I believe this piece of article was more of a documentary as the title suggest "The Story of Sikkim". A part of a many story 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 extract is provided here which did touched my heart especially the "letter" send 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 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."
It was an opportunity for me to be part of the recently held TwoDays Seminar on Strategy for Heritage Management for Sikkim organised by the Cultural Department at Denzong Residency, Gangtok that i did not wanted to miss. It was my dedication towards understanding the old days of Sikkim that gave me a chance to have a closer look about 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 on what they were talking on. 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 love to have the answers for them but I believe it was more of an unfair means to ask to those resource persons ( most of whom were teachers or architect) speaking on the topics provided to them on that day who were not in true sense related to that field. It was an inspiring occasion for me when one of the readers read few paragraphs from my article I have written few years back and that can be easily access able in 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 had been avoided. Sikkim lacks a Sikkim Historian, I consider it is due to this fact many queries about the old Sikkim remains unanswered. Sikkim History has many debatable issues, let’s take 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 on 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 build in 1697 is the oldest monastery of Sikkim. While Dubdi (meaning The Hermit's cell) Monastery was build 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 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.
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
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)
High profile case better you don’t speak was told on phone- Father
LAWS ARE MEANT FOR ALL NO MATTER IT IS 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 room at Dumdum according to her parent. The deceased father, whose name is Kanhaiya Tiwari, works in HRDD Department Govt of Sikkim in a post as Deputy Director.
According to deceased father’s statement his daughter always informed over 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 a honest daughter she kept informing about herself in daily basis over the phone.
On 5 March she called up to her father saying that she is very pleased and excited since on same day on her duty as an air hostess had met Bret Lee, Australian cricketer in a plane. She also said over the phone that she have 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 father. She also said that she has received a 2nd position in “Best Crew Staff” felicitation during the conversation on her last call. Priyanka further told her father that she would be coming to 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 a suicide by hanging in her room, the information was made to father by Priyaka’s roommate Prakriti Chandra, a girl who have been staying with deceased since last two years.
On the same day a phone call was received from ASI Papan Das a police from Kolkata where Papan Das shouted saying take the body back home within 10 hours else will be charred. The cranky tone of 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 to there for taking back the dead body. A cooperation from Bhaichung Bhutia was immense otherwise they could have destroyed my daughter’s body, said the father. Bhaichung Bhutia, reputed Indian footballer paid attention towards the family and seek authority help in preserving the body in unless 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 on the police custody on 6 March night itself. Interestingly father said that no any suicide note as such was found in an incident which can claim that it was a suicide case. Having investigated the entire room by father, he informed that at no cause she could commit a suicide and the ceiling itself is around 14 feet high, there was no any chairs not table in the spot. Father also alleged that how could five feet tall girl reach ceiling; there was no any 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 a married and has two children; Prakriti admitted that 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 a 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 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 case was legitimate why did not the police seal the room said father of deceased.
On other hand a Prakriti called back to deceased sister at home in Gangtok not to indulge into a controversy since the person called Akash Gupta is high profile, who is very rich and has a good network with various authorities. She also mentioned that she had falsely said name as Akash Gupta but his exact name is Subham Gupta. Prakriti also said that said the person pays 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 matter into dispute which at last will go in favour of Subham Gupta due to his strong hold.
On 8 March cremation rituals in Kaligath was 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 deceased is seized is under police custody, said the father. The autopsy report is still waited which shall reflect the cause of unnatural death of his beloved daughter.
On 9 March father returned back to Sikkim with desperate heart, he said that such 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 future. Having strongly condemning 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 team in the murder case, which will take no time to disclose if media and enquiring agencies take a stern action.
Benefit of doubts that leads the matter as a suspicious mystery murder.
1. Priyanka Tiwari was good natured girl as per the records in her past life in School days to collective social evidences. 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 since last two years the girl called Prakriti Chandra tried misinterpreting information in each episode of interrogation with the family members.
4. In any form a humanity do exists 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 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 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 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 deceased?
7. Why was the news of suicide not made to police having known that inside a room Priyanka committed a 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 roommate that he flew away from the scene to avoid legal disputes?
8. Roommate indicates to 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 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 case a being a responsible women of 22 years of age do not take such steps in any form.
9. Why did roommate make a call to home in Sikkim not to indulge into 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 numbers of contacts to shield all allegations?
10. Why did roommate wanted the father to return back immediately from Kolkata, where father had been there to take back 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 entire nation in common platform.
I only require my prayers to all the people have emotionally come forward during my daughter’s death and expressed their condolence. I am aged old father of deceased daughter; I want to Law to give me a proper justice as such I may solace my feelings and expression. Power of Money in from of law is nothing; law is for all and applies equally to rich or poor citizen of India. Today I lost my daughter no matter tomorrow someone may do, I shall not let such things happen to other parents.
Kishor Dungmali Rai’s Nepali Feature Film “Angalo Yo Maya Ko” shooting was almost 25% completed within this 15 days of time. Shooting was done at different locations including Gangtok White Hall complex, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Majhitar , Sikkim Mining complex and other adjacent places. The schedule for songs sequence will be visualize at North Sikkim and South Sikkim respectively.
Sikkim’s based artist Mahindra Gurung who is playing lead role opposite to Prashant Tamang in this movie is giving his best of the effort along with renowned Sikkimese artist Chunilal Ghimeray, Mahendra Bajgai, Hemant Giri and other 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 at Rangpo PHC. Right now he is alright and giving his best in every scenes required by movie.
According to Co – Producer of the film Mrs. Radha Thapa Dungmali “ Our Official Partners are really doing great job on promoting our movie before its release whole heartedly , besides that other media’s are playing good role in same sequence, my thanks and prayer for them will remain always”. For current updates visit www.angaloyomayako.com.
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.
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 par
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