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DARA GAON, TADONGPh: 270455

VOL. 2 NUMBER. 12

THE NOW! SPECIAL 8-PAGE PULL-OUT

extrasNOT TO BE SOLD SEPARATELYNOW!

September 6, Saturday,Little Italy - therajdhani’s select, fash-

ion conscious crowd was part ofhistory in making when “TwelveDesigns” launched its exclusiveready-to-wear collection thatpromises to give our under-standing of fashion and style afresh perspective and also putSikkim on the fashion map of theworld. A first for Sikkim.

Twelve’s first collection sawthe formal entry of Jyotsna, anNIFT fashion design graduate,into the ever-expanding and in-triguing world of fashion de-signing, along with friend andpartners Jigme and Dorji, bothaccessory design graduatesfrom NIFT. This trio [all still in

Go For TwelveLOCAL DESIGNER LAUNCHESREADY-TO-WEAR LINESK-03… burst into full

throttle in an evening of

bright lights, soft,

scintillating music and

ravishing local models

clad in designs that were

simple yet stylish...

SARIKAH ATREYA reports

their twenties] make “Twelve De-signs,” Sikkim’s first designconsultancy firm, which expects toshare its expertise in fashion,home accessories and handi-crafts design and development.

The show, interestingly calledSK-03… and choreographed byKarma G. Namgyal, consisted ofa small but impressive prêt-à-por-ter [ready to wear] collectionaimed to “suit every youngwoman’s, everyday need.”

Jyotsna has mostly used natu-ral fabrics such as khadi and rawsilk and limited the use of lycraand brocade in her garments.Using straight, classic cuts andlines that were not designed tohide and colours that didn’t shoutat the world, she has crafted gar-ments which come in earthyshades of beige, brown, ivory,grey maroon and black. She hasalso consistently used a neutralpalette, with splashes of yellowand blue thrown in.

The collection is great forwearing to college or office or fora formal night out and comprisesof elegantly styled lightweightskirts, tops, capris, trousers and

kurtas and short jackets, empha-sizing the silhouette. Jyotsna hasinterestingly avoided embroidery,traditional Indian needle-workthat so totally dominate Indiandesigns nowadays.

Elegant cuts but minimal or noembellishments and light andfluid fabrics. These were the aes-thetics governing this very wear-able collection.

“The choice of fabric and huesfor this collection was deliberate.We wanted to use locally avail-able raw materials. Also, wewanted to dispel the fallacy sur-rounding the use of khadi, whichis not considered fashionableenough. But the fabric can beused to create beautiful gar-ments,” says Jyotsna.

Given the fact that Gangtokladies are so used to buying rela-tively cheap Bangkok-madeclothes that are rip-offs of latestworldwide fashion trends, howdoes Twelve intend to seduceand convert them?

“We will cater to the specificneeds of an individual. Our de-signs are practical and need-based. They are for those whowant to stand out,” reasons Jigme.

Twelve intends to market its linethrough exclusive retailing fromtheir own studio and some outletshere in Sikkim and also from fash-

ion boutiques like Ogaan andSantoshi in the Metros. Althoughthey have not yet decided on theprice-range, the collection will mostprobably be slotted on a slightlyhigher range - starting from Rs.1,000 onwards, informs Jyotsna.

The young fashion designerwill soon be working on her sec-ond collection, which should beout before the Losoong festival

and will be aimed at themiddle-aged women.

“It will be sometime beforethe people of Sikkim get usedto the concept of designer out-fits. We are here to help thatprocess and see that it hap-pens. This is just the begin-ning,” says Jigme.

Fashion in Sikkim appearson the verge of coming of age.

The children had started arriv-ing at the Chinmaya Mission

Centre much ahead of time. Alllooked quite excited about the“Human to Hanuman” one-daycamp organized by the SikkimChinmaya Mission on Sunday, 7September, at Hanuman Tok. By8.30 am, the two buses sportingcolorful banners and carryingnearly a hundred children madetheir way to what would turn outto be an extremely fun-filled day.

FROM GANGTOK TO HANUMAN TOKRAJDHANI KIDS GET A DAY OUT, COURTESY CHINMAYA MISSION

At Hanuman Tok, the childrenwere divided into groups accord-ing to their ages. The campAcharya [‘Swamiji’] was assistedby well trained Sevaks andSevikas [teachers] who guidedthe children through the activity-packed camp-book provided toeach child by the organisation.

The highlights of the campwere interesting sessions ofstory-telling and bhajans, quiz,riddles, paintings, drawing, indoorand outdoor games. Childrenwere taught along with play sothat learning became a gamerather than a burden. They werealso provided with lunch and re-freshments.

THE THREE WHO MAKE “TWELVE”: [above] Dorji, Jigme and Jyotsna posewith their models while another walks the Little Italy ramp [top]

The chief guest for the day’sfestivities was the GREF ChiefEngineer, Suraj Prakash. Alsoseen enjoying the day-long tripwere many parents, includingSikkim BSNL GM, MK Seth.

The children were back at 5.30pm, tired and happy.

“They were so excited aboutthe camp, they want us to orga-nize more of these,” said AcharyaKailas Chaitanya, SikkimChinmaya Mission. He an-nounced four children’s campevery year for each season. Thelast children’s camp organized bythe mission was on Lord Shiva,while the theme for this one wasthe life of Lord Hanuman.

a NOW REPORT

9

extras 2

extraneous THE GANGTOK STATE OF MIND

CONTEST

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Attractive Puja Offer!

Sealed quotations are invited from Authoriseddealers for supply of photo copier machine in theoffice of the Accountant General (Audit) Office,Sikkim. Interested parties may quote their ratesof different brands of photocopier machinesalongwith company’s facilities of AMC/ warran-tee etc. and other terms and conditions. Particu-lars of State & Central Government offices towhom such machines have been supplied by thedealers in the past may also be mentioned. Thesequotations, under sealed cover, should reach theundersigned on or before 29th September, 2003.

The undersigned reserves the right to accept orreject any or all the quotations without assigningany reason thereof.

Sr. Audit Officer/ Admn (Au)

10

OUR HEALTH VS. YOUR

WEALTH!

You must be really Besharamnot to respond to being called

a liar by the leading newspaperin town. Although defending theindefensible is hardly been aproblem with the cola giant, thistime they really have no answersas to why log inhe liar kehte hai.It is clear that Pepsi cares a hootabout the sentiments of thepeople of Sikkim. They have triedto fool us by implying that allPepsi coming into Sikkim is madeof pure mountain spring waterfrom Bhutan. This is blatantly un-true as only the Pepsi in glassbottles comes from there. And, forGod’s sake how many of us drinkcola from glass bottles anymore!

All the rest, as was made clearby investigations carried out by theNOW! team comes from WestBengal and other places, nothome to too many fresh watermountain springs. The issue is ofcourse not about pesticides butunethical business practice. Boththe Health Department and theConsumer Forum need to takesome action, surely. To add insultto injury, the multi-national has putup another banner at the hospitalturning, with the same lies, thistime in Nepali. To reach to an evenwider audience? Our health isdefinitely not your concern, fellas.

MORE EQUAL THAN

OTHERS

While the rest of us have topromptly remove our ve-

hicles from MG Marg, at thestroke of 5 pm, there are otherswho seemingly are exempt fromthe trouble of doing so. On Sun-day evening a ‘Rato Batti’ vehiclewas seen waiting nonchalantly atMG Marg outside a popular dive(pic above). God knows whatconfabulations were going on in-side, but it was keeping the po-lice quite busy searching for thedriver. Never has the traffic po-

lice seemed so congenial aboutwrong parking. Finally, the driveremerged out of the building andafter much bonhomie the vehiclemoved out of the area. Kya kare,minister ka gaadi tha, even thetraffic police know who to take onand who to let go. One thing youcan be sure of, if the car had be-longed to any ordinary person,the Big Red Machine would nothave waited for a moment beforetowing it away.

DRAW A LINE

School students experimenting with cigarettes or alcohol

is hardly a new phenomenon, butthe sight of students in uniform,smoking or drinking is somethingthat can hardly please anyone.Many parents have written in, ask-ing that something be done aboutthe new pubs and eateries whichhave no qualms about allowing itto happen in their premises. Stu-dents are often seen doing bothat a certain bakery cum restaurantin town. Although a signboardsays students not to be servedalcohol, the opposite seems to betrue. Something else to keep theGangtok police busy….

NO ANSWERS

According to new rules, allpayments for government

work have to be routed throughPay & Accounts. As we men-tioned last week, cheques havebeen seized from all other depart-ments. From now, they can onlypass the bills to P&A, who willmake out the payment. The con-tractors and suppliers have beenheard complaining that P&A hasno system in place to support this

grandiose scheme, resulting inundue delays. Try and get a re-sponse about this from the de-partment and no one wants to sayanything. You keep gettingshunted from one official to an-other, ad nauseum. With the fes-tival season about to begin, andeveryone in need of money, it’stime the department got its acttogether or at least have someanswers ready.

CHINTAN KARO

At the inauguration of theChintan Bhawan on Monday,

the Chief Minister kept everyoneintrigued by his reference to acertain “Englishman” in Sikkim,who has been predicting theCM’s downfall in the next elec-tions. Pointing out that the “En-glishman” was part of his govern-ment, he added, “I can see himhere”. While no one could figureout who exactly he meant, manyin the audience were seensquirming in their seats. Whocould it be? How did he hear ofit? etc. Obviously, they haven’theard of the popular saying, “ekkaan, do kaan, Mintokgang!!”

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T R O U S E R S

“THIS TIME, WE WILL NOT ACCEPTtemporary measures. Our lives are atstake,” residents of the AG Colony at Syarihad said when what they perceived as afaultily constructed retaining wall collapsedin front of their houses while they slept on1 August, last month. Because the incidentoccurred in the wee hours of the morning[at around 3:45 am], no one was hurt inthe collapse. Six vehicles, however, wereleveled by the debris that the retaining walldumped on the road below.

When NOW! revisited the site this Mon-day, there was a palpable sense of satisfac-tion among the residents with the quality ofrepair work. Construction of a new retainingwall was underway in full swing. About 34laborers could be seen carting constructionmaterial up and down the rugged and stillunstable rubble even the masons were outto prove their craftsmanship amidst the loud

Residents happy with quality of reconstruction, unsure of stabilitynoise of the mixing machines.

Chamju Bhutia, a resident of the colonywho lost his front porch to the slide, admit-ted to as much. After taking about 3 to 4days to clear the rubble, CPWD tookprompt action and started the repairs. “Thistime, the work appears to be getting doneproperly,” he told NOW!

Although the residents are still unsureabout how safe their flats are, they havereturned to their allotted accommodations.A light shower is, however, enough to keepthem awake through the night.

“Last Saturday again there were aboutthree slips in one night. We could hear therocks tumbling down to the road. I couldnot even sleep a wink after that. Evenwhen it is not raining, I worry constantlywhen my children go out to play. Whoknows which part of the wall might giveway or when a boulder may come crash-ing down on their heads? We have to beextra careful these days,” shares SwatiMondal, a resident.

While the parents worry, the childrenfume. Bimal Chettri, a 13-year-old, complains

that while earlier he would play with hisbrothers and friends on the front porch, hisparent’s paranoia has forced him indoors.“On holidays we used to sit in the sun andhave a wonderful time playing on ourporch. Now we watch TV all day,” he said.

While most residents here haveblamed the poor quality of the old retain-ing wall for the collapse, PD Sherpa,another resident, believes it is the poorcondition of the septic tanks at the colonywhich are to blame.

“Some of the septic tanks are leakingand this seepage loosened the earth androcks causing the slide. I hope somethingis done regarding this problem otherwiseafter some years the same problem willresurface,” he said.

Although the work is progressing to thesatisfaction of the residents here, theywish it would complete even faster. “Untilwork is completed and new retaining wallhigh enough to support the entire load,we are still at risk,” says T. Pradhan as hesends up a silent prayer that no untowardincident happens in the interim.

by ANAND OBEROI

S Y A R I U P D A T E

a NOW! pic Work in progress at Syari

Want a new televisionset, washing ma-

chine or any other elec-tronic item? The place tohead for is Rajeev Elec-tronics. A “Loan Mela” of-fers you the opportunity tobuy now, pay later. Butonly if you are a govern-ment employee.

The three-day loan festis on from September 11to 13. Rajeev Electronicshas tied up with the Central Bankof India, Gangtok branch, to of-fer Gangtokians the option ofeasy repayment schemes.

Speaking to NOW!, NRDevnath, Chief Manager, CBI saidthat the timing of the mela wasperfect as the festive season issoon to begin and people could

MORE, INSTANT-LOANS

take full advantage of this oppor-tunity. The bank is giving out loansfrom a minimum of Rs. 20,000 toa maximum of Rs. 2 lakhs.

The credit camp seems to havegot off to a great start with manypeople lining up for loans evenbefore the mela starts officially.

So what are you waiting for?

LOAN MELA

AT RAJEEV

ELECTRONICS

He was only five nuts off themark and close enough to

win a three and half poundchocolate cake – his prize forbeating 100 other entries for theBaker’s Café “Talk-of-the-Town”contest. 16-year-old, KunchokNorbu Wangdi, class X studentof TNA, might be a die-hard fanof Bryan Adams, but should haveno problems polishing off the lav-ish cake with a little help from hisfriends. He can always burn off

TheGuessingGame

a NOW! pic

the extra calories at the basket-ball court, which he says he fre-quents. The “Talk-of-the-Town”contest at Baker’s Café sees the

management fill a jar with differ-ent beans each month and theninvite free entries from custom-ers to guess their number.

did you know that the Maruti Alto is now cheaper by Rs. 23,000?Call Entel Motors at 231828, 231950, 232059 for further details

11

extras 4

INTHECITYrajdhaniWE’VE GOT

SOME JUICE

SCHEME FOR AWARD TO YOUNG

TALENTED ARTISTES

Applications are invited from the talented youngartistes of Sikkim in the age-group of 18 to 30years for the following disciplines of performingarts for selection of Awardees under the schemefor Awards to Young talented artistes introducedby Government of India through Eastern ZonalCultural Centre, Kolkata.

i. Classical Dance.ii. Classical Music.iii. Folk Dance.iv. Folk Songs

All items (Solo)The selection procedure for the above schemewill be as follows.1. Screening Test will be conducted at Song &

Drama Unit, Department of Cultural Affairs,Government of Sikkim on following dates forrespective discipline. (The venue will be inti-mated later on.)a. 3rd Nov. 2003 - Classical Dance and

Classical Musicb. 4th Nov. 2003 - Folk Music and Folk Dance.

2. No TA/DA will be given to the competitorsappearing in the screening test at the Statelevel.

3. The Department of Cultural Affairs, Govern-ment of Sikkim, will award prizes to best win-ners of each discipline and Certificates to allparticipants.

4. The Department of Cultural Affairs will spon-sor two best-selected young artistes fromeach discipline to the Zonal Level Competi-tion to be held in Kolkata in the month of Feb-ruary 2004.

5. After the final selection is over at Kolkata,Awards (Attractive Money prize along withmedal or shield) will be given by the EZCC tothe winners in each discipline in a Zonal Levelfestival to be organised by EZCC which willbe followed by the performance of selectedAward winners.

Interested applicants are requested to submittheir applications to reach the office of DeputySecretary (I) or the Sr. Culture Officer, Depart-ment of Cultural Affairs, Government of Sikkimon or before 20th Sept. 2003 positively. Appli-cation received after the due date shall not beentertained.R.O. No. 98/IPR/03-04 (Lhendup Dorjee)dt: 5-09-03 Additional Secretary

Deptt. of Cultural Affairs

For all those still worried aboutpesticides in their colas and

disturbed by misleading claims inthe media, here comes somegood news at last. A totally freshnew “Juice Corner” has recentlyopened shop to quench yourthirst. No chemicals, no pesti-cides, no artificially added flavors.Just pure freshly squeezed sea-sonal juices.

Located just behind Life LineMedical Stores, MG Marg, theshop is already proving to be quitea hit with first time customers.

“This is a brand new conceptfor Gangtok, the response hasbeen quite good and we’re sureit will get even better once morepeople get to hear about it,” saythe people manning the shop.

The shop, which opened on 3September, last Wednesday,serves a variety of juices, withprices ranging from Rs. 5 to Rs.40. Orange, Mausambi andPomegranate seem to be themost popular juices in the shop.And if you need something tochew on, the shop also stocks onbakery items from Baker’s Café.

NU- INTOWN

Just when we thought it was over...

a N

OW

! pic

It has been almost a month since we discontinued our Rubbish Awards. The mirrorturned on the Gangtokians, the cause for cleaner streets was further helped by theGovernor’s visit to all spots featured in the column. Gubernatorial inspections can,however, perhaps only go that far. When civic sense is lacking, nothing can work asSyari proves beyond doubt in the pic displayed alongside. The situation further belowis even worse. Litter collects around a board which exhorts people against dumping!

12

extras 5

13

Pang-Lhabsol, which falls every year on the 15th

day of the seventh month as per the lunar

calendar is one of the most important religious

festivals of Sikkim and is observed to mark the

end of the harvest season when the people of

Sikkim offer their produces to the guardian deities

of Sikkim including

Mt. Khang-chen-dzo-nga as a mark of respect

and gratitude and pray for peace and

prosperity for the state.

On this day, teh Warrior Dance or Pangtoed

Cham, introduced by the illustrious

fourth ruler of Sikkim,

Chogyal Chagdor Namgyal, is also performed to

commemorate the auspicious occasion.

Issued by:

Department of Information & Public Relations

Government of SikkimRelease Order NO: 133/IPR/03-04

Dated: 6/9/2003

extras 6

WOMENEXTRA SPACE FOR THE FAIRER SEX

NOW!

14

communal harmony is never out of fashion

Information & Public Relations DepartmentGangtok. Release Order No: 184/IPR/03-04 Dated: 09.09.03

extras 7

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moviesmoviesLAST WEEK’S ANSWER:Kim SharmaWINNER: Harsh Keswant, Lal Mkt.

MESSAGES FROM THE HEART

Sweet Nothings

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LITTLE

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CROSSWORD - 063T H E

ACROSS

6. Reduce to a lower grade

7. Bedouin

8. Toil

9. Abilities

10. Long hard seat

12. Frozen dew

15. False

17. River sediment

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DOWN

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[Verse #1]Feeling Blue, Well im trying to forget the feeling thati miss you, Feeling Green,When the jelousy sweels and it wont go away anddreams, Feeling Yellow,Im confused inside a little hazy but mellow.

[Bridge]When i feel your eyes on me,Feeling fine, its sublime,When that smile of yours creeps into my mind.

[Chorus]Nobody told me it feels so good,Nobody said you would be so beautiful,Nobody warned me about your smile,Your the light, Your the light,When i close my eyes, Im colourblind.

[Verse #2]Feeling Red, When you spend all your time withyour friends and not me instead,Feeling Black, When i think about all of the thingsthat i feel i lack,Feeling Jaded, When its not gone right, all thecolours are faded.

[Bridge] [Chorus]

DARIOUS

colorblind

Cultural programmeunderway at North SikkimAcademy, Mangan, tocelebrate Teachers Day lastFriday. The programme,which started at midday andlasted toll 4 in the after-noon, saw a unique culturalprogramme put up jointly bythe teachers and studentsof the school. This, theschool authorities inform,was to maintain even betterrelations between theteachers and students.

TEACHER-STUDENT COMBO FORTEACHERS’ DAY AT NSA

Dear Tina (manipal)Many Happy Returns

of the Day! Have a wonderfulyear! With lots oflove & kisses -

Nim Tshering (SGS)Humptee Dumptee...

Believing is tough

Enduring is rough

Once I think I’ve had enuff

Will get down to some

other stuff.

BRAVE YOU, SAVE YOU!

FatBlokeWillGoSlim

Dear Saroj (Enchey XII - Hum)

You will be surprised after reading my message, but

don’t be surprised and shocked. It’s me your old pal. I’m

very much touched by you and with your heart too, so

remain the same.

from your friend, S.R.

15

For KARMA, without whom, the SK-03... show

would not have been possible.

“You’ve got the right moves”

and thanks for everything

from the 12 team

Tashi Namgyal Academy seemto be on a winning streak.

Less than a month after studentsfrom the school came back withthe second prize at the Interna-tional Computer Olympiad, heldat Lucknow, TNA has won an-other trophy at a national compe-tition. TNA took the overall Cham-pionship Trophy at the IPSC En-glish Declamation Contest, held

at Scindia School, Gwalior.32 participants represented 16

schools in the competition. Theabstract theme of “We do not seethings as they are, we see thingsas we are” did not deter PadmaPushkar Pradhan and YashMarda, speakers from TNA. Theywere adjudged the 3rd best and5th best speakers, going on towin the overall championship tro-

phy for the school. The previousyear, at the same championshipDipendra Hamal was adjudgedthe best speaker and prior to thatTNA had won the 2nd prize in theOverall Championship.

As the students prepare toleave for Rourkela, to take partin another Declamation Compe-tition, they are hopeful of comingback with yet another prize.

NOW! EXTRA FOR THE YOUNG

FACTOR

When Winning Becomes a HabitWhen Winning Becomes a HabitWhen Winning Becomes a Habit

Yash and Pushkar of TNA

pose with the trophies and

their Environment Science

teacher who accompanied

them to Gwalior

a NOW! pic

extras 8

extracurricular...NOW!

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is

TASHIMOVIE

� THE MEDALLION

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FACE WEEKFACE WEEKtheof

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HARRY POTTER AND THE

ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

PS ROAD, OPP. HOTEL TIBET

presents

A B O O K S H O P

For those who like a dashof pickle to spice up theirmeal, a new and unique

brand of bottled pickle is nowavailable in Gangtok. Called“Sinki,” the pickle is made by anage-old tradition of fermentingradish and ‘rai saag’ which thenturn into ‘sinki’ and ‘gundruk’. Thispickle is especially popular inNepal, from where it has origi-nated.

According to the GaneshGurung, the proprietor of Hima-layan Fermented Food Products[pvt.] ltd., which manufactures thepickle, it is prepared and bottledat Damthang, South Sikkim, us-ing scientific and hygienic meanswith a lot of care in selecting the

ARIES: You will have good luck and may travel more. Government influ-

ence will be encountered. You have to face winning over crises.

TAURUS: There will be more tension in family life. There will be distur-

bance from Government officials. There might be change of position. Ex-

pect a delay in getting things completed.

GEMINI: You may have more ideas of new business and getting com-

missions. There will be excellent growth in career but be careful with un-

known people. You will be receiving appreciation and awards.

CANCER: There will be financial problems. You may face more argu-

ments. You will have health problems and misunderstanding between you

and your family members and no satisfaction in money matters. Unex-

pected events are possible in your job.

LEO: Expect no support from superiors. You will suffer from minor health

problems and misunderstanding with all people. In total, you will have major

worries this week.

VIRGO: There will be unexpected expenses and no confident about

your performance, so disappointments will be more. Cash flow will be nega-

tive. Careful with subordinates.

LIBRA: You will have more peace of mind and good luck in all. Popular-

ity will be high. You will feel highly romantic. Finance situation will be good.

SCORPIO: Take of influences, you will have more support from all and

entertainment will be good. There is chance of good co-operation from all.

SAGITTARIUS: It will be an excellent period and overall, there will be

more appreciation and achievements. You will come across good news

and awards from higher officials, so you will be happier during this whole

week.

CAPRICORN: Wait for a unexpected luck. There is good business

opportunity and also more commitment. You may not have peaceful sleep

due to more responsibilities. Finances are very sound, but don’t give money

to others.

AQUARIUS: You will get more support from friends and also family

tension will be more. Don’t show emotional feelings to others. Advice from

superiors will be good for your careers and preplanning is required for

100% success.

sPISCES: There will be no co-operation at work and you will not get

support from bosses. There might be lot of difficulties this week. Your health

is also not good. Don’t involve in partnership business.

Pickled delight

PRELUDE: Three to four centuries ago Nepal was divided into several small princely states whooften engaged in fierce battles with each other. Looting and arson immediately followed the battlesin the defeated states. Once, Palpa was attacked by Bhadgaon (now Bhaktapur). It was winter,paddy was ripe and ready to be harvested, radish & saag covered the landscape. Farmers in Palpaburied all their paddy, radish and saag into huge pits and covered them with stones and mudbefore they fled in search of a safer place while the states were at war. The Palpalees were victori-ous and returned to their villages and uncovered the pits to see if anything was left of their foodstock.Surprise and festivities followed a brief spell of dismay as they discovered that their ripe paddy,radish and saag were no longer their green, ripe self. Instead, it had fermented in the pits to attaina peculiarly strong delicacy that they named hakoowa (fermented saag), sinki (radish) and gundruk(saag).

right ingredients. After the pickleis bottled, the bottles arepasteurised for around an hourat a temperature of 75 degreecentigrade.

Sinki is said to be very rich invitamin C, which, apart from otherthings, is said to be excellent forthe skin.

Although Gurung is makingand selling only “Sinki” at present,he plans to soon start experi-menting with other vegetables toextend his market.

All those who have tried thepickle agree that ‘Sinki’ pickletastes great and is here to stay.

Go pick your bottle of ‘Sinki.’At a cost of Rs. 40, its value-

for-money indeed.

In Gangtok, the pickle is avail-able at Prem Chand Sarda, OldChildren’s Park.

spice’scope

What it’s all about : Interpolagent Eddie Yang (Jackie Chan)is on the trail of a kidnapped littleboy who holds a medallion withunmeasurable power. Joininghim are a bumbling British agent(Lee Evans) and a former flame(Claire Forlani).

What’s good: The fighting di-rection by martial arts legendSammo Hung is certainly thehighlight. It’s hard to find stuff thatJackie Chan hasn’t done yet, andwhile the Medallion is by nomeans innovative, it is at leasttolerable during these segments.Even if it does overdo the“Crouching Tiger”-style wire work.

What’s not so good: The re-mainder of the film is an uttermess. Poorly edited, poorly di-rected and with voice dubbingthat seems to come and go whenit pleases, the technical short-comings go beyond nagging andbecome distracting. The plot is

nonsensical, as supposedlywhen Chan gets the Medallion,he gains superhuman powers.But even before he recovers it,he’s able to do super jumps andfight 20 guys at once, so there’sreally no point. The comedy is amisfire as well, due to the hammystyle of British comedian Evans,who seems to think he’s trappedin a cartoon. Speaking of car-toons, the whole movie is awfullysimilar to Chan’s self-titled car-toon series, except with one ma-jor difference: the series is de-cent.

The bottom line: Don’t wearthis Medallion.

Toon’s better anyday

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