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The last Chogyal (King) of Sikkim

BY SHITAL PRADHAN I was not born when Sikkim became the 22nd state of the Indian Union, and the only information I have about the political identity of my Sikkim comes from literary knowledge and conversations with elderly people. I personally believe that no nation can develop unless its history, culture, and heritage are preserved. Sikkim, though now part of India, bears the responsibility of every Sikkimese to safeguard its past glory. Interestingly, a few days ago, my college-going nephew surprised me when he mentioned that a man named STNM could be the last Chogyal, while one of my colleagues added that TNA and TNSSS also bear the name of the last Chogyal. Well, is this the future of Sikkim? If we cannot enable the younger generation to connect with the facts and authenticity of Sikkim, the state will surely lose its vivacious historical pages. Twenty-five long years have passed since the passing away of the last Chogyal of Sikkim, Late Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal. Apart fr...

Sir Tashi Namgyal (26th October 1893 - 2nd December 1963)

All thanks to Tenzing Jigdal Khangsharpa for reminding me today was Sir Tashi Namgyal's birth anniversary.  from royalark.net 1914 -1963  H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Tashi Namgyal [bKra-shis rNam-gyal], Maharaja of Sikkim, KCSI (8.6.1939), KCIE (1.1.1923, CIE 1.1.1918). b . at Kurseong, Darjeeling, 26 th October 1893, fourth son of H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Sir Thutob Namgyal [mThu-stobs rNam-rgyal], Maharaja of Sikkim, KCIE, by his third wife, H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharani Yeshay Dolma, educ . St Paul's Sch., Darjeeling, and Mayo Coll., Ajmer. Succeeded on the death of his half brother, 5 th December 1914. Installed at the Royal Palace, Park Ridge, Gangtok, 19 th February 1915. Consecrated at the Royal Chapel, Tsuk-La-Khang Monastery, Gangtok, 15 th May 1916. Invested with full ruling powers on 5 th April 1918. Signed a treaty with India 1950 after a long period of negotiations lasting three years, in which, India assumed responsibility for ...

Paan Singh Tomar : A forgotten national hero

Paan Singh Tomar was a strange name for a Hindi film to me when I read about it in a newspaper a few months back.  The fact that I have been a fan of Irrfan Khan since his  Banegi Apni Baat  days made it obvious for me to watch this movie, and as the name suggested, I was sure I might have something very different to watch. Story of an athlete of a world-class, seven times national champions at Steeple Chase in the 50s and 60s, a participant at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games and his journey as a “baaghi” as Irrfan Khan playing Paan Singh Tomar repeats in the movie is the backdrop of the story.  No doubt Paan Singh Tomar, the persona, is the winner of the movie, a sportsman who faded with time and, despite bringing laurels to the nation, was forced to rise against the law. This movie can be listed as one of the best movies by Irrfan Khan, and his natural acting has made Paan Singh Tomar live on screen.  The newspaper clip Paan Singh Tomar with his wife Indir...