Sikkim | SilverScorpio.Com

Indo-China trade begins through Nathula today

May 3, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Gangtok, May 3 (ANI): Border trade between India and China through Nathula in Sikkim will begin from Monday.

In 2006, both India and China agreed to reopen the traditional trade route after 42 years.

The route shall remain open from Monday to Thursday every week, from 7.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Indian time and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Chinese time.

Incidentally, the Nathula- Tsomgo Road re-opened from Monday, after remaining closed from April 12 due to landslide.

The Nathula border trade has witnessed a tremendous growth with exports soaring from a mere Rs 8.87 lakh during 2006-07 to Rs 135 lakh in the year ended 2009-10.

Simultaneously there has been a steady decline in imports.

However, a major concern in border trade has been the revision in the list of items of trade. The Sikkim Government is pursuing the matter with the Centre.

The other grey area is road infrastructure leading to the trade destination mart at Sherathang before Nathula, where, under the Border Area Development Project (BADP), the broadening of the road is going on but is periodically halted due to the monsoon and landslides.

In the year 2007-2008, the trading period was revised from May 1 to November 30.

Trade in the last four years were: Export from India to Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR): 2006-07 – Rs 8.87 lakh; 2007-08 – Rs 27.87 lakh; 2008-09 – Rs 95 lakh; 2009-10 – Rs135 lakh.

Import from TAR to India: Rs10.83 lakh; Rs6.88 lakh; Rs1.35 lakh; Rs 2.96 lakh.

There has been no change in trade items and it remains the same, i.e., 29 exportable items from India to TAR and 15 items from TAR to India.

Since the term border trade is to be construed as trade opened for the people of the border area only and for items produced in local area of limited value, the Indian Government has fixed the currency value limited to Rs one lakh per day per trader from 2007-08.

The State Commerce and Industries Department has advised the District Collector and District Magistrate (East) for issuance of trade passes to the traders at the earliest to enable the traders to prepare themselves for trading. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: border area, border trade, China Trade, Chinese Time, Currency Value, district magistrate, grey area, Indian Government, indian time, indo china, lakh, road infrastructure, rs 2, rs 8, rs one, Rs10, Sikkim, State Commerce, Steady Decline, Tibet Autonomous Region

Cultural fest ”Octave 2010” concludes in Kolkata

April 1, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Kolkata, Apr 1 (ANI): A three-day cultural festival, ”Octave 2010”, showcasing northeastern cultural heritage, has concluded in Kolkata.

The festival was organised by the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) between March 29 and March 31.

Over 200 dancers, musicians, crafts persons from Arunachal Pradesh , Assam , Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland , Sikkim and Tripura were participated in the event.

“Here in EZCC we were organised a programme called ”Octave”, where we were presented the folk art and the culture of the north eastern states. There were eight northeastern states as we know, but many of us don”t know about the richness of their culture. So we have arranged the programme. Here we were presented folk dances of all the eight northeastern states. In addition to that, we have also organised a fashion parade,” said Dr. Jayanta Sthanapati, Director of the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC).

Handicrafts from all the northeastern states were put on display at the stalls.

“I liked coming here. There is a lot to see at the stalls. There are traditional costumes of all the northeastern states; there is a lot of bamboo handicraft. It is all very good,” said Deepti Raha, a visitor.

Participants from these states performed traditional folk dances.

A fashion show was also held where traditional garments of the northeastern states were showcased. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: arunachal pradesh, Assam, Bamboo Handicraft, cultural heritage, eastern states, fashion parade, Fashion show, Folk Art, handicrafts, Manipur, meghalaya, Mizoram, nagaland, northeastern states, octave, Sikkim, Traditional Costumes, Traditional Folk Dances, Traditional Garments, tripura

Sikkim promotes traditional sports

September 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gangtok, Sep 17(ANI): In order to preserve the essence of its culture, Sikkim is trying to revive its age-old traditional sports like archery, and bamboo fight, which are an indispensable ingredient of the culture of the state.

In order to preserve the indigenous culture, which is being taken over by sports like Mountain Biking, Trekking, River Rafting and Yak Safari, people residing in Kyonsa village organized various cultural events organized by Kyonsa Samaj organizing committee.

“Our main aim is to popularize the old system of sports. We mainly focus on Footballs, Volleyball and Archery. Our endeavor is to keep the traditional old style of sports in our rural areas. And the most important thing is to entertain the public,” said Sonam Bhutia, member of Kyonsa Samaj organizing committee.

A large number of people turned out to witness and take part in the event.

“As a young Sikkimese what I feel is that such rural sports encourage and bring out the best in the villagers who come out from various remote areas. All Sikkim people, they come out and gather for the big occasion. The rural sports bring back the old charm feeling. It preserves the dying out traditional sports,” said Anand Lepcha, a local.

Such initiatives will go a long way in preserving the identity of the people of Sikkim and will ensure that the future generation remains connected to its traditions. By Tashi Pradhan (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: Archery, endeavor, footballs, Future Generation, Indigenous Culture, indispensable ingredient, mountain biking, old charm, old style, organizing committee, River Rafting, rural areas, rural sports, safari, Samaj, Sikkim, Tashi, Traditional Archery, traditional sports, Trekking, volleyball, Yak

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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NSA to convene China Study Group meeting to discuss incursion fallout

September 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep.17 (ANI): National Security Advisor M K Narayanan will hold a meeting of the China Study Group – consisting of top officials including Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar and Secretaries of Defence, Home and Foreign Ministries – here today.

The meeting is expected to take stock of the situation along the Sino-India border, official sources said.

Besides Chandrasekhar, the meeting will be attended by Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, Home Secretary G K Pillai and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao.

Top officials of the three armed forces and the Intelligence Bureau will also attend the meeting.

The meeting assumes significance in wake of recent reports of incursions by the Chinese army in Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, involving the air dropping of expired food canes, painting of rocks red among others.

Another media report said that two Chinese Sukhoi fighters had transgressed into Indian air space last month.

The Indian Air Force, however, says no unscheduled flight inside Indian air space had taken place last month. (ANI)

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Farmers learn mushroom cultivation at a festival in Himachal

September 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Chambaghat (HP), Sep 11 (ANI): Over 600 farmers from across the country learned about mushroom growing and marketing in a one day festival held at Chambaghat in Himachal Pradesh.he Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR) had organised the fair at Chambaghat in Solan district where farmers from 14 states, including Sikkim, Jharkhand and southern Tamil Nadu, had taken part.

The primary aim of the fair was to disseminate the latest information and data acquired at the research centre and promote mushroom farming as a business crop. The research centre has developed new varieties of mushrooms including, Austere, Adistra and Shiitake.

Manjeet Singh, Director, the Directorate of Mushroom Research, said such fairs are important to bring mushroom growers at one platform and equip them with the latest development taking in the field.

“I think when you go to such fairs you get a chance to directly interact with experts and scientists and secondly you interact with other mushroom growers who are into this business and both these interactions are very important for starting or proliferating into mushroom production business,” Manjeet Singh added.

Farmers said such should be organised more often and in various places.

“Such fairs are very important for us because farmers, scientists and experts come here from different states and exchange their information. They learn about mushroom growing and marketing and find solutions to related problems,” said Basant Kumar Gupta, a mushroom farmer.

Farmers were seen interested in learning about cultivating Ganoderma mushroom variety, which is known for its medicinal properties.

The fair which has been organised for the past 15 years has popularised and motivated farmers to grow mushrooms. (ANI)

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Cabinet approves recognition of ancient Sowa-Rigpa medical system

September 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 10 (ANI): The Union Cabinet today approved the Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2009 for amending the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970.

“Sowa-Rigpa” commonly known as ‘Amchi’ is one of the oldest surviving system of medicine in the world, popular in the Himalayan region of India. In India this system is practiced in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling (West Bengal), Lahoul and Spiti (Himachal Pradesh) and Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The theory and practices of “Sowa-Rigpa” are similar to Ayurveda, and also include few principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The fundamental text book rgyud-bzi of “Sowa-Rigpa” is believed to have been taught by Buddha himself and is closely linked with Buddhist philosophy. he Government of India has received representations from various quarters to grant recognition to the System of “Sowa-Rigpa” to enable it get a legal status.

To confer legal status to “Sowa-Rigpa” amendments to section 2,3,8,9 and 17 of the Indian Medicine Central Council Act 1970, need to be carried out.

The proposed amendments shall give effect to the inclusion of “Sowa-Rigpa” under sections 2,3,8,9 and 17 of the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970 thereby recognizing this system legally.

It is expected that the legal recognition of “Sowa-Rigpa” will lead to the protection and preservation of this ancient system of medicine and will help in its propagation and development. This will also open new vistas leading to collaborative research and scientific validation of the “Sowa-Rigpa” system, besides conservation and protection of the medicinal plants/minerals used in the system.

The recognition of “Sowa-Rigpa” will also lead to the setting up of a mechanism to regulate the education and practice of “Sowa-Rigpa”. (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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PM to give away National Awards to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises today

August 28, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 28 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will give away the National Awards to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises here today.

The function is being organized by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

Dinsha Patel, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for MSME will preside over the function.

National Awards were instituted in 1983 for outstanding entrepreneurship in Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).

The Awards are given to MSMEs for outstanding performance in Entrepreneurship, Research and Development and Quality; to banks for lending to the micro and small sector; to honour one outstanding woman entrepreneur; and one outstanding entrepreneur from SC/ST community.

Special recognition awards are also given in all categories for performance above a certain cut-off level.

The awards are given for various categories in research and development efforts, entrepreneurship and quality products.

The first, second and third National Awards carry a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000/-, Rs. 75,000/- and Rs. 50,000/- respectively, a certificate and a trophy.

A Special Recognition to those MSMEs scoring marks above 80 per cent and 50 per cent (in case of North-Eastern Region including Sikkim) is given a cash prize of Rs. 20,000/-, a certificate and a trophy.

These awards are given at State level functions organized by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises-Development Institutes of respective states.

The category of Outstanding Entrepreneurship includes (First, Second and Third), Special Awards, at par with the First National Award, to honour an outstanding women entrepreneur, an outstanding entrepreneur from SC/ST and an entrepreneur from North Eastern Region, two (First and Second) awards for Medium Enterprises engaged in manufacturing and two (First and Second) awards for MSEs rendering services.

The First, Second and Third National Awards for Micro and Small Enterprises for 2008 will be awarded to entrepreneurs from Maharashtra, West Bengal and Gujarat respectively.

A woman entrepreneur from Andhra Pradesh has won the Special Award under the category of women entrepreneurs and special award for SC/ST entrepreneur has gone to Gujarat. A women entrepreneur from Sikkim has won the Special Award from NER.

The first and second National Awards for Medium Enterprise has been won by entrepreneurs from Karnataka and Rajasthan respectively. An entrepreneur from Haryana won first National Award and entrepreneur from Kerala won the second award for the Micro and Small Enterprises rendering Services. Special Recognition Awards will also be given to entrepreneurs/enterprises.

The category of Research and Development in MSMEs include two awards (First and Second) for Micro and Small Enterprises.

The next category includes certain Quality Product groups selected each year. One National Award is given for each category of the selected products.

The National Awards for Quality Products 2008 will be given to eligible entrepreneurs for nine products i.e. (1) Woolen Blankets and Shawls and Stoles (2) Electric Wires and Cables (3) Fasteners (Nuts, Bolts and Screws) (4) Auto Parts -Metallic (Non-electrical) (5) Dairy Products (6) Ceramic Table ware (7) Plastic Extruded Products (8) Paints and Varnishes (9) Non-Leather Footwear (all types). Special Recognition awards will be given to 14 entrepreneurs/enterprises.

The National Awards Scheme has had a positive impact on the MSMEs. The awardees have benefited by way of larger orders booked, higher credibility with bankers and improvement in brand image. (ANI)

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Natives of Kyonsa in Sikkim to promote pillow fighting, pole climbing

August 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kyonsa (Sikkim), Aug 27(ANI): The local residents of Kyonsa region in Sikkim gathered in huge numbers on Thursday to take part in an event to promote their age-old rural game of bamboo pole climbing and pillow fighting.

The locals shouted and cheered as the participants climbed bamboo poles and battered each other in pillow fights – reviving a practice that is slowly dying in the face of modern sports like soccer and volleyball.

“Our main aim is to preserve this old system of sports. Nowadays, we mainly focus on sports like football, archery and volleyball but our aim is to keep this traditional style of sports alive in our rural areas and entertain the public on such an occasion,” said Sonam Bhutia, General Secretary of Kyonsa Samaj Organizing Committee.

Sonam further said this was also a way of preserving their identity and by promoting this form of sport in the rural areas, the youth will learn more about their own traditions and not be swayed by modern sports such as football.

“Such rural sports encourage us and bring out the best in the all the villages who come from different areas. Here people come and gather for an occasion like this one. In this way we can preserve our age old sports which our earlier generations have been playing from a very long time,” said Anand Lepcha, a local.

The event was also marked by some spectacular dance performances. (ANI)

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Sikkim boy spreads awareness on social issues with motorbike stunts

August 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Gayshing (Sikkim), Aug.27 (ANI): In a unique act, a 21-year-old man in Sikkim is spreading social awareness among youth against drug addiction, excessive drinking and on AIDS by performing various stunts on motorbike.

Milan Pradhan, stunt rider, fascinates large number of crowds as he performs various formidable stunts on motorbike.

All the time Pradhan is riding, popping wheelies or sometimes burning rubber.

He performed recently in Gayshing town of Sikkim with another stunt rider.

“I want to give the message to young boys that by doing stunts you can earn a very good name and ensure a bright future. You will get busy in some work. You will forget about drugs once you are busy. By sitting in a room and taking drugs will not achieve spoil your name but stunts will make your future,” says Milan Pradhan, stunt rider.

He says the young boys love motorcycling and if they could be drawn into stunt riding which needs a high level of fitness and concentration, it will keep youngsters busy in a constructive way and they will have less chances of getting into drug habits.

Pradhan is a college student. He devotes most of his time learning new motorbike driving skills in style, when he is not attending classes or doing assignments.

He tells that he started trying stunt-riding when he was in his early teenage. The family was hesitant to allow him try hand on motorbike stunts.

But Pradhan managed to convince them by showing his daredevil spirit, which helped him keep away from attracted to drugs.

His love for performing tricks on motorbike has led him to appear for the MTV ‘Stuntmania’ and now he wants to pursue stunt biking to a greater level.

Organisers of the event said that generally the youth are interested in fast life, which sometimes can trap them into drug-addiction and anti-social activities. Motorcycle race or stunt riding can give them alternatives that match with their fast life but in a positive way.

“Biking goes very well with the present-day youth. The youth are very interested in fast cars, fast bikes. And with the fast life comes the very possibility of getting drawn to drug addiction, alcoholism and also the fear of AIDS. So with the youth coming and watching such programmes… we want to motivate them towards like diverting their lifestyle or mind to constructive things,” said Anand, organiser of the bike stunt show.

Organisers say such events will go a long way in attracting the youth to stunts and thereby indirectly diverting their minds from drugs and alcoholism.

Sikkim is located in the foothills of the Himalayas and shares international borders with Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. The northeastern belt, including Sikkim, has recently become a favourite transit point used by drug peddlers for smuggling drugs.

The unofficial data shows that use of alcohol has traditionally been prevalent among the local people. The state government has been running campaigns to create awareness on drugs and associated HIV/AIDS.

Alcohol use is traditionally prevalent in Sikkim and National Family Health Survey-2, Government of India, shows a significant prevalence of alcohol use in Sikkim- Boys (32%) and Girls (17%) among above 15 years of age. By Tashi Pradhan (ANI)

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First installment of CAMPA to be released to eight States today

August 18, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 18 (ANI): The first installment of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) will be disbursed to eight states in the country today.

The states who have opened their State CAMPA account will receive this fund.

These states are Uttarakhand, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Sikkim, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Assam.

Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said as per CAMPA guidelines, states who have opened their CAMPA accounts will get electronic transfer of the fund.

Ramesh said the forest sector is getting historic opportunity to get funds from six different channels.

Apart from the CAMPA, it is the NAREGA, intensification of infrastructure management, traditional national afforestation programme and integrated development of wildlife habitats.

Besides regeneration of forests, this amount will be used for human resources development, recruitments of new posts and data management.

It is the State who has to decide how much funds it can absorb for regeneration and betterment of forests and allied sectors, Ramesh said.

He also appealed to come out of the mindset to bring 33 per cent of geographical area under forests.

He explained that we should now concentrate on regeneration of degraded forest area in such a way that it migrates to medium density forest cover, medium density forest area to high density area and put efforts for conservation and preservation of high density forest area which will turn into heavy carbon sink.

Presentations were made on the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, new scheme initiatives, strategies for increasing forest and tree cover, Tribal Right Act and wildlife conservation.(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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Sangeet Akademi Awards presentation today

July 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, July 14 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil will confer the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Akademi Awards for 2008 at a special ceremony at Vigyan Bhavan today.
The Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna) and Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) are recognized as the highest national honour conferred on practicing artists, gurus and scholars and have come to stay as the most coveted honour, which the artistes aspire to.

This year, the most coveted honour of Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna) will be conferred on eminent personalities in the field of performing arts namely Sitara Devi, eminent Kathak exponent from Mumbai, Khaled Chowdhury, eminent stage designer from Kolkata, R.C. Mehta, eminent scholar of performing arts from Vadodara and Bhupen Hazarika, eminent personality in the field of performing arts and noted folk musician from Guwahati.

The Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna Sadyasta) carries a purse of Rs 1, 00,000/-, besides a citation, an angavastram and a tamrapatra.

The Akademi Fellowship is restricted to 30 living persons at any given point of time.

The General Council of the Akademi also selected 34 practitioners of music, dance and theatre for 33 awards including one joint award for the Akademi Puraskar (Akademi Award) for the year 2008.

The Akademi Award carries a purse money of Rs 50,000/-, citation, angavastram and tamrpatra.

In the field of music, eight eminent artists namely Ulhas Kashalkar and M.R. Gautam for Hindustani Vocal Music; Ramesh Mishra (Sarangi) and Krishna Ram Chaudhary (Shehnai) for Hindustani Instrumental Music; Puranam Purushottama Sastri for Carnatic Vocal; B. Sasi Kumar (Violin) and Manrgudi A. Easwaran (Mridangam) for Carnatic Instrumental Music and Ningombam Ibobi Singh (Nata Sankirtana, Manipur) for Other Major Traditions of Music have been selected.

In the field of dance, nine eminent practioners namely Saroja Vaidyanathan, Bharatanatyam; Shashi Shankhla, Kathak; Kalamandalam Kuttan, Kathakali; Ramani Ranjan Jena, Odissi; M. Vasanthalakshmi and M.V. Narasimhachari (Joint Award), Kuchipudi; Kalamandalam Leelamma, Mohiniattam; Yogsunder Desai, Creative and Experimental Dance and Ramhari Das, Music for Dance (Odissi) have been selected.

In the field of theatre, eight eminent persons namely Markand Bhatt and Arundhati Nag for Acting, S. Ramanujam and Probir Guha for Direction, Mudra Rakshasa (Hindi) and Narsingh Dev.

Jamwal (Dogri) for Playwriting, Amba Sanyal for Allied Theatre Arts (Costume Designing) and Bansi Lal Khilari (Khayal, Rajasthan) for Major Traditions of Theatre have been selected.

For their contribution to other traditional/folk/ tribal music/ dance/ theatre, Shakuntala Nagarkar, Lavani (Maharastra); Birabar Sahoo, Gotipua (Orissa); Mangi Bai Arya, Mand (Rajasthan); L. Heramot Meitei, Thang-Ta (Martial Art, Manipur); Lakha Khan Mangniyar, Folk Music (Rajasthan); Hilda Mit Lepcha, Lepcha Music (Sikkim); Kartar Singh, Gurbani (Punjab) and Lakshman Das, Hari Katha (Karnataka) have been selected.

R. Satyanarayana of Kartanaka has been selected his Scholarship in Performing Arts. (ANI)

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No proposal with Central Govt. to introduce Bill for police reforms

July 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, July 7 (ANI): The Centre today informed the Lok Sabha that in light of the recommendations made by the Soli Sorabjee Committee there is no proposal under government’s consideration to introduce a Bill on police reforms.

“Police is a state subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution and therefore, police reforms is primarily the responsibility of the state government,” Minister of State for Home Affairs Mullapally Ramachandran said in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

“There is no proposal under consideration to introduce a Bill on Police Reforms” he added.

Ramachandran said his ministry had set up the Sorabjee Committee to draft a Model Police Act in September 2005, which submitted its report along with Model Police Act on 30th October 2006.

He said the copy of the Act was sent to all states and Union Territories for consideration and appropriate action.

“As per available information, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Uttrakhand have either framed new police Act or amended the existing one.” (ANI)

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Darjeeling highway blocked by landslides

July 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Darjeeling, July 4 (ANI): Landslides following heavy rains have snapped road links between the hills of West Bengal and Sikkim.

Twenty houses along National Highway-31 near Sevoke have also collapsed. Several vehicles are stranded in the area.

Landslides also occurred at Rambhi and Kalijhora.

The Border Roads Organization (BRO) and the local administration are removing the debris to enable vehicular movement at the earliest.

“Heavy rain in the night led to heavy landslides at seven places in Sevoke region causing great damage to roads. We have called in the local administration and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to help support us to remove the debris at the earliest. We have got the earthmovers working but we are not sure of when we can finish,” said Krishna Kanta Das, a police officer.

The landslides have also disrupted road link between India and China via the Nathu La Pass, which forms a part of National Highway-31. (ANI)

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Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa lag behind in providing toilet facilities in rural households

July 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, July 3 (ANI): Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa figure among the list of states lagging behind when it comes to providing the toilet facilities in rural households.

“The percentage of rural households without toilet facilities in Bihar stands at 72.58 percent while in Jharkhand 69.08 percent households lack the basic sanitation. In Orissa 64.79 percent rural households are without the toilet facilities,” said Union Minister Of Rural Development C.P.Joshi in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

In sharp contrast Sikkim is the only state in the country, which has achieved a unique distinction of having achieved Universal Sanitation with no backlogs while Kerala and Tripura are on the way to achieve the similar feat.

The findings appear in the backdrop of a nationwide Total Sanitation Campaign . The campaign was launched by the Central Government in 1977 to provide toilet facility in each and every household in the rural areas of the country.

Based on the proposals received, Total Sanitation Campaign projects (to be implemented over a period of 4-5 years) have been approved for 593 rural districts in the country since the inception of TSC.

The major components of the TSC include information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, incentive of Rs. 1500 from Government of India and Rs. 700 from State Government per toilet for BPL households to construct toilets, provision of toilets in schools and Anganwadis, provision of community toilets, rural sanitary marts, etc. and assistance for village solid and liquid waste management.

Since it is a demand – driven program, funds are released as per eligibility criteria based on utilization of funds by the districts. (ANI)

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Sikkim University ~ Sikkim University Admission Test 2009 Result ~ 2009 Sikkim University Test Results ~ Sikkim University result ~ Sikkim University 2009 results ~ www.sikkimuniversity.in ~ 2009 Admission Sikkim University

July 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Sikkim University ~ Sikkim University Admission Test 2009 Result ~ 2009 Sikkim University Test Results ~ Sikkim University result ~ Sikkim University 2009 results ~ www.sikkimuniversity.in ~ 2009 Admission Sikkim University

Sikkim University has declared Results of 2009 Admission Test

These Results are available on Sikkim University Website – http://www.sikkimuniversity.in

Direct Link to Results – http://www.sikkimuniversity.in/webforms/News.aspx?NewsID=20

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No drought in the country: Pawar

June 28, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, June 28 (ANI): Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Sunday said there is no drought-like situation in the country due to a delay in the onset of monsoon rains.

“There is no drought-like situation in the country due to delay in monsoons and the loss would be more than made up for in the rains during July and August,” Pawar said.

He also denied rumours of a price rise, adding that food procurement was better this year compared to last year.

The government had enough reserve food stocks to tackle a drought-like situation should it exist, Pawar said.

Pawar’s reassuring comments came even as the media played up fears of a drought.

The comments assume significance in the wake of the southwest monsoon advancing further into some parts of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and the southern regions of Chhattisgarh and Orissa.

The weatherman has forecast rain or thundershowers in some parts of northwest India, including Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, which are experiencing severe heat-wave conditions.

Even as Manipur declared itself to be drought-hit, the Centre said it had put in place a Crisis Management Plan to deal with the drought the country may face in the wake of the delayed monsoon.

The annual rainfall system is expected to cover some more parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Sikkim in the next three or four days.

Mumbai, which experienced heavy rain on Friday, got some light showers early on Saturday. Delhi too is likely to receive rainfall over the next two to three days. (ANI)

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Indo-China trade begins through Nathula today

Cultural fest ”Octave 2010” concludes in Kolkata

Sikkim promotes traditional sports

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

Farmers learn mushroom cultivation at a festival in Himachal

Cabinet approves recognition of ancient Sowa-Rigpa medical system

Tendong Lho Rum Faat festival celebrated by Lepchas of Sikkim

Popular sculpting statue in Sikkim

PM to give away National Awards to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises today

Natives of Kyonsa in Sikkim to promote pillow fighting, pole climbing

First installment of CAMPA to be released to eight States today

Visually impaired bamboo artist enables others for self-reliance

Sangeet Akademi Awards presentation today

No proposal with Central Govt. to introduce Bill for police reforms

Darjeeling highway blocked by landslides

Sikkim University ~ Sikkim University Admission Test 2009 Result ~ 2009 Sikkim University Test Results ~ Sikkim University result ~ Sikkim University 2009 results ~ www.sikkimuniversity.in ~ 2009 Admission Sikkim University

No drought in the country: Pawar

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