GURUDONGMAR-GURU NANAK CONTROVERSY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SIKKIM SALVO ON DOKLAM

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

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

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

                            Chogyal: ‘Soul of Sikkim’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SIKKIM: PEOPLE & PLACES

HAPPY LOSOONG, LACHENPAS

   Traditionally, we Lachenpas do not celebrate the annual Denzong Losoong (celebrated on first day of the 11^th month in the lunar calendar), which normally falls in the month of December, nor the Tibetan Losar in February-March, but Losoong. This day falls on the first day of the 12 month in the lunar calendar. This year it falls on January 17. Only the Lachenpas in Sikkim have been celebrating this day as their New Year for centuries.

   So, may I wish Happy Losoong to all the Lachenpas.  May Lachen and Lachenpas be blessed with good health, wealth and long life. May Lachen bloom forever!

   Normally, the annual Chham (ritualistic lama dance) takes place two days before Losoong (on the 29^th day), followed by Bomko (Bom-kor, procession of holy scriptures of Lachen Gompa around the village) on Namkhang, the 30^th day of the month. Sadly, nowadays the Chham is performed a few weeks earlier (this year it was held on January 4) to enable the local people to attend the annual Monlam pujas at Bodhgaya. The annual chodok pujas in each household in Lachen are performed after Losoong.

   Apart from changes in the annual schedule of important traditional events I have also noticed the change in what people wear on these special events. Many people are now sporting the stylish costumes of Mongolian and Tibetan people on such occasions. During important traditional events such as Losoong festival we must always retain our own unique traditions and customs.

  HAPPY LOSOONG!

A MILESTONE FOR CHAMLING, MILES TO GO FOR SIKKIM

It is a proud moment for Chief Minister Pawan Chamling as his ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which he heads, completes 23 years in office (Dec 12, 1994-Dec 12, 2017) this week. Chamling’s political maturity is reflected in his admission that while his government has made tremendous progress in all fields there is much more still to be done.

He has blamed the bureaucrats for failure to implement much of his government’s pro-people policies and programmes. At the fag end of his first term in office (1994-1999) the Chief Minister openly admitted that he lacked the right team to lead Sikkim on the right path.

Hopefully, if and when he makes a comeback in the forthcoming Assembly polls (2018 or early 2019) Chamling will have the ideal team that will give top priority to economic and political empowerment of bonafide Sikkimese while preserving Sikkim’s closely-knit social fabric, which at times has taken a battering mainly because of vote-bank politics.

This is a time not only to rejoice in one’s accomplishments but it is also a time for reflection and rejuvenation. Chamling has come a long way but Sikkim has miles to go.