Congratulation Shri Amrit Thakuri on your retirement

31.12.22:

Congratulations

, Shri Amrit Thakuri and best wishes for your retirement. You had been a flag bearer of the education department of Sikkim and as a Head Master, at Posakay Primary School you have set a benchmark for all. Having received the National Award in Education in 2012, Shri Amrit Thakuri and Posakay Primary School are symbiotically linked.

Having been associated with Amrit Sir since 2011, I have watched him passionately create an environment for students for a brighter future. Numerous students from his school have been awarded HCM Scholarships, JNVs, and other scholarships. Today, Posakay Primary School is a model primary school in Sikkim. He had been inspiring people around and I am also among the blessed few to have a very good relationship with him.

It was his involvement with community mobilization that contributed most to his success as a school administrator; as self-disciplined and a true leader, he developed a cordial relationship with his staff. His innovative and captivating all-around development has made him irreplaceable in the eyes of students.

Once again, Dear Sir, congratulation and best wishes.

My views on the play 'Thieves' Carnival' organised by National School of Drama, Sikkim

 

29.12.22: A few days back, I had an opportunity to witness a late evening Hindi play Thieves’ Carnival at Manna Kendra, Gangtok organised by the National School of Drama, Gangtok and performed by NSD, Sikkim batch of 2021-22. The story is about three thieves who get entangled in a plot created by a rich and bored lady. Without a doubt, the backstage creation of the French-language story deserves much appreciation. The attire worn by the artists, the lights, and the background music, especially the violin part were finely synchronised with the mood of the play. 

This play was well performed, not too loud and yet intriguing because of the wide range of shades of different characters involved. No doubt the entire play was a team effort and very well displayed but to me, two characters stand out among all.

Lady Hurf, a rich and bored lady, tells three thieves a story and becomes their hostess for them. In the shoes of Lady Hurf, Pallavi Gupta seems destined to be a part of this act. Her effortless acting drew attention whenever she moved around the stage since she was so comfortable changing her voice. The audience was not able to hide their smiles despite the lie she is telling. Big applause for Pallavi. 

Aadarsh Pradhan's portrayal of Dupont Dufort Senior made me sit and watch. His presence in the play brought laughter to all. Although he isn't the main character, no one can ignore his presence. His performance is based on his voice modulation and body language wherever he appears on the screen. I have been following Aadarsh’s acting career since his initial days. His strength is his determination and grit. He easily adopts the character he plays. I never saw him as Aadarsh. I was watching Dufort Sr. in front of me during the play. In the play, his greatest achievement is his ability to hold up a Hindi accent, which is not his native tongue. Simply the next big thing from Sikkim in the acting genre. 

Special mention should be given to Gustave (Bikash Kattel), Lord Edgard (Dawa Lama), and of course Juliette (Sandhya Barui). A big congratulations to Shri Avtar Sahni for the direction and design. I wish there were more audiences to appreciate such efforts. We all appreciate creative entertainment, but when it comes to being part of it, I missed the so-called popular performing artists, the directors, and the performers in Gangtok. Or in one sentence, is theatre not a glamour entertainment industry?

Riverine Elementary School celebrates its 11th Foundation Day

22.12.22, Singtam: The 11th Foundation Day was celebrated by Riverine Elementary School at Community Hall, Rongli. The school's annual report, academic prize distributions, felicitations, cultural programs, a fashion show and addresses from dignitaries were the highlights of the day. A farewell ceremony for the outgoing student was also organised.

Sanjay Budhathoki, an International Physique Athlete was the chief guest of the day. Other distinguished guests included TT Bhutia (Retd. Joint Secretary, Education Department), LN Pradhan (Retd. Additional Secretary, Power Department), Sakuntla Pradhan (Retd. Teacher), Sachin Rai (Zilla Panchayat), Ashish Subba (CLC Incharge), Deven Chettri (CLC Treasurer), SMC members, Panchayat members, former teachers, guardians and others.

Vice Principal Santosh Rai presented the Annual Report while Miss Anamika Pradhan, Director of the school shared the future plans of Riverine Elementary School. Through the initiative 'Little Helping Hand', the students of the school donated Rs. 43,000 to Ashish Subba, Child Care Institute, Kingston, Rhenock. The fund was collected by students, teachers, SMC members and others.

Bronze medalist at World Raw Powerlifting Championship Sanjay Budhathoki in his address appreciated the efforts of the school and assured the school of his support. Other speakers on the occasion included Sakuntala Pradhan and TT Topgay. The Principal of the school, Bikki Rai was the host of the program while Sarojana Tamang gave the welcome speech. The program ended with a report and prize distribution.

Free eye camp held at Singtam

23.12.22, Singtam: Free Eye Medical Camp was organized by Pipal Dara Social Organisation, Singtam in collaboration with Asha Foundation, Kalimpong at Community Hall, Singtam. The camp was held between 10 am to 7.30 pm, and more than 200 individuals were given free medical treatment. The treatments included Free Eye Testing & checks, Free Medicines, Free Micro Surgery Operation/Cataract Operation, two years of free medicines & free services and 60% discount on spectacles.

The eye camp had participants from far-flung places like Siliguri, Rongli, Rhenock, Gangtok, Sang, Martam, Namthang, Khamdong, Mamring and all the nearby places of Singtam.  

Speaking on the occasion, Feroj Lohagun, General Secretary of PDSO stated that our organization is dedicated to the betterment and upliftment of society. We want to motivate the younger generation and make our society strong. Through this press release, the organization has thanked Shri Suresh Tamang, (President) and all Councilors of Sikkim Nagar Panchayat, Officials of Singtam Police Station, Shri Krishna Chettri (President, Shantinagar Gaon Sudhar Samiti), Ben Kumar Rai and Nandu Dutraj (both Social Media), informs Bhanu Lepcha, President, Pipal Dara Social Organisation.

Special gratitude was given to the members of Asha Foundation, Kalimpong that included Dr Feroj Akhtar (Vision Specialist), Shri Samim Mullick (President, Asha Foundation, Kalimpong), Shri Krishna Thakuri (Coordinator), Shri Mahesh Pariyar and Shri Anil Chettri (both members).

Pipal Dara Social Organisation is a registered organisation and the executive members include Bhanu Lepcha (President), Feroj Lohagun (General Secretary), Dorjee Tamang (Treasurer), Sher Bdr. Chettri, Sanju Tamang, Sherab Lepcha, Dorjee Doma, and Sangita Darnal. 

Despite Jotin Pheiroijam's Nine wickets on debut ; Sikkim wins against Manipur in Ranji Trophy

Sikkim defeated Manipur by 8 wickets in its first-ever Ranji Trophy match held on the soil of Sikkim.

The two captains of the Sikkim Cricket Team and the Manipur Cricket Team

There were many personal best from the match, Nilesh Lamichanay scoring 74 (113) with 13 fours was a gem of the inning, and won him Man of the Match. His 100-plus run partnership with Pankaj Rawat who scored 72 (157) was the base of the Sikkim win. Palzor Tamang claimed the first fifer at SICA ground was equally supported by Sumit Singh's four wickets in the Manipur second innings.

The playing eleven of the Sikkim Men's Team that played the first Ranji Trophy
held on Sikkim's soil against Manipur

The Manipur Men's Team playing eleven that played the first Ranji Trophy
was held on Sikkim soil against Sikkim

On the other hand, Manipur will always remember this game thanks to debutant Jotin Pheiroijam, who took 9 wickets in the first innings. Thus making a name in the record books. Ronald Longjam was good with his bats scoring 41 and 50 in two innings.

Bhanu Udhyan Sanrakshan Samiti formed

12.12.22: In the presence of different representatives of Singtam, Bhanu Udhyan Sanrakshan Samiti, a committee was formed on December 12, 2020. The Committee with the support and consultation of different government bodies would maintain and safeguard the popular Bhanu Park of Singtam.

Rohit Raj Maharaj, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sikkim presided over the meeting held at the premises of Bhanu Udhyan. Executive members of the newly formed committee were also nominated on the day. Hon’ble Area MLA, Shri Rohit Raj Maharaj, Councillors of Singtam Nagar Panchayat and Shri Raghubir Agarwal were made the Chief Partons.

The other executive members included: Shri LN Pradhan (President), Shri Sundar Rai (General Secretary), Shri Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’ (Vice President - i) and Shri Shyam Rai (Vice President - ii), Shri Mahesh Dahal, Shri Shital Pradhan and Smt Neetu Dhamala (all Joint Secretary), Shri KB Chettri (Treasurer) and Shri Tenzing Sherpa (Joint Treasurer), Shri Nandu Dutraj, Shri Bijay Dhital and Shri Lomas Dhungel (all Publicity Secretary).

On the day, the following advisors were nominated: Smt. Vishnu Maya Tamang, Shri CP Pradhan, Shri Gupta Subba, Shri Ashok Bhagat, Dr JB Gurung, Shri TP Neopane and Shri Ganesh Pradhan. Other founder members included Shri Vidhan Shanker, Shri Pritam Shilal, Shri Bijay Pradhan, Shri Sushil Lepcha, Shri Prakash Bhattrai, Sushree Rajani Pradhan, Shrinod Pradhan, Shri Ravi Pradhan and Shri Rajen Baniya

Four felicitated at Golitar 318th Teyongsi Sirijunga Jayanti Celebration

08.12.22, Singtam: East Point SSS, Golitar, Pakyong District was the host of the 318th birth anniversary of the Teyongsi Sirijunga Jayanti Celebration. TB Limboo, Chief A/O cum Finance Controller, Samagraha Siksha, Education Department, Gangtok.

On the auspicious occasion, four personalities were felicitated. Those felicitated persons included Shri TB Limboo, Shri Sunder Kr. Rai (AEO/Duga BAC Education Department), Shri HB Limboo (President - Yakthung Tonjo Songjumvo Singtam and Shri Mahesh Dahal "Sangam" (Nepali Sahityakaar).

A strange-looking cloud i saw on December 2, 2021

It is more than a coincidence that exactly a year back I had clicked a strange-looking cloud from the balcony of my Sakyong Chisopani JHS and on the same date this year from the same school premises I clicked the photographs of a moving object on the sky that is not a cloud or a fighter plane contrail.

My sky-gazing interest made me research what other sky events occurred that day/night across the globe and interestingly I came to know that on that night across the north Indian states of India including the state of Punjab a strange-looking line of bright lights moving across the sky. The photograph of the bright lines did look similar to the ones I took the photographs on that day time, the only thing was that the cloud-like I saw moved like a cloud does.

02.12.21 : Photographed from Sakyong Chisopani JHS

Mysterious lights spotted in sky in northern India, leave many people puzzled

Exactly a year later I came across a shooting star-like object moving across the sky. It is a mere coincidence or revisiting event across the umbrella high above us!

02.12.2022: Photographed from Sakyong Chisopani JHS

Did I capture a meteor or a comet in the sky of Sikkim ?

03.12.2022: I have been following the different contrails in Sikkim since 2009, without a doubt what I saw yesterday was not a fighter jet contrail. At Sakyong Chispani JHS where I work, a group of students pointed at the sky and made noise.

I too followed them and silently captured what they were watching. The so-called object was smaller than other contrails seen in the last 14 years. Another difference was that human-made things leave longer contrails. This was my first sighting of a shooting star-type object, so I do not know whether it was a comet or a meteor. This object went past the hills of Pendam.

My new blog 'Shital Pradhan's Autograph Collection'

 CLICK HERE: Shital Pradhan's Autograph Collection

Sikkim Post releases first Picture Post Cards series on Sikkim

25.11.22, Singtam: Four picture postcard on the theme of Sikkim was released by Ms J. Charukesi, the Chief Postmaster General, West Bengal Circle on a program held at Gangtok. Presence on the occasion was Mr Akhilesh Kumar Pandey, Postmaster General and Mr Naseef Abdul Kader, IA&AS Deputy Accountant General (Audit) Sikkim. The program was organised by the Department of Posts, Sikkim, Gangtok.

Roshan Prasad, an eminent stamp collector and philatelic cover designer from Singtam had designed the four postcards – Mount Kanchenjunga, Tsomgo Lake, Red Panda and Blood Pheasant.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Post Master General appreciated the contribution of Prasad in designing the postcards and assured support of the Sikkim Philatelic Society in promoting philately in Sikkim.

Mt. Zion Singtam Annual Day 2022 - ii