BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

ARITAR, a place bestowed with rich cultural, historical significance, exotic nature and ethnic people, has inspired me to take keen interest and ponder further into the prosperity of Sikkim. Observing things that happen around me in my daily life and capturing it with my camera has now become my biggest passion. It not only helps me to cherish the moment but also becomes a medium of letting our young people understand the value of our place.  I always remember these lines which I had  read during my early days, which says "As long as you hold fast to your tradition, the key of prison is in your hand"

INDRA JATRA 2015 IN SIKKIM [GANGTOK] 27/09/2015

INDRA JATRA- 2015

ORGANISED BY SIKKIM NEWA GUTHI

PLACE- GANGTOK, EAST SIKKIM

DATE: 27/09/2015

CHIEF GUEST: HON'BLE CHIEF WHIP GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM, SHRI BIKRAM PRADHAN.

INDRA JATRA ORGANIED BY SIKKIM NEWAR GUTHI AT GANGTOK 2015

Why Indra Jatra is celebrated?

Indra Jatra is a vibrant festival celebrated by Nepalese "NEWAR" community. It is belived that many centuries ago, Indra (king of Heaven)’s mother needed specially scented flowers (Parijat). Indra looked for them but could not find them in heaven. Indra discovered Parijat flowers in the Kathmandu Valley and tried to steal them for his mother. He was caught and imprisoned by people in the Valley. Indra’s mother came searching for him and people were shocked to know what they had done. They released Indra and dedicated one of the most colourful festivals of Nepal to him to calm down his anger. This festival lasts for eight days with singing, mask dancing and jubilation. Various masked dances like Pulu Kishi(elephant dance ), Lakhe, Sawa Bhakhu and Mahakali dances are performed at various places. Indra is thanked for the rains and assured once again that he is respected in the Kathmandu Valley.

We also come to hear another version of belief for the celebration of Indra Jatra which remarks that the "NEWAR" community, intimately linked the festival as devotees giving thanks to Lord Indra for rains, good crops and good harvest.

This festival has been officially declared as a State Holiday in Sikkim by the Government.

Lampokhari, My Paradise.

Amidst the serene air
Where chirping of birds echoes in my ear.
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