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We are now a year old.Since the first issue ofNOW! hit the newsstandson June 05 last, we haveseen many changes. Wehave lost the red, seen threedifferent sizes, lost col-leagues to other profes-sions, converted others tojournalism, struggledagainst power cuts, compu-ter crashes, financial dead-locks, got into scraps overwhat we decided to print andhow we printed it. Along theway, we managed to put outsome wonderful issues andalso shared blame on someabsolute disasters. Only twothings remained consistent- the support of our readersand our commitment to allmatters Sikkimese. Our mis-takes were tolerated andsuccesses celebrated. Wecouldn’t have asked for any-thing more. Thank you...

- editor

CONSERVATION DEMYSTIFIEDDr. B. Sengupta, Member Secretary, Central Pollution

Control Board, was in Sikkim on a brief, 2-day visit. By the

time he left, he had driven home the point that

environmental protection involves more than just tree-

plantation drives. As he departed, he left behind a warning

that inefficient solid waste disposal could one day swamp

away Sikkim’s notions of being an environment-friendly

State. More than that, it could snowball into a major

environmental issue.

TURN TO pg 4

FOR DETAILS

STILL AWAITINGTHE RIGHT DOSE

THE BATTLE AGAINSTSUBSTANCE ABUSE

inextrasextrasMeet Phul Maya

Tamang, aninstructor at Sonam

GyatsoMountaineering

Institute and one ofthe representativesof Sikkim at Everest

at the golden jubileecelebrations of the

ascent of Mt Everest. TURN TO pg 3 FOR DETAILS

2; NOW! June 11-17, 2003

42

GANGTOK JUNE 11-17, 2003

ED-SPACE

SIKKIM MATTERS

NOW!Talk Filthy

The five UD&HD garbage collection trucks empty Gangtokof some 20 tonnes of garbage everyday. These trucks havea limited beat and no one has done a serious study on howmuch waste Gangtokians conveniently tip into neighbour-hood jhoras. There are also areas where waste just accumu-lates until it becomes a health hazard. While steps are takenwhen waste reaches such threatening volumes, the impactof untreated waste on the water-bodies [and jhoras are one]seldom elicits much concern. The recent admonishing of thewaste disposal system of Sikkim, with emphasis on Gang-tok, by the Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board,should be taken seriously. His advice not to go the Darjeelingway cannot be ignored, but more than the concerned de-partment, it should be the people who react. React andchange. Although the Urban Development & Housing De-partment could still improve on its garbage disposal system,disposal comes in only after generation. And, it is the peoplewho generate the garbage. Many would be surprised at howeffective simple efforts at “reducing, recycling and reusing”can be. Such informed measures are not so much aboutreducing the garbage generated as they are about makingpeople aware of the toll they exact on the environment theysurvive on. A simple tour of the jhoras along the Indira Bye-pass, backed by a detailed talk on how plastics choke landand water-bodies should make anyone more conscious aboutlobbing a plastic bag full of waste into the jhoras. To blamethe department would be immature. It has never been takento task by the people themselves. Nowhere is the absenceof an NGO culture or a civil society more acutely felt than inthe waste disposal scenario of the State. There is just notenough information being shared on the extent of pollutionin Sikkim nor enough pressure being exerted to a ensureany semblance of environmental accountability in the soci-ety. Only after the society accepts that something needs tobe done can the department step in and offer the solutions.Legislations alone cannot save the day. The continuing useof plastic bags and dumping at jhoras despite laws “ban-ning” them being a case in point...

For the first time in its over50-year existence, theWorld Health Organization

has got the global community toagree on a legally binding, com-mon, minimum agenda for a pub-lic health commitment - a tobacco-free world.

Last month, more than 190countries approved the first everinternational treaty against smok-ing, including an advertising ban,aimed at breaking a habit that killsnearly 5 million people a year. TheFramework Convention on To-bacco Control, obligates signatorycountries to fighting the devastat-ing consequences of tobacco con-sumption and exposure.

A framework convention is aninternational legal instrument gov-erned by international law, but in-dividual nations must then take iton and adapt it to their own con-stitution and laws. The draft textis impressive in the range of issuesit addresses. However, the fine-print reveals that although signa-tory governments are committedon measures they ought to take,there are very few conditions thatthey are actually obliged to imple-ment. This could be due to the tre-mendous pressure from the to-bacco industry to dilute the provi-sions of the initiative.

India will now have to workout how to tackle the medical, eco-nomic and legal commitments re-quired by this convention. Taxingtobacco products prohibitively,increasing restrictions on adver-

The then Chief Minister of Sikkim NBBhandari sent shock waves throughthe Union Capital with his “no seat-

no vote” stand taken publicly on the seatreservation issue. He eloquently voiced hisdemand for the restoration of seats reservedfor the Sikkimese Nepalese in the StateAssembly, which was taken away during theJanta Government in 1979. He has said thatif there was no reservation there will be noelection in Sikkim.

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had beensoft-peddling the issue since her return topower. When asked during her Sikkim visitwhat the centre was planning to do aboutthe issue, Mrs Gandhi said, “This is a verycomplex matter and will have to be studiedin some depth.”

What has hurt the Nepalese in Sikkim,constituting 75% of the population, is thatwhile all their 15 reserved seats have beentaken away, the minority Bhutia, Lepchatribals were given 13 reserved seats includ-ing one Sangha seat.

The main Opposition party, the SikkimCongress (reduced to only 2 MLAs in 1979from 11 in 1974), led by Ram ChandraPoudyal filed a writ petition in 1979 whichmoved from the Delhi High Court to theSupreme court for the final verdict.

Poudyal had asked the court for a stay onelections to the Assembly till the final hear-ing of the case. Poudyal, whose Sikkim Con-gress (R), which fought the 1979 electionsunder protest against Bill No. 79 of 1979, kept

Huff Over A PuffDEEPFOCUS

RANJIT SINGH

tisement, sponsorship and promo-tion of tobacco, banning smokingin public areas and clamping downon tobacco smuggling are some ofthe key elements in this globalendeavour to reduce tobacco con-sumption and related mortality andillnesses.

The Indian Tobacco ControlBill, awaiting the presidential nodis far too lax even in its final form.There is no provision for healthwarnings in local languages forcigarettes, which are increasinglybecoming popular among the ru-ral population. There is also nocurb on sale of individual ciga-rettes, which makes access forminors easier. Although a compre-hensive ban on advertising andsponsorship has been proposed, itis a matter of conjecture as to whatextent the government is actuallyable to implement the law. A com-prehensive ban on smoking in pub-lic places was passed by the Su-preme Court more than a year agobut it still remains to be imple-mented effectively.

Prevention activities at schooland college levels will fail to havean impact if they are not simulta-neously accompanied by commu-nity-based measures. The activi-ties, which as of now essentially

aim at health communication,would be futile unless core issuesthat pressure youth to take upsmoking, like stress, peer pressureand gender relationships, are notaddressed. Messages on adversehealth effects must focus on im-mediate concerns for the youth,such as the increased risk of im-potence for boys and facial wrin-kles for girls.

Cessation activities that en-able smokers to quit need to begiven due importance. Medicines,counselling and a supportive en-vironment have to be ensured. Fa-cilities for quitting have to bemade easily accessible in all ma-jor hospitals. As the fitness move-ment gathers momentum, asmoke-free life has to be inte-grated with physical activity anddietary modification.

The war against tobacco hasto be fought on several fronts.Unfortunately, the public healthapproach to the complex problemis hinged on the information dis-semination campaign that cannot,on its own, deliver the desired re-sults. There is need for a multipronged approach, which focuseson supply curtailment, preventionand cessation besides advertising,legislation and taxation. The haz-ards imposed by passive smokingneed to be extensively studied inthe Indian context.

In relation to tackling the mostdifficult health issues of our times,we have arrived at the critical junc-ture. We must now decide whichway to go.

Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, BB GOOROONG , provides the introductionto the issue that has captured the imagination of all Sikkimese...

the issue alive through various legal, politicaland other means. The issue remains as sensi-tive today as it was in 1979 when the Bill wasfirst introduced in the Lok Sabha.

To say brand the various stands on theissue as “politically motivated’ would tanta-mount to ignoring the gravity of the situation.

Underlying the demand for restorationof seats for Sikkimese Nepalese in the As-sembly is the fear that if this demand is notconceded, even the majority community oftoday will one day be reduced to minoritywhich is when political safeguards guaran-teed today would come of help. In the ab-sence of political safeguards, it will only bea matter of time before the distinct culturaland historical identity of this section of theSikkimese people is swamped to extinction.

This fear is justified when one considersthe phenomenal rise in the population of Sik-kim during the past decades. This is mainlydue to the sudden influx of outsiders intoSikkim after the Merger. The population rosefrom 2.10 lakhs in 1971 to 3.16 lakhs 1981,showing a record increase of about one lakhin a decade. The population of Sikkim wasapproximately 60 thousand in 1901 and rosesteadily to about one lakh in 1931. After 30

years it reached 1.60 lakh 1961.From the very beginning of her history,

Sikkim had her own representative form ofgovernment which involved all the three eth-nic communities of Sikkim - the Lepchas,Bhutias, and Nepalese. In later years, provi-sions were made in the Sikkim Council toaccommodate members from other commu-nities, such as the plainsmen who had beenresiding in Sikkim for quite sometime.

The evolution towards a just system of arepresentative form of government was notbrought about easily. It was not an overnightachievement, as many would have us to be-lieve. It took years of patient toil, sacrifice anddedication to build the society that exists to-day. And yet, what we have today is not a fi-nancial achievement. Democracy, in the finalanalysis, is not an end itself; it is a means to afiner life than we have known so far.

A keen political observer of Sikkim in60s commented: “These politicians are stillimmature. In general, the political leadersare motivated by personal ambition... MostSikkimese leaders feel that in order to suc-ceed they must be either avidly pro-Indiaor aggressive pro-Sikkimese. The result isthe general absence of the state idea among

the leaders, and people often claim them-selves to be Bhutias or Lepchas or Nepa-lese, but seldom Sikkimese.”

This analysis is as true today as it wasthen. We are still divided on ethnic grounds.In safeguarding our distinct communal sepa-rateness’ we have caused unnecessary harmto ourselves, our community and to the peo-ple at large. The Bhutia-Lepchas who wantto preserve their culture and traditional her-itage are dubbed as anti-nationals; and theNepalese who fight for full-fledged democ-racy and ‘majority rule’ in Sikkim are sus-pected to be in league with the ‘Gorkhaland’movement in the neighbouring areas.

These development, whether they aretrue or not, are to a great extent responsiblefor the estranged relationship between theCentre and the State. The need for the houris to cast away the existing fear and suspi-cion from our midst and replace it with faithand confidence. There is bound to be a giveand take attitude from both the sides, butthe solution to the present crisis must bebrought about in the best interest of the peo-ple of Sikkim and the country at large.

-to be concludedThis article is part of the book on the

political history of Sikkim commissionedby the State Government as part of its

Study Series on Sikkim, which the writeris authoring along with KR Chakravarthi

THE SEAT RESERVATION ISSUE

June 11-17, 2003; NOW! 3

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Prashant,* was only 21 years old when he died of a drug overdoselast week. An intelligent and nice kid, he had been hooked on toSpasmo Proxyvon for the last two years. Prashant had checked

into Kripa, Darjeeling, a de-addiction and rehabilitation centre in anattempt to kick the habit. But after two months there, he convinced hisparents to take him home. Three months back he visited a local doctorhere at Gangtok.

“He came once to my clinic. He had been pushing the drug intra-arterially for the last one year. The day I saw him, he had an infection,an abscess in his frontal groin. I prescribed some antibiotics and askedhim to come again with his parents but he never showed up,” says thedoctor who refuses to be named.

Prashant, like so many others, was initiated into drugs by his friends.In the beginning he popped Spasmo Proxyvon tablets. When that stoppedgiving him a high, he took to injecting himself intravenously. When hehad completely exhausted his veins, he started injecting into his arter-ies. Soon he reached a point when he was desperate enough to injecthimself in the groin. That was the point when he visited the doctor.Nobody can say for sure how Prashant spent the next few months. Butlast week he was found dead of overdose in his room.

Drug addiction is reaching mammoth proportions in the state. Al-though accurate statistics are not available on the number of drug abus-ers, trends show that it is a problem which is increasing each day.

Records at counselling ward at the STNM hospital shows nearly ahundred cases of substance abuse registered in a month. A large numberof these patients are known to inject Spasmo Proxyvon tablets dissolvedin water. According to doctors this is the most dangerous thing to do.The tablet does not dissolve properly, sediment start accumulating andan abscess develops. Blood supply gets blocked and the limb startsrotting. There is no option then but to amputate the limb. STNM hospi-tal has recorded three cases of such amputations last year.

“Apart from that, the bolus or the undissolved part of the tablet orcapsule can get stuck in a vital organ like heart, lungs or brain whichcan be life threatening. Also, a heavy dose of the drug will depress therespiratory centre and the heart centre of the brain which is lethal,”says Dr. I L Sharma, Psychiatrist, STNM hospital.

Drug addiction is no longer something that Sikkim can ignore. Youngerand younger children are being initiated into this chamber of horrors. Lastyear a 10-year-old committed suicide after suffering from withdrawal symp-toms so severe that he would stab himself with a compass.

“Substance abuse is such a huge problem that no agency can han-dle it just on its own. Everyone has a role to play. From law-keepingagencies, to parents, to recovering addicts and NGO’s,” states Dr.Sharma. The Sikkim Rehabilitation Centre (SRC) which completes itsfirst year of operation on June 18 next week has had more than 70addicts coming in for detoxification.

“There are many more who want to come or need to come but don’t

due to many factors. Often thewhole family is in denial. Theydon’t want to acknowledge a drugaddict in the family for fear of so-cial stigma,” says KC Nima,Project co-ordinator and counsel-lor, SRC.

Sadly, however, of the 70 orso who went in for detoxifi-

cation, around 30 havehad relapses.

Why sucha high rate

of relapse?“Family support is the most essential factor in the recovery proc-

ess. Often the recovering addict feels alienated from the rest of the so-called ‘normal’ people. Admission into a rehab is not the end of theproblem. They need psychological support and parental counselling atevery stage,” adds Nima. It is here that support groups like the HopeCentre can play a crucial role. A place where recovering addicts cancome together and share their problems with fellow recovering addicts.

Regular family meetings help in creating mutual understanding andempathy.

But while drug addiction is a behavioural and psychological prob-lem and needs more compassionate handling, drug trafficking falls inthe ambit of criminality. The ease with which these addictive substances

can be bought shows that not enough has been done to stem thisproblem.

“As a doctor I want the law to be very strict on traffic and saleof drugs. Police in plain clothes should visit the chemists wherethe drug is being sold openly. More stringent checking needs to be

done on persons and vehicles at the border,” says Dr. Sharma.Since it is mostly prescription drugs that are being

abused, policing their supply becomes slightlycomplicated. The drugs cannot be banned out-right and even arrests for sale without properprescriptions would attract only a light rap on

the knuckles. Peddling is a more serious crimeand that is perhaps what should be cracked-down

upon rather than rounding up addicts and keep-ing them in the thana for 24 hours.

Even if one were to see something positive in therecent spate of crackdown on drug abuse, a possible

silver lining could come in the form of each drug addict“arrested” in the now common evening raids in the capital,

getting handed over to the counselling centre at the STNM hospitalor the rehab centre for detoxification.

The bottom-line, however, remains that such initiatives from theoutside can meet only with partial success. Addiction is a social prob-lem and needs to be dealt at that level with the active involvement ofthe society and family.

* some names have been changed

Still awaiting the right doseCOMBATING SUBSTANCE ABUSE

The age of induction into experimenting with “drugs” is

getting lower and incidents of overdose becoming more

common. Sikkim, it seems, is yet to work out the right

combination to combat this problem. Rounding up

“addicts” does not help, since fear cannot cure the

chemical dependence one develops, but ignoring that

the problem exists is even more dangerous. The prob-

lem needs to be tackled with the right dose of policing,

counselling and awareness. MITA ZULCA with more on

the current situation...

The 49th Day Kutse Shegu of our beloved father, LateMr. Ganden Lama, who left for his heavenly abode on 7May 2003, falls on 24 June 2003. All friends, relativesand well wishers are requested to join us in offeringprayers for the departed soul at our residence at Lingdok,East Sikkim. We would also like to take this opportunityto thank all those who extended their help during the hourof bereavement.

Mrs. Lhaki Bhutia (wife)

Topden & Gaching Bhutia (sons)

Norjila, Dikila & Ninden

Cheden (daughters), Jorden, Chewang & Sonam (son-in-laws)

Kutse Shegu

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GANGTOK: Environmental protection isnot just about tree-plantation drives, stressesa passionate Dr. B. Sengupta, Member Sec-retary, Central Pollution Control Board,Ministry of Environment and Forests, Gov-ernment of India.

“There is a misconception among peo-ple that environment conservation ends withplanting trees. No, its not. Environment pro-tection also includes controlling air, waterand noise pollution,” said the doctor, whowas in Sikkim on a two-day visit on the invi-tation of the State government, particularlythe Sikkim State Pollution Control Board.

During his stay, Dr. Sengupta assessedthe status of the municipal solid waste, wa-ter and hospital waste disposal and air pol-lution situation in the State. He did not re-turn very pleased.

Sikkim, despite its numerouslegislations, policies and programmes onenvironment conservation, is hurtling head-long into an environmental nightmare be-cause of rapid urbanisation and inadequateinfrastructure to control such a deluge, feelsDr. Sengupta who also identified the areasthat need immediate attention of the con-cerned authorities. Municipal waste man-agement tops the list.

“Efficient management of waste is ex-tremely important. It should be the numberone priority of the government. At present,solid waste collection is being carried out in avery limited manner. Most of the solid wastesare being dumped directly into the jhoras ulti-mately finding their way into the rivers. I vis-ited a number of jhoras in and around Gang-tok and found them clogged with solid wastes,plastics and polythene bags. This is totally un-

acceptable. It requires some urgent joint ac-tion by the SPCB and the UD&HD to cleanup the mess,” says Dr. Sengupta.

Pointing out that the MoEF has ascheme, which can be taken up by theSPCB, for proper segregation and disposalof domestic wastes, Dr. Sengupta stressedthat all that was required was “bureaucraticand political will” to implement it.

Another major problem Sikkim faces iswith sewage management.

“The sewerage system is almost nonex-istent in the State, including Gangtok. What-ever waste water treatment is being carriedout in Gangtok is inadequate. The sewagetreatment plant at Adampool is non-functionaland sewage is entering the jhoras and drain-ing into the rivers and polluting them beyondcomprehension. Studies carried out by theSPCB show that there is a high level of E-Coli bacteria presence in the river waters.Improper sewage management is to blame.Even water supply pipes pass through thejhoras here. A small leak in the pipes couldlead to contamination of water with deadlypathogens. I have warned the Health and

UD&HD secretaries of the health implicationsposed by such practices and urged them tocome up with alternatives soon,” he detailed.

The doctor even suggested that Sikkimapproach the National River ConservationDirectorate for help since it sponsors manyschemes for sewage treatment. Sikkim, herevealed, is yet to approach the Ministrywith a proposal in this regard.

Another major area of concern, feels Dr.Sengupta, is biomedical waste management.

“Under a central government directiveof 1989, the SPCB is the prescribed author-ity for management of biomedical waste. Itis surprising that not much work is beingdone in this field. All hospitals are requiredto take authorization from the SPCB to seg-regate and treat all hospital wastes. Thegovernment hospitals in the State are in theprocess of setting up incinerators for wastedisposal but that is not enough. It is a short-cut method. If not properly used, such in-cinerators could lead to air pollution. Thehospitals should take up common biomedi-cal waste treatment facility programme withthe assistance of the SPCB,” he suggests.

The growing vehicular population, spe-cially those running on diesel, on Sikkim

roads also worries Dr. Sengupta. In this re-gard, Dr. Sengupta says that a study needs tobe carried out by the scientists at SPCB andmedical specialists to ascertain the level ofair pollution in Gangtok. The concerned au-thority in-charge of air pollution controlshould prepare a road map that will spell outby when Sikkim will adopt Euro II and EuroIII norms for vehicles and what fuel qualityimprovement and fuel adulteration controlprogramme they have in the pipeline.

The increase in tourist activity has alsoled to increased pollution of air and waterby hotels, the visiting Member Secretarypoints out. While the abundance of naturalbeauty is the USP of Sikkim as a tourist des-tination, the industry is paradoxically con-tributing to pollution.

“Hotels are coming up everywhere butnot a single one is conducting any environ-ment assessment. Hotels are also not tak-ing due clearance from the SPCB which isa mandatory requirement under the WaterPollution Control Act. By not taking anyprecautions, hotels are adding to the waterand pollution problem, especially during thetourist seasons. This issue also needs to beurgently addressed,” he said.

The State should take up the Eco-cityProject under the Ministry, suggests Dr.

Conservation demystifiedDr. B. Sengupta, Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board, was in Sikkim

for a brief, two-day visit. By the time he left, he had driven home the point that

environmental protection involves more than just tree-plantation drives.

SARIKAH ATREYA reports

turn to pg 11

June 11-17, 2003; NOW! 5

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The power department wouldsoon start introduce a newtechnology to carry outenergy auditing in the statestarting from Gangtok itself.In this process enery meterboxes would be installed forall the consumers. The billamount will immediatelyshoot up once the meter isinstalled. RK Pradhan, ChiefEngineer has advised the

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GANGTOK: Two years after kill-ing his estranged wife in a “bru-tal” stabbing incident atBaluakhani here, Chandra SekharSubedi, a constable with the Sik-kim Armed Police [SAP] was con-victed and sentenced to life impris-onment on June 10, Tuesday.

The District and Sessions Court(East and North) at Gangtok passedthe judgment and also imposed afine of Rs. 5,000 on the accusedalong with the life sentence.

The Court, in its final order,records that there was enough evi-dence to hold Subedi responsiblefor the crime.

In a reversal of roles the copwill now cool his heels at the statejail at Rongyek along with thedozen or so other policemen al-

HOMICIDALCOP GETS

LIFEready serving sentences there.

Subedi, was posted as a guardat the office of the Assistant Direc-tor, Subsidiary Intelligence Bureauat Baluakhani when the crime wascommitted on 11 March 2001.

It is learnt that the estrangedwife, Manju, used to receive Rs.1,500 every month from the con-stable ever since they parted ways.The amount was deducted fromthe constable’s salary. On that fate-ful day, Subedi’s wife had gone tothe guard room at Baluakhani tocollect her dues. When she real-ised that she was being given lessthan what was her due [Rs. 760against Rs. 1,500] she went intoSubedi’s barrack to demand therest. Eye witness accounts report-edly deposed in Court that aheated argument followed andended only after Subedi had fa-tally stabbed Manju.

a NOW REPORT

NOTICEThis is for the information of all members of SHRAthat the Tourism Department, Govt. Of Sikkim ispublishing a directory on the Hotels of Sikkim. Allmembers may kindly volunteer their details to theoffice of the Joint Secretary (A&P), Dept. of Tourism.

NOW!CAN BE REACHED

AT 270949

sikkimnow@rediffmail.com

June 11-17, 2003; NOW! 7

15

DESPATCHESDESPATCHES

GANGTOK: The week-longtraining session for grampanchayat presidents held at theState Institute of Rural Develop-ment (SIRD) ended here on theJune 7, last Saturday. 33 GPUPresidents from all over the stateattended the training.

During the course of the week,faculty members from the instituteand resource persons from all linedepartments of the State, includ-ing senior functionaries, held ses-sions with the participants.

The Secretary RDD also in-

DARJEELING, June 8, 2003:Vehemently protesting the SpecialService Bureau [SSB] firing on aguide, the tourist guides here arethreatening to close down theSandakphu-Phalut trek route.

The latest development is thefallout of the incident in which, tour-ist guides here allege, that followingan argument with guides on the nightof June 5, an SSB personnel fired atand injured 20-year-old Kiran Rai atMeghma, 31 kms from Darjeeling.

In its defence, the SSB hasclaimed that some locals had at-tacked the SSB camp and tried tosnatch a rifle forcing the person-nel to fire two rounds in selfdefense. After the incident, twoother guides Arjun Rai and Gulamwere arrested but were later re-leased. The Police has thus far

backed the SSB version.The guides, however, have a

completely different story to tell.According to them a few touristguides were returning from a trekalong with 40 students from theKendriya Vidalaya when a scufflebroke out when a few SSB person-nel used the toilet built by thetravel agency. The quarrelconflagurated to a situation wherethe group was fired upon and

Kiran Rai injured.Tashi Sherpa from

Maneybhanjyang a colleague ofRai informed that Kiran was theonly earning member of his fam-ily. Though the doctors had pro-claimed Kiran out of danger, they

suspected that he could becomelame from the bullet injury.

Countering the allegation, SSBInspector General, AC Negiclaimed that “criminals” tried tosnatch a rifle and were fired upon.The guides, however, insist that thiscould not be an incident of “mis-taken identity” since the guideswere wearing badges provided bythe State Forest Department.

Sources further reveal state thatthe SSB has already started nego-tiations with Kiran Rai’s family and

from AMITAVA BANERJEE

WELL GUARDED!GUIDES THREATEN TO SHUT DOWN TREKKING ROUTE

OUT OF FEAR OF TRIGGER-HAPPY BORDER GUARDhas reportedly offered compensationto the guide’s family. A SSB officerstated that internal investigationshad begun and if found guilty nec-essary action would be taken againstthe SSB guard who had fired.

The Association for Protectionof Democratic Rights (APDR) hasalso demanded that action be takenagainst the SSB guard and that thefamily be rightfully compensated.

Incidentally, since the earlymonths of 2002 the SSB has beenmanning the porous Indo-Nepalborder stretch in these parts. TheSSB camp at Meghma had beenset up recently and comprises ofaround 8 personnel.

spected the training sessions andexpressed satisfaction with the man-ner in which it was progressing.

The training programme wasinaugurated by the Minister RDD,GC Rai, earlier in the week, whoduring the course of his speechtalked about the importance andpower delegated to the GramPanchayats by the present govern-ment. The valedictory function ofthe final day was presided over bythe Adhyaksha (West), RM Rai.

During the interaction session,the trainee presidents thankedSIRD for holding the training,which they stressed would go a longway in empowering them further.

Trained to be betterpanchayats

a NOW REPORT

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* Sikkimese Hostel Arrangement.

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P.T. Gyamtso & familyMember of Parliament

Rajya Sabha

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STOP-PRESS: SSB Inspector General, AC Negi, while talking to thePress here on Tuesday shed some more light on the incident. He con-tended that the 40-member expedition had one Gul Mohammad Loneas their cook. Since Lone hailed from Baramullah in J&K, the SSB per-sonnel called him in for questioning. He in turn instigated the inebriatedguides to confront them In the resultant scuffle, the shots were fired byaccident. Mr. Negi, however, added that the exact details would be knownafter the enquiry being conducted by a Deputy Commandant.

8; NOW! June 11-17, 2003

16

DESPATCHESDESPATCHES

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting ofthe OPA will be held on 12 June 2003, Thursday at HotelDew Pond, PS Road [ Ph: 223435] at 5 PM.

AGENDA:.To confirm the minutes of the last meeting.. Review the working of the Association.. Discuss and finalise the programme for ‘Futta 2003’ to beheld on 21 June 2003.All members are kindly requested to attend the meeting ontime.

General Secretary

OPA - Skm Chapter

OLD PAULITE ASSOCIATION

- SIKKIM CHAPTER - GANGTOK.

Chawong Phamtam, a model village, 33 kms away from the capitalunder Kabi Tingda constituency (N) shows the real figure of neg-

ligence by the State Council of Science & Technology for Sikkim.A brief account of its woes reads as under:To commemorate the 50th year of India’s Independence, the Govt

of India declared 50 backward villages as Model Villages. ChawongPhamtam was the one.

In the first phase of the survey in the late nineties, implementationof multi-projects to substantiate the socioeconomic development of thevillage with the application of Science and Technological inputs, fundedby the Science and Society Division, Ministry of Science and Technol-ogy Govt of Sikkim, was assured. These projects included those in col-laboration with HESCO-DEHRADUN (WATER MILLS); SULLAB-DELHI (International Low Cost Sanitation); RRL-ORISSA (ImprovedSmokeless Chulas& Cardamom curing house); ASTRA-BANGALORE(Application of science and technology in rural areas); PICCO-NE-PAL (Hydel-in collaboration with Krishna Grills and engineering worksBiratnagar); BAMBOO SHOOT CANNING: MYSORE (In collabo-ration with Indian Institute of Food Technology); AH&VH (Livestockdevelopment); Adult Education; Health; Agriculture etc.

Started with much fanfare, the model village project looks desolatetoday with most projects abandoned or half-finished.

Why?Saldong Barfungpa, Chawong Busty

The State Council for Science& Technology responds

The official looking after the Chawong Phamtam project informsNOW! that he took charge of the project only in January this year.

Since then, he maintains he has been working hard on the project and hasalso asked for an extension on the initiatives undertaken there. He con-tended that the project has been implemented properly and invites thecomplainant to visit the area and see things for himself and has addedthat the department is ready to clarify any grievances of the complainant.

According to him, the ASTRA-BANGALORE project has alreadybeen installed and is functional since the year 2000. Materials for theHESCO-DEHRADUN project have now reached the department andthis would be completed by July. Regarding the SULABH-DELHIproject, engineers from Delhi would be coming by the end of this monthfor construction of SULABH toilets in the school there. Talking aboutthe RLL-ORISSA project he said that one Cardamom Curing Househas also been already constructed. The PICCO-NEPAL PROJECT willalso start soon now that the necessary material has arrived. Even adulteducation has been started he added.

Regarding community health, the officer told NOW! that the de-partment has been organising health awareness programmes in collabo-ration with Phodong PHC. He further said that the department had re-quested the Panchayat to identify trained birth attendants for propertraining with the CMO of Mangan. Regarding Bamboo shoot canningthe officer said that a building is under construction.

The officer also revealed that the Council has undertaken projectsat Chawong Phamtam which had earlier not even been included in theproposal.

A C T I O N M A I LCHAWONG PHAMTAM

A Model Villageignored

Everyone’s got complaints and the best thing about a democracy is that these com-

plaints can be voiced. “Action Mail,” is a platform where the public mails us their

grievances and we get them the replies from the concerned authorities. If you too

have a problem that needs redressal, just mail your complaint to us at NOW! Gairi

Gaon, Tadong, Gangtok, East Sikkim or email us at sikkimnow@ rediffmail.com.

GANGTOK: A state-level work-shop on conservation and sustain-able utilization of medicinal plantwas organised at Forest Depart-ment conference hall here on June7, 2003.

The workshop, organised byDepartment of Forest, Environ-ment and Wildlife, Government ofSikkim and Foundation for Revi-talization of Local Health Tradi-tion (FRLHT), a Bangalore-basedNGO, was inaugurated by ForestMinister, DT Lepcha. The pro-gramme was also attended byMember, State Planning Commis-sion, KC Pradhan, GA Kinhalfrom FRLHT, Principal CCF cumSecretary Forest TR Sharma, del-egates from various departmentsof central and state government,research institutes and NGOs fromvarious parts of the state.

While talking about variousefforts made by the State Govern-ment towards sustainable develop-ment of medicinal plants, the Min-ister highlighted the constitutionof the State Medicinal PlantBoard, identification of 13 sites indifferent ecological zones, prepa-

The recently inaugurated State Biodiversity Park at Tendong, South Sikkim

State works on conservationand sustainable utilisation of

medicinal plants

ration of bio-diversity registers bypanchayats, State biodiversity parkat Tendong, ban on extraction ofmedicinal plants from forest areasfor a period of 5 years from 2001.The Minister also talked about thedevelopment of bio-villages wherecomposite community bio-centrescould be set up for undertakingcultivation of medicinal plantsunder poly-houses or sheds alongwith other income generating ac-tivities. Community herbal nurs-eries, home herbal gardens and

medicinal plant cultivation as co-operative farming has good poten-tial in the state, he added.

The Workshop was a part ofthe programme of finalization ofan action plan for the protectionof medicinal plants and revitaliza-tion of associated local health cul-tures of Sikkim. The departmenthad conducted public hearing at 15places all around the state to getthe views of the public on conser-vation and protection of medici-nal plants.

a NOW REPORT

a NOW! pic

Paljor Stadium Road,

Opposite of SNT Bus Stand,

Gangtok, Sikkim

on 12.06.2003 at 9 AM

ORIENTAL BANKOF COMMERCE( A Government of India undertaking)

we proudly announce the OPENING

of our branch at

to be inaugurated by

The Executive Director of the Bank

Mr. V. K. Chopra

‘ All are cordially invited ’

R. KHANManager

J. P. DUADeputy General ManagerEastern Region, Kolkata

June 11-17, 2003; NOW! 9

Educating the heartland

17

FROM-THE-SPOTFROM-THE-SPOT

PASSINGDANG, DZONGU:

Accessibility, more than economicstatus decides the education onegets. While poverty, low educa-

tional status of parents and occupationalpressures contribute to keeping a childaway from school, more often it is the re-moteness of their dwelling place whichdenies them a chance at good education.No where in Sikkim is this more appar-ent than in the Lepcha heartland ofDzongu in North Sikkim. Due to its lowpopulation density and inaccessible ter-rain, North Sikkim has the lowest con-centration of Schools. In 1998-99, hardly10 percent of pre-primary schools werelocated here. Until a few years ago, thechildren of Dzongu, especially those fromeconomically backward families, couldhardly avail of basic primary education,chances of an English-medium educationwere even rarer.

But all this has changed now, thanksto the dreams and persistent efforts of oneyoung man, who realized the value of for-mal education at a very young age andopened the only English-medium primaryschool in Dzongu at Passingdang.

Meet Loden Gyatso Lepcha who setup the Mayel Lyang Academy atPassingdang, a sleepy village in Dzonguin 1998. This is the only English-mediumprimary school in the region following theICSE syllabus.

“When I was small, I wanted to studyin an English-medium school but my par-ents could not afford to send me to one.The fact that I was denied education inan English-medium school due to eco-nomic reasons was deeply embedded inmy mind. There were many like me in thearea who could not avail of this facilitydue to the same reasons. I did not wantthe future generations to be deprived likeus. I wanted to do something to change

this,” explains Loden.Not one to wait for someone else to do

something, the 27-year-old took matters inhis own hands and decided Passingdangneeded an English-medium school and setout to establish one. Without waiting for thelogistics or financial backing to fall intoplace, Mayel Lyang Academy was born ina small room in Loden’s own house.

Soon, families from the village startedto send their children to his school andwithin a year, the small room could nolonger accommodate the students. Lodenthen took a small patch of family land nearby and with limited resources, extended hisMayal Lyang Academy into a three-roomstructure.

The School building is made up ofthatched walls, mud floor with the only mod-ern material used being the GI sheets onthe roof! Despite this, the School now runsclasses from Nursery to Class III and has46 students from all over Dzongu.

What sets the school apart from otherprivate enterprisesis that it has beenproviding free edu-cation and residen-tial facilities to im-poverished chil-dren from the areasince its inception.Loden and his wife

share their home with children who cannototherwise afford to go to schools.

It all began when Loden met a very poorfamily from a nearby village.

“I had gone to this remote village andmet a very poor family who could not af-ford to send their son to school,” recountsLoden. “I sought the permission of his par-ents and brought the boy with me and ad-mitted him to Mayel Lyang. The boy stayedwith me as part of the family.”

Very soon, Loden starting bringinghome such underprivileged kids from thenearby villages and took care of their edu-cational needs.

“The only way to ensure that these chil-dren received at least a primary education wasto bring them here and put them under ourcare. So the hostel was necessary,” he says.

Within a short span of time, Loden’shouse was accommodating more than tenkids, which served both as their homes aswell as a hostel. There are now 14 kids stay-ing with the family, the youngest being asix-year old and the oldest one, a 12 yearold girl, who now goes to the governmenthigh school in the village.

Despite severe financial crunch and lim-ited resources, Loden and his family pro-vide the children under their care with eve-rything from their educational needs, tonutrition, to clothing, to emotional bonding.There are also regular paying day-scholars

in the school.“Knowledge is

power,” saysLoden, which is in-cidentally also theschool’s motto.Having realized ata very young agethat one needed a

good educational foundation to get any-where in this age of cut-throat competi-tion, Loden is making sure that kids fromhis community are not deprived of thesame in their precious learning years.

The students are taught all regular sub-jects with special emphasis on Lepcha lan-guage and literature, which is taught fromthe Kindergarten level onwards. In fact, theschool anthem is based on a Lepcha poemby Dorjee Wangdi Lepcha, a teacher at theTNSS school in Gangtok.

There are six teachers in the schoolwith Loden’s cousin, Pema Rinzing, asthe principal. The staff salaries and allother expenses are somehow met by theschool management from their own re-sources. There is no government fund-ing as yet and the only outside aid theschool receives is a monthly assistanceof Rs. 2,000 from the Human Develop-ment Foundation that augments the re-sources to some extent.

This low-profile Lepcha family’s ef-forts have not been in vain. While it iscertainly difficult to make ends meet withjust 46 students, there have been numer-ous rewards in the form of its studentsexcelling in studies and grateful parents.Two former students are now studyingat the prestigious Tashi Namgyal Acad-emy while others are performing well atvarious government schools.

The process of realising his dream ofmaking sure that children from his com-munity have access to modern educationhas been a very difficult one for Loden.His dogged determination has seen himthrough and proves that one does not needvast resources and capital to make a dif-ference. Such efforts deserve accoladesfrom the society and the government.

Loden Gyatso Lepcha was

denied “English-medium”

education during his

formative years because he

lived in remote Dzongu and

the nearest such school was

beyond the economic means

of his parents. Through the

years he learnt that

“knowledge was power” and

accessibility more important

than money to attain this

power. He decided that the

chance that he did not get

would be available for the

next generation. With scarce

resources and ample

dedication, he started Mayal

Lyang Academy. Dzongu’s only

English-medium private

school. SARIKAH ATREYA

profiles this noble initiative...The humble facade of the alma-mater hides an initiative that is both nobleand brave. Students of Mayel Lyang Academy pose outside their school[above]. The couple behind the intiative, Loden Gyatso Lepcha and hiswife at the school campus.

NOW! pix

10; NOW! June 11-17, 2003

DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

18

fresh everyday

ofSLICELIFE

PRESENTS

This week, try out the different lures of Mango,the king of fruits at our Mango Festival

RUMTEK: Connemara Sikkim,a unique centre for health and fit-ness opened its innings recentlywhen a group of foreign touristschecked in for the “ConnemaraWeek” - five days of relaxingtherapy in the midst of nature.

Run by Karma Doma andHelena Lund, the center is locatedat Shambhala Resort, Rumtek.The duo have trained at the wellknown “Connemara Institute” inSweden.

At the Connemara Centre,here at Rumtek, they offer variouskinds of energy-enhancing treat-ments to rejuvenate your body,mind and soul.

“We want to provide holisticbody and soul care. We chose thisplace because there is so muchnatural beauty around. It’s an idealplace to de-stress and optimizeyour energy level,” says Karma.

To help one revitalise, theyoffer many options. From AromaTherapy (luxury therapy with es-sential oils), to Kinesology (tooptimize your skeleton) to the clas-

when the energy flow is blockedor inhibited,” ex-

plains Helena.What the

“Connemara Week”offers is an opportunity

to break-down blockages andrestore the balance to make usmore energetic and fit. A factvouched by the recent visitors whocompleted the course.

“I have had five days of won-derful experiences. The under-standing and hard work put inby the two girls is amazing. Iam positive that the experience

will change my life from me-diocrity to happiness,” says

Norma Warner from theUS of A.

Equally enthusedis Ilsa Easson, a visi-

tor from Turkey. “For me it was alife saving experience. No westernmedical treatment could help me asthey treated only the symptoms.Helena and Karma went to thesource of ailment, cured it and inthe process set many things straightwhich had lost balance in the courseof my life,” she tells us.

The Connemara Energy Con-cept requires one to relax, be calm

REQUIREDA Site Engineer for

projects outside

Gangtok.Qualification:

fresh graduate / graduate.

Contact:

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Ring: 284408 &

9434067628

sical Swedish massage (to releasetensed muscles both at the physi-cal and mental level). But it is QiGong, an ancient system of physi-cal training and philosophy basedon traditional Chinese medicine

that forms the core of therapy.“When Qi or energy flows in

a dynamic and harmonious streamin our body we feel healthy andinvigorated both mentally andphysically. Illness results only

and away from distractions, so thatyou are free to train with your vi-tal energy. The centre atShambhala provides the perfectbackdrop for this kind of therapy.

A unit of Shambhala Resorts,the center can house up to fourpeople at a time with provisionsfor a larger group to stay at theresort itself. All costs are inclusiveof food and lodging.

“We cook the food ourselvesto ensure hygiene and nutritivevalue. We serve only vegetarianfood with lots of salads and healthdrinks,” says Karma.

The centre is the only one out-side Sweden to have beenfranchised “The Connemara En-ergy Concept”. It is an advantagethat could well work in its favour.

“I know that this will becomea centre of light and healing in Sik-kim. I will return to South Africawith more light, having releasedso many of my deep blockages inthis unique environment,” saysLorraine Forbes.

“Connemara Sikkim” seemsto have taken off in right earnest.In future it has the potential to be-come a major tourist destinationfor those looking to de-stress andregain their energy levels. Therapyin the hills. Sounds like a goodcombination.

a NOW! REPORT

A WEEK TO DE-STRESSTHERAPEUTIC TOURISM DEBUTS WITH CONNEMARA

POETRY IN MOTION: Qi Gong practise in progress

Vajra Guru

recitations at

RumtekRUMTEK: Recitation of one bil-lion Vajra Guru Mantras beginshere at the Dharma Chakra Cen-tre on June 14. This, the chairman,Lhengay Administrative Council,Tshurpu Labrang, informs, followsthe directions of the XVIIthGyalwa Karmapa Ogyen TrinleyDorjee.

A 2-day Tsechu ritual lamadance was also held on July 9 and10. On the June 11, GyaltsabRinpoche initiated the VajraCrown ceremony and long lifeKawang (Initiation).

Env Day around

SikkimSANG: World Environment Daywas observed here at the SangSenior Secondary School premiseson June 5. A rally from Sang ba-zar till Masha was also organised,followed by poetry recitation bystudents. A plantation drive wasalso held later.

Similarly, in Marchak, LowerTintek, Environment Day festivi-ties were organised by the SirijanaClub a plantation drive on eithersides of the road from NHPC dam-site to Marchak and at theMarchak primary school campus.

I’ve learned that no one

was put here to be in

charge of making me

happy. That’s my job.

-anon

I’ve learned that no one

was put here to be in

charge of making me

happy. That’s my job.

-anon

I’ve learned that no one

was put here to be in

charge of making me

happy. That’s my job.

-anon

TASHIDING: World Environ-ment Day, June 5, was observedwith great pomp and grandeur bythe students and teachers ofTashiding Senior SecondarySchool, West Sikkim.

The occasion was graced by

the Tashiding Gram Panchayatmembers, officials of the ForestDepartment, hospital staff andsome guardians. The day also sawthe formation of an Eco-Club atthe school.

Nature too, perhaps realisingthat the day was special, parted theclouds and offered a bright andsunny day, rarity in the overcast

a NOW REPORT

Sunny Environment Day at Tashidingweather that West Sikkim has atpresent. The setting was perfectfor the rally taken out by the stu-dents with placards and banners onthe need for environmental conser-vation.

Poetry recitations followedand then it was time for a planta-tion drive of some 250 saplings inand around the school campus.

June 11-17, 2003; NOW! 11

19

Connemara Sikkimis looking for young girls and boys for training in Aroma

Therapy, Kinesology, Swedish Massage and Swimming

Dragon Qi Gong.

Those interested may contact:

Karma or Helena at

9832054928 & 9434012239

i

WALK IN INTERVIEW for the following purely technical postsfor the extra mural biomedical research projects ( Population BasedCancer Registry and Morbidity Surveillance) involving extensivefield activities will be held on 18 June 2003 at 10:30 AM in theLibrary of the STNM Hospital, Gangtok.

1. Senior Research Fellow - 2 Posts

Salary Rs. 9,500 PM Consolidated + HRA as admissible as per rules.

Qualification - Essential - MBBS from a recognised university and duly regis-

tered under Indian Medical Council.

Desirable - MD Medicine or Community Medicine / one year field experience.

2. Field Investigators - 3 Posts

Salary Rs. 5,920 PM Consolidated

Qualification - Essential - B Sc in Biological Sciences / Statistics & MPW or

similar training under State Health Department.

Desirable - One year Field Experience and working experience in computers.

3. Statistician - 1 Post

Salary Rs. 9,600 PM Consolidated.

Qualification - Essential - MSc in Statistics.

Desirable - One year Field Experience and working experience in computers.

4. Computer Operator / Programmer - 1 Post

Salary Rs. 9,600 PM Consolidated.

Qualification - Graduate with Diploma in Computer Applications with adequate

experience / knowledge of data entry work.

Desirable - O Level Certificate from DOEACC

5. Social Investigator - 2 Post

Salary Rs. 6,705 PM Consolidated.

Qualification - MA in Sociology / MSW or Graduate with 2 Years diploma in

Social work.

Desirable - Working Knowledge of Computers.

� Preference will be given to local candidates

� These posts are purely temporary

� Age should be below 35 years for all the above posts

Interested candidates may appear for the interview for the posts on the date, time

and venue mentioned. Candidates will have to produce all certificates and testi-

monials in original in support of their qualification and experience at the time of

interview.

No TA / DA will be admissible for attending the interview.

EMPLOYMENT

TRAINING OPPORTUNITYApplications are invited from interested candidates to undergo crafts-men training at different field institutions of the Directorate General ofEmployment and Training (DGE&T), Ministry of Labour, Government ofIndia under the scheme of ‘Establishment of New Industrial Training In-stitute in North Eastern States and Sikkim.’ The Training Courses offeredand the requisite criteria for application by the candidates are mentionedbelow:

The Selected candidates shall be eligible for TA (one time to and frofare by sleeper second class and a bus fare as applicable) and stipend @Rs. 500/- per month per trainee. The trainees are also exempted frompayment of tuition fees and hostel rent.

Candidates desirous of undergoing training in any one of the variouscourses mentioned below may apply to the Director, Technical Education,Govt. of Sikkim, Tashiling, Gangtok. The last date for receipt of applica-tions is 21st June 2003. The application must be supported by attestedcopies of the following documents:-(i) Educational qualification certificate.(ii) Certificate of Identification as proof of being a local and(iii) Employment card.

Sl. No. Details of Courses Training Eligibility Conditions

1. Computer Operator & Programming 1 Yr. 12th Class passes under 10+2 system

Assistant or Dip. In Engineering from any polytech

-nic of 3 years duration after 10th class.

2. Desk Top Publishing Operator 1 Yr. 12th class passed under 10+2 System or its

equivalent. Typing speed of 30 wpm in

English

3. Instrument Mechanic 2 Yrs. Passed 10th Class examination under 10+

2 system of education with science as one

of the subjects or equivalent.

4. Stenography (English) 1 Yr. Passed matriculation examination with

English as cognate subject or it’s equivalent

or 10th class under 10+2 system with

English as cognate subject.

5. Secretarial Practice 1 Yr. Passed matriculation examination with

English as cognate subject or it’s equivalent

or passed 1oth Class under 10+2 system

with English as cognate subject.

6. Cutting & Sewing 1 Yr. Passed 8th Standard or its equivalent.

7. Information Technology & Electronics 2 Yrs. Passed in 10th CLass examination under

System maintenance 10+2 system of education with minimum

60% marks in Maths & Science put together

Desirable: 12th Class with Math & Physics.

8. Architectural Draughtsman 3 Yrs. Passed 12th Class examination under 10+2

system of education with Science & Maths

as cognate subjects or it’s equivalent.

9. Hair & Skin Care 1 Yr. Passed matriculation examination with

Hygiene and Physiology or Biology as

Elective subject or 10th class under 10+2

system with Hygiene and Physiology or

Biology as elective subject or equivalent.

10. Electronic Mechanic 1 Yr. Passed 10th class examination under 10+2

system of education or equivalent

11. Electrician 2 Yrs. Passed 10th Class examination under 10+2

system of education.

Director of Technical Education

Education Department

Govt. of Sikkim, GangtokRelease order No: 35/IPR/03-04. Dt:06.06.03

GET SPOT ADMISSION IN BANGALORE & DELHI from GANGTOK

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Sengupta. Under this project, model municipal and biomedical wastetreatment facilities can be created, heritage and historical sites identi-fied and conservation plans carried out.

“Namchi is a good candidate for this project. The SPCB shouldprepare a detailed project report and submit it to the Ministry for fund-ing,” he adds.

The Member Secretary also highlighted areas where the SPCB couldimprove. The Board has been set up by the State government under theDepartment of Forests, but its efficiency is hampered by the acute short-age of technically-qualified manpower.

During his stay, Dr. Sengupta kept a hectic schedule and met theChief Minister, Pawan Chamling, the Chief Secretary and ministers ofForest, UD&HD, and Health and updated them on the various environ-ment issues that demanded immediate attention of the State government.

“I had wide-ranging discussions with the CM and the concernedministers. All of them gave me a patient hearing. Mr. Chamling under-stood the environmental concerns and has assured all possible support.Sikkim is being projected as a eco-friendly State with the ‘greenestCM’ in the country it is therefore imperative that environment conser-vation in the truest sense be top priority here,” Dr. Sengupta said.

As he left, Dr. Sengupta parted with a special word of advice: “Sik-kim is an eco-fragile area with great tourism potential. We do not wantwhat has happened in Darjeeling to be repeated here. I urge the Sikkimgovernment and the people, particularly those in Gangtok to take all pre-cautionary steps to protect the environment before it is too late.”

Contd from pg 4

Conservation demystified

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Published by Lt. Col. (retd) P. Dorjee and printed at Choice International, Daragaon. Editor: Pema Wangchuk. Now! Near Ayurvedic Clinic, Gairi Gaon, Tadong. East Sikkim. ph: 03592 270949 email: sikkimnow@rediffmail.com

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GANGTOK: Sikkim has pro-duced famous mountaineers likeSonam Gyatso, Phu Dorjee, andSonam Wangyal in the past. Thecrop of mountaineers of note, savethe recent Everest summitteer,Nadre Sherpa, seems to have driedup. NOW! met GT Bhutia, Prin-cipal, Sonam Gyatso Mountain-eering Institute (SGMI) to ask whythe state was not producing freshtalent in this field.

Mr. Bhutia admitted that Sik-kim has many prospective moun-taineers. His Institute alone hastrained 500 boys and girls on ba-sic and advanced mountaineering.However, the Principal admittedthat these kids did not pursuemountaineering further since theirare not enough jobs available lo-cally for them and also because

mountaineering is an expensivepassion in the absence of sponsors.

What further limits theirprogress is the lack of enough ex-peditions to hone the skills on.

“The only way out is that thestate government provide somefunds to mountaineering associa-tions so that they can send theseyoung men and women on expe-ditions,” he said.

Mr. Bhutia further maintainedthat most people pursue mountain-eering as just a hobby, for it to betaken up as a profession, one hasto arm himself with successfulclimbs on major peaks. These canhappen only when the local moun-taineering association sponsorsexpeditions. Experience on realmountains makes one a sought af-ter professional, he said.

Despite Sikkim’s obviousnatural talent for climbing moun-tains, SGMI has just not under-taken enough major expeditions

for want of funds. Its instructor,Nadre Sherpa recently climbedMt. Everest, but as a member ofthe Darjeeling-based HimalayanMountaineering Institute team. Todate, SGMI has undertaken 30expeditions, the most notable ofwhich are the ones toKhangchendzonga, Siniolchu,Pandim, Khanchengyao withinSikkim and Hathi Parbat, Shivling,Khanglacha and Nun outside Sik-kim. It needs to boast of more.

by TINA RAI

Funds limit Sikkim’s claim to more mountaineers