Yishey D. becomes first to bag ‘Special Talent Award’ in photography, and does it for two consecutive years!

Yishey with the award and the award winning photograph [top left corner]

Journalist-writer Yishey D. has bagged the ‘Special Talent Award for the Best Tribal Photographer’ in both the fifth and sixth National Level Photographic Competition organised jointly by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Photo Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.
Each award, comprising a cash prize of Rs. 20,000, a trophy, and a certificate was handed over by Dr. Hrusikesh Panda, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, at the closing ceremony of the first National Tribal Festival at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in New Delhi on February 18, 2015.

Losar greetings from Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje

A painting by the Karmapa. Losar Greetings from Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje forwarded by the Karmapa's Office of Administration, New Delhi

Many Schools, Scarce Safety

“He who opens a school door, closes a prison”
It appears that the above quote of Victor Hugo has made a strong impression on Sikkim. Besides government schools, almost all Gram Panchayat Units all over Sikkim now have at least one private school, if not more. And more schools come up every academic session. While the total number of private schools cannot be accessed at this point since a large number of these schools are probably not even registered with the Government, surviving because they are fulfilling the interests and aspirations of families from lower income groups who cannot afford the more reputed schools but are unwilling to trust their wards to government schools.

CM chairs Biodiversity Board meeting; Slew of proposals passed

Gangtok, 18 Feb [IPR]: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, who is also the Chairperson of the Sikkim Biodiversity Board and State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (State CAMPA), chaired the 3rd Board Meeting of the Sikkim Biodiversity Board organized by Forest Environment & Wildlife Management Department Government of Sikkim at the conference hall of Chintan Bhawan here in the capital this afternoon.
After a review of the minutes of the last board meeting and taking account of various projects and activities including accounts statement, Mr. Chamling approved and passed various proposals which are as follows:

Monkeying around at Hurhurey Dara

Text and Photographs by SONAM PALZOR BHUTIA

Been to Hurhurey Dara of late? Apart from the general dereliction of the footpath, scrumptiousness of the treats served up by hawkers and the disturbing volume of litter there, the location is also home to a troop of monkeys. And while there presence is still “cute” and pleasant in a capital town which does not otherwise see any wildlife around, it is also a development which should be addressed.

Black Cat Division to the aid of families of veteran and serving soldiers

Gangtok, 18 Feb: The Black Cat Division of the army stationed in Gangtok reaffirmed its organisational commitment to the welfare of dependents of serving soldiers and veterans in Sikkim today by providing wheelchairs, crutches and hearing aids to them.

Losar greetings from Governor

Gangtok, 18 Feb: Governor of Sikkim, Shriniwas Patil, and the First Lady Smt. Rajanidevi Patil have extended warm greetings and good wishes to the people of Sikkim on the occasion of Losar.
In his message, the Governor conveys, “The celebration of Losar, the Tibetan New Year, symbolises the hope and aspiration for a new beginning. We offer prayers to the deities and seek prosperity, health and well being for all as blessings for the New Year. May the advent of this New Year bring peace, prosperity and harmony among all Sikkimese.”

CM greets Sikkim on Losar

Gangtok, 18 Feb [IPR]: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and Smt Tika Maya Chamling have extended warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Sikkim on the occasion of Losar, the Tibetan New Year. In his message, the Chief Minister has wished that the New Year brings with it peace, happiness and prosperity for the people of Sikkim and foster unity and brotherhood amongst all.

Notice from State Election Commission on electoral rolls for municipal elections

In view of ensuing election to Municipalities, 2015 in the state of Sikkim, programme for preparation of electoral rolls are as under:

1.      Preparation of Draft Rolls after integration

 of all supplementary  up to 2015                              :           12.02.2015

2.      Segregation of Ward Wise Electoral Rolls

 from Mother Electoral Rolls through NIC              :           13.02.2015 to 20.02.2015

                         

3.      Data Entry/preparation of Manuscript (NIC)          :           21.02.2015 to 02.03.2015

4.      Draft Publication                                                         :           05.03.2015

5.      Filing of claims & Objections                                    :           06.03.2015 to 15.03.2015

6.      Disposal of claims & objections                               :           16.03.2015 to 20.03.2015

7.       Final publication:                                                        :           27.03.2015

ICFAI-Sikkim students picked up by Oberoi Group

GANGTOK: Five students of the ICFAI University Sikkim were picked up by the Oberoi Group during interviews conducted for management trainees at Siliguri on 14 Feb. Six students from ICFAI University had appeared for the interview, the university informs. Three of the selected students are from the Darjeeling Hills and one each from Sikkim and Bhutan. Vice Chancellor SG Tashi spoke to the students and extended his congratulations to the successful candidates. A press communiqué from Bimal Thapa, a lecturer at IUS, further conveys that the VC expressed happiness that not only is the University contributing to enhancement of employment potential of alumni in highly remunerative jobs, but also in leading companies in the country.

Justice Bhattacharya appointed Law Commissioner

GANGTOK, 17 Feb: The State Government has appointed former Chief Justice of the High Court of Gujarat, Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya, as the Law Commissioner of Sikkim. The appointment was notified on Monday. The post, it may be recalled, had fallen vacant when Justice RK Patra, the incumbent Law Commissioner, passed away on 28 January last month.