Prayers for earthquake victims to mark Rolu Picnic anniv

PERMISSIONS BEING PROCESSED
NAMCHI, 19 Dec: Organisers of the Rolu Picnic of 2009, the gathering which officially announced Upper Burtuk MLA, PS Tamang’s dissidence with the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, plan to mark the anniversary of the picnic on 21 Dec with a Viswa Shanti Puja in the memory of lives lost to the 18 September Earthquake and to propitiate the Gods to prevent a repeat. A member of the organising committee, Milan Rai, when contacted, mentioned that they had informed the SP [South] about their plans to hold the prayers.

Banks come to assistance of earthquake affected with soft loan option

MORATORIUM OF 1 YEAR FOR THOSE UNABLE TO PAY EMI
GANGTOK, 04 Nov: The state government has taken the initiative to approach banks in the state to assist those people affected by the earthquake especially those who have taken house loans etc. Today the Chief Secretary, Karma Gyatso along with Additional Chief Secretary, R Ongmu, held a special meeting with all banks in the state, 26 in all including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

TNA Alumni Association donates computers to affected schools in Chungthang

GANGTOK, 01 Nov: In support of the initiative to “Reconstruct and Rebuild lives” of 18th September 2011 Earth quake victims and also recognizing the need to restart the process of providing quality education to the quake hit children, The Tashi Namgyal Academy Alumni Association, donated one complete set of desk top computers each to two private schools of Chungthang informs a press release issued by Tseten Lepcha, founder membe, Tashi Namgyal Academy Alumni Association.

29 OCT TREMORS IN NORTH SIKKIM CLAIM TWO LIVES IN DZONGU

The Last Khnagchendzonga Bongthing among the casualties
GANGTOK, 30 Oct: A string of tremors early in the morning of 29 October rattled North Sikkim and its residents and claimed two lives bringing back apprehensions and spreading panic among the people. In fact, there was a series of about 12 minor tremors starting 5:30 a.m. and continuing up to 10 a.m. which brought residents together and outdoors especially in Lachen and at Lingthem-Lingdem [Upper Dzogu] where two people died.

Neysol prayers conclude at Naga Monastery

MANGAN, 24 Oct:  The four-day Denzong Neysol Shapten organised by the public of Toong-Naga GPU, which had begun at the Ugen Samdoling Manastery in Naga, North Sikkim, on 20 October concluded on Sunday.

Second phase of earthquake relief disbursement nears completion in South Sikkim

LEFT-OUT VICTIMS INVITED TO FILE CLAIMS ON 20, 21 AND 22 OCTNAMCHI, 18 Oct: The first phase of relief distribution to fully damaged houses in the aftermath of the 18 September Earthquake was started by the Chief Minister in South Sikkim  on 23 September. As per information received from the DC (South), the second phase of the relief distribution is now nearing completion.

Sakya Trizin leads prayers for earthquake victims and Sikkim’s well being at Ngor Gumpa

GANGTOK, 17 Oct: Jungdul Shiwai Jensek - Vajrapani Peaceful Fire Puja for earthquake victims and the well being of the universe and the State of Sikkim in particular was performed at Sa-Ngor Chotshog Centre, Rongyek [SNCC] this morning.

Gyaltshab Rinpoche prays for Sikkim and contributes to CM’s Relief Fund

GANGTOK, 17 Oct: The XIIth Goshir Gyaltshab Rinpoche and the monks of Palchen Chosling Monastery, Ralong, South Sikkim, have condoled the loss of lives and destruction of property in the 18 September Earthquake.

Upreti petitions DC East alleging disparity in Earthquake relief distribution

GANGTOK, 17 Oct: A delegation of Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee [SPCC] led by senior vice president, KN Upreti, and accompanied by former Minister, Phuchung Bhutia, AICC members Avinash Yakha and Laxuman Gurung submitted a memorandum to the District Collector, East, today, conveying dissatisfaction over the distribution of Earthquake relief to victims, informs a press release issued by Mr. Upreti.

Health workers tour affected areas, reach counsel and medicines

GANGTOK, 30 Sept: The Health Department today released details of the tasks undertaken since the 18 Sept earthquake.
According to a press release forwarded by the IRP Department, NDMRF, New Delhi, visited the relief camp at Merung where 16 households were taking shelter. 26 patients were examined and 1 injury case was treated at STNM Hospital while other systematic diseases were reported with no cases of diarrhea. “IEC was given and 4000 halogen tablets distributed”.

Gangtok Muslims pray for Sikkim, contribute relief funds and materials

GANGTOK, 30 Sept: The Muslim community here came together today to offer special prayers for victims of the 18 September Earthquake. This prayer was offered after the Juma Namaaz [Friday Prayers] at the Gangtok Masjid this afternoon.

PM urges Chamling to lead restoration that makes Sikkim a Model State in Earthquake Mitigation

SIKKIM NOT ALONE IN THIS HOUR OF CRISIS, PM REASSURES, ANNOUNCES RS. 1,000 CRORE INTERIM RELIEF FUND
GANGTOK, 29 Sept: Assuring Sikkim that it was not alone in this hour of crisis, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who made a quick tour of the earthquake affected areas today, announced an interim relief fund of Rs. 1,000 crore for immediate restoration of infrastructure and relief works. The fund, it is informed is exclusively for repairs and restoration of infrastructure and not for ex-gratia distribution.

Thingchim prays for earthquake victims

MANGAN, 28 Sept: Vajra Guru prayers are being offered here at the Kalzang Nyamoo Lhakang Monastery at Thingchim in North Sikkim for victims of the 18 September earthquake. The prayers were organized jointly by the Gumpa committee and the public of Thingchim.

Affected people need reassurance, not instigation: CM

CM CALLS FOR PEOPLE TO STAND UNITED TO OVERCOME EARTHQUAKE DEVASTATION
Rs. 1.74 CRORE DISBURSED AS EX GRATIA PAYMENT TO EARTHQUAKE-AFFECTED IN EAST DISTRICT
GANGTOK, 26 Sept: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling called for public participation to assist the government’s efforts to overcome the devastation caused by the 18 September earthquake. The affected people need reassurance and support, not instigation and confusion, he stressed, underlining that circulation of rumours and half-truths would delay relief and rescue efforts, leaving the affected people even more disadvantaged.
Sikkim, he stressed, needs to stand united in this hour of bereavement and will need the collective effort of all its people to tide over the catastrophe.

Dzongu House casualty yet to be extracted

GANGTOK, 26 Sept: The person killed in the Dzongu House collapse in Baluwakhani has been identified as Ramakant Singh. While the dead body was spotted yesterday, trapped in the collapsed stairwell of the building, the NDRF, Army and Sikkim Police teams who have been working at the site for the past two days have not been able to extract it yet.

SU team lists urgent requirements for cut-off villages of Dzongu

GANGTOK, 26 Sept: A Sikkim University relief and recce team which entered Dzongu yesterday has conveyed word that the villages of Mangzing, Kassel and Katong in Upper Dzongu were cut-off from all sides due to fresh landslides triggered the continuous rain of the past few days.

Paljor Stadium relief camp hosts 13 families

AMEET OBEROIGANGTOK, 26 Sept: A total of 13 families are at present camped in the four rooms of a relief camp set up at the Paljor Stadium here in Gangtok. While five families [a total of 23 people] are from Arithang, six families [24 people] are from Sichey and two families [13 people] are from below the Paljor Stadium area.
The families from Arithang moved to the relief camp on 21 September, the Sichey families arrived here on 25 September and the families from below the Paljor Stadium area moved in today.

Sangtong Samaj organizes prayers for earthquake affected

GANGTOK, 26 Sept: Vajra Guru Mantra, Pharchey Lamsel and Menlom prayers were carried out by Sangtong Samaj, Ranka Dhajey from 23 to 25 Sept to offer prayers for the earthquake affected and to seek the restoration of normalcy in the State.
The prayers were led by Champa Tashi Ongyel Bhutia and joined by 12 monks and was also participated by the SDF party in-charge, Upper Burtuk, DT Lepcha, officials and local residents, informs a press release.
The Puja Committee has thanked all who attended the prayers.

Shapten underway at Deorali Sheda

GANGTOK, 26 Sept: Sikkim Institute of Higher Nyingma Studies [Sheda] College at Deorali, Gangtok is continuously conducting shapten (prayer) for those killed in the 18 September earthquake, the well being of all who survived and in order to prevent further disasters like the Sunday earthquake, informs a press release.
The Principal, Dr. Khenpo L Tshering, and other professors along with students and other devotees are attending the prayer.

Gurung Sangh condoles earthquake devastation

GANGTOK, 26 Sept: A condolence meeting of the Akhil Sikkim Gurung (Tamu) Boudha Sangh was convened on 23 Sept at its office here at DPH Road chaired by its president, HB Gurung.
The meeting prayed for the lives lost to the earthquake and extended its deepest condolences to the affected families, informs a press release issued by the publicity secretary, Kamal Gurung.