Gale force hope on girls ... शिक्षित नेता रहे मात्र गोर्खाहरुको उदेश्य पुरा हुने .. GLP instructors summoned by court

Gale force hope on girls

GS Mudur, TT, New Delhi, Oct. 14: The presence of the most powerful woman and man in the country could not turn the tide in favour of the Indian men’s hockey team which lost to Australia 0-8.

Saina Nehwal with her gold after winning the women’s singles badminton final.

Ashwini Ponnappa after winning the women’s doubles badminton gold.

Jwala Gutta with her gold after winning the women’s doubles badminton final. Pictures by Santosh Ghosh

However, as the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi watched the hockey team settle for silver, Manmohan Singh’s wife Gursharan Kaur chose wisely and turned up for the women’s badminton events in which Saina Nehwal won the singles gold, while Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa picked up the doubles gold.

Gursharan is not alone. Sociologists too are betting on the legion of Indian girls who shone at the Commonwealth Games to generate a long-lasting ripple effect across sections of society, touching domains outside of sports.

The riveting images of the women and girls beaming, tightly clutching medals and savouring the adulation could turn them into agents of change.

“I think these Games will have some unintentional but positive consequences,” said Rajesh Gill, chairperson of the Centre for Women’s Studies at Panjab University, Chandigarh.

“These medals are reinforcing the message that parents can take pride in their daughters. That’s something very significant for India,” she said.

Over the past 11 days, Indian women have bagged medals in archery, badminton, the discus, the 400x4m relay, shooting and wrestling.

Some of these winners are from small towns and low or middle-income households. Archery gold winner Deepika Mahato’s father drives an auto-rickshaw in Ranchi while the father of Prajusha Maliakaal, who took the long jump silver, is a cook. Kavita Raut, who grabbed a bronze in the 10,000m run, once used to fetch water from a river in her village in Maharashtra.

“It would have been a long, difficult struggle for such girls to defy traditional pressures and take up sports,” Gill said. “But having taken that path, to come out victorious would be much more important to such girls than it would be for Indian men in sports. After fighting social norms, women would be likely to struggle extra hard to secure respectability for themselves,” Gill told The Telegraph.

A veteran sports medicine specialist who has observed Indian men and women playing in international tournaments since the 1980s said the women appear willing to put in extra effort.

“They’re more sincere during their training periods —they appear willing to take up greater training load,” said Ashok Ahuja, former head of sports medicine at the National Institute of Sports, Patiala. “They deliver sustained efforts lasting years — sometimes longer than men,” he said.

But, according to Ahuja, the recent trend of exposing both men and women from India to even the smaller international tournaments may also have contributed to the tally of medals.

In a nation where female foeticide is rampant, where girls are encouraged to take up certain career options but discouraged from others, where the pursuit of sport for girls is still a struggle, such medals turn into strong symbols of change, the sociologists said.

“Medals mean pride and prestige — not just for their families but for the nation. This may change people’s perceptions of what women can achieve,” said Medha Nanivadekar, director of the Centre for Women’s Studies at Shivaji University in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

The medals, Nanivadekar said, will accelerate and expand a process that began in India decades ago in other fields. “We have had women role models in the film industry, in police, in medicine, in politics. These medals may now stir parents into encouraging their daughters to take up sports.”

The Goddess & the Games glow  Flower rallies string hill communities 

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, Oct. 14: Early morning drizzle and an overcast sky failed to dampen the spirit of Dashain today as hundreds of people dressed in their traditional attire thronged the streets of Darjeeling to take part in the phulpati processions.

Festivity gripped the hills as Buddhists, Marwaris, Bhojpuris and Lepchas alike took part in the Gorkha custom of offering phulpati. Young girls and boys danced alongside elders during the processions taken out from various parts of Darjeeling. They prayed to the deities at the Mahakal temple before the processions’ culmination at Chowrastha.

Phulpati is a unique custom of the Gorkhas in which they collect flowers, petals and other offerings from their homes and take them to the temple to pay obeisance to Goddess Durga.

The flowers, leaves and sugarcane are wrapped in a red cloth — the colour symbolising the goddess — and are carried in a decorated palanquin, which is accompanied by an ornate umbrella. It is believed that people who pass underneath the palanquin would be absolved of their sins.

The phulpati tradition traces back to the days of Pritivinarayan Shah (1723-1775) — the unifier of Nepal. During Shah’s times, the processions would start from his native place, Gorkha (the headquarters of Gorkha district in Nepal), and end at Kathmandu after covering hundreds of miles.

Girls dressed like Goddess Durga take part in one of the phulpati processions in Darjeeling on Thursday

Roshan Giri, the general secretary of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, also led a procession that started from Motor Stand. Various organisations like the Koseli Sangh from Bara Kakjhora in Darjeeling took part in the festival along with community-based organisations like the Akhil Bharatiya Newar Sangatan.

The Newar community with their famous mask dancers (lakhi) led the procession. Others followed dancing to the tunes of dhampu and madal. Traditional instruments like naumati baja (nine piece instruments) also reverberated across the hills.

“It feels wonderful to be at home. The phulpati procession really seems to unite the hill people irrespective of caste and creed,” said Sanjana Thapa, who has come from Delhi to visit her parents.

Unlike in the rest of India, where Dusshera and Durga Puja are largely confined to pandal hopping and meeting friends and relatives, Dashain in the hills is a more widespread celebration.

Vijaya Dashami is the most important day of Dashain when relatives gather not only for a grand feast but also to seek blessings. People visit their relatives wearing new clothes. Elders in the family apply tika (made of rice), curd and vermilion on the foreheads of the younger members. Sagun comprising sweets and fruits are served during the family gatherings which usually continue for a fortnight from Vijaya Dashami.

Cheat slur on Garden Directors

TT, Jaigaon, Oct. 14: Jaigaon police today started suo motu criminal cases against two senior officials of the company that owns Dalsinghpara Tea Estate for non-payment of puja bonus to the staff and sub-staff members.

Hullash Kumar Jain and Sushil Kumar Jain, the director and the financial director of the Octavious Tea and Industry Limited respectively, were charged under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) of the IPC.

“A case was today filed against two officials of the company for non-payment of bonus to some employees of the garden,” said Anup Jaiswal, the additional superintendent of police of Alipurduar.

The situation in the garden located between Jaigaon and Hashimara along Saarc Road was tense over the past few days because of the delay in the payment of bonus to the workers. During a meeting in Calcutta on September 18, the management of Dalsinghpara garden had agreed to pay the bonus at 19 per cent to 2,300 employees who included staff and sub-staff members.

“However, as the management had not disbursed the bonus on time, the workers had blocked the Saarc Road three times on Monday and Tuesday. The police had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse the agitators,” said Tulsi Chhetri, a sub-staff member. “Finally, the management disbursed the bonus yesterday but only to the workers, who got Rs 100 less because of shortage of funds.”

According to sources, the company needed Rs 76,49,595 to pay bonus to the 2,200-odd workers, 16 staff and 114 sub-staff members. While around Rs 64 lakh was disbursed among the workers yesterday, the management could not raise Rs 12 lakh to pay the bonus to the staff and the sub-staff members.

“As the registered office of the company is in Calcutta and the two officials stay there, we plan to send a team there to arrest them,” said a police officer.

Suhrid Majumdar, a lawyer in Alipurduar, said the sections under which Hullash and Sushil had been charged are non-bailable.

Subhasish Kar, the manager of Dalsinghpara, said he had resigned on October 7 and was waiting for his replacement. “I have been instructed by the company to wait till the new manager reaches the estate. Whatever money I got yesterday was disbursed among the workers. I have no clue as to when the others would be paid the bonus,” he said. The Jains could not be contacted.

Gold that added more to puja shine

The Saha residence at Sanghati More (picture by Kundan Yolmo) and Subhajit Saha

TT, Siliguri, Oct. 14: The telephone at the Saha household had rung non-stop last night. It had started ringing since the time Yang Zi hit the ball into the net on match point and the televisions beamed the giant screens at a stadium in New Delhi displaying the gigantic visuals of Subhajit Saha and Sharath Kamal.

The joy is not limited to the Saha household or to Sanghati More where the family lives. It is as one Siliguri resident put it: “Subhajit is our pride. His gold has added the extra glow to the pandal lightings in town.”

Most people felt like Tanmoy Goswami, who lives in Pankurtala More, a kilometre from Sanghati More.

Subhajit and Sarath earned India’s gold in table tennis winning the men’s doubles in five tough games, 9-11, 12-10, 11-4, 5-11 and 11-8, beating Singapore’s Yang and Gao Ning.

“Since yesterday evening, ever since the match ended at Yamuna Sports Complex and my son and his mate secured the win, the telephone has hardly stopped ringing,” said Ajoy Saha, Subhajit’s father, last night. “Several friends and relatives have turned up to congratulate us for his feat and we feel that by securing a win at a mega international event like the Commonwealth Games, he has made us all proud.”

However, later this morning, the Saha house was locked. Subhajit’s parents had gone to meet some relatives. But that did not stop the town from celebrating. This year, Biley’s (as Subhajit is known) success is the talk of every adda rather than the pandals.

“We consider his win as a unique and appreciable gift for Siliguri residents before Durga Puja. Once he returns here after the event, we plan to felicitate him,” said Nantu Paul, the deputy mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation and secretary of Siliguri Mahakuma Krira Parishad. “His win, we feel, will attract more boys and girls to table tennis.”

Subhajit’s wife Nandita, a paddler who could not make it to the national team at the Commonwealth Games this time, had accompanied him to Delhi.

For Subhajit, 24, it is not time for rest yet because of the Asian Games in China next month.

“While he was in Siliguri last time, he had mentioned some back problem. When he returns here, I would insist him to take rest and get himself cured before he readies himself for the Asian Games,” said Amit Dam, the coach who nurtured Subhajit in the early days of his career.

State urban development minister Asok Bhattacharya also appreciated Subhajit’s accomplishment at the CWG.

“We are proud to say that Darjeeling district is fast emerging as a hub of sports talents in various fields. Over the years, the district has bred several players who could carve a niche in the sports arena. Now in the CWG, we have Bharat Chhetri, who made us proud as the Indian hockey team goalkeeper and now Subhajit, who secured the win at the men’s doubles,” he said.

Postal officials locked

TT, Jaigaon, Oct.14: The post master of Madarihat branch post office, Dilruba Alam, and an employee, Priyanath Roy, were locked up inside the office for four hours today by villagers protesting the non-payment of wages under the NREGS.

Residents of Madarihat alleged that the money had not been paid since January. According to them, 207 beneficiaries were supposed to receive a total of Rs 220 lakh under the scheme. The employees were freed after the BDO of Madarihat and the police reached the spot.

Border meet

TT, Islampur: A flag meeting was held between the BSF and BDR on the zero line at the India-Bangladesh border on Thursday. M.F. Khan, the DIG, BSF, of Kishanganj sector, represented his force while Salem Ahmed and Md Khairujjaman, the DIGs of BDR in Dinajpur and Rangpur districts represented the border guards of Bangladesh. Issues like cattle rustling, smuggling, fake currency and infiltration of criminals were discussed at the meeting that commenced near Haptiagach of North Dinajpur district at 11am.The meet ended at 4.30pm.

Body found

TT, Raiganj: The body of Asrafa Khatun, a Class VIII student of Dulahpur High School, was found in a ditch near the village on Thursday. Police said she was missing since October 8. The officials suspect that the 14-year-old was strangled to death.

Python rescue

TT, Siliguri: Members of Animal Link, a Siliguri-based NGO, rescued a six-year-old python from Chunabhati in Fulbari on the outskirts of Siliguri on Thursday. The snake was later handed over to foresters.

Extra coach

TT, Siliguri: The 2487/2488 Ananda Vihar-Jogbani Seemanchal Express will have an additional three-tier sleeper coach from October 15 onwards, officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway said on Thursday.
SheemNews- KalimNews: All Banks of West Bengal will remain closed till 17 October and till 19 October in Sikkim. 

शिक्षित नेता रहे मात्र गोर्खाहरुको उदेश्य पुरा हुने

'जातिको प्रश्न होइन राष्ट्रिय सुरक्षाको प्रश्न महत्वपूर्ण'

दार्जीलिङ: पहाडमा छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्यान्ड भन्दा प्राधिकरण, दार्जीलिङ-सिक्किम बिलय, युनियन टेरिटोरी जस्ता बिकल्प ब्यवस्थाका आवाजहरु बौरिउठन थालेको समय राष्ट्र सुरक्षा सल्लाह्कार परिषदका एक सदस्य एंव सिक्किम केन्द्रैय विश्वाबिधालयका उपकुलपति डा. महेन्द्र पी लामाले गोर्खाल्यान्ड राज्य बनिन सक्ने सम्भावनाका तथ्यहरु अघि राखिदिँदा प्रो. लामाका उक्त तथ्यहरुमाथि गम्भीर बन्दै राजनीतिक जानिफकारहरुबीच  ब्यापक चर्चाको बिषय बन्नपुगेको छ।

गत १० अक्टोबरको दिन नेपाली साहित्य सम्मेलनको सुधपा प्रेक्ष्याग्रीहमा दार्जीलिङ सोसाइटी अफ एडुकेशन एण्ड डेभोलोपमेन्ट - बाट एउटा कार्यक्रममा डा. लामालाई सम्बर्धना जनाइएको थियो। सो कार्यक्रममा बोल्दै डा. लामाले भनेका थिए, गोर्खाल्यान्ड राज्य बन्नुमा कुनै कठिनाई छैन; तर भारतीय गोर्खाहरुले मुल पाँच वटा मन्त्र ध्यानमा राखी छुट्टै राज्य बनिन सक्ने सम्भावनाहरु रहेका छन। डा. लामा उपकुलपती मात्र नभएर राष्ट्रिय सुरक्षा सल्लाहकार समितिका एक सदस्य पनि रहेकाले यिनको राजनैतीक संकेतलाई बर्तमान अवस्थामा त्यसै ख्यालठट्टामै उडाउन सकिन्दैन नै। डा. लामाले पनि आफ्नो सम्भाषणमा अझ भनेका थिए, दार्जीलिङ पहाडी क्षेत्र चार वटा अन्तराष्ट्रिय सिमानाहरुले घेरिएको छ। भारत सरकारलाई राष्ट्रको सुरक्षासित सरोकार छ, देशको सुरक्षा लिएर देशबासीले कस्तो योगदान दिदैछन अनि अझ भविष्यमा कसरी राष्ट्र सुरक्षामाथि काम गर्नेछन, यी सबै कुराहरु सरकारलाई बुझाउनु सक्नुपर्छ। दार्जीलिङ-डुवर्स प्रान्तलाई लिएर गोर्खाल्यान्ड राज्य बन्नमा समय नलाग्ने पनि डा. लामाले जनाउदै तर गोर्खा जातिको प्रश्न लिएर चाँही गोर्खाल्यान्ड हुन नसक्ने बताएका थिए। 

छुट्टै राज्यको माग गर्दा भारतीय गोर्खाहरुले जातियताको प्रश्नलाई केवल २० प्रतिशत मात्र प्रमुखता दिएर राष्ट्र सुरक्षा, बिकास, इतीहास, देशको संविधान अनि राजनीतिलाई पनि प्रति २० प्रतिशत रुपले प्रमुखतासित अघि बढाएर भारत सरकारलाई सही रुपमा राज्य गठनको मागलाई अघि राख्नसके केन्द्र सरकारले यसलाई अमान्य गर्नेछैन भनी तिनले भनेका थिए। यी प्रमुख पाँच बिषय लिएर गोर्खाल्यान्ड आन्दोलन र केन्द्र सरकारलाई मागप्रति आकर्षण गराउन शिक्षाको आवश्कता हुँद्छ भन्दै तिनले शिक्षित नेता रहे मात्र गोर्खाहरुको उदेश्य पुरा हुने मन्तब्य पोखेका थिए। शिक्षित मानिसहरुको समुह बनाएर भारत सरकार समक्ष् गोर्खाल्यान्ड माग लिएर बौद्धिक टक्कर दिदै राष्ट्रलाई पहाड-दुवर्स सितै गोर्खाल्यान्ड राज्य बनिनुपर्ने आवश्यकता भारतीय गोर्खाहरुका लागि मात्रै होइन, राष्ट्रिय सुरक्षाको निम्ती पनि महत्वपूर्ण ठहर हुने बताउन सक्नुपर्छ, तिनले सुझाउ दिएका थिए। लामाले शिक्षालाई नै प्रमुखता दिदै शिक्षित समुहभित्रबाट नै आफ्नो अधिकार खोज्नुपर्ने कुरामा पनि तिनले जोर दिएका थिए।

बर्तमान देशको स्थिती, राज्यको राजनीति अनि पहाडको परिस्थिती बीच छुट्टै राज्यको माग ओझल बन्दै गइरहेको समय डा. लामाको पाँच वटा गुरुमन्त्रले अब भविष्यमा कस्तो राजनैतिक मोड ल्याउने हो, त्यो त समयले नै बताउला। (Article by Robin Giri, Sunakhari Samachar, Source: Darjeeling Times.com)

Prof Mahendra P Lama will address a seminar on 16 October organised by Foundation for European Progressive Studies with the support of Olof Palme International Center in Stockholm. The seminar seeks to reassess current paradigms in discourse on security. This will be followed by the annual Palme Days. Experts from around the world will gather to discuss their perspectives on issues of peace and security. This will provide European commentators with the opportunity to address their common concerns when it comes to security. However, the debates will draw strongly on the views of partners from around the world.

Significantly, the aim of this seminar is to address security from a basis of global solidarity rather than coercion, intimidation and fear. Discussants will examine the potential of institutions of global governance and international law as well as the theoretical foundations of foreign and security policy.

In an accident one driver was killed near Teesta and one child in West Sikkim.

Kutti alias Surjit Prassan dey (35) a notorious criminal wanted for several murders and crimes was found dead in Siliguri.

Eight GLP instructors are asked by the ACJM to appear before the ACJM Court in Kalimpong. They are charged u/s 34, 506, 447 & 448 for illegally trespassing and occupying Parijat Tourist Lodge at Dalim Gorubathan . The eight are  Ex army Officers Col. Ramesh Allay, Maj SP Warner, Capt Sunil Rai, Nar bdr Rai, CB Gurung, CB Rai  , Kalu Gurung & Mani kr Thapa.  The court has also summoned Asha Gurung, Jyoti Subba and nanita Gautam as well as nurses Nirmala Bantawa and Rupa Lama. Their next hearing is on 26th October.
Nima Lama of Kurseong is elected President of Gorkha Rashtriya Congress. Lama is the succesor of the deceased DK Bomjan who died of heart attack. 
Fulpati observed in Fatak Dara of Kurseong Phot Coutesy: Vinod P. Sharma 

ABGL has targeted to make 50 thousand Tarun Gorkha members within December 2010 for starting an agitation for the formation of Gorkhaland.