Sikkim Univ VC blames misrepresentation and communication gap for spat with Govt

“KYONGSA COLLEGE AFFILIATION CAN STILL BE RESOLVED”
SUBASH RAI
GANGTOK, 14 July: “Communication gap resulting from the failure of the mediators in accurately conveying our suggestions to the State Government has created the present problem,” said the Sikkim University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mahendra P Lama today when contacted in relation to the war of words underway between the university and the ruling party. Although the land acquisition has been a sore issue between the two for a while, matters came to a head when the University apparently refused affiliation to Government College Kyongsa, recently.

CM inaugurates world's largest statue of Bhanu Bhakta, dedicates Nepali Research Centre to the people

GYALSHING, 14 July: The 197th Bhanu Jayanti was celebrated here on an international scale yesterday with the Chief Minister inaugurating the the world’s largest statue of Bhanu Bhakta housed in the Nepali Research Centre developed around it. 
The event was jointly organized by the Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department, the Bhanu Jayanti organizing committee of Gyalshing and the West Sikkim Sahitya Prakashan.
The foundation stone for this Centre [and statue] was laid on 05 December 2004 and work started in 2006. The complex spans across an area of 8,685 sq. ft. was built at the cost of Rs. 8.22 crore and work completed on February 2010. 

Online tracking for 100-day tasks

NODAL OFFICERS FOR 100-DAY TASKS BEGIN TRAINING ON SPECIAL SOFTWARE DEVELOPED FOR MONITORING AND EVALUATION
GANGTOK, 14 July [IPR]: Nodal officers designated for the 100-day tasks given to various departments underwent a familiarisation course today on the software developed to facilitate monitoring and evaluation of projects underway with the departments. The training was held at the Tashiling Secretariat conference hall.
n-Dimensions Research & Training Services Pvt Ltd of Gurgaon, Haryana, has developed a software for the Chief Minister’s Office to monitor and track tasks assigned to the various departments under its 100-days initiative. 

Speaker broaches development of Sikkim as hub for Nepali learning

BHANU PURASKAR CONFERRED ON PRADHYUMAN SHRESTHA
GANGTOK, 14 July: “Nepali is a very strong and beautiful language and today is an important day for the Nepali-speaking community,” said Speaker, KT Gyaltsen, while addressing the 197th Bhanu Jayanti celebrations here at the Tashi Namgyal Academy auditorium, yesterday.
He went on to state that Bhanubhakta was not just a poet but also a consummate scholar who had a positive mindset with farsightedness, and above all, was an ocean of knowledge and wisdom.

UNITED SIKKIM CO-OWNER SHARES FUTURE PLANS FOR CLUB

“USFC has potential and ambitions to become best football club of Asia”
SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 14 July: The co-owner of United Sikkim Football Club, Executive Chairman of Dubai-based Fidelis World, Anand Krishnan, arrived in Gangtok yesterday to join the club which has begun training here. Speaking to media persons at Paljor Stadium today, he shared that his vision was to make the club the best team in all of Asia.
He along with the Fidelis World Chief Executive Officer, Navneet Sharma, attended the training session of the club today here at Paljor Stadium.
Mr Krishnan mentioned that the club was focusing not only on the I-League, but is working hard to become the best Asian team.

SECOND DIVISION SIKKIM LEAGUE

Young Stars and Sinolchu register victories
GANGTOK, 14 July: Young Star FC [Bojoghari] and Sinolchu [Namchi] have registered a victory each against their names at the ongoing second division S-League at Paljor Stadium.
In matches played yesterday, Young Star FC defeated Lower Arithang 3-0 and Sinolchu thrashed Denzong Boy’s [Junior] 4-1.
Rohit Tamang scored the first goal for Young Star in the 34th minute. In the second half, Bikash Gurung, in the 49th minute, and Topden Lepcha, in the 66th minute added two more goals for Young Star.
Lower Arithang was unable to scored any goal in the match.
In the second match, Mayal Lepcha opened the goal account for Sinolchu in the 6th minute itself but soon, Sukh Bir Rai scored the equalizer for Denzong Boy’s in the 17th minute.
Shortly after, Buddha Bir Rai gave another lead to Sinolchu in the 25th minute. In the second half, Ramji Rai Rai in the 60th minute and Suren Chettri in the 66th minute added two more goals for Sinolchu.
Matches will be next played on 16 July. In the first match, GVSFA Central Pandem will take on Young Star FC [Bojoghari], while the second match will be played between Lower Arithang and FC United [Jorethang]

SABLA launched for North and East districts

GANGTOK, 14 July: The Social Justice, Empowerment & Welfare Department’s Women & Child Development Division launched the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (SABLA) in East and North district on Monday. Urban Slum ICDS Project, Gangtok also launched the scheme at a simple function held at Bhanu Gram (DPH Complex) ICDS centre here which had Gangtok Mayor KN Topgay.

Sikkim Nagrik Yuwa Samaj lashes out against SU VC

GANGTOK, 14 July: Sikkim Nagarik Yuwa Samaj, Tadong, has alleged that the Sikkim University Vice Chancellor was to blame for dragging the University into controversy and making the institution an “unpleasant topic of discussion”. 
A press release issued by the publicity secretary, SNYS, Anup Thatal, has also alleged that “antisocial elements” were fuelling the controversy with “their irrational arguments” directed solely to embarrass the government and were issuing statements without gathering proper information on the issue at hand.

NSS trainers coached on Social Harmony and Human Rights

GANGTOK, 14 July: A three-day ‘training of trainers’ for National Service Scheme Programme Officers on “Social Harmony and Human Rights” was inaugurated by the Sports & Youth Affairs Secretary, Karma P Bhutia, today at Paljor Stadium. Forty programme officers from different schools and colleges around the state are attending the training.
The programme has been organized by the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development [RGNIYD], Tamil Nadu, and NSS Regional Centre, Kolkata, in collaboration with the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs.

Dzongu’s Nim Lepcha to skipper Bhaichung’s United Sikkim

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 12 July: Local lad Nim Tshering Lepcha has been chosen to lead United Sikkim Football Club as captain for the 2011-12 season. USFC’s new squad of 35 players began training here at Paljor Stadium under their chief coach, Stanley Rosario and assistant coach, Pranay Subba today.
The 2-hour training session was also joined by the club owner and star-attraction, Bhaichung Bhutia and Rennedy Singh.

May 2011 sets new record for tourist arrivals

GANGTOK, 12 July: The acute shortage of taxis in the month of May now stands explained. May 2011 set a new record of tourist arrivals in any month ever in Sikkim. Nearly 1.30 lakh tourists were in Sikkim in May this year!
According to the data released by the Tourism Department, a total of 1,24,323 domestic tourists visited the State in the month of May, which was 7,682 more than last year. Last year, a total of 1,16,641 domestic tourists arrived in Sikkim in May.

Crime Branch destroys seized contraband worth Rs. 90K

GANGTOK, 12 July: The Prosecution Section of the CID Branch of Sikkim Police destroyed contraband substances worth Rs. 90,000 at the District Court premises today.
“The contraband substances, which consist mostly of Spasmo Proxyvon [SP] capsules, Nitrosun-10 [N-10] tablets and Recodex cough syrup bottles had been seized from persons caught by the East District police under the Sikkim Anti-Drug Act [SADA],” informed Court Inspector, PI DM Subba, while speaking to media persons.

SABLA launched in Dalapchand as well

DALAPCHAND, 12 July: Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (SABLA) was launched in the presence of chief guest, East District Zilla Adhyakshya, Bimal Dawari, here at the Dalapchand Gram Prasashan Kendra’s conference hall yesterday.
Deputy Director, ICDS, Rongli, Narendra Chettri highlighted the aims and objectives of this new scheme while the chief guest distributed nutritional mix to adolescent girls present at the function.
The programme was also attended by, Dr. Hemta Pradhan, Panchayat President PC Rai along with all Panchayat members of Dalapchand GPU, Dalapchand Sec. School Headmaster ST Bhutia, YODESS executive secretary MK Gurung, Vidya Bharati School Dalapchand Principal Ajay Gurung, different NGO representatives, rural women, students of Dalapchand Secondary School. [from BHANURAJ THAPA]

Chankapa appointed Chief Electoral Officer

GANGTOK, 12 July: KT Chankapa, serving as the Secretary, Department of Personnel, has been transferred and posted as the Chief Electoral Officer in pursuance of a notification issued by the Election Commission of India on 22 June 2011. He replaces VB Pathak and has also been designated the Secretary, Election Department.
Over the weekend, a string of transfers affecting 17 officers from Under Secretary to Additional level were ordered. DC [North], TN Kazi, moves to HRDD as Director, exchanging places with SK Pradhan who is the new DC for North Sikkim.
Additional Chief Engineer Raju Basnet, presently posted as GM, Sikkim Power Development Corporation has been posted as ACE (Mechanical), Transport Department. Uttam Pradhan, Chief Engineer (Mechanical), Transport Department, is the new GM at SPDC.

Bhanu Jayanti greetings from Governor and CM

GANGTOK, 12 July [IPR]: On the occasion of Bhanu Jayanti, Governor BP Singh has extended his warm greetings to all the people of Sikkim.
“Bhanubhakta Acharya was a great scholar who made an everlasting contribution to Nepali literature. Scholars are the torch-bearers in every society. They deserve our respect. The younger generation in particular needs to be guided by these renaissance persons. I hope the Sikkimese people continue to celebrate the contributions of great scholars like Bhanubhakta, for such is the mark of a progressive society,” the Governor conveys.
Similarly, the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling and Mrs. Tika Maya Chamling have also extended their warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Sikkim on the auspicious occasion of Bhanu Jayanti.

Bhanubhakta, the Reformer

Editorial:
Sikkim has always observed the Bhanu Jayanti in grand fashion. From state-level celebrations to observations at the village level, the day continues to hold a special meaning for people across Sikkim. As the State observes the 197th Bhanu Jayanti today, it would be apt to look at a facet of the Adikavi that sometimes get lost in the unconditional devotion that he inspires.

Gurung association meets CM

GANGTOK, 12 July: The executive members of All Sikkim Gurung (Tamu) Buddhist Association headed by their president, HB Gurung, called on Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at his official residence, Mintokgang, yesterday, informs a press release.
At the meeting, the delegation submitted a memorandum requesting the government to fulfil the pending demands such as inclusion of the Gurung community in the scheduled tribe list, appointment of language teachers, text books officer, writer, representatives in Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department and Ecclesiastical Department and construction of Gurung (Tamu) monasteries, the release informs.
The delegation expressed “deep gratitude” to the Chief Minister for his “tireless efforts and generous support” for the all-round development of the Gurung community as a whole. The delegation especially thanked the Chief Minister for preserving and propagating the Gurung (Tamu) language, religion and cultural heritage, the release further mentions.

Melli Dara Paiyong gets earnest about avenue plantation

GANGTOK, 11 July: The Melli Dara Paiyong Gram Panchayat Unit, in association with the area’s Joint Forest Management Committee, organized an avenue plantation cum awareness programme on Forest Conservation today.
A press release informs that the programme, held at Melli Dara, with the area MLA Tulshi Devi Rai, was also supported by the Melli Range Office (T).
The welcome speech was presented by the GPU vice-president Datta Ram Sharma. Also on the day, the RO [T], DR Sharma announced that he would to contribute Rs. 1000 per month to meet the wages of a caretaker for the roadside plantations, the release informs.

SABLA launched in Pakyong

PAKYONG, 12 July: Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG) or SABLA was launched at a function here at Pakyong New Market ICDS Centre, Social Justice Empowerment & Weldare Department, Women & Child Development Division.
The scheme will be run using the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) platform in North and East Districts of the state.
Chief guest on the occasion, Zilla Panchayat of Karthok-Namcheybong TC, Nimchuki Sherpa, in her address, urged adolescent girls to come forward and attend programmes and be aware of the opportunities provided by the State Government.

SHRPP forms women’s and youth wings

GANGTOK, 12 July: A meeting of Sikkim Himali Rajya Parisad Party was held today under the chairmanship of its vice president, PT Luksom and was attended by all the party workers from South, West and East Districts, a party press release informs. 
The party, taking its programmes ahead, formed its district level committees along with the creation of Himali Mahila Parishad and Youth Parishad and resolved to hold a public meeting on 15 July in Singtam, the release informs.

SGCTA welcomes setting up of Kyongsa College

GANGTOK, 12 July: The staff at Sikkim Government College, Tadong, here has welcomed the recent decision of the State Government to establish a degree college in Gyalshing. 
“The establishment of this college will facilitate the students from West District especially those economically backward and weaker sections of the society to pursue higher education,” conveys a press release issued by the president, SGCTA, Dr. S Dutta.

SNT Drivers & Conductors celebrate colleague’s appointment as Zonal VP of All India Govt Drivers Federation

GANGTOK, 12 July: A meeting of Sikkim Nationalized Transport Drivers’ and Conductors’ Association was convened yesterday at its office under the chairmanship of its president, CB Chettri.
The meeting congratulated its vice president, Lakpa Bhutia, for having been selected as an executive office bearer of North East Zone, Zonal Vice President of All India State Government Drivers’ Federation. He was selected for the post at a meeting of the federation held on 30 April in Nagaland and 06-07 June in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh by the AISGDF Central Committee, informs a press release.
The president of the association, Mr. Chettri acknowledged the moment as a great achievement of the association while the president, Government Drivers’ Association, CB Rai wished Mr. Bhutia well for his new responsibilities.
Mr. Bhutia, in his address, expressed that he would work for the welfare of the all the government drivers with full sincerity.  

Upreti and Bhojraj lash out against SDF claims and allegations on Sikkim University

GANGTOK, 12 July: The Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee vice president, KN Upreti, a former Education Minister of Sikkim, today challenged the Sikkim Democratic Front’s claims of having brought a central university to Sikkim. He asserted that the credit cannot be taken by SDF alone and contended that a Central University was sanctioned for Sikkim during the Sikkim Sangram Parishad government of Nar Bahadur Bhandari but was kept in abeyance due to shortage of post-graduate students.

CUT DOWN

There are trees perched too precariously near habitations to be allowed to continue standing, but the felling of even these dangerous stands can be disturbing. The Forest Department on Saturday evening cut down a more than a 100-year-old tree at 6th Mile Hawaghar, Gangtok. The tree was obviously there before houses crowded it dangerously, but what made the felling heart-wrenching was that it included the demolishing of three crow nests which collapsed along with the tree. While one of the nests had hatchlings, another had eggs. All were lost, along with a handsome nest which had GI wires weaved in along with the more organic raw material crows use to make their nests.

P.O. Rhenock looks forward to Heritage stamp

RHENOCK, 11 July: The Rhenock Post Office is making a serious bid for recognition as the first post office to be established in Sikkim. A catalog of Rhenock’s famed Chandra Nursery [started in 1910], in the possession of Ganesh Kumar Pradhan, proprietor of Ram Gauri Sangralaya [a registered museum at Rhenock], has the stamped seal of the Rhenock Post Office imprinted on it. While the seal is of 1930, the Nursery started in 1910, always wrote Rhenock Post Office in its address.

Boarder dies in her sleep at TNA

GANGTOK, 12 July: A 15 year old boarder at Tashi Namgyal Academy here, died in her sleep last night. The teenager had arrived only last evening to rejoin school after her summer vacations and was found dead when the ayah on duty went to wake her up at 5 a.m. it is informed.
The cause of death has not been ascertained as yet. The teenager’s father, in a press release circulated to newspapers today, has however alleged negligence and demanded detailed investigation into the case.

Lightning razes cowshed at Chota Singtam

GANGTOK, 11 July: A two-storied cowshed of Dhanapati Sapkota of Chota Singtam, near Assam Lingzey was razed to the ground by a fire sparked by a lightning strike last night.
A senior official of the Ranipool PS informs that except minor injuries to the rescuers, who managed to save the cattle, no casualties were reported. The stock of fodder and other belongings were however burned to ashes, the official informed.
The police were informed of the incident only this morning, who along with BDO, Pakyong, Dhiraj Sharma, VLO and other officials visited the spot.

Governor inaugurates Karuna Cultural Centre at Majhitar

GANGTOK, 11 July [IPR]: Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh, who is also the Chancellor of Sikkim Manipal University, inaugurated the Karuna Cultural Centre, a unit of the Majhitar Cultural Trust at the auditorium hall of the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS) here today.
In his address, the Governor commented that SMIT has become a major attraction of Rangpo and remarked that the Karuna Cultural Centre has been created to bring the people of Rangpo and its surrounding areas together in socio-cultural activities, an endeavour which the large number of private institutions and industries in the area should come forward for and assist. 

Contribute to Social Capital

Editorial:
Writing in 1958, influential political scientist and thinker, Edward Banfield, presented what he saw as the reason for backwardness – communities which cannot work together. In his seminal book, “The Moral Basis of a Backward Society”, he studied the reasons behind the underdevelopment of a village in the southern tip of Italy. His conclusion: “The extreme poverty and backwardness is to be explained largely by the inability of villagers to act together for their common good.”

NSUI-Sikkim takes SU issue to high-command, plans to meet UGC next

GANGTOK, 11 July: A delegation of National Students’ Union of India [NSUI] members from Sikkim is in New Delhi calling on the union’s leaders and other central leaders, informs a press release issued by the Sikkim-unit’s president Binod Chettri, who is leading the delegation. “The main purpose of visit was regarding Sikkim University issue and also discussed issues regarding unemployment growth in the state, massive corruption,” the release states.

SDF reiterates complaints against SU

GANGTOK, 11 July: Sikkim Democratic Front kept is confrontation with the Sikkim University Vice-Chancellor alive today by condemning statements issued by many political and “politically motivated” outfits in support of Vice-Chancellor since the SDF lashed out against it.
The party has alleged that these statements “show all these parties are anti-people and anti-Sikkimese and they are not concerned with the young generation and can go to any length to oppose the pro-people stance of the SDF party”.

SABLA to empower adolescent girls with better health launched from Singtam

SINGTAM, 11 July: The Social Justice, Empowerment & Welfare Department launched SABLA – the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls - here today. SABLA includes a complete nutrition programme for adolescent girls in the age group of 11 to 18 years. There are two major components under the scheme: one, a nutrition component for ‘out-of-school girls’ in the age group of 11 to 14 years and for ‘all the girls’ in the age group of 14 to 18 years, and second, non-nutrition component for ‘out-of-school’ adolescent girls in the age group of 11 to 18 years and a vocational training for girls in the age group of 16 to 18 years.

Girish and the Chronicles invited to perform at Montenegro’s National Day celebrations in New Delhi

GANGTOK, 11 July: “Girish and the Chronicles”, the Gangtok-based rock band, continues its association with the “the pearl of the Mediterranean”, Montenegro, and has been invited to perform at the country’s National Day celebrations in New Delhi. GnC, it may be recalled, had won the silver trophy at the Suncance Skale music competition held in Montenegro last year, selected for the finals held there from a nationwide talent hunt in India.

SAA conducts archery summer camp for students

GANGTOK, 11 July: Sikkim Archery Association conducted a 10-day archery summer camp for students from in and around Gangtok from 01 to 10 July at the Sikkim Archery Association Ground at Tathangchen, a press release informs.
The association provided breakfast to all the archers and also shared equipment. The Camp was conducted by Head Archery Coach Jigmee Youzar and Archery Coach Thupden Rongkup. On the concluding day, PHE Minister TT Bhutia, who is also the SAA president, visited the camp and met with the archery enthusiasts in training. He advised them to be disciplined and focused in their game and consider a career in sports if they were good, informs the release issued by Dr KB Gurung today.

It’s official, Tso Lhamu is the highest lake in India

GANGTOK, 10 July: Tso-Lhamu Lake which stands over 18,000 feet above sea level in North Sikkim has been awarded the title of the highest lake in the country following a survey conducted by Government of India recently.
According to the Wetland Atlas prepared by the GoI, Tso-Lhamu is the highest lake in the country and the sixth highest in the world.
Tourism Minister, Bhim Dhungel announced yesterday that the recognition for Tso-Lhamu as the highest was an additional USP for the tourism industry here as many travelers from around the world will now be interested to visit this destination which lies about 6 kms ahead of the more visited Gurudongmar lake in the cold desert of North Sikkim.

Manish returns with 3 medals from World Summer Games

PROUD FATHER CALLS ON PARENTS NOT TO HIDE AWAY SPECIAL CHILDREN
RANGPO, 10 July: “We should not hide our special children behind closed doors out of shame, fear or other reasons, and ensure that they receive adequate opportunities and human rights to explore their talent and potential,” said the proud father of Manish Dhakal, Dr BP Dhakal, at Rangpo on Friday.
21-year-old Manish received a warm reception on his return home after winning three medals in the World Summer Games-2011 at Rangpo.
This special athlete has won 2 silver medals and 1 bronze medal in the Bocce events in the World Summer Games held in Athens, Greece. He has won one silver medal each in the team championship and doubles event and 1 bronze medal in Single’s event.

Schools directed not to march students to hospitals for Health Certificates

GANGTOK, 10 July:  Parents of government school students have been spared the lengthy process of procuring Medical Fitness Certificates for their wards on their own in pursuance of the CBSE’s Comprehensive Continuous Evaluation programme.
The HRDD Secretary on Friday, directed all the district officials to inform the schools not to allow students to approach the hospitals for “blood grouping” anymore.

New community organisers receive two-day training on biodiversity conservation and forest management

GANGTOK, 10 July: The JICA-assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project, Forest Department, conducted a two-day training for the newly appointed Community Organisers at the Forest Conference Hall here on 07 and 08 July.
On the first day of the training, the Community Organisers were informed about the existing Joint Forest Management and Eco-Development Committee constituted under Forest Development Agency (FDA) of the Department and how to assist these committees at the village level, informs a press release.

MLA lays foundation stone of pucca house conversion under CMRHS at Upper Tintek

MANGAN, 10 July:  The area MLA Tumin-Lingee, Ugen T Gyatso Bhutia laid the foundation stone for the Chief Minister Rural Housing Mission Scheme at Upper Tintek in East Sikkim yesterday.  The foundation stone of the house belonging to the beneficiary, Chatra Bahadur Dahal, was laid by the MLA to formally launch the “Mission Kutcha House Free State by 2013” in the area. 
A total of 200 kutcha houses from Tumin-Lingee constituency will be replaced with the CMRHMS for which a total of 62 beneficiaries were provided with allotment order on the day at a function held here at BAC Tintek.

Health Minister inspects Mangan Hospital

GANGTOK, 10 July: A surprise visit to the Mangan District Hospital was paid by Health Minister, DN Takarpa, on Saturday. The Minister was also accompanied by the Health Secretary, Dr Kumar Bhandari, and Principal Director, Dr RL Sharma along with a team of engineers led by the Divisional Engineer of the department.
During the visit, the Minister, who was accompanied by the area MLA, Tshering Wangdi Lepcha, carried out a thorough inspection. He also visited the in-patient and out-patient departments, kitchen, toilets, medical stores and other departments of the hospital.

GOVERNOR SHOWS THE WAY

Plantation to replace fallen plum tree at Raj Bhavan
GANGTOK, JULY 10: Sending the strong message of the importance of planting trees the Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh today planted a plum tree in the Raj Bhawan premises in place of an older tree of the same species which had fallen on 30 June earlier this year.
This is in keeping with the tradition of maintaining the continuity with the Raj Bhawan heritage, informs an official press note from Raj Bhawan.

CC Sangderpa demands better rehabilitation of Yangyang’s SU land acquisition affected

GANGTOK, 10 July:  CC Sangderpa, one of the affected people in land acquisition for Sikkim University in Yangyang, alleged today that the state government has failed in providing rehabilitation to rendered landless by the project.
She alleged that many of the affected families are now landless have not received the rehabilitation of half acre of land as per the agreement. She further alleged that there was partiality in the rates offered to the affected people for the land acquisition.

Bad-Blood Drained, Start Mending Relationship Now

Editorial:
The Sikkim University-State Government cold war has broken out in the open. Finally. After a series of snubs, snide asides and obvious indifference which played out for more than three years, the situation has collapsed to head-on blame trading. This is not necessarily as bad a thing as the viciousness of the latest exchange makes it out to be. The silver lining behind the thick pall of bad blood is that the wrangle is public. Now that the bad blood has been let out, it will require overt gestures from both sides to patch the wound and see if the relationship can be mended.

2nd Division S-League marches on under hail of goals

GANGTOK, 10 July: It rained goals in the two matches of the Second Division Sikkim League played here at Paljor Stadium on Sunday. A total of 13 goals were scored!
In the first match, Denzong Boys [Junior] defeated RYSFC [Middle Arithang] 3 goals to 1, while in the second match Brotherhood FC [Ranipool] thrashed Bhaley Dara FC [West] by 8 goals to 1.
Passang Wangdi scored a quick brace in the 5th and 6th minute of the match for Denzong Boys, with Bishal Rai of RYSFC [Middle Arithang] reducing the margin with a goal in the 14th minute.

State Level Painting Exhibition and Workshop to be held soon

INDRADHANUSH CHITRAKALA SANSTHA THANKS CM FOR PROVIDING ART GALLERY
NAMCHI, 10 July: A meeting of Indradhanush Chitrakala Sanstha Namchi, Sikkim was conducted here at Namchi, attended by almost all the members of the Sanstha. During the meeting, the organisation expressed its gratitude towards the Chief Minister for providing it with an art gallery.
In this context, the sanstha has decided to conduct a State Level Painting Exhibition and Workshop, along with competition for students which would be held at the art gallery Namchi. Following this the sanstha has decided to open the art gallery to the public every Sunday. This in a way would expose local talents to outsiders mostly tourists visiting Namchi from different parts of the world and the country.

SFA announces new executive committee

GANGTOK, 10 July: The Sikkim Football Association today released the composition of its new executive committee for the session 2011-15. SFA had earlier elected BK Roka as its president and returned Menla Ethenpa as the general secretary, it may be recalled.
The association now has four vice-presidents in Sonam G Pulger, LP Pandey, Karma Yougyal and Dr. Sonam T Ethenpa.

SDF condemns Sikkim Univ VC’s statements on land acquisition

GANGTOK, 07 July: The Sikkim Democratic Front has come out strongly against what it sees as unjustified statements against the State government by the Sikkim University Vice Chancellor, with regard to delay in the land acquisition for Sikkim University at Yangang in South Sikkim.
Reacting to statements ascribed to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mahendra P Lama, and those made by Opposition leaders in his support over the delay in land acquisition, the ruling SDF has put up a strong counter against the accusations.