CM DOES the WALK for LOOSING -PACHEYKHANI TOO of the Darjeeling District
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06 October, 2004; NOW! 1 Wednesday, 06 Oct, 2004 Vol. 3 No. 166 Gangtok Rs. 3 Travelling Kpg’s Indigenous Abroad? Lepchas to hold State Bank of India is the only Bank in Gangtok protest rally for which offers... Vishwa Yatra Foreign Travel Card in $, Euro, Pound language American Express Travellers KARAN SHAH Cheque in $, Euro, Pound Currency Notes in $, Euro, KALIMPONG, 05 Oct: The Pound Indigenous Lepcha Tribal As- For further details, phone Tenzing / Tashi 220616/ 222824 sociation of Kalimpong has an- (Extn. 26) or 9434012824 nounced plans to hold protest rallies on 11 and 12 October demanding recognition and in- troduction of the Lepcha lan- guage in schools and colleges CM DOES THE WALK FOR LOOSING -PACHEYKHANI TOO of the Darjeeling district. Association general secretary, LS Tamsang, today said, “Though SHOWS THE WAY TO the Lepcha language has been in- troduced in schools of Sikkim in GET THINGS DONE wards the development of tour- 1975 and North Bengal Univer- RANJIT SINGH sity also recognized the language ism, Mr. Chamling’s tour of as one of its subjects for the de- GANGTOK, 05 Oct: “I am go- Loosing Pacheykhani had as gree level in 2000, the Govern- ing about to show my young much importance for rural de- ment of West Bengal is continu- MLAs the need to work for the velopment and connectivity as ing with its discrimination against people and to implement schemes well as industrial possibilities Lepchas of Darjeeling by refus- that are suitable and welfare ori- with the CM suggesting the re- ing to introduce their language in ented,” said the chief minister vival of some sick industrial schools here.” adding, “this being our third term units along the way. The Association argues that in power, we are serious about im- After the welcoming of the the Lepcha language is one of the plementing schemes and seeing Chief Minister at Setipul by oldest and richest languages in to it that work gets done” area MLA Manita Mangar, the world, but it was being ne- This was a Loosing along with other MLAs and glected in the region it is indig- Pacheykhani special; anyone ministers, the convoy made its enous to. “It has been officially and everyone who made the trip first stop at Rongrong Khola. proven that this was the official could be forgiven if they now Here, the CM made an imme- language of the Darjeeling hills The Chief Minister with students of Damilakha Primary School consider it their second home. diate recommendation for a turn to pg 5 during his tour of Loosing Pacheykhani on 05 October Apart from the thrust to- turn to pg 4 EXTENDED FOR TWO MORE DAYS CHUNGTHANG BIDS EMOTIONAL ON POPULAR DEMAND FAREWELL TO ASSAM RIFLES Exhibition-cum- On behalf of Mohanlal a NOW REPORT Sale on till 8th CHUNGTHANG, 05 Oct: The Madhawjee Jewellers, sub-division of Chungthang October Kolkata, we would like to witnessed a sombre and emo- tional event today as it bid fare- take this opportunity to well to the first batch of one invite you to an exhibition company of 30 Assam Rifles troops from Sikkim. After 34 of gold and diamond years of service in the State, Assam Rifles are being com- jewellery in your town. pletely moved out from the Mohanlal Venue: Hotel Tibet Lobby state, and North Sikkim in par- Date: 4th, 5th & 6th, ticular, will feel their absence. Madhawjee 7th & 8th October turn to pg 5 Jewellers 2; NOW!; 06 October, 2004 ED-SPACE Reservation ameliorates NOW! discrimination FIRST WITH THE NEWS rof. Nav R Kanel lacks cation and kept that within their nied the equal protection of the Alcoholism Ignored the basic and prelimi- circle whereas, particularly laws.” In the USA, extension or Pnary knowledge of res- dalits and women, were barred liberal interpretation of this con- Of late, there has been so much written about drug abuse ervation. He is yet to under- from getting formal education stitutional provision has allowed in the State that the more pervasive problem of alcoholism stand the need of reservation in the name of caste hierarchy state governments to provide remains ignored. The media, when it overlooks the problem for the advancement of and religion. Even today, our affirmative action [American of alcoholism, is just reflecting the societal acceptance of marginalized groups or classes educational system restricts name for reservation] plan for this disease which is no longer even looked at as a problem. of society.Prof Kanel’s article opportunities for many poor, women and black population in Few people are disturbed in Sikkim when a colleague turns [“Biased reservation system,” farmers living in rural areas, education, job and governmen- up regularly at office reeking of alcohol. The only response September 27, The Kathmandu unemployed, and low-paid tal contract since 1965 for amel- that an alcoholic evokes nowadays are snide remarks and Post] relates to the case filed working-class in cities and their iorating past and historical dis- jokes behind his back. There is no concern, or so it appears. by a group of students at the Su- Sikkim’s indifference towards this problem will weigh heavy children who could otherwise crimination against them by on its collective conscience one day. preme Court, challenging the obtain a better education. In white males. Many justify alcoholism with the argument that the decision of Tribhuvan Univer- cities, the poor cannot afford to Our constitutional provi- person is earning enough to indulge himself. Substance sity [TU] for reserving 45 per- obtain good, however costly, sion is more forthright and ag- abuse, because it starts at a much younger age is more cent seats of MBBS and BE education whereas in rural ar- gressive in favor of providing scandalous because of the petty crimes that the addicts programs for women, janajatis, eas good educational institu- special programs for women, invariably resort to to finance their addictions. While there and dalits.As stated in the arti- tions are not available even for children, aged or physically or is no denying the fact that drug abuse is a matter of cle, the petitioners have not those who can afford. mentally handicapped or for serious concern, alcoholism, because no one seems to opposed reservation per se, but Therefore, the so-called in- those classes who are economi- be taking it seriously is even more delibitating. Even if demanded that reservation cally or socially or education- one were to keep the emotions aside for once, the impact should not be provided from ally backward (Article 11.3). alcoholism has on the economy is delibitating enough to the existing quotas. These are the only criteria un- demand action. Most people turn alcoholics in what ELSEWHERE According to the petition- NEPAL der which special protection or should be the most productive years of their lives. ers, reservation can be allowed reservation can be provided Enslaved to the hard stuff, their faculties are compromised with arrangement of additional telligent or superior quality of- In India, reservation for and their work suffers as a result. Those who suggest seats. Their argument estab- fered by mostly Brahmans, scheduled caste and tribes is that alcohol boosts their creativity or energises them to lishes that they are not opposed Chhetris, Newars may not re- provided under Article 15 and work better are just peddling excuses to cover up for their to reservation as such. Their flect their greater efforts or 16 and has been aggressively weakness and we find refuge in these excuses to cover main concern is reduction of up for our vacuity towards the problem. We put much at even ability but just mere luck enforced since the promulga- risk with this indifference because alcoholism does not the existing quotas from the at being born in the upper and tion of the present constitution only affect the individual, but his entire family. While a open categories, which is a affluent urban family. in 1950. younger drug addict makes the elders of the family suffer technical issue rather than a In modern era, it is a consti- The Indian Supreme Court guilt pangs, an alcoholic ends up abusing all members stand against reservation. tutional duty of every demo- has approved reservation up to of the family. While the elder ones can just ignore the Prof Kanel argues that the cratic state to treat all its citizens 50% in educational institutions ranting of an alcoholic, the younger ones are scared system of reservation is dis- equally and provide equal op- and government services as forever by their experience. This is a social problem and crimination against more quali- portunities. However, equal op- within the purview of constitu- requires the community to step forward and get proactive fied persons. He further argues portunities make no sense if tional scheme, which does not in its battle against the problem. Sadly, in Sikkim, even with a strong statement that res- opportunities mean only for violate right to equality guar- the war-cry has not been sounded yet. ervation is harmful to the soci- those groups of people who are anteed under Article 14 of the ety and “reservation gives un- always able to grab them be- Indian Constitution. KEPT ON HOLD AT RONGLI BY BSNL due favor to less intelligent cause of their superiority in Dalits, who are addressed brains at the cost of better ones.” wealth, language and education. as scheduled castes by the In- am a regular reader of your line falling under 700 group [my Furthermore, to my knowl- It is obvious that obtaining dian Constitution, are the de- newspaper and through its I line falls under 900 group].