KARNATAKA MY STATUS AS a CONGMAN ARE at STAKE SPIDERMAN’S TAKES HERE: KAZI on the TURN to Pg 2 for DETAILS CRAWL 9/11 AGAIN TEESTA RELIVED in DARJEELING

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CABINET CLEARS POWER Power punch DEPARTMENT’S REQUEST SEEKING APPROVAL TO GRANT LETTER OF for the INTENT TO KARNATAKA POWER CORPORATION LIMITED FOR panchayats IMPLEMENTATION OF TEESTA HYDEL PROJECTS STAGES IV & VI

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PRINCE PALDEN GYURMED NAMGYAL I BELIEVE THAT TODAY THERE

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A RETURN TO OF AND INTEREST IN ETHICAL PROMOTION OF OUR PAST. TOURISM exclusive TURN TO pg 5 FOR DETAILS 2 NOW! RECAP SIKKIM Sept 11-17, 2002 THE ETERNAL REBEL WANTS LIMBU SEATS HARDLINE by PANKAJ THAPA RESTORED IN ASSEMBLY Bigger issues than my status as a Congressman are at stake here: Kazi “Let this be clear that I have no command were in favour for getting a NOW REPORT opposition to Limbus and Tamangs Mr. Bhandari on board. The State being accorded tribal status in Sik- unit backed out midway, but Mr. GANGTOK: “I am not the issue kim,” Mr. Kazi told NOW! while Kazi maintained that the central here. There are many more serious adding: “The only reason I joined high-command was still considering issues that need to be discussed and politics was to fight for restoration the possibility. “The high command deliberated on in Sikkim,” said rebel of political rights of the ethnic com- is holding direct parleys with Mr. Congressman, Jigme N. Kazi, who munities of Sikkim.” Bhandari and bypassing the State returned from Delhi recently after “I welcome Limbus and unit now,” he said. having attended a seminar on SC/ST Tamangs into the tribal fold and He, however, admitted that issues organised by the AICC (I). Mr. would want to see even their politi- even the BJP was interested in tak- WATER TANK LIFTER Kazi stressed that the controversy cal rights assured. In fact, the seat ing Mr. Bhandari under its fold. “I JORETHANG: On September 3, IN over his status in the Congress party reserved for Limbus earlier should guess it will depend on who gives 2002 a case under U/S-379/IPC was was drawing attention away from be restored,” he added. him a better deal,” Mr. Kazi said. registered against Dhan Bahadur more pressing concerns. In his note for the seminar, Mr. Apparently, Mr. Bhandari has Rai, resident of Borbotay rajdhani Hinting at the SPCC (I) com- Kazi has also mooted the idea of made it clear that he wants the Chesopani, Jorethang on the writ- munique to the high command that conducting a thorough study by presidentship of the State unit if he ten complaint of Mohan Kumar it was not “responsible” for any competent experts to find out “to is to join the Congress. The present Pradhan, Head Master of Borbotay statements made by Mr. Kazi at the what extent the inclusion of limbus SPCC (I) leadership looks unlikely Primary School. seminar, the former journalist main- and Tamangs in the ST list will af- to relent and the situation is much The accused according to the tained that he “did not raise” any fect the rights and interests so far more fluid with the BJP which dis- head master had stolen a steel wa- An point which had not been passed by enjoyed by the existing ST commu- solved its State unit only recently. ter tank lying within the school the SPCC (I) in its earlier meetings. nities of Sikkim.” It is also learnt that in a meeting premises this case is under investi- The first issue raised by Mr. As for the possibility of former with senior Congressmen of the gation at present. Kazi in his “brief note” on issues Chief Minister, Nar Bahadur State recently, Mr. Bhandari had and problems relating to SC/STs in Bhandari, joining the Congress (an suggested that he would be in a na- SAP SUCIDE Orchid Sikkim related to the recent move idea supported by Mr. Kazi through- tional party by mid-September. SORENG: Tek Bahadur Subba, a for inclusion of the Limbu and out), Mr. Kazi said that earlier both Whether these plans materialise or 42-year-old SAP was found hang- Tamang communities in the ST list. the State unit and the central high- not, we shall know shortly. ing from a tree near by his house around eight in the morning on Sep- for tember 6, 2002 at Timberbong, Soreng. Decision on merger rests The dead body was handed over to the relatives of the deceased af- Dr. Wangyal ter the autopsy was carried out. An Unnatural Death case of U/ with BJP party president S 174 CRPC has been registered. a NOW REPORT improve its public support and mand would be apprised of the opin- strengthen its base.” He said that the ion of the people. The final decision GANGTOK: The suspense over team had “extensive talks” with the rests on the national party president.” SFA APPEALS FOR SSP’s possible merger with the BJP State unit leaders. He also de- Mr. Bhandari had earlier dis- SPONSORSHIP Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may nied reports that the BJP State unit closed that he met almost all senior be finally over by the end of this has been dissolved. BJP leaders in New Delhi recently. Sikkim Football Association announces the start week. On the possible merger, Mr. “I told them that if they are inter- of XXIVth All India Governor’s Gold Cup Football A 3-member committee compris- Khandelwal admitted that SSP ested to strengthen the BJP unit in th th ing of senior BJP leaders, Sunil leaders had “met” BJP leaders in Sikkim, we are ready to merge SSP Tournament from 20 Sept to 6 Oct 2002 at Shastri, in-charge of Sikkim, Parlia- New Delhi recently and proposed with the BJP,” he informed, adding Baichung Stadium, Namchi. This year we would mentary Party Secretary, and Rajya an “unconditional” merger. “We that he had laid down certain con- like to know, how much you still remember your Sabha MP, Ashwini Kumar, and party were told that the people of Sikkim ditions for this. “I told them that first loved ones who have left for their heavenly Vice-President, Pyarelal Khandelwal, are fed up of regional parties and they had to understand the problems abode? If you still love them, SFA offers you a also incharge of Sikkim are in therefore the SSP would want to of the State. If the BJP high com- golden opportunity to sponsor in their sweet Gangtok to “oversee the restructur- merge with a national party. The mand is ready to accept our entry ing and strengthening” of the State SSP has two proposals, one to en bloc, we will join for the wel- memory any one of the following Token Trophy BJP unit, and also “discuss” the pos- merge with the BJP and second, to fare of the State,” he had said. of this Gold Cup. Remember, this is expenditure sible merger proposal floated by Op- cooperate with the BJP. The party Mr. Bhandari had also said that to be incurred just once a year, so hurry and position leader and former Chief Min- president has delegated the three of the BJP was “thinking very seriously” contact us before it is too late. ister, Nar Bahadur Bhandari. us to examine the proposal and about his proposal and that he was 1. Memorial Fair Play Trophy Rs. 5,000/- Talking to mediapersons here check the reaction of the State unit expecting a positive response soon in 2. Memorial Man of the Final Match Trophy Rs. 5,000/- on September 10, Mr. Khandelwal leaders and get the opinions of the this regard. It might also be added 3. Memorial Best Goalkeeper Trophy Rs. 5,000/- said that they would “coordinate the people in this regard,” he said. here that the BJP leaders stated that 4. Memorial Man of the Tournament Trophy Rs. 10,000/- activities of the BJP in the State, He said, “The BJP high com- Sikkim had a stable government and 5. Memorial Runners-up Token Trophy Rs. 15,000/- that there was no threat to it. 6. Memorial Winner’s Token Trophy Rs. 25,000/- (MENLA ETHENPA) COORDINATING TO IMPLEMENT HONY. SECRETARY. a NOW REPORT HoDs to stress on decentralization tection of the natural resources of of administration and devolution of the State should be a concern of the ENTREPRENEUR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TRAINING GANGTOK: The monthly coordina- financial powers and strengthen the government departments as well. Department of Horticulture, Government of Sikkim in co-ordination with tion meeting of the State Government mechanism of accountability in He said that efforts should be made Small Farmers’ Agri. Business Consortium, New Delhi through ECOSS held on September 5, followed-up on their respective Departments. to protect the medicinal plants of organizing Seven days Entrepreneurship Development Programme for decisions taken in the last meeting While urging the departmental the State. He also stressed on Fruits & Vegetable Processing & Preservation. and the various departments pre- heads to be prompt in responding to prompt disposal of pending cases, Date & Venue: sented their implementation reports. queries from the Centre and the Raj including promotions and adjust- *16th to 22nd Sept 2002, ICAR Complex for North and East district The Departments have report- Bhawan, Mr. Chamling said that ment of surplus staff and regular participants. edly initiated the process to consti- submitting of Utilisation Certificates submission of monthly progress re- *23rd to 29th Sept 2002. SIRD, Karfectar for South and West district tute a self-employment cell in every as soon as a CSS was completed port by the departments. participants. department, a decision taken by the should be the primary responsibility The CM said that the physical The target groups of the trainees are unemployed educated local youth. State government recently. of each executing department. The verification, monitoring and evalu- The Selection Committee will make the selection of the trainees on the Some departments expressed CM warned that serious action ation of schemes under implemen- basis of application. their inability to implement some against the Departments would be tation should be of topmost priority Last date for submission of application from the 13th September 2002. Centrally-sponsored schemes due to taken if unauthorized persons were and whatever funds are available Interested applicants may contact: non-availability of suitable land for found carrying official files. He under plan and non-plan should be Executive Secretary setting up the project units. asked the respective HODs to main- utilized properly and promptly. He ECOSS Secretariat, State Archive Annexe, Mr. Chamling expressed his tain a strict watch on official papers also asked the departments to check Zero Point, Gangtok. satisfaction with the arrangements being photocopied by unauthorized on the practice of demanding large being made for the ensuing persons in the departments. sums of supplementary funds. Ph. (03592) 29154, 25182, 28211 Fax- (03592) 29813 Panchayat elections and asked the Mr. Chamling said that the pro- Email: [email protected] Sept 11-17, 2002 DEVELOPMENT NOW! 3 Sikkim notches 3rd place POUSE > in overall Governance ON THE areas of service delivery - drinking with its track-record. As for the re- a NOW REPORT S water, health and sanitation, educa- liability of the survey, it is learnt that GANGTOK: For all the misgivings tion and child care, public distribu- the survey and quality control was one might have of the quality of tion system and road transport. At- supervised by a joint team of ORG- OUSE administration and governance in tributes studied under it were the MARG and PAC. “Statistically, the Sikkim, the State ranks high (third, public access to service facilities, standard of error was less than 5% in fact) in the All India Governance extent of usage of public services, at 90% confidence level,” informs H parameters. quality and reliability of these serv- PAC. This, according to the survey ices and satisfaction with the same. The PAC, it might be added conducted by the Public Affairs Sikkim tops the list on several here, is a non-profit organisation relive the romance Centre, a Bangalore-based NGO, to points. It ranks the highest in areas “dedicated to the cause of improv- generate “systematic and reliable such as access to drinking water and ing the quality of governance in In- information to benchmark the serv- health services. PDS access and use dia and focuses primarily on areas ice standards in the country”. The also rate Sikkim the highest as does in which the public can play a findings, PAC believes, will help in the segment on sanitation. proactive role in improving govern- identifying key issues affecting But what do these findings ance.” Its findings are normally dis- THIS service delivery and in highlighting mean for Sikkim? seminated to citizen action groups segments of population that are af- PAC suggests that Sikkim now for collective action. In this regard, fected. capitalise on these findings to at- one area that Sikkim needs to im- The survey was reportedly car- tract investments. It believes that prove its ranking according to the ried out over 24 states covering 115 Sikkim’s performance in the survey survey results is rural infrastructure Thursday districts and 36,542 households. could also attract funding from de- development in which the State TH The study focused on five specific velopmental agencies impressed ranks 12th. 12 SEPT IN HAVE ORDERS, at WILL EVICT rajdhani up by the Department as a “memo- a NOW REPORT rial forest” where individuals and or- GANGTOK: Continuing with its ganizations can plant saplings in the eviction drive, the Forest Depart- memory of loved ones. This part of ment on September 4 evicted 49 the afforestation programme has been households from the Selep Tanki undertaken by the Department to pro- TTimeime OutOut area, situated at the outskirts of the tect the area as it is a catchment area 6pm ONWARDS Capital. and the major source of the drinking A team comprising of the Divi- water supply of Gangtok. sional Forest Officer, East, (Terri- Sources reveal that a sizeable torial) and other officers from the number of encroachers are still to Department carried out the eviction be removed. There are more than of squatters from the surrounding 100 temporary huts in the area, built areas of the Bulbulley Himalayan over the years by encroachers. Most SPECIAL NITE FOR Zoological Park here, which is un- of the settlers are Nepal nationals der the Forest Department. who are migrant General Reserve The encroached area is situated Engineering Force (GREF) workers FARAAR near the “Smitri Van” just below the employed with the Border Roads COUPLES ONLY Zoological Park, which has been set Organisation. ESPECIALLY THE MARRIED KIND take home a PENTIUM -4 GGreatreat PC ENTRY FREE. SPECIAL COCKTAILS Tashi Namgyal Academy Gangtok - Sikkim Dusshera ADMISSION NOTICE 1. Entrance Test for Admission in Lower Kindergarten for the academic session - 2003 will be conducted on Sunday - 17th November, 2002 at 9:00 A.M. 2. Prospectus/Application forms would be available in the OOfferffer school office from 15th September 2002 on payment. 3. For LKG, age should be +4 (plus four) years but below 5 (five) years as on 1st January 2003 and student should not have studied UKG in 2002 session. 4. The Last date for submission of application form would be 12th November 2002 by 3 P.M. along with the following docu- and ments. get (a) Date of Birth Certificate in original and in duplicate copy obtained from the Office of the Chief Registrar of Births & Deaths Department. One 24X CD WRITER (b) Latest passport and stamp size photographs. (c) Registration fee of Rs. 2,000/- (Rupees two thousand) worth Rs. 5,000 only [Non-refundable] to be deposited in the State Bank of India, Zero Point Branch, Gangtok. Pay in slip can be & also a obtained from the school office after due verification of application form. COMPUTER TABLE Re 5. PLEASE NOTE THAT NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH OF THE F E! STUDENT ONCE ENTERED IN THE APPLICATION FORM SHALL NOT BE CHANGED. worth Rs. 3,000 6. Mere registration is no guarantee of admission. It only enti- tles a student to take the entrance test. The school does not HURRY!!! OFFER VALID TILL 30TH SEPT. ONLY let parents to check/compare the scripts, however, it would Intel, Pentium, and the Intel Inside logo are trademarks or registered trademarks ensure that the test is fairly and efficiently conducted. of Intel corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries 7. Test will be conducted in basic skills of English and Number a t mTIBET ROAD Works and Viva-Voce. u NEAR IPR, GANGTOK nu PRINCIPAL Q COMPUTERS PH: 03592 29171 CHANNEL PARTNER - ZENITH PC 4 NOW! POWER-PLAY Sept 11-17, 2002 GANGTOK: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party to- SDF RELEASE 50-POINT PANCHAYAT POLL MANIFESTO day released its manifesto for the ensuing Panchayat elections here on September 8, 2002. SDF president and Chief Min- ister, Pawan Chamling, announced his party’s agenda for the Panchayat polls, scheduled to be held on Oc- Power punch for the panchayats tober 9, 2002 in the State, at a public meeting organized by the party SDF public meeting to mark at the Paljor Indoor Gymnasium. the release of its panchayat Panchayats to run all primary The SDF party supports manifesto schools, health care centres, minor Panchayat elections on party lines a NOW! pic irrigation works etc. and to take up and had swept the last Panchayat development projects at the grass elections in 1997 with an over- root level and bestowing power on whelming majority. to the Panchayats to mobilize rev- Mr. Chamling released the 50- enues and other resources in the ru- point manifesto in the presence of ral area and providing more empow- the Speaker, Ms. Kalawati Subba, erment to rural women. Women have Rajya Sabha MP, PT Gyamtso, been provided with 33 percent res- former chief minister and now Po- ervation in the Panchayat elections. litical Advisor to the CM, BB Accordingly, all government Gooroong, party Chief Whip, KN decisions will be taken only after Rai, his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs, due consultation with the senior party members and a large Panchayats. “This participatory ap- gathering of Panchayat members proach is all about bringing the and party supporters. voice of the people into the main Speaking on the occasion, Mr. stream of thinking when it comes Chamling while justifying his par- to taking decisions for rural devel- ty’s decision to hold the Panchayat opment,” Mr. Chamling explained. elections on party lines, said that his The Panchayats will also play party’s primary objective behind an important role and be responsi- this move was to “restore democ- ble for the government-initiated de- racy.” velopment policies and pro- “This could not be achieved in grammes. Steps will be taken by the letter and spirit unless we take it to Panchayats to ensure that the vil- the people. The people must decide lages produce, market and distrib- how they would like their future to last Panchayat term, Mr. Chamling Panchayat level. We have also rec- knowledge of ethno-medicines and ute all agricultural products in a be moulded,” he said. said that “for the first time, we have ognized the prominent role of the environment, preserving their tradi- profitable manner with the strength- Reiterating his party’s mantra of recognized and given due recogni- rural women in the socioeconomic tions and customs to strengthen the ening of the cooperative movement “afno gaon afai banaaon,” Mr. tion to the contribution and poten- development process,” he said. bond of community living and pro- at the village level. Chamling said, “Our experience tial of the rural masses.” Mr. Chamling said that his party vide the rural areas with modern in- The Panchayats will also have has been wonderful and the people “We have made serious at- was “serious” on the issue of em- frastructures and all basic amenities. the responsibility of forwarding rec- of Sikkim have gained substantially tempts to empower the rural masses powering the rural masses both ad- The manifesto promises devolv- ommendations for the issuance of -socially, politically and economi- by actually sending funds and del- ministratively and financially, har- ing maximum portions of funds to domiciles and trade licenses to the cally.” Outlining of the “achieve- egating more powers to the nessing their talents and resources the rural areas, providing adminis- people at the village level, among ments” made by the party during the Panchayats right up to the Gram for nation building, utilizing their trative and financial powers to the others. CORRIDORS OF OPPOSITION PANCHAYATS OUTCAST: UPRETI PANCHAYAT POLLS SCHEDULED POWER FOR OCT 9; MODEL CODE OF Starting this week, NOW! CONGRESS TOYS WITH keeps you informed of all CONDUCT IS ON the transfers and promotions taking place in the BOYCOTT PLOY Mr. Gazmer said that meetings government. fancies of the government,” he said. a NOW REPORT were also held with the political a NOW REPORT The SPCC-I criticized the gov- parties in the State. The parties Shri T P Dorjee, Secre- ernment by alleging that its claims GANGTOK: The State Election which particpated in this round of tary , Sikkim Public Serv- GANGTOK: The Sikkim Pradesh that the election’s would be free and Commission has announced new meetings are - the ruling Sikkim ice Commission and Shri M Congress Committee (I) has said fair were “nothing but an eyewash.” dates for the Panchayat elections in Democratic Front, the Himali Rajya G Kiran, Managing Direc- that it was “seriously considering” “We have seen after the last the State for October 9, 2002. The party and the BJP Sikkim unit. The tor, SIDICO who have been boycotting and oppossing the ensu- Panchayat elections that when an term of the existing Zilla and Gram main Opposition, Sikkim Sangram ing Panchayat elections in the State. opposition party participates in the Panchayats expires on November Parishad and the Sikkim Pradesh promoted in the rank of SPCC-I spokesman, KN Upreti elections and if its candidate wins, 28, 2002. Congress Committee-I did not at- Secretary to the Govern- said that the Congress, as well as he is considered an outcast by the The State government also delim- tend the meeting, although all the ment on Officiating basis the other Opposition parties in the ruling party and his recommenda- ited the Gram Panchayat Wards and parties were invited, he said. shall continue to function in State, including the Sikkim tions and authority is not accepted Territorial Constituencies in the State Mr. Gazmer further said that the their respective place of Sangram Parishad (SSP) party were by the ruling party MLAs and min- recently. The preparation and the pub- Commission was “satisfied” with posting until further orders. “opposed to the holding of isters. He then will have no choice lication pf the Panchayat Electoral the law and order situation in the Panchayat elections on party basis.” but to join the ruling party,” Mr. rolls have also been completed. State at present. A meeting was also Shri K P Adhikari, SCS “From the past experience, it is Upreti said in a press statement. The State Election Commis- held with the Director General of Secretary ( officiating ), evident that under the party-based sioner, DK Gazmer said that he has Police in this regard it is learnt. Education Department is Panchayat system, the party in Former Chief Minister and SSP already held meetings with the Dis- The last day for filing the nomi- transferred and posted as power manoeuvres and manipulates president, Nar Bahadur Bhandari trict Collectors, who have been ap- nation papers has been set for Sep- Secretary, Printing & Sta- in every aspect, like delimitation of has already announced that his party pointed the Returning Officers, and tember 16, 2002. The scrutiny of the tionary Department. Panchayat units and reservation and will not take part in the Panchayat other officials from the State admin- nomination papers will be held the rotation of Panchayat seats. As the elections, but may support inde- istration to review the preparedness next day and the last day for with- The following members Panchayat department is directly pendent candidates from the out- of the election machinery in the drawal of nomination has been of the Sikkim State Civil under the government, everything side. The State BJP unit is yet to Districts and also review the law fixed for September 19, 2002. Mr. Service have been pro- happens according to the whims and announce its decision in this regard. and order situation in the State. Gazmer said that the entire election moted as Additional Secre- process to be completed by Octo- tary on Officiating capacity: ATTENTION ALL IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY! ber 26, 2002. NOW! is bringing out a travel booklet , the NOW! Travelmate, which will be a special guide The Model Code of Conduct 1. Shri Lhendup Dorjee and tourist companion covering all aspects of Tourism in Sikkim. Wholly conceptualised, became applicable from September Lepcha, Joint Secretary, designed and written in-house by the NOW! Marketing and Creative Department, it is slated 8 and is to last till the elections are Culture Department for release to coincide with the World Tourism Day celebrations on September 27, 2002. over, he added. While we at NOW! are making superlative efforts to classify and update all pertinent informa- There are a total of 2,41,052 2. Shri Dawa Samdup, tion, we request all those who would like to be featured in the Travelmate to call in or e-mail us voters for the Panchayat polls in the Joint Secretary, Land Rev- at the earliest. The NOW! Marketing team has already started on their rounds of East District State and a total of 911 polling sta- enue Department and will shortly be visiting Ravangla, Pelling and Mangan in their quest for a comprehensive tions will be set up for this process. 3. Shri D P Sharma, Joint tourist friendly booklet, the likes of which have not been seen in Sikkim so far. The Travelmate has a cover price of Rs.10 and a proposed print run of 10,000 copies. All Government Depart- Secretary, Home Depart- ments /Hotels/ Travel Agents/News-agents who are interested in purchasing Travelmate may NOW! ment kindly contact the NOW! Marketing & Creative Department and avail discounts for bulk orders. can be reached at 70949 & 4. Shri P R Poudyal, PRO Contact person(s): Marketing Manager/ Marketing Executive, Phone: 70949, E-mail: emailed at to the Governor. [email protected] [email protected] Sept 11-17, 2002 DEVELOPMENT NOW! 5 TSOMGO BEAUTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT UNVEILED A RETURN TO ETHICAL PROMOTION OF TOURISM within which the shops in the lake by RANJIT SINGH region are to be relocated. This phase is expected to be complete by GANGTOK: PW Rinzing, Joint October 31 subject to the timely Secretary, Tourism Department, de- disbursement of funds. The car scribed it as another feather in the park, which has been a long-stand- cap of the tourism industry in Sik- ing demand of taxi drivers, is about kim. Minister Tourism, KT a 100 feet in length by 40 feet wide. Gyaltsen, said it was a return to ethi- It will be able to accommodate cal promotion of the sights and sur- about 20 cars at a time, which will roundings the state has to offer. The be parked in shifts. Tourists want- locals of the area believe it to be ing a ride back to town will have to employment enhancing. The rest of walk down to the car park for their the world has yet to give its verdict. lift. Incidentally, the Chief Minis- Whatever that is and whenever ter who was unable to attend the in- it comes; be it lavish or merely auguration ceremony had laid the crumbs; the Border Road Organi- foundation stone of the complex in zation along with the State Govern- 1999. ment have proved a point each. The Among others present at the former that they are dedicated, com- sombre function were MLA Sonam mitted and capable of executing Dorjee, Chairman Sikkim Tourism operations where others fear to Board, Dorjee Namgyal, officers of tread and within the given opera- the Tourism Department and the tional and topographical con- BRO. The Public Accounts Com- straints; the latter that they too are mittee of the Parliament led by one- dedicated and committed and true time Union Home Minister, Buta to their word. Singh added their own charm to the The Minister Tourism said as occasion.TURN TO pg 2 FOR DETAILS much in his speech at the inaugura- The Tsomgo car park [above] and its inauguration by the tion ceremony of the Tsomgo Car Minister Tourism [inset] Park, September 5: “I especially thank the BRO for their coopera- danger of being violated. Diesel and ists. He further suggested incorpo- tion and efficient management. I petrol spewing jeeps parked along rating cultural and traditional pro- if you have not further hope that this relationship the lake-side are the most tangible grammes to entertain tourists along between the government and the of the lake’s polluters. The con- with the preparation of traditional BRO will carry on and see the state struction of the car park is there- Sikkimese food. through many more development fore an effort at diluting the harm- For those interested in statistics, been lucky with Lotto projects especially in the harsher ful effects of noxious emanations the proposal for the development terrains.” from intoxicating the lake waters and beautification of Tsomgo Lake Tsomgo, at an altitude of 12,400 and in its concluding implications, Area was first mooted in 1995 by try these... feet, has always been the spot for our metabolic systems as well. the Tourism Department. The esti- tourists. A visit to the state is con- And as Mr. Gyaltsen pointed mated cost of Rs 2.20 crores was sidered incomplete without the out, there will always be auxiliary later revised to Rs. 2.13 crores. The ritual of a Tsomgo homage. With the benefits accruing the locals of car park is the first phase of work chain of vehicles heading that way Tsomgo. But at the same time he undertaken costing a total of 1.26 - Mortgage your the ecology as well as the sanctity advised them to show some disci- crores. Phase II will include the of the lake there has always been in pline in their interactions with tour- construction of a shopping complex properties Teachers want THE PANCHAYAT POLL winter advance READY RECKONER and take a loan TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTERS revived, teachers’ DISTRICT MALE FEMALE TOTAL of upto East 43,361 45,641 91,002 West 36,058 34,303 70,361 home and annual North 7,322 6,793 14,115 South 33,605 31,969 65,574 farewell parties TOTAL 1,22,346 1,18,706 2,41,052 Rs.50 50 lakhs a NOW REPORT Number of Territorial Constituencies, Gram Panchayat Units and Gram Panchayat Wards and Polling Stations-Districtwise GANGTOK: The Central Working District No. No. No. No. of @ 13.5% Committee of the Sikkim Teachers’ of TC of GPU of GPW PS Association, met the Chief Minis- WEST 25 51 274 274 ter, Pawan Chamling at his official SOUTH 24 45 255 255 +Aus PS residence, Mintokgang on Septem- EAST 31 50 273 273 - Housing Loan ber 3 and submitted a three-point +Aux PS memorandum to him containing the NORTH 20 20 101 103 including demands of the STA. PS for Lachen & at as low as According to Chungchung Lachung Bhutia, Treasurer, STA, the Asso- TOTAL 100 166 903 911 ciation has reiterated its earlier de- 9.5% p.a. mand to revive the two months ad- PANCHAYAT ELECTIONS 2002 vance winter salary for the govern- Highest number of voters Loan processed in 2 sittings ment teachers. It has also demanded East/29/2 - Phewa and Deorali - 1,946 voters in the memorandum for the estab- Lowest number of voters No Processing Charge upto 31/1/2003 lishment of a system to deliver the North/12/3 - Upper Ship -23 voters cheques of the amount credited to Highest number of female voters Housing Loans on higher Interest Rates taken from retiring teachers before their tenure East/29/2 Phewa and Deorali - 971 voters other Financial Institutions can be taken over by us. ended by organizing “mass celebration programme in their honour once a year.” For further details The STA has also demanded ALL HOTELIERS & TRAVEL AGENTS! STATE contact any SBI Branch granting of a site along with finan- BANK OFin Gangtok or call Chief cial assistance for constructing a SHRA Eco-Poster BANK OFManager PBD or Ganga “Teachers’ Home”, here in Gurung or AT Bhutia at Gangtok. INDIA 22224 / 22824 “The Chief Minister gave us a available at Oberoi’s, MG Marg. patient hearing and assured that our demands will be looked into,” Ms. Price Rs. 50/- BANK MEANS STATE BANK Bhutia said. GANGTOK 11-17 SEPT, 2002 6 NOW! ED-SPACESept 11-17, 2002

SIKKIM MATTERS ENEMY No. 1 Twenty-seven years on as part of India, Sikkim has now reached a stage where none of its problems - be it restoration of political rights or corruption - can really be tackled piecemeal. An integrated approach is an overwhelming imperative for the task. We now need an administrative outlook which will do more than just snuff out the odd bush fire. It is time to evolve a political philosophy to address the problem of society - now steeped in reckless consumerism and unbridled corruption. We have to realise that such a state of affairs is never going to evolve anything noble. Can’t we, as a people, close ranks at this critical stage to chart a new course and make a fresh start? If Transparency International were to conduct a survey in Sikkim and reveal that corruption in our State ranks up there with the most corrupt, few people would be surprised. While that is understandable, what rankles is that still fewer would Misreadings be stirred into any reaction. A society that has lost its collective conscience is the most unstable. Sikkim needs to shake off uly 2002. The BJP had never sion is concerned, the government its lethargy. Corruption has now become so routine that no had it better in their entire po will be heaving a sigh of relief that eyebrows are raised even when an obvious plan is afoot. Jlitical career or even since the DEEP the term of JM Lyngdoh ends in Today, it is considered OK to skim the cream so long as one is ‘Great Hindu Awakening’. The sea February 2004, thereby reducing not caught. But even “caught” has a completely different ring was calm and the NDA ship was chances of his overseeing the next to it. With each passing year, the definition of “caught” is cruising along fine. LK Advani had FOCUS general elections. Not only did the adjusted. While at one time, an investigation would have been just been re-designated as deputy by RANJIT SINGH CEC rule out the possibility of the enough to attract stigma, nowadays even a chargesheet is prime minister – a logical culmina- Gujarat elections in October he was considered lightly. Just look around. A former CM is on the tion, or one could even say, sym- ness of thorns that relish pegging also unreservedly caustic in his dock on charges of accumulating assets disproportionate to bolic initiation of the dreaded ‘hid- themselves into the ample saffron criticism of certain officials in the his known sources of income and yet there are parties of den agenda’ of the party. A suppos- flesh. Gujarat administration for mislead- national standing with stated abhorrence for corruption edly political novice, APJ Kalam, To that end the first winds blew ing him. His rebuke was in fact reportedly queuing up to draft him to their side. But then, that’s was slated to take over the Presi- carrying President Kalam to Gujarat aired on news channels and some how politics works and in it one can see the germ which allows dency of the nation in what was con- followed by the Chief Election air was certainly needed to bring corruption to fester - lethargy. Just like the national biggies sidered one of the shrewdest in- Commissioner, JM Lyngdoh. Not back the colour of some red faces are too lethargic to make a serious attempt at setting up a stances of political management on only did Kalam decide to make in the government. While the tough support base in Sikkim opting rather for the easier option of the part of the NDA. A veteran BJP Gujarat his first official halt, but he no-nonsense image of the CEC is acquiring a regional fish for the small pond, so, too, the people leader and RSS hand, Bhairon also chose to be more proactive than celebrated with regard to the polls ignore the malaise because to do something about it demands Singh Shekhawat was on the verge any previous head of state can be in Jammu and Kashmir it is decried too much involvement. No one wants to go through the of becoming the vice-president. remembered for the same. “Tech- for the same in Gujarat. laborious weeding process that the system requires. So we And everybody was talking of elec- nical clarifications” is how the BJP The BJP has only itself to blame settle for status quo. What we forget in doing so is that what tions in Gujarat by October. The sun termed the basic questions raised by for the present state of affairs for the World Bank is doing with corrupt nations, the Centre could god was smiling, political horizons the President when he returned the misinterpreting the role of consti- do a State that does not account for its excesses - freeze were expanding and the party was ordinance on electoral reforms tutional authorities or trying to un- funding. Its already happening in Darjeeling where West Bengal beginning to dare. passed by the cabinet. The ordi- dermine their constitutional au- is demanding accounts which DGHC obviously does not have. A couple of months down the nance contravenes the spirit of the tonomy. The latter betrays an ele- Many central projects get dropped midway even in Sikkim line and the NDA dream boat seems Supreme Court directive on elec- ment of insecurity in their collec- because the concerned departments fail to satisfy the to have sprung a leak. Things have toral reforms and neutralizes the tive perceptions which is further accountants in Delhi. not exactly followed the script. The measures to cleanse politics of aggravated by the promptings of What Sikkim should perhaps realise is that we have had it party sadly mistook constitutional criminalization. vote-bank politics which demand good thus far despite the fact that the trickle down effect is not authorities and their offices to be Technical trivialities, have in certain indiscretions. as porous as it should be. Imagine if development reached mere rubber stamps to mechanically fact been raised on the ‘audacity’ And with the judiciary pump- the grassroots even faster. Sikkim has its population on its and deferentially qualify their wan- of the President to return the ordi- ing more activism into its channels side - it does not take much to improve the lot of 5.5 lakh ton political appetite. Some people nance for reconsideration which are further clog and choke in the par- people. Sadly, things could spiral into decay just as fast for a might indeed argue that rubber really uncalled for as he is well ty’s pet governmental machinery is human resource so limited and so dependent. Shall we get stamps they are but at the moment within his constitutional rights to do likely to cause more splutters and thinking now? they seem to have conspired to so – for the first time at least. flutters. transform their image to the like- As far as the Election Commis-

LOOKING FORWARD TO I hope others don’t have simi- tion letters were sent. Some kind of police also discovered stacks of iron X-FACTOR LETTERS lar experience. It really spoilt our alternative housing has to be pro- rods, bricks and bottles of kerosene nother great issue of NOW! Sunday! vided. After all we claim to be the oil mixed with chilli powder indi- AI’m seriously addicted. Infact too there are many chemists who Sarda, Gangtok Khali Khuttey ko Sarkar! cating that the attack was premedi- its becoming more interesting every surreptitiously deal in these. As a Name with-held tated. day. Your idea of a youth supple- parent of a drug addict I know this HUMANE EVICTION? Again, on August 8, 1995, these ment is excellent. But I hope you for sure. I appreciate your articles his is in reference to your story FOOTBALL FIGHTS monks along with hired hands from don’t just lift articles from YO! and dealing with drug abuse but please Ton encroachments in North Sik- propos your report (Football outside assembled at the gates of the put it here. Also please don’t raise do not mention the names of the kim being cleared to meet the Su- AFights, NOW! August 21-27, monastery compound to try and en- the cost of the paper. A free sup- various drugs and substances which preme Court deadline of Septem- 2002) on the fight that followed a ter the monastery forcefully. They plement should be free. The reader can be potentially abused. ber 30. football final at Sang Busty recently. were stopped at the gate by the po- should not have to pay for it. More T. Cintury, Syari Did the Forest Department just We would like to clarify here that lice. When they were not allowed than Rs.5 for a paper will be too wake up to the problem or did the the “rowdy monks” in question to proceed further, they turned vio- much for us. POLITENESS ON A Supreme Court spring a last minute were identified by the people of lent and started to stone the police T. Topden, Development Area PREMIUM surprise? Sang Busty as monks belonging to and the cars parked nearby. The hat is wrong with our Gov If, as you say the order was the Shamar group. police had to resort to lathi-charge. NO DRUG NAMES, PLEASE Wernment servants? Even given in 1996 what has the said de- As per custom, monks belong Now on August 13, 2002, as re- rug addiction is a major prob when they do what is their job they partment been doing till now? It is to different monasteries and the ported, these monks went on a ram- Dlem in this region but very lit- act as if they are doing the public a fine to say we need to clear our for- one’s involved in the above-men- page after a football match, dam- tle is being done about it. Your re- big favour. ests of encroachments but it has to tioned fracas once belonged to aging school property and attacking cent article on drug addiction in One Sunday like most people of be done in a humane manner. Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre but players since the team sponsored by Darjeeling shows how even young the locality I lined up for taking of Where are these people supposed had left the monastery of their own them lost. May we ask: is it the func- schoolchildren are becoming vic- photos for the new ration cards with to go? choice in 1993 after creating com- tion of monks to fund football tims of this curse. The Government members of my family. But the Another newspaper mentioned motion in the monastery. These teams. Anyway, these monks were and NGO’s need to take a more behavior of the man at the counter about a family with four children monks belonging to the Shamar chased and beaten up by the school proactive approach to deal with this was very rude. This has upset many going to a nearby school. What are group are once again in the news children and public of Sang. Imag- issue. In Darjeeling shopkeepers persons. He kept scrutinizing all our they to do now? How will we feel and again for the wrong reasons. Let ine the humiliation. A senior lama which were selling the banned sub- documents in the most suspicious if we were to be uprooted from our us now trace the history of these who had brought the monks, fortu- stances were arrested but that is just manner while being quite easy with homes overnight? monks. nately escaped the counter-attack by the tip of the iceberg. In Gangtok people known to him. It is not enough to say that evic- On August 2, 1993, they locked hiding himself. up the main puja room and threw These monks have set a very Readers are invited to share their views, opinions and reactions to news-items carried in NOW! The stones, bricks and firewood on the bad example. All followers of the letters may be edited for language and content and the name of the writer withheld on request. Personal public which had gathered that day Dharma must strongly condemn attacks will not be carried, but letters raising pertinent issues will be shared with readers. Please mail all for prayers. The police had to be such behaviour. feedback to NOW, Gairi Gaon, Tadong, Gangtok East Sikkim. email: [email protected] called to restore order and the the Sonam, Tenzing & Tashi, Gangtok Sept 11-17, 2002 ON RECORD NOW! 7 PRINCE PALDEN GYURMED NAMGYAL “The financial sector can be an incredibly powerful tool for development of Sikkim” Youngest son of Late Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal and Gyalmo state? Hope Cooke, Prince Palden Gyurmed Namgyal, started his education think the development of a viable finan- Icial sector can be an incredibly powerful exclusive at Tathangchen School and graduated from Georgetown University, tool for the development of Sikkim. A healthy Washington DC. He is perhaps the youngest Managing Director with JP finance sector should fuel the growth of a Morgan and is in-charge of Mergers and Acquisitions. To say that he stronger and more productive economy rather If its not too personal, could you tell us what has travelled the world would be an understatement. He has been than dependence on agriculture and aid from kind of a person your father, the late Delhi. I hope that this available capital can Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal, was? around, but his heart still beats for Sikkim. NOW! managed an really be well used to create opportunities for hat probably requires a long answer but exclusive interview with him. Excerpts: young people and entrepreneurs trying to start TI will try to address the question on two something. levels: As to the convenience of modern tech- As a father, my father was constrained in nology - ATM’s and online banking are great terms of family time because of his commit- innovations. It is amazing that Sikkim has ment to Sikkim. There was no such thing as changed so quickly. I am sure that the next an office schedule - as his duties were full time I come back there will even be a bank time. Whether it was actually going to his with a drive through teller window to accom- office or meeting with different people from modate the tremendous traffic which seems dignitaries to simple villagers there was al- to snarl Gangtok. ways something happening which required his attention. So the times I enjoyed with him How do you feel when you come home for were quiet periods in between. I remember your holidays with your family to a vastly having breakfast with my father at a hidden changed Sikkim? spot by the palace pond where he liked to bviously a lot has changed in Sikkim meditate or being read to by him (my father Oover time. On the outside one sees the preferred the Jatakas as the stories were fun ATM’s, the construction and the traffic. Also and taught something about Buddhism). the time in which new styles, ideas or trends As Chogyal, my father was prescient in are introduced into Sikkim from the outside his understanding that Sikkim had to progress world has really been shortened due to expo- but not at the cost of our culture and way of sure to media such as Star TV or the internet. life. During his time I believe that the there However on another level, the more peo- was a real sense of service without the cor- ple in Sikkim are exposed to material com- ruption and selfishness which started after the forts and other people’s way of life, the greater annexation and unfortunately still exists to- there is a yearning to learn more about one’s day. I believe that his efforts to modernize own background and culture. I believe that Sikkim, while still trying to preserve the best today there is far more appreciation of and of our traditions, are finally being recognized interest in our past. But we are also at a cru- by the younger Sikkimese who appreciate that cial point in time where the ones that know Star TV doesn’t fill the void of learning more the most about our history are fewer and about one’s self. fewer.

You are one of Tathangchen School’s most Post September 11, has Wall Street been illustrious alumni. What are your memo- badly hit? ries of school days there? all Street has faced a difficult 12 have terrific memories of Tathangchen Wmonths since September 11th. First the ISchool. As a village school (rather than a horrific acts of September 11th had a nega- public school), I met children from all walks tive impact on a whole cross-section of eco- of life. I remember the class rooms weren’t nomic activity such as airlines, hotels and res- fancy, but we had great teachers. Tathangchen taurants which made an already slowing was unique both in terms of its curriculum economy even more challenging. Second, the (Sikkimese history and culture was taught in current crisis of confidence due to a few but addition to regular school work) as well as highly visible accounting frauds has further the student body (kids came from all over dampened investor sentiment and interest in Sikkim and were of all types of backgrounds). the markets. So yes, by almost any measure As to one of my funnier memories, I remem- this has been a difficult year but we are hope- ber being concerned during the march pasts As to my training, it is strange that some- travel across the globe from Tokyo to New ful of seeing some signs of a potential bounce at Paljor Stadium whether my father could one whose background in numbers consisted York to Europe. back. see me or the other kids from Tathangchen. of historical dates such as July 4, 1776 could You see, the uniform of our school was khaki succeed in banking. You have been based in New York for so Do you have any words of encouragement shirts and brown shorts which used to get lost Thankfully, JP Morgan, where I currently many years. How strong are your ties to Sik- for our readers who hope to make it big in in the sandy Paljor stadium field. work, had a world renowned training pro- kim? life? gram. But more importantly, I discovered that y ties to Sikkim are strong although I I really go back to my own experience - aca- Could you please tell us where you studied success in any career is really more about Mwish that I could always spend more demic or technological knowledge only gets and what subjects you took up once in being direct with people and having good time at home. I speak Sikkimese and try to one so far. The key to success is being direct America? judgement and a strong work ethic rather than learn as much as I can in my limited spare with people (tell it as it is), develop good judg- did my schooling in New York and then academic or technical knowledge. time about our history and culture. ment and one can’t underestimate the value Iwent to college in Washington D.C. In col- On a more personal level as some of you of hard work. While luck plays a role in suc- lege I majored in history and double minored Isn’t being a banker a very demanding job may know, my wife is from Sikkim. We are cess, the truly successful person makes his in economics and politics. that entails a lot of travel? also planning on building a house in Gangtok own “luck” by creating opportunities or by he area that I work in - mergers and ac- in order to be able to come back to Sikkim being better able to take advantage of an op- How did you land up on Wall Street having Tquisitions - is one of the most demand- more regularly. I believe that this is especially portunity when it arises because of superior majored in History? ing on Wall Street. I work with companies as important for our three children to learn more preparation. y initial plan was to work in finance for they are planning on some of their most im- about their own background and culture. Finally to be a truly happy and a well Mthree years as a way to gain exposure portant steps such as selling themselves or rounded person success should not just be to a number of industries and develop a broad buying a competitor. Consequently, given the Today the banking sector in Sikkim has ex- measured on a financial yardstick. Success base of skill sets prior to returning to Sikkim. dollars at stake (sometime in the billions), the ploded. We have online banking and ATMs should also indeed satisfaction in raising your I believe that working on Wall Street and prov- pressures of time and to make the deal hap- and several banks and NBFCs are slated to children well and in contributing something ing one’s self in one of the most competitive pen are great. So yes, the job is demanding start business soon. What is your view of back to society. arenas is both exhilarating and satisfying. and requires one to not only work hard but this sudden interest in our otherwise placid “I believe that today there is far more appreciation of and interest in our past.” 8 NOW! EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Sept 11-17, 2002 NO ONE WON, EVERYONE LOST womenIN Nepalis have never before faced such ment is rife. They have lost purchas- There is a sense that something NOW! ing power, markets, food supply, has to give in the coming weeks. deprivation and insecurity. health services, education, and per- The situation is so fluid that even analysis by RAJENDRA DAHAL sonal security. Caught between the the most outlandish political alli- ruthlessness of the Maoists and ances are now possible. he two protagonists in the force in November, no one won. counter-attacks from security The defence establishment is present crisis—the extreme Everyone lost. Parliamentary parties forces, Nepalis have never before fairly clear that military might alone Tright and the extreme left— have been emasculated, the Maoists faced such deprivation and insecu- is not going to be enough to finish want the same thing: an extension are weakened, the strength of the rity. off the Maoists. The idea is to put of the emergency, and neither side army has dragged into public debate, An alternative to elections sufficient pressure on them to bol- cares too much for elections. The the office of prime minister is even would be postponed elections. The ster the bargaining position in fu- constitution has provided polls as less powerful than it was, and the Maoists have squandered popular ture talks. And this is also the in- a way out of this stalemate, but monarchy’s public image is quies- support, and it would be possible tention of the Maoists who have al- neither side is going to let the peo- ready begun their senseless may- ple vote. hem in the run-up to the 16 Sep- That is the paradox of Nepal’s tember strike. A tightening noose politics: the enemies seem to want at home, increased pressure from the same result. And they are pit- India, and internal dissent have ted against parliamentary parties prompted the Maoists to send out and Nepalis who haven’t given up peace feelers. on democracy. There are signs the On the political front, Deuba extreme right is now more royal has played out all his cards, and his than the king, and the resignation cabinet is self-destructing. The me- Thursday of the king’s nominee to dia-led campaign against Deuba the upper house, Dipta Prakash loyalist Chiranjibi Wagle this week Shah, is an indication that his views is orchestrated by his own cabinet THE CALL were too hardline to digest. colleagues over construction con- Shah told us: “I resigned be- tracts. “Deuba’s left hand is de- cause I sensed that certain forces stroying his right hand,” is how a OF THE didn’t like what I had said about the political insider put it. Given this role of the constitutional monar- scenario, and a rumoured meeting chy.” In an interview with Rajdhani, cent. Who benefited from all this? for the government to keep them at between Girija Koirala and the king BRAHMA Shah had said Tuesday that the king Certainly not the Nepali people. bay and hold some form of elec- on Friday, don’t be surprised if the can use Article 127 to amend the They have been the biggest los- tions. But will it be able to convince Nepali Congress begins a process constitution and take necessary ers. The economy has been battered, the army, the palace and certain for- of reunification. KUMARIS powers. The resignation shows that investments are zero, unemploy- eign governments that it can? - Nepali Times political regression may not be as easy as the rightists want. Given this undercurrent, it ABUSE OF doesn’t seem to matter anymore AUTHORITY GETS Between Veerappan which faction of the Congress gets the tree symbol. Or if the emergency DEARER IN NEPAL is extended or not. In fact, even without a formal emergency, the KATHMANDU: CIAA Chief and Anderson country is in a state of emergency. Suryanath Upadhyaya has begun to Since the emergency went into come under a new kind of “pres- ating them. In 1999, the National sure”. This time, his phones at home Human Rights Commission started and work are ringing off the hook, PRAFUL BIDWAI ON the hollow might of the state an investigation into STF atrocities. NO MORE WORRIES not from people seeking favours, but Clearly, the mighty Indian state from others urging him to extend his wo recent events starkly ex has soaked up Rs. 100 crores with- cannot give the STF a leader who crackdown on corrupt officials. pose the Indian state as a gi out yielding results in 12 years. can regain the people’s confidence! Two weeks after the Commis- Tant with feet of clay. The first Ms Jayalalitha has blamed The STF refuses to involve the sion for the Investigation of Abuse is bandit Veerappan’s abduction of Karnataka for the abduction and forest department in its operations. of Authority (CIAA) busted 22 rev- former Karnataka minister H. traced it to “laxity” after IGP There is little political will in Tamil enue department officials, Nagappa. Kampaiah’s transfer from the STF. Nadu and Karnataka to isolate the Upadhyaya is encouraged by the The second is the Central gov- She has also used Veerappan as a vested interests who help support. He told us in an interview: ernment’s shocking attempt to di- pawn in her battle over the Cauvery. Veerappan sustain his activities. “I have had calls from many peo- lute criminal charges against War- While Karnataka’s top priority These factors are compounded ple, including politicians, and ren Anderson, former chairman of is to negotiate Mr Nagappa’s re- by the Centre’s failure to develop a they’ve all congratulated us.” CIAA Union Carbide, liable for the lease, Ms Jayalalitha wants a storm- strategy to tackle the bandit. officials are concerned about their world’s worst industrial disaster, at ing operation to kill Veerappan. Veerappan is not some “local” safety, though they haven’t received Bhopal, in which over 12,000 peo- Ms Jayalalitha is wrong about goonda. He has killed 150 people, any overt threats. Upadhyaya and ple have perished. the STF and its Tamil Nadu com- including scores of policemen, NOW! his team of in-house lawyers are So blatantly illegal was the at- ponent, which is no less inefficient slaughtered more than 200 el- now preparing formal charge sheets tempt to charge Anderson trivially than its Karnataka unit. She ap- ephants for ivory, besides felling against the 22 officials, five of for a “rash and negligent act” (pun- pointed Walter I. Dawaram — no- countless sandalwood trees. EVERYONE CAN whom are still at large. ishment: simple imprisonment for torious as “the Butcher of Veerappan’s operations are How about criticism that the two years, or a fine) in place of “cul- Dharmapuri” because of his “shoot- transnational: the ivory goes into the ADVERTISE CIAA is not going after the big fish, pable homicide” (10 years’ impris- first-and-talk-later” tactics — to global market, the sandalwood all and has let the political masters of onment) that Bhopal’s chief judicial lead the STF. Mr Dawaram prom- over Southeast Asia. Veerappan is corrupt bureaucrats go scot free? “I magistrate threw out the Central ised to “finish” Veerappan within a national menace. ADVERTISERS! can’t tell you what will come next, Bureau of Investigation’s petition. six months. That was long ago! The Indian state’s failure to but we’re not sitting idle,” Upadhyay Veerappan, the ruthless gang- The STF repeatedly says bring Veerappan to book speaks of ‘EARS’ said. “No one is big or small for us. ster-cum-ivory-and-sandalwood- Veerappan is “on the run”, about to corruption and lack of commitment If the crime is serious enough, and smuggler, kidnapped Mr Nagappa be “captured”. On June 2, Mr to its own laws. How can you en- SOMETHING we have proper evidence, nothing barely two years after collecting Rs. Dawaram declared the bandit “has force laws through a constabulary will stop us from doing our job.” 40 crores from abducted filmstar only two men” left. Then Veerappan which has paid huge bribes to land TO The 55-year-old former Secre- Raj Kumar. His latest victim had a struck. a job, and which is led by men like tary who has a law degree says that Y-security cover, with round-the- The STF doesn’t lack money or absconder Ravi Kant Sharma or his CHEW ON! the CIAA could do with more re- clock guards. All three guards were sophisticated technology, including rapist brother officers? For SPECIAL sources and manpower, but it is not missing when Veerappan struck. satellite imagery and remote-sens- How can the poor villager trust DEALS on waiting for that to go after crooks. The abduction happened barely ing help from the Indian Space Re- the officer who steals his last seven kilometres from the Special search Organisation. The Centre has chicken? Ear-panels on “It is the public support that has given us more confidence,” he said. Task Force headquarters at Gundal. promised it more commandos, The Indian state may boast of Rajdhani and The CIAA had the 22 mainly STF commandos were informed night-vision glasses, helicopters, nuclear weapons - egregiously ra- Women NOW! and tax and customs officials under sur- within five minutes, but waited for even a Global Positioning System. tionalised as “the right of one-sixth also NOW! veillance even before the king “orders from above” — for three The STF’s real problem is not of humanity” - of its 700,000 troops and half hours! commandos or equipment. It is pau- at the border, its capacity to displace Classifieds - the signed the anti-corruption act into law three weeks ago. And the mo- To crown it all, Veerappan city of intelligence on Veerappan’s and brutalise 35 million for “devel- affordable option- ment the ordinance came into force, walked six kilometres, hijacked a movements. opment”, its battery of repressive contact Marketing the CIAA swooped down on the bus, and rode it over 10 km, before The STF uses high-handed laws and paramilitary forces, and its Manager at 70949 homes of the officials to make the vanishing into the forest! methods against the people of the ability to inspire awe among the This is a shameful comment on 256 villages in the 6,000 sq. km neighbours. [email protected] arrests and gather further evidence - Kathmandu Post the 950-strong “elite” STF, which Satyamangalam forest, badly alien- turn to pg 12 Sept 11-17, 2002 ACTION MAIL NOW! 9 Everyone’s got complaints and the best things about a democracy is that these complaints can be voiced. Starting with this issue, NOW! starts “Action Mail” - the section where the public mails us their grievances and we get them the replies from the concerned authorities. If you have a problem that needs redressal, just mail your complaint to us at “NOW! Gairi Gaon, Tadong, Gangtok, East Sikkim”. We will reach the complaint to the concerned authority and carry their reply in the same issue. Names can be with-held on request and letters may be edited for language and length. Should the concerned agency not reply within a week’s time, the letters shall be carried without the corresponding defence. SP, EAST CHIEF MINISTER’S SELF EMPLOYMENT SCHEME HASSLED MOTORIST TRAFFIC RULES BETTER INFO CHAIRMAN, SIDICO FROM NOW ON AND WOES can sympathise with the prob- THINGS WILL SMOOTHEN OUT ith this letter, I would like to Ilems faced by the “hassled mo- Wdraw the attention of the con- torist” and before I answer to has WITHIN A FEW WEEKS cerned authorities towards the prob- complaint, I would like to add here UNEMPLOYED YOUTH IDICO would like to help eve are not really ready! lems posed to motorists like me that we don’t normally change traffic Sryone as far as possible and as I think a scheme of this mag- when traffic rules governing one- regulations overnight. New one-way GIVE US fast as possible. I can very well un- nitude and innovation needs so way regulations and no-parking routes and parking zones are imple- derstand the concern of the young much time for preparation espe- zones change without prior intima- mented only after detailed discussions THE entrepreneurs. cially when we are adding to tion. Take the Nam Nang one-way with various drivers associations. However, one or two hurdles are SIDICO’s burden of work without decision for example. It caught me There are still times when we have to yet to be crossed. expanding on manpower and other by surprise and in a traffic jam be- work on short-notice for emergent MONEY One of them is the tying up the resources! We are all learning and cause we had no prior notice of the reasons and very little can be done in e the unemployed youth young entrepreneurs to the micro innovating as well as thinking on change. Those in the supplies busi- that regard. The suggestion that we Wwere very happy when the monitors. This we know is an abso- our feet. So a little delay initially ness also face problems because advertise regularly in local papers is Chief Minister’s self employ- lute must. In fact we have made it is expected but I am sure it will rules governing the areas and tim- well made and taken. Henceforth, ment scheme was announced. abundantly clear during the train- all smoothen out within a few ings when the roads are open for East District Police will make such We have undergone the training ing program itself about this aspect. weeks. their carriers change without notice. announcements even through the lo- programme conducted by Second is the interview of the A little patience is all that we I can understand that because cal media. What one should bear in SIDICO. We were hoping to get young entrepreneur. Since the want - I am sure that our office is Gangtok is not a very big city, the mind is that the traffic police person- the loan money in time for the scheme is entirely running on trust open for suggestions and in fact inconvenience caused is minimal, nel are there to help with smooth flow coming Puja to begin business we have to do these important pro- these young people are advised, but we could still do with some ad- of traffic, not aggravate it. but don’t know why they are not cedures of due diligence. through your esteemed paper, to vance notice. No one reads banners SP, East, Akshay Sachdeva giving us the money. We would We therefore have started this pay us a visit and they will under- and the announcements made over Realising that the East District Police would be too strapped for funds to like to request to SIDICO process and a whole lot of entrepre- stand how hard our young team of loudspeakers from vehicle is hardly ever clear. I would suggest that such afford a weekly advertisement in lo- through your esteemed paper to neurs will be getting their schemes people are working for making this cal papers, NOW! has set aside notices be announced in local pa- kindly understand our needs and sanctioned or will be told that they scheme a total success. space for it in Rajdhani free of cost. to grant us the money. will have to undergo another round PD Rai pers so that we have the luxury of All future notices to the public from Unemployed youth of training - for those who we find Chairman, SIDICO, SABCCO planning our routes accordingly. Sikkim Police will henceforth be car- A hassled Gangtok motorist ried in the space earmarked. - NOW! YAKS WITHOUT PASSPORTS IN SHANGRILA Sikkim is blessed with a diversity of flora and fauna that few regions its agement, Eco-Development Com- lems in feeding their families. mittees, Village Forest Protection Most villagers expressed force- size can rival. It is also concerned - it has the “best” area in India under Committees, all different attempts fully that since they were the main wildlife protection. It is for these reasons that it cannot get complacent, at ‘Social Fencing’ of Sikkim’s For- stakeholders, they should be em- ests. powered for protecting their forests. write USHA GANGULY LACHUNGPA and SANDEEP TAMBE... How is this ‘Social Fencing’ As a result of these intensive pub- being done? Forest management lic meetings, the forest department ikkim has the unique distinc has now been taken to the remotest facilitated these villagers to organ- tion of having the best area of villages. This time the forest de- ize themselves into protection Sin India under wildlife pro- partment involved the local commu- groups and also empowered them tection. We have five wildlife sanc- nities in grass root level planning legally under the Sikkim tuaries, Shingba in the north, for conserving its forests and wild- Ecodevelopment Notification 2002. Kyongnosla and Fambong Lho in life. In West Sikkim, villages like Within days they nabbed a medici- the east, Barsey in the west and Karjee, Labdang, Gangyap, nal plants smuggler at Borong. Re- Maenam in the south. We also have Tashiding and Khecheopalri were cently they also checked illegal fell- the world famous covered in the Yuksam area as part ing of trees at Singling and have Khangchendzonga National Park of the National Biodiversity Strat- now started phasing out graziers covering part of north and west Sik- egy & Action Plan (NBSAP) pro- from their forests. kim. Together these Wildlife Pro- gramme. To ensure that this pro- The villagers also brought to the tected Areas protect our fragile geo- gramme actually reached the villag- knowledge of the forest department logically unstable state with a man- ers, NGOs like Khangchendzonga that not all the yaks inhabiting West tle of protective plant cover that Conservation Committee (KCC) Sikkim belong to Sikkimese. Ap- hugs this portion of the youngest were also involved. Interestingly, parently grazing restrictions in the mountain in the world. As an added most villagers identified grazing Singalila national park in West Ben- bonus we also share this habitat within the forests as the major threat gal and better grazing habitat on our with a host of wild creatures, which to biodiversity conservation. In fact side of the international border, has seek refuge in our Protected Areas they also indicated that more than led to large amounts of livestock network. In fact Sikkim is more fa- grazing per se, it was the lopping with attending graziers using the mous for these animals and plants of trees for fodder ,and exploitation entire Singalila Range in Sikkim. and their wild habitats. Visitors are of forest produce by the ‘gothala’ This includes not only the Barsey more drawn towards our wild that was a major cause of concern. Rhododendron Sanctuary, but also wealth than our lifestyles. Many This planning exercise was then the Khangchendzonga National have gone home however, never to extended to villages adjoining Park. Today, the large patches of return to this land full of the obvi- Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. devastated land around ‘goths’ in ous fallouts of sudden development. Last year, village meetings were this park are mute evidences for all Some hopefuls return with helping held at Uttarey, Dentam, Hee Patal, to see. The forest department had hands, but with their own ideas on Bermiok, Sribadam, Soreng, made a detailed study within and how we should live in our land. Sombaria and Ribdi. Here too the around these PAs, which only cor- Today we can no longer afford villagers voiced the same concern roborated the research findings of to be complacent with the ‘best PA’ and pin pointed grazing within the other institutions like the GB Pant distinction. Many of these areas are forests as the main threat. Also, for Institute for Himalayan Environ- under severe man-made stress and the first time separate meetings ment & Development, doing long- no longer the idyllic picture-book were held exclusively for women term studies in this national park. Shangrila. We have several legal and it was gratifying to note that All the’ goths’ were identified along ways to deal with the situation. The was the benevolent but strict dis- protected in strong vaults by armed many of the best observations and with their owners and their livestock law has strict rules regarding the penser of the forest produce from guards, his forest wealth was within suggestions came from these meet- counted. The economics of their national parks and sanctuaries but the forests under his care. As the open easy reach of any plunderer. ings. They in fact pleaded for the livelihood were scientifically docu- there is a need for awareness among population grew and development Imagine how a bank could function removal of these ‘goths’, since they mented in detail. There are at the public. The general idea is that activities were initiated, the For- if its currency was scattered along were unable to initiate any actions present many yak using our wild- the ‘Forest Department’ should look ester played ‘Chowkidar’, defend- pathways like our forest trees and on their own. As a result of their life protected areas. Besides graz- after its forests. Urban folk feel that ing his forests from over-extraction plants. Physical barriers always cre- inability to control what was hap- ing them, their graziers used to in- there should be a barrier between and over- collection of wild pro- ate mental barriers and we kept on pening around them, they were fac- dulge in large-scale destruction of the villages and their surrounding duce, preventing poaching of the losing our wild wealth. But whom ing acute water shortage due to the the slow-growing rhododendron forests. wildlife, putting up fences and do these forests really belong to? So resulting degradation of these life- Historically, the Forest Manager stonewalls. While bank currency is now we hear of Joint Forest Man- giving forests and subsequent prob- turn to pg 12 10 NOW! DESPATCHES Sept 11-17, 2002 9/11 RELIVED IN DARJEELING JUPITER GETS HIS LAST WISH - HIS ASHES SPRINKLED OVER TIGER HILL whenever he was in cleared the existing one. The last time she had come to Ti- town and the school “But his best qualities ger Hill was with him in 1989. She from AMITAVA BANERJEE fields where he spent were that he was a very also said that the most befitting DARJEELING: most of the time, good person and very farewell that he could get was ancy Yambem, a New when in school. helpful.” The fact that 42 among his school mates, the North Yorker, decided not to stay In a solemn cer- year old Jupiter lost his Point family he loved and cher- Nback for the September 11 emony at Tiger Hill life while trying to save ished most. By sprinkling his ashes anniversary in New York. She pre- on September 7, his colleagues, trying to he was now an integral part of the ferred to come to Darjeeling in- 2002, teachers, stu- evacuate them from the Darjeeling hills he so loved and stead. dents, Jesuit fathers flaming building on Sep- cherished. Nancy is the wife of Jupiter and ex-North Point- tember 11, 2001, as nar- Father Van, Rector, St. Joseph’s Yambem who used to work in one ers gathered to pray rated by other employ- in his speech said that the greatest of the worlds largest restaurants for Jupiter. Jupiter ees, proves the point. virtue of North Point was that it “Windows of the World”, on the lovingly called Jupe After the singing of was a close knit family and that it 107th floor of the World Trade by his friends had the hymns and reading always lived up to the lines of the Centre and was one of the victims joined North Point in from the Bible, the school chorus “Here’s a hand for of the 9/11 tragedy. He was in the class VI in 1971 and Bhagawat Geeta and the faltering brother; here’s a lift restaurant when the first plane hit completed his ICSE from Buddhist Scrip- for the lame and the slow.” the 101st floor of the WTC. in 1975. tures, Nancy and her son Later, speaking to NOW!, “Jupiter had three homes, Rajat Sengupta 8-year-old son Santi, Nancy said that whenever she felt Manipur where he is originally his batch mate with who studies in 1st Grade lonely she would come to from, Darjeeling where he went to a heavy heart re- in the US, sprinkled his Darjeeling. She was even thinking school and New York where he set- membered Jupe as ashes on Tiger Hill. Un- of sending her son to North Point tled later in life,” said Nancy, at a sportsman par excel- able to contain her tears so that he could get the feel of the memorial service organized by St. lence, one who had Nancy said, “Innocents school that his father loved so Joseph’s School (North Point), many records in long should never be killed much. From here Nancy will be Darjeeling. distance running, for fulfilling the resent- going to Imphal, Jupiter’s ances- Jupiter would often tell Nancy hurdles and long ments in someone’s tral home where she will be attend- that he always wished that after his jump. He was also a heart, it was not justi- ing his Batsarik Kriya ( Hindu re- death his ashes be scattered in very good basketball fied.” She also said the ligious rites performed at a death Darjeeling. Jupiter who hailed player. What Rajat Jupiter was a person with anniversary). In a crisp morning from Imphal was an ex-student of remembers most is a very broad outlook and with the majestic St. Joseph’s. Nancy said that Jupi- the 4X100m relay in had friends all over the Khangchendzonga, a solemn wit- ter could never get over the which he too was THE MEMORIAL SERVICE OF PETER YAMBEN. world. He was calm, ness, Jupiter returned back to the Darjeeling hangover and used to part of in an inter Photograph by Amitava Banerjee quiet and supportive. place he truly loved and cherished. spend most of the time talking of school competition. Darjeeling and school in particu- Their team had given a 100 m lead lar. Nancy decided to come to and had come first. SIKKIM STATE AIDS PROJECT SOCIETY Another batchmate recounted Darjeeling to honour his wish and NEAR SIDICO OFFICE, BHANUPATH-GANGTOK 737 103 an anecdote where the Long Jump sprinkle his ashes at Tiger Hill, the No: -5/SSACS/2002 Dated:-O9.09.02 place he loved and frequented pit had to be extended as Jupe had Notice Inviting proposals from NGOs for Implementation of Targeted Intervention Project on HIV/AIDS. The State AIDS Project Society, Gangtok is implementing Targeted Intervention Project on HIV/AIDS in the following areas: - Chamling urges Tista Hydel Project, Singtam and Dikchu, East Sikkim with Migrant labourers as Target Group Jail at Rongnek among Jail inmates (Modified T.I.)

teachers to go Project proposals, in this respect, are invited from the interested, eligible and competent NGOs for implementations of this programme in the above areas initially for a period of one year which may be extended further for a period of one or two years depending upon the performance of the beyond the text NGO.

level, so that the children would A copy of the following documents should accompany the Project proposals: - a NOW REPORT develop “scientific temperaments.” Registration Certificate of the organization. The State government is providing Annual Report of the NGO for the past three years. .NGOs self assessment Report GANGTOK: Chief Minister, free books and school uniforms to Audited Financial Report of the past three years. .Organizational Structure of the NGO Pawan Chamling said that the fo- children in the government schools Certificate from the NGO stating that it has not received funds for the activity mentioned in cus of the teachers should be on in the State. the proposal from any other National or International Donor Agencies or State Government. imparting “quality education” to “Teachers should not only be the children. knowledgeable but also have the The applicant NGO should be a registered NGO having a proper office and adequate man- He said this at the Teachers’ human touch so that they are able power for implementation of the above programme, which should include an accountant for Day celebration organised by the to understand the emotional needs financial management and Counsellor on HIV/AIDS. Department of Education here at of a child,” he said, adding that the Community Hall on September apart from imparting textual The proposal must include 5, last Thursday. knowledge, teachers should be able Background and justification Addressing the gathering of to take care of every need of the Objectives teachers from all over the State, Mr. child, his physical health as well. Approach and Strategy .Activities; .Work plan Chamling said that his government Earlier, Mr. Chamling gave Proposed outputs was committed to provide “educa- away the State Award for Teachers Monitoring and Evaluation .Sustainability tion for all” and that “no child for 2002. 17 teachers were con- Personnel requirements should be deprived of his most ba- ferred the State Award, while 17 Budget, Reporting and Evaluation. sic right to education.” other teachers were given Com- “We have accorded top prior- mendation Certificates for excel- Preference will be given to a local NGO working in the areas of the Project(s) and the NGO ity to education and are now focus- lence in their profession. who has experience in working in similar project or any other health related/AIDS related project(s). ing on primary education, which is Two teachers from the State, Proposal should be based on the guidelines formulated by the Sikkim State Aids Control vital for the intellectual develop- Sherap Khentze, head Bhutia lan- Society a copy of which could be obtained from the society’s office on any working day. The ment of a child. Teachers should guage teacher at the Modern Sec- Proposal should be submitted to the Project Director of the Society at the above address on or pay more attention to education at ondary School here and Ms. before 25th September 2002. Proposals received after the above date will not be considered. the primary level,” he said. Rezima Lepcha, primary teacher of The proposals received will be examined by a Technical Committee before their acceptance Mr. Chamling said that with the Lower Syari Junior High for implementation of the Project. this purpose in mind, his govern- School, East Sikkim have been NGOs can access other details from the office of the ment has provided for free educa- awarded the National Award for Sikkim State AIDS Control Society, Yangthang Building, Kazi Road, Gangtok, Sikkim 737 tion till the college level. He an- 2001. They were conferred the 103 between 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. on all working days during the above period. nounced that his government has awards by the President, APJ Dr. RL Sharma taken the decision to introduce en- Abdul Kalam at a function in New Project Director/AIDS vironment studies at the primary Delhi the same day. Sept 11-17, 2002 RECAP SIKKIM NOW! 11 TEESTA HYDEL PROJECT Tashi Namgyal Academy Cabinet go-ahead for Letter of Gangtok - Sikkim ADMISSION NOTICE 1. Entrance Test for Admission in Lower Kindergarten for the Intent to KPCL for Stage IV & VI academic sesion - 2003 will be conducted on Sunday - 17th November, 2002 at 9:00 A.M. bidding in its maiden attempt itself. projects is at about 3,635 MW. 2. Prospectus/Application forms would be available in the It had further said that KPCL’s Although the State government a NOW REPORT school office from 15th September 2002 on payment. role will be to provide “total turn- is yet to make any formal announce- 3. For LKG, age should be +4 (plus four) years but below 5 GANGTOK: The Sikkim Govern- key consultancy with the right to ment in this regard, Mr. Chamling (five) years as on 1st January 2003 and student should not ment seems all set to hand over two take minority equity stake.’’ had earlier hinted during a public have studied UKG in 2002 session. of the six stages of the Teesta Hy- The Chief Minister, Pawan address that the Karnataka govern- 4. The Last date for submission of application form would be dro Power Project to the Karnataka Chamling had earlier said that his ment “had shown keen interest in 12th November 2002 by 3 P.M. along with the following docu- Power Corporation Limited government was “ready to tap the developing the hydro power poten- ments. (KPCL). The KPCL has been given full hydro power potential of Teesta tial of the State,” and had appreci- (a) Date of Birth Certificate in original and in duplicate copy the go-ahead by the State govern- and would award the rest of the ated “its excellent track record.” obtained from the Office of the Chief Registrar of Births ment for all intents and purposes. project Stages (I, II, III, IV and VI) The hydro power potential of the & Deaths Department. The State Cabinet, which met to any competent party, including State has been worked out to be at (b) Latest passport and stamp size photographs. on August 26, 2002 at the Tashiling the National Hydroelectric Power 8,000 MW, with a firm base of 3,000 (c) Registration fee of Rs. 2,000/- (Rupees two thousand) Secretariat, approved the proposal Corporation (NHPC),” which is al- MW. The State government would only [Non-refundable] to be deposited in the State Bank of the Power Department seeking ready involved with the 510 MW earn about Rs. 90 to 100 crores per of India, Zero Point Branch, Gangtok. Pay in slip can be approval for the implementation of Stage V in the State and the Rangeet year through the sale of power itself. obtained from the school office after due verification of Teesta Stages IV and VI Hydro hydel power project. The total in- It definitely sees the power sector as application form. Power projects through the consor- stalled capacity of all the six a commercially viable industry. 5. PLEASE NOTE THAT NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH OF THE tium of M/s Karnataka Power Cor- STUDENT ONCE ENTERED IN THE APPLICATION FORM poration Limited, owned by the SHALL NOT BE CHANGED. Karnataka Government and M/s KUTSE SHEGU 6. Mere registration is no guarantee of admission. It only enti- APTIL in BOO (Build, Own and 49th day Shegu ceremony of late Chewang Namgyal tles a student to take the entrance test. The school does not Operate) arrangement. let parents to check/compare the scripts, however, it would Bhutia of Yangang, South Sikkim, who left for heavenly The Cabinet has given its con- ensure that the test is fairly and efficiently conducted. sent to the Department to issue Let- abode on August 5, 2002 falls on September 22, 2002. 7. Test will be conducted in basic skills of English and Number ters of Intent for the two Teesta We request all our friends, relatives and well-wishers to kindly Works and Viva-Voce. Projects. The State government had attend the Shegu of our late father at our residence PRINCIPAL earlier reportedly floated global ten- “Samthang House,” Yangang, South Sikkim on the above ders for Stages IV and VI. day to offer prayers for the departed soul! Earlier, KPCL, along with con- Gatuk Bhutia (son) and members of the family URGENTLY REQUIRED FOR MALAYSIA sortium partner M/S ATPIL, had announced in a national daily that it (ON 3-YEAR WORK PERMIT VISA) had “bagged” the Teesta IV (495 Missing Bom Holding Berhad, Malaysia, a lead- MW) and Teesta VI (360 MW) hydel A 10-year-old boy, Master Kungchen Lepcha, projects. This was described as a resident of Singhik, North Sikkim, went missing construction Co. urgently requires “major breakthrough” for the KPCL ing from Thangu Gumpa, Lachen, North Sik- General Workers - Salary R.M. 30-00 per consultancy wing since it met with kim on 28 June, 2002. A handsome reward success in international competitive shall be given to person (s) who has informa- day. Daily overtime 4 hours @ 1.5. Free tion on the whereabouts of the missing child. accommodation and other benefits as Wishing CALL: 23080 or 9832014657 per Malaysian Labour Law. Fooding (own exp.). Contact immediately with valid In- PHINTSOK FOR HIRE dian passport and CVs. NAMGYAL Music System with CD/ For Zenith Resources, Darjeeling: ph: (0354) 72443, BB VCD players, LD Player, Chamling, Tadong (Gairi Gaon) (m) 98320 45252 Near DVD Player and a very Tadong Police Station. Ph Nos: (03592) 31322 (m) 98320 Playstation consoles. classifieds 17442. email: [email protected] Happy B’day VEHICLES - Bolero, Sumo, the affordable (Govt. Licence No. 3281/WB/PER/300/2%/5363/99) on Sept 11! Hardtop. option. for details, Love, you know at Hot Stuff contact the JOB OPPORTUNITY who PLAYSTATION GAMES FOR SALE Marketing Manager call: 9832034545 Nayuma Cable requires talented local artistes (sing- @ 70949 ers, musicians, dancers, actors, actresses, models, anchors) for TV serials, fims, music video, jingles etc. Sikkim Football and news readers in Nepali and English for the Daily Association ALL HOTELIERS & TRAVEL AGENTS! News. Interested persons can apply by filling up the forms NOTICE FOR AGM SHRA Eco-Poster available at available in the office situated opposite telephone ex- Annual General Meeting Oberoi’s, MG Marg. change office, Gangtok. of the members of Sik- Contact No: 28348 & 27187 kim Football Association Managing Director Nayuma Cable has been convened for COMPUTER PROBLEM? NO PROBLEM!!! 4:30 PM on 16th Sept CALL 98320-91332/68603 or 23297 2002 at Hotel Golden Pagoda, MG Marg, for Home Service by Qualified GOLD GYM Gangtok. we produce results Hence, all members are & GOLD GYM NOW OFFERS AEROBICS CLASSES for la- requested to kindly make Experienced Hardware Engineers dies by a trained Lady Aerobics Instructor. Limited seats. it convenient to attend hurry. the meeting. NETWORKING (LAN) / INTERNET / TELEPHONY CONTACT: Gold Gym, sd/- MG Marg, Below Rajeev Electronics, MG Marg. ph: 24385 (BK Roka) For Professional beauty therapy and General Secretary SIKKIM AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION is organizing 12th haircutting classes, contact Susong at Sikkim Marathon on 27th October 2002 at Gangtok. The Marathon BEAUTY Aries Beauty Parlour, Nam Nang FOR SALE riesPARLOUR will be held in three groups for boys & girls in the age group as under: 1. Under 12 years : 10 Kms. 2. Under 15 years : 15 Kms. 5-door, Hard-top Learn C, C++, C#, Java, VB, Microsoft.NET, 3. Under 18 years : 21 Kms. Gypsy, 1994 (New A Participants securing first three positions in all groups will be awarded A SQL Server, Courses on Internet and Web Model) in excellent Page Designing at trophies and cash prizes. Cash prizes will be awarded for Team Championship from each category separately for boys and girls. condition. Interested Entry forms will be available at M/s Hari Stores, MG Marg, Gangtok parties may contact: Citi Computers from 18th to 28th September 2002 and the filled in forms should be th G. Sharma at 24116, Kundeh-Khang, Near Sadar Thana, Tibet Road, Gangtok. ph: 20866 submitted at the same address on or before 9 October 2002. No forms will be entertained after 9th October 2002.

29407 (o); 21723 (r) ENROL NOW ...and lots more President, SAAA 12 NOW! RECAP SIKKIM Sept 11-17, 2002 SATA team returns with medals GANGTOK: The Sikkim Amateur Taekwondo Association partici- CONSERVING HERITAGE nd th pated in the 22 Boys and 20 Girls Junior National Taekwondo Cham- 4-day workshop on conservation of historical field trips to the famous Labrang and the Khachoedpalri Lakes. pionships held at the Jimmy George Monastery in North Sikkim and the The Ecclesiastical Department Indoor Stadium at monuments in Sikkim gets underway... Ngadak Monastery in South Sikkim. here has recommended about 43 Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on These two monasteries are two of the Gompas or Buddhist monasteries in August 16-18 2002. task of creating war memorials in most important monasteries in the the State as “most important religious Dipen Rai won a silver medal los- a NOW REPORT the State. These are scheduled to State. The Labrang monastery was institutions”, which are more than 100 ing to Uttranchal in the finals and come up at Ngathang, Central built in 1826 and adheres to the years old. The most prominent of Pempa Doma Tamang won the bronze GANGTOK: In an effort to prepare Pendam and Aritar in East Sikkim. Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Bud- them are the Rumtek Monastery, the losing out to Manipur in the semis. a comprehensive list of all historical The Committee will also take up the dhism. The Ngadak monastery was Tsuklakhang Royal Chapel and the At the 21st Senior National monuments and work out a plan for old dak bungalows in the State for built around 1700 AD by Nagadhak Enchey Monastery in East Sikkim, the Taekwondo Championship held at their conservation, the Department of conservation efforts, she added. Tshempo Chempo, one of the three Phodong Thupten Tashi, the Labrang Kotla Bhaskara Reddy Indoor Sta- Cultural Affairs is organizing a 4-day The heritage buildings that have reverend monks who enthroned the Palden and the Tholung monasteries dium at Hyderabad on August 30 technical workshop on the Conserva- come under the conservation list of first Chogyal of Sikkim. A detailed in the North District, the Namchi to September 2002, Rupen Pradhan tion of Historical Monuments in Sik- the Committee include the Aritar study of the two monasteries will be Ngadak, the Dolling and Bermiok and Kajol Rasaily did SATA proud kim. The workshop, which got Dak Bungalow, the Raj Bhawan, done by the participants and work monasteries in the South and the by bagging a gold each. underway on September 10, is being the Archives Building and the out its conservation plan. Tashiding Chogyal, the Sangden organized with assistance from Ac- Judge’s Bungalow here in Gangtok. The Government has already Pemayangtse, the Dupde Sangnak tion for Research of Cultural Herit- Dr. AP Gupta from ARCH, identified nine peaks of Sikkim, in- and the Khachoedpalri monasteries Between age (ARCH) Kolkata, and the Archi- Kolkata who spoke on the occasion, cluding the Khangchendzonga, as in the West District. tects of Sikkim, an organization of said that one could not ignore one’s sacred peaks and declared them re- Six Chortens or stupas in the Veerappan... architects from the State. cultural heritage at any cost. stricted for any mountaineering ac- State have been identified as most Contd from pg 8 In her welcome address, Com- The keynote address was deliv- tivities. Six caves across the State important by the department, in- But it cannot secure its own citi- missioner-cum-Secretary, Culture, ered by the Chief Secretary. Com- have been declared as sacred, along cluding ten Tshachus or hot springs. zens against internal predators. Its Jayashree Pradhan said that conser- missioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism, with seven rocks, which are wor- Work is also underway to document might is confined to using force vation efforts in Sikkim should now Karma Gyatso also spoke on the shipped by the locals. all mandirs, churches, mosques and against the unarmed. follow a scientific pattern and meth- need for conservation. There are 109 holy lakes in Sik- gurudwaras and other sacred places This is equally true of external odology. She said that INTACH has The workshop will also include kim, which includes the Tsomgo of worship in the State. predators. Originally, the Indian been closely associated with the government sued Carbide for civil State and has been given the respon- and criminal liability related to the sibility of survey, listing and docu- Bhopal plant’s negligent design and mentation of the heritage sites, build- Orgyen Trinley urges China to unsafe operations. But so keen was ings and monuments in the State. it not to offend multinationals that Mrs. Pradhan said that the extension it signed an out-of-court settlement of Ancient Monuments Act to Sik- free aides he left behind for $470 million — barely double kim was being “thoroughly” exam- Carbide’s insurance cover, and one- ined by the Department. in prison,” he is quoted as saying in “Lama Nyima has been my seventh its own claim! She further informed that the the Internet edition of RFA. teacher and I am very grateful. a NOW REPORT In any First World country, Car- Government has already constituted He is further quoted as saying Whatever I learned is from his bide would have been instantly bank- a Heritage Conservation Commit- GANGTOK: Orgyen Trinley that he escaped to pursue his reli- teaching and guidance. Thupden rupted and its senior officials sued tee, headed by the Chief Secretary, Dorjee, recognised as the XVIIth gious studies and “not to achieve was my cook and he was extremely for billions. In India, the settlement SW Tenzing. A plan of action has Karmapa by the Dalai Lama has political goals.” devoted,” Orgyen Trinley is said to extinguished all of Carbide’s liabil- also been drawn up as per the award urged China to release his teacher The RFA reports that Orgyen have told RFA. The RFA further ity. It is only on review that the Su- of the eleventh finance commission, and two personal attendants he left Trinley’s personal attendants, Lama reports that Lama Nyima and Lama preme Court restored criminal liabil- she disclosed further. The works behind in Tibet in 1999 when he Thupten and Lama Panam, and his Thupten played critical roles in aid- ity, and ordered the government to taken up include lakes and water fled to India. teacher Lama Nyima, have been ing the Karmapa in his escape to pursue criminal charges. bodies conservation, the most im- According to Radio Free Asia detained in recent months inside India, and that only they knew of The government now wants to portant one being the one at (RFA), Orgyen Trinley told RFA’s Tibet. The RFA has quoted his plan in advance. Lama Nyima drop even these. In May, the CBI Khechoepalri Lake, Mrs. Pradhan Tibetan service that he was “greatly “sources” as saying that Lama locked himself in the Karmapa’s filed an application for diluting said. Measures have been taken to disappointed and worried.” Panam was detained in March in residence, pretending to be the charges because it was so “directed” preserve the biodiversity of the lake, “I appeal to the Chinese govern- Tibet’s Kham Prefecture, while Karmapa in retreat, while Thupten by the Ministry of External Affairs. without harming the religious sen- ment and the Tibetan Autonomous Lama Thupten was arrested in Janu- continued to cook for the Karmapa It is astounding that the mighty timents of the people, she said. Region government that those arrested ary this year while trying to flee to as if he was still there, thereby giv- Indian government could not locate The Heritage Conservation may be released quickly, and that they India and Lama Nyima was arrested ing him enough time to reach the Anderson for ten and half years. But Committee has also taken up the may be spared harsh treatment while in June in Kongpa in Tibet. border and slip into India. a Greenpeace activist has just released a video showing that Anderson lives in New York’s su- Yaks without passports in Shangrila per-rich Hampton suburb. It will be easy to have Anderson extradited. ance from the affected EDCs. back” the yaks straying in from Ti- from human bondage could have a But evidently, the Indian gov- Contd from pg 9 Yaks are free ranging animals, bet side along with their gothalas. secure existence in our national ernment lacks the will. Like tinpot shrubbery for firewood, illegal col- unlike other domestic livestock. If the Ecodevelopment Committees park and remain forever a part of Third World regimes, it doesn’t lection of medicinal plants and They cannot be brought down to the (EDC) in West Sikkim jointly with our wild wonderland. have the courage to tell the US gov- poaching of the already threatened villages and be stall-fed or be re- the forest department could do the A decade earlier en route to ernment — which has been heavily wildlife of our only national park. strained in sheds. They are the only same for animals straying across our Dzongri, it was common to see wild- lobbying for Anderson — that it So in deference to the people’s domestic bovids in the world, which border, then probably our Shangrila life like Monal pheasants sailing off will do whatever is necessary to wishes as well as the aid of the law, still retain their semi-wild nature. could be restored. The conflict is down the slopes like iridescent kites, defend Indian citizens’ rights. a programme of eviction of all ille- Every yak owner knows this fact. not Yaks versus Wildlife. The yaks or a covey of the State Bird, the The West has no business order- gal’ goths’ within our PAs was initi- Even if they are let loose or not would be much happier off on their Blood Pheasant scattering like chick- ing India “to do as we say”. “Doing ated after due information and time tended, they could thrive very well, own in our National Park, like any ens only to regroup a few metres as we do” would mean holding Car- limits. When it was evident that the perhaps even better, in their natu- other threatened wildlife protected away. Who can say so today? Do we bide liable and making its succes- passive methods like issuing of no- ral habitat free from human inter- therein. The Wild Yak Bos want to retain our magnificent wild- sor company, Dow Chemicals, pay. tices were not successful, actual reference. Village elders of Yuksam grunniens or the ‘Grunting Ox’ is a life and our international image as Tinpot states can’t protect the moval of the ‘goths’ was effected were of the opinion that these yaks Protected Species in India. Sikkim THE destination of this millennium nation from global threats. Their with the local people’s participation. are destroying their habitat. In North does not have any wild yaks today. and reap its attendant economic ben- “sovereignty” has nothing to do The department received all assist- Sikkim the army regularly “pushes Maybe some day these yaks set free efits? The choice is ours. with the people. Presenting the all new range of imaging and printing solutions from HP. hp deskjet 5550 hp deskjet 3420 hp deskjet 3325 hp deskjet 3820

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Published by Lt. Col. (retd) P. Dorjee and printed at Baba Offset, Tadong. Editor: Pema Wangchuk. Now! Near Ayurvedic Clinic, Gairi Gaon, Tadong. East Sikkim. ph: 03592 70949 email: [email protected]