#डियर_केकेम_एण्ड_केकेम्या_वेलकम_टु_निर्वाणा_कटेज

ह्वीसलिङ थ्रसको वेक अप कलले बिउँझिए पछि । तिमी चियाको सेकेण्ड फ्लस चाख्दै आजको अलिक चिसो द ग्लुमी दिनको कार्यक्रम सूचीबारे सोच्दै थिए। आस्याङ आइपुगे। तीनवटा चर्थ्यो एउटा त केले खाएछ। दुइटा भाले पोथी चै आउँदैछ। भन्न थाले। त्यसै पनि अहिले ग्रीन म्यागपाई (ढो़डेँ कोइली) को साथमा भेला भएर लाफिङ थ्रस (कोलकोले) को एक हूल रातो काब्राको बोट मून्तिर हाँस्दै हल्ला गरिरहेको आनन्दको बीच मैले आस्याङको कुरामा ध्यान उस्तो दिइनँरहेछु। साँझमा मात्तै थाहा भयो। 
आज अलिक धेरै समय बारीमै बित्यो। नयाँ भर्जिन माटोमा हिजो साँझ परेको हल्का सिमसिमे पानीले जवानी फर्काइल्याएको छ। माटोलाई अझ शक्तिशाली बनाउन उर्बर बनाउन मल बोक्नुपर्छ। मल बोकेर विभिन्न थरिका रबी फसल भन्छ सायदको बिउ रोप्दा झमक्कै साँझले घरको छेउमा उभिएको कोकोमेन्दो (टोटोला) को बोटमा आएर चियाउन थालिसकेको थियो।

निर्वाणा कटेजले भर्खरै कटुवा सल्काएर धुवाँ धुरीबाट फ्याँक्न लागेको बेला ह्वाइट चिक्ड बुलबुल (जुरेली) र ब्ल्याक हेडेड टिट (चिचिनकोटे) हरू सपर सकेर बास बस्ने तर्खर गर्दै थिए। अचानक मेरो आँखा ग्रेट बार्बेटहरूको कोयर गाउने मञ्च बडहरको रूखबाट उकालो दुइवटा ठूला चराहरू भर्खरै खनिएको बारीको कान्लाहरू उक्लिँदै पालै पालो उक्लिरहेको देखेँ। घरका सबैलाई शान्ति कायम गर्ने आदेश दिएँ। युगल कालिज पिजेन्ट (कालिज) पो मेरो नयाँ खनिएको बारीमा उक्लिएर डिनर गर्दैरहेछ। आस्याङले भनिहाले, हो मैले भनेको नी दुइवटा मात्तै छ भनेर। एउटा साथी हराएछ यिनीहरूको। यसलाई खेद्नु हुँदैन जङ्गली रिसाउँछ। उनले थपिसकेका थिए।
अहिले त चरा खेद्नु हुँदैन खिच्नुपर्छ। डीएसएलआरले कस्तो मज्जा आउँछ। भन्दा उनले सात वर्ष अघिदेखि चम्किएको मेरो बर्ड वाचिङको भूत अझै मन्सिएको रहनेछ भन्दै आमालाई फिक्का रङ माग्न थाले। मैले भने यी दुइको नाम राखिदिने बिचार गरे। कालिजको जोडीको नाम हाम्रै लोक भाषामा हुनुपर्छ सोचे, कुकुरको नाम धरि अंग्रेजीमा राखेर जातीयता र भाषाप्रेमको ठूलो कुरा गर्नेहरुले भन्दा सस्तै भएनी आफ्नै कुरामा सोच्नुपर्छ, सोचदिएँ। त्यसो त रोमियो जुलियट, ज्याक र लुसी राख्नु मन थ्यो। या त केही अरू अंग्रेजी संग्रेजीमा राख्दा पनि हुन्थ्यो । राख्नैपर्छ जस्तो जरूरी पनि थिएन। तर थिए यी दुइ निर्वाणा कटेजका नयाँ पाहुना। त्यसैले मैले नयाँ आगन्तुक कालिज पिजेन्टको युगलको नाम सोचेँ। भालेको जिउ कालो भएको हुनाले काले अर्थात केकेम पोथीको जीउ खैरो भए पनि त्यसलाई काली भन्नु मन लाग्यो र केकेम्या उसले नाम पायो। आमालाई भने ,यो दुइटाको नाम आजदेखि केकेम र केकेम्या है । अब हामी जस्तै अरू चराहरू जस्तै दुइवटा बिरालो, तीनवटा कुकुर र हामी जस्तै यी दुइ केकेम र केकेम्या पनि निर्वाणा कटेज परिवारका अतिथि हुन्। स्वागत छ ।
हामी बस्न थालेपछि गाउँमा चराहरू धेरै आउन थाले कि क्या हो ? आफै सर्किँदै भने, डियर केकेम एण्ड केकेम्या वेलकम टु निर्वाणा कटेज... 

होस आज कविता नपढ्नु होला मल बोकेर निक्कै गलिएको छ।
कविता भोलि... गुड नाइट 

#गाउँमा #चराहरूसित #एक_दिन

ग्रेट बारबेट (न्याउली) झण्डै एक दर्जन भेला भएर मैले बारी खनिरहेको मुन्तिरको बडहरको रूखमा बसेर कोरस गाइदिए। तिमी चियाको फस्ट फ्लस उमालेर फिक्का रङ बनाएर पिउने बेलासम्म उनीहरू गाइरहेका थिए। सिमलको रूखमा भने ग्रे ट्रीपाइ (कोकले) बीच बीचमा बोल्दै थिए। उनीहरूका झुण्ड निक्कै ठूलो थियो। उनीहरू त्यहाँ त्यसै बसेका होइनन् माटोको वासनासितै त्यहाँ रोपिने मकैको नयाँ बिउ छानेर खानु उनीहरूको ध्याउन्न हुन्छ। तर खेदको कुरा अहिले मैले मकै छरिहालेको छुइनँ। बारी तयार पार्ने काम हुँदैछ। ग्रे ट्रीपाइहरू भने भेला हुन थालिहालेको छन्। स्कार्लेट मिनिभेट(रानी चरा) हरू भने बढो सुन्दर लाग्छ मलाई। आज उनीहरू अग्लो कपासको बोटबाट तल तल मेरै छेउ छाउ तिर अम्बकको बुट्यान, सुन्तलाको पुरानो थारो झ्याँङ हुँदो नै चारो खोजिरह्यो। उनीहरू दिउँसो चर्को घाममा आएनन्। म बारी खनिरहँदा घामले भने उज्यालो हेलोजन लाइट लगाएर हेरिरहेको थियो। मैले पत्तो दिइनँ। ग्रेट बारबेटहरू भने गाइरहेका थिए प्रेमका कोरस... 

विस्तारै घामको भोल्टेज कम्ती हुँदै गयो। देखियो पुरे बारीको कान्लामा रेड भेन्टेड बुलबुल (जुरेली), उ हेर्नु नी कुटमिरोको काटेको हाँगामा भर्डिटर फ्लाइक्याचर (हरेनी) ठिङ्ग उभिएर किरालाई टेलिस्कोप लगाएर हेरिरहेको छ। ग्रेट बारबेटहरूको कोरसको बीच बीचमा ताल दिने काम भने ब्लु थ्रोटेट बारबेट (कुतुर्के) ले गरिरह्यो। सप्पै भन्दा बदमाश चै कुनै चरा रहेछ भने त्यो ह्वीसलिङ थ्रस (कलचुढा)। घरको छानोमा कुद्छ। धुरीमा चढ्छ। तर जे होस यसले गीत बेजोड गाउँछ। सप्पैलाई जित्छ बिहानै अरूले भजन गाउने बेलामा उसले मेरो भुइँपलङको मास्तिर खि़ङ्कीमा बसेर नयाँ दिनको नयाँ जीवनको गीत गाइदिन्छ। अल चरास एण्ड चरीजलाई मेरो दिन दाम्मी बनाइदिएकोमा थ्याङ्क्यू...बेलुकी लोसे पोल्ने विचार गरेको। थुप्रिएको झ्यास जलाउँ लागेको। तर सकिनँ। ती चराहरू अहिलेसम्मै बारीकै ससाना रूख र कान्लाहरूमा खेलिरहेको हुनाले यो समय उनीहरूकै नाममा गरिदिएँ। एक दिन यसरी गाउँमा बिताइदिएँ।
भोलि टाइम पाएँ भने मलाई मन पर्ने थोमस हार्डीको कविता 
इन टाइम अफ् ब्रेकिङ अफ नेशसन्स सुनाउँछु यिनीहरूलाई। तपाईंहरू चै आजै पढिहाल्नुहोस ल
Only a man harrowing clods
In a slow silent walk
With an old horse that stumbles and nods
Half asleep as they stalk.

Only thin smoke without flame
From the heaps of couch-grass;
Yet this will go onward the same
Though Dynasties pass.

Yonder a maid and her wight
Come whispering by:
War’s annals will cloud into night
Ere their story die.
किन भने नी , भोलि बिहानै पुन ह्वीसलिङ थ्रससितै उठ्नु छ। भोलि त मकै, काँक्रा, फर्सी, झिगेनी, तिते करेला, लौका, अँ साँच्ची धनियाँ, पालक, तोरी र के के के रोप्नु छ। हैट किसान भइहालेको छुइनँ अझै... गुड नाइट ।)

Sikkim: Requiem for a Himalayan Kingdom by Andrew Duff.

This is the true story of Sikkim, a tiny Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas that survived the end of the British Empire only to be annexed by India in 1975. It tells the remarkable tale of Thondup Namgyal, the last King of Sikkim, and his American wife, Hope Cooke, thrust unwittingly into the spotlight as they sought support for Sikkim’s independence

x

Third Village

Still have to wait for relief determined destiny exceedingly soaked by politics in poverty ridden Somalia echoes the refrain of insufficiency Rather, earthquake should occur? comforting one belly, relief would have been chock-a-block, speaks the reverie of Birman* becoming road inside the file. Graduate daughter comes back home planning to open a beauty parlor shop. frustrated sperms of Birman unable to borne word having found out the famine of word congregation gets called by Neta*. Salesgirl walks off by affording solace Ugh! Duplicate solace Solace seems a clasp of lightening to the village But Earth and Village are alike Earth endures farmer’s plough to brew life While, village endures solace to brew dream Still have to wait for BPL* rice Relief destined fate Rather, landslide should occur? to live in relief camp would have been splendid Everything Sarkari* Vaat* and Tarkari*. There is scarcity of water in Village his updated status in Facebook, Did it reach the government or not? President did read or not? Prime Minister liked it or not? In thousands of Birmansalla* There is no water no Khana*, uncovered Chana* and Mana* Since, this is not the village of President or the Prime Minister. This is Third Village Yes, a Third Village. REFERENCES: Birman- A Typical boyish name in Nepali Language. Neta- Minister, Headmen BPL- Below Poverty Line Sarkari- Government Vaat- Rice Tarkari- Curry Birmansalla- “Birman”- A typical boyish name in Nepali Language, “Salla” – School, institution. Khana- Food Mana-Clothes, raiment Chana- Shelter

विजय दशमीको हार्दिक मंगलमय शुभकामना

विजय दशमीको हार्दिक मंगलमय शुभकामना

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

हाम्रो छाङ्गु ?

;">छाङ्गु झील प्रदुशणले सकिन लागेको छ। सुक्दै गएको झील को एक पाटो।

Modi gives positive assurance on Gorkhaland representation submitted by BGP

GANGTOK, October 21: Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP stalwart Narendra Modi has expressed his confidence over the realization of separate State of Gorkhaland demand, a perennial aspiration of the 1.25 crore Indian Gorkhas.

The BJP heavyweight leader had expressed the above confidence when Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) national executive committee member Prabin Khaling submitted a representation on the Gorkhaland demand to him at Gangtok.

The representation containing copies on the century old Gorkhaland demand and the national perspective on the demand was submitted to Mr. Modi during his recent tour of Sikkim.

Representing BGP, Mr. Khaling briefed the Gujarat Chief Minister about BGP which is spread over 22 States of the country and is an apolitical body considered to be the apex body of the 12.5 million Indian Gorkhas. The BGP requested him to not to limit the Gorkhaland demand as a demand of the Gorkhas of Darjeeling and Dooars region only but consider the issue as the ‘national identity’ demand of the 12.5 million Gorkhas spread all over the country including Sikkim.

After giving a patient hearing, Mr. Modi opined that Gorkhaland will happen one day and gave a positive response to the BGP representation, it is informed.

DENZONG

Paddy field of North Sikkim.

BGP IS NOT A POLITICAL THREAT – D.K. BHANDARI

Siliguri,3 June: Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) should not be taken as a political threat since this apolitical and social body has nothing to do with politics. Its aim is not to compete with any political outfit but to work for unification of the Indian Gorkhas for the cause of their social, cultural, literary and linguistic development. This is a known fact that this national organization has not caused harm to any organization rather it has directly or indirectly helped them out through different means. The organization has been able to make the national leaders aware of the problems facing the Gorkhas in India in terms of their identity crisis. It has also been successful to shift the paradigm by taking Gorkha’s problems in Delhi durbar from regional level. The BGP is the sympathizer of political parties that are carrying out various activities and movements at their own level to draw the attention of concerned authorities about the demand of Gorkhas.
The above statements were made by Smt. D.K. Bhandari, Chairperson, BGP at Mangal Maity Bhawan, Siliguri on 31st May while addressing a large number of National Executive members of the organization gathered from various parts of the country. Referring to the present movement of Gorkhaland being spearheaded by different political parties in Darjeeling hills, Smt. Bhandari recalled the Nepali language movement and stated that only political efforts are not enough to get a demand materialized. According to her, the Nepali language was recognized at the social level backed by the political strength. She stated that it has now become necessary to bring all the national parties into confidence towards the demand of a separate state of Indian Gorkhas. A national consensus is to be brought to fulfill this demand and for this purpose efforts should be made from all walks of Gorkha society in India, she added. She also appealed other regional Gorkha bodies to come forward to realize the goal of a separate state.
Addressing the gathering, C.K. Shrestha, Working President of the organization highlighted the achievements of the BGP at national and regional levels. He said that a few organizations have been hijacking the programmes and strategies of the BGP and now the BGP workers should claim such programmes as their brainchild. Due to the absence of assertiveness the BGP workers have become faceless in the present Gorkha society despite their tremendous contribution towards the cause of Gorkhas in India, he stated. He also claimed that the national leaders are aware of the role of BGP to shift the demand of separate state from state to central level. Talking about the demand of Gorkhaland, he said that the BGP is of the view that this issue should not be addressed by any single political party to fulfill vested interest but it is to be addressed by the nation itself considering the injustice the Gorkhas have been facing since last several years despite their selfless contribution towards the independence, security, building and development of this nation. According to him, the demand of Gorkhaland is related with the identity crisis of over 1.25 million Gorkhas in India and it should be discussed at national level by all the national leaders as the Gorkhas do not want sympathy from anybody. He also stated that the nationalism is the first priority of the Gorkhas in India and they would never blackmail the nation to fulfill their demand. He also appealed the BGP workers to understand the views of other organizations working for similar causes and not over-react on them.
Sukhman Moktan, Secretary General highlighted the organizational achievements of the BGP in the last three years. He disclosed that the new central committee of the BGP would be formed in October this year during the Maha-Adhiveshan of the organization which will be held at Siliguri. According to him, the new committee will have to face more challenges in various aspects in view of the present political situation. Referring the prevailing national trend of youth’s involvement in political sphere, Moktan opined that the BGP should ensure participation of more youths in its future course of action and also highlighted the necessity of bringing the ideology of the BGP at grass root level. He claimed that the BGP has been able to make Indian Gorkhas aware about the unification at national level by way of organizing leadership building workshops in different parts of the country. He suggested that the BGP should now prepare a list of whole time workers and utilize their services in organizational affairs.
About the demand of Gorkhaland, Moktan disclosed that the BGP central leadership has decided to camp at New Delhi during the month June-July and hold discussion with the present UPA Govt. and opposition parties as well about the seven point charter of demands of the organization which tops the creation of a separate state for Indian Gorkhas. He also directed the office bearers of state and district level committees of the BGP particularly from Darjeeling, Sikkim, Dooars areas to keep themselves in readiness to rush for New Delhi in a short notice to hold discussion with the national leaders about the long pending demands of the organization.
Madhav Karki, Councillor. Bodoland Territorial Council suggested the BGP leaders to form a political cell of the organization to look after the related subjects including demand of Gorkhaland and viewed that the Gorkhas should now field their own candidates from respective constituencies in future elections. B.B.Chhetri (President, Meghalaya State Committee) also echoed his view and emphasized on the need of an effective cell to sort out the political issues.
Col (Retd) D.R. Gurung, Chairman, Financial Committee suggested that transparency should be maintained in the organizational transactions. He also disclosed that a large number of BGP workers are now working in political parties and they must bear courage to oppose any anti-BGP move of their parties. Gurung, who is heading Bharatiya Gorkha Bhutpurva Sainik Morcha, Siliguri claimed that he had challenged the party leaders who had framed unnecessary charges against the BGP leadership circle in the recent past. Gurung also requested the BGP central leaders to make him free from the organizational burden as he is now engaged in political activities.
The meeting was followed by an interactive session which was conducted by Munish Tamang, Secretary, Central Programme Cell, New Delhi.
The other leaders to address the meeting were Rudra Adhikari, Treasurer, Buddhiman Pradhan, Joint Secretary General (Admin), B.B. Chhetri (President, Meghalaya State), Nityananda Upadhyaya (Secretary, Assam State), Binod Bishta (Secretary, Manipur State), S. Pandey (Secretary, Sikkim State), Shivlal Alley (Secretary, Uttarakhand State), Jiwan Gurung (Secretary, Darjeeling), C.K. Pradhan, Dy. S.P (Retd) (President, Kalimpong), Binod Prakash Sharma (Secretary, Kurseong), K.N. Pradhan (President, Siliguri) and Arun Acharya (Social Worker). They highlighted the organizational activities and achievements of the BGP in respective areas and also discussed about the future course of action of the organization. Other prominent BGP leaders present in the meeting were Smt. Latika Joshi (Vice President), Bhupendra Adhikari (Secretary, Zone IV), Dr. Raja Singh Limboo (Member, Policy Making Body), Col (Retd) S.K. Mukhia (Office Secretary, Siliguri), Brig (Retd) N.B. S. Bishta (President, Uttarakhand State), S.K. Chhetri (President, Mangal Maity). Apart from them, the social thinkers of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim, Dooars, Siliguri were also present in the meeting as observers.
This was the last National Executive meeting of the present central committee of the BGP as its term is going to be expired in October this year and a new central committee is to be formed then.

MEDIA AND GAME

Army vehicle crush one girl to death

Gangtok,05 May : An army heavy vehicle crushed an 18 year old girl to death while seriously injuring another girl at 2nd Mile, Chandmari above Gangtok today morning.

The victim, Nari Maya Gurung was killed at the spot while her sister Susang Gurung (19) was seriously injured, said police. The girl has sustained injuries in her head and has been rushed to Central Referral Hospital here.

However, there are slim chances of her survival, it was informed.

Police has taken the army driver into custody. Police are investigating whether the accident was due to a break-fail or the vehicle was overspeeding.

National level women football championships from this August.

Gangtok, 05 May: Sikkim, the home State of Indian football team captain Bhaichung Bhutia is gearing up to organize and host the first ever national level women football championships this August.

We are organizing the All India Women Football Tournament in the month of August, said Menla Ethenpa, general secretary of Sikkim Football Association (SFA), the organizers.

SFA will be inviting the top four women football team graded by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to participate in this maiden tournament, said Mr. Ethenpa. At least two teams from Sikkim and other teams from the neighbouring areas of Darjeeling district will be featuring in the tournament.

“Bhutan has also expressed its interest to participate in the tournament”, said Mr. Ethenpa.

Though AIFF has been organized national level women football championships, the endeavor by SFA should be first in the nation.

By inviting the top women football teams in the tournament, we want to inspire and promote the upcoming women footballers of Sikkim, said the SFA general secretary adding the tournament will be an annual event.

The finals of the tournament are scheduled on August 15.

The proposed All India Women Football Tournament by SFA has taken the football calendar in Sikkim to three events.

The first event, Chogyal Sir Tashi Namgyal Memorial Cup organized by SFA began from today at Paljor Stadium.

In the first match, Namchi based Siniolchu club defeated Young Star football club by 2 goals to one.

There are 16 teams participating in this knockout men’s football tournament, which is an annual feature. Apart from six teams from Sikkim, teams from Kolkata, Delhi and neighbouring Darjeeling district also feature in this event.

The Chogyal Sir Tashi Namgyal Memorial Cup also known as Independence Cup used to be held during the month of August. It was shifted to May to make room for the proposed All India Women Football Tournament to be held on August.

After these two events, the showpiece football tournament of Sikkim, All India Governor’s Gold Cup is scheduled to be held during the month of September-October later this year.

Border trade through Old Silk rout Resume from Monday

Nathula,04 April:

The Nathua border trade for the fourth consecutive year today started today with a low key participation from the Indian traders.

However sixty Chinese traders in the first day crossed the border to operate their business for this year.

The border reopened at 11am in the morning. On other side none of the Indian traders could cross the border due to non availability of the travel pass.

Amidst slight drizzling of snow fall Ujwal Gurung, the Director of Commerce and Industries Department, Sumitra Pradhan, the Deputy Secretary offered khadas to the traders at the Nathula post.

Later both the traders accorded each other a warm welcome at Sherathang Mart hoping for a more business prosperity this year.

‘We are not pretty happy with the response from the Indian traders on first day’ said Kesang Diki, an official from Trade and Commerce (TAR) from the Chinese region.

While interacting with the media she said, as usual the revision of the lists of items is the major factor in which the business transactions will depend this year.

‘India desperately needs to come up with more infrastructure facilities for the smooth trade, she pointed out.

Pretty dismayed with the non-availability of the travel pass the Indian traders also expressed their dissatisfaction even for not reaching up to Nathula border.

‘ Understanding the urgency we request the concerned authority to kindly issue the pass as earliest as possible’ Anil Kumar Gupta, the General Secretary of Indo-China border trade association told the reporters.

On other hand Ujwal Gurung, the Director of the concerned department informed the Ministry of Commerce and Industries Department has already sanctioned Rs. Cores for the construction of a high class mart at Sherathang and the work would be soon commenced.

‘Also the construction work of parking yard, cafeteria would be soon accomplished’ he added.

Stating that the matter of revision of lists of items still lies in the Ministry he said, Mani Shanker Iyer, the Chairman of NEC has already placed a proposal to declare Nathula trade as open trade under Most Favored Nation ( MFN).

Nathula Trade which was reopened in the year 2006 had a total export of Rs 10 lakhs, 27 lakhs and 97 lakhs for the year past three successive years .

While the import were merely Rs 10 lakhs, 7 lakhs and 1 lakhs.

Nathu La trade to resume on Monday

Nathula, 3 May : The fourth edition of the annual Sino-Indian border trade at Nathu La, one of the three trading border posts between China and India, will resume on Monday after a six-month long winter break.
Apart Nathu La, the other two border trade check posts are Shipkila in Himachal Pradesh and Lipulekh (or Lipulech) in Uttarakhand.
Sealed by India after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Nathu La was re-opened in 2006 following numerous bilateral trade agreements.
Currently, agreements between the two nations limit trade across the pass to 29 types of goods from India and 15 from the Chinese side.
The annual border trade is restricted for participation of the traders from Sikkim and Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) only.
Under the bilateral agreement, the Indian traders visit Renguingang mart in TAR to buy goods from there, while their counterparts from across the border come to Sherathang Mart in Sikkim for trading purpose.
The traders of the two countries are issued Import-Export Code Number (IEC) and security passes by their respective authorities to enable them to visit the trade marts.
In spite of various restrictions put on for trading through Nathu La, the total value of the traded goods last year stood at Rs.9.6 million.
The Government of Sikkim will organize a function at Sherathang Mart on Monday to mark the formal inauguration of the fourth edition of the bilateral border trade.
Official delegations and traders of the two countries will attend the function.
The Sikkim Chamber of Commerce and the Indo-Chinese Traders Association of Sikkim (ICTAS) have urged the governments of the two countries for an urgent revision of the goods on the trade list to add commercial value to the business.
Most of the items listed in the schedule are obsolete and lack commercial value

Rahul can't understand Sikkim in mere 20 minutes: Chamling

Gangtok,27 April¬:Coming down heavily on Rahul Gandhi for his caustic observation about Sikkim, Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling today said the Congress General Secretary cannot understand the Himalayan state and its local issues in barely 20 minutes.
"He does not understand Sikkim and the issues of the state. One cannot comprehend the issues in 20 minutes," Chamling told reporters here in reply to a question about Gandhi's comments on the state of affairs in the Himalayan State, two days back.

Chamling said the 39 year-old MP's assessment that the state government had failed to fully utilise about Rs 5,500 crore granted by the Centre in past years and could not implement the central schemes like NREGA, were not true.

Sikkim has been one of the states to fully utilize the Central funds and implement the Central schemes, he claimed.

On the impact of Gandhi's electioneering in Sikkim, Chamling said the SDF has been firmly entrenched in the state politically and could not be adversely affected by the campaigning by the national leaders of other parties.

Youth must come forward in politics: Rahul Gandi

Gangtok, 25Apr il: AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi today said called upon the youths to come forward in active politics in order to change the present quality of politics in the nation.

“Unless the youths come forward to politics, then politics will not change. We have to maintain a uniform perspective in the nation”, said Mr. Gandhi while addressing a Congress election rally here at Paljor Stadium packed with thousands of Congress supporters.

In his brief address, the Congress youth leader spoke about his target of encouraging more youths towards politics through the youth wing of Congress.

“I always meet youths from Northeast States wherever I go in the nation. I am very happy and proud that they are coming ahead especially in service sector”, said Mr. Gandhi.

Maintaining that Congress party and his family shares special attachment with Sikkim and other parts of the Northeast region, Mr. Gandhi made an emotional statement by appealing the people to carry on the old ties. My family has a big space for Northeast region in our hearts and these old ties must be carried forward, he said.
Speaking on the context of Sikkim, the young Gandhi scion reminded the people that he had fallen in love with Sikkim when he was 18 years of age. “I had stayed in Gangtok during a month course at Sonam Gyatso Mountaineering Institute and I have toured all over the beautiful State of Sikkim. The tourism potential of Sikkim is unmatched in the nation and we will provide all possible help from the Centre to Sikkim”, he said
.
Reminding that the Centre has been sending huge funds for the development of Sikkim and Sikkimese people, Mr. Gandhi said that Central funds have not reached the people of Sikkim. “We have send Rs. 5,500 crores to Sikkim and sanctioned several big schemes like Mid Day meal and NREGA for the Sikkimese people. But it is unfortunate that these funds and programmes have not reached to the people here”, said he said.
“We must change this and if people are not happy then you can change the government here in Sikkim during the elections”, said Mr. Gandhi.

While assuring that the Congress party will give attention to the pending local issues of Sikkim, Mr. Gandhi underlined the need to establish a proper educational institute. “We will see that quality education reaches to you. We will keep on sending money to Sikkim”, he said.




Mr. Gandhi also assured all possible help from Centre to solve the problem of 30,000 unemployed educated youths in Sikkim. We will spare no efforts to solve the unemployment problem in Sikkim, he said. The voice of small States like Sikkim must be heard and we will listen, he said.
The Congress youth leader concluded his brief speech by promise to return to Sikkim again to continue with his goal of encourage more youths to politics and Congress party.

no alternative’ of the SDF party in the forthcoming Assembly elections in Sikkim:Chamling

Gangtok,19 April: Claiming that even the opposition political parties have already ‘conceded defeat’, Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) president and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today claimed that there is ‘no alternative’ of the SDF party in the forthcoming Assembly elections in Sikkim.

“Actions speak louder than words. People must judge SDF by our works and performances in the last 15 years while casting their votes. If there is a better party which has better programmes for Sikkim than us, vote for them. But there is no better party than SDF right now”, said Mr. Chamling in an election campaign meeting at Paljor Stadium here in Gangtok.

“There is no alternative of SDF party and I am confident that people will elect a conscious party and leader to government in coming elections”, said Mr. Chamling.

Stating that SDF faces no hurdles in the coming elections, the party president claimed that even the opposition parties have already conceded defeated. “The workers of the opposition parties have already given up only, only their leaders are fooling people with baseless issues. The opposition leaders have no issues or morality and people must be careful of such destructive forces”, he said.

Downsizing the opposition parties as non-entities in Sikkim, Mr. Chamling said that the main issues of Sikkim are being overshadowed by baseless issues. Our main issue is development of Sikkim while unfortunately the opposition parties are trying to suppress the real issues with baseless issues, he said appealing the people about their crucial responsibility in the forthcoming elections.

“People must vote for establishing a people’s government and realize the importance of capable leadership to lead Sikkim in the 21st century. Don’t go after the date-expired opposition parties. Today only SDF party is the only party in Sikkim which is capable to fulfill and realize the dreams, aspirations and hopes of the Sikkimese people”, said Mr. Chamling. He added that the victory of SDF will not only be the victory of the party but ‘it will be the victory for the Sikkimese people’. Sikkim and Sikkimese people must win, he said.

“After we came to power in 1994, SDF has restored the pride and freedom of Sikkimese people. Give another mandate to us by casting your votes to SDF on April 30. There is no bigger court than people’s court. We have always respected the mandate given to us and never betrayed the people”, said Mr. Chamling.

Sikkim goes to polls on April 30. Elections to the 32 Assembly constituencies and lone Lok Sabha seat will be held simultaneously.

Peace and Spring

The pigeons play in Spring Sun at Singtam Bazar.