Tuesday, March 30, 2010

The letter Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal wrote to Indira Gandhi when Sikkim Royal Palace was attacked by the Indian Army

I believe this piece of the article was more of a documentary as the title suggests "The Story of Sikkim". A part of many stories in opinions24x7 blog. The article gives a simple narration about Sikkim in brief. What I liked the most was the annexation part and as in my part what I see I share. So this interesting piece of the extract is provided here which did touch my heart, especially the "letter" sent by our Chogyal (King) to Indira Gandhi when Sikkim Royal Palace was attacked by the Indian Army.


""Finally, in 1975, the Kazi (Prime Minister) of Sikkim went against the Chogyal and appealed to the Indian Parliament to change Sikkim's status to a full state of India. His appeal was approved. In April 1975, a 5,000-strong contingent of the Indian Army invaded Sikkim and surrounded the Chogyal's palace. His 300 bodyguards, who were themselves trained by the Indian Army, were caught and driven away, while one of them was shot. The Chogyal was arrested. In his last letter to Indira Gandhi, he wrote:
"I have no words when the Indian army was sent today in a surprise attack on Sikkim Guards who are less than 300 strong and were trained, equipped and officered by the Indian army who looked upon each other as comrades. This is a most treacherous and black day in the history of democratic India in solving the survival of our little country by use of arms."

The Chogyal died under Indian surveillance, supposedly of a weak heart. The Sikkim National Flag was lowered and subsequently banned, being replaced by the Indian Tricolour. A referendum was held under which 59% of the electorate came out to vote. Of them, 97.5% approved a merger with India. However, historians strongly dispute the statistics provided by the Indian Government as well as the fairness of the referendum, which was conducted by the Indian Army. Nonetheless, Sikkim was merged with the Indian Union as its 22nd State.

Interestingly, the treaty which enabled the merger had a special clause inserted into it by India: the merger of Sikkim and India could never be disputed in any court of the land, including the Supreme Court. Of all the instruments of accession signed between the various Princely States and the Indian Union, only this one contains this special clause. Details of what actions Indian Intelligence agencies took before the annexation, including the accession of Bhutan to the United Nations, remain sketchy, mostly because the government classifies it as a state secret."

Monday, March 29, 2010

My outlook towards the Heritage Management Seminar-1

 Sangachelling Gompa in Sikkim, East India (1925)

It was an opportunity for me to be part of the recently held Two Days Seminar on Strategy for Heritage Management for Sikkim organized by the Cultural Department at Denzong Residency, Gangtok that I did not want to miss.  It was my dedication towards understanding the old days of Sikkim that gave me a chance to have a closer look at what has been going on or I would rather say what the higher officials were thinking about Sikkim History as a whole; this was also my first foray into the big league. 

I was happy to be among the learned personalities of Sikkim, sitting beside them and taking note of what they were talking about.  It was more than an honour for me (as a student of Sikkim History) to be invited and could interact with the officials out there. The meet though left many unanswered questions but I am sure in days to come, the quest to preserve the story of Sikkim for the coming generations shall have some definite outcome. 

There were questions during our interacting sessions I would have loved to have the answers for them but I believe it was more of an unfair means to ask those resource persons ( most of whom were teachers or architects) speaking on the topics provided to them on that day who were not in a true sense related to that field. It was an inspiring occasion for me when one of the readers read a few paragraphs from the article I have written a few years back and that can easily access able on the internet through my blog “Proud to be a Sikkimese”.  

For the last couple of years, I have been following Sikkim History on my personal ground and the biggest happiness I could gather from my studies are those lesser mistakes couple of the readers made, should have been avoided. Sikkim lacks a Sikkim Historian, I consider it is due to this fact many queries about the old Sikkim remain unanswered. Sikkim History has many debatable issues, let’s take a few examples; what were the capitals of Sikkim?

All major books derived from English writers write about the four capitals that the small kingdom of Sikkim had over the three centuries. But a chance of exchanging words with Oxford scholar Saul Mallard, who specializes in Tibetan languages, pointed out to me that to understand the correct and exact history of Sikkim one must understand the Tibetan language first. According to him, Yoksum is not the first capital of Sikkim!

I have always seen confusion among the people in naming the first monastery of Sikkim. According to The Gazetteer of Sikhim written by HH Rishley and published from Calcutta in 1894; Sanga Chelling (meaning the place of secret spells) Monastery near Pelling was built in 1697 is the oldest monastery of Sikkim. While Dubdi (meaning The Hermit's cell) Monastery was built in 1701. In later years the Sanga Chelling Monastery got burned and was reconstructed in 1965.

The confusion starts here when most of the writers read their work as Dubdi is the first monastery of Sikkim. When an actual building is removed (here burned) as in the case of Sanga Chelling how correct are we to replace its original construction years. The State Government of Sikkim is trying their best to preserve the cultural heritage of Sikkim in protecting and preserving the ancient Sikkim but are we thinking about the Chumbi Palace that was once part of Sikkim but now in Tibet. 

Pic: National Archives of UK

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Lyrics of "Tum hi toh" from the film Romeo In Sikkim


  Movie :

Romeo in Sikkim (1975)

Music Director :

Vishwanath

  Singer(s) :

Mukesh

  Lyricists :

Shaili Shailendra


Tum hi toh ho jiska sapna maine dekha tha
jaane kabse maine tumko apna maine samja tha
tum hi toh ho

Sabhi kuch mila tha lekin phir bhi
kuch to kami thee meri khushi main
dekha jo tumko dil ne ye jaana
tumhi nahin thee meri zindagi main
tumhi nahin thee meri zindagi main
tumhi toh ho jiska sapna

Ab to bahon mein aa jao
chod bhi do tum yeh sharmana
sikh liya hai kabse tumne
kudh bhi tadapna aur tadpana
kuch bhi tadapna aur tadpana
tum hi toh ho jiska sapna

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Advance Into Tibet


Troops and pack animals climb a steep mountain pass near Lingtu on their way to Tibet during the expedition led by British Army officer and explorer Colonel Sir Francis Younghusband (1863 - 1942), November 1903. The mission resulted from disputes over the Sikkim - Tibet border and ended with the British occupation of Lhasa. 

Original Publication: The Graphic - Pub. 30th January 1904 

(Photo by The Graphic/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Questions you can Never Answer

This is interesting...


Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are flat?

Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough?

What is the speed of darkness?

Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up every two hours?

If the temperature is zero outside today and it's going to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?

Do married people live longer than single ones or does it only seem longer?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Did you ever stop and wonder......

Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, 'I think I'll squeeze these pink dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?'

Who was the first person to say, 'See that chicken there... I'm gonna eat the next thing that comes outta its bum.'

Why do toasters always have a setting so high that could burn the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?

Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don't point to their bum when they ask where the bathroom is?

Why does your Obstetrician, Gynaecologist leave the room when you get undressed if they are going to look up there anyway?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Why do the Alphabet Song and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

Stop singing and read on.........

Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Does pushing the elevator button more than once make it arrive
faster?


source: funlok

Friday, March 26, 2010

What actually happened with Priyanka Tiwari, air hostess at Kingfisher Airline in Kolkata ?

This article is copied from Voice of Sikkim


 Kingfisher airline staff murdered, 
High profile case better you don’t speak was told on the phone- Father



LAWS ARE MEANT FOR ALL NO MATTER IT IS THE RICH OR POOR SECTION OF SOCIETY IN REPUBLIC COUNTRY INDIA.

25 March, Namchi: A 22 years old girl from 5 Mile Tadong, Sikkim was working in a reputed Kingfisher Airline in Kolkata, she lived in one of the rented rooms at Dumdum according to her parent. The deceased father, whose name is Kanhaiya Tiwari, works in the HRDD Department Govt of Sikkim in a post as Deputy Director.

According to the deceased father’s statement, his daughter was always informed over the phone about her daily routines either to her family. She was dedicated towards her work and never during her span of life was she alleged in any unfair things. Being an honest daughter she kept informing about herself on daily basis over the phone.

On 5 March she called up to her father saying that she is very pleased and excited since on the same day on her duty as an air hostess had met Bret Lee, an Australian cricketer on a plane. She also said over the phone that she had received an autograph from Bret Lee for her brother. During the conversation, she mentioned that she will be going out for a dinner tonight after 8:00 PM, as stated by her father. She also said that she has received the 2nd position in “Best Crew Staff” felicitation during the conversation on her last call. Priyanka further told her father that she would be coming home on 14 April for which she is also doing shopping.

On the next day 6 March in an office a phone call comes from the deceased sister who also is working in DIET HRDD Gangtok, the father received a call where his elder daughter sounded truncated crying that “Priyanka …”, having not completed a word by elder sister phone was disconnected. Father inquired that her daughter is no more, she has committed suicide by hanging in her room, the information was made to the father by Priyaka’s roommate Prakriti Chandra, a girl who has been staying with the deceased for the last two years.

On the same day, a phone call was received from ASI Papan Das police from Kolkata where Papan Das shouted saying take the body back home within 10 hours else will be charred. The cranky tone of the Kolkata Police Officer was unexpected like something cat and dog has died not a human being. Deceased from the several police authority sources in Sikkim contacted Kolkota Police to give a time since Sikkim is very far from Kolkata, while immediately within a short time family cannot reach there.

In between Mr. Suren Pradhan, a senior police officer from Sikkim made all possible contacts in Kolkota to withhold the dead body as such a family could reach there for taking back the dead body. Cooperation from Bhaichung Bhutia was immense otherwise they could have destroyed my daughter’s body, said the father. Bhaichung Bhutia, a reputed Indian footballer paid attention to the family and seek authority help in preserving the body unless a family member reaches there.

On 8 March deceased father reached the spot where his daughter used to live in a rented room, the roommate said that she committed suicide by hanging. The dead body was in police custody on 6 March night itself. Interestingly father said that no suicide note as such was found in an incident which can claim that it was a suicide case. Having investigated the entire room by their father, he informed that at no cause she could commit suicide and the ceiling itself is around 14 feet high, there were no chairs tables on the spot. Father also alleged that how could five feet tall girl reach the ceiling; there was no sign of wounds in the body as such. 

Father alleged that roommate is confusing the whole case where the roommate alleged that Priyanka had an affair with a person named Akash Gupta, who indeed is married and has two children; Prakriti admitted that the same person was her boyfriend previously. Father said that he was very thankful towards the Officer In-charge of Kolkota Police Mr. Gautam Mitra who in fact was soft on the case and delivered all possible help during the operation and assured to drag the culprit behind the bars sooner. Before informing to the police the roommate hailed for help to Akash Gupta she said, where Akash Gupta broke into the room from the windows pane inside the room of Priyanka where she was already dead, she also said to the deceased father that Akash Gupta escaped from the spot after breaking inside a room due to fear that police may interfere him into the case. Astonishingly the very spot where Priyanka committed suicide was left unattended by police, if a case was legitimate why did not the police seal the room said the father of the deceased.

On other hand, a Prakriti called back to a deceased sister at home in Gangtok not to indulge in controversy since the person called Akash Gupta is high profile, is very rich, and has a good network with various authorities. She also mentioned that she had falsely said their name as Akash Gupta but his exact name is Subham Gupta. Prakriti also said that said the person pays a monthly rent of Rs 18 Laks which itself should be estimated how powerful he is? Prakriti also told to deceased sister to tell her father to return back from Kolkata as soon as possible without putting matters into a dispute which at last will go in favour of Subham Gupta due to his stronghold.

On 8 March cremation rituals in Kaligath were done, one the next day FIR was lodged on the suspected death of his daughter. Meantime ASI Papan Das in the police station tried all his effort to distract the evidence, and even now the mobile phone of the deceased is seized is under police custody, said the father. The autopsy report is still waiting which shall reflect the cause of the unnatural death of his beloved daughter.

On 9 March father returned back to Sikkim with a desperate heart, he said that such an incident can happen to any one of innocent girls from the hill in Kolkata, no matter my daughter met a fate I shall not let that happen to anyone in the future. Having strongly condemned that he shall raise a concern from all corners to unveil the culprits and throw them behind the bar. Father alleged that there is a very good network of teams in the murder case, which will take no time to disclose if media and enquiring agencies take stern action.

The benefit of doubts that leads the matter as a suspicious mystery murder.

1.    Priyanka Tiwari was a good-natured girl as per the records in her past life in School days to collective social evidence. She was indeed felicitated second ranking by her reputed company in regards to her experience and capability as a “Best Crew Staff”.

2.    In her several conversations no such case of any depression or mental instability heeds which indicates she may or might pursue a crucial step as such. What heeds insight Dinner night?

3.    Being a roommate for the last two years the girl called Prakriti Chandra tried misinterpreting information in each episode of interrogation with the family members.

4.    In any form humanity does exist towards the looser be it a law of any country indeed, the ASI Papan Das’s telephonic call to the family members in such cranky tone itself make the situation more re-thinkable. How can it be possible for family members to take a dead body in such geographically far from the state that too abruptly without taking a decision from the elderly or comprehensive follow-ups?

5.    The day the suicide was done why didn’t the police authority seal the spot whereas in the case of Priyanka Tiwari's murder case the spot was exactly as normal days? Father turns shocked envisaging such a horrific investigation like some cat and dog has died not a human.

6.    Where is the mobile phone of the deceased?

7.    Why was the news of suicide not made to police having known that inside a room Priyanka committed suicide? What turned on Prakrita to hail Akash Gupta alias Subham Gupta to break into a room? Why did the person run away from the spot, as told by a roommate that he flew away from the scene to avoid legal disputes?

8.    Roommate indicates to the deceased family that Priyanka had an attachment with the person called Akash Gupta alias Subham Gupta, she even admits the said person was once her boyfriend too!

The person Akash Gupta alias Subham Gupta is already a married man possessing two children was told to family members by roommate Prakriti over the phone lately. It may be referred to point No.1 where Priyanka is told to have a decent characteristic who indeed shares each and every information to family members no matter it could be with her sister also. In such a case, being a responsible woman of 22 years of age does not take such steps in any form.

9.    Why did roommate make a call to a home in Sikkim not to indulge in a case since the case may go in favour of Akash Gupta alias Subham Gupta since he is a well established high profile person from Kolkota, who indeed has a good number of contacts to shield all allegations?

10.  Why did the roommate want the father to return back immediately from Kolkata, where the father had been there to take back his daughter’s dead body.

11. The law is equal for all citizens of India and on top applies to all belonging to whatever class or creed, although geographically Sikkim is a landlocked state in North East, here too people have same rules and regulation that is being followed by the entire nation in a common platform.

I only require my prayers to all the people who have emotionally come forward during my daughter’s death and expressed their condolence. I am an aged old father of a deceased daughter; I want to Law to give me proper justice as such I may solace my feelings and expression. Power of Money in form of law is nothing; the law is for all and applies equally to the rich or poor citizens of India. Today I lost my daughter no matter tomorrow someone may do, I shall not let such things happen to other parents.

-Father of deceased

Ranipool in pic

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

“Angalo Yo Maya Ko” : Shooting in Progress


Kishor Dungmali Rai’s Nepali Feature Film “Angalo Yo Maya Ko”  shooting was almost 25%  completed within this 15 days time. The shooting was done at different locations including the Gangtok White Hall complex, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Majhitar, Sikkim Mining complex, and other adjacent places. The schedule for the sequence of the songs will be visualized at North Sikkim and South Sikkim respectively. 


Sikkim’s based artist Mahindra Gurung who is playing the lead role opposite Prashant Tamang in this movie is giving his best of the effort along with renowned Sikkimese artist Chunilal Ghimeray, Mahendra Bajgai, Hemant Giri, and another debutant Mahima Chettri, Sajal Pradhan, and Child Artist baby Prasansa Chettri (Priya). The current shooting scenes is characterized by mostly Sikkimese artist and they were highly appreciated for their hard work and dedication by the entire crew.  

During the shooting in progress scene main lead Indian Idol 3, Prashant Tamang met with the bike accident and quickly rush to Rangpo PHC. Right now he is alright and giving his best in every scene required by the movie.  


According to the Co-Producer of the film Mrs. Radha Thapa Dungmali  “ Our Official Partners are really doing a great job on promoting our movie before its release wholeheartedly, besides that other media are playing a good role in the same sequence,  my thanks and prayer for them will remain always”. For current updates visit www.angaloyomayako.com.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Naw Ruz Celebrated in a grand way at Baha’i School, Tadong.


by Sanjay Agarwal

Baha’i Community of Tadong celebrated Naw Ruz (Baha’i New Year) in a grand way at Baha’i School Tadong. Which is the day of equinox, when day and night is equal and also the beginning of spring season is celebrated as the1st Day of Baha’i New year by the Baha’is of all over the world? The day is the symbol of fellowship, brotherhood and equality.

The program started at 11.00 am with the prayers and reading Holy writings. Mrs. Rupa Devi Pradhan, Principal of Baha’i School, Tadong presented enriching talk on the significance of Naw Ruz. This was followed by beautiful bhajans, songs, and dances by children, youths and adults. To make the program more colourful there were varieties of games and fun. Programme premises were decorated with beautiful colour papers and banners and rongoli.


The Baha’is of Tadong and its surrounding were present in the program. At the end of the programme the principal of Baha’i School Tadong felicities all the teaching and non- teaching staff of the Baha’i School hostel for rendering devoted service and parental care to hostel children. The programme was attended by some members of Regional Baha’i Council of Sikkim /Darjeeling, members of Denzong Baha’i Institute and Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Karuna Khati. The whole programme was conducted by Mr. Tika Adhikari.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Singtam celebrates 23rd Basibiyalo; felicitates senior poet Raj K Shrestha



SINGTAM: The town of Singtam celebrated and enjoyed the 23rd Basibiyalo program that was held at East Point SSS premises with noted personalities from Sikkim Nepali literature participating in it. The Basibiyalo program conducted and organised under the leadership of Mohan Pradhan “Neeraj” is the talk of the town with all age of life participating in it and its success story had also been appreciated beyond Singtam. Mohan Pradhan “Neeraj” is the major factor behind the program.
The personality attending the function included Raj K Shrestha, Dhruva Lohagan, Deo Kumar Dumi, Lalita Karkidoli, Amar Baniya Lohoro, Arjun Piyush, BB Rai, HN Sharma, Ganesh Rai, Bishnu Rai, Radha Pradhan and others. The Chief Guest Dhruva Lohagan lighted the diyo that was followed by the introductory poem recitation by Mrs Jayashree Chettri. The poet to follow after her included Prakash Subedi “Khamdungea”, Radha Pradhan, Amar Bania “Lohoro”, Arjun Piyush, Dev Narayan Sharma, Bhupal Kaushik and Prahlad Poudyal. The entertainment aspect of the day long program was also given preference with noted singers Deu Kumar Dumi and Lalita Karkidoli singing in front of the gathered audience and with RP Sharma and Kaziman Sunar performing stand-up comedy and miniatures respectively. Dance items by Yankee Tamang and Singlila Academy School, Singtam were also highly appreciated by the gathered audiences.  
The major highlight of the program was the felicitation of Raj K Shrestha for his lifelong service towards Sikkim Nepali Literature. The memento was presented to Raj K Shrestha by the Chief Guest. A biography of Raj K Shrestha with his contributions towards Sikkim Nepali literature was read out by Mohan Pradhan “Neeraj” and Mrs. Seema Pradhan respectively. Raj K Shrestha on his speech thanked Mohan Pradhan “Neeraj” and the Basibiyalo team for recognizing his works. He further went on to give brief information about how the Basibiyalo program started up. Chief Guest Dhurva Lohagan in his speech pointed out the importance of such literary talks that would give better face to the society. TB Pradhan gave the vote of thanks.    
Basibiyalo, a monthly literary programme that has completed 23rd sessions provides a platform for people interested in literature and cultural activities to showcase their talents before the crowds. Recitation of poems, short stories, debates, critics along with cultural activates like singing and dancing are also presented on the occasion. The significant contribution of Basibiyalo at Singtam features felicitation of local individual who had been an asset to the society. In the last two sessions, Mrs. Anu Pradhan, former Miss Sikkim and a dance choreographer followed by Pritam Singh Rai, from Samurdung who saved the lives of people from the river during the SNT Bus accident few years ago were given due recognisation for their contribution towards better society respectively.

Mahender Kapoor's song from hindi movie "Road to Sikkim"

ROAD to Sikkim" a film released in 1969 was produced by Kirti Films had Cast that included Dev Kumar, Anju, Helen, Jayant, David.  The film was directed by Ravindra Dave and music provided by Vijay S.




Video : You Tube

Bhandari rebuffs proposal to name road in his honour

Gangtok, Mar 20 (PTI) Sikkim Congress President and Former Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari has rebuffed the state government's proposal to name a road in his honour.

"I have outrightly rejected the Pawan Kumar Chamling government's proposal to name the Buduan-Soreng Road in West Sikkim as Nar Bahadur Bhandari Marg and told them to refrain from offering such token gesture," he told reporters here.

The state government, at a cabinet meeting held on March nine last, had decided to name the Budang-Soreng Road in West Sikkim after Bhandari in recognition of his contribution, and had directed the Home department to seek the latter's consent proposal for the same.

Accordingly, the Home department Additional Secretary S K Pradhan had written a letter to Bhandari on March 12 seeking his consent for naming the road, but the former Chief Minister firmly replied the proposal was "not acceptable".

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Sikkim Denzong Boys Football Club leaves for I-League

The Team Denzong Boys Sikkim consisting of 25 players and 3 officials After a month training at Paljor Stadium has left Gangtok for Digboi Assam. The Sikkim Club will be facing Oil India on 27th March.
 
 

Nehru received the news of death of Gabbar Singh on his 70th birthday as a birthday gift !!

I was going through an article from the book "The British, The Bandits And The Bordermen," and there is something I could not help myself from sharing with my readers. It is an interesting anecdote, it could have been more serious then but I could not let off my smile from it while reading it now. The book is more of a biographical account of Border Security Force's founder-director general late K F Rustamji. 

The book is based on more than 3,500 pages of Rustamji's diaries and the articles present first-person accounts about some of the tumultuous developments like Partition, Chinese aggression, and the Indo-Pak war.

One of an article writes about a unique gift Jawaharlal Nehru received on his 70th birthday from Madhya Pradesh Police. The gift was nothing than news " of the death of the dreaded dacoit Gabbar Singh, who went on to achieve cult status post-"Sholay".  Rustamji writes "Gabbar Singh and his gang had been killed in a bold encounter in Bhind district the previous evening that is November 13. 

I conveyed the news and that was the gift that the Madhya Pradesh Police presented. He appeared happy,". According to Rustamji, Gabbar was a nose-chopper and vowed to cut off the noses of 116 people. "He had already succeeded with 26. He was one of the most brutal in the ignoble gallery of the Madhya Pradesh dacoits,".

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Photo Feature of Yog Guru Baba Ramdev in Sikkim










 pics: Sanjay Agarwal

Yog Guru Baba Ramdev returnes from Sikkim

 by Sanjay Agarwal

Yog Guru Baba Ramdev today returned back after completion of his two days Sikkim visit. During the visit he interacted with media where he expressed his happiness for people of Sikkim, he said ‘People of Sikkim are living in Heaven and they should feel proud about it!’. Baba visited almost few locations in Gangtok , also he visited surrounding areas even due to his tight schedules. 


Outmost dream of Baba Ramdev and people of Sikkim will come true shortly, a proposal was placed to the Chief Minister Dr Pawan Kumar Chamling during the meet to built a ‘Patanjali Yog Peeth Ashram’ , the location for said Peeth was selected Solophok, Namchi. It may be recalled that Solophok in Namchi where a Char Dham is also being coming up, on the other hand a Patanjali Yog Peeth Ashram in the same location would make the South Sikkim more focused heritage place. 


With a profound heart Baba Ramdev also stated that overall development of Sikkim is incomparable with any other states in India, the idea which others Chief Minister also need to learn from Chamling. In behalf of Sikkim he assured to make a documentary on Sikkim, which will also highlight Chief Minister’s dedication and effort in making Sikkim a prosperous state. He said that the copies of the documentary film in CD will be disbursed to all the Chief Ministers in the country and encourage them to work on the same principal as well as quality.he has announced to organize yog a class at Sikkim for four days in the ending of this year or in the beginning of the next year and he assured to came in the said yoga camp also. The yoga pith to be installed at Namchi shall be run by the Patanjali Yog Samiti Sikkim. Yesterday he has visited the MG MARG and conducted the membership drive of bharat swabhiman. 

pic: Sanjay Agarwal

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Mysterious unknown burial at Aritar


Very little is known about the four unknown burial that were found at Aritar. According to the oral documentation from the elderly local people of this region, the burials of four dead bodies are believed to be of soldiers of the British contingent representing the “1904 British expedition to Tibet” led by Lieutenant Colonel Sir Francis Edward Younghusband that entered Tibet via Aritar (Old Silk Route). It is believed that the four soldiers were injured during the massacre and brought to the Health Camp at Aritar Dak Bungalow, where they latter died. A century later, the present burial site was re-constructed into cemetery by the Aritar Panchayat in due honour to those four unknown Britishers. 

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Saturday, March 13, 2010

“Now Break this!!” Search for Sikkim’s heritage trees continues….

Ever since the search for Heritage Trees started in Sikkim, I was very curious to be part of this competition. I still remember when the first preliminary results were published in one of the local dailies of Gangtok, the headline of the report read like “Can this record be broken”. More than two months later I seem to have the reply. 


The search for the biggest tree of Sikkim was an exciting journey for me and my adventure gave me an opportunity to be in the wilds that I had never gone beyond still being a botany student. I have always believed that the land of Sikkim has many amazing ‘things’ to be discovered. It is debatable about the origin of the landforms of Sikkim. I still remember one of my lecturers at Sikkim Government College laughing at me when I asked him about the possibility of fossils in Sikkim. His answer is Sikkim is a young fold mountain and there is no possibility of any fossils in both plants and animals. But yet I have collected a petrified fossil with an imprint of maize-like leaf from the woods of Singtam. 

I visited Rhenock and measured the circumference of 9 trees, of which three trees of Pani Saaz (two) and Kaijal gave a measurement of amazing 52 feet, 50 feet, and 49 feet respectively in circumference.  Before that, I had in my mind that the preliminary results of the survey by the department had found a Juniper species with a girth of the circumference of 42 feet. Most of these trees said to be more than a couple of years old are found along with the holy places where people worshipped them.  The two trees of Pani Saaz with the circumferences of ’50s were found at Shivabahini Mandir in Rungdung (Chalisay) Busty. 
Those trees were among the five huge trees found in that area. All belonged to Pani Saaz, the roots of these trees are scattered around the small woods with different cracks visible on cemented footpaths. Devi Charan Acharya and Rewat, the members of the committee that looks after the Shivabahini Mandir told that the roots of these trees are even lifting the mandir from underneath. Out there four trees of Pani saaz varieties were found with circumferences of 52 feet, 50 feet, 26 feet, and 25 feet. The location of these trees and their surroundings are such that they can be developed into a tourist destination in days to come.


Another tree with an amazing 49 feet circumference lies a little below the Rhenock bazaar at “Devithan”, the tree of Kaijal that had an attachment of foreign body in “Bar” measures around 49 feet in girth. I am sure there are many such huge trees lying in different corners of the state and it is just a matter of fact when it gets identified.

In my adventurous journey, I was helped by Ganesh Pradhan and his son Deepen Pradhan of the famous Ram–Gauri Sangralaya, Rhenock. Ganesh Pradhan in his own words added, such heritage trees are the gift of nature to mankind and we need to preserve them. The movement started by the State Government to identify and preserve such trees is really of high praise.

Bhaley Dhunga skywalk going Grand Canyon way

Imaginary view of Proposed Sky Walk in Bhaley Dhunga (as published in newspapers and web)

 

Grand Canyon is the biggest canyon in the world and probably one of the most naturally beautiful attractions visited by thousands of tourists every year.  

 Grand Canyon pic: blog.ratestogo

Friday, March 12, 2010

Paint the Change Contest



A Paint the Change Contest was organized by WWF – India in collaboration with Sikkim University for generating awareness on Earth Hour on March 12, 2010 at Sikkim Government College and Namchi Public School. Earth Hour is a global event wherein people around the world voluntarily switch off their lights for an hour to show their concern about climate change.  

68 participants coming from 12 schools, five colleges and Sikkim University took part in the contest at Gangtok, and 38 students from seven schools and two colleges at Namchi, wherein they painted on the issue of climate change and its impacts they observed around them in Sikkim. Also participating in the event, though not as contestants, were professional artists from Oviya Art Circle, an institute that promotes art.   


The paintings will be judged by a panel consisting of Mrs. Usha Ganguli Lachungpa - Sr. Research Officer (FEWMD), Mr. CB Sunwar - Fellow (Academic) Sikkim University and Mr. Pankaj Thapa – Artist and Lecturer (Govt. College) on March 15th and winners shall be announced by March 18th. All the paintings of the students will form part of a mobile exhibition to be put up for Earth Hour Awareness, which will be displayed at various colleges, schools and also at MG Marg prior to the event falling on March 27th 2010. Judgment will be done separately for college and schools students, and the three winners and two consolation prizes from each category will get a chance to be on an educational trip, to be organised within Sikkim. 


Participating students were also given a brief presentation on the significance of Earth Hour, and all students committed themselves by saying yes to the event by putting their thumb impression on the Earth Hour logo. Sikkim Express is the media partner and Voice of Sikkim is the web partner of the event.