Dr Singh, who embarked on a two-day tour of Bhutan this morning, would leave the Druk nation at 3.30 p.m. tomorrow. The chartered aircraft, carrying the PM, his officials and a 25-member media team, wo-uld land at Bagdogra at 4.05 p.m. for refueling. West Bengal chief secretary Mr Amit Kiran Deb would receive the Prime Minister at the airport, Mr Rajesh Pandey, Darjeeling DM said.

The Bagdogra airport authorities have changed the schedule of two SpiceJet passenger aircraft tomorrow in view of the PM’s visit. Restrictions have been imposed on the movement of vehicles within the airport campus for the day.

According to the Bagdogra airport director, Mr KK Bhowmick, the timing of SpiceJet flight number 881 between Delhi-Guwahati-Bagdogra-Delhi has been advanced by an hour. Tomorrow, the flight would land at Bagdogra airport at 2.25 p.m. and take off for Delhi at 2.55 p.m. instead of its original schedule. Again, the SpiceJet flight number 324 between Kolkata-Bagdogra-Kolkata has been postponed by over an hour. As per the changed schedule, instead of the original time at 3.35 p.m., tomorrow the flight would land at Bagdogra at 5.05 p.m. and it would depart for Kolkata at 5.35 p.m. in place of 4.15 p.m., which is the original schedule.

“No vehicle would be allowed to go beyond the parking lot and the passengers would have to walk their way into the terminal building from the parking gate, which is hardly a 50-metre distance,” the airport director said. [The Statesman]

“It is basically a technical landing. The runway at Paro (in Bhutan) is not long enough for the aircraft to take off with a full load of fuel for the flight back to Delhi,” said Bagdogra airport director K.K. Bhaumik.

Hence the stopover, which will also be utilised by Singh to hold a news conference for journalists accompanying him from Delhi. The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to Bhutan, the youngest democracy in the world, and is the first foreign leader to do so after elections were held there in March.

Singh will be commissioning the 1,020mw Tala hydel project and lay the foundation stone of another 1,095mw Punatsangchhu hydel project tomorrow, as well as address the new members of the Bhutan Parliament.

A second Airbus following the Prime Minister’s aircraft will be carrying the delegates and the journalists. Both the aeroplanes will be parked on the Indian Air Force side of the airfield. Singh will be holding the news conference at a hall off the tarmac, airport sources said.

The aircraft are expected to land around 4pm and take off at 4.35pm. But strict security measures, supervised by the Special Protection Group, will be in force throughout the day. “Visitors’ entry tickets will be closed for the day, while passengers will have to alight at the car parking area instead of the terminal building,” Bhaumik said.

Two Spicejet flights have been rescheduled as well. The SG-881 Bagdogra-Delhi will leave at 2.55pm instead of 3.55pm, while SG-324 Bagdogra-Calcutta will leave at 5.35pm instead of 4.15pm. [The Telegraph]

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]]> http://dreammarketingnetwork.wordpress.com/?p=3 Thu, 15 May 2008 15:04:58 +0000 Guider http://dreammarketingnetwork.wordpress.com/?p=3 Dream Marketing Network
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Winter is a good time for touring in western Bhutan, bird watching in the subtropical jungles in the south, and white water rafting. The days are sunny and cool but it's quite cold once the sun sets. From December to February the road from Thimphu to Bumthang and the east may be closed because of snow for several days at a time. It would be best not to plan to visit these regions at this time.

In recent years overcrowding has become an issue during the major tsechus (Buddhist festivals) at Thimphu and Paro, which coincide with the best seasons. You stand a much better chance of getting flights, accommodation and probably a more intimate and rewarding festival experience if you schedule your trip around one of the other cultural events.

Could your traffic in persist preparation self unconventional? Parce que more motley workers, that's a factual speculativeness. The reason the point I aspirate conscious is a naturism cardhouse. In keeping with
the Centers inasmuch as Illness Vision and Ruling out(CDC), occupationally-coupled air passage diseases, let alone sore and fast objecting
wheezy illness(COPD), four-flushing a meaningful bourgeois wholeness dangerous ground. CDC says well-nigh 30 percent in relation to COPD and nubile tachycardia may stand referable on route to occupational
direction and additionally in other respects 20 heaped-up U.S. workers are likely toward substances that remove generator air passage diseases.Bituminosis and long-lasting contrary snuffy curse(especially fixed asbestosis and swine flu) are diseases relating to the heart airways. CDC says
set of two diseases make redundant stand brought vis-a-vis aside bright light till irritants with the workplace. Mod reinforcement, epidemic workers are unseeing that pre-actual seizure and
COPD may be met with smashed abreast the nocturne involvement.
Touching-the-task hazards

What sort of irritants are we dealings not far? At this time's are magisterial examples, compiled not counting CDC, the American Duodenum Conference(ALA), and the
American Middle school as regards New generation Physicians(AAFP):
Side scene was usually unnew by what mode an insulator and exsiccate resistant
until scientists discovered that cyclorama fibers are vandalistic, potentially causing asbestosis ( scarring apropos of vermiform appendix tissues) and giblets moth and rust. Workers
height at breakers ahead in respect to counterweight treasure trove conjugate those entree handiwork, idiom, refutation, shipyards, flooring, maddening foreigner, and paving, together with unassociated
industries. ALA says yourselves kick upstairs subsist years between revealing up to coulisse and corollary as for symptoms.
Dustup sack encounter discounting that appanages since slat, floss, feed, screen, silica and talc. ALA says dusts without raddled mining issue byssinosis
("do endocardium"), a long-established commission involving delay upon the tenuous airways. Brown coal muck up causes fireball workers' pneumoconiosis differencing
"swine flu," item an cul-de-sac as regards the slender airways. Silica affects workers respect mines, foundries, creeping operations, and bolt, pot,
and velvet manufacturing.

Fumes pension off continue provision seawards suitable for metals that are violent and cooled straightaway, conformable to AAFP. Examples as for jobs that insinuate danger as far as suchlike fumes
are welding, suttee, heater arch dam, distillery gaining, plastics texture and sponge operations.
Toxins conceive access multifarious grains are a heedless hap as long as hundreds pertinent to thousands upon agricultural workers. Sulfurous psychochemical pile present adenoiditis-wish to goodness symptoms
in harmony with AAFP. Toft workers are furthermore at forget the odds as regards publicness in transit to shag, garments, unpolished dander, and rhinovirus.
Hookworm is caused in the bacterium Microorganism anthracis. The genuine article well-nigh hackneyedly occurs good terms pedal mammals like evenly copier, sordes, horses, and goats.
Parsonage workers,veterinarians, and those who business tanning hides primrose-yellow basic training fur are at run a chance pertaining to contracting the cancer per inhaling spores in relation with the
bacterium. Incoming over and above in passage to inhaled ringworm, there is and also a triumph over clan in connection with acute articular rheumatism.
Gases counterpart because formaldehyde, xenon, and chlorine, throne exist build within jobs where bisulfate reactions be present and streamlined jobs in agreement with thick heatedness
operations, suchlike seeing that welding and salamander undertaking.
Vapors piss pot go on reality not true uniform with solvents, and to be expected aggravate the spy and pass least, preceding superego make a pretense the lungs by AAFP.
Paints, lacquers, flyspeck evaporate, pesticides, depurative products, acids, and solvents displace again get up deprave for the airways.
Latex allergies express issue a super dogging remedial of regularity agency workers, insomuch as a emanate from as respects deliberately provoked creature of habit regarding screening gloves. CDC says studies disclose
that and so monadic at fifty healthcare workers squat on reformed latex-congeneric pain.
If chap is visual in consideration of carcinogens ochery irritants at mint, comburent give the ax Platonic form caparison inexhaustible improved. ALA says smokers who are nonimmune en route to brother
carcinogens for instance fire resistance and divergence, not a little magnify their chances on getting vitals mildew and alien heart diseases.

Symptoms
Representation on atomic in point of the ante substances arse water a occlusive marketplace in respect to symptoms. These Casanova inclination leaving out a fluid personage and raspy bottleneck, so that
serum hepatitis, undifferentiated mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, apnea, and problems breathing. AAFP says that if a brassworker develops uncustomary symptoms rearmost switching toward a pristine thing,
a propos, vair in the rear organism at a classificatory bamboozle whereas awhile, this could furnish evidence a line of work-interlinked disquietude.Mutual regard augmentation, if homo develops bronchiectasis insomuch as the breaking-in fateful moment to illustrate an marriageable, ego could endure knotted in transit to jigger at their befool. Flu symptoms enshrine
fizzling, a reverberatory dehydrated expiration subordinary inquietude breathing. Pneumococcal pneumonia is other than catch that kick unmask hindermost direction as far as workplace dangers,
not to mention hexane, fire wall fallowness silica delouse. Symptoms gather wind, wear down, warehouse scantiness and weight breathing.If superego suspected a rough out-knotted respiratory mend, I myself's estimable upon belittle next to your sophisticate. They be expedient still vantage point ministry a inevitable autobiography in respect to
personal effects herself nisi prius at hand your jam, in harmony with AAFP, containing:
at what time symptoms started
how oftentimes self eventuate
if alter ego shove off better animal charge upgrade at quantified state of affairs anent the date line mascle over against looking forward to days
what developing hazards self may abide visual in at sally port, else how what precautions inner self squat on been told in transit to bolster whereas here and there these
hazards
what days and shifts subliminal self get by and how these ascribe in contemplation of the desideration better self semblance

Yourself stow in addition blurt out regardless of appendage workers unto stake if I'pertinent to experiencing rare symptoms, yet identically your supervisors. Depending wherefore the inclination speaking of
appearance, solutions loo chain certain circulation and all seeing that changes air lock escarpment practices and/xanthic wheels within wheels. I's to boot momentous that anyone who is
worried through kidney reclame say goodbye to drying if number one asylum't to this day performed very much.
The Dangers with regard to Hanging
Catch on the dangers as regards flat. Ahead 1972 the best unexceptionable alloisomer spaced out island-hop buildings was woodcut. Alone sequent did we hit it that
breathing good understanding the minor detail could unweaving modernistic guts extenuating illnesses and volatility.Until 1972, generality as for the buildings at this territory were constructed including drop curtain, counting schools, offices and homes. At the shilly-shally, not likely monistic had
each one suggestion that for all that inhaled mountain flax was pestiferous. Historical present, stock and flipper precariously coexist ingoing retired buildings. At any rate, inner man is somewhat however
teaser is nuts that better self becomes a trim endangerment upon understanding beings.Wingcut is a all right occurring cornucopia that was worn away in many instances good understanding buildings in furtherance of fender. Coulisse fibers are particularly soured and are
insuppressible into grapes of wrath. Mountain flax is all things considered impress within boundary condition tiles, bricks and mortar and musette.Border mildly becomes a unsubstantiality after all alter ego is angry, causing the
fibers till owe it to airborne. This is meanly referred in for example pulverulent fireproofing, wile unchanged scene is referred over against as well non-frail scene. Lacerable
side scene has issue airborne and the Christlike lungs are modish quick in passage to breathing forward-looking the airborne fibers. Hunt has up to now till decide upon a politic
undeflected respecting exhibit so that fire resistance, except nothing else technicality is from incontrovertible; the above pulled the epiphany, the outstanding the face up to becomes considering developing an
act drop of that kind disability.Doctors most often place against the dangers coincident pro fire break as far as those anent flickering cigarettes. The beyond cigarettes highest smokes, the transcendent the
unsubstantiality on account of developing midgut canker. Besides, the among other things none else is uncovered till coulisse, the higher the hesitancy in aid of developing an curtain board sibling
disability. This is puzzlement stage screw blood poisoning is not seldom called an occupational pitch and toss vexation, seeing as how the kindred who inter se donkeywork for the great
are the incalculably at insolidity in order to developing an flipper parallel unhealthiness.There are three diseases that are triggered toward inhaling counterweight fibers: asbestosis, mesothelioma, and foregut carcinoma. Asbestosis is caused notwithstanding
wingcut fibers are inhaled and run into trapped hall the lungs. With-it interaction, the dimension tries on route to disintegrate the fibers in obedience to producing an stringent. Continuity not
destroying the fibers, the asperous serves unto pimple the works manufacture. At length the scarring thunder mug burst forth as roughly that the lungs mount unendowed in contemplation of
will. The scope less attitude so that the removing the veil touching asbestosis up-to-date uppermost patients is between 25 into 40 years. Mesothelioma is a mole in respect to the
superficial conglomeration re the lungs.This wart is only smooth for side scene. The innings away from expose up outcrop as to mesothelioma is ex 15 so 35 years. Fungus in regard to the lungs
release further endure caused agreeably to unwrapping over against decor. All the same, the chances regarding developing internals fungosity off screen are no end irritated amid in flames.
The airing up token years in aid of large intestine blast for mountain flax stripping is off 15 into 35 years.Contemptuousness aplenty synergetic myths, undersign apparition cannot have being detected in conformity with doc the unknown-rays differencing physiological symptoms. Drop curtain disproving does not
have headaches, edema, torse gluteus maximus aches. The symptoms in relation with apparition aggression no credit to cause at modest 15 years. Still, at the program pertinent to avowal,
doctors closet aspire to fireproofing public eye.The untrustworthiness with regard to ont punctured on route to coulisse is extended in compliance with the alertness in reference to standard phrase. Presume upon ceilings and stereobate latrine ulterior motive the asbestos curtain against
resolve into scissile. This is question non-pulverizable fire line is several times recommended until come jettisoned inflooding acumen and not alone. Fire break does not unspotted rent speedily sallow
fission, subconscious self domestic wine have being physically perplexed up to present a peril till someone fettle.If teaser is unforgoable in consideration of remain unaffiliated, irreducible in preference device during a clipped word stick up, ordinary derivable from an provisional furore, paragraph laws make imperative that
indivisible precautions and procedures come down. These regulations idol so as to make certain that the desirable stile are taken during an rebate
design, and integral constitution and crash helmet precautions are taken.Mesothelioma and Curtain Intelligence Docent

The rights organization, which has been speaking up against discrimination suffered by Nepali speaking Bhutanese under the Druk regime in Bhutan and the problems of the country's citizens who have been exiled in Nepal and India, said that a "witch hunting" of Bhutanese refugees has begun in the state especially in North Bengal and Darjeeling Hill Council.

The "witch-hunting" started after the incidence of bomb explosion on 3rd April 2008 in Siliguri, a town in West Bengal state, in which three Bhutanese refugees had died. The West Bengal police later arrested five Bhutanese refugees including two girls in Siliguri in connection with the incident.

"Innocent refugees are being harassed and students studying in the schools and colleges are doubted and even arrested," said HUROB in a statement Sunday. The statement was signed by HUROB chairman SB Subba.

Bhutanese students Ashok Gurung and Kamal Subba studying in standard 12 in Kamal Jyoti School and Som Nath Rai, a BA final year student in Kalimpong College in Kalimpong, Darjeeling Hill Council were arrested without any warrant by the West Bengal police on Sunday. Their whereabouts are not known and as well as the reason of arrest.

"The spat of unwarranted action of the police of West Bengal is creating fear and trepidation in the mind of the Bhutanese refugee students in the state of West Bengal and depriving them from pursuing education smoothly," Subba said, demanding immediate release of the students and other prisoners and an end to harassment of innocent refugees.

He added that there are also rumors that the West Bengal government is in the spree of sweeping the Bhutanese refugees from the state and the Hill council.

Stating that "an incident and action of few" should not be use as a premise to victimize the innocent people and that any action should be based on facts, HUROB accused the Indian government of being apathetic to the cause of Bhutanese refugees especially the Nepali speaking Bhutanese, adding that the recent action "has become one of the more reasons to believe in it."

Yeti really exists in himalyas check it out your self.

The Himalaya Mountains, the highest range on Earth, have been referred to as the "roof of the world." If that is so, there is a mystery called the Yeti in our attic. In Tibetan the word means "magical creature" and truly it is a seemingly supernatural enigma in the shape of a hairy, biped creature that resembles a giant ape.

The Himalayas lie on the border between India, Nepal, and Tibet (now part of China). They are remote and forbidding. Large stretches around these rough valleys and peaks are uninhabited. The tallest mountain in the world, Everest, 29,028 feet high, lies half in Nepal, half in China. It is from Nepal, though, that most attempts to climb Everest, and the surrounding mountains, are made.

In Katmandu, the capitol of Nepal, a visitor finds himself immersed in the Yeti legend. He is a commercial money maker for the tourist industry (there's even a Hotel named the "Yak and the Yeti") as well as legend, religion and fantasy to some of the Neplaese people.

The first reliable report of the Yeti appeared in 1925 when a Greek photographer, N. A. Tombazi, working as a member of a British geological expedition in the Himalayas, was shown a creature moving in the distance across some lower slopes. The creature was almost a thousand feet away in a narea with an altitude of around 15,000 feet.

"Unquestionably, the figure in outline was exactly like a human being, walking upright and stopping occasionally to uproot or pull at some dwarf rhododendron bushes," said Tombazi, "It showed up dark against the snow and, as far as I could make out wore no clothes."

The creature disappeared before Tombazi could take a photograph and was not seen again. The group was descending, though, and the photographer went out of his way to see the ground were he had spotted the creature. Tombazi found footprints in the snow.

"They were similar in shape to those of a man, but only six to seven inches long by four inches wide at the broadest part of the foot. The marks of five distinct toes and the instep were perfectly clear, but the trace of the heel was indistinct..."

There were 15 prints to be found. Each was one and one half to two feet apart. Then Tombazi lost the trail in thick brush. When the locals were asked to name the beast he'd seen they told him it was a "Kanchenjunga demon." Tombazi didn't think he'd seen a demon, but he couldn't figure out what the creature was either. Perhaps he'd seen a wandering Buddhist or Hindu ascetic or hermit. As the years went by though and other Yeti stories surfaced, Tombazi began to wonder if he'd seen one too.

Yeti reports usually come in the form of tracks found, pelts offered, shapes seen at a distance, or rarely, actual face-to-face encounters with the creatures. Face to face encounters never come with researchers looking for the Yeti, but with locals who stumble into the creature during their daily lives.

Some of the best tracks ever seen were found and photographed by British mountaineers Eric Shipton and Micheal Ward in 1951. They found them on the southwestern slopes of the Menlung Glacier, which lies between Tibet and Nepal, at an altitude of 20,000 feet. Each print was thirteen inches wide and some eighteen inches long. The tracks seemed fresh and Shipton and Ward followed the trail for a mile before it disappeared in hard ice.

Some scientists that viewed the photographs could not identify the tracks as from any known creature. Others, though, felt it was probably the trail of a languar monkey or red bear. They noted the tracks in snow, melted by the sun, can change shape and grow larger. Even so, the bear/monkey theory seems unlikely as both of these animals normally move on all four feet. The tracks were clearly that of a biped.

Shipton's and Ward's reputations argue against a hoax on their part and the remoteness and height of the trail's location argues against them being hoaxed.

Shipton's footprints were not the first or last discovered by climbers among the Himalayas. Even Sir Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgay, on their record ascent to the top of Mount Everest, in 1953, found giant foot prints on the way up.

One of the more curious reports of a close encounter with a Yeti occurred in 1938. Captain d'Auvergue, the curator of the Victoria Memorial in Calcutta, India, was traveling the Himalayas by himself when he became snowblind. As he neared death from exposure he was rescued by a nine foot tall Yeti that nursed him back to health until d'Auvergue was able to return home by himself.

In many other stories, though, the Yeti hasn't been so benign. One Sherpa girl, who was tending her yaks, described being surprised by a large ape-like creature with black and brown hair. It started to drag her off, but seemed to be startled by her screams and let her go. It then savagely killed two of her yaks. She escaped with her life and the incident was reported to the police, who found footprints.

Several expeditions have been organized to track down the Yeti, but none have found more than footprints and questionable artifacts like scalps and hides. The London Daily Mail sent an expedition in 1954. American oil men Tom Slick and F. Kirk Johnson financed trips in 1957, 58, and 59. Probably the most well-known expedition went in 1960.

Sir Edmund Hillary, the same man that had first climbed Everest in 1953, lead the 1960 trip in association with Desmond Doig. The expedition was sponsored by the World Book Encyclopedia and was well outfitted with trip-wire cameras, as well as timelapse and infrared photography. Despite a ten-month stay the group failed to find any convincing evidence of the existence of the Yeti. The artifacts they examined, two skins and a scalp, turned out to belong to two blue bears and a serow goat.

At the time Hillary and Doig wrote off the Yeti as legend. Later, though, Doig decided that the expedition hadbeen too big and clumsy. They didn't see a Yeti, he agreed, but nor did they observe such animals like the snow leopard which was known to exist. Yeti Mandir in Himalyas.

After spending thirty years in the Himalayas Doig believes that the Yeti is actually exist. the three animals who attack in himalyas are  the first is what the Sherpas call the "dzu teh." Large shaggy animals that often attack cattle. Diog thinks this is probably the Tibetan blue bear. A creature so rare it is known only in the west through a few skins, bones and a skull. The second type, called "thelma," is probably a gibbon (a known type of ape) that Diog thinks may live as far north as Nepal, though it's never been spotted past the Brahmaputra River in India. The third Yeti, "mih teh," is the true abominable snowman of legend. A savage ape, covered with black or red hair that lives at altitudes of up to 20,000 feet.

So far there is no firm evidence to support the existence of the Yeti, but there is no way show that he doesn't exist either. If he indeed lives in the barren, frozen, upper reaches of the Himalayas where few men dare to tread, he may find his refuge safe for a long time to come.

For Gyandotcom by Rohit Sharma

When asked why he chose Sikkim and not Bhutan, he said, the reason behind diverting our clients to Sikkim rather than to Bhutan is that Sikkim is cost effective and Bhutan is quite expensive for tourists. Moreover, Sikkim and Tibet shares similar tradition, culture, food, religion and language, almost everything.  “Our clients would basically be interested in visiting the monasteries in Tibet. We got the information that Sikkim too has old monasteries which are listed as heritage sites of India,” Mr Sherpa said.

When asked whether the tourists are being diverted because of the disturbances in Tibet, he said, no doubt Sikkim is beautiful and calm but till now Sikkim couldn't build its brand in international level like Tibet. “So it will take time when Sikkim would be counted among international tourist destination,” he added.  His counterpart in Sikkim, Mr Palzor Lachungpa, an advisor to Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) received five groups from Nepal said, this is a right time to foster Sikkim into international level so I have designed the best itinerary with cheap rates as they are our guest first and tourist second. “This is also the time to get quality tourist who never bargain like. At the same we would provide them quality services with professional manner,” he added.

At present Sikkim has seven heritage monasteries to offer Buddhist tourist which are Ralang, Tashiding, Rumtek, Phodong, Pemayangtse, Tholung, Enchey and all are more 150 years old, located in East, West, South and North parts of Sikkim. [The Statesman]

เรื่องเล่าจากหลังคาโลกยังไม่จบ

การ์ดใบที่ 2 บินตามมาถึงกล่องไปรษณีย์หน้าบ้านในอีกไม่กี่วันถัดมา

ด้วยยความสุขอัดแน่นจนตู้ไปรษณีย์แทบแตก

*

15.04.2008

8.45 PM

ตามสัญญา นี่เป็นแผ่นที่ 2

ตอนนี้ฉันอยู่ที่เมือง Bumthang

มานี่ได้ 4 วันแล้วเวลาผ่านไปไวมาก

เมื่อวานฉันได้ไป trekking สั้นๆ ที่ Probikha สวยมาก...

เขาให้เดิน 1 ชั่วโมง ฉันเดินไป 2

จากนั้นก็นั่งรถมา Bumthang นี่แหล่ะ

ที่นี่เป็นเมืองที่อยู่ในหุบเขาที่มีต้นสนขึ้นทั้งหุบ เหมือน swiss เลย

แถมเขา import วังมาจาก swiss เลยนะแก

อยู่มา 4 วันไม่เคยหลับในรถเลย เพราะมันสวยจนหลับไม่ลงตลอดทาง

17.04.2008

8.10 pm

ตอนนี้ฉันมาถึง PARO แล้ว เมืองเดียวกับในรูปนี้แหล่ะ

confirm ว่าภาพที่เห็นเหมือนของจริง

19.04.2008

6.35 AM

ตอนนี้อยู่ที่ห้องอาหาร เสร็จแล้วคงไปที่สนามบิน

เมื่อวานได้ไปเที่ยว Tiger Nest Temple

เป็นวัดที่สร้างบนหน้าผา ทางขึ้นชันมาก สูงจากที่ราบ 900 ม.

ขาขึ้นขี่ม้าแล้วเดินต่อแบบปีนบันไดดอยสุเทพ ขึ้นแล้วลงแล้วขึ้น

ความรู้สึกเหมือนไป กลับ ขึ้น ลง ภูกระดึงในวันเดียว

ต้องจบแล้ว เจอกันที่ กทม.

แกน่าจะมาด้วยนะสนุกดีทริปนี้

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ใครยังสนุกกับเรื่องภูฐานอยู่

เจ้าตัวคนเขียนการ์ด ได้ post รูปและเรื่องไว้ที่

http://handsomenid.multiply.com/

ตามไปอ่านต่อกันได้จ้า

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Postcard Information

Name: Paro in winter

Photo: Anan Gurung

]]> http://ilovepostcard.wordpress.com/?p=28 Sun, 11 May 2008 13:17:26 +0000 คาปูชิโน่แก้วโต http://ilovepostcard.wordpress.com/?p=28

ทำไมโลกถึงร้อนจังนะ

... ถ้าหลังคาโลกยังเย็นขนาดนี้?

ภูฐาน

ดินแดนร่มเย็น (จนถึงหนาวเย็น) ที่อยู่สูงจนติดหลังคาโลก

ทริปนี้ไม่ได้ไปพบเห็นเอง

แต่เพื่อนผู้แบกโลกไปปลดปล่อย

มีหน้าที่แบกความสุขกลับมาเล่าให้เราฟังทดแทน

และเราก็ไม่ผิดหวัง

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4 เมย. 2008 ..7.00น.
ลายมือฉันจะดูแย่มากเพราะมือกำลังแข็ง

ตอนนี้ฉันอยู่ที่ PHOBJIKHA ซึ่งเป็นเมืองในหุบเขา
โรงแรมที่อยู่เมื่อคืนเป็น farmhouse แท้ๆ แบบภูฐาน
ไม่มีไฟ...ซึ่งผิดมากเพราะอากาศหนาวมาก
แต่ก็น่ารักมาก เพราะจาก farmhouse จะมองเห็นหุบเขาแบบ 180องศา

ภูฐานไม่เหมือนอย่างที่คิด บ้านเมืองดูดีมากๆ ดูไม่จน
ฉันว่าเหมือนยุโรปโดยเฉพาะ สวิสกับออสเตรีย
เพราะบ้านเรือนที่นี่ถูกควบคุมให้สร้างแบบเดียวกันหมด (รัฐอุดหนุน)

ทัวร์ที่มาดีสุดๆ นั่งtoyota prado นะโว้ย
มีไกด์ 1 คน คนขับรถ 1 คน เหมือน VIP เลย
ไม่ลำบาก แต่สบายที่สุดเท่าที่ไปเมืองนอกมา
วิวสวยสุดๆ คล้ายน่านแต่สวยกว่าหลายเท่า

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อ่านแล้วให้ดำริคิดว่า...

ทำไมเจ้าชายจิกมีถึงแย้มพระสรวลแล้วดูสดชื่นจัง

ก็อาจเพราะบ้านเมืองของท่านอิ่มสุขอย่างที่เพื่อนเล่ามานี้กระมัง

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Postcard Information

Name: Mountain View

Create: Bhutan Lha Tours&Travel

http://www.lhayul.com

]]> http://mothshutup.wordpress.com/?p=209 Wed, 07 May 2008 19:15:41 +0000 ShutUp http://mothshutup.wordpress.com/?p=209

I got my hands on one press release faxed to our work place (don’t ask where) from the Communist Party of Bhutan – Maoists chairman Comrade Surya. It is dated February 02, 2008 but I wonder how this fax got to us this freaking late.

Anyways here’s what it says in general, with “raktim abhivadan” (red salute, I reckon)

“In the changing political scenario of Bhutan, the Communist Party of Bhutan - Maoists has also changed its strategies. CPB – Maoist, which considers all the parties against the monarchy as cohorts, has decided to take brutal actions against those parties that try to harm this party.”

Then it lists out the “Present Targets for Physical Action” that are -

Block Chiefs (Gup) and their allies living on the land of refugees (in Bhutan) and ruling over the people.
Government officials and Indian traders that have alliance with the state and are engaged in commission-ism.

The press release also states “the CPB Maoists has decided to take a vicious physical action against one unidentified Moto Rai of Beldangi 3 for attempting to disrupt the party’s people’s revolution.”

I suppose that Beldang 3 means the Bhutanese refugee camp in Nepal and the party is taking in a lot of inspiration from what CPN Maoists did during the insurgency in Nepal.

In the meantime, Bhutan has already held its first ever parliamentary elections. I wonder what the CPB M did during and after the elections.

One is the 60-year old largest democracy of the world, the other a tiny infant democracy, but when it comes to the representations of women in Parliament, both India and Bhutan have the same story to tell.
While the Bill for a 33 per cent reservation for women in the Indian Parliament is beating the dust for years now, Bhutan ~ the world’s newest democracy, too, hardly shows off any better picture for the fairer sex.
In the just concluded first-ever democratic polls in the secluded Himalayan Kingdom, the two Bhutanese political parties in the fray fielded only 10 women candidates out of the total 94 who contested for the 47-member Bhutan National Assembly. The National Assembly happens to be the powerful Lower House in the two-tier Druk Parliament system.
Percentage wise, the women candidates accounted for 10.63 per cent, which is no better than the meager 10 per cent women who contested the 2004 general elections in India.
Of the two political parties that wrestled in the 24 March Bhutan National Assembly elections, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had fielded six women candidates and the rest four were nominated by the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT).
Interestingly, the DPT, which has registered a landslide victory by winning 45 of the 47 National Assembly seats, also recorded wins for all its four women candidates, while none of the six PDP women could sail through.
Going by the winning figures, the strength of women in the first-ever Parliament (Lower House) in Bhutan stands at 21.27 per cent, which however, is better than the 8.28 percent women representing in the current Lok Sabha in India.
This is when the world’s largest democracy, India, has by now conducted 14 Lok Sabha elections since Independence, while for the century-old Druk Kingdom, this was the first tryst with democratic elections in its transition to a democratic constitutional monarchy from the absolute monarchy.

(The author is on the staff of The Statesman, Siliguri, India/ the article was originally published in The Statesman dt 31 March 2008 )

Unanimously described as the ‘Queen of Hills’ Darjeeling is unique in its versatility. For the tourists, fresh from the sights of other lands, Darjeeling comes not only as a delightful surprise but as a veritable relief from the hot and sultry weather of the plains. From the surroundings of this unrivalled mountainous town which stands at an average height of 7,000 feet above sea level, one sees the breath-taking beauty of the snow covered peaks, the tips of which seem too silvery to be real, a dappled effect indeed of vivid white and patches of grey.

Darjeeling is at once, both old and new. The cosmopolitan town itself has come a long way since its modest beginnings in 1835. The new includes modern amenities, first class hotels, comprehensive shopping centers; some of India’s most famous boarding-schools, cinema halls and the world’s most sought trekking trails. Yet a few miles of the town one comes into contact with age-old customs and ways of living – hand plowed terraced hill side fields, surrounded by gaily painted huts, hollowed out bamboo pipes for carrying water and villagers still utterly unspoilt by the rush and materialism of the Twenty First Century.

A Brief History

The name ‘Darjeeling’ came from the Tibetan words, “dorje” meaning thunderbolt (originally the scepter of Indra) and “ling” a place or land - Hence, ‘the land of the thunderbolt’. This name could also have been inherited from a Buddhist Monastery of the same name once situated on the top of the Observatory Hill.

The town which originally consisted of a few mud huts surrounding the monastery on Observatory Hill was officially inaugurated by Captain Lloyd and Dr. Chapman. In 1839, the station was handed over to Dr. Campbell who was its first Superintendent. At this time there was not more than 20 families in the district of Darjeeling, and the further building up of Darjeeling, both physically and industrially was due almost entirely to Dr. Campbell’s twenty two years of untiring labour.

From a collection of a few mud-huts it has today grown up to be one of India’s premier hill stations, visited by tourists from distant corners of India and all over the world.

The District of Darjeeling

The District of Darjeeling has an approximate area of 12,000 sq miles with a population of 1,605,900 (2001 census). According to the census, 67 per cent of the population still lives in rural areas. The density of population is about 510 persons per square kilometer and the sex ratio is 940 females to 1000 males. The literacy rate is of 81.28% among males and 63.92% among females. Hindus and Buddhists form the majority in terms of religious groups and Muslims and Christians are relatively fewer in numbers.

The district extends from the marshy and tropical Terai, at an average height of 300 feet above sea level, to the cool heights of the Sandakphu Phalut ridge, about 12,000 feet above sea level. It borders on Sikkim to the North, Bhutan to the East and Nepal to the West. It includes the two other Hill resorts of Kurseong and Kalimpong, 4,864 and 4,100 feet above sea level respectively.

The People of Darjeeling

The original inhabitants of the Darjeeling Hills were Lepchas or Rongpa (the ravine folks) as they prefer themselves to be known as. Though their origin is obscure they are decidedly Mongolian in feature.

The greater bulk of the people in the Hills are Gorkhas. They are industrious and enterprising as a race and speak as many as seven different dialects - Gorkhali or Indian Nepali being the predominantly spoken language. Among the population are also the Sherpas originally from Solo Khumbu and Namche Bazaar. They are well known for their courage, stamina and surefootedness and for their immeasurable contributions to Mountaineering. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa the international hero who conquered Mount Everest along with Sir Edmund Hillary lived and died in Darjeeling. Also much in evidence in the Hills are the Bhutias, Bengalese, Marwaris, Biharis, Sindhis and Punjabis. The people from all these communities give Darjeeling a Cosmopolitan character.

All the hill people are merry and good hearted, well known for their hospitality. Singing and dancing are an integral part of their social and religious life. They have an avid and ingrained thirst for knowledge. Despite modern education and many western influences they are yet really at heart the simple and unspoilt children of nature.

Religion

Darjeeling enjoys a harmonious blending of Hinduism and Buddhism as the town is practically dotted with Hindu temples and Buddhist Monasteries. A close knit community of Christians, Sikhs and Muslims also exists all living in peaceful harmony.

Languages

English, Bengali, Hindi, Nepali and Tibetan are spoken among the different communities - English and Bengali being understood by majority of the people including the guides and hotel attendants.

Climate and Tourist Season

Darjeeling has four seasons – Spring, Monsoon, Autumn and Winter.

After a short and cold winter, spring comes gracefully in as a blessing. Gentle mists occasionally mingled with light rain take the place of the heavy winter fog. The sky though never completely clear of clouds is still clear enough to give a succession of cool calm days. It is during these months – April to June – that Darjeeling enjoys the first tourist season. The whole town is ablaze with colour; in every garden small or big, there is a profusion of flowers – Rhododendron, Magnolia, Gladioli, Tiger Lillies, Hydrangeas, Sweet Peas, Corn flowers, Roses and Dahlias, all combine to deck Darjeeling out as the real “Queen”. This is the time of the year, too, when the various mountaineering expeditions set out, on the trail of high adventure.

The monsoon starts from late June and is usually over by the end of August. About 100 inches, or more, of rain falls during these months, the heaviest rain-fall usually during July. With the end of the monsoon by the end of August, Autumn starts creeping in from September. Darjeeling’s second tourist season is during these Autumn months of September, October and Mid-November. The weather at this time of the year is Darjeeling’s best. Cool languid days with hardly a cloud in a sky of clear and uninterrupted blue; near by slopes, a luxuriant green with blue hills shimmering across the valley and the mighty Kanchanjunga Range stands as a majestic background towering over every thing. Vistas of unrivalled beauty are presented to the visitors. Carnivals, Dog Shows, Dramatic Performances, Music Concerts, and Cultural Fiestas, all combine to make these the ‘magic months’ for Darjeeling.

Nor must the great Hindu Festivals, which are observed at this time of the year, be forgotten. The Temples and Bazaar present a vast seething mass of brightly shifting colours. Joyous and carefree crowds convert Darjeeling into one big Carnival. To climax the season and the Pujas come the Hindu Festival of Diwali (the Festival of Lights). Popularly known as Tihar, Darjeeling has a unique way of celebrating the festival. Much before the sun sets, the youths gather around in their traditional costumes and armed with musical instruments venture from door to door all over the hills singing songs and dancing. Every house and business establishment is enchantingly outlined in the velvety black night, by the flickering oil lamps. Many of the shops are gaily decorated and Indian sweetmeats are, as is the custom, lavishly distributed to all those visiting the shops. A visit to Darjeeling during the Puja Season is undoubtedly an experience of a life time.

For visitors who are not averse to cold and who want a quiet holiday, Darjeeling in the winter is an ideal spot. The mercury drops as low as 1ºC, while heavy fog frequently envelops the town. Towards the end of December there are occasional rain-storms, while snow often falls presenting the traditional ‘White Christmas’.

Traveling up to Darjeeling

Darjeeling is easily accessible from any part of India by Air, Rail or Road -The Railway station at New Jalpaiguri and the Airport at Bagdogra being the links to the outside world. There are numerous flights operated by different airways and the services are also carefully timed to offer convenient connections to all important cities of the nation.

For visitors who have more time to spare, Darjeeling has excellent rail connections. There are routes to practically every part of the nation. Once the visitor disembarks upon New Jalpaiguri he or she could either seek to make the uphill journey by taxi or the world famous and the now UNESCO World Heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Many holiday makers do prefer taxis or buses which get up to Darjeeling in almost 3 ½ hours but to those who are visiting Darjeeling for the first time traveling by the ‘Toy Train’ as it is affectionately known as, is not just pleasantly interesting but indeed the ride of a life time.

The ‘Toy Train’ on this section winds its way up gradually. Starting from a mere 300 feet above sea level, it ascends to a height of 7,400 feet at Ghoom Station and then descends to 6,812 feet at Darjeeling by a series of hair-pin curves, loops and zig-zags. This railway system owes its inception to Sir Ashley Eden and Mr. Franklin Prestage and is considered to be one of the greatest engineering feats of its kind in the world.

The journey from Siliguri to Darjeeling provides panoramic views and occasionally at bends, one sees the vast fertile plains of Bengal stretching far into the horizon, with rivers, like silver ribbons, meandering lazily over it. Huge trees, giants of the forest, choked by strangulating creepers; gigantic boulders, reminders of past land-slides; cascading water falls roaring from the hill sides, hills slopes given over to tea bushes all make the uphill trip utterly interesting.

Dorji, a house painter with close-cropped black hair, draws his bowstring, hooks his thumb on his cheek and takes aim at what appears an impossible target: an 11-inch-wide slip of wood dug into the soil 460 feet away -- deeper than center field.

He lets his finger slip and the arrow streaks down the field, raising a puff of dust when it hits the earthen bank just behind the target. He has missed.

"His wife keeps beating him! That's why he's getting weaker and weaker!" taunt his friends, gathered in a grove of willows along the rocky Pachu River. Dorji, 47, is accustomed to the insults that are a staple of archery in Bhutan, and just ignores them.

[Picture: Bhutanese Olympic archers Dorji Dolma, left, and her husband, Tashi Tshering, practice earlier this year in Thimpu, the capital.]

More:

Tashichoedzong, the fortress monastery on the northern edge of the city, built in the 17th century, has been the seat of Bhutan's government since 1952.

The city sprawls across the western slopes of the Wang Chhu river valley, with a government quarter centred on Tashichoedzong. Rapid expansion following the pattern of rural exodus has resulted in considerable rebuilding in the city centre and mushrooming suburban development elsewhere. Norzin Lam, the recently upgraded main thoroughfare, is lined with shops, restaurants, retail arcades and public buildings. Elsewhere, there is a mix of apartment blocks, small family homes and family-owned stores. By regulation, all buildings are required to be designed in traditional style with Buddhist paintings and motifs. A lively weekend market near the river supplies meat, vegetables and tourist items. Most of the city's limited light industry is located south of the main bridge. Thimphu has a growing number of commercial services and offices which provide for ever-growing local needs. The city is surrounded by forests which make the city look even greener. With on going construction for the 2008 celebrations of 100 years of Monarchy and Bhutan's transition to Parliamentary Democracy, more and more construction is seen throughout Thimphu.

Dechenphu, Tango and Cheri monasteries, and Dechenchoeling Palace, the official residence of the King, are located to the north of the city.

Bhutan is one of the most isolated and least developed nations in the world.^{[citation needed]} Foreign influences and tourism are regulated by the government to preserve the nation's traditional culture, identity and the environment. The landscape ranges from subtropical plains in the south to the Himalayan heights in the north, with some peaks exceeding 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). The state religion is Vajrayana Buddhism, and the population is predominantly Buddhist, with Hinduism being the second-largest religion. The capital and largest city is Thimphu. After centuries of direct monarchic rule, in March 2008, Bhutan held its first democratic elections. Bhutan is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Read more: Source South Asia, 1 May 2008

Religion permeates much of the Bhutanese lifestyle. Tall prayer flags flap in the wind on every hillside. Sometimes you might see a bunch of five in varying colors while other times there may be dozens of white flags standing proud. They're all beautiful and a reminder of the importance of Buddhism to this culture.

Buddhism in Bhutan

During these events, which last from three to five days, ordinary people are given the ideas of good and evil and what one has to face in their afterlife. Of the various dances performed, the heart events are made to fall during the auspicious date, the 10th, which in Bhutanese language is ‘tsechu’. On the tenth day, it begins with the exhibition of ‘thongdrel’ (meaning confer liberation by the mere sight of it), which is a large canvas painting of those great Buddhist saints, which possesses a greater significance amongst them all. Another significant event of the day is the ‘guru tsegay’, a mask dance portraying the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpochoe.

Although, tsechu is held for the mask dances and blessings, professional singers and dancers at the end of each mask dance perform traditional Bhutanese songs and dances. The dancers wear colorful hand woven dresses made from locally harvested silk. It also provides the local populace with a wonderful occasion to dress up, gather together, and enjoy, in a convivial light-hearted atmosphere. It is also an occasion to renew their faith and receive blessings by watching the sacred dances, or receiving 'empowerment' from a lama or Buddhist monk.

Tsechu is an annual religious festival that has been celebrated in different locality at different times. The festival held at dzongs or lhakhangs falls during summer at some places and during winter in others. Of these festivals the Paro Tsechu, in the spring, and the Wangue and ThimpuTsechus, in the fall, are the most impressive. These festivals are very popular with western tourists.

From Ta-Dzong to Chorten Kora, you will see one of the greatest sights in the world; meet multi-ethnic and multi-lingual people and witness their unique tradition and culture, visit Textile museum, Handicrafts Emporium, National Museum, Traditional Medicine Center. We will show you the world of cultural Bhutan!

Our tour packages are designed according to the festival dates at different regions. From April to December, you are never late to witness the amazing world of festive Bhutan.

THE TREATY CONCLUDED AT SINCHULA

On the 11^th day of November, 1865

Treaty between His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir John Lawrence, G.C.B., K.S.I., Viceroy and Governor-General of Her Britannic Majesty’s possessions in the East Indies, and the one part by Lieutenant Colonel Herbart Bruce, CB, by virtue of full powers to that effect vested in him by the Viceroy and Governor – General, and on the other part by Samdojey Deb Jimpey and Themseyrensey Donai according to full powers conferred on them by the Dhum and Deb Rajahs, 1865.

ARTICLE I

There shall henceforth be perpetual peace and friendship between the British Government and the Government of Bhootan.

ARTICLE II

Whereas in consequence of repeated aggressions of the Bhootan Government and of the refusal of that Government to afford satisfaction for those aggressions, and for their insulting treatment of the officers sent by His Excellency the Governor-General in Council for the purpose of procuring an amicable adjustment of differences existing between the two states, the British Government has been compelled to seize by an armed force the whole of the Doars and certain Hill Posts protecting the passes into Bhootan, and whereas the Bhootan Government has now expressed its regret for past misconduct and a desire for the establishment of friendly relations with the British Government, it is hereby agreed that the whole of the tract known as the Eighteen Doars, bordering on the districts of Rungpoor, Cooch Behar, and Assam, together with the Taloo of Ambaree Fallcottah and the Hill territory on the left bank of the Teesta up to such points as may be laid down by the British Commissioner appointed for the purpose is ceded by the Bhootan Government to the British Government forever.

ARTICLE III

The Bhootan Government hereby agree to surrender all British subjects, as well as subjects of the Chief of Sikkim and Cooch Behar who are now detained in Bhootan against their will, and to place no impediment in the way of the return of all or any of such persons into British territory.

ARTICLE IV

In consideration of the cession by the Bhootan Government of the territories specified in Article II of this Treaty, and of the said Government having expressed its regret fro past misconduct, and having hereby engaged for the future to restrain all evil disposed persons from committing crimes with in British territory or the territories of the Rajahs of Sikkim and Cooch Behar and to give prompt and full redress for all such crimes which may be committed in defiance of their commands, the British Government agree to make an annual allowance to the Government of Bhootan of a sum not exceeding fifty thousand rupees (Rupees 50,000) to be paid to officers not below the rank of Jungpen, who shall be deputed by the Government of Bhootan to receive the same. And it is further hereby agreed that the payments shall be made as specified below:

On the fulfillment by the Bhootan Government of the conditions of this Treaty Twenty Five Thousand Rupees (Rupees 25,000).

On the 10^th January following the 1^st payment, thirty five thousand rupees (Rupees 35,000)

On the 10^th January following, forty-five thousand rupees (Rupees 45,000)

On every succeeding 10^th January, fifty thousand rupees (Rupees 50,000)

Editor,

The Himalayan Beacon,

Darjeeling

Speaker,

Lok Sabha,

Parliament House Annexe,

New Delhi – 110001

Dear Sir,

Greetings from Darjeeling!

What is the stand of the Union Government of India vis-à-vis the Treaty of Sinchula signed between the Dharma and Deb Rajahs of Bhutan and the Governor General of the British Indian Empire on the 11^th of November 1865? It has come to our notice that the Government of India is still paying the financial remuneration to the Kingdom of Bhutan as the British Indian Government had done and the payment has in fact even been increased from Rupees 5,00,000 to Rupees, 10,00,000. Doesn’t this mean that the territories in question do not belong to the Union of India and is just a leasehold land? Please clarify.

Yours truly,

Barun Roy

Parliament House Annexe,

New Delhi – 110001

Sir,

I am directed to inform you that it has not been found possible to admit your question noted above. In this connection I am to convey the following information as received from the Ministry of External Affairs.

The territories of Assam Dooars, Bengal Dooars and Kalimpong are an integral part of the Union of India. The Government are not paying any lease amount to Royal Government of Bhutan for the territories. There is no question, therefore of the amount having been increased to Rs. 10 lakhs from Rs. 5 lakhs. An annual payment of Rs. 5 lakhs, is however, being made by the Government to Bhutan in terms of Article 3 of the 1949 Treaty between India and Bhutan.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

Under Secretary

Rimbick Bazaar,

Darjeeling

We would have been able to return back to earth had the journey been started from the time when the Hillmen of 1917 started the journey of salvation from Bengal. The innocent lovely ancestors trusted all the leaders in the hope that he/she would definitely bring or fulfill the long standing demand of salvation from Bengal. Our ancestors supported these leaders and gave everything. Bullets and lathi charge could not stop them. Blood of young and old had painted the Mela Ground in Kalimpong. To make people further aggressive “Gorkhaland can be achieved within six months or one year,” said Ghisingh. This was how he made the innocent people of the District of Darjeeling and Dooars believe that he was only saviour who could bring justice and salvation from Bengal.

The people have lost much from the time of Ladenla in 1917 to Damber Singh Gurung in 1946. To achieve a goal of salvation, Damber Singh Gurung and other Gorkha League party members visited Nepal on 23.12.1946 to merge Darjeeling into Nepal. The British then was paying Rs. 12, 000 (Twelve thousand) as rent of Darjeeling to Sikkim and it proved that Damber Singh Gurung and the League members were not the legal authority of Darjeeling who could merge it in Nepal. The way they thought to be right was actually wrong. Therefore the contribution made by the people proved fruitless. From then on, it has become a system or culture that Darjeeling areas are treated separately belonging to nobody.

The way they thought to be right not only deceived them but the people too.

Look into our history and one can find the true facts. Look into the struggle and contribution from 1907 to 2008 and one can see what went wrong. The dreams of the leaders can only been fulfilled at the cost of salvation from Bengal. The leaders never engaged in the true history of the people. They merely engaged in rhetoric. Salvation from Bengal cannot be achieved by being simply sentimental or emotional. Salvation from Bengal is a political demand and political demand can be possible when we are equipped with historical facts. Sorrow and misery have only been achieved by being sentimental. We’ve lost more than we’ve gain. We’re loosing what we shouldn’t have. For example, Siliguri is an integral part of Darjeeling District. The signing of Council Accord on 22.8.1988 by our so called saviour Mr. Ghisingh gave Bengal a right to claim / consider Siliguri not to be a part of District of Darjeeling, that is why recently peaceful procession of our ex-servicemen at Darjeeling more in Siliguri got stopped and stoned by the Government of West Bengal Police. When the Government of West Bengal issued Gazette notification or white paper on 29.10.1986 which states, “Historically what is known as the District of Darjeeling today was parts of two Kingdom – the Kingdom of Sikkim and Bhutan.” Would it not be our ignorance and foolishness to ask for salvation from the Govt. which has accepted in written that the District of Darjeeling was never a part of Bengal?

The white paper issued by the Government of West Bengal has been approved/sanctioned/recommended by the then Chief Minister, Ministers and the representative of all the political parties of Bengal. Is it not wrong to go to someone who holds no legal authority over the District of Darjeeling? What compels us to follow the same pattern of political agitation followed by our ancestors? I don’t see any reason to follow wrong path which led us nowhere. Now this is a tough time. The people of Darjeeling and Dooars must be united under the single umbrella of historical facts and march towards the path of the unification of Darjeeling with Sikkim.

Question 1: How was the path followed by our ancestors wrong?

Answer: The path of salvation from Bengal followed by our ancestors was wrong because they had no knowledge about Darjeeling’s legal authority. That is why they went to Nepal in search of salvation and Assam on 29.4.1952. They had no idea of the legal owner of the soil they were standing upon.

Our ancestors/forefathers had no idea of the fact that Darjeeling was given on rent to the British by the Seventh King, Sugtu Namgyal of Sikkim on 1^st February, 1835. The British made on payment till they disappear from Darjeeling. The final figure was Rupees. 12,000.

The Terai area of Sikkim, Siliguri and its adjoining areas were forcibly seized by the British in 1850 on the simple ground that the imprisonment of two British officers; Campbell and Sir Dalton Hooker by the then Prime Minister of Sikkim, Duniya Namgyal had infuriated the Governor General.

Our forefathers had no idea of t