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Vajrakiliyana mask dance regales tourists in Sikkim

June 4, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Gangtok, June 4 (ANI): Vajrakiliyana also known as Dorjee Phurba Cham, a mask dance by Buddhist monks, enthralled scores of tourists at the famous monastery of Rumtek in Sikkim.

It is a traditional dance form, performed by Lamas (monks) at Rumtek Dharma Chakra Monastery on the occasion of their religious festival.

The monks displayed their graceful artistry with their perfect footwork to the beats of the drums and tunes.

This festival falls once in two years, usually in second week of May. (ANI)

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Tibetans living-in-exile surprised over China’s opposition to Dalai Lama’s visit

September 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, Sep 17 (ANI): Members of the exiled Tibetan community living at Gangtok said China’s opposition to the Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh is “surprising”.

The Dalai Lama plans to visit Arunachal Pradesh soon. China has claimed part of Arunachal as its territory.

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader’s aide said the Dalai Lama would be in Arunachal Pradesh state in the second week of November.

The intended visit has already sparked off controversy. China claims about 90,000 sq km of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory.

The Dalai Lama’s travel plan was announced a week after the completion of his visit to Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by Beijing. China denounced the trip.

“This time round when they (Chinese Authorities) are making some kind of pressure or some kind of opposition to the upcoming visit of his holiness to Arunachal Pradesh it is really very surprising.

Why would they complain when the government of India has no problem in his holiness visiting Arunachal Pradesh? So why should people of republic of china have some problem?” said Zimba Bhutia, Tibetan youth committee member.

“Chinese authorities have always been against the trip of Dalai Lama. So I think that they should know why Dalai Lama has been there. Dalai Lama has been welcomed by the people of Arunachal Pradesh as the spiritual and a Buddhist monk,” said Dhondup Dorjee, Tibetan welfare officer of Sikkim.

A visit to Arunachal Pradesh could now draw further attention to China’s treatment of Tibetan activists and the Dalai Lama’s calls for cultural and religious freedoms and autonomy. (ANI)

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Tendong Lho Rum Faat festival celebrated by Lepchas of Sikkim

September 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok (Sikkim), Sep 9(ANI): Hundreds of people came together in Gangtok recently to celebrate Tendong Lho Rum Faat, which is a festival of the indigenous tribe of Sikkim “The Lepchas”.

During the festival, Lepchas offer prayers and worship Mount Tendong; the Kanchenjunga mountain range, that they believe saved them from destruction by floods.

“This festival is more than worshipping the mountain. It shows a strong connection and affinities of Lepchas with Nature. This is not something recent. They have been carrying on this, the worshipping of Nature since time immemorial,” said Sheba Sasm, a local.

To mark the day, quiz, debate and flute competitions were also organised.

Norzang Lepcha, the organiser, said that through the festivals they want to educate youngsters about to try and respect nature as well as to save it.

“Through these festivals and seminars what we are trying to inject in the minds of young generations is to save the nature and to plant more trees, so that the temperature can be maintained. We can come to the natural level of temperature,” Lepcha said.

The festival falls on the 3rd lunar month each year. By Tashi Pradhan(ANI)

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Popular sculpting statue in Sikkim

September 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, Sep 3 (ANI): An art school is preserving the oldest form of traditional and religious art of statue making, influenced by Buddhist teaching in Sikkim.

The Traditional Arts School for Thangka Painting at 5th mile, a half an hour drive from state capital Gangtok, is under the supervision of Ecclesiastical Affairs Department, Government of Sikkim. The school is exclusively for the monks (boys).

Monks from different monasteries located throughout the state come to the institute and learn the art free of cost.

The school was started as a separate branch of Enchey School, which was a monk school then in 1909 for teaching the art of statue making to monks at the time of Chogyal (King).

However during 1950s, the school came under the Ecclesiastic Affairs Department.

Ndar Lama, an instructor at the Vocational Arts School, Gangtok, revealed that the art of making the statues came from Bhutan.

However, to popularise the art among local monks, the state government felt the need to set up one institute in Sikkim, Lama said.

“The art of making this mud statue came from Bhutan. Earlier, Chogyal (King) used to call the instructors from Bhutan and they used to make the statues. In fact, most of the statue in big monasteries here was made by the Bhutanese. Even I learnt the art from one Bhutanese person. But now the government of Sikkim felt the need to open one such vocational training institute even in Sikkim,” Lama added.

Students at the school said that they hope to teach the art to the future generation so as to keep the Buddhist culture alive.

“After learning the art of statue making, I will go to the monastery and teach the art to our future generation so as to keep our Buddhist culture and art of statue making alive,” said Dawa, a student.

Besides teaching the art, the school also helps the monks in becoming self-reliant. (ANI)

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Visually impaired bamboo artist enables others for self-reliance

July 15, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, July 15 (ANI): A visually impaired bamboo artisan in Sikkim imparts training to many other disadvantaged people like him and help them gain self-reliance in life.

The 37-year-old Chandra Singh Gurung is one of the visually challenged workers offering training to enthusiastic artists under Directorate of handloom and industry in Cane and Bamboo crafts.

Gurung is a master bamboo and cane artist. He has been working in the bamboo and cane unit of the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms for over a decade and has set an example of self-reliance.

The principal handicrafts of the region include basketwork, cane furniture, bamboo flower, mats and woodcarvings. The items which are made include stools, flowers, pen stands, picture frames, baskets, dust bins, beer mugs, hair clips and butterfly wall decoration.

Having learnt the art of Moda making (cane or bamboo stools) at the Kalimpong Salvation Army Institution, the Braille matriculate Gurung joined the Directorate as an artisan in 1986.

He tells that Government has opened many schemes for the people like him where they could learn the art as per their talent.

“Indian Government has opened many schemes for the people like us. I’m doing this cane and bamboo work in Sikkim. Others can go in for light engineering while still others can take up physiotherapy as per their talent,” said Gurung.

Every ‘moda’ Gurung makes sells at anything between 9.24 dollars to 10.27 dollars a piece.

Gurung is today not just a worker but a trainer as well and has trained jail inmates at the state prison in Rongyek, near Gangtok.

Namrata Thapa, directorate of Handicraft and Handloom Industry, Sikkim said that in this institute the students could earn while they learnt.

“This is the institute where we are providing employment opportunities to the physically handicapped people as far as possible not only the employment opportunities but we are giving them training in different crafts also as per their aptitude in their fields that they are interested to pursue,” said Thapa. By Tashi Pradhan(ANI)

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UPA Govt. plans to offer modern facilities in 28 cities

June 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, June 29 (ANI): The Centre is preparing to provide modern facilities in 28 more cities in addition to the existing 65 cities under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) in the first 100 days of the UPA government.

“Infrastructure will also be developed in small and medium towns. In order to lessen pressure on large cities the government will launch the scheme for satellite town around mega cities to address basic infrastructure problems such as drinking water , sewerage, drainage and solid waste management. To provide better transport facilities in the growing urban areas, the government will provide all assistance to metro project in Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi and Delhi,” Union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy said on Monday in the national capital.

Besides, the government will also make substantial assistance for the purchase of fifteen thousand 220-Modern Buses for city transport in 118 cities along with 61 mission cities.

Reddy informed that he has requested the Finance Ministry for removal of excise tax on buses made for public transport services. He said states will also be persuaded to waive local taxes on buses made for public transport.

To address the urban infrastructure deficit in north-eastern region , the Asian Development Bank – assisted North Eastern Region Urban Development Programme will be launched for implementation at a cost of about 1,371 crore rupees.

Five cities of Agartala, Aizawl, Gangtok, Kohima and Shillong will be taken up in the first phase. States of Arunachal Pradesh Assam and Manipur will be taken up next year.

To meet the acute shortage of houses for urban poor, economically weaker sections and lower income groups of city of Delhi, construction of about 65 thousand houses in different income groups will be taken up. In addition to this about 10 thousand houses will be taken up in phases. (ANI)

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Conservation efforts for Red Panda in Gangtok zoo

June 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, June 27 (ANI): In a bid to save one of nature’s rarest and most beautiful animals, the Red Panda, the Sikkim Himalayan Zoological Park (SHZP) in Gangtok has embarked on a breeding and conservation programme.

Red Pandas are much smaller than the giant panda. The state animal of Sikkim, the Red Pandas are found in six protected areas of the State. But they are facing extinction due to habitat loss caused by construction activity and over grazing.

To preserve and restore the habitat of the shy and reclusive animal, the Sikkim Himalayan Zoological Park (SHZP) has been working on various conservation programmes since 1997.

“Red Pandas being the State animal of Sikkim, and also an endangered species of global importance, high precaution is being taken for their conservation in the Himalayan Zoological Park. And the Forest Department of the Government of Sikkim is trying to save these pandas in the wild as well as in the captive condition,” said Madan K.S. Shankar, Deputy Director, Zoo and Wildlife, Sikkim.

The zoo has obtained four pandas, two pairs from the wild as part of the breeding programme.

The SHZP aims to collect a gene pool from the wild population.

Currently, the zoo is home to four male and three female healthy red pandas.

According to the zoo’s report, one of the female panda has started to prepare her bedding, in anticipation of delivering her cubs.

The zoological park has already been identified as the most promising zoo for the red panda conservation programme, as it is located next to a panda habitat containing the animal’s staple diet, bamboo. By Tashi Pradhan (ANI)

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Gangtok to have 3 G services

June 23, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, June 23 (ANI): Union Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology, Sachin Pilot has said that the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is to launch 3 G services in Gangtok by August 15.

Announcing the extension of 3 G services to other three districts within 100 days, the Minister said, BSNL would increase its broadband strength to 30 GB PPS to improve services in Sikkim. All the 26 blocks in the State would be covered by broadband services within 100 days.

After a review meeting with BSNL, Postal Department and State I and T in Gangtok, he said, traffic congestion in mobile services in twenty one sectors of the State would be removed by August 15 this year through improved quality of service by BSNL.

Underlying the importance of Sikkim, Pilot said that special measures have been taken to improve the quality of services in North East through communication and information technology, with specific emphasis on Sikkim.

“It is a difficult terrain and the ministry would support the efforts to improve information and technology in Sikkim, as it would increase opportunities for the talented youth,” he added. (ANI)

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Cyclone havoc: roads blocked, rivers swollen in Sikkim

May 26, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, May 26 (IANS) With heavy downpours, landslides and blocked highways, the northeastern state of Sikkim Tuesday had little time to count the losses caused by the fierce Cyclone Aila, which has claimed at least 27 lives in neighbouring West Bengal.

The district headquarters of north and west Sikkim have been cut off from capital Gangtok as state highways leading to major towns are blocked because of landslides along the road.

People living close to swollen rivers are being evacuated after the cyclone, which hit a day earlier.

The tourism sector has been hard hit, with advance bookings being cancelled and tourists not being allowed to go to the popular destinations of Nathula and Tsongo Lake above Gangtok Tuesday morning.

Due to landslides, regular traffic along National Highway 31A that connects the Darjeeling district in West Bengal to Sikkim has been disrupted at many places. Rows of vehicles could be seen for hours along the highway Monday evening before the Border Roads Organisation cleared the road.

Tourist destinations in north Sikkim like Lachung and Lachen are also blocked. Many tourists were still stranded along the north Sikkim highway on Tuesday.

Paljor Lachungpa, the Travel Operators Association of Sikkim president, said advance bookings to north Sikkim have been kept on hold because of the bad state of the highways.

Lightning killed cattle in Baluakhani, Gangtok, in the morning and damaged the residential quarters of the Forest Guards. However, no human casualties were reported.

With the rivers beginning to swell, administration officials have helped frightened residents evacuate. The gates at dams controlling floodwaters have been opened. Eleven labourers working in a tunnel along the Rangpo river had died in a flash flood last month.

Heavy rainfall continues here with no roads dependable enough to travel. The authorities have cautioned against travelling along highways, especially at night.

Administration officials have announced that there is sufficient stock of essential commodities even if the NH-31A remains blocked for over a week.

Cyclone Aila battered coastal West Bengal and capital Kolkata Monday with high-speed winds uprooting trees, electricity poles and thatched homes. At least 27 people have been killed and 400,000 people affected.

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First session of Sikkim assembly commences, Gyaltsen elected speaker

May 22, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, May 22 (IANS) The first session of the newly elected 32-member Sikkim assembly commenced Friday with former tourism minister K.T. Gyaltsen being elected as the new speaker of the house.

Protem Speaker Menlom Lepcha swore in all the members of the new Sikkim Legislative Assembly Friday morning. M.B. Dahal was elected as the deputy speaker.

“I shall carry out my duties in the true spirit of parliamentary practices and traditions of democracy. I welcome all the new members to this first sitting of the eighth assembly,” Gyaltsen said.

The proceedings of the house started Friday with the introduction of the 11-member council of ministers by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, who is also the leader of the house.

Chamling said that the way in which the elections in Sikkim had turned out was a big indicator of a “changing trend” in the state.

“I congratulate the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on their achievement,”

Referring to the fact that the elections went off peacefully with no report of post- poll violence, Chamling said: “The maintenance of peace and sanctity here in Sikkim despite it being a border state is a big achievement for the entire country.”

“Elections in Sikkim have been the most peaceful. This is due to the exemplary work of the administration and also the people of the state who have been able to exercise their democratic rights in a free and fair manner. The opposition has accepted the mandate of the people which is a very good sign for the state,” he added.

With Chamling’s Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) sweeping the elections, wresting all 32 assembly constituencies and the only Lok Sabha seat, the ruling party faces no opposition in the house.

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Innovative apparel designs by Sikkim women

May 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, May 20 (ANI): Banking on their creative traits, women of Sikkim have emerged in the forefront of apparel designing.

The credit for this could be attributed to the Directorate of Handloom and Handicraft of Sikkim for setting up an Apparel Training and Design Centre (ATDC) where young girls and women undergo extensive training in fashion designing.

The main aim of the training programme conducted by this institute is to upgrade the artistic designers in the garment industry.

Apart from basic skills, the students are taught and given exposure to the apparel manufacturing technology, textile design, knitting garments, embroidery, fashion sampling, patterns and cutting, ornamental creations, sewing machine operation and apparel merchandising among others.

Although this training programme is open for both men and women, it is the eves who have been more enterprising and coming forth to learn and master various aspects of apparel designing.

” I was interested in the fashion designing world. I was waiting for this kind of opportunity,” said Ashwina Lama, a trainee.

Apart from imparting the art of apparel design, the Directorate of Handloom and Handicraft has also set up an apparel unit solely for women at the ATDC.

“By this training we would like to give them employment opportunities not only within the state but outside the state also. Especially, you must have now come to know that placement is guaranteed in this training programme. So, it is not necessary for our young girls and boys after completing this training programme to go and join garment industry available in the other states but now they can start their own unit,” said Namrata Thapa, Director of Handloom and Handicrafts, Sikkim and Director, ATDC.

The women who have ‘graduated’ from ATDC have several vocational options like making uniforms for police, army and different other professions.

Apparel industry in India plays a significant role related to the textile industry. The fashion designing as a profession is maintaining its pace with the new trends and allied techniques. By Tashi Pradhan (ANI)

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Chamling takes oath as Sikkim Chief Minister

May 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, May 20 (ANI): A twelve- member new Sikkim Cabinet takes oath of office here today.

Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh administered the oath of office and secrecy to Pawan Kumar Chamling and his Cabinet colleagues at Raj Bhavan.

Earlier, Chamling submitted resignation of his council of ministers to Singh on Tuesday and staked claim to form the next government.

Singh had invited Chamling to form the next government on the basis of the majority being enjoyed by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF).

On Monday, party’s all 32 MLAs met at Chamling’s official residence, Mintokgang, and unanimously elected the 59 year-old Chamling the SDF Legislative Party leader.

First time MLA Neeru Sewa from West Pendam (SC) seat proposed a resolution for the election of the SDF President as the legislature party leader. Another MLA, C B Karki seconded it. All the other legislators supported it.

This is Chamling’s fourth successive term as Chief Minister of the state. (ANI)

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Chamling to take oath as Sikkim Chief Minister today

May 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, May 20 (ANI): A twelve- member new Sikkim Cabinet is being sworn- in here today.

Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Pawan Kumar Chamling and his Cabinet colleagues at Raj Bhavan.

Earlier, Chamling submitted resignation of his council of ministers to Singh on Tuesday and staked claim to form the next government.

Singh invited Chamling to form the next government on the basis of the majority being enjoyed by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF).

On Monday, party’s all 32 MLAs met at Chamling’s official residence, Mintokgang, and unanimously elected the 59 year-old Chamling the SDF Legislative Party leader.

First time MLA Neeru Sewa from West Pendam (SC) seat proposed a resolution for the election of the SDF President as the legislature party leader.

Another MLA, C B Karki seconded it. All the other legislators supported it.

This will be Chamling’s fourth successive term as Chief Minister of the state. (ANI)

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Sikkim Chief Minister submits resignation

May 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, May 19 (ANI): Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling on Tuesday submitted the resignation of his council of ministers to Governor B P Singh.

The Governor accepted the resignation and asked him to continue in his post till the formation of the next government.

Singh invited Chamling to form the next government on the basis of the majority being enjoyed by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF).

The new SDF government led by Chamling will take oath on May 20. Preparations are underway for the hosting of the ceremony at the Raj Bhavan, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the outgoing assembly stands dissolved from today after the outgoing government recommended its dissolution to the Governor.

On Monday, party’s all 32 MLAs met at Chamling’s official residence, Mintokgang, and unanimously elected the 59 year-old Chamling the SDF Legislative Party leader.

This will be Chamling’s fourth successive term as Chief Minister of the state. (ANI)

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Chamling to stake claim to form new State Govt. on Tuesday

May 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, May 19 (ANI): Sikkim Chief Minister and the Sikkim Democratic Front leader Pawan Kumar Chamling will stake claim to form new government in the State on Tuesday after submitting the resignation of his council of ministers to Governor B. P. Singh.

The new SDF government led by Chamling will take oath on May 20 (Wednesday). Preparations are underway for the hosting of the ceremony at the Raj Bhavan, the sources said.

The assembly will stand dissolved from Tuesday.

The outgoing SDF govt. has already recommended to the Governor for dissolving the 7th Legislative Assembly, which Singh accepted.

On Monday, party’s all 32 MLAs met at Chamling’s official residence, Mintokgang, and unanimously elected the 59 year-old Chamling the SDF Legislative Party leader.

This will be Chamling’s fourth successive term as chief minister of the state. (ANI)

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Woodcarving training institute a boon for youth in Sikkim

May 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, May 14 (ANI): Apart from its natural beauty, Sikkim is also known for its arts and crafts. The Government of Sikkim is trying to keep alive this rich legacy by encouraging youth to continue their woodcarving skills.

To promote and preserve the ethnic arts of the state, an institute in Sikkim has taken the initiative to train individuals in woodcarving.

To give boost to the cottage art and craft of Sikkim, the Directorate of Handloom and Handicraft also known as the Government Institute of Cottage Industries, is imparting training in traditional art of woodcarving and painting to youth.

The institute is located near the main market of Gangtok. It offers a three-year woodcarving course with comprehensive training in the art of mask carving as well as other woodcrafts of traditional designs.

“After training, the trainees are given certificates. They can work in the institute or on their own as well. The state Government is also providing loans and the benefits are good. After getting the loans, they can set up their own shops for wood carving, cane and bamboo for designs and decorations,” said Karma Thinlay Bhutia, instructor, Director of Handloom and Handicraft in Sikkim.

“We get about 10 to 15 painting contracts. One painting contract is worth rupees 300 to 400 and every month it totals up to around Rs. 7,000 to 8,000 which is sufficient for us,” said Bhichung Bhutia, Craftsman.

The latent talent of students are honed to enable them to create traditional and contemporary designs and high-quality work.

The institute is making a major contribution to the craft-making industry by supplying it with skilled and capable workers.

The programme is open to unemployed talented youth and crafts persons of the state and enables them to explore their potential and earn a livelihood as well.

Woodcraft holds big potential from employment generation point of view as well as for export purposes too.

“After honing my skills here I will work in this institute as a daily wage worker and earn my livelihood,” said Som Tshering Lepcha, a trainee.

“We are learning the old Sikkimese art during training. Once it’s over we can work to earn a living,” said Sonam Tasi Lepcha, trainee.

Apart from imparting knowledge, skills and information about the potential of the craft, the institute also produces and encourages many craftsmen who will keep alive and preserve the heritage of the state. By Tashi Pradhan (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: art and craft, arts and crafts, comprehensive training, Contemporary Designs, employment generation, ethnic arts, export purposes, Gangtok, government institute, government of sikkim, Handloom, latent talent, livelihood, natural beauty, quality work, rich legacy, rupees, talented youth, Woodcarving, woodcraft, woodcrafts

Sikkim youth learn traditional art of carving and painting

May 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, May 2 (ANI): An institute in Sikkim has taken the initiative to train the youngsters in carving wood.

The institute, Directorate of Handloom and Handicraft, located near the main market of Gangtok, is imparting training in the traditional art of carving and painting to the youth.

Woodcraft of various designs and patterns such as the eight lucky signs,ragons and birds of Sikkim, which are embodiment of teaching of Buddha is taught to the students.

Designs are first drawn by the students who start carving on the wood andater paint it.

Woodcarving is a 3-year course given to the students with comprehensive training in the art of mask carving, including other woodcrafts of traditional designs such as the eight lucky signs and dragons.

In thangka painting, students are taught from the very basics. Apart from learning the vital art of sketching, they learn making graphic lining and colour combination.

“We conduct a test of a group of boys and girls. After the test, weecide and categorize them according to their capabilities. Students who have the best knowledge and catch up designs quickly, we absorb them in the thangka painting. Students who are little weak are absorbed in wood carving and very weak students are sent in bamboo carving,” said Karma Thinlay Lepcha, an instructor.

The whole process of carving and painting requires a lot of concentrationnd patience, as colours have to be matched according to traditional stylesnd designs of Buddhism.

“The painting that we make are of mythological Dragon and Sikkimese birds, which are Buddhist symbols used at every monastery and slowly I am realizing that the work I am doing is an important one as it promotes our tradition and culture,” said Bhaichung Bhutia, a student.

Typical designs like dragons, birds and phoenix are a common feature inuddhist wood artifacts. Many Buddhist monasteries and buildings in Sikkim are decorated with symbols and icons, carved on the exquisite woods. By Tashi Pradhan (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: boys and girls, Buddhist Monasteries, buddhist symbols, carving wood, Colour Combination, comprehensive training, embodiment, Gangtok, handicraft, Handloom, lucky signs, monastery, ragons, Sikkim, Tashi, teaching of buddha, Thangka Painting, typical designs, vital art, wood artifacts, woodcraft, woodcrafts, youngsters

Pilgrimage tourism in Sikkim gets a boost

April 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, Apr 25 (ANI): With an aim to give a fillip to the pilgrimage tourism in Sikkim, a Buddhist hub, the royal Bhutan Airlines has started a service between Bhutan and West Bengal has decided to link Sikkim, benefiting the Buddhist Circuit area.

Lukendra Rasaily, General Secretary, Travel Agents Association Of Sikkim (TAAS), said that with the promotion of the Buddhist Circuit a lot more tourists would visit Sikkim.

“We used to wait for the spill over of the tourists from Bangkok, Thailand and South East Asia. But now, we have a Buddhist Circuit here and unlike South East Asia its full of Buddhists so if we take that market only and forget about the European sector. A lot of people would be interested in coming to Sikkim and from there they also get an opportunity to go to Bhutan which is an exotic place in this region,” said Rasaily.

Jamso, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Druk Air said that the airline is looking into the possibility of some more routes to link additional places of Buddhist interest.

“One of the future routes which we are looking at is from Bagdogra Airport to Kathmandu. If we can achieve that then we will be able to have the Buddhist Circuit of Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan. We are already connected with Tibet. I think the whole Buddhist Circuit will actually take place,” said Jamso.

Sikkim is known for its pagodas, Gompas and monasteries.

Tibetan Buddhism is hugely prevalent in Sikkim.

Buddhism was introduced in Tibet in the 8th century AD. Later it spread onto Sikkim and other nearby places. By Tashi Pradhan (ANI)

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Sikkim authorities battle to retrieve dead bodies from under collapsed dam

April 18, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok (Sikkim), Apr 18 (ANI): Authorities in Gangtok, Sikkim, have said that it will take two to three days to recover the bodies of twelve workers who drowned after the Rangpo Dam collapsed earlier this week.

Rangpo Dam is located near Rongli in East Sikkim District.

According to the officials, the tunnel is flooded with the gushing waters of the River Rongli, and efforts are still being made to retrieve the 12 bodies.

The length of the tunnel is about 1100 meters.

The concerned authorities said that it would take them two to three days to clear the water from the tunnel.

The dam has been built by the Gati Infrastructure Limited, a private company for a 99 megawatts hydroelectric project. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: ANI, Apr, authorities, company, Dam, dead bodies, East Sikkim District, Gangtok, Gati, Hydroelectric Project, Infrastructure, length, limited, megawatts, private company, project, Rangpo, river, Rongli, Sikkim, tunnel, water, week

With high girl child enrolment, Sikkim gets new education scheme

April 7, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, April 6 (IANS) Sikkim girls are far ahead of the boys in school enrolment, the ratio standing at 113 girls to 100 boys. This is the highest in the entire northeast, and to maintain the trend the central government has ushered in a new scheme, according to an official.

‘Sikkim has done very well and has stolen the march over other northeastern states. The girl child enrolment here is very high, which a very good sign,’ Rudra Poudyal, director of the human resource development department, told IANS Monday.

Focusing on the universalisation of secondary education, the scheme has been launched under the 11th Five-Year Plan starting this year.

The new scheme will see the allocation of new model schools keeping in consideration the educationally and otherwise backwardness of the entire northeast region.

Success would be wholly financed by the central government in the first year and from the second to the fifth year, the central government would contribute 90 percent, five percent will be funded by the state and five percent by the Ministry of Development of Northeast Region (DONER).

Poudyal said the central government had now recognised the need of further developing education in the region and has, therefore, chalked out new schemes and facilities.

The government was also initiating the Northeast scholarship schemes and full computerized education for higher secondary students in the northeast region, for which Rs.60 billion has been earmarked among others.

‘In the northeast even the gross enrolment in standard IX is rising with our average in the country being 90 percent. We are moving forward and getting over the negative reality of high school dropout rates, we are doing well,’ Poudyal said.

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