20 May, 2004; NOW! 1

C M Y K

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GANGTOK, 19 May: Not that therewas any doubt about it, but 30 SDFlegislators elected to the 7th legisla-tive assembly, still completed the for-mality of unanimously electing theirparty president Pawan Chamling asthe Leader of House today. Shortlyafter he was handed the letter of sup-port issued by the party high-com-mand, Mr. Chamling, accompaniedby his political advisor, BBGooroong, called on the Governor,V Rama Rao, and staked claim toform the new government. At themeeting, he also handed over the res-ignation of the last government andwas requested by the Governor tocontinue till the new government wassworn in. The newly elected mem-bers are scheduled to be sworn in on

NEW DELHI, 19 May: In the hoursbefore Dr Manmohan Singh was of-ficially announced as the Congressnominee for the prime minister’spost, the party’s headquarters wit-nessed another day of high-pitched,frenzied political drama.

A section of Sonia’s aides at-tempted to thwart Dr Singh’s appoint-ment as prime minister by trying tocompel her to reconsider her decision.

The Indian National

TURN TO pg 3FOR DETAILS

CABINET CANNOT ACCOMMODATE EVERYONE, CHAMLINGTELLS LEGISLATORS, ASSURES BL SPEAKER

SDF LEGISLATORS ELECT CHAMLING LEADER OF THE HOUSE, CLAIM TO GOVT STAKED

21 May, Friday.Mr. Chamling’s name as the

leader of the house was proposed byHealth Minister in the outgoing gov-ernment, DD Bhutia, who reiteratedthat it was Mr. Chamling’s “dynamicleadership” which had triggered the“landslide historic win” in SDF fa-vour in the recently concluded elec-tions. His proposal was seconded byhis cabinet colleague and MLA fromDaramdin, RB Subba.

The formalities over, all 30MLAs proceeded to Mintokgangwith their decision and called on

Mr. Chamling.The meeting, inform sources,

was free and frank. While thank-ing his MLAs for their “faith” inhim, Mr. Chamling assured that hewould “never betray” them or the

INKING THE OBVIOUS: SDF legislators

sign the letter of support to Mr. Chamling.

[left to right} KB Chamling, RB Subba, PS

Tamang, GC Rai. [back} RB Subba, SB

Subedi and Menlom Lepcha pic:

JO

SE

PH

LE

PC

HA

turn to pg 7

The drama beforethe curtain call

turn to pg 6

2; NOW!; 20 May, 2004

C M Y K

Artist, filmmaker, keen photographer, columnist withinternational magazines... It’s hard to pin Twan Yangdown. Born to a Chinese father and Tibetan mother, hegrew up in Kalimpong and worked in Sikkim. NOW!serializes Twan Yang’s autobiography, Houseboy in India...

NOW!FIRST WITH THE NEWS

ED-SPACE

After granting audience to anumber of political figures over

the past few days, King Gyanendrahas extended this process to a widercircle by inviting the representativesof various walks of life to a lunch atthe Gokarna Royal retreat on Mon-day. This is indeed a good exercisein public relations, giving the Kingan opportunity to know about theminds of the individuals and the sec-tors they represent. Most of theinvitees received less than a minute.And some of them returned by justgreeting the King, and many people,it is reported, were awe-stricken andcould not put forward their views“fearlessly.” But the King talked toalmost every one of the more than300 invitees over four hours of theprogramme, that drew together peo-ple from various sectors, includingNGOs, legal profession, journalism,entertainment industry, and business.

The consultations had been organ-

ised to elicit opinions and suggestionsfrom a wider cross-section of societyon the current national crisis, but theinvitees had not been informed of thepurpose of the occasion beforehand.However, some people had gone witha written copy of their suggestions forconflict resolution, even includingroad maps to peace. Most of theinvitees are reported to have stressedthe need to restore peace to the coun-try through a resolution of the Maoistproblem and a reconciliation betweenthe palace and the political parties. TheKing understandably agreed with theneed to end the impasse, but “how”was a question he himself is reportedto have asked some of the invitees whoraised the issue. The King is said tohave parted with too little informationas to how he wants to go about end-ing the impasse - with the Maoists aswell as with the political parties.

As for the shape of the next gov-ernment, the King can be supposed not

-57-

After this conversation I asked mymaster to take a photograph of thewhole family, and he did. Now dur-

ing our stay in Kalimpong there was alwaysthe same order of things. I would go to thehotel at seven in the morning and would bebusy till one o’clock. From one till three orfour I was free to go home, then I came backtill six and as a rule had then finished for theday. My master told me that every morning Ishould note down what I had been doing theday before, which he called keeping a diary.I did this, and also had plenty of time to seemy old, good friends of my childhood, someof them Chinese, some Tibetans and a fewof them Nepalis. Most important, ofcourse,were Bersi and Pursen.

One day while I was visiting Bersi, hisfather told me that I should perform the cer-emony for the death of my father, I was ex-tremely astonished to hear this, so I askedBersi’s father to tell me all about our nationalcustom. He told me so many things it wasimpossible to try and do them all. But for thereally important part of this ceremony I hadto get at least two red Chinese candles, hesaid and then three or four bundles of white

paper on which to print money for the dead,and some fruit and rice and meat and finallya piece of paper on which t h enames of the dead couldbe written. He saidthat he would helpme. “This is verykind of you, sir,But when must Ido this?”

“You had bet-ter do it on Friday.That day will belucky for it. Butbuy the paper firstnow, at once andgive it to us topunch holes in toshow that it ismoney. The other things you can bring withyou on Friday.”

I bought the necessary paper for a rupee

and gave it to my friend Bersi, who sat downnear the door to punch holes in it. Then I wentback to the hotel and told my master aboutall this. On Friday afternoon Bersi and hisfather cut the fruits into small pieces, and onthe piece of paper which I had bought, theywrote the names of all the members of my

family who haddied, as manynames as theycould remember,for Bersi’s fatherhad known my ownfather and knew myfamily history.When everythingwas ready Bersi andPursen and I wentto the market and

sat down in a suitable place and put the pa-per money on the ground to burn. Then I kneltdown in front of the burning paper and called

my father’s and my mother’s names, sayingto them: “My dear father and mother, I hopethat you are happy in heaven. Today I havecome in front of you to show myself and topresent to you this money and rice and meatand these fruits. From today on, please donot think of me any longer in this world buttry to find your own way to heaven, I am wellhere in this world, and you need no longerworry about my poor conditions. Please donot appear to me in my dreams.”

While I was saying this I felt so strangeand sad within my heart that I began to weep,thinking of my father and mother. I supposethey must have come to see me while I wasremembering them, but I could not see thembecause they were spirits. When everyone wasfinished, we returned to Bersi’s house and Ithanked his father for having taught me howto perform this ceremony. “This is the sim-plest way of doing it: much better than in themonastery,” he said. “There you would haveto spend much money, but our custom is easierand less expensive and better. You should per-form this ceremony once every year, thatwould be very good in every respect, espe-cially for your health and happiness.”

- to be continued

Performing the ceremonyof death for my father

write NOW! Democracy does not only allow a person the liberty of hold-ing an opinion, but also expressing it publicly. If you feel strongly aboutsomething that has been reported in NOW! or have an opinion on somerecent development, then share it with a wider audience. While the LET-TERS section will carry responses to articles and news carried in NOW!,ACTION MAIL is about complaints and grievances. Wherever possible,NOW! shall also search out a response to the Action Mail. If not, then atleast a complaint would have been filed in the public domain.write to: NOW!, Gairi Gaon, Tadong, East Sikkim.Or email: sikkimnow@rediffmail.com

to have made up his mind yet, judgingby the way consultations continue.Probably, he may meet the four recog-nised of the five agitating parties soonand, after that, things might be clearenough. The nearly two weeks of in-decision over this matter is likely to endvery soon. A little flexibility discernedin the agitating parties of late givessome room to believe that a meetingground between the King and them isstill possible. Whatever be the arrange-ment for governnance, it has to be sus-tainable and capable of resolving thepressing issues of peace and democ-racy. Any solution would certainly haveto take into account the prevailing pub-lic opinion, Nepal’s geopolitical statusand the ground realities, including thestate of the Maoist insurgency. The ul-timate test of the success of the Royalconsultations will, however, have to bejudged against the yardstick of theirproblem-solving capability.

- The Himalayan Times, Nepal

NOT THE SOURCE

On the issue of 29 April, an ar-ticle captioned: “Ex-con

caught supplying contraband toformer inmates” had appearedwherein my name had been mentionedwhich indicated that I had providedyou with the said story/information.

It is very unfortunate that neitheryou have ever interviewed me nor Ihave furnished you with the story.Then how come that my name ap-peared. I will appreciate if you cannow let me know your source of in-formation as I am not supposed topass any information to the mediawithout the approval of senior officer.

I believe the media people haveto follow certain ethics before men-tioning any name in particular.Vinod Tamang, Sub Jailor, StateJail RongyekWhile it is against the policy of thepaper to disclose sources, it needs tobe clarified here that the name of thesub-jailor was mentioned as the com-

plainant to the said offence. Thosewho interpret it as meaning that itwas he who “furnished” NOW! withthe information are reading itwrong.Complaints filed with the po-lice are public documents as is theinformation contained therein. -ed

A MANDATE TO DELIVER

After 1999 elections there wasan article in a local newspa-

per which stated that Newar, Bahunand Chettri did not vote for the SDFparty, which was supported by as-sumption and fabricated constitu-ency-wise population figure ofNBC. This had some repercussions,such as posts of OSD’s were cre-ated and even in some places therewas post poll violence.

In the last five years the SDFsupreme efficiency narrowed thegap with NBC’s and on 21 Septem-

ber 2003, the Chief Minister cat-egorized them as OBC.

During 2004 elections, the NBCcommunity came out with distinc-tion result and now confidently hopeto be included in Central OBC onthe recommendation of the benevo-lent government of Sikkim.

The NBC have done theirKarma by giving mandate to SDFunanimously and it is now the turnof our leader to do his dharma.

In the last five years various or-ganizations have crept up which havecreated a rift among the three ethniccommunities. Leaders of these organi-zations had taken part in the electionsand from the votes they gotm it is evi-dent that the ethnic communities ofSikkim have totally rejected them.

The people of Sikkim hold inhigh esteem the commitments madeby the SDF supremo in his manifesto,which are like a fired bullet whichwill stop only after hitting the target.RK Chettri, Tadong

�LETTERS

The Ultimate Test

Stray ConcernsA 6-year-old died after she was bitten by an obviously rabid straydog in the capital. This is not the first time that the nuisance posedby the army of stray dogs that roam our streets has been raised.The incident which triggered it this time is much more emotional,but the reaction to it will be typically knee-jerk. An order will bepassed and a Sikkim Police constable given the thankless job ofshooting stray dogs. The concern over strays will end even beforethe stink of rotting carcasses is washed away.What will happen then?Not all strays would have been liquidated and in a short time theywill be mating again and a new pack will start haunting the samestreets and foraging the same rubbish piles for food. It is down-right ridiculous that the concerned authorities need to be remindedof the dangers posed by stray dogs. This is something that re-quires no reminding. It is a fact and for an urban settlement likeGangtok, a permanent solution should have been worked out longback. Shooting stray dogs dead is downright inhuman and cruel.While one could understand such shooting in case there was arabies outbreak, such coarse measures should find no place in acivilised society. Even if we are to set aside civilised behaviour,the option being availed of at present is also much more expen-sive in the long run.It is simple. Everyone knows that the growing numbers of straydogs has become a problem. There will be very few who will sup-port their extermination, specially not public shootings. We alsoknow that shooting does not end the problem. A more effective,albeit expensive [but then, even bullets cost money] and time-consuming alternative is to round up all strays, sterilise them andvaccinate them against rabies and tag them. This initiative willhave to be done thrice in the first year at best. This will guaranteethat the strays on the streets do not kill and in the long run, willalso bring down their numbers since they won’t be breeding anymore. This coupled with better civic sense [no more littering] willsee to it that the capital’s streets are made safer from strays in amore humane manner. The sight of a stray dog bleeding to deathis not only a revolting sight, but can also be very disturbing for theyounger Gangtokians who witness such carnage.

20 May, 2004; NOW! 3

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SubrataPradhan,Sikkim’srecord-holderfor ICSEa NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 19 May: SubrataPradhan, the ICSE topper forSikkim, is the youngest daughter ofMr. BK Pradhan and Mrs. RPradhan. A student of TashiNamgyal Academy, she has secureda total average percentage of 95.8per cent marks in the ICSE, whichis the highest in Sikkim and alsothe best ever recorded by any stu-dent in the ICSE history of Sikkim.

Talking to NOW!, she says sheis proud of being a Tenacian hav-ing enrolled into TNA at the kin-dergarten level itself.

“I will continue my higher sec-ondary studies here itself,” she saysreferring to TNA, her alma mater.

As her academic excellencebear out, Subrata is a very dedicatedstudent.

“Though I had been studyinghard throughout the year, during thelast three months before the examsI put in extra effort into my stud-ies,” Subrata says. During thesemonths, she put in 10 to 12 hoursevery day into her studies. And the

fact that she has not availed of anyextra tuitions further highlights herposition as the topper from Sikkim.

She has followed the foot stepsof her two elder sisters and a cousinall of whom are TNA products andall toppers in their respective years.

Her eldest sister Sweta secured90% in ICSE and 87 % in ISC, hermiddle sister Suchita secured 92%in ICSE and 94% in ISC and hercousin Padam Pushkar Pradhan94%. Subrata with her 95.8 hastopped even her family of toppers.

She gives the credit of herachievement to her teachers, fam-ily and to her own hard work.

“I would like to take up engi-neering,” she says of her futureplans. On what gets a student agood percentage she replies: “It isimportant to set your goal rightfrom the beginning and work ear-nestly towards it.” She also stressesthat a balance between academicsand enjoyment should always bemaintained.

Her marks for individual sub-jects are: 98% in Technical Draw-ing, highest in her school; 97% inHistory/ Civics/ Geography; 95% inNepali; another 95% in Mathemat-ics and 94% in her Science subjects.

ANAND OBEROI

GANGTOK, 19 May: Six yearold Karma Doma was gettingready to go to school on themorning of 27 April, when shewas attacked by a stray dog wan-dering in the neighbourhood. Shelived with her parents in GurungBusty, Nam Nang.

On 10 May, at STNM Hospi-tal, she succumbed to the injuriesinflicted by the dog bites.

Today her anguished parents re-call the incident. “She had gottenup early in the morning that day andhad put on her uniform, she wasexcited to go to school. Just as shewent to the bathroom at about 6:30am, we heard her scream in pain.When we reached her, the sight wastoo bloody to watch. Her lips werehanging from her skin; the dog hadbitten her on her face, neck and thearea around her eyes. We then car-ried her battered body to the hospi-tal where she received 4 injectionsand 9 stitches on her face,” said

Karma’s crying mother who hasstill not gotten over the fact that herlovely little daughter was no longerwith her.

After the initial treatment,Karma was allowed to go backhome with her parents. She hadstarted to recover when suddenly on5 May she complained of severeheadaches and nausea.

“We rushed her to the hospitalwhere first she was treated at theEmergency ward. She was givenfour more injections and admittedat the Old Mental Hospital whereshe was put on drips,” said a fam-ily member.

It was here on 10 May at 11:30am that little Karma Doma breathedher last. Later, Karma’s fatherwould recall that the dog was rabidas it was drooling and had even at-tacked the stone which was thrownat it to chase it away.

The family, although still in astate of shock are angry about hav-ing no protection from the dozensof street dogs that roam their neigh-

bourhood.And they are not the only ones.Every area in the capital is

plagued by this problem. Stray dogsare compromising the lives of thelocal people. There are neighbour-hoods where people fear for theirchildren being attacked by straysand don’t venture out at night,afraid that they may be attacked.Nearly everyone knows what it islike to have dozens of dogs bark-ing and fighting outside their win-dows all night. Besides, such dogs

transmit skin diseases to the chil-dren, cause property damage andkill pet dogs. And as we can seeeven kill little children.

The problem of dog bites is be-coming so critical that only recentlythe Medical Superintendent ofSTNM Hospital, Dr. Hitler Pradhanhad written to the concerned de-partments about the rising numberof dog bite cases brought to theHospital which are said to averageat about 70 a week. A huge numberwhichever way you look at it.

“The cases are increasing rap-idly, we have informed the depart-

ment and definitely it is somethingthat needs to be addressed,” saysDr. Pradhan.

According to employees of theAnimal Husbandry Department,the menace of stray dogs was as-suming alarming proportions withmore and more cases of dog bitesbeing reported everyday.

“We have received informationthat now there are even instancesof tourists getting bitten by strays.This is bad. The Department isaware of the seriousness of theproblem,” says an official.

Be that as it may, the questionall are asking is why is the depart-ment not doing anything about it.“We can no longer even walk backhome confidently or go to sleeppeacefully, the lives of our chil-dren is in danger,” chorus all whowe spoke to.

Let Karma Doma’s death not goin vain. It has happened in the heartof the capital. It can happen to any-one. Some action, however un-pleasant must surely be taken be-fore the situation gets too alarming?

6-year-old succumbs to dogbite, capital walks scared

ALL IN THE FAMILY

4; NOW!; 20 May, 2004

C M Y K

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PURAN TAMANG

NAMCHI, 19 May: A minor con-troversy erupted here at the BikmatSecondary School between the stu-dents and the school staff. At the cruxof the fracas is the observation of aholiday on 14 May by the teachers.

The students raised a questionover this as they had not been in-formed about the holiday in advanceand so had come over to attend

classes. It was only later after a pro-longed wait for the morning schoolbell that they realised the ‘truancy’of their teachers. Incidentally, theteachers had decided upon the holi-day in celebration of the victory ofthe SDF party in the elections.

On hearing of the protest put upby the students on the one-off holi-day by the teaching staff, the latterarrived from Namchi at aroundnoon and according to the students

misbehaved with them and alsovented their anger on the furniture.

The students too let their discon-tent over irregular school timings beknown to the teachers as the situa-tion got uglier. The students accusethe school authorities of closing theschool at will sometimes at 12 noonat other times at 1 pm.

Later, according to reports,some non teaching staff, ostensiblyrelatives of the teaching staff in-

WORKSHOP ONNO SMOKINGLEGISLATION

GANGTOK, 19 May: Smoking inpublic places and smoking by youthless than 18 years of age was madeillegal from 01 May, by a Govern-ment of India notification. To sensi-tise the public on these issues, aworkshop will be held on May 20-21 at the Chumbi Residency, TibetRoad. Targeted at School Principals,teachers and Health professionals,it is being jointly organized by theVoluntary Health Association ofSikkim with the Voluntary HealthAssociation of India and WHOSouth East Asia Regional Office.

BHARAT UTSAV EXHIBITIONPOSTPONED

GANGTOK, 19 May: Jagrit BharatUtsav, an exhibition on the themeTimeless India, Resurgent India,which was to have been inauguratedon 19 May has been postponed. Theexhibition will now be held fromMay 22-25 at BL House. The Exhi-bition is being organized by theNehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, incoordination with Centre For PolicyStudies (CPS), Chennai.

BIRENDRA S.

DARJEELING, 19 May: The citi-zens of Darjeeling along with a feworganizations have decided to drawthe curtains on the year long cel-ebrations of the 50th anniversary ofthe conquest of Mount Everest ona grand note.

“While the celebrations beganworld wide last year, we decidedto end it in the home town ofTenzing Norgay” said NavrajPradhan, one of the organizers. Themountain jamboree will begin on23 May and continue till 29 May.Incidentally on this very day in1953, man had conquered the high-est mountain of the world.

“Darjeeling has had a veryclose attachment to the Mountains,especially Everest, with the maxi-mum number of Everesters be-longing to Darjeeling, it being thehome town of Tenzing along withthe nation’s first MountaineeringInstitute. Much before Nepal hadopened up to the mountaineeringworld in 1950, Darjeeling hadbeen the base camp to many animportant Everest expedition in-cluding the famous Mallory expe-dition” stated Samir Sharma, anorganiser. The week long fanfareis expected to be attended byEveresters from Nepal and othercountries including the Everestersfrom Darjeeling. Expected to bepresent are Apa Sherpa who hasclimbed the Everest the mostnumber of times (14), Lakpa GeluSherpa – the fastest climber hav-ing climbed Everest in a record10hrs 40 minutes and Temba Tsiri– the youngest Everester (14 yrsof age), all three from Nepal.Among the Everesters fromDarjeeling will be NawangGombu- the first man to climbEverest twice, Jamling TenzingNorgay – son of Tenzing. Theweek long programme will includea Felicitation Parade, Felicitationof Everesters, Everest Exhibition(exhibition of Everest memora-bilia, including awards conferredupon Tenzing and the flags heldby him atop the Everest), a Moun-tain Philately exhibition includinga release of a special cover by thePostal Department, a Mountain

KARAN SHAH

KALIMPONG, 19 May: TheKalimpong branch of the People’sDemocratic Front [PDF], has de-cided to participate in the forth-coming Municipal polls.

The municipal elections, sched-uled to be held in June this year,could be interesting with the partici-pation of various political fronts.

Though the Akhil BharityaGorkha League (ABGL), a factionof the PDF, has decided not to con-test the municipal polls, “as per thedecision of the central committee inDarjeeling”, the League will supportthe candidates favoured by the PDF.

“The PDF branch of Kalimpongwill contest in the civic-polls. TheABGL though will not be contestingthe polls but will support our con-testants,” said Col. DK Pradhan, con-vener, GNLF [C] and PDF. He saidthat all the capable and suitable can-didates, whether or not related to any

TEACHER-STUDENT FACE OFF AT BIKMAT SSvolved in the dispute, entered theclassrooms and threatened some ofthe students and also allegedly mis-behaved with some of them.

Later, when the students wereasked to tender an apology, theybluntly refused. The guardians of thestudents are not happy at the mix upof politics with education. Uponpressure from the guardians and lo-cals a guardian meeting was held on18 May where a few of the teachers

admitted to bringing in non teach-ing staff into the school compound.

They have also reportedly sub-mitted a written apology to the Edu-cation Officers from the EducationDepartment present at the meeting.The students have also tendered anapology to the officers for theirbehaviour.

Classes have resumed at theschool.

of the five parties within the PDF,would receive the support of the PDF.This statement by Col. Pradhan cutout all rumours about PDF partici-pation in the Municipal Polls.

However, lately there have beenmany candidates announcing theirinterest to contest in the municipalpolls in Kalimpong.

Seeing the huge number of can-didates putting up their names Col.Pradhan said, “Many of them justwant to take up the post, seeing theadvantage of it. They are not inter-ested in doing anything like bring-ing about development in theirwards or in the town as a whole”.

The PDF (Kalimpong-Branch)has also called for a meeting tomor-row to discuss further on the matter.

When contacted Madan Tamang,Chairman of PDF (Central Commit-tee) and President (ABGL), said,“Only in the absence of a suitable can-didate will the central committee putup a candidate for Darjeeling”

Political parties in Kpg mullover Municipal elections

Film Festival and the 2nd TenzingNorgay Open Sport ClimbingCompetition which will be at-tended by sport climbers from allover the country and the neigh-bouring countries.

Presenting a somber note to thecelebrations will be the DarjeelingNGO Network Exposition with a se-ries of seminars including Partici-patory Development in theDarjeeling Hills; Panchayat Raj In-stitution and Rural Development;Role of Rural Credit in Develop-ment; Health and Development;Joint Forest Management; Agricul-ture and Development and Chal-lenges of Mountain Eco System.“While Everesters will speak onChallenges of climbing the Everest,we will speak on the challengesfaced by the fragile mountain ecosystem” said Pravat Rana, Convenerof NGO Network, an umbrella or-ganization consisting of 20 NGO’s.The main objective of this NGO Ex-position is to do something concretefor the place held most close toTenzing’s heart. “The seminars withboth Government officials and NGOrepresentatives as speakers will helplink up policies and grass root ini-tiatives” said Rana.

Along with the citizens ofDarjeeling the co-organizers are theDGHC Tourism, Darjeeling Munici-pality, Darjeeling Police, DistrictOrganization, Himalayan Mountain-eering Institute, Indian Postal De-partment, National Cadet Corps andthe Darjeeling NGO Network. “To-gether we can revive the pristineglory of the Queen of the Hills andproclaim it as the World’s NicestPlace” exclaimed Samir Sharma.

Darj to conclude GoldenAnniv. celebrations of Everest

ascent on Grand Note

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ASPIRING TO JOIN THE INDIAN ARMY; THE THIRD LARGEST ARMY IN THE WORLD.

An Army Recruitment Rally is being held at Guards Ground, Gangtok at 6 a.m. on 24 May and 25 May 2004 for localDomiciled youth of Sikkim by Director Recruiting Sikkim and North Bengal under the aegis of Rajya Sainik Board,Sikkim, Govt.of Sikkim.Five categories of Recruitment are scheduled as listed below :-

Sl. Age as on Height Weight Chest EducationalNo. Category 01 Aug, 2004 in cms in Kgs in cms Qualification(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g)

1. Soldier General Duty 16-21 years 169 50 77-82 Matric with 45% marks aggregate

2. Soldier Technical 16-23 years 169 50 77-82 10+2 pass in Science with Physics,Chemistry, Maths and English withminimum 50% marks in aggregateand minimum 40% marks in eachspecified subject.

3. Soldier Clerk/ Store 16-23 years 162 50 77-82 10+2 pass with min. 50% marks inKeeper aggregate and min 40% marks in each

subject with English and Math/ BookKeeping/ Acct. in 10th standard. In caseof graduate candidate and above, thensimple pass in 10+2 with 10th pass asabove will be accepted.

4. Soldier (Non Matric) 16-21 years 169 50 77-82 VIIIth pass and aboveGD

5. Soldier General Duty 16-21 years 157 48 77-82 Min VII pass and above (for candidates(Dispensation) belonging to Indian Gorkha & Sikkim

only)

Both Physical Proficiency Test (PET) and MEdical Test will be held at Gangtok itself.

DOCUMENTS� Original and Xerox copy of admit card, marks sheet and board certificate of madhyamik and intermediate

examination or equivalent examination.� Original and Xerox copy of character certificate from School Headmaster/Gram Pradhan/Sarpanch on official

pad affixed with round stamp (not more than 06 months old as on 01 Aug 2004).� Original and Xerox copy of Residential Certificate issued by SDO duly affixed with stamp specifying that the

candidate is permanent resident of the village (not more than one year old as on 01 Aug 2004).� In case of Non – matric candidate, original & Xerox copy of transfer certificate and marks sheet of passed class.

District Inspector of School/District Education Officer should countersign transfer Certificate.� Twelve copies of passport size colour photographs (unattested).� Original and Xerox copy of NCC certificate if any.� Original and Xerox copy of bonafide certificate issued by Zilla / Rajya Sainik Board for son of Ex-servicemen/

widows/war widows.� Dependent certificate obtained from CO of the unit for sons of servicemen with photocopy of IAFF – 958

(Kinder roll) page duly attested by Commanding Officer where name of the candidate is endorsed (in case ofvariation in name of candidate/father’s name and date of birth as shown on education certificate, an affidavit ofRs.10/- non-judicial stamp paper duly countersigned by the Executive Magistrate Class I is required to be produced).

� Original and Xerox copy of Domicile certificate issued by District Magistrate for Non- Bengali/ Non Gorkhacandidates.

� Original and Xerox copy of sports certificate ( 1st and 2nd position in State/University level and above).� Provisional outsider sanction/ screening permission in original for Non- Bengali/ Gorkha Indian Domicile

candidates issued by HO Rtg Zone Kolkata.� Original and Xerox copy of cast certificate signed by SDO for Schedule Tribe/ Schedule Caste and Gorkha

certificate from Hill councilor for Gorkha candidates.

MEDICAL TESTSi) Ears cleaning beforehandii) Treatment for Hernia, Hydrocele, Skin diseases etc.

Candidates who are declared medically fit will be required to appear in the written test, at Branch Recruiting Officeat Sevoke Road, Siliguri at 0600 hours on 30th May 2004.Aspiring Candidates to contact Rajya Sainik Board, Sikkim Recruitment Cell at PS Road, Gangtok and Zilla SainikBoards at Namchi, Gyalsing & Gangtok respectively for further details.

ARMY RECRUITMENT IS A FREE SERVICE

THE BEST AMONGST YOU WILL MAKE IT.

Secretary,Rajya Sainik Board, Sikkim

Chinmaya MissionSikkim CentreOrganises

Geeta Gyana YagyaBy Acharya Kailas Chaitanya

Chapter 12 - Bhakti Yoga

Date: 22 May to 29 May 2004Time: 4.30PM to 6.00PM

Venue: Chinmaya Ashram,

Development Area,Near Community Hall, Gangtok

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 19 May: In a faxedpress release issued from New Delhi,the SPCC [I] president Nar BahadurBhandari has demanded a CBI en-quiry into post-poll violence targettingCongress supporters in Sikkim.

In the press release, Mr.Bhandari has once again condemnedthe ‘anti-people’ and ‘undemocratic’activities of the SDF party. Alleg-ing that the law and order situationin Sikkim is spiralling out of con-trol the SPCC [I] president has de-manded CBI intervention to “restore

and maintain the peace and law andorder in Sikkim.”

Mr. Bhandari, along with hisState Congress colleagues, is re-portedly in New Delhi to apprisein central Congress leaders of the“situation in Sikkim”.

Mr. Bhandari and several Con-gress candidates had earlier ap-proached the Governor, V Rama Raoon 15 May to protest against the al-leged instances of post poll violenceperpetrated by the SDF party.

Mr. Bhandari has also allegedthat the SDF party has “not actu-ally won the mandate of the peo-

CONGRESS CONTINUES WITH ANTI-SDF RHETORIC

Bhandari demands CBI interventionto stem post-poll violence

ple” and further hints that the in-stances of post poll violence in thestate are due to the “frustration ofthe SDF party’s manipulation ofEVMs and its resultant outcome.”

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 19 May: RB Subbaelected MLA and working minis-ter from Soreng constituencythrough an SDF press release issuedtoday, has condemned the news-report suggesting that there havebeen instances of post poll violencein his constituency.

Mr. Subba claims that the po-lice had paid extra attention to thisarea to check against violence ofany sort and stressed SDF support-ers from his constituency had beenspecifically directed to stay awayfrom resorting to violence evenwhen instigated.

He condemned allegationsmade by the defeated Congress can-didate from Soreng Ashok Tsongand informs that after the thrash-ing Mr. Tsong received in the elec-tions he has started making moun-tains out of a molehill.

In another press release, SDFhas expressed sadness over the firewhich destroyed the house ofLoden Thsering Bhutia, senior poli-tician from Rakdong Tintek con-stituency on 17 May.

The release further adds thatthe new area MLA NorzangLepcha visited the spot on 18 Mayand called on Mr. Bhutia to ex-press his sympathy on the damagesuffered by him.

The release further adds thatMr. Bhutia informed Mr. Lepchaand the village people that the causeof the fire was a gas cylinder ex-plosion in the kitchen, at the upperfloor of the house.

SDF has also condemnedrumors that the fire was startedby SDF supporters and seeing aCongress hand in the rumours,has warned it against spreadingsuch canards.

SDF leaders deny reportsof post-poll violence

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Kutse SheguThe 49th Day Kutse Shegu of our beloved mother, late Mrs. Yang DomaBhutia [Yundu], who left for her heavenly abode on 7 April falls on 25May. [The Kutshe Shegu date in another weekly paper has been mistak-enly printed please ignore that date, the correct date in 25 May].

All friends, relatives and well wishers, are requested to join us inoffering prayers for the departed soul at our residence at residenceat Tibet Road (above LCC Computers) Gangtok.

We wish to thank all those who stood by us during the time ofbereavement and regret our inability to thank them individually.

Karma Tashi Bhutia (Son); Passang Doma Lachungpa (Daughter in Law);

Gomphu Tshering Bhutia (Son); Rinzing Tsomo Bhutia (Daughter in Law);

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a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 19 May: A pressbriefing was held here at theTelecom General Manager’s officetoday, 19 May. The meeting wasaddressed by the General Manager,Telecom, Mr. MK Seth. The meet-ing was to inform about CordectTechnology which will shortly beintroduced in Sikkim. The technol-ogy will provide better coverage ofthe remote and inaccessible areasof the state.

As the GM informs, the tech-nology uses a partially metallicmedium to the last accessible pointfrom whereon the linkage is viawireless communication. This isprompted by the heavy expenditureinvolved in laying cables for con-ventional communication as well asunreliable power supply and main-tenance problems.

In Cordect technology theconnectiveity extends via metallicmedia upto a location where a cop-per cable can be laid with ease and

Congress’ position as the party withthe most Lok Sabha seats in Elec-tion 2004 and Sonia’s imminentinstallation as prime minister hadimproved the prospects of a numberof Congress leaders close to her:they hoped they would be part ofthe power centre and wouldbag plum Cabinet berths.

But Sonia’s rejection of theprime ministerial post shatteredtheir hopes.

So, throughout Tuesday nightand Wednesday morning, a sectionof Congress leaders led by ArjunSingh, Ambika Soni, PranabMukherjee, Ahmed Patel andGhulam Nabi Azad worked hard toensure she reconsidered her decision.

Mukherjee, a Congress leaderdisclosed, tried to lobby against DrSingh’s candidature by suggestingthat he (Mukherjee) should be con-sidered for the prime minister’spost since he had won an electionthis time (the first Lok Sabha elec-

tion he has ever won). Dr Singh isa member of the Rajya Sabha.

Not many in the Congress sup-ported his claim. “The biggest prob-lem was that nobody had the cour-age to utter a word against Sonia’schoice, Manmohan Singh,” said aCongress leader. WhenSonia refused to reconsider herstand, Congress leaders led byAmbika Soni organised a hurriedpress conference to announcethat every Congress Working Com-mittee member and all the All In-dia Congress Committee officebearers were resigning in protest;they wanted Sonia as PM.

This, as it turned out, was the pe-nultimate phase of this political drama.

Some six CWC leaders thenrushed to Sonia’s 10, Janpathhome around 2 pm, making a last ditchattempt to convince her to take on themantle of running the country.

Sonia rejected the plea outright.As the dejected Congress leadersleft her home, they said, “It’s go-ing to be Dr Manmohan Singh.”

Now that Sonia has shown theworld she is not greedy for power andposition, Congress leaders will needto rethink the manner in which theyare lobbying for ministerial berths.

“Let the new prime minister besworn in. Let him discuss with thealliance partners and the Congresspresident as to who will be in hiscouncil of ministers,” CongressGeneral Secretary Vayalar Ravi said.

It is a given that Dr Singh willseek Gandhi’s advice while select-ing his Cabinet.

Those who are certain to be in-ducted include Pranab Mukherjee, KNatwar Singh, Ambika Soni, AhmedPatel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, KapilSibal and Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi.

Other CongressMPs harbouring ministerialambitions include S Jaipal Reddy,Prithviraj Chavan, Mani ShankarAiyar, Meira Kumar, RenukaChowdhary, Anand Sharma,Shankar Singh Vaghela, JagdishTytler, Sajjan Kumar and Selja.

Contd from pg 1

The drama before the curtain call

Kalam invitesManmohan Singhto form govtNEW DELHI, 19 May: PresidentAPJ Abdul Kalam today invitedManmohan Singh to form the nextgovernment at the Centre and takeoath as the prime minister of India

NDTV 24X7 said the swearingin ceremony will take place onThursday at 1700 hours IST.

“Smt Sonia Gandhi and I havemet the President yesterday andwe had promised him that wewould be coming back today withnecessary documents of support,”Singh said.

“Those supporting documentswere made available to the Honour-able President this evening and I amhappy to inform that the Presidenthas invited me to form the nextgovernment.”

As the news spread hundreds ofCongress supporters, includingmany Sikhs, danced and distributedsweets as celebrations erupted out-side the residence of Singh.

They shouted slogans like‘Manmohan Singh Zindabad’ and‘Jo Bole Sao Nihal, Saath Sri Akal’

Even as Ambika Soni and Jaipal Reddy were addressing the media, thepolice was called into to restrain Congress activists who stormed the pressconference. Hundreds of agitated Congress workers smashed throughthe main gate of the media hall at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi.Failing to enter the venue of the press conference, they pelted stones andsmashed window panes, and hurt a journalist. Soni and Reddy abruptlyterminated the press conference and left the venue through a side door.

BAHUN CHETTRI

KALYAN SANGH

CONGRATULATES

CHAMLINGGANGTOK, 19 May: In a meet-ing held on 16 May, All SikkimChettri-Bahun Kalyan Sanghhave congratulated SDF presi-dent Pawan Chamling for lead-ing the Sikkim Democratic Frontto a landslide victory in the 7thAssembly elections. The Sanghalso commended Mr. Chamlingfor making the state prosperousand taking it towards all rounddevelopment. It has extendedwarm wishes to the SDF party forits continued progressive activ-ity in the state.

Sikkim MPs meet Paswana NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 19 May: A press release issued by the Sikkim DemocraticFront today reports that on 18 May the Sikkim MPs Nakul Das Rai [LokSabha] and PT Gyamtso [Rajya Sabha] met the President of Lok Jan Shaktiand former Union Minister, Ram Vilas Paswan in New Delhi.

During the meeting both the MPs handed over the congratulatory let-ter from the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to Mr. Paswan.

Mr.Paswan during the meeting said that Mr. Chamling is his goodfriend and a rising leader and also hoped that the SDF government playeda positive role during its tenure and also mentioned that SDF was formingthe government under the central leadership of Congress.

Both the MPs spoke on the party policy to support the Governmentthat would be formed in the centre.

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At its location a multidirec-tional anlemia is hoisted for trans-mission. Thus a telephone link fromthe exchange to a customer’s houseis through semi metallic and semiwireless media.

The communication throughCordect Technology includes allmodern facilities including the 128kbps internet access. The voicequality, too, is much better.

The CDMA handset (a smallround mobile set) with limited mo-bility can be carried into the cover-age area. The call charges are thesame as that of a land line tel-ephone.

The GM says “BSNL is has thelowest rate along with the best qual-ity and wider coverage. And all thiswithin just a year of commencingoperations. Now we have startedworking for the coverage of the vil-lages and highways.”

BSNL TO INTRODUCE CORDECTTECHNOLOGY IN SIKKIM

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C M Y K

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England. Mauritius. Sweden.Bombay and Ugyen finallydecides to give Gangtok a

look-see. Actually it’s more thanjust a look-see. He’s just met thechief minister who is already swim-ming in a mass of congratulatorykhadas. And he’s also probablyamong the early birds of the begin-ning of the SDF’s new term in gov-ernment to place a proposal forfunds before the CM. It’s not forany developmental or some such‘project’ as the word connotes inSikkim but for something as uniqueas it is vital. Requesting funds fromthe government for movie makingis certainly unique for Sikkim as itis vital to record in the said mediumthe ‘unique’ cultural, historical andartistic adventure of the land.

Those disinterested inBollywood might not recogniseUgyen Chophel as the nephew ofDanny Denzongpa. And those whohave never sat before a Nepalimovie curtain will of course neverhave heard of ‘Saino’, ‘Trishna’,‘Nepali Babu’, or ‘Badal Pari’.These are names of four Nepalimovies, all of them hits and themall directed by our ‘man in

of expression as well as recordingand documenting. With the nano-level attention span of our lovablemarket makers cinema is about theonly medium of entertainment thathas a while to last before it too be-comes passé.

He landed with this idea whenapproached by people trained infilm making and mass communica-tion, he says. “The club will pro-vide these people with an opportu-nity to express themselves,” hesays. At present he has only smallfilms in his film menu for whichsmall funds are required as well assmall and basic film equipment. Asa prelude to the ‘Film Club’ will bethe Arts and Culture Trust whichUrgyen says has just completed afilm. ‘Saving a Heritage – a Craft’is a documentary by local filmmaker Dawa Lepcha. “The film isready and there will be a screeningfor the press shortly,” UrgyenChophel promises. The documen-tary is based on the “almost extinctart of weaving cloth from nettle orSisnu.” Following films to be madewill be on similar lines.

Having expressed his desire forputting Sikkim under the lightsUrgyen Chophel discloses that in afew days he will be off to Sweden

and Mauritius for a film shootingwith some actor called AmitabhBachchan. “I am co directing thisfilm with Romesh Sharma who ear-lier produced ‘Hum’. The film isto be one of those ‘cross over’ typeswith 30 percent of it having Eng-lish sound bites. “We have alsoroped in 3 English actors,” revealsUrgyen. The film, another lovestory, is to be shot almost entirelyout doors with an eyeful of foreignlocales. “Majority of the shootingwill be Mauritius and Sweden,”says the co director. Responding toa query on the feasibility of foreignlocales, he says, “They are cheaper– the air fares and hotel rates etc.Here in Sikkim we do not have suchlocales nor facilities. In Swedenalmost everything is free as the gov-ernment there views us movie mak-ers as promoters of their countryand a factor boosting tourism.” Formany of us who have sniggered atGovinda and Karisma twistingabout in Venice or some otherBollywood breed tripping about thesnow it is an interesting revelationto know that in Sweden there is astreet named after Yash Chopra aswell as a lake. “This serves a spinoff effect with tourists from Indiawanting to visit the land of filmishootings,” explains Ugyen.

After hearing this would ourtourism inclined government stillwant Sikkim to be “the only statewithout any filming activity?”

MAKING MOVIES

people of Sikkim.He was also frank in admitting

that “Constitutional compulsions”which limit the Cabinet size to 12made it “impossible” to “accommo-date” everyone in the Cabinet. “Evenall castes and communities cannot beaccommodated in this size,” Mr.Chamling said while assuring thatthose who did not win Cabinet berthswould be honoured with posts thatwere equally important and reflectiveof the mandate that each one of thelegislators had won.

While he did not give any hintson who would make it to the select12, Mr. Chamling did reveal thatthe Speaker for the 7th legislativeassembly would come from the BLcommunity. “This is our party’sway of honouring the BL commu-nity of Sikkim,” he said.

Interestingly, Mr. Chamling alsoadmitted that he had hoped that someof the past Ministers would volun-teer to step down this time and whilereminding his legislators that it washis prerogative to hand-pick his team,assured that the final decision wouldbe taken only after due consultation.

He is also reported to have toldthe MLAs that they did not repre-sent any particular caste or commu-nity and that they were responsiblefor all the people of their constitu-encies and Sikkim. While callingon them to stay away from “com-

munal conspiracies,” he stressedthat mandate won by SDF de-manded work which should alwaysremain their top priority.

“There are many promises tofulfil and governance this time willbe action-oriented,” he said.

All eyes are now on 21 Maywhen the new government and itsCabinet will be sworn in at 12:30PM at the Raj Bhavan.

Contd from pg 1

Bollywood’ Ugyen Chophel.He was in Gangtok ostensibly

to explore possibilities to start a‘Film Club’ here. Talking to NOWhe says

“The fragile situation here asregards the cultural and arts activi-ties makes it imperative to have arecord of such before they becomeextinct.” So what he means is quiteclear. No commercial movies – atleast not for now. His aim with theestablishment of a film club is to

record and document the “archaicfilms, photographs and documentsof Sikkim” in the medium of cin-ema. A sort of promotion campaignof Sikkimese arts, language andculture and at the same time serv-ing the purpose of a visual library.This would definitely be a welcomedevelopment as Sikkim is about theonly state in the country wherethere is no film activity. Film en-thusiasts hope the government doeswake up to this one dynamic form

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Ugyen Chopel has

just signed on the

biggest name in

Indian cinema –

Amitabh Bachchan

- for his next

venture to be co-

directed by him

but that doesn’t

seem to distract

him from the

cinematic

potential of Sikkim

Ugyen Chopel has

just signed on the

biggest name in

Indian cinema –

Amitabh Bachchan

- for his next

venture to be co-

directed by him

but that doesn’t

seem to distract

him from the

cinematic

potential of Sikkim

Ugyen Chopel has

just signed on the

biggest name in

Indian cinema –

Amitabh Bachchan

- for his next

venture to be co-

directed by him

but that doesn’t

seem to distract

him from the

cinematic

potential of Sikkim

8; NOW!; 20 May, 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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Eminem is ready to take a biteout of Apple Computer Inc.A US federal judge ruled Mon-

day that the rapper’s case againstthe company for illicitly using hislyrics in a commercial can proceed.

The real Slim Shady showed hislitigious side in February after Ap-ple used lyrics from one of the rap-per’s songs in an iTunes commer-cial featuring a 10-year-old boywith an iPod, singing along to“Lose Yourself,” the theme from 8Mile.

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the Apple Website.Enraged at the unauthorized use

of his music, Eminem [real name:Marshall Mathers III] filed a suitagainst Apple, MTV’s parent com-pany, Viacom Inc. and advertisingagency TBWA/Chiat/Day.

EMINEM WANTS TO BRUISE APPLE“Eminem has never nationally

endorsed any commercial productsand...even if he were interested inendorsing a product, any endorse-ment deal would require a signifi-cant amount of money, possibly inexcess of $10 million,” stated thesuit filed in Detroit in February onbehalf of 8 Mile Style, Em’s pub-lishing company.

Apple apparently turned greenat the thought of such a hefty fi-nancial bite; the suit reports that topbrass Steve Jobs personally ap-proached Eminem and 8 Mile Stylemanager Joel Martin, asking themto “rethink their position.”

MEDIA LAWYERSWANT JACKSONPAPERS OPENED

LOS ANGELES: Lawyers fornews organizations petitioned thejudge in the Michael Jackson caseTuesday to release the grand juryindictment against the pop star andto unseal transcripts of 13 days oftestimony that led to the indictment.

Citing decades of court prec-edent, attorney Theodore BoutrousJr. argued that indictments can besealed only under extraordinary cir-cumstances, which have not beenpart of the Jackson case.

At a hearing April 30, SuperiorCourt Judge Rodney Melville dis-closed that Jackson had been in-dicted on child molestation chargesas well as a conspiracy count involv-ing allegations of child abduction,false imprisonment and extortion.

He ordered edited portions of theindictment released but sealed detailsabout acts alleged to have been com-mitted in furtherance of the allegedconspiracy. At the request ofJackson’s lawyer, he also sealed thenames of alleged indicted orunindicted co-conspirators.

“This case does not raise any ofthe issues that have traditionallybeen invoked to seal or partially sealindictments, such as the need to pro-tect the lives of witnesses, to ensurethe defendant or other potential tar-gets did not flee, or the need to pro-tect innocent persons from injury,”said Boutrous’ motion, filed in SantaBarbara County Superior Court.

Reasons given by Melville forsealing the material were to protectthe identify of the minor child whois accusing Jackson and to insulateprospective jurors from publicitythat might prejudice them.

Boutrous said the accuser’sidentity is already well known, al-though news media outlets havechosen not to publish it.

CANNES, France: As a father oftwo children, Hollywood starKevin Bacon said he found it ago-nizing to play a pedophile in thesearing drama “The Woodsman.”

Now he is dragging thosememories up again to promote theuncompromising film at the Cannesfilm festival.

“Sometimes it was very un-pleasant,” he said of his role as apedophile released from prisonback into his home town where hemoves into an apartment oppositea primary school, meets a younggirl in the park and then has tostruggle with all his old demons.

RARE PENGUINSTOLEN FROMSANCTUARY

LONDON: Thieves stole a rare pen-guin called Piglet from a sea life centerin northeast England and dumped itin a garden, police said Tuesday.

Its donkey-like braying washeard more than a mile from itshome and worried residents rangthe Scarborough Sea Life and Ma-rine Sanctuary.

Staff say Piglet, a femaleHumboldt penguin from SouthAmerica, may die from the stressof being moved and must now takea course of antibiotics.

“They are extremely suscepti-ble to certain illnesses,” curatorPaul Bullimore said. “I would besurprised if she survives.” Policesaid the flightless bird was takenlate Sunday from an enclosure sur-rounded by two fences in what wasprobably a “sick prank.”

“It’s unpleasant frankly talkingabout it now,” he said. “I had finishedthe film and obviously put some dis-tance between myself and it. Whenyou get back into the promotion, youhave to start to think about it.”

He said of the demanding role:“I didn’t think it was going to be awalk in the park. I knew it wouldn’tbe the most fun.”

Bacon revels in the sheer vari-ety of acting from roles in Foot-loose and Diner back in the Eight-ies to Apollo 13 and JFK in theNineties. “But I find myself drawntime and time again to darker ma-terial and intense things,” he said.

KEVIN BACON TALKS OF PAINOF PLAYING A PEDOPHILE

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