21 March, 2004; NOW! 1 TURN TO pg3 FOR DETAILS Summer Collection Slippers, sandals & formal/ casual shoes for Men Flora sandals, flat slippers for ladies at Sunday, 21 March, 2004 Gangtok Rs. 3 Vol. 2 No. 46 for Provisional Goods, Dry Fruits & All Hotel Requirements (for kitchen) WHOLE-SALES RETAIL-SALES at the most reasonable prices Rajdeep the shoe shoppe Spectrum Color Lab Building, Near Amar/ Chaman Garage, Sevoke Road, Siliguri MG Marg, Gangtok. ph: 228865 FROM CHAIRMAN TO SUPREMO ph: 2640799, 2640599 The Election Commission has decided that Sangram continues in Sikkim, now prepare for the next controversy… GHISING PREDICTS HIS NEW AVATAAR AMITAVA BANERJEE DARJEELING, 20 March: Subash Ghising today declared that he had been acting like a Chairman [of the DGHC] thus far, but soon people will see him as the GNLF “Supremo”. An attempt to decipher his statement leads one to suppose that Mr. Ghising is preparing to reemerge in the political battlefield. Mr. Ghising, who usually has a habit of shying away from the media, was more than voluble today as he held court, patiently answering media queries at the Shruberry Nightingale Park after the visit of the West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. Mr. Bhattacharjee, in contrast, remained tightlipped today. The DGHC chairman was speaking to the Press shortly after he paid a courtesy call on the visiting CM at Richmond Hill where he invited him to visit the Shrubbery Park. While on the rounds of the park, Mr. Bhattacharjee was asked why his promise of solving Darjeeling’s water problem within six months was still not fulfilled. Mr. Bhattacharjee denied having made more on pg6 SARIKAH ATREYA GANGTOK, 20 March: The decision of the Election Commission of India that the faction of Sikkim Sangram Parishad, led by its working president, Rajendra Upreti, will henceforth be recognized as the SSP in Sikkim has breathed fresh life into a controversy that has been simmering for quite some time and will surely erupt now – the ownership of the erstwhile Sangram Bhawan at Development Area which is now known as Congress Bhawan. Although the SSP leaders have welcomed the Election Commission’s decision, taken in regard to cape X 2 Lahore former SSP chief and now Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee president, Nar Bahadur Bhandari’s petition requesting it to derecognize SSP since it no longer existed having merged with the Congress, they are unwilling to present more elaborate comments either on the judgement or their future course of action until they receive the still awaited copy of the EC order. The SSP working president is however on record for having threatened to sue the Congress for “illegally” occupying Sangram property. Speaking at a public meeting at Pakyong on 14 September, last year, Mr. Upreti had claimed that Sangram Bhawan was “con- X’Cape, Vajra Complex, Baluakhani, Gangtok. Ph: 228636. OPEN: 6 PM to 11PM [WEEKDAYS] to MIDNIGHT [WEEKENDS] entry: couples Rs. 300. stag Rs. 300 including coupon worth Rs. 100. LADIES FREE C M Y K Air-Conditioned Grocery Shop structed from donations and contributions made by party supporters” and had challenged its new address as Congress Bhawan, which he claims was made “without taking the people who built it into confidence.” The victory at the Election Commission must have surely strengthened their resolve to take the Congress and its state president to court. As to when they do, remains to be seen, but it will surely open another front of battle for Mr. Bhandari who already has his hands full with strategizing for the upcoming simultaneous polls in May. more on pg6 600 year old Gangkha lhakhang in Bhutan destroyed CHUKHA, 20 March: Buddhist scriptures written in gold and several other ancient treasures have been destroyed in a fire which completely razed to the ground the 600 year old Chapcha Gangkha Lhakhang in Chukha dzongkhag around 8:30 pm last night. “None of the lhakhang’s Kuten Sungtens and other priceless religious relics could be salvaged,” said a resident of Gangkha village where the ancient lhakhang stands. The 63 households of Gangkha including villagers from the neighbouring village of Shema tried to fight the flames but could do little. The koenyer [caretaker] and the lam of lhakhang who stay outside the lhakhang were the first to notice the fire which started from the altar. Many of the villagers broke down in frustration unable to do anything as the lhakhang went up in flames. The lhakhang had been renovated in 1998 with personal contributions from the community. With the lhakhang gone, the Gangkha community will this time have to conduct their annual bumdey, which falls during the second Bhutanese month, in tents. Courtesy KUENSEL Watch India take on Pakistan on digital projection at 6 feet X 6 feet at X’cape. IT DOESN’T GET ANY BIGGER THAN THIS!!! 2; NOW!; 21 March, 2004 NOW! FIRST WITH THE NEWS Manifesting Issues Soon we shall have the political parties hit the electorate with their poll promises in the form of flamboyantly written and expensively produced manifestos. These documents can be expected to cover just about every aspect of public and private lives and serve a comment and promise for each. This cannot be ridiculed since the demands of securing vote-banks are such that these aspects cannot be ignored. That granted, there are issues which political parties can choose to ignore only at their own peril and at the peril of their term in power should their promises sell with the people. While it is all too well to make populist assurances, there remain issues lurking in the horizon ready to pounce on Sikkim the moment the election process is over. The first, and also the one loaded with the most divisive possibilities, is delimitation. When the process first visited Sikkim last year, it cleaved the Sikkimese society into slivers of sectional concerns, the after-shocks of which are still rumbling through the State. Sikkim has already had a close shave with delimitation and should actually be more prepared to face it this time around, now that it is more aware of the concerns and hopes that the people harbour about the process. The Sikkimese electorate deserves to know each party’s version of what the new constituencies should look like and how they propose to get the reorientation process to resemble their version. No comment is really required on the reservation policy because the delimitation process will deal solely with the shape of constituencies and decide which should be reserved, not how many. But reservation of assembly constituencies will come in regard to the Limbus and Tamangs who will have to be given seats after the present poll process is over and before the next one is announced. Thus far, all that political parties in Sikkim have done is make assurances and announce claims of sitting on the magic formula. Now is the time for them to come on record and explain how and how many seats they propose to reserve for the new members of the Scheduled Tribes list. Another public concern which has still not expressed itself, but will surely boil over to the surface within a couple of years will be that of the youth. Unemployment as a problem is obvious and every party must have already incorporated some sops on this front. But it is not just unemployment that haunts the youth of Sikkim. The whole gamut of social and personal problems which get amplified by the frustration of going jobless need to be identified and addressed. This, perhaps is of more importance for the ruling front to address than the Congress. Many electors will be voting for the first time in May 2004. Their strength at the ballot is further bolstered by the fact that they are the most likely to exercise their franchise since they have their entire lives ahead of them and thus more at stake than any other age-group. It is more important for the ruling front to address their problems because most of these voters don’t remember governance before the SDF came to power in 1994. The anti-incumbency factor, which has never really expressed itself in Sikkim, is most likely to find voice in this segment of the population. This is especially true since there are still some voters from the older generation who remember what it was like when the Bhandari diktat ran supreme in Sikkim, but the youth have no recollection of that period to force a second thought. That apart, since the generation which matured in the past decade did so in the Chamling era, the SDF owes them a detailed account of how it proposes to make them self-reliant. O ne little item of news two weeks ago escaped the notice of most people: the Home Ministry’s announcement that the number of Nepalis killed in the past nine years of the ‘People’s War’ had crossed the 10,000 mark. That this is now a five-digit conflict, in itself, shouldn’t make it any more serious than it already is. But it is a milestone that underlines the point that this has always been a senseless and unwinable conflict. Adding another zero to the total toll just drives the point home. At the rate we are going, with 30 reported deaths a week on average, it won’t be long before we hit 20,000. Then, 30,000. And then, what? Will the Maoists be any nearer to a republic? Will the Royal Nepali Army be any nearer to wiping out the Maoists? All we will achieve is more Nepali deaths, thousands upon thousands will be orphaned and widowed, millions will be forced to leave their homes. What kind of Maoist utopia commands that sort of a price in blood and misery? The comrades have to ask themselves this question and find an honest answer. The Maoists gave their revolution an ethnic edge with the declaration of seven autonomous zones in January. It is now in danger of going the ED-SPACE BEYOND KALIMPONG FOR THE FIRST TIME -9y new master treated me nicely as long as I was with him in Kalimpong, but I could not know what he might do later. He bought some new clothes for a Nepali hat, to show in the Punjab that I was a Nepali boy. In this new place I was very content, for I could eat as much as I wanted, as my mistress told me not to be ashamed in eating. My master was a good man and kind to me, but my mistress not so much as my master himself. Sometimes my mistress got angry with me for slowness or mistakes in my work and scolded me in her own language, but I did not understand what she said, as it was in Punjabi. After I stayed with this family for three months in Kalimpong, we were one day to leave the place at ten o’clock in the morning. I was wearing that day my Nepalese costume and hat and looked like a real Nepali boy. Not even from my adoptive family came to say good-bye. I felt excited and full of curiosity to be going to India, but sad at leaving my childhood and beautiful Kalimpong behind. For Kalimpong was a place to delight a man’s heart and make him wish to stay there. Anyone who sat on the hill slopes at daybreak would lose his heart when he saw the sun rise over the mountains, coming to shed brightness on the world. As M the sun rises higher and higher, Kalimpong looks as if it’s catching fire, and at last the golden rays shine directly on the peaks of Kanchenjunga, turning its snows into gold. Then almost instantly the gleam disappears, to be replaced by the cold white appearnce, which self looked as if it was in a sad mood for my going away. The sky was dark, the sun had gone behind the clouds, and everything was gloomy. Before noon we set out toward the south from Kalimpong bazaar to the Tista. This was the second time I had ridden in a motorcar. But for the first time, along the Tista road, which went down steeply, winding like a great snake, I felt great fear when looking down the deep valley, where I could see Artist, filmmaker, keen photographer, columnist with international magazines... It’s hard to pin Twan Yang down. Born to a Chinese father and Tibetan mother, he grew up in Kalimpong and worked in Sikkim. NOW! serializes Twan Yang’s autobiography, Houseboy in India... remains all day long. Anyone who was born in the hills loves the mountains, the skies, the valleys, and the rivers and feels happy among them. It may be cold sometimes, and windy, or there may be rain or hail, but these are like short moments of anger of a loving mother who nearly always smiles and is always kind. The day I left, Kalimpong it- the Tista bazaar far away in the distance. My master and mistress occupied the back seats while I was sitting in front next to the driver, holding the baby. In an hour and a half we had reached the bottom. I felt as if we had come down flying, for there had been none of the trouble and fatigue it used to cost me to walk it. -to be continued Our Vanishing Vultures USHA LACHUNGPA L ocally called ‘Gidha’ or ‘Gut’ or ‘Tcha gyu’, how long ago did we see a vulture in Sikkim? As far as Gangtok is concerned, they have followed the slaughterhouse or ‘goshkhan’ down towards Rangpo and so we no longer see them wheeling over Lall Bazar as earlier. In the Tso Lhamo cold desert on the Tibetan Plateau in North Sikkim, the great Himalayan Griffons and Lammergeier or Bearded Vultures are sighted sometimes. We also do not have such a large cattle or livestock population like in the plains where often their carcasses are disposed off along open country sides to be picked clean by White-backed and Long-billed Vultures. However, a dilemma has been slowly manifesting in the Indian subcontinent over the last decade or so. These vultures, one of Na- way everyone feared: turning a class war into a caste war. The Maoists have enlisted the support of their wavering allies in the east by announcing the Kirant Autonomous Region, and crowned it with a major attack on Bhojpur. The Tambuwan and Tamasaling are blockading highways to strangle the towns. It is now getting more and more difficult to believe that this revolution is moving along a pre-determined game plan. It looks seriously out of control. Giving the struggle an ethnic tint smacks of desperation, pointing to fatigue at its political centre. In any civil war, hardline militant or ethno-separatist elements gains supremacy when the political part of the struggle erodes or gets sidelined. Lately, we are seeing signs of a movement that needs to invent new ways to stoke social anger for support. A political call for revolutionary transformation doesn’t seem to be enough to carry the momentum for- 10,000+ turn to pg 6 ture’s most efficient environment cleansing systems, have been gradually vanishing. The phenomenon was first noticed by the Bombay Natural History Society. Conservationists and wildlife researchers started working on possible reasons like viral diseases. Surprisingly, another branch of researchers after a three-year study suggest that the possibility of veterinary use of a painkiller drug called Diclofenac Sodium could be the reason. In fact a countrywide survey is being conducted by Dr. Vibhu Prakash of the BNHS to corroborate the fact that the use of Diclofenac is indeed quite common especially over the last decade or so. The vulture crisis seems to have spread from India to Nepal and Pakistan and in January 2004 a manifesto on Diclofenac and Vulture Conservation was endorsed by many conservation organizations. We need to become aware and ponder the long-term significance of this crisis. -The writer is a Senior Research Officer, Wild Life, with the Forest Department C M Y K NEWSSCAN 21 March, 2004; NOW! 3 IT’S THE ORCHID VS. THE WILLOW IN DELHI Western Union sees livewire NEXPO loses visitors transactions in Sikkim to Indo-Pak series, Sikkim holds on ANAND OBEROI a NOW REPORT GANGTOK, 20 March: A direct clash is underway between the brilliance of Sikkim’s orchids and the flamboyance of Sachin’s bat. Given the fanaticism with which cricket is followed in north India, Sachin is scoring in viewership at the cost of the visitors making it to Pragati Maidan in New Delhi where the first North East Trade Expo [NEXPO] 2004 is presently underway. It’s not a complete drubbing for Sikkim though. “Compared to other states, Sikkim is definitely attracting a lot of attention because we have so much to offer and our exhibits are much more diverse and interesting,” a State government official told NOW! from Pragati Maidan today, a day which saw a “handsome” turnout after Friday was a near washout thanks to the IndoPak match which kept people indoors in the afternoon, when trade fairs attract the largest crowds. Although details of trade enquiries have still not been tabulated, officials in Delhi reveal that individual interest in Sikkim stalls has been very encouraging. While the exotic orchids woo the Delhiites, the State’s exquisite handicrafts, along with local products such as Sikkim Supreme, Temi Tea and Alpine Cheese are also proving big hits. Locally produced consumer durables are also doing extremely well at the Expo, it is learnt. Sikkim as the next holiday destination is also receiving a lot of attention from potential visitors. “Sikkim is fast becoming the preferred tourist destination in the Eastern Himalayas because of its rich natural biodiversity and adequate infrastructure. We are receiving a lot of queries on tourism destinations in the State at the Expo, especially the Buddhist pilgrimage destinations,” PK Dong, Executive Director, Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation [STDC], said while speaking to NOW! over the phone from New Delhi today. T h e f o u r- d a y E x p o c o n cludes tomorrow [21 March]. Apart from Sikkim, Arunachal P r a d e s h , A s s a m , M a n i p u r, Meghlaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura are participating in the Expo. The event is organised by the Department of Development of North Eastern Region [DONER] in partnership with the India Trade Promotion O rg a n i s a t i o n [ I T P O ] , N e w Delhi. GANGTOK, 20 March: Money transfer may be a new concept as far as the rest of nation, still more comfortable with the snail-mail form of money-orders is concerned, but receiving wired finances from abroad is growing in popularity among the Sikkimese. The Western Union Money Transfer booth at the Head Post Office here is second only to Kolkata in revenue generation and transactions in the eastern circle, beating bigger industrial cities like Malda, Durgapur and Siliguri, claimed the Post Master General, A Day for meteorology GANGTOK, 20 March: World Meteorological Day will be celebrated here on Tuesday, 23 March at Meteorological Observatory located in the Raj Bhawan complex. The theme for the day will be, “Weather, Climate and Water in the Information Age.” On this occasion, an exhibition highlighting various scientific activities of this department pertaining to weather study will be arranged. Students and teachers of various schools and colleges as well as the general public have been invited to attend the exhibition between 10 am to 4 pm. Think Smart Save Now AVAIL OFFERS buy now Alto VXI WagonR M800 Esteem [Petrol] *Versa Omni Zen [Petrol] - Free 1 yr Insurance + Rs. 10,000 Discount Free 1 yr Insurance Free 1 yr Insurance [Maruti] Rs. 30,000 Discount Free 1 yr Insurance 50% Free 1 yr Insurance [Except Ambulance] 50% Free 1 yr Insurance *select models ENTEL M( POv tT. )OL tRdS. AUTHORISED MARUTI DEALERS C M Y K 6th MILE, TADONG, GANGTOK. Ph: 231828, 231950, 232059 FAX: 231950 Siliguri and Sikkim, John Samuel, at a press conference recently. The Gangtok post master, R. Khujur, offers more details as he reveals that the Head Post Office here has seen a 200 per cent increase in transactions since it started in January last year. February, 2004, was the busiest month for the Western Union Transfer booth here when forty-three transactions were recorded, he disclosed. The 43 transactions were worth Rs. 12.34 lakhs, he detailed. That is indicative of the fact that most clients were using the money transfer system to the maximum permissible limit – Rs. 30,000. The Gangtok HPO staff are convinced that the transactions will start spiraling now. March has already recorded more than twenty transactions and Mr. Khujur is confident that the value of transactions will cross the Rs. 20 lakh barrier very soon. Incidentally, Western Union Money Transfer comes thanks to a special tie-up between US-based Western Union and the Indian Postal Department which enables recipients in India to instantly withdraw money “wired” to them from abroad. The transactions are only one-way at present and money cannot be sent out. 10 crore Vajra Guru recitations completed at Enchey tary contributions offered by them. On the concluding day, Gonzung Rinpoche conferred Tsewang initiations to the lamas and the devotees. GANGTOK, 20 March: The Vajra Guru Dhundrup Recitations, which began here at Enchey Sanga Rapdenling Monastery here on 6 February, concluded on 16 March. Prohibitory orders clamped in north Sikkim SIKKIM ROUND-UP The Vajra Guru Mantra were recited over ten crores times by the monks and devotees during the 40 days that the recitations lasted. These sacred recitations invoke the blessings of Guru Rinpoche for diverting the forces of evil which confront humanity in the form of diseases, wars, communal disturbances, unrest and other evils plaguing mankind. The Duche of Enchey Sanga Rapdenling Monastery and Enchey Teschu Tsogpa have expressed their appreciation and gratefulness to all the devotees who participated in this programme and also for the volun- MANGAN, 20 March: The District Magistrate, North District, has implemented Prohibition Order under Section 144 of CrPC of 1973 (2 of 1974) has made the order that no person shall carry fire-arms, explosives, sharp edged and deadly weapons and other such deadly weapons like iron rods, missiles, petrol bottle bombs, explosive gadgets, grenades, hand bombs in the public places, streets, bazaars, roads and in any form of conveyances within the jurisdiction of North District and areas falling within all the Police Stations in North District. The order came into force from 15 March 2004 onwards and shall continue to remain in force till the election process is declared over. [IPR] POWERPLAY 4; NOW!; 21 March, 2004 WILL ELECTIONS RUIN THE SEASON? a NOW REPORT GANGTOK, 20 March: Sonam Wangdi is in a hurry to get his tourist lodge ready. It is almost complete except for the furnishings. He has been waiting eagerly for the onset of the tourist season and hopes to recover some of his investment. Anil Gupta has stocked up his souvenir shop well in advance. He knows he’s going to be busy once the summer “season” starts. Kiran Pradhan, a travel gent, is busy tying up all loose ends like arranging guides on call, taxis and permits before the season begins and hordes of tourists besiege him for the Tsomgo visit. Apart from being part of the tourism industry, one thing that all three have in common this year, is the fear that the tourist season may not go as planned. That, because of the elections, people may in fact prefer not to travel. They are not alone in this. Suddenly everyone is asking the question. Will elections ruin the Season for us? “Since elections for West Bengal and Sikkim are scheduled for the same date, it will definitely affect tourism,” states TAAS President, Paljor Lachungpa, adding, “Maximum numbers of domestic tourists travel after the school examinations in the plains held sometime in AprilMay. That is when there is a rush of tourists in Sikkim. This clashes with the election-dates this year. Also, maximum numbers of domestic tourists arriving in Sikkim, are government employees, so they as responsible citizens who would definitely stay back to vote and would have no time for tours.” The fear of poll-related violence is another factor that could prevent the tourists from travelling. But some feel that since this fear will be more in North Bengal, it could actually mean more tourists coming to Sikkim and bypassing Darjeeling. And then, there are the foreign tourists. Kelsang Bhutia of Wisdom Tours & Travels believes that although tourism through domestic tourists will be affected this year, there will be no impact on foreign tourist arrivals. He also suggests that the only WHEN A CM COMES TO TOWN Bauls, jhakris, camaraderie and photo-ops from OUR CORRESPONDENT DARJEELING, 20 March: The Shrubbery Nightingale Park reverberated with the melodious voice of Purna Das Baul belting out from the hi-fi speakers surrounding the park, as the Buddhadeb-Ghising cavalcade made its way via the Governor ’s House, the only motorable road right into the park. Excitement was in the air as inquisitive tourists and anxious officials waited for the heavy-weights to make their appearance. In a display of overt camaraderie, both got down from the sparkling white Ambassador, and were instantly surrounded by the security personnel and the await- ing media. A quick look around and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, exclaimed “Khub Bhalo,” expressing his satisfaction and approval of the light and sound extravaganza. The two then proceeded to the two-storeyed rest house and made a public appearance together on the balcony, obliging the crowd and waving at the photo-hungry media. This was followed by a round of high tea and watching a performance by the Cultural Department of the DGHC in the open air stage. The show included various ethnic dance forms of the Hills including the Maruni and the Chyabrung, followed by the ever popular Bhangra. It was then time for Ghising to in Association show the CM around. The CM even paid his reverence at the shrine of a local deity where a Jhakri performed the rituals. Purna Das [via the sound system] took over again as the CM left for the Richmond Hill Government Guest House while Ghising stayed back to oblige the media – a rare phenomenon. “I had invited the CM to visit the park and he accepted the invitation” said a beaming Ghising. At the Richmond Hill the CM’s table was laid out with chicken and fish dishes. “It will be Aar and Katla since Pabda [all different varieties of fish] couldn’t be obtained,” said a kitchen staff. real sufferers among the travel agencies will be those who deal with walk-in tourists. “Bookings through the proper channels are still healthy,” he adds. While travel agents and others in the tourism industry remain worried about the impact of elections on tourists, one lot who are quite unruffled are the taxi drivers. They know that it is going to be business as usual, if not better, for them. Arun Pradhan, booking in-charge, Sikkim Bus Workers Association, says: “We have a good chance for making double profits, what with the elections and the season happening at the same time. But even if tourists don’t come, our taxis will be busy with election duty.” But for some, tourists remain their first priority. Says Soltee, booking in-charge, United Sikkim Taxi-Jeep Drivers Association: “We will make alternative arrangements for tourists so that they don’t suffer any difficulties. Even though our vehicles will be booked for campaigning, our association will ensure that no tourist is left stranded.” Even TAAS seems to have woken to the possible scenario of a good season, but no vehicles. “That could well be the alternate scenario. To be prepared for it we are soon meeting the Transport Secretary with a request to issue temporary permission to vehicles to ply all over the state,” informs the TAAS president while adding that tourism is, after all, the mainstay of the State economy. Sharing his sentiment is Suraj Rai of the Siliguri Main-Line Driver Association, who says, “As a driver, I think that we do not earn more on election duty. Our financial sustenance is dependent on tourists. If they come, we make money; if they don’t, we don’t.” On final count then, business continues as usual. Those in the hospitality industry are as prepared for a summer flop as they are ready with alternatives should the tourist traffic actually surge. NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR HOTEL MANAGEMENT AND CATERING TECHNOLOGY, PUSA COMPLEX, NEW DELHI -110012 [UNDER MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CULTURE, DEPTT. OF TOURISM, GOVT. OF INDIA] AND INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES JEE - 2004 FOR ADMISSION TO THE FIRST YEAR OF 3-YEAR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.SC.) PROGRAMME IN HOSPITALITY AND HOTEL ADMINISTRATION Last date for sale of Information Brochure and Application Form for admission to the above course has been extended upto April 6, 2004 IMPORTANT DATES Sale of Prospectus at Institute of Hotel Management, Near Ayurvedic Hospital, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim 737102 Last Date for receipt of completed Application Form Date of JEE Written Test Centralized Counselling for allotment of Inst. Commencement of academic session Up to 5th April 2004 7th April 2004 18th April 2004 [2:30-5:30pm] 7th June to 16th June 2004 19th July 2004 for details access www.nchmct.org or contact Institute of Hotel Management, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim. Ph: 270735, 270557 OPPORTUNITY International Call Centres are looking to recruit 100 250 customer care executives. ELIGILIBITY: Graduates / Final Year students may also apply. SALARY: Rs. 9000 to 12000 per month + incentives. LOCATION: Delhi. WALK-IN-INTERVIEW Venue: Hotel Tashi Delek Date: 26 to 27 March. 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Presenting an overview of the four days of training, Dr. Avinash Tiwari, a resource person from Jiwaji University, Gwalior, informed that on the first day the participants learnt much about the soil and atmosphere including analysing them to provide relevant information as may be required. Dr. Avinash said that information had to be compiled in a stimulative way so as to arouse the interests of the students. The trainees were taken to Adampool on the second day during which they handled the equipment themselves. Dr. Avinash suggested that since these instruments were cheap, school students could be involved in the 21 March, 2004; NOW! TEACHERS READY TO TEACH ENV. SCIENCE IN SCHOOLS making of the same. A hydrologic site was selected for the third day while the last day was for the summing up and compiling of information and converting it from hand-written documents to electronic data sheets. These will be sent to the GLOBE headquarters in the USA for further analysis. According to one of the participants, Sanjay Acharya: “This workshop was a good opportunity to delve into the environmental issues which have long been neglected. Now that we have been trained we can notice minor details and make inferences and are ready to involve the students of our respective schools to take practical interest in the environment.” He did however voice doubts about successful and thorough implementation in the schools which still rely heavily on classroom teaching and are quite averse to disturbances in their routine. He, along with two other participant teachers, SR Adhikari and IBS Yadav, will be writing a handbook on environment to guide teachers on the subject in the schools. According to Mr. Adhikari, “The workshop was very interesting. It has enhanced our experience and knowledge of the environment. We are now ready to teach our students on various aspects of the environment”. JB Niraula, Joint Director, Education, in his talk said that it was mandatory for the trained teachers to implement the environmental activities in their schools. “There is a signed agreement between the Secretary, Education and the Govt of India to this effect and only on this basis will the central govt. release funds.” He further revealed that there would be a meeting of all the heads of schools in the state and the message conveyed to them on the desirability of the earliest implementation of the given environmental activities. The deadline for the completion of these activities, he said, was 30 June. The workshop, which began on 17 March, was a hands-on environmental learning programme involving 42 teachers from various schools in the state. Since Environmental Science has been incorporated into the school syllabi from the current academic year, the workshop aimed at bringing awareness among the students and teachers about current environmental issues. The workshop was part of a bigger project called GLOBE [Global Learning and Observation to Benefit Environment], an international society of scientists, teachers and schools which follow its training programmes. Dexterous display of Manipuri skills in Gangtok a NOW! pic A LIFESTYLE STORE Hotel Central 31A NH Way ph: 222553, 222573, 222105 The latest offerings from Internal Affairs Exclusive Wall Frames, Flowers and Decorative Items come with a wide variety that lends an exquisite expression and a sense of magnificence to Stylish Homes. a NOW REPORT GANGTOK, 20 March: Another crafts exhibition for the finer tastes of Gangtokians opened today. The Babumashai Restaurant at New Market is serving a rather unconventional menu which although it is totally inedible certainly has a consumption value of its own. The restaurant is the site of a crafts exhibition-cum-sale of exclusive Manipuri handicrafts. The exhibition opened today and will continue till 29 March. The timings when this particular helping is served are from 10 in the morning till 6 in the evening. The event is being organized by Women’s Development Welfare Association, Imphal, Manipur and sponsored by Development Commissioner [Handicraft], Ministry of Textile, New Delhi. This is their first exhibition in Sikkim. On display are embroidery materials in traditional Manipuri design such as shawls, bed sheets, pillow cases, table cloths to name a few. Also on display are the traditional bamboo crafts along with jewellery. The prices of the items on exhibit range from a meager Rs. 10 for a beautifully embroidered handkerchief to a handsome Rs. 3,500 for a mosquito net. Their chief purpose of the exhibition-cum-sale is to encourage young talent in their home state by giving them exposure and introducing them to the markets around the country. An interesting activity of the Association, as disclosed by its secretary, Purnima Devi, is the programme they conduct for raising AIDS awareness in their state which is specially directed at the youth. Similarly, they are also involved in combating drug abuse among the young. In fact, a training programme they conduct also serves as a rehabilitation programme in which the recovering youth are provided with new skills, new responsibilities and a new life. The organizers plan to go to other states as well with their wares. Bring Rs. Plus First EMI + Insurance + Service Charge & TAKE AWAY MaXX 2WD Mahindra MOBILE PHONES Ramola CELLULAR SALES & SERVICES Tharo Line,Lal Market Road. Ph: 221004, Mobile: 9832062684 C M Y K 64,650/-* Margin Money only Festara AND REST ON EASY INSTALMENT WITH FREE! GIFT HAMPER OF...* 20” COLOUR TV + 170 LTR. FRIDGE + VCD PLAYER + SEAT COVER + WHEEL COVER + FOG LIGHTS + STEERING COVER + WRIST WATCH HURRY! OFFER VALID FROM 20TH TO 31ST MARCH ONLY! SIKKIM MOTORS AUTHORISED MAHINDRA DEALER. 6th MILE, TADONG, GANGTOK. Ph: 270601, 270602 RUSH TO: * Conditions apply * Finance at the sole discretion of MMFSL Lhendup - 9434137192, Ravi - 9434203528, Vikash - 9434126860, Ajay - 9832079060 5 A unique Floral experience awaits Kalimpong KARAN SHAH KALIMPONG, 20 March: Kalimpong was once known for its dairy products and the Swiss Dairy was a popular tourist stop. Today it is the horticultural industry that has taken on the mantle of being the number one tourist attraction in Kalimpong. There are many nurseries in the region and the weather too is perfect for the garden cultivation of various types of flowers. In this respect, a brief meeting of the Horticulture Society of Kalimpong, held recently, resolved that horticultural exhibitions cum competitions be organized on an annual basis. This would help improve the prospects of the horticulturalists and give a boost to the flower industry. To this effect a four day exhibition-cum-competition will be held from 14 to 18 April called the “Kalimpong Garden Competition – Spring 2004.” The event is open to educational institutions, hotels, guest houses and tourist lodges, private homes, regional establishments – churches, mandirs, gumpas, mosques etc, and commercial establishments. The fact that it will patronize such a varied range of participants is what is tipped to make it unique. Another unique feature is that there is to be no specific venue and all the participants will have to arrange theirs displays at their respective places. For the judges, it will be a hop from one venue of exhibits to another. Beauty, specimen collection, varieties, rarity [for nurseries] and general arrangement will be the judging criteria. “A similar competition had been organised by the society in the year 2000 and it was quite successful,” said a Horticulture Society of Kalimong member, but he adds that due to lack of funds the contest could not be repeated. FOR SALE MARSHAL DI 4WD,MODEL 2002. INTERESTED PERSON MAY CONTACTMobile: 94341-64556. (PRICE 2.96.lakhs.) NOW! can be contacted at 953592 270949 or emailed at sikkimnow@ rediffmail.com ELSEWHERE 6; NOW!; 21 March, 2004 NDA mulls law to bar Sonia becoming PM NEW DELHI, 20 March: Stepping up the offensive on the issue of foreign origin, BJP today said the NDA coalition, on return to office, could enact a law to bar non-natural born citizens from occupying high constitutional posts. “If need be, we will bring a law barring people of foreign origin holding the highest constitutional post. It is not a personal attack on any individual, but it concerns the country,” party President M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters here at a programme at his residence to mark the Telugu New Year. He said the need for a legislation barring people of foreign origin holding high constitutional posts in the country would also be incorporated in the NDA Common Agenda of Governance. Asked whether this meant that the party was training its attack on Congress President Sonia Gandhi, he said “it is no personal attack on any person, but it was concerning interests of the country.” Naidu said it was BJP’s stand all along that people of foreign origin should not occupy high constitutional posts in the country like those of President, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India. WHO OWNS THE BHAWAN? from pg1 The SPCC [I] general secretary and spokesperson, Biraj Adhikari, who was recently announced as the party’s Lok Sabha candidate, however sees no problems on this front. “There is absolutely no dispute over the ownership of the Bhawan,” he said when asked to comment on the possibility of SSP staking claim to what is now known as Congress Bhawan. It is also possible that Mr. Bhandari had also sensed such a turn of events which could explain why, while he was still in the SSP, the party high-command passed a resolution empowering the president [Mr. Bhandari] to not only discuss and finalise pre-poll alliances and mergers, but also sell or mortgage Sangram properties to fund the party’s preparations for polls. What legal arguments are presented by either side to justify their claim over the building at Development Area, we shall know only after a case if filed. While the Sangram/ Congress Bhawan surely has impressive real estate value, the squabble over it is about more than just property rights, it is about show of resolve and loss of face. the otissey the otissey Few things are more annoying and obnoxious than those lame advertisements for jobs, which don’t even mention the job but rattle on the qualities of a good citizen. considering most of us are imbeciles who don’t know what a job looks like or how we would look like in a job, NOW! helps you discover your vocation. IF - Your only office infrastructure is a mobile phone - You can talk on it for six hours at a stretch - Can put a customer on hold on the phone for six hours at a stretch - Aggravate him further by replying to all he says with that exquisitely supportive phrase – “I understand” – even when he curses you in Telugu - And then can finally talk him into paying your mobile bill Why, then you’ll make a good stockbroker’s agent dealing in the transaction of non-existent shares! IF - You are a pessimist - Believe in the law of averages - Believe in conspiracy theories - Have a nightmare everyday - And can look like death at the best of times You will make a very good Life Insurance Agent. IF - The only English word you know is ‘Hello’ - Can climb up a pole as easily you can slide down it - Loved playing with papa’s calculator when you were a kid - Can look incredibly busy with an umbrella in your hand - And believe in letting things follow their own natural course The Telephone Department can do with another Linesman. IF - You are a loser / underachiever - Do not expect anything from yourself (with good cause) - Have read the book “How to win the confidence of you kidnappers” - Have read the book “How to keep your wife and mistress happy at the same time” - And have always contemptuously defied the Diwali ban on crackers and so are quite deaf We believe you will make a very good Middle East Peace Negotiator! IF - You have no talent or skill - Have a lot of time to kill - Don’t have any Qualifications - Nor have any sort of education Well, the country can always do with one more Farmer! IF - You can talk non stop without pausing for breath - Can talk customers into spending more than they actually need - Can make a house that’s falling apart sound great by talking about its extra closet space - You believe that you are actually not there and can convince your victims of the same - And all this with a very straight face You will definitely make a very good door to door salesman! FROM CHAIRMAN TO SUPREMO from pg1 such a commitment. The CM arrived at Darjeeling at around 5:25 pm and was visited by Mr. Ghising five minutes later. The two held an half-an-hour long closed door meeting before proceeding for the Shrubbery Nightingale Park. When asked what talks were held behind closed doors, Mr. Ghising said it was just “an informal chat in which nothing political was discussed.” “We relaxed by the fire drinking Darjeeling tea,” is all Mr. Ghising offered. With the hills rift with rumors that GNLF will boycott the Lok Sabha polls again, Mr. Ghising was questioned regarding his stand on the same. “Parliamentary election is just a routine work. I will only decide in the first week of April and then declare our stand. As most of the parties have not declared their candidates as yet, we will wait and watch. Our stand could be anything,” he said. He, however, added that the GNLF was not interested in any coalition. Regarding the constant sledging of the opposition camps, Mr. Ghising said, “Darjeeling is a small place but small politics does not stand a chance here.” He is convinced that the Hills are all in support of the GNLF. Regarding the School Service Commission stalemate, in which empanelled candidates from the Hills have not received appointment letters to date, Mr. Ghising said that no Bill has yet been passed in the Assembly to transfer the SSC [Hills] to the DGHC. “The problem will be solved but it needs a lot of diagnosis, xray and finally an operation,” was his opinion on the problem. IF - You believe the solution to all problems is patience - You can talk for hours on end and still say nothing - Believe the secret to a long and peaceful career is to be indecisive - Can convince people that the empty glass is actually full of condensed liquid Congrats, you already are a seasoned Politician IF - You believe the Indian Police Service is slightly overpopulated - You believe the streets are slightly overpopulated - You believe the nation’s population control programme is going to take a very long time to show results and would really like to chip in with something more effective and efficient - You believe that Bollywood stars and starlets need protection from being mobbed - And generally like meeting interesting people Join the mafia. - OTIS 10,000+ from pg 2 ward. That may be why the Maoists don’t seem to see a need anymore to consider public opinion. It doesn’t seem to matter what the people think, in fact the strategy now seems to be to punish the people by assassinating anyone still left in the villages, declaring multiple bandhs and blockading urban areas to inflict pain and panic on the public. Cold-blooded murders of innocents, ambushing dairy tankers, torching buses, lynching six people in Saptari and leaving their bodies to rot by a school all indicate that violence has now become an end in itself. It is the responsibility of our current rulers, the underground comrades, the political parties who represent the Nepali people to take immediate steps to stop this slaughter before many more thousands die. Why should the people be made to suffer any more for their endless power struggle? Announce elections, agree on a ceasefire, and let the people decide who they want to be ruled by. -editorial in NEPALI TIMES, a Kathmandu-based weekly - QUESTION OF THE WEEK Europeans first added chocolate to their coffee in 1600 1900 2002 fresh everyday NAME: ......................................... sundaycoffee ADDRESS: ................................... CONTEST Tick the right answer and rush entries to NOW! office at Tadong to WIN A COFFEE & SNACKS COUPON WORTH Rs. 100 AT BAKER’S CAFE,MG MARG, GANGTOK j VA RA M O V I E Contest A correct entry (decided by draw of lots) will win 2 FREE TICKETS to the latest flick playing at VAJRA CINEMA, Digital Surround Sound. Winner will be announced next Sunday. 1. Name the lead character from the movie School Of Rock? 2. WHo played the female lead in Maqbool? NAME: ADDRESS: C M Y K SPECIALS 21 March, 2004; NOW! Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. Jack Black gives lessons in rock! a Govt. of India enterprise Office of the General Manager Telecom Gangtok : Sikkim NOTICE All BSNL subscribers are hereby informed that all telephone numbers in Gangtok beginning 222, 223, 224 and 225 are being changed in a phased manner to now begin 20, ie is the second number of these phones will henceforth be “0.” MOVIE REVIEW by BHAI SCOPE I n “School of Rock” Jack Black plays Dewey Finn, a rock star (in his own mind) who takes a substitute teaching job at a prestigious prep school in order to make ends meet. How does he get the job? He pretends to be his roommate - Ned Schneebly. So, he happens to overhear the kids in his class during their music lesson and gets the brilliant idea of putting these kids together as a rock group to compete in the upcoming Battle of the Bands. The movie dwells on all the adventures that Black and his band of little musicians go through, hilarious, idiotic and distinctly funny. This is the ultimate Jack Black movie for all the fans of this Tenacious D. And good for him - he deserves it. Sure, it’s a kid’s movie, but it’s worth checking out just for how fun it is. Couple that with an amazing soundtrack, I’d say this movie rocks! I f u liked the previous Indian Ocean music then obviously you will like this one. This is their fourth album JHINI the other three being Indian Ocean, Desert Rain (live) and Kandisa. Side A: JHINI: This a poem written by the 15 th century poet Sant Kabir Das. It is an excellent composition and though the lyrics might go over your head at times ( like most of their songs do) but then it grows on you upon repeated listening (like most of their songs to again). LET ME SPEAK: This one is an instrumental and seriously good. It reminds u of some kind of victory u might have had in recent times. BHOR: This means a bird’s flight. It is all about a bird’s C M Y K HOUSING IN SILIGURI Minor acts in the bigger industries of Entertainment: Street performers in Gangtok. pic: KARCHOONG DIYALI Everyone knows the calculation between words and pictures. “A 1000 Words,” is a contest which will feature every Sunday in the pages of NOW! Interesting photographs which Speak and not necessarily Report are invited for this section. Hear The Call journey;how it would love to fly in the open sky and then how it is captured by the hunter. Side B: DES MERA: This one is an enthusiastic number and one wishes that it should go on for a longer time than its actual length.Its all about the wonders of our country. Don’t mistake it for some track from a Bhagat Singh movie. TORRENT:Another instrumental wonderfully composed and makes for superb listening.This one is a lil’ sad though and reminds you of any sad things u may have experienced recently. AFTER THE WAR:An excellent piece of music with hard hitting lyrics.This song may sound a little too hard and loud compared to other numbers in the album. It’s got varying paces and describes how man has become so insensitive to war and it’s consequences. NAM MYO HO:An extremely laid back track with a title that sounds like a meditation chant from one of the many cults popping up like mushrooms, but the music will take you places. Believe me. Indian Ocean is not a band you listen to with friends, their music is not something you try to categorise, JHINI is not an album you buy just because someone recommended it to you. Let it call you. - BY DIGITAL HARI! 7 Although digital images [at 200 dpi resolution and minimum width of 10 cms] are preferred, even well produced chemical prints are welcome. Inkjet or laser printouts cannot be considered solely because they cannot be reproduced well enough. The winner will be decided by NOW! and for now will have to make do with seeing his/ her name in print. send in your images by friday to NOW!, Gairi Gaon, near Ayurvedic Clinic Tadong - 737102 Ph: 270949 email: sikkimnow@rediffmail.com or leave your entries at any of our outlets ADMISSION ANNOUNCEMENT AIEE & AFMC For 2004 Entrance Exam [Starting 1st April, 2004] BY A GROUP OF EXPERTS FROM SACHDEVA INST. REGULAR COURSE FOR 2005 AIEE, PMT, AIIMS, AFMC, CET, DCE ETC. RIMC COACHING IS ALSO GOING ON Contact: Mrs. Dey, Career’s Counselling Institute, Tibet Road, Gangtok. ph: 226510, 94341-53355 C.C.I CONDUCTS COACHING FOR C.E.T. (SIKKIM) UNDER STATE QUOTA CONTACT IMMEDIATELY No Experience / No Education Bar / No Age Bar Monthly earn Rs. 3000 to Rs. 5000 CONTACT: LANDMARK INTERNATIONAL, Sarda Building, 6th Floor, MG Marg, Gangtok. Ph: 98320 90007 Book your ownership flats in Siliguri. Beside Sevoke Road, 2nd Mile Checkpost with loan facility. Contact: Modern Associates Mayadeep Building, 2nd Floor, 11/22, Kalibari Road, Siliguri - 734404 ph: 2661362, 2543684, 98320-57663 WANTED Computer Engineer, Software Programmer Knowledge in Visual Basic and Oracle a must. Please send in detail resume with passport size photographs and quote expected salary to NOW!, Gairi Gaon, Tadong, East Sikkim. SALE For immediate sale [4 Nos.] Maruti, Gypsy contact: 98320 95295 SITUATION VACANT A REKNOWNED INDIAN TRAVEL AGENCY REQUIRES DYNAMIC MALE/FEMALE CANDIDATES , WITH FLUENCY IN ENGLISH,NEPALI/HINDI FOR ITS SILIGURI OFFICE . PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO CANDIDATES WITH COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE, AND TOURISM BACKGROUND . APPEAR WITH COMPLETE RESUME ON 23RD AND 24TH OF MARCH (2PM TO 4PM ) AT TIRUPATI APEX BUILDING,3RD FLOOR, SEVOKE ROAD ,SILIGURI. PH: 2526245,2530091 FOUND An identity card bearing # 2001/ 06 belonging to one Tashi Ongmu Bhutia, lecturer, ATTC (Bardang) around the Krishi Bhawan premises. CONTACT: Karma Tamling, B.Sc. (IInd Yr.) Tadong OR Phurba Rongkup, Six Realms, Gangtok. THEFINALONE 8; NOW!; 21 March, 2004 today in POSH AND NAOMI FALL OUT AGAIN History P 21st March 1871 - Journalist Henry Stanley began his famous search to Africa for missing Scottish missionary David Livingston. 1961 - The Beatles made their debut in an appearance at Liverpool’s Cavern Club, where they became regulars in a matter of months. 1965 - Martin Luther King, Jr. lead more than 3,000 people in a march in Selma, Alabama. ODDLYENOUGH DON’T STEP ON THE BLUE SUEDE SHOES! T hieves broke into the ELVIS PRESLEY museum in LAS VEGAS earlier this week and made off with bounty worth over $300,000 (£180,000). The raid, at Elvis-A-Rama, took just five minutes as the criminals rammed a back door of the museum with a stolen truck, then used lead pipes to break into three display cases. They made off with rings, a gold-plated pistol and other belongings, according to Rolling Stone. However, the museum staff were relieved to discover that one of their most prized possessions – a pair of blue suede shoes – were left untouched. The museum was established by Elvis devotee Chris Davidson in 1999. His collection, built up over many years, houses more than 2,000 pieces. op singer VICTORIA BECKHAM and supermodel NAOMI CAMPBELL’s truce appears to be over already - after POSH slammed models as “stupid”. The two Brits had a public rivalry for years after bitter meetings on the celebrity party circuit, leading Beckham to label the Londonborn beauty a “bitch” and “complete cow” on her TV show VICTORIA’S SECRETS. Last year (03) the two stars shocked the British media when they called time on their feud, after they both signed to model hip-hop mogul DAMON DASH’s ROCAWEAR collection. However after hearing Beckham questioning the mental capacity of catwalk queens, Campbell has re- newed her frosty glare for the wife of soccer hunk DAVID BECKHAM. Campbell fumes, “Do you know what she said? “‘I’m not a model. Models are stupid!’ “Well I do it nearly everyday. I’m blessed to be working. Flattered.” EMINEM POKES FUN AT JANET SHOCKER IN D-12 VIDEO R apper EMINEM has become the latest star to poke fun at JANET JACKSON and JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - in his new D-12 video MY BAND he can be seen ripping off portly bandmate BIZARRE’s nipple star. The heavyweight star is seen ripping the microphone out of Eminem’s hand during a boy band segment in the promo, and then proceeds to rip off his white suit to reveal a shiny green leotard. Eminem dives back into the frame, embraces his pal and rips off his nipple jewellery - copying Timberlake’s actions at the SUPER BOWL half-time show last month (FEB04), when the pop star ripped open Jackson’s bodice open to reveal a bare breast. Bizarre also spoofs Eminem’s protege 50 CENT in the video - the chubby rapper recreates 50’s IN DA CLUB video by appearing to hang upside down from a beam in his gym. The cheeky video also features Eminem getting a massage from a team of sexy ladies and scenes of the nearly naked rap superstar on a tanning bed. Modern technology also allows Eminem to double up as two trailer trash fans who want to bed him backstage in the video. Ramola MOBILE PHONES CELLULAR SALES & SERVICES ZELLWEGER TURNS REAL-LIFE HERO R E N E E ZELLWEGER turned real-life action hero when she saved a woman who had collapsed when out hiking in California’s remote Runyan Canyon. The actress was walking with her personal trainer when she saw the lady faint and fall down part of the canyon - and with no thought for her own safety she rushed to help. A friend says, “Renee and a friend were just about 50 steps behind the lone woman hiker. Luckily, they saw her when she collapsed and fell partially down the steep canyon. “Instead of waiting for help, Renee risked her own safety and slid down to help the woman.” As Zellweger’s personal trainer went to get help, Renee attended to the stricken woman - and received plaudits for her quick thinking when paramedics arrived. O n e says, “If it wasn’t f o r Renee and her pal, anyt h i n g could have happened, considering the area is plagued by coyotes.” rial: edito 753 0 80 2 983 202 0 17 9832 ss: e busin 096 0 42 2 3 8 9 838 0 8 0 9832 SWASTIK AD SILIGURI Tharo Line,Lal Market Road. Ph: 221004, Mobile: 9832062684 SNOOKER BOARD FOR SALE Snooker Board measuring 6 x 12 ft. in good condition is for sale on reasonable price. Interested party may contact this Mobile No. 98320 77630 Published by Lt. Col. (retd) P. Dorjee and printed at Darpan Publications Pvt. Ltd, Siliguri. Editor: Pema Wangchuk. Executive Editor: Mita Zulca Now! Near Ayurvedic Clinic, Gairi Gaon, Tadong. East Sikkim. ph: 03592 270949 email: sikkimnow@rediffmail.com C M Y K