Lampokhari, My Paradise.

Amidst the serene air
Where chirping birds and rustling leaves echo in air.
The mighty Himalaya halos your divinity.
Verdent hills ornament thy with florescent flowers.
Such are the beauties of your mighty grandeur.


As the sun peeps from the distant horizon,
Fairy rays of arrows outpour from the heavenly quiver.
The ducks shiver and paddle, releasing streams of ripples
And glimmers you in the dazzling light of silver.

As I linger around your bending brink,
Gentle wind whispering words of creed.
a trance from sordid life and human dearth
I walk away from the pathos of dubious earth.

I get lured in the prophecies of silent breeze.
Is it real or am I walking on the stairway of heaven?
If such is thy beauty where people are mesmerised,
Why would anyone desire to fancy an unseen paradise?

ST.JOSEPH’S PARISH, RHENOCK-ARITAR, EAST SIKKIM Historical Background of Establishment

God has plan and priority. It was in 1951, Late Fr. Leonard Molomu a diocesan priest from Pedong , made the first attempt to spread the Gospel of Christ in Sikkim. At that time the entire Kalimpong sub-division was under Canon Regular fathers from St. Maurice Abbey, Switzerland. The  mission was being run by erecting  Apostolic Prefecture of Sikkim and much to our knowledge there were no catholic church and other establishments in Sikkim. Sikkim was forbidden land for foreigners . Fr. Molomu  ventured to penetrate this forbidden land via Rhenock. He started a formal school at Rhenock Bazar ( Present Police station site). But God has a plan for Rhenock but not the PRIORITY. Fr. Molomu had to shift this mission to Pakyong.

In 1955, Mr. Puspa Kumar Pradhan a descendant of Tintaley House got married with  Rose Mary Pradhan daughter of Late George Pradhan ( father of Henry Sir) of Pedong. They were the first catholic couple in the entire Rhenock-Aritar area. In 1982, I was in Gangtok Teachers’ Training Institute from where I was promoted as head of Institution of Rhenock Sr. Secondary School. Now at least we were two catholic households . Later on the families of Mr. Dawa(justin) Sherpa & Mr. John Khawas joined us. We used to attend mass services either at Sacred Heart Church Pedong OR Christ the King Church Pakyong. It was for the first time we had Mass service at Mr. P.K Pradhan’s House in 1983. Fr. Alphonse Lingdamo who happened to be the Parish Priest of Pakyong  visited  us  from time to time. By the time two more households as catechumen joined us and it has become necessary to establish a mission centre. Late Philomena Pradhan mother of Mr. P.K Pradhan donated a small plot of land . Fr. Edu Sanges , the PP of Pakyong helped us to erect a chapel in this donated land in 1986. ( The present church structure is the same chapel with slight modifications).   Rt.Rev. Eric Benjamin, late Bishop of Darjeeling Diocese blessed this chapel dedicating the same to St. Joseph, the patron saint of workers on the 1^st May 1986. Since then this house of worship meets the spiritual need of more than 30 families.

Late Bishop Eric had rightly remarked that it is through education apostolate Christ could be made known to the people of Sikkim. An effort has been made to established an English Medium school. While Mr. P.K Pradhan & myself in process for acquiring a suitable plot of land, the diocese installed Rev. Fr. Rene Singh  as Parish Priest of Rhenock-Rongli quasi parish in 1993. A three-roomed house belonging to Mr. P.K Pradhan was rented as priest residence near to the chapel. Under the guidance of Fr. Rene, the PP, we detected a plot of land at Chandra Nursery. We approached Late M.P Pradhan ( Ex-Chief Secretary) who in spite of his reluctance agreed to sale more than 7 acres of land holding for school purpose. Some non-catholic brethren from Rhenock bazar extended their valuable cooperation in acquiring this land, the prominent personality is Mr. R.K Pradhan . Rev. Fr. Rene was successful in getting fund  from Germany and constructed a Multi purpose church-cum –priest’s residence in this newly acquired land which was registered in the name of St. Joseph School. The school started functioning with 41 students in 1994.  

In 1997 the Cluny Provincialate of Kalimpong  belonging to St. Joseph Cluny congregation erected a convent with three sisters ( Srs. Mary Matilda, Maria Goreti, Yevone).These nuns were a new experience for the people of Rhenock Area. They served not only the school but parish also . Presently they are preparing children and catechumen for sacraments, lead mata samaj, and helping parishioners for spiritual build up by weekly house visit & participating in SCC meetings.

                                                                                    Compiled by

                                                                                    Mr. Isaac Mukhia

PLASTIC WASTE DISPOSAL PLANT- A UNIQUE CONCEPT TO CURTAIL PLASTIC EFFECT

It was during one of the morning assemblies of our school [Rhenock Senior Secondary School] I realized two students from Class XII science [Mr. Aditya Prasad and Mr. Sagar Pradhan] being felicitated with wild roars and cheers by the students. As the principal stepped to proclaim the landmark achievements of these two students and later when Aditya Prasad shared his experiences, I came to understand that out of 130 schools participating in the science project seminar in Sikkim, only four had managed to get selected for the national level science project seminar, one being Govt. Sr. Sec. School, Rhenock. A flash of pride ran across the face of every teachers present in the assembly. After few days when I came across the news of our school being selected as one of the fourth school to enter into the national seminar being held at Delhi, my joys left no boundaries.

My curiosity to know more about the specialty of the science project made me ponder that the science project was about PLASTIC WASTE DISPOSAL PLANT. Plastic, being one of the most pollutant and non- degradable commodity has become a biggest threat to the mankind to confront with. However, the innovative minds of these students have designed a plant which would not only help curtail the disastrous effect of plastic waste but use its residue for a productive purpose.

PLASTIC WASTE DISPOSAL PLANT: The plant would consist of a large heating chamber to store huge plastic waste. This chamber would be heated under certain temperature which could melt the plastic. As the plastics melts, the gas emitted in the form of hydrocarbon would be channelized through a pipe. The Pipe would pass through a condenser of 0^O to -5 ^O Celsius, condensing the gas into lubricants which would be further collected into a special container.

 PRODUCTIVE USE OF THE RESIDUE: The residual of plastic inside the heating chamber after heating can be mixed with bitumen, the end product can be used for construction of roads. The lubricant formed by condensing the hydrocarbon gas would yet have many useful purposes.

CONSTRAINTS: Though the design of plastic waste plant has been highly appreciated by the judges, it also has lots of hurdles to confront with. To prototype a heating chamber that would melt the plastic waste at certain temperature would need some strong brainstorming. The amount of bitumen to be mixed with the residue or should it be mixed with other chemical to obtain a strong tar, are some of the questions which require an answer to.

There can emerge numerous problems and questions on its feasibility on the process of its making. However, this designed model of plastic waste disposal would create a landmark in the history of inventions. The design would not only epitomize the potential minds of two science students but more importantly it has the capacity to mitigate the hazardous effect of plastic toxicity and thus save our planet from further pollution.

       

MLA BIKRAM PRADHAN'S INNITIATION

TO

THE EDITOR

SIKKIM EXPRESS



SUBJECT: MLA PRADHAN’S PERSUIT OF PROSPERITY.



“I am not a leader of words but of deeds” is a common remark that any leader would outcry in any of their public speech. However, there is one such leader in my vicinity who has really proved himself to be a man of contemplation and action and he is no other than our Hon’ble MLA Shri Bikram Pradhan. Though, being one of the youngest MLAs, his is also entitled as the Chief Whip of the Government of Sikkim.  Recently he has come up with two remarkable plans, one being installing a suggestion box [Janta Ko Aawaz] and the other being, providing helpline number of SDM office and GVK office to the public of 20 Chujachen.

This has brought a great revolution in the constituency. The idea of installing a suggestion box at the heart of Rongli Bazar has not only enhanced his public communication but this has also provided a platform for the people to voice their suggestion or making comments about any developmental works executed in the constituency. It has come to my knowledge that people are also taking the opportunity to suggest innovative and feasible works that ought to be undertaken in the public interest.

Provision of helpline numbers of SDM and GVK office to the people has indeed added more flavor to his affirmative thought. 20 Chujachen being the biggest Constituency in East Sikkim, there are places far flung, where people commute from distant place to these offices. Sometimes it so happens that, these people has to return back home in sheer discontentment for not being able to complete their work, due to absence of officers or incomplete documents. Hence, the helpline number would be a biggest boon for the people to conform the availability of officers or required and relevant documents to be taken for procurement of certain certificate thus saving their time and money.

I on behalf of the people of 20 Constituency would like to take the privilege of thanking him for his dedicated service to the people. His approach has been deliberate and fruitful for the people. We anticipate volleys of strategic plans and developmental works form him in the future. We wish him every success in his future endeavors.



Sandeep Pradhan

20 Chujachen.

SHRI H.N. SHARMA- CONFERRED WITH "CHITRAKARITA SHRI SAMMAN-2014" AWARD BY SIKKIM SAHITYA PARISAD

It is indeed a matter of pride for the people of Aritar, Chujachen that Shri H.N. Sharma who is a science teacher by profession working at Government Senior Secondary School, Rhenock was conferred with a prestigious Chitrakarita Shri Samman 2014 by the renowned Sikkim Sahitya Parisad. Shri. H.N. Sharma is a man of multiple talents. He is a  good teacher, a philosopher, a painter, a sculpture a good musician and a person with good sense of humour. He was also felicitated by the School (Govt Sr Sec School, Rhenock) for this meritorious achievement on the eve of independence day celebration 2014.   

Miss. Narbada Mangar launches her own debut poetry "Jagrukta Ka Aawaz Haru".

Rhenock has always been a birth place of many renowned Nepali literary figures like Shiva kumar Rai, Lucky Devi Sundas and many more neitave writers in the history of nepali literature. At this juncture of time it has given birth to yet another youthful daughter, a 17 years old, Miss Narbada Mangar, from Sudunglakha, Rhenock, East Sikkim, and  a students of (Class XII, Rhenock sr sec school). She has recently published a compilation of almost 50 poems in her debut poetry ''Jagrukta Ka Aawaj Haru'' which highlights the frailties of humans in todays world and attempts to bring awareness among our people.
It is remarkably that, a girl of such tender age is not only aware of the plight of people living in our society and prevalence of anti- social elements like corruption and distortions in our society but  also writes fluently about the causes and effects of such heinous activities with her dexterous hand, thus adding more feather to the cap of nepali literature. 

LAMPOKHARI TOURISM FESTIVAL- 2013

ARITAR GUMPA MELA- 2013

ARITAR GUMPA MELA- 2013
DATE- 31/01/2013

BIRDS OF ARITAR & SIKKIM

Aritar, which is nestled in the laps of Himalaya falls under Chujacjen Constituency. Aritar is recently emerging as a hot- spot for bird watching, as diverse varieties of birds of Asian and Indian Sub- Continent are found here. Furthermore, Aritar shares its boundary with Bhutan, as such the forest of Aritar also harbors many species of birds found in Bhutan. 

GRAY BELLIED CUCKOO

WHITE THROATED REDSTART

WHITE THROATED REDSTART (FEMALE)

WHITE THROATED LAUGHING THRUSH

WHITE BROWED BUSH ROBIN

WHITE BROWED BUSH ROBIN

WALLCREEPER

STRIATED LAUGHING THRUSH

RUFOUS GORGETTED FLYCATCHER

RUFOUS- BREASTED BUSH ROBIN

PLAIN MOUNTAIN FINCH

PLAIN BACKED THRUSH (ALPINE THRUSH)

ORANGE BILLED MAGPIE

ORANGE BELLIED LEAF BIRD

MOROON BACKED ACCENTOR

FIRE TAILED SUNBIRD

EURASIAN WREN

RUSSET SPARROW

HUME'S WARBLER

WHITE THROATED FANTAIL

BLUE WINGED MINLA

GREY HOODED WARBLER

VALBET FRONTED NUTHATCH

RUFOUS BELLIED NILTAVA (FEMALE)

RUFOUS BELLIED NILTAVE (MALE)

DARD BREASTED ROSEFINCH

BLUE FRONTED REDSTART

BLUE FRONTED ROBIN

RUSTY FRONTED BARWING

SPOTTED FORKTAIL

HIMALAYAN BLUE TAIL

BRONZED DRONGO

ALPINE ACCENTOR

PLANITIVE CUCKOO

Black chinned yuhina
शुलसुले

RUSSET SPARROW

WHITE CRESTED LAUGHING THRUSH

BLUE WHISTLING THRUSH

COMMON GREEN MAGPIE

BLUE THROATED BARBET

BLACK DRONGO

The large hawk-cuckoo

Red billed Leiothrix

Velvet fronted nuthatch
जुरे चरी

GREY HEADED CARANY FLYCATCHER

TICKELL'S THRUSH

ORIENTAL WHITE EYE

Crested Serpent Eagle

ASHY BULBUL

RUFOUS WOODPECKER
सानु तांबे लाचे

VERDITER FLYCATCHER

GOLDEN THRATED BARBET

Yellow cheeked tit

Himalayan Cutia (Female)

Black faced warbler

Striked Spiderhunter
लामो ठुढ़े माकुरी चरी

COMMON IORA

Orange Bellied Leafbird

Green beaked Malkoha

Black throated parrotbill

Yellow-Footed Green Pigeon
होलेशो

Grey Bushchat juvenile

Whiskered Yuhina

GREEN BACKED TIT

Red billed Leiothrix

Silver eared Mesia

BLUE CAPPED ROCK THRUSH

Long tailed shrike

GREEN TAILED SUNBIRD

TICKELL'S  THRUSH

VERDITER FLYCATCHER

Crimson- Breasted Woodpecker

GREY WINGED BLACK BIRD [MALE]

Sapphire flycatcher female

White-breasted kingfisher

Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica: gauthali)

Rufous Sibia (Heterophasia capistrata: charcharay)

Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae). 

ORIENTAL MAGPIE

 Rufous Sibia (Charcharay)

MINIVET: RANICHARA

INDIAN ROLLER

HIMALAYAN FOREST THRUSH

MINIVET [RANICHARI]

crimson sunbird

YELLOW HEADED THRUSH

BLUE CAPED ROCK THRUSH

Orange bellied leafbird

Blue caped rock thrush

HONEY GUIDE

FIRE TAILED SUNBIRD

CRESTED SERPENT EAGLE

TAIGA FLYCATCHER 

WHITE RUMPED MUNIA

GREY CAPPED PYGMY WOODPECKER

The striated laughingthrush

MAROON ORIOLE

SCARLET MINIVET (FEMALE)
रानी चरा

SCARLET MINIVET (FEMALE)
रानी चरा

White browed scimitar babbler

Rufous Gorgetted Flycatcher

BLACK WINGED CUCKOO SHRIKE

COMMON GREEN MAGPIE

WHITE BELLIED DRONGO

GREY BUSHCHAT

MAROON ORIOLE [लामा चरा]

LONG TAILED SHRIK [भद्रायो ]

LITTLE PIED FLYCATCHER [FEMALE]

LITTLE PIED FLYCATCHER [MALE]

GREATER YELLOWNAPE WOODPECKER

GREY BUSHSCHAT

WHITE RUMPED MUNIA

SUNBIRD FEMALE

ORIENTAL ROBIN MAGPIE

GREATER COUCAL

RED TAILED MINLA

SCALY THRUSH

SCALY THRUSH

PLUMBIOUS REDSTART

COMMON KINGFISHER

RUSSEET SPARROW

BARRED WINGED FLYCATCHER

ANSIAN BARRED OWLET

JUNGLE THRUSH

HIMALAYAN BULBUL

HIMALAYAN CUCKOO

SLATY- BACKED FLYCATCHER

LONG TAILED BROADBILL

GREY WINGED BLACK BIRD

white throated kingfisher

white browed fantail

Black Throated Tit

Blue Fronted Redstart

THE HIMALAYAN FLAMEBACK

LARGE NILTAVE

SMALL NILTAVA

LESSER NECKLACED LAUGHING THRUSH

Rufous Necked Laughing Thrush

WHITE CAPPED REDSTART

LONG TAILED SHRIKE

CHESTNUT- TAILED STARLING

COMMON TAILORBIRD

PLAINTIVE CUCKOO

HOARY THROATED BARWING

BLUE TAILED MINLA

NEPAL FULVETTA

grey capped pygmy woodpecker

RUFOUS BELLIED EAGLE

White Browed Rosefinch female

TURTLE DOVE

HIMALAYAN THRUSH