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Article 24

February 22, 2014, 4:20 am
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SIKKIM OBSERVER Page 1  Saturday   Feb 22-28, 2014
Vol  XXIII No 2: Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com;Email:jigmekazi@gmail.com,sikkimobserver@gmail.com
Obama to meet Dalai Lama in White House
(Left)US President Barack Obama met the Dalai Lama at the White House in July 2011.
Washington, Feb 21: US President Barack Obama will meet Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, a fellow Nobel peace laureate, at the White House today.
"The President will meet the Dalai Lama in his capacity as an internationally respected religious and cultural leader," National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden said.
Obama met the Dalai Lama in February 2010 and July 2011, she said, adding the US presidents of both parties over the past three decades have met with the Tibetan spiritual leader.
Hayden said the United States supported the Dalai Lama's "middle way" approach of neither assimilation nor independence for Tibetans but recognised Tibet to be "a part of China".
"We do not support Tibetan independence," she said. Hayden said the US strongly supports human rights and religious freedom in China.
"We are concerned about continuing tensions and the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibetan areas of China. We will continue to urge the Chinese government to resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives, without preconditions, as a means to reduce tensions," Hayden said.
The Nobel peace prize winner, who is here for a two-week tour of the US west coast, on Thursday told a Washington audience that he is warming to capitalism.
Can Golay halt Chamling’s forward march?
Gangtok, Feb 21:“From now on if any SKM supporter is assaulted, I say take the fight to Mintogang itself. Youth and women of the party must now be ready for this,” declared PS Golay during a public meeting of his party, Sikkim Krnatikari Morcha (Sikkim Revolutionary Front), in Singtam, east district, last week.
What is attracting the Sikkimese people towards Golay is his simplicity and straightforwardness. “I am a simple man. When I was a minister for 15 years, I did not build even a single building on government land, nor did I set up hotels or other businesses or add to my bank balance,” said Golay.
 Taking a dig at Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, Golay adds, “If SKM forms the government tomorrow, I would not be the one to usurp government land or build a casino. Our aim is to make our youth millionaires and not to become one ourselves.”
Meanwhile, the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which has been in power since 1994 for four consecutive terms, is planning to hold a massive public meeting in Jorethang, south district, on March 4 during its anniversary celebrations.
AAP to field Medha Patkar from Mumbai
Manipur’s ‘Iron Lady’ says no to politics
New Delhi, Feb 21:The Aam Aadmi Party decision to field Narmada Bachao Andolan leader and activist Medha Patkar from Mumbai’s Northeast Lok Sabha constituency is likely to increase troubles for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The seat is now held by NCP MP Sanjay Dina Patil. Ms. Patkar, last month, announced her full-fledged support to the Aam Aadmi Party. At the time she said she would extend only outside support.
Medha Patkar
She has been active in the Northeast constituency through her several agitations for the slum dwellers. The constituency has large number of slums in Mankhurd, Govandi and Deonar. The seat is divided into pockets of Gujarati, Muslim and Dalit population, along with sizeable Marathi voters.
Patkar  said that the main agenda of her campaign would remain corruption by the established parties. “I took this decision after consultation with various organisations. The AAP is raising the issues which we always wanted to raise and hence I found this party a good platform,” she said, The Hindureported.                             
Earlier, Patkar had said that she would support the party only from the outside, and in return, ask for AAP's support for her 25-30 candidates all over the country. But Kejriwal insisted AAP will back all candidates of Patkar's National Alliance for People's Movement (NAPM) only if she joins the party.
Spreading its wings nationally, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) approached activist Irom Sharmila Chanu to contest the Lok Sabha elections from the inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat.
Irom Sharila Chanu
AAP leader Prashant Bhushan had proposed the idea to contest the elections to Sharmila, which she later refused. Sharmila has been on a fast for the past 14 years demanding to repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). "Since I don't want to enter politics, I have applied my mind and rejected the offer this morning," she said. She added that politics according to her was uncertain and vague as people could not keep their faith and trsut on the politicians. In 2012 during the Manipur Assembly elections, Sharmila had termed the politicians as 'shameless people' as they had failed to act on the presence of AFSPA in the state.
Name Nam Nang road after Prince Tenzing: Bhandari
Gangtok, Feb 21: Former chief minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who was close to the Palace, has reportedly urged the authorities to name the steep Nam Nang Road linking MG Marg with Deorali in memory of the late Crown Prince Tenzing.
Prince Tenzing
The suggestion, if it receives positive response from the Chamling Government, would be a fitting tribute to Prince Tenzing, who was killed in a car accident on this road on March 11, 1978.
  Prince Tenzing was the eldest son of Chogyal Palden Tondup Namgyal during whose rule Sikkim was taken over by India in 1975 in the guise of ushering in democracy in the former kingdom.
Bhanndari
Bhandari’s Palace-baked Sikkim Parishad party, which fought the 1979 Assembly polls on an anti-merger plank, routed pro-merger LD Kazi’s party and formed the government on October 18, 1979.
Prince Tenzing was a dashing young man who was very popular among the people. More than 30,000 turned up in Gangtok from all over Sikkim during his funeral.
Bikers against racial discrimination
Bangalore, Feb 21: More than 200 riders of several bike-riding clubs and individual riders, vroomed on about 150 bikes cutting through the heart of the city unequivocally condemning the racial discrimination, as part of the 'Bikers Against Racial Discrimination’ ride under the aegis of Brotherhood of Bulleeters Motorcycling Consortium (BOBMC) here last Sunday.
Several women riding the bikes, some really heavy machines, attracted the attention of onlookers. The rally had a long contingent of bikes from Royal Enfield, Honda, Duke and others. Thousands of pamphlets were distributed throughout the route of the rally to educate people about the event and the cause.
There were many placards with messages including 'Racism is Wrong’, 'Racism has no place in a democratic country', 'Friends Are Made by Heart, Not by Skin Colour', 'We, the riding family, won't stand racial discrimination', 'Stop All Violence Against Northeast' and 'We All Have Eyes, But to See Right, We Should Use Our Brains'. A very diverse set of people in terms of race, religion, region, age, gender and language participated in the rally. Large number of people from North-Eastern states and Caucasians took part in event.
The bike rally, led by senior bikers  Prem Menon and Ajit Lakshmiratan, was flagged off from the Town Hall at 8:40 am and passed through Hudson Circle, Mission Road, Lalbagh Road, RV Road, Nanda Theatre Road, JP Nagar, BTM Layout, Silk Board, Outer Ring Road and culminated at the BDA Complex in HSR Layout at 10 am.
Lakshmiratan, a Biker from 50+ Bulleteers said: "We are very much concerned about the racial discrimination prevalent. It is a blot on our society and we condemn it. We as a responsible biking community and express our solidarity with North East brothers and sisters."
Professor Rini Ralte from Mizoram, who made Garden City her home, addressed the bikers and said: "Racial Discrimination is a violence faced by us every day in Bangalore and in other cities. The recent exodus of thousands of North East people from Bangalore indicates the kind of constant fear we live under. Ours is a struggle against discrimination, ours is a struggle for justice and peace."
Human Rights activist Manohar Elavarthi from Praja Rajakiya Vedike appreciated the efforts of the biking community in fighting against racism. He demanded that Police should be sensitized on the issues of North East people and to recruit people from the region into Karnataka police force to make it racially diverse. He appealed to the bikers to continue this long struggle to change people’s attitudes and to bring lasting changes against racism.
Bishwajit Singh Rajkumar, a biker from Manipur said: "As a biker, I have never faced any racial discrimination inside the biking community. I am proud to be part of this community and want the larger society to emulate our biking community and learn to accept the people who are different from you. If you want to understand people, you should visit their places and meet them; spend time with them. Then only one will start to understand that they are as beautiful as you."
Ringo Pebam, a biker from Manipur, who works in this city, said: "North East people face insults, harassment, sexual harassment, physical violence and humiliation on a daily basis. People here know very little about North East people, our history, culture, food habits, languages; people don’t know that India is home to people of different races. We demand changes in school and college curricula to include information about North East so that all Indians are aware about us.”
Sikkim bags national tourism award
Union Minister for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor,presenting the National   Tourism Award 2012-13 to Sikkim Tourism Minister Bhim Dhungel during  a function at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on Tuesday. (Right)
Gangtok, Feb 21: Sikkim has been declared as best state in the country in implementation of  Rural Tourism Projects  by the Union Ministry of Tourism.
 Union Minister for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor,presented the National   Tourism Award 2012-13 to Sikkim Tourism Minister  Bhim Dhungel during a function held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on Tuesday.
 According to Union Tourism Ministry, Sikkim is the perfect destination to experience warm hospitality, rich culture and scenic splendour of natural beauty, an official release said.
Dhungel said that  Chief Minister  Pawan Chamling has launched an ambitious Rs 140 crore project for developing various tourism convenience facilities,view points,halting points and other infrastructural facilities project in the State .
Dhungel said at present around 80,000 tourist visit rural tourists destinations in the state annually and added that target has been fixed to attract 1.50 lakh tourist to rural tourist destinations in next five years  by creating additional infrastructural facilities in the State..
Sikkim tourism Secretary C.Zangpo, Sanjay Singh DE(P), Shova Lama AD,  Binita Rai, PRO Tourism and Vijay Thapa were part of the official delegations who attended the function
Seemandhra TDP leaders raise demand for separate Telugu nation
Hyderabad, Feb 21:Exasperated Telugu Desam Party leaders from Seemandhra have sprang a surprise by raising a new demand of a separate country with its own parliament if the Centre is unable to keep the state of Andhra Pradesh united.
No less than half a dozen senior TDP leaders, including MPs, have echoed this demand in the last few days. Leading the bunch is TDP MP and industrialist Modugula Venugopal Reddy, who shot to infame after threatening suicide with a broken microphone in the Lok Sabha moments after the Telangana Bill was to be tabled on Thursday. “Give us our own parliament. We will be a separate country like Bangladesh and Pakistan,” he told mediaperons here.
“When Parliament does not bother about sentiments of Seemandhra people and give respect to the region’s MPs, what is wrong in the demand for a separate country,” he said adding, “five crore denizens of Seemandhra are subjected to `genocide’ by Sonia Gandhi who is not bothered about their concerns.”
Incidentally, many Seemandhraites active on social media have been posting comments echoing these sentiments. A Facebook group on “Seemandhra, a separate country” has been created, though it has few takers. One of the comments was: “When there is no respect for Andhras, there is thinking whether we should be part of this country or not.” Former minister and Telugu Desam legislator Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu has been repeating the demand for a separate country is also part of the separatist chorus.
Senior legislator Payyavulu Keshav, who has been the face of Samaikyandhra movement in the Telugu Desam, said, “Are we living in India. Are we not part of India? We are forced to feel like aliens in our own country.”
Former minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy was the first senior TDP leader to voice the nation desire. He repeated the statement several times, the latest being on Friday. “If a separate state can be created on the basis of self rule, why should south India not be a separate country on the same plank,” he said adding, “that day is not far away”.
Former minister and TDP leader Bojjala Gopalakrishna Reddy did not see any fault in the demand. “In fact India should be like the European Union, where countries have their own independence.” He even named the Seemandhra `country’ as Telugu Desam or the nation of Telugus.
Press freedom: from Talk Sikkim to Sikkim Talks
Gangtok, Feb 21:Sikkim’s monthly newsmagazine Talk Sikkimhas, once again, bounced back. This time in its new avatar: Sikkim Talks.
Mita Zulca, editor of the magazine, has taken the lead in reviving the publication. According to reports, the Talk Sikkim, owed by Deependra Khati, was under much pressure to close down Talk Sikkim as it highlighted activities of former minister PS Golay’s Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (Sikkim Revolutionary Front).
“The magazine was launched in September 2008. It is now 2014. Hardly ever in the stands on the scheduled date, it nevertheless sold out each time it did make it there,” says Zulca in Facebook.
She adds, “It ‘shut down’ twice but came back again to great support from the readers. This time with a name-change but no one seems to care about that at all.A special thanks to advertisers who saw us through good times and bad. And to all readers who kept us motivated with their support.”
Meanwhile, local journalists are not too happy of the lack of action taken by the authorities to nab the culprit who attacked the printing press of Sikkim Express here at Daragaon recently.
Anna joins hand with Mamata to launch 'Fight For India' campaign
New Delhi, Feb 21:  After India Against Corruption, social activist Anna Hazare will now launch 'Fight for India' campaign with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Anna and Mamata met on Wednesday and have decided to launch this campaign ahead of Lok Sabha elections. This comes after Mamata hosted a dinner in honour of Anna in Delhi.
The Gandhian has been growing closer to the West Bengal Chief Minister ever since his split with former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. Te duo have decided to campaign in the eastern states and UP from middle of March, CNN-IBN reported.
Anna wanted a commitment from Mamata on delivering on promises if she comes to power. Anna also wanted to support and campaign for other candidates as well.
Anna joins hand with Mamata to launch 'Fight For India' campaign
The Gandhian has been growing closer to the West Bengal Chief Minister ever since his split with Arvind Kejriwal.
Anna had earlier praised Mamata after meeting Kejriwal and reportedly compared the lifestyle of the chief ministers.
Talking about the VIP culture, Hazare said that Mamata wears slippers even after she became CM but persons take bungalows despite promising not to do so in a veiled dig at Kejriwal.
Anna had, however, said that he had never endorsed anyone and that he had written to political parties about 17 issues that need to be taken up for the welfare of nation. "I sent 17 points to every political party. The points if implemented will change the nation for good. Nobody responded. Only West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sent a reply. We need such people," he reportedly said.
KS Tobgay was an upright person: CM
Gangtok, Feb 21: Condoling the death of KS Tobgay, Secretary Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, while expressing his “profound grief, sorrow and deep anguish over the sudden demise”, said Tobgay was “an upright person with impeccable integrity.”
In his condolence message, the Chief Minister said Tobgay was “a man with amicable disposition, was known as a calm, soft spoken, hard working and an upright person with impeccable integrity.”
Chamling described Tobgay as a “thorough gentleman” and “an experienced bureaucrat” and his death created a “great void” in the State administration.
Army jawans rescue 584 tourists stranded in Sikkim
Gangtok, Feb 21: Army jawans rescued 584 tourists, including 106 women and 14 children, who were left stranded when unexpected heavy snowfall caused major road blocks in Sikkim's Nathula, officials said in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Army personnel under Trishakti Corps cleared over 100 vehicles in two separate locations in Nathula on Sunday, PTI reported.
In the first incident, 250 tourists got stranded near milestone 17, where a tourist vehicle tilted precariously due to heavy snowfall blocking nearly 40 other vehicles.
A team of army men comprising two junior commissioned officers and 10 jawans led by Subedar major KM Chandgude from a nearby army transit camp on patrol cleared the snow, making it possible for the stranded vehicles to return to Gangtok by evening.
Elsewhere near Nathula, 334 tourists, including 106 women and 14 children, in 65 vehicles got stranded due to inclement weather and heavy snow were also rescued, Army officials said.
With weather turning worse and life threatening, the men in olive greens swung into action and rescued all tourists to a safe place.
Besides sheltering them through the night the army men also provided them hot beverages and food.
Telephone facilities were also provided to them to contact their near and dear ones. On Monday morning, after breakfast, vehicles were arranged to transfer them to Gangtok.
Located around 56 km from Gangtok at an altitude of 14450 ft, Nathula is close to the Indo-China border and is a major tourist destination in Sikkim.
PEOPLE&PLACES Chogyal of Sikkim
Chogyal was placed under house arrest before Sikkim’s annexation
This article on Palden Thondup Namgyal, the 12th Chogyal (king) of Sikkim, was written on May 23, 2008 by the Radical Royalist during the Chogyal’s 85thbirth anniversary.
Sikkim Observer brings this article to light on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the historic funeral of the Chogyal in Gangtok on February 19, 1982.
This spring (May 2008) the world’s attention was drawn to Tibet, where on 10th March this year the people commemorated the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan upheaval against the Chinese occupation. The protests spread from Tibet across the whole world and along the route of the torch relay for this year’s Olympic games people demanded: “Free Tibet!”.
   In the Southern part of the Himalaya another occupied territory did not attract any attention at all: Sikkim. The Kingdom which had defended its independence for 300 years against powerful neighbours was annexed by India in April 1975 and became the 22nd state of the Indian Union. The 85th birthday of the 12th Chogyal of Sikkim gives me the opportunity to focus on the fate of the tiny Himalaya Kingdom.
Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal, Twelfth Consecrated Ruler of Sikkim, was born in Sikkim’s capital Gangtok on 22nd May 1923. The Denzong Chogyal was the second son of the late illustrious Chogyal Sir Tashi Namgyal, who will always be remembered as Sikkim’s gracious, enlightened and benevolent ruler.
In 1935 he continued his studies at St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling, and completed his studies at Bishop Cotton School, Simla, in 1941.

Funeral of the Chogyal in Gangtok on February 19, 1982.
As the Heir Apparent, Gyalsay Palden Thondup Namgyal undertook the Indian Civil Service Training Course at Dehra Dun in 1942 and thereafter returned to Sikkim to look after the administration so that the needs of the people could be taken care of.
Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal was keenly alive to the needs of the people and as Heir Apparent had exercised direct personal supervision over various departments of the government of Sikkim. He was his father’s adviser on external affairs and led the Sikkim team, which negotiated the Treaty with India in 1949-1950. By contract Sikkim became India’s “protectorate” on 5th December 1950, not unlike Nepal and Bhutan that were forced to sign similar treaties after the British had left the subcontinent. So far the other two Kingdoms could maintain their independence. If Nepal will be able to keep the two greedy neighbours outside the borders should the country be declared a republic, is in doubts.
The Chogyal was connected with a number of cultural and academic bodies in Sikkim, India and abroad. He had been the President of the Mahabodhi Society of India since 1953 and he led the Sikkim delegation to the Sixth Buddhist Council that was held in Burma in 1954. He participated in the 2500 Buddha Jayanti Celebrations in India in 1956, and was the only member of the Working Committee from Sikkim. In March 1959 he attended the 2500 Buddha Jayanti Conference in Japan and represented Sikkim at the Sixth World Fellowship of Buddhists conference in Cambodia in 1961. In 1958, under the patronage of Maharaja Sir Tashi Namgyal, he set up a centre for Mahayana and Tibetan studies at Gangtok , and this world famous centre bears the name of “Namgyal Institute of Tibetology.”
In August 1950, he married Sangey Deki, daughter of Yapshi Samdu Phodrang of Tibet. Sangey died in June 1957. In March 1963 he married Hope Cooke, grand daughter and ward of Mr. and Mrs. Winchester Noyes of the United States of America, which drew a huge media attention to the tiny Kingdom. The Chogyal had three children from his first wife, namely Tenzing, Wangchuk and Yangchen. His second wife bore him Palden and Hope. After his father’s death, Palden was crowned as the Twelfth Chogyal of Sikkim on 4th April 1965. (Please note the photo, where his US-born wife Hope Cooke is sitting at his right on a lower throne.)
Among the honours and distinction the Chogyal held were: The Order of the British Empire (1947), Padma Vibushan, India (1954) and Commander de l’Ordre de l’Étoile Noire, France (1956).
The Indian invasion
Small numbers of Nepalese had been migrating to Sikkim from about the 15th century, but it was only under the British that the Nepalese began entering Sikkim in great numbers, entirely upsetting the traditional ethnic balance of Sikkim. This social engineering was done by the British to weaken the traditional Lepchas – Bhutia strength. The Eleventh Chogyal and representatives of two of Sikkim’s largest parties, the Sikkim State Congress and the Sikkim National Party, agreed in May 1951to a parity formula . According to this formula, the seats in the state council were to be divided equally between the Bhutia-Lepcha group, and the Nepalese. The Sikkim State Council was then institute in 1953.
In April 1973, after making allegations that elections had been rigged, ethnic Nepali protested in front of the King's palace, demanding civil rights and the sidelining or even removal of what they called the "feudal" monarchy. Palden Thondup Namgyal, the King of Sikkim, ultimately gave in and signed an agreement on 8th May 1973.
The document called on India to provide a chief executive, and to hold elections for an assembly. The agreement was the first step in the disappearance of the Kingdom of Sikkim. The inhabitants of the Kingdom are in no doubt that the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her local agents fomented the unrest. Indira Gandhi’s dictatorial and imperialist attitudes were are a major concern in the 70s. Asked in 1998 by the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, why the Sikkimese army did not resist the Indian invasion, a former captain of Sikkim's army replied: "The Indians soldiers had joined the army because they were hungry and received a warm meal; to shoot at them would not have been in accordance with our Buddhist faith. We knew four days in advance about the invasion, but the King had ordered not to fight."
In 1975, Sikkim’s Prime Minister “appealed” to the Indian Parliament for representation and change of Sikkim's status to a state of India. In April 1975 the Indian army moved into Sikkim, seizing the capital city of Gangtok, disarming the Palace Guards and putting the Chogyal under house arrest.
A “referendum” was held in which 97.5% [!] of the votes cast (or counted!) agreed to join the Indian Union. China did not recognize India’s occupation of Sikkim until 2003, which led to an improvement in the Sino-Indian relations. In return, India announced its official recognition of Tibet as an integrated part of China.
The Chogyal never renounced his throne and hoped till the end that justice would win.
On 29th January 1982 Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal died a heartbroken man from cancer in New York. His second son Wangchuk inherited the rights to the throne after the Chogyal's eldest son Crown Prince Tenzin had died in a car accident on 11th March 1978.
LITERARY
Wendy Doniger's book: 'You must tell us what terrified you'
 Arundhati Roy writes to Penguin India
Everybody is shocked at what you have gone and done—at your out-of-court settlement with an unknown Hindu fanatic outfit—in which you seem to have agreed to take Wendy Donniger's The Hindus: An Alternative History off the bookshelves of 'Bharat' and pulp it. There will soon no doubt be protestors gathered outside your office, expressing their dismay.
Tell us, please, what is it that scared you so? Have you forgotten who you are? You are part of one of the oldest, grandest publishing houses in the world. You existed long before publishing became just another business, and long before books became products like any other perishable product in the market—mosquito repellent or scented soap.
You have published some of the greatest writers in history. You have stood by them as publishers should, you have fought for free speech against the most violent and terrifying odds. And now, even though there was no fatwa, no ban, not even a court order, you have not only caved in, you have humiliated yourself abjectly before a fly-by-night outfit by signing settlement. Why?
You have all the resources anybody could possibly need to fight a legal battle. Had you stood your ground, you would have had the weight of enlightened public opinion behind you, and the support of most—if not all—of your writers. You must tell us what happened. What was it that terrified you? You owe us, your writers an explanation at the very least.
The elections are still a few months away. The fascists are, thus far, only campaigning. Yes, it's looking bad, but they are not in power. Not yet. And you've already succumbed?
What are we to make of this? Must we now write only pro-Hindutva books? Or risk being pulled off the bookshelves in 'Bharat' (as your 'settlement' puts it) and pulped? Will there be some editorial guide-lines perhaps, for writers who publish with Penguin? Is there a policy statement?
Frankly I don't believe this has happened. Tell us it's just propaganda from a rival publishing house. Or an April Fool's day prank that got leaked early. Please say something. Tell us it's not true.
So far I have had been more than happy to be published by Penguin. But now?
What you have done affects us all.
Arundhati Roy
(Author of The God of Small Things, Listening to Grasshoppers, Broken Republic and other books all of which are published by Penguin India)
Just Out!!
Book: The Lone Warrior: Exiled In My Homeland
Publisher: Hill Media Publications, Gangtok, Sikkim
Price: Rs. 525/-
AVAILABLE AT:
Observer Building, Nam Nang, Gangtok, Sikkim
Kandoika, New Market, MG Marg, Gangtok, Sikkim
Good Books: Old Market, MG Marg, Gangtok, Sikkim
Jainco: New Metro Point, 31A National Highway, Gangtok, Sikkim
Rachna: Development Area, Gangtok, Sikkiim


Bulk copies available at Observer Building, Nam Nang, Gangtok, Sikkim.
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Article 23

March 9, 2014, 4:14 am
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SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday March 1-7, 2014
Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com;Email:jigmekazi@gmail.com,sikkimobserver@gmail.com
The annual chham (ritualistic lama dance) being performed at Pemayangtse Monastery in West Sikkim recently during Sikkimese Losoong celebrations.
Golay to put an end to one-man rule in Sikkim
Gangtok, Feb 28: Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (Sikkim Revolutionary Front) President PS Golay’s recent declaration that his party would allow a person to contest only two times to contest Assembly polls in the State would go a long way in checking one-man rule in the former kingdom. This revolutionary step – which is aimed at laying the foundation of democracy and rooting out corruption – will certainly be welcomed by the Sikkimese people who a fed up of one party system and one-man rule in the State.
   Given the fact that Sikkim has been ruled by two men – Nar Bhandari and Pawan Kumar Chamling – for three and half decades since 1979, Golay’s move will go a long way in bringing parivartan (change) from the top. While Bhandari ruled for nearly fifteen years from 1979 to 1994, Chamling has been in power since December 1994. He wants to make a comeback for the fifth consecutive term.
  Indicating that he would be allowed to hold the post of chief ministership, if elected to power, for only ten years, Golay said his party’s constitution allows one person from the party to contest elections only two times to prevent domination of a single person.
   “The (SKM) constitution of our party allows one person to contest elections only two times. This means that the tradition of one-man supremacy would not be there in our party,” Golay said.
If the SKM forms the next government and if it sticks to its constitution it also means that more people will be encouraged to take part in electoral politics, something which is quite alien to the ruling party. (also see edit on page 2: Parivartan is Prajatantra)
GJM threatens to revive statehood demand
Darjeeling, Feb 28: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), spearheading an agitation for a separate state here is likely to start a fresh agitation from Sunday.
GJM will hold rallies in three sub-divisions of Darjeeling district  as part of its agitation to demand a separate state of Gorkhaland.
As part of its exercise to take forward the demand of Gorkhaland to the Centre, GJM will hold rallies and public meetings at Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong today, official sources said.
A GJM team will also go to New Delhi next week to meet the President, Prime Minister, leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and other important leaders to press for the demand of Gorkhaland, party sources added.
The decision to change the movement’s tenor was taken by GJM president Bimal Gurung, who told reporters at Darjeeling earlier this week that the party would wait for sometime before launching a fresh movement.
While GJM leaders were tight-lipped over the sudden change in strategy, sources said the party was compelled to change track after other Gorkha outfits questioned GJM’s sincerity to the Gorkhaland cause.
Meanwhile, after the formation of Telangana, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee criticized BJP and Congress for "forming an unholy nexus" in getting the T-Bill passed in the Parliament recently.
Scrap all hydel projects not cleared by Environment Ministry: SKM
SC order violated to serve vested interests
Gangtok, Feb 28: The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has demanded that hydel power projects in the State, which have not been given environment clearance, be “scrapped and the projects stopped forthwith”.
While opposing the Union Forest & Environment Ministry’s recent move to reduce the protective zones around five national parks and sanctuaries in the State from 10 km to 25-200 meters, SKM spokesman and former Rajya Sabha MP, PT Gyamtso, said his party not only condemns the Centre’s latest move to destroy Sikkim’s  fragile eco-system but wants the Union Forest & Environment Ministry to immediately withdraw its “controversial notification”  to save the “rich biodiversity” of the State.
 “The draft notification for reducing these protective zones for Pangolakha, Singba Rhododendron, Fambonglho, Kyongnosla Alpine Wildlife Sanctuaries and the Khanchendzonga National Park …will be a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s order which requires the vetting of any development project falling within 10KM of National Park and Sanctuaries by the Standing Committee of National Board of Wildlife,” Gyamtso said in a press statement.
   “The Standing Committee NBW had already submitted a report to the Ministry warning that several dams were coming in the State without the mandatory clearance and Sikkim being located in Seismic Zone V faced a Goa-like situation with rampant and illegal development of these dams likely to causing devastation just as unlawful mining had done in the coastal states,” the release said and added “The Committee had reported that Teesta V, Teesta III, Dickhu, Panan, Tashiding and Ting Ting hydro-electric projects were coming up without mandatory clearance.”
The SKM noted that former Environment Minister Jayanti Natarajan was a “strict person and she did not allow projects not qualifying mandatory clearance to come up in the State but now with the change in guard, the officials in the Ministry in connivance with State Government officials with vested interest have managed to convince the Minister, Environment to bypass the Apex Court order.”
 China opposes US move to appoint special coordinator for Tibetans
Sarah Sewall with the Dalai Lama
Beijing, Feb 28: China on Monday refused to recognise US government’s appointment of a special coordinator for Tibetan issues, calling it interference in its internal affairs.
“Chinese government is firmly opposed to the interference in China’s internal affairs by any foreign country under the pretext of so called Tibetan issue,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing in Beijing.
“We have never recognised the so-called special coordinator for Tibetan issues and we will not do so in future.”
She was responding to questions on US Secretary of State John Kerry naming Sarah Sewall, the Undersecretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, to serve as special coordinator for Tibetan issues.
Her appointment was announced after a meeting between US President Barack Obama and Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the White House on February 22. China had denounced the meeting as gross interference in its internal affairs.
According to the State Department, Ms. Sewall’s responsibilities will include promoting substantive dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama or his representatives.
She will coordinate government policies, programmes, and projects on Tibetan issues globally, and particularly within the context of bilateral relationships with China, India and Nepal, where there are significant populations of Tibetans, a State Department statement said.
Children of Tibetan refugees can now vote
New Delhi, Feb 28: The Election Commission (EC) has ordered all states to include children of Tibetan refugees in the electoral list. This is for the first time in 55 years that voting rights will be conferred on Tibetans in exile in the country.
According to the orders dated February 7, children of Tibetan refugees born in India between the cut-off date of 1950 and 1987, as mentioned in the Citizenship Act 1955, can no longer be denied enrollment in voters’ list. The move on part of the EC comes in the wake of an August 2013 Karnataka High Court order which paved the way for granting Indian citizenship to Tibetan refugees, The Indian Express reported.
There are about 1.20 lakh Tibetan refugees currently living across the country with their largest settlement being in Bylakuppe in Karnataka. The Tibetan parliament-in-exile is based in Dharamshala elected by a 90,000-strong voter base spread across 53 settlements in India, Nepal and Bhutan.
The EC’s move evoked mixed reactions from the community with several pro-Tibet activists terming this as a relief for Tibetan refugees who are currently deemed “stateless”. Karma Yeshi, a member of Tibetan parliament-in-exile, said, “Our aim is not to settle in India, but to eventually go back to Tibet. However, we cannot stop people from asserting their citizenship rights.”
China refutes Modi's 'expansionist mindset' remark
Beijing, Feb 28: China on Monday asserted that it had never waged a war to occupy "an inch of land of other countries", days after BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi slammed the Communist giant for its "expansionist mindset".
"You mentioned expansionism by the Chinese side. I believe all of you can see that China has never waged a war of aggression to occupy an inch of land of other countries," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters while responding to questions on Modi's remarks.
"We always reiterate that we take real actions to commit through the peaceful development path" and are committed to good neighbourliness and cooperative relations, she said.
"There has never been any armed clashes in border areas over the years. So there is very strong evidence that we have the capability to maintain peace there. This is very good for the future development of the bilateral relations," she said, highlighting that there was no major confrontation at Sino-Indian borders after the 1962 war.
"It is not only good for our two people but also to the whole region," Hua said, adding that "we hope to work together with our Indian counterpart to that end".
Modi, at a rally in Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday, asked China to shed its "expansionist mindset".
"China should shed its expansionist policy and forge bilateral ties with India for peace, progress and prosperity of both the nations," he said.
"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and will always remain so. No power can snatch it from us. People of Arunachal Pradesh didn't come under pressure or fear of China," Modi said.
Responding to Modi's remarks, Hua said, "our position on the Eastern sector of the boundary is very consistent and clear cut. We would like to develop good neighbourliness and friendly relations with our neighbours and resolve relevant disputes and differences through dialogue and consultations." China claims Arunachal Pradesh as Southern Tibet and it is part of the dispute over the 4000 km-long Line of Actual Control between the two countries.
Hua said currently China and India are maintaining good momentum of bilateral relations.
"The two leaders have degree of consensus on the significance of growing bilateral relations. We hope to settle the boundary negotiations as soon as possible," she said.
EDITORIAL
END ONE-MAN RULE
Parivartan Is Prajatantra
Prem Singh Golay’s party Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (Sikkim Revolutionary Front) needs to be applauded for its bold step in introducing the concept of ending one-man rule in Sikkim. More than anyone Pawan Chamling ought to know by now that his time is up. He has been ruling Sikkim as Chief Minister and President of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front for two decades since 1994. The fact that a large number of Sikkimese, particularly the youngters, have been supporting Golay in the past few years is a clear indication that the people are demanding change in the former kingdom. Change is a natural process in a democracy and those in power must respect it.
Ever since Sikkim’s takeover in 1975 the former kingdom has been ruled by two men: Nar Bahadur Bhandari (1979-1994) and Pawan Kumar Chamling (1994-2014). While the two leaders have made commendable contributions to the State there is the need to give opportunities to other parties and individuals to take part in the democratic process. Hopefully, SKM will form the next government and hopefully it will keep its promises of not allowing more than two terms to its legislators, including the chief minister.
94-year-old Rishang Keishing retires after 7 decades in politics
New Delhi, Feb 28: It was close to 5p.m. The sun had started setting and in an hour, there would be darkness all around. A man stood silently, taking in the surroundings of a place he had been a part of, on and off, since 1952. A place he said he would never come back to.
Rishang Keishing, 94, India’s oldest parliamentarian, has called it a day. There was no farewell handshake from his fellow MPs from the Rajya Sabha, the chairperson or other employees although everybody knew that they would perhaps not see him again. He boarded his waiting car and silently left for his residence last Wednesday.
 Keishing has had a chequered political career, getting elected four times to Parliament, twice to the Rajya Sabha. A heavyweight in Manipur politics, he worked and manoeuvred his way to become the Chief Minister four times though he could not complete any of them, as in those days there was no anti-defection law and MLAs used to change parties for loaves and fishes, The Hindu reported;.
 Keishing has worked with leaders who grace the pantheon of India’s contemporary political history, starting with Nehru. He cherishes their memory and respects every one for all that he has learnt from them. Though he started his political career as a socialist, he joined the Congress in 1964. In 1972, the United Naga Integration Council, which he floated, merged with the Congress on the ground that the “Congress has no objection to the Naga integration movement.”
But life has not been all rosy. Many were against the movement for the vivisection of Manipur on tribal lines that he was part of. Keishing’s critics said Manipur, with its 2,000 years of written history, could not be divided to appease some sections. When pressed for a comment, Keishing said “It was long time back, I do not remember much.”
Mining, quarrying banned near Sikkim wildlife sanctuary
Gangtok, Feb 28: Human activities including mining, quarrying or setting up new 'major' hydro-electric projects will not be allowed around areas up to 200 meters from the Khangchendzonga National Park and four wildlife sanctuaries in Sikkim from April.
Union environment ministry has notified these areas as 'eco-sensitive zone' in order to create some kind of "shock absorber" around the identified stretch to protect environment and wildlife.
Besides the lone national park of Sikkim, the other four wildlife sanctuaries which are to be covered under the order include Fambonglho (west of Gangtok), Kyongnosla Alpine and Pangolakha (east district) and Shingba Rhododendron (north district), The Times of India reported.
The ban order will, however, not affect the ongoing agriculture and horticulture practices, organic farming and cottage industries including village artisans in those identified zones.
The extent of eco-sensitive zone, under the notification, varies from 25 meters to 200 meters from the existing boundary of the national park and sanctuaries, depending on topography of the region and its proximity to international boundaries of Nepal and China.
Issuing the notification on Friday, the ministry of environment and forest sought public opinion on this move within 60 days so that the ministry can look into suggestions and complaints, if any, relating to extent of the eco-sensitive zone during the period. The proposed ban under the order will come into force after expiry of the 60-day deadline.
It is expected that the notification may draw ire of environmentalists who have been demanding earmarking of the 'eco-sensitive zone' up to 10 kilometers from the protected areas under Supreme Court order on perimeter of such stretch.
The apex court's order, however, empowers the state and central government to notify the perimeter of the zone based on scientific assessment, taking into account local factors including livelihood issues of local population.
Though the ministry's order will ban construction of new major hydropower projects and expansion of the big existing projects in the eco-sensitive zones, it will not affect 'micro' hydel power projects (up to 100kw) or 'mini' hydel projects (from 101 to 2000kw) which would serve the energy needs of the local communities in Sikkim.
The notification, however, emphasized that such micro or mini hydel projects would be allowed "subject to consent of the concerned Gram Sabha (village committee) and all other requisite (environmental, forest and other) clearances".
Sikkim has total eight protected areas including one national park and seven wildlife sanctuaries, covering 2,183 sq km area of the state.
After Andhra, UP can be the next state to be divided: Jairam Ramesh
New Delhi, Feb 28: Union Minister and senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday announced that he was personally in favour of splitting the state of Uttar Pradesh, saying it was currently too large and unwieldy to be effectively administered. Jairam Ramesh.
"For a state with a population of 200 million, it is impossible to administer. Splitting Uttar Pradesh is my personal opinion," Ramesh told CNN-IBN editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai in an interview.
.Soon after the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill was cleared by Parliament, Ramesh, a confidante of Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, had highlighted the need for bifurcating other states with a view to improve administration.
 “This is my personal opinion that for the last 15 years good governance is not possible in Uttar Pradesh. Good governance is very difficult in today’s Uttar Pradesh. We should ponder over its future,” he had said. Soon after his statement, the BJP announced that a separate Vidarbha state would be part of the NDA's 'common minimum programme'. Ramesh's remark is perhaps a signal that the party is keen on an alliance in Uttar Pradesh with BSP Chief Mayawati, who has been vociferously demanding the bifuraction of the state. When the BSP was in power in UP, her government had in 2011 adopted resolution in the UP Assembly to that effect. Needless to say, any indication that the Congress could offer a proposed splitting up of Uttar Pradesh in the run-up to the Lok Sabha election 2014 will give fresh energy to a series of other statehood demands.
The people of Vidarbha in Maharashtra have been agitating for a separate state for decades, a demand that the Congress-NCP alliance government in Maharashtra has been undecided about. The demand is to carve out about 11 districts of eastern Maharashtra, including that of Nagpur, into a state of Vidarbha.
Others who have been demanding statehood include the Gorkhas (the area around Darjeeling be declared Gorkhaland, they demand) based on the ethno-linguistic rights of the local people, Greater Cooch Behar (in northern West Bengal) and Bundelkhand, an agitation led by the Bundelkhand Mukti Morcha, for areas including some parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Other statehood aspirations include those of the people of 'Bodoland', Purvanchal (Eastern UP) and Harit Pradesh (Western UP).
National award for SNT, CM compliments officials
Gangtok, Feb 28: Thenlay Tshering Bhutia, Minister, Transport Department, along with Transport Department Secretary Tsegyal Tashi handed over the National Trophy and the Cash Award of 1.5 lakh to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling here last Saturday.
The Chief Minister expressed his happiness and congratulated the Minister, officers and all field staff of the Department for their achievement. He also suggested the department to provide more services to the people of the State.
During the meeting the Secretary informed the Chief Minister that the Union Minister Oscar Fernandes, Minister for Road Transport and Highways,presented the National Award for Road Safety 2012-13 in the function held at New Delhi on 16th January 2014.
The Award was presented in various categories and the Sikkim Nationalized Transport (SNT) was selected first among the Hill States of the country. The Award was presented to Sikkim Nationalized Transport for Lowest Accident Record 2012-13 in Hill Service. The Secretary also briefed about the latest development and the grievances of the department
INTERVIEW
OF THE WEEK
Federal Front will form next govt: Mamata
We cannot get rid of a corrupt government and bring a 'party of rioting' to power, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee tells in an exclusive interview to Times of India where she outlines her plans for the Centre and states. The interview is being reproduced.
Times of India: If the situation demands, will you agree to become the Prime Minister? Anna Hazare has already said that he would like to see you as the next PM...
Mamata Banerjee: My life has been one of struggle for more than three decades. I have worked at the Centre and state. More than anything else, my inspiration is the people. Kursis come and go. I want to continue to work for the people
Q: You gave the 'Dilli chalo' call in Kolkata, and Trinamool has launched a joint campaign with Anna Hazare in Delhi. Leaders like TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and Jagan Reddy have called on you in Kolkata. How do you see the prospects of the Federal Front?
A: Federal Front is the future. Whatever happens, will emerge only after the elections. All I can say is that the country has been badly run for 66 years since Independence. We need a change in the system. We want states to be empowered; the federal structure has to be strengthened. Currently the Centre is behaving as master and states are like its slaves. We need to change that. So, an alliance of the states must be formed. Like-minded people have to come together to save the country. We want political and economic stability. Only a tough leader can deliver good governance. Fronts like the Third Front have not worked in the past. Third Front means third class. CPM will lose elections, so there is no question of Third Front. Third Front is a tired front. I am hopeful about the federal front.
Q: Various surveys have predicted that BJP has the best prospect of coming to power and Congress may suffer severe losses. What is your prediction?
A: I am a social and political worker, not a political fortune-teller to predict what will happen after elections. Congress has lost all credibility, accountability and morality to rule. People will vote them out of power in the next elections. But BJP is not the alternative to Congress and Congress is not the alternative to BJP. We cannot do away with a corrupt government and bring a party of rioting to power. I can only say that the next government will be formed by an alliance of federal forces. I also feel that if you add the Congress and BJP seats after the LS elections, it will be far less than the halfway mark.
Q: Both Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh have criticized the Cong-led UPA government for refusing to give Bengal a moratorium on the huge debt left behind by the Left Front government. Do you expect Bengal to get better treatment if Modi becomes PM?
A: We are not beggars. Bengal does not need to go around with a begging bowl. We are only asking for what is our due. The demand for moratorium is not new. Even before the 2011 elections, the Prime Minister promised us a financial package and help us in debt restructuring. I and my finance minister had so many meetings with them, but they did not do anything. They did not keep their promise. We are working against all odds. We have doubled our tax collection in three years from Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 40,000 crore. We have increased revenue without raising taxes by introducing better compliance in tax collection. Bengal is getting ready for a golden era after the sins of the Left.
Q: How will Bengal benefit if Trinamool turns out to be a key player in government formation at the Centre? Will it help you get the moratorium? Will it help bring more investment to Bengal? Will it fetch major investment in infrastructure?
A: We have already got investment on the basis of our own efforts. We are number one in MSME sector. The state government cleared seven new industrial projects in January with a proposed investment of Rs 3,422 crore. This includes an Emami Cements factory on 65 acres at Raghunathpur in Purulia, bringing investment worth Rs 418 crore. A Rs 5,500-crore fertiliser project in Panagarh, Rs 2,0000 crore investment by SAIL and investment worth Rs 10,000 crore for the second phase of DVC's thermal power station at Raghunathpur are also in the pipeline. Bengal has potential and we will ensure that our state becomes Sonar Bangla again. Even in infrastructure we are doing good. We will complete electrification of rural Bengal soon, we are number one in rural development.
Q: You have already said that you are not leaving Bengal. Do you have a team ready to take on the huge responsibility in Delhi? Have you given thought to taking the leadership at the Centre to determine policies if the situation so demands?
A: Bengal is my state and I belong to its soil. I have a responsibility towards the people of Bengal, as they gave me a huge mandate in 2011. After 35 years of misrule, they want good governance. It is my duty. But I feel justice can be done to both Centre and states. I want to help the Centre as well as the states. I cannot comment now what will happen after elections. And why onlyme? There are many other leaders who can be good leaders of the country. Democracy will decide the next Prime Minister, people will decide.
Q: How well can Trinamool manage the huge responsibilities in Delhi and Bengal in the event that it becomes kingmaker?
A: We are not greedy. We just want the political system in India to change. What will happen in the Centre after May, only future will tell. I can only say that our party has had ministers in the Centre. I have been railway minister twice. Before that I was cabinet minister in Rajiv Gandhi's government. My party members were ministers of state in UPA-II. I believe if someone wants, they can manage both Centre and states. What matters is policy and governance. I did a lot for Bengal as railway minister. Bengal is progressing even now.
Q: Do you perceive a harmonious relationship with the Centre in case a non-Congress government comes to power?
A: What is the function of the central government? Just to demand taxes and use CBI to strike fear? Under the current system, states have very little power. We have to change that. There should be a clear demarcation of power between Centre and states. We will always fight for the right of our state, as well as other states. We have to strengthen the federal structure. We withdrew our support to UPA-II when it went against the people. We are not afraid of anyone. We will work for the people.
Q: Name one or two schemes or a policy matter that the Federal Front government may take up after coming to power.
A: Our only target is to formulate policies that will help people. We need a change in the political system. We need electoral reforms, judicial reforms, administrative reforms. Why should a few political parties fight elections with black money? It must stop. We must let the public know of our policies. We have to develop our villages. Bengal is number one in 100-days' work. We have to strengthen the federal structure. There should be a clear demarcation of power between the Centre and states. That will be our priority.
Q: Do you support Arvind Kejriwal's quitting the Delhi government on the Jan Lokpal bill issue?
A: They are a very new party, and I do not know anything about them. It would be wrong to make any comments about them at this moment. Our party has been built on a three decades of struggle.
Q: The passing of the controversial Telangana Bill is likely to stoke fire in the Hills. So far, you have been able to restore and maintain peace in the Hills. How do you plan to address the situation?
A: What happened in Lok Sabha was more than an Emergency. It was unconstitutional. We asked for Division, which was not allowed. Even live telecast was stopped. There was some hanky-panky. Congress is in a deep soup over the creation of a new state. These things require better handling and cannot be done in a hurry just before the elections. The Centre should learn from our handling of Gorkhaland. We adopted a rough-and-tough attitude. We did not allow violent protests, but we were with the people. We gave Darjeeling the healing touch that was needed. Development is the key here, not vote-bank politics. I am happy that Darjeeling is now smiling. We even conducted the first ever celebration of Netaji's birthday outside Kolkata, in Darjeeling this year. I want the people of my State to be happy.
Just Out!!
Book: The Lone Warrior: Exiled In My Homeland
Publisher: Hill Media Publications, Gangtok, Sikkim
Price: Rs. 525/-
AVAILABLE AT:
Observer Building, Nam Nang, Gangtok, Sikkim
Kandoika, New Market, MG Marg, Gangtok, Sikkim
Good Books: Old Market, MG Marg, Gangtok, Sikkim
Jainco: New Metro Point, 31A National Highway, Gangtok, Sikkim
Rachna: Development Area, Gangtok, Sikkiim
Bulk copies available at Observer Building, Nam Nang, Gangtok, Sikkim.






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Article 22

March 17, 2014, 11:56 pm
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              BATTLE FOR SIKKIM      
             “It is better to light a candle
                than curse the darkness.”
                                        

                                          FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
   All those who march forward into battle in Sikkim next month in the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls remember one thing: “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”
  There’s no win without a fight…so fight hard and win…win the hearts and minds of those who have placed their hope on you.
Good Luck and Cheers,
(Jigme N Kazi)

Journalist & Writer
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Article 21

March 18, 2014, 12:07 am
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Article 20

March 18, 2014, 12:33 am
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SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday March 15-21, 2014
Email: jigmekazi@gmail.com; Blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com
Fight is between ‘people power’ and ‘money power’: Golay
Cong Prez Kunga Nima joins SKM, says corruption rampant in Sikkim
Gangtok, March 14: Rebel leader and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) President PS Golay has set the agenda for the coming Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the State. “This election is a battle between people power and money power,” Golay said during a party meeting in Martam, east Sikkim, this week.
“This election this time is not a simple election. It is a battle between Janta Shakti (People Power) and Kalo Dhan ko Shakti (Power of Black Money),” Golay said.
“Many attempts have been made by Pawan Chamling to suppress our movement for change. He has lied continuously. First he said our party was not registered when it was, then rumours were spread that we would not get a symbol.
Golay waves party symbol (lamp)
He even wrote to the Election Commission of India to deregister our party. Many letters were sent. But here also it was a victory for truth,” Talk Sikkim reported.
“I thank the Election Commission and the Government of India for not believing in the false stories and fake letters sent by the SDF party and allotting us the symbol of a lamp,” Golay added.
“This symbol is important to us as it symbolizes light over darkness, the victory of truth over lies.”
Meanwhile, a host of heavyweight leaders from the Bhutia-Lepcha (BLs) community led by Sikkim Congress unit President Kunga Nima Lepcha joined the SKM at the Martam meeting.
The Kaleons, a powerful clan among the BLs, also joined the SKM. They included former minister Sonam G. Kaleon, former Secretary Dechen P. Kaleon and Dup Tshering Bhutia. Former SIDICO General Manager Nedup Tongden Lepcha and DB Gautam also joined the SKM.
Kunga Nima Lepcha
“I am not happy with the way the SDF government is functioning in Sikkim. There has been rampant corruption and mismanagement in the State administration. I feel SKM is a party that can bring a change for good, so I have extended my support by joining the SKM today," said Kunga Nima Lepcha, who quit the Congress recently.
During its meeting, the SKM unveiled the party’s election symbol, a table lamp. Golay said the acquisition of an election symbol from the Election Commission was an achievement for the party which was moving ahead “despite concerted efforts by the ruling party to put obstacles”.
The party symbol was released in the presence of party supporters, locals and 913 persons who joined the SKM. (see edit on page 2)
SDF to make Sikkim ‘self-reliant’: Dahal
Lachenpas feel neglected, remain defiant 
Gangtok, March 14:The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which is making concerted efforts to make a comeback for the fifth consecutive term, will focus on making the State ‘self-reliant’ if voted to power again.
“One of the main targets of next term will be to make Sikkim self-reliant,” said SDF spokesperson Bhim Dahal at a press conference held here yesterday.
“Our manifesto has been one of the best over the past 20 years which resulted in remarkable growth all over Sikkim. Most of the promises made in the past manifestos have been implemented,” he asserted.
Declaring that SDF will release its election manifesto soon, Dahal said, “Like earlier, this year too we will focus on rural development with 70 % of the budget earmarked for that. Also many hydel projects will be commissioned in coming SDF government.”
The SDF this week declared all its candidates for the coming polls. The list has many former ministers and MLAs and very few new faces. Former ministers such as Ram Bahadur Subba, SB Subedi, KN Rai and Somnath Poudyal have been given party tickets while present ministers DN Takarpa, NK Pradhan, Ran Bahadur Subba and CB  Karki have been dropped.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling will contest from two constituencies: Namchi and Yangang in south Sikkim.
Meanwhile, a large section of SDF supporters have voiced disappointment over allotment of party tickets. Their main grievance is that the old guard has been retained while neglecting the youth.
While Lachen Pipon Cho Rabjor has reportedly welcomed SDF candidate from Lachen-Mangan constituency the Lachenpas feel let down and neglected.
“Young youth from Lachen are really disappointed with the declaration of candidate list whereby no Lachenpa comunity has given a chance to b a representative in SLA not only this time but since from the time when Sikkim join with the mainstream republic of India,” a section of Lachen youths said in a press statement.
“Lachen/Mangan constituency has given a representative from Mangan, Lachung, Chungthang, Singhik but not a single one from Lachen. Are we a second class citizen or neither we have right to choose candidate from SDF side. This shows how much SDF is neglecting the people of Lachen from all point of view.
We have not allowed a hydel project to protect our motherland from exploitation but it doesn't mean that we should be subjected to neglect. Time will come to give a befitting reply in future.” (see edit on page 2)
SDF sabotaging my LS poll campaign: Bhaichung
“Chamling Govt did not give me land for football academy”
Gangtok, March 14:It is not only the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in Darjeeling which is opposing Bhaichung Bhutia in the coming Lok Sabha polls but the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, too, is anti-Bhutia.
Former Indian football captain has accused the SDF of attempting to sabotage his Lok Sabha election campaign.
This revelation came during an Bhaichung’s interview with Sikkim Express.
“SDF sabotaging my election campaign. Why is it always trying to create hurdles for me?” the Expressreported.
According to Baichung, the SDF is wooing some TMC Hills functionaries and promising to finance them should they contest as an independent candidate against him.
“SDF is strong in financial resources and is trying to sabotage my campaign by offering money to independents to stand against me,” Bhaichung said.
In the interview Bhaichung also revealed how the Chamling government failed to offer him land to set up a football academy in the State. “I tried my best to set up a football academy in my home state despite offers from other state governments. The Sikkim government did not give me land for the academy. Other sports persons also did not get land for their academies. They create hurdles in everything and then accuse us of not doing enough for the home state.”
“Earlier foreign players used to come and play in Sikkim freely but the moment my club got promoted into I-League, the state government imposed restrictions on foreign players coming to Sikkim.”
“The SDF government only talks about cash awards for sportsperson of Sikkim but does not help in making sports persons capable of winning.”
GJM to support BJP’s Alluwalia
Ahluwalia

In its third list for Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday night named 75 candidates for West Bengal, Bihar, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Jharkhand and Maharashtra. Seniors leaders like Sushma Swaraj from Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, SS Ahluwalia from West Bengal's Darjeeling and Kirti Azad from Darbhanga in Bihar feature in the list.
The list has seven candidates who will contest from West Bengal including Ahluwalia with the Gurkha Janmukti Morcha pledging its support for him.
Earlier, Morcha  chief Bimal Gurung  said Trinamool Congress’s candidate from Darjeeling Bhaichung Bhutia will face defeat.
Gurung said on Wednesday that the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal has not done anything for the hills people so far. 
Gurung said, he had full faith in the BJP, which has promised separate Grokhaland state in its manifesto. In 2009, veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh won the Darjeeling seat with the backing of the GJM.
Media is 'sold', paid to promote Modi: Kejriwal
New Delhi, March 14:Kicking off a fresh controversy, Arvind Kejriwal has alleged that the whole media is "sold" and "heavy amounts" have been paid to promote BJP's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi.
But he later denied having made the accusations against the media after his remarks came under attack from Congress, BJP and CPI.
"Since the last one year, we have been told that Modi is here, Modi is there. Since one year, Modi has also been saying that. Even some TV channels have been saying that 'Ram Rajya' has come and corruption has vanished....
"Why did they do it? Because money has been paid to TV channels. Heavy amounts have been paid to promote Modi," Kejriwal alleged in a video aired by a TV channel.
"Around 800 farmers have committed suicide in Gujarat in the past 10 years, but none of the channels showed it," he alleged and added that farmers have sold their land to a company for just "one rupee but even this has not been shown by any channel."
Hitting out at the media for focusing on his security deployment, he charged that the "whole media is sold this time, it is a big conspiracy, it is a huge political controversy. If our government comes to power then we will set up an inquiry into this. And along with the media people, all will be sent to jail".
Editorial
SIKKIM POLLS
Old Guard Vs Young Turks
Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) chief PS Golay ought to be happy man to see his former mentor Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) President,  field the old guard for the coming polls, including the lone Lok Sabha seat. For a party which has promised change in how Sikkim is being run the nomination of the ruling party’s old guard for the Assembly as well as the Lok Sabha seat has given much hope and confidence to the Opposition in the ensuing polls. Much of Sikkim’s sad state of affairs can be placed on those who were in power with Chamling ever since SDF formed the government in December 1994. In fact, some of them have been three-term ministers in the Chamling Government. Chamling, therefore,  cannot alone be faulted for reducing Sikkim into a ‘one party system and one-man rule’ State  in the past two decades. His colleagues, who have been allotted Assembly seats, are equally responsible for not speaking up and becoming mere sycophants.
People do not have much hope on Chamling’s old team and will enthusiastically support the SKM. Infact, many SDF supporters have joined SKM after the announcement of SDF candidates this week. The fact is there are very few people in Sikkim who are fit to be elected to the Assembly. Many responsible personalities have opted out of electoral politics mainly because of the corrupt and irresponsible manner in Sikkim has been run in the past so many decades. The Aaam Aadmi Party fever has not come to Sikkim and unlike in the rest of India responsible individuals are not responsive to political situation in the former kingdom. Hopefully, the new breed of young turks in the SKM seeking change will provide the right atmosphere for a more open, free, just and democratic society in Sikkim.
Areas around Sikkim sanctuaries to get ‘eco-sensitive’ tag
New Delhi, March 14:Areas surrounding Sikkim's three sanctuaries, which are home to carnivores, herbivores, birds and magnificent rhododendron forests, will soon be declared as Eco-Sensitive Zones by the Centre.
The Union Environment Ministry this week issued draft notifications inviting suggestions on the proposals to declare environmentally-fragile areas surrounding the Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kitam Bird Sanctuary and Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary as Eco-Sensitive Zones.
The move is aimed at conserving and protecting the ecologically-fragile areas bordering these sanctuaries from developmental activities like mining, PTI reported.
Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is a trans-boundary protected area in the West District of Sikkim bordering Nepal. The sanctuary, spread over an area of 104 sq.Km, is a rich storehouse of flora.
Kitam Bird Sanctuary in South Sikkim harbours a unique association of Sal and Chir Pine forests which nestle a large number of peafowl, the national bird.
It also houses the common leopard, Assamese macaque, Rhesus Macaque, barking deer, wild boar, Himalayan Palm Civet and Indian rock python.
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, lying over an area of 35.34 sq.Km is home to wildlife, dwarf bamboo thickets, rhododendron forests, patches of chestnut and oak and still undiscovered epiphytes.
China plans taking Tibet rail network near Sikkim
New Delhi, March 14:China last  Thursday announced that an extension of the Qinghai-Tibet railway network will reach Xigase in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), the hometown of the 11th Panchen Lama and located close to the Indian border in Sikkim.
“An extension of the Qinghai-Tibet railway, the world’s highest, will reach the residence of the Panchen Lama at Xigaze, Tibet, the contractors confirmed on Thursday,” the official news agency, Xinhua, said, The Hindustan Times reported..
The headquarters of Beijing-backed 11th Panchen Lama Gyaincain Norbu is based at Xigaze, also known as Shigatse, located close to North Sikkim border.
China projects the Panchen Lama as an alternative to the India-based Dalai Lama, termed a separatist by Beijing. The announcement of the railway network extension comes during the ongoing sessions of China’s rubber-stamp Parliament, the National People’s Congress and the country’s top advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
The report said the extension will help the faithful to worship “Buddha in Lhasa and Xigase”. Quoting Tob Chung, a lama at the Tashihunpo monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama, the report said: “It is the common dream of all the Tibetan faithful to worship the Buddha in Lhasa and Xigaze. The railway will make the journey safer and easier.”
The Qinghai-Tibet Railway began service in July 2006 and, according to the report, had positively impacted on Tibet’s tourism, hospitality and manufacturing sectors.
The plateau railway which covers 1,956 km from Xining in Qinghai Province to Lhasa carried 11.7 million passengers and 57.8 million tonnes of cargo in 2013. The announcement comes at a time when the government says that the economy of TAR grew 12.2% in 2013.
Don’t play politics with death, Gurungs tell SDF
Gangtok, March 14:Members of Gurung community from various parts of the State have alleged that the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front is using the death of NK Gurung to gain political mileage.
“The entire Gurung community across Sikkim is deeply moved by the loss of one of the members of the community but the most disheartening part is that NK Gurung’s death is being used by the ruling front for political mileage,” said TT Gurung at a  press conference held this week.
“We appeal to all political parties to remove posters of NK Gurung put up all over the State. We also demand a fair and independent enquiry,” said Bikram Gurung.
 NK Gurung, said to be member of the ruling party, was killed on March 4, the day SDF celebrated its anniversary.
The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha has demanded a CBI probe on the death.
Press under threat in Sikkim, no action taken
Shangrila Timesoffice vandalized
Gangtok, March 14:Media-bashing in India’s youngest State has come to stay. Despite the condemnation and protests the authorities stubbornly refuse to pay heed to press freedom in the State.
Last week, Pappu Mallick, a photo journalist working for UB Photos (A News Agency) in the State, was threatened by “unknown persons” at Indira Gandhi Bye Pass. Mallick’s photographs appear in various publications in the State and outside.
Mallick, in a press release, said he was threatened with “abusive language and warned me to leave my profession as a media person.”
“They warned me to not do any kind of reporting and photo journalism,” Mallick said.
He has lodged a FIR here at the Sadar Police Station.
Earlier this week, the printing press of Shangrila Times, a Nepali daily published from Gangtok by political activist and writer DN Nepal, was “vandalized”.
The office of Nepali daily Sangrila Times was vandalized in what is being said was another attack on the media.
“I am ashamed to say that none from the media [except for SIKKIM EXPRESS] acknowledged or condemned the threats and warnings that we at Talk Sikkim have been receiving and which we complained about publicly or the vile rants on me personally on social media,” said Talk Sikkim editor Mita Zulca recently.
Talk Sikkim, a monthly newsmagazine that highlighted activities of Sikkim Krantikari Morch (SKM) led by PS Golay, closed down recently, leaving Zulca to bring out her own publication, Sikkim Talks.
Recently, the printing press workers of Sikkim Express and Himali Bela, were assaulted by a member of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front.
Sharmila released from custody, supports AAP
“I’m a simple protester”
Imphal, March 13:Manipur’s anti-AFSPA activist Irom Chanu Sharmila was freed from detention on Thursday afternoon, a day ahead of her 42nd birthday.
Sharmila, who has been on hunger strike for the last 13 years and is force-fed, demanding repeal of the AFSPA, is ritually arrested on the charge of attempting to commit suicide on an annual basis.
   She had been similarly released on completion of jail term in past years, but re-arrested after two-three days for refusal to withdraw her fast.
Sharmila, who is confined to a Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) hospital security ward during detention, had launched her fast on November 4, 2000, two days after security forces killed 10 people at Malom on the outskirts of Imphal.
Minutes after being freed following a district court order, Sharmila informed that she will continue her strike.
Meanwhile,  the rights crusader rejected chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh’s offer to join the Congress and instead extended her support to the Aam Aadmi Party led by Arvind Kejriwal.
“The chief minister came on an unannounced visit in February and asked me to join his party for jointly taking up the issue of repealing the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. I did not give any response to the invitation,” Sharmila told reporters on Thursday.
“I am simple protester. I don’t want to join politics. But I want to see a government run by the AAP installed in New Delhi.”
 BJP threatens to review AADHAAR card scheme
“Illegal immigrants granted citizenship”
Bangalore, March 14:Terming the manner in which the Aadhaar project is being implemented as dangerous to the country’s security, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday indicated that it may review some of its aspects if it comes to power.
Speaking to presspersons here on the sidelines of an interaction with college students on election issues, BJP national spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi also sought a CBI probe into various aspects of the Aadhaar project, including the manner in which finances had been allocated for it.
When asked if the BJP would scrap the project if it comes to power, Ms. Lekhi said, “Aadhaar needs a re-look to see if anything has gone wrong and to know who stores and shares the biometric data of citizens.”
Earlier, at the interaction, she launched an attack on Unique Identification Authority of India chairman and Infosys cofounder Nandan Nilekani, who is taking on BJP’s five-time MP Ananth Kumar in Bangalore South on the Congress ticket. She said Aadhaar was a project for which one had to be condemned rather than appreciated.
“I will be ashamed to take credit for such a project,” she said.
Without taking Nilekani’s name,  Lekhi alleged that the Aadhaar project was dangerous and also posed a threat to the country’s security as it regularised the stay of illegal immigrants from other countries by granting citizenship to them at the cost of the welfare of genuine residents.
Aadhaar project had violated the Parliamentary norms and the direction issued by the Supreme Court to ensure that it was not made mandatory for offering services and foreign citizens were not enrolled under it, she said.
She also accused the UPA government of ignoring the country’s security interests by providing political positions to some of those who allegedly had links with Maoists.
HIMALAYAN HERITAGE Sikkim
SIKKIM: Sacred Hidden Land of Guru Rinpoche

Statue of Guru Rinpoche in Namchi, South Sikkim.
Guru Padmasambhava was known in Tibet as one of the founding fathers of Tibetan Buddhism, who appeared in Tibet in 749 A.D, and spent 54 years. Other two founders were Acharya Shanta Rakshita and prevalent King Thisong Deotsen. Padmasambhava’s birth in this world was mixed with myth and legend. The Buddha Shakya Muni’s prophecy about the emanation of Padmasambhava in this world was found recorded in various Sutra and Tantra Texts. Following is one of the records maintained in a Sutra called- “Myang-hDas-mDo”:
“OH MY ASHUSMAN DISCIPLE ANANDA AND OTHERS! AFTER MY PASSING AWAY, THAT IS TWELVE YEARS LATER, (It may perhaps referring to twelve hundred years) A PERSON FAR SUPERIOR TO ME WHO WOULD BE THE LORD OF MASS, NAMED PADMASAMBHAVA WILL BE EMANATED. LIKE A GEM FROM THE SEA LIKE USHNISHA VIJAYA AMONG MEDICINAL DIVINITIES LIKE SUN AND MOON AMONG THE CLUSTERS OF STARS LIKE A LION AMONG THE BEASTS AND LIKE A GAUDA (king of birds) AMONG THE BIRDS.”
It is said that from the Western Blissful Paradise, Buddha Amitabha had committed to take birth in the incarnate form of Padmasambhava for the welfare of sentient beings in the Jambu Dwipa , the spiritual country of Buddha Shakya Muni. The lord Amitabha chooses his birth-place in ‘Dhanakosa Lake ’ in ancient Urgen Country, which is spiritually believed to be a sacrosanct place of Vidhya-dhara, cardinal cemetery of eight great cemeteries and also regarded a centre of Ten Abodes of Heruka Deities.       
As per the text called- ‘rNam-Thar- Zangs-gling’ the Buddha Amitabhava further chosen King Indra Bhuti of Urgen country as his father since he was a Chakravarti Raja embodied with the knowledge of both civil and religious laws, and untouched by denigration to his nature and character. The so called king had no heir although he possesses a large number of queens. As advised by his courtiers the King used his wealth in charity to get himself blessed with child. Obviously, at the end, his entire treasures were exhausted. But he still finds the beggars and mendicants in ques.
In order to procure more wealth he proceeded to Naga Island in the Sea to meet the Serpent Queen to beg for the wishful filing gem. The Serpent queen after having listened to the story of the king felt pity and gave away her most precious gem which produces wealth. While on his way back to Palace he and his crew members came across a lake where a wonderful child about 8 years old was sitting inside a multi-coloured Lotus. Amazingly, the child talks like that of a matured person.
 The king, after interaction with this divine-child, asked him to be his heir, which the child agreed. As per the text called- ‘Phurpa gNam-lChag spu-Gri’ it is described thus:- “Untouched by the defilement of mother’s womb, the Lord took a miraculous birth from the Lotus” After reaching the Palace, the child was ceremoniously placed on the golden throne. Afterwards, king made his wishes by rubbing the gem and his treasure house was refilled with wealth. Then he resumed his charity and satisfied all who came for alms.
 Time went by and Padmasambhava has been grown up to a young man. He thought, if he becomes a king he cannot give mass spiritual benefit to human kind. If he deserts the kingly possession and gain spiritual knowledge, he could disseminate Esoteric Doctrine to lot of yearning practitioners. So in order to get out of the palace he performs a mystic dance on the terrace of the palace with a trident in hand and pretended it fallen off from his hand, which killed the son of a malevolent minister, below.
Following which, Padmasambhava was banished to ‘Silwa-Tsal cemetery, situated in the eastern direction of Urgen country as per the law of the king’s court. Padmasambhava did his mystic practices in number of scary cemeteries like Silwa tsal, Gawo Tsal, Sosaling etc. living his life on cloths and food stuffs of deceased and thereby enhanced his spiritual power. He acquired intensive knowledge on three folds of Yoga tantra from various Buddhist Tantric Saints living in different holy places of India. He earned eight different names in different deeds as ‘Guru Tsen- Gyad’. He specialized in the teachings of Ka-gyad Dershek Dupa, which is a collective term used to denote the group of the deities of eight Sadhana teachings associated with Eight Chief Tutelary Deities of the Mahayoga Tantra.
Guru Padmasambhava obtained these Sadhana Teachings from Indian Buddhist Masters or Vidhyadharas and later transmitted to his chief Tibetan disciples for practicing upon this Sadhana. During the erstwhile Kingdom, Ka-Gyad was adopted as Chogyal’s (King) Tutelary Deity and its ceremony was held at Royal Chapel at Gangtok. During which time Government declared two days holidays in the name of ‘Ka-Gyad dance’ to enable the employees to attend the festival.
   One of the magnificent deeds he had performed in Himachal Pradesh is at present Riwalsar Lake where he was burnt alive upon the piles of Sandal wood with large amount of mustard oil by the order of then King. But as a matter of surprise to the king, he was unaffected by the fire and converted the mustard oil to a lake, and himself seated on Lotus petal floated on the surface of the lake. The king deeply impressed with his feat and embraced Buddhism.
 His arrival in Tibet: In 8th century A.D. Then King Thisrong Deotsen who was incarnate of Lord Manjushri at his twenty became a staunch admirer of Buddhism and in order to propagate the same in Tibet he invited a learned Indian Teacher Shanta Rakshita. The master began his teaching on rTen-hBrel bChunyi (twelve dependent origination) and Gewa Chu (ten Virtues). As an oath of loyalty to the cause of Buddhism, The King committed to construct a monastery and soon started its construction. But local demons and evil spirits cast obstacles and hindered its progress. Whatever was built in the day time by human beings was destroyed by demons at night. This incident disheartened the king but Shanta Rakshita consoled the king to keep courage and advised him to invite Guru Padmasambhava to tackle the evils.
Although Shanta Rakshita was well versed in outer and inner Doctrine yet it was his inability to deal with the powerful local demons. He further narrated to the king about the relation of both of them with the Guru Padmasambhava in previous life and destined to meet in Tibet to consolidate Buddhism. After having learnt this fact the King sent an envoy called Bami Thiser with present to invite Guru Padmasambhava. The Guru however knew about this and went swiftly from Nepal to the Dzara bagya cave in Mangyul, a district in upper Tibet bordering Nepal, where the envoy met him and apprised the guru of king’s wishes. In Tibet Guru subjugated all the evils under his domain and succeeded in completing Samye Monastery. From this monastery he propagated Buddha’s doctrine with the help of Shanta Rakshita fulfilling the wishes of King Thisrong Deotsen.
His visit to Sikkim: Guru Padmasambhava after completing his spiritual mission in Tibet selected four major hidden lands and four minor hidden lands around Tibet. During his quest for hidden lands around Tibet, paid visit to this land along with his twenty five disciples. The purpose of looking for hidden land was to prepare spiritual resorts for the Dharma practitioners who would be taking refuge in these lands in future when Dharma declines with the approach of degenerate age (sNyigs-ma lNga) in Tibet. Guru made his first visit to present Guru Dongmar Lake in North Sikkim to test an omen in the Lake. After finding a favourable sign in the lake, he miraculously landed on Tashidhing hill in west Sikkim, along with his 25 disciples and thereby sanctified entire landscape while marking this hill as a navel point of the sacred land- ‘De-jong’. Thereafter, the Guru explored the entire parts of De-jong blessing and sanctifying caves, rock, lakes, streams and left his foot prints on the rocks.
    Gurudongmar Lake, Lachen, North Sikkim.
He also concealed many religious treasures in its major places of worship for future spiritual followers. At the same time exorcised a number of Demons, Nagas and Yakshas who attempted to hinder his spiritual works and thereby inducted them in the class of the “Ney-Dag Cho-Sung” (the guardian of the sacred places and the defender of Dharma). After consecrating entire holy places he made his last wish to reappear in this sacred land in three incarnate forms in times to come as ‘Naljor Che-Zhi’ to disseminate Buddhas doctrine to his future followers.
About 1372 A.D, one treasure revealer lama called Rigdzin Goedem visited this land, revealed many treasure-texts for restoring Gurus precious teachings and also wrote about the location of the Sacred places, which had been useful to the lamas of later eras. In1642 A.D, arrived three Noble Saints from Tibet who were known as (i) Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo, (ii) Ngadag Sempa Rigzin Phuntshog and (iii) Kathog Kuntu Zangpo. They entered this sacred land from north, south and western gates as a religious way of opening a sacred land in order to carry out their holy mission to introduce Buddhism.
Coronation throne in Norbugang, Yuksam, West Sikkim.
The three Lamas first assembled at a place called NORBU GANG in western Sikkim which was later called “Yuksam” by the then living Lepchas. The lamas, acting in anticipation of Lord Guru’s prophecy, sent a search party towards the east direction to find the fourth person destined to be the Chogyal or Dharma king of this land. The party wandering through the stiff hills and valleys reached finally at present Gangtok and found the man called “Phuntshog” as mentioned in the prophecy text. They first conveyed to Phuntshog the message sent by the Noble Saints.        
  Shortly afterwards, Phuntshog left for Yuksam with his family and attendants. The Three Lamas welcomed him and accordingly consecrated “Phuntshog” as Chogyal of Demo-jong in Water-Horse year which corresponds to 1642 A.D. Four of them were known in the history as “rNal-hByor-mChed-bZhi” or Four Yogi Brothers”.
The stone thrones of the four Yogi Brothers are still stand at Norbugang at Yuksam as a milestone in the history of Sikkim. In the same year, the three lamas built a stupa at Norbugang incorporating rocks and soils collected from all parts of Sikkim to mark this important event and called it “TASHI-HODBAR CHHOEDTEN”. This Chodten may be a first Buddhist Stupa ever built in Sikkim. With the blessing of those three pioneer lamas Six premiers monasteries were founded i.e. Pemayangtse (West),Tashiding(West), Phensang (North), Ralong (South), Rumtek (East) and Phodang (North). In course of time, many other sub monasteries and religious monuments were built by the lamas and Devotees.
Today images/idols of Guru Padmasambhava are found enshrined in each and every monastery in Sikkim as main worshipping objects by the lamas. Especially on tenth day of every Tibetan month Guru Tsechu puja is performed to mark his birth anniversary as well as to pray for peace & prosperity of this land. (Ecclesiastical Department, Government of Sikkim)

The Lepchas campaign for PS Golay’s Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) in remote Dzongu, North Sikkim. 
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Article 19

March 31, 2014, 12:38 am
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SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday March 29-April 4, 2014
Email:jigmekazi@gmail.com, Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com
     In this picture Ramnath Goenka (right), Khushwant Singh and Kuldip Nayyar at a protest rally. (Express archive photo)
SIKKIM BACHAO, CHAMLING WANTS TO FINISH SIKKIM: GOLAY
Confidant Chamling, upbeat Golay keep everyone guessing
Dhakal, ‘PD’, Nakul, Subba, Khatiwada and Rai to vie for lone LS seat


Gangtok, March 28: Caste and community combination will be the deciding factor in the coming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls scheduled for April 12. Two weeks before the polls the two main contenders for the top job – Chief Minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) President Pawan Chamling and former minister and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) President PS Golay – have displayed equal optimism on the outcome of the polls.
 “This election is only like renewing of license. SDF will again get 32/32”, Chamling declared at a public meeting in Temi, South Sikkim, this week.
His rival is equally upbeat as he travels round the State and given a rousing welcome wherever he goes.
Speaking at a public meeting here at Burtuk today, Golay urged the people to vote SKM to power to “save Sikkim”.
“This election is the election to save Sikkim,” Golay said and added that Chamling “has started to sell all the rivers, the hills and our identities. He wants to return to finish his job. It is time to take Sikkim back."
Both contenders of the top post are not taking chances and are contesting from two constituencies each; Chamling from Namchi and Yangang and Golay from Namthang and Burtuk, from where he was elected.
The lone Lok Sabha seat will be hotly contested between six contestents: PD Rai (SDF), TN Dhakal (SKM), AD Subba (Cong), NB Khatiwara (BJP), Nakul Das Rai (TMC) and Kaushal Rai (AAP). However, the main fight would be between SKM and SDF.
   In the prestigious Gangtok constituency the fight will be between SDF’s Hissey Lachungpa and SKM’s Pintso Chopel. Other contestants from this constituency are Norden Gyalpo Dorjee (BJP), Tshering Lepcha (TMC) and Maj. Tshering Gyatso Kaleon (Cong).
Another constituency to be watched is Rhenock in east Sikkim where SDF’s Bhim Dungyel faces SKM’s Hemendra Adhikari and former BJP Sikkim unit chief Padam Chettri, who is the Congress candidate. Interestingly, rebel SDF advocate OP Bhandari is also contesting from here as an Independent candidate.
"I joined the Congress as I was let down by the BJP. They believe in the politics of convenience and have betrayed the people of Sikkim. I have always opposed the corrupt practices of SDF government and have filed four PILs against the state government but senior BJP leaders in the centre wanted me to withdraw the cases so I decided to quit the party," said Chettri, explaining his sudden switchover.
Sikkim has been politically divided into four broad categories: OBCs, Bahun-Chettris (BCs), Bhutia-Lepchas (BLs) and the business community. Both Chamling and Golay were earlier bracketed among the OBCs, which form the bulk of the majority Nepalese.    
    Now that the Tamangs and Limbus have got Scheduled Tribes status and the fact that Chamling no longer has backing of the OBCs as he used to much depends on which way  BL and BC voters go. Significantly, former chief minister NB Bhandari, who had a hold among the BCs, has just retired from ‘active politics’. 
This apart, young voters are likely to play a very significant role in the outcome of the polls.
Cong expels M K Subba for filing as an Independent
Guwahati, March 28: The Congress on Monday expelled three-time Lok Sabha member Moni Kumar Subba for anti-party activities including filing nomination papers as an Independent candidate by defying the party decision.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Akshay Rajkhowa said Subba, who has filed his nomination papers as an Independent from Tezpur constituency, has been expelled for six years. “The APCC had asked him to withdraw. But when he didn’t, the party was compelled to expel him,” Rajkhowa said.
The APCC general secretary said other party members found campaigning and working for Subba in the Tezpur constituency and against the party’s candidate Bhupen Kumar Bora would face similar action. Subba’s candidature is likely to dent the Congress chances of recovering the Tezpur seat that the AGP had wrested from it in 2009.
Subba (56), who filed his nomination papers on Friday, not only has several cases pending against him – including a rape case – but is also the richest candidate for the first phase of LS election in Assam on April 7.
Subba has declared in the election affidavit total asset worth more than Rs. 205 crore in his name.
Michelle Obama dines at Tibet restaurant in China
“She wanted to meet the Tibetans in Chengdu”
Chengdu, China: U.S. first lady Michelle Obama lunched at a Tibetan restaurant in China's Sichuan province on Wednesday, prompting murmurs about "political overtones" on the country's active Internet social networks.
Michelle Obama spun a row of prayer wheels as she walked the entry bridge to the restaurant, according to the pool report. A group of Tibetan students gave the family ceremonial white scarves – symbolising purty in Tibetan culture.
The Obamas were served traditional foods, including yak meat pie, boiled yak ribs, bread made with barley and yak butter tea.
Obama, her two daughters and mother visited the city of Chengdu as part of a week-long trip to China, where she has sought to promote education and boost cultural ties.
A senior administration official who accompanied Obama said the first lady simply wanted to meet Tibetans in Chengdu. "Tibetans are an important minority group, and there is a sizeable Tibetan community in Sichuan," the official said last weekend.
Protests against what Tibetans say are heavy-handed government policies putting pressure on their culture and Buddhist faith have periodically boiled over into self-immolations by activists.
Nearly half the self-immolations have occurred in Sichuan, lying east of Tibet.
China denies maltreatment of Tibetans, saying it has lifted the province out of poverty and extended considerable autonomy.
China has criticised the White House for its support for exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama, denounced by Beijing as a separatist "wolf in sheep's clothing".
Editorial
RELUCTANT  INDIANS
Why We Are In A Mess
Even after the Supreme Court’s marching orders BCCI chief  N. Srinivasan is reluctant to quit his job. He wants to stay andmanoeuvre his way back to power again. This seems to be a typical attitude of those in power in India no matter in which field they belong. TV news channels quoted a defiant Srinivasan as saying, “I have done no wrong and no one can force me out of BCCI." He knows that a probe into his alleged scandals can either be delayed for far too long rendering the whole process a big farce or the verdict managed. This is how India is being run on all fronts, including the media. No one wants to quit even if he or she is well past the retiring age or is in deep trouble (read corruption).
The way the Congress and BJP are sidelining their senior leaders is not the way it should be done. However, the old guard in the Congress paid no heed to UPA’s rampant corruption and when they had their fill they handed over the reins to Rahul Gandhi and in the last hour when it was rather too late. While some of them are reluctant to contest knowing full well they would lose they are either making their way to the Upper House or ensuring their offsprings step into their shoes. And yet there are many senior Congress leaders who are reluctant to leave their constituencies and make way for youngsters.
   Unike Rahul Gandhi,  BJP’s Narendra Modi wants his way all the time. He is being accused of reducing the party into a one-man show. Modi could have evolved a better way of saying goodbye to senior leaders of the party. His inept handling over seat distribution has not only caused major  fission within the BJP it could also spell trouble if the BJP and its allies fail to reach the magic figure of 272. Back in Sikkim a party which has been in power for two decades still wants to hang on to power. Worse is that many of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s candidates have been ministers three times. Sikkim is truly in the mainstream of Indian politics.
SIKKIM POLLS 2014: IN A STATE OF FLUX
Bhandari retires, Chettri shifts, Subba takes over Cong, Lepcha gets SKM ticket
Gangtok, March 28:While the two contenders – Pawan Chamling and PS Golay – for the top post are going all out to woo the people, the overall political situation in the State is in a state of flux as never before.
Former Chief Minister NB Bhandari, who was eased out from the Congress party earlier and revived his Sikkim Sangram Parishad, has chosen to retire from ‘active politics’ on the eve of the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls slated for April 12.
NB Bhandari
What happens to the SSP and his supporters? In the past several Assembly polls Bhandari had at least 30% of the votes polled.
Kunga Nima Lepcha who stepped into Bhandari’s shoes as SPCC chief, quit the party and has joined Golay’s Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM). Lepcha has been given SKM ticket to contest from his home constituency of Syari in Gangtok.
Kunga Nima

AK Subba, former President of Sikkim Himali Rashtriya Parishad (SHRP), has taken over the SPCC as its President and is the party’s Lok Sabha candidate.
Sikkim BJP unit President Padam Chettri quit the BJP, joined the Congress and is contesting from Rhenock constituency in East Sikkim.
Gangtok Mayor KN Topgay quit the ruling Sikkim Demcoratic Front and has joined the SKM. He has accused Chamling of dynastic rule.
Former SDF MP Nakul Rai, who broke ties with the ruling party earlier, is now the Trinamul candidate for the Lok Sabha seat. After he quit SDF Rai tried to unite the opposition to topple Chamling.
The BJP has fielded Sikkim merger veteran and former MLA  NB Khatiwada for the lone Lok Sabha seat.
In a move that was anticipated, Congress party’s Anil Lachenpa has joined the SDF. Senior journalist and nephew of former chief minister LD Kazi, NG Dorjee, is contesting from Gangtok constituency as BJP candidate.
Meanwhile, SNPP President Biraj Adhikari and his aide Diley Namgyal have decided not to contest the polls. They will make people more aware of the issues the SNPP has been raising.
Surprisingly, political activist and Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) President DN Nepal will not be contesting the polls. He, too, is expected to become more active politically now that he is free from electoral politics.
Mamata’s strategy: splits hills, unite plains
Ghising expected to tilt the balance
Darjeeling, March 28:A football star, an academician and a former parliamentarian are locked in a battle in North Bengal’s Darjeeling hills, where the Gorkhaland movement rages. And the results will determine whether Gorkhaland would be the next Telangana.
The ruling Trinamool Congress, which poured cold water on the statehood demand, has fielded India’s former soccer captain, Bhaichung Bhutia.
The two others in the three-cornered contest are BJP’s SS Ahluwalia, and independent candidate Mahendra Lama.
Ahluwalia is backed by the pro-Gorkhaland Gorkha Janamukti Morcha, which recently entered into an alliance with the BJP. But he faces a tough contest, The Hindustan Timesreported.
Unlike the last time, GJM’s appeal has diminished considerably.“There is a perception that Bimal Gurung has compromised on the statehood demand. The 40-day strike — after statehood was granted to Telangana — backfired, and people were angry,” admitted a party insider.
But the GJM, he added, still has the best “organisational network”, the reported said.
The TMC is hoping to sweep the plains and get a fraction of the hill votes — the seat has three hill assembly segments, with around six lakh voters, and four in the plains with eight lakh voters.
And party chief Mamata Banerjee has shrewdly played ethnic politics within the Nepali community by creating a Lepcha cultural board and promising a similar set up to Tamangs to wean them away from the broader Gorkha identity.
Bhutia hopes as a person from the hills, he would draw support. But he is from Sikkim, and Gangtokand Darjeeling share cold ties. Plus, there is the extra baggage of hostility to Trinamool.
Lama
“He may be a star, but people here are conscious that the party he represents is against our key issue,” said a Darjeeling lawyer on condition of anonymity.
Lama, a former vice-chancellor of Sikkim University, also poses a challenge.
Lama is committed to the statehood demand and is projecting himself as the ‘son of the soil’ against two “outsiders”. He can cut into GJM votes, but is hampered by the lack of organisational support will hurt him.  
A variable will be the stance of the chairman of Gorkha National Liberation Front, and the man who ran Darjeeling for 20 years, Subash Ghising.
After being hounded out of the hills by GJM seven years ago, he is back in Darjeeling and is understood to control around 80,000 votes.
Which way Ghising will tilt may well determine the outcome.
Election observers in Sikkim to hear grievances
Gangtok, Rarch 28:The observers for the General Election – 2014 are residing at NHPC Guest House, 5th Mile, Tadong and will be interacting with the general public and listening to their grievances  related to elections at NHPC Guest House from 9 am to 10 am every day.
Anyone interested to meet the observers for election related matters  can contact the observers between 9 am to 10 am, an official release said.
The name, contact number and the constituencies assigned to the observers are given below:
1.        Shri B.B.Swain, IAS, General Observer, 7872721137/9978406155

Constituency Assigned: 17 to 31 Parliamentary Constituency

2.       Shri Darse Samuel, IRS, Expenditure Observer, 09530704200/9733834210

Constituency Assigned: 1 to 32 Sikkim Parliamentary Constituency and Sangha

3.       Shri Dinesh Bhoyar, IRS, Expenditure Observer, 9733825593/09545510520

Constituency Assigned: 17 to 24 Assembly Constituency

4.       Shri Rajiv Kumar Singh, IRS, Expenditure Observer, 09490671650/ 07872725199

Constituency Assigned: 25 to 31 Assembly Constituencies

5.       Shri Tshering Angchok, IAS, General Observer

Constituency Assigned: 25 to 31 Assembly Constituency

6.       Shri G.Ashok, IAS, General Observe, 9650428866/7872713819

Constituency Assigned: 1 to 16 Parliamentary Constituency

7.       Shri J.B.Singh, IAS, General Observer, 08527291212/7872728434
HIMALAYAN Heritage
The Monpas of Arunachal Pradesh came under Tibetan influence in 11th century
The Monyul Kingdom existed for a thousand years
    Arunachali Monpa tribal women walk at Sela Pass, at an altitude of 4,100 meters (13,700 feet) near the Indo-China        border, in Arunachal Pradesh.
Earliest records to the area which the Monpas inhabited indicated the existence of a kingdom known as Lhomon or Monyul which existed from 500 B.C to 600 A.D. Subsequent years saw Monyul coming under increasing Tibetan political and cultural influence, which was apparent during the years when Tsangyang Gyatso, an ethnic Monpa, became the Dalai Lama. At that time, Monyul was divided into thirty two districts, all of which spanned the areas of Eastern Bhutan, Tawang, Kameng and Southern Tibet. However, Monyul, also known as Tawang Tract remained thinly populated throughout its history.
In the 11th century, the Northern Monpas in Tawang came under the influence of Tibetan Buddhism of the Nyingma and Kagyu denominations. It was at this time when the Monpas adopted the Tibetan script for their language. Drukpa missionaries made the presence felt in the 13th century and the Gelugpa, in the 17th century, which most Monpas belong to today.
Monyul remained an autonomous entity, of which local monks based in Tawang held great political power within the community, and direct rule over the area from Lhasa was established only in the 17th century. From this time until the early 20th century, Monyul was ruled by the authorities in Lhasa. In 1793 the Manchu-authorities produced a document under the title "Ordinance for the More Efficient Governing of Tibet". It proves that Tibet, included Tawang was considered part of China.
However, in the 19th century, the area began to interest British India. One of the first British-Indian travellers into Monyul, Nain Singh, who visited the area from 1875-6 noted that the Monpas were a conservative people who shunned off contact with the outside world and were making efforts to monopolise trade with Tibet. Owing to its strategic position, subsequently the British sought to make their political influence felt.
In 1914, Britain and its colonial authorities in India drew the McMahon Line, which they claimed to be the border between Chinese Tibet and British India. The line divided the land in which the Monpas inhabited, and became a source of contention in the subsequent years to come owing to ambiguities to the specific location of the McMahon Line.
In subsequent years, China continued to claim the pre-McMahon border as the border between Tibet and India, while British India gradually established effective control over Monyul south of the McMahon line. Following the independence of India and a change of government in China, the dispute became a major issues in the relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India. The McMahon Line was the effective line of control in this period, though the border was somewhat porous. In 1962, a Chinese military patrol which ventured south of the McMahon Line drew a military response from India, which resulted in the Sino-Indian War. During the war, China took effective control of the entire Monyul area south of the McMahon Line as well as some other surrounding areas. However, the war ended with China's voluntary withdrawal north of the McMahon Line. Negotiations on the dispute remain active.
BODY SOUL AND MIND 
Mudras:health at your fingertips
Most people who are always in search of some power don’t realize the value of their hands. The power is in their hands! The mystical pair of hands gifted to mankind by the almighty can do all that one wishes for. The only problem is that most of us don’t recognize its power.
In yoga, hand mudras are termed as the most powerful sources energy. In fact, they are perceived as centres of energy with significant role to play in health and fitness of a body. Regular practice of hand mudras will ensure physical health and peace of mind. No wonder it is known to be a wonderful way for improving overall body strength.
What are Mudras?
These are actually symbolic gestures practiced back in pranayama to stimulate different body organs, glands and nerves and create new energy. A scientific research has also supported the fact that hand gestures and spoken language stimulates the same region in the brain.
Yogic mudras are powerful enough to stimulate the Kundalini power and cure a number of ailments and restore body systems. Hand mudras are of great help in relieving lethargy and improving various psychological problems.
The Powerful Hand Mudras:
Gyan Mudra
As the name suggests, it is the mudra of knowledge. It is known to be an ancient technique practiced by yogis to obtain peace of mind.
How to Practice
Gently press the tip of your thumb to the tip of your index finger.
Keep your other 3 fingers in an upright and relaxed position.
How it Works
The tip of your thumb has centers for pituitary and other endocrine glands. Hence, pressing of a thumb tip activates them.
Benefits of Gyan Mudra
It sharpens memory, enhances mental focus, concentration and spiritual feeling. It is also helpful in dealing with anxiety, sleep problems, hysteria and depressive symptoms.
Pran Mudra
Also known as the mudra of life, it creates energy within the body and enhances strength and immunity to promote a better quality of life.
How to Practise
Bring the points of your little and ring finger in contact with the tip of your thumb.
Keep the other two fingers in a straight position.
Benefits of Pran Mudra
It improves vision.
Apan Vayu Mudra
Also known as Mritsanjeevini mudra or mudra of the heart, it is a first aid step in heart attack.
How to Practise
Touch the hillock of your thumb with your middle and ring finger.
The index finger should touch the base of thumb.
Keep the little finger in erect position all the while.
Benefits of Apan Vayu Mudra
It facilitates heart circulation and relieves pain of angina, a heart disease due to poor blood circulation in your heart.
Prithvi Mudra
The mudra of the earth activates body and reduces physical weaknesses.
How to Practise
Touch the tip of your ring finger to the tip of your thumb.
Stretch out other 3 fingers.
Benefits of Prithvi Mudra
It enhances skin complexion and cures brittle nails, hair loss, premature graying hair, chronic fatigue and any inflammatory diseases.
Linga Mudra
How to Practise
Interlock your fingers together.
Keep the left thumb in upright position.
The upright thumb should be encircled by thumb and index finger of right hand.
Benefits of Linga Mudra
It produces heat in your body and strengthens your immune system. The heat destroys sputum from chest and is suitable for those suffering from repeated colds and coughs.
Varuna Mudra
It is a mudra that balances the water element in your body.
How to Practise
You touch the tip of your little finger and thumb together.
Keep fingers straight.
Benefits of Varuna Mudra
It enhances your physical beauty and is great for asthma, low blood pressure, cold and cough symptoms, and sinus congestion. It restores moisture in dry skin, removes impurities from your blood and keeps you beautiful.
HEALTH Watch
Effects of fear on children’s mental development
By Kuldip Singh Heran
Fear inhibits natural reflexes, natural actions and reactions of children. At the same time children do not know what is right or wrong. In total absence of fear, they may indulge in unwanted activities. Some sort of limited fear or right kind of counselling is also needed for overall development of children.
Excess fear of any kind is very much harmful for mental developments of children. Excess fear will suppress their talent. In presence of fear, children will never express their feelings and their mental developments will not be proper and finally they may be a failure in their career due to mental blocks created by our society members in form of different kinds of fears.
Excess fear can cause different kind of incurable mental diseases. Children must be given some kind of proper freedom but not excess freedom so that there will be proper overall development of personality of children. Such children developed in proper favourable environment will sure to get success in their life. (Kuldip Singh Heran is Principal, Tashi Namgyal Academy (TNA), Gangtok, Sikkim)


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Article 18

April 10, 2014, 5:04 am
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SIKKIM OBSERVER April 9-12, 2014
Read, re-read and read again: jigmkazi@gmail.com, jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com
Those who love Sikkim will vote for SKM: Golay
“Throw out corrupt and dictatorial regime”
Gangtok, April 8: In his final message to the people of Sikkim PS Golay, President of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), has urged the people to save Sikkim from the corrupt and dictatorial regime of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and vote his party to power on April 12.
Addressing a meeting at Rongli, east district, this week Golay said, "People who love Sikkim will vote for SKM on April 12 and throw out this corrupt and dictatorial regime."
SKM, formed about a year back with its call for parivartan (change), has captured the imagination of the people, many of whom see a wave in favour of the party. Significantly, people from all over the State, particularly youngsters, have been actively engaged in the poll campaign this time as never before.
To crown its efforts to root out communalism, casteism and corruption and to usher in a new era of real development and real democracy, two former chief ministers, NB Bhandari and BB Gooroong, have backed SKM. Bhandari is expected to address SKM’s last big public meeting before the polls at Rongpo, east district, tomorrow.
To ensure that most Sikkimese vote for SKM, 8 minority Bhutia-Lepcha organizations, including the Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), representing their communities have sided with Goley and have urged all to vote for SKM. As votes of majority Nepalese get split between the two contending Nepali leaders, Chamling and Golay, votes of the minorities and the business community are crucial
There is excitement in the air as the people see a huge opportunity, after 20 long years, to form their own government and save Sikkim for future generations after Saturday’s elections.
Bhandari backs SKM, to campaign for Parivartan
Gangtok, April 8: Former three-term chief minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who earlier appealed for opposition unity in the State and later announced his retirement from ‘active politics,’  has backed the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s demand for change in the former kingdom, which has been ruled by Chief Minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front President  Pawan Chamling for two decades since 1994.
Bhandari has also agreed to campaign for SKM to ensure that change comes to Sikkim. Bhandari, who began his term as chief minister in 1979 and later  led the Congress party in the State for ten years in the opposition (2003-2013), also indicated that he would act as a ‘watchdog’ in State politics after the ensuing polls, slated for April 12.
“The people of Sikkim want change and our support for SKM is based on people’s wishes. We are also happy with the pro-Sikkimese manifesto of SKM. The SDF manifesto is nothing but a repetition of failed promises made in 2009 elections. SDF is fooling people with its manifesto,” he said.
"Seeing the wave in favour of change, I decided to leave the field clear. SKM is sure to win minimum 22 seats. It is certain to form the government this time. It is a party of youth, led by a young leader. Golay is my 'meet bhai'. I wish him well. I ask all my workers, supporters and well-wishers to vote for SKM and allow the younger generation to shape a new Sikkim."
During a press conference held here this week, Bhandari said, “We will support SKM because it is time that this 20 year long corrupt and casteist government should go”.
Responding to Bhandari’s timely gesture, SKM President PS Golay said, "Sikkim will not forget Bhandari's sacrifice. His support will be remembered as a milestone in our journey towards change."
Bhandari is expected to address SKM’s last big public meeting before the polls in Rongpo, east district,  tomorrow (Apr 9).
Reacting to the new situation, SDF spokesperson Bhim Dahal said, “Bhandari's extending support to the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha has no relevance in this election. He has lost credibility and even failed to field a single candidate from his party. His support to any SKM candidate will not affect the SDF party. He is a spent force.”
Gooroong bats for ‘change’ in Sikkim
Gangtok, April 8: In a surprise move former chief minister BB Gooroong, who is a
former political advisor to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, has lent his weight to Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s campaign for change in the State.
 “The present election is being fought bitterly and the ruling party has to accept that the youth leadership has emerged who are not going to take things lying down. There is frustration among the educated youths as the government of the day has failed to provide them gainful employment,” Gooroong said in an exclusive interview to Sikkim Express.
“The emergence of Golay as an opposition in Sikkim’s politics has given them a new hope and aspirations. What we see today is an anti-incumbency factor among the people of Sikkim. Yes, change is inevitable and the political baton should be passed on to the younger leadership,” Gooroong, also a former Executive Councillor (minister) of the Chogyal era’s Sikkim Council said.
Give me 10 more years to turn Sikkim into Singapore: Chamling
Gangtok, April 8:  “Give me 10 years more and I will make Sikkim better than Singapore. Singapore is Singapore because the Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was given 40 years to rule. We have done so much for last 20 years, if you give me another 10 years I will turn Sikkim into Singapore," Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said during his public meeting here at Syari.
“There were two classes in Sikkim, the haves and the have-nots. It was only due to the farsighted pro-poor policies of the SDF government  that all have been able to realize their cherished dreams and aspirations,” Chamling pointed out and added, “Rich people can do with any kind of government but poor people need our care. We don’t want poor to be subjugated. We will make them rich.”
    During his thinly-attended public meeting here at Thakurbari on Saturday Chamling, visibly annoyed rows of empty chairs in front of him, said ‘Facebook’ politics in the State would not be able to compete with his party’s twenty-year rule in the State.
   In another public meeting held here at Burtuk, the SDF chief turned his heat on his rival, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha President PS Golay. "This jilliganthey (meaning Golay) is Buddhist by religion however he does not follow Buddhism because his religion is that of Hitler. Inspite of his efforts this jilliganthey cannot make any difference to our party because our party will swipe all 32 seats in the upcoming polls.”
“His party will be defeated badly on April 12 and will be finished forever.”
 Aware of lack of public participation at the SDF meeting at Thakurbari,  a SDF leader is supposed to have ordered, "Go get some crowds fast. Did you see the photo Talk Sikkim posted? I don't care from where…just get it. We have to quickly post a photo too. Chitto!! Get the cyber army ready."
SIBLAC, 7 BL organizations to  campaign for SKM
Gangtok, April 8: The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) and seven other Bhutia-Lepcha (BL) associations have declared their support for Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM).
The minority BLs are convinced that SKM has given a better deal for Sikkim and Sikkimese, particularly for the minority tribal communities, than the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front. The promises are reflected in the party manifesto, SIBLAC chief and former minister Tseten Tashi Bhutia said during a press conference held here.
Bhutia said for the BLs the most important promise of the SKM is to abolish the Land Transfer Act of 2005, which allows companies from outside to take lands of Sikkimese, including Bhutia and Lepcha communities on lease basis.
“SKM has promised to scrap hydel power projects being constructed in holy places and has given commitment to maintain the sanctity of all holy places in Sikkim. They have also promised to focus on development in North Sikkim and stated that they will form a Dzongu Development Board,” said Bhutia.
Safeguards for old laws and protection given to Sikkim under Article 371F of the Constitution are also other reasons for giving support to the SKM.
SIBLAC chief also pointed out that BL organizations would now go to the districts to urge people to vote SKM to power.
Other BL organizations which have opted for SKM are: National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO), Bhutia-Lepcha Protection Force (BLPF), Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim (CLOS), Save Kabi-Lungstok Committee, Save Sikkim and Monks of Sikkim.
SNPP rejects ‘tribal status’ demand, raises Nepali Assembly seat issue
Gangtok, April 8:The Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) has rejected the demand for ‘tribal status’ for the State raised by various parties. Instead, it wants to focus on the ‘Sikkim Subject Certificate’, an identity document of bonafide Sikkimese belonging to the three ethnic communities – Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese of Sikkimese origin.
In a press statement, SNPP President Biraj Adhikari has also emphasized on Assembly seat reservation for Sikkimese Nepalese.
“No political party has talked about seat reservation for Nepali communities in the state assembly. It is a major concern for the people of Sikkim,” Adhikari said.
“All parties including SDF have promised to fully protect Article 371F. Maximum violation of Article 371 has taken under the SDF government and the party should feel ashamed to say that it will protect Article 371F. The party has now stopped even including the assurance of a Local Protection Act in its manifesto,” SNPP release said.
“In the coming elections, Sikkimese should only focus on the special constitutional provisions guaranteed to us – the Bhutia, Lepchas and Nepali. No other factor is as important. People must question the candidates how their parties can restore the violated Old Laws of Sikkim.”
“We don’t agree with the Tribal status for Sikkim that is being promised by parties. We already have the Sikkim Subject Certificate and are being given various benefits because of it so there is no need to make Sikkim a Tribal state,” the release added. (also see Sikkim Liberation Party on seat issue on page 3)
Ghising comes to Mamata’s rescue, backs Bhaichung
Bhaichung belongs to the hills: GNLF
Darjeeling, April 8: In a boost to Trinamool Congress candidate Bhaichung Bhutia's prospects for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, the GNLF on Friday announced its support for the former Indian soccer captain.
"Bhaichung belongs to the hills. We are supporting him," the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) said in statement issued on behalf of party president Subhas Ghising, The Indian Express reported.
Bhutia is engaged in a tough fight for the April 17 polls in the constituency against the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM)-backed Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Surinder Singh Ahluwalia and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) candidate Saman Pathak.
   The GNLF spearheaded a violent movement in the 1980s, demanding that a separate state of Gorkhaland be carved out of the north Bengal hills, leading to the formation of the semi-autonomous development body Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) in 1988.
Ghising was the chairman of the DGHC for two decades. However, he lost his influence in the hills after his trusted aide Bimal Gurung broke away from the GNLF in 2007 to form the GJM, which has now taken over the mantle of the Gorkhaland movement.
The GJM forced Ghising to leave the hills in 2008. He returned before the 2011 assembly polls but went away again soon after his party received a drubbing in the polls.
Ghising recently returned to the hills for the Lok Sabha polls. There was much speculation on whether he would put up a candidate or announce his support for some other party.
Trinamool leader and West Bengal cabinet minister Gautam Deb welcomed the GNLF's move.
"Bhaichung will win by a huge margin," said Deb.
Editorial
CHANGE VS CONTINUITY
Change That We Seek
   By fielding the ruling party’s old guard Pawan Chamling may be playing it safe – to avoid further dissidence within the SDF – and at the same time rewarding loyalty but this move has proved to be a boon for the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), whose campaign for change is led by a young leader PS Golay and whose followers are mostly youngsters. Those who were 10 years when Chamling came to power in 1994 are now 30. Another 5 or even 10 years under SDF would be disastrous for Sikkim’s future given the fact that the people, by and large, have rejected casteist, communal and corrupt government under one-man rule and one party system. Not being satisfied with two decades of autocratic rule Chamling now wants 10 more years from the people to turn Sikkim into Singapore. Sikkim will and should be Sikkim and this is the will of the people. Sikkim used to be a paradise with beautiful people.
   Real democracy must give people a chance to change things. Any system that fails to do this cannot be following the democratic process. The change that we believe in and seek is simple: we want to live in peace and in harmony with each other and nature; we want the rule of law to govern us and not one-man rule; freedom from fear, end to injustice and strict adherence to the democratic process in all sphere of life is what the people want. The change that we seek should also preserve our rich and unique cultural and natural heritage while safeguarding  Sikkim’s special status within the Union. We gave Chamling a chance to set things right in 1994; give Golay a chance now.
LS seat: SKM’s TN Dhakal to take on ruling party’s PD Rai
TN Dhakal
Gangtok, April 8:Tek Nath Dhakal, a retired civil servant, ought to be lucky that got Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s ticket to contest the lone Lok Sabha polls. He would be luckier if he wins. And judging by the winds of change blowing across the State Dhakal could well be Sikkim’s next MP in the Lok Sabha.
Dhakal, who many a times courted controversy, first came to limelight in early 1980s when he appeared in the cover of Spotlight of Sikkim, a newsmagazine published by Hill Media Publications, which also publishes Sikkim Observer. The issue was ‘Sikkim Subject Certificate’ and Dhakal put his full weight behind it.
The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s PD Rai is likely to give a tough completion to the SKM nominee. But the anti-incumbency factor and Rai being  renominated again may go in Dhakal’s favour.
PD Rai
AD Subba also seems to be a lucky man. After he packed up his Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad and merged it with the Congress he was made its Working President. When the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee’s President Kunga Nima Lepcha quit the party to join SKM Subba was made SPCC President. And now he is contesting the LS polls as Congress candidate. 
Subba’s constant engagement with street politics may earn him some votes but the Congress party’s poll prospects in the State and in the country is not very encouraging.


NB Khatiwada
   Former SDF’s Lok Sabha MP Nakul Rai, who rebelled against the leadership, is TMC’s LS candidate. TMC being the ruling party in neighbouring West Bengal and given the fact that the party is trying to make inroads in Darjeeling and Sikkim there is every possibility of  Rai getting some support in the State.
Nakul Rai
  Former MLA and merger veteran Nar Bahadur Khatiwada’s efforts to get elected to the Lok Sabha from Sikkim or Darjeeling have been futile. The last time he contested the LS seat in Sikkim he got around 4000 votes only.
But this time its different. Khatiwada is the BJP candidate and Narendra Modi is all set to become the next Prime Minister of the country. So hopes are very high for the veteran politician who is yet to be rewarded politically for his merger moves.
AD Subba
And finally, Aam Aadmi Party’s Kaushal Rai, too, is trying his luck for the lone LS seat. Good luck to him for he needs it to ensure that his security deposit is not forfeited.
Sikkimese will become minority if Assembly seats not restored, influx remain unchecked: DN Nepal
Gangtok, April 8:The Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) has decided to support the NDA. Its Chairman Duk Nath Nepal is confident that by supporting the NDA Sikkim’s long pending demand on restoration of Assembly seats for Sikkimese Nepalese would be met.
  In a press statement, Nepal said the Congress party “ditched and hoodwinked” the Sikkimese people on the Assembly seats issue. Nepal said BJP has always been against influx of outsiders and “Sikkim has became safe den of migrants and illegal influx which need to be checked with immediate effect.”
The SLP also believes that the BJP is perhaps the only party which will be able to rescue the country from “the clutches of near bankruptcy, acute corruption and soaring inflation.”
Nepal said if Assembly seats , which were abolished “illegally and unconstitutionally” , were not restored and influx checked, the ethnic Bhutia, Lepcha and Nepali communities in the State  will one day “become minority in their own land”.
The SLP chief also noted that as the BJP is in favour of smaller states it would be able to solve the statehood demand of neighbouring Darjeeling.










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Article 17

May 8, 2014, 1:28 am
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MAY 8th, 1973: Historic Day for Sikkim
Gradual dilution of Sikkim’s distinct identity

In this picture I’m with three historic personalities of Sikkim politics: Kazi Lhendup Dorji Khangsarpa (centre), the first Chief Minister of Sikkim (1974-1979), Krishna Chandra Pradhan (on Kazi’s right), and Bhim Bahadur Gurung (on Kazi’s left). The three were signatories to the historic May 8, 1973 Tripartite Agreement. This pact was signed between the Government of India, Chogyal of Sikkim and leaders of three major political parties in Sikkim. Former Gangtok MLA and Mayor Balchand Sarda is on the extreme left in the picture.
While LD Kazi represented the Sikkim National Congress in the historic Agreement, KC Pradhan and BB Gurung belonged to the Sikkim Janata Congress. The Late Netuk Tsering represented the Sikkim National Party.
The Agreement while curtailing the Chogyal’s power gave more political rights to the majority Sikkimese Nepalese. It also brought Sikkim closer to India.
The May 8, 1973 Agreement gradually paved way for Sikkim’s absorption into the Indian Union in April-May 1975. Article 371F of the Constitution of India, which provides special status to Sikkim, is based on the May 8thAgreement.
Viewed from the historical perspective, the 1890 Convention signed between Great Britain and China and the Indo-Sikkim Treaty of  1950 paved way for the May 8th 1973 Tripartite Agreement. Under the 1890 Convention Sikkim was made a British Protectorate. The Protectorate status continued after India’s Independence under the 1950 Treaty.
After the Indian takeover of Sikkim in 1975 Article 371F of the Constitution defined Sikkim’s status within the Indian Union.

The dilution of Sikkim’s special place within India has been a source of constant political tension in the former kingdom after the ‘merger’ in 1975. If the tension continues it may eventually lead to political uncertainty in this strategic and sensitive border region.
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Article 16

June 23, 2014, 5:26 am
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SIKKIM OBSERVER Page 1 Saturday June 21, 2014
Karmapa saddened by demise of Shamar Rinpoche
“My aspirations are yet to be fulfilled”
Karmapa with Shamar Rinpoche
Dharamshala. June 20:The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, has condoled the demise of the 14th Shamar Rinpoche, Mipham Chokyi Lodro, a senior religious leader of Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.
 “I have had an unshakable faith and respect towards Rinpoche from the time I was young," Karmapa  said in a statement issued on 12 June, 2014.
"I had the good fortune of meeting Rinpoche once, with the hope of benefiting the Buddha dharma in general and the lineage in particular, and with the expectation that I may be able to offer some service towards his Dharma activities," he said, adding: "Unfortunately, my aspirations have not, as yet, been fulfilled,"The Tibet Post International reported.
Karmapa  said that Sharmapa Rinpoche's "sudden passing away is a matter of great sadness."
He urged his followers to offer prayers: "As soon as I came to know of this hard to believe news, I instructed Rumtek Monastery, (the main seat of our lineage) and other monasteries to make offerings and perform pujas as grand as possible for 49 days. As Rinpoche had taken rest from the degenerate age of strife into the expanse of peace for a while."
"I live with great hope and strong aspirations that Shamar Rinpoche’s reincarnation will embody the life stories of his predecessors, and that good fortune and harmony within the lineage will arise soon," the statement said.
Shamar Rinpoche passed away in Germany on June 11. He was one of the three remaining Regents of Rumtek monastery in Sikkim.
Why Modi's first foreign visit sends a signal to China
New Delhi, June 20: China has been attempting to gain strategic leverage over India by deepening ties with Bhutan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept this in mind when he visited Bhutan this week.
Modi’s decision to make Bhutan the destination of his first official foreign visit is a further indication that his new government has made revitalising neighbourhood ties a priority, according to Monika Chansoria, a Senior Fellow and Head of the China-study Programme at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, New Delhi.
Bhutan’s geographical position makes it a key strategic asset, being landlocked between China’s Tibet Autonomous Region to the north and Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to the west and south. Though Bhutan and China do not have established official diplomatic ties, they do maintain political and people-to-people contacts, and a degree of economic cooperation.
Indian official circles are aware of Chinese attempts to gain strategic leverage over India by deepening ties with Bhutan, and was kept in mind during the Prime Minster’s visit.
China shares a 470-km border with Bhutan to the north and has held 21 rounds of essentially fruitless boundary talks with China to resolve the boundary dispute. In the boundary-resolution dialogues between Thimphu and Beijing, the Chinese appear particularly focused on the Doklam Plateau (measuring 270 sq. km).
The Doklam Plateau is extremely close to the vital Chumbi Valley area and the Siliguri Corridor, the lifeline that connects India’s Northeast to the rest of the country. By making this plateau a key strategic pivot in the India-Bhutan-China equation, Beijing is working towards expanding its strategic advantage in the Chumbi Valley as well as closing in on access to the Siliguri Corridor, which lies 500 km from the Chumbi Valley.
This is why the recent announcement of Gautam Bambawale as India’s next Ambassador to Bhutan comes as a very interesting development. Bambawale currently serves as Joint Secretary, East Asia, in the Ministry of External Affairs, and was the lead negotiator of the India-China Border Defence Cooperation agreement, signed in October 2013 by Manmohan Singh and Chinese premier Li Keqiang. Bambawale will be adept at assessing the critical issues, especially those pertaining to boundary resolution.
Modi for strengthening of Bharat-Bhutan relations
Thimphu, June 20: Making Bhutan his first foreign destination, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday vowed to nurture bilateral relations which he described as "B2B – Bharat to Bhutan" as he held talks with the Bhutanese King and the Premier, discussing an entire gamut of ties.
Embarking on a two-day trip here to display "special and unique" status for Bhutan in India's foreign policy, Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the Supreme Court complex built by India as part of the developmental cooperation. "The primary focus of both the meetings was the extensive development cooperation between the two countries and measures to enhance the economic ties," official sources said, PTI reported.
 Modi described the bilateral relations as "B2B relations – Bharat to Bhutan relations," the sources said on his meeting with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
Modi announced doubling of scholarships being provided to Bhutanese students in India which will now be worth Rs two crore. Prime Minister Modi also promised to assist Bhutan in setting up a digital library which will provide access to Bhutanese youth to two million books and periodicals.
The fact that the Prime Minister chose Bhutan as his first foreign destination assumes significance since China has lately intensified efforts to woo it and establish full- fledged diplomatic ties with Thimphu. Modi, accompanied by External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, was accorded a grand welcome as he arrived at the Paro airport and was received by Tobgay and several of his Cabinet colleagues.
The Bhutanese government rolled out the red carpet as Modi was given a ceremonial guard of honour. The Prime Minister drove down from Paro to Thimphu, a distance of about 50 km, traversing through the picturesque mountainous ranges.
 Common people, including children, in colourful attire lined up most of the road between Paro and Thimphu, waving Indian and Bhutanese flags. Big hoardings carrying Modi's photographs also could be seen en route. Modi's meeting with the Bhutanese King lasted for nearly an hour and then he held talks with Tobgay. Modi expressed satisfaction at India being considered as a privileged partner of Bhutan and underlined that his government "would not only nurture these strong bonds but would also strengthen them."
Woman dies due to GREF, govt negligence: SKM

roads in North Sikkim has led to the death of a woman on Monday.
Gangtok, June 20: Negligence of the State Government and GREF on construction and maintenance of roads in North Sikkim has led to the death of a woman on Monday.
In his letter to Chief Secretary R. Ongmu, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) MLA from Kabi Longtsok, North Sikkim, Ugen Nedup Bhutia, has alleged that an elderly woman from Namok died on Monday because she could not get timely and emergent medical treatment.
This was mainly due to poor condition of the North Sikkim Highway and ill-equipped and poorly-staffed primary health centre at Phodong.
Despite numerous representations made to the concerned authorities road condition of the tribal-inhabited area of north district continues to suffer.
The MLA has asked for sufficient number of excavators along the highway on a permanent basis.
“It is however not understandable as to why this kind of delay in prompt maintenance or restoration of roads particularly in the North district is witnessed every time that apparently also speaks the volume of a step motherly treatment that is being meted out,” Bhutia said in the letter.
If India becomes communal, Kashmir will not remain with it: Abdullah
“Kashimir is our home, why should we go to Pakistan”


Former Union Minister and Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) candidate Farooq Abdullah addressing an election campaign rally in Budgam (J&K). (PTI Photo)
Srinagar, June 20: Former Union Minister and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah said recently that Kashmir wouldn’t be part of an India that is “communal” and that those who “vote for Modi should jump into the sea”.
“India can’t be communal,” Farooq said addressing a rally in Srinagar’s Khanyar neighbourhood. “If India becomes communal, Kashmir will not remain with India. It will not remain.” The people of Kashmir will not accept communalism at any cost, he said.
Referring to statements by BJP Bihar leader Giriraj Singh and VHP leader Pravin Togadia, Farooq said: “And then they say those who don’t vote for (Narendra) Modi should go to Pakistan. (I say) those who vote for Modi should jump into the sea… Why should we go? This is our home. We are its owners,” PTI reported.
Earlier, NC leader and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said that he would prefer going to Pakistan than to stop criticising Modi.
In Delhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back at Farooq Abdullah over his remarks, saying India does not need a certificate from him to become secular.
“Neither the country nor Jammu and Kashmir need a certificate from Farooq Abdullah to become secular. The actual matter of worry is the corrupt government run in Jammu and Kashmir by Abdullah and his son (Omar),” BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
Sikkim grateful to former CJI on Assembly seat issue
Make Sikkim a happy place: Justice Venkatachaliah
Former Supreme Court of India Chief Justice, Justice MN Venkatachaliah, with Jigme N. Kazi in Bangalore on April 25, 2014.
Bangalore, June 20: Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India, Justice MN Venkatachaliah, who in 1993 gave a historic verdict upholding Sikkim Legislative Assembly reservation of 12 seats for the Bhutia-Lepchas and 1 for the Sangha, representing Buddhist monasteries in the former Buddhist kingdom of Sikkim, wants the people of Sikkim to be happy.
“Make Sikkim a happy place. People there deserve to be happy,” the former CJI told Jigme N Kazi, author and journalist, who called on him at his residence here recently.
Kazi, who has been made President of Sikkim unit of the All India Patriotic Forum (AIPF), was accompanied by Forum President Maj. Gen (Retd.) MK Paul.
Justice Venkatachaliah is the Patron-in-Chief of the Forum. Other prominent members of the Forum include Gen. (Retd.) SF Rodrigues, Lt. Gen (Retd.) and former Governor of Assam and JK SK Sinha, former Judge of Supreme Court Santosh Hegde and former Chief Secretary of Sikkim KS Rao.
Kazi has also been made a member of the 11-member National Advisory Council of the Forum. Sonam Dorjee, a senior teacher of Tashi Namgyal Academy (TNA), Gangtok, has also been appointed Secretary and Treasurer of the Forum’s Sikkim unit.
While thanking Justice Venkatachaliah for the Supreme Court’s historic verdict in the Assembly seat case, Kazi also presented his books – Inside Sikim: Against the Tide and The Lone Warrior: Exiled In My Homeland – to the former CJI.
Inside Sikkim, while making references to Justice Venkatachaliah’s verdict on the seat case, gives a thorough background on the whole issue.
In his order, Justice Venkatachaliah, while upholding Assembly seat reservation of the indigenous Bhutia-Lepchas and Sangha under Article 371F of the Constitution, observed: “The inequalities in representation in the present case are an inheritance and compulsion from the past. Historical considerations have justified a differential treatment.”
These words made all the difference to the struggle for preservation of Sikkim’s distinct identity within the Union.
Editorial
SPECIAL  STATUS
An Article Of Faith
    Union Minister and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah needs to be applauded for his bold stand by those who defend the ‘special status’ provided by the Constitution to several states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Northeast and Sikkim.  Abdullah’s recent warning that Kashmir will not be a part of India if the Modi-led BJP government pursues its Hindutva agenda and goes ‘communal’. Much the same sentiments will be echoed in the Northeastern states of the country, including Sikkim, if New Delhi is bent on erasing the distinct identity and concessions provided to the peoples of the frontier regions during their ‘merger’ with the Indian Union.
    The BJP manifesto states that the party is committed to abrogating Article 370. If the BJP rakes up the controversial issue to strengthen its hold among the subcontinent’s Hindu populace there is likely to be a major political uncertainty in most border states of the country which feel uncomfortable with the way New Delhi has been handling their affairs. An editorial in Greater Kashmir newspaper recently stated: “The Article (Art 370) has actually served as a bridge to facilitate J&K’s accession with India. Its abrogation would be tantamount to burning this bridge.” JK’s main opposition party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has said that Article 370 cannot be abrogated without bringing into question the fundamentals of that relationship. While terming Article 370 as “an article of faith”, the PDP said Article 370 is non-negotiable and irrevocable.
      It may be recalled that the Supreme Court of India during the hearing of a controversial case to abrogate Article 371F (Sikkim) in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly seat reservation issue in early 1984 observed that if Article 371F is abrogated Sikkim will not remain a part of India. It may not be an overstatement to state that if New Delhi continues to dilute the special provisions meant for JK and Northeastern states, including Sikkim, the people of the region may soon lose faith in India and decide not to be a part of it.

"Rise oh fallen fighters, rise and take your stance again!"
                                                                                       BOB MARLEY
                                                                                          Since1986
                                     Sikkim OBSERVER
                                                              The VOICE OF SIKKIM




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Article 15

June 25, 2014, 4:05 am
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GRADUAL DILUTION OF SIKKIM’S DISTINCT IDENTITY
In the first picture I’m with three historic personalities of Sikkim politics: Kazi Lhendup Dorji Khangsarpa (centre), the first Chief Minister of Sikkim (1974-1979), Krishna Chandra Pradhan (on Kazi’s right), and Bhim Bahadur Gurung (on Kazi’s left). The three were signatories to the historic May 8, 1973 Tripartite Agreement. This pact was signed between the Government of India, Chogyal of Sikkim and leaders of three major political parties in Sikkim. Former Gangtok MLA and Mayor Balchand Sarda is on the extreme left in the picture.

While LD Kazi represented the Sikkim National Congress in the historic Agreement, KC Pradhan and BB Gurung belonged to the Sikkim Janata Congress. The Late Netuk Tsering represented the Sikkim National Party.
The Agreement while curtailing the Chogyal’s power gave more political rights to the majority Sikkimese Nepalese. It also brought Sikkim closer to India.
The May 8, 1973 Agreement gradually paved way for Sikkim’s absorption into the Indian Union in April-May 1975. Article 371F of the Constitution of India, which provides special status to Sikkim, is based on the May 8th Agreement. 
Viewed from the historical perspective, the 1890 Convention signed between Great Britain and China and the Indo-Sikkim Treaty of 1950 paved way for the May 8th 1973 Tripartite Agreement. Under the 1890 Convention Sikkim was made a British Protectorate. The Protectorate status continued after India’s Independence under the 1950 Treaty.
After the Indian takeover of Sikkim in 1975 Article 371F of the Constitution defined Sikkim’s status within the Indian Union.
The dilution of Sikkim’s special place within India has been a source of constant political tension in the former kingdom after the ‘merger’ in 1975. If the tension continues it may eventually lead to political uncertainty in this strategic and sensitive border region.
In the other picture I'm with former Sikkim Chief Minister NB Bhandari, former Sikkim Lok Sabha MP PM Subba and former Sikkim minister KN Upreti at a function in Gangtok on Article 371F a few years back.

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Article 14

June 29, 2014, 3:08 am
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SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday June 28 – July 4, 2014
Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com
Fiery Assembly session: Opp keeps govt on its toes
SKM LEGISLATORS WALKOUT IN PROTEST AGAINST ‘ANTI-NATIONAL’ TAG
Gangtok, June 27: For the first time in years the budget session of the Assembly this time has been a fiery one. Led by Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) President PS Golay, the treasury bench was kept on its toes with members of the Opposition comprising 10 MLAs refusing to budge and cornered the government on many issues ranging from Article 371F, Assembly seat reservation for Tamang and Limbu communities, water shortage and poor maintenance of roads in the State.
On Tuesday, the Sangha MLA Sonam Kaloen Lama charged the government of its neglect in not mentioning the long-pending demand for restoration of Assembly seats of Sikkimese Nepalese in the Governor’s address.
There was heated exchange of words when Chief Minister Pawan Chamling alleged that any reference to the historic Tripartite Agreement of May 8, 1973 was ‘anti-national’.
The Chief Minister’s refusal to acknowledge a letter communicated to the Union Government by his own Chief Secretary ND Chingapa in 2006 that suggested seat reservation issue for Limbu- Tamangs  be kept on hold did not go down well with the Opposition.
The government’s failure to grant income tax exemption to the State’s old settlers figured in the Assembly debate. Chamling closed the lid on this explosive issue by stating that the matter was with the Supreme Court.
Another touchy issue raised in the Assembly by the Opposition was the government’s move to do away with the categorisation of a section of Nepalese listed as Most Backward Classes (MBC) and to revert them back to their former OBC status.
The drama in the Assembly climaxed when the entire Opposition legislators led by Golay staged a walkout from the Assembly today in protest against the move to brand Opposition legislators as ‘anti-national’ when they raised issues regarding Article 371F.
“When we raised the issue of Article 371F we were termed anti-national and we walked out of the House in protest. When we talk about Article 371F we were accused of going against the Constitution,” Golay said at a hurriedly convened press conference after the walkout.
Golay also alleged that the Speaker KN Rai acted in a discriminatory manner and failed to observe the rules of the House. The walkout was also in protest against the Speaker’s decision to expunge Golay’s statement on numerous issues during Zero Hour from proceedings of the House.
On Monday, the Chief Minister presented the annual budget of Rs 6666.71 crore of which the plan outlay is fixed at Rs 3497.03 and non-plan at Rs. 3169.68.
Shamar Rinpoche: cremation in Kathmandu on July 31
Kudung to remain in Kalimpong for a fortnight from July 1
Gangtok, June 27: The funeral of Shamar Rinpoche, who passed away in Germany on June 11, will be held in Kathmandu on July 31, coinciding with the auspicious day when Lord Buddha first turned the Wheel of Dharma.
One of the most prominent spiritual figures of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the most influential personalities of Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism died of cardiac arrest at the meditation center of his Bodhi Path organization in Renchen-Ulm, sources said. He was only 61.
   Shamar Rinpoche Mipham Chokyi Lodro was born in Derge, Kham, in eastern Tibet. At the age of four he was recognized by the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpei Dorje,  as the 14th Shamarpa.
The 14th Shamar Rinpoche is one of the three main disciples of the previous Karmapa. After the death of the 16th Karmapa, Shamarpa recognized Thaye Dorje as the 17th Karmapa in 1994. However, Tai Situpa Rinpoche chose another boy, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, as the 17th Karmapa who was also approved by the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
In a statement after his meeting with the Dalai Lama on August 13, 2010, Shamar Rinpoche said, “I met His Holiness the Dalai Lama iin Dharamsala at His Holiness’ residence. We had a discussion for approximately one and a half hours and had a very important and detailed exchange of views regarding the ongoing Karmapa controversy and its possible solution. Although this matter is not easily resolved, since it is connected to the politics of China and India as well, with His Holiness Dalai Lama’s blessing and support I am confident that there will be an amicable solution, which will be beneficial for the Karma Kagyü lineage, as well as for Tibetan Buddhism in general.”          
Several thousand Buddhists from all over the world met at Renchen village to pay their last respects to Shamar Rinpoche. His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje led the impressive farewell ceremony for his teacher. He accompanied Shamar Rinpoche on his last journey to New Delhi, where his mortal remains is being kept.
Shamar Rinpoche himself did not fear death. In one of his last teachings he said: "You don't need to be afraid of death if you know how to practice [meditation] in death."
After his death, letters of condolence were received from many high masters of Tibetan Buddhism as well as the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Bhutan. "I have known Rinpoche for many years and my family and I will always remember Shamar Rinpoche as a close and dear friend," His Majesty Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the 4th King of Bhutan, wrote.
  With its more than 180 meditation and study centers, the Karma Kagyu is the most widespread Buddhist school in Germany. It is worldwide represented by more than 900 monasteries as well as meditation centers under the guidance of Karmapa Thaye Dorje.
Since the Kudung of Sharmar Rinpoche arrived at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute (KIBI) from Germany, His Holiness Karmapa Thaye Dorje along with the sangha have been performing daily prayers.
The Kudung of Shamar Rinpoche, accompanied by His Holiness Karmapa Thaye Dorje, will be leaving for Kalimpong on the July 1. Devotees of the Late Rinpoche from Bhutan, Sikkim and Darjeeling will pay their respects to the departed soul while the Kudung remains for a fortnight at  Kalimpong’s Shri Diwakar Vihara Buddhist Research and Educational Institute that Rinpoche had established.
Attempts were made to bring the Kudung to Rumtek monastery in Sikkim but the authorities refused to give permission citing law and order problem.
On July 14, His Holiness Karmapa Thaye Dorje will be accompanying Kudung of Rinpoche on the final journey to Shar Minub Monastery in Kathmandu, the main seat of Shamar Rinpoche, which will be the final resting place for his Kudung. The cremation will take place on July 31, which coincides with the first turning of the dharma wheel by Buddha Shakyamuni.
During Sharmar Rinpoche’s lifetime, it was his wish to build a Kudung stupa in the land of his own seat. Thus, a stupa will be constructed to contain the remains of the 14th Shamarpa.
HIMALAYAN Buddhism
Shamar Rinpoche fled Tibet with 16thKarmapa and settled in Sikkim
14th Shamarpa Mipham Chökyi Lodrö (1952 – 2014)
Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche died of a cardiac arrest on June 11th, 2014 in Renchen-Ulm, Germany, at the age of 62. Many Buddhists worldwide are deeply stricken by his death. With heartfelt thankfulness and great respect we bid farewell to our lineage holder.
The 14th Shamarpa Mipham Chokyi Lodro was one of the highest Lamas of Tibetan Buddhism. As lineage holder of the Karma Kagyu tradition, against much political resistance, he enthroned Trinley Thaye Dorje as the 17th Karmapa in accordance to the tradition.
Mipham Chökyi Lodrö was born in Derge (East Tibet) in 1952. At four years of age he was recognized as the 14th incarnation of the Shamar Tulkus by his uncle, the 16th Karmapa.
Together with the 16th Karmapa he fled the Chinese occupied Tibet in 1959, leaving his Tibetan seat Yangpachen behind, finally reaching Sikkim. At Rumtek monastery, he received a traditional training and the complete transmission of the Karma Kagyu School. Subsequently the Karmapa, the head of the tradition, appointed him as the next lineage holder.
Thus the 16th Karmapa followed the history of the Karma Kagyu tradition. Many Shamarpas before had been the closest students of the respective Karmapas as well as the teacher of the succeeding one. Next to the Karmapa’s, the tradition of the Shamarpas is the second oldest lineage of Buddhist masters leaving clues prior to their death predicting their next reincarnation in order to be able to continue the activity of their predecessors as soon as possible. The lineage of the Shamar Tulkus goes back to the 13th century.
     The 14th Shamar Rinpoche and the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa.
In 1967, the 16th Karmapa confirmed Kunzig Shamarpa in an official document as the second highest Lama of the Karma Kagyu school, thereby appointing him with the responsibility of finding and enthroning the next lineage holder. Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje died in 1981. To share the responsibility of administrating Rumtek, Karmapa’s seat in exile, and other affairs of the Karma Kagyu tradition, a council of young high-ranking Lamas more or less of the same age had formed. Along with Shamar Rinpoche, it consisted of Situ Rinpoche, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and Gyaltsab Rinpoche.
Soon disagreements arose among the four. Shamar Rinpoche had clues about the reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa. Because of the Chinese occupation it was difficult to get in touch with his family in Central Tibet. Meanwhile Situ Rinpoche sought for cooperation with the Chinese authorities to abet a limited revival of Buddhism and the reconstruction of destroyed monasteries in Tibet. The situation got increasingly critical when in spring of 1992 Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, who had repeatedly been mediating between the two parties, died in a car accident.
  Situ Rinpoche named a nomad boy from East Tibet as the new Karmapa candidate and enthroned him at the Karmapas’ main seat at Tsurphu monastery, giving him the name Urgyen Trinley Dorje. Beforehand, he had obtained the consent of the Chinese government as well as the Dalai Lama, the political leader of Tibetans in exile.
While Situ Rinpoche’s Karmapa candidate Urgyen Trinley Dorje was not allowed to travel and the Communist Party was trying to put him up for political purposes, Shamarpa prepared the flight of his Karmapa Thaye Dorje from Tibet. It was very important for him, that the future Karmapa should be able to grow up and work in freedom.
In accordance with the tradition of the Karma Kagyu lineage, Shamar Rinpoche, after the Karmapa the highest-ranking lineage holder, enthrones Thaye Dorje as the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa.
Aided by Western Buddhists, Karmapa Thaye Dorje reached India. At the beginning of 1994, he was officially enthroned according to the tradition of the Karma Kagyu lineage by the Shamarpa. In the following years, the relationship between Shamarpa and the Tibet Government in Exile was not always easy. Legal disputes about Karmapa’s seat in exile at Rumtek and the relics stored there dragged out. In various talks with the Dalai Lama, Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche tried to find a mutual agreement for the situation.
Shamar Rinpoche was a highly respected teacher of Buddhists in the East and the West. He gave numerous teachings and empowerments in Diamondway Buddhist Centers and at the Europe Center, the international meeting point of Diamondway Buddhism in Immenstadt. To meet the needs of his Western students especially following his curriculum, in the 1990s Shamarpa founded the Bodhi Path centers which today are represented in 20 countries throughout Europe, America and Asia.
In “Creating a Transparent Democracy” he drafted a model for a political system and a society inspired by Buddhist principles. The preface was written by the South African bishop and Nobel Peace laureate Desmond Tutu. He also wrote an extensive biography of the 10th Karmapa Choying Dorje (1604-1674) who lived in difficult political times in Tibet. Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche also founded an organization for the protection of animals called “Infinite Compassion Foundation” that especially worked for a humane treatment of productive livestock.
A few days before his death Shamar Rinpoche guided a meditation course in Renchen-Ulm. One of his last teachings was: “You don’t have to be afraid of death if you know how to practice in death.” (Bodi Path Renchen-Ulm Karmapa in Deutschland (German) Shamarpa.org)
Editorial
‘SIKKIM SUBJECT’ ISSUE
Right Move, Wrong Time
The move that could have got the overwhelming support of bonafide Sikkimese is now met with derision and suspicion. The Chamling Government’s decision to accord top priority to ‘Sikkim Subjects’, citizens of the former Kingdom of Sikkim, in matters pertaining to employment, incentives, facilities etc. in Sikkim is widely perceived to be a move to punish those who sided with the Opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and voted against the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) in the recent Assembly and Lok Sabha polls rather than a genuine effort to protect the rights and interests of bonafide Sikkimese who basically hail from the three ethnic communities – Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese of Sikkimese origin. And yet this decision – irrespective of whatever the motive and undue delay in its implementation – if pursued to its logical conclusion will go a long way in giving justice to the Sikkimese people who have for long hoped and prayed that the Chamling Government and in particular the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling, himself will come to their senses and honour the commitment made to the Sikkimese people before the 1994 Assembly polls. It is most unfortunate that the present government which  has been in power for over two decades since December 1994 is now realizing the present predicament faced by the locals and taking precautionary measures to set things right.
If he is serious Chamling ought to follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s example of setting an ideal example and starting the clearing up process right from the top. Firstly, the present legislators, including the two MPs, must disclose their Sikkim Subject Certificate in original for public scrutiny. The alleged 35,000 fake Sikkim Subject Certificates held by a section of the State’s residents must be scrapped with immediate effect. Secondly, Article 371F, which is based on the historic May 8, 1973 Tripartite Agreement, ensures that Assembly seats be reserved for bonafide Sikkimese possessing genuine Sikkim Subject Certificate. Therefore, the Chamling Government must revive its demand for reservation of Assembly seats for Sikkimese Nepalese. The 12 reserved seats in the Assembly should also be restored to bonafide Sikkimese Bhutia-Lepchas. The Modi Government, too, must honour the terms of Sikkim’s merger and restore the traditional political rights of the Sikkimese people at the earliest.

Narendra Modi’s Bhutan visit will expand India’s influence in Asia

By CLAUDE ARPI

     School children greeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bhutan recently.
On Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at Thimphu. A touching ceremonial welcome by Bhutanese school children awaited him. It was Modi’s first visit abroad.
Fifty six years ago Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, visited Bhutan too. But it was another era.
In October 1958, in a letter to the Chief Ministers, Nehru recalls: “After I left Gangtok, I was almost entirely cut off from communications till my return to Gangtok two and a half weeks later. I received an occasional message by wireless from Delhi. …There were no newspapers at all and I had a sensation of being in another world.”
At that time, it was no question of landing anywhere in Bhutan. The PM, Indira Gandhi and their entourage had to undertake a long trek via the Chumbi Valley in Tibet. It was the customary and easiest road to reach the Kingdom of the Dragon. India had just built a road till Nathu-la, the border between Sikkim and Tibet.
Nehru remarked: “On the Tibetan side, this road will be a much simpler proposition than the one that we have built on our side. Through road traffic would make a great difference to trade as well as to travellers. There is still a considerable inflow of goods from India to Tibet although this has gone down during the last year or two.”
Why should the trade have gone down? Simply because the Chinese had established themselves on the Tibetan plateau and had decided to drastically reduce the trade exchanges between India and Tibet.
At that time, India still had a Consulate General in Lhasa and 3 Trade Agencies in Gyantse, Yatung and Gartok (Western Tibet).
Nehru, who spent 2 nights in Yatung’s Trade Agency, recalled: “Yatung was a small spread out town. The main market road was full of Indian shops. There were, I believe, over ninety such shops, many of them having started business in the course of the last three years, when this trade was highly profitable. Conditions were more difficult now and so a number of these Indian shops were closing up. The Chinese authorities had put up a number of new buildings-schools, hospital, community centre and residential houses for themselves. Our own Trade Agent’s house had its own little hospital and buildings for the staff.”
Unfortunately, the relations with the Himalayan States, which have for centuries been so important to India, deteriorated a few months later, with the uprising in Lhasa in March 1959 and the consequent flight of the Dalai Lama to India. Thereafter, the Chinese tightened their grip on the Tibetan plateau; this was a tragedy for India and its security.
By paying his first visit to Bhutan, Narendra Modi has probably decided to change the tide.
The Times of India reported that Modi has “stepped up a charm offensive with neighbours to try to check China’s influence in the region.”
Before leaving, the PMO had released a statement putting the visit in perspective: “Bound by common interests and shared prosperity, India and Bhutan enjoy a unique and special relationship, which has been forged by ties of geography, history and culture. Therefore, Bhutan as the destination for my first visit abroad as Prime Minister is a natural choice. Relations with Bhutan will be a key foreign policy priority of my Government.”
Modi’s first visit abroad comes ahead of the 22nd round of bilateral talks between Bhutan and China which are expected to take place in July or August. Since 1986, these talks are officially aimed at resolving the long-pending border dispute between Bhutan and China.
For some time now, Thimphu has been tempted to have a more official relationship with Beijing. It is probably why Modi was accompanied by Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.
On August 9 last year, the then NSA Shivshankar Menon visited Bhutan. There was more in his visit than a routine exchange on the 11th Bhutanese Plan.
It was clear that the NSA’s main purpose was to see with the Bhutanese Government how to handle the border talks with China.
The 21st round of boundary talks between Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Rinzim Dorje and the Chinese vice-Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were to be held two weeks later.
The New Indian Express then mentioned “a shift in emphasis from the disputed north-western, close to Siliguri corridor, to the central parts of Bhutan,” this made Delhi nervous.
The Sino-Bhutanese border talks have always had serious strategic implications for India’s security.
A particular Chinese claim worries India. It is the Doklam plateau, adjacent to the hyper-strategic Chumbi valley, crossed by Nehru 56 years ago. This is the real nightmare for India.
At the time of Menon’s visit, Liu Zengyi, a research fellow at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies admitted in The Global Times that for India, China’s advances in the Doklam area was a strategic threat to the Siliguri corridor: “As a country located between China and India, Bhutan serves as a buffer and is of critical strategic importance to the Siliguri corridor, a narrow stretch of land (known as chicken’s neck) that connects India’s north-eastern States to the rest of India. …The corridor is considered a vulnerable bottleneck for India’s national security. New Delhi worries that China will send troops to the corridor if a China-Indian military clash breaks out.”
It is indeed a vital issue for New Delhi. Incidentally, the present Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay’s constituency is adjacent to the territory claimed by China.
 Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his visit to Bhutan in 1958.
Interestingly, when Nehru crossed the Chumbi valley in 1958, there was no discrepancy between the Chinese and Bhutanese maps (except for eastern Bhutan where Beijing did not recognise the McMahon Line) and no claim on Doklam.
Since then, the PLA has intruded in several areas and has built important infrastructure, such as the road from Yatung to Phari in the Chumbi Valley. The Doklam area overlooks this highway. The Chinese engineers have also built traversal roads and set up a communication network within the disputed area. By grabbing the Doklam Plateau, Beijing considerably enlarged the Chumbi valley and its access to Sikkim and Siliguri.
How to dislodge the Chinese will not be an easy task. At the same time, the cordial people-to-people relations between India and Bhutan had to be reaffirmed. A Bhutanese well—known nature photographer wrote in his blog: “In recent times, our relationship has digressed from being trustworthy buddies to that of being an estranged couple – slowly drifting apart with the danger of finally ending in divorce. This would be so unfortunate. …I hope that somewhere tucked away in a small corner of his luggage, Mister Modi brings with him a brand new and re-tinkered foreign policy initiative towards Bhutan that is progressive and based on trust and good intention.”
Let’s hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit would have also achieved this. (niticentral)
Centre to invest Rs 5,000 crore to set up 8,000 telecom towers in northeast
New Delhi, June 27: The Union Government will invest Rs 5,000 crore to set up over 8,000 telecom towers in northeastern region.
Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, said improving telecom connectivity in the north east is one of the top priorities of the government.
Telecom Commission had cleared the proposal a few days ago.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had last year recommended an investment plan to improve services in north east India, PTI reported.
The TRAI recommended a 2 percent discount on annual license fees for telecom operators that cover at least 80 percent of habitations with a population of 250 and subsidies for installation of solar power units at telecom towers.
The Indian regulator also recommended investments to provide seamless connectivity across national highways in the north east region covering Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
State-run companies BSNL and Power Grid Corporation of India recently signed an agreement to improve telecom connectivity in the region.
The Telecom Commission has approved the long-pending project of installing mobile towers in nine Naxal-hit states, for which BSNL had submitted an estimate of Rs 3,241 crore, which was higher than Rs 3,046 crore approved by the Cabinet.
The project will be placed before the Cabinet for final approval.
 Road projects along China border to get fast-track approval
New Delhi, June 27: After giving two quick green clearances to defence projects, the environment ministry has now decided to fast-track road projects along India-China border. These road projects within 100 kilometres of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are crucial for troop movements and other related developments for security point of view.
A decision on environmental and forest clearances on building defence infrastructure in areas in the 100 km-range from the LAC can be taken by the state governments concerned, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said. "Construction of roads within 100 kilometres of Line of Actual Control will be given fast-track approval", said the environment minister Prakash Javadekar. A policy in this regard will be formulated very soon, he told reporters. The 4,056-km-long LAC with China touches four states — J&K, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim, The Times of India reported.
Interestingly, it is the second such decision keeping China in mind.
The ministry has earlier given its go ahead to set up a radar station at Narcondam in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The project was pending for long despite repeated requests from the defence establishment which wanted to install the radar at the strategic location in view of suspected Chinese presence and "listening post" on nearby Coco Island.
China-made aircraft starts commercial flights in Nepal
Kathmandu, June 27: Nepal's first ever China-made aircraft, a 58-seater Modern Ark 60 (MA60), started commercial operations on Wednesday, Nepali officials said.
The MA60 was handed over to the Nepal Airlines Corporation by the Chinese government in April, Xinhua reported.
"The plane made its first successful commercial operation from Kathmandu's airport to Biratnagar," Ram Hari Sharma, spokesperson for the Nepali airline said.
 Airline executives said the plane was operated by two Chinese pilots from China's Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation, the producer of the aircraft.
Lhasa-Shigatse rail link by Sept
Lhasa, June 27: When it opened eight years ago, the railway from Golmud to Lhasa was one of the most ambitious rail ventures ever attempted. At a cost of $4 billion, tracks were built across 550km (340 miles) of permafrost, reaching an altitude of 5,000 metres (16,400 feet)—the highest railway in the world. This September, an extension of the line will open from Lhasa to Shigatse, the first part of a further plan to knit Tibet into the rest of China.
The line to Shigatse stretches 250km southwest of Lhasa and will reduce the five-hour road journey to two hours by rail. As well as allowing easier access for tourists to Tibet’s second city, it will make an area rich in natural resources more accessible. (The Chinese name for Tibet, Xizang, translates as “Western treasurehouse”.) In the autumn the construction is due to start on another extension, running 400km from Lhasa to Nyingtri, a county with large hydropower potential.
By 2020 the aim is to complete several other major rail routes connecting Tibet with its neighbouring provinces of Xinjiang, Sichuan and Yunnan (see map). One of them, a 1,900km railway from Lhasa to Chengdu, will cost more than $20 billion.
Two more railways from Shigatse to the Nepalese and Indian borders, at Nyalam and Dromo, are also planned, to the alarm of the Indian government, which last week announced plans to fortify 54 new border posts in Arunachal Pradesh, a north-eastern state that China invaded in 1962.
LITERARY
 ‘Anglo-Indians are in search of an identity
Kevin Martin’s debut work, Double Cream, Memsahib?, a novel-in-verse, was launched in Chennai recently
When Kevin Martin speaks, there are no hurried sentences rushing into each other. He is calm and relaxed, and weighs each question carefully before answering it. “My mind is a strange place. It’s very volatile, but I use it to my advantage while writing,” says the Anglo-Indian author from Sydney.
Kevin was born and raised in Podanur, Tamil Nadu. The eldest of four children, he says he inherited the writing bug from his mother who was a teacher. In Chennai to launch his début fiction novel-in-verse Double Cream, Memsahib? Kevin says that he is highly influenced by Vikram Seth (whose Golden Gate is also a novel in verse). “I admire the man and his style of writing. I began writing with his work as the standard to reach,” he says with a smile.
The story revolves around Darius Rembrandt, a young, shy, poetry-writing Anglo-Indian boy who witnesses two English soldiers raping a woman on the banks of the Hooghly on the day India is granted independence. What follows is a roller-coaster ride of emotions: horror and wonderment vie with each other as the narrative follows the characters whose lives get intertwined by fate. “We Anglo-Indians might be happy with our lives, but we are always in search of an identity. My book reflects that search,” says Kevin.
“Fate is something I strongly believe in even in real life,” he adds. “That’s what has brought me here. Like Frederick Forsyth when he was trying to find a publisher for Day of the Jackal, I too had a file full of rejection letters. You know, the type which lavishly compliments your work and follows it up with a ‘but’,” he says.
Fate pointed Kevin to a Morrissey concert in Brisbane; the concert in Sydney had sold out. “I didn’t want to miss it as he’s my favourite singer. While I was in Brisbane, I stayed at my aunt’s house. She handed me some copies of Anglos In The Wind (AITW) and also told me about Anglo Ink,” says Kevin.
“I must confess that I hadn’t heard of AITW till then,” says Kevin, giving its editor, Harry MacLure, an apologetic look.
When Harry, who is also the publisher of Anglo Ink, wrote back to Kevin, the latter kept looking for a ‘but’ in the mail.
“Harry had also given the manuscript to someone else, and they too gave the go ahead. For so long, I had only heard ‘No’ to my book. All of a sudden, there were two people saying yes!” he says, recalling the excitement and exhilaration that came with his book being accepted.
But why verse? “I began writing in prose, but it fell flat. I then tried blank verse, but it didn’t reflect our community — we are anything but blank. The richness and vibrancy of sonnets capture the vibe of Anglo-Indians, and despite my apprehensions, I stuck with it and I’m quite happy with the result,” says Kevin. With a grin, he adds, “When I started off, the going was quite slow: I wrote at the rate of 85 words a day. Stephen King recommends 1,000 words a day.”
To young writers, Kevin says, “Remember that writing is a lonely, lonely task. You will be confronted by the tyranny of the blank page: it masters you until you fill it with your words and master it.”
The book was released by S. Muthiah, editor of Madras Musings and received by author, playwright and poet Shreekumar Varma. Theatre personality N.S. Yamuna and Superintendent of Customs, Chennai, Richard O’Connor read excerpts from the novel. The launch was co-hosted by Madras Book Club at Vivanta By Taj Connemara.
 (Double Cream, Memsahib? (Rs. 350) is available online at www.angloink.com. - The Hindu. Note from Sikkim Observer Editor: Kevin Martin and I not only did our TTC (Darjeeling) from the same institution but also taught at Mt. Hermon School, Darjeeling, and played for the school’s cricket team.)
DISTINCT IDENTITY
Within the Union
Gradual dilution of Sikkim’s distinct identity
May  8th1973: Historic day for Sikkim
By Jigme N Kazi
In the first picture I’m with three historic personalities of Sikkim politics: Kazi Lhendup Dorji Khangsarpa (centre), the first Chief Minister of Sikkim (1974-1979), Krishna Chandra Pradhan (on Kazi’s right), and Bhim Bahadur Gurung (on Kazi’s left). The three were signatories to the historic May 8, 1973 Tripartite Agreement. This pact was signed between the Government of India, Chogyal of Sikkim and leaders of three major political parties in Sikkim. Former Gangtok MLA and Mayor Balchand Sarda is on the extreme left in the picture.
While LD Kazi represented the Sikkim National Congress in the historic Agreement, KC Pradhan and BB Gurung belonged to the Sikkim Janata Congress. The Late Netuk Tsering represented the Sikkim National Party.
The Agreement while curtailing the Chogyal’s power gave more political rights to the majority Sikkimese Nepalese. It also brought Sikkim closer to India.
The May 8, 1973 Agreement gradually paved way for Sikkim’s absorption into the Indian Union in April-May 1975. Article 371F of the Constitution of India, which provides special status to Sikkim, is based on the May 8th Agreement. 
Viewed from the historical perspective, the 1890 Convention signed between Great Britain and China and the Indo-Sikkim Treaty of 1950 paved way for the May 8th 1973 Tripartite Agreement. Under the 1890 Convention Sikkim was made a British Protectorate. The Protectorate status continued after India’s Independence under the 1950 Treaty.
After the Indian takeover of Sikkim in 1975 Article 371F of the Constitution defined Sikkim’s status within the Indian Union.
The dilution of Sikkim’s special place within India has been a source of constant political tension in the former kingdom after the ‘merger’ in 1975. If the tension continues it may eventually lead to political uncertainty in this strategic and sensitive border region.
In the other picture I'm with former Sikkim Chief Minister NB Bhandari, former Sikkim Lok Sabha MP PM Subba and former Sikkim minister KN Upreti at a function in Gangtok on Article 371F a few years back. Are we mourning the death of our distinct identity within the Union? Upreti once said gradual dilution of Article 371F will lead to its inevitable death. Now that electoral politics is over for the moment will concerned Sikkimese come together and save Sikkim and the Sikkimese people?
Just Out!!
Book: The Lone Warrior: Exiled In My Homeland
Author: Jigme N Kazi
Publisher: Hill Media Publications, Gangtok, Sikkim
Price: Rs. 525/-
AVAILABLE AT:
Observer Building, Nam Nang, Gangtok, Sikkim
Kandoika, New Market, MG Marg, Gangtok, Sikkim
Good Books: Old Market, MG Marg, Gangtok, Sikkim
Jainco: New Metro Point, 31A National Highway, Gangtok, Sikkim
Rachna: Development Area, Gangtok, Sikkiim

Bulk copies available at Observer Building, Nam Nang, Gangtok, Sikkim.
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Article 13

July 20, 2014, 2:41 am
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SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday July 19-25, 2014
Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com
STUDENT POWER BRINGS GOVT TO ITS KNEES
GANGTOK BANDH – SCHOOLS & COLLEGES SHUT DOWN - VEHICLES SET ON FIRE – STUDENTS INJURED, HOSPITALISED – HIGHWAY CLOSED – ARMY INTERVENES
Gangtok, July 18: For the first time since Sikkim’s controversial ‘merger’ with India in early 1970s the former kingdom witnessed a bloody confrontation between the State Government and the people, this time represented largely by college students.
The bloody confrontation brought the Chamling Government on its knees when on the third day it yielded to the demands made by the student community. The agitation was partially lifted on Thursday when the student body reached an understanding with the State Government late Wednesday.
The agreement between several Cabinet ministers led by HRDD Minister RB Subba and student representatives, though not accepted by a section of the student community, binds the State Government to take action against guilty police officers, roll back fee hike, provide medical assistance to injured students and legal assistance for the probe.
The decision arrived at the meeting sought for restoration of normalcy and end to the agitation.
The agitation, aimed at protesting against hike in college fees, turned violent when the protestors were teargassed and lathicharged while holding a rally at the premises of Sikkim Government College at Tadong.
Several students were injured and hospitalized, two vehicles were torched and at least 30 vehicles were damaged while mediapersons were assaulted and a high-ranking police officer was roughed up during the three-day-long confrontation.
Though political parties condemned police brutality against peaceful protestors the agitation was largely a students vs police affair.
Former minister and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) President PS Golay rejected the formation of the State Government’s one-man committee to probe into what he described as “inhuman” acts of the Sikkim Police against agitating students. He demanded that  Home Minister  Pawan Chamling  and HRDD Minister RB Subba  apologize to the student community.
The BJP Sikkim unit President Palden Wangchuk condemned the lathicharge. He said “in a democracy people have a right to voice their grievances.” The BJP also condemned “the unnecessary and drastic hike in the fees structure” of colleges in the State.
Even as schools and colleges were closed down for a week due to the agitation, the Principal Secretary of Human Resource Development Department Thomas Chandy appealed to the student community to resume their classes as the fee hike decision has been rolled back.
The One-Man Committee, to be headed by C.T.Wangdi, Secretary, Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, is expected to submit his report within 15 days.
As the days progressed muster roll and ad-hoc employees, taxi drivers and a section of the public also joined in the movement. The capital’s shops were shut for two days – Wednesday and Thursday – and the national highway was closed down for sometime.
To contain the situation the Army was brought in on Wednesday. It held a flag-march in Tadong in full battle gear.
Nine SKM legislators sat on hunger strike outside the main Secretariate on Wednesday protesting against police atrocities against the student community. This put more pressure on the authorities to meet the demands of the student community. (also see page 4)
South district students threaten to renew strike if demands not met
Namchi, July 18: The Students of Namchi Government College and student representatives of South District have condemned the police action against the students on 14th and 15th July at Gangtok and demanded strict and immediate action from the state government.
   They said that the issue had not been settled yet. Students will wait for 15 days for the investigation of the incident and if they are denied justice they will continue their agitation and this time students of all four districts will join in the agitation.
South district students have demanded strict action against SP East and PI Sadar Thana for the lathi-charge against the students when they were only fighting for their rights, Talk Sikkim website reported.
They also demanded there should be no bias in the investigation of the incident and that all the police and IRB personnel involved in the incident should be punished accordingly.
Speaking about the incident the students expressed dissatisfaction about the way the HRD Department handled the issue. They said that if the department had put the notice about the price hike earlier in the college fee, a solution would have been found and no such incident would have taken place which ended with so many injured students.
The short notice given by the department about hike in college fee had made students worried as maximum students were not in a position to afford to pay the extra amount.
Subsequently, the non-cooperation from the department had forced them to block the National Highway. “But instead of listening to our demands, we were lathi-charged by the police,” they said, the report said.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi this week and apprised him on various issues pertaining to Sikkim, including Assembly seat reservation for Limbus and Tamangs and income tax exemption for Sikkim’s left-out persons.
Tibetan Parliamentary delegation meets Indian MPs on Tibet
Dharamshala, July 18: A Tibetan parliamentary delegation has met newly-elected members of Indian Parliament from different political parties in New Delhi and the latter expressed their continued support for the Tibetan people.
The Tibetan parliament delegation comprise of Geshe Monlam Tharchin, Dolma Tsering, Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, Choekyong Wangchuk and Lobsang Yeshi.
The delegation is scheduled meet many members of India’s lower house of Parliament, Lok Sabha, to convey their greetings and make efforts to reinvigorate the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet.
The delegation met Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patasani, a member of Parliament from India’s Biju Janata Dal party.  Dr Patasani, who has participated in many Tibet-related conferences, said he understands the sufferings of Tibetans under China’s repressive rule and expressed his continued support for the Tibetan cause.
 He said he would rally his parliamentary colleagues to join the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet. He also expressed his support to lobby the parliamentary foreign affairs committee to seek Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s support on the issue of Tibet. He said he would make efforts to participate in the upcoming World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet.
  Some of key Indian Parliamentarians that the Tibetan delegation met  include Ajit Singh, former minister and chief of Rashtriya Lok Dal, who is the founding member of International Tibet Support, Jayant Chaudhary, P D Rai of Sikkim Democratic Front, Shashi Tharoor of Indian National Congress and Sharad Yadav of Janata Dal United. They pledged to continue their support for the issue of Tibet, join themselves in the All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet and encourage party colleagues to do so.
Editorial
KARMAPA CONTROVERSY
India Must Tread Carefully
If Nepal succumbs to Chinese pressure Shamar Rinpoche’s funeral will not take place in the former Hindu Kingdom. This will surely prove China’s influence in the sensitive border region in the Himalayan frontier. It is one thing to squabble over who really is the 17thKarmapa and quite another thing to be influenced by big powers which are using religion to spread its wings. The Buddhist cultural landscape from Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east along the porous Himalayan belt – a natural wall between Asia’s two giants– is vital for both China and India’s security. Even before Shamar Rinpoche’s funeral rites are over Sikkim has demanded the early return of the 17th Karmapa Ugyen Thinley Dorje to Rumtek. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government at the Centre needs to be widely aware of the political ramifications of the Karmapa controversy in this sensitive region. He must, therefore, be carefully briefed and properly guided by competent authorities to avoid another Himalayan blunder.
Did Shamar Rinpoche’s funeral plans fall foul of Himalayan power politics?
Kathmandu, July 18: The government of Nepal has revoked its decision to allow the last rituals of a prominent Buddhist leader who passed away in Germany last month due to heart attack, reported The New York Times.
The Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi had earlier issued a “no objection letter” for the body of Shamar Rinpoche to be taken to Nepal for the last rituals but reversed the decision after Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued directives to revoke the permission.
As per the wishes of the late Shamar Rinpoche his body was scheduled to be brought to Nepal for cremation at his own monastery, the Shar Minub in Kathmandu, on Monday.
   The body of Shamar Rinpoche was kept at the Karmapa Buddhist Institute in New Delhi till July 1st, and then at Diwakar Institute in Kalimpong. "Due to some unanticipated circumstances, we have had to postpone the departure of Shamar Rinpoche’s kudung from Kalimpong on July 13, 2014. We regret the inconvenience that this may have caused on your travel plans. We will be providing the updates once the date has been confirmed," said a statement on the official website of Shamar Rinpoche.
   Shamar Rinpoche, 62, who held the title Sharmapa, had died of a heart attack in Germany in June. His supporters wanted to fulfil his wishes and transport his body first to Kalimpong, in India’s north-east, and then to Nepal for a funeral service at an institute he had established.
But his supporters around the world fear their teacher may have fallen foul of power politics playing out in the Himalayas. Having initially granted the go-ahead for his body to be taken to Nepal, the authorities in Kathmandu have now withdrawn permission. It has been reported they did so under pressure from neighbouring China, which does not want to encourage Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal, The Independent reported.
A spokesman for Nepal’s home ministry, Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, confirmed permission had been given and then subsequently withdrawn.
Dhakal said officials at the Nepalese Embassy in Delhi had granted permission when it was believed the Sharmapa held a Nepalese passport. He said it was then discovered he held a Bhutanese passport and officials said permission could not be given as there was no legal provision for allowing foreigners to travel to Nepal for a funeral.
Asked whether Nepal had acted under pressure from China, he said: “No, no, no. That’s not true – 200 per cent not true.”
The Sharmapa held a senior position within the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, yet he was not without controversy. In 1992, he broke from the opinion of many other senior teachers and declined to recognise the person identified as the 17 Karmapa, who heads the Karma Kagyu school.
Indeed, he instead identified his own candidate. Today, the Karma Kagyu school remains split over who is its true head. The Chinese government recognises the Karmapa that the Sharmapa refused to recognise.
Shamar Rinpoche Mipham Chokyi Lodro was born in Derge, Tibet. At the age of four he was recognized by the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpei Dorje as the 14th Shamarpa.
The 14th Shamar Rimpoche wass one of the three main disciples of the previous Karmapa. After the death of the 16th Karmapa, Shamarpa recognized Thaye Dorje as the 17th Karmapa in 1994. However, Tai Situpa Rinpoche chose another boy, Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the 17th Karmapa who was approved by the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Deal with students in a humane manner: BJP


Gangtok, July 18: The Sikkim State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has condemned the incidence of lathicharge and bursting of tear gas shells on innocent students  here this week.
Party chief Palden Wangchuk said it was the collective administrative failure of the State Government to handle the situation which led to law and order problem.
“The party condemns violence of any sort,” the BJP release said.
It said the administration should have dealt the issues raised by the students in a “humane and compassionate manner”.





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Article 12

July 26, 2014, 12:40 am
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SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday July 26-Aug 1, 2014
Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com
SDF not a unit of NDA: Rai, Khatiwada
“No place for corruption in BJP”
Khatiwada
Gangtok, July 25: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s former colleagues have accused his ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) of misleading the people into believing that the SDF is a constituent unit of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Former SDF Lok Sabha MP Nakul Das Rai and merger veteran and former MLA NB Khatiwada issued a joint press release stating that as the Chamling Government was perceived to be highly corrupt it would not like to forge an alliance with the SDF.
Though Khatiwada was BJP’s candidate for the recent Lok Sabha elections Rai is believed to have decided to join the BJP.
State BJP President Palden Wangchuk is presently in Delhi to brief party leadership of the state of affairs in the State. There are reports of talks for merger/alliance between the BJP and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), which has 10 MLAs in the 32-member House.
Referring to the recent student agitation in the State, Khatiwada said the State Government had misled the Centre on what really happened.
Rai raises IT issue for old settlers in Lok Sabha
Gangtok, July 25: Sikkim’s lone Lok Sabha MP Prem Das Rai of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has urged the Centre to grant income tax exemption to the State’s ‘old settlers’.
He raised the issue in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on the Finance Bill in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
Rai informed the House of the need to meet the demand on the basis of Article 371F of the Constitution, which gives special status to the former kingdom which merged with the Indian Union in 1975.
Under the old law on income tax in Sikkim during pre-merge era old settlers were treated equally with bonafide Sikkimese. The old settlers feel discriminated as they have now been left out while ‘Sikkim subjects’ have been exempted from income tax payment.
Sikkim parties on revival path, focus is on media management
Gyaltsen
Gangtok, July 25: Two months after the Assembly poll results political parties in the State are gearing up for revival of their respective parties.
Former Speaker and Minister KT Gyaltsen has been appointed as ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) spokesmen along with Bhim Dahal. While Gyaltsen has been appointed as Legal Advisor to the Chief Minister Dahal is now the CM’s Press Advisor.
The SDF has also geared up its organizational units in the districts with appointments of various party workers in several posts.
The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has also reshuffled its office-bearers. While former MLA Bhojraj Rai and MLA Kunga Nima Lepcha have been appointed as party spokespersons, Bikash Basnet has been made charge of Press & Publicity as Secretary.
Navraj Gurung is incharge of social media as General Secretary.
Recently, the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) led by President AK Subba appointed 10 new vice-presidents and 10 general secretaries.
The BJP, too, has been actively expanding its base in the State. There are reports of formation of a new executive committee of the party. Party chief Palden Wangchuk is presently camped in Delhi meeting party leadership on party reorganization in the State.
China, Bhutan hold boundary talks
Thimphu, July 25: China and Bhutan were expected to hold the 22nd round of boundary talks in Beijing from Thursday to resolve the issue of disputed land, which also borders India's northeastern states of Sikkim and Arunanchal Pradesh.
The seven-member Bhutanese delegation for the talks is led by Foreign Minister Lyonpo Rinzin Dorji.
Others in the team include Foreign Secretary Yeshey Dorji, Ambassador of Bhutan to India Maj. Gen. Vetsop Namgyel and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international Boundaries.
The 21st round of boundary talks was held here on August 22, 2013.
During the intervening period, the two sides conducted the Joint Technical Field Survey of Bayul Pasamlung area in September 2013 and an expert Group Meeting was held in Beijing in March 2014.
The boundary negotiations between the two governments are guided by the Four Guiding Principles of 1988 and the 1998 Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility in the Bhutan-China Border Areas.
Since the 1980s, the two sides have held regular talks on border and security issues aimed at reducing tensions.
China shares 470 kilometres border with Bhutan, which is also close to India's "chicken's neck" - the narrow Siliguri Corridor which links the northeast passage.
Sikkim’s ‘peace of the grave’ is disturbed
Jigme N Kazi
Gangtok, July 25: Mishandling of the recent student agitation in the State on college fee hike issue has not only exposed the Chamling Government’s inability to handle a volatile situation but has made the public more aware of the potentials of a mass movement in the State, where a large section of the people are not too happy with the present dispensation.
  The widely-held view that one man is running the State was evidenced when the State witnessed utter confusion and chaos following college students rally protesting the recent college fee hike. The violence that took place on the highway is a reminder of what happens when the peace of the grave or the security of the slave is disturbed.
    A vehicle set on fire below STNM hospital in Gangtok recently.
What made things worse was when Chief Minister Pawan Chamling – also the Home Minister – returned from Delhi and publicly stated that he was unaware of what was going on in his kingdom. No one believed him and this led to another whisper campaign against the man who has been ruling the State  with a firm hand for more than two decades at a stretch.
   Closing down schools and colleges for half a month to avoid student unrest spilling into a political turmoil not only reflected poor administrative management but inept political handling of the situation. In the process the Sikkimese people for the first time in decades responded to the situation in varying degree. The capital’s shops closed down promptly for a few days, taxis stopped plying and political parties lent their weight to the agitation students. In short, life in the capital came to a standstill and most people were enjoying it.   
   A section of the legal fraternity also joined in when the Bar Association promptly took legal action against Police officials who were responsible for beating up two employees of the judiciary. A section of government employees, including teachers and MRs,  pressurized the government on numerous issues.
The local press and social media, too, highlighted the events of the day causing more trouble for the administration. In short, we saw a glimpse of participatory democracy in a State where most people minded their own business for fear of incurring the wrath of the powers-that-be. This shameful era in Sikkim’s contemporary political chapter delightfully is coming to an end.
From now on people-power will surface more often as the Sikkimese people are finally discovering their own strength. A vibrant opposition with 10 MLAs in the 32-member House is an added advantage for those who want to buck the system every once in a while.
China rail link near Sikkim, Arunachal border
Beijing, July 25: China will soon start construction of a new railway line in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh, even as another rail link bordering Sikkim is set to become operational next month, enhancing mobility of its military in the remote and strategic Himalayan region.
"Sky rail to run from Lhasa to South Tibet," state-run Global Timessaid in a front page report today, highlighting China's claims over Arunachal Pradesh with observations from Chinese analysts that the new rail network along the disputed border could act as a "bargaining chip" in the boundary negotiations with India.
The rail line connecting Tibet's provincial capital Lhasa with Shigatse close to the Indian border in Sikkim as well as Nepal and Bhutan which is currently under trials would become operational next month, the report said.
Another railway line linking Lhasa to Nyingchi in the east is also expected to start construction soon, it said.
Nyingchi is located right on top of Arunachal Pradesh, the nearest area to the border.
The railway expansion will connect, Nepal, Bhutan and India by 2020, the report said.
Yang Yulin, deputy director of the railway office of Tibet said during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) period, the construction of a railway connecting Shigatse with Gyirong county (close to Nepal), which has a checkpoint connecting Nepal and Yatung county (close to Indian border near Sikkim and Bhutan), a trade centre bordering India and Bhutan, will start.
Significantly, the Global Times, the ruling Communist Party of China-run tabloid which often strikes nationalistic postures highlighted Beijing's claims over the area in the write up on the new rail network close to the Indian borders.
"According to the Chinese foreign ministry, there are a total of 125,000 square km of disputed area between China and India, of which, 90,000 square km are in the South Tibet region, known as 'Arunachal Pradesh' in India," the report said.
As per India's stand, the border covered over 4000 km along Line Actual Control (LAC) which included Aksai Chin, the area China took control of during the 1962 war.
Editorial
STUDENT UNREST
Administrative Bungling
A small matter relating to college fee hike, which could have been sorted out amicably, catapulted into a major unrest in Sikkim with numerous stakeholders, including political parties, adopting confrontationist postures. The unrest among the student community failed to subside when the Sikkim Police’s excesses provoked the protesting youths to retaliate leading to damages to public properties, burning of vehicles and injuries to students and others who were involved in violent protest rallies in Gangtok. What made matters worse was the manner in which an agreement between the government and student body was reached to stall the agitation. In the process educational institutions in the State were closed down for a week. This was followed by another week of closure which the public at large failed to understand. Is the Chamling Government shutting its doors for dialogue mainly because it is not used to facing hostile reactions? Grow up, it’s a part of democracy. Take note: repression begets rebellion.
China’s conquest of Tibet led to Sikkim’s annexation
By SUNANDA K. DATTA-RAY
China’s conquest of Tibet had made Sikkim “an area of geo-strategic importance overnight”.
A group of red-robed monks waited in a curve of the road that wound up from Teesta towards Gangtok. A Kalimpong lama had died, my Nepalese Hindu driver said indifferently. “They are waiting for him.” It wasn’t until a day later that I learnt the deceased monk was Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, the 14th Red Hat Lama, a powerful prelate whose passing, on June 11, can have repercussions on Himalayan religious politics.
I didn’t make immediate inquiries because Gangtok is always so beguiling. The town seems more crowded. More brick high rise buildings dominate the skyline. If you look down, the roads and pavements are dirtier than ever. But there is a clean crispness in the rain-washed mountain air. A smile always twinkles in the eyes of local folk. On a clear day, you could look out from the elegance of my suite at the Denzong Regency hotel to the snows of Kanchenjunga. On the other side shimmered the ancient red-roofed Rumtek monastery where the last Chogyal of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal, was installed as head lama in 1933. Tragically, Rumtek became notorious some years ago as the scene of pitched battles by opponents of Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa lama.
Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal

My visit had nothing to do with that controversy. It couldn’t have been more secular in fact, for Sikkim University’s gently scholastic vice-chancellor, Dr T.B. Subba, had invited me to deliver the foundation day lecture. It was a particularly welcome invitation for a university that had been one of the Chogyal’s dreams. It was denied to him, which made it a particularly gratifying — if humbling — experience for me to play some small part in the dream’s belated realisation. Sikkim University is a bustling place with more girl students than boys but it badly needs to be concentrated in a single campus.
My theme was “The ‘Near Abroad’ concept for big countries like the US, Russia, China and India”. That Russian term, also translated as sphere of influence, allowed me to discuss how nations manage neighbourhoods that are important for strategic, economic, ethnic and cultural reasons. Globally, the Ukraine crisis made it topical. Historically, the subject’s significance lies in American attempts to extend the Monroe Doctrine — the most explicit articulation of the Near Abroad theory — to promote its geopolitical interests in Europe and Asia.
India’s rulers are not given to cerebral analyses of their actions. But by inviting all the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation leaders, and the Prime Minister of Mauritius and Tibet’s Prime Minister-in-exile, Lobsang Sangay, to his swearing-in ceremony, Narendra Modi highlighted a welcome appreciation of India’s rights and duties in its Near Abroad. That was confirmed when he made Bhutan — India’s closest friend in the region — his first destination abroad. Travelling in Europe at the time, I was delighted to learn he hadn’t rushed to thank the Americans for granting him a visa as his first act in office.
Bhutan is an independent kingdom and Sikkim now a state of India. But with Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar, they comprise a sensitive Near Abroad for both India and China. The British called the region the “Belgium of Asia” and warned it could become another “Alsace”, the province over which France and Germany squabbled throughout history.
P.N. Dhar, Indira Gandhi’s principal secretary, invoked the Near Abroad theory (without using the phrase) in his memoirs, Indira Gandhi, the “Emergency” and Indian Democracy. Rejecting pious fiction about the Sikkimese yearning for democracy and India holding a referendum to ascertain their wishes, he confirmed that RAW’s R.N. Kao personally supervised all the seemingly spontaneous events that led to the annexation. “This process had started several months before the storm broke in April 1973.” In short, RAW set Sikkim’s revolutionary ball rolling before the Sikkimese knew they were revolting. The reason? China’s conquest of Tibet had made Sikkim “an area of geo-strategic importance overnight”. It was the Near Abroad.
In the lively question and answer session following the lecture, someone mentioned India’s “big brother” attitude in the neighbourhood. That allowed me to emphasise that good diplomacy does not mean outright acquisition which generates hostility, as Russia’s actions in eastern Ukraine demonstrate. The 1950 treaty with Sikkim and subsequent agreements gave India every power it needed to safeguard legitimate strategic and economic interests. It is only because of a fortuitous concatenation of circumstances that the annexation did not provoke armed resistance. Participants at last year’s seminar at St. Anthony’s College, Oxford, where I launched a new revised edition of Smash and Grab: Annexation of Sikkim asked precisely this. Why didn’t the Sikkimese rise in revolt like the Nagas?
That question didn’t come up at the Sikkim University function. I wonder how the chief guest, R.B. Subba, would have responded if it had. A former bureaucrat, R.B. Subba, a Limbu (or Tsong) like the vice-chancellor, is the state’s human resource development minister. I was greatly impressed by his phlegmatic (though silent) acquiescence in all that was said. Times have obviously changed. The Sikkimese now display a new mature confidence.
I hope a matching maturity will inform India’s response to the young Karmapa lama, now that his most formidable opponent has gone. As the Tibetologist, Thierry Dodin, writes in Tibet Sun, Shamar Rinpoche best understood how to play on fears of China and fuel the Indian security community’s suspicions about the Karmapa. Having already demonstrated his appreciation of Mr Sangay’s symbolic significance, Mr Modi can now further define his Near Abroad strategy by acknowledging that the Karmapa can be a valuable Indian asset. The Sikkimese, including Mr Subba and his chief minister, Pawan Chamling, would be delighted if the Karma Kagyu sect’s head is allowed into Sikkim to start with. (The writer is a senior journalist, columnist and author: The Asian Age)
Why Are Fire Engines Red?
Sikkim’s special status needs to be preserved.
By DEYANG DOLKAR GYATSO
Well roses are red and magazines are read, too. Two plus two is four and four times three is twelve. There are twelve inches in a ruler. Queen Elizabeth was a ruler; Queen Elizabeth was also a Ship. Ships sail in the sea. Fish swim in the sea. Fish have fins. The Finns fought the Russians. Russians are communist Red. Fire Engines are always rushing. And THAT is why fire Engines are RED…..
(This is an example of ‘Spiral Thinking’, a phenomenon commonly observed in important policy-making meetings. It should then come as little surprise that often the effect of a policy is exactly the opposite of what was intended!)
Ever since I worked in a private bank in the capital (Gangtok), I have often wondered why certain rules and regulations from the Head Office / Zonal Office(s) were not customised to fit the needs of the clients of our bank.
Sikkim is special. Sikkim is different. And I don’t say it just because I am a “Sikkimese” but simply because it is. Sikkim as we know has its own rules and laws that make us slightly different from mainland India. Forget the features, I am not even going there, not for now at least. When I say special or different, I do not mean what half the readers would probably assume - rather what makes us so special? Or what differentiates us from others? What is this fuss all about? Yes, I am talking about the “FUSSY SPECIAL”.
For instance, when working at the bank, I made sure I took a copy of the Sikkim Subject Certificate or the Certificate of Identification (COI) for all those who had the same when I opened accounts. What the younger generation needs to know is direct taxes (like income tax) do not apply to Sikkim Subject Certificate/ COI holders. Therefore, we do not compulsorily need the PAN card as well.
With various bank boasting of so many products and features to make banking easier in India, take the case of the "Secured" Credit Card, etc that was launched only after persistent email(s) back and forth, between the then Zonal Head and me, with facts that ultimately made it possible to launch the same; were clients from Sikkim not eligible to use credit cards? Were they not eligible for loans? These contradicting the trend that about that time (2007-09) 28 banks were set up in and around the market area in Gangtok alone. 28! (now I hear it’s about 32 +).
Similarly, like the bank, if some of the schemes from the Centre (that are made keeping Pan India in mind) are customised by the various departments acquiring the schemes, it would probably help the State bear better results. When I say better, I mean striving to get the best results.
We can probably get the best results only when we know the laws that govern our land that is our home, our pride above all our identity.
For instance, a case in point is the much looked-for Marriage Certificates these days.  I remember in 2008, when I had gone to the DC office in Gangtok to get the certificate for my parents I got one issued that read, “so and so…….. ….married under the HINDU MARRIAGE ACT”.  It was only when my late uncle pointed out and called the office and explained to the then DC that most of us in Sikkim were married under the Buddhist rituals specific to the State of Sikkim that I managed to get my parents’ Marriage Certificate that was befitting our ethos.
 During the ‘merger’ era: The Chogyal (centre) with LD Kazi (right) and Kewal Singh, India’s Foreign Secretary.


couple of days back a very kind officer and a gentleman finally clarified to me why Marriage Certificates should be population-specific because for one and the most important rule, the Hindu Marriage Act did not allow bigamy. Under this Act, he continued,  government servants can be terminated from their jobs.
How many of us knew about it? Ok, know about it but question it??
Moving on to get to know our land and its laws better, as per the New Constitution (Thirty - Sixth Amendment Act, 1975), Article 371 F of India whereby Sikkim became a part of India, all the Old Laws of Sikkim are PROTECTED, unless repealed by the Central Act.
The landmark judgement whereby the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has retained the Sangha (Lama) Seat. Likewise, under the 32 Assembly seats in Sikkim, 12 seats are reserved for the Lhopos (Bhutia) / Monree (Lepcha) and one for the Sangha,  irrespective of the population of the Lhopos and Monrees. These are not tribal seats but Lhopos (Bhutia) / Monree (Lepcha) seats.
It might not be out of place to mention here that during the time of the Chogyal, it was 50 / 50 (Lhopos and Monrees / Sikkimese Nepalese).
The article was the result of a detailed and much debated study into the needs of the Sikkimese people which included provisions to ensure equality among the ethnic communities, to ensure the political security of the Sikkimese people and to preserve their way of life. This was also a result of deliberations among Indian intellectuals, constitutional experts and parliamentarians who must have had a reason for putting it there in the first place and to have accorded the special provisions. As is well known, this article accords Sikkim a special status which has been more talked about than seen in practice.
It is high time for the Sikkimese people to exert pressure on the chosen representatives to summon the political will to implement what we have got by laws in its totality. This can be achieved only if the people get interested in knowing what they have got as a matter of right by understanding the long term implications of the provisions and what would happen if they were totally done away with.
It is also of no use trying to blame the Centre. The Centre also has to go by the provisions in the Constitution and it is up to us to interpret it to our advantage. People should also remember again, that these provisions were put into place by the brightest minds of the time who felt it necessary so as to protect our way of life and there was a definite reasoning behind it. So, it would be very unwise on our part to take it lightly and let it vanish without even having seen how it could be.
The unfortunate thing is rather than enjoying the fruits of this wonderful arrangement, we have in these three decades not even decided who the inheritors of these benefits are and instead keep on taking everything on a case to case basis. This has created conditions where there is an upheaval in every sphere and if we are to clear the confusion which are there in the minds of the Sikkimese people regarding the interpretation and implementation of these same provisions then all we have to do is recognise and comprehend that there are indeed special provisions for Sikkim, and we are one of the more privileged lot in the Indian Union and that there is no harm in implementing it as a matter of our right.
If such provisions are to be interpreted, we shall have to go back to the old definitions as laid out by law and reject our fragmentations into confining groups thereby diluting the definitions under which special treatment is possible, and also reject political theory which fragments our miniscule population using the divide and rule policy as has been the practice. In short we have to learn to be “Sikkimese”first and forget about our caste, our other differences and unite and then, finally when such provisions are implemented, it shall have to be done with dignity, humility and caring but also with  firmness so that what we have got by right is not confused with other peoples insecurities and not get implemented at all.
Implementing and practising the provisions for special status is nothing new. Taking the closest example of the state of Nagaland, that exists within the Union of India guaranteed by the asymmetrical nature of India's Federal Constitution which allows such differences. So, we will be well within our rights to stand up for everything we can get interpreted to our advantage from 371F.
However in concluding, it is sad  that though this Article is the basis of our position within the Indian Union, the general population and administrative leaders at large do not seem to be really aware of it. This has resulted in a situation whereby the relevance itself of these provisions is slowly eroding from public memory and the younger generation is being denied what is theirs by right.
And for those still wondering why fire engines are red? Well maybe it was just the most striking colour at the time of decision. God knows!
Teachers transfer ‘political’, affecting North Sikkim: SKM
Bhutia
Gangtok, July 25: Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) MLA Ugen Nedup Bhutia has alleged that the recent ‘mass political transfer’ of teachers in the State was politically-motivated as it came after the recent Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the State.
The Kabi-Longtsuk (North Sikkim) legislator, who recently complained about the poor condition of roads in North Sikkim, has urged the State Government to look into scarcity of teachers in the Bhutia-Lepcha tribal-dominated district of North Sikkim.
In his letter to the HRDD Minister RB Subba, Bhutia said several schools in the district were run without principals. He said at least 200 teachers are needed to fill up the vacancies.
Shamar Rinpoche’s cremation to take place in Kalimpong if Nepal disallows
Kalimpong, July 25: Family members of the late Shamar Rinpoche are now preparing to make a last-ditch effort to perform his last rites in Nepal.
The Rinpoche´s brother, Jigme Tsering Uthap, has arrived in Kathmandu to request Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to allow them to perform his last rites in Nepal. Koirala, who was in the US for cancer treatment, arrived in Kathmandu just on Tuesday evening, Kathmandu’s Republica reported.
The high lama, also known as the Shamarpa, had died in Germany last month. Before his death, he had reportedly asked his followers to perform his last rites in Nepal. However, the government of Nepal has not yet given a permission. Although a section of media has reported that the government denied permission under ´pressure from China, government officials have claimed that they did so as the Shamarpa was holding Bhutanese citizenship at the time of his death.
According to sources at the Tibetan camp, Kalimpong, where the Shamarpa´s body is being kept, the late Rinpoche´s relatives will wait for PM Koirala´s response till Wednesday. If the govenrment does not issue permission then the Shamarpa´s last rites will be performed in Kalimpong itself on July 31. The government of Bhutan, where the Shamarpa legally belongs to, has also denied permission to perform his last rites there.
Since followers of the late Rinpochhe have already gathered in Kathmandu from across the world, the Shamarpa´s relatives want to make every possible effort for performing his last rites in Nepal. Kalimpong is the last option for his last rites.
Sikkim and Puducherry has highest suicide rates in the country
Gangtok, July 25: With suicide rates in the State on the increase Sikkim could soon top the list of suicides in the country.
Puducherry and Sikkim had the highest suicide rates. Against the national average of 11 out of every one lakh citizens, Puducherry saw as many as 35.6 per lakh and Sikkim 29.3 per lakh, according to a recent report.
Three persons committed suicide in Sikkim on Sunday. They are Phurba Tamang (24), Yogesh Subba (26) and Tek Bahadur (45).
The number of students who committed suicide increased 26.58 per cent between 2012 and 2013, from 6,654 to 8,423, figures compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau show.
This was when the nationwide total had dipped 0.47 per cent from 1,35,445 in 2012 to 1,34,799 in 2013, which translates into 11 out of every lakh Indians. Suicides by farmers dipped 14.41 per cent from 13,754 to 11,772.
Maharashtra had the highest state-wise count in 2013 with 16,622, followed closely by Tamil Nadu with 16,601, each accounting for 12.3 per cent. Andhra Pradesh accounted for 10.8 per cent, West Bengal for 9.7 per cent, and Karnataka for 8.4 per cent. Together, these five states saw 53.5 per cent, or more than half, of the country’s suicides. Of these states, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh saw an increase in suicides while the other three saw a dip.
“All the five states, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, have registered consistently higher number of suicidal deaths during the last few years,” states the NCRB report ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India, 2013’.
 Among causes, family problems were blamed for 24 per cent of the suicides, illness for 19.6 per cent, drug abuse for 3.4 per cent and love affairs for 3.3 per cent.
Tribute to DANIEL GYANENDRA RONGONG
He lived out his faith in daily life
In her eulogy, Roslyn Namgyal, former student-cum-teacher of Mt. Hermon School (Darjeeling) and former teacher of Tashi Namgyal Academy (Gangtok),  says her late father Daniel Gyanendra Kumar Rongong , who passed away peacefully in Kalimpong (India) on July 3, 2014, was a simple man who lived out his faith in daily life. His compassionate nature and creativity have impressed his near and dear ones who will surely miss him dearly. He was 80 and is survived by his two daughters, Roslyn and Heather Prickett, and their children who are now settled in Australia.
       Mr. and Mrs. Rongong.
Good afternoon and welcome to you all. Thank you very much for coming today. Many of you have travelled from far places in bad weather and on difficult roads. Thank you.  Many tributes have come in from around the world and there are messages that can be viewed on Facebook under my name Roslyn Namgyal if you are interested.
We have come today to mourn the loss of our beloved father Daniel Gyanendra Kumar Rongong - Gyanu. But along with the tears we have also come to celebrate his extraordinary life.  I speak today on behalf of his immediate family members who love him dearly and most of whom cannot be here today.  Today I want to acknowledge his younger daughter Heather Joy, his brother in law David Stewart, his sons-in-law Sherab Namgyal and Michael Prickett. His beloved grandchildren Jennifer Zangmu, Deborah Rinzing, Daniel David, Rebekah Joy, Indira Joy and  Sherina Ruth, their partners Daniel, Ayesha and Lochie.  And lastly I want to mention his two darling great grand-daughters Nuri Elly Namgyal and Marley Rinchen Ram.
I think the first thing I want to say about dad was that he was brother, father and grandfather to many more than simply those of us privileged to have been born into his family.  I speak of you who have become extended family to him and to us too- who became his sons and daughters, especially later in his life.  From the blind school, from Albella and many other places.  To you all from this unique, extended Tirpai family - we want you to know how grateful we are for your love and care of dad especially in these later years after we moved to Australia.  He loved you and chose to be with you right to the end.
Heather and I always felt we had the best dad in the world.  He was a brilliant story teller - in his stories everything came alive and he fired up the imaginations of his listeners.  He could build us anything we wanted. A cute little play house with thatched roof that was the envy of our friends in Mount Hermon School - a dolls house, a rocking horse...he could fix anything that had stopped working - washing machines, sewing machines, jeeps, piano accordions and  broken toys.  He made the best and most comfortable beds we have ever slept in- all tucked in and warm and cosy.      
   He had amazingly clever hands and a wonderful sense of design.  He could see the finished product mapped out in his minds eye and so often it was we who were the blind ones as we stood beside him passing him the screw driver while he fiddled under the car or inside the bowels of the washing machine.   I often think he "saw" things much more clearly that the rest of us.
He created beauty and order around him - everywhere he could.  Flowers  -  gladioli, orchids, cacti. Beautiful weaving in cane work and with wire. Even on the day he died we hear he was outside polishing up the panes of glass in the house-a task he did faithfully every day as he imagined the sunlight and colours that the clear, sparkling glass would allow inside.
Sherab Namgyal with wife Roslyn, Heather, Late Mr. Rongong’s sister and Hermonite Shiv Saria (behind Roslyn) at the funeral in Tirpai, Kalimpong, on July 6, 2014. Hermonite PJ Pradhan, Udai P. Sharma, Amode Yonzone, Palden Gyamtso and Jigme N Kazi were also present during the funeral.

Dad could pack a suitcase so that it looked like a work of art - he would fit large numbers of different shaped objects into the smallest of spaces- there was a space and a place for everything.  And this reminds me of another tremendous gift he had - the wonderful ability to include people who have been left out or didn't quite fit in and so became marginalised from the mainstream of life.  It was people most in need who found the largest space in dad's huge compassionate heart and very often right beside him in his own home.
 He was one of those rare people with an infinite capacity to see the best in everyone and to hope for and work towards fullness of life for everyone around him.  Many of us remember his business ventures - the 5-star chicken houses complete with saw dust on the floor and special egg laying trays.  His beehives and all of us chasing swarms of bees in unlikely and dangerous places.  His orchids, cacti and gladioli business deals. His phing-making days and his numerous taxis......Many of us also remember he never seemed to make any money out of any of these ventures but he pursued them passionately and we were all swept along for the ride.
Another thing I loved about dad was that he never sat and "counted the cost" - he gave freely from whatever he had - his generosity was legendary - very like that of his beautiful mother - our Aji.  He was known to literally give away the shirt off his back and certainly his last rupee!
He shared with our mother Joy Rongong a remarkable gift as a teacher, a leader and a guide.  Together they inspired and guided several generations of young people.  Their ability to really see what was important in life has guided many of us through their visionary leadership.
Above all dad would want to be remembered for his deep faith in Jesus Christ.  I understand that in the original language of the New Testament, the word for faith is not actually a noun - it is not a static word describing a thing we can possess, but is actually used more like a verb – a "doing" word. It describes faith as an activity - a living and a way of being - not simply an idea in our heads.  I love that meaning - and I especially love what it means in my dad's life.  For we know he actually lived out his faith in humble daily acts of love, kindness, thoughtfulness, loyalty, generosity and humour.  He prayed often and deeply - he also cared for the widow and the orphan, the father less and the dispossessed. These words from Micah 6 :8 I feel describe him well. Let me read them to you.
"He has shown you o man what is good: and what does The Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
Although we now feel and will continue to feel, the terrible void of his absence, although there will be tears,  His legacy of love, faith, hope and joy lives on in us because he loved us and showed us the Way of Jesus by his own living and loving.
I therefore say with tremendous pride and love - What a magnificent life! And I venture to believe that at the portals of heaven they too will be saying  –  “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
WILLIAM WAYNE JONES: He will be long remembered at Mt. Hermon School
By JAMES SINCLAIR
I apologise for the brief announcement on the News Update page of the sad death of Bill Jones (William Wayne Jones).  I was prompted by Mrs Murray (Patricia Murray - wife of Headmaster, Graeme Murray), to say a bit more about Bill Jones and the contribution he made towards Mount Hermon School during his three-year term there.  In truth, I did not know Mr Jones very well, as I was a day-scholar for a few brief months of his final year, and the only time I had any contact with him was during PE.
 So I had to look up extracts from the Blue & Gold Yearbook for 1954 which had been very kindly sent to me by Headmaster David Stewart, and I found out a bit more about him from the School Notes for 1954 -  the year of Mr Jones' leaving - in which the Headmaster had paid him a tribute for all the work he had put in during his years at MHS.  So, I have added that bit in the News Update page for 2014, and also corrected some errors in the initial announcement.  I have also added in a piece he had written about his memories of Mount Hermon under the tab Memories of 1954.  Unfortunately, it is incomplete as I did not have the second page of what he had written.  My most vivid memory of Bill Jones was what a wonderful violin player he was, when he performed at one of our concerts.
Mt. Hermon School, Darjeeling.
I have also added a page "Growing up in India" which Kitty Katzell (Mildred Engberg - daughter of Headmistress Lila Engberg) had sent me recently of her memories of growing up and schooling in India, which I am sure will revive memories of the school back in the 1940s.
 It is with sadness that I have to announce the death of Bill Jones (William Wayne Jones), who died on 15th June at home after a long illness.  He leaves behind his widow (Beulah Kessop Jones), sons Arun and Kenny and daughters Sharon and Nalinee.  His son Kenny said his end was peaceful and the family are thankful that he is finally at rest.
In the Headmaster's Notes published in the Blue and Gold 1954 Yearbook, Rev. David Stewart paid this tribute to Mr Jones on his leaving MHS.
     Mr. and Mrs. Murray with Mr. Bill Jones (centre) and the Hermonites in the US.
"It is a very sorrowful farewell we say to Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones has served three years on the staff, and has contributed a tremendous amount to the school. He has always been not only capable and efficient, but continually cheerful, encouraging, enthusiastic, and helpful. He has not only taught English, History, Latin, and Violin, he has also conducted choir and orchestra, coached games, has been Scout Captain and Warden of Fern Hill. He has earned the affection of staff and students alike, and will be long remembered at Mount Hermon. His three-year term is, however, ended, and we must say farewell.  Mr. Jones goes to Yale Divinity School, where he will complete his theological studies.  If in a few years’ time he again returns to India, there are many of us who hope we might again see him in Mount Hermon School."
Mr.  Jones was back in Mt. Hermon in mid-1970s and served the school as its Vice-Principal.
(James Sinclair is Secretary/Treasurer of Old Mount Hermon Students’ Association (UK). He can be contacted at: jimsin12@aol.com,www.oldmhs.com)
 Just Out!!
Book: The Lone Warrior: Exiled In My Homeland
Author: Jigme N Kazi
Publisher: Hill Media Publications, Gangtok, Sikkim
Price: Rs. 525/-
AVAILABLE AT:
Observer Building: Nam Nang, Gangtok, Sikkim.
Kandoika: New Market, MG Marg, Gangtok, Sikkim.
Good Books: Old Market, MG Marg, Gangtok, Sikkim.
Jainco: New Metro Point, 31A National Highway, Gangtok, Sikkim.
Rachna: Development Area, Gangtok, Sikkim
Pashupati: Lall Bazar Road, Gangtok, Sikkim.
Bulk copies available at Observer Building, Nam Nang, Gangtok, Sikkim.

PS: Hermonites, would be grateful if the items on Mr. Gyanendra Rongong and Mr. WW Jones, who passed away recently, is shared among Hermonites.






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Article 11

July 26, 2014, 11:38 pm
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SIKKIM FOR SIKKIMESE
 Distinct Identity Within The Union
“We know subjects exist only in a monarchy but the spirit behind the ‘Sikkim Subjects’ should always be preserved. We have every doubt that if this is not maintained we may be called foreigners one day. We will then have no means to prove our identity as Sikkimese.”
                                                                                                                                - Tek Nath Dhakal
                                                                                                              Spotlight on Sikkim, July 1984

TN Dhakal stated this in an interview in my Spotlight on Sikkim in July 1984. He was 30 then and a government servant. Now he has retired and is a senior leader of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM). Dhakal was also SKM’s Lok Sabha candidate during the recent general elections in the State.
In my book, Sikkim For Sikkimese: Distinct Identity Within The Union (published in 2009), I had stated: “For well over thirty years since the controversial merger of the former kingdom with the Indian Union in 1975, the Sikkimese people have been constantly demanding restoration of their political rights and preservation of their distinct identity within the Union and within the framework of the Constitution of India. They have adopted peaceful, non-violent and democratic means to achieve their objectives. And yet New Delhi has remained silent and unresponsive.”




 


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Article 10

August 4, 2014, 1:04 am
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SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday Aug 2-8, 2014  
Blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com
Thousands attend Shamar Rinpoche’s cremation in Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Aug 1: Thousands of mourners, many in tears, gathered here yesterday to pay tribute to a senior Tibetan Buddhist monk whose cremation was initially blocked by Nepal, sparking claims it had caved to pressure from China.
Monks chanted prayers and played traditional music as they lit the funeral pyre under the shade of a multicoloured canopy surrounded by Buddhist flags, AFP reported.
Nepal, which had initially granted approval for Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche's body to be transported to Kathmandu from neighbouring India for cremation, retracted permission two weeks later, fuelling accusations that it was bowing to pressure from Beijing.
Kathmandu denied the claims and said it did not know that Rinpoche, who died of a heart attack in Germany on June 11 at the age of 62, held a Bhutanese passport when the original permit was issued.
The Himalayan nation, home to around 20,000 Tibetans, is under intense pressure from China to contain the activities of exiles who have fled their homeland.
After intense lobbying from Tibetan Buddhist scholars and followers, Nepal overturned its earlier ban but warned against hosting "any other function other than last rites" at the funeral site.
Organisers said an estimated 20,000 people attended the ceremony, including thousands who had flown in from overseas.
Organizers claimed that hundreds of thousands of devotees from Nepal, India, China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, United States, United Kingdom, Czech Republic and Germany paid tribute to the late Guru, whose full designation is Kunzing Shamar Rinpoche Mipham Chokyi Lodro, on Thursday. People from remote parts of Nepal including Helambu of Sindhupalckhowk, Manang and Mustang among other places also attended the funeral.
Shamarpa followers recited from Buddhist holy texts praying for peace of the departed soul. The 17th Karmapa, Gyalwa Karmapa Trinle Thaye Dorje, who had arrived from India, consigned the late Rinpoche’s mortal remains to the flames.
Minister for Information and Communications Dr Minendra Rijal, Minister of State for Labor Tek Bahadur Gurung, Thai ambassador to Nepal Kanthong Unakul, Bhutanese Royal Guru Je Khenpo, and senior Buddhist leaders were present at the funeral procession, the Republica reported.
      Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk paying his respect to the kudung of late Shamar Rinpoche in Paro.
The late Rinpoche was born in Tibet but was taken to Sikkim, when he was five.
Rinpoche travelled to Nepal several times in the past. According to his closed ones, he wished to have final rites at the same monastery which he established many years ago. The monastery is the largest among hundreds of other Buddhist centers established by him across the world.
The body of the Tibetan Guru Rinpoche was brought to Kathmandu from Bhutan on Tuesday evening after the Nepal government decided to allow his cremation here recognizing his contribution to Nepal’s culture, religion and tradition.
Nepal’s decision to allow the cremation to take place on its soil came after Prime Minister Sushil Koirala returned from the United States following treatment for lung cancer and held an emergency cabinet session to overrule his deputy prime minister, Bam Dev Gautam.
“The cabinet meeting endorsed a policy to cremate a foreigner’s body in Nepal if they have cultural and religious ties to Nepal and wish to be cremated here,” said Minendra Rijal, a government spokesman.
The kudung (mortals remains) was brought to Paro on July 27 from Kalimpong, India, to allow Bhutanese devotees to receive blessings and offer their respect.  His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, accompanied by Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, offered prayers to the kudungin Paro.
The kudung was flown to the Karmapa international Buddhist institute (KIBI) in New Delhi from Germany on the morning of June 22.  The body was then brought to Kalimpong on July 1.
Shamar Rinpoche, who is believed to be the mind manifestation of Amitabha Buddha, remained with the 16th Karmapa until his death in 1981.
SKM comes to Tibet Road from Tadong
SKM President inaugurating party head office at Tibet Road, Gangtok, on Friday.
Gangtok, Aug 1: After firmly establishing its hold in the State capital, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has shifted its party head office to Tibet Road from Tadong.
SKM President and Burtuk MLA PS Golay inaugurated the party office today amidst enthusiastic party workers and supporters.
The party office at Ghaley Compound at Tibet Road is located above MG Marg, the main bazaar in the capital and has an easy  approach.
Golay thanked senior party leader Phuchung Bhutia for housing the party office in his building at Tadong’s Convoy Ground.
In the recent Assembly elections SKM won 10 seats in the 32-member House. Of these 8 seats are from east district, one from north district and one Sangha candidate. Before the polls, SDF had all 32 seats in its kitty.
In Gangtok, SKM candidate Pintso Chopel Lepcha defeated ruling Sikkim Democratic Front heavyweight Hissey Lachungpa by nearly 2000 votes.
Lepcha created history by winning in all the booths in the reserved constituency of the indigenous Bhutia-Lepchas from the prestigious Gangtok constituency. Tibet Road is part of Gangtok Constituency.
Sikkim govt withholding Patra Commission's report: Cong
Panel was formed to stall CBI probe into graft cases: Padam Chettri
Gangtok, Aug 1: The state Congress on Monday alleged that the Sikkim government has been "withholding" the Patra Commission report from the assembly as well as the High Court for almost five months.
Addressing a press conference, Sikkim PCC general secretary and spokesman Padam Bahadur Chettri said the state had on July 24 filed an additional affidavit through the Additional Secretary of Home Department informing that the Patra Commission had submitted its report to the government on March 5.
The state government had appointed the commission of inquiry headed by Justice (Retd) R K Patra to inquire into allegations of corruption against the chief minister and several cabinet ministers, Outlook magazine reported.
He said as per the provisions of the Commission of Inquiry Act, it is mandatory for the concerned government to place the report of the commission of inquiry in the assembly.
Nearly five months have passed since the commission submitted its report but the people of the state have not been made aware of it and no action has been taken on it.
"If the government had received the report from the Patra Commission on March 5 this year then why was the report not tabled in the assembly?" Chettri asked.      The report was not tabled as the government does not want to act on the report, he claimed, PTI reported.
"As per section 3 (4) of Commission of Inquiry Act it was incumbent upon the appropriate government to give the action taken report within 6 months," he said.
"The whole purpose of the Commission of Inquiry was to keep the CBI away from the investigation and to curb the voice raised by the people of Sikkim against corruption," Chhetri alleged, adding, "The Commission was appointed illegally and now the report is also being withheld."
J B Darnal, who had challenged the validity of the institution of Patra Commission in High Court in 2011, also attended the meeting.
Chettri too had filed an application in the HC for intervention claiming that the commission was "illegally constituted" to prevent CBI from investigating. (full text of press statement on page 2)
Restoration work at Dubdi Monastery after monsoon: ASI
Gangtok, Aug 1: Almost three years have passed by since the catastrophic earthquake of September 11, 2011 and yet there is no sign of restoration work at Sikkim’s oldest monastery, Dubdi Gompa, in West Sikkim.
However, there is some hope now as Ashok Patel, Superintending Archeologist, and Pandas Das, Conservation Assistant (in-charge Sikkim) of Archeological Survey of India, Kolkata circle have assured that restoration work at the monastery will begin after the rainy season.
This assurance was given to Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia in Kolkata this week.
The ASI officials have given assurance that restoration work will start after the monsoon, said Bhutia, who has threatened to raise the matter with the President of India if restoration work does not begin soon.
Dubdi Monastery is the first monastery of the former kingdom, which was established by Sikkim’s Patron Saint Lhatsun Namkha Jigme soon after the installation of the first Chogyal of Sikkim at Norbugang in Yuksam in West Sikkim in 1642.
Editorial
SIKKIM FAILS
Nepal, Bhutan Show The Way
Nepal did well to allow cremation of the late Shamar Rinpoche to take place in Kathmandu. Bhutan, too, responded well and in a dignified way. The Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and members of the royal family and other dignitaries paid their respects to the late Rinpoche’s kudungat Paro before it was taken to Kathmandu. Among the three former Himalayan kingdoms only Sikkim failed to do its duty. It failed to pay due respects to the departed soul who was not only the nephew of the 16th Karmapa but also the second seniormost Lama in the Karma Kargyu lineage. While Drukpa Kagyu is the main branch of Tibetan Buddhism practised in Bhutan there is a sizable following of Karma Kagyu lineage in Sikkim.
Despite Chinese pressure not to allow the cremation to take place in Kathmandu Nepal stood its ground and pursued an independent path on the issue.
Shamar Rinpoche had close religious connections with Nepal and Bhutan but it is in Sikkim that he grew up under the care of the 16th Karmapa. After the Karmapa controversy surfaced from early 1990s Shamar Rinpoche and Situ Rinpoche, two of the four Regents of Rumtek monastery, were not allowed to enter Sikkim. The Sikkim Government not only failed to allow the kudungto come to Sikkim for devotees to pay their last respects it also passed a resolution in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly soon after Shamar Rinpoche passed away urging the Centre to allow Ugyen Thinley Dorje, who is widely regarded as the 17th Karmapa, to visit Rumtek monastery, the seat-in-exile of the 16th Karmapa. These are unfortunate, distasteful and disrespectful developments
and at times such as deaths people should rise above petty politics and religious leanings and display a measure of humanity. That Sikkim failed to do this reflects on the maturity of its people and political leadership.
LETTER TO THE Editor
Heavy vehicles should not be allowed to ply on North Sikkim Highway
Sir,
The North Sikkim Highway (NSH) keeps on getting blocked every now and then. So the only option to reach our destination is to take the alternative route via Pangthang, Tintek, Samdong, Dikchu and beyond.
The July 13, 2014 issue of Sikkim Express shows a huge 35.40 ton truck being hit by a landslide along the Highway. Who has given the permission for the truck to ply on the road? Our roads are not made to withstand such heavy loads. In fact, we’ve had an instance where a bridge had collapsed along Singtam-Dikchu route leading to North Sikkim.
The December 2011 bridge collapse at Ranchang Khola near Dikchu on Singtam-Mangan highway killed 10 people. The bridge, constructed and maintained by Project Swastik, was inaugurated on 03 April, 2009. The bridge collapsed when a 48-wheeler heavy trailer of the Teesta Urja company, which is constructing the 1200 MW hydel project (Teesta III) in Chungthang, North Sikkim, was passing through it. (Pix:Sikkim Now)
Heavy rains and heavy vehicles are the main cause of weakening roads along the Highway. Precious lives are lost due to ignorance; compensation for the deceased and wounded is not the alternative.
Can the concerned authorities of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) give us a guarantee that roads along North Sikkim Highway are safe? There should be an alternative route for heavy vehicles. Please don’t put our lives in danger. Spare a thought for people travelling day in and day out along the Highway. Think of the tourists, too.
There should be immediate probe on heavy vehicles plying along the North Sikkim Highway in the interest of the people.
N. Wangdi
Mangan
North Sikkim
SIKKIMArchives
Mule trains in North Sikkim
From this week, Sikkim Observer will revive its ‘SIKKIM Archives’ column. Readers are requested to participate with their valuable and rare photographs of Sikkim.

A cane bridge over Teesta River connecting Mangan with Dzongu at Sankalang in North Sikkim. This photograph, located by Lokesh Dewan, was taken in 1894, after Sikkim became a British Protectorate.

A mule train crossing a wooden bridge between Mangan and Chungthang, North Sikkim, in 1938. There were no jeepable roads between Mangan and remote areas of Lachen and Lachung, North Sikkim, till mid-1960s. In those days mule and yak trains were common mode of transport in these farflung areas. It used to take about 7 days to reach Lachen from Gangtok, capital of the former kingdom of Sikkim. (Pix courtesy: Lokesh Dewan)
China ready for fair border solution with Bhutan
Focus will be on Chumbi Valley
Beijing, August 1: China on Monday made a strong pitch to improve relations with Bhutan and expressed readiness for an early and "fair" solution to their boundary dispute, amid efforts by the new Indian government to cement ties with Thimpu.
State Councillor Yang Jiechi, the highest diplomat in China's hierarchy, called for a comprehensive solution to the China-Bhutan boundary issue when he met visiting Bhutanese Foreign Minister Rinzin Dorje.
Yang, China's pointman to discuss boundary issues with India, said China is willing to work with Bhutan "to reach a fair, reasonable solution that is acceptable to both sides at an early date so as to push forward bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields," state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
China and Bhutan on Friday held the 22nd round of boundary talks in Beijing to resolve issues surrounding disputed land, which also borders India's northeastern states of Sikkim and Arunanchal Pradesh.
Dorje is visiting China after last month's high-profile visit of Modi to Bhutan, the first foreign visit by the Indian prime minister, sending a strong message to accord priority to take ties with Thimphu to a new high, PTIreported.
Dorje said Bhutan attaches great importance to relations with China and is committed to solve the boundary issue at an early date.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met Dorje on Monday. He said although the two countries have not established diplomatic ties, China has always adhered to a good-neighbour policy towards Bhutan.
Bhutan has remained aloof from China since 1951 after Beijing took firm control of Tibet, which shared borders with the Himalayan Kingdom.
Relations between Beijing and Thimphu remained traditionally strained due to border disputes.
The two countries held 22 rounds of talks to resolve the dispute. They signed an agreement promising to "maintain peace and tranquillity on the Bhutan-China border areas," in 1998.
China shares 470-km-long contiguous border with Bhutan, which is also close to India's "chicken's neck" - the narrow Siliguri Corridor which links the northeast passage.
Any settlement of the Bhutan-China border dispute would be significant for India as Chumbi Valley, a vital tri-junction between Bhutan, India and China is just about 500 km from Siliguri corridor.
Former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao too had made a strong pitch to establish diplomatic ties with Bhutan when he met his Bhutanese counterpart Jigmi Y Thinley on the sidelines of a UN conference in Brazil in 2012.
The two countries did not follow it up.
Lachenpas complain against BRO’s road construction work
    Chuta Chu is just behind Lachen village.
Lachen, Aug 1: Former Lachen  Pipon Cho Bandu Lachenpa  has alleged that Border Roads Organisation’s protective wall along the road at Chuta Chu in Lachen is of poor quality.
The former village headman and Chodup Lachenpa have alleged that the BRO is using “lowest quality of sand with small quantity of cement” for construction of the protective wall, Talk Sikkim reported.
This area, which is located about a kilometer ahead of Lamten, the main settlement of the Lachenpas, has always been a trouble spot since the 1970s.
The Pipon has also alleged that several protective walls between Mangan and Lachen along the North Sikkim Highway  have already collapsed. Because of this GREF’s efforts to widen the highway has not been a success.
The Pipon has urged the concerned authorities to probe into the matter.
Govt jobs for ‘Sikkimese’ only, Lepchas to get 5% job reservation
Gangtok, Aug 1: Sikkim government has added the primitive tribes to the list of reserved communities and has reserved five per cent of government jobs for them, official sources said.
The Lepchas have been accorded primitive tribe status in Sikkim.
After restructuring the job reservation format, the state government has reserved five per cent of government jobs for them, they said.
As per an order issued by the Department of Personnel recently, the State Government has approved the new restructuring of reservation for all the Sikkimese communities in posts and services to be filled up by direct recruitment under the state government and public sector undertakings.
Road accident deaths highest in Bihar and Sikkim
34% of India's accidental deaths take place on roads
New Delhi, Aug 1: More people died of accidental causes in 2013 than the previous one with men out-numbering women in all kinds of such casualties except 'fire accidents'. The latest data from National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for 2013 show that a total of 4,00,517 people died of accidental deaths in 2013, an increase of 1.4% over the previous year.
Road accidents continue to be the major cause of unnatural accidental deaths recording 34.3% of all deaths, followed by 'sudden deaths' (7.8%), 'drowning' (7.5%), 'poisoning' (7.3%), 'railway accidents' (7.2%) and 'fire accidents' (5.5%).
In the last category, 65.7% of those killed were females as compared to 34.3% males indicating the country retains its notorious reputation of burning daughters-in-law.
The data show that the rate of deaths per thousand vehicles has decreased from 1.4 in 2009 to 0.9 in 2013, but is highest in Bihar and Sikkim at 1.6 (each) followed by West Bengal at 1.5. Encouragingly, deaths due to 'road accidents' in the country have decreased by 1.2% during 2013 (1,37,423) over 2012 (1,39,091).
Tamil Nadu has reported the maximum number of road accidents (66,238) accounting for 15% of such accidents in the country, Uttar Pradesh has reported 701 cases (50.5%) of 'rail-road' accidents and Maharashtra has reported 8,165 cases (26.1%) of railway accidents, according to the data. Curiously, 63.5% of all unnatural accidental deaths in Jammu and Kashmir are due to road accidents.
In the category of accidental deaths due to natural causes the country recorded a total 22,759 incidents in 2013. Of this, 12.4% deaths were due to lightning, 5.3% due to 'heat stroke' and 4.2% due to 'cold and exposure'.
All deaths attributable to nature in Sikkim were due to landslide while 94.9% of accidental deaths reported in Tamil Nadu were due to 'lightning'.
PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW
People Have A Right To Know
The Sikkim unit of the Congress party in its letter to the Sikkim Chief Secretary has questioned the State Government’s decision to close down schools and colleges in the State  despite the fact that an amicable solution was reached between the government and student community on the fee hike issue. Sikkim Observer makes public SPCC President AD Subba’s letter:

AD Subba

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To,
The Chief Secretary       
Government of Sikkim
Gangtok, Sikkim

                                             Subject: Memorandum
                                                                                                              Date: 28/07/2014

Sir/Madam,
                   As per the Circular No.179/Dir.(HE)/HRDD issued by the Human Resource Development Department, Government of Sikkim on 22nd of July 2014, the schools shall be closed from 22nd of July to 30th of July 2014. The reason given by the circular was that the conditions were not conducive to conduct classes. Even the Private Management was advised to run their institutions at their own risk.
We are really concerned about the futures of the students as they are not able to attend their regular classes, so who will be responsible if these students fail to clear their Board Examinations next year. Here the matter is not only about clearing but scoring and performing at par with the rest of the students across our country. Even the other level students and colleges students’ would face problems due to non-completion of their syllabus. What was the reason behind closing the schools and colleges when the issue was solved?
   Once the concerned authority rolled down the fees and also fulfilled the other demands which was put forth by the college students during their demonstration, we do not find any other reason to shut down the educational institutions for so long. And on top of that, it was really surprising when the teachers were asked to go to their respective schools where students were on their unknown holidays. Here the concerned department and authorities should be made accountable for such act of negligence.
     Every parent of our State is worried whether their students would pass their examinations this year. Why unnecessarily the educational institutional were closed saying “it was not conducive to conduct classes”? We have witnessed that there is total peace and harmony in the state and if at all any social element tries to disrupt it, action should be taken against him/her. Our children should not face such loss, as Education is the only basis for the development of any society and country at large. Where Government claims to have a “Quality Education System”in our state; we are really worried whether our students will be able to even clear their examinations.
    Therefore, Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee(SPCC) being the political party and the major stakeholder of Sikkim State which has been contributing since years for the development of the State, wants to  put their demands to the highest bureaucrat/administrator of the State, i.e. the Chief Secretary, and it follows:
1)      The schools should not be closed further and by any means the syllabus should be covered within the required time.
2)      The “Quality Education” should not be just the tag line but actual work should also be done.
3)      Strict actions should be given for the completion of their courses and if needed extra tutorials classes should be provided by the HRDD, Govt. of Sikkim free of cost for the Students attaining their Higher Education as they have to come out and would face the toughest of competition for their future course of action. 
4)      The fees that were collected by the administrative bodies of schools and colleges should be returned to the students within the stipulated time and such time should be given by the concerned authority.
5)      It should be ensure that the students of Sikkim should not bear any loss in the field of education, so be it in any worst of situation, the Schools and Colleges should not be closed.
6)      If any organizations or group of people tries to disturb the law and order in the state, strictest of action should be taken against them but before that their demands should be given heard and brought to a table negotiation so that we would not face such turmoil in our peaceful State.
7)      And if at all a situation arises where the whole state would be suffering, we want the State Government to act per the situation but without hampering the lives of common people and students. Patients should be taken care and a prior notice should be given for such indefinite shut down so that the people of Sikkim would prepare themselves for such havoc.
With Warm Regards
  Thanking you.
                                                                                                                 
Dr. A.D. Subba
  President, SPCC
  Gangtok, Sikkim                                                                                                                 
SIKKIM FOOTBALL CONTROVERSY
Semi-final: SFA vs FCAS
Full text of the statement issued by the Football Club Association of Sikkim (FCAS) on its grievances against the Sikkim Football Association (SFA).
Executive members of SFA

We strongly condemn the unjustified statement in the form of release given by the Sikkim Football Association published in local newspaper on 25th July 2014.
We have never questioned about the contribution made by Sikkim Football Association and we had all the way long supported Sikkim Football Association. Here we also like to mention that it is not only the Sikkim Football Association or the clubs and players who have contributed in the growth and shaping of football in Sikkim but the credit of achievements also goes to the Government of Sikkim and every citizen of Sikkim. We are very much thankful to the Government of Sikkim and the people of Sikkim for their valuable contributions towards the sports.
The call of boycott of the leagues was a joint decision taken up by the clubs under the banner of Football Club Association of Sikkim (FCAS) due to the non-responsive and un-sporting attitude shown by the Sikkim Football Association towards the clubs and the players. As it had been more than last one year since when we have been placing our righteous demands with the Sikkim Football Association for the welfare of the game as a whole.
But we are shocked to see their stubborn attitude time and again instead of giving the importance and working towards the solution they are playing blame game with the clubs and the FCAS. As we have many times stated it very clear and loud that we are not against any individual or association. We formed this association only due to the lack of foresightedness and improper functioning of Sikkim Football Association which had degraded and hampered the clubs, players and the game as a whole in our state.
We also strongly condemn the Sikkim Football Association for terming our association as “unauthorized”. We also like to quest that on what capacity and terms SFA can call any association “unauthorized”? Are they the authority in Sikkim to authorize any association?
We request the Sikkim Football Association to reply to the above questions.
In their release they have also mentioned that “it is an unethical decision from an unauthorized body without understanding the basic responsibilities of running a football club”. We would like to ask their association, do they have the understanding and do they know their basic responsibilities of running a football association?
We would also like to know from them that how many members are there in the Sikkim Football Association, and out of them how many are the state level or national level footballers?
We would also like to know why they fear giving the membership to ex-players, and the clubs who in real terms had dedicated their life for this game. This clearly indicates about some vested interest among the Sikkim Football Association? We would also like to ask them what honors have they made to our ex-footballers?
In their release they have mentioned that due to us “they (players) will be deprived of participating in various tournaments conducted by the association. In this regard we would like to know from the Sikkim Football Association which “various” tournaments they are talking about? Are they talking about leagues if it is so we agree to some extent.
But we would like to know from them what about U-12, U-14, U-19 & women’s football tournaments and district level tournaments, which are the real pillar and foundation for the development of the upcoming and budding players of the state? As it is the sole duty of the Sikkim Football Association to conduct the above said tournament, we would like to know from Sikkim Football Association that when and where these tournaments have been conducted please?
We would also like to know how many tournaments and coaching camps they have organised in South, West & North districts so far?
Further, they have mentioned that “No state team (senior, junior & sub junior) could be selected and participate at a national championship if the state leagues are put on halt” and “no players will be selected for the coaching camps of the various age group national squads”.
We would like to know from the Sikkim Football Association that “when and where are the state team selected”? When and where the senior, junior & sub junior teams are send to participate for the tournaments? We would also like to know when and where such selection are done?
We would also like to know who were the designated members of the so called selection committee. We would also like to know when and where such coaching camps have been held. We would also like to know whether there were any Spotter or Selection Committee during the leagues. We would also like to know how many players had been selected from the leagues. We would also like to know how many players have been promoted to other big clubs in india from the league/s?
(Had there been a Spotter or Selection Committee during the league matches we would had one of the best teams in India and many of our players would have been playing in bigger clubs in India or abroad. Unfortunately due to the lack of vision of Sikkim Football Association many talents have gone unspotted and their talent in vain, because they were not provided with a platform for promotion after the league which is the must duty of any state association).
   Further we also strongly condemn the allegations made by the Sikkim Football Association claiming in their release stating “response has always being very discouraging due to the interference and intimidation by certain external elements”. We would like to know what is their understanding in calling “external elements”? We would like to request the Sikkim Football Association to make public the names of such external elements?
As this is necessary to know for us and the people of Sikkim that who are such external elements due to which our brothers are suffering and the talents are going in waste. As marked and claimed by the Sikkim Football Association we urge them to publish such names as soon as possible so that we can throw out such external elements.
We further reiterate and request the Sikkim Football Association to recover the loans given to their members as this money was meant for the welfare of the football in the state and not for individual benefits of the members of SFA.
We would also like to inform the Sikkim Football Association that the money or fund with the Sikkim Football Association belongs to the people of Sikkim and they don’t have any right to misuse it by any means. As mostly the fund of Sikkim Football Association is raised by the ticketing during the tournaments and as many times Government of Sikkim had been supporting in the form of grants to the SFA.
As there are endless list of queries we are just putting here with only few queries which we sought explanation from the Sikkim Football Association. We also humbly request and suggest the Sikkim Football Association to focus on the real issues and work towards bringing the professionalism in the football fraternity of Sikkim.
We strongly appeal them not to make baseless allegations on others in future. We also request them not to run away from the main and core issues and to work sincerely for the betterment of the football in the state for which we had many times extended our hands.
We once again humbly request the Sikkim Football Association not to act supreme and to call upon the meeting with the FCAS to resolve the issues and to work together in a righteous way to promote football in real means.
We also would like to clarify that if invited by the Sikkim Football Association the clubs will be playing the up-coming independence cup tournament at Paljor Stadium as it is the tournament of Government of Sikkim.
We further would like to make it clear that the FCAS is purely formed to bring this game back to the shape and to work together with each and every individual and association. And we would also strongly put forward that if all the above queries put by us is not replied within suitable time, we will be forced to take up this matter with the competent authority. As we stand united here not to play a blame game but to fight for the right of up-coming generation.
As we had been raising and requesting the Sikkim Football Association many times to fulfill our righteous demands, instead of addressing the issues they had all the way opted to confront and blame us in public domain. Now we had also clarified our stand in public domain. Now it is for all to know whether our demands are justified or not.
We would also like to inform you all that the FSCA will be conducting the football tournament in the last week of September.
(Phurba Sherpa)
General Secretary
Football Club Association of Sikkim (FCAS)








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Article 9

August 17, 2014, 11:39 pm
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SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday Aug 16-22, 2014
Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com
Let us make a new India together: Modi
      Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort to celebrate Independence Day in New Delhi. 
New Delhi, Aug 15: In his maiden Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to work for a new and clean India by shedding the "poison" of communalism and making the country the world's manufacturing hub.
Addressing tens of thousands of cheering people gathered at the Red Fort complex on a bright morning, Modi spoke for over an hour, focusing mainly on nation building and underlining the need to forge national consensus on major issues.
In the process, Modi, 63, who took charge of India May 26, outlined his vision for the country, frankly admitting the faults within and calling on neighbouring countries to team up with India to battle poverty, The Times of India reported.
He also announced a burial of the Planning Commission, saying it was not needed any more. He said a new institution will take its place.
For the first time in years, there was no reference to Pakistan in the Independence Day address. Indeed, he made no mention to any other country except neighbouring Bhutan and Nepal which he recently visited.
Indians, he said, needed to give up the "poison" of casteism and communalism and added it was a shame that these plagued India even so many years after Independence.
"How long will this continue?" he asked, sounding emotive. "We have fought enough, we have killed enough. Turn back and see, has anyone gained anything?"
He said decades of bloodshed had caused deep wounds to "Bharat Mata", adding there should be no violence for 10 years.
Wearing his trademark white half-sleeve kurta pyjama with a polka-dotted flaming orange turban, Modi reached the 17th century Red Fort after paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.
Before beginning the speech, Modi — in a departure from convention — took salute from the armed forces. He spoke mostly extempore, occasionally looking down for a peek at his notes.
Asking the world to "Come, Make in India!", Modi urged global investors to make this country a manufacturing hub.
"I tell the world, Make in India! Sell anywhere but manufacture here. We have the skill and talent."
He said it should be every Indian's dream to see "Made in India" products around the world — green friendly and with zero defects.
Reiterating his dream to make India a clean place, Modi asked: "Do we want to live in filth?"
He said India should become clean and hygienic by 2019 — the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a staunch believer in cleanliness.
Dubbed by critics as a divisive personality, the prime minister underlined the need to take everyone along. "Let us walk together, think together, and make a determination to take ahead the nation together."
Lending a personal touch, the prime minister hailed Indian democracy for allowing a person from "a poor family, an ordinary family" to assume the country's top post.
"I stand before you today not as the prime minister but as the Pradhan Sevak (Chief Public Servant)." The remark, made at the start of his speech, drew thunderous applause.
Modi also called himself "an outsider to Delhi. But an outsider came to Delhi and got an insider view (of the administration)".
China inaugurates new Tibet rail link close to Sikkim
Beijing, Aug 15: China inaugurated its second railway line in Tibet, built at a cost of US $2.16 billion, close to Indian border in Sikkim, enhancing mobility of its military in the remote and strategic Himalayan region.
The 253-km railway line links Tibet's provincial capital Lhasa with Xigaze, the second-largest city in Tibet and also the traditional seat of the pro-Beijing Panchen Lama -- stated to be second important Monk in Tibetan hierarchy, PTI reported.
The new line near the Indian border in Sikkim is also close to China's border with Nepal and Bhutan. It reduces the travel time between Lhasa and Xigaze from the current four hours by highway to around two hours, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The new line near the Indian border in Sikkim is also close to China's border with Nepal and Bhutan.
It is the second railway line in Tibet and an extension of the Qinghai-Tibet railway, the world's highest rail link connecting China's mainland with Tibet.
Construction of the railway line started in 2010 with an investment of 13.28 billion yuan (US $2.16 billion).
In addition to this, China last month unveiled plans to construct a new crucial railway line in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh, which Chinese analysts say could act as a "bargaining chip" during the border talks with India.
The construction of another railway line linking Lhasa to Nyingchi in the east is also expected to start soon, recent official media report said. Nyingchi is located right close to Arunachal, the nearest area to the border. China claims Arunachal as part of Tibet. The railway expansion will connect, Nepal, Bhutan and India by 2020, the report said.
The growing Chinese railway network in Tibet is likely to leverage Beijing's claim over the disputed border region, experts claim. It would also help Chinese military strategically by reducing the travel time to the remote southern Tibetan region, they add.
The construction of a railway connecting Xigaze with Gyirong county, close to Nepal, will be constructed under the five year plan ending 2020, an official recently said. Gyirong county has a checkpoint connecting Nepal and Yatung county, close to Indian border near Sikkim and Bhutan, a trade centre bordering India and Bhutan.
Finally, alumni of Darj schools in Sikkim all set to rock
Forms ‘Good Old Days Club’ to revive spirit of camaraderie
Gangtok, Aug 16: Alumni of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong’s renowned missionary (public) schools residing in Sikkim yesterday (Aug 15) formed the 'Good Old Days Club' (GODc) in Gangtok.
“The main purpose of the body is to renew old bonds and have a good time together,” said one of the members at the informal launch of the Club.
The members of the Club will be ex-students of St. Paul’s School, St. Joseph’s School, Mt. Hermon School, Loteto Convent (Darjeeling), Goethal’s Memorial School, Dow Hill School, St. Helens Convent, Victoria School (Kurseong), Dr. Graham’s Homes, St. Augustine’s School, St. Joseph’s Convent (Kalimpong).
These schools were founded by foreign missionaries in Darjeeling hills in the 19th century, when the region came under the British Raj in India.
Initially conceived by Sikkim Hermonites Association a few years back, the Club will reach out to all alumni of these schools in the State to make the association an active forum for renewal of friendship and preservation/celebration of the unique spirit of camaraderie that alumni of these schools enjoy.
‘One of the main reasons for the alumni of these schools to come together on a regular basis is that no matter who we are or what we do our 'hard disk' is the same! We started our life together, lets end it in the same spirit,” said Hermonite Jigme N. Kazi.

Those who were present at the historic dinner get-together on August 15 at Hotel Tashi Delek were: Ashwin Oberoi and Govind Alley (Goethal’s Memorial School), A. Dutta (Victoria School), Sonam Dorji (St. Augustine’s School), Navin Prasad (Dr. Graham’s Homes), Wangyal Topden and Tashi Gyatso (St. Joseph’s School) and OT Bhutia, Surenderpal Singh Lamba, Uttam Pradhan, Ramesh Lakhotia and Jigme N Kazi (Mt. Hermon School).

A formal launch of the GODc will take place shortly with a larger body, followed by the keenly-awaited 'bash' to set the ball rolling.
Sikkim’s IHM comes first in national culinary competition in Kerala

IHM Sikkim’s Kunga Chukie Namgyal Kazi and Lhaden Wangmo Bhutia received the award in chef competition in Kovalam (Kerala) last week. (left)
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 15: Participants from the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Gangtok, bagged the first prize in the national culinary competition organised by the Spices Board and International Pepper Community.
Kunga Chukie Namgyal Kazi and Lhaden Wangmu Bhutia of Gangtok IHM lifted the prize comprising Rs.50,000, a trophy and certificate at the competition that concluded at Kovalam beach resort here last Saturday.
The competition, "Pepp It Up 2014", attracted teams from 20 hotel management institutions across the country, a Spices Board release said.
Kartik Malviya and Shubhadev of IHM Bhopal came second winning Rs. 25,000, while D Suresh Krishna and S Muthupandian of PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, won the third prize (Rs. 15,000).
"The history of commerce and trade in our country is the history of Pepper... However, with the advent of time, the charm of Pepper as the flag-bearer of Indian culture has started deteriorating," the release said.
Spices Board in collaboration with the International Pepper Community conducted 'Pepp it up-2014', to promote the usage of pepper and to inspire promising culinary talents, A Jayathilak, Chairman, Spices Board, said.
The Sikkim team was led by IHM teacher Pragya Chettri and accompanied by Sonam Deki Namgyal Kazi.
While Kunga stood first in her first and second year annual exams, her twin sister Sonam ranked 5thin her class in the second year and Lhaden came 5th in her first year.
IHM, affiliated to National Council for Hotel Management under Ministry of Tourism (Govt of Indai), is among the top ten colleges in India that offers degree and diploma courses in hotel management. With the new award IHM’s status has shot up considerably.
Editorial
FIRE IN THE BELLY
Keeping Movements Alive
The Tibetan people’s demand for ‘genuine autonomy’ within China is much like the Sikkimese people’s struggle for preservation of its ‘special status’ within India. These aspirations are within the framework of the constitution of both the two countries. It is a fact that India’s annexation of  Sikkim in 1975 after China took over Tibet in 1959 was primarily motivated by security concerns. These touchy issues should be taken up by those who profess to champion human freedom and dignity. Tibetan freedom should not be a monopoly of Tibetans alone and Sikkimese people’s desire to live without fear and in freedom in their homeland should be a concern for all freedom-loving people. Unfortunately, Tibetan Youth Congress’ weeklong session in Gangtok failed to address these issues. This is most unfortunate. If there is no fire in the belly people’s movements will surely die a slow death.
ART & CULTURE
Tibetan calligraphy exhibition held in Delhi

Jamyang Dorjee Chakrishar with HH the Gyalwa Karmapa, Guest of Honour at the exhibition. (left)
The first ever Tibetan calligraphy show, Divinity in Syllables, featuring artist Jamyang Dorjee Chakrishar from Sikkim was held in New Delhi at the India International Centre (IIC) this week.
Works of Anis Siddiqui from Delhi were also on display at the exhibition. Their works display the history and the spiritual links of this art form cutting across different cultures.
Islamic calligraphy evolved as an artistic form of reverence for it was through the art of writing that the Holy Quran, the word of God as revealed in revelations to Prophet Mohammad, was recorded and disseminated to the humanity. Through the centuries it has been continuously refined and imaginatively embellished to become the most recognizable visual form of Islamic art.
Buddhist calligraphy too had its roots in the dissemination of the teachings of the Buddha dharma. It evolved as an integral and independent art form along with other forms of Buddhist art such as a very rich iconography as exemplified by its murals, frescos, thangkas and sculptures.
The Buddhist calligraphy on display in the exhibition is in Bhoti language which has its roots in the Gupta, Sanskrit and Brahmi script of the shared Indic culture. The art of calligraphy has been integral to the dissemination of Buddha’s teaching and is also a proof of the richness of the Bhoti language.
Together Buddhist and Islamic calligraphy epitomize as true repository of the ancient wisdom and message of the divine for the benefit of the mankind and all sentient beings. This exhibition is a step towards initiating an understanding through a common artistic e
I-DAY Celebrations
Sikkim student takes part in ‘celebration of excellence’

Gangtok, Aug 15: Nima Doma Bhutia was invited by the CBSE to attend the Independence Day celebrations as a part of 'celebration of excellence' for being selected 'best player in basketball' in 3 consecutive years in the CBSE Nationals played in Tamil Nadu, Jaipur & Agra (winning the national championship twice & securing runners once in 2011, 2012, & 2013).
Nima Doma also secured 90% in her CBSE class XII exams.
Nima Doma Bhutia, eldest child of Dorjee Samdup Bhutia & Chingthit Bhutia of Tashiding Monastery, West Sikkim, studied Eklavya Model Residentia School for Scheduled Tribe in Gangyap in West Sikkim.
She was present for the PM's speech at Red Fort on 15th August.


SPACE FOR OPPOSITION: Normally ruling government politicians and government officials hog the limelight in Sikkim even during sporting and social functions. But things are gradually changing, thanks to the presence of a strong opposition in Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM). This picture during I-Day football match near Gangtok shows the players with SKM’s Gangtok MLA Pintso Chopel Lepcha (standing with khada).
LITERARY
Brooks’ book release on Dr. Graham’s Homes history
Brooks
Kalimpong, Aug 15: Former Principal of Dr. Graham’s Homes Bernard T. Brooks’ book, “Footprints of the First 100 Years: The Kalimpong Homes”, will be launched here at the school complex on September 7.
Among the notable speakers for the function are Mrs. Margaretta Purtill (batch of 1960), President, London OGBs Association (UK), Capt. Prakash Pradhan (1982 batch), President, Sikkim Grahamites Association, Karma Nidup Bhutia (batch of 1968) and President, Kalimpong OGBs Association,  Dr. M.S. Foning (batch of 1972)
Brooks will be present during the function, which include scripture reading and prayer.
High tea and sale of books will follow the conclusion of the book release function.
Dr. Graham's Homes was founded in 1900 by Reverend Dr. John Anderson Graham, a Church of Scotland missionary, who settled in Kalimpong and worked with the local community for several years during the early part of the 20th century. His original concept was to establish a refuge for poor and needy Anglo-Indian children, who had no other means of support.
Dalai Lama should return to ‘Free Tibet’: RB Subba
Gangtok, Aug 15: Sikkim this week sought for the return of the Tibetan exiled leader the Dalai Lama to a ‘Free Tibet”.
Showing concern on ‘basic human rights and freedom’ in Tibet, Human Resources Development Minister RB Subba said “We believe that basic human rights and freedom should be something that all human beings enjoy.”
    Speaking at the 45th meet of the Tibetan Youth Congress here on Tuesday, Subba said, “The situation inside Tibet must be resolved soon and I hope and pray that His Holiness will be able to return to a Free Tibet in the near future".
Subba, who was the Chief Guest of the function, said that it is an honor to hold the TYC meet in Sikkim and wished it success in its fight for Tibet's “freedom and independence,” The Tibet Postreported.
Prominent among those present at the function was Kasur Gyalo Dhondup, the elder brother of the Dalai Lama. Observers said this is a rare public appearance by Thondup, who spoke of the Tibetan struggle and expressed hope that change will come to Tibet.
The TYC held discussions on a variety of topics ranging from Tibet's freedom and independence, campaigns to release political prisoners and security of the Dalai Lama.
BL Protection Force warns SDF leader
    Sangha MLA Sonam Koloen Lama and aide Pintso Chewang with Union Home Minister         
    Rajnath Singh in New Delhi recently.
Gangtok, Aug 15: The Bhutia-Lepcha Protection Force (BLPF) has warned former Speaker and ruling party spokesman KT Gyaltsen not to politics with the sentiments of the people.
Reacting strongly against Gyaltsen’s recent statements against Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s Sangha MLA, Sonam Kaloen Lama, BLPF President Phigu Tshering Bhutia in a press statement not only condemned the statement but alleged that the SDF spokesman and legal advisor to the Chief Minister was involved in “dirty politics”.
The BLPF while warning “puppets like Mr Gyaltsen to keep his mouth shut & not play politics with our sentiments” has also urged the people to react  and condemn “baseless allegations” made against the Sangha MLA.
During his visit to Delhi, the Sangha MLA met several national leaders, including union ministers, and briefed them on various issues of the State.
Chinese Army transgressed Sino-Indian border: Kiren Rijiju
New Delhi, Aug 15: The Chinese Army has transgressed the Sino-Indian border 334 times this year and a total of 1,278 times between 2010-13, Rajya Sabha was informed.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the People's Liberation Army transgressed the border 334 times till August 4, 2014, 411 times in 2013, 426 times in 2012, 213 times in 2011 and on 228 occasions in 2010.
"However, there are cases of transgression due to difference in perception of Line of Actual Control," he said in reply to a written question.
Rijiju said the Indo Tibetan Border Police, the border guarding force deployed on Sino-Indian border, has reported one transgression in Dorjila in 2013 and one transgression in Naku area in 2014 in Sikkim.
The Minister said no "intrusion" has been reported or taken place along India-China border, including Sikkim, during the last five years.






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Article 8

August 23, 2014, 1:15 am
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SIKKIM OBSERVER  Saturday Aug 23-29, 2014
Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com

MAKING A FASHION STATEMENT: PM Narendra Modi during his visit to Gangtok (Sikkim) in 2009. He is seen with members of the local business community. (Pix: Babulal Malu)
NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Sikkim Governor Shrinivas Patil involved in multi-crore Pune land scam: BJP
CBI PROBE DEMANDED BY MAHARASHTRA BJP
Gangtok, Aug 22: Is Sikkim Governor Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil involved in a multi-crore Pune land deal racket that began in 1989 when he was Pune’s District Collector?
Prominent builders and businessmen have been named in a First Information Report or FIR filed by the Pune police in a case relating to a massive land scam allegedly worth hundreds of crores of rupees. Among those named in the FIR are KM Goenka and 2G spectrum allocation scandal accused Vinod Goenka and Shahid Balwa of DB Realty and builder Atul Chordia of the Panchshil Realty Group, The Hindustan Times and NDTV reported recently.
The 326-acre land at the heart of the dispute is located in the city's prime Yerawada area, near the Pune airport.
The Goenkas, who claimed the land was gifted to their family by Peshwa rulers in 1952, had fought a decades-long battle with the government over it. In 1989, they approached the then Chief Minister Sharad Pawar to settle the dispute.
Patil, who was then Pune District Collector, subsequently granted the land, worth an estimated Rs 300 crore in 1989, to Mukund Bhavan Trust. The Trust, run by the Goenkas, handed over developmental rights to Chordia's company Panchshil Realty Group. Panchshil Tech Park, a company floated by Chordiya, constructed towering high-rises on the disputed land.
Patil later opted for voluntary retirement and joined Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He won the Lok Sabha election in 1999 and 2004 from Maharashtra's Karad and is currently serving as the Governor of Sikkim. Patil (73) was appointed Sikkim Governor on July 4, 2013.
    Ravi Barhate, a Right to Information activist, has since established via documents obtained under the Act that forged papers were used to grab the government land, the report said.
Some crucial documents, including confidential letters exchanged between senior state government officials, clearly show that the prime land was handed over to the Trust after the State Government drastically changed its stand on the issue in 1989.
In a confidential letter written to the then Pune Divisional Commissioner on January 1, 1992, Navin Kumar, the then settlement commissioner and director, wrote, "The change of government stand needs to be investigated to find out who had taken the decision to grant 326 acres of land to the trust".
NCP chief Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule and her husband Sadanand Sule also had stakes in Panchshil Tech Park. After Balwa and Goenka's name cropped up in connection to the 2G scam, they had surrendered their share and exited the company.
In April 2011, Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Eknath Khadse (BJP) had demanded a thorough probe into questionable land deals in Maharashtra. In the wake of his demand, the state director general of police had asked for a detailed report on the status of investigations and complaints into major land scams.
Following the police complaints, Khadse demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigations in the land allotments. He said the state police would not do any progress in the investigations because the FIRs were filed four years after the matter was raised by him in the legislature. “The cover-up has already started. I request the state government to recommend a CBI probe in this matter and other 115 cases of similar nature that together caused a loss of Rs. 70000 crore to the state exchequer.”
The BJP leader said he would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for seeking CBI investigations. “The Union government can very well ask CBI to probe the deals of defence-related land in Pune. The state government, if willing, may also recommend a CBI probe,” he said.
School, college education free for ‘Sikkimese’ students
Gangtok, Aug 22: From now on school and college education for bonafide Sikkimese students possessing Sikkim Subjects Certificate (SSC) will be free.
This was announced by Chief Minsiter Pawan Chamling this week following the State Cabinet’s approval.
Sikkimese student has been defined as bona fide Sikkimese having valid documents like the Sikkim Subject Certificate or their descendents with identification certificates.
Bona fide Sikkimese students having already submitted their tuition fees will receive a refund as per a recent Human Resources Development Department (HRDD) proposal.
A press note issued by the Home Department said students who do not possess such documentation and are enrolled at government colleges and schools will have to pay the prescribed fees.
This proposal of the Human Resource Development Department was approved by the cabinet at its last sitting held on August 12 last, chaired by the Chief Minister, PTI reported.   
This waiver of fees will be applicable with retrospective effect from the current academic session 2014 and the cabinet has also sanctioned and approved the proposal of the HRDD to "refund" the fees already deposited by Sikkimese students.
This announcement follows a four-fold increase in college fees imposed by the HRDD from the current academic session, which had triggerred protest by the students. The fee was initially rolled back followed by the Chief Minister's announcement that all fees would be waived for Sikkimese students up to college level.
BL organizations support Chamling on free education for Sikkimese students
Gangtok, Aug 22: The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) and National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO) have welcomed the Chamling Government’s decision to make school and college education free for bonafide Sikkimese students in the State.
SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia has urged the State Government to consider extending social, economic and political benefits, facilities and safeguards to all Sikkimese possessing genuine Sikkim Subject Certificate  (SSC) and Certificate of Identification (CoI), a release of the organization said.
Referring to former Chief Secretary Sonam Wangdi’s claim published in a local daily that there were 31,180 fake SSC holders and 1,19,289 CoI  fake holders in the State, SIBLAC Convenor has asked the State Government to probe into the allegations and come out with a White Paper.
He said if the allegation is true then at least 25% of the State’s population possess fake identity documents.
In a statement after its meeting held here on Wednesday, NASBO President Pintso Bhutia said, “This decision of the government is something of which we feel proud of. We look forward for such positive approach on the part of the government which is more conducive of Article 371F of the Indian Constitution.”
It added, “We support this decision of the State…this kind of governance is something which is surely welcomed by our Sikkimese people.”
Chinese troops enter Indian territory, India denies

A file photo of Chinese soldiers holding a flags reading "you've crossed the border, please go back" in their hands.
Leh/New Delhi, Aug 22:  The Indian Army has denied reports that Chinese troops have entered deep into Indian territory in Depsang, the same area in Ladakh where they had pitched tents in April last year, leading to a tense three-week stand-off.
Chinese troops had entered 25 to 30 km into Indian territory in the Burtse area of north Ladakh, pitched tents and held up flags that read, "This is Chinese territory, go back," PTI reported.
The area is at an altitude of 17,000 feet.
Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Tuesday dismissed reports that Chinese troops had entered 25 to 30 km deep into Indian territory in Burtse area in Ladakh. “There is nothing like that,” he said in reply to a question.
Sources said Chinese troops had indeed entered Indian territory on Sunday and pitched four tents with flags on them claiming that this was their territory. They were there for about 24 hours before returning, the sources said.
"No incursion or encroachment of Indian Territory by China has taken place along the India-China border," an Army spokesperson said.
He, however, said that because there is a difference in the way the two countries perceive the disputed border called the Line of Actual Control or LAC, "transgressions do occur" from time to time.
A Quick Reaction Team that had accompanied the Indian team failed to make any headway with the Chinese, who refused to budge from their position, the agency reported. It said the Indian troops finally returned to their base and informed senior officers.
The Burtse area, which is adjacent to Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), forms part of the huge Depsang plains which India says is its territory. But the Chinese dispute this. The area includes an air field which was operationalised by the Indian Air Force last year for a short while.
In April last year, the stand-off over the Chinese troops pitching tents for 21 days here led to diplomatic tension. The Chinese returned only after four flag meetings between the two sides.
To deal with such incidents, India and China signed the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement or BDCA in October last year.
J&K’s Article 370 challenged in Supreme Court
New Delhi, Aug 22: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to Centre on a plea which challenged the provisions of Article 370, which provides special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
The plea, filed by a Delhi-based NGO, asks why a law passed by the J&K Assembly "deprives people from other parts of the country from acquiring immovable assets or seek employment in the state."
The plea also questions the "inability to challenge any law made by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly" even if it is allegedly "unconstitutional".
Revocation of Article 370 has been a long-standing demand of the right-wing groups in the country, including some affiliated to the ruling BJP.
Though the Modi government has not taken any position on Article 370, a remark made shortly after coming to power by Minister of State in the PMO, Jitendra Singh, on the Centre being open to debate on the contentious provision, had evoked sharp responses.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had warned that any attempt to reopen the debate on Article 370 would force the state to revisit its terms of accession to the Indian Union.
In its election manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had said it is in favour of abrogating Article 370, but said the issue will be discussed with all stakeholders before a decision is made.
In December last year at a rally in Jammu, Narendra Modi had suggested that it should be probed whether Article 370 has indeed benefited the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Former Sikkim CM NB Bhandari being felicitated by GJM chief Bimal Gurung for his contribution for constitutional recognition of Nepali language in Darjeeling on Wednesday. (Pix: The Telegraph)
Editorial
SOUL OF SIKKIM
Preserve It, Cherish It
The Bhutias of Sikkimese origin in Sikkim have been on the receiving end for a long time stretching back to early 1970s when India fomented communal politics to take over the former kingdom. And yet bravehearts of this community despite encountering countless trials and tribulations refuses to give up and bow down to the diktats of those in power. For them the values  they uphold and their love and devotion to all things Sikkimese are top priorities.
It is time that the Sikkimese people understood how they live their lives and why. The late Sikkimese writer Lal Bahadur Basnet once wrote this on one of the most outstanding Bhutia rulers of Sikkim:“During the hour of his trial, when his very throne was at stake, Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal stood like a rock and sacrificed petty considerations for the lofty ideal he had espoused. He lost, but in the very process of losing his throne and status, he rose to his full stature.” This is the spirit that moves the world. It is the spirit of Sikkim. Preserve it for posterity even if the prevailing situation doesn’t allow it. For one day Sikkim will surely rise to its full stature and preserve Sikkim for Sikkimese.
Northeast CMs' meet to decide roadmap for development
Modi to meet Northeast CMs soon
Union Minister VK Singh with Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling in New Delhi recently. (Right)
Agartala, Aug 22: DoNER Minister Gen. (retd) V.K. Singh would meet the chief ministers of all eight northeastern states in Guwahati Aug 21-22 to decide a roadmap for the development of the region, an official said here Monday.
This would be the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) minister's first meeting with the chief ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur and Sikkim, IANS reported.
"The meeting would discuss and resolve various strategies and plans on agriculture, roadways, education, power, transport, tourism, industries and health sectors of the region," an official of the North Eastern Council (NEC) said.
He said various expert groups and specialists would also make presentations highlighting the scope and available resources of the region.
The meeting would also discuss the ongoing projects of the NEC.
After assuming office in May, V.K. Singh held several meetings with top officials of both the DoNER ministry and the NEC in New Delhi and Guwahati to familiarise himself about the northeastern states and functioning of his ministry and the council.
A Tripura government official said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also agreed to convene a meeting soon of the eight chief ministers to resolve various problems of the region.
Modi's assurance came on Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's request when he met the prime minister in New Delhi recently.
The official said Sarkar and Modi discussed issues such as connectivity, policy intervention, infrastructure, agricultural, educational, health service and tourism.
Sikkim BJP to be revived, to contribute to the tallest statue in the world: Khangsarpa

Sikkim BJP meet in Gangtok recently (pix: sikkimnow)
Gangtok, Aug 22: The Sikkim unit of the BJP has decided that Sikkim would contribute towards the construction of the proposed 182 metre tall Statue of Unity, a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, to be constructed in Gujarat.
It has also decided to revamp its party unit in the State. As per suggestions from the party at the centre it was decided that party cadres would fan out across the State and make appeals to farmers and other rustic people to contribute ploughshare tips and other used iron-made farm implements that would be melted and added to the ores collected from across the nation that would go into the making of the statue, Sikkim BJP President Palden Wangchuk Khangsarpa said.
During its meeting held here this week the party also thrashed out details and a strategy related to the upcoming bye-election at 15 Yangang-Rangang Constituency for which, the last the last date of filing of candidature is 27 August 2014. Voting is to take place on 13 September and counting is to be concluded on 16 September 2014, a party release said.
 However, a final decision as to the candidate representing the party and other details will be declared only after the green light from the party high command at the centre.
The Sikkim BJP will also be undertaking a mass membership drive, in both the urban and rural areas of, in accordance with the instructions of the new President  Amit Shah.
Other points discussed during its meeting were the matter of setting up of a state head office at Gangtok, as well as district offices at the district-level.
Matters regarding formation of  office bearers at the district and ward levels were also discussed.
FASHION
Sikkim’s Anandita Tamang walks the ramp at Lakme fashion show
The Lakme Fashion Week has seen models and Bollywood stars walking the ramp, but this time even children joined them for a special show. World’s famous toy shops – Hamley’s and Mattel hosted the first kids fashion show at the Lakme Fashion Week.
After a city-wise audition and workshops held across the country, Anandita Tamang of Sikkim was selected to walk the ramp. Anandita is daughter of Suresh Tamang and Neelam Rasaily and a class 8 student of Delhi Public School. Her mother Neelam Rasaily is in-charge of looking after the patients at DKK Bhawan, New Delhi.
“It was great fun and I got to meet so many people and make new friends,” said an excited Anandita. (Talk Sikkim)
One more reward for Sikkimese writer Yishey Doma
Gangtok, Aug 22: The Rashtrapati Bhavan’s ‘In-Residence Programme’ will feature two artists and two writers in September next month.
The writers and artists selected by an expert committee on the basis of a nation-wide application process are Yishey Doma from Sikkim and Dr. Vempalli Gangadhar from Andhra Pradesh, Rahool Saksena from Tamil Nadu and Pratap Sudhir Morey from Maharashtra. They will stay at the Rashtrapati Bhavan from September 8 to 26 next month.
Yishey Doma, winner of the “Sikkim Sahitya Samman 2013” is a journalist and writer and works for Sikkim Express.  She is the author of several books, including Legends of the Lepchas: Folktales from Sikki,  Sikkim: the Hidden Fruitful Valley, Sikkim: A Traveller's Companion and The Legacy Maker: Pawan Chamling's Ideas that Shaped Sikkim.
The ‘In-Residence’ Programme for writers, artists was launched by the President of India on December 11, 2013 with a view to encourage young and upcoming writers and artists by facilitating them to stay close to nature in the picturesque and serene surroundings of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The Programme seeks to provide an environment which will inspire creative thinking and rejuvenate artistic impulses.




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Article 7

August 30, 2014, 6:45 am
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HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN     Aug 30-Sept 5, 2014
Blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com
BJP-SKM alliance to take on SDF for Assembly by-polls
Its RN Chamling vs Bikash Basnet

SKM President PS Golay with BJP President Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday.
Even before the electoral battle has begun the Opposition has scored a major victory. In a move that is likely to set the agenda for future politics in the State, the BJP has forged an alliance with the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), which has 10 MLAs in the 32-member House.
Bikash Basnet
SKM’s Bikash Basnet is now the BJP’s candidate for the Rangang-Yangang by-polls of the Assembly seat vacated by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, who contested and won from two seats in the recent Assembly polls.
Basnet’s main contender is Chamling’s younger brother RN Chamling, who is contesting as an independent. Most people believe that the ruling party’s bid to field Kumari Mangar as its official candidate is “a drama.”
RN Chamling
Former Lok Sabha MP Nakul Rai has questioned Chamling’s failure to take disciplinary action against his brother for filing his paper. Rai says Rup Narayan “is an integral part of SDF.”
Significantly, SKM chief and MLA PS Goley along with his MLAs on Wednesday met BJP President Amit Shah in New Delhi, where the two parties discussed ways to “root out corruption” and fight for “restoration of democracy” in the State.
Basnet is expected to give a tough fight to Chamling’s brother. In any case, for the BJP-SKM combine its a “heads I win, tails you lose” kind of a situation.
Election to Rangang-Yangang constituency is slated for September 13.
Talks on for Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet: China
China’s government in Tibet claims that the Dalai Lama is in talks with Beijing through “personal envoys”, but the talks are only about the possibility of his return to Tibet.
Wu Yingjie, the Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee for Tibet, told a group of Indian journalists in Lhasa on Sunday that the talks with the Dalai were “ongoing and always smooth, but we are discussing only his future, not Tibet’s.”
Wu said many Tibetan leaders had chosen to return to Tibet in recent years, giving the example of a senior Lama in Chengdu who returned from Switzerland, The Hindu reported.
“All Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama and the people around him, can return if they accept Tibet and Taiwan as part of China, and give up ‘splittist’ efforts,” he said.
When asked about the political talks with envoys from Dharamsala, that broke down after nine rounds in 2010, he termed their demands unacceptable. “How can the Dalai Lama demand that China withdraw its army from Tibet?” asked  Wu. “The army is a symbol of our state. Will India agree to withdraw its Army from Arunachal Pradesh?” he said.
Wu also rejected the proposal by the Prime Minister of the self-styled “Tibetan government in exile”, Lobsang Sangay, for a larger region to be included in the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
Himalayan Airlines plans maiden Kathmandu-Lhasa flight in October
Himalayan Airlines, a company newly forged by China's Tibet Airlines and two Nepali companies, is scheduled to launch its maiden flight on October 28, said the Chinese shareholder here on Wednesday.
The joint venture will launch direct flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa and Kathmandu to Chengdu using aircraft including Airbus 319 and Airbus 320.
The new airline was set up in partnership with Nepal's HIF (Himalaya Infrastructure Fund) Aviation Investment Company and Yeti World Investment Company, with the two firms jointly holding 51% of the stakes in the joint venture and the rest owned by Tibet Airlines, Xinhuareported.
The agreement among the three companies was signed here on Monday. Cheng Yiru, chairman of Himalayan Airlines, said the new company has plans to buy 15 Airbus 320 in the next five years. It is expected to create over 1,000 jobs in Nepal.
Nepal has been Tibet's biggest trade partner since 2006, accounting for 58.5% of Tibet's total US$3.3 billion in foreign trade in 2013.
A train comes to Shigatse from Lhasa for the first time
The Qinghai-Tibet Railway has formally opened its Lhasa-Shigatse track to passengers. With the inauguration of the 253-kilometer track recently, the high-elevation railway has reached closer to Nepal. “We plan to extend the line up to Kerung in the long run,” said Yang Chu Lin, an official at the Shigatse Railway Service.
The second largest Tibetan city of Shigatse is about 540 kilometers from Kerung (Kyirong), the nearest Chinese town from Nepal, while the bordering Nepali district of Rasuwa is 35 kilometers away from there. Kathmandu is 110 kilometers from the district.
Carrying 800 passengers and two dozen journalists, the first train that departed from Lhasa at 9 a.m. on Saturday arrived in Shigatse at noon, traveling at an average speed of 120 kilometers per hour.
“The train service saves time and money of passengers,” said Chhedung, an official at the Shigatse Foreign Affairs Department. “The service will prove a boon for the Shigatse prefecture in boosting tourism and economic development.”
The new train has cut travel time between the two cities by half. A bus takes six hours to travel the distance. The train fare, 45 yuan, is half that of a bus.
“The extension of the railway further to Kerung and to the Nepali Capital could benefit Nepal hugely,” said Hari Prasad Basyal, Nepali Consular in Lhasa. “Nepali leadership should consider seriously about constructing railways in the country.”
‘Wonder Herb’ discovered in Ladakh
In the high hostile peaks of the Himalayas where sustaining life is a challenge in itself, Indian scientists say they have found a "wonder herb" which can regulate the immune system, help adapt to the mountain environment and, above all, protect from radioactivity.
Rhodiola, a herb found in the cold and highland climate, has led India's leading scientists to wonder if it is the end to the quest for "Sanjeevani", the mythical herb that gave renewed life to Ram's brother Lakshman in the epic Ramayana.
Locally called 'Solo' in Ladakh, the qualities of Rhodiola were largely unknown so far. The leafy parts of the plant were used as vegetable by locals. However, research by the Leh-based Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) is exploring the therapeutic values of the herb that shows it can do wonders for the troops posted in difficult high altitude areas like the 5,400-metres-high Siachen glacier.
"Rhodiola is a wonder plant that has immunomodulatory (enhancing immune), adaptogenic (adapting to difficult climatic condition) and radio-protecting abilities due to presence of secondary metabolites and phytoactive compounds unique to the plant," R.B. Srivastava, Director, DIHAR, told IANS.
Srivastava said the herb can mitigate the effects of gamma radiation used in bombs in biochemical warfare.
"A concerted effort involving conservation, propagation and sustainable utilisation of this unique medicinal herb will surely result in rediscovery of Sanjeevani for the troops deployed in extreme climatic condition along Himalayan frontiers," said the director.
The Leh-based lab of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the world's highest agro-animal research laboratory, has been researching on this wonder plant for more than a decade.
"While its adaptogenic qualities can help the soldiers in adjusting to the low pressure-low oxygen environment, the plant has also been found to have anti-depressant and appetizer properties," said Srivastava.
Editorial
ARMY TAKEOVER
Junta Raj In Neighbourhood
The army chief  General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who deposed Thailand’s civilian government three months ago, has been selected as the kingdom’s prime minister. A handpicked legislature stacked with military officers held a vote on Thursday to select the country’s prime minister. This week, Pakistan's powerful army chief General Raheel Sharif intervened publicly in the country's political crisis, agreeing to mediate between the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and protesters demanding his resignation. The move follows a backroom political deal that government officials privately said ceded important powers over defense and foreign policy from the government to the military. The military's political intervention underscored the weakness of Pakistan's democracy just 16 months after the country's first democratic transition raised hopes that the civilian authorities would assert themselves over the country's long dominant military. In Burma, Shwe Mann, leader of the army-backed ruling party, is unlikely to yield easily to the demand that Aung San Suu Kyi be allowed to contest the ensuing parliamentary polls that people looking forward to. Presently, Suu Kyi is constitutionally barred from becoming president.
Nationalised banks organise camps for Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana scheme
 As part of the financial inclusion mission that was launched throughout the country yesterday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , the State Bank of India, the Lead Bank in the State of Sikkim,  organised a Mega Camp  here yesterday for opening Savings bank Accounts.
Similar Mega Camps were also organized at Singtam and the District headquarters at Namchi, Gyalshing and Mangan. These camps are being organized by Canara Bank, HDFC, Central Bank of India and SBI respectively, according to Convener, State Level Banker's Committee of the SBI’s Regional Office.
While Chief Minister Pawan Chamling launched the programme here in the morning, in the evening Governor Shrinivas Patil was the chief guest at the mega camp function.
 The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana lies at the core of the Prime Minister's development philosophy of  “Sab Ka Sath Sab Ka Vikas”.  As the nation move rapidly forward in this knowledge era with modern banking and financial systems, it is untenable that a large majority of  population is deprived of basic banking facilities, a release of the SBI said.
The vast majority of the poor and the marginalized who are trapped in a perpetual cycle of exclusion and deprivation need to be addressed. In order to break that cycle - the Jan Dhan Yojana is envisaged as the first step in that direction. With a bank account, every household gains access to banking and credit facilities. This will enable them to come out of the grip of moneylenders, manage to keep away from financial crises caused by emergent needs, and most importantly, benefit from a range of financial products.
Under the Jan Dhan Yojana, every account holder gets a RuPay debit card with a Rs 1,00,000/- accident cover and will be covered by insurance and pension products at later stage, the release added.
OPEN LETTER TO CM ON FAKE ‘SIKKIM SUBJECTS’ ISSUE
To
The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim
Mintokgang
Gangtok-737101
East Sikkim
Dated: 25/08/2014
Sub:   Open Memorandum vis-à-vis Purification of Sikkim Subject
          Certificate / COIs

Hon’ble Sir,
Purify Sikkim Subject Certificate (SSC) Register:
The sacred document which was submitted / surrendered to Home Ministry, Govt. of India during the time of Sikkim annexation/merger in 1975 was Sikkim Subject Certificate (SSC) register on the basis of which, all the Sikkimese had become Indian.  Hope a copy of the same SSC register is lying with the Government of Sikkim today.
“As per estimates published by a local paper, in Sikkim we have:"

1. Fake Certificate of Identification (C.O.I) holders = 1, 19, 289
2. Fake Sikkim Subject certificate (S.S.C) holders    =     31, 180
                                                                           Total  =1, 50, 469
Total of 1, 50, 469 “fraudster” or illegal and fake documents.

What we think today is;
       It is not only important but sense urgent and need of the hour to purify the SSC register in the interest of our future generation, else talking big about protection and safeguard of Sikkim and the Sikkimese will become a futile exercise that would imminently jeopardise our own posterity.
 This further becomes most urgent, significant and relevant given the present government of Sikkim’s priorities and insistence to the Sikkim Subject Certificate /COI on all its policies and programmes as being announced or formulated particularly with the inauguration of its present term of governance, which is most appreciable gesture on its part.
In fact, every State and government has the sacred responsibility of safeguarding its native people. The stand taken by the Government if really implemented both in letter and spirit, it will rejuvenate the effect and significance of SSC and COI and would go a long way in ensuring the socio-politico and economic state of the Sikkimese at-large. This shall certainly curtail the ever increasing influx thereby establishing a sense of pride and security amongst our Sikkimese people. If not, the illegal SSC/COI holders will get multiplied and one fine day original Sikkimese will be kicking out from their home land. So it’s now or never.
Therefore, we appeal the political parties of Sikkim to rise above politics. We don’t mind to come out openly in support of the Government if it’s really committed and wanted to eliminate, reject or withdraw the illegal Sikkim Subject Certificate/C.O.I. issued so far.
Political parties in Sikkim should understand that unless this is realized, whatever programmes/policies they come out with will never achieve its target which would only then be meant for securing a mere vote bank and accompanying politics.
Let’s accomplish this and posterity shall salute you and our generation with awe & veneration.
Submitted in the interest of Sikkim and the Sikkimese please
Yours Sincerely
 Tseten Tashi Bhutia, Ex-MLA
TNA Principal to get national award from Prez
Tashi Namgyal Academy Principal, Kuldip Singh Heran, has been selected for this year's National Award. The prestigious award will be presented to the TNA Principal by President Pranab Mukherjee on Teachers'Day in New Delhi on September 5.
This reward and recognition of the school, named after Sikkim's former King, Chogyal Tashi Namgyal, comes at a time when TNA is preparing for the celebration of its 50th anniversary.
Kuldip Singh Heran
Sikkim’s unique festival of Pang Lhabsol
This year’s traditional Pang Lhabsol is being observed at Tsuklakhang monastery in Gangtok. Lamas of Pemayangtse monastery and some lay people will take part in the celebrations of the worship of Sikkim Guardian Deities, which include Sikkim’s unique pangtoed dance.
This unique festival is also being observed all over the State with pomp and gaiety, particularly at Rabong in South Sikkim.(pix below)
FASHION
Vanity Fair honours Bhutan’s fashionable monarch
The 2014 Vanity Fair International Best-Dressed List includes all the usual suspects: Kate Middleton, Cate Blanchett and Pharrell Williams, to name a few. But among all the obvious choices, there's at least one name on there that we didn't expect to see.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan made this year's cut under the "Originals" category. And upon further investigation, he's actually a pretty obvious choice. From mixing prints to incorporating bold color, it's no wonder Bhutan is one of the happiest countries on earth: their 31-year-old king has got it going on.In fact, the glossy has been privy to his majesty's style for a while. He made the list back in 2011, too.




Pang Lhabsol celebrations down the years




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Article 6

September 5, 2014, 9:37 pm
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SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday Sept 6-12, 2014
Blog:jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com
TEACHERS’ DAY AWARD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani with Sikkim’s Tashi Namgyal Academy (TNA) Principal Kuldip Singh Heran (back row right) and other teachers on the eve of Teachers’ Day (Sept 5) in New Delhi. The teachers/principals have been selected for National Award on Teachers’ Day.
Battle between ‘people power’ and ‘money power’ has begun, says RN Chamling
PK Chamling
Gangtok, Sept 5: Unfazed by his brother and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s threats, Rup Narayan Chamling, says the ensuing by-polls in the Assembly constituency of Rangang-Yangang in South Sikkim, is a battle between dhan shakti (money power) and jan shakti (people power).
   The Chief Minister reiterated during his election campaign in Yangang on Wednesday that his younger brother did not have his “blessings”, that he never discussed about contesting the by-polls with him,  and that if he wins he would not be taken into the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF). Chamling, instead, urged the people to vote for SDF candidate Kumari Mangar.
    “SDF will not take Rup Narayan should he win. The doors of SDF are closed forever for him”, Chamling said and added, “My brother does not have my blessings. He is also my opponent, do not be fooled by his misleading statements.”
In response to this RN Chamling reacted, “This is a fight between money power and people power. The SDF umbrella is almost broken and rusted. It needs to be changed.”
 “I have been forced to contest after seeing SDF using all its power against the innocent people. SDF has brought in all its ministers, MLAs and senior leaders here to trample the aspirations of the people of Rangang Yangang,” he said at a public meeting in his constituency.
RN Chamling
If the SDF succeeds in convincing the people that its real candidate is Mangar and not RN Chamling, locally known as ‘Rupen’, then the fight would be between Chamling’s brother and his party’s official candidate.
However, BJP’s candidate Bikash Basnet is likely to put up a tough fight given the fact that he is backed by both the BJP and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) to which he belonged before he switched over  to BJP just before the by-poll process began. In fact, Basnet gave a tough fight to Chamling from Rangang-Yangang during the recent Assembly polls.
The seat remained vacant as the Chief Minister retained the Namchi constituency. The Chief Minister is originally from Yangang, where members of his family still reside.
Sikkim Lokayukta to probe corruption allegations against SDF ministers: Subba
Gangtok, Sept 5:   The Lokayukta will inquire into all allegations of corruption against 18 former ministers of Sikkim afresh, despite the clean chit given to them by the Justice R K Patra Inquiry Commission.
Law Minister R B Subba told the Assembly that the cases automatically stood transferred to the Lokayukta as the Lokayukta Act was now in force in Sikkim, PTI reported.
The State unit of the Congress had levelled allegations of corruption against 22 former ministers of the SDF government in 2010. A commission of inquiry, headed by Justice (retd) R K Patra, was set up by the State Government to look into the allegations.
The commission's report was tabled in the Sikkim Assembly this week. Of the 22, the commission had "not fully accepted the explanations furnished" by four former ministers - Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, N K Pradhan, T T Bhutia and Menlom Lepcha. These are all ex-ministers of the ruling party.
Law Minister RB Subba

The commission had directed the state government to "inquire into certain aspects" of allegations levelled against them. Subba told the Assembly that the Lokayukta would look into the allegations against these four ministers separately.
"In effect, allegations against all the 22 have been forwarded to the Lokayukta for further inquiry," he explained.
The Law minister said he himself had received summons from the Lokayukta to appear before him on September 16.
No talks being held with Beijing: Tibetan PM
Dharamsala, Sept 5: The head of Tibet's government-in-exile has rejected a claim by Chinese authorities that the Dalai Lama is in talks with Beijing through his envoys about the possibility of his return to Tibet.
"As we have always been transparent, right now there isn’t any official contact or dialogue taking place [with the Chinese leadership]," Tibet’s Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay told  Radio Free Asia.
"If dialogues are to take place, as we stressed earlier, it would be between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and representatives of the new Chinese leadership," he said. "It has been like this before and will remain like this in the future."
China’s government in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) claimed last week that the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, was in discussions with Beijing through his “personal envoys” but the talks were only about the possibility of his return to Tibet.
Wu Yingjie, the deputy secretary of the ruling Chinese Communist Party's Committee for Tibet, had told a group of Indian journalists on a special visit to the TAR capital Lhasa that the talks with the Dalai Lama were “ongoing and always smooth, but we are discussing only his future, not Tibet’s.”
Talks held on Tibet’s status between envoys of the Dalai Lama and Beijing were stalled in January 2010. There has been no progress in the discussions since then despite calls from U.S. President Barack Obama and other world leaders for a resumption of the Sino-Tibetan dialogue.
Sangay, a Harvard-educated lawyer, was elected Tibet’s exile political leader in 2011 after the Dalai Lama relinquished his political role as the leader of the government-in-exile, ending a tradition spanning centuries of the Dalai Lamas holding both spiritual and political authority.
MM Rasaily hailed as a ‘Great Son of Sikkim’
Gangtok, Sept 5: Forty years after he was sidelined and punished by anti-Sikkim, pro-India authorities in Gangtok  for his principle stand against Sikkim’s ‘merger’ , Madan Mohan Rasaily, who passed away here on Wednesday, is being hailed as an “upright person”  and a “great son of Sikkim”.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling described Rasaily (89) as “an upright person with impeccable integrity”. He said Rasaily’s demise is “an irreparable loss” to Sikkim.
Recipient of Denzong Thu ki Norbu (The Jewel of Sikkim), the highest civilian award of the then Kingdom of Sikkim, and Pema Dorjee (for dedicated service), conferred by the Late Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal in 1974, Rasaily studied in Mt. Hermon School and completed his Senior Cambridge (class 11) in 1943.
He held many posts in the State Government, including Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Home Secretary. He was with the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front for a brief while in the 1990s after his retirement from service in 1988.
He is survived by his wife Rani Mala Rasaily, two sons and two daughters.
Editorial
SIKKIM BY-POLLS
Drama Or Revolt?
Hardly anyone takes Pawan Kumar Chamling seriously these days. And he knows it and yet he carries on with his usual bluff. Fortunately or unfortunately, no one believes Chamling when he says his younger brother does not have his blessings and is not his ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s candidate for the up-coming by-polls. Rup Narayan Chamling himself says he is not the ruling party’s candidate for the Rangang-Yangang Assembly constituency by-polls in South Sikkim.  ‘Rupen’, as he is known locally, will find it very difficult to convince the voters that he is not with his brother and the ruling party. Because of these factors the ruling party’s official candidate Kumari Mangar is facing a difficult situation.
The Chief Minister has openly declared that ‘Rupen’ will not be taking into the ruling party even if he wins. While skeptics will have to wait for the polls to be over to find the truth there is a section who believes that CM’s younger brother has revolted against him and his party which has been ruling Sikkim for over two decades. Chamling has sent a full brigade of his party workers to camp in Yangang for the by-polls. Come what may he has to win the seat which he has vacated. Otherwise the ruling party may see a further division of its support base. Already PS Golay’s Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), which has 10 of the 32 seats in the Assembly, is waiting in the wings to wage another assault on the ruling dispensation. SKM’s former candidate of this Assembly seat, Bikash Basnet, who is now the BJP’s candidate for the by-polls, may be lucky if SDF votes get divided and his own vote share remains intact.
Mamata to set up CMO in Darj, thrust on development
Darjeeling, Sept 5: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said she would set up a small office in the Darjeeling hills to facilitate administrative work for the people of the region.
“I have decided to set up a small office in the hills to be manned by an official from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO),”  Banerjee, who is on a three-day visit to Darjeeling hills told reporters in Kalimpong.
She said the office in Darjeeling would help in disbursing funds from the Chief Minister’s Relief fund to the people of the hills.
“The Uttarkanya office (secretariat in north Bengal) in Siliguri is functioning well and will continue,” she said.
Banerjee also announced that four hydel power units would come up in the region, while one medical college would be set up under the PPP model in Kurseong.
The chief minister also held a meeting with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders over the transfer of departments to the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) Sabha, senior GJM leader Roshan Giri said.
Giri, who was present at the meeting along with five other GJM leaders, said the issue of disbursement of funds from the state to the GTA Sabha also came up for discussion.
Emphasising on exploiting the unexplored areas in Kalimpong for increasing tourism in the district, Banerjee said that thrust would be given on developing new tourist spots in the region for boosting the local economy. "Darjeeling is becoming saturated. There are a lot of unexplored areas in Kalimpong. We have already set up Lamahatta eco-tourism. We are giving stress on home tourism." she told a meeting in Kalimpong on Wednesday.
Chinese TV satellite targets PoK, Sikkim
New Delhi, Sept 5: Indian telecom operators and broadcasters have raised concern over the latest satellite Asiasat-8 launched recently by China which has been designed to keep the border areas of the country away from signals being beamed by these operators and broadcasters.
The operators and the broadcasters point out that the Chinese satellite is not only the most powerful launched so far, but has been designed to take the northern border of India and North East territories out of India beam., agencies reported.
These have been made a part of the China beam as if these are a part of the Chinese territory. The territories, which have been earmarked as part of the China beam include the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Kashmir, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan. The satellite was launched by China on August 5.
Reports suggest that the move from China came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the possible SAARC satellite by India to bring the SAARC countries closer.
Asiasat-8 has been designed as a commercial satellite offering VSAT/DTH, Internet and telecommunications capacity for various users in India and China. However,  hidden in its design is to establish its signals on Indian territory, which China has been disputing and claiming as its own.
Lok Sabha member of Parliament from Maharashtra Hansraj Gangaram Ahir has written to Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the perils of the satellite to India.
In his letter Ahir has urged the Home Minister to come out with a notification banning the use of this satellite by any Indian Telecom, VSAT or DTH operator.
Ahir has pointed out that the new Chinese satellite will allow anyone in PoK, Ladakh, Leh, Nepal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and all along the northern border of India and North East to use this high-powered satellite to establish two-way communications from India which will be inaccessible to Indian security agencies and poses grave security threat to the country.
OBITUARYMadan Mohan Rasaily
The Jewel of Sikkim
Born on 22nd September 1928, the fourth son of Manbir Singh Rasaily, Finance Secretary to His Highness, the Maharaja of Sikkim, Sir Tashi Namgyal,  Madan Mohan Rasaily studied upto Class IV at Sir Tashi Namgyal High School, Gangtok,  and went to join Mt. Hermon School, Darjeeling,  as a boarder, from where he completed his Senior Cambridge in 1943.
 He pursued his B.Sc. at St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta, and later shifted to the Government College, Darjeeling, when they introduced the subject Botany. Before going for his higher studies he taught Science and Geography at Sir Tashi Namgyal High School for sometime as there was no subject teacher available at that time.
From the year 1955-58 he underwent Higher Forestry training at Indian Forest College, Dehradun. After successful completion of his training he came back and joined the Sikkim Forest Department as Assistant Conservator of Forest on 1st of March 1960. He became DFO, East when Arjan Singh was the Conservator of Forest on deputation from Punjab. He took the charge as Head of Forest Department as Conservator of Forest after the tenure of Dakman Lama.
He served as a bureaucrat for 35 years. Working in tandem with the vision of the 12th Chogyal of Sikkim, His Highness, Palden Thondup Namgyal, he helped to set up the State Trading Corporation of Sikkim, the State Lottery (for aiding Development Plans), the Sikkim Jewels, the Sikkim Time Corporation and the Sikkim Supreme Factory at Singtam. At the time of Chinese invasion in 1962 he was entrusted with the work of Civil Defence Commissioner.
He was also the Auditor General of Sikkim till 1974. During his tenure he held the responsibilities of Auditor General as well as Secretaries of different Departments like Trade, Industries and Commerce, Tourism, Education, Motor Vehicle, Home and also as Director Vigilance. He retired from the service in 1988 when he was posted as Home Secretary. Apart from the committed service to Sikkim, he was also involved in other activities. He was one of the founding members of the Rotary Club in Sikkim.
He was an avid footballer and played for the school team, college team and also the town team which consisted of officers serving the Chogyal of Sikkim. He accompanied the Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal in his visits to Switzerland, UK and also Birendra of Nepal.
 He also helped strengthen the Sri Satya Sai organization of Sikkim as its President and also helped in designing and completion of the Sai Mandir at Baluwakhani, Gangtok. He was conferred the Denzong Thu ki Norbu (The Jewel of Sikkim), the highest civilian award of the then Kingdom of Sikkim. He received this award in the year 1974 from His Highness, the Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal. He also conferred the Pema Dorjee medal, for his dedicated service. He retired from Government service in 1988 when he was Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Home Secretary.
Tributes to a true and loyal ‘Son of Sikkim’
Rasaily was an upright man: Chief Minister
The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling in his condolence message said that MM Rasaily, who held the high esteemed post of Secretary Home and many other departments in his service career, was known for his professionalism and his able administration.
“Shri Rasaily was an upright person with impeccable integrity and his demise is an irreparable loss to the state” the Chief Minister said.
He was loyal to his motherland Sikkim
With all respect and veneration, we the monks of Sikkim remember great son of Sikkim, Madan Mohan Rasaily on his passing away, early morning today.
The monks and people of Sikkim shall always remember late MM Rasaily with fond memory of his love for Sikkim. We believe he preceded every Sikkimese official, both amongst his contemporaries and present as far as loyalty and love for the motherland is concerned.
 Sherab Tenzing Lepcha
 General Secretary
 Monks of Sikkim
His love and loyalty for Sikkim inspires us
“On the passing away of Shri Madan Mohan Rasaily (Denzong Thuki Norbu’ and ‘Pema Dorje’), former Home Secretary of Sikkim and Ven Dorje Loben Sonam Angay Lama of Sumin Monastery early morning today, I express my heartfelt condolences to the members of the family of the deceased.
Shri MM Rasaily’s contribution and sincerity towards the delivery of his duties are legends in our Sikkimese society. A blue-eyed figure of Sikkim, his loyalty to his duty and motherland shall surely become a source of inspiration for all of us.”
 Sonam Lama
 Sangha MLA
He stood firm, we salute him
“The passing away of Mr. MM Rasaily has left an irreparable vacuum in the Sikkimese society, particularly the one who loves Sikkim. The conferring of Sikkim’s highest Civilian Award of Sikkim ‘Denzong Thuki Norbu’ and others as ‘Pema Dorje’ simply speaks the volume of the very principles and ordeals with which he delivered his responsibilities in high public office, officially and socially.
We particularly appreciate his love for the Sikkim and the Sikkimese people by means of never accepting the coveted IAS which otherwise would have had invited three more non-Sikkimese officials, an exemplary act which abundantly lacks amongst all his contemporaries as well as that of today’s.
We salute the pious stand that he undertook as Sikkim’s Home Secretary during the hour of her trials in the mid-1970s.
On the passing away of Mr. MM Rasaily, ‘Denzong Thuki Norbu’ and ‘Pema Dorje’, this organization bow it’s held in high veneration and respect.
Pintso Bhutia
 President
National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO)
FESTIVALS
Indra Jatra: A festival in honour of Lord Indra
Indra Jatra celebrations in Kathmandu.
Indra Jatra: This festival named after Lord Indra - the God of Rain and also the King of Heaven is celebrated by both the Buddhists and Hindus in Nepal in August/September. It is the biggest religious festival celebrated in Kathmandu, Nepal.
This festival lasts for eight days with singing, mask dancing and rejoicing. The chariot of Kumari – the Living Goddess is taken through the main streets of Kathmandu with much fanfare.
 On the first day, the King of Nepal also pays homage to Goddess Kumari. The crowd of excited people from performers to spectators engulfs the streets of Kathmandu during this festival. People get to enjoy various classical dances like elephant dance, lakhe – a very popular dance of a man with a mask.
The celebrations consist of two events. Indra Jātrā is marked by masked dances of deities and demons, displays of sacred images and tableaus in honor of the deity Indra, the king of heaven. The other event is Kumāri Jātrā, the chariot procession of the living goddess Kumari.
Family members deceased in the past year are also remembered during the festival. The main venue of the festivities is Kathmandu Durbar Square. The celebrations last for eight days from the 12th day of the bright fortnight to the 4th day of the dark fortnight of Yanlā, the eleventh month in the lunar Nepal Era calendar.
Indra Jatra was started by king Gunakamadeva to commemorate the founding of the city of Kathmandu in the 10th century. Kumari Jatra began in the mid-18th century.
Since 2010, this festival is also celebrated in Sikkim by the Newar community.
Pang Lhabsol: A religious festival unique to Sikkim
Pang Lhabsol festival at Tsuklhakhang Monastery, Gangtok.







Pang Lhabsol, a festival commemorating the conservation of Mt. Kanchenjunga as the guardian deity of the State, is unique to Sikkim. It has its origin in the Lepcha people's belief that the mountain is their place of origin. It is also believed that the festival has its roots in Lhatsun Chenpo's (the propagator of Buddhism in Sikkim) vision.
It also commemorate the treaty of brotherhood between the Lepchas and Bhutias, where Kye Bumsa the then Bhutia leader signed the brotherhood treaty with the Lepcha Chieftain Thekong Tek at Kabi Lunstok in North Sikkim in the 13th century.
Subsequently, after the formation of the Namgyal Dynasty in Sikkim Chador Namgyal, the third Chogyal of Sikkim, introduced the "pangtoed" dance and dedicated it to Kanchenjunga as a war deity. The spectacular Pangtoed or warrior dance was choreographed by Chogyal Chador Namgyal, which is said to have appeared to him in a vision.
Khangchendzonga, Sikkim’s Guardian Deity. (file pix by Late Yarpa Paljor Tashi)
Pang Lhabsol combines masked dance with warrior dance, giving the festival an inherent drama, which surpasses that found in other Buddhist festivals. There are resplendent costumes and colorful masks, and the choreography is spectacular. Kanchenjunga itself is represented by a dancer wearing a red mask mounted with five human skulls, on top of which are mounted flags.
Mahakala, Kanchenjunga's Supreme Commander, wears a black mask, while the warriors who accompany them are attired in the traditional Sikkimese battle dress, complete with helmets, swords and shields. The dramatic entry of Mahakala, the protector of the dharma, or faith, is one of the highlights of the dance. It is Mahakala who commands Kanchenjunga and Yabdu to defend the faith and bring peace and prosperity to Sikkim.
Mahakala chham during Pang Lhabsol celebrations.
A week prior to the dance, the lamas of Pemayangtse monastery in west Sikkim, where the festival takes place, offer prayers, invoking Dzonga - the popular local name for Kanchenjunga - to protect the land and look after the people.
Pang Lhabsol celebrations in Rabong, South Sikkim.

To this day the mountain god is invoked and prayed upon at Pang Lhabsol to continue protecting Sikkim. The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th month of the Tibetan calendar corresponding to late August/early September.







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Article 5

September 14, 2014, 2:05 am
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SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday Sept 13-19, 2014
Blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com
CBI coming to Sikkim to hang corrupt leaders: Union Minister
We have been fooled on ‘organic state’ claim: BJP

(L to R) SKM President PS Golay, BJP candidate Bikash Basnet and Union Tribal Minister Jual Oram in Rabongla, South Sikkim, on Thursday. (Pix: Prabin Khaling)
Gangtok, Sept12: The clock seems to be ticking fast on Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s stay in power. The Centre has taken a strong view on issues regarding alleged misuse of public money and corrupt practices of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his former and present Cabinet ministers.
While urging the people to vote for BJP candidate Bikash Basnet for the Rangang-Yangang Assembly constituency by-polls, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said the BJP and the Central Government want a “corruption-free Sikkim”.
Realising the state of affairs in Sikkim, Oram declared that CBI will soon come to Sikkim and threatened to place all corrupt leaders behind bars. He even went on to say that Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) chief PS Golay would become the next chief minister if BJP wins in the by-polls.
“It is a matter of great concern that despite release in the Central government fund, the Sikkim government has failed to start the construction of Sikkim University (in Yangang). This is very unfortunate and I will take the matter with HRD Minister,” the Union Minister said during his address at a public meeting in Rabong, South Sikkim yesterday.
Both the Union Minister and the BJP-in-charge for Northeast, Parmanand Raut, attacked the SDF government on its ‘Organic State’ claim. They stated that wrong information was given to the Prime Minister, who had been misled on the matter. "The real updated information will be reported to the Union government soon so that proper monitoring of funds to Sikkim can be done," they said, Talk Sikkim reported.
 “Vote for BJP candidate Bikash Basnet to win and see what happens to ‘chalaak, chatur’ Chief  Minister of Sikkim within six months”, the Union Minister said. He added, “In name of organic farming Chamling has not only fooled Janta but also fooled India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
“This is a harsh reality that the Prime Minister is being grossly misguided by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling who is saying that Sikkim is becoming an organic state, which is not true at all. I have come to know that chemical fertilisers are still being used here. I will inform the Prime Minister about the matter once I reach Delhi,” the Minister said, The Telegraph reported.
“Give us one seat. That will be a stepping stone for PS Golay to become the Chief Minister as we support him," Oram assured. SKM is in alliance with BJP for the by-polls.
Golay and BJP State unit President Palden Wangchuk Khangsarpa were present during the public meeting.
The by-poll was necessitated after Chamling resigned from the seat and retained Namchi-Singhithang, having contested and won from both the constituencies in the April Assembly polls. Basnet took on Chamling in the April polls on a Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) ticket but lost by over 3,000 votes.
Independent candidate Rup Narayan Chamling, who is the Chief Minister’s brother, is giving a tough fight to the ruling SDF candidate Kumari Mangar.
There are over 11,700 electors, who will cast their votes in 14 polling stations in three sectors. The votes will be counted Sep 16. Irrespective of whoever wins the political situation is likely to hot up from next week.
WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR
Jigme N. Kazi
People power must win over money power for democracy to triumph in Sikkim
Gol
 Gola
Gangtok, Sept 12: It took nearly three years to merge the NB Bhandari-led Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP) with the Congress party in 2001-2003. It has taken less than  three months to forge the SKM-BJP alliance in Sikkim this year.
Golay
Had the leaders of the alliance taken up the matter more seriously the opposition would have been in a better position today. However, they are to be applauded and congratulated for their efforts and achievements. BJP Sikkim unit President Palden Wangchuk Khangsarpa and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) President PS Golay were able to stitch an alliance and field Bikash Basnet, formerly with the SKM, as BJP candidate for the by-polls of Rangang-Yangang Assembly constituency.
Irrespective of the by-poll results the new development in itself is a big achievement for Sikkim. Aided by their able lieutenants Khangsarpa and Golay are expected to take the alliance to greater heights as this is the need of the hour.
   By choosing Golay over Chief Minister Pawan Chamling the BJP has sent the right message to the people of Sikkim and India as well. For many national parties and politicians Sikkim is a testing ground where most of them have failed miserably. The BJP has taken the right step and at the right time.
The reason why SSP-Cong merger could not take off fast as planned was because Congress leaders in the State as well as at the Centre were ‘managed’ and influenced by money-power (My book The Lone Warrior: Exiled In My Homelandgives a detailed account on this issue). This has not happened with the BJP this time and it is a good sign that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah are serious about their campaign on corruption-free India.
Khangsarpa

However, when the going gets tough the tough gets going and Pawan Chamling will do all he can to have his way. He may already be working overtime to get in touch with the BJP-SKM camp and BJP’s central leadership through the backdoor to ensure that competent and committed persons do not play a vital role in rejuvenating the BJP in Sikkim. Already things are moving too slow in making things difficult for the present dispensation. This is a warning which must be heeded at the earliest otherwise all tall claims of the BJP-SKM alliance will come to naught.
Editorial
MADAN MOHAN RASAILY
Hail to The Jewel of Sikkim
He was the first senior officer close to the former Chogyal of Sikkim to get the boot for his open defiance and firm opposition to Sikkim’s takeover in 1974-75. He is perhaps the only Sikkimese to be awarded the Denzong Thuki Norbu (The Heart Jewel of Sikkim),the highest civilian award of the Kingdom of Sikkim. Madan Mohan Rasaily, who passed away peacefully at 90 in his homeland last week, will surely rest in peace for he remained a true and loyal ‘Son of Sikkim’, when his king and country needed him the most and when others deserted them and took the easy way out and yielded to pressures and lures of life.
    And while“‘little men’ who rule the roost in Sikkim will have been consigned to dust,” posterity will look back to men like MM Rasaily who, despite life’s trials and tribulations, stood firm and remained loyal to their motherland and to the high ideals and values they uphold in life. The ‘merger’ era was a testing time for Sikkim’s leadership – political and administrative. Those who went for short-term gains or who had their own axe to grind were used by the authorities to go against the Chogyal and Sikkim. But men like the former Home Secretary-cum-Additional Chief Secretary and Auditor-General of Sikkim stood like a rock and “sacrificed petty considerations for the lofty ideal” they espoused.Such men will surely have a place in Sikkim’s long and chequered history. And because of men like MM Rasaily and his mentor Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal true and faithful sons and daughters of Sikkim “will be able to walk with their heads held high whatever their circumstances in life happen to be.”
NIT’s Buddhist festival begins on Sunday
Gangtok, Sept 12: The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT) is organising a 3-day Boudh Mahotsav Buddhist Festival in Sikkim from Sunday under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The festival is intended to showcase some of the tangible aspects of Buddhism and to promote the values of peace, non-violence, compassion and loving kindness practiced by the Buddha.
The Ministry of Culture has been promoting Buddhism in a big way, and this Boudh Mahotsav is part of its concerted efforts to promote Buddhism in the same land where the Buddha himself once preached, a NIT release said.
It is fitting that the Buddhist Festival is being held at the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology that has, for over half a century, worked tirelessly to preserve, document and disseminate the knowledge of all the four Sects and Schools of Buddhism, as well as Bon. The Institute is today a centre for excellence in Buddhist studies in North East India, the release added.
    Some of the events being showcased at the Buddhist Festival are: Lama chanting, Cham dance, Sand mandala, Butter sculpture, Thangka painting, and promotion of Sowa Rigpa, the Ancient Tibetan Science of Healing. The showpiece of the Buddhist Festival will be the NIT Museum which has a substantial collection of rare Buddhist artifacts. Additionally, folk dance troupes from seven states of India will be participating.
There will be a free Medical Camp where the Sowa Rigpa team from the Central University of Tibetan Studies, Saranath, Varanasi will see up to a maximum of 60 patients in a day and provide free consultation and medicines for a month.
Lachen Rinpoche remembered during Pang Lhabsol celebrations in Lachen
Lachen, Sept 12: The Pang Lhabsol celebrations in Lachen, North Sikkim, this year was a special occasion to remember and honour Late Lachen Rinpoche who passed away in 2012.
According to Lachen Pipon Janam Lachenpa, the function was organized in Thangu in Lachen to honour Lachen Gomchen who was the real source of inspiration when the celebrations began at the newly-constructed Thangu monastery a few years back.
   The Pipon and Lachen Pang Lhabsol Committee member Rinzing Chewang were in Gangtok to invite all well-wishers of the Late Rinpoche to grace the occasion.

    While the annual function in hounour of Sikkim’s Guardian Deities was held  at the Tsuklakhang Monastery in Gangtok, similar function was also organized in Rabong, South Sikkim, and Pemayangtse Monastery, West Sikkim, and other monasteries in the State.
Pang Lhabsol, a festival commemorating the conservation of Mt. Kanchenjunga as the guardian deity of the State, is unique to Sikkim. It has its origin in the Lepcha people's belief that the mountain is their place of origin. It is also believed that the festival has its roots in Lhatsun Chenpo's (the propagator of Buddhism in Sikkim) vision.
The occasion also commemorates the treaty of brotherhood between the Lepchas and Bhutias, where Kye Bumsa the then Bhutia leader signed the brotherhood treaty with the Lepcha Chieftain Thekong Tek at Kabi Lunstok in North Sikkim in the 13th century.


LEST WE FORGET Jupiter Yambem
Manipur’s North Pointer Jupiter Yambem is remembered on 9/11
Jupiter Yambem

Jupiter Yambem became part of World History 13 years ago: Laba Yambem
It was a solemn and sad day for us here at home.I still remember him taking me atop the World Trade Centre way back in 1991 and watched an aircraft flying below.10 years later I watched in horror seeing the aircrafts crashing in at the WTC. It was literally watching my brother being killed thousands of miles away on TV.At first I thought it was a new Hollywood blocbuster that had just been released. Then I saw the streamers Breaking News WTC under attack, then I said to myself my god that is where Jupiter works. It was with a sense of despair and hopelessness that I spent the next few hours as all communications with New York was down. His body was mercifully recovered and cremated there but his ashes returned home to be sprinkled over the Loktak Lake here in his homeland in faraway Manipur.
In 2002, I accompanied my late father who was well in his 80s then to pray at Ground Zero which then resembled a bombed out place.We prayed for his soul then.Then 10 years after 2001 came the news if Bin Laden' s own death.I had then said that 'now with his death my brother' s soul can now rest in peace' and also' may Allah the merciful forgive you Bin Laden'.
2014 marked the 13th anniversary of his death and we had a simple ceremony at home where I offered Tarpan according to Hindu Vedic rites and the priest read out a passage from the Shrimad Bhagwat Gita- it was on the Karma Yogi dealing with duties of a man on earth.
Laba Yambem
Two of his Manipuri friends now in the USA, L.Somi Roy from New York and Devdas Laishram from San Fransisco were present and so were Dr.Kh.Ratankumar Singh Minister Works, Irengbam Hemichandra Minister PHED, R.K.Anand MLA besides his childhood friends Pradip Phanjoubam Editor Imphal Free Press, Hawaibam Dileep IAS Director Education, Moirangthem Lakhsmi IAS Secretary Transport, Shyamcharan Singh Chief Engineer Police Housing Corporation and a host of other well wishers and friends and relatives had gathered.
I also wish to thank all my FB friends for showing solidarity with us on this day that our beloved Jupiter Yambem became part of World History 13 years ago.
North America Tribute to Jupiter Yambem
Jupiter Yambem was born and raised in the remote state of Manipur in the northeast corner of India. At the age of 21 he came to the United States and promptly took up a career in some of New York City's most famous restaurants, including the Rainbow Room and then Windows on the World, where he worked as a banquet manager. But even as he planted hardy roots here, marrying a woman from Syracuse, settling down in Beacon, N.Y., joining an environmental group dedicated to protecting the Hudson River, becoming friends with Pete Seeger, signing on as assistant coach for his son Santi's soccer team Mr. Yambem, 41, held fast to his Indian past. Retaining his Indian citizenship, he co- founded the North American Manipur Association, a small group of Manipur families that sought to promote and preserve the culture of their homeland over here. He had two purposes, said his wife, Nancy Yambem. He wanted his son to know something of his heritage, to see the dances and hear the music and taste the food. But he also wanted to construct a bridge, however modest, between two vastly different cultures.
A Sept 11 family honours a proud Manipuri
New York: Born and raised in Imphal in Manipur, Jupiter Yambem, 47 lived the immigrant’s dream in America. At the top of his class in SUNY New Paltz, he was snapped up by some of New York City's most famous restaurants, including the Rainbow Room and then Windows on the World, where he worked as a banquet manager. He thrived on the energy of New York and adored his curly auburn-haired American wife from Syracuse who he met in college in the early eighties and their son.
Jupiter Yambem’s wife, Nancy McCardle Yambem, remembers frantically calling her husband on September 11. He never answered. Everyone in the Windows of the World restaurant on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center survived the impact when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower at 8:46 am, but died when the tower collapsed after burning for 102 minutes.

Nancy Yambem with her late husband Jupiter Yambem and son Shanti.
On the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks, Yambem and her son Santi whose name is pronounced Shanti, like others who lost family on September 11, 2001 carry the heavy legacy of that day.
“It has been ten years and we miss Jupiter. We will always miss him. He was amazing. We have a small Hindu shrine in our house to Jupiter,” said Yambem whose house is cluttered with photos of her college sweetheart.
Jupiter came to America at the age of 21 from India to work in a summer camp with children with visual impairment. After he got done with the camp he decided to stay on in America and went to college at the State University of New York at New Paltz.
“We met in college in 1981 and hung out with the same crowd. We started seeing each other in 1984 as a couple. We married in 1991 so I knew him — know him — for 20 years,” said Yambem still finding it painful to use the past tense.
For those kids who lost a parent on 9/11, fitting in and getting back to life as usual is an ongoing process. Jupiter was a hands-on dad and signed on as assistant coach for his five-year-old son’s soccer team.
“Santi is trying to be as normal a kid as he can. He is in the 10th Grade now. He was in kindergarten when his father died. His life has changed greatly from being a five-year-old to a teen,” said Yambem about her tall boy who plays rock guitar and trumpet in the school band.
Santi was traumatized by his father’s death and had trouble sleeping after the 9/11 tragedy. Jupiter called his son Chinglailakba or dragon tamer in Manipuri. Not someone who fights dragons, Yambem explains, but someone who tames them.
“Jupiter used to call Santi Chingalai or Paki Chingalai, kind of Papa’s dragon tamer,” said Yambem, who has kept Santi close to his Indian roots.
“We have a home in Manipur. We go every two years. Santi has been since he was a year old. He is very familiar with Manipuri culture and his family back home. It is basically our second home.”
Jupiter held fast to his Indian roots. Keeping his Indian citizenship, he co-founded the North American Manipur Association (NAMA), consisting of a small group of Manipuri families that sought to promote and preserve their culture. NAMA has since expanded into a network of 40 Manipuri families and supports causes in Manipur.
“We started NAMA with the idea of getting Manipuri families together once a year over the long Fourth of July weekend to eat Manipuri food, teach the kids Manipuri dance and have them perform. It has evolved over the years and supports Manipuri causes,” said Yambem who went to the NAMA convention this year in Edison, New Jersey with her son Santi and current husband.
Yambem has moved on in many ways. She's in a new home and has remarried but says she is seldom separated from the constant reminders of the 9/11 tragedy.
“Being a 9/11 family is kind of constant. You are brought back to it because it is always on the news, or on TV. In a normal death situation you usually get a break from the death, but in our lives you kind of see it almost every day. If you have a day where there is nothing related then all of a sudden you spot a bumper sticker on a car that says ‘Never Forget’. You see a picture of the Twin Towers and you are brought right back to it,” said Yambem.
“I try to put it aside, but it is never really put aside. It is a difficult kind of death to deal with. My new husband has been incredibly understanding of that and knew coming into the relationship that we are a 9/11 family. He has been supportive in my continual grieving process and at times missing Jupiter. He is a good guy.”
They will be attending the opening on Sunday of the September 11 Memorial in New York, designed by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker. The memorial will open for the first time on Sunday, for a ceremony for family members of 9/11 victims. The public will have a chance to see it beginning Monday. The memorial complex spreads out over eight acres, encompassing the pavilion of the 9/11 Memorial Museum, more than 400 oak trees and a grassy glade.
“A lot of work has gone into the memorial so it’s nice that it is finally done. It is a beautiful memorial for those who died including Jupiter,” said Yambem who is still emotional and raw as she talks about Jupiter, who was seen as the “life of the party” by his many Indian and American friends.
Jupiter was a man with feet in two worlds and his last rites reflected his love for India and America. He was cremated on September 18, at the Cedar Hill Hindu Crematorium in New York and his ashes were scattered in India, along his favourite hiking trail in Tiger Hill, in Darjeeling. Jupiter’s friend, American folk singer Pete Seeger sang “Turn, Turn, Turn” at his memorial service at Beacon Riverfront Park on the banks of the Hudson River. (The Hindustan Times- Sept 11, 2011)


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