Leadership Award to Sikkim Horticulture

Gangtok,Sep6: The Agriculture Leadership Awards have been instituted by "Agriculture Today", the national agriculture magazine, published by Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development from New Delhi.

Sikkim has been selected for Leadership Award as the best performing State in horticulture by the Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee.

The award ceremony was held on September 04 at the Taj Palace, New Delhi, as part of the Agriculture Leadership Summit, which was organised under the chairmanship of eminent agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan. The award was presented to Sikkim Agriclture Minister Dawcho Lepcha by Palnning Commission Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Art among Sikkim Monks

GANGTOK - An art school is preserving the oldest form of traditional and religious art of statue making, influenced by Buddhist teaching in Sikkim.

The Traditional Arts School for Thangka Painting at 5th mile, a half an hour drive from state capital Gangtok, is under the supervision of Ecclesiastical Affairs Department, Government of Sikkim. The school is exclusively for the monks (boys).
Monks from different monasteries located throughout the state come to the institute and learn the art free of cost.

The school was started as a separate branch of Enchey School, which was a monk school then in 1909 for teaching the art of statue making to monks at the time of Chogyal (King).

However during 1950s, the school came under the Ecclesiastic Affairs Department.

Ndar Lama, an instructor at the Vocational Arts School, Gangtok, revealed that the art of making the statues came from Bhutan.However, to popularise the art among local monks, the state government felt the need to set up one institute in Sikkim, Lama said.

“The art of making this mud statue came from Bhutan. Earlier, Chogyal (King) used to call the instructors from Bhutan and they used to make the statues. In fact, most of the statue in big monasteries here was made by the Bhutanese. Even I learnt the art from one Bhutanese person. But now the government of Sikkim felt the need to open one such vocational training institute even in Sikkim,” Lama added.

Students at the school said that they hope to teach the art to the future generation so as to keep the Buddhist culture alive.After learning the art of statue making, I will go to the monastery and teach the art to our future generation so as to keep our Buddhist culture and art of statue making alive,” said Dawa, a student.

Besides teaching the art, the school also helps the monks in becoming self-reliant.
(ANI)

Sikkim Police& Denzong Boys move forward in Gold Cup

GANGTOK, September 5: Denzong Boys and Sikkim Police entered the qualifying round to the main draw of the 31st All India Governor’s Gold Cup football tournament which kicked off from today here at Paljor Stadium.

In the first match, Denzong Boys motorized by three Nigerians and other imported players overpowered United Sikkim Sporting Club (USSC) by three goals to one.

The Denzong Boys drew an early first blood in the 6th minute when midfielder Dipesh Thapa slammed home a loose ball into the net from the box. Central forward Krishna consolidated the advantage when he scored the second goal for Denzong Boys in the 23rd minute.

In the 32nd minute, Nigerian Taurus P Manneh rounded the USSC goalkeeper to make it 3 goals for Denzong Boys before the lemon break.
Eze Collins scored the consolation goal for USSC in the final few minutes of the game. Free flowing football was much hampered by heavy downpour.
With this victory in the pre-qualify round, Denzong Boys has entered the qualifying round of the Gold Cup where it will meet Royal Rangers, Delhi on September 7.
In the second match, the experience of Sikkim Police prevailed over the youthful exuberance of Sports Academy Sikkim as the police team won the match 2 goals to 1.
Suman Dewan scored the first goal for Sikkim Police in the 2nd minute of the game. The lead was secured by Lokbir Lamichaney in the 22nd minute.
Biden Rai scored the consolation goal for Sports Academy in the 89th minute.
Sikkim Police now faces BNR Kolkata in the qualifying round on September 8.
Local team Dzongri Club will play against Dehradun XI and State I-Day football tournament champions SSB XI will play against Eastern Railways tomorrow in the pre-qualifying round of the showpiece event of Sikkim Football Association at Paljor Stadium

Sikkim Congress campaign for bye-polls elections

GANGTOK, September 6: Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) is presently campaigning actively in all parts of Namchi-Singithang constituency for the upcoming bye-polls. The campaign is being spearheaded by SPCC president Nar Bahadur Bhandari and senior party members.
The election campaign of SPCC covered today Rong and Singtam Palam polling booths of the constituency where people from large numbers from neighbouring areas gathered to hear Mr. Bhandari and candidate Yuva Raj Rai.

A press release informs that the people response to make the Congress candidate win from Namchi-Singithang constituency is heartening. “They feel convinced that strong opposition is the need of the hour to ensure growth and development in a democratic manner which is not available under the present Sikkim Democratic Front government”, states the release.

The release informs that Mr. Bhandari met the people of the polling booths falling under the constituency and enquired about the benefits given to them by the present State government which were sent by the Central government for their welfare and progress.
“The people in one voice denied having received any benefit of any Central scheme”, the release says.
Mr. Bhandari has assured to take up the matter with the Centre.

State Govt is according top priority to education: Chamling

22 teachers honoured on State level Teachers Day celebrations

GANGTOK, September 6: Eight Government school teachers received the State awards for their contribution to education in Sikkim by the State Government during the State level Teachers’ Day celebrations here at the indoor gymnasium hall of Paljor Stadium today.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling presented the awards to the above teachers.
The awardees were Shanti Wangchuk (primary teacher of Rangpo JHS), CC Lhamu, principal (Deorial Girls SSS), GS Rizal (headmaster, Ringyang Primary School), TP Sharma (headmaster, Bermoik Martam secondary school), Phigoo Tshering Bhutia (headmaster, Nampatam Primary School), Ong Tshering Lepcha (Mangan SSS), Rudramani Pradhan, (headmaster, Kartikey JHS) and Bimla Rai (principal, Namchi Girls SSS).
Commendation certificates were also presented to 14 teachers on the occasion. Duga Secondary school received the Best Government School award in tree plantation while Puspanjali Vidyalaya, East Sikkim was bestowed with Best Private School award in overall performance.
In his speech to a large gathering of teachers from different parts of the State, the Chief Minister called upon the teachers to ensure cent- percent enrollment in the schools and to see that each and every child is admitted to the school in the State.
Reiterating his Government’s resolve to create a skilled, capable and world class efficient manpower out of the youth of the State, Mr. Chamling urged the teachers to help materialize the goal by infusing a sense of competitiveness among the students. The State government will not spare any efforts to fulfill its responsibilities to teachers to make teaching a prestigious profession, he said.
At the same time, the Chief Minister advised the teachers who are not serious about their profession and responsibility for making the future of Sikkim bright to gracefully bow out.
The Chief Minister stressed that the State Government is according top priority to education with 20 percent of budget allocated for the purpose. He announced that no teacher will remain untrained in the next five years informing that the government is soon going to open a B.Ed college and a Primary Teachers’ Training Institute for quality education in Sikkim.
Mr. Chamling said that if needed, the teachers may be sent to institutions outside the State too for training. He called up the teachers to be visionary in their approach and come forward to share their ideas with the State government. He urged the retired teachers to render their services on contractual basis in the B.Ed. Colleges for their next five years till the regular appointments are made for B.Ed teachers.
Referring to various demands presented earlier by the teachers’ association representatives, the Chief Minister said that the State Government will do all possible for their welfare but the teachers should also compare the educational infrastructure and facilities to teachers in other States too.
State HRD minister NK Pradhan said that tremendous responsibilities lie upon the shoulders of teachers to shepherd 11800 students of Sikkim to a proper direction and bright future. Though the role of parents is also important, the major responsibility lies with the teachers as students spend most of their time with them, he said.
The State government is serious for quality education but it will not succeed without the participation of the teachers, Mr. Pradhan said.

Teacher's Day Celebrated in Sikkim

Gangtok,Sep5:Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling conveyed his heartiest greetings to the people of Sikkim on the occasion of ‘Teachers’ Day’ which is celebrating throughout the country on September 5.
Chief Minister Chamling attended as Chief guest in a fuction orgainised to mark Teacher's day at indoor gymnasium of Palzor stadium,Gangtok by Education department,govt. of sikkim.The function was attended by large number of teachers from all corners of State and CM also honoured selected teachers on the occassion.
Conveying the message, CM Chamling said teachers play pivotal role in moulding the character of students who will ultimately shape the destiny of the nation. Teachers should also make earnest and sustained efforts to nurture their respective institution into a sacred temple of excellence of learning and also make the nation building as a central agenda of educational activities, it added.

CLTS workshop begins

Temi Tarku (South Sikkim): Three days’ Block Level Residential Workshop on Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) is inaugurated at Temi-Tarku Block Administrative Centre on Friday. The workshop is organized by Temi Tarku BAC with support from 6 Gram Panchayat Units (GPU). State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) Karfectar is providing technical support to this workshop. District Development Officer (DDO) South, Mr.L.P. Chettri inaugurated the workshop which was attended by Mr. Satyan Kumar Pradhan, BDO Temi-Tarku BAC, Mr. Roshan Kaushik, Director of the Workshop, Zilla Panchayat members and panchayats of the six GPUs.
DDO Mr. Chettri appreciated the initiative of the BAC towards total sanitation and appealed to the participants to work with enthusiasm in view of the prestigious Nirmal Rajya Award received by the state. He also laid stress on community participation and sharing developmental work with the government. BDO Mr. Pradhan, field facilitator of Temi-Tarku BAC and Director of Workshop Mr. Kaushik and faculty team member and field facilitator of Sumbuk BAC, Mr. Suren Mohra also spoke on the occasion

PANG LHABSOL - WORSHIP OF THE Mt. KANCHENJUNGA

Pang Lhabsol, a festival commemorating the conservation of Mt. Kanchenjunga as the guardian deity of the state, is unique to Sikkim. It has its origin in the Lepcha people's belief that the mountain is their place of origin. It is also believed that the festival has its roots in Lhatsun Chenpo's (the propagator of Buddhism in Sikkim) vision. It is said that while meditating in a cave at Dzongri in west Sikkim, the mountain the guardian deity of the state.

Subsequently, Chador Namgyal, the third Chogyal of Sikkim, introduced the "pangtoed" dance and dedicated it to Kanchenjunga as a war deity. However, the actual origin of the festival is said to be the blood-brotherhood pact between the Lepcha bonthing, Thekung Tek, and Khye-Bumsa, the ancestor of the Namgyal royal family.

Pang Lhabsol combines masked dance with warrior dance, giving the festival an inherent drama, which surpasses that found in other Buddhist festivals. There are resplendent costumes and colorful masks, and the choreography is spectacular. Kanchenjunga itself is represented by a dancer wearing a red mask mounted with five human skulls, on top of which are mounted flags.

Yabdu, Kanchenjunga's Supreme Commander, wears a black mask, while the warriors who accompany them are attired in the traditional Sikkimese battle dress, complete with helmets, swords and shields. The dramatic entry of Mahakala, the protector of the dharma, or faith, is one of the highlights of the dance. It is Mahakala who commands Kanchenjunga and Yabdu to defend the faith and bring peace and prosperity to Sikkim.

A week prior to the dance, the lamas of Pemayangtse monastery in west Sikkim, where the festival takes place, offer prayers, invoking Dzonka - the popular local name for Kanchenjunga - to protect the land and look after the people. The festival of Pang Lhabsol is held on the 15th day of the seventh month of the Tibetan calendar

Low key Pang Lhabsol celebrations in Sikkim

Gangtok,August5: Amidst a gloom, deep sorrow and grief for the demise of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. YSR Reddy, the 26th Pang Lhabsol celebration was held at Ravangla in South Sikkim Friday. Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling, who was to be chief guest, did not attend the traditional celebration. Instead, the Minister for RM&DD Mr. CB Karki was chief guest of the restrained function.

The celebration started with the traditional ‘Chham’, the warrior dance, at Manelakhang premises, Ravangla.

Chham and the final of Open Volleyball Tournament 2009 were the only two items in the day’s programme. In the volleyball tournament CLC Barfung defeated Tashiding CLC by three sets to one.
The programme was attended by Minister for Power and Cultural Heritage Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, Area MLA Barfung Mr. Sonam Gyatso, MLA Temi-Tarku Mr. BS Panth, Mr. Madan Century, MLA Zoom–Salghari and Political Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KN Rai, among others.
In the capital, Gangtok, the celebration began with a cultural programme on Thursday evening but it was put off on Friday. “As the nation mourns the death of Andhra CM, the cultural fest is postponed”, announced Pang Lhabsol Celebration Committee (Statue of Unity) chairman, Mr. T. Lachungpa. He however distributed prizes to winners of various competitions held on the occasion.

Two NHPC hydel projects in Sikkim delayed

Gangtok,Sep 4 Two of state-owned NHPC&aposs proposed hydel projects in Sikkim may be delayed by three to five years due to resistance by a section of locals, according to a senior NHPC official.

Of the two projects, the finalisation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the 520 MW Teesta Stage IV project in North Sikkim has been delayed by at least two years apparently because of&aposresistance&aposby local people at the instance of an apolitical outfit - Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), the official said on the condition of anonymity.

A section of Lepcha tribals were instigated by the ACT not to cooperate with the NHPC officials in investigations work for nearly two years after the NHPC and the state government signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Teesta Stage IV project in September 2007, he said.

With all required formalities getting delayed beyond the stipulated time frame, the commissioning of the Teesta Stage IV hydel project will be delayed beyond its scheduled time - 2011-12, he said.

Gangtok Dance teacher hit by MMS allegations

GANGTOK, September 4: After hitting unsuspecting women in other parts of the country, the technology driven MMS sex scandal has finally come overboard in the Himalayan State of Sikkim with one such clip doing rounds in Gangtok indicating the social degradation of society here which is already facing the challenges of drug abuse and HIV-AIDS.

Readers know about the voyeuristic attacks on women of other parts of the nation, mostly metros, but now the virus has spread to rapidly modernizing Gangtok as well.

Presently, an MMS is in spread in town here where the victim seems to have been betrayed by her boyfriend after some intimate moments were shot. The focus of the MMS viewers is on the girl which has led to some wild guesses on her identity.

One such wild guess which has gained considerable momentum is ruining the life of a 26 years old dance teacher residing at Development Area.

Tormented by unkind comments and stares within her village, the lady came forward to media today to highlight her problems triggered by the MMS clip which is steadily gaining regrettable social dimensions.

“Although I have not seen the clip, I want to state that I am not the girl and such rumours are damaging my life and my family,” said the victim pleading for such nonsense to be ended. “A great stain has been put in my life,” she said.

The victim’s mother and sister also came forward in her support. They expressed their anguish over the allegations made against the victim.

“Today I am a victim and I don’t want other women to face such situation in future”, said the victim pained by the MMS rumours.

It seems Gangtokians have a peculiar attachment with rumours. Readers know how the entire Gangtokians emptied themselves into the streets in fear of Valentine Day aftershock after such rumours spread.

More recently, the residents of the Capital were ready to sit on midnight vigil to watch the big tanks and artillery of the Indian Army passing along the highway. Rumours of impending Chinese aggression being the culprit here. Among all rumours, this particular MMS rumour should be concern for the society here as it shakes the edifice of the civil society of Sikkim and trigger fears about of not only losing morality but losing it in public view thanks to latest technology like camera-blue tooth mobile handsets.
And the culture of live-in relationships here in the Capital among the youth which leads to a genre of immoral practices is the powder keg the society of Sikkim is standing upon.

Sikkim judges to disclose their wealth

GANGTOK, September 4: After the landmark decision of Supreme Court judges to make their assets public, High Court of Sikkim judges are set to do the same which could possibly the first such decision in the Northeastern region.
Sources in the High Court of Sikkim informed that the asset details of High Court judges will be placed in the website of the court at the earliest.
High Court of Sikkim has a three bench Judge, Chief Justice Aftab H Saika, Justice AP Subba and Justice Sonam Pintso Wangdi.
It may be recalled that the Supreme Court of India judges had recently decided to make their assets public. The apex court had taken the decision during a full court meeting of its judges under the chairmanship of Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan.
The Supreme Court judges had passed a resolution that the details of their assets, which are already available with the office of the Chief Justice of India in varying formats, would be tabulated in a uniform format and placed on the apex court website at the earliest.

19 new species of flora and fauna discovered in Sikkim

Gangtok, Sept 4 (PTI) Sikkim continued to maintain its pole position as the country's richest state in terms of bio-diversity with 19 new species of flora and fauna being found in the state in last 10 years, World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) said in a report.

Of the 353 species of flora and fauna discovered in the eastern Himalayan range between 1998 and 2008, Sikkim has generated 19 species comprising plants and fish, the WWF said in its report.

The WWF surveyors also discovered 21 new species of orchids in the range of which five have been found in Sikkim, the report said.

The new variety orchid - coelogune pantlingii (pure white) - has been found in several parts of Sikkim, it said adding of 14 fish varieties found Sikkim has contributed three varieties - Pseudopoda abnormis, Pseudopoda hingstoni and Pseudopoda minor.

PIB to campaign in Sikkim

Gangtok, Sep 4 The Press Information Bureau (PIB) will organise a five-day public information campaign at Rhenock in East Sikkim from September 7 to 11, to publicise the Central flagship programmes, its Director Jane Namchu said today.

Events like seminars, infotainments will be held to spread awareness among the people of various flagship programmes like the NREGA, PMGSY, total sanitation, SSA, mid day meal and ICDS, she told reporters here.

The other programmes to be held during the public information campaign include a free medical camp, exhibition on the theme 'Resurgent India, No Tobacco and Gender Equality, Namchu said.

Tourism Minister Bhim Dhungel will inaugurate awareness programme on September 7, while Information Minister Neeru Sewa will attend the valedictory function on September 11, the PIB director said.

To a question that there was a perception that local people were not benefited from the central development and welfare programmes in Sikkim, she said the implementation of

Better packaging and marketing must for ginger exports

GANGTOK, September 4: The EXIM Bank has listed lack of local availability of packaging material of international standard and lack of refer facility with direct transportation to Kolkata port as major problems that have inhibited exports of fresh ginger of Sikkim.
This is despite the fact that Sikkim among the major producers of ginger, contributing to about 5 percent of the country’s production.
The other problems hindering the export potential of Sikkim are lack of refer facility with direct transportation to Kolkata port, no pre cooling plant and integrated packing houses, manual cleaning process and dearth of warehousing facilities for keeping produce immediately after harvesting, said the Bank.
All these shortfalls need to be suitably addressed, said the EXIM Bank in its study report ‘Sikkim-Export Potential and Prospects’.
“Ginger is largely grown in Sikkim for exports as green ginger. Even though improved varieties with less fibre are available to the grower, they continue to rely on the local fibrous Bhaisey (large rhizome) and Majhauley (mid-size rhizome)”, the report states.
It is mentioned that the quantum of ginger going out of the State is estimated at roughly 25,000 tons and about 30 percent of produce is retained as seed.
The major markets of Sikkim ginger are Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal while most of the exports of Sikkim ginger that currently occur are indirectly through the Delhi market.
“Chinese ginger has been ruling the international markets for a long time. However, there have been cases of residual heavy metals being traced even in organic exports from China. This has opened up a window of opportunity for exports of organic ginger and needs to be cashed in”, said the Bank.
At the same time, the report points out that there is no formal value addition to the ginger produce of Sikkim. The State government has recently sanctioned a ginger processing unit with a capacity to process 7.5 MT/day and would be leased to private players for usage.
The processed products would include waxed ginger, ginger paste and oil and will help in better price realization and increased shelf life of the product, the report says adding such process will also encourage undertaking direct exports from Sikkim to international markets. The report mentions that ginger oil produced from fresh ginger in Sikkim has a high market value due to presence of various aroma chemicals.
The Bank also said a project to set up a ginger oleoresin plant in Sikkim is commercial viable to export ginger oil and oleoresins to Eastern countries like Japan, South Korea and Australia. It added that the project cost is estimated at Rs. 4.5 crore (excluding land cost) with the entire capital investment (excluding margin for working capital) being paid back within 5 years and 2 months

Yoga camp at Gangtok jail

Gangtok,august2: Six day long Yoga and Pranayam Vigyan Shivir began on September 1 at Government Jail, Rongey. Patanjali Yoga Samiti, Sikkim, and Rongey Jail Authority are jointly organizing the camp.
The inaugural programme was presided by Mrs. R.Ongmu, Member, State Planning Commission. Draupada Ghimirey, President, Sikkim Vikalng Sahayata Samiti, Senior S.P Sikkim Police Y. Tshering, Patanjali Yog Samiti state President Mr. R.P. Poudyal and Publicity Secretary D.R Dulal were present on the occasion.
More than 25 prisoners and 20 locals took part in the camp on first day. The camp is being organized to give a message of healthy life. “Where ever we stay, in a jail or elsewhere, we are to be always be alert about our health. Lost of health is everything lost”, Yoga Instructor D.T. Bhutia told the participants. He is hopeful that the number of participants will increase by tomorrow.
Patanjali Yog Samiti is also organizing a six day Yoga Camp at Mangalbaria Senior Secondary School, West Sikkim from 2nd of September, publicity secretary Mr. Dulal said.

Self Help Groups encouraged in Sikkim

Gangtok,august2: A day long programme of Self Help Groups was held at Aaho-Chota Singtam, East Sikkim, with women participants from four local SHG’s on September 1. The programme was organized by Rural Management & Development Department and Sikkim Rural Development Agency (SRDA).
Mr. Beg Bahadur Rai, area MLA was chief guest of the programme which was attended by S.D. Dhakal, Project Officer SRDA, Raju Giri, Resource Person, departmental officials, Zilla Panchayats, local Panchayats and villagers.
Mr. Rai in his address told the people to work forming active SHG’s. Sharing his experience about SHG’s of different states in his recent tour he said, SHG’s in Madhya Pradesh have made themselves self reliant. They are having big finance through sales of their produces. Women in different parts of the country have taken themselves to a great height through joint effort. It can only be possible by working together in the form of SHG’s, he emphasized.
Mr. Dhakal during his interaction with participants told the villagers that the state government is providing financial aids for dairy farming, poultry, horticulture and floriculture. Department will provide expertise for construction of poly cow shed. A team of officials of RMDD will visit villages of North district soon, the Project Director said.

Dhungel hands over tourism award to Sikkim CM

GANGTOK, September 1: The State Tourism Minister Bhim Prasad Dhungel handed over the award of ‘Best State of Adventure Tourism’ for the year 2009’ to the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling at his official residence Mintokgang, here today.
This award was on August 28 received by Mr. Dhungel from the hands of the Governor of Orissa Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare at a function organized by Safari India magazine, held in the Banquet Hall of Hotel Ashok, New Delhi, said an IPR press release.
Zilla Adhakshya, East, Bimal Dabari, and State Tourism Secretary SBS Bhadhauria were also present on the occasion.

Sikkim plans a pollution-free Durga Puja

GANGTOK, 1 SEPT.: With the Pujas round the corner, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) is all set to issue instructions pertaining to Puja celebrations, idol immersion and disposal of other wastes. According to Dr Gopal Pradhan, chief scientist, SPCB, an official notification would soon be issued in this regard. The move is seen as the SPCB’s attempt to reduce the immersion of idols and disposal of waste in the state's rivers during the coming Puja season and thereby minimize pollution.
The SPCB has also advised the organisers to lessen the use of earthen idols and instead use photo frames of deities, as frames could be reused and hence idol immersion in the rivers could be avoided. It is also informed that if idol worship is inevitable, then small idols without much harmful dyes and paints could be used instead. The organisers have also been advised to use eco-friendly leaf plates to serve prasads. To check sound pollution, strict guidelines would also be issued to regularise the volume of sound systems used during the Pujas.
Dr Pradhan further appealed to all concerned to co-operate in the SPCB's pollution control drive to make this Puja season pollution free. The board would soon come up with a cache of publicity activities to create more awareness about the ill-effects of pollution. The instructions would be effective starting 17 September, the day Biswakarma Puja will be celebrated. Ranipool, Rangpo, Teesta and Rangit rivers witness the highest number of idol immersion in the state particularly during the Puja season.

High Security Registration Plates drive in South & West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 1 SEPT.: In an attempt to give momentum to the ongoing process of replacing the old system of number plates with High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) in all kinds of vehicles, the state transport department would soon set up HSRP affixation stations at Jorethang, Geyzing and Mangan in south, west and north districts
respectively.
Earlier, both embossing and affixation of HSRPs were done at a centre in Gangtok. The act is seen as the transport department's move to minimise the rush for the affixation of number plates in Gangtok.
The new registration system of HSRPs has a different codified number for all four districts in Sikkim. Vehicle of the East district would start with SK 01, while those from the west, north and south districts would bear SK 02, SK 03 and SK 04 respectively.
According to an official notification, all new vehicles would have to affix new HSRPs at the time of their registration. It is also informed that no registration document would be issued unless the HSRP is obtained by the owner.
To ensure smooth replacement of old registration plates in already registered vehicles, the transport department has decided to issue HSRPs in a phased manner in Sikkim. It has been notified that the replacement of number plates in the SK 01 series comprising of two wheelers would be completed within June next year. All types of private vehicles with older numbers in the SK 02 series would be replaced by HSRPs between July 2009 and December 2009. On the other hand, other private vehicles with number plates in the SK 02 series would be completed within January 2010 to June 2010. Goods carriers and trucks with the SK 03 series and taxi vehicles with the SK 04 number series would be replaced with HSRPs by June 2010.
The Supreme Court on 5 May had served a three months’ deadline to all the state governments and Union territories to install the high security registration plates (HSRPs) to their motor vehicles. West Bengal has been exempted from the directive. Earlier the state government had introduced the HSRPs from 14 October, 2008 by replacing the old system of number plates. The act is seen as the Centre's move to cut down the use of motor vehicles in the growing menace of crime and terrorist activities in the country. The new system, being highly technical, leaves little room for the terrorists or car thieves to take advantage. An HSRP is a solid aluminum plate and reflective sheets that are visible from a minimum distance of 200m. To denote national identity and ensure standardisation, the plates also bear the letters IND in blue.
To avoid counterfeiting, there is also a chromium-based hologram on the plates. These HSRPs can only be installed at the SNT Terminus in Gangtok. Similarly a third registration mark affixed on the windshield of the vehicle is a self-reflective chromium-based hologram sticker with a seven-digit laser code c ontaining the engine number and the chassis number.

Praise heaped on Bhaichung for Nehru Cup win

Gangtok, Sept. 1: Accolades for Bhaichung Bhutia have been pouring in from his home state Sikkim after India lifted the Nehru Cup twice in a row — thanks to a well organised effort by the national football skipper.

Yesterday’s win was an icing on the cake for Bhaichung after having won the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008 and his personal achievement of playing 100 international matches donning India’s jersey.

People in Gangtok watched with bated breath the homeboy lead a strong defence against a tough Syrian side and defeat the visitors in a sudden death by 6-5 goals.

Since morning, the intense final match was the talk of the town. The discussion was all the more exciting as the win comes just before the Governor’s Gold Cup, the annual football extravaganza of Sikkim.

The Tashi Namgyal Academy Alumni Association — Bhaichung was a student of the school — hopes that the skipper will be awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. “Bhaichung’s 102 appearances for India deserve special accolades. The association hopes and prays that he be conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for his distinguished contribution to Indian Football,” the association said in a release.

Bhaichung’s home outfit, the United Sikkim Sporting Club, too, has come forward to pat its chief patron. “Everyone is proud of him and his team-mates for retaining the trophy for the country. The hard work has paid. He has not only made Sikkim proud but also done great service to the nation. We wish the team further success in the days to come,” Sherap Lepcha, Bhaichung’s close friend and the club’s chief coach, told The Telegraph.

Just two matches before the Nehru Cup final, Bhaichung reached the 100-match milestone in his chequered career.

Chief minister Pawan Chamling had congratulated Bhaichung after the national football skipper achieved the feat. “Bhaichung Bhutia is a role model. He is the pride of Sikkim and the entire nation,” Chamling said. He added that his government had already named a stadium in South district, from where the skipper comes, after Bhaichung. “We need more Bhaichungs.”

The Sikkim Football Association (SFA), which organises the All India Governor’s Gold Cup Tournament every year, has also hailed Bhaichung’s achievement. “We extend our congratulations to him. We are really proud of him,” Menla Ethanpa, the general secretary of the SFA, had said after the footballer brought the laurel.

The SFA has been felicitating Bhaichung every time the footballer achieves something. The association organised a special exhibition match at Paljor Stadium here last year when Bhaichung played against a Calcutta club, Ethenpa said

1987 to 2009 – a journey of 58 awards & citations to Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling

GANGTOK, August 31: From his first award for poetry to most recent award for leadership, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has been bestowed with over 58 awards, honours and citations for his personal and government’s achievements since 1987 till 2007 in a political career spanning around three decades.

These include Bharat Siromani, ‘Greenest Chief Minister’ and a slew of national tourism awards.

The first recorded award to the Chief Minister was for his literary exploits when Sikkim Sahitya Parishad presented ‘Chintan Purashkar’ in 1987 to Pawan Chamling ‘Kiran’ for his poem ‘Maile Samjeka Samjhana Kati Kati Chan’.

A compendium of honours, awards and prizes conferred on the Chief Minister prepared by his Press Advisor and former MP Bhim Dahal records that Mr. Chamling had been presented with Rs. 1001 along with the ‘Chintan Purashkar’ by Sikkim Sahitya Parishad.

One year after forming the government, the Chief Minister was conferred with Balraj Sahani National Award by Shimla based All India Artistes Association in 1995. A UNI copy released that time states that ‘the award was being given to Chamling, who is also a dramatist, poet, actor and singer, for his distinctive contribution to the cause of weak to strengthen the moral fabric of society’.

In 1996, the Chief Minister was bestowed with Bharat Shiromani award which was presented by the then vice president of India, KR Narayanan at New Delhi. The same year, New Delhi based United Children’s Movement conferred the Secular India Harmony Award to the Chief Minister.

Three years later, Mr. Chamling was adjudged the ‘Greenest Chief Minister of India’ by reputed environment specific Down to Earth magazine in 1999. He had been voted above all heads of other States to the pole position for his commitment to environment and sustainable development.

New environment challenges have come up but the ‘Greenest’ cover has now spread oversees with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger inviting Mr. Chamling for Global Summit on Climate Change at Los Angeles. For the record, this is for the second straight time that the Chief Minister is being invited to the international meet.

In between, the Chief Minister became ‘Dr. Pawan Chamling’ following the conferring of Doctor of Philosophy (honoris causa) by Sikkim Manipal University in 2003. The doctorate was conferred by the university in recognition of ‘his vision, leadership and contribution in the field of social upliftment of weaker sections, backward classes and all round development of Sikkim’.

National organizations like Poets Foundation, Friendship Forum of India and Institute of Economic Studies and Committee for National Integration along with international organizations like Global Economic Council, American Biographical Institute, International Melody Foundation and International Biographical Centre have also honoured Mr. Chamling over the years with various awards and citations.
The Chief Minister had been conferred

26th Pang Lhabsol festivities in Ravangla starts

GANGTOK, August 31: The unity of Sikkimese cultural enormity and plurality that it’s different indigenous communities-Nepalis, Bhutias and Lepchas- encompasses is set to come alive during the State wide festivities of Pang Lhabsol.
The celebrations are held to pay obeisance to Mount Khangchendzonga, the guardian deity of Sikkim and the common thread for the complete communal harmony here.

Over the years, Rabongla in South Sikkim has been the hub of Pang Lhabsol festival with the celebration committee straddle firmly with one foot in tradition and the other foot in modern amusements.

Having completed silver jubilee celebrations of Pang Lhabsol at Rabongla last year, the committee is all set to continue the festivities during the 26th Pang Lhabsol which will commence from September 2.

The opening day will witness rural sports, open volleyball semi-final, traditional dances and bike stunts.

Besides the famed Pang Toed Chaam dance on September 4, the other chief attraction is the volleyball tournament featuring several teams. The celebrations will be held at Mani Chokerling complex.

Rabongla over the years has grown as a volleyball hub in Sikkim Himalayan region and every volleyball lover awaits this event held along the sidelines of Pang Lhabsol celebrations.

The day celebrations will be wrapped up musical evenings by hard hitting rock band Robin N Looza and rap outfit Nepsydez.

Rural Development minister CB Karki and Barfung MLA Sonam Gyatso Bhutia have extended warm invitations to all to witness the 26th Pang Lhabsol festival at Rabong.

Sikkim Governor’s Gold Cup kick-off from Sept 5

Gold Cup Photo AlbumGANGTOK, August 31: The 2009 edition of the Governor’s Gold Cup has got bigger, better and offers more variety with participation of clubs from African football powerhouse Nigeria, eternal favourite Nepal, ‘never-say-die’ Bhutan, football capital Goa, former football capital Kolkata and ‘you love them-you hate them’ Tata Football Academy.
Of course, five of our very own local clubs will be rubbing shoulders with the Big Boys and hopefully, slay a few giants during the 31st All India Governor’s Gold Cup Football Tournament conducted by Sikkim Football Association (SFA).
This premier tournament of the Northeastern region kicks off from September 5 here at Paljor Stadium with eight unseeded teams battling for the two spots in the main draw before the tournament opens its doors for main course.
In a bid to encourage and promote local talents, SFA has given the opportunity to Denzong Boys, Dzongri Club, United Sikkim Sporting Club, Sikkim Sports Academy and Sikkim Police to participate in the tournament. These clubs will be playing a sort of pre-qualifiers against Independence Day football tournament champions Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), untested Dehradun XI and Eastern Railways on the first few days of the tournament.
And then comes the heavy artillery.
For the first time, a full fledged Nigerian team is participating in the tournament which should be enough to ensure a House Full at the 20,000 seater Paljor Stadium. The team, Covenant Sporting Club is from Lagos, the capital of Nigeria and it can be stressed here the players are not ‘freelancers’ Nigerian players we have seen in the past two editions of the Governor’s Club.
On paper, it should be a delusion to hand over the silverware to the Nigerian club as the defending champions, Three Star from Nepal is ready to do an encore.
Leading the Indian challenge is Faria Strikers from Goa. The club is the Goa league champions and its participation will be a maiden debut of a Goan club in Gold Cup.
Not to be left behind is Tata Football Academy, the production house of Indian footballers.
Four clubs will be representing Kolkata in the tournament. They are Chirag United, BNR, Calcutta Port Trust and George Telegraph. From the far west, Mumbai United FC has also thrown its hat in the ring. The presence of Charlton Chapman coached Royal Rangers from New Delhi and strong Punjab Police football team completes an all round national participation in the tournament.
September 22, two days before the Dasai festival, will decide which challengers will lift the coveted cup ending 19 days of football festivities here at Paljor Stadium.
“SFA takes pride in roping in the above clubs to play in this tournament despite the fact that IFA Shield, Durand Cup, Bordolia Cup as well as I-League matches are being held at the same time”, said SFA general secretary Menla Ethanpa in a press meet here today. He pointed out that the Governor’s Gold Cup is on the few tournaments of the country which is being organized uninterruptedly for the last thirty years.
Altogether twenty teams are featuring in the 31st All India Governor’s Gold Cup Football Tournament, said Mr. Ethanpa.
SFA working president BK Roka, publicity secretary Shyam Pradhan, vice president OP Singhi and vice president Karma Sonam Gyatso also addressed the press meet.
Governor Balmiki Singh Prasad will be declaring the tournament officially open on September 9 while Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has been invited as the guest of honour on the occasion.

Sikkim Snippets

• 31st Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup to starts on September 5- 22 with five local club teams and a team from Nigeria to be played at Palzor Stadium,Gangtok.
• Sikkim Information Technology rules,2009 issues guidelines to control operation of cyber-cafes in Sikkim.
• Health Secretary to ensure that genuine suppliers claims against Singtam District Hospital to be settled by the department.
• Impulse NGO Network organises a 2 days workshop on issue of human trafficking in Guwahati.

CBSE X board exam now optional

New Delhi, 31 Aug: From the current academic year, the tens of thousands of students studying in Class X need not burn the midnight oil or get stressed over the board exams ~ the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class X examination has been made optional.
Making this announcement here late this evening, human resource development minister Mr Kapil Sibal told reporters: “The CBSE Class X exams are optional from the 2009-10 academic year.”
“I have said this earlier too,” Mr Sibal said after the 56th meeting of the Central Advisory Board on Education (CABE) here, attended by education ministers and officials from states.
He added that the examination would give way to a grading system and students would be evaluated throughout the year.
HRD ministry officials believe this move would help relieve the stress on thousands of students and their families.
Officials said all schools, which have Class XI and XII, need not conduct the Class X examination, but schools with classes up to standard X may conduct the board examination. Under the grading system, students would be given grades like A+, A, B, C, D and E. Mr Sibal said many state governments were happy about the new system, but they need to evolve a consensus in their respective state Assemblies to implement it in their secondary education boards.
The grading system is for the CBSE now and not for the state boards, Mr Sibal said.
Meanwhile, the Centre today asked the states to cooperate in implementation of the Right To Education Act as a whopping Rs 1.5 lakh crore would be required for it in the next five years.
Chairing a meeting of central advisory board of education, Mr Sibal said that the Union government can spend
about Rs 45,000 crore for the purpose under the 11th Plan. Besides, it may spend another Rs 45,000 crore in the first three years of the 12th Plan.
“The kind of money we are looking at is 1.5 lakh crore to be able to provide quality education at elementary level. We have about Rs 90,000 crore in the 11th Plan and the first three years of the 12th Plan. We need another Rs 60,000 crore,” he said at the meeting attended by 25 state education ministers.
Also, in steps that would help in producing more sports persons in the country, the government today strongly favoured having one period everyday in schools for games and physical education.

Sikkim Pollution Control Bureau hikes environment clearance fees

GANGTOK, 31 AUG: The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) has increased the consent fee levied on business houses and industrial units in the state. According to an official notification issued by the SPCB, the revised fee would be based on the level of investment made by each enterprise and its potential of causing air, water and noise pollution.
The consent is required by all business and industrial houses to operate. It has to be renewed annually. As per the revised rates, the slab for the consent fee to be paid would be based on the gross fixed capital investment of the unit without depreciation. On the baseline, industrial and business units with investments upto Rs1 lakh would have to pay Rs 500 whereas, business units with investment of Rs One thousand crore and above would have to pay Rs 5 lakh as annual consent fee to the SPCB.
Meanwhile, the SPCB has issued fresh rates for hydroelectric power projects operational in the state. Mini Hydel projects with installed capacities of less than 50 Megawatts would be charged Rs1 lakh annually, while major projects producing over 500 Megawatts of power would be levied Rs 10 lakh. Pharmaceutical and Ferro alloys units would be charged under a separate category of consent fee. Companies with investments upto Rs 1 crore would have to pay Rs 20,000 while units in the same category with investments of over Rs 50 crore would be charged Rs1.5 lakh.
Although the slab system was effective earlier, the minimum consent fee paid by industrial units and business houses was Rs 500 while the highest consent fee levied from business units was Rs10, 000. The revised rates would be applicable immediately, informs the notification issued by Mr ST Lachungpa, principal chief conservator of the state forest, environment and wildlife management department.

Himalaya Darpan to Mark Sikkim page 6th Edition Anniversary

Gangtok,August31: Sikkim bureau of Himalaya Darpan, first nepali newspaper to be published in Nepali has is going to organise 6th anniversary celebrations of their Sikkim page edition in Himalaya Darpan by organising a cultural programme along with intellectual Seminar in Sikkim Government Collage auditorium on September 12.

Speaking on occassion of media briefing, Sikkim bureau chief Ratan Gurung informed that Chief Minister of Sikkim Pawan Chamaling has been invited as Chief Guest and an orgainsing committee consituting of Shri Shyam Pradhan,teacher PNGSS, Roshan Rai, MD- Nayuma Cable Tv, Rakesh Somani- SK Audio,Chunnilal Ghimirey-Ace Productions,Y T Lepcha-Social worker,Roshan Giri, a local newspaper editor .

The occassion plans greater degree of students involvement in anniversary celebrations.

All India Sikkim Governor’s Gold Cup Football Tournament

The Paljor stadium in Gangtok where the All India Sikkim Governor’s Gold Cup Football Tournament will start on September 5. Twenty teams, including Convenant Sporting Club from Nigeria, Three Star from Nepal and Bhutan XI, will participate in the soccer meet, which will end on September 22. The tournament is being organised by the Sikkim Football Association.

Dial China via Nathu La

Gangtok, Aug. 31: Reliance Communications and China Telecom have established the first direct terrestrial telecommunication link between Chinese and domestic markets through Nathu-la in Sikkim.

The link was provided on Friday when the two telecom companies completed the laying of over 200km-long cable that passes through the inhospitable terrain of the 14,200ft high mountain pass. Bilateral trade between India and China is conducted through Nathu-la.

The cable, linking Yadong in China with Siliguri in India, will provide direct connectivity between all major Indian and Chinese locations as well as expanding high-bandwidth coverage to more rural and urban areas in both the countries, sources in Reliance Communications said.

Prior to this link, the only connectivity option between the two countries was undersea cable routes through Hong Kong or Singapore. However, the undersea networks were vulnerable to disruption from typhoons and earthquakes, the sources said.

Both international traders and consumers in the region will benefit from the link, which is expected to improve Internet connectivity and voice clarity.

Punit Garg, the president of Reliance Communications, said: “India and China represent the largest growing economies in the world and the current global economic environment requires ever increasing high-bandwidth, converged applications to be run between two domestic markets.”

Describing the cable link as a “landmark”, Han YiHu, the managing director of China Telecom, said: “This represents many years of planning and hard work. We are very pleased with the increased dedicated bandwidth availability, connection speed and security this cable will provide to Chinese based enterprises and consumers.”

Countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and even Pakistan and Bangladesh will also benefit in the long term.

The Sikkim Chamber of Commerce has congratulated the telecom companies for the feat. “This is another milestone in improving the relationship between the two Asian giants,” said S.K. Sarda, its president.