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Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sushil Ghalay declared 6th time national champion in shooting...हत्याः उठिरहेको छ प्रश्न... Gurung blasts Mirik leaders for dissidence.New MLAs making their presence felt

Sushil Ghalay bagged 2 gold medals in shooting
KalimNews, Kalimpong, 20 November: In the 55th National Shooting Championship held in Pune Sushil Ghalay bagged two Gold medals and became the 6th trime National Champion for the year 2011. He won one individual medal and one team Gold medals in the 50 mtr rifle prone event held in Balewadi Stadium that started from 14 November that will continue till 22th.
In the competition sponsored by SAHARA Sushil received a cash award of Rs.25000.

Sushil representing Indian army scored 699.4 points.
Sushil Ghalay hails from Lopchu TE near Peshoke of Darjeeling. He had started the shooting ten years before and been representing the Army and participating in the two discipline Small Bore Rifle Prone and 3 Position event competition.
He is six times National Champion and had participated in the International competitions for more than 30 times. So far he has won 11 medals in the international championship 
(the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Cups and Saf Games) 5 Gold medals, 3 Silver Medals and 3 Bronze Medals  as well as 81 Medals in the National championship.
In January 2012 he is participating in the Asian Championship to be held in Qatar (Doha) for the Olympic qualifying.
हत्याः उठिरहेको छ प्रश्न
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, पेदोङ, 20 नोभेम्बर। पहाडमा हत्याकाण्ड कुनै खेल बारबर बनिरहेको छ। आत्महत्या त सामान्य बन्दै गइरहेको छ तर अहिले हत्या पनि नगण्य घटना बन्दै गइरहेको छ। दार्जीलिङ पहाडमा अनैकौं हत्याका घटनाहरू भए तर अचम्म लाग्दो कुरा के छ भने कुनै पनि हत्याका हत्याराहरू पक्रा परेका छैनन्‌। चाहे त्यो सीके प्रधान, रुद्र प्रधान, प्रकाश थिङ, सुदर्शन शर्मा, गुमानसिह राई हत्याकाण्ड होस्‌, चाहे मदन तामङ हत्याकाण्ड होस्‌ वा चाहे कालेबुङको टीकाराम छेत्री, बिजनबारीको पुष्पजङ्ग थापा होस्‌ वा त राजनीति बाहिरको जीना हत्याकाण्ड होस्‌। पुलिस प्रशासन हत्याको मामिलामा नितान्तै असाहय देखापरेको छ अनि हत्याराहरूको छाती चौडा भइरहेको छ। आखिर हत्याको मामिलामा किन भारतको कानूनले हत्याराहरूको खोजी गर्न सक्दैन? किन हत्याको घटना दिनोदिन बढ्‌दै गइरहेको छ? किन हत्याराहरू पक्रा पर्न सक्दैनन्‌ अनि सबै भन्दा मूल कुरा के पक्रा परेका हत्याराहरूले उनीहरूले गरेको कर्म अनुसारको दण्ड पाइरहेका छन्‌ त? अहिले पेदोङमा भएको जीना हत्याकाण्डले फेरि यी नै प्रश्नहरुको उठान गर्दै गइरहेको छ।
जीनाको हत्या भएको पॉंच दिन भयो अहिलेसम्म पुलिसले हत्याराहरूको सुइँको नै पाउन सकेको छैन। के जीना हत्या प्रकरण पनि हत्याराहरूको पक्राउ बिना नै सेलाएर जान्छ त? यो प्रश्न अहिले उठिरहेको छ।
अहिले जीना हत्याकाण्डले अनेकौं शंका र प्रश्नहरू खडा गरिरहेको छ, जो दिनोदिन रहस्यमय बन्दै गइरहेको छ।
जीना हत्याकाण्डः घटना
पेदोङकी 22 वर्षिय जीना प्रधान बिहान चिया पिउन अनि बेलुकी सब्जी पकाउन दूध र इस्कुस लिन घरबाट निस्किएकी थिइन्‌। 4:30 बजी सॉंझ घरबाट निस्किएकी जीना त्यसदिन दूध र इस्कूस लिएर घर पसिनन्‌। तिनी घरबाट निस्किएको ठीक एकघण्टामा तिनको घरबाट केवल 40 फिट पर खेत नजिकको खोल्सामा घाइते अवस्थामा भेटियो। केही क्षण अघि जीनाले तोपखानास्थित दोकानमा तीस रुपियॉंको मोबाइल भाउचर, अनि दाजुको निम्ति सुपारी किनेकी थिइन्‌। हातमा बोकेकी थिइन्‌ इस्कूसको झोला अनि दूधको बट्टा। दोकानबाट घर गएको जीना घर पुगिनन्‌। छोरी नआएपछि तिनकी आमा अन्नामारियालाई छटपट्टि भयो। तिनले छोरीलाई फोन लगाइन्‌, फोनबाट बढाको घरमा इस्कूस लिन पुगेकी जवाब आयो। त्यो जवाब आएको आधा घण्टा वितिसक्दा पनि छोरी घर नआएपछि ठूलो छोरालाई अन्ना मिरियाले फोन लगाइन्‌। त्यसैबेला फोनमा बेल्दाबेल्दै हल्लाखल्ला भयो अनि छोरा रिचर्डबाट आमाको फोनमा 'आमा बहिनीलाई कसले हिर्काएछ...' भन्ने शब्द मात्र आयो।
त्यसबेलासम्म जीनाको टाउकोमा हत्याराले चार ठाउँ ढुङ्गाले कुच्चाइसकेको थियो अनि अचेत अवस्थामा गाउँकी एक महिलाले खोल्सामा जीनालाई विभत्स अवस्थामा फेला पारेेको हल्ला फैलिसकेको थियो। रिचर्ड आमालाई त्यति मात्र भनेर घटनास्थल पुगिसकेका थिए। जीनाको घरदेखि 40 फिट परको खेतमा एकातिर दूधको बट्टा लडिरहेको थियो भने अर्कोतिर झोलाबाट छरपस्ट थिए इस्कूसहरू। छेउमा सेल फोन अनि दुइ कान्लामा एकएकवटा चप्पल अनि अर्को गह्रामा जीनाले लगाएको सुरूवाल। जतिबेला जीनालाई प्रत्यक्षदर्शीहरूले देखेका थिए, त्यसबेला जीनाको कम्मर मुनीको लुगा थिएन। लुगा खेतमा नै थियो। तिनको कम्मरमुनीका लुगा पाएको खेतदेखि दसफिट परको खोल्सामा जीनालाई फ्यॉंकिएको थियो। प्रत्यक्षदर्शीहरूले त्यसैबेला शंका गरेका थिए, कुकर्मपछि नै जीनाको हत्या गर्न खोजिएको हो। जीनालाई खोल्साबाट उठाएर पेदोङ स्वास्थ्य चौकी लगियो। जीनाको अवस्था हेर्ने बित्तिकै डाक्टरले कालेबुङ रेफर गरिदिए। त्यहॉं जीनाको प्राथमिक उपचारसमेत भएन, न त सलाइन नै दिइयो। पेदोङबाट कालेबुङ ल्याउँदा ल्याउँदै जीनाले दम तोडिन। तर दम तोड्‌न अघि तिनले हातको इशाराले तीन औंला देखाएको हल्ला पेदोङभरि छ।
बलात्कार होइन?
जीना हत्याकाण्डपछि पेदाङबासी मात्र होइन कालेबुङवासी पनि आक्रोशित बनेको छ। उनीहरू चहान्छन्‌-हत्याराहरूको खोजी शीघ्र नै हुनु पर्छ अनि हत्याराहरूलाई कडा भन्डा कडा दण्ड दिइनुपर्छ। तर अहिलेसम्म पुलिसले हत्याराको सानो सुइँको पनि पाएको छैन। जीना सम्बन्धका जम्मै जॉंच कार्यलाई पुलिसले गोप्य राखेको छ अनि पाइएका क्लुहरू अनुसार हत्यारासम्म पुग्न धेरै प्रक्रियाहरू अप्नाइरहेको थाना सूत्रको रिपोर्ट छ। जीनालाई कालेबुङ ल्याइए पनि कालेबुङ अस्पतालमा डीएनए परिक्षण हुन सकेन। अनि उत्तरबङ्गाल मेडिकल कलेजमा तिनको शव फोरेन्सिक जॉंचको निम्ति लगियो। जब त्यसको रिपोर्ट आज मीडियामा आयो त्यसले स्पष्ट पारेको छ कि जीनासित कुकर्म भएको थिएन।
चुलियो शंका
यो रिपोर्ट तर जीनाको परिवारलाई अझसम्म पनि पुलिसले बताएको छैन। जब जीनालाई विभत्स अवस्थामा भेटिएको थियो त्यसबेला जीनाको कम्मरमुनीको लुगा थिएन। तिनी अर्धनग्न थिए। त्यसैलाई हेरेर प्रत्यक्षर्शीहरूले शंका गरेका थिए कि जीनालाई बलात्कार गरिएको हो। तर फोरेन्सिक रिपोर्टले कसैको शंकालाई पनि प्रमाणित गरेन। उसो भए के को निम्ति जीनाको हत्या गरियो त? जीना चर्चमा युवा संगठनका सक्रिय सदस्य थिए। मिष्टभाषी, लजाउने प्रवृति भएको अनि सबैसित आदरभावले बोल्ने गाउँकी सबैभन्दा शिष्ट थिइन्‌ जीना। चल्चलता तिनमा थिएन। सामाजिक कार्यमा चासो राख्ने, राम्रो आनाबानी भएको जीनालाई टाउको कुच्चाएर हत्या गर्नुमा कसको कस्तो स्वार्थ छ? 

यो रहस्य अहिले गहिरो बनेको छ। बलात्कार गरिएको होइन भने कुन अभिप्साको निम्ति सरल ठिटीलाई त्यस्तो निर्ममरुपले हत्या गरिएको हो त? हत्या घरदेखि केवल 40 फीट पर भएको छ अनि खेतबाट तिनलाई घिस्याउँदै खोल्सामा फ्यॉंकिएको थियो, तर कसैले पनि कुनै पनि आवाज सुनेन। घटनास्थलको नजिक तीनवटा घरहरू छन्‌ तर कसैले पनि खुस्रुक्क पनि आवाज सुनेनन्‌। स्थानीय एक महिला झमक्क साझमा टर्च बालेर दूध लिन गइरहेको समय अप्ठ्यारोमा परेर कसैले सास फेरिरहेको आवाज सुनिन्‌। आवाज आएतिर खोज्दै जॉंदा तिनी खोल्सा पुगिन। घोप्टो परेर कोही लडिरहेको देखेपछि हल्लाखल्ला गरिन्‌ अनि सबैले देखे जीनालाई त्यो अवस्थामा।
परिवारको बिन्ति
आज पॉंचदिन बित्यो, यो मामिलामा पुलिसी रिपोर्ट प्रगतिमा नरहेको अनुभव गरिरहेकी छन्‌ तिनकी आमा अन्नामेरीले। तिनले भनिन्‌, जीनालाई यस्तो निर्मम अत्याचार होला भनेर सोंच्न पनि सकेकी छैन। कस्तो पापी हो जसले कुक्कुरलाई पनि नगर्ने अत्याचार गर्‍यो। के चाहान्छन्‌ हत्यारा? को हुन्‌ हत्यारा? सोंच्न पनि सकेकी छैन। अहिले हामी परिवार नै शोकमा छौं, भोलि अन्त्येष्टी क्रिया छ। कसैले पनि भरोसा लाग्दो आड दिइरहेको छैन। न त ठूलाठालू नै आइरहेका छन्‌, न त पार्टीले नै केही गरिरहेको छ, न त पुलिस प्रशासनले नै हत्यारा पक्राउ गरेको छ। मैले छोरी त गुमाएँ, यस्तो घटना अरुसित नहोस्‌ भनेर म पुलिसलाई न्यायको निम्ति अपील गरिरहेको छु। दाजु रिचार्ड र बोनीले पनि भने, बाबालाई 6 महिना अघि गुमायौं अनि अहिले बहिनीलाई गुमायौं तर यस्तो हालतमा। हामीलाई सबैको सहयोग चाहिएको छ।
हामी जीनालाई न्याय दिलाउन चहान्छौं। कसरी न्याय दिलाउने हो केही सोंच्न सकिरहेका छैनौं। जीनाकी फुपु जोनमेरीले पनि भनिन्‌, जीनाको बलात्कार होइन भने तिनको लुगा किन खोलिएको थियो त? के यो कुनै सुनियोजित घटना त होइन? पुलिस प्रशासनले यसको खोजी गरिदेओस्‌। नागरिक समाज, पार्टी, सामाजिक सङ्गठन, बुद्धिजीवी, सचेतवर्गलाई म अपील गर्छु कि जीनालाई सबैले न्याय दिलाउनमा सहयोग गरिदिनोस्‌, हामी असाहय छौं, कहॉं के गर्नु पर्ने केही गर्न सकिरहेका छैनौं। भोलि अन्त्येष्टी सकेर जीनालाई न्याय दिलाउनको निम्ति हामी अघि बड्‌नेछौं। हामी सय भन्दा धेर आफन्त छौं तर केही गर्न सकिरहेका छैनौं। यस्तो निर्मरुपले हत्या गरिएको छ, कि यस्तो घटना फेरि फेरि पेदोङमा हुन नपाओस्‌, त्यसको निम्ति सबैले नै हत्यारालाई पक्राउ गर्न सहयोग गरिदिनोस्‌। हामी त शोकमा छौं तर सचेत समाजले पनि केही गर्न सकिरहेका छैनन्‌। के हत्यारा अघि सबै लाचार छन्‌?
आज हाम्री छोरीमाथि यस्तो घटना भयो भोलि अरुको पनि हुन सक्छ। जीनालाई फर्काएर ल्याउन त सक्दैनौं तर कमसेकम हत्यारालाई पक्राउ गरेर कठोर दण्ड दिएर तिनलाई न्याय त दिलाउन सक्छौं। दोषीले यस्तो दण्ड पाओस्‌ कि कसैले पनि नारीमाथि ठाडो आँखा उठाउन अघि हजारपल्ट सोंचोस्‌। अपराधी घुुमिरहेका होलान्‌। पक्राउ गराउन सकिएन भने केवल हाम्रो हार हुने छैन सबै सचेत नागरिकको हार हुनेछ। तिनले पुलिसी जॉंच प्रक्रियामाथि सन्तुष्ट हुन पनि सक्ने नहुन पनि सक्ने बताइन्‌। तिनलाई धेरै लाचार देखिन्थ्यो। धेरै कुरा भन्न चहान्थिन्‌ तर मामिला बिग्रेला र पुलिसले उचित जॉंच नगरिदेलाकी भन्ने त्रास तिनमा रहेको पनि देखिन्थ्यो।
चलिरहेको छ पुलिसी जॉंच
पुलिस सूत्रले बताए अनुसार विभिन्न कोणबाट घटनालाई पुलिसले हेर्ने कार्य भइरहेको छ। धेरैवटा क्लूहरू पनि पाइएको छ तर सही मौकामा सही कदम उठाउनलाई घटनामाथि अध्ययन गर्ने कार्य भइरहेको छ। अपील गर्ने वित्तिकै हत्यारा पक्राउ पर्दैन घटनालाई अध्ययन गरेर धेरै चलाकीसाथ अघि बढ्‌नुपर्छ। पुलिसलाई आशा छ, शीग्र जॉंच नै कुनै न कुनै निचोडमा पुग्नेछ, जीनाको फोन बरामद गरिएकोछ। यसबाट पनि धेरै सहयोग हुने आशा गरिएको छ-सूत्रले भनेकोछ।
नियुक्ती हुनेवाला थियो जीनाको
जीनाकी बुबा इजाक प्रधान भुमि सुधार विभागमा नोकरी गर्थे। तिनको मृत्यु नोकरीमा हुँदा नै 6 वर्ष अघि भएको थियो। तिनको परिवारमा दुइ छोरा अनि एक छोरी। कान्छि छोरी हुन्‌ जीना। जीनाले बाबुकै कार्यालयमा भर्खर अन्तरवार्ता दिएकी थिएन्‌। जहॉं तिनी उतीर्ण भइकेकी थिइन्‌। केही दिनपछि नै तिनलाई नियुक्तिको निम्ति बोलाइएको थियो। तिनको नियुक्ति हुन अघि नै जीनाको निर्मम हत्या भयो। जीनाले अब भुमि सुधार विभागमा नोकरी गर्न पाइनन्‌। के तिनले पाएको नियुक्तिसित घटनाको कुनै सरोकार छ त? यसरी पनि हेर्न थालिएको गाउँलेहरूसितको कुराकानीमा थाहा पाइएको छ। यता पुलिस सुत्रले जीनाको इतिहासलाई पनि अध्ययन गरिरहेको छ। के जीनाको प्रेम कोहीसित थियो? के जीनाको दुश्मनी कोही सित थियो? जीनालाई न्याय दिलाउन लागिपरेकाहरूसित अहिले यस्तै अनेकौं प्रश्नहरू रहेको देखिएको छ।< Gurung blasts Mirik leaders for dissidence
VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, Darjeeling, Nov. 20:Bimal Gurung today publicly hit out at the central committee members of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha from Mirik for the presence of rebels in the civic polls and told the leaders that they should be “ashamed of themselves”.
The Morcha has won all wards in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong municipalities uncontested, but five of the nine seats in Mirik will go to polls as Independents have filed nominations against party candidates. Three of the Independents belonged to the Morcha and were expelled from the party.
“The central committee members from Mirik are to blame for the fiasco. They were the ones who said that they would handle everything themselves. They should be ashamed of themselves. I am happy with the way things went about in other places, especially in Kurseong,” said Gurung.
The Morcha president was addressing a meeting organised by the party to felicitate all candidates who had emerged winners in the four municipalities uncontested.
“I had earlier told the central committee members that they should not contest the elections and give an opportunity to committed party workers. So, the leaders pushed their own candidates and at the end, they could not be forced to withdraw from the fray,” said Gurung.
L.B. Rai, a central committee member and a former chairperson of Mirik municipality, and Arun Ghisingh, the vice-president of the Mirik Mahakuma Samiti, are two prominent leaders who are in the fray.
Gurung said even if the Morcha candidates won the polls, he would be very careful while allocating posts in the civic board.
“It is the party leaders, and not the public, who should be blamed in Mirik. All must consider themselves to be Gorkhas but in Mirik, leaders of the two communities, Tamang and Rai, are fighting. In this fight, Mirik has lost out in development works in the past too,” said Gurung.
He also announced the names of the chairpersons and vice-chairpersons for Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong. The Morcha’s chairman candidate for Darjeeling is Amar Singh Rai and the vice-chairman nominee is Sukh Bahadur Biswakarma.
The Kurseong municipality will be headed by Sameerdeep Blone, while Kalpana Pradhan has been nominated for the post of the vice-chairperson. L.B. Pariyar and Ganga Maya Gurung have been named to hold the offices of the chairperson and the vice-chairperson in Kalimpong.
Gurung told the future councillors that committees would be formed in each ward to keep a check on corruption in the civic administration.
“People say Morcha leaders indulged in corrupt practices during the rehabilitation of Cyclone Aila victims. These things have to stop. The commissioners will not be given a free hand and to check corruption, committees must be formed in all wards.”
The Morcha president said those who had wanted to contest elections but were denied official party tickets should be made members of the ward committee, along with representatives of culture clan and social workers.
“The councillors will not be allowed to function independently and everything has to be endorsed by the respective ward committees,” said Gurung.
Snub to dam remark
BIJOY GURUNG, TT, Gangtok, Nov. 20: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front has warned National Commission for Minorities member Spalzes Angmo to be “careful” about her objection to the mega-power projects on the Rathong Chu and her statements on the Karmapa’s entry into the state.
Angmo, who visited Sikkim last week, had said the state government should “stop, think and review” if such projects were at all necessary on the Rathong Chu in West district, a river considered sacred by the Buddhists.
Angmo, who looks after Buddhist interests on behalf of the panel, had also said the Centre was positive about allowing the Karmapa to visit Sikkim but chief minister Pawan Chamling had to meet the Prime Minister on this demand. The SDF felt that the remark showed the state government in poor light — as if it was not doing enough for the Karmapa’s entry.
SDF spokesperson and Lok Sabha member P.D. Rai said Angmo “ought to be careful in her utterances as it might not be taken well in several circles including those in New Delhi”.
The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Orgyen Thinley Dorji, has been recognised by both the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government as the head of the Kagyupa sect of Buddhism with its highest seat in Sikkim’s Rumtek monastery. But the 26-year-old, who has been staying in Dharamsala since he fled Tibet evading the Chinese soldiers in 1999, has never been allowed to visit Sikkim by the Indian government.
“Sikkim is a peaceful place….A border state like ours can do without the extreme provocation that Angmo unwittingly, I understand, has meted out,” said Rai. He reminded Angmo that the SDF is a member of the UPA. “Hence, we have our responsibilities to nation-building especially in meeting national targets of power generation.”
Nimachen PS organised Parents’ Day cum Annual Prize Day

Shital Pradhan, PR, KalimNews, RONGLI, NOVEMBER 20: Nimachen Primary School, East Sikkim under BAC Regu organised Parents’ Day cum Annual Prize Day on 18th November 2011 at the school. The programme was attended by BDO, BAC Regu Shri Dhiraj Pradhan as a Chef Guest, Assistant Director HRDD/ BAC Regu Shri Chador Bhutia as a Guest of honour followed by AEO Shri Deepak Rai, Headmasters and teachers of surrounding schools, CRC Coordinator, Panchayats, SMC, Parents and Students of Nimachen PS.
The programme was started with lightning of ceremonial lamp by Chief Guest and Guest of Honour that was followed by welcome song by students of Nimachen PS. The Headmaster of the school, Gopal Sharma gave the welcome speech. He highlighted the importance of the day. The Celebration of Parents’ Day at the school to familiarise the parents/guardians about new evaluation system (CCA) and bring awareness about RTE Act and to improve quality education in the school, he added.
B.C. Rai, Teacher of the school presented the school report. He placed the demands of the school – Drinking water, furniture, playground and computer. Host of the programme, Nandita Bagdas, teacher of the school made aware about the performance of the students to the gathering.
CRC Coordinator, Krishna Prasad Dawari made aware of CCA and RTE Act. He also informed about Residential Special Training/ Residential Bridge Course for never been to school and dropout children from 6 to 14 Yrs. We have already admitted nineteen children under HRDD/BAC Regu on 16th Nov.2011 at Khamdong Centre, he added.
Deepak Rai, AEO, HRDD/BAC Regu extended his happiness for organising such great programme and performance of the students and teachers. He assured to fulfil requirement of furniture. Panchayat Secretary, Lingtam Phadamchen GPU, Kee Tsh. Sherpa also address the gathering.
Dhiraj Pradhan , BDO, BAC Regu assured to fulfil requirement of drinking water connection through TFC fund and he further assure to complete the newly under construction incomplete play ground with discussing concern authorities which was sanction under BRGF. Mr. Pradhan felt unsatisfactory about the absence of panchayats in such official programme. He further requested local authorities and parents to cooperate school to bring quality education.
Students of Nimachen PS performed colourful cultural programme. The programme was concluded with the vote of thanks by Teacher, P.W. Bhutia.
New MLAs making their presence felt
(१९ नोभेम्बरको दिन कालेबुङ प्रेस क्लबको १३ औं स्थापना दिवसका मुख्य अतिथि डा. हर्कबहादुर छेत्रीद्वारा सन्दर्भमा झिकेका टाइम्स अफ इण्डियाको सम्पादकीय)
Editorial, Times Of India, 5 Sep.2011 :
Outgoing speaker Hashim Abdul Halim had written to his successor Biman Banerjee about the falling standards of assembly debates. But exchanges within the House have got livelier and exciting ever since. Several young legislators - both from treasury and opposition benches are making their presence felt in the assembly and intelligent debates are back in the House once again. In just around a month's time that the assembly has been in session, a few young MLAs cutting across party lines, have made their voices heard.
some of the first-timers have already earned appreciation from veteran legislators like Subrata Mukherjee.
Mukherjee, now a cabinet minister, admits that a few first time MLAs have shown "a lot of promise in the limited time they've got to speak". "I was particularly impressed by an opposition MLA who spoke on the commerce and industry budget. I walked up to him and patted his back. They need encouragement and perhaps some mentoring," he said.
Those who have already made a mark through their oratory skills include Trinamool's Domjur MLA Rajib Banerjee, Forward Bloc's Chakulia MLA Ali Imran Ramz, Congress's Saoni Singha Roy and GJM's Harka Bahadur Chetri. A few other MLAs have also left a lasting impression in the manner they spoke for the first time. Actor Chiranjeet and Nayagram's MLA Dulal Murmu are among them. But Imran is clearly the star speaker in the opposition benches whom Mukherjee too had lauded.
Imran admits, "I've never been so serious about studying, like the way I do now. But it is my observation on the plight of people in Singur (during the budget speech) that drew the house's attention. Ironically, when I said that people there are trapped - left without an industry and a land so damaged that it isn't fit for cultivation - is what I heard there. I had out of curiosity spend several days in Singur not divulging my identity. I really couldn't make out of the issue. If we are right, then why are people with Trinamool."
Saoni Singha Roy, Murshidabad's MLA, says, "Murshidabad is home to me after marriage. I had done my graduation from Victoria Institution. I was always told that I speak well. But speaking inside the Assembly is a different ball game. The time limit and those you address could be intimidating. I try to engage with seniors more than cramming books," she said. Roy's speech on the labour budget had castigated the former Left Front regime. In a moving address, she cited the plight of eight undertakers for Mir Zafar's family graveyard at Murshidabad's Zafragunj who still get paid a paltry Rs 6 to Rs 35 as monthly salary from the government.
Domjur's Trinamool MLA Rajib Banerjee has drawn attention with his matter-of-fact way of speaking. "When I first spoke on the Governor's address and then on the Budget, very frankly I was awake till 2 am trying to collate data. Since my father was a journalist and my uncle an economist-turned politician, I had picked up this habit of studying late and fiddling with data and statistics in my laptop."
GJM's Harka Bahadur Chetri is another speaker who has forced the House to sit in rapt attention while he speaks. A PhD in ecology, Chetri says, "Speaking in the Assembly is very tough. The deadline leaves little time to do research. I've managed to say from whatever I could imbibe from my rather long academic background. The rest is the exposure as a politician."
Trinamool's chief whip Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay believes the young brigade is doing a commendable job without mentors. "When we were first-time MLAs, I remember Sidhartha Sankar Ray (then the Leader of the Opposition), actually tutoring us on budget eve what to look out for in the voluminous budget booklets. He even gave us a handbook - replete with all facts and figures."
Speaker Biman Banerjee too admits a few speakers across the political divide have given him a lot to look forward to. "I will not take names but some speeches have indeed been engrossing. But a lot remains to be done to make this more effective," Banetrjee said. State labour minister Purnendu Bose - himself a first-time MLA but a keen observer of Assembly proceedings - says he got a mixed feeling. "While some speakers indeed have been very impressive, I would say the Opposition needs to be more effective to spur us (those in the government) to pull up our socks. Else it remains the way it was."
Ali Imran Ramz, MLA Chakulia (Forward Bloc)
A BA and LLB from Calcutta University belongs to a political family. Shy by nature, he was into politics right from his student days. Now heads the Forward Bloc's youth wing. The jeans-and-T-shirt clad politician has even won praises from senior Ministers. Father and uncle were senior Left leaders.
Rajib Banerjee, MLA Domjur (Trinamool Congress)
A civil engineer and MBA. Was into an MNC job till he quit to join politics. Uncle Mritunjay Banerjee was a former Congress education minister and reknowned economist. Father Dhananjay Banerjee had worked as a journalist. Interested in economics.
Saoni Singha Roy, MLA Murshidabad (Congress)
A B.Sc from Calcutta University. Post marriage settled in Murshidabad. Father was a pradesh Congress member. Loves to read in her free time but stresses it is the grassrot connect with people that evolves a politician. Feels Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Murshidabad MP, to a large extent has inspired to her to take up a more active political role.
Harka Bahadur Chetri, MLA Kalimpong (Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha)
A PhD from North Bengal University, Chetri is a seasoned politician even before his electoral foray. Believes his long academic career gives him a rare insight which shapes his public speeches.

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