Gandhigiri in Action!

Women cadres of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha offers a flower to a gentleman in casual dress and requests him to wear Daura Suruwal. Photo by Himalaya Darpan

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Bimal Gurung in Delhi 20 Dec 2007

Photos by Jyoti Thapa Mani

Gorkhaland activists start war of signboards

FROM SINDH TODAY

Siliguri (West Bengal), Oct 17 (IANS) Activists of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM), fighting for a separate state in northern part of West Bengal, Friday pasted ‘Gorkhaland’ on signboards of shops and business establishments in Darjeeling and Kurseong area.

The GJM, which had issued a diktat that ‘West Bengal’ should be replaced by ‘Gorkhaland’ on the signboards from Friday, held meetings across the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong, exhorting the people to lend support to the latest form of protests.

In Darjeeling town, GJM activists took out a 10,000 strong procession which culminated in a meeting at Chowrasta. GJM president Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri, the party general secretary were the principal speakers.

‘We have started the signboard movement Friday. We will intensify it in the coming days. We are appealing to the people to remove ‘West Bengal’ from the signboards and instead write ‘Gorkhaland’. If some people do not heed to our request, our workers will do the needful,’ said GJM press and publicity secretary Benoy Tamang.

But fresh confrontation is brewing over the GJM’S order that all vehicles plying in the Darjeeling sub-division (comprising the hill areas of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong) would have to bear nameplates beginning with GL (Gorkhaland) instead of WB (West Bengal).

The Communist Party of India – Marxist’s (CPI-M)’s labour wing Centre for Trade Unions (CITU) has demanded that the Darjeeling district administration take appropriate action to thwart the GJM’s ‘evil designs’ within the next three days.

Governor’s Gold Cup: BSF Overcome Sikkim Police

Two time champions BSF (Jalandhar) overcame a dogged Sikkim Police by a solitary goal in the pre-quarterfinals of the 30th All India Governor’s Gold Cup football tournament played today here at Paljor Stadium.

FROM GOAL.COM

By Bijoy Gurung

Avinash Thapa scored the all important goal in the 26th minute which was the best goal of the tournament so far. The move began when nimble footed Ph. Boy Singh of BSF flew past several Sikkim Police players from the midfield and crossed the ball from the right flank to his team mate Thapa.

Thapa was already marked by two Sikkim Police defenders but he met the cross with a dying header into the near post beating the goalkeeper.

Earlier to this goal, both Sikkim Police and BSF had missed two identical chances.

During their onslaught for an equalizer, Sikkim Police was unlucky when Bir Bahadur Thapa’s header crashed into the cross bar and then dropped down into the goal line. Sikkim Police vehemently claimed the goal but the referee and linesman remained unmoved.

In the second half, the policemen dominated the ball possession and were thwarted on several occasions. In the dying minutes, a handball by a BSF player in the penalty box went unnoticed by the referee.

With this win, BSF now faces Three Star club from Nepal in the quarters on October 21.

Choose between jobs and lawlessness: Tata to WB

FROM INDIAN EXPRESS NEWSLINE

NEWS SHARED BY AARDEE

Kolkata, October 17: After pulling out the Nano project from Singur, Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata on Friday asked the people of West Bengal to support the present government in building a prosperous state or see it consumed by a destructive political environment.

In an open letter to the people of West Bengal which appeared in select dailies in Kolkata, Tata said the citizens should decide whether they wanted education and jobs in the industrial and hi-tech sectors or ‘wants to stay as they are’.

“The people of West Bengal, particularly the younger citizens, will need to express their views and aspirations as to what they would like to see West Bengal become in the years ahead,” the letter said.

“Would they like to support the present government of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to build a prosperous state with the rule of law, modern infrastructure and industrial growth, or would they like to see the state consumed by a destructive political environment of confrontation, agitation, violence and lawlessness?” Tata asked

Foothill tribals protest against separate Gorkhaland

FROM DAILY INDIA

Siliguri, Oct 17: Hundreds of people of a tribal community protested in Siliguri against the demand of the Gorkha ethnic community for a separate hill state.

Gorkhas, who are ethnic Nepalis, have been fighting for a separate state of “Gorkhaland” to be carved out of the northern hill districts of West Bengal.

However, the tribals inhabiting the foothills, – the Doars and Terai regions, have protested against the creation of Gorkhaland, claiming that they represent over 60 per cent of the population in the region.

While Doars falls under Jalpaiguri district, Terai comes under Darjeeling district dominated by the ethnic Santhals, Mahtos, Bhils, Mundas, Oraons and Nepalese.

“Our demands are that Terai and Doars should not be included in the proposed Gorkhaland. All the Hindi speaking people in the area want that Hindi should be made the medium of language in schools and universities. We also demand opening of the closed tea gardens in the Terai and Doars region,” Rajesh Toppno, Assistant Secretary of Adivasi Bikash Parisad (Tribal Development Council).

At least 1,200 people died in the first Gorkhaland campaign in the 1980s, but protests ended a few years later after Gorkha leaders accepted limited autonomy.

Under the watchful eyes of the most venerable Poet Bhanubhakta Acharya

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Photo by Barun Roy

A lone Gorkha cameraman shots the GJM cultural programme at Chowrasta, Darjeeling

Photo by Barun Roy

Gorkha Belles Dancing at Chowrasta, Darjeeling

Photo by Barun Roy

GJM Delegates from Delhi offers the Mahatma’s Portrait as a gift to the party President

Photo by Barun Roy

“Jai Gorkha Jai Gorkhaland” A delegate from Delhi cries out!

“Jai Gorkha Jai Gorkha,” cries out a delegate from New Delhi before being felicitated by party president at Chowrasta, Darjeeling. Photo by Barun Roy

Gorkha Janmutki Morcha Delegrates from New Delhi felicitated

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GJM President and General Secretary felicitating party delegates from New Delhi. Photos by Barun Roy

“I love taking photographs everywhere I go” Bimal Gurung

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The GJM President aims his digital SLR at the people while long time friend and Party General Secretary Roshan Giri shares a thought. Photo by Barun Roy

“I love landscape and portrait. Our people are so lovely that you just have to aim and shoot. The photos are naturally fantastic. The happiness and the warm attitude of our peole shows automatically on the photos,” Bimal Gurung. Photo by Barun Roy

“They are the real power. Without them I am nothing” Bimal Gurung

“They are the real power. Without them I am nothing.” Bimal Gurung rejoices with the people. Photos by Barun Roy

Bimal Gurung greeting the people at Chowrasta, Darjeeling

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Bimal Gurung, President, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and Roshan Giri, General Secretary, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha ‘jamm up’ with the people at Chowrasta, Darjeeling to a popular Gorkhali number.

Photos by Barun Roy

“Lets us be proud of our culture” Bimal Gurung

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Bimal Gurung arrives at the occasion of Cultural Rally and Cultural Programme organised by Singla, Tukvar, Lebong Constituency. Photo by Barun Roy

Cultural Rally at Chowrasta, Darjeeling Today

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A multitude of people from Singla, Tukvar and Lebong Constituency attend the cultural rally at Chowrasta, Darjeeling. Photos by Barun Roy

The Colours of Gorkha Culture – Shining Bright

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Gorkha women dance to the beats of drums on the occasion of cultural rally by Singla Tukvar Lebong Constituency at Chowrasta, Darjeeling. Photo by Barun Roy

Gorkha Drummers at Chowrasta on the occasion of Cultural Rally by Singla, Tukvar and Lebong Constituency Today

PHOTOS BY BARUN ROY

Instances of slanted journalism targetted specifically towards Gorkhas resurfaces again!

Protecting Traditions At The Cost Of Freedom

FROM THE VIEWSPAPER

BY SHINY DAS

The recent incident in Darjeeling where the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha activists smeared people with black paint in the middle of the roads, who were not dressed traditionally, is indeed shocking. Darjeeling is still a part of the so-called “secular” and “democratic” India, and these actions in a civilized society, just leaves us dumbfounded. Previous demands of changing the signboards and number plates of cars were ridiculous enough and now this? According to the party, this temporary restriction on attire is a way of paying tribute to their culture, it would also differentiate them from the Bengalis, who have to wear their own traditional clothes. Thus, anyone not dressed in a daura surwal or chaubandi cholo, is an Anti-Gorkhaland. Tourists have been mercifully left out of this. Though the party leader had said this would not be enforced, people wearing casual clothes, who have been living there for generations, were smeared with black paint in the in broad daylight and in full police glare, by these “culture vigilantes”. Senior citizens and women were also not spared!

Whose interests are they protecting? Who created culture and created traditions? Man did. If man’s freedom is taken away, if humanity is done away with, can culture survive alone? Can tradition co-exist with force? When will these politicians realize that traditions cannot be “imposed” by humiliation; culture is something that one inherits and is proud to conform to? Attire does not necessarily prove one’s love for his or her motherland. These extremist attitudes not only leave a bitter taste in one’s mouth, but they also misguide the youth of the nation. Instead of spreading a positive message of inculcating values that would make the youth adopt our nation’s traditions spontaneously, these actions which are nothing but exploitation of tradition for political purposes, only repel people farther from their own roots. One may not go to a temple and yet be spiritual; one may go to the temple every Thursday and still break the law every day. We do not need to see two communities dressed separately to understand that they are different. It is almost like forcibly creating a divide between the people. Unity in diversity has always been the catch phrase to describe the people of India. The parties demand a separate state, but is this the example they are setting? If granted the freedom and autonomy, is this the “trailer” of the tyranny that will follow? I am not saying that one should disrespect one’s traditions, but at the same time wearing a certain kind of attire for a does not explain one’s love for his or her motherland. If terrorist wears traditional Gorkha attire and plants bombs in Darjeeling, will they( according to the GJM) be a better citizens and lovers of Gorkhaland than all the innocent people they humiliated on the streets?

The common man is always at the receiving end; tourist footfall has decreased dramatically in the past few months in Darjeeling. For every Bengali, Darjeeling was paradise near home; a place of sheer nostalgia, it still is, the hills, the toy train and climbing the rocky terrain like a snake. All these memories were enough to lure us, but now we are skeptical to pay a visit to Darjeeling. The business suffers, not the parties. It is the same case everywhere, political tussles drive out industrialists from a state and the common man loses out on lucrative job opportunities, agitations are ignited for protecting religions and innocent people lose their lives. If this mocking irony does not stop, if lawlessness in the name of religion and culture never concludes, is it possible to foresee where we will be in a few years from now?

Kalimpong – As popular an educational destination as ever

More than a thousand Bhutanese students attend schools and colleges here

FROM KUENSEL NEWSPAPER, BHUTAN

By Passang Norbu

FEELS ALMOST LIKE HOME – An environment conducive to learning

17 October, 2008 – Kalimpong is a vibrant town in India located 4000 ft above sea level amid beautiful rolling hills of the Darjeeling district. It is also the place most Bhutanese students opt for in their pursuit of higher secondary education.

It’s been that way since a long time ago. Bhutan’s prime minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley is an alumnus of Dr Graham’s Homes, one of the renowned schools in Kalimpong. Other high Bhutanese officials, a number of them, can trace their education roots to Kalimpong.

Some of the place’s other famous education institutes are Scottish Universities Mission Institution (SUMI) established in 1886, St Augustine’s School, St Joseph’s Convent, BMC College, Good Shepherd and Rockvale Academy.

At present, more than 1,000 Bhutanese students study in different schools and colleges in Kalimpong. For the vast outstation population of Bhutanese students studying there, Kalimpong is second home.

A hotel management student, Lachoe, told Kuensel that the place is away from the hustle and bustle of the overpopulated and polluted cities of India. It makes sense to study in Kalimpong as the environment is conducive to learning.

It has a pleasant climate with average summer temperatures between 28ºC and 32ºC, and winter temperatures of 12ºC to 16ºC.

“The weather here is similar to Thimphu and people are cultured and friendly too.” said a first year student. Besides tourism, the economic foundation of Kalimpong is its educational sector. It provides a good source of income to local businessmen, comprising book-sellers, hawkers, restaurant owners, garment sellers and taxi drivers.

Darjeeling gears up for Gorkhaland stir

FROM NDTV

All state government offices in Darjeeling hills were put on alert as the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha has directed that every signboards in the region should carry the word ‘Gorkhaland’ from Thursday.

All state government offices in the hills were asked to keep their guards alert and in no case allow GJM activists to write ‘Gorkhaland’ in office signboards, Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) K L Tamta said.

Besides government offices, the GJM leadership has asked all shops, business establishments and private offices to write ‘Gorkhaland’ in their signboards from tomorrow. If the dictate was not carried out, GJM has said that they will do the job themselves.

Tamta said six companies of additional forces were requisitioned to the state authority apprehending untoward incidents centering the issue, he said.

Home Secretary Asoke Mohan Chakraborty had told reporters earlier this week that the Government did not have sufficient infrastructure to resist illegal activities of GJM which included writing Gorkhaland on government office sign boards and restriction of movement of vehicles bearing ‘GL’ (Gorkhaland) number plates.

Use ‘Govt of Gorkhaland’ on signboards, demands GJM

FROM INDIA TODAY

After enforcing that car number plates in the Darjeeling hills carry the ‘GL’ marking, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha has directed that all signboards in the region should carry Gorkhaland in place of West Bengal from Friday.

GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri said government offices such as the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council will have to bear the inscription ‘Government of Gorkhaland’ instead of ‘Government of West Bengal’ from Friday.

“In case of signboards at private establishments such as offices, shops and hotels, it should read Darjeeling and Kurseong, followed by ‘Gorkhaland,” Giri said.

“This is part of our non-cooperation movement that is aimed at showing that we are not willing to stay under West Bengal’s rule,” he said.

This will also be applicable in areas such as Siliguri, Terai and the Dooars, he said.

District Magistrate of Darjeeling Surendra Gupta said the move was illegal and would be dealt with “appropriately”.

‘Gorkhaland’ signboards from today: GJM fiat

FROM THE HINDU

KOLKATA: The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha, which has been demanding a separate State comprising the Darjeeling hills and certain contiguous areas, has said all signboards in the region should carry the words “Government of Gorkhaland,” instead of “Government of West Bengal,” from Friday.

“This is part of our non-cooperation movement with the West Bengal government,” GJM general secretary Roshan Giri told The Hindu over telephone from Darjeeling on Thursday.

“All signboards outside State government offices, restaurants, hotels and shops should carry the name ‘Government of Gorkhaland’. This will be symbolic of our desire to separate from West Bengal,” Mr. Giri said.

The district administration has described the decision as “totally illegal” but is disinclined to use force to prevent it, according to a senior district official. “We are against confrontation and the prime objective is to ensure that there is no breach of peace.”

Dress code

Already, since October 7, the GJM has imposed a dress code, calling upon the Gorkha (local Nepali) population to wear the traditional dress for a month.

But, the GJM leadership has condemned the action of some supporters who smeared black paint on the faces of some residents not attired in the traditional costume. “We do not support such acts. There is no diktat that has been imposed and nearly 80 per cent of the local Gorkhas have taken to wearing their traditional costumes spontaneously in support of our cause,” Mr. Giri said.