01 September, 2004; NOW! 1

Wednesday, 01 Sept, 2004 Vol. 3 No. 137 Gangtok � Rs. 3

WORKING PRESIDENT TOSHOWCAUSE PRESIDENT

RANJIT SINGH

GANGTOK, 31 August: The“other” SPCC [I], which pro-fesses to be the real state Con-gress unit, has launched a scath-ing and derisive tirade against theSPCC [I] chief Nar BahadurBhandari. At a press conferencetoday, SPCC [I] working Presi-dent Asok Subba, launched a se-vere censuring of Mr. Bhandari’sacts of omission and commissionas SPCC [I] president.

Mr. Subba, today, squarelylaid the blame of the electoral“tragedy” on Mr. Bhandari’sshoulders. In fact, he even wenton to hint that there was some-thing fishy in the ‘southern fi-

asco’ which resulted in threeseats going uncontested.

“Giving Mr. Chamling anuncontested seat reeks of sus-picion,” he felt. “Mr. Bhandariis not serious about the Con-gress; his interest is only inhimself,” he added.

He further said that he hadadvised Mr. Bhandari not to givethe election ticket to PaldenBhutia, who failed to file hisnominations papers under sus-picious circumstances, resultingin another forfeited seat.

Mr. Lachungpa, who wasalso present at the briefing, ac-cused Mr. Bhandari of alwayscontradicting himself. “One

BHANDARI HAS MISSEDTHE BUS: THUKCHUK

THE GLOVES COME OFF: State Congress leaders united againstBhandari’s presidentship at a press conference today. [left to right- Asok Subba, KN Upreti, T. Lachungpa, Bharat Basnet] turn to pg 7

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 31 August: With the 100days programme of the SDF governmentcompleted [on 28 August] it is now timeto assess the schemes and programmes un-dertaken by the government. A press re-lease issued by the Chief Minister’s Of-fice has conveyed the CM’s satisfactionover the completion of a number of on-

going schemes. These include the Gov-ernment Circuit House, Janata Bhawan,a number of school buildings, roads andminor water supply schemes. Among themajor projects which have reached thefinal stage of their completion are theKhangchendzonga Plaza at Lall Bazaar,Heritage Park at Tsamkhang, Namchi,Paljor Stadium and a number of otherschemes, informs the press release.

Incidentally, the SDF governmentsoon after assuming power for the thirdconsecutive term had drawn up a 100days road-map for all the departmentsdirecting them to complete all the on-going schemes and initiate new projectswithin this period.

Making an assessment of the past 100days, the Press release mentions the CM’sstudy trip to Haryana and Himachal

Pradesh accompanied by his legislatorsto enlighten themselves on various tour-ism activities which could be replicatedin Sikkim. The chief minister also metcentral leaders including Mrs. SoniaGandhi and the Prime Minister,Manmohan Singh, and various chiefministers. During this period, the Statewas also awarded the Best Performing

100 DAYS OVER; CM TARGETS NEXT 100 YEARS

turn to pg 7

SUBASH RAI

GANGTOK, 31 August: Dis-tricts & Sessions Judge [E&N],AP Subba, today deferred thehearing on the bail petition ofDK Pradhan till tomorrow, 01September.

Mr. Pradhan, a joint secretarywith the State Public ServiceCommission, has been chargedwith kidnapping and abduction

of Sheila Pradhan [Subba], wife of G.Pradhan of Development Area.

Ms. Pradhan, an employee of withthe State Election Commission, hasbeen missing since 11 June, 2004. Herhusband had filed a Missing PersonsReport with the Sadar Police Station 26days after she went missing. Two dayslater, her father Shiva Kumar Subbafiled a fresh FIR alleging that his daugh-ter had been kidnapped by Mr. Pradhan.

According to the statement presented

in court by Mr. Pradhan’s legal counsel,KT Bhutia, the defendant was out of sta-tion on family business when the inci-dent occurred, so he could not have beeninvolved in the case. When he heardabout the incident and the arrest war-rant issued in his name, he immediatelyapplied for anticipatory bail with theSessions Judge but was turned down.

According to Mr. Bhutia, after thecourt rejected his bail petition, Mr.

turn to pg 5

Iraqi militantskill all 12 Nepali

HostagesIraqi militants say they have

executed all 12 Nepali hos-tages they had been holding forthe past nearly two weeks.

Reuters news agency quotedsources in the Iraqi militantgroup as saying it had killed 12Nepali hostages and had postedthe pictures of their throats be-ing slit on Islamic Web Site.

“We have carried out thesentence of God against 12Nepalis who came from theircountry to fight the Muslims andserve the Jews and the Chris-tians …believing in Buddha astheir God,” the statement byArmy of Ansar al Sunna said.

The video showed the mili-turn to pg 8

Court to hear bailpetition of jointsecy accused ofkidnapping today

TEENAGERS CAUGHTSELLING SP IN

CIGARETTE PACKSIN NAMCHI

Luck ran out for the enterprising teenage duo of Namchiwho had figured out a simple trick to avoid arrest for ped-dling in prescription drugs abused by addicts when copswizened to their trick of selling them inside cigarette packs.They were arrested on Tuesday along with their clients.

- turn to pg 5 for details

2; NOW!; 01 September, 2004

NOW!FIRST WITH THE NEWS

ED-SPACE

At almost every turn, the2004 Olympic Games,which just concluded in

Athens, ran contrary to expecta-tions. Indeed, the world’s twoworst fears - that organizationaldisarray would turn the Gamesinto an operational disaster andthat terrorists would turn theGames into something evenworse - went blissfully unfulfilled.

Yes, the roofless natatoriumgot a little warm. But anatatorium is a swimming pool,so the flaw was far from fatal.And apart from the bizarre in-cident on the last day when amarathon runner was manhan-dled by a costumed spectator,18 days of competition went offwith barely a hiccup.

Still, the Games did notcome to an end without a fewbruises, caused notably byjudging and doping scandals.

No fewer than 23 athleteswere expelled after failing drugtests, including at least threegold medalists. Significantly,few world records, many ofwhich were set during the dayswhen doping was more routine,were broken. This testifies bothto the success of modern anti-doping efforts and the corrup-tion of true athletic prowesscaused by performance-en-hancing drugs. But how many

world records are stained?As to judging, the excellent

work done by most judges wasmasked by the infamously in-ept officiating in gymnastics. Inthe men’s all-around, judgesfailed to properly rate the diffi-culty of a Korean’s routine atone point and failed to properlydeduct points at another. Afterthe gold was awarded to Ameri-can Paul Hamm, the Korean complained, and the judges wer suspended. ıBut then official

from the International Gymnstics Federation, who had -earlier refused to overturn the reults, suggested that Hamm s-urrender his medal [They wouldnt fix it, so he should?] thus add-ing cravenness to the charge ofincompetence.

Invariably, and despite thehubbub, the US team’s per-

formance was illustrative.Burdened by wealth, celeb-

rity and perhaps an inflatedsense of entitlement, the men’sbasketball team lost moregames in two weeks than in thepast 68 years and settled forbronze. Compare that to thewomen’s soccer team: free ofego, trained in the basics anddevoted to the dictates of team-work. It won a gold medal.

The lessons could hardly beclearer or more inevitable.Doping matters, so stay firm,and judging matters, so gettough. Moreover, don’t take theopposition for granted; don’tplay from vanity; don’t shirkteamwork. And please, don’tever again score the nationalanthem with strings where therockets belong.

-USA Today

Relief and regret in Athens

Most of us in the media neverhad any illusions about theMaoists’ democratic creden-tials. But we were willing togive their political agenda thebenefit of doubt because mostof their original 40-points for astructural overhaul of Nepalisociety had merit.

We never agreed with theirmethods, however, and wehave always said so. No endever justifies such wantonslaughter, especially when thedemocratic space (howeverflawed) was available.

The Nepali media has ful-filled its professional obliga-tions by airing the Maoists’political demands and makingthem a matter of public debate.And it has not shirked fromexposing their gross abuses ofhuman rights. This has beenlargely possible because of thebrave and committed journal-ists in the field who have riskedtheir lives to get the truth out.

Unlike the journalists in thecapital who are relatively pro-tected, district reporters arevulnerable to threats, intimida-tion and pressures from boththe Maoists and state security.They have to tread a fine linewhile reporting human rightsviolations, and have often done

that without sacrificing thetruth.

In the past year, the threatsto reporters have increased indirect proportion to the inten-sification of the conflict. Therehas been a lot of unnecessaryharassment of journalists bysecurity forces in the field, andthe state has killed more jour-nalists in the past four yearsthan the rebels. Krishna Senworked for a Maoist mouth-

piece and Dekendra Thapaworked for state radio, neitherdeserved to die.

Even though the Maoistleadership pays lip service topress freedom from time totime, its field-level cadre do notwaste time in such niceties.They tolerate reporters only aslong as their dispatches are fa-vourable. This is a deliberatetwo-track policy.

By killing Dekendra Thapaearlier this month the Maoistsshowed that they don’t evenbother with politically-correctrhetoric anymore. TheirTalibanesque threat to chop offthe hands of other journalists

who refuse to toe the party lineis further proof of a danger-ously fanatical streak.

The brutal murders of un-armed village elders, electedgrassroot leaders, social work-ers, teachers, businessmen,anyone who don’t agree withthe rebels or refuse to pay ‘do-nations’ are acts of cowardice.When a movement has to resortto such unconscionable crueltyit means it has lost the powerof argument. Using such bru-tality to impose one’s will is notonly immoral, it is also an in-correct interpretation of revo-lutionary dialectics.

The regional Maoist lead-ership in the midwest is re-ported to have said that killingThapa was a ‘mistake’ and itwon’t do it again. That fallsshort of an apology. This con-trition also didn’t originatefrom the central leadership asit should have.

While the killing of one ofour own has set off understand-able anger in the profession, wemust add that it focuses ourgrief and outrage even more atthe senseless loss of thousandsof other innocent Nepali livesin this conflict.

Editorial featured inNepali Times

Shooting the Messenger

ELSEWHERENEPAL

The Forgotten District

of West SikkimA freak landslide in the West district town of Yuksomhas wreaked severe damage. Three lives have beenlost and property losses are speculated at upwards ofRs. 1 crore by the district administration. More than 150people had to be shifted to relief camps. Smaller naturalcalamities elsewhere have created state-wide concernin the past and yet no one seems to be talking enoughabout Yuksom. Some of the affected families have al-ready started returning to their houses, trying to salvageand repair what they can, and yet it is the district admin-istration alone which is dealing with the calamity. Thereare no high-level visits, not NGOs rushing to the spot.Local and national media have to shoulder some of theblame for this snubbing. While minor landslides in thevicinity of the capital are splashed with big headlines,the Yuksom incident has been mentioned only in pass-ing by some and largely ignored by the rest of the news-papers. The media has continued with a neglect thatthe West district has suffered for a very long time now.

This neglect manifests itself in the recently releasedCensus 2001 report for Sikkim. While the district ac-counts for 22.8 per cent of the State’s population, it rankspoorly in the developmental graph. Only 1.5 per cent ofits population resides in urban areas which, despiteSikkim’s rather convoluted sense of what is urban, isstrikingly low and indicative of the general backward-ness of the area. The West district also has the lowestliteracy rate at 50 per cent against Sikkim’s overall per-centage of 68.8 per cent. Chingithang revenue block inWest Sikkim has the second lowest literacy rate amongits category at a depressing 29.3%. Three revenue blocksof West Sikkim find themselves in the ignominious com-pany of the “bottom five” in female literacy. Of all thedistricts, West has the highest number of “non-work-ers.” These figures prove that West is ignored. One can-not blame the post-1975 times for this ignorance alone.In fact, it would not be wrong to suggest here that WestSikkim fell off the priority list the moment the capital wasshifted out by the Namgyal dynasty. The reason wasthat West Sikkim was too close to Nepal, which wasbecoming increasingly mercenary in its excursions intoSikkim. For the same reason perhaps, developmentalprojects were never emphasised there initially by themonarchy. By the time the Nepal threat simpered away,ignoring West Sikkim had become institutionalised. Thedemocratic era should share some of the blame for notcorrecting this anomaly. West Sikkim, for most peopleends at the district headquarters at Geyzing, beyondwhich, only tourists venture. Another glaring example ofWest Sikkim’s distance from the public mind-set is theprotest against the Rathong Chu hydel project there. Theprotest was carried out in Gangtok. Those involved,perhaps understood well that protests in the affectedarea will not reach their message to no one. That is notthe case with the other districts.

At the end of the day, Yuksom, in the present case,and West Sikkim, in general, might do well despiteGangtok’s indifference. But that would still not justify theState’s attitude towards it. Would it?

write NOW!If you feel strongly about something that has been reported in NOW! orhave an opinion on some recent development, then share it with awider audience. While the LETTERS section will carry responses toarticles and news carried in NOW!, ACTION MAIL is about complaintsand grievances. Wherever possible, NOW! shall also search out a re-sponse to the Action Mail. If not, then at least a complaint would havebeen filed in the public domain. Personal attacks on individuals andinflammatory letters will, however, not be entertained. The letters mayalso be edited for length and language. Anonymous letters are discour-aged. The name of the writer will however be withheld on request.

01 September, 2004; NOW! 3� RAJDHANI

STYLEHotel Golden Pagoda,

MG Marg, Gangtok

M/s Agarwal SanitationsDeorali Bazaar, Gangtok, East Sikkim

Ph.: (Shop) 281437 (Res.) 281779 (Mob.) 94341 27124

NAVREET MILTON

GANGTOK, 31 August: Reli-gion has often been called theopium of the masses. But formost it is a deep personal beliefthat helps them live their lifewith faith. For Binod Padhy, ithas transcended to become thedriving force of his life. Some-thing that makes sense out ofeverything. And no, he has notfound this in his own faith butin an adopted religion.

Binod, who was born aHindu is today a serious prac-titioner of the Sikh religion.

“I was born in Orissa butcame to Sikkim almost twentyyears back. I have alwaysbeen interested in differentcultures, religions and peo-ple,” he informs.

This interest led him to seeksolace in Sikhism and learnGurmukhi to understand thescriptures better.

“It was my friend RP Singhwho took me to the GurdwaraSahib at Deorali for the firsttime in 1996. Once there I feltlike I was in the presence ofsome divine power. Somethinghappened, I can’t explain… butI started going there everyday,almost like I was being pulledtowards it,” he remembers.

Thus began his daily visitsto the Gurdwara. It has nowbeen eight years and not a sin-gle day has gone by whenBinod has missed this dailyritual, which, he says, bringshim immense solace.

“I always felt that there issome real spiritual power whichwas driving me and helping mefind my way towards it. I slowlystarted getting a lot of mentalpeace as I started learning moreabout the religion,” he says.

At first, he found it diffi-cult to understand the meaningof the holy messages, but with

time and guidance from theGranthi at the Gurudwara, heslowly started reading the holyscriptures in Hindi and also

SAGAR CHHETRI

GANGTOK, 31 August: Theinaugural function of Cutting,Tailoring & Embroidery mak-ing training programme washeld at the Schedule CasteWomen’s Hostel-cum-Voca-tional Training Centre, GairiGaon, Tadong today.

The training is sponsoredby Social Justice, Empower-ment & Social Welfare depart-ment and implemented by theSchedule Caste EntrepreneursService Co-operative SocietyLimited, East Sikkim.

BM Ramudamu, MLAKhamdong and Chairperson,Sikkim Distilleries, presidedover the inaugural session asthe chief guest today.

The chief guest, in his ad-dress, said that simple educationwas not enough, it was impor-tant to develop specific skills asthere was a lot of demand forskilled and talented people.

Sharing his recent experi-ences gleaned from the tour tomany states with the Chief Min-ister, he quoted the example ofHimachal Pradesh which hassimilar in climatic and geographi-cal conditions as Sikkim but wasa much more productive state.

He stressed on the need towork hard as there was stiffercompetition in the job marketand also because hard work paidin the long run.

Jagat Singh, Secretary,SCESCOS, also appealed to thetrainees to take their work seri-ously and said that the depart-

started understanding themeanings better.

“A time came when Iprayed to the lord to help me

ment provides many schemeswhich could be availed by themupon successful completion ofthe course.

Nirmal Darnal, Deputy Di-rector, SJE&SW department, inhis speech said that many edu-cated youth remained unem-ployed because government jobshad reached a saturation pointand they had no special skills tobecome productively self-em-

ployed. He asked the gatheringnot to waste time searching forgovernment jobs but to learnskills which could help them cre-ate income for themselves.

Bhim Lhakhi, Chairman,Schedule Caste Welfare Board,also stressed on the need to beself sufficient by starting pri-vate enterprises. “Through thistraining you can sit at home andearn your living,” he said.

learn Gurmukhi so that one dayI could read the Guru GranthSahib in its original language,”he tells us.

It was in the year 2003 thathe finally mastered Gurmukhiand read the holy book for thefirst time.

“It was another miraculousexperience. Almost as if theGod had willed it to be so. Andtoday day I feel that there isnothing impossible if one isdedicated. God is there to an-swer prayers made to him,” hestates emphatically.

Binod’s faith has passed onto his wife and children whoalong with him chant the sacredmantra of Sat Nam Shri VaheGuru every morning. Even ashe busies himself with all kindsof voluntary works at theGurudwara, all there agree, heis the perfect example of thebelief that God is One and faithcan change the world.

He found a home in Sikkim and faith in the Guru Granth SahibBinod Padhy at the DeoraliGurudwara Sahib

The vote of thanks was de-livered by President, SCESCOS,Mani Kumar Duthraj.

During the function a cer-tificate was awarded to RobinSubba, a Mathematics and Sci-ence teacher who has, for thepast three years, been givingfree winter coaching classes inan initiative organized bySJE&SW department.

A total of 32 participants,all from reserved communities,are taking the 6-month training.

The trainers have comefrom Patna and training isscheduled to start on Wednes-day, 01 September.

The centre has been con-ducting training programmes ofthis kind for many years now.The trainees who have com-pleted the programme are suc-cessfully running their businesstoday, an official revealed.

6-month tailoring course kicks off with callson youth to target self-employment

LANDMARK INTERNATIONALhas already opened another branch in Jammu& Kashmir. For this, 20 more brilliant boys/girls as Branch Manager/Asst. Manager will berecruited soon.

LIMITED VACANCY / ACCOMMODATION FREEFor details contact immediately:

Sarda Building, 6th Floor, M.G. Marg,Gangtok Ph: 98320-90007 (mob)

2 7 1 1 6 7

9832080753

9832034122

9832369520

9832377555

9832368930

9832042096

9832080838

TO CONTACT

NOW! DIAL

we can also be emailed at

sikkimnow@

rediffmail.com

4; NOW!; 01 September, 2004 NEWSSCAN �

GUARANTEED RESULTGUARANTEED RESULT

COACHING GIVEN BYEx-XAVERIAN/DON-BOSCO (KOLKATA)FROM CLASS VI - X (SCIENCE/MATHS/

ENGLISH)LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE

CONTACT: 98320 67963/98320 51999

[MONEY BACK]

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 31 August: TheAll India Congress Commit-tee [AICC] has revoked theexpulsions of three SPCC [I]members by the state-unitpresident, Nar BahadurBhandari some time back.

Incidentally, the expulsions,allegedly for anti-party activi-ties, were effected on 11 June ata grand meeting of State-Con-gress leaders and supporters atCongress Bhawan.

The AICC directive to Mr.Bhandari has turned down theexpulsions of ThukchukLachungpa, Tseten Lepcha andTsewang Namgyal. It makes nocomments on the other two ex-

“Dissident” Congressmen in Delhi with AICC president, Sonia Gandhi.

CONG HIGH-COMMANDREVOKES 3 EXPULSIONS

NO MORE CHANGES WITHOUT AICCSANCTION, BHANDARI TOLD

pulsions announced on 11June, those of Palden Bhutiaand Hem Lall Bhandari.

At a press conference today,State Congressmen opposed to

Mr. Bhandari’s presidentshipand who claim to be the realCongress in the State, produceda letter from Imran Kidwai toMr. Bhandari communicating

the party high command’s di-rective on the expulsions.

Mr. Kidwai in his commu-nique reasons that Mr.Lachungpa being an AICCmember cannot be expelled bythe PCC. Similarly, in the caseof Tseten Lepcha, general sec-retary, SPCC, he says that per-mission from the AICC isneeded before such expulsionscan be undertaken. As regardsthe expulsion of Mr. Namgyal,Chairman Seva Dal, Mr.Kidwai informs Mr. Bhandarithat only the All India Seva Dalcould take action against him.

Mr. Kidwai further states:“It is my humble advice for fu-ture also that without any per-mission from AICC no action

or change should be made inPCC or DCCs.”

Revoking the three expul-sions, Mr. Kidwai, special in-vitee to the Congress WorkingCommittee [CWC], says thatthe AICC would study thewhole case; in the meantime hehas sent for the proceedings ofthe State Disciplinary Commit-tee which had been set up bythe SPCC [I] post elections.

Incidentally, the membersof the disciplinary committeeare SPCC working president,Asok Subba, KN Upreti,Tseten Tashi Bhutia, DBGurung and KN Lepcha. Ofthese, the first two have comeout in the open against Mr.Bhandari’s presidentship.

Deadline toevacuate NH 55encroachments

expires unheededBIRENDRA SHANDILYA

DARJEELING, 31 August:Though the deadline for themore than 200 notices servedby the National Highway Au-thorities to remove encroach-ments expired today, nothingmuch happened except for ameeting at the District Magis-trate’s office among various de-partments.

From early morning, peopleof the locality and especiallythe people who were served thenotices were seen anxious inanticipation of the action thatwas to be taken by the NH Au-thorities.

At today’s meeting be-tween the DM, NationalHighway Authority officials,Transport Unions, DarjeelingMunicipality and other con-cerned organisations, it wasdecided that the Municipalitywould hold a meeting on 02September with the concernedpeople served eviction noticesand try to work out an amica-ble solution.

Dr. Aariz Aftab, DM,Darjeeling said: “The work onthe drain and the road has to goon for the betterment of thisplace and for this we expect allpeople to cooperate.”

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 31 August: TheAnnual General Body meetingand election of executive com-mittee members of Ecotourismand Conservation Society ofSikkim [ECOSS] was held to-day at Chumbi Residency here.

The meeting was chaired byECOSS chairperson, PD Rai,vice-chairman, KN Bhutia andexecutive secretary, RenzinoLepcha. Others present weremembers of ECOSS from all

BODY FOUNDALONG TEESTA

SINGTAM: From informationreceived via phone from oneKB Rasaily, the Makha OP dis-covered the corpse of an uni-dentified male of about 30-35years lying by the banks of theTeesta below Makha Tong Taraon 27 August. The body hasbeen sent for autopsy toSingtam hospital.

15 days and counting - Mani still unconsciousa NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 31 August: It hasbeen almost a fortnight nowthat Mani Kumar Darji, the manwho fell off a hillside whilebeing chased by a group of 8 atMengli, has been lying uncon-scious at the Central ReferralHospital ICU here.

The medical superintendentat CRH, Dr. AK Das, whiletalking to NOW! confirmedthat Mani Kumar was still un-conscious. “However, we havemanaged to take him off theoxygen as well as the dripsthrough which he was beingfed,” Dr. Das informed.

While expressing that thepatient might still not survive as

his condition remained “criti-cal,” the Medical Superintend-ent said that the very fact thathe has survived the past weekswas an encouraging sign.

“Frankly, it is still uncertainwhether he will survive as hisbrain is badly injured,” re-vealed the MS. “At present heis being treated with antibiot-ics and good nursing care,” hesaid. He also informed that thepatient was being administereddrugs to prevent the internalbleeding in his brain.

“We cannot say whether hiscondition has improved sincehe was admitted here but cer-tainly it has not deteriorated,”the MS said.

Earlier, while talking to the

relatives of Mani Kumar, it waslearnt that the owner ofYakthung Manpower & Secu-rity Services, Mr. Subba, hadassured to pay for the medicalexpenses incurred in the treat-ment of Mani Kumar.

Incidentally, as informed bypolice at Ravangla, Mr. Subbawas arrested on 17 August.Mani had fallen off the cliffwhile being chased by eightYakthung Manpower & Secu-rity Services personnel fromSiliguri. All were arrested.While Mr. Subba was releasedon bail by the CJM court atNamchi the others have beenremanded to judicial custodytill 01 September, informed SPSouth, MS Tuli.

According to another sen-ior police official, Mani Kumarhad left his job at the YakthungManpower and Security Serv-ices and was followed by hiscolleagues in the company tohis home at Mengli.

As informed by the policeofficial, Mani Kumar, whileleaving his job at the companyin Siliguri had filched someminor articles belonging to theSecurity agency. “As he saw thegroup of eight approaching hishouse, he must have felt intimi-dated and began to run whichinduced the group to followhim,” the official feels. It waswhile running away from thegroup that Mani fell off the hill-side and injured his head.

over the State, representativesof social organizations, NGOsand social workers.

Mr. Rai, in his address saidthat the ECOSS was a group oflike-minded people working toaccomplish a common mission.ECOSS members were dedi-cated to community self-relianceand have a mandate to achievethe goals of sustainable develop-ment in fields of ecotourism andconservation, he stressed.

He further said thatecotourism was tourism thatwas environmentally, culturallyand socially aware and sus-tained the well being of localpeople. For ecotourism to besustainable local communitiesshould be at the centre of theplanning, implementation andmonitoring process.

He also spoke on the ben-efits of local involvement inecotourism. “We have come

close to achieving our mandate,many people have been sensi-tized about the concept ofecotourism even in places likeUttarey where our message hasreached out to the differentcommunities and the generalpublic,” he stated.

Mr. Bhutia, while com-menting on the election of newoffice bearers scheduled fortoday, said: “ECOSS is an or-ganization with a democraticappeal thus the elections areheld annually. Electing a newbody will help generate newideas and fresh concepts in thefunctioning of ECOSS”.

He also said that the newlyelected executive body would con-tinue with the work, and would liveup to the reputation and thus en-hance the organization.

The Executive Secretary,Renzino Lepcha reported onthe achievements and mile-

stones of ECOSS in the pastfew years. These included atrainers’ program held inAlmaty, Kazakhstan in Aprillast year, ECOSS’s involve-ment with the Chief MinistersSelf Employment Scheme(CMSES), Voluntary basisservice on community devel-opment projects and trainingon rural tourism among otheractivities.

ECOSS takes stock, charts the road ahead

01 September, 2004; NOW! 5� NEWSSCAN

REEBOK SHOWROOMBelow Bank of Baroda

MG Road, Gangtok

Upto

on

Shoes

30%OFF

Reebok

2 7 1 1 6 7

9832080753

9832034122

9832369520

9832377555

9832368930

9832042096

9832080838

TO CONTACT

NOW! DIAL

brings you a PC at an amazing

Rs. 499!*

HCL and Union Bank of India bring you India’sNo. 1 PC & world best selling Laptops

SOLE CHANNEL PARTNER FOR ENTIRE SIKKIM

NAYUMA INFOSYS, at SSI EDUCATIONUPPER TADONG, GANGTOK, PHONE: 270876, 231776, 9434186424, 9832311259

SATELLITESERIES* Intel Centrino 1.5 GHz* 1024 KB L2 Cache* Intel 855 GME chipset* 256 MB DDR SDRAM* 14.1” TFT, DVD ROM* 30 GB HDD, * Touch Pad* Integrated Intel PRO wireless 2100* WIN XP Professional* MS Office 2003, * Ieee1394

HCL Beanstalk powered by IntelPentium 4 Processor 2.6 GHz* MS Windows XP Home Edition* 128MB DDR RAM, 80GB HDD* 1.44 MB FDD, 56 kbps Modem* Altec Lansing Speaker with sub-woofer* Internet & Multimedia Ready KB,* 100 Hit Songs, 5 Blockbuster Movies* Microsoft plus for Windows XP* School Education Software* MS Works 7.0, * Xpress Recovery Tools* 15” color monitor, * 100 Hrs. Internet

FREEUpgrade to

CD-Writer & 17”

color

monitor

DEEPAK SHARMA

MANGAN, 31 August: RikzingCholing Gumpa [Ringhem Gumpa]observed Pang Lhabsol in grandstyle here on Monday.

The celebration started withspecial prayers by Bongthing AnakLepcha of Ringhem and LachenGomchen Rinpoche. After theprayers, traditional chaam was per-formed by the Sheda students andmonks of Ringhem monasterywhich added more colour to theday’s events.

The programme was attended bythe Zilla Adhakshya [North], LobzangTenzing, former chairman, NTLepcha, and hundreds of devotees.

Pang Lhabsol at Ringhem MonasteryRajya Sabha MP

nominates members toTelephone Advisory

CommitteeGANGTOK, 30 September:Rajya Sabha MP, PT Gyamtso,has recommended the names ofTulsi Devi Rai, OP Bhandari,Rup Narain Rai, Karma DichenBhutia and Kiran Chettri as themembers of Telephone Advi-sory Committee forRinchenpong [West], Dikling,Pakyong [East], Sadam[South], Temi-Tarku [South]and Tadong Bazar in EastSikkim respectively.

The TACs are chaired byPrincipal General Manager/General Manager/Telecom Dis-trict Manager/Telecom DistrictManager and will be valid fortwo years. Members of the Par-liament are ex-officio co-chair-persons of the committee.

Each TAC member is pro-vided with a rent-free telephoneconnection without ISD/STDfacility on out of turn basis with575 free calls monthly.

Mr. Gyamtso recom-mended these names afterDayanidhi Maran, Minister ofCommunication & InformationTechnology requested him torecommend five names of emi-nent persons for the Commit-tee in Sikkim.

Pradhan surrendered before theCourt on 27 August. Contra-dicting this, Police sourcesclaim that they had arrested Mr.Pradhan and sent him to judi-cial remand till 01 September.

Talking to NOW!, Mr.Bhutia informed that in the bailpetition, his client has pleadedinnocence and requested for bail.On the other hand police are pre-

PURAN TAMANG

NAMCHI, 31 August: Namchipolice sleuths have unearthedanother case concerning sub-stance abuse and its transaction.A police team headed by SI,Bijay Subba, today arrested twoyoungsters for trafficking ofsuch substances. The peddlerswere picked up along with theircustomers. All were caught“red-handed,” it is learnt.

Manish Mangar, 16, ofSishney and Sanju Pradhan, 18,of Daragaon were arrestedwhile they were in the act ofselling Spasmo-proxyvon.

They had managed to evadethe law for long but the policefinally wizened to their modusoperandi of selling the tabletsinside empty cigarette packets.

The charge per “pack” was

Rs. 10. The police have also ar-rested three of their customers.Prem Khanal, 21, Badal Rai, 20and Rinku Tamang, 25, all ofwhom were caught while theywere purchasing their dose.Around a 100 SP tablets wererecovered from the arrested.

The Namchi SI, Mr. Subbainforms that they have beenbooked under section 41 of theCrPC. During interrogation thearrested duo revealed thenames of their “friends” whoare also involved in the trans-action of such substances.

According to Mr. Subba,the tablets were brought fromJorethang and Siliguri. He feelsthat the check-post at Mellineeds to enhance its vigil toprevent such substances fromentering Sikkim.

To prevent the proliferation

of drugs in the area, the policehave also pulled the curtains onmusical shows at Namchi.

“They declare such pro-grammes to be anti-drugs butthe musicians themselves usethem and this sends out wrongsignals,” Mr. Subba alleged.

Another step which the po-lice have taken to reduce theprevalence of drugs in Namchiis arranging for “special” pun-ishment for school studentswho engage in substance abuse.Besides, the police discouragesloitering around the bazaar af-ter 8 pm. Persons found loiter-ing are liable to be taken to thethana for questioning.

The police have also ap-pealed for the cooperation ofhoteliers and businessmen ofthe locality.

Namchi cops arrest teenaged peddlersselling SP in cigarette packs

paring to extend the remand pe-riod, asking for more time to con-duct a thorough investigation.

The plot is certainly thick-ening with more details emerg-ing from this saga.

Sources claim that the ac-cused, had an affair with themissing lady. It is also learntthat in his bail petition, Mr.Pradhan has claimed that hehad spent more than Rs. 90,000on shopping for the lady dur-

ing the course of the affair.Some people were however

critical of the role-played by thehusband who apparently tookhis time filing the missing per-sons report with the police.

Even as rumours abound,there is still no confirmed in-formation on the whereaboutsof the lady at the centre of thestorm - Sheila Pradhan.

Contd from pg 1

Court to hear bail petition of joint secy today

TELEPHONE CABLES

STOLENSINGTAM: Around 300 me-ters of 50 O/H PIJH cable wasstolen from the telephone polelocated between Topakhani andSangkhola here. The totalworth of the stolen cables arereported to be Rs. 40,200. In-vestigations revealed that thecables had been burnt and thecopper inside removed.

3 ARRESTED FOR

POSSESSION OF SP AND

PHENSEDYLRANGPO: Cops at Rangpocheckpost arrested anotherthree persons for possession ofsubstances of abuse. AnandChettri of Metro Point,Gangtok, was apprehendedwhile traveling in vehicle no.SK-04/ 0706. The police recov-ered 12 foils of SP from him.In a separate incident at thecheckpost Ganesh Pradhan andBikash Darjee of Singtam wereapprehended for possession of2 bottles of Phensedyl.

6; NOW!; 01 September, 2004 NEWSSCAN �

FOR SALENEW INDICA V2 LSI

[petrol] Clear Headlight.Clear Tail-light. Powersteering. Wheel arch.Spoiler 4-plus driver.

Second Highest Model.ARTIC SILVER

MARCH 2004 MODEL[Pvt.]

IN GOOD CONDITIONCONTACT:

94341-78967

CLASSIFIEDSNOW!

Kutse SheguThe 49th day Kutse Shegu of late Wangchuk Lepcha [Ex-Joint General Manager] SNT Department who expired on18th July, 2004 falls on 4th September, 2004.All relatives, friends and well wishers are requested to joinus in offering prayers and Chudune for the departed soulon the above date at our residence at Chandmari, BhusukRoad, Gangtok.We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all thosewho extended their help in the hour of our bereavement.

Mrs. Nim Puthit Lepcha [Wife]

Mrs. Chunzom Palmo [daughter]

Ms. Nim Kursongmit Lepcha [daughter]

Mr. Tenzing Lepcha [son]

CAR FOR SALEWHITE CAR, Model-2000

(Nov.)- Original Paint invery good condition.

Price: 1.25 Lac [negotiable]Contact: 94341 69190,

284296

W A N T E DUnemployed, educatedyoung boys/ girls forSales and Marketing ofvarious products on Sal-ary, Commission.

CONTACT:Bayul Tours & Travels,

Baluwakhani,Gangtok.

ph: 228111/ 221774

GHEWA21st Day Ghewa of our belovedmother late Manmaya Tamang,who left for her heavenly abodeon 17th August 2004 falls on 6th

September 2004. All relatives,friends and well wishers are re-quested to join us in offeringprayers for the departed soul atour residence at Moktan Niwas,Manjushree Academy, Namchi.We wish to thank all those whostood by us during the time ofbereavement.

G.S. Moktan (husband),

T.M. Moktan, Durga Moktan, B.L. Moktan (daughters),

Norbu Moktan, B.B. Moktan, M.B. Moktan (sons)

LAND FOR SALEIN GANGTOK. PLEASECONTACT: 9434153033

KATHMANDU, 30 August:Amnesty International has re-vealed that it received a total of378 disappearances cases inNepal in the last year, morecases than in the previous fiveyear put together.

The data was revealed in apress release issued by the Lon-don-based human rights watch-dog on the occasion of Interna-tional Day of the Disappearedobserved on Monday.

Expressing concern over thealarming rise in disappearancecases, the global human rights

watchdog described what itcalled a growing culture of im-punity in which security forcesregularly obstructed investiga-tions into disappearances byNepal’s courts and NationalHuman Rights Commission.

“The dramatic escalation in‘disappearances’ is not only caus-ing massive suffering to the vic-tims and their families but is alsoundermining the rule of law aswell as the trust of ordinaryNepalis in their security forces andgovernment,” the statement reads.

AI said that since 1998, it

has received reports of 622cases of disappearances, hun-dreds of cases of extra-judicialkillings, thousands of arbitraryarrests and widespread tortureby security forces.

Similarly, AI mentionedthat it also received numerousreports on abductions, tortureand killings by the Maoists.

AI in the statement has onceagain called on both the govern-ment and Maoists side to endhuman rights abuses and abideby international humanitarianlaw as per their commitments.

378 disappearance cases in Nepal last year

FOR SALEZen New Model [LX]

with accessories only 4months old.

Colour - SilverContact: 94341-69242,

98323-69442a NOW REPORT

RAMITEY, EASTKHAMDONG: Newly formedNGO, the Green Action Com-mittee of Khamdong, organizeda meet of Khamdong territorialconstituency level under thechairmanship of the Khamdonggram panchayat unit president,Naina Maya Lamichaney, at theGram Panchayat PrashasanKendra here recently.

All panchayats of theKhamdong GPU, two mem-bers of Singbel GPU, local in-tellectuals along with the pub-lic of different clubs and or-ganizations of the vicinity at-tended the meet.

Addressing the gathering,DN Bastakoti highlighted theactivities of the organizationand spoke about its aims andobjectives.

Speaking about the futureprospects of the organization,HPS Bharadwaj, the coordina-tor, stressed on the need toadopt vermi-composting tech-nology to replace chemical fer-tilizers; the need for creation ofBamboo Diversity Park to pro-mote eco-tourism and the needto promote Ramitey Viewpointas a tourist destination.

Deliberations between thepublic, panchayat membersand committee members alsofocused on the effect of non-

inclusion of the area under“Joint Forest ManagementCommittee” despite the areabeing “highly affected” byTeesta Stage-V HydroelectricProject and expressed regretover the same.

Khus Narayan Pradhan,Secretary, Khamdong GPU, ex-pressed his support to the or-ganization and has decided toinclude all the Panchayats tothe advisory committee.

In conclusion, the organiza-tion decided to coordinate ameeting of senior citizens andintellectuals of the area with thearea MLA and gram panchayatsto work out the vision statementof the organization.

Khamdong adopts a Green Act

WANTED A candidate for video-editing. Qualification:Computer literate with knwoledge of Adobe Premier&Photoshop. Handsome Salary. Walk-in interview withbiodata. Contact: Rakesh Somani, S.K. Audio Vision,Somani Building, New Market, Gangtok. Ph: 94340-23813

a NOW REPORT

NAMCHEYBONG: A one-day awareness programme“Group Intervention in HIV/AIDS and STD” was organizedhere by Nagbeli Pragati Sangh,an NGO, on 29 August.

The main theme of the pro-gram was removal of stigmaand discrimination attached toHIV/AIDS infected personsliving in the society.

The programme, held atNamcheybong SecondarySchool, was attended by

Bhupendra Sharma, SDM, JKLimbu, Youth Coordinator,Nehru Yuva Kendra, Gangtok,Dr. Surekha Pradhan, fromPakyong PHC, LP Adhikari,Headmaster of NamcheybongSecondary School, local NGOsand the general public.

Speaking on the occasion,Mr. Sharma stressed that consti-tutional rights were equally ap-plicable to HIV/AIDS patientsalthough people often forgot this.

Mr. Limbu emphasized therole of the youth in activatingawareness at the grass-root level,

which he said could be a stepping-stone towards eradicating AIDS.

Dr. Pradhan informed thegathering about HIV infectionmethodology. She emphasizedon safe sex practices, use ofscreened blood and avoidanceof used syringes as necessarychecks against infection. Shealso spoke about the symptomsof HIV/AIDS and informedabout places where testing canbe done safely and in privacy.

A video film “Khamoshi”was also screened which thepublic found very informative.

NPS intervenes with AIDS awareness for Namcheybong

BIRENDRA SHANDILYA

DARJEELING: Spearheadingthe Darjeeling Sikkim MergerTheory, a 3-member team of theGorkha Rashtriya Congress[GRC] visited Sikkim recentlyto assess the reaction of leadersthere on the issue.

“Our meeting with the poli-ticians and intellectuals ofSikkim was very positive andpromising,” said DK Bomzan,the GRC president.

GRC has been demandingthat a Bill be adopted by theSikkim Assembly to demandDarjeeling back from WB.

“West Bengal has unknow-ingly given an NOC for this ina white paper published by theWest Bengal government,” Mr.Bomzan added. The StateGovernment Publication enti-tled “An Information Docu-ment” published in 1986 states“…in other words, the presentterritory of Darjeeling histori-cally belonged to Sikkim andBhutan and were included inIndia following wars with thesetwo. Only the Terrai part of theterritory was for a time con-quered by Nepal from Sikkim,but was returned to Sikkim in1816, long before the District

of Darjeeling took shape…”The GRC delegation to

Sikkim met politicians fromboth, the ruling and the Oppo-sition camp, along with eminentcitizens, Mr. Bomzan informed.

A sitting MLA showedkeen interest in their theory andsuggested that there should beconstant dialogue between peo-ple from either side of Rangpoto arrive at a consensus.

On the other hand, formerMP, Dil Kumari Bhandari, ab-stained from expressing her viewsuntil she went over all the sup-porting documents furnished bythe GRC, Mr. Bomzan admitted.

The delegation also met theGorkha Apex Committee chair-person, GM Rai. Earlier, GAChad vehemently opposed theproposal stating thatGorkhaland was the only solu-tion to the identity and securityof the Gorkhas residing nation-wide; Merger with Sikkimwould solve no problem of theGorkhas as Sikkim already wasa state and had nothing to dowith the identity of the Gorkhas.

The GRC delegation also

Darj body lobbies for merger with Sikkim, in Sikkimcalled on some senior journalistsand Congressmen while in Sikkim.

“We will now promote dia-logue between the people ofSikkim and Darjeeling on thisissue,” added Bomzan.

Earlier, while talking toscribes from Darjeeling,Sikkim Chief Minister, PawanChamling, had said: “The peo-ple of Sikkim don’t want anymerger with Darjeeling. Beingthe peoples’ representative, Ican’t go against their will.”

01 September, 2004; NOW! 7� NEWSCAN

day he says one thing and thenext day he says somethingcompletely opposite. This washis last chance; he has missedthe bus,” he declared.

Mr. Subba also alleged thatmost of the candidates weredecided without Mr. Bhandariconsulting his colleagues.

“He took the safest seat inCentral Pendam; he shouldhave fought from Soreng orsome other seat in West Sikkim;then he would have learnt a les-son,” he expressed.

Mr. Subba further addedthat Mr. Bhandari had now be-come the dissident in the SPCC

[I] the proof of which was theAICC’s revocation of the expul-sions initiated by Mr. Bhandari.

The blame for the present“pathetic state” of the SPCC [I]was also put on Mr. Bhandariby Mr. Subba. He said that ifdisciplinary action had to betaken against anyone it was Mr.Bhandari.

“He is not above the law orbeyond the purview of the Con-gress constitution. As a mem-ber of the disciplinary commit-tee, I will soon issue a show-cause notice to him,” he said.

Mr. Lachungpa further ex-horted that Mr. Bhandari shouldhave resigned from his post onmoral grounds immediately af-

ter the disastrous electoral ven-ture of the Congress in Sikkim.

As revealed by Mr. Subba,it was the dictatorial tendencyof Mr. Bhandari which resultedin the electoral debacle as wellas the current rift in the stateCongress.

“I had warned him in Feb-ruary itself that the Congresswas a national party and shouldfunction in a democratic man-ner and he could no longer be-have as the satrap of a regionaloutfit,” he says.

Mr. Subba also admittedtoday that the people had inti-mated him before the electionsitself that they would not votefor a leader whom they had re-

moved earlier.“There were booklets being

distributed by the SDF of Mr.Bhandari’s harangue against the4 communities - Rais, Limbus,Tamangs and Mangars, duringhis tenure as chief minister from1984-994. How can anyone ex-pect them to vote him back topower when confronted with in-formation that even Mr. Bhandaricannot refute,” said Mr. Subba.

“Mr. Bhandari claims thatthe 27 per cent votes that Con-gress got was due to him; weabsolutely refute this. The voteswon were purely on individualstrength of the candidates,” Mr.Subba stressed.

Mr. Subba termed the alle-gations by Mr. Bhandari of hisgroup having been financed by

Mr. Chamling as “maliciousand unbelievable.”

On the campaign expendi-ture front, he informed that theCongress candidates used theirown money during the cam-paign. “He only provided Rs. 3lakh per candidate and that tooin instalments,” he reveals.

It was also revealed that amemorandum of the “discrep-ancies” committed by Mr.Bhandari had been personallyhanded over to Mrs. Sonia Gan-dhi by Mr. Subba [pic on pg 1].

The scheduled visit ofRamesh Chennitala, the AICCin-charge for Sikkim, sometimein September is expected to set-tle matters within the state Con-gress. Till then, the blame-gamecan be expected to intensify.

Contd from pg 1

Working President to showcause President

GANGTOK, 31 August: Aworkshop was held by CentralBank of India, exclusively fortheir branch managers inSikkim on 28 August 2004 atChumbi Residency here to ex-plain the Self Help Group-Banklinkage programme in Sikkim.

The support available fromNABARD for training SHGs toavail loans from the bank for in-come generation was explainedin detail to the Managers.

Earlier, in a meeting con-vened by NABARD atGangtok, the regional offices ofNABARD and Central Bank ofIndia entered into a partnershipto increase credit flow to therural areas in Sikkim. The part-nership was formalized be-tween KR Nair, DGM and Of-ficer in Charge, NABARD,

State in the field of Educationaward by the India TodayGroup. It was during these 100days that the Sikkim SammanSammelan was also organised.The historic function was thefirst of its kind for Sikkim.

Other significant develop-ments within these 100 days werethe meeting of the Sixth StatePlanning Commission to reviewthe progress of the developmen-tal activities; the declaration ofMG Marg as a Spit & Litter freezone and the release of the firstset of Sikkim Study Series.

The press release also informsthat a number of discussions andMoUs were signed with reputedindustrialists and entrepreneurs topromote tourism, power and in-dustries in the state.

The government has alsodecided to strengthen the insti-

tution of Panchayati Raj andexpand and broaden the proc-ess of power decentralisation.Sikkim will now be dividedinto 30 administrative blockswith a Block Development Of-fice in each of them. Poor peo-ple are to be covered under ahealth insurance scheme whilethe physically handicapped willbe provided a monthly pensionof Rs. 500. Sikkim is also thefirst state in the country to carryout the Hepatitis B vaccinationfor children free of cost.

The CMO assures that thegovernment will not becomecomplacent but would nowstrive to make Sikkim the bestperforming state in the country.The government is to implementlong-term programmes whichare to be accomplished within agiven time frame so that theymay continue to bear fruits evena 100 years form now.

Contd from pg 1

100 days over; CM targetsnext 100 years

GANGTOK, 31 August: Fol-lowing the Budgetary an-nouncement made by the Un-ion Finance Minister regardingcontinuance of Rural Infra-structure Development Fund[RIDF] support fromNABARD to state govern-ments, NABARD has sanc-tioned the first installment offinancial support [2004-05] toall state governments, informsan official press release. Ofthis, Rs. 1.10 crore has beensanctioned to the Governmentof Sikkim.

KR Nair, DGM & Officerin Charge of the Sikkim Re-gional Office of NABARD in-forms that the sanction was ac-corded by a Project Sanction-ing Committee comprising sen-ior officials of the GoI, RBI and

NABARD which met in NewDelhi last week.

The present sanction relatesto irrigation projects to be ex-ecuted by the State Irrigationand Flood Control Departmentat Gangtok, Namchi andPakyong. The sanction alsocovers a project by the PWD[Roads & Bridges] for con-struction of a rural road be-tween Lungchok andSalangadang in West Sikkim.More projects will be sanc-tioned during the year assuresNABARD.

Till date, NABARD hassanctioned Rs. 49.30 crore to theState Government, of which Rs.41 crore has already been uti-lized for rural roads, bridges, ir-rigation, drinking water supply,school buildings, etc, it is learnt.

NABARD sanctions Rs. 1.10 crores forrural infrastructural development

projects in Sikkim

Sikkim and P. Saran, RegionalManager, Central Bank of In-dia, regional office, Siliguri.

SS Singh, Chief Manager,Central Bank, Gangtok informsthat more than 140 SHGs havesavings bank account with thedifferent branches of the Cen-tral Bank in Sikkim. Many ofthese groups, supported by theICDS, are already being trainedby NABARD and selectedNGOs in the basic concepts ofdevelopment, book keeping andproper use of funds.

The branch officials ofCentral Bank will also betrained by NABARD at thebranch, regarding SHG Bankcredit linkage. The CentralBank, in turn, would ensurethat adequate credit is madeavailable to the members of

the SHGs.Another major initiative is

promotion of a large number ofFarmers’ Clubs in the servicearea of the branches of CentralBank in Sikkim. Under thisprogramme, a group of localprogressive farmers are encour-aged to come together and forman informal club. NABARDprovides technical and finan-cial assistance to banks orNGOs in formation and nurtur-ing of these clubs.

During 2003- 04, CentralBank had given Rs. 5.87 croreas priority sector loans inSikkim. The Bank now expectsto increase it to Rs. 8.50 crorein 2004-05, in step with the Un-ion Finance Minister’s an-nouncement for doubling ofcredit in three years.

CENTRAL BANK & NABARD JOIN HANDS TOINCREASE RURAL LENDING IN SIKKIM

ANAND OBEROI

GANGTOK, 31 August: TheState Bank of India, the coun-try’s largest commercial bankhas hiked fixed interest rates onhome loans by 0.25-0.50 percent while keeping the floatinginterest rates intact.

For loans with up to fiveyears maturity, interest rateshave been increased by 0.25 percent to 8 per cent from the cur-rent rate of 7.75 per cent. Inter-est on loans with maturity of 5-15 years has been increased by0.50 per cent to 8.75 per centfrom the existing 8.25 per cent.

For loans with maturity pe-riod above 15 years and up to20 years, interest rates havebeen increased by 0.50 per centto nine per cent from the cur-rent 8.50 per cent.

The revised fixed interest

SBI hikes fixed rates onhome loans

rates for fresh housing loans orswitch over of floating rateloans to fixed rate loans wouldapply with immediate effect,SBI said.

The SBI move comes aftermarket leader HDFC raisedfixed loan rates with a moneymarket option by 25 basicpoints from 7.75 per cent to 8per cent for a 20-year period.

Asked if it was still a goodoption to take housing loansfrom SBI, Gopal Chettri, AGM,SBI says, “Yes, absolutely, it isstill good to apply for homeloans in SBI because the ratesare the true reflection of mar-ket trends. SBI rates are themost stable rates compared toother banks,” stated GopalChettri.

According to him people inthe state have nothing to worryabout as SBI, Gangtok Branch

has recommended to the corpo-rate office to give a specialHome Loan rate for the stategovernment employees at aninterest rate of 7 per cent.

“This special packagemeant only for Sikkim willhave an independent rate ascompared to other states andbanks,” he informed.

Whether Mr. Chettri willactually manage to pull that offremains doubtful. However,what is certain is that the “Saf-est” bank has just made it more“safe” for itself with this newincrease.

The increase in interestrates will not affect SBI, as thenew package will provide thelowest rate of interest. The low-est interest rate in housing loansis 7.5 and the new package willbeat that at only 7%, said GopalChettri.

8; NOW!; 01 September, 2004

Published by Lt. Col. (retd) P. Dorjee and printed at Baba Offset Press Works Pvt. Ltd., Gangtok. Editor: Pema Wangchuk. Executive Editor: Mita ZulcaNow! Near Ayurvedic Clinic, Gairi Gaon, Tadong. East Sikkim. ph: 03592 271167 email: sikkimnow@rediffmail.com

THEFINALONE �

ARIES: You may acquire im-movable property and a newvehicle. You may take up a newagency business. Business willbe brisk. Popularity will bemaintained.TAURUS: You may incur unex-pected medical expenditure. Youmay have a child. Students willsee improvement. Social statusand popularity will be high.GEMINI: Cash flow will bevery good. Those in trade orwith agencies may find littleimprovement. Political life willbe very successful. Encour-aging communication will bereceived.CANCER: You may find im-provement in your status. Busi-ness will be brisk. Speculationwill be gainful. Financial strainwill be reduced. Social statuswill be gained.LEO: Students will enjoy easysuccess. You will enjoy good

today in

History1st September

312 BC: Origin of GreekEra-Start of Indiction ofConstantinople69: Traditional date of thedestruction of Jerusalem1267: Ramban[Nachmanides] arrives inJerusalem to establish Jewcommunity1666: Great London Firebegins in Pudding Lane.80% of London is destroyed1865: Joseph Listerperforms first antisepticsurgery1875: Born, novelist EdgarRice Burroughs1914: St Petersburg,Russia changes name toPetrograd1918: US troops land inVladivostok, Siberia, stayuntil 19201922: New York lawrequires all “pool” rooms tochange name to “billards”1923: Earthquake strikesTokyo and Yokohama, kills1,06,0001939: WW II starts,Germany invades Poland,takes Danzig1941: Yellow star becomesobligatory for Jews in theReich to wear1945: Japan surrendersending WW II [US date, 9/2 in Japan]1948: Communists formNorth China People ’sRepublic1948: UN’s World HealthOrganization forms1956: Tripura becomes aState1962: 10,000 die in anearthquake in western Iran1962: UN announces Earthpopulation has hit 3 billion1969: Libyan revolution, ColMoammar Gadhafi deposesKing Idris1971: Qatar declaresindependence from Britain

Sexually FrustratedChimp Takes Up

SmokingBEIJING: Sexual frustrationhas turned a Chinese chimpan-zee from a mild-mannered sim-ian into a problem primate whosmokes cigarettes and spits atvisitors, the Xinhua newsagency says.

Feili, a female chimp in thecity of Zhengzhou in the cen-tral province of Henan, pickedup her nasty habits by imitat-ing visitors who behaved “im-properly” around her, the zoodirector said.

But, Liu said, the root causeof Feili’s transformation froma “gentle girl” into a “shrew”lay with the inability to find hera satisfactory mate.

A male chimpanzee at thezoo has failed to live up to Feili’ssexual demands, and she hassnubbed other potential suitors.

Zoo officials said Feili wasnot addicted to nicotine, but thechimp has also demonstratedclever - if not desperate -behavior to score a smoke.

“The chimp is spitting attourists and smoking,” Xinhuaquoted a boy visiting the zoo.“Just now a tourist threw a ciga-rette butt to just outside thecage, she tried to get the buttwith a stick.”

health. You may find little im-provement. Travel is indicated.Success is indicated.VIRGO: You may acquire im-movable property and a newvehicle. You will be successfulin all you do. Education will bevery successful.LIBRA: Trade and agencybusinesses will be more pay-ing. Exporters will face a set-back in business. Business willbe smooth and successful.SCORPIO: You may travelabroad. Your status and posi-tion will improve. Your popular-ity will rise. You may receive apromotion.SAGITTARIUS: Teachers willbe very busy. Students will en-

joy easy success. You may goon a long trip. Social status andpopularity will be maintained.CAPRICORN: You will receivegood news. Support from yourfamily members and the elderlywill be there. Financial statuswill be very good.AQUARIUS: All your plans willgo smoothly and you will enjoyeasy success. You may get ajob opportunity abroad. You willtake a major decision for yourimprovement.PISCES: You will be in a posi-tion to take a new decision re-garding a family matter. Fam-ily life will be very good. You willbe popular. Expenditure willdecrease.

Amber ElectronicsConvoy Ground, Daragaon,Tadong.

Ph: 232881, 9832031547

at never before pricesNOW AT

Quick Specs� Intel Pentium® 4 Processor @ 2.8 GHz� 256 MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM (266 MHz);

2 DDR DIMM Slots� 40GB* Ultra DMA ATA Hard Drive at 7200

RPM� 48X/24X/48X/ CD-RW Drive� ITU V.90 K56 Flex Data/ Fax Modem� Intel® Extreme Graphics; up to 64 MB

Dynamic Allocation� Integrated AC’97 Codec - Real

Tek ALC658; JBL Platinum Speakers.� MV7500 [17”] Digital Colour Monitor� Compaq Easy Access Internet

Keyboard; Presario Optical, PS/2Scroller Mouse.

Actual product may differ from pictures shown* Conditions apply

Sukhim EngineeringJorethang. ph: 276047

30,990*Rs.

Compaq Presario

KATHMANDU, 31 August:The traditional Gaijatra is be-ing observed in the three citiesof the valley and some otherplaces outside amidst fun, gai-ety, humor, satire and entertain-ment today.

The festival, beginning onthe first day of the waning moonin the month of Bhadra [Nepalicalendar] lasts for a week.

During this time-honoredtradition, people of all ages in theguise of cows and lunatics goround the city wearing odd cos-tumes to commemorate thosewho died during the past year.

Family members of thosewho died during the year offerfruit, bread, beaten rice, curd andmoney to those participating in theprocession, including the cows.

As the saying goes, the fes-tival derives its name from the

religious belief that the deceasedduring their journey to heavencross a legendary river by hold-ing onto the tail of a cow.

This festival is believed tohave started during the reign ofKing Pratap Malla, who, in abid to humor his Queen, muchgrieved at the death of her sonin a smallpox epidemic, or-dered his people to organize

humor and satire programmesin various comic postures.

This tradition has beengiven continuity in the form ofthe Gaijatra festival duringwhich people also give vent topent-up feelings towards socialand political anomalies, humanfollies and other contemporaryaffairs through comic skits, car-toons and the like.

MANGAN, 31 August: Raksha Bandhan was celebrated atMangan by the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual Trust. The BrahmaKumaris read out the divine message of Dadi Prakasmani, theirspiritual leader which spoke about the purity of the occasion.

“In the threads of Rakhi are contained the true affection ofsisters and a promise by the brother to protect the sister on alloccasions,” they said.

People participating in the traditional festival Gaijatra atBashantapur in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Gaijatrain Ktm

Rakhi at Mangan

tants beheading at least one ofthe hostages and then shootingothers who were lined up on theground. However, poor picturequality does not make actualidentification possible. Therehas been no independent veri-fication of the claim.

Further details were unavail-able at the time of going to print.

Iraqi militantskill all 12 Nepali

HostagesContd from pg 1

271167

TO CONTACT NOW! DIAL

9832034122

9832369520