Nothing to add...just that you are remembered on this moment...Happy Birthday...
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Fighting Still Going On In Lhasa - Tibet in 1959 through newspaper cuttings (Part 5)
These newspaper cuttings belong from the personal collection of Late Pem Tshering and are now under her daughter Sabnam Lama. Late Pem Tshering had done marvelous work in putting off the newspaper cuttings that hit the headlines all over the world regarding the political turnover at Tibet in 1959 through the newspaper of Amrita Bazar Patrika, he passed away in 1975 and he was Inspector of Police, Frontier Check Post posted at Kalimpong.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Best of Proud to be a Sikkimese of March 2010
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.
High profile case better you don’t speak was told on the phone- Father
Sikkim Rock Star, a 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 organized by Singbell GPU Construction Cooperative Society Ltd is in its final stage and the grand finale is scheduled 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 in auditions of National musical shows.
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 which 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 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.
Ever since the search for Heritage Trees started in Sikkim, I was very curios to be part of this competition. I still remember when the first preliminary results was 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.
Best of Proud to be a Sikkimese of February 2010
I am looking for the family members of late Bimshamsir Pradhan from Gangtok who left India and stayed in Sarawak, Malaysia. He went to Malaysia in 1961. He was married to Rohani (her other name is Pawi) and also has a daughter Lolita Bhimshamsir Pradhan. He was in Gorkha Regiment that went to Malaysia.
First MP of Sikkim passes away
The first Lok Sabha member from Sikkim, SK Rai passed away today morning at his residence here at 6th Mile, Tadong after a prolonged illness.
When I was Decius Brutus for a day?
The drama for me was my first attempt at English lingo and that was enough to give myself a jerk. My comfort level on being selected to play the role of Decius Brutus, one of the conspirators was enough to give a fright to my small heart from day one was not what I would love to talk about. Interestingly in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Decimus Brutus is mistakenly called "Decius" but as I was told that I was Decius it was ok for me.
The only thing I wanted to do was to challenge myself that I can conquer my long dragged crowd phobia. I had always kept myself wrapped within myself and above all, I want to set free myself and enjoy the other side of life. I can say this training period did help ease my confidentiality level a bit.
Should STNM Hospital be shifted?
I am sharing those comments from the topic I had on Face book "Should STNM Hospital be shifted ?"
Best of Proud to be a Sikkimese of January 2010
Mrs. Saroja Pradhan from Harkamaya College of Education , Tadong, Sikkim and Mr. Umesh Pradhan from Damber Singh College, Tadong, Sikkim was chosen to witness the Republic Day parade from the VVIP box at Rajpath in New Delhi. Mrs Saroja Pradhan, has done her M Ed from Harkamaya College of Education in the year 200-8-2009, was the topper in her batch scoring 75.88%. Umesh Pradhan, a student of Damber Sing College in the session 2008-09, was also the topper with 71% .
The River Teesta for the people of Singtam obviously has greater outlook attached towards it. Even I recall myself growing along with the Teesta River at Singtam; playing with its waves at river banks. I even have another sentimental attachment with the great river when I ended up the last walk of my mother’s funeral at its river bank as most of the others do. From the summer off cool breeze to the festive occasions celebrated across the river bank at Singtam, now it seems more of a distant part of that glorious past. But now…where is the river?
We never knew since how long these Sikkim sky show up had been on Sikkim air? I had been writing on my “Proud to be a Sikkimese” about it. I had collected series of so called mysterious “thick white cloudy trails” from different part of Sikkim. Earlier reports came from Ravangla, Singtam, Namthang and even Gangtok, apart from that there were reports of such sightings from far off places like Central Pandam, Parakha, Machong and Sang Martam. The witnesses reported of having seen something “white” on sky that moved in a straight line with cloudy trails, which finally disappeared into the sky.
Rusma Rai, a Sikkimese actress was in a news for her film "Mission love in Sikkim". She had jumped down 120 feet from a Fistel Air Helicopter in one of the stunt scene. To her comparison actor Nikhil Upreti known for his stunt that has great demand in Nepali film had jumped only from 50 feet height.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Nehru Reveals Lhasa Fighting Incidents - Tibet in 1959 through newspaper cuttings (Part 4)
These newspaper cuttings belong from the personal collection of Late Pem Tshering and are now under her daughter Sabnam Lama. Late Pem Tshering had done marvelous work in putting off the newspaper cuttings that hit the headlines all over the world regarding the political turnover at Tibet in 1959 through the newspaper of Amrita Bazar Patrika, he passed away in 1975 and he was Inspector of Police, Frontier Check Post posted at Kalimpong.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
India not to interfare in Tibet: -{Tibet in 1959 through newspaper cuttings (Part 3)}
This newspaper cuttings belongs from the personal collection of Late Pem Tshring and now under her daughter Sabnam Lama. Late Pem Tshering had done a marvelous work in putting off the newspaper cuttings that hit the headlines all over the world regarding the political turnover at Tibet in 1959 through the newspaper of Amrita Bazar Patrika, he passed away in 1975 and he was Inspector of Police, Frontier Check Post posted at Kalimpong.
30th Basibiyalo exchanges cultural extravaganza
SNGTAM: The 30th edition of the famed monthly
literary and cultural meet of Basibiyalo at Singtam added a new chapter in
their progress with 12-year-old Ketan Mangla, from Rangpo reciting a poem in
Hindi language and Kashmira Pradhan, a teenager singer from Gangtok rendering a
heart touching English version of classic Celine Dion’s title track from the
film Titanic.
Popular singer and anchor Remanti Rai from Gangtok made her first public
appearance at Singtam as a singer, along with a couple of new female debutants
in the singing field. Sujata Chettri and Melody Mukhia from Singtam made their
first presentation in front of audiences. Also performing on the day were
Prakash Sundas, Namchi Mahotsav 2010 winner from Gangtok, Gita Sharma, singer
of the soon to be released Prashant Tamang Nepali movie “Angalo Yo Maya Ko”
from Singtam, Sumitra Shanker, top five of Namchi Mahatsov 2010 from Namchi and
the sisters’ duo of Kashmira and Aayushi Pradhan from Gangtok.
Ranjita Pradhan, Kavita Pariyar, BB Chettri, Raj K Shrestha, and Ketan
Mangla completed the Nepali poetry recitation while Monshika Rai, Arju Pariyar,
Upasana, and Yankee Tamang entertained the gathered crowd with their dancing
abilities.
The highlight of the day-long program held at East Point
SSS premises at Golitar, Singtam was the first time recitation of the Hindi
poem by Ketan Mangla, son of Sanjay Agarwal, Journalist from Rangpo, Kashmira
Pradhan a student of PNGSS singing the first English song at the Basibiyalo
meet and honouring of Shital Pradhan. Shital Pradhan, a member of Basibiyalo
from Singtam was honoured and congratulated with khadas by the distinguished
guests of the day for his two bronze medal performances at the recently held
National Philatelic Exhibition held in Delhi.
The 30th edition also marked the last Basibiyalo
function for the year 2010; a round-over of the year was presented by Mohan
Pradhan ‘Neeraj’. In his speech he read about the progress made by Basibiyalo
over the short period and with more and more people outside Singtam wanting to
be part of the group speaks of the volume of standard, it has created, told
Pradhan in his speech. The success of Basibiyalo lies in the performances of
child artists who sing and dance on this platform, he added. Bijay Kumar
Subba, a renowned Nepali literary figure was the Chief Guest on the occasion
that also had the presence of personalities from different fields. Those
included Sawan Pradhan, RP Poudhyal, Raj K Shrestha, Ambika Pokhrel, Susan
Lepcha, Radha Pradhan, BB Chettri, and others.
Ram Naresh Prasad, Singtam Councilor was provided with the responsibility of the “Gharpaatti” of the 30th Basibiyalo meet. Prasad in his speech wished for the swift progress of the Basibiyalo team and congratulated them for making their presence felt in developing a better society. Bijay Kumar Subba in his speech expressed his happiness towards the Basibiyalo team for making a better platform for the younger generation that would make a better future. Talents are the mirror of society and with Basibiyalo making efforts to a better society, each one should take lessons from here, Subba added. Other persons to speak on the occasion were Ambika Pokhrel, RP Poudhyal, BB Chettri, and TB Pradhan.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Upcoming actress Bindhya Singh from Singtam features in Yuva Manch Magazine
Bindhya Singh, an upcoming actress from the town of Singtam features in the latest issue of Yuva Manch, nepali magazine from Siliguri. Bindhya is also part of forthcoming nepali film " Angola Yo Maya Ko" staring Prashant Tamang.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
100 Tibetans & 50 Chinese Killed in Big Scale Battle - Tibet in 1959 through newspaper cuttings (Part 2)
This newspaper cuttings belongs from the personal collection of Late Pem Tshring and now under her daughter Sabnam Lama. Late Pem Tshering had done a marvelous work in putting off the newspaper cuttings that hit the headlines all over the world regarding the political turnover at Tibet in 1959 through the newspaper of Amrita Bazar Patrika, he passed away in 1975 and he was Inspector of Police, Frontier Check Post posted at Kalimpong.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tibet in 1959 through newspaper cuttings - Fightings Breaks Out In Lhasa
Starting from today i shall be sharing a newspaper cuttings from the collection of Late Pem Tshering who had done a marvelous work in putting off the newspaper cuttings that hit the headlines all over the world regarding the political turnover at Tibet in 1959 through the newspaper of Amrita Bazar Patrika. Late Pem Tshering passed away in 1975 and he was Inspector of Police, Frontier Check Post posted at Kalimpong.
Curved contrails shows up at some places of Sikkim
I first came to know about such types of contrails last year when in the month of November, December and January this year, series of such unheard things had made headlines in this part of the state. Contrails were reported from different part of the state. But the one contrail that was caught from a mobile phone of Suneel Dangal, my good friend from Central Pandam yesterday was something different from what was seen last year. The contrail that was shot by Suneel was something curved and fascinating than those straight lines we had seen last year. An eyewitness from Rangpo told that he first saw an object and within a couple of minute those white clouds followed. Nevertheless it is still unknown what sort of fighter planes or any other object was making a move at the sky of Sikkim.
HH Dalai Lama with Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at Gangtak
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| Mass teaching by Dalai Lama at Gangtok Pic: Sikkim Reporter |
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| CM receinving Buddha image from Dalai Lama at Minktokgang. Mrs. Chamling looks on. Pic: Sikkim Reporter |
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Sikkim Philatelists savor success at National Philatelic Exhibition
{A small state of Sikkim won Silver and four Bronze medals at the recent National Philatelic Exhibition held at Ohkla, New Delhi on December 10-12 but the greatest achievement Sikkim made at the event was it made its presence felt among the other states.}
I last participated at the National Philatelic Exhibition in Chennai in December 2008 and the moment I found my possibility to be part of the Delhi National Exhibition I could not let my excitement go off. The organizing committee wanted me to be the State Representative of my state which I happily agreed to. There was an expectation that Sikkim would send a maximum entry at the exhibition to which I am crossing my fingers. I had a talk with Ganesh Pradhan, President of Sikkim Philatelic Society and he too voiced that we should send more entries than the last exhibition. Last December Sikkim had sent three entries at Vadodara Single Frame National Exhibition where Roshan Prasad and I went to win the individual Sapphire Award for the state. But this time around there was lots of expectation for us and also for our small philatelic Club.
We wanted to give our best and we had shortlisted six members to participate in the Delhi event. We had Ganesh Pradhan, Shital Pradhan, Deepen Pradhan, CP Raya, Padam Parajuli and Sumnima Parajuli. It was just a couple of days before the submission of fees CP Raya withdrew himself from the event owing to health reasons. It was a major setback for us since CP Raya was an important and a senior member of our Philatelic club and we had anticipated a nice show from him. His three-frame entry was replaced by three members of the club that included Sushil Karthak, Sudarshan Pradhan, and Sristikaa Pradhan, my daughter. Arrangements for Rs 500 per exhibit for the competition were arranged and sent to Delhi. Our participating entry had two girls in Sumnima and Sristikaa; it was an encouraging sign for our club.
This looked like a pretty good population to represent Sikkim at the National level event, much more than the previous three participants we had in the last National exhibition. Roshan Prasad was participating in three frames on a Cricket theme and the rest in single-frame exhibits. Ganesh Pradhan Indian Personality), Shital Pradhan (Sikkim through Philately), Deepen Pradhan (Pre Independence Stamps of India), Padam Parajuli (Media through Philately), Sushil Karthak (Extinct Countries), Sudarshan Pradhan ( Philatelic Exhibition through Philately) Sumnima Parajuli (Children of the different world through stamps) and Sristikaa Pradhan (Buddha, Buddhism, and Philately). I had also participated in a Philatelic-related literature competition at the event. For that my entry was an article on Sikkim Rocket Mail, I had written for Talk Sikkim a couple of months back.
Since being a State Representative I had to leave for Delhi ahead of the other members who were to be present at the event. I had with me eleven exhibits and left for Delhi along with my cousin brother Praveen Pradhan via NJP railway station. Along with me were exhibits of Shashank Agarwal, Vivek Agarwal, and Ashoke Das from Siliguri I had received at the railway platform. On reaching Delhi I handed over the exhibits to Savita Jhingan, Head of the organizing committee.
The three-day-long philatelic festival began on December 10th at Okhla. But the biggest surprise awaited me that day when Shri Karan Singh MP (Rajya Sabha) came to the NSIC Exhibition Hall as the Chief Guest. I have seen this person in photographs taken at Sikkim in the 70s along with Chogyal of Sikkim and watching him in front of me was something unexplainable. He visited every displayed frame in the Hall and after over an hour he left the scene. While returning back everyone was taking his autograph and I too wanted a one for my collection. I did not have any paper and from the nearby person standing beside me I asked for a blank page and went to Shri Singh and asked for the autograph and the reply he had for me as – I don’t sign in a blank page, and he went off leaving me stranded.
Over 780 entries from the different states of India had arrived for the Exhibition. It was nice to come across old friends while some new friends were also made. I had been following Sikkim Rocket mail since 2001 and I had seen numerous scans related to that experiment. For the first time, I came across a Sikkim Rocket Gram of 1935 being sold at a Stamp Stall inside the Hall that was too costly for me to buy. That Rocket Gram was flown from Gangtok along with a hen (I still recall I have written in my previous issue about the rooster mail at Sikkim Rocket Mail Experiment. Just to hold a part of Sikkim History was a pride feeling for me. Hope some day I shall have it in my collection.
Two days passed by in a whisker. It was stamps, stamps, and stamps for us, now Ganesh Pradhan, Deepen Pradhan, and Sushil Karthak had arrived at Delhi. Ganesh Pradhan is the man behind the famed Ram Gauri Shangralaya at Rhenock. In his early 60s, he was a person of encouragement for everyone. As a President of our Sikkim Philatelic Society, he has performed numerous Philatelic-related workshops over the years to promote philately in Sikkim. When it is about Stamps his eagerness and excitement he is too young for his age. He never tires up to share information about any query one needs.
The third day of the Exhibition was also the award day and by noon, everyone gathered inside the Hall cheered for the winners. We were also there keeping our fingers crossed. The first of the awards ceremony included a medal for the State Representatives. It was nice to watch different individuals from their respective states receiving their medals and I was also one of them. The people were a bit confused and in disbelief to hear someone from Sikkim gathering a medal in a philatelic presence.
Dipok Dey, senior philatelist from Kolkata along with S Sukhani, philatelist from Kolkata read the list of winners. To our surprise, we received one silver and four bronze. Roshan Prasad won the lone silver while Deepen, me, and Sristikaa got one bronze each while I received the other bronze for my Rocket Mail article that was published at Talk Sikkim. I went to the dais to receive four of the five awards and it was a proud feeling that people were noticing that a small state of Sikkim was getting such honour. I am happy we made our presence on the national scene. I am happy for Sristikaa, my daughter of six, I am teaching her about stamp collection and I had chosen her theme on Buddha since she can identify him. It is sure it will give her more encouragement in the days to come.
After the event, everyone congratulated us and they were happy that Sikkim had made its presence felt in Indian Philately. I still recall Dipok Dey calling me up and telling me he was proud of our achievement and Sikkim Philately had made its ground at the national level, he joyfully said.
The National Philatelic event at Delhi had many “first” for the small state of Sikkim. The highest number of philatelists (9) from Sikkim represented the state at the National event, out of which two were girls. Roshan Prasad became the first Sikkimese to win a Silver medal at a National event. Shital Pradhan became the first Sikkimese to win a medal at National Philatelic Literature Competition. Sristikaa Pradhan became the first girl from Sikkim to win a medal at a National Event. When I am writing this article there are talks between members of Sikkim Philatelic Society that Philatelic Exhibitions in Sikkim shall be held in different places from March onwards, next year.
Video of International Conference for Science, Spirituality and Education held in Gangtok
His Holiness the Dalai Lama talks about the changing role of science in a clip from his opening address at the International Conference for Science, Spirituality and Education held in Gangtok, Sikkim, India, on December 20th, 2010.
Dalai Lama at Ravangla (December 19, 2010)
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama acknowledging the crowd after his talk at Buddha Park in Ravangla, Sikkim, India, on December 19th, 2010. |
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting the crowd at Buddha Park in Ravangla, Sikkim, India, on December 19th, 2010. |
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama planting a tree sapling at Buddha Park in Ravangla, Sikkim, India, on December 19th, 2010. |
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| Traditional Tibetan dancers perform for His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Mani Chokhor Ling Monastery in Ravangla, Sikkim, India, on December 18th, 2010. |
All Photo: Tenzin Choejor/ OHHDL
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sikkim Raffle receipt of 1960
Sikkim history always surprises me. more i feel that i am getting to know it properly it provides me a surprises. In this regard i found a receipt of Sikkim Raffle that was for H.R. Charities Fund, Gangtok Sikkim. The receipt belonged to the year 1960. The back page of the paper had the photographs of the previous winners and the winners were presented drafts of Rs 45,000 that was increased to Rs 75,000. It is interesting to read that the draft presentations of those winners were done at New Delhi and Kanpur.
The prize money had been guaranteed under Sikkim Government Bankers, the first seven prizes was paid through the State Bank of India, Darjeeling. The Raffle Draw was authorised by the Govt. of Sikkim under No. 11- GS/1/59 dated 2-4-59 along with authorisation of Government of India.
The strange thing for me was that Kanchenjunga magazine of 1972 wrote " The first lottery draw in Sikkim was held on 4th of April 1972, where the first prize was the amount of 1,00,000 and an ambassador vehicle while the second prize was awarded to two winners, the amount of 10,000 and an air trip from India to America."
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Sikkim Philatelic Society congratulates medal winners of National Philatelic Exhibition
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| Ganesh Pradhan, President of Sikkim Philatelic Society |
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| Roshan Prasad |
In his message, Ganesh Pradhan said that Sikkim was represented by 9 philatelists, which had as many as six philatelists participating in a national event for the first time. Roshan Prasad, who had won the Sapphire Award at Vadodara in December 2009, managed the lone Silver for the State for his collection on “Cricket” while Shital Pradhan, who also had won a Sapphire Award at Vadodara in December 2009, went on to win two Bronze medals in philatelic display for his exhibit on “Sikkim through Philately" as well as in Philatelic literature competition for his article on “Sikkim Rocket mail".
Deepen Pradhan went on to collect a bronze for his collection on "Pre Independence Stamps of India”. Sristikaa Pradhan, daughter of Shital Pradhan, added the fourth Bronze for Sikkim with her collection of “Buddha” in the youth category. The other participants in the event were Ganesh Pradhan, Padam Parajuli, Sudarshan Pradhan, Sumnima Parajuli, and Sushil Karthak.
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| Shital Pradhan received his medal. |
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| At Delhi |
Dipok Dey, an eminent philatelist from Kolkata and the person behind the Philatelic development of Sikkim congratulated the young team of Sikkim for their wonderful achievement on the National scene, read the press release.
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