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Gorkha agitation causes immense loss in West Bengal

May 19, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Siliguri, May 19 (ANI): The numerous calls for strikes in west Bengal”s Siliguri have badly affected the economy and development works in the region.

Strikes and shutdowns called by organizations like Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM), Bangla-O-Bangla Bhasha Bachao Committee (BOBBBC) have caused great damage to the region”s economy.

The business machinery in the city mainly consists of retailers, wholesalers, dealers, distributors and small-scale entrepreneurs, all of who have suffered losses.

“Our business is more dependant on the area situation. If strike continues like this, people cannot come on time and it will automatically affect the business,” said Biman Roy, the owner of a shopping center.

With repeated outbreaks of violence in the region over the past two decades, investors have not undertaken any new project in the area, either.

“These types of shutdowns are not in favor of businessmen. One day shutdown in Siliguri itself causes the transaction loss of eight crore rupees and overall transaction loss would be around 12 crore rupees,” said Biswajit Das, Secretary of the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries of North Bengal (FOCIN).

The tourism industry alone employs a large number of people, but due to shutdowns, many tourists reluctant to stay in Siliguri out of fear of violence. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: agitation, bangla, Biman, businessmen, chamber of commerce, crore rupees, decades, gjm, Immense Loss, north bengal, Scale Entrepreneurs, Shopping Center, shutdowns, siliguri, strikes, tourism industry, tourists, Violence, west bengal, wholesalers

Shutdown in Siliguri against separate state demand

May 14, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Siliguri (West Bengal), May 14 (ANI): A regional non-political group, Bangla O Bangla Bhasha Bachao Committee, called for a 24-hour shutdown in West Bengal”s Siliguri District on Friday to protest the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha”s (GJM) demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Opposing the demand of the GJM, the members of the committee said that West Bengal is for Bengalis, and the Gorkhas residing in the hills are outsiders.

“Bangla O Bangla Bhasha Bachao Committee called a 24-hour strike throughout West Bengal to protest and oppose the interim self-government as demanded by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha, which amounts to partition of the state,” said Mukunda Majumdar, President of the Bangla O Bangla Bhasha Bachao Committee.

The streets wore a deserted look and only a few government buses were plying during the shutdown.

The marketplaces and establishments belonging to supporters of the protest also remained closed during the shutdown.

Police personnel were deployed across the city to prevent any clashes.

“We have allowed them to carry out their agitation peacefully. But if they become unruly or stop vehicles and threaten drivers, then we are forced to take action against them,” said Aloke Dasgupta, Inspector in-charge at Siliguri Police Station.

“We have arrested about 12 persons, who indulged in some sort of violence, and have sent them to the police station,” he added.

Gorkhas, who are ethnic Nepalese, have been demanding a separate state in Darjeeling hills, to help them protect their culture and heritage. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: 24-hour, agitation, bengalis, Buses, clashes, darjeeling hills, establishments, gjm, Gorkha, Heritage, Marketplaces, nepalese, Outsiders, partition, police station, political group, self government, siliguri, Violence, west bengal

Maoists want withdrawal of Operation Green Hunt in West Bengal

April 1, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Siliguri, Apr 1 (ANI): Maoists in West Bengal are mobilising the support of Marxist-Leninist Liberation group here to call off ”Operation Green Hunt” launched against them by the Central and State Governments.

A rally was organised by hundreds of workers and supporters of Naxalites here.

During the rally, the demonstrators demanded immediate withdrawal of ”Operation Green Hunt”.

The demonstrators also criticized the price hike on essential commodities.

“We have been raising this issue all over India and we are here to somehow demand that the Central Government, with the help of the State Government, withdraw this ”Operation Green Hunt”. Another issue that we all know that for the last seven months, if not the whole year, because of excessive price hike on essential commodities, the people of India are suffering like anything and neither the central government nor the state government have taken any measures in order to punish the hoarders and the black marketers. So, we are raising such issues,” said Abhijit Majumdar, Siliguri District President of CPI (ML) Liberation.

Most Maoist rebels have ignored calls from the Government to renounce violence and negotiate. Instead, they have stepped up their attacks in recent months, prompting the government to go after them in a concerted strike.

Maoist rebels, had on February 22, offered a conditional 72-day ceasefire through the media, and said they were willing to talk to the government if it aborts Operation Green Hunt. Many believe the offer was a ruse to enable them to regroup.

The Maoists contend they are fighting for the rights of the poor, marginal farmers and the landless labourers. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: ceasefire, Central Government, cpi, demonstrators, District President, Excessive Price, hoarders, landless labourers, maoist, maoist rebels, maoists, marginal farmers, Marxist Leninist, Naxalites, Price Hike, ruse, seven months, siliguri, state governments, west bengal

Security forces succeeding in curbing militancy in North East

March 25, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Siliguri (West Bengal), Mar 25 (ANI): Security personnel who were engaged in countering terrorism in the North East, are gaining the upper hand day by day.

The success of the anti terror operations is restoring confidence in the public.

In one such success, recently security forces, recently arrested the commander-in-chief of the banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), Ningthoujam Tomba and three others from West Bengal’s Siliguri.

Formed in 1995, the KYKL is one of the most active terrorist outfits in Manipur and presently has over 300 members.

The arrest is the result of extensive combined search operation conducted by the West Bengal Police and the Imphal East Commandos.

After receiving information about the whereabouts of some cadres of a proscribed Manipur-based militant group, the KYKL in Siliguri, a team of Imphal Police along with West Bengal Police apprehended Tomba.

Tomba was wanted in over 50 cases.

Police said all the four were trying to escape to Nepal.

One satellite phone, a laptop, six mobile phones and a number of documents have been recovered from arrested militant leader.

According to West Bengal Police, Tomba’s interrogation revealed that he had visited three countries in last one year to collect funds for organisation.

“We have already informed Manipur Police. Many cases have been filed and remained pending against the arrested person. Some members of the organization are functioning outside the state while other are engaged within the state.” Debendra Pratap Singh, SP, Darjeeling District.

A local court has sent Tomba and his three associates to 10 days police custody. (ANI)

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CPI-ML founder Sanyal commits suicide

March 23, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Naxalbari (West Bengal), Mar 23 (ANI): Communist Party of India- Marxist-Leninist (CPI-ML) founder Kanu Sanyal reportedly committed suicide at his home in Naxalbari on Tuesday.

Sources said the dead body of Sanyal, who was not keeping well for the last few days was recovered his house in Naxalbari.

He was one of the key leaders behind the abortive Naxalite insurrection attempt by radical communists to initiate an “Indian revolution” by violent means.

78-year old Sanyal became a prominent figure in the opposition to land acquisition in Singur in December 2006.

On January 18, 2006, Sanyal was arrested with fellow agitators for disrupting a Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express train at the

New Jalpaiguri Railway Station in Siliguri, North Bengal protesting against closures of tea gardens in the region. (ANI)

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Gorkhaland supporters stage a rally in Siliguri

March 19, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Siliguri, Mar 19 (ANI): Activists and supporters of the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJMM) staged a mass rally here on Thursday to hail the tripartite talks with the Central Government in New Delhi with the hopes that the aspirations of Gorkhas in the Darjeeling hills region would be fulfilled.

The rally witnessed hundreds of supporters of GJMM holding flags of Gorkhaland and festoons, speeches and slogans in support of the talks.

The supporters were hopeful that a positive response would come out of the talks and all their demands would be fulfilled.

“We are hopeful that all our demands would be fulfilled. We want that the proposal by the panel should be accepted in the meeting today, the process of Gorkhaland would also be finished gradually,” said Roshni Chettri, a supporter of GJMM.

Meanwhile, in New Delhi, Roshan Giri, General Secretary of GJMM attending the tripartite meet mentioned that the discussion about interim arrangement and territory would be carried out at the political level by May 14.

“We will not back out from our demand for a Gorkhaland. We will continue with our demand for Gorkhaland. The talks about interim arrangement and territory would be carried out at a political level by May 14,” Giri said.

The Gorkhaland Movement has taken a different turn after the GJM proposed the establishment of an interim council till December 31, 2011, as a precursor to the creation of a separate Gorkhaland state.

The Gorkhaland Regional Authority seeks to have legislative powers on matters such as town and country planning, culture and mining of certain minerals.

The Gorkha population in West Bengal is estimated to be around a million. (ANI)

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Durga puja celebrations on a modest scale in Siliguri

September 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Siliguri, Sept 18 (ANI): The festival of Durga Puja is just round the corner. However, this time around, the festival may not be full of pomp and show as compared with previous years in Siliguri.

The festival is known for massive makeshift tents or pandals which are put up by various festival organising committees.

Organising committees vie for making the best and unique pandals worth hundreds of thousands of rupees.

However, global economic slowdown has dampened the pandals-making spirit. Organisers have now to make do with less.

“This year, we have been hit by global recession. We generally depend on advertisements for our revenue, but this time no company has advertised with us. So, we have no other alternatives, but to cut down our budget,” said Sourav Nath, Secretary, Central Colony Puja Committee.

The recession has also pinched decorators as they are getting fewer orders for embellishing pandals.

“Puja committees have trimmed their budgets. This has affected us severely,” said Gopal Sarkar, General-Secretary, North Bengal Decorators Association.

Durga Puja is the biggest festival in Bengal.

The festival is also known as Dussehra and Navaratri in other parts of the country. (ANI)

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Soil erosion poses grave threat to wildlife sanctuary in West Bengal

September 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Sevoke/Siliguri (West Bengal) Sep 5 (ANI): Continuous erosion by Teesta River poses a grave threat to the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and the National Highway along with numerous settlements on its way in Sevoke in West Bengal.

The river Teesta as it flows along the forestland makes meandering channels and the down current is so heavy that it erodes away huge tracts of land every year. The Mahananda sanctuary has already lost large tracts of forestland to the river water.

“Regarding the river Teesta, it poses two threats, one is, for the forest, the Mahananda wildlife sanctuary, along most part of the sanctuary and the other is to the national highway 31 along with the settlements,” said Subir Sarkar, meteorologist, Siliguri.

According to experts, the main reason for the loss of soil is the excessive down cutting by the river. The erosion has been taking place for the past ten years, and has now become a big threat to the flora and fauna, and the people from the various settlements in the area as well.

“The erosion has only been increasing for the past ten years because of the Teesta. The NH 31 is the lifeline of Sikkim. The erosion has been happening in the stretch of almost half a kilometre along the highway,” said Animesh Bose, secretary, Himalayan nature and adventure foundation.

Residents complain that they have lost acres of land and they are living under constant fear.

“Acres of land have been eroded. There is more danger to our village than to the forest. Our village is being affected the most, there is a lot of inconvenience,” said Dorji Sherpa, a resident.

Spread over an area of 159 square kilometres, the Mahananda Wildlife sanctuary situated at the foothills of the Darjeeling Himalayas is home to various animals such as elephants, the one horned rhinoceros, leopards, spotted deer sloth bear, wild dog, boar. The forest also has a dense growth of teak and sal trees. (ANI)

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Fire breaks out in illegal petroleum products godown in West Bengal

September 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Siliguri (West Bengal), Sep 3(ANI): A blazing fire broke out in an unauthorised godown in Siliguri on Thursday, where thousands of illegal petroleum products were stored for long.

The fire broke out in the Niranjan Nagar area of Siliguri at around 8.30 in the morning, and within minutes spread to the two adjacent houses in the vicinity.

Seven fire engines were immediately pressed into service and it took more than three and a half hours to contain the flames.

“We can’t say how the fire broke out, but it did break out in an unauthorized godown where diesel, petrol and kerosene were illegally stored in a barrel. The whole godown was engulfed in flames. We called for the fire brigades and it took seven of them to control the fire. Had they not been arrived on time then the whole village would have been engulfed in flames,” said Tapan Ghosh, the divisional officer of fire brigade.

The villagers on the other hand say that they were completely unaware of this illegal business in their locality until the accident occurred.

“We had no idea about this illegal business of petroleum products in our area. We used to see that oils were being transported or carried and thought that some minor stocks were stored. But it came as a big surprise to us to see such a huge illegal storage of petroleum products. Now we are sure that there are more such unauthorized go downs in our areas,” said Charan Ghosh, a local.

The villagers alleged there were many godowns in the area, which were illegally storing petroleum products. (ANI)

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New foreign trade policy expected to boost Indian tea exports

September 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Silliguri, Sep 1 (ANI): Tea exporters in Siliguri are upbeat, as the new provision bringing the tea industry under the Vishesh Krishi Upaj Yojana (VKUY) scheme in the new foreign trade policy, is expected to give a boost to its export in the global market.

As per the VKUY scheme, the export of tea will be eligible for duty scrip equivalent to five percent of FOB (freight on board) value.ea exporters said this will help them import capital goods and will facilitate value addition.

“Suppose we have sent tea worth some rupees, previously it (duty scrip equivalent) used to be 4 percent now it will be five percent, which will be given in the form of a certificate, which you can easily trade, or you can import certain capital goods, capital goods means better machinery. We can now import machinery from Europe,” said Rajib Lochan, tea exporter, Siliguri.

The new trade policy also reduces the minimum value addition under advance authorisation scheme for tea exports from 100 per cent to 50 per cent, while the DTA (domestic tariff area) sale limit of instant tea by EOU (export oriented units) will be increased from 30 per cent to 50 per cent.

Tea exporters have expressed happiness as they feel that the scheme would help to achieve the target of 200 million kilograms of export every year.

“This is a very good move on part of the government especially at the time when our tea exports are taking a fall due to global recession,” said Ravi Agarwal, another exporter.

India’s tea exports had reportedly fell 19 percent in volume in January-May, as firm domestic demand and low internal production weighed. Total exports during January-May were 60.03 million kg compared with 73.67 million kg.

India exports CTC (crush-tear-curl) tea mainly to Egypt, Pakistan and the UK and the premium orthodox tea to Iraq, Iran and Russia.

India, China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Kenya together produce 75 percent of the total global output. (ANI)

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Photo exhibition showcasing 128-year-old past of heritage railway in Darjeeling

August 26, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Siliguri, Aug 26 (ANI): To create awareness regarding the history and evolution of the heritage railway especially amongst schoolchildren, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) in collaboration with the Siliguri Science Centre has organised a week-long photo exhibition showcasing its glorious past of 128 years, in Siliguri.

The exhibition, which will conclude on August 30, depicts the evolution of the DHR from its inception to the modern times.

The DHR is an important landmark on the Indian tourism map especially after UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1999.

The DHR’s 82 kilometres of journey from Siliguri junction to Darjeeling is an enchanting journey offering a majestic view of the Darjeeling Himalayas.

The organisers believe that the exhibition will make young generation aware of the history of the DHR, an important part of their heritage.

“We have tried to display through photographs, through charts and through maps, the evolution of the DHR and also the different milestones and important events of the DHR. For example, when the Tindharia workshop (the workshop that undertakes major servicing of steam locomotives and coaches of DHR) was formed, how the monsoon disaster took place, and even the cyclone AILA has been put in,” said Subrata Nath, Director, Darjeeling Himalayan Railways.

Children, from various schools of the region, are thronging the exhibition and have been enthusiastic about it.

“It is an awesome feeling, because I have never experienced such a thing .I came here and saw the railways and the natural beauty of Darjeeling Himalayas. It was a fantastic experience,” said Rahul Sharma, a student.

The DHR toy train was the brainchild of Franklin Prestage, an agent of the then Eastern Bengal Railway, who foresaw the utility of a rail link between the hills of Darjeeling and the plains.

It was started in 1896 by the then British Lieutenant Governor Ashley Eden, offering riders an opportunity to enjoy the majestic beauty of nature along the Darjeeling hills. At the beginning, this railway was named as the Darjeeling steam Tramway Co. Later when India gained independence in 1947, the railway was renamed as the DHR.

The DHR was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO on December 5 at its 23rd session. By Taruk Sarkar (ANI)

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Siliguri railway bridge collapses due to heavy rains

August 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Siliguri, (West Bengal) Aug 20 (ANI): Railway services in the Siliguri-New Jalpaiguri region were affected following the collapse of a rail bridge in Siliguri on Thursday morning.

Heavy rains and strong river currents damaged the railway track and contributed to the collapse of the bridge.

Heavy and relentless rains over the past few days has led to the water level of the River Balason and its tributaries flowing above the danger mark.

The bridge was a part of the meter gauge unit, of the famous Darjeeling heritage rail service. The route attracts a lot of foreign tourist thanks to the beautiful landscape through which the route passes.

During the rainy season the river brings heavy loads of water down from the Himalayas to the plains. (ANI)

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BJP cannot shun support to Gorkhaland with Jaswant’s expulsion: GJM

August 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Siliguri, Aug.19 (ANI): Members of the ethnic Gorkha Janmukti Morcha on Wednesday said that the expulsion of their legislator Jaswant Singh from the Bharatiya Janata Party would neither affect their demand for autonomous Gorkhaland and nor could BJP back out from its promise on the issue.

Jaswant Singh has been elected to Lok Sabha from Darjeeling parliamentary constituency.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha wants a separate state to be carved out from West Bengal.

Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM), the organisation demanding separate statehood, said that Jaswant Singh was still their lawmaker and hoped that he would continue to work for them.

“Jaswant Singh has been expelled from the party but he is still a member of the Parliament from Darjeeling. His political and personnel figure remains intact and has vast experience of 40 year in Indian politics. We expect that he would continue to work here and his expulsion would not have any effect,” said Hemant Gautam, a leader of GJMM.

The members of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha were reacting after hearing the news about Jaswant Singh being expelled from the primary membership of BJP on Wednesday (August 19).

Earlier in the day, the apex leadership of BJP which is presently meeting at Shimla in Himachal Pradesh expelled him over his book applauding Mohammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan in his recently released book.

The book ‘Jinnah – India, Partition, Independence’, has triggered a political storm in the country.

Newspapers quoted Jaswant Singh’s book, as saying that Pakistan’s founder was ‘demonised in India’.

Jaswant Singh was elected from Darjeeling parliamentary constituency after the BJP extended its support to the call of Gorkhaland.

The Gorkha population in West Bengal is around one million out of 80 million people, although the overwhelming majority are concentrated in Darjeeling. (ANI)

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Ground-to-air security ahead of Independence Day

August 13, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi/Guwahati, Aug 13 (ANI): With India getting set to celebrate its 62nd Independence Day, the Central and Delhi State Governments have pulled out all steps to ensure that the event is santizied from a security point of view.

Following intelligence inputs that terror outfits have plans to target the Indian capital on August 15, over 60,000 officers of the Delhi Police, Special Cell, Crime Branch, Special Branch and around 35 paramilitary companies will be deployed in and around the city.

It is expected that around 6,000 police officers will be deployed near Red Fort.

Forty CCTV cameras have been installed in and around the Red Fort, while sharpshooters of the National Security Guard (NSG) will man buildings and rooftops near the historic monument.

Intelligence agencies have also reportedly identified ‘safety houses’ where the Prime Minister and other VIPs can be taken in the event of a terror strike.

Quick Reaction Teams, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Vajra (of the Rapid Action Force) are also being deployed for the ocassion.

Informers have been deployed to look out for suspect anti-national elements, police sources said.

The entire area over Red Fort will be declared a no-fly zone during the function. Airspace would be closed from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Security has been tightened at the Parliament complex, IGI Airport, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and Metro stations.

In other sensitive parts of the country like Jammu and Kashmir, and the northeastern states, security has been beefed up to counter possible terror or insurgent attacks.

In Guwahati, passengers are expected to be frisked at various checkpoints in the city.

Meanwhile, defying the boycott call, school students, NCC cadets and police personnel are busy preparing for the Independence Day parade.

“They are always giving calls to boycott Republic Day celebrations or Independence Day celebrations. But it is regularly celebrating Independence Day,” said Anna Rai,a school teacher.

The students are also upbeat about participating in the parade.

Security has also been beefed up along the India-Bangladesh border in Siliguri.

The Border Security Force (BSF) is on a high alert and keeping a strict vigil along the borders.

Home Ministry officials have warned that the Lashkar-e-Taiba plans to target three major cities, including Delhi on Independence Day.

Kolkata and Hyderabad are the other two LeT targets. (ANI)

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Closure of tea garden in West Bengal provokes protest

July 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Bagdogra (West Bengal), July 3 (ANI): Hundreds of tea garden workers in Bagdogra region of West Bengal took out a protest march after the authorities closed down the Singhia Jhora tea estate without notice.

When the workers reported at the tea estate, located in Siliguri district, for work on Thursday they were shocked to find the gates locked. They looked for management officials but in vain.

Not knowing what to do, they staged a demonstration to protest against the closure of the tea garden.

“May be the manager is playing foul in this. When asked about this, the manager said there was nothing of that sort. But when we came in the morning we found it locked,” said Jotis Tirki, a worker.

The tea-rich Doars Terai region has as many as 315 tea gardens. Tribals form a majority of the work force in the area.

Over four million tribals inhabit the Doars Terai region and most of them are employed with the tea gardens.

With the closure of 16 tea gardens over 17,000 people have been rendered jobless. The tribals also want better working conditions and basic facilities.

The tribals have held several rounds of talks with the state and central Governments on their demands, which they said, have not been met so far. (ANI)

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North Bengal University (NBU) ~ 2009 NBU Results ~ NBU Results 2009 ~ North Bengal University Results 2009 ~ NBU 2009 Admissions ~ nbu.ac.in ~ North Bengal University Website

July 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

North Bengal University (NBU) ~ 2009 NBU Results ~ NBU Results 2009 ~ North Bengal University Results 2009 ~ NBU 2009 Admissions ~ nbu.ac.in ~ North Bengal University Website

North Bengal University, Siliguri, has announced Results of its various Unger Graduate and Post Graduate Courses. These include B.A. (GENERAL), B.A. (HONOURS), B.Sc. (GENERAL), B.Sc. (HONOURS), B.Com. (GENERAL), B.Com. (HONOURS), B.Ed., M.Phil., B.Pharm., B.L.I.S., P.G.D.D.M., B.C.A., B.B.A., B.P.Ed., B.I.T., B.S.S., L.L.B., L.L.M., D.M.T., M.A. (REGULAR), M.A. (DISTANCE), M.Sc. (REGULAR), M.Sc. (DISTANCE), M.Com.,M.C.A., P.G.D.T.M., P.G.D.M.M., P.G.D.T.H.M., P.G.D.I.T., P.G.D.E.L., M.B.A., D.M.S., P.G.D.C.A., C.I.F.

These Results are available on NBU (North Bengal University) Website – http://www.nbu.ac.in/

Direct Link to Results – http://www.nbu.ac.in/result.html

Jacko fans pay tribute in Mumbai and Siliguri

June 28, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, June 28 (ANI): Michael Jackson fans in Mumbai and Siliguri paid tribute to the pop star whose musical genius was overshadowed by a bizarre lifestyle and sex scandals.

Scores of fans, including singers like Rageshwari, gathered at Mumbai’s Juhu Enigma where choreographer Sandip Soparrkar and model Jesse Randhawa paid tribute to the pop legend by performing his music numbers.

Depressed fans lit candles, sang carols and observed silence for the music genius, who died on Friday aged 50.

“I did the first launch of Michael Jackson’s music in the country, it provide me great support and whatever I am today it is because of that launch that happened. It was his support that I would say…so I am here to say that I love you (MJ) very much and I always miss your music,” said Soparrkar.

“I was five-years old when I was introduced to Michael Jackson music, I used to dress like him whenever I performed, my musicians, my dancers were great fan of him…my father has translated many Michael Jackson’s songs in Hindi, so for me it is a personal loss,” added Rageshwari.

Fans in Siliguri placed floral wreaths in front of his photographs and observed silence in the memory of history’s biggest pop star.

“I was shocked after hearing the news of his (Michael Jackson) death…I am a great fan of him and I grew up by watching his videos…I never thought that he would leave us so suddenly,” said Sonia Roy.

Jackson dominated the charts in the 1980s and sold an estimated 750 million records, a figure that is likely to rise with the expected posthumous re-release of his hits. “Thriller”, which came out in 1982, remains the best-selling album of all time.

Jackson also won 13 Grammy Awards, made boundary-breaking music videos and his slick dance moves were imitated by legions of fans, and fellow pop stars, around the world. (ANI)

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Siliguri tea garden tribal workers hold rally

June 22, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Siliguri, June 22 (ANI): Tribals employed in tea gardens as pluckers and factory workers in Doars Terai region, held a rally in Siliguri to highlight their problems.

Organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Adivashi Bikash Parishad (ABAVP – All India Tribal Development Council) of the Doars Terai region, the rally appealed to the government to facilitate reopening of 14 tea gardens.

“The biggest problem we (tribals) are facing is the closure of around 14 tea gardens in Doars. Some of these tea gardens are closed for the last five years. But the government is doing nothing,” said Suraj Tigga, Joint Convener, ABAVP.

Over four million tribals inhabit the Doars Terai region and most of them are employed with the tea gardens.

With the closure of 14 tea gardens as many as 17,000 people have been rendered jobless. The tribals also want better working conditions and basic facilities.

“Many tribals are now unemployed because of the closure of 14 tea gardens in Doars. Moreover there is no sanitation in the tea gardens. The hospital located in the tea gardens is of no use. Medicines are given in the hospital but it can’t be called a hospital,” said Paresh Munda, a tea garden trade union leader.

The tribals have held several rounds of talks with the State and Central Governments on their demands, which they said, have not been met so far. (ANI)

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Pineapple crop hit by scanty rainfall in West Bengal

June 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Jalpaiguri (WB), June 21 (ANI): Absence of ample rainfall and in certain places no rains at all has affected the pineapple crop in Jalpaiguri region of West Bengal.

Bidhannagar, located around 45 kilometres from Siliguri, which is famous for pineapples is the worst hit.

Due to the paucity of rainfall, almost all the pineapples are either deformed or smaller in size.

“The production of the pineapple is badly affected as there is acute scarcity of rains. There has been no rainfall for the past six to seven months. Because of that the size of the pineapple is not as good as compared to last year. Now there is no demand from outside. We used to export fruits from our farms to Nepal and Bhutan,” said Arun Mondal, Secretary, North Bengal Pineapple Farmers Association, Bidhannagar, West Bengal.

“The overall production has gone down by 25 percent,” he added.

Consequently, Nepal and Bhutan, the prominent countries importing pineapples from Bidhannagar are reluctant to purchase the inferior produce.

“As the weather has not been favourable for the pineapple this year, the size of the pineapple is reduced. There is a huge demand for pineapples in foreign countries. If the government gives some attention to the fruit, there will be considerable benefit for the farmers and development of the pineapple trade,” said Vishal Gosh, a pineapple grower, Bidhannagar, West Bengal.

The growers also recalled that a matured pineapple from Bidhannagar weighing between two to three kilograms would fetch them over eight rupees but for the weather gods this season. By Taruk Sarkar (ANI)

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56th anniversary of first ascent on Mount Everest celebrated in Siliguri

May 30, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Silliguri, May 30 (ANI): The Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation (HNAF), a NGO in Siliguri on Friday celebrated the 56th anniversary of climbing the Mount Everest for the first time.

Sir Edmund Hillary of Newzeland and Nepali Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first people to reach the top of the 8,850 metre (29,035 feet) mountain on May 29, 1953.

The day was marked by felicitating the statue of Tenzing Norgey in the morning. A blood donation camp was organised later to promote adventure sports among the younger generation.

“The main objective is to promote adventure sports. We are promoting adventure sports because it has been losing interest in North and West Bengal,” said Dipesh Raha, general secretary, HNAF.

Chirag Chatterjee, a blood donor said it is a good way to promote adventure sports in the state.

“Definitely this event surely encourages us to look forward to adventure sports because we can meet various people who have remarkable achievements in adventure sports. There are many mountaineers joining this event and they are real life inspirations for us. That’s why this is a very successful event which draws us towards adventure sports,” said Chatterjee.

More than 3,000 people have climbed Everest from the Nepali and Tibetan sides since 1953. (ANI)

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