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शिक्षक प्रमुखको लापारवाहीको कारण बेहाल अवस्थामा चम्पामाया प्रथमिक पाठशाला

पहाड़को प्रथमिक पाठशालाहरु एका एक बन्द हुनुमा सरकार पक्ष दोषी छ कि शिक्षक-शिक्षिकाहरुको लापारवाही? किन दार्जीलिङ पहाड़को शैक्षिक स्तर दिनोदिन खस्किन्दै गइरहेको छ? प्रथमिक शिक्षा बाल-बालिकाहरुको निम्ति महत्तवपूर्ण हुँदा-हुँदै पनि किन आजसम्म पहाड़को शिक्षा व्यवस्थामा सुधार आउन सकिरहेको छैन?

राजनीति गर्दिनँ भन्नु पनि अर्को राजनीति होः हर्कबहादुर छेत्री

मेरो अधिकारक्षेत्रभित्र पाँच बर्षको लागि जनताको हितको काम गर् भनेर मलाई भोट हालेको हो नि। मलाई थाहा छ यसले जनताको धेरै हित हुन्छ। यसले जनताको हितसँगै पार्टीको पनि हित हुन्छ, आन्दोलनलाई पनि सहयोग पुर्‍याउँछ भनेपछि एकदम निसंकोच भनेर अघि बढ्न सक्छु म। म त्यही काम गर्दैछु।

बघिनी फेरि पुरानै खोरमा

‘समयले मानिसलाई कहाँ कहाँ पुर्‍याउँछ,,,,,,’ कुनै समय रेडियो नेपालबाट बजिरहने यो चर्चित गीतले मान्छेको जीवनमा प्रणयसम्बन्धको आरोह अवरोहले पार्ने प्रभावलाई सुन्दर ढंगले व्याख्या गरेको छ। यो लोकप्रिय गीतको यही एक हरफ कुनै राजनीतिकर्मीको जीवनसँग गाँसेर हेर्दा के उत्तर पाइएला?

साहित्य अनि सर्जकलाई माया गर्ने घिसिङ

80 को दशकमा देशभरिका गोर्खाहरूलाई जातित्वको भावना उत्पन्न गराउने प्रथम नेता सुवास घिसिङको निधनले अहिले घड़ी सम्पूर्ण दार्जीलिङ पहाड़ नै स्तब्ध बनेको छ। गोर्खाहरूका हित अनि अस्तित्वका निम्ति छुट्टै राज्यको बहस लिएर सुवास धिसिङले त्यसताक पहाड़का प्रत्येक गाँऊहरूको भ्रमण गरेका थिए। 22 जुन 1936 सालमा मिरिकको मञ्जु चियाबगानमा जन्म लिएरका सुवास घिसिङले आफ्नो तर्क राख्न एकलै जनसभा गर्थे। घिसिङले सम्पूर्ण गोर्खाहरूलाई एकै शुत्रमा बाँध्न "गोर्खाल्याण्ड" शब्दको जन्म गरेका थिए।

निराश छन् विधायक डा. छेत्री

“बजट सत्रमा के कुराहरू उठान गर्नु पर्ने भन्नेबारे हामीले जीटीएबाट कहिले फिडब्याक पाएका छैनौं” डा छेत्रीले भने। डा हर्कबहादुर छेत्री मोर्चाका प्रवक्ता हुन् अनि कालेबुङका जनप्रतिनिधि। दुइवटा महत्वपूर्ण पदमा बसेका डा छेत्रीलाई अहिलेसम्म जीटीएको बैठकमा निम्ताइएको छैन, पार्टीको राजनैतिक लाइनबारे उनीसँग चर्चा र छलफल नगरिएको त झन कति भयो, उनैलाई हेक्का छैन।

13 Jul 2013

भानु जयन्ति : मुख्यमन्त्रीको घोषणा र राजनीति

डी के वाइबा, कालेबुङ 13 जुलाई। “आदिकवि भानुभक्त प्रति मेरो हृदयबाट प्रणाम छ। आगमी वर्षदेखि तिनको 200 औँ जन्मदिवस कवि रविन्द्र नाथ ठाकुरको झै एकवर्ष राज्य व्यापी रुपमा पालन गरिनेछ। तिनको 199 औँ जन्मदिवस देखि यो कार्यक्रम सुरु भएर 200 औ जन्मदिनमा समापन हुनेछ।
प्रत्येक खण्डहरुमा आदिकवि भानुभक्तको जन्मदिवस हामी पालन गर्नेछौँ” गत वर्ष यहाँको रामकृष्ण रङ्गमञ्चमा आयोजित आदि कवि भानु भक्तको 198 औँ जन्म जयन्तिलाई सम्बोधन गर्दै बङ्गालकी मुख्यमन्त्री ममता व्यानर्जीले उक्त कुरा भनेको आज ठिक एकवर्ष पुरा भयो। मुख्यमन्त्रीको घोषणा घोषणामा नै सिमित बनेको छ। जीटीए चुनावको छेकमा आएर गोजमुमो पार्टीसंग बिग्रिरहेको सम्बन्ध पुन: सुमधुर बनाउँने मुख्यमन्त्री ममता ब्यानर्जीले आदिकवि भानुभक्तको जन्मदिवसलाई मध्यनजर राखेर पहाडका आम मानिसहरुसंग आदिकविलाई श्रद्धा जनाउँने मुख्यमन्त्रीको घोषणा गोहीको आँसु नै बनेको छ। आदिकवि भानुभक्तको दुईसय औँ जन्म शतवार्षिकी राज्याव्यापी पालन गरिने घोषणा हुँदा कार्यक्रममा उपस्थित आम मानिसहरु संगै गोजमुमो महासचिव रोशन गिरी, कालेबुङका बिधायक डा हर्कबहादुर छेत्री लगायत अन्य नेताहरुले थप्पडी मारेर ममता व्यानर्जीको गुन गान गाए। तर समयको गतिशिलतामा मुख्य मन्त्रीको भाषण भाषणमा मात्र सिमित बन्दा भने कार्यक्रममा ममता ब्यानर्जीको गुनगान गाउँने नेताहरु अहिले मौनता अप्नाएर बसेका छन। मानौ भानु जयन्तिको शतवार्षिकी मनाउँने मुख्यमन्त्रीको घोषणा ती नेताहरुलाई थाह नै छैन। घरी घरी राजनीतिको शिकार बन्दै आईरहेको आदिकवि भानुभक्त र भानुजयन्ति माथी एकजना राज्यका मुख्यमन्त्रीले गरेको घोषणा केवल राजनैतिक भाषण मात्र नहोस भन्ने आम मानिसहरुको चाहना राखिरहेको समयमा तिनको घोषणा पनि केवल राजनैतिक स्वार्थ पूर्ति भाषणमा सिमित बनेको वर्षदिनव्यापीको सट्टा एक दिने भानु जयन्तिले नै स्पष्ट पारेको छ। कार्यक्रमलाई सम्बोधन गर्दै भानु जयन्तिको अवसरमा मुख्यमन्त्री ममता ब्यानर्जीले नेपाली भाषामा बोल्दै “तपाईहरु कस्तो हुनुहुन्छ ?” भन्दै तिनले आफु पहाडमा राजनीति गर्न नआएको घोषणा नै गरेकी थिईन तर तिनको घोषणा एकवर्ष पछि पनि पुरा नहुँदा राजनीतिकै निम्ति पहाड चडेकी थिईन भन्ने पनि स्पष्ट बनेको छ। राज्यमा परिवर्त आएपछि आफ्नो सरकारले भाषा साहित्य, संस्कृति, कला आदि क्षेत्रहरुमा बहुमूल्य योगदान दिने सम्मानीय व्याक्तिहरुको सम्मान गर्ने कार्य गरिरहेको दाबी गर्दै महान व्यक्तिहरुको सम्मान गर्दा कुनै पनि जातिको पहिचान अनि संस्कार र संस्कृतिको संक्षण हुने ममता ब्यानर्जेले कार्यक्रममा बताएर पहाडवासीबाट वाह ! वाह ! लुटेर गए पनि आखिरमा तिनले सम्मानको साटो आदिकविको नाउँमा राजनीति गरेर अपमान गरेको पहाडवासीले एकवर्षपछि महसुस गरिरहेका छन। यति मात्र होईन तिनले कार्यक्रममा मङ्पूमा नेपाली एकाडमी खोल्ने घोषणा समेत गरेकी थिईन तर आज तिनको घोषणाहरु केवल घोषणामा सिमित बनिरहेको कारण मुख्यमन्त्रीले पहाडवासीलाई आश्वासनको पोका थमाएर राजनीति गरिरहेकी छिन भन्ने स्पष्ट बनिरहेको छ।

Lava to tap its tourism potential

Siliguri, 11 July: The people of Lava ~ a tourist destination 10 km from Kalimpong ~ constituted a development committee to cater to the developmental needs of the inhabitants of the socially or economically backward, yet naturally exquisite region nestled in the lap of the Himalayas.
The committee has decided to draw the state government’s attention to the distress of the locals, as Lava lags behind in every sector. The immense tourism potential of Lava, world- renowned for its natural beauty, has remained untapped. To develop this, the committee held a meeting on 4 July with members of the local hotel owners’ association and Algarah block-II development officer (BDO), said a resident of Algarah, Mr Kiran Tamang. The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) member from Lava, Mr C P Powdel, the BDO, Mr Dawa Lepcha and others formulated strategies to promote tourism at Algarah block-II area comprising Lava-Loleygaon, Reshap, Kagey Lingsey, Pedong, Silleri Gaon, Echhey, Ramdhura, Algarah Burmaik and Kolakham.

Gorkhaland agitation back to street: GJMM

Darjeeling, July 11: To reciprocate the Telangana issue, GJMM held a meeting in Darjeeling with its subsidiaries organizations at Gorkha Rangamanch today. A resolution was adopted in today’s meeting that the Gorkhaland movement will be initiated back to street if Delhi fails to specify Gorkhaland issue.
However, it will be decided based on Delhi’s decision on Telangana issue tomorrow. If Gorkhaland issue is not taken up into consideration along with Telengana issue tomorrow by the Central government, the meeting of GJMM today decided to bring the Gorkhaland agitation in the street afresh. Meeting also adopted the resolutions to send the memorandum regarding the same to Sonia Gandhi, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Dr. Man Mohen Singh. ‘Agitation for Tarai and Dooars will also be held in the hills of Darjeeling’, said Roshan Giri after the meeting today. He also said that the Gorkhas of India should be justified as per our demands under the Indian constitution.

Adi Kavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya - the Nepali legend

Every year Bhanubhakta Acharya's birth anniversary is celebrated just for formalities. Various government and other organizations hold programmes to mark his birth anniversary. Looking at this it seems that the whole nation is much indebted to Bhanubhakta Acharya for his invaluable contribution to enrich Nepali literature. The other day, however, I decided to pay my tribute to this great man by visiting his house all alone. This write-up is the outcome of my visit to Chundi Ramgha, the birthplace of legendary Bhanubhakta Acharya.
Bhanubhakta Acharya lived with a purpose and spent all his life serving Nepali literature. He was a poetic genius of his time. He played a crucial role to bring Nepali literature from obscurity to limelight. He was the father figure of Nepali literature who worked hard and uplifted Nepali literature to a respectable platform. His contribution to the genre is of supreme historical importance not only for his pioneering ability to make Nepali a living language but also the craft of prose-poetry writing with a degree of impeccable success. The literature he produced was simply unsurpassable. In brief he is credited to bring Nepali literature from obscurity to limelight. However, the bitter truth is that the celebration of Bhanubhakta Acharya's birth anniversary has been no more than just a routine formality. The programme is attended by VIPs who deliver floury speeches and eulogize Bhanubhakta and his great works. The audiences greet these VIPs with resounding clapping at the end of each speech. And in the end a flower garland is put on the bust of the poet. This way a job is done until the next anniversary. This is a common sight of Bhanubhakta's birth anniversary celebrated in many parts of the country. How serious the government is to recognize national figures one like Bhanubhakta Acharya can only be realized after visiting his home in Bhanu VDC ward No 3, Chundi Ramgha, Tanahun. Looking at his home, it is hard to believe that this is really the house where Bhanubhakta Acharya had spent most of his childhood and adolescence. Deserted and neglected the house is in dilapidated condition. The poor house stands in solitude. The windows, doors, and pillars are broken, which provide free access to one and all. Small plants have grown up inside the house. It is really very hard to believe that this is really the house of Bhanubhakta Acharya. Bhanubhakta Acharya's house lies within the area of Bhanu Community Forest Committee (BCFC). The Bhanu Birthplace Development Committee (BBDC) was set up in order to protect and develop Bhanu's ancestral house. But looking at the poor state of the house, it does not seem that a penny is spent on the renovation or maintenance of the house. Local residents show their frustration and resentment against the committee for doing nothing to conserve and promote the historic house. They blame the committee for not spending money on the renovation of the house. They spend the money for other purposes instead. Most unfortunately the government has shown almost no interest in the renovation of Bhanubhakta Acharya's house. Had government been serious in the renovation of the house, today it would not be in such a sorry state. The government dispatches a little budget to the BBDC and thinks their job over. But the truth is that the BBDC has not done its job honestly, complain locals. And they are not wrong either. Looking at the rickety condition of the house anyone can see the poor state of the house. Every year during Bhanubhakta Acharya's birth anniversary, a little pent up work is done. After then nobody cares about the house until the next birth anniversary, said one of the villagers. Half of Bhanu's house has already crumbled down. Even the remaining part of the house does not look better. I am afraid if the house could bear the brunt of this year's monsoon. The community forest is spread in 60 hectare where only Bhanu's house stands. More, day by day the population density of the village is also getting thinner and thinner. Lack of job opportunity, seeking for higher education, and willing to lead more comfortable life has compelled many locals to leave their village to nearby cities. The village does not have that charm today which it held until a few years ago. But still there are many people regularly visiting to Bhanu's house. It is no less than any pilgrimage for them. However, everyone who visits here to see the historic house of Bhanubhakta Acharya receives an unexpected shock as if they have arrived at a wrong place. They come with a different image of the house in their minds, but when they see the present state of the house they become extremely disappointed. The house has almost converted to remains. Thanks to a motion picture which was made into the life of Bhanubhakta Acharya in 2000. For the shooting purpose the entire house was renovated. But all was not well. A sudden fire broke out in the forest that damaged most part of the house. It was partially renovated but the job was abandoned without completion.

12 Jul 2013

तेलंगाना पर कांग्रेस की अहम बैठक आज, राहुल ले सकते हैं हिस्सा

नई दिल्ली: कांग्रेस के वरिष्ठ नेता दिग्विजय सिंह ने कहा कि पार्टी कोर समूह की एक अहम बैठक में आज तेलंगाना मुद्दे पर ‘यथास्थिति बनाए रखने या अलग राज्य के गठन’ के दोनों विकल्पों को खुला रखते हुए चर्चा होगी क्योंकि इस पर फैसला किए जाने को और अधिक टाला नहीं जा सकता। आंध्र प्रदेश के लिए पार्टी के प्रभारी सिंह ने बताया कि भारत सरकार संप्रग के साझेदारों से परामर्श करेगी लेकिन विपक्षी पार्टियों को भी राजी करना होगा क्योंकि फैसले के लिए संविधान में संशोधन की जरूरत पड़ सकती है।
हालांकि, सिंह ने इस मुद्दे पर अपना रूख स्पष्ट नहीं किया। यह पूछे जाने पर कि क्या अलग तेलंगाना राज्य के गठन को लेकर कोई फैसला किया गया है, सिंह ने पीटीआई से कहा, ‘‘मैं इस पर कुछ नहीं कह सकता। भारत सरकार को संप्रग के साझेदारों से परामर्श कर इस पर फैसला करना है। चूंकि इसके लिए संविधान में संशोधन की जरूरत होगी, इसलिए हमें विपक्षी दलों को भी विश्वास में लेना होगा।’’ इन खबरों के बारे में पूछे जाने पर कि उन्होंने तेलंगाना के लोगों को कुछ ‘खुशखबरी’ देने का वादा किया है, सिंह ने कहा कि उन्होंने सिर्फ यह फैसला किये जाने का भरोसा दिलाया है कि अस्पष्टता की कोई स्थिति नहीं रहेगी। सिंह की टिप्पणी मायने रखती है क्योंकि यह इन अटकलों के बीच आई है कि कांग्रेस अलग राज्य के गठन पर विचार कर सकती है। कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष सोनिया गांधी, प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह और वरिष्ठ कैबिनेट मंत्री तथा अन्य नेता कोर समूह में शामिल हैं। जिसकी बैठक में शरीक होने के लिए राज्य के मुख्यमंत्री किरन कुमार रेड्डी, प्रदेश कांग्रेस प्रमुख बी सत्यनारायण और उप मुख्यमंत्री दामोदर राजनरसिम्हा को आमंत्रित किया गया है। इस बारे में एक रिपोर्ट सोनिया गांधी को सौंप चुके कांग्रेस महासचिव सिंह इसकी विषय वस्तु के बारे में और अलग तेलंगाना राज्य गठन के सकारात्मक या नकारात्मक पक्ष तथा एक एकीकृत आंध्र प्रदेश कायम रखने के बारे में कोई टिप्पणी करने से बचते दिखे। सिंह ने कहा, ‘‘मैंने मुख्यमंत्री, प्रदेश कांग्रेस समिति अध्यक्ष और उप मुख्यमंत्री से दोनों विकल्पों को खुला रखते हुए 2014 के विधानसभा और लोकसभा चुनाव के लिए एक राजनीतिक रणनीति का खाका तैयार करने को कहा है।’’ रायलसीमा से दो जिलों को तेलंगाना क्षेत्र में जोड़कर रायल-तेलंगाना के गठन की योजना की खबरों के बीच क्या कोई तीसरा विकल्प भी मौजूद है, सिंह इन सवालों को नजरअंदाज करते दिखे। उन्होंने कहा, ‘‘वे कोर समिति के समक्ष 12 जुलाई को एक प्रस्तुति देने जा रहे हैं जिसके आधार पर भारत सरकार कोई फैसला करेगी इसे बाद उसे लागू करना हमारी जिम्मेदारी बन जाएगी। दोनों मुद्दों के सकारात्मक और नकारात्मक पहलू हैं। आखिरकार, फैसला सरकार को करना है।’’ इस मुद्दे पर पार्टी की प्रतिबद्धता के बारे में पूछे जाने पर सिंह ने कहा ‘‘ यदि आप चुनाव घोषणापत्र देखें तो हमने द्वितीय राज्य पुनर्गठन आयोग का वादा किया था।’’ सिंह ने कहा कि 2004 के चुनाव घोषणापत्र में कांग्रेस ने विशेष रूप से तेलंगाना मुद्दे पर कोई वादा नहीं किया था। लेकिन चुनाव के बाद जब उसने तेलंगाना समर्थक टीआरएस के साथ गठजोड़ किया तो न्यूनतम साझा कार्यक्रम में कहा गया कि संप्रग सरकार अलग तेलंगाना राज्य के गठन पर जरूरी परामर्श होने और आमराय बनने के बाद उपयुक्त वक्त पर विचार करेगी। यह पूछे जाने पर क्या कांग्रेस तेलंगाना पर किए वादे से पीछे हटने जा रही है या इसने अभी तक सारे विकल्प खुले रखे हैं, सिंह ने कहा, ‘‘ किसी भी स्तर पर विश्वासघात का कोई सवाल ही नहीं है। फैसला किए जाने को और अधिक टाला नहीं जा सकता, आंध्र प्रदेश के मुख्यमंत्री रणनीति बना रहे हैं। इस वक्त मैं कुछ नहीं कह सकता।’’ यह पूछे जाने पर कि क्या कांग्रेस को इस बात की चिंता है कि उसके द्वारा तेलंगाना राज्य का गठन करने पर इसका सारा श्रेय टीआरएस ले लेगी, इस पर सिंह ने कहा, ‘‘हम श्रेय पाने या ना पाने के लिए काम नहीं करते। हमारे लिए यह कोई मुद्दा नहीं है। हम इस आधार पर काम करते हैं कि देश, जनता और राज्य के लिए क्या अच्छा है।’’ वाईएसआर कांग्रेस के साथ चुनाव पूर्व या चुनाव बाद गठजोड़ किए जाने की कोई संभावना होने के बारे में पूछे जाने पर उन्होंने कहा कि चुनाव पूर्व गठबंधन के बारे में विचार एके एंटनी के नेतृत्व वाली समिति कर रही है। जहां तक चुनाव बाद के गठजोड़ का सवाल है यह अगले चुनाव में लोगों द्वारा मिलने वाले जनादेश पर निर्भर होगा। राहुल गांधी हो सकते हैं बैठक में शामिल कांग्रेस उपाध्यक्ष राहुल गांधी कल पार्टी के कोर समूह की बैठक में भाग ले सकते हैं जिसमें तेलंगाना के निर्माण के जटिल मुद्दे पर ठोस राय व्यक्त की जा सकती है। इस साल जनवरी में जयपुर में कांग्रेस के चिंतन शिविर में राहुल को पार्टी का उपाध्यक्ष बनाये जाने के बाद कांग्रेस कोर समूह की यह पहली बैठक होगी जिसमें राहुल भाग लेंगे। कोर ग्रुप सामान्य तौर पर हर शुक्रवार को प्रधानमंत्री के आधिकारिक आवास पर बैठक करता है और सरकार के सामने आने वाले प्रमुख मुद्दों पर पार्टी की राय तय करता है। राहुल को उपाध्यक्ष बनाये जाने के बाद से ही उन्हें कोर समूह का सदस्य बनाये जाने की अटकलें हैं। अभी यह स्पष्ट नहीं है कि राहुल भविष्य में भी कोर समूह की बैठकों में हिस्सा लेंगे या नहीं।

राहुल गांधी नहीं होंगे पीएम उम्मीदवार!

नई दिल्ली। कांग्रेस आगामी लोकसभा चुनाव में पार्टी उपाध्यक्ष राहुल गांधी को प्रधानमंत्री पद का उम्मीदवार घोषित नहीं करेगी। कांग्रेस महासचिव दिग्विजय सिंह ने इसके संकेत दिए हैं।
सिंह ने कहा कि भाजपा की ओर से प्रोजेक्ट किए जा रहे नरेन्द्र मोदी कांग्रेस के लिए कोई चुनौती नहीं है। उन्होंने इस बात का जवाब नहीं दिया कि क्या अगला लोकसभा चुनाव पर मनमोहन सिंह दोबारा प्रधानमंत्री पद के उम्मीदवार होंगे या नहीं? कांग्रेस महासचिव ने कहा कि हमारे यहां सरकार का प्रेसिडेंशियल फॉर्म नहीं है। कांग्रेस पार्टी चुनाव से पहले पीएम और सीएम उम्मीदवार की घोषणा नहीं करती। कनार्टक विधानसभा चुनाव में भी हमने मुख्यमंत्री पद का उम्मीदवार घोषित नहीं किया था। सिंह इन सवाल का जवाब दे रहे थे कि कांग्रेस राहुल गांधी को प्रोजेक्ट करने को लेकर इतनी संकोचि क्यों है?वह उन्हें प्रोजेक्ट क्यों नहीं कर रही?कांग्रेस का अगला पीएम प्रत्याशी कौन होगा? कांग्रेस महासचिव से जब कहा गया कि मोदी पीएम पद का उम्मीदवार बनने से एक कदम पीछे हैं तो उन्होंने कहा कि यह हमारे लिए मुद्दा नहीं है। भाजपा कोई भी फैसला लेने के लिए स्वतंत्र है। हम सिद्धांत की राजनीति करते हैं। कांग्रेस ध्रुवीकरण की राजनीति में विश्वास नहीं करती।

Modi’s ‘happy’ wish hurts - Tweet on first day of Ramazan month raises eyebrows

New Delhi, July 11: Narendra Modi today tweeted “Happy Ramazan” on the first day of the holy month, hoping it would bring “joy, peace and prosperity”, but several community leaders said the message was inappropriate.
Most expressed surprise at the tweet, saying they had rarely heard of such a greeting at the beginning of the month-long fast that culminates in the festival of Id-ul-Fitr. Others dismissed it as a pre-election-year gimmick. The President, the Prime Minister and leaders of political parties do offer greetings on festivals, including Id, but few veterans could recall such a message at the start of the Ramazan month. Modi’s message was the first such from the Gujarat chief minister and came days after his lieutenant Amit Shah had resurrected the demand for a Ram temple in Ayodhya. Some of Modi’s minority supporters in Gujarat recalled him greeting the community on Id just once — in 2011 — when he had launched his much-vaunted Sadhbhavna (harmony) mission. But the exercise had fizzled out the moment he refused to wear a skullcap offered by a cleric. In his tweet, which came about a month after his elevation as the BJP’s campaign committee chief for 2014, Modi said: “Happy Ramazan. May this holy month bring joy, peace and prosperity in our lives.” Zafar ul Islam, Delhi-based editor of the fortnightly Milli Gazette, said since childhood, he has “never heard” of Ramazan greetings being exchanged. “Coming from Modi, it does not sound credible. Let him first apologise for what he did in 2002 and look after the Muslim victims.” Victims who survived the 2002 Gujarat riots accuse Modi of delaying action to rein in the murderous hordes that attacked minority pockets in the state that year. Other community members tried to figure out whether there was any other reason behind Modi’s “outreach” than a “political” motive. “The done thing on the opening day of Ramazan is for us to seek the blessings of family and friends. In my memory, no politician has ever issued a formal greeting,” said Masoom Moradabadi, a member of the Muslim Personal Law Board. Naeem Ur Rahman Siddiqui, general secretary of the Islamic Council of India, said Ramazan was about “responsibility and fulfilling” religious obligations. “It is not about festivities that require greetings. If a chief minister really means to make rozedars (those keeping fasts) comfortable, he can provide uninterrupted supply of water, electricity and enhance civic amenities in Muslim-populated areas,” he said. It is learnt that Modi was “advised” in Ahmedabad to top up his greeting by hosting an iftaar but that is not on the agenda. “He is doing a balancing act: travel some distance to warm up to Muslims but not go the whole hog,” a BJP source said. Zafar Sareshwala, an Ahmedabad businessman close to Modi, said the city was not known for iftaars that have become calendar events in Delhi. “Modi has made a good beginning because if iftaars are hijacked by politicians, they lose their spirit.” ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT IN BHOPAL

11 Jul 2013

15 FAMILIES TO BE SHIFTED DUE TO RISE IN TISTA WATER LEVEL

(Mukesh Sharma) Kalimpong, 11th July It was a rained out morning in Kalimpong today with the season's heaviest showers resulting in several landslides threats to the residents. The residents of Kalimpong had a little respite from the incessant rain from the last six days today as about a hour and a half rays of sun were seen . The 15 families of 29 mile under NH31(A) have been advised to shift to near by school and other area sensing the danger of the slide due to massive cracks on the embankment of river Titsa. The protection wall in the banks of river Tista at 29 mile had a breached along with massive crack on 30th June after which the local resident was force to leave in fear.some of the family stayed in the home and shops in the day time but at night were forced to lock their homes and stay in other area,but due to high rise in the water level of the river finally the civil administration today advised the 15 family to go to a safer place .A meeting of civil administration ,NHPC ,Police and 15 family was held today after which the advisory was given to all the families said Pritam Limboo Deputy Magistrate of kalimpong. The NHPC team will be bearing all the expenses of the rent of all the families and also they will be compensating all the families told R.Mukhia engineer(civil) The met department has issued heavy rain warning in up coming day due to which it seem that the water level will rise so we take the responsibilities to take all the affected family to safer place added Mukhia. Though the 6 days of rain has troubled the Kalimpong Sub Division but until now no untoward news has been reported. What is of concern is that we have had deficient precipitation in the whole of June 2013 and first week of July and rainfall normally peaks in July and August before starting to decline in September. Not surprisingly, many of the major landslide disasters have taken place late in the monsoon season told Praful Roy founder of Save The Hills .

10 Jul 2013

Bail for Gurung in Sibchu case

July 9: Bimal Gurung was granted interim bail today in connection with a clash between his party supporters and police in Sibchu in 2011.
Saraswati Pradhan, a Nari Morcha leader based at Birpara in the Dooars, was also granted bail by the district and sessions court in Jalpaiguri this afternoon in the same case. “Last week, we submitted the bail petition before the district and sessions court. The court heard the petitions today and granted bail to my client Bimal Gurung and a woman leader of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha,” lawyer Sandip Dutta said. On February 8, 2011, Morcha supporters clashed with the police while trying to enter Sibchu, the entry point to the Dooars, by breaking a police barricade. Three Morcha supporters were killed in police firing and three policemen were injured in the scuffle. The then Left Front government handed over the case to the CID for investigation. The probe is on. It was alleged that Morcha supporters had torched forest bungalows in the hills and damaged government properties later. The police had registered a suo motu case against Gurung, several Morcha leaders and around 1,000 party supporters in Nagrakata on the charges of conspiracy, damaging government property and of obstructing government officials from doing their duty, among others. Today, government lawyer Somnath Pal did not oppose the bail petitions. Political observers said Trinamul intends to maintain a liaison with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Gurung. “Trinamul leaders in the hills and the Dooars might resort to criticism of the Morcha during their campaign but by instructing the government lawyer to refrain from objecting to Gurung’s bail petition, Trinamul has made it evident that it does not want fresh problems with the Morcha top leaders,” said an observer.

Back to life, remarriage required - Son finds out Kalimpong pilgrim is alive after last rites

Kalimpong, July 9: At 71, Hariprasad Ghimire remarried his wife of several decades. Not because of any romantic notion, but because he was given up for dead in the Uttarakhand floods.
The remarriage became necessary because the last rites had been done by the family and Gauri Devi had been a widow for a few days in June. Hariprasad, who according to his son often wandered away from home for days, was in Hardwar in June when the flash floods started in Uttarakhand. On June 28, son Meghnad got a call from Hardwar from a man who identified himself as Gangadhar. The man told Meghnad that his father had passed away. “Around 1pm the next day, the family got together and decided to initiate rituals to pray for his soul. Since we were told by the caller from Hardwar that our father’s body was consigned to flames as per Hindu tradition some days back, we began our rituals at home,” Meghnad, a 40-year-old milkman, said. “I shaved off my hair and immersed my mother’s sindoor (vermillion) and potey (a neckpiece worn by married Nepali women). We were in the process of conducting a few more rituals when we got another call,” he said. The caller this time was local GTA Sabha executive member Kalpana Tamang. “Kalpana didi told me that our father was alive and on his way home. We were all stunned,” Meghnad said. Tamang had been informed about Hariprasad by Sonam Bhutia, executive director of tourism. “I got a call from a friend who was a part of the rescue team from Bengal that was stationed in Uttarakhand. He told me there was an old Nepali man from the hills was among the rescued persons. I asked my friend to allow me to speak to him. I spoke to him in Nepali,” Tamang said. “He told me his name and his address. I requested my friend to send the man to Calcutta and put him up at Gorkha Bhavan in Salt Lake there. Luckily, on reaching Calcutta, a train ticket to New Jalpaiguri could be arranged the same day, and the man was put on the NJP-bound train,” Tamang said. Meghnad said since his family was already informed that his father would be reaching NJP from Calcutta on July 2, some of them drove to the railway station to receive him and bring him to their village. On reaching home, his father, however, could not enter as according to a Hindu belief, once a person is considered dead, and rituals have been performed accordingly, he has to be reborn. “On July 3, we first held a naming ceremony for my father, and later solemnised his marriage with my mother in the village temple. It was a simple and short ceremony, which was followed by a small feast,” Meghnad said. Gopi Prasad Ghimire, a Hindu priest, said it was a Hindu practice to rename an individual and get the couple married if the last rites have been performed by mistake. “Such an incident is very rare, but according to our religious traditions, the individual has to be renamed and if he is married, then he has to be remarried. This is because they have to start a new life,” he said. “We are still at a loss why Gangadhar told us that our father is dead. Father has not been keeping well since the time he has arrived home. He however, told us that he had befriended Gangadhar in an ashram in Hardwar, and had given him Rs 7,000 and a small diary containing our phone numbers,” said Meghnad, who has two married elder sisters. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY VIVEK CHHETRI

9 Jul 2013

प्रो. लामाको निर्णयबारे मोर्चा बाहेक अन्य दलहरुको प्रतिक्रिया

कालेबुङ, 7 जुलाई। देशकै एकजना प्रभावशाली व्यक्तिका रुपमा मानिएका डा महेन्द्र पी लामाले आउँदो लोकसभा चुनाउमा दार्जीलिङ समष्टिबाट खडा हुने मानसिक प्रतिबद्धता जाहेर गरेका छन। स्वतञ्त्र उम्मेद्वारका रुपमा चुनाउ लडेर आजसम्म सम्बोधन हुन नसकेको दार्जीलिङ पहाडका जनताको समस्या र आकाङ्क्षालाई संसदमा उठान गरी यो क्षेत्रको सामाजिक रुपान्तरको निम्ति गम्भीरतासँग काम गर्ने धारणा तिनले सञ्चारमाध्यमहरूमार्फत व्यक्त गरेका छन।पहाडमा सक्रिय रहेका सबै ठूला साना दलहरूलाई रिझाएर सर्वसम्मतिका उम्मेद्वारका रुपमा चुनाउ लड्ने वातावरण तयार गर्न पनि डा लामाले अभ्यास शुरु गरेका छन।
समान बिचार भएका व्यक्ति र समूहहरूलाई भेटेर आफ्नो यो निष्कर्षबारे छलफल र विमर्श गर्ने प्रक्रियासमेत तिनले शुरु गरेका छन। यही क्रममा शनिबार कालेबुङ आएका डा लामाले यस सम्बन्धमा दिएको बयान छापामा आएपछि आज पहाडका विभिन्न दलका नेताहरूले मिश्रित प्रतिक्रिया व्यक्त गरेका छन। क्षेत्रीय दलका अधिकांश नेताहरूले तिनको यस निर्णयलाई स्वागत जनाएका छन तर अहिले नै आधिकारिक तवरमा पार्टीको अडान स्पष्ट गर्न नमिल्ने उनीहरूको भनाइ छ। अनौपचारिक रुपले सबै दलका नेताहरूले यसबारे डा लामासँग विचारविनिमय गर्ने सिलसिला जारी राखेको भए पनि दलको चुडान्त निर्णय भने बैठक गरेर मात्र लिन चहान्छन। भागोप, क्रामाकपा अनि गोर्खालीगसँग डा लामाको साझा उम्मेद्वारको अवधारणाबारे प्रश्न गर्दा यस आशयका प्रतिक्रिया दिएका छन। भागोपका राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष डा एनोशदास प्रधानले आफूसँग डा महेन्द्र पी लामाले यसबारे अनौपचारिक रुपमा कुरा साझा गरेको बताएका छन तर संगठनको अडान भने बैठकमा छलफल गरेर मात्र तय गरिने तिनको भनाइ छ। “भागोपले निश्चय नै यसबारे गम्भीरतासँग सोच्नेछ। आगामी 24 अगस्तमा देहरादूनमा हुने बैठकमा हामी यसबारे चुडान्त निर्णय लिनेछौं” डा एनोशदास प्रधानले भने। तिनले अलग राज्यको मुद्दामा सामुहिक नेतृत्वकै शर्तमा मात्र डा लामालाई सहयोग र समर्थन दिन सकिने विचार व्यक्त गरेका छन। “तिनी सांसद नै निर्वाचित भए भने पनि एक्लैले गोर्खाल्याण्ड ल्याउन सक्ने होइनन। एकल नेतृत्वको जमाना गयो। सामुहिक नेतृत्वको अवधारणामा काम गर्न हामी सदैव आग्रही छौं। तर यस दिशामा तिनलाई कि-फ्याक्टर भने अवश्यै मान्न सकिन्छ” तिनले भने। तिनले डा लामाको उम्मेद्वारिताबारे अझ विस्तृत रुपले परिचर्चा गर्न आगामी 13 जुलाईका दिन कालेबुङमा एउटा बैठकको आयोजनासमेत गरिएको जानकारी पनि दिएका छन। यता, क्रामाकपा उपाध्यक्ष जेबी राईले पनि दलको बैठकमा गहन बिमर्श गरेर मात्र डा लामाको प्रस्तावबारे पार्टीको लाइन तय गरिने बताएका छन। “तिनी योग्य र गुणी मान्छे हुन्। तर अलग राज्यको मुद्दा एउटा राजनैतिक लडाँई हो। यसमा जोड-घटाउको कुरा पनि आउँछ। त्यसकारण पार्टीभित्र छलफल गरेर मात्र ठोस प्रतिक्रिया दिन मिल्छ” जेबी राईले भने। गोर्खालीग नेता प्रताप खातीले यसबारे दलको बैठक भएपछि मात्र स्पष्ट अडान खुलाउन मिल्ने बताए पनि तिनी यस मामिलामा अरू दलका नेताहरूभन्दा निकै उत्साहित देखिएका छन। डा लामाजस्ता इमानदार, शिक्षित र चिन्हारी भएका मानिसलाई उम्मेद्वारका रुपमा स्वीकार नगर्ने व्यक्ति र दल त गोर्खाल्याण्डविरोधीकै रुपमा चिनिनेछन भन्ने प्रतिक्रियाले पनि खातीको उत्साह अनुमान गर्न सकिन्छ। यसबारे पार्टीबाट फलदायक परिणाम निस्कने विश्वास व्यक्त गर्दै खातीले भने, “स्वतञ्त्र अनि साझा उम्मेद्वारका रुपमा चुनाउ लड्ने तिनको विचारलाई हामी स्वागत गर्छौं। जातिहितको निम्ति इमानदार र विद्वान व्यक्ति अघि आउनु पर्छ भन्ने गोर्खालीगले सधैँ भन्दै आएको छ। गोर्खाल्याण्ड चहाने सबैले तिनको उम्मेद्वारितालाई स्वीकार गर्नुपर्छ भन्ने मेरो विचार छ” तिनले डा लामालाई आजको अवस्थामा एकताका प्रतिकका रुपमा परिभाषित गर्दै अझै भने, “यतिबेला सबैले मतान्तरलाई भुल्नुपर्छ। मन मिल्यो भने सबै मिल्छ। म विश्वस्त छु, हामीले उनको मार्गनिर्देशनमा अगल राज्य पनि चाढै हासिल गर्न सक्छौं। मतभिन्नता र द्वेष भुलेर सबैले उनलाई स्वीकार गरे जातिको भविष्य उज्यालो छ” अर्कोतिर, पिपल्स् फोरमले भने यी दलहरूले भन्दा ठीक विपरित विचार व्यक्त गरेको छ। फोरमका सचिव प्रबीण गुरूङले सक्रिय राजनीतिमा पदार्पन नगरी जातीय हितका मुद्दाहरूको उठान गर्ने डा लामाको वक्तव्यले आफूलाई निराश पारेको प्रतिक्रिया जाहेर गरेका छन। तिनले सक्रिय राजनीतिमा नआउने तर चुनाउ लड्ने डा लामाको निर्णयले जनतालाई भ्रममा पारेको टिप्पणीसमेत गरेका छन। “राजनैतिक धरातलबाट तिनले जातीय मुक्तिको आन्दोलनलाई नेतृत्व दिनेछन भन्ने हाम्रो ठूलो आस्था थियो। तर सक्रिय राजनीति नगर्ने तिनको निर्णयले ठूलो तप्कालाई निराश पारेको छ। अलग राज्यको माग आफैमा एउटा राजनैतिक मुद्दा हो। यसलाई राजनैतिक संगठन र कार्यक्रममर्फत नै सम्बोधन गर्न सकिन्छ। गैरराजनैतिक तरिकाले त भागोपले पनि कोसिस गरेकै हो। आखिरमा यो संगठनले पनि दलहरूसँग नै गठबन्धन गरेर अघि बढ्नु परेको छ। यस्तो अवस्थामा राजनीतिबाट टाडा बसेर काम गर्ने उनको भनाइलाई मान्यता दिन सकिँदैन। कुनै दलसँग प्रतिस्पर्धा गर्न अनि कसैलाई सत्ताच्युत गर्ने आफ्नो मनसाय नरहेको डा लामाको बयानप्रति पनि गुरूङले टिप्पणी गरेका छन। “अलग राज्यको कामना राख्ने प्रो लामालाई जीटीए बाधा हो भन्ने कुराको राम्रो ज्ञान छ। तब यसलाई धराशयी नपारी ठीक ठाउँमा गोर्खाल्याण्डको आवाज कसरी पुग्छ? जीटीएको चुनाउप्रणालीमार्फत निर्वाचित भएको जनप्रतिनिधिहरूको कुरा नसुनेर सरकारले एकजना व्यक्तिको कुरा सुन्छ?” गुरूङले प्रश्न तेर्साएका छन।

Closure doubt on girls’ home

Kurseong, July 8: The St. Margaret’s Home, a 114-year-old residential facility for poor children run by Christian missionaries, has allegedly told all 42 kids residing there to vacate the premises and move to other residential homes.
The move has raised doubts that the Daughters of the Cross, the body running the home as well as two schools in Kurseong, was trying to close the facility without discussing the matter with the guardians of the children. The Daughters of the Cross runs one of the best educational institutions in the hills, the St. Helen’s school, as well as St Joseph’s school. There have also been allegations that two of the 42 children, who resided at St. Margaret’s and studied in the Madhyamik-affiliated St. Joseph’s, were given transfer certificates, meaning they would not be able to study in the school run by the Daughters of the Cross. “We had been hearing that the home would be shut down and some of the inmates were being sent to other homes in Calcutta and Siliguri. We approached Prabha Chettri, the executive GTA Sabha member in the department of women and child development, who took up the issue,” said Nirmal Kumar Pradhan, president of the Morcha-affiliated Janmukti Secondary Teachers’ Organisation (Kurseong branch). Navraj Chhetri, the president of the JSTO in the hills, said: “It is unfair to issue transfer certificates to two inmates who come from broken families, that too in the middle of the academic session. Students have been asked to leave the home on some flimsy grounds. Where will these students get admission in the middle of the academic year?” The academic session in hill schools starts from March and ends in November. One of the two St. Margaret's’ inmates who has been given a transfer certificate is in Class VIII and hails from Jorethang in West Sikkim. The other, a resident of Nimbong in Kalimpong subdivision, reads in Class IX. During a meeting between the home authorities and Prabha Chettri in Kurseong on July 1, Sister Sally Joseph, Sister superior of the Daughters of the Cross, gave a written assurance to the GTA executive member that since the building was in a dilapidated condition it was in need of extensive repair and “the children are being provided alternative accommodation in consultation with their parents/guardians”. But Prabha Chhetri said she learnt later that “transfer certificates were issued to two inmates. Many guardians are also approaching me now and saying the Sisters are asking for Rs 1,000 a month for their wards’ accommodation in a new place. People who keep their children or wards in homes cannot pay the amount. This is unjust and I have decided to take up the issue.” St. Joseph’s said the two girls were issued the transfer certificates as this was the “option of the guardian”. The two girls have denied this. One of the inmates said: “One of my relatives was told on July 4 that I should be taken home as the summer vacation had started. Once I had left the school premises, I was told that the Sisters had issued me a transfer certificate and that I will not be returning to the school again.” The student got in touch with acquaintances, who took up the matter with the JSTO. When Metro spoke to Sister Sally, she admitted that two girls had been given transfer certificates and cited health grounds and behavioural problems of the two as reasons, but the claims could not be cross-checked with the students or their guardians. Asked if the 42 girls would return to St. Margaret’s once the structure was repaired, Sister Sally said: “Most probably, as I alone cannot take all decisions.”

Floods and rain forecast

July 8: Several places in Darjeeling and Cooch Behar districts were inundated today because of consistent rain in the past 24 hours. The Met department forecast heavy rain in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts in the next 48 hours. People had to face inconvenience as rainwater accumulated in low-lying areas like Sishubari, Champasari and Fulbari on the outskirts of Siliguri. By late afternoon, the water level receded. In Cooch Behar, 4,000 families were taken to safer places because of floods in Tufanganj I block, where water from the Kaljani breached the banks and entered villages like Panishala, Bhuchungmari and Dwarikamari. While Siliguri received 40mm rain in 24 hours till 8.30am today, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar recorded 70mm of rainfall each. Bagdogra and Kharibari recorded 90mm and 100mm rain, respectively.

Morcha’s Rahapal joins Trinamul - Ruling party to capitalise on exodus for rural polls

July 8: Pravin Rahapal, who was a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha central committee member, has joined Trinamul protesting Bimal Gurung’s alleged move to dump the demand for Gorkhaland. Along with Rahapal, about 500 of his supporters from the Morcha also joined Trinamul.
Rahapal and most of his supporters are from Kalimpong, a place where Trinamul has been trying to gain a toehold because the Morcha’s grip on this subdivision is perceived to be weaker than in Darjeeling. The state’s ruling party has decided to mobilise Rahapal and all leaders, who have left the Morcha and joined Trinamul in recent months in the hills and the plains, to campaign for Trinamul candidates for the panchayat polls in the Dooars. Rahapal and his supporters joined Trinamul at a programme at Gairibas in Kalimpong subdivision yesterday evening. He had been a frontline leader of the Morcha since its inception in 2007. “During the Gorkhaland movement, Bimal Gurung and his leaders kept on saying they did not want GTA but a separate state. They, however, ditched the people of the hills by accepting the GTA Sabha and got their family members and relatives elected to the autonomous body. Given the degeneration of the Morcha and the recent lackadaisical attitude of the party, I have decided to join the ruling party of the state which has an agenda of development,” Rahapal said at the event. “My decision to resign from the Morcha and join Trinamul is a protest against the undemocratic functioning of the hill party,” he added. Gairibas is around 35km from Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri. At the programme, K.N. Subba, the vice-president of Darjeeling hill Trinamul, handed over a party flag to Rahapal. Subba, who left the GNLF to join Trinamul recently, said the Morcha president was trying to regain the lost ground in the Dooars by raising the demand for the inclusion of 391 more mouzas in the GTA. “The Morcha leaders have failed to work for the development of the Terai and the Dooars. Trinamul has acted in a consistent manner to expedite development in these areas, leading to the erosion of the Morcha base. A number of top leaders of the Morcha in the plains and the hills joined Trinamul,” he said. “In a desperate attempt to stem the flow of the Morcha supporters to Trinamul, Gurung was touring the Dooars and trying to create tension by raking up the demand to bring the mouzas there under the GTA. Trinamul leaders and the chief minister have made it clear that Darjeeling will continue to be a part of Bengal and there will be no further partition of the state,” Subba said. The Morcha has lost a number of leaders to Trinamul in recent months. Among them were Padam Lama, a central committee member of the Morcha and the convenor of the party’s Dooars committee, and Kalchini MLA Wilson Champramari. In Kalimpong, leaders like Namita Gautam deserted the Morcha and joined Trinamul. Rajen Mukhia, a Trinamul leader from Panighata in Kurseong, said: “The Morcha leaders have joined Trinamul after realising the sincerity of Mamata Banerjee to develop the hills and the plains alike. The Morcha, on the other hand, has failed to meet people’s aspirations through the GTA and is now renewing old demands like the inclusion of the plains mouzas in the autonomous body. Such attempts would not serve the purpose.” Trinamul has decided to capitalise on the influx of the Morcha leaders to its advantage in the rural polls. “North Bengal development minister Gautam Deb is canvassing for Trinamul candidates in the Dooars. The chief minister and other leaders of Trinamul will also campaign and convince the voters that Gurung is whipping up passions in the Dooars by harping on about the demand for the inclusion of 391 mouzas in the GTA. Leaders like Padam Lama, Pravin Rahapal, Rajen Mukhia, Namita Gautam and several others who have deserted Bimal Gurung’s party and joined Trinamul will campaign in the Dooars,” said Subba. The move, observers said, could be effective for Trinamul to win more votes. “First of all, there is a problem for Trinamul leaders with regard to language. A state minister from Calcutta can come and address the people in Bengali or Hindi, but a short speech in Gorkha by a former Morcha leader can prove more effective to woo voters in rural pockets and tea gardens,” said an observer. “Further, the ex-Morcha leaders can counter the claims of Bimal Gurung than anyone else.”

8 Jul 2013

Hospital eye on branded medicine

Siliguri, July 7: The chief medical officer of health in Darjeeling has asked the superintendent of Siliguri district hospital to conduct checks to see if doctors were mentioning brand names of medicines in prescriptions instead of generic names. Subir Bhowmik, the chief medical officer of health (CMOH), has instructed hospital superintendent Sanjib Majumdar to submit reports to him at regular intervals. Darjeeling district hospital has also been told to conduct identical checks when patients are give prescriptions. Last year, the state government set up fair-price medicine shops at the district hospitals in Siliguri and Darjeeling and in North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. According to a state government directive, doctors in state hospitals are expected to prescribe medicines according to their generic names, as lower priced unbranded generic drugs are available in the fair-price shops. For example, a doctor may prescribe paracetamol to a patient as this is a generic name, but he must not prescribe a medicine brand of paracetamol. In cases when the doctor would need to prescribe a combination of compounds, he may name a branded drug in the prescription. Hospital sources said the CMOH had received complaints that some doctors were still prescribing brand names of medicines in prescriptions. “There are some doctors who are still prescribing medicines by brand names. If the trend persists, fair-price shops will be unsuccessful. I have asked the superintendent to conduct prescription audits and submit reports to me at regular intervals. The hospital will have to conduct impromptu inspections of wards and out patient departments to check prescriptions,” Bhowmik said. “I have passed the same instruction to authorities of the district hospital in Darjeeling,” he added. Sources said staff members at fair-price shops are inconvenienced as they often receive brand names. “Doctors are supposed to write generic names like paracetamol or cetirizine as only generic drugs are available in the fair-price shops. But patients often come with brand names. In these cases, they either ask the doctors to rewrite the prescription or buy medicines from outside,” a Siliguri hospital source said.

KLO denies links with arrested six

July 7: The Kamtapur Liberation Organisation has said six men who were arrested in the past two weeks are not its members and police were linking them to the organisation to defame it. The militant outfit issued the denial in a press release sent to media houses via email. The statement, signed by KLO publicity secretary Rajiv Kathai on July 5, was sent to the media outlets today. The Malda police had arrested the six men from different parts of the district in the past two weeks and some of them were linked to the murder of BJP leader Nripen Mondal on June 16 and the bomb blast that killed one person and injured 10 at Bidrohi More in Gajole on June 25. The KLO has contradicted the police claim. “It has been known to us… that the West Bengal Police arrested some people with fake notes. According to the version of police, they are all leaders of KLO. Actually, the police of West Bengal intentionally made them leaders (of KLO) for defaming the party. That is a dirty policy and plan of the Indian colonial regime to create a bad image in the eyes of Kamtapuri peoples,” the letter said. “The arrested people mentioned above are not related to our party and the statement of West Bengal police was totally false,” the press release read. The statement was sent from the email account of Kathai. The police said the arrested were Kamtapur People’s Party leader Ajoy Sarkar, KLO militants Somnath Mardi, Shibu Tudu and Mondal Soren and linkmen Rajib Murmu and Sukumar Roy. Sarkar and Roy are Rajbangshis but the other four are tribals. Intelligence agencies said this was the first time anyone other than a Rajbangshi was arrested for alleged links with the KLO. The police also said the organising secretary of the KLO, Malkhan Singh, was behind the BJP leader’s murder and the bomb blast, and he and his associates were planning subversive activities in the district. A 30-member special police team was also formed to capture Malkhan and his aides. The police today iterated that all the arrested six were members of the KLO or the KPP. “We have information that Malkhan Singh is hiding in Malda. The police are trying to arrest him. The arrested include frontline cadres of KLO like Somnath Mardi and Sukumar Roy. Both of them are close to Malkhan. During interrogation, they have spilled beans on the activities and plans of KLO,” said Sashikant Pujari, the inspector-general of police, north Bengal. Police and intelligence officials, who had served in the KLO hotbeds of north Bengal in the early years of the last decade, were not surprised by the denial statement issued by the outfit. “It’s a common tactic adopted by the militant outfit to deny its connection with arrested cadres and linkmen in order to create pressure on police and confuse the investigators. KLO had only Rajbangshi youths earlier and now it has members from other communities also as was evident from the arrest of four tribal men,’ said an intelligence official.

7 Jul 2013

लोकसभा चुनाउको निम्ती तयार प्रो. लामा

कालेबुङ 6 जुलाई। नयाँ राजनैतिक दलको गठन गरेर सक्रिय राजनीतिमा आउने हल्ला र अडकलबाजीलाई विराम लगाउँदै डा महेन्द्र पी लामाले निर्दल उम्मेद्वारका रुपमा लोकसभा चुनाउ लडेर आजसम्म सम्बोधन हुन नसकेका जनाकांक्षाहरूलाई संसदमा उठान गर्ने सोँच बनाएका छन। आज कालेबुङका पत्रकारहरूसँग भएको एउटा अनौपचारिक भेटमा डा लामाले स्वतञ्त्र उम्मेद्वारका रुपमा चुनाउ लड्ने आफ्नो सोच र जमर्कोबारे खुलेर चर्चा गरेका छन। कालेबुङका समानविचार भएका व्यक्ति र समूहहरूसँग वैचारिक विनिमय गर्न आइपुगेको मौका छोपेर यहाँका पत्रकारहरूले तिनीसँग निकै लामो कुराकानी गरेका थिए।
डा लामाले एकातिर आफ्नो क्षेत्रको सामाजिक रुपान्तरको निम्ति केही गर्ने आफ्नो अठोट अनि नागरिक समाजबाट पनि आग्रह भएपछि आउँदो लोकसभा चुनाउमा खडा हुने निष्कर्षमा पुगेको बताएका छन। ‘जनता, समाज र दलहरूले चाहेको खण्डमा सबै त्यागेर नै आउने अठोट गरेको छु’ डा लामाले भने। तिनले स्वतञ्त्र उम्मेद्वारका रुपमा चुनाउ जितेर पनि धेरै काम गर्न सकिने दाबी गर्दै कुनै पनि राष्ट्रीय अनि क्षेत्रिय दलको टिकट पाउन आफू आग्रही नरहेको स्पष्ट पारेका छन। कुनै दलको व्यानरमा चुनाउ लड्नको साटो पहाडका सबै राजनैतिक दल र संगठनहरूलाई विश्वासमा लिएर साझा उम्मेद्वारका रुपमा लोकसभा चुनाउ लड्ने दिशामा आफू ईच्छुक रहेको तिनको भनाइ छ। तिनले यस अघिका चुनाउमा पनि धेरैवटा राष्ट्रीय अनि क्षेत्रिय दलहरूले लोकसभा चुनाउमा टिकटको प्रस्ताव दिएको खुलाउँदै आफूलाई राजनैतिक दलमा संलग्न भएर काम गर्ने रूचि नभएको कारण त्यस्ता प्रस्तावहरू खारेज गर्दै आएको बताएका छन। “राजनीतिबाट टाडा बसेर पनि धेरै काम गर्न सकिन्छ भन्ने सोच लिएर हिँडेकोले कुनै विशेष दलको टिकट लिएर चुनाउ लड्ने मन बनाएको छैन। बरु सबै दल र सर्वसाधारणको समर्थनमा सर्वसम्मतिको उम्मेद्वारका रुपमा चुनाउ जाने किसिमले काम गर्दैछौं” डा लामाले भने। तिनले निस्वार्थ भावकासाथ दार्जीलिङ पहाडका जनताको निम्ति केही गर्ने सोच लिएर आफू अघि आएको बताउँदै सर्वसम्मति हासिल गर्न सबै राजनैतिक अनि संघसंस्थाहरूसित यसबारे बिमर्श गर्ने बताए। साझा उम्मेद्वारका रुपमा दलहरूबीच सर्वसम्मति हुनेनहुने कुरा समयले बताउने भन्दै डा लामाले भने, ‘हामी कुनै नेता र दलको विरोधमा खडा भएका छैनौं। हामी जनचाहनालाई सम्मान गर्दै अघि आएका छौं। हामीलाई कसैलाई सत्ताच्युत पार्नू, कसैको निन्दा गर्नू छैन। हामी सफा मनले यस क्षेत्रको निम्ति के गर्न सकिन्छ भन्ने हिसाबले मात्र अघि आएका हौं” तिनले एकजना शिक्षकका रुपमा आफूले धेरै पेशागत दायित्व निर्वाह गरेको अनि अहिले सामाजिक दायित्वबोधका कारण यो क्षेत्रका जनाकांक्षालाई सही ठाउँसम्म पुर्या्उने अभिप्रायले चुनाउ लड्ने नोधो गरेको बताए। तिनले आजसम्म दार्जीलिङ पहाडका मूलभूत समस्याहरूलगायत अलग राज्यको आवाजसमेत सही प्रकारले संसदसम्म पुर्या्उन नसकिएको दाबी गर्दै निर्दल प्रार्थीका रुपमा चुनाउ जितेर पनि यस दिशामा प्रभावी ढंगमा काम गर्न सकिने बताएका छन। “हाम्रो मागको पृष्ठभूमि र औचित्यबारे अझै पनि सही प्रकारले बुझाउन सकिएको छैन। संसदमा कसले ठीकसँग बहस गर्छ, ज्ञानबुद्धिको कुरा गरेर संसदलाई प्रभावित पार्न सक्छ भन्ने कुराले फरक पार्छ। राजनैतिक दलकै टिकटमा जितेर पनि संसदमा मौन बसिदियो भने के फरक पर्छ? अहिलेसम्म त्यही भयो” तिनले भने। केही महीना अघि डा महेन्द्र पी लामाले नयाँ राजनैतिक दल गठन गरेर सक्रिय राजनीतिमा आउने हल्ला र अडकलबाजी निकै जोरले चलेको थियो। आज यसबारे पत्रकारहरूले प्रश्न गर्दा तिनले स्पष्टसँगले यसलाई खारेज नगरे पनि राजनैतिक दल नै गठन गर्ने स्थितिमा आफू नपुगेको स्पष्टिकरण दिएका छन। तिनले सत्तासुख भोग्ने उद्देश्यले नयाँ दल गठन गर्नु सहज भए पनि निर्दिष्ट लक्ष्य हासिल गर्ने दिशामा सोच निर्माण गरेर नयाँ दलको गठन गर्ने कार्य भने निकै गाह्रो हुने विचार प्रकट गरेका छन। “गोर्खाल्याण्डकै लागि नयाँ दल गठन गर्नु हो भने त्यसको रुपरेखा र ढाँचा नै बेग्लै हुनुपर्यो । राजनैतिक दल बनाउने स्थितिमा हामी अहिले पुगेकै छैनौं” डा लामाले भने।

गोर्खाल्याण्डको मुद्दा बोकेर प्रो महेन्द्र पी लामा अब चुनावी मैदानमा

डी के वाइबा, कालेबुङ 6 जुलाई। “मैले बाहिर बसेर धेरै कार्य गरे। देशका धेरै ठूला नेताहरु देखि लिएर मन्त्रीहरु साथै आन्तरिक सुरक्षा समितिका सदस्य समेत बनेर कार्य गरे। अब आफ्नो जाति र समाजको निम्ति काम गर्ने बिचार जागेको छ। छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्ड प्राप्तिको निम्ति काम गर्ने चाह बडेको छ। यदि जनताको निम्ति काम गर्न सांसदको निम्ति चुनाव लड्न भनेर आम जनता लगायत सबै राजनैतिक पार्टीहरुले भन्छन भने त्यसको निम्ति म तयार छु” – उक्त कुरा प्रो महेन्द्र पी लामाले भनेका हुन।
राजनीति र राजनैतिक पार्टीहरुदेखि टाडा बसेर घरी घरी छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्डको वकालती गर्ने प्रो महेन्द्र पी लामाले आखिरमा छुट्टै राज्यको मुद्दालाई टुङ्गो लगाउँन मैदानमा ओर्लिने निश्चय गरेका छन। तिनले आगमी 2014 मा हुने लोकसभा चुनावलाई मध्यनजर राखेर यदि छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्ड चाहने आम जनताले आगमी लोकसभा चुनावमा सांसदका रुपमा आफुलाई खडा हुने आह्वान गरे आफु तयार रहेको स्पष्ट पारेका छन। यद्यपी तिनले सांसदको निम्ति आफुलाई सम्पूर्ण जनता, राजनैतिक पार्टी, सामाजिक संघ संस्थाहरुको सहयोग हुनपर्ने अनि यसमा आम सहमति हुनपर्ने बताएका छन। तिनले गोर्खाल्याण्डको मुद्दालाई निष्कर्षमा पुर्‍याउँन यसपल्ट गोर्खाल्याड चाहने सबै राजनैतिक दल, सामाजिक संस्था लगायत आम जनताले जात, धर्म र रंग हेर्न नहुने बताउँदै जनताले चाहेको खण्डमा आफु राजनैतिक पार्टीको टिकटमा नभएर निर्दल प्रार्थीको रुपमा खडा हुने घोषणा नै गरेका छन। दार्जीलिङ पहाडको राजनीतिमा एका एक आगमी लोकसभा चुनावमा जनताले चाहेको खण्डमा खडा हुने बिचार प्रकट गरेपछि अहिले प्रो महेन्द्र पी लामा चर्चाको बिषय बनेका छन। पहाडको राजनीतिमा अचानक खैलाबैला मच्चाउँने प्रो लामा आज कालेबुङ आईपुगेका थिए। यस अवधी तिनले पत्रकारहरुसंग कुराकानी गर्दै जनाताले चाहे निर्दल प्रार्थीको रुपमा खडा हुने आफ्नो अडान स्पष्ट पारेका छन। आज कालेबुङ आईपुगेका लामाले आफ्ना साथीहरुलाई भेटघाट गर्न आएको बताउँदै आगमी लोकसभा चुनावलाई लिएर प्राराम्भिक कसरत गर्न आएको होईन भने। “हामीले के गर्न सक्छौँ भन्ने कुरामा ध्यान दिईरहेका छौ। बिगतका दिनहरुमा जे भयो भयो तसलाई भुलेर अघि बड्न आवश्यक छ। हाम्रो समय धेर छैन। भविष्यमा आफ्नो जाति, क्षेत्र र राष्ट्रको निम्ति के गर्न सक्छौ भनेर अब लागी परेका छौँ” प्रो लामाले भने। छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्डको सपना साँचेर आफु पनि यसै क्षेत्रमा हुर्किएको बताउँदै अहिले धेरै मानिसहरुले आगमी लोकसभा चुनावमा उठेर छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्डको मुद्दा अघि बडाउँने आह्वान गरिरहेको तिनले अझ बताएका छन। यस सन्दर्भमा यदि जनताले नै आफुलाई चाहंछन भने “नाई” भन्न सक्दिन भने। छुट्टै राज्यको मुद्दालाई लिएर दार्जीलिङ पहाडबाट चुनावमा जितेर राष्ट्रिय स्तरका नेताहरु गए पनि उनीहरुले संसदमा अहिलेसम्म मौनता अप्नाएर बसेको तिनले एक प्रश्नको उत्तर दिदै भने। “छुट्टै राज्य गठनको निम्ति सरकारलाई बुझाउँने कार्य गर्न सक्छु। मैले सरकारसंग धेरि कार्य गरेको कारण यस मुद्दालाई ठिक ठाउँन पुर्‍याउँन सक्छु भन्ने म आफैलाई विश्वास छ। अहिलेसम्म हाम्रो मुद्द ठिक ठाउँमा ठिक तरिकाले ठिक समयमा पुर्‍याउँन हामी असमर्थ बनेका छौँ। यदि सांसद भए अझ मुद्दालाई अघि बडाउँन टेवा पुग्नेछ अनि हामेले छुट्टै राज्यको दिर्घकालीन समाधान निकाल्न सक्नेछौँ” प्रो लामाले भने। पत्रकारहरुसंग कुराकानी गर्दै तिनले छुट्टै राज्यको निम्ति अब आफुले सामाजिक उत्तरदायित्व पूरा गर्ने समय आएको पनि बताएका छन। यस अवधी आगमी लोकसभा चुनावमा निर्दलीय प्रार्थीका रुपमा खडा हुने मनाशय बनाएको समयमा यदि कुनै पनि राष्ट्रिय स्तरका राजनैतिक पार्टीहरुले सांसदको टिकट दिए के गर्नुहुन्छ भनि तिनलाई प्रश्न गर्दा तिनले भने – “म शुरु देखिनै कुनै राजनैतिक पार्टीमा सम्बद्ध छुईन। यसभन्दा अघि पनि मलाई सांसदको निम्ति राष्ट्रिय स्तरका पार्टी लगायत क्षेत्रिय स्तरका पार्टीहरुले सोधेकै हो। यद्यपी आफु राजनैतिक पार्टीबाट टाडा भएको कारण अनि निर्दलीय भएर पनि काम गर्न सकिन्छ भन्ने विश्वास भएकै कारण कुनै पनि राजनैतिक पार्टीको टिकटमा नउठेर निर्दलीय लड्ने नै निर्णय गरेको हो”। तिनले छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्याण्डको मुद्दालाई अघि बडाउँन निर्दलीय प्रार्थीको रुपमा जनताले चाहे चुनाव लड्ने घोषणा गरे पनि एउटा राजनैतिक पार्टी गठन गर्ने सोंच भने नरहेको स्पष्ट पारेका छन। एउटा निर्दिष्ट लक्ष्य लिएर अघि बड्दा कसले कसैलाई गाली गर्ने र नराम्रो व्यवहार गर्न नहुने बताउँदै सबै राजनैतिक पार्टी लगायत संघ संस्था एक हुन अति आवश्यक रहेको तिनले दोहोर्‍याएका छन। यस अवसरमा तिनले आगमी दिनहरुमा पहाडको सत्तसिन पार्टी गोजमुमो लगायत अन्य राजनैतिक दल, गैरराजनैतिक संगठन, धार्मिक संगठन सबैसंग पत्रचार गरेर भेटघाट गर्ने जानकारी दिएका छन।