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A NOW! SPECIAL FOR COMECOME TOGETHERTOGETHER PANG LHABSOL INSIDE NOOSENOOSE TIGHTENS ON Imagine being packed off to POLICE PIECES TOGETHER Malaysia with promises of HOW THESE DREAM MERCHANTS employment only to find out that you are travelling on a SOLD NIGHTMARES OF MALAYSIA tourist visa. You have no SIKKIM’S money for the return fare. What do you do? Many Sikkimese youth who fell for the smooth-talking RK Subba were faced with a BODY-SHOPPERSSHOPPERS similar predicament... TURN TO pg 3 FOR DETAILS SALE SALE SALE ‘Good news for you first time in go Sikkim’ NEW STOCK!!! 24,647 SQ. FT. Bombay Saree & Dress Materials for 50% DISCOUNT ON SAREES AND KURTA PYJAMAS twelve Pure Chiffon, Dani Chiffon, Apoorva Silk, Georgette, Rasgull Crabe, FOR POSITIVE Kanjeevaram, Pure Silk, Pure Cotton, Banarasi Saree & Kurta, Italian Silk, Embroidery Saree, 40 gm silk, Pure Cotton, Devdas Saree & many more varieties. IN OPEN EVERYDAY THINKING ON pg 4 Hotel Bayul, MG Marg extras

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1 2; NOW! 10-16 September, 2003 GANGTOK 10- 16 SEPTEMBER, 2003 ED-SPACE NOW! Before Mangan, There SIKKIM MATTERS Was Akarthang 2-Digit Dilemma Glimpses of Mangan – III The on-line version of the ever-popular single-digit lottery, thinly veiled as a double digit draw has become so hugely by DEEPAK SHARMA popular in the State that almost every second day, one hears ust beyond Rang-Rang, there of someone who has squandered his month’s earning on its is a flattish patch along the half-hourly draws or another who poured good money after North Sikkim Highway with bad hiking his stakes in the game until a loan was all spent. J a cardamom plant with trees in the While some of the stories might be true and others worked backdrop which might have one from imagination, there is no denying that the lottery is a smart believe that it is an abandoned buy as far as the incorrigible lottery buyer is concerned. There plantation. The place is in fact are many protesting the new lottery as a social ill, but the seeped in history. temptation of betting on the reduced odds offered by the new schemes does not seem to wane. “Akarthang,” at Rang-Rang, First, let’s look at the legality of the new game. Single-digit just 9 kms short of Mangan is well lottery is banned in the country, but given the exact interpre- known to the people of North tations of official diktats required by law, the new scheme Sikkim. Few are however versed The bridge here, which connected [which has actually been tried many times in the past] passes in its past. Records reveal that be- Manganites] opened a shop at it to Mangan was operational till the muster and becomes legal. Barely so, one may add. When fore Rinzing Namgyal established Akarthang in 1900 and later sometime in 1960 when it was similar “social” concerns were raised in the past in connec- Mangan bazaar in 1903, shifted to Mangan when it was abandoned and a new bridge con- tion to another 2-digit lottery, the officials had stopped its sales. Akarthang was a bustling market- established in 1903. structed at Rang-Rang. Not because it was illegal, but because they had caught on to place serving not only Rang-Rang, When NOW! visited the area a technicality and banned the lottery till those managing the but also Mangan and the surround- recently, it discovered that Although Akarthang might counters produced authenticated draw results. The organisers ing areas. Akarthang, in a way, not Akarthang, which looks more like have seen only a few years as a installed fax machines and were back in business. With the only straddles history, but also ge- a disheveled jungle now, still re- trading post, it is important vis a debut of on-line double-digits the authorities cannot disrupt ography in the sense that it was tains some signs of its past. The vis Mangan’s prosperity. After all, sales on technicalities any more. The authentic, certified re- from here that the construction of supporting structures of the old it was only after operating at sults are just a refresh button click away. the North Sikkim Highway began. bridge can still be spied upon be- Akarthang that businessmen who The double-digits might be a borderline case of legality, Earlier the road from Gangtok hind overgrown weeds and creep- later flocked to Mangan saw the but are still on the right side of the law till the courts tell us ended at Rang-Rang. ers. Although no signs remain of potential that the North Sikkim otherwise. Sikkim cannot ban its sales given the reciprocal Rama Shankar Agarwal of the settlement there, it must have market held. In this, the centenary arrangement lottery-operating states share. That still does not Mangan reveals that his father, been a busy spot given the fact year of Mangan, it is important take away from the fact that this scheme is unethical. But Champalall Agarwal [known that it straddled the converging that we also remember the places then, even that is a comparative notion. Lotteries, no matter popularly as “Ek Aana Babu” by roads from so many directions. that preceded Mangan’s rise. how much they increase the odds of winning, depend on their appeal to the gambling instincts of its buyers for success. AGARWAL NOT MALU a “Mall” for a free walk. What might be gambling for someone, might just be recre- am very much dissatisfied and  LETTERS For the shopkeepers also it will ation for another. But surely, if the lottery is becoming increas- Iequally astonished to read the be a down fall of their sales un- ingly addictive and blatantly easing through a loophole, then title of my father as Champalall that no one seems to be acting on less they are ready to be satisfied something needs to be done. Anonymous letters and private “Malu” as appeared in your es- it. Isn’t there some authority by watching the playful games of condemnations are not the options a society takes when it is teem magazine NOW extras (Vol which can stop Pepsi from con- the children. A resident of Tadong tries to rid itself of a vice. The people have to put a face to 02 No. 09) at page No. 04, under tinually announcing something or Chanbari would definitely be their complaints and stop expecting someone else to take up the glimpses of Mangan Bazar that is wrong? Shouldn’t the ready to buy his daily require- the cudgels for them. It is at times like these that Sikkim misses (old) under the banner health authorities of consumer ments at his own locality rather not having a civil society or an NGO culture working on social Champalall Agarwal but unfortu- affairs be taking Pepsi to task? than spending more and taking the issues. It is from platforms like these that such concerns as nately the title of my father has The issue here is not whether extra labour of buying at MG the ills of the latest lottery are voiced and heard. In their ab- been found written as Malu in- Pepsi has pesticide or not, but that “Mall” and boarding at old West sence, there are only shouts in the dark which are seldom stead of Agarwal in the latest is- it is lying to the local consumers. Point School Taxi Stand or wher- coherent and rarely heard. sue of NOW. Hence, I would like I hope some action is taken. ever it may be. to advice and suggest the humble S. Rai, Tadong, Gangtok Turning MG Marg into a Mall Reporter through NOW to au- makes it a nice tourist spot, there Dear readers, thenticate the information’s be- GANGTOK IS NOT is no denying that, yet, for the Change is always welcome and if that change adds colour, fore it is sent for publication in THE CAPITAL OF people of Gangtok, it will be a even more so. With this issue we opt for the literal interpreta- order to safeguard the sentiment SWITZERLAND curse and not a boon. Gangtok is tion and as you must have already noticed NOW! is now in of the readers. hoving the concept of MG already packed with vehicles and colour. The good news continues with the announcement that RS Agarwal and all Agarwal SMarg “Mall” forcefully down the numbers are still increasing. we are adding colour without any increase in our cover price. brothers, Mangan, North Sikkim the dumb throats of Gangtokians Once the present MG Marg really Packaged along with these two is more – 4 more pages. Apart is very unfortunate because turns into a Mall, where will all from going colour at the same cover price, NOW! will hence- WHAT NEXT FOR PEPSI Gangtok is not the capital of these cars be parked when their forth be 24 pages on a regular basis and sometimes even was shocked to read of how Switzerland. work is over? Dumping them into more when the issue features a “NOW! Special”. This, rather IPepsi has been playing with one big car-park is certainly not miraculous economic balancing has been made possible due words to convince Sikkim that all It may look glamorous for the the answer because the commut- to the coming together of various factors. Increased reader- its soft drinks come from Dranghu rich and affluent, but is problem- ers have to have space to take out ship loyalty coupled with improved advertiser faith convinced [“Sales ke liye Pepsi Besharam atic for the poor masses and a their cars when their work is over. us that some value-addition was the order of the day. We hai, NOW! vol. 2. no. 11]. What death nail for the taxi owners. What is the good of this mas- could finally take the leap when some strategic content-shar- surprises me even more is that the Allowing vehicles to park is a terpiece of a plan, if it does not ing arrangements brought the cost-factor down to a level we misleading advertisements con- necessity, while turning MG Marg benefit the general majority? could afford. We are convinced that the latest face-lift will go tinue to be broadcast. I even into a Mall is a luxury, as an In short, the idea of beautify- down well with our readers and advertisers and hope that the checked out the Pepsi mobiles and economist would say, because at ing the main market place by driv- support they have shown towards this publication will grow bigger plastic bottles and found this time of exploding traffic, we ing away the vehicles is like try- even more over the coming weeks. out that they were indeed not cannot think of going to the mar- ing to beautify your face by cut- With that I leave you to enjoy the new-look NOW! manufactured in . While ket without having a place to park ting away your nose. -publisher NOW! did well by revealing the our vehicle. At the same time, it Lakpa Tashi , Ranipool unethical practice, I am surprised is not absolutely essential to have Bazar

2 10-16 September, 2003; NOW! 3 UP-FRONTUP-FRONT STOP NOOSE TIGHTENS ON SIKKIM’S PRESS BODY-SHOPPERS HR PRADHAN complaint accused RK Subba, a resident of Timberbong, Soreong, was running an “illegal business” of sending educated, unemployed Sikkimese IS NEW BJP a NOW REPORT youths to Malaysia with promises of employment using fraudulent means GANGTOK: Tulsi Bahadur Chettri of Dentam had a dream. He wanted and inducing them to pay a sum of Rs 85,000 per person to make ar- STATE-UNIT to go abroad to make a living for himself and his family. So, when an rangements for visa, transport and employment in Malaysia. agent, RK Subba, offered him the opportunity to work in Malaysia, he Investigations have revealed that these boys were confined in hotel PREZ rooms at Delhi for several months and then “smuggled” into Malaysia. grabbed the offer. The commission asked was steep. Rs. 15,000 to be a NOW REPORT paid upfront in Sikkim before leaving, followed by Rs. 70,000 in Delhi. Subba, it seems, came in contact with a registered agency, Phoenix Somehow, Tulsi Bahadur managed to raise the money, assured in Recruiting Agency, specializing in overseas employment. Through this GANGTOK: The state-unit of the the hope that since he would soon be earning “foreign currency,” he’d agency, he was employed as a security guard in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, where BJP is back in news. This time pay back before the interest mounted. he worked for a few years. After that stint he came and settled back in again for a change in its party Along with other youth from Damthang, Namchi, Ravangla and Namchi. It was from here that he started smooth-talking and enticing youth hierarchy in Sikkim. Deepak other such places, Tulsi Bahadur was first flown to Bangkok by the from Namchi and surrounding areas like Dentam and Ravangla. Lepcha, the new vice-president of agents. From there, they were spirited into Malaysia by boat. Although PI SP Bhutia had orders for Subba’s arrest on 1 February, the state-unit, while talking to In a span of four months [between 2000 and 2001], Subba had it could not be effected since Subba had already received anticipatory NOW! revealed that a fax-message managed to send three batches to Malaysia from Sikkim alone. bail from the High Court almost a month earlier. from Pyarelal Khandelwal, Vice- What none of the employment seekers knew was that they were taken Those investigating the case reveal that the chargesheet against President, BJP, informed him of the to Malaysia on tourist visas. They were caught when their visas ran out. Subba is now watertight and ready for submission in the Court. new list of office-bearers for None of them had a work permit. These boys were lucky. Malaysian Given the rather nightmarish experience of those who were tempted Sikkim. As per this list, the State police released them during an amnesty period. According to DIG [range] by Subba’s offer, officials at the Crime Branch have appealed to the gets a new party president in HR SD Negi, “The Malaysia government often frees people during amnesty people to remain on the lookout against similar “con-artists.” Pradhan, with Mr. Lepcha and P. periods and those who have money to buy tickets are permitted to leave.” While sharing information on Subba’s wily ways, the PI also pro- Wangchuk as his vice-presidents. Today, these boys are back in their villages. vided details on another case he is handling which follows more or CB Chettri has been appointed the But many Sikkimese youth are still languishing in Malaysian jails. less the same modus operandi. new general secretary, while Mrs. Police learnt of this when some of them managed to flee and narrated This time, the tip-off came from Gangtok when, on 12 October, last Shanti Chettri is the new secretary their ordeal to their families, who immediately lodged a complaint with year, Mrs. Chandrakala Rai, a resident of Zoom, West Sikkim, filed a along with Pema Wangdup the police. The parents of these boys have even alleged that they were complaint against one BB Chamling of Yakland Tours & Travels. Namapa. Sanjay Agarwal has been being “tortured” in Malaysian jails. Mrs. Rai alleged that her son, Jai Prakash Rai, had paid a sum of Rs. appointed the treasurer. HR According to investigators, a case was registered on 28 September 1.3 lakhs to BB Chamling who had promised a good job for him in Malay- Pradhan replaces KC Pradhan, the last year, on the written complaint of Prakash Gurung of Namchi. The turn to pg 15 former President.

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3 4; NOW! 10-16 September, 2003 POWERPOWER PLAYPLAY Sikkim gets 24,647 sq. ft. for positive thinking CHAMLING INAUGURATES CHINTAN BHAWAN THE BUILDING by TINA RAI a NOW! pic he Buildings & Housing Department has been keeping a busy sched- Tule. Within weeks of getting its pet-project, the Samman Bhawan GANGTOK: Chintan is Sanskrit inaugurated, it had the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling do the honours for “deliberation.” It exemplifies for anothermega-project – Chintan Bhawan, the State’s lavish banquet hall, on 8 September, Monday. the human capacity to think and Minister for Buildings & Housing, Tseten Tashi Lepcha, while pre- the Chief Minister hoped that the senting hiswelcome address credited the Chief Minister with not only 24,647 sq. ft. banquet hall adjacent having made the project possible, but also giving it an apt name. The to the Legislative Assembly, chris- Minister also applauded the engineers and architects involved with the tened “Chintan Bhawan”, will of- project for the magnificence of the completed structure. fer the space for some “positive GD Mimani, Chief Engi- thinking” on Sikkim’s future. neer-cum-Secretary [Build- ings & Housing Department] Speaking at the inauguration presented the technical re- ceremony of the Bhawan, which port of the bhawan. he presided over as the Chief This four-storied, RCC Guest, here on 8 September, Mon- framed structure has been day, Mr. Chamling said: “Positive The Chief Minister, flanked by the Speaker, Kalawati Subba, and Buildings and Hous- built in traditional style with thinking purifies your world, ing Minister, Tseten Lepcha at the inauguration ceremony of Chintan Bhawan. two main entrances, one leading to the banquet hall sharpens your arguments in de- with the people. You are answer- concerns, others promote them- and the other to the con- bate, forces you to deliberate and able to them,” he said while add- selves as the champions of the ference hall. The ground offers options and alternatives.” ing, “There should be transpar- Nepali community. Have any of floor has provisions for a Although the building has ency in all departments, the janata these people ever visited those poor kitchen, toilets and a ban- taken rather long to complete, it is watching us.” who still live under leak- quet hall with a seating capacity of 200. The first floor has a lounge and has shaped up rather beautifully. “Head for the villages and help ing roofs? Have the so-called cham- a meeting hall with a capacity of 25-30. The second floor houses a con- ference hall which can seat 275 people and also houses the executive The interiors are tastefully ap- create a vibrant rural economy. pions of the Nepali community ever rooms. The third floor houses the central control room and three cabins pointed, the acoustics appear That should be what public ser- visited the poor Sikkimese for interpreters. The total floor area of this building is 24,647 sq ft. sound and the space lavish. The vants strive for - making our ru- Nepalese for whom Dasai brings no The architecture and landscaping has been done by Devika Sharma, Chief Minister, however, ap- ral base strong by assuring suc- joy, just tensions of added ex- Senior Architect, Buildings & Housing, while the electrical work was com- peared unhappy with the furnish- cessful implementation of penses?” he questioned. pleted by Pem Dorji and Sushil Agarwal. The interior decoration was en- ing and said so in his speech. Panchyati Raj,” he added. Quoting Francis Bacon, the CM trusted to Rainbow Sales Pvt. Ltd. from Siliguri and the audio and public address systems put in place by Dinesh Enterprises of Kolkata. A special Taking off from this point, he Efforts towards this end were, stressed that the only way forward fire detection system has been installed by Yuksom Traders, Gangtok. reminded the gathering of his cabi- however, being seriously jeopar- was through “knowledge”. The total expenditure on the project, from the civil works to the inte- net colleagues and senior officials dized by those trying to foment “Knowledge is power and we riors stands at Rs. 7.63 crores. that the funds released for the State communal tension in Sikkim, Mr. must help bring an intellectual should be judiciously utilised. Chamling said. development in the state so that state ahead,” he said. is not to form the government, but “Your responsibility should lie “Some claim to talk of Bhutia we create leaders who can take the With elections barely a year see how I can best serve the away, some politically loaded people. Some people are trying to statements were also expected. mislead the people without real- Taking a swing at those who see izing that I belong to the people Want to be Royale class? recent political developments as and that it is with their support “serious threats” to his bid to re- that I remain in power and will turn to power, Mr. Chamling said: return next year too.” ... better buy “We are trying to bring political By the end of the day, the Chief Rs. 4,24,950/- (2WD) reforms in the state, but if power Minister had offered some insights Rs. 4,60,950/- (4WD) falls into the wrong hands then it into the “chintans” that occupy him can lead to disaster. Some people at present. There were some subtle ex-Showroom here are saying that SDF will not and some rather direct hints at his return to power. As for me, I do detractors and some indication of not go about my work with one the issues he plans to base his next eye on the elections. My priority campaign on.

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4 Cong warning 10-16 September, 2003; NOW! 5 to “so-called POWER PLAY felicitation POWER PLAY committee” a NOW REPORT RDD MINISTERS SAY NO GANGTOK: The Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee [I], in an emergency meeting con- TO NEW RESOLUTIONS vened here on 8 September, Mon- ous schemes of the Ministry. day, “unanimously condemned,” 6th Conference of Ministers of Rural Development Minister for Rural Development, Girish Chandra Rai, in his wel- what it perceives as an “outra- come speech, said that several issues relating to the special problems geous act” being committed by a of North Eastern States held in Sikkim of the North Eastern States have been discussed in previous Confer- “so called Felicitation Commit- a NOW REPORT ences and have received “positive and favourable” response from the tee,” which the party alleges is Central government. raising money to felicitate the GANGTOK: The youngest member of the North East Council, Sikkim, Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling, in his address, highlighted the Chief Minister for his decision to played host to the 6th Conference of Ministers of Rural Development of the various schemes and projects initiated by the State government on ru- include the left-out communities North Eastern States held here on 5 September, last Friday. Interestingly, at ral development and said that the sector has been given “topmost” in the OBC list. this meet, the rural development ministers of the eight northeastern states priority by his government, with 70 percent of the plan fund diverted A Press release issued by the resolved not to pass any new resolutions since a number of the past resolu- towards rural development. party spokesperson, KN Upreti, tions made at earlier conferences were still awaiting central clearance. He hoped that the out come of this Conference will go a long way informs that “a few government In his inaugural speech, the minister for Rural Development from in helping the State government in redefining its “thrust and priorities” employees” have approached se- Mizoram, who is also the Chairman of the North-Eastern States Rural for rural development in the right direction and also generate recom- nior Congress members “com- Development Ministers’ Committee, Dr. R. Lalthangliana said that the mendations that will help in bringing about improvement in the dis- plaining” that they were being main objective of this Conference was to hear action taken so far by persal of services to the rural poor. “pressurised” to “contribute” the Central government on the resolutions and on the reports and rec- Mr. Chamling also distributed cheques to the Panchayats during the amounts ranging from Rs. 100 to ommendations of the Committee taken during prior Conferences. occasion, as part of the State’s decentralisation efforts. The state gov- Rs. 5,000 for the said felicitation “Since a number of resolutions have already been adopted during ernment had earlier decided that the Gram Panchayats would prepare ceremony. previous Conferences, which need the endorsement of the Central gov- their annual plan for Rs. 50 lakhs instead of Rs. 10 lakhs. Similarly, Apart from condemning the in- ernment and the Ministry of Rural Development, no new or fresh resolu- the annual plan size for Zilla Panchayats has been enhanced from Rs. cident, the emergency meeting of tions will be taken up but we will instead review the performances of the 50 lakhs to Rs. 5 crores from this year. the party chaired by its working Rural Development Department in all of the eight NE States and the The Union Minister for Rural Development, Kashi Ram Rana was president, Namkha Gyaltsen, also action taken by the Central government during this Conference,” he said. the chief guest on the occasion [read accompanying report]. The Con- “warned” those involved “to re- Dr. Lalthangliana said that the Committee was set up by the Union ference was attended by rural development ministers from Arunachal strain from such illegal and unlaw- Ministry of Rural Development to examine matters relating to the reso- Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura ful collection, specially from the lutions passed in the Ministerial Conferences and to look into the prob- and the host State, Sikkim. Senior officials from the Union Ministry of members/ employees of the NBC lems and to make suggestions and recommendations on the modifica- Rural Development and from the state governments were also present community,” the release adds. tion of the guidelines for improvement in the implementation of vari- for the one-day conference. greatgreat pujapuja offeroffer at your own Amber Ent. COLOR TVs HEAVYHEAVY REFRIGERATORS DISCOUNTS WASHING MACHINES ON ALL PRODUCTS COMPUTERS

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5 6; NOW! 10-16 September, 2003 RECAPRECAP SIKKIMSIKKIM The money’s there, but where are the takers by SARIKAH ATREYA “There has been a persistent UNION MINISTER UNHAPPY WITH NE’S UTILISATION demand by the NE States to GANGTOK: Of the Rs. 929.56 OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS change the funding pattern under crores set aside by the rural de- the Centrally Sponsored velopment ministry at the Centre follows the same principle,” being able to fully exploit the Schemes to 90:10 from the ex- for the north-eastern states, the he said. new dispensation due to vari- isting 75:25. My Ministry has eight north-eastern states have However, while the allo- ous problems peculiar to the been advocating and supporting utilised only Rs. 201.25 crores, cations are handsome, the region. this change. I met the Deputy barely 21 per cent of the outlay. utilisation aspect still needs “There is absolutely no Chairman, Planning Commission Little wonder then that the some improvement. During paucity of funds for the NE recently to discuss this issue and Union Minister for Rural Devel- 2002-03, for example, the region and the Centre is ready am hopeful of a favourable deci-

opment, Kashi Ram Rana, while Ministry allocated Rs. pic courtesy IPR to provide more, if needed. sion,” he said. speaking at the 6th North Eastern 881.09 crores to the NE re- But we have to find out a so- The Union Minister main- Conference on Rural Develop- gion under various schemes lution to the partial or non- tained that the Centre was aware ment, decided to stress more on [except the Pradhan Mantri utilisation of funds. We will of the problems faced by the re- the need for improved utilisation Gramin Sadak Yojana]. Of discuss and remove the bottle- gion and had identified most of of central funds by the NEC states this, the states took only Rs. necks during this meet,” he them, but needed some the states than wax eloquent on initiatives 787.65 crores, the Union said, while adding that the to get more proactive. from his department. Minister revealed. States should make a sincere “The central government lays “In the current year, we effort to exploit the funds al- Mr. Rana also requested all the special emphasis and care on the have allocated Rs. 929.56 located and take the schemes eight NEC states to complete the development of this region. crores, but this time too, till to the grassroots level. BPL census for 2002 for the 10th While the region has 8 per cent August, the region has taken One serious problem faced Plan. He said that the Ministry has of the total geographical area and only Rs. 201. 25 crores, which by the region that was high- constituted Vigilance and Moni- 4 percent of the population, the is only 21.65 percent of the lighted during the Conference toring Committees at the State and pic courtesy: IPR Centre allocates 10 percent of the total Central allocation to the was the inability of the States District levels, which will moni- budgetary support to the region NE region,” he said. to mobilize matching State- tor the implementation of under various ministries. The Mr. Rana said that although the flow of resources from the Cen- shares against the Central re- programmes and introduce greater Ministry of Rural Development Ministry is trying to improve the tre to the region, the States are not leases. transparency. Pooja Bonanza FREE! KENWOOD - NIPPON (245 Model) FREE!! MUSIC SYSTEM with 4 SPEAKERS (front & rear) - with 1 Year WARRANTY SEAT COVERS, WHEEL COVERS, STEERING COVER & FOG LIGHT with

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6 10-16 September, 2003; NOW! 7 DATELINE NORTH SIKKIM FOOT & MOUTH GLOOM OVER Centenary round the corner, facilities still distant MANGAN CATTLE vehicular traffic ever since land- a NOW REPORT from DEEPAK SHARMA slides damaged it some nine years back. Ironically, it is the Lower MANGAN: Immediate action by MANGAN: Even as there is pal- Bazaar which is registered as the the Animal Husbandry Depart- Manganites pray for improved pable excitement in Mangan as bazaar of Mangan and the spot ment has contained the spread of civic infrastructure before 100 preparations for its centenary cel- where the town was born in 1903. Foot & Mouth Disease [FMD] year bash ebrations slated for November The locals wonder how the celebra- among the cattle in the north dis- this year get underway, the Man- tions can be brought to the place of trict headquarters. ganites are equally perplexed over genesis if vehicles cannot reach it. Informed sources reveal that how the town plans to host such The scenario with the “New the FMD, which had almost a mega event given the deplorable Market” [Middle Bazaar and Up- brought the cattle industry of En- condition of its civic amenities. per Highway Bazaar] maybe not gland to its heels a few years back, There are several areas of Mangan as bleak, but is still an irritant with was first detected in a pig here on which require immediate repairs the Manganites. Although the busi- 26 August, last month. The dis- and the townspeople are hoping ness hub has shifted to this area, it The Lower Bazaar, where Mangan was born is today accessible ease which manifests with symp- only to pedestrians. It has been that way for many years now. that this aspect of the preparation is still to be declared Bazaar Area toms like high fever, excess sali- also gets looked into. by the concerned authorities. This, With barely two months left bound to attract many visitors, gets vation of mouth, wounds in the Take the road leading to the despite the fact that the concerned before the Mangan Centenary Cel- underway. “Much as we are proud mouth, nose and lower parts of the lower bazaar, also known as Old department is collecting toll tax, ebrations get underway, the Man- on turning hundred, we are also legs, can prove fatal if not cured Bazaar, for example. This stretch, parking fee etc from this area. The ganites are hoping that the town concerned that the poor condition in its early stages. which also connects the district fact that the area lacks a proper also gets a complete face-lift be- of local amenities might embarrass The animal in which the dis- hospital, has remained blocked for parking area is another concern. fore the celebrations, which are us,” says a senior local. ease was first detected has been saved, inform sources in the Ani- mal Husbandry Department. They LACHUNG FINDS further reveal that the dozen or so The forgotten animals who have been detected NO HUMOUR IN with the disease are also under- school going treatment at present and TELECOM JOKE appear out of danger. As an immediate containment of Chungthang a NOW REPORT effort, the Department launched by TINA RAI LACHUNG: More than 40 lodges the Ring Vaccination Programme and hotels. Touted as the next big in the area on 27 August, a day CHUNGTHANG: For Lendup location on the tourist itinerary, after the first case was detected. Lepcha, panchayat president Lachung, the base camp to This disease, which inflicts only [Chungthang], the reason that Yumthang, has absolutely no tele- the cloven-footed animals, has a Chungthang Secondary School communication to speak of. The resi- high mortality rate but the offi- has a nil pass percentage is dents here are furious and complain cials are confident that they have simple. It’s the “surrounding”. at length to anyone willing to listen. contained its spread in north And you can’t fault him on this. Apparently, BSNL has collected Sikkim. They, however, add that A visit to the school exposes a up to Rs.15,000 from many house- the animals take 21 days to de- very sorry state of affairs. It looks holds here and cables were laid velop immunity to the disease af- more like a haunted house than a some two years back. Even a satel- a NOW! pic ter it has been vaccinated. During school. Although the school was lite dish was reportedly installed, this period, it is important that established in the eighties, no re- Ramshackle is an understatement when uttered in regard to the infra- but the dial-tone never sounded they are kept in clean stables and pair work has been carried out structure at the Chungthang Secondary School. here. The locals inform that al- closely monitored so that help is there for the last twenty years or cement on the wall comes off on teachers, Mr. Lepcha clarified that though there was some telecom reached to them the moment the so. There is not a single window touch and it is a wonder that it is poor infrastructure and frequent equipment still left here, the em- symptoms start developing. and many doors are missing. The still standing. transfers of the staff were to blame. ployees have all left Lachung! “Education is very poor here. “We have no primary teachers The money has been taken, the In fact this is one of he most ig- and there is shortage of senior facility not provided. But BSNL nored aspects of Chungtang,” the teachers too. At the end of the day has been kind enough to leave panchayat president contended. the ones who are suffering are our cables strewn across the place. 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7 8; NOW! 10-16 September, 2003 denying that history and rituals have their significance, we are WHY A PANG LHABSOL SPECIAL equally convinced that modern interpretations are equally im- hile Sikkim shares most of its festivals with over the years re-invented itself as the festival of Unity. Its portant in shaping the collective ethos of Sikkim. people and communities of other parts of the significance and observance have extended to include all While we have worked diligently towards making this Special W country, Pang Lhabsol remains one festival communities which have made Sikkim their home and is as comprehensive as possible, there will undoubtedly be as- that is completely Sikkimese in its genesis and practice. now celebrated across the State as the Day for Sikkimese pects that have failed to find place in this edition. This, we It would not be incorrect to claim that the festival under- Unity. assure, is not for want of interest. The limitations of time and lines the very ethos of Sikkim. The Day celebrates and As is unavoidable in the march towards modernity and de- space, along with the budgets for such endeavours have tied reiterates the oath of blood-brotherhood sworn between velopment, the real story behind Pang Lhabsol and its ob- our hands. Even this Special would not have been possible the Lepcha and Bhutia chiefs Thekong-Tek and Khey- servance have become increasingly hazy for the present without the support of advertisers who booked space on its Bumsa. An oath so indelible, that the two communities generation. This is where this “NOW! Special” fits in. While pages and subsidized the cost of production. We are grateful of Bhutias and Lepchas are to this day uttered in the working on the contents of this supplement, we decided to to all of them and are convinced that their gesture will go down same breath as “BL”. Given the melting-pot of cultures go with a blend of the traditional and the contemporary. well with our readers. We also hope that the contents of this that Sikkim has become over the years, it is not surpris- So, while you will find essays on why and how Pang Lhabsol Special are not only informative, but also trigger off some ing that the day, which has its roots in the institutional- is observed in Sikkim, you will also find write-ups on what deeper soul-searching among our readers as every retelling ization of the unity between Bhutias and Lepchas, has the day has come to mean nowadays. While there is no of history should. -ed

It was way back in the late seventies,” he recalls. That was the time when the idea of something vaguely resembling the sym- bolic Statue of Unity [as we see it today] started germinating in Thukchuk Something for Unity Lachungpa’s mind. “It was a time wrought with feelings of What germinated in Thukchuk Lachungpa’s mind as an idea to “concretise” be placed together in such a manner that communalism. Leaders came, politicians symbolised “unity”. promised and governments never really history, finds a handsome representation today in the Statue of Unity above It was back to the drawing board for Mr. bothered.” And he felt that something MG Marg in Gangtok. The process from the genesis of the concept to its Lachungpa and a repeat of the endless ses- symbolic was desperately needed for the final installation took a full decade to realise and the ten years stretched Mr. sions of searching, looking, sketching, imag- people to look up to, something that ining and thinking. A workable pose still would bring back the feeling of commu- Lachungpa’s creativity to the fullest as KARCHOONG DIYALI finds out... eluded. nal amity among the people. Thukchuk Lachungpa whose obsession Then, one day an old man walked into Mr. And so began the search to give to with the statue of unity lasted a full Lachungpa’s office accompanied by his wife the people a concretised piece of their decade from inception to installation. who had her hand on his shoulder. history, a chapter that would help in in- He is also the president of the Pang Snap! stilling a feeling of oneness amongst the Lhabsol Organising Committee for That was it. Mr. Lachungpa was convinced. Sikkimese people. Statue of Unity. a NOW! pic Then, he woke up to realise that it was a “Everywhere in the world, history is dream. Perhaps even providential. Mr. concretised. Important events are Lachungpa is convinced it was. made into statues and are there to re- He got up and immediately started sketch- fresh the past for the future genera- ing the scene. And that’s how the Statue of tions. Yet, here we were, people of a Unity got its final shape. land historically rich and culturally so Khye-Bhumsa, the Bhutia chief, diverse and nothing to bookmark its symbolising might. Thekong Tek, the spiritual past,” Mr. Lachungpa now recollects. master with divine powers evoking compas- Once he took charge as the Forest sion. And Nyokong-Nyal, Thekong-Tek’s con- Minister in 1984, Mr. Lachungpa im- sort symbolising love, support and affection. mediately approached his then Chief Khye Bhumsa, the mighty, kneeling down to Minister, Nar Bahadur Bhandari, and receive Thekong Tek’s blessings, acknowl- Finance Secretary, KC Pradhan, to edging his wisdom and Nyokong-Nyal stand- convince the State to bankroll the ing witness to the whole act, symbolising sup- project. The concept was approved, port and her right hand raised slightly above but the real work was yet to begin. the waist symbolising development. Although Mr. Lachungpa was con- “We made sure that more than special at- vinced that the statue would have to and asked for suggestions and opinions, “A statue of a single subject can be tention was given to the eyes. None of them be the one that celebrated the swear- but none could come up with anything placed in any position. He could be sit- should be seen looking down at the other. ing of blood-brotherhood between fruitful. ting, standing, walking or riding a horse. Even the smallest details had to be done pre- Khye-Bumsa and Thekong Tek, he was Finally, after gruelling sessions of But placing three people together is com- cisely, otherwise the whole action between the still groping for the right visual. thinking and re-thinking, Khye-Bhumsa plicated. We cannot have individual three would be flawed,” he adds excitedly. What should the protagonists of the and Thekong Tek along with Nyokong poses thrown together. All three had to After about nine years, the final draft of the most important chapter of Sikkim’s his- Nyal were put down in paper as final sub- be interacting otherwise it would look Statue of Unity illustration left for Calcutta from tory look like? jects. bland,” remarks Mr. Lachungpa. where it came back after about a year. And in After several months spent photo- Another problem arose once the sub- Three personalities with immensely 1996 it was installed. graphing elderly people all over jects were done. different characteristics now needed to Ever since its installation, Pang Lhabsol for Sikkim, all possible shots of them in the masses has been observed at the Statue different postures, stacks of canvasses of Unity. Traditional rituals are still a signifi- and paper painted and sketched, a cant part of the proceedings and are also ob- perfect theme still eluded the artist in served at around the State. The Mr. Lachungpa. focus at the Statue of Unity, however, remains He also invited people from differ- the celebration of unity and all the communi- ent walks of life to discuss his concept ties of the State come together here. “Unity is the need of the hour and I am con- fident that this festival will definitely bring about peace and harmony among all the people of Sikkim. It’s definitely a nice feeling to see all the students from various back- grounds come together and make this festi- val a success,” said Mr. Lachungpa, who is also the president of the Pang Lhabsol Cel- ebration Committee for Statues of Unity. He is hopeful. Hopeful for an effectively positive result down the ages. A result of 12 long years of perseverance, hard work and dedication. Something from ‘yesterday’ to be A clay replica of the Statue of Unity will be the trophy that cultural troupes representing proud of, for ‘today’ to learn from, and for ‘to- schools and organisations will compete for this Pang Lhabsol at Gangtok (left) and a morrow’ to believe and practice. Something cultural float from last year. for Unity.

8 10-16 September, 2003; NOW! 9 PANG LHABSOL 2003 Come Together A NOW! SPECIAL ThisThis isis howhow thingsthings usedused toto be…be… Pang Lhabsol has seen many ednesday, 10 September their normal priestly garb, carry- this year marks Pang transformations over the ing trumpets, cymbals and drums W Lhabsol, the festival dance years. While the debate performing a slow ‘rol chaam’ or performed in worship of the spirit of whether the recent cymbal dance in the open space Khangchendzonga. Dzo-nga, the interpretations dilute its before taking their seats in the eponymous personification of Mt. essence can stretch on for long pavilion. Khangchendzonga, revered as the many years to come, there is The rol chaam was followed by guardian deity of Sikkim, is propitiated a Sword or Warrior dance per- on this day along with other deities. no denying the fact that the formed by either thirteen, fifteen Dzonga belongs to the cult of the suspension of the traditional or seventeen ‘Pangtoed’ warriors. “dharmapalas” or Guardians of the dances performed at Clad in full ceremonial battle re- Faith. There are two types of Tsuklakhang have been a huge galia, helmets festooned with silk dharmapalas, the ‘zhi ba’ or mild dei- loss, hopefully not flags, brocade ‘kho’ and ‘ghotsi’ or ties and the ‘khro bo’ or angry deities. permanent. While the dances jackets criss crossed with silk Dzonga belongs to the latter cult, as sashes, brocade boots, and car- does Mahakala, the commander-in- can be visited only in rying swords, shields and dag- chief of all the Guardians of the Faith, memories now, gers, the Pangtoed warriors rep- who is also propitiated on Pang TENZIN C. TASHI offers the resented the retinue of the moun- Lhabsol. A third deity, the Tibetan second-best option, she tain god and cut the most striking mountain god, Nyenchen Thangla, is takes us through the figure in their flamboyant cos- also invoked, but not represented in the performance step-by-step… tumes. dance. The Pangtoed dance is unique Religious dances or ‘chaams’ being cials would pay homage to the to Sikkim and it was the third a quintessential part of the cult of the guardian deities in the Kangyur , Chador Namgyal, who dharmapalas, a brief description of the Lhakhang after which the public choreographed the dance, which ‘bag-chaam’ or masked dances held at would throng in and proffer rice, is said to have appeared to him Tsuklakhang in honour of the triad of fruits, grains et al to the deities. The in a vision. deities - Dzonga, Mahakala and dance commenced about an hour The Pangtoed dance assumes Nyenchen Thangla - will hopefully later, in the open courtyard in front extra significance when one con- throw more light on the various nu- of the main entrance to siders that it is the only one per- ances of the Pang Lhabsol celebra- Tsuklakhang. Directly opposite the formed by laymen, all other dances tions. main entrance and open towards being performed by monks. The bag-chaam takes place on the the Lhakhang was a long pavilion Traditionally, the Pangtoed fifteenth day of the seventh month of or Yabring from where the monk or- dancers were drawn from the the lunar calendar. Earlier, monks from chestra from Enchey Gompa would noble families of Gangtok and Pemayangtse would arrive at Gangtok accompany the chaams. The royal they spent the week prior to the a week in advance to perform the nec- tent was pitched on one side of the appointed day rehearsing at essary rites in the Kangyur Lhakhang pavilion while the other side was Tsuklakhang, during which period of Tsuklakhang. Bon monks would also commandeered by the general pub- they observed sexual abstinence. arrive to take part in the rites. lic. Apart from the religious signifi- Two life-size figures representing The chaam unfolded with Dzonga and Mahakala would then be Pemayangtse monks, dressed in continued on pg 11 erected against the main pillars of the Kangyur Lhakhang. These were dressed in rich brocade costumes with two huge masks representing the faces of the deities. Interestingly, these were of the mild or zhi ba type, whereas the masks that were worn by the monks personifying the two dharmapalas in the course of the chaam were of the khro ba type. Torma and other offer- ings to the deities were placed on the altar and traditional invocations made by the monks while temple music was played. SCHEMES ALTO VXI - Maruti Insurance & 10 gms Gold FREE Two distinct types of music accom- OMNI - 10 gms gold FREE pany the ceremonies held in honour of AVAILABLE: WAGON R - Maruti Insurance & 2 yrs extra warranty dharmapalas. ZEN - Maruti Insurance & 15 gms gold FREE While soft harmonious music is played for zhi ba deities, the khro ba OFFER VALID ONLY TILL 15 SEPTEMBER 2003 deities apparently prefer loud music, produced mainly by instruments made of human skull and bones. 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18 10-16 September, 2003; NOW! 11 COMECOME TOGETHERTOGETHER ThisThis isis howhow thingsthings usedused toto be…be… A dance movement called ‘khro mo’i to guard the Faith and the State and to bring and the ‘ngang’gros.’ He was then ceremo- - continued from pg 9 gdong bsig’ was performed after the Vajra peace, prosperity and security to the people nially led back inside the Lhakhang. Then, cance - that of driving away evil forces that Pada. The Warrior Dance lasted till noon of Sikkim, the dancer representing the dancer representing Mahakala carried could be lingering at the place of the dance after which the Pangtoed warriors would Mahakala was attired similar to Dzonga in out a dance called ‘zur gsum’ after which - the Warrior dance was also a kind of com- retire into the Lhakhang. brocade and silk with an apron but his mask he also retired into the Lhakhang. bat exercise for the youth of the Sikkimese After a brief interval, the two was black and he carried an imitation of a The two chief dancers having thus en- elite. Not only it did it require them to be dharmapalas would make their dramatic human heart in his left hand and a spear tered the Lhakhang, the Pangtoed warriors proficient in the use of their weapons, they entry. First, accompanied by the Pangtoed with a flag in his right. This dancer too de- again performed two ceremonial dances had to also simultaneously sing war-songs warriors, the monk dancer representing scribed one and a half circles in a slow called ‘bya ba’ and ‘phyi bskor’. Then, sing- in praise of the War Deity even as they Dzonga would make an appearance, clad dance step, his mount also being led along- ing war-songs and accompanied by the danced dexterously. in rich brocade and silk robes with an apron side him and he too took his seat in the low king’s bodyguard and attendants bearing The first Pangtoed dancer who stepped appliquéd with a fiercely grimacing face, hall close to Dzonga. banners and leading the three mounts of into the open from the Lhakhang was the and carrying in his left hand a jewel and Mahakala is generally referred to as the triad of deities, they encircled the ‘champon’, the head dancer or the dance brandishing a short lance with the banner Yabdu in most of the accounts of Pang Tsuklakhang thrice. Thereupon they re- leader, the most experienced one of them of victory in his right. The red mask depicted Lhabsol. However sources at the Enchey turned to the open courtyard and staged a all. He shouted the war-cry, “kyi hu hu” [rep- Dzonga as a fiery War Deity with an angry, Gompa, as also those who used to orga- sword dance, the initial part of which was resenting the spiritual victory of the forces contorted countenance with four long teeth nize the Pang Lhabsol celebrations at known as ‘dgu bskor,’ again. of good over evil] thrice and performed visibly protruding out of an open mouth. The Tsuklakhang, point out that this is incorrect. The last phase of the sword dance, the three kinds of dance movements - the ‘gri dancer sported a helmet with a small hu- Mahakala is the supreme commander-in- ‘nor bu dga’khyil’ signaled the end of the khor,’ representing the unsheathing of the man skull in front, with a circular banner chief of all the dharmapalas and overlord chaam at around four o’clock. sword, the ‘gri rdar’ or sharpening of the issuing from the centre and four big trian- of all the spirits such as Devas, Yamas, Pang Lhabsol was traditionally held at sword and the ‘gri phyar’ or lifting of the gular flags at the sides, ostensibly repre- Rakshas, Nagas, Gandharvas, Daityas and Tsuklakhang, the Royal Chapel in Gang- sword. This was followed by two more senting the chief peak and the four minor Danavas whereas Yabdu is merely the tok where it was a very solemn occasion. movements called ‘khrag mtsho rba blabs’ peaks of Khangchendzonga. A hush de- guardian deity of southern Sikkim. Appar- Since its discontinuation at Tsuklakhang, [billowing waves of the blood sea] and ‘khro scended on the watching crowd as all eyes ently the confusion arises since both Pang Lhabsol celebrations in Sikkim have mo’i lnga bskor’. The champon having fin- were riveted on the awesome figure of the Gompo or Mahakala and Yabdu are black managed to acquire several extraneous ished his dance, the other Pangtoed war- War Deity who turned one and half circles countenanced deities and similar in appear- trappings that did not exist earlier. In Gang- riors would one by one emerge from the in a slow dance step before ending his ance. tok it is celebrated at the Statue of Unity Lhakhang, all of them also shouting thrice dance in front of the open hall where the Yabdu’s seat is in Kali Jhora. Apparently followed by colourful tableaus on the main the war cry. Bringing up the rear was the monk orchestra was seated. when Lhatsun Chenpo summoned all the thoroughfare, while Ravangla has estab- ‘chamjug’, the second head dancer who Meanwhile, three richly decorated guardian deities of Sikkim, Yabdu was late lished itself as the epicenter of the Pang also performed the three dance movements horses, each with their own attendants, for the tryst and hence he was banished Lhabsol celebrations. While purists breathe of gri’khor, gri rdar and gri’phyar. Then, all would be conducted near the circle where outside. Even in the ‘neysol’ or prayers prior a silent prayer that the celebrations con- the Pangtoed dancers, moving in a circle the dance was performed and as Dzonga to the dance, the torma meant for Yabdu is tinue to thrive, they simultaneously baulk in the open courtyard, performed the fol- danced, his mount, a bay horse, would be kept on the floor and is strung with entrails. at the thought of the famed Pangtoed war- lowing dances: ‘lnga bskor’, ‘bdun bskor’ led at his side. Mahakala’s horse was a Coming back to the narrative of the se- riors being billed as one of the attractions ‘,gri thod kha sbyor’ and ‘rdo rje’gro.’ black one and Thangla’s cream-coloured. quence of chaams, both the dharmapalas of the day that include, among others, a This last step, the rdo rje’gro was the The dance over, the monk representing being thus seated, the Pangtoed dancers Boogie Woogie contest and a Vajra Pada or the Thunderbolt Step, a kind Dzonga would then sit down on a seat cov- proceeded to pay homage to their divine competition. of magic step that crushed all powers of evil. ered with a tiger skin in the Yabring or pa- leaders at the end of which sequence the Meanwhile, grass has overrun the circle It is said that Guru PadmaSambhava per- vilion. Then the dancer representing dancer representing Dzonga rose from his in the Tsuklakhang courtyard where the formed this Thunderbolt Step at Samye Mahakala stepped out of the Lhakhang. seat and performed, among the armed war- dances once held centre-stage and the in Tibet in the eighth century A.D. Invoked by the monks to command Dzonga riors, two dances called ‘ja’klong ye shes’ pavilion hall echoes only with the plaintive strains of disuse and neglect.

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RAVANGLA: A monsoon drizzle notwithstanding, Ravangla wore The right direction can take a festive coat as the three-day Pang-Lhabsol celebration got un- your career a long way derway here on Monday. This 3- day affair, the biggest for Ravangla, started in the early eighties after the performance of Pangtoed Chaam, an essential part of the Pang Lhabsol celebrations, was discontinued at the Tsuklakhang in Gangtok. Over the years, the celebra- ADMISSIONS OPEN tions grew in size and started in- FOR DIPLOMA IN TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY corporating several other ele- A file foto of the crowd that Pang Lhabsol celebrations at Ravangla draw. MANAGEMENT (DTHM) ments of gaiety until it took its structed at the Mani Lakhang While the mela-like buildup to present shape, where apart from packed in the crowd. Cultural the celebrations here draws large AUGUST 2003 SESSION crowds through the first two days, The Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical & Technological Sci- the Pangtoed Chaam, performed programmes, which are a regular it is the performance of the Pang ences offers a world-class Diploma in Travel & Hospitality Manage- by lay people on Pang Lhabsol, feature of the Pang Lhabsol cel- the preceding days offer a treat of Toed dance that is the biggest ment (DTHM), in association with Trade Wings Institute of Manage- ebrations followed later until the activities. From Boogie-Woogie crowd departed with promises of draw. Late into Monday night, lay ment (TIM), one of India’s premier travel schools. dance competitions, to rural returning for the events slated for people selected for the Chaam this WHO CAN APPLY: This high-end course is open to those aspiring to sports such as sack race and tug- Tuesday and Wednesday. year could be seen practising their steps at the Mani Lakhang. join the fast-growing travel and tourism industry as well as profession- of-war, the festivities now draw a Ravangla offers a good example Wednesday will begin with the als who are already a part of the same. handsome crowd from surround- of what Pang Lhabsol, a festival offering of ritual prayers, which ELIGIBILITY: 10 + 2 or Equivalent. ing areas and also the devout from unique to Sikkim, seeks to promote will be presided this year by CURRICULUM: Comprises topical subjects with relevance to the fast the capital city who miss the - unity. The event, managed by the Gyaltsab Rinpoche, followed by changing international travel and hospitality management industry. famed Pangtoed Chaam. Ravangla Pang Lhabsol Celebra- the famed Pangtoed Chaam which DURATION: Diploma (6 Months) This year, the celebrations be- tion Committee sees members from will then lead into more contem- Advanced Diploma (12 Months) gan with a marathon race from the all communities join hands in mak- porary forms of celebration. SYSTEM: Semester Mani Lakhang, constructed spe- ing the festivities grand. They also PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE: Provided by Trade Wings across the cially to serve as the venue for the find energetic support from their travel and hospitality sector in India. Pang Lhabsol celebrations, tra- MLA and Health Minister, DD journos versing the town and then ending Bhutia, who has patronised the cel- So if you would like your career to go that extra mile hurry up and at the Mani Lakhang. A volleyball ebrations for many years now and get yourself enrolled at SMU approved local authorized TIM cen- match later in the day and the was also present for the inaugura- honour Deepak ter at the following address before the last date of admission i.e brand new amphitheater con- tion this Monday. a NOW REPORT 22nd September 2003. KALIMPONG: Subash Deepak, Kutse Shegu editor, Wichar, was given warm TRADE WINGS INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT The Kuste Shegu (49th Day) of Late Tsewang Thupden Bhutia (16) falls on, Friday th felicitation and honour by Press Above “THE SEASONS HOTEL” , NamNang Road, September 12 2003. All friends, well wishers and relatives are requested to join us for the Prayer Ceremony at our residence at 5th mile, near Saraswati Mandir, Tadong, Club of Kalimpong and Pravah, Deorali, Gangtok-737102 Phone: 280979, 280898, Gangtok on the above date. We also take this opportunity to thank all those who a Kalimpong-based Nepali mobile: 98320 31664 email:[email protected] stood by us during the time of bereavement and regret our inability to thank them weekly, at function held here at individually. K.D.Bhutia (father) M&G,Chumsang Kachopa (mother) SBS the Sub-Division Library on 6 September, 2003. Mr. Deepak was felicitated for his “long and out- standing” To live remains contribution towards Nepali literature and journalism. an art which Popular folk-poet, Moti Prasad Sharma, gave the introduction and everyone must read out the citation while KW Malommu, president, Press Club of Kalimpong, who also chaired learn and no the proceedings honoured Mr. Deepak by offering a fresh everyday one can teach shawl and felicitation. While speaking at the function, Mr. Deepak said that he has dedi- Havelock Ellis cated his life to the development of Nepali literature and journal- ism and emphasized that journal- ism could develop genuinely in SLICEof the region if there was better co- ordination and understanding be- tween writers and journalists working here. Mr. Deepak was LIFE recently awarded the Bhanu Puraskar for his contribution to Nepali literature.

21 14; NOW! 10-16 September, 2003 DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT NOW! classifieds the affordable option Grooming Chungthang for tourism call 270949 for details or visit any of the authorised collecting agents listed below SERVICES CIVIL ENGINEER MOBILE PHONE REPAIR/ EX- A Civil Engineer with experi- ence is needed to supervise CHANGE Repair or Ex- site works for a non-govern- change your Mobile Phone at Rea- mental committee project. sonable Cost.New Handsets also Work already commenced. Sal- available ary negotiable. Contact Chetan Internet Point, Yama House, Gang- at 284166/284353 after 6 pm. tok. ph: 222166 COMPUTER SERVICE ENGINEER A tutor available for TUTOR Experienced computer engi- junior class students at Arithang. CONTACT PRATAP GURUNG at neers wanted for a reputed firm. 270473 Contact with bio-data: Ramesh a NOW! pic NOW! a & Brothers, Near Sadar Police FAST FOOD While the orientation camp Rahul’s Station, Tibet Road, Gangtok. Fast Food Centre. P. S. Road, Ph:222190, 221202 & 228327 Orientation camp was welcome, it does not neces- Gangtok. Ph: 228487, 227182. sarily imply that the driver here email: rffc_shrestha TO LET A 40 X 30 flat suit- are ignorant of their role as ser- @sify.com able for commercial purposes in the vice-providers. This they made heart of the town. Contact: NOW! for North drivers clear when instead of demanding WANTED at 270949 OR 223215 was reiterated by Power Minister fixation of higher fares, they re- A VOLUNTEER required LEARN Fine Arts, Oil Paints, by TINA RAI and area MLA, Hishey quested for cemented dustbins for Music Classes being conducted Glass Painting, Fabric Painting, Pot Lachungpa, who was also the and toilets at Yumthang. They by an NGO for children. Painting, Artificial FLower Making. CHUNGTHANG: Chungthang chief guest at the programme. explained that the absence of toi- CONTACT: 223321 Contact: Upper Arithang, Ph - 221587. mobile: 98320 33451 is situated at the confluence of the “They [tourists] are like hens lets here inconvenienced the tour- EMPLOYMENT two rivers - Lachen Chu and that lay golden eggs. If they are ists and because there were no LEARN Hair Styling and Lachung Chu. Legend has it that satisfied, it means they will return dustbins at Yumthang, Sikkim’s WANTED SALES EXECUTIVE beauty treatments. Guru Padmasambhava visited and each time they do so, they prettiest valley was getting littered Minimum Class XII passed [Prefer- CONTACT:Susong at Aries, Nam Nang. Chungthang on his way to Guru contribute to the local economy,” more and more with every tourist ably graduates], with basic knowl- Dongmar, sometime in the 8th cen- the Minister said. He also asked season. As the alongside pic of edge in computers and sales expe- TUITIONS For Maths & Physics For classes IX, X, XI & XII tury. In a way, he was the first tour- the drivers to use polite language garbage at Yumthang shows, this rience. Along with salary, incentives at Deorali. Contact: Ph 281039 / ist to have visited the place, which while speaking to the tourists and spot could use a garbage bin. from sales, insurance and extended 221587 mobile: 98320 33451 Sikkim Tourism is trying hard to urged them not to “speak harshly On the work-front, the drivers warranty will be over and above the promote. It was in relation with this and scare them away”. shared their problems stemming remunerations. Applications should REAL ESTATE endeavour that a one-day orienta- PK Dong, Executive Director, from the practice of issuing permits be forwarded to CEO, Entel Motors, FOR SALE Prime land tion programme was held for taxi STDC, handed out useful tips and for Yumthang and Tsomgo from the 6th Mile, Tadong, Gangtok - Sikkim measuring 95’ X 60’ in Jorethang. drivers here on 5 September, last suggested that taxi-drivers mould same office. Since both were popu- CONTACT: 94340-84407 Friday. A total of 85 drivers, in- their behaviour and approach ac- lar destinations, there was always a MARKETING EXECUTIVES For sports goods contact cluding some from Lachung, at- cording to the age of the clients. long line for permits at these offices Applications invited for tele-mar- SPORTING AGENCY, Bidhan tended the programme. While a younger tourists might and caused inordinate and avoid- keting executives for workshop Market, Siliguri. ph: 2534241. Calling the taxi drivers “good- enjoy loud music, it might actu- able delays which also inconve- Entel Motors Workshop. Prefer- Deals in Cosco, Nivea, Yonex, will ambassadors,” Principal Sec- ally be just noise for the older nienced the tourists, they said. ence will be given to ladies with SG, BDM, Rocky retary, Karma Gyatso said that guests, he said. The department also presented fluency in English, Nepali and “good behavior” from taxi driv- a slide show of all the important Hindi and minimum qualification of SUGAM PRINTERS Shree Bhavan, First Floor, Hill Cart ers was crucial in getting repeat tourist spots of Sikkim. A quiz class-XII passed. Basic knowl- Road, Siliguri. ph: 2525221. visitors to the State, which in turn contest was conducted for the edge of computer applications. Ap- Service available - graphics, would create more employment pic NOW! a participants along with a demon- plications may be forwarded to GM composing and designing in avenues for the locals. stration on emergency first aid by or CEO Entel Motors Pvt. Ltd., 6th Nepali, Hindi, English Nima Ethenpa, Project Director, Dr. PM Karki. Mile, Tadong, Gangtok-Sikkim. elaborated the point further when National security concerns Classifieds advertisments can be she said: “To ensure that the tour- were also voiced at the meet when booked at the following collection cen- FOR BROCHURES, LOGO tres: Porky’s, Deorali; Oberois, Naya Ba- ists leave the state satisfied and the Panchayat President, Lendup zaar; Baker’s Cafe, MG Marg; Jainco, motivated not only to visit Sikkim Lepcha, requested the Travel DESIGNS & ARTWORK Metro Point, Blues, Tibet Road, Moti again but also to convince their Agents Association of Sikkim to email: [email protected] Mahal, Naya Bazar, Rahul’s Fast Food, PS Road, Cafe Tibet, Below High Court friends and relatives to visit Sikkim, assign proper identity cards to all it was essential to see to it that all guides coming to Chungthang “so the service-providers, especially the that we are assured that no spies taxi drivers, provide services which or agents arrive here”. The Statesman are of the highest standard.” All in all, the meet offered a The theme of better service good opportunity for the policy- M.G. ROAD GANGTOK towards tourists translating to makers to interact with tourism ALL TYPES OF NEWSPAPER & MAGAZINES ARE AVAILABLE. more opportunities for the locals BACARDI BLAST at Yumthang workers on the field. PH NO: 221021

A department store that adds CONVENIENCE urbanMART TO NECESSITY OPP: OBEROI BUILDING, the one SHOPPING EXPERIENCE NAYA BAZAAR , STOP GANGTOK. PH: 228032

22 Noose tightens... 10-16 September, 2003; NOW! 15 Contd from pg 3 sia. Upon landing in Malaysia, the SPORTSSPORTS son had to make an emergency call back home. He was stranded with- out a job in a foreign land. Responding immediately to INVITATIONAL TT BEGINS THURSDAY the distress call, Sadar Thana of- tourney, which, for the first time won by the home team. Asked to pick the favourites, ficials confiscated the trading li- by NIGEL CASHMORE for TT in Sikkim, offers hand- Although the number of Mr. Prasad said the Siliguri team cense of Yakland Tours & Trav- some cash prizes of Rs. 8,000 and teams participating in tourney appeared strongest on paper. He, els, registered in the name of the GANGTOK: The Sikkim Table Rs. 6,000 for the men’s and might appear limited, Mr. Prasad however, added that local play- accused persons wife. After about Tennis Association will host the women’s team championships. assures a “good show.” The ers like Nikita Pradhan, Nirjala eleven days in police custody, BB 2nd Open Invitational Table Ten- Interestingly, the 4-day tourney quality, he informs, will be en- Dahal, Tashi Topgay Lepcha and Chamling was released on bail. nis Championship scheduled to be- will see clashes only in the singles hanced by the presence of “na- Bijay Subba stood a good chance This period was enough for the gin here on 11 September, Thurs- category. The 1st Open Invita- tional-ranked” players like Arjit of turning the tables on the higher crime branch to follow up on day, at Academy. tional Tournament Roy ad Pinky Mondol from rated team since they have been some leads. While speaking to NOW!, was held at the Paljor Stadium Siliguri who will be clashing practicing hard and have been Although this case is still un- Chief Referee [STTA], Vikrant Gymnasium Hall in 2001 and was against Sikkim’s best. improving on their skills. der investigation, cops here are Prasad, informed that 5 teams convinced that there are still many from Kalimpong, , more horror stories hidden in the Kurseong, Siliguri and the State vaults of these body-shoppers. team will be participating in this give yourself the advantage

AL-1217 Contractors for equal opportunities DIGITAL MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SYSTEM tor said that the poorer contractors High Quality Personal COpier / Printer with a NOW REPORT should be helped and for this, the Full Colour Scanning GANGTOK: The first General cost of the tender forms should be LL-T1520 Body Meeting of the All Sikkim reduced. Sales Tax and the tax on Unlimited Class 1-A Government materials should also be cut and big 15” LCD MONITOR Contractors was organized by the contracts should not be given to Fast response time and a super wide (170o) Contractors Welfare Association people from outside the state. viewing angles for outstanding multimedia diplay here at Community Hall on 6 Sep- Dikila Bhutia, a lady contractor tember, last Saturday. The meeting asked for women contractors to be had RB Subba, Minister Roads and given the same opportunities as Bridges as the Chief Guest. their male counterparts, as they Submitting a memorandum for were equally capable. DB Chettri, the Chief Minister, the president of the treasurer of the association the association, SK Kartam, said raised the issue of delay in mobili- that the basic aim of holding the zation of files and bills, which, ac- meeting was to ensure equal oppor- cording to him, took more time in tunities for all contractors and to Sikkim than in any other State. RB PG-M15S solve the problems that contractors Subba, Minister Roads & Bridges, MICRO-PORTABLE MULTIMEDIA PROJECTOR in the state face. The other demands promised to look into the matter of raised by him were for an increase inefficient functioning by the offic- Compact to carry design with in the enlistment renewal period to ers. Asking the contractors to be Crystal Clear presentations. 5 years, tenders for I-A contractors united he said, “All contractors to be decreased to Rs. 75 lakhs, Rs. should work unitedly and in a posi- SHARP authorised dealers in town: 50 lakhs for the Class 1-B contrac- tive way to improve their image in tors and less than Rs. 40 lakhs for the public domain.” RAMESH & BROTHERS Tibet Road, Near Sadar Thana class 2-A contractors. The Associa- He concluded the meeting by Gangtok, SIkkim - 737101 tion is also to have a Vigilance and asking the contractors to work with Ph: 222190, 221202 & 228327 IB cell for proper surveillance. dignity and not sell their work. RK Mundra, a senior contrac- WILL SIKKIM HELP The new IT GIVES YOU... BRING ONLY KARMA DOMA GET BACK ON HER FEET? more fuel economy... Rs. 52,000/- * Last week we had carried the more power... tragic tale of Karma Doma, a & take away momo seller, who lies in STNM Ma X X PIK-UP and lots more space. hospital, with her right leg ampu- tated, deserted by her husband, Mahindra forced to take her son out of school and in dire need of mon- Maxx Pik-Up etary help. Although the article has managed to raise some money, more needs to be done. We re- 2WD & pay quest our readers to send money by cash or cheque towards the the rest in Karma Doma fund. The contribu- tions can be sent to NOW! Gairi easy Gaon, Tadong. PH. 270949. Money can also be collected by us from address given by you. instalments The total funds raised till 30 September, 2003, will be added to with a substantial contribution RUSH TO: from NOW! and the names of SIKKIM MOTORS those who contributed towards AUTHORISED MAHINDRA DEALER this initiative to rehabilate Karma 6th MILE, TADONG, GANGTOK Ph: 270601, 270602 will be carried in the NOW! is- * CONDITIONS APPLY Ravi - 9832013065, Vikas - 9434126860, Lhendup - 9434137192, Ajay - 9832054828 sue dated 1 October, 2003.

23 16; NOW! 10-16 September, 2003 SPORTSSPORTS SIKKIM SOCCER COMES OF AGE fairs in 1999 to scout and nurture some 6,000 boys in the 12 to 14 a NOW REPORT talented footballers from remote age-group at different nooks and SIKKIM SENDS 7 PROBABLES and rural areas of Sikkim in the corners of the State and aims to GANGTOK: Seven Boys of Under-14 category. improve the performance of vari- FOR INDIA UNDER-16 TEAM Namchi Sports Hostel have been The scheme, entitled “Search ous state teams at the national spotted and selected by All India For More Bhaichungs,” Depart- scene in the near future. Football Federation as probables ment officials explain was in pur- For starters, the Department for the India Under-16 team on suance of the Chief Minister Pawan hopes to improve on its perfor- the basis of their performance at Chamling’s commitment to create mance at the Sub-Junior Subroto the East Zone Under-16 National more opportunities to talented Mukerjee Football Tournament Football Championship held at sports-persons from rural areas. where the Namchi Sports Hostel Jamshedpur in July 2003. These To its credit, the scheme has team was ranked second last year. boys have been called for selec- already produced four Preparations are also afoot to field tion trial and coaching camp internationals - Sanju Pradhan, a team in Subroto Cup Under-17 scheduled to begin in Kolkata on Sagar Rai, Dawa Lepcha and tournament scheduled for No- 10 September, 2003. The seven Karma Lendup Lepcha who rep- vember-December later this year. probables from Sikkim are Arbin resented India at the South Asian Committed to make an impact Subba [goalkeeper], Ibrahim Under-14 Football Festival held in at the national level, the Depart- Lepcha [defender], Som Tshering Kathmandu in December last year. ment has placed the Under-17 Lepcha [defender], Sanju Four boys of Namchi Sports team under the charge of Hangu Pradhan [midfielder], Dawa Hostel, Tashi Bhutia [2000], Norden Lepcha and the Under-14 Lepcha [midfielder], Karma Sanju Pradhan [2000], Nirmal is presently training under the tu- Lendup Lepcha [forward] and Chettri [2001-2002] and Sanjay telage of Soloman Lepcha. “We Michael Lepcha [forward]. Chettri [2002] have also been are now focusing on result-ori- All the seven boys have been awarded with National Talent ented preparations. We have been Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs V.B. Pathak congratulates the trained at Namchi Sports Hostel Scholarship for their performance good participants long enough, boys selected by the AIFF. pic courtesy: IPR under a scheme started by the De- in the Subroto Mukerjee Cup. now we shall groom worthy vic- partment of Sports & Youth Af- The scheme started by the De- tors,” the Secretary, Sports & partment in April, 1999, screened Youth Affairs, VB Pathak said.

BATH INDIA

with best compliments & heartiest greetings on DISCOUNTED AIR TICKETS Pang Lhabsol FOR INSTANT RESERVATIONS CALL:

Pineridge Travels from Jet Airways Sales Agent State Trading Corporation of Sikkim DEORALI, GANGTOK

The Oriental Mahatma Gandhi Marg Gangtok Ph: 221182 / 221181 / 221180 for business enquiries in NOW! call 270949

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

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