Kingstone Ward, Aritar GPU, Pakyong District, Sikkim

 

THE LOST GLORY

 The lost Glory

There once used to be 

An earth so green 

Cold wind blowing over the mountains 

Were clean

There once used to flow 

River so blue 

Words spoken those days 

Were true.

Morning dawn was full of twittering birds

That kept people's heart 

Full of trust.

But now the glory has been killed 

Trust and faith has been sealed 

Happiness has flown to distant horizon 

Love and care lies dead and frozen 

Every heart I feel is full of fear 

Ever eye I see is full of tear

The earth is barren so is our soul

What lies ahead are 

Starkey darkness with satanic growl.

Where are our virtues? 

Where are our foes?

Who raptured humanity 

With scars and sores?

Our world shall remain the same

Unless we find a perfect frame

Stars of Earth

 Stars of Earth 

"Stars of Earth" we summon you

For your are the future with virtues new

Stars of Earth, upon you we lay our Faith

For your are our successor to surpass our death

"Stars of Earth" on your shoulder we rest our burden 

For you are our hope to cleanse the world so mundane

But with the ravage of time 

you seen to have lost the spark.

Your heart turning bleak and your spirits dark.

Tell me who has overcast your life with the darkest cloud? 

And doomed your destiny with plague and drought.

With hopes shattered everwhere the tears run dry

Amidst the crowd echoes a wailing mother's cry

What has turned you so evil?

What has turned you so pale?

If so be your nature a deceiving trails 

What would redeem us from torments we fail?

CAN THE DEMAND OF AD-HOC TEACHERS BE JUSTIFIED?

I can’t understand why people develop such trivial attitude towards adhoc teachers in Sikkim. The recent facebook status uploaded by many people regarding their dislike towards the adhoc teachers’ demand and the comments made by some dim-witted people calling them losers and incompetent, whereas some making a mockery out of them while some giving them a political stance were indeed so defiant that I could not refrain from outpouring my opinion.

It is evident that the adhoc teachers have been playing a significant role in the holistic development of our students. Their contribution towards the students’ scholastic and co- scholastic sphere is at par to the contribution made by any regular teachers. The demands laid forth by the adhoc teachers are quite justifiable to some extent.

Competency of Ad-hoc Teachers- Many time I come across post on Social Medias where people call ad-hoc teachers incompetent. It is a known fact that, in order to get a job of a teacher one has to undergo a series of almost six exams and interviews. Starting with their prescribed qualification like Bachelor Degree for GT, Master Degree for PGT and Class XII for primary teacher [1], followed by entrance exam for perusing B.Ed or D.El.Ed degree [2], only after passing the entrance one get to pursue the said degree. After a prolong study of two or one year and undergoing workshop based activities one is eligible to sit for the final exam of B.Ed or D.El.Ed degree [3]. The journey of qualifying for teacher does not end here. Furthermore, one has to prepare for Teacher’s Eligibility Test [STET] [4]. Only after qualifying the hurdles of these four exams they are eligible for written [5] and viva- voice interview [6]. Therefor it is understood that a teacher working on ad-hoc basis has definitely qualified four series of examinations, which I doubt any employee working under any department would do. Despite being goaded with such qualification and experience so much of almost 23 years people call them incompetent.

Does ad- hoc teachers fail to qualify interview? Well! Handful of them do but majority of them have the capability to qualify but the post created by the department is so less that they cannot get through. For a ley man’s example, if 4 sweets are kept in front of ten children, how many would eat it, obviously four fastest children would get the opportunity [qualify] to have it, but does it mean that the other six are incompetent or failure? One should understand that every new post created are being filled up by teachers who were working on ad- hoc basis earlier.

Feasibility for regionalizing ad-hoc teachers completing 5 years and above- The Government itself has made provision to regularize ad- hoc, work charge and MR employees working in various departments who have completed 5 years and above, then why is there so much reluctance to imply the same provision for ad-hoc teachers who have all the prescribed qualification as per NCTE norms and service term? Teaching being a profession which requires ample experience, the prescribed criteria of 5 years and above best fits for ad- hoc teachers.

Do schools in Sikkim require more regular teachers? The answer would definitely be YES! The recent data on regular and ad-hoc teachers ratio shows that majority of the teachers working in school of Sikkim are under Ad- hoc basis. The data is best justified when ad-hoc teachers had called for pen down strike in the previous year, majority of the school had suffer due to lack of regular teachers. Further, with the recent notification on upgradation of schools, one can easily figure out that more teachers are required for those schools.  

Taking into account the above predicaments, if provision be made for regular continuation or regularization for ad-hoc teachers, than this will indirectly benefit the students in the long run, as schools would be getting teachers from the very beginning of their academic session, principles and headmasters need not go for customary rat- race, hunting for the teachers in the department when the school starts.

Since there aren’t adequate regular posts created by the department, the ad-hoc teachers are at least filling that vacant post in most of the schools, and have been a great asset for overall affairs of the school administration. They are teachers who have spent 5 to 10 years or even more years of their life, imparting education to the students; they are age- barred and unable to opt for other job. Inspite of job insecurity, and family pressure, they have devoted their life for creating good doctors, engineers, teachers and above all good citizens of our society out of plain students. Their versatility is show when students are inspired and involved in different school activities or through NGOs like Red Ribbon.

After all the contribution they have been making to this noble profession, the ad-hoc teacher does not deserve to be treated like a scum.   The department ought to make some provision for them to work in a secure environment. furthermore, some strategic amenities like regular continuation for teachers who have not completed prescribed term [with fresh appointment order every year], remunerating the teachers on seniority basis, making certain reservation for adhoc teachers while recruiting regular teachers, provision for availing maternity leave [if they should have the right to conceive] or giving some relaxation on TET criterion, can be managed by the department so that the adhoc teachers feel that their efforts are being acknowledged.   

The recently ongoing turmoil of has set a rift between ad-hoc teachers and the department. This has not only disrupted school functioning, but has posed a threat to the students from completion of their syllabus. The Human Resource Development Department, which is considered to be the most venerated and elite department of Sikkim should come- up with convincing strategy and curb the growing rift at its earliest, because in the long run, students are the one who are suffering from this commotion.    

Teaching is one such profession which needs optimum dedication and commitment. Therefore, it is the duty and responsibility of every individual to encourage their potentialities and motivate them to work even better for the students, rather than making a mockery out of them on social networks and portraying them with baseless political fabric. As majority of the ad-hoc teacher are young and energetic, the department should relish the opportunity to outsource their potentialities for the betterment of the students. Every youth are not useless but they are used less, Moreover, they are also the sons and daughters of the soil who epitomize a true Sikkimese.      

HURDLES OF GORKHALAND

Gorkhaland movement is not a new phenomenon; in fact the movement finds its history unfolded way back in the year 1907 when THE HILLMAN ASSCOIATION had first been vocal to raise the demand of separate Gorkha region. Subsequently, the demand for Gorkhaland was carried out by Subash Gishing, the supremo of Gorkha Natioanl Liberation Front in 1980s. However, the short- term movement came to an abrupt end with the formation of Darjeeling Gorkah Hill Council [DGHC]. Since then the hill was apparently experiencing serene atmosphere for a decade or more but underneath discontentment was gradually engulfing the heart of people as DGHC had failed to satisfy the expectance of the people. When turmoil gradually overcast in the atmosphere of hills, Bimal Gurung, under his newly formed party Gorkha Janamukti Morcha, started gaining much popularity in the hills; He thus became the torchbearer for Gorkhaland movement. Under his leadership, few short- term movement was launched demanding for separate statehood, each having unexpected failure. Ultimately, his spark became feeble when he was handed the treasury key of Gorkha Terotorial Administration [GTA].

Speculating over the history of Gorkhaland, the following factors can be generalized which attributes to its failure

1.      LACK OF FARSIGHTEDNESS AMONG OUR LEADERS: Be it Subash Ghishing or his predecessors, all have shown signs of lack of farsightedness. Almost all the movement started rampantly, which lacked proper strategy as to what the leader were up to and what were the people supposed to do. What could easily be concluded was that the entire movement was based on trial and error method. The leaders failed to convince the entire mass, thus losing the overall involvement of people. Deviating from the target goal of Gorkhaland and accepting DCHC and GTA as an ultimate option consequently triggered an adverse effect on the aspiration of the people.  

2.      LACK OF TRUST BETWEEN THE LEADERS AND THE PEOPLE: It is hard to figure out, whether it’s lack of accountability of our leaders or lack of transparency, if not everyone, majority of the people would turn discontent among the leader during the course of movement. The adamant demeanor of the leader would always provoke discontentment among the general masses. Furthermore, even the people would falter by being suspicious towards their leader thereby losing their ground and easily fall prey to the self-generated perception of every individual.  

3.      EXCESSIVE DOMINATION OF RELIGION, CASTE AND COMMUNITY: it is a known fact that there is always a tendency of Hill people getting excessively influenced by Religion, Cast or Community. For instance, Jaswant Singh’s candidature as a BJP representing the Hills in MP election was very hard to be accepted for many minority Gorkhas, as their insecurity always asserted BJP to be the replica of Hindutva. Such notion among the people results in losing unity among the people and consequently pollutes the entire scenario with vanity. Similarly, viewing every plan of action initiated by the leaders with suspicion by one religion or cast or community to the other would again pacify the momentum of the movement.

4.      LACK OF CONCEPT REGARDING GORKHALAND: It was really overwhelming to come across many posts on social medias like facebook and whatsapp which clarified the very concept of why Gorkhaland? As many of us are seldom aware of what the actual cause is? I still remember, talking to friends during college days, it was baffling to come across some who hardly knew what the demand for Gorkhaland was all about. Such ignorance and insensitivity of our people has been the root cause of hindrance to the entire movement.

5.      EDUCATE YOURSELF AND EDUCATE OUR BENGALI BRETHREN WITH THE LEGITIMACY OF GORKHALAND DEMAND: majority of our Bengali brethren have turned hostile with our demand as they are under false assumption that Gorkhas are trying to snatch away their land. However, the reality is that Gorkhas has claimed to only what were legitimately theirs, Darjeeling and the adjoining hills which had been and is being nurtured by the Gorkhas. For example, Darjeeling was always part of Sikkim until 1835, when the king of Sikkim presented Darjeeling to be used as a sanatorium by the British under certain accorded agreements. Likewise, Kalimpong too was a part of Sikkim, which was later on snatched by Bhutan and consequently by British India.  We can educate our nation through Social Medias or through dialects. However, using of abusive language on social media would worsen the entire scenario. Do not involve in baseless quarrel on social medias rather copy and paste the write- ups on the history of Gorkhas, I bet there are plenty available on your wall.

6.      UNITY AMONG THE LOCAL POLITICAL PARTIES:  it is indeed commendable to seen our local parties united under the banner of Gorkhaland at this juncture. However, the scenario was not similar during the previous movements. Walking the trails of Gorkhaland Movement, the milestones have frequently been marked with the blots of disintegration among our political parties which has eventually led to fights and quarrels among our own people.

I am sure there are numerous other factors apart from the mentioned above, which have remained unnoticed or untouched by my confined knowledge. However, I feel it is the responsibility of every Gorkha to contemplate on factors which turn out impetuous on our journey of Gorkhaland. It is thus necessary to initiate remedial measure to curb every factor which becomes a hurdle in our march to Gorkhaland. The Gorkhaland demand which has surfaced with much intensity in the recent days is indeed a century old demand. The demand for separate statehood named “Gorkhaland” is much justified in all technical aspects of Indian Constitution. Historically, the place had always been inhabited by the indigenous Gorkhas since time immemorial. Constitutionally, the place has every feasible criterion to qualify herself to the formation of a separate state as culturally and linguistically nothing is found common between the ruled and the ruler. Darjeeling which was once considered as a heavenly abode or “the queen of hills” has not only lost her beauty but has been kept in the darkness of ignorance and deprivation.

The biggest reason as to why the issue of Gorkhaland has been sidelined hitherto by both center and state is because both the forms of government have never tried to comprehend upon the history of this place. The fatal steps taken by the people of Hills, risking their life, with their face soaked in blood yet screaming their throats out “We Want Gorkhaland!!!” envisage the fact that Gorkhaland is the last resort to proclaim their lost Identity in India. To make themselves be recognized as a community who has served the nation since the time of her Independence, a community who has contributed in drafting of our constitution, a community who has ornamented the national anthem with the tune of violin, the community who has been sacrificing their life fighting in the frontiers to safeguard the nation, a community who stands as an epitome of loyalty and bravery before the world.  And yet, after all the sacrifices and vitality showered for the shake of nation, they loiter in the country without Identity. Any part of the country they travel to, they are treated as second class citizen or for that matter a citizen of Nepal.

Furthermore, for a community who could resolve to penetrate the harsh Himalayan forest and venture to settle on the lap of freezing Himalayas, thus converting the vast stretch of rugged mountain and spiny forest into a QUEEN OF HILLS, the demand for Gorkhaland should not be unattainable.

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.

SHIVA KUMAR RAI JAYANTI CELEBRATED AT RHENOCK, EAST SIKKIM

SHIVA KUMAR RAI JAYANTI CELEBRATED AT RHENOCK, EAST SIKKIM

The birth anniversary of renowned Nepali Literary figure Late Shiva Kumar Rai was celebrated at Rhenock, East Sikkim on 26^th of April 2018. The celebration was graced by the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shir Pawan Kumar Chamling, GTA Chief Shri Benoy Lama and galaxy of renowned literary persons from Darjeeling, Kersoung, Assam, Gangtok along with thousands of people witnessing the programme.

Biography

Shiva Kumar Rai was born on 26 April 1919 at Rhenock, Sikkim. His father Dhojbir Rai was post-master and because of the constant transfer of this father's post, Rai initially took his primary lessons at home. Only after coming to Kurseong  he had a regular education. Rai did his schooling at Pushparani Middle School in Kurseong and later at Darjeeling Government School in Darjeeling, where he met notable teachers such as Dharnidhar Sharma, Surya Bikram Gyawali and Parasmani Pradhan. He passed his metric examination in 1937. He completed his B.A. from St. Joseph's College, Darjeeling in 1939 and graduated from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata in 1941. After finishing college, in 1942, Rai became a secretary of Burma Saranarthi Mukti Samiti, a committee set up for helping the Burmese refugees of World War II. During this time, he came into contact with many Nepali refugees from Burma. While conversing with them, he felt the need to write about their turmoils in life, which took shape into his famous novel Dak Bangla, published in 1957.

Rai was very active in politics and was affiliated with the All India Gorkha League. In 1948, he was elected as an MLA from the erstwhile Jorebungalow constituency to the West Bengal Assembly. He was the Deputy Labour Minister of West Bengal from 1952 to 1957. Rai died on 22 July 1995.

Literature

Shiva Kumar Rai started his writing career in the late 1930s when he was in college. His first work was published in a hand-written youth magazine titled Bansuri. He was also the editor of this magazine. His first printed work, a poem titled Birahi Ko Basanta, is found in Rup Narayan Singh-edited magazine Khoji. His poems and writings were published in journals such as Gorkha, Diyo, Yug Vani, and Sahitya Sroth. His first story titled Prakriti Putri was published in Sharda journal in 1944. His landmark book Frontier, a collection of stories, was published in 1956. His story Chaata won the prestigious Ratnashri Award in Nepal in 1969. In 1978, he won the Sahitya Academy Award for his short story collection Khaharey. In 1994, he was awarded the Agam Singh Giri Smriti Puraskaar by the Sikkim Sahitya Parishad and was felicitated by the Nepali Sahitya Sammelan, Darjeeling the same year.

Works

- Daafe Chari (1954)

- Frontier (1956)

- Dak Bangla (1957)

- Yatra (1956)

- Khaharey (1976)

- Bara Dinner (1978)

- Shiva Kumar Rai Ka Saath Katha (1994)

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