Royal crown, sceptre to be showcased in Nepal’s palace museum

NEPAL-CROWN (INTERNATIONAL)
Created on : 06/08/2008 20:45 (PRI)
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Kathmandu, June 8 (PTI) Nepal’s Narayanhiti Palace officials are set to handover the dethroned kings crown and sceptre, which will be the main attraction in the 124-year-old imposing structure that will be converted into a museum after the former monarch leaves the palace this week. Palace authorities will soon hand over the kings crown and sceptre to the government committee formed to collect details of the king’s property, a source close to Narayanhiti said, adding that talks were held today on handing over the crown and sceptre.

‘The crown consisting of precious stones including diamond, emerald and rubies built by King Mahendra, father of Gyanendra half a century back at the cost of tens of crore rupees, will be an attraction to visitors after the place is converted into a tourist spot and a museum,’ a former minister close to the palace said on condition of anonymity. Secretary at the Ministry of General Administration Govinda Kusum, who is heading a government committee to collect details of the palace property, confirmed the existence of the crown and the sceptre at the main store house in the palace.

He refuted a news report published in The Kathmandu Post yesterday which said that both the valuable items have gone missing. ‘The news report that the crown is missing is not true, we have got confirmation about its existence and the palace authorities will soon hand them over to the committee,’ he told PTI. The committee is collecting valuable documents, historical items and gifts received from the palace authorities after the Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a republic on May 28.

‘The crown built in the British style in the 1960s consists of some of the finest and big sized diamonds ever found in the world,’ said the former minister. (MORE) PTI SBP RBS 06082051 DEL
NEPAL-CROWN 2 LST

NEPAL-CROWN 2 LST (INTERNATIONAL)
Created on : 06/08/2008 20:47 (PRI)
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Nepal’s King Mahendra re-designed the crown after he snatched power by dismissing the elected government in 1960 and imposed his direct rule in the name of partyless Panchayat system. However, there is no information about the old crown that belonged to his forefathers. The sceptre made of gold and silver symbolises justice and authority. The crown and the sceptre are worn and held by the king on special occasions.

Besides the crown, royal gifts, throne, dresses, decorations, historical documents, arts and crafts, and coins of different countries will also be showcased in the would-be museum. Gyanendra will probably vacate the palace this week when the 15-day deadline set by the government for his exit will end, sources close to the palace said. The government has agreed to provide Nagarjun Palace, a forest property earlier owned by the king and now nationalised, to Gyanendra for temporary residence and some 150 armed policemen and civilian policemen will be provided for his security. PTI SBP RBS 06082053 DEL
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12 Indians killed in Bhutan mishap

BHUTAN-INDIANS (INTERNATIONAL,GENERAL)
Created on : 06/08/2008 21:00 (PRI)
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Thimphu, June 8 (PTI) Twelve Indians, working in a construction company in Bhutan, were killed and six others injured when a boulder hit the rear end of the truck they were travelling in, police said. The incident occurred when the truck was negotiating a narrow wet stretch of road while returning from their work site near Tala Dam at Wangkha in Chukha district at around 8.30 pm yesterday.

Police said 10 workers died on the spot with their bodies found smashed and scattered beyond recognition. Two died after reaching the Tsimasham hospital. Of the six injured, the condition of three are critical and have been shifted to Thimphu referral hospital. The truck belonged to Hindustan Construction Company (HCC). The bodies have been handed over to the Tala project manager S K Sarkar. In a separate incident, a 22-year-old youth working as a helper in a truck died yesterday after the vehicle, carrying three passengers, plunged 247 feet below the road at Sisiding, about three kilometres from Thinleygang district. While the driver is being treated at the Thimphu hospital, the third passenger escaped with minor injuries. PTI ZMN MPB 06082106 DEL

Opposition to launch public campaign against Chamling govt

OPPOSITION (NATIONAL,REGIONAL NEWS – EAST)
Created on : 06/08/2008 21:04 (PRI)
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Gangtok, Jun 8 (PTI) Accusing the Pawan Kumar Chamling government of clamping ‘undeclared emergency’ in Sikkim, the Joint Action Committee (JAC), an apex body of the mainstream Opposition parties, today said that it would launch ‘Jan Jagaran Abhiyan’ (Mass Awareness Campaign) across the state to expose the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF). As part of its campaign, the JAC would organise public meeting at Pakyong, Singtam and Rongli next week to apprise the people about the ‘atrocities’ inflicted by the SDF government on the people and the Opposition parties to prevent them from exercising their democratic rights and freedom of expression, the JAC Chief Convenor Nar Bahadur Bhandari told reporters here.

Claiming that the people and the press were under seige at the hands of the SDF workers and the state police, he said that it was now imperative on the part of the Opposition to stand united to ‘extricate the democratic fabric of the Himalayan state from tyrannical clutches of the Chamling government.’ Bhandari, a former chief minister, urged the people to rid themselves of the authoritarian rule of the Chamling government in the assembly polls due next year as it had failed to deliver the results inspite of being in power for 14 years.

Accusing Chamling of misusing the official machinery, including the police, to target its political opponents and the media to prevent them from exercising freedom of speech and expression, he urged state Governor Sudershan Agrawal and the Centre to ensure that the democratic fabric of the state was not trampled upon by the SDF government. PTI KDK CR RSH 06082111 DEL

Ex-PM warns against fostering ‘another totalitarian rule’

DEUBA-MAOISTS (INTERNATIONAL,DEFENCE,GENERAL)

Created on : 06/08/2008 20:14 (PRI)
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Kathmandu, June 8 (PTI) A former Prime Minister of Nepal has cautioned the people against fostering ‘another totalitarian rule’ after the abolition of the monarchy in the country, apparently referring to the Maoists demand for unfettered power to run the government. Addressing a rally of some 30,000 people in Kathmandu, organised to celebrate the declaration of republic, Sher Bahadur Deuba said Nepalese people are going to draft their own constitution to establish a lasting peace and stable democratic system.

‘But we must be careful that another totalitarian rule should not emerge in the place of dictatorship of the king,’ he underlined. Deuba appealed to the Maoists, who emerged as the largest single party in the Constituent Assembly, to shun all kinds of violence and dissolve their parallel government, courts and army before heading the next government. He said it is the same Nepali Congress party, which had led the movement to oust the 104-year-old Rana oligarchy 57 years ago, had now successfully led the peaceful movement of 2006 towards a historic event last month that culminated in Nepal being declared a republic.

Speaking at the same meeting, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said that the establishment of a republic by abolishing the 240-year-old monarchy and successfully holding the election to the constituent assembly was a victory for the Nepalese people. Koirala, who is being projected by his party as the first consensus president of Nepal, said he will not compromise on the issue of nationalism and democracy to gain any post.

‘I will not compromise with any body on the issue of human rights, democracy and press freedom,’ the prime minister said, in an apparent reference to the CPN-Maoist’s opposition to the Nepali Congress party’s demand to make Koirala the head of state. (MORE) PTI SBP RBS 06082020 DEL DEUBA-MAOISTS 2 LST

A red-letter day for 621 gentlemen cadets of IMA

By Parwinder Sandhu | Dehradun

For 621 Gentlemen Cadets, Saturday turned out to be a red-letter day of their lives as they took the ‘Final Step’ through the portals of the historic Chetwode building at the prestigious Indian Military Academy during an impressive passing out parade.

Out of the fleet of 621 GCs who transformed into young officers of the Indian Army with their ‘antim pag’, 13 were Foreign Gentlemen Cadets from the countries including Nepal, Mauritius, Bhutan and Kazakhstan.

The Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major was the reviewing officer of the passing out parade. The parade led by Parade Commander, Academy Under Officer Vaibhav Sinha, entered the drill square in front of the Chetwode building, while singing the song Bharat Mata Teri Kasam, Tere Rakshak Rahenge Hum. The song penned down by ace lyricist Javed Akhtar was adopted by the Indian Military Academy during its platinum jubilee for all its passing out parades (POPs) in future.

Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, accompanied with Indian Military Academy Commandant Lt Gen PK Rampal and Parade Commander Academy Under Officer Vaibhav Sinha, inspected the parade.

After the inspection, the ceremonial march past began in which contingents of smartly dressed up Gentlemen Cadets, of the passing out course, from various companies of the Academy participated. The eight contingents were being led by Senior Under Officer Bhupender Tyagi, Senior Under Officer Rudra Pratap Singh, Senior Under Officer Sushant Singh, Senior Under Officer J Raja, Senior Under Officer Avnish Kumar, Senior Under Officer Arun Kumar, Senior Under Officer Shiv Goswami and Senior Under Officer Sumit Bhardawaj. The Gentlemen Cadets marched past to the tunes of Sikh Regimental band, Bihar Regimental band and India Military Academy band.

Later while addressing the gathering, the reviewing officer Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major complimented the gentlemen cadets for the crisp movements shown by them during the entire passing out parade.

“I believe that some quality is required to be an officer in the defence force of the country. That quality, which is rare, has in them so as to become the officer of the defence forces and be looked upon as the role model by many,” he added.

IMA Sword of Honour for Doon boy Rudra Pratap Singh Rana

Senior Under Officer Rudra Pratap Singh Rana has done not only his parents proud but also brought laurels for Uttarakhand, after being awarded the prestigious Sword of Honour during the passing parade of the Indian Military Academy held here on Saturday.

The Sword is handed over to the best all round gentleman cadet from the Regular Course during the passing out parade.

Adding another feather to the cap of Garwhal, which has sent several of its inhabitants to the defence forces of the country, Rana brought the laurel back to the State after a long time.

Hailing from Arakot village in Uttarkashi, Rana was born and brought up in Dehradun. His father Rajender Singh Rana is a horticulturist having orchards in the State capital while his mother Maya Rana is a home maker who has always pushed her children to side high in life.

Talking to Sunday Pioneer about the success of their son, Singh said that they were very happy with their son’s success. “Though Rudra is a hard worker but the honour came in as a total surprise. As a child he was keen to become an officer in the Indian Army, but we never though that he would make it,” said the beaming father.

Alumni of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Rana did his schooling from Saint Joseph Academy and Rashtriya Indian Military College in Dehradun. A keen sportsman who plays various games with skill and was part of Academy Shooting Team also bagged the coveted Silver Medal for standing second in the order of merit from the Regular Course and the Rajputana Rifles Medal for being best in Best in tactical ability, initiative and leadership.

Sharing his success, Rana, who has been commissioned into 11 Gorkha Rifles, said that the journey so far was a tough but encouraging one. [The Pioneer]

Darjeeling Women During the Ages!

A Tibetan Family

Is Nepalese Democracy Sustainable – What more battles has the once Hindu Kingdom to fight?

R. Surenthiran, Mohammad Kawsar Uddin, Yakraj Chaudhary and Barun Roy traversed through out the Kathmandu Valley to find the answers... All the while making a Television Documentary. The following articles are based on their investigations. The last story however, was exclusively covered by Barun Roy who overstayed in Kathmandu solely to complete the story and achieve the almost impossible task of recording in camera as to what happens daily at the Dance Bars, Massage Parlours and Strip Joints at Thamel in Kathmandu.

A Mere Statistics on the Chart - Forsaken Childhood

Khattays essentially are children abandoned by their parents. These children live on the streets and beg for their survival. Young Boys are known to peddle drugs and steal while young girls are known to have often become victims of Pedophilia. Kathmandu ranks highest in Pedophilia in the sub-continent closely followed by Goa

The restoration of democracy has raised the hopes of the Khattay community in Kathmandu. Kanti Rai, a local street vendor believes that now the Government is out of the political scenario and the Moaists have shown much interest in main stream politics, the Government can focus on immediate issues including relocating the Khattays. Radhika Lama, a Professor who drives through the New Road everyday, is however, doubtful. She says, “Khattays are basically children living in the streets. They are either orphaned or simply abandoned. I don’t really know how they survive but I have seen most of them begging at the streets. I have also seen some doing petty jobs like peddling newspapers. But do you think their life will change – I don’t think so. The leaders and policy makers will be too busy trying to work out a coalition government. Relocation for Khattay most certainly will not be in their scheme of things.” Sushmita Rana, a social worker associated with an INGO agrees with Radhika Lama. “The problem with the Khattays are that they predominantly belong to the age group of 6 – 12 years. At this age, children are most vulnerable. They live in small communities where each take care of the other. They eat whatever they find or given. Most of these children are brought by their parents from different parts of Nepal. Some are simply abandoned by parents who can no longer take care of them.”

Lost Worlds – Abandoned Parents

[Photo Inset: Sarawasti Newar lived at Pushupati Nath Temple for around 5 years before she tried to commit suicide due to depression and was evicted. "Suicide is a sin and cannot be allowed inside the Temple precinct", said Ramlal Brahmin, a Temple Trustee. Saraswati, makes here living by working as a porter in Thamel. She is 76 year old. She has five sons, one daughter.]

Kamala Sharma’s mother was left at the Pashupatinath Temple while she was fighting for her life. “She was not dead. I was eight years old but I still remember it. They said she was dying and not much time could be wasted treating her or even giving her some peace of mind”. Kamala wipes her tears and wraps her body with a saffron shawl. “I left my house a month after my husband died. I am 72 years old and I have been living here for last 19 years. I have three sons. I had six grandchildren when I left home. Now I don’t know how many I have. They must have all grown up. My eldest son Suraj is a businessman while my youngest son is a Political Leader. I seem to have forgotten about my second son as to what he does.” When asked as to why she had not stayed back with her children – She says, “They would have brought me here anyway. I could not have taken it so I prepared and came here myself.” Rajen Lama, a well known spiritual guru and a professor at a prestigious college in the city remarks, “It has nothing to do with religion. These elderlies are abandoned simply because their children either can’t afford to take care of them or don’t want to.” Dibya Rana, a social activist, agrees, “Of course, religion or tradition is just an excuse. You can bring your parents and leave them here. Nobody will question you. But is that right?” Kamala Sharma answers with a shrug, “It is destiny. I don’t have any answer. Perhaps Pashupatinath himself wanted me to be here.”

Viva Las Thamel – The Culture of Exploitation

[Photo Inset: Anuradha Adhikari worked at Mumbai Dance bars, before she found her way to Thamel. Today, she strips for a living dancing to Hindi Songs. She makes Rs. 15, 000 plus and casually sells her body for Rs. 500 per hour. She will spend a night for Rs. 2, 000. She has an four year old son, who generally accompanies her during her work and is taken care of by the other girls. ]

A typical Thamel Street

Thamel at Night

“The curse of living in Thamel is that you want to be here forever”, says Andrew Flinger, an Australian who prides himself in talking in Nepali. “There are nude dance bars at every nook and corner of the road. Massage parlours where you can have sex for less than 6 dollars and cabin bars where you can have yourself fondled by as many girls you want. And then there are these wonderful shops where you can buy handicrafts, paintings, and antiques.” When asked about the impact of such activities, Ramesh Thami, who owns a Madal shop at the neighbourhood remarks, “What can one do sir, one has to make a living. The Moaist movement has forced the villagers to come to Kathmandu and since they are neither educated nor adequately talented selling themselves and their daughters are all they can do to survive. It is bad. One cannot deny that but yet people are pulled to this place and petty shopowners like us can conduct business. If I could earn enough money I would definitely visit the dance bars. It is said that people go crazy there. I am a poor man destiny forbids me.”

Mary Tsarong (Rinchen Dolma Taring) first Tibetan girl to receive a western education

Mary Tsarong (Rinchen Dolma Taring) first Tibetan girl to receive a western education at Darjeeling

A Stahl Collection

Sidrapong Hydel Power Station

The Himalayan Beacon entries at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Located at the foot-hills of Arya Tea Estate at an altitude of 3,600 ft and 12 km from Darjeeling Town via Bloomfield Tea Estate; Sidrapong Hydel Power Station is the oldest Hydel Power Station or hydroelectric power plant in India.

Contents 1 Approaches 2 History 3 Take-over by WBSEB 4 Water Source: Flume 5 Kotwali Flume: 1700 ft 6 Hospital Jhora[4] Flume 7 Barbatia Flume: 2500 ft 8 Forebay 9 Penstock 10 Switch yard 11 Renovation 12 Notes 13 See also 14 References 15 External links

Approaches

There are two approaches to the station and one can choose either as per their liking. The first approach is via Arya Tea Estate. The road up to the Tea Factory is well laid and jeepable, covering a distance of 6 km from Darjeeling. Beyond Arya Tea Factory thence, there exists a steep pony track up to Sidrapong Forebay covering a length of about 3 km. This approach though not much developed offers an added incentive. Visitors are required to travel through the lush tea gardens of the Arya Tea Estate. Further, the sight of young maidens plucking tea humming to a traditional song is worth a trek.

The second approach to Sidrapong Power Station is via Bloomfield Factory, the same covering a stretch of 11 km. The existing foot track beyond Bloomfield Factory has recently been developed by Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council to a 14 ft wide metalled road and a visitor needs no longer trek any distance to reach the Sidrapong Forebay. He or she simply needs to cross the Kotwali Jhora through a new bridge near the existing intake to do so. This new all-weather road is today, the most popular among visitors.

Janmukti Asthai Karmachari Santhan starts fast unto death before Lal Kothi, DGHC Secretariat

Photo by Himalaya Darpan

GJM block National Highway at Naxalbari Block

Photo by Himalaya Darpan

New disease in orchids

Pakyong: Dr. R. P. Pant, Sr. Scientist, Plant Pathology, and Mrinal Das, Research Associate of National Research Centre (NRC) for Orchids, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Pakyong, Sikkim 737 106, have reported that new disease has been found in Cymbidium Hybrids. [Inset: Orchids]

The association of plant parasitic nematodes with cymbidium hybrid orchids from farmer’s field of Raigaon, Namcheybong (Pakyong) was taken up for the research. Such plants were showing twisting of leaves, necrotic lesions on roots and poor growth with fluffy root system.

The plants when examined in laboratory were found to have heavy infestation of plant parasitic nematodes. 2-3 species of different plant parasitic nematodes were found with the infested plant samples. Identification of the nematode species is under progress. This is a first report of association of nematode with orchids in India. Strategy for management of this pathogen affection is also under study, it is informed.

Tribals get miltch cow

By AJAY THAPA

Pakyong: Ten Jersey Cross Breed (JCB) miltch cows along with their calf were distributed to the tribal people of Loosing Pacheykhani constituency on Friday. In the distribution programme held at Veterinary Office, Pakyong, Area MLA Mrs. Manita Manger, Joint Director Dr. RK Tamang, Deputy Director East Mr. MB Chettri, Chief Veterinary Officer Pakyong, Zilla Panchayat Miss Nimchukki Sherpa and Ex-Panchayats were presented. This scheme is mooted for the tribal people of rural areas by the state government and its implementation undertaken by the department of Animal Husbandry, government of Sikkim.

Another 10 such cows are allotted for Assam Linzey and 9 for Barapathing belt which will be distributed in the near future by the same department. All the cows were brought from West Bengal, Mirik belt. The cows are expected to give milk 6 to 12 liters per day. The department has also done three years’ insurance for all these cows for an assured sum of Rs. 25,000/- in case of death. Officials of the department informed that all the cows were distributed to the beneficiaries on condition that the cows are not for sale. Compliance of the condition will be periodically checked by the staff of the department.

DC East should pull up NHPC – Call the project management to a press meet at his office; Area MLA Mr. Norjang Lepcha should be present

Gangtok: The people living in NHPC Stage V dam site area in Dikchu (East Sikkim) have every right to demand protection of their life and property, while asserting that “payment of compensation for any loss is no substitute” for their basic demand. The demand has assumed much significance in the wake of repeated collapse of parts of the protection wall at the boundary of Phodong Gumpa in the area.

It is no exaggeration to say that the wall collapse also casts a shadow on technical and managerial credibility of National Hydroelectric Project Corporation (NHPC) team entrusted with the responsibly of execution of the hydro power project over the river Teesta. Instead of wishing away such a charge which is ignominious, particularly for a Govt. of India Enterprise like NHPC, the project management should dispel it by factually answering some pertinent questions.

One, how the management expects to earn the confidence of the people, which is essential for success of any project, when it leaves room for a grievance of inadequate lighting of the dam site, as voiced by the people?

Two, why a responsible person like Rakdong Tintek Area MLA, Mr. Norjang Lepcha, should have reason to go on record complaining “negligence” of project management and “poor quality” of work in respect of the protection wall which has been twice eroded by rain-swollen river within the first week of this month? Three, how comprehensive is the Corporation’s hydrological data on river Teesta in monsoon season? Does the company update the data by monitoring rainfall in catchments at the upstream of the river? If Central Water Commission (CWC) does the monitoring, then how close and effective is the coordination between CWC and NHPC?

Quality of work should be Sikkim’s brand name: CM

Gangtok: Over 100 Sikkim Government Subordinate Service employees and gazetted officers, who were recently promoted, felicitated the Chief Minister, Dr. Pawan Chamling, at Samman Bhawan on June 5. They thanked him for his special concern for government employees who, they acknowledged, are “most well paid and best looked after”. Mr. N. D. Chingapa, Chief Secretary, was present.

Addressing the employees, CM wished them further success and achievement in their life. Elevation to the next grade is a matter of happiness, CM told the employees, adding, they should not forget the “bigger responsibilities attached with these promotions”. He told them to make themselves worthy and capable members of state government “by building their capacities with continuous studies and gathering knowledge”.

Elaborating, CM said, “With changing times the level of thinking and needs of the people have also gone up and, accordingly, the delivery of services of government employees should match the people’s growing hopes and aspiration”.

Out of IMA, 608 cadets join the army in style

Dehradun (PTI): For cadet Rudra Pratap Singh Rana, Saturday turned out to be a special occasion.

Besides a silver medal in the order of merit, he also got the Sword of Honour from Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major for being adjudged the ‘Best All Round Gentleman Cadet’ of the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA) here. Rana, along with 607 other cadets, became a proud army officer on Saturday after he crossed the final step at the hallowed portals of the historic Chetwode Building after the ceremonial passing out parade reviewed by the Air Chief Marshal.

Besides Rana, other cadets were also no less happy.

‘This is the most wonderful moment of my life,’ an emotional Vaibhav Sinha, who won the gold medal in the order of merit, said immediately after the pipping ceremony.

As the celebrations continued, the Air Chief Marshal congratulated parents of the cadets.

Besides, 13 other cadets from friendly countries, including Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, and Kazakhstan, also passed out of the IMA.

The Tea Industry Quadrangular Football tournament

The Tea Industry Quadrangular Football tournament will be held in Darjeeling in August this year, according to officials of the Darjeeling Tea Association. It will be staged at the Lebong ground and four teams will vie for the coveted running trophy. It was learnt that the four teams will comprise players from Darjeeling, Dooars/Terai, Assam and Kolkata Headquarters/Brokers. A football committee will select the players from within the industry.

Dasmunshi urges WB CM to spell out stand on Darjeeling

GORKHA-DASMUNSHI (NATIONAL,REGIONAL NEWS – EAST)
Created on : 06/07/2008 18:26 (PRI)
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Kolkata, June 7 (PTI) With the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha emerging as a new force in Darjeeling and reviving the demand for Gorkhaland, the Congress today urged the West Bengal government to call an all-party meeting to spell out its stand on the issue. Union minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi said Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee should call an all-party meeting to state what transpired at his recent meeting with Hill leaders.

Stating that the Congress might fight the CPI-M on other issues, WBPCC president Dasmunshi told reporters that his party would cooperate with the Left and not compromise on the state’s integrity. ‘We will not play politics, nor shall we adopt a partisan role,’ Das said.

He said that Congress would help find a solution within the framework of the Constitution in order to preserve the territorial integrity of the state. ‘We will not take any decision on Darjeeling on our own. The state government will have to decide its stand. The Congress will cooperate. We will see how we can provide additional power and more autonomy to the hills within the constitutional framework, keeping intact the boundaries of the state,’ he said.

Dasmunshi said that he would have an informal chat with Union Home minister Shivraj Patil on the situation in Dooars and its adjoining areas on Monday. PTI PKC SUN PC SUA SD 06071832 DEL

Monsoon knocking at door

Calcutta, June 7: The monsoon is expected to hit south Bengal in 48 hours, the Met office said today.

“The monsoon today covered Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and parts of Sikkim. We expect it to cover the entire Bengal during the next 48 hours,” said G.C. Debnath, the director of the weather section at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Alipore.

The “pre-monsoon rain” in Calcutta today was caused by heavy incursion of moisture from the Bay of Bengal. “A cyclonic circulation (anti-clockwise movement of air) over Bihar and the adjoining sub-Himalayan districts helped bring in loads of moisture from the sea.”

The city woke up to an overcast sky. As the day wore on, drizzles intensified into sharp shower in some areas. “The rain was not uniform across the city because the cloud masses were heavier in some areas,” a Met official said.

Asok fumes at train ‘hero’

Siliguri, June 7: Urban development minister Asok Bhattacharya today said “threatening and abusing” a minister did not constitute an “act of heroism”, as Dilip Singh was trying to portray.

On Thursday, the Darjeeling Mail on which the minister was travelling was held up at Kishanganj station for over seven hours because of the bandh called by the Left Front.

Bhattacharya was apparently planning to travel to Siliguri by road because of “pressing engagements” when other passengers led by Singh, a sales representative, “threatened and abused” him for “deserting” them when the train had been stranded because of a bandh called by his party.

Eventually, Bhattacharya did not leave the station after the protests and said he had no intention of travelling to Siliguri by road but had merely been requested by police to go to the circuit house to “freshen up”.

Today, Bhattacharya said: “The youth (Singh) had insulted me and spoken to me abusively. He was almost on the verge of assaulting me but the presence of the police prevented him from doing that. Such action shouldn’t be encouraged.”