Govt hopeful that supplementary assistance will be released soon

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: The State Government is hopeful that a good part of the demand for supplementary assistance sought from the Central government under the Natural Calamity Contingency Fund will be released by the Central government within the next few days.

Sikkim seeks Rs. 2,811 crore under NCCF for repairs and rehabilitation

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: Finally, and at long last, and after much confusion, the actual repair estimates [for immediate restoration and rehabilitation] for the damage suffered in 18 September Earthquake for the State have been ascertained and this figure is just under Rs. 3,000 crore. The estimate for immediate, short term repairs and rehabilitation is Rs. 2,811.99 crore.

60 piglets rehabilitated from Chungthang to Karfectar

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: Sixty weaned (56 days old) Hampshire piglets have been transferred and rehabilitated at the Livestock Farm, Karfectar, from earthquake damaged Bop piggery, Chungthang, North Sikkim, informs a press release issued by Veterinary Officer, Livestock Farm, Karfectar, Dr Phurba Lepcha.

Neysol prayers conclude at Naga Monastery

MANGAN, 24 Oct:  The four-day Denzong Neysol Shapten organised by the public of Toong-Naga GPU, which had begun at the Ugen Samdoling Manastery in Naga, North Sikkim, on 20 October concluded on Sunday.

VHAS-MLAS collaboration with ActionAID and AmericiCare assists Dzongu and Chungthang recover

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: Voluntary Health Association of Sikkim and Mutanchi Lom Aal Shezum, a Dzongu-based NGO, together with ActionAID and AmericiCare, India, made an emergency intervention in the North District, reaching relief materials to earthquake-affected areas in Upper Dzongu and Chungthang.

33rd Governor’s Gold Cup to be held in mid-March next year

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: Sikkim Football Association [SFA] has decided to organize the 33rd edition of All India Governor’s Gold Cup Football Tournament, which would have played normally in October 2011, in mid-March next year.

Chumbung’s Uttam Rai dazzles at AFC U-16, trains with India U-19 now

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: Uttam Rai, the young footballer from Sikkim has so impressed selectors with his skills at the recently concluded AFC U-16 Qualifiers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, that he has now also been included in U-19 India camp underway in Goa.

Overloaded van rolls off the road, 10 injured

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: An overloaded Maruti Van met with an accident injuring all 10 occupants at Chota-Singtam. The accident took place at around 2:20 p.m. on Sunday when the taxi van, SK-04-9721, was on its way to Assam Lingzey from Chota Singtam.

Tadong pharmacy busted for peddling substances of abuse

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: The Sadar police has busted a Gangtok-based pharmacy for dealing in contraband substances [prescription drugs of abuse] which is suspected of having become a hub for consuming substances of abuse.

SIMFED issues 1,77,948 bonus shares, posts net profit of Rs 71.35 lakh for 2010-11

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: The 9th Annual General Meeting of the State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (SIMFED) was held on 21 October at Janta Bhawan, Gangtok, East Sikkim, informs a press release.

Kitam Boys and Namchi Volleyball Association girls lift Hill’s Open Volleyball trophy

NAMCHI, 24 Oct: Kitam Boys lifted the ongoing Hill’s Open Volleyball Tournament while Namchi Volleyball Association girls lifted the Constituency Level Girls Volleyball Tournament 2011 trophy today at Chuba JHS ground.

NEICORD and UCWSS discuss future earthquake relief efforts

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: A meeting of North East India Committee On Relief & Development, [NEICORD] and United Christian Welfare Society of Sikkim [UCWSS] was held in Gangtok on 22 October to take stock of the earthquake relief related activities and to jointly assess what further activities could be taken up jointly in the future to address such emergency situations, informs a press release.

Teesta Stage-V power station bags Greentech Environment Award

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: Teesta Stage–V Power Station of the NHPC at Balutar near Singtam has bagged the Greentech Environment Excellence Award 2011 for “outstanding achievement in the field of Environment Management”.

Two suicides

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: A monk of Enchey monastery has reportedly committed suicide. According to reports, the monk, a resident of Sichey here had come to the monastery hostel on 22 October for a night. His suicide was discovered the next morning.

SDF mourns Bijanbari deaths

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: The Sikkim Democratic Front has extended its deepest condolences to the families of 33 lives lost in the Bijanbari accident in the Darjeeling Hills on 22 Oct. A press release issued by the general secretary (publicity), TN Sharma, informs that the party has prayed for the departed souls and stands by the bereaved families.

STP Pharmaceuticals and PTS Packers & Packers contribute towards earthquake relief

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: Executive Director, STP Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Sangkhola, Tenzing Yonten Khampa, and Managing Director, PTS Packers & Providers Pvt. Ltd., Sangkhola, Tsultrim Rinchen Khampa, contributed Rs. 1 lakh each to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund today, informs a press release. The cheques were handed over to the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, NT Bhutia, as contribution towards the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of the 18 September Earthquake, the release adds.

ATMA training on wheat and mustard cultivation

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: The Agriculture Technology and Management Agency organised a training programme on “Area Expansion, Increasing Productivity and Maintenance and Marketing of Wheat Crop” at Rakdong-Tintek and Makha on 21 and 22 Oct. The training programme was attended by around 77 farmers, informs an official press release.

Dzongu offers special prayers in the wake of 18 Sept Earthquake

WANGCHUK BHUTIA
NAMPRIKDANG, 23 OCT: The residents of Dzongu got together at Namprikdang ground today to attend special prayers offered to the guardian deities in the wake of the 18 September Earthquake devastation.
Special prayers - Lingzey Lungnon and Segyi Rumfaat - were offered today by a set of seven Bongthings who gathered here from different parts of Dzongu. The prayers were led by Bongthing Dichen Lepcha.

CM seeks continued central assistance to support Sikkim’s resolve to rebuild well

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN NEW DELHI
New Delhi, 23 Oct [IPR]: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling attended a meeting of the National Development Council chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at Vigyan Bhawan yesterday, informs a press release issued by the Principal Secretary to the CM, RS Basnet.

CM condoles bridge collapse casualties in Darjeeling

NEW DELHI, 23 Oct [IPR]: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has expressed his deep sorrow and anguish over the loss of lives due to the collapse of a bridge in Darjeeling, West Bengal, yesterday. In his condolence message to the bereaved families on behalf of the people of Sikkim, the Chief Minister has asked them to remain calm and have faith in God. The CM has also wished speedy recovery to those who have sustained injury during the accident.

Mother of 4 from Yangyang alleges panchayat apathy in exclusion from earthquake affected list

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: Panchayat apathy and mismanagement surrounding the disbursement of compensation to victims of house damages has been alleged from Yangyang in South Sikkim. While there have been a number of general allegations made against panchayats of not being sincere in the disbursement of compensation, a specific complaint has now been made by one Rekha Rai of Lower Garging, Yangyang, of the panchayats not entertaining her claim for house damages on the pretext that she had come in too late with her complaint.

Lachung Rinpoche leads special prayers for earthquake victims

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: Special prayers were conducted for the lives lost to the 18 September Earthquake and in other disasters and for world peace and prosperity today at the Upper Syari JHS ground.

SLYA team tours North Sikkim, collects update and grievances

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: A team of Renjyong Mutachi Rong Ong Shejum (Sikkim Lepcha Youth Associaiton) consisting of the members from Rakdong Branch, Fumbong Lho Timpyem and Reymindu Timpyem Kyong Ong Shezum and led by its cultural secretary, Karma Tshering Lepcha toured earthquake affected parts of North Sikkim recently, a press release informs.

TAAS organises successful rescue of injured trekker from remote West Sikkim

TREKKER WITH FRACTURED LEG STRETCHERED OVER TWO DAYS TO CHEWA BHANJYANG, THEN AIRLIFTED TO GANGTOK
GANGTOK, 23 Oct: Sheelagh Ailene Rodgers [59] was rescued by a team of Travel Agents Association of Sikkim and support team of Sikkim Holidays, a local trekking agency, after she was stranded with a broken leg due to a slip on the wet trail in Ghopte, about 9 km from Chewa Bhanjyang, West Sikkim, informs a TAAS release.

CM meets DoNER Minister, suggests declaration of NE as eco-friendly zone

NEW DELHI, 23 Oct [IPR]: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling met with the Union Minister for DONER, Paban Singh Ghatowar, today.

IDIA organises seminar on legal education

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: Students from different schools and Government Law College participated in the sensitization and career-counseling programme organized by Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access to Legal Education [IDIA] yesterday, here at the Paljor Stadium Indoor gymnasium hall.

Thakur Dwar Trust donates 4,800 blankets and sleeping bags for Sikkim

NEW DELHI, 23 Oct [IPR]: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and the Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dixit, flagged off two truckloads of relief materials consisting of 4,800 blankets and sleeping bags from New Delhi today.  The relief material is donated by Thakur Dwar Trust of Delhi.

CRC level Primary Teachers’ Training held at Kitam Sec School

NAMCHI, 23 Oct: Cluster-level Primary Teachers’ Training was held at Govt Secondary School Kitam, South Sikkim, yesterday following directions received from the district authority of HRDD (South), informs a press release.

SDF holds district-level meeting at Namchi, agrees on committee to track schemes, ensure fair disbursement of earthquake relief

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: A district-level meeting of the ruling SDF party was convened on 21 Oct at the South district party office in Namchi. The meeting, chaired by the In-charge, South District, party vice-president GM Gurung was also attended by the party’s west Sikkim in-charge SB Subedi as special guest, informs a press release issued by the publicity secretary, Amber Rai.

Enumerators and supervisors trained on SECC 2011

NAMCHI, 23 Oct: Daylong trainings were organized at Temi BAC on 20 and 21 October for enumerators and supervisors of Temi and Yangang BACs respectively and at Ravangla BAC [for enumerators and supervisors there] on 22 Oct. The training prepared the personnel assigned to undertake the Socio-economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 which is being carried out by the Government of India to generate household level information on social and economic indicators across the country.

4 rooms added to Old Sikkim House

NEW DELHI, 23 Oct [IPR]: During his visit to New Delhi, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling inaugurated the newly constructed additional 4 new rooms at Old Sikkim House on 21 Oct.

KRS South convenes AGM

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: The Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh, South District, convened its Annual General Meeting at Namchi today, informs a press release issued by general secretary, AKRS South, Shailesh Rai.

SHRP dismisses CM’s North tour during Diwali as causing ‘inconvenience’

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad has condemned Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s upcoming tour of North District, the area worst affected by the 18 September earthquake.

Namchi Volleyball Association through to finals in both Men’s and Women’s categories at Chuba

NAMCHI, 23 Oct: Marking the occasion of International Non-Violence Day 2011, United Peace Federation of Sikkim, in collaboration with International Non-Violence Committee Chuba, South Sikkim, is organising the Hills Open Men’s and Constituency Level Women’s Volleyball Tournament here at the Chuba Junior High School ground. The tournament began on 15 October.

Olives Academy organises fete themed to promote environment awareness in Bermiok

NAMCHI, 23 Oct: Strengthening environment education among villagers and students, Olives Academy, Bermiok, South Sikkim, organized a science seminar-cum-school fete yesterday at the school campus.
Stalls on environment awareness to spread the message along with different rural games were part of the day’s program organised by the school committee and students of Olives Academy.

Technology Awareness Program on Large cardamom held at Bering

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: A Technology Awareness Programme on Disease Free Planting materials and post-harvest management of Large Cardamom was conducted at Bering, Ravangla, South Sikkim on 21 Oct, informs a press release.

Rotary Club organises film screening

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: Rotary Club of Gangtok South screened ‘Super Size Me’, an award winning documentary film based on modern day lifestyle and the harmful effects of fast food, at Hotel Delamere yesterday, informs a press release.

Sports associations invited to submit incentive claims

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: Registered sports associations in the State can submit incentive claims of their players covering the period from the year 2008 to 31 March 2011 with the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs on or before 10 November.

Public hearing made mandatory before every project implementation

GANGTOK, 21 Oct [IPR]: The State Government has made a public hearing at the Gram Sabha Level in the Panchayat Raj Institution and also at the area Sabha level within the Urban Local Bodies mandatory, prior to implementation of any sanctioned scheme through a Government Gazette Notification dated 19 October 2011.

Sikkim pilots progress well at Himalayan Open Paragliding Championship

SOMBARIA’S RINZING DOMA SPARKLES AS THE ONLY WOMAN COMPETITOR IN THIS PRE-WORLD CUP EVENT
GANGTOK, 21 Oct: Three pilots from the Sikkim Paragliding Adventure Sports Cooperative Society Ltd, led by their president Arjun Rai, and comprising of vice president Raju Rai and Rinzing Doma Bhutia, are participating in the ongoing Himalayan Open Paragliding Championship, a pre-World Cup 2011 event underway at Bir/ Billing. The trio has been doing well in the main event, having already qualified through the first round on 15 October.

Earthquake marooned Saffo disappointed by delay in road repairs

MANGAN, 21 Oct: The 18 September Earthquake delivered extensive damage across Sikkim and exacted a severe toll in the North district. Now, more than a month since the earthquake, most places are reclaiming normalcy, but there still remain several pockets which continue suffer in the hands of devastation caused by the temblor. Saffo village under Saffo-Passingdang GPU of Dzongu in North Sikkim is one such village.

Boulder comes loose at road-widening spot on JN Road, kills one

GANGTOK, 21 Oct: A freak accident on JN Road [Gangtok-Tsomgo] today claimed one life. Norbu Sherpa, a resident of 7th Mile, JN Road, was hit by a falling boulder at 9th Mile which threw him down about 200 feet off the road.

DC leads team on earthquake damage inspection around Namchi

ALL GREIVANCES WILL BE ADDRESSED, EVERY ASSISTANCE PROVIDED, DC ASSURES
NAMCHI, 21 Oct: District Collector [South], AK Singh, along with a Disaster Management team today visited areas around Namchi to verify the extent of damage caused by the 18 September Earthquake.

Alumni felicitates Melli Gumpa School on being adjudged best performing school

GANGTOK, 21 Oct: The alumni association of Melli Gumpa Secondary School, in association with Melli Dara Paiyong GPU, organized a felicitation programme at the CM Pradhan Auditorium at Melli Dara to felicitate Melli Gumpa Secondary School, South Sikkim, for its achievement as the “Best Performing School” among the government schools in the state for the year 2011.

Committee instituted to address student grievances

GANGTOK, 21 Oct [IPR]: The State Government has constituted a Committee to examine and address grievances of the students in the state vide a Government Gazette Notification dated 19 October 2011. The committee will be chaired by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department and the Director of Human Resource Development Department will be the Member Secretary of the Committee.

Namchi lad selected to play for Ranchi District Cricket Association

NAMCHI, 21 Oct: 22-year-old Robin Dhungel of Namchi has been selected by the Ranchi District Cricket Association [RDCA] to join their squad for the OP Jindal Memorial Cricket Tournament under Super Division which is starting from 15 Dec at Ranchi.
Robin, son of Chandra Prasad Dhungel of Agam Gram, Namchi, has been playing cricket since he was 14 and has now got a chance to play for RDCA. Born in Namchi, his knowledge on cricket was limited, but his interest in the sport and skills have brought him this far.

Minor quake felt in Gangtok

GANGTOK, 21 Oct: A minor earthquake was felt by the people residing in and around Gangtok this morning. It is informed that the quake measured 3 on the Richter scale and was recorded at around 8:20AM this morning. The epicentre is believed to be 5 KM north of Gangtok.

Welcome Openness

Editorial:
The State Government’s decision to notify directions which the Chief Minister has been announcing of late is a welcome move towards more openness and collaboration. As per a gazette notification issues on 19 October, all sanctioned schemes will have to mandatorily hold a public hearing prior to implementation.

Tholung Monastery treasures shifted to safer location, security posted

ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS OFFICIALS REACH THOLUNG
GANGTOK, 22 Oct: A team of officials from the Ecclesiastical Affairs Department flew to Tholung Monastery in Upper Dzongu on 19 October and had the sacred relics and articles housed there shifted to a safer location. A detail of three police guards has also been posted at the monastery and the Department has assured that “our treasure is safely kept and guarded by police personnel”.

Nepali folk album “Saugaat” released

GANGTOK, 21 Oct: Saugaat, a contemporary folk songs collection, was released by Kumar Yonzon this evening. This Nepali music  album packs in eight songs and has been produced by the singer Aakash Lama himself along with Hemant Rai, Ruben Shahi, Prakash Sundas and Anu Sundas. The album was recorded at Decibel Digital Records, Deorali.

Gyalshing girl wins state-level Science Seminar

GANGTOK, 21 Oct: Pranisha Chettri of Gyalshing Girls Senior Secondary School was adjudged the Best Speaker at the state-level Science Seminar-2011 held today at Modern Secondary School auditorium. She spoke on the topic, “Chemistry for Human Welfare: Promises & Concerns”.

SIBLAC seeks Sakya Trizin’s intervention on the Rathong Chu hydel projects

GANGTOK, 21 Oct: The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has called on the Sakya Trizin to “convince the State government to scrap all the three proposed anti-Buddhist Power Projects on the Rathongchu river”. This, the organization resolved to do at a meeting held today, informs a SIBLAC release.

Field staff trained on Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011 in Namchi

NAMCHI, 21 Oct: A two-day training for Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) is being organized by the Block Administrative Office, Namchi in collaboration with the Census Office, Gangtok at the conference hall of BAC Namchi.
More than 50 trainees consisting of RDA, PEA, FF and office staff were trained in conducting the census under Namchi Municipal Council, Jorethang Nagar Panchayat and Namthang, Sumbok and Sikip blocks.

Awareness and health check-up on vector-borne diseases held at Wok

NAMCHI, 21 Oct [IPR]: An awareness programme on Vector Borne Diseases was organized by the Health Department, South at Wok, Primary Health Sub Centre, which comes under Poklok-Kamrang constituency, also the home constituency of the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling, yesterday.