Help Is Just a Phone Call Away Help Is Just A

extras 1 NOW!

extrasextrasTHE NOW! SPECIAL 8-PAGE PULL-OUT Yana ko HELPHELP ISIS dekhne yahan JUSTJUST AA aana PHONEPHONE CALLCALL AWAYAWAY

SamSamSam RaiRaiRai andandand hishishis fourfourfour friendsfriendsfriends areareare notnotnot ininin governmentgovernmentgovernment service,service,service, THE butbutbut theytheythey areareare definitelydefinitelydefinitely FACTOR intointointo publicpublicpublic service...service...service... PROFILE ON pg 3 THE MIRACLE MUSHROOM EATERS CONGREGATE LOAN TURN TO pg 4 FOR DETAILS MELA’S LOST ALL ITS OM THE SIKKIM JOINS HANDS TO MANTRA FOR MAZAA BRING SUNSHINE TO THE ON pg 3 AUTUMNAL YEARS WEEKEND - TURN TO pg 4 FOR DETAILS - BLUES LIVE IN CONCERT! 6 & 7 MAY 2003

ORGANISED BY THE RANIPOOL YOUTH

7 extras 2 Panorama presents extraneous Color Lab THE GANGTOK STATE OF MIND GOOD AFTERNOON, GANGTOK BAZAAR

Buzz pic KARCHOONG DIYALI . . . VOICE MAIL? vidently this Bazaar ‘Booze’ E(phonetic for Buzz)column now seems kind of incomplete without the mobile service running on 22 lakhs handsets in India. Billing and charges for FREE SMS aside, has anyone used the VMS service promised on the numerous hoardings around town? A friend tried and Service? Dhundte reh jaoge!! a NOW! pic. he’s still trying. Why won’t he get the message that M is for expected over the coming minimize risks. The State gov- Mute NOT Mail in the VMS. months, some guidelines have to ernment here needs to take Information age indeed. How be set. A meeting has been called quick and preventive action be- about a night of heavy rain and for health workers and others on fore we face an epidemic we phone numbers get inter- the 1st May. Meanwhile the are ill equipped to handle. A changed. A number in Nam Darjeeling District Health Authori- SARS screening process at Nang rings at Kazi Road while ties have decided to check tour- Rangpo is the only possibility someone in Development Area ists for SARS. Plans are afoot to but the mammoth nature of the suddenly gets STD facility on set up “checkpoints” at selective task is too huge too contem- his phone, or is it NOT his areas in and plate. Lets hope this does not Making hay while the sun shines? The Titanic Sleeper Class phone? around sound the death knell of the PANORAMA COLOR LAB offers a panorama of photo Siliguri to tourism season this year. A WINDOW TOO MANY services: Mounting and Hard-board lamination, enlargements, ingle Window service has GO GREEN slide processing and framing in imported mould. Slong been in practice now. ourists may or may MG Marg, Gangtok, Sikkim - 737 101. ph: 225098 / 222488 And this one such service (re- T not have heard of fer to pic alongside) has long how green we all are been empty too. Or maybe the in the state. But a re- ones supposed to provide cent incident has sent WHAT’S UP, SIKKIM the service have lost their a strong message to backdoor keys and still not some visitors in the managed to find it. Maybe state. A lady throwing a CONTEST someone should introduce plastic packet out of a Where in Sikkim did the Newars recently hold a the concept of Multiple Win- bus window was made dow Service now, at least to disembark and pick it Maha Adhiveshan? we’d have proxy service pro- up. Followed by some ------viders! hard news on the state’s effort to keep the envi- NAME: ...... Address...... SARS ronment clean. Very Last Week’s answer: Two Winner: Dinesh Subba, GOv.t Law College he SARS scare has begun good indeed. But maybe Tto be felt closer to home. some attention could also With West Bengal reporting 2 be given to the local popu- WIN A FREE MEAL FOR 2 AT SARS cases, the state govern- lace’s habit of throwing eve- ment here, has woken up to the rything not needed into the Italian, Mexican, fact that with scores of tourists friendly neighbourhood jhora. Chinese, sikkim Mi tin Indian and g HOTEL Continental Hope Centre SNIPPETS Tibet Road, Gangtok. ph: 224101 cuisine Come May-August and CONCERT FOR A CAUSE Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctu- ary , 26 kms away from presents Gangtok on the Nathula Midas Touch raod will put its best foot Inc. from forward with a profusion An Event Management Company from of alpine blooms vying with the fauna for atten- requires a Manager. DARKNESSDARKNESS toto tion. Graduates can walk in for an What does Kyongnosla interview on Saturday, 3 May 2003 LIGHT mean, we all wondered? between 11AM to 1 PM at LIGHT The etymology of the word featuring is quite interesting. Midas Touch, White Hall Office. Apparently it means ‘the pass where the female for details contact: evelationevelation wild ass got scabies’. Tashi Wangyal RR ‘Kyang’ - wild ass, 220677 & 225521 SANGRAM BHAWAN; 4TH MAY, 2003; ‘mo’ - female 4PM ONWARDS ‘gno’ - scabies and tickets available at GLENARY’S, LITTLE ITALY, CAFE ‘la’ - pass TIBET, TIME OUT & SOUVENIR EMPLOYMENT

8 No Mazaa in extras 3 WHAT THE this Loan CAPITAL’S BEEN Mela rajdhani UP TO a NOW REPORT he much advertised “Mazaa TAa Gaya Loan Mela” has come a cropper. The agreement between Agarwal Finance from Siliguri and Sunil Lama, proprietor, THE MANTRA FOR Internet Point went kaput the moment the mela was over, sealing an ignominious end. Rumours of the business duo having run away made the WEEKEND BLUESBLUES rounds causing much anxiety among those who had paid sub- stantial amounts as security de- ana Gupta gyrating to posits. Sunil Lama, who was in ‘Babuji jara dheere chalo’ Siliguri “on a business trip” is Yat Om, the new disco in now back and very much avail- town. Katrina Kaif minus Salman able at Internet Point. Ask him Khan, nursing a drink at Blues, the about reports of people looking exclusive restaurant at Tibet Road. Tibet Road will to beat him up and he laughs. Is this the wild fantasy of a “Agarwal Finance backed out glamour crazed person or am I soon become of the deal at the last moment and just losing it? synonymous with Well, none of the above. For, pulled out of the scheme. Now, I night-clubbing. am solely responsible for the according to Tsering Wangdi, a whole thing,” he clarifies. A fact young entrepreneur that is ex- Don’t believe it? that is not likely to inspire trust actly what is going to happen Wait till you are after what has happened. here from later this month. The Loan Mela had sold What! And how come?! through with this seven motorbikes and eleven Well, that’s because DJ Ra- NOW! feature on man is here, aka DJ Poison!! computers, with security depos- the latest attempt its ranging from twenty thousand That’s Raman Dadshichi from to fifty thousand. Not a small Calcutta. DJ at Incognito, the at injecting some amount. So it is no wonder that disco at Taj Bengal. Tashi and post-8PM life into Raman have teamed up to give most people made a beeline for the capital city... him the moment the news spread Gangtokians the ultimate night- about the business falling apart. clubbing experience. Sexy bar- “Most of the people who had tenders doing the Tom Cruise fee will be Rs. 10,000 per annum Delhi circles apart from the fact While he is here, he is also made bookings have come and act of Cocktail. Glamour babes with various advantages offered that he’s the in house DJ at Taj starting classes in choreogra- and I have refunded their depos- hitting town every other week to to members. From 50% dis- Bengal in Kolkata. His passion for phy, modelling and grooming as its. Only three people are left. If give Om that extra edge. And counts on food and drinks to free music and extensive personal well as teaching the local youth they want to cancel their book- loads and loads of funky music. guests on event nights and per- collection will surely make the the tricks of the trade as far as ings, I will give return their the According to DJ Raman, Hip sonalized services. locals jive, salsa, tango whatever. deejaying goes. money too. Let one person come Hop, R&B, Trance and URO will “I have invested nearly 15 But it is Raman’s contacts So what are the special and say that I have cheated him. be the mainstay of the music lakhs in the business. Lights, and networking which will en- qualities that a DJ needs? I am the only one who has lost in along with some special tribal sound equipment and other things sure that celebrities make their “Deejaying is not just about all this,” adds Lama. music. Basically, a happy kind of are all coming from Singapore. I presence felt in OM. mixing tracks. A DJ should know Be that as it may, it will be a mix which will appeal to everyone. hope people here will enjoy this With all that experience what the people want to hear, while before people here start The plan is two fold. The concept,” says Tashi anxiously. what’s he doing in Gangtok of should be able to gauge the mood trusting private financiers prom- Blues will be a chill out zone with So much for the Blues. But all places? Hardly the most hap- of the evening and play music ac- ising easy instalment plans pool tables, bar and restaurant. its OM, the disco that promises pening spot for DJ’s. cordingly. Often you need the skill again. Done up as the name suggests to keep the adrenaline moving He says, “I am here for the of a psychologist to gauge the in all shades of blue, it will be an and how. first three months after which I evening and the people. A sound exclusive, intimate kind of place “The soul of a good disco is leave for London. I needed a technical knowledge is also es- mainly targeting the corporate the DJ. The more the people like break and so came here. It is sential,” he tells us. NOW! and government officers. The the music, the more they will also very exciting to see your members will have the privilege come to the place,” says Tashi. vision concretise in front of you. With Yana and Katrina in CAN BE REACHED of being called the Blue Mem- And here they start off with a Very exciting to make things town, DJ Raman won’t need bers! Now don’t get ideas. Its clear advantage. DJ Raman is happen in a place where no one much help with psychology AT 270949 nothing like that. Membership well known in the Mumbai and expects it too.” we’re sure! THE TIBETAN PLIGHT DRAMATISED a NOW REPORT he Tibetan Youth Club organised the North East Regional Drama TCompetition at Sangram Bhawan on the April 25, 2003 on the occasion of celebrating the 14th Birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama, a NOW! pic Gundun Choekyi Nyima. The drama competition was based on two themes, the abduc- tion of the Panchen Lama in 1994 by the Chinese and the plight of Political Prisoners in Tibet. The drama competition had 3 groups participating, a group of 20 from Ravangla, a group of 16 from Gangtok and a group of 15 from Darjeeling. The Tibetan Welfare Officer, Nawang Norbu, presided over the function as the Chief Guest. While speaking to NOW!, Zimba Phensok, President, TYC Gangtok, said that the idea behind holding competition was that such dramas could portray the reality of the lives of Tibetans in Chinese Occupied Tibet more effectively than long speeches. “Ti- betans in Tibet suffer atrocities of the Chinese Government on a daily basis,” he said. The winners of the competition in Gangtok will proceed to the All India Competition scheduled for July 6 at Dharamsala to commemorate the birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama.

9 extras 4 rajdhani INTHECITY Sikkim joins hands to bring sunshine to the autumnal years pic courtesy IPR a NOW REPORT

CERT! he Sikkim chapter of the N T“Join Hands Campaign” was CO launched here on April 24 with E IN the Chief Minister Pawan LIV Chamling starting the symbolic “human chain” along with the guests present for the inaugural function which he presided over FOR AIDS AWARENESS as the Chief Guest. HelpAge India, a leading reg- “You have just one chance, istered NGO dedicated to the cause of the elderly, has been play safe” working in India for the past two and a half decades. It has sup- Venue: Sangram Hall ported over 3,000 projects, which CM, while lauding the efforts of the confidence but will also re- have made an impact on the lives HelpAge India towards “bringing store dignity to their twilight years. 6 & 7 May 2003: Date of more than two million older a little sunshine in the autumn of The Adopt-a-Gran project persons in the country. the aged,” said that his govern- will be implemented in the State Time: 4 PM Onwards The “Join Hands Campaign” ment has been “striving hard” to in collaboration with an NGO, is a unique initiative aimed at in- improve the lives of the elderly. Uniproscuf. The CM handed presented by: volving the time, energy and re- “We have increased old-age over a cheque of Rs. 1.20 lakhs sources of concerned citizens of pension by 100 percent and sen- to Uniproscuf on behalf of Future Generation the society who want to contrib- ior citizens are provided with HelpAge India to kick-start the ute to the cause of the elderly. monthly ration and free transport project. Three beneficiaries of ‘Looking beyond and now’ Under this campaign, a per- in state-run bus services. We the Adopt-a-Gran project were in association with: son of any age group can donate are also honouring senior citi- also handed out provisions by a nominal sum of Rs. 1,000 or zens for their contributions to the the Chief Minister. Department of Health more and register as a Donor society,” he said. Mr. Chamling Peggy Gurung, a student Participant for a year. For a sum assured state support towards of Tashi Namgyal Academy Government of Sikkim of Rs. 10,000, a donor can be- programmes of HelpAge India. and the youngest aid collec- organised by: THE RANIPOOL YOUTH come a life member. Donor Par- The CM also donated a sum of tor from Sikkim for HelpAge Electra Cafe, Blue Sheep (Gangtok) ticipants can not only participate Rs. 50,000 to HelpAge India on India was also felicitated dur- China Palate (Gangtok) in the activities of HelpAge India the occasion. ing the function. The Chief Beshal Hotel (Deorali) but can also avail discounts and HelpAge India also started its Minister presented her with a Queenbridge Institute (Ranipool) special services being provided Adopt-a-Gran project in the State HelpAge pin. Peggy has col- Time Out (Daragaon) Little Italy (Deorali) by hundreds of corporate support- on the occasion. Under this pro- lected a sum of Rs. 3,610, AT: AVAILABLE TICKETS ers of the Campaign. In Gangtok, gramme, anyone can adopt an mostly from Mangan. there are already 12 business es- elderly person by making a tablishments that will provide spe- monthly contribution of Rs. 400. cial discounts to the Donor Par- With this support, an elderly per- Counselling ticipants of the Campaign. son can live a fairly independent This one’s for the Bard Speaking on the occasion, the life which will not only give them on HIV a NOW REPORT

a NOW! pic hose wishing to know MIRACLE MUSHROOM more about HIV and all Tthose who are in need of EATERS CONGERGATE counselling can visit the Pathol- ogy Department of the STNM DXN – Ganoderma, also known Hospital where a voluntary coun- a NOW REPORT as the Miracle Mushroom. selling and testing centre on HIV Aparently, Ganoderma has Sero status is presently going on. meeting was held at Hotel been considered a traditional This centre is equipped with ABayul on Sunday, April 27 herbal remedy by the Chinese and diagnostic facilities for HIV infec- for people who have been tak- Japanese for thousands of years. tion and provides counselling ing DXN – Ganoderma. Ganoderma is basically a services through trained coun- Mystified? So was I. booster for our immune system sellors in a confidential environ- This is what it is. There are and prepares the body to fight ment. around 30,000 varieties of back many kinds of ailments. mushrooms in the world. Out of Various products containing TYA gets new these only 2,000 are edible and Ganoderma are now available in 200 out of these have medicinal Gangtok. body qualities. Of the 200 only 6 have At the meeting many Students of Tashi Namgyal Academy prepare for a theatrical ex- got therapeutic value. It has Gangtokians who have been perience of the Bard’s works to commemorate his birth anniver- adong Yargay Association taken the hard work of Dr. Lim taking Ganoderma regularly sary at the school auditorium on April 23, 2003. The seniors study- T(TYA) held its general meet- Siow Jin from Malaysia to iden- voiced their concern about the ing Shakespeare in their syllabus put up short excerpts from his ing held on April 12 at the Dabriwal tify these 6 varieties and geneti- product having steroids in it. This plays. The emphasis was on imaginative interpretations of the complex and elected KT Bhutia as cally engineer them into 1, the was vehemently denied by the playwright’s works. the President, ST Bhutia as the representaive of the com- General Secretery, and Pemba pany who said that there was Bhutia as the Treasurer. a difference between good Minister for Tourism and and bad steroids and FLAT-FOR-SALE Land Revenue, KT Gyalsten, Ganoderma products had no FLAT-FOR-SALE was also present on the occa- harmful anabolic steroids in AT DEVELOPMENT AREA, GANGTOK. sion and released the TYA Sou- them. PH: 223919 (R) venir 2003. The company is offering TYA also conducted its incentives for home market- MOBILE: 98320 79313 Chirim Sansari Puja, which ing and profit through distri- lasted till April 14. Lachen bution. Those interested can Gomchen Rimpoche blessed call 223601 FLAT-FOR-SALE the initiation of the Kawang.

10 extras 5 LiTNOW BOOKAPPRECIATION WHEN THE HILLS WRITE CATCHER IN THE RYE s I raced down the pavement of Golders Green Road, Lon- a single word in encouragement or response. Finally, I came to the - JD Salinger don, one sunny morning, I noticed a very old lady tottering conclusion that these poor souls, deprived of company are very lonely. olden Caulfield wanted to Aout of the doctor’s clinic. She was leaning heavily on her cane Most of them live alone, having outlived their spouses. When I ar- Hbe a ‘catcher in the rye’. He with one arm and the other raised above her head in a desperate rive to see them, all their pent up emotions come gushing out in a got this idea: “If a body catch a bid to seek help. seemingly endless torrent. Their well-guarded stiff exterior forgotten body coming through the rye,” I looked around. The pavement was deserted. People whizzed at the sight of an ear. which was his preferred version past in their cars with not a soul in sight except me. The old lady was I have often toyed with the idea of becoming a professional lis- of Robert Burns’ poem that goes on the verge of falling so I reluctantly walked up to help her. As soon tener. Why not charge people by the hour just for listening. People “If a body meet a body coming as I reached her, she grabbed me with her free arm and leaned in America make their way to the shrink at the drop of a hat for through the rye”. All that he heavily on me as if she was never going to let go. therapy. This gives them a chance to let down their defences and wanted to do was stand in a field “Where do you want to go?” I asked her curtly. talk incessantly, lying comfortably on a couch. Nobody has the time of rye near some ‘crazy’ cliff with “Oh luv, please take me to Jethros the chemist, just down the to listen in this fast moving world. Humans are gregarious animals, kids playing on it and catch them road. I have to get this prescription made up,” she answered they can’t bottle up their emotions for too long, so an ear is if they fell over. in a hoarse, panting whisper. necessary. He admitted it was crazy but I tightened my grip around the old lady and started to pro- that was all he wanted to do in life. I had an appointment, therefore, was in a great hurry. I pel her forward with greater determination. The 100 yards Sounds weird? hate being late for any appoint- seemed unending. The Catcher In The Rye by JD ment and to arrive late for an ap- “Oh dear, my legs are weary. Please slow down Salinger is easily the weirdest book pointment in the West A luv. Now dear, since you live in India, will you please ever. Not ‘weird’ weird but ‘nice’ tantamounts to mortal sin! I can’t send me a bright, beautiful pic- weird, if you know what I mean. It bear those smug, knowing looks ture postcard like the ones my is about three days in the life of 16 of people, I have a date with even brother used to send me? I have picture year-old, honest, un-corny, un- if I am a minute late. The looks got them still, but they have faded phony, lost, fed up, freshly expelled translated mean - Ah, you keep with age. I used to stick them all from Pencey Prep. Pennsylvania Indian Standard Time. I always over the dim attic so they shone - Holden Caulfield. avoid such humiliating situations postcard like little spots of the sun to This book is absolutely ab- by being on time. short fiction by MONILA DE lighten up the little room. They stract but goes so deep in this Now, I had no choice but to transport me into a bright, hot guise that at some point or the take this frail, visibly ill, old lady sunshine of India when rain, wind other you can actually relate to to the chemist. Jethros was just a hundred yards away. Surely I would and sleet raged outside.” Holden, however weird he may be able to deposit her there and still be in time for my appointment. “Yes, yes, I will if you give me your name and address,” I replied be. The book is a narrative by If I let go of her, she would surely fall so I walked her down the impatiently. Holden and he says the most pavement, bearing most of her weight as she clung to me and took “I live at 93, Golders Green Road and my name is Mary obvious things - that are always one unsteady step after another. Macdonald.” at the back of most of our minds I tried to speed her up, but to no avail. She suddenly stopped. I stopped dead in my tracks. but we never really notice them. Looked up at me with her faded, blue eyes and asked, “Where are Mary Macdonald! I breathed, completely taken aback. The only That’s what makes it weird. you from, my luv?” Mary Macdonald I knew was in school with me at St. Joseph’s Con- The book was controversial “I am from India,” I answered tersely and dragged her on. vent, Kalimpong, many years ago. I had lost touch with her years when it was first published and “India, how charming. My brother used to send picture postcards back. I peered closely at her cosmetic-masked face. No, impossi- has now acquired a cult status. during the War of the wonderful places he visited in India. Such ble, this was not the Mary from Kalimpong. Conspiracy theorists will have us delightful placed, all bathed in gloriously hot sunshine. Oh, how I Our Mary Macdonald was a very attractive young lady who turned believe that the common factor envied him soaking in the sun while I shivered in cold Scotland. We heads as she walked down Main Road in Kalimpong and left behind among all serial murders in re- are from Scotland you know. I dislike this miserable, damp London a string of broken hearts in her wake. She even had her hair styled cent times has been their weak- climate.” like Audery Hepburn’s to look like her. And she did. ness for Catcher in the Rye. Still I was not in the mood to get involved in any conversation so I No, this old Mary Macdonald by my side was certainly not the don’t want to read it? didn’t ask her from which part of Scotland she was from or in which one I used to know. By no stretch of imagination could she have war her brother had served in India. Very likely, from the looks of resembled Audrey Hepburn ever! I was relieved. her, in First World War. Her heavy make up, her lipstick-smeared At last, I deposited her to the chemists. She thanked me pro- thin lips applied with a gnarled, unsteady hand, two sets of ill-fitting fusely and her parting words were, “Don’t forget to send me a pic- dentures threatening to fall off if she opened her mouth wider, all ture postcard.” proclaimed her age. I came back to Kalimpong with every intention of sending the old While the younger generation of British ladies use minimal make- lady a picture postcard. The best of intentions, however, are bogged up, the elderly, a maximum, helping to keep the cosmetic compa- down by mundane activities of daily life. Swift-footed time buries nies in business. them in some remote, uncharted territory of the brain only to surface The more I tried to hurry her, the more she stopped to catch her sometimes, with a feeling of guilt. fresh everyday breath and talk. Next year, I was back in London. As I walked down Golders Green “I live just down the road with my widowed sister in an attic. She Road, Mary Macdonald flashed through my mind. I started looking was a concert pianist once. A very good one. I never married,” she carefully at every old lady I passed, checked all the roadside benches, coffee ended sadly with a sigh. but there was no sign of Mary anywhere. I was getting very impatient and tired of listening to her life story. Eventually, I asked the old ladies sunning themselves on a bench CONTEST Getting in time for my appointment was topmost in my mind. I soon if they knew Miss Mary Macdonald and if so, her whereabouts. The realised why she was slowing down and stopping so often. She had old ladies looked at me curiously. “Are you the Indian lady who prom- - QUESTION OF THE WEEK - found an Ear. It didn’t matter whether the ear was a willing or an ised to send her a picture postcard from India?” WHICH COFFEE IS unwilling listener, so long as she could talk into it. This happens to “Yes, I did. Where is she now?” I asked with growing concern. be a terrible weakness of the elderly British population. “She waited for that picture postcard everyday, but it never ar- NAMED AFTER A The British are famous for their stiff upper lip, old indifferent ex- rived. The poor dear couldn’t make it through the winter.” CHRISTIAN ORDER? teriors. Poke-faced commuters, hiding behind newspapers to avoid I walked away with a heavy heart, full of regret and remorse. All eye contact and conversation with fellow passengers is not a myth Mary had asked of me was a picture of an exotic, bright, sunny place Capuchino but a reality. It is their national character that they have always main- to liven up her dreary winter days and I had failed her miserably. Espresso tained and are proud of. But when it comes to finding an ear on a park bench or at home, the elderly British talk their heads off. THIS ENTRY WINS THE COFFEE-TABLE-BOOK from RACHNA Irish I have often been subjected to hours of rambling without uttering BOOKS & PUBLICATIONS NAME: ...... Bookworm Asks CONTEST ADDRESS: ...... SO YOU THINK YOU CAN WRITE? Last week’s answer: 50 Yrs. Winner: why don’t you then throw those short-stories, poems, vignettes, essays in the The hero of which Kafka novle wakes up one morning Rashim Tamang, Bahai School public domain and see whether they are appreciated or trashed... to discover that he has been turned into an insect? Tick the right answer and rush entries to NOW! office at Tadong to THE BEST ENTRY EACH WEEK, the winner [decided by draw of lots from all correct entries] wins a discount WIN A COFFEE & APART FROM SPACE iN litNOW! WILL ALSO WIN A voucher worth Rs. 100 from Rachna Books and Publications last week’s answer: SNACKS COUPON COFFEE-TABLE-BOOK from LORD OF THE FLIES Winner: ABHISHEK, WORTH Rs. 100 AT RACHNA Books & Publications books and SICHEY send your creative writings to NOW! Gairi Gaon, Tadong, Gangtok publications BAKER’S CAFE, MG Near Community Hall Gangtok Sikkim - Sikkim and see whether it makes it to the litNOW page 224336 [email protected] MARG, GANGTOK

11 extras 6 EXTRA SPACE FOR THE FAIRER SEX WOMEN NOW! ur body is home to dif ferent kind of memories. OThese memories can cause ‘Blocks’ in our energy system and these ‘Blocks’ cause hin- drance to a person’s growth and can also lead to disease. These ‘Blocks’ can be transformed with energy. A gifted and trained person can remove emotional, men- tal and physical ‘Blocks’ and optimize our energy system. Try- ing to create this integration between emotions and the intellect in Sikkim are Helena Lund and Karma Doma Gyatso. Specially trained at the well known Connemara Institute in Sweden, the duo have started Connemara Sikkim, a health center that offers various therapy and energy treatments. “Our ba- sic philosophy is that when the circumstances in people’s lives comes into the right direction, then the energy system will also come in balance, finally coming into the right flow of energy”, ex- plains Helena. She should know. Helena has been doing yoga and meditation for the last 20 years apart from training and working at Connemara Sweden. Considering that the institute is unique to Sweden with no branches franchised outside the country how did Sikkim come into the picture? “I came to Sikkim in 2000 and fell in love with this most beautiful place in the world. I went back to Sweden and ‘TAKING CARE’ thought of something that I could a NOW! pic do for the state that will be good for the locals as well as the visitors who come to this place. I met KARMA D. AND HELENA BRING THE CONNEMARA WAY TO GANGTOK Hasse and Maria Mayzola, the brain behind Connemara Swe- quite animated. The Connemara one of us is directly connected. plan to hold many single foreign tourists coming in for the den. They came to Sikkim and Week which is on offer is a pro- We have the ability to transform therapy programmes in the course. Later we will target do- just loved this place”. That was gramme for personal develop- energy and help people con- Rajdhani itself. They are offer- mestic tourists too. This way we the beginning. ment and will be specially de- nect with their highest light”, the ing Qigong classes from the can promote the beautiful culture In January 2003 Karma Doma signed to suit individual needs. two explain. The Connemara 2nd of May. Qigong are ancient of the state”, says Helena. left for a 3 month crash course. The 5 day course includes all Week will cost Rs. 10,000 health excercizes that optimize A week of rejuvenating therapy “It was a wonderful learning ex- kinds of energy treatments, which is inclusive of food and the function of brain power, im- in the lap of nature. Who can perience for me. A total eye Quigong, Aroma therapy, Acu- lodging at the Shambhala Re- proves memory and brings us refuse such a combination. For opener. Also the first time that I puncture, Massage and Medita- sort. “It is a great concept and I back to nature. Helena Lund and Karma Doma was going out of the country and tion and ofcourse long nature hope many people in Sikkim But it is not only the locals that it is the beginning of a long jour- that too alone. Once there I lived walks. come for it. We can help peo- they are targeting. ‘The Conne- ney of ‘Taking care of people’, as and trained at the Connemara “We promise that after the ple with backache and gastric mara Week in Sikkim’ is a con- they call it. centre”, she remembers. At first Connemara week a person will problems apart from other ben- cept that is being promoted inter- embarrassed about learning feel rejuvenated and full of life efits”, adds Helena. A person nationally as an added incentive For further information call massaging she soon came to energy. We believe that there can also opt for any single for stressed out travelers to visit Helena : 9434012239, Karma accept that a body is well, just a is a highest light to which each therapy. In the beginning they the state. “We hope to get many Doma Gyatso: 223022. body. “I received a gift from the centre and that was the awaken- ing of my capability to transform KNOW YOUR SOAP CONTEST! energy. Through this I can look FOR SOFTNESS THIS MONSOON for the root of suffering and help WHICH IS THE SERIAL PREMIERING FROM 1 MAY ON in identifying and removing the SONY? FOR SOFT ELBOWS AND KNEES blockages in our bodies which Massaging your elbows and knees with lemon peels is hamper our full growth”, Karma ANSWER ______helpful but often leads to dryness. Use 2tsp of says calmly. Calmness, serenity, NAME ______removal of stress and tension are coconut oil, 1tsp sugar and half a lemon. the catchwords which pepper the ADDRESS ______Scrub this on the area until all the lemon conversation. Also nature. That SEND A CORRECT ANSWER AND WIN FREE MEAL juice is squeezed out and the sugar has is perhaps why the duo chose a unit of Shambhala Resorts at Last week’s Answer: melted. Done daily this will help soften the Rumtek as a base for their heal- NO ENTRIES skin as well as make it soft and smooth. ing therapies. They have con- WORTH FOR SOFT SILKY HAIR verted and renovated an old fam- Massage your hair with a quarter cup ily house near the resort. “It is beautiful, you’re in the middle of Rs.100 at of full cream mixed with 2tsp of nature and can get great view ThaliPURE VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT honey. Leave on for 20 minutes and from the big balcony which is YAMA BUILDING, MG MARG, GANGTOK - 737101, Ph: 228587 Susong wash off. around the house”, says Helena SAYS

12 FACTOR extras 7 NOW! EXTRA FOR THE YOUNG

PUBLIC a NOW pic HELPLINE SERVICE I Drove All Night I had to escape The city was sticky and cruel Maybe I should have called you first But I was dying to get to you I was dreaming while I drove The long straight road ahead, uh, huh Could taste your sweet kisses Your arms open wide This fever for you is just burning me up inside

I drove all night to get to you Is that alright I drove all night Crept in your room Woke you from your sleep To make love to you Lack of opportunities can often drive the young to Is that alright I drove all night despair. But there are some who don’t give up, who just dig in their heels and keep trying till they find What in this world Keep us from tearing apart something they really enjoy doing and through which they No matter where I go I hear can also make a living. Meet Sam Rai, all of 24 and working hard The beating of your heart to make his dreams come true. Sam, along with 4 unemployed friends runs Public Helpline Service, a company which mixes I think about you When the night is cold and dark public service with private enterprise. His company offers various services to the public. From paying electricity, telephone and No one can move me The way that you do water bills to arranging efficient and skilled maintenance personnel and mechanics on demand. The company has a loose Nothing erases the feeling arrangement with a network of technicians at their disposal. Plumbers, electricians carpenters and other repairmen. So if you between me and you are running short of time and need something to be done in a hurry, all you have to do is contact PHS and have it done for you. Repeat At a small fee. The membership fee is a one time payment of Rs. 250 and it is Rs. 100 per month after that. Considering one can Could taste your sweet kisses Your arms open wide spend that much on a day of running around, it does not sound too much to pay to get all your small but essential work done This fever for you is just burning me up inside every month. But the services don’t stop at just bill collection. PHS also offers emergency services like doctors on call at night. Repeat According to Sam, if you have a medical emergency he and his team will arrange vehicles and doctors for you, and also do the running around for you. They are at call all night at their office. “We also have networking outside the state. So if anyone ne eds to go for admission or medical check ups we can help them in running around for that too”, says Sam. PHS plans to add other value additions as they go along. So how have people responded to this idea? “People are appreciating the effort but we’ll have to wait and see. Maybe it will work, maybe not”, he says anxiously. Sam Rai and his boys. Working hard to make life just that l ittle Sweet Nothings bit easier. You can contact Public Helpline Service at 281891 MESSAGES FROM THE HEART

Which movie are these characters, NEO and TRINITY, from ? Hey Rajju Dearest ‘Where To Go’ Birthday? Take some time out to movies Answer: ______Many Happy Returns!! buzz with me while I got 4 FREE Name: ______ONE CORRECT ANSWER TO THE FILMI Our part done, where do the blues. Address: ______QUESTION WINS 2 TICKETS TO we come for the party You get the point? LAST WEEK’S ANSWER: now? Have fun! If you do One Finer, if you DENZONG Die Hard. WINNER: Bishal Chhetri, Remon’s Hostel Spike, Kim & Me don’t Two Fingers!! ONLY DOLBY DIGITAL SURROUND - EX CINEMA HALL IN THE HIMALAYAS (on behalf on him) u’r Pumpkin Belly!

ACROSS DOWN 1. Articles of glass 2. Male child 8. Snake 3. Thoroughfare THELITTLELITTLE 9. Sullen 4. Cleanse 10. Hurry 5. Free from confinement CROSSWORD 044 12. Paint unskilfully 6. Person who operates ma- 14. Close chinery WINNER GETS FREE 15. Jewish girl 7. East Shetland village 17. Consisting of sand 11. Wrench 18. Connected series of rooms 13. Stops DINNER FOR TWO 20. Person who is given to 16. Song in praise of God pranks 19. I have AT little SNOD Complex, Deorali, LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS: ACROSS: 1. SAFER 3. STRAP Gangtok.Ph: 281980 6. LOAN 7. CORDON 9. NIECHE 10. LESS 11. APE 13. FLAK 15. SLATE 18. HANDEL 19. TOOT 20 TONGS 21 QUEER DOWN: 1. SALINE 2. FLAME 3.SPOTLESS 4.RIDES 5.PONG Solve the crossword correctly. Rush it toitaly Oberois (MG Marg) or NOW!, on or before 8.WEAKNESS 12.PESTER 14.LINEN 16.AROSE 17.SHOT Sunday and a lucky draw of all correct entries will decide who wins FREE DINNER FOR TWO at WINNER: DEEPAK GURUNG, GANGTOK LITTLE ITALY, DEORALI.SNACKS COUPONS TO BE COLLECTED FROM NOW! OFFICE

13 extrasNOW!extra 8 curricular...

a day in the life of of saddam FACEthe WEEK hussein! IRAQI FREEDOM “We have defeated Saddam Hussein and then dead, then alive. It’s just confusing. An American flag, draped Iraq. The good news is Iraq is ours, and the Today they showed videotape, and Saddam over the head of a statue bad news is Iraq is ours.” - David Letterman was speaking at his own funeral.” - David of Saddam Hussein by Letterman an American solider after “There are reports that Saddam has been the fall of Baghdad, was spotted in central Baghdad. Parts of him “There are now reports that Saddam removed less than a were also spotted in northern Baghdad, Hussein was injured in the initial U.S. bomb- minute later over concern eastern Baghdad and western Baghdad.” - ing and he’s now receiving medical care in of the type of message it Jay Leno an underground bunker. In fact, he asked would send to Iraqis and the Arab world. his doctors if he was going to live and they They were concerned it might detract from “It does not look good for Saddam Hussein told him, “Oh yeah, absolutely, you’ll live – the right message being sent by the mas- and his sons. Yesterday we bombed the res- until the Americans get here ... then you’re sive fireballs over Baghdad. taurant where they were eating and today I screwed.” - Jay Leno went on the Internet and they were selling “The military said we’ll be able to confirm pieces of Uday and Qusay on eBay.” - Jay The SARS Update Saddam is dead with DNA testing. Appar- Leno With the outbreak of the SARS epidemic ently we have an sample of his DNA. So Hong Kong’s Tourism Board is regretting a Monica Lewinsky is working for the CIA?” - “The big debate right now is if Saddam is new campaign advertising that the city will Jay Leno alive or dead. He’s dead, then he’s alive, “take your breath away.”

ATTENTION SHOPKEEPERS: If you have a new product on your shelves which you feel the readers of NOW! ought to know about, call us at 270949 with details. alphabets A BOOK SHOP TOP 5 BESTSELLERS OVIEREVIEWMOVIEREVIEW HOUSE OF BLUE MANGOES DAVID DAVIDAR SORROW MOUNTAIN ANI PACHEN KING OF TORTS TSHERING TSHOMU JOHN GRISHAM Aspiring model . ACCIDENTS LIKE LOVE AND MARRIAGE JAISHREE MISHRA JACK DAWS the KEN FOLLET FUTUREis NOW ARIES: Happiness will prevail. Some may go on an overseas trip. You will enjoy owerfully realized in the produc history through an artist’s first-hand When he and his family are finally the support of your superiors at work. Your financial status will be very good. tion design by Allan Starski account. Szpilman, who was one of forced to board the cattle cars that will Family life will be very comfortable. Court affairs will be postponed. A long trip is in P(Schindler’s List) and the loca- roughly 20 Jews left alive in Warsaw take them to the Treblinka death camp, the offing. Cash flow will be good. Exports business will be very successful. tion shooting in Poland, Roman by the end of the war, published his he is pulled aside by a Jewish collabo- TAURUS: Some may look at buying a new car. Some may go on an overseas Polanski’s The Pianist puts you in the memoir, Death of a City, in 1946. The rator/policeman who admires his mu- trip. You will enjoy the support of your superiors at work. You enjoy a loving and Warsaw Ghetto. It’s a gray, cramped Pianist shares his detached, objective sic, and allowed to return to the Ghetto. supportive relationship with your spouse. Peace and prosperity will be maintained. slum packed with gray, emaciated tone, starting with period newsreels When he eventually escapes, he is hid- GEMINI: Beware of a financial crisis. You will have tension due to misunder- people wearing Star of David arm- of Warsaw. It proceeds chronologi- den by a Polish musician he knew be- standings with your Business partner. You will be popular among your friends. bands, who barely notice a dead child cally at a measured pace, framed by fore the war, and her husband. And Court affairs will be postponed. Don’t tread on the toes of your superiors at work.. on the ground. In a particularly hor- performances of Szpilman (Adrien most remarkably, in his final hiding CANCER: Some may start a new business activity. Business will be brisk and rific scene, Nazi policemen entertain Brody) playing Chopin. The contrast place in bombed-out Warsaw, he is busy. Cash flow will be very good. Your social status will be good. Political life will themselves by forcing grotesquely between the music, its delicacy, ten- protected by a Nazi music lover, who be very comfortable. Some may hear wedding bell rings. Some may go on an mismatched couples to dance to a derness, artistry, and the decivilizing brings him food and a warm coat. But overseas trip. You will enjoy the support of your superiors at work. Jewish street band at a trolley cross- brutality of the Nazis, reverberates equally important, music keeps his LEO: Job seekers come across new opportunities. Some may get a transfer at ing. As an old man with a cane falls throughout the film. spirit alive. Although he cannot risk work. Your social status will be good. You will be popular among your friends. down, the Germans laugh and shout Music, literally, saves Szpilman’s life. making a sound while hiding in a War- Expenses will be reduced. Some may be able to encash their money bonds which “faster.” Initially, his status as a renowned mu- saw apartment, he sits by its upright were previously tied up. Cash flow will be very good. While not as dramatically or aestheti- sician allows him, his parents, brother piano and moves his fingers above the VIRGO: A long trip is in the offing. You enjoy a loving and supportive relation- cally daring as Schindler’s List or Life and sisters to live in the smaller (rela- keys, cherishing the silent music. After ship with your spouse. Some have a financial crisis. Medical expenses will be high. Some may start new business activities. Business will be brisk and busy. Is Beautiful, it is an important film, pre- tively nicer) ghetto, and to work as a the war, he returns to his professional Movies for review provided MOVIE by CLUB TASHI Court affairs will be postponed. Political life will be very comfortable. senting this devastating moment in piano player in a Jewish restaurant. career, and lives to the age of 88. LIBRA: A good time to go on a picnic or a short excursion with your family. Your social status will be good. You will be popular among your friends. Some may be TASHIMOVIE NOW SHOWING AT DENZONG able to encash their money bonds which were previously tied up. your materials. CLUB Some inherit ancestral property. Cash flow will be very good. FROM FRIDAY SCORPIO: Some may commence new business activities. Some may gain TOP5 JAZ PANDAY & GURLINA CHOPRA income from speculation. Health will remain stable. Some may gain income from THE PIANIST speculation. Your social status will be good. You will be popular among your friends. PHONE BOOTH You will receive positive feedback in your mail. You will enjoy the support of your THE RECRUIT superiors at work. SAGITTARIUS: Some may look at buying a new car. A change of environ- TEARS OF THE SUN ment will be enjoyable. Cash flow will be very good. Export business will be fruit- SNIPER 2 ful. You will receive positive feedback in your mail. Court affairs will be postponed. CAPRICORN: Some may be in a position to take a new decision on business matters. Business will be brisk and busy. You enjoy a loving and supportive relationship with your spouse. Medical expenses will be high due to ill health of a Indian Oberoi’sAUDIO ARRIVALS family elder. AQUARIUS: All your plans go smoothly. Some may go on an overseas trip. .Come Away With Me - NORAH You will enjoy the support of your superiors at work Cash flow will be very good. JONES Expenses will be reduced. Political life will be very comfortable. .System Of A Down Babu PISCES: Medical expenses are high due to some health problems in your fam- .Christina Aguilera - DIRRRTY 11:15 AM 2:30 PM & 5:30PM ily. Some may be blessed with a child. Court affairs will be postponed. Students .LET GO - Avril Lavigne will improve in their studies. Your social status will be good. You will be popular .OST - DUM DOLBY DIGITAL; SURROUND EX among your friends. 5