Three-day national conference on Medicinal Plant Research

GANGTOK, 01 Oct: The Department of Botany, Sikkim University in association with Sikkim State Medicinal Plant Board is organizing a three-day national conference on ‘New Frontiers in Medicinal Plant Research and a special meeting on ‘Medicinal Plants for Livelihood Security and Community Empowerment in Eastern Himalayas’ from 03-05 October at Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Gangtok.
A press release informs that the event is expected to supply a comprehensive understanding and overall picture on recent developments in this sector to all stakeholders and provide an initial way forward for capacity building and empowerment of the Eastern Himalayan communities to provide competitive advantage to them in the global market, both sustainably and equitably.
More than 125 delegates including researchers, NGOs, private companies, conservation and development agencies, policy makers, students and stakeholders’ representatives are participating in the conference. About 25 eminent scientists and researchers from prestigious institutes in India and abroad will deliver expert lectures and partake in the deliberations, the release informs. As part of the special meeting, an interactive session with local medicinal plant growers and practitioners of local health traditions is being organized on 05 October.

Statisticians review Indian Statistical strengthening project

20th CONFERENCE OF CENTRAL AND STATE STATISTICAL ORGANIZATION BEGINS IN GANGTOK
GANGTOK, 10 Jan: Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso inaugurated the two-day 20th conference of Central and State Statistical Organization in the presence of Chief Statistician and Secretary, Ministry of Statistic and Program Implementation, Govt. of India (MSPI), Dr. TCA Anant at Chintan Bhawan here today. The conference is being hosted by DESME and is being organized by the MSPI.
The two-day conference is being attended by representatives of statistic offices of States and Union Territories who will deliberate on issues relating to industrial statistics, annual survey of industries, its present status and issues, urban statistics, information technology initiatives in statistics and also review the Indian Statistical strengthening project. It will also review the action taken on the recommendations of 19th Conference of Central and State Statistical Organization (COCSSO).
Highlighting the importance of the annual conference, Chief Statistician and Secretary, Ministry of Statistic and Program Implementation, Dr. TCA Anant informed that it is a premier platform to study and discuss threadbare the concerns and emerging challenges to raise the standard of statistical parameters. Dr. Anant also urged the states to generate and release data according to agreed common and standard calendar.
“This meeting gives us the chance to ensure better coordination between statistical departments in the country and since statistics is knowledge we will deliberate and be the backbone of the government’s assessment,” he stated.
In his address the DESME, Secretary, SD Tshering stated that Sikkim is one of the first states in the country to sign an MoU on the India Statistical Strengthening Project and under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling one of the few states to establish a separate department for statistical work and survey in the state even before the centre had intimated the state to do so.
“I want to thank the ministry for selecting Sikkim as the venue to host this prestigious meet. I hope that the deliberations will help us improve statistical tools and discuss some important issues,” stated the Secretary.
Addressing the conference, Additional Director General, CSO, Ashish Kumar informed that efforts on part of the organization have resulted into a number of initiatives to improve infrastructure scenario of the country. He also urged the states to undertake work on sampling of non sampled areas. Crucial statistical data on critical areas help in better policy formation, he added. He also informed that the two-day conference would try to identify areas of weakness and bridge the gap within 4-5 years.
It was also informed today that the meeting would discuss the means to improve the existing infrastructure in the country. It was mentioned that apart from the grants from the centre, a separate means to develop infrastructure through the 13th finance commission has also been initiated. This grant actually is for identification of weak areas and in the process bridge the gap.

Light was also shed on the recognition of urban and industrial statistics, an area that needed much deliberation and work. Firmer means to collect data along with appropriate knowledge for the different state governments to monitor these two areas for micro level planning will also be discussed during the programme. Other areas where the participants will deliberate upon will be the annual survey of industries, inclusion of areas of survey under central ASI, new census estimate of urbanization and feedback from the different states on the 13th finance commission.

“These deliberations will help in GSDP estimates and other areas and facilitate better policy making and knowledge. This conference is a premier platform to discuss areas of concern. Last year the meeting was held in Jaipur, we will also review the progress, capital formation and simultaneously plan for the future,” shared the ADG (NAD)/ADG (CAP), Mr. Aditya in his address.
On the occasion a manual on Disability Statistic 2012 was also released by the chief guest, Chief Secratary, Karma Gyatso.

Press Club to host national media conference

GANGTOK, 02 Nov: A national level conference on ‘Prospects and Problems of Northeast Media’ is being organized by Press Club of Sikkim (PCS) in collaboration with Information & Public Relations department here at Chintan Bhavan on 07 November.
The event is part of the decadal foundation day celebration of PCS and over 100 representatives from press organizations of all the states have been invited. Journalists from the neighbouring region of North Bengal including those from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri would also be attending the seminar.
Chairman of the Press Council of India, Justice Markande Katju would be chairing the seminar while Governor BP Singh will be present as the chief guest along with the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling as the guest of honour.
The representatives from press associations of different states will be making presentations on the theme during the seminar.

18 Sept declared Disaster Risk Reduction Day

TWO-DAY NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT CONCLUDES
...AND 2012-13 TO BE OBSERVED AS DISASTER RISK REDUCTION YEAR
GANGTOK, 18 Sept: The two-day National Conference on Disaster Management with the theme ‘Towards a safe and disaster resilient Sikkim’ being held at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok was inaugurated by the Speaker, SLA, KT Gyaltsen at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok on Monday.
The Speaker during his inaugural address conveyed his sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims of the earthquake and expressed his gratitude to the members of the civil society, the Central Government, various state governments, NGOs who came to help during the hour of crisis. While underlining the need to systematize the disaster mitigation plan to cope up with such type of catastrophe, the Speaker urged the delegates and experts from other parts of the country to help, assist and guide the state which is in the process of preparation of future programmes in this regard.
The Speaker also acknowledged the proactiveness shown by the society during the post earthquake situation which he said was exemplary and showed the strength of the society during that time. He also highlighted on the activities undertaken by the government to provide relief and comfort to the people during the hour of crisis.
Member, National Disaster Management Authority, KM Singh during his address complimented the Government of Sikkim for the enormous work and large number of measures adopted in disaster management. He also appreciated the publication of a booklet on the training of masons which he said would be very effective in the construction of earthquake resistant houses and should be circulated around the country.
Mr Singh also highlighted on the importance of fire services and civil defence during the hour of crisis and said that it has a major role and responsibility to play during disaster.
Vice Chairman, Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, Anil Sinha during his deliberation highlighted the importance of mock drill and rehearsal in disaster management.
Executive Vice Chairman, Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, Prof. VK Sharma, in his address, said that the subject of disaster management can be learned from each other through interaction and sharing of experience. This is because everyone has their own experience and knowledge in this field. In order to cope with the disastrous situation plans should be formulated from the panchayat and block level, he said.
The Chief Secretary of Sikkim, Karma Gyatso during his key note address briefed about the post earthquake activities and placed on record the service rendered by every individual, civil society, NGOs, Para Military forces, state and central government organisations immediately after the disaster and acknowledged their role during the hour of crisis.
“It is only due to the collective effort of everyone that normalcy was restored in very short span of time”, he added. The Chief Secretary informed the delegates that the state government is in the process of preparing the best disaster management plan in the country.
Giving an overview of the activities undertaken by the state government after the earthquake, the Chief Secretary said that given the climate here, the state has only about seven working months during which work can be implemented on the field.
The second day today had Minister HRDD, NK Pradhan as the chief guest who was accompanied by Minister Health and Vice Chairman, SSDMA, DN Thakarpa.
The conference was organised by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department on the first anniversary of the 18 September earthquake which hit the state last year.
Speaking during the conference, Minister HRDD, NK Pradhan stated, “We should learn from what has happened and correct the mistakes. Disasters can strike at any time, but preparedness can reduce the amount of loss”.
The State government has put in a lot of effort in the relief and rehabilitation works after the aftermath of the 18 September earthquake and has also been provided the necessary help by the Central Government. There is still a lot to be done and the recovery process will not be completed in a year it will take sometime and people will have to have patience, said Mr Pradhan.
On incorporating topics regarding earthquake and disaster management in the school syllabus, he advised his department’s officials to see it done as soon as possible as this was the need of the hour. School buildings all over the state [the old ones as well as the new ones] will be retrofitted to avoid extensive damages in future, he added.
Awareness and training about disasters needs to be created right from the grassroot level. We need to educate each and everyone about such disasters and make sure children especially school children get education regarding such disasters and learn how to be safe, he added.
Earlier in his keynote address, the Chief Secretary, Karma Gyatso made a powerpoint presentation on what has been done and what is to be carried out further. He also congratulated the Secretary, Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department for organising such a conference as the feedbacks coming were very good.
He also requested the Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department to conduct such workshops and conferences annually.
Joint Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority [NDMA], Sujata Saumik talked about the School and Hospital Safety Programme which has been initiated by the NDMA and said that it should be incorporated in the state plan for disaster management. She also assured all support to the state from NDMA for the establishment of institute of disaster management in the state.
The conference was also addressed by SBS Bhadauria [Secretary, Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department] and Professor Vinod K Sharma [Executive Vice Chairman, Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority.
Earlier, certificates of appreciation were distributed to individuals, non-governmental organisations, para-military forces and government agencies who had helped in the relief and rescue work during the 18 September earthquake, last year.
Books, posters and public awareness materials were also released. The chief guest also declared 18 September as Disaster Risk Reduction Day and 2012-13 as Disaster Risk Reduction Year. A film on the 18 September earthquake by the Information & Public Relations Department, Reconstruction of Earthquake Damaged Rural Houses [REDRH] website and handbook were also released on the day.

Yuksam school’s Passang Phurba impresses all at National Conference on Biodiversity

PASSANG’S ‘PROJECT CONNECT’ CONCEPT WAS THE ONLY SCHOOL STUDENT PRESENTATION SELECTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS EVENT
GANGTOK, 19 Feb: Passang Phurba Bhutia of Govt. Sec. School, Yuksam, presented her poster ‘Project CONNECT’ at the prestigious ‘National Conference on Biodiversity Assessment, Conservation and Utilization’ hosted by the Biodiversity Department of MES Abasaheb Garware College (Pune) in collaboration with BAIF Development Research Foundation (Pune) and IISER (Pune). The conference, held from 09 to 11 February, was inaugurated by Padmabibhusan Dr. Kasturirangan (ISRO Scientist and Member of Planning Commission of India) and also attended by noted space scientist Padmabhusan Dr. Vasant Gowariker and environmentalist Padmabhusan Prof. Madhav Gadgil.
Ms. Bhutia was not only the youngest but also the only school-level participant at the prestigious event and with her passion for conservation, became the the center of attraction of the conference. The Headmaster of her school, Sanjoy Acharyya, informs that Passang’s participation was made possible by the sponsorship received from the DC West, SK Pradhan.
Passang’s poster presentation on “CONservation of Natural Environment through Culture and Tradition” (CONNECT) was well-received by various environmental scholars like Prof. Gadgil, Dr. Ankur Patwardhan, Dr. Satish Padhye and others. Notable NGO activists like BAIF Development Research Foundation President Girish Sohani and Secretary Dr. Rajarshee Joshi, and Ela Foundation President Dr. Satish Pande enjoyed her presentation, the Headmaster informs.
She was warmly received by faculty and students of the host college. Even though the competition was meant for Research Scholars, Passang was specially awarded with an ‘Encouragement Citation’ and a Cash Prize of Rs. 1,000.  She has also received an invitation to present her poster at the forthcoming National Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development to be held under the banner of Central University of Gujrat at Gandhinagar during 15th-16th March.
Even though another abstract from the same school was also selected for presentation at the conference, the student participant opted out at the last moment for health reasons, the Headmaster informs.
Eventually, Passang, apart from being the only participant from Sikkim and the only other participant from North-East, was also like a Goodwill Ambassador to the event, he highlights. The exposure was of immense importance for the student as well as the School. She brought along with her personal gifts as well as souvenirs to the School from Forest Department (Govt. of Maharashthra), Ela Foundation, PES Modern High School and her many well-wishers at Pune and proposals from many voluntary and research organizations towards various collaborative exercises with the School.
The SMDC of the School congratulated Passang on her success and has also thanked the DC-West who sponsored the exposure.