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Saturday, May 23, 2009

literary programme basibiyalo held at Mongpu
Correspondent,Kalimnews: Kalimpong, May 11: The popular monthly literary programme Basibiyalo has already crossed its boundary of Kalimpong town and started to reach different localities in the surroundings. The programme has also witnessed change in its format as it has now started to be organized outdoor. The outdoor episodes of this programme have so far been held in various outskirts like Lava, Mangaldham, Melli (Sikkim), Tribeni (Confluence of Teesta and Rangeet rivers), Ramkrishna Rangamanch, Kalimpong after its re-inception in the year 2005. This time the local literature lovers of Kalimpong experienced a new height when it was organized in very famous literary place Mongpo.
Marking the 148th birth anniversary of poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore, the 77th Episode of Basibiyalo was held at Rabindra Bhawan, Mongpo on 10th of May. The programme organised at the initiative of Mongpo Sahitya Parishad and its activists including Udai Thulung, Umesh Upama, Sanjay Bista and other was attended by senior Nepali literary figures Sanumati Rai, D.Kumar Pariyar etc. The programme included recitation of self-composed poems by prominent and young literary personalities of Nepali language. On the occasion a self composed English poem was also recited by Ashif Ali, the youngest among the participants. The new faces to read out their compositon included Bigyan Sharma, Bhim Acharya, Madana Ojha, Bijay Pradhan, Sarita Samadarshi, Bhumika Bhujel, Jangey Tamang, Arun Sampang, Deep Thapa, Sujit Thapa, Anit Khati, Dushyanta Ramudamu, Munal Ghising, Nirmal Tamang, Amrit Kharka, Khagendra Baraily, Anil Sintury etc. while the reputed literary figures like T.N. Subedi, B.K. Shilal, Sahadeo Giri, Ashim Sagar, Dr. Kamal Pokhrel, Udai Thulung, Shanti Rai Sahara, Kiran Blon, etc. presented their creative articles. The programme which was attended by about one hundred literature lovers from Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Mongpo, Mangmaya and Sikkim was conducted by Umesh Upama and Siba Chhetri ‘Sibu’. To make the occasion a memorable one the senior members of Basibiyalo like Smt. Leela Joshi, C.P. Pradhan and junior member Raju Nepali sang Nepali folk songs. While addressing the gathering Hira Chhetri highlighted the background of Basibiyalo programme and also spoke on the prevailing disparity in the Nepali language. The view of Chhetri was seconded by Sanjay Bista, a lecturer in Kalimpong College in the Nepali subject. Both of them stressed to avoid disparity in Nepali writing and emphasized correct usage of the language by the writers. Samsher Ali, Co-ordinator of Basibiyalo spoke about the contribution of Mongpo Cinchona Plantation towards development of Nepali literature and recalled the reputed names of Mongpo who have played unforgettable roles to uplift the Nepali language. Earlier young literary figure Udai Thulung welcomed the guests to Mungpo. A book titled Geet Ganga authored by Kribu Sanyami of Saddam, Sikkim was also released on the occasion by Smt. Sanumati Rai. The participants also paid a visit to the Rabindranath museum located near the Rabindra Bhawan and paid their respect to the late poet on his birth anniversary.

DRYF's chakkajam to release Subba

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Correspondent, Kalimnews:Kalimpong, May 13: About 200 members of Democratic Revolutionary Youth Front, a frontal organistion of CPRM, held an hour long chakkajam progamme at Kalimpong town on 13th May to protest against the delay in release of C.B. Subba, GLO Chief from Jalpaiguri jail. The members of the DRYF assembled at Damber Chowk and shouted slogans against the Left Front ruled West Bengal Govt. for making the case a political issue and unauthorisedly detain Subba for over six years. The traffic was disturbed for more than two hours due to the wheel-jam and passengers were found stranded along Main Road, D.S. Gurung Road, etc. The DRYF members also submitted a memorandum to the SDO, Kalimpong requesting him to apprise the concerned higher authorities about the demand of the organisation and take necessary action to immediately release Subba. Later Santosh Pradhan, Zonal Secretary, DRYF addressed the local press where he vehemently criticised the administration for turning the case into a political issue and urged the intellectuals, social activists and human right activists to come forward and pressurise the concerned authorities to release Subba alongwith other innocent persons who are behind the bar at an early date. It may be recalled that Subba and some anti-GNLF political activists were arrested by West Bengal police during 2003 after the life attempt on Subash Ghising, the then DGHC Chairman and GNLF Supremo at Saatghumti, near Kurseong P.S. on his way back from New Delhi to Darjeeling after attending a crucial meeting with the union govt. regarding the future status of Darjeeling hills. Ghising and his convoy were attacked by unknown elements and an encounter had taken place. Other persons arrested in connection with the incident were Amar Lama, Norden Lama (both Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders now). However, both of them have now managed to get bail from Supreme Court. The Jalpaiguri court was reportedly facing difficulties to hear the case due to frequent absence of eye witnesses of the incident. Now, since out of over 70 eyewitnesses, the prime figure Subash Ghising has already attended the hearing the case is expected to be finalised very shortly. On the other hand, the DRYF and Democratic Revolutionary Womens' Front (women front of CPRM) members have been continuously organising different democratic agitational programmes to draw the attention of concerned authorities to demand speedy hearing of the case and release or punish Subba. Subba is expected to be released unconditionally due to lack of adequate evidence to frame charge of life attempt on him. It is reported that even Ghising declinee to accuse Subba in the incident before the court of law during the last hearing. Meanwhile, the followers and sympathisers of Subba who is popularly known as Chhatre Subba have formed a Reception Committee in Kalimpong to accord a warm welcome to him on his release. They have also started to generate financial support from the local businessmen in Kalimpong town to organise a grand welcome as and when Subba is released.

SEMINAR ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Correspondent KPC:Kalimpong, 6th March:A Media Seminar on Human Trafficking and allied issues was Co-hosted by Kalimpong Press Club and organized by Department of Information and Cultural Affairs on 6th March 3008 in Ramakrishna Rangamanch.

The seminar attended by the representatives of different NGOs was inaugurated by Mr. Amiyas Tshering Sitling , SDO and the Chief Guest of the programme while Mr. Mitendra Chhetri , Sub Divisional Information and Cultural Officer, Kalimpong welcomed the Guests. Mr.P.D.Bal District Information and Cultural Officer highlighted the objective of the programme that focused on trafficking of women as sex worker.

Mr. A.K.Rai, Secretary, Kalimpong Press Club in his presentation mentioned about the role of the media on the subject.Mr. Rai also mentioned about the merits and demerits of making a story on a particular incident of human trafficking and the reaction of the readers. He also highlighted the limitations of media personnel and the risk on covering a story. Mr. Vivek Chhetri, of Darjeeling Press Guild also stressed that we should be more serious on this problem . It was substantiated by an audiovisual presentation of interviews produced by Darjeeling Press Guild in which housewives of all age group mentioned their ordeal and the reason behind working as a flying sex worker .

Ms Rongo Shouria, of the Kanchenjumga Uddhar Kendra, Siliguri shared her experiences of rescue operation of the trafficked girls and the problems she faced during and after the operation. The M.C. of the seminar was Mr. Suraj Mani Pradhan who also mediated the Interactive Session as Moderator.

Attended by the representatives of Kanchenjumga Uddhar Kendra, Siliguri; Sanlaap,Siliguri; CINI, Siliguri; Mary ward development Centre, Siliguri; FOCEP, Darjeeling; Hill Social Welfare Society, Kalimpong; Anugyalaya,Kalimpong; ICDS workers of Kalimpong the interactive session had Dr. Mira Sinha, (ICDS); Mr. P.K.Bardewa, Dy.Magistrate (SDOs Office); Mr. Rakesh Gurung,OC Rangpo (Darjeeling Police), Mr. Samsher Ali; Messers Vivek Chhetri, Amitava Banerjee, Sanjay Pradhan, Surendra Poddar, Kalyan Thapa, Pradip Lohagun (Media)in the panel. The interactive session highlighted the problems faced due to inadequate governmental aid and cooperation. It also stressed upon the hostile and unfriendly attitude of the police to the victim and the NGOs working on the field as well as unavailability of any help from government for establishing such counseling as well as rehabilitation centres and homes for the victims of the crime. Representatives of the NGOs shared their problems faced during rescue operation and apprehending the culprits. Finally it was decided that the people of rural areas in the grass root level should be made aware about the crime. All NGOs, Media and Governmental Organisations should help each other to coordinate their activities in educating the mass about the causes, modus operandi, culprit, hazards of human trafficking and the ways of controlling the incidents of trafficking. It also stressed upon the need of a powerful NGO for rescue operation with networking capacity as well as physical, psychological treatment Centre and rehabilitation Centre with adequate self supporting programme. Representative members of more than 15 NGOs including ADP Himalaya- World Vision, IRCS, Parbatiya Nari Ayog, Krishak Kalyan Sangathan, Dukha Niwarak Sammelan, Cluny Sisters, Nazareth Social Service Society, DISHA, Kalimpong and others attended the seminar.

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