One arrested with Yarchagompu at Serathang near Nathu La
source;SikkimNow
GANGTOK, 26 July: One person was detained today in possession of 1.2 kg of Yarchagompu [caterpillar grass] by Customs officials at Serathang, official trade mart for the Nathula border trade on the Indian side. The origins of the consignment and what the accused planned to do with it is not yet clear. Yarchagompu, an insect parasite fungus having high commercial demand as a health tonic and aphrodisiac, is found in altitudes above 11,500 feet. Its trade is bound by several laws in India and traffic not allowed.
The Legal counsel of the Forest Department, Jagat Rai, confirming the arrest, informed that the accused has been booked under Section 27, 29, 35[6], 51, 52 of Wildlife Act and 42[3]/83/84 of Sikkim Forest Act by the Gangtok Range Office.
The incident was also confirmed by the Divisional Forest Officer [Wildlife-East] Ravi Kumar.
The RO, Dhananjay Pradhan, informs that the accused, detained by the Customs officials at Serethang was subsequently released. By then, the Forest Department had been informed and following coordination with Sikkim Police, the accused was arrested at 3rd Mile check-post while he was returning.
“We are awaiting official details from the Custom Officials which will be handed over to us tomorrow,” Mr. Pradhan said.
In the meanwhile, the accused has be brought down to Gangtok and will be kept in custody at the Sadar Thana.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Karma Gyatso to be new chief secretary of Sikkim
PTI | 09:07 PM,Jul 29,2011
Gangtok, Jul 29 (PTI) Karma Gyatso, a 1997 IAS batch officer, has been promoted as the chief secretary of Sikkim, officials said today.With effect from August 1, he will also hold the additional charge of the finance, revenue and expenditure department.He replaces N D Chingapa, who has now retired.Gyatso started his career with the state government in 1975 and held many key portfolios such as those at the department of tourism, planning, economic reforms and north eastern council affairs, finance, revenue and expenditure.An experienced administrator, he is widely travelled both within and outside the country.He was also a signatory of the MoU for the Nathula Trade and was instrumental in the opening of the border trade at Nathula during his tenure as the principal secretary in the commerce and industries department
PTI | 09:07 PM,Jul 29,2011
Gangtok, Jul 29 (PTI) Karma Gyatso, a 1997 IAS batch officer, has been promoted as the chief secretary of Sikkim, officials said today.With effect from August 1, he will also hold the additional charge of the finance, revenue and expenditure department.He replaces N D Chingapa, who has now retired.Gyatso started his career with the state government in 1975 and held many key portfolios such as those at the department of tourism, planning, economic reforms and north eastern council affairs, finance, revenue and expenditure.An experienced administrator, he is widely travelled both within and outside the country.He was also a signatory of the MoU for the Nathula Trade and was instrumental in the opening of the border trade at Nathula during his tenure as the principal secretary in the commerce and industries department
Friday, July 29, 2011
The Worshiping of The Lord Pashupatinath
THE HIMALAYAN BEACON [BEACON ONLINE]
BY DIRGHA RAJ PRASAI
Nepal is known pious land in the world. Hindu philosophy and its culture and tradition are the founder of world civilization. Hindu shrine Pashupatinath (Shiva) is the Lord of all Hindus. According to the Hindu Mythology, Lord Shiva (Pashupatinath) spent his most of his time on the top of the holy mount Kailas Mansharobar, practicing Yogic austere, joy and love with his divine consort Parbati (mother of mythology), The Lake Mansarowers and the holy mount Kailas are the soul of all OM followers in the world. The Lord Pashupathinath, Shoyambhunath, Lumbini, Barahachetra, Gosaikunda, Muktinath, Ridi, Janakidham, Devghat of Nepal, Kailash Mansarovar of Tibet (well accessed for Hindus and Buddhists), and Tirupati, Rameshroram, Jagannath, Badrinath, Amarnath, Kedarnath of India are the symbolic shrines of Hinduism & Buddhism. ‘Doleswar Mahadev (Lord Shiv) (Shipadol-Bhaktapur-Nepal) is the head portion of the Kedarnath (Lord Shiv). Shiv Puran also mentions It.’-(Shree 1008 Jagat Guru Bheemashankarling Shivacharya). Similarly, the Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions. The stupa has Buddha’s eyes and eyebrows painted on. Between them, there is something painted which looks like the nose- but is the Nepali symbol of ‘unity’. Pashupathinath, Shoyambhunath both are Hindus and Buddhists shrine place.
According to Hindu mythology, Shiva is worshipped as protector of all animals, including humans. The Nepalese and Indian Hindu men and women perform rituals for the Hindu god Lord Shiva- the god of destruction and creation. In Sivaratri, Axyatritiya, Janaipurnima, Tij and Sawan Mondays are most remarkable times in every year. The Sawan Mondays is considered as the holiest month of the year. In the time of Sawan the Hindu men and women wearing red attire as well as green and yellow bangles. They pray for their own country’s peace and stability and the long and prosperous life for their husbands, sons-daughters and families. The young pray to achieve the good husband and wife. ‘Shiva is every where, he has left work for you, you have to work without expectation. ‘Shivaratri is celebrated with enthusiasm by the Hindus all over the world including Nepal and India. It is an important day for the followers of Lord Shiva. The celebrations are marked by fasting and the observance of a number of rituals. On the festival, as many as six types of Abhisheks (purifying) can be witnessed, each using milk, ghee, sugar, honey, water and sandalwood paste.
We pray to the Lord Shiva, as – ‘OM! O Shiva! We worship and adore you, O three-eyed one, You are sweet gladness, the fragrance of life, who nourishes us, restores our health, and causes us to thrive. As, in due time, the stem of the cucumber weakens, and the gourd is freed from the vine, so free us from attachment and death, and do not withhold immortality.’
The Lord Pashupatinath Temple sits on a sacred river on the edge of Bagmati, Kathmandu the Bagmati River which runs next to Pashupatinath Temple have highly sacred properties. Thus the banks are lined with many Ghats for use by pilgrims. There are 108 Siva temples around this area. The Bagmati River is a river of Nepal its flows through the Kathmandu valley and is the river separating Kathmandu from Lalitpur. It is considered a holy river both by Hindus and Buddhists. A number of Hindu temples are located on the banks of this river. The complex rises up from the bank amid a mass of pagoda- style buildings. The temple moves to ancient rhythms. And one of its many traditions has been to recruit its priests from Brahmins from far-away south India. In 1746 AD Pratap Malla the King of Kathmandu came in touch of Kartatac and King and appointed Gyanananda & Lambakarna as priests of Pashupatinath. They were Tantriks (having mystic power). Till now, there are four Bhatta priests & 106 Newars as Bhandaris (store keepers & protectors) Bhandaris are chronologically important. The Bhandaris are the traditional temple caretakers of the temple. Only those born in Devpatan, the Pashupati area are entitled for worshiping lord Pashupatinath. Bhandaris are the owners of their houses.
Pashupati area is regarded as one of the most important places of pilgrimages for the followers of Hinduism. Thousands of devotees from within and outside the country come to pay homage to Pashupatinath every day. And on special occasions like Ekadasi, Sankranti, Mahashivratri, Teej Akshaya, Rakshabandhan, Grahana (eclipse), Poornima (Full moon day) the whole atmosphere turns festive and mirthful as people congregate here in a far greater number. During the Shivaratri (also spelled Shivratri) festival Pashupatinath temple is lit with ghee lamps throughout the night and the temple remains open all night. Thousands of devotees take ritual baths in the Bagmati River on the day of the festival and observe a fast for the whole day. Hundreds of Sadhus (sages) from different parts of Nepal and India come here on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
The area of Pashupatinath imcompasses 264 hectre of land including 518 temples and monuments. We want to protect and safeguard the heritage. The Rajbhandaris must be reinstated. The decision done by Maoist must be scraped out. Maoist followed the villainous part as played by Samasuddin from Bangal having a force of thirty one thousand Muslims plundering and destroying the faith and trust of Hindu & Buddhist in Bikram Era 1400. The last Licchivi regime was very weak. There was a great chaos after the Muslims attack. To save the regime from such a dreadful situation Jayasthiti Malla, the Ksha King having cooperation and assistance from kings of Palpa, Kaski, Gorkha and Lamjung, attacked vigorously on Muslim army. Thirty thousand and four hundred soldiers were killed and almost six hundred fled away. It is carved and can be seen in Bhatapur Taleju temple. Then, Jayasthiti Malla ascended the throne of Kathmandu and reconstructed the temple and constructed the Rama temple across the Bagmati river and established Kumbheshwar Mahadev and performed Kotihom ( oblation for one Crore over the sacred fire) He laid the strict rule regarding the entrance for the Hindus & Buddhists only. This is inviolable. But, now the Bagmati River is dirty and can be smelled well before it comes into sight. So, at any rate, it should be non-dirty. Now, the artificial problem has created to minimize the pious land by Christians. It is wrong for Christians to use the Sleshmantak Forest to dispose of their dead. As a member of the Nath Yogi Community have been burring there. As the Nepali society is passing through the so-called ‘transitional phase. We, the Hindus all over the world have the courage to call spade a spade.
King Jyotirmalla writes in stone inscription- ‘about Pashupatinath in 1465 Bs, lord Pashupatinath having five mouths along with worship able Bashuki the holy serpent. King Pratap Malla was famous in stone tablets. Prithvinarayan shah the great, worshipped lord Pashupatinath doing his integration of Kingdom. It is stated in Lingua Bambshabali. Prithbinarayan Shah had got carved in Basantapur Place in 1826 Bs after his Victory over Kathmandu valley-’ lord Pashupatinath & Goddess Guheshwari may bless Nepal for keeping sovereignty and stability along with Shah popular Regime. Royal seals were attached regarding the worship of Lord Pashupatinath by King Ranabahadur Shah, King Mahendra, King Birendra and King Gyanendra as well. Since 1979 UNESCO has kept this core area as a world heritage. It encompasses four hector of land as a very sensitive area. Let this government be away from imposing political interference over Hindus & Buddhists. The decision done in contravention of all the rules & the regulations regarding the Pashupatinath worship is scraped immediately. So, this is the high time to be conscious, unite to protect the identities of Hindus, Buddhists in all over the world.
source;Shri Barun Roy
THE HIMALAYAN BEACON [BEACON ONLINE]
BY DIRGHA RAJ PRASAI
Nepal is known pious land in the world. Hindu philosophy and its culture and tradition are the founder of world civilization. Hindu shrine Pashupatinath (Shiva) is the Lord of all Hindus. According to the Hindu Mythology, Lord Shiva (Pashupatinath) spent his most of his time on the top of the holy mount Kailas Mansharobar, practicing Yogic austere, joy and love with his divine consort Parbati (mother of mythology), The Lake Mansarowers and the holy mount Kailas are the soul of all OM followers in the world. The Lord Pashupathinath, Shoyambhunath, Lumbini, Barahachetra, Gosaikunda, Muktinath, Ridi, Janakidham, Devghat of Nepal, Kailash Mansarovar of Tibet (well accessed for Hindus and Buddhists), and Tirupati, Rameshroram, Jagannath, Badrinath, Amarnath, Kedarnath of India are the symbolic shrines of Hinduism & Buddhism. ‘Doleswar Mahadev (Lord Shiv) (Shipadol-Bhaktapur-Nepal) is the head portion of the Kedarnath (Lord Shiv). Shiv Puran also mentions It.’-(Shree 1008 Jagat Guru Bheemashankarling Shivacharya). Similarly, the Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions. The stupa has Buddha’s eyes and eyebrows painted on. Between them, there is something painted which looks like the nose- but is the Nepali symbol of ‘unity’. Pashupathinath, Shoyambhunath both are Hindus and Buddhists shrine place.
According to Hindu mythology, Shiva is worshipped as protector of all animals, including humans. The Nepalese and Indian Hindu men and women perform rituals for the Hindu god Lord Shiva- the god of destruction and creation. In Sivaratri, Axyatritiya, Janaipurnima, Tij and Sawan Mondays are most remarkable times in every year. The Sawan Mondays is considered as the holiest month of the year. In the time of Sawan the Hindu men and women wearing red attire as well as green and yellow bangles. They pray for their own country’s peace and stability and the long and prosperous life for their husbands, sons-daughters and families. The young pray to achieve the good husband and wife. ‘Shiva is every where, he has left work for you, you have to work without expectation. ‘Shivaratri is celebrated with enthusiasm by the Hindus all over the world including Nepal and India. It is an important day for the followers of Lord Shiva. The celebrations are marked by fasting and the observance of a number of rituals. On the festival, as many as six types of Abhisheks (purifying) can be witnessed, each using milk, ghee, sugar, honey, water and sandalwood paste.
We pray to the Lord Shiva, as – ‘OM! O Shiva! We worship and adore you, O three-eyed one, You are sweet gladness, the fragrance of life, who nourishes us, restores our health, and causes us to thrive. As, in due time, the stem of the cucumber weakens, and the gourd is freed from the vine, so free us from attachment and death, and do not withhold immortality.’
The Lord Pashupatinath Temple sits on a sacred river on the edge of Bagmati, Kathmandu the Bagmati River which runs next to Pashupatinath Temple have highly sacred properties. Thus the banks are lined with many Ghats for use by pilgrims. There are 108 Siva temples around this area. The Bagmati River is a river of Nepal its flows through the Kathmandu valley and is the river separating Kathmandu from Lalitpur. It is considered a holy river both by Hindus and Buddhists. A number of Hindu temples are located on the banks of this river. The complex rises up from the bank amid a mass of pagoda- style buildings. The temple moves to ancient rhythms. And one of its many traditions has been to recruit its priests from Brahmins from far-away south India. In 1746 AD Pratap Malla the King of Kathmandu came in touch of Kartatac and King and appointed Gyanananda & Lambakarna as priests of Pashupatinath. They were Tantriks (having mystic power). Till now, there are four Bhatta priests & 106 Newars as Bhandaris (store keepers & protectors) Bhandaris are chronologically important. The Bhandaris are the traditional temple caretakers of the temple. Only those born in Devpatan, the Pashupati area are entitled for worshiping lord Pashupatinath. Bhandaris are the owners of their houses.
Pashupati area is regarded as one of the most important places of pilgrimages for the followers of Hinduism. Thousands of devotees from within and outside the country come to pay homage to Pashupatinath every day. And on special occasions like Ekadasi, Sankranti, Mahashivratri, Teej Akshaya, Rakshabandhan, Grahana (eclipse), Poornima (Full moon day) the whole atmosphere turns festive and mirthful as people congregate here in a far greater number. During the Shivaratri (also spelled Shivratri) festival Pashupatinath temple is lit with ghee lamps throughout the night and the temple remains open all night. Thousands of devotees take ritual baths in the Bagmati River on the day of the festival and observe a fast for the whole day. Hundreds of Sadhus (sages) from different parts of Nepal and India come here on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
The area of Pashupatinath imcompasses 264 hectre of land including 518 temples and monuments. We want to protect and safeguard the heritage. The Rajbhandaris must be reinstated. The decision done by Maoist must be scraped out. Maoist followed the villainous part as played by Samasuddin from Bangal having a force of thirty one thousand Muslims plundering and destroying the faith and trust of Hindu & Buddhist in Bikram Era 1400. The last Licchivi regime was very weak. There was a great chaos after the Muslims attack. To save the regime from such a dreadful situation Jayasthiti Malla, the Ksha King having cooperation and assistance from kings of Palpa, Kaski, Gorkha and Lamjung, attacked vigorously on Muslim army. Thirty thousand and four hundred soldiers were killed and almost six hundred fled away. It is carved and can be seen in Bhatapur Taleju temple. Then, Jayasthiti Malla ascended the throne of Kathmandu and reconstructed the temple and constructed the Rama temple across the Bagmati river and established Kumbheshwar Mahadev and performed Kotihom ( oblation for one Crore over the sacred fire) He laid the strict rule regarding the entrance for the Hindus & Buddhists only. This is inviolable. But, now the Bagmati River is dirty and can be smelled well before it comes into sight. So, at any rate, it should be non-dirty. Now, the artificial problem has created to minimize the pious land by Christians. It is wrong for Christians to use the Sleshmantak Forest to dispose of their dead. As a member of the Nath Yogi Community have been burring there. As the Nepali society is passing through the so-called ‘transitional phase. We, the Hindus all over the world have the courage to call spade a spade.
King Jyotirmalla writes in stone inscription- ‘about Pashupatinath in 1465 Bs, lord Pashupatinath having five mouths along with worship able Bashuki the holy serpent. King Pratap Malla was famous in stone tablets. Prithvinarayan shah the great, worshipped lord Pashupatinath doing his integration of Kingdom. It is stated in Lingua Bambshabali. Prithbinarayan Shah had got carved in Basantapur Place in 1826 Bs after his Victory over Kathmandu valley-’ lord Pashupatinath & Goddess Guheshwari may bless Nepal for keeping sovereignty and stability along with Shah popular Regime. Royal seals were attached regarding the worship of Lord Pashupatinath by King Ranabahadur Shah, King Mahendra, King Birendra and King Gyanendra as well. Since 1979 UNESCO has kept this core area as a world heritage. It encompasses four hector of land as a very sensitive area. Let this government be away from imposing political interference over Hindus & Buddhists. The decision done in contravention of all the rules & the regulations regarding the Pashupatinath worship is scraped immediately. So, this is the high time to be conscious, unite to protect the identities of Hindus, Buddhists in all over the world.
source;Shri Barun Roy
Jelep-la trade hope brews after promise in hill deal
FROM THE TELEGRAPH
A shop selling Tibetan items at the 10th Mile near Kalimpong. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha
Kalimpong/Darjeeling, July 26: The signing of the tripartite agreement to set up the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has opened up the possibility of resuming trade through Jelep-la, a pass close to Kalimpong on the India-China border that was last used nearly 50 years ago.
The hope brews all the more as the agreement states that the GTA will take up the issue with the Centre and the state, once it is in place.
“Jelep-la (easy pass in Tibetan) was the preferred pass since, unlike Nathu-la, its gradient is not so steep making it easier to negotiate even during the winter months. I am certain once it is opened, it will be a thriving trade route and help rejuvenate the long dormant economic activity in Kalimpong,” said Karma T. Pempahishey, a member of the Public Grievances Redressal and Welfare Society, Kalimpong. The society has long been lobbying for the reopening of border trade.
At 14,500ft, Jelep-la is 100 feet higher than Nathu-la and 160km from Kalimpong. But the distance from Siliguri to Jelep-la is 235km. From Siliguri, the Sikkim pass is 15km further away, a significant difference in the hilly terrain.
Trade through the all-weather route, unlike the Nathu-la that remains closed during winters, had once turned Kalimpong into a major trade hub. Jelep-la was an important pass for export and import from India till the Chinese aggression in 1962. Kalimpong was the main station for dumping commodities brought from Tibet and also for packaging and re-shipment of export commodities from India to Tibet.
“While mostly raw wool and silver coins came from Tibet, just about everything was exported from here,” said Satyanaryan Agarwal, a veteran of the Indo-Tibetan trade through Jelep-la who still owns a shop at 10th Mile, which used to be the main trading centre then.
The Kalimpong Chamber of Commerce (KCC) said it would welcome any move to reopen the Jelep-la trade route.
“The closure of Jelep-la has severely impacted the local economy. The trade route is far more feasible than Nathu-la. However, more items should be allowed from Tibet through the point (than it was earlier) to make it economically viable in today’s context,” said a member of the KCC.
Trade through Jelep-la had started way back in 1871, but inland business flourished after Colonel Young Husband’s visit to Tibet via Kalimpong in 1904, when the route started functioning as a full-fledged passage for exchange of goods.
Following improvement in the ties between colonial India and Tibet, a British agent was stationed at Shigatse in Tibet for the purpose of transit.
In fact, former Darjeeling MP Dawa Narbula had also raised the issue of Jelep-la in Parliament while the KCC had submitted a memorandum to Atal Behari Vajpayee, the then prime minister, during his visit to Gangtok in 2004. A memorandum had also been submitted to Pranab Mukherjee when he had come to Kalimpong as the finance minister in 2008.
Even current Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh has strongly advocated for the opening of the Silk Route.
Singh had earlier told The Telegraph that the quest for peace and amity with neighbouring countries could not be treated like “traffic lights”.
“It cannot be treated like traffic lights, stop, go, green, amber, red. It has to be a constant effort…We must permit free movement of goods and encourage as much trade as possible,” said Singh. “We would very seriously consider the opening of Jelep-la.”
The tripartite agreement states that the GTA will take up the matter of reopening the trade route through the Jelep-la with the state and the Centre soon after the body comes into existence.
“Easy access from the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) through Jelep-la will eventually make it more popular with Chinese traders wanting to reach the ports in Calcutta or Bangladesh. Besides trade, the opening of the Jelep-la route is likely to provide a boost to the tourism industry in the region,” said Pempahishey.
FROM THE TELEGRAPH
A shop selling Tibetan items at the 10th Mile near Kalimpong. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha
Kalimpong/Darjeeling, July 26: The signing of the tripartite agreement to set up the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has opened up the possibility of resuming trade through Jelep-la, a pass close to Kalimpong on the India-China border that was last used nearly 50 years ago.
The hope brews all the more as the agreement states that the GTA will take up the issue with the Centre and the state, once it is in place.
“Jelep-la (easy pass in Tibetan) was the preferred pass since, unlike Nathu-la, its gradient is not so steep making it easier to negotiate even during the winter months. I am certain once it is opened, it will be a thriving trade route and help rejuvenate the long dormant economic activity in Kalimpong,” said Karma T. Pempahishey, a member of the Public Grievances Redressal and Welfare Society, Kalimpong. The society has long been lobbying for the reopening of border trade.
At 14,500ft, Jelep-la is 100 feet higher than Nathu-la and 160km from Kalimpong. But the distance from Siliguri to Jelep-la is 235km. From Siliguri, the Sikkim pass is 15km further away, a significant difference in the hilly terrain.
Trade through the all-weather route, unlike the Nathu-la that remains closed during winters, had once turned Kalimpong into a major trade hub. Jelep-la was an important pass for export and import from India till the Chinese aggression in 1962. Kalimpong was the main station for dumping commodities brought from Tibet and also for packaging and re-shipment of export commodities from India to Tibet.
“While mostly raw wool and silver coins came from Tibet, just about everything was exported from here,” said Satyanaryan Agarwal, a veteran of the Indo-Tibetan trade through Jelep-la who still owns a shop at 10th Mile, which used to be the main trading centre then.
The Kalimpong Chamber of Commerce (KCC) said it would welcome any move to reopen the Jelep-la trade route.
“The closure of Jelep-la has severely impacted the local economy. The trade route is far more feasible than Nathu-la. However, more items should be allowed from Tibet through the point (than it was earlier) to make it economically viable in today’s context,” said a member of the KCC.
Trade through Jelep-la had started way back in 1871, but inland business flourished after Colonel Young Husband’s visit to Tibet via Kalimpong in 1904, when the route started functioning as a full-fledged passage for exchange of goods.
Following improvement in the ties between colonial India and Tibet, a British agent was stationed at Shigatse in Tibet for the purpose of transit.
In fact, former Darjeeling MP Dawa Narbula had also raised the issue of Jelep-la in Parliament while the KCC had submitted a memorandum to Atal Behari Vajpayee, the then prime minister, during his visit to Gangtok in 2004. A memorandum had also been submitted to Pranab Mukherjee when he had come to Kalimpong as the finance minister in 2008.
Even current Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh has strongly advocated for the opening of the Silk Route.
Singh had earlier told The Telegraph that the quest for peace and amity with neighbouring countries could not be treated like “traffic lights”.
“It cannot be treated like traffic lights, stop, go, green, amber, red. It has to be a constant effort…We must permit free movement of goods and encourage as much trade as possible,” said Singh. “We would very seriously consider the opening of Jelep-la.”
The tripartite agreement states that the GTA will take up the matter of reopening the trade route through the Jelep-la with the state and the Centre soon after the body comes into existence.
“Easy access from the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) through Jelep-la will eventually make it more popular with Chinese traders wanting to reach the ports in Calcutta or Bangladesh. Besides trade, the opening of the Jelep-la route is likely to provide a boost to the tourism industry in the region,” said Pempahishey.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
State-owned Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd, which suspended services in six northeastern states after Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu and four others were killed in a crash, has resumed operations in the region. "We have asked all our bases in the northeastern region to resume helicopter services in the six states," a senior Pawan Hans official told IANS by phone from the firm's corporate office in Noida.
"On Tuesday, services with double-engine choppers instead of previous single-engine aircraft have resumed in Tripura and Sikkim. Gradually, this would start in other states," the official said.
According to the official, services were resumed after a thorough check of all aircraft.
The decision to suspend operations in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim, Nagaland and Manipur came after the April 30 crash that killed Khandu and two pilots, a personal security officer and the sister of the Tawang legislator.
A few days earlier, on April 19, 17 people were killed when a Pawan Hans helicopter crashed at the Tawang helipad, located at an altitude of 11,000 feet, in Arunachal Pradesh just as it was about to land.
Tripura Transport Secretary Kishore Ambuly told IANS: "Following the directive of the union home ministry, the Tripura government had earlier floated a tender to operate chopper services.
"Pawan Hans and a few other private companies had also participated in the offer and the state run company won the tender.
"Earlier the copter services were operated like other states of northeast India following an agreement between Pawan Hans and the Tripura government," Ambuly said.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had taken up the issue with his counterparts in northeastern states to pressurise Pawan Hans and the central government to replace the age-old choppers in the region, another Tripura official told IANS on condition of anonymity.
He said Sangma had suggested operating double-engine choppers instead of single-engine aircraft in the northeast. However, a Pawan Hans official here said that was not an issue.
"Many helicopters with double-engines, including that of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and former Lok Sabha speaker G.M.C. Balayogi, have crashed in different parts of India," he said.
India's lone national helicopter company, Pawan Hans has been operating services for nine years in the northeast, the union home ministry subsidising fares by up to 75%.
"Pawan Hans was established with the primary objective of providing helicopter support services to the oil sector for offshore exploration operations, services in remote and hilly areas and charter services for promotion of tourism," the company's official document said.
Source:hindusthan Times
"On Tuesday, services with double-engine choppers instead of previous single-engine aircraft have resumed in Tripura and Sikkim. Gradually, this would start in other states," the official said.
According to the official, services were resumed after a thorough check of all aircraft.
The decision to suspend operations in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim, Nagaland and Manipur came after the April 30 crash that killed Khandu and two pilots, a personal security officer and the sister of the Tawang legislator.
A few days earlier, on April 19, 17 people were killed when a Pawan Hans helicopter crashed at the Tawang helipad, located at an altitude of 11,000 feet, in Arunachal Pradesh just as it was about to land.
Tripura Transport Secretary Kishore Ambuly told IANS: "Following the directive of the union home ministry, the Tripura government had earlier floated a tender to operate chopper services.
"Pawan Hans and a few other private companies had also participated in the offer and the state run company won the tender.
"Earlier the copter services were operated like other states of northeast India following an agreement between Pawan Hans and the Tripura government," Ambuly said.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had taken up the issue with his counterparts in northeastern states to pressurise Pawan Hans and the central government to replace the age-old choppers in the region, another Tripura official told IANS on condition of anonymity.
He said Sangma had suggested operating double-engine choppers instead of single-engine aircraft in the northeast. However, a Pawan Hans official here said that was not an issue.
"Many helicopters with double-engines, including that of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and former Lok Sabha speaker G.M.C. Balayogi, have crashed in different parts of India," he said.
India's lone national helicopter company, Pawan Hans has been operating services for nine years in the northeast, the union home ministry subsidising fares by up to 75%.
"Pawan Hans was established with the primary objective of providing helicopter support services to the oil sector for offshore exploration operations, services in remote and hilly areas and charter services for promotion of tourism," the company's official document said.
Source:hindusthan Times
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
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