30th All India Governor's Gold Cup

Gangtok, September 30 (IST 21:00): 30th All India Governor's Gold Cup Football Tournament 2008 organized by Sikkim Football Association (SFA) is going to be held from 14 October and its final is slated fro 25 October at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok.
Governor Balmiki Prasad Sing will declared open the tournament and chief minister Pawan Chamling will be the guest of honour on the occasion.
Total 15 teams including from Nepal and Bangladesh will be participating the tournament.
Menla Ethanpa, general secretary of the SFA, in a press conference held at the premises of Press club of Sikkim on Tuesday, said the association is also planning to bring football team from either Malaysia or Bangkok .
Regarding the Governor Gold Cup, he said it is one of the few tournaments of the country which is being organized uninterruptedly for the last twenty nine year.
Ethanpa also informed Sir Tashi Namgyal Memorial Cup will be replaced by L.D.Kazi Memorial Cup which is going to be held on 15 August thereby promoting STNM cup by making mini gold cup which will be held on March and April of every year.

College ground in Gangtok need to be taken care to improve

Gangtok, September 30 (IST 21:00): SFA wants the ground of Palzor Stadium one of the most equipped with modern amenities for standard stadium in North east should be artificial turf so that the standard of the ground would be improved as well as the football players feel comfortable to play.
According to Menla Ethanpa, general secretary of the association, the association international football match are played on the ground of artificial turf. This material has now come in India also. An American company based in Hydrabad has approached them to install these materials also. In response of it the association organized a meeting where Sports minister P.S.Tamang, Sports secretary K.P.Adhikari and other senior officers of the sports department were present. In their presence the company had presented power point presentation on this matter. The ministers including the officers also were satisfied on the proposal.
Ethanpa, however, said it has been a month past submitting of detail project report of this proposal but yet there is not any response from the department.
He further said the ground of the stadium is not good but the government has expensed Rs.40 crore to make it standard. So, we want if that much money has been spent for the maintenance of the stadium. Why not the government can afford to expense just Rs.2.9 crore for laying down the artificial turf? He asked.
Saying the turf has zero maintenance and has great versatility of using, he noted it has 15 years guaranteed and will be completed within three month by the company adding that by installing these materials this will ultimately benefit the department and the stadium would be a more source of income.
B.K.Roka, working president of the association also spoke on the alternative grounds for the sports activities in the city. He said there are other ground like College ground in Gangtok that need to be taken care to improve it. He said, in the city except Palzor stadium there is not any other ground suitable for any sports activities. There should be alternative grounds so College ground is suitable for it and it has the scope of improvement. Besides, it has good connectivity in comparison to Sichey ground, he said.

Annual General Meeting of SISCO

Gangtok, September 30 (IST 21:00): 9th Annual General Meeting of Sikkim State Cooperative Bank Limited (SISCO) was held at Janata Bhavan on Tuesday. N.K.Pradhan, chairman of the bank was the chief guest of the programme.
On the meeting five agenda were discussed and passed. They are: the annual report of the board of directors for the year 2007-08; approval of audited statement of accounts and the balance sheet/profit and loss account as on 31st March 2008; approval of distribution of profit for the year 2007-08; declaration of dividends for the year 2007-08 and approval of business budget for the year 2008-09 and expenditure budget of the bank for the year 2008-09.

SDF thanks peoples

Gangtok, September 29 (IST 20:27): Sikkim Democratic Front has given thanks to the people and organizations who supported to make success the “protest day” called on by SDF on 29th September. In a press release issued by T.N.Sharma, publicity secretary of the party, said SDF had requested the general public, business community, educational  institutions, government departments, various communities and Non Government Organizations, central offices, financial institutions and taxi and truck driver associations to observe “protest day”. This was called on by the party to protest of the effigy burning of chief minister Pawan Chamling in Siliguri by Shivasena youth wing. This mischievous deed of the so-called organization is termed anti-Indian Nepali and anti-national by SDF and whole Sikkimese people. This is a state wide expression against the anti-national elements who dared to burn the effigy of chief minister, the release said.
The release further said SDF heartily wants to give thanks to organizations and people who made the protest day successful with peace.

World Tourism Day celebrated

Gangtok, September 29 (IST 20:27): Ist State Level Tourism Stake Holders Meet cum World Tourism Day celebration-2008 jointly organized by Tourism Department and Travel Agent and Association of Sikkim (TAAS) was held at Chintan Bhavan on Monday. On the day Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was also felicitated for making Sikkimese exempted from central income tax and declaring tourism as public industry.
In his address, chief minister Chamling said the state government is going to introduce village tourism in all 165 gram panchayat units of the State. He also said 2010 will be declared Tourism year.
Regarding the development of village tourism, he said there need to promote village tourism in the State without hampering the culture and tradition of the society.
He said there is vast potentiality of promoting village tourism that is why government has decided to give skill development training to every five youths for tourist guides, drivers, cook of each Gram panchayat units.
He also mentioned of Green Mission organized by the State government. “The green mission has been greatly appreciated by the people of outside state. There is excitement on it. Even the prince of England Charles has sent me a letter appreciating my initiative,” he said.
Chief Minister also directed the head of the departments to take to their service not as duty but as mission to make Sikkim beautiful. “You people should persuade your employees in a friendly manner for discharging their duty but you should not force and order them.”
On global warming he said though Sikkim has already initiated Green mission like eco friendly campaign by the time the world realize of global warming, Sikkimese people also should support the campaign how to cope with global warming by using less electricity and driving the vehicles only in use.
Chief Minister said the infrastructure for the tourism development has already been prepared now only there is need of skilled manpower from the State. If there were not skilled manpower from the State itself, whatsoever the development and floursihment of tourism, State will not gain anything from that as the whole money would go outside, chief minister observed.

A total bandh observed in protest of burning the effigy of CM

Gangtok, September 29 (IST 20:27): After 10 years, Sikkim witnessed a general strike on 29th September. Sikkim Democratic Front had called on general strike as Protest Day on the day in protest of burning the effigy of chief minister Pawan Chamling in Siliguri by Shivasena youth wing on 11th September saying Chief Minister is Nepali national citizen holder.
On the day Gangtok city had deserted look. The whole shop establishments, schools, central and state government offices and even medical shops which was exempted from shutdown were closed on the day.
In every place the frontal organizations of SDF took out rally in support of the strike. Titanic Taxi Drivers Association and Manipal labour supplier Associations also took out a rally from 5th Mile to Tadong convey ground in the morning.
Cheli morcha of Gangtok branch also took out rally from Hospitaldara to Titanic park.
K.T.Gyaltshen, advisor to CM, who had come on the road with the rallies, said this is the spontaneous protest observed by the public as Shivasena youth wing has dared to distort the image of chief minister who is greatly revered in Nepali community and is a front rung leader of the country.
Regarding the protest day, K.B.Chamling, the chief whip of the party, said the party has already sent a letter to Shivasena chief Bal Thakrey on 25 September regarding the effigy burning of chief minister but there is not yet any response from the quarter. “We want to register the protest in the way that the country could feel that it is not mere a effigy burning but they (So-called shivasena youth wing) have humiliated to nationally acclaimed leader and have also disgraced whole Nepali community,” Chamling said.
The strike was so much so that medical shops were also shut down. This made some of the tourists unhappy.  John and Sarah from Barcilona of Spain, a tourist couple, said they never experienced such kind of strike where even medical shops and joints were closed. “I have some headache still but I can not be getting medical shops here and even the tourist office is closed. Where should we go now?” Sarah complained adding these essential facilities should be opened. Medical shops were exempted from the purview of strike but they have observed the protest day out of their heart, S.K.Sarda, president Sikkim Chamber of Commerce said.
There were small contingents of Sikkim Armed Police and Sikkim Police deployed at Hospital Dara, Titanic park, Lalbazar and Deorali.National Highway 31A was becomes playground of cricket and football for children and youths. But policemen were engaged to driving them away.

Effigy burnt in Siliguri:

It was the handiwork frustrated anti-social elements: Chamling

Gangtok, September 28 (IST 8:16/29.9.8): The effigy of mine burnt in Siliguri was the handiwork of nothing but the opposition parties of Sikkim and frustrated anti-social elements. The same elements and oppositions now in Sikkim had planted bomb at Geyzing,” said chief minister Pawan Chamling in Janata Mela organized at Sichey public ground. He also said the effigy burning act is the anti-Nepali, anti-Indian Nepali and anti-Sikkimese.
Saying that Sikkim is developing day by day rapidly, he said the government has the target to make exchequer of the State of Rs 2000 crore and this year Rs.700 crore.
He said per capita income of the State by 2015 will be more than one lakh rupees and by 2015 the State will be cent per cent literacy and discrimination less State. “At the time, every people would have their employment: nobody would have to be suffered from unemployment and poverty,” chief minister said.
Mentioning that politics is his mission, chief minister also added the government has adopted the policies of holistic development of the State. “We have many plans and Programme of developments as we want Sikkim not only wealthy state but healthy as well,” he noted.
Ruing on the not taking advantage of advantage of decentralization of power, he said there are only Switzerland and Sikkim which have done proper decentralization of power. “But unfortunately, in Sikkim people have not taken advantage of these things. Despite all facilities and infrastructures available in villages they are still Gangtok centric,” he said.
He mentioned that Gram panchayat units has the power to issue tender upto Rs.10 lakh, An Assistant Engineer can issue the work of Rs.20 lakh,under a DE there is work of Rs.50 lakh and a Zilla panchayat can undertake the work of up to Rs.10 crore.
Regarding infrastructure, he said in village every required buildings like Block Development Office, community hall, Roads, Panchayat Bahvans have been constructed. Besides, the government has also initiated of conducting skill development Programme to give training to youths of the State so that the villagers would be skilled.
He also said now onwards the government is going to decide make every departmental work through single window system.
On self sufficiency, he said the state government has given price support to the farmers of West Sikkim of Rs.5 lakh and Rs. 2 lakh to South Sikkim for their agri-production to make them self sufficient. “I want to see a self sufficient Sikkim . We should sell every thing excluding dignity and prestige, “chief minister said.
He said there is lot of potentiality in horticulture and floriculture. So if the farmers can develop their capacity Sikkim will be self sufficient in horticulture and floriculture, he said adding that if this happened Sikkim will be perennial source of income for Sikkemese people.
Chief Minister also divulged the plan that State governemtn has already prepared master plan of village planning. Under this plan, there will be reducing the gap of growing difference between urban and village area as well as control the influx of villagers into urban areas.
Regarding Burman commission chief minister said the State government has demanded the tribal status for whole Nepali community under the recommendation of Burman commission which is a totally legal and constitutional steps. He however criticized the oppositions for commenting on this issue and said they are anti-Nepali that is why they do not want to see Nepali becoming tribal. He also said making Nepali into tribal is his word and promise. “Certainly, it will happen,” he asserted.

Bhandari calls for condemnation against torching of CM's effigy

Gangtok, September 27 (IST 8:16/29.9.8): Bharatiya Gorkha Parishang(BGP), a national level non-political organization of Nepali speaking Indian people has also condemned the effigy burning by Shivasena in Siliguri. Dil kumari Bhandari, President, BGP, in a press conference held at Press club of Sikkim premises on Friday, told the media persons that chief minister Pawan Chamling is the chief patron of the organization and that are why they have reason to condemn the effigy burning of CM by Shivasena activists.
She also said Shivasena is a party that runs government in the state like Maharastra and it is unbecoming to behave thus. “Shivasena leaders should refrain their cadres to behave such activities, “she said.
Regarding Gorkhaland movement, she said Gorkhaland is the homeland of Indian Gorkhas. It is the only solution of Identity crisis of Indian Gorkhas. And she suggested chief minister Pawan chamlig, too, “It is the opportunity for chief minister Pawan Chamling to support Gorkhaland movement to give his due contribution to the society of Indian Gorkhas as the contribution of N.B.Bhandari and D.K.Bhandari for recognition of Nepali language in eight schedule of Indian constitution is remembered by the people, she said.
Bhandari also informed the central cell of the organization is in constant touch with the central leaders of different national parties in Delhi regarding Gorkhaland issue.

NABARD launched a Bank Linkage for sustainable livelihood

Gangtok, September 26 (IST 8:16/29.9.8): National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) wants to include the farmers of the country under Financial Inclusion so that they can also enjoy the various banking services and facilities as per the guidelines of Reserve Bank of India . In his address at a seminar on Financial Inclusion held here on Friday, N.P.Mahopatra, Assistant General Manager, NABARD, Mumbai, said the recent developments in banking technology have developed far more like ATM, Credit/Debit card, internet banking, online money transfers etc. However, access to such technology is restricted only to certain segments of the society and resulted in restricted access to financial services for some sections of the society. The people living on low incomes, cannot access mainstream financial products such as bank accounts, credit, remittances and payment services and insurance facilities. This is termed “Financial exclusion.” and he said further regarding the Financial inclusion, “The essence of financial inclusion is to ensure that a range of appropriate financial services is available to every individual and enabling them to understand and access those services.
To this end, he said NABARD has taken the step of launching Self Help Group-Bank Linkage programme and Micro Enterprise Development Programme for development of sustainable livelihood of the SHGs.
On the occasion, the other speaker was S.K.Kaley, Deputy General Manager, NABARD, Mumbai also spoke on the issue.
NABARD Sikkim region, on the same day, has taken decision to conduct capacity building programme by involving SHG members in the villages, informed Subrata Gupta, general manager, NABARD Sikkim region.

Improvised Explosive Device planted at Geyzing during the 'Janta Mela'

Gangtok, September 25 (IST 8:16/29.9.8): An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was discovered in Geysing, West Sikkim in close vicinity to the ground where Pawan Chamling, the Chief Minister of Sikkim was scheduled to address a gathering on the occasion of Janata Mela. The device was placed adjacent to the boundary wall of the Government High School . Having NO experience of handling such incidents, the local police immediately sought assistance from the Army authorities at Gangtok. Following its glorious traditions of responding to the call of duty towards the nation, the Army reacted immediately. Captain Ashish Kumar Roy along with RHM G. Ananda Naidu of the Army based at Karponang, around 20 km from Gangtok, were immediately dispatched with bomb disposal kit to Men La, where a helicopter took them to the site at 2:30 PM.

The crude IED consisted of Gelatin placed in an old pressure cooker with Chinese alarm clock used as the timer device placed around 500 meters from the place where the Chief Minister was to address the public gathering. This had a potential for serious collateral damage due to panic in the massive gathering. After waiting for the crowd to disperse, the team carried out a controlled explosion to safely destroy the crude bomb. The civil administration and police authorities have placed on record their deep appreciation for the prompt and swift response to demolish this device.

Governor visited Namgyal Institute of Tibetology

Gangtok, September 25 (IST 8:16/29.9.8): The Governor, Balmiki Prasad Singh who is also the Chief Patron of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology (NIT) visited the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, today and was accorded a warm reception by the Minister for Water Security and PHE, Menlom Lepcha, MLAs, DGP, Director, NIT and a host of other dignitaries, NIT officials and staffs. The Governor inaugurated newly built three storied building at the NIT complex, Deorali. The building was constructed at an estimated cost of approximately Rs.one crore forty five lakhs, jointly funded by the central and state government on 3:1 ratio. The first floor has one hall totally meant for the seminar purpose, second floor is for library and the basement of the building has been planned for the classrooms for future purpose. The construction work was commenced in 2004 and was completed recently. The building was mainly constructed to facilitate the Scholars as well as the Research personnels.

Nine FM launches in Sikkim

Gangtok, September 24 (IST 8:16/29.9.8): Kolkata headquartered Chinar Circuits has launched its FM station Nine FM in Gangtok today, making it the first FM radio station in Sikkim.

Nine FM CEO Bobby Gupta announced the launch of the states's first FM station. The station will be broadcast on 91.9 FM MHz.

Addressing the press, Gupta said, "True to our motto “Your Song, Your Voice", all programmes of Nine FM will be highly interactive. Listeners will be encouraged to call in live or write in through e-mail and SMS to share their views on different topics. Nine FM will also provide the opportunity to the common people of Sikkim to place their requests to listen to their favorite songs, which they want to listen or dedicate to their loved ones."

"Nine has put together the largest ever collection of Nepali music. We also have compiled a large gallery of English and Hindi music," he added.

The broadcast and production facilities at Nine FM have been designed and installed by Clyde Broadcast, Glasgow , UK and the transmission equipment has been procured from Harris Corporation, Quincy , USA . The station has installed dedicated software for scheduling of music, sequencing and playing out.

Chinar circuit started its ground activity for Nine FM a month ago to build awareness around the brnad. It had recently started ‘The Nine Freedom Rock tour 08' in collaboration with the Sikkim State Aids Control Society on 17 August in the Sikkim capital in the presence of known personalities of Sikkim .

The station launched teasers in the Sikkim Manipal University , to reach out to the target audience.

Among the other stations poised for a Gangtok launch are SFM and Radio Misty.

Siliguri COSMOS mall management humiliates Sikkim artists

Gangtok, September 23 (IST 06:47): The artists of Sikkim faced humiliation at Siliguri by some local people there on the evening of September 21. The Swar Sikkim winner of 2007 Milan Sharma, a singing sensation of Sikkim and a playback singer Remantee Rai, Managing Director of SK Audio Vision Rakesh Somani and the editor of Haalkhabar.com cum promoter of SK Audio Vision BP Bajgain were humiliated by the General Manager of Cosmos (a shopping mall in Siliguri) Ardhendu Bose on communal grounds when the delegates from Sikkim had been there for the release of a Nepali Music Album ~Swar Sikkim-Nepali Remix 1~. It was informed by the Somani and Bajgai in a press meet at Press Club of Sikkim. 

They informed that the release of the music album was all set to be held at Cosmos with a motive to promote new talents of hills and to conserve old Nepali Songs and also to encourage old songs and music in the minds of youths in the age of Rap music. For the same, they had given the task of event management to Cosmos's authorized Event Manager Vijay Agarwal. When the stage for the event and all other things were set and the function was about to commence at about 5:30 in the presence of all the invited guests and media, one of the invited guests Ardhendu Bose arrived at the scene and made disruption in the function and demanded halt of the function. Somani narrated, “As per verbal agreement, SK Audio Vision had to distribute free gift hampers worth Rs 5,000 to the customers of the shopping mall. We prepared gift hampers of worth Rs 220 each of more than Rs 6,000 which included one Nepali Audio Cassette but Bose was not satisfied with the Nepali Audio Cassette and he spoke with us in a very demeaning and hurtful language. Our stage was all set there. Scarcely before the scheduled time of release, Bose suddenly came and said ~Boss, ye Bengal hai aur ye Bengali ka bazaar hai, ye sab pitara uthao, tum yahan program nahi kar sakta, ye Bengali ka bazaar hai, yahan Nepali cassette ka kya kaam~. He repeatedly said, Ye Bengali ka bazaar hai, yahan Nepali cassette ka kya kaam?” Bajgai said that this all incident happened before the media and guests for the programme. ~The humiliation traumatized us and we had to move out from the premises of Cosmos to save ourselves from further humiliation. After this incident, we were totally upset and returned back to Sikkim without releasing the cassette. Bose should know that music has no community and religion. Nobody, has right to discriminate and make wrong remarks on any language, caste, community and religion~, he said. The artist of the programme Remantee Rai said that they were very excited for the programme though the incident embarrassed them badly. ~If we are treated like this in our nearest neighboring place then what should we expect in other parts of India ~, she said. 

In this regard, the humiliated group has decided to send a memorandum to the Governor of West Bengal, Governor of Sikkim, Managing Director of Cosmos and the chief patron of Swar Sikkim DD Bhutia (State UDHD Minister) informing about the incident for non recurrence of such kind of communal disparity. 

Seventh PIC Ravangla inaugurated

Ravangla, September 23 (IST 06:47): Calling on people to develop skills, Minister for Urban Development and Housing Department D D Bhutia said this will help people to improve themselves and have a source of  income. Inaugurating the Public Information Campaign at Community Hall, Ravangla, the Minister urged the public to utilise the campaign for their own development, villages and the state. Speaking as the chief guest, he said people should not only seek their rights but also be aware of their responsibilities in a democracy. Minister said while the centre has given various schemes and programmes for upliftment of villagers, the state government has   not lagged behind. He dwelt on the various schemes the state government has implemented and also said in the forthcoming elections 40% of the seats will be reserved for women candidates. The Minister added that the programme organised by Press Information Bureau along with other media units of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is an eye opener. The programme not only entertains but also gives an opportunity to the public to ask and clarify their doubts on various programmes that are on.

SDM, Ravangla Norzing Tshring Bhutia urged the public to utilise the opportunity and get informed about various programmes and schemes and also take the message to those who can not attend the PIC. The five day programme is 7th Public Information Campaign organised in Sikkim .

Inspection to evaluate the DoNER schemes

Gangtok, September 23 (IST 06:47/Sep 24): The Development Planning, Economic Reforms & NEC Affairs Department has adopted a road map to inspect and monitor the major schemes that is ongoing in the 4 districts. In the past, the Officers of the Department have been deputed for various inspections to monitor and evaluate the DoNER schemes i.e. NLCPR, NEC & BADP in the State.

To begin with, on Saturday, the 20th' Sept' 08, the Development Commissioner alongwith Joint Secretary III visited the augmentation of water supply scheme for Greater Rangpo in East Sikkim under NLCPR pegged at Rs. 1699.00 lakhs. The PHED led by the Secretary and his officials alongwith the Development Commissioner visited the first site i.e. the 3.5 lakhs clean water reservoir at Majitar, after which the 2nd reservoir located just above Mining Ground of 1.5 lakh ltr was inspected. Thereafter, the water treatment complex located at Zitlang on Rangpo -Duga Road was inspected where 2.5 MLD rapid sand filter plant is located having a capacity to treat 25 lakhs litres of potable water per day and a clear water reservoir of 4.50 lakhs ltrs is located. Two quarters of class II & Class IV unit exists in the complex besides the water treatment plant with a good security fencing around the complex. Sizes of pipes of 6 inch and 4 inch of good quality are in place and the water treatment plant is functional already. The PHED officials indicated that the water supply system would be fully operational by March, 2009. The source of the water is at Rolep 24 kms away. Quality of works is in order and Department has been requested to expedite the remaining works.

The water supply would cater to Rangpo Bazaar and the surroundings and would also cater to the industrial growth area at Majitar. The scheme has been designed for 30 years. The PHED informed that they are collecting revenue of Rs. 70,000/· from the various industries and SMIT located at Majitar against the water supplied.

Keeping in line with the vision and the directives of the Chief Minister, the developmental works in the State are going on in full steam and the monitoring and evaluation of the works are being undertaken by the Development Commissioner also, in view of the directions of the HCM at the State Planning Commission meeting chaired by the HCM on 10th Sept, 2008 at Tashiling Conference Hall, Gangtok.

The next Inspections to be undertaken would be the schemes under the Roads & Bridges Department. The Namchi re-modeling under UDHD and schemes under the Energy & Power sector would also be inspected. 

Sikkim  begged best state award for citizen security and justice

Gangtok, September 22 (IST 06:47/Sep 24): The first IBN7 Diamond State Awards recognizing human and social development efforts by the different states were announced on September 22 at an award ceremony held at the Durbar Hall, Hotel Taj Palace , New Delhi . The ceremony was attended by the chief Ministers of various states, leaders of several political parties and other prominent personalities.  The former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

Sikkim  has been conferred the best state award in the small state category for citizen security and justice. The award was received on behalf of the Government of Sikkim by the Resident Commissioner at  New Delhi . The former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam while handing over the award complemented “ Sikkim  is beautiful.  Sikkim  is not only beautiful but safe and judicious also”.

It may be mentioned here that Price Waterhouse Coopers managed the process, methodology and data for arriving at the best states in the various categories. The Network consisting of 18 Editorial Board, along with six member jury consisting of eminent citizens, oversaw the selection process and ratified the findings. The awards were conferred after a survey of four years in various sectors like Health Care, Education, Poverty Reduction, Sanitation, Women Empowerment, Citizen Security and Justice, Basic Infrastructure, Environment etc. 

The  jury consisted of former RBI Governor, Rajya Sabha MP, Bimal Jalan as the Chairman, former Director, IIM Ahmedabad, Dr. Bakul H. Dholakia, Author and Consultant Gurcharan Das, Senior Fellow, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, Illa Patnaik, President & Chief Executive, Centre for Policy Research, Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Secretary General, FICCI, Dr. Amit Mitra.

The Resident Commissioner presented the award to the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at his official residence at Mintokgang on 23rd September, 2008.

Inferiority did not allow us to go ahead: Joel Rai

Gangtok, September 21 (IST 06:47/Sep 24): When Nepali speaking Indian people are in the quest of their identity in the country, Nirman Prakashan of Sikkim gave them a platform. A galaxy of Nepali speaking talents from Mumbai to Darjeeling were brought together and felicitated by the founder/ chief editor of the Prakashan and chief minister of Sikkim Pawan Chamling for their distinguish contribution at the Sixth Nirman Award Decoration and Felicitation Function where Dr. Indra Bahadur Rai was the chief guest held at Epica Garden hall on Sunday.
The theme of the programme was underlined much in the programme at the time when Joel Rai, an eminent media personality and one of the felicitate persons of the programme read out a poem of chief minister Chamling, “Aithan pareko prasna”.
“Ma ko hoon? Malai nai thaha chaina,” reading out these lines of the poem, Rai said the poem speaks of how Chamling is serious for the betterment and development of Nepali community.
Referring the poem of Chamling he also said we have given many things even our lives to this country but some time we feel we are deprived from our rights. He also said “We in hills are fighting for our rights. But when we received such honour and felicitation from somewhere else we become proud and inspired to do something.
He also remarked that the Nepalese community makes themselves their glassceiling and that is why they can not reach the height of success. “We have doubt ourselves. We have the inferiority and tradition that did not allow us to go ahead,” adding that now under the leadership of chief minister Chamling the Nepalese should go ahead to do something.
Total 22 eminent Nepali personalities of across the country were felicitated on the day. They were: Lt. Col. Puran Lama, former captain of Indian National football team, Dawa Yalmo, social activist and folk artist, K.C.Pradhan, flouri specialist, Trilok Kumar Dewan, former chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh, N.P. Thapa, former Director, Research and Analysis Wings, Lalit Dutraj, Former Police commissioner, Mumbai, Sudha M.Rai, Telefilm producer, Director, Dr.Dik B.Dewan, intellectual, Dr.Sunita Pradhan, zoologist, Dr.Kumar Bhandari, cardiologist, Dr. S.Baral, neurologist, Lt.col. D.K.Rai, Sukhnam Lepcha, renown littérateur, N.D.Lama, eminent social activist, Phulmaya Tamang, Mt. Everest scaler, Swaraj Thapa, journalist and Guru Mohan Acharya of Mangaldham,Kalimpong.
The day had also the programme to award some litterateurs. Chief Minister Chamling as a founder of the Prakashan awarded Aash Bahadur Chamling Nirman Puruskar to Gopi Narayan Pradhan from Meghalaya, Aasharani Nirman Puruskar to Prakash Bhattarai and Gopal Gaunley Nirman Puruskar to Pravin Rai “Jumeli”.  
On the occasion,apart from Joel Rai, Nabin Dutraj, Usha M.Rai, Puran Thapa, K.C.Pradhan and Mohan Acharya had also spoke in the programme.
Mr. K.C.Prahdan, in his speech, said Pawan Chamling is not only a successful politician but also a poet. How much store of emotion in him I got to know only today when I listened to his poem, he said.
The guests were felicitated by Shawl, momentous and commendation letters.
Earlier, 18 books written by various writers and published by Nirman Prakashan were also released by the present distinguished guests of the programme. 

Primary Education: Sikkim moved upwards

Gangtok, September 20 (IST 06:47/Sep 24): As per the Sixth State of States Report of the India Today, Sikkim ranks top among the ten small states of India in the field of Primary Education.    It may be recalled that in 2006, Sikkim ranked 4 th   in primary education and moved upwards to third position in 2007.    This upward trend in the field of education is mainly due to the State Government's policy of according top priority to the education sector.    It may be mentioned here that the State Government earmarked 17 per cent of the total budget towards  promotion of education in the state.

Youth wing of SDF will correspond with Bal Thakrey

Gangtok, September 19 (IST 19:28): Sikkim Democratic Front youth wing has come up with a solution on the issue that so-called Shivasena activists had burnt the effigy of chief minister Pawan Chamling alleging him Nepal national citizen holder. The youth wing in a meeting presided by G.M.Gurung, secretary of the wing and held at his residence has decided to Siliguri to know the facts about the issue.
The meeting has passed six resolutions on this. According to press release of the wing, first of all the youth wing leaders will approach Siliguri Sub-divisional –Magistrate by submitting a memorandum asking the details of the Shiva Sena activists who were involved in the incident with address through SDO. 
The leaders will also enquired about the action taken against the Shivasena activist who were involved in the incident by the Bengal administration as well as the wing leaders has also the decided to correspondence with Shivasena chief Bal Thakrey and Bengal branch Shivasena chief  asking legality of these so-called members of Shivasena.
The release also said Pawan Chamling is not only a chief minister of Sikkim but he is also the leader and glory of whole Indian Nepali of the country, as a result of this incident may create communal riot among Bengali and Nepali who are living like brotherhood in Bengal .

~We, therefore, request to SDO by a memorandum to maintain law and order in the State to prevent such communal tension in the State, ~ the release said.
The wing leaders have also expressed their view that Chamling is the only leader of Sikkim who has become successful to create the feeling that ~We are Indian~ among Sikkimese people.

~If such conspiracy fall upon such leaders, than it is also a matter of concern for Centre, too ~, said Gurung.
The organization has also warned the people of Sikkim who are conniving with so-called Shivasena activists and said in the past what the consequence had meted out to the leaders who had played with the sentiments of public and country the same fate will be happened to them, the meeting has a resolution.

Seventh PIC on Bharat Nirman at Ravangla

Gangtok, September 19 (IST 19:28 ): The 7th Public Information Campaign (PIC) on Bharat Nirman will be inaugurated by D D Bhutia, the Minister for Land Revenue & Disaster Management, Irrigation & Flood Control Department, Urban Development & Housing Department, Government of Sikkim, on 23rd Septembe at Ravangla Community Hall.

The MLA, Khamdong Constituency B M Ramudamu will be the   Chief Guest at the valedictory function on 27th September.  The Campaign will be held at Ravangla Community Hall from 23-27 September.

The campaign is being organized by Press Information Bureau along with Directorate of Field Publicity, Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity, Song & Drama Division, Kolkata, All India Radio and Doordarshan of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.   

PIC is a  part of the out reach programme of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting   to bring awareness among people  directly through the   technical sessions and entertainment on   the Central Government's flagship programmes . The programmes included Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, National Rural Health Mission, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, RTI, Bharat Nirman which includes time bound plan for rural infrastructure such as PMGSY, rural telephony, rural power, drinking water, Indira Awas Yojna, Total Sanitation Scheme.

A free medical camp will also be held at the venue by Regional Research Centre for Ayurveda, Gangtok besides an exhibition by DAVP, Kolkata. Self Help Groups and other central government organizations will also set up stalls and exhibitions. To spread the message and awareness of various Central Governments' scheme infotainment will also be provided to the public.

Governors were briefed on bilateral relationship with neighbouring countries

Gangtok, September 19 (IST IST 19:28 ): B.P. Singh, Governor of Sikkim, attended the two-day Conference of Governors at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 16th and 17th Sept., 2008. According to a Press Release received from PRO to the Governor, Raj Bhawan, Gangtok, this is the 42nd Conference to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan and the first Conference attended by Governor in which 28 Governors and three Lt. Governors of the States and Union Territories participated. The President, The Vice President, Prime Minister and several Union Ministers also attended the Conference.

Governor of Sikkim made a presentation to the participants on various issues with regard to the States of Sikkim such as the internal security environment, border management issues, challenges of climate change and sustainable development and food security. He also briefed the Conference on promotion of gender equality and implementation of programmes for women's empowerment, administration of schemes for ex-servicemen and war widows and development of higher education in the state. The needs of Sikkim were highlighted and the Government of India was requested to expedite action on assistance that has been sought.

Their Governors were also briefed by the Union Ministers concerned on various aspects of bilateral relationship with neighbouring countries, issues relating to climate change and sustainable development, agricultural scenario and food security, current economic situation and strategy for price stability, and rural development related matters. Presentations were made on implementation of women empowerment programs, administration of welfare schemes for ex-servicemen, role of Governors as Chancellors in the development of higher education and pensionary benefits and other terminal benefits of the Governors. The Conference was also addressed by the Prime Minister, President the Vice President.

Fight for the right not for the vote: Biraj

Gangtok, September 18 (IST 18:53 ): A new party has been floated in the State by most of dissent group of Sikkim Himali Rajay Parishad Party members. In a press conference held in the house of Tsheten Lepcha, a former minister and the member of SHRP, at metro point, Tadong, on Thursday the name of the new party “Sikkim National People's Party” was announced.
During the conference, a press release signed by Biraj Adhikari, Tsheten Lepcha , Sonam Tashi Bhutia, Tikendra Sharma, S.K.Limboo, B.K.Pokhrel and D.B.Karki was also distributed to the press persons.
Biraj Adhikari, as an interim president of the party since the formal announcement of the party has been scheduled on 15th October, said the new party would fight for the right not for the vote.
He also said most of the parties in the state talk only about the petty politics but they don't think about Sikkim . 
His party will emphasis on the due right of Sikkemese from India . “Since we have not got our due rights according to 8th May agreement of 1973 the time when Sikkim was annexed with India .”
He further said according the agreement India has promised to give Sikkim the status of Associate states where except currency, communication and foreign affairs all power would be under the state as a greater autonomy. He, however, said the Indian constitution has not such provision so his party would fight for the cause. (Photo: Pravin Khaling)

A relief team of AG office of Sikkim leaves for Bihar

Gangtok, September 18 (IST 18:53 ): A relief team of twelve officers/staffs of the Accountant General, Sikkim led by B K Jha was flagged off today by MLA, C B Karki and Deputy Inspector General, ITBP, Kabul Singh Bajwa from Gangtok for flood victims of Bihar. The team has taken with them a truck full of food, medicines, garments, blankets and other items for the flood victims. The relief team will stay in Bihar and personally distribute the relief measures in coordination with local administration/para-military force stationed there. The team is expected to return to Gangtok on 21st September.

The officers and staffs of the Accountant General, Sikkim had circulated an appeal on 3rd September to all Central and State Government departments, banks, government undertaking, private individuals to collect relief  for flood hit Bihar. They have expressed their heart felt gratitude to everybody who directly and indirectly supported the cause.    

Disputed criteria for pre-qualifications for construction of Roads and Bridges settled

Gangtok, September 18 (IST 18:53 ): A group representative of Class I-A contractors of the state opposed criteria for pre-qualifications for construction of Roads and Bridges and met with Secretary today.

On 5 th September 08, a notice was published in a local English daily inviting application for obtaining criteria for pre-qualifications for construction of Roads and Bridges. The group of Class I A contractor found conspiracy on the tender notice. Only handfuls people who have readily fulfilled the criteria for construction and which leads other local contractors nowhere, the deputation letter mentioned.

In the letter, this occurrence describes as tactics of anti-government elements to defame in the eye of the people when the assembly election is nearby. The letter is signed by 133 Class I A contractors.

As per the source, among the 35 member's delegation team led by Chewang Dadul Bhutia; S K Rai, Karma Ladingpa and N T Bhutia discuss with Secretary to settle the matter.

“For above than Rs. ten crore work, the new criteria will be stand as status quo but for below than Rs. ten crore work the criteria stands null and void, Govind Sharma, Secretary of the Roads and Bridges department said to delegation team, a delegation member told.

Those contractors who are qualified for the criteria for above Rs ten crore works can not bit tenders below Rs ten crore, Secretary assured.

Secretary has guaranteed to enforce this policy for other department also being an enlistment issuing department.

The policy is accepted by all contractors.

Kalawati attend meeting to form a National Livestock Policy

Gangtok, September 18 (IST 18:53 ): The Conference of State Ministers of Animal Husbandry Dairying and Fisheries was held in the Symposium Hall of NASC complex, Pusa, New Delhi on Saturday. Sharad Pawar, Union Minister, Agriculture, Food and Public Distribution, presided over the meeting. The main objective of this conference was to deliberate on the possibility of forming a National Livestock Policy that would initiate programmes in support of various facets of the livestock policy leading to the enhanced availability of animal protein in diet, household nutritional security, additional employment and income, safe and hygienic products, etc. The policy would be aimed at bringing about improvement in the quality of live both in urban and rural populations.
Kalawati Subba, Minister in Charge for Animal Husbandry, Livestock, Fisheries & Veterinary Services, Government of Sikkim, while deliberating, requested the centre for funding for setting up of Mother Farm especially for Heifers Cross-breed Jersy. She also requested for the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for reverine fisheries especially for trout and establishment of fee plant. The conference concluded with the adoption of the National Livestock Policy 2008.
On the Mondat, Minister Subba visited State Semen Collection Centre, Central Poultry Development Organisation, Central Frozen Semen Production and Training Institute, Jersy and Holstein Fusion Farms at Hessargatta, Bengalore. She also had a discussion with the officials of Central Poultry Development Organisation regarding the possibilities for starting Emu and Turkey farming in Sikkim . The officials offered to extend technical support required by the Government of Sikkim on matter.
Minister Subba was accompanied on the tour by TW Barfungpa, Principal Secretary, Dr. Sonam Bhutia, Director, AHLF&VS, Government of Sikkim.

International Day of Peace will observe

Gangtok, September 18 (IST 18:53 ): Sikkim chapter of Universal Peace Federation will organise the International Day of Peace on 20th September 2008, at 10.30 am at the Sikkim Govenment Collage Auditorium, Tadong

Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim will be the Chief Guest.

Proposed alternative route does not fulfill action requirements

Gangtok, September 18 (IST 6:11 ): With a proposition to reduce its reliance on the National Highway 31A, the Sikkim Government draws an alternative highway proposal to submit to the Union Ministry for Roads and Transport.

As per the source, the proposed alternative route will be from Aritar, East Sikkim, near the Indo-Bhutan border, and will open up at Chalsa in Dooars to avoid the troublesome areas in Darjeeling hills.

The road map seeks to make a detour into the extreme corner of East Sikkim near West Bengal and Bhutan border and then drop into Tangta - Todey and Jaldhaka and connect NH 31 at Khunia More more near Chalsa, Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.

The proposal, prepared jointly by the Sikkim Government and Project Swastik of the Border Roads Organisation, was submitted by the Sikkim Roads and Bridges Secretary, G.P. Sharma, to the regional office of the Union Ministry at Guwahati on Monday.

The matter of alternative highway has come up from political disturbance in Darjeeling hills which time and again blocks NH31A.

On this proposed road route, Haalkhabar.com collects analytical review to justify the reduction its reliance on the National Highway 31A and alternative highway for free from political disturbance in Darjeeling hill. The report is negative. The proposed highway from beginning to end will cross Tangta-Todey-Paren-Jaldhaka-Gairibash-Kumai and will reach Khunia More near Chalsa. The entire route is falls under the district of Darjeeling. Public of these areas are also claiming Separate Statehood with the voice of Darjeeling leaders. This proposed route does not fulfill action requirements. (Map Design: B P Bajgain)

Janata Mela announced

Gangtok, September 18 (IST 6:11 ): The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government today announced its Janata Mela campaign for the year 2008-2009 which will start from 24 th September.

The mela, also termed as the Sahuliyat Vitaran campaign, is the largest welfare jamboree in the state, under which welfare schemes are implemented for people in every constituency. Schemes like rural housing, free LPG connections, household items for day to day use, self employment schemes, loans and old-age pensions are distributed to beneficiaries.

The Janata Mela is scheduled to be held in the State on the date and venues are on 24th September, 2008 at Kyongsa ground, Gyalzing; on 25th September, 2008 at Bhaichung Stadium, Namchi; on 26th September, 2008 at Public Ground, Mangan and on 28th September, 2008 at Sichey Public Ground, Gangtok. Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, will be the Chief Guest of the occasion.

4th NE Business Summit concludes, 247 EOIs generated

Gangtok, September 17 (IST 7:01 ): India's northeastern region should become the hub of the country's growing trade and business with Southeast Asia, said speakers at a business summit attended by delegates from neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar and Singapore.

Minister for Development of Northeastern Region Mani Shankar Aiyar, speaking at the Northeast Business Summit here Tuesday, said: 'Four of the eight northeastern states - Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Sikkim - are free from security related problems, while vast areas of the remaining four states - Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland - are free from militancy.'

Vice-President M. Hamid Ansari inaugurated the two-day summit Monday. Several union ministers, chief ministers and ministers of the northeastern states, investors and industrialists from India as well as neighbouring countries have taken part in the summit.

The summit generated high degree of investment interest in the corporate world. In all 247 Expressions of Interests (EoI) from 64 companies were received, almost double the number of EOIs generated in the last session in New Delhi .

Of the 247 EOIs, the highest number of 64 is from Assam , followed by 45 from Arunachal Pradesh, 34 from Meghalaya, 19 from Tripura, 17 from Manipur, 26 from Mizoram, 27 from Sikkim and 15 from Nagaland.

The agro and food processing sector received 65 EOIs, tourism over 50, infrastructure over 70, information technology over 30 and manufacturing got 12.

An MOU was also signed between Indian Chamber of Commerce and its Bangladesh counterpart to focus on promotion of trade in NE region. Speaking in the concluding session the Guest of Honour Farooq Sobhan , Former High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India and Former Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh said that there should be Air and Bus Service between Guwahati and Dhaka . He also suggested that the Customs procedures between the two countries should be simplified to promote trade. 

The concluding day of the Summit had sessions on Infrastructure Enhancement in NE, opportunities in Tourism Sector, Thailand-India Business Opportunities, Agro& Food Processing advantage and Information Technology & Skill Development.

SC issues notices to Centre, States on plea to ban lotteries

Gangtok, September 16 (IST 17:43): The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and several states which are running lotteries on a petition seeking a ban on lotteries.
A bench comprising Justices B N Agarwal and G S Shingvi issued notices after hearing counsel for the petitioner who contended that families of those belonging to weaker sections of society are being ruined because of these lotteries which lure them through temptation for easy and quick money. 
In several cases, workers lose their entire salary in these lotteries and their families have to suffer and many of them find themselves in a debt trap.
The apex court directed the Union government and other states, particularly North-eastern states like Nagaland and Sikkim , where online lotteries are still continuing, to respond to the petition. 
Many states have, however, banned these lotteries.

 

Journalist Assaulted by Police Officer

Gangtok, September 16 (IST 16:36): Shivdeep Rai, Press Reporter of Sikkim Reporter was beaten and injured on !5th September 2008 at evening by Police Sub-Inspector (SI) Tulsi Chettri and one SAP Jawan at Ravangla when he tried to enter a cultural programme organized by Pang Lhabsol Celebration Committee, Ravangla showing his press card to cover the story for his Newspaper. A journalist, who was covering the ceremony, was thrashed by police personnel. SI Chettri. The Celebration Committee is also in use silence when injured Shivdeep complained to them.
The police thrashed Journalist; while he was covering the incident is highly Condemnable for which we sought action against the guilty officer and policemen. The SI also used vulgar words on him.

PCS will request to the relevant authorities to investigate the assault on Shivdeep and, if necessary, to bring criminal charges or suitable disciplinary proceedings. In addition, regarding the assault, PCS will request on the police department to do everything possible to bring the perpetrators to justice. PCS invites everybody to act in response for upholding press freedom in a democratic society. (Photo:Homnath Dawari)

Do not reproduce Chief Minister's poem

Gangtok, September 16 (IST 16:36): It is informed that articles and poems written by the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling are being reproduced in various newspapers and periodicals or reflected in various forms of publications without the knowledge or consent of the writer. Reproducing such materials without the permission of the author amounts to violation of the fundamental right of the original writer and violates the basic laws and relevant provision as laid down under the Copyright Act 1957.

So, The IPR Department appealed and warned to all concerned or parties to refrain from reproducing articles and poems written by Pawan Chamling without his prior permission, not only in the interest of the original author/poet but also to avoid future complications or misgivings.

SDF lambasted on Bhandari

Gangtok, September 15 (IST 7:36): Sikkim Democratic Front has condemned the speech of Sikkim Congress president Nar Bahadur Bhandari. In a press release issued by Bhim Dahal, general secretary of the party said the plot of Sikkim Congress president has been exposed who had connived with conspiracy in Siliguri and publicized the same conspiracy in Sikkim to create confusion. SDF has strongly condemned the activity.
To take up the issue of citizenship of chief minister and the president of SDF party by Bhandari is just a political mendicancy.  Sikkimese people always reject such false allegation and if he will keep talking about such nonsense things, he will again bite the dust in coming election.
The Sangram government was fell down in 1994 because of the double standard policy of Bhandari in central income tax and the happening of gift racket and cigarette racket in his regime. It is during Bhandari rule the central government had extended the tax. But chief minister Pawan Chalmling took stand on tax exemption and on 1st April, 2008, he has been successful to exempt Sikkim from central income tax.
Bhandari being a former chief minister should have welcomed the tax exemption but instead of that he is alleging of baseless thing which is the example of hundred percent negative politics.  

Pang Lhabsol celebrated in pretentious manner

Gangtok, September 15 (IST 7:36): Unlike other years, Pang Lhabsol celebration committee of Statue of unity did not organize the celebration in grand manner. According to Tsheten Lepcha, a member of the committee, the committee, instead, organized ritual and puja which was performed by six Bungthings( Lepcha priests) of Dzongu and Mirik. The puja was finished around 10 am in the morning.
Lepcha regarding the low scale organization of celebration said some of the organizations have been telling that the celebration is not for making fun and enjoy but to perform seriously its ritual manners that is why we have decided to organize it in the way. Besides, he also said due to the absence of the president of the committee T. Lachungpa, the celebration was not organized in such grand way like earlier.
The committee is also mulling the celebration in purely ritual way in future, it is informed.
There was also another celebration of Pang Lhabsol was organized by Arithang Gyalshen Tshopko at Artihang Gumpa.
The two day celebration was started from Sunday and concluded on Monday. The senior monk Champo Lama of Inchey Gumpa had organized started the puja by praying gurdain deity Kanchandzonga and other gods on Sunday. Around three hundred devotees of the surrounding areas of Gumpa had visited the Gumpa.

Congress Government will remove the injustice to affected communities: Bhandari

Chisopani (South Sikkim), September 15 (IST 7:36): In presence of heavy security, a total of 842 members from other political parties pledged their affiliation with Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) during a mass induction cum public meeting held Sunday at Chisopani, South Sikkim.
The new entrants took primary membership of SPCC in presence of the party president Nar Bahadur Bhandari who welcomed them with traditional scarf. Prominent among the new faces were LM Gurung (Dentam), DB Chettri (Tumin Lingzey) and KB Chettri from Yuksom.
Former SP PB Basnet also led a delegation of 35 people from Pakyong to join the mass induction. Similarly, Dinesh Khaling shepherded 70 SDF party members into Congress party from Geyzing.
Addressing the gathering of hundreds of existing members and fresh inductees, an upbeat SPCC president Bhandari said that today marks the beginning of a Congress government in Sikkim .
"Now, there will a reign of people in Sikkim in true sense under Congress party", thundered Mr. Bhandari.
Showing his clue, the SPCC president then proceeded to list out the party's manifesto for the upcoming elections in an alphabetical order starting right from A.
"This time elections will be held in March-April 2009 with tamper proof EVMs and as per the new Delimitation report. Election date is the day to wash away your sorrows and miseries that you have suffered under 14 years of SDF rule", Bhandari told.
"Since the elections will be held as per the new Delimitation report, the SDF government has taken away the political rights of Limboo and Tamang communities and the business community".
Claiming that Congress will form governments both in Sikkim and Centre, the party president assured that both the governments will work to remove the injustice to the above communities by rejecting the new Delimitation report. "Once Congress party comes to power, we will remove four 'C's from the dictionary of Sikkim . These four 'C's are communalism, casteism, corruption and crime", he said.
Highlighting disparity in the recent Income Tax exemption, the SPCC president said that the Sikkim Subject Certificates stands under more severe threat from Chief Minister Pawan Chamling. "If you make the mistake of voting for Chamling this time, then you may also shred your Sikkim Subject Certificates within on week of the elections. You retain Chamling and your Sikkim Subject Certificates is under threat", he said.
He also warned that corrupt SDF leaders will not be spared under a Congress government.
"Any house now brandishing a SDF flag will automatically attract a CBI investigation once Congress comes to power this time", said Mr. Bhadanri who accused the SDF party members as being the root of all corrupt practices in Sikkim .
The SPCC chief also announced a slew of sops for the poor people this post elections in the event of a Congress government. We will give free colour televisions, radios, electricity and telephone connections to the poor people, white collar jobs to the present 22,000 educated unemployed youths and water supply to each house, he said.
Congress government will also give Rs. 50,000 as rural housing scheme and Rs. 5 lakhs for modern housing schemes to the head of the family and departmental officials have to compulsory support them, Bhandari added.

Most states fail to implement anti-hoarding order: Centre

New Delhi, September 15 (IST 9:03): A majority of states, including some ruled by the UPA constituents, have not yet implemented an anti-hoarding order that covers wheat, rice, pulses and oil despite the country facing over 12 per cent inflation.

A total of seven states -- Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra , Chhatisgarh, Uttarakhand and Orissa -- have fully implemented the Stock Limit Order that could prove effective in checking black-marketing and profiteering by traders.

In view of high inflation, the Cabinet on August 21 extended till April 2009 the power of states to regulate how much stocks of wheat and pulses traders can keep. It also put paddy under the ambit of stock limit.

A similar notification for rice, edible oil and oilseeds was issued on April 7 and is valid for one year.

Quoting a status paper prepared by the Consumer Affairs Ministry, a government official said the order under the Essential Commodities Act empowers states to deal with hoarders sternly.

Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan are among the states that have not taken recourse to this tool, he said. Its implementation is optional and at the discretion of state governments.

However, Sikkim , Rajasthan, Punjab, Goa and Bihar have informed the Centre that they are considering imposing stock limit, the official said.

Some states have imposed stock limits on select commodities and not implemented the order completely.

Demonstration of ShivaSena in Siliguri is anti national: SDF

Gangtok, September 15 (IST 6:52): Sikkim Democratic Front has termed the protest of ShivaSena in Siliguri as anti national and anti-Nepali. A press release issued by Bhim Dahal, General Secretary of the party, said four days ago in Siliguri an-anti Nepali group of ShivaSena branch has made a travesty  by making hue and cry of fake citizenship issue of the most senior Chief minister of the country which was published in a daily.
SDF thinks it is a pre-planned conspiracy. Blaming to such national leader is out and out anti-national. Some anti-Nepali elements are spewing their venom toward Indian Nepali in Siliguri.  
The release further said this is not only one incidence. There have been so many unsuccessful attempts of such sponsored incidents to distort the stainless and transparent image of SDF president or chief minister.
SDF party also demands Siliguri administration should also vigil on such anti-national and baseless incident. Nobody is above the constitution and the discipline of Indian Republic .

Chamling extends greetings on Pang Lhabsol

Gangtok, September 14 (IST 16:44): The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and Smt. Tika Maya Chamling have extended their warm greetings to the people of Sikkim on the auspicious occasion of Pang Lhabsol. In their greetings, the Chief Minister has said that this celebration is unique to the State and is essential for unity, peace and prosperity of the people of Sikkim . He expresses hope that the Sikkimese people, irrespective of caste, creed and religion joins in the celebration and prays to the guardian deities for their protection and blessings.

Pang Lhabsol, the festival commemorating the consecration of Mt Khangchendzonga as the guardian deity will observe here.

Bongthings and monks offered their prayers in front of the Statue of Unity seeking peace and prosperity in this tiny Himalayan State . The festival is unique to the State and is observed every year on the 15th day of the seventh Buddhist month, falling between August and September.

Funding of schemes for northeast revised

New Delhi, September 14 (IST 6:51): With a view to boosting development of the North-East region, The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval for changing the funding pattern of these states with regard to program related to rural development from 75:25 (Grant to loan) to 90:10 on Thursday. The new formula will also be applicable to Sikkim .

At present, only the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) follows the 90:10 funding pattern for the northeastern States.

The schemes to be covered under the new formula include Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) and District Rural Development Agency Administration (DRDA).
However, the government has also adopted this pattern for the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).

Nakul Das Rai on thanksgiving trip to US

New Delhi, September 14 (IST 6:20): Lone Member of Parliament from Sikkim, Nakul Das Rai, along with a 38-member delegation comprising three ministers, 16 MPs and their relatives is headed for a weeklong sojourn to the United States to thank the Bush establishment for its stand on the 123 agreement. There is almost no official programme barring a meeting with secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, but that too is dicey. Vayalar Ravi, is leading the delegation.

The delegation, which took off on Friday night, will be in New York from September 13 to 15 and will put up in the multi-starred luxurious Waldrof Astoria hotel. Subsequently, it will be in Washington DC from September 16 to 17 and in Los Angles from September 19 to 20 before returning home. The only listed programme for the MPs is a meeting with US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. The two US leaders are still to confirm appointments, the ministry sources said.

New dimension in SU-HRDD controversy

Gangtok, September 13 (IST 5:52): The State Human Resource Development Department (HRDD) has expressed regret for the comments made by the Vice Chancellor of Sikkim University (SU), Dr. Mahendra P. Lama, in various newspapers instead of discussing the matters with HRDD across the table.

~On the comment made by SU, the HRDD have never taken S.U. into confidence or never consulted S.U. on any issue is farthest from the truth, ~ a press release issued by the HRDD mentioned.

As per the release, the  Sikkim   University  was established with the sole initiative and persistent demand made by the State Government for the benefit of the Sikkimese people. We are proud to state here that the University was established by the Central Government in  Sikkim  overlooking size and population criteria of the State. The Vice Chancellor was also appointed solely on the strong recommendation of the State Government overlooking many senior academicians and intellectuals.

The Government helped the Central University in identifying the land at Yangyang, South Sikkim and assisted in the acquisition of the land and also provided more than 9 (nine) crores for the purchase of land through supplementary fund besides sanctioning an amount of Rs. 29 (twenty nine) crores for widening and improvement of road leading to Yangyang. Departments like Power & Energy and Water Supply & PHE have also improved and upgraded their facilities. For its temporary accommodation and to utilize it as its office, the State Government has provided a multi-storyed building at 6th Mile, Tadong.

The Government also provided manpower to assist the University for Administration, accounts and Academics, In order to help the  Sikkim   University , the department allowed its Lecturers of various streams to help the University in framing its syllabus.

 As far as consultations with the Sikkim University is concerned, the Secretary and senior officers of the HRDD on their own initiative attended meetings on three occasions in the VC's office besides several other meetings. Meetings were also attended by the senior officers and the representatives from Government College called by the  Sikkim   University . The Minister, HRDD also convened a meeting in HRDD office to examine the various issues relating to  Sikkim   University  which was attended by the VC and his officials.

 The colleges are automatically affiliated to the  Central   University  by the Sikkim University Act, 2006. As such, there should not be any confusion regarding affiliation of Government and other private colleges to  Sikkim   University .

The allegation made by Vice Chancellor in local daily that the Government colleges are not administratively and infrastructuraly prepared to cope with  Sikkim   University 's new programmes is baseless and not true. The department have provided new facilities and properly furnished the colleges and has also accorded approval to appoint part-time lectures to meet the requirement and putting the other infrastructure in place, as per a Press Release received from HRD Department.  

A triumph for Namchi

Gangtok, September 13 (IST 5:52): Namchi Sports Hostel, Sikkim, defeated Air Force Bal Bharti 9-0 in the sub-juniors section of the Subroto Cup football tournament here on Friday.

Rechard Lepcha scored three goals for the Sikkim team along with Dilliram Sashai (2), Karma Singh, Yuana Hand, Novin Gurung and Ronald Lepcha.

In another match of the same section, MP Sports College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, defeated St. John's High School , Chandigarh 4-0. Shashank Rawat scored three goals and Amit Kumar one.

In a juniors match, M.S.P. Malappuram, Kerala, defeated Oriental Academy , Manipur 9-1. Harsheed, four goals, led the scoring for the winner with others goals from P.P. Danish (2), Asif (2) and Mohammed Safwan. For the loser, the scorer was K. Augustine.

Army Boys, Bangalore defeated Govt. Senior Secondary School , Neemriwali, Haryana 9-0 in a juniors match. For Army Boys, T. Jacky Chand Singh (2), E. Kipgen (2), Y. Bobo Singh (2), MR Joshi, Dukhiram Tudu and U. Karunakaran were the scorers.

Chamling assigned PC to generate opinion on the SU issue

Gangtok, September 12 (IST 22:11): ~The philosophy behind constituting the State Planning Commission needs to be well understood by everyone concerned. They are the think tank of our society~, Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim said Wednesday. He convened a meeting of the newly constituted State Planning Commission members at the conference hall of Tashiling Secretariate, Gangtok.

The state government's policy on various sectors for the socio-economic development of the state requires to be implemented effectively so that the benefit percolates down to the grass root level. The State Planning Commission has an equally important role to play in these matters. They need to meditate on these policies and programmes and assist the government by their guidance and valuable suggestions, the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister directed the State Planning Commission to look into the matter and investigate as to why the Capacity Building Programme has not been able meet up the expectations. Besides, he also entrusted the State Planning Commission with the work of improving quality education, and generating opinion on the  Sikkim   University  issue.

The Chief Minister also announced that students securing admission in any world Premier Institutes in their own merit will be given scholarship by the government provided they belong to economically backward family. He also asked the HODs to come up with valuable suggestions for providing various incentives to encourage competitiveness among the teachers and the students alike.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chairman State Planning Commission, P.D. Rai along with the Planning Commission members, Chief Secretary , N.D. Chingapa, Development Commissioner, Addl. Chief Secretary cum Principal Secretary, Finance and all the Heads of Departments.

Everest Summiter Yaduram admitted at Siliguri nursing home

Gangtok, September 12 (IST 22:11): Yaduram Sharma, first Mount Everest Summiter from Siliguri, West Bengal has been admitted to a Siliguri nursing home after he complained of Gall-bladder stone. It may be mentioned that at the time of expedition on Mt. Everest on the month of May, 2008, he was the patient of Gall Bladder stone having 16 mm stone. Sharma had his gallbladder removed today by Surgeon Abhishek Biswas and the condition of health is improving. He had successfully scaled the world's highest peak Mt Everest on 22 nd May 2008 along with a ten-member independent team of the Sonam Gyatso Mountaineering Institute (SGMI), Sikkim creating history for the premier mountaineering institute and the Himalayan state.

First Beam Circles Large Hadron Collider Track

HKD, September 11, IST 06: 49 (Courtesy: Alexis Madrigal,  September 10, 2008 | 11:18:43 AM): The Large Hadron Collider fired its first beam around the machine's full track at 10:28 AM local time (1:36 AM Pacific time).

No actual atoms were smashed today -- that won't start for weeks -- and no results are expected for months, at the earliest. Still, like first light in a telescope, the first beam in the particle accelerator is a landmark moment for a program that has spanned more than 20 years and involved tens of thousands of scientists.

"What has been shown today is that technically it all works," said Jos Engelen, chief science officer for CERN, the European scientific research agency directing the efforts, in a live webcast from Geneva .

The proton beams that raced around the 17-mile mile track begin a scientific relay that is likely to last for more than a decade. Scientists hope the discoveries made possible by the LHC will open new frontiers in physics and provide a new fundamental understanding of the universe.

Next up for the collider is cranking up the energy of the proton beams to about 10 trillion electron volts, more powerful than other particle accelerators like Fermilab's Tevatron but still short of the proposed maximum collision energy of 14 trillion electron volts that the researchers hope to reach.

The next big moment will come when the first particle collisions occur. That had been tentatively scheduled for the official LHC unveiling on October 21, but the first beam firings could lead to an acceleration of that schedule.

"Based on today's evidence, things are going to move faster," said Mike Lamont, a member of CERN's beam operations team in the CERN webcast. "There's a remarkable number of systems working remarkably well -- the instrumentation, the magnets. There are still some hurdles to cross there, but we can anticipate collisions sooner than we planned."

Sikkim chief minister attended the International Expert Meeting organized by Sikkim University (SU) on conserving agricultural heritage system in mountainous landscapes in association with United Nations University , Tokyo , Japan and Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome on November 2007. (File Photo)

At no stage Sikkim University has said that it is not fully equipped

Gangtok, September 10 (IST 23:01): a clarification made by Sikkim University to put the facts before the students and teachers about affiliation of Government Colleges to Sikkim University (SU) today, which is also issued to restate the view that Sikkim University - a new national institution of higher learning - has been unnecessarily and avoidably dragged into controversy.

As per the press release issued by SU, since the Sikkim University came into existence in July 2007, all the colleges remained automatically affiliated to Sikkim University under its Act. To facilitate this Sikkim University decided to float the first under-graduate (college) programme in its colleges from July 2008 and also consulted with the Vice Chancellor and Officials of the North Bengal University to complete the process.

Sikkim University started interacting and consulting all the colleges in Sikkim in July 2007 itself. Since then with an objective to introduce the first undergraduate (college) level programme, Sikkim University conducted several rounds of consultative and interactive meetings with college teachers and state government officials. The Vice Chancellor personally made several presentations in these meetings.

Sikkim University also conducted the college performance study of last ten years and circulated to almost 400 policy including the His Excellency the Governor, Chief Minister, Education Minister and other Ministers, all the Secretaries and Heads of the Departments of the Government of Sikkim, college teachers and students, principals of the senior secondary schools, former bureaucrats, civil society members including professionals, private sector, media, heads of religious institutions and NGOs in February 2008. On the basis of this a new set of college reform proposal was prepared. This proposal carried in it several inclusive and forward looking features and the best features available and practiced by some of the most prestigious universities of India and abroad. After due consultations with all the college teachers and HRD Department of the Government of Sikkim, it was oprationalised gradually in July 2008.

The College reforms include the following:

 i.            Semester system of education

 ii.           Inter-disciplinary programme

 iii.          100 % internal evaluation

 iv.          New syllabus prepared by the representatives of the most prestigious colleges of India and teachers from Sikkim Colleges.

 v.           Academic facilities for the teachers

vi.           An up-to-date library

vii.          Scientific marking on class attendance system

viii)      Modern interactive-teaching practices

It has four fold objectives:

i.            Firstly, the students and teachers will be able to study most up-to-date themes/issues on a particular subject.

ii.            Secondly, this will enable our students to compete at a higher level at any institutions both in India and abroad. The students will be evaluated continuously through out the year unlike in the past when they used to have just one exam in one full year.

iii.            Thirdly, students will have much wider orientations, broader outlook and liberal perceptions with this well spread and well designed teaching contents and schedules.

iv.            Students will be confident and resourceful to enter into job market at the state, national and global level.

Against this backdrop, the fresh students registered themselves under Sikkim University admission policy in June-July 2008. Colleges both government and private kept us informed about the enthusiastic response of the students under the new system. The colleges were supposed to start the new session from 10 July 2008.

Suddenly, the University got a letter dated July 1, 2008 when the admission process under Sikkim University was almost over seeking exemption of four government colleges from the affiliation of Sikkim University . This letter emphatically mentioned that "exemption is necessary and important as the government colleges within the state at present are not prepared both academically and administratively to cope up with the various requirements of the Sikkim Central University ."

The request was specifically to de-affiliate the "Government Colleges". Since it was a matter of the University Act, Sikkim University forwarded the letter to the Ministry of Human Resources Development, New Delhi for an opinion. Meanwhile in at least three meetings including called by the HRD Minister and the Secretary and other officials of the HRD Department, Government of Sikkim,

Sikkim University was very clearly told that the Sikkim Government Colleges will continue to be with the Sikkim University . And the HRD Department also accordingly instructed the Colleges to follow Sikkim University curriculum. Our only request to the HRD Department, Govt of Sikkim was to give us a formal communication in this regard so that we could ignore the letter written by the HRD Department to the MHRD, Government of India on 1st July 2008, expressing its decision to seek re-affiliation with the North Bengal University . However SU's request was never paid attention to by the HRD Department. Therefore, the situation remained very uncertain for the Government Colleges.

On the other hand, all the private colleges continued with the academic programmes of the Sikkim University and have now moved far ahead in the academic session.

Unfortunately, Sikkim University was never taken into confidence and never consulted by the HRD Department of the Government of Sikkim while again approaching the North Bengal University for re-affiliation of Government Colleges in the last few weeks. We believe that the process of consultation is very critical as it involves a very sensitive subject like education and also future of a large number of students that have enrolled themselves under Sikkim University . Though Sikkim University is the central institution to promote higher education in the State it came to know about the entire "re-affiliation with NBU" through various press reports in the last few days.

More seriously the blame for opting for such action by the HRD Department, Govt of Sikkim, as reported in the press, is put on Sikkim University saying that Sikkim University in not fully equipped and not prepared for conducting undergraduate programmes. This is not only a distortion of fact but also a disturbing tendency in a noble profession and subject like education.

At no stage Sikkim University has said that it is not ~fully equipped~ or ~not prepared~ to take start the courses in the affiliated colleges. We have read about it only in the newspapers which have quoted the Department of Human Resources Development, Government of Sikkim. If Sikkim University were not prepared, it would not have started the academic session in July 2008. Sikkim University is deftly and fully aware about its duties towards the students, parents and teachers in the colleges in the State and the country. This is very much a part of our towering mission to make Sikkim University a truly international University.

Sikkim University being a national University is very clear and determined in raising the standard of higher education in the State and provides the primary benefits of the Sikkim University project to the people of the State of Sikkim and the country at large. While the choice of affiliation with any other University of the government colleges is that of the Government of Sikkim, Sikkim University is fully geared and confident to conduct under-graduate programmes in all its affiliated government and private colleges of Sikkim,

Sikkim University would also like to mention the following developments in the last few months and programmes for next one month.

i) The first Executive Council meeting of Sikkim University was held in August 2008. The University is being guided by its Executive Council which consists of the cream of Indian academia and civil society including three Vice Chancellors of prestigious universities, Directors of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indian Statistical Institute, think tanks like Madras Institute of Development Economics, eminent scientists, former civil servants and the famous mountaineer.

ii) The first Academic Council meeting of the Sikkim University will take place in October 2008. The first Academic council of Sikkim University has also been constituted with eminent academics, professionals and educationists drawn from diverse fields and reputed institutions from across the country.

iii) The first Finance Committee meeting of the Sikkim University will take place in October 2008

iv) The high powered team of University Grants Commission team is visiting Sikkim University in October 2008 to finalise the 11th plan programmes of the Sikkim University .

v) The first Registrar of Sikkim University and the first Finance Officer of Sikkim University have now been appointed by the Visitor of the University, Madame Pratibha Singhdevi Patil, Her Excellency the President of India.

vi) Sikkim University is floating its first four Masters Programme from October 2008 in Sociology ( School of Social Science ), ● International Politics/ Relations (School of Global Studies), ● Peace and Conflict Studies & Management ( School of Peace , Conflict & Human Security Studies), ● Microbiology ( School of Life Sciences ).

Suicide according to scientists is due to depression : Pradhan

Gangtok, September 10 (IST 23:01): World Suicide Prevention Day organized by State Health Council, Health Service and Family welfare Department was held at auditorium Hall of Sikkim Government College with the participation of college students.
Dr. C.L.Pradhan of STNM hospital had delivered his speech on the topic. He said suicide rate in the world is increasing day by day due to the hectic schedule and growing desire of material facilities. “One of the main reasons of suicide according to scientists is due to depression,” Dr. Pradhan said.
He also categorized the suicidal rate in male and female. “Female are mostly prone to depression, but the rate of suicide of female is few in comparison to male as they (female) can't reach to the success,” he said.
Dr. Pradhan also informed the chances of the suicide are very high to them who drink alcohol and drugs.
By 2010, according to Dr. Pradhan, most of the people would be afflicted with depression. Every year the suicide rate in the country is more than one lakh and in the world more than one million, he informed.
Regarding Sikkim , he said in the State the department from 2005 is conducting every month mental health awareness programme in all four districts respectively. He said after conduction such programme the suicidal rate in the state has gown down to some extent. 

All India flag day for the blind in Sikkim

Gangtok, September 10 (IST 23:01): The “All India Flag Day for the Blind” is observed on 14th & 15th September every year. This year too, it is proposed to observe the “All India Flag Day for the Blind” in Sikkim , but 13th, 14th and 15th September 2008 being Government declared holidays, it has been decided to observe the Flag Day in Sikkim on 12th September 2008.

On this auspicious day, Volunteers/Schools /Organisations get actively involved in collection of funds through donations for the up-keep and welfare of the Blind children of Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Institute for Handicapped (JNMIH), Boomtar, Namchi, Sikkim.

This year the Flag Day is to commemorate the contribution of Louis Braille for the cause of the blind. Louis Braille, who became blind at the 3, was the inventor of braille, a world-wide system used by blind and visually impaired people for reading and writing. Braille is read by passing the fingers over characters made up of an arrangement of one to six embossed points, Geeta Gurung, General Secretary of NAB said.

Chief Minister will not be able to meet the general public

Gangtok, September 10 (IST 23:01): The Government had notified for the information of general public and others the day, time and venue for seeking appointment with the Chief Minister.

However, the urgent official engagements and other important State affairs including tour of the Chief Minister the day and time fixed for appointment with the Chief Minister Stands automatically cancelled. Moreover, owing to ensuing Janata Melas in all the four districts of the State and the festival of Dasain the Chief Minister will be fully occupied in preparation for these engagements. Hence, the Chief Minister will not be able to meet the general public and others before the Dasain festival. The members of the public may however meet their Area MLAs and concerned Ministers to redress their grievances.

It may however be mentioned here that the Chief Minister himself will be meeting the general public during the Janata Melas in all the four districts in the last week of this month and distribute various schemes and other benefits. N D Chingapa, Chief Secretary, appealed to the members of the public to attend these Janata Melas where they can take advantage of meeting the Chief Minister personally.

Those with the request for medical assistance or any other emergency work may submit their applications through the proper channel after seeking appointment and only after obtaining confirmation.

Sikkim is Maoist free state: HM Report

New Delhi , September 9 (IST 6:46): Sikkim has no Maoists presence, a report submitted to Union Home Minister said. 
Left-wing extremists are spreading their presence to as many as 22 states with the Maoists even approaching banned groups like LTTE and ULFA for arms procurement, an intelligence report has claimed, a national news agency mentioned. 
The report, submitted to the Union Home Ministry, said Maoists were aiming at liberating 35 per cent of country's territory by the end of next year, according to official sources. 
Thirty-nine Left-wing extremists groups are operating in the country with underground sympathisers and armed cadre active in 15 states while overground supporters exist in seven states, it said. 
Throwing light on the funding and arms procurement policy of naxals, the report said the underground groups are in touch with certain militant groups like ULFA in Assam and LTTE in Sri Lanka for procurement of arms and explosives. 
The Maoists have no presence only in six states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram , Sikkim , Goa and Himachal Pradesh, the report said. 
Having links with militant groups does not mean that they are colluding with them to carry out attacks. They are having links with the militant groups for procurement of arms, an official said. 
Outlining the naxal strategy and goals, the report said the groups plan to possess 35 per cent of country's land as liberated area by the end of next year. 
It also said while there are over 20,000 underground Maoist activists in the country and nearly 50,000 overground members, more than lakh naxal sympathisers and supporters are working in various frontal organisations. 
 Recently, the Centre had given the nod for setting up of a 10,000-strong Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) to tackle naxalism. 
According to sources, the government is also formulating a plan to deploy specially-trained personnel in six states, mostly in the worst-affected areas. 

Sikkim adopt NCERT syllabus

New Delhi , September 9 (IST 6:46): Sikkim has adopted NCERT syllabus and textbooks for school education with other twelve states and union territories. 
The syllabus follower states and union territories are Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh , Jharkhand, Delhi , Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar , Jammu and Kashmir , Sikkim and Uttarakhand, a NCERT official informed. 
Andhra Pradesh is also planning to adopt the NCERT syllabus, which has been prepared as per the guidelines of National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2004. Besides these states, CBSE has also adopted the NCERT syllabus and textbooks. 
~The NCF contains broad guidelines for preparation of the curriculum and syllabus. It harps on relating knowledge to the life beyond schools. Now 12 states and union territories have adopted the NCERT syllabus,~ he said. 
The NCERT is providing financial support of Rs 10 lakh to each state for adopting its syllabus. 
Some states have developed state curriculum framework on the lines of NCF. These states include Orissa, Kerala and Karnataka.

Everybody scaring to die in Sikkim : Lepcha

Gangtok, September 9 (IST 6:46): Man is mortal. Everybody has to die. But in Gangtok people are scaring with the dead body carrying van and are not permitting to park it. N.T.Lepcha, a resident of Mangan, temporarily residing in rented room at Development Area owns a the dead body carrying van which is the lone private hoarse van of the State said he had owned the van keeping in view the problems of carrying the body in the city like Gangtok as the other vehicles do not want to carry the dead body generally. But it is becoming a problem for Lepcha as the people of the surrounding area are not allowing him to park it.
I do not have parking space and what is more I am in rented room. So I am getting problem to park it, Lepcha said.
He however said the van is temporarily parked STNM hospital premises. But there also will be problem to park for long time, he informed.
Lepcha also said the van was not owned for business purpose only but those who are helpless will be cooperated with only filling the fuel for the van. This van is very necessary for the society but why people scare from the gospel truth that one day every body has to die, he rued. 

Sikkim improving the standards of policing

Gangtok , September 9 (IST 6:46): For a long time need had been felt for the reorganisation of the State Police Forces considering the far reaching changes that have taken place in the country since enactment of the Indian Police Act, 1861. Many Commissions/Committees had been appointed but a comprehensive law on the subject did not materialize for long.

Having regard to the gravity of the problem the Supreme Court, vide its judgement dated  22nd  September, 2006 gave certain directions pending enactment of a new Police Act by the States. Sikkim was the first State in the country to comply with the  Apex Court  directions. Further, in accordance with the said directions and the Model Police Act received from MHA, GOI and the various State Acts, the Sikkim Police Act, 2008 has been enacted keeping in view the size, population and infrastructure in the State. The Act has been brought into force in the State w.e.f. the 5th September, 2008.

The Act inter alia provides for a State Police Board under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister to facilitate laying down of policies, evaluate performance and ensure functional autonomy of the Police subject to the provisions of law. It further mandates Strategic Police Plan and Annual Police Plan to be placed before the State Legislature every year and to also be made readily accessible to the general public. Important members of the Board are the Leader of Opposition and a retired judge of the High Court besides three independent members and few senior most functionaries of the Government.

There is provision under the Act for a Police Accountability Commission headed by a retired Chief Justice to enquire into public complaints supported by sworn statements against the Police officers for serious misconduct (death in custody, rape, grievous hurt and arrest without due process of law). The Commission has also been empowered to perform

Functions of the State Human Rights Commission listed under section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and make suitable recommendations to the Government. As per recommendation of the Chief Justice, Sikkim High Court, Justice R.K. Patra, retired Chief Justice has been appointed as the Chairman, State Police Accountability Commission.

The Sikkim Police Act, 2008 has detailed instructions for establishment of Police Stations, Districts, Ranges; a State Intelligence Department; a Criminal Investigation Department, Technical Support Services and Armed Police battalions and provision for outsourcing the non-core functions. It states the role and functions of the Police, its key functionaries and coordination with and by other authorities. Specific provisions have been made for beat policing, village guards and community liaison groups.

To ensure continued improvement in standards of policing the Act provides for a Research & Development unit, a well equipped Training Centre and details procedure for Promotions, Transfers, Welfare and Grievance Redressal Mechanisms for the Police personnel. A minimum tenure of two years Subject to the laid down conditions has been provided for the DGP, the district Superintendent of Police and the Station House Officer (Officer in-Charge of a Police Station).

The Act also lists some General Offences and Penalties for ensuring order in streets and public places and procedure for regulating Assemblies and Processions. Guidelines on Arrest and Detention and Conduct by Police Officers figure prominently. It is hoped that the new legislation will help improve the standards of policing and go a long way in ensuring continued peace and security in the State.

Central library in a damp scanty room

Gangtok , September 9 (IST 6:35): It is said books are called the window of mini world but the books of Sikkim state central library are now-a-days kept in the damp scanty room of White hall far away from the reach of bookworms, its members and research students.
The library of around 18000 English, 1400 Nepali and 5000 Hindi books which was earlier in community hall at Development area is put in a small dingy room. Due to damp and unhygienic room and surrounding not only the eight staffs and two peons of the library are sick but most of the books of the library have attracted fungus.
Ruining on the condition of books and room, one of the staffs of the library said the doctor has advised her not to touch the fungus covered books as it cause harm to her hand. But they are the staff and have to show the books to the members of the library when need. “We are very afraid of this fungus and also the unhygienic surrounding has also made most of the staffs sick,” she said. They also complained due to dampness one Xerox machine and two computer sets of the office are also in defunct position.
However, the department is treating the fungus affected books taking them to fumigation chamber. “But only 100 books are treated at a time and it takes more than three weeks for one time treatment. So it takes long time to treat all these books,” P.Lepcha, curator of the library said.
On the other hand, the department is installing de-humidity free machine of the cost of Rs.4 lakhs to cope with the dampness and fungus. “Once the machine is installed, it will make the room warm so that the dampness and fungus will be mitigated,” Lepcha informed.
The members of the library have also their say. Hari Bhakta Adhikari, a young Nepali writer of Gangtok, said people say the importance of books have gone out due to introduction of information technology and TVs but I think the books never become irrelevant in the world rather its importance has grown up. So there need library for the students and research scholars to increase their knowledge. Therefore, a well equipped central library is very important for the State and it would be better very soon the library may be shifted to community hall at its earlier place, he said.

National seminar will be held on Terrorism & Human Rights

Guwahati , September 9 (IST 6:35): The Bar Council of India, the Bar Council of India Trust and the Bar Council of Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim have jointly decided to hold a national level seminar from November 21 to 23, 2008, at Guwahati. The seminar will deal on three important topics: (1) Corporate Social Responsibility with special reference to Environment, (2) Globalization and its impact on the legal profession and (3) Terrorism and Human Rights.
G N Sahewalla, Chairman, Organising Committee National Seminar, 2008 has informed in a release that an Organizing Committee as well as various other committees have been formed for holding the Seminar in a successful manner. The organizers intend to bring out a compilation containing reports of various corporate bodies regarding the steps and measures taken by them in discharging their social responsibilities more particularly in the area of protection of environment.
A souvenir befitting the occasion will be published which will include thought provoking articles on the subjects chosen for deliberation in the Seminar. The delegates at the Seminar, besides being provided with kits, will be provided with various reading materials for the purpose of the Seminar. The National Seminar is expected to be inaugurated by the Vice-President of India and will be attended by the Law Minister of India , several Judges of the Supreme Court and of the High Courts, Senior Counsels from the Supreme Court and all over India , and eminent academicians from all over the country.

24 BN SSB Gangtok to donate five lakhs to PM's national relief fund

Gangtok , September 8 (IST 21:44): Officers and other personnel of 24 Battalion of Sashastra Seema Bal are to donate one day salary from  the month of September, 2008 for the Prime Minister's National Relief fund for flood victims of Bihar. The amount comes to approximately Rs 5 lakh for the people of Bihar who are facing worst ever disaster in recent times due to flooding of Koshi river.

The battalion has already send tents worth Rs 8 lakh and handed over to the District Magistrate, Supal, Bihar last week for building of temporary shelters for the flood victims.

Manmohan Singh, Second in Command of 24 Bn SSB has said that the unit personnel and their families are also collecting clothing items medicines, blankets which will be dispatched to Bihar very shortly.

Survey on domestic tourism data by NSSO, Gangtok

Gangtok , September 8 (IST 21:44): National Sample Survey Organisation, Field Operation Division, Government of India, Gangtok in its continuing survey on domestic tourism, housing condition and urban slums will collect data from 4th September, 2008.

Investigators of NSSO will be visiting Tarethang on 8 to18 September, Segang on 4 to14 September, Nazitam on 15 to 25 September, Samdur on 8 to17 September, Gnathang on 19 to 28 September, Singtam on 10 to17 September, Gangtok and Upper Tadong on 4 to17 September, Hilley Forest Block on 19 to 29 September, Tokdey/Lingmoo on 18 to 28 September, North Regoh on 8 to16 September and Upper Tadong on 18 to 29 September.

Success of any socio-economic survey depends on awareness and cooperation from the general public. NSSO, Gangtok request the people of the above area to coordinate during the collection of data.

The silver jubilee musical Pang Lhabsol

Gangtok , September 8 (IST 6:16): To commemorate the State Function of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Pang Lhabsol in Rabong, the Pang Lhabsol Celebration Committee (PLCC) Rabong deemed it fit to present a grand finale which will be written in golden letters in the history of its celebration by presenting a Musical Rendezvous.

A performance by the three singing sensations of India , the Winner of the SA RE GA MA PA challenge 2007 Aneek Dhar and the Finalists Mauli Dave from Houston , Texas and Punjab Di Puttar Harprit Deol.

This is their maiden performance in the North East and North Bengal . It is salted to be the grandest of all Shows and will be performed live with the Bappi Lahiri's orchestra. The Entry for the show is free and the performance will be followed by a spectacular Fireworks display.

The performance will be on the evening of 15th of September at Rabong, South Sikkim . The show has been sponsored by Zee telefilms and Playwin.

Tnites congress felicitated seniors

Gangtok , September 8 (IST 6:16): Tnites Alumni Association of Sir Tashi Namgyel Senior Secondary School organized a felicitation programme at TNSS auditorium hall on 6th September.
Somnath Paudyal, agriculture minister and the alumni of the school, was the chief guest of the programme.
The association felicitated Ganesh Pradhan and Sonam Topgey, the ex-teachers of the school. Chief Guest gave the citation and momento to them. Both the teachers had served the school in 70's. In the same way, the association also felicitated Paras Nath Singh, an assistant teacher of the school, for the best teacher of the year. Besides, Kunzang Bhutia, alumni of the school, was also felicitated for his conquer on world's highest peak Mount Everest . He had climbed the Everest on 29 May, 2008.
Under Renzing Lama Memorial Trust two students of the school, Dawa Tamang of class X and Gobin Dahal of class XII were awarded stipend of Rs 5000/- each. The cheques of the stipend were given away by K.P.Adhikari, secretary, sports department and B.K.Roka, DIG to the students.
Similarly, the association also announced scholarships for three students of the school: Uday Gurung of class IX, Sehalchan Misra of X and Tshering Thendup Bhutia of XI.
In his address Paudyal said TNSS has great contribution for the State as it is the oldest one school of the State as well as it has proliferated many students who have been able to make the niche in the society.” from chief secretary to doctor, engineers all are produced by this school,” he said.
Recalling the past, he said earlier there were not such facilities and opportunities. But the students did hard labour and could be able to success in their goal.However, nowadays there are every facilities and opportunities are available though the students can not excel in study, he regretted.
He also suggested the students merit does not come easily; the students should slog for it. “As the life in future is very hard, “he said.

 

GJM delegation leaves for Delhi for tripartite talks

Siliguri , September 7 (IST 6:44): Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) delegation on Saturday left for New Delhi to take part in the tripartite talks on Darjeeling issue scheduled for September 8.

13 GJM members delegation would have one member each from political parties in Darjeeling hills that had extended total support to the Gorkhaland movement launched by GJM.

Regarding the much awaited tripartite talks, Roshan Giri, GJM general secretary said that the delegation was prepared for talks on Gorkhaland issue only. ~It is high time for both the state and the Centre to understand the ground reality of the issue. We expect that the talks must be issue based and hopefully there would be no attempt to frustrate the delegation,~ he added.

Meanwhile, The West Bengal state BJP president Mr Satyabrata Mukherjee opposed to further division of West Bengal and the proposed tripartite dialogue on the Darjeeling imbroglio should be centered on development issues.

But GS Yonzon, BJP leader from Darjeeling already taken a stand backing the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha demand for a Gorkhaland state.

IPCA acquired leasehold land in Sikkim

Gangtok , September 7 (IST 6:44): IPCA invested around Rs 130 crore in setting up the unit which will have capacity of around 4 billion tablets a year. The company has acquired leasehold land in Sikkim to set up a new formulations manufacturing unit.

Ipca Laboratories Ltd has three manufacturing facilities in Gujarat , two in Silvassa and one at Kandla. It has also taken over the management of the Gujarat-based Tonira Pharma after the open offer in April, now holding 32.30% of the voting rights of the company. The company has reported a turnover of Rs 1,085 crore with net profit of Rs 141 crore for the financial year 2008. Company is expecting 20% increase in both numbers.

No affiliation with Sikkim University at present: Decision may damage the future of student

Gangtok , September 6 (IST 20:11): Human Resources Development Department minister G M Gurung arranged a meeting at Government College, Tadong, Gangtok on the matter of re-affiliation of degree colleges of the state with North Bengal University. Minister HRDD has denied to affiliation with Sikkim University saying that the university is not well equipped for the matter, ~ even university has no registrar till yet, ~ he said.

On the other hand Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling has convened a high level meeting with officials of the human resources department tomorrow to discuss the status of affiliation of the degree colleges in the state. The meeting assumes significance in the wake of the media reports slamming the state government for jeopardizing the future of about 3000 students of the first year degree courses by first affiliating these colleges with the Sikkim University and subsequently deciding to re-affiliate them with the North Bengal University .

As the fate of the re-affiliation of the degree colleges of Sikkim hangs in balance, tomorrow's meeting is likely to discuss measures for expediting the process for re-affiliation of the colleges with the North Bengal University at the earliest as the academic session in these colleges have already commenced, official sources said today. The need for maintaining status quo of the affiliation of the colleges with the North Bengal University was felt by the state government on the ground that the academic infrastructure in the Sikkim University was yet to become fully operational, sources said.

The HRD officials, on the instruction of the chief minister, had applied for re-affiliation of the Degree College with the North Bengal University for which the Union HRD Ministry has also given its sanction, they said.

The state government had earlier this year decided that the degree colleges of the state would be affiliated with the Sikkim University from this academic session (2008-09) and first-year students would study the syllabus of the Sikkim University . For second and third year students, the affiliation will remain with the North Bengal University , it was decided. The HRD officials had subsequently sought de-affiliation of the four degree colleges from the North Bengal University and accordingly the colleges were de-affiliated.

However, the state government had a re-think on the matter subsequently and it was decided to seek re-affiliation of the degree colleges of the state with the North Bengal University .

The decision may damage the future of student of the state, because the session is already started at NBU and for the admission process Sikkim student can start their classes only after October. In this situation students can not be able to complete their syllabus, an observer said.

Sikkim Today appears in Nepali language

Gangtok , September 6 (IST 09:17): Quarterly magazine ~Sikkim Today~ published by Information and Public Relations department, government of Sikkim, which was resumed since July 2004 appears in Nepali first time of its origin in English with much improvement both in content and form. ~This is first Sikkim Today published by the department in vernacular,~ said M G Kiran, Secretary IPR department.

Editor of Nepali Sikkim Today is same as English. Magazine contains a lively mix of news, features, interviews, previews and reader offers. Over the past four years the magazine has established itself as the pre-eminent news magazine in the State.

The magazine also takes an in depth look at state policy and projects, features on directorates and departments and highlights what to see and where to see it. 

Ex-servicemen may be roped in adventure tourism

Gangtok , September 6 (IST 05:30 ): The Tourism Ministry is considering a proposal to use the services of ex-servicemen as part of an exercise for manpower development in adventure tourism. There is a need for manpower development in adventure tourism and the services of ex-servicemen may be used for the purpose, said a senior Tourism Ministry official.
With an aim to boost adventure tourism, the Ministry has worked out an action plan to be carried out in close coordination with state governments. Currently there are about 25 projects related to adventure tourism being implemented with central financial assistance in different states.
The projects include development of river rafting facilities, ski destinations, water sports complex, eco and adventure centre and trekking routes in several states. Tourism Ministry at a recent review meeting decided to provide an updated list of these ongoing projects to adventure tour operators association to enable them to plan activities and marketing initiatives accordingly. "We are trying to sort out various issues related to adventure tourism concerning other ministries like Environment and Forest Ministry and Defence Ministry," said a senior Tourism Ministry official.
A meeting with other Ministries where clearances are required for adventure tourism activities will be convened by the Tourism Ministry shortly, said the official. There is also a proposal to construct an Adventure Tourism Centre in Sikkim whose model can be replicated in other states as well.

Maverick Productions Pvt Ltd may shot Sikkim

Vishakha

HKD, September 5 (IST 17:50): After Biography on Kannada television, actor-cum-director Hemanth Hegde is back with House Full on the big screen. This is the age of renting parents and carrying forward the concept, Hemanth's film looks into situations arising after minds (read hearts) are hired. As the title suggests, there will be a track involving cinema in this comedy, says Hemanth, who plays hero Digant's friend in the film. 
But this comedy is the not the usual type, avers Lokanath, who plays a grandfather and finds his role ~weird~. Girija Oak, who was Aamir Khan's friend in Taare Zameen