22nd Road Safety Week observed in Mangan

MANGAN, 11 March: The Transport Department of Mangan, North District organized the 22nd Road Safety Week at Mangan on 07 March. The programme started with a rally from BAC Mangan to the Community hall where a welcome address was delivered by Regional Transport Officer (N), KS Gurung.

Senior Superintendent of Police (N) BK Tamang in his address shared information on road safety and the recently formed Road Safety Committee, North District which has District Magistrate (N) as the Chairman. Road accidents have been a major cause of deaths in the area and from 2009 - 2011 a total of 47 accidents occurred in the North district with 21deaths, 19 grievously injured and 70 with minor injuries, Mr Tamang informed. Most accident cases have been due to alcoholism and negligence, he added further suggesting that BRO and Power Project developers staff should also be invited for such programmes.

PI Traffic Gangtok, Arjun Chettri, highlighted on traffic rules and regulations 1989 and 1999 for road safety. In 2010 a total of189 motor accidents were recorded in the state in which 71% victims lost their lives out of which 83 were male and 69 female, he informed.
The ADC (N), S Targain said that drivers are 'Ambassadors of Wheel' and that everyday should be observed as Road Safety Day.

Chairman, Transport Department, TW Lepcha, present as the chief guest, in his address suggested to the Transport Department Officers to organize awareness programmes in coordination with the Road Safety Committee. Road accidents not only affect an individual but also the family of the injured or the dead, he said. It has also been observed that it is mostly the VIP's and Police Department vehicles that break traffic rules which need to be corrected along with a change in the mental attitude of those concerned.

Mr Lepcha also suggested that during the tourist season vehicle checking should be given relief as it is a hassle for tourists. Proper information with regard to the new tax system should be provided to drivers and vehicle owners by the department, he added. He also urged dropout students of Class VIII, X and XII to meet the area MLA for tourist guide, hotel management etc. training which is scheduled to begin from April this year.

MO, District hospital in her address, focused on the role of factors like human error and weather as causing accidents.

At the end, Prem Tamang (NDTDA), Dawzang Lachungpa (Mainline Taxi), Karma Gyatso Bhutia (Government Vehicle) and Chola Lachenpa (NDLTDA) were felicitated with certificates for Best Drivers of the year. The vote of thanks was delivered by Motor Vehicle Inspector, Krishna Lamichaney.

The programme was also attended by Zilla Adhyaksha (N), Khamsoom Lepcha, BDO Mangan, ST Tamang, MNP Councilors, KJ Bhutia and PK Malu, members of North Sikkim Local Taxi Driver’s Association, North Sikkim Tata Driver Association, North Sikkim Government Driver’s Association, students of MSSS, NSA, Singhik SS, Pakshep and Rangrang JHS, Panchayats and drivers.

Sirwani, East Sikkim gets free medical camp and scholarship to students on International Women's Day

MANGAN, 10 March: Around 250 people benefited from a free medical camp organized for women, children and the physically challenged at Sirwani Secondary School, East Sikkim on 08 March by Lanco Foundation, Lanco Teesta Power Project under their Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR] activity.

On the day, around 52 students from different schools of the project affected area were given scholarships by Lanco. Project Director, BK Ojha while speaking to NOW! said that Lanco is not only working for the power project but also for the development of the society through its community services. He also informed that the affected local people are benefitting from services like the medical camp and scholarship to students which they plan to provide to at least 90 students this year.

Around 25 physically challenged patients were also treated at the camp and free medicine was distributed as per the doctor’s prescription.

The camp was inaugurated by Dr. HK Chettri, while Gynaecologist Dr. Kranti Chettri, Dr. Indu Rawat, Dr. Biva Joshi, other medical staff, General Manager, SK Sarkar, paramedical team, officials from Lanco and the general public were also present.

ASDLF issues 'final notice' to industrial units in the state

GANGTOK, 09 March: Sikkim Democratic Labour Front has issued a ‘final notice’ with regard to the 21-point charter of demands to various industrial units in the state in favour of the local employees and labourers.
Copies of the final notice have also been submitted to the Chief Minister, who is also the ASDLF president, concerned administrative units and party units.
An SDF press release informs that upon completion of the one month ultimatum given to the companies to work on the various demands, the labour front has now served the notice to draw attention to the demands to fulfill at the earliest.

Cheli Morcha celebrates International Women's Day

GANGTOK, 09 March: International Women’s Day was celebrated in a grand manner by the Cheli Morcha of the Sikkim Democratic Front yesterday at SDF Bhawan.
The celebration was chaired by the vice-president of grievances cell of the party, Kalawati Subba and was attended by senior lady members of the party from all over the state.
Ms Subba mentioned that the SDF party has provided security and protection to the rights and interest of women to empower them more substantially.
The function was also addressed by other senior Cheli Morcha members.

SPCC demands withdrawal of notification imposing supervision charges for transportation of FCI food-grains

GANGTOK, 09 March: Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee has demanded the immediate withdrawal of a recent Transport Department notification imposing supervision charges for transportation of FCI food-grains from Siliguri to FCI food depots at Rangpo and Jorethang.The notification reportedly issued on 04 March, imposes supervision charge at the rate of Rs 0.50 per MT/KM for transportation of FCI food grains from Siliguri to Rangpo and Jorethang FCI depots. An SPCC press release issued by its spokesperson, Kunga Nima Lepcha alleges that the notification is anti-people as it has directly taxed the common people, especially BPL families, and the department should “stop causing unnecessary financial burden on the poor people of Sikkim”.The party has also maintained that the state was already getting more than sufficient budgetary allocation to meet its requirement and the people are already burdened by inflation. The release adds that the food grains lifted from FCI godowns to the FCI depots in the state are PDS items to distribute to the people under various schemes.It further alleged that the Transport Department cannot justify its action on imposing such supervision charges even on the private trucks as “no supervision whatsoever is rendered for transport from Siliguri to Sikkim”.

86th Rajbhasa Hindi Karyashala stresses on the use of Hindi at work

SAGAR CHETTRI
GANGTOK, 08 March: The 86th Rajbhasa Hindi Karyashala for the employees of Central Board of Workers Education, Ministry of Labour and Employment, was inaugurated by Assistant Professor, Sikkim University, Dr Rajendra Prasad today here at CPWD seminar hall.
Thirty participants from different parts of the country have taken part in the seminar organized by the Regional Directorate of CBWE, Siliguri, which will conclude on 11 March. The objective of the seminar was to enlighten the employees about the importance of the use of Hindi language in day to day official work.
In his inaugural address, Dr Prasad stressed that there should be constant efforts to encourage people to use Hindi in all official work. He also mentioned that language is an important factor for the development of a society.
Guest of honour, Assistant Registrar, Sikkim University, Tripurari Saran Sinha, mentioned that the university is also trying to use Hindi in its official work further stressing the need for positive and constant steps to do so.
Assistant Director [Official Language], CBWE, Nagpur, Ramesh Babu, informed that even the central government is encouraging the use of Hindi in offices by providing incentives and other facilities to the employees.
The inaugural session was also addressed by Regional Director, KK Sharma, and Senior Education Officer, AK Chakraborty, from CBWE, Siliguri.

Export Awareness Workshop to discuss export prospects for Sikkim held

AMEET OBEROI

GANGTOK, 08 March: The Federation of Indian Export Organisations [FIEO], Eastern Region organised an Export Awareness Workshop [Scope and opportunities from North Eastern States of India] at Chintan Bhawan, today. The workshop was sponsored by Ministry of Commerce, Government of India in association with Department of Commerce & Industries, Government of Sikkim, Office of the Zonal Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, Kolkata, Export Credit Guarantee Corporation, Exim Bank of India and Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority [APEDA].
Speaking as the chief guest, Minister for Commerce & Industries Department,Neeru Sewa,while welcoming the delegates stated that there was need for such a workshop to be held in the state. Sikkim has been declared an agri-export zone by the Government of India and is well known for its ginger, cherry pepper [Dalle], large cardamom, orchids and medicinal herbs, which can be exported, she said.
On the other hand, the handloom and handicrafts [Thanka paintings, carpets] of Sikkim are world famous and are in much demand, but need proper looking into so that they too can be made exportable items from the state, she added.
Under the able leadership of the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling red carpet welcome is being accorded to investors, whereby many Pharma Companies have come to the state and opened shop here. Promotion of agriculture, horticulture and floriculture is also being emphasized as Sikkim is rich in flora and fauna, she said. The state has earned Rs. 3000 Crores through investments and more than 6500 local people have been absorbed into these companies.
The future road map for the state was also being worked upon by the government, while capacity building programmes on different aspects for the youth are being held in all the four districts of the state. Meanwhile, specific programmes are being given to the youth at the State Institute of Capacity Building [SICB], she further added.
In the end, she also requested the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India to look into the list of items for export through the Nathula Trade as most of the items were either obsolete or were not wanted by the traders and thus revenue was being lost by the government. This she added could be done on priority basis.
A policy session and a technical session was also held in the afternoon which was addressed by various resource persons attending the workshop.
Along with the Minister also present on the dais were MG Kiran [Secretary, Commerce & Industries Department, Government of Sikkim], GP Upadhyaya [Secretary General, FIEO], Ram Lakhan [Under Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India], P Halder [Zonal Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, Kolkata], TV Rao [Director, Eximus Centre, Exim Bank], B Baruah [AGM & Regional Manager, APEDA] and Tapasi De [DGM & Regional Manager, ECGC].

Sikkim Chess Association assured of affiliation to AICF by April this year

SAGAR CHETTRI

GANGTOK, 07 March: A high-level delegation of the All India Chess Federation [AICF] gets impressed with activities taken up by Sikkim Chess Association [SCA] in short span of its formation.
AICF has announced to provide its affiliation as well as other supports to the SCA for the further development of the association and the chess in the state.
The delegation, which arrived yesterday, has the general secretary AICF, DV Sundar, who is also the vice-president of FIDE, and treasurer AICF, Bharat Singh Chauhan, who is also the president of Commonwealth Chess Association.
The delegation members had an interaction with the members of the SCA yesterday evening at Circuit House.
Responding to the request of the SCA for the affiliation, Mr Sundar announced to provide the affiliation to the association in the next meeting of the federation by April this year.
He also announced to send the senior players of the country and coaches to the state to train the local children on the expenses of the federation and also to provide all possible help for the development of chess in the state.
He informed that the federation has been keeping its eyes on the SCA since last year and it was found the state has been doing very well for the promotion of chess through different activities even in its infant stage.
Mr Sundar suggested the association members to work with more dedication and consistency in the state and to send the state teams to every national tournament.
Likewise, Mr Chauhan suggested the association to concentrate more on the young players in order to produce master and international players from the state in the future.
He also informed that in chess referees, coaches and players are equally necessary and the federation would organize seminars and trainings in all three fields in the state.
He also pointed out an international arbiter, Mahendra Dhakal, from Sikkim as a positive sign and advantage for the state whose knowledge can be used for the development of the game.
Mr Chauhan suggested the association to promote chess at the school level to encourage students interested in the game.
President SCA, HS Sharma informed that some like minded people in the state started the association on 24 July 2008 and during in its early stage it has already conducted seven tournaments.
He also informed that the association has also been providing technical support to various organizations in conducting chess competitions in the state.
Mr Sharma stated that being in its infant stage the SCA needs constant support from all concerned for its further development.
The meeting was also addressed by the Advisor SCA, KT Kafley.

SPCC mourns the death of veteran Congress leader Arjun Singh

GANGTOK, 07 March: Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee [SPCC], President, NB Bhandari, in a condolence meeting held on 05 March to mourn the recent demise of veteran Congress leader, Arjun Singh, described the late leader as, "a committed veteran Congress leader whose contributions in taking the Congress party to great heights cannot be forgotten", informs a SPCC press release.

Born in 1930 in Madhya Pradesh, Singh was the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for three times, was appointed Governor of Punjab during a difficult time, was the Union Minister for Human Resources Development from 1991 to 1994 and again from 2004 to 2009.

Mr Bhandari offered condolence to the bereaved family of the late leader on behalf of the entire Sikkim Pradesh Congress, informs the release.

The meeting, held at the party head office at Jeewan Theeng Marg, Development Area, was presided over by Mr Bhandari and attended by members of PCC, DCCs and Frontal organisations.

According to another press release, in an emergency meeting of the party held on 06 March it was resolved to defer the proposed Dandi March scheduled to be held on 13 March to a future date due to some legal complications.

Muncipal Officer calls for proper garbage disposal

GANGTOK, 07 March: The Chief Municipal Officer, Gangtok, in a press release, has appealed to the local public to deposit garbage in the designated vehicles directly.
It is known to all individuals and business organizations that all garbage [Municipal Solid Waste] is to be deposited in the garbage vehicles directly. Inspite of this, it has been found that garbage is being dumped at road sides and jhoras, informs the release.
The Gangtok Municipal Corporation which has been entrusted with keeping the city clean views this as a serious problem. Anyone found disposing garbage on the road side or jhoras will be penalized on the spot as per the existing rules, the release further informs.

'Painters of Kanchenjunga' come to town

GANGTOK, 06 March: An exhibition of works by the 'Painters of Kanchenjunga', Nicholas Roerich and Svetoslav Roerich opened to the public on Saturday evening at the First Floor, Rachna Books.

Nicholas Konstantinovich Roerich was a Russian artist, writer, philosopher with a love for travelling, who, during the 1920s, initiated a treaty for the protection of cultural product and activity of the world, both during war and peace known as the Roerich Pact. The Roerich family first came to Darjeeling in 1923 when it was still a part of Sikkim. They travelled around West Sikkim, visiting old monasteries of Pemayangste, Sangachoeling and Tashiding. Nicholas, besotted and inspired by the beauty of the Kanchenjunga, painted three series of canvas between 1924 and 1925. Out of the 7000 paintings by the artist, 4000 have the Himalayas as their subject.

Svetoslav Roerich, the youngest son of Nicholas and Helena Roerich, joined his family in Sikkim in 1928. An architect, painter, botanist, he was also recognised as a fine portraitist and landscape painter. He founded the International Roerich Memorial Trust in Bangalore and the College of Fine Arts, Bangalore University. Around four of his paintings are on display at the exhibition.

The family continued their travels through Central Asia, returning to India on and off. Nicholas Roerich died in Kullu in 1947 and in 1949, Helena and George Roerich, the eldest son, settled down in Crookety House in Kalimpong. Helena died in October 1955 and was cremated on Durpin Dara hill.

In 1928 the family established the Urusvati Himalayan Research Institute in the Kullu valley, Himachal Pradesh.

The exhibition which is hosted by Darjeeling Goodwill Centre will be on till 18 March. Post cards of the paintings, posters, and books are also on sale at the exhibition. Speaking to media persons at the exhibition yesterday, Fiorenza, informed that, a museum is being set up at the Crookety House, Kalimpong in collaboration with the Darjeeling Goodwill Centre, of which she is the Co-ordinator.

WHAT’S IN A NAME: The confusion requiring Subbas to start writing their surnames as Limboo

SUBASH RAI
GANGTOK, 05 March: The Yakthung Sapshok Songjumbo [Sikkim Limboo Literary Society] has often reiterated its appeal to members of the Limboo community to specify ‘Limboo’ as their surnames to the enumerators who call on them in connection with the ongoing Census 2011 operations. A majority of the community in the State uses ‘Subba’ as their surname and although the YSS has suggested that they write Limboo and add “Subba” in brackets, the Society’s president, SP Subba, adds that “Subba is just a title” and highlights that in the Government of India notification, only Limboo has been notified as a Scheduled Tribe. Writing Subba, he believes, could complicate matters, especially when it comes to calculating the number of “Limboos” in the State.

Tsemi, the man who walks for the dhamma

Tsemi's camp at the Convoy Ground bus stop in Gangtok

Tsemi walks

TSHERING EDEN
GANGTOK, 05 March: “Helping beings is the message of all the great gurus and of spiritual practice and is the principle message of all religions,” reads the message on the trolley that Tsemi pulls along as he travels, prostrating all the way.
“I am doing this to bring peace to all sentient beings of the world and set an example for people to follow their dharma which is the only way one can find peace,” reasons Tsemi on why he travels about performing the Jang-Cha [prostration], lugging along a trolley with his belongings. [click here for a photo-essay on Tsemi walking into Gangtok]

SDF’s birth, a turning point for the better in Sikkim: Gyaltsen

GANGTOK, 05 March: “The birth of the Sikkim Democratic Front on 04 March 1993 was an important turning point in the history of Sikkim as the day gave birth to the visionary leadership of Pawan Chamling,” said Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly KT Gyaltsen, while addressing the constituency-level celebration of the party’s foundation day here at Guards Ground, Tathangchen yesterday.

SDF’s journey has been momentous and consistent in service to people: Chamling

CM CELEBRATES PARTY FOUNDATION DAY AT NAMCHI
PURAN TAMANG
NAMCHI, 04 March: The 19th foundation day celebration of the Sikkim Democratic Front for Poklok-Kamrang and Namchi-Singithang constituencies was held at the Bhaichung Stadium here today with the SDF party president, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling [who is also the elected representative from Poklok-Kamrang] hoisting the party flag here and addressing a huge gathering of party supporters.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Chamling said that the SDF party was born in 1993 from a felt-need of the Sikkimese people, has been nurtured by their continuing support and remains committed to delivering on all the promises made to the people of Sikkim. The upliftment of the poor of Sikkim remains the motivating factor for the party, he stressed. The party, he said, has enjoyed a momentous success because of its appeal among the people and remains consistent in its service to the Sikkimese people.

Teesta Urja agrees to abide by Transport Minister’s instructions on use of local truckers

GANGTOK, 04 March: A tripartite meeting, convened yesterday between the Sikkim Truck Drivers Association, the Truck Driver Owners’ Association and the hydel developer Teesta Urja [which is working of Teesta Stage III] under the chairmanship of the Chungthang panchayat president, Chedup Lepcha, discussed the month old instructions of the Transport Minister, TT Bhutia, who also happens to be the president of the All Sikkim Drivers’ Front. As per the “instructions”, all hydel project-related carriage works in Sikkim should appoint local truck drivers and hire local trucks.

SDF celebrates 19th Foundation Day

Sikkim Democratic Front president, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, cuts his party's birthday cake at the SDF foundation day celebrations held at the Bhaichung Stadium, Namchi, today. This was the party's 19th foundation day, and was celebrated at the constituency level by the party all over Sikkim. [Detailed reports on the Namchi meet, will be posted shortly]

Stricter guidelines issued for hoteliers

CCTVs FOR HOTELS HIGHER THAN 2-STAR AND USE OF LOCAL NAMES EMPHASISED FOR BUSINESSES
GANGTOK, 04 March: The Tourism Department, its name recently expanded to Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, has released a notification laying down guidelines and instructions for “strict compliance” by all hoteliers and travel and tour operators in Sikkim.
The 7-point list of guidelines begins by requiring every hotel owner to supply the name of the lessee of the property along with the Lease Deed Agreement to the Tourism Department. This, apparently “to monitor the performance, sanitation, local employment, disposal of garbage, accommodation and service charges in the hotels”.

Meeting reviews entries for Sikkim’s brand-name

GANGTOK, 04 March [IPR]: Additional Chief Secretary cum Development Commissioner, Karma Gyatsho, chaired a meeting today to review the shortlisted entries for brand-name of Sikkim at the Conference Hall of Tashiling Secretariat. The meeting was attended by heads of various state government departments.

UID team enrols Governor

GANGTOK, 04 March [IPR]: A team of officers from DESME called on Governor BP Singh at his winter camp in Rangpo today to enrol him under the Unique Identification Number. DESME has been declared the Nodal Department and Registrar for implementation of the UID project in Sikkim.

Cong criticises issuance of Aadhar Number to CM before formal launch of programme

GANGTOK, 04 March: The State-unit of the Congress party has challenged the issuance of the Unique Identification Number [“Aadhar Number”] to the Chief Minister even before the project was formally launched in the State. A Congress press release issued by the party’s vice-president, spokesperson, Kunga Nima Lepcha, states that the UID project was launched only today by the Governor, but as per media reports, the UID enumeration of the CM carried out on 01 March. [click here for report on UID team's visit to CM]

Exhibition of Roerich paintings of Khangchendzonga at Rachna Books

GANGTOK, 04 March: Rachna Books here at Development Area will be hosting a special exhibition which will offer audiences here with a rare peek into the art of Russian mytic, Tibetologist, philosopher and artist, Nicolas Roerich, and his equally gifted son, Svetoslav Roerich. Starting Saturday evening [5:30 p.m.], “Painters of Kangchenjunga”, an exhibition of paintings by the duo will be opened for public viewing at the First Floor at Rachna. The event, hosted here by “Friends at Rachna”, has been brought to Sikkim by the Darjeeling Goodwill Centre, and will include an introduction to the Roerich family by Fiorenza Bortolotti.

ASDLF reiterates commitment to labour issues, meets protesting pharma-company workers

GANGTOK, 04 March: The All Sikkim Democratic Labour Front convened a meeting with the protesting workers of Cipla, Zydus, Indicom and Alchem pharmaceutical units yesterday to discuss various issues facing them. The meeting, an SDF press release informs, decided to follow up on whether the industrial units have worked for the benefit of local employees and on what measured they had initiated on the ultimatum served to them by the ASDLF a month back. If these units are found wanting in their response to the 19-point charter of demands submitted by the ASDLF, a more concerted movement will be launched to make them come around, the release adds.

PM commends SDF Govt’s developmental achievements

GANGTOK, 04 March: Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh has appreciated Sikkim’s developmental achievements.
This, reportedly in conversation with Lok Sabha MP, PD Rai when he submitted a letter to him on 27 February wishing the Prime Minister and the UPA government on behalf of the Chief Minister and the people of Sikkim.

Trade Licence renewal fee to be paid through Oriental Bank of Commerce challans

GANGTOK, 03 March [IPR]: A Press release issued by the Chief Municipal Officer, Gangtok Municipal Corporation, informs all Trade Licencees that fees for renewal of their licences have to be made through a Bank Challan from the Oriental Bank of Commerce. A bank counter has been opened within the office premises of the GMC.

Berozgar Sangathan and Chaatra Sudhar Sanstha welcome ASDLF move against industrial units

GANGTOK, 03 March: Sikkim Sachet Swarojgar Birohgar Sangathan and Sikkim Chaatra Sudhar Sanstha have welcomed the All Sikkim Democratic Labour Front move against private industrial units where the labour front has placed various demands in the interest of the local work-force.

CM reiterates commitment to Sikkim and the Sikkimese

NAMCHI, 03 March: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today reiterated that having already completed 25 years in politics in Sikkim, his life was now devoted completely to the service of the people here, with even his creative pursuits [the CM is also a poet] finding the muse in Sikkim and its people.
The CM was addressing the concluding day’s ceremonies of the Shri Vishwa Puran Gyan Mahayagya hosted at the Harishawar Shivalaya at Namthang in South Sikkim today.

UD&HD Secy inspects beautification and repair works at Namchi

NAMCHI, 03 March: Secretary, Urban Development & Housing Department, Topzor D. Bhutia, accompanied by officials of the Department was on a daylong visit to the South district headquarter town and inspected the beautification works underway here at the Central Park.

Determined, he travels up to Gangtok one prostration at a time

He won’t talk while he is on his walk [prostrations, actually], but a banner at the back of his trolley informs that he has been on a pilgrimage since 01 October 2006; marking his journey across countries one prostration at a time! He is following on the footsteps of the Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava, travelling from one pilgrimage destination to the other and has already toured through Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, parts of India and arrived in Gangtok on Thursday afternoon.
Even though we don’t know his name at present, the man is a traffic-stopper, with everyone coming to a stop when they glimpse his determined pace. With leather chaps strapped on both his legs and protecting his chest and wooden hand-shields for his prostrations, he pulls along a trolley [carrying his belongings] tied to his waist and prostates flat, pulls himself up as he recites prayers and then prostrates again, and so his journey continues…

Directorate of Field Publicity organises awareness sessions on MG-NREGA, sanitation campaign and rural drinking water campaign

GANGTOK, 03 March: Directorate of Field Publicity [DFP], Government of India, Gangtok unit organized a day long Intensive Awareness Publicity Campaign at Ringhim and Naga in North Sikkim on 01 and 02 March respectively.
The topics covered were Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act [MNREGA] and Total Sanitation Campaign/ National Rural Drinking Water Mission. The resource person on the occasion was Ms. Passang Doma Lepcha, Field Facilitator, Mangan BAC.

Academic monitoring committees formed to facilitate quality education

GANGTOK, 03 March: The State Government, on 26 February last month, constituted 3-tier academic monitoring committees tasked with the responsibility to review and, as the name suggests, monitor academic activities at government schools with a prescribed view to bring in quality education. The 8-member academic monitoring committee at the headquarter level has the Secretary, Human Resource Development Department as Chairman, the academic monitoring committee at the district level will have the HRDD Joint Director for the district as chairman and the committee at the block administrative level will have the HRDD Assistant Directors of the respective BACs as chairmen.

Bar Khola receives traffic after week-long widening works

WANGCHUK BHUTIA
MANGAN, 03 March: The Mangan-Singtam highway via Dikchu, which was closed for traffic owing to the repair works at Bar Khola bridge since 20 February here at Lower Mangshilla in North Sikkim [15 kms from Mangan towards Singtam] was opened for traffic on Tuesday evening.

A website on children’s literature with the young as curators

GANGTOK, 03 March: One might think reading books as a hobby or interest is no longer considered ‘cool’ especially when it comes to youngsters but a research carried out for World Book Day suggests otherwise. The very technologies that led kids away from books are also bringing them back to it. According to www.guardian.co.uk, a research that was carried out amongst 505 teens in the UK aged between 13 and 18, 40.8% had read a book on a computer, 17.2% on a mobile phone and 13.3% on a Tablet or iPad.
Now the Guardian is launching the first national newspaper books website devoted entirely to young readers on World Book Day as observed in the UK and Ireland on 03 March [while the rest of the world observes it on 23 April].

Alpha Foundation assists Round-II Intensive Pulse Polio Program

GANGTOK, 02 March: The Alpha Foundation (the Corporate Social Responsibility wing of ICFAI University, Sikkim) assisted in the monitoring and implementation of the Round II / Phase II of the Intensive Pulse Polio Program in Gangtok by the Immunization Cell, Family Welfare and Health Department, informs a press release.
The three-day program, from 27 Feb to 01 March, was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Shashi Pradhan, State Immunization Officer, STNM Hospital.

Students Assc condemns Suntaley JHS episode

GANGTOK, 03 March: The All Sikkim Students Association [ASSA] has strongly condemned the cheating indulged in by three teachers of Suntaley JHS in the Chief Minister’s Special Merit Scholarship scheme. [click here for background details]