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Kalimpong, Dec. 30: A “communication gap” is proving to be costly for the 110-odd trainees at the ongoing winter football camp organised by Kalimpong Veterans Recreation Club (KVRC) at Mela Ground here.

The young footballers are being compelled to use only half of the ground after Kalimpong Sports Association (KSA), which is in-charge of it, allowed the staging of a commercial fair on the other half. The camp began on December 14, almost simultaneously with the fair.

“We are holding the camp to encourage local talent. However, since the organisers of the mela have occupied the major portion of the ground, we have not been able to train our boys properly. It will be of help if the authorities do not grant permission to stage non-sporting activities (like the fair), when the ground is being used for games,” said Urgen Lama, the chief coach of the camp. (more…)

Dear Readers of Kalimpong.info,

It has been almost three years that this website has been serving you with news and information about our very own Kalimpong. It gives me immense pleasure to administer this website, specially with the knowledge that this site helps keep our Kalimpongeys (and other guests) informed about our hometown.

This site was launched with the hope that it would serve as an anchor to those away from home, to keep us informed, and to keep us rooted with our home and heritage. And I am glad and privileged to report that over the years this site has found a small (but growing) and loyal readership. The most important contributor to this site is you, the visitor. Your invaluable interaction fuels dialogue and debate, which is what we need in order to contribute to positive change in our town. Your views and opinions are very important and I encourage all to actively speak your mind, proffer your opinions and participate in discussions about issues that are important to all of us, and to our Kalimpong. So please, don’t hesitate to comment away.

You may have noticed, as of yesterday, that the site now displays some (hopefully unobtrusive) advertisements. This website was setup with a goal of being a public service site, a non-profit endeavor. This hasn’t changed. However I have taken a decision to try sponsored advertisements in order to defray the costs of web-hosting and domain expenses. I hope that enough revenue will be generated through advertisements to at least meet those costs. If (fingers crossed) the ads earnings exceeds those requirements then I will use the surplus in a way that will serve Kalimpong. And if that is indeed the case, I will ask you, dear readers, for advice.

I would like to thank all the visitors to the site for your continued readership and your support. This site is for you, and without you this site is nothing. I would love to have feedback and suggestions for what can be done to further improve the utility of this site. There’s still a lot to do and with your help it’ll all be possible. So please bookmark this page, keep coming back, and spread the word.

Thank You and Wishing You All a Very Very Happy New Year.

Best Wishes,

-Admin

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RAJEEV RAVIDAS

Kalimpong, Dec. 27: The long-neglected genre of drama in Nepali literature is expected to receive a fillip, or at least that is what Laxman Srimal believes. Srimal has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in Nepali literature for his play Curfew this year.

The award was announced in Delhi yesterday by Sahitya Akademi. Besides Srimal, 22 other writers from different Indian languages have been selected for the award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a plaque.

The author and theatre personality is the first dramatist to win the prestigious award since 1977 when Nepali literature was recognised by the over 50-year-old Sahitya Akademi. Previous winners in Nepali were mostly novelists and poets.

The 63-year-old Srimal, too, had started his career by writing poems and has to his credit a compilation Srimal Ka Kabita Haru (Srimal’s Poems), which was published in 1985.

“I started writing since my school days (Pushpa Rani School in Kurseong) by penning poems,” said the dramatist on phone from Siliguri.

Srimal, however, hoped that the award would do a world of good to the genre of drama. “It has not got its due in our literature. There are many like me who have done wonderful work in this genre. I hope this recognition will spur us all into producing better works in the future,” he added.

The dramatist is also a widely recognised theatre personality, having directed many plays, including his own. “I spent most of my youth on stage. I thoroughly enjoy the experience,” said Srimal, who produces most of the dramas under the banner of the Kurseong-based Sharda Sangeetalaya.

I.B. Rai, the 1977 recipient of the award, said Srimal’s plays analyses Nepali society threadbare. “He looks starkly at the social problems,” Rai said from Siliguri.

Admitting that television has weaned away a sizeable chunk of audience seeking “cheap entertainment”, Srimal, however, is optimistic that theatre would survive the test. “People like Purna Gurung, Nanda Hangkin, Raju Pradhan and Arun Prakash Rai have been producing great works. Their efforts will surely bear fruit.”

Apart from being an author and theatre personality, Srimal is also an educationist, having retired a few years ago as assistant headmaster of Victoria Boys’ School, Kurseong.

“Now, I have immersed myself totally in writing. I have been striving to achieve the proficiency already acquired by other societies in play-writing,” Srimal added.

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Bimal Gurung

Darjeeling, Dec. 27: Bimal Gurung today urged the hills to be “ready for one last statehood fight”, the plans for which will be announced on January 6 at Gorkha Stadium in Lebong, 7km from here.

“It might inconvenience people but everyone must be ready for one last battle for Gorkhaland. We will fight it out democratically and we hope the other parties will not let us down,” said Gurung, the president of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, at a public meeting at Jorebunglow here today.

The Morcha said it has completed only one of its 14-point agitation programme — the gherao of Lal Kothi, the headquarters of the DGHC, in November — and the rest were going to follow.

The three-month old party, which has been trying to garner support against the Sixth Schedule, showed signs of political maturity and, in order to bargain for Gorkhaland, seemed ready to play on the security concerns of this strategic area. “We are hemmed by international borders and if the Indian and Bengal governments do not secure our future, we might have to look back at history,” said Gurung. Prior to 1835, Darjeeling was a part of Sikkim. In recent times, voices (Gorkha Rashtriya Congress) have been raised for its merger with the hill state.

“If the need arises we will also call upon the Gorkhas who are now part of security forces to help us,” Gurung said.

The leader, however, appeared certain that Gorkhaland was a possibility. “Subash Ghisingh raised the demand but sold it off when he formed the DGHC. We are not going to do that. We have a man with brains behind us and the day Gorkhaland is formed we will publicly acknowledge his support,” said Gurung.

After his return from Delhi, where he had gone to attend a hearing on the Sixth Schedule status bill, the Gorkha leader had announced that Gorkhaland would be formed by March 10, 2010. “I have studied Ghisingh’s kundali along with mine and the Morcha’s. It says Gorkhaland will be formed soon,” he said.

Gurung also accused Ghisingh of adopting a violent policy during the Gorkhaland agitation. “Lots of our CPM brothers were killed and many were martyred. Ghisingh was responsible for this. This must not be repeated again.”

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Dec. 25: The sizeable Christian population of Kalimpong town celebrated Christmas with traditional fervour and gaiety today.

The celebration began last night itself with people thronging the various churches dotting the town for midnight mass. The churches were again the focal point this morning as the faithfuls converged for the morning prayers.

After the service, children and adults alike enjoyed the goodies served at the peace feasts on the premises of the churches. People, dressed in new clothes, were also seen exchanging cards and gifts.

Later, the party shifted to individual houses where family and friends gathered.

The town itself wore a festive look with many shops decorated for Christmas. The bakeries did brisk business. “The sale of cakes and chocolates has gone up this year. It probably has to do with the sudden influx of foreign tourists in the last couple of days,” said Abhishek Khanna, the owner of 3Cs, a popular confectionery here.

Hosanna Covenant Charitable Trust and Living Stone Ministries have decided to donate blankets to 20-odd beggars in town on Friday. “We also plan to give them packaged food,” said Paul Prakash, the president of Living Stone Ministries.

In Siliguri last night, 17 members of the Rotaract Club took on the role of Santa Claus, distributing blankets, clothes and food to 40 footpath dwellers.

“The aim was to celebrate the birth of Christ. We took on the role of Santa Claus to bring surprise and joy to the downtrodden. We hope that the initiative will show them that somebody cares,” said club president Khushboo Maheshwari.

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RAJEEV RAVIDAS

Kalimpong, Dec. 23: The Internet subscribers of BSNL here have threatened to sue the telecom service provider, demanding compensation for loss of business.

In the last four months, the Internet users in the hills have had to bear with frequent disruption of the BSNL’s broadband service, thanks to a combination of natural and man-made factors. As a result, hotelliers, travel agents and café owners have suffered losses.

“We have drafted a letter addressed to the BSNL’s general manager in Siliguri, demanding compensation,” said Praful Rao, the owner of an Internet café here.

Café owners in Darjeeling want compensation from the BSNL. “I have two connections for which I cough up Rs 7,500 every month. Even a day’s disruption in connectivity sets me back by Rs 200. Who is going to compensate me for that?” asked Bon Pradhan, a café owner in Darjeeling.

People connected with the tourism industry, too, said they lost business because of breakdown in connectivity. “Nowadays, most of the bookings are done on Net. So, it is imperative for us to remain connected if we want to optimise our business,” said Amode Yonzon, the proprietor of Park Hotel in Kalimpong.

S.K. Samanta, the BSNL’s general manger in Siliguri, said he was aware of the problem. But most of the time the disruption occurred because of the snapping of optical fibre cable (OFC) either by theft or landslides. “When that happens, it takes time to restore links despite the optimum use of our resources.” It would be of help if police could set an example by apprehending some of the criminals, he said.

Samanta also said his department was re-looking at an old proposal to lay the OFC from Siliguri to Darjeeling via Kurseong as an alternative to the present line via Mirik. “We are also thinking of laying an alternative line to Kalimpong in the future,” he added.

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Kalimpong, Dec. 21: The carol festival ended here tonight with a dance performance by a three-member Fijian troupe.

The all-men team comprising Mark Barvear, Letani Quranivalu and Jerry Bosevanua danced with gusto, at times even threatening to bring down the temporary stage set up on Main Road. Through their dances, they sought to spread the message of Christ. Attired in a mix of traditional Fijian and modern clothes comprising lavalava (a cloth worn like a kilt or skirt) and black T-shirts with leaves tied around the wrists, the dancers won the hearts of the evening crowd.

“We would have danced bare bodied, but for the biting cold and the fact that both my mates are suffering from cold,” Barvear said. All the four dances were in “praise of the Lord”.

“While Mebaia roughly means God has a place in our lives even before we are born, Neibalu means the battle is not yours, but belongs to God,” explained Barvear. The other two dances were titled Israel and Kikaha.

In fact, the festival organised by the Christian community under the banner of Kalimpong Carol Festival Committee began on Monday and drew a good response on all four days. The Fijians, too, appeared happy. “We love the Indians. In fact, 40 per cent of the population back home is of Indian origin. Having performed in Pune, Delhi, Calcutta and now Kalimpong, I can tell you we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves,” said Barvear. Asked about the relationship between the native Fijians and those of Indian origin, Barvear said things were much better now than it was earlier.

Into its fifth year, the carol festival’s popularity has been growing steadily. “To have this kind of festival in the middle of a long and dreary winter is wonderful. It creates the right mood leading up to Christmas and New Year,” said Ujwal Rai, a resident.

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Kalimpong, Dec. 16: Primary healthcare will be available at a cheaper rate to residents living below the poverty line (BPL) in the civic area here from tomorrow.

Community-based primary health sub-centres will start functioning in five wards of the Kalimpong municipality. These will be located at Atithi Griha, Shantinagar, Mangaldara in Chivvo Busti, Chandralok and Relli Road. The project, sponsored by the Bengal urban development department, will be implemented by the civic body.

“The idea is to ensure 100 per cent immunisation of children below five years and institutional delivery of the newborn,” Sangay Zimba, the health officer of the Kalimpong municipality, told The Telegraph. Zimba is the project’s implementing officer.

Besides an immunisation unit, the sub-centres will have facilities like anti-natal and post-natal care, children’s growth-monitoring and health awareness clinics. These will remain open from 12 noon to 4pm on weekdays. “Kalimpong Subdivisional Hospital has deputed a doctor who will visit these sub-centres once every week,” said Zimba. The civic body will hire health workers to assist the doctor.

The sub-centres will also implement national health programmes like pulse-polio and tuberculosis eradication. “More sub-centres will be set up depending on the BPL survey,” Zimba added.

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Darjeeling, Dec. 16: The Standing Committee on Home Affairs has invited six regional parties to Delhi for a hearing on the Sixth Schedule status for the Darjeeling hills on December 20.

In a letter to Darjeeling MP Dawa Narbula, the director of the Rajya Sabha secretariat, P.P.K. Ramacharyulu, said the parties have been invited to voice their opinion on the special status.

Narbula had recently sent a letter to the committee to say that the opinion of the regional parties should be taken into account before a report is prepared. The constitutional amendment bill for the inclusion of the hills in the Sixth Schedule was referred to the committee by Parliament during the winter session. (more…)

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Kalimpong, Dec. 13: The four-day Kalimpong Carol Festival from December 17 will herald the Christmas celebrations here. Into its fifth year, the festival will be held from 5pm to 8pm at Main Road.

The Christians of the subdivision come together under the banner of Kalimpong Carol Festival Committee to organise the event.

“The idea is to convey the message of peace, harmony and joy,” said Paul Prakash, the chief coordinator of the committee.

Carol troupes from across the subdivision have begun their preparations. “This year’s edition will be a local affair. We are trying to get a choir team from Mizoram as well,” said Prakash.

The troupes will sing Christmas hymns from a specially constructed dais near Damber Chowk. Main Road will be decorated with colourful banners, buntings, light and the Christmas tree.

“As always Santa Claus will amuse his young friends,” said Prakash.

On the opening day, the carol singers will march through the town before converging on Main Road, where Christmas messages will be read out.

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SUJAN DUTTA

Dec. 12: The Indian Army is relocating a division of troops to North Bengal from Jammu after the security establishment has taken stock of a Chinese move into a high plateau in Bhutan named Dolam.

Major elements of the 27 Mountain Division have already moved out and among these are units of the 164 Mountain Brigade based in Kalimpong, an army headquarters source has confirmed to The Telegraph.

A Chinese move into Dolam means that India’s border with China gets distorted at Sikkim’s tri-point with Bhutan. It also means that Chinese forces move a few kilometres south from where they originally were. It brings them closer to North Bengal’s Siliguri Corridor. China has always laid claim to Dolam. There is a suspicion that it has now extended its claim line. (more…)

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RAJEEV RAVIDAS

Kalimpong, Dec. 12: Save The Hills (STH), a conglomeration of different hill-based organisations, has called for the setting up of a nodal agency to deal with disaster management in Darjeeling district.

In a letter faxed to chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee yesterday, the conglomeration said the agency was necessary because at present both the Bengal government and the DGHC were handling disaster management separately in the hills.

“We were informed that prevention of disaster was not the responsibility of the district magistrate (alone) since many of the departments concerned with preventive work were not under them (him). This is contrary to the (provisions of the) Disaster Management Act 2005,” read the letter.

The act says all aspects of disaster management will come under the purview of a district authority headed by the district magistrate.

STH convener Praful Rao said the letter was drafted after discussion on disaster management with member organisations after the September landslides.

The conglomeration came into being in November and is yet to be registered.

Since September, the members made field visits to many landslide-affected areas. The STH had also assisted a two-member team of the Geological Survey of India during their 10-day study trip to Kalimpong that concluded yesterday.

The STH in its letter to the chief minister has also suggested the inclusion of the Darjeeling district in natural disaster surveys carried out in Sikkim.

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RAJEEV RAVIDAS

The house in Kalimpong from where the institute is run. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha

Kalimpong, Dec. 11: With no students and limited staff, an uncertain future awaits Chitrabhanu, a training centre for art and craft run by the directorate of technical education.

The 43-year-old institute is housed in a cottage at Atisha Road that once was the summer home of Rabindranath Tagore. Chitrabhanu provides training to women from the age group of 18 to 30 years, in ten disciplines like drawing, painting, designing, housecraft and music.

The institute conducts one-year certificate courses for a minimum of 10 students at a time. In July only three candidates — two outstation and one local — enrolled for the course. Subsequently, the local trainee discontinued for personal reasons, while the other two left because of political disturbances and have not yet reported back.

The subdivisional officer of Kalimpong, P.T. Sherpa, said: “Chitrabhanu is the second institute of its kind in the state after the one in Calcutta. It’s adequate infrastructure, including hostel facility, must not go waste.”

Besides lack of students, the institute is severely handicapped by shortage of staff. Other than the officer in-charge, there are no permanent teachers. Even the post of matron has been lying vacant for almost three years. The other permanent employees of the institute are two office clerks, a peon and a night guard.

“For many years now, the courses here are imparted by part-time teachers, hired on daily basis. This probably is the reason behind the fall in the number of trainees enrolling on the institute,” said a source.

The directorate of technical education is toying with the idea of introducing a two-year diploma in vocational courses like craft. “They are planning to sanction 15 seats for vocational courses. Candidates completing these courses will find employment in high schools as work education teachers,” said the source.

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Darjeeling, Dec. 10: The president of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Bimal Gurung, was today granted anticipatory bail by the court of the sessions judge here in a case related to an attempt on the life of GNLF leader Kul Bahadur Gurung.

Kul Bahadur, who was attacked with khukuris in Darjeeling on November 23, had named Bimal, along with a few others, in the FIR lodged after the incident.

Following the complaint, police had started a case against Bimal and the others. The charges against them include Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 326 (causing grievous injury) of the IPC, which are non-bailable (that is, once the accused are arrested, the police cannot let them go and they must be produced in court before the question of bail arises). This forced Bimal to go for an anticipatory bail plea.

The order by sessions judge B.C. Paul says: “It appears that the witnesses who were examined did not disclose the name of the accused (Bimal).” The Morcha president was granted anticipatory bail with a surety of Rs 1,000 and asked to surrender in court on or before December 19.

In another development, Buddha Lama, the president of the Pashupat unit of the GNLF, has alleged that Morcha supporters damaged his vehicle last night and threatened to kill him. The police have arrested six persons.

Pashupat is located about 30km from Darjeeling town.

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Siliguri, Dec. 9: Good news for motorists. The Centre has given the green signal to four projects that promise to improve the road network in north Bengal and Sikkim.

The projects include construction of new roads, widening of existing ones and a new bridge over the Teesta at Sevoke. The landslide-prone areas on NH31A will also be strengthened so that Kalimpong and Sikkim do not get cut off from the rest of the country, especially during the monsoons.

The minister for shipping, road transport and highways, T.R. Baalu, made the announcements during a brief stopover at the Bagdogra airport this afternoon. He said Rs 900 crore has been sanctioned for the projects.

“Given the present condition of NH31A, the Union cabinet has approved the proposal to renovate and rebuild the highway connecting Sevoke with Gangtok,” Baalu told reporters at Bagdogra.

The governments of both Sikkim and Bengal have been harping on the need to refurbish the route, especially after the frequent landslides this year that led to disruption in traffic for days.

The renovated road would be 5.5m-7m wide with 1.5m of extra space on both sides, the minister said. (more…)