“Give me your voice and I will give you Gorkhaland” Bimal Gurung

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Bimal Gurung, President Gorkha Janmukti Morcha addressing people at Budhubaree. Photo by Himalaya Darpan

Smoking in Public Places Banned as of 2nd October

GNLF Leader A. R. Dewan being brought to the Court in Darjeeling

Photo by Himalaya Darpan

7th PIC at Ravangla

FROM SIKKIM REPORTER

Gangtok: The 7th Public Information Campaign (PIC) on Bharat Nirman will be inaugurated by the Minister for Land Revenue & Disaster Management, Irrigation & Flood Control, Urban Development & Housing, Government of Sikkim, Mr. Dorjee Dezom Bhutia on 23rd September at Ravangla Community Hall, and Khamdong MLA, Mr. B. M. Ramudamu, will be chief guest at the valedictory function on 27 September.

This is informed in a release issued by Press Information Bureau, Gangtok.

The release further informs, the campaign is being organized by Press Information Bureau along with Directorate of Field Publicity, Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity, Song & Drama Division, Kolkata, All India Radio and Doordarshan of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

PIC is a part of the out reach programme of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to bring awareness among people directly through the technical sessions and entertainment on the Central Government’s flagship programmes .

A free medical camp will also be held at the venue by Regional Research Centre for Ayurveda, Gangtok, besides an exhibition by DAVP, Kolkata. Self Help Groups and other central government organizations will also set up stalls and exhibitions.

SDF youth wing on a fact finding mission

FROM SIKKIM REPORTER

Gangtok: The youth wing of Sikkim Democratic Front will depute a fact finding team to go to Silliguri and enquire about “so-called Shiv Sena activists” who burnt the effigy of chief minister Pawan Chamling, alleging that he is a Nepal national. This was decided in a meeting held in the residence of, and presided by, Mr.G.M.Gurung, secretary of the youth wing, informs a press release.

According to press release, the youth wing leaders will meet Siliguri Sub-divisional Magistrate and submit a memorandum asking details of the Shiva Sena activists who were involved in the incident with their address through SDO.

The leaders will also enquire about the action taken against those activists by the Bengal administration.

The youth wing has also decided to do correspondence with Shiv Sena chief, Mr. Bal Thakarey and Bengal branch Shiv Sena chief, enquiring about the bonafide of those so-called Shiv Sena.

The youth leaders have emphasized that Pawan Chamling is the only leader of Sikkim who has been successful in promoting the feeling that “We are Indian” among Sikkemese people. “If a conspiracy is being hatched against such a leader, then it ought to be a matter of concern for Centre, too”, Mr. Gurung says.

ITBP employee Luitel missing; his family is in grief and agony

FROM SIKKIM REPORTER

BY AJAY THAPA

Pakyong: A report of Bhawani Shanker Luitel, a resident of Pachey Samsing, Pakyong, who was employed in Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP), missing from his duty place at Pithauragarh District, Uttaranchal, has put the family members, relatives and all the neighbors in shock and grieves.

On 15th September 2008 at 8 pm, a news came to Luitel family over phone that their son was drowned in Kutti Yanti River, Uttaranchal, during duty hours. On the morning of 16th September, two ITBP personnel from Tadong Office, accompanied by one Sikkim Police staff from Pakyong, came to the house of Mr. Jaganath Luitel, father of Mr. Bhawani Shanker Luitel, with the same message that their son was drowned and his body is missing.

The family had to wait for their son’s body but there was no any further message given to them from ITBP office of Uttaranchal or Tadong. After three days, i.e. on 17th September, when they contacted ITBP office in Uttaranchal they were told that the search is on. Thereafter the family members approached the District Magistrate and Home Department, Government of Sikkim and immediately they got help and positives response.

Chief Secretary of Uttaranchal was faxed enquiring about the matter.

Himalayan festival of peace 2008 to begin from Sept 26

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, September 19: To promote peace prayers for the welfare of humankind and ward away evil and social ills, the Himalayan festival of peace 2008 at Jorethang is all set to organize a three day programme in Gangtok starting from September 26.

During a press meet held at the Press Club of Sikkim here today, one of the members of the organising body said that the festival is held for the first time in Gangtok after conducting the same in neighbouring Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

All the Christian communities from South and West Districts will also attend the event, the organisers informed.

The first day will begin with a rally from Jorethang Bazaar followed by a traditional programme. On the final day, a play will be staged on the theme ‘the man called Jesus’ accompanied by musical blend by the Nomads.

The meet was attended by Reverend Romolomo, Pastor Su Kumar Chettri, elder Lanam Sering, Treasurer and elder D. Pradhan among others.

Nine FM initiates social awareness with Durga pooja shopping in Siliguri

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, September 19: With Durga Pooja round the corner, Nine FM has launched ‘The Nine Shopping Loot ‘08′ from 15 September till 27 October in Siliguri.

This initiative by the radio station is aimed at making shopping in the local retail markets more easy and comfortable. As part of the initiative, the radio station will arrange for pure drinking water, hygienic public toilets, better parking lots and many other ground facilities which will make it easier for shoppers to browse through different shops in the market. The radio station has joined hands with the West Bengal traffic police and social organisations.

The radio station will also conduct road shows where it will educate the shop owners in the market about the importance of cleanliness and hygiene. Nine FM will also give shop owners tips on how to brush up their marketing strategy and woo audiences back. Big markets of Siliguri like the Seth Srilal Market and others will see the presence of the Nine FM workers for the entire season. Buyers from such shops of market can win goodies sponsored by the radio station by filling coupons which will be handed over to them after a purchase from each shop.

News from all the markets will be aired on the radio station in between shows. The station will air various advices and updates on various happenings in the market places.

Sikkim Akademi condemns torching of CM’s effigy

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, September 19: The Sikkim Akademi has strongly criticized and condemned the recent torching of the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s effigy in Siliguri.

According to reports, the youth body of Shiv Sena had torched Mr. Chamling’s effigy on September 11 in Siliguri alleging him as a Nepal national.

A press release issued by Sikkim Akademi states that the Sena’s allegation against Mr. Chamling of being a Nepal national is totally false and blatant.

“He is the only Nepali Chief Minister in India and has always put utmost effort to contribute immensely in the national main stream,” the release states adding that his contribution in Sikkim is laudable, which even the national leaders have identified.

“Identification of Lepcha community as a primitive tribe, establishment of Sikkim Akademi, exemption of income tax for Sikkim Subjects, setting up of Sikkim University are the major accomplishment in Sikkim under the able and the dynamic leadership of the Chief Minister,” reads the release.

Likewise, Akhil Sikkim Gurung (Tamu) Buddhist Association has also condemned the incident.

Lower Court rejects bail petition of GNLF leaders

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

DARJEELING, September 19: The lower Court of Darjeeling today rejected the bail application of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) leaders Aita Raj Dewan, Deepak Gurung, NK Kumai along with other eleven petitioners.

All the petitioners had filed a petition to grant a bail to shift the case anywhere else, which was rejected today by the Lower Court.

They were arrested in connection with the murder of Pramila Sharma, a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporter few months back during a mass rally here.

Amongst the 14 arrested, Deepak Gurung and NK Kumai could not attend the Court today due to poor health. The duo is presently under treatment at a Siliguri hospital.

Earlier, all the accused had staged a hunger strike in the jail demanding shifting of their case to any other Court.

The next hearing for the case has been fixed on October 3, 2008.

Four arrested for killing barking deer in South Sikkim

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

NAMCHI, September 19: The State Forest Department arrested four persons on charges of killing a barking deer here today.

The four were booked under section 9(2) 49 B (b) 51(1) of Wild Life Protection Act 1972. Among the four accused, two were sent to judicial custody to Namchi Jail today while two others were granted bail by the District Court, Namchi.

Among the two who got bail were Laxuman Pradhan and Rajen Pradhan of Gyalshing while Nir Bdr. Mizar of Jalpaiguri and Kishore Kr. Chettri of Gyalshing were sent to judicial custody.

The incident occurred on September 16 when some of the locals informed the Forest Department officials that the foursome were preparing venison after killing the animal at Subuk village near Reshi in South Sikkim.

Acting on the information, the Forest officials comprising of RO (T) Tseten Tashi Lepcha and BO (T) Puran Sharma reached the spot and arrested the four culprits. The officials also recovered the fresh meat of barking deer which the accused were preparing for their meal.

During interrogation, the culprits admitted that the deer was brought there by the flowing water of river Rangeet. According to them, the deer was already dead when they found it.

Bary Tourism Management director attacked

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, September 19: The Director of Bary Tourism Management Company Private Limited, Yash Gurung was attacked by his office staffs here on September 17.

According to the FIR filed by the victim, two of his office staff, Sonam Luksom Lepcha and Laku Tshering Lepcha along with some outsiders came and directly attacked him, his brother Siddharth Gurung and operation manager Rangon Sammader with iron rods and sharp objects.

Mr. Gurung has also accused Sonam Luksom Lepcha and Laku Tshering Lepcha of forcibly allowing him to sign on several bank cheques, credit vouchers and money receipts.

“They have forcibly captured our office premises breaking the chairs, table, glass partition and also seized my cheque book folder, ATM card (ICICI Bank, SBI bank), Laptop, office computer, printers, all relevant office documents, loan documents etc,” he further alleged.

The incident occurred at about 12:30 pm on September 17 at Bary Tourism office located at the New Market here. The incident triggered from Mr. Gurung’s warning to the office staffs including Sonam Lucksom and Laku Tshering for collecting huge processing fees of Rs 10 lakhs from the clients who have applied for personal loan and loan against property.

Recuperating at Siliguri Sadar Hospital from the injuries, he alleged that his office staff has called him and threatened to kidnap his wife and his three-year-old son. Mr. Gurung further stated that at around 11:30 am, a mob of 15-20 boys led by Sonam Lucksom Lepcha and Laku Tshering Lepcha reached his rental residence at Syari to kidnap his wife and son.

Old Rumtek Monastery Committee speak on land transfer issue

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, September 19: The Old Rumtek Monastery Committee, which was formed in a meeting held on September 13 has condemned the allegations levelled against the Chief Minister by the SPCC president Nar Bahadur Bhandari for stating that the Chief Minister was involved in leasing out of the seven acres land of Old Rumtek Monastery to M/s Alembic Limited.

In a press release issued today, the general secretary of the committee Rinzing Lama has clarified that the Gompa Managing Committee is rather indebted and thankful to the Chief Minister for his role in listening to the problems of the public and de-registering the monastic land recently.

While stating that the newly formed committee is purely an apolitical body, the release said that anything related to the affairs of the monastery is their problem and will be solved amicably within themselves in the near future.

The committee, formed by the public of 13 blocks under old Rumtek Monastery has further requested all political bodies to refrain from interfering in religious matters. It has also condemned support from the opposition stable for the formation of the Gompa committee.

According to the release, the Gompa Managing Committee was formed by the public of 13 blocks under the Old Rumtek Monastery in a democratic manner by voice ballot.

Governor Singh highlights needs of Sikkim in the two-day conference of Governors

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, September 19: Governor BP Singh attended the two-day Conference of Governors at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on September 16 and 17.

According to a press release from Raj Bhawan, Gangtok, the conference was the 42nd Conference held at Rashtrapati Bhavan and the first Conference attended by Mr. Singh, in which 28 Governors and three Lt. Governors of the States and Union Territories participated. The President, Vice President, Prime Minister and several Union Ministers also attended the Conference.

Governor Singh made a presentation to the participants on various issues with regard to the States of Sikkim such as the internal security environment, border management issues, challenges of climate change and sustainable development and food security, the release informed. He also briefed the Conference on promotion of gender equality and implementation of programmes for women’s empowerment, administration of schemes for ex-servicemen and war widows and development of higher education in the State. The needs of Sikkim were highlighted and the Government of India was requested to expedite action on assistance that has been sought.

The Governors were also briefed by the Union Ministers concerned on various aspects of bilateral relationship with neighbouring countries, issues relating to climate change and sustainable development, agricultural scenario and food security, current economic situation and strategy for price stability, and rural development related matters. Presentations were made on implementation of women empowerment programs, administration of welfare schemes for ex-servicemen, role of Governors as Chancellors in the development of higher education and pensionary benefits and other terminal benefits of the Governors.

“State Govt pursuing Gangtok Doordarshan matter with the Centre”

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS

GANGTOK, September 19: Reacting to the article published in a local daily on the State Government not being able to convince the Central Government for the formal inauguration of Doordarshan Kendra at Gangtok, an IPR press release has clarified that the State Government has been pursuing the matter vigorously with the Central Government.

In fact, the Chief Minister himself has taken up the matter with the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting on several occasions, the release said.

It further stated that the former Governor of Sikkim, Sudharshan Agarwal had also taken up the matter with the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Priya Ranjan Das Munsi, who had assured for formal inauguration, although the Doordarshan Studio Centre was commissioned in November, 2004 and is contributing programmes focusing on social and cultural activities in and around Gangtok from Monday to Friday.

According to the release, the programmes being telecast from Doordarshan, Gangtok Sikkim include Agricultural programmes, Sikkim round up on the happenings of the State in Nepali, English and Hindi, Bharat Nirman Flagship programme implemented in Sikkim every Friday for 30 minutes.

In conservative Nepal, a Tribune for the ‘Third Gender’ Speaks out

By TILAK POKHAREL
September 19, 2008
KATMANDU, Nepal

From The New York Times

SUNIL Babu Pant likes to take advantage of the frequent delays at Nepal’s newly elected Constituent Assembly. As the only openly gay member, he takes every opportunity to work on his homophobic colleagues, trying to convince them that contrary to what they were taught growing up in this very conservative country, homosexuals are just like any other people.

Mr. Pant, 35, a computer engineer by training, opens his laptop – an object of fascination to many in the assembly, who come from the rural hinterlands – and gives a PowerPoint presentation wherever he finds his audience.

“Kalpanaji, come join me,” Mr. Pant said during a break recently to a fellow parliamentarian, Kalpana Rana, inside a tent that serves as a canteen. Other lawmakers, there to kill time, began to move closer to his laptop.
“I have prepared this presentation for members of this assembly,” he said, giving them a beaming smile. The female members were too shy to join the crowd.

“There are some people on earth who consider themselves neither male nor female” he continued. “They like to be called third gender, which comprises roughly 10 percent of the total population.”

A man interrupted. “Oh, yes, I had seen this term in a medical book I have at home,” said the man, Mathabar Singh Thapa, of the rightist Janamukti Party in the 601-member assembly. “But, I have a question. Do they have genitals?”

“They do,” said Mr. Pant, trying not to giggle. “But, they don’t have natural sexual orientation.”

He then put a political spin on his presentation. “South Africa’s Constitution already has a provision that the third genders are not to be discriminated against,” he said. “Following the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, led by V. I. Lenin and Leon Trotsky, Russia became the first nation to legalize homosexuality.” The members listen attentively until the bell rings, summoning them back to the assembly hall.

What is a Gorkha’s native dress?

BY JYOTI THAPA MANI

A 19th Century Gorkha

Gorkha soldiers in their native cloths in 1900s

A Gorkha Soldier 1956

Initially, the Gorkha warriors were recruited largely from the Magar, Gurung, Rai clans of the mountain regions. They were and are  mountain agriculturists. Their dress consisted of a white dhoti called Patuka which could be folded or unfolded. The Patuka enabled working in the mountains while planting rice fields in muddy soil or climbing trees to cut fodder for their animals. The garment offered ease of movement for any kind of hill work. The patuka was held in place with a Kamarpati or belt made of fabric or leather. A waistcoat called ‘astcoat’ is the upper garment, alongwith a galbandi or muffler and a topi/cap. In extreme cold, they would drape a woolen shawl. The old timers still sport this attire. The Gorkha mountain dwellers with this dress could even withstand the coldest of weathers. The Dauro suraal was worn by those who did not live working off the land, mainly by the Bahun-Chhetri clans. The villages’ priest Bahun Baje always wore the Dauro Suruwal even today.

PS. These are archival pics from the Gorkha museum. Pl kindly do not misuse or reprint without permission. Thank you.

Warrior dance in Sikkim attracts visitors from abroad in large numbers

FROM ASIAN NEWS INTERNATIONAL

Ravangla (Sikkim), Sept 20: Warrior dance ‘Pangtoed Chaam’ was recently performed as a part of ‘Pang Lhabsol’ festival in Ravangla town of Sikkim attracting visitors from across the world.

The festival is celebrated every year on the 15th day of the 7th Buddhist month. The much-awaited ‘Pang Lhabsol’ rituals at Mani Choekerling monastery followed the inauguration by state Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.

The warriors came out of the main hall of the newly built Rawang Karma Thekchenling Donkun Duppai Gatsel monastery-cum-museum to perform in the courtyard.

Amid the chants, the drum beats, and the sound of cymbals, the warrior dancers called the Pangtoedpas performed the dance in honour of Mount Kanchenjunga considered the guardian deity of Sikkim.

The magnificence of the warrior dance fascinated the visitors who described the experience as dream come true.

“It is an altogether a different experience for me to witness this event. It is like a dream come true, as I have only seen this festival on television before. Mask dance was awesome,” said Itay, a tourist from Israel.

The festival is being celebrated in Ravangla every year since 1984.

FIFA’’s help, a major boost for football in Sikkim

FROM THAINDIAN

By Tashi Pradhan

Gangtok, Sep.20 (ANI): Nestled in the foothills of Himalaya, Sikkim is widely known for its rich biodiversity. But not many may know it is also the breeding ground of footballers in India from the northeast.

The State recently got a major boost, when world’’s biggest football organization FIFA, decided to provide monetary assistance for the development of football sport in the state. It is well-known that people in the northeast region of the country have always been drawn to sports, especially football. And, their passion perhaps, drew Federation International of Football Association (FIFA), the biggest name in the world of football, towards India, particularly towards Sikkim. Known for its pristine natural reserve, Sikkim is also known as the home of Bhaichung Bhutia, all time India’’s best footballer and captain of current Indian football team.

Youngsters in the region view FIFA support, as a milestone, to encourage the sport here. Arjun Rai, Coach of the United Sikkim Football Club, said: “The money that FIFA has given for our State, would be highly beneficial for promotion of football here. That money would be used in ground maintenance, making new grounds and football houses. So we will be benefited.” Leezang Lepcha, Football player, Sikkim, said: “Football is in our blood. It is highly popular in northeast. There are other sports also but in Sikkim, in Gangtok and in northeast we give more preference to football. That’’s why we are playing football since our childhood.” Under its Goal Project 2, FIFA would be providing a monetary assistance of rupees one crore to develop the football infrastructure in the State.

MOST URGENT

The matter of RJ Nitin was filed in Supreme Court as an Special Leave Petition[SLP] from the Calcutta High Court against the arrest warrant issued by Hon’ble Court based on the Writ Petition filed by the Darjeeling District Court on the basis of F.I.R filed by any resposible citizen of Darjeeling. Now to review the Judgement of Sept 10th of the Supreme Court I want the person name, address as well Telephone number who had given the F.I.R in the Police Station in the Darjeeling before Oct.,1st,2008.

Please take it seriously otherwise we loose the last chance to review the application.

Please contact me immediately in my given contact :-

Amrit Singh,
Advocate,
228,M.C.Setalvad Block,
Supreme Court of India,
Bhagwan Das Marg,
New Delhi-110001

Mobile: 9990763557 / 9873549534
E-mail: law.amrit@gmail.com

People in Nepal still blame India for their economic woes

The two countries have, in recent weeks, sparred over the issue of the Kosi floods, with each holding the other responsible WRITES Utpal Bhaskar

Kathmandu: A day after Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal returned from a four-day tour of India, people here are divided on whether such foreign trips are good, or bad for the country.

Growing aspirations: Having been traditionally close to Nepal’s monarchy and the Congress party, India is blamed not only for its power woes, but also for the high prices in that country. Utpal Bhaskar / MintBut many of them are unanimous in identifying the source for most of their problems- India.

The India visit by Dahal, a former Maoist rebel who is better known as Prachanda, is his second to a foreign country after becoming prime minister in August. He visited Beijing for the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.

Prachanda leaves for the US on Saturday to take part in the United Nations General Assembly session.

“Will he (the prime minister) only go on foreign tours, or will also do something for us?” asked a 30-year-old executive, who didn’t wish to be named.

The visit to the US will mean Prachanda has gone to three countries in his first 40 days as Nepal’s prime minister.  Not everyone frowns on the new leader’s foreign trips.

Nepal, the youngest republic in the world (the winners of the April elections that preceded Prachanda’s ascent to the prime minister’s post abolished monarchy) is wedged strategically between India and China and cannot afford to ignore these two countries, both of which have significant regional and global aspirations.

“Without global ties, the country cannot stand anywhere. With the changed political situation in the country, this is the right way ahead,” said 45-year-old Raj, who owns a shop that sells souvenirs. He gave only one name.

Anthropologist Manohar Karki said Prachanda is trying hard to bolster ties with the international community.

But there are those who, like the unnamed executive, say that there are more important things for Prachanda to do at home. And some are not sure he and his government can meet expectations.

“The government has limited resources and because of that, it will be impossible to meet the expectations,” said Dinesh, 43, who works at a currency exchange and gave only one name.

Buddha besieged: Singur, Gorkhaland

FROM INDIAN EXPRESS

By Kartyk Venkatraman

News shared by Aardee

Even as he was beleaguered by the Singur deadlock, there was a spot of relief for Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on the Gorkhaland issue. With little fanfare and even less media coverage, the first round of tripartite talks between the Centre, State Government and the Darjeeling Hill parties led by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) was held in New Delhi earlier this month.

Only two months ago, the situation in the Darjeeling Hills was approaching critical mass, with the Bimal Gurung-led GJM upping the ante and shutting down the district for nearly a month. Sikkim’s only lifeline – the NH-31A passing through Darjeeling – was closed to traffic by GJM bandh enforcers, shops selling essential commodities remained shut and a “non-cooperation” movement was launched which put a stop to payment of government taxes and levies, and changed most vehicle numberplates from “West Bengal” to “Gorkhaland”.

Parleys between the state government and the GJM ended in a stalemate with the former refusing to consider a separate Gorkhaland state. Finally, an unwilling Centre decided to form the third apex of the triangle and agreed to tripartite talks. Based on this assurance, the GJM withdrew its bandh and let normalcy return to the hills.

The GJM is somewhat happy that it has been able to get the Centre’s attention towards the Gorkhland issue. The GJM delegation’s return to Darjeeling was marked by a whistle-stop tour of the district and a series of public meetings. Senior party leaders indicated that the “non-cooperation” movement is expected to be relaxed anytime.

A feast for the eyes and tastebuds too – Silver jubilee celebrations of North East Beauty Pageant to include cultural festival

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

Kyntiewlin Rapthap, who was crowned Miss Shillong in 2006, will vie for the Miss North East Pageant title next month A file picture

Shillong, Sept. 19: The Miss North East Pageant will provide more than a feast for the eyes when its silver jubilee celebrations begin in Shillong on October 10.

The occasion will comprise more than just a bevy of beauties walking down the ramp.

The organisers of the event, Fashion Society, Shillong, will host the two-day North East Festival, beginning on October 10, in collaboration with the government-run North East Forum of Indigenous Culture and Arts.

Visitors can gorge to their heart’s content on the ethnic cuisine available at the festival. All the northeastern states, including Sikkim, will participate in the event.

Declaring the names of the 18 contestants for the beauty pageant last night, the chairman of the society, Aldous Mawlong, said, “Through the events, we hope to attract both domestic and foreign tourists as the event will bring together the rich cultural heritage of the region.”

The biggest and oldest contest of its kind in the region, the Meghalaya state government supports the event as an occasion to attract tourists.

The contestants are Moom Darang and Taba Chommi (Arunachal Pradesh), Stuti Choudhury and Diksha Das (Assam), Linphoi Devi and Pratima Devi (Manipur), Kyntiewlin Rapthap and Layla Iarisa Kharkongor (Meghalaya), Manuni and Meseli (Mizoram), Akum Naro and Imsu Lemla (Nagaland), Tashi Lepcha and Supriya Pradhan (Sikkim) and Rini Deb Burma and Uma Reang (Tripura).

WB’s first big step to promote tourism

FROM THE STATESMAN

By Stanley Theodore

HYDERABAD, Sept. 19.: West Bengal took its first major step to promote tourism in the state with aggressive marketing of ‘Brand West Bengal’ at the on-going Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) Travel Mart here.

The state has been attracting a measly 3.5 per cent of international travellers, despite having historic centres like Kolkata, resort centres like Darjeeling apart from World Heritage Site like the Sunderbans.

“We are aggressively marketing the ‘Beautiful Bengal’ theme. Though we have participated earlier at ITB-Berlin and the World Travel Mart, branding at the Pata, this is the first significant step for West Bengal tourism”, Impression Tourism Services chief executive Mr Debjit Dutta told The Statesman. His company with Vedic Village has been hired by the state government to showcase Bengal to international tourism.

West Bengal was the very last participant at Pata. Actually, they confirmed their participation early this month, long after entries and appointments were closed. Though they secured a small corner in the ground floor of the Hyderabad International Convention Centre it has turned out to be a blessing in disguise as they are right next to the entry point of the building.

“It is only after coming here that we managed to secure appointments with international players who are looking at new destinations in India. So far we have spoken to 40 companies across the world,” Vedic Village marketing manager Mr Arindam Ghosh said.

He said India has been famous for its golden triangle of Delhi-Agra-Jaipur. “Here we are promoting the West Bengal golden triangle of Kolkata-Sunderbans-Darjeeling,” he said.

Tea Board, FAO launch project for organic tea

FROM THE HINDU

GOING ORGANIC: Basudeb Banerjee (right), Chairman, Tea Board of India, shaking hands with Kaison Chang, Secretary, FAO IGG on Tea, at a press conference in Kolkata on Friday. Anne Boor (left), Project Director, INFOAM, and Nianjun Schen, Assistant Project Manager-Common Fund for Commodities, look on.

KOLKATA: The Intergovernmental Group (IGG) of the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization has cautioned against any overreaction to the current high prices ruling in the tea industry. Kaison Chang, Secretary, IGG, FAO, said that there was turnaround in the international tea market with steady rise in consumption. “But for sustainability of the industry there was need to resist over-reaction to high prices through measures like expansion in the area under tea cultivation. There was a need to maintain a demand-supply balance,” he said.

He also said that the legalities and the procedural framework for the proposed international tea producers forum were now being examined. The body will look at various issues, including tea output, import standards and the issue of fixing minimum residue levels for tea.

Launching India’s organic tea development project here on Friday, he said the estimated cost of the three-year project was $4.05 million of which the Common Fund for Commodities (a UN body) will give 40 per cent of the cost as grants and loan.