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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 the opinions24x7 blog. The article briefly gives a brief narration about Sikkim. What I liked the most was the annexation part, and as with my part, what I see, I share. So this exciting piece of the extract is provided here, touching 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."
It was an opportunity for me to be part of the recently held TwoDays Seminar on Strategy for Heritage Management for Sikkim organized by the Cultural Department at Denzong Residency, Gangtok. I did not want to miss it. 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 interact with the officials out there. The meeting, though, left many unanswered questions, but I am sure that in days to come, the quest to preserve the story of Sikkim for the coming generations will have some definite outcome.
There were questions during our interaction sessions, and I would have loved to have the answers for them. Still, 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 wrote a few years back, which can easily be accessed online through my blog “Proud to be a Sikkimese.”
For the last couple of years, I have been following Sikkim's History on my personal ground, and the biggest happiness I could gather from my studies are those lesser mistakes a couple of readers made that should have been avoided. Sikkim lacks a Sikkim Historian, and I consider it is due to this fact that 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 of the small kingdom of Sikkim 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 people confused when 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 and is the oldest monastery of Sikkim. Meanwhile, the Dubdi (meaning The Hermit's Cell) Monastery was built in 1701. In later years, the Sanga Chelling Monastery was 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 its best to preserve the cultural heritage of Sikkim by protecting and preserving the ancient Sikkim, but do we think about the Chumbi Palace that was once part of Sikkim but is 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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".
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.
I was going through an article from the book "The British, The Bandits And The Bordermen," and there is something I could not stop 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, K F Rustamji.
The book is based on more than 3,500 pages of Rustamji's diaries, and the articles present first-person accounts of some of the tumultuous developments, such as the partition, Chinese aggression, and the Indo-Pak war.
One of the articles writes about a unique gift Jawaharlal Nehru received on his 70th birthday from Madhya Pradesh Police. The gift was nothing more 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, which 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 among the most brutal in the Madhya Pradesh dacoits ignoble gallery,".
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.
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.
Singtam: Sikkim Rock Star, dance and singing based musical show keeping up its promises has sent two of its participants to the auditions of the Indian Idol 5 and Junior Dance India Dance respectively. The show organised by Singbell GPU Construction Cooperative Society Ltd is in its final stage and grand finale is schedule to be held on the last week of April, the coming month. The music completion had been categorized into three categories that include solo dance, group dance and vocal competition. The music competition had been limited to Hindi and Nepali music only. Winners of both competitions receive the sum of Rs 25,000 each and an opportunity to participate at auditions of National musical shows.
Raja Ghatani, an eleven year old from Singtam have successfully completed the level two auditions of Junior Dance India Dance competition at Kolkata. Talking from Kolkata, Raja told that he has completed the two rounds of competition and to be in the final Top 40 he has to win the third round i.e. the “Taqdeer ki topi” round that is to be held in two days time. He has thanked the Sikkim Rock Star committee for helping him realise his dream of performing in the highest level. Raja added he had been getting the highest marks from the judges and hope that he will get through the next round. In the next round he would be performing Popping and Locking round in front of Judge Terrence Lewis.
Prakash Sundas had entered the Indian Idol 5 audition from Kolkata but failed to qualify after the third round at Mumbai. Prakash was the lone participants from Sikkim to qualify for the next round, so far more than 20 participants had tried their luck in Indian Idol 5 from Kolkata auditions. He was judged by Sunidhi Chauhan, noted Bollyhood singer in Mumbai round. He had expressed gratitude towards Sikkim Rock Star for providing him an opportunity.
Sonia Seikh, Organiser of Sikkim Rock Star show appreciated the success of their participants and told that they are fulfilling their words that Sikkim Rock Star would give a platform to perform in the National Level. The grand finale of the show is schedule to be held on the last week of April and in between we had the Kolkata auditions of the Indian Idol 5 as well as the Junior Dance India Dance; after the tough decision from the members of organizing committee, two talented performers each from singing and dancing forms were selected from their previous performances at the Sikkim Rock Star shows, she added. Sikkim Rock Star shall fulfill their words and the winners of the show shall also be given an opening to participate at the national level competitions. All the expenses of the participants and their one company to the auditions are carried by the Sikkim Rock Star.
Sourced from: Shaw, F. Becker. 1897. Missionary Map of Tibet (dotted lines indicate trade routes) / The Scandinavian Alliance Mission has also Tibetan Missionaries in Ghoom, India, in Baksadnar, Bhutan, and in Guntak, Sikkim.
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.
