15 June, 2004; NOW! 1

C M Y K

Tuesday, 15 June, 2004 Vol. 3 No. 73 Gangtok � Rs. 3

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(s/b Govt. of India and Govt. of Sikkim)TADONG, GANGTOK, SIKKIM-737 102

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The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government

is likely to announce the hike in pet-rol prices on today, 15 June.

The rise in petro-product priceshave been necessitated by risingglobal costs of petroleum and thefact that the price of petrol and die-sel has not been increased in Indiasince January 2004. The proposalto increase the auto fuel prices andrevise the subsidy scheme for cook-ing gas and kerosene is likely tocome up at the Cabinet meeting onTuesday morning, sources said.

Petrol and diesel prices are

likely to be raised by about Rs. 1 toRs 1.25 per litre in view of $7 perbarrel surge in crude oil prices.

The UPA government will re-work the new prices and UnionPetroleum Minister Mani ShankarAiyar will likely announce the fi-nal prices on Tuesday. The unprec-edented surge in international crudeprices has made the government situp and take some steps so as to keepIndian oil marketing companiesfrom running up huge losses.

Earlier on Monday, the govern-ment could not make up its mind on

Rs. 1 HIKE IN PETRO PRICELIKELY FROM TODAY

turn to pg 7

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 14 June: The ChiefMinister, Pawan Chamling, todaycalled on the Prime Minister, Dr.Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.Sources close to chief minister re-veal that the meeting between thetwo was very successful especiallyas regards the implementation ofthe Direct Tax laws in the state.

Speaking to NOW! over thephone from New Delhi, the PressAdvisor to the CM, BB Gooroong,revealed that the prime ministerwas sympathetic to the concernsand proposals raised by the chiefminister as regards the implemen-tation of the direct tax laws.

The positive response of Dr.Manmohan Singh in this regard isall the more significant as it was heas Finance Minister in theNarashima Rao government whohad extended the law to Sikkim

though it was never implemented.Incidentally, it was over this issuethat the Bhandari led government

in Sikkim was toppled in 1994.Dr. Manmohan Singh also in-

dicated that border trade with China

through the Nathula Pass would bepossible only by next year. For fur-ther examination of the various is-sues involved in the trade agree-ment the chief secretary of Sikkimis to sit with officials of the UnionCommerce Ministry, it is learnt.

The delay comes as no suprisesince earlier, even the Chief Min-ister, had indicated at a Pressbriefing that trade through theNathula Pass could be deferreddue to the change in governmentat the Centre.

Mr. Chamling also submitted amemorandum containing variouspolitical and economic demandsand the long pending issues whichneed to be sorted out in the interestof development and for the main-

tenance of peace in the State.These include protection for BL

reserved seats in the State assem-bly and also increase in the numberof seats in the assembly to accom-modate the inclusion of Limbu andTamang communities consequentto their inclusion in the list ofScheduled Tribes. There is also arequest to include Bhutia, Lepchaand Limbu languages in the 8thSchedule of the Constitution. Asmentioned in the many speeches ofMr. Chamling during his electioncampaign he has suggested to thecentre that Sikkim be declared atribal state.

There is also a proposal to re-serve seats for the Nepali commu-

Chamling meets Manmohan Singh, highlights pending issuesPM SYMPATHETIC ON DIRECT TAX AND OTHER DEMANDS,

SAYS NATHULA REOPENING ONLY NEXT YEAR

turn to pg 7

‘ISI SPY’CONSUMESPHENOL!

TURN TO pg 5

FOR DETAILS

2; NOW!; 15 June, 2004

C M Y K

Artist, filmmaker, keen photographer, columnist withinternational magazines... It’s hard to pin Twan Yangdown. Born to a Chinese father and Tibetan mother, hegrew up in Kalimpong and worked in Sikkim. NOW!serializes Twan Yang’s autobiography, Houseboy in India...

NOW!FIRST WITH THE NEWS

ED-SPACE

-80-“DID HE TELL YOU WHAT SORTof job it was?”

“All he said is that you shouldcome to the billiard room withoutfail as soon as you arrive home. Forall I know, this may be a pretensein order to have a game of billiardswith you”. Without reply, I left thehouse. At the end of a game ofsnooker, Chong Sing told me thatLee had finally spoken about me tohis officer, and that I should go withhim and learn more about it. “Thesedays,” explained Chong Sing,“there is work to be found. The U.S.Army want lots of new men to workin the Quartermaster Department,if one knows to speak English”.

When Lee came, he told me Ishould go with him followingmorning to the Hindustan Building,so he could recommend me to theAmerican officer of the Quarter-master Department, who recruitednew workers according to their ex-perience and qualification. ThoughI was afraid that I had little chanceto be one of the lucky men, I wentas arranged. “This is the man about

whom I spoke to you, sir,” Lee saidto his officer.

“Your name?” the foreignerasked in a pleasant voice.

“Twan Yang”.“You speak English, do

you”? the American asked.“I do, sir,” I said with a

shiver.“Can you speak

Hindustani?”“Yes, sir.”“Can you type?”“No, sir.” I said no be-

cause, though I knew a lit-tle, I did not think it wasenough.

I was so afraid he wouldnot accept me I had to con-trol myself to stop the shak-ing of my legs. How to prove myqualifications? From my pocket Iproduced the letter from Mr. Walshand Mr. Groth. After studying theseletters, which were a kind of testi-

monial, the officer gave an encour-aging, whimsical smile.

“You will be fit for a warehouseman same as Lee,” he said.

“Thank you, sir,thank you,” I said.

Lee’s face, too, wasbroadening with a

smile. He was proud that his prom-ise of aid had been fulfilled. Theofficer handed me a note.

“Show this chit to the officerin charge at the Howrah Warehouse

of the Quartermaster Department.Your pay will be one hundred andfifty rupees. Will that suit you?

I did not know how to expressmy joy when I heard that I was re-ally accepted, and was to start worknext day with the big pay. How as-tounding it sounded!

“Now we much thankGod and be happy that I amemployed,” I said to my wifeon reaching home thatevening. For the first timesince the death of my belovedmaster, light and happinessseemed to brighten the room.

Week after week andmonth after month I workedhere in this new place, withzest and zeal and a glowing

faith in my future. Certainly thefeeling came that if I lost this job Iwould never again get another likeit. But at this moment I was livingin America; at least it felt like liv-

ing in America to be working withAmerican people and to receivesuch handsome pay. At the end ofthree months I was given an in-crease of twenty-five rupees. Withthis big pay and much comfort inthe house, life indeed began toshine. God was kind, and we werehappy. Surely my luck was bloom-ing like an orchid! For the first timepeople regarded me with a certainhuman respect they could see that,though I had no formal schooling,I was a man of different caliber.They heard my music and saw mypaintings, admired my games andalthough I kept things at a certaindistance, with dignity, I easily madenew friends. Nor did I ever boastabout it, yet in my heart I was happyand proud of the idea that thou-sands in the world would read mystory if ever my book should bepublished.

– concluded

Thousands in the world would read my story…

SANGRAM BHAVAN, THE

SETTING FOR MANY

EXPULSIONS

I read the news regarding the infighting in the Sikkim Pradesh

Congress and the expulsions of fiveof its prominent members in yournewspaper. In the history ofSangram Hall, it has witnessed suchdramas several times. Every timethe drama is repeated all is samelike the hall, the benches, the heroof the act and the audience in thegallery, only the members to be ex-pelled are different at differenttimes. In the history of the hall ithas witnessed the expulsions ofChamla Tshering, OT Bhutia, T.Lachungpa, Phuchung Bhutia, KNUpreti, Bharat Basnett, PawanChamling, Sanchaman Limbu,Namkha Gyaltsen and RajendraUpreti and several others. The heroto knock out all bullies is none otherNar Bahadur Bhandari. Since his-tory he has been managing the 200-strong crowd to clap in the audi-ence gallery to witness, clap and

whistle, the occasion is the same.They do not bother what the occa-sion is. Whether it is expulsion orjoining of one or other member, itreally does not matter.Palden Thendup, Singtam

THE EVM JOKES

Much has been written and saidabout the use of EVMs in the

last elections. Both parties triedtheir best to misinform the publicfor their own advantage. For in-

stance, an ardent SDF supportersaid to an illiterate voter, “Pleasepress the button right against thesymbol Umbrella. If you press anyother button other than that you willbe electroculated then and there.”

A Congress supporter insists,“As soon as you step in the votingcompartment you please first pressthe button right against the symbolhand as a trial, then go ahead if youwish to try other ones.

�LETTERS

DP Rai, Gangtok

DELEGATE POWER

COMPLETELY

This is to inform that villagelevel works are sanctioned by

the panchayat after a panchayatmeeting [Gram Sabha]. The worksare to be funded by the Zilla fund.Now, it has come to our notice thaton completion of the work the billcan only be passed by Gangtok.

We want to know from the gov-ernment what is the value of keep-ing gram sabha at all. At one sidethe government is saying Panchayatand Zilla Adhyaksha will be givenbe given the powers to sanctionsmall amounts for developmentwork in their areas.

On the other hand, the pubic isfacing problems when it comes topassing of bills. Is this the imple-mentation of Panchayat system?Please clarify.

Bhai Tshering Bhutia,Tingchim, North Sikkim

Yellow JournalismYellow journalism, or “yellow press”, refers to an unethical,irresponsible brand of journalism given to hoaxes, alteredphotographs, screaming headlines, “scoops”, frauds, and endlesspromotions of the newspapers themselves. This term was first usedin the 1890’s to describe the competition between two rival New YorkCity newspapers, the World, and the Journal. In 1883, Joseph Pulitzerpurchased the New York-based newspaper, the World. With its vivid,sensational reporting and excellent crusades against politicalcorruption and social injustice, Pulitzer made the World, the largestnewspaper circulation in the country. One of his most famous staffwriters was Nellie Bly. Bly was best known for her “stunt” stories. Anexample of one of her “stunts” was when she pretended to be insaneand committed herself to the New York Blackwell Island Asylum.When she was released after ten days, she wrote a story exposingthe asylum’s poor conditions. The story sparked reform from all aroundthe country! All this is now in the domain of investigative journalism,but the brash, in-your-face style that it patented got branded yellowjournalism and soon worked into its present meaning of intentionallybiased reporting. Yellow journalism, it must be borne in mind, is notabout lying, anyone can challenge an obvious untruth, it is aboutinsidious planting of stories which morph the truth to mean what everthe editor wants projected. In that sense, Yellow Journalists are moreinsidious than liars. They use rhetorical tricks to make insinuationslook like facts and bias look like objectivity. Yellow Journalists havefigured out the tricks of the trade well. They know that one can proveanything, depending on what evidence is conveniently ignored. Theyfrequently omit details that could ruin their story by contradicting theirpreordained conclusion. Such deliberate omissions are much harderto counter than other journalistic fallacies. Such journalism uses“reliable sources” and terms such as “alleged,” “possibly” andeverything else in the dictionary that can save them in the courts oflaw to lead a reader on to believe a supposition as a fact. Most readersskip through the reports and few bother to read between the lines.When a paper decides to play dirty, this limited attention span canbe exploited to its hilt. The first couple of paragraphs can besensationalised and filled with conjecture while the “other side” canbe included somewhere towards the end, tucked away in an inocuouspage where the story continues. Any student of journalism wouldpoint out here that this is how a story should begin anyway, with themost interesting “angle” highlighted and centre-staged. And this isexactly why yellow journalism is so difficult to tackle. The line dividinginvestigative journalism from activist journalism and yellow journalismis very fine. Specially so in small place like Sikkim where editors seethemselves as intellectuals who understand all and can at timesdoctor stories to advance their personal opinions. They might bedoing so convinced that what they believe is good for Sikkim, but itstill qualifies as Yellow Journalism. How many of us in Sikkim cancome clean if we are tested for such faults?

It is our current misfortune thatmany analyse KingGyanendra’s appointment of a

new prime minister last week interms of victory or defeat for thepalace or the parties.

Actually, both lost. There are nowinners in a confrontation betweenforces that are supposed to be onthe same side, especially when theyare fighting so close to the edge.

It is wrong for the palace to rubits hands in glee about breaking thefive-party alliance. The job of aconstitutional monarch is not todivide and rule over political par-ties, it is to persuade them to worktogether to resolve the more threat-ening crisis that has engulfed thenation.

One wouldn’t be surprised

about an unprincipled politico eat-ing humble pie. But it must be saidthat for someone with KingGyanendra’s reputation for haugh-tiness, it was a major climbdownto bring Deuba back.

But there is no need for the SherBahadur camp to pop champagnecorks. The third-time prime minis-ter better start doing some serioushomework on his three-pointchecklist. His first order of businessis to get a can-do team off and run-ning, not another lazy and greedyjumbo cabinet that is hell bent onplunder like last time. The indefi-nite nationwide education strikecalled by the Maoists is the initialmajor challenge. Clearly, this is arebel tactic of disruption to forcethe government to negotiate. How

is Deuba going to juggle that withthe military’s current aversion to aceasefire?

The prime minister also has tobe much more precise when heopens his mouth. Any waffling likewe saw in media interviews and atthe National Human Rights Com-mission anniversary on Saturdaywill send the wrong signals. He re-ceived another chance to set thingsright and, for the country’s sake, hebetter not bungle again.

Deuba’s arch-nemesis, GirijaPrasad Koirala, is circling like avulture waiting for him to do justthat. Which brings us to the ques-tion of the second

Mr G: this man also has atti-tude. What he sees as consistency

Out Of This Maze

turn to pg 7

15 June, 2004; NOW! 3

C M Y K

� RAJDHANI

STYLEHotel Golden PagodaMG Marg, Gangtok

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 14 June: YellowJournalism and its implicationwas the theme for discussion at ameeting held at the Press ClubSikkim today.

Gyurmey Goperma, Secretary,IPR Department was the chief gueston the occasion, which had manysenior journalists and media relatedpersons in attendance.

The open-discussion on yellowjournalism saw many of the partici-pants making impassioned pleas forhonesty and sincerity in the press.

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, June 14: 100 emi-nent Nepali-speaking Indians,who have excelled in their respec-tive fields and have made the na-tion proud, will be felicitated on14 and 15 July by the State Gov-ernment.

The government has also ar-ranged a monthly pension schemefor those who will be felicitated inthe function.

The felicitation function will beheld at Chintan Bhawan on 14 Julynext month. The next day, a bookrelease function will be organizedat the same venue where four vol-umes of the Studies Series, com-plete compilation of notedDarjeeling-based author IB Rai andChief Minister Pawan Chamling’snew book “Prajatantric Andolan KoAtma Sangharsh” will be released.

This was decided at a meeting

of the members of Sikkim SammanSammelan [SSS], held here at theCommunity Hall today.

The meeting was presided byKN Rai, Minister for RDD and Co-operation, who is also the Chairmanof the Sammelan. Mr. Rai was ac-companied by Gangtok and Rankaarea MLAs, NK Pradhan andNimthit Lepcha, various depart-mental heads, officials, renownedlittérateurs and other public figures.

The meeting also decided thatfollowing persons will now man-age their respective sub-committeesas coordinators: Kiran Rasaily[decoration], Biru Bangdel, GSLama [guest relation and invita-tion], Nimthit Lephca, ManitaPradhan, R. Ongmu [arrangementof citations], BK Roka, RK Rai &Shyam Pradhan [transportation],Jayshree Pradhan, Pramod Gurung[accommodation and lodging],Jagdish Sharma, Srikumar Pakhrin

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The Student Handbook & Prospectus can be obtained from the Gangtok Regional Centre inperson on payment of Rs.30/- (Rupees Thirty only) in cash or through post by sending aDemand Draft of Rs. 80/- (Rupees eighty only) drawn in favour of IGNOU payable at Gangtok.Please write your name and address on the backside of the DD.* Prospectus is available atIGNOU Study Centres also.An electronic version of the Prospectus is also available at IGNOU website at http://www.ignou.ac.in . Application Form can be downloaded from the website and submitted alongwith DD of Rs.30.- in addition to programme fee.Sale of Prospectus will commence from 31st May 2004.LAST DATE :

i) To receive the requisition for supply of Student Handbook by post : 15.07.2004ii) Submission of filled-in forms at the concerned Regional Centre : 31.07.2004

The university will award 3000 South Asia Foundation (SAF) – Madanjeet Singhscholarship for Postgraduate and vocational training programmes. Students fromeconomically and socially disadvantages background shall be selected for thesescholarships on the basis of their past academic record and interview. The scholarshipamount per student shall be equivalent to US $ 300 per annum. For more details about thescholarship visit www.ignou.ac.in Scroller Special Announcement.

ADDRESS OF STUDY CENTRES:

1. Sikkim Govt. College (SC – 2401)Tadong, Gangtok – 737101

2. Government Sr. Sec. School (SC-2402D)Mangan, North Sikkim

3. Govt. Sr. Sec School (SC-2403)Soreng, West Sikkim – 737121

4. Namchi Govt. College (SC-2404)Namchi, South Sikkim-737126

5. Loyola College of EducationNamchi, South Sikkim – 737126

INDRIA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITYMaidan Garhi, New Delhi – 110068

Invites Applications for admission to the followingprogrammes for the session commencing JULY 2004

BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMME

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and KN Subedi [cultural pro-gramme], G Goperma, CLGhimirey, Yadav Sharma [public-ity], NK Pradhan, Dr. PushpaSharma, Geeta Neroula [welcome],Dr. Shanti Chettri [interior stagemanagement] and Dup TsheringLepcha and Sanu Subba [Ac-counts].

The meeting concluded with aproposal to have its next meetingon June 18 at Sahitya ParishadBhawan when the coordinators willsubmit proposals, estimates andsuggestions on their respective re-sponsibilities.

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During the course of the meet-ing the report of the activities ofPCS was presented along with acharter of demands.

Some of the more pertinent de-mands included notification of ac-creditation of media persons by IPRthrough a more democratic process,increase in the quantum of adver-tisement, provision of fund for ad-vertisement to local and nationalpapers under separate heads, timelypayment of all bills, establishmentof a journalist’s Welfare Fund andspecial protection for small and me-dium newspapers in the State.

Journos deliberate onYellow Journalism and

its implications

Pay Rs 1,385crore tax, Ketan

Parekh toldNEW DELHI, 14 June: The taxdepartment has slapped a whoppingdemand of Rs 1,385 crore on BigBull Ketan Parekh and his groupentities, in the face of the Joint Par-liamentary Committee probe thatled to unearthing of undisclosed in-come of almost Rs 2,000 crore.

The Central Board of DirectTaxes estimates the total demandraised in Ketan Parekh group casesat Rs 1,365.37 crore and the inter-est on it amounted to another Rs41 crore, according to the secondaction taken report submitted by thefinance ministry in Parliament.

“The gross demand comes to Rs1,406.37 crore (Rs 14.063 billion). Outof this, there has been collection and re-duction in appeal to the tune of Rs 21crore (Rs 210 million). The total out-standing demand in Ketan Parekh groupcases is Rs 1,385 crore as on May 28,2004,” says the report drawn up pursu-ant to recommendations of JPC thatprobed the share scam.

Nadia’s death:Gustad, aides in

police custodyMUMBAI, 14 June: A railwaycourt on Monday extended thepolice custody of film directorKaizad Gustad and his assistantAshish Udeshi, arrested in con-nection with the death of theircolleague Nadia Khan. Co-ac-cused and another member ofthe film crew Hadley D’Mello,also under arrest, was furtherremanded to police custody tillJune 17.

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SIBLAC topersevere

withdelimitation

demanda NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 14 June: “Our im-mediate concern is the delimita-tion of Assembly constituenciesreserved for the Bhutia-Lepchacommunity,” said TsheringLama, Sangha MLA and loneCongress member in the stateAssembly.

Speaking at a Second SaturdayMeet of Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha ApexCommittee [SIBLAC], here at BLHouse on 12 June, the Sangha MLAsaid that delimitation of Assemblyconstituncies should be carried outensuring that the BL voters remaina decisive factor while electing theirMLAs to the Assembly.

The meeting, also attended byHead Lamas of Ralang, Yangang,Machong, Khecheopalri and Mellimonasteries also felicitated theSangha MLA on his election as arepresentative of Sangha in the As-sembly.

The meeting observed that theState Government’s proposal to in-crease the number of Assemblyseats from 32 to 40 without mak-ing a proportionate increase in theBL seats would not be in keepingwith the spirit of Article 371F ofthe Constitution.

The meeting also empoweredthe steering committee to bringchanges in the organizational set upof SIBLAC and constitute a delega-tion to visit New Delhi for meetingCentral leaders, informs a press re-lease issued by SIBLAC’sspokeperson, Tenzin C’wang.

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, June 14: ChozangBhutia, who had contested as theCong [I] candidate against SDF’sDD Bhutia from Ralang constitu-ency today filed a written complaintwith the Governor against the areaMLA, Mr. DD Bhutia, who aftertrouncing him has gone on to be-come the Minister for UD&HD, Ir-rigation and Land Revenue. TheCongressman has accused him of

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 14 June: About 25NGOs from all over the state par-ticipated in the NGO Mobiliza-tion Workshop organized by theGangtok Water Supply and Sani-tation Project here at Hotel TashiDelek today.

The main aim of the project isto improve the water supply, sew-age and solid waste services for anestimated 40,000 people in greaterGangtok. The GWSSP managersfeel it is important to have theNGOs actively work together forbetter community management andstrengthening of civil society or-ganizations as well as provide aneffective linkage between civil so-ciety and government.

trying to “disturb the law and or-der situation in the area”.

The letter, submitted to theGovernor today, alleged that in histhanks-giving functions at Ralang,Mr. Bhutia openly instigated hisparty supporters to intimidate Con-gress party workers and also prom-ised to extend all support includ-ing legal help to those indulging inviolence to “finish” Congress sup-porters from the constituency.

The letter further alleges: “Mr.

DD Bhutia urged the officials ofRavangla sub-division andPanchayat functionaries not to pro-vide subsidized rice to the poorfamily of Cong workers” and alsoclaims that they have been “de-barred from collecting subsidizedrice” from the retail outlets.

In his third allegation, the Congmember has said that the Ministeris “openly threatening” that his gov-ernment would initiate the transferof those government servants to the

remotest areas of Sikkim who hadvoted against the ruling SDF party.

Mr. Bhutia has demanded thatan independent enquiry be orderedto examine the “unconstitutional”activities of the Minister.

Meanwhile, sources close to theof UD&HD Minister, while deny-ing the allegations raised in the let-ter, which they say are baseless,have demanded that the complain-ant also furnish proof to back theallegations.

HYDERABAD, 14 June: TheCentre filed a caveat in the AndhraPradesh High Court seeking priornotice to it in case any writ petitionis filed by M/s Midram PublicationPrivate Limited, publishers of theInternational Herald Tribune fromHyderabad, questioning the valid-ity of the notice issued by the un-der Secretary to Information andBroadcasting Ministry on June 4.

Deputy Principal Information Of-ficer, Press Information Bureau, ARamakrishna Rao filed the caveat ap-plication apprehending that MidramPublication might challenge the va-lidity of the notice issued by the In-formation and Broadcasting Ministry

Chozang accuses DD of instigating intimidation

During the day-long workshopvarious aspects on the anticipatedworks of NGOs in the project werediscussed. Role of NGO in dissemi-nating information, education andcommunication and role of NGOsin demonstration projects weresome of the topics the workshopfocused on.

Members present includedPritam Kapur, Project Team Leader,KN Bhutia, Chairman StakeholderAdvisory Group, GWSSP, Dr SallyRynveld, Community DevelopmentAdvisor, GWSSP, Dr Basobi Sheel,Program Officer, Gangtok-Shillong and South Asia RegionalWater Supply and Sanitation Pro-gram, Delhi, Dr MK Nath, Com-munity Development Specialist andMahesh Kumar, IEC Specialist,

GWSSP. The four main components of

the project are Institutional Strength-ening, which will assist the StateGovernment in strengthening the in-stitutions responsible for delivery ofwater supply; Sewage and solidwaste management with the focuson the poor and vulnerable sectionsof the community. Community en-gagement, which will facilitate theparticipation of communities as wellas promote public awareness on thehealth and environmental benefits ofimproved WSS and hygiene prac-tices. Water supply, sanitation andsolid waste management sectorswhich will strengthen the ability ofservice providers and Demonstra-tion projects, which will show theimportance of integration.

MAYAWATI: A

RICH LADYLUCKNOW, 14 June: FormerUttar Pradesh chief ministerand BSP President Mayawati isa rich lady going by the affida-vit submitted before the return-ing officer while filing hernominations for the RajyaSabha on Monday.

The affidavit said Mayawati hasRs 9.68 crore deposited in variousbanks, Rs 10 lakh less than whatshe possessed before the recently-held Lok Sabha elections. Her cashin hand is stated to be Rs 51.38lakh, as per the affidavit.

She also owns jewellery worthRs 30.94 lakh. The diamond-stud-ded jewellery gifted on one of herbirthdays by party activists had ear-lier been under investigation.

The CBI had been probing thedetails of her assets after allega-tions of her involvement in themulti-crore Taj heritage corridor[THC] scam.

The BSP president owns fourhouses worth Rs 1.25 crore in Del-hi’s Inderpuri area measuring upto1698.11 sq yards.

Meanwhile, former UP advo-cate general Satish ChandraMishra, also filed his nominationfor the Rajya Sabha on a BSPticket. His affidavit shows he andhis family own assets worth overRs two crore.

While Mishra has moveableand immovable property worthover Rs 60 lakh, his wife Kalpanaand five children own assets worthover Rs 1.5 crore.

NGOs mobilised to assistwater supply and sanitation

improvement projects

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on June 4 asking it to stop forthwiththe printing of International HeraldTribune in Hyderabad.

On the basis of a newspaperreport, the Ministry came to knowthat an Indian edition of Interna-tional Herald Tribune was pub-lished in Hyderabad contrary toguidelines issued by the Ministryand also against extant policy of theGovernment of India.

The policy prohibits the publi-cation of the Indian edition of anyforeign newspaper or publicationand also Indian newspaper contain-ing international information morethan 75 per cent of the printed mat-ter of that edition.

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OUT SENDINGTROOPS TO

IRAQKOLKATA, 14 June: India ruledout a re-think on its stand on send-ing troops to Iraq unless the UnitedNations Security Council adopteda resolution to this effect.

“If the UN Security Counciladopts a resolution, India will agreeto it since the country is a signa-tory to the UN charter,” Defenceminister Pranab Mukherjee toldnewsmen when asked if Indiawould re-think its stand on send-ing troops to Iraq.

Mukherjee said that there wasa resolution in Parliament that In-dia would consider if the UN en-dorsed a proposal of sending troopsto Iraq.

Mukherjee said that it was uni-lateral military action on the partof USA and Britain in Iraq.

“We are sending humanitarian as-sistance for the people of war-ravagedIraq. A resolution had been taken inParliament earlier and the communistparties had supported it,” he said.

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NEW DELHI, 14 June: Air ChiefMarshal S Krishnaswamy hassaid the Indian Air Force willphase out the MiG aircraft by2012 and replace it with Ad-vanced Jet Trainers.

“The ageing MIG fighter isstill the mainstay of the IAF.About 70 to 80 in number will bephased out by 2012 and would besubstituted by British aerospacehawk AJT,” Krishnaswamy toldreporters last night.

On acquiring AJTs,Krishnaswamy said 21 of themwould be delivered by the Britishcompany while the rest would bemanufactured by the HindustanAeronautics Limited.

Close on the heels of Indo-USjoint air force exercise, the IAF wasexploring the possibility of holdinga similar exercise with France andSingapore, subject to governmentclearance.

About the Indo-US exercise,Krishnaswamy said the US AirForce had appreciated the skills andcombat tactics of our men and theirsuperior control over the machine.

IAF indeed gained air su-premacy over US F-16 aircraft ona few occasions, he added.

“We no more overhaul the age-ing MIG fighters due for retire-ment,” he added.

BIRENDRA SHANDILYA

DARJEELING, 14 June: Thecondition of Mohammad Dilshadailing at the North Bengal Medi-cal College was reported as sta-ble today.

Dilshad who was housed atthe Darjeeling Correctional Fa-cility had consumed phenol in theearly hours of June 12. Inciden-tally 34 year old Mohammad

‘ISI spy’ consumes Phenol; condition stable in hospitalDilshad alias Raja alias Ahmedhad been arrested by theDarjeeling Police on 3 January2002 from the Darjeeling Morenear Siliguri. Police had recov-ered 500 gms of RDX along withclassified documents includingmaps of vital installations of theDarjeeling area. He was chargedunder the Official Secrets Act3589 and under Sections 120B,121, 121A and 122 IPC.

Dilshad who had receivedtraining from the ISI in Pakistanhad entered India through theWagah Border and had been liv-ing in Siliguri since September2000. He had even married a lo-cal girl and had been using hisleather trade as a cover. After hisarrest he was produced in theSiliguri court and after a fewhearings the case was transferredto the Darjeeling Court. Dilshad

who is still facing trial has beenan inmate of the Darjeeling cor-rectional home for the past 27months.

As soon as it was discoveredthat Dilshad had consumed phe-nol, he was rushed to theDarjeeling Sadar Hospital. How-ever in the hospital he adopted anon-cooperative stance and laterwas referred to the North Ben-gal Medical College. He was

shifted to the NBMC on Satur-day afternoon. Jail sources how-ever maintain that the concoctionthat Dilshad had consumed washighly diluted phenol and thatvarious medical tests also failedto reveal any toxic substances inhigh doses. They suspect that hehad just taken a sip of the con-coction. Dilshad is presently outof any danger maintained aNBMC source.

in

NOW!Associationwith

Sikkim gets as close to prohibitionas possible, embargoes liquor

retail licencesa NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 14 June: Sikkimhas for long been carrying the du-bious distinction of being the liq-uor capital of the country. Withthe liquor retail outlets at Rangpothe first to greet any traveller intothe State, it is one lasting impres-sion imprinted onto the percep-tions of tourists when they return- Mt. Khangchendzonga andlakes and monasteries notwith-standing.

It might not be the intention ofthe government but the free andcasual availability of wine bottleshas been a sell out of the campaignpromoting Sikkim.

So, the government notificationbarring the issuing of more new li-censes for liquor retail outlets in thestate came as a bit of a surprise. Asenior official at the Excise Depart-ment reveals the directive has beenissued by the cabinet itself. The rea-sons for such a directive, however,are not clear.

“We already have so many liq-uor shops in the state; every thirdof fourth shop is a liquor shop sowe don’t need any more,” offeredthe official as an explanation on

condition of anonymity.He further suggested that the

order was probably the realisationthat the glut of liquor shops in theState was sending the “wrong sig-nal” to society with the teenagersespecially vulnerable to temptation.

“There is cut-throat competi-tion in the liquor business with theproliferation of these outlets. Any-one with even a small space avail-able comes for a license to open an-other liquor outlet. Subsequently,he has to shut shop as he incurshuge losses.”

So a ban on the issuing of newlicenses will save these small timeentrepreneurs from losses, feels theofficial.

Furthermore, with many statesin India having introduced total pro-hibition, it was high time Sikkim tootook a step towards some sort of re-strictions on the sale of liquor. Theban, however, only applies to retail

shops and not to bars.According to the figures with

the Excise Department, the statehas a total of 610 retail shops, 362bars, 28 country liquor shops and101 kaccha gaddis.

Though any picture of Sikkimimplementing total prohibition ismore amusing than difficult to im-agine the government probably hasgood enough reasons for introducingsuch an embargo on liquor licenses.

Krishnaswamy also said IAFwould send its pilots to the UnitedKingdom for training on HawkAJTs soon.

Krishnaswamy said India wasthe only country in the world to op-erate wiper engines, MiG-21s andvintage aircraft. It is the last whichuses Jaguars while some advancedcountries have phased it out, he said.

Complimenting the Head Quar-ters Maintenance Command[HQMC], Krishnaswamy said vin-tage aircraft were flying since theywere properly maintained and over-hauled by it.

On the IAF’s priorities,Krishnaswamy said the force wouldbe focussing on human resourceand inventory.

The best talent should come toIAF irrespective of the pay packetsoffered by private sector.

“We are looking for the rightpersonnel with positive attitude,”he added.

Earlier, releasing a coffee-tablebook ‘Eklavya’ brought out byHQMC, Krishnaswamy said thecommand is a jewel in IAF’s crown.The engineering and logistics to-gether form one strong pillar tokeep the aeroplanes afloat, he said.

He recalled many illustrioustasks achieved by the HQMC dur-ing the 1965 and 1971 wars.

MIGS TO BE PHASED OUTBY 2012: AIR CHIEF

6; NOW!; 15 June, 2004

C M Y K

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Kutse SheguThe 49th day Shegu of Late Shri NariTshering Bhutia, Chief Coach Sport & YouthAffairs, who left for heavenly abode on 29th

April falls on 15th June 2004. All friendsrelatives and well-wishers are requested tojoin us in offering prayers for the departedsoul at our residence “Norbuling”, UpperSyari.We would also take this opportunity tothank all those who stood by us during ourhour of grief and regret our inability to do so individually.

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Kutse SheguThe Kutse Shegu of LateKyibuk Sey Sonam Thondupfalls on 17 June 2004.

All friends, relations andwell-wishers are requested tojoin us in offering prayers onthe occasion at RhenockKhoti, Kazi Road.

We would like to take thisopportunity to acknowledgethe tremendous support andhelp we have received in ourtime of bereavement anddeeply regret our inability tothank everyone personally.Jigme Kyibuk, Diki Kyibuk & Family

Ph: 222474

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Heritage,Government of Sikkim in collaboration with EasternZonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata is organizing‘Sikkimaylee Kavi-Kavayitri Sammelan’ in memoryof Adhikavi Bhanu Bhakta on 30th July, 2004 atCommunity Centre, Gangtok. As such, followingguidelines are laid down for participation:-1. All interested local Poet/Poetess are to submit

their poems to the Office of undersigned on orbefore 30th June, 2004.

2. Poem should either be in Nepali, Hindi or English.3. Poem should be original, self composed and

unpublished in any magazine, Journal or book.4. Poem should be non-political and non-

controversial.5. Recitation time will be 10 (ten) minutes

maximum only.6. All received entries will be placed before the

selection committee appointed for the purposefor the selection of poems and invitation will besent to only those Poet/Poetess whose poemsare selected.

7. Traveling Allowances, remuneration andaccommodation will be provided by theDepartment as per the existing norms ofE.Z.C.C, Kolkata.

Additional Secretary-IIIDepartment of Cultural Affairs & Heritage

Government of Sikkim

I N F O RM AT I O N

NEW DELHI, 14 June: The CBIon Monday recovered the weaponused in the murder of SatyendraDebey, project officer in NationalHighway Authority of India, and hisbriefcase in Gaya district, Bihar.

Based on the interrogation ofSarwan Paswan, arrested by theCBI last night in Patna, sleuths re-covered the country-made .315 re-volver and the briefcase, which was

MUMBAI/VARANASI: A strongprotest by members of BharatiyaVidyarthi Sena, a student wing ofShiv Sena, today forced theatre au-thorities to suspend screening ofnew release ‘Girlfriend’.

Nearly 100 BVS activists toreposters of the film, whose theme oflesbianism has invited the ire ofmoral police, and raised slogansagainst it, police said. The activistsgathered outside “Premier” theatrein Dadar, central Mumbai, which

MODI TO STAY ASGUJARAT CM: BJP

NEW DELHI, 14 June: The BJPtoday ruled out removal of GujaratChief Minister Narendra Modi.

“There is no proposal to makeany change in leadership inGujarat,” BJP President VenkaiahNaidu told a press conference to-day after speaking over phone toformer Prime Minister Atal BihariVajpayee who had in the last twodays been critical of Modi.Vajpayee had said the post-Godhra violence was one of themajor reasons for the party’s elec-toral debacle.

Naidu also announced that theModi issue would not be discussedin the BJP National Executivemeeting in Mumbai on June 23-24.The meet would review the politi-cal situation and prepare a strategyfor the coming assembly electionsin Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand,Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh.

50 LOCAL BUSINESSMENABDUCTED IN NEPAL

KATHMANDU, 14 June: Armed Maoist rebels have abducted atleast 50 local businessmen of Dudhauli VDC in Sindhuli districtSunday evening. According to our Sindhuli correspondent, therebels abducted the local businessmen to make them participatein their ‘interaction’ program. Reports said all the abducted busi-nessmen were ferried in two tractors and were taken to undisclosedlocation. Business activities in Dudhauli VDC remained shut to-day following the incident.

MAYAWATI FILESNOMINATIONFOR RS POLLS

NEW DELHI, 14 June: The BahujanSamaj Party national president and sit-ting member of Lok Sabha Mayawation Monday filed nomination papers forRajya Sabha elections.

Mayawati, accompanied byseveral party legislators, filed threesets of papers before principal sec-retary to Vidhan Sabha R P Pandey.

Mayawati is sitting Lok Sabhamember from Akbarpur seat. BesidesMayawati, former advocate generalof the Uttar Pradesh and BSP Na-tional general secretary S C Mishraalso filed his papers for Rajya Sabha.

The former Uttar Pradesh chiefminister said she entered the frayon the suggestion of BSP leaderKanshi Ram.

Maoists banHindi movies incentral Nepal

KATHMANDU, 14 June: Maoistrebels have banned plying vehicleswith Indian number plates andscreening of Hindi movies in sev-eral districts in central Nepal fromJune 15 to 21.

According to The KathmanduPost, Tamang Swayatta KrantikariJanaparishad, a Maoist-affiliatedorganisation has issued a statementprohibiting the screening of theHindi movies and movement ofIndian vehicles in the districts ofMakawanpur, Dhading, Nuwakotand Rasuwa to protest against thearrest of their leaders by Indian se-curity forces.

Indian forces have recently ar-rested some of the central leadersof the CPN-Maoist, including HitBahadur Tamang, chief of theTamang Swayatta PradeshikJanaparishad.

is screening the movie, and forcedthe closure of the matinee show,they said. The theatre authoritieswere returning the viewers’ money.

In Varanasi, activists of abreakaway group of Shiv Senaburnt posters and banners andstaged protest demonstration infront of a cinema hall screening‘Girlfriend’.

Several Kranti Shiv Sena activ-ists gathered outside the Sajan thea-tre in Sigra locality of the city as

soon as the noon show started andburnt posters and banners of thefilm, police said.

Some of the activists also triedto forcibly enter the theatre to dis-rupt the show but failed, they said,adding KSS men raised slogans thatthe film be stopped as it had scenesshowing lesbian love, which wasagainst Indian culture.

Police personnel rushed to thespot to control the situation and theactivists dispersed, the sources said.

‘GIRLFRIEND’ TOO HOTFOR SENA ACTIVISTS

being carried by Dubey on Novem-ber 27 when he was shot dead,agency spokesman said.

He said that the two things hadbeen recovered from a well in Gayadistrict. With the recovery of themurder weapon, the briefcase andthe arrest of five people, the casehas more or less been solved. Ef-forts are on to nab one more sus-pect in the case.

Weapon used in Dubeymurder case recovered

Kutse SheguThe 49th Day Kutse Shegu ofour beloved father late TsetenPintso Bhutia (Guddi Pala)who left for heavenly above on29th April 2004 falls on 17th

June 2004. All friends, rela-tives and well-wishers are re-quested to join us in offeringprayers for the departed soulat our residence Jr. RisurBldg., Deorali Bazar.We would also take thisopportunity to thank all thosewho stood by us during ourtime of bereavement andregret our inability to do so in-dividually.

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Maoists

abduct 197

children in

NepalKATHMANDU, 14 June: Mao-ist extremists have abductednearly 200 students from eightschools in eastern Nepal.

One hundred and ninetyseven students, all below the ageof 18, were abducted from differ-ent schools in Udayapur districtin eastern Nepal, according to thegovernment-owned daily news-paper, Gorkhapatra.

The All Nepal National FreeStudents Union [Revolutionary],which is affiliated to the Commu-nist Party of Nepal-Maoist, kid-napped the students, apparently inconnection with its indefinite na-tionwide educational strike thatbegan on June 6.

The district’s education officehas condemned the abduction andurged the Maoists to immediatelyrelease the children.

The Maoists also exploded apowerful bomb on Sunday at ahouse owned by Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police DevendraBahadur Malla in Chitawan districtin central Nepal. The house wasdestroyed, but no one was injuredin the blast.

Joybells SchoolTadong, Gangtok, Sikkim

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a NOW REPORT

DARJEELING, 14 June: TheBose Institute [BI] has enteredinto a pact with the DarjeelingGovernment College [DGC] formutual cooperation in the field ofresearch.

On 12 June, a Memorandum ofUnderstanding was signed betweenProf. Sibaji Raha on behalf of theDirector, Bose Institute and Dr.Willie Henry, Officer-in-Charge,Darjeeling Government College atthe Bose Institute, Darjeeling.

“The aim of the MoU is to for-malize and strengthen the partici-pation of the DGC in the activitiesof this National Centre. In particu-lar, the faculty members of theDGC, who are interested in takingpart in the astrophysical or environ-mental science studies that wouldbe pursued at the Centre during thefirst phase of operations, wouldinteract closely with the respectiveinvestigators at BI and agree on thedivision of tasks in respect of datacollection, analysis and other re-lated aspects,” said Prof. Raha.

Faculty of the DGC would alsohave access to scientific data of theBI along with access to the labs,library and other facilities availableat the BI Campus of Darjeeling and

Antyeshti KriyaThe Anthyeshti Kriya of late Gokul SinghCintury who passed away on 7th June2004 falls on 19th June 2004. All friends,relatives and well-wishers are requested tojoin us in offering prayers for the departedsoul at our residence at ‘Maya Niwas”,Development Area, Gangtok.We would also take this opportunity to thankall those who stood by us during our timeof bereavement and regret our inability todo so individually.

Devendra & Uma (son & daughter-in-law),

Mamta & Neelam (daughters), Shasti & UC Lama

(daughter & son-in-law), Sujata & Satish Kumar

Gandhi (dauthter & son-in-law), K.B. Ghatani,

Manmaya Lakandri & all family members

Kolkata.“DGC would participate in the

activities of the Centre as a collabo-rating Institution and the BI scien-tists would be allowed to access allfacilities available at the DGC onrecommendation of the concernedcollaborator from DGC” addedWillie Henry. The MoU will bevalid for an initial period of 5 yearsfrom today; it could be terminatedby either party by providing a writ-ten advance notice of 3 months orrenewed on mutual consent.

The BI of Darjeeling wasfounded on 30 November 1917 byAcharya Jagadish Chandra Bose.However the activities remainedlow-key. The institute remained ina dormant state since 1968 butmade a major comeback 8 years agoand since then has been working forthe scientific upliftment and re-search of this area.

“The gap in the knowledgehere in the hills has to be bridged

and BI will function as a nodal in-stitute for scientific research workmainly in the avenues ofastrophysics and atmospheric sci-ence in the Eastern Himalayan Re-gion,” stated Dr. AP Mitra, Honor-ary Scientist of Eminence, NationalPhysical Laboratory.

Data exchange and proper coor-dination between Institute of Hy-drology and Meteorology, Nepal; anAmerican Institute run by ICIMODin Nepal; a lab called Pyramid runby the Italian Government and theICIMOD in the high reaches ofMount K2, the Bose Institute inDarjeeling, a high altitude lab inSandakphu and North Bengal Uni-versity would help in extensive datagathering and would enhance impor-tant research work for this region.

At present the BI, Darjeelingsurface ozone measurement withanalyser along with measuring pol-lutants like Carbon Monoxide, Sul-phur Dioxide and Nitric Oxide and

Nitrogen dioxide in the air with anNOX and a microwave receivingsystem.

Shortly, UV measuring system,equipment to measure trace gasesand an online detection of cosmicrays will also be installed.

“All this will enhance Ozonemapping, identification of hotspots,role of Ultra Violet A and B rays inenhancing ocular cataracts and theratio of smaller suspended particlesPM2.5 to larger particles PM10 inthe atmosphere causing respiratorydiseases” added Mitra.

“Scientists from all over can usethis world class laboratory which alsoprovides data from satellites for theirresearch work,” he said.

Bose Institute would also stresson propagating science, especiallyamong the students. Seminars,Children’s science club, screeningof science movies, distribution ofscientific equipment and scholar-ships are also on the cards.

increasing the auto fuel prices andsought to hold more consultations withits coalition partners over the issue.

Prime Minister ManmohanSingh on Monday discussed theimpact of $7-a-barrel hike in thecost of raw material [crude] withFinance Minister P. Chidambaramand Petroleum Minister ManiShankar Aiyar but no clear decisionemerged from the meeting.

Officials of the ministries of Fi-nance and Petroleum will reconcilethe impact of measures like a cutin customs and excise duties oncrude and products, increasing sub-sidies on LPG and kerosene, beforearriving at the price revision.

“We will then go back to theprime minister for further consulta-tions and will let you know of thedecision as soon as we arrive at one,”

said an official, indicating an an-nouncement may come by Tuesday.

The finance ministry is believedto have resisted slashing of duties,without which petrol prices in Delhiwill have to be raised by Rs 3.53 perlitre - to Rs 37.24 from Rs 33.71 - anddiesel prices by Rs 2.25 per litre — toRs 23.99 from Rs 21.74 per litre.

Petrol and diesel prices werelast revised on 01 January and have

been kept artificially low despitethe rise in crude prices.

Petroleum Secretary BKChaturvedi, who took over as Cabi-net Secretary on Monday, and rev-enue secretary Vineeta Rai, briefedSingh on the implication of the $7per barrel hike in crude oil prices,which had necessitated a Rs 2-3 perlitre hike in petrol and diesel pricesat home.

Contd from pg 1

Rs. 1 HIKE IN PETRO PRICE LIKELY FROM TODAY

others see as stubbornness, what heperceives as a struggle against re-gression most Nepalis see as a self-seeking effort to put himself and hiscoterie back in power. He sees him-self as his brother’s protégé, buteven his own colleagues don’t be-lieve it.

The man who has been primeminister longest since 1990 mustown up to the massivemalgovernance during his watch.But instead of hints of behaviourchange we see a familiar dog-in-the-manger mind-set: if I don’thave it, I won’t let anyone else haveit either.

The king has made a conces-

sion, Koirala can’t move the goalposts again just because the palacemade someone he didn’t like primeminister. The country is in a muchdeeper crisis now than in 1994, hecan’t keep playing the same oldgames.

The Nepali people want peace.They really don’t care who deliv-ers it. Let’s not split hairs about whodid what and when to whom. Weurge the remaining four parties notto be too hung up on process, butmake a visionary and statesmanlikecompromise for stability. It won’tbe seen as a weakness. In fact, whenthe time comes, the people will re-ward them for it.

-editorial featured in NepaliTimes, Kathmandu

Contd from pg 2

Out Of This Maze

Bose Institute and DGC to boostDarjeeling’s scientific temper

nity of Sikkim in the state assem-bly. As far as delimitation of assem-bly constituencies is concerned, theSDF government has requested thecentre for maintenance of status quoin the matter. The Gurung, Mangar,Sunuwar, Thami, Rai, Dewan, Jogiand Bhujel communities have beenrecommended for Schedule Tribestatus while the status of OtherBackward Class [OBC] has been re-quested for the Bahun, Chettri,Newar and Sanyasi communities.

Other demands listed in thememorandum placed before theprime minister are largely concernedwith the development of Sikkimboth in infrastructure and education.These include Sikkimese represen-

tation in national bodies, the settingup of a National Institute for Natu-ral Resources Management inSikkim along with a National Insti-tute of Adventure and HimalayanEco Tourism Management and aCentral Agricultural and Horticul-tural University/College. Also in-cluded is a demand for a facility forhigher studies in medicine and aNorth Eastern Hill University Cam-pus in the state.

Infrastructural demands includesupport to harness hydro powerpotential in the state, alternativenational highway from Nathula toSiliguri, a helicopter service to thestate, construction of a 500 beddedhospital at Reshithang, Gangtokand the construction of an airport.

The prime minister has assured

that the demands will be consideredsympathetically. He has also appre-ciated the efforts of the present gov-ernment of the State in its over alldevelopment and in bringing of theState in the national mainstream un-der the leadership of Mr. Chamling,informs an IPR Press release.

Dr. Singh discussed all thepoints in the memorandum and as-sured full support of the centralgovernment in the future develop-ment-oriented policies of the gov-ernment of Sikkim.

Tomorrow, Mr. Chamling is ex-pected to meet the chairperson of theUnited Progressive Alliance [UPA],Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and subse-quently, also the finance and com-merce ministers of the UPA govern-ment during his stay in Delhi.

Contd from pg 1

CHAMLING MEETS MANMOHAN SINGH...

8; NOW!; 15 June, 2004

C M Y K

Published by Lt. Col. (retd) P. Dorjee and printed at Darpan Publications Pvt. Ltd, Siliguri. Editor: Pema Wangchuk. Executive Editor: Mita ZulcaNow! Near Ayurvedic Clinic, Gairi Gaon, Tadong. East Sikkim. ph: 03592 270949 email: sikkimnow@rediffmail.com

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LONDON: An angry buzzard is ter-rorizing a quiet English country roadby dive-bombing passing cyclists.

Paul Taylor, 71, said the bird ofprey used its beak and claws to ripa three-inch gash in his head as hecycled along the stretch of road nearHolsworthy, in Devon, westernEngland.

“I thought at first it was a lorrypassing and the wing mirror hadsomehow caught my head,” he toldthe Daily Mail. “Then I saw thebuzzard swooping in front of meand suddenly there was blood pour-ing down my head and face.”

ANGRY BUZZARD TERRORIZESENGLISH COUNTRY ROAD

Last weekend 22 cyclists tak-ing part in a long distance compe-tition along the road suffered headinjuries or had gouges taken out oftheir helmets by the same bird, ac-cording to the race coordinator.

The Royal Society for the Pro-tection of Birds suggested the birdwas probably nesting nearby andwas defending its chicks. “Wewould suggest that people avoid theroad for a few weeks, but if cyclistsdo want to use it we would advisethem to paint a pair of eyes on theirhelmets,” a spokeswoman told theDaily Express.

763 BC: Assyrians record totalsolar eclipse event on clay tablet1215: King John signs MagnaCarta at Runnymede, England1330: Born, Edward the blackprince, prince of Wales1389: Battle of Kossovo; Turksdefeat Serbs, Bosnians1567: Jews are expelled fromGenoa Italy1775: George Washingtonappointed commander-in-chiefof American Army1785: 2 French balloonists die inworld’s 1st fatal aviation accident1844: Goodyear patentsvulcanization of rubber1869: Celluloid patented byJohn Wesley Hyatt, Albany, NY1878: First attempt at motionpictures [used 12 cameras,each taking 1 picture] done tosee if all 4 of a horse’s hoovesleave the ground1896: Tsunami strikes Shintofestival on beach at Sanriku Japan27,000 are killed, 9,000 injured,with 13,000 houses destroyed1924: Ford Motor Companymanufactures its 10 millionthautomobile1924: Native Americans areproclaimed US citizens1956: John Lennon [15] & PaulMcCartney [13] meet for the first time1986: Pravda announces high-level Chernobyl staff fired forstupidity1989: Ronald Reagan isknighted by Queen Elizabeth

LOS ANGELES: Former“Friends” star Courteney Coxand her husband, actor DavidArquette, becameparents early on Sun-day, after years oftrying, People maga-zine reported.

Cox, who turns 40on Tuesday, gave birthto a girl in an unidenti-fied Los Angeles hos-pital, according to a re-port on the Web site forPeople magazine,www.people.com.

The magazine saidCox checked into thehospital on Saturday, a week before

PENTAGON WASTED $100 MILLIONON AIRLINE TICKETS

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon wasted $100 million over six years onairline tickets, a report revealed on Wednesday, prompting lawmakers tourge the government to “fix its culture of indifference” to Americantaxpayers. The Pentagon’s weak internal controls “led to millions ofdollars wasted on airline tickets that were unused and not refunded, andmillions more where DoD [Department of Defense] made payments totravelers for improper and potentially fraudulent claims,” the report bythe US General Accounting Office said. The report was the latestcriticism of waste at the Pentagon, known in the 1980s for buying $600toilet seats and $400 on hammers.

status will be very sound. You willearn a good income. Loans will bereduced. Income from speculationis indicated.VIRGO: You will enjoy a good un-derstanding with your life partner.Medical expenses are indicated.There may be sudden changes atwork. Support from superiors willcontinue.LIBRA: You will have the supportof your friends. Happiness will pre-vail. Those with the judiciary willfind an improvement. A change ofenvironment is indicated. Incomefrom speculation will be dull.SCORPIO: You will have the sup-port of your superiors. You mayreceive a promotion. Separationfrom your spouse or business part-ner will take place. Tensions will bereduced. Happiness will prevail.SAGITTARIUS: You may be sepa-rated from your family. A changeof environment is indicated. Health

will be good. Worries will be re-duced. Cash flow will be good. Liti-gation will be postponed. Happi-ness will prevail.CAPRICORN: You may face a fi-nancial crisis. You may invest morein speculation. Those involved inspeculation will find improvement.Financial position will be good.Expenses will be reduced. Indus-trialists may face problems.AQUARIUS: Financial crisis will bebrought under control. Domestichappiness will prevail. Worries willbe reduced. Inimical activities willbe reduced. You will be success-ful in all you do. Sportspersons willdo well. You may get a scholarshipfor continuing your studies.PISCES: You may acquire immov-able property. You may get a newvehicle. A change of environmentis indicated. You will receive gov-ernment honour. Financial crisis willbe reduced. Health will be good.

LOS ANGELES: Gov. ArnoldSchwarzenegger’s five-minutecameo as an egocentric, polygamistprince in Disney’s “Around theWorld in 80 Days” has fellow ac-tors applauding his willingness tomock his Hollywood image.

“I think Schwarzenegger don’tcare in this movie, he make fun ofhimself,” said Jackie Chan, thefilm’s star and executive producer,on the red carpet before the film’spremiere Sunday.

Schwarzenegger, who faced al-legations during his gubernatorial

campaign of having gropedwomen, donned a wig and robes inhis role as the indulgent PrinceHapi, who boasts a wife for eachday of the week.

“I think it’s a little ironic, but Ithink it has Arnold’s sense of humor,”said Terminator 2: Judgment Day co-star Robert Patrick, who attended thescreening, Macy Gray, Rob Schnei-der and Kathy Bates, who appear inthe film, also attended.

“I think he was a very goodsport, to throw away his ego andaccept to wear this stupid wig and

funny bathrobe,” said Around theWorld star Cecile De France, whosecharacter ends up in a hot tub withthe governor in one scene.

Schwarzenegger, who filmedthe part before the campaign, wasinvited to the premiere, but his of-fice earlier said he would not havea role publicizing the film, whichopens nationally Wednesday.

“I think maybe he’s got slightlymore important stuff about runningthe state of California,” said SteveCoogan, who plays the wacky sci-entist Phileas Fogg.

SCHWARZENEGGER MOCKS IMAGE IN FILM CAMEO

the baby’s due date and was in laborthrough the night. The baby has yetto be named, it said.

Cox and Arquette,32, have discussedtheir attempts to carrya baby to term, in-cluding in vitrofertilizations andCox’s miscarriages.

Cox has just fin-ished the 10th and fi-nal season of NBC’spopular sitcom,“Friends.” The coupleare co-producers of ahome decorating

show, “Mix It Up.”

‘FRIENDS’ STAR COURTENEYCOX HAS BABY GIRL