Lepcha students complete special coaching classes for Board exams

GANGTOK, 07 Feb: The valedictory function of a month-long winter coaching oganised by the Sikkim Lepcha youth Association for Lepcha students appearing for board exams [class X and XII] this year, was held on 04 Feb at Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School, a press release informs.
The occasion had the Dzongu MLA, Power Minister Sonam Gyatso Lepcha as the chief guest and was also attended by Padmashree Keepu T Lepcha, Chief Engineer, Energy & Power, G Targain, Asst. Commissioner, IT Centre, Lhendup Lepcha, Deputy Director, HRDD, Sonam Lepcha, president, Renjong Mutachi Rong Tarjum, CT Lepcha and TT Densapa, the release adds.
The participants of the coaching put up a cultural programme to express gratitude to their patrons and teachers for their support and guidance during this coaching period. The teachers and other volunteers were also given away the certificates as a token of appreciation by the chief guest, the release informs.
The organisers expressed gratitude towards the Minister and MLAs associated with the organization, particularly, chairman DT Lepcha, Director HRDD, CS Rao, Dr. Chultim, ACF, Forest, James Karthak, Deputy Director, HRDD, Sonam Lepcha, Principal, TNSSS and all the tutors of the coaching class who devoted their previous time and also the well wishers, adds the release.

HCPC Kamrang lifts Inter-Denomination Football cup

NAMCHI, 07 Feb: HCPC Kamrang lifted the Inter-Denominational Football Tournament here at the Bhaichung Stadium today.
The final matchwas played between EPCS Ranguthang and HCPC Kamrang with the latter winning the contest 6-4 in a tiebreaker.
Organized by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Sikkim (EPCS), Namchi, on the theme “Universal Brotherhood and Peace”, the final match of the tourney was chaired by Principal, New Light Academy, Lobzang Lama, as the chief guest accompanied by the Jailor, District Prison, Namchi, Arone Targain, RO (T) Tseten Lepcha, retired DSO NB Dungamali, Elders and Pastors’ from different churches of South District.
Regulation time of the final match ended in a 1-1 goal with Nim Tshering Lepcha of EPCS Ranguthang scoring the first goal and Phurba Lepcha of HCPC Kamrang equalising in the second half.  The tiebreaker, as mentioned, went in favour of HCPC Kamrang.
Also today, the organisers put together an exhibition match between EPCS Namchi Veteran vs. Youth which the veterans won 3-1.
A colourful cultural programme was also performed by youth representing different churches and the day began with a prayer by Elder D. Pakhrim of EPCS, Namchi.

Sikkim Subject Bachao Committee announces meetings for Mangan and Sombaria

GANGTOK, 07 Feb: The Sikkim Subject Bachao Committee, a collective of Opposition parties rallied against the State Government’s move to issue Residential Certificates [to those who have been residing here since before 26 April 1975], at a meeting held yesterday under the chairmanship of the committee president, State Congress president Nar Bahadur Bhandari, decided to hold meetings at Mangan [on 20 Feb] and Sombaria in West Sikkim [on 28 Feb] to argue its stand against the RCs.
A press release issued by the committee’s spokesperson, the Sikkim National People’s Party president, Biraj Adhihari, informs that yesterday’s meeting also reaffirmed the commitment of the members to protest the RC regime and strive to have the concerned notification withdrawn.

Daragaon sensitised on Urban Risk Reduction Programme

A jhora flowing near the venue of the URR meeting was cleared by the GMC last November. It's getting clogged with waste again.

WARD COUNCILLOR FLAGS BLOCKAGE OF JHORAS AS A WORRY
GANGTOK, 07 Feb: A meeting on “Sensitisation on Urban Risk Reduction Programme” for Daragaon ward in Gangtok was organized by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) at Hotel Comfort Inn here on 05 February, a press release informs.
The programme which was chaired by the Gangtok Mayor, KN Topgay, and commenced with a welcome speech by Councillor, Daragoan Ward, Bhasker Basnett, who detailed civic problems and suggestions for Daragoan ward, highlighting the blockage of drains and jhoras due to rampant waste disposal that could lead to different hazards in the future, informs the release.
The State Project Officer, SSDMA, Bhupendra Sharma shed light on the background information and current progress with respect to URR Programme for the state.
DPO (East), Karma Dorjee Wazalingpa, made a presentation on Community Based Development Preparedness (CBDP). Various mappings, resources and other considerations towards achieving CDBP were also explained.
DPO (North) Sonam Lepcha, made a presentation on the preparation of Village Disaster Management Plans, explaining the 7-step process towards preparing a village disaster management plan – namely, review and analysis of past disasters in the area, mapping, formation of village disaster management teams, specialized training to the teams, formation of Community Contingency Fund, approval of the plan, mock drill and updating the plan. Based on the above points laid down by the DPOs, a committee will be formed for Daragaon ward and they will be trained accordingly.
Assistant Engineer, SSDMA, Dichen Namdul, presented a power-point presentation on Disaster Risk Reduction which focussed on the impact of disasters and ways to achieve risk reduction.
Common risks due to architectural and constructional features and solutions towards safe construction practices were also discussed. Urban/ Rural Planner, SSDMA Diki Wangmu Bhutia, discussed the ongoing process of techno-legal regime with respect to disaster management.  Also, IT specialist, SSDMA Ada Lawrence, spoke about the upcoming one stop knowledge centre for disaster management in the state.
Finally, the Gangtok Mayor made suggestions on the need for co-ordination and practical implementation of the URR Programme. He also stated that the programme should start from the grass root level so that even the public can participate in the process, the release adds.
Also participating in the programme were Deputy Mayor, Gangtok Municipal Corporation councillors, school teachers, Aganwadi workers, youth club members, NGOs and officials from SSDMA.

It’s Saraswati Puja on Tuesday

GANGTOK, 07 Feb: It is Saraswati Puja on 08 Feb [Tuesday], and as the accompanying photograph bears out, the artist selling idols of the Goddess Saraswati at Tadong has hardly any idols left for last-minute buyers.
“I have been camped here for a week now,” he shared between mouthfuls as he ploughed through his lunch of puffed rice. The largest statue in his inventory was 4.5ft tall which fetched him Rs. 1,500 and smaller ones of 1 ft height were still going for Rs. 200.
As we were leaving, he shouted after us, “If you want to see a wider variety and taller statues, go to Sichey, another artisan has brought a larger stock this year and is displaying them there.”
This remains the only time we have come across someone recommending his competitor’s wares, its perhaps the purity which underlines the essence of Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. It is also perhaps apt that the worship of the Goddess of Knowledge comes a day after schools and colleges reopened across Sikkim today.
ANUPA RAI

CM interacts with youth of Namthang-Rateypani

NAMTHANG, 07 Feb [IPR]: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling met with the youth of Namthang-Rateypani constituency at the Namthang Block Development Centre yesterday. Around 200 youth were present in the short interactive programme during which Mr. Chamling was felicitated by the youth representatives of the constituency for his support and motivation towards the development of the youth of Sikkim.
Addressing the youth, the Chief Minister said that the biggest disadvantage compromising the prospects of the youth was their own state of dilemma and indecisiveness regarding their choices in life and stressed that this drawback is preyed up by vested interests to misguide the youth into promoting personal gain of the opportunists.
Mr. Chamling added that for this reason, it was now his aim to make the youth constructive, skilled, self-reliant and above all, aware citizens. Sikkim, he stressed, was in need of youth with a wider outlook who could steer the State towards a better tomorrow.
Towards this aim, the State Government has implemented youth-oriented schemes for skill and capacity development. The government has also ensured that through these schemes, the youth are able to utilize the ample opportunities created in the State in different sectors.
He also urged the youth not to allow antisocial elements to take advantage of their weaknesses for personal gain and take a strong stand against such opportunism.

Recruitment of SIs for SAP deferred

FRESH VACANCIES FOR SIs IN SIKKIM POLICE TO BE NOTIFIED WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS
GANGTOK, 07 Feb: The process of recruitment of 12 Sub-Inspectors in the Sikkim Armed Police [notified on 14 December 2010], and scheduled to start from 09 February [Wednesday], has been deferred by 2 to 3 months “due to unavoidable reasons”, informs a press communiqué received from the DIG [Range], Sikkim Police, today.
The DIG informs that fresh notifications inviting vacant posts of SIs in the Sikkim Police, and not exclusively in the Sikkim Armed Police, will be issued in due course.
As for the candidates who have already submitted their applications of the vacancies announced in December last and obtained proper receipt, they will not need to submit fresh applications when the new vacancies are advertised within a couple of months, the DIG adds.

Conmen preying on new ATM card users

NO OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS FILED YET, BUT PEOPLE HAVE LOST SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS AFTER DIVULGING THEIR ATM CARD DETAILS TO STRANGERS

ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 07 Feb: Con artists appear to be preying with some degree of success on new ATM card users in the State, especially the elderly who are not familiar with the use of their debit cards. Laying out a simple plan of hanging around ATM counters pretending to be withdrawing cash, from what has been pieced together thus far, they arrive as timely assistance to new ATM users fumbling with their cards. After they have punched in the pin code for these users and completed the transactions for them [something which also reveals the deposit status to them], they take the game to the next level. Pretending to fumble, they make the target drop the ATM card and when fetching it for them, exchange the card with a dummy. The entire bank balance of the ‘hit’ is then theirs for the taking.
Of course, the con-artists need not even bag the ATM card, because with the account details, including the pin-number acquired, they can use the person’s bank account to complete there own online transaction.
Interestingly, no official police complaint has been filed on this con yet, but NOW! has managed to confirm two such incidents, one from Singtam and the other from Gangtok. It may also be mentioned here that similar tricks have been reported from across the country where they have been a nuisance for a while now.
In one instance of this sleight of hand con, a lady, when she received her updated bank statement, learnt that her account had been cleaned of Rs. 45,000 through ATM transactions she did not make. In her case, the transactions were online, the ATM details used up make railway bookings.
The lady, it is informed, has filed a complaint with the bank in question and also with the Reserve Bank of India office in Gangtok and an internal enquiry is reportedly underway at present.
In the other instance, another lady walked in to withdraw cash from the ATM, but when she checked her account balance, discovered that it had decreased by Rs. 20,000 since her last visit without her having made any such withdrawal.
Both complainants have refrained from filing a police complaint and are pursuing the matter with the bank at present. Word on the racket has however spread and reached even the cops.
OC, Sadar Thana, PI Tshering Sherpa, when contacted, confirmed that no official complaint has been filed with them, but added that even they have heard of the incidents and that lookouts have been posted to ATM counters to report back any “suspicious activities”.
“We will be able to investigate the case only if we have an official complaint, however, what also seems to be the case is that people losing money after divulging their ATM card details to strangers is not a new thing elsewhere, and it is primarily carelessness which is to blame,” he stated.
In this regard, he cautioned people against sharing their ATM card details with strangers.
Meanwhile, RBI officials share that the con is simple and already quite common elsewhere in the country where a person is planted at an ATM counter acting as someone trying to complete a transaction while others are waiting in line. Once they zero in on a potential victim, they act as if they are helping him/ her out and ferret out account details from the unsuspecting person.
“The conman actually pushes the person holding the card and once the card or the purse is dropped all over the ATM counter floor, the conman actually exchanges the card and since they have already found out the pin-code number, they can now draw money from someone else’s account,” they explain.

The Gainey Brothers- their dreams and their reality

SUBASH RAI
GANGTOK, 07 Feb: 17-year-old Tikendra Gandarva and his younger sibling, 15-year-old Shyam Gandarva, hail from Bhojpur in Nepal and are a treat to meet in Gangtok, the town they serenade as a Gainey duo, strumming out soulful folk melodies from their Sarangis. The scour the streets of Gangtok, visiting neighbourhoods in all corners, seeking out audiences who will indulge their art and help them save up the target kitty they have set for themselves before returning to complete their education. The first song they invariably perform is, “Sarangi ko taar ley mero man ko gita gauncha”, [the strings of the Sarangi sing out my heart’s song].

The duo arrived in Sikkim around a year back and share a rented room with a cousin at 6th Mile, Tadong, just above Holy Cross School. They picked up the family tradition of the performing arts and this, in a matter of speaking, is their first professional gid.
Shyam, a Class VII dropout is the vocalist, while Tikendra, after passing Class X, joined his younger brother and assist in composing and strumming the right chords for songs chosen by Shyam.
The brothers admit that they were both eager to continue their studies, but had to start earning because their parents earned barely enough to keep the kitchen fire going.
“We are save something from our earnings everyday and the day we reach the target we have set for ourselves, we will return home and resume our education,” they share confidently.
On their earnings, they inform this varies from day to day. “On a good day, we earn up to Rs. 500, but on most days this is between Rs.200-300, barely enough to pay for the routine expenses.”
Just as their earnings, their experience with the patrons of their art is a mixed bag as well. While some people are indulgent, most don’t care and then there are some who are downright abusive.
About one such experience, the brothers inform of how an elderly man took them home one day and kept them there for the entire day, making them sing all their songs and then insisting that they teach him how to play the Sarangi.
How did the day end?
“At the end of the day, he abused us and threw us out without giving is a single paisa,” says Tikendra.
Why? “Because we could not teach him how to play the Sarangi properly”. In a day!
But such episodes are rare, and the brothers can still find it in themselves to smile often.
About the future, Tikendra, the elder brother, wants Shyam, the one with the delectable vocals, to pursue his blessing and is committed to find him a platform where his adroit skills will be recognized and celebrated.
Shyam, shy by nature, when asked what he wants of the future, says he would want his brother to complete his education and occupy an important chair as a government officer back home in Nepal.
They have set a deadline of April to return home, hopefully with enough savings to pursue at least some of their dreams.

Lanco organizes cancer screening camp at Sirwani

MANGAN, 07 Feb:  A daylong cancer screening camp was organized here at Sirwani near Singtam on 04 Feb by Lanco Foundation, a division of hydel project developer [Teesta Stage VI] Lanco which carries out the Corporate Social Responsibility activities of the parent organization. The cancer screening camp was held in collaboration with CELON LABS. Last Friday marked the World Cancer Day.
Around 80 people benefited from the screening camp, coming in from around 10 nearby villages like Dochung, Sirwani, Dipudara etc.  The camp was attended by General Manager Lanco, SK Sarkar and AGM, Satish Tomar, paramedical team, officials from Lanco and the general public.
Screening for breast cancer was held for women above the age of 45 years and oral cancer screening for men above the age of 50. Dr. Basab Sarkar, a cancer specialist from North Bengal Medical College conducted the screening.
An awareness session was also held before the screening camp during which Dr. Sarkar shared tips on cancer, its causation and precautions. He informed people of the symptoms and explained common cancers like those of blood, lungs and head/neck cancer.
Dr. Sarkar also informed that around 70 to 80% of the breast cancer cases can be cured as could other cancers if they were detected in time.
[WANGCHUK BHUTIA]

Residential Certificates are not at par with Sikkim Subject Certificates, CM reiterates

NAMCHI, 06 Feb: The Residential Certificates [to be issued to those who have been residing in Sikkim since before 26 April 1975 but do not possess Sikkim Subject Certificates] are meant to check influx and secure the future of Sikkim and the Sikkimese but the Opposition parties are seeking to mislead the people into believing that RCs will compromise the status and significance of Sikkim Subjects, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling stressed today. He was speaking at the Sonam Lochar celebrations organised at Kateng in Namthang, South Sikkim.

The CM called on the people to now ask Opposition party leaders to explain how the Residential Certificates could be equated at the same pedestal as the Sikkim Subjects, an identity protected by the Constitution of India.
The Chief Minister explained that the RC was introduced to secure a clearer identity for those who have been residing in Sikkim since before the merger [but did not possess Sikkim Subject Certificates], and stressed that this was not even Constitutionally possible to create a ‘certificate’ equal in value or significance to the Sikkim Subject Certificate.
The move is not to replace the Sikkim Subject Certificates, he assured, and thus was not a violation of any Old Law either, he added.
The Residential Certificates, he contended, was in favour of the people of Sikkim and was a decision preceded by a lot of serious thinking and clear commitment to the interests of the Sikkimese, he stressed.
“Those protesting it should be held to account by the people because these groups are trying to put hurdles in smooth functioning and better development of Sikkim,” he said.
He pointed out how the SDF Government had succeeded in winning Income Tax exemption for Sikkim Subjects and held it up as an example of the care with which the government looks out for the interests of the Sikkimese.
“With this [Income Tax] exemption, we have enhanced the value of the Sikkim Subject Certificate and people should realise that we have never done anything to undermine the importance of Sikkim Subjects in the 17 years that we have been at the helm of affairs in the State,” he stressed.
Confident that he had the trust of the people, the CM however rued that people tend to remain silent spectators, opting to remain neutral even when their interests are directly at stake. Democracy, he stressed, required people to get involved and send out clear signals to agent provocateurs bent upon vitiating the peace in the State and derail development here.
While on an involved citizenry, the CM also commented that the collective participation which democracy encourages should be extended to the cooperative movement in the State and called on the cooperative societies to benefit from the government decision to award them works of up to Rs. 50 lakhs. “Don’t sell these works on a commission. Carry them out, benefit from the experience and profits and make the society stronger,” he appealed. He said that the performing cooperative societies could even be considered for works of up to Rs. 5 crores.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of a Tamang Community Centre at Kateng. He was also felicitated by the Sonam Lochar organising committee today. The CM was accompanied by Ministers Tilu Gurung, CB Karki, Namchi-Singithang MLA Binod Gurung, senior party leaders and officers of various departments.
He also interacted with the youth of Namthang-Rateypani constituency at the Namthang Block Administrative Centre.
[PURAN TAMANG]

Sikkim Olympic Association readies 25-member contingent for National Games

AMEET OBEROI
GANGTOK, 06 Feb: A 25-member contingent, comprising of Karate-kas, Taekwondo martial artists and boxers representing Sikkim, is all set to leave for the 34th National Games to be held in Jharkhand from 12 to 26 February, informed the Sikkim Olympic Association president, PK Pradhan, while addressing a press conference here today.
The 25-member Sikkim squad includes 4 officials and while the Karate and Taekwondo events will be held in Ranchi, the boxing matches will be fought at Jamshedpur, the other venue for the National Games.
With the martial arts set to be played from 13 to 15 February, these teams and accompanying officials will be leaving for Jharkhand on 08 Feb while the boxing team will join them later on 15 February [the boxing matches are scheduled from 20 to 25 February].
“Due to certain circumstances we do not have an archery team and because we have not qualified even once in football till now, we do not have a football team representing the State in the National Games,” Mr. Pradhan added.
He also shared that Sikkim has done quite well in the National Games thus far in terms of medals even though the State fields a smaller contingent as compared to other states. In the 33rd National Games held in Assam in 2007, Sikkim had won 6 medals [two gold, two silver and two bronze].
HT Basi [general secretary, SOA], in turn, informed that more players from Sikkim need to participate in various national level championships to come in the top-8 rankings if they are to qualify for the National Games. The position holders in the National Games then receive the opportunity to play for the country, he informed.
“Till now our players have been doing well in just the three disciplines of Karate, Taekwondo and boxing and are qualifying in the top-8 at the national level, thus being able to participate in the National Games,” he explained.
The final target for any association, department or club should be to take part in the National Games, he stressed.
The 25 member contingent leaving for the 34th National Games has PK Pradhan [president, SOA], HT Basi [Chef-de-Mission], Aswin Oberoi [treasurer, SOA] and Dr. Passang Phempo [Medical Commissioner].
The team list for Karate is: Bidan Subba [Coach], Arjun Rai [Team Official], Mongol Kumar Rai [Manager], Suju Gurung, Hem Kumari Rai, Sukraj Mangar and Dichen Lepcha [Sportspersons].
For Taekwondo- Trilok Subba [Coach], Dawa Tamang [Manager], Sabina Sundas, Naksum Bhutia, Pempa Doma Tamang, Binny Tamang, Meera Chettri and Tshering Ongmu Bhutia.
Boxing- Sarkey Subba [Coach], Meena Pradhan [Manager], Priti Gurung, Usha Rai, Madan Rai and Ongyal Sherpa [Sportspersons].

Court rejects HP Govt’s application to keep Rabgay Choesang in police custody

KARMAPA’S OFFICE CONFIDENT THAT 'WILD SPECULATIONS' WILL BE DISPELLED, CLARIFIES THAT LAND PURCHASE WAS ALWAYS ABOVE BOARD 
GANGTOK, 06 Feb: In a statement released late last evening, the Karmapa Office of Administration announced that the Himachal Pradesh State government's application to retain Rabgay Choesang in police custody was rejected, and Rabgay Choesang, also known as “Shakti Lama”, office staff member at the Sidhbari Monastery who was taken into arrest following raids which led to the recovery of around Rs. 8 crores in cash, has now been transferred into judicial custody.
“We are aware that a thorough investigation is needed to arrive at the truth. We remain confident that the Indian justice system will arrive at that truth and dispel all the wild speculations that are now circulating. We will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation, and we look forward to having our monk home soon,” the Karmapa Office of Administration conveys in its latest statement.
The statement also reiterates that the “ongoing” purchase of land by the Karmae Garchen Trust “is and has been in full compliance with Indian law”.
“It is in no way a benami land transaction. The land was being purchased by the Karmae Garchen Trust in its own name, in a transaction that had been duly disclosed to the Kangra District Collector's office. The DC's office issued a no-objection certificate as well as an essentiality certificate. As such, the Trust had been granted all preliminary approvals required in order to proceed to the next step in acquiring the land,” the Office informs.
It adds that the effort to purchase land to build a residence and monastery for the Karmapa has consistently been reported to and approved by the appropriate government authorities and was also discussed open in the press as recently as in October 2010 and as far back as in March, 2006.

5 firms shortlisted for consideration as Project Management Consultants for JICA-assisted biodiversity and forest management project

GANGTOK, 06 Feb: The Forest Department has received 19 proposals from interested organisations to its call inviting “expressions of interest” as “Project Management Consultants” for the JICA-assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project [SBFP]. The notice inviting expressions of interest was reportedly published in a national daily and two websites on 10 May 2010. Following the receipt of 19 proposals, the Department had constituted a committee to evaluate the firms which has shortlisted five firms, these are:
1. GITEC, Consult Gm (L), Germany ICNET, Japan JPS Associated (P) Ltd., Delhi
2. Nippon KOEI Co. Ltd., Japan, Nippon KOEI India Pvt. Ltd.
3. The Louis Berger Group INC, USA, Padeco Co. Ltd., Japan
4. NJS Engineers, India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, NJS Japan, Agri-consulting S.P.A. Italy
5. GTZ-IS, New Delhi (L), Germany, TMI-India (P)
A press communiqué received from the SBFP Joint Director, BP Pradhan, informs that all the firms have been issued Request for Proposal documents following approval received from JICA and have been given 45 days to respond. The pre-bid meeting, participated by all these firms, the Joint Director informs, was held on 06 Oct 2010.

High-yielding cows distributed to beneficiaries in Bhusuk

SPEAKER URGES PEOPLE TO PURSUE SELF-RELIANT PRODUCER STATUS
GANGTOK, 06 Feb: Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, KT Gyaltsen, has urged people, especially beneficiaries who receive direct aid from the government, to leverage this assistance and the other opportunities created in the State to become self-reliant producers and abandon consumer/ dependent lifestyles.
Mr Gyaltsen was speaking at a function organised by the Animal Husbandry Department at Bhusuk near the capital here yesterday. Mr. Gyaltsen also happens to be the area MLA.
He stressed that the State government was working towards providing various benefits to the people right at their doorsteps in the hope that this would leave the people free of basic worries so that they could concentrate on establish self-reliance at the individual and community level. These programmes like the distribution of milching cows at Bhusuk yesterday, were in fulfilment of promises made by the Sikkim Democratic Front in its election manifesto and were guided by the Chief Minister’s vision for the State, he said.
He also directed the beneficiaries to use the distributed cows to supplement their incomes on a regular and sustainable basis and not sell the cows for instant cash returns which would defeat the purpose behind the initiative.
Speaking on the potential of the area, Mr Gyaltsen shared details of various upcoming developmental projects and activities in Syari constituency.
Earlier, Joint Director [East], AH&VS, Dr RK Tamang, informed that the cows were being distributed as part of the Dairy Mission launched by the State government. For the Syari constituency, cows have been brought in from the hill belt of West Bengal and provided to 40 beneficiaries.
Deputy Director [East], Dr. Sangay Dorjee Bhutia, in turn, shared the various difficulties faced by him and the team to bring these cows into the State and urged the beneficiaries to take proper care of these cows.
He informed that of the 40 high milk yielding cows brought for beneficiaries in Syari constituency, 20 were to general beneficiaries under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana and 20 to beneficiaries from the Scheduled Tribes, under the Tribal Sub-Plan.
[SAGAR CHHETRI]

SNPP wants President to constitute committee to study and evaluate abidance of Tripartite Agreement and Constitutional soundness of Merger

GANGTOK, 06 Feb: The Sikkim National People’s Party [SNPP] has written to the President of India, calling on her office to institute a committee to look into how the guiding principles of Sikkim-India relations, as codified in the Tripartite Agreement of 08 May 1973, study in detail what the SNPP sees as violation of the letter and spirit of this Agreement and then make adequate recommendations “so that the merger of Sikkim with the Union of India is never questioned again”.
Addressing a press conference here today, the SNPP president, Biraj Adhikari, contended that the memorandum has been submitted on behalf of the Sikkimese people, and that it draws the attention of the President of India to what claims are “failings of the Constitutional arrangements for Sikkim”, as well as the violation of the Tripartite Agreement of 1973, the agreement which started the process of Sikkim’s association with the Union of India.
Sharing details of the memorandum, Mr. Adhikari informed that it states, “Despite the fact that the people willingly signed the agreement, the events leading up to the ‘merger’ which took place in 1975 seem more to define an annexation, and it would be an affront to the self respect of the Sikkimese people to continue calling it a merger without taking concrete steps to rectify the gaping holes in the administrative and constitutional arrangements which were devised to affect this merger”.
Reportedly, the letter also conveys the SNPP’s fears that “anomalies regarding constitutional provisions” could have a direct bearing on national security, as they leave scope for “interference by external agencies”.
Stating that prior to 1975, relations between Sikkim and the Government of India were guided by the Indo-Sikkim Treaty of 1950, which was taken out of the picture by the 36th amendment of the Indian Constitution formalising the merger, the memorandum adds that though the party “has yet to determine if the Parliament of India has the jurisdiction over an international treaty, it feels that forces inimical to Indian interests could use this as an excuse to foment unrest within Sikkim, which again shall have direct consequences for national security.”
Mr. Adhikari argued today that the arrangements of the merger have not stood the test of time and that violations of the Tripartite Agreement were becoming “increasingly apparent with the unchecked exploitation of Sikkim’s natural resources and the massive influx which is drowning the people in their own lands, despite the special provisions under Article 371f of the constitution, which prohibits such things.”
The memorandum adds, “Your Excellency may recall that in 1977, the then Prime Minister of India, Shri. Morarji Desai, had publicly acknowledged that what was done to Sikkim was “wrong”, and it is admissions like these and others- and to rectify which nothing has been done in the last three decades- which bring about a feeling of distrust, especially  among the educated young generation, which the party feels shall not be healthy in the long run. The party feels the statement above of the Prime Minister should be seen in the light of the guidelines adopted by the International Commission at its fifty-third session in 2001, regarding the Responsibility of the States for internationally Wrongful acts, and process for reparation of injury as per these guidelines be initiated, so that the self respect of the people is restored.”
Mr. Adhikari was accompanied to the press conference by the SNPP treasurer, Delay Namgyal Barfungpa, and appealed that the requested committee include Sikkimese representatives and be instituted “immediately with the seriousness which it deserves”.
[ANAND OBEROI]

Gangtok meet for Karmapa reiterates faith and patriotism of Buddhists

SPECULATIONS CONDEMNED AND CLARIFIED, RESOLVE TO STAND BY KARMAPA REINFORCED

TSHERING EDEN
GANGTOK, 05 Feb: A sizeable gathering of devotees, carrying Buddhist religious flags in one hand and the Tricolour in the other, turned out at the Guards Ground here at Tathangchen today to attend a meeting organised jointly by the All Sikkim Buddhist Organisation, Joint Action Committee [JAC] and the Karmapa Reception Committee [KRC] in support of the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje.
The programme began at 10 a.m. with a group of monks and Gyamu reciting prayers.
In his welcome address, the JAC president, Kunzang Sherab, clarified that the cash recovered from the Sidhbari Monastery [where the Karmapa has been living in transit for the past 10 years] were accumulated donations. The delay in receiving permission from the Indian government to deposit this stash of foreign currency in a bank was the reason why it was found during the raid, he added. The allegation of the Karmapa being a Chinese spy could very well be the work of an “enemy”, he alleged. “We hope that after the investigation is over, and his name cleared of all allegations, he is allowed to come to Rumtek,” he further added.
President, Sikkim Buddhist Duechen Association, Passang Namgyal, in turn, said that the media wields a lot of power and one expects it to carry out thorough investigation before reporting on anything, but this did not happen in the case of the Karmapa.
He expressed that, “unbiased, just and transparent” investigation is what is expected and hoped for now, adding that “the allegations against the Karmapa are a matter of grave concern for Buddhists across the world”.
Member, KRC, Gay Tshering, informed that around 150 people are on their way to Majnu ka Tila in Delhi and have plans to stage a dharna there in support of the Karmapa. He also clarified that according to Indian law, under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act, foreign currency can only be deposited in a bank by a trust or other registered institutions that have received government permission to do so, also known as FCRA permission, he added.
The Karmapa Office of Administration created a trust, Saraswati Charitable Trust, which repeatedly applied for but did not receive permission to deposit foreign currencies. It thus created another trust, Karmae Garchen Trust, whose application for FCRA permission to deposit foreign currency was submitted last year and is still pending. With no legitimate means of depositing or exchanging this foreign currency, the money was left to pile up over time, awaiting the day when it could be legitimately deposited.
“There are currencies of around 25 other countries as well in the cash hauled during the raid, so does that make the Karmapa a spy of all the other countries as well?” he asked.
He went on to condemn the book, “Buddha’s Not Smiling” by Erik D. Curren which speaks of corruption in Tibetan Buddhism. This was followed by the burning of the book amidst shouts from the public.
President, Tibetan Youth Club, Chung Chung, ridiculed the terming of ‘Dharamshala’ to ‘Dhanshala’ by some national media houses, expressing deep disappointment and anger at such cheap reportage. He further stated that the allegation of land acquisition in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh is baseless since Tawang does not even have a Kagyu monastery.
The All Sikkim Tamang Buddhist Association president, Kumar Yonzon, in his address, denounced the use of the word ‘chor’ for Ogyen Trinley Dorjee by Shamar Rinpoche’s candidate Thaye Dorjee in the local media, further adding that such behaviour is unbecoming of a spiritual Buddhist leader.
He also drew attention to the fact that this incident could very well take a positive turn by reviving the issue of bringing the Karmapa to Rumtek. He further appealed that the investigation should continue with all the respect that a Dharmaguru deserves.
Member, Machig Rimed, Mrs Dolkarla, in her address requested the media to show and publish authentic news. “Greater the darkness of the night that falls, quicker will be the sunrise,” she added to console the distraught followers of the Karmapa.
Member, KRC, NT Bhutia, in his address questioned the opening of the Nathula border for trade by the Central government if there was such a serious threat of espionage from China. He further demanded that all central security forces be removed from the Rumtek monastery.
KRC general secretary, Karma Tshering, in his address, clarified that the Karmapa is not personally involved in the management of finances and that even Union Minister, Veer Bhadra Singh has expressed support for the Karmapa on this matter.
JAC’s Thukchuk Lachungpa, appointed the spokesperson for JAC and KRC recently, said that media allegations of the Karmapa visiting Hong Kong to meet Chinese representatives were unfounded and untrue, in fact, it is the Shamar Rinpoche and his candidate who frequently visit Hong Kong, he said.
All the speakers today, condemned the manner in which the issue has been taken up by the media and expressed full faith in the Karmapa. The vote of thanks was given by Rinzing Bhutia and the resolutions adopted today read out.
Following are the resolutions:

1. We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to the Government of India for giving shelter to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorjee, after he escaped from Tibet.

2. The State government has so far been extending full support whenever necessary. We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to the chief minister and the state government.

3. It was resolved to strongly condemn the malicious and unsubstantial allegations levelled by some of the media on our revered Guru, the 17 th Karmapa. The media needs to behave more responsibly.

4. It was resolved to condemn baseless allegations being levelled by some individuals with vested interests, thus harming the very Dharma, which they claim to be followers of.

5. It is resolved to request the government of India to conduct a fair, thourough and transparent investigation into the whole matter at the earliest. We have full faith in the justice system of the country.

6. It was resolved to place on record our thanks and appreciation for the support and confidence shown by the Dalai Lama on the Karmapa.

7. It was resolved to place on record our thanks and appreciation for the support and solidarity shown by the followers of the Karmapa and all Buddhists in general and even the people of other faiths to the Karmapa in these trying times.

8. It was resolved that some time in the near future we may have to undertake a long march to Delhi if need be.

9. It was resolved to condemn the book ‘Buddha’s Not Smiling’ by Erik D Curren.

CM makes surprise inspection of Namchi offices, finds 40 officials playing truant

HRDD TOPS LIST OF ‘BUNKING’ OFFICERS, CM CALLS FOR EXPLANATION

PURAN TAMANG
NAMCHI, 05 Feb: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling made a surprise inspection of government offices here in the South district headquarter town and discovered firsthand that 40 of the personnel posted in the district had decided to take an unauthorised extended weekend. Yesterday, it may be recalled, was Sonam Lochar [a gazetted holiday in Sikkim]. With today a Saturday, and another holiday tomorrow, these personnel had obviously decided to enjoy a 3-day holiday while still ‘officially’ on duty.
Perturbed by this lackadaisical work ethic, the Chief Minister directed that all the 40 personnel, 26 officers and 14 office staff, who were found absent [without authorisation] from their posts today be recorded as being on leave without pay [for which he has directed a file to be put up], and has directed that explanations be called from all of them.
This was at the District Administrative Centre here were most of the government departments are housed.
The Human Resource Development Department topped this list of ignominy with 22 of its personnel not having reported for duty today. Of the 22, 14 are officer rank personnel including the Joint Director, eputy Secretary, AEOs and Junior Assistants. Eight members of the office staff at HRDD who were absent without intimation included the accountant, junior accountants and LDCs from the general and establishment sections and SSA.
At the Agriculture Department office, five officials were found AWOL- the Joint Director, Deputy Director and Assistant Director and two members of the clerical staff.
Three personnel from the Accounts Section of the DC office were also absent without leave as was the CDPO from the Social Justice Department.
From Cooperative Department, 4 names were taken down, including the Audit Officer. Similarly, at the Pay & Accounts office, three officials were playing truant – the CAO and Additional Director included.
At the Irrigation & Flood Control Department, the Assistant Engineer was absent without leave.
To the personnel were on duty, the CM urged that they deliver on their duties and responsibilities diligently and extend the best service to the people. This was the least expected from them following the best salary packet in the country enjoyed by government servants in Sikkim, the CM stressed.
During the visit in the Confidential Section of Land Revenue Department CM said that the general public is unaware about sophisticated system of the time, they cannot understand it well so the department officers should not make any delay to get the Identification Certificate.
He also left specific directions for the different sections here on how they should process public applications – prioritising efficiency and people-centric service.
The Chief Minister also ordered the District Collector, South, AK Singh, to direct all absent [without leave] personnel to be recorded for leave without pay and call for an explanation on their absence from office.
The CM was accompanied on his surprise inspection by the Namchi-Singithang MLA, Binod Rai, chairman, Tea Board, Gagan Rai, the DC, SDM (HQ) Yanchen Tamang, ADC SL Rai and other officers from the various departments.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister met members of the general public at the SDF party office here. During his interactions, the CM also expressing his dissatisfaction with the limited progress made by the cooperative movement in Sikkim and asked the panchayats and party workers to motivate the people to form effective cooperatives.

Christian youth promote ‘Sikkim Festival’ astride motorcycles

One of the bikers rides into Deorali, Gangtok

Industries Minister Neeru Sewa flags off the UCWSS
motorcycle rally from Rangpo

GANGTOK, 05 Feb: A sizeable group of Christian youth powered in a motorbike rally of around 80 motorcycles from Rangpo to Gangtok today to promote the 3-day “Sikkim Festival with Will Garham” scheduled to be held at Guards’ Ground here at Tathangchen from 11 to 13 February. The rally was put together by the United Christian Welfare Society of Sikkim (UCWSS), the organisers of the special event which will feature the internationally renowned Evangelist, William Graham.
The rally was flagged off by Commerce & Industries Minister, Neeru Sewa, after a brief function held at Rangpo ground. Ms. Sewa congratulated the UCWSS for having organised the event to promote peace and communal harmony in Sikkim.
Earlier, Zongmith Pakhrin, the president of the UCWSS, informed that Will Graham, a third generation evangelist of the Billy Graham Evangelist Association (BEGA), will be speaking at the 3-day event which is expected to be attended by more than 10,000 people from all over Sikkim.
The rally also took a round of Singtam Bazaar and ended at the Paljor Namgyal Girls Senior Secondary School ground where a brief thanksgiving ceremony was held.

5 SCS officers appointed to IAS

GANGTOK, 05 Feb: A press communiqué received from the Information & Public Relations Department informs that five officers of the State Civil Service, Sikkim, have been appointed to the Indian Administrative Service by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Personnel & Training for the “select list” years 2006, 2007 and 2008 and allocated to the Sikkim Cadre of IAS under Rule 5 (1) of the Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules 1954.
The officers are:
Select List 2006- Nalini G. Pradhan, allotted to the year 1996
Select List 2007- KT Chankapa, year of allotment- 1997
Select List 2008- KK Pradhan, Nim Yethenpa and AK Chettri, all three with allotment year 1998.

New Post added to Urban Woes

A new post has been added to the Urban Woes section. Check it out.

Cease character assassination of the Karmapa, his office appeals to media

GANGTOK, 05 Feb: Those who have been following the Karmapa affair would have noted, definitely with some consternation, the street-corner gossip which appears to be informing not only reportage in the media, but also influencing the government machinery.
Every since Himachal Pradesh police tom-tommed as “unexplained”, its recovery of donations in cash from the Karmapa’s office at Gyuto Monastery at Sidhbari, frequent aspersions have been cast on the Karmapa, with the concerned agencies allowing reports suggesting that the GoI suspected him of being a Chinese agent to continue unchallenged.
More recently, officials in Himachal Pradesh have “shared” more information on how the Karmapa has displayed pro-China tendencies when he was in Tibet. The Karmapa fled Tibet a decade ago when he was barely a teen.
Only the most poorly trained and insensitive of security/ police officials can find the gumption to pick out incidents from a person’s conduct when barely 12 to 14 years old to accuse him of an ideological stand when he is a mature youth of 26 [the Karmapa’s age now]. The authorities in Himachal are and central agencies are keeping busy with just such a game, with the media at large offering itself up as willing hand maiden to such mindlessness.
Thankfully, the Karmapa’s office of administration has also become quicker and clearer in releasing its side of the story as well.
The Karmapa’s office, in a statement issued late last evening, has “firmly” denied “published allegations that His Holiness the Karmapa has rallied in support of the communist Chinese government”. The statement stressed that the Karmapa fled the oppression of communist China eleven years ago and that “the preposterous claim that His Holiness is a Chinese spy or agent is a complete fabrication, utterly baseless and reckless slander”.
“The Karmapa Office of Administration appeals to the press to cease its character assassination of His Holiness the Karmapa, one of the most revered figures in Tibetan Buddhism, and a spiritual leader to Buddhists worldwide.
The Karmapa Office of Administration respectfully requests the press to refrain from publishing further uncorroborated and unfounded charges,” the statement adds while releasing details of the Office’s spokesperson, “beseeching” the press to seek confirmation or denial from them, “in accord with the standards of responsible journalism.”
The details of spokespersons, Karmapa Office of Administration:
Karma Topden, Former Indian Ambassador to Mongolia, Former Member of Parliament, Adviser to Karmapa Office of Administration
Deki Chungyalpa, Adviser to Karmapa Office of Administration
koapress@gmail.com; (91) 8894 502 910

Get Reading

A new section has been added to the blog in keeping with the weekend's need to be serviced with some relaxed reading options. The litNOW! section will feature fiction, translations, poetry, travelogues and samplings of creative writing generated in Sikkim or inspired by it. We start with a translation of Shiva Kumar Rai's, "Tibbatko Hullaak Path", a story set in Gnathang below Jelap La on the border with Tibet.
Check it out and let us know what you think of the translation and the section

A new post has been added to the Obituary Notices section of the blog

Karmapa’s office issues strong condemnation of fabricated media claims

A candlelight vigil in support of the Karmapa in Gangtok

GANGTOK, 04 Feb: It is now a week since the controversy surrounding the recovery of crores in cash [on 27 Jan 2011] from the Gyuto Monastery at Sidhbari near Dharamsala, where the Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje has been residing since he fled Tibet in 2000, hit the headlines.
Back in Himachal Pradesh, the issue is being played out dangerously as a local versus non-local issue by the administration there [the HP Chief Minister wants the Buddhists to stop taking out peace rallies in support of the Karmapa because he sees them as creating a law and order situation]. Meanwhile, elsewhere around the world, even lay observers have been revolted by the viciousness of the speculative media reporting on the issue.
As public support grows for the Karmapa and condemnations becomes stronger against the situation being drummed up against him, the Karmapa Office of Administration is also finding a stronger voice is responding to the issue.
In a statement dated 03 Feb 2011, the Karmapa Office of Administration has issued a strong denial of all “links” being ascribed to the Karmapa and his followers and has also dismissed media speculations point by point. The tone, as readers will note, is noticeably stronger and more confident and condemnation more direct and clearer than earlier statements issued by the office.
The statement from the Karmapa Office of Administration, issued yesterday is reproduced below:

“The Karmapa Office of Administration adamantly denies the baseless fabrications touted by some media claiming that His Holiness the Karmapa is a Chinese spy or agent. Specifically, reports have circulated recently claiming that His Holiness the Karmapa has acquired lands along the Sino-Indian border. We state categorically that His Holiness owns no such property whatsoever, nor does the Karmapa Office of Administration. 

Additionally, some reports cite an unnamed source claiming that the Enforcement Directorate seized Chinese SIM cards and possess records of conversations between His Holiness the Karmapa and Chinese government officials. Such inaccurate reports constitute fiction masquerading as journalism and slander one of the most highly revered figures in Tibetan Buddhism. Therefore, the Karmapa Office of Administration respectfully requests these media sources to cease and desist its defamation of character of His Holiness the Karmapa.

We reiterate that the presence of Chinese Yuan among the 20-plus other currencies found by police has been put forward by some media stories as indicative of spy activity. In response to this preposterous claim, we wish to point out that the currency used in Tibet is the Chinese Yuan, and therefore Tibetans from Tibet often make donations in Yuan, as do Buddhists from mainland China. We further stress that the donations in Yuan formed less than 10% of the total cash amount. 

The notes came in multiple denominations, ranging from one-Yuan notes upward, clearly reflecting their origin as donation from multiple individual sources. Some of the Yuan were new notes bundled together, reflecting a practice among Chinese and other cultures of offering only new currency notes to high abbots or spiritual leaders. Furthermore, disciples from Chinese cultures often visit India in groups, pool their offerings and make a single collective donation. 

The Karmapa Office of administration maintains records of all visitors who receive private audience with His Holiness the Karmapa, and these lists record numerous groups of individuals visiting together from Tibet as well as from mainland China.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has publicly expressed his confidence in His Holiness the Karmapa. The Tibetan government itself unequivocally demonstrated its support of His Holiness the Karmapa, who is the revered head of a 900-year old order within Tibetan Buddhism. Members of groups across Tibetan society have voiced unwavering support for His Holiness the Karmapa. His Holiness himself stated yesterday in public that he had faith in the Indian rule of law and that the truth will prevail in time. He emphasized that India is a second homeland to Tibetans.”

Youth Congress leader seeks change in make-up of ruling as well as Opposition leadership

CONGRESS OBSESSION WITH CBI ENQUIRY DIVERTING ATTENTION FROM RESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATES: ABHINASH YAKHA
GANGTOK, 04 Jan: A set 50 youth members of the Congress party, led by the AICC and Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee member, Abhinash Yakha, will be attending a 3-day capacity-building training at Kolkata in West Bengal from 07 to 09 February.
This was shared by Mr. Yakha, who has also been appointed the returning officer of the Youth Congress for Hooghly and Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal by the Indian Youth Congress, at a press briefing today.
Mr Yakha stated that the Youth Congress has now started working on the field in Sikkim to strengthen the party from the grassroots for the next assembly elections scheduled for 2014.
He stressed that strengthening the party in Sikkim was more important than the leadership issue, which was secondary.
That did not however stop him from taking a jab at the present leadership of the Congress in Sikkim. He contended that the party high-command has still not certified the Pradesh Congress Committee of the Congress in Sikkim and alleged that due to the continuing leadership of Nar Bahadur Bhandari, even PCC members are not visiting the party office or getting involved in party works.
“The one-man system needs to be broken in the State and for that, the PCC should work as a national party and not behave like a regional party,” Mr. Yakha said.
He rued that most people in Sikkim have still not been made aware on the true ideology of the Congress party and that old prejudices about the party were still rampant. The Youth Congress which he heads in the State was now resolved to address this issue, he said.
Speaking on the Residential Certificates issue, he argued that the maximum influx into Sikkim was recorded between the years 1973 to 1975, so the cut-off year to issue RCs should be 1970, and not 1975 as has been decided by the State Government.
He went on to allege that the SPCC president was hand-in-glove with the State Government to divert attention from the RC issue to the non-issue of a CBI enquiry into the Chief Minister.
Claiming to be one of the complainants who filed an FIR alleging corruption by the Chief Minister as his Ministers, Mr. Yakha stated that he has not received any word from the CBI on his complaint yet. He was implying that the CBI has not moved on the complaint yet, Mr. Yakha alleged that public spats on the issue between the ruling party and Congress leaders was only to divert attention from the Residential Certificates issue.
He stressed that it was important for upcoming political leaders of Sikkim to not only stand up against the Chief Minister but also seek a change in the make up of the Opposition led by Mr. Bhandari.
[SAGAR CHHETRI]

Big Bazaar personnel receive firefighting training

GANGTOK, 04 Jan: A training on firefighting skills and the use of firefighting equipment for employees and security guards at the recently opened “Big Bazaar” was organized by the Gangtok Fire Station yesterday.
The fire station team briefed the Big Bazaar personnel on how to respond to emergency situations and coached them on the correct use of the firefighting systems installed in the building.
The fires station team was led by the Deputy Fire Officer, Prakash Rai, assisted by fire station officers Phuchung Lepcha and Subash Subba and other fire personnel.
The Deputy Fire Officer, while speaking to NOW! today, informed that the training was held on the request of the Big Bazaar management. Around 80 employees of the Big Bazaar took the training.
The Gangtok Fire Station also organized similar training for around 80 employees of Sun Pharma Ltd at Setipool below Gangtok recently.
The training will come in handy given that employees and security guards are almost always the first responders to a fire outbreak.

Announcing a New Link

We have added a new link to extend the coverage of this blog.
Check out the Urban Woes section to begin a process of getting involved in how we choose to live in a stressed urban-scape.

New Post

A new Land for Sale post has been added to the Buy & Sell section

New Post

New employment notice posted in the Jobs in Sikkim link

SJS, Rhenock, holds winter coaching for ICSE 2011 batch

GANGTOK, 04 Feb: Special coaching classes have been underway at the St. Joseph’s School, Rhenock, for its ICSE 2011 since 06 December, 2010.
As per a press communiqué received from Anand Bose of SJS, Rhenock, the special features of the coaching session are:
It is target-oriented: Each student has set a goal for himself/ herself for the ICSE examination due to commence on 28th of February and each student is focused on achieving that target.
It is student-oriented: All students, whether they are slow learners, weak or brilliant are given individual attention during the classes so that the process of teaching-learning has remained interesting and academically motivated. When contacted, one of the students said that “We all like these classes very much because we understand very well what they teach. I am aiming for 95% in the exam.
It is test-oriented: Internal tests are held to find out the effect of the classes and the guardians are informed about the results.
Fr. Paul D’Souza, Principal, further informs that the slow learners have improved a lot during the coaching period.
Mock test exam begins on 08 February.

New Post

A new post has been added to the Obituary Notices section. 

North Sikkim rallies for the Karmapa

WANGCHUK BHUTIA

MANGAN, 03 FEB: Around 1,500 devotees joined a candlelight peace rally at Thingchim-Mangshila in North Sikkim on Thursday evening in support of Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje.
The rally was organized by the Thingchim Development Committee, a Thingchim-based NGO, and was joined by the people from all walks of life. The rally started from Thingchim monastery and covered nearly 16 kms to Namok via Mangshila and back to the monastery.
People came in from Mangshila, Namok and Swayem to join the monks from Thingchim monastery.  Special prayers were offered by the monks before the rally began.
Speaking to NOW! last evening, the Dugey Lama from Thingchim Monastery, who led the rally, asserted that the cash recovered from Gyuto Monastery at Sidhbari near Daharmsala were donations made by the Karmapa’s devotees from all over the world and it that only vested interest could infer this to suggest that the Karmapa was a Chinese agent, as a large section of the media was speculating.
He demanded that a proper CBI enquiry be conducted into the incident and expressed confidence that this would clear the Karmapa’s name and expose those who played this unsavory trick on the Dharma.
The peace rally at Thingchim was also joined by Zilla member, Thingchim Mangshilla, Jomin Limboo and panchayat Secretary Sarki Bhutia.
Similarly, a peace rally was also taken out here in the North district headquarter town of Mangan and was joined by people from all communities and all walks of life. The rally marched from the bus stop to Lower Mangan Bazaar and was headed by the Rigzing Choling Monastery Acharya, Pema Dorjee, Monks, lay people, youth, people from all faiths, members of the SDF Cheli Morcha and councilors, Mangan Nagar Panchayat, joined the rally.

16th Karmapa Gave Me My Name

KARMA PALJOR, senior correspondent with the CNN-IBN television news channel, on how he weathered through the media mindlessness which hounded the Karmapa issue and where things stand at present. This is his blog posting on the CNN-IBN website.

United Christian Welfare Society to host ‘Sikkim Festival’ with Evangelist William Franklin Graham IV

GANGTOK, 03 Feb: The United Christian Welfare Society of Sikkim [UCWSS] is keeping frenetically busy preparing for the three-day “Sikkim Festival” being hosted by it at Old Guards’ Ground from 11 to 13 February.

Churches from around the State have come together under the banner of UCWSS to host this programme which will have William Franklin Graham IV from the “Billy Graham Evangelistic Association” [BGEA] of USA as the main speaker of the programme. For those aware of the BGEA, William is the grandson of the celebrated evangelist Billy Graham and the eldest son of Franklin Graham.
Addressing a press conference today, the UCWSS president, Pastor Jongmit Pakhrin, informed that the “Sikkim Festival” will “help strengthen the peace and prosperity of the State and bless development and progress in Sikkim”.
The coordinator of the festival, Pastor Daniel Chettri, further informed that apart from preaching love and peace, the BGEA is also involved in rehabilitation and developmental works across the world.
A bike rally of 100 motorcycles is planned to motor from Rangpo to Gangtok on 05 February to promote the event. This rally is scheduled to be flagged off by Industries Minister, Neeru Sewa from Rangpo, it is learnt.
A similar bike rally is also being organised to tour from Jorethang to Namchi promoting the event and also Mangan to Chungthang.

Commercial vehicle owners want notification on HSNP revoked

Rs. 2048 TOO MUCH FOR HIGH SECURITY NUMBER PLATES, THEY COMPLAIN
GANGTOK, 03 Feb: The All Sikkim Truck and Taxi Owners and Drivers Joint Action Committee [ASTTODJAC] has requested the Transport Department to revoke its recent notification on high security registration number plates and first convene a meeting with the association to discuss the issue.
It is informed that the Transport Department issued a notification on 17 January 2011, directing that all the vehicles which have still not acquired the high security registration number plates do so by 31 January. That deadline is already past.
Addressing a press conference today, executive members of the committee informed that they will not be opting for the high security registration number plates because they still do not have a proper understanding of it since the concerned authority has not briefed them adequately on the matter.
They have demanded that the notification in question be withdrawn and they be consulted before any such enforcement is mooted.
“In our earlier meeting, we had arrived at a mutual understanding with the department that after government and private vehicles had acquired these number plates, the committee will sit in a meeting with the department discuss the matter and negotiate on how this could be implemented for commercial vehicles,” they informed.
The executive members contended that this meeting was chaired by the Transport Minister, TT Bhutia, who is also the chairman of the ASTTODJAC.
And yet, the Department pulled the latest surprise on them by putting out a notice on the department’s notice board on 17 January.
They have further argued that despite the long time for which the rule has been in place for government and private vehicles, barely 20% of the government vehicles [as per their claim], have acquired these new plates. It was thus unfair to expect commercial vehicles across the State to do so with 13 days, they add.
The association has now called a general meeting for the second week of February at Gangtok, which is expected to be attended by members of all 28 associations registered with the committee.
The committee has also rejected the Rs. 2,048 price tag for the new registration plates as too expensive.
The press conference was addressed by the committee president, Dhanraj Philemon, vice-president, Chung Chung Bhutia, general secretaries, Dinesh Tamang and Lakpa Sherpa and advisors, Tshering Bhutia and Pempa Tshering Bhutia.
[SAGAR CHHETRI]

Karmapa addresses followers in Dharamsala, comforts them not to worry

“INDIA IS SECOND HOMELAND OF TIBETANS. TRUTH WILL BECOME CLEAR IN TIME”
GANGTOK, 03 Feb: Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje addressed a huge gathering of supporters this afternoon at Dharamsala, a press statement issued by the Karmapa Office of Administration informs.
The office of the Karmapa informs that in his address to his followers, the Karmapa acknowledged the “difficult situation” gripping the organisation at present but stressed that he “trusts that the matter will be cleared in time”.

A peace rally taken out in support of the
Karmapa in Ravangla, South Sikkim,
on 02 Feb, 2011

The Karmapa also contrasted the rule of law in India to the authoritarian system of communist China, calling India a second homeland for Tibetans. This public celebration of the Indian system, despite the universally accepted fact that the system here has not always been fair to the Karmapa, slams in the face of media speculations which had sought to portray the Karmapa as never having spoken against China.
“We usually hold public audiences on Wednesdays and Saturdays,” the Karmapa said in his address, adding, “Today, so many people have gathered to show their love, sincere intentions and support, and I want to especially thank you and express my heartfelt gratitude. We are now facing such a situation, which has arisen due to misunderstandings and mistakes, that it has even caused concern to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
“India has become a second homeland to Tibetans. We all have taken refuge and settled here. India, in contrast to communist China, is a free country, a democratic country that is based on the rule of law. Therefore I trust that things will improve and the truth will become clear in time. So please be at ease. There is no need to worry.
“You have all borne hardship to come here under this hot sun, and I thank you for that too. It seems there are too many people here today to receive you individually. You can see me from there and I can see you, so perhaps there is no need to give individual blessings.”
The comments marked the first time that the Karmapa has spoken publicly since investigations into the recovery of crores in cash from the Gyuto Monastery, where the Karmapa has been living for the past ten years.
The Karmapa, his office informs, was speaking at the behest of several thousand Tibetan supporters who had staged a march from the residence of the Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj to the Karmapa’s residence in the Kangra valley, a march of several hours.
Shops were closed in McLeod Ganj, as virtually the entire Tibetan town joined the 20 km march to register support for the Karmapa, the press communiqué informs.
The organizers of the march, members of the Free Tibet movement, specified that it was not a protest, explaining that they were not opposing anyone, but merely showing their unequivocal confidence and trust in the Karmapa.
In a show of solidarity towards the Karmapa, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Dolma Gyari, and seven other members of the Tibetan government shared the stage with the Karmapa while he spoke, the release adds.
The Karmapa’s office adds that since the investigation began, the Karmapa has continued to receive visitors and participate in a major annual rituals while also offering his full cooperation to the investigation.

World Wetlands Day observed at Thegu below Tsomgo

GANGTOK, 03 Feb: The World Wetland Day was observed on the theme, “Forests for Water and Wetlands”, at Thegu near Tsomgo lake in East Sikkim yesterday with a special programme jointly-organised by the Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department [FEWMD], the 17 Mountain Division and WWF-India [Khangchendzonga Landscape Programme, Sikkim]. The event was attended by army officers and personnel and local people of Thegu and Tsomgo.
Priyadarshinee Shrestha, Landscape Coordinator, KLP, spoke on the wetlands of Sikkim and gave a brief description of WWF and its activities in Sikkim.
She underlined the significance of World Wetland Day, informing that it marks the anniversary of the adoption of the “Convention on Wetlands” held on 02 February, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Each year since 1997, government agencies, non-governmental organisations and citizen groups resolve on this day to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness on the value of wetlands and its benefits in general and the Ramsar Convention in particular, she informed.
With the army as a major stakeholder of high altitude wetlands of Sikkim, it was felt that the objective of this programme would not be met unless the army was involved, she added, explaining the strong armed forces presence at the event yesterday.
“Wetlands and Forests” was chosen as the theme for World Wetland Day 2011 because this is the UN International Year of Forests.
Similarly, Lak Tsheden Theengh [Senior Project Officer, WWF] made a power-point presentation on the High Altitude Wetlands Project and its activities in Sikkim with special reference to Tsomgo.
She informed that there were more than 220 water bodies in Sikkim, but since work was not possible on all of them, WWF [Sikkim] and the Forest Department have selected 11 high altitude lakes [located above 3,000 meters] to undertake conservation work on priority.
Of the 11 high altitude lakes, five are in West Sikkim, two in North and four in East Sikkim. Tsomgo headlines the priority list being a much visited tourist spot and because of its proximity to the capital city of Gangtok, she informed.
As part of the programme, the participants were sensitised and made aware of the environmental issues related to high altitude wetlands and a short rally was also taken out from Thegu to Tsomgo and cleanliness drive undertaken around the lake.
[AMEET OBEROI]

Sikkim archers string up for Senior Nationals

The Sikkim archery squad training at the Old Guard's Ground, Gangtok

GANGTOK, 03 Feb: A team of four archers with Jigme Dorjee Denzongpa as captain and comprising of Rapden P Kazi as manager-cum-payer, Dr. Ongden Gyatso, Dr. Passang D Phempu and Karma Loday Bhutia will be participating in the 31st Senior National Archery Championship scheduled to be held at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh from 05 to 10 Feb. The team is scheduled to leave for the tournament on 04 Feb.
The championship, a press communiqué received from the Sikkim Archery Association informs, is dedicated to the memory of the celebrated Indian Archery coach, the late CH Lenin.
The Sikkim team was shortlisted after a selection trial conducted by the SAA, following which they went through an extensive training camp.
Meanwhile, 16 teams- Sangtong, Ranka, Pedong Gumpa, President’s Seven, Mamring Gumpa, Pachey, Pakyong, Mangan, Sichey, Lamaten, Rorathang, Assam Lingzey, Dapen, Tathenchen, Sernya, Naitam, Yawachi, Samdong, Ranka Rai Gaon and Chagey - have made to the second round in the ongoing 2nd President’s Bamboo Archery Tournament underway at Tathangchen, the release adds.

Chaff-cutters distributed to 182 dairy farmers

GANGTOK, 03 Feb: The Sikkim Milk Union today launched the distribution of chaff-cutters to dairy farmers aligned with Village Milk Cooperative Societies. This tool is expected to make fodder preparation for dairy cows more efficient. The chaff-cutters have been supplied by the Social Justice, Empowerment and Welfare Department, a Milk Union press release informs.
Today, this equipment was released to 182 beneficiaries from the scheduled tribes at Jorethang Regional Dairy Plant.
Animal Husbandry Minister, Dawcho Lepcha, was present as the chief guest, accompanied by chairperson, Sikkim Milk Union, MB Rai.
Of the 182 beneficiaries, 50 are from East Sikkim, 97 from West district and 35 from South Sikkim. Welfare Officers of all three districts also attended the program and explained the purpose of this assistance being forwarded to the beneficiaries, while the Joint Director, Karfectar Farm, explained the working of the chaff-cutters and explained the benefits of its use.
Managing Director, Sikkim Milk Union, Dr. P Senthil Kumar, in turn, detailed the special “attention and guidance” being extended by the State Government and Sikkim Milk Union to dairy farmers. One such effort, he said, was “to enhance efficiency of feeding by providing fodder properly chaffed”.
The Animal Husbandry Minister highlighted the significant strides made by the dairy sector in Sikkim, where more than Rs. 65 lakhs was being paid out every month by the Sikkim Milk Union alone towards procurement.

East district farmers trained on organic cultivation of ginger

GANGTOK, 03 Feb: A training programme on “Organic ginger production technology” was oganised here at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR Research Complex at Ranipool, on 01 and 02 Feb under the DBT-sponsored project on ‘Bio-technology led organic farming in NE region’. East Sikkim is one of the 14 districts in the North Eastern Hill region selected under this project for enhancing the organic production potential of the region.
30 farmers from nine villages of East Sikkim – Rey-Mindu, Sajong, Sama-Siwik, Ranka-Perbing, Namrang, Sirwani, Namcheybong, Basilekha and Saramsa – took the training, an official press release informs.
Dr. H. Rahman, Joint Director, ICAR Sikkim Centre, inaugurated the programme and highlighted the importance of organic farming for Sikkim and its future. He advised farmers to adhere to scientific organic management practices while adopting organic production technology and informed that in addition to ginger, this project will also cover crops like citrus, large cardamom and turmeric.
SR Gupta, a retired Joint Director (Horticulture), Govt. of Sikkim, while speaking as the guest of honour, gave a detailed account of the benefits of organic farming. He also shared his vast experience of disease management in ginger.
The training programme was scheduled to be followed by a field-level demonstration.

Rs. 12 crores made over to landowners as Govt acquires land for 23 km Ranipool-Burtuk byepass

SUBHASH RAI
GANGTOK, 03 Feb: The East District Administration, over the past couple of days, has paid out Rs. 12.44 crores in compensation for land acquired for the construction of a two-lane Bye Pass road project from the National Highway near Ranipool to Burtuk, above Gangtok. Work on the project is expected start in the earnest shortly and even as many would be worried with the sheer scale of road projects underway in the State, the enormous traffic snarls which have become the norm for Gangtok roads nowadays, will definitely ease with this byepass.
The District Administrative Centre, East, assigned with the acquisition of land for the aforesaid project by the Sikkim Public Works Department [Roads & Bridges], is almost finished with the first phase of releasing compensation to affected landowners.
Speaking to NOW!, District Collectorate [East], D. Anandan, confirmed that out of Rs. 15,55,85,823, calculated as the total compensation to be paid out for the land acquisition, a total of Rs. 12,44,68,685, roughly 80% of the total, has been disbursed.
The landowners also confirmed that the District Administration started disbursing the compensation on 31 January through State Bank of Sikkim cheques.
The DC adds, “The remaining 20% will be disbursed within two-three months time.”
A total of 310 landowners in the area have been affected by this acquisition process which will be acquiring a total of 27.3023 hectares of land for the project. Official sources confirm that 310 cheques have been prepared, or which 200 have already been collected by the respective land owners.
Official documents related to the project do not mention compensation rates for those whose houses will need to be evacuated to make way for the road, the present round of compensation being only of lands without any built up property. Some of the landowners, whose houses fall under the project informed NOW! that a fresh estimate was being prepared to factor in what they need to be paid for losing their houses to the proposed byepass. This is expected to be completed in a couple of months time.
Land for the project has been acquired at three different rates - Rs. 35.73, Rs. 55 and 58.75 per square feet.
Clarifying doubts expressed by some landowners over how these different rates have been worked out for the same project, the DC explained, “Marchak block, which is the starting point for the bye-pass, because it is already aligned to the national highway at Ranipool fetched a higher evaluation at Rs. 55 per sq. ft. and were thus offered this rate.”
According to available government documents, 0.9020 hectares has been acquired here for Rs. 73,41,509.
Similarly, landowners at Penlong block, where the byepass will link up to the North Sikkim Highway, because of this existing proximity to the highway and being near Gangtok, received Rs. 58.75 sq.ft. Here, a total of 1.2786 hectares has been acquired for Rs. 1,11,99,976.
“The rest - Ranka, Barbing, Luing, Sangtong, Lingdum, Rawtey-Rumtek, Sajong and other blocks were given Rs. 35.73 per sq. ft., which is equivalent to the compensation awarded to landowners here for the Khel Gaon project at Resithang, Ranka, and Tourism Village in Barbing ward,” Mr. Anandan detailed.
The government documents available with NOW! reveal that the residents of Barbing block who contributed 4.5680 hectares of lands have received the highest total compensation of Rs. 3,28,70,775.
The Road & Bridges Department, in its ‘Invitations for Bids’ issued under National Competitive Bidding in December 2009, had estimated the value of the work at Rs. 99,16,39,000 for the 23.14 km long new byepass.
The tender notice also mentioned that the project was an SARDP-NE, Phase-A project with a completion time set at 36 months.