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.

SDF sets up new party office at 5th Mile Tadong

GANGTOK, 17 Jan: A new SDF party office was inaugurated at 5th Mile Tadong here under the Upper Tadong constituency, Ward No. 13, today. Party vice president, DT Lepcha, inaugurated the party office in the presence of Lok Sabha MP, PD Rai, area MLA DB Thapa, Deputy Mayor Shakti Singh, East district party president JK Bhandari, Ward Councilors Prabhat Gurung and Bhasker Basnet, party members, workers and supporters and the public.

DT Lepcha, as the chief guest for the function reiterated that 2014 General Elections is a definite win for the SDF party. “Contesting the election will be like renewing a license, as the SDF party will definitely win,” he said.

He thanked BM Rai for giving space in his house for the party office and also congratulated the public of the area for the new office.

The MP, Mr. Rai, in his brief address stated that the SDF government has been striving towards building a secure future for the Sikkimese. Highlighting that the state has developed substantially in all these years, he expressed hope that all will benefit equally from these developments.

Adding that peace and development have prevailed in the state until now, Mr Rai appealed to all to help maintain the same. He also called on everybody to stay united and make SDF victorious in the upcoming elections.

The function was also addressed by Cheli Morcha Convener, Karma Ongmu and President (East), JK Bhandari. Earlier, DB Thapa delivered the welcome address, while the vote of thanks was given by Ashit Rai.

Training cum exposure visit to Kerala for Dzongu farmers

GANGTOK, 07 Oct: The Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Research Station, Tadong, organised a 16-day training programme cum exposure visit on “Good Agricultural Practice” (GAP) for farmers from Dzongu at the ICRI Research Station, Spices Board, Myladumpara, Kerala. The tour was from 17 September to 02 October.
An official press release informs that the programme was an externally funded project - National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP). Narayan Kumar Bhattarai, Research Associate, led 20 youth farmers team from Dzongu to Kerala.
During the training programme the farmers were given hands on training programme on biocontrol of cardamom root grub with Entomopathogenic Nematode (EPN), and preparation bio agent like Pseudomonas fluorescence, Bacillus subtilus and Trichoderma harzianum.
The farmers also visited high-yielding small cardamom production area, demonstration of curing, grading and polishing system of small cardamom, black pepper field and e-auction center at Puttady, the release adds.

Destitute home in need of more space, more permanent address REBYNA RANA

GANGTOK, 23 Sept: Mayalmu Sangh, a home for the mentally challenged located in Dara Gaon, Tadong has been facing problems regarding accommodation for a long time now. Due to certain reasons, the home which was earlier located at Metro Point, Tadong has been shifted to Dara Gaon, near Post Office at Tadong.
This destitute home was established in 2008, starting with three inmates.
Speaking to media persons today, care taker of the home, Bindya Gurung informed that a proposal regarding a permanent solution to their accommodation problem had been placed with the state government some time back. The proposal had also been sanctioned by the government but due to some reason it has not materialized thus far, she said.
The home was to be shifted to Lingdum which had been approved by the Urban Development and Housing Department. However, this has not happened and the home had to be shifted to Dara Gaon instead, she informs.
“We need a larger space and this rented accommodation is proving too costly for us,” said Ms. Gurung.  The home is paying a rent of Rs 10,000 per month at present. She further informed that the home runs on donations. While the monthly expenditure of the home is around Rs 50,000, it receives only around Rs 20-21,000 in a month from donations, she added.
“Thukchuk Lachungpa donates every month to the home with his blessings, and sometimes we go door-to- door for donations”, she said.  The Social Welfare department also provides Rs 1.5 lakh to the home every year, she added.
“We receive calls from the police and well-wishers to take in people but we feel sad to turn them away because of the lack of space in the home”, she expressed.
The home, which has four rooms, accommodates 24 inmates at present.

SUNDERGAON RESIDENTS REPAIR ROAD:

Looking at the deplorable condition of the road which connects them with the main road, the residents of Sundergaon, below Daragaon, today carried out temporary repair works from ICAR Gate to Greendale School complex. The team, led by Dhurba Gautam, filled up deep potholes created by rainwater flowing out of unmanaged drains. By evening, the team had repaired the road for smooth flow of traffic. The residents also urged the concerned authorities to look for a permanent solution to this problem.

Burglary in Tadong

GANGTOK, 26 April: A case of theft and house trespassing has been registered against unknown persons at the Sadar Police Station on 25 April.
According to a written FIR filed by one Uma Sharma of Krishi Bhawan, Tadong, on 25 April between 8.00 A.M. and 3.40 P.M. some unknown persons entered her rented house at Krishi Bhawan through the window and made away with some gold ornaments and cash Rs. 16,000.
Preliminary investigations reveal that on 25 April, after the complainant left for work, some unknown perpetrator (s) broke into her house through the bathroom window. Once inside, the perpetrator opened the steel almirah with its key kept in the room and took away some gold ornaments and cash approximately Rs. 16,000 and exited through the same window leaving behind no clues whatsoever. The complainant found out about the burglary when she returned home after work at about 3.40 PM.
Sources have been sensitised to gather credible information having any bearing on the case. A case under section 454/380 [lurking house-trespass or house-breaking in order to commit offence punishable with imprisonment and theft in dwelling house] of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at the Sadar Police Station and the case is under investigation.

SLUDGED OUT

GANGTOK, 20 April: Sludge from the Army compound just above National Highway 31A near Sikkim Jewels in Tadong last evening disturbed traffic flow along the stretch last night and early this morning. A joint effort by Tadong Outpost personnel, Traffic Police personnel and GREF workers managed to clear some of the sludge on the road to allow vehicular movement at around 8 AM. Traffic, however, remained affected throughout the day.

New resting shed inaugurated at Tadong

GANGTOK, 20 Feb: Bhaskar Basnet, the Ward Councilor of Upper Tadong inaugurated the new resting shed near Green Dale School situated near the ICAR Complex in Tadong this morning. Built by the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation at the cost of Rs 7.05 lakh, the resting shed is also expected to be used by tourist hikers as a resting point.
“There are many trekking trails in Gangtok with the interior footpaths which can be used by the tourists for hiking purposes”, stated Sukhbir Subba [Divisional Engineer, Tourism Department], while speaking to reporters during a brief interaction.
The Chief Engineer, GT Dhungel added that many small way-side amenities with washroom facilities are being constructed between Rangpo and Gangtok for the convenience of tourists by the Tourism Department.
“Such kind of infrastructure would help boost tourism, especially adventure tourism”, stated Bhaskar Basnet.

Miscreants attempt to steal from ATM

GANGTOK, 06 Feb: Some miscreants have vandalized the ATM belonging to the State Bank of India located at 5 Mile, Tadong near the Central Referral Hospital. The vandalism aimed at stealing money from the ATM however did not cause much loss to the bank as the miscreants could not extract any money. The outer cover of the cash vault was found broken and was noticed by SBI officials who went to refill  the machine on the morning of 4 February. The vandalism is informed to have taken place at the night of 3 February. No one has been arrested so far and the Sadar police is investigating into the incident.

Tadong branch of Lions Club presented charter certificate

RANGPO, 01 Feb: Charter certificate presentation programme for Lions Club of Tadong was held at a local hotel in Gangtok today. Chief guest of the programme, district governor Lions Club International 322f, Binod Kumar Agarwal handed over the charter certificate to the Tadong Lions Club president, Purusotam Agarwal duly signed by the Club’s international president, Dr Wing Kung Tam.
Secretary of the Club, Santosh Kumar Singh addressing the programme highlighted the Club’s activities carried out after the installation of the Club on 25 August last year. The chief guest, Mr Agarwal in his address, appreciated the work done by the Tadong Club and all other three clubs of the state during the 18 Sept earthquake 2011. He informed that twenty three new members have now joined this international club which has 13, 80, 000 members in 750 districts of 46105 areas in 208 countries.
Also present on the occasion were zone chairman H P Kharel, district chairman Sanjay Agarwal, Lions service in Sikkim Pawan Kumar Agarwal, district chairman food bank project Raghubir Agarwal, district chairman GLP, sponsoring club Ranipool president N L Mundra along with members from Lions Club of Rangpo, Lions Club of Ranipool, Singtam and Kalimpong. [from SANJAY AGARWAL]

One killed in Gangtok blaze

GANGTOK, 16 Jan: An elderly person, retained as a caretaker at an otherwise uninhabited home here at Daragaon, Tadong, was killed in a fire which razed through the cottage here this evening.
Neighbours believe that the fire started at around 7:30 p.m. The cottage is hemmed in by buildings and has a very narrow access path. The Gangtok fire station was informed of the fire at around 8:10 and rushed immediately to the spot. The victim was unfortunately already dead by that time.
Quick action by the firefighters with the assistance of the local people, however, ensured that the flames were beaten down before the fire could spread to the nearby houses. The cramped location of the house did however make fire fighting difficult.
By the time the firefighters had doused the flames enough to reach the victim, his body was already charred.

2 hostels sanctioned for Govt college, Tadong

GANGTOK, 13 Dec: The Human Resource Development Department is constructing student hostels at the Sikkim Government College, Tadong. The estimated cost of construction of two hostels at the government college has been pegged at Rs. 70 lakhs. It is informed that the hostels to be constructed will be catering to students belonging to the Scheduled Tribe community.

Traffic violation leads to ‘drug bust’

GANGTOK, 01 Dec: Personnel at the Tadong police outpost apprehended one person on charges of possession of substances of abuse last night.

Vehicle runs over four at Convoy Ground

GANGTOK, 18 Oct: Four persons were injured today at Convoy Ground, Tadong, when a vehicle bearing registration No MH.-04BQ- 6719 ploughed out of control into them.

Tadong prayers for earthquake victims

GANGTOK, 25 Sept: Prena Samaj of Gairi Gaon here organized condolence prayers at the Tadong Durga Mandir yesterday for the lives lost in the 18 September earthquake and those who continue to suffer its effects.
The ceremony included the lighting of eleven hundred lamps and began at 6:11 in the evening, coinciding with the one week anniversary of the earthquake.
The prayers were joined by residents of the area and also attended by Daragaon ward councilor Bhasker Basnet.

Slip intensifies at Tadong college, anxiety rises among residents above

A linesman undertakes the challenging task of shifting an electricity post to a safer location and resuming power supply to the affected area above the Government College campus in Gangtok.

ANUPA RAI
GANGTOK, 01 July: Although restoration works have begun on the failed slope in the college campus here, residents of the houses above remain an anxious lot, unsure that these measures so late in the day will keep their buildings safe. The clutch of around 150 houses in the area have been trying to convince authorities that the two massive hostels being constructed at the toe of the slope were unwise undertakings in the absence of adequate protective measures. The Department however began the construction work without constructing a retaining wall to secure the slope above and the college slammed a boundary wall above, which the residents contend, disrupted the drainage. Now, the slope has slid away, the wall has collapsed and the houses above imperiled.

NH 31A becomes Khola at Tadong

The national highway at Gairigaon, Tadong looked almost like a river on Sunday night when the storm drains along the highway failed to drain the rainwater which then poured onto the road. Even heavy vehicles found it difficult to manoever through the oncoming muddy water which was carrying small rocks, garbage, and sludge along with it. The video shows how the road looks on a normal day followed by footage taken on Sunday.