Extracted from Pakistan Defence India’s “Chief Executive” in Gangtok wrote: “Sikkim’s merger was necessary for Indian national interest. And we worked to that end. Maybe if the Chogyal had been smarter and played his cards better, it wouldn’t have turned out the way it did.” It is also said that the real battle was not between the Chogyal and Kazi Lendup Dorji but between their wives. On one side was Queen Hope Cook, the American wife of the Chogyal and on the other was the Belgian wife of the Kazi, Elisa-Maria Standford. “This was a proxy war between the American and the Belgian,” says former chief minister BB Gurung. But there was a third woman involved: Indira Gandhi in New Delhi. Chogyal Palden met the 24-year-old New Yorker Hope Cook in Darjeeling in 1963 and married her. For Cook, this was a dream come true: to become the queen of an independent kingdom in Shangrila. She started taking the message of Sikkimese independence to the youth, and the allegations started flying thic...
Proud to be a Sikkimese is the definitive digital encyclopedia of Sikkim State. Since 2007, we have archived the rich heritage of the Himalayas, from the history of the Namgyal dynasty to the vibrant cultures of the Lepcha, Bhutia, and Nepali communities. Explore expert insights on Sikkim travel, Buddhist monasteries, folklore, and biodiversity.
Dear Ghanshyam,
ReplyDeleteI had posted some comments a few months ago, somehow they don't appear on this site. Maybe your grand-daughter can do it this time. All four of us are here in the USA. Philip is working in Afghanistan with USAID. Margaret and Nancy are in California. I am here in washington. We remember you especially as a football player.
Regards,
Gladwin Dayal,Philip,Margaret & Nancy.
My uncle Ghanshyam Pradhan had thanked for your message and wished u all best wishes for the new year. 9547116106. This is Ghanshyam Pradhan's number. you can contact him anytime.
ReplyDeletehttp://sikhim.blogspot.com/2009/11/when-alwynian-met-after-41-years-in.html
thank you
Shital Pradhan (I am Ghanashayam Pradhan's brother's son)