Bhaichung rocks hills - Footwork of another kind for Aila victims

VIVEK CHHETRI, The Telegraph

Darjeeling, June 14: Bhaichung Bhutia and his choreographer Sonia rocked Gymkhana Club here with their hip-grinding, feet-tapping rendition of a number from Jung to help victims of the May 26 landslides and to thank people for voting him the winner in a dance reality show on television. What was supposed to be a low-key felicitation followed by an auction of Bhaichung’s on-field gear and footballs became a full house with residents of Darjeeling turning up in huge numbers to welcome their hero. They screamed, jived to the music and took hundreds of photographs from the moment Bhaichung and Sonia alighted from his custom made red Scorpio with the number plate WB06-0015. Bhaichung has always donned jersey 15 while representing any football team. One and five seem to be the magic number indeed. The ace footballer has decided to donate Rs 1.5 lakh for the relief work in Darjeeling and two of the three 15 numbered jerseys fetched Rs 22,100 within half-an-hour of being put to the gavel. The orange-and-blue jerseys had been worn by Bhaichung in the Asia Football Championship in 2008 when India qualified after 25 years for Asian Cup. The third white-and-blue jersey—worn by Bhutia during the Nehru Cup which India had won after 10 years in 2007 — went out for Rs 13,000. The auction fetched just over Rs 60,000 in addition to Bhaichung’s donation. At the end of the day, when Bhaichung and Sonia swayed to Yaayla re…Aaila, Rs 2.1 lakh had already been collected. Nine footballs personally autographed by Bhutia were also up for grabs. The footballs were auctioned through “silent bidding”—where people had to denote their bids through secret ballots). The jerseys on the other hand were put on “conventional British bidding”: the buyers stood up and quoted the price starting from a reserve bid of Rs 5,001. People vied with each other taking it on their personal egos to increase the stake by Rs 100 each, but all for a cause. Both Sonia and Bhaichung talked about their concern for the people who died during the recent landslides and a minute’s silence was observed in their memory. But none could take Bhaichung out of his football. “There is huge talent in Darjeeling. Many are playing in Calcutta too and I promise to extend all kind of support to budding footballers in Darjeeling,” he said before promising another Rs 30,000 more to Bhaichung Fan Club to hold a soccer tournament here. “I just cannot dance,” he said while talking about his winning performance aired by a satellite channel. Earlier in the day, Bhaichung and Sonia, regaled a packed Town Hall in Kalimpong, where they had stopped over on their way here. They did the same Yaayla re…Aaila duet there and Sonia floored all with a saucy rendition of the raunchy Bidi number from Omkara. “Two factors played a big role in my winning the dance contest: one was Sonia, my choreographer and the second, you the people from this region,” Bhaichung said while thanking all at Kalimpong.

BHAICHUNG AND SONIA IN KALIMPONG

Photos: Samiran Paul and Samten Kabo

KALIMPONG NEWS IS AN ONLINE NEWS SERVICE OF KALIMPONG PRESS CLUB , UPDATED CURRENTLY.

CELEBRITY WELCOME IN KALIMPONG

to Jhalak Dikhla Ja Winner Bhaichung Bhutia and his partner

Kalimpong News: Kalimpong , 14 June: The footballer turned dancer Bhaichung Bhutia winner of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, season 3 of Sony Tv was given a warm welcome by the Kumudini Pariwar and People of Kalimpong. Today Bhaichung accompanied by his dance partner Sonia was escorted by N.C.C.cadets and School Band of Pranami Valika Vidhya Mandir and Kumudini Vidhyashram The team from Gangtok arrived in Ramakrishna Rangamanch of Kalimpong along with Thukchuk Lachungpa, president of the social organisation Citizens Forum who had initiated the support campaign for Bhutia in the programme.

During the Nagarik Abhinandan Bhutia said " I am thankful to everyone who supported me." Mr.Uday Kumai President of Kumudini Pariwar , an alumni of Ex students of Kumudini Homes felicitated Bhutia followed by Hill Social Welfare Organisation and other organisations.

PRESS CLUB OF SIKKIM ELECTIONS HELD Parasmani Dangal elected president of Press Club, Amit Patro as working president

Sikkim Express, GANGTOK, June 13: Editor, SAMAY DAINIK Parasmani Dangal was today elected president of the Press Club of Sikkim (PCS) while Editor, SIKKIM EXPRESS Amit Patro was elected to the post of working president. During the elections to the 12-member executive body of PCS conducted by the PCS Election Committee 2009 at the club premises here today, Hem Lata Gurung, Mingma Bhutia and Rajendra Pradhan were elected vice presidents, Ratan Gurung as culture secretary and Dilli Ram Dulal as assistant treasurer. A total of 115 PCS members today cast their votes through secret ballot in the elections conducted for the remaining seven posts of the PCS executive body. Five posts were already declared unopposed. The five candidates declared unopposed were Bhim Rawat (General Secretary), Babbu Tamang (Treasurer), Anand Oberoi (Sports Secretary), Dhan Bahadur Rai (Literary Secretary) and Bijoy Gurung (Publicity Secretary). They were declared elected opposed by the Election Committee through its notification on June 11 after the process of scrutiny and withdrawal of nomination papers ended. After the scrutiny and withdrawal of nomination papers ended on June 11, there were 14 candidates contesting for the seven posts of the PCS executive body. After the time of voting ended at 3 pm, the votes were counted in presence of all the PCS members and the candidates by the Election Committee. The PCS Election Committee 2009 was headed by Mala Rana Patro as chairperson with Pema Leyda Shangderpa and Suman Gazmer as members. Milan Subba, Deputy Secretary from the State Information and Public Relations Department was present during the voting and counting process as Observer deputed by the State Information and Public Relations Department. Later in the day, the Election Committee 2009 chairperson Mala Rana Patro and Observer Milan Subba handed out the certificates to the new 12 members of the executive body of PCS. Meanwhile, the new executive body has expressed its gratefulness to the chairperson and members of Election Committee 2009 and the Observer for conducting the elections in smooth and fair manner. MESSAGE: KALIMPONG PRESS CLUB CONGRATULATES ALL THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICEBEARERS OF SPC.

FM MAY RESTORE STANDARD DEDUCTION in Budget

NEW DELHI:14 Jun 2009, 0001 hrs IST, Shantanu Nandan Sharma, ET Bureau( THE ECONOMIC TIMES ): In an apparent attempt to put money into the pockets of the salaried class, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee may bring back standard deduction on income tax when he presents the Budget.

In order to provide relief to the salaried class, the government may prefer the route of restoring standard deduction rather than increasing income tax slabs, an official of the finance ministry, who did not wish to be named, told SundayET.

The provision of standard deduction, which was given to employees to compensate for the expenses incurred by them under heads such as conveyance, was discontinued by former finance minister P Chidambaram with effect from April 1, 2006.

The Budget would definitely bring relief to the salaried class though it would finally depend on the finance minister whether he would like tax slabs to be increased or restore standard deduction, both of which will help consumers, the official added.

Another official inside North Block, who is familiar with the development, also hinted about the likely move. “There would be efforts to put more cash into the pockets of consumers. It may marginally impact tax collection but will boost consumerism and thus indirectly contribute towards tax collection,” he said.

78^th Episode of Basibiyalo held

Prashant Khati singing a song

Manita Rai delivering her poem

C.K.Shrestha addressing the audience

AUDIENCE AND PARTICIPANTS

78^th Episode of Basibiyalo held

Poetries, songs, one act and ghazals prime attractions

Kalimnews, 13 June :Kalimpong: 78^th episode of monthly literary programme Basibiyalo (pastime) was held today at Sub-division Library Hall, Kalimpong. The programme jointly hoisted by Shiba Chhetri ‘Sibu’ and Raju Bhai was attended by more than fifty literary figures mostly from younger generation. In the programme, which is organized every second Saturday here, C.K. Shrestha, a reputed playwright, was present as the guest who also happens to be the founder of this popular programme. Other figures included novelist Gyan Sutar, senior woman writer Smt. Sanumati Rai, B.K. Shilal, Samsher Ali, B.R. Rai Chamling, T.N. Subedi, Dr. Kamal Pokhrel, Mira Chhetri, Capt (Retd) Bhumi Raj Rai, Jit Maskey, Harka Pariyar, Manita Rai, Paras Sharma, Birendra Kharka, Dr. Din Dayal Agarwal, Navin Rasik, Sarita Samdarshi, Bishnu Bhujel, Subash Shrestha, and others who recited self composed poems and short stories. Hira Chhetri presented a travelogue regarding his recent visit to Hyderabad and C.K. Shrestha read out a portion of his forthcoming drama Dailo (Door). Sahadeo S. Giri, Editor Charitra, presented a new feature called ‘Jungle Talk’ based on a true incident before the audience. An eight year old boy Prashant Khati of Pashting Tea Estate surprised the gathering by presenting two melodious songs. The main attraction of the programme was ghazals recited by Asim Sagar.

Moreover, this time a sizeable number of guest literary figures from outside Kalimpong were also present on the occasion including Ms. Apsara Dahal (Burmeok, West Sikkim), Bijay Narayan Pradhan (Namthang, Sikkim), Puran Lohar (Siliguri), Sudesh Khati (Gangtok), Binod Chhetri (Gorubathan) and others. They shared literary items and personal views on various topics. Binod Chhetri who attended the programme after a long span of over twelve years, addressing the gathering not only highlighted the role of Basibiyalo in development of Nepali literature but also pointed out its contribution to expose the talents of young generation. Samsher Ali also echoed his feeling and opined that such creative activities should continue in the society.

Tshering Bhutia expressed the difficulties being experienced by the youths due to improper method of issuing Gorkha Certificates. According to Bhutia, though the Bhutias, Lepchas and other communities residing in the hills are regarded as the Gorkhas, they are, however, not in a position to get requisite Gorkha certificate. His view was responded by C.K. Shrestha who happens to be the Working President of a national organization Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh assured to seriously look after the situation. He said that there should prevail a feeling of acceptance of other communities in the Gorkha community if we (the Gorkhas) want them to belong to us.

In the programme it was decided to hold 79^th episode of Basibiyalo on 11^th July at the same venue as Bhanu Jayanti special which will be hosted by Samsher Ali.

It may be recalled that Basibiyalo being an informal and free platform, anybody can raise any relevant issue here. Due to such nature and concept this programme has been termed as ‘forum without quorum’. A section of the local people has appreciated the concept of openness of the programme while some of them have adversely criticized the same for lending over-freedom.

It may be recalled that the Basibiyalo was started during early 90s by a few literary personalities of Kalimpong working in Gangtok, capital of Himalayan state Sikkim. Later the programme was imported to Kalimpong where its 33 episodes were organized till 1995. However, after a passage of over ten years, the programme is being re-organized from 2005 at the initiative of social activist Samsher Ali and his friends. The Basibiyalo has organized its golden and platinum jubilee on completion of 50^th and 75^th episodes so far. According to Ali, a proposal is being mooted to organize the 100^th episode at national level preferably outside Kalimpong. In fact the programme has already crossed the barrier of its physical limitation and has so far been organized in Lava, Melli (South Sikkim), Teesta Triveni, Mongpo, etc.