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DRESSED IN a NOW REPORT ABGL’s CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORMS GANGTOK: The next time a group of “official looking” people AND ARMED dressed in camouflage uniforms and sporting mercenary crew-cuts WITH TOY come knocking, think twice before you allow them in. Better still, primary call up the nearest thana and check whether a mass raid is underway CON GUNS, in your area. The group outside could well be con-artists on the loose CONMEN who have followed the same modus operandi to effect two [as re- GET ported to the cops] dacoities in the past one year. Their latest hit concerns AWAY came on 9 March, when an unsuspecting family from Raley/ Gerathang [on the Singtam Dikchu axis, about 24 kms from Dikchu] WITH were left poorer by Rs. 42,000 in cash and 11 tolas of gold. AMITAVA BANERJEE DACOITY DARJEELING, March 11, 2004: Informed sources reveal that at around 10 PM on 9 March, a The Akhil Bharatiya Gorka League COPS group of young boys, dressed in battle fatigues and some even carry- [ABGL], has launched a massive ing weapons [subsequent debriefing of the eye-witnesses revealed agitation regarding non-receipt of them to be toy guns] arrived at the doorstep of one Devi Prasad various benefits that primary stu- Ghimire. He was told that they were “troops” deployed from Rang- dents are entitled to. Rang checkpost in north to conduct a house to house search “Mid-day meals are irregular in for explosives stolen from the dam-site at Dikchu. hill primary schools and so are free An unsuspecting Devi Prasad let them in and no sooner had they school books and uniforms,” al- STRIKE crowded in, did he realise his folly. While the group moved around leged T. Sharma, sub-divisional officiously at first, they started behaving suspiciously the moment secretary, ABGL. they entered the main room and started asking for the keys to the According to Sharma, when almirah. When Devi Prasad protested, the group started acting even mid-day meals were first intro- more businesslike and on the threat of booking the entire family, duced, 3kgs of foodgrains were which included two seventy-year-old grandmothers, for obstruction turn to pg 6 being distributed to each student turn to pg 3 AGAIN! Why not Jelepla? asks states, Karma T. Pempahishey, a this time round. into the trade route. KARAN SHAH senior Tibetan resident of the town. “Jelepla literally means the ’s indifference is Kalimpong, which used to be Easy Pass. Compared to Nathula, further amplified by representatives KALIMPONG: Why Nathula? known as “mini-Tibet” was a flour- it is a more suitable route. It remains of various trade organisations in Why not Jelepla? That seems to be ishing trading centre. Areas like 10th open for most part of the year while this subdivisional hill town. the question plaguing Kalimpong Mile and Topkhana were important Nathula would be difficult to ne- “Kolkata does not care for the ever since hints that trade links business centres with major Tibetan gotiate in winter. Also, the next big hills. Nathula’s pre-eminence is also would get re-established with Tibet colonies. The spin-offs of being a metropolitan centre, Siliguri is the fallout of the indolence of [China] over the high passes in trading outpost meant a huge indi- closer to Kalimpong,” adds Mr. trade organizations here Sikkim. Now, with the Union Min- rect source of income - from sale of Pempahishey in support of and the lack of unity be- istry for Commerce giving Sikkim fodder for mules, to accommodation Kalimpong again being allowed to tween them,” say mem- the go ahead to start the Tibet Trade and transportation for traders. play a bigger role in Tibet Trade. bers of these organi- via Nathula from this summer itself, The older generation here still At present, there is no mention of zations. “Is it be- the resentment is naturally rising. remember Pandu Tshang and Kalimpong in the scheme of things. cause there is “Kalimpong has historically Sandhu Tshang, two legendary Sikkim is understandably silent on no proper played a more important role and trade agents. It is obvious that with Kalimpong and the policy-makers Memorandum Tibet was more influenced by connections like these, Kalimpong in West Bengal are expending all Kalimpong rather than Sikkim,” is not happy being given the go-by their energies trying to slip Siliguri turn to pg 6

CMYK 2; NOW! ; 12 March, 2004 ED-SPACE On Nepal- Relations NOW! epal-India relations are an change crisis in the late 1980’s. It FIRST WITH THE NEWS important area of concern was remarkable change in the strat- Nfor the government and neighbours egy of development that could even Nathula vs. Jelepla people of both countries. As the be labelled as a paradigm shift. saying goes it is only with good PRAKASH CHANDRA LOHANI What makes a nation great is its Kalimpong was the gateway to Tibet which did not only launch friends that you can open your heart looks into the Indo-Nepal ability for introspection and the colonial Britain’s Central Asian ambitions into the roof of the world, and discuss your problems without bond in the present times willingness and boldness to chart but also provided Tibet with a ladder down to the supply-chains the possibility of being misunder- of globalisation and out a new course of action without fed by the Indian markets. When trade peaked, Kalimpong bus- stood. We should try to be open decides that the economic losing sight of its core values. In- tled with activity. Caravans, spies, traders of all nationalities, even with each other and express our dia’s economic policies during the Counts from Eastern Europe sought Kalimpong out and based concerns and hopes in our relation- interests of the neigh- last decade have shown that as a themselves here. Kalimpong was discovered by the British ad- ship so that it strengthens the age- bours are not in conflict great nation its politics and leader- ministrative machinery and fostered because it was the closest old links between the people of our to a multiparty form of government ship have the vision and strength British Indian town to Tibet. Since Britain’s interests were always two nations. Nepal-India relation- within a constitutional framework to move on a new path of action driven by commerce, it was only a matter of time before the trad- ship is too important just to be left based on the core principle that sov- that seems radical and yet consist- ers arrived here and Kalimpong boomed. Kalimpong was where to the whims of the bureaucracy or ereignty resides on the people. We, ent with its democratic ethos and the action was and Darjeeling still a place to convalesce. A change the temporary bumps and swings in Nepal, are in the process of in- the welfare of its people. of authority in Delhi did little to mellow the buzz at Kalimpong. In that we may experience as we try stitutionalizing this principle within This is good news for Nepal. fact, it hummed even stronger. And then trading ties with Tibet to navigate in an increasingly tur- the framework of a constitutional The overall economic policy frame- snapped. Kalimpong’s economy collapsed within a year and many monarchy- an institution that re- traders deserted it, seeking out fresher pastures elsewhere. bulent international order. work of both our countries is in the mains vital to the transformation of The dejection apparent in Kalimpong over having been left out Often in our own country we same direction minimizing chances from the plans for resumption of Tibet Trade is thus understand- hear some people defining the re- our socio economic system. India’s of conflict and friction based on di- able. But much has changed in the decades since trade stopped. lationship between Nepal and In- support to our endeavour forms an- vergence in the strategy of devel- Most importantly, Sikkim has become a part of India. Kalimpong, dia primarily on the basis of cul- other pillar of a political relation- opment. India’s shift on the high as mentioned earlier was chosen because it was the closest In- tural bonds and connections. This ship that is fully consistent with our growth path has potential for all of dian town to Tibet. Now, it is Gangtok. In fact, Gangtok is even is certainly one way of looking at national interests. It does provide South Asia to be in the same band- closer. Nathula is also lower than Jelepla and thus expected to our relationship but it remains par- an overarching political environ- wagon. For Nepal, land-lockedness remain open for slightly longer. Time is at a premium in trade tial. Cultural proximity is no guar- ment for greater mutual trust and should no longer be viewed as a nowadays and this factor, when added to infrastructural advan- antee of friendship. If we look at confidence between the govern- constraint. In fact, Nepal is not a tages that a State capital has over a subdivision obviously tilts history, nations that share the same ment of the two countries. landlocked nation, but a link nation the balance in Sikkim’s favour. That said, West Bengal should civilizations have shown no hesi- a country that has direct land link have lobbied for Kalimpong when negotiations were afoot to tation in wasting enormous re- ECONOMIC FACTOR: with two of the most dynamic resume trade. But then, the Hills begin and end with Darjeeling sources in trying to harm each other. rom an economic perspective economies of the world. There is for Kolkata and Lal Kothi seems to have forgotten that it also got However, this is not to deny the Fwe are living in unprecedented no way that this can be a disadvan- Kalimpong as part of the Hill Council. relevance of cultural proximity in times. Since the second half of the tage. It may have been in the past What Kalimpong has to do is play its strongest card - its human the relationship between any two 20th century, it has been possible but certainly not in the future given resource. This town has survived the collapse of trading activity nations. to think that nations that are poor the fact that both our countries are and its people are perhaps the most resourceful lot around. Even need not remain so in the future. In moving towards a more liberal if Kalimpong cannot become the trading hub again, it can be- POLITICAL FACTOR: India the commanding height trade regime. The point to empha- come a major supplier to the chain that links India to Chinese s regards our basic political model that relied on an interven- size is that our economic interests Tibet. It can also start popularising lores from its heydays and Avalues, there is a broad level tionist government was the para- are not in conflict. A strong and attract tourists wanting to relive the romanticism of adventurers of congruence that remains impor- digm for development for many prosperous Nepal is in India’s in- who passed Kalimpong’s way. Even though Nathula is open only tant in the evolution of our bilat- decades. We know that it did not terest and vice versa. for trade and not tourism at present, people are bound to follow eral relationship. Both Nepal and achieve the results that were ex- [The writer is Nepal’s once goods start moving. Kalimpong’s best bet is perhaps to tar- India are democratic states that pected. Then there was the change Finance Minister] get trade-related tourism instead of the trade itself. have expressed their commitment and it came after the foreign ex- -courtesy Kathmandu Post

bout three years after my mother’s need of a daily dose to chew before his meals. death my father married again. His So from time to time he told me to bring some Awork did not leave him time to cook Kalimpong’s Chinese Duck for him. I did as he told me, and often I gave and wash and do the housework. He therefore him some opium very secretly so that no one took a second wife, a Tibetan woman from might discover it, as there were very strict rules Lhasa. Her name was Tshering Dolma. He and His Duckling in the hospital. After three weeks, by the mercy thought that this would give him comfort and given to me as if I was a servant. My father which had stopped entirely since my father of God my father came home, with his leg that she would look after me like a mother. did not know about this and I was afraid to was in hospital, she went out, day and night, healed but crippled. It was a most happy day For four or five weeks she was kind to me. tell him or she would have told father I was to other houses to gossip with her woman for me to see him again in our home. How- My father had opened a bakery. During his ab- staying away from school and it would have friends and to drink chang with them. She ever, he always remained lame in his left leg sence my stepmother would sit waiting for buy- been worse for me. drank chang with them. and limped. The boys in the street began to ers of biscuits or cakes or sweets. The whole My dear father was She drank chang as call him afterwards the “Chinese Duck” be- day long she was busy knitting socks and sweat- not to work much longer. freely as others drink the cause he waggled like a duck when walking. ers both for sale and for our own use. He had an accident, which dam- water given to man by Soon my father’s nickname became known In school I had begun reading the first book aged his leg so that he had to go nature, and she certainly did all over Kalimpong. Therefore my own name of Nepali and of Tibetan, though I ran away to the hospital. From that mis- not look after me but left soon became “Chinese duckling”. All the boys as often as I could. My real education was by erable day my stepmother be- me to myself. When she would jeer at us and say: “Look at the Chi- the games I played on the road with other boys. gan to treat me in the worst came home altogether nese duck and his young.” However, I attended school more or less, for a manner that ever man or boy drunk she abused me till she My father could not do anything, for he year and a half. When I was twelve years old, had to endure. When she found became sober again. Some- was old and lame, but I was strong enough I began to see how foolish I had been in al- herself free from her house- times, she beat me in a very to fight them alone. One day about eight boys ways running away from school and in wast- work and the biscuit business, cruel manner. She may have were playing marbles in the road near our ing my time. My former schoolmates had be- Artist, filmmaker, keen gone to see my father in hospi- house. My friend Bersi and I made a plan to come fluent readers of Nepali and had also photographer, columnist tal once or twice, but I went every bring some nettles and caterpillars to throw learned to write with ease. I could do none of with international morning to ask how he felt and among these loafers, who had been mocking these things. But I did not even think of that magazines... It’s hard to to talk. my father. We two went to the mission forest when I was six or seven. pin Twang Yang down. Born Now, I have not men- where on the trunks of the trees you could As my stepmother knew that I was not to a Chinese father and tioned my father’s habit of find many caterpillars. These we collected. Tibetan mother, he grew up in eating opium from time to time for We also bought back nettles, which we got going to school regularly she threw all the Kalimpong and worked in small housework on me, such as cleaning pots Sikkim. his health. Certainly opium some- with difficulty. We plucked them with tongs, and pans, bringing water and going to the NOW! serializes Twan Yang’s times does a little good, but it forms a which we use to pick up burning charcoal. market. Except cooking, all the other work was autobiography, Houseboy in India... strong habit and this made him feel the turn to pg 6 CMYK  NEWSSCAN 12 March, 2004; NOW! 3 TRY TEMPTING SOMEONE WITH THIS The bar in question was bought vealed just as much. One Mr. a NOW REPORT a couple of weeks ago from a shop Kailash had just this to say: “ The in Gangtok. There were also a cou- old stock of chocolates have all GANGTOK: There’s nothing ple of similar complaints from been disposed off. We are now dis- more repulsive and nastier than some other consumers. Shop-own- tributing only the freshly packed finding a creepy, crawly maggot un- ers say they can’t be blamed for it chocolates.” winding itself as you take in the since they are just retail outlets and Abhijit Banerjee of Nestle screaming crunchy bite of a choco- have nothing to do with manufac- added: “ The fruit and nuts variety late bar. Well, how about half a turing or packaging or even stor- is the most vulnerable. There is re- creepy, crawly maggot? ing for that matter. The man at Uni- ally nothing we can do about invad- We have no in- versal Provisions ing pests. They can easily slink into tention of playing even went so far as to the bars through the corners of the spoilsports, but you’d say - when this cor- wrappings. Even the double foiled agree it is better to be rajdhani respondent ques- wrappings which the manufactur- safe than sorry. A tioned him – that they ers have resorted to won’t be of “Temptations” Cadbury bar a friend had dumped the old stock of choco- much help.” bought didn’t turn out to be as lates ever since the “fairies in tempting as he thought. Something chocolates” controversy broke out. He does, however, go on to say moving here, something wagging A visit to Krishna & Co. – the that the ones with the pillow wrap- there and he was ready for a life distributors of the tempting Temp- pings are totally immune to un- Wormy residents in a Temptations chocolate bought in Gangtok long austerity drive as far eating tations and other brands of similarly wanted guests. Even so, I wouldn’t chocolates goes. tempting material in Gangtok – re- go to sleep with it. Touring for National Integration with the threads of cultural Darjeeling. This emotional national a NOW REPORT bonds which make us one peo- tour was one month long. ple and one nation in spite of the Mr. Negi said that during the NAMCHI: The Students Expe- apparent diversity in language tour, they met several governors, rience in Inter Living [SEIL] is and life styles. chief ministers, union ministers and a voluntary effort sponsored by also the President APJ Abul Kalam Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Surat Negi, coordinator of SEIL at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Parishad [ABVP] and has been Tour reveals that this year, the tour active for the past 35 years with was organised as the “Bharat According to Mr. Negi, during a goal to strengthen national in- Darshan Anubhav - 2004.” the meeting with the President, the tegration among the young In this tour, 80 students from Sikkim delegation had raised the stars through cultural exchange Sikkim, Darjeeling and the seven demand for a university in Sikkim. Students on the Bharat Darshan Anubhav tour sponsored by ABVP with the Union tours. SEIL is a mission which sister states of the North East par- The students also invited the peo- Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi aims at emotional integration ticipated. Of the 80 students, sev- ple of other states of the country to and Darjeeling. delegation, Tika Thapa, a BA 2nd by making the youth familiar enteen were from Sikkim and see the natural beauty of Sikkim Durga Prasad Kharel, a first year student of Government Col- year student at the Sikkim Law Col- lege, Namchi, said that they were lege, said that the tour brought treated by the host families like home the unity of India to him and their own children. ABGL’s primary concerns helped him understand what it they intend to continue with the an awareness campaign shortly to means to be an Indian. “I never felt that I was away Contd from pg1 campaign. educate the parents of the rights that Another member of the Sikkim from my parents,” she said. whereas now, students get barely Yesterday, a joint delegation their wards are entitled to,” added one and a half kilos and that too on comprising of ABGL subdivisional Sharma. a “very irregular” basis. committee members and Tarun Meanwhile LT Rinden, Secre- “We have come to know that a Gorkha [Youth wing of ABGL] met tary, Primary Education, DGHC, few headmasters, who have even the Chairman, District Primary while confirming that he had signed blank vouchers, are in- Board, Secretary [DGHC], Primary briefed the ABGL members on the volved in this scam,” contend Education and the DI of Schools to facilities that students were enti- ABGL leaders. discuss these issues and find out “in tled to, commented that the com- Regarding text books, ABGL detail” about the facilities that pri- plaints raised by ABGL were “too alleges that free text books, instead mary students and specially the generalized.” of being distributed in the begin- physically challenged students are “I have told them that I could ning of an academic session, were entitled to. look into any specific complaint being distributed at the end, thus “We will also be embarking on made by them,” he told NOW! forcing students to buy text books. “Girls are being provided free dresses whereas boys are not get- ting anything,” adds Sharma. ABGL has started a widespread EDUCATION presents postering campaign in all the three hill subdivisions of Darjeeling, It’s where your future is Kurseong and Kalimpong and also Level 1 : Diploma in IT foundation at tea gardens and block levels. Level 2 : Hon’s Diploma in Web programming Posters with messages “Nobody Level 3 : Advanced Diploma in Solutions Architect has the right to sabotage the facili- Level 4 : Master’s Diploma in Software Expertise ties meant for poor primary stu- Near Krishi Bhavan, Tadong, Gangtok. ph: 270876 dents,” “Heads of Institutions Below Power Deptt., Kazi Road, Gangtok. ph: 227917 SSI Computers, Opp. Krishi Bhavan, Tadong should take necessary initiatives to Nayuma Building, Main Bazar, Namchi. ph: 263919 ph: 231776 [o], 98320-33595, 94340-33595 see to it that students get the maxi- Pandey Colony, Geyzing. ph: 251187 In Kalimpong, call 260221. Namchi, Jorethang, Geyzing: 263320. email: [email protected] website: www.ssi-education.com mum benefit of facilities entitled to Pakyong: 94341-27079. Mangan - 23457 them,” are splashed all over town JOB PLACEMENT ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION and ABGL members assure that CMYK 4; NOW! ; 12 March, 2004 POWERPLAY  BUSY SCHEDULE FORCES BUDDHADEB TO SHIFT HILL MEETING FROM DARJ TO KURSEONG from OUR CORRESPONDENT ALLEGATIONS ABOUND ON GNLF-CPM DEAL DARJEELING, March 11, 2004: Though it was West Bengal Chief Immdeiately after the meeting, quelled deftly by senior party lead- has always taught its cadres that the shrugged off all this as mere Minister, Buddhadeb the CM will proceed to Bagdogra ers. Anil Biswas, secretary of the interest of the party comes before “propaganda mechanisms.” Bhatacharjee’s wish to attend a Airport. Party cadres are expected CPM State Committee in Siliguri, self” he preached. “Mani Thapa was chosen as the party meeting at Darjeeling after a to attend in large numbers from all stated that no disciplinary action Though all this managed to quell candidate because she is a capable party meeting was slated for 20 over the hills including Darjeeling, will be taken against these leaders the internal strife, it could not stop the leader. About the extension to March in Siliguri, this will not be Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik. as CPM functioned “on democratic crossfire from other political camps. DGHC’s term, since we can’t hold possible due to his busy schedule. Ashok Bhattacharjee, State lines and party members had every Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League all three elections [, Mu- Instead, the venue for the meeting Minister in Charge of Municipal right to express their opinion.” [ABGL] openly criticized Mani Thapa nicipal and DGHC] one after the has been shifted to Kurseong. and Urban Affairs and Mani Thapa, He added that the problem had as a GNLF backed candidate. other and since the DGHC Act has “The CM has a flight back to CPM candidate from the Darjeeling been sorted out. After this, the CPM “Everybody knows of the tacit the provision to extend the tenure Kolkata at 12:30 pm on 21 March constituency will be accompanying embarked on largescale political cam- understanding between the CPM of the board for 1 year, we used this and therefore it will be too hectic the CM to Kurseong. paigning in the Hills and the plains, and the GNLF. GNLF agreed to boy- to extend it for 8 months. There is for him to attend a meeting in “It will mainly be a meeting with rallies and public meetings. cott votes to block anti-CPM votes no hidden agenda or anything ille- Darjeeling and then board the where election strategies will be dis- To further apply the healing to ensure the CPM victory giving gal behind this,” clarified flight. It will also be very difficult cussed in detail,” informed Pradhan. touch, Ashok Bhattacharjee accom- preconditions for Mani Thapa to be Bhattacharjee. for party members from all over the Party members are also eyeing this panied Mani Thapa to a DYFI made the CPM candidate and that Meanwhile the GNLF has gone Hills to attend the meeting at meeting as a major morale booster. meeting in Darjeeling on 5 March the present DGHC Board be given into silence mode regarding election Darjeeling in the early hours. Tak- Incidentally, after the announce- where she was introduced by an extension,” said Madan Tamang, and continues to abstain from clari- ing all these aspects into considera- ment of Mani Thapa’s candidature, Bhattacharjee as a “bridge between President, ABGL. fying their stand on the forthcom- tion the venue has been changed to a near feud broke out among certain the plains and hills.” He also As the CPM kept both the con- ing MP elections. They even ab- Kurseong and the CM is expected ranks of the CPM in the hills, dub- claimed that the entire party was ditions it was the turn of the GNLF stained from the all party meeting to address party cadres at 10:30 bing her as an “unknown face” and happy with her candidature and that to keep their part of the deal and with the Magis- am,” said Narayan Pradhan, a CPM a candidate not from the Hills. each and everyone would back her. ensure the CPM victory, he added. trate to discuss the moral code of leader from the Hills. The uprising was however “CPM is a disciplined party which Ashok Bhattacharjee however conduct yesterday, further raising suspicions of a probable boycott. KALIMPONG-BOUND GROUP ASSAULTED State BJP reserves comment on SDF snub NAYA BAZAAR: At around 5 pm on 10 March, three passengers of a said it was “too early” to comment the BJP proposal, had “unani- vehicle were assaulted by some miscreants. Somnath Chettri, JP Gupta a NOW REPORT on the breakdown in the talks on a mously” decided against forging and Suresh Pradhan were on their way to Kalimpong after attending a possible alliance and seat-sharing any alliances at the state level while marriage ceremony at Chungbong when the vehicle they were travelling GANGTOK, March 11: The State arrangement between the BJP and clarifying that its support for the in stopped to refuel at the Naya Bazaar petrol pump. There, they were Unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party the SDF in Sikkim. BJP-led NDA would continue at reportedly accosted by one Sonam Bhutia , Bharat Gupta and two others. has refused to comment on the de- “We have intimated the BJP in- the national level. Apparently a heated exchange of words took place between the two groups cision of the ruling Sikkim Demo- charge for Sikkim, Sunil Shastri, and This came in the wake of opti- and subsequently the passengers were set upon by Sonam Bhutia and his cratic Front to turn down its offer vice-president Pyarelal Khandelwal mistic remarks made by Mr. friends. The driver, Tshering Dorjee Bhutia, was the only one who got for an alliance at the state level for on the outcome of our talks with the Khandelwal and Mr. Shastri at a away unhurt. The miscreants have been arrested. the upcoming Lok Sabha and As- SDF party. We are now awaiting press conference a day earlier sembly polls in the State. their instructions,” he said. where they expressed confidence GOVT. SPARES PINCHED! The Sikkim BJP president, HR Yesterday, the SDF Political on forging an alliance with the rul- GANGTOK: On 9 March, three spare tyres belonging to three different Pradhan, while talking to NOW!, Affairs Committee, while debating ing party in Sikkim. vehicles were reported stolen. Interestingly two of the three vehicles be- longed to the Joint Secretary, Home Department, and Joint Secretary, Pay & Accounts. The third belonged to one TR Rai. The said vehicles were parked at Indra bye-pass near the Motor Vehicles office. An investigation STA thanks govt, deptt. for is underway and sources have been deployed in and around Indra bye- pass area to trace the culprit. “positive measures” SIMPLE THEFT AT books, free uniforms, midday vancement grade for primary teach- TECHNOLOGY DEPTT. a NOW REPORT meals, scholarships, etc have all ers and school mothers to ten years brought significant changes in the from the earlier 15 years; Graduate GANGTOK: Kalpana Chettri, accountant with the Information & Tech- nology Department was in for an unpleasant shock when she reported for GANGTOK, 11 March: The education sector in the State, Mr. and Post Graduate teachers who work on 4 March, last Thursday. According to her, at around noon that Sikkim Teachers Association [STA] Koirala maintains. have B. Ed degrees and Primary day she had left her office on the first floor of the annexe building to has expressed its gratitude to the “Construction of new school teachers with CPE [TTI] degrees collect a cheque. When she returned, a bag containing Rs. 20,000, two State Government and the Depart- buildings, recruitment of more are now eligible for two advance LIC cheques worth Rs. 8,000 each and another Rs. 282 along with her ment of Education for fulfilling a teachers, introduction of vocational increments. Similarly, the State mobile phone were missing. Her personal accessories were missing, too, number of its demands which could education and training, computer Government has already given the from her drawer. She maintains that she had properly locked her drawer have far-reaching consequences to- education, sports facilities have all green signal for reviving Advance and kept the keys in another drawer of the table. A written complaint was wards the betterment of the teach- helped improve the standard of Winter Salary facility and all teach- made on 9 March and the case is under investigation. ing community in the State. education in the State,” he said. ers who have 450 days credit on “The measures taken by the The STA has also expressed its their leave account are now entitled State Government to improve the gratitude towards the Government for for leave encashment if the credit standard of education and stream- fulfilling a number of its demands days exceed 450 days. line it are commendable. The vari- raised for the “general welfare” of the The State Government has also ous incentives provided by the State teaching community in the State. made it possible for in-service Sikkim House Government for both the teachers “Persistent meetings and ap- teachers to pursue higher studies and the students to make education peals placed before the government while still in service. Teachers can more attractive have all contributed and the Education Department in now also go for professional edu- (The Ethnic Cuisine Restaurant) to the overall development of edu- particular, have resulted in fulfil- cation course such as B.Ed and Hotel New Castle cation in the State,” ML Koirala, ment of a number of our demands, CPE from IGNOU free of cost. The at , Deorali publicity secretary, SLA, says in a which are significant achievements Education Department has also Phone : 281707 / 281742 press statement. for us,” Mr. Koirala said. made provisions for transfer adjust- Schemes launched by the State Some of these include the fix- ments of teachers keeping in mind Government, such as free text- ing of service years limit for ad- their welfare, Mr. Koirala reveals. CMYK  NEWSSCAN 12 March, 2004; NOW! 5 Culture establishes a French Connection for ten from Kpg

from OUR CORRESPONDENT INDO-TIBET BUDDHIST INSTITUTE TROUPE TO PERFORM KALIMPONG: A group of under- privileged children from AT INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S MEET IN FRANCE Kalimpong belonging to ITBCI- Indo-Tibet BuddhistCultural Insti- Gwizdek. JTI is a professional thea- lent ex-student is married to a the students of our school who will tute are all set to live the dream tre Company in France directed by French lady and is settled in France. now have an opportunity to meet many of us once had - visiting the Nathalie le Corre et Philippe He further stated that though this and interact with people belonging fashion capital of the world - Asselin. will be the first time the students of to a different world. They will di- France. The ten children are all un- According to JK Bhutia, princi- ITBCI will be taking an international rectly interact with the people there der the age of 13. pal, ITBCI, this is a totally non-com- trip, various venues such as Kolkata and therefore get to know more The French connection was es- mercial Meet. The children, he adds, and New Delhi have already been about Western society first-hand,” tablished so that the pre-teens could are being sent to the festival “basi- visited by them while on the trail of said Principal Mr. Bhutia. participate in an international chil- cally to represent Tibetan culture” similar performances. Kesang Lepcha, a student at dren’s meet there. The Carrefour In- through various cultural dances such “The excursion is being totally ITBCI from Sadhu Dhara, when ternational du The’atre d’Enfants is as the Lion dance, the Yak-dance, funded by the group from France”, approached said she considered an international children’s meet in- Dopa Dodrung [literally meaning he adds. herself “very lucky” and admitted volving countries such as Germany “dance with drum beat] etc. Accommodation for all the she was excited about the trip to and Spain and will be hosted at Mr. Bhutia further reveals that children has also been fixed with France. She will be performing the Valenciennes in France. It is slated this opportunity for the underprivi- five French families having agreed Relpa dance, a devotional dance to be held from the 15 to 31 of May, leged children to visit foreign to accommodate two children each introduced in 17th century to popu- later this year and is organized by shores was made possible through in their homes. larize Buddhist Religion and cul- Jeune Theatre International and will an ex-student of the Institute who “This is a good development for ture in Tibet. be presided over by Mrs. Chislane is himself an artist. This benevo- the Tibetan society here and also for What can we say but bon voyage. read India-Tibet Friendship Society seeks Cong loses East release of Tenzin Rinpoche VP to SDF a NOW REPORT tomorrow... Chinese people signed a petition in was smuggled out of Tibet wherein from our CORRESPONDENT his support, but could not stop ei- he said: “Since I’m a Tibetan I have GANGTOK, March 11: Sikkim ther the closure of the school or his always been sincere and devoted to Pradesh Congress Committee-I KALIMPONG: On the occasion arrest by Chinese officials. the interest and well-being of Ti- East District vice-president, of the 45th Tibetan National Up- He was arrested on 7 April, betan people. That is the real rea- Manoj Rai has resigned from the rising Day, the India-Tibet Friend- 2002 by Kangding Police Detention son why the Chinese don’t like me party and joined the ruling ship Society based in Kalimpong Centre on charges that he had en- and framed me. That is why they Sikkim Democratic Front party. has urged the Government of India gaged in separatist activities and are going to take my life even Mr. Rai submitted his resig- and “all peace loving people of the bombing. Denied visitors and legal though I’m innocent.” nation to the SPCC president Nar world” to seek the release of po- counsel, reports emerged that he On 26 January, 2003, two Chi- Bahadur Bhandari here on 9 litical prisoners held in Tibet and was beaten and tortured. nese lawyers were denied permis- March. to restore human rights in Tibet. On December 2, 2002, a trial sion to represent Tenzin Delek. Speaking at a press confer- They spoke for the freedom of was held in Kardze Intermediate PT Bhutia, General Secretary, ence here today, Mr. Rai blamed Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, an influ- People’s Court. Tenzin Delek was ITFC also appealed to Yashwant Sinha, the “flawed leadership” of Mr. ential Buddhist teacher who is also gagged when he tried to defend Union Minister for Foreign Affairs and Bhandari and his obsession with known for his social and religious himself. He was later sentenced to to Hu Juntao, President, People Repub- promoting himself and not the developmental efforts. death and became the first Tibetan lic of China for the immediate release party as the reasons for leaving In the year 2000 Chinese au- to be handed the death sentence in of Tulku Tenzin Delek. the Congress. thorities ordered him to close a 20 years. school he had established in Rinpoche himself asserted his Lithang. Over 20,000 Tibetans and innocence in a tape recording that Software Technology Group WHO International Ltd. Strawberry (One of the fastest growing Grand Clearance WAS in IT Education Company) presents Advanced Diploma in Software Technology with Sale S.P.E.X.[Software Project Experience] FOR THE FIRST TIME 30-50% OFF CK? Get Ready For The Real World Our other course: Advanced Diploma in Hardware & Net- ON ALL GARMENTS, SHOES MOBILE PHONES working. 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CMYK 6; NOW! ; 12 March, 2004 DEVELOPMENT  Peer educators briefed on AIDS training of educators is being held. Sikkim history returns to PURAN TAMANG Nineteen schools had participated in the first programme while the NAMCHI: A training programme remaining six schools took part this on HIV/ AIDS was held for nodal time around. school books teachers and peer educators at Li- The main aim of the training tory Department, Sikkim Govern- Five chapters in the book, En- brary Hall, Namchi General Hos- was to spread awareness and in- ment College, who helped prepare vironmental Studies-1 for class III, pital, from 8-11 March. The pro- crease knowledge among educators SAGAR CHETTRI the relevant chapters, says that he have been devoted to Sikkim. Cli- gramme was a part of the School for subsequent education of stu- GANGTOK: Sikkim’s history, or had always rued the absence of mate, plants and animals, people AIDS Education Scheme under dents about HIV/AIDS and STDs. at least a part of it will now be Sikkim’s history from the school and the culture of the state, occu- south district. The trainees will now spread the taught in schools in the State. Be- syllabus here and always wanted to pation of the people, transport and Organized by Dhrishti, a message that they have imbibed in ginning with class III from this year, get it included. communication and districts and Namchi based NGO, the pro- various schools. Funds for this have it will progressively march to towns of Sikkim make for the gramme was supported by Sikkim been allocated under School Level higher classes from the next ses- first introduction to school kids State AIDS Control Society. Activity by the Sikkim State AIDS sion onwards. of their own land. This is the second time that this Control Society. The decision to introduce “This textbook is dedicated students to a study of their own to the children of Sikkim with land was taken at the Educa- the hope that it would serve its NINE CRORE VAJRA GURU tional Conference of heads of purpose. It is the first attempt of schools held in September last its kind in our state,” reads the RECITATIONS DONE, ENCHEY year. A resolution was passed on foreword by Secretary, Educa- the inclusion of chapters on his- tion Department. PREPARES FOR KHA WANG tory of Sikkim in Social Studies Even though it has begun humanity against diseases, human textbooks with effect from this only at the class III level, it is a NOW REPORT sufferings, natural calamities, com- session. This is the first time af- hoped that the initiative will trig- munal disturbances, war and other ter almost 29 years of following ger a greater interest in the Indian educational system Sikkimese history among the GANGTOK: Almost nine crore evils, claim the organisers. that students here will study the students and is followed up with Vajra Guru recitations have been The Duchi of Enchey Gonpa history of their land. progressive books with more de- completed at Enchey Sanga and the Enchey Tsechu Tsogpa has Dr. MP Kharel, Head of His- tails in higher classes. Rapdenling Gumba in the last month. expressed gratitude to all the devo- The recitations, which started tees who have contributed and par- on 6 February, are now on the verge ticipated in the proceedings. It has of completion. It is hoped that the also requested all devotees to con- Sikkim footballers to dribble proceedings will be completed tinue extending their support till the within the next few days. The Vajra conclusion of the recitation. The or- Guru Mantra recitation is to seek ganisers propose to conduct a “Kha at Dr. Ao tournament the blessings of Guru Rimpoche to Wang” as done last year on the con- [Blue]. In Group B are the states of out of 40 probables, 20 players overcome evil forces that may con- cluding day. The date will be an- SPORTS/SOCCER Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, have been shortlisted to participate front humanity. It will safeguard nounced later. Arunachal Pradesh and SAI [Red]. in the tournament. These probables The tournament will be played were undergoing coaching camp a NOW REPORT on a league cum knock-out basis. for the last one month under the GANGTOK, 11 March: Sikkim Sikkim XI play their first match on Chief Coach at TNA Ground as A Foreign Publication Division Football Association [SFA] is send- 16 March, next Tuesday. well as in Old Guards Ground. ing a 20-member football team un- Both the semi-finals will be Mr. Ethenpa further said that wants 40 Brilliant Boys/ Girls der chief coach Thupden Rapgyal played on 26 March and the final the upcoming tourney is being to represent Sikkim in the 2nd Dr. is scheduled for 28 March. viewed as a warm-up for the for different positions of T. Ao - Doner Football Tournament While releasing the names of Sikkim team as it prepares for the Administration/ Management. for North Eastern Region to be held the State team to the media, SFA Santosh Trophy likely to be held at Imphal, Manipur. secretary, Menla Ethenpa, said that sometime in April 2004. Walk-in-Interview The tourney is slated to be held from 15 March and will continue LAND-MARK INTERNATIONAL till 28 March, 2004. The team will Sarda Building, 6th Floor, leave Gangtok on 13 March. Con-Cops Strike... MG Marg, Gangtok-737 101 Sikkim has been slated in Group A along with states like As- have been reported thus far. What ph: 98320 9007 Contd from pg1 sam, Mizoram, Nagaland and SAI makes the case even more intrigu- of justice, locked them all up in- ing is that the gang-members seem side one room. to work hard on their act. When Kpg’s With no prying eyes to disturb they claimed to be on the search for Why not Jelepla? Chinese them, they went around “search- stolen explosives, they knew Devi Tibet traders here, has to be much ing” the entire house and left only Prasad would buy the story because Contd from pg1 more immediate and there is need Duck... after they had found something the area has been abuzz for the past of Understanding between the gov- for some collective action on seek- that satisfied them - Rs. 42,000 in two months with rumours of such ernment and the traders of this re- ing a role for Kalimpong in the new Contd from pg2 cash and 11 tolas of gold. The a theft. This is also perhaps a lead gion, or is it that all influential per- trade route. The caterpillars we put in a hand- group decamped and it was only to the location of gang members sonalities of this region are too laid- Monila De, a columnist and kerchief and took secretly near the much later that Devi Prasad could since not too many people outside back and relaxed?” they ask. senior resident of the town believes boys. Among them was one who escape the locked room and dis- the Singtam-Dikchu axis are aware However, according to Lawrence that the Centre has shown more was the worst and was always jeer- cover the dacoity. of the rumoured theft. D. Sitling, former Political Agent, sympathy to Sikkim than ing at my father by calling him Upon checking with security As things stand, a case has been Government of Bhutan and an expert Kalimpong. “duck”. I quietly dropped the cat- personnel in the area, he learnt that registered under sections 170, 392 in Indo-Bhutan and Indo-Tibet rela- “Maybe the West Bengal govern- erpillar from the handkerchief into there was no raid in progress and and 32 of Indian Penal Code against tions: “Climatically, historically, as ment did not play its cards at the right his neck. It began to sting him, and understood that he had been “unknown persons.” Although sen- well as strategically, Kalimpong has time. It should be more positive in he began to cry for help from his conned. Interestingly, this is not the ior police officials maintain that the always been an important trading its attitude towards Kalimpong in the mother. We two friends, Bersi and first time that this modus operandi case is being investigated, they ad- town because of its proximity to Ne- future,” she contends. myself, then gripped the nettles has been carried out with success mit no breakthroughs have been pal, Bhutan, Tibet and Siliguri. But, Even while the older residents firmly with handkerchiefs round in the region. In June last year, a made as yet. Although the gang is I would like to announce to the citi- like her hope that the central gov- the stems and went for the boys. We family was similarly looted by not expected to target urban locali- zens of Kalimpong that if Jelepla ernment will see the sense of it all said: “If you boys say that again, youth posing as cops on a raid at ties, those living in remote rural does not reopen, it does not mean that at some point, the younger genera- then we will do this again to you; Mannzang Jogi Dara about 6 kms blocks are advised to be wary of the original historical value of tion knows that Kalimpong’s day so remember, do not call duck from Lingmoo bazaar across the heavy footfalls and loud knocks by Kalimpong will decline.” in the sun as far as trading with Ti- anymore.” river from Gerathang. There could men in uniform - they could be from But business, point out former bet go has gone down for all times. To be continued have been other attempts, but none the other side of the law. CMYK  NATIONWIDE 12 March, 2004; NOW! 7 ACTORS SAY PARTIES OFFERED THEM MONEY s the general election nears, Jeetendra, Poonam Dhillion, etc “There is an ongoing storm and black money and can come from Athe Congress, Bharatiya rooting for the ‘Lotus’ party MONEY FOR politicians have suddenly discovered either parties directly or from in- Janata Party and many other politi- But what really is it that makes newfound love for celebrities. Actors dustrialists; also this is one way to cal outfits have paraded a galaxy of them hit the election trail? STARS are getting more offers from politi- evade EC scrutiny,” a star wishing stars that they say subscribe to their According to Mid Day, it is tary. “Parties who pay you money cal parties than films,” he added. anonymity told the tabloid. ideologies and would campaign for mammon. The Mumbai tabloid think they can make you jump to Also in demand are TV stars. Manoj Bajpai said, “I have been them. So on the one hand you have spoke to a cross-section of movie their tune,” he said. Shweta Kwatra, star of soap Kahani approached but I have always re- an Asrani, Celina Jaitley, Namrata stars and TV personalities who said Actor Ashutosh Rana said he Ghar Ghar Kii and Kkusum, told the fused in the first stage of negotia- Shirodkar, Zeenat Aman and Sharad political parties approached them had been approached more than paper that her rate card was more than tion itself. Kapoor professing their admiration with big bucks. once. “I have been offered astro- one lakh a day. “The parties have ap- “It is unfortunate that sundry for the Congress, and on the other, Muscleman Sunil Shetty told nomical sums from several national proached me directly to campaign.” stars with no knowledge of ground Yukta Mookhey, Hema Malini, the tabloid he had been offered Rs and regional parties to canvass for Often the payment is made in realities have chosen to enter the Sudha Chandran, Suresh Oberoi, 10 lakh per day through his secre- them,” he said. cash. “This is to siphon off the political fray.” Mysterious TEN SPORTS DEMANDS U$25 MILLION FROM DD TO Naga sadhus SHARE INDO-PAK SERIES TELECAST RIGHTS

congregate S Sharma, chief executive of India, on Sunday in Mumbai and ing anything to Ten Sports. upon the Madras High Court rul- Kficer of Prasar Bharati, has ac- offered to carry the same advertise- Information and Broadcasting ing] that will make it mandatory in Junagadh cused Ten Sports, which has the ex- ments which are carried by them Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on for any channel operating in the hey are feared due to their mat- clusive overseas telecast rights for provided they [Ten Sports] agreed Wednesday met Prime Minister country to share feed of events of Tted hair and their unusual ap- the India-Pakistan cricket series, of to part with some of the money Atal Bihari Vajpayee to update him national interest with the state pearance. And their role in the spiritual making “unreasonable demands” from the advertisement revenue. on the developments. Prasar broadcaster. world is always shrouded in mystery. and trying to make a killing by forc- Chris McDonald has now Bharati chief executive K S Sarma The government will list the The Naga baba [naked warrior ing Doordarshan into paying three flown to New Delhi to make a last also met senior PMO officials. events or type of events for which mendicant] belongs to a sect that has times the money invested by Ten ditch effort to reach some under- Officials admitted that if the private broadcasters will have to no material bonding, lives a rigorous Sports to bag the telecast rights. standing with the Prasar Bharati telecast of the series was blacked share feed. This condition will be life and performs rituals to appease According to reports, the after the Madras High court had in- out, it could damage the image of brought in either as an ordinance or Lord Shiva - the divine destroyer. sports channel procured the tel- dicated during the hearing in a pub- the ruling National Democratic Al- as part of the registration agreement They are mostly smeared with ecasting rights from the Pakistan lic interest liti- liance govern- for channels operating in India. ash, carry traditional weapons like Cricket Board for U$8 million but gation that the ment ahead of the trident, smoke cannabis or hash- are asking Doordarshan to pay up Government of OFF-FIELD the general elec- WANTED ish and can perform incredible feats U$25 million to share these rights India should SLEDGING tions starting Computer Engineer, Soft- and yoga asanas. with them. K S Sharma, as the re- consider bring- next month. ware Programmer port goes, initially offered $4 mil- ing an ordinance in case there is no Such a situation could force the These sadhus every year flock Knowledge in Visual Basic lion which was later revised to $6 understanding reached between the government to bring in an Ordi- from various parts of the country and Oracle a must. to the foot of the Girnar mountain million. two television Houses nance making it mandatory for the Please send in detail resume at Junagadh district in Gujarat to In a bid to sort out the matter If the High Court directs the channel to share its feed with with passport size photo- celebrate Mahashivratri and take so that viewers all over the country government to come up with an or- Doordarshan. graphs and quote expected the much awaited dip at the famous get to watch the matches, Sharma dinance and force Ten Sports to In order to avoid such crises in Mrigi Kund [pond] at the Lord had a meeting with Chris share telecast signals with Prasar future, the government is consid- salary to NOW!, Gairi Gaon, Shiva temple. McDonald, the Ten Sports chief in Bharati, then DD would not be pay- ering an ordinance [depending Tadong, East Sikkim. Many perform yagnas [offer- ings] like the Mrityunjay Yagna, which is believed to have powers 130 killed in to bring back the dead. Legend has it that three sadhus Madrid train out of many who take a dip at the Mrigi Kund vanish into the waters. blasts Unfazed by the changing times, string of explosions took however, the Naga sadhus believe Aplace on Madrid’s railway net- in the spiritual powers of the kund. work at the height of morning rush According to a legend Lord Shiva hour on Thursday killing, according himself had taken bath here and the to latest reports, at least 130 people water, which has sulphur, is a sign and wounding more than 400. of his divine presence. Three explosions hit separate Gopalgiri, a Naga sadhu from trains along the southern part of the Himachal who has been visiting train network at Santa Eugenia, El Junagadh for past 20 years, says the Pozo and Atocha stations. mystery surrounding the kund is one The most deadly blast happened of the most known ones. “Legend on a train entering Madrid’s main also has it that there is a secret tunnel Atocha station, killing 29 people under water from where they go to there, the broadcaster quoted Interior another place,” Gopalgiri said. Minister Angel Acebes as saying. “No ordinary man can try to Three bombs, planted in plas- unearth this secret route by trying tic bags in the front, middle and to take a dip. Only a true sadhu can rear cars, hit the train, arriving detect it and go past it if his calling from the eastern Madrid suburb of has arrived,” he added with caution. Alcala de Henares, Spanish radio Unperturbed by changing times SER reported. the Naga sadhus maintain that it is Spain’s government blamed due to their extreme penance under Basque separatist group ETA. Gov- harsh conditions that they are able ernment spokesman Eduardo to ward off many evils in the world. Zaplana dubbed it a “criminal gang Nagas like Acharya Lalchadi Giri of killers”. from Uttaranchal say they are drawn The attacks came barely three to the Mahashivratri celebrations by days ahead of the Spanish general the mystical power of Lord Shiva. election. CMYK 8; NOW! ; 12 March, 2004 THEFINALONE  REIKI, TO GET THE RHYTHM BACK

tune with the Higher Being, it is of illnesses and negative karma. truly a blessing. That alternative This energy force is present in all SARIKAH ATREYA speaks to a Reiki Master and tries to healing method could be Reiki. beings and can be accumulated and understand this ancient art of healing So, what really is Reiki? guided by the mind. “Reiki is a natural system of Dr. Bhatnagar, an Army wife ill, was fighting obesity and was from Master to pupil. healing. It means the universal spir- based here at Libing, has been prac- suffering from a slipped disc. The Her Reiki Master also intro- itual wisdom or consciousness and tising Reiki for the last seven years. doctors suggested surgery which duced her to naturopathy. Through life force energy which is used to Over the years, she has been healing could have been fatal. Just then, my naturopathy, she was able to suc- heal the body, mind and soul,” says people, especially orphans and has father suggested that I try out the cessfully fight the battle of the Dr. Supriya Bhatnagar, a Reiki been successfully releasing the heal- Reiki therapy. I went to a Reiki bulge and is now herself a quali- Master and a Naturopath. ing powers of this ancient technique Master in Pune. Frankly, I was a bit fied naturopath and is a consultant “The wisdom that comes di- to many with chronic problems. She Dr. Supriya Bhatnagar skeptical in the beginning but for weight management pro- rectly from the Higher Self which has also been diligently spreading within three days of Reiki healing, grammes as well. GANGTOK: At a time when the is all-knowing. It understands each awareness on Reiki all along. my slipped vertebra moved back to Dr. Bhatnagar is actively in- overwhelming demands of the 21st person completely, his problems Based here for the last one and its original place and I was cured,” volved in spreading awareness on Century lifestyles have slowly and difficulties and knows how to half years, this low-profile lady has she says. Reiki here through seminars and will started to take its toll on the emo- heal them. Reiki heals one physi- been healing the locals with chronic This convinced her enough to soon start initiation classes as well. tional, physically and spiritual well- cally, emotionally, mentally and disease and has also been involved learn more about Reiki and its heal- “Reiki helps in neutralizing the being of the people, stress and hy- spiritually, offering solutions to in charitable work with various or- ing powers. Soon, she found a Mas- negative karmic fields, which are pertension have almost become most known diseases and maintains phanages here. Belonging to the ter who initiated her. Since then, the cause of many illnesses. Reiki occupational hazards of living in one’s connection with God,” she Usui lineage of Reiki practice, Dr. there has been no looking back. brings the body and mind back in the present times. Finding an effec- explains. Bharatnagar is also a qualified While the benefits of Reiki are harmony,” she says, adding, “The tive way to find that peace and sol- This ancient form of healing naturopath who has successfully manifold, one cannot learn Reiki world at present needs love and ace with oneself and reconnect with deals with the life force, known to combined the technique of Reiki healing by merely reading books. harmony more than ever before.” the Higher Being is almost impos- Indians as Prana and to the Chinese with naturopathy. “One needs to be initiated by a [Those interested in Reiki, sible to find. And, if an alternative as Chi. When this life force is high Her initiation into Reiki was led Reiki Master to be able to heal self Naturopath, Herbalife and Weight comes by, which not only offers and free-flowing, it animates the by her own physical problems she and others,” she says, while add- Management Programme can emotional and spiritual balance, but body, the emotions and thoughts. was suffering seven years ago. ing that the attunement process is a contact Dr. Supriya Bhatnagar at also a healthy mind and body in When disrupted, it can cause a host “At that time, I was chronically sacred and secret one, passed only 98320-55121] TNA STUDENT GUESSES THE NUMBER OF CHURPIS RIGHT

GANGTOK: Shreya Kiran, a class VI student of Tashi Namgyal Acad- emy has won this month’s Baker’s Café Talk of the Town Contest by guessing correctly the number of ‘churpis’ kept in a jar. Shreya, guessed the exact number of 335 churpis! A 5 pound chocolate cake was pre- sented to her by Subhas Chettri, Manager, Baker’s Café. Very happy about winning the cake, she said, “What can be a better gift for my mother on her birthday than this cake, the whole family can enjoy this together.”

New look & tastes at Anola GANGTOK: Hotel Anola at New Market here re-launched its res- taurant with a new look and an all-new management. And it’s all in the family. According to Deki Wangdak, who will be running the restaurant with Penjor, her youngest brother-in-law, the main USP of the restaurant will be the food cooked by speciality chef Tshering Machen, who also happens to be her father-in-law. Marchenla is a well-known chef specializing in Chinese and Tibetan cuisine. Much in demand for catering at marriages and official functions, he now brings to Anola his experience and talent. Penjor, who has inherited his father’s cooking skills, will contribute with inputs es- pecially in kitchen items catering to the younger generation. The restaurant, which reopened on 1 March, is already seeing customers return for more. Mandarin fish, Roast pork and other Chinese dishes vie for attention with ever-popular momos, gyathuk and shya phaleys. “We want to introduce more Tibetan dishes in the future and with such an experienced chef with us, we are confident that all those who come here will enjoy their meals thoroughly,” says a confident Deki.

Published by Lt. Col. (retd) P. Dorjee and printed at Darpan Publications Pvt. Ltd, Siliguri. Editor: Pema Wangchuk. Executive Editor: Mita Zulca Now! Near Ayurvedic Clinic, Gairi Gaon, Tadong. East Sikkim. ph: 03592 270949 email: [email protected] CMYK