Friday, November 30, 2007

25 years after SIKKIM - Nepali Times


King Palden Thondup Namgyal, the Chogyal of Sikkim was in his palace on the morning of 6 April, 1975 when the roar of army trucks climbing the steep streets of Gangtok brought him running to the window. There were Indian soldiers everywhere, they had surrounded the palace, and short rapid bursts of machine-gun fire could be heard. Basanta Kumar Chhetri, a 19-year-old guard at the palace's main gate, was struck by a bullet and the killed-the first casualty of the takeover. The 5,000-strong Indian force didn't take more than 30 minutes to subdue the palace guards who numbered only 243. By 12.45 it was all over, Sikkim ceased to exist as an independent kingdom.

Captured palace guards, hands raised high were packed into trucks and taken away, singing: "Dela sil, li gi, gang changka chibso" (may my country keep blooming like a flower). But by the, the Indian tri-colour had replaced the Sikkimese flag at the palace where the 12th king of the Namgyal dynasty was held, prisoner. "The Chogyal was a great believer in India. He had huge respect for Mahatma Gnadhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Not in his wildest dreams did he think India would ever swallow up his kingdom," recalls Captain Sonam Yongda, the Chogyal's aide-de-camp. Nehru himself had told journalist Kuldip Nayar in 1960: "Taking a small country like Sikkim by force would be like shooting a fly with a rifle." Ironically it was Nehru's daughter Indira Gandhi who cited "national interest" to make Sikkim the 22nd state in the Indian union.

In the years leading up to the 1975 annexation, there was enough evidence that all was not well in relations between New Delhi and Gangtok. The seeds were sown as far back as 1947 after India gained independence when the Sikkim State Congress started an anti-monarchist movement to introduce democracy, end feudalism and merge with India. "We went to Delhi to talk to Nehru about these demands," recalls CD Rai, a rebel leader. "He told us, we'll help you with democracy and getting rid of feudalism, but don't talk about merger now." Relenting to pressure from pro-democracy supporters, the 11th Chogyal was forced to include Rai in a five-member council of ministers, to sign a one-sided treaty with India which would effectively turn Sikkim into an Indian
"protectorate", and allow the stationing of an Indian "political officer" in Gangtok.

As a leader of international stature with an anti-imperialist role on the world stage, Nehru did not want to be seen to be bullying small neighbours in his own backyard. But by 1964 Nehru had died and so had the 11th Chogyal, Sir Tashi Namgyal. There was a new breed of young and impatient political people emerging in Sikkim and things were in ferment. The plot thickened when Kaji Lendup Dorji (also known as LD Kaji) of the Sikkim National Congress, who had an ancestral feud with the Chogyal's family, entered the fray. By 1973, New Delhi was openly supporting the Kaji's Sikkim National Congress. Pushed into a corner, the new Chogyal signed a tripartite agreement with political parties and India under which there was further erosion of his powers. LD Kaji's Sikkim National Congress won an overwhelming majority in the 1974 elections, and within a year the cabinet passed a bill asking for the Chogyal's removal. The house sought a referendum, during which the decision was endorsed. "That was a charade," says KC Pradhan, who was then minister of agriculture."The voting was directed by the
Indian military.

India's "Chief Executive" in Gangtok wrote: "Sikkim's merger was necessary for Indian national interest. And we worked to that end. Maybe if the Chogyal had been smarter, and played his cards better, it wouldn't have turned out the way it did."  It is also said that the real battle was not between the Chogyal and Kaji Lendup Dorji, but between their wives. On one side was Queen Hope Cook, the American wife of the Chogyal and on the other was the Belgian wife of the Kaji, Elisa-Maria Standford. "This was a proxy war between the American and the Belgian," says former chief minister, BB Gurung. But there was a third woman involved: Indira Gandhi in New Delhi.

Chogyal Palden met the 24-year-old New Yorker, Hope Cook, in Darjeeling in 1963 and married her. For Cook, this was a dream come true: to become the queen of an independent kingdom in Shangrila. She started taking the message of Sikkimese independence to the youth, and the allegations started flying thick and fast that she was a CIA agent. These were the coldest years of the Cold War, and there was a tendency in India to see a "foreign hand" behind everything so it was not unusual for the American queen to be labeled a CIA agent. However, as Hope Cook's relations with Delhi deteriorated, so did her marriage with the Chogyal. In 1973, she took her two children and went back to New York. She hasn't returned to Sikkim since. Then there was Elisa-Maria, daughter of a Belgian father and German mother who left her Scottish husband in Burma and married LD Kaji in Delhi in 1957. The two couldn't have been more different. Elisa-Maria wanted to be Sikkim's First Lady, but Hope Cook stood in the way. "She didn't just want to be the wife of an Indian chief minister, she wanted to be the wife of the prime minister of an independent Sikkim." With that kind of ambition, it was not surprising that with annexation, neither Hope Cook nor Elisa-Maria got what they wanted. 

Meanwhile, in New Delhi, Indira Gandhi was going from strength to strength, and India was flexing its muscles. The 1971 Bangladesh war and the atomic test in 1974 gave Delhi the confidence to take care of Sikkim once and for all. Indira Gandhi was concerned that Sikkim may show independent tendencies and become a UN member like Bhutan did in 1971, and she also didn't take kindly to the three Himalayan kingdoms, Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal, getting too cosy with each other. The Chogyal attended King Birendra's coronation in Kathmandu in 1975 and hobnobbed with the Pakistanis and the Chinese, and there was a lobby in Delhi that felt Sikkim may get Chinese help to become independent.

In his book on the Indian intelligence agency, Inside RAW, The story of India's secret service, Ashok Raina writes that New Delhi had taken the decision to annex Sikkim in 1971 and that the RAW used the next two years to create the right conditions within Sikkim to make that happen. The key here was to use the predominantly-Hindu Sikkimese of Nepali origin who complained of discrimination from the Buddhist king and elite to rise up. "What we felt then was that the Chogyal was unjust to us," says CD Rai, editor of Gangtok Times and ex-minister. "We thought it may be better to be Indian than to be oppressed by the king."  So, when the Indian troops moved in there was general jubilation on the streets of Gangtok. It was in fact in faraway Kathmandu that there were reverberations. Beijing expressed grave concern. But in the absence of popular protests against the Indian move, there was only muted reaction at the United Nations in New York. It was only later that there were contrary opinions within India-Morarji Desai said in 1978 that the merger was a mistake. Even Sikkimese political leaders who fought for the merger said it was a blunder and worked to roll it back. But by then it was too late.

Today, most Sikkimese know they lost their independence in 1975, and Siliguri-bound passengers in Gangtok still say they are "going to India". The elite has benefited from New Delhi's largesse and isn't complaining. As ex-chief minister BB Gurung says: "We can't turn the clock back now."

GOVERNOR MISQUOTED

GANGTOK, November 29: The news item that appeared in the November 28, 2007 issue of various local dailies has misquoted the Governor, Sudarshan Agarwal, a press communiqué from the Raj Bhawan has said.

The Governor, in his speech at a seminar organized by Indian Council of Small Industries, (ICSI), Kolkata, here on November 27, had said, “It is on record that our State is having the fifth highest incidence of poverty among the state with 41.4 percent of the population living below the poverty line” based on the data furnished by the ICSI Kolkata, which relates to the year 1993-94.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

ANTONY TO GO ON A TWO-DAY VISIT TO SIKKIM ON SATURDAY

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony will go on a two-day visit to Sikkim beginning Saturday. He will be accompanied by the Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor and other Senior Officials of the Ministry of Defence. During his stay, Shri Antony will be visiting forward areas in the State including Nathu La. He will be briefed by the Army Commanders.

The Defence Minister will also interact with the troops and review the security situation besides meeting State Government Officials. This is going to be the first visit of the Defence Minister to the State after he took charge of the Ministry in October last year.

GOVERNOR FOCUSED ON POVERTY ELEVATION

Gangtok, November 28: Indian Council of Small Industries and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (Sikkim), Government of India organized one day seminar on Capacity of Village and Small Enterprise Sector as Engine of Growth for Development of Sikkim. The objectives of ICSI is to enhance the contribution of the small scale in tiny and rural industries sector towards the growth and development of Indian Economy and also to create spirit of self employment among the youth. The seminar was inaugurated by the Governor of Sikkim, Sudarshan Agarwal at a function held at the conference hall of Forest Department, on 27th November 2007. In his inaugural speech, the Governor said that he was very much concerned to empower the ordinary people of Sikkim and alleviate them from poverty. 

He mentioned that the VSE sector has the second largest share of employment after agriculture and it spans a wide range, including small scale, Khadi and Village and Coir industries, Handlooms, Handicraft, Sericulture, wool, Power looms, Food processing and other Agro and Rural industries segments. Agarwal advised ICSI to undertake studies for mechanism for developing small Industrial units in two backward district of Sikkim and also to undertake diagnostic study for revival of sick units. He said that the villagers of Sikkim have potential to bring changes in the state and he hoped that they would come forward to accept the establishment of these industries. He urged the state govt. to render all out assistance to the Council of Small Industries. 

S.B.Subedi, Minister for Forest Environment and Wild Life Management said that the state government had given preference to the small and tiny village cottage industries without disturbing the fragile ecological system. He said "we have got enough natural resources and people's strategic and resources. We are therefore to look inside and also to look for avenues to provide livelihood to all, particularly of youth's Livelihood. This requires to impart employ-ability to skill development, i.e development of employability skill of our youths who are educate, skilled in spoken English and as such information technology related ventures will help them to start. We are to keep our youths much above the level of frustration." 

The programme was also addressed by K.Jayakumar, Vice Chancellor SMU&TS, Izzatullah, Director MSMED Govt. of India. Secretary Industries and Commerce and Industries department and Officials from Industries Department and other resource personnel were present in the programme.

SGC FELICIATES DR.MP LAMA AND DR.RAJENDRA BHANDARI FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

“Youth of Sikkim should pursue higher education at any cost”-Dr. Lama

GANGTOK, November 28: “There are ample opportunities and exciting avenues for those who want to pursue their education with interest and dedication,” Dr. Mahendra P Lama, Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Sikkim said. Addressing a huge congregation of students and academicians at a felicitation programme organised by the Sikkim Government College and held at the College auditorium here today, Dr. Lama said that the Sikkim University has been envisioned with the aim to prepare the youth to take up the challenges and the many avenues that are available for them today.

Dr. Rajendra Bhandari, an eminent scholar and a lecturer in Nepali in SGC was also felicitated on the occasion. The two academicians were felicitated for their immense contributions in the field of academics.

Country of dreams comes to life on paper

Statesman News Service

SILIGURI, Nov. 28: Brijit Aich and Prabir Dutta were adjudged first and second respectively in Group A of a stamp-designing contest. It was organised by the department of posts, North Bengal and Sikkim Region as part of their two-day philately festival and seminar here today. Anamika Singh and Mainak Chakravorty were declared first and second in Group-B, while Sreyoshi Bannerjee and Megna Dey were adjudged winner and the runner-up in Group-C.

Over 200 students from various schools in the town took part in the competition, whose subject was: “India of My Dreams.” The winners were awarded attractive trophies. The prizes were given away by Mr Sanjiv Ranjan, director, postal services, North Bengal and Sikkim Region. 

A workshop was later organised to enlighten the participants, their guardians as well as the guests and visitors at the festival on the various aspects of stamp collection. The workshop was conducted by noted philatelist Mr Ashit Ghosh and a senior employee of the postal department, Mr Sudip Mandal. Around 10,000 stamps are on display at the Ramkinkar hall during the festival, at the ongoing festival.

New AIDS map shows hot zones spread over 20 states, 163 dists


Toufiq Rashid

DISTRICTWISE BREAKUP: Delhi, Bihar, Haryana, UP among new entrants
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 27: Contrary to conventional wisdom that high prevalence of HIV/AIDS is restricted to southern states and some places in the North-East, a new classification done by the National AIDS Control Programme (NACO) shows that the disease is spread across as many as 20 states in 163 districts.
These 163 districts have been categorised as “A districts” in the third phase of the NACO Programme beginning April 1, 2007: districts where more than 1% of the general population and more than 5% of the high-risk group is infected with the virus. Experts say this means these districts have crossed the “epidemic threshold” for the disease.
While the highest number of these A districts are, predictably, in states like Andhra Pradesh (21 of 25 districts fall in this category), Karnataka (24 of 27), Maharashtra (30 of 36), the surprise entrants are: New Delhi; eight districts in Bihar (including Purnia, West & East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi and Kishanganj); five in Uttar Pradesh (Etah, Etawah, Latehar, Banda and Balrampur); five in Madhya Pradesh, including Jabalpur and Bhopal; Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Amritsar in Punjab, Jhalawar and Ganganagar in Rajasthan and Jhajjar in Haryana.
Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Assam are the only states which don’t have “A districts.”
“The classification of the 611 districts is made on the basis of epidemiology risk and vulnerability and is based on annual sentinel surveillance. We will follow this classification for making district-wise prevention and control programmes,’’ said Sujatha Rao, NACO’s Director General.
According to the new classification, instead of having one AIDS control programme for all states, NACO has estimated district-wise prevalence to fine tune strategies. So while A districts are the hot zone, 59 fall in the B category: those with less than 1% prevalence in general population and 5% in high-risk groups.
Category C, with 278 districts, has less than 1% prevalence in general population and less than 5% in the high-risk group.
D category districts are “the safe districts” where prevalence in the general population is 0.25% — 111 fall in this category.
“Now that we know the vulnerability and actual problem in the district, each of the 611 districts in the country will have a link worker for HIV who will be responsible for implementing the programme at the district level,’’ said Rao.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/story/17446.html
Regards,
Peter F. Borges
Programme Manager, HIV/AIDS

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS AND DZONGU

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS AND DZONGU

After about a decade and a half of much deliberation, the UN has finally adopted the Resolution on the rights of indigenous people on the September 13, 2007 in its 107th plenary meeting.

Is it known to Sikkim?

As per history and the Supreme Court of India, the Lepchas are the original indigenous people of this land. They are entitled to the rights declared by the UN, as India is a signatory to this Declaration. Looking at the present scenario on Dzongu and the hydel power project development programme, it would be interesting to juxtapose some of the articles of the rights declared by the UN with the protest movement started by Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT).

Article 3

Indigenous peoples have the right to self determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

Article 8

States shall provide effective mechanisms for prevention of, and redress for:

b) Any action which has the aim or effect of dispossessing them of their land, territories or resources.

Article 10

Indigenous peoples shall not be forcibly removed from their land or territories. No relocation shall take place without the free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous peoples concerned and after agreement on just and fair compensation and where possible, with the option of return.

Article 20

Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and develop their political, economic and social system or institutions, to be secure in the enjoyment of their own means of subsistence and development, and to engage freely in all their traditional and other economic activities.

Article 23

Indigenous peoples have the right to determine and develop priorities and strategies for exercising their right to development. In particular, indigenous peoples have the right to be actively involved in developing and determining health, housing and other economic and social programmes affecting them and, as far as possible, to administer such programmes through their own institutions.

Article 26

Indigenous people have the right to the land, territories and resources which they have owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired.

Article 29

Indigenous people have the right to the conservation and protection of the environment and the productive capacity of their land, territories and resources. States shall establish and implement assistance programmes for indigenous peoples for such conservation and protection, without discrimination

Sikkim trip photos- 2

Day 2: Arrived At Bagdogra Town after a domestic flight followed by an 8hr jeep ride to Yuksam, Sikkim
Bagdogra town.. Cows still roam ard freely!



Finally arrived at Yuksam, Sikkim. This is Trekkers' Lodge, our humble abode for the next 2 weeks!

Sights and scenes at Trekkers' Hut

Happy Photo at the Herbal Nursery! Tiring climb of 2.4km!

The Herbal Nursery :)! Nice View

After the tour around the town, we have to start work!!!! haha, we were supposed to start our hard labour. We must set up a herbal garden for the local school there and plant tree saplings at their temple. It was tiring, but nevertheless rewarding and a totally new experience.

sikkim trip photos- 1

visited Sikkim form the 9th to 25th and here are the photos that i promised!

These photos are from Ivie's album...


The crazy bunch of us atop Dzongri Peak.... Super exhilarated to be up there. Our faces are numb from the cold!

Photos at changi airport before our flight. Thanks anthea and moon for sending ivie and me off! notice the happy faces :)!!


Day 2- Calcutta... The guys' pict! hehe...

Well, we stayed at this hotel called Heritage Hotel for the 1st night. Quite a decent hotel actually with freakin cold aircon and multi-channels tv!

Sights And Scene In Kolkata City, India... Notice hw izzit different from Spore...

well, we did nth much for this day, except to arrive in Kolkata, checked in the hotel and had a good night rest... more photos coming up!

rahh, its late in the night, gotta go n sleep. i m sleepy!

http://blacksesamemochi.blogspot.com/2007/11/sikkim-trip-photos-1.html

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

PHOTO EXHIBITION INAUGURATED BY DAGO TSHERING

Gangtok, November 27: 'Druk Denjong: A Historical Perspective' the Sikkim - Bhutan photo exhibition, is inaugurated by Dago Tshering, Bhutan Ambassador to India, Japan and Nepal on November, 26.
 
The Photo Exhibition was third in series and organized by Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Deorali. The first photo exhibition was held with the theme-'Who is behind the camera' and the second exhibition was on 'Namgyal Dynasty' in July last year. The first photo exhibition is also available on the website www.tibetology.com and the organizing committee plans to make the second photo exhibition a permanent one in future in the newly constructed building at Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. However, this year's theme is 'Druk Denjong: A Historical Perspective'.
 
The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology embarked on its historical photo project with an interest centered solely on Sikkim specific photographs. Approximately, 90 Sikkim- Bhutan photographs are in the display which was recreated in digital format. Some photographs are extremely rare and some are famous. The exhibition organized mainly to educate the people about the history and to preserve, digitalize and inform.
Lhenpo Dago Tshering, in his short address said that geographically Sikkim and Bhutan are neighbors and historically they are friends. In terms of culture, religion, demography etc. Sikkim and Bhutan share many common features which gives joy to visit Sikkim, he added. He further expressed that the photo exhibition which was organized throws light on joint historical perspective on Sikkim and Bhutan relations through the ages to modern times.

A few facts about SHOLAY


It goes without saying that Sholay remains the greatest entertainer popular Indian cinema has ever produced. But the makers never expected it to become such a monumental hit. It was the firm belief of ‘one man’ Ramesh Sippy whose conviction, passion for filmmaking, and unflinching dedication towards his craft resulted in this memorable film. Here’s a small account on ‘The Making of Sholay’.
 
1. It all started with a four-line concept about a retired army officer whose family is massacred and he plans to take revenge with two junior officers whom he knew from his army days. Interestingly the concept was first offered to director Manmohan Desai, who opted for a comedy Chacha Batija instead, and later Prakash Mehra who was busy with Zanjeer.
 
2. Danny Denzongpa was the first choice for Gabar Singh. His photograph was also featured in the trade magazine when the film was announced. He turned it down because he couldn’t adjust dates that he had committed to Feroz Khan for Dharmatma. The next options were Prem Chopra…..Ranjeet….Premnath….but finally (Thank God) it was offered to Amjad Khan, who was a struggler then.
 
3. When the final script was read out in the presence of all the lead actors. Each one of them tied for the other’s role. At one point Ramesh Sippy toyed with the idea of casting Pran instead of Sanjeev Kumar as Thakur Baldev Singh.
 
4. Most of the character names were inspired by real life. Jai & Veeru were Salim Khan’s college friends, Harinaam Nai was Salim Khan’s household barber, Thakur Baldev Singh was Salim Khan’s father-in-law’s name, Gabbar Singh was a real-life dacoit while Soorma Bhopali was someone known to Javed Akhtar.
 
5. Ramesh Sippy didn’t want to shoot the film at Rajasthan which was a favorite location for all dacoit films. The film was shot in Bangalore in a remote village called Ramanagaram.
 
6. The ’’tossing of the coin’’ was a straight lift from a Hollywood film starring Gary Cooper. For the scene towards the climax, where Dharmendra discovers that the coin was actually “two-sided”, they got coins specially made. This scene demanded several retakes and each time the coin was flung it got lost in the mountainous terrain. For the camera rehearsals and long shots, they used two 25 paise coins stuck to each other.
 
7. The dialogues for the tank scene…… “Police coming budiya going jail and chucki peesing….” was written at the last minute. Javed kept on postponing it thinking there was still time and when the time came he was heading for the airport. He wrote on the way and stood outside the Bangalore airport and completed it before handing it over to the production boy.
 
8. Amjad Khan had a terrible time playing Gabbar Singh in the first two schedules. He was not at all natural and appeared very nervous. Soon word spread like wildfire that Ramesh Sippy had blundered in casting the most important role of the film. Ironically Salim Javed (who had recommended Amjad Khan) even told Ramesh Sippy that it was not late before they could find another actor. This led to a major misunderstanding and Amjad Khan and Salim Javed never worked together. Ramesh Sippy remained firm and said that only Amjad would perform. Amjad cried in the make-up room that night. In the next schedule, he surprised everyone including the director because he was literally living the role from then on.
 
9. The initial title suggested was “SHOLE”. Producer G.P.Sippy had distributed a film of the same name in the ’50s directed by B.R.Chopra. But Ramesh Sippy felt that the title appeared puny for such a huge film. Finally, he thought of adding “AY” at the end instead of “E” and the result was amazing.
 
10. Interestingly the film was shot both in 35mm and 70mm for two reasons. First - most of the theatres in India were 35mm and second - Blowing up 35mm to 70mm made no sense because it would affect the quality. So all the talkie scenes except the action ones were shot twice. Maybe that’s why there r two versions of the dialogues when Amitabh says “Tatiya tope ke pothe hai” and the other version “James Bond ke pothe hai”.
 
11. Sholay, regarded as the greatest Hindi film of all time, won only one Film Fare award. M.S.Shinde ……. For best editing.
 
12. Ramesh Sippy had a terrible time with the censor board who demanded innumerable cuts. They felt the film was gory and violent. In the original film, Thakur kills Gabbar in the end and then he weeps uncontrollably realizing that the mission of his life has been accomplished. This scene was one of the highlights of Sholay and Sanjeev Kumar had excelled. But the censors felt the end was inappropriate and asked Ramesh Sippy to change it. They felt a police officer even after he leaves office shouldn’t take laws into his own hands and instead, they wanted the police to intervene. Ramesh Sippy was shattered; he hated this clichéd situation and even told G.P.Sippy that his name is deleted from the credits. It was an emergency then and they had no option but to change the end or face the wrath of the politicians. That’s how Om Shiv Puri came into the film.
 
13. For the action scenes and the breath-taking train sequence Ramesh Sippy hired foreign action directors and stuntmen. A three-camera setup was used to capture the shot where the train goes past the logs of wood. Believe it or not, real bullets were used for the close-up shots because fake ones emitted flames (near the trigger) after the bullet was fired and the audience would easily make out.
 
14. Dharmendra was so addicted to booze that he used to drink during the shooting. He used to have fresh coconut water which was spiked. During the scene, where jai rescues Veeru and Basanti from Gabbar’s den, Dharmendra was tipsy and couldn’t perform the shot. He had to hold Hema Malini and at the same time kick the metal trunk which contained bullets with his leg. He took twenty takes and finally when he managed he did it with so much enthusiasm that he fired a bullet that nearly killed Amitabh.
 
15. Sachin who essayed the role of Ahmed was so fascinated by the making that he requested director Ramesh Sippy to prolong his stay at the location in Bangalore after his portion was already canned. He stayed till the final shot was canned. After the film’s success, Ramesh Sippy gifted him an Air conditioner.
 
16. The film was completed after 2 years and it took 450 shifts. The Sippy’s spent Rs 3 crore in 1975. Initially, the trade and the critics both rejected the film outright. It was declared a ’’washout’’. Some distributors even suggested that the end should be changed and Amitabh (who was a big star after Zanzeer and Deewar) should live on in the film. But from the 6th week onwards there was a sudden change. Cine-goers, who had an enthralling experience, refused to come outside the hall during the intermission. The soft drinks and ice cream sales dropped at cinema halls. Serpentine queues formed outside the theatres and a balcony ticket which cost Rs 15 was sold at Rs 200. The film which was dubbed as damp squib turned out to be the biggest grosser of all time. According to G.P.Sippy, the entire viewership of Sholay throughout the world equals the population of India. Sippy earned Rs 30 crores in the first release. Polydor sold 500,000 records and cassettes of the film (dialogues cum song).

Cry of the Himalayas: A Lepcha tale

A heart-wrenching appeal by a young Lepcha in support of his Vanishing Tribe, 
 by: Uttam Lepcha, Gangtok.

Today the Lepchas are shattered – their tears mingle with the Teesta waters, and their pleas echo in the mountains they worship.

We are the Lepchas, dwellers of the mountains or the ravine folk – the distressed natives of Sikkim, our homeland. Very soon they will call us history.

Why – yesterday they spoke of Human rights, the right to work, eat and live that befits a human. And today they say we have no right to keep our home as we plead it to be.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court adjudged that we are the indigenous inhabitants of Sikkim; and today some are trying to flush us out of our last surviving home, our sacred land Dzongu.

They speak kind words (developmental purpose they say) while their motives are sinister. Yesterday they had assured us that Dzongu was a protected reserve of the Lepchas, our emblem of origin and culture – our hallowed land. And today, in the cloak of development they are planning a series of dams to drown us all.

What is development when it costs lives? 
Like Muslims have their Mecca, Christians their Vatican, Hindus their ‘Chaar Dham’ and Buddhists their ‘Bodh Gaya’, for us it is Dzongu our ultimate pilgrimage. Why don’t we have the right to keep it pure and unscarred like they do?

Our democratic government assures certain privileges for tribes – like tribal reserves to preserve tribes and their cultures. Dzongu was one yesterday, and today they’ve set their eyes on it.
All over the world governments protect tribes with facilities for their survival. Why - ours is now being snatched;

Even animals have sanctuaries, plants their bio-reserves. Propagation and protection programmes for endangered species are carried on all over the world to protect them from extinction - while we are being systematically pushed to extinction.

Dams do one good but more wrongs. They are environmentally hazardous, they displace people forcing them into poverty and landlessness – they are weapons of mass destruction. These numerous dams in Sikkim will finally spare none. Our rich bio-diversity will be submerged, and our rich agricultural lands will be lost; it will displace all of us slowly at a time, it will in no way create jobs for us, and it will bring in a lot of migrant labour who will finally encroach upon our lives and land. How many of us are indeed ready for jobs in these dams? Not even a handful. Ultimately all of us, the local citizens of Sikkim will be tossed away.

They saw the Narmada drown villages, displace people and shatter lives to generate billions of rupees for those who are already rich. Now they’ve realized that the Teesta could do the same and this time at the cost of Dzongu and Lepchas; in due course Sikkim and its people (Lepchas, Bhutias, Gorkhas, etc.).
To save our pious and once bountiful land many innocent children of the mountains have stepped forward. Some are on a fast to death for over 150 days now, unmindful of their young lives and glaring future. 

But those hell-bent on seeing the wads of notes have no regard for lives. They say that the development is meant for the state but are ready to massacre lives with little thought. Dawa Lepcha and Tenzing Lepcha are two of those who have refused to give in despite acute starvation threatening to wipe them out. Now in the local hospital, they still refuse to take in oral food and are kept breathing by being fed through the Ryle’s tube. They have taken a Gandhian step to express their genuine concern, not only for their tribe but also for the environment; it is high time that every Sikkimese realized the desperate cry of these Lepcha youths and shared their concern for the Himalayas. In the long run, it is in the interest of all Sikkimese.

If the ambitious lot is allowed to encroach on the Himalayan environment in such a greedy and ruthless manner, soon they will destroy the land and us too. Our brothers, friends and sympathizers in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Siliguri and all over the country and the world, please accept our thanks and appreciation for your concern. Let us continue to support this desperate fight for life and justice. Yes, life and the mountains are more precious than such damaging projects. If our mountains live, so will we; we the Lepchas, the Bhutias, the Gorkhas and all; else it’s time for us to bid our final farewell.

With this I the undersigned appeal in high regard for the Lepcha Youths who are so genuinely fighting for survival not only in spirit but also physically.

Nathu La Pass

Nathu La Pass at 14000 feet is breathtaking in its beauty and altitude. 

Watching the Indian soldiers make banter with the Chinese generals is kind of cute and unreal… I’ve never seen a Chinese soldier on duty … at the Chinese border… its kind of serious… friendly but not friends. You can shake hands with them. But do not overstep any area which is fenced by the military - its sensitive - and you’ll quickly have a soldier asking you to come back.


You feel so proud seeing our soldiers at that altitude - maintaining the place for us ‘tourists’ to come and make a nuisance of ourselves - asking stupid questions, clicking snaps and doing things which make no sense. I felt like saluting the Indian soldiers out there and when they weren’t looking, I did!

Oh, we had a military escort who drove with 3-4 tourist jeeps including ours.. we felt quite important….

Tsomgo Lake - which is on the way to Nathu La pass - had pet yaks all over - the lake is a letdown.. beautiful but small.. many small shops… we stopped at this small shop which rents out snow

 

shoes …. Really hungry after Nathu La - asked for a quick rustling up of momos… then some chowmein and then some more momos and then some more chowmein and then more chowmein and then some fried rice and then some more… needless to say we skipped lunch that day.

 You can see the relieved look on the girl's face as we left. At Gangtok we stayed at Mintokling Guest house ..a really nice place.. full of flowers - spent the evening walking on MG road. The main market and the life of the town.. as hep as Bombay … We had a rather unforgettable night at the Glenarys pub on our way back from North Sikkim - where our kids joined us and gave us disapproving looks as a rather mellow-looking set of parents (us) swayed and clapped to CCR, Eagles and Jethro Tull being played live by a local band.

Dipendra Rawat from Darjeeling was there that evening and we heard him take control of the mike and guitar and belt out some cool stuff … apparently he is a great singer and performs, apart from running his travel firm in Darjeeling. My kids sober and we indulged ourselves.

If you’re looking for an internet café on MG road (threes lots of them on Tibet Road closeby) - go to Somanys. Met this lady at a souvenir shop - found a lovely new expensive hardcover book - written by Mita Zutshi and one more person- The Sacred Summit - Kanchenjunga. The lady was her sister - she said a paperback would be outside sometime soon. I also picked up a new magazine called “Exotic Places” or something like that - which again was sponsored by Sikkimise Dept of Information & Public Relations. Apparently publishing in Gangtok is not as small as you might think - some rather evolved folks write and publish and seem to be doing a great job of it.

We also stayed at Hidden Forest Stay - started by this gentleman who loves flowers - orchids and …. What are they called… his daughters run the place. Their pup Othello was playful who found it funny to see the kids running away scared when he barked. Unbelievable place. Then we moved onto North Sikkim.

Plumbing the Teesta

By Source: The Statesman on November 28,2007
Neeraj Vagholikar

The late Nari Rustomji who served as Assam’s chief secretary and Dewan of Sikkim had, through his writings, warned that development inputs into Sikkim needed to be within the absorptive capacity of the region. In 1998, the Expert Appraisal Committee on river valley and hydroelectric projects, appointed by the ministry of environment and forests, noted Rustomji’s observations while examining a proposal for environmental clearance for the 510-MW Teesta V hydroelectric project in Sikkim. Since this was one of the multiple large hydroelectric works in the ecologically and culturally sensitive Teesta river basin, it recommended a detailed study on the “carrying capacity” of the river basin before taking a decision. But the MoEF cleared the project in May 1999 without giving environmental clearance and conducting the carrying capacity study. However, one of the conditions for clearance was that “no other project in Sikkim will be considered for environmental clearance till the carrying capacity study is completed.”

Things have changed substantially since then. In the last three years the Sikkim government has signed agreements for at least 26 large hydroelectric projects. Since 2004, the MoEF has granted environmental clearance to at least seven new hydroelectric projects, in violation of its own mandatory condition. Sikkimese civil society groups such as the Affected Citizens of Teesta are disappointed that a golden opportunity has been lost. There was hope that the carrying capacity study process would enable a comprehensive assessment of cumulative impacts of the many proposed hydroelectric projects and a serious options assessment for ecologically and culturally sensitive economic development in the Teesta river basin. But the MoEF has continued granting clearance to one project after another without seriously examining the issue in a holistic manner as per its own mandated condition.

The so called “run-of-the-river” hydroelectric projects being developed involve the construction of large dams which divert the river waters through long tunnels, before the water is dropped back into the river at a downstream location after passing through a powerhouse. These projects are promoted as being “environmentally benign” as they involve smaller submergences and lesser regulation of water as compared to conventional storage dams. This perception conveniently ignores the impact of several features intrinsic to this design. For example, long stretches of the river will be bypassed between the dam and powerhouse, with up to 85-90 per cent of the river flow in the winter diverted through the tunnels. Not only will this destroy riverine ecology, but a cascade of projects will mean that the river is in full flow only in brief stretches between two successive hydel projects.

Since 20 June, the ACT and its supporters have been on a satyagraha in Gangtok against the juggernaut of dams planned in the state. The Buddhist monks have also joined the protests. Amongst the many concerns are the socio-cultural impacts on the small populations of indigenous communities due to an influx of large populations of outside labour and the ecological impacts on the Teesta river and the sacred Kanchenjunga landscape.
The former Chogyals had accorded special legal protection to some parts of Sikkim with respect to ancestral lands of indigenous communities and restricted entry of outsiders. This was further reinforced after the state’s merger with India in 1975 through Article 371 (F) of the Constitution which protects the old laws and traditions. Protesters feel that the current development plans contradict the legal and constitutional protection given to the indigenous people, reflecting Rustomji’s concerns about absorptive capacity of the region.

Meanwhile, the Teesta V project, which saw the MoEF committee refer to Rustomji’s thoughts during the decision-making phase, is in an advanced stage of construction and also embroiled in an enviro-legal battle. In an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee, the Sikkim chief secretary has admitted that the power company has “grossly violated the terms, conditions and guidelines” imposed by the MoEF and has deliberately dumped excavated material generated from extensive tunneling work “into the river Teesta obstructing its free flow, causing thereby huge damage to the forest and environment.”

The region is clearly facing an environmental governance crisis.

(The writer is CNES-Setu National Media Fellow 2007 and member, Kalpavriksh Environmental Action Group.)

Monday, November 26, 2007

Sikkim vehicles allowed along NH 31A

DARJEELING, November 25: Life in all three sub-divisions of the Darjeeling district remained paralysed as the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF)-sponsored indefinite bandh entered the second day today.

Shops remained shut and the Police patrolled the streetswith prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC following the attack on the life of a prominent GNLF leader K B Gurung, who is the organisation’s Darjeeling Sadar-II unit, on Friday.

The GNLF chief, Subash Ghising has decided to continue with the bandh till 20 Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJMM) activists, including its president Bimal Gurung, were arrested. The GNLF have alleged that the attack was carried out by GJMM supporters.

While GNLF supporters used strong-armed tactics to impose the bandh in many places, stranded tourists were the most affected. The tax-stand here were jammed packed with tourists desperate to get out of the town at the earliest since Saturday morning. But most drivers were unwilling to venture out, fearing attacks by bandh supporters, leading to a panic situation amongst the tourists.

As taxis became scarce, some drivers, willing to take the chance, began to charge exorbitant rates to ferry tourist out of the town. Tourists also complained that the local administration had made no arrangements to provide them with escorts for a safe passage.

Darjeeling District Magistrate Rajesh Pandey said all shops and business establishments in Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong subdivisions were closed and vehicles stayed off the road. Educational institutions and tea gardens did not function.

The District administration has made arrangement to shift the tourists to Siliguri in view of the continuing bandh.

Meanwhile, vehicles plying to and fro from Sikkim were allowed to move along the National Highway 31A to Siliguri. Reports have indicated that although the Sikkim-bound vehicles were allowed a safe-passage, they were directed not to stop anywhere the stretch of the NH 31A which falls under the Darjeeling District. The volume of traffic along the NH 31A was low today.

A vehicle with a Sikkim number plate was damaged at Kakjhora here yesterday, though no one was injured.


Asian Player of the Month' in May 1999 : Baichung Bhutia

27-year-old, 5'8" tall, Baichung Bhutia is Indian football's pride and joy. Unassuming and friendly, he was born in the small town of Sikkim on the 15th of December 1976 and attended St. Xavier's Primary School there. His parents, who own farms in Sikkim, were worried at first that Baichung's sporting interests would harm his studies, but they relented when he got a football scholarship at the age of nine from the Sports Authority of India, Gangtok. 

The Boarding School that Baichung attended in Gangtok because of the scholarship played a major part in building his character and in making him a successful footballer. Baichung represented SAI Centre, and Gangtok in tournaments, and was picked to play for the India Under-16 side to participate in the Asian Cup qualifiers. He then moved to Kolkata to serve an apprenticeship at India's premier club, East Bengal. 

"I had an uncle in Calcutta who convinced my parents that I had a future in football and that East Bengal was the place to be in if I wanted to play big football. Rubbing shoulders with the pros and keeping my mind open, I matured very fast. Soon I was being approached by many clubs from all over the country to sign up for them," says Baichung. He moved to JCT Mills, Phagwara in 1995 along with many other star players and helped them win the National Football League. Top scoring in the NFL, he was picked to play for India in the Nehru Cup the same year.

In 1997, he returned to Kolkata to his favourite East Bengal and captained them in 1998-9. He was voted the 'Asian Player of the Month' in May 1999, and during the same year won the Sikkim State Award and the Arjuna Award. Baichung, looking for professional exposure in Europe, gave trials for several English clubs, but failed. Eventually, Bury FC, an English second-division club, signed him up. He improved by leaps and bounds during the short stint at Bury and profited from the superior strategy and fitness training of the foreign coaches employed by the Indian team in the new millennium.

He has thrived under the influence of the present India coach, Stephen Constantine and this has made a big difference to the Indian team's fortunes in recent years. Playing under the guidance of former India striker, Subhas Bhowmick, he recently won for East Bengal the Asean Cup Club Championship almost single-handedly. Baichung has signed up with Malaysian champion club, Perak, to play in their league this year and has already made a difference to their fortunes despite taking ill a few days after moving in. Baichung's genial nature is matched with a great determination to succeed and an intense killer instinct that is alien to Indian sport.