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6 - 12 SEPT, 2006, GANGTOK sikkim.midweek@gmail.com VOLUME 1 NO. 1. Rs. 10

GANGTOK: The process ofdelimitation of assemblyconstituencies in Sikkim is nowcomplete and the final draftnotification has been madeofficial. In a notification issuedby the Election department onMonday, the delimitation ofseats based on the 2001 censushas been notified thuscompleting the entire processfor the state of Sikkim.

The notification determinesthe new territorial assemblyconstituencies into which the stateof Sikkim shall be divided for thepurpose of elections to both theassembly and the Lok Sabha.

The 12 seats for the Bhutiasand Lepchas (BL) and the twoScheduled Caste seats havebeen retained. These seats,however, have been readjustedbased on the population of thecommunities with the averagepopulation of each constituencybeing kept at 17, 400.

According to the new recastone seat has been decreased inWest Sikkim from the presentnine. There are now 8 seats inWest with three of themY u k s o m - T a s h i d i n g ,Rinchenpong and Daramdinbeing set aside as BL seats.Salghari-Zoom also in West hasbeen declared a SC seat.

One more seat has been

added to the total seven in SouthSikkim raising it to eight.Ralong, a BL seat in South hasbeen renamed Barfung whileYangang, a SC seat has beenrenamed Tumen-Lingey andconverted into a BL seat.

All the three seats in NorthSikkim have been kept intact.

East Sikkim comprises of 12constituencies with four of the BLseats and another SC seat havingbeen carved out in East districtwith the rest retained as general.Gangtok has been split into twoelectoral constituencies. Arithanghas been converted into a separategeneral constituency whileGangtok is now a BL seat. WestPendam has been reserved as a SCseat while Gnathang-Machong,Shyari, Martam-Rumtek havebeen made BL seats.

The delimitation was carriedout for the 31 territorialconstituencies out of the total32. The Sangha member in thehouse is elected through anelectoral collage of monk’sbody from the monasteries.

The nomenclatures of mostof the assembly constituencieshave also been changed and the

revenue blocks realigned.The next election and the

new electoral rolls will now bebased on the new realignedassembly constituencies.

The reservation of seats forthe Limbus and Tamangcommunities, however, does notfigure in the new notificationand the two communities mightnow have to wait longer forthem to be incorporated in the

Delimitation of assemblyconstituencies announced

8 SEATS EACH FOR WEST & SOUTH,12 IN EAST AND 3 RETAINED IN NORTH

GANGTOK DECLARED BL SEAT, CAPITAL DIVIDED INTO ARITHANG & GANGTOK

Names of constituencies see changes

new arrangement.Soon after the draft

notification was made theCommission had conductedpublic hearings in Namchi andGangtok seeking suggestionsand grievances if any.

Present at these publichearings were the chairman ofthe delimitation commissionKuldip Singh and seniormembers of the commission.The commission laterconsidered and incorporated theimportant suggestions whilepreparing the final draft.

The final draft had been stalled

by PEMA L. SHANGDERPAfor over six months with theCommission having givenadditional time for thegovernment to initiate thereservation of seats with thecentre and the parliament. It hasbeen the demand of all thepolitical parties that thereservation of seats for the twocommunities be met before thefinal draft notification is released.The Sikkim unit of the BharatiyaJanata Party had even filed apetition in the Supreme Court tostall the notification before adecision was reached on the seatreservation for the LT combine.

PIL fires the opposition

THUKCHUK BHANDARITOGETHER AGAINinside:

SEE INSIDE FOR THE COMPLETE BREAK-UP

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DISTRICT WEST1. Yoksam-Tashiding [BL] [Revenue Blocks]:

Mangnam, Narkhola, Dhupidara, Kongri, Labdang,Gangyep, Tashiding, Laso, Chongrang, Arithang,Gerethang, Dubdi, Melli, Yoksam, Tsozo, Melliaching,Khechopheri, Thingling I, Thingling II, Labing, Singlitam,Topung, Tingbrum and Tashiding and Yoksam ForestBlocks of Gyalshing Sub-Division.

2. Yangthang [Revenue Blocks] Singrangpung,Nambu, Darap, Sindrang, Singyang, Chongpung, Naku,Bhaluthang, Unglok, Yangten, Yangthang, Kyongsa,Lingchom, Tikjya and Pemayantse Monastery ofGyalshing Sub-Division.

3. Maneybung-Dentam [Revenue Blocks]:Sardong, Lungzik, Sapong, Bongte, Srinagi, Liching,Gayten, Karmatar, Sopakha, Maneybung, Begha,Mangmo, Dentam, Sangkhu, Radhukhandu, Hee andDentam Forest Block of Gyalshing Sub-Division.

4. Gyalshing-Barnyak [Revenue Blocks]:Umchung, Gyalshing, Hee-Patal, Pecherek, Martam,Barnyak, Barthang, Barphok, Chingthang, Megyong,Miyong, Gyalshing and Bernyak Forest Blocks andGyalshing [NTA] of Gyalshing Sub-Division.

5. Rinchenpong [BL] [Revenue Blocks]: Tadong,Rinchenpong, Jeel, Hathidung, Bum, Rishi, Bara-Samdong, Deythang, Parrengaon, Sribadam, Takuthang,Chuchen, Tinzerbong, Suldung, Kamling, Suntaley,Khanisherbung and Sangadorji of Soreng Sub-Division.

6. Daramdin [BL] [Revenue Blocks]: Burikhop[Rumbuk], Burikhop [Dodak],Rumbuk, Bhareng, Ribdi,Okhrey, Tikpur, Siktam, Salyangdang, Lungchok, LowerFambong, Upper Fambong, Dhalam [Daramdin] andHilley and Sombaria Forest Blocks of Soreng Sub-Division.

7. Soreong-Chakung [Revenue Blocks]:Chumbung, Aroobotey, Chota Samdong [Samdong],Singling, Timberbong, Tharpu, Karthok, Soreong,Malbasey, Mendo-Gaon, Chakung and Soreong ForestBlock of Soreong Sub-Division.

8. Salghari-Zoom [SC] [Revenue Blocks]: Mabong,Segeng, Samsing, Geling, Zoom and Nayabazar ForestBlock and Nayabazar [NTA] of Soreong Sub-Division inDistrict West; Jorethang [NTA] and Salghari RevenueBlock of Namchi Sub-Division in District South.

DISTRICT SOUTH9. Barfung [BL] [Revenue Blocks]: Sada,

Phamthang, Brong, Poley, Namlung, Lingdong, Ralong,Deythang, Tinkitam, Sanganath, Rayong, Zurung,Bakkhim, Kewzing, Dalep, Lingzo, Likship, Hingdam,Lamting, Mangbrue, Tingmo, Barfung and RalongMoanstery of Ravong Sub-Division.

10. Poklok-Lamrang [Revenue Blocks]: Damthang,Jaubari, Tingrithang, Mamley, Chisopani, Denchung,Poklok [Polok], Tinik, Dhargaon, Dorop, Shyampani,Sangbung, Assangthang, Sorok, Kamrang, Gom,

Chemchey, Pabong [Mamley], Pajer, Omchu, Chumlokand Wak of Namchi Sub-Division.

11. Namchi-Singhithang [Revenue Blocks]: Bul,Boomtar, Gumpa-Gurpisey, Saleumbong, Kopchey,Mikkhola, Rong, Palum, Singtam, Maniram, Phalidara,Tinzir, Singhithang and Namchi Forest Block and Namchi[NTA] of Namchi Sub-Division.

12. Melli [Revenue Blocks]: Manpur, Kitam,Kartikey, Sumbuk, Suntaley [Sumbuk], Longchok,Kamarey, Panchgharey, Turuk, Ramabong, Kerabari,Paiyong [Kerabari], Suntaley Sadam, Sukrabarey,Sadam, Rabitar, Melli, Mellidara and Majhitar and MelliForest Blocks of Namchi Sub-Division.

13. Namthang-Rateypani [Revenue Blocks]: Kabrey,Karek, Phong, Chuba, Parbing, Rameng, Nijarmeng, Burul,Rabikhola, Tangji, Bikmat, Rateypani, Passi, Paleytam,Nagi, Maneydara, Turung, Kanamtek, Pamphok, Kateng-Bokrang, Nalam Kolbong, Donok, Mamring and MamringForest Block of Namchi Sub-Division.

14. Temi-Namphing [Revenue Blocks]: Tokal,Gangchung, Aifaltar, Temi, Tarku, Tanak, Doring,Rashyap, Barnyak, Thangsing, Tshalumthang,Namphing, and Tokdey [Reshep], Temi Tea Estate,Pabong [Gangchung] and Tarku and Temi Forest Blocksof Rabong Sub-Division; and Namphrik, Ben, Deo ofNamchi Sub-Division.

15. Rangang-Yangang [Revenue Blocks]: Satam,Rabong, Namphok, Gagyong, Rangang, Sangmo,Kolthang, mangzing, Sripatam and Tokdey [Lingmo],Neh-brum and Rabongla and Lingmo Forest Blocks ofRabong Sub-Division.

16. Tumen-Lingi [BL] [Revenue Blocks]: Sokpay,Lingi, Ku, Paiyong, Upper Paiyong, Lingmo, Pepthangof Rabong Sub-Division in District South; Rakdong,Tintek, Kambal, Samdong, Raley-Khese, Tumen, Patukand Singbel of Gangtok Sub-Division in District East.

DISTRICT EAST17. Khamdong-Singtam [Revenue Blocks]:

Chadey, Simik, Aritar [Dung-Dung], Lingzey [Simik],Dung-Dung, Budang Thangsing, Beng, Khamdong,Sherwani, Sakyong, Chisopani, Rapdang, Namgeythangand Singtam [NTA] of Gangtok Sub-Division.

18. West Pemdam [SC] [Revenue Blocks]: WestPendam, Central Pendam and Rangpo [NTA] andRangpo Forest Block of Gangtok Sub-Division.

19. Rhenock [Revenue Blocks]: Sajong of GangtokSub-Division, Pachak, Kamarey Bhasmey, EastPendam, Dikling, Amba, Tshalumthang, Pacheykhani[Dikling], Losing, Pacheykhani [Losing], Taza, Tarpin andRhenock in Pakyong Sub-Division.

20. Chujachen [Revenue Blocks]: Chujachen,Lingtam, Phadamchen, Premlakha, Singaneybas,Subanedara, North Rhegoh, South Rhegoh,Changeylakha, Dholepchen, Sudunglakha, Tarethang,Biring, Mulukey, Aritar and Phadamchen, Rongli and

Rhenak Forest Blocks of Rongli Sub-Division.21. Gnathang-Machong [BL] [Revenue Blocks]:

Pachey, Linkey, Parkham Riwa, Machong,Chochenpheri, Latuk, Gnathang, Kartok, Rolep,Lamaten, Thekabung and Assam Lingjey and PakyongForest Blocks of Pakyong Sub-Division.

22. Namcheybung [Revenue Blocks]: Lingzey[Sumen], Mangthang, Sumen, Lingzey [Assam], Assamand Singtam Forest Block of Gangtok Sub-Division;Samdur, Yangtam, Aho, Chhota Singtam, Changey Senti[Tsaney] and Namcheybung of Pakyong Sub-Division.

23. Shyari [BL] [Revenue Blocks]: Chandmari,Rongyek, Tathangchen, Upper Tathangchen, Nandok,Naitam, Namok, Pam, Bhusuk and Shyari of GangtokSub-Division.

24. Martam-Rumtek [BL] [Revenue Blocks]:Shyagyong-Rumtek, Rawate-Rumtek, Chinze, Barbing,Lingdum, Tempyak Mendu, Rey, Samlik-Marchak,Namin, Tshalumthang, Nazitam, Martam, Namli,Tumlabung, Byang, Phengyong, Tirkutam, Chuba andRumtek Forest Block and Sang Forest Block of GangtokSub-Division.

25. Upper Tadong [Revenue Blocks]: Tadong andUpper Tadong [CT] of Gangtok Sub-Division.

26. Arithang: Ward Nos. 1, 2 and 4 of Gangtok [NTA]and Gangtok Private Estate [Arithang] of Gangtok Sub-Division.

27. Gangtok [BL]: Ward Nos. 3, 5 to 10 of Gangtok[NTA] of Gangtok Sub-Division.

28. Upper Burtuk [Revenue Blocks]: Ranka,Sangtong, Upper Sicheygaon, Parbing, Sicheygaon,Gangtok Private Estate, Burtuk, Luing, Upper Burtuk ofGangtok Sub-Division.

NORTH DISTRICT29. Kabi Lungchuk [BL] [Revenue Blocks]:

Tangyek, Ramthang, Rongong, Tumlong, Phodong,Chawang, Phamtam, men-Rongong, Paney-Phensong,Labi, Kabi, Tingda and Kabi Forest Block in ManganSub-Division of North District; Lingdok, Nampong,Navey, Shotak, Penlong, Upper Chandmari andKyongnosla, Pangthang and Gangtok Forest Blocks ofGangtom Sub-Division in District East.

30. Djongu [BL] [Revenue Blocks]: Lum, Sangtok,Gor, Gnon-Samdong, Lingthen, Lingdem, Tingbong,Lingzah-Tolung, Sakyong=Pentong, Salim Pakel, Hee-Gyathang, Barfok, Lingdong, Zimchung, Tingchim, UpperMangshila, Lower Mangshila, Namok, Sheyam and UpperDjongu and Phodong Forest Blocks in Mangan Sub-Division; Shipgyer in Chungthang Sub-Division.

31. Lachen Mangan [BL] [Revenue Blocks]:Lachen, Lachung, Chungthang, Tung, lachung andLachen and Chungthang Forest Blocks in ChungthangSub-Division; naga-Namgor Singhik, Ringhim,Nampatam, meyong, Singchit, Pakshep, Kazor, Sentam,Mangan [NTA] and Naga and Mangan Forest Blocks inMangan Sub-Division.

ROUND-UP

THE COMPLETE BREAK-UP

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Introducing Airtel MegaThe new wireless home phone service

SIKKIM SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS (P) LTD.

New Market, MG Marg

Gangtok - 737101, Sikkim - India

Mob: +91 99331 10033 Fax: +91 3592 202640

ROUND-UP

GANGTOK: A gang of eight local men.The lure of easy money. Greed spawnedby the daily draws of huge sums of moneyand occasional bumper wins that catapultsordinary working class citizens intomillionaires overnight and the TV andnewspaper reports that make their rag toriches story national headlines. A foolproofmaster plan. An inside accomplice. Twomonths of meticulous planning. Masks andcaps in place. Maybe weapons concealedfor emergency use. An electronic devicethat could be manipulated. And they laughall the way to the bank.

Not really.The seven masked men that led a half-

baked attempt to rig the results of theState-run online lotteries on August 11last month are today cooling their heelsin the Police lock up, with their dreamof cashing on to the great online lotteryphenomenon that has swept our societylike an epidemic nipped in the bud. Callit sheer bad luck or bad planning or overconfidence on their part. It was, after all,an electronic device that led to theirarrest. And dexterity on the part ofSikkim Police who quickly netted thesemen and put them behind bars.

But this is not just a simple open-and-shut case of attempted forgery. With thearrest of the supposed mastermind behindthis attempt - Phu Chung Chung, it wasclear that the entire operation was hisbrainchild. An alleged lottery addict, whohad in the past tried his handsunsuccessfully in running an online lotteryoutlet and had squandered away lakhs ofrupees in sustaining this passion of his. Aregular at various lottery outlets in thetown, Phu Chung Chung, alias TsheringTopden, maybe believed that the game heknew so well could be his path to easymoney but where he failed was in hisplanning and in his underestimation of theentire process of online lotteries.

When the attempted forgery was firstreported to the Police by the officials ofthe Directorate of Lotteries in a FIR on12 August, one of the first suspects thatthe Police zeroed in was Phu ChungChung because of his earlier minorscraps involving lotteries and the fact thathe had tried to extract information on theentire format of online lotteries using theRight to Information Act. As the Policebegan a look out for Phu Chung Chung,

an electronic device came in handy inmore than one ways to nab the accused.

The Close Circuit TV camerasinstalled in the Lottery office proved tobe the nemesis for the gang. The footageextracted from the CCTV recordings ledthe Police to confirm their suspicion thatit was Phu Chung Chung who had in factcarried out the entire plan. Police sourceshave revealed that when the CCTVfootage was shown to people who knewPhu Chung Chung well enough, theycould confirm his presence in the footagethrough his physique and body language.With this lead in hand, the Police trackeddown calls made from Phu ChungChung’s mobile phones to seven of hispartners in crime and in less than a week,the Police had a fairly good idea aboutthe identities of the entire gang.

What is interesting to note here thatalthough the gang managed to forge theresults document with their choice ofwinning numbers, the Directorate ofLotteries rubber stamp seal is missingfrom the forged document. Also, thegang was in complete ignorance of thepresence of the CCTV cameras installedin the corridor and the draw room thatrecorded their entire aborted attempt!

The CCTV footage shows that the entireoperation took less than half an hour, whichPhu Chung Chung, clad in black jeans andjacket and his head covered in a black skullcap and face covered by a mask, led. Thethree officials are seated inside around atable - a lady official and two judges, witha peon and a cook filtering in and out ofthe small room. At exactly 9 pm, the gangof eight gingerly steps in the corridorleading up to the draw room one by one.One accused walks in wearing just acolourful skull cap and red sleeveless vestand gets his entire face revealed to thecamera providing a vital clue to the Police.

Once inside the room, Phu ChungChung gets down to business straightaway and places some forged documentsin front of the lady official. Interestingly,the methods of intimidation adopted bythe gang prove useless as the threeofficials appear totally unperturbed bythe entire threat perception, if any. Theyremain seated in their seats and appearunfazed while Phu Chung Chungcontinues his coaxing, apparently to signthe forged documents. The only personwho shows some physical resistant is thepeon who is pushed to his seat by one ofthe gang members. In less than an hour,

the gang leave, unsuccessful.Although it was first widely believed that

Phu Chung Chung was the mastermind andwas helped in this modus operandi by sevenothers - Lobsang Bhutia, Thinlay OngdupBhutia, Sangay Bhutia, Pinsto Tashi,Chamba Tenzing Bhutia, Sonam PintsoBhutia and Satish Shetty believed to be theinside man who provided the gang withvaluable information, reports appearing inthe local media suggested the involvementof a ninth man. During sustainedinterrogation of the accused, a namesurfaced which led the Police to believe thatthis person could have been the real brainsbehind this whole scheme. This ninthaccused gave a complete new twist to therigging saga, in a way relieving Phu ChungChung as the actual mastermind.

The arrest of Rajesh Lakhmani,intentionally kept under warps by thePolice, has opened a can of worms. Whatemerges from his arrest is that the wholerigging attempt could have been thehandiwork of both him and Phu ChungChung. Lakhmani reportedly ran an onlinelottery outline and somehow convincedPhu Chung Chung to be a part of his planto forge the draw results in lieu of Rs. 10lakhs. Lakhmani was arrested on 29August through the lead provided by theeight arrested earlier but not made public.While unconfirmed reports in the localmedia suggests that Lakhmani could be themastermind, Police sources have deniedthis theory so far. The nine arrested are stillbeing interrogated and other vital leads arecoming in.

What is interesting to note here is thatmost of the accused are first timeoffenders with regular small jobs. Policebelieve that Phu Chung Chung’sinvolvement is far too much inmasterminding this rigging plan, eventhough the extent of Lakhmani’sinvolvement is still being investigated.Also, it is still not clear how the gangplanned to receive the winning amount,had they being successful in rigging theresults. Questions as to whether the ganghad purchased the lotteries tickets, resultsof which were being forged to match thenumbers on the ticket, or howLakhmani’s involvement as an agentwould help them is still unanswered.

This is perhaps a first of its kind casein Sikkim where the role of technologyin both carrying out the crime as well asnabbing the culprits have come handy.

by SARIKAH ATREYA

A CCTV grab of two of the eight presently behind bars

LOTTERY RIGGING ATTEMPT

QUESTIONS REMAIN

UNANSWERED

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WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

The State Green Mission

� is yet another product of the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s green policy

imagination, a new concept, an idea, a dream and a vision thereof

� is a new direction and dimension in the State’s efforts and endeavour

to sustain, maintain and enrich Sikkim’s environment and ecology

� is a programme to give the people the mandate to own, regenerate

and protect their resources by themselves

� is about synergising development and environmental protection

� is broadcasting greening activities through peoples participation,

support and guidance

� is converting Sikkim into a green paradise, a garden state and a

tourist’sultimate dream and destination

� is making Sikkim a more beautiful, more green and more natural by

integrating ecology with economy for bequeathing it to the posterity

� is spearheading people’s movement towards achieving healthier

and pollution free environs around their surroundings

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

� Help and support the movement.

� Ensure your active participation.

� Plant a seedling and a flower this monsoon.

� Protect, care and nurture plants.

� Keep your compound clean, green and beautiful.

State Green Mission

Shri S. B. SubediHon’ble Minister

Forest, Wildlife & Env. Mgmt. Dept.Govt. of Sikkim

Dr. Pawan ChamlingHon’ble Chief Minister, Sikkim

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GANGTOK: The otherwisesubdued and almost low profileprotests of the people of NorthSikkim against mega hydelpower projects until now tooka new turn with protestorscoming out in the open and theprotests gathering momentum.

The protests, led by membersof the Affected Citizens ofTeesta (ACT) and its supportersgained steam when a teamconsisting of officials from theForest Department anddevelopers of the 300 MWPanan Hydro Electric Powerlocated at Dzongu in NorthSikkim was gheroed andstopped from entering the areafor joint inspection.

A large group of supportersof ACT blocked the road at theSankalang Bridge that connectsthe Lepcha Reserve of Dzonguwith Mangan in North Sikkim onSeptember 3 and tried to stop theteam from entering Dzongu. Theblockade lasted for few hoursuntil the North District authoritywas informed. The Police in turndeployed personnel from theSikkim Armed Police to dispelthe protestors to make way forthe inspection team.

The inspection was part ofthe process leading to the PublicHearing for Panan Projectscheduled for September 18later this month. The project isbeing developed by theHimagiri Hydro-Energy Pvt.Ltd, which proposes to tap thewaters of the Tholung Chu, oneof the great tributaries of theTeesta in the Dzongu area. The

GANGTOK: The Affected Citizens of Sikkim (ACT) hasapproached the National Environmental Appellate Authority(NEAA), New Delhi in protest against the environmentalclearance given to 12,00 MW Teesta Hydro Electric Powerproject Stage III in North Sikkim.

Dissatisfied with what it calls a “total mockery” of the PublicHearing for Stage III the Sikkim State Pollution Control Boardconducted in Chungthang in North Sikkim on June 8 earlierthis year, ACT has filed an appeal with the NEAA to cancelthe environmental clearance granted to M/s Teesta Urja Ltd,the developer for the Teesta Stage III power project.

Talking to MIDWEEK, Tseten Lepcha, Chief Coordinator,ACT, said that having studied in detail the EnvironmentalImpact Assessment Report (EIAR) and the EnvironmentManagement Plan (EMP) prepared by WAPCOS for theimplementation of the Stage III, ACT found out that the reportswere “totally ignorant of the real issues involving theenvironment and the people in the Teesta basin.” “We hadbrought to the notice of the State Government our concernsand the shortcomings in the Reports during the Public Hearingheld at Chungthang. Unfortunately, the State Governmentagencies, instead of addressing the real concerns broughtup by the people, made a total mockery of the Public Hearingprocess. It was turned into a platform for political show ofstrength and intimidation to the people who voiced theconcerns,” Mr. Lepcha said.

The State pollution Control Board of Sikkim was alsoserved a legal notice to refrain from forwarding what the ACTcalls “anti-environment and anti-people” Reports to theMinistry of Environment and Forests, government of Indiafor environmental clearance, Mr. Lepcha said. ACT has alsoalleged that the secretary, State Pollution Control board“hurriedly forwarded a distorted version of the proceedingsof the Public Hearing to the MoEF, and the expert committeeset up by the MoEF also accepted the proceedings in grossviolations of the instructions laid down for MoEF forenvironment clearance.”

ACT has also taken strong exceptions to certain remarksin the EIAR under the Chapter on Social practises and Familyand Marriage. It is mentioned here that “for the womenfolk ofSikkim, unlike other non-tribal communities, chastity ofwomen at the time of marriage does not hold a lot ofimportance. Pre-marital and extra-marital relationships arenot uncommon. The women are not bound by manyrestrictions and have more freedom.”

ACT has been represented by its general Secretary, DawaLepcha, and the matter has been taken up by Supreme Courtlawyers, Ritwick Dutta and Rahul Chaudhary from theorganisation Lawyers Initiative for Forest and Environment(LIFE), New Delhi.

RESENTMENT AGAINST HYDROELECTRIC DAMS GATHERS MOMENTUM IN NORTH SIKKIM

ACT supporters detained

for questioningdam for this project will comeup on the confluence ofRangyong Chu and the TholungChu at Lingza village, the powerhouse will come up near thePanan village.

Matters took a dramatic turnwhen a couple was picked up forquestioning in Passingdang thesame evening while another 10were detained the next day atSankalang by the Police. RamboLepcha and his wife weredetained by the North Sikkimpolice on suspicions after theywere alleged to have thrownboulders at the cavalcade of VIPcars that was returning after acoordination committee meetingfor the Panan project that washeld at Passingdang in Dzonguthe same day.

Among those in thecavalcade were State healthminister Hishey Lachungpa,Dzongu MLA Sonam GyatsoLepcha and the North districtZilla Adakshya LobzangTenzing who had attended ameeting at the Passingdangschool premises. RamboLepcha is a member of ACT. Heand his wife were picked up bythe police on suspicions andwere let off soon after.

The 10 other members ofACT were detained for stagingthe blockade at the SangkalangBridge. They were taken to theMangan Police Station and letoff after questioning.

Meanwhile, ACT hascondemned the detention andsaid that the authorities wereresorting to terror tactics andhad arrested on concoctedcharges. It has also alleged that

the local affected people weredenied their basic fundamentalright to express their opinionsand views during the meetingand also that the majority ofthose attending the meet werenot locals which was an unusualphenomenon.

Apart from large threats thatsuch mega hydro electric powerprojects pose to the pristine eco-system of North Sikkim and thefragile demographic make up ofthe area, one major concernregarding the Panan powerproject is its proximity to theTholung Gompa, one of themost sacred and importantmonasteries of TibetanBuddhist.

The Tholung Gompa,located about 25 kms from theLingza village where the damsite is proposed to come up, isconsidered very sacred byBuddhists as it houses some ofthe most rare and invaluableartifacts relating to TibetanBuddhism. The Monastery isopen to the public once in threeyears and is accessible onlythrough the Lingza village andis located in one of the mostremote and isolated corners ofthe State. Any mega project inthe vicinity of this area isdefinitely a cause for concernas it would involve large influxof migrant workers fromoutside of the State. Theincreased human activity in thearea can be a security threatto the Monastery and itssanctity. This is a concernshared by many intellectualsand followers of Buddhism inthe State.

by SARIKAH ATREYA

ACT FILES APPEAL WITH NATIONAL

ENVIRONMENTAL APPELLATE AUTHORITY

AGAINST TEESTA STAGE III POWER PROJECT

a MIDWEEK Report

ROUND-UP

GANGTOK: A three memberteam from the Medical Councilof India [MCI] is here in thecapital to inspect the SikkimManipal Institute of MedicalSciences [SMIMS] and theCentral Referral Hospital at 5th

Mile Tadong in connection withgranting affiliation to themedical college.

The permanentrepresentative of the MCI, Dr.Malti Mehra, Dr. JV Hardikarfrom Mumbai and Dr. YKGupta of the All India Instituteof Medical Sciences, visited the

SMIMS and CRH andinteracted with the faculty onTuesday, 5 September. Theyalso made rounds of the variousfaculties and inspected thefacilities available.

This is the fourth suchinspection carried out by theMCI. The issue of nonaffiliation with the MCI hasbeen a major cause of flare upsbetween the students and theSMU authorities in the past.Last month, the junior residentinterns at the institute hadremained off duty in protestagainst the non affiliation withthe MCI. This first batch of

students who passed out hadsaid that without the MCIrecognition, their degrees wereworthless. Even in the past, thestudents had protested on thenon affiliation with the protestshaving turned violent.

Speaking to Midweek, SMUvice chancellor K Jayakumarsaid that the faculty fromSMIMS and the doctors of theSir Thutob Namgyal MemorialHospital [STNMH] werepresent in full strength for theinspection. The STNM doctorshave also been recognized asmembers of the faculty underSMIMS and the CRH, based on

an agreement reached with thestate government recently.Earlier, the STNM doctors werenot acknowledged as facultymembers despite beinginvolved in the teaching faculty.“The entire faculty expressedand demonstrated solidaritybefore the team,” the vicechancellor said.

Jayakumar said that the MCI

MCI team inspects SMIMS for affiliationteam was here based on the followup to the meeting held by him withthe MCI on 7 August in NewDelhi where he had placed a freshproposal for affiliation. The teamchecked if there were adequatefaculty members.

“Hopefully there should besome positive outcome since wehave met all the compliances,”Jayakumar told Midweek.

a MIDWEEK Report

sikkim.midweek@gmail.com

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GANGTOK: The PIL filed inthe Supreme Court against theChief Minister seekinginvestigation and prosecutionunder the Prevention ofCorruption Act and thesubsequent notice sent by theSupreme Court to the SikkimGovernment and the ChiefMinister to respond to the writpetition seems to havegalvanized the almostdecimated opposition into someserious action.

Opposition leaders cuttingacross party lines are planninga common minimumprogramme that will help themderive maximum politicalmileage of what they think isgoing to be the big politicalissue in the coming days. Hecticpoliticking is taking placebehind closed doors to work outa strategy that could force theChief Minister to go on the backfoot. Acknowledging that theyhave nothing to show on theground, an opposition leaderadmitted that all they needed

was one ‘emotive issue’ to seethem through till the elections,two years later.

Speaking to Midweek,SPCC general secretary KungaNima Lepcha, one of the fourwho filed the PIL said“Enough is enough. It is hightime someone has to stand upand speak out on the rampantcorruption that is takingplace”.

That the party morale hasbeen suddenly boosted isobvious, as they claim toreceive support from all over,“We are getting calls ofsupport from employees,students, business people andeven people from villages andtowns in the districts” Mr.Lepcha said.

Another move in the samedirection was the patch upbetween friends turned foes NarBahadur Bhandari andThukchuk Lachungpa. Thissprinkled more spice on theopposition drama being playedout over the past weeks. It alsogave rise to speculations of anew force being recreated

within the opposition camps.The AICC member and the

Treasurer of the North eastCongress CoordinationCommittee (NECCC) withdrewthe defamation suit filed by himagainst the SPCC chief in thecourt of the judicial magistrate(East) here at Gangtok. The twosigned a consent term before thecourt for the withdrawal of thecase and to resolve their feud inan amicable manner.Interestingly the agreement alsoreads that this was done to livein peace and ‘harmony ofbrotherhood’

The truce took place in ahotel here at Tibet road wherethe two dined over a sumptuouslunch after exchanging khadas.The two leaders refused tocomment anything more on thereunion apart from thewithdrawal of the defamation.Those in the Congress also saidthat it was a personal matterbetween the two of them and theparty had nothing to say over theissue. However, other insidersclaimed a ‘secret’ understandinghad been reached.

GANGTOK : In politics, thereare no permanent friends orenemies and political equationscan change from day to day. Buteven amidst the constant flux,Sikkim politics has witnessed arivalry that has refused tomellow with the passage oftime. Yes, we are talking of BBGooroong and NB Bhandari. Atone time political cronies andmembers of the ruling elite, theduo parted ways in 1984 andhave ever since battled it out, incourts and in the public arena.The issue relating to the PublicInterest Litigation in theSupreme court against chiefminister Pawan Chamling filedby four Congressmen hasrecently seen them fight it outin newspaper columns, withbarbs being hurled between theruling Sikkim Democratic Frontand the State Congress.

But let us go back to thebeginning and study theacrimonious history betweenthe two political leaders.

It was late evening on thenight of May 19, 1984. Eightcabinet ministers were presentin the residence of Mr. BBGooroong, chief minister, at thetime. The meeting passed aresolution alleging thatBhandari had acquiredproperties disproportionate tohis known source of income andasked for a CBI enquiry into thesame. Thereafter, for the firsttime the Delhi Special PoliceEstablishment Act which wasextended in 1976, wasimplemented to investigate thecharges. The then Director ofCBI, JS Bawa flew specially toGangtok for the purpose.

Earlier in the month, theBhandari government had beendismissed under corruptioncharges and Gooroong who wasthen the Number 2 as FinanceMinister in the Bhandari ledCongress government wassworn into office by GovernorHomi JH Talyerkhan.

Bhandari was an angry manand in the next few days heplotted to pull down theGooroong government with thesupport of 19 MLA’s, all ofwhom he whisked down to NewDelhi and kept isolated atPaharganj.

The great political rivalryhad begun.

Bhandari, after coming topower in the general electionssix months later with 31 out ofthe 32 seats under the SikkimSangram Parishad bannerwithdrew the sanction of theGooroong cabinet asking theCBI to investigate and the CBIfailed to submit thechargesheet. Gooroong thenwent on a political hibernationfearing retribution and lived inNew Delhi from 1985 to 1991.Later in 1993 when theCongress came to power underSanchaman Limbu, Gooroong,again with LD Kazi, movedthe Supreme Court by filingwrit petitions. Three hearingslater the withdrawal ofsanction by Bhandari wasrevoked and the SC orderedinvestigations.

Today, as the battle linesare being drawn again, a senseof déjà vu prevails asGooroong and Bhandari fightit out again in the politicalarena. The coming monthsshould provide good soundbites if nothing else.

POLITICS

GANGTOK: Sikkim HighCourt, has given marchingorders to B.C. Sharma, thespecial judge who refused topronounce the verdict in theCBI case against former chiefminister and state Congresspresident Nar BahadurBhandari.

The decision was made at afull court meeting convenedhere on August 30. Themeeting, which was headed byChief Justice B.K. Roy andattended by high court judgesN.S. Singh and A.P. Subba,recommended compulsoryretirement for Sharma.

The recommendation hasbeen forwarded to the statehome department mentioningthat Sharma be given threemonths salary in lieu of threemonths notice as providedunder rule 99(1) of the SikkimGovernment Rules of 1974.The court also ordered thatSharma be restrained fromdischarging any judicial andadministrative duty as districtand sessions judge (South andWest).

Sharma, who was judge atthe district and sessions court(South and West) at Namchi,had been designated specialjudge for the court dealing incases under the Prevention of

PIL fires the Oppositiona MIDWEEK Report

HISTORY CALLING

Gooroong Vs BhandariTHE RIVALRY CONTINUES

by RHEA SHARMA

Special Judge BC Sharma‘compulsorily retired’

Corruption Act. It was in thiscourt that Bhandari’s casecame up on August 1 but hehad refused to deliver ajudgement on the case on theday, citing ‘personal grounds’for his inability to decide onthe matter and had passed onthe case files to the HighCourt and proceeded himselfon a month-long leave thenext day. He requested theHigh Court to transfer thecase to some other court.The case had been f i ledunder the Prevent ion ofCorruption Act, against theformer cm for possessingassets more than his knownsource of income.

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What can one say about the level of political debatein Sikkim when the most impassionedarguments are reserved to celebrate or dismiss

a writ petition filed in the Supreme Court. The case isyet to be admitted, but given the column space beinghogged in newspapers by the decibels that the rulingand Opposition camps are expending on it, a casualreader could be excused if he thought that a convictionhad been secured. Courts, as everyone knows, can taketheir own time in bringing a case to closure and eventhen, as recent developments have shown, a verdict isnot guaranteed.

While it is expected of the Opposition to opposeand the Treasury bench to defend and counter-allege,when something like a court case is prioritized, thepublic domain gets occupied by something that couldtake very long to conclude and because of the hypethat surrounds its initiation will not easily make spacefor other, more immediate, concerns. Even if otherissues are raised from time to time, their impact iscompromised because the public imagination isoccupied by the ‘court case.’

Of course, given the paucity of intelligent debate,along the way, many brownie points are chalked up,relatively unimportant victories, but enough to makenewspaper headlines for a day. For example, the rulingparty by making an issue of the official process ofwhether it has received the SC notices or not. In doingso, it leaves itself open to a day of embarrassment whenthe Opposition finally announces the actual serving of

the notice and score a point in public perception. Isthis a reflection on the merit of the case? No, it is just aprocedural thing, which has been offered as a minorvictory because the counter-allegations digressed to somany fronts.

For the Opposition, investing too much on a courtcase can be counter-productive. Unlike political debateswhere either side can take leave of logic and reasoningand just drown everything in rhetoric, Courts tend toput a final seal on issues. The BL seats in the StateAssembly for example, even though threats to it andassurances of safeguards are made often, are really nota political issue anymore. The Supreme Court hasdefended them and as far as the people are concerned,the protection is foolproof. What could have been avery effective poll-plank is now reduced to an issuethat receives only token mention, not because it isunimportant, but because its security has already beenestablished. The leader who based his political careerin his opposition to this reservation, lost not only hiscalling card to the final verdict but with it, also hisvotebank. The Opposition allegations of riggedelectronic voting machines cannot be thrown about inpublic meetings anymore because the Courts havedecided against the aspersions. Had the doubts beenshared only in the public domain, the allegations could

POLITICS

The Politics of Thingsby PEMA WANGCHUK

FRINGE BENEFITstill have been bandied about.

What is more, while a case is in the Courts, one isbound by sub-judice clauses to reserve comment. Inthe present case, what the Opposition sees as itsstrongest weapon in its arsenal is effectively disarmedfrom deployment in the public domain while the caseis being heard. The petition in the Supreme Court filedby four Congress leaders will be interesting to watchbecause the synopsis of the petition suggests that theyhave covered the entire tenure of the SDF governmentand branded all of it corrupt. If the case does getadmitted, the respondents could end up securing a gagorder on the Opposition leaders from making any publiccomments on the contents of the case. As mentionedearlier, since the range of allegations appears to benearly all-encompassing, what will the Opposition fillits press releases with now?

Court cases, after an initial high, start to drag.Politics needs to infuse its debate with much morevibrancy, many more issues. The Opposition has tolaunch guerilla warfare and given its rout in the lastelections, it cannot afford to engage the ruling frontin a headlong confrontation. Apart from the politicalrequirements of bombast, it has to also get down tospecifics, offer a counterpoint on issues. That will keepthe government on its toes and deliver on announcements.That is different from keeping it busy with paperwork.But even before that, the Opposition has to be noticedamong the people and not just seen in news reports.

- the writer is Editor, NOW! Daily

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GANGTOK: Chief MinisterPawan Chamling has said thatthe value of education in thepresent day society haslessened.

“The value of education inour society has gone down. Theimportance of education in itselfhas become small and ratherinsignificant. Today, the aim ofeducation has limited itself tojust being a means to alivelihood. It is no longer aboutcharacter building or humanvalues. It is just about getting adegree and a job,” Chamlingsaid, while addressing amammoth gathering of teachersfrom all over the State here atthe Guard’s Ground on theoccasion of Teachers’ Day,which was being celebrated as“All Sikkim EducationConference,” organised by theHuman Resource DevelopmentDepartment.

“Today, education is justabout limiting your learning towhat is written in the text booksand answering questions relatedto those texts and passing theexaminations,” he said.

Deliberating on the real needto evaluate and reassess the truemeaning of education,Chamling coaxed the gatheringof over 6,000 teachers from allcorners to debate on thispertinent issue. “I would like theteaching community tocontemplate over the truedefinition of education. Havewe really debated on this topic?Have we tried to understand theconcept of education in its true

essence? Are our beliefs andthoughts about education intune with scientifictemperament and wholesome?If not, then we need to deliberateand debate on this with all oursincerity,” he said.

While thanking the entireteaching community for theachievements made by the Statein the field of education, theChief Minister reminded theteaching community that therewas still no room forcomplacency. “We have won thebest performing State ineducation thrice and this hasbeen only possible through yourdedication and hard work.However, this does not mean wehave to be complacent. It, infact, gives us the inspiration towork harder and strive towardsmaintaining the high standardsof education in the State,” hesaid, adding that the State hadalready achieved the target laiddown in the UNO’s minimumgoal 2015 in education.

Chamling was also of theopinion that the responsibility ofthe teachers should not belimited to imparting just whatis there in the text books and theschool syllabus. It should gobeyond that. “The teachersshould also take uponthemselves the responsibility ofinculcating in students a senseof pride in their cultural heritageand traditions. My Governmenthas been consistent in our beliefthat teachers are the rightinstruments for this and haveacknowledged theircontributions in the preservationand promotion of our ethnic

cultural heritage and traditions.We have been also trying ourlevel best to maintain thestandards of education and thevalue of teaching as aprofession,” he said.

“We have always respectedthe personal political ideologiesof the teachers. We have beenable to create a positiveatmosphere in the State whereteachers are no longer used astools for political gains andwhere they are not intimidated,oppressed and forced to live infear. We understand andappreciate the fact that one ofthe building blocks of oursociety is the teachingcommunity,” he said.

Chamling brushed aside theOpposition’s criticism that theState Government wassquandering away previousresources of the Stateexchequer in organising theTeachers’ Day function here byinviting teachers from all overthe State. “We are starting anew tradition by inviting theentire teaching community forone mammoth gathering andcelebrating Teachers’ Dayfunction that this scale. Thisis our way of felicitating theteachers and expressing ourgratitude. We will take thisfunction to the Districts in thecoming years,” he said.

Earlier, Minister forEducation, GM Gurung,Secretary, HRD Department andrepresentatives from the SikkimUnited Teachers’ Associationand Sikkim Teachers’Association addressed thegathering.

GANGTOK: A total of 22teachers from all over the Statewere felicitated by the HumanResource DevelopmentDepartment here at the Guard’sGround on the occasion ofTeachers’ Day Celebrations on5 September.

Chief Minister PawanChamling gave away the StateAward for Excellence in thefield of education to 8 seniorteachers from all over the State,two each from the four Districts.14 other teachers were handedover the CommendationCertificates for outstandingcontributions.

The State Award winnersinclude Taraman Rai, Primaryteacher from the LowerDalapchen Primary School; Dr.SN Mishra, Principal, WestPoint Senior SecondarySchool; Dupchen Bhutia,Primary Teacher, RamthangPrimary School, Devika Lama,

CHAMLING URGES TEACHERS TO REDISCOVERTHE REAL ESSENCE OF EDUCATION

a MIDWEEK photo

a MIDWEEK Report

TEACHERS

FELICITATEDa MIDWEEK Report

Graduate Teacher, PhensongSecondary School; Nar PrasadGurung, Headmaster,Okherbotey Lower PrimarySchool; SR Lama, BhutiaTeacher, Mangalbaria SeniorSecondary School; Tej BahadurSubba, Primary Teacher,Nampok Secondary School andBhaskar Prasad Poudyal,Principal, Bermiok TokalSenior Secondary School.

Similarly, the HRDDepartment also awarded BestPerforming Private Schools inthe State Award to four schoolsfrom each of the Districts. HolyCross Senior Secondary School,Tadong bagged the award in theEast District, while HimalayanBaptist English School,Gyalshing won from WestDistrict. Play and Learn NurserySchool, Mangan and St. FrancisEducational Institute, Jorethangwon from the North and Southdistricts, respectively.

ROUND-UP

a MIDWEEK photo

GANGTOK: Sister Elsit, principal of Holy Cross School, Gangtok,was conferred the National Teacher’s Day Award 2005 byPresident Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam at New Delhi on 5 September.The awards function, initiated by the union HRD ministry andorganised on the occasion of Teacher’s Day, was held at VigyanBhawan. Sister Elsit was among the 20 recipients, chosen fromall corners of the country, who received this prestigious awardbased on their overall performances.

Sister Elsit, who has 25 years of working experience, is thefirst among the Holy Cross congregation of the entire country tobe conferred with this award. She has worked in different CBSE-affiliated schools across the country and was given the chargeof the Holy Cross Institute at Gangtok six years ago. Here, sheheralded the enviable reputation of the school as one of the bestschools in the region.

Incidentally, the credibility of the school has got another shotin the arm with the school receiving the best private school in thestate award, initiated by the Human Resource DevelopmentDepartment, on Tuesday during the state level Teachers’ Daycelebrations.

DOUBLE TEACHER’S DAY TREAT FOR HOLY CROSS

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GANGTOK, August 21: Thefirst fiscal year under the ValueAdded Taxation [VAT] regimehas improved the tax revenuegeneration for the stateexchequer by a whopping 20.51per cent increase over that of theprevious year when the sales taxstructure still existed.

VAT was introduced inSikkim from April 2005.

The hike in revenuecollection was revealed toMidweek by the AssistantCommissioner [commercialtaxes] Manoj Rai.

Rai furnished a databaseprepared by the State IncomeTax and Commercial Taxesdivision of the Finance andRevenue Department for itsannual report this year where thefigures were listed.

Rai also said that the hike hasnot only enhanced the revenuecollection but was also muchhigher than the target set by thedepartment which was kept at Rs.47 crores for the 2005-06 fiscal.

The total collections throughVAT for 2005-06 stood at Rs.56.64 crores, an excess of Rs. 9.64 crores of the target set bythem. The increase in percentagestood at 20. 51 per cent to theprevious year’s collection of 48.07 crores with an annualincrement of Rs. 8.57 crores.

Sikkim was given an additionaltwo years’ time to implement the

GANGTOK: The foundationstone of the Lord BuddhaGarden will be laid at Rabongon 07 September by ChiefMinister Pawan Chamling tomark the 2550th birthanniversary of Lord Buddha.The foundation stone layingceremony will be a part of thethree-day long Pang Lhabsolfestival organised by the PangLhabsol CelebrationCommittee, Rabong.

An 80 feet statue of LordBuddha would be locatedamidst an eco-garden whichwill help conserve the bio-diversity of the area, mostimportantly the herbs and florafound in the area.

The project will come upunder the Tourism Departmentand a core committee hasalready been formed for thepurpose. The Chief Minister isalso the chief patron of theproject. Area MLA and Urban

Development and LandRevenue Minister DD Bhutia,along with Wok MLA CBKarki, will spearhead theconstruction work.

This Buddha Statue cumGarden will be the first of itskind in the state and probablythe country. The stategovernment has already kickedoff the Buddhist circuit andthis project would give themuch required impetus toboost tourism and attractpilgrim tourists to the area. Itaims to draw the pilgrimtourists from South East Asiaand the neighbouringcountries like Bhutan, Nepaland Sri Lanka apart from thelarge domestic pilgrim touristsfrom other states.

Rabong was the naturalchoice for installation of thestatue as the town is located inthe middle of the three mostimportant Buddhist sites in thestate, viz. Ralang, Tashiding andPemayangtse monasteries. The

three areas are important pilgrimcentres since they are connectedto the religious and politicalhistory of Sikkim and are todaythe most important and oldestheritage sites. Since Rabong islocated in between the religioussites, it receives a large numberof pilgrim tourists. This statuewould be an additional religioussite that the pilgrims coming tothe area could visit.

The Pang LhabsolCelebration which started in theyear 1984 in Rabong is in its 23rdyear. This year the celebrationswill commence from 05 to 07September where the ChiefMinister will be present as thechief guest. Rabong, unofficiallythe Mecca of Volleyball inSikkim, will showcase the bestplayers from the country. Thecelebrations will also be theplatform for the rural artisans andartistes to display their products.The evenings will witnessvarious cultural and musicalextravaganza.

VAT regime and started followingit only from 2005.

Creating confusion amongsttraders when first implemented,those that came under itspurview have now come toterms with the new taxationprocedure. The introduction ofVAT was to do away withmultiple taxation and thecascading effect that sales taxstructure was associated withand to bring about uniformity.It was also aimed at preventingevasion of taxes.

Meanwhile, Rai has beenworking on a comprehensivebook on VAT rules, which willexplain and simplify the rulesunder the new system. Thepublication, which is still in thedrafting stage will help thecommon man understand theVAT rules easier.

While the sales tax structurehas not been completely doneaway with and would beremoved in phases, the collectionthrough lotteries and liquorcontinued to top the list of itemswhich generated the highestrevenue from sales tax. Thesetwo still do not come under theVAT purview and follow thesales tax structure. DannyDenzongpa’s YuksomBreweries, makers of the popularHit and Dansberg beer continuesto be one of the highest sales taxpayers with the company havingshelled out 92 lakhs in theprevious year as sales tax.

GANGTOK: With nearly 56HIV positive cases already in thestate, the need for creatingawareness on AIDS is now beingfelt by educationists here. In arecent meet convened by theState Council for EducationalResearch and Training, the ideaof inclusion of health education,especially AIDS was deliberatedon. It was mooted that lessonson health issues like AIDS beimparted from Class IV onwards.

The need for incorporation ofthis subject was felt keeping in

ROUND-UP

Lord Buddha’s statue,

CM’s gift to Rabong

VAT ENHANCES TAXCOLLECTION

Chief Minister to lay the foundation stone for Lord Buddha Garden

during Pang Lhabsol celebrations in Rabong

a MIDWEEK Report

a MIDWEEK Report

mind the health needs ofadolescents, particularly theirreproductive and sexual healthneeds. This is important sinceyoung children and adolescentsare deprived of opportunities toget the appropriate informationon subjects related to sex andsexuality, which is culturally avery sensitive area. As such,their understanding ofreproductive and sexual healthand their behaviour in this regardare guided predominantly bymyths and misconceptions,

making them vulnerable to riskysituations, such as drug/substance abuse and HIV/AIDStransmission.

Besides health education, thestate government has alreadytaken a policy decision to impartenvironmental studies, which isto be imparted from theelementary level. Special classesin disaster management are alsoto be a part of the curriculum inschools so that the children areaware of these issues at an earlystage and help tackle these issues.

AIDS awareness to be created in schools

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The gauntlet has been thrown. A local daily, in itseditorial on the birth of two publications in Sikkim thisweek, in a backhanded compliment, burdened us with

the responsibility of raising the bar on professionalstandards of journalism here.

Will we?Only time will tell.We shall not make any claims to that end.When we are professional, it is because we wish to be

true to the readers, to ourselves. Any other benefit thatthis commitment spawns is secondary. Good if it happens,but none of us will be losing sleep if the entire fraternitydoes not join in the march.

Midweek is being launched in these times of instantand daily news because we believe that readers in Sikkimnow need more than just a recount of events. Theconstraints of deadlines and limitations of space in dailiesresults in a situation where news rarely translates to morethan just a recap. We hope to use the luxury of having awhole week at hand before hitting the stands to weaveevents into possible trends, research deeper intodevelopments and contextualize issues in the rightperspective so that a reader is also provided with answersto why things happened, instead of just the perfunctorywhat happened.

At least that is what we have charted out to do. Theforthcoming Wednesdays will bear out whether we are up tothe task at hand. What we know is that despite everything webelieve in, the challenge for a weekly to remain relevant is atough one. We hope we can channelize this pressure tosharpen our skills, polish the content and strike up a moreintimate conversation with the readers. Through the successesand failures of the coming weeks, we assure readers that wewill remain irreverential without being rude, engaging withoutbeing corny, and informative without being boring.

This is not just the launch of our inaugural issue, this isalso the beginning of a long term relationship with ourreaders.

OP-ED

As the train from Beijingchugged into the Lhasarailway station on the night

on July 3, China, belyingAmerican writer Paul Theroux’sprognosis, realized its dream ofintegrating Tibet moreeffectively than it has in the pastfive decades. Abandoned in1987, revived in 1994 andreinforced in 2001 underChina’s Western DevelopmentCampaign, this railway hasmore than a symbolic meaningfor China as the world’s ‘greatengineering achievement’. Coldcalculations prevail behind theheroic display by the 26,000engineers and workers who laidthe track. For a regime thatsubscribes to pragmatism,making money in Tibet isexpected to be high on theagenda. The Chinese mediafrequently describes the projectas a ‘golden travel route’. Buthow ‘golden’ is the railway lineto Lhasa?

First, some analysts haveraised questions about theeconomic viability of therailway. China spent anestimated $3.16 billion for itsconstruction, surpassing the $3billion GDP of entire Tibet (asin 2005). But the constructioncosts could be reclaimed in lessthan a decade by several means,including tourism and theexploitation of naturalresources. For instance, some800,000 visitors are expected tovisit Tibet using the railway overthe next year. This figure isexpected to gallop to about 5.28million by 2010. According tothe estimates of the TibetAutonomous RegionalAcademy of Social Sciencesand the Industrial EconomicsStudies Institute of the ChineseAcademy of Social Sciences,this is expected to fetch morethan $725 million. In contrast,the 1.8 million visitors whoarrived in Tibet by means otherthan railway in 2005 contributedonly about $250 million.

Second, the current route ofthe Xining to Lhasa rail linespans about 1,956 km. The newconstruction between Golmudto Lhasa stretches more than1,000 km. Once this route iscompleted and extended toXigaze, China plans to constructmore railways from 2007 till2038 from different parts of thecountry for more effectiveintegration of Tibet. Theseinclude the Chengdu to Lhasaroute of 1,927 km, expected tocost about $9 billion; the Lhasato Dali (Yunnan) route of 1,594km, with an estimated cost ofabout $8 billion; and theLanzhou to Lhasa route of 2,126kilometres (about $8.5 billion).In other words, Tibet is expectedto receive immense Chineseinvestment in the comingdecades, with drasticconsequences for the Tibetaneconomy.

Three, the Tibetan railwaytook just about four years to

Vol. 1 No. 1

Letter From The Publisher

The golden line to Lhasaby SRIKANTH KONDAPALLI

Well, well, well whaddya know? I’ve miraculouslybeen asked by your editor to write a column forMidweek. It’s obvious that the sadistic streak

in her has won the day and she has foisted yours trulyupon you. Your loss my gain I’d say but don’t say youweren’t warned.

In the times to come (if this heroic effort doesn’tcave in that is), I will be keeping you all posted aboutthe progress of the pride of our great (not to forgetDIVERSE) nation and particularly its not so greatcapital city…Dilli. A shanty town full of intrigue andsubterfuge. Well unfortunately for me, I’m stuck hereand like the mighty Titanic the more of you I pull downwith me the better we’ll drown as there’ll be plenty ofcompany right? But jokes apart, I shall strive to giveall you folks out there food for thought and a few laughsto boot, hopefully. What’s there and what’s not; who’sin and who’s out… after all, there’s so much to talkabout. But there’s just one hitch as I am no journalist,though my only claim to literary fame is that I’m theson of a scribe, I hope and pray that I make the gradeeven if it’s just by default. So with that excuse of anintroduction let me get on with it.

We have studied the working of Parliament in school,college and the likes, so I won’t bore you with details of

how the two houses function. But are you aware thatthese great institutions have been reduced to places whereCabinet Ministers and our honorable (sic) MP’s exchangethe choicest of, ‘mother and sister expletives’? As if toadd insult to injury, the great Minister also asserts thathe hasn’t come to the House to hear such words ofwisdom though he was amongst the thick of it when theexchange was on. The docile speaker of the house hadto beat a hasty retreat and fisticuffs were just avoided!The Minister in question would win the first prize in anyrustic pageant. After all he is known to have flown intohis constituency in earlier days in a helicopter urging allthose, ‘sons of cowherds’, to go check out the mechanicsof the chopper. Well as the saying goes, there’s always asilver lining in a dark cloud. This is after all the truerepresentation of our great nation, not us hoity toity typeswho lay claims to being educated and refined if youplease.

The city’s erstwhile great snorter R, has moved on totie the nuptial knot. Only he decided to choose the saferenvirons of amchi Mumbai to do so as Dilli was gettingtoo snort…ooops sorry hot! Well if nothing else his mugshot on the occasion shows a beaming soul who seemsto have redeemed himself overnight. Lets all hope thatthe nuptial snort…..sooo sorry knot helps in getting him

onto terra firma unlike his flying beau. As for her, wellshe has the great Clapton classic, ‘she don’t mind shedon’t mind….Cocaine to console herself.

And the final offering is an ode to our very ownJaswant Singhji…our ex Foreign Minister…

THE MOLE IN THE HOLE(set to, ‘Little Jack Horner’)

Dear little Jaswant, sat in a corner,figuring out his latest caper,

He fished out his pen and bloody wrote like hellAnd came up with his, ‘Call to Honour’He spoke of a hole and in it a mole and

about how he had fled,So while aloof he shouted from the roof

Thinking he had good ol Son and Man misled!But the wily two without much ado

sent back a cannonballThey said that the, ‘mole’ was mere hyperbole

So poor Jaswant’s Honour is now on Call.So that’s it folks from this madcap. If you like what

you got please do write and let me know. Ill be only tooglad to ladle it out. And anyone who has got upto hereshould get a medal for patience. Cheerio and see ya allnext time.

Your very own, Maddy

MADDY’S DILLI

The Mole In The Hole and more capital capers

- continued on page 11

Meet The MIDWEEK Team

Mita Zulca, Pankaj Thapa, Pema L. Shangderpa,

Sarikah Atreya, Tenzin C. Tashi, Serah Basnet,

Sachin Yonzon and Karchoong Diyali

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OP-ED

complete, compared to the long time taken for similar construction in the region earlier. For instance, the Xiningto Golmud line was completed from 1958 to 1984 in the Qaidam basin. The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, ayear after the project was launched. The railway to Urumqi was completed in 1960 and the Kashgar line (all inXinjiang) by 1999.

When the Tibetan railway was started in 2001, the Chinese leadership said it was essential for ‘political’reasons. Integrating Tibet into China, opposing ‘splittism’ and promoting unity were cited as reasons. Moreimportantly, whenever a railway line has been constructed in China, it led to a massive exodus of Chinese fromother parts.

This was the case with the Sichuan railway of the 1920s, when huge numbers of Chinese migrated to thecoastal areas. The railway line from Xinjiang and Qinghai led to not only an increase in the Han migrants to theseareas, but also the displacement of locals from their livelihood. When the Chinese started constructing roads inTibet, local Tibetan shopkeepers lost their jobs to Han Chinese even on streets of the capital Lhasa.

It is not clear how many of the millions of ‘visitors’ to Tibet by the railway will settle down, although Chinesescholar Ma Rong estimated that Han migration in Tibet takes the form of seasonal migration of one-to-two years(with a majority of migrants in this category), short-term and long-term migration (the latter said to be in minority).

It is not without reason that the Dalai Lama cautioned that this railway would result in ‘cultural genocide’ inTibet. Tibetan groups equate the systematic resettlement of Han-Chinese in Tibet as something akin to the problemsbetween Israel and Palestine or even of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Khangchendzonga rises nearly five and a half milesabove sea level. British East India Companysurveyors, when they calculated its height in 1847,

demolished the ill-informed myth that the earth wasnot supposed to break the 5 Mile barrier in itsundulations skywards. They also learnt that theHimalayan giants need not always be remote andinaccessible. The closest British outpost of Darjeelingthumbed within 40 miles of the mountain making itsstudy the most accurate of any Himalayan peak. NandaDevi in the Garhwal hills which was considered thetallest mountain on Earth at that time and was measuredto stand at 25,749 feet in 1822. This height, becausethe calculations were based on readings taken from toofar away, were considered to be too suspect to bescientifically accepted and geographers remainedunanimous in their belief that 26,400 feet [5 miles] wasthe pre-ordained ceiling beyond which no part of theearth was meant to protrude. Nanda Devi’s height hassince been recalibrated to 25,645 feet, but it wasKhangchendzonga’s imposing 28,176 feet [ascalculated in 1847] that astounded everyone. The latestfind cleared the highest known mountain of that timeby three-quarters of a kilometer! And, there was nodoubting the readings or the calculations, surveyors hadapproached the massif closer than men of science hadever been to the high snows and the calculations werethe most exacting that mankind had devised till then.For an establishment [read British East India Companyofficials], who till little over half a century before thattime believed the Himalaya to be a chain of activevolcanoes due to the plume of clouds that invariablysprang out of every summit, information on theKhangchendzonga must have been mind-bogglinglysensational and this was borne out by the slew of

writers, adventurers, anthropologists and botanists whotrooped the Himalayas shortly after.

And that is what Khangchendzonga is all about. Forthose interested in making its acquaintance, it is alwaysavailable, and for those willing to push the envelope,the mountain offers as many facets as are required. Forthe people of Sikkim, the mountain has been especiallygenerous. Its physical presence completes the horseshoethat makes Sikkim a biodiversity hotspot, but it is inthe range of interpretations that the mountain lends itselfso effortlessly to that it becomes so unique, sospecifically Sikkimese.

Sometimes the simplest of interpretations is oftenthe most complete. For the Lepchas, Khangchendzongawas Kongchen Kongchlo, the Big Stone. In their stories,Kong Chen is the eldest brother, the first creation oftheir Mother Creator. The eldest brother introductionis the most complete introduction of Khangchendzongaas it appropriates every aspect of the mountain that wasevoked in future times to address more specificconcerns. The Lepchas have probably lived in theshadow of the mountain for the longest time which isprobably why they make a more direct, more intimateconnection with. The Lepcha story of origin states thatthe first Lepcha couple was crafted from the fresh snowsof Khangchendzonga. Anyone who has watched awinter sun dawn over the mountain will envy theLepchas for where they claim to have come from andalso understand that for anyone wishing to claim theultimate pedigree in Sikkim, there could be no originmore special.

Later, towards the early 17th century when theNyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism needed todiscover the Hidden Lands prophesized by GuruPadmasambhava as safe havens where the faith tosurvive when it was imperiled in Tibet itself, it wasKhangchendzonga that made the establishment of the

by PEMA WANGCHUK faith possible in Sikkim. To begin with, theKhangchendzonga range, because it dismisses theestablished structure of the Himalayan layers ofSiwaliks, Lower Himalayan Range and the GreatHimalayas, and instead churns them together in oneglorious and compact upheaval of mountainscape, keptthe region conveniently protected from expansionistmoves from the South. Bereft of a more layeredapproach, this region became too foreboding toadventure into. To understand the formidable bulwarkthat the mountain range provided, one must bear in mindthat the Mauryan empire under Ashoka is believed tohave moved up to Kashmir, slipped into Nepal and eventhough it spawned out of neighbouring Bihar, neverattempted Sikkim which they must surely have noticed.As a result, when the three Nyingmapa masters arrivedin Sikkim in the first half of the Seventeeth century,they found Sikkim to still be a hidden land, a land asyet uninfluenced by organized religion and lending itselfwell to the sustenance and propagation of theNyingmapa faith when it was in distress in the place ofits origin.

Apart from a Fourth Brother to be crowned the kingof this now discovered land, the three Nyingmapamasters also needed an icon that would ease theconversion of the land to this new faith. Attempts hadbeen made before them to reach Buddhism to Sikkimbut had met with very limited success. Tibet was in astate of great flux at that time and failure in Sikkimwas no longer an option. Khangchendzonga, which thelocals revered, was appropriated as a Guardian Deity,elaborate rituals formalized for its worship and thepeople convinced that the new faith would bereverential to their Gods. Buddhism struck deep rootsin Sikkim with this undertaking. Khangchendzonga, ina way justified and facilitated the propagation ofBuddhism in Sikkim and continues to be worshipedextensively in monasteries here.

Shortly after, when the third Chogyal of Sikkim,Chagdor Namgyal, returned in 1709 to a Sikkimliberated from a Bhutanese invasion, he became thefirst king to realize the importance of instilling a feelingof nationhood among the people so that Sikkim wasdefended more strongly in the future.Khangchendzonga helped in this respect too. ChagdorNamgyal gave Sikkim Pang Toed Chaam, the WarriorDance, and the mountain, apart from its position as abenevolent Guardian Deity, also became the WarriorGod. dZonga, the deity who resides on the summit, wasnow also the religious warrior chief who would leadbattles against those who threatened the Hidden Land.The dancers were lay persons and by that analogy, allSikkimese became dZonga’s soldiers. The idea of anation was established and the people made a part ofit. A new aspect was invoked and Khangchendzonga’simposing presence over the Sikkim skyline made itsacceptance easy.

And the mountain continues coming to Sikkim’srescue. In more recent times, when Sikkim was most

The golden line to Lhasa- continued from page 10

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SIKKIM’S MOUNTAIN

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GANGTOK: The entire Teestabasin lies in an environmentallyfragile and ecologicallysensitive area of Sikkim, hometo some of the most endangeredflora and fauna of the entireEastern Himalayas. Most of theendemic plant species arelocated in this unique biosphereof Sikkim. Most of the animalsfound in this area are threatenedand listed in the Schedule I andSchedule II of the WildlifeProtection Act. The area falls inZone-IV of seismic zoning mapof India. This is the main thrustof the Carrying Capacity StudyReport of Teesta Basin inSikkim, released by the CentralGovernment recently.

At a time when the SikkimGovernment has embarked onan ambitious programme toharness the vast hydro electricpower potential of the State andgiven the nod to three moreprojects on the Teesta, the reportassumes great significance,given the environmental as wellas social impact of the hydroelectric projects on the fragileeco system of the State. Thereport provides an in-depthstudy of the physiography,terrain, drainage and othercharacteristics of the Teestabasin in Sikkim. It also providesinformation on the proposedpower development modelbeing adopted by the State.

The report has categoricallymentioned and discussed indetail the adverse impacts ofeach of the six mega hydroelectric power projects (StagesI –IV) on the Teesta and has alsosuggested ways and means tominimize the impacts on thefragile biosphere supported bythe River Teesta. It has alsocovered the geophysicalenvironment of Teesta basin anddeals with various geologicaland seismotectonic aspects. Thephenomenon of frequentlandslides in the basin has beenhighlighted and variousmitigation measures also havebeen suggested.

The effects of the global

TEESTA STAGE-I HE PROJECT / TALEM HE SCHEMEEnvisaged Power Generation: 75 MWLocation: The dam is to be constructed at the confluence of Kalep Chu with Teesta river inNorth Sikkim.Project Summary: Talem HE Scheme is a ‘modified’ and much scaled down version of originallyplanned 300 MW Teesta Stage-I scheme. Under the original plan, one dam was to be locateddownstream of confluence of Lhonak Chu with Zemu Chu and the other at the downstream ofthe confluence of Chento Chu with Teesta river in North Sikkim. This project had to beabandoned in favour of Talem HE Scheme following severe environmental concerns raised inthe phase-I report.Environmental Assessment: Despite the present scheme being a much scaled down versionof the earlier planned Teesta Stage-I scheme, it is still located in an environmentally sensitivearea. Further environmental assessment of the project required.

TEESTA STAGE-II HE PROJECTEnvisaged Power Generation: 540 MWLocation: An 83 m high concrete gravity dam is to be constructed downstream of Chhaten onTeesta river, also known as Lachen Chu in this stretch, near Bansoi village 22 km upstream ofChungthang.Project Summary: The water is to be diverted through an 11.6 km long head race tunnel toan underground powerhouse near Chungthang.Environmental Assessment: Located in an environmentally sensitive area. Properassessment of different project-related activities and components on geological environmentand biological environment required.

TEESTA STAGE-III HE PROJECTEnvisaged Power Generation: 1200 MWLocation: The proposed project site – located in an 18 km stretch of the Teesta river betweenChungthang and Singhik – falls on Zone-IV of seismic zoning map of India.Project Summary: This project is proposed to utilize a drop of about 88 m in the proposedproject site for power generation as a run-of-the-river scheme.Environmental Assessment: The project is situated in one of the most ecologically sensitiveareas of Sikkim and is likely to lead to adverse environment impacts. Any disturbance causedto the biological equilibrium of the area would lead to loss of biological wealth unique to thisregion. Therefore, a detailed environmental sensitivity analysis of the scheme is required.

TEESTA STAGE-IV HE PROJECTLocation: Initially, the proposed project site was the 90 m downstream of the confluence ofTeesta and Talum Chu [Rangyong Chu] near Sanklang in Mangan sub-division of North Sikkim.However, the site was later proposed to be shifted to downstream location NHPC.Project Summary: Investigations regarding the newly proposed project are in progress.Environmental Assessment: The technical findings for the original 495 MW project hadpainted a dismal picture. As per the report, any increased human activity in the proposedproject area would have adverse impact on the habitats of a rich diversity of mammals, faunaand butterflies. Another possible downside to carrying forward this project was geologicalinstability resulting in an increased incidence of landslides.

TEESTA STAGE-VI HE PROJECTEnvisaged Power Generation: 440 MWLocation: The project under the present revised scheme is to be carried out at Sirwani inEast Sikkim. The originally proposed 360 MW scheme was located downstream of thepowerhouse of Teesta Stage-V HE Project on Teesta river, about 500 m downstream of theroad bridge at Khanitar/ Mamring in East Sikkim. However, the proposed project was likely tosubmerge an area of 214 ha, which included forest lands, private holdings, Manipal Institute,the LPG Bottling Plant and the Indian Oil Depot.Project Summary: Under the revised scheme, a 20 m high barrage is to be constructed onriver Teesta at Sirwani. The water is to be diverted through an 11.5 km long head race tunnelwith underground powerhouse proposed at Tarkhola in South Sikkim on the right bank of riverTeesta.Environmental Assessment: The proposed project site lies in seismically active region. Theriver channel proposed for this scheme is rich in aquatic life, in which about six species are offishery interest. More than 100 species of mammals, 230 species of birds [including ‘threatenedspecies’], 345 species of butterflies and various amphibians and reptile species are found inthe vicinity of the project.

warming phenomena, which iscausing glaciers to melt fast andits impact on glacial lakes andglacial lakes outburst floods(GLOF), and their implicationsin hazard generation along withappropriate recommendationshas also been incorporated in thereport. It may be mentioned herethat the Teesta is a glacier-fedriver, originating in the ZemuGlacier in North West Sikkim.

The report suggests thatproper mechanism has beevolved to check the influx ofimmigrants and in additionrelated issues like voters list,permanent settlement ofimmigrants, land acquisition,domicile/ residentialcertificates, ration cards, etc.should also be addressedappropriately. In case ofunforeseen natural calamitieslike dam burst or accidents dueto blasting, landslides causeddue to project activities, etc. thevictims should be compensatedby project authorities within aprefixed time and amount, thereport has said.

The Study was initiated at theinstance of Ministry ofEnvironment & Forests,Government of India whileissuing Environmental Clearanceto Teesta Stage-V Hydro Electricpower project proposed byNational Hydroelectric PowerCorporation Ltd (NHPC). TheTeesta Carrying Capacity Studywas entrusted to the Centre forInter-disciplinary Studies ofMountain & Hill Environment(CISMHE) in September, 2001by Ministry of Environment &Forests, Government of India videletter No. J.12011/1199-IA.1 forwhich funds were provided byNHPC Ltd. The study wascoordinated by CISMHE,University of Delhi, Delhi as thePrincipal Investigator withinstitutional collaboration withother national level institutes.

The Teesta CarryingCapacity Studies final report is

now on the web site of NIC,Sikkim, and can be accessed at

www.sikenvis.nic.in/ccstbs.html and

www.cismhe.org.

ENVIRONMENT

TEESTA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECTS AT A GLANCETeesta Carrying Capacity

Report throws up major

concerns

a MIDWEEK Report

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FOR THAT IT NEEDS Strategic Partners with sound financial background.Shortly Tie up with Consortium for Exports

Sanction and Approval Stage : Sept.-Oct, 2006Infrastructure building from : October, 2006-09-05

Trial Runs : October 2007 . Commercial Production : November 2007Interested parties may contact : 97330 -76313

email: hialtitude100@yahoo.co.uk

Chief Promoters of Project:

BHAICHUNG BHUTIA & SAMEER TAMHANE

:OUR BRANDS:

Spice of Life Actual

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Recreating the‘Ban Jhakri’

CULTURE

GANGTOK: The Ban Jhakri Falls, presently beingdeveloped in Ranka under the initiative of the RuralManagement and Development Department, is aninteresting cultural development in the region simplybecause it aims to throw light on the phenomenon that isShamanism.

The park will house various statues, Dhyangro [Shamanisticpercussion instrument] and masks used by Jhakris currentlybeing installed there. The aim behind the creation of the park isto catalyze a sense of curiosity among the youngsters on the wayof life of Ban Jhakris [shamans who cure ailments of the spirit]and their art rarely practiced in these parts; a culture that predatesany organised form of religion.

Gyaltsen Lama, the artist responsible for recreating thesemasks, instruments and statues, informs that the absenceof any artistic or aesthetic qualities in the installations is adeliberate interpretation of the original way these masksand statues were made. There will be variations in thematerials used here though, cement for wood for instance.

“The reason for creation of these installations is to remindthe people of a culture that is fast losing prominence. Duringmy month-long research, I realised that all the materials thatI went through were researched not by locals but scholarsfrom abroad. This gave me more reason to take up thisproject and try to recreate a true picture,” says Lama.

The installations being constructed are replicas ofthe original masks and statues found in theHimalayas, which unfortunately belong to privatecollectors abroad. Some of them have been datedback a few centuries. These masks were used byshamans or Jhakris in their exorcism and souljourneys while the statues were of the varioussacred deities that the people worshipped andrevered. The project began a year ago and is likely

to be completed in about two months’ time.

by BIRENDRA RAI

Gyaltsen Lama at work amidst his creations at the Ban Jhakri falls. Photos by Karchoong Diyali.

GANGTOK: Sikkim’sfascination with installingstatues of saints and prominentfigures continues with the StateCabinet approving theconstruction of yet another oneat Hee Gaon in West Sikkim.

In the last cabinet meetingwhich took place at the end ofAugust, clearance was given forthe construction of a statue ofMahatma Sirijunga Singthebe atYummang Thegu in Hee Gaon.Mahatma Sirijunga is the patronsaint of the Limbu community ofSikkim. The cabinet has approvedthe detailed project report of thephase I of the project to beundertaken under the RuralManagement and DevelopmentDepartment. It also allocatedfunds amounting to Rs. 30 lakhsfor the first phase. This has beentransferred by the Cultural Affairsand Heritage Department to theRural Development Department.

A national level tender undera two bid system for the workof the construction is to beplaced. The cabinet in turn hasalso approved the DPR forphase II which is to besubmitted to the uniongovernment with the request forfunding the project.

This will be the fifth statuethat will come up in the state. A135 feet statue of GuruPadmasambhava has alreadybeen constructed at Samdruptsein Namchi, which has becomea major tourist attraction.Another large statue of LordShiva is coming up at Solophok,also in South Sikkim, while an80 feet statue of Lord Buddhawill come up at Rabongla inSouth Sikkim to mark the 2550th

birth anniversary of LordBuddha. It is hoped this willfurther help develop theBuddhist Circuit in the state.The foundation stone for theBuddha statue cum eco garden

at Rabongla will be laid by chiefminister Pawan Chamling on 7September, where he will alsograce the Pang Lhabsolcelebrations there as the chiefguest on that day.

Another large statue of theNepali literary giant Bhanu Bhaktais proposed to come up atGyalshing in West Sikkim while theconstruction work on the ‘Stairwayto heaven’ based on the Lepchafolklore has already started.

In the same cabinet meet, theministry has also given itsadministrative approval andfinancial sanction for a revisedestimate of another Rs. 59 lakhsfor landscaping and developmentof Ban Jhakri falls at Ranka in EastSikkim with a revised estimate ofRs. 2.6 crores as against theoriginal sanction of Rs. 1 47 crores.The Ban Jhakri falls will house apark cum gardens; the project isbeing undertaken by the RuralManagement and DevelopmentDepartment.

Statues abound in Sikkima MIDWEEK Report

A Midweek Photograph

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The Tsuklakhang royal chapel has been mute witnessto a tiny monarchy’s chequered history, bestexemplified by the many twists and turns in the

celebrations of the only festival peculiar to Sikkim-Pang Lhabsol.

In the heyday of the Chogyals, Pang Lhabsol was ared letter day on the calendar. Not only were theguardian deities of Sikkim propitiated, the day wasdoubly significant as the national day of Sikkim. For afew years after a newly acquired status as the 22nd stateof India, the deposed Chogyal still celebrated PangLhabsol at Tsuklakhang with a few minor changes- thenew democratically elected leaders were guests ofhonour as the pageantry of Pang Lhabsol unfolded infront of the royal chapel.

Dzo-nga (mDzod-lnga) fulminating War Deity ofSikkim, was commanded by Mahakala, theCommander-in –Chief of all the Guardians of the Faith

to guard the Faith and to protect and bring peace andprosperity to all the people of Sikkim. Dzo-nga, likemany other guardian deities, was a malevolent spiritwho was subjugated by and appointed as a guardiandeity of the land and its people by GuruPadmasambhava in the 8th century. Guru Rimpoche alsodecreed that the people of Sikkim should propitiate theguardian deities in an annual ritual worship thatunnatural calamities be kept at bay.

Pang Lhabsol witnessed among other chaams, thespectacular Pangtoed chaam or the warrior Danceunique to Sikkim and attributed to the third ChogyalChador Namgyal who also invented the Lepcha script.The Pangtoed chaam is the only chaam which isperformed by laymen. In the old days they weresequestered away from wine and women for one weekat Tsuklakhang while they rehearsed for their symbolicrole as the warriors of Dzo-nga.

People from all over Sikkim would throng toTsuklakhang to offer the bounty of their first harvest tothe guardian deities, to reiterate their faith and to pray

Pang Lhabsol: A tryst at Tsuklakhang

Pang Lhabsol celebrations as it used to be at Tsuklakhang. Photo: Late N. S. Lepcha

for their well being.The pomp and pageantry was a fulsome occasion

for one and all, with people decked up in their festivebest and a lunch hosted for them by the Palace.

And then, one bleak year, the Pang Lhabsolcelebrations at Tsuklakhang were abruptly terminated.The magnificent costumes and masks were put away,the Pangtoed dancers put to pasture like the ceremonialhorses themselves. We heard feeble protests from thepublic about the decimation of their culture but stillthere were no celebrations at Tsuklakhang.

Then the sleepy town of Ravangla reinvented itselfas an alternative venue for Pang Lhabsol celebrations,complete with Pangtoed dancers. Meanwhile inGangtok, the day found itself being promoted as a dayof unity in a modern interpretation. Tourists who werelured to Sikkim by the promise of masked dances inGangtok complained bitterly that they either had to go

to Ravangla to see a mix of old and new traditions orwatch a very modern tableaux on the streets of Gangtok.Where were the magnificent dances and rituals thatevery traveler to Sikkim had waxed about?

Over the years, the multiple interpretations of PangLhabsol have obscured its significance for the presentgeneration for whom Pang Lhabsol is as much aboutPangtoed dancers at Ravang as a cultural programmeon M.G.Marg. A lot of myths have sprung up aroundthe traditional celebrations at Tsuklakhang, indeedabout Tsuklakhang itself. One persistent misconceptionamong most locals today is that Tsuklakhang is out ofbounds to ‘ordinary’ people. How ridiculous- it isprimarily a place of worship where many devout peopleregularly do their rounds!

While the dances have definitely been discontinued,the prayers and other rituals have been regularly donein the time honoured tradition by the Tsuklakhang Trust.Traditional ritualistic offerings of ‘bel-tson’, prayerflags, ‘poe’, khadas and cash have been offered tosacred places like the four sacred caves, Pemayangtse,

Tashiding, Norbugang, Drablaghang, Dzongri,Rabdentse, Khecheopalri, Tholung, Pomdong,Kalijhora and Tsuklakhang Goenkhang among others.

Sadly, there seems to have been a most unfortunatemisunderstanding over the Pang Lhabsol celebrationsat Tsuklakhang. While the locals have been under thewrong impression that it is out of bounds for them, themessage received at Tsuklakhang has been that of alack of public participation.

This year finally a silver lining -the TsuklakhangTrust laid all misconceptions to rest by taking out anad in local papers inviting the public to participate inthe Pang Lhabsol celebrations at Tsuklakhang. Furtherthe Trust invited all the Buddhist organizations tocelebrate Pang Lhabsol at Tsuklakhang itself.

We must remember that the prayers are for the wellbeing of all people of Sikkim, that the guardian deitiesbeing propitiated are our guardian deities and most

importantly, Pang Lhabsol is the only festival that isuniquely ours. All Buddhists everywhere celebrate otherdeuchens like Drukpa Tseshi and Lhabab Duechen butPang Lhabsol is ours alone. How then do we ensurethat this year the celebrations at Tsuklakhang are trulysuccessful? For starters, we have to make the time toput in an appearance at Tsuklakhang, young kids in towthat they, and we, may reacquaint ourselves with thetraditional celebrations. We may not have first bountyof harvest to offer but we can contribute our mite byoffering ‘tsog’ and cash. This will go a long way inhelping to defray some of the costs involved.

Finally, while there are some who feel that festivalsmust reinvent themselves to continue to remain relevantto the present generation, there are the purists whobelieve that the essence is all important. We still have along way to go to bring back Pang Lhabsol in all itsglory to Tsuklakhang but a beginning has been madethis year and that’s truly important. The first step isalways the hardest. Lets all make this first step a giantstep. See you at Tsuklakhang!

by TENZIN C. TASHI

PANG LHABSOL

PANGTOED CHAAM VILLAGE FAIR

EXHIBITIONS ARTS & CRAFTS

CULTURAL SHOWS VOLLEY BALL TOURNEYS

FINALS OF THE OPEN NATIONAL LEVEL TOURNEY

INTRA SIKKIM TOURNEY

MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA

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PANG LHABSOL

This is the 10th yearanniversary of the PangLhabsol Statues of Unitycelebrations in Sikkim. Canyou tell us something about itsinception?

Actually, since the early1980s, there had been talks anddiscussions amongst theintellectuals of Sikkim on theneed to preserve and promoteour unique cultural heritage andtraditions. In spite of havingsuch a rich cultural heritage,there is hardly any monument inSikkim to showcase this. We feltthe need to put up monumentsthat reflected our uniqueculture. Then we startedresearching on the theme andsourcing for ideas. Being aprofessional artist myself, I toowanted to contribute my bit tothis great project.

How did you come up with theidea Statues of Unity depictingThekong Tek and KhyeBumsa?

The great event of theswearing-in of the oath of bloodbrotherhood between ThekongTek and Khye Bumsa at KabiLongstok in North Sikkim in the13th century had till nowremained only in oral traditionsand later in history books. Wedecided to immortalise thisgreat historic event in statues.Having decided upon the themeof Statues of Unity, we werefaced with a daunting task.There were no photographs orpaintings to base our sketchesupon. We just had the oraltraditions as our guide, whichalso had many versions. Basedon these stories and folklore, Istarted the initial sketches. Wehad to search for models all over

‘Statues’ complete adecade of unity

SARIKAH ATREYA talks to THUKCHUK LACHUNGPA, president,Pang Lhabsol Celebration Committee on completion of a decade of

Pang Lhabsol celebrations in Gangtok.

Sikkim. We even went to someLepcha villages in Kalimpongto get the authentic look for thestatues. We took photographs offacial expressions andpeculiarities, body typemeasurements from modelsfrom both the Bhutia andLepcha communities. It took alot of time to come up withprototype models for thestatues. The total budget was Rs.10 lakh and a sculptor fromKolkata sculpted the threestatues.

Pang Lhabsol is also areligious festival in Sikkim...

I have been often accused ofbringing the festival from themonasteries to the markets. Thisis because of lack ofunderstanding. The traditionalPang Lhabsol ceremony hasbeen going on for centuries inthe monasteries in the form ofthe Pangtoed Chaam and otherreligious ceremonies and thiswill continue as it is. Thecelebration at the Statues ofUnity here in Gangtok is thecultural aspect of the PangLhabsol festival.

How has this cultural aspectof Pang Lhabsol evolved overthe years?

The celebrations have growntremendously over the years.Today, it is the biggestcommunity festival of Sikkim.It brings together allcommunities, be it Bhutia,Lepcha, Nepali, or the businesscommunity on one platform.Any one who is a Sikkimese,who loves Sikkim, is part of thisunique festival.

What are your future plans?Now we are slowly trying to

pass on the mantle to the futuregeneration, the students. Themore the students get involved,the more the festival will grow.From this year onward, we havestarted essay writing andpainting competitions besidesthe cultural competition, amongother things. From this yearonwards, we are planning to putup a readymade stage which willinvolve less digging. In theevenings, there will be popularcultural programme for thepublic. It is very important toincorporate popular trends infestivals like this in order toattract a lot of people. There hasto be variety besides thetraditional festivities to keep theinterests of the people intact.

Are you happy with the waythe festival has grown in thelast ten years?

Whatever vision we had, ofspreading the word of unity,peace and communal harmony,has been achieved to a farextent. It is very important tomaintain this peace and unity inSikkim, for development,progress and for our futuregenerations. This is the messagewe are spreading through thisfestival. The inspiration forunity amongst us is this PangLhabsol festival.

Today, Pang Lhabsol is alsoa big tourist attraction. This isone way we can attract morevisitors to the state, who comelooking for a unique experienceand to really understand our richcultural heritage. The PangLhabsol Committee is nowplanning to bring out miniatureversions of the Statues of Unitywhich the visitors can takehome as souvenirs.

Midweek photographs

GANGTOK: In this age of 24-hour satellite television andunlimited entertainmentoptions, where traditions aregenerally bypassed forsomething that is deemed trendyand modern, a festival that isuniquely Sikkimese has beenable to blend the two aspectstogether and that toosuccessfully.

Rabong in South Sikkim hasbeen playing host to the PangLhabsol festival, which hasturned into a major annual eventon the town’s social and culturalcalendar. Every year, this townwears a festive coat during thebiggest three-day celebrations,the highlight of which is theperformance of the 18th CenturyWarrior Dance or PangtoedChaam, [Warrior Dance], anessential part of the PangLhabsol celebrations. ThePangtoed Chaam is unique toSikkim and it was the thirdKing, Chogyal ChadorNamgyal, who choreographedthe dance, which is said to haveappeared to him in a visionaround 1700 AD. The PangtoedChaam also assumes extrasignificance as it is the onlyreligious dance not performedby monks.

This is just the religiousaspect of the Pang Lhabsolcelebrations. Over the years, thecelebrations here have grown insize and started incorporatingseveral other elements of gaietyuntil it took its present shape,where apart from the PangtoedChaam, performed by laypeople on Pang Lhabsol, thepreceding days offer a treat ofactivities. Rabong has been ableto efficiently blend the past withthe present and offer somethingto the people that is bothtraditional as well as modern.

From Boogie-Woogiedance competitions, to ruralsports such as sack race and

tug-of war to a volleyballtournament that has teamsfrom outside of the stateparticipating, the attractions ofthe Pang Lhabsol celebrationsat Rabong today are many.

Rabong offers a goodexample of what Pang Lhabsolseeks to promote - unity. Theevent, managed by the RabongPang Lhabsol CelebrationCommittee, has patrons andmembers from all communitiesjoining hands in making thefestivities that of a lastingmemory.

The focal point of the PangLhabsol celebrations here is theMani Lakhang [a smallmonastery] also known as theMane Chokerling, located inDaragoan overlooking the town.In fact, the Mani Lhakang wasbuilt by the locals for thepurpose of holding the PangLhabsol festival.

The Mani Lhakang, a part ofthe Ralang Monastery, one ofthe premier monasterieslocated nearby, has grown toprominence because of thefamed Pangtoed Chaam,performed during the PangLhabsol festival. In the last fewyears, it had become theepicentre of Pang Lhabsolcelebrations in the state. ThePangtoed Chaam used to beearlier performed at theTsuklakhang Monastery [theroyal chapel] located inGangtok, the state capital, butwas later discontinued. Now,not only have the locals,through their undaunted spiritand hard work, kept thisimportant aspect of theSikkimese culture alive here inthis small town, but has alsoadded to the local economy byway of tourism promotion,drawing huge crowds from allover the state and outside.

It is indeed a fineassimilation of ancient culturalheritage meeting modern-dayentertainment dictums.

Blending past andpresent at Rabong

a MIDWEEK Report

Photo: PLCC, Rabong

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Sometimes life rewards you in an unexpected way.

A wedding in the autumn of 2005 took me to thefabled Bhutanese capital - Thimphu. The brief

stay in the capital and a short trip to the nearbypicturesque valley of Paro - about 90 minutes drive fromThimphu - was not only a dream come true but alsoone of the most pleasant and fascinating experiencesof my life.

Even keen visitors from its neighbouring areas -Nepal and Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam inIndia - have rarely paid a visit to Bhutan. Centuries ofisolation has indeed helped Bhutan preserve its richand unique cultural heritage. The Himalayan Kingdom’srugged geographic features with high snow-peakedmountains on its western, northern and part of easternfrontiers have helped the country preserve its naturalbeauty and ancient heritage. Now, the tiny land-lockedDragon Kingdom (Druk Yul) is stretching out its wingsand opening up to the world outside.

Naturally, its first cautious move towards a moredeveloped nation state, while preserving its preciousnatural and cultural heritage, is to stretch its hand offriendship to its immediate neighbours – India and Tibet(China) - which share many things in common withBhutan. Speaking at the wedding reception hosted bythe bride’s family, Bhutan’s Home Minister, LyonpoJigme Y. Thinley, rightly pointed out that the marriagebetween Ugyen Dhendup, a Bhutanese, and TenzingDechen Gyari, a Tibetan, symbolized the “marriagebetween Tibet and Bhutan.”

Tenzing is the daughter of Lodi Gyari, a well-knownfigure internationally on Tibetan affairs who is presentlythe Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama inWashington. Both Tenzing and Ugyen, son of SonamDhendup, an influential Bhutanese, work and live inthe US. Being married to one of Tenzing’s close cousinsI, along with my wife, were one of the few from Sikkiminvited for the wedding. The presence of a host of richand influential Americans and other foreigners closeto the Gyari family, many of whom are active supportersand sympathizers of the Tibetan cause, added to theglitter and glamour of a wedding held in traditionalstyle against the backdrop of a quiet and scenic beautyof the eastern Himalayas in its full splendour.

Among the most prominent invitees for the weddingwere Richard C. Blum, husband of US Senator fromCalifornia, Dianne Feinstein, and Founder of AmericanHimalayan Foundation, and John Ackerly, President ofthe International Campaign for Tibet. Other luminariesfor the occasion were Thomas Pritker, Chairman and CEOof Hyatt Corporation, USA, Gregory B. Craig, formerSpecial Coordinator for Tibet appointed by the USGovernment, Professor Edward Luttwak, US Governmentconsultant, writer and Senior Fellow at the Center forStrategic and International Studies of Washington, andGhislaine Maxwell, the charming New York socialite anddaughter of the late Robert Maxwell, a British media

mogul who owned New York Daily Times, Sunday Mirrorand Daily Mirror among other newspapers.

One of the main attractions of the weddingcelebrations was the presence of His Royal Highnessthe Crown Prince, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck,and some highly-placed members of the royal family.The first day of the two-day marriage celebrations wasset aside exclusively for the main wedding ceremonywhich was witnessed by the distinguished guests,including close relations of the bride and bridegroom,visiting foreigners and select members of the top notchof the Bhutantese aristocracy and government. Thesecond day was open for others to bless and offer theirgood wishes to the newly married in traditional style.

Part of the wedding celebrations reflected a fineblend of eastern and western cultures even as thewesterners, in their ties and suits, danced with theBhutantese, clad in their national ‘kho’ and ’kira’, tothe rhythmic beat of rock ‘n’ roll sung in Bhutanese.The spirit and style of the festive occasion reflectedthe aspirations of the common man in the DragonKingdom to reach out for modernity while preservingtheir glorious ancient tradition. The philosophy of theirlifestyle, based on the Middle Path teachings of LordBuddha, seems unshakable come what may.

While moving steadily but surely into the futureBhutan has its feet placed firmly in the past. The PrimeMinister, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, puts it this way: “Weneed to know where you come from in order to knowwhere you are going.” The Home Minster goes furtherand stresses on His Majesty King Jigme SingyeWangchuck’s emphasis on the need to maintain a finebalance between material needs of the people and theirspiritual welfare.

Even a casual visitor to Druk Yul (Land of theThunder Dragon) will at once come to realize theimportance of religion in the daily life of the Bhutanesepeople. Prayer flags, temples, prayers wheels andmonasteries adorn the gentle hills and valleys of theKingdom. Prayers such as “Om Mani Pedme Hung”(Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus) are forever on the lipsof most Bhutanese.

It was Lord Padmasambhava, the Indian tantricmaster locally referred to as Guru Rinpoche (Precious

A Fine Balance betweenTradition and Modernity

Jigme N. Kazi

Teacher), who first introduced Buddhism to Bhutan inthe 8th century when he visited Tibet. The sacred andawe-inspiring Taktsang (Tiger’s Lair) Monastery in Paroand the many foot and hand prints left by GuruRinpoche in Bumthang in Central Bhutan andelsewhere in the Kingdom are constant reminders tothe faithful of Guru Rinpoche’s historic visit to thissacred and hidden land. Though Buddhism was firstintroduced in Tibet during the reign of King SongtsenGampo in the 7th century it was Guru Rinpoche whoactually established Buddhism as the State religion inTibet in the 8th century.

The early Tibetan immigrants to Bhutan and in otherparts of the Himalayan region is thought to have takenplace in the ninth century during the reign of theapostate ruler Langdarma (836-842) in Tibet when

Bhutan:

religious turmoil and persecution were at its height. Bythe 14th century many of those who came from the northfirmly established Buddhism in western and some partsof central Bhutan. However, it was not until the early17th century that Buddhism really and truly took a firmerhold throughout the country. What made this possiblewas the arrival of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, ahigh incarnate lama from Ralung Monastery in Tibet,to Bhutan in the year 1616.

Shabdrung Ngaway Namgyal (1594-1651), whobelonged to the Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, wasone of the many lamas who fled Tibet and sought refugein Bhutan when the Gelukpa sect came to power inTibet at the turn of the 17th century. Because of hisforceful personality and his deep-rooted religiousbeliefs he was successful not only in defending Bhutanagainst Tibetan invasions but also in uniting the entirecountry under a central authority with himself assumingboth temporal and spiritual power as Shabdrung,meaning at whose feet one submits.

Even after the establishment of the Wangchuckdynasty in 1907 Bhutan continued to pursue the policyof maintaining a fine balance between spiritual andmaterials needs of its citizens and the state. Whilegradually introducing a more democratic form ofgovernance, aimed at ensuring continuity and change,His Majesty has set his priority and coined his ownformula for the future of his people and the country inthese words which now form the basis for all policiesand programmes of the government: “Gross NationalHappiness is more important that Gross NationalProduct.”

While most people across the globe grope indarkness in endless pursuit of contentment, theBhutanese already have the key to happiness. Someoneonce said happiness is not what you have but what youare. And as Ugyen and Tenzing move from east to westand begin their life together they must discover forthemselves the real source of peace, joy and happinessand spread it around once they find it.

- Jigme N. Kazi is a journalist and the author of“Inside Sikkim : Against The Tide.”

The Taktsang Monastery in Paro.Photo by Karchoong Diyali

OPINION

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Let me start by saying this is notreatise, these are just experiencesshared on writing by a person who

has been writing (more off than on) forthe last 14 years. And though I am noestablished writer, some of my attemptshave appeared on papers, magazines andperiodicals making me feel like one.

Writing came to me with the first flushof adolescence. Although a casual readerfrom an early age, it was unrequited lovethat plunged me into the world of lovepoetry where I slaked my fire. Trying toimpress her I copied poems passing themas my own only to have them deliveredthem at my aunt’s prematurely andluckily ending my period of plagiarism.

Wish I could go back in time and lookinto my head to see what I was thinkingwhen I decided to embark on writing a novel.To know what the motivation was. Was itan attempt to impress or just plainfoolishness that made me write a novel withno previous attempt at any creative writingbesides the usual school essays. Well whatdoes an inexperienced 16 year old writeabout? His life of course, so I wrote all aboutmy childhood and the angst of growing upin a lonely and hypocritical world. Being inthat age where I was fascinated with gunsand war, and also being a Alistair MacLeanand Fredrick Forsyth fan, I gave my novelan action packed ending. This being so farback, it amazes me that I can recall theselittle details as I go about it now. Anyways,I handed over my work to my Englishteacher, who handed it right back to me withthe usual circles and corrections in red ink.For a period of time I hid my book on thetop of my almirah and one day just like thatI threw it in the drain that flows next to ourhouse. It was only recently that I learnt thatmy English teacher would rave about myattempt in the other classes. So my first workof art actually went down the drain.

College was the best thing to happen.Classes, except on practical days, werefrom 8 to 12 in the morning so theafternoon was yours for the taking. Asmilitancy in Assam was at its height,moving around outside the campus wasnot advisable so we spent the remaininghours on sleeping, football, Fridaymovies and reading with little or no timefor studies as we were busy.

Looking into the windows as familiessat at their tables, people inside cars on arailway crossing waiting for the trains topass, a farmer on his way to the field – youwish you could experience moments of theirlives but you know that this is the only timeyou will ever see them as the sea of humanitysweeps them away. Scribbling these factsof life as I sat on my chair in the eveningswas how I actually began to write. It wasaround at this time that I also became avoracious reader, devouring everything thatwas in black and white. As I read, there weretimes when thoughts that I felt were reflectedin works of other authors, which brought athrill. And it was then I decided to try myhand at short fiction and verses.

Sikkim students in Guwahati wereconcentrated in three areas – weengineering guys at the extreme north,veterinarians at the extreme south anddiplomas in the west. Moving from oneend to the other would take close to twohours which we eventually traveled asthere was nothing else to do. Whiletaking one route we would cross theoffice of The Sentinel and while taking

ESSAY

by TASHI CHOPHEL

the other it would cross The AssamTribune, both were the prominent dailiesof the state. Every time we crossed theselandmarks I would crane my neck hopingto see what went inside them.

And then one fine day I just walked intothe office of The Sentinel with a short storyand a lot of trepidation. I handed over mywork to the receptionist who rang up a ladyin the features section. She came over, readmy work on the spot and said okay. Thatwas it! Had never shared my work withanyone nor taken an opinion, just went upand handed it the first time, jeez what wasI thinking? Anyways the next Sunday mypiece comes out, I see my name in blackand white and there is no sense of elation.Sometimes I wonder if I have any feelings!Anyways I go back the next time withanother piece which too subsequentlycomes out. I suddenly seem to have apresence in college. My status is suddenlyelevated from just another chinky to apublished writer. Sometimes I wish I couldthe awe a non writer feels towards a writer.

During those days there was amagazine called Connect which hadan excel lent review sect ion,impressed by them I too tried myhand at music reviews. Giving thema personal touch I started reviewingboth English and Hindi music whichtoo came out. The first time that I gotpaid for my written works was a realhigh. A feel ing of realaccomplishment swept over me as Irealized I was paid for not who I wasor my background but solely on thebasis of my work.

The first fan I had was the mother ofa colleague. During our hostel days, thelocals would invite us for lunch at theirplace; maybe they felt sorry for us havingtasted our hostel food. Anyways whenthis colleague of mine invited me homefor lunch I jumped at the idea of relishingtheir home food. When we reached hishome and I was introduced to his parents,the mother comes up and gushinglyoffers me a Gamchha (Assamese use thecloth as garland) and says she loves theway I write. She had read a review of aghazal album and had felt exactly thesame way about it. Well, I was treatedlike a rock star that day and I was quitepleased about it. Similarly othercolleagues would come up and say howtheir relatives and friends would lookforward to my writing. Well, I wasenjoying the attention.

And then one fine evening I askedmyself the question “why do I write?”Pondering about it and writing down mythoughts I realized that I was writing toextend my ideas to the others and feltthat I was forcing my views on the others.

Feeling extremely selfish and wonderingwhy anyone would bother about what Ihad to say or who I was to say what Iwanted, I just stopped writing. Youth andidealism is a dangerous mix.

Three years down the line and after alot of odd jobs, landed myself a job in aweekly. Shorthanded to begin with onlyfive of us, besides writing we had to lookafter other aspects and I was given sales.Those were euphoric times as the weeklyspearheaded to number one within twoweeks, revolutionizing the reading tasteof the public. It sure was heady daysseeing the readers eagerly awaiting thenext issue but more than that werechanges being brought about.

Well besides some journalistic pieces Iwas also churning out book and musicreviews by the week for the next three years.Sometimes I wonder how I could guzzle somuch stuff but the fact that I was enjoyingit made it seem normal at that time.

And then I hit turbulence. For closeto two years I could neither read norwrite. For what had seemed effortless tillthen suddenly became insurmountable -two lines of print and I could go no

further forget about writing anything.When earlier I had stopped writing nowit seemed just the opposite. Probably Ihad lost touch with my centre forsuddenly I felt that the world had movedon and left me high and dry. I wouldbuy books which I couldn’t obviouslyread, enter book shops hoping to soak inthe ambience which I missed. It was anagonizing period.

They say all good things come to passbut even bad times comes to pass, andthen just like that I was welcomed backinto the world of letters. Frequenting thebookshop of a friend who wouldencourage me to start writing, I managedto finish reading a novel which was hugefor me at that time. Then as time passedby I wrote my first article in years and Iwas happy to know that I still had it inme. But I still wasn’t sure until the dayanother friend of mine handed me a thinvolume containing some articles andinterviews of I. B. Rai, a renownedNepali litterateur. Impressed by what myfriend had to say of his writings but moreimpressed by the terms like tesro ayamand lila lekhan. As I perused the pages Icame across an interview of his wherewhen asked why he writes he sayssomething to this effect “anybody can bean administrator, a policeman, a teacher,a father but it is only I who can write.No one can write what I feel and thiswriting can be done by me and only me”.

All doubts that I had cleared up.Realization dawned that writing was acelebration of individualism. Uniquenessinherent in all of us came out as we eachexplored different paths and came uponthe one that was most compatible.Writing was mine.

So if you ask why do I write? I writebecause I just have to.

FOR AD ENQUIRIESCONTACT:

03592 - 227618 / 098320 8988998320 43693

EMAIL:sikkimnewhorizons@yahoo.com

1818181818 6 - 12 Sept, 2006

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1. SACRED GAMES - Vikram Chandra; Rs. 650; 900pp

2. A LIFE LESS ORDINARY - Baby Haldar; Rs. 195; 163pp

3. A CALL TO HONOUR - Jaswant Singh; Rs. 495; 426pp

4. COMPLETE HOME DECORATION - Phil Gorton; Rs. 295;224pp

5. THE AFGAN - Frederick Forsyth; Rs. 255; 350pp

6. THE LOST KINGDOMS OF AFRICA - Jeffery Tyler; Rs. 405; 275pp

7. THE LEGENDS OF PENSAM - Mamang Dai; Rs. 200; 192pp

8. LIFE: A MIRAGE - Dinita Rai; Rs. 15; 40pp

9. IN INDIA - Henry Cartier Bresson; Rs. 1495; 128pp

10. THE HIMALAYAN CONSPIRACY - Sutradhar; Rs. 295; 303pp

New Arrivals At RACHNA BOOKSHOP

SACRED GAMES

- VIKRAM CHANDRA

Seven years in the making,Sacred Games is an epic

of exceptional richness andpower. Vikram Chandra’snovel draws the reader deepinto the life of detective SartajSingh and into the criminalunderworld of GaneshGaitonde, the most wantedgangster in India.

Sartaj, one of the very fewSikhs in the Mumbai policeforce, is used to being identifiedby his turban, beard and thesharp cut of his trousers. Butthe ‘Silky Sikh’ is now past forty,his marriage is over and hiscareer prospects are on theslide. When Sartaj gets ananonymous tip-off as to thesecret hideout of the legendaryboss of the G-company, he’sdetermined that he’ll be the oneto collect the prize.

Vikram Chandra’s keenlyanticipated new novel is asprawling, epic story offriendships and betrayals, ofterrible violence, of an

astonishing modern city and itsdark side. Drawing on the bestof Victorian fiction, mysterynovels, Bollywood movies andChandra’s years of first-handresearch on the streets ofMumbai, Sacred Games readslike a potboiling page-turnerbut resonates with theintelligence and emotionaldepth of the best of literature.

A CALL TO HONOUR

- JASWANT SINGH

A Call to Honour: In serviceof Emergent India is an

evocative account about acrucial period in India’s history.After the passing of theNehruvian era of conservativesocialism and non-alignmentin international relations, Indiawent on to redefine itscharacter and goals inaccordance with the demandsof a post Cold War world.

The BJP-led NDAGovernment responded to allthese issues with a dream forIndia and a clear vision. AsUnion Minister of Defense,

External Affairs and Finance inthe BJP-led NDA Governmentof India, Jaswant Singh heldmany keys to this radicaltransformation in India’sforeign policy, defense policiesand economic planning. Hehandled several critical issuesthat confronted the country.India’s legitimate securityneeds found internationalrecognition, post-1998. Theconsequent challenges toIndian statecraft, are analyzedin great details in chapters onUSA, China, and Pakistan. Hereconstructs the excitementaround Pokhran II in May1998, which provoked stronginternational reactions. He wasa major player in the releaseof 166 passengers abroadIC814 hijacked to Kandaharand provides a first-handaccount of that testingepisode. The author hascovered in details otherequally important events likethe Indo-Pak Summit in Agra,the Lahore bus journey, andthe Kargil conflict.

Dilli Darshan from Sikkim

On the list of books to recently hit the stands is a pictorial bookleton Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, a product of Milestones, a company

based in Sikkim. No bigger than a pocket diary, this glossy colourbooklet serves both as a guidebook and your personal holiday diary.

Besides the usual list of recommendations on places to visit,shop and try out culinary delights, this travel diary also helps thetravelers to plan their trip by including a list of websites one canvisit for online information and hotel bookings. To take the drudgeryout of reading a travel guide, the booklet includes lots of picturesthat capture the spirit of these three cities.

The book jacket itself is interesting, which also doubles up as a‘pocket’ where one can ‘slip in’ photographs, tickets, passes andbusiness cards. It also allows the traveler to keep record ofmemorable moments, interesting people and places. Also includedin the package is a handy map of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Once thetraveling part is over, this booklet will be a beautiful reminder ofyour holiday to take back home with you.

The booklet is reasonably priced at Rs. 100 and is availableat Metroprints and Jainco.

LITERATURE

in need of a salve to treat the communal woundsscoured open in 1994, the mountain and itsworship, Pang Lhabsol, lent themselves well topublic expressions of brotherhood so necessaryat that time in the observance of the festival asUnity Day in Gangtok. It was natural progressionand even though the observance is not necessarilyin accordance with the scriptures, the mountain’sinvocation to bless Sikkim with communalharmony is in tune with Khangchendzonga hasalways been – the Eldest Brother. The purer formof the Pang Lhabsol rituals survive in the care ofPemyangtse monks and a thanksgivingcelebration to a benevolent host continues to beoffered by the Kagyu monks of Ralong Monasteryat Ravangla. Every celebration is unique and eachinvokes a special feature of the mountain as seenand required by the Sikkimese people.

The mountain has been exceptionally large-hearted and has not limited its largesse to peopleof a particular religious denomination. In thatsense, the mountain has been truly secular. ATheravada monk who meditated ‘facingKangchenjunga’ in the 1940’s went on to findthe answers he sought. Gertrude Hartley, a devoutChristian, had lost a baby during childbirth andwhen she was expecting again, she decided toescape Calcutta’s heat and took a cottage on rentin Darjeeling. A mountain-lore reached her thatany expecting mother who looks at the peak of

Khangchendzonga and meditates will give birthto a child with a perfect face. Shortly after, in theyear 1913, she gave birth to Vivian Mary inDarjeeling. The girl who would on to takeHollywood by storm as Vivien Leigh!

Point is that Khangchendzonga has always beenaccessible and open. Has it compromised itsidentity in any way? Does not appear so. Of thetop three Himalayan giants, Khangchendzonga isthe only one known by its own name.Chomolongma, after numerals like Peak B and IVis known as Mount Everest, a name of recent make,and sometimes even as Sagarmatha which evennewer; few would be able to connect the namesLamba Pahar, Chogori or Dapsang or even MountGodwin-Austen with the second tallest mountainknown by the world as K2. Khangchendzonga,even though it has been spelt differently over theyears, has always been Khangchendzonga.

Khangchendzonga has been accommodating,understanding, benevolent and inspiring. And inbeing all these, it has never ceased being itself either.As Sikkim gathers together on Thursday to celebratePang Lhabsol, it should seek inspiration from whatthe mountain that defines Sikkim is really all about.Since everything about the mountain is so open-ended, every person will probably narrow down toa different understanding, all of which will becorrect. What will remain common to all will bethat in the process of understanding the mountain,they will understand Sikkim.

SIKKIM’S MOUNTAIN- continued from page11

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Most sports relatedinjuries are caused bythe overuse or misuse

of a muscle or a joint. However,these injuries can be preventedeasily by following simpleguidelines.

Follow four simple rules toprevent injuries:

- Be fit for the task.- Be methodical in your

workouts rather than violent.- Warm up and cool down

thoroughly.- Use the right equipment

and techniques.Listed below are some

common sports injuries andtips on how to prevent them.Back and neck sprain: Stretchthe neck, back and stomachmuscles to prevent back injuriesand pain. Use head and shoulderrolls to prevent neck sprains.Foot pain: Stretch the Achillestendon by gently pulling thefoot backwards for ten seconds.Repeat ten times. Wearing shoeswith heel pads can also helpprevent foot pain.Muscle pains: Warm up beforeand stretch after workouts. Donot bounce when stretching.Shin splints: Well-cushionedshoes with arch supports canhelp prevent excessive jarring

GANGTOK: The XVIIIthSikkim State BadmintonChampionship is being hostedby the Badminton Associationof Sikkim at the Indoor Stadiumfrom 7th to 10th September. Men& Women, and Boys and Girlswill battle it out in theirrespective categories on aknock-out basis. Apart fromhoning local talent, selection ofplayers for the Sikkim squad forthe forthcoming North EasternChampionship at Itanagar,Arunachal Pradesh will also be

GANGTOK: The Sikkim Amateur Swimming Association[SASA] is organizing the 3rd Sikkim State Swimming Meetat the TNA swimming pool from 9 to 10 September toencourage swimming talent in the state.

There are various categories of competition - Seniors [Men/Women], Juniors [Boys/Girls], Sub- Juniors [Boys/Girls] andOpen Team Relays for Senior Men and Women.

Based on the results of the Meet, the SASA will also selectthe Sikkim swimmers for participation in the 60th SeniorNational Aquatic Championship, 2006 to be held on 21-25September at Bangalore.

Entry forms are available at Abacus, Archies, Curtina,Rangpo Tourist Lodge and Singhal Trading, Jorethang.

SPORTS & FITNESS

Swimming Meet to startfrom 9 September

a MIDWEEK Report

A contestant at the 1st Swimming Meet in 2004.A MIDWEEK photo

of muscles. If possible,athletes should exercise onsoft surfaces like wood orgrass and avoid working outon hard surfaces like pavementor concrete. Athletes shouldwarm up slowly and stretchafter participating in rigorousactivity.Shoulder pain: Stand upstraight and roll shouldersbackward in a circular motion.Athletes may also use one handto grip a chair, bend at the waistso that the back is parallel to thefloor and make 25 circles withthe free hand to stretch theshoulders.

Runner’s knee: Strengthen thequadriceps [the muscle on thefront of the thigh] by contractingand relaxing them with the kneestraight.Sprain: Exercise and stretchjoints such as the ankle toincrease strength and range ofmotion.Stress fractures: Do completewarm-ups and cool-downs thatbenefit all areas of the body. Donot exercise or put too muchstress on one part of the body.Tennis elbow: Build forearmstrength by doing reverse curlswith light weights or bysqueezing a rubber ball.

Preventing sports injury

A MIDWEEK photo

Work without computers inthe present times

seems quite impossible. Butwhile computers haverevolutionised the way inwhich we do things, there aremany long-term effectsassociated with extensive andprolonged usage.

It is not uncommon forindividuals to experience eyeproblems and discomfort suchas headache, backache andfatigue from extensivecomputer use. What followsare tips that can help you havea less painful day at work.

- Maintaining good posturewhile working on a computer

- Many of the ill-effects ofcomputer use can be lessenedor avoided altogether byutilising correct typingtechnique and posture,ensuring correct set up ofequipment and good workhabits.

- Place computer monitorand keyboard directly in frontof you so as to avoid twistingyour neck.

- Monitor should be 20-24inches away from eyes and theheight of the monitor should be5-15 inches below horizontalline of sight.

- The mouse and keyboardshould be at the same height.

- Shoulders should be

re laxed w i th e lbowsforming a right angle andwrists extending straightand unbent from the arms.Ho ld wr i s ts i n neu t ra lpos i t ion , no t upward ordownward.

- Use an adjustable chairthat provides firm, comfortablesupport.

- Adjust chair height so thatthighs are horizontal, and feetare flat on the floor [use afootrest if necessary]. Chairshould be with a backrest forlumbar support.

DO’S & DON’TS

Safe computer use

- Do not slouch.- Ensure that frequently

used materials are within easyreach.

- Get up and move aroundas often as possible - at leastonce every 20 to 30 minutes.

- Block excessive sunlightwith drapes or blinds and useindirect room lighting.

- Give your eyes a restevery 15 to 20 minutes byfocusing on a distant object for10 to 15 seconds and blinkoften to prevent dry eyes.

- Use holder to hold paper.

made on the basis of individualperformances.

This edition of the StateBadminton Championship seesthe inclusion of two trophies,the Under -19 ( Boys Singles)in memory of late MasterKuldip Gurung and Under-16category in honour of lateMaster Prasant Pradhan whohad met with a fatal accidentwhile representing the state inthe North Eastern ZonalChampionship at Imphal lastyear.

Two more trophies for

badminton from this yeara MIDWEEK Report

Send in your feedback, queries and mail to

sikkim.midweek@gmail.com

OR post it to:Midweek, Near Hotel Yatung, Nam Nang, Gangtok - 737101

Phone: 03592 320169

2020202020 6 - 12 Sept, 2006

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ENTER THE CONSOLE

(press ~ by default) and entersv_cheats 1 to activate cheatmode.

MONEY AND WEAPONS

To get 16000$ which is themax, sv_cheats must be on.So type in the following in yourconsole: sv_cheats 1

This will enable the cheats.After activating you mustrestart the level/map. Thentype in impuse 101 in yourconsole and you will have16000 dollars!

The other code is for theweapons. I dont want to takeall the time to explain all theweapon names because if youalready play Counter-Strike alot you should know theweapons/weapon codenames. To get the weaponsyou must have the cheatsactivated once againsv_cheats 1.

Now type the following in yourconsole give weapon_< -weapon name here- >

ADJUST GRAVITY

After activating cheat modein the console withsv_cheats 1 you can changegravity with sv_gravity <-999- 999999>

GO TO MAP

After activating cheat modein the console withsv_cheats 1 you can changegravity with changelevel <mapname >. For example:“changelevel dust” (withoutthe quotes of course).

SPEED UPGRADED

To upgrade the speed of yourmovements, go to your con-sole and type:cl_forwardspeed 999. Re-peat this with cl_sidespeed999 and cl_backspeed999... After doing all of these,you’ll move VERY fast.

For all the die-hard gamers in town, Midweek is introducing a

section on game cheats that will add to your arsenal of secret

weapons and moves. This week the cheats are for...

SEE THRU WALL

Type gl_zmax 100.gl_zmax 3600 will disablethis cheat.

C4 TIMER TO 10 SEC

Type the following in yourconsole: mp_c4timer 10

AUTO AIM ONLY TO

SNIPER RIFLES

Type this in your console:sv_cheats 1 and then typesv_aimSEE OTHERS’ RECORDS

cl_hidefrags 0 = To seeother peoples records of killsand deaths.

MISCELLANEOUS:

gl_alphamin 1 : removesladders, nets or fences...de_aztec : removes net onbridgecs_militia : removes fenceat CT base.)sv_aim: adjust_crosshair(change the color of thecrosshair)

They say that ‘history

maketh a man’. Andsomeone aptly said that

history gives us our identitythrough which we can assert ourrightful place in the society and theroots of our origin, the knowledgeof which enables us to take the nextstep towards future.

The story of Pang Lhab-Solstarted with how Khye Bumsa,the equivalent of Hercules, gotthe name by which we knowhim today. It’s a time of aboutthousand years back when the‘lamas’ of Tibet decided to builda ‘gonpa’. How it looked like, Idon’t know because my historyof Pang Lhab-Sol is limited tobedtime stories by my motherwhen I was a child and a bookcalled Folk Tales of Sikkim I’dread at an age when I was tooyoung to understand theimportance of the event.

Well, back to the story. Therewas this huge pillar[undoubtedly a part of abuilding structure] so huge andso heavy that even a hundredthousand men together couldnot lift it up. Enter a young,strong man who lifts up thepillar all by himself. And hencethe name Khye Bumsa – a manwith the strength of a hundredthousand men combined.

Impressed and gratified, oneof the Sakya lamas [I forgot tomention the name of this newlybuilt gonpa is Sakya] gives hisdaughter’s hand in marriage toKhye Bumsa. That quite seemedlike a quintessential happyending but like every time,tragedy never ceases to strike.You see, Mrs. Bumsa wasbarren and it’s a foolproof guessthat during those times, to nothave a child for a marriedcouple was like the greatestcurse and a source of misery tothem. So one day, thisdetermined Khye Bumsa, butwith a chip on his shoulder,decides to go on a long journeyto find a solution to his misery.After a long odyssey – I’d liketo think that a typical KhyeBumsa journey is not without itsadventures – he finally arrivesin the land of peace, serenebeauty, the land of natureworshippers, the land of Khang-chen-dzod-nga.

I guess Mr. Bumsa must havedone something to get an advicefrom the above ‘Headquarters’to go to the land of Khang-chen-dzod-nga where he and his wifewould meet a certain delightfulcouple who’d be responsiblefor replacing their misery withhappiness.

Demazong. The land whereKhye Bumsa would meet theold couple Thekung Tek andNye Kung Nal and where theywould form an everlastingbond. But let’s not forget theinitial purpose of Khye Bumsato visit the couple. The wish tobe able to procreate children.

Formalities done, KhyeBumsa, on meeting the couple,expressed his purpose for thevisit. Thus, Mr. and Mrs.Thekung Tek, being of gentleand kindly disposition, blessedKhye Bumsa and his wife withfertility.

Elated, Bumsa went backhome and his wife soon borehim sons. Grateful and in highspirits, he returned to thehomeland of Thekung Tek andNye Kung Nyal with aproposition. A proposition thatwould make his successors anintegral part of the land.

Before going further, let memention that I am a true

byproduct of that proposition. Iam the daughter of a Bhutiafather and a Lepcha mother.You’d expect tradition, culturerunning high and of peakimportance in our family butsadly that is not so.Unfortunately, that is the casewith most of the families today.We are like stuck in a middlephase, neither moving ahead norwanting to look back at our past.The world has created manybigots and biased ones withbiased ideas and bigoted beliefs.We see what I personally call‘communal harmony’ rifeeverywhere.

Coming back to the past,when Khye Bumsa presentedhis proposition to the couple,they being too kind to say no,said yes. Derak Pendan, if I’mfactually correct, was theappointed place for the meeting.All the local deities were calledupon to witness the meetingwith Khang-chen-dzond-nga asthe prime witness to forming ofthe brotherhood between, whatwe now call, Lepchas andBhutias. Therefore, Khang-chen-dzond-nga is symbolic ofthe occasion Pang Lhab-Sol.

Some heavy swearing-in wasdone during the Treaty of BloodBrotherhood because ThekungTek had already foreseen thatKhye Bumsa’s successorswould milk Demazong and hewanted to make sure that therewould be no partiality andunfairness to his tribe, theoriginal inhabitants of the land.

I don’t know why but sevenor nine stones were buriedfacing the Khang-chen-dzond-nga and blood from both thefamilies were dripped over thestones to make the effect ofbrotherhood treaty morepronounced and final. That ishow Kabi Lungtsok got its name– ‘Kabi’ meaning blood and‘Lungtsok’ denoting thosestones. Kabi Lungtsok – theplace where originated thefamily tree of Demazong. Inretrospect, I personally thinkthere should have been a severepunishment agreed upon ifanyone failed to abide by thebrotherhood treaty.

Anyway, this is the story that

YOUTH

by HISHAY DOMA BHUTIA

Ph

oto

: P

LC

C,

Rab

on

g

- continued on page 23

21212121216 - 12 Sept, 2006

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Supernova > noun 1. A stellar explosion thatproduces an extremely bright object made of plasmathat declines to invisibility over weeks or months. 2.

The unholy trinity of three aging rock stars: theinfamous Tommy Lee of former Motley Crue andPamela Anderson fame; Jason Newstead, former

bassist of Metallica; and Gilby Clark, the guy whoreplaced Izzy Stadlin in the once hugely popular

band, Guns ‘n’ Roses.

So Rock Star: Supernova is the biggest realityaudition show currently being aired by CBS. Bigdeal! Only a tiny bit of meditation on the definition

of Supernova and one is left wondering if somepotential rock singer is committing a career suicide.Supernova. Not a very reassuring name for a band, don’tyou think? And considering the extremely mediocresongs Supernova has unveiled so far, this audition mightbe the brightest point in this so-called ‘super’ band’scareer. After that, is it going to be ‘Hello, black hole’?We shall find that out soon.

After the ‘Tommyhawk’ fell on the tenth contestanton Week Nine, most of whom had no business hangingaround the Supernova stage anyway, only five are left tocompete and connive against each other to front the band.

Kick starting the Week Nine show with Lithium,Lukas Rossi did an unusual piano-based arrangementof this Nirvana classic and totally nailed it. Theperformance earned him a standing ovation from thejudges and a jump-in-your-seat moment from JasonNewstead [and believe me, he’s not the jumping type].What they probably didn’t notice was Lukas repeatingthe same verse twice! So the next day, during theelimination show, it’s the Goth doll who got to playwith Supernova on their new track, It’s On, which –though the strongest song they have unveiled so far –is still very mediocre.

Over the weeks, Magni Asgiersson has proved himselfto be a strong contender. The Iceman’s vocals were onspot when he sang Live’s I Alone. The performance hadgood intensity. But the judges’ consistent focus on stageantics has turned even the soberest of contestants into awalking cliché. Mid-song, Magni goes into the audience;that’s a good move. Then he spoils it by taking the triedand tested route to the judge’s stage. But overall, it’s agreat performance. During the elimination show, BrookeBurke, the mannequin host, tells us he’s the onlycontestant not to have made his way through the bottomthree during the votes.

Ryan Star was great on theatrics but not so great onvocals this time. Between throwing his piano bench

away, jumping and sliding on the piano, and singingColdplay’s Clocks, there were a couple of pitchproblems with the “Dark Horse” going a little flat andcrackly in the falsetto. Having exhausted himself ofevery cliché in the book within the first 30 seconds ofthe song, he’s in the bottom three ‘singing for his life’the next day. No, wait! He actually grabbed thisopportunity to try out some leftover clichés – poppingopen a champagne bottle and shaking it all over,climbing on the speakers [which looked more patheticthan cool], then jumping off it. He looked like anovereager pup trying too hard to please. It was actuallyvery sad to see such waste of his talent.

Storm Large. Ah! I have nothing good to say abouther performances these past couple of weeks. Shebravely took on Evanescence’s Bring Me To Life, a songtotally wrong for her. So the next day, she’s also in thebottom three singing The Beatles’ Helter Skelter. Uh-oh, another one trying too hard! She’s on the judges’side of the stage, half on Tommy Lee’s lap and half onGilby Clark’s face, and poor Gilby’s flexing all hismuscles to push her away. Didn’t the Jill ‘grinding’episode teach this girl anything? The weakestperformance of the night.

Toby Rand’s got the female population screamingtheir lungs out for him but for me Rebel Yell was the

only memorable performance he’s delivered so far. Hepulled it off well with a much truer cover of the BillyIdol tune. He hit the lower projections reasonably wellbut his transition into the refrain was great. And thatpulling those girls up on the stage act undoubtedly earnedhim some major brownie points with the Supernova guyswho called him onstage for an encore the next day.

After weeks of going mellow, Dilana Robichaux wasback in her form on week nine with Tracy Bonham’sMother, Mother. She kicked ass, furiously playing herFlying V, her dreads all over the place, her trademarkrasp clearly subdued and instead replaced by some clearvocals. The range transition was impressive too. Butnot impressive enough for fans to vote for her. So thereshe was, in the bottom three. So what did she sing toredeem herself? Talking Heads’ Psycho Killer. Shebegan with an acappella, which was not a whole lotimpressive. It slightly got better once the music gotgoing but not enough to sound good.

After three stinkin’ performances, Supernova did themost gentlemanly [or politically correct or commerciallyfeasible] thing to do – they saved the two damsels indistress and sent Ryan home. Ryan returned the favourby telling the band they could have made 20 years ofgreat music together but now that he has been axedfrom the show, he’ll go back to being a solo artist andsee Supernova on the charts because that’s where he’sgonna be hanging out [Ryan’s words, not mine!].

So, who do you think will be going home on WeekTen? I’m guessing it’s going to be Storm who’s theweakest among the remaining five. But you never know.After all, it’s a reality TV audition and Storm is aninteresting person to have on the show for ratings.

- SERAH BASNET

Masters Education PointTibet Road, Gangtok

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YOUTH

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Bole to hats off to VidhuVinod Chopra andRajkumar Hirani for

making a film that is more thanjust a rip-roaring comedy. Evenmore rib-tickling and heart-warming than the prequelMunnabhai MBBS, Lage RahoMunnabhai makes you laugh,makes you cry and, parallel toall the entertainment, it gives amessage that sticks in the mind.To say it in Munnabhai’s lingo- it creates “chemical locha” inthe brain.

This Sanjay Dutt-Vidya Balanstarrer keeps you riveted to thescreen from the very openingreels to its conclusion. The mostexceptional thing about the filmis the way it blends comedy withemotional moments.

Arshad Warsi’s impeccablecomic timing, coupled withSanjay Dutt’s light-humoredslapstick, promises laughsaplenty for the viewers. Andthere are moments when the duodrives you to tears. For instance,the sequence when Sanjay slapsArshad and later goes toapologise. Arshad proves in thissequence that he is not just anexcellent comedian, but also adeft actor when it comes toserious moments.

Another good thing about thefilm is that Gandhiji’s ideology init never sounds preachy. The filmrather shows its soundness in apractical way. Dilip Prabhavalkarplays Gandhiji’s role in the mostconvincing way. He almost has an

enlightened smile on his facethroughout the movie.

Lage Raho Munnabhaidoesn’t merely end as a SanjayDutt film. Although the actortakes to his role like a fish tothe water and delivers yetanother brilliant performance,ample footage is given to VidyaBalan, Arshad Warsi, BomanIrani and other actors as well.

Vidya Balan looks angelicwith her mystifying smile, free-flowing hair and charmingpersona. Boman Irani is highlycredible as a loud-mouthedPunjabi. Jimmy Shergill and DiaMirza get their moments oflimelight. Abhishek Bachchanmakes a one-minute cameo.

To sum it up, Lage RahoMunnabhai is one of the bestmovies to have come out ofBollywood this year. The scriptis exceptionally well written byHirani and Abhijat Joshi. Thebackground music complementsthe screenplay and the songs are

not the least intrusive. RajkumarHirani’s direction yokes togetherall the elements of movie-making into a cohesive,meaningful and, above all,entertaining package called LageRaho Munnabhai. The film is atop-notch entertainer. There isnot a single dull moment in it. Amust-watch.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT

Oscar Academy’s libraryacquires KANK script

Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna [KANK] may have met

a mixed response in India butKaran Johar’s take on extra-marital relations, continues tomake waves on the globalarena. After becoming one ofthe highest Bollywoodgrossers in the overseasmarkets, Karan Johar’s multi-starrer film has now won anhonour from no less than theOscar’s Academy Of MotionPictures.

Trade sources say that thelibrary of Motion Picture Artsand Sciences, also called theOscar Academy’s MargaretHerrick Library, has acquiredthe script of Karan Johar’sKANK for research purposes.The script of KANK would beused for research purposes bystudents, filmmakers, writersand actors from the world ofInternational cinema, aprestigious honour for thefilmmaker.

What makes the honourgreater for Karan is the factthat KANK is the second filmfrom the stable of Dharmaproductions to be acquired bythe Academy for researchpurposes. Earlier, NikhilAdvani’s Kal Ho Na Ho wasacquired by the OscarsLibrary. In fact, ever since itsrelease, the film has kicked upa heated debate inInternational cinematic circleswith renowned critics theworld over describing it as apathbreaking film on maritalrelationships to have come outof the stable of Bollywood.

International critics havepraised Karan’s sensitivehandling of the subject ofinfidelity and extra-maritalrelationships.

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Though one normally would not mention Indian singer KailashKher and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder in a single breath but wordhas it that the duo would be collaborating on a project for a

forthcoming event! The collaboration will entail a live show inNew York City at Carnege Hall where the two of them will paytribute to late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Kher is quoted as saying: “Ihad received many offers earlier, but since I liked what Eddie haddone with Nusrat Saab for the film Dead Man Walking, I finallydecided to take the plunge.”

If Kher and Vedder are planning on jamming together on stageto pay tribute to the late musician, director-choreographer FarahKhan will soon be busy rehearsing with Shakira and getting thelatter to shake her hips in Bollywood style for a forthcoming gig inNew York.

While Shakira’s trademark belly dance will remain, Khan willnot only audition some other dancers but also teach Shakira somecontemporary Indian dance steps in just three days. Going by therumours floating in the industry, Shakira may end up returning thefavour by doing a special number with Shah Rukh Khan for Farah’sforthcoming directorial venture.

Another star on the cultural exchange list is Hollywood actorPenelope Cruz who might come to India in January next year ifthings go as planned. The Spanish actress will mainly visit Delhito find out the suitable locations in the city for her next movie,titled The Princess of Kapurthala. Also she will finalise then theIndian hero, who will play opposite her.

It will be a film on Javier Moro’s novel India Passion. Thestory of the film will revolve around a 17-year-old SpanishFlamenco dancer Anita Delgado, who lands in the midst of a scandalwhen she agrees to marry an Indian king in 1908. Cruz will playthe part of Delgado.

Also adding to the list of half-a-dozen Hollywood films to beshot in India in 2007, which includes Johnny Depp’s Shantaram,is The Darjeeling Limited. Wes Anderson, one of the mostunconventional of Hollywood directors, will be shooting the filmentirely in India. An eight week schedule, starting in December,means the film will be ready for a fall 2007 release.

According to trade magazine Variety, the film focuses on threebrothers who take a spiritual trek through India, following the deathof their father. It stars Owen Wilson [who co-wrote the script withAnderson and Roman Coppola], Jason Schwartzman and Oscar-winner Adrien Brody. It may be made in about $40 million, halfthe budget of an average Hollywood film.

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started and continues. That wasabout a thousand years back.That is what we call history. Alot can happen in the gapbetween past and future. Theworld is divided into developedand the under-developed, thepowerful and the not sopowerful. The country is dividedinto Hindus and Muslims, richand poor and inevitably our stateSikkim or Demazong also has itsshare of divisions. We talk aboutunity, brotherhood, equality. Butscratch the surface and you stillfind discrimination in everyphase. Like in Sikkim, the peoplefrom the plains who’ve residedin the land for the last many yearsare classified as ‘Indians’. If theyare Indians, who are we? Duringthe brotherhood treaty, there

were rules like equalparticipation, opportunity, nodominance. Quite like an olderversion of our Constitution.

But today, these famousblood brothers can’t wait toget at each other’s throatswhen given a chance. Callthat cut-throat competition.But who’s complaining.Sikkim’s the most tranquilstate in the country. Thatcounts. “However, whenadults come, can youth be farbehind?” They are the mostconspicuous lot. We arelosing touch with our culture,our heritage, our past. Apingthe West is the rage. Guess ithas something to do with thegrass being greener on theother side.

Pang Lhabsol : A Different Take- continued from page 21

How did this trip comeabout?

I was performing atKalimpong and prior to that inDarjeeling. I was invited to playhere in Little Italy by Zimba.Coming to Gangtok is abeautiful experience always.The moment I left Kalimpongfor Gangtok there was thisbeautiful feeling, a kind ofrelaxed comfort level. I couldfeel the good vibes even beforeI entered Gangtok and itcontinued as I stepped intoLittle Italy straightway. This wasthis exact same feeling I hadwhen I first came here 20 yearsago.

Which were your lastperformances before this?

I was in Delhi prior to mytour to this region and alsohad a couple of shows in theNorth East. I recentlyperformed in Guwahati andother places in Assam.

What about albums?They are not actually

albums as such. I call themdemos. Demo albums fromthe Great Society. One ofthem is called Breakthrough.The other one is D.Y.A.O.[which stands for Dance YourAss Off], which is actually akind of spoof. Then after thatI came up with a solo which

Take away the grey strands streaking his long hair, it’s hard to

believe LOU MAJAW is almost sixty. Especially not when he jives

with the guitar in hand, as he continues to enthrall music lovers

with his vocal abilities and antics on stage.

Traveling places and performing to the hilt, North-East

India’s most famous rock and roll guru is not ready to quit yet

and asserts he will be a ‘performer’ till the very end. When he

turns 60 on April 14 next year, he plans to celebrate it by walking

from Guwahati to Shillong. At Umiam near Shillong, grand plans

are afoot to hold a music festival, a gathering of friends and

musicians from all over to play and celebrate his birthday.

Often dubbed as the father of rock and blues music in the

country, The Great Society’s Lou Majaw was in Gangtok for a

day and performed at Little Italy here. PEMA L. SHANGDERPA

caught up with him for an exclusive chat.

Lou: The Man& His Music

Lou performing at Little Italy

is called Forever Young.

What about the ones tocome out?

This will be until next yearyeah [laughs]. I am to comeout with a much better andperfect album both in termsof performance to production.

Something on the gigsyou’ve got lined up...

After Gangtok, I have to bein Guwahati. From 7September, I will be in Delhi.

Does music take most ofyour time... anything elsebesides music?

For me it is music 24 hours.It can be 10.30 in the night or5 in the morning. It is fine withLou Majaw. I’d rather spendmy time singing and playingmy guitar than sleeping it off. Itravel places but I am a badtourist. I don’t spend time tovisit tourist spots. I keep myselfbusy with music.

You have played inGangtok before…

I was here sometime in the80’s and played at a festival[Roctober] Autumn festivalsometime in the evening withThe Great Society. It was abeautiful experience then. Thisplace used to be very nice then.I don’t know what’s happeningnow. But my experience here

in Little Italy makes it feel andlook all’s well and nice.

What you’ve been listeningto lately…

Listening to Indianmusicians like HFT [HighF#%*#@ Times]. They are agreat bunch of musicians.Frank Zappa and then theother Indian musicians likeHari Prasad Chaurasia.

How did u start and whowas your inspiration?

I first started earning frommusic in 1966. I was inCalcutta then. Though I do notkeep a record, it was duringthe flower power days and alot of things were happeningat that time. I have nowovergrown as a flower child. I

met music sort of halfway. Inever had a dream like I mustplay the guitar or I mustperform or sing. It justhappened. I liked to give eachother [music and myself]company and that’s what ishappening right now as welland we are moving together.Then it moved on from JimReeves to Jim Morrison,Abba to Zappa [Frank],Beatles to Bee Gees, Elvis,Cliff Richards, whatever.

I remember a friend hadbrought a stack of LP records.There was Chuck Berry and Isaid this is good shit. Ofcourse there was Dylan…andyou can say that changed mymusic direction, it changedmy outlook

At this age where does theenergy level come from?

It is all but energy outburst.It is out of frustration andrestlessness. Just plainfrustration. There’s otherways of looking at it as well

How long before you sayI’m done?

Well hmmmmm.. Until Ibreathe my last.

On the change in the tasteof music of the presentgeneration …

There’s been a whole lot ofchanges. It’s just not in theNorth east. There were thetorch bearers, the soul

searchers, the gospels, theblues, jazz, rock and roll, thedisco music and now the hiphop, techno and all thatfashionable trendy musicians.Eventually we don’t knowwhat else will come.

It is definitely notthreatening classic rock orblues and the jazz and itnever can. There is no lawthat says that this kind ofmusic is not good. All we haveto realise is the depth, thepower of music. They willrealise that. Time will tell.

On what music the NorthEast is into now?

There’s a variety of music.There are people who likereggae, metal music, jazz.There is no level ground. Notjust in the North East but theentire country.

About The Great Society..The Great Society was

formed in the late 70’s. Westarted with AJ, Bert andmyself. Three of us. LaterRudy Wallang joined us butthis was later and there wereendless scores of people whowere involved with us.

What do you say about thetrend of clubbing drugsand Rock ‘n’ Roll?

Music itself is a high whichis unmatched. If you havemusic you do not need anymore substance. Drugs, sexand Rock ‘n’ Roll is oftenassociated but they are alltogether different ball games.People who are not into musicstill hit drugs or those intomusic don’t touch it.

Message for the youth……Hard work, dedication and

honesty. And be professionalin what you do.

And the road ahead…..Lou Majaw is 59 years

‘young’. Lou Majow willcelebrate his 60th birthday nextyear by taking a walk fromGuwahati to Shillong. It will bea part of my celebrations andon 14 April there will be amusic festival at Umiam whereall my friends will be. We willall play and celebrate and allthe music of Lou Majaw willbe performed.

Who do you see among thepresent lot [band orindividual performer] as theLou Majaw of yesteryears?

At the moment, thesepeople [points to Steve,Sunny, Noel and Chundu ofRoute 66 performing]. Theseguys are giving a cleandelivery, a very pleasantrendition of music, not noisy.

I am not one of thosesermonizing types. The oneswho consider themselves God’sgift to mankind; higher thanother forms of life. The line ofa famous song says “Practicewhat you preach”, whichapparently those next big thingsto God usually fail to do.

But I think what we needtoday is awareness. Not in the oldtried, tested and failed methods.Awareness about our past, ourculture redefined. Somewheredown the line, something gottotally wrong and we are whatwe are today. It’s a need to startafresh. Maybe a daunting task,at times nearly impossible, butpatience will help I guess.

- HISHEY DOMA is a Std. XII

Science student in PNGSSSsikkim.midweek@gmail.com

ART & ENTERTAINMENT

2424242424 6 - 12 Sept, 2006

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GIVEN THAT this isdefinitely the year ofsuperheroes, we can expect tosee a whole host of trademarkmerchandise hitting the stores.With Krrish a new desi superhero has been born. Supermantoo has returned to save theworld. Where Superman is,can Batman be far behind?

BATMAN’S a real suavelycool guy cos whereasSuperman either flies orwalks, and Spidey swings overthe city, Batman gets todrive the coolestBatmobiles ever! Checkout the great Batmanschool bag at the kidsstore next to CloudNine (it’s calledMini Me but notmany peopleknow it byname) near StarCinema.

This bag is agreat buy forstarry eyed capedhero worshippingyoung boys. We like itbecause it comes in a meanblack, the perfect colour giventhe affinity most young boyshave with dirt! The classicBatman logo is emblazonedproudly across its face andeven the zippers sport thesame logo in a neon yellow.We like that it has see throughbut surprisingly strong sidenetted pockets, perfect forsnugly holding a water bottle.

It’s a sturdy and smart bag,easy to wash and drips dry ina jiffy. The stitching is prettystrong too. The bag retails forRs.700/- Rs.750/- dependingon what size you opt for.

WHAT’S ONLY 6.9 mmand making a lot of eyeballspop? The all new Ultraedition 6.9 Samsung X820mobile. Yes, the world’sslimmest phone. Given thatNokia ditched its classicNokia shape and launched the

hugely popular N seriesrange, those in thetrade had predicted

that Samsung was uptosomething huge.

Looks like theK o r e a n

c h a e b o lwas uptosomethingh u g e ,only itw a sminiscule!

T h eSamsung

X820 isincredibly thin andlightweight. Some peoplewere complaining that it didnot feel like a mobile at all butwe just love it. It’s really sleekand what’s more, it has thelean, mean John Abrahamhimself endorsing it. Perfectfit between the man andmobile, we’d say.

The best part is thereduction in size has not been

achieved by compromising onfeatures. The phone is powerpacked with ultra features:• Ultra Imaging with a 2megapixel camera and videorecorder• Ultra Display with 262colour TFT• Ultra MP3 with 80 MBmemory• Ultra Share direct TV outand document viewer

We checked out the phonein the flesh or rather theFibreglass Infused Plastic andboy, was it tremendous. Theclarity of the display and thesound quality was trulyphenomenal for something sothin. The mob did not feelflimsy at all, the features andthe free accessories reallygave it solid punch.

The phone will set you backby about Rs.15,000/- roughlybut you get a whole host of ultraaccessories free- 2 batteries, carcharger, special batterycharging case, battery charger,direct TV out cable and data kit.

Our advice to you is to covetthe phone for now but to waita while for the prices to fall tocall it your own. Available inmost mobile shops. Wechecked it out at SubhamEnterprises.

- TINA

With mobiles becoming everyone’s permanent extraappendage, there are a lot of exclusive mobile shopsspringing up all over town. This is a relatively new

phenomenon, given that the earliest mobile dealers were multi-product electronic goods store. With practically everyone allwired up and wireless as well, and constantly looking for anupgrade, a mobile shop always finds takers.

Subham Enterprises is the latest entrant in the mobile phonebusiness. Located smack in the middle of M.G. Marg, nearSikkim Sarda, the shop had a low key but poised opening sometime back.

That proprietor Sanjay Malu is himself an avid mobile phoneenthusiast becomes readily apparent as he holds fort in the midstof all the latest offerings from the big brand names-Nokia,Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG, Motorola, et al. He is especiallyproud of the world’s thinnest mobile, the Samsung X820 aswell as the Nokia N- series range.

One finds the usual suspects by way of accessories likecabinets, mobile cases, chargers, car chargers, crystal coversfor all brands, dongles, batteries, straps, hands free sets, andcard readers to name a few.

Hailing from a family long associated with the photographybusiness, it seems only natural that Sanjay’s shop should alsooffer you a quick 1 minute digital passport photo service as well.This combined with his photocopying service, and the primelocation, takes his shop beyond being another mobile shop.

QUICK PICKS:

• Super Screen Guard: Stick on screen guarder for LCD screens-just peachy for those paranoid about getting their LCD screensnicked or damaged.• Mobile Metal Guard: Stickers in metallic silver hues. Choose aLacoste, dragon, BMW, Bugs Bunny, Snoopy or a heart to add anice personalized touch to your mob. Rs.50/-• Rhythm light stickers: These make sure you don’t miss yourcalls by giving you a rhythmic reminder when a call comes. Smallbut useful, at Rs.30/- apiece.• Blinkers: Straps with Winnie the Pooh, dolphins, fans, torches,stars, pink hearts with blinkers that light up. Perfect as a usefulsmall gift. Rs.20/- each.• Mobiles, mobiles and more mobiles!What we like: The salespeople do not crowd you, you canbrowse at leisure and in peace!

BAZAAR

the lowdown on new products

SCORCHINGTHE SHELVES:

So what is this new product you are promoting andwhy?It was in October 2005 when I was in Delhithat a friend introduced me to Aloe Vera andBee Forever living products. As I am in Health& Wellness Industry, I took the training & feelthat every human being should be made awareof this product.

Which is?Aloe Vera is one of the oldest known medicinal plants.The knowledge of the extraordinary healing powers ofthe fresh Aloe Vera plant has been transmitted all overthe world, and today the gel from the plant is extractedand used without losing its potency.

Are you supposed to drink this?The Aloe Vera gel is fibrous, nutritive and easilydigestible in liquid form. Since it is a natural product, itstaste and amount of pulp varies due to several factors,i.e. rainfall and geographical conditions but the efficiencyof the product does not increase or decrease with thesevariations.

Why should we try it?In the present day our bodies are continuously exposedto pollution of various type ranging from passivecigarette smoking to high fat diets, junk food andalarmingly high level of stress. Prolonged exposure toall the above may result in toxins in our stomach &intestines. These toxins block the lining of the intestinesthereby reducing the absorption of nutrients in our body.This makes it more necessary to cleanse of all theunnatural toxins and to enhance the absorption andassimilation of nutrients for a healthy living.

You really believe it helps?The first gulp of Aloe Vera Gel initiates the missiondetoxification inside our body which may accelerate theblood circulation and also provide our body withvitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids and variousother nutrients. It is believed that it lets our organtake a cleansing bath from inside.

You are welcome to contactMs Karma Doma Gyatso... for all Aloe Vera &

Bee Forever living Products. Call 9832054928 oremail:bgyatso2000@yahoo.com

Q&Awith Ms. Karma Doma,

Health Instructor on the magic of Aloe

25252525256 - 12 Sept, 2006

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Total Sanitation Campaign [TSC} is one of the prioritized programme of the Rural Management & Development

Department, Government of Sikkim. The programme is presently in progress in all four Districts.

The main objectives of the TSC are here under:

1. To bring about improvement in the quality of life in the rural areas.

2. To accelerate sanitation coverage in rural areas.

3. To generate demand based sanitation facilities through awareness creation and health education.

4. To cover Schools/Aganwadis in rural areas with sanitation facilities and promote hygiene education and

sanitation habits among students.

5. To encourage cost effective and appropriate technologies in sanitation.

6. To eliminate open defection to minimize risk of contamination of drinking water sources and food.

7. To cover dry latrines, to pour flush latrines, and eliminate manual scavenging practice, wherever in

existence in rural areas.

The Total Sanitation Campaign [TSC] gives emphasis on your active participation in its implementation process.

The Rural Management and Development Department humbly request you to come forward and lend your all

out support to make this programme a grand success.

We look forward to your valuable suggestions and participation.

CONTACT PERSONS:

State Level: 1. Superintending Engineer [East] 2. Deputy Secretary [Sanitation]

District Level: 1. District Development Officer, Divisional Engineers of South/West/East/North

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CUT THE CRAP

That most of our officialshave a fragile ego is a fact well known. But

this incident really takes it. During one of thestate’s grand functions, an officer was waxingeloquent on stage whensomeone passed him achit of paper. According toa buzz source, the noteasked him to wind up hisspeech fast as many in theaudience were actuallydozing off. But, longspeeches being the donething here, the officercontinued nevertheless.Anyway, what no one inthe audience gaugedwas just how furious hewas about the note. Thatevening he called up thenote-sender and gavehim a mouthful ofchoicest abuses. Bothby the way were highranking officials. Now it was the turn of the otherofficer to get MAD. So what best way to showhis anger? The next morning he resigned fromthe board of the cultural organization that hadorganized the function. So who are they?Wouldn’t you like to know! But even a Khatamcolumn like Buzz has some ethics and I justcannot reveal that.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

Did you hear about thisongoing jhagra between two of our

ministers? Both are up in arms against eachother and there is no love lost between thesetwo ‘Blood Brothers’. One of the ministers isconvinced that the other is printing andcirculating slanderous pamphlets about himfrom the official ministerial office! Some observersclaim that they are just being played against eachother and are naïve enough to fall into the trap. Idon’t know anything about that. I’m just a rumourtumour that’s going to get bigger and bigger, filledwith secrets of the bad, bad things that the highand mighty say and do. Which, of course, I willpass on to you dear readers, so we all know pardeke peeche kya hai

by KARCHOONG DIYALI

WHERE’S THE PARTY TONIGHT?

Ok this is a real funny one.A couple of weeks back, the top cops of

the town decided to have a party, for which theybooked a popular nightclub. Dancing continued

all night, a little bird tellsme, and the one with themost nimble feet and thebest moves was asalways…you know who. Itmust have been a purelyinside affair [no punintended] because nowives were spotted. But,here’s the hilarious part,having fun and dancingtogether, unaware of what layin store, were some of theguys who attempted thedaring masked lotteryrobbery. A few days later,the bonhomie was over asthe cops faced the menagain – this time inhandcuffs. No more

dancing in the dark.

‘MAATHI KO’ OR ‘ANTI’?

People are funny. The first

question they ask you when you talk abouta new paper is whether you are maathi ko oranti. What the hell is that supposed to mean?I’m surprised the declaration form didn’t havea column to tick mark the correct answer! Andthen there is the well meaning advice. ‘Becareful of what you write, jata teera taali cha,uta nai janu parcha’ or else you’re ‘Rangpopaar’ etc. Just for the record we’d like to makeit cle ar, we’re neither mathi ko or tala ko.We’re proudly going about wearing the badgeof being a ‘balanced’ paper [whatever thatmeans] although many are skeptical aboutthis stance and think it’s only a matter of timebefore we sell out to the highest bidder. Whendid this town become so cynical? Or maybethat’s the only way things are allowed tofunction here. We will have to wait and watch.But, hey guys, support us by buying the paperso we can just do our job. Which is to bringyou the REAL story, whether its maathi ko ortala ko!

ETCETERA

LUNCH TIME : A girl takes lunch for her family toiling in theginger fields in Central Pendam.

by PANKAJ THAPA

SEND FEEDBACK AND QUERIES TO sikkim.midweek@gmail.com OR CALL 320169

KATHMANDU, Nepal: Nepal’s shortest boy is waiting for wordfrom the Guinness World Records, where he has applied tobe named the shortest in the world, his supporters said lastweek.Khagendra Thapa Magar, 14, is only 20 inches tall and weighs10 pounds.According to Min Bahadur Thapa, president of the KhagendraThapa Magar Foundation, they are expecting to receive a replyfrom London-based Guinness World Records in the next fewdays. The foundation was set up to collect funds for the boy.There was no listing on the Guinness World Records’ websiteon a shortest boy category, but Thapa claimed their closestcompetitor was 25 inches tall.The boy and family members are currently touring south Nepal,seeking support for the foundation.

Nepal boy claims tobe shortest in world

14-year-old Nepaliboy KhagendraThapa Magarstanding next toanother boy at hishome in theBanglung district innorthwest Nepal.

27272727276 - 12 Sept, 2006

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ETCETERA

That’s what SMS has doneto the English Language,which has yet to invent a

word that would describe themutation of words like “for”into “4” and so on and so forth.Sometimes the cryptic messagesmake you wonder if one shouldcall for Mr. Langdon. And as ifthat’s not enough (‘enuf ’) trymixing this new SMS jargonwith a healthy dollop of thevernac and you got a spicy mixthat’s as hard to swallow as it isto comprehend. “wtng 4 u at lika chas” Which for the SMSchallenged reads “ Waiting foryou at Little Italy. Where areyou?” Easy? What about thisone - “k b 4 6 aune ho” (“Whathave you decided? Are youcoming?”) It doesn’t help thatmost of the SMS junkies don’tbother with Upper and Lowercase letters, nor withpunctuation. Maybe too muchwork for the humble thumb,which has suddenly become themost important digit in yourhand. The Thumb Rules, - andsneers at myopic geeksdesperately using two thumbs tofigure out how to insert a space.

However, some slips of thethumb can have a fatal result asthis husband in Goa on abusiness trip, SMS-ing his wife:

“Having a great time. Wish youwere her!” And that’s not theleast of the hurdles. If you havean ultra sleek cell phone, and athumb that looks like its beenworking on the railroad all day,then chances are you’ll probablypress a wrong digit (there’s 10of them bleeders to press) andthe thumb is only human. Theanatomical message youintended for your buddy reachessome matronly mother of 4,mother-in-law of 2.Chaos rulesas your eardrums shatter (“Meromistar le chal payo bhani tamaarchha!”) and you reach fora Dettol-dipped Johnson bud.The heights of SMS humour hasto be this acquaintance whotried out his brand new Nokia

SMS on his bro-in-law and 4-month pregnant sister. Thepending message unfortunatelywas delivered at 2 am that night.His faithfull cell beeped himawake with the “Delivered toJyoti” message. Yup. My friendwoke up the entire easternHimalayas with his incoherentbabbling about a 4-monthmonstrosity his sister deliveredat 2 am. A true story that.

How about another chappiewhose well meaning friendsedited the name of his wife andreplaced it with a “sociallyactive” lady’s nickname? Nextday, when wifey called, theglamourous name flashed on hisbigger-than-others-screen. Heanswered with a tremulous andhopeful“er…hello? ko bolnubhako la?”. Reality probably hithim harder than the electric chair.It is a sad truth that one canalways make out when a man isspeaking to his wife, mistress ordaughter. He is his most tenderand loving with the daughter. Hisconv. with the mistress you can’thear, because he’s gone out ontothe freezing balcony, while withthe wife it sounds like a telegram.Come the full stop.

The local Kings of Humourhave a nice definition of SMS,-Sabji ko Momo and Soup. Thatwould go down well with SingleMalt Scotch ! Cheers until nextweek.

“pls arnge pikp 4 2 ppl

arvng tmrw by rjdh xps.”

by PANKAJ THAPA

“the road to excesses leads to the path of wisdom..”- JIM MORRISON

HEARD ABOUT this 1980’s hard rock band Motley Crue’sBIOGRAPHY, ‘The Dirt’, and it’s making me feel like such anINADEQUATE human being.. How can I say that I’ve ever reallyLIVED when I haven’t stolen the clothes from a homeless womanwhile she was chained to my bed?How can I say that I’ve ever really lived when I haven’t had sex with15 women in a 24 hour period? Like I said, I feel so inadequate...It is kind of daunting to read this book and realize just how extremetheir lives were. And it’s funny, for where most biographies tend tosanitize the subjects past, this book ONLY focusses on the unsanitarybits. And, judging from what I’ve read so far, there were onlyunsanitary bits in their lives.Wow. I’m dumbfounded. I knew that such debauchery took place,but not in such a sustained manner for such a long time. I guess I’ma bit naive. Hhmm..and to deftly move from one topic to the next.....did you read the papers recently? Two things stand out!FIRSTLY::: a REPORT on animal castration: “It’s true that pigletsare castrated with NO anesthetic, but researchers haven’t yetdetermined whether the process is PAINFUL,” according toDr.Swamy Reddy , Director of Animal Welfare at the NationalLifestock Board. Hmm...cutting off an infants testicles withoutanesthetic, would that be PAINFUL?I do hereby declare the above referenced quote by Dr.Swamy Reddyto be the STUPIDEST thing that any human being on God’s greenearth has said in the last...well..7 days!SECONDLY:::Children fathered by OLDER men run a much higherrisk of developing schizophrenia, researchers said on Thursday in afinding that provides strong evidence that MEN, like WOMEN, havea “biological clock” when it COMES to having children.The STUDY BLOWS A GAPING HOLE in the commonly held beliefthat while older women run a higher risk of having babies with birthdefects, men face no such risk when fathering children even at anadvanced age.Uh-oh...and I’m not getting any younger. Time to make some morebabies....FAST!!

Aspects suggest thatit is time to let go of adesire or way of beingthat just doesn’t workanymore. This may

not be monumental. It could be aparticular diet or method ofexercise. Letting go is the themefor the week.

You have positiveenergies in theterritories ofromance, home, andfamily. If you need

assistance at this time, just ask.Someone will be there to helpright away. This is a good timeto restore yourself, have a goodself-talk about the good thingsyou intend to do.

Your mind races thisweek and thingshappen in a hurry. Itis possible that greatinsights may dawn

upon you now. But you may beskipping over significant detailsthat need to be carefullyplanned.

You are doing yourvery best atmaintaining anoptimistic and faithfulattitude. And you are

to be congratulated for doing sothis week. One or more othersaround you are generallyirritable and they want you to dosomething about it.

Oh, whoops! There isa surprise upon you.It comes from theterritory that featuresc o r p o r a t e / j o i n t

finances, sexual relations,taxes, accidents or word ofsomeone’s crossing. Makechanges where it is possibleand necessary in these areas.

You will be happier ifyou release the angerthat has occupiedyour attention for atime. If you haven’t

resolved it by now, you probablywon’t. Rehashing isn’t useful.Look for something to freshenthe spark in your relationship.

Your communicationsare deep and to thepoint at this time.There may be a fewwho don’t want to

hear what you say. If this occursit is likely because they wish todeny the truth rather than copewith honesty.

This may be a goodtime to take a stepback from afriendship and let theair clear. Some may

want to drop out of participationin organizational activities.Sometimes people and things inour lives just use too muchenergy for their value.

Your relationship[s]with authority figuresand others with whomyou work will beparticularly good this

week. Your optimistic frame ofmind will serve to help everyonedo a better job and to have morefun while accomplishing it.

In a sense, this is D-Day for Capricorn.Saturn, as yourplanetary ruler, hasbeen creeping up to

an opposition to Neptune allsummer. It has been a projectto hold both hope and reality inthe same space in your mind.But of all the signs, a Capricornhas what it takes to succeed.

Here we are. A truthis right in front of youand there is no wayaround it. This hasbeen building slowly,

so it comes as no real surprise.It is very probably a relief thatyou don’t have to protectyourself from the realityanymore.

The normally placidFish may be irritable,edgy and nervousthis week. News maycome your way that

causes this upset. We all leantoward preserving security,often into ruts. However, youhave a need for change.

The Week Ahead

CAIRNS, Australia: Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australiantelevision personality and environmentalist known as the‘Crocodile Hunter’, was killed on 4 September by a stingray whilefilming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier Reef.He was 44.Irwin was killed by a stingray barb to the heart on Batt Reef, offthe remote resort town of Port Douglas in northeasternQueensland state. Stingrays have flat bodies and tails withserrated spines, which contain venom and can cause cuts andpuncture wounds.

Crocodile HunterSteve Irwin killed

2828282828 6 - 12 Sept, 2006

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Printed at Baba Offset Works, Tadong. Publisher & Editor : Mita Zulca. MIDWEEK, Near Hotel Yatung, Nam Nang, Gangtok - 737101. Phone: 03592 320169 Email: sikkim.midweek@gmail.com

Reaching new heightstowards Sikkim’s prosperity

Sikkim Power Development Corporation Limited.(A Govt. of Sikkim Enterprise)

31A National Highway (Near STNM Hospital) Gangtok, Sikkim.Ph: 03592 229199 Fax: 03592 228186 Email: spdclgtk@gmail.com / spdcgtk@gmail.com

Vision of the State Government

to generate 5000 MW of Power by 2012

Dr. Pawan ChamlingHon’ble Chief Minister &

Hon’ble Minister, Energy & Power

Shri. V. Rama RaoHis Excellency Governor of Sikkim

Ongoing Projects

1. Lachung HEP

2. Rongli HEP

3. Relli Chu HEP

4. Mangley HEP

Upcoming Projects

1. Upper Rimbi HEP

2. Kalej Khola HEP

3. Bermelee Khola HEP

4. Kissim Khola HEP