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.

Election-specific OBC certificates to be issued to interested candidates

A specific format has reportedly been finalized for issuance of “Caste Certificates” to prospective candidates in the categories of Central and State lists of Other Backward Classes, informs a press communiqué issued by the District Magistrate [East], Prabhakar Verma, who is also the designated municipal returning officer for the district. These OBC certificates will be for exclusive use of candidates for the purpose of filing nominations from wards reserved for the state and central list OBCs.

Opposition Forum thumbs down State Election Commission… again

VISHNU NEOPANEY

The United Forum for Democracy in Sikkim, an alliance of five opposition parties formed recently, has rejected the State Election Commission as a “rubber stamp” of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, alleging that the SEC was working on the directions of ruling party even at the cost of subverting prescribed procedures and established norms. A three and a half hour long meeting between representatives of the Forum and the State Election Commissioner to discuss municipal election related issues flagged by the group only reinforced the suspicions harboured by the opposition parties.

SKM legislators rue Governor’s refusal to meet them

Sangh MLA Sonam Lama of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, in a press release issued today on behalf of the six SKM MLAs, has expressed “shock” over what he terms the “passive approach” of the Raj Bhawan in discussing important issues proposed to be raised by the MLAs whose request for a meeting with the Governor remains allegedly ignored.

SDF picks its 53 for the municipal polls

Sikkim Democratic Front has released its list of 53 candidates selected to contest the municipal elections slated for 09 October at seven towns across the State. The list was declared on Sunday

CANDIDATES OF SIKKIM DEMOCRATIC FRONT FOR THE URBAN LOCAL BODIES ELECTIONS 2015 

GANGTOK MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

WARDS                                                                 CANDIDATES