Land acquisition for Lethang Power Project

  

“The Supreme Court has expressed concern that the path of development by depriving landowners of their land seemed to give rise to insurgency and political extremism which, along with terrorism, are supposed to be the three gravest threats to the country’s integrity and sovereignty”. A Bench of Justices Aftab Alam and B S Chauhan, in a judgment on 19 July, 2010, said: “The whole issue of development appears to be so simple, logical and commonsensical. And yet, to millions of Indians, development is a dreadful and hateful word that is aimed at denying them even the source of their sustenance.”. 

The Hindu, Kolkata, 22 July, 2010. Special Leave Petition (C) No 6933 of 2007 Mahanadi Coal Fields Ltd & Anr. Petitioners versus Mathias Oram & Ors, Respondents.  Similar conviction was articulated by Professor Randhir Singh, Head of the Political Science Department, Delhi University. He said: “The kind of development the government is practicing in tribal areas can be labeled ‘developmental terrorism’ ” [The Hindu, Kolkata, 25 April, 2010]. Further details...

courtesy VOS

Speech delivered by Hon’ble Chief Minister, Sikitex 2010- IT Exhibition & Conference

 

Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Shri KT Gyaltsen, cabinet colleagues, Members of Parliament, MLAs, senior officials from Ministry of Information Technology, NIC officials, officials from other States, distinguished guests representing IT giants including IBM, Sify and ILFS, members of Press, ladies and gentlemen

Narayana Murthy of the Infosys fame recounted how in the early 1980s, he had to literally make 25 visits spread over 18 months to the bureaucracy in New Delhi to import one computer! Now the scenario has changed completely with Infosys and all other information technology companies which have made India a front runner in software exports.

With liberalization of the early 1990s and the simultaneous abolition of licence-permit raj, India has earned fame and distinction excelling in the IT sector. Computer Software in India is the miracle sector growing at 40 per cent annually for a decade earning $ 8 billion in exports last year. By all account and global submission, India ’s knowledge power and knowledge industry is ever expanding providing jobs to lakhs of young people. The demographic dividend is playing out very well in this sector for our country.

I am happy to join this distinguished gathering of IT professionals of the Country who have made their high mark in IT applications worldwide. I also welcome distinguished guests from other States and officials from central Ministries to deliberate on how best we could harness the IT tools for the welfare of the people at large. India is a vast Country and the responsibility of providing access to IT benefits to all sections of population is a big challenge. The big question we have to answer is how far we are successful to bridge the digital divide in this country. This gathering and all Seminars and Workshops that will take place later will define our benchmark of where we stand in terms of access and affordability to use this facility. You are aware that India has also embarked on a ambitious project of bringing Universal Identity to all citizens. This project is being headed by another great stalwart of the IT industry, Mr. Nandan Nilenkani. Universal financial inclusion will ensure that much of the benefits can flow directly to the poor.

Sikkim is a State nestled in the Himalayas , 7096 sq kilometers in size and with a population of over 6 lacs. We are amply blessed by its natural diversity in physical features, natural wealth and socio-cultural features. Sikkim is one of the 18 biodiversity hotspots in the World. With altitudes ranging from almost sea level to 28,156 ft Sikkim has alpine landscapes, luxuriant forest, water bodies and tranquil lakes. Sikkim is a veritable island of peace and mutual brotherhood. Further details...

AICTE warns degrees will not be recognised

 

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has warned several universities in the country including Punjab Technical University and Sikkim Manipal University over offering courses in the distance education mode without the approval of University Grants Commission (UGC) and AICTE.

The council has made it clear that the degrees awarded by these institutions for distance education programmes are not valid.

The member secretary of the council said it is necessary for universities to get approval from the tripartite committee consisting of members from UGC, AICTE and Distance Education Council (DEC). “There are certain institutions and universities like Punjab Technical University, Sikkim Manipal University and several others offering distance education programmes in various disciplines through distance education mode without the approval of UGC and AICTE,” the member secretary noted.

“As per the Union government’s notification, any degree or diploma which does not have the approval of the tripartite committee, shall not be recognised for central government employment,” he said.

It may be recalled that the Prof. Tandon Committee, which reviewed all deemed universities in the country, had made detailed and critical observations about deemed universities conducting courses in the distance education mode. According to the committee’s estimate, 74,808 students pursue distance education programmes in deemed universities across the country.

Tamang to star in Nepalese film

After winning the 'Indian Idol' reality show on the telly few years back, Prashant Tamang has teamed up with Nepalese actress Sumina Ghimeray for a feature film 'Kina Mayama' .Tamang said he has come to a phase where he was balancing both singing and acting professionally."I know this is just the beginning but then I have to start from somewhere. Though I can�t say right now whether the audiences will like me or not but I am sure that I shall be appreciated for my work and endeavour," he said.Stating that he had been asked by someone from Sikkim on Facebook yesterday to stop acting and pursue his singing career, Tamang said though I have taken it positively, "I wish to say that I have an opportunity here to explore so why don�t I try." The Nepalese film, written and directed by C L Ghimeray, started its shooting on September 2 after the film's muhurat, the function to mark the auspicious beginning, which was attended by ministers C B Karki and N K Pradhan.The film is presently being shot here in various locations including the Hidden Forest, Sichey.The director of the film, Ghimeray said it would be shot mostly in Sikkim with only some parts shot in other areas including Kathmandu.He said while the total budget of the film would be about Rs 60 lakh it will be a little over two hours in length.This was Tamang's third local film in a row.

Loan agreement with ADB signed for utilisation in Sikkim

 The Government of India, the Government of Sikkim and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a loan agreement for US $ 20 million for a South Asia Infrastructure Development Project, an official press release here said.Under the Indian component of the Project, the Asian Development Bank will provide a loan of US$ 20 million to India to be utilised in Sikkim.It was meant for development of Sikkim�s circuits of nature and culture-based tourism destinations with improved connectivity, better quality environment and visitor services, enhanced natural and cultural heritage and capacities for sustainable heritage management and greater engagement of communities in heritage management and tourism benefits, the release said.The project aims to contribute towards sustainable and inclusive development in South Asia by tapping the potential of complementary and contiguous tourism assets of India, Nepal and Bangladesh, the release added.

Information Technology Department should furnish all funds expenses, infrastructure detail since last 10 years

I would like to introduce myself as a Computer Engineer who have visualised Sikkim in heights of Information Technology, a vision which was thought by our Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling 10 years back when Bangalore was simply a town and no IT revolution had boomed. At that time itself our CM was interested in making Sikkim world’s attraction in Information Technology IT. Had all officials dedicatedly worked properly, cleanly today Sikkim would have not scuffled for silly Hydel Projects, Sikkim would have earned more , all our youths would have acquired a best salaried IT Jobs, our youths would have been riding in expensive cars and dined in 5 stars hotels, Sikkim would have been a World’s lone ‘Silicon Valley’ truly!

I have no grudges but as a sincere citizen I appeal Director of Information Technology to make all essential projects completion details, expenses accountability, infrastructures purchased, local and non-local vendors lists who have till date benefitted from crores of IT related government funds.

Let me mention here that vision IT was initiated by government 10 years ago where key members includes some dignitaries and IT learned of government department and central agencies and organisations.

I guarantee that instead of looking around other department for accountability, IT Department should first make their details clear and specific to public and unemployed. Further Details...

XIX CWG 2010: Just about to begin …

The opening ceremony of XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 is just about  begin with a Big Bang. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi turns into a magical colourful spree of lights and wonderful bizarre like a alien flying saucer. After a several raging debates on International Media the India is all set to prove flawless by delivering a nail biting phenomenal opening ceremony.
The Capital City New Delhi turns into a unbelievable heaven like place , everywhere flowers, colorful flyers, children’s with their parents are seen waving around with a flags. All most all the places in and around New Delhi has been superbly decorated into a ceremonial bridal. The most anticipated World Event XIX Commonwealth Games will begin with a opening ceremony at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, tonight at 7:00 PM India Time. 71 countries have registered their participation in the biggest game event; billions of people across the world will be watching the sporting event in their Television. The dazzling infrastructures built for this date’s for the sporting events those which the public have not yet seen through their eyes or in television will unveil shortly from now.

7 years of intense hard work finally resulted in a big success, we expect from our heart that the people will enrich themselves from our combined efforts and bring a laurel to the nation in the Globe, said Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dixit to media. Expressing that the day is very special to her since the entire nation has been closely associated with making the CWG 2010 a world class, she said.

Well much awaited sporting event will be inaugurated by the President of India Smt Partibhadevi Singh Patel and Prince Charles of Britain. Prince Charles along with his wife Camilla arrived New Delhi on Saturday itself.

Further details...

India ban on Satyajit Ray's Sikkim doc lifted

India has lifted a 40-year ban on a documentary film made by legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray.
Ray's family revealed to the BBC that the government would allow screenings of Sikkim, which bears the name of the Himalayan state which merged with India under controversial circumstances in 1975.
"I hope the documentary is screened soon," Ray's son, Sandip, told the BBC on Friday. Satyajit Ray died in 1992. His son is also a director.
Made in 1971, the film was banned by Indian censors four years later for glorifying the monarchy.
"I have fond memories of the shooting in different seasons, going up and down the hills with the equipment and staying in the royal palace," Sandip Ray said.
It's believed there are two copies of Sikkim. One is at the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences in the U.S. and the other is archived at the British Film Institute.
Sikkim was once an independent kingdom and its last ruler, Palden Thondup Namgyal, had commissioned Ray to create a film to attract tourists.
It reportedly shows some scenes of which the ruler did not approve, including one of poor people scrambling for food behind the royal palace.
"Except for a private screening by my father, the film has not been seen by anybody else," said Ray.

SIKKIM UNIVERSITY TO CAPTURE ORAL HISTORY OF SIKKIM

Sikkim University has embarked on a mission to record the inherent wisdom and experiences of the older generation of Sikkim in digital format which will be archived in its library for posterity.

The mission, ‘Oral History’ project was started by the university in July earlier this year and the first episode containing history of Sikkim rendered orally by five senior citizens is now ready.

The Sikkim University vice-chancellor, Prof Mahendra P Lama said that the project is about recording, preserving and interpreting historical information based on personal experiences and opinions of the selected speaker. Under the project, the university will interview elderly citizens of Sikkim to talk about their experiences in varied areas of activities and ancestral incidents.

The vice-chancellor added that the project is an invaluable way of preserving the knowledge and understanding of older people and is an effort to preserve the history of Sikkim through the series and experiences of its residents.Further Details

courtesy VOS

Lions Club of Rangpo celebrated 142th Gandhi Jayanti

A respected father of nation Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary was celebrated with full enthusiasm all across the State of Sikkim. In Gangtok Chief Minister paid a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by offering a Khada to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue located in the heart of the town at MG Marg followed by attending cabinets, official dignitaries and civilians.

Likewise in the Rangpo, a gateway to Sikkim the prestigious club of Rangpo, a Lions Club celebrated Gandhi Jayanti in a traditional ritual. The Chief Guest Mr Bikash Kumar Prasad, a Councillor of Ward No.4 paid a tribute to the great freedom fighter by lighting of ‘Diya’ before the  photo of Mahatma Gandhi.

Branch President Mr Rajendra Prasad Mangla Trade Wing Rangpo, Mr RB Thapa a Social Worker along with all the Club Volunteers and Business Community Delegates offered Khadas and Garland to photo of Gandhi Ji.

Programme was conducted by Lion’s Club’s Vice President Chavilal Sharma, Mr Shiv Darnal a writer, Mr Ketan Mangla and Parivesh Lunia. The students of Class Six of Little Bells School organised Patriotic Poems during the programme.

Courtesy VOS