Upper Dalapchand SS student secures 5th position among 29 states at National Inter School Event

Dalapchand: Ravi Pradhan, a Class IX student from Upper Dalapchand SS made Sikkim proud when he stood fifth in a High Jump event among the other athletic performers from 29 states at recently concluded 5^th National Inter School Tournament Group 1.  Ravi Pradhan had received a memento and a certificate. Sikkim state was represented by two athlete Ravi Pradhan and Saran Gurung from Rhenock SSS while Bahai School, Tadong represented at boys and girls Basketball event.

The Girl’s Team lost at the semi final while the Boy’s Team made up to quarterfinal. The National Level School event was held from April 18 to 21 at Rajnandgoan, Chhattisgarh. This event is held for a promotion of sports and games at Schools.

According to the information received from Ravi Pradhan, he stood fifth with a jump of 5.9 m while the athlete from Kerela had a jump of 6.6 m to win the event. It was a nice experience to compete at such national event and I am happy that I performed my best, 5.9 m is my personal best and in days to come I want to better this mark, added Pradhan.  

Pradhan added he would like to thank ST Bhutia, Head Master of Upper Dalapchand SS and Bhanu Chettri, PE Teacher Rhenock SSS for their support and encouragement. Saran Gurung from Rhenock SSS, the other athlete to represent Sikkim at the Tournament finished 9^th among 29 participating states in his event of Long Jump. He had jumped 4.6m.

Informing about Ravi Pradhan’s achievement ST Bhutia, Head Master of the School told that it was a great moment to read out that a student from our school has made the state proud and we are very happy for his success. We, the staffs of Upper Dalapchand SS wish Ravi very best in near future too. Sonam Bhutia, Teacher told that Ravi had been very interested in sports since early days and this was his first ‘big’ exposure at National Level and we can expect much better outcome from him in days to come.

Chujachen-Dalapchand performers entertains 33rd Singtam Basibiyalo

Dalapchand: The 33^rd edition of the famed Singtam Basibiyalo saw the felicitation of actress Bijayata Baraily for her marvelous performance in her debut Nepali film “Angalo Yo Maya Ko” at a gathering in Singtam Community Hall on April 24^th, 2011.  The colourful cultural program saw performers from Singtam, Chujachen and students of Upper Dalapchand SS entertaining the crowds.

Singtam Basibiyalo has in short time become a most happening monthly event at Singtam and is growing with every passing day. Performers from different corners of the state find a proud moment to participate at the event and perform. Mohan Pradhan “Neeraj”, speaking on the occasion said that Singtam Basibiyalo is getting popularity and he thanked every members and non members for supporting him and his Singtam Basibiyalo. 

TB Pradhan, Advisor Singtam Basibiyalo talking to this reporter told that this platform of performing arts is open to every individuals and groups who wanted to showcase their talents and we appreciate and invite everyone to be part of this event.

The occasion also saw a music release of Singer Poonam Tamang’s Nepali audio album “Maan ko  Chahana”  by RK Sundas, SDPO Rangpo, RK Pradhan, President Sikkim Newar Sangathan Bijayata Baraily and members of Singtam Nagar Panchayat. Poonam Tamang, resident of Chujachen, Rongli had recorded her audio album from Nepal and she also performed on her songs.

Singer Mona Chamling, a well known singer from Chujachen made her first presence at the Singtam Community Hall Stage with a popular Nepali song of famed Kunti Moktan to receive an alluring response from the audience who applauded her beautiful song.

Students of Upper Dalapchand SS performing at Singtam for the very first time presented a Nepali folk dance and songs. A Nepali folk song “Manjari” danced by nine students was well appreciated by the distinguished guests and the audiences present on the occasion. The dancers were Roda Gurung, Prava Sharma, Deepshika Pradhan, Pranita Pradhan, Nar Maya Gurung, Anjana Tamang, Bidhya Rai, Soyeta Gurung and Karishma Gurung.

Two female teenager singers Divya Rai and Renu Chettri from Dalapchand enthralled the Hall with their soothing voices. Divya Rai went on to sing a Hindi and a Nepali number while Renu Chettri, Class IX student from Upper Dalapchand SS sang a Nepali song. Eshwar Dawari, School Captain of Upper Dalapchand SS recited a Nepali poem. All the students and the other performers received a certificate from the Chief Guest and other guests.

TN Poudyal and Phurba Tamang, teachers from Upper Dalapchand SS who were present along with the students at the Singtam Community Hall had expressed gratitude towards Mohan Pradhan “Neeraj”, founder of Singtam Basibiyalo for providing an opportunity for the students of Upper Dalapchand SS to perform at this higher stage. They told they shall ever remain grateful towards Singtam Basibiyalo.

Dalapchand Secondary School felicitates a choreographer

Dalapchand: Sajan Basnet, a local choreographer from Rongli who had helped the Upper Dalapchand Secondary School grab the third position at Inter School Folk Dance Competition at the recently concluded 5^th Lampokhari Paryatan 2011 at Aritar-Dalapchand Festival Ground was felicitated by Upper Dalapchand Secondary School staff.

In a small gathering at school premises Sajan Basnet was felicitated by offering khadas by the staffs, Basnet was also handed over an appreciation certificate.  Speaking on the occasion Karma T Bhutia, Teacher told that the students had been benefitted from the dancing lessons of Sajan Basnet in a short time of 10 days. Upper Dalapchand Secondary School managed to get third position in a tough competition that had 11 schools from nearby regions giving their best. Our students performed better but it was not our day on that occasion. The crowds at the Festival appreciated our school’s dance presentation, we are happy for that, added Bhutia. 

S T Bhutia, Head Master of Upper Dalapchand Secondary School thanked Sajan Basnet and handed over the appreciation to him. Sajan Basnet thank the school authority for giving him an opportunity to teach the students. He specially thanked ST Bhutia, Shreya Pradhan, Madhu Regmi, Ambika Chettri and rest of the staffs for supporting him for over a week with the school students.

Sikkim’s Angalo Yo Maya Ko to be the India’s first screened Nepali film at multiplex

Singtam: After a grand two-week show at Vajra Cinema Hall in Gangtok, much talked about Nepali film Angalo Yo Maya Ko produced by Kishor Dungmali from Mazhitar, Sikkim is ready to be released at Siliguri Multiplex. According to the information received from Kishore Dungmali, Producer of the film, AYMK shall be screened from April 22 at Cinemax Sevin Plaza, Siliguri. This is for the first time in India that a Nepali film shall be screened multiplex. Prashant Tamang, lead actor of the movie shall also be present on the occasion, he added.

Kishore Dungmali felt proud that his film was well appreciated by the people and said that the film AYMK has opened a door for a film business in Sikkim. If our works are sincere and well organized, we all can make a better movie and make a name for Sikkim in the movie world. Dungamali added.  He further said he wished every people around should watch this movie with their family, this movie provides a social message and talk about the change we need to have to create a better society for tomorrow. AYMK shall also be shown at a few places of Sikkim viz Singtam, Namchi, Rongli, and others in coming days, he further added.

AYMK has been able to create a buzz among the cinema goers at Sikkim and for the last decade, this is the only film that has been successfully shown for two continuous weeks.  This film shall travel to cinema halls in Nepal in a couple of months and to other places abroad as well is being discussed.

Movie lovers after watching this movie have appreciated the story and its presentation. Vinod Sereng’s direction and Yuvraj Rai’s camera work had been much talked about. The music of Issac Chettri is also well received.  In the acting forefront, the much-talk name is Prashant Tamang and Bijayata Baraily.

Acting in her very first film, Bijayata Baraily has won the heart of audiences with her flawless acting skills. The role of Jasmine, portrayed by Bijayata Baraily has been at the lips of crowds.  Prashant is a wonder boy, the critics had been kept into silence who said Prashant can’t act, Prashant Tamang has given two back-to-back hit films and his own individual acting skills has received accolades. Cheers to Prashant, said Praveen Pradhan, after watching the movie at Vajra. 

Other characters to stand out are Harshika Shrestha, Mahendra Gurung, Prem Subba and Mahendra Bagdas, Mahendra Bajagai and Bijayata Baraily talking to this reporter said that when I was working in the film I never thought about the hit or the flop of the movie, I just wanted to give my best and I wanted people to appreciate my effort but the rush at the cinema hall and its response made me surprise. At the end of the day, I am very pleased to know my work is well appreciated.

Mahendra Gurung, the second lead actor of the film from Gangtok said, being my debut film, I am very happy to go through the responses of the film. The success of the film is also due to its technical sound that made major differences, cannot be ignored.  The film had received rave reviews at Kathmandu Press and we can expect some better news from there too. The film shall be screened in Tel Aviv, Israel, the next month added Gurung.   

Singer Prakash Sundas with popular Nepali Singer Kunti Moktan

The last day of the 5th Lampokhari Paryatan 2011 saw a musical evening with Kunti Moktan. A legendary singer Kunti Moktan sang a dozen song that made four thousand odd crowds dance to her song. Prakash Sundas was the only singer from Sikkim on that night to share the stage with Kunti Moktan. It is an achievement for this young boy to come this far.

Pawan Hans flies for Lampokhari Festival

Pooja Pariyar wins Miss Lampokhari 2011: Singer Prakash Sundas wins crowds heart

Dalapchand, April 13: The second day of the Lampokhari Paryatan 2011 Festival saw Pooja Pariyar winning the Miss Lamphokari Beauty Pageant 2011 while Singer Prakash Sundas, an Indian Idol aspirant and winner of Namchi Mahotsav 2010 entertained the over two thousand crowds with his songs in the highly anticipated late evening show. The late evening show also had a Fashion Show by the renowned Models from Kolkata.

Present on the occasion were Puran Gurung, Area MLA, Dhiraj Pradhan, BDO Rongli, Tenzing T Kaleon, SDM Rongli Sub-Division, KB Chamling, SDF Vice President, Bimal Dawari, Zilla Adhakshya, East and members of Lampokhari Paryatan 2011 Festival.

Pooja Pariyar from Rhenock won over six other contestants to win the coveted Miss Lampokhari crown. Chunki Bhutia and Preeti Tamang were the first and second runners up respectively. The judges for the beauty contest were PK Subba, Deputy Director Agriculture, Passang Tamang, SSACS, Sonam Tshering Bhutia, DE Power, Rongli.

The late evening colourful cultural show belonged to Singer Prakash Sundas, a member of SPARK NGO from Singtam, who sang over dozen popular Hindi and Nepali songs. Over two thousand crowds assembled at the Festival Ground danced and took pleasure in each of Prakash’s songs. The crowds chanting Prakash’s name were heard after every song.  Aarju Pariyar from Singtam representing ‘Basibiyalo Singtam’ performed a beautiful dance number that was followed by the sizzling Hindi item songs from Modern Dance Academy, Rongli choreographed and performed by Sajan Basnet and his young group.

After the event, Prakash Sundas told this reporter that he wished to thank the committee for providing him an opportunity to perform at this stage. It was my first visit to Aritar-Dalapchand and I am thrilled with the enthusiasm and support of the crowd. It was a memorable moment for me to sing in front of such a huge gathering, Prakash added.

It should be noted that Prakash Sundas had been through to the 4^th round (Mumbai Theatre Round) at last year's Indian Idol and he is also preparing for this year's Indian Idol too, he had won the Namchi Mahotsav 2010 a few months back and has sung a couple of Nepali Sufi songs soon to be released.  

Lamphokhari Paryatan Mahotsav 2011 starts off

 

Lamphokhari Paryatan Mahotsav 2011 starts off

Dhiraj Pradhan and Sonam Waiba secures 2nd prizes at NE Youth Festival

Dhiraj Pradhan

SINGTAM: Sikkim contingent that had participated at 2^nd North East Youth Festival 2011 at Shillong went on to bag two second prizes at Solo Instrumental Competition and in Painting Competition, while they also secured third prize at the One Act Play competition.  

According to the information received from Praveen Pradhan, the team leader of Sikkim Contingent; Dhiraj Pradhan from Rhenock stood second in painting competition while Sonam Waiba from Gangtok bagged a second prize with his guitar skill at Solo Instrumental competition.  A Nine member play group finished third at the One Act Play competition, informed Pradhan.

The 2^ND NE Youth Festival was held from April 7^th till April 9^th   at Polo Ground, Shillong. The eight participating states that included Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura had partake in different competitive events at the Mega cultural celebration.  The competitive events included Folk Song, Folk Dance, One Act Play, Photography, Painting, Rock Band Music and Solo Instrumental.

Speaking from Shillong, Praveen Pradhan told that 47 member of Sikkim contingent had participated at six events leaving the Rock Band Music Competition. Out of which we went on to bag three prizes. We are very happy at this moment and would love to thank all our well-wishers back at home who had helped us and supported us over the last one month. It was wonderful to interact with people of different NE States and exchange our culture, added Pradhan.

Day 1 of the two day All Sikkim Strike called on by SDF Labour Front at Rongli (4.4.11)

Day 1 of the two day All Sikkim Strike called on by SDF Labour Front at Rongli (4.4.11)

Celebrating 60th Birth Anniversary of Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal at Rongli School.

Celebrating 60th Birth Anniversary of Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal at Rongli School.

I do have fond memories of Burung School

I never thought that someday, my passion for understanding Sikkim would have followers and well-wishers across the globe. Just before writing this article, I received an email from Volker from France wondering about my fascination with bringing out things about Sikkim that no one had ever thought about. 

I was looking for information with him regarding a person named Robert Godet. He was a Frenchman, writer, photographer, adventure lover, and family friend to the Royal family of Sikkim. In the 1950s, he made several flights to Sikkim in his small two-seater airplane, probably making him the first to fly across the Himalayan Kingdom of Sikkim. 

 

Sometimes, my friends call me a wanderer since I visit places looking for lost pieces of Sikkim's past. Sometimes, it's the oral documentation, while on a few other occasions, the materials I get around keep me silent. For the last decade, I had been at Singtam, my hometown, and doing my own research on Sikkim History, but this time around, I have moved to a new place with the hope that my work would get a new charter of life and I could continue to do what I am expected the most by my readers.

Last week was an eventful one for me. I got transferred from Burung Primary School, now Burung JHS, to my new destination, Upper Dalapchand Secondary School. In between, I had my first television interview aired on Nayuma TV. I am happy to be at Dalapchand, a half-hour drive from Rongli Bazaar, the place that is the home of Sikkim's first Post Office, now forgotten in the wheel of time.

Just the day I joined Upper Dalapchand SS, my new staff told me that the name Dalapchand means a flat rock where travellers heading for Tibet prior to the late 1880s would stop to rest. To my surprise, I could see that rock from the school balcony. 

I could not hide my smile when I was shown a small path leading to the bamboo bushes and told that it was a mule path that had stopped after the 1960s. I feel I am at home, and I am sure I shall enjoy my stay here. But I, too, cannot forget my stay at Burung, my first posting as a primary school teacher.

After spending six years of my teaching life at Burung JHS as a primary teacher, I had my share of experience there. It is now more of a memory to be part of the Burung School family, where I have learned about different walks of life. I have had many unforgettable moments with my students and fellow staff at Burung. There were eight staff; Headmaster NT Bhutia, followed by other teachers, Uttam Shivakoti, Kamal Sharma, M B Tamang, Ganga Hamal, Savitra Dahal, Indira Rizal, and myself.

Among the teaching staff, I am thankful for Burung for giving me an opportunity to meet a friend like Indira Rizal. She was always a source of encouragement for my work. She would read every published article of mine and did not hesitate to ask if she did not understand anything.  

Still fresh in my mind is making my students participate in the state-level dancing competition at Nachyo Babari. Those students who had never been to Gangtok and their cultural performances limited to school functions performed in front of celebrities like Uttam Pradhan, Kamal Rai, and Pema Tsedun and with a packed audience at SDF Bhawan. Though we did not progress further, the joy of my dancing student was enough to make me happy, and I felt that I had succeeded. I arranged educational tours for students to Gangtok and Science Centre, Namli, in successive years. 

One of many memorable moments was the football tournament I took my students to at Chuja School. We lost handsomely, nine goals to nil. Our school did not have a playground, but I saw those boys playing football on the roads nearby. I wanted them to participate and have fun; I always believe it is important to participate, and a win or a loss is always part of a game. 

I have always lived my life with the smiles and joy of my students, and I am happy I was one of their close friends, someone with whom they did not hesitate to speak their minds.