Posted by: JPEG May 22, 2009
Nepal need to learn from Sikkim
Login in to Rate this Post:     0       ?        
Sikkim has been a peaceful country.  The country itself is like Nepal geographically and diverse in people and culture. It's cultural, traditions are still being celebrated. No group or their  religion or practice been suppressed. But most importantly Sikkim is in the right direction. Its economy and education system are all going in a right direction. All of this can be pointed to the politician of Sikkim. The politician like Chief Minister of Sikkim Pawan Chamling who has been the tremendous catalyst for the Sikkim future which is going so well for the Sikkimese. This is something Nepal need to learn from our neighboring state.
CM Pawan Chamling being the mastermind behind the success of Sikkim growth again was sworn in as CM of Sikkim for 4th consecutive terms.  And with a record fourth win for his cabinet, things can
only get better for Sikkim.

SIKKIM: Hosh and Josh in new Chamling Cabinet

Posted by barunroy on May 22, 2009



Chamling takes oath as CM for fourth consecutive term



FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS


Governor B P Singh administrating Oath of Office to Dr. Pawan Chamling. Photo by Sikkim Express

Governor B P Singh administrating Oath of Office to Dr. Pawan Chamling. Photo by Sikkim Express


Gangtok: A heady mix of old hands, young and fresh faces and women members featured in the 12 member new cabinet headed by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling who was sworn for the record fourth consecutive term today.


Mr. Chamling was sworn into office for the fourth consecutive term this morning by Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh at the Ashirbad bhavan at the Raj Bhavan complex here in the capital.


The Governor administrated the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Chamling as the Chief Minister of Sikkim. The Governor then administrated the oath of office and secrecy to the other 11 cabinet ministers individually.


The new cabinet of Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government was significant as none of the old cabinet members of the last term who were handed tickets and won were retained in Mr. Chamling’s new team.


The new cabinet has seen a total new team which included seven first timers. It follows the model of ‘five old and seven new faces, including two women’ of the Chief Minister but in a slightly different manner.


The difference is that barring the Chief Minister the rest of his 11 cabinet colleagues are either new or making a comeback after a rest.



“It is a hundred percent new cabinet”, said Mr. Chamling later in the evening during a press meet.


Mr. Chamling has retained home, finance, revenue and expenditure, Department of Personnel, Planning and economic reforms, North eastern council and other departments not specifically allocated to any other ministers.


Regarding his decision not to retain the power department which he had held in the previous term, the Chief Minister told SIKKIM EXPRESS that it was done so as he could not given proper time. “It was due to my busy schedule and I have handed the responsibility to a young minister (SG Lepcha). He is from North Sikkim and is well sensitized about the local issues”, he said.


Among the old hands Ran Bahadur Subba, the fourth term MLA who defeated Nar Bahadur Bhandari from Soreng-Chakung constituency in west Sikkim and was a MLA in the last term has been given a cabinet berth with the roads and bridges and labour department in his portfolio.


Thinley Tshering Bhutia also a fourth term SDF MLA from Kabi-Lungchok who was not in the cabinet last term but had previously served as minister has bounced back as the minister for water security and public health engineering and transport departments.


The Speaker of the last Assembly, DN Takarpa who is serving for the second term after winning from Rinchenpong constituency in west Sikkim this time has also been included in the cabinet. He has been handed health care, human security, family welfare, animal husbandry and law and parliamentary affairs departments. Read the rest of this entry »











ESSAY: Enchanting Gangtok


Posted by barunroy on May 22, 2009




FROM THE STATESMAN


A profusion of lofty peaks, holy lakes, ancient monastries, orchid nurseries, heli-tours and stunning trekking routes make for an amazing destination for tourists. And the happy faces all around make for better trade, says Chandan Sen


THE Nepalese call it Sukhim, “The New Place”; for the Bhutias it is “The Valley of Rice”; and the Lepchas simply call it Nye-mae-el Lang, meaning “Abode of the Gods”. A land of immense natural beauty, Sikkim is imbued with a mystic aura steeped in legend and history. The profusion of lofty peaks, holy lakes, ancient monastries, orchid nurseries, heli-tours and stunning trekking routes make Gangtok, its capital, an amazing destination for tourists. And the happy faces all around make for better trade.


Gangtok aptly means “hill top” and it is perched at 5,500 feet above sea level, on the ridge of a valley. It lies snuggled between the borders of Nepal and Bhutan at an altitude of 1,547 metres and is famous for its numerous important monasteries and picturesque Himalayan views. Beautiful town houses share space with some of the most important Buddhist religious sites in India. The road to Gangtok from Siliguri, with the Teesta river for company, is a traveller’s delight. The locals worship the mountain range as a deity. Flower-filled meadows and hot springs, splendid vistas supplemented with tribal colours lure travellers to this place. You don’t feel like you’re living in India for a moment.


It is a quaint mix of the old and the new, of modern structures and ancient Buddhist monuments, of bustling commercial centres and quiet monasteries emanating an aura of spirituality. Gangtok is also famed for its wonderful orchids and, every spring, an orchid festival and flower show is held to celebrate this exotic bloom. Mount Kanchendzonga, considered Sikkim’s guardian, is visible from many parts of the town. Long walks, especially in the morning, and the ropeway complete a memorable experience.


Chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling has been instrumental in highlighting Sikkim’s beauty and with a record fourth win, things can only get better.


Khangchendzonga viewing: Tashi view point (eight kilometres) is a popular picnic spot that offers grandstand views of Kanchendzonga. The Enchey monastery, too, has one of the best views in the entire mountain range.



Excursions: Tsomgo Lake and Nathu-la Pass. One can drive into the glacial oval-shaped Tsomgo Lake (3,780 metres) just 38 km from Gangtok to enjoy its mystical environs and yak rides. Going further, the historic Nathu-la Pass generally gets enveloped in mist later in the afternoon. The Baba Mandir is a special attraction. Read the rest of this entry »









Read Full Discussion Thread for this article