Editorial-
9/11, even though that is not the sequence in which India writes its dates, has gained such infamy since 2001 even here that it has wiped out all other memories attached to the date. It has become an obsessive date for the world, seen as a watershed against which events are recorded with pre and post references. While the date undoubtedly has significance in the global equation, it also holds important memories for India and Sikkim unrelated to terrorism. For the nation, it marks the Father of the Nation’s first experiment with Satyagraha. Global terror played a cruel joke when they carried out the most dramatic act of terror on the anniversary of the day when Gandhi shared his philosophy of Satyagraha. On 11 September, 1906, speaking before 3,000 Indians gathered at a theater in Johannesburg, Gandhi organized a strategy of nonviolent resistance to oppose racist policies in South Africa. Satyagraha was born. Closer home, the day marks the death of 65 people in 1983 on the North Sikkim Highway at Manul. Last Wednesday then was the thirtieth anniversary of that fateful night when a 65 people – GREF and BRO personnel, their families and labourers were buried alive here. The GREF and BRO personnel mark 11 September ever since then as Manul Day. They must have done so this year as well, but that remained largely unnoticed. It would have been apt if the North Sikkimese had joined hands in observing the anniversary on a larger scale this year. After all, what would North Sikkim be if there was no North Sikkim Highway? The locals are wont to criticize GREF and BRO with allegations of bringing unwelcome influx to the district and of not taking care of the roads enough. Even as these allegations might have some basis, fact also remains that BRO and its personnel work hard for Sikkim. Too often, the people forget to acknowledge that BRO deserves thanks for making it possible for trucks to ply in an area where at one time even mule tracks were difficult to maintain. BRO personnel rub their noses against inhospitable terrain. A more grateful population will help ease the pressures of working in such desolation. They deserve more respect because they have paid with their lives to keep North Sikkim connected.
9/11, even though that is not the sequence in which India writes its dates, has gained such infamy since 2001 even here that it has wiped out all other memories attached to the date. It has become an obsessive date for the world, seen as a watershed against which events are recorded with pre and post references. While the date undoubtedly has significance in the global equation, it also holds important memories for India and Sikkim unrelated to terrorism. For the nation, it marks the Father of the Nation’s first experiment with Satyagraha. Global terror played a cruel joke when they carried out the most dramatic act of terror on the anniversary of the day when Gandhi shared his philosophy of Satyagraha. On 11 September, 1906, speaking before 3,000 Indians gathered at a theater in Johannesburg, Gandhi organized a strategy of nonviolent resistance to oppose racist policies in South Africa. Satyagraha was born. Closer home, the day marks the death of 65 people in 1983 on the North Sikkim Highway at Manul. Last Wednesday then was the thirtieth anniversary of that fateful night when a 65 people – GREF and BRO personnel, their families and labourers were buried alive here. The GREF and BRO personnel mark 11 September ever since then as Manul Day. They must have done so this year as well, but that remained largely unnoticed. It would have been apt if the North Sikkimese had joined hands in observing the anniversary on a larger scale this year. After all, what would North Sikkim be if there was no North Sikkim Highway? The locals are wont to criticize GREF and BRO with allegations of bringing unwelcome influx to the district and of not taking care of the roads enough. Even as these allegations might have some basis, fact also remains that BRO and its personnel work hard for Sikkim. Too often, the people forget to acknowledge that BRO deserves thanks for making it possible for trucks to ply in an area where at one time even mule tracks were difficult to maintain. BRO personnel rub their noses against inhospitable terrain. A more grateful population will help ease the pressures of working in such desolation. They deserve more respect because they have paid with their lives to keep North Sikkim connected.
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