FIRST COME FIRST SERVE

Making casual conversation with a fish vendor during one of my customary shopping, I asked him to pack a kilogram of fresh fish which was listed as an essential commodity in my shopping list. Our conversation was getting rather prolong as I was complimenting the vendor for always giving me fresh fish ever since I had made my first purchase in his shop. Sensing I was the only customer in his shop and to alleviate his boredom momentarily, he too was sharing his business tips to compensate my compliment. No sooner, a high ranking policeman stood beside me, the vendors made an abrupt end to the conversation I was submerged in and started entertaining his demand “kati kg pack garnu sir???” how much should I pack? His humorous face suddenly turned serious. To my utter surprise, I realized that the vender had already started to chop new fish keeping aside the scattered slices he had already chopped. It did not take him even a minute or two to pack the new customer’s share. Before my mind was reasoning the sudden change in the scenario, the vendor was already handing over the packed to the new customer.

The taste of power is the sweetest among all. Be it politics, bureaucracy or a commoner, when it comes to handling of entrusted power, we often fail to use it in an appropriate way. As such, we often land up making our subordinates so fear stricken that his mere presence directs everything. Moreover, police department is considered to be an epitome of discipline and as far as discipline is concerned, it follows the principle of “First come first serve” rather than the distorted notion of “whoever comes, power gets served first”.

FAMILY VALUES

FAMILY VALUES

 

 

Reluctant to make a start for a trip to Gangtok, I was thinking about the bumpy road of Rorathang and Rangpo an en-route to Gangtok. The heavy downpour of monsoon had worsened the road with puddles and landslides at every intervals of a kilometer. For a new traveler, the road condition would not appear worse than a roller coaster.

My thoughts suddenly left me when my wife got a bit cranky "tapailai aasti Ko hapta nai bhaneko hoina? Didn't I inform you last week??? She had already sensed my slogging gestures which meant that I was not interested to go. "Ki mo gari magayera jum? Or should I take a hired taxi??? Her hitherto amiable demeanor was now ebbing with anger and I had completely forgotten that we were supposed to make a visit to my in-laws that day. My two and a half old baby girls added in her quacks voice "Buwa ta k saro birseko houu" my father has really become forgetful; a tone though innocent yet matured enough to make me feel more embarrassed. She too was desperate to see her grandmother and her Aunt (wife's youngest sister) who had recently come from Dubai for a very short vacation.

A two hour journey took almost 5 hours due to frequent jam. A narrow road wherein the tires of a big sized Truck could barely be accommodated was now jammed with long convoy of company buses and Army Vehicle moving from either end. Over the last decade private companies in this area have mushroomed more randomly than a cancer cell.

No sooner, had we reached the house, my wife was hugging her mother and her sister so tight that they never wanted to let themselves depart any more. It had been almost a year since they had met each other. Watching them embracing in such bond of compassion made my steaming ego evaporate against the warmth of their love.

Making a visit to in-laws would generally manifest boredom for many arrogant husbands such as myself. However, if we can keep aside our masculine ego and feel with a compassionate heart, our wife too deserves her share of family happiness. To value her feeling and become the most reliable support system should be the foremost priority of a husband. Above all a husband can be naughty but not WICKED

 

HEART VS BRAIN

HEART VS BRAIN

A crashing sound at one of the rooms brought every one of us out of our room. With confused face our eyes darted at every rooms to inspect the sound which has disturbed the tranquility of our house. Oh! Christ it’s our aaja (grandfather) screamed my mother, perplexed at the sight that was something which her eyes could not believe. Panicked by her shrilling scream, ever one of us started rushing toward the room. To our bewilderment, the first thing we could see was fresh blood spilling all over the floor. Amidst the floor laid our moaning grandfather, with blood gushing out from his nostril and ears. His cream shirt was already soaked with blood. It did not take us long to comprehend that he had tripped and banged his head on the concrete floor, we hurried him to the closely parked vehicle. The vehicle leaped away in a spurt of gravel leaving behind a dense cloud of smoke.

Now, as he staggers around the room, he shivers in fatigue, as such, he has to be supported, at least form either sides. It has been one week since he had been discharged from the hospital after spending one month in ICU. The MRI reports showed that almost half of his brain cells had been damaged due to excessive clotting of blood. He has survived a severe hemorrhage remarks a neurologist, as he flips over the report. He adds with a deep sigh “thank god he was not paralyzed.” Since then, there has been a great change in his behavior. The incident has made him realize the trauma and forget everything about himself. Despite his unnatural behavior and blemished trauma, there is one thing about him that surprises me... every time I go near him, he holds my hand gently and calls my name softly. “Timelay khana khayou?” Did you have your food? is his first statement to start a conversation with me.

Today, as the world has reached the zenith of technological advancement, there is hardly anything left unveiled beyond the perception of human intelligence. However, there is another dimension of human being called spirituality which is yet to be explored by science. A brain, that succumbs rigorously damaged of its neurons, hardly remembers anything of its own but never fail to recognize a face which is highly adored by the heart. Furthermore, the distorted brain miraculously resonates adoration to the face it loves.

‘DISCIPLINE’- A LOST ATTRIBUTE AMONG STUDENTS.

How would you feel as a teacher when your students define ‘CCE’ as a system where you can’t fail them and ‘RTE’ an act where you can’t punish them? How would you feel when you intend to give the most of what you have yet what you receive in return are nasty accusations and worthless mockery? It amazes me when I often find a lady colleague walking out of her class with tears rolling down her eyes, or when I see a male teacher returning to the staff-room in sheer despondency, and when I try to find out the reason I, land up with the same answer- INDISCIPLINE AMONG STUDENTS. It is a known fact that school staff-room has been a place where issues are discussed more fervently than what they are actually discussed in a parliament. One such common topic discussed in every school staff- room would include “indiscipline among the students”. The remedy to this burning problem is indeed much more intricate than as suggested in my Bed. text books or other relevant guidelines. Therefore, it has turned out to be a matter which requires a deep contemplation.

 It is evident that our educationist has left no stone unturned in formulating the right educational policy that would favor the students. Moreover, the present education policies are usually student oriented, taking care of every nook and corner of the students’ physical and mental potentialities that are ought to be nurtured and enhanced by the teachers. A country spends a large portion of its budget on education, sanguine of their future prospects. The recently implemented child centered policy “CCE”, Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation and “RTE” Right to Free and Compulsory Education, is itself evident that, laws are either formed or amended for the welfare of the students. However, giving a closer insight as to how our students have benefited, and evaluating the fruit that they yield from all the efforts put in, one would rather not be content.

Indiscipline among the students has become a major challenge for teachers in the current scenario. For, the news of teacher harassment, disobeying of school norms and aggressiveness nature of the students, are not unheard, these has rather become something the teachers confront every day. On this regard, I always evoke an educational seminar, where one of the elite delegates, had opined that just as the strength of a building depends upon the strength of four pillars supporting it, likewise, the future of a student depends on four factors- the teachers, the parents/guardians, the society and the Government. If any one of these factors fails to share its responsibilities, it is certain that the future of the students is doomed.

The teachers play a major role in shaping the life of students. Apart from simplifying his content in the classroom teaching, his responsibility is to help the student in all sphere of his student life. It is very important for a teacher to understand the psychology of the student before dealing with any of the accused. With every passing year, the teacher becomes more adamant to the new trends prevailing in the society; as such he deliberately loses his tolerance to cope up with the new scenario. Therefore, it is important for the teachers to upgrade himself frequently.     

Parents, by far are considered to be the most influential factor in the life of a student. They not only bestow genetic character but also create environment which would determine the child’s future. It should be understood that simply lavishing their lads with money and sophisticated gadgets or sending them to good boarding school cannot be considered as an ultimate remedy. Parents and guardians should be conscious about student’s whereabouts, and always find time to spend with them. Moreover, there are many illiterate parents who finds hard to cope with their child expectation, but a good communication between the parents and the children or open sharing of problems could positively be an aid to develop affinity between them.

Society is another factor which helps cater diverse temperaments in students. A child grown-up in a healthy environment of the society would probably turn out to be a man possessing good temperament, whereas a child deprived from the ethics of a good society would certainly turn out to be no better than a thug.

Government also plays a key role in orienting the education policy and enforcing them in the form of a system. However, mere formulating of policies are not enough to meet the needs of the students. Apart from sustainability of plans, a good infrastructure is always a complimentary factor to portray a student to a noble form. Numerous researches have concluded that improper classroom management, with insufficient desk and benches, dull wall paints, crowded classroom and location of the school, also contributes to create distraction among the students and eventually distracting the teachers. Effective programmes could be conducted in order to orient the students about the new educational policies, so that they can value the significance of CCE and RTE, much more than just treating it as a genie to rescue from punishments and exams.

I believe, there are numerous factors undervalued by us that contribute to indiscipline among students. The responsibility of creating a benevolent citizen out of a plain student should not be summoned upon teachers alone, it must be realized that responsibilities befalls on every individual to nourish them with virtues of humanity, to hold them every time they falter as they march towards their journey of life. No qualities can flourish unless it is carefully projected. So let us join our hands together to strengthen the wings of these budding souls and guarantee their flight to the zenith of success.

SMALL HANDS FOR A BIG CAUSE

A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog” - these words of Jack London is much relevant in today’s world where people have but little concern for the poor and needy. Our world seems to have changed into a big rat race where, every activity of us serves a purpose, a purpose of desire, greed, and selfishness and vice. The entire human race seems to run towards the boundless horizon of success ignoring the importance of sharing.
Under such a commotion of self-seeking world, the children of Government Junior High School, Rhenock Bazar have rolled up their sleeves to preach the creed of “Sharing and Giving”. It was when Mr. Suman Thapa, an efficient teacher of the school came across “World Vision India” an international organization that has been working to create a lasting change in thousands of children, family and community living in poverty and injustice especially in India; felt the need of such community which creates a generous heart in our society. Sooner, with a strong support from Mrs. Sabnam Golay [Headmistress Rhenock Bazar, J.H.S.], when his Ideas were discussed with the students of the school, he was surprised to receive positive feedbacks. During one of the meetings, it was decided that their first step would be to sponsor orphan. They would save 50 paisa from their pocket money every day, which would amount to Rs. 15 per month. The total amount collected monthly from all the students of class VI, VII and VIII would be used to sponsor orphans through World Vision India. Eventually, with consistency and utmost passion, their reverie soon turned into reality and today these students are supporting life of two children. The sole purpose of involving students in such activity is to inculcate in them the importance of charity and giving to others in need even before the kids begins to earn their own money. Many parents wish to lavish their children with money, which the children squander it buying junk food. However, a small saving made out their useless spending would give a life to a destitute soul. Not only does this type of ‘giving’ provide a good feeling, but it also teaches kids, teens and adults to live on less than they earn. The importance of living beneath one’s means simply cannot be overstated, and charitable giving is one more way to achieve all important fiscal discipline.
Highly inspired by the work done by “World Vision India “and tireless effort taken by the students yielding fruitful results, the students of the school under the guidance of concurring teachers has now decided to work under a banner “Generous Students” a charitable community, that would sponsor our own local children and helps him/ her achieve basic necessities, education and food. It was surprising to know that even our Chief Minister gave affirmative consent to this Idea when discussed during an appointment.

“Generous STUDENT” would be a group of students committed to serve poor, orphan and needy local children by their full heart, irrespective of religion, caste and creed.
Objectives:
1. To generate in the student a sense of love, compassion and respect of God towards poor and needy children.
2. To involve students into social work, apart from imparting only bookish knowledge.
3. To enable student to reach among those children who have been deprived from education due to poverty and share physical, moral and financial supports to enable them to stand in the society.
4. To help inculcate in them their real responsibilities towards society, nation and world.
5. To nurture our students today into better human being for tomorrow.
6. To enable students to build their social status in the society.
7. Aware students regarding safeguarding of social justice for women and children.
How do we work: through-
1. Sponsorship: Life time sponsorship can be made to poor, needy children until they can stand on their own feet.
2. Community development: Community development based activities would be done by the students in the different sector of our locality.
3. Social Awareness: Student would involve in the various social awareness activities in and around our locality.
4. Fund rise: Each student would save Rs 0.50 per day from their pocket money and contribute to generous fund.

With such a confined resource the future prospects often seems vague. There would be numerous hurdles to confront with as these children march along their future endeavor. However, it is worth a try for the students who stand entwined with a resolute heart. The only focal point of all the efforts being to advocate the notion that no man stands as tall as when he knells to help a needy child with a generous heart, thus transforming the world to a better place worth to live in.
generous.student@gmail.com

Aritar; As I See...

Aritar bring back my younger days with the feeling of nostalgia. As children when we saw army helicopter hovering over Aritar maneuvering to land and take off, we would run towards helipad in Pedong hoping that the helicopter would come to Pedong too. Thus our insatiate desire of seeing the helicopter would be fulfilled when the helicopter from Aritar eventually come to Pedong. Taking a glimpse of Aritar from the other side of the mountain may not enthrall anyone but the hidden beauty of the Aritar can be felt when one is in the bosom of Aritar.
It has not been very long that I am associated with this place. When I came to Rhenock in 2004 the first thing that I wanted was to venture out Aritar and unfold the mysteries of my childhood. When I visited Aritar physically I felt my childhood dream was fulfilled. A poetic afflatus seized me when I was in the bosom of Aritar. Though not a poet, I could help but mutter words of Robert Frost “Woods are lovely dark and deep but I have promised to keep miles to go before I sleep”. Later on, through my regular visits the hidden beauty of Aritar began to unfold before me like a movie. Irrespective of children, adults and elders, Aritar provides entertainment for everyone. Sightseeing, boat riding, bird watching and trekking are the main attractions. Boating in Lampokhari Lake is not only refreshing and soothing but also entertaining. A visit to Mankhim in a clear day provides an awesome view of the mountain range. One can find oneself ever close to nature when one looks at the crystal clear mountain in front and meditate on the wonders of creation. The serene and beautiful landscape of Dalapchand village should not be ignored. Green paddy fields during transplantation and yellow color during harvesting time is a treat to viewers. There are enough avenues for a nature lover to explore in Aritar. Its proximity with natural resources puts Aritar on the pedestal in the vicinity. A visit to Aritar is a must cuisine in my menu those who come to visit from India and abroad. Whoever has visited, all have treasured the fond memories of beauty of Aritar. Aritar Dalapchand Lampokhari Development Society had done a yeoman service in bringing Aritar in the world map of tourism. It is in this context Lamphokhari festival, derives its importance. During this festival, peoples from different parts can muse into the social, economical, natural and environmental ethos of Sikkim. Aritar, if we look back three years from now, was not so fervent. The influx of picnickers during holidays is enough proof of how known Aritar has become.
Progress and development are the order of the day but we need to preserve the flora and fauna of the place and not displace them. People’s participation and awareness is of prime importance. In the regard I am of the view that ADLDS is working for the good of general public.The cameo inning begun by ADLDS must be hailed. Aritar, no doubt will be a place well known in the horizon of this earth.


By
Rev. Father Francis Banerjee [V.P. St Joseph's School , Rhenock. East Sikkim]

PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE

The 3rd day of November 2008 was more than just a ordinary day for me, as it was on this day I had once again stepped foot on one of the most venerated institution I have ever come across in my life, It had been almost seven years since I had left this institute, after completing my +2, and nothing much has changed here; every little thing around me was taking me back to my bygone glorious days. The morning assembly, as usual, starts with the singing of hymns accompanied with “harmonium” and “dholak” echoing in the serene atmosphere, the distinct visibility of the fidgety students amongst the “at- ease” students, the hurriedly racing student towards their classes afterwards.


But the difference between now and then was that, I had come here not as an adorable student but as a Computer teacher, A teacher, who is intended to teach a subject which is considered to be one of the miracles of scientific achievement, and here I was, a computer professional, expected to have experience, knowledge, wit, awareness and of course well equipped with so called “human random access memory”, I swear I was having second thoughts.

As I stepped for the first class, I had to face a volleys of ruthless question from the innocent faces, How to retrieve a lost password? How to fix audio problem in a PC? How to customize animation in a MS power pointer? What is an OS operating system? And so on and so forth…. Every time I would take my practical class, I would see a long queue of enthusiastic souls desperately waiting for their turn to come or I would always find someone lurking by the door, waiting to have a glimpse of this weird machine or hoping to feel their dream machine.

Whatever might be their outlook, they had one thing in common, engraved in them, and that was their pursuit of Knowledge. They had strong contemplation and now they were ready for action. It was a perception that lurked in my mind and my inner voice that kept saying that these are our future of the nation who would make a difference in the future to come. Their queries were nothing but a quest to quench their thirst of knowledge, sparkling like a star in the midnight darkness. Their hand so fragile yet their mind so tough, geared up to take challenges of the modern world.

I believe that the triumph of a student is not only the aim of teachers teaching at schools and colleges, but of every individual living in a society, it must be realized that it is the responsibilities of each one of us to nourish them with virtues of humanity, to hold the hands and pull them up every time they falter as they march towards their journey of life. No talents can flourish unless it is nurtured and projected so; let us join our hands together to strengthen the wings of these budding souls and guarantee their flight to the zenith of success.

LAMPOKHARI PARYATAN MAHOTSAV A CARNIVAL OF CULTURAL RESTORATION

Today, the world has already stepped into the millennium of 21st Century, where nothing has remained unexplored from the clutches of man’s perception, a century which is indeed a landmark of scientific progression and a manifestation of technological advancement. Be it a common layman or an elite individual, his existence is directly or indirectly inclined towards technological gadgets of the modern world. But, as we give a closer look at the overall present scenario, we have lost more than what we have gained. The closer we approach towards mechanical prosperity, the further we are alienated from the divinity of nature. Mankind is an astounding creation of nature and should live in commune with nature; else his extinction is inevitable. New emerging global problems like global warming, nuclear terror, terrorism and water crisis have already crippled the world to an alarming situation. Under such waves of modernization, Aritar, though, a tiny speck of a place, has been preaching the creeds of nature to the world, to safeguard our natural resources, prosperous culture and traditions endangered by the ravages of time.
Aritar, a place of aesthetic beauty, where nature has bestowed its divinity, where tradition religion and culture are still worshipped with great devotion and humanity engraved into the very blood of people, caters itself for a distinction position. If we go back to history of our Aritar, its significance is much commendable, as it stands profound with historical facts, ethnic possessions and enchanting beauty, but history bearing these testimonies has never been comprehended.
Lampokhari Paryatan Mahotsov, a tourism festival celebrated in the month of April, is in- fact a manifesto of cultural and ethnic prosperity; an effort to heal the frailty of modern man and resort him back in commune with nature. The festival offers a platform where we can comprehend about our culture, our society and more specifically about the place where we are living for years, yet known nothing of it; it enlightens us with the virtues of brotherhood and humanity that generates love among our people.
The aspiration focused by Aritar Dalapchand Lampokhari Development
Society (ADLDS) is not only confined to Aritar and Dalapchand, but its objective is to bring the entire Rongli Sub- Division on map of tourism. In order to ascertain this, a lot more is expected from the local people. Goaded with every kind of inherent talents they possess, for the time has come for us to step into the arena and wrestle for achieving desired goals and make Aritar an ultimate eco-tourism destination in the world. At the present period of modernization and globalization, when the world is marching towards scientific & technological advancement, cultural integration and many more, we are undeniably lagging behind somewhere or the other.
It must be realized that a sound change in our attitude should be brought about, reviving our outlook towards the society which is our very own. It must be understood that the sole purpose of this festival is to promote tourism and safeguard the rich ethnic culture and tradition of Sikkim.
Finally, I would like to take this privilege to thank and offer my hearty congratulation to the member of ADLDS, the Department of Tourism, Department of Culture and Heritage, Different companies and every Individual who has directly or indirectly contributed to this noble effort.

My acquaintance with Archery in Aritar.

My acquaintance towards treditional archery would have never been pretty comprehensive, if only my dad would not have taken this sport as his biggest passion. Being the only Nepali archer from the place, his keenness has infact dragged my attention to know more about this sport? Since my kindergarten days, I have watched his dexterous hand smoothing the edges of bamboo by a 'Khukuri', thereby creating a slender bow that could hit any target.

Aritar, being one of the nearest places in Sikkim to share its border with Bhutan, boasts to have conducted this traditional archery tournament for centuries. The tournament indeed had started since the reign of The Chogyals.  People lay numerous assumptions regarding the origin of this historic game. However, the most accepted one is that archery in Sikkim had found its way from Bhutan, a small country bordering Sikkim.

 

 For centuries Bhutan had quarantined itself from the outside world. High hills and Rough Mountain had also contributed to save Bhutan from the foreign intruders. In Bhutan every man was considered to be a soldier, defending their country with bows and arrows, thus, archery became their national sport. When the archers play their game, the women dance and sing. Their songs are usually about complaints, sometimes they also complain about their King, so that he may learn what their people are thinking.

As time pass by, archery as a sports in Sikkim has catered its own identity, it is a game which are played between two teams consisting of nine [9] players from each team. Two planks of wooden boards are place at a distance of approximately half a kilometer as a target. These planks of wooden piece are termed as “Maka” or “Baa” in Bhutia language which means, target. When the arrow hits the target [Kari], the team fetches two points, when it lands with the range of one foot from the target [Dhago], the team fetches 1 point. The players dress themselves in “Bakkhu” or “Kho” and “Hendachi” [the upper garment]. Before starting the tournament the monks [Lamas] offer a short prayer so that the deity would safeguard the players from any uncertainties during the match. The players drink Chang [juice of fermented millet] from a huge container [Sutuk].

Today, with the waves of modernization, archery as one of the traditional games of Sikkim is losing its significance. Archery, which was once so much adored by the people of Sikkim, is finally at the verge of extension. Any game of any category helps us to develop human reflex and senses. Archery, for instance helps in developing ones consistency, firmness and accuracy. Moreover, it is also a game of our pride played by sharing our love and belongingness.      

 

    

        

COMPUTER EDUCATION IN SIKKIM SCHOOL

It is a known fact that computer find a wide variety of applications in different spheres of life. With an increase in their widespread use and their ever-increasing popularity, computer education has become the need of the day.

Computers have brought about a revolution across all industries. They have changed the face of society. They are no longer specialized tools to be used by specially trained people. They are ubiquitous and used in almost every sphere of life. they can serve as huge knowledge bases and can be harnessed for all sorts of financial transactions owing to their processing power and storage capacities. As computers are a daily utility, they have gained immense importance in day-to-day life. Their increasing utility has made computer education the need of the day. 
But these facts do not appear to be much identified in Sikkim. It is a known fact that our State’s Educationist has left no stone unturned to bring quality education in the schools of Sikkim but as far as computer education is concerned, which is one of the most important factors of modern education, is still ignored and quiescent. The computer system which had been installed at Schools years ago has now become obsolete; no further upgradation to these antique pieces has been initiated since then. Most of the Computer classes in school look like computer museum with the oldest version of operating system, rather than a class that imparts modern edification. Students, especially from the rural areas are far isolated from computer education. Computer instructor who has resolved to step in such arena has to confront numerous adversities. Inspite of the low and untimely salary, most of the computer teachers are working effectively for the all round development of the students. There is no special department which looks after the welfare of computer education or any medium which intercedes for its interest. It is rather a mirage in the desert of solitude endangered of getting eroded with the squall of ignorance. 
Any individual, with the knowledge of computers is considered trainable for many kinds of jobs, as most of the jobs involve the use of computers. Computer education is an eligibility criterion for almost all of the modern-day jobs. As, Sikkim itself is emerging in the field of tourism, herbal medicines, biodiversity, mountains expedition etc. Hence, a lot of employment can be created in this field by developing information technology, and network marketing. Further, Higher education involving network administration, hardware maintenance or software skills open doors for brighter job opportunities.
Thus, it should be realized that computer education plays a very significant role in the all round development of the student. It not only equips our students to face challenges of the modern world but also widens their scope of employability. Computer education in Sikkim undeniably awaits both subjective and objective contemplation.