06 August, 2004; NOW! 1

trict and Sessions Judge [Special Di- judge on 11 December 1990 when she Mrs. Meenakshi Rai is the wife a NOW REPORT vision II] of on 02 August 2004. was appointed as Civil Judge-cum- of Andrew Rai and daughter of Mrs. , 05 August: Mrs. With her latest promotion, Mrs. Judicial Magistrate. Before her lat- and Mr. MM Rasaily, former Audi- Meenakshi Madan Rai, the first lady Meenakshi Madan Rai has been est promotion, she was serving as the tor General of Home Secretary of to be appointed a judge in the Sikkim encadered in the Superior Judicial Chief Judicial Magistrate [East], a Sikkim and daughter-in-law of Mrs. Courts, has been promoted again. Service. post to which she was promoted to in and Mr. Andrew Rai, retired engi- She took charge as the first lady Dis- She became Sikkim’s first lady April 2000. neer of the CPWD.

Travelling Rs. 81.32 Friday, 06 Aug, 2004 Vol. 3 No. 116 Gangtok  Rs. 3 Abroad? State of is the only crores and Bank in Gangtok which offers...  Vishwa Yatra Foreign Travel Card in $, Euro, Pound 8 projects  American Express Travellers Cheque in $, Euro, Pound  Currency Notes in $, Euro, for Sikkim Pound a NOW REPORT For further details, phone Tenzing / Tashi 220616/ GANGTOK, 05 July: The 222824 (Extn. 26) or Ministry of Development of 9434012824 North Eastern Region [DONER] has sanctioned 8 projects worth Rs. 81.32 crores for Sikkim under NLCPR. School Chalein Hum... DRIVER An IPR Press release, quot- ing information received from KILLED IN the Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House, , in- forms that the projects include ROAD six road projects, one power and one water supply project MISHAP for Gangtok. The Ministry has already SINGTAM: The driver of a approved the release of Rs. Gammon India Ltd. vehicle, 28.96 crores as the first Bishwa Nath Das, died when installment for implementation the vehicle met with an acci- of these projects, adds the re- dent on 03 August. The acci- lease. dent occurred at around 7 pm These projects have been at Audit II project work site sanctioned from the list of the at Lower Samdong while the projects retained by DONER vehicle [SK-03/ 1519] was ne- for the year 2003-04. The Min- gotiating a tight turn. The istry had earlier sanctioned six driver had sustained severe projects amounting to Rs. head injuries and succumbed 59.37 crores in the month of A bulldozer labours away to clear the debris which all but buried the TNA main gate yesterday and to his injuries on his way to blocked the Public School’s main entrance for all traffic. [turn to pg 3 for update on the slide] turn to pg 5 STNM hospital, Gangtok. BANKING ON YOUR SALARY? its among the employees,” the officials count, the employee has to give his ac- SBI, Asst. General Manager, Gopal SUBASH RAI reiterated. count number to his department. The Chettri said that even in the 21st cen- GANGTOK, 05 August: “Salary via Further development on the pro- department will then prepare a list and tury, Sikkim Government employees personal account” is the latest topic posal came about when the state gov- send it to the respective . Then the drew their salary like casual labourers - of discussion in town. Even the Op- ernment issued a circular directing its sum of the salaries will be deposited to in cash. position party in the State has raised employees to open a bank account in these banks every month. The employ- “This proposed system not only the issue alleging “it will cause unnec- their choice of banks. Seeing this, banks ees’ salary will be then credited to his helps the employees to generate a bank- essary inconvenience to the people.” like UTI, SBI and the new entrant, the personal account which can be with- ing habit but will also save them from To find out the facts NOW! spoke IDBI bank, started sending their repre- drawn at any time as per their need. unnecessary expenditures,” he feels. with officials of leading banks operat- sentatives to various departments to lure Banks are even offering zero-balance Echoing the same thoughts, Jayanta ing in Sikkim. According to them, a pro- the employees to open an account in service to such accounts, it is learnt. K. Chatterjee, Asst. Vice-President of posal was put up recently with the Chief their respective banks. It was also dis- It is important to mention here that UTI Bank, Gangtok, said that to spend Secretary regarding the issue. Accord- covered, on questioning, that most of the Government will first experiment money at hand was a psychological phe- ing to them most of the government the IV and III grade employees don’t with this scheme with the gazetted of- nomenon. employees, especially III and IV grade have any knowledge of what the bank- ficers i.e. from the rank of Under Sec- “If an individual has some money in lack the saving habit. ing system is actually about. retary and above. This system will not his pocket, temptation leads him towards “This system is basically framed to About the actual process, the offi- be extended to other ranks unless re- avoidable expenditure. The system will inculcate banking as well saving hab- cials disclosed that after opening an ac- quested so by the employees. turn to pg 4 2; NOW!; 06 August, 2004 ED-SPACE Wronged? NOW! hen the issue of may have reason for their and to equal pay for equal work FIRST WITH THE NEWS women’s rights indignance, but our lawmakers under the civil service rules. W comes up for dis- of the past, also mostly men, But it is still widely felt among Listen To The Experts, cussion, and it often does, had their reasons for enacting a section of society that Bhutanese men have been such a decision. A reasonable “women are not taken so seri- Please known to joke that, in , guess would be that men were ously” and that “men make im- it is the men who should be generally the bread-earners and portant decisions better”. Gangtok keeps highlighting its short-sightedness. fighting for their rights. the concerns of our forefathers In some cases of rape and Yesterday’s landslide, which brought down tonnes As they say, many a true in positions of responsibility domestic violence, which is of debris from the VIP road and dumped it at the word is said in jest. must have been that a woman under-reported, women main- gates of the State’s only public school is another It would be extremely unu- could be abandoned to look af- tain silence especially when reminder of not only the fragility of Gangtok’s soil, sual in any parliament these ter the children on her own. they are dependent on their hus- but also the continued refusal of concerned authori- days, anywhere in the world, Another reasonable guess bands. Sexual abuse of girls ties to heed reason. The diversion road which trig- for members to plead for equal- would be that it must have ac- and young women are a con- gered the landslide was thumbed down by geologi- ity for men. That was what hap- tually happened, more than cern. To increase awareness of cal experts in 1998 and yet in 2004, the cutting was pened in Thimphu this week as women’s and children’s rights initiated to bulldoze a way through. 1997, when fe- the chimis complained that the government has taken sev- Bhutanese law unfairly fa- ELSEWHERE eral steps. rocious landslides visited the capital is not that far BHUTAN back in time for people to have forgotten where it voured women when it came to The establishment of Na- child support. tional Commission for Women struck. A slide at Zero Point, below Raj Bhavan lev- On the surface the law does once. That is why the eloquent and Children is expected to elled parts of a bungalow there. Another toppled a seem to discriminate against proverb, “A father must be the strengthen coordination and building over barely 100 metres down the highway. men. In a divorce case, the fa- provider even if he is poor, and implementation of government In fact, this second slide was almost on the same ther pays child support of 20 per- the mother the receiver even if commitments under the line, only further downhill, from the spot where the cent of his income for each child, she is wealthy.” CEDAW and the Convention on Gangtok hill sliced off again on Wednesday. Agreed, for up to two children, until the Legally, there might be Rights of the Child [CRC]. It yesterday’s slide might have been triggered more child is 18 years old. This hap- anomalies, but this law has would also only be fair to men- by the broken water supply pipelines which ran un- pens even if the wife is at fault been in practice for a long time. tion that women in Bhutan are der the diversion road [!], the inherent weakness of and the cause of the divorce. A more serious element that generally known to be better off the soil must have contributed to the fall. If there This is not the first time that probably needs to be thrashed than women in many parts of the was indeed a lackadaisical attitude at play here, then the Assembly has debated the out in today’s debate is, to world. What we do know, with- the guilty party should consider itself lucky that the issue. In fact it is back on the quote the chief justice, the out any research, is that ours is slide did not hit at school hours. One shudders to Assembly floor because the question of “what law ought to a society that enjoys quite flex- even imagine what would have happened then. Yet, chimis tried to change it last be and what law is.” ible norms in social behaviour. the disruption of water supply to most of Gangtok is year, and failed. They used radi- But what most of us agree And we are glad that both men still a serious enough offence, if irregular construc- cal arguments saying that, in with is the compassion in our and women are free of the re- paying child support for two law. For example, it looks after strictions and stigma that some- tion practises can be proven. The shifting of blame children, a man was known to the child when parents do not times bind people, especially is also an embarrassing exercise. The buck has to have been maintaining his ex- get along. Today there are new women, to very limited lives. stop somewhere and accountability has to be fixed. wife and her unemployed lover elements in the gender debate. But that is why our National As- No one was hurt in the slide, but many lives were in the name of his children. A recent study on the situation sembly needs to discuss, regu- put under threat and if negligence can be estab- This year, one chimi feared of women in Bhutanese soci- larly, numerous issues related to lished, stringent action should be taken. As for the that a man with two wives ety concluded that, while there family relationships. future, the authorities should start paying the re- could be paying 80 percent of was no formalised gender bias Bhutanese law deals with a quired attention to warnings posted by experts and his salary if they both had two at home and in the workplace host of very complex issues re- suggestions made by them. After a building collapse children. women, being physically lated to marriage, divorce, and a landslide, both of which had been predicted But the issue is more com- weaker and sexually more vul- property division and inherit- and both of which were not adequately followed up, plex than it looks. It needs to be nerable, have less access to ance, all stemming from the the experts have proven themselves right. They are understood in our socio-cultural educational and employment norms of sexual behaviour. And not just crying wolf, they are actually pointing out a setting, not to speak of what has opportunities. this debate will go on. Perhaps clear and present danger. Please start listening to been described as the “fluidity” In Bhutan all persons are that is the price we must pay. them and start acting on their advice. of some relationships. equal before law and women - editorial featured in The chimis, mostly men, have the right to employment Kuensel, Bhutan

hough I am not a write NOW! Tpessimist,nowadays I can’t If you feel strongly about help thinking that Nepal has RETURN OF PEACE? something that has been lost its fundamental identity— reported in NOW! or have the identity of a peaceful coun- But if solace is to be found by cache of arms by the insurgents, efficient mechanism of disar- an opinion on some re- try—at least for many decades dwelling in our dream world, our country’s situation is also mament is set up, it is likely that cent development, then to come. Even if the present let’s not hesitate to do that for becoming like that of Bihar. sporadic cases of violence will share it with a wider au- state of violence and killing a moment. Whenever I let my See the present lawlessness in continue even after the end of dience. While the LET- eventually comes to an end in mind imagine that the Maoist the armed struggle as in the TERS section will carry some joyous days of the future, problem is being solved, I am case of any other insurgency- responses to articles and the scars of gruesome massa- always confronted with one VIEWPOINT hit countries. news carried in NOW!, cre in the people’s mind will major question: Will our vil- Why don’t the Maoists, in- ACTION MAIL is about not be removed easily, the way lages and cities ever be as safe by KUMUD BHANDARI stead of preaching these inno- complaints and griev- top leaders make and as harmonious as it used to cent people the dictums of ances. Wherever possi- negotiations.Taking into con- be?What makes Bihar such a our cities- one can shoot an- armed rebellion, bestow them ble, NOW! shall also search out a response to sideration what is transpiring in crime-ridden place and why other in broad daylight, the bul- with vocational skills? For self- the Action Mail. If not, this country, where every leader Nepali cities, only a few miles let whizzes under the nose of a dependence brings independ- then at least a complaint and even the King wants to play away from India, are far safer? policeman and still the culprits ence. Why don’t they, instead would have been filed in his own game of chess, the very It’s the availability of arms that are nowhere to be found. In a of burdening tender shoulders the public domain. thought of Maoist problem makes such a vast difference. country where even firecrack- with arms, provide them with write to: NOW!, Gairi Gaon, coming to an end in the near In Bihar, weapons are as ubiq- ers are banned during festivals, copies and pens, as education Tadong, East Sikkim. future can be called nothing uitous as potatoes. Because of time-bombs explode in every is the key to liberation and Or email: sikkimnow@ more than a farfetched dream. the rise in smuggling of a large nook and corner.Unless a very emancipation? rediffmail.com  RAJDHANI 06 August, 2004; NOW! 3 I-DAY SOCCER TOURNEY, WATER SUPPLY RESTORED, IRBn boys and SLUSH ON ITS WAY OUT Namcheybong girls advance a NOW REPORT PAKYONG, 05 August: At the Independence Day Foot- ball Tournament being held St. Xavier’s School play- ground, Pakyong, today IRB took on Pakyong Football Club ‘B’ in senior boys divi- STYLE sion while in the senior girls Hotel Golden Pagoda, MG Marg, Gangtok category Namchebong Sec- ondary School took on Academy. ATTENTION EX-SASONIANS! In the former match IRB Ex-students of beat Pakyong Football Club along with ‘B’ 4 goals to 1 while in the Sure enough, a light drizzle into the waiting trucks bound Sr. Teachers are a NOW REPORT other match Namchebong Sec- kept clearance work slow for Rongey to dispose the slush. coming over to ondary School beat TNA by 4 GANGTOK, 05 August: Of- through most of the day today. The Water pipes that were Gangtok. All ex- goals to nil. ficials of the PHE department Incidentally, the entrance to broken yesterday have been Sasonians are invited who were at the site of the land- TNA has been completely del- temporarily restored and the Tomorrow Pachey Junior to join them at Hotel slide which occurred yesterday uged with rubble from the fall water supply resumed, much to High School take on Mt. Simvo at 5 pm near TNA assured that they that had occurred yesterday and the relief of Gangtokians, many Namchebong Secondary School on 7.8.2004. were trying their best to clear even the shack of the TNA of whom had to line up behind in the Sub-Junior Category For further the landslide debris by 06 Au- guard had been destroyed. fire tenders which were pressed while Pakyong Football Club information contact: gust, but admitted that weather A bulldozer was hard at into service yesterday to supply ‘A’ take on Swastik Football 9434179214, could play foul in their efforts. work at the site, dumping mud water to homes in the capital. Club in the senior boys category. 9832053021

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The picture shows the delapidated conditions of the Junior High Congress School of Niya Baram, Lingmoo. The classrooms are in a sorry takes up state and so is the rest of the infrastructure if it can be called so. It has been learnt that the school has no headmaster and Cardomom the language teacher has to double as the school headmaster. a NOW REPORT GANGTOK, 05 August: Sikkim Pradesh Congress Com- mittee [I] is convinced that the State’s cash crop, cardamom, is on the verge of extinction due to communicable diseases which is destroying the crops. A meeting of the party held here at Congress Bhawan today alleged that the solutions to the problem could have been sought earlier if the State Gov- ernment had properly utilised the budget for the purpose. The party warned that it would take 3 INJURED IN United Bank to open branch in Namchi, strong action if the government GEYZING ROAD fails to take proper steps to con- has plans for agriculture sector trol the problem. MISHAP ernor and Chief Minister. people to educate the rural folk a NOW REPORT GEYZING: A government He said that United Bank of on the importance of forming DOUBLE THEFT gypsy vehicle belonging to the NAMCHI, 05 July: United India was the first bank in recent self help groups and to avail NAMCHI: Two cases of theft IPR department, west district, , a leading Na- times to start its operation in credit facilities. have been reported from met with an accident on 03 Au- tionalized Bank is opening its Sikkim in places outside Gangtok. He explained that the busi- Namchi on 04 August. In one gust. The vehicle, with number first branch in the State of While appreciating the vi- ness community of the area would case the house of Shiva Kumar plate SK-02/ 3297, had five Sikkim at Namchi, South sion of Mr. Chamling to uplift also benefit if the purchasing Rai at Singhithang was burgled occupants including the driver Sikkim shortly. the rural poor, he said that the power of the rural people im- of Rs. 6,000 in the afternoon. when it met with an accident at In order to introduce the main objective was to make proved through micro financing. In the other case, the house of 3rd Mile, about 2 kms from bank, SC Debnath, Regional banking services available to Business people, in turn, Pem Deki Sherpa at Dabwa, Legship Bazaar. Among the Manager, North Bengal Region, the rural masses of Sikkim. shall be provided with trade Namchi was burgled during occupants was MK Subba, Siliguri held a meeting with lo- Besides retail credit facilities, loans on easy terms, Mr. which the thieves made away DIO, West. The vehicle was on cal people at Hotel Samdruptse, the main thrust area of the bank Debnath assured. UBI is also in with Rs. 9,000 and a gold ring its way to Geyzing. Victims Namchi on 31 July. shall be to provide timely and the process of opening another of half a tola. Both cases are were forwarded to district hos- At the meeting, Mr. Debnath hassle-free credit to the agricul- branch at Gangtok, it is learnt. under investigation. pital, Geyzing and three victims disclosed that the Bank has de- tural sector in the area, which has who sustained serious injuries cided to open the branch in ac- great potential in producing gin- were referred to STNM hospi- cordance to the demand of peo- ger, potato, vegetables etc. tal, Gangtok. ple of Namchi put to the Gov- He appealed to the business LATEST ARRIVAL: BIRD MOBILE PHONES SAMSUNG NOKIA C100 5,990/- 3310 3,390/- Banking on your salary? x100 6,490/- 1100 3,890/- N500 5,590/- 2300 4,690/- salary packets delivered in of- account will only add the trou- R220 3,590/- 3100 6,490/- MOTOROLA Contd from pg 1 fice, while we waste an entire ble of going to the bank and C200 2,890/- PANASONIC also reduce the work burden on day outside the Accounts Of- withdrawing the money. It is not C33Oi 4,590/- A100 4,500/- C550 7,490/- the cashiers as well as the risk of ficer’s cabin. Now, the money as if I save anything anyway,” G51 6,995/- carrying cash in hand,” he added. will go to our accounts and we explained a grade III employee According to Mr. can withdraw as per our need who had heard of the proposal. EXCHANGE OFFER/COMPUTERISED REPAIR/SERVICE Chatterjee, more than 15 private through the ATMs,” said one. The idea, as mentioned ear- INTERNET POINT companies and the army in Others were less excited, lier, is still in the proposal stage Yama House, M.G. Marg, Gangtok Sikkim are satisfactorily main- pointing out that they spent their and how Sikkim takes to bank- Ph: 9434188167/9832093603/202166 taining the system through his entire salaries at home. “A bank ing, only time will tell. bank for many years now. “ATM has made the system even more SIKKIM FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION popular,” he claimed. JS Gyaltsen, General Man- INDEPENDENCE DAY FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT FOR SIR TASHI NAMGYAL MEMORIAL CUP 2004 ager, State Bank of Sikkim while offering much the same FIXTURE opinion maintained that though DATE POOL STAGE TEAM VRS. TEAM MATCH COMISSIONER the system is not beneficial to the banks as it would increase 07.8.04 A Pre-Qtr. D’zongri Club Vrs. I.R.Bn Mr.Dhondup Lepcha the work load, the government 08.8.04 B Qtr. Final TKKS (Darj.) Vrs. Sikkim Police ‘A’ Arjun Roka employees would certainly 09.8.04 C Qtr. Final SAIL, Durgapur Vrs. USSC, Gtk. Lalit Rai benefit. According to him, in 1995-96 SBS had experi- 10.8.04 D Qtr. Final Winner of ‘A’ Vrs. Boys Club Dorjee Tamang mented with the system, but 11.8.04 E Qtr. Final Sikkim Police ‘B’ Vrs. UKFC, Kusng. Rinchen gave up the exercise when gov- 12.8.04 F Semi Final Winner of ‘B’ Vrs. Winner of ‘D’ HK Karki ernment employees could not decide on which banks to open 13.8.04 G Semi Final Winner of ‘C’ Vrs. Winner of ‘E’ Karma Nidup Bhutia an account with. 15.8.04 H Final Winner of ‘F’ Vrs. Winner of ‘G’ Karma Pintso Bhutia Some government employ- NB. ees were also quite excited 1. All the matches will be played at Tashi Namgyal Academy Ground, Gangtok. about the prospect since they realised that the new service 2. Kick-off time of all the matches is 3 PM except for the final. would save them the hassle of 3. The matches will be played as per AIFF rules. lining up outside the Accounts (MENLA ETHENPA) section to collect their salaries. “The senior officers get their HONY. SECRETARY  NEWSSCAN 06 August, 2004; NOW! 5 Self-initiative brings electricity to neglected area electricity to the area, which Though the whole process KARAN SHAH lies in the midst of a jungle. of electrifying the village KHARKA, 05 August: After “We didn’t approach the sounds simple – it took exactly years of darkness, it was light electricity board because we nine months - it was quite a finally for the first time. A mo- knew that it would be useless. painstaking effort. ment to celebrate. And a cel- However we did approach the “A hundred and fifty of us ebration there was. A mini fes- Panchayat body; they claimed got together to collect funds tival was organized at Kharka, that they didn’t have enough and worked day and night. We which falls under Block- 2 of funds,” recalls Rai. used to go for work at seven in the Kalimpong sub-division Though Rai’s house will the morning and after the day’s and is close to the border of have lights from now onwards, work, a brief discussion would Sikkim and remains one of the the help to electrify the whole take place for preparation for most ignored locations. Ironi- area came from an unexpected the next day,” said Rai, who led cally, it is barely 25 kms away source. the group. from Kalimpong. “World Vision, an NGO has “The whole project cost us Laden with rough, incom- been involved in our area in a total of two lakhs five thou- plete roads and village foot- various works, so we thought sand rupees, though the sum of paths, the electricity network has of approaching them,” says thirty five thousand came from given this village a go by. But Rai. Hence, Rai, along with the the side of the villagers,” said that was till the members of the 90-year-old greets the arrival of electricity to his village members of the 23 houses of Mr. Jyoti Mukhiya, Area Devel- 23 houses at Kharka decided to were affected. We used small Arjun Rai, a resident of Kharka. Lower Kharka approached the opment Project Manager take the initiative and work a lanterns, but even that was Though the last electric NGO, which responded posi- [World Vision]. It was under way out of the forced darkness. hampered by the irregular sup- pole is just 3 kilometers away, tively and as a result of which him that the project material- “We had serious problems ply of kereosene. By 7 pm eve- no initiative was taken by the the celebrations of the first day ized adding. “It feels great to and especially the students ryone was off to bed,” says concerned authorities to reach of electricity took place today. serve others,” he added. Rs. 81.32 250 PARTICIPANTS AT TT TOURNAMENT Deorali Girls Senior Secondary A hectic day School reached the finals in the crores and girl’s category.

of TT and the In Boy’s category Bijay 8 projects Subba, Yogen Lama, Basu finalists are Sharma and Raju from Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary for Sikkim decided School and Amit Pradhan, Contd from pg 1 Silvanas Sherpa, Tenzing and a NOW REPORT March, 2004, bringing the to- Ningma Sherpa from Bahai tal value of projects sanctioned GANGTOK, 05 August: The School, Tadong reached the fi- from the list of 2003-04 to Rs. 1st All Sikkim Student Asso- nals. The above mentioned per- 140 crores. ciation Inter School and sons will play at the finals of The announcement follows Open Individual Prize members, Students and partici- Jharna Pradhan, Sachina the team championship on 7 the Chief Minister, Pawan Money Champi- pants were also present. Vikrant Tamang and Prerna Subba from August. Chamling’s meeting with the onship started here at the Prasad was the chief umpire for Union Minister for DONER, Palzor Indoor Stadium today. the championship. PR Kyndiah, yesterday. At the The Championship is being The final match will be meeting, Mr. Chamling organized by All Sikkim Stu- played on 07 August. thanked the Minister for his dent Association. 200 partici- Nikita Pradhan, Mokshata Mobile, Mobile Department’s continued sup- pants from 19 schools will be Dahal and Nirjala Dahal from port and assistance in the im- taking part in the inter school Tashi Namgyal Academy and  Easy Instalment Scheme available plementation of various devel- tournament while 50 partici-  Mobile Phone at Reasonable Prices opmental projects in the state. pants will take part in the  Parking facility He is also reported to have open competition, with some  Connection facility  requested Mr. Kyndiah. who is players coming from Siliguri. Exchange offer available  also in charge of tribal affairs, The tournament was inau- Second-hand sets available to consider the demand of the gurated by Thukchuk State Government to include Lachungpa, MD, Yama Enter- contact: 201006, 98323 70433 jeans TENZING ENTERPRISES Shopping Complex, Gurung, Manger, Sunwar, prises while CK Basnet, Presi- Room No. 41, Development Area, Gangtok Thami, Rai, Dewan, Jogi and dent, Sikkim Table Tennis As- available Bhujel communities in the list sociation was Guest of Honour. at of scheduled tribes, as they Malati Ghosh, International ADMISSION IN ENGINEERING have all the requisite character- player and 2003 Arjuna REEBOK SHOWROOM No Donation – Only Fees [3,500/- per Sem.] istics of Scheduled Tribes. The Awardee was present as a spe- Below MG Road, Gangtok LATERAL ADMISSION FOR ENGINEERING Minister, it is learnt, agreed to cial guest along with ASSA DIPLOMA HOLDERS IN 2ND YEAR look into the demand of the Some seats are available in Hotel Mang. [Job State Government sympatheti- LANDMARK INTERNATIONAL Guarantee]. BBM, BCA, MBA, MCA, BPT, Bio- cally and on priority basis. has already opened another branch in Tech, BDS, MSc. [Bio-Tech, Micro-Bio] NOW! CAN BE CONTACTED Jammu & Kashmir. For this, 20 more OPENING SHORTLY AT THE FOLLOWING brilliant boys/girls as Branch Manager/ STUDY CENTRE OF SACHDEVA P.T. PHONE NUMBERS: Asst. Manager will be recruited soon. College LIMITED VACANCY / ACCOMMODATION FREE New Delhi at Mrs. Dey’s Career’s Counselling Ins, 271167 Road, Gangtok. Enquiry open for Winter Crash Course 9832080753 For details contact immediately: [X, XII]- CBSE, ICSE, ISC and Classroom Regular 9832368930 Sarda Building, 6th Floor, M.G. Marg, Coaching for AIMED, ENG. Ent. Exam ‘05/06. Contact: 9832369520 Gangtok Ph: 98320-90007 (mob) Mrs. Soma Dey, Ph: 226510/9434153355 6; NOW!; 06 August, 2004 NEWSSCAN 

AWARENESS CAMP FOR RURAL WOMEN NOW! CONCLUDES AT MICKHOLA CLASSIFIEDS topics like RTDCP dots by Dr. APOSRDA. PURAN TAMANG Sarak Rai, medical officer, The chief guest, Mr. GOOD NEWS!! NAMCHI, 05 July: The 8- Namchi hospital, Mrs. Basanti Lepcha, in his address said that day awareness generation Sharma, PGT Nepali of women of today could play a Dr.C. L. Pradhan, M.D (Neuro Psychiatry) project camp for poor and ru- Namchi Girls Senior Second- vital role in changing the soci- Specilialites in treating all types mental illness like ral women of Lower ary School spoke on women ety. Appreciating the steps of Anxiety , Depression , Schizophrenia, Phobias, Epi- Mickhola concluded on 02 and education, Dr. CS Sharma, the government and NGOs in lepsy, Mental retardation , Dementias (forgetfulness), August at the Panchayat Psychiatrist, Namchi hospital this direction he urged the obsessive compulsive Disorder(OCD), Sexual Prob- Bhawan, Mickhola. The pro- informed the gathering on womenfolk to take advantage lems, Sleep disturbances, addictions, bed wetting, gramme was organised by problems arising from alcohol- of such camps. He also urged stammering (speech problems) etc. is available at: Drishti, a Namchi based ism, women’s health was them to take serious steps to- TRESA ENTERPRISES MEDICAL STORE, NGO and was sponsored by touched upon by Mr. Tarun Rai, wards child health. Deorali Bazzar, Near Khadi Bhawan at every the Sikkim State Welfare DPHNO, Namchi hospital A total of 43 rural women Sunday from 10 AM to 4 AM . Board, Gangtok. while Dr. Virendra Gurung attended the camp. The valedic- CT Lepcha, Panchayat mem- talked on child health. Mrs. tory function was attended by Contact: 9434164798. ber, lower Mickhola was the Archana Rai, advocate spoke Mr. Asit Rai, RDA, Mickhola chief guest of the valedictory on women and law and the con- GPU, Mrs. Ongkit Rai, presi- function organised on 02 August. cept of self help groups was dent, village health committee The camp covered various explained by Gopal Rajalim, and all the members of Drishti. LOST Name: Pemki Lepcha, Age: 10 yrs., White complexion, approx. 3 ft. tall, D/o. Samten Lepcha of Bagchey, North Sikkim on Janta Jagriti lessons for Tarku 2.8.2004 from SNT Colony, Daragaon, by BS Tewari, Panchayat Presi- more care about the health of Tadong. She was last seen wearing jeans a NOW REPORT dent, the programme started. the children. pant with blue jacket and red chappal. TARKU, 05 July: A Health Addressing the people SDDO, Zilla Panchayat, President, Any information please contact: Tadong OP or call: Awareness Camp was organ- RM&D expressed his happi- South, Phurmit Lepcha ex- 231408, 9434012171, 9434031041 ized here on 02 August, by ness over the activities of the pressed her happiness that Janta Jagriti Sangh an NGO Health Department, Panchayats women were more conscious LOST actively involved in different and the NGOs in making the about their health nowadays. Original Marksheet of B.Com Pass course year 1998, social and environment based people conscious about health belonging to Pradeep Kr. Sharma s/o Shri Bidhya activities. Tarku-Tanak and hygiene. At the camp local people Pd. Sharma has been lost on 20.07.04 on the way Gram Panchayat, South received free treatment from between Makha and Singtam. If found contact: Sikkim, sponsored the Pro- Ex-CMO, South, CB Rai specialist doctors and were also Mr.Promod Kr. Sharma, P.S. to HRD Minister, gramme. The headmaster, explaining that health is wealth distributed free medicines by Ph: 202586 (o) 9832018691 (M). teachers and students of said that the parents should take the local Panchayats. Tarku Secondary School also SHOP FOR LAND FOR SALE actively supported the Pro- SALE Next to Heruka Hotel, gramme. Paye (Anthesti Kriya) Location: Metro Point NH 31A, Deorali. Ap- After the welcome speech PAYE (ANTHESTI KRIYA) of our mother Approx. area: 12”X13” proximate area 31’X17’. Mrs. Bishnu Kumari Gurung wife of late Contact: 9434080124 Contact: 94340-81952 Sriman Gurung (Retired Police Inspec- Anteysthi tor) who expired on 31.7.2004 on the pil- REQUIRED WANTED Kriya grimage journey to Amar Nath Dham in Wanted for a reputed hotel Flat in and around Gangtok Kashmir falls on 13.8.2004. All our rela- in Gangtok. Contact: 9434117299, tives, friends and well-wishers are requested to join us in 1 [one] Cook 9832034929 offering prayers at our residence at Lower Arithang, 1 [one] Waiter FOR SALE Gangtok for peace of the departed soul. We are grateful to 1 [one] House-keeping girl. Private petrol jeep, long chassis, all who stood by us in our bereavement. hard-top, 5-door, year of manu- Madan Gurung, Bhim Gurung, Tara Gurung, Robin Gurung, BM Interested persons may facture - 1988. In good condition. Gurung, IK Gurung and Prem Gurung (6 sons) contact: 94340 12018 Please contact: 98320-42007. Devika Rai, Pushpa (daughter), Kishore Pradhan (son-in-law) Ph: 226396, 229434, 228174, 202269, 229905 WANTED SITUATION A Manager qualified in VACANT F&B for a reputated Required One Marketing th The 13 Day Anteysthi of Anthesti Kriya Restaurant/Hotel in Officer for Sachdeva P.T. late Uma Devi Pradhan, Anthesti Kriya of Dr. Yanuta Cintury Gangtok. Contact: College, opening shortly who passed away who left for heavenly abode on July 30 9434080124 peacefully on the 29th of at Career’s Counselling 2004 falls on 8 August 2004 (Sunday). July 2004, falls on Tuesday FOR LEASE Institute, Tibet Road, All relatives, friends and well wishers are the 10th of August 2004. Available at prime location in Gangtok having fluency requested to join us to pray for the de- All friends, relatives and Gangtok below pvt. bus-cum-taxi in English, Computer parted soul at our residence at Cintury well wishers are requested stand, a 51/2 storey shortly to be knowledge, smart, dy- Bhawan, Paradise Lodge, Gangtok. to join us in offering prayers completed building with a carpet namic, graduate. Con- Cintury Family for the departed soul at our area of 5000 + sq. ft. ideal for hotel/ tact: Mrs. Dey. ph: Ph: 202710 office etc. Contact: 94934127178 residence at Atmaniketan, 226510, 94341-53355 Development Area, or 94343117410 immediately. Gangtok. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all Kutshe Shegu FOR SALE those who extended their The 49th Day Kutshe Shegu of Lt. Sonam help and shared our Tsh. Bhutia who left for his heavenly abode MARUTI ZEN [1999 MODEL] IN sorrows in our hour of grief on 24.6.2004 falls on 10.8.2004. All rela- GOOD CONDITION. and bereavement. tives friends and well wishers are requested Jagat Bandhu Pradhan to join us in offering prayers for the de- INTERESTED PARTIES MAY CON- (husband), Madhu & parted soul at our residence at Sang Shandeep (daughter and Tirkutam Busty, East Sikkim. TACT: 94341 03320, 231297 son- in-law), Madan & Mohan (sons) Nagan Lama (borther), Lakpa Bhutia (daughter-in-law), and Family members. Thupden/Sonam (sons) -9832032761 To book ad-space in NOW! Classifieds, call 271167, (Ph: 202223) Chamgay/Sonam (son-in-law)-9832035073, 46557, 36753 (R) 9832080838 or 9832042096  FOCUS 06 August, 2004; NOW! 7

HARUA PARTY, private banks coming closer to for the purpose and cannot RUNCHE PARTY home, the old warhorses are lease out marketing to an out- he term ‘Mad Dog’ became doing everything possible to side agency. Tpart of our lexicon all of hold the herd together. The other rumour that last week. The State Congress A bank which seems to be caused quite a flutter on President may or may not have troubling the present players is Wednesday was that the bank been called a ‘Mad Dog’ but he a relatively new entrant to the had bagged the Salary Savings has lately been snapping at eve- sport of soliciting accounts in Account of the state govern- rything he sees. He and his Sikkim. Bankers here are pro- ment, which meant that all sala- party have been raising objec- testing against what they call ries of employees was to be tions to so many issues that they ‘unfair business practices’ of collected through this bank. run the risk of not being taken the bank. This has subsequently been re- seriously about anything at all. Apparently, the bank has futed and it seems salaries can Most people are either totally hired marketing agents on a be collected from any bank indifferent to the causes that the Now, excuse me, I must the new list of OSDs, soon to commission basis to get new where the employee has an ac- Congress is now espousing or attend another Congress be made public! accounts for them. This they count. How our lazy govern- plain dismissive. What is of press conference. This time say completely goes against the ment servants will take to this course amazing is the high level they are protesting about… BANKING WARS banking rules set by the Re- new initiative remains to be of activity that has suddenly who cares really? he banking sector in serve Bank of India, which seen. After all there’s nothing emerged from the Congress TSikkim is all abuzz these stipulates that banks have to like getting cash in office every camp. Hullo? Elections are ‘BUZZ’ GAI days. With competition from hire permanent marketing staff first day of the month. over and you were decimated, alking about the Congress, remember? Tguess what the latest initia- What has given Mr. tive is? An ardent supporter of Bhandari and his friends this the party [yes, there are some] NOTICE INVITING TENDER sudden rush of blood is obvi- is in the process of compiling a ously having their party in book on the various acts of Reference NIT No. 02/Head Office/R&B/2004-2005 dated 07.07.2004 power in the centre. The way omission and commission of which was postponed due to unavoidable reasons and notified vide they see it is, keep holding press the ruling party here. More spe- memo No. 08/PWD/R&B/CE/2004-05 dt. 23.07.2004 will now be conferences, hunger strikes and cifically it targets the CM and other forms of protests, which makes all kinds of corruption opened on 17th August 2004, as per the particulars here under:- naturally get carried in all the charges against him. Not sur- local newspapers. Then send all prisingly, it has been named Applications to be recieved - 9th & 10th August 2004 the cuttings to New Delhi to “Corrupt Practices”! Issue of Challan - 10th & 11th August 2004 show that you actually have a While we are all impa- Issue of Tender Documents - 11th & 12th August 2004 presence in the state when the tiently waiting for the release Date of opening of tender - 17th August 2004 at 1 p.m. fact is that you don’t. This way which promises delicious gos- they get more funds from the sip, news is that many offic- centre which begins to think ers are calling up the writer The Sealed Tenders should reach the Office of the Chief Engineer, that the state Congress has a offering information about Roads & Bridges on or before 12.00 noon on 17th August 2004. struggling chance in the state. various deals/ scams/ projects Well, I guess we must all do [take your pick]. For the The intending Tenderers/Contractors those who have already what we can to stay employed. names of these officers, check applied and obtained the challan shall hold good and need not apply afresh. VACANCY Sd/- Sikkim Development Foundation, a non Gov- (Chewang Zangpo) ernment organization based in Gangtok re- Superintending Engineer quires dynamic and committed persons for the Planning & Monitoring following vacancies. R.O. No. 130/IPR/04-05 1. Accountant : B.com graduate with at least 2 years Dt. 4.8.2004 Roads & Bridges Department, Gangtok experience in maintaining books of accounts ,this is full time appointment at Gangtok office 2. Project Assistant: graduate with work experi- ence in the NGO sector particularly in commu- NOTICE INVITING RE-TENDER nity engagement. The appointment is initially for three months at Gangtok and can be ex- Reference NIT No. 01/Head Office/R&B/2004-2005 dated 07.07.2004 tended according to project requirement. which was postponed due to unavoidable reasons and notified vide Preference will be given to female candidates and memo No. 08/PWD/R&B/CE/2004-05 dt. 23.07.2004 will now be local candidates opened on 17th August 2004, as per the particulars here under:- Apply within 2nd August with biodata by post of in person Applications to be recieved - 9th & 10th August 2004 To Issue of Challan - 10th & 11th August 2004 The Executive Director Issue of Tender Documents - 11th & 12th August 2004 Sikkim Development Foundation Date of opening of tender - 17th August 2004 at 1 p.m. Tashi Khar ‘Chungyal Complex M.G Marg, Gangtok Sikkim The Sealed Tenders should reach the Office of the Chief Engineer, Ph: 229276 Roads & Bridges on or before 12.00 noon on 17th August 2004. The intending Tenderers/Contractors those who have already applied and obtained the challan shall hold good and need not apply afresh. Sd/- (Chewang Zangpo) amola Superintending Engineer CELLULAR Tharo Line,Lal Market Planning & Monitoring RCELLULAR Road. Ph: 201062, R.O. No. 130/IPR/04-05 Roads & Bridges Department, Gangtok SALES & SERVICES Mobile: 9832062684 Dt. 4.8.2004 8; NOW!; 06 August, 2004 THEFINALONE  Historytoday in Departmental apathy runs 6th August Nursing Course Government High B.M. Birla College of Nursing 1181: Supernova observed by Chinese & Japanese is the first Private Sector College astronomers School aground of Nursing in West Bengal since 1809: Born, Alfred Lord February 2003. This college is tion and many a top brass in the with the help of DGHC deput- committed to high quality patient Tennyson poet laureate of BIRENDRA SHANDILYA England administration wing of Sikkim. ing some teachers on ad hoc care achieved through an 1825: Bolivia gains DARJEELING: If one has to “Students used to come basis. The Bengali section has excellent academic nursing independence from Peru from far off places including also been closed down. education programme at both witness the amount of damage graduate and post graduate 1881: Sir Alexander Fleming Nepal and the North East to The State Education De- cashed in on penicillin government apathy can do to an level. Apart from this academic (Nobel 1954) institution, one has to just look study here,” adds Subba. partment in charge of the aim the college facilitates all 1914: Austria-Hungary towards the Darjeeling Govern- In the 60’s each class used Darjeeling Government High round development of students. declares war against Russia ment High School. to boast of 3 sections - “A” sec- School has turned a deaf ear to Salient features of the college: 1914: Serbia declares war Utter neglect and the non- tion for the Bengalis and B and the repeated pleas of the Act-  Highly experienced and against Germany filling up of vacancies since C Nepali sections. Each section ing Head Master and the teach- qualified faculty 1927: Andy Warhol pop artist  Centrally located with pleasant 1985, including the post of had a strength of more than 160 ers. The State Public Works De- 1944: Deportation of 70,000 environment jews from Lodz Poland to Head Master, has left one of the students. partment which is in charge of  Reputed hospitals for practical Auschwitz begins premiere institutions of the “The entire school from pri- repairs finally turned up after training 1945: Hiroshima Peace Day- country in ruins. mary to Higher Secondary has 19 years of complaints and re-  Comfortable hostel atom bomb dropped on “In the old days, it used to a student strength of around minders and has started the pa- accommodation Hiroshima by “Enola Gay” 200 now,” informs the acting per work for repairs.  100% job placement after 1962: Jamaica gains be the students wanting to ex- cel in studies and who used to Head Master. The sprawling hostel build- graduation independence from Britain  Enriched and up-to-date library 1965: Beatles release “Help” seek admission in this institu- Incidentally, the Bhutia ing resembles a haunted house. with computer lab album in UK tion and today it is mostly the Boarding School which was The 12 students from neigh- 1990: UN Security Council Last date of receiving students trying for a job in the started in 1874 and the Govern- bouring areas lodged here sleep applications for B.Sc. (Hons) votes 13-0 [2 abstentions Cuba ment Middle English School on makeshift beds on the floor. & Yemen] to place economic army and police requiring a Nursing Course at Birla College sanctions against Iraq. class 8 pass certificate who en- founded in 1860 were amalga- The well-equipped Science of Nursing, Kolkata from the rol here,” rues BM Subba, mated in 1891 to form the High Block, started in 1964, has been candidates residing outside West TO CONTACT NOW! DIAL Head Master-in-charge. English School. In 1960 it be- closed down. The Library is Bengal state will be 10.8.2004. This institute has a high came the first school in just a shadow of its glorious Application form, eligibility criteria 271167 and detailed information can be Darjeeling to start the higher self with broken shelves and 9832080753 profile alumni list including Dr. downloaded from the University 9832034122 Asim Dasgupta, West Bengal Secondary Course. torn books. website http:// www.wbuhs.org by “Of the 45 teachers we used “There is a lot of theft and 9832368930 Minister of Finance and his clicking online submission form brother Joydeep Dasgupta- to have in the 1960’s we only pilferage as we have no night in the ‘Home Page’. 9832369520 Joint Secretary, Mass Educa- have 10 now with vacancies in guard and maintenance of the The candidate must not fill in the Maths, Physics, History, Geog- sprawling 3 and a half acres of application form online, but the raphy, Political Science, Eco- property is impossible as we are same with Account Payee Demand Draft for Rs. 250/- in nomics, Bengali and Physical understaffed,” complained the favour of West Bengal University Education. All lying vacant Acting Head Master. of Health Sciences payable at since 1985. A school that used The old boys of the school Kolkata and an attested to have courses in English, have decided to lend a helping photocopy of the mark sheet of ARIES: Support from family LIBRA: There will be a sudden Bengali, Nepali, Pali, Tibetan, hand. An alumni association HS/ISC/+2 or equivalent members will be there. Medical growth in business. Domestic Sanskrit and Urdu does not has just been formed. examination by speed post to the expenditure is indicated. This happiness is indicated. Those have the basic subject teachers “We have a moral obliga- Registrar, West Bengal University of Health Sciences, will not be a good time to take dealing in paints, varnishes, ce- any more,” complains Subba. tion towards our school and we DD-36, Sector-1, Salt Lake, up a long journey. Worries will ramics, hardware and chemicals Due to the absence of will try to reinstate to put it be reduced. will find improvement. Software Kolkata-700064. The teachers Class XI and XII had back on its tracks,” said Mani TAURUS: You will meet all your professionals are more likely applications from outside West goals through your hard work. chance to go abroad. Business to be closed down from 1998 Kamal Chettri, Secretary of the Bengal will be considered incase Your partners will have some activities will be profitable. till 2001. These were revived Alumni Association. the seats are not filled up by the good news for you. Financial cri- SCORPIO: Politicians will have West Bengal candidates. sis will blow over. Unnecessary a tough time. Export businesses B.M. Birla College of Nursing expenses are indicated. There will pick up. You will be happy (Constituent College of B.M. Birla will be happiness at home. with your children’s education. Heart Research Centre), 1/1, GEMINI: You will have a suc- Health will be good. Your spouse National Library Avenue, cessful phase. Your superiors will stand by you. You will do well birngs you a PC at an amazing Kolkata- 700027. Ph: 033- will lend you their support. Stu- in business. 24567890/ 24567777, Fax: 033- dents will have a tough period. SAGITTARIUS: You will benefit 2456 7000, Website: Rs. 499!* www.birlacollegeofnursing. Org. The automobile business will through ancestral property. Wor- FREE flourish. Those involved in the ries will be over. Politicians will Affiliated to West Bengal Upgrade to University of Health Sciences. stock market will benefit. Fam- be popular. Dancers and musi- CD-Writer & 17” ily life will be harmonious. cians will receive recognition. color CANCER: You will expand your You are likely to be tense over monitor business along different something. Your studies may branches. Tensions will be re- require you to travel. SATELLITE duced. You will receive good CAPRICORN: Change of envi- SERIES HCL Beanstalk powered by Intel news. Health conditions will be ronment will cheer you up. You * Intel Centrino Pentium 4 Processor 2.6 GHz 1.5 GHz sound. You may purchase im- will purchase a new vehicle. * MS Windows XP Home Edition * 1024 KB L2 Cache movable property. Long drawn litigation will be * 128MB DDR RAM, 80GB HDD * 1.44 MB FDD, 56 kbps Modem * Intel 855 GME chipset LEO: Understanding with your over. You will have no cash flow * Altec Lansing Speaker with sub-woofer * 256 MB DDR SDRAM life partner will be good. Life will problems. Last two weeks, * Internet & Multimedia Ready KB, * 14.1” TFT, DVD ROM be peaceful. You may have mi- though, will be tight. * 100 Hit Songs, 5 Blockbuster Movies * 30 GB HDD, * Touch Pad nor health problems. Worries will AQUARIUS: Encouraging com- * Microsoft for Windows XP * Integrated Intel PRO wireless 2100 * School Education Software be over. Those dealing in elec- munication will be received. Liti- * WIN XP Professional * MS Works 7.0, * Xpress Recovery Tools * MS Office 2003, * Ieee1394 trical and electronic equipment, gations will be in your favour. * 15” color monitor, * 100 Hrs. Internet and home appliances will enjoy Support from spouse and fam- easy returns. ily members will continue. HCL and bring you India’s VIRGO: Unexpected gains from PISCES: Businesspersons will No. 1 PC & world best selling Laptops speculation are indicated. You take a new decision. Medical ex- SOLE CHANNEL PARTNER FOR ENTIRE SIKKIM may travel abroad. Financial po- penses will be reduced. Parents’ sition will be good. Politicians will health must be taken care of. Your NAYUMA INFOSYS, at SSI EDUCATION do better. Happiness will prevail. business partner will back you. UPPER TADONG, GANGTOK, PHONE: 270876, 231776, 9434186424, 9832311259

Published by Lt. Col. (retd) P. Dorjee and printed at Baba Offset Press Works Pvt. Ltd., Gangtok. Editor: Pema Wangchuk. Executive Editor: Mita Zulca Now! Near Ayurvedic Clinic, Gairi Gaon, Tadong. East Sikkim. ph: 03592 271167 email: [email protected]