Fugitive of Meghalaya arrested in Sikkim
Prabin Khaling, KalimNews, Gangtok, September 12: The most wanted fraudster in Meghalaya has been arrested by Sadar Police on September 11 and now has been handed over to Meghalaya Police.
The Police sources informed that 29 year’s old Sathayan Nair alias Daniel Hawk who was in the wanted list of Meghalaya Police on the charge of money swindling was arrested from one of the hotels in the capital. He was staying in Gangtok for about a month with his two and a half years old daughter.It was the bold initiatives of a concerned citizen which led in the arrest of the fugitive.
Narrating the story of his encounter with the wanted criminal Ajay Kumar Agarwal (42) of Deokaran brothers at MG Marg told Media that on 19th August Sathayan Nair visited his shop with his daughter to enquire about the internet connection.
After that he was quite regular visiting Ajay in his shop.
During one of the conversations when Ajay tried to find out as what makes him to come Gangtok the trickster said that he is a plan to open up a call center in Gangtok in partnership with some localities.
The suspicious behavior of the person came into notice when he asked Ajay Agarwal to share his bank account number.
“I refused to give my bank account number Instead I extended a help to solve his problem. But when I contacted the bank I came to learn that he has zero balance in the account. I was sure that he must be upto something foul” Ajay Agarwal told Media.
Then Ajay started checking the website of all the North Eastern states of India as he was told by Sathayan Nair that he had also started a call center at Manipur.
“While checking the website I found that he was one of the wanted criminals in Meghaylaya who have been booked under than 420, 406 and 34 of IPC, I was shocked” he added.
Then he contacted the Additional Suprentident of Police of Meghalaya and informed the Sadar Police about the presence of the wanted swindler in Sikkim.
“Ajay Agarwal has done a marvelous job, on behalf of the Meghalaya Police I thank him and the Sikkim Police for nabbing the wanted criminal” Vivek Syium, the Additional SP (Crime) of Shillong told Media over phone.
Ajay Agarwal said that he was supported by his wife Anita Agarwal in the entire operation.
GJM to inclusion of some mouzas (areas) from the Dooars and Terai regions into GTA: Giri
PTI, Kolkata, Sep 12: A high-power committee is working on inclusion of some mouzas (areas) from the Dooars and Terai regions under the jurisdiction of the newly-formed Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha said today.The general secretary GJM Roshan Giri was talking to reporters after a meeting here to review the progress made in the implementation of the GTA agreement signed by the Centre, the West Bengal government and the GJM on July 18.
The first-ever review meeting was attended by representatives of the Centre, West Bengal government and the GJM.While the Centre was represented by Union Home Ministry Additional Secretary B Bhamathi, the state government was represented by Home Secretary G D Gautama and GJM by Giri.One of the clauses of the agreement was that a committee would examine the possibility of inclusion of some mouzas into the GTA ambit, which was resisted by Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad, a dominant organisation in Dooars and Terai.
Giri said the meeting discussed the administrative infrastructure of the GTA, Centre''s assurance on an additional economic package worth Rs 200 crore for GTA, introduction of a three-tier panchayati raj system in the hills and formation of the GTA youth para-military force among other things. The GTA replaced the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council formed in 1988.
First GTA, Constitution change later
First GTA, Constitution change later
VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, Darjeeling, Sept. 12: The Centre, state and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha today agreed that the constitutional amendment to bring back the three-tier panchayat system in the hills would be done only after new arrangement for the region was in place.The three sides were reviewing the provisions of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Bill to work out a roadmap to put in place the new authority. They also examined the memorandum of agreement that led to the drafting of the bill.
After the DGHC was formed in 1988, the Constitution was amended once to form a two-tier system for the Darjeeling hills since no two zilla parishads — the highest rung in the panchayati system — could exist in one district. So while the plains of the Darjeeling district had a Mahakuma Parishad, the hills had a two-tier system without the zilla parishad.
In the 73rd amendment of the Constitution in 1992, Clause 3 of Article 243-M reads: “Nothing in this Part (a) related to panchayats at the district level shall apply to the hill areas of the District of Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal for which Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council exists under any law for the time being in force; (b) shall be construed to affect the functions and powers of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.”
Now, a constitutional amendment is needed if a three-tier panchayat system is to be set up. But though the hills were supposed to have a two-tier system, opposition from the GNLF, which was at the helm of affairs in the DGHC then, only a single tier system was allowed to function. That, too, became defunct in 2005.
The review committee meeting was held in Calcutta today and attended by Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri, state home secretary G.D. Gautama and the additional secretary in the ministry of home affairs B. Bahamati.
“We reviewed all the provisions of both the agreement and the bill and have worked out a roadmap,” said Giri over the phone from Calcutta. “Soon after the GTA is formed, issues like amending the Constitution to put in place the three-tier system would be taken up.”
It was also decided that the order to include the 6000-odd casual workers of the DGHC in a new pay-band, instead of a consolidated salary, as was agreed upon in the memorandum of understanding signed between the Centre, state and the Morcha, would be issued soon.
“It has been agreed that the order would be issued within three to four days or at the most within a week,” said Giri.
Once brought under the state government pay structure, the DGHC workers will get almost double their current salary and will also be eligible to work till they are 60 years old. However, they will not get benefits enjoyed by other government employees like dearness allowances, gratuity or pension. On retirement, they will get a consolidated sum of Rs 1 lakh.
The state government has decided to start a detailed discussion with various departments to set up an administrative complex and to open branches of the School Service Commission and offices of the Regional Provident Fund for the GTA to function.
Regarding the Rs 200 crore special assistance funds that the Centre will provide to the GTA for three years, the committee has agreed to draw up a plan on the utilisation of the cash. “A list of projects would be prioritised so that funds can be suitably allocated,” said Giri.
The state and the Centre, however, felt that “a more detailed discussion” would be needed on the Morcha’s demand to create more sub-divisions in the GTA area.
“It was also agreed that state’s Backward Class Commission would allow the hill communities, whose applications to grant tribal status has been rejected, to make afresh appeal. The state government is taking up the issue of declaring all the hill communities (except the Scheduled Castes) tribals with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes,” said Giri.
The Morcha leader said the state government would also pursue the matter of recruiting “Gorkha Youths” into police, para-military and the army with the Centre.
Many believe that the term “Gorkha Youth” has been mentioned in the agreement to accommodate the Morcha’s Gorkhaland Personnel, a squad of lathi-wielding volunteers which the party claimed it had formed for crowd management.
“We are satisfied with the progress being made by the high-powered committee that is looking into the proposed inclusion of additional territory,” said Giri.
He was referring to the government-appointed committee that is examining the Morcha demand to bring the Gorkha-dominated areas in the Dooars and the Terai under the GTA.
Expert tea cells to advise small growers
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| Tips at hand |
The launch of small-growers development cells is a pointer to the importance the Tea Board is attaching to farmers with a few acres of land. The 1.6 lakh small growers scattered across the country contribute to 26 per cent of the total tea produced in India.
“The Tea Board has decided to set up 82 small tea growers development cells across the country. The cells will have 22 factory advisory officers and 60 field officers who will guide the small growers in various aspects like quality control and sustainable production,” said G. Boraiah, director of tea development, Tea Board of India.
He was speaking to The Telegraph on the sidelines of the National Workshop on Small Tea Growers at the Darjeeling Gymkhana Club on Sunday.
Till date, the small growers have been complaining that they are not getting recognition from the Tea Board and the government as they were not part of the elaborate plantation set-up, which dominates the tea sector.
The workshop was organised jointly by the Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers’ Association (CISTA) and the Darjeeling Organic Ekta Society — a body of small tea cultivators in the hills.
The workshop discussed ways to make the small growers a formidable force in the industry.
“In India, tea is cultivated on around 1.65 hectares by nearly 1.6 lakh growers. Nearly 260 million kgs of tea produced annually at 440 bought leaf factories constitute about 26 per cent of the total brew produced in the country,” said Bijoygopal Chakraborty, the president of the CISTA.
Boraiah revealed another figure to show the small farmers’ role in the economy.
“Given the present domestic demand, we would have had to import around 100 million kg of tea annually if the small growers had not contributed with their production. In a way, they are helping India save a foreign exchange of Rs 1,000 crore,” said Boraiah.
Chakraborty said as the small farmers were not organised, prices varied for green leaves supplied by them to the BLFs. Boraiah said the small tea cultivators could take their cue from the Nagpur Orange Growers’ Association, which had managed to bring all farmers under one brand.
Those who cultivate tea on less than 25 acres or 10.12 hectares of land are classified as small tea growers by the Tea Board of India. “On an average, a small grower cultivates tea on around one hectare,” said Boraiah.
Apart from Bengal, small growers are found in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya.
Panglhabsol celebrated
Prabin Khaling, KalimNews, Gangtok, September 12: The colorful traditional dances and the religious fervent marked the celebration of the festival of brotherhood and unity “Panglhabsol” today here at MG Marg. The Governor Balimiki Prasad Singh offered prayer at the statue of unity and presided the function as the chief guest.
The Governor in his address said that the Panglhabsol is not only the festival of unity but also reflects the love amongst the people of Sikkim irrespective of their caste and community.
Speaking with the students the Governor said education is one of the basic pillars to achieve success in life so the students should gain more education and make the state proud.
ThuckChuk Lachungpa, the President of the celebration committee placed the report of the committee. He informed the committee has been organizing the festival for the last sixteen years. 24 groups (in an open category) and 24 schools participated in the dance competition under different categories.Dance Academy lifted the first prize in the open category followed by Hamro Parivar and Incredible Tadong in second and third position.
Similarly in school competition Modern School lifted the walked away with the first prize. Syari Secondary School and Deorali Girls Senior Secondary school bagged the second and third position respectively.
Blogger honoured
PR, KalimNews, Singtam, September 12: Blogger Shital Pradhan from Singtam was felicitated by the Sikkim Newa Guthi along with four other distinguished personalities at the College Auditorium, Tadong in a colourful event on the occasion of Indra Jatra yesterday. The other felicitated personalities included senior litterateur and Editor Pradhyuman Shrestha, Cine Actor Uttam Pradhan, Painter Dhiraj Pradhan, Taekwondo Player and Police Inspector Check Post Sabitri Pradhan and Museum curator Ruben Pradhan.
Shital Pradhan, a teacher by profession is the person behind “Proud to be a Sikkimese” a popular blog on Sikkim. Pradhan has thanked Sikkim Newa Guthi for the honour and had wished that this honour shall encourage him to do better works in days to come. I am very thankful towards my readers for following my work over the years and I am sure my findings on Sikkim shall always benefit them. I owe my success to Sikkim Express and other newspaper that had always helped me grow as a writer, added Pradhan.
This is my third felicitation for my blog; previously I had been honoured by Sanghrash NGO from Rongli in 2010 and by Himali Sangh, State Level Youth Awarded NGO from Dalapchand recently on June 2011, said Pradhan.
Shital Pradhan is the longest running blogger from Sikkim. His “Proud to be a Sikkimese” (http://sikhim.blogspot.com/) blog is the most popular blog on Sikkim with more than 2 lakhs page views. He had started this blog in May 2007. This blog is more as an encyclopedia of Sikkim. Articles and essays on different subjects of Sikkim along with rare photographs are published in the blog.
Shital Pradhan’s blog Proud to be a Sikkimese” had also won the second spot in two separate categories of the Best of Indian Blogosphere (BoIB) 2010 polls under the category Arts & Hobby Blogs and Entertainment, News & Media. Shital Pradhan is a weekly columnist for Sikkim Express, the daily newspaper from Gangtok since 2009. He is also an editor of “Singtam Basibiyalo” a monthly newspaper from Singtam and “Mile Post”, a monthly Dalapchand Secondary School newspaper.
फेसबुकमा छत्रे
Blogger honoured
PR, KalimNews, Singtam, September 12: Blogger Shital Pradhan from Singtam was felicitated by the Sikkim Newa Guthi along with four other distinguished personalities at the College Auditorium, Tadong in a colourful event on the occasion of Indra Jatra yesterday. The other felicitated personalities included senior litterateur and Editor Pradhyuman Shrestha, Cine Actor Uttam Pradhan, Painter Dhiraj Pradhan, Taekwondo Player and Police Inspector Check Post Sabitri Pradhan and Museum curator Ruben Pradhan.Shital Pradhan, a teacher by profession is the person behind “Proud to be a Sikkimese” a popular blog on Sikkim. Pradhan has thanked Sikkim Newa Guthi for the honour and had wished that this honour shall encourage him to do better works in days to come. I am very thankful towards my readers for following my work over the years and I am sure my findings on Sikkim shall always benefit them. I owe my success to Sikkim Express and other newspaper that had always helped me grow as a writer, added Pradhan.
This is my third felicitation for my blog; previously I had been honoured by Sanghrash NGO from Rongli in 2010 and by Himali Sangh, State Level Youth Awarded NGO from Dalapchand recently on June 2011, said Pradhan.
Shital Pradhan is the longest running blogger from Sikkim. His “Proud to be a Sikkimese” (http://sikhim.blogspot.com/) blog is the most popular blog on Sikkim with more than 2 lakhs page views. He had started this blog in May 2007. This blog is more as an encyclopedia of Sikkim. Articles and essays on different subjects of Sikkim along with rare photographs are published in the blog.
Shital Pradhan’s blog Proud to be a Sikkimese” had also won the second spot in two separate categories of the Best of Indian Blogosphere (BoIB) 2010 polls under the category Arts & Hobby Blogs and Entertainment, News & Media. Shital Pradhan is a weekly columnist for Sikkim Express, the daily newspaper from Gangtok since 2009. He is also an editor of “Singtam Basibiyalo” a monthly newspaper from Singtam and “Mile Post”, a monthly Dalapchand Secondary School newspaper.
फेसबुकमा छत्रे
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 12 सितम्बर। छत्र सुब्बा 10 वर्षपछि कारागारमुक्त बनेर घर आएपछि पत्रकारहरूसित भन्दैथिए, धेरै के के परिर्तन भए पनि पहाडको राजनीतिमा कुनै परिवर्तन देखिनँ। फेरि 10 वर्ष अघि कै धोका, फेरि सरकारको त्यही व्ल्याकमेलिङ। छत्र सुब्बाले देखेको के के परिवर्तनबीच इन्टरनेट र यसले विचार सम्प्रेषणमा निभाइरहेको प्रतिशील भूमिका पर्छ पर्दैन तर तिनलाई पनि थाहा नभएको फेसबुक अहिले तिनैको नामलाई लिएर सक्रिय देखिएको छ। तिनले जनता पैसा कै पछि दगुरिरहेको कुरा गर्दै भनिरहेका थिए, खै म त सन्यास लिन्छु होला राजनीतिबाट। तिनले सन्यास लिने घोषणै गरे पनि फेसबुकमा तिनले इमान्दाररूपको आन्दोलन चर्काउने आशा गर्नेहरूको संख्या दिनोदिन नै बढ्दै गइरहेको छ। 10 वर्षको तपस्या सकेर छत्र सुब्बा निस्किएका छन्, गोर्खाल्याण्डको सपनालाई मुर्तरूप दिन अब छत्र सुब्बाहरूको रणनीति बाहिर आउनुपर्छ- फेसबुक वालमा यसरी लेख्नेहरूको तॉंती लामै छ। छत्र सुब्बामाथि लेखिएका हरेक टिप्पणीपछि लाइक र कमेन्टहरूको तॉंती पनि उस्तै छ। फेसबुकमा जे पनि भइरहेको छ त्यो छत्र सुब्बालाई पनि थाहा छैन। फेसबुकका गोर्खाहरूले छत्र सुब्बालाई दिइरहेको प्राथमिकताले स्पष्ट पारिरहेको छ कि अबको आन्दोलन छत्र सुब्बाबाट नै हुनेछ। फेसबुकमा गरिएको कामनालाई तर छत्र सुब्बाले कसरी लिन्छ, त्यसबारे कसैलाई थाहा छैन। जब छत्र सुब्बा गोर्खाल्याण्डको कारण जेल पसे त्यति बेला इन्टरनेट शब्द नै थोरै चल्ने गर्थ्यो जब तिनी दोषमुक्त बनेर कारागारबाट निस्किए तब सबैको हातहातमा इन्टरनेट छ तर छत्र सुब्बालाई आफ्नो नाम साइबरस्पेशमा कोरिरहेको कुरा पनि थाहा छैन। चारैतिर छत्र सुब्बाको चर्चा चलिरहेको बेला फ्याट्ट देखापरेको छ छत्र सुब्बा फ्यान क्लब-फेसबुक ग्रुपमा।
यो ग्रुपले तीस जना सदस्य संग्रह गरिसकेको छ। हरेक वाल त्यस्तो छैन जहॉं छत्र सुब्बामाथि टिप्पणी नगरिएको होस्। धरैको टिप्पणीहरूलाई अध्ययन गर्दा एउटै कुरा देखिएको छ कि गोर्खे साइबर जेनरेशनले पनि छत्र सुब्बामाथि उत्ति कै आस्था राखेको छ जतिको आस्था तिनका समकालीनहरूले राखिरहेका छन्। जब कि छत्र सुब्बालाई नै साइबरकल्चरबारे थाहा नै छैन। तिनले यो कल्चर हुर्किसकेको कुरा नै थाहा पाउने मौका नै पाएनन्। तिनलाई 10 वर्ष अँध्यारोमा राखियो। छत्रले भन्दै थिए, मलाई जानीबुझी अन्धकारमा राखिएको हो। किन भने मलाई 'खतरा'कोरूपमा हेरियो र कञ्याइयो। अहिले घरमा धेरैसित कुराकानी गर्दै तिनले पहाडको राजनैतिक परिस्थिति र वास्तविकतामाथि अध्ययन गरिरहेका छन्। यसकारण तिनले राजनैतिक मामिलामा जति पनि टिप्पणी गरिरहेका छन् त्यो केही दिनभित्र पाएको राजनैतिक जानकारीकै आधारमा नै भनिरहेका छन्। यता फेसबुकमा तिनका समर्थकहरूको वृद्दि दिनोदिन भइरहेको छ। एक समर्थक कुशल सर्वराह राईले त छत्र सुब्बालाई खुल्ला पत्र नै लेखेका छन्। तिनले छत्र सुब्बाको 10वर्षको जेलबासलाई गोर्खाल्याण्डको निम्ति गरिएको तपस्याकोरूपमा हेर्दै गोर्खाल्याण्डको सपनालाई मुर्तरूप दिनको निम्ति छत्र सुब्बाले क्षेत्रीयरूपमा आन्दोलन गर्न नहुने सुझाव दिएका छन्। तेस्रो आन्दोलन अब भारत मात्र होइन विश्वभरि नै तृणमूलस्तरमा हस्ताक्षर अभियानबाट शुरू होस्-तिनले लेखेका छन्। हाम्रो पहाडले त छत्र सुब्बालई कालेबुङको हिरो नै बताएका छन्।
जनता तिनको राजनैतिक स्ट्याण्ड पर्केर बसेका छन्-आफ्नो वालमा लेकेका छन्। छत्र सुब्बालाई सलाम गर्दै शैलेन्द्र देवानले छत्रले आफ्नो नीजि कुरा गुमाएको सबैको गोर्खाल्याण्डको निम्ति रहेको उल्लेख गरेका छन्। केवल छत्र सुब्बामाथि गरिएको आस्थावान टिप्पणी मात्र होइन छत्र सुब्बाको उन्मुक्तिलाई निक्कै आलोचकीय दृष्टिले पनि फेसबुकमा हेरिन थालिएको छ। यसरी हेर्नेहरूमध्ये अभिक गुरूङको दृष्टिकोण निक्कै चाखलाग्दो दोखिएको छ- 'जब छैटौं अनुसूचीमा हस्ताक्षर गरियो तब सुबास घिसिङको विरोधमा बिमल गुरूङलाई निकालियो, बिमललाई बङ्गालले समर्थन र सहयोग गर्यो। अहिले जीटीएमा हस्ताक्षर भयो तब छत्र सुब्बालाई छोडियो। के यो बिमल गुरूङको निम्ति 'बाउन्सर' छोडेको त होइन? बङ्गाल सरकारले छुट्टैराज्यको मुद्दा दबाउन आफ्नै जातिबीच झगडा र फोटो ल्याउने गरेकोले यी कुराहरूलाई पनि चिन्तन गर्नुपर्छ। धेरैले नै छत्र सुब्बालाई इमान्दार आन्दोलनकारीकोरूपमा फेसबुकबाट हेरेका छन्। जति पनि छत्र सुब्बालाई लिएर फेसबुकमा टिप्पणी आइरहेको छ, त्यो जीटीएले उत्पन्न गरेको निराशा नै देखापरेको छ।
गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चाले जीटीएलाई गोर्खाल्याण्ड पुग्ने खुड्किलोको रूपमा व्याख्या गरे पनि छुट्टै राज्यको सन्दर्भमा ज्ञान भएकाहरूले यसलाई मुद्दा दाबीको वेगलाई शिथिल गर्ने अनि दलीय अस्तित्वको विकल्पकोरूपमा लिएको नीजि निर्णयकोरूपमा हेरिरहेको देखापरेको छ। प्रतीमा राईले वालमा लेखेका छन्, ...छत्र सुब्बा मुक्त भएपछि अब गोर्खाल्याण्डको वास्तविक आन्दोलन हुने आशा पलाएको छ। अनिल गुरूङले पनि लेखेका छन्, दागोपाप र जीटीए एउटा जिल्लाको तीनवटा महकुमाको समस्याको समाधान हो, छुट्टैराज्य समग्र गोर्खाहरूको राजनैतिक सुरक्षाको सवाल हो। मुद्दालाई क्षेत्रीयकरण गर्नु दलीय स्वार्थ हो, यस्तोमा छत्र सुब्बाको रणनीतिलाई पर्खनु अनिवार्य हुनेछ। छत्र सुब्बामाथि धेरै आस्था राखेको देखिए पनि छत्र सुब्बालाई पनि राज्य र केन्द्रले नियन्त्रित गर्न सक्ने कुरातिर पनि फेसबुकेहरूको हेराई रहेको छ। सुजन सुब्बाले आफ्नो टिप्पणीमा लेखेका छन्, छत्र सुब्बाको छोरा जेलमा नै छन्। यस्तोमा छत्र सुब्बाको रणनीति हेरौं।
'क्राइटेरिया' खोज्दै भागोप
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 12 सितम्बर। छुट्टैराज्यसम्म पुग्न गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चाले जीटीएको बाटो पक्रिएको छ भने उता भागोपले केन्द्रलाई छुट्टैराज्य हुनको निम्ति क्राइटेरिया के छ भनेर सोध्ने भएको छ। भागोपको टास्क फोर्सका अध्यक्ष आर मोक्तान अनुसार संविधानमा छुट्टै राज्य गठन हुन सक्नेसम्मको कुरा उल्लेख छ तर छुट्टै राज्य हुनको निम्ति चाहिने क्राइटेरियाबारे कुनै कुरा उल्लेख छैन। यसै कारण देशभरि छुट्टै राज्य माग्ने सङ्गठनहरू मध्ये चारवटा सङ्गठनसित मिलेर भागोपले सुप्रिम कोर्टमा रिड पिटिशन गर्ने भएको छ। मोक्तानले भने, सुप्रिमकोर्टमा भागोपले छुट्टैराज्य हुनको निम्ति क्राइटेरिया के हो भन्ने प्रश्न गर्दै याचिका दर्ता गर्ने छ। यसैको निम्ति भागोपको टास्क फोर्स अहिले व्यस्त छ। भागोपलाई क्षेत्रीय सहमति र सम्झौताहरूसित कुनै सरोकार छैन तर छुट्टैराज्यपन्थीहरूसित भागोपले समन्वय स्थापित गर्ने कुरा पनि मोक्तानको छ। देशभरिका गोर्खा अनि छुट्टै राज्यपक्षधर शिक्षित र बुद्दीजीवीहरूसित भागोपले सहवार्ता गर्दै छुट्टै राज्यको निम्ति गरिनुपर्ने कार्य संरचना तयार पारिरहेको तिनले खुलाएका छन्। तिनले दुइवटा कुरालाई बलियोसित राखे, छुट्टै राज्य बङ्गालबाहिर हुनुपर्ने कुरामा हाम्रो लक्ष्य केन्द्रित छ। त्यो राज्यले देशभरिका गोर्खाहरूको राष्ट्रिय चिह्नारी र राजनैतिक सुरक्षाको सवाललाई सम्बोधन गर्नेछ। तिनले दाबीको कार्य शैली र मुद्दा प्रस्तुतिमा नै संशोधन गरिनुपर्ने कुरा गर्दै भने, हामीले गोर्खाल्याण्ड माग्न अघि राज्य माग्नुपर्छ। राज्य भइसकेपछि मात्र गोर्खाल्याण्डको सवाल जोडिने कुरा हो। गोर्खाल्याण्ड माग्दा नदिन सक्छ तर राज्य माग्दा नदिने सवाल उठ्न सक्दैन। तिनले छुट्टै राज्य दिन सक्ने-नसक्ने कुरामा सरकारलाई कहॉं समस्या छ, त्यसको खोजी नगरी कुनै पनि पहल गर्नु असान्दर्भिक रहने बताउँदै राज्य भनेर मात्र नहुने यसबारेका सम्पूर्ण सम्भाव्यतालाई दस्तावेजकोरूपमा सरकारमा राख्नु अनि त्यसमाथि छलफलको परिस्थिति ल्याउनु नै आन्दोलनको अर्थ हुने बताए। तिनले भने, दिने पक्ष नै भ्रममा छन्। हामीले बङ्गाल विभाजनको कुरा गरेका होइनौं।
आफ्नो भुभाग फिर्ताको कुरा गरेका हौं। हाम्रो अतित र इतिहासलाई चुँडेर गोर्खाहरूको कुनै पनि मुद्दामाथि स्थायी निर्णय गर्न सकिन्न। हामीले जुन भूभागको कुरा गरिरहेका छौं यो भूभाग बङ्गालको होइन, यो भुभाग बङ्गालमा मर्ज गरिएको होइन केवल एब्जर्भ गरिएको हो। तर यस कुरालाई राज्य र केन्द्रमा बलियोसित तर्कमा राख्न सकिएको छैन। यसकारण गोर्खाल्याण्ड भन्दै गरिएको आन्दोलनलाई उनीहरूले नै परिभाषित गर्दै आपनो परिभाषाभित्रको अधिकार र सहुलियतहरूमा राख्ने काम भइरहेको छ। संविधानले छुट्टैराज्य गठन गर्न सकिने प्रावधान राखेको भए पनि क्राइटेरिया उल्लेख नगरिएको अनि यसले उत्पन्न गर्ने भ्रमकै कारण गोर्खाहरूको छुट्टैराज्यको दाबीले न्याय नपाइरहेको भागोपको बुझाइ रहेको तिनले बताएका छन्। मोक्तानले भागोपले अहिले छुट्टै राज्यको सन्दर्भमा कार्ययोजना र कार्यव्यवहारलाई आन्तरिकरूपले सञ्चालन गरिरहेको समेत खुलाएका छन्।
पूजामा सुरक्षाको सवाल कमिटीसित बैठक गर्यो प्रशासनले
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 12 सितम्बर। कालेबुङ पुलिस थानाले गत वर्षहरू झैं यसवर्ष पनि आगामी पूजाहरूलाई केन्द्र गर्दै स्थानीय थाना परिसरमा विभिन्न पूजा आयोजक कमिटिका प्रतिनिधिहरूसँग बैठक गर्यो। आजको सभा अतिरिक्त पुलिस अधिकारी सोङ्मित लेप्चाको सभापतित्वमा सम्पन्न भएको थियो। पुलिस अधिकारीहरूले उपस्थित विभिन्न क्लब वा सङ्गठनका प्रतिनिधिहरू कानुन नियमबारे जानकारी गराउँदै पूजामा शान्ति श्रृङ्खला बनाइराख्ने आह्वान गरे। विशेष 17 सितम्बरको पूजा अवधी शान्ति श्रृङ्खला बनाइराख्ने उदेश्यले बसेको आजको सभाको सञ्चालन थाना प्रभारी प्रसाद प्रधानले गरेका थिए।
दुर्घटनाबाट बॉंच्यो मोटर स्ट्याण्ड
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 12 सितम्बर। कालेबुङ मोटरस्टयाण्ड आज ठूलो दुर्घटना हुनबाट जोगियो। मोटर स्ट्याण्ड नजिक राखिएको एउटा भेनमा दिउँसो आगो लागेपछि केही खैल्लाबैल्ला मच्चियो। लगत्तै मानिसहरू आगो निभाउनतर्फ लागे। मानिसहरूले केही हदसम्म आगो निभाउन सफल भएपछि घटनास्थलमा दमकलको गाडी पनि आइपुगेको थियो। आगोले भयानक रूप लिन नपाई मानिसहरू अनि दमकलका कर्मचारीहरू आगोलाई नियन्त्रणमा ल्याउन सफल भए। मोरटस्याण्ड नजिक राखिएको डब्ल्यूबी 79-2103 नम्बर भएको भेन सिन्देबुङ फाटकको रहेको थाहा लागेको छ भने चालक ललित शर्माले आगो लाग्नुको कारण सर सर्किट बताएका छन्। यदि आगोलाई सही समयमा नियन्त्रणमा ल्याउन नसकिएको भए मोटर स्ट्याण्डमा आज ठूलो दुर्घटना हुन्थेन भन्न सकिन्न। मोटर स्ट्याण्ड आज ठूलो दुर्घटना हुनबाट बॉंच्यो।
ट्राफिक पुलिस र सेनाबीच द्वन्द् परिणामः ट्राफिक जाम
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 12 सितम्बर। कालेबुङ ट्राफिक अधिकारीलाई आज एक आर्मी बहानका चालकले दुर्व्यवहार गरेको घटनाले प्रायः दिनभरि नै शहरमा स्थिति तनाउपूर्ण बन्यो। घटनाअनुसार मेन रोड स्टेट बैंक अघि एक आर्मी जवानले आफ्नो जिप्सी अव्यवस्थित ढङ्गमा राखेका थिए। पछिबाट आर्मीको अर्को ठूलो गाडी आएपछि मोन रोड जाम भयो। जिप्सीको कारणले भएको जाम खोल्न ट्राफिक अधिकारी पी. योञ्जनले वहान हटाइदिन आर्मीका जिप्सी चालकसँग आग्रह गर्दा अधिकारी अनि चालकबीच केही भनाभैरी भयो। प्रत्यक्षदर्शीहरूले बताए अनुसार जवानले अधिकारीलाई दुर्व्यवहार गरेपछि केही हाताइपाइ पनि भयो। जवानमाथि अधिकारीलाई हातापाइ गरेको जवानमाथि लागेपछि देशको सेवा गर्दै आइरहेका जवानलाई महकुमा थाना लगियो। आरोपी जवान 146 जीआर पेदोङ सेना छाउनीको रहेको थाहा लागेको छ। आर्मीलाई पुलिस प्रशासनले कार्वाही गर्न नसेकेपनि आरोपीविरूद्ध प्रशासनले सेना छाउनीमा नै कम्प्लेन गरिदिएको छ। उक्त घटनाको कारणले आज दिनभरिनै कालेबुङमा ट्राफिक जाम रहिरह्यो भने पछिबाट ट्राफिक व्यवस्था सामान्य बन्यो।छत्र सुब्बा मोर्चासित मिलेर लडेको उचितः खतिवडा
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 12 सितम्बर। जीएलओ प्रमुख छत्रे सुब्बाले 11 वर्षपछि जेलबाट मुक्ति पाएपछि विभिन्न राजनैतिक दलहरूले स्वागत जनाइएका विभिन्न टिका टिप्पणीहरू प्रकाशमा आइरहेको छ। सीपीआइएमएलले पनि छत्रेको मुक्तिलाई पार्टीगत रूपमा स्वागत जनाएको छ। 1948 सालदेखि 1967 सम्म ज्योति बसुसँग माकपामा रहेका अनि पछिबाट सीपीआइएमएलमा पसेर नक्सलबारी आन्दोलमा सक्रिय भूमिका निर्वाह गरेका आरबी खतिवड़ाले छत्रेको मुक्ति क्रान्तिकारी गोर्खाहरूको निम्ति उत्साह रहेको बताउँदै भने, गोर्खाल्याण्डका कट्टर समर्थक छत्रेले 11 वषर्पछि मुक्ति पाए। गोर्खा सम्प्रदायभित्र क्रान्तिकारी लक्षण भएका गोर्खाहरूमा छत्रेको मुक्तिले नयॉं उर्जा प्रदान गरेको छ। छत्रे पनि गोर्खाल्याण्ड आन्दोलनको लडाकु सिपाही हुन्। तिनले अहिले पहाडमा सर्ववृहत दलको रूपमा मोर्चा रहेकोले सक्दो मोर्चासँग मिलेर क्रान्तिकारी ढङ्गमा गोर्खाल्याण्ड आन्दोलनलाई अघि लगे असल हुने सुझाउ राखे। तिनले मदन तामङ हत्याकाण्डको प्रसङ्ग झिक्दै भने, मदन तामङको हत्या गरिनुमा वामफ्रण्ट को भूमिका छ कि सुबास घिसिङको छ वा त मोर्चाको भूमिका स्पष्ट छैन तर पिण्टेल भिलेजबाट निकोल तामङ हराइनु र अहिलेसम्म नभेटिनुमा मदन हत्याकाण्ड वामफ्रण्टकै षड्यन्त्र हो भन्ने मेरो व्यक्तिगत विचार छ। तर तिनले मदन हत्याकाण्डमा पक्रा पर्नेहरू जम्मैलाई नै शंकाको आधारमा पक्राउ गरिएको अनि उनीहरू राजनैतिक दलहरूसँग सम्बन्धित रहेकोले उनीहरूलाई राजनैतिक मर्यादा दिइनुपर्ने बताएका छन्। तिनले अन्य विपक्षहरूलाई पनि हिलोछेपाछेप नगर्ने सुझाउ राख्दै एक भएर आन्दोन गर्नुपर्ने बताए। जीटीएमा तराइ जुवर्स अन्तरभुक्तिको निम्ति सरकारले पहिले मोर्चाले तयार पारेको म्याप अध्ययन गर्नुपर्ने अनि गोर्खबाहुल क्षेत्रहरूको सही निरीक्षण हुनपर्ने बताएका छन्। तिनले गोर्खाल्याण्ड प्राप्तीको निम्ति सबै दलहरूले गम्भिर भएर सोच्नुपर्ने बताए।
परिषद गठन नगरे फेरि हुने लेप्चा आन्दोलन
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 12 सितम्बर। तीनवटा मुख्य दाबीमा शुरू गरेको लेप्चाहरूको कोलकाता आन्दोलनले मुख्य मन्त्रीको मौखिक आश्वासनलाई नमान्ने बताउँदै धर्ना जारी राखे पनि मुख्य मन्त्री कै मौखिक आश्वासनले आन्दोलन कोलकाताबाटै फिर्ता गरिएको थियो। अहिले मुख्य मन्त्रीले बचन पुरा नगरे फेरि लेप्चाहरूले कोलकाताबाट नै आन्दोलन शुरू गर्ने बताएका छन्। लेप्चा इण्डिजिनस ट्राइबल एसोसिएसनका अध्यक्ष एलएस ताम्साङले आज भने, हामीले जबरजस्ती गरेनौ किन भने मुख्यमन्त्रीले आफ्नो आश्वासन पुरा गर्ने बचन दिएकी छन्। विधानसभामा गरेको घोषणाको प्रसिडिङ शीघ्र नै हाम्रो हात लाग्ने भएको छ। तिनले लेप्चा प्रतिनिधिहरूलाई कोलकाता बोलाइने भएको अनि आफूहरू तयारीमा रहेको बताउँदै भने, लेप्चा विकास परिषदको शीघ्र नै गठन हुने आशा गरेका छौं। तिनले मुख्य मन्त्रीले विधानसभामा गरेको घोषणाको आधारको नोटिफिकेशन हात लागेपछि लेप्चाहरूको निम्ति त्यही हतियार हुने बताए। तिनले भने, यदि गरिएको आश्वासन पुरा नगरे हामी आन्दोलनमा उत्रने छौं। यसको निम्ति हामीले पूर्ण तयारी गरिसकेका छौं। कार्यक्रमहरू योजनाबद्ध छन्। आन्दोलन गर्नुपर्यो भने कोलकाताबाट नै शुरू हुनेछ।कर्मचारी एक हुनुपर्छ-जकस
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 12 सितम्बर। जनमुक्ति कर्मचारी सङ्गठनले सम्पूर्ण कर्मचारीहरू जकसको छत्र छायामा आए मात्र कर्मचारीहरूको हित हुने जनाएको छ। जकस कालेबुङका अध्यक्ष खड्क विक्रम सुब्बाले अहिले कालेबुङका केही कर्मचारीहरू जकसको सदस्य रहेर पनि व्यक्तिगत फाइदाको निम्ति इन्टकमा गएको खुलासा गर्दै यसरी सङ्गठित नभएर विभाजित बनेमा कर्मचारीहरूले पाउने सहुलियत समानन्तर नहुने अनि सरकारको दृष्टिकोणमा छुट्टै राज्यपन्थीहरू विभाजनमा आएको देखापर्ने बताउँदै भने, हामी छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्डको निम्ति सङ्गठित हुनुपर्छ। सरकारले कर्मचारीहरूमा विभाजन ल्याएर आन्दोलनकारीहरूको एकता भङ्ग गर्ने कुरालाई ध्यानमा राख्नुपर्छ। तिनले अन्य सङ्गठनतिर जानु नितान्त व्यक्तिगत फाइदा खोरहरूको मुद्दाप्रति र आन्दोलनप्रति धोका दिने प्रवृति रहेको जनाए। तिनले जबसम्म कर्मचारीहरू एक रहँदैन तब सहुलियतहरूमा आँच आउन सक्ने बताउँदै सबै कर्मचारीहरूलाई एकतामा बसिदिने आह्वान गरेका छन्।
Parking plans to reduce rush on Kalimpong roads
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| An army vehicle that rammed into a lamp post disrupting traffic movement on the Main Road in Kalimpong for about an hour on Monday. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha |
RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT, Kalimpong, Sept. 12: The Kalimpong municipality has submitted a proposal to the road transport officer to organise the parking system in town as a first step to streamline traffic and reduce congestion on the busy stretches.
The proposal that was submitted last week had been prepared after consulting the stakeholders, including vehicle owners, drivers and the traffic police, civic officials said.
The streamlining of the traffic system has been a long-standing demand of the residents of the town.
The problem of congestion came to the fore today as well when an army truck rammed into a lamp post on the Main Road resulting in a jam for almost an hour from 12.30pm.
The proposal suggests that all passenger vehicles entering the town should drop off the commuters at the Motor Stand and proceed towards the Novelty Cinema for parking.
All out-bound vehicles should enter the Motor Stand area to pick up passengers five minutes before their scheduled departure.
According to sources, at any given time of the day around 100 vehicles are parked at the Motor Stand. Some vehicles are even parked in the area indefinitely. “With the new system the Motor Stand will become less congested as only the out-bound vehicles will be allowed to park in the area few minutes before their scheduled departure,” said a source in the civic body.
The proposal also states that 26 private cars will be allowed in the parking space on the Main Road that can accommodate around 80 vehicles. The remaining space would be reserved for taxis.
Fifteen private vehicles would be allowed to halt on the DS Gurung Road that can accommodate around 80 vehicles at a time. The remaining space on the stretch would be earmarked for parking taxis.
One side of Ongden Road, from little below Trikone Park to a few metres ahead of the Sherpa Lodge, can be used for parking and motorcycles would be allowed to halt on one side of the Upper Cart Road.
Officials said organising the parking system would help reduce congestion on many major roads in the town and ensure a smooth traffic flow.
“Our proposal has been forwarded to the district road transport officer who will take up the matter with the district magistrate. Once the DM issues a notification, the new parking plan will be implemented,” said a source.
UK trip for trade tie-up - Tea & tourism top agenda
The proposal that was submitted last week had been prepared after consulting the stakeholders, including vehicle owners, drivers and the traffic police, civic officials said.
The streamlining of the traffic system has been a long-standing demand of the residents of the town.
The problem of congestion came to the fore today as well when an army truck rammed into a lamp post on the Main Road resulting in a jam for almost an hour from 12.30pm.
The proposal suggests that all passenger vehicles entering the town should drop off the commuters at the Motor Stand and proceed towards the Novelty Cinema for parking.
All out-bound vehicles should enter the Motor Stand area to pick up passengers five minutes before their scheduled departure.
According to sources, at any given time of the day around 100 vehicles are parked at the Motor Stand. Some vehicles are even parked in the area indefinitely. “With the new system the Motor Stand will become less congested as only the out-bound vehicles will be allowed to park in the area few minutes before their scheduled departure,” said a source in the civic body.
The proposal also states that 26 private cars will be allowed in the parking space on the Main Road that can accommodate around 80 vehicles. The remaining space would be reserved for taxis.
Fifteen private vehicles would be allowed to halt on the DS Gurung Road that can accommodate around 80 vehicles at a time. The remaining space on the stretch would be earmarked for parking taxis.
One side of Ongden Road, from little below Trikone Park to a few metres ahead of the Sherpa Lodge, can be used for parking and motorcycles would be allowed to halt on one side of the Upper Cart Road.
Officials said organising the parking system would help reduce congestion on many major roads in the town and ensure a smooth traffic flow.
“Our proposal has been forwarded to the district road transport officer who will take up the matter with the district magistrate. Once the DM issues a notification, the new parking plan will be implemented,” said a source.
UK trip for trade tie-up - Tea & tourism top agenda
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| The CII delegation which left for the UK on Monday. (Suman Tamang) |
VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, Darjeeling, Sept. 12: An eight-member team of the Confederation of Indian Industry's north Bengal zone today left for the United Kingdom to meet British entrepreneurs and explore business opportunities in various sectors like tea and tourism.
The team consists of Laxmi Limbu Kaushal, head of the CII’s north Bengal zonal council, Sushil Kumar Berlia, Surendra Kumar Marda, Sangeeta Roy, Sujit Kumar Raha, Debabrata Sarkar, Kalikinkar Roy and Manju Berlia.
“The objective of the mission would be to interact with UK companies to explore business opportunities for Indian firms and to talk to government officials, keeping in view the social, cultural and economic dimension of mutual benefit,” Kaushal told The Telegraph before her departure.
The Indian delegation will hold a meeting with the mayor of Liverpool and will undertake a tour of the industrial centres there during the week-long trip.
“An interaction is also being organised with the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce,” said Kaushal.
The CII team will visit a tea garden at Cornwall and will hold a meeting with the Dennis U.K. Chamber of Commerce at the London Stock Exchange.
“One of the major objectives of the mission is to promote Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars tea in the UK. The country has always been a traditional market for India tea,” said Kaushal. The Indian team is hopeful that they would be able to market north Bengal as a tourism hub before the British.
“The trip is an opportunity to invite tourists and make them aware of various destinations in north Bengal, particularly tea tourism,” said Kaushal. A meeting with the Tata Global Beverage in London also figures in the itinerary.
“A detailed interaction will be held with many UK companies on infrastructure and real estate development. Investors in the UK will be invited to start businesses in north Bengal in view of the warm Indo-British relations,” said Kaushal.
Irom Sharmila's supporters see state conspiracy in her love story
Jaideep Mazumdar, TNN , Sep 12, 2011: Manipur's 'Iron Lady', Irom Chanu Sharmila, is the subject of a raging debate in the state. Sharmila, on a hunger strike since November 2, 2000, demanding withdrawal of the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers ) Act, or the AFSPA, recently confessed to a group of visiting journalists that she was in love with a British citizen of Goa origin and complained that her supporters, unhappy with this development, had behaved harshly with the man.
A Kolkata-based English newspaper that published the interview has been banned in Manipur by the influential Apunba Lup, a coalition of 13 prominent civil society organizations. Her league of dismayed supporters see the interview as a sinister attempt by the state to draw attention away from her movement and the Act which empowers security forces to detain people without trial and immunity from prosecution after killing civilians.
Sharmila, 39, launched her fast after a particularly horrific incident of the paramilitary Assam Rifles opening fire on unarmed civilian demonstrators near state capital Imphal's Tulihal airport on November 1, 2000, killing ten and seriously injuring many. Since then, she has mostly been confined to a state hospital where she is under arrest and is being force-fed. Her protest, the longest such fast anywhere in the world, has gained global attention and drawn the spotlight on the 'unconstitutional' AFSPA. Sharmila, say her supporters and a plethora of human rights and civil society organizations in the state, has been the beacon of the movement to demand withdrawal of the AFSPA that had led to thousands of disappearances, 'encounter' deaths and cold blooded killings by security forces in Manipur over the past few decades.
Sharmila, in the interview with the news daily, spoke of her love for the 48-year-old Desmond Coutinho, a writer and human rights activist, with whom she had been exchanging letters for the past one year. She said they met for the first time on March 9 this year when she was produced in a local court. It was sometime during the exchange of letters that he proposed to her and she accepted the proposal. He has gifted her a Apple MacBook, which is her prized possession now. She said her supporters were against the marriage, which she has clarified will take place only after she succeeds in her mission of getting the AFSPA repealed. Desmond, she said, had arrived in Imphal in February and had to wait for many days before her being allowed to meet her.
The interview created uproar in Manipur , where she is justifiably revered by people. "At one level, Sharmila is free to fall in love with anyone she wants and marry him and no one has the right to oppose this. But the way just her romance was publicized gives the impression that a sinister attempt has been made to destroy the aura around her," prominent human rights activist Babloo Loitongbam told TOI. He pointed out that it is the state which controls access to her. "I find it very strange that while even letters written by her family members don't reach her, those written by a man who must have been a stranger to her initially are delivered to her. Her own kith and kin can't meet her, and here we see a group of journalists from outside the state gaining so easy access to her," added Loitongbam, who is also closely involved in the fight for repeal of the 'black' Act. "Did the media focus on the issue of corruption during Hazare's fast or did they talk about his personal life? In the days of the freedom struggle, was Gandhiji's personal life the primary issue? Then why should Sharmila's personal life find so much prominence in the mainstream media that largely ignores the sufferings of the people of Manipur?" asked an indignant Loitongbam.
Prominent social activist and MLA, R K Anand, who has known Sharmila even before she went on fast, told TOI that the circumstances surrounding the developments raised suspicion. "The interviewers focused solely on her so-called love affair. Her personal life is not the main issue. The primary issue is her struggle and the untold atrocities, rapes, molestations and killings committed by the security forces under the cover of the AFSPA. The interview in the newspaper gives the impression that an attempt is being made to divert attention away from the burning issue," said Anand, who says Sharmila is morally upright, disciplined and honest".
Few in Manipur are willing to openly comment on Sharmila's 'affair' or her right to fall in love. Privately, however, many say that while what she does in her personal life is her own business and nobody has the right to interfere, her struggle represents the struggle of the people of longsuffering Manipur and, hence, the disappointment among her supporters over the developments.
Everyone TOI spoke to, including prominent lawyers, Opposition politicians who support her struggle, civil society leaders, educationists, artistes and litterateurs, were unanimous in their view that the entire development-a stranger being allowed to write freely to Sharmila, the journalists granted easy access to her and focusing only on her 'affair' and the subsequent published interview that highlighted the romance and opposition to it-was a sinister attempt by the state to shift focus away from the struggle that Sharmila is leading.
Datia felicitates His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa
Trinley Thaye Dorje
PR, KalimNews, Datia, 11th September 2011: Felicitation function of the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje, was held at Gahoi Vatika. His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje, the honorable Chief Guest at the event, proffered teachings on ‘Relevance of Buddhism in present world’.
This function was initiated by The Buddhist Society of India (Founder President-Bodhisattva Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar) and Friends in Dhamma (A group that connects Dhamma Friends around the world to share and exchange teachings, information and experiences on Buddhism)
The Rinpoches, learned monks, nuns, devotees and followers of Buddhism from different parts of the world, Hon’ble Guests Adv. Pritamkumar Shegaonkar, (Ex. Minister, Maharashtra), Vice President, B.S.I, Hon’ble Ayu. V.S. Mokhale, National Gen. Secretary, B.S.I., Mumbai Hon’ble Ayu. Norden Tshering Bhutia, Secretary, Karmapa Charitable Trust, Sikkim and many more distinguished guests gathered to commemorate this auspicious celebration and seek blessings from His Holiness.
Addressing the congregation of the enthralled audience His Holiness spoke on necessity of compassion and need of peace in the present situation of turmoil that has engulfed the entire world, He said, ''I feel that Buddhism is very relevant in the present time of unrest. Though, as a Buddhist, it is not something we would project onto others. The Buddha’s teachings provide those who are interested in following the path with a guide to any number of problems that are just as relevant today as they were in His time.” Further He emphasized on developing harmony within oneself so that same composure of compassion can be shared with people around. “There has to be a serene outlook to life so that one can help others and show others path of pacification.”
The function began by a warm welcome speech for the audience and offering of candles and flowers to Tathagat Buddha. A garland was offered to Bodhisattva Dr. Babasaheb Ambedgar admist the chants of Buddha vandana by venerable monks. Learned monks and Hon’ble speakers shared their thoughts and the final highlight of the programme was the address of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa.
Delhi GJM to observe foundation day
PR, KalimNews, Delhi, 12 September: GJM of New Delhi decided to observe foundation day of the party in October. The newly formed executive committee of NCR held the meeting at Gorkha Bhawan located at Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi presided over by its president Manoj Sankhar. Rustam Chhetri, VP, Ranjan Sharma ,GS, Lobsang Lama, AGS, alongwith Rakesh Thapa , Kiran Rasaily, Sudesh Thapa, Roshan Sundas, Diwakar Rai and the office bearers of Naari Morcha, Yuwa Morcha and units of Kotla, Gurgaon, Vasant Gaon and adjoining areas were present in the meeting.
The programme will start with a flag hoisting ceremony at Gorkha Bhawan, followed by offering tribute to the martyrs who lost their life in the Sibchu incident along with the martyrs of 1986 agitation followed by cultural and musical program. Well known luminaries of Gorkha community residing in the capital city along with some leading politicians of the Centre and the State shall be invited.
It was s told that the GJM team is preparing a work plan to invite young talents from the Gorkha youths who have been living in and around Delhi by earning their livelihood as ordinary employees along with a major chunk of the population who are students.It also aims to expose these talents and value their contributions for unity of Gorkhas and to render social assistance and help to the Gorkha citizens in need, speciallly those who come to Delhi for medical treatment, employment and education, the meeting resolved.
· About 796 million adults worldwide were reported not being able to read and write
· Two-thirds of them (64%) were women
· The global adult literacy rate was 83%, with a male literacy rate of 88% and a female literacy rate of 79%
· More than half of those unable to read and write – 412 million – lived in South Asia.
A further 176 million adults were in sub-Saharan Africa. Together, these two regions accounted for three-quarters (74%) of adults unable to read and write worldwide
· In almost all countries, youth literacy rates (i.e. for the population aged 15-24 years)
were higher than adult literacy rates
· 131 million youth worldwide lacked basic reading and writing skills
· Among this group, 61% were female. A comparison of this share to the female share among adults (64%) indicates a move toward gender parity in literacy
· The global youth literacy rate was 89% (92% for males and 86% for females)
· Similar to the adult population, youth unable to read and write were also concentrated in the same two regions. Southern Asia (66 million youth) and sub-Saharan Africa (47 million) were home to 86% of all youths unable to read and write worldwide
The team consists of Laxmi Limbu Kaushal, head of the CII’s north Bengal zonal council, Sushil Kumar Berlia, Surendra Kumar Marda, Sangeeta Roy, Sujit Kumar Raha, Debabrata Sarkar, Kalikinkar Roy and Manju Berlia.
“The objective of the mission would be to interact with UK companies to explore business opportunities for Indian firms and to talk to government officials, keeping in view the social, cultural and economic dimension of mutual benefit,” Kaushal told The Telegraph before her departure.
The Indian delegation will hold a meeting with the mayor of Liverpool and will undertake a tour of the industrial centres there during the week-long trip.
“An interaction is also being organised with the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce,” said Kaushal.
The CII team will visit a tea garden at Cornwall and will hold a meeting with the Dennis U.K. Chamber of Commerce at the London Stock Exchange.
“One of the major objectives of the mission is to promote Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars tea in the UK. The country has always been a traditional market for India tea,” said Kaushal. The Indian team is hopeful that they would be able to market north Bengal as a tourism hub before the British.
“The trip is an opportunity to invite tourists and make them aware of various destinations in north Bengal, particularly tea tourism,” said Kaushal. A meeting with the Tata Global Beverage in London also figures in the itinerary.
“A detailed interaction will be held with many UK companies on infrastructure and real estate development. Investors in the UK will be invited to start businesses in north Bengal in view of the warm Indo-British relations,” said Kaushal.
Irom Sharmila's supporters see state conspiracy in her love story
Jaideep Mazumdar, TNN , Sep 12, 2011: Manipur's 'Iron Lady', Irom Chanu Sharmila, is the subject of a raging debate in the state. Sharmila, on a hunger strike since November 2, 2000, demanding withdrawal of the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers ) Act, or the AFSPA, recently confessed to a group of visiting journalists that she was in love with a British citizen of Goa origin and complained that her supporters, unhappy with this development, had behaved harshly with the man.
A Kolkata-based English newspaper that published the interview has been banned in Manipur by the influential Apunba Lup, a coalition of 13 prominent civil society organizations. Her league of dismayed supporters see the interview as a sinister attempt by the state to draw attention away from her movement and the Act which empowers security forces to detain people without trial and immunity from prosecution after killing civilians.
Sharmila, 39, launched her fast after a particularly horrific incident of the paramilitary Assam Rifles opening fire on unarmed civilian demonstrators near state capital Imphal's Tulihal airport on November 1, 2000, killing ten and seriously injuring many. Since then, she has mostly been confined to a state hospital where she is under arrest and is being force-fed. Her protest, the longest such fast anywhere in the world, has gained global attention and drawn the spotlight on the 'unconstitutional' AFSPA. Sharmila, say her supporters and a plethora of human rights and civil society organizations in the state, has been the beacon of the movement to demand withdrawal of the AFSPA that had led to thousands of disappearances, 'encounter' deaths and cold blooded killings by security forces in Manipur over the past few decades.
Sharmila, in the interview with the news daily, spoke of her love for the 48-year-old Desmond Coutinho, a writer and human rights activist, with whom she had been exchanging letters for the past one year. She said they met for the first time on March 9 this year when she was produced in a local court. It was sometime during the exchange of letters that he proposed to her and she accepted the proposal. He has gifted her a Apple MacBook, which is her prized possession now. She said her supporters were against the marriage, which she has clarified will take place only after she succeeds in her mission of getting the AFSPA repealed. Desmond, she said, had arrived in Imphal in February and had to wait for many days before her being allowed to meet her.
The interview created uproar in Manipur , where she is justifiably revered by people. "At one level, Sharmila is free to fall in love with anyone she wants and marry him and no one has the right to oppose this. But the way just her romance was publicized gives the impression that a sinister attempt has been made to destroy the aura around her," prominent human rights activist Babloo Loitongbam told TOI. He pointed out that it is the state which controls access to her. "I find it very strange that while even letters written by her family members don't reach her, those written by a man who must have been a stranger to her initially are delivered to her. Her own kith and kin can't meet her, and here we see a group of journalists from outside the state gaining so easy access to her," added Loitongbam, who is also closely involved in the fight for repeal of the 'black' Act. "Did the media focus on the issue of corruption during Hazare's fast or did they talk about his personal life? In the days of the freedom struggle, was Gandhiji's personal life the primary issue? Then why should Sharmila's personal life find so much prominence in the mainstream media that largely ignores the sufferings of the people of Manipur?" asked an indignant Loitongbam.
Prominent social activist and MLA, R K Anand, who has known Sharmila even before she went on fast, told TOI that the circumstances surrounding the developments raised suspicion. "The interviewers focused solely on her so-called love affair. Her personal life is not the main issue. The primary issue is her struggle and the untold atrocities, rapes, molestations and killings committed by the security forces under the cover of the AFSPA. The interview in the newspaper gives the impression that an attempt is being made to divert attention away from the burning issue," said Anand, who says Sharmila is morally upright, disciplined and honest".
Few in Manipur are willing to openly comment on Sharmila's 'affair' or her right to fall in love. Privately, however, many say that while what she does in her personal life is her own business and nobody has the right to interfere, her struggle represents the struggle of the people of longsuffering Manipur and, hence, the disappointment among her supporters over the developments.
Everyone TOI spoke to, including prominent lawyers, Opposition politicians who support her struggle, civil society leaders, educationists, artistes and litterateurs, were unanimous in their view that the entire development-a stranger being allowed to write freely to Sharmila, the journalists granted easy access to her and focusing only on her 'affair' and the subsequent published interview that highlighted the romance and opposition to it-was a sinister attempt by the state to shift focus away from the struggle that Sharmila is leading.
Datia felicitates His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa
Trinley Thaye Dorje
PR, KalimNews, Datia, 11th September 2011: Felicitation function of the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje, was held at Gahoi Vatika. His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje, the honorable Chief Guest at the event, proffered teachings on ‘Relevance of Buddhism in present world’.
This function was initiated by The Buddhist Society of India (Founder President-Bodhisattva Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar) and Friends in Dhamma (A group that connects Dhamma Friends around the world to share and exchange teachings, information and experiences on Buddhism)
The Rinpoches, learned monks, nuns, devotees and followers of Buddhism from different parts of the world, Hon’ble Guests Adv. Pritamkumar Shegaonkar, (Ex. Minister, Maharashtra), Vice President, B.S.I, Hon’ble Ayu. V.S. Mokhale, National Gen. Secretary, B.S.I., Mumbai Hon’ble Ayu. Norden Tshering Bhutia, Secretary, Karmapa Charitable Trust, Sikkim and many more distinguished guests gathered to commemorate this auspicious celebration and seek blessings from His Holiness.
Addressing the congregation of the enthralled audience His Holiness spoke on necessity of compassion and need of peace in the present situation of turmoil that has engulfed the entire world, He said, ''I feel that Buddhism is very relevant in the present time of unrest. Though, as a Buddhist, it is not something we would project onto others. The Buddha’s teachings provide those who are interested in following the path with a guide to any number of problems that are just as relevant today as they were in His time.” Further He emphasized on developing harmony within oneself so that same composure of compassion can be shared with people around. “There has to be a serene outlook to life so that one can help others and show others path of pacification.”
The function began by a warm welcome speech for the audience and offering of candles and flowers to Tathagat Buddha. A garland was offered to Bodhisattva Dr. Babasaheb Ambedgar admist the chants of Buddha vandana by venerable monks. Learned monks and Hon’ble speakers shared their thoughts and the final highlight of the programme was the address of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa.
Delhi GJM to observe foundation day
PR, KalimNews, Delhi, 12 September: GJM of New Delhi decided to observe foundation day of the party in October. The newly formed executive committee of NCR held the meeting at Gorkha Bhawan located at Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi presided over by its president Manoj Sankhar. Rustam Chhetri, VP, Ranjan Sharma ,GS, Lobsang Lama, AGS, alongwith Rakesh Thapa , Kiran Rasaily, Sudesh Thapa, Roshan Sundas, Diwakar Rai and the office bearers of Naari Morcha, Yuwa Morcha and units of Kotla, Gurgaon, Vasant Gaon and adjoining areas were present in the meeting.
The programme will start with a flag hoisting ceremony at Gorkha Bhawan, followed by offering tribute to the martyrs who lost their life in the Sibchu incident along with the martyrs of 1986 agitation followed by cultural and musical program. Well known luminaries of Gorkha community residing in the capital city along with some leading politicians of the Centre and the State shall be invited.
It was s told that the GJM team is preparing a work plan to invite young talents from the Gorkha youths who have been living in and around Delhi by earning their livelihood as ordinary employees along with a major chunk of the population who are students.It also aims to expose these talents and value their contributions for unity of Gorkhas and to render social assistance and help to the Gorkha citizens in need, speciallly those who come to Delhi for medical treatment, employment and education, the meeting resolved.
International Literacy Day
Do you know?· About 796 million adults worldwide were reported not being able to read and write
· Two-thirds of them (64%) were women
· The global adult literacy rate was 83%, with a male literacy rate of 88% and a female literacy rate of 79%
· More than half of those unable to read and write – 412 million – lived in South Asia.
A further 176 million adults were in sub-Saharan Africa. Together, these two regions accounted for three-quarters (74%) of adults unable to read and write worldwide
· In almost all countries, youth literacy rates (i.e. for the population aged 15-24 years)
were higher than adult literacy rates
· 131 million youth worldwide lacked basic reading and writing skills
· Among this group, 61% were female. A comparison of this share to the female share among adults (64%) indicates a move toward gender parity in literacy
· The global youth literacy rate was 89% (92% for males and 86% for females)
· Similar to the adult population, youth unable to read and write were also concentrated in the same two regions. Southern Asia (66 million youth) and sub-Saharan Africa (47 million) were home to 86% of all youths unable to read and write worldwide
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