Saturday, September 27, 2014

Member of Parliament calls on Hon'ble Governor Shriniwas Patil



 Press Release

• Discusses opening of Nathu La - Mansarovar route and its implications
• Governor reiterates maintaining peace is high priority

Gangtok: September 27, 2014

Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Shri Prem Das Rai called on the Hon'ble Governor Shri Shriniwas Patil this morning at Raj Bhawan. It was a courtesy call.
Hon'ble Governor discussed matters relating to the welfare of the people and development of the state with Shri Rai.
They also discussed at length the landmark agreement between India and China of opening up an alternate route to Mansarovar and Mount Kailash through Sikkim’s Nathula pass. Hon'ble Governor noted that this would create many new opportunities for the youth of Sikkim to exploit in the tourism and other sectors. He noted that this was a long standing demand of the Chief Minister with the Centre.
He emphasised the need to move in this direction and create the capacity amongst the youth to ensure livelihoods to the people of Sikkim and such opportunities to the maximum extent possible. Shri Patil also offered several suggestions which will be considered by the Government.
The Hon'ble Governor has expressed happiness that the State Government has taken up the preparedness for this unique opportunity with utmost importance and reviewing the ground conditions. He was referring to the Hon’ble Ministers making a visit to Nathula yesterday.
The Governor reiterated that peace and tranquility of Sikkim has to be maintained at any cost.
The Lok Sabha MP informed the Hon’ble Governor on several other issues of import especially in the functioning of Parliament. He also said that many experts will be coming to the State to assess the organic status of Sikkim which would ultimately benefit the farmers of the State.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Sawney Primary School joins ‘Swacha Bharat Abhiyan’


SINGTAM, SEPTEMBER 27:  Sawney Primary School, West Pandam, East Sikkim joined with rest of India to observe Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s month long nation-wide “ Swacha Bharat Abhiyan” from today. Cleanliness drive along the school premises was observed. Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’, Headmaster of the school speaking in a small program held at school premises spoke about the importance of the day. 
Cleanliness had always been our primary concern in school and we are happy that this time we are observing a nation-wide program, said Pradhan. He added opportunities come to every student to be an example in a society and he encouraged each individual to be prepared for it. He further spoked about having better hygiene for improved personality development.
Padam Gautam, teacher spoked about the significance of cleanliness while Ganesh Pradhan, teacher talked about the impact of cleanliness on the environment. BR Subba, CB Chettri, Nandu Sharma and Tulshi Pradhan, teachers also gave brief speech on the topic. Teachers and students had assured to make this month long program a successful one. They echoed ‘today’s students for today’s society’.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

RGKA participants congratulated


SINGTAM, SEPTEMBER 24:  Mahesh Dahal, Headmaster of Sakyong Chisopani JHS had congratulated his students for successfully participating at Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan that was held at Khamdong on September 18 and 19th. A small program was held at the school premises and the participating students were presented medals.

The GPU level Under 16 boys & girls sporting events had participants from Khamdong GPU, Simik Lingzey GPU, Sirwani- Chisopani GPU, and Dungdung-Thasa GPU falling under Khamdong Block Administration. Boys and girls participated in boxing, archery, badminton, Kho-kho, and football games
The students of Sakyong Chisopani JHS representing Sirwani Chisopani JHS had won the football final defeating its rival GPU team with two goals to one. 

Roshna Gurung, a class vi students stood first in an archery event. Apart from the football and archery events, the boys of Sakyong Chisopani JHS were the runners-up at the Kho Kho event. The school girl’s team stood third in the Kho Kho competition and collected bronze medals. 
 

The winners of football and archery events along with the runner-up boy’s Kho Kho team now shall be representing Khamdong Block in the next level of competition to be held at Gangtok next month. Speaking on the occasion, Mahesh Dahal, Headmaster told he felt very happy that his schools have made the Sirwani Chisopani GPU proud. 

We have high expectations from our students in the next round of competition, added Dahal. He also congratulated Yogesh Gurung, Coach, School team, and Romila Rai, Team Manager.

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

Singtam celebrates Indra Jatra

SEPTEMBER 09, 2014: State Level Indra Jatra Celebration held at Singtam marked a historic moment. It was for the first time that the Kumari Devi’s puja had been performed outside Gangtok in the last five years. Singtam, the busiest town in Sikkim takes the honour to receive the Kumari for the first year; it has been announced that Indra Jatra, the biggest festival of the Newar community shall travel to different places of Sikkim for the coming eight years and shall return to Gangtok thereafter.



The Indra Jatra event was organised by Sikkim Newar Guthi and hosted by Indra Jatra Celebration Committee 2014, Singtam. The festival was held in two phases; the morning (the ritual) session and the second (cultural) session.

 

Somnath Poudhyal, Area MLA cum Minister, Food Security & Agriculture & AHVS was the Chief Guest of the morning session that included Indra Rath Poojan and Kumari Jatra. The puja was performed by Parampujiya Guruji Shri Shri Suryabir Tuladhar from Swayambu Mandir, Gangtok. Thousands of Newars from different corners of the state had visited Singtam, the venue of the event. Sagoon (Samay-baji) was offered to every individual after the completion of the puja.

Distinguished guests present on the morning occasion included Bikram Pradhan, Chief Whip, Government of Sikkim, AK Ghatani, Minister, Health Care and Family Welfare and IPR,  Uttam Pradhan, Chairman, Song, Dance, Drama and Film Board, Indra Pradhan, Chairman, State Welfare Board, councillors of Singtam Nagar Panchayats, guests from Nepal, Darjeeling, Jaigoan and others.

 


Kumari Jatra, the highlight of the Indra Jatra Celebration had a procession that moved through the Singtam bazaar and return back to the venue. Newar community in their traditional costumes carrying the banners of their respective guthi participated in a huge gathering. Lakhey Dance was performed in the streets of Singtam for the very first time. On returning back to the stage, bhoj was offered to the gathered crowds.

Bikash Pradhan, Newar Language Teacher from Namthang SSS gave a brief introduction of the day and told about the importance of Indra Jatra and Kumar Puja in the Newar community.

The afternoon session started with the arrival of Ugen T Gyatso, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, who also was the Chief Guest of the cultural event. The highlight of the second session was the release of ‘NEWA’, a documentary on Newar Language and Culture. The documentary was made by Badhaichha Creation, Singtam. Chief Guest and other guests released the DVD where the unit team of ‘NEWA’ was also offered khadas by the Chief Guest on the stage. The documentary offers the simplest means of speaking newar language and learning cultural knowledge. Praveen Pradhan and Shital Pradhan directed the documentary.

The Chief Guest and other guests were offered newar topi and mementoes from the Sikkim Newar Guthi. TB Pradhan, President, Indra Jatra Celebration Committee 2014, Singtam gave the welcome speech. Pradhan shared his experience with an opportunity to organize such a huge responsibility on his shoulder. He thanked every individual for their support.

Different cultural programmes were performed by the participants from Namchi Sakha Guthi, Dentam Sakha Guthi, Melli Dara Sakha Guthi and Gangtok. Rajendra Pradhan from Namchi, Pushpan Pradhan from Doars and Arun Pradhan from Singtam entertained the crowds with their thrilling voices. Smarika, Indra Jatra Samaroh 2014 was also released on the occasion.

Bikram Pradhan, Chief Whip, Government of Sikkim in speech shared his experience and the blessing on Indra Jatra. He spoke about the Government’s role in the development of the Newars of Sikkim. Somnath Poudhyal, Area MLA cum Minister, Food Security & Agriculture & AHVS applauded the achievements of the Newars in Sikkim in his words and said it is an example for society. 

Ugen T Gyatso, Minister of Tourism and Aviation added Indra Jatra festival should be acknowledged as a tourism festival. He further said Singtam has managed to keep the prestige and status of a state-level Indra Jatra. Prakash Pradhan and Jayashree Pradhan were the Master of Ceremony of the program.

Saturday, September 06, 2014

Promo of “Newa’ released






















SINGTAM, SEPTEMBER 6:
NEWA, a documentary based on Newar Language and Culture produced by Badhaichha Creation, Singtam was officially released at the Production House Office at Singtam. Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’, Sansthapak, Singtam Basibiyalo clicked the video file that was uploaded to YouTube. 

Present on the occasion were Praveen Pradhan, Managing Director, Badhaichha Creation and his members that including Bikash Pradhan, Shital Pradhan, Pramod Pradhan, Pranay Pradhan and others.
NEWA documentary is being released at the Indra Jatra celebration on September 8th at Golitar, Singtam. The documentary features Uttam Pradhan, a famed actor in Nepali cinema along with Newari dance performers from Dentam Sakha Guthi. The documentary focuses on the learning of the Newar Language designed by Bikash Pradhan, a Newar Language teacher from Namthang SSS. 


Bikram Pradhan, Chief Whip, Government of Sikkim and Rohit Kr. Pradhan, President Sikkim Newar Guthi, Gangtok supported the efforts of Badhaichha Creation and shared their messages to the Newar community through this documentary. 

Biren Lama had done the camera work and the editing of the documentary while Suresh Thapa was his technical assistant. All the artists taking part in the documentary are from Sikkim.

Badhaichha Creation brings “NEWA” on Indra Jatra


SINGTAM, SEPTEMBER 4: Badhaichha Creation, Singtam has come up with a documentary aptly named “NEWA” based on Newar Language and Culture. The documentary will be officially released on the auspicious occasion of Indra Jatra at Singtam. Indra Jatra, the biggest festival of the Newar community is being held for the first time outside Gangtok. The event is held under Sikkim Newar Guthi and organised by Indra Jatra Celebration Committee 2014.

Praveen Pradhan, Managing Director, Badhaichha Creation, Singtam through a press release reads, we have thought about this project keeping in mind that we need to conserve our culture and traditions. We feel proud to say that Sikkim is the only region in the world where the Newar language is recognized as an official state language and for that we shall always remain grateful to the Chief Minister of Sikkim.

Uttam Pradhan, famed actor and now Chairman of Sikkim Music, Drama, Dance and Film Board has played a pivotal part in the documentary. The Grammar portion used in the documentary is written by Bikash Pradhan, the first Newar language teacher of Sikkim, now working at Namthang SSS, South Sikkim. His grammar book is taught in different Government schools in Sikkim.  

The concept behind the documentary was to make available the easiest form to learn Newar Language. We have designed an elementary Newar speaking course based on the Newar grammar and we believe this medium shall help any individual having an interest in Newar Language. Besides that, we have focused on Newar household items and a couple of cultural knowledge.

The teams behind this project are Praveen Pradhan, Managing Director, Badhaichha Creation, Singtam, Mohan Pradhan ' Neeraj', Sansthapak Singtam Basibiyalo,  Bikash Pradhan, International Newar Culture performer and Newar Grammar writer from Namthang, South Sikkim and Shital Pradhan, blogger, Proud to be a Sikkimese.