01 April, 2004; NOW! 1 Bharat Sanchar Thursday, 01 April, 2004 Vol. 3 No. 05 Gangtok
Rs. 3 Air-Conditioned Nigam Ltd. a Govt. of India enterprise Grocery Shop Office of the General Manager Telecom for Provisional Goods, Dry Gangtok : Sikkim Fruits & All Hotel NOTICE Requirements (for kitchen) WHOLE-SALES All BSNL subscribers are hereby informed that all tel- RETAIL-SALES ephone numbers in Gangtok at the most reasonable prices beginning 222, 223, 224 and 225 are being changed in a phased manner to now be- gin 20, ie is the second Rajdeep Spectrum Color Lab Building, Near Amar/ number of these phones will Chaman Garage, Sevoke Road, Siliguri henceforth be “0.” ph: 2640799, 2640599 KALIMPONG Bhandari’s REMEMBERS Chakung moves to Gangtok, bazaar THE yatra ROERICHS SARIKAH ATREYA TURN TO pg 5 wants Goley back GANGTOK, 31 March: “Yo pali, FOR DETAILS Congress lai jitauno parchha hai,” a female voice speaks from behind a circle of party faithfuls and curious onlookers even as the former Chief TAMANGS Minister greets a totally bemused and perplexed lady sitting behind a WANT sewing machine inside a tailoring shop at the MG Marg. An assistant hands over a khada to Nar Bahadur MORE Bhandari, who puts it around the TURN TO pg 4 lady’s neck and with folded hands FOR DETAILS seeks support for the Congress. In the next shop, the exercise is repeated. The SPCC [I] president, flanked by a group of party mem- CHEWANG bers, with a party Standard leading DADUL LASHES ahead, seeks every shop along the commercial hub of the capital, thus OUT AGAINST marking the official start to the Con- gress’ canvassing from here today. BHANDARI SDF supporters from Chakung in vehicles flying the party flag on the return leg after a show of strength in This may not be anything like support of PS Tamang, whom they want retained for their constituency TURN TO pg 4 Sonia Gandhi’s road shows. But FOR DETAILS I AM AN SDF SOLDIER, WILL Mr. Bhandari is sure trying to emu- a NOW REPORT late that here. So its paidal yatra for GANGTOK, 31 March: It was al- CONTEST FROM WHEREVER THE him through an area which sees no DETAILS ON pg 3 most as if all of Chakung had emp- vehicles after 5PM. And what bet- tied into Gangtok as some 350 ve- PARTY WANTS ME TO: GOLEY ter start to his comeback yatra than hicles [jeeps and trucks] carrying tional response at Chakung. wanted to do was try and retain me from the Capital itself? ruling party supporters from the Mr. Tamang, while speaking to at Chakung and given the high The former Chief Minister south Sikkim constituency rolled NOW! from Soreong, said that the emotions on display, I decided to looked confident and visibly happy into the capital in a bid to petition public response was “spontaneous” listen to them and stayed back. It is with the response he was getting. the SDF high-command to recon- and clarified that he had no role to a democracy and they have the right Some even offer him a khada back. sider its decision to take their area play in the show of support which to express themselves and I did not All greet him with folded hands. He DDRCDDRC HANDEDHANDED MLA, PS Tamang, known more spilled over to Gangtok streets. want the situation to spiral out of stops for small chitchats with the OVEROVER TOTO SOCIALSOCIAL popularly as PS Goley, away to “In fact, after hearing the party control, so I listened to them and shopkeepers. Addresses a few by Central Pendam. Reports indicate decision yesterday, I was planning let them go to Gangtok. Bear in their names. No bhashans here. Has WELFAREWELFARE that the party decision to pit Mr. to leave for Gangtok immediately. mind, there are no opposition sup- direct one-to-ones with the Janata. Tamang against SPCC [I] president People from Chakung, however, porters in Chakung, they are with “Our day has come, now we have Nar Bahadur Bhandari from Cen- came over and insisted that I did the SDF,” he said. to work together,” he cajoles. His tral Pendam, evoked a very emo- not leave for Gangtok. All they Mr. Tamang added that the pub- assistants distribute the Congress manifesto to the people. All look NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR HOTEL MANAGEMENT lic reaction was also understandable AND CATERING TECHNOLOGY, PUSA COMPLEX, NEW DELHI -110012 given the fact that a certain bond had pleased. It’s not everyday that a [UNDER MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CULTURE, DEPTT. OF TOURISM, GOVT. OF INDIA] turn to pg 4 turn to pg 5 annual AND INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES JEE - 2004 FOR ADMISSION TO THE FIRST YEAR OF 3-YEAR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.SC.) saree PROGRAMME IN HOSPITALITY AND HOTEL ADMINISTRATION HONG KONG Last date for sale of Information Brochure and Application Form for admission to the above course has been extended upto April 6, 2004 IMPORTANT DATES BAZAAR sale Sale of Prospectus at Institute of Hotel Up to 5th April 2004 Management, Near Ayurvedic Hospital, Any Item Rs. 90 to Rs. 150 @ Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim 737102 FIRST Last Date for receipt of completed 7th April 2004 Gift Items, Crockery & Other TIME IN Application Form Mimani’s Date of JEE Written Test 28th April 2004 [2:30-5:30pm] Attractive Goods! SIKKIM MG MARG Centralized Counselling for allotment of Inst. 7th June to 16th June 2004 Commencement of academic session 19th July 2004 ST TH for details access www.nchmct.org or contact Institute of Hotel 1 APRIL-30 APRIL Management, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim. Ph: 270735, 270557 HOTEL BAYUL, MG MARG, GANGTOK

CMYK 2; NOW!; 01 April, 2004 ED-SPACE NOW! It’s Time To Move FIRST WITH THE NEWS On, Again The Next Without Prejudices -19- That same day I told my mis- could for a moment only show my The world as we know it might be turning into a global village and ow that I had begun to tress that I did not want to continue happiness by folding my hands and WTO might be fudging international boundaries as far as trade is think about this matter, working any longer in this house, smiling to show my gratitude for concerned, but people in general are becoming more and more Nthis desire to earn more that I would like to look for another the gift. parochial. Almost every district wants to express itself as an stuck in my mind and I could think place if she had no objection. She The cook gave me a letter of autonomous region and every autonomous council harbours of nothing else but how to earn said there was no objection recommendation, and that very statehood aspirations. Every locality frowns upon outsiders more and get as much as the whatever if I was not same day I asked my mistress for searching their futures amongst them and every community swears others. I begged the cook, happy to work for permission to leave, saying I was it has a unique identity independent of all others which is in need of who was always very kind her. This settled the returning to my country. I told this safeguarding. to me, to look around matter. How happy little lie in order to part from her in While it would be improper to deny anyone their right to self- from time to time to see a kindly way. My mis- expression, it would be criminal to ignore the fact that self expression in the present-day politically charged times almost always comes whether there might be tress raised no objec- at the cost of denying someone else. Our generation has abused anywhere some vacant tion, as she did not like with alacrity this fundamental right and mindsets are already fixated place suitable for me. to keep me if I was dis- on ideas which are prejudiced and illogical. There is little that can And one day he did find satisfied. She could af- be done on this front, but if we accept that things need to change, me a job about fifteen ford to pay wages and we should try and do so with the generation still untrained in the miles from Delhi in a obtain as many boys as biases which we have fomented. It is surprising how the secular small village called she liked instead of me. environment of the schools still leaves many young minds scarred Ghaziabad. Artist, filmmaker, keen photographer, columnist with international In this world there is magazines... It’s hard to pin Twan Yang down. Born to a Chinese with prejudices about other communities. True, Sikkim does not When the cook told only one great magi- have an obvious communal divide, but enter the homes and the father and Tibetan mother, he grew up in Kalimpong and worked in me about this job, I was Sikkim. NOW! serializes Twan Yang’s autobiography, Houseboy in India... cian, and that is money. opinions, which could later inflame into searing conflagrations, are in difficulty. How could I had knot known much all there. Passing comments, which never posed serious I go away from this place when I my heart felt! My face beamed and about money up till now. All I knew repercussions earlier, are no longer as innocent as they used to be had no excuse for leaving? Since I smiled: feet, arms and hands all was to make friends with that bag in times when violent expressions were rare. We need to be more careful and at the cost of sounding trite - more politically correct in had never made any error, my mas- worked nobly together on account in the body called stomach. But the presence of younger adults. ter would probably not want to let of this happiness. I worked so well then I learned that the absence of But that’s something we can practise at home. If we are to remain me go. If I could make some mis- because of this feeling that my mis- money was an obstacle to this free of the communalism which has already swept most of the take for my master to see, he might tress said, “What has happened to friendship; for without money my country and is trying to find its own interpretation in Sikkim, we perhaps dismiss me, or at least not you today that you seem so very friend, the stomach, could not help need to address the issue more scientifically. The best places to object to my going away to take happy?” I invented an answer, say- me and would have to be buried in start are the schools. It is perhaps time that classes be set aside to another place. ing that today was my birthday. Re- the ground. educate the younger generation on what makes their culture, their At last I thought of something. ally, I meant the birthday of a new The cook came with to the heritage and history and how that has been embellished with One day I went out in the morning place. Delhi Station to show me the train influences from elsewhere. No culture blooms in isolation and not to the bazaar and then to an Indian Now the English have a curi- and then left me, after giving me a all infleunces are acts of dilution. Similarly, no overt attempts should picture house, to the morning show ous custom that on one’s birthday ticket for Ghaziabad. I do not know be made to bring every community under one umbrella and students at eleven o’clock. This picture I saw one receives gifts to show the hap- how much he paid for it, but I felt should be allowed the chance to celebrate each community’s with great enjoyment, then I con- piness of the occasion. So now my very grateful for his kindness to a individuality. Once they know of other cultures and are also aware tinued to walk around the bazaar mistress very kindly gave me a pair poor boy. I came at length to the of their own, they will not feel threatened. The paranoia which keeps Sikkim from achieving what it is worth will then hopefully be cured. till three o’clock in the afternoon. I of new shoes and a packet of choco- station at Ghaziabad and got down There is no need to keep the future generation in the dark about came home too late for my usual late as a birthday gift. This gave me to the platform from the third-class differences which exist between different communities here. work. My mistress was angry with the greatest joy and at the same time carriage with my little box and the Perhaps, if they are well informed about the points of attrition, they me and began to abuse me in Eng- caused a great deal of trouble in my bedding. I went straight toward the will also be able to work out a solution. They might even discard lish with all kinds of nasty words mind, for now that she showed, for railway office near the platform the whole concept of notional contradictions. But, they will be able such as ‘dirty dog’ and ‘fool’. But the first time in a long while, kind with my letter and showed it to a to do so only if trusted with the information. What the coming since I did not understand the feelings towards me, I no longer felt railway babu, asking how I could generation has to learn is that conflict is inevitable, but violence meaning of the words, I did not so sure I should leave this place and find the place given in the address. isn’t. They have to learn that we, as Sikkimese, do not have to mind her abuse. go to Ghaziabad. Thinking this, I - to be continued agree upon everything, but it would be nice if we could live comfortably with different points of views. The time for sweeping Democracy does not only allow a person the liberty of holding an opinion, but also expressing it publicly. If you feel strongly about stereotypical judgements is gone. Sikkim might not be a violent something that has been reported in NOW! or have an opinion on some recent development, then share it with a wider audience. State at present, but it could still borrow a tip from what schools While the LETTERS section will carry responses to articles and news carried in NOW!, ACTION MAIL is about complaints and elsewhere in the world are trying out - including nonviolent conflict grievances. Wherever possible, NOW! shall also search out a response to the Action Mail. If not, then at least a complaint would resolution workshops in their curriculum. have been filed in the public domain. write to: NOW!, Gairi Gaon, Tadong, East Sikkim. or email: [email protected]

dubious distinction of spreading the name of DAMARU LAL BHANDARI the nation far and wide given his credentials f course, one could cite so many co CRY, THE BELOVED and of course his status as a politician. In gent examples when it comes to il fact, this is happening on its own with the Olustrate the fact that the incumbent rebels running amok in the countryside and government led by none other than Surya COUNTRY killing in gay abandon while the foreign press Bahadur Thapa is illegitimate and lacks the sees to it that Nepal hits media headlines back desired constitutional authority and mandate However, all this is something which could victs awarded capital punishment. at home. Then there is defense establishment, to remain in place even a second more. be expected to happen only in a realm where The example to establish the fact that which sees victory in huge setback. What is What’s more, he lacks even basic per- law takes its own course and thieves, pick- Thapa government is wholly il- also being overlooked is the rapes perpetrated sonal dignity expected from someone who is pockets, hardened crimi- legitimate would run on rural womenfolk. occupying the government secretariat, which nals, drug-traffickers, elsewhere into a book-length story. I w onder whether the people of Iceland, had at times been occupied by some deserv- bootleggers, wheeler-deal- That is if it undergoes the for example, had ever heard of Nepal before ing people and who could be identified as ers and promiscuous elements caught with rigor of prob- ing and narrating the entire although they are now reading every lurid de- the representatives of the people. But more their pants down are punished by hanging on trail of events, which prevailed upon the mon- tail about this nation and what is going wrong about that in the subsequent section. the nearest electricity poles. Not here for sure. arch when it came to decide whether he must and who is responsible and abetting it, too. To begin with, one could say none other And given the scenario, I am not expect- stick to Chand or go with Thapa. Oh yes, They are also learning that there is a monarch than the monarch picked him up, with none ing anything good happening here until the future historians have a tough task in hand, calling the shots in the twenty-first century of the parties that should be having complete law takes its own course, until there is right with the past historians going down in his- while, of course, the parliament stands dis- say in the affairs of the state conferred on the person on the right seat at the right time and tory after coming up with a largely porno- solved and lawmakers go begging around, issue as to who should succeed his predeces- crimes mentioned in the preceding section graphic account of the event. with elections a forgotten story altogether. sor Lokendra Bahadur Chand fast enough. are not treated as serious offenses and con- What I know for sure is Thapa enjoys the turn to pg 6 CMYK
NEWSSCAN 01 April, 2004; NOW! 3 Disability Rehab Centre handed over to Social Welfare Deptt. to extend support towards the ANAND OBEROI rights of the disabled. He also gave GANGTOK, 31 March: The District Cintury assures the good his assurance that the Health De- Disability Rehabilitation Centre partment would continue to give [DDRC] was formally handed over their support towards providing to the Social Welfare Department, work will continue aid, accessories and facilities to the Government of Sikkim by AYJNIHH, disabled in the state. Mumbai, here at Ladakhi Building, staff of DDRC, officers of VHAS Thanking the Health Depart- STNM Hospital today. and SWD, doctors and officers of ment for providing all technical DDRCs have been set up in the Department of Health. assistance to DDRC in the past various states in the country with Nodal Officer, N. Lepcha in his years, the Chief Guest Ms. the aim of providing comprehen- handing-over speech said that ever Cintury said that while earlier sive rehabilitation services to the since it was established, DDRC has DDRC was being handled by an Persons With Disabilities [PWDs] provided the best aid and appli- NGO, now it would be the re- under one roof. ances to the disabled people in the sponsibility of the SWD. In Sikkim, it was being run at state. Although there were some She guaranteed that the staff STNM hospital in collaboration doubts voiced initially about the would be retained so that the disa- with the Social Welfare Depart- possibility of sustaining the project, bled do not face problems as the ment, with help from the Home all obstacles had been overcome by 10 dedicated workers were already Department. In the past three years, the dedication of the staff and the qualified at the national level. She DDRC has reached its services to concerned departments, he said. also made it clear that all the cen- 4,624 persons with disabilities by He also handed over equipment tral rules and acts would be given providing various kinds of hearing, and accessories to the Social Wel- full priority and that the Govern- visual and ortho aid. fare Department. ment of Sikkim was committed to The Chief Guest for the func- Saying that 5,000 aid appli- Social Welfare Principal Secretary, Ms. C. Cintury [centre], goes through the the provisions of the People With tion was C. Cintury, Principal Sec- ances had been given to the disa- documents which formalise the handing over of DDRC to her department Disabilities Act. retary, Social Welfare. The Guest of bled in the state which covered Informing that new schools for honour was Dr. DK Subba, Direc- about 30 per cent of disabled in assistance to the disabled. He dis- ment, the disabled would continue the disabled were being opened in tor, Health & Family Welfare. Oth- Sikkim, he asked the Department closed that Sikkim was the first to get their rights. Saying that the the State, she asked government ers present were N Lepcha, Joint to ensure that the figure goes up to state in the North-East that pro- picture all over the country for pro- offices and movie halls to make Secretary, SWD, Nodal Officer, 100 per cent. duced equipment for the disabled. viding facilities and protection of adequate infrastructure for the disa- DDRC, Mr. Matthew, Gangtok, Dr. SK Dewan, who has been Dr. Subba, in his speech hoped the rights of the disabled people bled. She further said that the Elec- AYJNIHH, Administrator DDRC, closely associated with the DDRC that now that the responsibility had was not very encouraging, he tion Commission had already sen- Dr SK Dewan, HOD/Ortho, Deepa programme, said that it was one of shifted from the Health Depart- hoped that Sikkim being a small sitized the polling officers about the Rani Thapa, Dy Secretary, SWD, the best ways to provide help and ment to the Social Welfare Depart- state could create the political will provisions for the disabled to vote. State Supervisory Board holds meet to warn against prenatal sex-determination ECI appoints STUDY REVEALS, SIKKIM’S WORKING Observers WOMEN PREFER DAUGHTERS for Sikkim GANGTOK, 31 March: The Elec- ness on the same among the masses. sex ratio was 927 females per 1000 state was one reason for the low sex RANJIT SINGH tion commission has appointed AK The family welfare programme males, for Sikkim it was 875:1000. ratio of Sikkim as was the low lit- Agnhotri, Malini V. Shankar and GANGTOK, 31 March: Sex deter- was based on an integrated, bottom- “On the other hand, if the 0-6 age eracy rate and poor nutrition among Saurabh Chandra as Observers for mination before birth is to be made a up approach driven by the needs group of children were included in females. He also revealed that the the coming elections in Sikkim. criminal act. This was revealed in a and demands of the society. Its ba- the sex ratio then the number of fe- north district had the lowest sex ratio Several officers from the State meeting held by the State Supervi- sic premise was the right of a males per 1000 males shoots up to in the state, which according to him have also been deputed as Observ- sory Board under Pre Natal Diagnos- woman to her sex, to have a child 986 which is the highest in the coun- was due to the many projects being ers to other states for the coming tic Technique [PNDT] Amendment in a safe and secure manner and her try,” the Health Secretary revealed. undertaken there, which involved the elections. Act, 2002 at Hotel Sonam Palgey right to be informed and provided A survey conducted by the importing of labour. TW Barfungpa has been sent to today. The meet was organised by the the best and safest health facilities. health department for the past cou- The targets of the Reproductive 3-Churu, Rajasthan, Dorji Dadul to Deptt. of Health & Family Welfare, The various officials of the ple of years had revealed that while and Child Health scheme under 15- Sabarkantha, Gujarat, Tobzor and was attended largely by members State Health De- 83% of the ur- 10th plan policy of the State Gov- Dorjee, Reserve, Sangay D Basi to of the State Supervisory Committee. partment pro- Health Secy ban population ernment were highlighted as 100 2-Tura, Meghalaya, Lobzang The Director, Family Welfare vided a status re- speaks at preferred a son per cent institution delivery Bhutia to 6-Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, the meet warned of the penalties to be faced port on the exist- a very healthy Also, to be implemented was Alok K Srivastava to 5-Chandni by those indulging in sex determi- ing maternal and 78% were com- the PNDT Amendment Act, 2002 Chowk, Delhi, Suresh Chandra nation and selection. child health situ- fortable with as per the order of the Supreme Gupta to 2-Arunachal East, Gyan “Firstly, the pregnant woman ation in the state. having a daugh- Court. The Act was first formulated Prakash Upadhyaya to Mumbai herself will come under the scanner The Health ter. Those be- in 1994 and came into effect in the South, Maharashtra, VB Pathak to as will her family. Secondly, the doc- Secretary, while longing to the year 1996. The Act prohibits sex 52-Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, tor involved will have his license addressing the au- SC/ST category, determination before birth; it seeks Girmee Goparma to Latur, cancelled for 2 years for a first-time dience, expressed along with em- to regularise its implementation and Maharashtra, Nari Tshering to offence and then permanently if concern on the Survey shows ployed women, prevent the misuse of the technique Mangaldoi, Assam, Nangzey found guilty again. There will also falling sex ratio in all preferred a involved (ultra sound sonography) Dorjee to 4-Bilaspur, Chattisgarh be a fine of Rs. 1 lakh and a jail term the state but at the 78% of Sikkimese daughter. The which is also used to detect genetic and BP Pradhan, Reserve. of up to 5 years,” she informed. same time said couples low sex-ratio disorders and other abnormalities [IPR] With pre-natal sex-determina- that female foeti- comfortable with was therefore in the foetus. tion tests becoming very popular in cide though confusing. Under the direction of the Su- India, especially in the mainland, prevalent in the a girl child; The Health preme Court, for the proper imple- call NOW! @ and the misuse of ultrasound country was not Sikkim has Secretary rea- mentation of the Act, every state sonography techniques, an aware- an issue in Sikkim highest girl to soned that influx was to set up a State Supervisory 953592 ness campaign on maternal and as it was not boy ratio in of workers from Board, three Appropriate Authority child health has been launched by practiced here. other parts of the Committee and Advisory Commit- 270949 the Dept. of Health to create aware- While the national country in 0-6 country in the tees at the district level. age-group CMYK 4; NOW!; 01 April, 2004 POWERPLAY
Chakung moves Tamang to Gangtok FORMER LIEUTENANT SEES A lobby wants Contd from pg 1 one more developed between him and the peo- DICTATOR IN BHANDARI ticket ple after having worked for them for the past nine and a half years. a NOW REPORT DADUL SAYS EXPULSION a NOW REPORT People from his constituency GANGTOK, 31 March: Chewang GANGTOK, 31 March: A press did make it to Gangtok after much Dadul Bhutia, former Secretary of release issued by Nima Norbu Lama, travails of getting delayed at ILLEGAL; WARNS ELECTORATE SPCC [I], has claiming to speak on behalf of the Rangpo and being allowed reacted sharply Tamang supporters of the Sikkim through only in batches. Heavy de- to media-re- Democratic Front has demanded ployment of police personnel in AGAINST BHANDARI ports of his be- that one more member of their com- Gangtok directed their movement ing expelled undemocratic in a national party being served a show-cause notice. munity be awarded a party ticket. which was limited to a show of from the party which is governed by a written con- “Therefore,” he says, “the decision Although ten names still remain to strength procession before being by its president stitution.” to expel me is illegal and mala-fide.” be announced, the release, while re- led back. The supporters, however, Nar Bahadur “I supported Mr. Bhandari for He says he has already written iterating that the Tamangs of Sikkim wanted to meet the party high- Bhandari. Ex- more than ten years and he always to the AICC president, Mrs. Sonia continue to “stand” by the party command and the Chief Minister pelled day before yesterday for al- relied on me during his difficult Gandhi and the CWC [Sikkim] president Pawan Chamling and himself. That did not happen and leged “anti-party activities,” Mr. days in the Opposition. He consist- incharge, Salman Khurshid about SDF, stresses that Tamangs deserve the vehicles returned. Bhutia has termed the decision as ently projected me as the candidate his illegal expulsion. one more candidate. When asked to comment on the mala-fide, arbitrary and against the to the Assembly from the Sang- Serving a warning to the elector- While appreciating the work of party decision to send him to Cen- interests of the Congress in the State. Martam constituency. I have even ate, Mr. Chewang appealed to the peo- the SDF government especially in tral Pendam which could be con- “By expelling me from the spent my own money in nurturing ple of Sikkim and to those of Sang- securing Schedule Tribe status for sidered the toughest fight in the SPCC, Mr. Bhandari has proved the constituency. This decision to Martam in particular to be careful and the Tamang and Limbu communi- upcoming polls as it pits Mr. once again his dictatorial style of nominate Sonam Bhutia as the par- cautious during the ensuing polls. ties, the press release commends the Tamang against Mr. Bhandari in a functioning for which he is ty’s official candidate from Sang- “We cannot saddle Mr. Bhandari SDF high-command for its timely constituency which voted in the lat- known,” claims Mr. Chewang. Martam without even consulting on the chair and make him a dicta- intervention and struggle towards ter’s favour last time around, Mr. He also calls the decision taken me is most unfortunate,” he says. tor for another five years,” he says. the attainment of this end. Tamang said: “I a loyal party by Mr. Bhandari to field Sonam Mr. Bhutia has also accused Mr. “We are a democracy and we must But the community has taken worker. I am a soldier who will go Bhutia from the Sang-Martam con- Bhandari of violating the letter and elect democrats as our leaders to exception to being given only one and fight wherever the party de- stituency as the Congress candidate spirit of the constitution of the INC govern the state for the next five seat for the Assembly elections cides to send me. See, individually, as “equally arbitrary, dictatorial and as he was expelled without even years,” he concludes. while the Limbus have been given I am nothing. It is the party that four seats. makes me and the party will be sup- Claiming that the voter share of porting me in Central Pendam too.” Tamangs has increased from 14,186 Mr. Tamang, who was also the The process of welcoming in 1999 to 16,000 according to lat- Industries and Animal Husbandry est trends, the Tamangs feel that the Minister in the present term, admit- new faces continues 4:1 seat declaration has created a ted that the party had reposed great sense of injustice among them. faith in him by sending him to Cen- Mr. Rai visited Jorethang today The process of acceptance, which a NOW REPORT The release has also voiced res- tral Pendam. and was received by some 150 party started yesterday with incumbent MLA ervations about the party decision “The party has shouldered me NAMCHI, 31 March: After much supporters in an indication of this from Rinchenpong, OT Lepcha, welcom- to field PS Tamang from Central with great responsibility and I have suspense over who would find favour support. On his first visit to Jorethang ing Dawcho Lepcha as the new candi- Pendam as they fear that his trans- to meet the expectations it has from with parliamentary board of the SDF since the announcement of his can- date, continued with Tulsi Prasad fer from a confirmed seat might me,” he said, while adding that he to win a ticket for Jorethang, an answer didature, Mr. Rai also called on ticket Pradhan, sitting MLA from Hee leave the Tamangs with no repre- would be arriving in Gangtok the came with the announcement of KN hopeful Binod Rai at Mickhola. Bermiock extending support to NK sentation in the Assembly at all. next day [1 April] to take charge of Rai’s candidature for the constituency. “It was a simple meeting and Subba as the new candidate for the con- The release also expresses hope his new responsibilities. Mr. Rai was shifted from his constitu- not concerned with any political or stituency. A press release issued by him that their “boldness” is “absorbed in He also added that now that the ency of Wok to this border constitu- campaigning strategies,” Mr. today calls upon the panchayats and party a positive manner” since it is not an emotions had lowered a bit, he was ency yesterday. Even though there were Binod Rai later revealed. The area workers of Hee Bermiock to “whole attempt to offend the party president. speaking with party supporters in reservations over how Jorethang would candidate will be coming to heartedly support and work for the inter- Chakung and convincing them to react, reports indicate that this SDF Jorethang again and will then de- est and success of the party and to ensure accept the party decision in the stronghold has decided to respect the clare the place and time for the the victory of NK Subba with a huge right spirit. party high-command’s decision. launch of his campaign, he added. margin in the forthcoming elections.” LIST IS FINAL, STRESSES DD GANGTOK, 31 March: The Sikkim Democratic Front has reit- erated that the list of 22 candidates for the Assembly polls released here yesterday was the final list and there would be no changes in it. Addressing party supporters at the SDF head-office here today, the vice-president [administration], DD Bhutia said that the list had been prepared by the Parliamentary Board keeping in mind the aspirations and the welfare of the people of the State and has been approved by all sec- tions of the party cadre. Being a party based on ideology and princi- ples, all decisions taken by the SDF were for the well being of the peo- ple of the State, Mr. Bhutia said. Meanwhile, the party workers from the Pathing Constituency in East Sikkim have welcomed the candidature of Mingma Sherpa and extended full support to him, a press statement from the SDF head office read.

CMYK
NEWSSCAN 01 April, 2004; NOW! 5 Russian Year of the Roerich’s makes a Kalimpong stop KARAN SHAH Russian Amabassdor visits Kalimpong, want’s KALIMPONG, 31 March: Helena Roerich, wife of eminent Russian painter Nicholas Roerich, town’s Roerich connection publicised spent the last eight years of her life Crookerty, the house in which she “This year,” he said, “has been all organizations are welcome to in- helped strengthen Indo-Russian in Kalimpong, where she settled lived, into a museum dedicated to dedicated to them in Russia and has vest in Crookerty now that it is be- bonds. In many ways, the Roerichs with her son George in 1947. She the Roerich family. been named as the International ing turned into a museum. remain the bridge that connects was revered by the local people as Today, it was the turn of the Year of the Roerich’s.” Roerich belonged to a distin- Russia and India on the cultural a great spiritual teacher and philan- Russian Ambassador Extraordinary In Russia postage stamps and guished Russian family, whose front. Though the Kalimpong ini- thropist. A disciple of Mahatma to India and Plenipotentiary of the coins have also been issued to com- members had strong ties with India. tiative will not be handled directly Morya, she is best known for writ- Russian Federation Alexander M. memorate the family. Helena Roerich dedicated her by the Russian consulate, it will ing about Agni Yoga - a spiritual Kadakin to pay his respects by vis- “We’d also love if the history of life to India in more ways than one. support local efforts by providing discipline she learnt from her guru. iting the White Stupa where Helena the Roerich family and the White She worked for peace and under- documents and samples of work. As part of the initiative to Roerich was cremated at Buddhist Stupa of Helen be included in all of standing and was deeply involved honour Roerich, the Agni Yoga Gompa [Durpin Dara]. Later he the guide books and the history of in the country’s spiritual heritage. Helena Roerich died in practitioners are converting also visited her cottage, Crookerty. the place,” he said, while adding that The entire Roerich family has Kalimpong on 5 October, 1955. BHANDARI’S BAZAAR YATRA Full fledged post office for Majitar Contd from pg 1 former Chief Minister visits them in their homes. But these are election times. And the netas are only too aware of the importance of reaching out directly to the people. A handshake, a few pleasantries exchanged. Af- ter all, Gangtok ko janata has al- ways favoured the Opposition. It did so the last time around, and before that and before that… Amarnathan inaugurates the post office while Sameul [left] and Grewal look on The Congress MP candidate is pursued till its realization. also here. Biraj Adhikari says it is also SAGAR CHETTRI the official kickoff of his campaign Post Office festival for the Lok Sabha berth as well. MAJITAR, 31 March: Majitar to- A Post Office festival and Philately The entourage stops at a popu- day got a new and full fledged post Exhibition was inaugurated today, lar Chia Dokan for chia ra samosa. office inaugurated by Vice Chancel- 31 March, at Majitar. Organized by The chiawalah is flattered; quickly lor, Sikkim Manipal University, LC the postal department, the venue for Amarnathan. John Samuel, Postmas- the three day festival and exhibition adjusts chairs for to seat all Bhandari, flanked by party officials, on his MG Marg canvassing walk Congreesis. A group of ladies el- ter General, North Bengal and is the SMIT campus. Cultural pro- bow their way closer. More khadas, time? “The Congress will form the NOW! His coterie shake their heads Sikkim region was present as the grammes and a quiz competition are more namastes. Even they are of- next Government. The ruling party in agreement. Plenty of smiles and chief guest for the inaugural function also scheduled for the entertainment fered tea and samosas. is breaking up. Lots of infighting. lively chatter. along with RS Grewal, Director, of anyone interested. So, how are your chances this Bad condition,” Mr. Bhandari tells The public response. “Some SMIT, Dr. Marak, Director Postal The stamps on display are of a excitement on a boring afternoon Service, Sikkim State, post office wide ranging variety; from games to with hardly any business happen- staff and SMIT students. personalities, from maps to cartoons. DISCOUNTS FOR BEST FLOORING ing,” says a shopkeeper, even as he The welcome address was deliv- Also on display are stamps related waits outside his shop to greet the ered by DB Rai which was followed to various periods in Indian history former Chief Minister. by Asish John, general secretary, as well as unique Bhutan 3D stamps. Wooden parquet flooring, Lucky Student Council, taking the dais Dr. Marak, Director Postal PVC floor tiles, PVC wood plank, The bazar ko janata give the former CM a warm reception. during which he thanked the postal Service, Sikkim in his welcome tiles, Vista floor, SUper marblex, Whether this will actually translate department for the new PO at speech mentioned stamps to be Wall Heritage Surface, Textures, into votes, we will have to wait and Majitar saying the student commu- jewels of the country. He then went Spray polish, Japanese technology. see. What the Bazaar yatra also con- nity there would greatly benefit from on to relate the history of stamps. firmed is that Gangtok’s getting Mr. it. RS Grewal, Director, SMIT, too Then John Samuel released the contact: Bhandari’s candidature. thanked the post master general for Special Cover a new type of letter TIKA ENTERPRISES the opening of the new post office. pad cum envelope. Near Krishi Bhawan Gate email NOW! LC Amarnathan, VC, Sikkim In his address he promised to 31 A NH, Uma Cottage Manipal revealed that the proposal equip other post offices in the state Tadong, Sikkim - 737102 sikkimnow@ had been forwarded by them a long with advanced facilities as well as Ph: 231394 M: 98320 96499 rediffmail.com time ago and since it filled a vital open a “post shop” where every communication gap it had been postal item would be available.

ACTUAL PRODUCT MAY DIFFER FROM THE PICTURE SHOWN. CMYK 6; NOW!; 01 April, 2004 ELSEWHERE
Maoists explode three bombs CRY, THE BELOVED in Bhaktapur, prohibitory orders COUNTRY and decorum but as also someone imposed in Kathmandu Contd from pg 2 who lacked desired constitutional KATHMANDU, 31 March: Mao- fice left two civilians injured, police said. Teendhara Paathsala Chowk, Of course, what is surely not authority insofar as he dithered from ist rebels exploded bombs at three The injured are undergoing Ghantaghar and Ranoddip Chowk. going missing on them is there is a fielding questions from reporters on separate ward offices of Bhaktapur treatment at Bhaktapur Hospital. The measure bans demonstrations pitchforked Prime Minister who Thursday. It is true that the reporters Municipality in Nepal on Wednes- In the meantime, Kathmandu and protest programs in these areas. goes by the name of (Surya were there to submit a memorandum day morning injuring two people. District Administration Office The order has been imposed as Bahadur) Thapa. Excuse me for and never invited as press corps in The series of bombs exploded at [DAO] has issued prohibitory or- per the Local Administration Act leaving out the names of equally the first place. But what was incum- Ward no. 12, 15 and 16 office build- ders at more public places effective 2028 BS, DAO said. Earlier, DAO illustrious ministers, who are pre- bent on the occupant of the govern- ings respectively at five-minute in- from today. had issued prohibitory orders on 21 siding over the disaster while the ment secretariat is that he should have tervals. The explosions resulted in According to the order issued by March, 2004 after agitating politi- nation cries. I wonder whether read- behaved as a political animal and not minor damage to the offices. the DAO, the extended prohibited cal parties intensified their protest ers in Iceland or anywhere for that dithered to even open his mouth fear- The explosion at Ward no. 12 of- areas include Bhotahiti, Jamal, programs in Kathmandu. matter must be giving Nepal a ing the unimaginable. longer thought given the fact that I am sure there is no fixed ways people there do not waste time the in which a politician must speak in Here Comes the Punctuation Vigilante way we are known to. public and in front of the press. Tibet gets Which, incidentally, explains Improvisation is the key and if the In the land of Shakespeare, punc- coast-to-coast tour of North the longevity of the illegitimate information can be of any use to tuation faced extinction until writer America for the launch of the book government just because we have Thapa, he must keep in mind that its first Lynne Truss came to the rescue there next month. failed to turn up at the city center the person who has the desired dig- with a clutch of carefully placed “My sense of it is that British as a mark of protest. Meanwhile, I nity and moral authority for the billionaire commas and colons. English is worse actually than envy the Spanish people in particu- position is none other than Krishna Taking a zero tolerance ap- American English. I think Ameri- lar and the European people in gen- Prasad Bhattarai. he remote Himalayan region of proach to grammatical lapses, she cans really like rules. I think we in eral for general level of political Blame, of course, the vagaries TTibet has produced its first bil- wrote a sprightly guide to punctua- Britain are very slapdash and don’t awareness demonstrated by them of politics that none can occupy the lionaire, the state media reported tion, “Eats, shoots and leaves,” that care if we are right or wrong.” soon after the blast that killed over post forever. And Bhattarai was no earlier this week. has sold more than half a million But Hollywood has certainly 200 in Madrid. exception. Reporters would cer- Qoinpe Cering [49] was born copies in Britain alone and soared enraged Truss, a feisty columnist Some two million people turn- tainly have come back a contended in a poor family in a small village to the top of bestseller lists. and broadcaster who would happily ing up at the city center would have lot had they Bhattrai as Prime Min- near Xigaze city in the Tibet Au- Now, honing her crusading zeal reach for her marker pen to put in long settled the issue dogging the ister instead of Thapa who could tonomous Region in southwest over misplaced apostrophes, Truss punctuation where Tinseltown of- nation back home for sure. not dare to utter even simple state- China. is off to the United States to ensure fers none. “What about that film However the fact that whether ment fearing reprisals. He made a fortune by setting up transatlantic tidiness reigns su- Two Weeks Notice? Where was the they were fit for the job or not is In fact he had all the opportu- a company specialising in building preme on the printed page. apostrophe?” she asks, enraged that altogether a different issue and nity to lash out at the errant politi- houses in the unique Tibetan style, She fervently believes the there is no apostrophe at the end of could be debated separately on cians on this side of the political Xinhua news agency reported from Internet, e-mails and text Weeks. other occasions. Now suffice it to divide but given the consequences Tibet’s capital Lhasa. messaging have widened people’s say that they were the true and le- he decided to shut up and rightly Before 1951, slave owners horizons, but treat punctuation like gitimate representatives of the peo- so. Perhaps he had been told to made up only five per cent of the unnecessary linguistic baggage. ple but have been told to stand. keep shut following the Bhojpur total population of Tibet but con- Truss, who says she is a stick- Someone who said that there are faux pas in which he had famously trolled 95 per cent of its wealth. But ler for accuracy and not an obses- people who have Prime Minister condemned the massacre as a nor- today there is no dearth of million- sive pedant, thinks the English have for breakfast must be a political mal phenomenon before he was aires in rural Tibet, the report adds. lost touch with the language they genius and visionary. Sad to see that given a good pasting in private. However, Tibet is still a poor invented and gave to the world. it had to happen here of all the na- This is the latest example as to why region as a whole compared with But she will not cast the first PPositive tions in this wide, wide world. people say he does not have the de- many other parts of China. The an- stone at the Americans, often This brings us to the initial argu- sired constitutional authority. nual disposable income of farm- mocked by the haughty British for ment whereby Thapa was flayed as Cry the beloved country. ers and herdsmen in Tibet aver- bastardizing their mother tongue. bereft of not only personal dignity courtesy: Kantipur Online aged $183 in 2002, against $748 “American education seems to Summer Collection for farmers in Shanghai, China’s take grammar quite seriously,” she Hotel Golden Pagoda ADMISSION ANNOUNCEMENT largest city. STYLE MG Marg, Gangtok said before leaving on a 10-city, AIEE & AFMC For 2004 Entrance Exam [Starting 1st April, 2004] INTRODUCING SIKKIM TO SERVICE @ ITS BEST BY A GROUP OF EXPERTS FROM SACHDEVA INST. REGULAR COURSE FOR 2005 AIEE, PMT, AIIMS, AFMC, CET, DCE ETC. RIMC COACHING IS ALSO GOING ON Contact: Mrs. Dey, Career’s Counselling Institute, Tibet Road, Gangtok. ph: 226510, 94341-53355 C.C.I CONDUCTS COACHING FOR C.E.T. (SIKKIM) UNDER STATE QUOTA in Association Vajra Guru Dhungdrup with at Pemayangtse monastery, West Sikkim NOW! The Vajra Guru Dhungdrup or recitations at Pemayangtse Gompa, Sikkim’s premier monastery in West Sikkim will commence from 8th April 2003 ( Lunar calendar : Dawa Nyipa Tsey Chopgay). The recitations will be headed by his Eminence Yangthang Rimpoche. Devotees and interested persons from all over Sikkim who are interested to participate at the recitations are invited to join us. We would also like to inform that we will be providing free fooding and lodging for those participating at the recitations. However, please bring your own utensils like plates, mugs and spoons. Once again all are invited to join us for the recitations. Dueche, Pemayangtse Gompa

CMYK
PERSONALFINANCE 01 April, 2004; NOW! 7 CLASSIFIEDS BUY YOUR HOME LAND FOR SALE Land for Sale at Sichey [above DC Court] and Tadong [above Manipal Hospital]. For details, NOW, PAY LATER contact: 9434028001

WHAT TO LOOK FOR? HOW TO CALCULATE EMI NOTICE Never get taken in by advertisements/ commercials that offer you loans Most housing loan sites have what is called an EMI calculator. Here State Bank of Sikkim Employ- at 8 per cent or now even 7.75 per cent interest rate. you enter the loan you need, the tenure and the interest rate offered ees’ Association raffle draw There’s always an ** over such figures. And if you can locate where for that tenure. that ** is explained in very, very fine print, you will see terms, like inter- You will get the amount that you have to pay per month. extended up to 16.05.2004. est rates for fixed tenure, terms and conditions apply, et cetera. INTEREST RATES Norbu Tamang, Always go by one thumb rule: The bank that offers you the lowest Almost all banks offer different interest rates for different tenures. The General Secretary EMI [equated monthly installments] is the best. lowest interest is always offered for the short-term loans. ph: 9434117402 Hence, you will get the lowest interest rates for tenures up to 5 281469 [r] years. This will progressively increase as the term increases. he prospect of owning a roof over your head and the ground All banks offer floating rates and fixed interest rates loans, too. FOR RENT beneath your feet couldn’t be any more real than it is today. No A floating rate loan means that the interest rates prevailing will be longer do you have to put aside every penny over a lifetime to applicable. So, if the interest rates go down your EMI will also reduce Barsaana College Building & be able to consider such a big-time purchase. A combination of proportionately and vice versa. Hostel available for rent in T A fixed interest rate means that your EMI is fixed and will remain Kalimpong after June 2004. realistic and affordable property prices, an abundance of properties to Contact B K Ghatraj. choose from, low-cost financing options and attractive income-tax con- unchanged despite fluctuations in lending rates. Phone: 953552-257810 cessions have brought this dream closer to your doorsteps. Most experts feel that interest rates in India are on their way down If you have the inclination but not the money, don’t fret. Help is at and so a floating rate is the best option. EARN hand in the form of housing finance companies and banks, offering low- PRE-PAYMENT CLAUSE: This is an important thing to look for. When you take a loan, you are Excellent Money Making cost loans. Interest rates on housing loans are at an all time low with most always looking at it from the point-of-view of your present income lev- Franchise Opportunity banks offering around 7.5 per cent. els. Five years from now, you are most likely to be earning at much available for Foreign Education In Sikkim, the State Bank of India claims to offer the lowest rate of higher levels. and Employment. Interested interest on housing loans. Housing loans are available for government Most will want to pay off their loans much faster. Always look for a parties please e-mail: employees. The schemes are divided into three categories, Teachers+, bank that will allow you to pre-pay without any terms and conditions. [email protected] Police+, and Prasashan+. The bank has been reducing its housing interest Some will allow you to only pay in multiples of EMI that you pay FOR SALE rate regularly, with the present rate of interest being 7.25% for up to 5 and allow you to pre-pay only so many times in a year. Select a bank years, 7.75% for 5-15 years and 8% for 15-20 years. that allows you to pre-pay any amount. Pure Jersy Cows for immediate sale in Kalimpong. Says Kumar Gazmer, Deputy Manager, Personal Segment Advance PROCESSING FEES: Contact: B K Ghatraj. Centre, Gangtok Branch, “We get a lot of applicants for housing loans. Some banks will charge a fixed amount as processing fee. This is Phone: 953552-257810 Not only do we offer the lowest rate of interest but we also don’t charge a usually between 0.5 per cent and 1 per cent of the loan amount. processing fee. We also try and disburse the loan in three sittings.” A one-time insurance (works out to around 0.25 per cent) and a The newly opened Oriental Bank of Commerce is also marketing its fixed advocate fee of Rs 2,500 too are charged. FOR SALE HOW MUCH CAN YOU GET: housing loan segment aggressively. As in the case of other banks here, A white colored soft top gypsy The standard is 48 times your gross salary. Most nationalized banks they only feel secure giving loans to government employees on the basis in excellent condition. Price offer only 85 per cent of the cost of the property. But there are banks negotiable. Interested per- of a salary certificate. The bank has a special Griha Sewa Scheme for that will offer you up to 100 per cent of the loan amount, provided you salary plus persons. The rate of interest for housing loan is 7.5%. Says R sons contact: 220994 (R), can show them that you have the capacity to repay. 9832014371 (M). Khan, Manager, OBC, “We have a very friendly environment here. The But remember there is stamp duty, registration and other charges scheme is easy, rate of interest is very low and response is also good from that will work out to around 10 per cent of the cost of the property. the people,” Take that into your calculations. WANTED IMMEDIATELY UTI Bank offers housing loans under its Power Homes Scheme. Sala- DOCUMENTATION NEEDED: CIVIL ENGINEERS for a ried individuals working in government service or reputed companies and Most banks will ask for your latest salary slip, your bank statement for Sikkim-based construction having salary account with UTI with a net minimum salary of Rs. 7500 the last one-year and last three years’ income tax returns [would not company. per month are eligible for the loan, which comes at a higher rate of inter- apply in Sikkim]. Mail Full Biodata To est compared to other banks. If you’re a businessman/ trader you will need copies of you tax [email protected] You can avail of loans from a minimum of Rs. 1 lakh to a maximum returns for the last three years. And two guarantors. of Rs. 50 lakhs. The rate of interest is 9.75% up to 5 years and above 10% FINALLY: WONDERFUL BUSINESS Once you have selected the bank you want to do business with, sit for more than five years. OPPORTUNITY down with its officials and get a pre-approval for the loan before com- Work from home! Earn Rs. Says Jayanto Chatterjee, Assistant Vice-president, UTI, “Yes, our in- mitting on the property. terest rates are higher compared to other banks but we also give less har- Banks will only disburse the loan after you have paid stamp duty 20,000 to 60,000, per month assment and process the loan very quickly.” and registration, and your share of the money. part time. Call Dr. Supriya @ Whichever bank you may decide to approach for a home loan there Do not pour all your savings on the loan. Keep a buffer amount in 98320 55121 are some things you should know. the bank for emergencies. INCREDIBLE NATURAL WEIGHT LOSS. Nutrition & Energy products! DEALS First time in Sikkim!!! Call Kutse Shegu Kutse Shegu Dr. Supriya @ 98320 55121 th The 49 day Kutse Shegu of The 49th day Kutse Shegu of late Shyam IN ALL TO-LET late Tshering Doma who left for Moktan (M/s Siam Brothers, Tibet Road), GROUND FLOOR her heavenly abode on 20th TYPES SPACE AVAILABLE February 2004 falls on 7th April DOB 5 September 1959, who left for his th 24 feet X 40 feet, roadside at De- 2004. All friends, relatives and heavenly abode on 16 February 2004 OF MOBILE fall on 4th April 2004. All relatives, friends velopment Area. Preferably for well wishers are requested to PHONES Restaurants, Showrooms, etc. join us in offering prayers for and well wishers are requested to kindly Please Call: 03592 - the departed soul at our join us in offering prayers to be departed AND 225480 / 98320 61037 residence at Manjushree soul at our residence, Tashiling Niwas, Tadong, Gangtok. We Secretariat Road, near Mani Lakhang, ACCESSORIES LOST heartily thank all those who Gangtok. A Land record certified Khatian stood by us during the time of We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of Bazaar station belonging to bereavement and regret our those who extended their help during our time of grief Pintcho T. Ladingpa within inability to do so individually. amola Gangtok on 27 March. If found, and bereavement. please contact: Jigshel Y H. R. Sharma (Husband) CELLULAR Mrs. Tshering Deki (wife) R Ladingpa, Ladingpa building Vijay Sharma, Ajay Sharma (sons) Hishey Moktan (son) SALES & SERVICES (Sisa Golai), Vishal Goan, Neelam Sharma, Dr. Yogita Preeti Moktan (daughter) Tharo Line,Lal Market Road. Arithang Block Sharma (daughters) Ph. No.202103 Ph: 221004, Mobile: 9832062684 Or call at: 2025247 (R)

CMYK 8; NOW!; 01 April, 2004 BANDERAS’ ADMITS TO GERE CRUSH THEFINALONE
today in Actor Antonion Banderas has named RICHARD GERE as his ODDLYENOUGH same-sex crush - and the Span- History ish hunk’s wife Melanie Griffith DUCHOVNY SET FOR approves. STUDY: PUREBRED 1st April The Hollywood couple at- X-FILES COMEBACK tended the 15th annual Gay & 1578: William Harvey of Eng- DOGS RESEMBLE Lesbian Alliance Against Defama- land discovers blood circulation. avid Duchovny is planning to tion [GLAAD] Awards, where 1877: Ignoring the taunts of fel- Dreturn to the X-Files role that OWNERS low miners who say he will only made him a household name. The Banderas was handed the Van- SAN DIEGO: Those who think guard Award. find his own tombstone, pros- actor, whose departure from the TV purebred dogs look like their own- Banderas playfully revealed, “I al- pector Edward Schieffelin be- sci-fi hit led to the show’s demise, ers are barking up the right tree, but gins his search for silver in is in talks with X-Files creator Chris ways found Richard Gere very attrac- tive. He has a beautiful smile. When I matching a mutt to its master is Tombstone, Arizona. He finds Carter to recreate his Fox Mulder another thing, a study suggests. silver and Tombstone finds no- was watching movies at 18 years old, he’s character for a new movie. And he Research at the University of toriety with the Wyatt Erap the kind of guy I wanted to be. He’s cute.” doesn’t mind the fact he’ll most With nodding approval, Griffith com- California, San Diego indicates that gunfight at OK Coral. likely be appearing without his 1918: The British Royal Air mented, “I think that’s a very good choice,” when people pick a dog, they look former sidekick, Gillian Anderson, Force [RAF] is formed with the which prompted Banderas to point out, “You see? for one that, at some level, bears amalgamation of the Royal Fly- because Carter has a much bigger We have the same taste.” some resemblance to them. And ing Corps [RFC] and the Royal movie star name to tempt him with. when they get a purebred dog, they Naval Air Service [RNAS]. get what they want. 1927: 1st automatic record When given a choice of two changer introduced by HMV. ALICIA KEYS TICKETS SELL OUT IN 16 MINUTES dogs, judges correctly matched 25 1924: In Germany, Nazi Party licia Keys has proved a major say it is the first time ever that a purebreds with their owners nearly leader Adolf Hitler is sentenced attraction in Denmark - all of pop star will perform there. The two out of three times. With mutts, to five years in prison for lead- A downtown playhouse dates back to ing the Nazis’ unsuccessful the 1,200 plus tickets for her con- however, the pattern went to the dogs. “Beer Hall Putsch” in the Ger- cert at Copenhagen’s Royal Thea- 1770. Its repertoire includes clas- “When you pick a purebred, man state of Bavaria. tre were sold in just 16 minutes sical drama, ballets, operas and you pick it specifically because of 1973: John & Yoko form a new yesterday. concerts by philharmonic and how it’s going to look as a grown- country with no laws or bounda- The 23-year-old R&B singer chamber orchestras. up,” said Nicholas Cristenfeld, ries, called Nutopia, its national will perform on 16 June (04) on the Earlier this month, tickets for UCSD professor of psychology and anthem is silence theatre’s main Old Stage, which Sir Paul McCartney’s show in co-author of the study, which ap- 1973: Japan allows its citizens dates from 1874. western Denmark sold out in 11 pears in the current issue of Psy- to own gold. Officials at the Royal Theatre minutes. chological Science. THE FUTURE, NOW! They made it successfully to the MERCHANT NAVY TRAINING programme

ARIES: Loving family relationships and require a response, and other "busywork" warm personal and social contacts are em- is on the agenda. A minor but rather tense phasized now. This is a good time to cre- confrontation is likely. ate goodwill between yourself and others. LIBRA: An incident involving TAURUS: There is much activity; you miscommunications, missed messages, or move rapidly from one thing to another and missed meetings which causes a change a hectic, somewhat stressful pace is likely. of plans is likely. Co-workers may be un- Many errands, phone calls, letters which accountably inconsistent. You may also get require a response, and other "busywork" a bit of news that you will wish you hadn't. BIKASH CHETRI KRISHNA Kr.SHARMA KINCHUM PANTEN GANESH Kr.CHETRI is on the agenda. A minor but rather tense Try to take these in stride. DENTAM, WEST SIKKIM GANGTOK, EAST SIKKIM NAMTHANG, SOUTH SIKKIM BERMIOK MARTAM, WEST SIKKIM confrontation is likely. SCORPIO: You are optimistic and pos- GEMINI: Agreements and contractswill sibly extravagant now. You are less cau- work out very much to your advantage now. tious than usual, feeling that nothing can DO YOU WANT TO BE THE NEXT ONE? A friend or person in authority may offer help possibly go wrong. If you are inclined to or present an opportunity which will benefit overindulge, overspend, or go to excesses COURSES & ELIGIBILITY you now or in the future. Also, you will reap in any manner, this tendency is exagger- DECK CADET rewards later for the generosity and aid you ated at this time. 10+2 with PCM, Aget Limit: 20 yrs; or B.Sc. extend to others at this time. SAGITTARIUS: This is a time when with PCM, Age Limit: 22 yrs; or B.E. / CANCER: You are full of optimism and it is difficult to stay within a budget or on a B.Tech, Age Limit: 24 yrs enthusiasm for new enterprises and plans. diet. You want comfort and ease and have In fact, you may be foolishly overconfident luxurious tastes. You need company and G.P. RATING and take on more challenges than you can happy fellowship. It's a good time for a 10th Pass. Age Limit: 17.5 yrs to 25 yrs. really meet. This can, in fact, be a very party, as long as you don't overdo it. productive time for you if you can keep your CAPRICORN: Intense, irrationally All the above courses are approved by D.G. expectations within reasonable bounds. strong or compelling feelings emerge now Shipping, Ministry of Surface Transport, LEO: This is a difficult time period! You and intimate relationships are deeply emo- feel caught in a rut that you are unable to tional. You're apt to overreact. Govt. of India. break free from. Your daily routine feels PISCES: Intense, irrationally strong or oppressive, but improvement is not easily compelling feelings emerge now and inti- achieved. You may feel a "creative block" mate relationships are deeply emotional. PACIFIC SHIP MANAGEMENT AND SERVICES that prevents you from working with the You're apt to overreact. same level of inspiration and originality. AQUARIUS: There is much activity; C/O: Jewel of the Big Mountain Travels. NH 31 A, VIRGO: There is much activity; you you move rapidly from one thing to another Near FCI Godown, Gangtok - 1, Sikkim move rapidly from one thing to another and and a hectic, somewhat stressful pace is a hectic, somewhat stressful pace is likely. likely. A minor but rather tense confronta- Ph: 03592-225361. Cell: 9832089774. E-mail: [email protected] Many errands, phone calls, letters which tion is likely.

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