Philatelic Buddha has smiled through Buddhism on Stamps

I first heard about the philatelic book ‘Buddhism on Stamps in an article published on one of the pages of Sikkim Express newspaper, the leading daily newspaper of Sikkim last year (2021). Since its release, the book has garnered praise across the philatelic circles and won various prizes in international competitions. As a collector of philatelic materials on Buddhism, I was very interested in going through this book's pages.

Suyog with the book

All thanks to Shri Lokeswara Rao, the author of the book. Upon contacting him through Facebook and WhatsApp, I finally had the book. This is the second philatelic book on Buddhism to my little knowledge after 'A Story of Gautama Buddha: As told through postage stamps’ written by Binod Shrestha from Nepal, published in 2018.

Rao has narrated the story of Buddhism through 22 chapters, touching every chronological timeline related to Buddha, his life, doctrines, and teachings; Buddhism as a spiritual journey, its evolution, and its practices across different corners of the world.

The book features 1127 different types of philatelic material (materials like stamp blocks, 3D stamps, silk stamps, se-tenant, FDC, miniature sheets, souvenir sheets, maxim cards, postcards, covers, gutters, booklets, errors, and proofs procured from different countries) including rare stamps, withdrawn stamps, silk stamps, and others.

Some of the interesting philatelic materials to me include the first Buddhism-related stamps issued in 1893 (China), withdrawn Bamiyan Buddha stamps (Afghanistan) now limited to a piece of paper, silk thanka painting stamps (Bhutan), trial colour proof (Laos, France), deluxe proof (Togolaise, Cambodia, Laos), overprint (Bhutan), perfin (India) and others.

This book is unique and a must-buy for every Buddhist lover, even if he is not a stamp collector. The book allows you to revisit the timelines of Buddhism before and after the death of Prince Siddhartha, who later became the Gautam Buddha.

Documentary on Merger of Sikkim with India

Ankur Mallik's 16 wickets helped Sikkim defeat Arunachal Pradesh by 248 runs at Col.C.K Nayudu Trophy

Sikkim’s Ankur Mallik's eight-wicket hauls in both the innings helped the Sikkim U-25 team defeat Arunachal Pradesh with 248 runs in the ongoing Col.C.K Nayudu Trophy held at KIIT Cricket Stadium, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. They finished their Plate Group as winners.

Batting first the Sikkim team scored 206 with the help of Jeetendra Sharma’s 86 runs. He shared two partnerships of 64 runs with Ankur Mallik and 47 runs with Robin Limboo. Arunachal Pradesh was all out for 58 runs with Ankur Mallik scalping eight wickets giving away 27 runs in 11.5 overs. Anwesh Karan Sharma took the other two wickets.

Sikkim’s star allrounder Ankur Mallik scored an unbeaten 98 runs to take the score of Sikkim to 210 in their second innings. Chasing the target of 359 set by the Sikkim team, the team of Arunachal Pradesh could only manage 110 runs. Again Ankur Mallik repeated his first innings eight-wicket hauls giving away 36 runs in 17 runs.

In the tournament, Sikkim had managed three wins in four matches and qualified for the Elite Group.  With this victory, Lobzang G. Tenzing, President of SICA congratulated the team and praised the efforts of the boys. He said, this team deserves blue coat as champions, and I'm truly impressed with the tactical guidance of the coaches and supportive support staff.

The standout performances in the tournament were:

1.    Ankur Malik-    4 Match (7 innings) = 570 Runs (No.2 in All India Ranking) &

                                4 Match (8 innings) = 35 Wickets (No.1 in All India Ranking)

2.    Anwesh Karan Sharma - 4 Match (8 innings) = 12 Wickets

3.    Jeetendra Sharma - 4 Match (7 innings) = 175 runs

4.    Saurav Kumar -     3 Match (6 innings) = 149 Runs

5.    Rahul Kumar –     4 Match (7 innings) = 120 Runs

Ankur Malik’s 225 helps Sikkim defeat Nagaland by 174 runs in CK Nayadu Trophy

The Under 25 Men’s team of Sikkim registered yet another victory and a consecutive win in “Col. C. K. Nayudu Trophy”, defeating Nagaland on their third match of the league round by 174 runs today at KIIT Cricket Stadium, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.  

Sikkim won the toss and elected to bat first. In the first innings, Sikkim scored 394 runs, where Ankur Mallik played a record-breaking knock of 225 runs, Suraj Gupta (40), Arun Chettri (38), Anwesh Karan Sharma (29), Rahul Kumar (18), and Robin Limboo (16) not-out. Chasing the target Nagaland was all-out for 266 runs trailing with 83 runs in the first innings. Sikkim showed a brilliant bowling spell with Ankur taking 6 wickets and Rahul Kumar 4 wickets.

In the second innings, Sikkim made 211 runs and gave the target of 340 runs to win to Nagaland in 76 overs. Once again Ankur was the highest scorer with 74 runs, Saurav Kr Prasad (41), Suraj (34), Rahul (20) and Arif (11). During the second innings of Nagaland, Sikkim’s bowlers were able to build the pressure on the opponent and took early wickets and they lost their wickets in a regular interval giving 6 wickets to Ankur, 2 to Ingsho Limboo, 1 wicket each to Anwesh and Jeetendra.

Sikkim won the match with 37 overs to spare and earned 6 points (s) for the team. They will be playing their last match of the league round against Arunachal Pradesh and there is a strong chance of the team reaching the knock-outs round of the tournament.

Tulshi Ghimire, Kutumba and Navneet Aditya Waiba showers magic at Yukti program in Gangtok

I would like to thank the people behind the concept of Yukti, the folk dance event that touched the heart of every Nepali folk music listener. Special mention to Mingma Dorjee Lepcha, Sushma Chettri, and the team.

April 12, 2022, will surely go as a golden date in the pages of the Nepali music event organized at Sikkim. All thanks to the great event, I had an opportunity to meet the legends of the Nepali music world with the likes of Tulshi Ghimire, Kutumbha band, and Navneet Aditya Waiba.

Meeting Shri Tulshi Ghimire, film director, screenwriter, film editor, cameraman, actor, and lyricist was nothing more than a dream come true. He is regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of Nepali cinema.

He was in Bollywood for many years; he was an editor of Shradranjali, Amar Akbar Anthony, Roti and Ponga Pandit, assistant editor of Chacha Bhateeja and DharamveerWe all grew up watching his films and he is still a very young, energetic, and dedicated to cinematic brilliance.

Keep following my blog, an article about today's meeting is coming very soon. Did you know he had also worked as a body double of a famed actor in an action stunt in a Hindi film?

Which is your favourite Tulshi Ghimire's film - Basuri, Kusume Rumal, Lahure, Chino, Deuta, Dui Thopa Aansoo, Koseli, Dakshina, Balidaan, Darpan Chaya, Lahana, and Dui Kinara ?

They were the best gentlemen, I have ever met as an autograph collector. As their name Kutumba, the instrumental band of boys from Nepal is dedicated to the conservation, preservation, promotion, and celebration of Nepali instruments, culture, and music.

Believe me, after 12 years of their journey and with 900 plus concerts these folk men’s music is very innovative and for every generation. Pride and a flag bearer of himalayan-music.

I happened to come across Navneet Waiba, a very soulful-folk singer with her own style. Until I came to know her to be the daughter of late Hira Waiba, my connection with her had a special bonding. Hira Waiba, the pioneer of Nepali folk music had her own legacy, who can forget her timeless classics like - Phariya Lyaaidiyechan, Ramri tah Ramri, Jhilke Naachayko, and others.

Navneet’s association with the Kutumbha band makes Nepali music move to the next level. The musical brilliance of Kutumbha and the rustic voice of the Navneet makes you fall in love with their creation.

Special thanks to my dear friend Praja Pradhan for making those meetings possible.

Inter House Reading Competition held at Sakyong Chisopani JHS

08.04.22: Sakyong Chisopani JHS organized an Inter House Reading Competition for both the students of Primary and Upper Primary on the occasion of the last day of the 100 days Reading Campaign.

Shital Pradhan, IC of the school interacted with the students regarding the benefits of 100 days reading campaign event. Students’ feedback was collected. The students echoed that the reading campaign had made a major impact on their studies. They feel more comfortable going through their lessons. They even thanked the teachers for correcting them in the videos they used to send during the holidays.

Two students each from the four houses participated in both categories of the reading competition. All the teaching staff and students from classes 3 to classes 8 attended the event. Smriti Baraily and Namrata Rai representing Daffodil House were declared the winners of the junior categories while Samil Rai and Babyla Gurung were the winners of the senior category.

Namrata Dewan, Bhawana Pandey, and Lokman Rai, teachers of the school spoke about the significance of reading habits and shared fundamental ideas to better it.

Parent Teacher Meeting organized at Sakyong Chisopani JHS

07.04.22: The 1st Parent Teacher Meeting for this new session was held at the Sakyong Chisopani JHS. Present on the occasion were OP Niroula (AEO -Khamdong BAC), Navin Rai (President - Chisopani GPU), Karuna Gurung (Panchayat), Himali Lamichaney (Coordinator - Khamdong BAC), Kanchan Tirwa (DEO), Bikash Rai (former SMC President), SMC members, guardians and staff of the school.

Shital Pradhan, IC of the school welcomed the guest. PB Subba, the new Headmaster of the school was also welcomed on the occasion. Pradhan displayed samples of school ties, belts, and house dresses and asked for the consent of the parents. He further told about different initiatives started by the school. Navin Rai, President of Chisopani GPU told the gathered guardians to work towards the development of the school.

PB Subba, the new Headmaster of the school also addressed the guardians. He spoke about community involvement in the development of the school. OP Niroula, AEO, Education Department, Khamdong BAC informed the gathered guardians about different scholarships that the students can avail themselves of at government schools. Speaking about school teachers' requirements, he assured the Education Department will very soon send all the teachers to the schools. Arbin Basnet, GT Science was the host of the day.

After the end of the PTM, a short staff meeting was held between the officials from Khamdong BAC and the school staff. Different talks on the importance of the role of teacher and school were discussed.

Sikkim Defeat Mizoram By An Innings And 55 Runs in Col. C. K. Nayudu Trophy

 The Under 25 Men’s team of Sikkim led by Anwesh Karan Sharma playing the multi-day tournament “Col. C. K. Nayudu Trophy” in Odisha, has defeated the Mizoram in their second match of the tournament by an innings and 55 runs today at DRIEMS Ground, Cuttak, Odisha and registered their first victory of the season. The four-day match was concluded in just two and half-day by the brilliant team effort of Sikkim.

Sikkim won the toss and elected to bat first. In the first innings of Sikkim, they scored 289 runs, where Saurav Kumar Prasad was the highest scorer for Sikkim making 91 runs, well supported by Arun Chettri (51), Jeetendra Sharma (33), Tarun Sharma (32), Ingsho Limboo (23), Anwesh (18), Ankur Malik (13) and Roshan Prasad (10). Batting second Mizoram team was bundled out for 105 runs. A brilliant bowling line-up of Sikkim restricted the opponent with a huge trial. Ankur took 4 wickets, Tarun 3 wickets, MD Ronak 2 wickets, and Rahul Kumar took 1 wicket.

Team Sikkim forced Mizoram to follow on, building pressure on the opponent. Losing early wickets to Sikkim, they were not able to overcome the pressure and was all-out for 129 runs in 53.2 overs. Once again Ankur took 4 wickets, Captain Anwesh 2 wickets, Ingsho, Tarun and Rahul took 1 wicket each.

It was a complete win for Sikkim where all the players showcased a good game with both bat and ball earning 7 points (s) including a bonus point(s). So far Sikkim is doing well in the tournament as in the first match against Meghalaya, Sikkim lost by a small margin.

“I am happy with the excellent performance of the team and would like to congratulate all the players headed by the head coach Sonam Palden Bhutia, Asst. Coach Dhiraj Gurung, Physio Ardon Targain, Asst. Physio Tshering Ongda, Trainer Pritam Nirala, and Managers Ravi Thapa and Nisha Rai” and also would like to wish them luck for the upcoming matches.” Says SICA President Mr Lobzang G. Tenzing.

Sikkim Team is due to play two more matches in the plate group and has every chance to qualify for the elite group.

 

LAKHAY DANCE I MANITA PRADHAN I NEWARS OF SIKKIM