Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

Sikkim Express GANGTOK, August 28: The Reserve Bank is phasing out old currency notes in the denomination of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 of 1996 series and replacing them with new ones with added security features. RBI spokesperson Alpana Killawala from Mumbai told PTI that the public will not be put to inconvenience by the phasing out of these notes, which merely means that these currency notes would not be reissued after they are deposited with banks. These notes will be replaced with 2006, Mahatma Gandhi series notes, which have more security features, she said. Initially, only Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 are being phased out, which may be extended to other currency notes of old series as well. When asked whether these notes are being phased out because of the problem of counterfeiting, she said replacement...

Sikkim Express GANGTOK, August 25: The 4th Pay Commission constituted by State government earlier this month said today that it will make the 6th Pay Commission recommendations of the Central government as its ‘basis’. “We have requested the Centre to send a copy of its 6th Pay Commission report. This will form the basis for us to work out as the instructions and directions of the State government”, said RK Patra, former Chief Justice of High Court of Sikkim today in a press meet held at the conference hall of Tashiling Secretariat. We are yet to receive the report but we are trying to get it as quickly as possible, he added. The two member state Pay Commission had been constituted on August 18 headed by Mr Patra as its chairman to examine the pay structure of different s...

Sikkim Express ‘My neck can also go if Gorkhaland does not happen by 2010’ GJM leader seeks elder brother help GANGTOK, August 24: Ever since taking charge of a revived Gorkhaland movement in Darjeeling, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung today made a maiden visit to Sikkim and appealed ‘his elder brother Dr.Pawan Chamling’ to lend a few words of support to the ‘neglected smaller brother’. Sikkim and Darjeeling share brotherly relations for ages and will continue till Teesta-Rangit flows, said the GJM chief in his address during a spiritual programme organized by ‘Heavenly Path’, a spiritual body here at Paljor Stadium. He had been invited to listen to the spiritual discourse of the founder of the body. “Gorey Salam to Sikkim...

YAHOO INDIA MOVIES Mumbai, Aug 21 (IANS) Actor-producer Suniel Shetty is all set to pay a tribute to his friend, philosopher and guide Danny Denzongpa by making a film for him. Danny is one man who initially taught him everything there's to learn about good, positive, healthy living. 'I simply love and respect that man to death. He was my co-star in my very first film 'Balwaan'. I owe my image of action star to him,' Suniel, who was recently seen in 'Mission Istaanbul', told IANS. 'It was Danny sir who urged me to take him on in climactic combat in the film. I was very shy. How could I fight a man I had hero-worshipped for so long? But he made me do it. 'He even made me pick him up and throw him on the ground. The impact was deadly. Audiences immediately accepted me as a deadly action hero. They reasoned that if I could beat Danny Denzongpa, I must be the real 'balwaan' (strong person),' he added. Since then Suniel has ceas...

AUGUST 17, 2008 - Mumbai : Model Actress Yukta Mukhi and MP Rajiv Shukla present footballer Baichung Bhutia with the Rajiv Gandhi Award 2008 celebrating it's 11th year In Mumbai on Sunday. PTI Photo by Shirish Shete. http://www.newkerala.com/photo-news.php?action=fullnews&id=253

GANGTOK, August 20: Tracing their roots back to Bhutia Chieftain Khey Bumsa, the Sikkimese Bhutia Youth Association (SBYA) has chalked out various activities, including competition on the title of ‘Mr. Khey Bhum’-the strongest man of Sikkim in Bhutia history and cultural cum exhibition to be organized during the eve of Losoong, this year. This was decided in a meeting of the association held today at its new office here at Dechenling. As mentioned in the press release, the meeting also disclosed that a team would be set up to collect and research the necessary information and pictures of Late Chogyals-The 12 Maharajas of Sikkim. Stressing that the subject was sensitive, the president of the association, Kesang Wangchuk Bhutia ap...

Gangtok, Aug 20 (PTI) Border trade between India and China through Nathu La has gained momentum, with the country's export turnover in the last month alone indicating a significant growth. According to figures released by the Sikkim Commerce and Industries Department, the turnover of export from India reporting a figure of Rs 7.20 lakh in July. The export turnover at Nathu La, which reopened on May 19 this year, for the two till June stood at about Rs eight lakh export turnover. The total export turnover up to now stands at Rs 15.67 lakh. Textile products like shawls, blankets, utensils and copper items were much sought after by Chinese importers in view of the growing demand for them by the people of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Commerce and Industry Department officials said. Products like vegetable oil, canned food, tea, cigarettes and coffee were also much in demand by Chinese importers, they said. Expressing satisfaction with the growth of bilateral bord...

Singers: Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar Movie: Abhi To Jee Lein Year: 1977 Music: Sapan Jagmohan Lyrics: Indeevar Cast: Jaya Bhaduri, Danny Denzongpa

A cute romantic duet from "Kaala Sona" (1975), picturized on the secondary couple in the film - Farida Jalal and Danny Denzongpa. Playback singing provided by Asha Bhosle and Danny himself! He has quite a unique, endearing singing voice... IMO he sounds a little like Shailendra Singh. Music by the late, great R.D. Burman.

Sikkim Express SILIGURI, August 18: Chote Ustaad finalist Prakriti Giri inaugurated Neeldavid’s Hair and Beauty Academy here yesterday. Neeldavid, who has three saloons and a hair academy in Kathmandu is running a beauty saloon in Siliguri for the past four months. The saloon located at City Mall Bazar Kolkata, Sevoke Road in Siliguri also offers one month, three months and six months and six months hair, beauty and make up course. The famous hair designer promises value services for both men and women. It offers 100 percent guarantee hair straighten, latest hair cuts like Razor, slice and Korean, multi colour hair extension and hair treatment. Besides, it offers different facial, bleach, manicure, pedicure, threading and face pack while makeup & Bridal & Groom Package will be through ...

Pinak Priya Bhattacharya & Deep Gazmer,TNN SILIGURI/DARJEELING: Her last journey had to be cut short as GJM did not allow the body of Dhanmaya Ghisingh, wife of GNLF president Subash Ghisingh, to be taken to her ancestral home in Ghoom. Sources said she will be cremated in Siliguri on Sunday. Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) leaders, who came to Mallaguri in Siliguri after Dhanmaya's death on Saturday morning, had decided to take her body to Ghoom and then cremate her in Darjeeling. But as soon as that news spread, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders declared that they would not allow GNLF to take Dhanmaya's body to Darjeeling under any circumstances. GJM supporters also started picketing along Hill Cart Road and NH-31B to prevent GNLF leaders from entering the Hills with Dhanmaya's body. To avoid the blockade, the GNLF convoy, accompanied by police, took Rohini Road to reach Darjeeling and Ghisingh was not present in that convoy. But they were stopped by ...

From haalkhabar.com Rangpoo, August 15 (IST 06:02 ): Shyam Thapa, legendary Indian footballer, today felicitated by the 62nd Independence Day Celebration Committee, Rangpoo, East Sikkim for his lifetime achievement in Indian football. The Agriculture Minister, Somnath Poudyal felicitated him and offered ‘Angabastra' (Shawl). James Michel Lee from USA and Khare Basnet from Bhutan on football, Late Narayan Pradhan and Jonabeel on Education, Shanti Rai on bravery, Ganga Devi Sharma, Kalyan Majumdar and B B Subba on social service, Til Bahadur Basnet and Duga Chettri on progressive farming and Priyanka Chettri are also felicitated by the committee. Speaking in the programme Agriculture Minister conveyed the message of Chief Minister of the state. Minister Poudyal also said that in the Agriculture sector, continued efforts will be made to increase production of flowers in Sikkim . Government will also explore the state's potential in organic farming. Highest pr...

INTERNATIONAL POLITICS/ RELATIONS, SOCIOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY and PCSM ADMISSION NOTICE 2008-2009 - SIKKIM UNIVERSITY SIKKIM UNIVERSITY (A Cenral University Established by an Act of Parliament of India) 6TH MILE, SAMDUR, P.O., TADONG, GANGTOK-737102, SIKKIM Tel/Fax: 03592-251438/ 251020 Email: sikkimuniversity@gmail.com ADMISSION NOTICE No.SU/ADMISSION/2008-2009 Dated: August 11, 2008 Sikkim University, established by an Act of Parliament in 2006 (Act No.10 of 2007), started functioning w.e.f. July 2, 2007 at 6th Mile, Tadong, Gangtok. Being located in a very peaceful, accessible and naturally magnificent surrounding, this University is expected to contribute substantively to the nation building process by mobilizing the rich intellectual heritage of this region, by galvanizing the academic fervour and creative instincts of the youths and by developing agencies and institutions that will facilitate cross border interactions, Sikkim University is being designed in such a way so as to m...

pic: ZEE NEWS How often we get to hear about the India's football win...never the less it is really a happier moment to be part of it. Great Work Bhaichung.

Photo from Reuters Pictures Bollywood actor Danny Denzongpa arrives at the 9th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Bangkok June 8, 2008.

from http://sikkimreporter.com// New Delhi: The Sikkimese Sniper has been one of the best Indian players in the ongoing AFC Challenge Cup ’08 and that has also put him in the reckoning for the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament. The 32 year old has had a role in almost the goals scored by the Men in Blue in the AFC Challenge Cup ’08 and always looks a threat to the opposition’s defence. While every member of the Indian team has been waxing lyrical on Coach Bob Houghton, the skipper is no different. “I won’t say that he (Bob) drastically changed me as a player. Under him, one gets to learn a lot not just as a player and that motivates.” When Bhaichung mentions the word ‘motivation’ it is to be taken very seriously as a few years back, he mentioned the lack of it which made him consider h...

Gangtok, Aug. 11: Two months after a Himalayan serow, a threatened species of mountain goat, was found dead at the Teesta Stage III project site in North Sikkim, Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) has questioned the alleged inaction of the government in bringing the construction company to book. The chief coordinator of ACT, Tseten Lepcha, said except for an FIR, no proper action had been taken. “The forest department has been dragging its feet ostensibly to secure local witnesses, which is not possible as the project site is overrun with labourers and company employees, none of whom are residents of Sikkim,” Lepcha said. The FIR lodged by the forest department after the serow’s death mentioned that the animal was found with a broken horn and there was blood all around it. Lepcha said the post mortem findings of the veterinary do...

Gangtok: Sikkim Democratic Front has taken a strong exception to one West Bengal minister’s derogatory remarks on the SDF government in Sikkim in a press conference held at a hotel here on Sunday. Without naming the minister (Asok Bhattacharjee), point to point rebuttal has been given to his insinuations regarding democracy, labour law and other matters in a press release issued by SDF General Secretary, Mr. Bhim Dahal. “The pro-people labour friendly SDF government under the Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling does need any coaching from the West Bengal minister who can not solve even an iota of problems in his own constituency, let alone the problems of his state”, the release says. It adds, “the minister is trying to divert attention of the people of his state”. http://sikkimreporter.com//

GANGTOK, August 11: The statue of Guru Rinpoche, maintained by Dodrupchen Rinpoche at Chorten Lhagang was today carried in the Guru Chyendren procession with the chanting of Vajra Guru mantra to mark Guru Rinpoche’s Trungkar Tsechu. Led by the monks blowing ritual instruments and followed by devotees and students, the solemn procession followed the route from Deorali, Metro Point, Zero Point, Dukhi Pan Dokan, Sonam Tshering March, Nam Nang, Deorali and back to Chorten Gonpa. Revered as the patron saint of Sikkim, the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava is observed every year with prayers organized for all sentient beings. The rally was organized by the Sikkim Buddhist Duechen Organization along with other associations. Talking with SIKKIM EXPRESS, Passong ...

In my next life I'll be... Chicken. And you?

from TELEGRAPH Olympics dream dashed, weightlifter’s family wants Centre to bestow a medal on her KHELEN THOKCHOM Nachou (Bishnupur), Aug. 10: The village that saw Monika Devi lift her first weight forgot to cook its meals today. Choking on tears, men huddled outside tea-stalls and women in courtyards to mourn the death of Indian sport and a potential medal. It took just a three-word verdict — “It’s too late” — from Beijing yesterday to throw Monika Devi out of the Olympics and spell catastrophe for Nachou that has sent seven of its players to the national sports arena. At Monika Devi’s home, pain hung in the air, with most in her family too shattered to hazard words. “Olympics is the ultimate dream of every sportsperson. Monika has been unjustly prevented from realising her dream. Where shall she demonstrate her talent now? Her career is as good as dead and so is Indian sport,” sobbed Mamata, Monika’s elder sister. The family did ...

The Imphal Free Press Hyderabad, Aug 8 : Footballers from the Northeast in the national team Friday rallied support for dope-charged Manipuri weightlifter Monika Devi, who was pulled out of the Indian Olympic contingent at the last minute. Led by captain Bhaichung Bhutia and senior-pro Renedy Singh, the group comprising Surkumar Singh, Gourmangi Singh, Govin Singh, Bungo Singh and Sushil Singh said Monika should be given a fair trial. Except Bhutia, who is a Sikkimese, the other players are from Manipur. But none of them knows Monika personally. "We sympathise with Monika Devi and appeal to the powers-that-be that she be given a fair trial. We are not coming to a conclusion but at times sportspersons take substance without proper knowledge," the Indian captain told reporters here at the team hotel. Monika tested positive for a banned substance July 29 in a pre-Olympic test conducted by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and was dramatically withdrawn from the Olympic squad...

This is something which I have been thinking about for quite some time now. How much do we Indians really know and care about the North-East? I personally feel that the seven sisters and Sikkim (maybe with the exception of Assam), have been a neglected lot in our country. This goes not only from development point of view, but from other aspects as well like sports, culture, entertainment – Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh – are pretty much obscure as far as the rest of the country is concerned. Lets start with the example of Television. All movies, serials, news channels concentrate on “mainland” India. Its all set in Delhi, Mumbai or Punjab. These days even South India is figuring in movies and television. But, what about the north-east? The consequence of this is not limited to entertainment alone. Thanks to TV, your average Indian aam admi in the Rest Of India (ROI - I call it that for a want of a better term – no intention of “dividing”...

from SIKKIM REPORTER SHIVADEEP RAI Singtam: Taking into account the diabetic scenario of Sikkim, Government Fruit Preservation Factory, (GFPF), Singtam, launched organic sugar free Pear Fruit Drink, Passion Fruit Drink, Orange Fruit Drink and Ginger Drink in 200 ml bottle on August 7. All the drinks are RTS (ready to serve) drinks which can be consumed directly without addition of water. Other new products, namely, Aakashey Chilli with curd and Pear Squash were simultaneously launched on the day. Many more are in the pipeline, it is learnt. The RTS drinks will be available in the market with GFPF’s brand name ‘Sikkim Supreme’ at the rate of Rs 15 per 200 ml bottle. The Pear Squash would be available for Rs 43 per 700 ml bottle and Aakashay chilli can be obtained at Rs 10 per pouch. ...

MANGAN, August 08: Two students from Mangan have been selected for Junior National level Taekwondo Championship to be held in Pondicherry. Dorjay Lama and Kinchey Ongmu Bhutia had won gold medals each in the 11th State Junior level Taekwondo Championship Tournament 2008, which was held at Paljor Stadium on August 2, 3 and 4. Among the 18 students from North Sikkim, who participated in the state level tournament, eight students won bronze medals, four students-Puran Gurung, Angila Lepcha, Sonam Dorjee and Tek Bahadur Chettri won silver medals. The students were from Mangan Sr Sec School, North Sikkim Academy and RJHS. http://www.sikkimexpress.com/otherstories.htm

GANGTOK, August 08: Tendong Lho Rum Faat, the indigenous festival of the Lepchas was today celebrated with pomp and splendour at the Sikkim Government College auditorium with Chief Minister Pawan Chamling as the chief guest here today. The two-day festival, which commenced from August 7, also saw Bongthings offer prayers in honour of Mount Tendong and also for world peace and prosperity. Talking about the importance of the festival, Norzang Lepcha, the president of the Tendong Lho Rum Faat Celebration Committee said that the Lepchas worship Mt Tendong as their God. “On the occasion, the Lepchas make a model of the Mountain in the facade of their homes and worship. The mountain is exclusively made of nine stones and the people dance and sing donning mask seeking blessings of the Lord,” he ex...

FROM Journal American Rhododendron Society Britt Smith, Kent, Washington This paper was prepared for and presented at the national meeting of The American Rhododendron Society in San Francisco May 1972. Unfortunately, the color slides which illustrated the paper cannot all be included here. Interest is renewed at this time because a group of members of the ARS departed on April 21 for a six-day trek through the rhododendron forests of Southwest Sikkim. Future issues will present the story of that trek. If we were to journey half way around the world to Calcutta and thence northward approximately 450 miles we could arrive at Darjeeling, India. There the British established in about 1850 a rest (R and R) station at 7,000 feet elevation on a Himalayan ridge. For us as foreign tourists, this is the gateway to Himalaya as it has been through the intervening one hundred twenty years. Another sixty miles aboard a jeep, nearly a full day spent, and after registration at three ...