Sikkim Served Fresh Daily
Saturday, June 02, 2007
World Bank bid adieu to Sikkim tech schools
Gangtok: Two polytechnic colleges in Sikkim will have to fend for themselves from June after six years of World Bank aid. The Centre for Computers and Communication Technology at Chisopani in South Sikkim and the Advanced Technical Training Centre at Bardang in East district have shown “remarkable” trends as far as enrolment, technical education imparted and placements are concerned, World Bank reports said.The 12th joint review mission of the World Bank on technical education projects was held in the state capital today. The project is being carried out in eight states across the country, of which five, including Sikkim, are in the Northeast.Among those present at the review meeting were S.K. Shrivastava and Andreas Blom — both World Bank officials — and Ravi Mathur, a joint secretary and the national project director. The presentations said the intake of students in the two institutes have increased from 35 in 1999 to 276 in 2006. This year, the government had advertised for 390 seats. State human resource development minister G.M. Gurung, who was present at the meeting, said: “After June, we will stand by the institutes.”The annual expense of running the two polytechnic colleges is around Rs 1.5 crore. Half the expenditure will be borne by the state government. “We will be able to manage the other half,” said an official representing one of the two institutes.
PRASHANT TAMANG @ INDIAN IDOL
- Name: PRASHANT TAMANG
- BirthPlace: Darjeeling
- Age: 24 Place: Kolkata (West Bengal)
- Occupation: Sepoy with Kolkata police.
- He has been singing since childhood, but has never had any formal training.
- He sings in the police orchestra. He wants to become the Indian Idol to prove himself and make the Kolkata police proud.
- He was in the Special Armed Force and has been working with the Kolkata police since 2002.
- He thinks of himself as a simple person with simple thoughts and simple living.
- In his free time, he plays pool with his friends. He also loves to play football.
Judges' comments-
Udit: You sing well, but you need to be more original.Alisha: I like your 'rough' voice. You are an uncut diamond.
Aside: After his selection forIndian Idol , he rushed out of the venue, jumple and smile.
 |  | An unusual singer |
| A policeman wins the hearts of the judges | ||
 | ||
Sikkim Press Club elections
Gangtok: The election of the new executive body of Press club of Sikkim has been declared on 23rd June in a general meeting of the club at its office. For smooth conduct of the election the house also unanimously formed a three-member committee wherein Pema Leda Shangdrepa and Mala Rana Patro are the members under the chairmanship of Subash Deepak. Up to 7 June the members have to clear their outstanding dues of memberships and on 8 June the voter list would be brought out, the house declared. Today, the house was also dissolved after the General Secretary’s annual report and the financial report from the treasurer. General Secretary Bhim Rawat, however, reading out the annual report said that despite the crunch of funds in the club, the club had organized technical and journalism oriented programmes as well as for the benefit of the local journalist the club had demanded the union ministry of Information and broadcasting to make the nodal agency to Public Information Bureau, Gangtok so that there would not be problems for the local press to get the RNI registration and title verification which had been a cause of concern since long for the Sikkimese media. Rawat also informed the meeting that a media welfare fund committee has been set up under the chairmanship of Hemant Giri for financial aid to the journalists in case of any kind of adversity. C.D.Rai, the senior journalist had presided the meeting.
Constable,singer and an idol for the Hills
Gangtok: Prashant Tamang is the man of the moment in the Hills.Banners scream out his name at street corners,people are going gaga over him, even the district administration of Darjeeling has pulled out all stops to get his passport issuedin record time.
So whatis so special about Prashant, the latest pin up star in the Hills? The Darjeeling boy, now working as a constable with Kolkatta Police has just qualified for SMS and piano rounds of the ongoing Indian Idol contest.
And the fluttering banners- put up in all three subdivision of Darjeeling Hills and also in neighbouring Sikkim- ask you to pitch for him by sending SMSes between June1 and June9, when voting for the concert will open.
Rupa, his mother, still finds it hard to believe that all of the Darjeeling & Sikkim is celebrating Prashant's success.
"He didn't even tell me that he has auditioned for Indian Idol contest".It is only when he qualified did he break the news to me." she said confessing that she is getting sleepless nights worrying about his chances of success.
But she doesn't really need to worry.Though Prashant doesn't have any formal training in music,singing is his heart and soul.
"I spoke to him about a week back.He was very excited.I advised him to sing from his heart, which is what he does best," said Rupa.
A student of St.Robert's School in Darjeeling,Prashant was forced to quit school after his father passed away when he was in class X.In 2000 he got the job of a constable with Kolkatta Police.
What will also help Prashant is the tidal wave of support building up in his favour.The banner apart, the civic and the police administration has pitched in for him. The district administration has already finished paper work for his passport - In case he has to travel abroad for next round.
Word has spread far with people in Gangtok, Namchi,Tezpur even in Mumbai being mobilised to cast votes in his favour.
Jigme Khampache, ward councillor of Darjeeling Municipality;s Toonsong area from where Prashant hails from,said"we are proud that our son of the soils has managed to reach Mumbai, the hub of the music industry.We hope that Prashant will win the contest," adding that he was not only a Darjeeling boy ,but also a son of the Hills.
To make sure that Prashant gets the maximum number of votes, PCO booth owners are being mobilised.The time for sending SMSes starts from 9PM - an hour when the most in HillTowns stay indoor."He is one of us and thousands of us will vote for him.I will buy a voucher and send SMSEs from a friend's cellphone",said Bhushan Rai , a Darjeeling Police Constable.
A group of journalists from Sikkim has formed a committee here to campaign for Prashant as he climbs the ladder to the top position. Now since his fate depends more on the number of votes he gets (in form of sms’ and landlines telephone vote) rather than his vocal chords, the people from this region are leaving no stone unturned to make sure that he does not lose out on crucial votes.
The Sikkim Journalists Committee for Prashant Tamang, formed here today, has taken upon itself the task to campaign for the 24-year-old Prashant and garner public votes for him though extensive publicity and rallying in Sikkim. The Committee is headed by senior journalist, Kishore Moktan.
“We are extremely proud that someone from the Hills has made it so far. It becomes our responsibility to ensure that he gets maximum votes. We appeal to all Sikkimese people to vote for Prashant through sms and telephone,” Mr. Moktan said.
The effort from Sikkim as well as Darjeeling Hills is to bring get support from all Nepali-speaking people from all over the country for Prashant. The Sikkim Committee will be distributing pamphlets and putting up posters urging people to vote for him.
So whatis so special about Prashant, the latest pin up star in the Hills? The Darjeeling boy, now working as a constable with Kolkatta Police has just qualified for SMS and piano rounds of the ongoing Indian Idol contest.
And the fluttering banners- put up in all three subdivision of Darjeeling Hills and also in neighbouring Sikkim- ask you to pitch for him by sending SMSes between June1 and June9, when voting for the concert will open.
Rupa, his mother, still finds it hard to believe that all of the Darjeeling & Sikkim is celebrating Prashant's success.
"He didn't even tell me that he has auditioned for Indian Idol contest".It is only when he qualified did he break the news to me." she said confessing that she is getting sleepless nights worrying about his chances of success.
But she doesn't really need to worry.Though Prashant doesn't have any formal training in music,singing is his heart and soul.
"I spoke to him about a week back.He was very excited.I advised him to sing from his heart, which is what he does best," said Rupa.
A student of St.Robert's School in Darjeeling,Prashant was forced to quit school after his father passed away when he was in class X.In 2000 he got the job of a constable with Kolkatta Police.
What will also help Prashant is the tidal wave of support building up in his favour.The banner apart, the civic and the police administration has pitched in for him. The district administration has already finished paper work for his passport - In case he has to travel abroad for next round.
Word has spread far with people in Gangtok, Namchi,Tezpur even in Mumbai being mobilised to cast votes in his favour.
Jigme Khampache, ward councillor of Darjeeling Municipality;s Toonsong area from where Prashant hails from,said"we are proud that our son of the soils has managed to reach Mumbai, the hub of the music industry.We hope that Prashant will win the contest," adding that he was not only a Darjeeling boy ,but also a son of the Hills.
To make sure that Prashant gets the maximum number of votes, PCO booth owners are being mobilised.The time for sending SMSes starts from 9PM - an hour when the most in HillTowns stay indoor."He is one of us and thousands of us will vote for him.I will buy a voucher and send SMSEs from a friend's cellphone",said Bhushan Rai , a Darjeeling Police Constable.
A group of journalists from Sikkim has formed a committee here to campaign for Prashant as he climbs the ladder to the top position. Now since his fate depends more on the number of votes he gets (in form of sms’ and landlines telephone vote) rather than his vocal chords, the people from this region are leaving no stone unturned to make sure that he does not lose out on crucial votes.
The Sikkim Journalists Committee for Prashant Tamang, formed here today, has taken upon itself the task to campaign for the 24-year-old Prashant and garner public votes for him though extensive publicity and rallying in Sikkim. The Committee is headed by senior journalist, Kishore Moktan.
“We are extremely proud that someone from the Hills has made it so far. It becomes our responsibility to ensure that he gets maximum votes. We appeal to all Sikkimese people to vote for Prashant through sms and telephone,” Mr. Moktan said.
The effort from Sikkim as well as Darjeeling Hills is to bring get support from all Nepali-speaking people from all over the country for Prashant. The Sikkim Committee will be distributing pamphlets and putting up posters urging people to vote for him.
ARMY FOR A SEPARATE ROUTE TO NATHULA TRADE ONLY
GANGTOK: The Army has proposed a separate traffic corridor for trade with China through the Nathula Border Pass.
In order to streamline the existing infrastructure, especially road transport, the Army feels that a better traffic management plan needs to be in place at Nathula.
The GOC, 17 Mountain Division, Major General Vijay Singh Lalotra, YSM, SM, has said that a separate road from Sherathang Trade Mart to Nathula post is necessary in order to ensure free flow of traffic, that of both tourist as well as trade vehicles.
At present, there exist a single lane road to Nathula which is used by the Army as well as the tourists and the traders involved in border trade. The alternate road has been necessitated by the fact that managing the smooth flow of traffic on this route is a huge logistics nightmare. Furthermore, the road from Nathula Dwar to the Post is a 6 km one-way traffic route. Managing this open one-way traffic road to Nathula, with Army, tourists and traders’ vehicles plying at the same time is a daunting task for the Army, given the strategic important of the place and security concerns.
The solution lies in creating a separate bonded road for traders, a common practise in places where trading routes are located in high security areas. This separate sealed corridor should be closed for any other traffic which will not only ensure free flow of in-bound and out-bound trade vehicles across Nathula, but will also ensure better security arrangements.
“A separate bonded route only for Border traders can be constructed from Nathula Gate, in addition to the existing road, to the Nathula Post. This will facilitate smooth traffic flow and also take care of security concerns. Once the traders have passed through the customs and security check at Sherathang, the vehicles bound for Donqingang Trade Mart in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) can move forward without any more checks along the bonded route,” the GOC said.
While stressing that the Army has never hindered the Nathula trade but instead facilitated it, the GOC said that the outlook of the Army towards the Border trade “has always been positive.” “The Army has always played a pro-active role in the Nathula trade and we will continue to do so in the future as well,” he said.
The GOC also clarified that there has been no orders to frisk traders and have their consignments checked repeatedly although already passed by the customs officials. “We are responsible for the security of the nation and given the strategic location of Nathula and its proximity to Gangtok, a State capital, it is imperative that security concerns are of top priority there. We are also responsible for the safety of the traders. However, if our personnel posted at Nathula have carried out any unnecessary checks on the traders, this will stop immediately,” he said.
The Army has also suggested that whenever any infrastructural development is planned for Nathula, it should also be consulted and taken into confidence. It has indicated that the State Government should also take the advice of the Army whenever any developmental activity is planned for Nathula. The need for a better coordination and working relationship between the Army and the State Government has always been felt in the past and it makes more sense in present times in view of the resumption of trade over Nathula.
“Border trade and the nation’s security go hand in hand. The reopening of Nathula Border for trade with China has heralded a new era of economic growth and prosperity for the State. We will ensure that both takes place effectively,” the GOC said.
In order to streamline the existing infrastructure, especially road transport, the Army feels that a better traffic management plan needs to be in place at Nathula.
The GOC, 17 Mountain Division, Major General Vijay Singh Lalotra, YSM, SM, has said that a separate road from Sherathang Trade Mart to Nathula post is necessary in order to ensure free flow of traffic, that of both tourist as well as trade vehicles.
At present, there exist a single lane road to Nathula which is used by the Army as well as the tourists and the traders involved in border trade. The alternate road has been necessitated by the fact that managing the smooth flow of traffic on this route is a huge logistics nightmare. Furthermore, the road from Nathula Dwar to the Post is a 6 km one-way traffic route. Managing this open one-way traffic road to Nathula, with Army, tourists and traders’ vehicles plying at the same time is a daunting task for the Army, given the strategic important of the place and security concerns.
The solution lies in creating a separate bonded road for traders, a common practise in places where trading routes are located in high security areas. This separate sealed corridor should be closed for any other traffic which will not only ensure free flow of in-bound and out-bound trade vehicles across Nathula, but will also ensure better security arrangements.
“A separate bonded route only for Border traders can be constructed from Nathula Gate, in addition to the existing road, to the Nathula Post. This will facilitate smooth traffic flow and also take care of security concerns. Once the traders have passed through the customs and security check at Sherathang, the vehicles bound for Donqingang Trade Mart in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) can move forward without any more checks along the bonded route,” the GOC said.
While stressing that the Army has never hindered the Nathula trade but instead facilitated it, the GOC said that the outlook of the Army towards the Border trade “has always been positive.” “The Army has always played a pro-active role in the Nathula trade and we will continue to do so in the future as well,” he said.
The GOC also clarified that there has been no orders to frisk traders and have their consignments checked repeatedly although already passed by the customs officials. “We are responsible for the security of the nation and given the strategic location of Nathula and its proximity to Gangtok, a State capital, it is imperative that security concerns are of top priority there. We are also responsible for the safety of the traders. However, if our personnel posted at Nathula have carried out any unnecessary checks on the traders, this will stop immediately,” he said.
The Army has also suggested that whenever any infrastructural development is planned for Nathula, it should also be consulted and taken into confidence. It has indicated that the State Government should also take the advice of the Army whenever any developmental activity is planned for Nathula. The need for a better coordination and working relationship between the Army and the State Government has always been felt in the past and it makes more sense in present times in view of the resumption of trade over Nathula.
“Border trade and the nation’s security go hand in hand. The reopening of Nathula Border for trade with China has heralded a new era of economic growth and prosperity for the State. We will ensure that both takes place effectively,” the GOC said.
Meetha & Namkeen Experience of Quick Bite
GANGTOK: Popular fast food corner of the Capital ‘Quick Bite’ at MG Marg here is back in business.
The fast food outlet raised its shutters again today evening after temporary sealing against the illegal use of domestic LPG cylinders and unhygienic kitchen conditions.
With the arrest of Quick Bite proprietors earlier under Section 7 of Essential Commodities Act 1957, raids were also carried out by Sikkim Police and officials of Food Department in several other hotels sand restaurants in Gangtok and around the State leading to several arrests, shop seals and seizure of domestic cylinders from commercial outlets.
Claiming the raid as an abrupt act without formal notice, the proprietor of Quick Bite today claimed that the whole exercise was an act of harassment. He also pointed that raids were carried out in only a few restaurants and hotels in the Capital abandoning several other posh hotels with similar inconsistencies.
Yesterday evening, SDM, AK Singh along with the proprietor and other officials visited Quick Bite for its reopening. Mr. Singh informed that during the raid on May 27, not just Quick Bite but other hotels and eateries in MG Marg were also raided and sealed. He also pointed that seven restaurants will be under scrutiny on the basis of hygiene.
But as speculations traveled faster than the raid team, several food outlets and hotels were found shut down in anticipation of similar checks
The fast food outlet raised its shutters again today evening after temporary sealing against the illegal use of domestic LPG cylinders and unhygienic kitchen conditions.
With the arrest of Quick Bite proprietors earlier under Section 7 of Essential Commodities Act 1957, raids were also carried out by Sikkim Police and officials of Food Department in several other hotels sand restaurants in Gangtok and around the State leading to several arrests, shop seals and seizure of domestic cylinders from commercial outlets.
Claiming the raid as an abrupt act without formal notice, the proprietor of Quick Bite today claimed that the whole exercise was an act of harassment. He also pointed that raids were carried out in only a few restaurants and hotels in the Capital abandoning several other posh hotels with similar inconsistencies.
Yesterday evening, SDM, AK Singh along with the proprietor and other officials visited Quick Bite for its reopening. Mr. Singh informed that during the raid on May 27, not just Quick Bite but other hotels and eateries in MG Marg were also raided and sealed. He also pointed that seven restaurants will be under scrutiny on the basis of hygiene.
But as speculations traveled faster than the raid team, several food outlets and hotels were found shut down in anticipation of similar checks
The Lall Bazaar of Gangtok Hires Handyman
GANGTOK: The Lall Bazaar shopping complex here is lately undergoing an all-out makeover from its earlier unhygienic ambience. Thanks to ‘Golden Circle Handyman Plus’ in enabling the shopping plaza retain its metropolis look, Lall Bazaar may soon sport a squeaky clean look.
The Golden Circle Handyman Plus, an essential service provider agency, took over the maintenance of the 6-storied shopping complex from April 16 this year and already, the results are visible inside of the complex.
Around 17 safai karmacharis with a monthly salary of Rs 2,500 are deployed to clear-out the garbages at least thrice a day. These safai karmacharis attend to their errands at the entire shopping complex from 6 am till 9 at the night. Besides regular cleaning of garbages, the safai karmacharis also undertake the weekly washing of the floors.
The Golden Circle had taken up the task of the maintaining the shopping complex for a probation (trial) period of 3 weeks under the auspices of Apex Committee of the Lall Bazaar Traders & Hawkers Association and the Urban Development & Housing Department, that is to continue till July 16 this year.
The Golden Circle Handyman Plus which is into existence in Gangtok for the last 4 years, is reported to have initiated cleanliness drive in the shopping complex with an investment of Rs 80,000 including white washing of the walls and beautification of both interior and exterior facets of the shopping plaza.
The Manager of Golden Circle, Ajay Shreshta said once it avails permission to continue with the maintenance of the complex after expiry of the probation period, more resourceful changes including seating arrangements for local and foreign visitors, installation of adequate dustbins and adornment of the mall with pot plants are on the cards.
An executive member of Lall Bazaar Traders & Hawkers Association voiced an affirmative response in light of Golden Circle’s endeavour in cleanliness drive. He said earlier the unhygienic milieu of the shopping complex together with decomposed vegetables, open urination and the gloomy corners was a downer for everyone.
Most hawkers and traders are apparently also contented with the kind of maintenance undertaken by Golden Circle in the shopping complex. With cleanliness, during the last few months, improvement in the consciousness was also noticed among the traders in maintaining cleanliness of the surroundings. However, there is also a need for more dustbins at different points of the complex.
A shopkeeper complained that despite frequent appeals to UD&HD to help the shopkeepers avail a provision to clear-out the disposed garbage at least twice a day, owing to the large volume of goods brought in to the shopping complex throughout the day, inadequate space to house the ever increasing waste materials had left the appeal unanswered.
The need for setting up CCTVs especially along the staircase and the dark corners of the shopping complex and immediate electrification at the top floor (terrace) has also been felt, given the fact that the huge complex is slowly turning into convenient location for open urination, defecation, drugs abuse and other offensive and anti-social activities under the cover of the night.
The Lall Bazaar at present houses a total of 379 hawkers and 225 traders whereby every individual hawkers and traders contributes Rs 100 and Rs 70 as their monthly contribution for the cleanliness drive.
Despite the cleanliness drive initiated by Golden Circle, one can still come across garbage lying unattended in the complex. “But whom will you blame? Is it the lack of awareness among local populace or that we do not have any sense of responsibility towards public properties?” a senior citizen on his way out of the complex said.
The Golden Circle Handyman Plus, an essential service provider agency, took over the maintenance of the 6-storied shopping complex from April 16 this year and already, the results are visible inside of the complex.
Around 17 safai karmacharis with a monthly salary of Rs 2,500 are deployed to clear-out the garbages at least thrice a day. These safai karmacharis attend to their errands at the entire shopping complex from 6 am till 9 at the night. Besides regular cleaning of garbages, the safai karmacharis also undertake the weekly washing of the floors.
The Golden Circle had taken up the task of the maintaining the shopping complex for a probation (trial) period of 3 weeks under the auspices of Apex Committee of the Lall Bazaar Traders & Hawkers Association and the Urban Development & Housing Department, that is to continue till July 16 this year.
The Golden Circle Handyman Plus which is into existence in Gangtok for the last 4 years, is reported to have initiated cleanliness drive in the shopping complex with an investment of Rs 80,000 including white washing of the walls and beautification of both interior and exterior facets of the shopping plaza.
The Manager of Golden Circle, Ajay Shreshta said once it avails permission to continue with the maintenance of the complex after expiry of the probation period, more resourceful changes including seating arrangements for local and foreign visitors, installation of adequate dustbins and adornment of the mall with pot plants are on the cards.
An executive member of Lall Bazaar Traders & Hawkers Association voiced an affirmative response in light of Golden Circle’s endeavour in cleanliness drive. He said earlier the unhygienic milieu of the shopping complex together with decomposed vegetables, open urination and the gloomy corners was a downer for everyone.
Most hawkers and traders are apparently also contented with the kind of maintenance undertaken by Golden Circle in the shopping complex. With cleanliness, during the last few months, improvement in the consciousness was also noticed among the traders in maintaining cleanliness of the surroundings. However, there is also a need for more dustbins at different points of the complex.
A shopkeeper complained that despite frequent appeals to UD&HD to help the shopkeepers avail a provision to clear-out the disposed garbage at least twice a day, owing to the large volume of goods brought in to the shopping complex throughout the day, inadequate space to house the ever increasing waste materials had left the appeal unanswered.
The need for setting up CCTVs especially along the staircase and the dark corners of the shopping complex and immediate electrification at the top floor (terrace) has also been felt, given the fact that the huge complex is slowly turning into convenient location for open urination, defecation, drugs abuse and other offensive and anti-social activities under the cover of the night.
The Lall Bazaar at present houses a total of 379 hawkers and 225 traders whereby every individual hawkers and traders contributes Rs 100 and Rs 70 as their monthly contribution for the cleanliness drive.
Despite the cleanliness drive initiated by Golden Circle, one can still come across garbage lying unattended in the complex. “But whom will you blame? Is it the lack of awareness among local populace or that we do not have any sense of responsibility towards public properties?” a senior citizen on his way out of the complex said.
Notice to NHPC in Sikkim
Gangtok:Union power secretary Anil Rajdan has recently served a notice on National Hydel Power Corporation to complete the construction of Teesta stage V of the 510 MW hydro power project in Sikkim by October.
According to officials the project cannot be operational before December.The Rs.2200 crore project has already delayed due to landslide sin the 18km tunnel.
The tunnel will link Dikchu Dam to Balutar, Singtam.It will bring water from three channels to generate energy.The project is scheduled to be completed in the period of the ninth plan, will now be finished during the tenth plan. There will be a hike in expenditure.
Chinese Survey trip to Nathu-la
Gangtok: The four-member team from the Chinese embassy in New Delhi may face a lot of complaints from traders from the other side when the delegates visit the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) on Monday.
For the Chinese businessmen, who have transactions at the 14,400-ft border outpost at Nathu-la, the main stumbling block is apparently the current list of items. Chinese delegation is scheduled to finsalise the list of items for trade through Nathu-la. The government of India has already forwarded the list of items for inclusion in the new list to the Chinese government. The final decision would be taken after the Chinese delegation's visit to the state, officials said. The Chinese delegation would comprise Mr B Jiangho, a minister councilor in the Chinese Embassy, Mr Zhang Biao and Mr Liu Ran, both secretaries in the Embassy and Mr Qian Jun Jun, a political envoy.
On Monday, the team is expected to head to Sherathang and inspect the trade mart on the Indian side. They will then cross over to TAR through Nathu-la and go to Renquinnggang. They will halt at Renquinnggang for a day and then return to India.
A month after trade through the border outpost re-started on May 1 this year, the transactions remains minimal at Rs 3 lakh for the past month, a source said. He added that the entire volume comprised exports from India. The import from China, according to the Indo-China Traders’ Association, has been reported as nil with even raw wool, the most traded item by the Chinese last year having failed to do any business this time.
To make the situation worse, the Chinese traders have reportedly stopped dealing with any of the items included in the trade list. Those are old and obsolete articles, the traders have claimed. Indian traders are allowed to deal with 29 articles while China 15, which included goods like wool, goat skin, yak tail, horses and silk.
Last year, besides the sanctioned articles, the Customs had relaxed regulations on small “gift” items and a few other commodities, a source said. This year, however, the Customs has become stricter and are allowing trade of only sanctioned goods.
The commerce ministry has already taken up the issue of listed articles, which is likely to be amended soon, said an official source.
Earlier this year, the increase in the ceiling for Indian traders from Rs 25,000 per person per day to Rs 1 lakh came as a huge relief. “The volume is not expected to go up if business is still limited to old and obsolete items,” a businessman said.
For the Chinese businessmen, who have transactions at the 14,400-ft border outpost at Nathu-la, the main stumbling block is apparently the current list of items. Chinese delegation is scheduled to finsalise the list of items for trade through Nathu-la. The government of India has already forwarded the list of items for inclusion in the new list to the Chinese government. The final decision would be taken after the Chinese delegation's visit to the state, officials said. The Chinese delegation would comprise Mr B Jiangho, a minister councilor in the Chinese Embassy, Mr Zhang Biao and Mr Liu Ran, both secretaries in the Embassy and Mr Qian Jun Jun, a political envoy.
On Monday, the team is expected to head to Sherathang and inspect the trade mart on the Indian side. They will then cross over to TAR through Nathu-la and go to Renquinnggang. They will halt at Renquinnggang for a day and then return to India.
A month after trade through the border outpost re-started on May 1 this year, the transactions remains minimal at Rs 3 lakh for the past month, a source said. He added that the entire volume comprised exports from India. The import from China, according to the Indo-China Traders’ Association, has been reported as nil with even raw wool, the most traded item by the Chinese last year having failed to do any business this time.
To make the situation worse, the Chinese traders have reportedly stopped dealing with any of the items included in the trade list. Those are old and obsolete articles, the traders have claimed. Indian traders are allowed to deal with 29 articles while China 15, which included goods like wool, goat skin, yak tail, horses and silk.
Last year, besides the sanctioned articles, the Customs had relaxed regulations on small “gift” items and a few other commodities, a source said. This year, however, the Customs has become stricter and are allowing trade of only sanctioned goods.
The commerce ministry has already taken up the issue of listed articles, which is likely to be amended soon, said an official source.
Earlier this year, the increase in the ceiling for Indian traders from Rs 25,000 per person per day to Rs 1 lakh came as a huge relief. “The volume is not expected to go up if business is still limited to old and obsolete items,” a businessman said.
Friday, June 01, 2007
SAGA DAWA IN SIKKIM
Gangtok: Sikkim today celebrated Saga Dawa, the holiest day on the Buddhist calendar, with prayers in various monasteries across the hill state.
The festival falls on the full-moon day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar and is considered three-fold auspicious since it marks the birth, attainment of Nirvana and the death or Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha. The thrice-blessed celebrations is considered so holy that slaughter of animals and sale of meat is banned in the state for 15 days, starting from the beginning of the lunar month. The day being declared a state holiday, government offices and establishments remained closed.
Celebrations started with religious associations and people from various faiths and communities attending prayers at monasteries. This being a lho-na or a black lunar year, taken to be an inauspicious period, residents performed pujas to ward off evil and misfortunes. The most important of the pujas was held at Tsuklakhang, the royal chapel next to the palace compound here.
Rallies were taken out across the state, in which people walked down the streets with statues of the Buddha, colourful thanka scrolls and paintings depicting his life. In Gangtok, a procession was taken out from the Tsuklakhang monastery, and the residents joined the monks in the walk around the town and back.
The festival falls on the full-moon day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar and is considered three-fold auspicious since it marks the birth, attainment of Nirvana and the death or Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha. The thrice-blessed celebrations is considered so holy that slaughter of animals and sale of meat is banned in the state for 15 days, starting from the beginning of the lunar month. The day being declared a state holiday, government offices and establishments remained closed.
Celebrations started with religious associations and people from various faiths and communities attending prayers at monasteries. This being a lho-na or a black lunar year, taken to be an inauspicious period, residents performed pujas to ward off evil and misfortunes. The most important of the pujas was held at Tsuklakhang, the royal chapel next to the palace compound here.
Rallies were taken out across the state, in which people walked down the streets with statues of the Buddha, colourful thanka scrolls and paintings depicting his life. In Gangtok, a procession was taken out from the Tsuklakhang monastery, and the residents joined the monks in the walk around the town and back.
Breather for Sikkim Hotels & Restaurants
Gangtok: Hoteliers in Sikkim, under police scanner for using domestic cooking gas for commercial purposes, got a breather today. The raids have been stalled for a month.
The decision to postpone the raids, going on for three days in various hotels and restaurants in the state, was taken in a meeting between the police and Sikkim’s state trading corporation, the authorised LPG distributor.
The deputy inspector-general of police (range), Akshay Sachdeva, told The Telegraph that a month’s time was given to the eateries to enable them to get commercial LPG connections.
The Sikkim police had conducted the raids along with the state consumer protection cell and district administrations. The raids revealed that subsidised domestic connections were being used illegally in hotels and restaurants. The police found that each of the eateries raided was using five to six connections simultaneously.
Misuse of domestic cooking gas attracts penalty under the Essential Commodities Act and the LPG Control Act of 2001 and brings seven years’ jail term.
Some 19 cases — including yesterday’s 15 — were registered under the two acts.
Sachdeva said the decision to stall the raids was taken after trading corporation officials sought time to inquire into the misappropriation cases and get the eateries to take commercial connections.
The fear of police raid forced several restaurants to down shutters today.
The state police have come under heavy criticism since the raid was carried out during peak tourist season.
Sources in the police said the trading corporation and private distributors were in league with each other and blindly issuing domestic connections to commercial establishments. The enforcement agencies were also negligent and lethargic about preventing the illegal use, which has been going on for years.
The shortage of domestic LPG in the state was also attributed to the misuse.
The decision to postpone the raids, going on for three days in various hotels and restaurants in the state, was taken in a meeting between the police and Sikkim’s state trading corporation, the authorised LPG distributor.
The deputy inspector-general of police (range), Akshay Sachdeva, told The Telegraph that a month’s time was given to the eateries to enable them to get commercial LPG connections.
The Sikkim police had conducted the raids along with the state consumer protection cell and district administrations. The raids revealed that subsidised domestic connections were being used illegally in hotels and restaurants. The police found that each of the eateries raided was using five to six connections simultaneously.
Misuse of domestic cooking gas attracts penalty under the Essential Commodities Act and the LPG Control Act of 2001 and brings seven years’ jail term.
Some 19 cases — including yesterday’s 15 — were registered under the two acts.
Sachdeva said the decision to stall the raids was taken after trading corporation officials sought time to inquire into the misappropriation cases and get the eateries to take commercial connections.
The fear of police raid forced several restaurants to down shutters today.
The state police have come under heavy criticism since the raid was carried out during peak tourist season.
Sources in the police said the trading corporation and private distributors were in league with each other and blindly issuing domestic connections to commercial establishments. The enforcement agencies were also negligent and lethargic about preventing the illegal use, which has been going on for years.
The shortage of domestic LPG in the state was also attributed to the misuse.
(The Telegraph)
DARJEELING PLANS SMS FLOOD FOR INDIAN IDOL
Darjeeling: People in the hill town will be awake throughout the night tomorrow, sending messages and making phone calls to help their neighbourhood boy become the singing hero of the nation.
Committees have been formed and an action plan drawn up to vote for Prashant Tamang — a 24-year-old from Toongsoong here — as he climbs up the ladder at Indian Idol, one of the biggest singing talent-hunt contests in the country. After beating around 25,000 hopefuls from across the country, Tamang, a constable with Calcutta Police, now has only 27 opponents to deal with to become the next Indian Idol.
In this round, Tamang’s fate depends on the number of votes he gets through SMS texts and calls from landlines and the residents here have things planned out to keep the small town dream alive.
“Voting lines for the contest will remain open from 9 pm tomorrow to 9 am the next day (June 1-2) and we will ensure that we are all there to vote for him throughout the night. One person can vote unlimited number of times,” said Tenzing Khambachey, the commissioner of Ward 14, who is heading the informal committee. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our boy and we cannot let him down. We have even sent people to places like Tezpur in Assam to mobilise support for Prashant. Relatives, friends and residents of Darjeeling staying across the country are calling us to express support.”
Back at Tamang’s home in Toongsoong, hundreds of well-wishers are trooping in everyday to wish his family luck. “I thank the police department for making him the lead singer at the Calcutta Police Orchestra, which gave him an opportunity to test his skill along with the best from the country,” said Tamang’s mother Rupa.
His father, Madan Tamang, had died while in service with the Calcutta Police and Tamang, who had then just finished his Class X exams from St Robert’s School, Darjeeling, had to join the force in 2000 for a living. “He never told us that he was trying his luck at the Indian Idol. We learnt about it only after he was selected. I would ask Prashant to take proper training to hone his skills,” said Rupa.
Volunteers have plastered the town with festoons, urging people to vote for their friend. In order to ensure that Tamang does not miss out a single vote from the region, pamphlets have been distributed across the hills, urging residents to send their votes through landline phones if they did not have mobiles. Telephone booth-owners have also been requested to keep their shops open as late as possible tomorrow.
“Many may not know how to vote and some may not be able to send SMS texts. We are asking social organisations to teach everyone how to send their votes correctly, either through landlines or cellphones,” said Khambachey.
Darjeeling municipality commissioners, hotel owners and businessmen are also coming forward to sponsor publicity material for Tamang. “We are also grateful to the Marwari community for their help,” the commissioner said.
Committees have been formed and an action plan drawn up to vote for Prashant Tamang — a 24-year-old from Toongsoong here — as he climbs up the ladder at Indian Idol, one of the biggest singing talent-hunt contests in the country. After beating around 25,000 hopefuls from across the country, Tamang, a constable with Calcutta Police, now has only 27 opponents to deal with to become the next Indian Idol.
In this round, Tamang’s fate depends on the number of votes he gets through SMS texts and calls from landlines and the residents here have things planned out to keep the small town dream alive.
“Voting lines for the contest will remain open from 9 pm tomorrow to 9 am the next day (June 1-2) and we will ensure that we are all there to vote for him throughout the night. One person can vote unlimited number of times,” said Tenzing Khambachey, the commissioner of Ward 14, who is heading the informal committee. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our boy and we cannot let him down. We have even sent people to places like Tezpur in Assam to mobilise support for Prashant. Relatives, friends and residents of Darjeeling staying across the country are calling us to express support.”
Back at Tamang’s home in Toongsoong, hundreds of well-wishers are trooping in everyday to wish his family luck. “I thank the police department for making him the lead singer at the Calcutta Police Orchestra, which gave him an opportunity to test his skill along with the best from the country,” said Tamang’s mother Rupa.
His father, Madan Tamang, had died while in service with the Calcutta Police and Tamang, who had then just finished his Class X exams from St Robert’s School, Darjeeling, had to join the force in 2000 for a living. “He never told us that he was trying his luck at the Indian Idol. We learnt about it only after he was selected. I would ask Prashant to take proper training to hone his skills,” said Rupa.
Volunteers have plastered the town with festoons, urging people to vote for their friend. In order to ensure that Tamang does not miss out a single vote from the region, pamphlets have been distributed across the hills, urging residents to send their votes through landline phones if they did not have mobiles. Telephone booth-owners have also been requested to keep their shops open as late as possible tomorrow.
“Many may not know how to vote and some may not be able to send SMS texts. We are asking social organisations to teach everyone how to send their votes correctly, either through landlines or cellphones,” said Khambachey.
Darjeeling municipality commissioners, hotel owners and businessmen are also coming forward to sponsor publicity material for Tamang. “We are also grateful to the Marwari community for their help,” the commissioner said.
SIKKIM SNIPPETS
- India's Leading technology training organisation "IIHT Limited" in association with "Sikkim Manipal University" (SMU) has launched the country's first of its kind Graduation course in Infrastructure Management Services (IMS) - B. Sc IMS and a Post Graduate Diploma (PG Diploma) in IMS. Targeted at students as well as working professionals, the degree course is a comprehensive course in infrastructure management services, which apparently is the world's fastest growing multi billion dollar IT services sector.
- Nepali feature film" Naya Goreto" premiered in Mangan,North Sikkim onMay 29.The movie is a presentation of Kalimpong based UpashanaProductions and it has two cast members fromMangan.
- Nathula Border Trade completes 30 days of IInd season and Indian Exports stands toRs.3 lakhs and ChineseImports amounts stands to Rs.0 till date.
- The Youth association of Ravangla organised variouscultural and sports activities to mark SagaDawa yesterday.
Centre for implementing rural electrification projects in Sikkim
NAMCHI (SOUTH SIKKIM): Union power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Wednesday assured Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling of necessary help from the Centre for implementing rural electrification projects.
Shinde, who was on a brief visit to Namchi on Wednesday to monitor the progress of the work for installing 132KVA transmission line to be connected with the national grid, told Chamling that the Centre would release funds to set up hydro and non-conventional power projects in the state.
He said the National Hydroelectric Power Corp should expedite its work to finish the 495mw Teesta Stage-4 project. The 510mw Teesta Stage-5 project should also be completed by 2007, Shinde added.
Shinde inaugurated the Binaguri power substation, which is connected with the Tala Hydro Project in Bhutan and the Teesta-5 Hydro Project in Sikkim, in Siliguri
Shinde, who was on a brief visit to Namchi on Wednesday to monitor the progress of the work for installing 132KVA transmission line to be connected with the national grid, told Chamling that the Centre would release funds to set up hydro and non-conventional power projects in the state.
He said the National Hydroelectric Power Corp should expedite its work to finish the 495mw Teesta Stage-4 project. The 510mw Teesta Stage-5 project should also be completed by 2007, Shinde added.
Shinde inaugurated the Binaguri power substation, which is connected with the Tala Hydro Project in Bhutan and the Teesta-5 Hydro Project in Sikkim, in Siliguri
Thursday, May 31, 2007
MAKEOVER GANGTOK BAZAAR
GANGTOK: Finally, MG Marg gets the much-needed face lift. After years of neglect and little attention by the concerned authorities, this commercial hub of the Capital is currently under extensive repairs and alterations.
The State Government has drawn up impressive plans to spruce up Gangtok’s main thoroughfare, keeping up with the vision of the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling to convert the State into another Singapore. To begin with, the MG Marg is being widened to make more space for parking.
Accordingly, the green divider running across the length of the Marg is being cut to size to make the roads on its both sides wider. The existing 7 metre width of the divider will now be reduced to just 1 ½ metre obviously to accommodate more vehicles. The first phase of the project has begun from the Tourism Information Centre upto Star Hall point. The total area covered will be 10,000 square meter and the fund allocated for the first phase is Rs 53 Lakhs.
The MG Marg beautification project also comprises of systematising the network of wires and cables that run along the length of the Marg. All hanging electricity wires and telephone cables, and water pipes will be sorted and properly organised. The green divider will continue to exist, albeit narrower and flowering plants will be planted on it. There are plans to create small parks in some spots along the green divider. The entire MG Marg development and beautification is expected to take 44 months (3 years 8 months).
The State Government has drawn up impressive plans to spruce up Gangtok’s main thoroughfare, keeping up with the vision of the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling to convert the State into another Singapore. To begin with, the MG Marg is being widened to make more space for parking.
Accordingly, the green divider running across the length of the Marg is being cut to size to make the roads on its both sides wider. The existing 7 metre width of the divider will now be reduced to just 1 ½ metre obviously to accommodate more vehicles. The first phase of the project has begun from the Tourism Information Centre upto Star Hall point. The total area covered will be 10,000 square meter and the fund allocated for the first phase is Rs 53 Lakhs.
The MG Marg beautification project also comprises of systematising the network of wires and cables that run along the length of the Marg. All hanging electricity wires and telephone cables, and water pipes will be sorted and properly organised. The green divider will continue to exist, albeit narrower and flowering plants will be planted on it. There are plans to create small parks in some spots along the green divider. The entire MG Marg development and beautification is expected to take 44 months (3 years 8 months).
GANGTOK - SIKKIM
Gangtok Situated at an altitude of 1,780 m, Gangtok in the Sikkimese and Bhutia languages literally means a hillock cut out to make flat land. A piece of such flat land was used to build the Gangtok Monastery as early as 1716. The uncut rock pedestal near the present-day Tsuklakhang Royal Monastery near the Chogyal Palace shows the level of the original hillock and the depth of cutting involved in making the land flat.Until 1894, Sikkim’s capital was Tumlong. So when the capital shifted to Gangtok, the latter must have been a sort of village surrounded by hamlets such as Dambikyong, Lingding, Samatar, Suchagang, Burtuk, Syari and Tadong. Urban development in Gangtok probably started in the beginning of the last century, which makes it the youngest hill station in India.Presently it is as good as any other hill station. Straddling a ridge, much of the development has taken place on the western and southern slopes of the ridge. Also on the ridge are the palace, the Tsuklakhang Royal Monastery, Mintokgang, the official residence of Sikkim’s Chief Minister, Tashiling, the Secretariat, the Sikkim Legislative Assembly building, White Memorial Hall and the Ridge Road.The Ridge Road leading to the palace was in the old days the main commercial hub of Sikkim.
Old photographs of Gangtok show that shops lined both sides of the road, especially near the White Memorial Hall. Where the Mahatma Gandhi Marg and Lal Bazaar, including the Sikkim Guards Ground, stand today, was then a dry but cultivated area.Some other places to see in Gangtok are the Enchey Monastery, Institute of Tibetology that houses rare manuscripts, statues and thanka paintings, the beautiful Do-Drul Chorten (stupa) and the Government Institute of Cottage Industries where you can pick up souvenirs.The National Highway from Siliguri-Bagdogra, which connects Gangtok with the outside world, runs along the rivers Tista and Rongni in an easy gradient up to Ranipool, a small town 10 km from Gangtok. From Ranipool, the steep road climbs to a height of 1,219 m in just 10 km. The steep climb towards the capital, however, does not give a picturesque view of Gangtok. The British, who had built the road long back, had intended to use it as a trade link with Tibet. For a panoramic view of Gangtok, one must travel through Ranka, a village 12 km from Gangtok.Until the early 1960’s, Gangtok was a staging point for mule caravans traveling on the ancient trade route to Lhasa. The road climbed over Nathula Pass before entering Tibet.
Old photographs of Gangtok show that shops lined both sides of the road, especially near the White Memorial Hall. Where the Mahatma Gandhi Marg and Lal Bazaar, including the Sikkim Guards Ground, stand today, was then a dry but cultivated area.Some other places to see in Gangtok are the Enchey Monastery, Institute of Tibetology that houses rare manuscripts, statues and thanka paintings, the beautiful Do-Drul Chorten (stupa) and the Government Institute of Cottage Industries where you can pick up souvenirs.The National Highway from Siliguri-Bagdogra, which connects Gangtok with the outside world, runs along the rivers Tista and Rongni in an easy gradient up to Ranipool, a small town 10 km from Gangtok. From Ranipool, the steep road climbs to a height of 1,219 m in just 10 km. The steep climb towards the capital, however, does not give a picturesque view of Gangtok. The British, who had built the road long back, had intended to use it as a trade link with Tibet. For a panoramic view of Gangtok, one must travel through Ranka, a village 12 km from Gangtok.Until the early 1960’s, Gangtok was a staging point for mule caravans traveling on the ancient trade route to Lhasa. The road climbed over Nathula Pass before entering Tibet. 
The heart of Gangtok town has always been the bazaar. The three bazaars of Gangtok are the Old, New and Lal Bazaars. The Old and New Bazaars, locally known as Purano and Naya Bazaars, are situated on Mahatma Gandhi Marg. This is where the shopping centers, hardware shops, restaurants, hotels, cyber cafes, video parlors and banks are located. The Lal Bazaar is a landmark built in the 1950’s so that the villagers could sell their products at the local fair usually held on Sundays. The bazaar is named after J. S. Lal, the first Dewan of Sikkim. Lal Bazaar became synonymous with the vegetable market in Gangtok, and even today any vegetable market in Sikkim is called Lal Bazaar. Lal is also remembered by the Deer Park and a garden built near the secretariat. This area is frequented by tourists who especially visit the small pagoda housing a statue of Lord Buddha by the side of the VIP wing of the secretariat.With the construction of a separate complex for the residence of ministers and the office complex of the district administration away from the main city, congestion, to some extent, has been eased. Strict enforcement of traffic rules also ensures a smooth traffic flow. A clean environment, few traffic jams and an abundance of places of interest around Gangtok make it an ideal place to visit.
FACTFILE
Sikkim’s capital shifted to Gangtok from Tumlong in 1894. Situated at an altitude of 1,780 m, Gangtok in the Sikkimese and Bhutia languages means a hillock cut out to make a flat piece of land.
The old caravan route to Tibet began at Gangtok and climbed over the Nathula Pass.
The heart of the state capital is its bazaars - Old, New and Lal Bazaars.
Gangtok’s landmarks include the Chogyal Palace, Tsuklakhang Royal Monastery, Mintokgang (Chief Minister’s residence), Tashiling (secretariat), Sikkim Legislative Assembly and White Memorial Hall.
Other places of interest are the Enchey Monastery, Institute of Tibetology, Do-Drul Chorten and Government Institute of Cottage Industries.
Gangtok is about three and a half hours’ drive from Siliguri, a transport hub 36 km from the Indo-Nepal border.
SIKKIM POWER & ENERGY DEPARTMENT GETS CHARGED UP
POWER DEPT CARRY OUT SURPRISE CHECKS EFFORTS TO STOP POWER THEFT AND METER TAMPERING BY COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS
GANGTOK: Close to the heels of the raids carried out against illegal use of commercial LPG cylinders in the State, the authorities have now turned their attention towards electricity thefts in the Capital.
The Energy and Power Department has under taken surprise raids in various commercial establishments in and around Gangtok to check for power thefts and meter tampering, which is quite rampant across the State, despite efforts of the Department to curtail this practice.
In the past two days, the Department officials have carried out surprise checks on nearly two hundred commercial establishments, mainly hotels in and around Gangtok. The raids were carried out without any prior notice.
AK Giri, Chief Engineer, Power Department informed that the surprise raids was carried out as per the guidelines of the Aggregate Technical and Commercial Loss (AT&C) under Indian Electricity Act 2003. He further informed as per the directions of the Ministry for Energy and Power, Government of India, every State has to reduce AT&C loss upto 15 percent. Stating that every State in India has an average AT&C loss of nearly 45 percent, Mr. Giri said that the surprise raids were aimed at reducing power thefts, illegal connections and other irregularities. 22 hotels were found to be violating power department norms during the raids, he said.
The raids, which started from Monday (May 28), were carried out at Tibet Road, Kazi Road, MG Marg, Development Area, Nam- Nang and Pani House areas. Mr. Giri informed that five groups were formed comprising of 8 members and headed by Superintendent Engineer (SE) of the Department. Various commercial establishments were found with irregularities in power connection and immediately, the Department discontinued the electricity supply of these defaulters. Fines with three months load assessments were also imposed. “This is a serious crime. All revenue collected through civil amenities goes to the State exchequer. By tampering with the meter and defaulting with electricity bills and arrears, people are depriving the State with valuable revenue. Such practices should stop,” Mr. Giri said.
The Department, determined to put a stop to such illegal practices, will carry out similar raids throughout the State. The Department has also appealed all the hoteliers to systematize their power connections immediately in order to avoid legal actions later.
GANGTOK: Close to the heels of the raids carried out against illegal use of commercial LPG cylinders in the State, the authorities have now turned their attention towards electricity thefts in the Capital.
The Energy and Power Department has under taken surprise raids in various commercial establishments in and around Gangtok to check for power thefts and meter tampering, which is quite rampant across the State, despite efforts of the Department to curtail this practice.
In the past two days, the Department officials have carried out surprise checks on nearly two hundred commercial establishments, mainly hotels in and around Gangtok. The raids were carried out without any prior notice.
AK Giri, Chief Engineer, Power Department informed that the surprise raids was carried out as per the guidelines of the Aggregate Technical and Commercial Loss (AT&C) under Indian Electricity Act 2003. He further informed as per the directions of the Ministry for Energy and Power, Government of India, every State has to reduce AT&C loss upto 15 percent. Stating that every State in India has an average AT&C loss of nearly 45 percent, Mr. Giri said that the surprise raids were aimed at reducing power thefts, illegal connections and other irregularities. 22 hotels were found to be violating power department norms during the raids, he said.
The raids, which started from Monday (May 28), were carried out at Tibet Road, Kazi Road, MG Marg, Development Area, Nam- Nang and Pani House areas. Mr. Giri informed that five groups were formed comprising of 8 members and headed by Superintendent Engineer (SE) of the Department. Various commercial establishments were found with irregularities in power connection and immediately, the Department discontinued the electricity supply of these defaulters. Fines with three months load assessments were also imposed. “This is a serious crime. All revenue collected through civil amenities goes to the State exchequer. By tampering with the meter and defaulting with electricity bills and arrears, people are depriving the State with valuable revenue. Such practices should stop,” Mr. Giri said.
The Department, determined to put a stop to such illegal practices, will carry out similar raids throughout the State. The Department has also appealed all the hoteliers to systematize their power connections immediately in order to avoid legal actions later.
EARTHQUAKES ON THE RISE IN SIKKIM
The chance of a major earthquake hitting Gangtok,Singtam and Mangan is high.
Gangtok: Frequent tremors in Sikkim have struck fear in the minds of the people.Though the magnitude was not much, continuous collusion between the Tibet and the European Plates, potentials for earthquakes have increased in the Zone V areas of the North East with Sikkim bearing the maximum brunt of it,said the Met department.
According to the Seismological division of the Meteorological department,the Center has prepared a report on the seismic hazards and the microzonations atlas of the Sikkim Himalaya, also known as the zone five area of the earthquake that can have devastating impact on the Sikkim.
The chains of the quakes from May 20-28 in the Sikkim recorded 14 tremors with a mild shock of the.4 to 1.1amplitude.And, its impact will be double once converted to a Ritcher scale.
The highest amplitude of the 2.7 was recorded on May26 with three shocks.On May 20, another three shocks recorded 2.5 amplitude, that is 5 on the Ritcher scale.
The Met department said the epicenter was in the west-north western directions of the Sikkim and the location was the somewhere between Dzongri and the Narsingh peak at the height of the 5,858 meter in the Tibet plate near Rontchungchu.
According to K.Sitaram,director of the Met office,it is an interpolate earthquake’s feature on the rock.He said the Met offices in Tadong & Balwakhani,Gangtok recorded three shocks on May20,another three on the May21 and two more on the May22 and one each in May 23,24,and 28 with the location being the same.
He said the entire stretch from Mangan to Gayzing and Jorethang to Assam-Linzey falls under zone IV measuring tremors of 3 and 5 on the Ritcher scale,but the chance of major earthquake is in Gangtok,
Singtam and the Mangan which are the most vulnerable because of their proximity to the Zone V of the North-East Himalayan plate, where it clashes with the Tibet plate and the Eurasian plate, there by penetrating the maximum heat and impact.
Gangtok: Frequent tremors in Sikkim have struck fear in the minds of the people.Though the magnitude was not much, continuous collusion between the Tibet and the European Plates, potentials for earthquakes have increased in the Zone V areas of the North East with Sikkim bearing the maximum brunt of it,said the Met department.
According to the Seismological division of the Meteorological department,the Center has prepared a report on the seismic hazards and the microzonations atlas of the Sikkim Himalaya, also known as the zone five area of the earthquake that can have devastating impact on the Sikkim.
The chains of the quakes from May 20-28 in the Sikkim recorded 14 tremors with a mild shock of the.4 to 1.1amplitude.And, its impact will be double once converted to a Ritcher scale.
The highest amplitude of the 2.7 was recorded on May26 with three shocks.On May 20, another three shocks recorded 2.5 amplitude, that is 5 on the Ritcher scale.
The Met department said the epicenter was in the west-north western directions of the Sikkim and the location was the somewhere between Dzongri and the Narsingh peak at the height of the 5,858 meter in the Tibet plate near Rontchungchu.
According to K.Sitaram,director of the Met office,it is an interpolate earthquake’s feature on the rock.He said the Met offices in Tadong & Balwakhani,Gangtok recorded three shocks on May20,another three on the May21 and two more on the May22 and one each in May 23,24,and 28 with the location being the same.
He said the entire stretch from Mangan to Gayzing and Jorethang to Assam-Linzey falls under zone IV measuring tremors of 3 and 5 on the Ritcher scale,but the chance of major earthquake is in Gangtok,
Singtam and the Mangan which are the most vulnerable because of their proximity to the Zone V of the North-East Himalayan plate, where it clashes with the Tibet plate and the Eurasian plate, there by penetrating the maximum heat and impact.
SIKKIM SNIPPETS
- Sikkim celebrated SAGADAWA today.Shri Sathya Sai Seva organization Sikkim observed grand Saga Dawa in a public programme at Gangtok old Children Park highlighting the message and teaching of Lord Buddha. In the morning, a rally called Dhamma Yatra was taken out in the street of Gangtok, Zero point, Tibet Road and back.
- LPGRaids by Sikkim Police in South & West Districts of Sikkim.
- SIMFED declares a dividend of Rs.4,28,804/-only .
- Sikkim Governor V RamaRao hosted At Home Function for Ex-Servicemen of Sikkim in RajBhawan and felicitated 9 WarWidows with Shawls with financial grants.
- Sikkim hosts final joint review meeting of WorldBank assisted Technical Education Project.
- District Magistrate (E) has allowed proprietors of 7 Restaurants to remove sealsof their premises to enable themto enhance hygenic standards .However,denied them opening same for commercial activities pending further verification of hygenic standards.
- Aatma Chintan of SDF Party in South District concludes but Party President Dr.Chamling not satisfied at the outcome of camp.
10 crore mantra recitation puja at Rumtek Monastery
RUMTEK:The monks and lay people community of Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre and other devotees in Sikkim are undertaking the annual special “Dhungdrub puja (Prayer)”, during the month of Saga Dawa, from 31st May, 2007. This is the congregational recitation of Hundred Million (Ten Crore) times mantra every year in Rumtek Monastery for His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje. It is organized every year by the “Pal Gyalwang Karmapa Remembrance Association” (Pal Gyawang Karmapae Jesdan Tsogpa) now known as “Gyalwang Karmapa’s Dhungdrub Organizing Committee”, under Tsurphu Labrang/H.H. Karmapa’s Office of Administration, according to a press release received from Dharma Chakra Centre.This year by the request of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, mantra recitation of Guru Rinpoche, (Guru Padmasambhawa) One-Hundred Million times is being held. The purpose of this mantra recitation is to ward off all the Year Obstacles “sKu sKeg” of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and for the fulfillment of all his wishes and aspirations and for pacifying all the obstacles to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, and for his health, long life and for the spread of his Dharma activities in this world in ten directions and especially, for his early resumption to his main seat in Rumtek. And also for the well being, long-life of “The four regents or heart-sons of the Karmapa’” and for all the holy lamas and Bodhisattvas working for the benefit of all sentient beings and for the continuous flourishing of all their Dharma activities.The release further adds that everyone is welocome to participate in this puja (Mantra Recitation) or sponsor the activity to help such participants. People can also participate from home and contact the underneath mobile number or E-mail to join in this activity.Mantra:Tibetan: “OM AH HUNG BENZA GURU PEMA SIDDHI HUNG” Sanskriit: “OM AH HUM VAJRA GURU PADMA SIDDHI HUM”Mobile: 9933012901
CM inspects tourism potential spots at Golitar
Mungrang : The Chief Minister, Dr. Pawan Chamling, visited Mungrang, a small village, under Sumbuk-Lungchok Gram Panchayat Unit, South Sikkim on 27th May. The purpose of the visit was to inspect the proposed tourist spot in Golitar, Mungrang. The spot is 6-7 kms away from the Mungrang Lower Primary School ground. Dr. Chamling was accompanied by the area MLA, Mr. Girish Chandra Rai, Minister Forest Department, Mr. S. B. Subedi, Secretary/Forest Department, Mr. D. B. Shreshtra, Officials of Forest Department, Contractors and others during the spot inspection. On the way, Dr. Chamling relishing the nature’s beauty said that Sikkim was indeed very rich with natural resources and people of Sikkim should realize this and take pride in it. The Chief Minister said that the infrastructural and tourism developmental works should be totally eco-friendly, “It should enhance and beautify the forest as well as protect and preserve it”. He asked the Forest officials to do some tree plantation whichever is suitable for the climatic condition of the place. During the tourist spot inspection in Golitar, proposals of constructing “Naw (9) Durga Devi Mandir, Shaktisthal’, development of a Pilgrimage Centre, making Log-houses, Camping area, were discussed among the Forest Officials and the area MLA. The Forest Department and Rural Management Development (RMD) Department are involved in this project as per the discussion. The Chief Minister also visited the old Tamley Pokhari which had deteriorated with time. Mr. G. C. Rai informed him that it was once a major source of water harvesting and fishing for the people of nearby areas. The Chief Minister after inspecting the lake, said that it could have been one of the major attractions had it not been for its neglected state now. Therefore Dr. Chamling asked the concerned officials to perk up the condition of the lake and make it concrete with cement. He also said that if it is possible then one more lake should be constructed in the surrounding area. While returning from the visit, Dr. Chamling asked well-being of the villagers and stopped for a brief interaction with them. Thereafter, he proceeded towards the inaugural function of Lungchok Junior High School .
30 Days Breather For Switching To Commercial LPG
Gangtok:All the Commercial establishments engaged in trade of Hotel &Food Services inSikkim were given a one month deadline within which they haveto 'obtain and use' the 19kg LPG commercial cylinders @Rs.900/-each for their commercial usage instead of present practise of using 14.2kg domestic LPG cylinders.
Meanwhile, Many Hotels and Restaurants whohave put their shutters down in fear of Police raid reopened after getting news of 30 days period breather agreement between Sikkim Police & STCSand wereback servingguests by evening.
A notice issued by the STCS in local newspapers further informs that periodical checkswill be undertakenby STCS from July01 onwards and anyone found using domesticLPG cylinders for commercial purposes will be severely dealt as per the prevailinglaw without giving any further notice.
Meanwhile, Many Hotels and Restaurants whohave put their shutters down in fear of Police raid reopened after getting news of 30 days period breather agreement between Sikkim Police & STCSand wereback servingguests by evening.
A notice issued by the STCS in local newspapers further informs that periodical checkswill be undertakenby STCS from July01 onwards and anyone found using domesticLPG cylinders for commercial purposes will be severely dealt as per the prevailinglaw without giving any further notice.
POWER MINISTER SUSHIL KUMAR SHINDE IN NAMCHI,SIKKIM
Namchi: Union Minister for Power & Energy Shree Sushil Kumar Shinde arrived yesterday in Namchi on a field inspection of the 400KV Teesta Stage-V HEP-New Siliguri Double Circuit Transmission Line at Phongla,a village 20 KM away from Namchi.Construction of the sub-station of the transmission line has been sanctioned at the cost of Rs.290 crore.The line shall supply power to West Bengal.
The Union Minister was received at the Assangthang Helipad at 10.15AM by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling who also holds portfolio of Power&Energy along with Minister UD&HD D.D.Bhutia and other local official &Officers from Power and Energy Department.
The Chief Minister than accompanied Mr.Shinde to the proposed site at Phongla where they were briefed by PG Singh,DGM,Power Grid Corporation of India.Thereafter,they inspected the Transmission Line site.The powerful transmission tower, a first of its kind for the state, will be linked up with the NHPC's ambitious Teesta Stage-V hydel power project nearing completion in East Sikkim, District Collector (South) D Anandan informed.
The Union Minister was received at the Assangthang Helipad at 10.15AM by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling who also holds portfolio of Power&Energy along with Minister UD&HD D.D.Bhutia and other local official &Officers from Power and Energy Department.
The Chief Minister than accompanied Mr.Shinde to the proposed site at Phongla where they were briefed by PG Singh,DGM,Power Grid Corporation of India.Thereafter,they inspected the Transmission Line site.The powerful transmission tower, a first of its kind for the state, will be linked up with the NHPC's ambitious Teesta Stage-V hydel power project nearing completion in East Sikkim, District Collector (South) D Anandan informed.
During the inspection,the CM informed Mr.Shinde about Sikkim's hydro potential and updated him on the pending works and requested the Union Minister to consider Sikkim for Central schemes for Power projects.
After surveying the project site at Pongla, Shinde left for Bagdogra, the South District DC said
Mr.Shinde extended his assurance on CM's requests and said that Sikkim will definitely be seen as a prospective place for future power projects.
Mr.Shinde extended his assurance on CM's requests and said that Sikkim will definitely be seen as a prospective place for future power projects.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
MELTING GLACIERS - a photo story
A combo photo taken between June and September 2005 shows the glacier lake at the foot of Mount Animegen on the Tibetan plateau. China's rugged Tibet plateau, seen as a sensitive barometer of world climate conditions, is experiencing accelerating glacial melt and other ecological change, as the mountainous region's glaciers have been melting at an average rate of 131.4 sq km (50 sq miles) per year over the past 30 years.
This combo photo - of one taken in 1981 (top) and the other in 2005 - shows the retreating Halong Glacier of the Animegen Mountain on the Tibetan plateau.
This collage - of a photo taken in 1968 (top) and in 2007 - shows the retreating Rongbuk Glacier of Mount Everest on the Tibetan plateau.
Mount Everest, as seen from Rongbuk Temple.
SIKKIM CELEBRATES HOLY SAGA DAWA
An Auspicious Month....
Saga Dawa (Tibetan) or Vesak (Pali) is one of the most significant Dharma events observed worldwide by the entire Buddhist community. Three of the most important events in Buddha’s life took place on the full moon day of that month. Three of the most important events in Buddha’s life took place onSaga Dawa Duchen, the full moon day of the fourth month; namely,his birth, enlightenment, and passing into Parinirvana.
Saga Dawa (Tibetan) or Vesak (Pali) is one of the most significant Dharma events observed worldwide by the entire Buddhist community. Three of the most important events in Buddha’s life took place on the full moon day of that month. Three of the most important events in Buddha’s life took place onSaga Dawa Duchen, the full moon day of the fourth month; namely,his birth, enlightenment, and passing into Parinirvana.
As it is generally known Buddha performed three important deeds on that day, namely his birth, enlightenment and passing into Parinirvana. To be more precise, there exist slightly different view points concerning the dates. However, according to the scriptures it is not the day of Buddha’s conventional birth or delivery but his entering the womb of the mother – in other words the day of his conception.
According to Buddhism the first coming into contact of the consciousness of a being with the cells of the parents in the womb of the mother is considered to be the actual birth, the very starting point of this life or rebirth. In the same way Buddha’s entering the womb of Queen Mahamaya of the Shakya Royal Family on the full moon day of the Vesak month is regarded as Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth. Buddha’s conventional birth in Lumbini Grove took place on the 15th day of the month of Magha (Sanskrit) or Chu Dawa (Tibetan).
At the age of 35 Buddha showed his attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Vajraasana or Bodhgaya and at the age of 80 he performed his last deed of entering into Parinirvana in Kushinagar, both events also taking place on that same day. Therefore this month is regarded as the holiest time of the year.
According to Buddhism the first coming into contact of the consciousness of a being with the cells of the parents in the womb of the mother is considered to be the actual birth, the very starting point of this life or rebirth. In the same way Buddha’s entering the womb of Queen Mahamaya of the Shakya Royal Family on the full moon day of the Vesak month is regarded as Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth. Buddha’s conventional birth in Lumbini Grove took place on the 15th day of the month of Magha (Sanskrit) or Chu Dawa (Tibetan).At the age of 35 Buddha showed his attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Vajraasana or Bodhgaya and at the age of 80 he performed his last deed of entering into Parinirvana in Kushinagar, both events also taking place on that same day. Therefore this month is regarded as the holiest time of the year.
It is also known as bum gyur dawa in Tibetan, meaning “the month which multiplies by 100’000.” Whatever wholesome or unwholesome action is performed during this month has a 100’000 times stronger effect than at other times.
Saga Dawa extends from May 16th until June 14th, 2007, in the currentFemale Fire Pig Year 2134 of the Tibetan Calendar. Tibetan monthsbegin one day after a new moon, and end with the following new moon.May 16 was the first New Moon.
In Gangtok early on the fifteenth day, devotees as well as school children chant Om Mani Padme Hung, and carry the holy Kajur texts on their shoulders seeking eternal merits across the streets. Many religious as well as cultural organizations join hands in organizing this solemn procession every year.Kajur or the Tripitikas contains teachings or words of Lord Buddha in its three parts – Vinaya Pitika, Sutta Pitika and Abhidhamma Pitika. In simple terms, it covers a wide variety of subjects such as learning how to lead an ethical life, exploring great ideas such as compassion for others and social responsibility, studying spiritual acts as contemplation, prayer and meditation, and in general mastering the difficult task of finding lasting happiness. Kajur is preserved in some 103 volumes carved in wood block prints. These books reached Tibet more than a thousand year ago and were translated into Tibetan from Sanskrit.
The merit of reciting the Kajur is immeasurable as one receives blessing from the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (the three jewels). By reciting the words as spoken by Lord Buddha, we collect his timeless compassion and his greatness and reflect on his exemplary life, which is a source of endless inspiration to mankind to seek happiness and liberation for all the sentient beings. The recitation would automatically be dedicated to spreading and flourishing of the Buddhist tradition and, moreover, dedicated to all the sentient beings of all the six realms with the blessing of the triple gem.
New BJP State Incharge For Sikkim
NEW DELHI, May 29 – With Uttar Pradesh polls proving to be damp squib, BJP has re-organised its team of office-bearers, changing the State in-charges of 35 States besides the chiefs of its frontal organisations. In the re-organisation, the in-charge for Assam has been changed and a new face – Harendra Kumar – has been appointed. He takes over charge from Hari Babu.
Kumar has also been assigned the charge of Sikkim in addition to Assam, announced BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Kumar has also been assigned the charge of Sikkim in addition to Assam, announced BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad.
SIKKIM TO GET SOON ITS FM RADIO CHANNEL
Guwahati, May 30: Assam has become the first state in the North Eastern Region to get an FM radio channel, which has revived radio listening in the State.
The state got its first private FM radio channel with the launch of "Radio Ooo La La" recently."There is craze of radio among people nowadays. One can find radio everywhere. People ask for radio in mobile phone, instead of cameras nowadays. So, it is getting popular," said Raj, a radio jockey working for "Radio Ooo Lala".After "Radio Ooo La La", a number of other operators are now planning to launch FM channel in the region."We propose to set it up in three states - Meghalaya, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh - and then in Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur in the next round," said Manoranjana Singh, Chief Managing Director of" Radio Ooo Lala".The advent of private FM radio stations now offers a variety of entertainment options to listeners, who until now had only the state-run broadcaster All India Radio to fall back.
The FM phenomenon is a recent happening with its market pegged at 3.60 billion rupees to five billion rupees. It is expected to grow at a rate of 40 per cent annually.The radio industry is expected to cross the eight billion rupees mark in 2010. Radio advertising is also going up with almost 3 per cent of the total advertising bill of over 160 billion rupees.
(ANI)
The state got its first private FM radio channel with the launch of "Radio Ooo La La" recently."There is craze of radio among people nowadays. One can find radio everywhere. People ask for radio in mobile phone, instead of cameras nowadays. So, it is getting popular," said Raj, a radio jockey working for "Radio Ooo Lala".After "Radio Ooo La La", a number of other operators are now planning to launch FM channel in the region."We propose to set it up in three states - Meghalaya, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh - and then in Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur in the next round," said Manoranjana Singh, Chief Managing Director of" Radio Ooo Lala".The advent of private FM radio stations now offers a variety of entertainment options to listeners, who until now had only the state-run broadcaster All India Radio to fall back.
The FM phenomenon is a recent happening with its market pegged at 3.60 billion rupees to five billion rupees. It is expected to grow at a rate of 40 per cent annually.The radio industry is expected to cross the eight billion rupees mark in 2010. Radio advertising is also going up with almost 3 per cent of the total advertising bill of over 160 billion rupees.
(ANI)
Bhutanese Refugees Protest at Nepal-India Border
Indian security forces fire teargas shells at Bhutanese Refugees to prevent them from crossing the border into India from crossing into India Mechi River Bridge, 29 May 2007
Kakarvita:10,000 Bhutanese refugees demonstrated Wednesday at the India-Nepal border, where a day earlier Indian troops had opened fire, killing one refugee, officials said.
The refugees gathered at the Nepalese border town of Karkarvitta, about 340 miles east of the capital of Katmandu, to protest the shooting, and more were expected, local police official Diwakar Katwal said by telephone.
Police stopped the refugees from marching to a border bridge to head off possible violence, he said, adding that they were chanting slogans against Indian officials.
Thousands of Bhutanese refugees have been camping at the border area for the past three days, demanding they be allowed to march through Indian territory back to their homeland, the same route they traveled to Nepal in the early 1990s.
"We want free passage through India to Bhutan, the same way we were brought here," chanted the refugees, according to Katwal.
More than 100,000 ethnic Nepalis — a Hindu minority in Bhutan for centuries — have been living as refugees in eastern Nepal since the early 1990s, when they were forced out by Bhutanese authorities who wanted to impose Buddhist culture across the country.
Most have been living in U.N.-run camps for the last 16 years.
Bhutan is unwilling to receive the refugees back, saying most left voluntarily and renounced their citizenship.
Authorities and human rights activists were holding talks with Indian officials on the Indian side of the border, said Baman Newpane, Nepal's Home Ministry spokesman.
Meanwhile, Indian authorities released 15 protesters who were taken into custody in the past two days, the area's senior most Indian administrator, Rajesh Pandey, told The Associated Press.
"The situation is under total control, but we have not lowered our guards," he said.
Pandey said he and his officers held a meeting with Nepalese officials at the border to explore more ways to restore full normalcy.
"It was a good meeting and we expect that the Nepalese officials will be able to talk to the people there and persuade them not to resort to violence or force their way," he said.
The refugees gathered at the Nepalese border town of Karkarvitta, about 340 miles east of the capital of Katmandu, to protest the shooting, and more were expected, local police official Diwakar Katwal said by telephone.
Police stopped the refugees from marching to a border bridge to head off possible violence, he said, adding that they were chanting slogans against Indian officials.
Thousands of Bhutanese refugees have been camping at the border area for the past three days, demanding they be allowed to march through Indian territory back to their homeland, the same route they traveled to Nepal in the early 1990s.
"We want free passage through India to Bhutan, the same way we were brought here," chanted the refugees, according to Katwal.
More than 100,000 ethnic Nepalis — a Hindu minority in Bhutan for centuries — have been living as refugees in eastern Nepal since the early 1990s, when they were forced out by Bhutanese authorities who wanted to impose Buddhist culture across the country.
Most have been living in U.N.-run camps for the last 16 years.
Bhutan is unwilling to receive the refugees back, saying most left voluntarily and renounced their citizenship.
Authorities and human rights activists were holding talks with Indian officials on the Indian side of the border, said Baman Newpane, Nepal's Home Ministry spokesman.
Meanwhile, Indian authorities released 15 protesters who were taken into custody in the past two days, the area's senior most Indian administrator, Rajesh Pandey, told The Associated Press.
"The situation is under total control, but we have not lowered our guards," he said.
Pandey said he and his officers held a meeting with Nepalese officials at the border to explore more ways to restore full normalcy.
"It was a good meeting and we expect that the Nepalese officials will be able to talk to the people there and persuade them not to resort to violence or force their way," he said.
SIKKIM SNIPPETS
- Tourism Minister R.B.Subba went on Inspection Tour to Changu Lake after CM expressed concern on news of dumping of sand and soil resulting from road construction projects there in the Lake.
- Power Department Cracking down in and around Gangtok on illegal tapping of electricity for commercial purposes inGangtok to bring down its transmission losses at the level of 15%.
- Mangan Hoteliers to switch from domestic LPG Connection to Commercial ones.Meeting held in Mangan to protest deadline .
- Sikkim celebrates SAGA DAWA tomorrow. A peace march depicting the life and message of Lord Buddha is organized at Gangtok town on May 31 by Shri Satya Sai Seva organization, Sikkim followed by two days function at old children park premise.
- RahulKumar Burman of Kendriya Vidyalaya,Gangtok scores 92.4% to be Sikkim State Topper in CBSE Class X results.
- A mock drill forearthquake preparedness was organised in Ravangla on May 28 to create public awareness about disaster mangement and safety steps in event of Earthquake.
- A 5 year old student of TNA Junior School falls and seriously injured yesterday during School LunchBreak and taken to Siliguri for internal head injury treatment by parent.
- A boy of 12 years old committed suicide at Gangla under Ravangla subdivision.
- CBSE Result of class X declared, approximately 55 percent passed in Sikkim.
The CBSE class X results - 2 score 99 %
photo:Deorali Girls School students checking their CBSE resultGangtok:IT WAS a day full of excitement for students all over Kolkata as the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) announced Class X results on Tuesday. From early morning, students were seen flocking their respective schools after seeing their marks on the Internet. Over seven lakh students across the country and abroad had appeared for the Board exams conducted in March this year.
The CBSE Class XII results were declared on May 25.
“Class X results have been better than usual. In fact, it has been wonderful,” said the principal of a local school.In the Sikkim, details of all school results has been taken out in a special supplement by local newspaper "SAMAY".
The CBSE Class XII results were declared on May 25.
“Class X results have been better than usual. In fact, it has been wonderful,” said the principal of a local school.In the Sikkim, details of all school results has been taken out in a special supplement by local newspaper "SAMAY".
Two girls from Southern Region become joint toppers by securing 99 per cent marks.
Both Jahnvi Dhar and Aparna Murlidhar have got 495 marks out of 500 scoring a ton in three subjects.
Both Jahnvi Dhar and Aparna Murlidhar have got 495 marks out of 500 scoring a ton in three subjects.
However, a comprehensive result details for nine Schools in Gangtok are as below :
- School: Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School
Total number of students appeared: 97
Passed: 39
Failed: 11
Compartmental: 47
School toppers:
Karishma Nayar-87 %
Sinora Dewan-86 % - School: Holy Cross School
Total number of students appeared: 107
Passed: 102 above 60 %, remaining 3 passed below 60 %
Failed: Nil
Compartmental: 2
School topper:
Akshaye Suhag-91.2 % - School: Kendriya Vidyalaya
Total number of students appeared: 61
Passed: 55
Failed: Nil
Compartmental: 6
School topper: Rahul Kumar Burman-92.4 % (Mathematics-96 %). - School: Modern Secondary School
Total number of students appeared: 95
Passed: 50
Failed: 6
Compartmental: 39
School toppers:
Preeti Gupta-83.6 %
Atul Rehman-82.4 %
Yanku Sherpa-77.6 % - School: Mount Deepam School
Total number of students appeared: 13
Passed: 9 (2 with 1st class and 7 with 2nd class)
Failed: Nil
Compartmental: 4
School toppers:
Royal Moktan-61%
Thupten Ghalay-61% - School: Paljor Namgyal Girls School
Total number of students appeared: 72
Passed: 62
Failed: Nil
Compartmental: 10
School topper:
Shreedhanjali Mishra-80.8 % - School: Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School
Total number of students appeared: 68
Passed: 50
Failed: Nil
Compartmental: 18
School toppers:
Anish Kumar Mondal-76.6%
Jogendra Sharma-75.6% - School:Tathangchen Secondary School
Total number of students appeared: 64
Passed: 40
Failed: 4
Compartmental: 20
School toppers:
Bimila Limboo-65 %
Rashmita Sarkar-65 % - School: West Point Senior Secondary School
Total number of students appeared: 75
Passed: 37
Failed: 4
Compartmental: 34
School topper: Maya Sharma-74.2 %
MORE ARRESTS BY SIKKIM POLICE ON LPG ISSUE
GANGTOK: Sikkim Police has begun its crackdown on illegal use of domestic cylinders in commercial establishments.
Following the recent detention of Quick Bite fast food outlet’s proprietors from Gangtok, the Police with officials from the Food Department have started conducting similar raids in all four Districts.
Five more cases were registered with the Sadar Police on May 28 against proprietors of five hotels here in Gangtok. A case against the proprietor of Wangla Restaurant and Bar, Deorali has been registered following a written complaint from GB Subedi, Senior DCSO, East, Food Department. With the confiscation of two domestic cylinders from Wangla Restaurant and Bar, the proprietor Man Bir Limboo (48), resident of Selep Tanki, Gangtok was arrested from his residence.
On the same day, two domestic cylinders were seized from Bishal Hotel at Deorali, three each from Hotel Regent at Pani House and Hotel Central on national highway 31A and another three from Hotel Blue Star at DPH Road all in Gangtok. A case was also registered against proprietor of Mayur fast food located at PS Road, Gangtok.
The SDPO Rangpo Sonam Bhutia with OC Rangpo BB Subba and OC Singtam Solomon Rai raided several hotels at Rangpo, Singtam and Mazitar arresting 8 persons and seizing 16 domestic cylinders from commercial food outlets and hotels.
The raid led to the arrest of KB Gurung, proprietor of Hotel Mangolian at Mazitar, Sashi Gurung of Hotel Oasis at Mazitar, Dilip Chettri of Hotel Hunger Spot at Mazitar, Sukhdev Subba of Hotel Basundhara at Singtam, Sukhdev Prasad proprietor of Sweet Parlour in Singtam, Hussain Ansari of a meat shop at Singtam, including three arrests from Rangpo Bazaar under Section 7 of Essential Commodities Act 1955.
The raids also revealed unhygienic conditions of kitchen areas in the hotels compelling the Police to register several cases under Section 269/ 273 of the Indian Penal Code (negligently doing any act known to be likely to spread infection of any disease dangerous to life and selling any food or drink as food as and drink knowing the same to be noxious). During the raids the Rangpo, the Police also recovered 12 bottles of Corex syrup from a hotel in Mazitar.
Raids were also conducted in West Sikkim under PI Sonam Bhutia and his team which led to the arrest of three persons. At Soreng, Dinesh Gupta, Parash Bhagat and Tendup Sherpa, proprietors of three food outlets were arrested and one domestic cylinder each seized from them. Cases has been registered against them under the same Section and Act.
At Mangan in North Sikkim, the SP North led a team for a general checking of various hotels and restaurants in the area which led to the arrest of four persons -Rajeshwar Prasad, Bharat Chaudhary, Sambhu Shah and Md Uli Alam of Mangan Bazaar.
The Mangan arrests were for operating from unhygienic kitchens. 12 more hotels and restaurants were handed challans under Section 19 of Sikkim Trade Rule 1985
Following the recent detention of Quick Bite fast food outlet’s proprietors from Gangtok, the Police with officials from the Food Department have started conducting similar raids in all four Districts.
Five more cases were registered with the Sadar Police on May 28 against proprietors of five hotels here in Gangtok. A case against the proprietor of Wangla Restaurant and Bar, Deorali has been registered following a written complaint from GB Subedi, Senior DCSO, East, Food Department. With the confiscation of two domestic cylinders from Wangla Restaurant and Bar, the proprietor Man Bir Limboo (48), resident of Selep Tanki, Gangtok was arrested from his residence.
On the same day, two domestic cylinders were seized from Bishal Hotel at Deorali, three each from Hotel Regent at Pani House and Hotel Central on national highway 31A and another three from Hotel Blue Star at DPH Road all in Gangtok. A case was also registered against proprietor of Mayur fast food located at PS Road, Gangtok.
The SDPO Rangpo Sonam Bhutia with OC Rangpo BB Subba and OC Singtam Solomon Rai raided several hotels at Rangpo, Singtam and Mazitar arresting 8 persons and seizing 16 domestic cylinders from commercial food outlets and hotels.
The raid led to the arrest of KB Gurung, proprietor of Hotel Mangolian at Mazitar, Sashi Gurung of Hotel Oasis at Mazitar, Dilip Chettri of Hotel Hunger Spot at Mazitar, Sukhdev Subba of Hotel Basundhara at Singtam, Sukhdev Prasad proprietor of Sweet Parlour in Singtam, Hussain Ansari of a meat shop at Singtam, including three arrests from Rangpo Bazaar under Section 7 of Essential Commodities Act 1955.
The raids also revealed unhygienic conditions of kitchen areas in the hotels compelling the Police to register several cases under Section 269/ 273 of the Indian Penal Code (negligently doing any act known to be likely to spread infection of any disease dangerous to life and selling any food or drink as food as and drink knowing the same to be noxious). During the raids the Rangpo, the Police also recovered 12 bottles of Corex syrup from a hotel in Mazitar.
Raids were also conducted in West Sikkim under PI Sonam Bhutia and his team which led to the arrest of three persons. At Soreng, Dinesh Gupta, Parash Bhagat and Tendup Sherpa, proprietors of three food outlets were arrested and one domestic cylinder each seized from them. Cases has been registered against them under the same Section and Act.
At Mangan in North Sikkim, the SP North led a team for a general checking of various hotels and restaurants in the area which led to the arrest of four persons -Rajeshwar Prasad, Bharat Chaudhary, Sambhu Shah and Md Uli Alam of Mangan Bazaar.
The Mangan arrests were for operating from unhygienic kitchens. 12 more hotels and restaurants were handed challans under Section 19 of Sikkim Trade Rule 1985
INDO-MYANMAR MEET IN SIKKIM,INDIA
GANGTOK: A three day long Joint Secretary level meeting started On May 29 at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok between India & Myanmar.
The meeting today was attended by 10 delegates from Myanmar including U Myat Ko (Director General GAD/MHA), U Kyin Lin (Director GAD/MHA), U Tinn Htut (Director GAD/ MHA), U Kyaw Tin (Director Political Department), U Khim Maung Tint (Chief Engineer), U Win Myint (Head of Sagaing Division), Police Col. Win Kyi (China State peace & Dev.), U Ln Pewin (Chairman Tamu Diot. Peace & Dev.), Lt. Col. Thit Lin Oha (General staff officer Ministry of Defense) & Police Lt. Col. Tun Hu (Deputy Director Transitional Organisation Crime).
The Indian delegates present at the meeting were GS Patnoile (Joint Sec to MHA), RR Jha (Director to NE-II, MHA), Sanjiv Kumar (Director, MO-2, Army HQ), Dr MC Tiwari (Deputy Surveyor General, Geological Survey of India), Col Dinesh Sharma (Director MO-2, Army HQ), Balwat Singh (Deputy Secretary BM-II), Lt Col. SS Bisht (GSO-I MI-6, Army HQ), PK Rawat (Section Officer), AK Verma (Deputy Director, MHA) and Raj Srivarlare (Deputy Sec. MEA). This meeting was also attended by various Joint Secretary of various departments of Sikkim.
The meeting deliberated on diverse issues including intelligence sharing, exchange of fishermen caught by both sides, open two or more trade points at Indian Burma border in Manipur.
The meeting also sought for finalisation of extent of access by road for the citizen of both countries in each others territories and the extent of financial aid to Burma given by the government of India for its infrastructural development. The meeting will continue till May 31.
The Indian delegates present at the meeting were GS Patnoile (Joint Sec to MHA), RR Jha (Director to NE-II, MHA), Sanjiv Kumar (Director, MO-2, Army HQ), Dr MC Tiwari (Deputy Surveyor General, Geological Survey of India), Col Dinesh Sharma (Director MO-2, Army HQ), Balwat Singh (Deputy Secretary BM-II), Lt Col. SS Bisht (GSO-I MI-6, Army HQ), PK Rawat (Section Officer), AK Verma (Deputy Director, MHA) and Raj Srivarlare (Deputy Sec. MEA). This meeting was also attended by various Joint Secretary of various departments of Sikkim.
The meeting deliberated on diverse issues including intelligence sharing, exchange of fishermen caught by both sides, open two or more trade points at Indian Burma border in Manipur.
The meeting also sought for finalisation of extent of access by road for the citizen of both countries in each others territories and the extent of financial aid to Burma given by the government of India for its infrastructural development. The meeting will continue till May 31.
STUDENT'S TRIBUTE TO TNA FOOTBALL COACH
HE GROOMED WINNERS, NOW TNA STUDENTS COMPETE IN HIS MEMORY
PHOTO-M. Chakraboty, Bachelor in sports & Hum Diploma in Football Coaching
Gangtok: The Manas Chakraborty Football Tournament opened here at Tashi Namgyal Academy playground yesterday with the first match played between Class VIII students and Ex- Tenacians (C) which ended with 6-1 in favour of former students of the School.
The tournament has been earlier inaugurated by wife of late Football Coach Renuka Chakraborty.Tseten lepcha,President of TNA Alumini Association was present as Chief Guest on the inaugural Game.The tournament will beheld between the School's Ex- students and students from Class VIII and above and shall continue till June 05. The tournament shall feature now on list of annual events of TNA School and will be organised by Ex-students in memory of popular football coach Late Manas Chakraborty who expired last year on November 12,2006.Late Chakraborty was one of major contributor in grooming of excellent football talents from School such as Baichung Bhutia, Sherab Lepcha and many more.
Mr.Manas has joined TNA in 1980 as the Teacher In Charge,Sports .During his tenure asfootball coach TNA scaled impressive heights bringing home National School Championship laurels and taken the talents from state to national level.Born in 1954 in Kolkatta,Mr. Manas passed his CBSE in 1972 and was Sports Authority of India certified Coach.
HOT POLITICS OF SIKKIM
Gangtok, May 30: A battle of political one-upmanship is going on between the ruling SDF and a combined opposition in Sikkim with the state government extolling its achievements from every possible forum and the Opposition hurling charges of corruption at it in a bid to undo the hype. Be it Ambedkar Jayanti or the state day or any other similar occasion, the Chief Minister, Pawan Kumar Chamling, doesn`t let go of the slightest opportunity to flaunt his achievements. His speeches always revolve around a few pet topics capable of earning him brownie points with the masses such as the opening of the Nathula Pass for border trade with China last year, the empowerment of women or devolution of major powers to the Panchayati Raj institutions in the state. After talking about the achievements of the past he moves onto disclose his plans for the future such as marketing Sikkim`s floricultural produce in the international market or putting the state on the international tourism map. However, the opposition invariably barges in on the scene with its allegations about corruption and misrule against the government to ensure that the people don`t get carried away by the latter`s `high-flown rhetoric` on development. An instance of this was in evidence recently when Congress, the main opposition in the state, brought out a booklet in Nepali titled `Sikkim ma Burma Loot` (Burma loot in Sikkim) in which it accused Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling of amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income and his involvement in a number of scams running into crores of rupees. The booklet was widely distributed among the people throughout the state. The state government, however, remained unfazed and went on with its declarations about how it had put the state on the high trajectory of growth in the last 13 years in office. The Opposition on the other hand did not stop its tirade and soon after the conclusion of a regional summit on tourism and hospitality sector parties like the Congress, the BJP, the CPM and a few regional outfits jointly shot off a letter to the Governor asking him to act on the charges of corruption against the state government within 72 hours or so. While the Governor is yet to act on the Opposition`s request the ruling SDF has chosen to remain indifferent and confine itself to talking relentlessly about development. "It is no mean achievement of our government that today Sikkim is being held out by central leaders as a model state for the rest of the country to follow," Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling said at a function held here to celebrate 33 years of the state`s merger with the Indian union. Chamling also sought to brush aside the opposition`s tirade against the government on this occasion saying that there are some people who cannot even be happy in heaven. Refusing to attach much importance to the opposition`s allegations, he dwelt at length on the steps taken by his government to empower women and the panchayat bodies in the state and reminded people of the eulogies earned from the Doner minister Mani Shankar Aiyyar who said on a recent visit to the state that all the states in the country should follow the example of Sikkim as far as the functioning of the Panchayati Raj institutions was concerned. Nathula also continues to be projected in all the Chief Minister`s speeches ever since its opening last year for border trade with China as one of the major achievements of the state government. However, the more the state government talks about its development endeavours the louder get the opposition`s complaints about corruption in high offices and general misgovernance.
(ZeeNews Bureau Report)
(ZeeNews Bureau Report)
Chief Minister On 2days Tour of West Sikkim
Gayzing: Chief Minister Dr. Chamling has arrived on Geyzing on two days tour of West Sikkim.On May 31, Chief Minister is scheduled to have a meeting with Headmasters and Headmistresses of Schools of West Sikkim at Girls Higher Secondary School Premises and have a discussion on Education and next day Chief Minister plans to travel to holy Khechipori lake. 2 days visit to Sikkim would also be another opportunity of people of West Sikkim to personally meet and interact with Chief Minister on issues affecting them locally.
SIKKIM CM GREETS PEOPLE ON SAGA DAWA
Sikkim ChiefMinister Dr.Pawan Chamling and Mrs.TikaMaya Chamling extended their warm greetings to the people of sikkim on the auspicious occasion of SAGADAWA which is thrice blessed day as the day signifies theBirth, Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of the Lord Buddha.
On this sacred day of Buddhists all over the world,the ChiefMinister Dr. Pawan Chamling and Mrs. Chamling have wished that Lord Buddha may shower his blessings to the people of Sikkim and grant them inner peace and clarity of mind ,help them break themselves from the habits of greed and indulgence and overcome everyday human problems and achieving lasting happiness.
SIKKIM WINS A SILVER IN WUSHU TOURNEY
Chandigarh: Manipur reaped it rich as the northeastern sports powerhouse lifted the routine trophy by amassing 95 points in the seventh Indian Oil Junior National Wushu Championship at the Sector 10 Skating Rink Hall here today.
Manipur boys and girls secured 16 gold and three silver medals to claim the trophy in routine competitions.
Uttar Pradesh with one gold, four silver and two bronze medals were awarded 19 points for the runners-up position. Bihar and Madhya Pradesh were tied for the third place with 13 points each.
In dual event, the Manipur trio of L Ratan Singh, Y Syamkant and H Omega Meitei emerged winners. Syam Babu, Sunny Dhanuk and Aditya Gautam of UP and Ch Boby Meitei, Th Santa Meitei of Sikkim emerged second and third, respectively.
Manipur boys and girls secured 16 gold and three silver medals to claim the trophy in routine competitions.
Uttar Pradesh with one gold, four silver and two bronze medals were awarded 19 points for the runners-up position. Bihar and Madhya Pradesh were tied for the third place with 13 points each.
In dual event, the Manipur trio of L Ratan Singh, Y Syamkant and H Omega Meitei emerged winners. Syam Babu, Sunny Dhanuk and Aditya Gautam of UP and Ch Boby Meitei, Th Santa Meitei of Sikkim emerged second and third, respectively.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
BEST MOMOS IN GANGTOK TOWN
Head down to MG market and down down to Lal Bazaar where we found cozy little Potala Restaurant for best momos. "Aju ta pork try garnu parla jasto chha ho!" exclaimed Dawa. "Soup pauncha? Soup?" inquired Choeden because she has been fedup with momos in Kathmandu where they won't serve soups. MG market as always, was crowded with maruti vans and taxis. The footpath too was crowded and we were growing impatient for hot steaming momos. We pushed through crowds, rushing to get the momos at our earliest, a bit worried too because there are not so many tables there. We hurried down the steps of Lal Bazaar and booooom! we entered the Potala. We were lucky enough to find two tables adjacent to each other completely empty. We took our seats and Dawa made a huge order "6 plates beef momo Dajyu! ani four plates pork momo!" "Pork momo chhaina bahini!" came an unpleasant answer. 
But the waiter was kind enough to say "Bahira bata magauchu ni!" and soon the sauji gave a telephone call to another restaurant. Ha ha!" hot steaming momos started to arrive. This was the moment we were waiting for. This was the moment of truth for Dawa and all of us. Everyone looked so cheerful. The sauji also looked at us with his huge surprised eyes. We all had tummy full of beef momo, mula ko achaar and delicious bone soups. I was so delighted that I even forgot who actually paid the bill in the end. All I could see was we were ready to leave now and head back home and enjoy some pan!
But the waiter was kind enough to say "Bahira bata magauchu ni!" and soon the sauji gave a telephone call to another restaurant. Ha ha!" hot steaming momos started to arrive. This was the moment we were waiting for. This was the moment of truth for Dawa and all of us. Everyone looked so cheerful. The sauji also looked at us with his huge surprised eyes. We all had tummy full of beef momo, mula ko achaar and delicious bone soups. I was so delighted that I even forgot who actually paid the bill in the end. All I could see was we were ready to leave now and head back home and enjoy some pan!(A tourist's tale)
Fare tariff for rickshaws in Siliguri
SILIGURI:People from hills can easily make it out in Siliguri, mostly quarrelling with unscrupulous rickshaw pullers for their abnormal fare for the Bengali non-speaking people. Moreover, now hills people are more dependent on Siliguri for medical assistance, higher education, political asylum etc. After receiving lot of complaints from the passengers for charging abnormal fare for rickshaw. Siliguri Municipal Corporation today introduced a fare tariff for rickshaws in a bid to end the “monopoly” of the town’s rickshaw pullers.The newly introduced fare tariff is likely to be implemented next month. Addressing the SMC board meeting here today, Siliguri mayor Mr Bikash Ghosh, said: “After the implementation of the fare structure, the rickshaw pullers can charge Rs 4 per km from the passengers and an additional Rs 2 per km for onward journey. In terms of hours, the charges would be Rs 15 per hour.” We have introduced a fare tariff for rickshaws for the first time in the town. The tariff cards would be installed on the tariff boards of all the bus stands in the town. Apart from this, all rickshaws would also be carrying the tariff,” the mayor, said.He added that if the rickshaw pullers were found guilty of violating the SMC norm, strict action would be taken against them.
SIKKIM PIX OF THE DAY
Army jawans show fire power demonstration at Thegunear Tsomgo field in Sikkim on Monday.
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