AILA& DISASTER

Houses at Chunnapati, Rongli subdivision of Sikkim hang precariously close to disaster (Sikkim Express)

A house at Haridashatta, Darjeeling ravaged by landslide being searched for survivors. Photo by Himalaya Darpan

Photo Source: http://savethehills.blogspot.com/ Photos: Chinlop Fudong, Anubhav Sood, Suman Tamang and Rabin Rai

Darjeeling landslide toll reaches 27

Siliguri, May 28 (IANS) With the recovery of three more bodies, the toll in the landslides in West Bengal’s hill district of Darjeeling due to Cyclone Aila has risen to 27, police said Thursday.

“We have recovered three bodies from the debris at Rangiabong under Jorbungalow police station area this (Thursday) morning. One of the bodies has been identified as Pramila Rai, 68,” a senior official of the Jorbungalow police station said.

He said the teams of Natural Disaster Management Authority have started rescue operations in the cyclone-hit areas.

Meanwhile, state Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen reached Darjeeling Thursday morning to hold meetings with the district administration. He is likely to visit the landslide-affected zones and will also survey the situation there.

“Search operations are on in some areas as at least four people are still missing from the Darjeeling district after the cyclonic storm,” the police officer said.

According to district administration sources, 14 bodies were found in areas under Darjeeling Sadar police station, six in Jorbanglow police station area and seven in Kurseong sub-division.

More than 500 houses were damaged due to torrential rain that started Monday, when Cyclone Aila hit West Bengal and continued Tuesday.

Nearly 100 landslides took place across Darjeeling and its adjoining areas inconveniencing thousands of residents living in the hilly region.

Cyclone Aila created havoc across West Bengal Monday, claiming a total of 87 lives by Thursday.

26 DIED IN HILLS

KALIMPONG, KN, updated on 28th May:Thaiindian News reported that with the recovery of four more bodies, the toll in the landslides and floods in the state’s hill district of Darjeeling rose to 26, while 40 people have been injured, while some were still missing.

The army, which had been called in to carry out the rescue operations in different parts of the hills, was withdrawn Wednesday, but Seema Sashastra Bal troopers were still on duty.

Two teams of the National Disaster Management Group have also been sent to Darjeeling to clear the roads, Bhattacharjee said in Kolkata.

Darjeeling, May 27, The Telegraph: Pooja Gurung was cleaning a mat at her Haridashatta house here when she heard a small thud and felt herself being pushed against the door by the sliding hills.

“I immediately cried out for help but cannot remember anything more. I was probably unconsciousness by then. It seems some people came over and rescued me from under the debris,” said the 29-year-old woman.

Among those who came to her aid were her neighbours Kumar Rai and Kawal Gurung. Finding Pooja alive and fine, they started digging up a drain near her two-storied concrete house to ensure that the flowing water was properly channelised so that there were no more landslides.

“This was around 6.45am yesterday morning. On hearing about our plight, eight of our relatives including my brothers came over from Soom tea garden (situated about 20km from Haridashatta) to help us,” said Pooja.

Soon a group of about 20 people started clearing the debris from Pooja’s house. They rescued six of her family members — her mother Tilamya and four relatives— along with seven others from two families who are her tenants.

“They could not save anything from the house but they saved our lives,” said Pooja.

The group of 20 saved 14 people, but did not stop at that. They tried to retrieve household items and save the structure.

By then it was around 11.30am and the rain continued unabated. “Then we heard another rumbling noise and there was another major slide. In fact there was three continuous slides within the next 45 minutes,” said Pooja.

When things settled down, an eerie silence followed. Six of the rescuers were nowhere in sight.

“Kumar mama and Kawal daju were pulled out dead yesterday itself. Another daju, Nitesh, and uncles Dilip Pradhan, Kharka Rai and Binod Pakhrin just disappeared. We looked for them but they could not be found,” said Pooja. However, later today the body of Kharka Rai was found.

In fact, Binod, an army man serving with the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, had come to visit his wife. “On hearing that his neighbour was in trouble, he had come to help the Gurungs,” said K.B. Hingmang, who resides in the same neighbourhood.

The Pakhrin family, which originally hails from Soreng Busty near Teesta Bazar, had rented a house at Haridashatta to send their son to a nursery school nearby.

Last evening, Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung visited the Gurungs.

This morning, a large number of volunteers descended on Haridashatta to search for the missing three. .

“It is sad that so many people lost their lives while trying to save others,” said Darjeeling district magistrate Surendra Gupta, who arrived in town last night after covering 15km between Mungpoo and Jorebungalow on foot.

He said the death toll had risen to 26. He added that the administration was distributing tarpaulins and rice among displace people.

NHPC HIT BY FLOODS

Kalimpong, May 27, The Telegraph: The swelling river waters have caused immense damage to stages III and IV of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation’s under-construction Teesta Low Dam Project (TLDP).

Between the two projects, the TLDP IV at Kalijhora has been hit worst by heavy rain induced by Cyclone Aila. NHPC officials said permanent constructions like powerhouse and dam and heavy machinery have been destroyed at Stage IV on the Teesta.

At Reang, where Stage III is located, it was temporary constructions that had borne the brunt of the rising river.

While the distance to Reang from here is about 25km, Kalijhora is further 15km away.

S.K. Modhak, the project manager of Hindustan Construction Company, which is executing the civil construction at Stage IV, said his area of operation alone had suffered a direct loss of Rs 20 crore and a indirect loss of Rs 35 crore after the Teesta had submerged a large portion of the site.

Modhak said the project, which was to have been commissioned by December 2010, had been pushed back by at least six months, if no other I impediment was caused to the work by rains. “The construction was designed to handle 5,000 cusec of water, but the volume of water rose to as high as 10,000 cusec in the past few days.”

The gushing waters swept away a Bailey bridge and caused extensive damage to the slopes on either bank of the river at Stage IV. “The water that has entered the dam and power house will have to be pumped out and the accumulated slush removed,” he said.

Statesman News Service, KURSEONG/MALDA/COOCH BEHAR, 27 MAY: The death toll from the Darjeeling hill landslide rose to 23 with the recovery of three more unidentified bodies from Haridashatta in Darjeeling today. Rescue workers fear more people remain buried under the debris in the slide-hit areas of Darjeeling and Kurseong sub-divisions.

The affected areas remain without power or water supply. Transportation is far below normal throughout the Darjeeling hills. The West Bengal Governor Mr Gopal Krishna Gandhi visited the Cutlery Busty in Kurseong today and took stock of the situation. The locality took a heavy toll from the landslide. The SDO Kurseong Mr Dibyendu Das said that the government would pay Rs 1 lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased within the next two or three months. The administration has opened three relief camps at Springfield as well as Castleton Tea Estate and Community in Kurseong to shelter the victims. The Darjeeling MP Mr Jaswant Singh visited the affected sites today. “A four-member team has been set up to prepare a report on the situation and funds from the MPLAD would be disbursed accordingly,” Mr Singh said in Kurseong today. Mr Singh also said that he would raise the Darjeeling landslide issue in Parliament and demand funds from the Central Calamity Relief Fund to rehabilitate the victims. The Darjeeling Rajya Sabha MP Mr Saman Pathak has allotted a fund of Rs 10 lakh for the rehabilitation and restoration works Meanwhile, in the aftermath of Aila has disrupted the power network, affecting the drinking water supply across the district.

Aila Batters Dareeling Hills

Times of India 27 May 2009, 0513 hrs IST, Deep Gazmer, TNN: As a downpour battered the picturesque hills all night, landslides either washed away or damaged houses and roads in Darjeeling and Kurseong subdivisions. Darjeeling town was cut off from the plains as rain and swirling mountain torrents devastated Hill Cart Road (NH-55), Pankhabari Road and Rohini Road.

Between Monday night and Tuesday morning, the hills got 245 mm of rain. By 7 am, the rain was playing havoc with life and property. "We have called out the army for rescue work," additional DM P Zimba said.

As strong winds uprooted trees and electric and telephone poles, the hills went without electricity and phone services were down. Traffic on Hill Cart Road was closed after two mountain torrents, Khaharay and Whilstle Khola, washed away portions of it near Kurseong town. A landslip obstructed movement of traffic on Dowhill Road in Kurseong. Fire brigade, police and civil defence personnel were deployed for rescue operations. At some places, GJM's police wing Gorkhaland Personnel was engaged. "So far, 17 people have died in the hills. We are trying to retrieve the body of a child from the debris in Kurseong," an official said. Nine people were killed in and around Darjeeling town. Kewal Gurung (45) was among those who lost their lives after cyclone Aila struck the Hills. He had been trying to save his relatives at Haridashatta. Tashi Doma and Rishika Subba, both three years old, died at Ghoom and Harsinghatta. Two woman were buried in a landslide at Khasmahal Busty (Block IV) in Jorebunglow, 7 km south of Darjeeling. In Kurseong, six persons, including two minors, were killed at Cutlery and Singell near St Paul's Parish. In Darjeeling town, landslides damaged houses at Jawahar Busty and Frymal Village. Altogether 19 people were admitted to Darjeeling District Hospital with injuries. In Kalimpong, landslides were reported from various places like 11th Mile, 12th Mile and 27th Mile.

Bureau: The first landslide report of the season made the unaware entire District Relief Department of the Government busy throughout the day from Monday. Rainfall recording was just started from 27th morning in Kalimpong SDO's Office Due to heavy rainfall (250mm on 25-26 May till 8.30am)of 25th May that lasted for 48 hrs till 26th May casualties from different parts of the District is received from different agencies. Due to electricity loadshedding caused by the landslide and AILA communication system was totally disturbed and first hand reports couldnot be received .

As per the informations received a house was swept away by landslide in Saipatri Gaon of Topkhana, Kalimpong. Mrs.Naina Chhetri 25 was rescued by the local people from the debris and rushed to the Hospital. She was later operated for her ruptured Spleen and now is out of danger. Some houses near Kalijhora and other places too were swept away by fresh flood of River Teesta, Bailey bridge of NHPC Stage IV , Kalijhora too was swept away.

Jorebunglow is worst hit... a whole village [Jungle Busty] has been swept away. Many houses have also been swept in and around Jorebunglow, 3rd mile, 14th mile and Permanent Busty area.

Prafulla Rao, Secretary of Save the hills states " that almost 72hrs after sending email and sms alert to most NGOs and a concerned Govt Agency and posting the satellite picture of the cyclone in its nascent stage, Cyclone "AILA" is here. We have had incessant rain since yesterday (65mm on 25May09 and 67mm so far today- 26May at 0700h) and the forecast is that we will continue to have heavy rain until 27May 09 at least." (Ref: http://savethehills.blogspot.com/)

Outlook india.com( http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?660442 ) reports "Nine bodies were dug out of debris of landslides in Darjeeling and six others died in mudslides at Kurseong," Additional District Magistrate (General) P Zimba said.

The hill station of Darjeeling remained cut off from Siliguri in the plains as both Hill Cart Road and Pankhabari Road from the north Bengal town remained blocked by landslides at Ghoom and at 100 other places, SP Rahul Srivastava said. Darjeeling District Magistrate Surender Gupta said that five army teams from 123 Mountain Brigade began rescue work and BSF's help was sought. "Two disaster management teams from BSF will arrive here early tomorrow to clear the roads," he said. In Gangtok, roads in the Himalayan state were blocked by minor landslides, while 300 houses collapsed. Seventy-seven cm rain was recorded in Sikkim since yesterday. "The Geyzing-Jorethang and Namchi-Melli roads were blocked by landslides which were cleared in the morning," South District Magistrate D Anandan said. Over 300 wood houses collapsed and relocating the people was proving to be difficult with roads remaining blocked at several places and with rains beginning again, officials said.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact

INFORMATION SHARING

Any interested person can contact the concerned institution based on the information provided

Category: Traditional Knowledge Date: 20 May 2009

Tata Fellowships: For the Study and Documentation of Local Knowledge, Culture and the Arts in North Eastern India

National Folklore Support Centres Tata Fellowships are meant for the residents of North Eastern India. This program facilitates an experienced scholar belonging to one community from the region to work collaboratively with another communitys elder or an artist to document the community elder/ artists tradition for a year long period. Each fellowship will carry an award of Rs.8000/ per month for the scholar and another Rs.8000/ per month for the community elder or artist. In addition to the monthly award each fellowship carries a contingency of Rs.50, 000/ per annum to cover travel and documentation expenses.

Application to apply, please send us a proposal describing

1. The specific cultural tradition of the community elder/artist you seek to research and document

2. The research questions that is central to your project

3. The research and documentation methods you seek to follow

4. Description of what you consider important in the collaborative undertaking between you and the other community elder/ artist

5. A work plan for a period of one year starting from August 2009 to July 2010

6. The proposed outcomes of the project including how the documentation can be used in teaching programs.

Please remember to include the following with your proposal

Supporting material to show your experience in undertaking this research and documentation project

Your biodata

Your postal address, telephone/fax numbers, and email address

If you are applying from an institution please include a No Objection Certificate from the appropriate authorities of your institution to carry out the research and documentation project

Consent letter from the other community elder/artist to collaboratively work with you for a period of one year to facilitate the research and documentation process. Postal address and biodata of your collaborator

Your application should reach us on or before May 31, 2009.

Address your application to:

The Director, National Folklore Support Centre, No.508,

Fifth Floor, Kaveri Complex,

96, Mahtama Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034

Email: muthu@indianfolklor e.org

Website: http://indianfolklo re.org/moodle/

******************************************************

Mr. Chin Khan Muan Gualnam

Research and Communication Development Manager (RCDM)

Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact Foundation (AIPP)

108 Moo 5, Soi 6

Tambon Sanpranate, Amphur Sansai

Chiang Mai - 50210, Thailand

Office Phone: +66 (0) 53380168, Fax: +6653380752

Mobile: +66 (0) 834741476

Emal: muan@aippnet. org, aippmail@aippnet. org

Alternate email: letstalkpal@ hotmail.com

Website: www.aippnet. org

Photo:Hira

KUMUDINI PARIWAR TO LOOK AFTER THE WELFARE OF ECONOMICALLY WEAK MERITOROUS STUDENTS

Correspondent,kalimnews : Kalimpong, 24^th May :

On the occasion of foundation day of Kumudini Homes being celebrated as the Platinum Jubilee, the members of Kumudini Pariwar, an alumni association of the school, held its annual general meeting at Hotel Tres, Kalimpong. The meeting chaired by Udai Kumai, President was witnessed by B.C. Subba, ex-principal, Kumudini Homes as Chief Guest and Dr. R.B. Bhujel, Principal, Cluny Women’s College and ex-student as special guest. It was attended among others by the former students thronged from different regions including Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal and adjoining areas. The prominent personalities to be present on the occasion were Everester G.T. Bhutia, Ex-Principal, Sonam Gyatsho Mountaineering Institute, Gangtok, Hari Ram Sharma, Ex-Secretary, Govt. of Sikkim, P.C. Sarda, Businessman, Gangtok, Dr. C.K. Subba, Darjeeling, H.P. Chhetri, Director, Harkamaya College of Education, Sikkim etc.

In the first session of the meeting Dilip Bhujel, Secretary presented his report and apprised the house about the achievement of the alumni association like restoration of clock tower of the school, organization of Run For Gorkhaland marathon among all the schools in Kalimpong, installation of a bust of late Tikaram Sharma, Ex-Headmaster, Kumudini Homes etc. during the two year term of the present executive body. The meeting also observed one minute silence in memory of those alumni members late Abhai Tshering, renowned football player, late Om Prakash Agarwal, businessman, late Bhuwan Singh Thapa, social activist who lost their lives recently.

A new executive committee of 23 members was re-constituted in the second phase of the meeting with the presence of Tapan Pradhan, Director, Saptashri Gyanpith as the Election Officer. Udai Kumai, Dilip Bhujel and Bijay Narayan Pradhan were unanimously re-elected as the President, Secretary and Treasurer respectively while Smt. Sanjogita Subba, Tapan Pradhan were inducted as the vice presidents. Hira Chhetri, Dr. Ismail Mangrati were elected Joint Secretary and Dinesh Khati and Rakesh Pradhan were elected as the joint treasurer in the newly formed committee. Other members included Kiran Pradhan, Bhim Giri, Sahadev Giri, L.B. Ghimirey, Santosh Pradhan, Dawa Lama, Bijay Mangrati, Dhruva Ghising, Moti Prasad Sharma etc.

The new committee discussed about the forthcoming programmes of the Pariwar which included financial help to the School, grant of stipends to the deserving students in Kalimpong irrespective of their school affiliation, making the alumni association an effective body with more innovative activities.

It may be recalled that the alumni association is already extending financial support to the economically backward meritorious students of the school. Now with the proposal to extend the facility to the students of other local schools the association has done an exemplary work.

GORKHALAND IS NOT THE GOAL OF GORKHA PARISANGH – C.K. SHRESTHA

Media Cell, BGP: Gangtok, 24 May :In order to give consistency to its activities and programmes, the leaders of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, popularly known as Parisangh held an interactive session at Gangtok on 21^st May. In the he programme which was chaired by National Working President C.K. Shrestha, Vice-President and Co-ordinator of Zone II (Darjeeling/Sikkim/Dooars) Smt. Latika Joshi, Secretary General Sukhman Moktan, Treasurer Rudra Adhikari, Member of Central Programme Cell (CPC), Delhi D.K. Pradhan, President Siliguri Sub-division Committee K.N. Pradhan, Vice-President Kalimpong Sub-division Committee Smt. Hiran G. Shrestha were present as the representatives of the organization while a section of local intellectuals and press and media workers took part in the session. Addressing the interactive programme held at the hall of Sikkim Press Club, Moktan highlighted the organizational features of the Parisangh and emphasized the need of formation of a national level pan-Gorkha social organization in India. According to Moktan, as disclosed in the session, the Parisangh has so far been able to garner support from the Gorkhas living in twenty two states and one union territory and with the help of the Gorkha people spread throughout the country the organization has been effectively carrying out different kinds of activities across India. He also said that the Parisangh has been organizing leadership development workshops in different parts of the country to impart the Gorkha youths proper training about formal information and knowledge of the organization and make them aware about the necessity of a national Gorkha body in India. In the workshop the participants are apprised of the seven point charter of demands of the Parisangh being raised at national level, he added.

Responding to the queries made by local media persons regarding the first and foremost issue of the Parisangh i.e. the separate Gorkha state in India, Shrestha clarified that the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland is not the ultimate goal of his organization and the Parisangh would continue to work for the cause of Gorkha people scattered all over the country. The Parisangh demands that to honour and render justice to the Gorkhas of India for their tireless and selfless contribution towards the independence, re-building, security and development of the motherland, the Govt. of India should locate a territory in the country as the homeland of Indian Gorkhas, he demanded. He also opined that the separate state meant for the Indian Gorkhas could not be created by any single political party as the subject bears a greater issue to be discussed at national level and a national consensus must be brought by all political organizations of India in this regard. According to Shrestha, the issue of Gorkhaland state should not be treated as a political agenda as the Gorkhas are seeking justice from the nation i.e. India and not from any political outfit. Branding the demand of a separate homeland for Gorkhas as the national demand Shrestha claimed that the Gorkhas of over 22 states in India under the banner of Parisangh have adopted formal resolution in this connection as each and every member of a Gorkha family in this country are facing identity crisis at national level due to variety of reasons. He also said that the Parisangh believes that though the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland does not bring solution to all the problems facing the Gorkhas in India, yet, a separate state of their own would definitely help sort out the identity problems of Indian Gorkhas. When asked about the role of Indian soldiers in the country Shrestha stated that most of the communities like Marathi, Kashmiri, Rajasthani, Bihari etc. have their states Maharastha, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Bihar respectively on the basis of their regiments in Indian army while the Gorkhas soldiers despite their sincere duties towards the country have nowhere to go after the service life.

In the interactive session the local intellectuals and media persons took part and shown their keen interest to understand the aims and objectives of the Parisangh.

Photos: Hira and Samiran

Victory Rally of GJM in Kalimpong

Gorkhaland demand will be met: Jaswant

The Times of India , DARJEELING, 23 May: Reiterating his commitment towards the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland, senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh on Thursday said the demand for Gorkhaland would be met despite the saffron party being in the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

"The loss of the BJP makes no difference to the demand and the reasonable cause of Gorkhaland," Singh said while speaking to the supporters of the GJM and the mediapersons here.

This is his first visit to the region after winning the Lok Sabha elections from the Darjeeling constituency. He had left for a fortnight's tour of the capital and was campaigning for his son Manvendra Singh in Barmer, Rajasthan for the LS polls.

Jaswant is accompanied by his wife, two sons and grand-children. He headed straight to Kalimpong, where he will meet GJM president Bimal Gurung and other central committee leaders currently camping there.

Jaswant will address several public meetings and attend thanks-giving ceremonials. He will also meet ex-servicemen there, to personally thank them for campaigning and voting for him.

After attending meetings in Darjeeling on Friday, Jaswant will leave for Siliguri on Saturday to meet BJP unit leaders. He will fly back to Delhi on May 25. Jaswant defeated his nearest rival Jibesh Sarkar of CPM by 253,000 votes.

Morcha vows fight despite BJP rout

- Peaceful agitation assurance to tourists

OUR CORRESPONDENT - The Telegraph, Kalimpong, May 22: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung today iterated the time-frame — March 2010 — he has set for himself to attain Gorkhaland, despite the national verdict in the recently held Lok Sabha elections going against the party’s calculations.

Addressing a thanks-giving rally at the Mela Ground here today, the Morcha president urged his supporters not to waver from the goal despite the NDA, Morcha’s pre-poll ally at the national level, coming a cropper at the hustings. “Many will sacrifice their lives if Gorkhaland doesn’t materialise by March 2010. I have already said I will be the first to shoot at myself,” said Gurung, pointing an imaginary gun at his temple.

Gurung, who was his usual fire and brimstone self, said that the non-cooperation movement against the state government — like the non-payment of taxes — would continue, but there would be no attempt to disrupt normal life, at least in the next a couple of months. “This is (tourism) season and we should allow transporters, hotels, and other businesses to make money now,” he said.

The Morcha president also announced that his party would contest both the municipal and panchayat elections if the government conducts three-tier rural polls. “However, we will elect such candidates who can neither understand nor speak, because that is exactly what the state government has reduced us to,” he said, implying that the people of the hills have never been heard or understood.

Gurung also asked his party leaders to forget about contesting these elections themselves. “We are in midst of a movement. Anyone (from amongst the party leaders) who wants to contest these elections does not deserve to be in the party,” he said, suggesting the two institutions will be used to harass the state government. “I will compel them (state government) to willingly grant us Gorkhaland,” he said.

Speaking ahead of Gurung, newly elected Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh assured the gathering of about 10,000 people that he would remain true to the cause of Gorkhaland.

“From the world I come, a man’s word is enough. It will not have to be set in black and white… I will devote whatever remains of my political life to the cause of Gorkhaland,” he promised.

Speaking briefly, Singh said he was overwhelmed by the support given to him by the people. “The vote is not for Jaswant Singh. It is for Gorkhaland. This is not my achievement. It is about your struggle, your identity,” he said, as the crowd, most of them dressed in their traditional dresses, roared in approval.

Let us forget about the water scarcity for a moment and celebrate the victory and hope that Jaswant Ji will solve the problem in near future.PHOTO: SAMIRAN PAUL

Monthly Literary Programme Basibiyalo held at Mongpu Correspondent,Kalimnews: Kalimpong, May 11: The popular monthly literary programme Basibiyalo has already crossed its boundary of Kalimpong town and started to reach different localities in the surroundings. The programme has also witnessed change in its format as it has now started to be organized outdoor. The outdoor episodes of this programme have so far been held in various outskirts like Lava, Mangaldham, Melli (Sikkim), Tribeni (Confluence of Teesta and Rangeet rivers), Ramkrishna Rangamanch, Kalimpong after its re-inception in the year 2005. This time the local literature lovers of Kalimpong experienced a new height when it was organized in very famous literary place Mongpo. Marking the 148th birth anniversary of poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore, the 77th Episode of Basibiyalo was held at Rabindra Bhawan, Mongpo on 10th of May. The programme organised at the initiative of Mongpo Sahitya Parishad and its activists including Udai Thulung, Umesh Upama, Sanjay Bista and other was attended by senior Nepali literary figures Sanumati Rai, D.Kumar Pariyar etc. The programme included recitation of self-composed poems by prominent and young literary personalities of Nepali language. On the occasion a self composed English poem was also recited by Ashif Ali, the youngest among the participants. The new faces to read out their compositon included Bigyan Sharma, Bhim Acharya, Madana Ojha, Bijay Pradhan, Sarita Samadarshi, Bhumika Bhujel, Jangey Tamang, Arun Sampang, Deep Thapa, Sujit Thapa, Anit Khati, Dushyanta Ramudamu, Munal Ghising, Nirmal Tamang, Amrit Kharka, Khagendra Baraily, Anil Sintury etc. while the reputed literary figures like T.N. Subedi, B.K. Shilal, Sahadeo Giri, Ashim Sagar, Dr. Kamal Pokhrel, Udai Thulung, Shanti Rai Sahara, Kiran Blon, etc. presented their creative articles. The programme which was attended by about one hundred literature lovers from Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Mongpo, Mangmaya and Sikkim was conducted by Umesh Upama and Siba Chhetri ‘Sibu’. To make the occasion a memorable one the senior members of Basibiyalo like Smt. Leela Joshi, C.P. Pradhan and junior member Raju Nepali sang Nepali folk songs. While addressing the gathering Hira Chhetri highlighted the background of Basibiyalo programme and also spoke on the prevailing disparity in the Nepali language. The view of Chhetri was seconded by Sanjay Bista, a lecturer in Kalimpong College in the Nepali subject. Both of them stressed to avoid disparity in Nepali writing and emphasized correct usage of the language by the writers. Samsher Ali, Co-ordinator of Basibiyalo spoke about the contribution of Mongpo Cinchona Plantation towards development of Nepali literature and recalled the reputed names of Mongpo who have played unforgettable roles to uplift the Nepali language. Earlier young literary figure Udai Thulung welcomed the guests to Mungpo. A book titled Geet Ganga authored by Kribu Sanyami of Saddam, Sikkim was also released on the occasion by Smt. Sanumati Rai. The participants also paid a visit to the Rabindranath museum located near the Rabindra Bhawan and paid their respect to the late poet on his birth anniversary. DRYF's chakkajam to release Subba Correspondent, Kalimnews:Kalimpong, May 13: About 200 members of Democratic Revolutionary Youth Front, a frontal organistion of CPRM, held an hour long chakkajam progamme at Kalimpong town on 13th May to protest against the delay in release of C.B. Subba, GLO Chief from Jalpaiguri jail. The members of the DRYF assembled at Damber Chowk and shouted slogans against the Left Front ruled West Bengal Govt. for making the case a political issue and unauthorisedly detain Subba for over six years. The traffic was disturbed for more than two hours due to the wheel-jam and passengers were found stranded along Main Road, D.S. Gurung Road, etc. The DRYF members also submitted a memorandum to the SDO, Kalimpong requesting him to apprise the concerned higher authorities about the demand of the organisation and take necessary action to immediately release Subba. Later Santosh Pradhan, Zonal Secretary, DRYF addressed the local press where he vehemently criticised the administration for turning the case into a political issue and urged the intellectuals, social activists and human right activists to come forward and pressurise the concerned authorities to release Subba alongwith other innocent persons who are behind the bar at an early date. It may be recalled that Subba and some anti-GNLF political activists were arrested by West Bengal police during 2003 after the life attempt on Subash Ghising, the then DGHC Chairman and GNLF Supremo at Saatghumti, near Kurseong P.S. on his way back from New Delhi to Darjeeling after attending a crucial meeting with the union govt. regarding the future status of Darjeeling hills. Ghising and his convoy were attacked by unknown elements and an encounter had taken place. Other persons arrested in connection with the incident were Amar Lama, Norden Lama (both Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders now). However, both of them have now managed to get bail from Supreme Court. The Jalpaiguri court was reportedly facing difficulties to hear the case due to frequent absence of eye witnesses of the incident. Now, since out of over 70 eyewitnesses, the prime figure Subash Ghising has already attended the hearing the case is expected to be finalised very shortly. On the other hand, the DRYF and Democratic Revolutionary Womens' Front (women front of CPRM) members have been continuously organising different democratic agitational programmes to draw the attention of concerned authorities to demand speedy hearing of the case and release or punish Subba. Subba is expected to be released unconditionally due to lack of adequate evidence to frame charge of life attempt on him. It is reported that even Ghising declinee to accuse Subba in the incident before the court of law during the last hearing. Meanwhile, the followers and sympathisers of Subba who is popularly known as Chhatre Subba have formed a Reception Committee in Kalimpong to accord a warm welcome to him on his release. They have also started to generate financial support from the local businessmen in Kalimpong town to organise a grand welcome as and when Subba is released. SEMINAR ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING Correspondent KPC:Kalimpong, 6th March:A Media Seminar on Human Trafficking and allied issues was Co-hosted by Kalimpong Press Club and organized by Department of Information and Cultural Affairs on 6th March 3008 in Ramakrishna Rangamanch. The seminar attended by the representatives of different NGOs was inaugurated by Mr. Amiyas Tshering Sitling , SDO and the Chief Guest of the programme while Mr. Mitendra Chhetri , Sub Divisional Information and Cultural Officer, Kalimpong welcomed the Guests. Mr.P.D.Bal District Information and Cultural Officer highlighted the objective of the programme that focused on trafficking of women as sex worker. Mr. A.K.Rai, Secretary, Kalimpong Press Club in his presentation mentioned about the role of the media on the subject.Mr. Rai also mentioned about the merits and demerits of making a story on a particular incident of human trafficking and the reaction of the readers. He also highlighted the limitations of media personnel and the risk on covering a story. Mr. Vivek Chhetri, of Darjeeling Press Guild also stressed that we should be more serious on this problem . It was substantiated by an audiovisual presentation of interviews produced by Darjeeling Press Guild in which housewives of all age group mentioned their ordeal and the reason behind working as a flying sex worker . Ms Rongo Shouria, of the Kanchenjumga Uddhar Kendra, Siliguri shared her experiences of rescue operation of the trafficked girls and the problems she faced during and after the operation. The M.C. of the seminar was Mr. Suraj Mani Pradhan who also mediated the Interactive Session as Moderator. Attended by the representatives of Kanchenjumga Uddhar Kendra, Siliguri; Sanlaap,Siliguri; CINI, Siliguri; Mary ward development Centre, Siliguri; FOCEP, Darjeeling; Hill Social Welfare Society, Kalimpong; Anugyalaya,Kalimpong; ICDS workers of Kalimpong the interactive session had Dr. Mira Sinha, (ICDS); Mr. P.K.Bardewa, Dy.Magistrate (SDOs Office); Mr. Rakesh Gurung,OC Rangpo (Darjeeling Police), Mr. Samsher Ali; Messers Vivek Chhetri, Amitava Banerjee, Sanjay Pradhan, Surendra Poddar, Kalyan Thapa, Pradip Lohagun (Media)in the panel. The interactive session highlighted the problems faced due to inadequate governmental aid and cooperation. It also stressed upon the hostile and unfriendly attitude of the police to the victim and the NGOs working on the field as well as unavailability of any help from government for establishing such counseling as well as rehabilitation centres and homes for the victims of the crime. Representatives of the NGOs shared their problems faced during rescue operation and apprehending the culprits. Finally it was decided that the people of rural areas in the grass root level should be made aware about the crime. All NGOs, Media and Governmental Organisations should help each other to coordinate their activities in educating the mass about the causes, modus operandi, culprit, hazards of human trafficking and the ways of controlling the incidents of trafficking. It also stressed upon the need of a powerful NGO for rescue operation with networking capacity as well as physical, psychological treatment Centre and rehabilitation Centre with adequate self supporting programme. Representative members of more than 15 NGOs including ADP Himalaya- World Vision, IRCS, Parbatiya Nari Ayog, Krishak Kalyan Sangathan, Dukha Niwarak Sammelan, Cluny Sisters, Nazareth Social Service Society, DISHA, Kalimpong and others attended the seminar.