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at the Maritime Foundation at ment produced by the Funway mem- No “unscrupulous” tricks, they defend Chennai,” he said. bers proves that they can open accounts Sea Rock Ship Management had for associates at the Vasant Kunj branch them. Promises of zero-balance ac- Management and Funway Marketing recently authorised HS Gautam and from anywhere in . a NOW REPORT counts, debit cards and other impres- were not linked in any way. It just so Sonam Topden Bhutia to open a “Even if our member’s account is sive banking jargon were to be used to happened that the Sea Rock representa- branch office here in Gangtok, which opened in the Vasant Kunj branch of the GANGTOK: When the UTI Bank, embellish their services. tives were also associated with Funway. would cater to the entire Northeast- UTI, one would still be able to operate Gangtok office, in a hastily called Press Jayanta K. Chatterjee, Asst. Vice- The managing director of Sea Rock ern region. Apparently, the only link accounts from anywhere in the country conference on December 17, accused President, Branch Head, UTI Bank, Ship Management based in New Delhi, between the Sea Rock Ship Manage- through the ATM or online facilities. employees of a multi-level home-mer- Gangtok, had told NOW! that such Rakesh Kumar, who was here recently ment and Funway Marketing is that There is no question any unscrupulous chandising network company of unscru- practices were unscrupulous. “There said that they have nothing to do with Mr. Gautam and Mr. Bhutia are also practice here,” Mr. Bhutia defended. pulous practices and issued a caution is no guarantee that the payment you UTI Bank or Funway. members of the multi-level marketing In fact, Funway officials who notice to the public warning them against make to such people will result in an “We are a merchant navy com- company Funway. were here in the capital after the news such practices, the story was naturally account. They could just make away pany, and our presence in is Contrary to what the UTI Bank first broke out even hinted that the lapped up by the newspapers. with all your money,” he had said. limited to the fact that we are doing staff said, Funway has an agreement local branch might have planted the Names such as Sea Rock Ship It was reported that the company the recruitment for Star Cruises. We with the UTI Bank at Vasant Kunj story since they would be losing busi- Management Pvt. Ltd. and Funway could open the accounts in a Delhi only collect bio-data of prospective branch at New Delhi, Funway ness to a branch outside Sikkim. Marketing (P) Ltd. were mentioned. branch of UTI bank with which the candidates and provide them training members attractive incentives. A docu- Apparently, two persons, claiming to parent company, Funway, had an un- IN be Funway representatives, had ap- derstanding for offering similar services. proached the UTI office at MG Marg When Mr. Chatterjee called up the Toong-Naga gets a social enquiring about application forms to Delhi office in the presence of report- rajdhani open new accounts in the Bank. The ers, he was told that Vasantkunj branch Bank officials became suspicious, of UTI Bank in Delhi does have a simi- association of its own since only staff members carrying lar understanding Funway for, but there its General Secretary, the Association WHEN photo identity cards are authorised to was no arrangement in any part of the a NOW REPORT has Karma Gyaltsen. solicit business from the public. Northeast. In fact the Delhi office made The Association has been formed Bank officials reveal that on fur- it clear that UTI Bank had not entered GANGTOK: The Toong-Naga Wel- for the social, economic, cultural and LOVE ther questioning, the duo admitted to into similar arrangements anywhere else fare Association held its first meeting educational upliftment of the local being part of a home merchandising in the country. Funway was being rep- since its registration on December 13. people of the Toong-Naga Gram COMES network supposedly called Sea Rock resented by HS Gautam and Sonam The Association the residence of Panchayat. Ship Management with their office in Topden Bhutia, who had their working the Chairman, Land Use and Environ- The meeting resolved to take up TO Tibet Road. The account opening office near Ruchi Diagnostic Centre. ment, Nim Tshering Lepcha at Naga small social projects and assist pro- forms were add-ons they were offer- What was apparently missed out by in North Sikkim. Mr. Lepcha is also grammes such as pulse polio immuni- TOWN ing clients who purchased items from the bank staff was that Sea Rock Ship the President of the Association. As zation programme and AIDS awareness.

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2 25-31 Dec, 2002; NOW! 3 UPFRONTUPFRONT Youth get LT, THE NEW TRIBAL GROUPING trained on important Bill cleared in the Parliament. Meanwhile, the jubilant Limboo and Tamang communities have ex- national THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN pressed their “gratefulness” and All sobriety regarding celebrations to mark the inclusion of Limbu thanked Mr. Chamling for his efforts reconstruction a NOW REPORT and Tamang communities in the Scheduled Tribes list were towards this landmark achievement. dropped when Chief Minister Pawan Chamling returned from his Various Limboo and Tamang organisa- a NOW REPORT GANGTOK: The Parliament seems National Development Council meeting on December 23, 2002. tions have announced their intentions to have suddenly woken up to Sikkim. Representatives of the two communities greeted him not only at of felicitating Mr. Chamling on his re- GANGTOK: A refresher training for Coming close on the heels of parlia- Bagdogra Airport, but at every stopover along the way. turn from New Delhi on December 23. National Reconstruction Core (NRC) mentary consent for the Bill amending Chyabrung dances by Limbus and Damphu Dance by At the time of going to print, Mr. volunteers organised by Nehru Yuva the North East Council Act Tamangs became a constant recurrence all along the way as Chamling was expected to address a mam- Kendra, Gangtok under the Ministry accomodating Sikkim as the eighth even associations from neighbouring West Bengal lined up to moth public rally in Geyzing on Decem- of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt of member of the North Eastern Council thank the Chief Minister for his efforts which earned the two com- ber 24, during the Janata Mela there. India was held from December 16_20 comes the news of the Lok Sabha nod munities the ST recognition. The All Limboo Youth Association at Nepali Sahitya Bhawan here. to the inclusion of two Sikkimese com- Mr. Chamling was greeted at the Airport by Minister PWD, RB (Central Committee) has also thanked About 100 volunteers from all munities in the Scheduled Tribes list. Subba, Education & Law Minister, RB Subba, Minister AH&VS, PS all those who were instrumental in pass- over the State attended this training. The Lok Sabha, on December 18 Goley, UD&HD Minister, TT Bhutia, President, Sikkim Limbu Liter- ing the amendment Bill for the inclusion The resource persons were Durga unanimously passed the Bill granting ary Association, B. Tamang, Chairman, Sikkim Tamang Buddhist of the two communities in the ST list. Upretti (APO) SRDA, who spoke on Tribal status to 140 communities in Association, Chairman, Sikkim Limbu-Tamang Joint Action Com- Kharga Vikram Subba, President, the topic of Self Help Groups and SB the country, including the Tamang and mittee and the executive body of the Association. AILYA, which has its headquarters in Rai (Field Publicity Officer) who gave Limboo communities in the State. Also present were Limbu and Tamang Association representa- Kalimpong, told a Press conference a brief speech on capacity and the The ruling Sikkim Democratic tives from Darjeeling and Kalimpong. En Route, the Chief Minis- here on December 21 that this was an boundaries of NGO’s and the Youth. Front (SDF) party is naturally jubi- ter’s motorcade was greeted by Tamang and Limbu Associa- “achievement of the entire Nepali The Regional Manager NABARD lant over this, which it terms as a tions of the Dooars at the Coronation Bridge. Limbus and community” and that this would cer- was also present during the pro- “major achievement.” Tamangs from Kalimpong and Darjeeling greeted the motorcade tainly “help in further strengthening gramme. The State government had been again at Chitrey. the community.” The district youth coordinator consistently urging the Centre to in- While entering Sikkim from Melli (the CM was headed for “This movement for the demand NYK, JK Limboo made the volunteers clude the Limboo, Tamang, Gurung, Geyzing), another huge crowd of members from the two commu- for the inclusion of the two communi- realise the main aims and the works Mangar, Sunuwar, Rai and Bhujel nities, west and south district panchayat representatives and dis- ties has been successful thanks to the that should be done by a NRC and the communities of the State in the ST trict officials offered a traditional welcome to the Chief Minister. efforts of Mr. Chamling,” he said. strategies required to make the list. A number of memoranda had been In all the low-key reception to the news were made up for with He, however, said that the inclu- schemes provided by the Government submitted to the Centre by the State the exuberance which greeted the Chief Minister’s return from sion of the two communities in the of India fruitful. He also said that government in the past. Delhi. ST list should benefit the entire Nepali evaluation and monitoring by a NRC Terming it a “landmark achieve- community, along with the Limboo is very important and the success of ment for the SDF government,” the Central government for taking the de- munities of the State, which he said and Tamang communities. any project counts on these factors. Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling said mand of the State “seriously.” He also would be fully protected. He said that “This will help remove the sense The Project Officer, Anjana Rai also that the passing of the Bill to include added that his government believed in the new inclusions would in no way of alienation amongst the Indian Nepa- spoke to the trainees on skills required the two communities in the ST list taking an issue to its logical conclu- dilute the political rights of the Bhutia lese. We expect the Limboo commu- to communicate and deliver a good has proved his government’s sincer- sion rather than just “raising it.” and Lepcha communities. nity from West Bengal to now take this speech. ity and commitment towards its pre- Mr. Chamling, however, assured The Chief Minister said that Sik- opportunity to think in broader per- During the five-day training, the election promises. He expressed his that he was committed to maintaining kim’s Rajya Sabha MP, PT Gyamtso spectives to champion the cause of the trainees pledged to make the schemes happiness over the latest achievement status quo on the distinct political and Lok Sabha MP Bhim Dahal had Limboo community within the Indian work and start their projects at the of his government and thanked the rights of the Bhutia and Lepcha com- “played stellar roles” in getting the Nepalese community,” Mr. Subba said. grass root level.

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3 4; NOW! 25-31 Dec, 2002 POWER-PLAYPOWER-PLAY First phase of Janata Mela ends at Dentam, STA reiterates commitment round 2 kicks off at Geyzing to quality education eral secretary, and other important a NOW REPORT a NOW REPORT executive members of the Association. An official communique from the DENTAM: The first phase of the embers of the Sikkim Association claims that the meetings Janata Mela ended here on December Teachers Association, in a were a “great success” at every venue 18 with the Chief Minister, Pawan series of meetings held in with active participation of teachers Chamling addressing a mammoth gath- M west Sikkim reiterated their commit- including other representatives of vari- ering of some 6,000 rural folk from the ment to the Education Department’s ous Sr. Sec., secondary, junior high constituency. The public meeting, held initiative to provide “quality educa- schools and primary and LPS of West on one of the coldest days of the sea- tion” in government schools in the district. son thus far, saw the Chief Minister State. While rededicating themselves to give a brief address allowing the as- The meetings, held at Geyzing Sr. help the Department in its i n i - sembled janta to collect their benefit Sec. School (Dec 12), Sombaria Sr. Sec. tiative, the meetings also discussed vari- packages in time for the trek home. School (Dec 15) and Heeyangthang Sr. ous problems being faced by teachers After all, as the area MLA, Narendra Sec. School (Dec 17) were attended at various levels. Members were also Subba, proudly put it, the crowd had by the different CWC members of called upon to maintain an atmosphere gathered on its own with many having STA, the west district president, gen- congenial to learning in their classrooms. walked it to Dentam from their villages. The constituencies covered in the Janata Mela thus far are Daramdin, ture and Horticulture to Animal Hus- far have truly been melas, the interac- Chakung, Soreng, Hee-Bermiok, bandry to Industries, SIDICO and tion with rural folk also offered senior Chinmaya Mission calls on Governor Rinchenpong and Dentam. SABCCO, Welfare, Health, Information officers who manned the stalls to un- Gyanas by inviting learned Swamis, Technology, Forest, Health and family derstand the real needs of the rural peo- The Chief Minister’s focus in his a NOW REPORT blood donation camps, training of unem- speeches thus far has been a call urg- welfare and STCS have put up stalls at ple. The Janata Mela is also being pro- ployed womenfolk of Central Pendam, ing the rural folk to become self-reli- each venue to educate the people on the moted as a meeting of the bureaucracy GANGTOK: A contingent of 60 mem- East Sikkim at Sidhbari and the estab- ant and understand the changing times. schemes and projects undertaken by with the grassroots people. bers of Chinmaya Mission, Sikkim lishment of Mahila Gramin Udyog at Many departments from Agricul- them. While the public meetings thus The Janata Mela took a hiatus for called on the Governor V. Rama Rao village level for self-employment. barely a week and resumed with gusto HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT December 20. This was the first meet- During the meeting the Governor was on December 24 at Geyzing. ing of the Chinmaya Mission representa- shown various products that the women GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM tives with the new Governor. The Mis- of Central Pendam village had made. KRISHI BHAWAN sion was established 7 years back by The Governor then presented a Madame Dr. Laxmi Shiv Shanker at Raj certificate to BK Pradhan and wished INVITING ENTREPRENEURS NOW! Bhawan and since then all succeeding him success in his grand all India tour Under the chapter 16 of Exim Policy 2001, a new Governors have continued to bless the on a motorcycle. The two-wheel tour can be reached at 270949 activities of the Mission. is to be completed by February 27 concept of Agri. Export Zone (AEZ) has been intro- email: [email protected] Among the activities of the Mission 2003 after covering more than 20 states duced to promote the export of Agricultural / Horti- has been the organising of Grand Geeta in 70 days and 14,000 kms. cultural produce / products from the country. The state Government of Sikkim has signed a Memorandum ROADS & BRIDGES DEPARTMENT of Understanding with the Government of India for Government of Sikkim setting up of Agri Export Zone for ginger, floriculture NOTICE and cherry pepper in the State of Sikkim. This MOU entails a number of fiscal and financial incentives Applications are invited from local candidates for short term appointment on and administrative arrangements to facilitate Adhoc basis for 20 nos. of J.E. (Civil) and 3 nos. of A.E. (Civil) on consolidated packhouse and processing of ginger and their prod- salary of Rs. 7,000/- p.m. and Rs. 10,000/- p.m. respectively under Roads and ucts. The entrepreneurs may apply one or more units. Bridges Department, Government of Sikkim. The nodal agency will get the DPR prepared in con- sultation with the selected entrepreneurs. 1. Technical qualification required: a) For the post of J.E. (Civil) : Diploma from a recognised Institute. 1. Promotion Programs and Brand Building b) For the post of A.E. (Civil) : Degree from a recognised Institute/ in the following Target Markets University. * New York Commodities Exchange * Japan 2. Age Limit : 18 to 30 years as on 31.12.2002. Upper * Middle East age limit is relaxable by five years in the * Other Countries case of experienced J.Es/ A.Es. 2. State Government Initiative 3. Date & venue of the viva-voce will be notified and intimated in due course. * Land Lease * Power Subsidy The terms and conditions of appointment will be as under: * Sales and Mandi Tax Exemption 1. The appointment for a period of 2 years. * Development of Roads 2. The appointee will have no claim for regular appointment. * Water Supply 3. High degree of performance/ hard work/ sincerity are expected. All those interested in setting up such facilities in 4. The Adhoc service will be terminated on one Month’s notice from either side. the zone are requested to indicate their intention in Applications duly enclosing attested copy of certificates of Diploma/ Degree, writing along their past performance / capabilities Domicile certificate, Employment Identity Card and certificate of date of birth by 31st of January 2003 to should reach the office of the Joint Secretary, Roads and Bridges Department Mr. K.T. Bhutia, Additional Director cum Nodal Officer, Govern- ment of Sikkim, Department of Horticulture, Krishi Bhawan, by 16th January, 2002. Gangtok - 737101. Ph: 232697 (Off) Joint Secretary, Roads & Bridges Deptt. e-mail: [email protected] Release Order No: 236/IPR/02-03; Dt: 24/12/02 R.Order No: 233/IPR/02-03. Dated: 18.12.2002 SPWD, Gangtok

4 25-31 Dec, 2002; NOW! 5 FROM-THE-SPOTFROM-THE-SPOT

The Tibetan Mastiff could “Glory to God in return to Sikkim the Highest, Peace on Earth & Goodwill towards Men!” The Members of Church of North India, Gangtok wish everyone a The Tibetan Mastiff is famous young and talented people. Surely a by SARIKAH ATREYA worldwide as a primitive, natural and local effort is possible in rehabilitat- unspoiled breed with legendary cour- ing this beautiful animal?” she says. Blessed Christmas & GANGTOK: Will the Tibetan Mas- age, fierceness and fearlessness, intel- This may be possible soon, if the tiff make a comeback in Sikkim? This ligent with an exceptional memory, interest in the Tibetan Mastiff gener- a Happy New Year! is the question being asked by envi- independent and loyal. ated after its disappearance is any- ronmentalists and animal lovers alike Ms. Lachungpa, obviously con- thing to go by. A local veterinarian, in the State. cerned over the fate of this magnifi- Dr. Tilak Sunar, has shown keen in- Earlier, in September this year, cent animal, which served as a guard- terest in putting in his expertise in re- NOW! had reported that the Tibetan ian of Tibet’s monasteries, says that viving the animal in the State. “All we Transport Department Mastiff had gone extinct in Sikkim. it is possible to revive the breed by need is a small group of committed (SNT DIVISION) Over a gradual period of two decades purchasing pedigree stock from remote people, along with veterinarians to GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM or so, Sikkim has lost the Tibetan areas in Bhutan. take the initiative,” says Dr. Sunar. GANGTOK Mastiff, a magnificent pure breed be- “The people of Sikkim could look Another vet who has shown interest longing to the Dokpas or Tibetan gra- for alternative livelihood as profes- is Dr. Deependra Raj Pradhan. ziers in trans-Himalayan Sikkim. sional breeders of this valuable domes- The entire process would involve ON SNT An article by Usha Ganguli- tic exotic breed of Sikkim, with the looking for ways of obtaining unre- BUS PASSENGER Lachungpa, Sr. Research Officer help of specialised veterinarians,” she lated Tibetan Mastiff pups, raising (Wildlife), published in NOW! earlier believes. them with patience and striving to Lottery TICKETS this year brought to light this shock- This breed was introduced to the achieve a bond of mutual respect. DRAWN ON ing fact. In her article, Ms. Lachungpa western world from Tibet long ago and There is also the room for a special- had said that a decade of surveys in continues to be bred outside its native ised dog trainer who could lend his 18.12.2002 North Sikkim showed that the popu- habitat. However, today it shows expertise. Also, one would need some Results AT GANGTOK. lation of this unique domestic animal some defects in its genetic health. open space, where the kennels could had been reduced to one very old male After the article on the disappear- be set up and of course, funds. This at the Thangu Monastery, which had ance of this unique breed of dog from needs collective initiative and gener- ST been gifted by a Dokpa Chingya of Sikkim was published, a Tibetan Mas- osity of the animal lovers who would 1 PRIZE Lashar. All other dogs had been com- tiff breeder from California wrote to want to once again see this loyal and Rs. 15,000/- Ticket No. 358290 pletely mongrelised. Ms. Lachungpa asking what the in- brave animal expertly herding yak and Unfortunately, this last of the Ti- ternational Tibetan Mastiff commu- sheep on North Sikkim’s Tibetan pla- on Rs. 3/- denomination. betan Mastiff disappeared from its nity could do to rehabilitate the spe- teau. “This internationally loved normal haunt of the Thangu Monas- cies in its native land. friend of man could once again become 2ND PRIZE tery. “We in Sikkim have so many the pride of Sikkim,” says Dr. Sunar. Rs. 10,000/- Ticket No. 369866 on Rs. 10/- denomination. Let’s escape to Camp “Sikkim” 3RD PRIZE ics, interacting with camp friends, camp The children will be under the guid- Rs. 5,000/- Ticket No. 373902 a NOW REPORT leaders, volunteers and instructors. ance of camp leaders, volunteers and on Rs. 10/- denomination. Sports and Games will be limited instructors who are carefully selected. GANGTOK: “Camp Sikkim”, an ac- to learning of Table Tennis, Chess and There will be a visiting doctor and other tivity based concept of having fun similar other games such as tug of war, special guests. The camp is to start at NOTE: while learning is being organised for musical chairs, fashion contest, hik- 9 am and will conclude by 4 pm. There 1. Prizes will be awarded on surrendering of original ticket duly signed by the winner at the back of the ticket to the Principal Secretary/ General the first time in Sikkim. The “Camp” ing and leadership training etc. Slide are to be lots of competitions amongst Manager, Transport Department, SNT Division, Government of Sikkim, will either be held in end-January or shows on nature, flora and fauna are participants. Gangtok, within 30 days from the date of Draw. All prizewinners should the first week of February 2003 and to be organised. Instructions will be Interested parents may contact send three attested passport photographs. is being organised by Sikkim Tours & interactive, friendly both in outdoor 222188, 220192 during office hours 2. Claims on ticket, which is forged, torn, mutilated or tampered with shall Travels Pvt. Ltd. and indoor activities. for further details. not be entertained. Activities will include fun, learn- 3. The draw will be held at Gangtok or such other places within Sikkim as the Lottery committee, SNT Division, Transport Department, may decide. ing basics of sports and games, plants Please Contact: 4. In case of disputes the decision of the Lottery committee shall be final and animals, conservation and preser- a great grand offer Gautam- and binding. vation. Artistic activities are also in- Mafatlal, Near 5. Legal jurisdiction of the lottery will be only at Gangtok. 6. Draw as per Lottery scheme. cluded with collage making, painting, Star Cinema, singing, acting and dancing. Other ac- OCM Rs. 2160 (Raj Vikram Gurung) Gangtok. ph: Joint General Manager, (O/T); Transport Department, SNT Div; tivities include the improvement of suit piece complete with stitching charges and many more items Government of Sikkim. GANGTOK social skills such as table manners, eth- 222238

5 6;GANGTOK NOW! 25-31 Dec, 2002 25-31 DEC, 2002 ED-SPACE The Culture Police SIKKIM MATTERS Looks Skywards Matters Of Concern he Centre seems all set to in lence their broadcasting would involve. stitutionalise policing of tel One of Ms Swaraj’s supporters The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front is not much off the mark when evision channels with the Un- has listed “drinking, smoking, sex, vio- it alleges that the Opposition at present is groping at straws to T DEEP weave into an issue. But then, politics is all about timing and one ion Information & Broadcasting Min- lence and degraded values” as the cannot fault those relegated to the sidelines to try and seize what- ister having announced the formation deadly sins whose “glorification” must ever opportunity comes their way. The fact that Sikkim has rarely of a Broadcasting Regulatory Author- FOCUS not be allowed by this body. Women been swayed by real issues and has often fallen prey to sensa- ity in the near future. According to RANJIT SINGH and children are going to be the chief tionalism only helps attempts at raking up an “issue”. The political Ms. Swaraj this body is to be set up beneficiaries, supposedly, of such vigi- situation remains perpetually fluid here and all it takes here is the before the Communications Conver- wide range of famously pure souls. In lance. The Indian culture-police has right combination to shake things up a bit. gence Bill is passed. The Bill envis- always been better at protecting them Coming back to the issues at hand, let’s weigh the import of each. fact, it might be added that the con- Two major developments have made headlines in the recent past. ages setting up a bureau to monitor sultative committee of Parliament from sex and violence onscreen than One is the inclusion of the Limbu and Tamang communities in the content. Ms. Swaraj is of the opinion supported the creation of such a con- the real ones on the street. Scheduled Tribes list and the other is the inclusion of Sikkim in that content monitoring of television tent monitoring body unanimously. The committee talks of reminding the North East Council. channels cannot be delayed. In their assessment, it was neces- script-writers, artists, producers, The inclusion of two more communities in the ST list has led to To have Ms. Swaraj or anyone for sary “to address the concerns of pub- broadcasters, advertisers and viewers consternation among some quarters. The fears emanate primarily that matter, standing guard over their lic order and decency, preservation of of their “obligations”. What obliga- from the Bhutia-Lepcha quarters which fear a dilution of their political wholesomeness might not be a par- tions and to whom? And why should rights in the State. The concern, if it is limited to the political rights cultural diversity, prevention of ex- quotient is unjustified. BLs in Sikkim draw special political privileges ticularly delectable idea for most In- cessive depiction of sex and violence, the state feel itself to be divinely sanc- from the seats reserved for them in the State Assembly. The seats dians who value their adulthood and national security, integrity and sover- tioned to perform this act of moral are reserved for BLs and not for “tribals” and the Limbu-Tamang in the final analysis, democracy itself. eignty of the country and protection cleansing? inclusion is under the tribal category and not either the Bhutia or They may have got used to her zeal of children from undesirable pro- The broadcast regulations body is Lepcha category. The seats are thus safe. In fact, the concern is for purification by now, as robust grammes and advertisements”. They going to cast a long and grim shadow misdirected. If the voices were genuine in their concern for BL politi- people usually do. But her commit- were also of the view that programmes on everything that a mature democ- cal rights then the demand should be for a more representative de- ment to stopping Indians from seeing racy should stand for. If this were limitation of BL constituencies where a majority of voters are from aired on the channels had become in- these communities. No organisation seems to have pursued this and hearing evil is proving to be more creasingly “unwholesome”. purely old-fashioned moralistic agenda with any seriousness. On the other hand, if the concern over robust than theirs. Ms. Swaraj seems What comes through in the official crooning, however annoying and in- the new inclusions was because the pool for other benefits like job to have mustered a consensus among rhetoric surrounding such a move is a sulting in its obstructions to adult reservations and the like just got larger, then again, the focus should her colleagues over this issue. This is semi-literate, myopic and dwarfed logic freedoms, the matter would have been have been on guaranteeing that deserving candidates (and by this hardly surprising, since the provisions of values, born out of political insecu- easier to ignore. But the wide scope one means the underprivileged BLs who were envisaged as the of the bill would serve the interests of rity and moral confusion. Shady de- of powers to be given to this body beneficiaries of the quota when it was first set up) enjoy the reserva- who else, but politicians, bureaucrats makes it look too dangerously like the tion. After all, it serves little good if a child from a well-to-do BL family fence deals and pogroms, bribery and from the capital, who has received the best education available in and the like. The monitoring of con- gang rape will henceforth become ta- respectable, swadeshi face of an omi- Sikkim, competes for a berth in the same reserved quota as another tent, which this body would be au- boo items for national entertainment, nous and entirely unwholesome to- candidate who has studied in a remote busti school somewhere in thorised, to perform will protect a presumably because of the sex and vio- talitarianism. Dzongu or Chungthang. In a democracy, it is almost fashionable to protest, but in doing so too often, we tend to lose focus of the larger COUNTERFEIT TICKETS that he doesn’t need to since he is picture. Immediate concerns at times delay long-term planning and propos your “Bazar Buzz,” the  LETTERS based in Gangtok and the bank is issues which need to be worked upon keep getting pushed in the half-hourly fortune-fever of two barely a minute’s walk from his house. back-burner until it is too late. As far as the tribal status goes, Sikkim A could solve many of its problems by lobbying to get declared a Tribal digit lotteries was quite fascinating. loanees which is much on the higher Coming back to the point though, what State. Since the socioeconomic status of most Sikkimese is similar, My dad was also lured into buying a side and against the interests of the such sudden imposition of news ideas we could abandon our respective cultural baggages for once and get four-digit lottery ticket No. AJ 4994 needy people and banking norms pre- do is that they confuse us and open tribal status for all communities. We can even stop squabbling over pertaining to the Bumper Draw to be vailing in the State. us for tricks and frauds. Take for in- the lost job opportunities in Sikkim itself since the State machinery drawn by the Govt. of on Being loanees, we will be highly stance the price-cuts that mobile op- will not be employing too many people in the near future and tribal 4-11-02 at a considerable sum of Rs. grateful, if the present popular Govt. erators announce so often. At the end, status for all would mean that every Sikkimese has a fighting chance 100. The same was sold to him near will frame a policy to minimise and the slashed prices which are adver- of seeking employment beyond Rangpo. For all our claims at having joined the mainstream, the current in the job-market is way too fast Vajra Cinema Hall by a lanky youth fix a payable interest at par with other tised so widely, don’t really make for most locals to find a sound footing. The nudge of a quota available from the plains who seems to have Banks so that repayment can made in much of a difference in the final tally. for all might just help here. absconded from the vicinity and has right time other than to bring any kind I am not protesting the advent of new The other “issue” greeted with contradicting reactions is Sikkim’s since not been found vending any more of litigation in future. ideas and concepts, but am merely formal entry into the North East Council. It is interesting how there lottery tickets in the locality. The Loanees of Housing Board, suggesting that perhaps we should was no concern voiced when Sikkim was unofficially a part of the ticket bears the seal of SP Lottery Gangtok educate ourselves better, before we NEC and partaking in whatever developmental funds came its Agency, Gangtok but the result of the succumb to them. way through that agency. But let’s ignore the political exigencies behind the protest. Constitutional experts have whetted the pro- same is not available with any of the ONLINE CONCERNS Tashi Dorjee, Chandmari posal and agreed that NEC inclusion has no effect on Sikkim’s lottery vendors in the city. Is the ticket he recent fraud “almost” played “special” status as guaranteed by Article 371F. The identity en- a counterfeit? Is such a business also Ton prospective UTI Bank clients RICH WOMAN’S TIMEPASS joyed by Sikkim Subjects sees no changes either. It is also true flourishing in the city? Would anyone as reported in NOW! (Vol 1 No. 27) IS NOT AN ISSUE that Sikkim could have received the same package as the north- be able to explore the truth and bell made for interesting reading. It also propos “Up-Close and eastern states even without joining the NEC. In fact, maybe it could the cat? brought to fore the travails that forced APersonal with Anki Khurana” have worked out an even better deal had it built its argument on Raj Shekhar, Daragaon, Tadong. modernity plays on unsuspecting and (NOW! Vol 1 No. 27). I am person- the basis of the said Article of the Constitution. This would have been possible in an ideal world, but the world we live in is far from unprepared audiences. Online bank- ally displeased with the idea of de- perfect. A quick rain check, and Sikkim has conducted this check CLOSURE’S FINE, NOW ing, the garb under which people were voting one and a half page of a 2-page for twenty-seven years now, reveals that no matter how strong or BRING DOWN INTEREST being assured smooth functioning bank supplement to how a very rich woman valid an argument Sikkim makes, it just does not command enough RATE accounts in distant Delhi, is a concept passes her time. There are many more voices in the Parliament to get heard. If Sikkim had even five MPs n reference to the report about clo- alien to Sikkim which till recently did women-centric issues and concerns in the Parliament, most of its long-pending demands would have Isure of Housing Board that ap- not even have computerised account which could have accounted for the been met by now and who knows, maybe the northeastern States peared in NOW! paper of December keeping in its banks. Customers are space much better. Try and give us would have been demanding a “package” similar to Sikkim’s. That, however, is not the case and the real world dictates that 11-17, 2002, we are happy to sup- still unclear of the real benefits of something more worthwhile in our Sikkim source whatever developmental funds it can attract now port the reason of closure as stated online banking and ATM facilities. In supplement. Entertainment is fine, but that the Centre is tightening the purse-strings. Given this real- by Mr. BB Goorong, the Political fact, some of my friends have as yet issues also sometimes please... world scenario, NEC appears the best bet. By shifting from a stodgy Advisor to the Chief Minister, where been unable to check his account sta- Chandra D., Gangtok Eastern Zonal Council, Sikkim has done well by aligning with the it is pointed out that the Housing tus over the net. It’s another matter North East Council which is more pampered. Board was no longer practical and vi- Readers are invited to share their views, opinions and reactions to news-items carried in Talking of matters of concern, there are still those who feel that able to needy people since all the Na- corruption is an issue. Much as one wants it to be, fact remains NOW! The letters may be edited for language and content and the name of the writer that corruption ceased to be an issue in Indian politics long time tionalised Banks are handing out loans withheld on request. Personal attacks will not be carried, but letters raising pertinent issues ago... for as low as 10% while the Housing will be shared with readers. Please mail all feedback to NOW, Gairi Gaon, Tadong, Board demands 18% interest from Gangtok East Sikkim; email: [email protected]

6 25-31 Dec, 2002; NOW! 7 [K]NOW[K]NOW SIKKIMSIKKIM We ran a contest offering a prize to those who named the dynasty which ruled Sikkim correctly. All the answers t is said that the Namgyals were scions of the Minyak House in Eastern Tibet. Stories named the dynasty as the “Chogyal dynasty”! Actually, it is not so surprising considering that most of today’s Iof the Namgyal prince who single handedly youth were born in the post merger years and for them, the concept of Sikkim as an independent Himalayan raised the four main pillars of the Sakya monas- kingdom ruled by twelve generations of Namgyals must probably have mythical connotations. tery, about 200 miles south-west of Lhasa, thus The coronation of Phuntsog Namgyal in Norbugang is the pivotal point of time from whence the earning himself the sobriquet of ‘Khye Bumsa’, are legion. But apparently there is no mention modern history of Sikkim starts. This article, while describing the first coronation, also throws light on a series of this feat in the three main Sakya accounts. It of firsts- the first king, the first monastery and the first palace. by TENZIN C. TASHI must be remembered however that these were complied three to four centuries later and so it is possible that omissions could have been inad- vertently come about due to the time gap. Khye Bumsa married the daughter of the Sakya hierarch and settled in Chumbi Valley, which remained, for a long time, the epicenter of From Discovery to Coronation the later kingdom of Sikkim. It was Khye Bumsa who swore the historic blood brotherhood pact kim. According to a handwritten biography of Lhatsun Chenpo impressed on the other two Chakravertin (king of kings) emperor - Tashi with the Lepcha chieftain Thekongtek at Kabi Lhatsun Chenpo, the saint set out for Demajong that they were all and needed a layman to Dzes-Gyed - consisting of a wheel, a gem,a Longtsok. from Samye, accompanied by 15 disciples. See- rule the kingdom righteously. He further pointed Queen, a Minister,an elephant, a horse and a Khye Bumsa’s third son Mipon Rab suc- ing the Snow Mountains of Demajong from afar, out: “In the prophecy of Guru , it is Commander-in-Chief. ceeded his father. He, in turn, was succeeded by he performed a sacrifice in their honour. At that written that four noble brothers shall meet in The coronation took place in the Chu-ta or his fourth son Guru Tashi who moved to point of time itself, a white bird described as Demajong and arrange for its government. We Water Horse year in 1642 A.D.Thus Phuntsog Gangtok. Meanwhile Thekongtek passed away ‘ngang pa’i gyal po’ or king of swans which were three of those who came from the North, Namgyal was installed on the throne of Sikkim and the Lepchas who started fragmenting into came flying from the direction of Sikkim alighted West and South.” with the title of ‘Chogyal’ or king who rules small tribes turned to Guru Tashi for leadership on the ground near the saint. As for the East, he quoted the oracular guide with righteousness, with both spiritual and tem- and protection. The Sikkim Coronation book It was the mountain god Gangs chen mdzod book Rinchen Lingpa which mentioned, “One poral powers. During the ceremony, Phuntsog describes Guru Tashi as the “first ruler of Sik- lnga (Khangchendzonga) who had assumed this of my four avatars will be like a lion, the king was given a coral rosary by the three Lamas kim who paved the way for a regular monar- form to meet Lhatsun Chenpo before his arrival among beasts, who will protect the kingdom with with a great many benedictions. The Kathog chy.” in Sikkim. In the course of a long discussion his bravery and powers.” attached the tassels and pendants and Five generations later, it was Phuntsog with the saint, the mountain god confided in him The book also mentioned that, “One named Lhatsun Chenpo added the top bead. (Thence- Namgyal who was consecrated as the first all aspects of the land he was about to enter. Phuntsog from the direction of Gang will ap- forth Lhatsun’s creed and followers are the most Denjong Gyalpo or the King of Sikkim by the Lhatsun Chenpo continued on his way. He pear.” respected). three great Lamas who came from the North, was met by a messenger sent by the deities of So, Lhatsun Chenpo deputed a hermit called Then the Lamas gathered earth and stones West and South to Yuksom Norbugang in West Sikkim at a place called gTing skyes, within the Togden Kalzang Thondup and a layman called from all parts of Sikkim and built a Chorten Sikkim in 1642 AD. The event, predicted as it borders of Tibet. (When he finally reached Sik- Passang to lead a party to Gangtok to invite the with it at Yuksom Norbugang called the Tashi was by Guru Rinpoche, was the ‘Naljor Chezhi’ kim, Lhatsun Chenpo performed a thanksgiving person bearing the name of Phuntsog to come to Wod-bar chorten. Lhatsun Chenpo contributed or the meeting of the four yogic brothers or the to all the deities of the country). Finding his Yuksom Norbugang. After several adventures, the relics and other internal deposits and the four saints or four sages. way to Demajong barred by the rocky cliffs and the party came to Gangtok where they met three Lamas passed 21 days there for the ben- It was preordained that three saints of great precipices of Kampa Khab-rag, Lhatsun Chenpo Phuntsog milking his cows. A verbal account ediction and consecration ceremonies. repute from different parts of Tibet make their used his yogic powers to fly over the Kabru states that they found Phuntsog in the vicinity Next, all the priests and the Chogyal en- way to Bayul Demajong (Sikkim) to discharge peak A path leading to Jongri (Dzongri) was of Kazi Road but like all verbal accounts, it is treated Lhatsun Chenpo to found a monastery their responsibility of upholding and opened. He trekked down slowly to Yuksom open to debate. on the spot. Thus it was that Lhatsun Chenpo propogating the essence of in the hid- Norbugang to keep his tryst with the other two Phuntsog invited them in and bade them built the Dubdi monastery, Sikkim’s first and den land of Demajong. Thus it was that Lhatsun Lamas. partake of the fresh milk and told them his name oldest monastery. The next year, the Kathog Namkha Jigme, Kathog Kuntu Zangpo and Kathog Kuntu Zangpo, the high priest of was Phuntsog. He saw the invitation of the three Lama built the Kathog monastery and the Gnadak Gnadak Sempa Phuntsog Rigzin made their way the monastery of Kathog Dorje-den Lamas as a most fortuitous event and lost no Lama built the Lhakhang Marpo or the Red tem- to Sikkim separately, and through impenetrable was an accomplished master of the time in setting out for Yuksom Norbugang with ple. Phuntsog Namgyal built the first palace called routes. . He came through U and Tsang and first his entire retinue of followers, officers and house- ‘Tashi Tengkha’. While the three Lamas spread Lhatsun Namkha Jigme or tried to enter Sikkim from the northern and hold establishment. in Sikkim, Phuntsog Namgyal started Lhatsun Chenpo was eastern passes before he was successful They halted for a night at Rumtek. The sim- consolidating his kingdom. the great in crossing the Singalila pass, the western ple Lepcha folks, on seeing the party set out the The also sent a mitre of Guru pass into Sikkim to reach the appointed next morning exclaimed, “Along Kuyu-sa Rum- Rinpoche and a historic sand image of the Guru saint who place of Yuksom Norbugang. tek non pa-o” meaning our God is leaving. Ap- as gifts to Phuntsog in recognition of the fact estab- The third historical saintly brother parently they looked up to Phuntsog. At that he was also one of the four canonized saints lished the Gnadak Sempa Phuntsog Rigzin was a Sang, the people there burnt incense or Sang by of the religion. Dzogchen descendent of king Thrisong Deutsan of way of welcome and thus the origin of the name. Several accounts of the coronation mention sect in Sik- Tibet. He set out from Shigatse and is The next day, the party crossed the Rakdong that Lhatsun Chenpo gave his own name said to have entered Sikkim from the bridge and Yangang to reach Yuksom Norbugang ‘Namgyal’ to Phuntsog during the coronation. Southern side via Darjeeling and where Phuntsog “presented vast stores of treas- This is not correct. Lhatsun Chenpo had several Namchi. ures to the Lamas, and especially to Lhatsun names, one of which was Kunzang Namgyal. This historical con- Chenpo” which were on a grand scale. This probably fueled the story that he gave gregation of the three The History of Sikkim gives a graphic ac- Phuntsog his own name. But you have to re- holy Lamas is called count of the coronation of Phuntsog. It is men- member that Phuntsog was a scion of the Yuksom, which in tioned that the learned Lamas “performed all Namgyal line anyway. For that matter, one could Lepcha means the ‘Three the necessary rites and ceremonies as prescribed very well claim that the Gnadak Lama gave him Superior Ones’. in the installation of a Royal dynasty, and the the name Phuntsog! coronation of the first king in that line, in the It would also help to understand this from a most impressive style.” He was given the power, different perspective. When a great Lama and conferring rites of the eight auspicious signs- Rinpoche gives a name, he normally gives his Tashi Takgyed- consisting of the dug(jeweled first name and not his second name. Thus the parasol), seryna (the golden fish) , bhumpa (the Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso gives the name vase of treasures), pema (the excellent lotus, ‘Tenzin’ to a child and not ‘Gyatso. dhungkar (the white conch shell), palbheu (the As regards the contention that even Guru knot of eternity), gyaltsen (the standard of vic- Rinpoche refers to Phuntsog Namgyal only as tory) and choekyi khorlo (the wheel of Dharma), ‘Phuntsog’, we must remember that the proph- the eight auspicious objects- Gyal Sid Rinchen- ecy of Guru Rinpoche was cryptic – just the Nadun- consisting of a right whorled conch shell, mention of ‘one Phuntsog from Gang’- just as a mirror, curd, vermillion, a gem stone from an he never actually named the three great Lamas. Religion has always played a pivotal role in Sikkimese elephant’s head, a sacred fruit, fine grass and Anyway, it was after the coronation of polity with even the instalment of the Namgyal dynasty to rule white mustard and the seven sacred emblems of Phuntsog Namgyal that the Namgyal dynasty Sikkim having come from the hands of religious leaders... kingship or objects which constitutes a ruled for twelve generations.

15 8; NOW! 25-31 Dec, 2002 DESPATCHESDESPATCHES BHUTAN THE VANISHING TRIBE PROMISES A FIGHT PREPARES FOR “WAR” DGHC Lepchas demand a NOW REPORT GANGTOK: The Himalayan king- dom of Bhutan has threatened to use right to education in their its military might to remove Indian separatist rebels from bases within its borders, informs a report in the mother tongue Kuensel, an English weekly published region, are on the verge of extinction from Thimpu. “We will hold talks with the mili- from AMITAVA BANERJEE because of our economical backward- ness and the lack of education,” said tants who have established camps in- KALIMPONG: “West Bengal only un- Mr. Tamsang. He said that all the talk side Bhutan,” Bhutan’s King Jigme derstands agitations and the language of of India becoming a Superpower in the Singhye Wangchuk is quoted as say- guns. We are losing our patience and the near future was just a superficial state- ing in report. peace loving Lepcha people will be com- ment. “When Lepchas are suffering and “If the militants refuse to leave pelled to adopt other means,” retorted lack even the basic amenities, how can our country through the process of LS Tamsang, General Secretary of the India march forward. If true develop- peaceful dialogue, we will be left with Lepcha Association. Mr. Tamsang ment was the call of the hour it should no option but to use our military added that despite repeated requests and take all communities and sections in its forces to remove them from Bhutan,” Lepcha gathering at Kalimpong on the occasion of the Birth Anniver- he said. appeals for the last 55 years, the stride,” suggested the President of the sary of King Gaeboo Achyok. pic: Amitava Banerjee Lepchas of Darjeeling district have been Lepcha Association. Two separatist groups the restive denied basic human rights to education Mr. Tamsang was addressing a large culture of its own would have the right fore Fagan Singh Kulaste, Union Min- northeastern state of - the out- in their own mother-tongue by the West gathering at Kalimpong December 20, to establish and administer educational ister for Tribal Affairs on November 9, lawed United Liberation Front of Bengal Government. on the occasion of the Birth Anniver- institutions of their choice. The memo- earlier this year, while he was attend- Asom (ULFA) and the National The Lepchas fear that this would sary of King Gaeboo Achyok, the last randum also stated that the Lepcha ing the Lepcha Tribal Convention, was Democratic Front of Bodoland result in the Lepchas being eliminated Lepcha king. KC Mondal, the SDO language has been introduced in very positive but it was a time taking (NDFB) - have well-entrenched bases from their own homeland as their chil- Kalimpong was present as the chief schools in Sikkim since 1975. The process. in Bhutan. The separatist Kamatapur dren were not being able to compete guest. A memorandum was also pre- North Bengal University also offered On the occasion of the Birth An- Liberation Organisation (KLO) from in other languages. sented to him demanding the recogni- degree courses in Lepcha language in niversary of King Gaeboo Achyok, West Bengal state is also suspected of “There are a lot of drop outs be- tion and introduction of the Lepcha lan- Gangtok and Namchi colleges. Chu Rum Faat (Prayer ceremony) was having infiltrated Bhutan. cause of this and slowly education is guage in schools and colleges for the “Darjeeling is the crown of Bengal, organized at the picturesque ruins of Bhutan has so far not taken direct coming to an end for the Lepcha’s,” Lepchas of the Darjeeling district. but if the State Government continues the Damsang Fort, 22 kms from action against the separatists for fear said Mr. Tamsang while reiterating that The memorandum stated that the this discriminating attitude towards the Kalimpong, in the early hours of the of retaliatory attacks on its nationals. the West Bengal Government was re- Constitution of India had provisions Lepchas, then very soon they will lose morning. Incidentally the fort was built In an address to the nation, the sponsible for this. of “safeguard for linguistic minorities,” this crown,” warned Mr. Tamsang. in 1690 and is at an altitude of 5600 King warned of a possible “war” in “We, despite being the true under which the linguistic minorities The SDO Kalimpong said that re- ft. Lepchas in large numbers from far the event of Bhutanese troops carry- “Lyandok” (sons of the soil) of this with a distinct language, script and sponse to a similar demand placed be- and wide attended the ceremony. ing out a military offensive against the Indian rebels, the paper said. “This will result in war and it is AI report exposes very important for all of us to be fully Shah Rukh advices Darj to market aware that in such a situation the se- Nepal’s human curity of the country will be threat- ened,” the king said. rights crisis destination to Bollywood “We will have to face loss of lives KATHMANDU: The 7-year Maoist in- a bit of promotion,” said King Khan. “It is basically a light entertaining and economic hardship and all sec- surgency and government attempts to from OUR CORRESPONDENT He said that the people here, spe- movie with a dash of comedy where I tions of Bhutanese people will be se- contain it have resulted in serious hu- cially the women were beautiful and play the good guy who looks after riously affected.” man rights violations, according to a DARJEELING: Shah Rukh Khan in talented and could even become a part everybody,” disclosed King Khan. A senior Bhutanese official said scathing new report by Amnesty Inter- a recent Press meet here said that there of the film rather being only specta- In real life too he has being playing from capital Thimphu: “Bhutan is a national. The report says at least half of was need for the heads of Darjeeling tors. a similar role in Darjeeling, looking af- landlocked country and many of its the 4,300 victims of the conflict since to meet Film people in Mumbai in The only problem he could fore- ter his film crew which consists of 300 nationals have to traverse through November 2001were killed unlawfully. order to promote see in Darjeeling’s tryst extras from Mumbai. “Because I have parts of Assam to reach some of the The vast majority of the victims Darjeeling. Ambassa- with Bollywood was to live up to their expectations, with kingdom’s districts. were civilians targeted for their real or dors of various coun- the distance. Darjeeling the cold days setting in and the required “There is a lurking fear that once perceived support to the CPN (Mao- tries like Switzerland, was feasible only for day light being for just 5 hours some- we launch a military crackdown, the ist), others were Maoists deliberately New Zealand, Mauri- long shootings over times things got out of hand. I was rebels would attack our citizens.” killed after they were taken prisoner, tius and other long durations. under immense pressure,” said Khan. The ULFA and the NDFB are or killed instead of being arrested. Bollywood favourite “I shot Raju The movie marks the directional fighting from bases inside southern “Nepal: A Deepening Human Rights locations usually came Bangaya Gentleman debut of choreographer Farah Khan Bhutan for independent homelands in Crisis” reports torture is widespread. to Mumbai to promote here, and Darjeeling has and stars Sushmita Sen, Satish Shah Assam. At least 66 people are reported to have their countries, he said. always been kind and and Sunil Shetty. The music is scored Bhutan has admitted that ULFA “disappeared” since November 2001. “This not only loving to me, but the by Anu Mallik. alone has six camps in the country, They were last seen being taken into helps in promoting their same treatment should “Forty to fifty per cent of the film including the outfit’s general headquar- custody by security forces. More than country but also helps be given to all the stars is based in Darjeeling, the rest we hope ters and military training bases inside 200 “disappearances” have been re- boost the economy. who want to shoot in to complete on sets in Mumbai,” in- thick jungles in the southern Samdrup ported to Amnesty International. The film industry also Darjeeling,” advised formed Khan. Shah Rukh left for Johnkar district. Human rights abuses by the Mao- has great employment Khan. Mumbai on December 24 and might The NDFB has seven camps, ists have included deliberate killings potential,” he added. “Since it’s been a be back later to shoot the climax scenes while the KLO had set up two bases of an estimated 800 civilians consid- After the shooting long time since a of the movie. There is also a possibil- inside the tiny Buddhist kingdom. ered “enemies of the revolution”, hos- of many Bollywood Bollywood movie ity that the climactic action sequence Indian intelligence officials say tage-taking for ransom, torture of peo- films in Switzerland, it has become showcased Darjeeling, I decided to will be shot in Mumbai or Pune which there could be more than 4,000 ULFA ple taken captive and deliberate kill- the favourite destination of NRI’s, come here and project this beautiful offer better infrastructure for the and NDFB rebels in Bhutan who carry ings of members of the security forces specially those living in Europe he place,” said Khan. pyrotechniques which the climax re- out their hit-and-run guerrilla strikes after they were taken captive. The disclosed. Shahrukh had arrived here on De- quires. on soldiers stationed in Assam. Maoists have also been responsible “Darjeeling is more beautiful than cember 5 for the shooting of his home The movie will take about a year The Assam government has re- for recruiting children into their ranks Switzerland, only thing that needs to production Mein Hoon Na. The movie to release if everything goes as peatedly blamed Bhutan for the rise and using them in combat situations. be developed is the infrastructure and is budgetted at Rs. 18 to 20 Crores. planned. in militancy in the region.

16 25-31 Dec, 2002; NOW! 9 ON-RECORDON-RECORD

Why this film? made a telefilm a few years back Ifor Nepal TV which was quite popular. It was on forced marriage - “NUMAFUNG IS SIMPLE everyone appreciated it. But I wanted to go back to the root of the problem - a tradition called “Sunaili Rupaili,” which started as a good gesture to give protection to the bride but has now STORYTELLING” turned into a tool for exploitation. Getting picked to represent the country at the Oscars is an honour that few filmmakers pass up on. NAVEEN SUBBA is Your film is said to be experimental. however of a different mould. Unimpressed by the glitz of the Academy Awards, he decided against sending his latest In what way would you say it is dif- ferent from other Nepali films? film, Numafung to the Oscars. “Too much politics there,” he says. It is perhaps this rebellious streak which fuels the his kind of storytelling is very experiment with the medium of storytelling. Numafung, which premiered in Gangtok on December 22 does away with Tnew. Nepali films are very stere- all the Bollywood inspired cliches which have become a part of Nepali films now. Naveen Subba kick-started the otypical and driven by formula - al- ethnic film movement in Nepal and was in Sikkim recently to promote his film recently when MITA ZULCA got him to most like a Bollywood film. There has to be the mandatory songs and fight share his views on film-making, Nepali films and Numafung. Excerpts: sequences. I’m not against these per se, but it has to be an integral part of the storytelling not something which is imposed only for commercial con- siderations. As you can see, this film does not have any of these elements. Its simple storytelling.

You have sub-titled the film in Eng- lish and are releasing the film inter- nationally first and only then at home. What kind of audience are you looking for? ike I said, this kind of sto Lrytelling is very new. I felt that if it gains approval and acceptance outside, then peo- ple at home will also go to see it. I’ve taken the example of Caravan, which created such a positive buzz internation- ally that even at home it had a record audience.

Do you think there is space for such films in the Nepal film industry? e couldn’t express ourselves Wearlier, but ever since democ- racy was established, policies changed in Nepal and people realised that in plurality lies unity. My earlier telefilm on the Limbus sort of started the eth- nic film movement - now there are more than 4-5 films being made in eth- nic languages. Especially since the re- lease of Mukundo, a new trend has started and people are appreciating these kind of films too.

Your film was supposed to be sent for an Oscar nomination, but was not. What happened? did not want to send it just for the work out. I was in Sikkim searching sister was brilliant... are pressing upon the Nepal govern- Isake of sending it. There is too much for middle-aged actresses to play the es, that girl is a born talent. She ment to start a new kind of policy politics involved in the Oscars. You role of mothers. We went to the Sec- Yis very spontaneous and also had that will give tax relief to Nepali films also need deep pockets to market and retariat by chance and there I saw a close resemblance to Numa. produced outside. This will also help promote the film. I don’t have that Anupama at the canteen. I immedi- to create a market for Nepali films kind of money, nor was I interested. ately asked her whether she wanted You have been pressing for a film here. I’d rather send the film to some Euro- to act in my film but she refused industry to be established in Sikkim. pean film festivals. Fact is that it is bluntly. My casting director thought Why is that? What’s next on your agenda? going to Paris, New York and Mel- she was right for the role and so we ven though we call ourselves ell, I still have to promote this bourne film festivals and has already persuaded her to act. ENepalis and Sikkimese, we have Wfilm. We are taking it to many received good reviews at the Fukuoka lot of cultural and ethnic similarities. international film festivals. Also the Film Festival in Japan and the Asian How do you rate her as an actress? We should come together to raise our commercial release is coming up in film festival, New Delhi. he’s very lazy and moody and voice. Maybe that is also the search Nepal. We hope it will do well and people Svery temperamental. Since she of this film. You have people like will appreciate our effort. After all this is Your female leads are from Sikkim? was not really interested in acting, she Danny Denzongpa, who is from Sik- over, I plan to make a film on the Tibetan What made you choose them? did not have that kind of commitment. ance. My cameraman, Raju Thapa kim. There is Ugyen Chopel, Uttam Khampas, but right now, in Nepal its diffi- ts an interesting story. I had already But her improvisations were perfect says that he has never got such kinds Pradhan and many others; the gov- cult to shoot beyond the Kathmandu valley. Iseen 22 girls before Anupama, but and she could minutely detail the char- of expressions before. ernment should encourage them. A film So, maybe I’ll have to wait a little. For the for some reason or the other it did not acter and has given a good perform- Niwa Hangma, who plays Numa’s industry here will benefit all of us. We present, it Numafung...

17 10; NOW! 25-31 Dec, 2002 DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT CM breaks CHAMLING AIMS 2% HIGHER bread with the PM Sikkim wants a spot in PM’s Golden a NOW REPORT Quadrilateral roads project NEW DELHI: Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling on a trip to New Delhi has a NOW REPORT made a request to the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, during the NEW DELHI: While the growth rate for the country has been fixed at 8 per course of the day to visit Sikkim. The cent, Sikkim has set its sights 2 per cent higher and the Chief Minister, Pawan

Prime Minister has been keen to visit Chamling, announced here that Sikkim would achieve a 10 per cent growth rate. PIB courtesy: pic Sikkim but has been unable to do so Mr. Chamling staked the claim while speaking at the recent meeting of the due to pressing matters that always National Development Council held here on December 21 to approve the 10th seem to dog him. This time round Five Year Plan. maybe he will find time in 2003. The Chief Minister also stressed that for Sikkim to continue “growing” at The Chief Minister, was given a 10 per cent, the Centre will have to help out in the State’s attempts at improv- pride of place when he shared the ing its infrastructure. In his 10-minute long address, Mr. Chamling urged that lunch table with the Prime Minister, Sikkim will be linked to the Prime Minister’s Golden Quadrilateral Roads Shri Vajpayee. Others of the same ta- Project. The said project is an ambitious task taken up on priority by the PMO ble included, Shri K. C. Pant, Deputy to link the four metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata by 4 to 6 lane Chairman of the Planning Commission, wide highways as part of the National Highways Project. This, Mr. Chamling Shri Jaswant Singh, Union Finance said, would make the State more “accessible” to the rest of the country and Minister and Shri Santa Kumar, Un- even open the gateway to Tibet. PM Atal Behari Vajpayee, Deputy Chairman, NDC, KC Pant, and CM ion Minister for Food and Civil Sup- While on connectivity, the Chief Minister also said that it had now become Pawan Chamling at the NDC meet held in Delhi last Saturday. plies. necessary to find an alternative route to National Highway 31A, since constant The areas listed out for consensus disruptions along the solitary lifeline to Sikkim were “choking” Sikkim’s devel- he said, would facilitate Sikkim in achieving its self-set target of generating Rs. by Prime Minister Vajpayee are - fis- opment efforts. 1,000 crore revenue by the year 2015. cal consolidation, stabilisation func- Mr. Chamling is also reported to have requested for another Rs. 100 Crores for The Chief Minister also thanked the Centre and Parliament for having tion of the plan, public-private part- completing the airport at Pakyong. He said that these main issues would need to be considered and passed the Bill relating to inclusion of Limbus and Tamangs in nership, acceleration and expansion of addressed if the overall development rate of 10 percent fixed by the State Govern- the Scheduled Tribes List. This, he said, was a historical step and a fulfillment reforms, connecting major rivers, prob- ment for itself is to be achieved. These were vital pieces of infrastructure that had of a long pending demand of the State. He also thanked the Union Government lems of urbanisation and reforms for to be put in place if the State was to achieve a higher growth rate, he said. for clearing the new industrial package for Sikkim, which he said includes all the the poor. He also requested for the setting up of a full-fledged university in Sikkim to incentives required to attract industrialists. Thanks were also offered for the Seeking cooperation of the state enable local students the facility of complete education within the State bounda- official clearance of the Bill enabling Sikkim to become the eighth member of governments in its implementation, he ries. Such initiatives in putting the basic components of development in place, the North Eastern Council. said this was necessary to ensure that the present inefficiencies and harass- ment at the business-government in- Northeastern terface disappear. IN WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE Janajatis SIKKIM DEVELOPMENT LOAN? meet rajdhani clusive) at the time of the maturity of Bank of India branches at Ahmedabad, a NOW REPORT a NOW REPORT the loans. Interest in respect of the Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Bombay, : A two-day Convention loan will be subject to tax under the Calcutta, Guwahati, Hyderabad, on Janajati Faith and Culture was or- Brrrrr..... GANGTOK: The State Finance De- Income Tax Act, 1961. Jaipur, Kanpur, Madras, Nagpur, ganised by North East India Janajati partment has decided to float 6.8 Sik- Refunds of tax deduction, if any, New Delhi, Patna and Trivandrum and Faith and Culture Protection Forum kim State Development Loan 2012 at the time of payment (at rates pre- the State Bank of India, Gangtok. at Guwahati on December 14 and 15, (2002-2003). scribed by the Annual Finance Acts) The proceeds of the loan will be 2002. The objective of the Forum was The amount of loan will be Rs. will be obtainable by holders of the utilised for financing various produc- to share the experiences of the Janajati 3.89 crores and its issue price will be loan, who are not liable to tax tive development programmes and people in practising and promoting Rs. 100 (nominal) of the loan applied deductioned. A holder who is not li- projects of the State government, Mr. their respective faiths and cultures. for. According to TT Dorji, Principal able to tax or who is liable to tax at Dorji said. Delegates representing 70 tribes Secretary, Finance Department, the rate lower than the prescribed rate can The State government owns pro- of the region and a host of eminent loan will be repaid at par on Decem- obtain, on application, a certificate ductivity assets in the form of invest- personalities attended the meet, which ber 23, 2012. from the Income Tax Officer of the ments in sectors such as electricity, is a first of its kind. The loan will bear interest at the district authorising payment of inter- roads, transport and forests and also The Janajati Forum, which was rate of 6.8 percent per annum from est to him without deduction of tax or in the share capital in financial corpo- formed to provide a common platform WINTER’S ON December 23, 2002. The interest for with deduction of tax at such lower ration, cooperative institutes, and in- to all tribal communities of North-east the period from June 23, 2003 and rate as may be applicable to the holder. dustrial undertakings. Besides, valu- India, also hosted a seminar, exhibi- December 2003 and thereafter will be Subscription in the form of cash/ able non-productive assets are also tion and various cultural programmes OFFICIALLY paid on June 23 and December 23 cheque/demand draft will be received owned by the government in the form during the two days of the programme. every year till December 23, 2012 (in- on December 23, 2002 at Reserve of building, land, communications, Papers on different topics like Facets plant and machinery, forests, etc. On of Cultural Identity, Culture and Val- the whole, the productive and other ues of Janajatis in and inin WOMENWOMEN NOW!NOW! tangible assets exceed the liabilities of Preservation and Promotion of the State government, the principal Janajati Faith and Culture was also secretary said. presented during the seminar. TIBETAN thethe FOLK ART beautifulbeautiful For Professional beauty therapy and COMES OF AGE ON haircutting classes, contact Susong at KARMA’S EASEL flowerflower riesBEAUTY Aries Beauty Parlour, Nam Nang AAPARLOUR 18 25-31 Dec, 2002; NOW! 11 BUSINESSBUSINESS the affordable option. for details, contact the Marketing Manager @ 270949 Assam student body threatens stir against Reliance mobile classifieds GUWAHATI: A radical students’ a ride and we are not going to tolerate Between 11.00 p.m. and 8.00 a.m., all group in Assam has threatened “di- it any more. If Reliance fails to come incoming calls on Reliance mobile are rect action” against Reliance Telecom up with a special tariff scheme by the free in Siliguri whereas full rates are for alleged disparity in tariff rates for end of this month, we shall be forced charged in the two northeastern cities . the region’s mobile phone service. to launch a stir against them,” AJYPC even during lean hours. The Asom Jatiyatabadi Juba president Apurba Bhattacharyya told The AJYCP also accused Reliance SPECIAL WINTER COURSES FOR CHILDREN Chattra Parishad (AJYCP), which has reporters here. of not extending its service to other (of all ages and sizes) an estimated five million student sup- The AJYCP claimed Reliance has northeastern cities and towns despite porters in the state, has served an ul- different rates in different regions, the central government lifting a ban @ SPECIAL CONCESSIONAL RATES@!%* timatum to Reliance Telecom to an- with the highest tariff charged in the on mobile service extension in the nounce a special tariff scheme for the northeast. “In the Siliguri area of West northeast in May. FUN & EDUTAINMENT GALORE region by December 31. Bengal, Reliance mobile-to-mobile “We simply cannot tolerate such with BUMPER GIFTS and PRIZES Reliance Telecom is the only mo- calls are free, while in Guwahati and discriminatory attitudes on the part bile phone service provider in you end up paying Rs. 3 per of Reliance and if need be we will at: CAPITAL CAREER CENTRE Guwahati and Shillong. “Reliance is minute even if it is between two mo- move court to get a fair deal,” Deorali, Gangtok 737102 taking customers in the northeast for bile users,” the AJYCP leader said. Bhattacharyya said. Phones: 281043 & 280313 Lexicon brings free servicing Grand X’Mas & Lossong Offer Rs. 1,530/- complete coat & pant for Gangtok Sumos with stitching charges Bakhu Piece for Rs. 350/ only a NOW REPORT Please Contact: Gautam-Mafatlal, Near Star Cinema, Gangtok. ph: 222238 GANGTOK: Lexicon Auto Ltd., Siliguri, held a 2-day free service JOYBELLS SCHOOL camp for Tata vehicles of the capi- Tadong, Gangtok. Sikkim tal from December 23 here at Applications are invited for the following posts: Indira By Pass [see pic]. 1. TEACHERS Besides servicing the Tata a. Mathematics range of vehicles in Gangtok for b. Science free, the camp also had on display c. Social Studies two new models from the Tata sta- d. Computer ble - one was the friendly neigh- 2. ACCOUNTANT bourhood “TATA” with slight modi- 3. DRIVER fications and the other was a new 4. GUARD and improved multi-utility truck 5. MAID SERVANT FOR THE HOSTEL “207 DI” of the Tata Mobile series * Special Preference will be given to local candidates [pic below]. Applications to be addressed to- THE CHAIRMAN Joybells School GREENDALE SCHOOL Tadong, Gangtok. TADONG ADMISSION OPEN FOR a great grand offer ACADEMIC SESSION 2003 Rs. 2160 FOR NURSERY TO CLASS - VI OCM SUIT PIECE COMPLETE WITH STITCHING (PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE CHARGES AND MANY MORE ITEMS Please Contact: Gautam-Mafatlal, Near Star Cinema, Gangtok. ph: 222238 UPTO CLASS - X) NEW YEAR DHAMAKA Contact: Phone No: SALE! SALE!! MOBILE SALE!! KUTSESHEGU 232157 / 231018 @ STOP MOBILE SHOPPE The Kutse Shegu of Late Sonam Tashi WANTED 1 Bhutia who expired on 21st Novem- FREE LUCKY COUPONS WORTH Rs. 10,000/- and ber, 2002 falls on the 8th of January, EXPERIENCED GIFTS WORTH THOUSANDS with every purchase 2003. All relatives, friends and well MATHEMATICS / SCIENCE of Mobile Handsets for wishers are requested to join us in of- TEACHERS preferably fering prayers to the departed soul at BSNL & Reliance Network MOBILE PROBLEM??? NO PROBLEM! COMPUTERISED REPAIRING our residence at Teen Gharey, Middle married couple for GREENDALE SCHOOL, TADONG, FACILITY AVAILABLE Sichey. We would also like to take this Sonam Tashi Bhutia EXCHANGE YOUR OLD HANDSET opportunity to thank all those who 1975-2002 GANGTOK WITH stood by us in our hour of bereavement and regret our CALL: 232157 / 231018 A BRAND NEW SET!!! inability to do so individually. or e-mail: Norbu Tsering Bhutia (Uncle), Peden Bhutia (mother), Chuni Internet Point, Yama House, Gangtok. Ongmu (wife), Passang Lhamu (aunty) & family members. [email protected] Phones: 222166 Mobile: 9832091332 & 9434012030

19 SIKKIM

12; NOW! 25-31 Dec, 2002 SPORTSSPORTS Double CM’s Gold Cup SATA juniors bring back medals; Archery 2003 bonanza for Rupen Pradhan bags gold at Namchi strings up National Games a NOW REPORT Sports GANGTOK: The Sikkim Archery a NOW REPORT Association (SAA), at a meeting held at the Conference Hall at STNM Hos- Hostel GANGTOK: The Sikkim Amateur pital on December 23 under the chair- Taekwondo Association (SATA) a NOW REPORT manship of its President, Thinley represented Sikkim in the 20th Sub- Bhutia, Minister for UD&HD, de- Junior boys and girls National NAMCHI: The “Search for more cided that the fourth Chief Minister’s Taekwondo Championships held at Baichungs,” an ambitious intiative of Gold Cup Archery 2003 Tournament PJN Indoor Stadium, Margaon Goa the Department of Sports & Youth be held from December 28 to Febru- on December 6 to 8 2002. The cham- Affairs launched in April 1999 has ary 10 at Tatangchen ground. pionship was organized by the started bearing fruit. This tournament is the most pres- Taekwondo Federation of India Namchi Sports Hostel reached the tigious archery tournament of the re- (TFI). The team was led by Trilok finals of the Sub-junior Subroto Cup gion. Last year the team from Ranka Subba, Chief Coach and Dawa Football Tournament at Ambedkar lifted the trophy after stiff competi- Tamang as Coach, Karma Tenkyo Stadium, New Delhi by defeating Car tion from teams from all over Sikkim, Bhutia and Sanjay Shivakhoty were Nicobar by a solitary goal through Darjeeling, Pedong, Kalimpong and the Team Managers. A total of 13 Issac Lepcha. The win breaks the jinx Bhutan. The participation this year participants represented Sikkim, nine for Namchi Sports Hostel which had too is expected to be good. boys and three girls. bowed out of the tourney at the semi- On December 16, SAA had held Sabina Sundas won Silver Medal final stage on two previous occasions. its first meeting, in whicharchery as- in Girls Middle weight category, This year the team under the dedi- sociations from all over Sikkim par- Nina Chettri won bronze medal in cated coaching of Hangu Norden ticipated. girls Feather Weight category. Lepcha, Chief Coach, eliminated SAA is sending a team of junior arch- Parmeswar Borothoki won Bronze Andhra Pradesh 7-0 in the prelimi- ers to represent Sikkim at the Junior Medal in boys Fin Weight Cagegory. nary round, Uttaranchal 5-1 in the National Games to be held at Jamshedpur Executive members of SATA quarterfinals and Car Nicobar 1-0 in in the month of January next year. also congratulated Rupen Pradhan, the semi final. for winning gold medal and Kajol Namchi Sports Hostel has added Rasaily for winning Silver medal in another feather to its cap as four boys 5 Sikkim the recently concluded 32nd Na- have been selected for India’s under tional Games, Hyderabad, Andhra 14-football squad and they will rep- boxers in Qtr. Pradesh. Dawa Tamang Black Belt resent the country at the AFC Foot- 1st dan was the only officiating ref- ball Festival starting from December eree from Sikkim. Finals 25 in Kathmandu. The boys are Dawa Lepcha (Kamrang), Sanju Pradhan THE JUNIOR MEDALISTS: [left to right] a NOW REPORT (Sombaria), Karma Lendup Lepcha Parmeswar Borothoki, Nina Chettri and Sabina Sundas. HYDERABAD: According to the lat- (Dzongu) and Sagar Rai of Soreng. est information reaching here, five pugilist from Sikkim have reached the quarterfinals stage of the 32nd Boxing MEGA NAMSOONG PROMISED Championship. The tourney is being here at the Fateh Nagar Indoor Sta- dium. AT NAMPRIKDANG Vivek Ramu Damu defeated P fair. This celebration marks the dially invites all for the same. Shirodkar of Goa and Damber Subba a NOW REPORT victory of good over evil. As the This year, in addition to the fes- beat Dani Tamang of Arunachal story goes, it is celebrated to com- tivities, the Chief Minister, also Pradesh in the Men’s category to ad- he “Namsoong” or memorate the killling of “Lasso the Chief Guest, will inaugurate vance to the quarterfinals. In the Wom- “nambun” in Lepcha moong” - the demon who was cre- the newly constructed Lepcha Tra- en’s event, Sumitra Chettri beat her T means ‘the celebration of ating havoc in Mayel Lyang - or ditional House here in opponent from Bengal and Sandhya New Year.’ This falls on the first of the Lepcha land of peace and am- Namprikdang. The fair will host Gurung overcame her opponent from the Lepcha calendar (Kurnyet Lavo) ity, by Jor Bongthing, a powerful several programmes like cultural Chandigarh to join Chimmie Ongmu corresponding to December - Janu- liberator. programmes reflecting the cultural in the quarterfinals. ary of the English calendar every ethos of Sikkim, quiz competi- Two Sikkimese - JL Pradhan and year. This time, it corresponds with The Namprikdang Mela (as it tions, various competitions for chil- Raju Basnet are also officiating in the January 3, 2003. is popularly known) will be cel- dren and a football tournament. boxing championship; whereas ebrated from January 2-7, 2003. New this year will be the Tradi- Changchup Lama is officiating in the Namsoong is celebrated with As usual the Namsoong Commit- tional Food Competition where football competition, informs HT traditional pomp and gaiety at tee is busy preparing for the grand enthusiasts will get the chance to Basi, Deputy Chef-De-Mission, Sik- Namprikdang, Dzongu, in a grand success of the festival and it cor- savour traditional food of Sikkim. kim contingent.

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