Shantinagar celebrates Bhagwan Baba’s 89th birth anniversary

SINGTAM, NOVEMBER 23: Shantinagar Sai Bhajan Mandali celebrated Sri Satya Sai Baba's 89th birth anniversary at Sai Mandir, Shantinagar. Highlights of the day-long program included gifting blankets and shawls to the needy, singing bhajan, felicitation, a cultural program, and food serving. Prasadam was offered after the bhajans.

Today’s birthday program was organized to serve humanity as Bhagwan Baba had always followed. We, the Shantinagar Sai Bhajan Mandali, are just spreading the message of Bhagwan Baba, reads the press release.

The program started with the Supravatam, Nagar Kirtan, at around 4 a.m. Shri Mani Kumar Dulal, Mrs. Mamta Dulal, Mrs. Meera Baraily, and Miss Neha Chettri were felicitated on the occasion for their best and active services.  

Blankets and Shawls were distributed to the needy. The evening program included cultural programs to encourage Bal-Bikash students, including an offering of cake to Bhagwan Baba followed by aarti.

Sikkim delegation participates in Bio-Fach India 2014

PRESS RELEASE

A delegation comprising the Sikkim Organic Mission, Department of Agriculture, and SIMFED, led by Lok Sabha MP PD Rai, represented Sikkim at a trade fair and international conference on organic agriculture in Kerala. The three-day event - Biofach India 2014 together with India Organic - was organized by the Government of Kerala in association with Nuremberg Messe Germany and the Indian International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA) at Karukutty near Kochi from the 6th to 8th of November.

Held at the Adlux International Convention Centre, Kochi, the event served as a common platform for organic producers, marketing agencies, government departments, and other stakeholders to discuss various issues related to organic farming produce, marketing, standards maintenance, and the way forward for India. Sikkim and Nagaland represented the northeastern region.

I was keen on the organic produce displayed in the Sikkim stall. National and International buyers flocked to the stall and engaged in dialogue. The stall was adorned with Sikkim’s Organic Mission messages, including video representations showcasing Chief Minister Pawan Chamling's leadership in promoting Organic Agriculture.

The event was inaugurated by Union Minister for Agriculture Shri Radha Mohan Singh in the presence of the Chief Minister of Kerala, Oomen Chandy. The program was also attended by the Ambassador of the Netherlands and the Mayor of Goesan County, South Korea.

Lady Mountbatten and her patriotism !!

 

This is an interesting anecdote extracted from an article published in Himalayan Times in 2004 related to Lady Mountbatten on her visit to Sikkim. The year then was 1947 and a summer month.   It was her only visit to Sikkim, and her daughter accompanied her. Before visiting Sikkim, she stayed at Kalimpong for two days. On the third day of her arrival at the Hills of Darjeeling Districts, she decided to visit Gangtok, the then capital of the Himalayan Kingdom of Sikkim.  Chogyal Tashi Namgyal, the king of Sikkim, had invited Lady Mountbatten to Gangtok. 

 

On that joyous day, Chogyal Tashi Namgyal had particularly arrived at Rangpo to receive the special dignitary. Chogyal was to receive Lady Mountbatten at Rangpo Dak-bungalow.  The 1935 Ford V8 Tourer model, which had the number DJPC 405, arrived at Rangpo, the border between India and Sikkim, at around 10.30 am, and the guests were taken directly to Rangpo Dak-bungalow. Hartka Bahadur Diyali was the driver who had the honour to drive.

 

After the end of the reception, it was decided that Lady Mountbatten and her daughter would be driven in Chogyal’s car, leaving the vehicle from Kalimpong at Rangpo. In a fascinating incident, the ADC accompanying Lady Mountbatten refused to let the lady inside the Chogyal’s car. The Chogyal’s car had a Sikkim flag on its flag post, which annoyed the British officials. Only after the Sikkim Flag was replaced with the British Flag, Lady Mountbatten entered the car. Lady Mountbatten and her daughter stayed at Sikkim for three days.

 

The feeling of patriotism was above everything, and people should learn it in a British way!!

  

pic: himalayantimes blog

Solo Dance 3 audition to be held at Rangpo Cafeteria

Audition Round of the “Solo Dance 3” is going to be held on Sunday, November 16 at Rangpo Cafeteria. Bishnu Suman, Managing Director, New Heaven Dance Academy informs that the Dance competition “Solo Dance 3” is a three round national level dance competition where the next two rounds shall be held at Kolkata.  The Dance competition is for three categories: Group A:  4 years to 9 years, Group B:  9 years to 16 years and Group C:  16 years to above. For further information contact: 9775833914

Sikkim Philatelic Society takes all three positions at Sr. Category DEPEX 2014 Stamp Exhibition

SINGTAM, NOVEMBER 1: It was a rare achievement for the philatelists of Sikkim Philatelic Society at DEPEX 2014 held at Capitol Hall, Darjeeling on October 31. 

Five-member philatelists from Sikkim Philatelic Society had participated in the Senior Category Open Competition (Outside Darjeeling) that featured philatelists from Sikkim, Mallbazaar, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Bihar, Gangarampur, and others. The first three positions in the category were won by Sikkim.

Shital Pradhan won the first prize for his theme “Sikkim through Philately”, Roshan Prasad stood second while Ganesh Pradhan, Deepen Pradhan, and Padam Parajuli, three philatelists from Sikkim shared the joint third position.

The two-day event (October 30 and 31) saw the release of two Special Covers on the 150^th year of St. Paul School and Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling. Another highlight of the event was the release of “My Stamp” which was highly appreciated by all. 

A total of 70 frames were put in the exhibition in which 32 frames were allotted for invitation class while the 40 frames were divided into four categories. The categories included Junior School and Junior Individual while in the Senior category there were two categories; Senior Category within Darjeeling and Senior Category Open Competition (Outside Darjeeling).

Ganesh Pradhan, President Sikkim Philatelic Society has congratulated his fellow team members for a grand show. Through a press release, Pradhan had thanked the Darjeeling Postal Department and the associated organizing committee for having a successful event and wished them success in days to come too.

The Philatelic Exhibition was held at Darjeeling after 11 years. The last one was held in 2003 and was named ‘Kosheli’. This time the event was named DEPEX 2014.