ON pg 7
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15 July, 2004; NOW!
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Thursday, 15 July, 2004
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63 NEPALI-SPEAKING SUCCESS-STORIES RECOGNISED
FELICITATIONS, A PUBLIC OVATION OF THE ACHIEVERS: CHAMLING a NOW REPORT GANGTOK, 14 July: In a first initiative of its kind, the Sikkim Government today felicitated a total of 63 Nepali-speaking persons in recognition of their “professional excellence, consistent contribution and dedication to the development of their motherland India.” The list includes the 19 Sahitya Akademi award recipients who will also receive Rs. 1,000 Sikkim Appreciation Pension from the State Government as a token of appreciation towards their contribution in developing the Nepali language. The final list [complete list tomorrow] includes political heavyweights, sporting legends and luminaries from the glamour world. Setting the mood for the day’s events, the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling, highlighted the fact that the felicitations were being held in the peak of monsoons. This, he said, was the time of the year when nature was at its pretti-
The doyen of Nepali literature, IB Rai [first from left] receives the Sikkim Appreciation Pension instituted for Sahitya Akademi awardees at Chintan Bhavan on 14 July as part of the Sikkim Samman Sammilan.
est and also its most fearsome form. As much a time for sowing for a better future, as it was for preparing for unforeseen challenges, he said while thanking the
“distinguished” invitees for having made the time to share this moment with the Sikkimese people and helping in inspiring the State to carve a more prosperous
EXPERTS ON THE SIKKIM STUDY SERIES
THE CULTURAL DIALOGUE ACROSS THE HIMALAYA INITIATED BY GURU PADMASAMBHAVA SHOULD CONTINUE, SAYS KAPILA VATSAYANAN a NOW REPORT GANGTOK, 14 July: The Sikkim Study Series was launched about three years back in recognition of the fact that there was
“huge gap” in the people’s need to know and the availability of well-researched volumes on Sikkim, the Chief Editor of the series and economic advisor to the Chief Minister, Dr. Mahendra P.
Lama, revealed today before the release of three volumes of the 7part series today. Volumes of Sikkim’s geography and environment, culture and literature were turn to pg 6
future for itself. “This is a public ovation in their honour,” Mr. Chamling said while introducing the 63 person-
alities felicitated today, while adding, “In doing so, we would like to state the fact that a function of this nature is far above the local and national political exigencies and other narrow considerations. We are here to listen to their success stories and learn from them.” The three-day event, which kicked off with the 190th Bhanu Jayanti celebrations yesterday continued today with the felicitations ceremony, the release of three volumes of the ambitious Study-Series on Sikkim and the Sikkim Appreciation Pensions, concludes tomorrow with a seminar on Nepali literature. At today’s function, although the list was exhaustive and the programme long, each recipient had their fans in the audience who kept the applause strong throughout. What the function also achieved was to remind the people of achievers from the past and geographical distant regions who had done the hill people proud.
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NOW! FIRST WITH THE NEWS
Hill People Should Play To Their Strengths The Sikkim Samman Sammilan, despite the short time in which the organisers had to, well, organise things, has managed to draw up an impressive list of achievers from varied fields. Of course, as is attendant to any awards/ felicitation ceremony, there will be voices which suggest more names. Most of these voices would be justified and to look at the positive side of things, it means that there are many Hill People who do us proud. The argument why such a felicitation for reflecting glory on the Hills was so long in the making, we leave for another time. For now, let’s try and see what the presence of so many greats means for us. First the literary achievers. They deserve credit for having succeeded in convincing the Sahitya Akademi in 1975 that Nepali was a vibrant language with thriving literary activity in India. Recognition under the VIIIth schedule might have taken longer, but Nepali as a language of India was recognised much earlier. These writers continue to produce remarkable works despite an admittedly shrinking audience. One look at the list of achievers from other fields, and it becomes clear that while the Hill People can excel in everything they put their mind to, they are best when it comes for playing to their strengths. Born athletic, sports is a natural calling to people from these parts and no one proves this better than Baichung Bhutia. The hills lend well to creative pursuits and Bollywood does not have a finer actor than Danny Denzongpa. The schools here are the best foundations that one can hope for a child and Joel Rai copy-edits one of the most “propah” publications of the country, India Today. Surendra Rasailly, vice-president, NIIT, believes that given the creativity of the Hill youth and their command over English, they are best suited for the IT industry. He has proven it and assures that there are many more in the process of breaking out in the national scene. What one also notices, is despite the inherent strengths which propelled these achievers to success, they remain exceptions and success in these fields is not the norm. What is it that holds back the others? Only lack of perseverance comes to mind.
WE HAVE BOOKS & TEACHERS AT MANGANSSS hrough the columns of your newspaper we, the students of Class X of Mangan Senior Secondary School, would like to clarify that the article printed on 06 July about Mangan school saying that we have not got our English and Hindi books was not correct. It has also been told that we don’t have our science teacher. On the previous edition it has been written that we have not got our computer books. But we the students of class X would like to clarify by saying that all this is false. We have been provided with our Hindi books, we also have our science teacher. But the English [Literature and work book] has not been provided all over Sikkim. Therefore, we would like to request you before printing any article, please investigate properly about the matter Students of MSSS, Guardians, AO & Text Book Incharge.
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THE LIST FOR FELICITATIONS SHOULD HAVE BEEN LONGER t is heartening to know that dig nitaries, musicians, actors, literary figures, sportsmen and other eminent persons from administration are going to be felicitated on 14 July. We must recognize and congratulate them. They are lucky to achieve this honour. But it is sad to know that names of Sikkimese ladies have not been included in the list. The retired secretaries, both male and female who had contributed to the government since the time of the Chogyal like Late Dr. Shanti Rai, the first lady doctor, late teachers of various schools, officers who contributed for establishment of departments like Tourism, Cottage Industries, Women & Child Welfare, Law department, etc and many others have been left out. We feel names of dedicated secretaries and officers should have been included. Citizens, Gangtok
I
ED-SPACE
Going abroad from Bhutan
R
ecently a Bhutanese woman was so severely harassed while trying to obtain a visa to a western country that she gave up in frustration. “I don’t need to go to your country,” she said and came home. It was, apparently, a humiliating experience. She had the luxury of coming home. Today there are many others who don’t and are forced to go through the unpleasant grilling by visa officials. Some are students trying to make the term deadlines. With more Bhutanese people travelling overseas for non official reasons, the problem is growing. The profile of the average Bhutanese air traveller has changed from the tourist, to a mixture of officials and development workers, to businessmen and women and, more recently, students. Students practically fill Druk Air at least twice a year. This increase in traffic comes at a time when the international environment is not the most conducive for travel. With tensions running high since the fateful 9/ 11 terrorist attack in the U.S, Bhutanese travellers can expect to be treated like non entities at best, as suspected terrorists at worst. To start with, we belong to a region from where millions of people are trying to leave every day. The large groups of visa applicants are treated badly anyway, particularly by local staff at the embassies. And we are right among them.
Bhutanese travellers will suffer more than others because we are not used to this treatment. Back home and overseas we have been treated well in the past and even been a little spoilt. In that sense we are getting another taste of the real world. There is another element. Apart from the fact that we are applying for visas at busy embassies like New Delhi where we have to join the long local queues even if ambassadors are accredited to
Bhutan, Bhutanese travellers are sometimes deliberately placed on low priority. Yet we cannot afford to complain. Small countries do not have much say so we will be on long waiting lists for some time yet. Even our embassies have limited leverage when it comes to pushing papers because of firmly established systems. Also, we have to accept that some of the visa rules are necessary for a number of reasons. Many countries demand a reciprocal arrangement and that is not a feasible idea because Bhutan has limited contact and play
in a limited diplomatic arena. In some ways it is the price of exclusivity. The concept of paperwork and formalities are also new to us and many Bhutanese usually turn up at the application points without the required documents. Neither do we have facilities like credit cards and automated banking systems that are sometimes required to prove that we are not illegal migrants. The wads of cash that Bhutanese travellers pull out of their pockets even make people worried. We have to also accept the truth that there are some Bhutanese travellers who do travel for the wrong reasons, although this number is so small it does not justify a blanket grouping on all Bhutanese travellers. Suspicious immigration officials, however, will take it to heart. Suspicion is a part of their responsibility. But, with a growing number of Bhutanese travellers facing difficult times, it is time to wake up to the problem. More Bhutanese people getting lost, robbed, and falling by the wayside the trend, it appears, is on the increase. While officialdom pushes its channels, we can be aware of the implications of travel for a start and get used to the often tedious preparations that are necessary. For a start, we need to know the rules and etiquette of travel and follow them. The choice, otherwise, is to stay home. -courtesy: Kuensel
REALISATION TOO LATE his is reference to your arti cle “Retrain and Redeploy – Power departments solution for surplus staff” dated June 27 by Subhas Rai. The training scheme that the department is providing to all its non-regular staff is well and good. This should be seen as a positive step after the department has been taken over by the chief minister, but with some drawbacks. The department finally seems to realize that it is overburdened with excess and non-skilled staff, however if this realization has come then it has come too late. The problem that they are feeling today must have been detected earlier at the point of time when these staff were being recruited. After so many years of being in service and with most of the employees being the only bread-earners of the family at present, they are on the verge of losing their jobs at the cost of the department’s mistake.
Recruitment of non-skilled and surplus staff shows the irresponsible attitude of the department. It is difficult to imagine that the department that renders one of the important services to the citizens of the state by supplying electricity can be so careless. According to DD Pradhan, Secretary, Power, one of the reasons he puts forward is the computerization of the offices. If according to him this forms a concrete reason then the time has come to remind that most of the employees were appointed at a time when the offices were not computerized hence computeriza-
tion of offices is a later trend and should not be the reason. Though non-regular and surplus, these employees have gained experience in their respective fields of employment, but the training they are being provided at present is an overall training, that too the training is provided on job. This means that the employees may not be able to fare the exams well, thereby giving a strong reason to terminate their services. Eventually this may add to the unemployment problem already widely prevalent in the state. Muster Roll Employees, Power Department, Gangtok
T
BUT, WITH A GROWING NUMBER OF BHUTANESE TRAVELLERS FACING DIFFICULT TIMES, IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP TO THE PROBLEM...
write NOW!
If you feel strongly about something that has been reported in NOW! or have an opinion on some recent development, then share it with a wider audience. While the LETTERS section will carry responses to articles and news carried in NOW!, ACTION MAIL is about complaints and grievances. Wherever possible, NOW! shall also search out a response to the Action Mail. If not, then at least a complaint would have been filed in the public domain. write to: NOW!, Gairi Gaon, Tadong, East Sikkim. Or email: sikkimnow@ rediffmail.com
RAJDHANI
15 July, 2004; NOW!
3
“HELP US PREVENT FIRES” FIRE DEPT APPEALS TO PUBLIC ANAND OBEROI GANGTOK, 14 July: “Fires are very good servants, they cook for you, keep you warm and make life comfortable but it can never be a good master, so people should let fire remain a good servant,” states a senior official of the Fire Service Department when asked to comment on the two fire accidents that occurred recently at Sichey and Development Area. Both the fires had caused considerable damage with the first one at Sichey causing big loss of money and also causing physical injuries to the family of Suren Pradhan. The second fire, which occurred at the residence of former Minister, Tulsi Pradhan, at Development Area is also said to have caused considerable damage. Officials at the Fire Department say that most of these fire accidents are caused due to the carelessness of the people. “The common tendency of the people is to keep small works like
fixing the odd naked wire or the broken electrical switch and household appliances pending for later, until it is too late to prevent a fire,” they believe, adding that it wasn’t possible for the fire department to go to every house to check and so it was the responsibility of the residents to be more responsible and careful. Responding to the fear of many locals who feel that areas like Arithang, Siyari and others would be difficult to reach by the fire brigade with the roads being too narrow, officials said that some of the areas which were included in the fire hazard zone included Lall-Bazaar, MG Marg, Tibet Road, Siyari, Sichey, Arithang and the Deorali School road which were lined up with concrete structures coming up one against the other, making it difficult for the fire trucks to pass easily and were even inaccessible at normal times. “These places mostly have narrow roads that get further blocked by haphazard parking. We
have suggested to the traffic regulating authorities to let vehicles be parked in a straight line and not slanting so that the roads remain free for the big fire tenders to pass,” says a senior official. The department has further suggested that 30 feet of vacant space be left around the area above the static tanks as the static tanks are basically in the gullies, which are not in the road area. “The increasing number of buildings coming up everywhere has made even these 30 feet of vacant spaces impossible. We also request drivers not to leave their vehicles parked near hydrants and static tanks so that firefighting infrastructure is accessible as and when required by the fire department. The department has already got the Traffic Police to clear night parking at these areas for the big fire fighting vehicles to pass. But they are also quick to assure that even in areas where the vehicles cannot pass, their hoses and the delivery pipes will make it even
Relaxed moments Danny Denzongpa admires the Miss India [Earth] crown won by Jyoti Brahmin [left] of Darjeeling in the Femina Miss India, 2004, contest. They were present at Chintan Bhavan on 14 July to receive the felicitations instituted by the State Government for achievers from among the Nepali-speaking Indians.
to the most inaccessible areas. The department has further recommended one static tank and 8 fire hydrants for Arithang, static tanks and fire hydrants for Development Area, Sichey and fire hy-
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BHANDARI WET BLANKET ON SAMMAN SAMMILAN a NOW REPORT GANGTOK, 14 July: The Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee chief and former chief minister, Nar Bahadur Bhandari, short-listed as one of the recipients of the Sikkim Samman felicitations handed out to 63 Nepalispeaking achievers of national repute, was not present at today’s function. While those from the organising committee who had gone in a delegation to invite him some time back were told that his attendance would depend on what the party high-command directed, Mr. Bhandari today came out strongly against the state government’s initiative to felicitate achievers from various fields. In a press release issued from New Delhi, Mr. Bhandari claimed that receiving this honour would be
an “insult to him and his beliefs.” In the release issued on 12 July from New Delhi, Mr. Bhandari has alleged that the State government was organizing this function from funds accumulated by cutting down on the facilities accruing to the poor Sikkimese people. He claimed that out of eight prestigious awards conferred on him by reputed organizations, he had received only two and it would be demeaning for him to receive this felicitation. Mr. Bhandari has claimed that he was unlike the other politicians of Sikkim many of whom had become ministers by “a travesty of fate.” He further added that he had been chief minister for three times and also an MP with the support and love from Sikkimese people and did not need to be recognized by the SDF government in this manner.
SPCC [I] chief calls on Arjun Singh, highlights shortfalls in Sikkim’s education infrastructure a NOW REPORT GANGTOK, 14 July: The State Pradesh Congress Committee [I] chief, Nar Bahadur Bhandari, on 12 July met the Union Human Development Minister, Arjun Singh at Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi. Apprising the Union Minister on the current situation in Sikkim, Mr. Bhandari placed his grievances alleging that the Congress supporters in the State were in a very sad situation. He also regis-
tered complaints regarding shortage of teachers in schools and colleges, financial constraints; misuse of central funds and non-availability of textbooks even after the half-yearly examinations in Government schools were over. He also alleged that the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan had become an additional income generation scheme for the ministers. Mr. Bhandari, through a press release issued from New Delhi mentions that in a state where the total population is around 5 lakhs, there
are more than 25 thousand unemployed youth, “who have the potential to turn into human bombs”. Referring to the Sikkim Manipal Medical College, Mr. Bhandari informed the Union Minister that the College had been set up nine years back but had failed to get recognition from the Medical Council of India till date. On this issue, the SPCC [I] chief has raised certain questions alleging “vested interests” of the state government with the Manipal Medical Institute.
MANGAN OBSERVES BHANU JAYANTI WITH CALLS TO LEARN FROM THE ADIKAVI’S LIFE DEEPAK SHARMA MANGAN, 14 July: The north district headquarters celebrated the 190th Birth Anniversary of Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta at Community Hall, Mangan on Tuesday, 13 July. The chief guest for the day was Zilla Adhyaksha [N] Lobzang Tenzing. The celebration programme was also attended by DC, PS Targain, former chairman, NT Lepcha, SDM, PW Lepcha, Jt. Director, Education dept, JB Karki, principals of Mangan Senior Secondary School and Namgyal Phuntsog Kazi, NSA school.
Senior SP, BB Basnett was also present along with and other officials and local residents of North Sikkim. Students of MSSS, NSA,
Pakshyap Club and Sai Samiti, Mangan participated in the celebrations. The programme started with Mr. Karki giving an introduction of
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Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta’s life which was followed by Poonam Pradhan, a student of MSS school reiterating the achievements of Bhanu Bhakta who was born in 1871 and started writing poems at the age of 18 and who wrote Ramayana, Tyag, Badhu Saiksha, Prasna Uttari, etc. in simple and lucid Nepali. Ramayan Path competitions, poem reading competitions and dance competitions between MSSSS and NSA students were also a part of the programme. This was preceded by Senior SP, Mr. Basnett and teacher LB Basnett reading out their own poems. A short play called “Modern Choro, Ra Daura Surwal,” on the life of the poet was also performed by NSA students. Before the prize distribution ceremony, the chief guest emphasized that it was not necessary for everyone to be a poet but one must
all try and be a wise human being, just as Bhanu Bhakta is remembered every year for the good work that he did for the society. Prizes were distributed by the chief guest and DC. For Ramayana Path, the first and second prizes were given to Meena Pradhan and Prakreet Sharma of NSA school while the third prize was given to Kharka Bdr Subba of MSSS School. In the Poem Competition the first and second prizes went to NG Tamang and Santosh Rai, MSSS while the third prize went to Jyoti Rai, NSA. In the dance competition the first prize was taken by Rachna Bhandari, MSSS, with the second going to Gyamit Lepcha, NSA and the third prize going to Poonam Pradhan, MSSS The celebrations ended with a vote of thanks by SDM PW Lepcha.
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GURU HUZOOR DEVOTEES CLAIM PRAYERS CANNOT BE MISCONSTRUED AS ACTS OF DEFILEMENT a NOW REPORT GANGTOK, 14 July: An emergency meeting of the executive committee of the World Religious Reformation and Human Unity Organization, Sikkim [WRRAHUO] was held at Namchi on 11 July. The meeting which was chaired by its president Gagan Rai, had a singlepoint agenda – to discuss and react to the news item in a local weekly which reported on an incident at the Kheocheopalri Lake concerning the hoisting of a flag in the centre
of the lake thus “defiling” it. The incident took place on 06 July. The World Religious Reformation and Human Unity Organisation was formed with its ad-hoc committee in a mass meeting held at Namchi on 8 February, 2004. Its main aim and objectives are to carry forward the message and teachings of Guru Hazoor, who is the patron saint of the organisation working to bring peace to the world and avoid the predicted end of the world as believed by the organisation, informs a press re-
lease issued by the organisation. The executive committee, at its meeting, has condemned the “distorted and mischievous news” published in the weekly. The press release has alleged that the news item, along with the comments of two government officials have hurt the sentiments of “lakhs of devotees” in Sikkim and Nepal who revere the Sat Guru also known as Guru Hazoor. It also alleges it was not the incident, but the report which has ignited communal passions in the State.
The organisation has also taken strong exception to the intervention of the DC West and SP West who according to them had ordered the removal of the peace flag and the national tricolour which had been hoisted by the baba in the middle of the lake. The organisation has also demanded an apology from the officials as well as the concerned news paper for the “blasphemy” committed to Guru Hazoor who has been accused of defiling the lake or it might take recourse in legal action.
Literary discourses topline Bhanu Jayanti in Namchi PURAN TAMANG NAMCHI, 14 July: The 190th Birth Anniversary of Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya was observed here at Government College, Namchi, yesterday. The function was organized by the Nepali Honours department of the college. BM Rai, Upadyaksha, South was the chief guest at the function with CS Sharma, Psychiatrist, Namchi Hospital present as the special guest. The programme started with lighting of the butter lamp followed by garlanding of the photo
of Bhanu Bhakta, with a welcome song presented by students of Kamrang College. Students of IInd year, Nepali Honours, Hari Prasad Chettri and Prem Sharma performed Ramayan Path. MN Dahal, littérateur from West Sikkim gave an introduction on the life of Bhanu Bhakta while an introduction to Indian Nepali Literature was given by Dasrat Kharel, Lecturer, Namchi College. Lyricist cum poet Raju Pakhrin gave a reading of the poem ‘Hawa ko Paisa’ while Laxmi Rai, English Lecturer, Namchi College gave a talk on ‘In-
dian English Literature’. Bijay Kumar Subba a writer from West Sikkim talked on progressive literature while Thiru Prasad Nepal, well known author from Namchi gave a brief introduction on Literature and Society. Various cultural programmes were presented by Surya Jyoti Sangh, Upper Goam, Yangyang Dance team and students of the college. A similar programme was also organized at Namchi Community Hall by Dakshin Sikkim Sahitya Sammelan. Phurmit Lepcha, Zilla Adyaksha, South was the chief
BHANU JAYANTI DEBUTS AT LINGTHEM a NOW REPORT DZONGU, 14 July: Lingthem Jr. High School, Upper Dzongu, for the first time in its history, celebrated Bhanu Jayanti on 13 July. This is a remarkable event as Dzongu has hardly any Nepali population. Since Sikkim is celebrating the 190th Bhanu Jayanti with a threeday programme at Gangtok and also felicitating Nepali-speaking distinguished personalities who have made remarkable contributions in different vocations and who clearly symbolize national integration, Dzongu too was inspired to do something to honour the great poet, informs a press release.
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As ours is a mixed society where three ethnic communities, the Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese reside in peace and share each other joys and sorrows, the community at Dzongu too decided to contribute its bit towards communal harmony and introduce Bhanu Bhakta’s contribution towards Nepali literature amongst the students and the general public in particular, informs the Lingthem Jr. High School principal. The day-long celebratory function had Tashi Lepcha, JFMC President of Lingthem-Lingdhem GPU, present as the chief guest. The programme started with an opening speech delivered by a school teacher, Ms. Jay-Jay Lepcha which was followed by a
short introduction of Bhanu Bhakta Acharya by Ms. Ugen Chunjzom Bhutia. Speeches on Bhanu Jayanti by Namgey Lepcha, Head Master of the school was the highlight of the day along with cultural programmes by the students. Besides this, the school also released the first issue of its monthly wall magazine, “Highlander Digest”. Recitation of poems, stories and other articles were also conducted amongst the students. The programme was hosted by Mahindra Dahal, a teacher of the school and the programme concluded with the vote of thanks by him.
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guest. Open and inter school Ramayan Path competition, Poem and Quiz competitions were held during the programme. The various cultural programmes were presented by Sapth Sur Sangitik Manch, Namchi. The main focus of the programme was the felicitation ceremony in which Dakshin Sikkim Sahitya Sammelan felicitated Mahnanda Poudyal with the Shiva Kumar Rai Smriti Puraskar in Literature and the Agam Singh Tamang Pratibha Puraskar to CB Gurung in Music. Namchi Girls Senior Secondary School came first in the recitation of Ramayan Path while Namchi Senior Secondary School and New Secondary School stood second and third respectively. In poem competition Namchi Public School, Namchi Girls SSS and Sadam SSS stood first, second and third respectively.
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Omchu marries Bhanu Jayanti with raising awareness on health issues a NOW REPORT NAMCHI, 14 July: An Integrated Health Camp cum Bhanu Jayanti Ceremony was held on 13 July at Omchu, South Sikkim. Organized by Jharna Club, Omchu, it had DT Lepcha, senior citizen of the locality as the guest of honour while SDDO, Namchi was present as the chief guest. The chief guest in his address urged the people to take advantage of this opportunity. He said that the programme as initiated by the state government was worthy of praise as the poor people were getting lots of benefits. Dr. Bimal Rai, District Reproductive Health & Child Health Officer, Namchi General Hospital spoke on issues concerning child health, family planning and nutrition. Various cultural shows were also performed on the occasion. A total of 58 villagers were provided with free medical examination and medicines by Dr Bimal Rai, DRCHO, BM Rai, exChief Medical Officer, Namchi Hospital and Dr Rebecca Lama, Gynecologist along with Dr Sarda Rai from Namchi General Hospital and Dr Buddha from Jorethang Hospital. About 250 locals attended the programme that was sponsored by Bok-Omchu Gram Panchayat Unit.
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6; NOW!; 15 July, 2004
TERROR INFRASTRUCTURE STILL IN PAK: ARMITAGE NEW DELHI, 14 July: Shortly before flying to Islamabad, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage on Wednesday said terrorist infrastructure still existed in Pakistan and stressed that infiltration, which continues, should end. “Clearly, all the infrastructure that supports cross-border terrorism has not been dismantled.. some has been dismantled,” Armitage said at a press conference in New Delhi when asked whether the US was convinced that Pakistan had dismantled terrorist infrastructure existing on its soil. On India’s concerns about continued infiltration, he said “any
level of infiltration is too much from our point of view. There is infiltration. You get various opinions here about whether it is up or down. It is down probably. But the point is not to have it at all.” On the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, after his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, that “people are still dying. It is not acceptable.” During his hectic day-long schedule, Armitage also had meetings with External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, National Security Adviser J N Dixit besides holding extensive parleys with
Foreign Secretary Shashank. The first senior member of the Bush Administration to visit India after new government assumed office, Armitage also met Leader of Opposition L K Advani. To a question, he said he had not made any request for Indian troops to Iraq. “I made no request at all for the troops,” he said, adding the Indian government has indicated ways in which it would be helpful. Armitage said, during his talks with Manmohan Singh and other leaders, he briefed them about Iraq situation and discussed Afghanistan, Pakistan and Kashmir be-
sides other regional issues. The discussions also included “economics” of Indo-US relations, he said. He noted that India and Pakistan were engaged in composite dialogue process and had taken Confidence Building Measures [CBMs] making the situation more positive than it was two years ago. On Italy’s recent proposal for expansion of G-8, group of industrialised countries, to include India, Armitage said “India certainly has taken its place on world stage” and “its stances” were worth admiring.
INDIA’S OIL RESERVE TO EXHAUST IN 20 YRS
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ndia’s crude oil reserves will exhaust in less than 20 years from now while its natural gas reserves will last another 28 years, oil and gas industry experts said at a CII lecture today. “At the current rate of production, we have 18-20 years of oil buffer and about 28 years of gas reserves,” Avinash Chandra, former Director General of the Directorate General of Hydrocarbon, said. He, however, stated that the recent gas finds - 14.5 trillion cu-
bic feet in offshore Andhra Pradesh and 4-5 tcf in offshore Orissa by Reliance Industries and ONGC discovering large oil and gas reserves both on east and the west coast will further augment natural gas production in the country. “We estimate that natural gas production will reach 195-200 million standard cubic meters per day in 7-8 years from the current levels of 81 mmscmd,” he said. India is 70 per cent importdependant to meet its 120 million tonnes of crude oil requirement.
ONGC Chairman and Managing Director Subir Raha said “we are not doing enough to build our ability through creation of strategic stockpile, to sustain disruption in oil supplies.” Oil production will peak in less than 10 years time, he said, emphasising the need for a National Energy Security Plan for a unified approach to energy security. Raha said while renewable energy may at best be able to replace 30 per cent of the oil consumption in the next 20 years,
Experts on the Sikkim Study Series contd from pg 1 released today by experts of national repute in the said fields. Kapila Vatsayanan, considered a doyen of Indian culture, today released the book on Culture written by MM Gurung and RP Lama. Not new to Sikkim, Ms. Vatsayanan visited Sikkim first as the Union Secretary, Education [Culture] for the inauguration of the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. Yet, she admits, her latest visit was an eye-opener. The emotionally charged two days that she has spent here witnessing Sikkim and the cultures it harbours, have added a new dimension to her understanding of the State, she said today at the release function. Impressed with the manner in which Sikkim’s unique diversity of cultures came together to celebrate Bhanu Jayanti, Ms. Vatsayanan opined that this cultural exchange worked as the bridge which linked Sikkim’s past with its future. This was a link that cannot be allowed to snap, she stressed. Reiterating her belief in culture as an ever evolving phenomenon, she said that India had some 500 versions of the Ramayana. “500 narrations of the same story.
That’s diversity at play in unison,” she said. Reminding the audience that Guru Padmasambhava originally hailed from Afghanistan and is today revered as the Patron Saint of Sikkim, she said that cultural exchange across the Himalayas was initiated by Guru Rinpoche and should continue. Even as the rest of the country was turning mono-cultural, Sikkim should be proud that it has maintained its plurality, she said. Books such as the one she released today, Ms. Vatsayanan said, were steps in the right direction because what the region and the country needed were alternate modes of research as exemplified by the Study Series. Expectations from the Study Series remained high with Sunita Narain of Centre for Science & Environment who released the tome on Sikkim’s Geography and Environment written by KC Pradhan, Dr. Eklabya Sharma, Dr. Gopal Pradhan and Dr. AB Chettri. Pointing out that most of India’s current woes stemmed from the fact that it had lost touch with its traditional knowledge base, Ms. Narain hoped that such books would teach us the folk culture again.
Claiming that nation had “no clue” about how it was going to move ahead, Ms. Narain said such books, because they get the people in touch with their past, could help in formulating the policies for the way ahead. Sikkim’s biggest asset, she stressed, is her environment and while most states saw only two options here - to exploit and conserve - Sikkim will have to “learn to live with it,” she said. “It will be a very exciting prospect to base your economy on your environment,” she said. Praising the State’s aspirations of going completely organic, she supported the move by stating that India was too poor a country to first contaminate and then clean up the mess. “We have to take preemptive measures,” she said. Noted litterateur, Kamleshwar, who released the book on literature by Subhash Deepak, peppered his address with anecdotes, all aimed at driving home the point that writers have to be passionate in their beliefs and compassionate in their retelling of local cultures. “They [writers], are the people who have to get off and push when the wheels of democracy stop turning,” he said.
emphasis should be on saving oil through use of efficient technology in motor engines, irrigation pumps etc and incentivising conservation. Investments should be made in alternative energy like hydrogen and coal gassification, he added.
ARMITAGE APOLOGISES TO FERNANDES FOR STRIP-SEARCH NEW DELHI, 14 July: US Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage today said he was “horrified” at the the incident of stripsearching done on George Fernandes during an official visit to US as Defence Minister and apologised to him. “On the way in the car here I had the opportunity to telephone my old friend George Fernandes and told him I had heard about the problem he had. I was horrified about it and I personally apologised to him,” he told reporters after he met leader of the opposition L K Advani
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Namchi Sports Hostel to tour South Korea for Peace Sports Festival GODHRA: LALU ORDERS FRESH INQUIRY NEW DELHI, 14 July: Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday ordered a fresh inquiry into the Godhra incident. Over 50 people, mostly pilgrims returning from Ayodhya, were burnt alive in two bogies of Sabarmati Express in Godhra in February 2002. The incident had sparked off communal violence in large parts of Gujarat, leaving over 800 people dead and thousands homeless.
WATER: CENTRE PROMISES TO PROTECT RIGHTS OF STATES NEW DELHI, 14 July: The Centre on Wednesday continued to grapple with the sudden inter-state crisis resulting from Punjab’s unilateral decision to deny river waters to neighbouring states, but it promised to protect the rights of the affected states. For second day in running, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was trying to find a solution with Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, one of the states affected, meeting him. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and his Haryana counterpart Om Prakash Chautala met the Prime Minister on Tuesday in this regard. Hinting that Rajasthan might take legal action, Raje told reporters after the meeting that the Prime Minister “promised to protect the rights of the states.”
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15 July, 2004; NOW!
a NOW REPORT GANGTOK, 14 July: The Namchi Sports Hostel has been invited to participate at the Second Inter-religious Peace Sports Festival to be held in Asan, South Korea form 20 to 27 July, 2004. This festival is being organised by the Inter-religious International Federation of World Peace working under the umbrella of the
United Nations Organisation. The organisers feel the festival would be a significant effort in ushering a new era of Inter-religious Cooperation among youth of the world and in building a culture of peace and lasting friendship. Incidentally, Namchi Sports Hostel is the only football team in India which has received this invitation for the team event of football representing the religion of
Buddhism. It is presumed that Namchi Sports Hostel received this invitation on the basis of their performance and achievements at the various national level tournaments. This Festival would be a golden opportunity for the boys of the hostel to acquire much needed international exposure. The organisers are providing free board and lodgings as well as providing for local transport and
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sightseeing. The state government has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 7.38 lakhs to cover the international air fare and other way side expenses. PS Tamang, Minister, Sports & Youth Affairs and Building and Housing Department has called for a special function be organised to see the team off on their maiden international tourney on 18 July.
IRB beat D’zongri 2-0, rank third in pool A KUMAI IS KPG CHAIRMAN, AGAIN a NOW REPORT
GANGTOK, 14 July: The last match of the SFA Senior Division Football Super League 2004 was played between IR Battalion and D’zongri Club today here at TNA Ground. IRB won the match by 2 goals to nil. Both the goals of IRB were scored by Krishna Tamang. During the game a yellow card was shown to Pranay Subba of D’zongri in the 45th minute. With the end of the league matches of the tournament United Sikkim Sporting Club stood at first place with 9 points in Group ‘A’, Boy’s Club with 6 points, IRB with 3 points and D’zongri with 0 points. In Group ‘B’ Sikkim Police
KARAN SHAH
‘A’ in first place with 9 points, Sikkim Police ‘B’ with 6 points, Tathangchen FA with 3 points and Saipatri Club, Singtam with
0 points. The toppers of the two groups, USSC and SP ‘A’ will play for the trophy on 18 July at TNA ground.
2nd Day of Bhanu Jayanti in Kalimpong a NOW REPORT KALIMPONG, 14 July: The second day celebrations for Bhanu Jayanti was held here at the Town Hall today. The events for the day included a Kavi Ghosti Pratayogita and recognition to the students of who had acquired good marks in Nepali.
Rachayita Lama of Rockvale Academy and Tri Lochan Pariwar of St Augustine’s were felicitated. The former had scored 92% while the later had 88% in this year’s ICSE exams. Mr. Sharma, Secretary of the Nepali Sathiya Adhayaan Samiti said: “ This is a good feat from both the students and especially since
they belong to a modern generation. This will help keep the legacy of the great Acharya and the aspirations of the Nepali society alive.” Yesterday the, Bhai Chan Pradhan Samiti Award, an All-India Level award for excellence in Nepali literary field, was handed over to Badri Narayan Pradhan of Jalpaiguri.
KALIMPONG, 14 July: The civic poll process ended today with the swearing-in of the Ward Councillors and the formation the municipal board by the ruling GNLF. Today’s schedule began with all the councillors taking the oath of office in the presence of the Sub-Divisional Officers and abut a hundred locals present for the ceremony at the town hall at 11 in the morning. A total of twenty-three councillors took oath for the overall protection of the place that was followed by a conference to elect a candidate for the post of Chairman. CK Kumai was elected to the post. Pleased by his victory, the chairman of the Municipality said: “I thank all those who voted in my favour and also those who voted for the opposition because they have just maintained their democratic process. Now, as a chairman I know my responsibility and an agenda for the new term has already been sorted out.”
GNLF TAKES CHARGE OF ALL HILL MUNICIPALITIES BIRENDRA SHANDILYA DARJEELING, 14 July: Bringing an end to all speculations specially in Kurseong, the GNLF formed Municipal boards in all the three Hill Municipalities today. In the first-ever Oath Taking Ceremony on a grand scale, all 32 Municipal Councillors took the oath of office. In the first Board meeting today, the name of Bal Bahadur Dewan who had won uncontested in favour of the GNLF from Ward 16, was proposed as Chairman by Manikala Lama and seconded by Pemba Tshering Bhutia. 66 year old Bal Bahadur Dewan, a lawyer by profession was later sworn in as the Chairman. However, due to his ailing health he could not climb up to the dais and
took the oath from his chair. He could not address the gathering either. Credit for organizing today’s oath taking function which was attended by all the eminent citizens of the town, DGHC councillors, Secretaries, administrative top brass and Municipal staff went to Asish Chakroborty, Additional District Magistrate and the Municipal Administrator. He even stole the limelight by singing a popular Nepali number to a heavy applause from the gathering. “This is a very good opportunity to interact with the Councillors and to get to know them,” said Chakroborty. In the next meeting, the Vice Chairman will be nominated by the Chairman. As the previous Chairman Passang T. Bhutia has
won from Ward No. 22 and 31, and was sworn in as the Councillor of Ward 31, re-election will be held in Ward No. 22. Meanwhile in Kurseong, it was a scene of jubilation in the GNLF camp. With the equation standing at 10 independent and 10 GNLF on the day of the results, talks of independents trying to form the board was doing the rounds. However with the GNLF working in full throttle to woo back the independents, many of whom were dissident GNLF leaders, the GNLF finally emerged victorious. “All eyes were trained at Kurseong as the situation was very tricky. Now we have 15 Councillors on our side and a few more to come. With this equation we have emerged victorious,” said Shanta
Chettri, MLA from Kurseong and a Senior GNLF leader. PC Agrawal of the GNLF was elected the Chairman and he in turn nominated Sanjay Chettri as the Vice Chairman. Later a rally followed by a “thanks giving” public meeting was organized by the GNLF in Kurseong. In Kalimpong the scene was a bit different. The GNLF Councillors proposed the name of Chandra Kumar Kumai and the People’s Democratic Front proposed the name of Norden Lama. The Vote went in favour of the GNLF, with Kumai getting 19 votes and Lama 4. Incidentally, Kumai, also a lawyer by profession is the former Chairman of the Kalimpong Municipality [1994-99]. The Vice Chairman however was not nominated today.
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History SIKKIM BASKS IN TINSEL TALK today in
15th July 1410: Poland & Lithuania defeat Teutonic Knights at Tannenberg 1662: Charles II grants charter to establish Royal Society in London 1815: Napoleon Bonaparte captured 1869: Margarine is patented in Paris, for use by French Navy 1881: William “Billy the Kid” Bonney killed by Pat Garrett 1904: First Buddhist temple in US established, Los Angeles 1937: Japanese attack Marco Polo Bridge, invade China 1970: Denmark beats Italy 20 in 1st world female soccer championship 1991: US troops leave northern Iraq
ARIES: You encounter frustrations now that throw a wet blanket on your enthusiasm. You feel blocked and hemmed in. Your creative and original plans meet with opposition from conservative people, established rules, and societal norms. TAURUS: Agreements, contracts, and joining your efforts with others will work out very much to your advantage now. A friend or person in authority may offer help or present an opportunity which will benefit you now or in the future. GEMINI: Your artistic sensitivity, intuition, and imagination are stimulated. A fleeting impression or intuition is apt to be correct. CANCER: This astrological influence occurs twice in a lifetime, at age 25 31 and again at age 54 - 59. During this time period, changes occur in your life that provide you greater freedom and self-expression. LEO: A maturing of your ideals and spiritual values occurs now. This maturing process is so gradual and natural that you will hardly notice it, but it is significant. You become less egocentered and more sensitive to the needs of others. Consequently, you behave in a more mature manner. VIRGO: Giving and receiving appreciation, love, and happiness come into your life now. You are moved to express your affections more openly than usual. You also want to be surrounded with beauty and harmonious people, and your artistic efforts flourish. LIBRA:You are motivated to work at resolving any ongoing problems you
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robably for the first time in the history of Sikkim has the world of stardust and tinsel town showered such praise and attention onto the state. But it is just as befitting as the state has taken on the initiative to honour such persons at the ongoing Sikkim Samman Sammilan providing a cause for unity and integration in the process. Danny Denzongpa, among the most popular villains of the big screen and a son of Sikkim, was much appreciative of the government’s efforts at honouring Nepali speaking achievers. “I have been in Bollywood for a long time and have never been recognised by my state till recently. I am truly grateful to the government for this honour,” he said at the felicitation ceremony. Incidentally, Mr. Denzongpa had been awarded by the SDF government with a State Award in the previous term of the government. The SDF government had also proposed his name for the Padma Shree. Another great artiste of the reel world, Mala Sinha, while appreciating the beauty of the land went so far as to say, “If there is anything as a reincarnation I would like to be reborn in Sikkim.” She, too, was felicitated today at the ceremony at Chintan Bhawan. Mala Sinha, even at her
age, has been drawing huge throngs of people waiting for a
THE FUTURE, NOW! may be dealing with, but you're apt to be rather irritable and edgy now also. You can't seem to ignore problems or just let them pass. Family relations are rather tense. SCORPIO: This is an excellent time to make decisions about your financial affairs, as your judgment is sound and reliable, though a bit conservative. Investing in beautiful things which are likely to increase in value over time (such as jewelry or fine art) is favored. You are not interested in fleeting excitement or frivolity now. SAGITTARIUS: You are optimistic, hopeful, and forward-looking at this time. You can see connections and possibilities you may have overlooked before. Now is a time for communicating your enthusiasm, shar-
ing your plans and dreams. CAPRICORN: Blowups in the domestic sphere are likely, as you aren't feeling very patient or conciliatory. Passionate feelings of all kinds are aroused. AQUARIUS: Agreements, contracts, and joining your efforts with others will work out very much to your advantage now. A friend or person in authority may offer help or present an opportunity which will benefit you now or in the future. PISCES: Your imagination runs wild during this time period! You are attracted to any kind of fantasy, mysticism, or imaginative work. Of course, the extent to which this affects you and the precise ways it manifests depends largely on your own personal tastes and inclinations in these matters.
glimpse of her outside her hotel. Completely floored by Sikkim, she admits that she wishes her discovery of Sikkim had come earlier. But the one setting many a heart afire is the beauty queen from Darjeeling and Femina Miss India Earth, Jyoti Brahmin. “During one of the beauty contests I participated in, someone came up and asked me how a momo-thukpa eating girl could ever hope to win a beauty contest,” she shared with the gathering at Chintan Bhawan today. This ethnic branding, instead of deflating her zest to succeed, only made her resolve stronger and “today I can say I am proud to be a Nepali,” she announced to a loud applause. Maintaining that she was not
at available
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as great an achiever as Danny or Mala Sinha, she admitted that all she had achieved thus far was to reach a platform from where she could take the next step up. “I know I am not in league with either Mr. Denzongpa or Mrs. Mala Sinha. All I have attained is a platform from which I can certainly go on to greater things,” she said at the felicitation ceremony. She will certainly go on to greater things and even more so if she does us even more proud by winning the Miss Asia-Pacific title.
