ALPINE 2018’s stamps and coins lures Darjeeling

DARJEELING, JUNE 3 : ALPINE 2018, a two day Philatelic and Numismatic Exhibition organized by Alpine Philatelic and Numismatic Society (APNS), Darjeeling ended with great enthusiasm on June 2, 2018. More than a thousand visitors on both days was the highlight of the event, said Vivek Yonzone, Secretary APNS. This shows that there is interest among all ages of life about the two intellectual hobbies, added Yonzone.

The first day of the two-day event saw four postcards released by Mr. Pranay Rai, Public Prosecutor, Darjeeling Bar Association, Chief Guest of the day, and Saroj Nembang, Assistant Superintendent, Postal Department, Darjeeling Division. The four postcards featured identities of Darjeeling i.e. Toy Train, Tea Plantation, Pine Trees, and the logo of APNS. The postcards were posted the same day through a vintage British-era post box placed inside the venue.

Trisala Gurung and Sulochana Tamang, Everester, Samantha Dong, Lady Land Rover Instructor, members of Mantra Band, Satika Subba, actress, and Heads of School were among the distinguished guests present on the first day. More than 20 schools from different corners of Darjeeling had participated in the Sit and Draw Competition and Letter Writing Competition. Members of APNS, Philatelists from Sikkim Philatelic and Numismatic Society, students from different schools had displayed philatelic and numismatic materials on different themes.

Mr. Ganesh Pradhan, President of Sikkim Philatelic and Numismatic Society was presented with a memento for being honoured with the Sikkim Sewa Samman by the Sikkim State Government recently. The display of Black Penny, the world’s first postage stamp drew lots of public attention and appreciation. The popular stamp owned by Vivek Yonzone was displayed in Darjeeling for the very first time. Thousands of stamps and numismatic materials displayed at the Hayden Hall at the heart of Darjeeling brought back the charm of old Darjeeling philatelic days.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Pranay Rai, the Chief Guest appreciated the efforts of Alpine Philatelic and Numismatic Society for organizing the event and helping Darjeeling reconnect with its glorious past. Mr. Vivek Yonzone in his address spoke in brief about the event and how it was planned. Mr. Anand Yonzone, Director of North Point Academy gave the welcome speech who is also a member of APNS. Students of North Point Academy performed a welcome dance choreographed by Srijana Yonzone.

The concluding day of the event had a Philatelic Workshop by Mr. Vivek Yonzone and Numismatic Workshops by Mr. Saibal Sengupta and Mr. Vikrant Yonzone. Mr. Sushil Karthok, President APNS distributed trophies and certificates to the winners of the Sit and Draw Competition and Letter Writing Competition. Tokens of ‘Outstanding Improvement’ in the philatelic and numismatic display were awarded to Dr. Ranjana Yonzone (Moktan), Mr. Palzer Sherpa, Mr Sitesh Chettri, and Mr. Saibal Sengutpta respectively. Mementos of Gratitude were also received by Rabin Sharma, Darjeeling Postal Department, Shital Pradhan, Sikkim Philatelic and Numismatic Society, and Nelima Yonzone, North Point Academy for their support towards ALPINE 2018.

Those early man tools found in Sikkim!

--> Display of Neolithic tools recovered from Sajyong, 2003 (Weekend Review) BY SHITAL PRADHAN Not only is the Himalayan land of Sikkim old but it is also considered ancient. The archeological findings of different Neolithic tools in this part of the Himalayas over the last three decades speak of its antiquity. It may be of little importance to many. However, findings of various Neolithic tools from the remote pockets in Sikkim over the past five decades have still collected vivid interest in people beyond this region. On three separate occasions, Neolithic tools had been dug out from Sikkim, and that unfolded the age of this Himalayan mountain land much against the period we were supposed to. “The term Neolithic Period, or New Stone Age, defines the second period, at the beginning of which ground and usually polished rock tools, notably axes, came into widespread use after the adoption of a new technique of stone working. The beginning of the Neolithic...

History on Easter Sunday and Padari Ganga Prasad Pradhan

By Seira Tamang As noted by various scholars, Hinduism, the Nepali language, the monarchy and a rastriya itihas (a chronicle of progress in which the dark era of Rana rule is contrasted with the enlightened, progressive and modern period of Panchayat rule) formed the core of the Panchayat regime’s national culture. The formation and consolidation of this national culture have required the expunging of uncomfortable facts and stories that might raise ambiguities and questions. While the selection of what and who is and is not acknowledged to exist (or at least exist in historically important ways) in official Nepali history is complex, social scientists have begun to provide more comprehensive historical accounts of the past through oral histories and re-readings of historical documents. Such accounts reveal how ordinary people lived in the past, and offer ways to think through how ‘history’ is crafted, shaped and managed in order to reflect ‘the reality’ best suited to the status quo, ...

Shapi of Sikkim: Our legacy -iii

A Sikkimese with a Shapi The two previous articles I wrote in my earlier edition on Shapi were wonderful to read for people around, and appreciation had been received from different corners of the state. I am thankful and find pleasure in people finding joy in my findings and research work. It was a bit surprising that very few had heard about Shapi, our rare legacy. Nevertheless, I am happy to be part of history for re-introducing Shapi to those sections of my readers who had never heard about this old and sacred mountain mammal, a native of Sikkim. I dedicate my writing on Shapi to Ongden Daju (RO), who has been very supportive of me ever since I first published its first part a few months back. It was he who wanted me to continue with the third part of Shapi since more findings were evolving after my two writings. I shall always remain grateful to JR Subba, Jt Director from the Forest Department, for providing me with a valuable census report of Shapi done by the Department...

Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

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