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

Bangalore, June 17: A breath of fresh air for Kannada filmdom, all the way from Nepal. Ganesh, of Nepalese descent, is making waves across the state with his second film — Mungaru Male (Monsoon Rain). The film, which has had cash registers ringing non-stop for more than 24 weeks now, is also ringing in a change. An industry that is almost militant in its opposition to non-Kannadiga actors or even films has a Nepali poised for stardom. Ganesh, however, is hesitant to recognize his roots, preferring to say that he is from Adakamaranahalli, a village on the city’s outskirts. “I have already clarified that I am not a Nepali. I am an Indian,” he says, though he admits that his forefathers are from Nepal and belong to the Gurkha clan. The family also has a Darjeeling connection, but he does not want to talk about it. “His father was a watchman in Bangalore. Ganesh grew up here and is fluent in Kannada. He got his first break as an anchor of an interactive TV show,” an industry insider said. ...

By Avash Karmacharya When weekends arrive, I forget all my works and then prepare myself to sit in front of the television. And why wouldn't I? After all, Prashant Tamang has reached the Top Ten finalists of the Indian Idol 3,” shares Nita Sharma, a local resident of Anam Nagar in Kathmandu. Not only Nita Sharma is waiting for the weekends to come. Today, almost everyone loves watching the reality show, Indian Idol. And when a contestant of Nepali origin, such as Prashant Tamang, is competing in the finals, the number of viewers of the reality show has considerably gone up — even in Nepal. When “Idols,” the hugely popular worldwide phenomenon was brought to India as Indian Idol, Sony Entertainment Television promised the nation that it would forget everything else — and India surely did! In the span of merely two months, Indian Idol took millions of Indians to towering heights of sheer frenzy, propelling them to live their dreams and becoming water...

"It has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly." - Isaac Asimov

GANGTOK, June 19 : As the UNESCO funded Homestay Project in Sikkim is approaching termination by end of the year, the Eco-Tourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim (ECOSS), today organised Sikkim Himalayan Homestay Sustainability Workshop here at Hotel Chumbi Residency. The workshop sought to discuss the challenges that Homestay operators are facing at the present and surface with necessary remedial measures against the same. Additionally, the workshop also deliberated on the important issue – how will the Homestay operators earn their livelihood after the project lapses. It may be mentioned here that this is the last year the UNESCO is funding the Sikkim Himalayan Homestay project. The Sikkim Himalayan Homestay Project had its inception in the year 2003 in Sikkim. However, efforts are underway by ECOSS to further extend the project taking into consideration the need to help ...

From internet BEIJING - China has begun building a highway to Mount Everest base camp, partly to smooth the way for the carrying of the Olympic torch up to the highest peak in the world, Chinese press reported Tuesday.  The new road will begin at the base of the mountain in China's Tibet region and replace a rough 108-kilometre (67-mile) track that leads to the northern base camp, the Xinhua news agency reported. Construction of the 150-million-yuan (20-million-dollar) highway began on Monday and will take about four months to complete, according to Xinhua. The road is being built to "ease the path of those bearing the Olympic torch," Xinhua said. Organisers of next year's Beijing Olympics have said they intend to include the summit of Mount Everest in the 130-day torch relay leading up to the Games. The relay, which will traverse five continents, will begin in Beijing on March 31 next year, with the attempt to reach the summit of Everest slat...

Gangtok: Mr. T T Dorjee, Finance Secretary & Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim inaugurated the branch located at Hungry Jack Plaza, Nr. Private Bus Stand, 31A, National Highway, Gangtok on June 16 in a function.. According to a press statement,with the launch of this new branch, Centurion Bank of Punjab has 279 branches in 143 cities across India. Centurion Bank of Punjab has identified Gangtok as a high growth region and the first branch office is an effort to enhance the traction in the market. The bank is now well placed to tap the potential with its entire bouquet of products and services including personal loans, mortgages, wealth management products such as Life and General Insurance through its partners and a range of select mutual funds. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shailendra Bhandari, Managing Director & CEO, Centurion Bank of Punjab s...

http://www.himgirinepali.com/

The continuous rainfall further complicated the restoration work at recently hit area of Amdo Golai. The state authority has partially deconstructed the house of Shri Pratap Tiwari and others. The landslide hit Amdo Golai again resulting the massive damage and blockade on roads last Saturday. While the road from Amdo Golai was temporarily opened a few days back after the major landslides that led to evacuation of the people of five building, the Saturday's landslide further deteriorated the condition of the area. If the landslides occur more frequently, there is every possibility that the buildings can collapse any time. After much efford the raod was cleared a few days back, but the landslide which frequented made the restoration work more complicated. The area MLA and Minister Menlom Lepcha visited the spot and studied the gr...

Lachens set against Teesta project By Jigme N Kazi CHOWO Rabjor is an angry man. His efforts to stop the mega Teesta hydel project in his village have not produced the desired results. As the chief of the Lachen Dzumsa (traditional assembly of the people), he enjoys the support of the majority of the Lachenpas on the issue. However, he realises how difficult things could be if the state government does not give much-needed support. Earlier this month, Rabjor and Goekay Lachenpa reiterated their objection to the implementation of the Teesta Stage-1 Hydro-electric power project in Lachen valley in north Sikkim. In a letter to the Himalayan Green Hydro Energy Pvt Ltd, which is handling Stage -1 of the project, the chief stated that the people of Lachen were ready to “sacrifice” their “lives” to “protect our land, forests, age-old tradition and places of worship.” The chief even threatened to resort to “extreme measures” to protect their cultural and natural heritage, which, the peopl...

PAWAN KUMAR CHAMLING - THE FIFTH CHIEF MINISTER FULL NAME : PAWAN KUMAR CHAMLING LITERARY NAME : PAWAN CHAMLING 'KIRAN' DATE OF BIRTH : 22 nd SEPTEMBER, 1950 PLACE OF BIRTH : YANGYANG, SOUTH SIKKIM' EDUCATION : MATRICULATION, THEREAFTER SELF-TAUGHT ENTRY IN THE FIELD : FROM THE STUDENT LIFE ITSELF FIRST PUBLISHED WORK : BIR KO PARICHAY (POEM) 1967. Mr. Pawan Chamling began his career by choosing the independent profession of a farmer and later became a first-class contractor. Thereafter, he was actively involved in the service of society and literature apart from engaging himself in various creative activities by consolidating the traditional relationship of rural organizations and institutions. He also initiated the process of creating awareness among the village populace by establishing libraries and cooperative societies beside...