SU students support Occupy UGC Movement

Support demand to restore, expand and increase Non NET Fellowships for M.Phil and Ph.D. scholars

On 02 November, 2015 a peaceful mass protest rally was organized by the students of Sikkim University from 5th Mile Rap Jyor Caveri Girls Hostel, Sikkim University to Administration Block, Sikkim University 6th Mile to show solidarity towards the “Occupy UGC Movement”. Around 300 students pursuing different courses of study in Sikkim University participated with placards and slogans against the recent decision of UGC, and expressed their views in front of the Administrative Block, Sikkim University in support of the Non NET Fellowships and against privatization of education.

Why practice Yogic Breathing Technique Pranayama

Breathing is a natural process where we don't have to think or make any extra effort. Due to this we don't give much importance to breathing technique. Scientific research shows that mindful breathing—paying attention to your breath and learning how to manipulate it—is one of the most effective ways to lower everyday stress levels and improve a variety of health factors ranging from mood to metabolism.
Therefore, here are a few reasons why we should practice pranayama...

Sikkim doubles financial assistance for WWII vets

The state government of Sikkim has doubled the financial assistance provided to World War II veterans and their widows. This financial grant is for non-pensioners who number around 164 in Sikkim - 56 non-pensioners and 108 widows of non-pensioner WWII vets.

Three from Sikkim in Indian Kick Boxing Team

KICK BOXERS TO PARTICIPATE IN WAKO WORLD KICKBOXING C'SHIP 2015 FROM 21-29 NOV IN IRELAND Three kick boxers from Sikkim have been selected to represent the country in the upcoming WAKO World Kickboxing Championship 2015 to be held from 21 to 29 November at Dublin, Ireland. They are part of the 40-member Indian team that will participate in the Championship.

Discussion begins on different aspects of Buddhism

Sakya Trizin reminds Buddhists of responsibilities towards environmental conservation

“For the sake of future generations, nature should not be destroyed in the name of development. Solutions for climate change lie in forest protection and every human being is responsible for the protection of wildlife and combating the impact of climate change,” said Sakya Trizin Rinpoche to students of various colleges of Gangtok today while inaugurating a two-day seminar on ‘Different Aspects of Buddhism’ here at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. The seminar is being jointly organised by Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and the Dolma Phodrang Foundation, New Delhi.
Sakya Trizin Rinpoche said that Buddhism teaches the value of saving lives which is the core teaching of Lord Buddha and the Mahayana sect is following the very principle and teachings of Buddha.

Act of Breathing

The act of breathing is the movement caused in different parts of your trunk when you inhale and exhale. The movement does not mean that the inhaled air actually reaches these parts of your body. The air never goes anywhere but to the lungs. However the movement of different parts of the trunk do bring air into certain areas of lungs. For example, very shallow breathing uses the top of your lungs which causes only the first few ribs to move and abdominal breathing brings air into the base of your lungs which causes your abdomen to rise and fall with inhalation and exhalation.

Okharey to host ecotourism fest this weekend

To explore the touristic appeal of rural Sikkim and to showcase its customs and traditions, the Forest Department, under the banner of Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project [SBFP], is organizing the three-day Okharey Ecotourism festival at Okharey, a Sherpa hamlet in West Sikkim.

Bar Assoc dismayed with police brutality targeting advocate

The general body of the Bar Association of Sikkim has expressed unanimous “shock and dismay” over what it describes as a “horrific incident of Police brutality” targeting a member of the bar. The incident in question is reported to have transpired on the afternoon of 12 Oct at the main gate of the District & Sessions Court premises at Sichey, Gangtok, when advocate JKP Jaiswal, a senior member of the BAS, was allegedly assaulted by two police inspectors. A BAS press release contends that the assault took place in front of the hundreds of people gathered there for the declaration of the municipal election results. An FIR has been registered against the two cops in question, the release informs.

Navy recruitment drive busts fake certificate racket

Scrutiny of documents by the recruitment and the district authorities during the Navy recruitment drive at Paljor Stadium today [14 Oct 2015] led to the discovery of a candidate who had managed to secure fake domiciles and educational certificates. What is more, he is suspected to have been one among at least six who had been provided with fake documents to attempt getting recruited from Sikkim.

Former Governor of Sikkim, RH Tahiliani, passes away

Admiral (retd.) Radhakrishna Hariram Tahiliani, who served as the Governor of Sikkim from 1990 to 1994 passed away today at Army Hospital Research & Referral, Delhi Cantt. A press communiqué from the Raj Bhawan informs that the former Governor passed away this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Governor Shriniwas Patil has expressed deep sadness and grief on the demise of Admiral (retd.) Tahiliani.

High Court dismisses petition challenging appointment of Lokayukta

Vishnu Neopaney

The High Court of Sikkim has turned down the writ petition filed by Sikkim Krantikari Morcha functionaries challenging the appointment of the chairperson of the Lokayukta. Delivering its judgment on the petition filed SKM MLAs Kunga Nima Lepcha and Ugen Nedup Bhutia and Lok Nath Sharma challenging appointment of Lokayukta Chairman Justice [retd] Kalyan Jyoti Sengupta, the High Court division bench of Justice SP Wangdi and Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai observed that the Court did not find any merit in the writ petition and that the petitioners had failed to make out any case for the Court to interfere with the proceedings of the selection committee on whose recommendation the chairperson of the Sikkim Lokayukta was appointed. It may be recalled that the court had earlier reserved its verdict on the case, and the same was pronounced today.

So many kinds of Sikkimese!

TSHERING EDEN

From Sikkim Subject Certificates to Certificates of Identification, the transition has been one full of complications. The document attesting a person as a bona fide citizen of Sikkim is much more than just that; it is about a person’s identity in relation to the state and his own understanding of belonging. Even as these two aspects are yet to be reconciled fully, the issue is further compounded by the emergence of different sub-identities over the years.
While the Sikkim Subject Certificate and the CoI are considered as one and the same thing, a closer look reveals substantial differences.

Rangpo rounds up all muncipalities for SDF

The gateway to Sikkim was the town whose votes were counted the last today and here at least there were some jitters for the ruling front when the Chanatar ward saw a close contest. In the end though, with Rangpo Nagar Panchayat, SDF completed a clean sweep of the municipal elections...

Only SDF at Singtam as well

By time the EVMs for Singtam Nagar Panchayat were opened for counting, even SDF supporters would have tired with the celebrations. And when the votes were counted, it was more of the same - clean sweep for SDF. This is how the numbers added up in Singtam>>>

SDF reclaims Gangtok

Gangtok had served up a rout to the SDF in the assembly elections last year. The ruling party lost from all the assembly constituencies clustered around the capital which is probably why the SKM supporters would have expected the GMC to include some SKM councillors. That was not to be as Gangtokians appear to have taken the municipal elections as an opportunity to get back into the "SDF camp". While few would have expected municipal voters to go against the party already in power in the State, the thoroughness of the SDF victory must have surprised even SDF party workers. This is how Gangtok voted>>>

No surprises in Namchi

Namchi is the Chief Minister's constituency and also an established SDF bastion. SKM could not dent it in the assembly elections so no surprises should have been expected for the municipal elections. And that is how things played out here, with an unequivocal reiteration of SDF colours...

Sakya Trizin Rinpoche arrives in Gangtok

Sakya Trizin Rinpoche, the Supreme Head of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived at Sa-Ngor Chotshog Centre [Ngor Gompa], Gangtok from Kalimpong on Sunday. He was received at Rangpo by officials and representatives from various monasteries and associations.
Today the Rinpoche called on Governor of Sikkim, Shriniwas Patil at Raj Bhavan. His Holiness was accompanied by Gyalyum Chenmo, Dungsay Rinpoche, Director Namgyal Institute of Tibetology and officials of Ecclesiastical Department on the occasion.

Jorethang votes SDF

Jorethang was projected as a municipal council where the Opposition SKM was expected to do well, and while it did give a fight to the SDF in some wards there, it was never really a serious contender as the results show. SDF candidates won all seats, with even the toughest ward to win going to SDF with 60% of the votes.

It started from Gyalshing

Counting for the municipal polls began at 8 a.m. from Gyalshing and the results for the two wards that required to go to poll there set the day up for an SDF clean sweep. The ruling party was expected to win the Gyalshing Municipal Council since the 5 wards already won uncontested made the voting for the two remaining wards a mere formality. And still, the municipal council saw the highest voter turnout at 77.01% and served up a staggering win for SDF. This is how the Gyalshing Municipal Council is now staffed...

Rajkumar's daily grind

CHANCE ENCOUNTERS

A video report by Tshering Eden on what was once a common sight, but has now been pushed out of business by the proliferation of mixer-grinders.

Sakya Trizin to deliver “precious Dharma advice”

Tibetology to also host seminar on different aspects of Buddhism

The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT), in keeping with its objective to propagate Buddhism, has announced a smart roster of events for the upcoming week, starting with a talk by Sakya Trizin Rinpoche.

66.75%- the final voter turnout figure for municipal elections

The final official voter turnout figures released by the State Election Commission for the municipal elections 2015. Overall voter turnout: 66.79%
Gyalshing Municipal Council: 77.01%
Rangpo Nagar Panchayat: 75.49%
Singtam Nagar Panchayat: 74.04%
Jorethang-Nayabazaar Municipal Council: 71.01%
Namchi Muncipal Council: 65.58%
Gangtok Muncipal Corporation: 64.75%

Municipal polls register 71% voter turnout

As per the final data released by the State Election Commission, elections held for the six municipal towns of Sikkim today received an overall voter turnout of 71.18%. Interestingly, Gyalshing Municipal Council, where elections were held only for two wards [five having already gone to SDF uncontested], recorded the highest voter turnout at 77.01%. With this, West Sikkim continues its record of registering the highest voter turnouts in Sikkim. For the Assembly elections 2014, West Sikkim had posted the state’s highest voter turnout at 82.94%.

1,058 students graduate at SMU convocation

Sikkim Manipal University [SMU] convened its 15th Convocation here at the SMU auditorium hall on 09 October. During the function, Vice Chancellor, SMU, [Retd] Brig. Somnath Mishra, awarded degrees of MBBS, MD, MS, BSc and Post BSc Nursing, BPT, MPT, Medical MSc, MHA and BSc MLT to graduates whereas Dean SMIMS Air Marshal Dr. G.S Joneja, administered the Hippocratic Oath to MBBS graduates.

Voter turnout as of 2p.m.

It appears that Sikkim likes to vote in the afternoons with the voter turnout having spiked across the state between noon and 2p.m. (for voter turnout update as of 12 pm, http://sikkimnow.blogspot.in/2015/10/swift-voting-for-municipal-elections.html). The total voter turnout at the 6 towns hosting municipal elections stands at 41% as of 2 p.m., with Gyalshing Nagar Panchayat’s two wards having surged ahead with 68% turnout already, followed by Jorethang Nagar Panchayat which saw 56% of its voters cast their votes and Namchi Municipal Council where 55% have cast their votes already. At Rangpo, 47.01 voters have cast their votes thus far while in Singtam, the turnout thus far is 43.01%. Gangtok brings up the rear with 36.65% voter turnout as of 2p.m. Voting is underway at 83 polling stations spread across 6 municipal towns where election are being held today.

Swift voting for municipal elections

Chanatar polling station of Rangpo Nagar Panchayat

As per the data released by the State Election Commission, Gangtok Municipal Corporation has recorded 36.65% voting as of 12.30 pm. Similarly Rangpo and Singtam Nagar Panchayats recorded 47.01% and 43.07% voting respectively till that time. On the other hand, Namchi Municipal Corporation recorded 31% followed by 38% voting for Jorethang Municipal Corporation. As of 12:30 p.m., Gyalshing Municipal Corporation has recorded 25% of voting.

Yoga for neck pain

Neck tension and pain is the most common problem that people face these days. This is also the most neglected part of our body workout. The most common cause of the neck pain is bad posture, stressful lifestyle, use of computer for a prolonged period of time, no exercise etc. Therefore it is important to take a little break everyday for at least 10 minutes to exercise your neck for a lasting relief of neck pain.

Here are a few neck exercises to stretch and strengthen your neck muscles:

The first four are strengthening exercises where you press the palm of your hand against the head on all four sides while keeping your head steady and strong.

The others are stretching exercises where you stretch your neck muscle on all four sides.

Vigilance arrests Forest RO on charges of misappropriating Kichumdumra project funds

Vigilance case lists Addl Director among accused, invites people to share further information

Sikkim Vigilance Police on 07 October, Wednesday, arrested PK Sharma, a Range Officer of the Forest Department, under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 on charges of misutilization and misappropriation of funds in connection with the execution of a project at Kichumdumra in South Sikkim, around 30 KM from the south district headquarter town of Namchi, informs a press release issued by the SP, Vigilance Police.
The release further informs that the case is also registered against an IFS officer of the Department, Udai Gurung, Additional Director, who, along with Mr. Sharma, had supervised and executed the works titled “Development of Ecological Park with Recreation and Allied Facilities at Kichumdumra, South Sikkim”.

High Court admits petition challenging changes in seat reservation nomenclature for municipal polls

Vishnu Neopaney

The High Court of Sikkim on 06 October, Tuesday, admitted a writ petition challenging the government notifications published on 01 September and 09 September 2015 in connection with the municipal elections. These notifications were related to the reservation pattern for wards in the municipal bodies and did away with the community specific Bhutia-Lepcha and Limboo-Tamang seat reservation seen in the last municipal polls and clubbed them together as Scheduled Tribe seats for the upcoming municipal elections.

Rey Khola claims one more. Toll up to 5 in 4 months

Subash Rai

Another drowning at Rey Khola in East Sikkim was reported on Sunday, 04 October. With this incident the number of lives claimed by a paticular section of this river has gone up to five in four months! As per eyewitness accounts, a 24-year-old youth from Vajra, Baluwakhani died due to drowning at around 4.30 pm on Sunday. According to a friend of the victim, five of them including the victim’s younger brother were swimming at that particular spot but suddenly the victim’s brother started drowning. Seeing this, the victim jumped into the deep whirlpool and pulled his brother out but was himself sucked in.

Sanitation campaign underway

Sagar Chhetri

Rural Management & Development Department is launching a series of interventions this month as part of the National Sanitation Campaign. The month-long National Sanitation Campaign started on 25 September and will conclude on 31 October.
Addressing a press conference here at Janta Bhawan on 05 October, RMDD Secretary DR Nepal explained the various state-level interventions to be undertaken during the month-long campaign in the State.

Nation’s highest legal aid clinic opened at Thegu

Vishnu Neopaney

Executive Chairman of Sikkim Legal Services Authority, Justice SP Wangdi inaugurated the country's highest Village Level Care and Support Legal Aid Clinic at Thegu on the occasion of Gandhi Jayant. The Village Level Care and Support Legal Aid Clinic at Thegu is located at an altitude of 13,300 feet above sea level.

Half shoulder stand

Vipareeta Karani: Also known as the queen of asanas, Vipareeta Karani is used to treat almost every chronic ailment in yoga therapy. This posture stimulates the thyroid gland and revitalizes the cervical nerves. It increases the flow of blood to brain and ear, helps ease hearing related problems, headache and stress. It also stretches the spine and stimulates all the spinal nerves which improves circulation to the upper body and brain. Holding in an inverted position reverses the effects of gravity on the digestive organs and legs thus relieving  digestive problem and swollen legs issues.

Mint award for ‘competitive’ Sikkim

Sikkim was conferred with the most competitive state in India award in the category of North East economies by The Mint Newspaper. The award was handed over in a ceremony held on 30 September in New Delhi. Principal Secretary-cum-Principal Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House, New Delhi, Govind Mohan received the award on behalf of the state government.

Two killed in truck accident

Two persons were killed in a road mishap here at Makha Balak Bhir 10 mile in East Sikkim on the Dikchu-Singtam highway at around 10 pm on 29 September. A truck bearing registration No. SK04-D-0024 was plying from North Sikkim to Siliguri when the vehicle plunged about 1,000 feet of the road. The driver Mukesh Chettri [24 yrs] and the handy boy died on the spot.

Phimchu bridged

Vishnu Neopaney

A bridge across Phimchu, a stream in north Sikkim ahead of Lachen towards Thangu, was washed away by a flash-flood on 10 September cutting off the regions further north and inconveniencing not just the few locals who reside that far north in Sikkim but also the sizeable army and ITBP deployment there. Vehicular connectivity was an urgent requirement, and despite inclement weather, the Border Roads Organisation spanned the khola and restored connectivity in 11 days.

Govt school enrolments to begin at age 4 from next year

Gazetted status for headmasters under active consideration

“Majority of children belonging to poor Sikkimese families attend Government schools. In order to start them on quality formal education from the age of four years itself, our government has decided to launch LKG and UKG classes in select government schools from the next academic session,” said Chief Minister Pawan Chamling while replying to a query during a press meet here at Samman Bhawan on Tuesday, 29 Sept.

Still no ray of hope at Rey

“Youth dies of drowning” - is a headline that does not garner much interest apart from a cursory look. But what about a headline which screams, “Four youth drown within four months at the same spot”? This is exactly what happened on 27 September, a Sunday, when a Class X student drowned in Rey Khola below Gangtok at around 12.30 pm. He became the fourth person to drown at the exact same place at this popular picnic spot in the past four months. Before him, a young driver and two students, just like him, have drowned here.

Ex-gratia for local drivers killed in accidents hiked by Rs. One lakh

Vishnu Neopaney

The state government has enhanced the ex-gratia grant for drivers killed in road accidents from Rs 2 to Rs 3 lakh. On 02 September, the Department of Transport, Motor Vehicle Division, notified the state government policy enhancing ex-gratia grant to the kin of drivers killed in road accidents.

The King of all Asanas

HEADSTAND is also called the King of all Asanas in yoga. Headstands stimulate and provide refreshed blood to the pituitary and hypothalamus glands. These glands are vital to our well-being, and are considered the master glands that regulate all other glands in the body (thyroid, pineal, and adrenals). Headstand relieves pressure in your lower back and your lower body’s veins, particularly those in your legs. Headstand gives your lungs a workout, making you breathe deeper. It makes you think clear and improves sleep. In yoga therapy headstand is also used to treat eye related problems.

No Honk Gangtok

Hoteliers and restaurateurs propose ban on honking

Sikkim Hotel and Restaurant Association [SHRA] has proposed that the state government initiate measures and set rules to minimize vehicular honking within the capital as well as come up with a long term plan to educate citizens on the nuisance created by unnecessary honking.

Making Unequal Citizens: Nepal’s denial of women’s identities has parallels in Sikkim

Women’s groups in Nepal are up in arms against unequal citizenship rights that even the new Constitution the country adopted on 20 September continues to perpetuate. Even as the new constitution appears to accord greater rights to women in terms of citizenship, in principle, the refusal to recognize women’s identity as completely detached from that of the Nepalese man remains.
The change that has been made in the new constitution is the requirement for children of Nepali women married to foreigners to be born in Nepal to gain naturalized citizenship. This has been removed and Article 12 of the new constitution allows for the citizenship certificate in either of the parents’ name and also carries their gender identity.
However, children of single Nepalese women must be born in Nepal to qualify for citizenship by descent while it is not so for children of Nepalese men. Children of Nepalese women married to foreigners can only obtain naturalized citizenship while children of Nepalese men married to foreigners get citizenship by descent.

Court directs State Govt to establish dispensaries in jails, within four weeks

VISHNU NEOPANEY

The division bench of the High Court of Sikkim has directed the State Government though the Health department to establish dispensaries in the Central Jail at Rongyek and district prison at Namchi within a month with all the possible facilities of nursing staff and resident doctor.
While hearing the suo moto PIL taken up by it after the Supreme Court directed the all High Courts to take up the PIL within their respective jurisdictions and supervise and direct the state government providing such facilities for inmates in jail and directed the state to establish temporary in both the jails with all facilities relating to the staff structure, conservative arrangements and medicines as provided in the Jail Manual.

Health Deptt realizes there is a Dengue outbreak in Delhi

The Health Department convened a meeting on 21 September to discuss the outbreak of Dengue fever in Delhi and to formulate the plan of activities in the state for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The meeting was chaired by DG cum Secretary Health, Dr K Bhandari and was attended by Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital, SPO, NVBDCP & SSO IDSP, an IPR press release informs.

Milan’s honesty continues to win accolades

Rebyna Rana

Milan Rai, a security guard employed with the Sikkim Security Force and posted at the Central Referral Hospital, was awarded a certificate of appreciation by Governor Shriniwas Patil for his honesty and integrity in retrieving a package containing a substantial amount of cash [Rs 2.50 Lakh] which he handed over to its rightful owner.
He has also been awarded certificates of appreciation for the Best Employee of the year 2015 and also for the Best Supervision in Duties of the Year 2015, by the Sikkim Security Force [SSF] and Allied Management Private Ltd, during the "3rd Annual Function & SFF Foundation Day 2015" held on 20 September 2015, here in the premises of SSF Office, Lumsey. A total of 36 guards were awarded certificates in different categories.

Wider contests this time, and Tadong continues to attract the widest contests

Municipal Elections 2015

Subash Rai

After the final date of withdrawal of nominations on Saturday, 19 September, it is now confirmed that a total of 107 candidates will be battling for 42 seats of the upcoming urban body elections 2015. Out of total 53 seats, the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front has already registered uncontested wins in 11 wards including all five seats of Mangan Nagar Panchayat, five out of seven in Gyalshing Municipal Council and one seat out of the total seven in Namchi Municipal Council.

GANGTOK MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

While this is good news for SDF, the scenario this time is very different from the April 2010 municipal elections when the party had a clean sweep with almost all the wards won uncontested.  Out of total 47 seats at that time, the party had won 44 uncontested. SDF had to contest only three wards viz. Tadong and Burtuk wards of Gangtok Municipal Corporation and Rangpo Upper Bazar seat of Rangpo Nagar Panchayat. Later, it registered comfortable wins in these wards keeping its hold in all the urban bodies.
This time, for 42 seats, the SDF has to face challenge from 54 candidates including 42 of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, three from Bharatiya Janata Party and nine Independents. Like in the 2010 municipal elections, the ruling party will fight its widest battles in GMC’s Tadong area, two wards of which have the highest number of candidates in the fray at five each.

Sikkim lobbying with MPs to build support for IT exemption for left out Sikkimese

Vishnu Neopaney

The state government is lobbying with MPs of neighbouring states and Northeast to support the demand for exemption of direct tax to left-out communities and old settlers of Sikkim.

A Municipal Election of Challenges

The much awaited urban local body elections 2015 are now in the offing. The State Election Commission has declared 09 October as voting day, counting on 12th, and by 15 October the election process will be over. With that, all the four districts of Sikkim will have their respective urban representatives for the next five years. As expected earlier, there will be having two cornered contest between the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front and the opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha.
The SDF has fielded candidates from all the 53 wards in the seven municipal bodies of the State. On the other hand, SKM has concentrated primarily in areas where it had gained some hold in the general elections. SKM is contesting from all the 17 seats of the Gangtok Municipal Corporation as it had swept the assembly elections here with six of its nine MLAs, including party president PS Tamang having on from assembly constituencies comprising of areas within and around what is now the GMC. Similarly, the party is also contesting from all the seven seats of Nayabazar-Jorethang Municipal Council and five each seats of Singtam and Rangpo Nagar Panchayats.

The contestants, after scrutiny

The candidates for the municipal elections after completion of the scrutiny on 18 Sept. The numbers will reduce a bit since there is still another day for candidates to withdraw nominations and there are still some dummy candidates remaining in some wards.

Gangtok

Gyalshing

Jorethang

Mangan

Namchi

Rangpo

Singtam

Sikkim marks earthquake anniv with workshop on disaster risk reduction

Gangtok, 18 Sept [IPR]: A daylong workshop on ‘Disaster Risk Reduction - Sikkim’s Commitment for Sendai Framework 2015-2030’ was held at Chintan Bhawan today on State Disaster Risk Reduction Day, commemorating the devastating earthquake of 18 September 2011 and to deliberate on the future strategies for preparedness and mitigation.
The workshop was chaired by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and had the presence of eminent resource persons from across the country. Prof. V.K. Sharma, Executive Vice Chairman SSDMA delivered the key note address.

The Syria Crisis

Know the NEWS

The world is discussing the refugee crisis created by the situation in Syria. Here is a backgrounder on the situation which is making refugees of so many people
HOW IT BEGAN
• During what is now known as the Arab Spring in 2011, 15 school children were arrested, and reportedly tortured, for writing anti-government graffiti on a wall in the Syrian city of Deraa. Angry locals took to the streets in protest.
• Early demands of democracy and greater freedom soon changed to demands for the resignation of President, Bashar al-Assad.
• Almost a 1,000 groups opposing the government have cropped up since the conflict began, with an estimated 100,000 fighters.

Yogic Breathing, an introduction

Breathing is a natural process, one in which we don’t have to think or make any extra effort. Due to this, many people tend to not give much importance to breathing technique during yoga practices as we give to the postures (asanas). On the contrary, yogic breathing technique (Pranayama) is the essence of the yoga practice. Without pranayama one cannot get the true benefits of any yoga posture or prepare for meditation.
“Yogic breathing technique is at once a physical health practice, mental health practice, and meditation. It is not just breath training, it’s mind training that uses the breath as a vehicle,” says Roger Cole, PhD, Yoga teacher
Some of the important beginners’ yogic breathing techniques are:

One fails scrutiny, two candidatures kept pending out of 79 nominations received in East Sikkim

Gangtok, 17 Sept [IPR]: Scrutiny of nomination papers of 79 candidates from the three municipal bodies going to polls in East Sikkim was taken up by the Municipal Returning Officer, East today in the presence of the candidates. Following the scrutiny, nominations of all 54 candidates in the fray for Gangtok Municipal Corporation were accepted. The GMC has 17 wards.

Pemayangtse to host grand birth anniv celebrations of Lhatsun Chenpo

Turquoise Thanka dedicated to the Great Master to be unfurled at Pemayangtse Monastery on 22 Oct 

Founder members of the Le’u Dunpa Bumtherma Monlam Chenmo and the authorities of the Sangchen Pemaynagtse Monastery, the seat of Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo, have announced plans to celeberate the 360th birth anniversary of Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo on 22 Oct 2015.
One of the main aims of the celebration is to pay gratitude to the kindness of Naljor Cheshi in general and Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo in particular and to create awareness in Sikkim and the world, the organisers inform. Naljor Cheshi are the Four Noble Brothers who “unlocked” Sikkim as per the prophesy of Guru Rinpoche and installed the Namgyal dynasty here in the 17th Century. Lhatsun Chenpo is one of the four.

SKM candidate withdraws from Upper Boomtar, rest clear scrutiny in South Sikkim

SKM candidate Neetu Baraily who had filed her nomination papers from Upper Boomtar ward of Namchi Municipal Council, withdrew her nomination today and with that, the SDF candidate, Tulsa Devi Thatal, now stands elected uncontested. Today was the day set for scrutiny, and accordingly, the SKM dummy candidate for Shyam Kumari Rai from Sisney Nayabazar-A, namely Sujata Rai withdrew her nomination today, an official press communiqué informs.

Biswakarma Puja today, and tomorrow as well this year

SUBASH RAI

Every year, Biswakarma Puja is celebrated on 17 September but this year some organizers in Gangtok and its surrounding areas have decided to hold the prayers on 18 September instead. According to them, the puja must fall on the first day of the month of Aswin as per the Bikram Sambad calendar. While this day almost always falls on 17 Sept, this time it is coinciding with 18 September.

SDF manifesto released

Sikkim Democratic Front party spokespersons Nimthit Lepcha and Neeru Sewa formally launched the party manifesto for the Sikkim Urban Civic Body elections 2015 here at Gangtok on Wednesday evening. Also present for the launch were senior leaders of the party. [foto: JOSEPH LEPCHA]

Govt officers to march in protest against circulation of offensive material targeting colleague

State government employees have strongly condemned the circulation of false and defamatory information on social media targeting a lady officer posted in the Chief Minister’s Office.
To register their condemnation, they have decided to organize a silent march on 17 September, Thursday. The rally will follow the route starting from Palace Gate-White Hall-TNA-GICI-Hospital Dara-Titanic Park-Kazi Road finishing at State Assembly Secretariat.

29 in fray for South Sikkim’s 14 municipal wards

Namchi, 16 Sept [IPR]: A total of 28 candidates from SDF and SKM filed their nominations today to contest from the two municipal bodies going to polls in South Sikkim. Independent candidate Selena Rai had filed in her nomination on 15 September 2015.

GTA delegation calls on CM, invites him to Rashtriya Sanghgosti

Gangtok, 16 Sept [IPR]: A delegation led by Sabha Member of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and General Secretary of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), Roshan Giri along with Vice President GJM, RP Waiba, Joint Secretary, GJM, Jyoti Kumar Rai and Treasurer GJM, Dawa Lama called on the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling at his official residence Mintokgang, here in the capital today.
Mr. Giri along with his team during the meeting with the Chief Minister extended their invitation to Mr. Chamling to attend and grace the “Rashtriya Sanghgosti” as the chief guest on 20 September 2015 in Darjeeling, West Bengal.

Chief Administrator takes stock of Organic Mission

Chief Administrator, R Ongmu Chaired a follow-up meeting with the Secretaries and HoDs in the presence of the Chief Secretary, AK Srivastava and Addl. Chief Secretary, SC Gupta with regard to Sikkim Organic Mission at the Conference Hall of Manan Kendra, Gangtok on Tuesday. It was informed during the meeting that the tentative date of the Prime Minister's visit to Sikkim is from 16-18 January 2016. The PM is expected to visit three venues viz. Guards Ground, Ridge Park and Saramsa Garden.

Section 144 to keep order better during election process, explain officials

The district administrations have imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in all urban bodies going to polls to ensure free and fair municipal elections. Section 144 confers powers on Magistrates to issue an such orders at once in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger. Magistrates can impose restrictions on the personal liberties of individuals, whether in a specific locality or in a town itself where the situation has the potential to cause unrest or danger to peace and tranquility.

The contestants and the voter strengths

SDF declared the names of all 53 candidates for the municipal elections on Sunday while SKM, as of 6p.m. Tuesday, had declared its 27 candidates for the three municipal bodies of East Sikkim. The images here are of each municipal body and the contestants in the fray thus far and the number of voters they will be wooing.

Gangtok

Gyalshing

Jorethang-Nayabazar

Mangan

 

Namchi

Rangpo

Singtam

Rachna Books is southasia’s Bookstore of the Year

Gangtok’s Rachna Books was awarded the Publishing Next Industry Award 2015 in the Bookstore of the Year category Panaji, Goa last Saturday, a press release informs.
Rachna Books was among the five bookshops shortlisted and nominated for the South Asia’s only award in the publishing industry. The award, for which Rachna Books had been nominated last year too, was announced at the event at the end of the 2-day conference. The event was held at Krishnadas Shama State Central Library in Goa.
Raman Shresta, the owner of Rachna Books, in his message on being informed about the award, conveys: “Running a bookshop is a labour of love. To be counted among the best certainly boosts our confidence. We are a small town bookshop with only a handful of dedicated readers - the number of whom visiting the bookshop is fast dwindling. It warms my heart to think of all the friendships that were forged over the years all because of our common love for books. It is also saddening to see how many friends have been lost as time has gone by.