Saturday, March 28, 2020

Students of Tadong School from The Week magazine

Students of Tadong School from The Week magazine August 2002

Corona Virus, Sikkim ; the story retold

As I listen to the news of Prince Charles of Wales, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and others getting affected by Corona Virus, I am worried about my small Sikkim. More than 190 countries are fighting against this deadly virus that started in Wuhan, China at the beginning of January. We at Sikkim are blessed we don’t have any positive cases till now. On March 16, the state government came forward with a prominent decision to combat this pandemic disease.

At Shantinagar, Singtam
 

A notification was issued of closing down of educational institutions along with those places of mass gathering including gyms, cinema halls, public gatherings, government meetings, melas, casinos, pubs, religious functions and others till April 15, 2020. A major step was taken when Sikkim banned the entry of domestic tourists. Thereafter series of more notification in passing days came to public notice mentioning every precautionary measures and announcement. The screening of visitors and travellers from the other states was started. Ban on entry of labourers into the State was also issued.
 
Prem Singh Golay, Chief Minister of Sikkim came forward and requested the people of Sikkim to avoid travelling beyond the state of Sikkim unless it was an emergency. From the five check posts, three was closed (Rambam, Reshi and Uttarey) only Rangpo and Melli was opened where medical checking facilities were made available.
 
The time came when Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation (March 19) and asked every Indian to join hand to fight against Corona Virus with a junta curfew on Sunday, March 22. A self-imposed curfew for every citizen of India from 7 am to 9 pm to break the corona virus chain from spreading further. In the evening, people were advised to clap their hand or ring a bell to honour those people who were doing their regular duties despite the disturbing news of the disease. Not in the history of India, a Prime Minister had addressed the nation twice in a week. Prime Minister Modi (March 24) came in front of national television and announced that India to go total lock-down for the next 21 days.
 
When I am writing this article total number of positive cases worldwide with corona virus so far is 597,262, death cases registered is 27,365 wherein Italy - 9,134, Spain - 5,138 and China - 3,295 are the top three most affected countries. Positively the recovered cases are something that gives relief and it is 133,363. In India too, the positive cases have raised to 887 with the death toll reaching 20. Villages, towns, cities and web pages are full of gossips and rumours. Rumours are given life from social media and I do agree there are fears among people of this virus.
 
China had announced its first death from the virus on January 11, followed by Thailand on January 13 who confirmed of the deceased had a visit history of Wuhan. Soon after some of the countries too announced corona virus-positive cases. Within no time WHO on January 30 announced this virus as a global emergency. On the same day, India too confirmed its first positive case.
 
Corona Virus is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 termed as SARS-CoV-2. This disease spreads through respiratory droplets through cough and sneeze and also through surface contaminated touching. The symptoms are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Muscle pain, sputum production, diarrhoea, and sore throat. It is said, the virus can live on surfaces up. The use to 72 hours. Use of masks is essentially suggested. Other than that hand wash, covering while sneezing is also a healthy sign.
 
Never did the two World Wars have taken such a huge toll on human lives. In the end, I just pray and wish this phase do pass by…very soon.


Friday, March 27, 2020

Happy 14th Birthday Bebay


Mann tah yaha aakorirahanchha
Jhyal batah…chitiz tirah heri nai rahanchha
Timro naam ko gunjan, yo mutu ma
Sadhainai dhak dhakai rahancha

Aankha kholda, timi harauney bichar
Aakhai nakholu nakholu, lagirahanchha

Mah maun, mero bhawana mah bhitrrai maun
Khai.. kasari timilay bhujney
Mann tah yaha aakorirahanchha
Jhyal batah…chitiz tirah heri nai rahanchha

Dearest Bebay - I love You

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Bhutan's actor Sangay Tsheltrim to feature at Salman Khan's Radhe

Bhutan's actor Sangay Tsheltrim is playing the third villain in Salman Khan's much talked next release of 2020 'Radhe'. But sorry to say, web pages at internet is flooded with news that says Sang Hae (mis-pronounced) is a well known actor from Sikkim.


Sangay Tsheltrim, former Mr Asia silver medallist and gold medallist at the 50th Asian Body-building and Physique Sports Championships's debut film Singye from Bhutan was a big hit and he had won the best debut actor award.

Monday, March 16, 2020

Success story of Hariyo Makha initiative celebrated

SINGTAM, March 16: A felicitation program was organized at the school premises of Adarsh Vidhya Mandir (AVM), Singbel, East Sikkim on March 14. Shital Pradhan, a teacher and a blogger was the Chief Guest of the day. The event also saw the presence of B.B. Chettri (Headmaster, Dipudara Primary School), Lomas Dhungel (Founder cum Developer, Hariyo Makha), Bhim Prasad Nepal (1971 Bangladesh war veteran), along with SMCs, SHGs, students and locals.

The event was the celebration of the success story of Hariyo Makha initiative. Lomas Dhungel led Hariyo Makha initiative had shared his idea on upcycling plastics for book covers to Ajambari Self Help Group (Singbel) for a social experiment on cleanliness. For this purpose, a small Plastic Collection centre was established at Singbel in November last year. 



More than 300 volunteers including the public, students and teachers from 11 government and 2 private schools from both East and South districts had collected and donated around 30,000 plastic pieces that were up-cycled for making more than 2100 book covers of AVM. The schools included Makha SSS, Singtam SSS, Sonamati Memorial SSS, Bermiok Tokal SSS, Lower Samdong SS, Tumin SS, Kambal JHS, Singbel JHS, Bhirkuna JHS, Dipudara PS, Kokaley PS, Adarsh Vidhya Mandir and Bethesda Academy. Lomas Dungel won National Award last year for his initiative.

Assuming a weight of 5 gm per plastic, the idea led to a reduction in waste by 150 kg along with countless areas required for their disposal. In addition to cleanliness, the experiment also led to a new type of Seasonal Employment earning a total of Rs. 21,000 out of the works.  A part of the revenue is also expected to be utilized for the educational purpose of at least two female SHG members, said Lomas Dhungel.

Shital Pradhan, the Chief Guest of the day appreciated the efforts of the SHGs in completing their goals. He added such a program should be supported and shared with other parts of the state. The student volunteers and SHG members also received certificates from the hands of the Chief Guest. Other speakers of the day included B.B. Chettri and HL Adhikari, Principal, Adarsh Vidhya Mandir.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Roshan Prasad wins his first International Literature medal on Philately

SINGTAM, MARCH 8: Sikkim Philatelist Roshan Prasad added another feather to his International Philatelic medals when he bagged a bronze medal at the Stamp Exhibition EPAEX 2020 – Dubai held on March 3-7, 2020 at Dragon Mart 2, Dubai, UAE. He won his medal for his book – The Stamp Collector’s Dictionary. Eight countries had participated in the exhibition that was organised by Emirates Philatelic Association. 


Earlier he had won Vermeil in Saudi Arabia, two Silvers at Taipei and Dubai, and now his fourth medal too at Dubai. His three international medals were on his cricket philately while this year’s bronze medal was won at a literature class. In addition, he has also won four medals at National Philatelic Exhibitions. His book is also selected for the 37th Asian International Philatelic Exhibition NZ2020 to be held in Auckland, New Zealand (March 19 -22, 2020). 

Speaking on the occasion, Prasad likes to thank Javed Mohammad, Emirates Philatelic Association for all the support he has provided. He has also thanked Shital Pradhan, Secretary, Sikkim Philatelic and Numismatic Society for being a mentor at this hobby. He is a member of the Emirates Philatelic Association and Sikkim Philatelic and Numismatic Society.