Landslides claim 5 in West Sikkim

ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 25 Aug: Five people were killed in two incidents of landslides in West Sikkim last night.
A cloud burst triggered a massive landslide at Samathang village near Malbasey under Soreng Sub-division claiming the lives of three of a family at midnight.
The deceased are 36 year old Nirmaya Chettri, the wife of 45 year old Pratab Singh Chettri [the only survivor of the disaster], and her daughters, 16 year old Manju Chettri and 6 year old Anju Chettri. The family was wiped out when a landslide peeled away from the under-construction PMGSY road and collapsed on their house. The family was asleep at the time, and only the father escaped with his life.

Mangan Nagar Panchayat issues computerised Trade Licences

MANGAN, 25 Aug: The Mangan Nagar Panchayat renewed trade licenses in a two-day exercise which began here yesterday. This, upon completion of a scrutiny process it began in July of trade licenses issued by the Urban Development & Housing Department in the past.
The Nagar Panchayat has computerized the trade licenses, an upgrade which will make future renewals faster, the Municipal Executive Officer, AR Rai, informs.
The MNP President, KJ Bhutia, vice-president CD Lepcha, councillors PK Malu and MD Lepcha and staff were also present at the formal launch of the computerized trade licenses when Mr. Bhutia handed over token trade licenses.
Further, all trade licence holders were informed that the renewal process will continue at the MNP office till 15 Sept. Renewals after this date will be levied a late fee of Rs.5 per day.

SHRPP members shave heads to protest Public Order Bill

GANGTOK, 25 Aug: Ten members of the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party [SHRPP] shaved their heads today in protest of the Public Order Bill and marched from Nam-Nang to the Tourist Information Centre passing through MG Marg wearing placards condemning the Bill.
The Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill, it may be recalled, was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on 11 August. The State Government has since announced its decision to withdraw the Bill and is expected to complete the formalities on Friday when the Assembly convenes.

Robi-Chongthong villagers begin Devi Mandir construction on their own

MANGAN, 25 Aug: The villagers of Robi-Chongthong in Namok, North Sikkim, have initiated the construction of the Devi Mandir for which a demand had been made to the government earlier.
Owing to delays in the official process, the villagers, with the help of Chewang Gyatso Lachungpa, a government contractor, and other well-wishers Dawa Tamang, GK Limboo, L Biren Singh, Women’s Labour Cooperative Society and NGOs pooled in funds, materials and resources to start the construction on their own.
Meanwhile, the villagers have appealed to the government that the construction of Mandir be sanctioned as soon as possible.

Balidan Diwas celebrates martyrdom of Shahid Durga Malla

GANGTOK, 25 Aug: The sacrifice and contributions of Major Durga Malla of the Indian National Army to the freedom struggle was remembered with the observance of Balidan Diwas by the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh [BGP], Sikkim unit, here today.
The function was chaired by the BGP- Sikkim president, Dr Kamal Gurung, and former Secretary, CP Dewan, as the chief guest.

Christian Burial Ground Committee inspects cemetery, finds encroachments

GANGTOK, 25 Aug: The executive members of Christian Burial Ground Committee, led by their president, Pastor Joseph Tamang, made a spot verification of the Christian Burial Ground at Bagthang, Burtuk here on 22 August. 
The team called on the contractor, Rupa Chettri, and showed her the spot where the construction work has to be started. The project has been funded under the MPLAD scheme for Rs. 1,00,000 and includes two units of toilets/ bathrooms, footpath, hydrant, halting shed etc, informs a press release. 

SSSBS wants people to insist that Public Order Bill be passed

GANGTOK, 25 Aug: Sikkim Sachet Swarojgar Berojgar Sangathan [SSSBS] has appealed the people to advise the State Government to pass the Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill, 2011 and not withdraw it as it plans to do on Friday. The Bill, SSSBS believes, will “restrict” anti-social activities in the State.
The organisation has further appealed the people not to support “vested interest” who “are trying to mislead the youth and general public and defame Sikkim”.

Pang Lhabsol at Rabong to feature felicitation of local artists

GANGTOK, 25 Aug: The Pang Lhabsol Celebration Committee [PLCC], Rabongla, is working on a war-footing in preparation for Pang Lhabsol festivities at Kagyud Thekchenling Monastery from 10 to 12 September.
The curtain raiser of the festival is scheduled for 05 September with an important annual highlight of the festival, the Open Volleyball tournament, which carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh for the winners and Rs 1 lakh for the runners-up.

SDF brands NASSS as fully political outfit, scoffs at Goley’s disgruntlement

GANGTOK, 25 Aug: The Sikkim Democratic Front countered today that the Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan Sikkim [NASSS] was a “100 percent” political organization of some “negative-thinking, short-minded and corrupt retired bureaucrats and failed political aspirants moving ahead with only resentment in their minds”.
In a press release issued today, the party has claimed that this organization was formed with the sole intention of tarnishing the image and reputation of the State.

New post added in the Face in the Crowd section

NASSS takes out strong rally in protest of Public Order Bill and in support of Anna Hazare

GANGTOK, 24 Aug: The protest rally called by the recently-formed Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan Sikkim [NASSS] drew strong participation here today as the protesters marched through town raising slogans against the Public Order Bill of the State Government and in support of the Anna Hazare-led movement for the Jan Lokpal Bill at the national level.
The rally started from the Deorali Truck Stand and concluded at the Fish Pond near Paljor Stadium after walking through National Highway 31A, its number swelling as more and more groups joined it through the walk.

The Rally and After

Editorial:
The NASSS rally in support of Anna Hazare and in protest against the Public Order Bill of Sikkim marched strong through the capital on Wednesday. It was not the first rally in support of Anna in Sikkim, but it was definitely the largest, its numbers undoubtedly boosted by its strong anti-State Government stand and patronage of the disgruntled SDF MLA from Upper Burtuk, PS Tamang.

CMRHM allotment letters handed over to beneficiaries from Thingchim-Mangshila and Namok-Swayen GPUs

MANGAN, 24 Aug: A total of seventy beneficiaries from Thingchim-Mangshila, and 84 beneficiaries from Namok-Swayem GPUs were today handed over their allotment orders for pucca house conversion under the Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission (CMRHM). The area MLA, Power Minister Sonam Gyatso Lepcha was present as the chief guest accompanied by North Zilla Adhyaksha, Khamsoong Lepcha, as special guest.

Mangalbaria’s Nima Lhamu shortlisted for Team India coaching camp

GANGTOK, 24 Aug: Nima Lhamu Bhutia of Mangalbari has been shortlisted for the Indian Women's Senior Football Team coaching camp. This team is being prepared by AIFF for its international commitments in 2011-12.
The coaching will continue till 17 Sept 2011, after which the final team will be announced.
Nima is scheduled to reach the SAI Centre at Lucknow on 25 August where the All India Football Federation is conducting the course. She is being escorted by her coach Palden Bhutia.

Ram and Suman return elated from Bayern Munich training gig in Germany

GANGTOK, 23 Aug: Ram Chettri and Suman Rai of Boy’s Club are back from a coaching camp with the Bayern Munich football club in Germany. The U-14 duo was among six footballers from India selected by the Bayern Munich to train in Germany under a special scheme. Joining them were two players each from Lajong FC and Kolkata.

RALLY FOR ANNA

GANGTOK, 23 Aug: The “People Volunteer Cell,” Sikkim, took out a peace rally here in support of Anna Hazare today. The rally began from Deorali Taxi Stand near the Ropeway and ended at Zero Point.  Apart from the president Santosh Gajmer, the rally had the participation ofother PVC members and a delegation of SHRPP office bearers, President Dr. AD Subba, Tara Shrestha, CC Shangderpa, local people and students.

One injured in alleged pre-rally attack in Namchi

NAMCHI, 23 Aug: Mani Pratap Tamang, a self-professed “Goley Supporter”, was injured in what he claims to be a ‘pre-rally’ attack. The victim, a 42 year old resident of Bhanjhyang near Namchi, was assaulted as he was approaching his vehicle near the Parking Plaza here this afternoon.
Speaking from the hospital bed at the district hospital here where he is currently admitted, Mr. Tamang said that he was a supporter of the disgruntled SDF MLA, PS Tamang, and is convinced that he was attacked to stop him from participating in the Gangtok rally called by the Nagrik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan Sikkim and to scare others like him from attending as well.

Darap’s village tourism stakeholders begin training at Mayfair

GANGTOK, 23 Aug: Darap in West Sikkim has been adopted by Mayfair Hotels & Resorts through the Sikkim Hotel & Restaurant Association [SHRA] for promotion of village tourism in the area. The hotel is assisting Darap in capacity building, human resource development, promotion and marketing, logistic support and in creating a sustainable business development model for the village.

Srijunga Cultural Society celebrates 31st foundation day

THARPU, 23 Aug: The Srijunga Yakthung Sakthim Phujumbo (“Srijunga Cultural Society”) celebrated its 31st foundation day in grand manner here at the Yakthung Sakthim Heem (Limboo Cultural Centre) today with the Cultural Affair Minister, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, present as the chief guest, accompanied by the Roads & Bridges Minister, the area [Soreng-Chakung] MLA RB Subba and legal advisor to the Chief Minister, RB Subba, present as special guests.

Tarundeep and Rahul Banerjee train for London Olympics at Paljor Stadium, make space for local archers to train along with them

GANGTOK, 22 Aug: International archers Tarundeep Rai and Rahul Banerjee are presently in-training at Paljor Stadium here. The duo is working though a 10-day training session, benefitting from the weather conditions here in preparation for the London Olympics. They began training on 17 August and in a welcome gesture, they have taken in four archers from Sikkim to train with them and benefit from the experience.
“We are practicing for Olympics 2012 and chose Gangtok due to the weather condition here at present which is similar to what we can expect in the London Olympics next year. This experience should prove very beneficial for us,” said Tarundeep while speaking to media-persons during his practice session at Paljor Stadium today.

Wildlife Encounter

Editorial:
Bear attacks, which were extensively in the news a couple years ago, are back in the headlines with an attack reported from a village near Khamdong behind the Rumtek hill. In this incident, a lady who had gone into the forest area to collect fodder came face to face with a Himalayan Black Bear and was mauled. She survived the attack and is currently recuperating at a nursing home in Siliguri, but the Forest Department response was lethal and Himalayan Black Bear was shot to death there. One says ‘a’ Himalayan Black Bear because there is no guarantee that it was the bear which had mauled the lady which was shot down.

First external audit of Sikkim Organic Mission gets underway, certificates expected by November

GANGTOK, 22 Aug: International Panaceae Limited from New Delhi is one of the service providers mandated by the Sikkim Organic Mission to establish Internal Control Systems (ICS) for organic certification for the year 2010-11. IPL has been given charge of an area of 2000 hectare covering the GPUs of Central Pendam, East Pendam, Sumin Ligzey and Pacheykhani in East Sikkim. OneCert Asia Certifications of Jaipur has been chosen as the External Certifying Agency.

Zenith Band strums for life

GANGTOK, 23 Aug: “We play life”. With this ideology, five students from the remote village of Lingmoo ‘Janta Colony’ in South Sikkim, formed a music band. Though the task was not easy, with finances their main problem and the elders least supportive, they have put one together.
15 months since the idea was born, dedication and tremendous efforts put up by Milan Subba, Deven Thapa, Tshering Pintsho Bhutia, Ashish Dass and Karun Thapa, they have established a full-fledged musical band “Zenith Band”- on 17 September, 2010.

Pelling’s Karma Sonam becomes first to receive CM’s Free Scholarship

TO PURSUE M.TECH AT UCLA ON FULL STATE SCHOLARSHIP   
GANGTOK, 21 Aug [IPR]: Karma Sonam Bhutia of Pelling, West Sikkim has been selected for the Chief Minister’s Free Scholarship Scheme which was recently announced by the Chief Minister during his Independence Day speech at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok.
Karma was successful in securing admission in the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and subsequently applied for Chief Minister’s Free Scholarship Scheme.

NSP celebrates Bhasa Manyata Diwas with felicitations and debate

GANGTOK, 21 Aug: Bhasa Manyata Diwas was celebrated here at Nepali Sahitya Parishad Bhawan yesterday with the HRDD Minister, NK Pradhan, as chief guest accompanied by DB Yakha as guest of honour.
The observance began on a solemn note with the house observing a two-minute silence to mourn the death of NSP member, RK Rai.

Feeding on Paranoia

Editorial:
It is embarrassing how discussions on communalism keep returning to this section. After all, how effectively can a population of little over 6 lakh be divided? And, into how may sub-groupings? Let us stop ignoring that divisions exist within the Sikkimese society and try and figure out why. Then, perhaps the anomaly [and communal divide is one] can be corrected.
Given that each of person belongs to some community or the other, it is natural that we are inherently communal. But, because we are also socially dependent on each other, this inherent communal streak seldom develops into paranoia or directed against other communities. This conditioning of social grooming, however, collapses fast when the leader of a pack smells blood – the possibility of making an issue emotive and convincing a people that they are threatened.

YT begins Gangtok fast in support of Anna

GANGTOK, 21 Aug: Yong Tshering Lepcha began his hunger-strike here to extend support to one being undertaken by Anna Hazare in New Delhi on Saturday. Allowed space at the fish pond near Paljor Stadium, Mr. Lepcha intends to observe his fast without even water for the first three days and then begin taking only water. He plans to stay on hunger strike for as long as Anna observes it.

Nepali Style Manual released to mark Bhasa Manyata Diwas

GANGTOK, 21 Aug: “Nepali has words which are not there in other language. It’s lively and rich and a language which can compete with any other language,” said CD Rai while speaking as chief guest at a function organised by Sikkim Akademi yesterday to mark Bhasa Manyata Diwas – the day celebrating the Constitutional recognition of Nepali language.

Murder at Majhitar

RANGPO, 21 Aug: A 58-year-old was hacked to death in his room at Majhitar near Rangpo yesterday. Although no arrests have been made thus far, the police is following up on a lead – a note, presumably written by the victim naming the murderer.
Tilak Bahadur Manger, security guard of SB Herbals here, was found dead in a pool of blood of his room yesterday.
Upon receiving information of the murder, a police team led by SDPO [Rangpo], RK Sundas, PI Sonam Wangdi and SI Milan Kanta Sharma of Rangpo Police Station arrived at the spot and began investigations.
The investigating recovered a handwritten note naming one Ram Kumar as the attacker. This note is presumed to have been written by the victim. While this “Ram Kumar” has not yet been identified, investigation is underway. [from SANJAY AGARWAL]

OT Lepcha moves Private Members Bill seeking Special Financial Package for Sikkim

GANGTOK, 19 Aug: Sikkim’s lone MP in Rajya Sabha, OT Lepcha, today moved a Private Member Bill seeking financial assistance to meet Sikkim’s connectivity requirements and developmental goals. Moving the “Special Financial Assistance to the State of Sikkim Bill, 2010”, Mr. Lepcha argued that financial constraints have handicapped development of adequate transport infrastructure for the State which has hamstrung the State’s potential to achieve the levels of prosperity and well-being for its people which Sikkim has the potential for.

Farmer from Nimtar extends Sikkim’s support for Anna; Will sit on hunger strike here to support Jan Lokpal Bill movement

GANGTOK, 19 Aug: Yong Tshering Lepcha of Nimtar in East Sikkim has announced plans to sit on a hunger strike here from Saturday onwards in support the movement launched by Anna Hazare in support of the Jan Lokpal Bill. Mr. Lepcha plans to sit on hunger strike as long as Anna Hazare does in Delhi.
While speaking with media-persons today, Mr. Lepcha informed that he has still not received permission from the concerned authorities to begin his hunger strike and said that he expects to receive this permission by Saturday.

PS Tamang welcomes formation of Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan

…LENDS SUPPORT TO GANGTOK RALLY CALLED FOR 24 AUG
GANGTOK, 19 Aug: Disgruntled SDF MLA elected from Upper Burtuk, PS Tamang, has welcomed the formation of ‘Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan’, the office-bearers of which were introduced at a press conference held here yesterday.
In a press statement issued today, Mr. Tamang states that the formation of this organization was a welcome development because the State needs a group which will work towards ensuring the civil rights of the people here.

Connect the Young to Their Language

Editorial:
Today is Bhasa Manyata Diwas. Nineteen years have passed since Nepali was accorded the Constitutional recognition that was its due. After two decades, it is perhaps time that the observance of the day progressed from jubilation to introspection. How has the language progressed from recognition to relevance? How well has the Constitutional recognition for Nepali been leveraged to serve the language and its speakers? The Nepali Sahitya Parishad here has organised a debate on the role [or disservice] of educational institutions in the declining status of Nepali language. It is interesting to note that even the NSP records that the language is in decline, and what will be interesting to watch is the level of debate on the role of educational institutions in the nurture of a language. What is more important though, is to deliberate on how well the opportunities and facilities opened by Constitutional recognition been utilised to promote the language.

Stakeholders endorse Rs. 2.50 crore management plan for Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve

GANGTOK, 19 Aug: The Management Action Plan for conservation and management of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve for the year 2011-12 has been set to an outlay of Rs. 2.50 crore.
This was announced during the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve state-level stakeholders committee meeting today and was approved with the provision to make some amendments received in the form of suggestions from different stakeholders. The final proposal will now be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forest for approval.

Bear shot down after it mauls lady in Khamdong forest

KHAMDONG, 19 Aug: 50-year-old Mani Tamang, a resident of Thangsing Basti near Khamdong in East Sikkim, was mauled by a bear this morning at around 11.30 a.m. when she had entered the forest near her house to collect fodder. She has suffered deep lacerations on her face and arms and was rushed to the STNM Hospital in a precarious condition.
Sources inform that she was rescued by a neighbour alerted to her plight by her cries of alarm.
Residents of the area inform that a bear had been sighted in the area for the past fortnight and had also damaged standing crops of maize which have ripened in the area. Corn, it may be recalled, is a favourite food of bears and when maize ripens, bear visits become frequent.
Following a special order received from the Forest office, its personnel tracked down the animal and killed it this afternoon.