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.

Fortnight dedicated to Oil & Gas Conservation begins

GANGTOK, 15 Jan: The inaugural ceremony of Oil and Gas Conservation Fortnight [15 to 31 January] under the theme ‘Save fuel yani save money’ was held at the SNT Bus Stand Complex today. The ceremony was attended by Jemima Pradhan [Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department] as the chief guest.
Also present were Ranjan Bhowmick [Manager, Retail, Siliguri] and Kaushik Chattarjee [Deputy Sales Manager, Retail Sales. Siliguri] both from Indian Oil Corporation [IOC], petroleum dealers from in and around Gangtok and school children.
Speaking during the function, the chief guest, Secretary, Jemima Pradhan stated that she was happy to be part of such a programme, which was being held for the conservation of natural resources. It is also good to see children being involved in such a programme as it is they who need to be educated about conservation, she added.
“People and children have to learn to conserve and save not only oil, but also water, gas and electricity. People should learn not to waste a single drop of oil when they fill up their petrol tanks at the gas stations as even a single drop is very precious”, she said and added that even children need to be taught to switch off the lights when not being used and this applies to drinking water too.
She further urged the organizers to invite housewives to such programmes in the future as they run the homes and know more about cooking gas than their male counterparts and instead of bringing small children for such programmes, senior students, such as from classes VIII and above should be invited as they would understand more about conservation than these small children, she stated.
Stating that ‘good things always last long in life’, she asked the people present to take a pledge today to start saving and conserving oil, gas and water.
The gathering was also addressed by the Indian Oil Corporation officials. A ‘Sit and Draw’ competition for children was also held earlier in the day. The first prize was won by Rabiya Khatoon, while the second and third prizes were won by Amrita Kumari Gupta and Akash Rai, respectively. A special prize was given to Siddharth Subba and consolation prizes for very small children were won by Akrita Pradhan and Kabir Chettri.
After the oil and gas conservation fortnight pledge was taken by the people, the chief guest also flagged off the mobile van and mass rally, which culminated at the Paljor Stadium.

Tibetans observe 53rd Tibetan National Uprising Day with peace rally and hunger strike

GANGTOK, 11 Mar: On the occasion of the 53rd Tibetan National Uprising Day, members of the Tibetan community in the capital came together for a rally and token hunger strike on Saturday.
More than 300 people including monks carrying banners and placards joined the rally which started from Sera Monastery in Chandmari and travelled through the route of White Hall, Zero Point, Hospital Dara and Paljor Stadium Road finally concluding at the Fish Pond there.
Likewise, 49 persons sat on the hunger strike at the Fish Pond to extend their support to three Tibetans who are also on hunger strike at New York and also to condemn the recent incidents in Tibet. The hunger strike began at 8 AM and continued till 6 in the evening amidst chanting of prayers.
Tibetan Youth Club general secretary, Sonam Gyaltsen informed that this hunger strike is mainly in support of the three Tibetans, Shingsa Rinpoche, Dorji Gyalpo and Yeshi Tenzing, who are on a hunger strike since 22 February, the first day of the Tibetan Losar, at New York. He further informed that it is also to denounce what is happening in Tibet at present.

Common Platform takes out rally in Gyalshing against hydel projects

GANGTOK, 13 Feb: The Common Platform for Joint Action against hydel power projects in Sikkim took out a peaceful ‘Pratiwad Rally’ in Gyalshing Bazaar on Monday. The rally started from Kyongsa Ground and went upto the District Administration Centre [West]. A memorandum was also submitted to the Additional District Collector [West].
The members of SIBLAC, All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed & Unemployed Association, Save Sikkim, NASBO, ACT, CLOS, NASS, Gyalshing Bermiok Suraksha Sangh and other organizations participated in the rally carrying placards and banners.
People carried placards with slogans like ‘Scrap the Tashiding hydel project immediately like Ting-Ting and Lethang HPP’, ‘Save Sikkim’ and etc through Tikjuk, Pelling, Sakyong, Gyalshing Bazaar. The rally finally concluded at its starting point at Kyongsa Ground.
Addressing the people, SIBLAC convener, Tseten Tashi Bhutia demanded that Tashiding project should be scrapped immediately like the other two projects on Rathong Chu River. He issued a warning that if the project is not stopped within one week then they would again go to protest carrying black flags this time.
ASESE&UA president, Nawin Kiran stated that the movement will continue until the government shuts down all hydel projects in the state. Likewise, Save Sikkim president, Mani Kumar Khatiwara also stressed on the immediate scrapping of the Tashiding project.

SDF rallies against Goley across South Sikkim

NAMCHI, 15 Dec: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front today launched a series of rallies across South District to approach the general public and the youth with the party’s stand against the dissident Upper Burtuk MLA, PS Tamang, and his supporters, alleging that the dissident camp was misleading the people and trying to disturb the prevalent peace of the state.

Sikkim Tibetans come together to protest Chinese repression and demand UN Intervention in Tibet

GANGTOK, 11 Nov: The Tibetan Youth Club and Tibetan Women’s Association took out a rally here in Gangtok today seeking justice and in support of the 11 Tibetans who had set fire to themselves, six of whom have died in eastern Tibet since March this year in protest against the Chinese occupation.

SDF rallies against assault

STONE-PELTING AT SOREONG INJURES SDF SUPPORTER RETURNING FROM RALLYGANGTOK, 06 Sept: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front took out a rally from Kaluk to Dentam today to condemn the attack on Dentam PHC MO, Dr. Subash Tamang, and also to condemn the picketing of the house used by the area MLA when she stays over at Dentam.
Meanwhile, a press release issued from the party head office here today, while condemning the attack, has demanded that the guilty be punished and proper legal action taken. 
The party has criticized such acts, which it believes are attempts to vitiate the peace and tranquillity enjoyed in the State. The party has also appealed that the incident not be politicised and urged the victims to have faith in the law and order machinery to win justice for them.

NASSS takes out strong rally in protest of Public Order Bill and in support of Anna Hazare

GANGTOK, 24 Aug: The protest rally called by the recently-formed Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan Sikkim [NASSS] drew strong participation here today as the protesters marched through town raising slogans against the Public Order Bill of the State Government and in support of the Anna Hazare-led movement for the Jan Lokpal Bill at the national level.
The rally started from the Deorali Truck Stand and concluded at the Fish Pond near Paljor Stadium after walking through National Highway 31A, its number swelling as more and more groups joined it through the walk.

RALLY FOR ANNA

GANGTOK, 23 Aug: The “People Volunteer Cell,” Sikkim, took out a peace rally here in support of Anna Hazare today. The rally began from Deorali Taxi Stand near the Ropeway and ended at Zero Point.  Apart from the president Santosh Gajmer, the rally had the participation ofother PVC members and a delegation of SHRPP office bearers, President Dr. AD Subba, Tara Shrestha, CC Shangderpa, local people and students.

One injured in alleged pre-rally attack in Namchi

NAMCHI, 23 Aug: Mani Pratap Tamang, a self-professed “Goley Supporter”, was injured in what he claims to be a ‘pre-rally’ attack. The victim, a 42 year old resident of Bhanjhyang near Namchi, was assaulted as he was approaching his vehicle near the Parking Plaza here this afternoon.
Speaking from the hospital bed at the district hospital here where he is currently admitted, Mr. Tamang said that he was a supporter of the disgruntled SDF MLA, PS Tamang, and is convinced that he was attacked to stop him from participating in the Gangtok rally called by the Nagrik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan Sikkim and to scare others like him from attending as well.

PS Tamang welcomes formation of Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan

…LENDS SUPPORT TO GANGTOK RALLY CALLED FOR 24 AUG
GANGTOK, 19 Aug: Disgruntled SDF MLA elected from Upper Burtuk, PS Tamang, has welcomed the formation of ‘Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan’, the office-bearers of which were introduced at a press conference held here yesterday.
In a press statement issued today, Mr. Tamang states that the formation of this organization was a welcome development because the State needs a group which will work towards ensuring the civil rights of the people here.

Journos pedal awareness against addiction

GANGTOK, 26 June: A cycle rally on the theme ‘Life Does Not Rewind’ was taken out by journalists in Gangtok today. The rally was organized by the Press Club of Sikkim [PCS], supported by Sikkim State AIDS Control Society [SSACS] to observe International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 2011.
Vice Chancellor, Sikkim University, Prof. Mahendra P Lama, flagged off the rally from Vajra Cinema Hall, Baluwakhani and ended at Ranipool Bazaar with brief stops at Lall Bazaar, Deorali and Tadong where the participants distributed pamphlets to the people to raise awareness against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Muscles against drugs

GANGTOK, 26 June: The Sikkim State Body Building Association took out a rally, a first for the organisation, through the capital today with the aim of not just spreading awareness against drug abuse but also to encourage the youth to stay fit and healthy. 26 June is observed around the world as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
More than 100 body builders and gym enthusiasts joined the rally. Representation came from all age groups, from young aspiring body builders to veterans of the field.
Perhaps as an enticement of what staying ‘clean’ and remaining fit could achieve, the rally had body-builders swagger through the streets in white vests and blue jeans. All of them also sported Red Ribbons endorsing their support for efforts to increase awareness on HIV/ AIDS.

Ramdev supporters rally in Gangtok to protest Delhi crackdown

GANGTOK, 07 June: Mahila Patanjali Yog Samiti, Sikkim Branch, organized a rally to protest the recent police action in New Delhi where Baba Ram Dev and his supporters were forcibly expelled from their satyagrah at the Ramlila grounds. Nearly 80 followers of Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Yog Samiti were injured in this midnight raid which included the firing of tear gas shells into the closed pandal and lathi charge.
The rally here was taken out from the Bansilal Petrol Pump, and moved past Hospital Dara and ended at Zero Point.
The Samiti’s in-charge, RP Poudyal, informed that the organization, through this rally, was registering its condemnation of the Delhi incident and conveying their hurt.

Easter rally in Namchi

NAMCHI, 24 April: Easter Sunday, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, was celebrated here with a huge peace rally organized by the United Christian Welfare Society of Sikkim, South District. The rally started from the community hall and proceeded to the Central Park here after the Jorethang Road. At the Central Park, a short Easter Sunday message was delivered by Pastor Jablun Lepcha.
Believers from various churches of Namchi and the surrounding areas took part in the rally, carrying religious placards and singing hymns. The programme at Central Park concluded with a prayer of Pastor AK Aaron Rai, after which the procession returned the community hall via the DAC road.

TYC marches to save Kriti Monastery from Chinese crackdown

GANGTOK, 22 April: A peace rally was taken out today by the Tibetan Youth Club from the Chokasum Hall in Namnang. The rally was to protest against the Chinese crackdown on the Kriti Monastery at Gnaba in the Sichuan Province of China which has been targeted with vicious reprisals ever since a 20 year old monk immolated himself there to protest against Chinese occupation of Tibet. The Chinese authorities are reportedly attempting to empty the monastery of its monks and the residents there have already thwarted such attempts once.

Sikkim Youth rally in support of Anna’s crusade

A rally was taken out Friday starting from the Deorali local taxi stand in support of Anna Hazare’s crusade against corruption. Denzong Welfare Association, Sikkim Educated Unemployed Association, RTI activists, other social activists and youth participated in the rally organised under the banner of Sikkim Youth.