SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday January 30-31, 2015

Respect freedom and diversity, Obama tells India

New Delhi, Jan 29: In what is being seen in some quarters as a parting shot at the Narendra Modi government, in the wake of domestic controversies over religious freedom and reconversion in India in the past few months, US President Barack Obama on Tuesday talked tough on religious tolerance, saying India will succeed as long as it is not “splintered” over religious lines.

He spoke about the values of democracy that is common to both countries, and also the values of religious freedom and equality that are a vital part of the Constitutions of both nations. The US President added that “diversity” was, in fact, the strength of both nations, The Asian Age reported.

The Modi government has been facing a lot of heat from the Opposition in Parliament in the past few months over these controversies. Congress leader Digvijay Singh got into action swiftly on Tuesday and took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wondering if he would advise his “friends” in the Sangh Parivar to stop justifying the “Ghar Wapsi” (reconversion) programme.

Speaking on “India and America: The Future We Can Build Together” at New Delhi’s Siri Fort Auditorium, the US President said: “Every person has the right to practise his faith without any persecution, fear or discrimination. India will succeed so long it is not splintered on religious lines,” Mr Obama told the audience that included a lot of young people in his 30-minute speech.

The US President’s comments came in the backdrop of multiple controversies in India over religious conversions and the “Ghar Wapsi” programme by right-wing Hindutva outfits. President Obama also cited Article 25 of India’s Constitution, that deals with the right to freedom of religion, noting that freedom of religion was an integral part of the US Constitution as well.

“Your (Constitution) Article 25 says all people are equally entitled to the freedom of conscience and have right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion. In both our countries, in all countries... upholding freedom of religion is the utmost responsibility of the government, but also the responsibility of every person,” he said. “We have to guard against any efforts to divide us on sectarian lines or any other thing,” he said. He also said there were people belonging to all faiths in both countries.

Subash Ghising: Gorkha leader who gave birth to Gorkhaland movement is no more

New Delhi, Jan 29: Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) chief Subash Ghising, who gave birth to the Gorkhaland movement, on Thursday passed away at a hospital in New Delhi following prolonged illness. He was 79.

"Ghising was undergoing treatment at Sir Gangaram Hospital. He died this afternoon (Thursday). His body will be taken to Siliguri (in West Bengal) for the final rituals on Friday," GNLF central committee member Prakash Dahal said, IANS reported.

Ghising was suffering from several diseases, including liver related disorders, since September 2014 and was moved to New Delhi after his condition deteriorated.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as well as the opposition Communist Party of India-Marxist mourned his death and offered condolence to the bereaved family.

Ghising, a former soldier, led a prolonged violent struggle in the 1980s for a separate Gorkhaland state to be carved out of north Bengal's Darjeeling district, before signing an agreement on Aug 22, 1988 with the central and state governments for creation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), an autonomous governing body for the hills. He chaired the DGHC till 2008.

He lived-in-exile from the hills after his GNLF was sidelined in early 2008 by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha that spearheads the movement now. He, later, returned to the hills in 2011.

Born June 22, 1936 in Darjeeling, Ghising, who was vocal on issues concerning the hills, formed a political outfit - Nilo Jhanda - in 1968 to further the cause.

He raised the demand for a separate state for the Nepali-speaking people of the Darjeeling hills for the first time in April 1979. He subsequently formed the GNLF in 1980 to achieve statehood.

Mamata for development board for Sherpa community

Darjeeling, Jan 29: Signing off her three-day visit to Darjeeling, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced her government’s decision to set up a development board for the Sherpa community.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration deputy chief executive Ramesh Allay and the three hill MLAs were seated beside the Mamata when she made the announcement.

It may be mentioned that GJM leaders had not taken to it kindly when Mamata had earlier formed the Lepcha board, saying it was interference in the functioning of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.

The Chief Minister chose the 119th birth anniversary celebrations of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose to announce a Sherpa cultural board. Mamata set up Lepcha community development board in 2013 and another for the Tamang community last year.

Mamata said the state government would also soon release a fund of Rs5 crore to the Sherpa board to construct houses for poor members of the community and that other formalities would be

discussed later. Earlier, she said Rs1 lakh each would be given to 10 members of the Sherpa community.

On Thursday, the chief minister handed out Rs 5 crore to the Tamang Development and Cultural Board at Lebong, also to construct houses with a promise to give more funds.

Sikkim Express Editor Amit Patro felicitated for his contribution to print media in the region in Siliguri, West Bengal.

China slams Japan for calling Arunachal Pradesh part of India

Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (L) shakes hands with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj before their meeting in New Delhi January 17, 2015. (Left) 

Beijing, Jan 29: China has slammed Japan for describing Arunachal Pradesh as a part of India, saying the remarks have “seriously concerned” Beijing.

China has even lodged protest with Japan for remarks made by its Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in New Delhi recently.

Demanding a clarification, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said, “China has taken note of such report.”

“We are seriously concerned about this and have lodged solemn representation (diplomatic protest) with the Japanese side, asking Japan to make (a) clarification and immediately remove negative implications arising from this,” Hong said, PTI repoted.

Replying to a question during an interaction in New Delhi on January 17 about Japan’s indication that it may not be involved in infrastructure projects in Arunachal Pradesh and whether this was due to China’s position, Kishida had said though his government wants to improve connectivity in Northeast India, there was no plan to provide any aid to the state.

“You specifically pointed out the state Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India which is a territory of India which is pending in terms of its dispute with China and for the moment to my understanding there are currently no plans of Japan to provide aid to this state,” he had said.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of Southern Tibet.

Hong said Kishida’s remarks are contrary to previous stand taken by Japan on this issue in the past.

“Japan has said explicitly to China that it holds no position and it will not intervene in the disputed area between China and India. Japan has also made public clarifications on this,” he said apparently referring to Japan’s stand expressed in November last year that it would not involve itself in infrastructure projects in Arunachal Pradesh.

China said in November last year that Japan had clarified when it sought Tokyo’s reaction to reports that India’s Border Roads Organisation had given ‘strategic’ projects to the Japan International Cooperation Agency along the China border.

Hong said, “China’s position on the eastern part of China-India boundary is clear and consistent.”

The issue is being addressed through talks between Special Representatives from both sides, he said.

“China and India are seeking the solution to resolve the boundary question that is fair, reasonable and acceptable to both sides. We hope the Japanese side can understand the sensitiveness of China-India border question and respect China and India’s efforts to resolve dispute through negotiations and be prudent in its words and actions,” Hong said.

Why the mighty Teesta runs dry

The government of West Bengal has diverted almost all of Teesta’s water, leaving little for Bangladesh

By VIMAL KHAWAS

The Teesta river, often regarded as the lifeline of Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalayas, is one of the major rivers flowing across the Eastern Himalayan landscape. It is the fourth major river after the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna in the Eastern South Asian region. The Teesta originates in the Sikkim Himalaya as Chhombo Chhu, from a glacial lake Khangchung Chho at an elevation of 5,280m in the northeastern corner of the state.

The lake lies at the snout of the Teesta Khangse glacier descending from Pauhunri peak (7,056m) in the northwestern direction. Many scholars consider Teesta Khangse glacier and Chho Lhamo as the source of Teesta river – it flows along the entire length of Sikkim and carves out some of the profuse and verdant Himalayan temperate and tropical river valleys. As it flows down, the river forms the border between Sikkim and West Bengal.

Teesta flows about 172km in the hilly region of Sikkim and Darjeeling (India); the river runs for about 98km in the plains of West Bengal (India) and another 134km in Bangladesh before joining the great Brahmaputra in Bangladesh. The river drains a total geographical area of about 12,159km. Around 2,004 sq-km of the basin (or about 17%) lies in Bangladesh with the rest of the basin area being in India.

Its river basin has been home to several social groups in Sikkim, Northern West Bengal (India), and Bangladesh since its historic past. Starting from the Lepcha Tribe, Ethnic Bhutias, and the Ethnic Nepalis in Sikkim-Darjeeling Himalaya, to the agrarian communities of North Bengal and Bangladesh, Teesta Basin is the source of livelihood for several socio-cultural groups.

Furthermore, Teesta has been the source of ethno-cultural and ethno-religious basis of many social groups in the Darjeeling-Sikkim region. Teesta river is the only source of water to agricultural crops of the thirsty Northern Bengal and North Western Bangladesh.

However, the historic symbiotic and intimate human-environment relationship between people and natural resource bases including water in the Teesta Basin has been increasingly put to danger by diverse undercurrents of development in recent times.

This has resulted in imbalances in the environment and various ecological systems there. This is a very serious issue both to the coming generations and ourselves. It is important to understand that all the parameters of the environment are intimately interrelated, and a change in one will negatively affect the other.

Besides other forms of development, including expansion of agriculture and irrigation, construction of roads and buildings, urbanisation, etc, the central and provincial governments of India are forcefully underway with a series of hydropower dams within the Teesta river basin. Consequently, the Sikkim-Darjeeling catchment of the Teesta basin is expected to produce over 6000MW of electricity within the next few decades.

Ironically, the first Human Development Report (HDR) of Sikkim (2001) authored by Mahendra P Lama, the then Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sikkim, strongly advised Sikkim to harness the rich water resource of the Sikkim Himalaya. The report further recommends the state government to take the help of the private sector towards this end.

The State Development Report of Sikkim (2008) takes similar stand as taken by HDR, 2001. Both reports cite the success of Chukha Project of Bhutan as an example for the development of hydro resource of Sikkim.

There are concerns that building hydro-dams may lead to river-induced seismicity in this geologically young and tectonically active region, besides several other environmental, socio-cultural, and socio-economic fallouts because of their little scientific basis.

There have been serious issues on the table with regard to sharing of Teesta waters between India and Bangladesh. Besides several existing and proposed hydro-dams in the Sikkim-Darjeeling Catchment, the government of West Bengal has diverted almost all of Teesta’s water via an artificial canal at the Teesta (Gajoldoba) Barrage in Jalpaiguri to irrigate its thirsty North Bengal, leaving little or no water for Bangladesh.

As a lower riparian country of the basin, Bangladesh has been regularly voicing its concern for the equitable sharing of the Teesta river. But it is still to be achieved, despite several meetings between the Bangladesh and Indian governments.

Experts often project that the next 10-15 years shall witness depressing intra and inter-state water disputes if policymakers of both India and Bangladesh do not come up with solutions for the sustainable management and sharing of Teesta water. There is an urgent need to go through our neighbourhood policy once again.

It is sad to learn that the National Geographic has listed Teesta river among the eight mighty global rivers that run dry from human overuse. (Dhaka Tribune)

Ghising’s death loss to hill people: Gurung

Kolkata, Jan 29: West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday condoled the death of Gorkha National Liberation Front founder Subhas Ghishing.

The Gorkha Janmukti President Bimal Gurung also condoled the death of Ghishing saying that his demise was a political loss to the people in the Hills, PTI reported.

The governor said in a message, "Mr Subhas Ghishing was a man of determination and had good support. He made a great contribution to the uplift of the hills."

The Chief Minister tweeted, "On the passing away of Subhas Ghising, I offer my deepest condolences to members of his family. May his soul Rest in Peace."

Gurung, currently the chief executive of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration said in a facebook post, "The sad demise of Ghishing is a political loss to the hill people".

"His contribution towards the development of the Hills will always be appreciated. I extend my heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and pray that God give them the strength to bear the loss," Gurung said in a facebook post.

The GJM central committee member Harka Bahadur Chettri told PTI from Darjeeling, "He was able to make the people of Darjeeling accept the concept of Gorkhaland".

"He had some administrative weaknesses but since he is no more his absence will leave a vaccum in the political life of Gorkhas," Chettri said. 

RBI raises concerns over SBS functioning

New Delhi, Jan 29: The Reserve Bank of India has raised concerns over the State Bank of Sikkim (SBS), which does not come under any regulation or jurisdiction since the Banking Regulation Act 1949 and the Companies Act do not extend to it.

In a letter to the central government, RBI has expressed serious reservations about the regulatory vacuum that the State Bank of Sikkim is allowed to function in, said a government official, who did not wish to be named.

"RBI has pointed out that since the bank does not come under any jurisdiction, financial and operational issues have arisen," the official said, adding that the banking regulator is concerned about protecting the interest of depositors. The State Bank of Sikkim's balance sheet has not been audited for the past five years and the RBI has pointed out in the letter that the bank's name could mislead depositors since it sounds as if it is an affiliate of forming loans (NPAs) or bad loans are high," said another official aware of the issue, The Economic Times reported.

State Bank of Sikkim's managing director and chief executive HK Chhetri refused to comment on the bank's financial status although he confirmed that talks are on between the state and the central government to resolve the issue.

"It is because of the legacy issues. State government is the majority shareholder and they are in talks with all parties concerned," he said.

 Set up in 1968, State Bank of Sikkim has 35 branches. A bank official explained that since Sikkim joined the Indian Union in 1975, it has been granted special status under Article 371 F of the constitution. "If tomorrow there is a bank run, we will not be able to do anything. Since no rules apply, there is no DIGC (Deposit insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation) cover," added the official

PEOPLE&PLACES  Dotsuk Gompa

The Bhutia Busty monastery in Darjeeling was originally located at Mahakal hill

By SONAM  DEKI

Dotsuk Gompa at Bhutia Busty in Darjeeling. (Right)

The Dotsuk Gompa at Bhutia Busty, the oldest monastery in Darjeeling, was first located on Observatory Hill, located above Chowrasta.  It was built in 1765 by Lama Dorje Rinzing when Darjeeling was still a part of the Kingdom of Sikkim. The name Darjeeling is believed to have originated when monks of the monastery referred to the region as ‘Dorje-ling’, meaning the land of the thunderbolt.

 Another school of thought believes that it was named after Dorje Rinzing. The monastery was destroyed by the invading  Gurkha  forces in 1815. It was rebuilt in 1861 and was moved to its present location in 1879.  After Darjeeling was ‘gifted’ to the British Raj by the Chogyal of Sikkim in 1835 it was annexed by the Britishers in 1861. The ill-fated monastery was again destroyed by a 1934 earthquake and owes its present existence to the Chogyal of Sikkim.

Spectacular views of the Kanchenjunga can be had from the Bhutia Busty Monastery (also known locally as Do-tsuk Gompa, meaning Do (stone) tsuk (erect). This was originally a branch of the Phodong monastery in North Sikkim.

Observatory Hill (locally referred to as Mahakal dara (hill) dates back to the 18th century when a monastery was built here. Its significance increased under British rule as many British officials and affluent local families chose to reside in the locale. It now houses the temple of Mahakal and is the religious centre for all local inhabitants.

Earl of Ronaldshay (erstwhile president of the Royal Geographical Society) says, “In the interests of historical accuracy I should, perhaps, add that I believe the commonly accepted explanation to be incorrect. A derivation seldom heard, but which I have the best of grounds for believing to be correct, is that which attributes the word Dorje in the first half of Darjeeling to the name of a lama, Dorje Rinzing, who founded the monastery which once stood on Observatory Hill.”

The Bengal Gazeteer of 1947 says that Darjeeling and its neighbouring areas were originally a dominion of the Sikkim kingdom. During the reign of Sikkim’s Chogyal Chagdor Namgyal (1700-16), the area to the south-east as well as Kalimpong and Rhenock were lost to Bhutan. Though reclaimed briefly, towards the end of the 18th century (1788-89), the Gurkhas of Nepal over ran Sikkim as far east as Teesta River and annexed the Terai grassland region. After the termination of Anglo-Nepalese War (1816) tract which Nepal had wrested from Sikkim was ceded to East India Company in 1835.

PRIDE OF SIKKIM  Raman Shresta

Bookman Raman Shresta receives a Letter of Appreciation from the Honourable Governor of Sikkim at a state function during last year’s  Republic Day celebrations at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok for "commendable entrepreneurship and remarkable contribution made towards Sikkimese society".