29 March, 2004; NOW! 1

C M Y K

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IMPORTANT DATES

Sale of Prospectus at Institute of Hotel Up to 5th April 2004Management, Near Ayurvedic Hospital,Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim 737102Last Date for receipt of completed 7th April 2004Application FormDate of JEE Written Test 18th April 2004 [2:30-5:30pm]Centralized Counselling for allotment of Inst. 7th June to 16th June 2004Commencement of academic session 19th July 2004

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SAG to buoy Gangtok’s sanitation and water prospects

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 28 March: Cleanerand regular water supply and an ef-fective sewage and solid waste dis-posal system for the capital city is adream that is now in the process ofbeing realized. The AusAID assistedproject, “Gangtok Urban Water Sup-ply and Environmental Services” hasmoved a step further with the settingup of the Stakeholder AdvisoryGroup [SAG] comprising of usersand providers. SAG will be an advi-sory body, which will help in theplanning, selection and implementa-tion activities of the project. TheProject Team will meet with the SAGonce a month to review the project.

Towards this end a workshop was

held at Hotel Sonam Palgay, Deoralion 26 March with Chief SecretarySW Tenzing as Chief Guest and De-velopment Commissioner, G. Subba,in attendance. The workshop delib-erated on areas for intervention aswell as selection of sites and pro-grammes and proposals for watersupply and solid waste management.

Action groups will be estab-lished to assist the project in pre-paring and undertaking demonstra-tion projects. These action groupswill be established by the Projectacting on the advice from SAG.

Participants were invited to pre-pare outlines for demonstrationprojects, which should be under-taken by the project to improvewater supply, sanitation and solidwaste management in Gangtok.

The main task for SAG will beto work towards stronger communityrelations in the management of the

water supply and sanitation project.They will also help towards buildingmore transparency and accountabil-ity into the activities of the project.

To ensure the long-termsustainability of project activitiesSAG will be institutionalised andwill become a permanent advisorygroup to the Government of Sikkimon urban development matters.

The Project, which is a part of theGangtok and Shillong South AsiaRegional Water Supply and SanitationProgram, is in the initial process ofpreparing maps and surveys. TheProject team has also prepared outlinesfor a number of possible projects forconsideration. Once projects are ap-proved, detailed planning and imple-mentation will get under way.

The Project will be publiclylaunched once the Project Manage-ment Committee and the SAG ap-prove and endorse the work plan.

STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY GROUPS TO GUIDE PROJECT TO IMPROVE

CAPITAL’S URBAN WATER SUPPLY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Water-supply pipes snake through garbage in a Tadong jhora. With a civic sense

so depleted, one wonders how a project [no matter how well-meaning], can suc-

ceed in providing Gangtok with cleaner, healthier environs.

GERMAN GROUP ROLLS INTO SIKKIM AFTER BURNING UP30,000 KMS OF TRANSCONTINENTAL ROADS TURN TO pg 6

FOR DETAILS

[In the next twoissues, readabout how theWater Supply &Sanitation Projectintends to changethe way we live in]

KARAN SHAH

KALIMPONG, 27 March: Tenthousand thundering typhoons andno less. Ten thousand locals ofKalimpong and no more. And theones who didn’t make themselvescount would probably disapproveanyway, so let’s not bother. It was

KALIMPONGFIRES IT UP

Models walk the Kalimpong ramp in the

hill subdivisions first-ever fashion show.

the perfect comeback bell of springand an equally blasting way to bidwinter goodbye. And thanks to thePragati Youth Club of Kalimpongand Ramp & Rack, Kolkata, forsetting the hills on fire with the hot

turn to pg 5

2; NOW!; 29 March, 2004

C M Y K

Artist, filmmaker, keen photographer, columnist with internationalmagazines... It’s hard to pin Twan Yang down. Born to a Chinesefather and Tibetan mother, he grew up in Kalimpong and worked inSikkim. NOW! serializes Twan Yang’s autobiography, Houseboy in India...

NOW!FIRST WITH THE NEWS

ED-SPACE

by PRAVEEN MOKTAN

In Kalimpong we do not worry too much about Mars. Ofcourse, thanks to the electricity department’s stinginesswith the voltage, Kalimpong is free from light pollution

[some would contend free of light all together] andthat offers us some of the clearest nights anywhere.Stargazers with even a rudimentary knowledge ofplanet positions and constellations will be able to as-certain the location of the red planet without much dif-ficulty. However most here do not share the enthusiasmof those who spent billions of dollars in trying to determinewhether there is water and as a result of that any form of lifein Mars. In an earlier essay printed in NOW!, the author con-siders the detection of water on Mars as one of the most path-breaking scientific discoveries of the new millennium. Whilenot begrudging the considerable scientific prowess and inno-vation behind this startling find, I consider it a little ironic thatpeople actually tend to devote such huge amounts of financialand intellectual resources, not to mention the time, in trying toascertain whether there is life elsewhere or not.

But people seem to care less about whether there is anylife in sub-Saharan Africa or the badlands of Bihar or on theEarth as a whole? This discovery in a sense mirrors the di-chotomy of issues that preoccupy the two halves of the world.While on the one hand there are those who can afford to medi-tate and act on the possibilities of discovering life in the far-thest reaches of the universe, there are others for whom find-ing a meaningful life right in their own backyards [that is ifthey have a backyard] is the more pressing issue. On one sideof the fence are those who have problems with overeating andfor whom eating less is a therapeutic procedure. And, there are

the rest, for whom finding something, anything, to eat is theproblem. Distribution rather than generation of resources isthe pressing problem of the day. Apologists for discoveringlife elsewhere have long given profound reasons as to whysuch expensive missions should

be taken. ThePlanetary So-ciety, whichincluded as afounder the late Cornell Univer-si tyastronomer Carl Sagan, for example,published “The Mars Declaration,” whichstated: “Mars is the world next door, the nearest planet onwhich human explorers could safely land… Mars is a store-house of scientific information - important in its own right butalso for the light it may cast on the origins of life and on safe-guarding the environment of the Earth.”

You need to go to Mars to find out what should be doneabout the earth’s environment? That’s one of the more subtleexercises in salving the conscience.

Insightful people like Chomsky have long held that thereis a reason why capitalistic endeavours such as this one willalways be undertaken. He states that most American re-searches while being funded by tax-payers are of a military

nature. These always throw up non-military utilities like theinternet, which are then taken up by multinationals who thensell it right back to those same people whose hard-earnedmoney subsidised such findings. And there is another reason

why the government funds expensive esoteric research oflittle apparent social value.

According to Chomsky: “If the government getsinvolved in building hospitals and schools and roadsand things like that, people are going to get inter-ested in it - because it affects them and is related totheir lives. On the other hand if the government says‘We are going to build a stealth bomber’ nobody has

any opinions. People care about where there’s going tobe a school or a hospital, but they do not care about a jet

plane you build - because they do not have the foggiest ideaabout that. And since one of the main purposes of social policyis to keep the population passive, people with power are goingto want to eliminate anything that tends to encourage the popu-lation to get involved in planning… because popular involve-ment threatens monopoly… stimulates popular organization…would lead to redistribution of profits etc.”

While there is a bit of wanderlust in all of us I somehowcannot stomach its cosmic implications. My reaction to thisbreakthrough would mirror what theologian Karl Barth saidwhen asked about the technological triumph of the landingon the moon. He said: “It solves none of the problems thatkeep me awake at night.”

Thus, while numerous, very intelligent people, spendingdecades of their life work and billions of dollars have finallymanaged to prove that there is water in Mars.

What miracle would perhaps be needed then to establishthe fact that there “is no water in Darjeeling?”

-16-

Before very long I had been well over a year inPeshawar and had gradually learned enoughPunjabi to speak and understand ordinary

conversation. One day in April my master, SirdarSone Singh, returned to Peshawar and was greatlyastonished when he heard me speak his own lan-guage. He stayed only one week in Peshawar andthen our time had come to go back, as I thought toKalimpong. The kind mistress and master of thePeshawar house had given us farewell and we leftPeshawar behind us for good.

After leaving Peshawar, we returned to the house ofmy mistress’s parents in Lahore. When the old lady whohad given me a rupee saw me, she nodded her headand said, “How are you, my boy?” “Thank you,Sirdarni. I am very well,” I said in Punjabi. She wasgreatly astonished that I had learnt to speak it.

Two weeks later we went on to Amritsar, wherenearly all the people were Sikhs, like my master, withblack beards. Outside the town was a small Sikhtemple with a rest house, three stories high, and westayed on the second floor. One morning in the heatof the day my master took me in a gari, to a big SikhGolden Temple surrounded by water, over which thebridge led. I had to take off my shoes in a place ar-ranged for this purpose. One is also not allowed toenter the temple without a headdress. I was wearingmy pagri and white Punjabi pajamas, so I taken by thetemple people to be a Hindu boy belonging to my mas-ter’s Sikh religion. This temple building was two storieshigh and plated with gold all around, even on the gateand windows, and it had a golden covered dome with agolden staff on the top, shining brightly. I heard my mas-ter say that if anyone comes here to pray, his sins willleave him forever. For that reason people came from everypart of Punjab to pray in this Golden Temple.

At the end of the week we went on to Delhi, then toAgra, and thence back to Lahore to the house of my mas-

ter’s mother-in-law, where life went on as before. In abouttwo weeks time my master had to go to Bombay on somebusiness. My mistress stayed on inn Lahore and I also.For the first two weeks she treated me well, but later shedid not. I had to look after the baby the whole day longwhile she herself paid little attention to it.

One night I had a dream, which made me happy andlaugh for joy. Next day I told this dream to a man in thehouse, who explained that this dream meant bad luckfor me. If one dreams of good it means bad; but if onedreams of bad, it means good, he said.

The same day I asked my mistressfor some money, as I now had none

whatever. She asked me why Ishould want money. I replied to herin Punjabi: “Mistress, may I not ask

for my wages for all the years that I have worked for you?”“What nonsense are you talking, Kancha! We paid

fifty rupees in cash to your adoptive mother before webrought you here. I am willing to give you a pice or ananna from time to time, but I cannot give you wagesbecause I have already paid them to your mother.”

This was terrible news to hear, but I kept quiet forthe moment. I thought it would be better to speak aboutthe matter to my master on his return. Master was mas-ter after all and would understand better than any woman.

- to be concluded

Search For Regular Wages

Democracy does not only allow a person theliberty of holding an opinion, but also express-ing it publicly. If you feel strongly about some-thing that has been reported in NOW! or havean opinion on some recent development, thenshare it with a wider audience. While the LET-TERS section will carry responses to articles

and news carried in NOW!, ACTION MAIL isabout complaints and grievances. Wherever pos-sible, NOW! shall also search out a response tothe Action Mail. If not, then at least a complaintwould have been filed in the public domain.write to: NOW!, Gairi Gaon, Tadong, EastSikkim. or email: sikkimnow@rediffmail.com

Replacing NepalGangtok is at present hosting students from the US here on a se-mester of education. Another group is slated to arrive in September.One batch has already been to Sikkim, learnt and left. Members ofthe Nepal Chamber of Commerce have already been to Sikkim,scoped it out and are planning to return. We have already decidedto open Nathula for trade and Khasa in Nepal will be drying up soon.Businesses based in Kathmandu are looking to move out. This sud-den curiosity on Sikkim is because of the Maoist problem in Nepal.While one can sympathise with the travails of a neighbouring coun-try, it would be sinful to not try and redirect the tourists and the in-dustry to Sikkim. The irony, however, remains that we are still nottrying despite the target audiences’ obvious interest in Sikkim.Let’s talk tourism first. Save the Indian tourists who fly to Nepal for itscasinos and shopping malls stacked with foreign goods, the real spend-ing western tourist arrive at Kathmandu for the exotic appeal that the landholds. What draws foreigners to Nepal is a collection of USPs like a thirdworld charm, unique culture, cosmopolitan attitude, the mountains andthe treks. Sikkim can easily offer itself as a second choice now that trav-elling in Nepal is no longer safe or advisable. Buddhism is a major drawwith Westerners and few other places can rival the grandeur of the mon-asteries in Sikkim or equal the sheer profusion of these places of worshipin so small an area. The other attraction in Nepal are its treks. WhileSikkim might not be able to offer as big a range, it does have some of themost recommended treks with the Singalila Trek endorsed unanimouslyas the best trek in the world. Sikkim should perhaps direct its tourismmarketing thrust to areas that Nepal has lost out on. Then there is thecarpet industry. For all the criticism of this industry employing child labourand causing pollution, it was the largest revenue generator for Nepal. It isalso a misconception that the industry was in Nepal just because labourwas cheap. If that be the case, then Bangladesh should have long over-taken its SAARC partner. Despite stiff competition, it could not. Carpetsmade in Nepal sold the world over because of its exotic roots. Much likethe Darjeeling Tea, it became a brand and drew clients with such prom-ises as being crafted by traditional loom masters in the laps of the Himalaya.With business becoming impossible in Nepal, many carpet manufactur-ers are on the lookout for alternatives. Benaras has offered itself as analternative as has Ladakh which is drawing more interest because of itspossible appeal with the audience the carpets are manufactured for. Sikkimcould score over Ladakh in its accessibility and the peace it promises.For investors fleeing a civil-war like situation, there is no promise moreappealing than that of peace. Sikkim should sell its promise of peace. Itwill go down well with both tourists as well as investors. Even if we suc-ceed in weaning some away from Nepal, we would have put our economyon safe grounds.

29 March, 2004; NOW! 3

C M Y K

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� LETTERS

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 28 March: The Na-tional Handloom Expo’04 was in-augurated at the Guards Ground to-day. The Expo is being organisedby ARTFED [Assam Apex Weav-ers’ & Artisans Co-operative Fed-eration Ltd.] for the third time inthe north-eastern region of thecountry. The previous two exposwere held at Jorehat and Guwahatirespectively.

The fair of handwoven textileswill continue at the GuardsGrounds till 17 April with eight-een participants from all over thecountry exhibiting their designsand skills. The main objective ofthe fair is to expose Sikkim to thetrends in fabrics and designs thatare in vogue in the rest of the coun-try. There are fabulous rebates onvarious items along with culturalprogrammes spread out over the

next 21 days.The chief guest at the inaugu-

ral ceremony was KB Chetrri, Sec-retary, Industries. Another guest of

distinction at the day’s ceremonywas Sarbananda Choudhary, MLA[Assam] who is also theshairperson of ARTFED.

ARTFED WEAVERS DESCEND ON GANGTOK

Guards Ground being readied to host the Special National Handloom Expo ’04

Lama Gongdue Drupchen Pujaat Ringhem Gumba, Mangan

Lama Gongdue Drupchen Puja will commence from 24thMarch, 2004, to 31st March, 2004, for world-peace beingperformed at Ringhem Ridzing Choeling Gumba, Mangan.Gondue Drupchen Committee requests all the devotees tokindly attend the Puja being performed from 24 March 2004to 31 March 2004 and to receive the Gondue GnedupKawang which will be initiated by His Emminence, LachenGomchen Rinpoche on 31st March, 2004.

Vajra Guru Dhungdrupat Pemayangtse monastery, West Sikkim

The Vajra Guru Dhungdrup or recitations at Pemayangtse Gompa,

Sikkim’s premier monastery in West Sikkim will commence from 8th

April 2003 ( Lunar calendar : Dawa Nyipa Tsey Chopgay).

The recitations will be headed by his Eminence Yangthang Rimpoche.

Devotees and interested persons from all over Sikkim who are inter-

ested to participate at the recitations are invited to join us. We would

also like to inform that we will be providing free fooding and lodging

for those participating at the recitations. However, please bring your

own utensils like plates, mugs and spoons.

Once again all are invited to join us for the recitations.

Dueche, Pemayangtse Gompa

Darj girl votedMs. Original

Darjeeling girl Jyoti Brahminlost the Femina Miss India

crown by a whisker after making itto the final five.

Jyoti, how-ever, won two sub-contest titles -Miss BeautifulEyes and TBZMiss Original.This is for the firsttime that a Hill girlhas made it to theMiss India finalsand has come soclose to winning

the title. Another Nepali girl in thecontest, Himani Thapa was amongthe top ten.

The Miss India-Universe titlewas won by Tanushree Dutta, andthe Miss India -World by LakshmiPandit and Miss India Earth bySayali Bhagat, all from Mumbai.

Jyoti Brahmin

4; NOW!; 29 March, 2004

C M Y K

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49th Day Kutse Shegu of late ex-Panchayat Gyen Tsh. Lepchawho left for his heavenly abodeon 11 February 2004 falls on29 March.All the well wishers, friendsand relatives are requested tojoin us in offering prayers forthe departed soul at ourresidence at Lum LowerDzongu, North Sikkim.I, the present Panchayat ofLum along with bereavedfamily also take thisopportunity to thank all thosewho stood by us during thetime of bereavement andrequest our inability to thankthem individually.

Family member andTshering Gyatso Lepcha,

Panchayat,Lum Village

Ph: 9434179290

Kutse Shegu

from OUR CORRESPONDENT

MANGAN, 28 March: In an at-tempt to gauge the mood of thepeople of the North district and gettheir views and opinions on theupcoming polls in the State, a teamof observers from the ruling SikkimDemocratic Front [SDF] held ameeting here on 25 March. The rul-ing party team comprised of HanguTshering Bhutia, general secretaryand Namkha Gyalsten, ex-MLA.

The meeting, which was organ-ized by the Zilla Adhakshya, North,Lobzang Tenzing and held at the dis-trict party office, was mainly an inter-active session between the party-work-ers of the North district, panchayatmembers and representatives of vari-ous organizations in the District.

While support to the SDF partywas the primary issue taken up inthe meeting, public grievances andthe basic needs and requirements

of the district also formed a part ofthe discussions.

Speaking on the occasion,former MLA, T. Dadul said thatMangan has always been neglectedby successive governments and thepeople were actually looking for achange this time around.

“The genuine problems of the

people of this area have alwaysbeen overlooked by the leaders,despite many assurances,” he said.

He further said that even tour-ism had benefited only a certainpart of the district.

“During tourist seasons, tour op-erators take tourists directly toLachung, Lachen and Yumthang

from Gangtok, without even stoppingat Mangan, even though they haveto pass through this town. If the gov-ernment is serious about developingthe entire district, it is very importantthat Mangan also figure in the tour-ist itinerary so that the local economyis benefited. The hotels and tour-op-erators based in Mangan should alsobenefit,” he said.

Mr. Dadul however made it clearthat the people still wholeheartedlysupported the SDF party and clari-fied that he was only expressing theirproblems and grievances whichneeded immediate attention.

Other speakers also placed theirgrievances and gave suggestions asto how the SDF party should goabout mitigating the problems ofthe people in Mangan and the dis-trict. While extending their full sup-port to the SDF, they hoped that theparty, “which has given democracy,development, peace and unity to the

State,” would work towards the de-velopment of the Mangan as well.

Various demands of the district,which came up during the meetinginclude constructing helipads forpublic convenience, more businessinitiatives to boost the localeconomy, development of touristinfrastructure and tourist spots, es-pecially religious and historical sites.

The SDF observers acceptedthe suggestions placed by the peo-ple and said that the party wouldnot let them down in any aspect.The grievances of the people wouldbe put forward to the Chief Minis-ter, they assured.

Others who attended the meet-ing include SDF district president,NT Lepcha, former MLA fromDzongu, Sonam Choda Lepcha, ex-chairman, Loden Lepcha, Panchayatsof Malling-Singhik and Ringhem-Nampatam and members of thenewly-formed SDF Vyapari Morcha.

Mangan hopes for more consideration this term

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 28 March: WhenSikkim goes to the polls on 10 May,the Election Department will befaced with a daunting task - that ofensuring that the people from theentire length and breath of the Stateparticipate in this democratic proc-ess and exercise their franchise.

This would definitely not beeasy for there are about a dozenpolling stations in the State that arecategorized “relatively inaccessi-ble.”

Given the State’s diverse topog-raphy and extremely difficult ter-rain, there are a large number ofplaces that are still miles away from

civilization and where modern-dayamenities remain unheard of. Somehamlets in the interiors are so re-mote that one still has to trek longdistances to get there.

While some development activ-ity in the form of schools has takenplace in these areas, to take the en-tire polling setup to these places isdefinitely a logistics nightmare forthe Department.

This would mean transportingpolling officers, Electronic VotingMachines, papers and files andother basic requirements to theseplaces for a day’s polling, whereeven roads have not yet reached.

According to an Election De-

partment list, there are twelve such“relatively” inaccessible pollingstations in the State. The West Dis-trict tops the list, with seven suchstations, located at Karju JuniorHigh School, Dhupidara PrimarySchool, Mangnam Primary School,Kongri Primary School, SopkahaPrimary School, Milling PrimarySchool and Labdang PrimarySchool.

In the East District, the SouthRegu JHS and North Regu JHS andthe Chochenpheri Primary Schoolpolling stations make it to the list.In North Sikkim there are thePentong Primary School and LumPrimary School polling stations. In-terestingly, there are no polling sta-tions in the South District catego-rized as inaccessible.

POLLSCAPE

SDF leaders feel Mangan’s poll-pulse

Reaching democratic rightsto inaccessible areas

29 March, 2004; NOW! 5

C M Y K

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DEEPAK SHARMA

MANGAN: An Orientation pro-gramme for North District Disas-ter Management Committee washeld a Zilla Bhawan, Mangan on25 and 26 March.

Lobzang Tenzing, ZillaAdhakshya, North was the chiefguest at the programme which wasalso attended by Additional DistrictCollector CR Bhutia, programmeassociate, GoI-UNDP Abha Mishra,DIO, North, LP Sharma, DPO,North and all disaster managementcommittee members of DAC.

North district Disaster Manage-ment Committee is headed by theZilla Adhakshya as advisor with theDC [North] as the chairman, theADC as convener and officers fromother departments as members.

Mr. Tenzing, in his address, sug-gested that the DMC [North] get bet-ter trained on how to cope with natu-ral disasters and understand the nec-essary steps that have to be taken bydifferent government departments atthe time of such natural calamitiesas earthquakes and landslides.

“Systematic communication hasto be implemented,” he said whileadding that in a developing countrylike India, the casualty rates werehigh because the houses and build-

ing are not disaster resistant. “Dam-ages caused by natural disasters areamplified by man-made calamities.On this everyone should be well in-formed and trained,” he concluded.

The GoI-UNDP representativeat the meet then shared details of theGoI-UNDP agreement signed in Au-gust 2002, for implementation of adisaster risk management pro-gramme to reduce the vulnerabilityof the communities to disaster, inidentified multi-hazard prone areas.

For better understanding LCDand movies on earthquakes, floodsand landslides were also shown.Mrs. Mishra explained that Sikkimcomes under high risk [Zone IV]in earthquake vulnerability andHimalayan ranges are more af-fected by disaster than plains. TheCentre, through its disaster riskmanagement programme [2002-2007], aims to substantially reducenatural disaster risk in some of themost hazard prone districts in se-lected states of India, she added.

The need for separate districtplans, environmentally suitedbuildings, education, awarenessprogrammes and capacity buildingat all levels in natural disaster riskmanagement and sustainable recov-ery, were also discussed at the meet.Multi-hazard preparedness, re-

sponse and mitigation plans at state,district, gram panchayat and villagelevels and district-mapping of thevulnerable zones to prevent loss ofhuman lives and property wereother aspects that were agreedupon. Those attending the meetunanimously endorsed that thereshould be transparency and infor-mation sharing in the initiative.Also decided was emergency train-ing for NGOs, DMC members,CBO, Masons and volunteers. Thedelegates were also informed thatan earthquake resistant buildingcost barely 5 to 10 per cent morethan normal houses.

In conclusion, the ADC [North]informed the committee membersthat geo-climatic conditions madethe country highly vulnerable tonatural disasters. Parts of the coun-try are prone to floods, others vul-nerable to cyclones or earthquakesand the rest, landslides. When dis-aster strikes, the disaster managersat the district and state level respondwith the resources at their command,but lack of communications leavesone district unaware of the neigh-bouring district’s disaster-manage-ment preparedness. Similarly, thedisaster manager at the state level[the relief commissioner] does nothave an inventory of resources avail-

Disaster managers up north comparenotes, decide info-sharing is vital

able within the state and when somespecialist equipment is required, noone seems to know the whereaboutsof that piece of equipment. Supportshould be given to all the districtsto strengthen information and othernecessary resources should also beprovided to cope with natural disas-ters, he said.

bodies displaying hotter designerwear followed by quick hot music.

The beauty extravaganza washeld in grand fashion and the at-mosphere was electrifying withmore than 10,000 spectators thereto witness the premier fashion showin Kalimpong and the first of itskind this side of Teesta.

The landmark event pioneeredby Sagar Rai [chief-coordinator] andothers had ASP SK Gajmer as itschief-guest. “Youth is the biggestresource of the present age and theyouth of Kalimpong and the peopleof the hills have a good sense offashion and music, but in order toexcel in such areas one needs to havea good brain as well, which the peo-ple of Kalimpong I think possess inabundance,” said Mr. Gajmer thank-ing all the organizers for bringingsuch an event to the hill town.

The event commenced with anexcellent ethnic Nepalese folkdance by the locals, after which theSumian Aerobic Group ofKalimpong presented a number adances including the all-famous“Kaanta Laga”.

The music and dance had all themodels, backed by DJ Harshit, ofKolkata really fired up. The sightof a mass of humanity eagerlyawaiting them too had them burst-ing with ‘spill-over ’ energy .Harshit led the fashion evening withhis music setting the pace for the 1stfashion sequence of the evening ti-tled “Moksh”, which had the mod-

els, in their full elegance, all holdingcandles. They were received with athundering applause.

Arnab Sen’s all jute designerwear was the theme for the secondsequence while the models allturned up in black for the third se-quence titled ‘Destruction’.

This was followed by a breakduring which DJ Harshit enter-tained the massive crowd with “koikahey,” and other dance numbers.The fourth and final sequence hadthe models ramping the ramp wear-ing the national costume, the sari.Maria [Miss Aizwal , 95] lookedespecially gorgeous as did thecharming Sushma and Effe.

In conclusion came Mantrafrom Darjeeling rocking the crowdwith their trademark composition“Timi Bina” and other hits - alllapped up by the audience like wellserved and needed dessert.

Contd from pg 1

KALIMPONG FIRES IT UP

6; NOW!; 29 March, 2004

C M Y K

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Dusk, they say, is the hourof the defeated. Most peo-ple hang up their boots af-

ter a while and others just sit ontheir front porch and become duskitself. There are those who quietlywait for the endless night and thereare those who head homewards.

Then there are those whobreathe fire into the twilight,enough to make it another day.

At the end of 30,000 kms, it’sone hell of a day. Many lands, morepeople, some trouble perhaps anda lot more driving. And kicking thedust all the way so that at the endof the journey you’ve burnt moregumballs than chewed gums inyour lifetime. The voyage onwheels began from Germany inAugust 2003 with a total of 16 live-in trailers. 25 March, 2004 saw 12of the trailers drive into Gangtok.

As Elizabeth, who is some-where in her late forties, and drivesone of the houses on wheels says,“It’s been a very very long journey.”

Actually she too cannot under-stand the space-time involved andhas to consult Horst, her strapping50-plus travel-mate,

“30,000 kms,” he says noncha-lantly and resumes fiddling with thetools of trade. When you’ve beenon the road for half a year, you’resurely going to retire as a motor me-chanic?

“No, this is our first breakdown,some brake trouble,” says Peter,bald and robust and red and hap-pily playing with whatever toysmechanics play with.

Well, if you ever needed con-vincing, it’s now - never jump toconclusions. You’d think that wasone activity they’d be reborn withespecially after all the gas guzzledand tar gobbled and rubber burnt.

And, there’s more, “We’vepassed through Russia, Siberia,Mongolia, China…” and more“…Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar,Laos…” but that only makes29,900 kms “…and Gangtokthrough Siliguri,” Elizabeth fin-ishes.

Here, parked at the premises ofHotel Sonam Palgey, are two of themobile residences. “The othershave left for Siliguri,” says Eliza-beth while Peter grunts with the

wrenches and that is enough expla-nation why he hasn’t left yet. Eve-rything was beautiful and everyonewas wonderful along the way, theyexuberate, “just your roads…” Butthis is India and we apologise.

Says Elizabeth, “Your roads arevery steep and our sleep-cars are notsuited to such high rises. We hadto actually leave behind one big busin Siliguri.”

From here they plan to step intoDarjeeling and then doggedly pur-sue the frontiers of Pakistan, Iran,through the entire Middle East,George Bush’s fixation for the re-gion notwithstanding, and finallyhead home where they expect to beby June this year.

Can you make it? Fifty yearyoung Horst [if not younger] looksup with a glare that tells you he’llbe the youngest man around in an-

BREATHING FIRE INTO THE TWILIGHTGerman group rolls into Sikkim after burning

up 30,000 kms of transcontinental roads

Elizabeth speaks to NOW! while Peter and Horst try to work some mechanical magic to get theirlive-in trailers ready for Indian roads and Sikkimese slopes

other hundred years. Of course, youcan make it, we’re just joking.

While tripping through fron-tiers, Elizabeth has managed towrite two volumes on their travelscomplete with photographs.

“I have taken more than 10,000photos on the way,” she says. Andno, they’re not for sale. “This is afun trip and nothing more. We justgot together and decided to see theworld. No, we’re not on a mission

or for a social cause. We’re in itfor ourselves.” And likewise herdocumentary album is for “our-selves,” too.

She says it is difficult to pickout her best country or people.“Things and people are different indifferent countries and actually Ifound each to be unique which isbeautiful in its own way.”

These Germans are all so po-litically correct.

And Sikkim?“Yes, very beautiful,” grunts

Horst, but of course, he doesn’tunderstand English.

English? Look who’s talking!�

The driving-cum-living spacethat has been the home of theGerman travellers for the past

six months

The machines that took them through

29 March, 2004; NOW! 7

C M Y K

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by KESANG ONGMU

Sometimes, we come across children who are reserved by nature.They, however, get labelled “unresponsive” and before anyone no-tices, they are branded as “non-achievers.” Such generalisation is

unfair. These are kids who are just shy and awkward. I believe that theyneed special handling to make them feel more comfortable and thenautomatically more expressive. We must try to reach them in a compas-sionate, unassuming way, talk to them, learn about their interests, un-derstand where their strengths lie and encourage them to pursue those.To make them more confident, all we have to do is be supportive in anon-judgemental way.

My best friend is a little 10-year-old boy who had been cruelly written offas a non-achiever. His worried parents had tried everything under the sun tobring back the smile and cheerfulness on their child’s face, but to no avail.

Sunil is my neighbour’s son. Born second to two siblings, an elder sis-ter and a younger brother, with only a year separating the three. Many pre-sumed Sunil’s listlessness to stem from the fact that being the middle child,he was deprived of enough parental love and care. I did not subscribe to thispresumption because I have seen how hard his parent’s tried to pull him outof his shell.

It was fine Sunday – bright sunshine andwe were all glad and happy. Today wouldmake a good washing day and we could seeour clothes dry in front of our eyes. All thegirls in the family busied themselves withwashing and cleaning chores. Afternoon isour rest time, a time when we basked in theSun, snacks and cold-drinks in hand andharmless gossip on our lips. Womenfolkfrom the entire neighbourhood would gatheraround and leave one by one as guests calledin. On that day, however, Mrs. Shamu,Sunil’s mother did not show up. My eyescould not help taking a quick glance overto her balcony to enquire about her absence.Wonder of wonder, it had escaped every-one’s notice. Mrs. Shamu’s balcony bore anew look, it was decorated with balloonsand colourful ribbons – preparations beck-oning a party. As far as I could remember,there was not a hint of somebody’s birth-day till late last evening when I had last metMrs. Shamu and parties could not be kept asecret in our colony for long.

When I went over to check, I learnt that Mr. and Mrs. Shamu hasdecided to throw a party to please Sunil who had dreadfully kept himselfcut-off from the rest of his family for a whole week following the summerbreak from school. His parents had tried everything and failed and thiswas their final attempt to bring a smile back on Sunil’s face. A birthdayparty conceived in a day!

Sunil, as I have told you, is a boy of 10-years-old, and an odd entity. Ihave never seen him play with his siblings or with any kids his age. Hestudies in standard V. His class teacher has much the same story to tell ofSunil although he has always been good at studies. Only his school books,copies, a few comics and toys of his choice found place on his lap.

Anyways, the party started, neighbours walked in. Some had evenchanged into formal clothes, applies make-up and ornaments. Sunil’s par-ents had asked us to get our children along. It was around 3 p.m. when theparty began in full swing. All sang the birthday song and wished Sunil avery happy birthday. Everyone crowded in the small, but cosy living room.The kitchen gave out a pleasing and tempting aroma. Eyes glued to theTV set, Sunil was unaware of all the happenings around him. He hadagreed to stay put in the living room after taking a bribe of one packet ofsweets from his family members. Sunil’s siblings were very excited. Priya,the eldest, was making everyone sit and offered cold drinks while Sameer

was busy arranging the music. Mr. & Mrs. Shamu were wearing funnyparty hats and passed more around for the guests. The music was switchedon and some of the children started to dance while others sat around andclapped. My daughter was the first to take to the dance floor. Sameer didhis small piece of break-dance and was looking very happy. Dinner wasserved shortly and since it was already getting late, everyone gobbled uptheir food and hurried home. The “good-nights” and “sweet-dreams” werebeing exchanged, but Sunil was nowhere to be seen. The next day, hismother told me that Sunil had slipped away and gone to bed.

This name, Sunil, concerned me the most now. Sunil… a 10-year-oldperhaps concerned me because I remember my mother telling me that Iwas a shy and difficult child myself. I kept thinking of Sunil at the time, athome, at office and even in my dreams. Why was this child behaving insuch a manner? What was his problem? I was curious and concerned.Almost obsessed, I almost forgot about my own children. It was good that

they have a lots of cousins and that leaves me with fewworries.

One evening, when my children were away attheir cousins and Sunil’s parents out shopping, I

managed to befriend Sunil. I just pulled him tomy side, made him sit on the sofa, handed overa comic and offered him some sweets. We didnot exchange words for some time. Sunil keptstaring at the ceiling and I at him. For a mo-

ment, I felt like a doctor with a patient. No,how could I? It was unkind and rude of meto think that way. Sunil is not sick, he is not

abnormal, in fact, he is a healthy boy who seesthings his way and reacts differently. We can’t

see things his way and fail to understand his wayof thinking. I surrendered myself, changed mymood, put on the music and started swinging myarms in the air. To my surprise, Sunil had already

hit the floor and was trying to shake his hips just like Sameer.Clad in a casual half-pant, he was looking very funny and atthe same time, very cute. He looked a different child, some-one whom we had never seen or known before.

Ever since Sunil broke the ice, there wasno looking back. We met on holidays andSundays and played together. We called it ourSmall Act. In the evenings, we would eithersit and watch TV together or play games onthe computer.

Today, Sunil confided in me that Priyawas his favourite because she treated him

well. He hated his parents for being pretentious and unrealistic. He voicedhis resentment over his impromptu birthday party and how he hated thecrowd that evening. Poor soul. How I wished I could have taken him intoconfidence earlier. Now, we are best of friends. Sunil’s personality hasseen a change too and he has even enrolled in martial arts classes in school.

Sunil is my little best friend and a frequent visitor to our home. With myown children away at their cousin’s, I really look forward to Sunil’s visits.He can even sing and we try our vocal skills often on the tape recorder.Sunil does sing well, but I croak, but he insists that I sing along with him.

Mr. & Mrs. Shamu do not show it, but deep down, I can sense theirgratitude. At the same time, I do see them try and reason out why theycould not do the same with their son. Today, we have a joker amongst usand there is none in the colony who can outwit him. He has become thecentre of attraction and we all miss him the most when he is out for hiskarate classes. Sunil is our mini television, radio and newspaper. He keepsus informed of everything in the most beautiful way. He is good at addingmasala to everything no matter how trivial an incident he narrates, hemakes entertaining.

Do you know what having a little best friend has done to me? I feeltwenty years younger when I am with Sunil. You should try it out too.Make a little best friend.

A slap on the face of the same

Welcome to a world truly insane

To routine and order a world insane

Seen here are mystery, wonder

Felt with curious streaking

thunder.

Simplicity is defined by volumi-

nous madness

Placid is something never found

Peace never got.

There is but constant noise

Well garnered into nonsential notes

Music and poetry, magic and

sorcery flow

My Insane World- PRAMOD HINGMANG -

As works of art upon trees, they grow

Creatures of legend are found.

As precious stones are only stones

Stones that are only stones,

precious.

Paper is like gold and a pen worth

much more

Than all the armies of the sane.

Ideas take birth freely on the lush green

As many a Jupiter sits on the

grass, naked

Solving apparently nothing

When nothing seems even more,

then everything

Maidens arrive on the scene,

beautiful maidens

Spraying flowers onto the dirt

Where bare feet touch the grains

Those very grains that sprout

greatness

Their smile brings ethereal

moonlight

Full of spirit and soul

As the night the fireflies glow

And with the light that emanates

Rain comes down an oasis is seen

There I find myself sitting on the

green

In a world that rebukes sanity

Forgets all rules, embraces

insanity

Tells me to do all I’ve wanted to

This is my world, the one I dream in

The world I dream of

The world I’m in.

8; NOW!; 29 March, 2004

C M Y K

Published by Lt. Col. (retd) P. Dorjee and printed at Darpan Publications Pvt. Ltd, Siliguri. Editor: Pema Wangchuk. Executive Editor: Mita ZulcaNow! Near Ayurvedic Clinic, Gairi Gaon, Tadong. East Sikkim. ph: 03592 270949 email: sikkimnow@rediffmail.com

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1848: Niagara Falls stops flow-ing-for 1 day-because of an icejam.1886: Coca-Cola created (withcocaine).1879: A force of 2,000 British andColonial troops under the com-mand of Col. Henry Evelyn Wooddefeats 20,000 Zulus under KingCetshwayo At Kambula, turningthe tide in the favor of the Britishin the Zulu War.1951: In one of the most sen-sational trials in American his-tory, Julius and EthelRosenberg are convicted of es-pionage for their role in pass-ing atomic secrets to the Sovi-ets during and after World WarII. The husband and wife werelater sentenced to death andwere executed in 1953.1959: “Some Like it Hot” withMarilyn Monroe & JackLemmon premiers.1973: U.S. withdraws from Vi-etnam ending America’s directeight-year intervention in the Vi-etnam War.1974: Mariner 10 visits Mercury.

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STREAKER INTERRUPTSSKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS

DORTMUND: A streaker by-passed security at the world cham-pionships, skated onto the ice andput on a tutu as defending cham-pion MichelleKwan was aboutto perform in Sat-urday’s final.

“I knew hewas a streaker,”Kwan said. “As hereached into hisclothing, I thoughthe might have agun. There are nometal detectors.” Her coach and oth-ers shouted for her to get off the ice,but Kwan said she didn’t hear them.

The man was identified as RonBensimhon, 30, of Montreal. Heapparently slipped on skates whileseated in the arena, then bolted ontothe ice. Once in front of the crowd,he removed some of his clothes anddonned a tutu. Painted on his chestwas the name of a Web site.

Kwan eventually left the ice,looking upset. First one, then fiveemployees wearing street shoeswalked toward Bensimhon gingerlyand eased him from the rink.

“It’s crazy after 11 world cham-pionships,” Kwan said. “I had to getoff the ice, refocus, listen to themusic and listen to myself. Kwansmiled and applauded along withmost of the audience when he wasfinally captured.

ARIES: Communications, conversa-tions, sending and receiving mes-sages, and taking care of routinetasks that require mental clarity areimportant activities now.TAURUS: Imagination, fantasy, andthe desire to escape the immediateenvironment are stimulated.Dreaminess, nostalgia, or moodi-ness may be hard to resist.GEMINI: You are highly ambitious,full of optimism and enthusiasm fornew enterprises and plans. In fact,you may be foolishly overconfidentand take on more challenges thanyou can really meet. You are inclinedto take physical risks.CANCER: Your desire for love andaffection, as well as beauty andpleasure, is strong now and you acton feelings and creative impulsesmore readily than usual. If you arenot happy with some aspect of yourpersonal life, these issues arise atthis time.LEO: Your competitive, aggressive,and/or sexual energies are stimu-lated, and your temper is apt to bearoused also. Patience, especiallywith family members, is in shortsupply.VIRGO: You are more prone tovexation and aggravation right now,especially in traffic or in some areaof your life that you are trying to getahead in. Accidents due to trying toforce a situation, ignoring safety pre-cautions, hurrying, or anger need tobe guarded against.LIBRA: Your usual routine is likelyto be disrupted now, either by "freak"accidents beyond your control or byyour own impatience with the statusquo. Sudden unexpected eventsand breaking free of confining situ-ations and relationships are verylikely.SCORPIO: Your usual routine islikely to be disrupted now, either by

"freak" accidents beyond your con-trol or by your own impatience withthe status quo. Sudden unexpectedevents and breaking free of confin-ing situations and relationships arevery likely.SAGITTARIUS: Your usual routineis likely to be disrupted now, eitherby "freak" accidents beyond yourcontrol or by your own impatiencewith the status quo. Sudden unex-pected events and breaking free ofconfining situations and relation-ships are very likely.CAPRICORN: This is a good timeto phone friends or family, write per-sonal letters, or record any thoughtsor feelings that you have. Emotionsand personal biases are apt to cloudyour objectivity, however, so you maywish to postpone activities that re-quire strict logic and clarity.AQUARIUS: Imagination, fantasy,and the desire to escape the imme-diate environment are stimulated.Dreaminess, nostalgia, or moodi-ness may be hard to resist.PISCES: Errors made in haste,speaking too forcefully, sharpwords spoken on impulse, or acci-dents occurring due to restless-ness and impatience are all possi-ble at this time.

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‘BOMBAY DREAM’ SET TO

CLOSE FOR REVAMP

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hitWest End musical “Bombay

Dreams” is to close for a year tocarry out a revamp. The show opensin New York’s Broadway TheatreApril 29 with some changes to thestoryline, score and set.

Lloyd Webber has said that“Bombay Dreams” will close at theApollo Victoria Theatre on June 13.

It will embark on a tour in Britainearly next year and is expected to lastseveral months. Producers are ex-pected to look for a new cast for boththe tour and revamped London pro-duction. Lloyd Webber, whose previ-ous stage hits include Cats, PhantomOf The Opera and Evita, also revealedplans were in place to make a featurefilm of the colourful musical.

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaicanmusicians have recorded a tributealbum to Bob Dylan with reggaecovers of some of the singer’s mostwell-known songs, the album’s dis-tributor said Friday.

“Is It Rolling, Bob” includes 16

JAMAICANS RECORD BOBDYLAN TRIBUTE ALBUM

songs recorded by veteran perform-ers such as Beres Hammond andnew-wave roots groups like Sizzla,said Gary Himelfarb, head of Wash-ington D.C.-based RAS Records.

“Bob Dylan has always beenone of my favorite artists,”Himelfarb said. “He was a voice ofthe oppressed in the 1960s, just likeBob Marley was the voice of theoppressed in the 1970s.”

Although the album will not bereleased in the United States andEurope until June, three songs areplaying already in Jamaica: “Sub-terranean Blues” by Sizzla,“Knocking On Heaven’s Door” byLuciano and “Just Like a Woman”by Hammond.

Recording took place in King-ston, London and Washington D.C.

Other musicians featured on thealbum include guitarist Earl Smith,a former guitarist for Marley’sband, The Wailers.

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BECKHAM

CONSIDERS CAMEO

IN NEW PINK

PANTHER MOVIE

David Beckham is consideringan offer to play a cameo role

in the forthcoming Pink Panthermovie, a spokeswoman for the RealMadrid and England star said.

Film-makers “have approachedhim to be in the film but he hasn’tmade a decision yet”, the spokes-woman said.

The England captain wouldplay a footballer, the HollywoodReporter said, in the film that fol-lows the bungling French detectiveInspector Clouseau trying to solvethe theft of the Pink Panther dia-mond.