Zeenat to lead hill glitterati line-up
VIVEK CHHETRI,TT, Darjeeling, Dec. 16: Zeenat Aman, the actress who dazzled movie buffs all through the 70s, is set to lead a host of Bollywood and football celebrities at the Darjeeling festival, a line-up never seen in the hills before.
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| Zeenat Aman, Mahima Chaudhary |
The Hara Rama Hare Krishna star will be accompanied by another actress Mahima Chaudhary on the inaugural day of the Darjeeling Tea and Tourism Festival on December 20.
The star-studded launch of the festival will be complete with the presence of some of the football icons in the country — Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri and Shyam Thapa.
“On the inaugural day, Zeenat Aman, Mahima Chaudhary, Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri and Shyam Thapa will be present,” said Saumitra Mohan, the Darjeeling district magistrate and the president of the festival committee.
The glitterati list is not limited to the first day of the festival alone.
“We will have Mahesh Bhatt, Moon Moon Sen, Aparna Sen, Sabyasachi Chakraborty (actor) and (writer) Sunil Gangopadhyay on the final day (January 5),” said Uday Mani Pradhan, general secretary of the festival committee.
Bollywood faces like actor Meiyang Chang, cinematographer Binod Pradhan and Ramesh Sharma, a director of repute, will also be in the hills during the 15 days of extravaganza.
While the committee is trying to contact billiards player Michael Ferreira (who studied at Mount Hermon in Darjeeling), an invitation has been extended to Danny Denzongpa for his felicitation at the festival. But Denzongpa is yet to confirm his attendance.
A carnival parade will be organised at the Darjeeling Motor Stand at 10am on December 20, following which the festival will be inaugurated by the celebrities at Chowrastha.
“Six major heritage buildings will be illuminated during the festival,” said Mohan. The buildings are St Andrew’s Church, Darjeeling Gymkhana Club, Capital Tower, Darjeeling Planter’s Club, Darjeeling post office and the Gorkha Ranga Manch Bhavan, which is the main venue.
The curtain will fall with a star guest switching off the lights at the six listed buildings, followed by an hour-long laser show, on January 5. “The laser show will be the first of its kind in north Bengal. It will depict the history of Darjeeling through the ages,” said Raju Pradhan, working president of the committee.
Over a hundred events have been lined up for the festival which will be spread out in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik.
Kurseong host to end stopover status
MRINALINI SHARMA, TT,Siliguri, Dec. 16: Kurseong is set to change its stopover identity this winter.
The hill town tucked away en route to Darjeeling from Siliguri will be an independent venue for the Darjeeling fest. Paragliding, rockclimbing and short toy train rides top the list of entertainment for Kurseong.
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| An exhibition on toy trains will be held at the Kurseong station. This model of an engine made by a resident of the hill town will be on display there |
“The main venue of the programme in Kurseong is St Alphonsus School. But we have prepared an itinerary to include a variety of outdoor activities new to the town,” said Ranjan K. Jha, the subdivisional officer of Kurseong and convener of the festival committee for the town.
Adventure sports like paragliding and rockclimbing, which are already popular in Darjeeling, will make their debut in Kurseong. Tourists will get a bird’s eye view of the town as they glide from Naya Busty to Rohini. “As Kurseong is mid-way between Siliguri and Darjeeling, it is the only place that offers views of both the hills and the plains,” said Jeetu Giri, a committee member and travel agent.
For rockclimbing, Khaini Odal near Makaibari Tea Estate has been selected. Instructors from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling will assist the participants. Both the sports are scheduled for December 23 and 24 but will continue even after the festival.
On December 23, a steam-hauled toy train will carry passengers from Kurseong station to Tung — 7km away — and back. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which runs the toy train, said the initiative was to make short rides popular, with Kurseong as the starting point. “So far these joyrides were confined to the Darjeeling-Ghoom route. Once introduced, the short rides will be a regular feature here,” said Sushil Dikshit, a committee member in charge of DHR activities.
Any festival is incomplete without a flower show in Kurseong, the “land of white orchids” as the name suggests in Lepcha. A flower show will be held at the main venue.
Christmas celebration will formally close the event. “A Christmas tree will be put up at the station on Christmas Eve. Carols will be sung,” said Dikshit.
Dooars threat to Parishad bosses
TT, Siliguri, Dec. 16: Tribal leaders in the Dooars and the Terai today threatened to form a new wing of the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad if the state committee took action against John Barla.
The threat came a day before the state committee meets in Calcutta tomorrow to decide on the action to be taken against Barla, the former president of the Dooars Terai regional unit of the tribal outfit.
However, Parishad state leadership hinted that John was likely to escape with a warning as he wielded considerable influence among the adivasis in north Bengal.
“If the state committee takes any action against John Barla tomorrow, we will immediately announce the formation of the North Bengal Adivasi Vikas Parishad and seek the endorsement of the central committee,” said Raju Bara, a regional leader and a state committee member of the Parishad
He said the state committee had failed to read the minds of people in the Terai and the Dooars.
“People in the region are in favour of the tie-up with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and want autonomy for the region,” said Raju.
Barla, along with four other regional leaders, had entered into an agreement with the Morcha to bring the entire Terai and the Dooars under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration without the consent of the state leadership.
While Barla was suspended as the president of the regional unit, the four others were spared of any action. But the state committee had resolved to meet tomorrow to decide if further steps need to be taken against Barla.
The state committee is treading cautiously with a large number of adivasis in the plains rallying behind Barla.
“We are aware of the huge support Barla and other regional leaders enjoy in the Terai and the Dooars. We have second thoughts about punishing him. Most of the state committee members apprehend that if Barla is expelled from the Parishad, it will lead to the obliteration of the outfit from the Terai and the Dooars. We are most likely to issue just a warning to him,” said a state committee member, who didn’t want to be named.
Asked if Barla would be shown the door tomorrow, Parishad state president Birsa Tirkey said the priority of the organisation was to keep the unity intact and take care of the needs of the tribal people.
Dooars threat to Parishad bosses
TT, Siliguri, Dec. 16: Tribal leaders in the Dooars and the Terai today threatened to form a new wing of the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad if the state committee took action against John Barla.
The threat came a day before the state committee meets in Calcutta tomorrow to decide on the action to be taken against Barla, the former president of the Dooars Terai regional unit of the tribal outfit.
However, Parishad state leadership hinted that John was likely to escape with a warning as he wielded considerable influence among the adivasis in north Bengal.
“If the state committee takes any action against John Barla tomorrow, we will immediately announce the formation of the North Bengal Adivasi Vikas Parishad and seek the endorsement of the central committee,” said Raju Bara, a regional leader and a state committee member of the Parishad
He said the state committee had failed to read the minds of people in the Terai and the Dooars.
“People in the region are in favour of the tie-up with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and want autonomy for the region,” said Raju.
Barla, along with four other regional leaders, had entered into an agreement with the Morcha to bring the entire Terai and the Dooars under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration without the consent of the state leadership.
While Barla was suspended as the president of the regional unit, the four others were spared of any action. But the state committee had resolved to meet tomorrow to decide if further steps need to be taken against Barla.
The state committee is treading cautiously with a large number of adivasis in the plains rallying behind Barla.
“We are aware of the huge support Barla and other regional leaders enjoy in the Terai and the Dooars. We have second thoughts about punishing him. Most of the state committee members apprehend that if Barla is expelled from the Parishad, it will lead to the obliteration of the outfit from the Terai and the Dooars. We are most likely to issue just a warning to him,” said a state committee member, who didn’t want to be named.
Asked if Barla would be shown the door tomorrow, Parishad state president Birsa Tirkey said the priority of the organisation was to keep the unity intact and take care of the needs of the tribal people.
जीटीए र छुट्टै राज्यबीचको द्वन्द्को अन्त 18 मा
मनोज बोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 15 दिसम्बर। अब जीटीए होइन तराई र डुवर्सका सम्पूर्ण भूभागहरू सम्मिलित भएको जीएटीएको गठन हुनुपर्छ भन्ने माग मोर्चाको छ। हाइपावर कमिटीले जीटीएको सीमाङ्कनको कार्य विस्तारै गरिरहेको छ। जीटीए गठन हुनुपर्ने मियाद सकियो। जीटीए ढिलो गठन गरेकोमा युवा मोर्चाले जीटीएको विरोध नगरी छुट्टै राज्यको आन्दोलनको सुरसार गरिरहेको छ। सीमाङ्कनको कार्य पुरा नभइ जीटीए गठन हुँदैन। तराई र डुवर्समा आविपले जीएटीए गठन गर्नुपर्ने मागमा जनसभाहरू शुरू गरिसकेको छ। यसै सबैसित नै क्षेत्रीय अनि राष्ट्रियस्तरमा जीटीएको विरोध भइरहेको छ। सबैले भनिरहेका छन कि जीटीए मुद्दा थन्काउने सरकारी चाल हो, जसलाई मोर्चाले सहयोग गरिरहेको छ। तर मोर्चा भनिरहेको छ, क्षेत्रीयस्तरमा बहस गरेर, राष्ट्रियस्तरबाट सहमति लिएर, अन्य छुट्टै राज्यपन्थीहरूबाट पनि सुझाव लिएर अनि छुट्टै राज्यको सम्पूर्ण इतिहास पल्टाएपछि मोर्चाले छुट्टै राज्यसम्म पुग्ने एउटै सिँडी देखेको छ त्यो हो, जीटीए।
आज मोर्चाका केन्द्रिय नेता डा. आरबी भूजेलले यसै भने। तिनको भनाइ अनुसार मोर्चासित मात्र होइन छुट्टै राज्यको माग गर्ने अरु कुनै पनि दल होस्, उसित कुनै पनि उपाय छैन। किन भने मोर्चाले धेरै अनुसन्धान गरेर नै जीटीएको बाटो रोजेको हो। तिनी केन्द्रिय नेता हुन्, यसकारण तिनको करामा कुनै पनि दुइमत छैन तर मोर्चा जीटीएमा नै बलियोसित रहेको कुरा प्रमाणित गरेर तिनले युवा मोर्चाको छुट्टै राज्यको आन्दोलनको नै खिल्ली उडाइरहेका थिए। मोर्चालाई लागेको छ कि जीटीएको सिँडी नचडी छुट्टै राज्य पुग्नै सकिन्न, यसो हो भने युवा मोर्चाको आन्दोलन के को निम्ति? तिनले यस्तो प्रश्न उठाएका छन्।
हाइपावर कमिटीले जुन गतिमा सीमाङ्कनको काम गरिरहेको छ, यसलाई हेर्दा लाग्दैन कि जीटीएमा मोर्चाले दाबी गरेको 199 र 196 मौजा अन्तरर्भुक्त हुन्छ। यसै पनि अब दुइ महिना हाइपावर कमिटीलाई जनसंख्याको रिपोर्ट पढ्नुमा नै लाग्ने छ। यो दुइ महिनाभित्रमा पहाडमा धेरै राजनैतिक परिवर्तन हुनसक्ने सम्भावना छ। मोर्चाभित्र नै पनि अन्तरविरोधी कार्यक्रम र राजनैतिक कसरतहरूले जालो बन्ने स्पष्ट छ। मोर्चा अध्यक्ष विमल गुरूङलाई युवा मोर्चाले छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्डको कमान सम्हालिदिनुपर्ने अनुरोध बारम्बार गरिरहेको छ। भनिँदैछ कि विमल गुरूङले जीटीएमा हस्ताक्षर गरेका छैनन् यसकारण तिनले छुट्टै राज्यको आन्दोलन गर्नसक्छन्। तर विमल गुरूङले 18 दिसम्बरको दिन युवा मोर्चाको छुट्टै राज्यको आन्दोलनको कमान सम्हाल्ने कतैबाट पनि सम्भवना देखिँदैन। किन भने तिनले जीएटीए गठन गर्नको निम्ति तराई र डुवर्समा आन्दोलन शुरु गरिसकेका छन् अनि तिनी चहान्छन् शीघ्र नै जीटीए गठन होस्। तराई र डुवर्सको अन्तरभुक्तिको परिस्थिति अहिले छैन किन भने आविपले मोर्चालाई समर्थन गरिसकेको छ अनि जीटीए गठनपछि जीटीए सभाले जीटीएको नाम परिवर्तन गरेर जीएटीए बनाउने कुरामा जोन बारलालाई सहमत गराइसकेको छ।
यी जम्मै भइसकेर पनि जीटीए गठनमा हुन सक्ने ढिलाइको कारण अघिबाट नै सरकारलाई चापमा राख्न युवा मोर्चाको आन्दोलन पनि तयार छ। तर विपक्ष अनि गोर्खाल्याण्ड टास्क फोर्सले मोर्चाको वास्तविकता एकएक गर्दै खोल्न खालेपछि निश्चय नै अब 18 तारिकको जनसभाबाट कुनै महत्वपूर्ण कुरा अघि ल्याउने छ। मुद्दा र आन्दोलनबारे देखिएका अन्योलताबीच अब 18 मा कस्तो घोषणा अघि आउने हो सबैले पर्खेर बसेका छन्। कि त मोर्चा अध्यक्ष विमल गुरूङले छुट्टै राज्यको निम्ति जीटीए खारेज गर्ने घोषणा गर्ने छन् कि त युवा मोर्चाको आन्दोलन फिर्ता लिनेछन्, मोर्चासित बॉंचेको विकल्प भनेको यही मात्र रहेको विश्लेषकहरूको अनुमान रहेको छ।
जीटीएको सम्झौता चियाको चुस्की लिदै गरेको होइन - डा० आर० बी० भुजेल
डी० के० वाइबा, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुंग, १६ दिसम्बर: एकातिर डुवर्सको भू भाग जीटीएमा गाभिएर यथासिग्रह सरकारले जीटीए गठन गर्नुपर्छ भन्दै गोजमुमो पार्टीका शिर्षस्थ नेताहरु दौडधूप गरिरहेका छन् भने अर्कोतिर तराई डुवर्सको भू- भाग विषयलाई लिएर गठन भएको हाइ पावर कमिटिको बैठक बारम्बार निर्कर्षहीन बन्दै आइरहेको छ| हाइ पावर कमिटिको बिहिबार पनि कोलकातामा तराई डुवर्सको भू- भाग विषयलाई लिएर बैठक भएतापनि उक्त बैठक पनि निस्कर्षहीन भयो | यसरी बारम्बार बैठकमा कुनै निष्कर्ष ननिस्केको कारण अनि जीटीए गठन प्रक्रिया ढिलो भइरहेको कारण अहिले मोर्चा खेमामा पनि असन्तुष्टि छाउन थालेको छ | मोर्चा प्रमुख बिमल गुरुङले हाइ पावर कमिटिको कार्यप्रति अगावै असन्तुष्टि जाहेर गरिसकेको छन् भने यो जीटीए गठनमा सरकारले बाधा पुराउन सुनियोजित षड्यन्त्र रचेको आरोप पनि लगाएका थिए | यस्तो अवस्थामा मोर्चा कै भात्री संगठन युवा मोर्चाले अब गोर्खाल्याण्डको आन्दोलनलाई आफ्नो काँधमा लिएर अघि बढ्ने घोषणा गरिसकेको छ |
युवा मोर्चाको आन्दोलन कुन मोडमा पुग्ने हो भन्ने कुरा अहिले नै किटान गर्न सकिंदैन अनि यसबारे आन्दोलन गर्नेहरु पनि केहि स्पष्ट बताउन चाहिरका छैनन् | युवा मोर्चाले शुरु गर्ने गोर्खाल्याण्डको आन्दोलनमा अहिले सबैको ध्यान केन्द्रित भैरहेको छ भने गोजमुमो नेतृत्ववर्ग भने जीटीएलाई यथासिग्रह लागु गराउने ताकमा लागिपरेको बुझिन्छ | यस बारे समय समयमा विभिन्न बयानबाजी अघि आए पनि यसको ठोस उपलब्दी के हुने हो भन्ने कुरा भविष्य मै निहित छन् | यता हिज कलकतामा भएको हाइ पावर कमिटिको मिटिंगले भने आगमी ४० दिन सम्म जीटीए गठन नहुने निश्चित बनेको छ | कोलकातामा भएको हाइ पावर कमिटिको बैठकमा हिज जनगणनाको रिपोर्ट बुझाउनु पर्ने भएको थियो तर उक्त रिपोर्ट बुझाउन अझ ४० दिनको समय लाग्ने भएपछि आगमी ४० दिन सम्म जीटीए पनि लागु नहुने निश्चित भएको छ |
एकातिर आगमी ४० दिनसम्म जीटीए गठन नहुने निश्चित भएको छ भने अर्कोतिर जीटीए सम्झौता भएको ६ महिना भित्रमा जीटीएको चुनाव गरिनुपर्ने सम्झौता को सिमा अवधि पनि सकिने भएको छ | यस्तोमा आगमी दिनको राजनीतिले कस्तो मोड लिने भन्ने कुरा खुबै चाखलाग्दो बन्न पुगेको छ | किन भने आगमी १८ दिसम्बर देखि युवा मोर्चाले छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्ड आन्दोलन अघि बढाउने शंखघोष गरेको छ अनि उक्त ४० दिनको लामो अवधिमा युवा मोर्चाको आन्दोलनले सरकारलाई कतिसम्म दबाउ दिन सक्छ भन्ने चासो बनेको छ| यता यसबारे कुराकानी गर्दा मोर्चा स्टडी फोरमका सदश्य डा० आर० बी० भुजेलले युवा मोर्चाले गर्ने आन्दोलन कुनै नयाँ होइन तर पहिले देखि नै गरिंदै आएको आन्दोलनलाई बढवा दिने कार्य गरेको भनि बताएका छन् | गोजमुमो पार्टीले छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्डको आन्दोलनलाई कहिले नछोडेको दाबी गर्दै अहिले युवा मोर्चाले शुरु गर्छु भनेको आन्दोलन कुनै नौलो नरहेको तिनले जनाए | हाल मोर्चाले तराइ डुवर्सको भू- भाग जीटीएमा अन्तर्भुक्त गर्नुको निम्ति विभिन्न पहल गरिरहेको तिनले दाबी गर्दै हाल छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्डको कुरा गर्ने राजनैतिक दलहरु माथि पनि बर्सिए | डा० भुजेलले अहिले गोर्खाल्याण्डको कुरा गर्ने दलहरुले तराई डुवर्सको भू- भाग छोडेर कुरा गरिरहेको आरोप लगाउदै जीटीएमा तराई डुवर्सको भू- भाग गाभ्न नदिने षड्यन्त्र रहेको तिनले जनाएका छन् | मोर्चाले समय कालमा जीटीएको सम्झौता गर्न परे पनि यो चियाको चुस्की लिदै हतारमा लिएको निर्णय होइन भनि दाबी गरे | मोर्चाले जीटीएमा सम्झौता गर्न अघि अनेकौ बैठकहरुमा चर्चा - परिचर्चा गरेको अनि अन्तिम चर्चा पछि मात्र सम्झौता गरेको पनि तिनले पत्रकारहरुलाई जनाए | छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्ड हुन अघि तराई डुवर्सको भागोपले एतिहासिक भुल गर्न खोजेको थप आरोप लगाए | कुनै पनि मोर्चाको विरोध गर्न अघि विपक्षी दलहरुले जनता अघि प्रभावकारी कार्यक्रम फ्याकेर जनताको बिस्वास जित्नु भन्ने सुझाउ दिदै पहिले आफ्नै कार्यक्रमहरु पुन: दोहोराएर हेर्ने सुझाउ थप डा० भुजेलले दिएका छन् |
जीटीएको सम्झौता चियाको चुस्की लिदै गरेको होइन - डा० आर० बी० भुजेल
डी० के० वाइबा, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुंग, १६ दिसम्बर: एकातिर डुवर्सको भू भाग जीटीएमा गाभिएर यथासिग्रह सरकारले जीटीए गठन गर्नुपर्छ भन्दै गोजमुमो पार्टीका शिर्षस्थ नेताहरु दौडधूप गरिरहेका छन् भने अर्कोतिर तराई डुवर्सको भू- भाग विषयलाई लिएर गठन भएको हाइ पावर कमिटिको बैठक बारम्बार निर्कर्षहीन बन्दै आइरहेको छ| हाइ पावर कमिटिको बिहिबार पनि कोलकातामा तराई डुवर्सको भू- भाग विषयलाई लिएर बैठक भएतापनि उक्त बैठक पनि निस्कर्षहीन भयो | यसरी बारम्बार बैठकमा कुनै निष्कर्ष ननिस्केको कारण अनि जीटीए गठन प्रक्रिया ढिलो भइरहेको कारण अहिले मोर्चा खेमामा पनि असन्तुष्टि छाउन थालेको छ | मोर्चा प्रमुख बिमल गुरुङले हाइ पावर कमिटिको कार्यप्रति अगावै असन्तुष्टि जाहेर गरिसकेको छन् भने यो जीटीए गठनमा सरकारले बाधा पुराउन सुनियोजित षड्यन्त्र रचेको आरोप पनि लगाएका थिए | यस्तो अवस्थामा मोर्चा कै भात्री संगठन युवा मोर्चाले अब गोर्खाल्याण्डको आन्दोलनलाई आफ्नो काँधमा लिएर अघि बढ्ने घोषणा गरिसकेको छ |
युवा मोर्चाको आन्दोलन कुन मोडमा पुग्ने हो भन्ने कुरा अहिले नै किटान गर्न सकिंदैन अनि यसबारे आन्दोलन गर्नेहरु पनि केहि स्पष्ट बताउन चाहिरका छैनन् | युवा मोर्चाले शुरु गर्ने गोर्खाल्याण्डको आन्दोलनमा अहिले सबैको ध्यान केन्द्रित भैरहेको छ भने गोजमुमो नेतृत्ववर्ग भने जीटीएलाई यथासिग्रह लागु गराउने ताकमा लागिपरेको बुझिन्छ | यस बारे समय समयमा विभिन्न बयानबाजी अघि आए पनि यसको ठोस उपलब्दी के हुने हो भन्ने कुरा भविष्य मै निहित छन् | यता हिज कलकतामा भएको हाइ पावर कमिटिको मिटिंगले भने आगमी ४० दिन सम्म जीटीए गठन नहुने निश्चित बनेको छ | कोलकातामा भएको हाइ पावर कमिटिको बैठकमा हिज जनगणनाको रिपोर्ट बुझाउनु पर्ने भएको थियो तर उक्त रिपोर्ट बुझाउन अझ ४० दिनको समय लाग्ने भएपछि आगमी ४० दिन सम्म जीटीए पनि लागु नहुने निश्चित भएको छ |
एकातिर आगमी ४० दिनसम्म जीटीए गठन नहुने निश्चित भएको छ भने अर्कोतिर जीटीए सम्झौता भएको ६ महिना भित्रमा जीटीएको चुनाव गरिनुपर्ने सम्झौता को सिमा अवधि पनि सकिने भएको छ | यस्तोमा आगमी दिनको राजनीतिले कस्तो मोड लिने भन्ने कुरा खुबै चाखलाग्दो बन्न पुगेको छ | किन भने आगमी १८ दिसम्बर देखि युवा मोर्चाले छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्ड आन्दोलन अघि बढाउने शंखघोष गरेको छ अनि उक्त ४० दिनको लामो अवधिमा युवा मोर्चाको आन्दोलनले सरकारलाई कतिसम्म दबाउ दिन सक्छ भन्ने चासो बनेको छ| यता यसबारे कुराकानी गर्दा मोर्चा स्टडी फोरमका सदश्य डा० आर० बी० भुजेलले युवा मोर्चाले गर्ने आन्दोलन कुनै नयाँ होइन तर पहिले देखि नै गरिंदै आएको आन्दोलनलाई बढवा दिने कार्य गरेको भनि बताएका छन् | गोजमुमो पार्टीले छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्डको आन्दोलनलाई कहिले नछोडेको दाबी गर्दै अहिले युवा मोर्चाले शुरु गर्छु भनेको आन्दोलन कुनै नौलो नरहेको तिनले जनाए | हाल मोर्चाले तराइ डुवर्सको भू- भाग जीटीएमा अन्तर्भुक्त गर्नुको निम्ति विभिन्न पहल गरिरहेको तिनले दाबी गर्दै हाल छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्डको कुरा गर्ने राजनैतिक दलहरु माथि पनि बर्सिए | डा० भुजेलले अहिले गोर्खाल्याण्डको कुरा गर्ने दलहरुले तराई डुवर्सको भू- भाग छोडेर कुरा गरिरहेको आरोप लगाउदै जीटीएमा तराई डुवर्सको भू- भाग गाभ्न नदिने षड्यन्त्र रहेको तिनले जनाएका छन् | मोर्चाले समय कालमा जीटीएको सम्झौता गर्न परे पनि यो चियाको चुस्की लिदै हतारमा लिएको निर्णय होइन भनि दाबी गरे | मोर्चाले जीटीएमा सम्झौता गर्न अघि अनेकौ बैठकहरुमा चर्चा - परिचर्चा गरेको अनि अन्तिम चर्चा पछि मात्र सम्झौता गरेको पनि तिनले पत्रकारहरुलाई जनाए | छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्ड हुन अघि तराई डुवर्सको भागोपले एतिहासिक भुल गर्न खोजेको थप आरोप लगाए | कुनै पनि मोर्चाको विरोध गर्न अघि विपक्षी दलहरुले जनता अघि प्रभावकारी कार्यक्रम फ्याकेर जनताको बिस्वास जित्नु भन्ने सुझाउ दिदै पहिले आफ्नै कार्यक्रमहरु पुन: दोहोराएर हेर्ने सुझाउ थप डा० भुजेलले दिएका छन् |
एउटै दलको मूल सङ्गठन जीटीएमा युवा मोर्चा छुट्टै -राज्यमा बाहिरकाले सोधे के जवाब दिने?- छत्र सुब्बा
मनोज बोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 15 दिसम्बर। वर्तमान राजनैतिक चलखेललाई धेरै नजिकबाट हेरिरहेका छत्र सुब्बालाई पनि गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चाको युवा सङ्गठनले छुट्टै राज्यको आन्दोलन गर्ने कुरा अनौठो लागेको छ। छुट्टै राज्यको आन्दोलन गर्ने दलले कुनै पनि निकृष्ट व्यवस्थाको निम्ति हस्ताक्षर गर्नु भनेको छुट्टै राज्यको मुद्दा छोड्नु रहेको छत्र सुब्बाको मान्यता छ। छुट्टै राज्यको आन्दोलन लामो समयसम्म लैजान नसक्ने भएपछि नै दलहरूलाई सिँडी चाहिने गरेको अनि सिँडी भनेको त्यस दलको राजनैतिक अस्तित्वको सवाल रहेको बुझ्ने छत्र सुब्बाले घिसिङले आन्दोलन तन्काउन नसक्ने अनि आन्दोलनको रुपरेखा जनपीडक रहेकोले नै दागोपाप थाप्नु परेको बुझेका छन्। तिनले बारम्बार के भनेका छन् भने सम्झौता भने मुद्दा अघि बढाउनको निम्ति हुँदैन। बरु मुद्दालाई केही समयकालसम्म थन्काउनुको निम्ति हुन्छ। कुनै पनि प्राप्तिको निम्ति आन्दोलनलाई निरन्तर गर्ने बौद्धिक कार्यक्रमको खॉंचो पर्छ।
छत्र सुब्बालाई जीटीए पनि मुद्दालाई केही समयसम्म थन्को लगाउने एउटा सरकारी षडयन्त्र नै लागेको छ। अहिले मोर्चा जीटीएमा अनि मोर्चाको भातृ सङ्गठन भने छुट्टै राज्यको आन्दोलनमा रहेको कुरा अत्यन्तै अनौठो र अनावश्यक लागेको छत्र सुब्बाले भनिसकेका छन्। तिनले पत्रकारहरूलाई सोद्धै थिए, युवा मोर्चा भनेको अर्कै पार्टी हो? सम्झौता गर्ने दलले छुट्टै राज्यको निम्ति आन्दोलन गर्न सक्दैन भन्ने तिनको दाबीको प्रमाण नै युवा मोर्चाको कार्यक्रम रहेको छत्र सुब्बाले बताइरहेका थिए। तिनले भने, मोर्चाले किन आन्दोलन गर्दैन, किन युवा मोर्चाले आन्दोलन गर्ने? मोर्चाले आन्दोलन गर्न नसकेको कारण नै सम्झौता हो तर युवा मोर्चाले आन्दोलन गर्नु मान्छे हँसाउने कुरा हो। तिनले अझ भनेका छन्, बाहिरकाहरूले सोधे युवा मोर्चाले के जवाब दिने? जब मुख्य बडी भने जीटीए भन्दैछ। केन्द्रिय समितिको निर्देशनमा चल्ने भातृ सङ्गठनले कसरी छुट्टै राज्यको आन्दोलन गर्छ? तिनले मोर्चा र युवा मोर्चासित प्रशस्त प्रश्नहरू उठाएका छन्। दलको केन्द्रिय समितिले मुद्दा छोडेपछि भातृ सङ्गठनले मुद्दाको उठान गर्नुको कुनै अर्थ रहँदैन। तिनले युवा मोर्चालाई के सुझाव दिएका छन् भने यदि सॉंच्ची नै युवा मोर्चाले छुट्टै राज्य भन्छ भने पार्टी छोडेर अघि बढ्नुपर्छ। यदि यस्तो हुँदैन भने युवा मोर्चाको आन्दोलन इतिहासमा अर्को कलङ्क नै हुने छ।
यता युवा मोर्चाले भने युवा मोर्चाको आन्दोलनमाथि आलोचना गर्नेहरूलाई खबरदारी गरेको छ। जसले पनि युवा मोर्चाको आन्दोलनलाई आलोचना गर्छ उसलाई जनताले कालो मोसो पोत्ने छ। तर आलोचकहरुले युवा मोर्चाको यस्ता खाले धम्कीको कुनै आधार नरहेको बताइरहेका छन्। युवा मोर्चाले उनीहरूमाथि उठिरहेको अनेकौं प्रश्नहरूको उत्तर नदिएर आलोचना गर्नेहरूप्रति खनिनु युवा मानसिकता नरहेको स्पष्ट रहेको आलोचकहरूको अडान छ। छत्र सुब्बाले उठाएको प्रश्न नै अहिले आम प्रश्न बनेको छ। मूल सङ्गठनले जीटीएको निम्ति आन्दोलन गरिरहेको छ अनि त्यसको भातृ सङ्गठनले भने छुट्टै राज्यको आन्दोलन गरिरहेकोले उनीहरूको आन्दोलनलाई जो कोहीले पनि मूल सङ्गठनको जीटीएसित जोडेर हेर्नु स्वाभाविक हो। छुट्टै राज्यको सिँडीकोरुपमा जीटीएमा सम्झौता गर्ने मोर्चा आफै भने अहिले छुट्टै राज्यमाथि केन्द्रित नरहेको बताइसकेको छ।
कालेबुङमा नै आएर विमल गुरूङले जीटीए गठनमा ढिलाई भएकोले युवा मोर्चाले आन्दोलन गरेको स्पष्ट पारेकोले युवा मोर्चाको आन्दोलन जीटीएको बार्गेनिङ मात्र हो भन्ने कुरा पनि स्पष्ट पारिएको छ। यस्तोमा युवा मोर्चाको आन्दोलन आलोचनाको शिकार भइरहको छ। कुनै पनि कुरामा आलोचना हुनु भनेको नै त्यो सर्वमान्य नरहेको हो भन्ने बौद्धिक कुरा बुझ्ननसक्ने युवा मोर्चाले देखाएको मोसो दल्ने डरले आलोचकहरू मौन बस्ला भन्न निक्कै गाह्रो कुरा रहेको छ।
मोर्चाले गोर्खाल्याण्डसम्म पुग्ने बाटो जीटीए मात्र देख्छ-डा.भूजेल
मनोज बोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 16 दिसम्बर। गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चा स्टडी फोरमका सदस्य डा. आरबी भूजेलले मोर्चाले देखेको र बुझेको अनुसार जीटीएबाट मात्र गोर्खाल्याण्डसम्म पुग्न सकिने बताएका छन्। जीटीएको निम्ति मोर्चाले गर्नसम्मको कसरत गरेको बताउँदै डा. भूजेलले भने, जीटीएको कुरा त्यसै एउटा चिया टेबलमा बसेर भएको कुरा होइन। जीटीए भनेको मोर्चाले वर्षौं लगाएर तयार पारेको कुरा हो। जम्मै बुद्धिजीविहरूलाई लिएर, इतिहासरको पाना पल्टाएर, भारतभरिका अन्य राजनैतिक दलका नेताहरूसँग पनि विचार विमर्ष गरेर तयार पारेको चिज हो।
जीटीएको माध्यमबाट नै गोर्खाल्याण्डसम्म पुग्न सकिने भएकोले नै मोर्चाले जीटीएको बाटो अप्नाएको हो। सोझै गोर्खाल्याण्ड भन्ने टाक्स फोर्सलाई केन्द्र गर्दै भूजेलले भने, सोझै गोर्खाल्याण्ड भन्नेहरूले तराई-डुवर्सलाई छोडेर कुरा गर्दैछन्। तराई-डुवर्सको अन्तरभुक्तिकै निम्ति हामी यतिका समयसम्म कसरत गरिरहेका छौं। टाक्स फोर्सकाहरूले टाउकोमा चिसो पानी राखेर एकपल्ट सोचुन्। तातै खाउ जल्दी मरौं भनेर घरमै बसेर बयानबाजी गर्नुनहुने अन्य पार्टीहरूलाई पनि डा. भूजेलले सुझाउ दिए। मोर्चाले डुवर्समा आन्दोलन गर्दा आमारा बङ्गाली, जनजारण मञ्च, बङ्गला औ बङ्गला भाषा बचाउ कमिटी आदि लगाएर मोर्चाको आन्दोलनलाई बाधा दिने काम भएको भएपनि अहिले ति शक्तिहरू मौन देखिपनि फेरि पहाडकै दलहरूलाई लिएर मोर्चालाई वाधा पुर्याउने कार्य भइरहेको तिनले बताए। आदिवासी विकास परिषदलाई फकाइ फुस्लाई गरेर मोर्चासँग मिलेको समयमा कुतत्वहरूले फेरि भॉंजो हाल्ने काम गरिरहेको पनि डा. भूजेलले आरोप लगाए। युवा मोर्चाको आन्दोलनमाथि टिप्पणी गर्नेहरूमाथि प्रहार गर्दै भूजेलले भने, युवा मोर्चाले आफ्नो पक्षबाट आन्दोलन अघि बढाउने निर्णय लिएको छ। यसको रङ्गरूप भविष्यले बताउँछ अहिले नै केही भन्न मिल्दैन।
युवा मोर्चाको आन्दोलनमाथि शंका गरेर आलोचना गर्नेहरूले जनतालाई मन बुझाउने, जनताको सहभागिता भएको, चित्तपर्दो कार्यक्रम दिउन्। तर टीभी च्यानल हेर्ने अनि पत्र-पत्रिका पढ्ने मानिसहरूलाई दिग्भ्रमित पार्ने वयानबाजी मात्र नदिउन्। 18 दिसम्बर मङ्पुमा हुने जनसभामा विमल गुरूङले सहभागिता जनाउने अनि त्यसै दिन कार्यक्रम हेरर केही घोषणा गर्ने तिनले बताए। हाइपावर कमिटीको लोपावर काम सम्बन्धि डा.भूजेलले भने, तराई डुवर्स ज-जसले जीटीएमा पस्न असमर्थता जनाएका थिए, उनीहरूलाई पनि एकपल्ट प्रतिश्रुति दिइन्छ र नै निर्णयमा पुग्न सकिन्छ। जब तराई-डुवर्स जीटीएमा गाभिन्छ त्यसबेला कुनै अड्चन आउन नदिन नै अहिले हाइपावर कमिटीले काम गरिरहेको डा. भूजेलले बताए।
RM&D updates actions
Prabin Khaling, KalimNews, Gangtok, December 16: Rural Management and Development Department, Government of Sikkim convened a Press Conference at the Department's Conference hall, today, to highlight the various programmes, projects and schemes that have been undertaken by the Department for the overall development of the benefit of the people.
Addressing the Conference, the Secretary, Mr A.K. Ganeriwala informed that the Department has been entrusted with huge responsibilities, as it is directly involved with 80 percent Sikkimese people in more than one ways. The Department efficient working is crucial for the people and it is necessary to disseminate the detailed information of the actions, schemes and programmes being implemented as well. The Secretary said that this year, the works which have to be initiated are being divided into four major tasks, which are launching of Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission (CMRHM), the programmes under 100 days task, the programmes which were sanctioned during Chief Minister’s 40 days tour and the initiatives of mitigating the sufferings of the people caused during the recent earthquake.
While elaborating on the CMRHM, the Secretary mentioned that it is an ambitious programme of the State Government which was launched in April 2011, to make Kutcha house Free State. It is also an innovative idea of making Sikkim Poverty Free State the Survey was also done in 2010. During the Chief Minister’s 42 days visit of the state, 6000 Housing allotment has been made whereby 4294 were already allotted and rest are under process. The Department is also committed to build self confidence of the rural people by engaging them in implementing above schemes The Department has also constituted a team to monitor physical progress and quality of the infrastructure. He also informed that a Central team headed by Joint Secretary, Housing, Government of India had also arrived yesterday to study this programmmes and had also made inspection of the Houses.
Explaining on the various programmes, policies and schemes that were sanctioned during the Chief Minister’s 42 days village to village tour, the Secretary stated that 40 demands were received for the construction of Panchayat Bhawans in all districts, for which 20 sanctioned works is under progress. For Public grounds, 80 demands were received out of which 55 were sanctioned while 58 Rural Foot Bridges were already sanctioned out of 172 demands received.
Furthermore, 13 Community Recreation Centers having sports facilities with a provision of e-library were also sanctioned by the Department. The demands of 192 PMGSY were made out of which 80 roads total measuring 351 kms has also been sanctioned and tender has been made as well. During the tour, 38 villages have demanded for Roof Water Harvesting Tank for which, the department has sanctioned 138 Tank and others are in the advanced stages of sanctioned, the Secretary added.
578 demands were received for Rural Water Supply which has been in principal sanctioned by the Chief Minister and categorically made decisions to only those where the sources can be available. The demands for 54 CC Foot Paths were sanctioned on the spot and the progamme will be implemented through MGNREGA.
It was also informed that the work under 100 Days Tasks is also under progress like 50 percent reservation for women in Panchayats. The inauguration of two new BACs and foundation stone of other two new BACs along with creation of 4 Kishan Bazars as well.
The Secretary further informed that the immediate restoration works were taken during the recent earthquake like water supply and poly pipes were also airdropped in Lachung, Lachen areas. He further said that 165 GPUS will be provided with Disaster Management Kit, each costing to Rs 1000. DPR of 7972 Houses has also been forwarded to the Government of India under PM Package for the reconstruction of houses which were severely or fully damaged.
He also made an announcement for conducting Panchayat Election in April next year and added that delimitation processes are almost finished and date will be finalised in consultation with the State Government and the State Election Department.
He also highlighted some of the National Flagships Programmes of the Government of India amongst other were MGNREGA, Swarna Jayanti Gram Sadak Yojana, National Rural Drinking Water Supply Programme, Total Sanitation Campaign, PMGSY which is being implemented through RMDD.
Mentioning further, he added that Village Development Action Plan for 165 GPUs are almost ready. Each of the GPUS will be having State of the Art of Gram Prashasan Kendra.
Informing on the SREDA, he said that it is an autonomous agencies working in the aegis of State Government, which has an ambitious project of creation of Solar Power for six units and also has received 15000 Solar Lighting System provided by the Government of India for distribution to villages.
The Secretary expressed that the Department of RMDD is working to improve the lives of the people by implementing various infrastructures developmental and poverty alleviation programmes. The consistent efforts and pro-people policies of the State Government will serve as milestones in achieving Sikkim, a Poverty Free State.
Indian with 39 wives, 94 kids is the strangest story of 2011
PTI: An Indian man with 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren, all living under one roof, holds the numero uno position in Ripley’s Believe It or Not top 11 strangest stories for this year.
Wives and children of Ziona Chana take part in a ceremonial evening prayer in Baktawng village in Serchhip district of Mizoram. File photo: Ritu Raj Konwar
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is considered to be the authority on all things odd, amazing and unusual.
The annual list of the strangest stories of the year was released by it on Thursday.
Topping the list if 11 strange stories, is the story reported by London based The Telegraph, about Ziona Chana, who lives in a four storeyed building with 100 rooms in a mountainous village in Mizoram state, sharing borders with Burma and Bangladesh.
“It’s a safe bet that Ziona Chana would not be impressed watching ‘19 Kids and Counting’ or ‘Sister Wives’ The 66 year old Indian man has 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren,” said Ripley’s Believe It or Not in a statement.
“I once married 10 women in one year,” Mr. Chana is quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
According to the daily, Mr. Chana met his oldest wife, who is three years older than he is, when he was 17.
SAVING DEMOCRACY
opinion, TT: The agitations led by Anna Hazare have resulted in a reiteration, among the saner elements in Indian society, of what should be a self-evident truth in a democracy: the supremacy of Parliament in the making of laws. As Amartya Sen pointed out very recently, people on the street cannot deal with corruption. No one denies the importance of corruption as a problem that vitiates every aspect of life in India. But it has to be tackled through laws that have been debated in and enacted by Parliament. The supremacy of Parliament needed to be stated in no uncertain terms, especially as Mr Hazare’s agitation attempts to undermine the position of Parliament by trying to dictate terms to it. It redounds to the credit of the government and of Parliament that they did not buckle down to the pressure emanating from the mobilization of people in the streets and maidans. Even those political parties and leaders who lent covert support to Mr Hazare and all those who sail with him did not directly question the sovereignty of Parliament.
In spite of this and after accepting the principle of the supremacy of Parliament in law-making, some uncomfortable questions cannot be avoided. One such question is: do parliamentarians themselves uphold the dignity of Parliament? Do they behave in a manner that makes people believe in the supremacy of Parliament? Answers to these questions are suggested by two sets of facts. On Thursday, when the subject of farmers’ suicides came up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha, not even 60 members were present. (The total strength of the Rajya Sabha is over 240.) Some of those present made their speeches and left. This indicates that a vast majority of the members of parliament are not seriously interested in discussing substantive issues. What is worse is that many of them do not have the time and the inclination to listen to a debate. The other feature has become all too evident: the disruption of the House at any excuse. This shows that members prefer disruption to discussion. In other words, they bring in the politics of the street on to the floor of the legislature. Parliamentarians have thus been eroding the dignity of Parliament from long before Mr Hazare cast aspersions on the supremacy of Parliament. In fact, this kind of (mis)behaviour by parliamentarians has enabled Mr Hazare to win public support.
If parliamentarians are to enjoy the supremacy and the position that is rightfully theirs by the Constitution, they will have to devote more time to the proceedings of the House. Parliament is a sacred institution not only for all citizens of India, but also for those who have been elected by the people to act as legislators. It is easy to condemn some of the measures that Mr Hazare prescribes as undemocratic, but it should be remembered that absence from Parliament and disruption of its proceedings also do not uphold the spirit and dignity of democracy.
RM&D updates actions
Prabin Khaling, KalimNews, Gangtok, December 16: Rural Management and Development Department, Government of Sikkim convened a Press Conference at the Department's Conference hall, today, to highlight the various programmes, projects and schemes that have been undertaken by the Department for the overall development of the benefit of the people.
Addressing the Conference, the Secretary, Mr A.K. Ganeriwala informed that the Department has been entrusted with huge responsibilities, as it is directly involved with 80 percent Sikkimese people in more than one ways. The Department efficient working is crucial for the people and it is necessary to disseminate the detailed information of the actions, schemes and programmes being implemented as well. The Secretary said that this year, the works which have to be initiated are being divided into four major tasks, which are launching of Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission (CMRHM), the programmes under 100 days task, the programmes which were sanctioned during Chief Minister’s 40 days tour and the initiatives of mitigating the sufferings of the people caused during the recent earthquake.
While elaborating on the CMRHM, the Secretary mentioned that it is an ambitious programme of the State Government which was launched in April 2011, to make Kutcha house Free State. It is also an innovative idea of making Sikkim Poverty Free State the Survey was also done in 2010. During the Chief Minister’s 42 days visit of the state, 6000 Housing allotment has been made whereby 4294 were already allotted and rest are under process. The Department is also committed to build self confidence of the rural people by engaging them in implementing above schemes The Department has also constituted a team to monitor physical progress and quality of the infrastructure. He also informed that a Central team headed by Joint Secretary, Housing, Government of India had also arrived yesterday to study this programmmes and had also made inspection of the Houses.
Explaining on the various programmes, policies and schemes that were sanctioned during the Chief Minister’s 42 days village to village tour, the Secretary stated that 40 demands were received for the construction of Panchayat Bhawans in all districts, for which 20 sanctioned works is under progress. For Public grounds, 80 demands were received out of which 55 were sanctioned while 58 Rural Foot Bridges were already sanctioned out of 172 demands received.
Furthermore, 13 Community Recreation Centers having sports facilities with a provision of e-library were also sanctioned by the Department. The demands of 192 PMGSY were made out of which 80 roads total measuring 351 kms has also been sanctioned and tender has been made as well. During the tour, 38 villages have demanded for Roof Water Harvesting Tank for which, the department has sanctioned 138 Tank and others are in the advanced stages of sanctioned, the Secretary added.
578 demands were received for Rural Water Supply which has been in principal sanctioned by the Chief Minister and categorically made decisions to only those where the sources can be available. The demands for 54 CC Foot Paths were sanctioned on the spot and the progamme will be implemented through MGNREGA.
It was also informed that the work under 100 Days Tasks is also under progress like 50 percent reservation for women in Panchayats. The inauguration of two new BACs and foundation stone of other two new BACs along with creation of 4 Kishan Bazars as well.
The Secretary further informed that the immediate restoration works were taken during the recent earthquake like water supply and poly pipes were also airdropped in Lachung, Lachen areas. He further said that 165 GPUS will be provided with Disaster Management Kit, each costing to Rs 1000. DPR of 7972 Houses has also been forwarded to the Government of India under PM Package for the reconstruction of houses which were severely or fully damaged.
He also made an announcement for conducting Panchayat Election in April next year and added that delimitation processes are almost finished and date will be finalised in consultation with the State Government and the State Election Department.
He also highlighted some of the National Flagships Programmes of the Government of India amongst other were MGNREGA, Swarna Jayanti Gram Sadak Yojana, National Rural Drinking Water Supply Programme, Total Sanitation Campaign, PMGSY which is being implemented through RMDD.
Mentioning further, he added that Village Development Action Plan for 165 GPUs are almost ready. Each of the GPUS will be having State of the Art of Gram Prashasan Kendra.
Informing on the SREDA, he said that it is an autonomous agencies working in the aegis of State Government, which has an ambitious project of creation of Solar Power for six units and also has received 15000 Solar Lighting System provided by the Government of India for distribution to villages.
The Secretary expressed that the Department of RMDD is working to improve the lives of the people by implementing various infrastructures developmental and poverty alleviation programmes. The consistent efforts and pro-people policies of the State Government will serve as milestones in achieving Sikkim, a Poverty Free State.
Indian with 39 wives, 94 kids is the strangest story of 2011
PTI: An Indian man with 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren, all living under one roof, holds the numero uno position in Ripley’s Believe It or Not top 11 strangest stories for this year.
Wives and children of Ziona Chana take part in a ceremonial evening prayer in Baktawng village in Serchhip district of Mizoram. File photo: Ritu Raj Konwar
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is considered to be the authority on all things odd, amazing and unusual.
The annual list of the strangest stories of the year was released by it on Thursday.
Topping the list if 11 strange stories, is the story reported by London based The Telegraph, about Ziona Chana, who lives in a four storeyed building with 100 rooms in a mountainous village in Mizoram state, sharing borders with Burma and Bangladesh.
“It’s a safe bet that Ziona Chana would not be impressed watching ‘19 Kids and Counting’ or ‘Sister Wives’ The 66 year old Indian man has 39 wives, 94 children and 33 grandchildren,” said Ripley’s Believe It or Not in a statement.
“I once married 10 women in one year,” Mr. Chana is quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
According to the daily, Mr. Chana met his oldest wife, who is three years older than he is, when he was 17.
SAVING DEMOCRACY
opinion, TT: The agitations led by Anna Hazare have resulted in a reiteration, among the saner elements in Indian society, of what should be a self-evident truth in a democracy: the supremacy of Parliament in the making of laws. As Amartya Sen pointed out very recently, people on the street cannot deal with corruption. No one denies the importance of corruption as a problem that vitiates every aspect of life in India. But it has to be tackled through laws that have been debated in and enacted by Parliament. The supremacy of Parliament needed to be stated in no uncertain terms, especially as Mr Hazare’s agitation attempts to undermine the position of Parliament by trying to dictate terms to it. It redounds to the credit of the government and of Parliament that they did not buckle down to the pressure emanating from the mobilization of people in the streets and maidans. Even those political parties and leaders who lent covert support to Mr Hazare and all those who sail with him did not directly question the sovereignty of Parliament.
In spite of this and after accepting the principle of the supremacy of Parliament in law-making, some uncomfortable questions cannot be avoided. One such question is: do parliamentarians themselves uphold the dignity of Parliament? Do they behave in a manner that makes people believe in the supremacy of Parliament? Answers to these questions are suggested by two sets of facts. On Thursday, when the subject of farmers’ suicides came up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha, not even 60 members were present. (The total strength of the Rajya Sabha is over 240.) Some of those present made their speeches and left. This indicates that a vast majority of the members of parliament are not seriously interested in discussing substantive issues. What is worse is that many of them do not have the time and the inclination to listen to a debate. The other feature has become all too evident: the disruption of the House at any excuse. This shows that members prefer disruption to discussion. In other words, they bring in the politics of the street on to the floor of the legislature. Parliamentarians have thus been eroding the dignity of Parliament from long before Mr Hazare cast aspersions on the supremacy of Parliament. In fact, this kind of (mis)behaviour by parliamentarians has enabled Mr Hazare to win public support.
If parliamentarians are to enjoy the supremacy and the position that is rightfully theirs by the Constitution, they will have to devote more time to the proceedings of the House. Parliament is a sacred institution not only for all citizens of India, but also for those who have been elected by the people to act as legislators. It is easy to condemn some of the measures that Mr Hazare prescribes as undemocratic, but it should be remembered that absence from Parliament and disruption of its proceedings also do not uphold the spirit and dignity of democracy.
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