Wednesday, 01 Dec, 2004 Vol. 3 No. 203 Gangtok � Rs. 3SBI

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Sikkim responds to Darjovertures for merger

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 30 Nov: Sikkim’sofficial figure of 34 HIV-posi-tive cases was not definitely rep-resentative of the real groundrealities admitted the ProjectDirector, Sikkim State AIDSControl Society, Dr. RL Sharmatoday. Refusing to wager a guesson what the real figures couldbe, Dr. Sharma did let on thathe was “really afraid” of whatthe real numbers could be.

The inference that the fig-ure of 34 is not accurate stemsfrom the fact that it is based ona sample pool of 7,000 tests.What makes the figure evenmore suspect, as in its reflec-tion of HIV prevalence inSikkim, is the fact that 5,000

of these samples belonged topregnant women who came ofgovernment hospitals for ahealth check. These womenfall in the low-risk cat-egory of HIV/ AIDS zo-nation. The rest of thesamples were tested at thevoluntary testing centresacross the State.

These details weremade available at theadvocacy meet forPress/ Media organ-ised here today on theeve of World Aids Day, bySSACS.

The theme for AIDS aware-

ness initiatives this year is“Women, Girls and HIV/AIDS.”

Addressing the gathering ofmedia-persons today, theHealth Secretary, Dr. TRGyatso, maintained that itwas not necessary to have

the real figures at hand toguide the AIDS awareness

programmes. Given thatAIDS remained an in-

curable disease “itshould suffice to

know that we haveHIV and AIDS in

Sikkim now,” he said.Deliberating on the theme

of the day, Dr. Gyatso explained

that women and girls demandedour attention because latest fig-ures revealed that the new faceof AIDS was “young and fe-male.” What made the themeeven more important was thefact that women, in most partsof the world, were more at riskbecause neither did they havecontrol over safe sex, nor werethey in enough policy-makingbodies to draw focus to theplight of women and girls in thehand of AIDS.

In fact, this is where theSikkim data on AIDS throws upanother contradiction. While

Sikkim’s real HIV status could be scaryAVAILABLE DATA IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE

OF POSSIBLE GROUND REALITIES

turn to pg 6

SUBASH RAI

GANGTOK, 30 Nov: BBGooroong, Advisor to the ChiefMinister, today came outstrongly against the proposalbeing floated by Darjeeling-based political outfits to mergeDarjeeling and Kalimpong withSikkim. He said that such amove would be “against the

THANKS, BUT NO THANKSwelfare of Sikkimese people.”With this, Mr. Gooroong hasalso come public with the rul-ing party’s stand on the proposaland revealed the subtext of theChief Minister PawanChamling’s recent comment thatno party demanding Gorkhalandhad yet approached the Sikkimgovernment to pass a resolution

turn to pg 4

JorethangMaghe Mela “tax”

slashed by halfa NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 30 Nov: TheMela Committee of theJorethang Maghe Mela hasdecided to slash the bazaarconstractor tax raised fromthose who take stalls at theannual fair by 50 per cent.This is one of the latest ini-tiatives in the South districttown’s efforts at restoring theold charm of this, once fa-mous Mela.

Speaking to NOW! over thephone, Kamal Chettri, Asst.Commissioner, Sales Tax &Income Tax Department, whois also a member of the MelaCommittee, informed that thedecision was taken after com-plaints received from the unem-ployed youth of Jorethang areain a meeting held under thechairmanship of KN Rai, areaMLA and RM&RD Minister.

This meeting of 20 Novem-ber delved at length on the highrate of tax which was discour-aging new entrepreneurs frombooking stalls at Jorethang.

The Asst. Commissionerfurther informed that forms forbooking stalls would be avail-able from 26 December on-wards at the Mela Office atJorethang. Those interested canalso call 257612, 276400 and257411 for further details.

Army rescueoperationbattles

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2; NOW!; 01 December, 2004

NOW!FIRST WITH THE NEWS

ED-SPACE

EXTERNAL

NEPAL

AFFAIRS

The report that the UnitedNations High Commis-sioner for Human Rights

is likely to investigate the casesof rights violations in Nepal isto be welcomed for a numberof reasons, not least being thatit will set up such precedencein other UN member countries.The UN High Commissionerfor Human Rights will need toundertake such an investigationin a large number of countriesand will no doubt mean antago-nizing some countries that footthe UN bills. For some of thesecountries are alleged to haveabused the rights of the peoplein countries they occupy. Theother reason is that the authori-ties concerned in Nepal andsome other South Asian coun-tries do not take human rightsas the most crucial aspect ofany democratic setup.

The host of human rightsorganizations that operate inNepal have been pointing outrights violations by the securityforces which, in turn, turn adeaf ear to the complaints. Thearmy, police and other law en-forcing authorities have notpaid as much heed to the al-leged abuses, as they should

AIDS in Sikkim

Can we tackleit blind?

Thirty-four HIV+ve cases have been detected in Sikkim.Given the fact that India accounts for 5.1 million HIV-posi-tive people, this might seem a minuscule number. Add tothis the fact that these 34 cases were detected from HIVchecks on 7,000 blood samples and the infection rate of0.04% looks minimal given the worldwide scenario. Thesefigures, however, are misleading. Of the 7,000 blood sam-ples checked, 5,000 were from the low risk category ofpregnant women. Of this sample base, only one testedpositive. The rest of the 33 cases were detected from the2,000 tests conducted at the voluntary blood testing cen-tres. Now, suddenly, the rather low percentage of 0.04%jump to a scary 1.65% infection rate among those who fearthat they may have contracted the virus and opt for tests.Agreed, then national policy on HIV/ AIDS detection andmonitoring discourages the use of the law of averages inprojecting the infection scenario, but truly, 2,000 voluntarytests cannot be taken as being representative of the HIVscenario in the State. Even those working in the field ofAIDS Awareness admit that the figure of 34 HIV-positivecases is not even close to what the real prevalence of thevirus in Sikkim could be. To make rough estimates of thereal number would definitely be improper, but to base theAIDS awareness programme on obviously incomplete datais not advisable either.

It is fine to say that data is not important since the verypresence of the virus and the disease should be warningenough, but one look at the ground realities and the impor-tance of real numbers comes through. The whole of lastyear was dedicated to eradicating the stigma attached toHIV and AIDS and yet, barely a month back, neighboursganged up against an AIDS patient and his family and triedto force them to move out. The patient died before the fam-ily could be forced out. This happened in the capital wherethe AIDS Awareness programme should have been themost effective and yet the message was lost. In a situationlike this, when we throw a figure of 34 HIV-positive casesin a State of 5.5 lakhs, we indirectly allow the people in thehigh-risk groups to relax. While one could understand thislessened fear of contracting the virus if it was based onexact figures, we know for sure these figures are mislead-ing. And data is important in the battle against AIDS. Theentire world is focused on the AIDS programme in Africabecause that is where the highest number of cases havebeen recorded. India is being forced out of itssomnambulance because it now ranks second. Similarly,targeted intervention programmes are much more organ-ised and aggressive in the northeast and in south Indiabecause they are being shocked each year with and everincreasing graph of infections. Figures carry shock-valueand it is this shock that wakes people up to a problem.Incomplete data can have the reverse effect. Before Sikkimfollows the world into replicating seminars and workshopson “Women, Girls and HIV and AIDS,” we should perhapswork towards making information on the disease more ac-cessible, convincing more and more people to take the vol-untary tests so that the data at hand becomes more reli-able and complete and then work out how the problemneeds to be tackled.

write NOW!If you feel strongly about something that has been reportedin NOW! or have an opinion on some recent development,then share it with a wider audience. While the LETTERS sec-tion will carry responses to articles and news carried in NOW!,ACTION MAIL is about complaints and grievances. Personalattacks on individuals and inflammatory letters will, however,not be entertained. The letters may also be edited for lengthand language. Anonymous letters are discouraged. The nameof the writer will however be withheld on request.send your mails to: NOW!, Gairi Gaon, Tadong - 737 102,East Sikkim or email us at sikkimnow@rediffmail.com

have. Even if they have, theyare not seen to be doing so. Thisis a pity as these forces repre-sent the state and it is people’smoney that they are paid withto do their jobs well respectingat all times the rights of the peo-ple. The security forces in thecountry have to wage a war towin the people’s heart and thiscan only be done when each

and every staff member of theforces learns to respect the ba-sic fundamental rights of thepeople to which each and everyNepali citizen is entitled. Thesecurity forces should take re-course to legal measures when-ever they need to detain anyperson. The spate of allegeddisappearances does not im-prove the forces’ image.

The UN High Commis-sioner on Human Rights mightprovide a truer picture of theactual rights violations in thiscountry than has been possible

with each rights group out tooutdo the other in reporting thealleged rights violations. Thiswill also prove beneficial to thiscountry in the light of rider theUS Congress has placed on as-sistance to Nepal. This is whythe government should takepositively any move by the UNHigh Commissioner on HumanRights to investigate at firsthand the alleged rights abusesin this country. In addition, apositive government move willalso mean that other countrieswhere rights have allegedlybeen abused might find it dif-ficult to resist the entry of theUN body in their countries. Inour own region, the body woulddo well to investigate the rightsabuses in two parts of Kashmiroccupied by India and Pakistan,as also in Bhutan from whereover 100,000 people have beenexpelled either directly orthrough the use of emotionalblackmail. It is indeed in theinterest of Nepal as well as thatof universal human rights totake a positive stance by the UNHigh Commissioner on HumanRights on alleged rights viola-tions in Nepal.

- The Kathmandu Post

After days of escalatingconfrontation, therewere encouraging

signs yesterday that the crisisover Ukraine’s botched presi-dential election might beheaded for a peaceful, made-in-Ukraine solution based on boththe rule of law and the contin-ued territorial unity of this po-litically divided nation of 48million. That would be the bestpossible outcome, and one thatUkraine’s neighbors, from Rus-sia to the European Union,should fully support.

Early last week, Ukraine’selection commission, blithelyignoring the findings of abroad range of internationalobservers who said the ballot-ing was egregiously and unac-ceptably flawed, officiallyruled that Prime MinisterViktor Yanukovich had de-feated former Prime MinisterViktor Yushchenko in the Nov.21 balloting.

Ever since, Mr. Yanukovichhas seemed determined to im-pose his claim to the presidencydespite the huge protest dem-onstrations that have filled thestreets of the capital, Kiev,every day demanding new elec-

tions, a parliamentary vote de-claring the election invalid andthe Supreme Court hearingsthat have now begun on theelection dispute.

Mr. Yanukovich clearly feltlittle incentive to hold new,clean elections, expecting hecould count on the full politi-

cal support of the departingpresident, Leonid Kuchma,who had strongly endorsed hiscandidacy. Millions of his ownsupporters from his home east-ern region of the country, in-cluding a long list of local offi-cials, threatened to press forregional secession if he wasdenied the presidency. Andfrom across the border in Rus-sia, President Vladimir Putinwas quick to put in his two ru-bles, insisting on the validity ofthe original, fraudulent vote.

Thankfully, daylightseemed to emerge yesterday.Some of Mr. Yanukovich’s sup-porters began having second

thoughts. President Kuchmaindicated he would favor newelections as a solution to thecurrent political crisis. Mr.Yanukovich’s campaign man-ager, Sergei Tihipko, resignedand urged a new vote. And Mr.Yanukovich himself now sayshe might agree to at least a par-tial rerun covering Ukraine’seastern regions. Oddly, now itis Mr. Yushchenko’s supporterswho aren’t so sure they want anew vote.

A full rerun of the electionis the right way to go; limitingit to only part of the countrywould only intensify currentdivisions. We hope Mr.Yanukovich will recognize thiswithout someone beating himover the head. If he fails to doso, Ukraine’s Supreme Courtshould add its institutionalvoice to those now trying tohold the country together andsalvage its democratic reputa-tion. Once a new election isset, leaders elsewhere - Mr.Putin in particular comes tomind - can best help by lower-ing their voices and providingplenty of scrupulously impar-tial observers.-editorial featured in The New

York Times

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Rights abuses and Nepal

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a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 30 Nov: On 29November at 6: 30 pm whenthe weather had turned fouland it was snowing heavily,Capt. AJ Gogoi, an officer ofthe supply detachment ofArmy Supply Corps, locatedadjacent to Chipsu village[Mile 21] in East Sikkim camethrough as the saviour of thetourists visiting the famousNathula pass and shrine ofBaba Harbhajan andstranded there.

The locals informed Capt.Gogoi that two taxis carryingaround eight tourists had skid-ded and met with an accident.

Capt. Gogoi promptly mus-tered troops under his com-mand and a few locals to forma rescue team and immediatelyrushed to the site with first aid.It was already dark by then.

On reaching the site, hefound an elderly lady, Mrs.Mitta, wife of Dr. SridharMitta, a high level official inWIPRO Ltd, suffering severechest pains and breathlessness,symptoms of acute mountainsickness. She had after all beenexposed to the elements in thetime lapsed between the acci-dent and the rescue.

An official press releaseinforms that Capt. Gogoi per-

a NOW REPORT

GEYZING, 30 Nov: East Ben-gal Football Academy, Kolkatatook on Muslim Institute Foot-ball Academy, Kolkata today, ina quarter-final match of the 3rdKhangchendzonga Gold CupFootball Tournament here at theKyongsa Ground today.

Though both teams put ona superb performance, it wasEast Bengal which emergedwinners beating their rivals 2-0 to enter the semi final stage.

Davendra Deelogam ofEBFA scored the first goal ofthe match at 32nd minute; thefirst half ended with the score-line of 1-0 in favour of EBFA.

Though MIFA appliedmuch pressure in the secondhalf they could not score theequalizer and ended up conced-ing another goal to DavendraDeelogam in the 83rd minute.

Four players were flashedthe yellow card during thematch - Bishwanath Bauri andInchawri of EBFA andOlonkonifela Sindi and GobindNath of MIFA.

East Bengal Football Asso-ciation will now play with thewinner of the quarter finalmatch between George Tel-egraph, Kolkata and DurgapurSteel Plant Football Associationto be played on 03 November.

East Bengal FA through to semis

sonally administered medica-tion, reviving and stabilisingthe lady.

The officer and the rescueteam then rushed the tourists tothe army unit and provided firstaid to other minor injuries. Thetourists were evacuated to thenearest military medical estab-lishment at Mile 17. They are

Army rescue operation battlesfading light and inclement

weather to save tourists

all reported to be in stable con-dition now, but their plightcould have been much differ-ent had Capt. Gogoi not re-sponded so promptly to the callfor help.

Baba Harbhajan Mandir on an overcast day

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in its support. Mr. Chamling hadsaid that his government sym-pathised with the demand for aseparate State of Gorkhaland,what he obviously also meantwas that Darjeeling should seekself-expression as a State andnot pursue an identity as a partof Sikkim.

Mr. Gooroong, speaking atan awareness-cum-motivationprogramme on entrepreneur-ship and skill development forunemployed youth of Sang-Martam constituency, said thatthe Sikkim Government wassearching for solutions to theproblems of the 5.4 lakhSikkimese people.

“On this, if we add the bur-den of the 14 lakh Darjeelingpopulation, it will be a load thatwe cannot pull along,” he said.

He further said that the de-mand for the merger of Darjeeling

with Sikkim was redundant now.“They has missed the bus.

This demand, even if it wasraised a day prior to the Mergerof Sikkim with the Indian Un-ion, might have found somepurchase. It is too late now. Wehave already merged once andare not keen on another mergerprocess,” he said.

At the same time, if all thepolitical parties of the DarjeelingHills came together to make aconcerted demand for separatestate status for Darjeeling, theSikkim Government would passa resolution in the State Assem-bly supporting the demand andreaching it to the Centre, Mr.Gooroong added.

Recognising the pregnant pos-sibilities of the demand and thereaction to it, Mr. Gooroong fur-ther added that he would “neverwithdraw” his statement “what-ever the consequences may be.”

“If we take a wrong decision

today, the future generations,which are live bullets will curseus in the future,” he explained

Touching issues pertainingto Delimitation of constituen-cies, Mr. Gooroong informedthat the last Delimitation washeld in the year 1979 during theKazi Government. “That timeDelimitation was done in ahurry which resulted in over-lapping of boundaries,” he in-formed while adding that De-limitation was the need of thehour to simplify the presentconfusion over the constitu-ency boundaries.

Clarifying on the Opposi-tion’s allegation that seatswould be reduced if the Delimi-tation was held as per thepresent proposal, Mr.Gooroong clarified that none ofthe seats would be reduced asDelimitation dealt solely withthe rectification of boundaries,not the numbers.

On the Opposition’s demandfor seat reservations for theTamang and Limboo communi-ties in the State Assembly, theAdvisor informed that the Delimi-tation Commission headed byformer Chief Justice, KuldipSingh was not responsible fordeciding on seats reservations.

“Reservation of seats for theTamangs and Limboos is a Cen-tral subject and has to be raisedwith them. We are already doingso and the Opposition shouldalso follow suit,” he said.

Contd from pg 1

Sikkim responds to Darjovertures for merger

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 30 Nov: Thefirst ever Awareness-cum-Motivation Programme onEntrepreneurship and SkillDevelopment for unem-ployed youth was organizedby the Gram PanchayatMembers of Sang-Martamconstituency today here atBrim House, Martam.

The programme which washeld under the guidance of Sub-Divisional Development Of-ficer, Rural Management andDevelopment Department andInspector, Industries was at-tended by BB Gooroong, Ad-visor to the Chief Minister asthe Chief Guest. Resource per-sons from various financial in-stitutions viz. SIDICO,SAABCO, SISCO Bank, Vil-lage Khadi Board, SSSI andIndustries Department enlight-ened the youths on how to availthe opportunities offered bytheir institutions.

While addressing the gath-ering, the Chief Guest informedthat the earlier governmentshad failed to think on Man-power Planning, which was amistake. “I am realizing todaythat this was also my fault as Iwas involved with all the Gov-ernments and also in theChogyal regime,” he said.

Stating that peace and

tranquility were the brand ofthe State he urged the peo-ple to maintain the same forthe smooth development ofSikkim.

Earlier, Bhim Upreti, Dy.Manger, SIDICO informed thatsome institutions like YuksomBreweries and Labot BottleManufacturing Plant, whichhad started their business aftertaking loans from SIDICO wererunning their business success-fully because they had utilizedtheir skill and strength at theright time and right place.Highlighting various schemesof his institution, Mr. Upretisaid that schemes like CMSEShave a very good theme but theyouth were utilizing it in anegative way.

Anand Pradhan, Inspectorof Khadi & Village Board in-formed that his institution hasaround seven schemes to as-sist the unemployed youth inbecoming self-reliant. He em-phasized on projects, whichwere associated with local tra-ditional items.

SK Rakt, Asst. Director,SSSI informed that his depart-ment could assist the unem-ployed youth in the prepara-tion of project reports and byimparting various trainingsand guidance in the projectschosen by them.

Mr. Kishore Sharma, Man-

ager of SISCO Bank empha-sized on formation of co-opera-tive societies. He said that thosewithout any financial supportcould start any venture afterforming a cooperative societyin their locality.

NT Lepcha, Project Officerof SABBCO informed that hisinstitution was meant for thewelfare of ST, SC and OBCcommunities.

DD Sharma, Inspector ofDistrict Industries Centre in-formed that any individualmust be registered with the In-

dustry Department before start-ing any venture. He said thatformalities for registering withthe Department were very sim-ple. He further said that anyonewho crossed the first phasewould receive various subsi-dies from the department.

SDDO, AB Karki said thatthe people of rural areas werelagging behind in various fieldsdue to lack of awareness. Heassured that his Department inassociation with Panchayatmembers was launching mas-sive awareness drives in the

Motivating youth towards self-reliance at MartamState to make every individualself-reliant. He also announcedvarious training programmes tobe organized in the near future.

Besides, Malati Subba,Zilla Panchayat, SM Lama,Panchayat Member, BBMoktan, Panchayat Sabhapati,RK Rakpal, President of a lo-cal NGO and RDA, MartamGPU also addressed the gath-ering, which was attended bymore than 200 people includ-ing class X & XI students andteachers of Ranipool Sr. Sec-ondary School.

01 December, 2004; NOW! 5� NEWSSCAN

GANGTOK, 30 Nov: TheThird task force of NE States,Sikkim and West Bengal underthe Catalytic Development Pro-gramme [CDP] was held at cir-cuit house, here today. Themeeting organized by the re-gional sericulture developmentoffice, central silk board,Guwahati, the directorate ofsericulture, department of for-est, environment and wildlifehosted ministry of textiles, gov-ernment of India.

The meeting discussed atlength about the measures toidentify the strength and weak-ness of sericulture and work forits development in North East-ern States, Sikkim and WestBengal.

The Chief Guest, Mr. T RPoudyal, IFS, Addl. PCCF, For-est Department during his in-augural addressed thatsericulture in Sikkim is non-tra-ditional and new beginning,which was introduced, some-time in late 70’s. He furtheradded that three districts of

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 30 Nov: Thegeneral secretary of theSikkim Limboo-TamangTribal Forum, KumarYonzone, has, through a pressrelease informed that the or-ganisation has given due ac-ceptance to the statementmade by SIBLAC in a memo-randum addressed to thePrime Minister wherein it isstated “It is of paramount im-portance to know that thoughthe Bhutia and Lepcha weredeclared as Scheduled Tribesunder the Constitution(Sikkim) Scheduled Tribe Or-der 1978, all local laws includ-ing the reservation of Assem-bly seats have been made inrespect of Bhutia and Lepchaas Bhutia-Lepcha and not as/or for Scheduled Tribes.”

Mr. Yonzone has rejectedthe option of freezing of As-sembly seats till the year 2026and also the increase of seatsin the state assembly from 32to 40. He has stressed that theaccommodation of reserved

seats for the Limboo andTamangs communities shouldcome “from within the 32 As-sembly seats and the method-ology as applied in allocationshould not disturb the peace inthe state.”

The press release driveshome the point that accordingto normal procedure, the dec-laration of any caste or commu-nity as a Schedule Tribe underArticle 342 of the Constitutionshould be followed by reserva-tion of Assembly seats underArticle 332 of the Constitution;any tribals declared afterwardscan contest in the reservedtribal seats.

The release further says thatthe BL community in Sikkimneed not contest from the tribalconstituency as they alreadyhave 12 seats in the State As-sembly reserved for themwhich has been in effect sincethe presidential ordinance of1979 which declared the BLsas tribal communities. And nowthat the Limboos and Tamangshave also been included in thelist of Scheduled Tribes videthe Scheduled Tribes Order

[amendment] Act, 2002,SLTTF has questioned as towhy reservations for the com-munities have not followed inthe state Assembly as was thecase with the BL communityand according to Article 332 ofthe Constitution of India.

The press release informsthat the president of the SLTTribal Forum had, in a meet-ing at Singtam, stressed thatsuch an ordinance should bemade before submission of thefinal report by the delimitationcommission wherein theLimboos and Tamangs shouldbe incorporated.

It further claims, “In theevent of ignorance of this im-portant issue by the commis-sion, the report should betermed as vague and unconsti-tutional.”

Stressing that the Forumwas not aiming at snatching theseats of the BLs, Mr. Yonzonein fact invites the two commu-nities to come forward to workout a solution so that the de-mand raised by the LT commu-nities does not have an adverseimpact on other communities.

LT Tribal Forum wants reservation within32 seats, unwilling to wait till Assembly

seats are increased to 40

Sikkim have introducedsericulture except north districtwith 370 acres of land undermulberry plantation, 30 acresunder muga plantations and 30acres under plantation of tapi-oca and castor, which is a foodplant of eri silk worm.

Mr. PK Das, Director,North East Central Silk Board,Guwahati and chairman ofCDP task force said that themeeting was held to discuss thevarious types of problems insericulture industry in all theNorth Eastern States, Sikkim,and west Bengal.

-IPR.

CATALYSING DEVELOPMENT

Sericulture prospectsof the NE region

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Anthyesthi KriyaThe 13 day Anthyesthi Kriya of late Dal Bahadur Poudyalwho left for his heavenly abode on 23 November 2004falls on the 5th December 2004 Sunday. All relatives,friends and well wishers are requested to join us in offer-ing prayers for the departed soul at our residence at 1stmile, below Temi Bazaar.Krishna Bahadur Poudyal, Dharmaraj Poudyal, KB Poudyal, Shiva

Poudyal [sons]. Poudyal Family

Kutse SheguThe Kutse Shegu of late Gapo Bhutia, who left for hisheavenly abode on 14 October 2004 falls on 1st December2004. All relatives, friends and well-wishers are cordiallyrequested to join us in offering prayers at our residence at Song,Masa Busty, East Sikkim.We would also like to express our gratitude to all those whoextended their support and sympathy in the time of ourbereavement and we regret our inability to convey ourgratitude individually.

D. Bhutia [wife]

Karma Thinley Bhutia, Dorjee Tshering Bhutia, Karma

Sonam Bhutia [sons], Tshering Ongmu [daughter]

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the ratio of male-female infec-tion in most parts of the worldis 1:1 and in some place morewomen are infected than men,in Sikkim, of the eight full-blown recorded cases of AIDS,only one is a woman.

Women are also in greaterneed of awareness and counsel-ling because an HIV-positivemother runs the risk of passingon the virus to the child in herwomb. One such case was re-ported in Sikkim about twoyears back where a pregnantlady was detected with the vi-rus and it was found in her new-born too. While doctors at theSTNM Hospital were in constanttouch with her in the beginning,counselling her and educatingher on how to live with HIV, sen-ior STNM doctors today revealed

that the lady has stopped com-ing to the hospital now.

One hopes that she stoppedbecause she has found her bal-ance and learned to live withthe virus.

The AIDS scenario inSikkim is not necessarily bleak.Awareness about the disease ison the rise with 30 NGOs ac-tively involved in targeted inter-vention among high-risk groups[eight of these NGO’s by Dr.Sharma’s own admission, doingextremely good work]. AIDSawareness has also made in-roads into the schools and theHIV/ AIDS help-line [ph. no.1097] setup by the AIDS Con-trol Society now logs in about10-15 new callers everyday. Theprocess of sensitisingpanchayats to the disease is al-most over, elected MLAs wererecently briefed on the disease

at an advocacy meet, and as theHealth Secretary himself ob-served, a similar advocacy meetwith the Sikkim journalists eightyears ago saw hardly any ques-tions being raised in contrast tothe actively participated interac-tive session today.

Secretary, IPR, GyurmeGoparma, present as a guest ofhonour today, in turn called onthe media-persons to recognisethe immense challenge posedby HIV/ AIDS and contributeto the awareness programmes.“Inform yourselves well on thedisease so that you can theneducate your readers on the is-sue,” he urged.

Also announce today wasthe Sikkim State AIDS ControlSociety’s commitment to thenational target of reducing HIVtransmissions to zero per centby the year 2007.

Contd from pg 1

Sikkim’s real HIV status could be scary

a NOW REPORT

RAVANGLA, 30 Nov: On 27November, a meeting was heldregarding the institution of cashawards for the best students ofVC Ganju Lama Govt SeniorSecondary School, Ravangla,South Sikkim.

The meeting between theprincipal, T Topgyal Bhutia andthe president, secretary and themembers of Ravangla-Sangmooblock panchayat was very con-structive, informs a press releaseissued by the school.

The proposal for introduc-tion of cash award for the stu-dents of Ravangla Sr. SecSchool who stand first in boardexams [2004-05] of class VIII,X and XII in any stream and

NEWSSCAN �

Sikkim tour for the students ofclass V and above who secures1st and 2nd positions in their re-spective classes was accepted bythe members of the Panchayat.

At the meeting, the schoolmanagement committee wasalso reconstituted. BM Rai,Upadhakshya [South], wasnominated the Chairman andN. Rai as Vice Chairman of theschool management commit-tee. Dr. R. Sinha, NP Bhutia,Mrs. Kala Devi and others havebeen nominated as the mem-bers to the SMC.

The names of the SMC whowere nominated will be declaredformally on 02 December on theoccasion of Bal Mela, whichwill be organized at the premisesof school, it is learnt.

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KALIMPONG, 30 Nov: TheCITU today raised allega-tions of irregularities in theAgricultural Department ofthe DGAHC.

It has claimed that themonthly pensions of retiredagricultural labourers havebeen blocked since March2003. “Many retired labourers

fall in the BPL category and aredependent on their pensions fortheir livelihood” said Mr TaraSundas of CITU.

He further alleged that thenumber of labourers in the pen-sion list of the Agricultural De-partment was far less than theactual number of labourers inthis sub-division. “According toa recent survey, the total labouris 470, but present only 320 arebeing given pension” claimedMr. Sundas, adding: “Fifty morewere added after Urban Devel-opment Minister, Mr. AshokBhattacharya requested the stateAgricultural Minister. However,100 other beneficiaries have notbeen included”.

Responding to a question hesaid “More than seventy percentof the hill population directly orindirectly depend on agricultureand the council should makesure that those dependent onagriculture are safeguarded. Themany agriculturalists should

also be facilitated in kind, byproviding seedlings etc ratherthan in cash as is done at present.Ironically, the cash too has beenmishandled”.

Taking up that matter, theCITU along with the GNLF(C)had also approached Dr. D Konar,Director of Agriculture and Ex-Officio secretary (state govt) andthe principal agricultural officer.“We have personally requestedthem to hold seminars and work-shops in the remotest of villages.Basically, we are trying to makesure that the agriculturists benefit”Mr. Tara added.

Kalimpong, 30 Nov: CITUmembers today gheraoed theFood & Civil Supplies officehere. CITU claims that the MRdealers are “irritating” the cus-tomers by taking lengthy breaksduring the day especially duringshopping hours. “The problemof low quality food being sup-

CITU takes up cudgels on behalfof labourers denied pension

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MESSAGE FROM MINISTER HEALTHCARE, HUMAN SERVICES AND

FAMILY WELFARE, HISSEYLACHUNGPA, ON THE OCCASION OF

WORLD AIDS DAY, 1 DECEMBER.

Every year World AIDS Day isobserved on the 1 Decemberwith a relevant theme to cre-ate awareness about the prob-lem and for sustainable andconcerted efforts to prevent it.

This year the theme is‘Women, Girls and HIV/ AIDS’.This I fell is very thoughtful andrelevant in the present context.

AIDS is no longer a dis-ease of the people with high-risk behavior. It has comedown to general populationand percolated further to vil-lages infecting innocent moth-ers and children. This is a verysad and disturbing trend, whichneeds our immediate attention.

The vulnerability of womenand girls has increased be-cause of low literacy rate, eco-nomic dependence, our cultureand custom and lack of accessto information and services.Large proportion of womenand girls are suffering fromHIV/ AIDS and are in need oftreatment, care and support.

I appeal to all the worthycitizens to understand thegravity of the situation, listen tothem and protect them fromthis menace. Our perceptionand attitudes towards themshould change and with moreempowerment, I feel they willbe able to withstand the threat.

They are our hope. Let’sstrengthen them for a healthierfamily and enabling environ-ment. Thank You.

SAGAR CHHETRI

RINCHENPONG, 30 Nov:The morning of 28 Novembersaw the chief minister PawanChamling proceed towardsResum Gumpa. His purpose -to witness the beautiful sunrisethe spot offered and to see forhimself whether it was worthyof promotion as a must-visittourist destination.

His comment after the sunhad risen should give away theimpact it had on him. “Bhagwanle Sikkim lai Fursat ma-nebanayeko ho,” the CM com-mented as the snow-peakedranges beyond turned goldenfrom the brilliant red of dawn.

At spot itself, he directedthe Tourism Secretary to ex-plore the possibilities of con-structing a tourist lodge at thespot so that the Resum sunrisecould be promoted.

The entourage them movedto the Kali Mandir a little aboveKaluk Bazaar. Here, the CMcommitted Rs. 50,000 towardsmuch-needed repairs andmoved on to RinchenpongGumpa and Ngagyur ShedaPema Drodul Phelgay Glingwere also visited.

Addressing a gathering atPallai Dara later in the day,where the day’s trek peaked, theCM assured to bring develop-mental projects to the region inthe earnest and promised helpfor the refurbishment of theDham there and assured thattourist spots would be devel-oped along the route to the spot.

He also promised a LowerPrimary School at Pallai Daraif the locals could muster morethan 40 students for admission.The monastery there was alsoshort-listed to be provided witha Mani Lakhang.

The trek then continueddownhill and ended at Sribadamwhere the CM inaugurated a 2-bedroom Tourist Amenity Cen-tre. This Rs. 10 lakh project ismade special by the fact that

land on which it stands has beendonated by the local contractor,Kowcho Bhutia, who con-structed the complex.

At Sribadam, the CM alsocalled on a local, DanjungBhutia, who lives in a 250 yearold house. The roof of this an-cient residence is made of Siruand the family changes it everyten years or so. Sharing a cup oftea at this house, the CM prom-ised Danjung Bhutia that hewould be provided governmentassistance to put up a permanentroof over his heads. The house,Mr. Chamling advised himshould be kept in its originalform to retain its quaint appeal.

Addressing the locals later atSribadam Secondary Schoolground, the CM promised theconstruction of roads and renova-tion of bridges in the constituencyand also projects to reach properdrinking water to the houses.

On the demand for the

ALL DEVELOPMENT WORK TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN 4 YEARS: CM

� NEWSSCAN

upgradation of SribadamSchool to senior secondarylevel, the CM said that it wouldbe considered but at the sametime emphasized on qualityeducation, which he said wasmore important.

He added that all tourismprojects for the constituencywould be taken up on prioritybasis, but for these to succeed,the people had to come forward.“Real development can comeonly if government infrastruc-ture meets with people’s initia-tive,” he said. All developmen-

[above] The Chief Ministerand his entourage at the

Resum Gumpa complex afterwitnessing the sunrise there.

[right] The CM at the RamiDham in Rinchenpong

constituency.

day 02WESTWARD HO!

tal work would be completedwithin four years, he promised.

“Development possible only when govt infrastructureis supported by people’s initiative”

8; NOW!; 01 December, 2004

Published by Lt. Col. (retd) P. Dorjee and printed at Baba Offset Press Works Pvt. Ltd., Gangtok. Editor: Pema Wangchuk. Now! Near Ayurvedic Clinic, Gairi Gaon, Tadong.East Sikkim. ph: 03592 271167 email: sikkimnow@rediffmail.com; sikkimnow@sify.com

THEFINALONE �today in

History1st December

ARIES: Others will reach out foryour help. As a result you couldeasily get overloaded. Howmuch can you handle? Thatmight be the question.TAURUS: You could feel over-worked. Examine what is goingon with a key associate who con-trols the purse strings.GEMINI: You might be moreplayful that you realize. A part-ner or dear friends might adoreyour uproar, but other seem abit jumpy and on edge.CANCER: Slow down andspend some time with a child ora loved one. How you say whatyou need could make all the dif-ference in the way the other per-son reacts.LEO: Take the initiative, espe-cially at work. Again, be carefulwith that special someone whooften expresses or demon-strates feelings that you arecomfortable with.VIRGO: You make money withnatural talent and grace. Still, becareful with expenditure, as youcould easily go overbroad inwanting to indulge a loved one.Carefully think through a decisionthat revolves around family.

1640: Portugal regains independenceafter 60 years of Spanish rule1742: Jews are expelled from GreatRussia by Empress Elisabeth1821: Santo Domingo [DominicanRep] proclaims independence fromSpain1878: Telephone installed in WhiteHouse1887: Sherlock Holmes appears inprint fo the first time with “A Study InScarlet”1918: Iceland becomes independentstate under the Danish crown1919: Lady Astor sworn-in as 1stfemale member of British Parliament1929: BINGO [Tambola] invented byEdwin S. Lowe1934: Sergei Kirov Josef Stalin’scollaborator, assassinated inLeningrad1935: Born, actor Woody Allen1959: 12 nations sign a treaty forscientific peaceful use of Antarctica1959: First color photograph of Earthfrom outer space1963: Nagaland becomes a state ofthe Indian union1987: Digging begins to link England& France under the English Channel1988: Benazir Bhutto becomes firstfemale PM of an Islamic nation[Pakistan]1990: British & French workers meetin English Channel’s tunnel [Chunnel]1991: AIDS awareness day observedfor the first time1991: Ukranian people vote forindependence

LIBRA: You cruise over anyproblems you encounter. Youexpress unusual effectivenessand caring by just being yourself.A purchase for home or familycould make a bit difference inthe quality of life. Others gravi-tate toward you.SCORPIO: Knowing when not toget involved is a unique Scorpiotalent. Use it. You might like to re-verse direction and steer way fromtrouble. Express your unusual fi-nancial sense and gentle way.SAGITTARIUS: Don’t hem andhaw. The moment is now. Askand do more of what you wantand desire. Someone close toyou might question what youare doing.CAPRICORN: Venus bestows akindness and gentleness uponyou that others cannot deny.Your happy ways will take youin a new direction professionally,if you play your cards correctly.AQUARIUS: Your ability to seethe big picture is helpful to you,

but maybe not to others, if youcannot explain it. A meetingmight be very important.PISCES: Let a partner sharewhat he thinks he has to offer.You might be delighted by newsfrom another source, but mightnot be sure what to do with it.

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Kalimpong’s haat bazaar vies for World Heritage statusKARAN SHAH

KALIMPONG, 30 Nov: Seniorcitizens of this hill town are de-manding “World Heritage” sta-tus for the Raja Dorjee Bazaar[Haat Bazaar] here, which servesas a major source of sustenancefor many and is more than a hun-dred and fifty years old.

“This market carries a richand illustrious history,” saysBejoy Prasad, president of theHimalayan Vyapari Sangathan[HVS], an association formedby the stall owners within thisBazaar. Town seniors believethat the Haat stands on what wasoriginally a field where Dukpas[Bhutanese] once resided. Theproperty was then owned by STDorjee, a local zamindar.

“However, after the Britishmarch into Kalimpong in 1864,they took total control ofKalimpong,” reveals anothertown elder Samsher Ali.

The British then took chargeof Kalimpong with the Treaty ofTitalia in 1865 with the King ofBhutan. “Slowly and steadily,the field developed into a mar-ket,” Mr. Ali added.

According to facts, com-mercial activity at Raja DorjeeBazaar peaked during the TibetTrade [via Jelep La] in the mid-twentieth century.

“Exchange of goods or thebarter system was the mode ofbusiness then,” adds 75-year-oldTashi Tshering, a resident of HaatBazaar. Later, in 1972, the citi-zens, in recognition of the con-tributions made by the Late STDorjee to Kalimpong, named, itthe Raja Dorjee Market.

It’s now known as theParasmani Mani Pradhan Market,named after an influential Nepa-lese literary figure of Kalimpong.

“It’s even older than theDarjeeling Himalayan Railwaysand deserves its place on the

World Heritage map,” argues theHVP secretary, Ravi Pradhan.

This Bazaar is truly a repre-sentation of the Hill Gorkha cul-ture. Along with varieties of fresh

local vegetables, local yogurtssuch as churpi and other prod-ucts such as gundruk, kinema,spices and the all-famous red-hotlocal chillies, known Dalles, justabout evrything the hills produceare available here.

The demand is finding sup-port even among the hotelierswith the Hotels & RestaurantsAssociation of Kalimpong[HORAK] president, AmodYonzone, adding, “No doubtit’s a major tourist attractiondue to its historicity. We shouldnow work for the preservationof this Bazaar.”