TECHNOLOGIES AS SOLUTIONS

Technologies as solutions


Just like open ended mutual funds have made investors' focus short term, so, perhaps, has 5 year democracy made political focus short term. They care little about strategic planning for the future, unsure, as they are, about being re-elected. Their policies leave, in their wake, messes for others to clean up, since they lack the political will to take necessary but unpopular action.

The cleaning up is left to judiciary, as evidenced by the Supreme Court judgement compelling transporters to use cleaner CNG, instead of diesel adulterated with subsidised kerosene, which was asphyxiating Delhi. The politicians nor the bureaucrats had the gumption to take on the mafia that benefitted from such adulteration (they still don't! and continue with an incorrect subsidy delivery mechanism).

Technologies are also coming to the rescue, but politicians, again, are slow to adopt them, for want of a long term interest in bettering society. Consider, e.g. inclusive banking. There is much talk about banking not having reached the majority of villages, as setting up a brick and mortar bank is unviable. This has many social consequences. One is the excessive reliance on usurious money lenders, with the consequent suicide of farmers unable to service such usurious debt obligations. Another is the huge appetite for gold/silver in the absence of safe alternatives to store savings (with banking services, financial products, such as equity, could replace, over time, savings in bullion).

As per the Economist of Sep 26, mobile phones can, if allowed, become banks. In Kenya, telecom operator Safaricom has launched M-PESA, a mobile money service, in 2007, and it has changed lives. Money can be transferred via sms, quickly, efficiently and cost effectively, without needing to set up brick and mortar branches. This is inclusive banking! Why has India not adopted it? Because of 'security concerns' (what if terrorists use it to transfer funds for funding their operation?). This concern is easily addressed by setting a limit on the amount transferred; just as ATMs have a limit on withdrawals.

Should mobile money be permitted, as, indeed, it ought, it would provide a fillip to the telecom sector. Telecom stocks were hit last week, after TRAI asked telcos to offer tariff plans based on 'per second' billing. Right now it is 'per minute' billing; hence the customer is billed even for a call lasting a second. Another fillip to the stocks would come from the long awaited auction of 3G spectrum, in December. They would then be able to offer a host of value added services. From January the telecom space would become interesting as mobile number portability (MNP) kicks in. The freedom this gives customers to switch from an existing operator to another one, would witness a lot of churn. It would result in even more competitive tariff plans and better customer service.

Mobile phones are also being used by farmers, e.g. to turn on/off their water pumps, through a device called Nano Ganesh.

Kamal Nath, Minister Roads, Transport and Highways, who is undertaking a transformative investment programme of Rs 3 lac crores in the road sector, wants a single road tax which will allow free movement of freight across states. The fact that we are unable to prevent stoppage of trucks at border crossings, in order that the State collects octroi, is a crying shame. It poses a senseless hurdle to the advantages of the huge domestic market provided by the federated structure. The border checkpoints are, basically, toll booths for corruption. The single road tax, if it helps supplant the asinine octroi system, would indeed be a boon. Here, again, RFID technology can help in identifying the cargo. This enables movement of vehicles without stopping, and the data contained on the RFID chip to be read by a scanner.

Basically, India has to undergo huge structural reforms. It is untenable that the 60% of the population that is dependant for its livelihood on agriculture, gets only 18% of national income. Something has to give.

So, for me, a rise in food inflation is a welcome trend, not a worrying one as expressed by most economists. Provided the additional income goes to the farmers and not to middlemen or hoarders. As yet, there is no worry of rising food, or other prices, and so the Government is continuing with an accommodative monetary policy. Australia became, last week, the first G20 country to increase interest rates. Others will follow. When they do, it would reduce relative attraction of equity versus debt.

The social impact of such an iniquitous distribution of national income manifests itself in Maoist/Naxal violence which resulted in the death of 27 policemen in Maharashtra, their gruesome beheading in AP, and declaration of war on them by the state. Investors ought to be alarmed at this turn of events.

The coming week will end in Divali, so here's wishing readers a Happy Divali


Coutsey: Jawahir Mulraj.

norrek,simplipal and panchmarhi in world network of biosphere reserves

UNESCO General Conference:

Shri Kapil Sibal thanks UNESCO for Including Nokrek , Simplipal and Panchmarhi in World Network of Biosphere Reserves
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10 oCT 2009

Shri Kapil Sibal has thanked the international Coordinating Committee of the Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO for inclusion of three biosphere reserves , Nokrek (Meghalaya), Simplipal (Orissa) and Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh) in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves during 2009. He was speaking during the “General Policy Debate” at the 35th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris today. He informed the gathering that India would be bringing to the General Conference at its next session its proposal for the establishment of a UNESCO Category II Centre for Heritage Conservation and Management using the existing facilities at the Wildlife Institute at Dehradun India.

UNESCO would commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Mother Teresa in 2010 and the 150th Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore in 2011, both initiatives brought by India, he added.

Shri Sibal said that India has fully supported the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development based on the premise that Education must become a tool for ushering in a sustainable lifestyle pattern so that developing countries can leapfrog to a sustainable developed economy based on respect for the environment, international understanding, harmony and peace. He said, “We in India believe that the global community must rededicate itself to building a society free from conflict and adopt and adapt to sustainable lifestyles. At the heart of a global community free from conflict is the spirit of non-violence and the message of the Mahatma…. India, all Member States and the global community should advocate for a more inclusive structure for global economic governance as reiterated by our Prime Minister.”

The HRD Minister said that as the Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the South-South Cooperation Programme/Fund, India looks forward to the early implementation of Fund Raising Strategy and raising the profile of the unique South-South Fund in the field of education through successful celebration of South-South Cooperation Day on 15th December, 2009. He said that India welcomes the operationalization of the South-South Cooperation Programme/ Fund for Education pilot projects for the different regions of G-77 & China being implemented.

Shri Sibal offered sharing the e-learning materials prepared by India under the National Mission for ICT by the Indian Institutes of Technologies (IITs) so that all those around who wish to access quality knowledge can do so freely. He stated that India is shortly going to initiate a special project aimed at preservation of the endangered languages in India. He said, “India has also been playing a proactive role in promoting use of multilingualism in cyberspace. To enable wide proliferation of ICT in Indian languages, a major initiative has been taken to make available software tools and fonts in various Indian languages freely to the general public. As a result, software tools and fonts are now available in about 16 Indian languages.”

Shri Sibal made a request to UNESCO to consider reviving the Regional Office for Information and Communications which was earlier located in New Delhi, in order to share the benefits of the development of science and technology with the countries of the Asia Pacific Region. He made this request especially in the context of India having operational zed in October 2007 a state-of-the art Tsunami Early Warning System, set up at a cost of approximately US $ 31 million, which is of benefit to the entire region. India has expressed its readiness to assume the responsibility of RTW Provider for the Indian Ocean region and has offered to set up an integrated multi-hazard Warning Centre.

Shri Sibal expressed pride that Professor Yash Pal from India and Prof. Trinh Xuan Thuan from Vietnam will be jointly awarded the UNESCO-Kalinga Prize for popularization of Science 2009. UNESCO- Kalinga Prize is the oldest prize of UNESCO and we are pleased that it would be awarded again after a gap of 3 years, he added.

Shri Sibal, on the occasion, paid tributes to Mr. Koichiro Matsuura who will be relinquishing the charge of Director- General, UNESCO after devoting 10 years of his career to the organisation. During his tenure, Shri Matsuura brought in significant reforms and introduced modern management in UNESCO, he added, He also congratulated the Ambassador of Bulgaria to UNESCO, Ambassador Bokova on her election by the Executive Board as DG-designate of UNESCO.

PIB

( Editorial: Sikkim should also urge with Unesco to get it in the world network of Biosphere Reserves)

ASGEA ‘dissatisfied’ with pay revision ‘style’

Assc threatens to start non-cooperation movement if proportionate raise in pay scale of all grades & ranks are not ascertained

SE Report

GANGTOK, October 9: Almost a month after the State Government announced increase in pay scales of government employees, the Central Executive Committee of All Sikkim Government Employees Association (ASGEA) today issued a press statement saying that there is a state wide dissatisfaction brewing from Grade 'C' & 'D' Government employees regarding the award of the Fourth Pay Commission of Sikkim.

The chairman of the association, Narsing Rai while listing out the root cause of the employees’ discontentment said that the pay of high level officers has been hiked by 3 to 3.22 times of the present scales whereas the pay of Grade 'C' & 'D' employees got a hike of only 2.5 times.

“High level officers are drawing 12.5 % of the pay as North East Special Duty Allowance and 25 % of North East Allowance, altogether 37.5 % in total, whereas Grade ‘C’ & ‘D’ Govt. employees were getting none of this allowances. Over & above it, the “Fourth State Pay Commission” had recommended 12.5 % as special duty allowance for us but the Committee of Secretaries dismissed this recommendation without giving any reason thereof,” Mr. Rai said in the press statement.

He added that the ratio between the lowest to highest pay scale had to decrease but instead it had increased from 1:6.2 to 1:7.2 as per the Constitution of India. “This inclination is not socialist but a bourgeoisie act,” the statement said.

To discuss over the issue, the Central Executive Committee of ASGEA had yesterday convened a review meeting with District Executive Committees of South District and West District in its head office. This meeting, it is informed made a conclusion that high level officers have not only misguided the government but have also tried to hoodwink the government with regard to recommendations of the Pay Commission pertaining to the Grade 'C' & 'D' employees.

“The recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission must be made public in toto,” the meeting demanded.

Meanwhile, the association has planned to seek appointment with Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to place their representation before Diwali. The association as at the same time decided to start a non-cooperation movement if proportionate raise in pay scale of all grades & ranks are not ascertained.

IBN7 Diamond State Award for Sikkim in ‘water & sanitation’


GANGTOK, October 9: Continuing its award winning spree, Sikkim received ‘IBN7 Diamond States Award’ after the State was adjudged the best small State in ‘water and sanitation’ category.

New Delhi Resident Commissioner Arvind Kumar received the award on behalf of the Sikkim government during a glittering function yesterday evening at New Delhi which was attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar as the chief guest.

Kerala and Goa won the top honour as the nation’s best big and small States during the function. Sikkim ranked fourth in the top five small states of the IBN7 rankings.

A press release informs that Sikkim was felicitated at IBN7 Diamond States Award for its significant contribution in the water and sanitation which are critical parameters of a nation’s overall well-being.

In spite of the growth that India has experienced in recent years, basic facilities like safe drinking water and sanitation remain a problem area, the release reminded.
During the award presentation ceremony, the Speaker delivered the key note address followed by an interactive session including the Chief Ministers, leaders and dignitaries and attended by dignitaries from various walks of life which included cabinet ministers, eminent politicians, lawyers and bureaucrats.

The release informs that the grand finale will be telecasted on IBN7 at 8 pm on October 11 and on CNN-IBN at 8 pm on October 17.

IBN7 Diamond States Awards is a path-breaking editorial initiative for recognizing human and social development efforts by the States of India, the release states. It added that the selection process for the ‘IBN7 Diamond States Awards 2009’ was a credible multi-pronged approach involving secondary data from authentic sources and primary data from a nationwide research exercise.

DIRECT TAX CODE UNDER EXAMINATION

Critical areas on DTC for detailed examination identified: FM
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9 OCT 2009
Finance Minister has announced that the Government has identified seven critical areas on the Direct Taxes Code for further detailed examination. At an interactive session with representatives of trade and industry from all over the country, here today, Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that the areas identified after interactions with all stakeholders are: The concept of Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) based on gross assets; Capital Gains Taxation in the case of non-residents; The Income Tax Act and the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA); General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR); Issues relating to effective management control and taxation of foreign companies in India; Taxation of charitable organizations; and Shift from EEE to EET taxation system.

On the apprehensions expressed regarding the time schedule for implementation of the new Direct Taxes Code, the Finance Minister assured that next steps would be taken only after a comprehensive review of the draft Direct Taxes Code by taking on board the suggestions received. Every effort would be made to meet the aspirations and expectations of our taxpayers and our vibrant corporate sector.

Shri Mukherjee said that it has been the endeavour of the government to incorporate the best practices prevailing across the globe and to use innovative methods for attaining equity—vertical and horizontal, ensure growth with sustainability, create stable fiscal eco-system and have well regulated free markets. The new Direct Tax system would also take into account established and time tested practices which have withstood judicial scrutiny. He said, “We want to present the stakeholders with a tax regime which is simple and broad based leading to lowering of tax rates, better tax compliance and reduced litigation.”

The Finance Minister said that it has been two months since the proposed draft direct tax code was released for public debate and he was moved by the amount of interest and intellectual debate it has generated amongst various sections of taxpayers, tax professionals and general public. We are receiving thoughtful feedbacks on our website and through other means—trade and industry associations, professional bodies and others, he added.

Shri Mukherjee said that he has kept his promise by putting the draft code in public domain within 45 days and he would like to expedite to give it a final shape. While thanking the industry and trade associations for enthusiastically participating in today’s deliberations, Shri Mukherjee said that he looks forward to their suggestions in making the new Direct Taxes Code an effective instrument for meeting the economic challenges and development priorities of the country. The outcome of the discussions would be used for modifying the proposals contained in the draft Direct Taxes Code, the Minister said.

Minister of State for Finance, Shri S.S. Palanimanickam, Revenue Secretary, Shri P.V. Bhide and senior officers of the Finance Ministry were also present at the interactive session.

Govt is Committed to Inclusive and equitable growth: FM
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9 OCT 2009
Following is the Text of the speech of Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee made at the annual function of ASSOCHAM, here today:

“It is my pleasure to be here today at the 88th annual function of ASSOCHAM. As a representative body of Indian industry and enterprise, ASSOCHAM has always been at the forefront of pursuing ideas that empower Indian entrepreneurs. It has contributed to building consensus on policy response to issues that impact growth of the economy. It has taken a lead in the dissemination of business knowledge that drives initiatives for market diversification and over all development. Indeed, I am happy to see that this engagement with the development process in the country is very much reflected in your theme for this year’s annual function, namely “Garland of Grids 2015: 10 per cent Growth through Universal Access”.

Let me start by placing the theme for this meeting against the backdrop of our recent development experience.

In a globalizing world, the challenges and opportunities of development, in general, and that of sustaining high growth over an extended period of time, in particular, have become more complex. The last two years have been a difficult period for the Indian economy which otherwise was experiencing an unprecedented spurt in its growth rate. We had to confront three major challenges originating in our external sector. First, a surge in capital inflows, which peaked in the last quarter of 2007-08. Second, an inflationary explosion in global commodity prices, which began even before the first challenge had ebbed, and hit us with great force in the middle of 2008. There was barely any time to deal with this problem before the third challenge, the global financial meltdown and collapse of international trade, hit the world with severity.

The resulting economic slowdown and recession in major developed economies adversely impacted growth in all parts of the world. It revealed critical gaps in international policy making and regulation, in risk management and international development cooperation. It also raised a number of questions on the process of international decision making and accountability that have a direct bearing on the global economic environment for the developing countries.

Most importantly, the crisis highlighted the fact that if we have to benefit from the ongoing process of globalization we have to have strong domestic economic foundations, an integrated and a coherent policy approach to protect and promote national interests. We have to deepen and broaden the domestic market so that we can ride the shocks and uncertainties of the global economy just as well as the periods of expansion and boom. This requires that we take a balanced broad based approach to our development process- an approach that is well captured by the idea of “garland of grids”.

I see the idea of national grids in diverse areas of human activity as a means to speed up the process of building a spatially evolved and regionally balanced Indian economy. It is a means to create an equitable access to resources for the people in all parts of the country, therby placing them on an equal footing.

A country of more than 1 billion persons cannot be led by growth in a few sectors or a few cities and regions of the country in a sustainable manner. With nearly two-third of the population still living in the rural areas it is important for the economy to reach out to these people and provide opportunities to them from the ongoing economic expansion at their door steps. This is essential not only for strengthening the inclusive character of the growth process, but also for anticipating and addressing the demographic issues associated with unplanned urbanization that the absence of a regionally balanced growth can potentially spark. I am not sure that everybody will agree if I say that the process of urbanization in India, by and large with the exception of a few mega cities, has been quite manageable so far, especially when one makes an international comparison with countries in the same stage of development as ours. However, it is important that we take every such step that will allow our economy to develop spatially and synergistically across different sectors of the economy to ensure the overall sustainability of the growth process and a quality of life that the ‘Aam Admi’ aspires for.

The present Government has a renewed mandate for reinforcing inclusive growth, for which the architecture was laid out by the present Government in its last term. It is a mandate for equitable development, where all legitimate aspirations of the people of India can be meaningfully realized.

In the last five years, the Gross Domestic Product of the Indian economy has grown at 8.5 per cent per annum, notwithstanding the significant dip in growth in 2008-09 on account of the global slowdown. We have succeeded in significantly raising the growth rate and sustaining the momentum of the economy to levels that are historically unprecedented. Underpinning this performance are a number of factors that will serve as sources of strength for the years ahead. Savings and investment rates have picked up; the industrial sector has demonstrated the capacity to compete with the best in the global economy; investors, domestic as well as international, have shown confidence in the evolving policy framework and the fundamentals of the economy; and there is steady expansion in domestic demand. Most importantly, the revenue buoyancy in the wake of this growth has come with a renewed public capacity to address the chronic problems of unemployment and poverty that have plagued our economy and the society.

All this gives us hope and courage to aim for a more ambitious growth path, which would give us the means to strengthen and building further the inclusive character of our economy.

We have to build and sustain an economy where the growing capabilities and rising aspirations of individuals can be matched with an expanding set of opportunities for people to enjoy. The economy should be able to support productive employment for all those who enter the labour force.

The ability to generate adequate employment opportunities will be a major factor on which the inclusiveness of the economic growth could be judged. The benefits of economic growth have to percolate down effectively to the most marginalized and vulnerable segments of the population. We need to not only bring down the incidence of poverty but bring it down quickly. There are a number of human development and socio-economic indicators that have to be improved significantly if we are too strengthen the inclusive aspect of our development process.

The present government in its last tenure has tried to bring in a paradigm shift for making the development process more inclusive. It involves creating entitlements backed by legal guarantee to improve access and provide basic amenities and opportunities for livelihood to vulnerable sections of our population. Thus, there are legal entitlements of information in the public domain, for work, education and now the Government is looking at the issue of food security as well.

In an era of rapid and broad based globalization our economy has to be integrated with the global economy to access the scarce resources, including technology, and markets if it has to become a developed nation where its people have the opportunity to realize their potential. For far too long in the past we have denied ourselves the possible benefits and opportunities that accrue from being a part of a larger growth process at the international level. We have set this right now and cannot afford to turn back. With our resources, especially the human resources and the demographic advantage that comes with having a younger population, we are uniquely placed at this juncture to make the 21st Century a truly Indian Century if we continue to build on our global linkages with our trade partners and potential markets. However, the recent global events have amply demonstrated that one has to be cautious in traversing this path.

For us, economic growth has to be an instrument for development and not an end in itself. It has to be not only inclusive but also equitable so as to sustain it over long period. In the last five years, we have moved steadfastly in that direction. It is my earnest hope that the Indian entrepreneurs will continue to contribute effectively in our journey ahead to achieve this shared vision.”

BSC/BY/GN-350-09

NEPAL- THE GLIMPSES OF HISTORY- BY ASHOK CHAURASIA

NEPAL: THE GLIMPSES OF HISTORY

By—ASHOK CHAURASIA

Indo-Nepal relation is historic one, age old and deep-rooted. Mithila King Raja Janak was the ruler of the region. Janakpur, the capital and birthplace of Mata Janaki (Sita), the virtuous queen of Lord Ram, is in Nepal. His Maithili subjects are the aborigines of the region. The main language of the region was Sanskrit. Till 1334 A.D. the modern capital of Mithila was Simraungarh and Hari Singh Dev was its ruler. Mughal ruler Gyasuddin attacked Simraungarh in the same year and destroyed the famous Pashupatinath temple. Hari Singh fled to Kathmandu valley and later on ruled the valley.

Similarly, as per mentioned in Mahabharat, Kirats the followers of Lord Shiva were the inhabitants in the valleys of the region. Yalambar was the first Kirati king. Matatirth was his capital. He finds a reference in Mahabharat too. It is said that he had met Indra - the Lord of heaven. The festival “Indra Yatra” is famous in Nepal. Perhaps, as per Nepal’s recorded history, Kirats arrived here in 7th or 8th century B.C. from the east. It is a matter of contradiction and extortion. Gopalas, the cow herder’s dynasty ruled the region prior to the Kirats. Nepal observes the grand festival of “Gai-Yatra”(cow-festival) too every year.

Perhaps the land is also the birthplace of lord Buddha; who born in 563 B.C. (mediaeval period) at Lumbini as the son of King Shudodhan who was the ruler of Kapilvastu, now a part of Nepal. Sidharth Gautam got enlightened at Gaya (Bihar) under a banyan tree. Buddha himself visited the holy places of Swayambhu and Guheswari, now in Nepal. The holy places of the region are of high importance. The places like Pashupatinath, Manokamna, Machendranath, Basukinath, Bodhnath, Kumari ghar etc are highly revered in Nepal. The prominent rivers of the region are Narayani, Koshi, Indrawati, Bagmati, Mahakali, Karnali etc. The highest mountain peak of the world, Sagarmatha (Mt.Everest) is situated in Nepal.


By 260B.C. the region was the part of Maurya Empire. Emperor, Ashok the Great visited Kathmandu and Lumbini. Here he erected four Stupas. He arranged his daughter Charumati’s marriage with Devpal, a local prince of Pashupati. Gupta dynasty also ruled the region for a long period.

Lord Pashupatinath is regarded as the guardian deity of Nepal and of the Hindu society as a whole. Licchavi King Supuspadev provided a big shape to the temple. There are several historical evidences that prove the Licchavi king’s ruled the Kathmandu valley for a long period (from slight before 1st till 12th century). During 8th to 11th century the southern part of the valley came under the occupation of Chalukya Empire of southern India and hence, from 876 B.C. Newari era began. Newar, supposed to be a clan of Karnataka. During this period lot of Buddhists from south India fled to Kathmandu valley. By 12th century, Thakuris alias Mallas (Rajputs of North India) emerged powerful in the valley. During Mall’s time the people of Kathmandu were known as Newars.


By the 14th century, Jayasthimall, a Newar King tried to unite the several principalities of the region which short-lived and in 1482 the territory split into three kingdoms: Kathmandu, Patan and Bhadgaon.

Prithvinarayan Shah (a prince of Sisodia clan of Chittor, Rajasthan) unified Nepal. Hence, he is regarded as the father of the modern Nepal. First he established a small principality of Gorkha (means-protector of cow); thereby conquering about more than 22 other princely states of the region, created modern Nepal. On 21st December 1768 he became the ruler of unified Nepal defeating Sen (Maithili) ruler of the valley and declared Nepal as the land of associate garden of 4 Verna (i.e. Brahman, Chatrya, Baisya and Sudra) and 36 castes. P.N.Shah was popularly known as Gorkha ruler, meaning, the cow protector and follower of Guru-Gorakhnath. Unfortunately, he banned the enrollment of Maithili and other Terai (Plain) people in his Nepal Army, as in 1774 Jay Prakash Mall attacked Kathmandu with 12000 strong Maithili troops (Tirhoot Army).

Eventually, Anglo-Nepal War (1814-16) broke out, in which Nepal suffered a complete rout. In exchange of Nepalese autonomy a treaty of Sugauli was singed between East India Company and Shah king in 1816. After 18th century Nepal plunged into internal turmoil. It was fueled by British under a divide and rule policy. This led to Kot Massacre in 1864; a bloody infighting between the Military personnel and Kings loyalists, in which Ranas executed several hundred princes and chieftains. Jung Bahadur Rana (Rajput clan of Mewar, Rajasthan) a fast rising military leader emerged victorious. He became the Prime Minister with all executive powers and the King was made titular. He founded Rana Dynasty and ruled Nepal till 1950 with the help of British government. Highly autocratic and centralized Rana regime not only isolated Nepal from its roots but also fully assisted the British in 1857; the first Indian Freedom Movement.

However, several renowned leaders of Nepal like Bisweshwar Prasad Koirala (founder of Nepali Congress), Matrika Prasad etc. joined Indian National Freedom Movement in 1920. Fearing the strong and fast spreading Indian National Movement, cleverly Britain seceded Nepal from India, in 1923. Perhaps, leaders like Subarn Samsher Rana, Ganesh Man Singh, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Girija Prasad Koirala joined Indian freedom movement and wanted to liberate Nepal from the autocratic and pro-British Rana regime as well as from imperialist British clutches. Ranas executed Dharm Bhakta Mathema, Shukraraj Shastri and Dashrath Chand while doing so. B.P.Koirala and Matrika Prasad were arrested, imprisoned in Bankipur jail in 1930. In jail they met Dr.Rajendra Prasad. Later on they were released in 1945.They also joined J.P.’s Socialist and Gandhi’s Quit India Movements. B.P. Koirala, the former Prime Minister of Nepal had clearly said-“Indian National Movement was also our movement because the autocracy of Ranas was supported by British Imperialists”. Regarding Ranas regime J.N.Nehru had said-“to hope reforms from the Ranas is like hoping the milk from a dry cow”. No doubt India sincerely supported the democratic movements in Nepal. And hence in January25, 1947 Nepali National Congress came into existence. Soon after Nepali Congress, came into existence the Communist Party of Nepal, supported by Russia and China.

In November 1950, King Tribhuvan, from his palace prison, managed to flee India. It is said that the King Tribhuvan had requested Pandit Nehru to merge Nepal into Indian union but Nehru ignored the request. India-Nepal singed the historic Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950, here by India opened its vast resources to the citizens of Nepal. As per the treaty none of the Nepal’s citizen is regarded as foreigner in India and vice-versa. Ultimately, Rana regime came to an end in 1951 and once again the Shah dynasty rule was established under a simple constitutional monarchy system of government, a democratic government with powerful Prime Minister.

In 1956, Dr. K.I. Singh government banned teaching of Hindi. This led to a pro-Hindi and anti-Hindi movement in Nepal. The government of India remained unconcerned about the ban. Later on, in 1959 B.P. Koirala introduced Hindi in Madhes (foot hill of Nepal) but King Mahendra revoked it after a coup in 1962. He dismissed the elected government and took absolute powers in his own hand. This led to a sharp difference between India and king Mahendra. India was in favor of democracy but China supported the king. Taking advantage of Indo-Sino war of 1962 King floated one –state-one Language policy declaring Nepali as national and official language of Nepal at the suffering of other languages and completely banned Hindi in 1963. Prior to this, Hindi and Nepali both enjoyed an equal status as official and educational language of Nepal. Kashi was the base of Nepali publications. Hindi and Nepali have the same Devnagri script, same Sanskrit origin and a lot of similarities in words. There was never dispute in-between the two languages. Unfortunately King, under Chinese influence, tried to provoke and plant the anti-Hindi, anti-India feelings among the Nepali-speaking people of Nepal.

Whereas, according to Nepal’s 2001 national census, there are 92 different living languages in Nepal. The major languages of the state are Nepali-48%, Hindi-32% (Maithili-13%, Bhojpuri-8%, Tharu-4%, Urdu-4% Awadhi-2%, Bajjika-1%), Nepal Bhasa (Newari)-3%, Rai-3%, Tamang-3%, Limboo-2%, Magar-2%, Gurung-2%, Sherpa-1%. Today there is a strong demand for the equal status as Nepali to 11 other major languages. In last 6 decades Hindu and Buddhists are reduced to 81% and 11% respectively, where as Islam (4%) and Christianity (4%) have increased tremendously.

In 1969 Nepal cancelled an arm agreement with India and ordered India to withdraw its military mission from Kathmandu and listening posts from the Tibet-Nepal frontier. The Indo-Nepal relation does not improved during Birendra’s regime too; rather it deteriorated to its utmost level. During nineties he developed closer tie with China, as a result in 1989, the government of India led by Rajiv Gandhi closed Indo-Nepal border to all economic traffic. Though, after intervention of Bharatia Janata Party, Vishwa Hindu Parsad and Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh the border was opened. Hindu organizations of India and Nepal tried hard to improve the bilateral relation of both the nations. King Birendra along with several political leaders of Nepal were invited in several functions organized by Vishwa Hindu Parisad.

Earlier in February 1963, M.S.Golwalkar,the then chief of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, while visiting Sri Pashupatinath temple, met the King Mahendra; both had discussions on several issues to improve the bilateral relations. Minister Dr.Tulsi Giri accompanied him. Sri Guruji (Golwalkar) on Febraury27, 1963; wrote to Pandit Nehru, the Indian Prime Minister, regarding the discussion urging him to take up necessary steps to improve the friendly relations and to clear the certain doubts of the king but Nehru did not paid any head to the request. In Febraury1965, on the auspicious eve of Makar Sankrati, Sangh invited The King Mahendra in its Nagpur function for which king had agreed, but Nehru government stopped him from taking part in the function. Though, today Hindu Organizations including Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh of Nepal is gaining strength in Nepal in spite of hurdles and odds. Know the people of Nepal, as a whole, seems getting aware of the foul play of evil elements like Maoists, Church, China, I.S.I., Islamic fundamentalists and certain vested leaders and media. Surprisingly, with the help of these elements, the Chinese influence, Christianity and Islam is also growing in Nepal.

It is said that- “ the loss of culture is the loss of identity and the loss of identity is the loss of nationality. So, these elements are trying hard to uproot Nepal from its glorious past, its culture, tradition and religion. And hence, they are attacking the Hindu identities of Nepal.

Unfortunately, on May18, 2006, under Maoist pressure, Nepal lost its glory of being the only Hindu Nation of the world and was declared secular. Since 1996, in 10 year long Maoists insurgency, more than 13000 people lost their life. Finally, Maoist elements do not even spared the Monarchs, loyal to them. On June1, 2001 his own son and crown prince Dipendra assassinated his father, the King Birendra along with all royal members of the family in the palace shooting-spree and so, on May 28,2008; 239 years old monarchy was abolished; Constituent Assembly declared Nepal, a Federal Democratic Republic. Sri Ram Varan Yadav was elected as the first President and Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachand; the Maoist chief became the first Prime Minister of Nepal. Dictatorial Maoist govt. fall within a year and CPN (UML)- govt. led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, supported by Nepali Congress-Madhesies, and other 20 parties had formed the new govt. The biggest challenge before Nepal is to write its new constitution. Maoists are all posing the hurdles in constitution writing, as they wants such a constitution which suits them.

The modern history of Nepal clearly states that the ruling clans along with Brahmins, Chettris, Castes and Newars; today known as Nepali have come from Rajasthan,Kumaun,Garhwal, Kanaujj and Karnataka respectively. Maithilies and Kirats are the real son of the soil. Nepali language came into existence only in nineteenth century; prior to this there was Sanskrit, Nepalbhasa and Khas language.Later on the Khas language was termed as Nepali and declared as national language in 1963 by King Mahendra.

The name Nepal derived from the Sanskrit word “nipalaya”, which means ‘abode at the foothill’. It is also said that the name Nepal may have derived from the Sanskrit word ‘NEP’ meaning cow herder- the Gopalas, who came in the valley for the first time from the Ganges Plain. According to Nepali scholars, the ancient chronicles report that, a sage (Rishi) named Ne-muni existed in the valley. In Skandh Puran and Pashupati puran his name is mentioned. He became the protector (pala) of this land and the founder of its first ruling dynasty. The name of the country, Ne-pala, therefore originally meant the land protected by Ne. Till 20th century only Kathmandu valley was called as NEPAL.
Human teeth found in Butwal proved to be 10 lack years old, which proves the existence of Human being. Neolithic tools found in the Kathmandu valley are 9000 years old.

In Puranas, it is said that- “Himalayat samaramva, yavadendu sarowaram; tad dev nirmitam desham hindustham prachakshyatey”, meaning - the land stretched right from The Great Himalayas up to the ocean in south is the land created by the God himself. Rishi Aurobind has said – ‘the land is divinely designed triangle”. Nepali writers like Adi-kavi Bhanubhakta say–It is a rare thing to be born in Bharat Varsa and Maha-kavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota say-the history of Bharat Varsa is so sweet, nice and glorious.

by---Ashok Chaurasia
All India Secretary,
Nepali Sanskriti Parisad
All India Treasurer,
Rashtriya Sampadak Sangam

ADDRESS-
BHARAT PRAKASHAN (DELHI) LTD.
SANSKRITI BHAWAN,
JHANDEWALAN,
PAHARGANJ,
NEW DELHI 110055
Ph.09868419610

All Sikkim Self Help Group Exhibition

Gangtok,October07 :

Sikkim Rural Development Agency (SRDA) under the Rural Management and Development Department (RMDD), Govt. of Sikkim, has organized an Exhibition-cum-Sales of products by All Sikkim Self Help Group (SHG) which was inaugurated on Tuesday at old children park to continue till 15th October.

C B Karki, Minister RMDD was chief guest at the inauguration. Dorjee Namgyal, MLA, Gangtok, Phituk Tshering, Sangha MLA, former Minister Somnath Poudyal, Anil Ganerwala, Secretary, RMDD, among others, were present.

Total 42 stalls of handloom and handicraft, food, vegetable items from all over Sikkim are displaying their products. Mr. Karki said, the aim of the programme is to enable the local youth to be self sustained by giing them the idea of marketing the products. Since the formation of SDF government, emphasis is being given on facilities for the rural people, he said. “State government is giving capacity building training to all educated unemployed youth whereby number of SHGs has increased”, he said. He added, “The aim of the government is to develop the SHG from State level to National Level”.

Sikkim gets first heavy snowfall of season

Gangtok 8 oct 2009

Heavy snowfall has been reported in the mountainous corridors of the Nathula border while the holy lake of Guru Dongmar is already wearing a blanket of snow. Nathula Pass and its nearby tourist spots have been receiving heavy snowfall since tuesday night. It started to snow in nathula at around tuesday midnight, much to the delight of those in the hospitality industry.

Tourists proceeding to the Nathula border couldnot reach their destination due to heavy snowfall but they arenot complaining as they were able to touch and beautiful sight of snow all around. It was welcome sign for many as being the first heavy snowfall.and most of the roads blocked by fresh snow but cleared immediately . But army personnels have done a good and quick job, rescued the visitors, some got sickness among them.

All the high passes of Sikkim are now under snow cover. Normally snowfall occurs in the months of the November to February and therefore signs of snowfall in early October is a bit unexpected but welcome sight to tourists as well as those in travel industry

ICAR Workshop on Big Cardamom

Gangtok,October08:

A day long DBT Interactive Workshop on “Management of pest and diseases of Large cardamom in North-East Region using potential bio-pesticides and Biotechnological approaches” was organized by ICAR, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok on 5th October.
The workshop aimed to address the problems of large cardamom cultivation in the region was inaugurated by Prof. S. N. Puri, Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University (CAU) Imphal, Manipur. Dr. Seema Wahab, Advisor, DBT, New Delhi, Dr. Opendra Koul, Director, IBRC, Jalandhar, Punjab and Shri. M L Arrawatia, Secretary, DST, Govt. of Sikkim, attended along with the scientists of ICAR, Indian Cardamom Research Institute and DBT, New Delhi and State officials.

Dr. H. Rahman, Joint Director, ICAR, welcomed the dignitaries and delegates and expressed his gratitude for giving ICAR an opportunity to conduct Workshop on the most pertinent issues. He expressed his concerned over the recession of production in Large Cardamom that pushed India to second position from leading producer. The decline in production may be attributed to the occurrence of diseases, poor management, poor pollination and climate change, he added. He said that the farming practices, inaccessibility of field and negligence further aggravate the decline syndrome.

Dr. Seema Wahab in her address put emphasis on the application of biotechnology in production of elite and disease-free planting materials. She told that DBT is always ready to finance need based research project that could bring viable technology for famers. She felt the need of a network project on Large Cardamom covering important aspects of production technology.

Dr. Opender Koul, Director, Insect Biopesticides Research Centre, Jalandhar, expressed spoke about the efficacy of bio-pesticides in managing pests and viral and fungal diseases. Bio-pesticides will only be effective, if they are used in right perspective, he added. He further emphasized the need of exploitation of bio-products, as these products are themselves library of chemicals.

Dr. M. L. Arrawatia, Secretary, DST, Govt. of Sikkim, emphasized the need of participatory approach in addressing the problems of large cardamom including value addition as it is one of the major sources of livelihood of farming community of Sikkim. He told that the Govt. of Sikkim was highly concerned about the decrease in the production and area of large cardamom, although state is taking up many measures.

Prof. Puri, Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, expressed his dissent over the reduction in India’s share (32%) in world large cardamom production.

RAMAKRISHNAN MAKES INDIA PROUD

For the first time ever, the Nobel Prize for chemistry has an Indian connection--Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, 57, an Indian-born physicist who graduated from Baroda university and is now a biophysicist at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.

He analysed different parts of ribosomes, key units of the cell that allow DNA--the blueprint of life--to begin protein formation and thus all bodily processes, at a chemical level.

Though the importance of ribosomes in cells was known, the scientists who've won the 2009 Nobel chemistry prize were the first to use a technique called X-ray crystallography and prepare three-dimensional maps of the ribosomal surface and demonstrate how antibiotics bind to it.

When combating a bacterial infection, antibodies stick to the bacterial ribosome's surface and impair its functions Ramakrishnan, born in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, said he wasn't convinced when he got the morning phone call from the academy.

"Well, you know, I thought it was an elaborate joke. I have friends who play practical jokes," Ramakrishnan told AP over phone from his lab in Cambridge. "I complimented him (the caller) on his Swedish accent."

Ramakrishnan was in India last year, where he visited the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, according to M. Vijayan, an emeritus scientist there and president of the Indian National Science Academy (Insa).

Vijayan, who works in the same field as "Venky", as he is referred to by his colleagues, said a Nobel recognition for the scientists' work was imminent.

"During the 1980s and 1990s, there were five scientists, including Venky, whose work on the ribosome surface structure analysis was top class. It was only a matter of who among them would be feted." Ramakrishnan was recently made a foreign fellow of Insa, said Vijayan.

Amit Sharma, a crystallographer at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, said he met Ramakrishnan this January at a lecture.

"He's already won several prizes and at that time he joked that he was at the peak of his fame and he could only go down from here," added Sharma.

The award makes Ramakrishnan the third naturalized American citizen of Indian origin to bag a Nobel, considered the highest international recognition for a body of scientific work.

He is preceded by Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, who won the physics prize in 1983, and Har Gobind Khorana, who won the prize for medicine in 1968.

"These models are now used by scientists in order to develop new antibiotics, directly assisting the saving of lives and decreasing humanity's suffering," the Nobel academy said in its announcement.

The work of the scientists builds on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and, more directly, on the work done by James Watson, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, who won the 1962 Nobel Prize in medicine for mapping DNA's double helix structure, the citation said. In 2006, Roger D. Kornberg won the prize in chemistry for X-ray structures that showed how information is copied to RNA molecules, which carry information from DNA to the ribosomes.

"Now, one of the last pieces of the puzzles has been add- ed--understanding how pro- teins are made," said professor - Gunnar von Heijne of the - Swedish Academy of Sciences, - the chairman of the Nobel f Committee for Chemistry.

"This discovery is important - not only for science as such, but also gives us tools to develop new antibiotics."

Alfred Nobel, a Swedish industrialist who invented dynamite, established the Nobel prizes in his will in 1895. The - first awards were handed out - six years later.

Each prize comes with a 10 - million kronor (Rs6.8 crore) purse, a diploma, a gold medal and an invitation to the prizes ceremony in Stockholm on 10th December. The Nobel peace prize is handed out in Oslo.

The Prime Minster, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has congratulated Dr. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan on his being honoured with the Nobel prize for Chemistry. The Prime Minister in his congratulatory message to Dr. Ramakrishnan said that his work in extending the frontiers of Molecular Biology will be an inspiration to thousands of Indian scientists and researchers.

The Prime Minister’s message is as follows :

“I warmly congratulate you on the award of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2009. This high honour is just and due recognition of your exceptional scientific achievements in your chosen field of study. The work done by you and the other prize winners in furthering the scientific understanding of one of life's core processes has major applications in the field of medical science and drug development.

It is a matter of great pride for India that a brilliant scientist, who has gained the highest international recognition, should have done most of his education in India. It is a tribute to the educational system in our country and the dedication of the teaching community that we are able to nurture such international excellence in the sciences. The work that you have done to extend the frontiers of Molecular Biology will be an inspiration to thousands of Indian scientists, researchers and technologists, who strive to follow in your footsteps.

I wish you all the very best in your future endeavours and hope that you will continue to make outstanding contributions to the scientific progress of humankind.”

The Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi has congratulated Dr. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan on his being honoured with the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

His message is as follows:

“I express my hearty congratulations to Shri V. Ramakrishnan, upon his winning the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. His pioneering work on ribosome will benefit humanity.

The people of India are proud by his unprecedented achievement and the Indian Diaspora all over the world is also overwhelmed by his accomplishment.

Shri Ramakrishnan has honoured the country by joining the list of Nobel laureates”

S.K.Sarda, President of Sikkim Chamber of Commerce while congratulating SV Ramakrishnan raised an important issue as to why an Indian when in India is unable to accomplish such success.

He came heavily on the Indian beaurocracy who are the big hurdles in India’s growth.
Unless India gets herself free from the rule of these Babus, our dream for making India genius will never be accomplished.

SERIES: HIMALAYAN JOURNALS by Joseph Dalton Hooker – Episode 25

by barunroy on October 8, 2009
THIS SERIES WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE CONTRIBUTION OF ABDUL KALAM EZANI
THE HIMALAYAN BEACON [BEACON ONLINE] EXCLUSIVE

TASSIDING

Tassiding hill is the steep conical termination of a long spur from a pine-clad shoulder of Kinchinjunga, called Powhungri: it divides the Great Rungeet from its main feeder, the Ratong, which rises from the south face of Kinchin. We crossed the former by a bridge formed of two bamboo stems, slung by canes from two parallel arches of stout branches lashed together.

The ascent for 2,800 feet was up a very steep, dry, zigzag path, amongst mica slate rocks (strike north-east), on which grew many tropical plants, especially the “Tukla,” (_Rottlera tinctoria_), a plant which yields a brown dye. The top was a flat, curving north-west and south-east, covered with temples, chaits, and mendongs of the most picturesque forms and in elegant groups, and fringed with brushwood, wild plantains, small palms, and apple-trees. Here I saw for the first time the funereal cypress, of which some very old trees spread their weeping limbs and pensile branchlets over the buildings.* [I was not then aware of this tree having been introduced into England by the intrepid Mr. Fortune from China; and as I was unable to procure seeds, which are said not to ripen in Sikkim, it was a great and unexpected pleasure, on my return home, to find it alive and flourishing at Kew.] It is not wild in Sikkim, but imported there and into Bhotan from Tibet: it does not thrive well above 6000 feet elevation. It is called “Tchenden” by the Lepchas, Bhoteeas, and Tibetans, and its fragrant red wood is burnt in the temples.

The Lamas met us on the top of the hill, bringing a noble present of fowls, vegetables and oranges, the latter most acceptable after our long and hot march. The site is admirably chosen, in the very heart of Sikkim, commanding a fine view, and having a considerable river on either side, with the power of retreating behind to the convents of Sunnook and Powhungri, which are higher up on the same spur, and surrounded by forest enough to conceal an army. Considering the turbulent and warlike character of their neighbours, it is not wonderful that the monks should have chosen commanding spots, and good shelter for their indolent lives: for the same reason these monasteries secured views of one another: thus from Tassiding the great temple of Pemiongchi was seen towering 3000 feet over head, whilst to the north-west, up the course of the river, the hill-sides seemed sprinkled with monasteries.
We camped on a saddle near the village of Sunnook, at 4000 feet above the sea; and on the last day of the year we visited this most interesting monastic establishment: ascending from our camp along the ridge by a narrow path, cut here and there into steps, and passing many rocks covered with inscriptions, broken walls of mendongs, and other remains of the _via sacra_ between the village and temple.

At one spot we found a fissure emitting hot vapour of the temperature of 65.5 degrees, that of the air being about 50 degrees. It was simply a hole amongst the rocks; and near the Rungeet a similar one is said to occur, whose temperature fluctuates considerably with the season. It is very remarkable that such an isolated spring should exist on the top of a sharp ridge, 2,800 feet above the bottom of this deep valley.

LAMA’S HOUSE, TEMPLES, DECORATIONS, ALTARS, IDOLS

The general arrangement on the summit was, first the Lamas’ houses with small gardens, then three large temples raised on rudely paged platforms, and beyond these, a square walled enclosure facing the south, full of chaits and mendongs, looking like a crowded cemetery, and planted with funereal cypress (_Cupressus funebris_).

The house of the principal Lama was an oblong square, the lower story of stone, and the upper of wood: we ascended a ladder to the upper room, which was 24 feet by 8 wattled all round, with prettily latticed windows opening upon a bamboo balcony used for drying grain, under the eaves of the broad thatched roof. The ceiling (of neat bamboo work) was hung with glorious bunches of maize, yellow, red, and brown; an altar and closed wicker cage at one end of the room held the Penates, and a few implements of worship. Chinese carpets were laid on the floor for us, and the cans of Murwa brought round.

The Lama, though one of the red sect, was dressed in a yellow flowered silk robe, but his mitre was red: he gave us much information relative to the introduction of Boodhism into Sikkim.

The three temples stand about fifty yards apart, but are not parallel to one another, although their general direction is east and west.* [Timkowski, in his travels through Mongolia (i. p. 193), says, "According to the rules of Tibetan architecture, temples should face the south:" this is certainly not the rule in Sikkim, nor, so far as I could learn, in Tibet either.] Each is oblong, and narrowed upwards, with the door at one end; the middle (and smallest) faces the west, the others the east: the doorways are all broad, low and deep, protected by a projecting carved portico. The walls are immensely thick, of well-masoned slaty stones; the outer surface of each slopes upwards and inwards, the inner is perpendicular.

The roofs are low and thickly thatched, and project from eight to ten feet all round, to keep off the rain, being sometimes supported by long poles. There is a very low upper story, inhabited by the attendant monks and servants, accessible by a ladder at one end of the building. The main body of the temple is one large apartment, entered through a small transverse vestibule, the breadth of the temple, in which are tall cylindrical praying-machines. The carving round the doors is very beautiful, and they are gaudily painted and gilded.

The northern temple is quite plain: the middle one is simply painted red, and encircled with a row of black heads, with goggle eyes and numerous teeth, on a white ground; it is said to have been originally dedicated to the evil spirits of the Lepcha creed. The southern, which contains the library, is the largest and best, and is of an irregular square shape. The inside walls and floors are plastered with clay, and painted with allegorical representations of Boodh, etc. From the vestibule the principal apartment is entered by broad folding-doors, studded with circular copper bosses, and turning on iron hinges. It is lighted by latticed windows, sometimes protected outside by a bamboo screen. Owing to the great thickness of the walls (three to four feet), a very feeble light is admitted. In the principal temple, called “Dugang,” six hexagonal wooden columns, narrowed above, with peculiar broad transverse capitals, exquisitely gilded and painted, support the cross-beams of the roof, which are likewise beautifully ornamented. Sometimes a curly-maned gilt lion is placed over a column, and it is always furnished with a black bushy tail: squares, diamonds, dragons, and groups of flowers, vermilion, green, gold, azure, and white, are dispersed with great artistic taste over all the beams; the heavier masses of colour being separated by fine white lines.

The altars and idols are placed at the opposite end; and two long parallel benches, like cathedral stalls, run down the centre of the building: on these the monks sit at prayer and contemplation, the head Lama occupying a stall (often of very tasteful design) near the altar.

The principal Boodh, or image, is placed behind the altar under a canopy, or behind a silk screen: lesser gods, and gaily dressed and painted effigies of sainted male or female persons are ranged on either side, or placed in niches around the apartment, sometimes with separate altars before them; whilst the walls are more or less covered with paintings of monks in prayer or contemplation.

The principal Boodh (Sakya Sing) sits cross-legged, with the left heel up: his left-hand always rests on his thigh, and holds the padmi or lotus and jewel, which is often a mere cup; the right-hand is either raised, with the two forefingers up, or holds the dorje, or rests on the calf of the upturned leg. Sakya has generally curled hair, Lamas have mitres, females various head-dresses; most wear immense ear-rings, and some rosaries. All are placed on rude pediments, so painted as to convey the idea of their rising out of the petals of the pink, purple, or white lotus. None are in any way disagreeable; on the contrary most have a calm and pleasing expression, suggestive of contemplation.

The great or south temple contained a side altar of very elegant shape, placed before an image encircled by a glory. Flowers, juniper, peacock’s feathers, pastiles, and rows of brass cups of water were the chief ornaments of the altars, besides the instruments I have elsewhere enumerated. In this temple was the library, containing several hundred books, in pigeon-holes, placed in recesses.* [For a particular account of the images and decorations of these temples, sea Dr. Campbell's paper in "Bengal Asiatic Society's Trans.," May, 1849. The principal object of veneration amongst the Ningma or red sect of Boodhists in Sikkim and Bhotan is Gorucknath, who is always represented sitting cross-legged, holding the dorje in one hand, which is raised; whilst the left rests in the lap and holds a cup with a jewel in it. The left arm supports a trident, whose staff pierces three sculls (a symbol of Shiva), a rosary hangs round his neck, and he wears a red mitre with a lunar crescent and sun in front.]

The effect on entering these cold and gloomy temples is very impressive; the Dugang in particular is exquisitely ornamented and painted, and the vista from the vestibule to the principal idol, of carved and coloured pillars and beams, is very picturesque.

Within, the general arrangement of the colours and gilding is felt to be harmonious and pleasing, especially from the introduction of slender white streaks between the contrasting masses of colour, as adopted in the Great Exhibition building of 1851. It is also well worthy of remark that the brightest colours are often used in broad masses, and when so, are always arranged chromatically, in the sequence of the rainbow’s hues, and are hence never displeasing to the eye. The hues, though bright, are subdued by the imperfect light: the countenances of the images are all calm, and their expression solemn. Whichever way you turn, the eye is met by some beautiful specimen of colouring or carving, or some object of veneration.

The effect is much heightened by the incense of juniper and sweet-smelling herbs which the priests burn on entering, by their grave and decorous conduct, and by the feeling of respect that is demanded by a religion which theoretically inculcates and adores virtue in the abstract, and those only amongst men who practise virtue. To the idol itself the Boodhist attaches no real importance; it is an object of reverence, not of worship, and no virtue or attribute belong to it _per se_; it is a symbol of the creed, and the adoration is paid to the holy man whom it represents.

Beyond the temples are the chaits and mendongs, scattered without much order; and I counted nearly twenty-five chaits of the same form,* [In Sikkim the form of the cube alone is always strictly preserved; that of the pyramid and hemisphere being often much modified. The cube stands on a flight of usually three steps, and is surmounted by a low pyramid of five steps; on this is placed a swelling, urn-shaped body, which represents the hemisphere, and is surmounted by another cube. On the latter is a slender, round or angled spire (represented by a pyramid in Burma), crowned with a crescent and disc, or sun, in moon. Generally, the whole is of stone, with the exception of the spire, which is of wood, painted red.] between eight and thirty feet high. The largest is consecrated to the memory of the Rajah’s eldest son, who, however, is not buried here.

A group of these structures is, as I have often remarked, extremely picturesque, and those at Tassiding, from their number, variety, and size, their commanding and romantic position, and their being interspersed with weeping cypresses, are particularly so.

The Tassiding temples and convents were founded upwards of 300 years ago, by the Lamas who accompanied the first Rajah to Sikkim; and they have been continuously served by Lamas of great sanctity, many of whom have been educated at Lhassa. They were formerly very wealthy, but during the Nepal war they were plundered of all their treasures, their silver gongs and bells, their best idols, dorjes, and manis, and stripped of their ornaments; since which time Pemiongchi has been more popular. In proof of their antiquity, it was pointed out that most of the symbols and decorations were those of pure Lama Boodhism, as practised in Tibet.

Although the elevation is but 4,840 feet, the weather was cold and raw, with rain at noon, followed by thunder and lightning. These electrical disturbances are frequent about midsummer and midwinter, prevailing over many parts of India.

Sikkim draws record tourists

October 7th, 2009

Around 2,80,000 tourists visited Sikkim in the first five months of 2009, which is nearly 35 percent more than the last year.

Some tourists even compare the scenic beauty of the State to some of the cities in Europe.We find Sikkim a very beautiful place. It is very neat, clean and lovely…. You can almost compare it with one of the cities in Europe,” said Arvind Dasyu, a tourist from Maharashtra.

“Just for natural beauty. The town is very much fresh and clean and the people are very much cooperative. So we had the intention to come here,” said Prosonjeet Sarkar, a tourist from West Bengal.

According to the local tour operators, Sikkim came under the focus of tourism from 1992. Since then, tourist arrivals have been increasing at a rapid pace.

“Earlier Sikkim was not in focus but since 1992, Sikkim came under the focus of tourism because of its natural beauty. Sikkim has green forests, falls, rivers and streams, mountain peaks which tourists love to see and experience because nowadays people remain busy in their fast lives. So in order to attain peace, they come here,” said Deepak Kumar Rai, a local tour operator.

Sikkim has declared the year 2010 as the Year of Tourism and lined up as many as 13 festivals to woo the visitors and develop the tourism sector as its main source of revenue and employment.

Fifty eight million rupees have been injected by the central Government in nineteen projects for infrastructure development of North Sikkim during 2007-08.

The Centre has funded twelve projects as Centrally Sponsored Schemes from Ministry of Tourism; six projects have been funded as the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) while the State government, as per official reports, has funded one project.

Nestling in the Himalayas, Sikkim is the least populous State in India and the second smallest in area after Goa. (ANI)

CANCER TUMORS CAN BE TREATED BETTER NOW

For John R. Adler, invenor of a robotic radiosurgery system that can treat tumours in any part of the body, India offers a clean slate to bring about a paradigm change in cancer care. And he isn't losing any time.

His machine, CyberKnife, which costs about Rs30 crore a piece, was recently installed at Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd (HCG) in Bangalore and at Apollo Speciality Cancer Hospital in Chennai, the only two machines in south Asia according to the Indian owners.

But for Adler, also a professor of neurosurgery and radiation oncology at Stanford University Medical Centre in California, US, this is just the beginning.

"I want to get more involved and support large clinical trials in India and other parts of Asia, as the trial process has become very bureaucratic in the US," he said.

That might hold him in better stead as his critics are harping about a lack of good and sufficient clinical data on CyberKnife. The device uses realtime image guidance technology to deliver precise radiation doses, avoiding healthy tissues. This is a technological marvel at the moment, trying to achieve what a surgeon does with his knife, but the cost is prohibitive, said Amit Agarwal, medical oncology consultant at the Fortis Hospital in New Delhi.

The proponents are "pushing the envelope a little too early and too much", he said, though he is convinced about the safety and reduced side effects in comparison to existing treatments.

At the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), urologist N.P. Gupta, who uses another robotic surgery system called Da Vinci, says that in his specialty of localized prostrate cancer, there isn't enough long-term data yet from CyberKnife cases.

Adler and B.S. Ajai Kumar, chairman and chief executive of HCG, remain unfazed.

"I have faced a lot of resistance," says Adler--from 1994, when he first used the device to treat brain tumour, to about 2000, when the technology was finally ready for widespread use.

"The technology is very cost effective, cheaper than standard radiation; but in a place like America, cost effectiveness works against you. In India, we have a chance to provide it for the masses as for a few thousand dollars you supplant much more dangerous treatment and surgery," he said.

In India, Adler may not be right about financial costs, since a CyberKnife treatment could cost Rs4-5 lakh, against Rs50,000-Rs1.5 lakh for a standard radiation therapy. Adler argues there has to be a quality measure too, when a six-seven week radiation therapy is reduced to a five-six day out-patient procedure with fewer side effects.

Kumar, who is experimenting with payments in instalments for the treatment, claims he hasn't denied the CyberKnife treatment to a deserving patient in the last few weeks that HCG has been offering this service. "There is a business model for every category and we have started equated monthly instalment payment for patients in centres at Bangalore, Delhi and Ahmedabad," he said.

Adler, whose firm Accuray Inc. manufactures the machine, says that with time, when volume picks up and costs come down, healthcare providers can adopt multiple business models to offer the technology.

He added that new types of cancers are responding to the technology, as are non-cancer conditions as well. In an ongoing trial at MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston, Texas, US, researchers have encouraging results from using the machine in atrial fibrillation--abnormal bleeding in the heart, which is the leading cause of strokes worldwide.

HCG, which received private equity funding last year, including $20 million (Rs94.4 crore) from Premji Invest, is looking to raise Rs30 crore by December. Premji Invest is an investment firm owned by Azim Premji, chairman of Wipro Ltd, India's third largest software exporter.

Even as cancer specialists sharpen their gaze on CyberKnife, the machine has triggered a regional battle among hospitals. Agarwal of Fortis says there's a proposal by a group of hospitals in north India to bring at least three-four CyberKnifes to the region, including at least one in Delhi.

His fear, though, is that "in India you start selling something for the lung and healthcare providers start offering it for so many other indications".

Adler aims at making it the standard cancer care in years to come. "In 100 years of surgery, you just have about six to 10 randomized controlled trials which everyone considers best. It takes about 20 years to produce such data and by that standard, CyberKnife still has some time," he said.

CM announces setting up of ‘Prayer Mountain’ & ‘Prayer Tower’


GANGTOK, October 5: The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today announced that a ‘prayer mountain’ would be established in the State as a step towards promoting pilgrimage tourism.

Addressing a huge congregation of Christian denomination today at a festival of Joy, ‘Anand ko Utsav’ held at Guards Ground here today, Mr. Chamling said that the prayer tower would be one of the best in the country.

Organized by United Christian Welfare Society of Sikkim (UCWSS) the two days long healing and the prayer festival is being presided by brother Mohan C Lazarus, an evangelist and the prayer healer from Chennai.

The Chief Minister in his brief address added that maintaining religious harmony in the State is another factor that takes Sikkim to the forefront.

“Sikkim is one place where people freely enjoy the right to religion of their choice without any fear and suppression,” he said assuring of setting up more churches in Sikkim in the years to come. “We should always stand together in humanity and pray for Sikkim,” the Chief Minister added.

The festival also witnessed a choir singing participated by the representatives of various churches.

Martam-Rumtek MLA Menlom Lepcha, Chairman Mallika Subba and others also attended the meeting.

The State HRDD Minister NK Pradhan, the organizer said will be attending the meeting in the second day as the chief guest.

STDC initiate tourism promotion activities in Karnataka

GANGTOK, October 5: A team of Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) led by its Chairman Narendra Kr Subba recently initiated few interstate tourism promotion activities during their recent visit to Karnataka in South India.

This, the STDC in a press release said was initiated keeping with the Congenial Tourism Policy of the State Government and vision of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to make Sikkim a most attractive tourist destination.

During the visit, STDC has also tied-up with some other Tourism Development Corporations like Andhra Pradesh Tourism Dev. Corporation, Gujarat Tourism Development Corporation and international travel agencies like Thomas Cook International Travel Agency etc.

The delegation has at the same time identified a house in Bangalore city to be taken in lease after government approval, which can be operated by STDC as Sikkim House, Karnataka.

During the tour, the STDC delegates held inter-promotional talks with Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd. The team with APCCF and with its Managing Director, ND Tiwari, IFS, Chief Naturalist, S. Karthikeyan and its executive director visited Jungle Lodges, Bhimeswari Fishing and Nature Camp, Bandipur National Park and talked with the authorities.

On October 3, the STDC and Karnataka Tourism Dev. Corporation held a talk and reached an agreement. Talks were also held with Vinay Luthra, MD, B. Prabhudhar GM, HT Ratnakar, PRO and RS Rameshan, Marketing and Business Manager of Karnatak Tourism Dev. Corporation and NK Subba, Chairman STDC, Anbalagan IFS, CEO, STDC and other team members. This it has been hoped would bring positive results for both the states, the release said.

It is also informed that the STDC and KSTDC believes that by holding this formal talks seek to tap tourism potential of the respective states, thereby enhancing the employment generation within tourism sector, develop tourism packages, services and products and make them accessible to the public through tourism publicity.

“Our talk emphasizes to depute a staff from STDC as a Laisoning Assistant to laison between the two corporations,” the release said adding “the business transaction and booking would soon start”. The release further said that both corporations would provide marketing space in their tourism sale counters at Gangtok and Bangalore on reciprocal basis. For STDC and KSTDC, the booking of its Tourist Lodge and Package Tours would be done on-line with the help of unique dedicated user ‘ID and Pass’ to be allocated to other party.

“Both corporations would take up joint publicity and marketing campaign for the activities of corporations to increase revenue. Both corporations would initiate special package tours in their respective states to promote tourism and explore the possibilities of joint tourism packages. Both corporations would participate in each others’, tourism fairs and festivals and assist each other in promotion of tourism products in each others’ states including Road Shows 011 reciprocal basis,” it is further informed.

STDC Chairman also hoped that Bangalore can become a South-India hub for Sikkimese people. The STDC hub at Bangalore it can be hoped, would serve as a guardian of Sikkimese people simultaneously promoting business and tourism for our state,” Mr. Subba said in the release.

sOURCE: SIKKIM EXPRESS

CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECTS IN SIKKIM

Gangtok:6 Oct 2009

Expressing concern with lack of enthusiasm among the local people to take up private enterprises, Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling on Tuesday announced that there shall be a capacity building institutes in each assembly segments of the state by December this year.

Each assembly segments must have a functional capacity building institutes by the year end and the authorities should hire accommodation on rent for the purpose in the event of unavailability of government premises, he said at the consultative meeting on the capacity building.

Once the capacity building institutes did come up, it should be the endeavour of the area MLAs and the local administration to bring the unemployed people there to take up training to hone their skills in order to make themselves self employed, Chamling said.

Stating that there was abundance of professional opportunities already available in Sikkim and many more in the pipeline in the years to come, the Chief Minister regretted that the local people were not equipped skill wise to take up such jobs in the private sector.

Source: Zee News

Floriculture business a boon for the local florist in Sikkim

By Tashi Pradhan

Gangtok, Oct 6- ANI: The climatic advantage coupled with highly educated workforce gives Sikkim a definite advantage in floriculture, and realizing the potential the State Government is assisting farmers through various training programs and facilities.

Sikkim is famous for its lush green plantations, and it is reaping good profits in the floriculture business.

Home to over 26 per cent of the country's biodiversity with exquisite species in flora and fauna, the State has been successful in promoting floriculture.

We provide training to the farmers. After the training we provide them with planting materials such as seeds and we also provide them with the infrastructure required to farm flowers in a large scales basis by providing them green house facilities and the required demonstration is also given to them, said K. K Singh, Special Director of Department of Horticulture.

Realizing the potential and investment opportunities in this sector, the department has also given subsidies for marketing and transport facilities to local farmers.

The Government has given us encouragement, as the weather here is suitable. The Government initially gave us 500 saplings for trial basis. It was first given to 10 families, now we have 62 families in this plot. They have even helped us technically, said Laxmi Rai, a farmer.

To promote Sikkim at the international level, an international show is also held in the state.

At present, Sikkim is producing cut flowers, which includes roses, Lilium and Anthurium on a commercial scale.

Sikkim is the only state in the country which produces high value cymbidium orchids. It has also been designated as the agriculture export zone with particular emphasis on production and export of large cardamom, ginger and cherry pepper. - ANI

RBI pushes for financial inclusion in Sikkim

Monday, October 5, 2009, 19:19

The RBI governor was in Sikkim to chair a meeting of the Reserve Bank of India’s Central Board of Directors which was held on Oct. 1 in Gangtok to review key economic, monetary and financial developments. Subbarao met Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and other senior State officials and bankers in the State.

The meting focused on strengthening the functioning of State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) with high level participation from the State Government. The commercial banks and the State Cooperative Bank of Sikkim have agreed to open new branches in most of the unbanked blocks in the State using IT-enabled banking services and through Banking Correspondents in the remaining blocks to extend banking services to promote financial inclusion.

The Chief Minister, in his meeting with the Governor, had expressed the need for opening at least one currency chest in every district headquarters, one branch in all unbanked blocks and enhancing credit flow in the State.

The Governor has also announced the opening of a Sub-Office of the Reserve Bank at Gangtok within three months.

EFFECT OF DIESEL FUMES IN HIMALAYAS

London, October 5 (ANI): In a new research, scientists in India and China have determined that glaciers in the Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau that feed the river systems of almost half the world’s people are melting faster because of the effects of clouds of soot from diesel fumes and wood fires.

According to a report in the Guardian, the results of the research, to be announced this month in Kashmir, show for the first time that clouds of soot – made up of tiny particles of “black carbon” emitted from old diesel engines and from cooking with wood, crop waste or cow dung – are “unequivocally having an impact on glacial melting” in the Himalayas.

Scientists said that, while the threat of carbon dioxide (CO2) to global warming has been accepted, soot from developing countries is a largely unappreciated cause of rising temperatures.

Once the black carbon lands on glaciers, it absorbs sunlight that would otherwise be reflected by the snow, leading to melting.

“This is a huge problem which we are ignoring,” said Professor Syed Hasnain of the Energy and Resources Institute (Teri) in Delhi.

“We are finding concentrations of black carbon in the Himalayas in what are supposed to be pristine, untouched environments,” he added.

The institute has set up two sensors in the Himalayas, one on the Kholai glacier that sits on the mountain range’s western flank in Kashmir and the other flowing through the eastern reaches in Sikkim.

Glaciers in this region feed most of the major rivers in Asia.

The short-term result of substantial melting is severe flooding downstream.

Hasnain said that India and China produce about a third of the world’s black carbon, and both countries have been slow to act.

“India is the worst. At least in China, the state has moved to measure the problem. In Delhi. no government agency has put any sensors on the ground. Teri is doing it by ourselves,” he said.

Decreasing black carbon emissions should be a relatively cheap way to significantly curb global warming.

Black carbon falls from the atmosphere after just a couple of weeks, and replacing primitive cooking stoves with modern versions that emit far less soot could quickly end the problem.

Controlling traffic in the Himalayan region should help ease the harm done by emissions from diesel engines. (ANI)

SIKKIM TOURISM GETS FACE LIFT

Rs 52 crores sanctioned for capacity development programme
Sikkim set for exciting facelift


GANGTOK, October 2: The State Government has now geared up for new and exciting facelift activities in Sikkim with the latest one being the construction of way side amenities at every 10 km stretch.

According to the project report, the way side amenities will have all the basic facilities such as cafeteria, rest rooms, washrooms etc.
Sources said that Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, who envisioned the plan have already directed the concerned department to start the ground works for the construction.

Besides, the government has plans to construct similar way side amenities at every entrance in Sikkim such as Rangpo, Singtam, Rhenock, Pakyong, Rhenock and Rongli. Mr. Chamling has at the same time appealed the people to cooperate by providing suitable lands.

It may be noted here that the chief Minister has already shared his idea of constructing a huge figure of Snow Lion gate at Rangpo for which one Singapore based construction company has been preparing the lay out.

An open theatre at MG Marg in the Capital would be another added feature in the facelift process, sources further said. Another added aspect of the State Government as announced by the Chief Minister would be development of the working capacity of the youth for which the Government has sanctioned Rs 52 crores for the current financial year for the capacity development programme.
source: sikkim express

Multifunctional complex at Siliguri Railway Station

Siliguri, Oct 4 (PTI) Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today laid the foundation for the country's first multifunctional complex at Siliguri junction here today.

Mamata explained that Siliguri had been chosen as the first venue for setting up such a complex because the region in the north Bengal was one of the country's most deprived and neglected areas.

A multifunctional complex is a big area, close to a station, having facilities like car parking, marketing, hotels, shops and railway complexes.

Pointing out that such a concept, when implemented, would help generate employment and foster development, she said she had plans of establishing a few more multifunctional complexes around the country.

Mamata also announced that Rs 1013 crore had been sanctioned and work programme readied for connecting Sevoke (near Siliguri) and Rangpo (in Sikkim) considering the tourism potential of the area. Presently Sikkim has no railway track