Dalai Lama visits NYC to teach about emptiness

The Dalai Lama will teach the spiritual value of emptiness and its importance in existence at Radio City Music Hall this weekend.The Dalai Lama, whose name is Tenzin Gyatso, is considered by Buddhists to be the 14th reincarnation of the Buddha of compassion, Chenrezig. He will be teaching the Diamond Cutter Sutra, along with the 70 verses by Indian philosopher Nagarjuna that explain the Buddha's ideas on emptiness, said the Venerable Nicholas Vreeland, a coordinator of the Tibet Center.The teachings will take place on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will be repeated from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. More teachings will be held on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by a public talk on peace and prosperity with an introduction by actor Richard Gere, Vreeland said. It will be the first time the Diamond Cutter Sutra is being taught by a Dalai Lama, Vreeland said. Tickets for the teachings are still available through Ticketmaster or www.dalailamany.org, but the public talk on Sunday is sold out, Vreeland said.According to Vreeland, the teachings will emphasize the importance of emptiness, which doesn't mean nothingness but instead means to reject the need to grasp at a sense of self in order to allow a "spiritual revolution." The concepts that are going to be introduced by the teachings usually take years of studying to understand, but the teachings will provide a basic introduction for the public."[The Dalai Lama] is giving us a very brief introduction on this subject - planting a seed which we need to cultivate," Vreeland said. "But the seed is very important, especially when given by a great master." Vreeland said students who are interested in attending should plan on going to all of the sessions in order to understand them in their entirety, and should relax and listen carefully to gain the most from them.The Dalai Lama's visit is being organized by the Tibet Center, the oldest Tibetan Buddhist center in New York, and the Initiatives Foundation, Gere's public charity organization, Vreeland said. This is the fourth visit the Tibet Center and Gere have organized for the Dalai Lama in the city, the others taking place in 1991, 1999 and 2003.Vreeland, who wrote the New York Times bestseller "An Open Heart" about the Dalai Lama's teachings and who is in the process of writing another book, said the response to the Dalai Lama's visits has always been remarkable, with crowds of up to 250,000 attending the Dalai Lama's teachings in Central Park. He said the Tibet Center was happy to be able to help organize these visits."We are really honored to have done this together with Gere on the previous three occasions, and are very excited to be co-hosting this event with him," Vreeland said.

Ms.Cat Contiguglia

CM GETS "SIKKIM" NOTICED IN NEW YORK

Gangtok Oct. 6: For Dr.Pawan Chamling , an investment hunt abroad is not as much about coming back with a bagful of proposals as about “being noticed”, although he seems to have achieved both in New York.
The Sikkim chief minister has returned with few investment proposals from companies and individuals in sectors ranging from tourism and floriculture to education and casino, but what excites him more is the state being noticed as a potential investment destination.
Dr. Chamling was in the US for the North East India Investment Conference, part of the Incredible India@60 roadshow there. It was organised by the ministry of development of the northeastern region in collaboration with the Indian Chamber of Commerce. Confident but careful not to fuel expectations, Sikkim CM said today that the response in New York was “very positive” but it would take some time for the proposals to be translated into action.
“The companies will do studies and address certain concerns. The quantum of investment is not as important as the fact that companies now know about Sikkim. That gives me hope. Even the reports I have about the summit being held in Bangkok are very encouraging,” he said.
A ten-member official team led by Agriculture Minister Somnath Poudyal from Sikkim attended a four-day investment summit in Bangkok this week. He also Shared details about the proposals he received during and after the New York conference.

Dr. Chamling said his interactions with potential investors during previous visits to the Europe and Far East came in handy.

Dr. Chamling arrived to Sikkim via Calcutta after a long and weary tour of US and headed to hometown Namchi to assess situation of scheduled rural elections or Panchayat elections being held on October 26 .

Dr. Chamling calls for foreign investment

GANGTOK, Oct. 3: Sikkim chief minister Mr Pawan Chamling has requested the international investors to invest in Sikkim in the fields of tourism, education, healthcare, hydel power, floriculture, information technology and capacity building."North-East region has a great potential and during the 11th Five Year Plan, the Centre will be having special schemes for the speedy development in the North-East," Mr Chamling said at the recently concluded North-East India Investment Conference in New York. "Sikkim is the most peaceful border state in India. It maintains perfect cultural blend of ethnic communities in a single entity," the CM, said at the conference.He added: "The Government of India is providing both traditional and non traditional courses like mountain ecology, border management, biotechnology, military sciences, disaster management, migration, development communication, biodiversity, natural resources management and hydrology, human security and environment. We also invite the American educational institutions to come forward to collaborate with the upcoming Central University in Sikkim on mutually benefiting terms. Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairperson of Planning Commission who inaugurated the conference in New York, said: "I hope that this investment conference would boost the economy of the North-East region. The government of India has laid emphasis on development of this region. The government is planning to take major initiatives for the development of North East in the 11th Five Year Plan, especially in the education, healthcare and infrastructure sectors."

Sikkim takes bite of Big Apple

SIKKIM SHOWCASE ITS TOURISM POTENTIAL, POWER RIDE AND SILK ROUTE TO USA

New York, Sept. 29: At least for one day, the conversation on Assam was not about how much damage the floods had caused this year. And there was little talk about “disturbed areas” or about how many insurgent organisations were active in the Northeast.
Instead, a procession of chief ministers, deputy chief ministers, senior ministers and chief secretaries from six northeastern states were at their best in New York last week, selling their region to the world at a full-day Northeast India Investment Conference.
They used Powerpoint presentations, slides and prepared speeches — neatly printed and distributed among the audience by bureaucrats, not hotel waiters — to project a picture of the Northeast that people here had never seen before.
The orchids, fruits, aromatic plants and bamboo plantations of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur’s Loktak Lake with its surrounding green hills and Keibul Lamjao, the world’s last habitat of the Sangai, the bow-antlered deer, the Muga silks of Assam, Sikkim’s success with the environment, which earned its chief minister, Pawan Chamling, the title of “greenest chief minister” in a nationwide poll... and so on.

America’s response to the conference certainly met the expectations of the organisers, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Union ministry for development of the Northeast region.
In Grand Hyatt Hotel’s Manhattan ballroom, which can seat 400 people, there were no vacant seats at any table when the chief ministers and senior ministers from the Northeast were collectively addressing the conference in the morning.
Tarun Das, the CII’s chief mentor, said this was the “first effort to flag the Northeast as an area of investment internationally”.

The presence of Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, as the chief guest at the conference lent a lot of credibility to the event because he is well known and respected in the financial and corporate world here as a key promoter of India’s economic reforms.
A high-power team of government secretaries from New Delhi and heads of public sector infrastructure companies demonstrated to the audience that the central government was firmly backing the investment promotion drive by the Northeast states.

Incredible India @ 60 in Big Apple Concludes

New York, 26 September 2007:A Grand Finale, with the stage being taken over by each one of the dance and music troupes from India in an energetic symphony that represented all of the country’s incredible diversity in a single rhythm, was the culmination of the IncredibleIndia@60 campaign being held in New York from 23-26 September. The vibrant performances represented the conclusion of the event jointly organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Ministry of Tourism.
During the four-day event, denizens of New York were also treated to a sand sculpture of theTaj Mahal, painstakingly put together by international artist Sudarsan Patnaik, who grew up on the wide beaches of Orissa and has represented India at many international sand sculpture competitions, winning accolades and awards for his creations. India’s enduring symbol of love has been exquisitely recreated at the Port Authority Bus Station where thousands could
witness it.
New Yorkers also strolled through an exhibition of evocative photographs by National Geographic photo-artist Steve McCurry hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and the National Geographic Channel. McCurry, who has won 30 international awards for his vivid images, brought the colorful vibrancy of daily life in India through a series of large photos ranging from the child Buddhist monk to the tribal women and chaotic bazaars. The beauty across the country was captured in enduring perfectly-crafted pictures.
The South Street Seaport was home to the India Tourism information booth as well as those of the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. Stalls were also set up during the four days by the Spice Board of india, ITC-Maurya Hotel, the Tea Board and the Coffee Board, which dispensed a taste of India to the crowds. India’s largest customer for spices is the US and a range of flavorful spices were laid out. The teas from Assam, Nilgiris and Darjeeling drew large numbers of people to raise awareness of the branding of Indian tea. Booths also distributed colorful glass bangles, while a lady used henna for intricate designs on hands.
But the enthralling part of the evening comprised the rousing performances of the fusion music bands of Remo Fernandes and Colonial Cousins, both of which had the large crowd on their feet, clapping and dancing to the rhythms of the new India. “I am excited to perform in this city that is always moving,” said Remo, but he himself kept the throngs moving with his popular numbers ‘Hamma, hamma’ and ‘O Meri Munni’. Remo is the largest selling English language musician in
India and has been awarded the Padamshree.
Colonial Cousins also captivated the huge crowd of tourists, office-goers, and local Indians that had gathered on the pier. Their meld of Indian ragas and Western rhythms and lyrics has won many awards, including the Billboard Award. The two bands, representing modern India, truly wowed the Big Apple. Smiles came out on the faces of young and old as the stage was taken over by Puran Bhatt and his troupe of Rajasthani puppets. Cameras clicked and videos hummed as the mesmerized crowd watched the Anarkali and Bahurupiyapuppets.
Folk dances from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Assam, Kerala, and other parts of India as well as the traditional Kathakali dancers, revealed the intense diversity of the country. Yet as the drums of south India and those of north-east India rose together in a single rhythm, and the graceful Bihu dancers shared the stage with the energetic martial dancers, the different tunes and styles, the varying movements and steps, synchronized into a single entity that was emblematic of the unity of the country. The lively and joyful dances, choreographed by Maitrayi Pahadi of the Sangeet Natak Academy and representing almost 30 distinct styles, celebrated the range of India’s traditions.
The cultural events at the South Street Seaport and Bryant Park were organized by theMinistry of Tourism, which showcased the range of India’s unique attributes from taste to sound and music. “The Incredible India campaign presents a single brand that is always evolving to the rest of the world. State governments are building their own images and differentiating themselves,” said Amitabh Kant, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. The New York events had the support of Ms Ambika Soni, Minister of Tourism, who could not be present. Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr Vayalar Ravi, attended the grand finale. The finale brought to an end an incredible four days during which New York was taken over by the Incredible India@60 campaign. Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Ministry of Tourism, the campaign fused together the business and economic branding of the country with its cultural
branding. “This definitely makes me want to go to India,” remarked a visitor at the
South Street Seaport.
And as the full moon smiled down on the pleasant evening and the strains of thousands of people singing Vande Mataram filled the air, the Indian tricolor fluttered proudly from the tall masts of the berthed sailing ship at the New York pier.

Sikkim CM Dr. Pawan Chamling : All Nepali Speaking People of World Get United.

मुख्यमन्त्री चाम्लिंगद्वारा नेपालीभाषीहरुलाई एकजूट हुन आव्हान
-सुजित ढकाल / न्यूयोर्क नेपाली ताईम्स
न्यूयोर्क,सेप्टेम्बर २७,: नेपाली भाषा साहित्यको तीर्थस्थल मानिने भारतीय राज्य सिक्किमका मुख्य मन्त्री डा. पवन कुमार चाम्लिंगले संसारभरका नेपालीभाषीहरुलाई एकजूट हुन आव्हान गर्नु भएको छ।अमेरिका भ्रमणको अन्त्यमा रहनु भएका मुख्य मन्त्री चाम्लिंगले न्यूयोर्कस्थीत नेपाली समूदायका तर्फबाट उहांको सम्मानमा आयोजित भेट्घाट कार्यक्रममा नेपाली समूदाय बिभिन्न जात जातिहरुबाट बनेको स्थितिमा "हामी नेपाली"को साझा भावनाबाट मात्रै बिदेशमा बलियो शक्त्तीको रुपमा अगाडि आउन सकिने बास्तबिकता दर्शाउनु भयो। उंहाले अहिलेसम्म नेपाली जातिलाई अरुको काम गर्ने जातिको रुपमा सबैले हेर्दै आएको अवश्थामा अब नेपालीहरुले पनि नेतृत्वदायी भूमिका निभाउनु पर्ने आवश्यक्तामा जोड दिनु भयो।प्रशान्त तामांगले ईण्डीयन आईड्ल जितेको प्रसंग उल्लेख गर्दै डा. चाम्लिंगले भावुक हुदै भन्नु भयो-"प्रशान्तको स्वरमा भारतीय नेपालीहरुले आफ्नो अस्तित्व खोजिरहेका छ्न।" उहांले आफूले प्रशान्तलाई न्यूयोर्कबाटै बधाई दिएको बताउदैं आफू प्रशान्त लगायत सम्पूर्ण नेपालीभाषीहरुको हितमा लागिरहने दॄढता बयक्त्त गर्नुभयो।आफ्नो अस्तित्वको रक्षा गरिरहेका भारतीय नेपालीभाषीहरुले भानु जयन्ती नेपालमा भन्दा बढी धूमधामले मनाउनु स्वभाविक भएको बताउदै मुख्य मन्त्री चाम्लिंगले भन्नु भयो-" जहां बसेपनि, जहां रहेपनि हामी नेपाली हौं, हाम्रो रगत नेपाली हो"।न्यूयोर्क नेपाली टाईम्सको पहलमा यूनाईटेड किरांत राई अर्गानाईजेसन अफ अमेरिकाद्वारा संयोजन गरिएको सो कार्यक्रम म्यानहाटनको ग्रयाण्ड हयात होटलमा सम्पन्न भएको थियो।कार्यक्रममा अमेरिकी नेपालीहरुका तर्फबाट नेपाली आदिबासी जनजाती महासंघका उपसभापति पूर्ण लिम्बूले मुख्य मन्त्रीलाई माला पहिरयाई अभिन्न्दन गर्नु भएको थियो भने मुख्य मन्त्री चाम्लिंगले सम्पूर्ण सहभागीहरुलाई खादा ओढाई सम्मान गर्नुभएको थियो।
कार्यक्रममा सुजित ढकाल ( न्यूयोर्क नेपाली टाईम्स), केशव राई (यूनाईटेड किरांत राई अर्गानाईजेसन अफ अमेरिका), सुरेश चाम्लिंग (यूनाईटेड किरांत राई अर्गानाईजेसन अफ अमेरिका), पूर्ण लिम्बू (किरांत याक्थूम चुम्लुंग), केशव कुमार तामांग (तामांग सोसाईटी अफ अमेरिका), राम तामांग (तामांग सोसाईटी अफ अमेरिका),शम्भू मोत्तान (तामांग सोसाईटी अफ अमेरिका), मणि बाड०देल (किरांत राई सोसाईटी अफ अमेरिका), बिजय राई (किरांत राई सोसाईटी अफ अमेरिका) र अनील शाही (एलायन्स फर डेमोक्रेसी एण्ड ह्यूमन राईट्स)लगायत बिभिन्न नेपाली संघ संस्थाका प्रतिनिधिहरु सहभागी हुनुहुन्थ्यो।मुख्य मन्त्री चाम्लिंगले त्यस अवसरमा सहभागी नेपालीहरुलाई चिनो स्वरुप सिक्किमबाट ल्याइएका उपहारहरु प्रदान गर्नुभएको थियो भने स्थानीय नेपाली संघ संस्थाका प्रतिनिधीहरुले पनि उहांलाई उपहार प्रदान गरेका थिए।मुख्य मन्त्री चाम्लिंगले अमेरिकी नेपालीहरुको सम्मानमा चियापान कार्यक्रमको पनि आयोजना गर्नु भयो।

Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to head for Bangkok from New York

CM presents state`s business prospects before investors at New York conference

Gangtok,Sept 27: After conclusion of the one-day North East India Investment Conference in New York, Sikkim chief minister Dr.PawanChamling will be leaving for Bangkok to participate in a business summit. Chief ministers of other north eastern states except Meghalaya, which will be represented by its deputy CM, will take part in the summit.The summit will be inaugurated by the industries minister of Thailand and the state chief minister will present a paper on investment opportunities in Sikkim in the field of tourism, horticulture, power, natural resources with the aim of wooing private investors.Officials with Dr. Chamling informed he would be leaving New York tomorrow at 10 am for Bangkok with state delegation to attend the three-day business summit due to begin on October 1. The summit will end on October 4, he said.The chief minister is scheduled to return home on October 5.The chief minister, who has been out of the state since September 21.The chief minister left the country on September 22 for New York and made a presentation on Investment Opportunities in Sikkim in the first session of the one-day North East India Investment Conference in New York.The conference was organized jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the ministry of development of north eastern region (DoNER) on September 26 at Hotel Hyatt in New York coinciding with the four-day long India @ 60 Event which commenced on September 23.In his presentation, Dr. Chamling reportedly mentioned that Sikkim needs to utilize its natural resources and tourism potential to improve the living conditions of the people and expressed desire for investment from outsiders.While taking up the topic of horticulture, he said that the state had a potential for large scale production of floriculture and horticulture with its favorable climatic conditions. Floriculture also can be taken up successfully in the state, the chief minister revealed to the prospective investors stating that as many as 550 varieties of orchids were available in the state.In the power sector too, there was potential for producing 8000 mega watts of hydel electricity but currently only less than 25% of potential capacity were being produced in the state, the chief minister said in his presentation disclosing that the state government had identified many areas which had power production potential.He also attracted the investors to the tourism industry elaborately describing the beauty of the Sikkim and the north eastern region of India. He informed of onshore casino policy of state and also recent opening of historical silk route to China and invited investors to impart knowledge of the latest technology to the state`s youths. He also talked on collaboration with upcoming Sikkim Central University with US institutions.

INVEST IN SIKKIM, CM ASKS NRIs

Chamling extends invitation to American educational institutions to collaborate with Central University
GANGTOK, September 27: The Government of India will be taking major initiatives for the development of North Eastern Region in the 11th Five Year Plan especially in the sector of education, healthcare, infrastructure and connectivity.
This was said by Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission during the North East India Investment Conference held yesterday in New York, USA.
Organized jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), the Conference was attended by Montek Singh Ahluwalia as the chief guest while Sunil Bharti Mittal, President CII, Chairman and Group CEO Bharti Enterprises was the special invitee.
Mr. Ahluwalia also expressed his happiness for initiating this exercise and hoped that this would be a continuing affair for the development of North East Region.
He further informed that Government of India has laid a lot of emphasis for the development of North East Region as without which the development of the country remains unfulfilled.
Mr. Ahluwalia also expressed his happiness for initiating this exercise and hoped that this would be a continuing affair for the development of North East Region.
During the conference, Mr. Mittal informed that he was extremely happy with his experience in the investment in the North East region which has resulted in good returns especially in the field of the telecom sector and he believed that there is ample scope for investment in the North East region in all sectors.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling expressed his happiness for organizing the conference by the CII in collaboration with DONER showcasing North East at New York, USA. North East region has a great potential and during the 11th Five Year Plan, Government of India will be having special schemes for the speedy development in the North East.
He further informed that Sikkim today is a robust democracy that has trickled down to every individual with a very low level of crime rate and proven record of socio political stability with highest per capita availability of peace perhaps in the whole of Asia. Sikkim is the most peaceful border state in the India Union maintaining perfect cultural blend of ethnic communities in a single entity. At the back drop of clean Himalayan height, government is open minded and investor friendly. It invites investors as development partners and appeals to the Indian community in the United States to come forward to invest in Sikkim especially in the field of tourism, education, healthcare, hydel power, floriculture, information technology and capacity building. Government of India has approved setting up a central university for Sikkim and the university will be providing both traditional and non traditional courses like mountain ecology, border management, biotechnology, military sciences, disaster management, migration, development communication, biodiversity, natural resources management and hydrology, human security and environment. Mr. Chamling has also extended an invitation to American educational institutions to come forward to collaborate with this university on mutually benefiting terms. He further informed that the old Silk Route via Nathula to Tibet Autonomous Region reopened last year and expects further transit trade through this route including tourism.
Although Sikkim is a very small state but its big heart and ever smiling faces is worth considering for investment in terms of sustainable and gainful partnership, he said further applauding the efforts of the Ambassador of India to the US and other diplomats for extending their cooperation to make this event successful.
He further invited all the participants to Sikkim to feel the warmth of Sikkimese hospitality and thereafter take a judicious decision to invest in Sikkim.

Chamling invites US investment for Sikkim

GANGTOK: Sikkim Chief Minister P K Chamling, currently on a tour to the United States, has invited foreign investment for the economic development of the Himalayan state and other states of the Northeast. A state government release on Thursday said that while addressing the North-East Indian Investment Conference in New York last night, he appealed to the foreign investors, particularly the non-resident Indians, to become a partner in the economic development of Sikkim and other Northeast states. Chamling underlined the state's huge potential in tourism, education, floriculture, hydel power, education and infrastructure. He also invited NRIs and American tourists to visit the picturesque sites of the state including the Silk Route via Nathula Pass which were opened for traders of China and India, last year, the release said.

Dr. Pawan Chamling: Sikkim Only State in India Where Onshore Casinos Permitted

New York, Sep 27 (IANS) :The north eastern states of India highlighted their many strengths at a business conference here and enticed US entrepreneurs to invest in high potential sectors like tourism, food and agro industries, infrastructure, minerals, IT and communications for socio-economic development in the region.
The daylong North East India Investment Conference, which was held Wednesday, was the last big conclave that concluded the Incredible India@60 mega event here.
It was organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
'It is the first time that the region has been presented internationally as an investment opportunity,' Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi said.
Six states in the region sent high-level delegations, three led by chief ministers.
While making a pitch for investment in what has been almost virgin territory, the speakers at the conference underlined that the region was abundant in resources like oil, coal, minerals and water. They also highlighted that the region had unparalleled scenic beauty, was rich in biodiversity affording great scope for horticulture and floriculture, followed organic farming and had a huge English speaking, educated population, making it ideal as an IT and communications hub.
Gogoi especially invited investment in the education sector 'to move towards a knowledge-based economy'. IT already is the fastest moving sector in the state, he pointed out.
Meghalaya's deputy chief minister, Mukul Sangma, argued that since individual states were small, 'presenting the region as a unit will make them more attractive for investors'.
He added that for India to do business with countries to its southeast, the region is the gateway.
To drive home the point that the rest of the country is ignorant about the northeast, which does not attract enough tourism despite its natural beauty, Sangma said: 'I have been to most hill stations in the country and I can vouch that Shillong is the most beautiful among them.'
Manipur's Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh agreed that the general impression about insurgency and law and order problems in parts of the region have kept business and industry away.
'The root of the problem, however, is unemployment among the educated. Once investment kicks off development, creating jobs, the problem can be solved,' he said.
Sikkim's Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was quick to mention the socio-political stability in the state. He also said that Sikkim was the only Indian state where onshore casinos were permitted.
H. Khekiho Zhimoni, industry minister of Nagaland, and Chowna Mein, rural development minister of Arunachal Pradesh, also spoke during the conference.
Dipankar Chatterji, chairman of the CII's North East Council, pointed out that investors in the northeast would enjoy major tax breaks and subsidies that were unavailable in other parts of the country.
Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, was the chief guest at the conference while Nandan Nilekani, co-chairman of Infosys, addressed the session on IT.
Coming up from Oct 1 to 4 is the North-East India Investment Opportunities Week in Bangkok.

North East India Investment Conference @ New York

Northeast India Must Enhance Transportation to Become Ideal Tourist Destination

Newyork,27-Sep-2007: While Northeast India has several wildlife habitats and IT resources, government officials say the region must further develop its infrastructure in order to generate tourism. Plans are already underway, India’s Deputy Chairman Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia says, to build thousands of kilometers of roads and numerous airport hubs. However, unlike other regions, Ahluwalia says the northeast sector must rely primarily on public investments rather than public/private partnerships. Ahluwalia was joined by other business and government officials at an Incredible India@ 60 conference in New York City on Sept. 26.

Dr. Chamling to attend North East India Investment Conference Today

North East India Investment Conference @ NewYork Today

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may have discreetly decided to stay away from US President George W. Bush at his ranch in Crawford and during this annual season of summits in the Big Apple, but it is not preventing his government from going into overdrive to woo America.
India is employing a pioneering new strategy in this courtship of the US: it is offering the Northeast to Americans for investment and tourism.
The chief ministers of Sikkim,Assam, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur will all be in New York on the same platform on September 26 to court America.
Also taking part in the same initiative will be the deputy chief minister of Meghalaya, the industry ministers of Assam, Nagaland , and the information technology ministers of Meghalaya and Assam.
The programme is Organised by the Ministry for the Development of the North Eastern Region (DONER) in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry, the North East India Investment Conference would be to provide information on investment opportunities in the North Eastern States of India and facilitate interactions with the 8 States located in the Region.

In a sense, if any collective decision-making on the Northeast has to be taken within the Indian government during that week, it will be done in New York.

The chief guest at this Northeast India Investment Conference here will be the man who controls the purse strings for the development of the region: Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission.
On the corporate side, the effort will be anointed by Sunil Bharti Mittal, the president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), which has put together the event.
Conspicuously absent from this region-wide initiative is Tripura, which is ruled by the CPM.
Americans are not wasting any time speculating on why no one — neither a civil servant nor a bureaucrat — from Tripura is taking part in this programme.

The four-day event was kicked off with the minister for overseas Indian affairs, Vayalar Ravi, acting as master of ceremonies at a mini-Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at the spectacular location of New York’s Chelsea Piers, which are built on four historic piers on the Hudson river waterfront.The function was also attended by Sikkim Chief Minister Dr. Chamling.

PRAVASI BHARTIYA DIVAS NEW YORK 2007

The conference focused on finance, digital opportunities, infrastructure and globalization of Indian companies.

Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim concentrating him on 'Engaging the Diaspora, The Way Forward'.

New York, September 26: Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim attended the PBD New York 2007 Engaging the Diaspora. This is the first international Pravasi Bhartiya Divas organised by CII and the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. PBD New York 2007. Conference titled 'Engaging the Diaspora: The Way Forward', the PBD USA 2007 discussed on tangible roles for the Indian Diaspora in North American and its neighbouring regions as they contribute to the development challenges that India faces today.
The Way Forward organized jointly by Ministry of Overseas India Affairs Government of India Confederation of India Industry & Overseas Indian Facilation Center at New York USA on September 23rd 2007. Sunil Bharati Mittal President CII lauded the initiatives taken by both India and the US to improve bilateral relationship and to bring the proficiency and knowledge of overseas Indians to India and fought to integrate it into India's development. He also highlighted that a lot of development have already taken place and more is required to be done especially in the field of educational infrastructure and rural development so that by 2020 India becomes a self sufficient nation in the world. The conference focused on finance, digital opportunities, infrastructure and globalization of Indian companies. The conference was also addressed by Rohan Sen, India Ambassador to the US, Vayalar Ravi Minister of Overseas India Affairs, Kamal Nath Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and Sam Pitroda Chairman Knowledge Commission. Nandan Nilekari Co Chairman Infosys Technologies was also present and the meeting was attended by a large number of dignitaries. It was also announced that the next Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas will be held at New Delhi on Jan 8-9th 2008 in Vigyan Bhawan.

Sikkim Dancers Performing in NewYork, USA

Sikkim CM Dr. Chamling Attends Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, New York 2007

New York - Incredible India@60, a four-day celebration commemorating the 60th anniversary of Independence of the world's largest democracy, kicked off in New York, US, Sunday, September 23.

The event, organized jointly by the industry lobby Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Ministry of Tourism, will focus on strengthening business, diplomacy and cultural ties between the two nations.According to Nandan Nilekani, co-chairman of Indian IT bellwether, Infosys Technologies, the $10 million campaign, whose focus is to generate awareness about the changing face of India, will be "looking at creating a presence, a space for India.""The idea is to have four days of high impact on business, diplomacy and culture," Nilekani, who is the chairman of the Incredible India@60 organizing body, explained.Nilekani added that over the past 27 years that he had been dealing with the US, he had never seen "this kind of a huge interest in India, so this is the right time to undertake such an exercise.""The argument always was that democracy is a luxury for a poor country like India... that argument has now been blown out. Even 15-20 years ago Indian companies were being asked 'who are you,' but today we find a big sea change," Nilekani said."India now gets far more visibility and impact in the US," where not only the success of Indian entrepreneurs was being noted, but also the potential of the growing Indian consumer market, he said."This is a major initiative. We intend to leave a very strong impression of India," said Sunil Mittal, president, CII and chairman and group CEO, Bharti Enterprises. Mittal's group company Bharti Airtel is the largest mobile services provider in the private sector in India.The event, Mittal said, will witness the participation of the "the creamy layer of US companies" including Indra Nooyi, chairperson and CEO, PepsiCo; Charles Kaye, co-president, Warburg Pincus; John Chambers, chairman and CEO, Cisco Systems; and L. Brooks Entwistle, MD and CEO, Goldman Sachs (India).According to sources close to the development, eight other Indian ministries and eight overseas partners including universities of Columbia, Harvard and Yale, NYSE and Business Roundtable will also take part in the event.

Singapore foreign minister George Yeo; Brazilian foreign minister Celso Amorin; and Ernesto Zedillo, former president of Mexico will also take part in the celebrations, the sources said.On Monday, India's leading business salt to software conglomerate Tata group's chairman Ratan Tata will preside over a meeting of the Indo-US CEO Council to be held in New York, the sources added.

"Early success stories have started coming out of India. Once these stories come out, more investments will follow," Mittal explained.Sessions like "Investing in India" and "India's social building blocks," presided by speakers like India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee; Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi; and internationally renowned telecom inventor, technocrat and a social visionary Sam Pitroda are expected to be a huge draw.And, for the connoisseurs of art and culture, the event promises a repertoire of Indian music, including performances by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Colonial Cousins and Remo; dance recitals by performers from across India; Bollywood-inspired shows led by Saroj Khan; food festivals, and fashion shows by Indian designers like Ritu Kumar and Wendell Rodrigues.The organizers of the event have already launched an advertising blitz in New York with numerous hoardings, ads on buses and a giant display on the Nasdaq semi-circle facade in Times Square creating awareness of "Incredible India.""India generally evokes a kind of quizzical interest; but this time things are different," Mittal said. "This is not the regular trade show kind of event that other countries organize. It's a lot more than that."

Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi, Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Chamling, CII President, Shri Sunil Mittal, Secretary MOIA, Shri Nirmal Singh and Indian Ambassador to USA Ronen Sen join the inaugural function of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, New York 2007

The event is also attended by Sikkim Chief Minister Dr.Pawan Chamling accompanied by Sikkim Commerce & Industry secretary M.G.Kiran,Sikkim Tourism Secretary G.Uphadhaya and Principal Secretary to Sikkim CM R.S.Basnett who would also be attending North East Investment Conference scheduled for September 26.

Dancers from Sikkim would be joining the cultural show of India's unique celebrations.

Taj replica, dance and cultural shows mark 'Incredible India @ 60'

The display of the Taj replica in midtown Manhattan, New York, as part of the Incredible India at 60 celebrations.
A replica of Tajmahal installed in Bryant Park in New York's midtown Manhattan area as part of "Incredible India at 60!" was the centre of attraction.
The exhibit celebrates India at the 60th anniversary of independence. Hundreds of Indian dancers and cultural teams performed on the stage built in front of the structure. These included folk dancers from Sikkim.

Belated Happy Birthday to Sikkim Chief Minister Dr.Pawan Chamling

Gangtok,September23: The Chief Minister,Pawan Chamling, is presently on an official tour to USA to attend the Incredible India and North East India Investment Conference from 21Sep-Oct 01,2007.
On September 22,On his way to USA by Air India crew members and other celebrated the birthday of the Chief Minister Dr. Chamling on board by cutting a cake.They wished him a good health,happiness and success in his life as well as peace and prosperity of Sikkim under his dynamic leadership.
Mr.S.Banerjee,Secretary Tourism,Govt. of India and Mr.Trilochand Singh,M.P.Rajya Sabha and former Chairman of the Minority Commission,who were also traveling with Chief Minister wished him on his birthday.
The Chief Minister is accompanied by his Principal Secretary R.S.Basnet,Secretary Tourism Mr.G.P.Uphadhya, Secretary Commerce & Industries and IPR Mr.M.G.Kiran as per press communique issued by IPR.

Dr.Chamling Will be in Bangkok after NY

Tough ask for CM minus team- Dr. Chamling on Mission US without logistical support



New Delhi, Sept. 21: The Sikkim government is nervous about the tourism promotion-cum-business trip to the United States, apparently with good reason.
Caught between three events — IncredibleIndia@60, a tourism ministry extravaganza in New York from September 23 to 26, the Northeast India Investment Conference in New York on September 25 and an investment conference in Bangkok from October 1 — officials are said to be confused. The two latter events have been inserted into the itinerary by the DoNER ministry.
To begin with, Delhi has denied chief minister trusted lietenants ministers —permission to accompany him on the four-day trip to New York from September 23 to 26.
Moreover, officials fear that the tourism stall hired by the state in the US could embarrass Sikkim. Sources said the government has paid the Indian Tourism Development Corporation hiring charges for the stall, but is now wondering who will man it.
Promotional material, like Khadas and Posters, is being shipped to New York, but there is no one to even unpack the materials or erect the stall.
Sources said Sikkim had applied for political clearance of more people, of many were rejected by the DoNER ministry. When clearance came from the ministry of external affairs, only limited names were approved such as Dr. Chamling , his principal secretary Basnett and representative of Tourism department - sources added.
Some are trying to draw consolation from the fact that states like Tamil Nadu had applied for political clearance of 45 people, but got the green signal for only three. Assam applied for 12 but got clearance of 3.
As for the tourism stall, officials are trying to outsource work in the host country through the Indian embassy, but expect the going to be tough.
Indian embassy officials are going to be extremely hardpressed, as they will have to take care of more than 500 delegates from India. They will also be busy with the UN General Assembly that coincides with the programme.
The tourism ministry extravaganza in the US has Assam, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Madhya Pradesh as major players. Sikkim dancers have already left for New York to participate in the programme.
“We wonder why the DoNER ministry organised this investment event when the programme is already packed. These investment summits should not be clubbed like this,” rued an official.
DoNER minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, however, feels otherwise.
After the US trip, the Northeast delegates will head straight for Bangkok to attend another business summit.
Among those who will try to make a mark in New York and Bangkok will be Sikkim chief minister Dr.Pawan Chamling.

Dr.Chamling for early road repair

GANGTOK, Sept. 21: Sikkim chief minister Mr Pawan Chamling held a review meeting with heads of various departments at his residence here recently.Mr Chamling instructed the officials concerned to expedite restoration of NH-31A and other feeder roads. "The HODs should lay stress on providing essential commodities, such as food grain, petrol and LPG to the people of landslide-hit areas," the CM, said.He directed the health officials to take precautionary measures to prevent outbreak of epidemic in landslide-affected areas. The land revenue and disaster management department have also been instructed to remain alert and fully equipped to deal with any eventuality."Though the state government is trying hard to avoid short supply of essential commodities, the NH-31A blockade at 27th Mile is a major obstacle. I appeal to all concerned to extend their corporation in dealing with the current situation," the CM, said.Mr Chamling has also written letters to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and other Union ministers, seeking Centre's support in improving the condition of NH-31A and other roads in the state.Those who attended the review meeting convened by the chief minister, included urban development and housing development minister Mr DD Bhutia, health minister Mr Hissey Lachungpa, commerce and industries minister Mr RB Subba and chief secretary Mr ND Chingapa. Meanwhile, Mr Chamling left for USA yesterday to attend a DONER-sponsored conference on investment opportunities in North-eastern states. The conference will be held in NewYork.

It is time for Incredible India in NewYork,USA

Sikkim Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling to Reach NewYork Tomorrow

NewYork,Sep21: Coming out of the busy Grand Central terminal Wednesday morning, Steve White, a young corporate executive, chanced upon a number of colorful banners on the streetlights while walking down to his office on Lexington Street. Though the pictures were different, but the written text was the same - Incredible India. ''Incredible India!'' he thought and asked to himself: ''What is this?'' The same question he asked to one of his Indian-American colleague at his work place. ''I know, India is now an emerging economic power. But what is incredible India?'' Steve asked. ''I am planning to go to attend one of these events to know more about India,'' he told reporter Wednesday evening on his way back home. ''There are a series of events,'' he said as he checked the website listed on the colorful ads outside the Grand Central terminal.In his early 30s, Steve might or might not go to any of the events being planned by the Indian government beginning September 23, but the thought process he underwent Wednesday surely was reflected that the multi-million publicity blitz launched in Manhattan this past week has generated at least some curiosity among Americans about India and Indians. In the past few days, banners and hoardings of Incredible India campaign has come all across New York City at all important tourists destinations.The same have also been put in and around the United Nations, which is going to be the hub of the international community and the media for the next couple of weeks because of the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly that formally started September 18. The general debate involving heads of states would start next week.A public-private joint venture of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and CII, the four-day India@60 beginning September 23 would showcase the best of India among the New Yorkers and the large international community at the UN, which the organizers claim would not only lure them to visit India at least once, but also generate awareness about the changing face of India - an India that is incredible. ''Our objective is two present the best of India,'' Amitabh Kant, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, told in New York, when he was here as part of making preparation for the mega event - the first of its kind in several years by India in the Big Apple. ''We are bringing the best of everything from India to New York, be it folk, classical, musicians, food or the Bollywood,'' he said. While the events are spread out all over New York, Bryant Park, Pier Sixty, Lincoln Center, and South Street Seaport would be hosting most of the events. ''This time the people in New York would be able to witness for themselves the finest Indian classical artists and the finest Indian folk artists,'' Kant said. More than 150 artists are coming from India for the series of cultural shows - folk dance and music, classical dance and music and contemporary dances from India films. The Tourism Ministry in association with the hotel industry is flying some 20 best Indian chefs for the food festival at South Street Seaport. ''It is experiential in character,'' he said. One of the major attractions of the event, organizers expect, is going to be the sand sculpture of Taj Mahal - recently declared as one of the seven wonders of the world - at Port Authority, another place in the city that attracts thousands of people daily. A min-Prabasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is also being organized as part of the India@60 wherein various issues about Indian Diaspora and its contribution in India's development would be discussed at a day-long event on September 23. The National Geographic Channel is hosting a photographic exhibition ''Incredible India by Steve McCurry.'' Nearly half-a-dozen Indian ministers are expected to attend the event including the Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Besides cultural events, a number of panel discussions on various issues related to business, economics, and academics too have been scheduled all the four days.