and the book fair at the Assam Engineering Institute playground.

Publisher Surjya Hazarika, who obtained a digitalised image copy of the original book kept preserved in the British Library, has edited the reprinted edition. On the occasion, Hazarika said it was Dr. William Carey of the then British Baptist Mission, who was instrumental in bringing out the book together with Atmaram Sarma, the Assamese translator of the Bible in 1813. The original volume runs into 864 pages. He said the reprinted volume would be valuable study material for linguists and researchers.

William Carey

Gogoi in his speech said the Assamese language, literature, art and culture had always been very rich and had now made remarkable progress. The State government would extend all possible help for preservation of heritage, he said. The Education Minister and Chairman of the Publication Board, Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said the State would soon develop its own standard book numbering system on the lines of the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) to keep a record of the published books.

Shillong sports centre to cater to NE youths

North Eastern Hill University campus in Shillong

Shillong, Oct 16:  Sports Minister Ajay Maken on Wednesday directed officials of the Sports Authority of India to complete the Special Games Area Centre here within March-April next year.

"I have directed officials that the deadline should not be extended and that I will inaugurate the project on my next visit to the State," Maken said about the SGAC, India`s second high altitude centre, which was earlier scheduled for completion in September-October last year.

Maken inspected the project which was taken up in 2002 at a cost of Rs 43 crore and of which Rs 29 crore has been released by the Centre, PTI reported.

"The sports centre in NEHU (North Eastern Hill University) will be a game-changer in the region which will not only benefit youths from the State, but will also cater to neighbouring states in the northeast," he said.

Hoping that the centre would be utilised to the optimum, he said, "We are aiming to produce young talented youths from the NE who will represent the country by 2020."

The minister also said that there was a need to set up a sports science centre in the region for which funds required would be sanctioned.

"If you want to do well in different levels of competition, you need a sports science centre which will be equipped with best coaches," he said.

VIEWPOINT Dolma Gyari

“It is important to keep friendly and harmonious relationship with the local people”

Tibetans are grateful to India, Bhutan and Nepal

Dolma Gyari

It has been one year since the new Kashag took office under the leadership of the democratically elected Kalon Tripa, Dr Lobsang Sangay. On this occasion, I would like to extend my heartiest greetings to the Tibetan public on behalf of the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration.

The Central Tibetan Administration is the legitimate representative of the Tibetan people, both politically and historically. And particularly at this critical time in history, the responsibility of the Central Tibetan Administration is much more than even a government of an independent country. And therefore, the departments under the Central Tibetan Administration, has an equally important role and responsibility to perform and fulfill.

Speaking about the Department of Home, since the arrival of the Tibetan refugees in 1959, the Department of Home has been working tirelessly to rehabilitate the Tibetan refugees.  And under the leadership of His Holiness and the support of the Indian government and other aid groups, it was decided that the Tibetans should protect their distinct culture and identity while in exile. Particularly, in a big country like India with its huge population, there was a risk of disintegration of the small number of Tibetan populace. Hence, His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the help of the state and central government, established separate settlements for the Tibetan refugees in Nepal, Bhutan and India.

The Tibetan settlements in these countries have the right to pursue any profession, religious freedom and separate Tibetan schools. All these have been made possible due to the hard work of the former and present staff of the Tibetan settlements.

And since this is the first Kashag vested with full political authority, it has an enormous responsibility to fulfill. Sustaining the progress the CTA has made in the last 50 years and continuing the development of Tibetan settlements are the main concern of the home department.

We are very grateful to our host countries India, Bhutan and Nepal. And today, I would like to thank the people and the government of these countries for their gracious hospitality. Sometimes, it so happens that, due to sudden changes in political conditions of these countries, Tibetans had to face many hardships.

The department of home has initiated many programmes for the re-vitalisation and stability of the Tibetan settlements. Moreover, we consider it important to keep friendly and harmonious relationship with the local Indian people. I can’t say we have made so much progress in that field in one year, but we have devised many strategies and the settlement offices as well as the central administration must work together to achieve the desired results.

The economic conditions of the Tibetans living in Nepal, Bhutan and India are very different. The poor are very poor and we are doing what we could to help them. We don’t want to give them just financial aids but more importantly, we are trying to lift them up from poverty. And looking at the efforts the Central Tibetan Administration has put in the last 50 years, the results have been quite impressive.

The Central Tibetan Administration treats every Tibetan equally. Some Tibetans in the settlements are really poor, particularly some newly arrived Tibetans who face huge problems in India. We are doing what we could to solve all these problems. It would be a falsehood, if I say, we will be able to solve all these problems within a short span of time. But after five years, we hope to bring some positive changes that you all will be able to see.

Moreover, I also want to send this message across to the general public that, for the policies of the CTA to succeed, co-operation is very important. The work being done by the local settlement officers is crucial to the development of our settlements. We all should extend our full co-operation to them. But if there is any genuine grievances against the settlement officers, the people shouldn’t hesitate to contact us. You can send us a letter or talk to us directly about the matter. That way, we will be able to develop our settlements efficiently.

Lastly, I pray for the sufferings of the Tibetan people to end and may Tibetans, both inside and outside, reunite in Tibet soon. Long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama! (Dolma Gyari is the Home Minister of the Tibetan exiled government and a former Deputy Speaker of the exiled Tibetan Parliament)

Study team completes expedition to Rathong glacier in West Sikkim

Gangtok, Oct 16: A glacier study team of the Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology has successfully completed its expedition to East Rathong glacier in West Sikkim.

Comprising Assistant Scientific Officer Narpati Sharma and 3 Project Scientists, RK Sharma, Pranay Pradhan and Dilliram Chettri, the team embarked on the trip on September 27 last to study glacier velocity, snout monitoring, glacier melt and water run-off of Rathong glacier.

East Rathong is a south facing, valley glacier (starts from the elevation of 4600 meters above mean sea level) and it is a 5.12 km long north-south flowing valley glacier with an average width of 1.50km, PTI reported.             

During the expedition, the study team fixed 13 stakes each 12 feet high over the East Rathong glacier surface for monitoring glacier velocity, accumulations and ablations (melting) of the glaciers.

In such harsh environments, the team dug 7-9 feet deep in different glacier zones and the stakes were placed in such highly elevated low latitude glacier. The study team also recorded the GPS coordinates of the stakes.

The team began the journey by trekking on Himalayan belts of Kanchenjunga National Park from Yuksam and reached the East Rathong glacier on September 30. The team ended its first phase of ground survey and preliminary studies on October 9.

The team recorded the water discharge of Rathong Chu at the snout of the East Rathong Glacier and also recorded the geographical coordinates of the glacier snout with the help of GPS.

The expedition has been undertaken as a part of the project entitled "Long term monitoring of the Glacier Dynamics of East Rathong Glacier" sanctioned by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India to the Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology.

  

SIKKIM OBSERVER         Oct 4, 2012

 Jigme N Kazi's blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

Sikkim gives befitting farewell; Kuru to be taken to Lachen; son declared next Lachen Rinpoche

THOUSANDS ATTEND LACHEN RINPOCHE’S LAST JOURNEY TO ENCHEY GOMPA

State Govt declares holiday for devotees to pay last respects; CM, Speaker attend funeral

Gangtok, Oct 3: Sikkim last Wednesday (Sept 26) gave a befitting farewell to Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche (63), the 4^th reincarnation of Gomchens (great hermit) of Lachen, who passed away in New Delhi on September 18 after prolonged illness. Thousands of Sikkimese, including lamas from various monasteries in the State, escorted the kudung, the mortal remains of the Late Rinpoche, and trudged uphill for nearly two hours to reach the final destination at Enchey Monastery, perched on a hilltop above Gangtok.

Lamas of Rinpoche’s own Lachen Gompa led by Ngodor Lachenpa and Cho Thisung Lama and a sizable number of Lachenpas led by its chief representative Lachen Pipon Chongtuk Lachenpa were part of the grand and colourful funeral procession that began at the Late Rinpoche’s residence here at Development Area at around 8 a.m.

The presence of lamas of several monasteries in the State, including Pemayangtse, Phensong, Phodong, Enchey, Ralong, Ringhem, Chorten Gompa and Tsuklakhang, in their ceremonial attire with serbang during the funeral added a spectacular site to Rinpoche’s last journey.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, who shared his childhood with the Late Rinpoche at their birthplace in Yangang, South Sikkim, was present during the start of the funeral. Sikkim Legislative Assembly Speaker KT Gyaltsen, HRD Minister NK Pradhan, Rajya Sabha MP Hishey Lachungpa, Gangtok MLA Dorjee Namgyal and fomer Lok Sabha MP Pahalman Subba were among those who were there to give their last respects to the departed soul.

To enable the people to pay their last respects and also as a mark of honour for the departed soul the State Government declared Wednesday a public holiday. Rinpoche was elected to the lone Sangha constituency of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly in the historic 1979 Assembly polls and later made a Minister in the Nar Bahadur Bhandari Cabinet.

Thousands of devotees and well-wishers of the Late Rinpoche patiently stood on roadsides along the procession route with khadas to bid farewell and pay their last respects. Late Lachen Rinpoche’s colleague and friend Yapo Sonam Yongda’s band of colourful traditional drummers dressed in their customary clothing wearing ethnic hats and carrying prayer flags - some in battle-like gear - made a conspicuous presence at the funeral procession.

Yapo Sonam Yongda (centre) beating the traditional drum during the funeral procession in Gangtok on Sept 26

The premises of Enchay Gompa was much too small for the thousands of mourners and devotees to fully observe the last funeral rites of the departed soul. The colourful canopy sheltering the funeral pyre placed on a stupa-shaped structure meant for highly-regarded spiritual beings added a spectacular touch to the funeral ceremony.

The appearance of a rainbow and a vulture in the sky as the kudung reached Enchay Gompa gladdened the hearts of devotees who eagerly looked for auspicious signs on such occasions. After several weeks of bad weather and incessant rain the sun shone brightly on the day of the funeral which lasted the whole day.

Funeral rites were performed at the Enchay Gompa compound under the chief supervision of Lachung Rinpoche, who also headed the pujas at Lachen Rinpoche’s residence ever since the kudung arrived here on late Wednesday (Sept 19) night.

Frantic efforts were made to take the kudung to Lachen in a chopper on Sunday but due to inclement weather this decision was put off. The Tsuklakhang Trust offered the Tsuklakhang Monastery premises for the last funeral rites, which was accepted by the mini-dzumsa (Lachen’s traditional assembly of the people), which met here this week.  However, this decision was later turned down and the preferred choice was Enchey Monastery, one of the premier Nyingma monasteries in the State, which has traditional and spiritual links with Lachen Monastery.

Due to last week’s landslides and flashfloods, which damaged roads linking Mangan with Chungthang, Lachen and Lachung, most people of the region sadly could not attend the funeral. However, they may take comfort in the fact that the kuru, the ashes of the Late Rinpoche, will be taken to Lachen, perhaps early next week for devotees to pay their last respects to the one who longed to go back to Lachen days before his passing away.

The Late Rinpoche is survived by his wife, a son and daughter. After the funeral on Wednesday it was announced that the Late Rinpoche’s son Rigzing Pema Ongdak Dorjee (14), who is undergoing religious studies at Taktse Nyingma Sheda in Gangtok, will succeed his late father as the next Lachen Rinpoche.

Lachen Rinpoche was an outstanding spiritual master: Sakya Trizin

Gangtok, Oct 3: His Holiness the Sakya Trizin, Supreme Head of Sakya Order of Tibetan Buddhism, said he was greatly saddened to know the demise of Lachen Rinpoche, whom he referred to as “one of the outstanding masters of his generation.”

In his condolence message, His Holiness said Lachen Rinpoche’s “devotion to the Dharma” and the Sikkimese people were “unparalleled.”

While acknowledging that the Late Rinpoche will be greatly missed by those who knew him personally, the Sakya Trizin said his departure “will create a void that will be difficult to fill.”

His Holiness, who lived for a brief while in Lachen, North Sikkim, when he and his family members fled Tibet following Chinese occupation of Tibet, said he was “profoundly grateful” to Lachen Rinpoche for his “magnanimous hospitality” at Lachen Monastery during that period.

 His Holiness last visited Lachen in 1994. Sikkim and Lachen have close historical and social association with the Sakya dynasty of Tibet, which has lasted to this day since the 13^th century when the Sakya hierarch’s daughter married the Sikkimese ruler Cho Khye Bumsa, the ancestor of the Namgyal Dynasty of Sikkim. 

“I will always be grateful to Lachen Rinpoche”

Dear Family members

Dear Lachen Monastery Sangha

Dear people of Lachen and Sikkim,

It (is) with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche. One of the outstanding masters of his generation, he will be keenly missed by anyone who ever came into contact with him. His devotion to the Dharma and to the Sikkimese community were unparalleled and its loss will create a void that will be difficult to fill.

Beyond the esteem that I hold for Lachen Rinpoche for his inestimable qualities, I will always be profoundly grateful to him for his magnanimous hospitality at Lachen Monastery at the time of our exile from Tibet.

I pray that his swift reincarnation may once again grace our world with wisdom and enlightened activity.

Sd/-

The Sakya Trizin                                                      23rd September 2012

Altamas Kabir sworn in as Chief Justice of India

New Delhi, Oct 3: Justice Altamas Kabir has been sworn in as the 39th Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Saturday, Sept 29. President Pranab Mukerjee administered the oath of office of Justice Kabir at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

The oath taking ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Justice Kabir, 64, has succeeded Justice Sarosh Homi Kapadia. The new CJI's tenure will end on Jul 18, 2013. The 39th CJI was born on Jul 19, 1948 in Kolkata, West Bengal.

He did his MA and LLB from the University of Calcutta. Justice Kabir was admitted to the bar in 1973 and practiced civil and criminal law in Kolkata at the district court and the Calcutta High Court, Kolkata. He became a judge in the same court on Aug 6, 1990.

He became the Acting Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court on 3 Jan 2005, an elevation made permanent on Mar 1, 2005. He was elevated to the Supreme Court of India as Justice on Sept 9, 2005.

“Sikkim Bachao” is Golay’s new mantra

Gangtok, Oct 3: Only a complete change of guard at the helm of office will usher in the much-needed parivartan to save Sikkim is the rebel leader and dissident ruling party PS Golay’s new political mantra.

During his recent meetings in and around the capital and in the districts, Golay, a four-time legislator, who represents the Upper Burtuk Assembly constituency, has been telling the people that only a radical change in the State’s political and administrative set-up can bring the much desired change that people are seeking but have been denied by the ruling dispensation.

PS Golay

“You can shoot me dead if I betray you,” Golay said during a recent meeting in the district. “My main mission is not to come to power but to save Sikkim for the future generations,” Golay said.

Golay’s inner circle earlier indicated that a new political party would be formed under his leadership after the panchayat polls, which will be over by November 9, 2013. Elections to the Sikkim Legislative Assembly are due in May 2014. Presently, all the 32 seats, including the one held by Golay, belongs to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, which has been in power since 1994.

Golay has defied Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to expel him from the party but despite these threats the ruling party has not initiated any action against him. It is expected that a large section of disgruntled elements in the ruling party, particularly those who were deprived of panchayat poll tickets, will join Golay’s new party.

The rebel leader has now claimed that nearly a dozen ruling party ‘VIPs’ are with him and are in touch with him.

Editorial

THIRD FRONT

India Deserves A Third Alternative

After quitting the UPA recently Mamata Banerjee has indicated her intention to form a third alternative to the Congress and BJP. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s reaction to Mamata’s proposal as being “too early” is unjustified. While calling for an alternative front, Patnaik had earlier dubbed the Congress-led UPA as "scam ridden and the BJP-led NDA as "communally tainted." It certainly is not too late or too early to begin serious talks on the third alternative if our leaders are serious about the long-term interest of the country.

The CPM is justifiably wary of third front leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav, who in 2008 saved the Congres-led UPA, after leaders of the third front withdrew support on the India-US deal issue. Singh is still displaying his opportunistic tendencies while giving the impression that he is interested in a third alternative. Leaders of regional parties, including chief ministers, ought to now take Mamata’s proposal seriously. In an age of coalition politics regional parties can and must play a vital role in formation of a third front.

PA Sangma has already floated his regional party recently and other regional parties should pitch in to form a region political front as likely constituent of the proposed front. Political stalwarts such as Mamata, Patnaik, Nitish Kumar, Jayalalitha, N. Chandrababu Naidu must come together and start holding preliminary talks.  Singh should review his earlier stand that a third front should be formed after the next Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and not before.

OBSERVER Archives   

Kashiraj Pradhan: A multi-faceted personality 

The greatest contribution of the Taksaris of Sikkim is the construction of a cart road from Teesta to Gangtok

By Rajen Upadhyay

Kashiraj Pradhan was born on 11th December 1905 at Pakyong in East Sikkim. His father Kaluram Pradhan was an innovative and an audacious individual and his mother Bhadralakshmi Pradhan was a religious and well-mannered lady. The family of Lt. Kashiraj Pradhan was accountable for the economic growth of Sikkim with their innovative ideas. His grandfather Lt. Chandrabir Pradhan popularly known as Chandrabir Taksari or Chandrabir Maskey, along with few other Newars had taken the initiative of issuing copper coins in Sikkim.

Earlier, there was the influence of Tibetan coins in Sikkim but, after the coming of the British in India Sikkim had the circulation of East India Company coins. For the process of issuing own coins of Sikkim they had taken their permission from the Sikkim Durbar and started exploration of copper at Sadam, Chakhung, Motang (Pandam) and Pachey. For the introduction of copper coins in Sikkim which was exclusively made by them, the family of Lt. Chandrabir Pradhan is also known as Taksari (meaning a person who mints coin).

Kashiraj Pradhan with his wife Lakshmi Devi Shrestha

The greatest contribution of the Taksaris of Sikkim is the construction of a cart road from Teesta to Gangtok. They also played a crucial role for setting up of markets in different parts of Sikkim. Today’s Singtam, Rongli, Rangpo and Pakyong Bazars were established due to the determined exertions made by the families of Lt. Kashiraj Pradhan. 

 In 1930, Kashiraj accomplished his Graduation from the esteemed Calcutta University. He was also the second graduate from the kingdom of Sikkim. The first person to become a graduate was Hari Prasad Pradhan. After his studies, Kashiraj entered into a teaching job at Sir Tashi Namgyal High School Gangtok where he served till 1947. In 1949, he was elected as a Cabinet Secretary with this appointment, Kashiraj entered into the politics of Sikkim.

In the first General Election of 1953, Kashiraj Pradhan made an overwhelming victory and was elected as the Leader of Parliament Board. He was also nominated as an Executive Councilor in the Sikkim Durbar. Kashiraj had been given the charge of Education, Public Works, Excise and Tourism in the Sikkim Durbar’s Executive Council of 1953. With his victory in the Second General Election of 1959, he was appointed as Senior Executive Councilor by the Sikkim Durbar.

The greatest contribution of Lt. Kashiraj Pradhan to Sikkim is the introduction of journalism. In that period there was no newspaper in the entire kingdom. To fill-up the inadequacy in the political process of Sikkim the publication of a monthly Nepali journal ‘Kanchenjunga’ was started on 15th August 1957. The editor of this journal was Nahakul Pradhan but, the entire important workout for the publication of 'Kanchenjunga' was completed by Mr. Kashiraj Pradhan. It is to be noted here that 'Kanchenjunga' was the first news based journal of Sikkim written in the language of the majority i.e. Nepali. Before he commenced the publication of Kanchenjunga, he gathered enormous experience as a reporter in Gorkha Sansar (A Nepali journal published from Dehradun) and Hindustan Standard an English Newspaper published from Calcutta. In this aspect Kashiraj can also be regarded as the first journalist from Sikkim.

Chandrabir Pradhan, grandfather of Kashiraj and the first person to mint coins in Sikkim

In an issue of 1st March 1964 Kanchenjunga has reported about an amazing story of V. C. Ganju Lama. Published on the topic of Ganju Goli (Bullet of Ganju) the report states thus:-

“Subedar Ganju Lama (VC) of 11 GR has made a surprise in the world of medical science when he has taken out a bullet from his right thigh after 20 years…..The bullet was perforate  in 1944 when he was fighting in Burma in the Second World War. ..”

 For his involvement in the field of journalism and his dedication for the development of the kingdom of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal, the last Chogyal of independent Sikkim has awarded him the highest Civilian Award of the Kingdom “Pema Dorjee” on 4^th April 1972. In recognition of his contribution especially in the field of Nepali Literature and journalism in Sikkim, the Sikkim Sahitya Parishad, an eminent literary organization of Sikkim, has awarded Kashiraj Pradhan with the prestigious Bhanu Puraskaron 13th July 1985.(Sikkim-historyhunter blog)

Subba replaces Tamang as Sikkim University VC

Tanka Bahadur Subba

Gangtok, Oct 3: Prof Tanka Bahadur Subba of North East Hill University (NEHU) has been appointed the new Vice Chancellor of Sikkim University.

Before his new appointment, Prof Subba was the head of the Department of Anthropology at NEHU, Shillong. He is expected to take over the Sikkim University any day, according to the outgoing VC, Prof Mahendra P Lama.

Presenting the achievement highlights of the university in the 11th Five Year Plan [2007-2012], here last week, Lama, while stressing that the university aims at building a national institution of excellence with a broad global orientation and strong local ethos and content, added that the University was trying to bring in the best practices of academic programmes, teaching methods and curriculum design both from within and outside India.

He added that the university has a transparent admission system with admission centres at 35 places in India and 5 in neighbouring countries and added that correspondence was underway for opening admission centres in China and other South East Asian countries.

Speaking at the SU function, Lama said he regretted that the university had to function from 19 buildings near Gangtok as land acquisition problems of the university in Yangang, South Sikkim. He said about Rs 2 crore per annum is spent for rent and maintenance to run the varsity.

“The University has already set a Board of Campus Development at Yangang [BCDY] with experts drawn from both within and outside Sikkim and representing various professional backgrounds and a consortium of architects, building designers, and land mapping experts from both within and outside country is being constituted to conduct the entire planning and construction activities at Yangang,” he added.

Panchayat polls on Nov 3, poll process to be over by Nov 9

Gangtok, Oct 3: The ensuing panchayat polls in the State are likely to be  completed on November 9, 2012.

The date of the polls is fixed for November 3, according to the State Election Commission notification.

The Commission on Sept 24 issued a notification for holding the fourth general election for Gram Panchayats and Zilla Panchayats in the State.

As per the notification, the last date for filing of nomination is October 1. Scrutiny of the papers will take place on October 3 and the last date for withdrawal of candidates is fixed for October 5.

The model code of conduct, which has been in force since Sept 24, will be applicable till the poll process is over on November 9. This is mainly to ensure free and fair conduct of polls. The Commission has urged everyone to peacefully participate in the democratic process.

Denzong Tsogpa grateful to Golay for opposing Tashiding hydel project

Gangtok, Oct 3: The support given to anti-hydel power projects in West Sikkim by dissident ruling party legislator PS Golay has been highly appreciated by those who are determined to preserve Sikkim’s ancient religious heritage.

The Denjong Chyarig Tsogpa has in a press statement said “we appreciate and acknowledge” the stand taken by Golay to oppose the Tashiding hydel power project over the sacred Rathongchu River in West Sikkim.

Tsogpa President Sonam Dadul Denzongpa said Golay had condemned the project during his meeting in Darap in West District last week.

“The entire Buddhist fraternity in general and the BLs (Bhutia-Lepchas) in particular are thankful” to Golay and are hopeful that he would do whatever he can to “ensure the sacredness of our rich religious heritage,” the release said.

Lachen Rinpoche’s last wish: Guru Rinpoche statue at Gurudongmar Lake

ON MY OWN

Jigme N Kazi

Gangtok, Sept 28: Before he passed away in New Delhi early September 18 morning last week, Lachen Rinpoche told one of his close confidants that he wanted us to build a statue of Guru Rinpoche at the sacred Gurudongmar Lake in Lachen, North Sikkim.

His another wish, according to the close confidant, was to complete the renovation of Lachen nunnery (Nguney Lakhang) with the help of an NGO. The nunnery, one of the biggest in Sikkim, was once occupied by a learned Dzogchen lama during the time when Lachen Rinpoche’s predecessor, the 3^rd Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche, was all-in-all as head of Lachen Gompa.

Lachen Rinpoche, who was ailing in New Delhi for some time, desperately wanted to go back to Lachen but somehow this was not made possible. He died a few days after he realized that his trip to Lachen was only wishful thinking of a dying man.

The spontaneous manner in which the people in Sikkim, particularly the Buddhist community among the Bhutia-Lepcha tribals, mourned his death is understandable. Lachen Rinpoche, despite his involvement in the political affairs of Sikkim in the 1970s, when India, Sikkim’s protectorate, was all set to take over the former Buddhist Kingdom, was still a well-respected and highly-placed religious leader in Sikkim till the very end.

Significantly, Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche is perhaps one of the few rinpoches that we have in Sikkim who is a bonafide Sikkimese hailing from the Gensapa clan and whose lineage is rooted in Sikkim’s history that goes back to the former kingdom’s birth as a Buddhist country in the Himalaya. He is believed to be the 4^th reincarnation of one of the chief disciples of Sikkim’s Patron Saint Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, who along with two other Nyingma lamas, crowned the first Chogyal (king) of Sikkim, Phuntsog Namgyal,  at Yuksam, West Sikkim, in 1642.

  When an overzealous Indian Army officer in-charge of the army in Lachen in 1997-98 mischievously tried to convert the holy Buddhist pilgrimage centre of Gurudongmar Lake (17,100 ft) into a Sikh religious spot, the Buddhist community in the State, particularly the Lachenpas, including the lamas, rose up in opposition and forced the State Government to ensure that the area is restored to its pristine glory. A section of the Sikhs claim that Gurudongmar Lake is a holy place for the Sikhs as it was blessed by their religious leader Guru Nanak, who founded Sikhism in the 16^th century.

Unfortunately, efforts to restore the holy lake premises – which still has a Sikh Gurudwara – to its natural setting was left unfinished and there is now a concerted move – backed by some highly-placed politicians in Sikkim – to make the area a Sikh pilgrimage centre.

Gurudongmar Lake in Lachen, North Sikkim

The Late Lachen Rinpoche’s last wish regarding Gurudongmar must be viewed from the historical perspective in relation to the current controversy.  Guru Rinpoche,  who visited Sikkim in the 8^th century and established Buddhism in Tibet, is said to have visited Lachen and blessed the Gurudongmar Lake in his wrathful form as Guru Drakmar, who is the main protector of Lachen monastery.

Let me remind you again that if  there are forces which seek to destroy our cultural heritage and religious centres with the objective of erasing us from the face of the earth we must gird up our loins and brace ourselves and march forward together to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

I feel blessed to have a unique and special association with Lachen Rinpoche and his family. We both have lived some part of our life in Yangang – the birthplace of Lachen Rinpoche in South Sikkim and also the place where my late father and many members of our family grew up - , Lachen – where Rinpoche lived as head of Lachen Gompa and my birthplace, and  Gangtok – where both of us finally settled.

I spent a part of my childhood at Thangu (Lachen) monastery with my late grandma, a nun, where Lachen Rinpoche presided over many religious functions. He was also a regular figure during our family’s annual chodrok puja in Lachen. His son, who is now nearly 15 years, was born on the day when Lachen Rinpoche was performing the 49^th day Shegu ceremony of my late father Rinzing Namgyal Kazi (commonly known as Lachen Yapla) at my house in Gangtok in July 1998.

The fact that it was mainly our family members who escorted Lachen Rinpoche to Lachen from Yangang, when he was discovered to be the 4^th reincarnation of Lachen Gomchen (great hermit) Rinpoche at an early age, to take charge of Lachen Monastery during the time when, I believe, my grandfather Cho Ledon was the Lachen Pipon, is something to be proud of and cherished.

Lachen Rinpoche in front of my house in Lachen, 1998

I deeply regret not being able to meet Lachen Rinpoche occasionally after my father’s death and particularly when he was ailing. In one of my last occasions when I did meet him at his residence in Gangtok, he said, “I have now stopped seeing TV and even reading newspapers. I only read your Sikkim Observer which you send me. I’m now concentrating in my religious studies and activities.”

Over the years I have quietly observed, and with much appreciation, how Rinpoche gradually mellowed with the passing of time. With his immense knowledge of Buddhism, experience in the religious affairs of Sikkim, coupled with his deep spiritual connection to Sikkim’s history and religious heritage, and also being a deeply devout and powerful spiritual being I feel Rinpoche should have lived much longer.

But death is not the end of life and particularly for an incarnate being like Lachen Rinpoche. We, therefore, must take heart and rejoice in the fact that he will come again even as we pray and long for his early return.

   Exactly 12 hours after his passing away Sikkim felt a slight tremor at around 6 p.m. on September 18, which shook us all. It is not only me but a few others, too, who felt that this jolt, coming exactly on the same day and hour after last year’s devastating September 18 quake, was a “warning” to us. The loss of lives and damages to properties in the landslides and flash floods in the past few days which devastated North Sikkim after Rinpoche’s passing away is a grim reminder that things are not as well and stable as we would like to believe.

“These things are happening as there is too much paap (sin) in Sikkim,” said an observer. Perhaps we all ought to heed the warning before it is too late.

Jigme N Kazi’s blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN      Sept 22, 2012

LACHEN RINPOCHE PASSES AWAY, FUNERAL IN LACHEN ON SEPT 26

Death “huge loss”: Guv; will leave “deep void”, says CM

Gangtok, Sept 21: The funeral of Lachen Rinpoche, who passed away in New Delhi on Tuesday morning, will be held in Lachen, North Sikkim, on Wednesday (Sept 26), according to monks of Lachen monastery.

The moral remains (kudung) of Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche arrived here on Wednesday night. On arrival the Kudung was taken to Chorten Gompa to receive the blessing of Dodrupchen Rinpoche. It finally reached the residence of the late Lachen Rinpoche at Development Area here at 10 p.m.

The Kudung of the former Sangha Minister (1979-1984) was received at the Sikkim-West Bengal border in Rongpo by monks, devotees and lay people. Earlier at Bagdogra airport the mortal remains of Rinpoche was received by Health Minister DN Takarpa, Sangha MLA PT Bhutia and Ecclesiastical Secretary Tenzing Gelek.

Senior Lachen Monastery lama Cho Thisung, who led a delegation of lamas to New Delhi to receive the kudung, said they witnessed two auspicious signs during their homeward journey: a rainbow in the sky during the flight and a slight drizzle on their arrival at Rongpo.

According to another senior Lachen Monastery lama Ngodor Lachenpa, the kudung will be taken to Lachen on Sunday and the funeral will be held in Lachen on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said he remembers Lachen Rinpoche as “a friend and colleague”. Both are originally from Yangang in south Sikkim. In a message, the Chief Minister said the passing away of Rinpoche “will leave a deep void not only amongst the Buddhists” but also among all sections of “Sikkimese society.”

In his condolence message Governor BP Singh said, “Kyabje Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche was one of Sikkim’s foremost Buddhist masters.  His death is indeed a huge loss” to the State.

 Meanwhile, a large number of people from all over the State have come to the capital to pay their last respects to the departed soul.

(top and bottom) Governor BP Singh and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling offer khadas to the kudung of Late Lachen Rinpoche in New Delhi on Sept 18, 2012

A unique horse festival in Dolpa goes back to 8^th century

Upper Dolpa (Nepal), Sept 21: The clansmen and monks of the mystical land of Upper Dolpa first gathered eight centuries ago to pray, feast, fight over property and vie for the title of fastest horseman in the Himalayas.

They have met every 12 years since in the Tibetan Year of the Dragon for a festival in modern-day Nepal centred around the world's highest horse race, although these days they ride for honour rather than land.

Around 50 cavaliers who have come from tiny villages dotted all over the Himalayas prepare to run the perilous course, a narrow strip of rocky river bed 4,300m (14,107 ft) above sea level in the rarified air of the world's tallest mountain range.

A horn signals the start and men in silk head dresses, leather coats lined with yak fur, golden chains and icons of the gods of animistic folk religions swinging from their necks gallop away on their ornately adorned ponies.

Thousands of monks and other devotees who have walked for days to the Shey Dragon Festival roar on their favourites and wave the flags of their gurus.

Some are simple, hardy mountain ponies developed from Mongolian stock while other riders mount swift and agile Nangchen horses, bred pure in the Kham region of northern Tibet since the 9th Century.

Scholars believe some breeds, unknown to the West until the 1990s, may be the "missing link" between the Przewalski horse, a wild Mongolian animal with neolithic origins, and modern ponies.

The Shey Dragon Festival, ostensibly a religious affair, is among the last of the great Himalayan clan gatherings that hark back to a time when warring tribes would meet over a week-long armistice to take their disputes to the sporting field.

Under the Tibetan Yarlung dynasty there was a large migration in the 8th century towards Dolpa, which changed hands between the Purang, Guge, Mongolian and Lo kingdoms over the following 800 years before being swallowed up by Nepal.

The festival, one of the most important events for Buddhist pilgrims, has taken place under all these regimes, with around 15,000 from across the world celebrating this year, over five days straddling August and September.

"It's nice to see this year the younger generation participating. In previous years it was only elderly people. I hope it continues to grow.

"Nepal is one of the weakest, poorest countries in the world and Upper Dolpa is the poorest part of Nepal so this is definitely the most difficult, remote festival in the world to get to."

Chinese transgressions along India borders despite talks

Dharamsala, Sept 21: India has recorded as many as 550 "transgressions" by Chinese troops from across occupied Tibet since Jan 2010, resulting in some kind of a face-off in one instance, but there has been no major border confrontation or an actual skirmish between the armies of the two sides.

The transgressions had occurred in all the three sectors — western (Ladakh), middle (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) and eastern (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh) across the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two sides, The Times of India reported.

The report cited sources in the Indian Army as saying the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops had also stepped up their aggressive patrolling in eastern Ladakh in recent months. It added that there was some kind of a face-off between PLA troops and Indian soldiers in the Chumar area of the Nyoma sector on Jul 29 when a large Chinese patrol crossed over into what is perceived to be Indian territory.

"Our patrol, which was also in the area, did a 'banner drill' (waved banners at the Chinese troops to show it was Indian territory) ... the two sides subsequently disengaged without any confrontation," the report quoted the source as saying.

The report spoke of India’s hope that the new bilateral boundary coordination mechanism, which became operational earlier this year after being inked during the 15th round of border talks between India’s national security advisor Shivshankar Menon and his Chinese counterpart Dai Bingguo, would help prevent border flare-ups between the two sides.

The report said India routinely takes up "specific incidents" of transgressions by the PLA through hotlines, flag meetings, border personnel meeting (BPM) and normal diplomatic channels. It added that during the fourth India-China annual defence dialogue last December, New Delhi also told Beijing that military patrols along the LAC should not be undertaken at night, nor should they "surprise each other".

Provide list of corrupt officials: Himachal High Court

Shimla, Sept 21:  The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the State’s chief secretary to furnish a list of government functionaries involved in corruption and moral turpitude cases over the past 10 years.

A division bench of Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice D.C. Chaudhary passed these orders on Thursday while hearing a petition filed by drug controller Sher Singh Thakur, who was convicted last year for corruption, against the state to set aside the departmental proceedings against him.

During the hearing, the court observed that since November 2011, the court has been directing the principal secretary (home) to furnish information regarding officials involved in corruption cases, IANS reported.

But the principal secretary had informed the court through an affidavit May 9, 2012, that this would take a lot of time as the information is to be consolidated by the administrative secretaries concerned after receiving it from departments, boards and corporations under their control.

The court observed “from November 2011 to May 2012 would have been sufficient enough time to call for the information and supply it to the court”.

“The court wonders what they have been doing for six months. Being a home secretary, a major part of the information could have been easily got available from police headquarters. There is no point in waiting for the report any further from the secretary (home). Therefore, the court directed the chief secretary to furnish the information within six weeks,” the judges observed.

The next hearing of the case has been listed for Oct 31.

Thakur was arrested by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in 2008 and was sentenced to three years’ rigorous imprisonment by a Solan court in June 2011 under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Editorial

LACHEN RINPOCHE

Prayer For His Swift Return

Sikkim’s unique spiritual heritage dates back to 8^th century when Lord Padmasambhava, commonly referred to as Guru Rinpoche (precious master), visited the sacred land of Beyul Demajong (the hidden valley of grains) and blessed its people. Some of the leading Sikkimese Bhutia families such as the Bonpas presumably settled in Sikkim when Bonism, Tibet’s indigenous religion, was suppressed during the introduction of Buddhism in that country under the patronage of King Trisong Duetsen and other rulers of his dynasty. Five hundred years after Guru Rinpoche visited and blessed Sikkim the Bhutia ruler Khye Bumsa and Lepcha chief Thekongtek swore eternal blood brotherhood at a place called Kabi-Lungtsok, located just north of Gangtok in North Sikkim, in the 13^th century. This sacred pact led to the coronation of the first Chogyal (dharmaraj – religious king) of Sikkim, Phuntsog Namgyal, four hundred years later in Yuksam, West Sikkim, in 1642 by three holy lamas from Tibet of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism to which Guru Rinpoche belonged.

The Late Lachen Rinpoche is believed to be the 4^th reincarnation of one of the four chief disciples of Terton Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, one of the three lamas who crowned the first Chogyal of Sikkim. Unlike many other rinpoches in Sikkim, who do not have much association with Sikkim and the Sikkimese people, Lachen Gomchen (great hermit) Rinpoche is a bonafide Sikkimese of the Gensapa clan and belong to a lineage whose origin is in Sikkim. Therefore, considering Lachen Rinpoche’s historical and religious connection with Sikkim the overwhelming and spontaneous outpouring of sorrow and grief at the time of his passing away is understandable. The late Rinpoche’s efforts to preserve Sikkim’s rich cultural and religious heritage and his involvement in the pro-Sikkim movement in the 1970s when Sikkim’s international political entity was being threatened must be looked upon in the right perspective to fully understand and appreciate the great contributions made by this spiritual master. May Sikkim and the Sikkimese people be blessed, once again, by his swift return to this blessed land.

“Lachen Rinpoche sought to preserve Sikkim’s unique spiritual heritage”

Gangtok, Sept 21: The Assembly of Sikkimese Monasteries (Dre-Goen Jingkyong Tsogchen) said the passing of Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche, who dedicated his life to preservation of the former Buddhist Kingdom’s “unique spiritual heritage”, is an “irreparable” loss to Sikkim

The Assembly’s Chief Coordinator Yapo Sonam Yongda in a press statement said the late Rinpoche was instrumental in reviving some of the “ever-fading tradition and dharma heritage of Sikkim.”

“His brief presence in the Government in the early 1980s witnessed the inauguration of monastic schools across Sikkim, and which now has become the nucleus to later advancement of students and practitioners in the spiritual pursuits,” Yongda said.

As the Chog-tso Kujen (Vice President) of the Assembly, Lachen Rinpoche dedicated “his everything” for the “cause of preserving Sikkim’s unique spiritual heritage.”

Referring to the rich legacy of Lachen Rinpoche’s predecessors, whose origin is connected to Lhatsun Namkha Jigme, Sikkim’s Patron Saint of the 17^th century, the Association has urged the government to declare a State holiday on the day of the funeral of the late Rinpoche, which falls on Sept 26.

The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) in its condolence message described the late Rinpoche as “an extremely important Vajrayana master and a senior incarnate of the Nyingma tradition.”

SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia in a press release said the late Rinpoche’s life was “extremely beneficial to the Nyingma lineage with its many monks and nuns. The institute of higher learning, retreat facilities, and the tradition of the rituals—everything was maintained perfectly in his monasteries under His dispensation.”                                     

SIBLAC has declared week long mourning in honor of the late Rinpoche.

 The Sikkim Hermonites Association also condoled the death of Lachen Rinpoche. During its brief meeting here on Thursday, Hermonite Internation President Jigme N Kazi gave a brief account of the late Rinpoche’s life and contribution made to Sikkimese society.

Moderate quake jolts Sikkim on Sept 18

Gangtok, Sept 21: Exactly a year after a powerful earthquake killed 90 people and ravaged large parts of Sikkim, a moderate tremor measuring 4.1 jolted the State on Tuesday evening, sending people out of their homes, but there was no immediate report of casualty or damage to properties.

As the quake struck at around 5:55 p.m. and lasted for about three seconds, people, with the devastation caused by last year's quake still fresh in memory, scampered out of their homes onto the roads and were reluctant to return fearing aftershocks, PTI reported.

Tuesday’s tremor came on a day when people across Sikkim performed 'puja' not only to remember those who perished in last year's quake but also praying against a repeat of the same disaster.

Candlelight processions were held in the capital as well as in Mangan, headquarters of North Sikkim, which bore the brunt of last year’s devastating quake.

“It is a warning to the people of Sikkim,” said several people in North Sikkim while referring to the quake.

Museum for Gorkha war heroes in Darjeeling

Darjeeling, Sept 21: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) last week laid the foundation stone for a Gorkha War Museum near Batasia Loop, 6 km from Darjeeling town, to remember and honour Gorkha war heroes.

According to Saumitra Mohan, Chief Principal Secretary of the GTA, the project is likely to cost Rs 1.50 crores and will be completed within a year.

The 2000 square feet land that will house the two-storey museum belongs to the land and land reforms department. While various artifacts associated with Gorkha soldiers, belonging to the Indian and British Army, will be on display on the first floor, the second and third floor will house a research centre and personnel souvenirs respectively. There will also be a lecture and cinema hall, it is learnt.

Most of the artifacts, souvenirs and war collection will be provided to the museum by Hemant Pradhan, a local private collector. Pradhan, over the past forty years, has managed to collect over 200 medals associated with the Indian and British Army. His collection includes army souvenirs from 1890 till that of Kargil war, army uniforms and photographs dating back to World War I and II.

"The Gorkhas have laid down their lives on several occasions to protect the country. But the people are yet to acknowledge their contribution. We want the museum to provide information about the Gorkha community and their contributions," said Binay Tamang, GTA executive member in charge of the information and cultural department. The GTA will also undertake the beautification of the area around the museum.

Bodos fear of becoming a minority in their own land: Shinde

“Situation is still far from normal"

New Delhi, Sept 21:  The Assam government has been warned that the situation arising out of the ethnic strife between Bodos and Muslims "is far from normal" and there was fear the communal tension may spread to other districts around the Bodo areas, said Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.

Shinde conveyed the assessment to the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his Race Course Residence here on Thursday, IANS reported.

The meeting was convened to mainly discuss the Assam violence witnessed since July 19 that has claimed 97 lives and left 4.8 lakh people in relief camps.

Shinde gave an overall assessment of the Assam violence and the situation prevailing in the Bodo Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) areas of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalgiri.

The home minister's assessment, according to the sources, was that Bodos' fear of becoming a minority in their own land was the reason for the troubles in the state.

The Bodos were worried they would get marginalised as migrants from other states within the country and from outside the country settled in their territory and this was the historical background for the violence being witnessed in Assam, he reportedly told the meeting

The central government also felt that though the developments of the recent days, when people of northeast origin returned to cities like Bangalore, Pune, Chennai and other places from where they had fled last month, was encouraging, "the situation is still far from being normal".

The miscreants, the government felt, were waiting to cause trouble and that the state governments needed to maintain vigil.

They also held that indications were clear that similar sectarian tension was spreading to neighbouring districts of the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) such as Barpeta, Karimganj and others.

Communal passion was still running high in some of the districts of the State, according to the central government.

It has also suggested to Assam government that to prevent such violence from recurring, a comprehensive security plan that is fool proof needs to be put in place.

Dimapur to host national seminar on oral history of Northeast

Dimapur, Sept 21: A galaxy of intellectuals will be present in Nagaland's commercial hub Dimapur at the end of October to participate in a national seminar on the theme, "Recovering the Oral Histories of North-Eastern India”.

The mega event, which  will be held on October 31 and November 1, is being  organised by the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) based in Shimla in collaboration with Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

Dr Sentila Yanger, who is the convenor of Nagaland chapter of INTACH, said about 25 resource persons from Tezpur University, North Eastern Hills University (NEHU), Mizoram University and  Manipur University will be participating in the two-day event, the Sangai Express reported.

These 25 resource persons will be presenting their papers in the seminar on the North East India region oral histories.

Arunachal media condemns attack on scribes

The office of Arunachal Times was vandalized by unknown miscreants on April 15, 2012.

Itanagar, Sept 21: Taking strong exception to unabated attacks on the media even after the deployment of security personnel in press establishments, the Arunachal Press Club ( APC) and Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) on Wednesday condemned the unprovoked assault on Arunachal Times employees on Tuesday.

The frequent attacks on mediapersons have become a major concern in the State. The two organizations have called on the state police to bring the culprits to book at the earliest.

A group of miscreants attacked two employees of The Arunachal Times, an English daily, here on Tuesday, sending shockwaves among the media fraternity. The two employees, Ranjit Sarkar and Sunando Bora, were attacked by miscreants in front of their office. The incident was, however, captured in the CCTV cameras in the daily's office. The attackers escaped on two motorcycles after other employees rushed to the entrance gate on hearing the screams of the two.

Sarkar was severely injured while Bora escaped with minor injuries. Police rushed to the spot and the duowas taken to RK Mission Hospital. A case has been registered and investigation launched.

The incident took place at the same spot, where Tongam Rina, the associate editor of the daily was shot at on July 15 last.