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SDF wins rural polls
2007-10-30 04:08:00
GANGTOK, October 29: The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has won the rural polls in the Himalayan state. The party has gained 219 gram panchayat seats and 40 zilla panchayat seats, which is the highest in the rural polls of Sikkim. Expressing satisfaction with the “landslide victory” with a 96 per cent support, senior part leader Mr BB Gooroong said: “The Opposition has been swept aside. Our victory was assured since we are a strong cadre based party,” indicating that the moment now was to plan the victory ceremony. The ruling SDF had already won 585 seats out of 889 seats in gram panchayat seats and 46 seats out of 93 zilla parishad seats uncontested even before a single vote was cast. The counting of votes went off peacefully today. “The counting was held at the zilla panchayat bhawan in Geyzing, West district in peaceful conditions,” said the DC West Mr Nitesh Kumar Jha. “That shows all parties are satisfied with the results and the way the polls were held,” he added.
More About: Polls , Wins , Rural , Ural

Independents Panchayats on SDF trail
2007-10-30 04:04:00
Gangtok, Oct. 29: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has swept the panchayat polls in the state with a 90 per cent majority.The party had already won roughly 66 per cent of the seats in the two tiers uncontested.However, Independent candidates have dented some SDF bastions, claiming 84 gram panchayat seats (out of the 305 where voting was held) and seven zilla panchayat ones (out of 47).Though it pales in comparison to SDF’s haul of 220 and 40 seats respectively (leaving aside the uncontested ones), the Independents have done well in some significant areas.For example in South district, considered to be SDF’s home turf, three of the 13 zilla panchayat seats have gone to Independents, including Lingmo-Mangzing, which is adjacent to Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling’s ancestral village, and Wak-Omchu, which is close to Chamling’s own constituency.An Independent candidate has won the Kabi-Tingda zilla panchayat seat in North Sikkim. The constituency sits between Gangto...
More About: Epen , TRAI , Dependent , Trail

Soccer-crazy monks throng Palzor Stadium,Gangtok
2007-10-30 03:57:00
Gangtok, Oct. 29: Tenzing Chepel, a monk from a monastery here, was seen at Palzor Stadium this afternoon, tension writ large on his face as he watched the Governor’s Gold Cup match between Tibetan National Football Academy (TNFA) XI and IRWDA, Manipur.“I am not really tense about the result of the match,” said Chepel. “I am worried that my teachers might find out that I have bunked off my monastic classes to come here.”Chepel is not the only football-crazy monk around, as evident from the many red robes visible in the stands everyday. And quite a few of them miss classes to be here.“We skipped our prayers from the sheda (monastic school) at Drodul Chorten, Deorali, to watch the match,” said Wangchuk Lama.The young man added that he and his friends support the team from Bhutan and Tibetan Academy.After today’s match, won by TNFA XI, the monks were left with a dilemma: whom to support when TNFA XI takes on Bhutan XI in the next round. This is the first time the Dharam...
More About: Soccer , Crazy , Monks , Adium

PRASHANT TAMANG LIVE PERFORMANCE IN GANGTOK IN NOV 1st WEEK
2007-10-29 15:45:00
Indian Idol winner Prashant Tamang is set to perform live in Gangtok,Sikkim in first week of November 2007 tentatively on November5.Along with Prashant, a couple of other Indian Idol III contestants would also be performing at the ground of Palzor stadium of Gangtok, present venue of annual sporting event of Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup 2007.Organisers have claimed that 25,000 people will attend the performance. They said they paid Rs 3 million to Sony Television to bring in Prashant Tamang to Sikkim for Live Perform ance .Meanwhile, Prashant is also set to perform in Pokhara on November 17 where he will be accompanied by Indian Idol III finalist Amit Paul, according to Tamang Ghedung, Kaski, which is organising the event.Immediately, after he won the title in September, Prashant had come to Nepal and performed live in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
More About: Week

SIKKIM DEMOCRATIC FRONT SWEEPS PANCHAYAT ELECTION
2007-10-29 15:41:00
Gangtok,October29: This tiny himalayan state of Sikkim saw ruling SDF party having a sweeping victory for the rural body elections held on October 26 and results declared today.The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front already leads the polls having won 640 of the gram panchayat seats and 45 zilla parishad seats uncontested
More About: Election , Sweep

Military-media meet @ Sikkim for higher level of synergy
2007-10-29 15:38:00
An interactive session held in Gangtok on September 30 and October 1 had stressed on the need to create a high level of synergy and understanding between the army, the media and the common man.The seminar was inaugurated by the General Officer Commanding, Black Cat Division Maj. Gen. K.V.S. Lalotra.The speakers included journalists and senior citizens like G.D. Aggarwal, a representative of the Hanuman Tok temple committee, Gangtok.They dwelt upon sensitising the media on the requirements of the army, its role and how the media could help moulding public opinion on issues related to the armed forces.The media’s role, constraints, and measures that need to be taken to achieve a more harmonious working relationship were also discussed.
More About: Media , Military , Meet , Sikkim , Higher

Nigerians Black Eagle eyes Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup 2007
2007-10-29 15:32:00
Gangtok, Oct. 28: The “black magicians” are back in town with a different name but the same intent.The all-Nigerian football team arrived here yesterday to take part in the 29th All India Governor’s Gold Cup. Last year, as GMHK Lions, the team had stormed into the semi-finals of the tournament, prompting the fans to dub them the black magicians. This time, the team will play under a new name — Nigerian Eagles.The team, which is part of the Nigerian Professional Footballers’ Association, consists of players from across the country who are either studying or working in India. Many of them also play club football.“We are happy to be back playing football in this wonderful place where people have so much love for the game. We have a number of good strikers and promising players in the side. We aim to lift the Gold Cup and we are working very hard towards that goal. We also promise an enthralling performance,” the team’s coach Fuja Tope told writer.The intent was very muc...
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Swiss-Dutch team climbs 6010m Sikkim peak
2007-10-29 15:29:00
photo:The team at peakGangtok, Oct. 28: A Swiss and Dutch team has conquered the 6,010m-high Mt Thingchingkhang in West Sikkim . This is the third successful ascent to the peak in just over a year and is expected to give a big boost to adventure tourism in the state.The expedition led by the 57-year-old Swiss mountaineer Robert Allenbach included his wife Susana Cornelia, a medical assistant, Robertus Laan, a Dutch national living in Switzerland and Paul P.E. Van Rivere from the Netherlands. They have returned to base after reaching the summit earlier this week.The expedition was organised by Adarsh Tours and Travels, an agency promoting mountaineering in Sikkim.Allenbach is an Everester, having scaled the highest peak (8,848m) in the world way back in 1978. A technical engineer by profession, Allenbach has also participated in a number of expeditions in Ladakh.According to Allenbach, the final stretch of the ascent was technically the most challenging because the team had to negotia...
More About: Team , Peak

Facelift woes for Gangtok
2007-10-29 15:27:00
Gangtok, Oct. 28: A move is on to give M.G. Marg a new look. However, residents here are not happy with the inconveniences that usually come with a makeover drive of this sort.Located in the heart of the town, the Marg was shut down from today for renovation. It is likely to reopen after March 30.Chief minister Pawan Chamling had visited the spot, the busiest shopping-cum-trading centre of the state capital, yesterday.The slow progress of the work ever since it started more than four months ago had drawn flak from several quarters because of disruptions in traffic and pedestrian movement and parking problems.Prem Goyal, a resident of the area, said shopkeepers would now have to pay porters, as vehicles with goods would not come till their doorsteps. Not only that, some are unhappy about garbage collecting trucks not being allowed to enter.In the first phase, the old divider between the two vehicle lanes has been removed and a part of it replaced with a narrower one. The telephone ca...
More About: Facelift

NAMCHI MAHOTSAV STARTS FESTIVAL TIME FOR SIKKIM
2007-10-29 15:22:00
NAMCHI, October 27: Come November 1 and Namchi will revel in the 4th Namchi Mahotsav, a tourism and cultural festival of the year.This is one festival which brings the district together and preparations are going on in full swing.The three-day festival will feature a number of events like Flower Shows, Traditional Food Plaza, Cultural Shows, Musical nights, Trekking to nearby places, Handicrafts and many rural and fun sports.The festival will also include Under 14 fashion show for different ethnic groups of the State.With the main objective of promoting tourism in Namchi and its peripheral areas, the festival has focussed in the State’s rich cultural and traditional presentations and food plazas for the last four years.Most importantly, the Chrysanthemum Flower Competition, which will be held here at Gandhi Park, is an added attraction to the festival. This is also clubbed as a part of the preparation for the International Flower Show next year. The entire state is participating i...
More About: Time , Festival , Sikkim

MIXED REACTIONS OVER MG MARG 'NO PARKING' TAG
2007-10-29 15:20:00
GANGTOK, October 27: The Congress Convener of Bimbung Busty under Rateypani constituency JB Darnal has alleged that the Area MLA Aita Singh Baraliy threatened Atanak Limboo who was the Congress party agent during the election held there yesterday.A press release signed and issued by JB Darnal states that Mr. Baraily had allegedly threatened Limboo that he will be “closely watched after the election” while making a round of the polling booth at Upper Maney Dara yesterday.An FIR has also been lodged against the MLA at Namthang Police Out Post, South Sikkim, the release informs. The release also states that the MLA should be responsible if anything untoward happens to Atanak Limboo
More About: Parking , Mixed , React , Reaction , Mixe

MG MARG IN GANGTOK TURNS INTO" NO VEHICLE ZONE"
2007-10-29 15:16:00
DR. PAWAN CHAMLING SURPRISE ON MG MARGSikkim CM dissatisfied with slow pace of workGANGTOK, October 27: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today sprung a surprise today by turning up at the MG Marg here for an on-the-spot inspection of the heart of the Capital town.Accompanied by Mrs. Tika Maya Chamling, Minister Urban Development and Housing Department DD Bhutia, Minister Sikkim Nationalised Transport Menlom Lepcha, MLAs Kunga Zangpo, BB Ramu Damu, NK Pradhan and other Departmental officials, Mr. Chamling, surveyed and inspected the on going construction and the beautification work along the MG Marg.And Mr. Chamling was certainly not impressed. He was quick to express his dissatisfaction towards the slow pace of work, which started more than six months ago.Not happy with either the pace of work or the way it has been executed, Mr. Chamling directed the Engineers and Departmental officials to ensure that the quality of the work is not compromised in any ways.“We want to make Gangtok a ...
More About: Vehicle , Zone

Sikkim Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling’s NewYork Presentation Speech
2007-10-28 15:25:00
we are again reproducing the full version of the written presentation read out by the Sikkim chief minister, Pawan Chamling at the “North East India Investment Conference” New York on September 26, 2007. The speech is more than twice as detailed as Ibobi’s, and there is also a world of difference in the range and depth. Sikkim and Assam were the two states which commanded attention at the conference. We are reproducing these speeches so that the people can make their own assessments.I bring with me the warmest Greetings of the people of our State Sikkim and country India to the people of the United States of America and the members of the Pravashi Bharatiya fraternity. Our greetings carry in them the fragrance of rhododendrons and orchid, serenity of the pristine Kanchenjunga mountain, holiness of priceless cultural heritage and affections of hill folks with rich social values.Sikkim is one of the most fascinating eco-tourism destinations in the world. We depict the real story...
More About: Chief , Chief Minister , Newyork , Minister , Presentation

Sikkim win U-19 matches
2007-10-28 15:22:00
KOLKATA, Oct. 27: In the Vinoo Mankad Trophy (under–19 one dayers), Bengal beat Jharkhand by 5 wickets. Writom Porel top scored with 90 for Bengal. Kamal Gope of Jharkhand scored for his side with 58 runs. Jharkhand set a target of 231 in 50 overs, which Bengal achieved with four balls to spare.In another match, Sikkim beat Tripura by 62 runs. In reply to Sikkim’s 286, Tripura managed to score 224.
More About: Matches

DAY-1: SIKKIM GOVERNOR GOLD CUP (JCT Vs SFA XI 3-1)
2007-10-27 18:31:00
Gangtok, October 27 : JCT Academy, Phagwara, defeated the home team SFA XI 3-1 in the inaugural match of the 29th All India Governor 's Gold Cup football tournament at Paljor Stadium here today.Jagpreet Singh from JCT scored a brace, both from free kicks in the 6th and 29th minutes, while his teammate L Zira buttressed the lead in the 59th minute.Dawa Lepcha managed to score a consolation goal for the home team in the 71st minute.Though the score line read 3-1, the game was a thrilling encounter with both teams evenly matched. SFA XI strikers came close to scoring on several occasions but were denied by the JCT goalie. With this, the home team had been knocked out of the tournament, while JCT will face NRT Football Club from Nepal on October 1.Assam State Electricity Board would take on Punjab Police tomorrow
More About: Gold Cup , Sikkim

Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup begins Today in Gangtok
2007-10-27 18:18:00
Gangtok,October27: Football mania is set to sweep Sikkim for the next 12 days with the 29th All India Governor's Gold Cup Football starting from today at Paljor stadium here. Sikkim's new Governor Sudharshan Agarwal inaugurated the tournament and the first match saw the local favourites-- Sikkim Football Association (SFA) XI locking horns with the JCT (Academy) although failed to win it. Buoyed by the last year's huge success, the SFA has left no stone unturned to cement the tournament in the national football scenario by inviting top national clubs and those from neighbouring countries.Six international teams, including an all Nigerian team would be the major attraction in this hilly region, where a total of 16 football clubs are participating.The international teams-- Nigerian Eagles, top two clubs from Nepal (NRT and Three Star), two from Bangladesh (Chittagaon Abahoni and Badda Jagarani Sangshad) and Bhutan XI-- were participating, SFA president Tempo Bhutia informed media. O...
More About: Today , Gold Cup

A Profile :SHRI SUDARSHAN AGARWAL, SIKKIM GOVERNOR
2007-10-27 18:13:00
Sudarshan Agarwal the present Governor of Sikkim was serving as Governor of Uttaranchal, having been appointed to that office by the President of India in January 2003. Before this appointment he served as Member of the National Human Rights Commission for a period of 3 years in the rank of a Judge of the Supreme Court.He also served as Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha from 1981 to 1993. As Secretary-General he participated in several Parliamentary Conferences and International Goodwill delegations around the world.Sudarshan Agarwal has been the President of the Delhi Gymkhana Club, the premier social club in the capital during 1986-1988. He is also a Trustee of the Amity Business School. He is a Trustee of a Cultural Centre, known as the Sanskriti Pratishthan. He is Chairman of the Uttaranchal State Red Cross Society and Chairman of the State Child Welfare Council.Sudarshan Agarwal conducted the election of the President of the Republic of India on two occasions in 1982 and 1992 as C...
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SWISS TEAM CONQUER MOUNT THINCHINKHANG OF SIKKIM
2007-10-27 18:07:00
YUKSOM, (West Sikkim ), October 26: A Swiss mountaineering expedition successfully scaled the 6010m Mount Thinchinkhang on October 24.The expedition, which was headed by Robert Allenbach (57), a professional mountaineer from Switzerland, was joined by his wife Susana Cornelia Allenbach (54), a medical assistant, Robertus Laan (44), a Dutch national based in Switzerland and working as a Sales Marketing Executive and Paul PE Van Rivere (54), a public prosecutor in Holland.Mount Thinchinkhang has been previously scaled thrice, the first being scaled by the Germans last year in 2006 and for the second time by mountaineers from United States of America earlier this October.The ten-day expedition organised by Adarsh Tours and Travels based in Gangtok was joined by nine others comprising of the guide, potters, cooks, the Sherpas for locating and clearing the track and 13 yaks.The group started off from Yuksom on October 15 and reached the base camp at Lamuney on the 19th of the same month.A...
More About: Team , Conquer

SIKKIM CONGRESS CRIES FOUL, SAYS POLLS NOT FAIR
2007-10-27 18:06:00
GANGTOK, October 26: Although reports indicate a fair and peaceful Panchayat polls today, the Opposition Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) has surfaced with allegations of rigging and malpractice from Bhusuk School Polling Booth, Upper Samdong Polling Booth and from Rinchenpong.The party supreme Nar Bahadur Bhandari along with General Secretary, SPCC, Kunga Nima Lepcha, Secretary, Panchayat Election Cell of SPCC DB Basnet and Booth Secretary of 31, Gangtok, Mohan Prasad today visited several Polling stations contiguous to Gangtok.A press release issued by the party states that the Bhusuk School Polling booth was not only manned by only two police but had ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party workers transport voters in taxi vehicle bearing Registration number SK-04-5754. The release further reveals that the voters were treated to lavish lunch and drinks at the residence of the SDF party candidate for the Bhusuk Panchayat Ward.Basing these activities as violation of Secti...
More About: Fair , Polls

SIKKIM RECORDS MORE THAN 80 PERCENT VOTER TURNOUT IN RURAL POLL
2007-10-27 18:04:00
GANGTOK, October 26: The Gram and Zilla Panchayat elections were conducted smoothly and peacefully all over the State today.The polling process started from 8 am after the polling stations were opened. Electronic Voting Machines were used for the first time ever in the civil polls in Sikkim . An estimated 1.41 lakh electorate cast their franchise today to decide the fate of 835 candidates in the fray for 47 Zilla Panchayat and 304 gram Panchayat seats amid tight security arrangements.No poll rigging or disturbances were reported from any polling booths across the State.The poll fever was missing from the Capital and its surrounding areas as it has been declared as Municipal Area for which the voting will be held next year in January.The State Election Commission had set up 524 polling stations across the four Districts and deployed 3144 polling personnel and 1048 policemen to conduct free and fair polls for 47 Zilla Panchayat seats out of a total of 93 seats of which 45 candidates ha...
More About: Poll , Records , Rural , Ural

Sikkim CM Dr. Chamling review MG Marg Work In Progress
2007-10-27 17:36:00
Gangtok,October 27: The chief minister of Sikkim , Dr.Pawan Chamling, today toured the M.G.Marg area, heart of capital on foot to make a spot assessment of the town and decide on the measures required for a cleaner Gangtok.Officials from the East district administration, police, departments of urban development, power and forest, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Mrs.Tika Maya Chamling and Minister D.D.Bhutia accompanied the Chief minister on the tour. Sikkim Chief Minister took on spot review of work in progress of MG Marg beautification and expressed his unpleasure on kind of proposal being implemented in the beautification process and made on spot suggestion of using granite stone instead of bricks and cement at present being used to build space for flowers and electric poles in MGMarg which he described being a heart of Sikkim should reflect best image to tourists visiting state.Dr.Chamling told that despite constructing a number of car parks such as one at old Children Park,ol...
More About: Review , Work , Progress , Work In Progress

NAMCHI MAHOTSAV BEGINS ON 1st NOV'2007
2007-10-27 04:58:00
Namchi (south Sikkim), Oct. 27: Preparations are on in the south district headquarters for the annual Namchi Mahotsav that aims at keeping alive traditional Sikkimese art, crafts and culture.The two-day event will begin on November1, 2007.This is the fifth time the mahotsav is being organised and the event has already created a brand image for growth of tourism in south Sikkim. Apart from tourism, the programmes in which residents, the administration and the panchayats participate is also a show of camaraderie.The venue for this year has been shifted from the main town to Bhaichung stadium at Alley, where workers were today busy putting in place the three traditional houses that are touted to be the attraction at the festival. The houses symbolise the traditions of the Bhutia, Lepcha and the Nepali communities.District collector (south) Mr. Anandan, also the chairman of the mahotsav organising committee, estimated that more than 30,000 people would attend the festivities each day.Ch...

Panchayat polls pass peacefully in Sikkim
2007-10-27 04:46:00
Gangtok, Oct. 26: Excellent weather conditions and bright sunshine coaxed voters out of their homes for the panchayat elections across Sikkim today.The polls remained peaceful with no untoward incidents reported from anywhere in the state till voting closed at 4pm today.Elections were held for 304 village panchayat and 47 zilla panchayat seats. Of the 889 village panchayat seats, 585 had already been bagged by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) without a contest. The ruling party also won 46 of the 93 zilla panchayat seats in a similar manner.In all, 841 candidates were in the fray, 717 for the village panchayats and 124 for the district bodies.Rough estimates by the state election commission after voting closed at 4pm, put the turnout around 80 per cent. While North district saw the highest turnout with 85 per cent of the people casting their votes, the East and South districts saw 75 per cent voting and the West recorded the lowest, between 65 and 70 per cent polling. The ab...
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Sudarshan Agarwal sworn in as 13th Governor of Sikkim
2007-10-27 04:41:00
Gangtok:, 25 October : Shri Sudarshan Agarwal was sworn in as the 13th Governor of Sikkim in a function at Raj Bhavan today. Chief Justice Ajay Nath Ray administrated the oath of office to the new Governor.Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, cabinet Ministers, Speaker of the state Assembly and MLAs were present on the occasion along with senior government officials. Mr Agarwal took charge from Mr V Rama Rao, who left for his home town in Hyderabad early this morning. Mr Rao's five-year term as the Governor of Sikkim came to an end yesterday. Mr Agarwal had been the Governor of Uttarakhand since January, 2003

THE SLOW ROAD AHEAD..................
2007-10-27 04:40:00
Even as the National Highway 31A has been temporarily restored, the movement of traffic still remains at a snail’s pace with over two dozen breaches between Sevoke and Rangpo. BRO officials inform that it will take some time before the Highway is fully restored for two-way traffic movement. The Dasain and tourist season rush has only added to the serpentine queues along the Highway, where the traffic remains one-way in a number of places.
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