1NOW!02-08 Oct, 2002

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GANGTOK: 21-year old Sinora Lepcha is the new face of Sikkim PlaywinSuper Lotto’s Khelo India Khelo weekly draw on Zee TV.

With a Diploma in Civil Engineering and a Degree in Interior Designingfrom Chennai, Sinora came back to Gangtok this January. Now, she is afaculty member at the Central Engineering Technical Institute at Nam Nang.

Sinora says that she read about Zee TV looking for new faces in NOW!and thought she’d give it a shot, “just for the experience.”

So, how does she feel being on national TV?“I feel confident and I hope I can meet the expectations,” she says.Zee TV has short-listed four more local girls who are undergoing train-

ing at their studio here.Catch Sinora, wearing a Gada this Thursday night on the Playwin draw

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RINGGANGTOK: Here is some goodnews for the students of JoybellsSchool, Tadong and the parents.

The Council for the Indian SchoolCertificate Examinations, New Delhi,has allowed the students of thepresent Class IX to sit for the ICSE2004 examinations.

In a letter to the management ofthe School, the ICSE Council, onOctober 1, apprised the School ofthis decision.

The Headmistress of the School,Ms. Rajsree Prathapan, also informedthat the Chief Minister, PawanChamling has granted a special per-mission for the construction of aschool building and ground. Once theSchool has its own premises, it canget permanent affiliation with theICSE Council, she told NOW! Sheadded that the management is look-ing forward to further cooperationfrom the parents and students of theSchool in the future as well.

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GANGTOK: A monks walks up to a lotteryvendor at the Lall Market Road on September26 and produces 50 tickets of the Dear RoyalSikkim State Lottery, of the September 18,2002 draw. The tickets, sold in a bundle of 50and priced at Rs. 50, bears the serial numbersAA 12631 to EL 12631. The numbers beingthe winning numbers of the draw, the vendorhands over the prize money of Rs. 3,500 tothe lama and keeps the tickets with him. Thelama pockets the cash and scurries away.

Mewalall Gupta, the lottery vendor thentakes the tickets to his agent and receives ashock. The winning tickets claimed by themonk are tampered. Upon closer examina-tion, the serial number 12631 are found to behave been meticulously over-written - the lastdigit ‘1’ has been forged. The draw dateprinted on the tickets is also tampered with.

The next day, Gupta, along with the agentapproaches the Sadar Thana with the com-plaint. The monk is traced to the ChortenGumpa living with his nephew at the Shedathere. A case under 468/420 of IPC for “cheat-ing” and “forgery for the purpose of cheating”

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caught off guard but caught the fleeing lamasoon enough. When the escape bid was no-ticed, the entire force at the Thana chasedafter Dukpa who sprinted through the mean-dering maze of buildings around the Encheycompound in his overflowing robes followedby irate cops hot on his heels!

Finally, Dukpa’s luck ran out when he frac-tured his leg while trying to scale a high wallnear the Rendezvous Hotel. Nabbed again, hewas brought back to the Thana and quickly se-cured. The whole drama lasted for just five min-utes. A doctor attended on Dukpa and diagnosedhis condition as mild fracture and dislocation.

Dukpa was then produced before theChief Judicial Magistrate, East/North andsent to 15-day judicial remand and is nowcooling his heels at the Rongnek Jail.

Meanwhile, the management of theChorten Gumpa, Deorali, has taken a strongstand against this incident and has supportedthe action taken by the Police. In a letter tothe SP, East, a member of the managementcommittee has said that if any monk of theChorten Gumpa is arrested by the Police forcognisable offences, the management wouldhave no objections.

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is registered against the lama on September28. He is arrested and brought to the Thana.

Interrogation reveals that the monk, SherabDukpa, is a Bhutanese who arrived in Sikkima couple of years ago. Dukpa, in his late 40s,tells the Police that he is an “ex-army” fromBhutan and had been staying at the ChortenGumpa here with his nephew, who is also amonk. The prize money is recovered from himand Dukpa admits to having planned and ex-ecuted the forgery on his own.

What Dukpa had apparently done waspurchase a bundle of 50 tickets, the draw dateof which was September 8. When the drawwas held and results declared, Dukpa did notwin any prize money. However, when the nextdraw of the same lottery was held on Sep-tember 18, and the winning numbers closelymatched the numbers on the tickets boughtby him earlier. Dukpa then set out on a ployto hoodwink the lottery vendor and pocketthe money by hook or by crook.

For the next one week, Dukpa toiled dayand night to carefully change the last digit ofthe 50 tickets from 4 to 1. Dukpa’s originaltickets bore the number 12634. He even man-aged to change the draw of date printed onthe tickets from 8-09-2002 to 18-09-2002.

What the monk overlooked was the factthat the impression of the original serialnumber was clearly visible on the back of thetickets, which could not be changed despitehis best efforts but still managed to trick thevendor with the forged ticket.

While still in the lock-up, the robust lamamanaged to cause a quite a commotion at theSadar Thana when he attempted to escapewhile his statement was being recorded. Ac-cording to the SP, East, Akshay Sachdeva,the monk made an aborted attempt at theSadar Thana the day he was arrested.

“Dukpa, while his statement was beingrecorded in an officer’s room at the Thanaasked whether he could use the toilet. Theofficers present, in good faith and consider-ing the fact that he was a monk, allowed himto use the officers’s toilet. Incidentally, theofficers’s toilet is not very secure and thewindow just holds two rods. Once inside,Dukpa latched the door from inside and some-how managed to force apart the rods wideenough for him to jump and sprint towardsthe boundary wall of the Thana,” he said.

Dukpa managed to do all this right underthe noses of the cops, that too within thepremises of the Thana. The cops were clearly

by SARIKAH ATREYA

LOTTERY LAMA GIVES COPS A HARD TIME

RANGIT NAGAR: NHPC’s high-profile Teesta Hydel Power ProjectStage-V may have hogged the head-lines for all the wrong reasons, buta relatively smaller hydel project ofthe Corporation on the South-Westend has already been commissionedand in production.

The NHPC had recently organizeda tour of the project area for media-per-sons based here for a quick overviewof the project and its functioning.

The 60 MW Rangit Hydel PowerProject, a project executed by theNHPC was commissioned in Febru-ary 2000 after spin trial in Dec 1999.The Rangit Project is situated in theWest and South Districts near Legship.

At the time of execution, theRangit Hydel Power Project was thebiggest project of its kind in theState. The project, a run-of-the-riverscheme located 362 metres down-stream of the confluence of theRangit and Rathang Chu, was tocontribute greatly to the economicdevelopment of the State, until itwas overshadowed by the 510 MWTeesta Project at Dikchu-Sherwani.

The Project, in operation for thethird year now, is currently generat-ing about 10 percent more than theinstalled capacity of 60 MW. Thepowerhouse was synchronized to theEastern Grid in February this year.

The Chief Engineer, RangitProject, SP Sinha, disclosed thatwhile the project was completed ata cost of Rs. 492 crores, it was nowgenerating about Rs. 82 croresworth of power annually. This will

rise to Rs. 100 crores in the comingyears, Mr. Sinha assured. The Sik-kim Government is receiving 12 percent free power. A 66KV line issupplying the State’s share but dueto some technical flaps, the State isnot been able to tap the free supplyof power, he informed.

What is of further interest is thatthe Rangit dam and reservoir hasgreat tourism potential. A localNGO, Manav Sewa Samiti ofLegship has been entrusted with theresponsibility of developing the areainto a tourist spot, Mr. Sinha said.The NGO has already been promot-ing the area as ‘Rangit Water World.’

The NHPC is also maintainingabout 4 kms of State PWD roadsand has spent about Rs. 14 lakhs onmaintenance alone, the CE added.

Assistant Manager, Rangit PowerHouse, located at Saagbari, about 4km downstream from Legship, ANThakur said informed that the neigh-bouring areas in South and West Sik-

kim were using the power generatedby Rangit Project. Although thePower House has been supplying 66KV of power to the Sikkim govern-ment up to the Melli switchyard, theState Power Department has been un-able to use the free power due to non-availability of grid network facilityfrom Melli onwards, it is learnt.

Incidentally, NHPC has alreadyspent more than Rs. 18 crores onenvironmental protection in theproject area. Arvind Sharma, Envi-ronment Officer, Rangit Project,said that compensatory afforestationscheme and resettlement and reha-bilitation plan has already beencompleted, along with shifting ofreligious monuments. About Rs. 11crores has been spent on catchmentarea treatment plan, covering anarea of 797 sq. kms, he added.

Security arrangement in andaround the Project area has beenentrusted with the Sikkim ArmedPolice personnel.

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MARTAM: Sa-re-ga-ma ParivartanPariwar, Lower Martam celebratedits 5th Foundation Day here on Sep-tember 24, 2002, at GREF camp,Lower Martam with great festivity.

A Nepali Dance Competition‘Boogie Woogie’ was organized tomark the occasion for the second

successive year. Pooja Sharma ofURHP colony won the first prize.A special prize was awarded toDharam Thapa and group fromRongpo Bazaar and Riya Chettri forthey were the youngest participantsat the competition.

Forest Minister, DT Lepcha,who also happens to be the MLA,presided over the function as thechief guest.

a NOW REPORT

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3NOW!02-08 Oct, 2002 UP-FRONT

SINGTAM: In a major break-through, the Singtam Police ar-rested a notorious drug peddler andhis accomplice, thanks to the sup-port received from the residents ofSingtam.

Had it not been the efforts of thediligent public of Singtam Bazar andtheir support rendered to the Policein flushing out antisocial elements,the two drug pushers would havenever been put behind the bars.

Acting on a tip-off, a SingtamPolice team led by PI RapdenBhutia, zeroed in on one SantoshKumar Gupta, 24, a driver of aCommander Jeep, who had beenpeddling drugs out of Singtam forquite a while now.

The Police, it is learnt, had beenreceiving complaints against Gupta,a resident of Singtam, who used toply his Commander betweenSingtam and Siliguri on a daily taxiservice. He had, however, been col-lecting much more than his dailyfares by smuggling subscription

drugs into Sikkim. The Police hadbeen keeping a close watch over hisactivities for a while now.

At around 8 pm, on the night ofSeptember 28, Gupta, was appre-hended by the Singtam Police whilereturning from Siliguri. His vehicle,SK-04/2388 was also seized.

When the Police searched theJeep, they found a carton ofPhensedyl, a cough syrup widelyabused for its psychotropic proper-ties, hidden in the toolbox under thedriver’s seat. The carton was openand contained 11 bottles. Later, theaccused admitted to having con-sumed a bottle himself. When hewas frisked, about 12 N-10 tabletswere also found in possession ofGupta.

Following Gupta’s interroga-tion, the Police also arrested SheikhAshiq, a friend of Gupta’s, whoused to sometimes accompany himto trips to Siliguri and who himselfis a peddler and an abuser likeGupta.

Informed sources reveal that thetwo would buy Phensedyl and otherpsychotropic drugs from Siliguri

and sell them at various placesalong the National Highway 31A,right up to Singtam. Soon, theirclandestine activities became pub-lic knowledge. But without any con-crete proof, the hands of the Policewere tied.

“We had been receiving infor-mation about the duo, but withoutany concrete evidence, there wasvery little we could do. So, westepped up our vigil and the move-ments of the two were constantlymonitored,” PI Bhutia told NOW!.

On September 28, the Policewere tipped off that the two werereturning from Siliguri with a con-signment. The Police were readywhen the Jeep pulled up at SingtamBazar late in the evening.

“Although the consignmentseized is small, it is significant astwo hard-core peddlers are nowbehind bars,” the Singtam Policesaid.

The Singtam Police have re-ceived more complaints about othersuch peddlers and the Police aremonitoring their activities, PIBhutia disclosed.

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by SARIKAH ATREYA

4 NOW! 02-08 Oct, 2002

a NOW REPORT

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GANGTOK: The RashtriyaSwayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of Sik-kim, in a Press release issued hererecently, has condemned the mili-tant attack on the Swami Narayantemple in Ahmedabad on Septem-ber 24.

Sikkim’s RSS workers have fur-ther appealed to the central as wellas the state governments to takestrong measures against terrorist ac-tivities and help maintain commu-

PAKYONG: The warm greetingthat awaited SDF supremo, PawanChamling, when he arrived here onSeptember 29, hinted that the con-stituency was trying to make up forthe let down in the last Assemblypolls when it sent an OppositionMLA to the Assembly. The recep-tion over, the CM addressed astring of well attended publicmeetings here at Aho,Pacheykhani, Dikling andNamchebong Upper-Raigaon.Some 2,000 supporters are re-ported to have shown up for theDikiling meet.

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GANGTOK: The ruling SikkimDemocratic Front (SDF) party hasexpelled nine party members fortheir “involvement in anti-party ac-tivities and violation of party disci-pline.”

SDF General Secretary (admin-istration), SK Pradhan, said thatthese nine persons have been ex-pelled from primary and activemembership on the directions of theparty President and Chief Minister,Pawan Chamling.

The expulsions have came in thewake of allegations that some of theSDF members were supporting andcampaigning for their relatives whoare contesting as independent can-didates in the ensuing Panchayatpolls, scheduled to be held in the

State on October 9 this year.While SDF has fielded candi-

dates in most of the 903 GramPanchayat Units and 100 TerritorialConstituencies and has already wona total of 687 seats uncontested, asmall number of independent can-didates are also in the fray. It hasbeen alleged that the expelled SDFmembers had supported their rela-tives candidature for the party ticketand were campaigning for themnow that they were contesting asindependents.

Earlier, the SDF party expelledtwelve members for five years, whowere contesting as independent can-didates against the SDF nomineesin various Gram Panchayat Unitsand Territorial constituencies in theState. According to sources, thesetwelve SDF members were “dissat-isfied” because the party had not

given them tickets and had goneahead and filed their nominationpapers as independent candidates.

Meanwhile, the State ElectionCommission is all set to conduct a“fair and peaceful Panchayat polls,”the State Election Commissioner, DKGazmer said. “The Commission hasmade all necessary arrangement toensure that the rural polls are held ina fair and peaceful manner,” he said.

nal harmony in the country.It has also condemned those

“directly or indirectly” responsiblefor promoting such terrorist activi-ties in the country.

The Sevaks have also appealedto all the citizens of the country tounderstand the need of the hour andface the challenges posed by suchthreats unitedly.

“In this crucial hour of uncer-tainty being faced by the whole na-tion, RSS feels that the nation mustmaintain peace and harmony,” therelease states.

SDF diktat leads to21 expulsions

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Sikkim RSS condemnstemple attack

In all his speeches, Mr.Chamling, informs a party release,“completely endorsed” the selectionof the party candidates and reiter-ated that party discipline must bemaintained at all costs. He, how-ever, also added that he was notupset with instances where partymembers had stood as independentsagainst SDF’s official candidates.This, he said, was the hallmark ofdemocracy working. However, hewarned that such rebel candidatesshould not go around claiming tobelong to the party any more.

The people who get electedhave a very great responsibilityahead of them, he said since morepower and decentralization of funds

and responsibility would take place.Mr. Chamling also emphasised theneed for Panchayat members toreinvent themselves and their work.

“This institution and institution-alization process begun by our partywill be remembered in the days tocome as more significant than anyother achievement,” he claimed,while adding, “It is definitely a mid-dle path approach and we can saywithout a shadow of doubt that inthe last eight years of our rule everycitizen of our state has gained – notlost.”

Senior party functionaries ac-companied the Party President.Many local leaders also spoke aboutlocal concerns and needs.

rajdhaniIN

a NOW REPORT

THE PAKYONG CONCILIATION?

MEDITATING,THE SAKYA WAY

5NOW!02-08 Oct, 2002

6 NOW! 02-08 Oct, 2002

GANGTOK 02-08 OCT, 2002

SIKKIM MATTERS

DEEPFOCUS

by RANJIT SINGH

ED-SPACE

LETTERS�

Readers are invited to share their views, opinions and reactions to news-items carried in NOW! Theletters may be edited for language and content and the name of the writer withheld on request. Personalattacks will not be carried, but letters raising pertinent issues will be shared with readers. Please mail allfeedback to NOW, Gairi Gaon, Tadong, Gangtok East Sikkim. email: sikkimnow@rediffmail.com

TRANSFER INDEED

Your article on school transfercertificates found in a hotel in

Siliguri was shocking. I have heardof these things happening in otherparts, but not in Sikkim. How didthese certificates get out of the De-partment? This may seem like aminor incident but it needs a thor-ough investigation. However, thewriter should have contacted theEducation department and theschool authorities to get their opin-ion. Only then would the reporthave been completed.S Rai, Development Area.

WOW! NOW!

Presenting correct news with per-fect views seems to be a vow

taken by NOW!The paper is informative with

excellent write up and should con-tinue for many years. In the days tocome let it not turn ugly by includ-ing insipid columns. The readersexpect the paper to focus on vitalissues like influx and maintainingcommunal harmony in the peace-ful state.

According to a report in a national daily a classifiedworking paper for the con-

ference of DGPs and I-Gs (held be-tween September 29 - October 1)has merely a two-line mention ofGujarat. This reference is made inrelation to the tension prevailingbetween the two – Hindu and Mus-lim – communities. Law and Order,the two most important chapters inthe document completely ignore thepossibility of the State becoming ahappy hunting ground for Islamicterrorist outfits.

To any citizen of the country itwould seem more than obvious thatthe most convenient spot to stir up aconflagration or communal violenceis Gujarat. After the many monthsof communal violence and targetingof Muslims by Hindu extremistgroups in Gujarat, the ISI would findthere many young Muslims willingto take up arms against the majoritycommunity. And the easiest way toset Gujarat aflame again is to organ-ize a terrorist attack on innocentdevotees in a temple.

A reflection of the followingpoints would expose the gross mis-calculation of the security agencies,which resulted in the overlookingof the inclusion of Gujarat:

Firstly, the community is highly

polarized providing a catalyst forcommunal conflagration.

Secondly, Gujarat’s coastline andborders with the inimical neighbourprovide entry points for terrorists.

Thirdly, the state was used as atransit point for the RDX consign-ment used in the Mumbai blasts.

The Pakistanis would like theworld to believe that the diabolicaltransgression on the SwaminarayanTemple in Gandhinagar by twoyoung AK-47 toting extremists isthe work of local youth eager to re-venge the atrocities perpetrated dur-ing the dark days of communal vio-lence in the state. This is a loadedstance adopted by them which hasthe double effect of vindicatingthem of any charge of having a handin the temple massacre and on theother hand it exposes the fallout ofthe recent victimization of Muslimswhich according to them has re-sulted in their alienation and leftthem ample reason for revenge.

This is not too farfetched an as-sumption.

But there is evidence to suggestPakistan’s complicity. The firstpointer is the kind of armamentscarried by the terrorists. Secondly,this is the work of a suicide squadand apart from the LTTE and Pal-estinian extremists only Pakistansponsored terrorists groups use suchsquads. Unable to scuttle the elec-tion process Kashmir, Gujarat istheir next best destination.

In such a volatile atmospherethe need of the hour is peace andgoodwill gestures, especially fromthe political parties. The bandh callby the VHP was totally insensitiveto national imperatives and couldhave further aggravated the situa-tion but for the non-cooperation ofthe BJP. Add to that the passion andfervour that has risen in the state inthe wake of Modi’s rath yatra andthe image of Kalidas chopping thebranch of a tree on which he wasseated comes to mind.

There is every need at a timelike this to demonstrate a unity ofpurpose cutting across all barriersin order to frustrate the terrorists’design of sowing seeds of commu-nal discord. At the same time Indiahas to get used to living on a pro-longed ‘red alert’.

NOW! is interesting and ex-citing.

Sonam Thakarpa, Gangtok

FINALS, NOT SEMIS

This is to bring to your notice thatthere has been a slight mistake

with regards to the news item,“Shining Through Lean Seasons”carried in NOW! dated 25/09/02,where it is mentioned that NeekitaPradhan of TNA had made it to thesemifinals of Inter Public Schoolstournament in Delhi. The fact is thatshe had actually made it to the Fi-nals and stood first runner up, hop-ing that this error be rectified.

Nikita Pradhan, TNAthe error is regretted - ed

WEAKER, INDEED

Women seem to be taking everything, from being in the

majority in the new batch of civilservants to being the forerunners inthe Panchayat elections. I believeeven in local newspaper offices they

The Road To TourismThe highways are the modern world’s great rivers. Just as mostancient civilisations came up on the banks of major rivers andtheir tributaries, so too in the present times does every devel-opmental initiative demand the presence of good roads. Di-gressing a bit from what the headline promises, one would addhere that the Government need not allot sites and sponsor set-tlements where it wants satellite townships developed. It needsto just extend good road cover to the proposed areas. Take thepresent District Administrative Centre at Upper Sichey for ex-ample. No sooner had the office shifted there and the roadcarpeted properly, did the area grow into a bustling township,complete with its PCO booths and restaurants. A boom fol-lowed the road development initiative. Now, about tourism androads. No matter how many man-hours are spent trying to comeup with the most enticing slogans to attract tourists to Sikkim,the efforts will not last beyond one season. Tourism, after all,depends heavily on positive word-of-mouth publicity and no trav-eller, who is already taking a risk visiting places based on justpublicity brochures and glossy centre-spreads, will decide on adestination once he is told of the poor road conditions. TakingSikkim’s case, one needs to first understand that the State plansto place itself on the Buddhism circuit. Needless to add, allthose who decide on Sikkim for its Buddhist qualities expect atranquil stay here. A bone-rattling experience on the road tothe monasteries is not something they would have factored in.

It must also be borne in mind that when we say good roads, wedo not, by any stretch of imagination, imply wide, three-laneblacktops. All that is required is a road that is smooth and safe.Bad roads (in fact all roads) turn into nightmare experiencesduring monsoons in Sikkim. Despite whatever we offer, no touristwants his “adventure tourism” escape to begin even before hehas checked into a hotel. One might argue that the roads toGangtok (read NH-31A) is perhaps one of the best hill roads.Agreed, but the real tourist is not interested in the concrete ofGangtok. At best it is a stopover to make the Tsomgo-Nathulatrip or proceed to North Sikkim (Gangtok can be given the slipif it is West Sikkim you are headed for). Roads to both thedistricts which are already on the tourist must-do lists offer verylittle promise for a revisit. Drivers are known to refuse fares toKhecheopalri from Pelling if so much as a cloud is sighted inthe horizon. The ride, even on drier days is uncomfortableenough.

So, the road to promoting tourism in Sikkim lies literally in itsroads. Improve them, promote well and Sikkim has enoughpotential to just survive on the repeat tourists. This also is amatter that lies beyond the Tourism Department’s control, butthe other arm, that of Roads & Bridges for the State roads, alsobelongs to the same Government. Some coordination, plan-ning and prioritisation should get the roads in better health,monsoons notwithstanding. There is nothing new in what isbeing suggested and there must have been several attemptsto improve the blacktops in the past, but maybe we should tryharder.

are greater in number than men.This is a growing trend worldwideand just shows what women canachieve given the opportunity.Here’s to a gentler, more caringworld.Sonam Choden, Syari.

SUICIDAL WARNING

BELLS

In your editorial you have addressed the growing trend in sui-

cides in Sikkim. Sometimes reportscome in even from peaceful ruralareas of youth taking their life. It istime to wake up and take notice. Wecannot allow it to go out of hand.As it is so many young people aretaking to drugs. We have to start ex-amining the underlying factors anda concerted effort is needed to stemthe tide. Your editorial was timelyand please highlight these issues inother articles and features also.K Pradhan, Tadong.

LET’S LAUGH NOW

I really enjoy reading your paper.It is very informative and inter-

esting. But please can we have more

humour. In these dull times, a goodlaugh can brighten your day. Pleasewrite more humorous articles andgive more jokes and cartoons.Amit, Arithang

SUN, NOT ANIMALS

I enjoy reading my horoscope everyweek but I prefer sun signs to theanimal signs that you give. We areall more familiar with sun signs.Please leave these animal signs formenu cards in Chinese restaurantsand go back to Aries, Taurus,Gemini etc etc.

I also wish you would startgood food and recipe column. I ama big foodie who loves to cook andeat. And more than loves to readabout food, so please do not disap-point me.Sarita Thapa, Tibet Road.

THANKS FROM MY BABY

Your column Baby Talk by DrHK Chettri will be very much

appreciated by all mothers. Thereare so many queries a new motherhas and it is not always possible toconsult books or go to doctors. DrChettri is the best paediatrician inSikkim and his vast experience willcome handy while answering thequestions. Why don’t you occasion-ally ask other doctors to address

various problems regarding health.The best thing I as a wife and amother like about your paper is thatyou have given one whole page tohealth. Health is becoming a majorissue in these modern times.

Looking forward to regular ar-ticles on this subject. As far as BabyTalk goes it will be one I’ll read firstbecause children all have similarproblems and it will be a big help.Mrs. S Pradhan, Nam Nam.

WHAT”S THE SCENE WITH

OUR BANANAS?

I have been reading in papersabout bananas being banned in

Darjeeling because of the use ofcarbide to ripen them. I would liketo state that this is happening in ourstate too. I have been giving mychildren bananas every day but Irecently found out that fruit shopsin Tibet Road and Lal Bazaar arealso using this agent to artificiallyripen the bananas. What is worse isthat these people are not even awarethat carbide is extremely dangerousand can cause long time damage.Please investigate this problem andlet people know the truth.Pema Dadul, Gangtok

...AND WE STILL REFUSE TO

LEARN FROM GUJARAT

...AND WE STILL REFUSE TO

LEARN FROM GUJARAT

7NOW!02-08 Oct, 2002 ESSAYS

Its 1:30 PM on a Sunday afternoon. Asyou walk up the stairs of the ChamlaTsering Building at Tibet Road, soundsof deep chanting can be heard. In the

flat, you see a motley crowd of nearly 50 menand women sit on separate sides of the room.Some of them are wearing a white sash withJapanese inscriptions calligraphed on it.Soon, the collective reciting of prayer is overand one by one, the members get up to speakfrom a dais about their experience, thoughtsand feelings. Now, if you’re wondering what’sgoing on here, you obviously are not one ofthe 10,000 or more Reiyukai followers in theState.

The Reiyukai centre was started here in1997 by Chunnilal Ghimirey, a familiar faceon SCTV. A friend who had trained in Japanmade him a member. Soon, he himself wentfor Reiyukai sessions to Nepal and Japan.Today, he is the sessions leader and head ofthe Reiyukai sect here, a Sibuchi, as he iscalled.

“I am a writer. I have written seven books,won awards and done many other things, butI had no satisfaction. I had a certain arro-gance, but once I got into this, I felt I wasjust a student. There was so much more tolearn,” he says.

The founder of Reiyukai is KakutaroKubo. In the 1920’s amid the rubble of theGreat Tokyo Earthquake and the chaos of asociety in transition, he saw a way for peopleto live better lives. His vision did not involvea political party or the preaching of monks,instead he looked to the philosophy of Bud-dha and devised a simple, personal set ofteachings that could be applied by anyone,anywhere. Today, Reiyukai has evolved intoa multifaceted organisation with centresthroughout the world.

“Reiyukai is based on the teachings ofBuddha, but it is not a religion, it is morelike a philosophy and does not distinguishbetween race, religion or economic status,”says Ghimirey. This is apparent when you seethe wide variety of people who are the Sik-kim Reiyukais - Men, women, students, pro-fessionals and simple village folk.

For Ambika Sharma, 25, who works atthe centre and Man Kumari, 34, who’s beena member for a year, Reiyukai has added thatextra dimension to their lives. They claim tofeel better physically and more at peace withthe world.

The focus of the Reiyukai centre, Sikkim,seems to be ancestor worship. This is doneby a daily ritual offering of fruits and water.Every session of prayer is also preceded byfirst making offerings to the ancestor.

Says T. Pradhan, a member, “We worshipour ancestors. When I pray I feel they getpeace, so I feel peaceful myself.” AffirmsGhimirey, “We have forgotten our ancestors,our main objective is to worship them, tocleanse ourselves of bad karma.”

Reiyukai promotes the personal develop-ment of all people through awareness and

Sabarmati Ashram built in the outskirts of Ahmedabad,became the nerve centre of the Indian freedom struggle. From here, Gandhi, the apostle of peace and also

the founder of the Ashram, guided India to freedom. TheAshram was a spectator to his strategies and plans, which hechalked out to make the freedom struggle a mass movement.Hence it assumed the significance of being the most impor-tant place in the country’s freedom struggle that reminds eve-ryone of the most inspiring leader of the world in the 20thcentury, his life, his message and his service to the nation.

Its importance can be guaged from the fact that Sabarmatiwas the first place visited by the present President, Dr. APJAbdul Kalam after taking office. In fact, he told the childrenat the ashram that Gandhiji had been his role model rightsince childhood.

Sabarmati Ashram is also known as Satyagraha Ashram,Harijan Ashram and Gandhi Ashram. It is the third of thefour ashrams set up by the Mahatma in his lifetime. The otherthree ashrams were - Phoenix settlement near Durban, TolstoyFarm in the Transvall, both in South Africa besides, Sevagramat Wardha in Maharashtra during the freedom struggle. Outof the four ashrams, Sabarmati Ashram continues to be thebest preserved with most of the Mahatma’s remembrances indifferent forms as it happens to be the place of his longeststay in the country during his life time.

Soon after his return from South Africa in January 1915,Gandhiji expressed his desire to found an ashram to settledown with the inmates of his Phoenix Ashram, who had re-turned with him. Although his admirers and friends suggestedseveral places like Hardwar, Vidyanathadham near Kolkataand Rajkot Gandhiji, however, chose to set up his ashram inAhmedabad. Behind his decision was his strong desire toserve the country through his mother tongue, Gujarati be-sides, reviving hand spinning as Ahmedabad had been anancient handloom centre. There were also possibilities ofgetting monetary help from wealthy citizens of the city. Hefounded the Satyagraha Ashram on May 25, 1915 in a bun-galow in Kocharab then a small village near Ahmedabad with

actions as individuals, so that a better worldcan be developed. To achieve these goals,Reiyukai organises a variety of activities atall levels. It offers opportunities and occa-sions for people to get together, communi-cate and support each other so as to find wis-dom and ideas which will be useful in dailylife. Towards this end, the SikkimeseReiyukais organise all kinds of cultural andliterary programmes.

Social work is undertaken in the form ofgiving free tuitions and coaching classes tothose from poor families and tailoring and

soft-toy making classes for housewives. Andambulance service at nominal charge is alsoavailable. An old-age home for the neglectedelderly is also on the anvil.

For Ghimirey, whose day begins withpujas, meditation and reading of the sutras,the Reiyukai mantra of, “Namu Myu HoRenga Kyu.” (I bow to the lotus). “I feel veryhappy, not so attached to worldly goods,” heclaims, “even if I can help one person, I feelhappy.” That, in effect, sums up whatReiyukai is all about.

REIYUKAI FOR A BETTERWORLD

a NOW!

feature on

Reiyukai

and its

beliefs...

SABARMATI ASHRAM - A COMMAND POST OF FREEDOM STRUGGLEDIGANT K. DAVE

on the history and significance

of Sabarmati Ashram...

25 ashramites. It was offered by Barrister Jivanlal Desai. Asplague broke out in Kocharab, Gandhiji had to shift to an-other place, about 4 kms to the north of Kocharab on thebanks of Sabarmati river.

Gandhiji liked the Sabarmati location because of its vast-ness (36 acres of land) and proximity to sage Dadheechi’stemple, who, as per a legend, sacrificed his life to help LordIndra craft a Vajra from his ribs to defeat the demons. Thisashram was started in July 1917 with 40 ashramites in sev-eral canvas tents on the land infested with venomous snakes.The main object of the ashram was to qualify for and make aconstant endeavour towards national service. Prayer formedan important part of the ashram life and other conditions forthe inmates included self help, celibacy, belief in humanity,respect for all religions, non-possession and eradication ofuntouchability. All along his stay at the ashram for 13 yearsfrom July, 1917 to March 1930, he inspired, shaped, led andguided a number of movements, programmes, struggles andsatyagrahas all aimed at the freedom of India. Most of theconstructive activities of Mahatma Gandhi, supplementaryto the freedom struggle, like eradication of untouchability,basic education, khadi activities, swadeshi andolan, cleanli-ness campaign and prohibition were also started from thesame hallowed land. It was again during his stay at theSabarmati Ashram that the first trial for sedition by the Brit-ish empire was conducted against him. From here only hewent to jail for the first time besides going on fast for the firsttime in India, while at the ashram.

In 1918 Gandhiji led the workers of the textile mills ofAhmedabad to go on a strike against unjust cut in their bo-nus. At one point he went on fast and within three days a

settlement was reached and 21 day’s strike soon ended. In1930, it was from here he embarked upon the historic DandiMarch with 79 Satyagrahis to break the salt laws of the Brit-ish empire. As the Mahatma with a 54 inches long stick inhis hand led the March, to 241 miles away Dandi village ona seashore near Surat, lakhs of people greeted him on theway. Gandhiji had publicly declared before he left the ashramthat under no circumstances he would return to the ashramtill the freedom was won. Dandi March brought tremendousawakening amongst the people all over India. Mahatma Gan-dhi symbolically broke the salt laws by illegally picking up afistful of salt on the Dandi seacost on April 06, 1930. Thissignalled the launching of a massive non-co-operative strug-gle during which lakhs of people were arrested for defyingthe salt laws and boycotting foreign cloth and liquor. To curbthe struggle Gandhiji was arrested at Karadi Camp on the4th May. Needless to say that Gandhiji thereafter never re-turned to ashram and disbanded the ashram in August, 1933.

Since 1951, the ashram is being looked after by theSabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust.Sabarmati ashram has, after the martyrdom of the Mahatma,become the first and foremost historical place associated withhis pioneering activities in the country during the freedomstruggle. For 13 long years from 1917 to 1930, it had beenthe Command post of freedom struggle. It attracts five to sixlakh people every year not only from all over India but alsothe world over including a large number of VVIPs and VIPs.In the center of the ashram stands Hridaykunj, the 3 roomresidential quarters of Gandhiji and Kasturba from 1918 to1930, a witness to innumerable historic decisions and eventsduring freedom struggle. It is a hallowed place treasuringGandhiji’s charkha, writing desk, Chappals and some otherarticles of personal use. In the front of this sacred place isUpasana Bhomi – prayer ground. On the right there are twosmall Kutirs which were once occupied by the great satyagrahiand sarvodaya worker Vinoba Bhave and Miraben – origi-

- turn to pg 10

8 NOW! 02-08 Oct, 2002DESPATCHES

from AMITAVA BANERJEE

In Kalimpong, as the joke goes, if you are a Newar you join the RotaryClub and if your genetic affinity goes further east and you are aMarwari, you join the Lion’s Club.But what if your snob value is not up there, but you still want to do

‘something’? Well you join the local club.Of course, before you get carried away by that newfound

altruism the one thing that you don’t do is give your ‘localclub’ the naming rights to your children. With names like‘piranhas’ and ‘dansberg’ these clubs do notleave much to your imagination. But what theylack in being etymologically challenged theymake up by their sheer zeal for communityservice.

I fortunately belong to that category of peoplewho live in an area where the social conscience of the en-tire neighborhood is reflected in the code of a local club. In ourcase, it is the Piranhas Athletic Club. I am no social scientist,but I have seen that in those areas where the middle class takethe initiative of doing something meaningful, of mobilizingthe youth towards attaining a certain goal, the lesser is the de-linquency of this sensitive class. The Piranhas for example,organize a cricket tournament but it is more than a sportingcontest. This event in the winters gives every youth in the area somethingto look forward to. It gives them the opportunity to be useful. It puts themin the same league as, lets say, the employed adult who has the luxury ofbeing able to ‘plan out’ things. To a young boy the privilege of being ableto sit and talk things over with adults, to contribute with their own inputs,

Fed up with a faraway capitalthat doesn’t care about thewelfare of people living in the

remote and roadless parts of west-ern Nepal, five districts of theKarnali Zone have decided to set uptheir own development solidarity.

Called the Common KarnaliDevelopment Group, it will havemembers from local governmentcombines, non-government organi-sations and civil society. “IfKathmandu keeps neglecting us, wewant to show that we Karnali peo-ple can take care of ourselves,” saysJivan Shahi, former DDC chairmanof Humla.

Karnali’s main problems are itsremoteness, the lack of investmentin development from the centralgovernment, chronic food shortage,lack of salt and poor public healthservices. Yet, Karnali is endowedwith great biodiversity, naturalbeauty and human resources whichif properly utilised could lift theregion out of poverty, the group be-lieves. “We will show them that wecan be self-sufficient,” Shahi said.“In five years, we will not be livinghand-to-mouth anymore.”

The group has prioritised im-provements in transport, agricultureand tourism. Another member of thegroup, Deep Bahadur Shahi of theKalikot DDC says, “We wentthrough the Panchayat, 12 years ofdemocracy, and the Karnali has re-mained where it was. Karnali is theonly zone without a graduate col-lege or a road. They start roads, andthey never complete them on somepretext or the other. Sometimes theexcuse is Maoists, sometimes it islack of budget. They have Maoistsin other zones, too, don’t they?”

As an example, Shahi points toSalleri (Phaplu) airport in SoluKhumbu, which was put out of ac-tion by Maoists. It has since resumedoperation. Maoists attacked Dolpoairport, but planes have still notstarted flying there. The same thinghas happened to the Surkhet-Jumlaroad, where construction has stoppedbecause of the security situation.

The main reason for lack of de-velopment is the lack of connectionsin high places in Kathmandu.Mohan Baniya is from the MuguDDC and says Karnali should bedeclared a “Special Zone” so its getspriority treatment for development.“Mugu’s average lifespan is 36, thisis less than sub-Saharan Africa,”says Baniya.

The group argues that Karnalihas been neglected by SinghaDarbar because it is remote. Mugu,Humla and Kalikot don’t even haveairports. Dolpa has been out of ac-tion because of Maoists. Karnali hasbeen pushed further back becauseof the Maoist insurgency, the de-struction of bridges, food supplyand pulling out of developmentprojects.SHARAD KC in his report for the

BBC Nepali Service

N E P A L

KARNALIDISTRICTS

UNITEThe Karnali zone in western

Nepal is as remote as any

region can possible get.

Kathmandu ignores it and

the Maoists plunder it nd

now the region has grouped

together to form its own

development solidarity...

Darjeeling:This year pujas will be the same atDarjeeling, except that the MotherGoddess will be offered plant rip-ened bananas and unadulteratedmilk, thanks to the Darjeeling Mu-nicipality and the Local HealthAuthorities.

A notice issued by the office ofthe Local Health Authority (Sadar),Darjeeling, circulated to all the fruitvendors of Darjeeling, states that theuse of Acetylene gas commonlyknown as Carbide gas for ripeningof food is prohibited under Rule 44-AA of the Prevention of Food Adul-teration Act 1954 and Rules 1955and strict action would be taken incase of violation of the rule.

This has resulted in bananaspractically disappearing from theDarjeeling market as most of thebananas sold in the Darjeeling mar-ket was artificially ripened. Twoweeks after serving notices to the20-odd fruit shops of Darjeeling andthe 3 godowns which were beingused to ripen bananas with carbide,the Sub Divisional Food Inspectordecided to enforce it. He destroyed5,000 pieces of bananas and con-fiscated huge amounts of Carbide.

“I have nothing against fruit-sellers or bananas for that matter,but they were literally selling poi-son. I have not even imposed a banon bananas, they can sell bananaswhich are naturally ripened,” saidVijay Kumai, Sub Divisional FoodInspector. He also said that carbideusually caused food poisoning,acute gastric problems and continu-ous exposure resulted in visual dis-orders and asthma. He also said thatthe people living in the vicinity ofthe godowns had complained thatthere life had become miserable dueto the stench from the carbide be-ing used in the godowns.

The Inspector suggested thatthey could switch to the traditional

methods like straw and gunny sacksto quicken the process of ripeningrather than using carbide which wasactually meant for welding torches.Incidentally nearly 4 tonnes of ba-nanas were regularly being broughtin mainly from Kishangunj in thePurnea District of Bihar, and rip-ened in the godowns of Darjeelingby using carbide.

Ram Sevak Prasad, a fruit ven-dor complained, “If the IndianArmy can march on the same JahajiKela ripened by carbide why can’twe consume the same.”

Kumai also informed that hillvendors were not just ripening ba-nanas using carbide, but also man-goes and even the tomatoes broughtin from the plains. Similar enforce-ment have also taken place inSukhia, Bijanbari and Takdahblocks.

Not to be left behind in the cru-

sade, the Darjeeling Municipalityalong with Himul (Milk Coopera-tive under the State Government)also got into the act and conductedsurprise raids on milk vendors andwhat they found was astonishing.

“Milk in the Hills is just a whit-ener with no food value,” saidMadan Gurung, Secretary,Darjeeling Municipality. Most ofthe milk tested had fat content aslow as 0.09% against a scheduledstandard of 3.5% fat.

“Some of the milkmen even ranaway leaving their milk cans,”stated B. Bomzan, Councillor-in-Charge of Health. He also admit-ted that the present initiative wasthe first raid after many years of ig-noring the adulteration. At most, theculprits were being warned thattheir licenses would be cancelled ifthe milk they were selling wasfound below the standards.

Of the 18 milkmen checked,only one was vending standard milkwith 3.5% content. Nearly 500 li-tres of milk was seized. An officialstated that usually starch and cheapmilk powder was being used to in-crease the volume of milk.

Passang Tshering Bhutia, Chair-man, Darjeeling Municipality statedthat the Darjeeling Municipality hadits own food testing lab till 1975, sincewhen it has been defunct. Prior to that,food from all over the district andeven the plains was tested here.

“We will emphasise on suchdrives and raids in future also.There should be awareness and peo-ple should get the right value fortheir money,” said the Chairman.

Incidentally, the milk toDarjeeling is supplied fromRampuria, Mongpu, Pubong,Takdah, Sonada, Burbutey andDabaipani areas.

DARJEELING FRUIT STALLS WITH EMPTY BANANA HANGERS. pic: Amitava Banerjee

DARJ BANANAS AND MILKARE HEALTHIER, SCARCER

to be treated as equals in a joint endeavor is a high that they will not geteven from the best quality glue.

It is therefore no surprise that in 11th Mile, where I live, you will notfind water pipes being dug and sold in broad daylight, or see tastelessobscene graffiti with no sense of the female anatomy rudely charcoaledover walls. Some of my friends who live in more up market colonies withinsular rich folks cannot make the same claim.

The activities of this aforementioned club, however, are not confinedjust to sports. Sports, I guess, is the smart thing to do if you want to get theyoung ones involved but once the ball is set rolling their energy can bedirected towards more pressing concerns. In recent days, for example, theKalimpong electricity department has embarked on a witch-hunt trying to

unearth illegal lines. At the face of it, it soundsgood as this meant that the legal lines would atleast get the voltage that was their due. How-ever, the matter seemed not as straightforwardas we would have liked it to be. At a Press con-ference called by the club to reveal their find-ings, certain startling facts came to light.Whether the allegations made against the de-partment are true or not is another matter. Butthat a club could have at their disposal an in-vestigating team that took up the cudgels on thebehalf of harassed consumers and conductedsome ‘investigation’ and had the confidence tocall a full-fledged press conference speaks vol-

umes about the activism of this very interesting Kalimpong phenomenon.The Piranhas is just one of the many location and activity specific

clubs that are unique to this town. Others towns too may boast of suchclubs but their visibility here is something that rivals the government. In

GLAD TO BE A PIRANHA

KalimpongASTATE OF

Mindby PRAVEEN MOKTAN

Of the Clubs and their activities...

turn to pg 10

9NOW!02-08 Oct, 2002

Everyone’s got complaints and the best things about a democracy is that these complaints can be voiced. “Action Mail” is the platform where the public mailsus their grievances and we get them the replies from the concerned authorities. If you have a problem that needs redressal, just mail your complaint to us at“NOW! Gairi Gaon, Tadong, Gangtok, East Sikkim”. We will reach the complaint to the concerned authority and carry their reply in the same issue. Namescan be with-held on request and letters may be edited for language and length. Should the concerned agency not reply within a week’s time, the letters shallbe carried without the corresponding defence.

EDUCATION DEPTT.

NOTINDIFFERENCE,JUST THERAINS

The Education Departmentsanctioned money for a toilet

to be built at the Government Pri-mary School at Soureney village,Assam Lingzey, East Sikkim.

We believe a contractor fromRanipool got the contract. Accord-ingly, its construction began in themonth of February this year. Thefoundation was laid, the pillarswere erected and a concrete slabwas laid. Underground tanks werealso constructed, with a concreteslab as a cover, with two circularmanholes on it.

Then, to our surprise, the con-struction work was stopped sud-denly for no apparent reason.

We even approached the con-

RK Pariyar, Divisional Engineer(DE), Education Department,

while responding to the complaintsraised by the EUYA claimed that theDepartment had completed the workof renovating two buildings - onewith 18 rooms and the other witheight rooms - just a few weeks back.

Refuting the complainant’s pleathat the complex does not have suffi-cient rooms to accommodate the stu-dents, Mr. Pariyaar pointed out thatthe two buildings were spacious andthe students face no problems as such.

He also mentioned that one RCCbuilding situated just above Mangan

RK Pariyar, District Engineer,Education Department, when

contacted by NOW! had a differ-ent view of the entire episode.

According to him, this particu-lar work of construction is a de-partmental work and reveals thatthe so-called contractor is in factnot a contractor, but just a supplierof raw materials of the work.

Mr. Pariyar goes on to revealthat the school is built on privateland and not “registered” with theDepartment. The initial delay incompleting the work, he claims,was because negotiations with theowner were taking too long. Then,the rains set in and damaged theroad leading to the school becauseof which raw materials could notbe transported to the work site. He,however, assures that work on thetoilets will begin as soon as themonsoons abate.

We, the executive body of the Educated Unemployed Youth Associa-tion (EUYA) and Ex-Students of North Division, would like to ask

the Department of Education to consider the renovation of the ManganSenior Secondary School Lower Building and the old double-storey build-ing, which are in serious need of the same.

The Lower Building was supposed to be used as a conference hall butit is now in a bad condition, making seating arrangements for even 100people during function a difficult task. Only the supporting posts and theroof is intact, which now hangs like a skeleton.

This is shameful for the education department as this is the only sen-ior secondary school in the entire North District.

We would be grateful if the government would take some initiative toimprove the condition of the school as soon as possible.D. Kumar, Joint Secretary, EUYA and Ex-Students, North Districttractor with an appeal to finish the

work, but he refused to pay atten-tion our problems.

Because of this callous attitudeof the contractor, the students of theschool are now suffering. It is spe-cially the lady teachers and childrenwho are now in difficulty becauseof the non-completion of the toilet.

The manholes are without anycovers and this poses a danger tothe safety of the students, especiallythe younger ones in the pre-primarysection.

Therefore, we appeal to the con-cerned officials see to the comple-tion of the toilet as early as possible.Concerned citizens, Soureney vil-lage, Assam Lingzey, East Sikkim

BREEZY TOILETSSOURENEY RESIDENTS

BREEZY TOILETS

EX-STUDENTS, NORTH DISTRICT

RENOVATE MANGAN SS SCHOOL

EDUCATION DEPTT.

RENOVATIONDONE

SS School was not being used be-cause it was in a deplorable condi-tion. The Department, he said, had itdismantled and has taken necessarymeasurements and drawn estimatesfor a new building there. However,this file is being processed and thisproposal totally depends on howmuch budget that the Government isgoing to award it, he added. The DEfurther informed that plans have beenmade to build a science laboratory anda sort of multi-purpose room in placeof this dismantled structure.

He also informed that estimateshave been drawn for renovation ofthe present science building and thestaff quarters. “This school is to cel-ebrate its Silver Jubilee functionvery soon and we hope to completeour work prior to this function,” theDE disclosed.

ACTION MAIL

GANGTOK: The United ChristianWelfare Society of Sikkim(UCWSS), the apex body of Chris-tian organizations in the State, hastaken strong exception to an articlecarried by the English weekly, TheWEEK, which it calls “inflamma-tory” and one that incites commu-nal discord among the people ofSikkim.

The said article, which was pub-lished in the August 4 issue of themagazine under the heading“Shangri-La Threatened,” whichclaimed: “Sikkim is now beingthreatened within and outside andit is important to tackle the triplethreat of Maosim (sic), Islamisationand Christianisation.”

The report claims that whilethere were only a few Muslims andChristians in Sikkim when it mergedwith India in 1975, now they number60,000 in a population of 5.4 lakhs.Comments are also made on the“lure of money” which “tricked”many underprivileged Sikkimeseinto converting to Christianity. It fur-ther says that there have been demo-graphic imbalances in the Statecaused by conversion and influx.

“The Christian community inSikkim has been deeply hurt by the

baseless allegations levelled by thesaid article, which has sowed seedsof discord in the minds of the peo-ple of the State by casting aspersionon the whole Christian community,”UCWSS president, Simon G. Lamasaid. “The facts within Sikkim donot corroborate the allegationsmade in the article. The authorseems to have written it on hearsayor wrong statement given by peo-ple intending on dividing the Sik-kimese society,” he said.

“The author says that there areat present, 98 Churches in the SouthDistrict, 75 in the East, 16 in theWest and 9 in the North District, butaccording to the Bureau of Econom-ics & Statistics as on 31 March2002, there are 30 Churches, 88Buddhist Monasteries, 191 HinduTemples, 159 Mane Lhakangs, 6Mosques, 2 Gurudwaras and 1 SaiMandir in Sikkim. From where didthe author get those exaggerated fig-ures from?” Mr. Lama questions.

“The figure of 53,000 Chris-tians in a population of 5,40,493 inSikkim is also a cooked up figure.According to the 2001 census, thereare only 13,500 Christians in theState,” he adds.

Out of place references in thearticle on how mosques andchurches are “taking full advan-tage” of assistance forwarded by the

“CHRISTIANS CANNOTBE EQUATED TO

MAOISTS”

Ecclesiastical Department (a fea-ture unique to Sikkim) come closeto slander since the Department, al-though dealing with religion, by vir-tue of its name is a secular outfitexpected to treat all religious insti-tutions similarly.

“The assistance given to theChristian community is miniscule,”Mr. Lama said.

The report had even quoted theDGP, RK Handa as admitting thata senior government official hadbeen warned against proselytisingwith the lure of money. Mr. Lama,however, contends that the DGP, ina meeting with UCWSS executivemembers denied having passed onany such information.

“What reason or facts does theauthor have so as to equate Chris-tians in Sikkim to the Maoist rebelsof Nepal? Christians in Sikkim havealways lived peacefully with othercommunities of the State and havecontributed to the development ofSikkim in all spheres. We havenever resorted to violence,” Mr.Lama stresses in his letter.

The UCWSS has written to theWEEK stating that the author willhave to “prove with facts as to howthe Christian community of Sikkimis a threat to the State or face defa-mation charges in Sikkim Courts formaligning the community.”

The Christians of Sikkim have taken umbrage to the report carried

in a national weekly which equated the demographic threat posed

by Christians with the law and order exigency which the Nepal

Maoists could create for Sikkim. The United Christian Welfare

Society of Sikkim now demands “proof” to back the report...

a NOW REPORT

SADAR THANA

NO SIDES BEING TAKEN IN

PANIHOUSE ASSAULT CASEShying away from a fight, a report carried in Rajdhani (a NOW! sup-plement) generated a lot of feedback. One, however, hinted that theSadar Thana officials were playing favourites by not booking someaccused because they were contables with the force. When contacted,this is what the Thana had to say:

That on 22.8.2002 a complaint was received from Mr Mohan Gurungof Arithang to the effect that the same evening while he was returning home along with his son Sishir Gurung from Panihouse

after attending a party they were restrained, assaulted and gold chain ofMohan Gurung was snatched away by the unknown 6/7 miscreants.

Soon after receipt of the information at Sadar police station, Gangtok,a criminal case for rioting, simple hurt and for robbery was registeredagainst unknown persons and the investigation was taken up. During ini-tial course of the investigation, Dhiraj Rana, Bijoy Rai, Pempa Tamangand Dawa Tamang of Panihouse area were arrested and detailed exami-nation was done. The witnesses who were acquainted with the facts andcircumstances were also examined.

During investigation Pempa Tamang and Dawa Tamang were not foundinvolved in the case and after detailed examination they were let off from thePolice Station as no concrete evidence was found against them. However,Dhiraj Rana and Bijoy Rai were remanded in police custody for 10 days andreleased on Court bail after an order from the Chief Judicial Magistrate.

The police in its investigation so far has learnt that on the evening of22.8.02 at about 8 pm the complainant Mohan Gurung and his son SishirGurung while returning home after attending a cocktail party at Panihousehappened to pass by Bijoy Rai of Panihouse who was, then urinating stand-ing on the stair leading to lower Panihouse. A discussion arose betweenthem and soon Dhiraj Rana, who was at the nearby Paan shop, joinedBijoy Rai. The two groups had minor fighting in which no body sustainedbodily injuries.

The complaint lodged by Mohan Gurung, who is a dismissed policesub inspector, involved and convicted in a physical assault case of BirajAdhikari, was found false and so far there is no evidence of rioting andsnatching of his gold chain. The police are of the opinion that the saidMohan Gurung being an ex-police officer misguided the police stationand the investigation team by lodging a false complaint.

The residents of Panihouse area have informed the police officers thatthe said complainant Mohan Gurung is trying to extort the money fromthose persons who were brought to the Police Station for examination onthe pretext that if he was paid well, he would withdraw the complaint andcompromise the matter.

Sadar Police Thana is thoroughly investigating the case after puttingsincere efforts for the fair and proper justice to the citizens.Sadar Thana

10 NOW! 02-08 Oct, 2002DEVELOPMENT

more commercial times this happyarrangement of affairs could giveaway to those more ubiquitous non-governmental agencies but for themoment one can only thank the lordfor small mercies.

The mother of all clubs in ourtown is the GNLF. It is off courseas everyone knows a political party.But when it is in no hurry to eithercontest or boycott the next electionthey are your friendly neighborhoodclub. Which means they will under-take any task - from putting yourmarital life back in order to gettingyour child admission in college

The color of Kalimpong is that

which is given to it by its many so-cieties and clubs. So it is not unu-sual to have a weekend ofkickboxing followed by one with aghazal evening and a play and anopera and a rock-concert and foot-ball and … the list is endless. Andfor someone who at the momentdoes not belong to any such club,what selfish joy it is to live in a townwhere it never stops ‘happening’.So here’s three cheers to the smalland the big clubs that never let ourcollective conscience get desensi-tized by all that goes on in this bigbad world of ours. In a “dog eat dog’world aren’t you glad that you are apiranha?

nally a British lady Ms. MadeleineSlade. To the left of Hridaykunj isNandini – the guest house of theashram during the freedom strug-gle. Khadi Vidhyalaya – trainingcentre for Khadi workers and MaganNivas, residence of the first ashrammanager – Maganlal Gandhi are alsosituated on the same complex.

Glad to be a PiranhaContd from pg 8

Contd from pg 7

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Sabarmati Ashram has nowturned into the biggest pilgrimagecentre to pay homage to the Ma-hatma. Nearby Gandhi Smarak,Sangrahalaya treasures memory ofthe great leader in the form of hisoriginal letters, photos, relics andGandhian literature. Eternal impor-tance of Sabarmati Ashram seemsnever to fade away.

(PIB)

AUCTION AUCTION AUCTION

PROPERTY FOR SALE AT MAJITARThe State Bank of Sikkim invites sealed bids for purchase of its property situatedat Majitar, East Sikkim, on the following terms and conditions:

a. The sealed bids should be accompanied by a Temporary Deposit Receipt infavour of the General Manager-I, State Bank of Sikkim, for Rs. 20,000.

b. The sealed bids should mention the offer price at which the bidder is ready topurchase the property and the bid along with the T.D.R should be receivedbefore 4 pm on 21 October 2002.

c. The State Bank of Sikkim reserves the right to reject the bids below its‘Reserve Price.’ It will accept highest bid above its ‘Reserve Price,’ whichhas been set equal to Rs 8.00 Lakhs.

d. If a bid is accepted, the concerned bidder will have to immediately pay to theState Bank of Sikkim a sum equal to 25% of the accepted bid amount withina week of the acceptance of the bid by the State Bank of Sikkim. Failure todo so would result in forfeiture of earnest money and the Bank will proceedto make its offer to second highest bidder above the Reserve Price.

e. The State Bank of Sikkim undertakes to execute a Sale Deed Documents infavour of the successful bidder on receipt of the advance mentioned videClause (d) above and present it to the Registrar of Deed for registration. Thesuccessful bidder will, however, be responsible for payment of necessaryStamp Duty and Registration Duty. The bidder will be responsible for makingfinal payment at the time the Deed is finally accepted for Registration by theRegistrar as the sale is subject to the Registration Rules.

f. The bidder should be eligible to own landed property in rural areas of Sikkimas per the prevailing laws of Sikkim and the bidder should attach requisiteproof of such eligibility along with his bids offer

SCHEDULEA portion of land under plot no. 2268/4049 measuring 40X30 with alreadyconstructed two storied R.C.C. building in the name of the seller and situatedat Majitar, Rangpo, East Sikkim. The said plot is butted and bounded on East-land of Shri. Bir Bahadur Subba, On West-31 A, National Highway-50, from theroad, on South-Land of Shri Hari Prasad Deokota. The bidders can inspect theland records in the office of the D.G.M (L/R) on any working day between 10am to 2 pm.

BY ORDER,MANAGING DIRECTOR, STATE BANK OF SIKKIM

GANGTOK: Gangtok Times, a lo-cal English weekly, is collaboratingwith Panos South Asia, to host an“Environmental Justice Seminar” onOctober 7, 2002 at Hotel ChumbiResidency. This seminar is proposedto be an informal gathering of me-dia and NGOs from Sikkim and theDrajeeling Gorkha Hill Council.

The seminar will address theissue of environmental activism andthe need to take it beyond the con-servation and protection for, whichthe world has been, adequately sen-sitized, to accountability and jus-tice. At this seminar the concept of

environmental justice and the needto define it for South Asia will beintroduced because unlike in theWest where the concept wasmooted, a majority of the people inSouth Asia are directly dependenton their immediate environment.

At the seminar, a Panos SouthAsia report on promoting environ-mental justice will be released. Thedocument reportedly provides an in-troduction to environmental justiceand also covers some of the ele-ments of justice issues relevant toSouth Asia and factors that have abearing on them, and throws up is-sues for further consideration.

The objective of the workshop isto deliberate on questions of equity,

responsibility and accountability asthey relate to the environment andenvironmental resources with Justicefor All as a background document.

Panos South Asia will, over thecourse of the next few years, pro-mote this South Asian concept ofenvironmental justice by encourag-ing the coverage of related issuesin the region. Panos South Asia willencourage journalists to pick upcritical themes relevant to differentcountries and regions, particularlywhere the people have little to sayin decision making, and help themto report on these issues so that theaffected public is better informedand can use this information to tryand bring about a change.

a NOW REPORT

Gangtok Times to host seminaron Environmental Justice

GANGTOK: Sikkim schools are toreceive funds from the Non Laps-able Central Pool of Resources(NLCPR), Government of India.

This fund was earmarked by theEducation Department for the con-struction of 159 four-roomed and 39six-roomed school buildings, at atotal cost of Rs 23.42 crores, andfor development of 4 affiliated col-leges at the cost of Rs 5 crores.

The construction of these schoolbuildings commenced in the monthof December last year and barring

a few almost all buildings will beready for occupation by the end ofNovember this year.

T. Gurung, Chief Engineer,Education Department, informedNOW! that till date, construction of160 schools have been completed.

These school buildings havebeen constructed as double storiedRCC structures with provision forvertical extension and each roomhas an area of 320 sq.ft, which canideally accommodate 40 students.

The initial sanction cost of Rs23.42 crores has been revised to Rs28.33 crores and now has provisionfor classroom furniture also, it is

learntRegarding the development of

colleges, Gangtok Degree Collegehas an added physical infrastructurein the form of an Auditorium and12 units of staff quarters. KamrangDegree College at Namchi and LawCollege at Burtuk are to be com-pleted within the current financialyear and next financial year respec-tively.

The Chief Engineer also toldNOW!, that the NLCPR funds area ‘boon’ to Sikkim, as they came ata time when these school buildingswere in dire need of renovation andreconstruction.

a NOW REPORT

NLCPR to the rescue

11NOW!02-08 Oct, 2002

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CALL CENTRES:2Com’s a placement company from Kolkata ispresently in a Gangtok on look out for Boys/Girls below 30yrs.Candidates should have a minimum Qualifica-tion of 12th pass / Graduates, Excellent Com-munication skills, Fluency in English, Knowl-edge of Computer Basics and on flair to excel.Interested candidates who wish to have careerin International Call Centre may walk in inter-view on the below mentioned date time andaddress.25 Sep 02 11 am to 5 pm; Trident Infotech Pvt.Ltd.Tibet Road, Gangtok. ph: 23606

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Antheyesthi KriyaThe Anthesti Kriya of late Mrs. Tara Shrestha, who left for her heavenly

abode on September 22, 2002, falls on October 4, 2002. While ex-

pressing our sincere gratitude and thanks to all our relatives, friends

and well-wishers for their support and co-operation at the time of

bereavement, we request them to kindly attend her Anthesti Kriya on

the above date at our residence at Dara Gaon, Tadong to offer prayers

for the peace of the departed soul.

MC Pradhan (Husband); Pranoy and Pawan (Sons); Prerna

(Daughter), Dara Goan, Tadong

Antheyesthi Kriya of late (Smt.) P. M. Silal, who

left for heavenly abode on 23rd September,

2002, falls on 5th October 2002 (Saturday).

All friends, relatives and well-wishers

are requested to join the members of the

bereaved family in offering prayers for the

departed soul at our residence at Syari Govt.

Quarters on the above date.

We would also like to express our sin-

cere thanks to all those who extended their

help and cooperation at the time of our be-

reavement and at teh saem time we regret our

inability to thank them individually.

Binod Silal (Son); Upen Silal (Son); Dr. Maya Silal

(Daughter); Sabita Rasaily (Daughter-in-law)

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Ku-Tshe SheguWe, the family members of the late Barmiak Choom CheringChoden Densapa, are extremely grateful to all friends andwell wishers foryour very kind assistance and condolences.

The KU-TSHE SHEGU or the 49th day prayers will beoffered on Saturday, the 19th October, 2002 at the familyresidence in Gangtok. May we request you to kindly joinus on this occasion. We deeply regret not being able toinform each and everyone of you personally despite ourbest efforts.

Barmiak Densapa FamilyCherry Bank, Gangtok

AFFIDAVITI, Jigme Tenzin Gyaltshen, son of Mr TSGyalsten, aged about 49 years, by faithBuddhist, by occupation GovernmentService, resident of Tateng Villa, P.O & P.S.Gangtok, East Sikkim (India), do herebysolemnly affirm and declare on oath asunder:1. That Mr KARMA JIGME GYALTSHOTATENG is my natural son.2. That in the academic certificates ie, inI.C.S.E and I.S.C.E Certificates my said son’sname has been recorded as KARMA JIGMEGYALTSHO TATENG.3. That in the Passport issued by theRegional Passport Officer, Calcutta (India)bearing Passport No. N-607460 dated 01/01/1995 my said son’s name has beenrecorded as KARMA JIGME GYALTSHOGYALSTEN.4. That the person by names KARMA JIGMEGYALTSHO TATENG and KARMA JIGMEGYALSTHO GYALTSEN are the names ofthe one and the same person ie, my said son.5. That by virtue of this affidavit the name ieKARMA JIGME GYALTSHO TATENG asappeared in the aforesaid academiccertificates of my said son be recordedhenceforth for all intents and purposes,whatsoever, including in his further academiccertificates and other Official records.I have signed this affidavit on this the 27th

day of September, 2002, at Gangtok, EastSikkim (India).Deponent - Jigme Tenzin GyaltsenIdentified by - SS Hamal, Advocate

VERIFICATIONI, Jigme Tenzin Gyaltsen, the deponentherein, do hereby verify and state that thecontents of paragraphs 1 to 4 herein aboveare true to the best of my knowledge andthe content of paragraphs 5 is my respectfulsubmission. I have signed this verification onthis the 27th day of September, 2002, atGangtok, East Sikkim (India).Deponent - Jigme Tenzin Gyalsten

Solemnly affirmed before me this the 27th dayof September, 2002 by Shri Jigme TenzinGyaltsen of Gangtok, East Sikkim identifiedby Shri SS Hamal, Advocate of Gangtok,East Sikkim.Suraj Chettri, Oath Commissioner/Gangtok/ Sikkim

BUSINESS

GANGTOK: Can Sikkim wooMalaysian tourists? We’ll know soonenough. Promoting the State as thepremier Buddhist destination wouldbe an idea worth exploring, Minis-ter for Tourism, KT Gyaltsen said.

Mr. Gyaltsen was speaking at aspecial function here on September26, organised by the Tourism De-partment to welcome a delegationof Malaysian Indian Tour & TravelAssociation (MITA).

“The USP of Sikkim can be itsBuddhist heritage. We have the larg-est number of monasteries in thecountry and the State according toBuddhist scriptures was visited byGuru Padmasambhava on his way toTibet. The State could be ideal reli-gious destination for Malaysian tour-ists, especially those of Buddhistbackground,” Mr. Gyaltsen said.

The 14-member team of MITA,led by its President, A. Sevaguru,was here to explore the possibilityof tying up with Sikkimese touroperators to promote Sikkim inMalaysia. Earlier the team visitedPelling, one of the most populartourist destinations in West Sikkimand other places, and interactedwith the local tour operators there.

In Gangtok, the Malaysian delega-tion met and closely interacted withthe members of the Travel AgentsAssociation of Sikkim and SikkimHotel & Restaurant Association.

“When we decided to take up anew destination to promote, Sikkimwas the obvious choice because it isstill not on the Malaysian tourismmap,” Mr. Sevaguru explained, whileadding, “Sikkim has a lot of thingswe are looking for in a new touristdestination. The Buddhist heritagecan definitely be a selling point forMalaysians as 30 percent of theMalay population consists of ChineseBuddhists. If we can capture the mar-ket, it would be an added bonus.”

Mr. Sevaguru said that an an-nual travel fair is organised in KualaLumpur by the Malaysian TravelAgent Association, which is visitedby over 60,000 people. “Sikkimshould participate in this fair as it

would greatly promote the State inthe South Asian region,” he said,adding that the MITA would pro-vide all out assistance to the Sik-kim delegations at the fair.

However, the bureaucratic bottle-necks and the restricted area permithassles for foreign tourists have to beremoved if Sikkim wants to attractmore foreign tourists, he suggested.

The delegation also felt that ac-cessibility to the State should be madeeasier and the existing infrastructurein the hotels should be improved ifthe in-bound foreign tourist traffic isto be increased. The delegates alsosaid that the Indian Tourism office inMalaysia should be reopened to pro-mote Indian tourism there.

THE MALAY EYE IS ON SIKKIM

Malaysian Indians strike a pose with Sikkim Tourism officials

a NOW REPORT

12 NOW! 02-08 Oct, 2002

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GANGTOK: Cable operators inSikkim, under the double whammyof UD&HD deciding to get strictwith the 25 per cent EntertainmentTax levied on them and the CentralExcise slapping an additional 5%Service Tax, is looking at bleeding33 per cent of their turnover in theform of taxes (don’t forget the 3%Income Tax on turnover in Sikkim).

While a 33% taxation is ludi-crous enough, it becomes even moreabsurd when one learns that of theaverage Rs. 180 per month that thecable operators raise from subscrib-ers, Rs. 173 goes as payment to pay-channels. How the operators man-age their operations with the Rs. 7they make from each subscriber isanother matter, but if the presentconditions prevail, the Sikkim Gov-ernment is in effect expecting thecable TV providers to pay Rs. 52per subscriber as tax from their ownpockets - from money which theyhave not even earned.

“We understand that the ServiceTax is a Central matter and that theState Government cannot do muchabout it, but they can at least bring

down the Entertainment Tax from itspresent 25 per cent,” said a delega-tion of Sikkim Cable Operators As-sociation, while talking to NOW!

But how come the business hassurvived thus far if the money theyare left with is not barely 12 per centof the turnover (25% ET remem-ber), one might ask.

It appears that the UD&HD hadbeen accommodating thus far andset an unofficial “fixed amount” foreach cable provider as ET. “Wewere comfortable with this arrange-ment, but now the Departmentwants details and actually raise 25%of our collection,” point out theSCOA members.

The Service Tax notice, whichevery cable operator has ignored,

came as the proverbial final straw.“Why have Entertainment Tax

on cable TV. It is no longer just forentertainment like movies. It’s alsoabout getting information,” arguesone irate cable operator.

While this is an argument thatcannot be settled in the State, theAssociation also has a solution tooffer - reduce the Entertainment Taxcomponent to more realistic levels.“The ET raised in Sikkim is a cloneof Mumbai, whereas we are closerin economic development to maybeWest Bengal which levies just 5 percent. We want Sikkim’s ET com-ponent to be brought down to thislevel,” they offer.

Thus far, however, the Associa-tion has not found ear willing to

give them a considerate hearing.With notices from the Central Ex-cise office and UD&HD now giv-ing strong warnings, they are at aloss on what to do. One option is tohike the cable fee. If the tax struc-ture does not change, the hike willbe of at least sixty rupees or moremaking the cable services beyondthe reach of many. The other optionto close down shop is not so readilyavailable. A rider in the UD&HDlicence to cable operators statesclearly that they cannot stop theirservices without prior “written”permission of the Department.

The coming weeks promise anentertaining round of manoeuvresas the cable-guys try and get an au-dience for the woes...

THE CABLE GUY’S WOESGovt wants cable

operators to part with

Rs. 60 in taxes when

they make only

Rs. 7 in profits

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK: Tempo Kaleon flexedas the “Champion of Champions” atthe recently concluded 1st SirClaude Whyte Body Building com-petition, 2002. The organiser, AshimChettri, who is also the instructor-cum-incharge of the gym at WhiteHall, must be proud man since thecompetition drew healthy participa-tion and threw up some promisingbody-builders from Sikkim.

Naveen Pradhan, who was theoverall runners-up was also ad-judged as having the Best Propor-tionate Physique. Similarly, SushilSingh earned the trophy for bestposer, while Yogesh Chettri camethird in the overall ranking.

Champa, from Kalimpong wason stage as the guest poser. Champaapart from being Mr. Kalimpongand Mr. DGHC, has bagged the Mr.Dehradun and Mr. Uttaranchal ti-

tles twice and is the best in NorthIndia. He is now competing to stakehis claim on the Mr. India title.

The competition was presidedover by the DC (East), VB Pathak

as the chief guest. The Whyte HallGym is incidentally also the cheap-est gym in town with a registrationfee of Rs. 300 and monthly mem-bership fee of Rs. 100.

Some muscle flexing upat White Hall

a NOW REPORTGANGTOK: Minister forTourism and Land Rev-enue, KT Gyaltsen, main-tained that misconceptionsabout and misinformationon Sikkim have to be re-moved before any effort atpromoting tourism canbear fruit. The Ministerwas speaking at the launchof NOW! Travelmate, atravel guide on Sikkimpublished by NOW! at afunction held here on Sep-tember 30.

“Sikkim’s tourism in-dustry needs the right kindof information on it disseminated tothe outside world. A travel guidesuch as the Travelmate wouldgreatly contribute towards thisgoal,” he said.

While congratulating the teamof NOW! on compiling this exhaus-tive travel guide, Mr. Gyaltsen saidthat it is a matter of pride that “lo-cals” have come up with such ideasto help promote tourism in the State.

“The tourism industry in Sikkimis developing fast and its successrests not only the shoulders of thetourism department but the contri-bution of all the sectors involved inthe industry - right from the travel

agencies to the hotels, the businesscommunity to even the Fourth Es-tate,” he said.

The simple function was at-tended among others by the Princi-pal Secretary-cum-Commissioner,Sikkim Tourism, Karma Gyatso,Director, Sikkim Tourism Develop-ment Corporation, PK Dong, JointSecretary, Ms. Jemima Pradhan,officials from the department, rep-resentatives from the travel, tradeand hotel association in the Stateand members of the Press.

The Travelmate which offers toguide the readers through the Sik-kim Experience is priced at Rs. 10.

NOW, LET’S TRAVELMATEa NOW REPORT

Minister Tourism with a copy of NOW!Travelmate

ALL HOTELIERS & TRAVEL AGENTS!

SHRA ECO-POSTER

AVAILABLE ATOberoi’s, MG Marg.

GANGTOK: Voluntary Health As-sociation of Sikkim (VHAS) inau-gurated its 28 Annual General BodyMeeting at Chumbi Residency hereon 30 September.

VHAS is a national level NGOwhich bands together a federationof 27 Voluntary Health Associa-tions, linking more than 4,000health care institutions and grassroot level community health pro-grammes spread across the country.

Dr. H. Lepcha, President VHAStold NOW! that VHAs from all overthe country had gathered in the capi-tal to deliberate on the theme “Strat-egy for Social Development of

Unreached Communities”, andadded that this was the first timethat such a meeting was beinghosted in Sikkim.

The AGBM provides a forum forvoluntary health associations fromacross the country to exchange ideas,experiences and knowledge. “We areall NGOs working with the commongoal of providing better health facili-ties to the people of India; to promotegrass root development by workingwith people. We work towards peo-ples participation and community de-velopment,” said the Doctor.

Alok Mukhopadhya, Chief Ex-ecutive of VHAI commended the‘young and budding’ team of VHASfor working diligently towards

achieving its goals.He then gave a brief introduc-

tion of the working of VHAI.“We work where there is no

help,” he began. He then informedthe gathering that teams of VHAIworkers had worked in such remoteplaces like those the border areasof Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradeshand Tibet.

“NGOs should be sustainable,and though we are still struggling,we will definitely be there one day,”added the Chief Executive.

SW Tenzing, Chief Secretaryand the chief guest at this functionsaid that health and developmentwere synonymous hence the workof the VHAI was laudable.

Volunteer health workers descend on Gangtoka NOW REPORT

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