15 April, 2004; NOW! 1

C M Y K

Thursday, 15 April, 2004 Vol. 3 No. 17 Gangtok � Rs. 3

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BHANDARI’S POLITICAL CAREER IS IN COMA,CONG THE LIFE SUPPORT, QUIPS CHAMLING

TURN TOpg 5

FOR DETAILS

THREE CMs, ONE MANIFESTO: SDF president and Chief MinisterPawan Chamling releases his party’s manifesto for the upcoming si-multaneous polls. He is flanked by former Chief Ministers, BB Gooroong[left] and Sanchaman Limboo [right].

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 14 April: “The SikkimDemocratic Front ran two successiveterms in office without any distur-bances or hindrances. This is a recordof sorts in the country. We hope tocontinue with the people’s supportand faith in the next term as well.”

Chief Minister and SDF presi-dent, Pawan Chamling, said thiswhile releasing the SDF manifestofor the upcoming Assembly as wellas Lok Sabha elections here today.

“The SDF party has fulfilled allpromises made to the people duringthe last elections and even more thanthat, we have been able to maintaina clean image in the public percep-tion. Now, our main endeavour willbe to carry our work forward as thereis still a lot to be done for the Stateand her people,” he said.

While pointing out the salientpoints of the 92-page manifesto,Mr. Chamling said that one of thekey components of the party’smanifesto is the protection of thedemocratic institutions.

“We intend to continue to upholdthe party’s pro-poor and democraticprinciples in the next Government aswell. While we do not intend to claimthat we have established a completelynew era in Sikkim during the last nineand half years, we have still brought

an unprecedented change and devel-opment. Our politics is dedicated tothe welfare of all communities of theState. We will continue to move aheadwith our revolution until we establisha system that guarantees completepolitical freedom, social justice andpeace to the people,” he said.

The SDF manifesto is dividedinto seven sections. Apart from Mr.Chamling’s appeal, which formsthe preface of the document, sepa-rate chapters are dedicated to SDF’svision for 2015, its political andideological stand, targets for thenext five years and a chapter on thedemands with the Central govern-ment. There are nineteen furthersubgroups which cover such top-ics as political and ideological pro-grammes, power decentralisation,policies on economy, industry, ag-riculture, horticulture, welfareschemes, environment, education,

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 14 April: The SikkimPradesh Congress Committee-I(SPCC-I) today released its list ofcandidates for both the upcomingAssembly as well as Lok Sabha polls.

Although the Cong [I] waited forthis date to formally release the list -after consultations with pundits andRinpoches for a favourable time anddate - it contained little or no surprises,as most of the names had already beenmade public on earlier occasions.

Former Chief Minister and Con-gress president, while releasing thelist, said that the list was the “firstand the final” one and no changeswould be made to it. The Congressis contesting in all 32 seats as well

as the lone Lok Sabha seat.“We have chosen the candidates

on the basis of their winning potentialsand have also weighed merit on theirloyalty towards the party and the peo-ple. We have also tried to maintain abalance of all the communities of theState in our selection of candidates,”Mr. Bhandari said.

While Mr. Bhandari has keptboth the Gangtok as well as CentralPendam seats for himself, LP Tewarihas been given Temi-Tarku and KNUpreti has been given Rhenock.

Five SDF dissidents have also foundberths in the Congress list. They are: DBGurung [Geyzing], Kunga Nima Lepcha[Assam Lingzey], Sherhang Subba[Dentam], Sonam Choda Lepcha[Dzongu] and Tseten T. Bhutia [Pathing].

health, youth management, etc.While reiterating that the SDF

has been able to “ensure full po-litical rights of the Sikkimese peo-ple as per the Constitution,” themanifesto adds that “today this Ar-

ticle [371F] has become more ex-plicit and strongly expressed.”

“Our Government shall con-tinue to uphold the dignity and hon-our of the Sikkimese people,” theSDF manifesto adds.

Also emphasised is SDF’s com-mitment to guarantee “full safeguardof the political, economic, social andtraditional rights” of the minorityBhutia Lepcha communities.

On the reservation of seats for theLimbus and Tamangs, the manifestorecords: “After a proper census andthe delimitation process is over, weshall initiate time-bound discussionwith the Union Government for thereservation of seats for the Tamangand Limbu communities in theSikkim Legislative Assembly as perthe Constitution.”

It also assures to make a “strongcase” for increasing the Assemblystrength [to 40] and representationin the Lok and Rajya Sabha [2 each].

On delimitation, the SDF haspromised to “hold interactions withthe people, intellectuals and publicrepresentatives before the final con-clusion.” “The interests and rights ofthe Sikkimese people shall be pro-tected and further consolidated in theprocess of delimitation,” it adds.

Full devolution of power and in-

SDF RELEASES 92-PAGE MANIFESTO OF ITSMISSION & AMBITIONS

Bhandari presents Cong’s “first & final” list of candidates

turn to pg 6

Mr. Bhandari, confident of re-turning to power after a two-term hia-tus, said that the anti-incumbencyfactor will vote the SDF out of power.

Contenders 2004, thecomplete SDF and Cong [I] list

of candidates on pg 6

2; NOW!; 15 April, 2004

C M Y K

NOW!FIRST WITH THE NEWS

ED-SPACE

Artist, filmmaker, keen photographer, columnist with internationalmagazines... It’s hard to pin Twan Yang down. Born to a Chinesefather and Tibetan mother, he grew up in Kalimpong and worked inSikkim. NOW! serializes Twan Yang’s autobiography, Houseboy in India...

-29-

That very evening my mistress got veryangry with me for my delay in coming home. “You are doing your work

very badly, and if you don’t like your workyou can go away,” she said.

Then I cried out: “All right, then I willnot work for you any longer. I have to workhard and get only three rupees a month, withvery much abuse. I will find a better placethan the one here. Kindly give me permis-sion to go tomorrow and my wages for thethree weeks I have worked here.”

My mistress agreed and paid my wagesfor three weeks and the very next morning saidgoodbye to that house, leaving my friend thecook behind. Then I went to the compound ofthe police sahib, where he lived. On the way Imet many people who had known me duringthe three weeks, and they said: “Yes, it is muchbetter to leave the house of that bad memsa-hib. One day she might accuse you of someterrible thing like theft if you were to stay on.That has already happened many times before.All of us living here in Kiamari Island knowher very well. I wish you good luck, my poorlittle boy, but you must work very hard withthe police sahib, for if you did any bad thing itwould be very dangerous.”

Then I went to the police sahib and gave

Living and working at

Kiamari Islandhim my salaam. That sahib showed me hisbrother, who looked exactly like him. There wasno difference at all in any detail, for this washis twin brother. The other sahib had a wifeand my own master had several children,but their mother was dead. When thenew master showed me to the chil-dren, they looked at me all over withgreat care. And when they foundthat I was a Chinese boy theywere very pleased.

I was now nearly sixteenyears old and had left my child-hood behind, but my body wasstill small and had not grownvery large so no one believed Iwas as old as I was, and everyone still called me a child be-cause my conduct and my feel-ings had not changed fromchildhood. I still remained as

playful as ever.The weather was very cold, and a chilly

wind blew from the ocean over Kiamari Island.I had few clothes and shivered. Seeing this, my

master gave me a sweater for the winter.With these children I talked some

words of English, which I hadlearned from Miss Mary. The chil-dren liked it so much that they al-

ways spoke with me in English whether I un-derstood it or not. Often when they werespeaking without my understanding the mean-ing I had to look at their faces like a deaf boy,and gradually I began to pick up some newwords, but they were very simple ones.

Summer began again three months after Istarted working for the police sahib. Early oneSunday morning my master took me with himon a fishing trip with the boys and their auntand two friends of his, police sahibs from thecity. We were over a dozen in all, seven in ourparty, and then about half a dozen fishermen.It was a large boat, rather narrow, ending verysharply in front, with two floats, one on eachside, and two large white sails standing up tocatch the wind to drive us forward. The twomasts were thirty feet high, pointing upwardsto the sky. The food we took had all been pre-pared the day before and there were also beer,whisky, soda and lemonade.

We sailed smoothly from Kiamari Islandto the lighthouse on Manora without any rea-son for fear, and yet as this was the first timeI sailed out to sea, a great sense of dangercame over my heart when I looked out overthe black and angry water. It was still barelydawn, and the flashes of the lighthouse weresearching the whole open sea.

-to be continued

Part-1

I finally sit down to write with agnawing itch on my calf, ac-quired this morning courtesy a

leech. Recollection is a tough featwhen it has to be done to its utmostcapacity, and I embark upon this featin trying to recollect my past week,before the memories fade further.

The trip was a dream that I hadnever thought would transform toreality. A bike trip up north, past thedreaded Chungthang army checkpost where everything living has toshow a permit to get across, toGurudongmar. Only that this timeI would not have to run, beg andplead with the police department.

There were nine of us this time.The Himalayan Explorers club, andI, their newest member. The presi-dent would be doing all the permitacquiring and all I had to do waspay Rs. 1,200 and I could go. It wastoo good a chance to let go, and Iwas lucky, as I was told later thatmany had been disallowed fromjoining the expedition. The meet-ing point was the bike repair shopat the bypass. Eight brand new char-acters in my life - Mahesh Sharma,the eldest, respected by the group,a food inspector posted North;Palden, a school teacher, mountain-eer and the captain for the trip; BB,the president, bank employee anda constant talker; Suraj, lawyer,

compounder; Vrinda [still don’tknow what he does]; Tenzing, bas-ketball player, hotel managementgraduate; Pintso, physical educa-tion teacher, amazingly determined;Aalam, our mechanic and myself.

The only common factor be-tween us was the machine we alllive for. Pintso, Vrinda, Mahesh andI were the old bullet riders. The resthad newer thunderbird versions.The bikes had been altered withcarriers to carry gear and fuel.

We flagged off at 8am on Thurs-day, 08 April. We had been given rid-ing numbers so that each rode in hisposition and there would be no point-less overtaking and speeding. I guessit would have been quite a spectacleto see eight engines roar up Deoralifor we managed to get more than afew heads to turn and smile in awe[an act that was repeated whenever

we passed a settlement].Mahesh was carrying a video-

cam and would be shooting throughthe trip, sitting pillion on any bike.Our first stop was a bit beyond Kabi.Minor tuning problems had shownup and Aalam had to be on his feetfor the next ten minutes. We set offagain to stop at Mangan for lunch.So far it had been a peaceful ride,though people like me who nevertravel in groups, had a tough timekeeping pace and concentrating onthe bike directly in front. Lunch asusual had a drowsy effect [it neverfails to show up] and we rode to apoint just beyond Mangan to take abreak. Pittar-patter the drops sud-denly fell. Everyone had hoped itwould not rain but everyone knewthat it would. Raincoat-covered-tor-sos rode on through the light driz-zle – through the Chungthang checkpost and beyond.

I had previously ridden toMangan, and it was only after thislast checkpost that I began to seeunseen territory. We were finallystopped at the Lachen checkpostwhere a problem cropped up. Thepermit was incomplete and theclerk who had written it, had con-veniently forgotten to write thenames of all the places that we wereto pass [an absolute must, we weretold at the checkpost]. We were on

Eight motorcyle enthusiasts

banded together as the

Himalayan Explorers and

thundered off to

Gurudongmar on their first

Enfield Expedition together

on 08 April. They are back

and one of the team-

members, ABHISHEK PANDEY

shares his experience with

readers of NOW! in a two-

part recollection...

turn to pg 6

POLICE!Three youth from the Congress camp walked into the NOW! officeon 14 April. One of them was a fresh-faced kid who has only justgiven his class XII board exams. Let us keep the debate on whethersuch young minds should be exposed to the corrupting influence ofpolitics for a later day and move on for now by accepting it as amatter of personal choice. The three came with a complaint andhost of allegations against the police. In particular, about the treat-ment meted out to them at Kaluk thana. The three allege that theywere “tortured” for three hours at the thana for belonging to theCongress camp. The exact details and the circumstances that ledto the incident will unfold in the coming days. What is obvious isthat their story will be immediately lapped up as the truth by mostpeople. That is what is disconcerting. Stories of police atrocitiesare accepted without question not just in Sikkim, but all over India.This, for a force that is here “to serve and to protect,” is ratherironic. Why is it that whenever we say “Police” it comes with anexclamation mark?What we have to accept before we start trying to figure this out,is that the Indian Police is of colonial make. The British mastersrequired a force to keep the subjects in check. Solving crimeswas only incidental to this aim since it helped the rulers keep thetroublemakers [and potential challengers to their rule] locked upor under constant surveillance. Khaki, the cop colour, was engi-neered to induce fear. More than half a century has passed sincecolonial rule ended for India, but the policing mindset is yet tochange. The situation becomes even more grave when the po-lice force believes that it is the only salvager of the society’smorality. A crackdown on certain social ills might be mandatedby law, but civil rights of a human being cannot be trampledupon. In the Kaluk case, it is very much possible that the boyswere involved in some misdemeanour, but that should still notdilute the impropriety of the alleged beating they received. Theforce is in place to maintain law and order and not mete outverdicts and punishments.But this is not really about the Kaluk incident. The concern ismore over the public perception of the men in khaki. The forceneeds to indulge in some serious soul-searching to figure outhow this image can be improved. On their part, they also needto realise that democracy is not just about electing representa-tives of our choice, but also about living with self-respect. Eachtime a person is treated like a criminal even during somethingas routine as a mobile check, they trample on the person’s rightto dignity. And it is this attitude that makes any allegation ofpolice atrocity get lapped up as the true story by the public.

15 April, 2004; NOW! 3

C M Y K

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a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 14 April: BaishakiUtsav was celebrated here today atthe Community Hall. The daymarks the New Year of the Nepalicommunity and this time harks thebeginning of the year 2061 of theVikram Sambhat era.

Today’s programme was organ-ized by the Nepali Sahitya Parishad,Sikkim and had CD Rai, editor,Gangtok Times, as the chief guest.

Mr. Rai was all praises for theorganizers for reminding theSikkimese Nepalese of their cultureand literature.

“Even though we might learnforeign languages we should neverforget our mother tongue”, he said.

In his welcome speech, KuberChandra Dahal greeted the peoplewith best wishes for the New Year.

An elocution competition wasalso held on the topic “The Book Iloved the Most.” The participatingschools and students were DilipSubba, Ranipool Senior SecondarySchool, Nirjala Dahal, TNA School,Vivek Varun Rai, Holy Cross School,Shriti Rai, Assam Lingzey SeniorSecondary School, Indra Subba, WestPoint Senior Secondary School andBhumika Poudyal, PNG School. Thejudges for the competition were GitaSharma, Dr. Rajendra Bhandari andKarna Shrestha.

Baishaki Utsav at Community Hall

Next was a poem recitation onvarious topics and moods. The par-ticipants were Amar Bhaniya, NavinLamichame, Thiru Prasad Nepal,Bhawani Ghimirey and Dr. GhaneyShyam Bastola. A humour item byMatrika Sharma was also included.

At the concluding ceremonyprizes were distributed to the winners

of the elocution contest by the chiefguest. Those to receive prizes wereVivek Varun Rai, Holy Cross School,Nirjala Dahal, TNA School and ShritiRai, Assam Lingzey Senior Second-ary School who stood first, secondand third respectively. Consolationprizes and certificates were also dis-tributed to the participants.

Kutse SheguThe 49th Day Shegu of Late Dorjee Wangdi Bhutia, VLW (Rumtek)falls on 18th April 2004. Dorjee Wangdi left for heavenly abode on 1st

March 2004. The family would also like to take this opportunity tothank all those who stood by us during our time bereavement. Allrelatives, friends and well-wishers are requested to kindly join thefamily for offering of prayers to the departed soul at their residence atRumtek, East Sikkim.

Gapo Lama (father), Chewang Lhamu (wife), Puchung Bhutia, Nim Dorjee,

Omzey Karma Chezung, Chumbu Bhutia (brothers), Ongchen Bhutia, Chungti

Bhutia (sisters), Adup Lepcha(brother in law).

Phone numbers: 252288(Rumtek), 226705(Kazi Road), 229773(Arithang).

4; NOW!; 15 April, 2004

C M Y K

NEWSSCAN �

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MG Marg, Gangtok

DEEPAK SHARMA

LACHEN, 12 April: Lachen is be-ing misguided by Congress candidateAnil Lachenpa, feels HisseyLachungpa, the area MLA and SDFcandidate for the Assembly elections.

Addressing a gathering ofaround a thousand persons atLachen on 12 April, Mr. Lachungpaasked them not to be carried awayby such misinformation.

“Congress Party will neverform the government, so be judi-

SAGAR CHETTRI

GANGTOK, 14 April: The 113thBirth Anniversary of Bharat RatnaDr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, alsoknown as the father of the Consti-tution, was observed here today. Afunction commemorating the eventwas organized on the lawns of theSikkim Legislative Assembly.Chief Minister, Pawan Chamlingwas present as the chief guest.

The programme began ataround 11 in the morning with VirBandana followed by a welcomeaddress by BB Lohar during whichhe espoused the essence of the Dr.Ambedkar’s work.

Mr. Chamling then garlandedthe statue of Ambedkar followed byan address by KK Thatal, vice presi-dent, All Sikkim Schedule CasteWelfare Association [ASSCWA]which organized the function. Heinformed the gathering that observ-ance of Dr. Ambedkar’s birth anni-versary was observed in a big wayfor the first time in Sikkim only af-ter the SDF came to power in 1994.

“Before that it was a smallevent. The credit of celebrating this

day as a state holiday goes to Mr.Chamling,” he said.

Govardhan Gurung, Repre-sentative of All Sikkim Gurung[Tamu] Buddhist Association thengave a brief sketch on the life ofDr. Ambedkar including his strug-gles and achievements.

Dr. B Kumar, Principal, SikkimLaw College was more elaborate inhis account of Dr. Ambedkar’s life.He spoke of the glorious struggleof the man against social norms likeuntouchability and the caste struc-ture. He praised Dr. Ambedkar forraising the status of the scheduledcastes in India and bringing theminto the mainstream.

Mr. Chamling, in turn, whileurging the gathering to learn fromDr. Ambedkar’s struggle for equal-ity, stressed that democracy ringshollow if their is no equality amongthe people. Social peace, hestressed, should be the final aim ofall those living in a democracy.

Other speakers included CDRai and SP Wangdi, Advocate Gen-eral who said that BR Ambedkar isknown as the architect of the IndianConstitution.

Democracy hollow without equality, saysChamling at Ambedkar Jayanti

cious with your vote,” he told them.He was also against the use of

Pipons and the Dzumsa for politi-cal purposes, saying they shouldonly be utilized for social meetings.

“The people of Lachen shouldsupport the SDF for more progressand development,” he stressed shift-ing focus again to his campaign

Accompanying him at the meet-ing was Zilla Adhyaksha, LobsangTenzing, former Chairman, NTLepcha, Peter Lepcha, JigmeeLachenpa, Panchayats MB Thapa,Lhendup Lepcha, Loden Lepchaand party youth.

Addressing the gathering, theZilla Adhyaksha and ChairmanMr. Lepcha, reminded the gather-ing that the SDF government haddone a lot for the area in the lastnine years. This time more benefitshave been planned for the region,they assured.

“This is our appeal to all thepublic to support our good MLAHissey Lachungpa for betterprogress and to solve problems ofunemployed youth of north dis-trict,” they lobbied.

According to the gathered pub-lic, Lachen has been facing a lot ofproblems. “At present we haveproblems including scarcity of wa-ter, in cabbage and apple produc-tion as well as electricity prob-lems,” they complained, allegingthat they were always getting step-motherly treatment by the presentgovernment.

With a fellow Lachenpa presentin the fray as a Congress candidate,Mr. Lachungpa will find it toughto win over voters here. Inciden-tally, in 1999, too, Mr. Bhandarihad fielded a Lachenpa, but SDFwon by a comfortable majority.

Lachungpa tries to winover Lachenpas

The public and the leaders at Hissey Lachungpa’s Lachen meet

PURAN TAMANG

JORETHANG, 14 April: An SDFmeeting for Jorethang candidateKN Rai was held at Dhargaon to-day. At the meeting, which had alarge gathering of villagers, Mr. Raipromised to complete all the pend-ing developmental works in theconstituency on assuming his seatat the Assembly. On the other hand,the villagers made demands for aschool, a playground for childrenand proper electricity.

Assuring to meet these demands,Mr. Rai told the largely rural gather-ing that, “Full respect has been ac-

corded to women in Sikkimese soci-ety by the SDF government.”

He also went on to accuse theCong [I] of spreading false informa-tion regarding the working of theEVMs among the poor villagers.

Later, Mr. Rai made his way toSalghari to address the peoplethere. Here, too he met party mem-bers and discussed various issueswith the villagers. He was accom-panied by former area MLA, BhojRaj Rai, Binod Rai and Bhim RajRai. The series of meetings forJorethang constituency by Mr. Raibegan yesterday, 13 April and willcontinue till 04 May.

AS Bareilly hits campaign trailfrom OUR CORRESPONDENT

NAMCHI, 14 April: With the declaration of his name as SDF party can-didate from Rateypani constituency, West Pendam, Aita Singh Bareilly,too, has begun to blaze the campaign trail.

From Rateypani on 09 April, he proceeded on to Bikmet the next day,to Tangzi on 11 April and was at Rangpo, Majitar, on the 12th. All alonghe was accompanied by a huge following of party supporters.

Feedback from the locals and Panchayat members of Rateypani hintsat a “sure victory” for the SDF candidate. The locals are happy that theircandidate is a local unlike many other constituencies where candidatesfrom elsewhere have been sent.

Belonging to the same area, they believe Aita Singh Bareilly will dosomething for their constituency. Incidentally, he also has the support ofthe SSP candidate from Rateypani for the 1999 elections, Madan Cintury.

The constituency at present is looking forward to the Chief Minister’spublic meeting scheduled for 20 April.

Cong [I] misinforming voterson EVMs, warns KN Rai

15 April, 2004; NOW! 5

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GANGTOK, 14 April: Finallybreaking his silence, Chief Minis-ter and Sikkim Democratic Frontpresident, Pawan Chamling, laid torest some of the allegations madeagainst him by the Opposition.

Speaking to media persons atthe release of the party manifestohere today, Mr. Chamling lashedout at the former Chief Minister for“complete lack of vision” and ofbeing “ideologically bankrupt.”

“In the past few days, the Op-position has gone on an offensiveagainst the SDF party and my Gov-ernment. There have been a numberof reports in the media on the alle-gations made by the Opposition. ButI have nothing to hide from anyone.I have always advocated the princi-ples of a transparent Governmentand this transparency applies to mypolitics as well,” he said.

Starting with the Opposition al-legation of “overpaying” government

advisers, Mr. Chamling said, “Nomember of the SPC is being paid anysalary. They consist of imminent eco-nomic planners and advisers of thecountry. In fact, they are doing a greathonour and service to the State by be-ing part of the Planning Commissionand contributing their expertise freeof cost. Instead of criticising, the Op-position should appreciate such ges-tures to the State.”

According to Mr. Chamling, theOpposition leaders are stuck in atime warp.

“Mr. Bhandari, who is alreadypolitically dead, is managing tobreathe through the Congress life-support. He is still stuck in the pre-1994 era and is completely devoidof any vision or ideology. What canone expect from someone with astarnished an image as his,” he said.

The present Congress outfit inthe State, Mr. Chamling said was“old wine in new bottle.”

“Almost all the Congress’ so-called leaders are former Sangramis.

It is now a party of discarded anddisgruntled people. What credibil-ity do these people have? The Con-gress is now run by fly-by-night op-erators, who are opportunists andnothing else,” he said.

Incidentally, the Congress’nomination list, which was releasedhere today, has given berths to fiveSDF dissidents who joined the Con-gress after they were denied ticketsto contest the election by SDF.

“If the Congress is the only hopefor the people of Sikkim, as Mr.Bhandari claims it to be, then whatwas the party doing for the last tenyears in the State? The party has sur-faced only now just to further Mr.Bhandari’s own personal cause andambitions,” Mr. Chamling countered.

Speaking on his own party’scandidates, Mr. Chamling said thata conscious effort has been madeto present a “well-balanced list.”

“The next government is going tobe the first of the 21st century. Youthmake up more than 40 percent of

Sikkim’s population, therefore, we pre-sented a youthful team that befits thepresent-day society. We have tried toforge together a new team, with newfaces mixed with senior and more ex-perienced members. There are elevennew faces, while 15 old faces have beenretained. We have given tickets to threewomen candidates, two of them newentrants. This way, youth make up about30 percent of our candidates,” he said.

“Our candidates represent ourparty’s ideology, that of promotingthe youth of the State. We are look-ing at a team that is youthful, andat the same time, experienced andmature. The veterans will take thefresh faces under their wings andnurture them,” he explained.

“In the last nine and a half years,we have worked as a team and thishas greatly contributed to our suc-cess. Through this team effort andhard work, our mission would be toachieve a corruption-free, poverty-free, illiteracy-free and a disease-freeState of the 21st century,” he added.

“BHANDARI’S POLITICAL CAREER IS IN COMA, CONG THE LIFE SUPPORT”

Chamling introduces new faces as proof of SDF’scommitment to the youth and future of Sikkim

6; NOW!; 15 April, 2004

C M Y K

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Kutse SheguThe 49th Day “Shegu” of late Dhondup Tshering Bhutia who ex-pired on 4th March 2004 falls on 21st April 2004. All relatives, friendsand well- wishers are requested to join us in offering prayers forthe departed soul at Tshoka Tshum, Nam Nang, Gangtok. Wewould also like to take this opportunity to thank all those wo ex-tended their help in our hour of bereavement.Pempa Bhutia (wife), Namgyal Dorjee Bhutia, son , Nedup Doma Bhutia, Daughter,Passang Bhutia, Brother, Chung Chung Bhutia Sister-in-law, Lhakpa Bhutia , Brother,Tshewang Bhutia, Brother. Ph. 98320-71692, 227970 Enchey Compound, Tibet Raod.

Kutse SheguThe 49th day Kutse Shegu of the late Jiwan Kumar Lama who left forhis heavenly abode on 01 March falls on 18 April.

All friends, well-wishers and relatives are requested to join us inoffering prayers for the departed soul at our residence at Soreng Ba-zaar [West Sikkim].

We also take this opportunity to thank all those who stood by us duringthe time of bereavement and regret our inability to do so individually.

Pavitra Mala Yonzon (Mother), Munna & Champa (Wife), Asis Lama (Son),

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Those candidates who havesubmitted their applications forthe post of Statistical Inspectorsat Directorate of Economics,Statistics, Monitoring andEvaluation, Church Road,Gangtok are required to cometo the office for updating theincomplete documents on orbefore 17.04.04.

Smt. Ok Sonam PaljorJoint Secretary

DESM&E

NOTICE

the brink of being sent back, withshattered dreams, when somethinghappened that I can’t reckon [therewas too much high speed Nepaliconversation] and everyone lookedrelaxed. The problem had been re-solved and we celebrated with ex-tra sweet tea. It was 5 in the eveningalready and Thangu was around 40kms off.

It was still drizzling and we setoff to the final destination of theday. The road was wet and slipperyand as we rode higher it grewcolder. High speed was unthinkableand soon enough the ambient day-light was replaced by 8 halogenheadlight beams. The tarred roaddisappeared and we were riding onbroken ground. The bikes sputteredand coughed in the high altitude.They needed a high fuel-air mix-ture setting. Half the people did notknow what that meant and thosewho did chose to keep riding ashands and feet got numbed beyondcomprehension in the almost13,000 ft altitude cold. Nobodyknew where they were riding andthe ride eventually became holdingthe handle bar as tight as one couldand just going on… over slush,muck, loose stones… everything.

After what seemed like eons,we stopped in front of a small hutwith dragon inn written on a smallboard propped in front - our lodgefor the night. Everyone rushed inand fought [in a civilized sort of a

way] to be able to stand around thestove in the corner. Our captainwalked in with a half smile and or-dered us off the vicinity of thestove. Numbed skin when suddenlyexposed to heat leads to frost bite…I did not know that and I was gladto continue shivering. We were putup in a largish room which was toserve as our dormitory. We changedfrom drenched to damp clothes andwent down to the kitchen whichhad a huge fire in the middle. Bythen we were too warm for frostbites and literally hugged the fire.The rest of the evening was whatone can call a khattu-break.

Singing is amazing fun, but at14,000 ft it was even better. I hadbeen up at that altitude only oncewhen I had ridden up beyondChangu and Nathula to Nathang.But I had been there for about 20minutes before I hurried on to zonesof more oxygen and vegetation.This time I was to live at that alti-tude and it was a heroic feeling.Fifteen minutes post dinner we

were tucked away and snoring. Iwoke up the next morning at about5am. The others were still asleepwhen I went down to see Thanguin twilight.

Contd from pg 2

When 8 Enfielders decide to do North

creased accountability of public rep-resentatives and public servants is as-sured along with a series of pro-grammes to make Sikkim self-reliant.

On trade over Nathula, themanifesto assures that “appropriatelegislation and policies” will beintroduced from time to time toensure that Sikkim derives themaximum benefit from the trade.

A separate chapter on SDF’s de-mands with the Centre lists the guar-antee that Article 371F “should be keptinviolate” on top followed by the de-mand that the BLs “continue to enjoyall protections as provided under theConstitution.” Restoration of seats re-served for the Sikkimese Nepalese in“honour” of Sikkim’s history and tra-dition finds prominence along with thedemand for an increase in the numberof seats in the State Assembly and rep-resentation in Lok and Rajya Sabhas.The demand for declaration of Sikkimas a Tribal State is raised along with arequest to write-off loans taken by pre-vious governments. The State is alsolobbying for a special economic pack-age of Rs. 3,000 crores for develop-ment along with the plea to keep Cen-tral Direct Taxes out of Sikkim.

Reports suggest that the party hasalso prepared a series of manifes-toes for every constituency with area-specific promises. These, it is learnt,will be released during public meet-ings at the respective constituencies.

[more details on SDFManifesto in tomorrow’s edition]

Contd from pg 1

SDF releases 92-pg... CONTENDERS 2004SDF CONG [I]

Lok Sabha Nakul Rai Biraj Adhikari

1. Damthang Pawan Chamling Amar Yonzan

2. Yoksum Kalawati Subba Mangal Bir Subba

3. Tashiding DN Takarpa Sonam Dadul Bhutia

4. Geyzing Sher Bdr. Subedi Dal Br. Gurung

5. Dentam Deepak Kr. Gurung Sherhang Subba

6. Hee-Bermiok Narendra Kr. Subba Pushpak Subba

7. Rinchenpong Dawcho Lepcha Pema Kinzang Bhutia

8. Chakung PS Tamang Satish M. Pradhan

9. Soreng Ram Bdr. Subba Ashok Kr. Subba

10. Daramdin Ran Bdr. Subba Amar Subba

11. Jorethang KN Rai Purna Kr. Rai

12. Ralang DD Bhutia Chuzang Bhutia

13. Wok Chandra Bdr. Karki Yuwa Raj Rai

14. Melli Girish Chandra Rai Taraman Chettri

15. Temi-tarku Garjaman Gurung Laxmi P. Tiwari

16. Cntrl-Pendam Somnath Poudyal NB Bhandari

17. Regu KB Chamling Arun Rai

18. Pathing Mingma T. Sherpa Tseten T. Bhutia

19. Sang-Martam DT Lepcha Sonam T. Bhutia

20. Rakdong-Tintek Norzang Lepcha Phuchung Bhutia

21. Lachen-Mangshila Hishey Lachungpa Anil Lachenpa

22. Kabi-Tingda Thinley T. Bhutia Palden Bhutia

23. Rhenock Bhim Dhungel KN Upreti

24. Assam-Lingzey Kunga Zangpo Bhutia Kunga N. Lepcha

25. Loosing-Pacheykhani Manita Manger Bharat Basnet

26. Gangtok NK Pradhan NB Bhandari

27. Ranka Nimkhit Lepcha Pintsho C. Lepcha

28. Rumtek Menlom Lepcha DN Barphungpa

29. Khamdong DM Ramudamu Santosh Bardewa

30. Rateypani AS Baraily Janga Bir Darnal

31. Dzongu Sonam Gyatso Lepcha Sonam Choda Lepcha

32. Sangha Tshering Lama

15 April, 2004; NOW! 7

C M Y K

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It’s heartening to hear a consist-ent outpour of musical strainsfrom the beat houses of the

hills. At one time it was like hav-ing a go at studio music was as ex-asperating an effort as hoping forwater in taps around here. Therewere and still are as numerous airguitarists and band hooters asdreams and fantasies but the mo-ment of truth seems to be finallydeciding who hoots and who goessolo with his breezy customer. It’sstill dawn yet but the heat’s on.

Still Waters are Sikkim’s firstmusic house to record and releasean English album. This was duringSeptember 2002. They are also thefirst and only band from Sikkim toperform at the Great Indian Rock.Make that twice. Now they are plan-ning another sit-in at the studio forthe cutting of their second album,which tells you they are alive and…yeah, kicking about and verily too.Diwash their new vocalist – thoughthe chords he strikes belies his nov-elty – makes a tentative guess forAugust for their second release.

And in the mean space of timethey have been playing around.“Yeah, we’ve been playing aroundand we’ve topped a few music festsrecently,” Sonam says – but withhim around you could work yourway out of cube 80s and into thecharts. So we don’t have onearound these parts but some blokehad better be giving it a good partof his head. It’s gonna be a buster.

And dropping in at the studio isalso a certified way for the makingof mean space and time. Any musi-cian worth his whatever will tell youthat that is a hell of a mean way tospend your melody. But it’s got tobe done and even a maverick needsa calling card these days. And noneof the melody makers of the sur-rounding mountain towns will everknock on that. “Our first album waspretty successful here and around”,says Sonam. I don’t remember thename of that piece but what’s im-portant is that I remember it to beworth at least 3 if not 4 stars out of5. So that’s what you get from a visitto the “sweat house”.

Then there is “First for theRoad,” a compilation of Nepali andEnglish numbers from every musi-cal brotherhood of Gangtok andsurrounding towns. It was pro-duced here in Gangtok - by Sonamhimself along with Neiky - and hasjust been released. So, it doesn’t

matter if that sounds like a place-ment agency - everyone will get hiscall. What’s important is that mu-sicians around here are finally get-ting serious enough for a studio re-cording though their music brandremains staid as ever. I mean IronMaiden and AC/DC are good as

Christ. But that’s beside the point-as all negative thoughts ought to be.

A forthcoming release of songcompilations from the same brother-hood is titled “Chakraview” for thepromotion of which Still Waters arepreparing for a show in Kalimpong.So on 28 April they along with fourother bands from Darjeeling andKalimpong featuring in the compila-tion will burn melodies at the MelaGround there. A few days later a re-

peat performance willbe for Darjeeling.“We also have one instore for Gangtok”,says Sonam, “…thatwill be after the elec-tions”. So, what are

we really waiting for,you tell me.At the Still Waters jam-pad

somewhere downtown there hasbeen a tangible change. An ob-

vious one involves theirvocal departmentwhere their original vo-calist Anant is nowhere

to be found or heard. Butthere is Diwash. “I got a sorethroat,” he says after gulpingdown a few lyrics but I can’t

When the chord strikes ‘G’ it’s time to rock

make the difference. Not so subtle achange comes also in their music.The shade of southern rock has beenblasted out of contention byDiwash’s shine of metal.

Bent studiously over an Ibanezworth Rs 16,000 is Vishal - anothernew addition after the self-subtrac-tion of Samir. He’s just given his ISCexams but the guitar seems to havebeen a longer companion. Netra hasacquired a double base pedal for hisdrum kit which is worth writinghome about and also indicationenough that only metal matters now.

Suman is a cool one with aYamaha bass. Sometimes you feelhe doesn’t care for the next note butthe next note comes-a-callin. As forSonam it doesn’t matter what guitarmake he straddles. He really ridesthem. He’s got a Peavey now. “FromSingapore and worth 10,000,” hereveals. Then there is a GFX8 and aZoom 1010 for the !@#$% stuff.

The jam is a treat. These are cannymusicians. I’ve never emerged froma jam session without my ears sore anddumb but this time I did. For manyveteran bands the right mix and lev-els of various instruments remainseternally elusive. Not so bad here.When the chord strikes G it’s time torock. Smoke on the Water like howDire Straits might have done, IronMaiden like how Still Waters wouldlike to do, AC/DC in a medley, An-other one bites the Dust like Queen…

“We also have a few originals”,says Diwash. But, of course. Therewill be another time for that.

-otis

sonamsuman

netra

vishal

diwash

8; NOW!; 15 April, 2004

C M Y K

Published by Lt. Col. (retd) P. Dorjee and printed at Darpan Publications Pvt. Ltd, Siliguri. Editor: Pema Wangchuk. Executive Editor: Mita ZulcaNow! Near Ayurvedic Clinic, Gairi Gaon, Tadong. East Sikkim. ph: 03592 270949 email: sikkimnow@rediffmail.com

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ARIES: You will have a busy schedule.

Happiness will prevail. You will see an im-

provement in your activities. Cash flow will

be sufficient. Prosperity is indicated. Things

will go according to your expectations. Poli-

ticians may find little improvement.

TAURUS: This will be a relaxed period. Fi-

nancial crisis will be brought under control.

Those in trade or with agencies will be very

successful. Frequent travel is indicated.

Export businesses will be very successful.

You will be optimistic about the future. You

will have the support of your superiors.

GEMINI: You may take a new, major deci-

sion at home. Family life will be success-

ful. Expenses will be reduced. Worries will

disappear. Cash flow will be very good. You

will be very successful.

CANCER: You will take a new decision at

work. Business will be brisk. Support from

your friends and relatives are indicated.

Cash flow will be very good. You will pros-

per. Political life will be comfortable. Liti-

gation will be in your favour. You may re-

ceive a promotion and a transfer. Separa-

tion from your life partner is indicated

LEO: You will take a new decision at work.

Business will be brisk. Support from your

friends and relatives are indicated. Cash

flow will be very good. Political life will be

comfortable. Litigation will be in your favour.

Separation from your life partner is indicated

VIRGO: You may switch to a new line of

business. This will be very productive.

Worries will recede. Expenses will be as

usual. Tension with your life partner will

1452: Leonardo da Vinci isborn in Italy.

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1784: First balloon flight inIreland

1800: James Ross discoversNorth Magnetic pole

1912: Titanic sinks at 2:27 AMin North Atlantic.

1923: First sound on film publicperformance shown atRialto Theater (NYC)

1923: Insulin becomesgenerally available fordiabetics

1941: First helicopter flight of1 hr duration, Stratford,Connecticut, USA.

1948: First Jewish-Arabmilitary battle, arabsdefeated

1948: State of HimachalPradesh is created.

1955: Ray Kroc starts theMcDonald’s chain of fastfood restaurants

1966: The Rolling Stonesrelease “Aftermath”

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by a transfer.

LIBRA: You will be very successful. Sup-

port from your spouse and business part-

ner will continue. Domestic happiness will

prevail. Uncommon expenditure will be re-

duced. Litigation will be postponed.

SCORPIO: Favourable changes are indi-

cated. There will be an improvement in your

status. You will prosper. Those appearing

for competitive exams may do well. There

may be some changes at work. Those in

the judiciary may benefit financially.

SAGITTARIUS: You may go on a long trip.

Financial position will be very good. Litiga-

tion will be in your favour. Worries will be

reduced. Happiness will prevail. You may

suffer backache. You will be in poor spirits.

CAPRICORN: You will be very cheerful. Fi-

nancial position will be very good. Tensions

will be reduced. Happiness will prevail. Long

travel is indicated. You will be in a position to

make an investment. Worries will be over.

Uncommon expenditure will be reduced.

AQUARIUS: You may go on a long trip.

Those in trade, finance and publishing will

enjoy the success they expected. There will

be few expenses. You will have the support

of your family, friends and relatives. You will

receive encouraging communication.

PISCES: You will be in a position to take a

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very good. Popularity will be gained. Ex-

penditure will decrease. Tension will be re-

duced. You will do well financially. You may

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tee member in south Sulawesi prov-ince where the mix-up occurred.

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