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Saturday, May 7, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
SIKKIM:Trade license fee- just, or too much?
GANGTOK, 04 May: The increased fee structure announced for acquiring and renewing trade licenses has been in the news of late, played up by Opposition parties and also causing some amount of confusion among business people here. In fact, it even came up at the ruling party’s CEC meeting on Wednesday, with a request forwarded to the Chief Minister to consider rolling back the hike. The CM has assured to look into the matter.
Before all this happened, earlier in the day, NOW! contacted the Gangtok Mayor about the issue. The municipal bodies have been authorized to collect the fees and issues new trade licences and renewals.
The Gangtok Mayor, KN Topgay, while responding to comments that the hike was too steep, maintained that the increased slabs are “normal and affordable” for the traders.
He explained, “The increase in the Trade License fee is taking place after around eight years and the new slabs have been worked out seeing the volume and quantum of business generated. The new structure is affordable for all concerned.”
He said, “If someone presents the increase in terms of percentage, it sounds huge. But in reality, the amount is not that large.”
Ever since the traders came to know of the hike around a week back, murmurs of protests began.
“There is 1,000% increase,” is a common refrain moving around.
When the matter reached the Sikkim Chamber of Commerce [SCC] and Trade Affairs Cell of the Sikkim Democratic Front, meetings were held between Urban Development and Housing Department Minister and the officials of the Department, it is informed.
“A meeting with the UD&HD Secretary on Monday resolved that the Government will form a committee comprising representatives from the business organizations and the Department. The committee will work out an appropriate solution and the same will be put forward with the Government for consideration,” informs SK Sarda, president of the SCC.
On the other hand, the Gangtok Mayor maintained that GMC is responsible for implementation of the Government policy on this matter and till further orders reached his office, the existing norms will be applicable.
With a new financial year having begun on 01 April, the clock is ticking on the renewal process, the last date for which is 30th June, next month.
“People should realize that by paying revenue to GMC, they are contributing for their own welfare,” the Mayor seeks to explain, pointing out that this revenue will be invested towards developing public facilities in urban areas.
“We will be answerable to the public and they should complain if they don’t find any development in the near future,” he said, adding that people perhaps need some more time to realize that development made possible through individual contribution will be far better.
source;Sikkim Now
GANGTOK, 04 May: The increased fee structure announced for acquiring and renewing trade licenses has been in the news of late, played up by Opposition parties and also causing some amount of confusion among business people here. In fact, it even came up at the ruling party’s CEC meeting on Wednesday, with a request forwarded to the Chief Minister to consider rolling back the hike. The CM has assured to look into the matter.
Before all this happened, earlier in the day, NOW! contacted the Gangtok Mayor about the issue. The municipal bodies have been authorized to collect the fees and issues new trade licences and renewals.
The Gangtok Mayor, KN Topgay, while responding to comments that the hike was too steep, maintained that the increased slabs are “normal and affordable” for the traders.
He explained, “The increase in the Trade License fee is taking place after around eight years and the new slabs have been worked out seeing the volume and quantum of business generated. The new structure is affordable for all concerned.”
He said, “If someone presents the increase in terms of percentage, it sounds huge. But in reality, the amount is not that large.”
Ever since the traders came to know of the hike around a week back, murmurs of protests began.
“There is 1,000% increase,” is a common refrain moving around.
When the matter reached the Sikkim Chamber of Commerce [SCC] and Trade Affairs Cell of the Sikkim Democratic Front, meetings were held between Urban Development and Housing Department Minister and the officials of the Department, it is informed.
“A meeting with the UD&HD Secretary on Monday resolved that the Government will form a committee comprising representatives from the business organizations and the Department. The committee will work out an appropriate solution and the same will be put forward with the Government for consideration,” informs SK Sarda, president of the SCC.
On the other hand, the Gangtok Mayor maintained that GMC is responsible for implementation of the Government policy on this matter and till further orders reached his office, the existing norms will be applicable.
With a new financial year having begun on 01 April, the clock is ticking on the renewal process, the last date for which is 30th June, next month.
“People should realize that by paying revenue to GMC, they are contributing for their own welfare,” the Mayor seeks to explain, pointing out that this revenue will be invested towards developing public facilities in urban areas.
“We will be answerable to the public and they should complain if they don’t find any development in the near future,” he said, adding that people perhaps need some more time to realize that development made possible through individual contribution will be far better.
source;Sikkim Now
ATTC posts record campus recruitment success
Source:SIKKIM NOW
GANGTOK, 04 May: A record number of 63 second year students of Advanced Technical Training Centre (ATTC), Bardang, have been selected by Anand Automotives, in a campus recruitment drive held recently, informs a press release.
The students of Manufacturing Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and Tool and Die-making have been selected a year before they actually pass out from the institute. The institute also has a tie-up with Anand Automotives for industrial training of final year students in which the company awards stipend and free accommodation to the trainees at various locations in India.
At present 63 final year students of Manufacturing Technology and Mechatronics are undergoing industrial training for a period of six months at places like Pune, Dharwar and Pantnagar, the release informs.
In another campus recruitment held in the month of April, Apollo Tyres Indian Operations recruited four final year students of Mechanical Engineering. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd has scheduled their visit to ATTC for 2011 batch in the mid of May. Many more companies are showing their interest to visit the institute for campus recruitment, the release further mentions.
The world class two wheeler giants - Harley Davidson, global steel manufacturer - Arcelor Mittal, India’s number one auto brand - Maruti Suzuki, world class tyre manufacturer - Apollo Tyres, largest OEM for Auto sector - Anand Automotives are some of the important recruiters of diploma engineers from the campus, the release mentions.
The students of Manufacturing Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and Tool and Die-making have been selected a year before they actually pass out from the institute. The institute also has a tie-up with Anand Automotives for industrial training of final year students in which the company awards stipend and free accommodation to the trainees at various locations in India.
At present 63 final year students of Manufacturing Technology and Mechatronics are undergoing industrial training for a period of six months at places like Pune, Dharwar and Pantnagar, the release informs.
In another campus recruitment held in the month of April, Apollo Tyres Indian Operations recruited four final year students of Mechanical Engineering. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd has scheduled their visit to ATTC for 2011 batch in the mid of May. Many more companies are showing their interest to visit the institute for campus recruitment, the release further mentions.
The world class two wheeler giants - Harley Davidson, global steel manufacturer - Arcelor Mittal, India’s number one auto brand - Maruti Suzuki, world class tyre manufacturer - Apollo Tyres, largest OEM for Auto sector - Anand Automotives are some of the important recruiters of diploma engineers from the campus, the release mentions.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday projected India’s economic growth at 8 per cent for the current fiscal, lower than the budgetary estimate of 9 per cent, due to measures taken to rein in high inflation.
“If oil prices continue to rise, it would be difficult to achieve higher GDP. GDP may come down to 8 per cent from [the projected] 9 per cent,” Mr. Mukherjee told reporters on the sidelines of Asian Development Bank annual meeting here.
The government’s primary concern now is to manage inflation while sustaining high growth rate. Hardening of global commodity prices, particularly oil prices has accelerated inflation, he said adding “our projection is 7.5-8 per cent inflation during the year.”
“If oil prices continue to rise, it would be difficult to achieve higher GDP. GDP may come down to 8 per cent from [the projected] 9 per cent,” Mr. Mukherjee told reporters on the sidelines of Asian Development Bank annual meeting here.
The government’s primary concern now is to manage inflation while sustaining high growth rate. Hardening of global commodity prices, particularly oil prices has accelerated inflation, he said adding “our projection is 7.5-8 per cent inflation during the year.”
U.S. President Barack Obama's address on the death of Osama bin Laden (Full text)
AP President Barack Obama makes a televised statement in the White House on the death of Osama bin Laden. Photo: AP
Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, Mr. Obama said.
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON OSAMA BIN LADEN
East Room
11:35 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.
It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory -- hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.
And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father. Parents who would never know the feeling of their child’s embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.
On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came together. We offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the wounded our blood. We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of community and country. On that day, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family.
We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice. We quickly learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al Qaeda -- an organization headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly declared war on the United States and was committed to killing innocents in our country and around the globe. And so we went to war against al Qaeda to protect our citizens, our friends, and our allies.
Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we’ve made great strides in that effort. We’ve disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense. In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and al Qaeda safe haven and support. And around the globe, we worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill scores of al Qaeda terrorists, including several who were a part of the 9/11 plot.
Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan border into Pakistan. Meanwhile, al Qaeda continued to operate from along that border and operate through its affiliates across the world.
And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.
Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.
Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.
For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda’s leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda.
Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There’s no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must –- and we will -- remain vigilant at home and abroad.
As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not –- and never will be -– at war with Islam. I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.
Over the years, I’ve repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we’ve done. But it’s important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.
Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates.
The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war. These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who’s been gravely wounded.
So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed. We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda’s terror: Justice has been done.
Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their names. But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.
We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.
Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.
And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.
The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether it’s the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.
Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.
source;The Hindu
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Sikkim Tourism- Know what tourist think for High Cost Sikkim
Ladakh: The new hot tourist spot this summer
Lakshmi Ajay / Mumbai/ Ahmedabad May 04, 2011, 0:04 IST
Giving conventional tourist destinations like Kashmir, Sikkim-Gangtok, and Shimla a run for their money, Ladakh seems to be emerging as one of the top summer domestic destinations in India this year.
What's more, a trip to Ladakh is also getting more affordable by the day. Tour operators are going all out this summer by providing packages to Ladakh in the range of Rs 14,999 per person for 5 nights and 6 days, that takes care of all your meals, sight-seeing, stay at good hotels and your airfare to to Rs 30,000.
Keyur Joshi, COO of Makemytrip.com says, "This year we have charters to Ladakh from both Mumbai and Ahmedabad unlike last year when it was only from Delhi. Our Ladakh packages are priced at Rs 22,999 from Delhi, Rs 29,999 from Mumbai and Rs 26,999 from Ahmedabad. Looking at the increasing demand we have added more capacity and departure cities. It is too early to say what the increase is as few airlines have also added capacity which means demand would have more than doubled this year.
Interestingly families including young kids and elderly people are travelling with us during this summer holiday season while from July onwards it will be a younger travellers who are taking trips to Ladakh." Most tour operators have already sold off Ladakh packages till May and bookings are still poring in. Sanjeev Chhajjer, Vice President, Cox and Kings says, "There has been an increase in people signing up for the Ladakh experience and bookings have doubled this year. Also we are seeing a spurt of bookings from Gujarat as there are bi-weekly flights from Ahmedabad to Ladakh with a stopover in Delhi. The increased air connectivity to Ladakh is one of the main reasons for this increase in tourist footfall."
Weekly departure of flights from Mumbai and Ahmedabad have added to the easy accessibility of the destination that was hitherto considered an exotic travail.
Ahmedabad-based tour operator Manish Sharma from Akshay travels says, "From last year where there were only 2,000 people who booked for the Ladakh package, the numbers have grown. This year more than 5,000 people have booked for the Ladakh trail from April 26 to June 5, 2011 already. Earlier there were flights from Delhi alone, but post the additional flight from Ahmedabad, tourists from Ahmedabad has increased by 20 per cent to this destination. Better accessibility, lesser rates and awareness among people about Ladakh are some of the reasons why it is such a hit this year with travelers."
Sikkim-Gangtok, Bhutan and Kashmir-Leh are some of the other destinations that have caught the fancy of travelers this summer. "Ladakh is an ideal destination for summers as there is a lot on the platter for tourists. One gets to see all the different landscapes in one region be it the cold desert Nubra valley, the placid Pangong lake and soft adventure trails for those seeking the thrill of adventure. We are seeing many families also planning Ladakh trips as compared to earlier because of many films like 3 Idiots were filmed there in addition to better air accessibility and affordable airfare. The hotel industry is quite robust there with hotels that cater to travelers of every budget," says Anil Rai, Business Head of Holidays of India.
Lakshmi Ajay / Mumbai/ Ahmedabad May 04, 2011, 0:04 IST
Giving conventional tourist destinations like Kashmir, Sikkim-Gangtok, and Shimla a run for their money, Ladakh seems to be emerging as one of the top summer domestic destinations in India this year.
What's more, a trip to Ladakh is also getting more affordable by the day. Tour operators are going all out this summer by providing packages to Ladakh in the range of Rs 14,999 per person for 5 nights and 6 days, that takes care of all your meals, sight-seeing, stay at good hotels and your airfare to to Rs 30,000.
Keyur Joshi, COO of Makemytrip.com says, "This year we have charters to Ladakh from both Mumbai and Ahmedabad unlike last year when it was only from Delhi. Our Ladakh packages are priced at Rs 22,999 from Delhi, Rs 29,999 from Mumbai and Rs 26,999 from Ahmedabad. Looking at the increasing demand we have added more capacity and departure cities. It is too early to say what the increase is as few airlines have also added capacity which means demand would have more than doubled this year.
Interestingly families including young kids and elderly people are travelling with us during this summer holiday season while from July onwards it will be a younger travellers who are taking trips to Ladakh." Most tour operators have already sold off Ladakh packages till May and bookings are still poring in. Sanjeev Chhajjer, Vice President, Cox and Kings says, "There has been an increase in people signing up for the Ladakh experience and bookings have doubled this year. Also we are seeing a spurt of bookings from Gujarat as there are bi-weekly flights from Ahmedabad to Ladakh with a stopover in Delhi. The increased air connectivity to Ladakh is one of the main reasons for this increase in tourist footfall."
Weekly departure of flights from Mumbai and Ahmedabad have added to the easy accessibility of the destination that was hitherto considered an exotic travail.
Ahmedabad-based tour operator Manish Sharma from Akshay travels says, "From last year where there were only 2,000 people who booked for the Ladakh package, the numbers have grown. This year more than 5,000 people have booked for the Ladakh trail from April 26 to June 5, 2011 already. Earlier there were flights from Delhi alone, but post the additional flight from Ahmedabad, tourists from Ahmedabad has increased by 20 per cent to this destination. Better accessibility, lesser rates and awareness among people about Ladakh are some of the reasons why it is such a hit this year with travelers."
Sikkim-Gangtok, Bhutan and Kashmir-Leh are some of the other destinations that have caught the fancy of travelers this summer. "Ladakh is an ideal destination for summers as there is a lot on the platter for tourists. One gets to see all the different landscapes in one region be it the cold desert Nubra valley, the placid Pangong lake and soft adventure trails for those seeking the thrill of adventure. We are seeing many families also planning Ladakh trips as compared to earlier because of many films like 3 Idiots were filmed there in addition to better air accessibility and affordable airfare. The hotel industry is quite robust there with hotels that cater to travelers of every budget," says Anil Rai, Business Head of Holidays of India.
Fifty Years of Liberty
BY BARUN ROY
Lots been written
and lots shall be
of the dead martyrs
and the gift to thee.
Statues been raised
and oaths been taken
of fifty years of Liberty.
But yet a bondage
has not been shaken
for the poor dies still forshaken
From nails to chips
have been made
but yet we are poor
as can be.
Proud of our democracy
the largest one
but still can’t elect
an honest one.
Truly right does someone write
of the degeneration of the nation,
the youths are asleep
and least do care
the forces of evil everywhere
seems God has gone away
Rise and see ye Indian souls
for yet there is time
to make amends.
Raise no statues
and take no oaths
Yet fight to uphold the Constitution.
Do your duties
and fight for your right.
So should be written
and so should be done.
BY BARUN ROY
Lots been written
and lots shall be
of the dead martyrs
and the gift to thee.
Statues been raised
and oaths been taken
of fifty years of Liberty.
But yet a bondage
has not been shaken
for the poor dies still forshaken
From nails to chips
have been made
but yet we are poor
as can be.
Proud of our democracy
the largest one
but still can’t elect
an honest one.
Truly right does someone write
of the degeneration of the nation,
the youths are asleep
and least do care
the forces of evil everywhere
seems God has gone away
Rise and see ye Indian souls
for yet there is time
to make amends.
Raise no statues
and take no oaths
Yet fight to uphold the Constitution.
Do your duties
and fight for your right.
So should be written
and so should be done.
Mudslides block Nathu-la trade start
FROM THE TELEGRAPH
The Nathu-la border gate covered in snow on Monday. Picture by Prabin Khaling
Gangtok, May 2: The trade between Sikkim and Tibet through Nathu-la did not kick off today as customs officers from India failed to reach the spot because of mudslides along Jawaharlal Nehru Marg.
The slides blocked the road connecting Gangtok with Nathu-la at 9th Mile and 13th Mile yesterday afternoon, trapping some 112 vehicles carrying tourists from Chhangu Lake to Gangtok.
“Customs officials could not come to Nathu-la because of bad road condition and hence, there was no trade today. Chinese traders had come to the Nathu-la border gate but since no officials were present on this side, they returned around 10.30am,” said a police officer posted at Sherathang police outpost, where the trade mart has been set up.
Sources said the border trade, scheduled to open today, took place from May to November. The trade takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Sources in the state commerce department said officials of the commerce and industries department, customs and immigration had finally reached the trading post about 11.30am. The trade usually begins at 10am and Chinese traders who had come in 30 vehicles had returned by then, the sources said.
No traders from the Indian side, however, went to Nathu-la said the sources.
FROM THE TELEGRAPH
The Nathu-la border gate covered in snow on Monday. Picture by Prabin Khaling
Gangtok, May 2: The trade between Sikkim and Tibet through Nathu-la did not kick off today as customs officers from India failed to reach the spot because of mudslides along Jawaharlal Nehru Marg.
The slides blocked the road connecting Gangtok with Nathu-la at 9th Mile and 13th Mile yesterday afternoon, trapping some 112 vehicles carrying tourists from Chhangu Lake to Gangtok.
“Customs officials could not come to Nathu-la because of bad road condition and hence, there was no trade today. Chinese traders had come to the Nathu-la border gate but since no officials were present on this side, they returned around 10.30am,” said a police officer posted at Sherathang police outpost, where the trade mart has been set up.
Sources said the border trade, scheduled to open today, took place from May to November. The trade takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Sources in the state commerce department said officials of the commerce and industries department, customs and immigration had finally reached the trading post about 11.30am. The trade usually begins at 10am and Chinese traders who had come in 30 vehicles had returned by then, the sources said.
No traders from the Indian side, however, went to Nathu-la said the sources.
In early March, China’s National People’s Congress approved its 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015). Under this China will change the character of China’s economic model — moving from the export- and investment-led structure of the past 30 years toward a pattern of growth that is driven increasingly by Chinese consumers.
The plan will force China to rethink the core value propositions of its economy. Premier Wen Jiabao laid the groundwork for this four years ago, when he first articulated the paradox of the “Four ‘uns’” — an economy whose strength on the surface masked a structure that was increasingly “unstable, unbalanced, uncoordinated, and ultimately unsustainable.”
Why now?
The Great Recession of 2008-2009 suggests that China can no longer afford to depend upon the external demand alone. That leaves China’s government with little choice other than to turn to internal demand and tackle the Four Uns head on.
12th Five-Year Plan China
12th Five-Year Plan China (Photo Credit: yifeiliu.files.wordpress.com)
First, China will begin to wean itself from the manufacturing model that has underpinned export- and investment-led growth for 30 years. This model increases dependence on capital-intensive, labor-saving productivity enhancement making China incapable of absorbing the country’s massive labor surplus. Under the new plan, China will adopt a more labor-intensive service model.
China will develop large-scale transactions-intensive industries such as the wholesale and retail trade, domestic transport and supply-chain logistics, health care and leisure and hospitality. It would provide China with much greater job-creating potential.
The employment content of a unit of Chinese output more than 35 percent higher in services than in manufacturing and construction. China could actually hit its employment target with slower GDP growth.
Moreover, services are far less resource-intensive than manufacturing — offering China the added benefits of a lighter, cleaner and greener growth model.
Second focus would be to boost wages. Under this the main focus will be the lagging wages of rural workers, whose per capita incomes are currently only 30 percent of those in urban areas. China intends to bring reforms for this. Tax policies aimed at boosting rural purchasing power, measures to broaden rural land ownership and technology-led pro-grams to raise agricultural productivity are the reforms it’s targeting.
China will also implement policies that foster ongoing and rapid migration from the countryside to the cities. Since 2000, annual rural-to-urban migration has been running consistently at 15-20 million people. For migration to continue at this pace, China will have to relax the long-entrenched strictures of its hukou, or household registration system, which limits labor-market flexibility by tethering workers and their benefits to their birthplace.
China plans boosting employment via services, and lifting wages through enhanced support for rural workers. Chinese personal income, now run at just 42 percent of GDP — half that of the United States. More than higher growth in income from labor will be needed to boost Chinese private consumption. Major efforts to shift from saving toward spending will also be targeted.
Last but not the least would be building a social safety net in order to reduce fear-driven, precautionary saving. Specifically, that means social security, private pensions, and medical and unemployment insurance — plans that exist on paper but are woefully underfunded. It will also focus on accelerated development of several strategic emerging industries — from biotech and alternative energy to new materials and next-generation information technology.
The defining feature
Emphasis on the Chinese consumer will be the new plan’s defining feature. China plans to boost private consumption as a share of Chinese GDP from its current rock-bottom reading of around 36 percent to somewhere in the 42-45 percent range by 2015.
It would also be a huge boost for China’s major trading partners — not just those in East Asia, but also growth-constrained European and U.S. economies. The 12th Five-Year Plan is likely to spark the greatest consumption story in modern history. Today’s post-crisis world could hardly ask for more.
Shifting to a more consumption-led dynamic, China will reduce its surplus saving and have less left over to fund the ongoing saving deficits of countries like the U.S.
Changing face of China’s economy
Trade deficits are not a blip but part of a developing trend in the Chinese context. For the first time in seven years international trade in China has recorded a quarterly trade deficit.
The deficit in March 2010 and again in February 2011, are not just blips in the statistics. The blip is a result of sustained efforts to drive and develop domestic demand. China’s international trade surplus was at $295 billion in 2008. It dropped in 2009 to $196 billion and then to around $183 billion in 2010.
Chinese international imports grew by around 32 percent year-on-year in the January-March quarter. China now imports more than the United States on a three-monthly average. US imports rose by a monthly average of $27 billion and China’s monthly average was $33 billion.
Branding China
One major factor in China’s efforts to shift from manufacturing and export led growth to service and consumption led growth would be branding. In the Interbrand Best Global Brands rankings for 2010, the United States, the only economy currently larger than China’s, had 47 brands in the top 100, headed predictably by Coca-Cola. No China brand made the list at all. Nonetheless, the Chinese economy marches on with near double-digit growth whereas the United States has near-zero interest rates to breathe life back into its economy.
Finland has the only non-American brand in the top 10 with Nokia. Germany has no fewer than 10 in the top 100, the biggest being Mercedes Benz; France eight, mostly in luxury goods such as Louis Vuitton and Cartier; and the United Kingdom five, headed by banking giant HSBC. Even Switzerland, with a population of 7.8 million compared to China’s 1.3 billion, has five brands in the listings, the biggest being Nescafe and food giant Nestle.
Chinese companies have to develop into truly world-class brands in order for China is to achieve.
China cannot rely on low costs and high volume manufacturing. China is already facing this problem. Shanghai, in particular, and the eastern coastal region is no longer a cheap place to manufacture any more its future economic ambitions.
Branding is fundamental and not some promotional song and dance. It really starts with a shareholder discussion about the entire purpose of the firm and then ends up in thousands of retail stores around the world where exactly that promise is brought to life
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
While living in this world and interacting with things and beings of this world, we should always have this predominant thought that nothing in this world is permanent. Things, beings, relationships, experiences, events--everything is temporary, impermanent. While one may experience these as and when they come in one's life as per one's destiny, one should never forget this fact. This will prevent us from being attached to these. Attachment to ever-changing, ephemeral things and beings of this world is one of the biggest cause of all our pain. miseries and sorrows.
Having understood the impermanency of everything, one should seek that which is the only permanent entity in this ever-changing, ephemeral world. Having realised that which is permanent, and having firm abidance in that which is permanent, while interacting with things and beings of this world, is the secret of Infinite Bliss.
By Swami Avdhutananda-Sikkim-India
People back at Jantar Mantar, it's war on corruption
Supporters of social activist Anna Hazare participate in a candle light march against corruption at India Gate on Sunday. Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
Supporters of Anna Hazare took out a march here on Sunday extending their support to civil society members of the Lokpal Bill drafting committee.
Armed with banners, placards, posters and flags, the supporters, after assembling at Jantar Mantar, started their march towards India Gate where a programme of songs and street play was held to pledge their support to the anti-corruption movement being spearheaded by Mr. Hazare. Supporters lit candles at India Gate to express solidarity with the cause.
Volunteer-cum-co-coordinator of the march Ashim said: We want to tell these leaders — civil society members on the committee — that we are with you and wholeheartedly support you and we will not let the movement die or allow it to be relegated to the back burner.”
Though Mr. Hazare, committee member Arvind Kejriwal and the former IPS officer, Kabir Bedi, were conspicuous by their absence, it was the supporters, volunteers and common people who held the show together through their enthusiastic participation, unmindful of the summer heat.
Several volunteer registration desks set up by the supporters were an instant hit with people turning up in hordes to fill up forms and contribute their bit to the movement.
Fifty-two-year-old Narender Rawat said: “These forms would help make the movement stronger and also give the organisers an idea of the number of people who have pledged their support to the cause of anti-corruption. It would definitely boost their morale and take the movement forward. I had come to support Annaji when he was fasting at Jantar Mantar last month and now I have come again this time. I shall keep coming until the Lokpal Bill is passed and there is an end to corruption in our country.”
According to Indu Verma, a housewife, who came along with her husband from Gurgaon to participate in the march, her support to Anna Hazare would continue, the “unnecessary mudslinging” campaign notwithstanding.
“I feel strongly about the cause behind the movement. I don't think it is fair to simply sit in our drawing rooms and show support, which is why I am here. Though I am satisfied with the setting up of the Lokpal Bill drafting committee, I want this movement to gather such momentum that shakes the very core of the corrupt polity which is at the heart of this issue,” she added.
Youth express solidarity
PTI reports from Mumbai:
On the eve of the second meeting of the Joint Drafting Committee of the Lokpal Bill in New Delhi, thousands of Mumbaikars gathered at the Gateway of India to express their solidarity with social activist Anna Hazare's fight against corruption.
The rally ‘Youth Against Corruption' led by the former IPS officer and prominent anti-corruption activist Kiran Bedi shouted slogans demanding implementation of the anti-corruption bill at the earliest.
“Youth should lead the nation now. We are all behind Anna Hazare...It's time we unite against corruption,” Ms. Bedi told reporters.
Protesters also included over 140 pilots of Air India.
“We all are here in our individual capacity to support Hazare against corruption,” captain Ritesh Mathankar said.
Ms. Bedi as part of the protest put a garland of slippers on a symbolic effigy of corruption.
The joint drafting committee met in the national capital on April 16 for the first time, amid a controversy over a CD allegedly involving lawyer and panel co-chairman Shanti Bhushan.
Threat on India's northern border
By Bharat Verma
Despite invasion of Tibet, New Delhi did not understand the significance of the Chinese communists growing up as a military organisation, unlike other communist movements. Their core competency lay in the PLA and military virtues were promoted throughout the cadres. If China today dares to claim Arunachal and piece of Sikkim, it is primarily based on its military prowess.
New Delhi?s portrayal of the humiliating defeat at the hands of Chinese in 1962 as ?betrayal? and ?surprise? is untrue. The pacifist Indian leadership that was crying hoarse from rooftops for friendship at any cost remained blind to Communist China?s repeated claims on Tibet and large part of Indian territories. Mao termed Tibet as the palm of a hand with its five fingers as Ladakh, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, and NEFA. He claimed that these were Chinese territories that needed to be ?liberated?. Tibet was ?liberated? by force while New Delhi slept.
The historical characteristics of the Chinese and the statements issued by the Communists from time to time clearly exposed their expansionist ambitions in Asia that spelt direct threat to India?s well being. Despite such overt indications, if we could not prepare ourselves to meet those challenges, the fault lies with us. Instead of pretending to be surprised or betrayed, it is time we face the truth for the fiasco in 1962 and prepare our military for the serious threat posed by the Chinese.
To Mao and the Chinese what singularly mattered was achieving the final goal. The means whether fair or foul to win were irrelevant. If New Delhi had deciphered what Mao was advocating in 1946 and studied the historical Chinese characteristics, alarm bells should have clearly rung in the South Block.
Mao repeatedly said from 1950 onwards that Taiwan, Tibet, and Hainan Islands were Chinese territories and they will be re-possessed. The predominant trait in this claim is the Chinese attraction for acquiring new territories. On take over by the Communists, maps depicting large parts of Korea, Indo-China, Mongolia, Burma, Malaysia, Eastern Turkestan, India, Tibet, Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan as Chinese territories were produced. Despite such demands, New Delhi always overlooked the basic fact that Communists inherited both, the traditional Chinese expansionism as well as imperialism.
Tibet and China that were part of Mongolian Empire at one point in history now became part of the Chinese Empire under Mao, in reverse order. Strangely, from this it follows that since Tawang or Sikkim which have been closely related to Tibet in the past, needed to be ?liberated? and made part of the new Chinese empire. If the leadership of independent India had bothered to study and understand the British mantle that was inherited, Chinese aims would become crystal clear- Mao the great strategist, always announced his goals publicly and never wavered.
Further Mao often quoted a famous Chinese saying, ? ?If the east wind does not prevail over the west wind, then east wind will prevail over the east wind.? This clearly indicates another trait of the Han Chinese -their obsession to dominate other nations in their vicinity. If Nepal in history paid tribute ever as a vassal state to the Chinese Emperor, than whenever the regime in Beijing was powerful, it would ensure Nepal accepts its orbit of influence. With Maoists taking over Nepal, the designs of the Communists in China have succeeded and pacifists in New Delhi stand compromised on our geo-political interests.
While Indians were bending backwards to force their friendship in the last fifty-eight years, China was busy consolidating its hold on Tibet and other occupied territories. It extended its influence in Asia through economic and military power, unprecedented development of logistic infrastructure and demographic invasion. By 1987 it poured in 75 million Han Chinese into Manchuria, 7 million in Eastern Turkestan (Xinjiang), 8.5 million into Inner Mongolia, and 7.5 million into Tibet. Similarly it bolstered itself against India militarily by building roads up to the borders in Tibet and connecting Sinkiang province by cutting a road through Indian Territory Aksai Chin. Yet we were not alarmed as a nation and continue to swim in the euphoria of five principals of Indo-Chinese friendship termed Panchsheel!?
Historically Indian and Chinese influences in Asia have coexisted. However, possibly for the first time in history, India and China were rising almost simultaneously. This produced two contenders for the leadership of Asia. On the chessboard, while Nehru took the initiative to lead Asia- without developing military sinews and powerful international alliances- through The Asian Relations Conference in 1947 and a second Conference on Indonesia in 1949, a year later, Mao?s army executed liberation of Tibet in one masterstroke.
Mao, thus demonstrated to the world that China was the actual leader of Asia and India merely a paper tiger, good for holding conferences but incapable of defending a small country in its vicinity. He also understood strategic importance of Tibet, which provided the base in Himalayas, from where a large part of Asia could be engulfed in its sphere of influence.
Despite invasion of Tibet, New Delhi did not understand the significance of the Chinese communists growing up as a military organisation, unlike other communist movements. Their core competency lay in the PLA and military virtues were promoted throughout the cadres. If China today dares to claim Arunachal and piece of Sikkim, it is primarily based on its military prowess. On the other hand, the fine Indian military machine built by the British continues to be degraded and demoralised by the Indian civil leadership?its like axing the branch one sits on.
Traditionally Chinese leadership leans on teachings of Master Sun Tzu. Mao in particular was highly influenced by Sun Tzu, who said, ??To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy?s resistance without fighting.?
Therefore, a willing proxy was found in Pakistan. For the first time in history, nuclear weapons and missile technology were transferred to countervail and further boost its hatred against India. Of course, we all know how preoccupied Pakistan has kept our national security managers and resources, while Chinese developed a free run in Asia.
Similarly Maoists in Nepal supported clandestinely by the Chinese are in cahoots with the Indian Maoists who now control 40 percent of India?s territory. If you think that?s not smart enough for warriors of Sun Tzu, than take a look at the borders from North to East -Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar are under the spell of Beijing, shrinking India?s influence in its own vicinity without recourse to war. Its matter of time before Chinese upstage Bhutan and Sri Lanka may go the Chinese way due to our inaptitude.
China, over a period of time, has cleverly managed to deploy two authoritarian streams of threats against India to break its will and the territorial integrity. Foremost is the Communist threat that originates from Beijing and the second is the Islamic fundamentalist threat from its proxies. Besides these two, there are other threats like Nepal Maoists or getting the Indo-US Nuclear deal blocked by their comrades in India.
Today for China to threaten Arunachal Pradesh and demand a slice of Sikkim after assured of its vice-like grip on India is a natural progression, even as New Delhi continues its slumber.
In 1999 the Dalai Lama in hindsight admitted, ? When Tibet was free, we took our freedom for granted?In former times Tibetans were a war-like nation whose influence spread far and wide. With the advent of Buddhism our military prowess declined?? The Dalai Lama could easily have said the same for India.
Pacifist philosophies may be good for the individual?s soul but are suicidal for nation?s security.
(The author is editor, Indian Defence Review)
source:Organiser
By Bharat Verma
Despite invasion of Tibet, New Delhi did not understand the significance of the Chinese communists growing up as a military organisation, unlike other communist movements. Their core competency lay in the PLA and military virtues were promoted throughout the cadres. If China today dares to claim Arunachal and piece of Sikkim, it is primarily based on its military prowess.
New Delhi?s portrayal of the humiliating defeat at the hands of Chinese in 1962 as ?betrayal? and ?surprise? is untrue. The pacifist Indian leadership that was crying hoarse from rooftops for friendship at any cost remained blind to Communist China?s repeated claims on Tibet and large part of Indian territories. Mao termed Tibet as the palm of a hand with its five fingers as Ladakh, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, and NEFA. He claimed that these were Chinese territories that needed to be ?liberated?. Tibet was ?liberated? by force while New Delhi slept.
The historical characteristics of the Chinese and the statements issued by the Communists from time to time clearly exposed their expansionist ambitions in Asia that spelt direct threat to India?s well being. Despite such overt indications, if we could not prepare ourselves to meet those challenges, the fault lies with us. Instead of pretending to be surprised or betrayed, it is time we face the truth for the fiasco in 1962 and prepare our military for the serious threat posed by the Chinese.
To Mao and the Chinese what singularly mattered was achieving the final goal. The means whether fair or foul to win were irrelevant. If New Delhi had deciphered what Mao was advocating in 1946 and studied the historical Chinese characteristics, alarm bells should have clearly rung in the South Block.
Mao repeatedly said from 1950 onwards that Taiwan, Tibet, and Hainan Islands were Chinese territories and they will be re-possessed. The predominant trait in this claim is the Chinese attraction for acquiring new territories. On take over by the Communists, maps depicting large parts of Korea, Indo-China, Mongolia, Burma, Malaysia, Eastern Turkestan, India, Tibet, Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan as Chinese territories were produced. Despite such demands, New Delhi always overlooked the basic fact that Communists inherited both, the traditional Chinese expansionism as well as imperialism.
Tibet and China that were part of Mongolian Empire at one point in history now became part of the Chinese Empire under Mao, in reverse order. Strangely, from this it follows that since Tawang or Sikkim which have been closely related to Tibet in the past, needed to be ?liberated? and made part of the new Chinese empire. If the leadership of independent India had bothered to study and understand the British mantle that was inherited, Chinese aims would become crystal clear- Mao the great strategist, always announced his goals publicly and never wavered.
Further Mao often quoted a famous Chinese saying, ? ?If the east wind does not prevail over the west wind, then east wind will prevail over the east wind.? This clearly indicates another trait of the Han Chinese -their obsession to dominate other nations in their vicinity. If Nepal in history paid tribute ever as a vassal state to the Chinese Emperor, than whenever the regime in Beijing was powerful, it would ensure Nepal accepts its orbit of influence. With Maoists taking over Nepal, the designs of the Communists in China have succeeded and pacifists in New Delhi stand compromised on our geo-political interests.
While Indians were bending backwards to force their friendship in the last fifty-eight years, China was busy consolidating its hold on Tibet and other occupied territories. It extended its influence in Asia through economic and military power, unprecedented development of logistic infrastructure and demographic invasion. By 1987 it poured in 75 million Han Chinese into Manchuria, 7 million in Eastern Turkestan (Xinjiang), 8.5 million into Inner Mongolia, and 7.5 million into Tibet. Similarly it bolstered itself against India militarily by building roads up to the borders in Tibet and connecting Sinkiang province by cutting a road through Indian Territory Aksai Chin. Yet we were not alarmed as a nation and continue to swim in the euphoria of five principals of Indo-Chinese friendship termed Panchsheel!?
Historically Indian and Chinese influences in Asia have coexisted. However, possibly for the first time in history, India and China were rising almost simultaneously. This produced two contenders for the leadership of Asia. On the chessboard, while Nehru took the initiative to lead Asia- without developing military sinews and powerful international alliances- through The Asian Relations Conference in 1947 and a second Conference on Indonesia in 1949, a year later, Mao?s army executed liberation of Tibet in one masterstroke.
Mao, thus demonstrated to the world that China was the actual leader of Asia and India merely a paper tiger, good for holding conferences but incapable of defending a small country in its vicinity. He also understood strategic importance of Tibet, which provided the base in Himalayas, from where a large part of Asia could be engulfed in its sphere of influence.
Despite invasion of Tibet, New Delhi did not understand the significance of the Chinese communists growing up as a military organisation, unlike other communist movements. Their core competency lay in the PLA and military virtues were promoted throughout the cadres. If China today dares to claim Arunachal and piece of Sikkim, it is primarily based on its military prowess. On the other hand, the fine Indian military machine built by the British continues to be degraded and demoralised by the Indian civil leadership?its like axing the branch one sits on.
Traditionally Chinese leadership leans on teachings of Master Sun Tzu. Mao in particular was highly influenced by Sun Tzu, who said, ??To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy?s resistance without fighting.?
Therefore, a willing proxy was found in Pakistan. For the first time in history, nuclear weapons and missile technology were transferred to countervail and further boost its hatred against India. Of course, we all know how preoccupied Pakistan has kept our national security managers and resources, while Chinese developed a free run in Asia.
Similarly Maoists in Nepal supported clandestinely by the Chinese are in cahoots with the Indian Maoists who now control 40 percent of India?s territory. If you think that?s not smart enough for warriors of Sun Tzu, than take a look at the borders from North to East -Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar are under the spell of Beijing, shrinking India?s influence in its own vicinity without recourse to war. Its matter of time before Chinese upstage Bhutan and Sri Lanka may go the Chinese way due to our inaptitude.
China, over a period of time, has cleverly managed to deploy two authoritarian streams of threats against India to break its will and the territorial integrity. Foremost is the Communist threat that originates from Beijing and the second is the Islamic fundamentalist threat from its proxies. Besides these two, there are other threats like Nepal Maoists or getting the Indo-US Nuclear deal blocked by their comrades in India.
Today for China to threaten Arunachal Pradesh and demand a slice of Sikkim after assured of its vice-like grip on India is a natural progression, even as New Delhi continues its slumber.
In 1999 the Dalai Lama in hindsight admitted, ? When Tibet was free, we took our freedom for granted?In former times Tibetans were a war-like nation whose influence spread far and wide. With the advent of Buddhism our military prowess declined?? The Dalai Lama could easily have said the same for India.
Pacifist philosophies may be good for the individual?s soul but are suicidal for nation?s security.
(The author is editor, Indian Defence Review)
source:Organiser
A history of Sikkim
By Manju Gupta
History, Culture and Customs of Sikkim, J.R. Subba, Gyan Publishing House, pp 463, price Rs 1,350.00
J.R. Subba, a bureaucrat with a deep interest in the socio-historical studies of far eastern Nepal and Sikkim, particularly the Limbo community to which he belongs, was born in Sikkim which came into existence as ?Greater Sikkim? in AD 1642 with a distinct identity of its own as an Himalayan kingdom after signing the Lho-Mon-Tsong-Sum, the tripartite treaty. Since then the kingdom disintegrated part by part in eight phases, losing its identity as the Himalayan kingdom before being integrated into the Indian Union in 1975.
Dividing the book into various chapters, the author describes the state?s cultural development from antiquity to the present. Beginning with its history, he talks of the first phase of disintegration of Greater Sikkim with the Bhutanese invasion in AD 1700 and who ruled Sikkim for eight years; the second and third phase of disintegration saw the permanent loss of Limbuwan, eastern hills and the terai areas to the Gorkha invasion in AD 1774; the fourth phase saw occupation of western Sikkim by the Gorkhas; the fifth and sixth saw annexation of Piahta-Gong by Tibet and the terai region and Darjeeling by the British; the seventh by annexation of Chumbi valley by China and ?the eighth and final phase of disintegration of ?Greater Sikkim? and subjugation into the Indian Union in 1975.?
Talking of poverty, the author says that in the past 50 years, there has been greater poverty reduction than in the previous 500 years, but poverty persists in Sikkim ?in stark contrast to its relatively high achievement in the social sectors as compared to the national average.? He adds, ?Prior to the merger with India, its very political economy and limited resources did not, in fact, permit Sikkim with development interventions of a democratic variety. Only in the last five years, the philosophy of growth with equity and self-reliance in the planned development of the state has become important.? He concedes, ?The other explanation for poverty persistence in Sikkim, in spite of 30 years of planned investment, is due to its inherent problem of mountain specifications.?
The author talks of the shelter and architecture which have strong elements influenced by her neighbours, Tibet, China, Bhutan, Nepal and India. The earliest record of architecture in Sikkim shows that it was in the form of monasteries, which were set up as institutions to promote Buddhism and also save them as power centres and places of importance. Among these, gumpas at Sangha Choeling and Pemayangtse, the Kechapalri gumpa and Dubdi were the oldest forms before all kinds of architecture sprang up.
Food in the state evolved as a result of traditional wisdom and experiences of generations over time. It is based on the agro-climatic conditions suitable for growing cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, spices, wild edible plants, ethnic belief systems and preferences, socio-economic development status, regional and cultural practices. However, mainly the ?traditional foods have an important bearing on the dietary habits of the people of Sikkim.?
Finally talking about the people?the ancient Kiratas who inhabited the Himalayas, the author says ?A Kirata identity empowers a community with certain claims over the geographical space that was once known as the land of Kiratas...?
?In ancient Sanskrit literature, the Kiratas have been described as a distinct class of tribes, including the aboriginal non-Aryan mountain tribes of northern, central and eastern Himalayas? and those who were the degraded members of the Aryan stock leading the savage life of foresters.?
Birth, death and marriage are major events. The death rituals are performed on the fourth day in case of a male and third day for females by a shaman who should be an expert in recalling the soul of the dead person and guide it through deep forests and high mountains where the soul is supposed to go. Until the death ritual is over, the family abstains from eating meat, salt, chillies, etc.
This is a very region-specific book meant especially for anthropologists and policy-planners.
(Gyan Publishing House, 5 Ansari Road, Darya Ganj, New Delhi-110 002.)
By Manju Gupta
History, Culture and Customs of Sikkim, J.R. Subba, Gyan Publishing House, pp 463, price Rs 1,350.00
J.R. Subba, a bureaucrat with a deep interest in the socio-historical studies of far eastern Nepal and Sikkim, particularly the Limbo community to which he belongs, was born in Sikkim which came into existence as ?Greater Sikkim? in AD 1642 with a distinct identity of its own as an Himalayan kingdom after signing the Lho-Mon-Tsong-Sum, the tripartite treaty. Since then the kingdom disintegrated part by part in eight phases, losing its identity as the Himalayan kingdom before being integrated into the Indian Union in 1975.
Dividing the book into various chapters, the author describes the state?s cultural development from antiquity to the present. Beginning with its history, he talks of the first phase of disintegration of Greater Sikkim with the Bhutanese invasion in AD 1700 and who ruled Sikkim for eight years; the second and third phase of disintegration saw the permanent loss of Limbuwan, eastern hills and the terai areas to the Gorkha invasion in AD 1774; the fourth phase saw occupation of western Sikkim by the Gorkhas; the fifth and sixth saw annexation of Piahta-Gong by Tibet and the terai region and Darjeeling by the British; the seventh by annexation of Chumbi valley by China and ?the eighth and final phase of disintegration of ?Greater Sikkim? and subjugation into the Indian Union in 1975.?
Talking of poverty, the author says that in the past 50 years, there has been greater poverty reduction than in the previous 500 years, but poverty persists in Sikkim ?in stark contrast to its relatively high achievement in the social sectors as compared to the national average.? He adds, ?Prior to the merger with India, its very political economy and limited resources did not, in fact, permit Sikkim with development interventions of a democratic variety. Only in the last five years, the philosophy of growth with equity and self-reliance in the planned development of the state has become important.? He concedes, ?The other explanation for poverty persistence in Sikkim, in spite of 30 years of planned investment, is due to its inherent problem of mountain specifications.?
The author talks of the shelter and architecture which have strong elements influenced by her neighbours, Tibet, China, Bhutan, Nepal and India. The earliest record of architecture in Sikkim shows that it was in the form of monasteries, which were set up as institutions to promote Buddhism and also save them as power centres and places of importance. Among these, gumpas at Sangha Choeling and Pemayangtse, the Kechapalri gumpa and Dubdi were the oldest forms before all kinds of architecture sprang up.
Food in the state evolved as a result of traditional wisdom and experiences of generations over time. It is based on the agro-climatic conditions suitable for growing cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, spices, wild edible plants, ethnic belief systems and preferences, socio-economic development status, regional and cultural practices. However, mainly the ?traditional foods have an important bearing on the dietary habits of the people of Sikkim.?
Finally talking about the people?the ancient Kiratas who inhabited the Himalayas, the author says ?A Kirata identity empowers a community with certain claims over the geographical space that was once known as the land of Kiratas...?
?In ancient Sanskrit literature, the Kiratas have been described as a distinct class of tribes, including the aboriginal non-Aryan mountain tribes of northern, central and eastern Himalayas? and those who were the degraded members of the Aryan stock leading the savage life of foresters.?
Birth, death and marriage are major events. The death rituals are performed on the fourth day in case of a male and third day for females by a shaman who should be an expert in recalling the soul of the dead person and guide it through deep forests and high mountains where the soul is supposed to go. Until the death ritual is over, the family abstains from eating meat, salt, chillies, etc.
This is a very region-specific book meant especially for anthropologists and policy-planners.
(Gyan Publishing House, 5 Ansari Road, Darya Ganj, New Delhi-110 002.)
The amazing journey of a book: From Sikkim to become a world best seller
By Dr Vaidehi Nathan
The Tibetan Book of the Dead: A Biography, Donald S Lopez, Jr., Princeton University Press, Pp 173(HB), $19.95
IT is amazing how a book can sell millions of copies just by the title. That is the story of the book “The Tibetan Book of the Dead” by Walter Evans-Wentz. According to Donald S Lopez, Jr it is not Tibetan, it is not a book and definitely not of the dead. Writing the biography of the book, which was published in 1927, Lopez tells the fascinating story of the book. How an innocuous Buddhist text, one among thousands, nothing distinct, landed in the hands of an Englishman who translated it with help from a monk and sold it and hit a fortune.
Evans-Wentz is the hero of Lopez’s book The Tibetan Book of the Dead: A Biography. Evans-Wentz’s timing was right and his luck immense. He knew no Tibetan and had never visited the mountain nation. At the time when he published the book, Tibet was a remote nation, full of men of wisdom, protected by the pristine mountains as if by the gods themselves.
Evans-Wentz got a copy of this text during his travel in the Himalayas, probably in Sikkim. He got it translated by an English teacher of the Maharaja’s Boarding School for boys in Gangtok, Sikkim. According to Lopez, “The Tibetan work that was given this name by Evans-Wentz is one of many Buddhist texts known by the title Bardo Tödöl (in transliterated Tibetan, Bar do thos grol, literally, “Liberation in the Intermediate State through hearing”). It belongs to the genre of Tibetan literature called terma (gter ma) or “treasure.” It is said to have been composed by the great Indian tantric master Padmasambhava, who visited Tibet in the eighth century.” The story gets interesting. Padmasambhava, “knowing his teachings would be needed in the distant future, dictated books to his consort and scribe (the queen of Tibet) and buried them – sometimes in a cave, sometimes in a lake, sometimes in a pillar, sometimes in the heart of a disciple yet unborn – to await discovery when the time was ripe for their contents to be revealed to the world.”
Padmasambhava wrote thousands of works and the book called Bardo Tödöl was unearthed in 14th century. Evans-Wentz, who ‘unearthed’ it again gave it the title the Tibetan Book of the Dead. And hence the book is not Tibetan, it is not of the dead and it is not a book at all. Since its publication in 1927, millions have read it in the West and used it “to do what Freud (Sigmund) deemed impossible: imagine their own deaths.”
The timing of the book was wonderful. Suffering from recession, the population was soothed by the spiritual content of the book. The East has always been a mystery. But after the conquest of India and China by the West, rather easily, the mystery and awe about the Eastern knowledge was attached to Tibet which was as yet an unexplored terrain. The book has seven major “incarnations” and several minor ones.
Lopez says that the three major reasons why the book succeeded the way it was: “The first is the human obsession with death. The second is the Western romance of Tibet. The third is Evans-Wentz’s way of making the Tibetan text into something that is somehow American.”
The biography of the book is absolutely fascinating. How the drama unfolds, as if by a divine intervention. Lopez, a professor in Buddhist and Tibetan studies in the University of Michigan takes us through the story without belittling any of the dramatis personae. This book is part of the new series ‘Lives of Great Religious Books’ by Princeton University Press. The short volumes in the series will recount the histories of religious texts from world over. Lopez’s lucid style makes the reading an additional pleasure, to the already delightful ‘plot.’
(Princeton University Press, William Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540)
source: The Organiser
By Dr Vaidehi Nathan
The Tibetan Book of the Dead: A Biography, Donald S Lopez, Jr., Princeton University Press, Pp 173(HB), $19.95
IT is amazing how a book can sell millions of copies just by the title. That is the story of the book “The Tibetan Book of the Dead” by Walter Evans-Wentz. According to Donald S Lopez, Jr it is not Tibetan, it is not a book and definitely not of the dead. Writing the biography of the book, which was published in 1927, Lopez tells the fascinating story of the book. How an innocuous Buddhist text, one among thousands, nothing distinct, landed in the hands of an Englishman who translated it with help from a monk and sold it and hit a fortune.
Evans-Wentz is the hero of Lopez’s book The Tibetan Book of the Dead: A Biography. Evans-Wentz’s timing was right and his luck immense. He knew no Tibetan and had never visited the mountain nation. At the time when he published the book, Tibet was a remote nation, full of men of wisdom, protected by the pristine mountains as if by the gods themselves.
Evans-Wentz got a copy of this text during his travel in the Himalayas, probably in Sikkim. He got it translated by an English teacher of the Maharaja’s Boarding School for boys in Gangtok, Sikkim. According to Lopez, “The Tibetan work that was given this name by Evans-Wentz is one of many Buddhist texts known by the title Bardo Tödöl (in transliterated Tibetan, Bar do thos grol, literally, “Liberation in the Intermediate State through hearing”). It belongs to the genre of Tibetan literature called terma (gter ma) or “treasure.” It is said to have been composed by the great Indian tantric master Padmasambhava, who visited Tibet in the eighth century.” The story gets interesting. Padmasambhava, “knowing his teachings would be needed in the distant future, dictated books to his consort and scribe (the queen of Tibet) and buried them – sometimes in a cave, sometimes in a lake, sometimes in a pillar, sometimes in the heart of a disciple yet unborn – to await discovery when the time was ripe for their contents to be revealed to the world.”
Padmasambhava wrote thousands of works and the book called Bardo Tödöl was unearthed in 14th century. Evans-Wentz, who ‘unearthed’ it again gave it the title the Tibetan Book of the Dead. And hence the book is not Tibetan, it is not of the dead and it is not a book at all. Since its publication in 1927, millions have read it in the West and used it “to do what Freud (Sigmund) deemed impossible: imagine their own deaths.”
The timing of the book was wonderful. Suffering from recession, the population was soothed by the spiritual content of the book. The East has always been a mystery. But after the conquest of India and China by the West, rather easily, the mystery and awe about the Eastern knowledge was attached to Tibet which was as yet an unexplored terrain. The book has seven major “incarnations” and several minor ones.
Lopez says that the three major reasons why the book succeeded the way it was: “The first is the human obsession with death. The second is the Western romance of Tibet. The third is Evans-Wentz’s way of making the Tibetan text into something that is somehow American.”
The biography of the book is absolutely fascinating. How the drama unfolds, as if by a divine intervention. Lopez, a professor in Buddhist and Tibetan studies in the University of Michigan takes us through the story without belittling any of the dramatis personae. This book is part of the new series ‘Lives of Great Religious Books’ by Princeton University Press. The short volumes in the series will recount the histories of religious texts from world over. Lopez’s lucid style makes the reading an additional pleasure, to the already delightful ‘plot.’
(Princeton University Press, William Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540)
source: The Organiser
Such a long journey
SUDHISH KAMATH
source:The Hindu
From eight states, speaking different dialects, with long stories of struggle and a million dreams... the story of migrants from the North East who call this city home
They come from a far away land loosely labelled the North East, from the lesser-known states of India, to make a living in a world that does not speak their language.
In fact, they don't even speak each other's language. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura — eight states, over a dozen popular spoken languages, scores of dialects, hundreds of tribes, thousands of stories of struggle and a million dreams. And one answer — migration. Studies indicate that about 4.15 lakh people have migrated from the North East to cities around the country in the last five years for better prospects — education and employment.
Chennai is today home to hundreds of such migrants, the number growing steadily with the increasing demand for manpower in the service sector. The hospitality industry thrives on this migrant population for its bulk recruitments, be it beauty parlours, salons, restaurants or hotels.
Though they hail from different states, these migrants stay together mostly in hostels or flats assigned by their employers. As P. Chuveirou, who calls herself Jenny, says: “Though I am from Manipur and can speak Manipuri, I belong to a Naga tribe and speak Poumai at home. There are ten of us who stay together, some are from Mizoram and some from Nepal and they don't speak Manipuri. So we communicate in English.”
Jenny has been working at Kenko Refloxology and Fish Spa in Express Avenue for the last six months. “I finished my Class XII and decided to leave home to be independent. About 60-70 per cent of the population in Manipur is into agriculture and about 10 per cent have their own business. The rest have government jobs.”
S. Byhnaki, who works with Jenny, belongs to the Mara tribe from Mizoram. She did a beautician course and has been working in Chennai since last year. “I speak Mara at home. I came here last year but since I can't speak Tamil, all my friends are from Manipur, Nepal and Bhutan. We get along well. The food isn't a problem as long as I get chicken biryani but I am excited about going home next month for a vacation.”
Naki will spend three days on a train and then another three changing buses before she reaches home in Mizoram. “It will take me six days to get home and then another six days to get back. Luckily, I have leave for 20 days,” she laughs.
Loving their independence
For some, the distance is liberating. Iralule loves her independence here, far away from Assam. “Most of my cousins are here. Sometimes, we go out and watch movies. I love to watch Rajnikant movies.”
Iralule works at Senza Spa in Besant Nagar, along with Esther Jojo and M.S. Achan from Manipur, and Jimmy Awomi and Lihola D. from Nagaland.
“Chennai is safe, welcoming and it is a perfect blend of a big city and a small town,” says Achan. “All my brothers and sisters now work in Chennai, so I don't feel very homesick.”
Achan came to Chennai eight months ago after completing Class XII. Jimmy's interest in the beauty industry made her study at the Nail Academy in Delhi while Lihola D. wasn't academically inclined. Esther just started working. None of these five want to go back to their homes in the North East simply because there are more opportunities here. They live together in a hostel and thanks to their friends there, they have now picked up a little Tamil.
Though most migrants have a problem with the local cuisine, they get used to it eventually. “We don't like the strong spices and tamarind used in the food. We prefer to eat rice with meat and chillies, food without any seasoning,” says Jimmy.
Survival demands that they adapt fast. Saptarshi Bhattacharya, originally from Agartala, Tripura, a senior journalist who made Chennai his home 13 years ago couldn't speak a word of Tamil. Today, he heads the city bureau for an English daily. “Thanks to the clerks at office, my friends in the Corporation and Tamil journalists I met on the beat, I could speak Tamil within six months. Within two years, I could read and translate Tamil press releases.”
Rachna Bhattarai, who hails from Meghalaya, came to Chennai five years ago after doing a hotel management and catering course in Kolkata. Today, after a stint with a few five-star hotels in the city, she has started her own event management business and specialises in organising parties.
“You get so much more exposure in hotels here. I would consider going back because there has been some development over the last few years,” says Rachna.
“Migration today happens because the youth have the confidence to pursue their dreams. Films and TV have redefined aspirations. However, insurgency has put the clock backwards. Though the infrastructure is developing, the exodus is a matter of concern because the governments have not been able to create enough opportunity,” Saptarshi explains.
Would he go back? Pat comes the answer, “I would think twice.”
SUDHISH KAMATH
source:The Hindu
From eight states, speaking different dialects, with long stories of struggle and a million dreams... the story of migrants from the North East who call this city home
They come from a far away land loosely labelled the North East, from the lesser-known states of India, to make a living in a world that does not speak their language.
In fact, they don't even speak each other's language. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura — eight states, over a dozen popular spoken languages, scores of dialects, hundreds of tribes, thousands of stories of struggle and a million dreams. And one answer — migration. Studies indicate that about 4.15 lakh people have migrated from the North East to cities around the country in the last five years for better prospects — education and employment.
Chennai is today home to hundreds of such migrants, the number growing steadily with the increasing demand for manpower in the service sector. The hospitality industry thrives on this migrant population for its bulk recruitments, be it beauty parlours, salons, restaurants or hotels.
Though they hail from different states, these migrants stay together mostly in hostels or flats assigned by their employers. As P. Chuveirou, who calls herself Jenny, says: “Though I am from Manipur and can speak Manipuri, I belong to a Naga tribe and speak Poumai at home. There are ten of us who stay together, some are from Mizoram and some from Nepal and they don't speak Manipuri. So we communicate in English.”
Jenny has been working at Kenko Refloxology and Fish Spa in Express Avenue for the last six months. “I finished my Class XII and decided to leave home to be independent. About 60-70 per cent of the population in Manipur is into agriculture and about 10 per cent have their own business. The rest have government jobs.”
S. Byhnaki, who works with Jenny, belongs to the Mara tribe from Mizoram. She did a beautician course and has been working in Chennai since last year. “I speak Mara at home. I came here last year but since I can't speak Tamil, all my friends are from Manipur, Nepal and Bhutan. We get along well. The food isn't a problem as long as I get chicken biryani but I am excited about going home next month for a vacation.”
Naki will spend three days on a train and then another three changing buses before she reaches home in Mizoram. “It will take me six days to get home and then another six days to get back. Luckily, I have leave for 20 days,” she laughs.
Loving their independence
For some, the distance is liberating. Iralule loves her independence here, far away from Assam. “Most of my cousins are here. Sometimes, we go out and watch movies. I love to watch Rajnikant movies.”
Iralule works at Senza Spa in Besant Nagar, along with Esther Jojo and M.S. Achan from Manipur, and Jimmy Awomi and Lihola D. from Nagaland.
“Chennai is safe, welcoming and it is a perfect blend of a big city and a small town,” says Achan. “All my brothers and sisters now work in Chennai, so I don't feel very homesick.”
Achan came to Chennai eight months ago after completing Class XII. Jimmy's interest in the beauty industry made her study at the Nail Academy in Delhi while Lihola D. wasn't academically inclined. Esther just started working. None of these five want to go back to their homes in the North East simply because there are more opportunities here. They live together in a hostel and thanks to their friends there, they have now picked up a little Tamil.
Though most migrants have a problem with the local cuisine, they get used to it eventually. “We don't like the strong spices and tamarind used in the food. We prefer to eat rice with meat and chillies, food without any seasoning,” says Jimmy.
Survival demands that they adapt fast. Saptarshi Bhattacharya, originally from Agartala, Tripura, a senior journalist who made Chennai his home 13 years ago couldn't speak a word of Tamil. Today, he heads the city bureau for an English daily. “Thanks to the clerks at office, my friends in the Corporation and Tamil journalists I met on the beat, I could speak Tamil within six months. Within two years, I could read and translate Tamil press releases.”
Rachna Bhattarai, who hails from Meghalaya, came to Chennai five years ago after doing a hotel management and catering course in Kolkata. Today, after a stint with a few five-star hotels in the city, she has started her own event management business and specialises in organising parties.
“You get so much more exposure in hotels here. I would consider going back because there has been some development over the last few years,” says Rachna.
“Migration today happens because the youth have the confidence to pursue their dreams. Films and TV have redefined aspirations. However, insurgency has put the clock backwards. Though the infrastructure is developing, the exodus is a matter of concern because the governments have not been able to create enough opportunity,” Saptarshi explains.
Would he go back? Pat comes the answer, “I would think twice.”
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