Committee meeting on Chenreyzig project held at Sang

24 May, Gangtok : A meeting of the Committee constituted for the Chenreyzig project was held Sang Khola on 24.05.2013.The purpose of the meeting was to inform the Committee members of the status of work in molding of the statue and to seek guidance on certain issues put forward by the contractor.
The meeting was attended by the Hon’ble MLA(Sangha),Dorji Lopen and other monks of Sangacholing Gonpa, Secretary, Ecclesiastical Affairs Department and his sub-ordinate official, Chief Engineer, SPWD(Buildings) and his sub-ordinate officials.
After examination of the model statue of Chenreyzig, the Committee passed that since, the Dorji Lopen of Sangacholing Gonpa is an aged person, Mr.Yeshay Zangpo Bhutia(Lharipa) may represent him in providing guidance to the contractor in making the statue. For this purpose, Shri Bhutia will make regular inspection visits to the Sang Khola site and a new model of Pancha Buddha crown shall be made within 10 days in accordance with direction given by the Committee. The meeting also approved the revised dress (namja) with the stipulation that the deer skin shall be placed on the left side of the body. It was also decided that the colour of the face of statue and ornaments shall be golden as recommended by H.E. the Yangthang Rimpoche and Drodupchen Rimpoche. Infact, all the instructions given by the two Rimpoches shall be complied with and no changes shall be made thereto. It was further decided that the model of the statue on the throne shall be placed at Sangacholing and the contractor shall insure that the surface of the statue, especially the face, shall be smooth and necessary support to the hands of the statue is provided. Further, the internal metal frames shall be provided anti-rust coatings, provisions for expansion and contraction shall be made with adequate ventilation inside the statue.
The committee also recommended that the RMDD should be approached for up-gradation and improvement of the approach road to Sangacholing Gonpa. (IPR)

Paljor Namgyal Girls’ School celebrated its 89th Founder’s Day

24 May, Gangtok : Paljor Namgyal Girls’ School celebrated its 89th Founder’s Day on 24th of May this year in memory of its founder, the honorable Mary Scott. This year there was a host of different activities to mark this day. First there was on-stage celebration with a formal programme. The Chief guest for this occasion was the Honorable MP from Sikkim Mr. P.D.Rai.
The school felicitated 5 students this year as a token of acknowledgement for achievements in different areas with the Santa Yog Smriti Chinha award, for excellence in the fields where they had represented the school and state at the national level. This award is dedicated in memory of Shri Shyam Pradhan’s (PGT Hindi) parents’ , late Santa Bahadur Pradhan and late Yog Maya Pradhan. 5 students from the session 2012 were awarded in two different categories. The first award was given to miss Leah Grace Namchyo, Nishta Sharma, Rachel Ongmu Lepcha and Priyanka Chettri for competing in Debating Matters India, under the British Council. An interactive High school debating competition, Debating Matters was pioneered by the Institute of Ideas in the U K. Since its introduction in India in 2008 it has provided students with a uniquely challenging experience of engaging in the most difficult issues that society faces. These students won the zonal competition in Kolkata, defeating three different schools in September 2012 and represented East India in the regional finals in January 2013 in New Delhi. After rigorous rounds of debate with the winners of the north zone and the runners up of the east zone these students reached the finals against the winners of the south zone. Finally they brought the runners up trophy of the national finals. Another student who received this award was Shivani Darjee. Consistently excelling in academic right from infant to class twelve she represented the school in the first mega inter school competition of the state, the BEE innovative and carried her work forward all the way to the coveted IGNIT 2012 at I.I.M. Ahemedabad which has been accepted for IGNIT 2013.
The principal Ms. Jem Pandi Targain in her speech highlighted the achievements and the challenges that the school faces. The honorable Chief Guest, Mr. P. D. Rai MP from Sikkim appreciated the school’s contribution towards uplifting many citizens of the state through education and empowerment. He urged the students to focus in their academic and school curriculum and also to stay way from the negative influence of social media in the young minds. Through his anecdotes he gave examples of hard work and success to be generated among the students.

Former Chief Minister Shri Nar Bahadur Bhndari cum SSP President

24 May, Gangtok : Sikkim Sangram Parishad Party (SSP) today observed its 29th Foundation Day at their Party Head Office, Development Area here. The meeting was chaired by former Chief Minister cum SSP President, Shri Nar Bahadur Bhandari after ten years. SSP Party belongs to the people of Sikkim, today the Party President, Shri Nar Bahadur Bhandari, declared Shri Rajendra Upreti former President, SSP as a new Working President of the party and Shri Kamal Rai as Vice President of Party in the new committee. As announced by Shri Nar Bahadur Bhandari the rest of the office bearers and new committee members of SSP Party’s will be declared very shortly.
Apart from this the SSP Party will bring out the new Constitution of the party very soon. The SSP is duly bound to furnish the copy of the Party Constitution and list of the office bearers to Election Commission of India and State Election Officer, Sikkim.
Addressing the function President Shri Nar Bahadur Bhandari said that SSP Party is determined to form Government in the forth coming general election based in the public interest and the Nation. SSP party’s Government will be for pro poor people of Sikkim. Our government will give top priority to the educated unemployed youth of Sikkim. The Government will certainly adopt “Son of the Soil” policies and whatever may be the government schemes will be implemented on negotiation basis. Sikkim State will be loan free, poverty free, crime free, corruption free and non communal. Our main election manifesto would be 8th May, 1973 Sikkim-India Tripartite agreement and the special provision of Article 371F, (k) and (o). Based on Tripartite agreement and Article 371F the Government will fight for the reservation of Seats for ethnic communities Sikkim including Sangha. Our State and Centre relationship will be cordial and the Central Government should adopt the Sikkim MP in Central Government Cabinet which is due since merger.
Shri Tara Bhattarai delivered the welcome speech, Shri Rajendra Upreti, Working President, Smt. Chumsang Shenga from ladies wing, Shri Lalit Sharma and Shri Manoj Rai also addressed the function. Shri Jeewan Pradhan, President of Sikkim Bachow Abhiyaan mergered his organization in Sikkim Sangram Parishad Party and formally handed over the flag of organization to Shri Nar Bahadur Bhandari, President of SSP.

5th Sub Div Level Coord meeting of Panchayat & ZP held in Regu

23 May, Regu East Sikkim: Fifth Sub Division level Coordination meeting for Panchayats and Zilla Panchayats being conducted by Panchayat Cell of SDF party was held at Regu, East Sikkim. The coordination meeting is being ducted with the following aims:
i. Making the Panchayats aware about the vision of the government towards establishing Gram Swaraj
ii. Making the Panchayats realize their responsibility towards the people and the party
iii. Familiarizing the Panchayats with the Panchayat Cell of the Party and the activities the Panchayat Cell does for them.
iv. Making the Panchayats aware about supporting the public as per the Party guidelines.
The meeting commenced with welcome speech made by Kumar Gurung of Regu GPU. Adhakshya, East Shri Bimal Dawari stressed that the Hon’ble Chief Minister dreams of establishing such Gram Panchayats in Sikkim which are able to solve maximum problems at the grassroots level and provide access to the program and policies of the state to the people with ease. He also said that Gram Panchayats should be able to instill among the people a sense of belongingness towards infrastructures and the maintenance of the same also rests with the people. Shri J.K. Bhandari, President (E), SDF stressed that Panchayats being party based carry twin responsibilities towards the party as well as towards the people. He highlighted the importance of Ward Development Committee.
Shri Girish C. Rai, Vice President, Panchayat Cell spoke on the importance of awareness among the Panchayats about different provisions as envisaged in the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution and urged all the Panchayat members to get well versed with the Panchayats Acts in order to make themselves efficient. He stressed that Annual Budget prepared by Gram Sabha must be carefully scrutinized by Gram Planning Forum and said that contractor oriented work should never be given preference.
The face to face session with elected representatives was conducted by Ganesh K. Rai, Secretary, Panchayat Cell. During the session, he responded to several queries placed by the Panchayats regarding budgeting, revenue generation etc. He made the Panchayats aware about the Sikkim Panchayat Act and discussed some important provisions as envisaged in the Sikkim Panchayat Act and Sikkim Financial Rules for Gram and Zilla Panchayats. Before concluding the session, he requested all the Panchayats to keep in touch with the Panchayat Cell and register their issues and grievances if any and urged them to play active part in the State and the nation building process.
K.B. Chamling: Urged the Panchayats to focus on tourism development and to be serious about conservation of wild life. He talked about instilling positive attitude among educated youth. Panchayats should lead the village and stand out as examples before the people in terms of maintaining positive attitude and creativity. He urged the Panchayats to study the Green Book in which the vision of the Hon’ble Chief Minister is envisaged. He also urged the Panchayats to be honest and they should never resort to false promises. Also present in the meeting were Shri Puran Gurung, MLA, Chujachen Constituency, Shri Bimal Dawari, Adhakshya(E), Kalpana Moktan, Upadhakshya (E), Shri K.N. Pradhan, former Adhakshya (E) and Shri K.B. Rai, former Advisor Roads & Bridges.

International Biodiversity Day 2013 celebrated at Melli

23 May, Melli-Dara : International Biodiversity Day was celebrated by Melli Secondary School on 22th May 2013. Shri Milan Chettri, Panchayat Secretary, 23- Melli Dara Paiyong GPU was the Chief Guest for the day. Various programmes like Flower Show, Awareness Rally, Street Play were conducted to create mass awareness among the school children and general public. The programme started with the Flower show followed by the awareness rally which was attended by all the staff & students of Melli Bazaar Secondary School. A very informative and interesting street play was also displayed which gave the message of Deforestation and its impact on our ecosystem.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest shared his views with students about the need of conserving water and biodiversity.
The programme was also attended by members of School Management & Development Committee, Bazzar Management Committee & members of local NGO “Aryans”
The school has expressed its gratitude to all present for having supported the programme and making it a success.

Sikkim Perennial Water Source. Pic Ganden Lachungpa

It was our little frog pond that came to our rescue following the dry taps after the September 2011 earthquake; and the fine unused paneer sieve my mother gave me so long ago. We stored the cool clear water in all available buckets and bartans, boiled it for cooking and drinking, for washing dishes, clothes; and invited nearby relatives to share the same. A large plastic sheet stretched outside the main door directed rainwater into strategically placed tubs and went towards having baths and in the toilet. Family members complaining of incessant rains were suddenly worried when it stopped raining and the buckets placed to catch roof-water lay empty.

I breathed quiet grateful thanks to my mother far away, who had taught us to be water smart right from our childhood. She in turn had been taught by her mother, who worried that her little daughter after marriage may have to move to a rain scarce area. Amma told us she had been taught to complete her all ablutions in half a bucket of water!

So you can imagine how difficult it was for me to watch people in Sikkim take their water for granted. Awesome waterfalls in the districts, the luxury of 24-hours urban water supply as recently as a decade ago, a ridiculously low water tax, roadsides streams running 365/24/7, half-split bamboos stuck into the wall pouring liquid life day in and out, people washing their vehicles like they never knew that taps could actually be shut off,….. It was a world that knew no water problems.

Back then we still hand-washed our clothes, scrubbed them to our satisfaction, wrung them out and sun-dried them without any problem; this went for the soft cloth squares we folded and used as nappies for our babies too. I learnt in Sikkim about the wonderful ‘Cheesa’, a down-turned wire cage which dried all baby and adult clothes wrapped around it thanks to a heater carefully placed under it. Simple and efficient!

Now in an age of electric appliances for almost every activity, life literally comes to a stand-still when there is a black-out. We all hold our breaths and all our work waiting for the power supply to come back on. Then we can start our washing machines, geysers, and get on with living!

Today, we talk about conserving water as if it is a new topic. We actually need to explain to people that water is a precious resource needing careful conservation because they cannot live without it. Why is that? We are told that tomorrow’s wars will be not guarding borders but protecting treasures like rivers, lakes and ponds. Our children cannot understand why they must not use the washing machine everyday, but only perhaps once a week when it has a full load. That they must turn off taps while brushing teeth, use water judiciously or think of a waterless future.

Today on 22 May 2013 the International Day for Biological Diversity with its theme: WATER AND BIODIVERSITY, let is use this liquid life force, part of which courses in our veins, so wisely that we retain our pride as the most intelligent species on this Blue Planetary Ship we call Mother Earth.

Int’l Biodiversity Day 2013 : ‘Let’s learn to save Water for future’ – CM

22 May , Gangtok : Chief Minister expresses his delight on State’s participation by joining with the Globe in observing International Biodiversity Day which falls today every year on 22 May. He lauded the State Bio-Diversity Board for accomplishing such a noble idea to go hand on hand with the World for conserving the Eco System.
In his message he mentioned that water and biodiversity are the key elements of the human being which should be taken in the mind in broad way. Being a fragile environment of Himalayan which is a major source of water for the nation, he mentioned. Lauding the people’s participation in promoting Green concept has achieved maximum benefit for the ecology of the state.
The changing weather, adaption system, shortage of drinking water is a global phenomena in today’s date which must be thought immediately. However, the state of Sikkim is blessed with perennial river sources will not face a problem, though the demand and changing climate plays a crucial factor, he adds.
The various initatives to tap the Water thorough innovate techniques are on the way to accomplish through the sustainable water management so that future also get enough water.
‘Water and Biodiversity’ is the seminal theme of this year’s event as such the people must come ahead in acquiring the knowledge behind importance of water, he added.
All must take a collective responsibilities to manage and menifest water resource in present and take beyond for the future generation’, Chief Minister urges.

Golay launches Parivartan campaign from North Sikkim. 21 May

Rebel Leader PS Golay launches Parivartan campaign from North Sikkim. 21 May

Central Referral Hospital Tadong

22 May, Gangtok : Condemning the allegation pressed by the Sikkim Right to Information Forum STRIF Sikkim Manipal University SMU has replied back saying that no any grants was given by the State Government but it was the University which served FREE medical assistance to the Below Poverty Line BPL families of state as per the lists available from the DESME. Slamming that any dis honour was done in an agreement between the SMU and State , the SMU has questioned the credibility of the State Government which in turn did not respond to their promises as made in agreement. The SMU is yet to receive a grant Rs 16.13 Cr from the State Government but which have not been received in receipt as well as the SMU did it part diligently by disbursing medical concessions to the BPL category worth Rs 4.44 Cr, upto 2012. The SMU has already submitted the lists of beneficiaries associated with the concession from BPL category to the State despite having been awaiting for the long pending grant dues from the State Government.
Leaving the grant aside, the State in return did not pay a heed to the effort of SMU rather it backed outside state’s Super Specialty Hospitals of Kolkata, Siliguri etc for referral cases which is extremely dis honoring part, SMU said. SMU is pressing a continuously for empaneling it in the State’s list of Super Specialty facilities but each time the Health Department refused to discuss, SMU says.
Just recently only the SMU again backed the proposal for empanelment with cut off rates in treatment for categorizing under State’s list of super specialty hospitals for which there has been no any response from the State’s side.
With all of the above situation and part of SMU in service for the Sikkim diligently the State also must paddle upstream in health sector to bring more efficient services towards the people, agony is left uncared though the SMU is committed to it’s word which it is doing …

4th Sub Div level Coordination Meeting of Gram Panchayats and Zilla Panchayats conducted by Panchayat Cell, Sikkim Democratic Front was held at the Zilla Panchayat Bhawan, Namchi.

21 May, Gangtok : Fourth Sub Division level Coordination Meeting of Gram Panchayats and Zilla Panchayats conducted by Panchayat Cell, Sikkim Democratic Front was held at the Zilla Panchayat Bhawan, Namchi.
The programme started with the welcome speech by Devi M. Baraily, Upadhakshya, South. Zilla Adhakshya Shri C.L. Gurung in his address said that Panchayat Cell is created to bridge the gap between the State Government and Local Self Government. He rued over the fact that Panchayats are not taken seriously by few government officials and opined that this is not a good indication for the development and progress of the state. Shri Binod Rai, MLA, Namchi Singithang constituency in his brief address made the Panchayats aware about their responsibilities towards the party as well as towards the people and urged them to stay committed with their duties.
Addressing the Panchayats, Shri Girish C. Rai, Vice President, Sikkim Panchayat Cell urged the Panchayats to be accountable to all the works they execute. He said that the onus is also on the Panchayats to build good and responsible society. He highlighted that the Panchayats should be efficient enough to be able to successfully execute both state and the centre schemes. He advised the Panchayats to be serious about formulating annual plan and budgeting in order to achieve desired development and better and smooth functioning. He urged the Panchayats to be serious about collecting Socio Economic data which is very important and serves as a guide for making annual plans for the development of Gram Panchayat.
Shri Ganesh K. Rai, Secretary, Panchayat Cell interacted with the Panchayats and answered several questions raised by them. Many interesting questions ranging from power devolution and decentralization to the provisions laid down in Sikkim Panchayat Act were asked. He responded the queries citing sections and provisions of the Sikkim Panchayat Act and from his personal experience as a Panchayat. He urged the Panchayats to study the Sikkim Panchayat Act and act as per the provisions of the Act. While concluding the interaction session, he made the Panchayats aware about some crucial and important provisions of the Sikkim Panchayat Act. He requested the Panchayats to keep in touch with the Panchayat Cell in order to get help in the matter related to smooth functioning of their Gram Panchayat.
Addressing the Panchayats, Chief Guest, Shri G.M. Gurung, Vice President, SDF (S) highlighted the roles Panchayats should play in ensuring the implementation of the party programme and policies. He urged the Panchayats to work with commitment to state building process and said that the Panchayats have great responsibility to shoulder.
The meeting was also attended by Tulsi D. Rai, MLA Melli, N.H. Ansari, Deputy Chairman, Namchi Municipal Council, Malika Subba, General Secretary, Panchayat Cell, Bishnu Chamling, CLC President, Rinchenpong, Zilla Panchayats and Gram Panchayats under Namchi Sub Division. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by Smt. Farwanti Tamang, Zilla Panchayat Member.