tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45030121884351637982024-03-16T23:53:08.801-07:00CHAUTARE, the storytellers from East HimalayaChautare are the benches up in the East Himalayan villages which are resting places on trails dedicated to ancestors and relatives who are no more, where discussions happen, specially stories from present, past and future...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-55875779134716609692016-04-13T06:33:00.000-07:002016-04-13T06:33:42.719-07:00The story of URA YAKCHOE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pidpzMvnS5o/Vw5GyEePudI/AAAAAAAAE5E/xcLpgO6bSpAsADJ1SrrYfZV-11Snj5RVACLcB/s1600/Ura%2Byakchoe%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pidpzMvnS5o/Vw5GyEePudI/AAAAAAAAE5E/xcLpgO6bSpAsADJ1SrrYfZV-11Snj5RVACLcB/s640/Ura%2Byakchoe%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bzvwT0EHJeY/Vw5HZxLuvLI/AAAAAAAAE5M/gy2AyX8y5YwggN7axYzFwspVCiBpRYIygCLcB/s1600/Ura%2Byakchoe%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bzvwT0EHJeY/Vw5HZxLuvLI/AAAAAAAAE5M/gy2AyX8y5YwggN7axYzFwspVCiBpRYIygCLcB/s320/Ura%2Byakchoe%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once upon a time there was an old lady who lived in the most
beautiful valley, but in the lost part of the world. A Buddhist Lama (Monk),
who was passing across, not seeing a single human being in his journey stopped
by requesting for some drinking water. The old lady was engrossed in the
blooming rhododendrons and other colourful flowers and thinking of the creator
of this beautiful valley. She slowly went inside her house to fetch some
drinking water and when she returned the Lama was gone, but had left a small
bag. Out of curiosity she opened the bag to find a relic inside it. Till date
the people of the beautiful Ura Valley, or Ura Lhakhang celebrate around this
relic in a festival, Ura Yakchoe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJ1p5ZXfkkM/Vw5GV8uNNkI/AAAAAAAAE5A/OOXabkYMh4A7Bi6snSstec5v2Ji-QIgEgCLcB/s1600/P1015502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJ1p5ZXfkkM/Vw5GV8uNNkI/AAAAAAAAE5A/OOXabkYMh4A7Bi6snSstec5v2Ji-QIgEgCLcB/s320/P1015502.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is said that Bumthang is the most beautiful part of Bhutan
and Ura Valley is the best part of Bumthang. It is said that Guru Padmasambhava
visited Bumthang to cure the Bumthang King, popularly known as Sindhu Raja.
There are lots of stories attached to this legendary journey. When the Sindhu
Raja’s messengers arrived Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) at his place in Nepal,
he requested them to return with a few of his disciples and that he would
follow later. When the joint team arrived the foothills of the mountain trail,
they found that Guru Padmasambhava was meditating on a floating sal leaf. This
place today is identified as Ultapani, the western side of Indian Manas. The
Bodos have the legend of the monk going through a path next to it; Gonghar Lam
as they called it is hidden in the deep forests. Just above this area is the
Nubji-Korphu area, where we still can hear and see the interactions of Guru
Rimpoche with Kupdra Penpo from the Monpa village near Trongsa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oliWOYO31rw/Vw5ISYT5TFI/AAAAAAAAE5U/lu4KgkyspeosZtDBAfgM6Rxh3IM5QQVcQCLcB/s1600/Ura%2Byakchoe%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oliWOYO31rw/Vw5ISYT5TFI/AAAAAAAAE5U/lu4KgkyspeosZtDBAfgM6Rxh3IM5QQVcQCLcB/s640/Ura%2Byakchoe%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Lama who asked for water from the old lady must have been
Guru Rimpoche and the relic left by him is celebrated even today. This year do
not miss the Ura Yokchoe festival to start from 18<sup>th</sup> of April and
should end around Friday that week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">While travelling in these areas, both in Bhutan and India, I have felt that these are the most sacred areas for Biodiversity and needs protection through the local traditions, as it has happened for hundreds of year in the past. All we need is to help keep this tradition living.</span></div>
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from my friend from Ura, who is also a Tiger expert from Bhutan, Lhendup
Tharchen.</i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com141tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-12633202096770590752016-01-12T11:10:00.000-08:002016-01-12T11:10:34.130-08:00Sandakphu, Nepal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">10 Jan, 2016, Kolkata:</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <b>“Chalo
ILAM”</b> is the title of the meet today to establish a strong cross-border
tourism relation between ILAM, Nepal and West Bengal, India, being hosted by
the Nicco Park at Kolkata. A very interesting fact was brought forward by
Surendraji, Deputy Consulate General of Nepal to India at Kolkata. He said that
as a part of the team implementing tourism at Mustang area, he had to attend a
review meeting at the site after 03 years of tourism in the area. The villagers
said that they were more happy with the Indian tourists coming to their area as
they would culturally understand them, religiously pay respect to their land
and spend much money in donations and their food, accommodation etc, compared
to other western tourists, who would bring everything from their country and at
the most buy some dokos (bamboo baskets for carrying load) and hire some
porters. To this, the famous Nepali poet and wise Consulate General, Chandra
Kumar Ghimire ji added, I have come to the end of my tenure at Kolkata, but the
City of Joy has become my home, the culture of the people and their deep seeded
want to travel to new areas has mesmerized me. Every person in Bengal has a
traveller in him or her and it is good that the people of ILAM have decided to
invite them as their first guests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AgKqBgL0UsQ/VpVG4wRLODI/AAAAAAAAE0U/06fvZJwIs1U/s1600/P1012704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="329" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AgKqBgL0UsQ/VpVG4wRLODI/AAAAAAAAE0U/06fvZJwIs1U/s640/P1012704.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b6141kN-3Ys/VpVHQN6kn2I/AAAAAAAAE1c/xQLtkd7UwBY/s1600/Sherpa%2BMarriage%2BMai%2BPokhri%2B%252873%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b6141kN-3Ys/VpVHQN6kn2I/AAAAAAAAE1c/xQLtkd7UwBY/s320/Sherpa%2BMarriage%2BMai%2BPokhri%2B%252873%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sandakphu as we all know is the first adventure ground for
all adventure loving people of Bengal. Darjeeling tops the list of Hill station
and adjoining Sandakphu tops the list of trekkers’ destination. This 3636m
highest part of the state of West Bengal in India is also the highest point of
ILAM in Eastern Nepal. The most interesting part proposed in this meet is that
one can start the trek from Maimajhuwa Khorsanitar in ILAM, Nepal and end it at
Maneybhanjung in Darjeeling of West Bengal in India or vice versa. The
advantage in Nepal that there is the bonus of the legendary Maipokhari Lake and
the 85m drop Todke Waterfalls. ILAM too is easily approachable from Siliguri or
NJP Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport. For all those who have been on the
Sandakphu trek will confirm you of the majestic views of the snow capped peaks
of Mt.Khangchendzonga, Mt.Makalu and Mt.Everest families, not to forget the
rich bird life, including the rare pheasants.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IHgRE_ClQZs/VpVHDn5_nrI/AAAAAAAAE0w/IBiefWP3kM0/s1600/Sandakphu%2BMaimajua%2BNepal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IHgRE_ClQZs/VpVHDn5_nrI/AAAAAAAAE0w/IBiefWP3kM0/s640/Sandakphu%2BMaimajua%2BNepal.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M8Al8l9I5MQ/VpVHOnQQKMI/AAAAAAAAE1U/-eS5U_VTe8g/s1600/Sherpa%2BMarriage%2BMai%2BPokhri%2B%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M8Al8l9I5MQ/VpVHOnQQKMI/AAAAAAAAE1U/-eS5U_VTe8g/s640/Sherpa%2BMarriage%2BMai%2BPokhri%2B%252813%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKGKGVa3uHAH3_bPzvm82ampLoXur9AGz1M_62TgBUWBVzcCSBVUZ8O90zXsESk0gfpxHwggfH9__ykptPF6_L62_93mhgYUUF77cFKlMzHJQNLzzD30txBDpniYyh_j2GmpDe2ievsVr/s1600/P1012725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKGKGVa3uHAH3_bPzvm82ampLoXur9AGz1M_62TgBUWBVzcCSBVUZ8O90zXsESk0gfpxHwggfH9__ykptPF6_L62_93mhgYUUF77cFKlMzHJQNLzzD30txBDpniYyh_j2GmpDe2ievsVr/s320/P1012725.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">ILAM is a part of the Mechi Zone, which includes the
districts of Mechi, ILAM, Panchthar and Taplejung. Mechi zone in turn is a part
of Eastern Nepal, which includes 02 more prominent zones, Koshi zone and
Sagarmatha zone, all sharing an interesting border with the eastern states of
India, namely Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim. The Nepal and Indian Terai is the
base, which is part of the single landscape that is headed by the highest
mountains of the world. All these areas are an active part of Eastern
Spirituality, where local communities find their divine forces in nature, the
religion of BIODIVINITY. Discover the cultures of Rai, Limboo, Lepcha, Sherpa,
Newar and many more core communities, specially encounters with Ban-Jhakri
(Priests of the Forests) is a rare experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLyCVYJ3QRk/VpVHE8ShJMI/AAAAAAAAE08/ZUM-KDJJEDE/s1600/Sandakphu%2BTumling%2Bleisure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLyCVYJ3QRk/VpVHE8ShJMI/AAAAAAAAE08/ZUM-KDJJEDE/s640/Sandakphu%2BTumling%2Bleisure.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>1.Sharing the Indo-Nepal Border, a common landscape</i></span></div>
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<i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2. People who made the Indo-Nepal meet "Chalo ILAM" meaningful</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">3. The Gateway to Eastern Nepal, including ILAM is Kakarvitta, which is hardly 40 minutes drive from Siliguri. There is a strong group of artists, poets, writers, fashion designers, </span><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">agriculturists</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, traders, environmentalists, tourism service providers and several stakeholders on both sides of the border working </span><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">tirelessly to maintain a strong people to people relation.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Most of the pictures here have been contributed by an active worker of Indo-Nepal relations Mr.Laba Paul</b></span></i></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-63461241490023764752015-11-14T05:44:00.000-08:002015-11-14T05:45:58.935-08:00Indo-Burma/Myanmar relations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ctsGn_591s/Vkcqg51EayI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/NhAhDjwSARU/s1600/P1014473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ctsGn_591s/Vkcqg51EayI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/NhAhDjwSARU/s640/P1014473.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is any day; the new Government will take over the reins, a
change which Myanmar will be witnessing after 25 years. It is time when the
enlightened Buddhist Monks will have to help the Government in building a just
and empowered society, not divided by class, creed and religion. The military,
which will continue to look after Home, Defence and Borders will need to show
more efficiency and dedication in their work to serve the cause of making the
democracy of Myanmar meaningful.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Wy-IL3W1ps/VkcrKxlv7SI/AAAAAAAAEvc/6533DJsfOFQ/s1600/DSCN9370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Wy-IL3W1ps/VkcrKxlv7SI/AAAAAAAAEvc/6533DJsfOFQ/s320/DSCN9370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many of us may not realize that Myanmar tops the list in WGI
(World Giving Index) among the 145 nations based on the criteria of the
percentage of people donating for charity, volunteering their time and those
helping strangers. Hence, we must understand, it is not about how resource rich
you are, it is all about how much you are deep rooted in your tradition through
compassion.</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IWuq24iRYZo/VkcrsbSH7uI/AAAAAAAAEvk/AhBrPL8dJ8k/s1600/P1014641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IWuq24iRYZo/VkcrsbSH7uI/AAAAAAAAEvk/AhBrPL8dJ8k/s640/P1014641.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VytIYCmRs3o/Vkcs2bCUMSI/AAAAAAAAEvs/LRTwEVWWFoA/s1600/DSCN99731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VytIYCmRs3o/Vkcs2bCUMSI/AAAAAAAAEvs/LRTwEVWWFoA/s320/DSCN99731.JPG" width="320" /></a><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Siliguri. 12<sup>th</sup>
of November, 2015:</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
Today, the day after Diwali, when we should have cleaned our souls and through
the festival of light have enlightened the world, it is also time to look to
our neighbours. Only a month before was Durga Puja or Dusshera, a major
festival where people celebrate to victory of good over the evil. This year I
decided to be in Myanmar the Durga Pujas. Only the Myanmar Indians and Gorkhas
were involved in Durga Puja, the rest of Myanmar was busy discussing the
legendary November 8<sup>th</sup> elections and now results of the National
Elections at Myanmar has been declared, which is the second major step towards
expectations for an almost complete democracy. It is the entire world looking
forward to the political developments in this Land of Gold. With India and her
ACT East Policy, how much are we concerned with the developments in Myanmar? The
Bihar Election results have been declared quite some days ago and we are still
discussing the engagement of our western neighbour, Pakistan in it, in all
media, local, regional, National or Chai (Tea). How much are we concerned about
the long Indo-Nepal border along Bihar and the latest happenings there?</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-waLIHTahEvM/VkctvF2djTI/AAAAAAAAEv0/Kgq9nnYT6Y8/s1600/P1018060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-waLIHTahEvM/VkctvF2djTI/AAAAAAAAEv0/Kgq9nnYT6Y8/s640/P1018060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JfQrBAgAZ-I/VkcutS6jZJI/AAAAAAAAEwA/ymQpKIGSFAU/s1600/E%2B%252899%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JfQrBAgAZ-I/VkcutS6jZJI/AAAAAAAAEwA/ymQpKIGSFAU/s320/E%2B%252899%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We share more than 1600kms with Myanmar. Along with East
Himalaya, Indo-Burma is another Biodiversity Hotspot, the least explored among
the 08 Biodiversity Hotspots of the World. The forests on both sides of the
border are also the hotspots for anti-National groups for both countries, India
and Myanmar, whose presence have caused irreparable damage to wildlife and
nature resources in the region. While trying to create a proposal of Mishmi
Community Conservation Reserve and Tangsa Community Conservation Reserve in
Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, I have experienced that the natural resource of the
Indian side, which continues to the Myanmar side are probably the last
frontiers of primary habitat in the world. Someone needs to address this common
issue and why not “ACT East”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5J80SSjuuYo/VkcvjwlAiYI/AAAAAAAAEwI/75M1FRBfZmQ/s1600/DSCN9362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5J80SSjuuYo/VkcvjwlAiYI/AAAAAAAAEwI/75M1FRBfZmQ/s640/DSCN9362.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PnBLIhGweIc/VkcxsGo3hlI/AAAAAAAAEwg/OuucaJG4Ls4/s1600/Map%2BPPWF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PnBLIhGweIc/VkcxsGo3hlI/AAAAAAAAEwg/OuucaJG4Ls4/s640/Map%2BPPWF.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-klcoZh_X8bg/VkcxnTKn6jI/AAAAAAAAEwY/F6zJWnHcuTc/s1600/stilwellroadmap1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-klcoZh_X8bg/VkcxnTKn6jI/AAAAAAAAEwY/F6zJWnHcuTc/s320/stilwellroadmap1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was during the Dihing-Patkai Festival several years ago, the
first engagement with the Stilwell Road started, after which there was no
looking back. The Ledo Road through Jairampur and Nampong, leads to Pangsau
Pass and further to ‘Lake of No Return’ (Nawng Yang) via Pangsaung village in
Myanmar. Maturing from the Dihing-Patkai Festival, I became an active part in
organizing the Pangsau Pass Winter Festival on behalf of Help Tourism. The
initial years it was more of pushing cars on the red muddy roads, but now it is
black topped National Highway. This is a historical and mythological route
which was used for ages by many Tai communities who reached through this route
to settle and make what is India’s Northeast today. Not long back, during the
Japanese occupation of Myanmar during World War II, thousands and millions of
Indians, Anglo-Indians, Indo-Burmese and Europeans in then Burma, now Myanmar,
escaped to India through this route. Several of their family members and
friends died in the journey. The sacrifice of lives by Indians, Chinese,
Africans, Elephants, Horses/Mules while building this road can only be
remembered when we chance upon a cemetery ground lost in the forests in this
route. The dream of Northeast India to drive this road from Dibrugarh-Ledo to
Kunming via Myitkyina continues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usP9xx4LsSQ/VkczYXAndiI/AAAAAAAAEww/THzrfB5qwRA/s1600/P1016523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usP9xx4LsSQ/VkczYXAndiI/AAAAAAAAEww/THzrfB5qwRA/s640/P1016523.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XU6SPVsZkWQ/Vkcz3s4J-YI/AAAAAAAAEw4/DTO12Cs94t4/s1600/P1016755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XU6SPVsZkWQ/Vkcz3s4J-YI/AAAAAAAAEw4/DTO12Cs94t4/s320/P1016755.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During my recent trip to Myitkyina from Mandalay, I was quite
astonished to see the elaborate Hindu Temple beside the Ayeyarawady (Irrawaddy)
river. I doubt, I have seen such a temple in India. It was Durga Puja time and
the whole community of Indian origin seemed to be there, celebrating the
festival. The Gorkha people of Nepali origin also seemed to participate in
large numbers. From several online sites, I got an idea that there are more
than 9,00,000 Myanmarese Indians and 5,00,000 Myanmarese Gorkhas. Most of them
are decedents of people who served British India in Myanmar or who fought for
India’s Independence as INA (Indian National Army). The people of Indian origin
in Myanmar owe their roots to almost all states of India and for people from
India’s Northeast, it is almost a cross-border continuity. It is time when all
of us in India and Nepal must try and look into Myanmar and connect to the
people, who are part of the family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d60KfhcWbiw/Vkc05r7xemI/AAAAAAAAExE/FLyK7uc5rp0/s1600/E%2B%252823%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d60KfhcWbiw/Vkc05r7xemI/AAAAAAAAExE/FLyK7uc5rp0/s640/E%2B%252823%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hBAus910ylw/Vkc1ZHtTS2I/AAAAAAAAExM/oeo-oBZHEf4/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hBAus910ylw/Vkc1ZHtTS2I/AAAAAAAAExM/oeo-oBZHEf4/s640/DSC_0003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDLLgNPJQaA/Vkc2WK-4wfI/AAAAAAAAExY/1gyqelYJ5fo/s1600/P1014993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDLLgNPJQaA/Vkc2WK-4wfI/AAAAAAAAExY/1gyqelYJ5fo/s320/P1014993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Buddhism has tied us together for more than 2500 years:
Myanmar, Nepal and India. Every step that you take in Myanmar has some or the
other relation to Buddha. Kings, traders and people in general has nurtured
this relation for thousands of years, which cannot be wiped off all of a
sudden. Even till recently, Dr.Shayama Prashad Mookherjee, during his tenure in
the first Independent India Government and as the President of the Mahabodhi
Society kept close relations with Myanmar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJlv7bpXGHg/Vkc3CXi0NvI/AAAAAAAAExg/8UtMcnH8pQY/s1600/P1017774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJlv7bpXGHg/Vkc3CXi0NvI/AAAAAAAAExg/8UtMcnH8pQY/s640/P1017774.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tnjYDsfJWpo/Vkc32qB7MBI/AAAAAAAAExs/rY0xr3FbjXk/s1600/Netaji%2BCurrency.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tnjYDsfJWpo/Vkc32qB7MBI/AAAAAAAAExs/rY0xr3FbjXk/s320/Netaji%2BCurrency.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">INA’s Burma Campaign, the development of the armed revolution
for an Independent India saw the tri-colour flag of Independent India in
Moirang, Manipur as early as in 1944 under the leadership of Netaji Subhas
Chandra Bose. A leader, who was often referred to as ‘the light of Asia’, was a
close part of Burma, now Myanmar. Along with the Burmese National Army, he has
worked on many frontiers against the British and Allied Army. The INA (Indian
National Army) battalions which fought with their headquarters in what is now
Yangon, and battles like the “longest opposed river crossing of World War II as
described by Field Marshall Slim” near Bagan and the hill retreat of Netaji at
May Myo, now Pyin Oo Lwin, the Bungalow of the Bombay-Burma Teak (Timber?)
Company are still to be recognized through a Indo-Myanmar relation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uGMRFG0utuA/Vkc4queKa9I/AAAAAAAAEx0/M1rjqL_SJWY/s1600/Session%2B02%2BLoktak%2B%252832%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uGMRFG0utuA/Vkc4queKa9I/AAAAAAAAEx0/M1rjqL_SJWY/s640/Session%2B02%2BLoktak%2B%252832%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qNX5sVt6ruk/Vkc5De_snfI/AAAAAAAAEx8/ummjaSXBxJg/s1600/DSCN9872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qNX5sVt6ruk/Vkc5De_snfI/AAAAAAAAEx8/ummjaSXBxJg/s320/DSCN9872.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In this century of Asia, it is India’s Northeast which will
lead the way, Myanmar will be our next home and India will be the second home
for the people of Myanmar. It has been a continuous endeavour for our
organization, Indo-Myanmar Fraternal Alliance, based at Imphal in Manipur to
run missionary road trips from Manipur to different places of Myanmar to
confirm better understanding between the people of Myanmar and India. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kmnwuEBRAI0/Vkc5XcKA0LI/AAAAAAAAEyE/eFvLCB7LQew/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kmnwuEBRAI0/Vkc5XcKA0LI/AAAAAAAAEyE/eFvLCB7LQew/s640/IMG_0346.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq9yXkmyT1s/Vkc53bL1xAI/AAAAAAAAEyM/5daumGFBvbE/s1600/P1018109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq9yXkmyT1s/Vkc53bL1xAI/AAAAAAAAEyM/5daumGFBvbE/s640/P1018109.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-718459988353525852015-09-09T03:30:00.000-07:002015-09-09T03:30:22.534-07:00Aye mere watan ke logo... The Heritage of Nationalism<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2tbAjenNn4/Ve_8rF84IkI/AAAAAAAAEsE/QM2Nerk3_ck/s1600/Baghajatin%2B100%2B%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2tbAjenNn4/Ve_8rF84IkI/AAAAAAAAEsE/QM2Nerk3_ck/s640/Baghajatin%2B100%2B%252817%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gGScE5KrvqU/Ve_9q05icwI/AAAAAAAAEsU/zGiDqhs4veg/s1600/Online%2Badd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gGScE5KrvqU/Ve_9q05icwI/AAAAAAAAEsU/zGiDqhs4veg/s640/Online%2Badd.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yxF68jK9VDA/Ve_-GP98N4I/AAAAAAAAEsc/Ezz9B2DehbM/s1600/banners%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yxF68jK9VDA/Ve_-GP98N4I/AAAAAAAAEsc/Ezz9B2DehbM/s320/banners%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="192" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Thi
khun se lath path kaaya, phir bhee banduk uthaake<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> Das das ko ek ne maara, phir gir gaye hosh
ganvaake<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> Jab ant samay aaya toh - 2, kah gaye ke abb
marate hain<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> Khush rahana desh ke pyaaro - 2, (abb ham toh
safar karate hain) - 2<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> Kya log the woh diwaane, kya log the woh
abhimaani<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> Jo shahid huye hain unaki, jara yaad karo
kurbaani<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> Tum bhul naa jaao unako, iss liye kahee yeh
kahaani<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> Jo shahid huye hain unaki, jara yaad karo
kurbaani</i></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9587sEfaM4U/Ve__lf9rplI/AAAAAAAAEso/n2Fc6kffDEM/s1600/Baghajatin%2B100%2B%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9587sEfaM4U/Ve__lf9rplI/AAAAAAAAEso/n2Fc6kffDEM/s640/Baghajatin%2B100%2B%25288%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sfEniOiW44g/VfAANotgIvI/AAAAAAAAEsw/aExqku6PGvM/s1600/Baghajatin%2B100%2B%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sfEniOiW44g/VfAANotgIvI/AAAAAAAAEsw/aExqku6PGvM/s320/Baghajatin%2B100%2B%252814%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">How
many of us have tried to read about the making of India, the root of the
thought process of one nation, which came through the Indian Freedom Movement. The
words like Anushilan Samiti, Jugantar, Hindustan Socialist Republican
Association, Kotwal Dasta, Halagali, India House, Gadar Party and Berlin
Committee hardly rings any bells in my ears. On this 100<sup>th</sup> year of MARTYRDOM
of Baghajatin, I feel guilty of not being a part of the same. The best part is
that the 4th MCCS Gitanjali Mango Festival, which was held at Siliguri a few
months back, was dedicated to this sacrifice of the legendary Jatindranath
Mukherjee, popularly Baghajatin, for his sacrifice for Indian Freedom, where he
said “<i>Aamra Morbo, Jagat jagbey” </i>translated
means “as we die, the world will realize”, realize the importance of freedom of
India from the then British rule. On the 9<sup>th</sup> of September, 1915, he
and his 04 companions were encountered at Chashakhand in Balasore District of
Odisa. Baghajatin could not survive the fatal injuries which he received while
fighting with the large contingent of Government forces and died on 10<sup>th</sup>
of September, 1915 at Balasore Hospital.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M9geGvWRmJA/VfAB-aQTN-I/AAAAAAAAEs8/B2o96YyyCMk/s1600/Baghajatin%2B100%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M9geGvWRmJA/VfAB-aQTN-I/AAAAAAAAEs8/B2o96YyyCMk/s640/Baghajatin%2B100%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DUOlLHRBqWc/VfACr4C1yMI/AAAAAAAAEtE/-E7q9wE4seI/s1600/Baghajatin%2Bstamp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DUOlLHRBqWc/VfACr4C1yMI/AAAAAAAAEtE/-E7q9wE4seI/s320/Baghajatin%2Bstamp.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We all know the famous Siliguri Town Station incident of
1908, when he handled 03 British soldiers along with an officer for mishandling
a poor old Indian lady, bare handed, he knocked them down. This station is a
part of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the only World Heritage Site of the
Sikkim and North Bengal. Many enlightened people still take pride in taking <i>selfies</i> here. Most of such enlightened
citizens feel that this old station should be restored as a World Heritage Site
dedicated to Baghajatin.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJRrAQZH1Xk/VfADPaLHJHI/AAAAAAAAEtM/3qtcBQawaH4/s1600/P1012071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJRrAQZH1Xk/VfADPaLHJHI/AAAAAAAAEtM/3qtcBQawaH4/s640/P1012071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5gqrQNXlNvk/VfAEid_Pa6I/AAAAAAAAEtU/E5tCIcRsCEY/s1600/Baghajatin%2B100%2B%252819%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5gqrQNXlNvk/VfAEid_Pa6I/AAAAAAAAEtU/E5tCIcRsCEY/s320/Baghajatin%2B100%2B%252819%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We all are busy, we all have the freedom of work, speech and
action under a free nation’s constitution. Many a times we forget to remember
our great freedom fighters, who thought about one nation, one India or Bharat.</span></div>
<pre style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Aye mere vatan ke logon, jara aankh me bhar lo paani<o:p></o:p></b></span></pre>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b> Jo shahid huye hain
unaki, jara yaad karo kurbaani</b></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NfpouA8xDd8/VfAFvBnxKtI/AAAAAAAAEtc/bVg0W_eef-k/s1600/Baghajatin%2B100%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NfpouA8xDd8/VfAFvBnxKtI/AAAAAAAAEtc/bVg0W_eef-k/s640/Baghajatin%2B100%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4rDVd1eUsDU/VfAGMH0yLZI/AAAAAAAAEtk/57dnorIR8Ag/s1600/Baghajatin%2B100%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4rDVd1eUsDU/VfAGMH0yLZI/AAAAAAAAEtk/57dnorIR8Ag/s640/Baghajatin%2B100%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fMsVFl76toQ/VfAGyMSfrWI/AAAAAAAAEts/00nMdD6hPcY/s1600/banners%2B%252816%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fMsVFl76toQ/VfAGyMSfrWI/AAAAAAAAEts/00nMdD6hPcY/s640/banners%2B%252816%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>This action of starting the 100 Years of Baghajatin's Martyrdom from the Mango Festival at Siliguri was initiated by Institute of Social & Cultural Studies, who brought the soil (mati) from the places, where Baghajatin fought to death at Chasakhand, Odisa in India and his place of birth Kaya Gram, Kustia in present Bangladesh.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>The inauguration was attended by several personalities from India and Bangladesh and a committee for North Bengal was formed, keeping in view Baghajatin's connection with Darjeeling and Siliguri.</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-15118029708527454022015-09-04T08:20:00.000-07:002015-09-04T08:20:38.383-07:00Explore Sikkim: Namthang Villages & Namchi Connections<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTr0iev3nxc/Vemv_-J80AI/AAAAAAAAEqA/phUbgo-oaNg/s1600/Monastry%2BNamchi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTr0iev3nxc/Vemv_-J80AI/AAAAAAAAEqA/phUbgo-oaNg/s400/Monastry%2BNamchi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yGXZeX7x6AM/VemwilSxzoI/AAAAAAAAEqI/vPR8ZwhtRuw/s1600/P1011602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yGXZeX7x6AM/VemwilSxzoI/AAAAAAAAEqI/vPR8ZwhtRuw/s320/P1011602.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I often do not understand that when I fall in love with a
place, she has something to do with the sun. Last time the place was Namthang
in East Sikkim. <i>Nam</i> means sun and <i>thang</i> means place or habitat. This is a
new road which ascends from Melli Bazaar, immediately after the check-post and
goes towards Namchi, Namthang is between, almost 45 minutes either ways. As per
the Sikkimese tradition, the boy and the girl in love runs away from the house
has to return to Namthang, where the parents of both sides will be called and
the marriage will be fixed, and hence considered to be one of the most auspicious
places to start life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fe_oepDai9M/Vemw_0qqcPI/AAAAAAAAEqQ/QItqe8eQZMc/s1600/P1011579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fe_oepDai9M/Vemw_0qqcPI/AAAAAAAAEqQ/QItqe8eQZMc/s640/P1011579.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8epzMkBlh3w/VemxgUgV6aI/AAAAAAAAEqY/KXzDIaZhgTk/s1600/Nagi%2B03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8epzMkBlh3w/VemxgUgV6aI/AAAAAAAAEqY/KXzDIaZhgTk/s320/Nagi%2B03.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is not alone about Namthang, but the cluster of villages,
which are surrounded by forests, view-points, lakes and organic agricultural
fields. The top of Namthang is a high forest overlooking the snow-capped peaks
of the Mt.Khangchendzonga range. Many years ago, when people could hardly
access this area, a monk from Bhutan (Druk Yul) came and meditated here.
Learning about his powers, people slowly started visiting him, but only the
blessed could do so. Finally when he left, it is believed that he hid all the
treasures in the two small lakes at the top, which he left to two large King Cobras
to guard them. Hence, the name Nagi Pokhari, <i>pokhari</i> meaning lake. Realising the importance of the area, since
last year the local tourism committee started with the “Nagi Pokhari Tourism
& Organic Festival”. This year again the Festival is starting on 31<sup>st</sup>
of December, 2015 and will be there for 03 days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AKmCtaVve5E/VemyiNttJxI/AAAAAAAAEqs/oaru5ClgtZk/s1600/P1011351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AKmCtaVve5E/VemyiNttJxI/AAAAAAAAEqs/oaru5ClgtZk/s640/P1011351.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jzZ4UaGWqZ0/VemyyBCESkI/AAAAAAAAEq0/WD3zjxCeTcs/s1600/P1011352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jzZ4UaGWqZ0/VemyyBCESkI/AAAAAAAAEq0/WD3zjxCeTcs/s320/P1011352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The other places of interest would be the Holy cave of the
Lepchas, Palitam. The local agriculture office offers interesting hands-on
training in organic farming from 03 days to 02 weeks duration. The bamboo craft
and candle making groups from the area has created sensation in Sikkim with
their skills. For Birdwatchers, this is paradise, especially from the river
beds of Rangit to the top of Nagi, which is 6000 feet plus, the Kitam Bird
Sanctuary is a part. A very rare, but interesting trek routes exists between
Namthang to Tendong Hill. Magajung, the place known for the historic war is a
natural hub. The Ghanti Dara, the Samten Choeling Lepcha monastery, the tiny
hamlet of Phongla and above all the culture of the people can be explored at
Namthang. The Tamang Dance from Maniram has earned a name for themselves,
nationally. The best part of the Namthang experience is that the only kinds of
accommodation are Homestays with the local people.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmnU2dugd6c/VemzIfd-iZI/AAAAAAAAEq8/nOgFyy27YQw/s1600/P1011362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmnU2dugd6c/VemzIfd-iZI/AAAAAAAAEq8/nOgFyy27YQw/s640/P1011362.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEMhpX5VkdM/VemztUNRJhI/AAAAAAAAErE/ARIDJT01XkQ/s1600/P1011565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEMhpX5VkdM/VemztUNRJhI/AAAAAAAAErE/ARIDJT01XkQ/s320/P1011565.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Namchi is a deep rooted part of my journey, as my first
exploration of Sikkim in Help Tourism, started with Nature Study and Adventure
Camps for school children, where there were 02 National camps held at Namchi
and 02 at Karfecter, near Namchi. The only accommodation at Namchi then was the
Youth Hostel with a soccer ground beside it. A beautiful trek route, nature
trail and rock-climbing site was found for the campers. The then tiny Bazaar or
market place was on the other side and there was hardly of any need. Today it
almost seems to be of the size of the Jorethang Bazaar or market and the places
of interest developed around are some of the replicas of the most important
Shiva temples of India, known as </span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Char
Dhaam</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (the four Holy Shrines of Lord Shiva).</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cJsjlGCbASc/Vem0X8U08WI/AAAAAAAAErM/P5ATOK-cbhY/s1600/P1011508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cJsjlGCbASc/Vem0X8U08WI/AAAAAAAAErM/P5ATOK-cbhY/s640/P1011508.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXrPKeYHv4U/Vem0yH1jCHI/AAAAAAAAErY/KznxO9vR7YI/s1600/P1011476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXrPKeYHv4U/Vem0yH1jCHI/AAAAAAAAErY/KznxO9vR7YI/s320/P1011476.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Guru Rimpoche, popularly known as Guru Padmasambhava, the
great soul who sowed the seed of Buddhism in the high Himalayan and Tibetan plateau
region has been put as a high statue (118 feet tall) in the sky as Samdruptse.
Not very far away, about 03 kms from the junction of Damthang is the Indian
Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Ecotourism (IHCAE) of Chemchey. Within half
an hour drive from Chemchey is Ravangla, which now houses the world famous Tathagath
Sthal or Buddha Park. The best part about Namchi is that she has evolved as one
of largest Convention centres in East Himalaya, with some of the finest
accommodating hotels, natural eco-resorts along with authentic Homestays. The
journey can continue to the only tea estate of Sikkim, Temi or to Ralong and
Borong. But I still need to explore the route from South to North Sikkim...</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRzQt4dvkdc/Vem1a3grc6I/AAAAAAAAErc/uIu67u1-hcU/s1600/07sikkim2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRzQt4dvkdc/Vem1a3grc6I/AAAAAAAAErc/uIu67u1-hcU/s640/07sikkim2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMVocu93Mw0/Vem1tJrUbuI/AAAAAAAAErk/275s7CD7BPI/s1600/P1011427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMVocu93Mw0/Vem1tJrUbuI/AAAAAAAAErk/275s7CD7BPI/s640/P1011427.JPG" width="614" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kefDytGn8Vo/Vem167AQRTI/AAAAAAAAErs/wAMowPfZbG0/s1600/Namchi%2Bshot%2Bused%2Bfor%2Bposter%2B%252C%2Bbrochure%2Betc%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kefDytGn8Vo/Vem167AQRTI/AAAAAAAAErs/wAMowPfZbG0/s640/Namchi%2Bshot%2Bused%2Bfor%2Bposter%2B%252C%2Bbrochure%2Betc%2B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-16292536203394563542015-03-08T08:11:00.000-07:002015-03-08T08:11:55.773-07:00The Last RUNNER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DCc1AbAJYvQ/VPxJX9AQEHI/AAAAAAAAEjw/A-yEv7QssKQ/s1600/Poster%2Bcollage%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DCc1AbAJYvQ/VPxJX9AQEHI/AAAAAAAAEjw/A-yEv7QssKQ/s1600/Poster%2Bcollage%2B2.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>A poster from Snehargo and copyright with Association for Conservation & Tourism (ACT)</i></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eD8ZAcDzwZs/VPxN4oeIvPI/AAAAAAAAEj8/RZe0M1md4Cc/s1600/P1016650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eD8ZAcDzwZs/VPxN4oeIvPI/AAAAAAAAEj8/RZe0M1md4Cc/s1600/P1016650.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tshering Dukpa was the last dak runner between the Buxa Duar
Post Office and Buxa Road Station, next to today’s 28<sup>th</sup> Mile village.
The railway connectivity, which started as the Bengal Dooars Railway under
British India, continued in this area till about 1981-82 as part of Northeast
Frontier Railway. Also Indian Postal service network then, one of the largest
and most far reaching to the remotest areas of the country had reached Buxa
Duar and it was Tshering Dukpa’s duty to take the Dak (mail) between the last
Railway Station to the mountains of Sinchula Range. There was a time when the
Post offices were the only connectivity to the world outside through telegrams,
letters, banking, telephone and free advice (from Postmasters, most of the time
who were the only educated person of the area where they were posted), but almost
all of these services are endangered or extinct today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After the Duars War between the British East India Company
and the mighty Bhutan (Dukpa) King, the British in their imperialistic and
trading interest took over the 18 Duars, the then rich revenue source for trade
between the Rice Route terminal in the Chittagong area and the Silk Route
terminal in Bumthang area. These were the land routes which started from the
last navigable points of the Mountain Rivers, which went and met the
Brahmaputra. The Dukpa community then would have dominated the ruins of forts
now found in Chilapata and Chiknajhar in North of West Bengal and Bodoland in
Assam. The ruins of the fort of Buxa now, were no exception then. The
architecture, food, dress and archery of the villages in the area, are still
proofs of the Dukpa connect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8aJgKMmQYM8/VPxS2Ql4TII/AAAAAAAAEkY/u2ZLeOxZBhY/s1600/20140304-3L4A7486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8aJgKMmQYM8/VPxS2Ql4TII/AAAAAAAAEkY/u2ZLeOxZBhY/s1600/20140304-3L4A7486.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hu5vEixIxrI/VPxVxt2HWdI/AAAAAAAAEkk/jN5AkGvkf8g/s1600/DSCN4919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hu5vEixIxrI/VPxVxt2HWdI/AAAAAAAAEkk/jN5AkGvkf8g/s1600/DSCN4919.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Coming to the Post Office of Buxa Duar, this was the Commandant
quarter, which was part of the Division office in 1879, on the cantonment road.
This was post the 1865 Duar War and Sinchula Treaty. The Dukpa villages stayed
on in the British India territory. The area gradually flourished, mainly in the
foothills and places like Kalchini, Hamilton, Samuktala, Kumargram etc came
into prominence and till late they were known for Tularam Yadav, the
transporter, Damchee Lama, the Director of Hillman Trading Company and
Chiranjee Lal Chamaria, the planter and many such great personalities of
Central Dooars. Tea Gardens developed in the area, the ones owned by Britishers
were known as ‘Saheb Bagans’ and the ones by Indians as ‘Babu Bagans’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-YiGGu8rBU/VPxYBtAoEPI/AAAAAAAAEk0/coivD0Es370/s1600/DSCN4879%2BE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-YiGGu8rBU/VPxYBtAoEPI/AAAAAAAAEk0/coivD0Es370/s1600/DSCN4879%2BE.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FVF4SPpNZBc/VPxW6LXIwPI/AAAAAAAAEks/q0ZnGxjWvE4/s1600/DSCN4891%2BE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FVF4SPpNZBc/VPxW6LXIwPI/AAAAAAAAEks/q0ZnGxjWvE4/s1600/DSCN4891%2BE.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is because of the Tea Gardens, Hasimara was the main Air
Terminal, which is presently a Defence Air Terminal under Indian Air Force. I
often heard about the legendary Bhatpara Central Hospital, where the Dakota
Medical Cargos landed at Achapara to renew medicine stock for the planters and
administrators. Even a generation ago, the legend about the medical retail shop
at Banarhat, established by Sailesh Chandra Chowdhury, Mukherjee &
Chowdhury Brothers, was known to have medicines, which was even not available
in Kolkata. Jainti, Raidak, Rajabhatkhawa, Bhutan Ghat, Raimatang and Buxa
Forests were well known hunting grounds. The planters, administrators and
several business men were given permit to hunt even till the late 1960s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tO_CYJYxOKE/VPxaty4GqjI/AAAAAAAAElA/FyU7aeev7kU/s1600/Buxa%2BFort%2BRuin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tO_CYJYxOKE/VPxaty4GqjI/AAAAAAAAElA/FyU7aeev7kU/s1600/Buxa%2BFort%2BRuin.JPG" height="398" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7enb5eG_z5Y/VPxblO0Q41I/AAAAAAAAElI/xIh0kGt9F5I/s1600/DSCN4725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7enb5eG_z5Y/VPxblO0Q41I/AAAAAAAAElI/xIh0kGt9F5I/s1600/DSCN4725.JPG" height="219" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alipurduar, very recently from being a sub-divisional town has
transformed to be the District Headquarters named after this town. This was cut
out of Jalpaiguri and most of central Dooars is now under Alipurduar District.
Post Independence, the evolution was on a completely new track. Buxa Fort
gradually lost its importance with time, the fort converted as jail for Indian
Freedom Fighters, became the Tibetan Refugee Camp between 1959 to 1969. After,
the Dolamite and Lime mining of the Buxa Hills, headquartered at Jainti was
stopped to create the Buxa Tiger Reserve, intellectuals from Alipurduar to
Kolkata kept visiting Buxa Fort or Buxa Duar, mainly because of Hari Shankar
Thapa, a man who stayed at the fort and kept alive the light of Indian
Nationalism and Indian Freedom Movement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud1DTGmwbm8/VPxcvhQbB4I/AAAAAAAAElU/psAKwehnx-M/s1600/DSCN4868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud1DTGmwbm8/VPxcvhQbB4I/AAAAAAAAElU/psAKwehnx-M/s1600/DSCN4868.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKAyNC2-Fqo/VPxe-USqKDI/AAAAAAAAElg/ckp2XzhD3IQ/s1600/DSCN4878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKAyNC2-Fqo/VPxe-USqKDI/AAAAAAAAElg/ckp2XzhD3IQ/s1600/DSCN4878.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His nephew, Tara Shankar Thapa, started with the first
Homestay of Dooars at Rajabhatkhawa, known as Gracilips. He and his wife still continue
to run this homestay without compromising on the authenticity. Even Hari
Shankar Thapa’s son has converted the house into a homestay. An interaction
with him will remind the older generation who knew the enthusiastic Naya Bayun
or popularly Joe. The major stake today for the people in the western part of
Buxa Tiger Reserve is Tourism, all developed in a very local style, because of
the lack of other respectable livelihood or even patronization from the Tiger
Reserve administration.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1QDKMs24PcA/VPxhtG-_DhI/AAAAAAAAEls/sJ1KiDjPRnc/s1600/Buxa%2BPost%2BOffice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1QDKMs24PcA/VPxhtG-_DhI/AAAAAAAAEls/sJ1KiDjPRnc/s1600/Buxa%2BPost%2BOffice.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Buxa Tiger Reserve administration is mostly against any
improvement in the lives of the villagers living in the area, even the Dukpa
villages, which have been there for time unknown. I remember a Field Director,
who on a Sunday Church day chopped down the orange trees of the orange orchards
of the particular Hill village, which was the only livelihood of the people.
This livelihood was so ancient; that the foothill area, where the oranges were
brought in the season, came to be known as Santrabari (Santra in English translates
as Orange). The impact was so extreme that a rich patch of canopy forest which
connected Buxa with Chilapata through Poro was lost overnight.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tboghFNviRA/VPxjPFRR1NI/AAAAAAAAEl0/Iyy1o1qKpog/s1600/DSCN4516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tboghFNviRA/VPxjPFRR1NI/AAAAAAAAEl0/Iyy1o1qKpog/s1600/DSCN4516.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This kind of high handedness still continues. We have seen
how Field Directors, who had counted 25 plus tigers at the Reserve has become
an expert on Big Cats, internationally. Many of the experts today say that
there were never so many numbers since the Tiger Reserve was formed. The
villagers challenge that there is not a single Tiger, or else there would be
cattle lifting. Millions of dollars have come to the administration to ensure
micro developments for the communities living in the Tiger Reserve. Since,
2010, a notice has been given by the Tiger Reserve administration to most of
the villagers in Western side of Buxa Tiger Reserve to vacate their villages
against Rs.10 lakh per family. The plan also includes uprooting the Dukpa and
other hill communities from the Hills and settling them in the plains besides
the roads has been provided as a solution by the Forest Minister and the
Wildlife Board, as announced in the media recently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i801p7hDQ-c/VPxkayNNpPI/AAAAAAAAEl8/a6F3igwB-OU/s1600/P1016711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i801p7hDQ-c/VPxkayNNpPI/AAAAAAAAEl8/a6F3igwB-OU/s1600/P1016711.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you have read this article and feel that you should step
out from the comforts of your four walls and live for weeks with the BTR
villagers, to understand them and stand beside them, the time to now. The same
request is to the members of the Wildlife Board too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiII41UdYaA/VPxlFtulznI/AAAAAAAAEmE/4EfqGFdM5Z8/s1600/DSCN4693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiII41UdYaA/VPxlFtulznI/AAAAAAAAEmE/4EfqGFdM5Z8/s1600/DSCN4693.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My connect with Buxa and Central Dooars is not very old and
authentic like many others who have been born and brought up in the area. My
intimacy started in the late 1980s as a Research Assistant for Tiger Reserves,
followed by the first Guide Training Program at Jainti (probably the first
ecotourism guides in West Bengal), then Rural Tourism motivation programs for
villages and finally, the most intimate is through the CDEF (Central Duars
Eco-Fest), which is more recent.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DCc1AbAJYvQ/VPxJX9AQEHI/AAAAAAAAEjw/A-yEv7QssKQ/s1600/Poster%2Bcollage%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DCc1AbAJYvQ/VPxJX9AQEHI/AAAAAAAAEjw/A-yEv7QssKQ/s1600/Poster%2Bcollage%2B2.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-75913514384025310112015-02-26T02:07:00.001-08:002015-02-26T02:07:48.053-08:00Bhutan, India, and Nepal agree on a regional cooperation framework for conservation and development in the Kangchenjunga Landscape<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Press Release: </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">(25 February 2015, ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal)<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">Participants at the 3<sup>rd</sup> Regional Strategic Consultative Meeting for the Kangchenjunga Landscape stressed the need for greater collaboration to protect the region’s rich biological and cultural diversity through strengthened partnerships and increased participation of people in the landscape.<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">About 60 representatives, including high-level government officials from Bhutan, India and Nepal — the three member countries of the Kangchenjunga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and strategic development partners Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), met for the conclusion of the one-and-a-half year preparatory phase of the Kangchenjunga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KLCDI). The meeting, jointly organized by the Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MOFSC) and ICIMOD, was held from 23 to 24 February at the ICIMOD Headquarters.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">During the meeting, partners consolidated the activities of the initiative’s preparatory phase and apprised country delegates of the outputs and content of a draft framework for regional cooperation, which takes into account the need for greater collaboration across borders, as well as opportunities for socioeconomic development at the landscape level. “Having taken these key steps, we can now move into the implementation of coordinated activities for the conservation and sustainable development of this important landscape”, said Nakul Chettri, KLCDI Programme Coordinator.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">”It is very important for us to generate on-the-ground impacts to support adaptation and resilience among the communities living in the Kangchenjunga landscape”, said David Molden, Director General of ICIMOD. He also encouraged the initiative partners to use the knowledge and data resources ICIMOD has made available, in particular for geospatial and cryosphere analysis.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">The three member countries proposed an area of about 25,000 km<sup>2</sup>, covering parts of eastern Nepal, Sikkim and the northern part of West Bengal in India, and western Bhutan, to be included in the Kangchenjunga landscape, one of the seven transboundary landscapes identified by ICIMOD with its regional partner countries for prioritizing conservation and development programmes in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">The landscape is one of the richest areas on earth in terms of plant and animal species. There are 19 protected areas in the landscape covering 30% of the total area. More than 4,500 species of flowering plants have been recorded from the region, and there are more than 400 varieties of orchids and 40 varieties of rhododendrons. This region is also home to charismatic wildlife species such as the snow leopard, musk deer, red panda, Asian elephant, one-horned rhinoceros, and Bengal tiger. Many of these wildlife species are endangered and, if proper conservation mechanisms are not put into place, vulnerable to extinction.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">”Nepal is privileged to be part of this transboundary landscape initiative, which will provide a platform for the collaborative efforts needed to address regional issues such as human-wildlife conflicts and the illegal trade of threatened species”, said Sharad Chandra Paudel, Secretary at the MOFSC.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dr JR Bhatt, Advisor at the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Government of India</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> highlighted binding factors for people living within the Kangchenjunga landscape: the commonality of their cultures and their respect for nature. ”We need to shift to a more participatory approach and involve communities so that they have more ownership and responsibility for managing their biodiversity resources”, he said. He also emphasized the strength of the landscape approach being applied in this initiative, and the opportunities it would provide in creating important transboundary corridors to connect not only large and charismatic wildlife species, but also many small mammals and plant species.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">Reaffirming the commitment of the Royal Government of Bhutan to the Kangchenjunga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative, Dasho Tenzin Dhendup, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">said, ”Biodiversity, wildlife, and nature do not recognize political boundaries; therefore, all the countries in the Kangchenjunga landscape need to work together to ensure that we can hand over a well-conserved landscape to our future generations”. Mr Dhendup also highlighted the need to use new and scientific knowledge in conservation and development efforts, but not without forgetting the traditional knowledge of the people in the landscape.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">”The regional framework for cooperation prepared during this meeting will be the basis for implementing the subsequent phases of the Kangchenjunga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative. Through this collaboration, we will be able to produce positive outcomes”, said Basanta Shrestha, Director of Strategic Cooperation, ICIMOD.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">“We need to be innovative in order to adapt to a changing environment”, said Dr Eklabya Sharma, Director of Programme Operations at ICIMOD, adding, “Cooperation in transboundary landscapes like Kangchenjunga provides us with an opportunity to work together to find new solutions to emerging challenges”.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">During the workshop, the book <i>Kangchenjunga Landscape Nepal from Conservation and Development Perspectives</i> – published by the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation in collaboration with the Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology and ICIMOD – was jointly launched by </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Mr Sharad Chandra Paudel, </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">Dasho Tenzin Dhendup, and Dr JR Bhatt.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-27285618245475487012014-08-07T09:15:00.000-07:002014-08-07T09:15:46.614-07:00Mast Pahari<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9sV3wEW16xE/U-OWh9MGF7I/AAAAAAAAEUY/_SOgueTH-RE/s1600/P1010678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9sV3wEW16xE/U-OWh9MGF7I/AAAAAAAAEUY/_SOgueTH-RE/s1600/P1010678.JPG" height="331" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kxQZmcPEfhc/U-OW5Ugf5-I/AAAAAAAAEUg/6gSKfhZt_Yc/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kxQZmcPEfhc/U-OW5Ugf5-I/AAAAAAAAEUg/6gSKfhZt_Yc/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG" height="169" width="320" /></a>Devdayal Bhatt runs a small tea
shop between Almora and Kasauni. The land from the road to the river belongs to
him. More than tea, he loves to treat people with glasses of cold water, which
he instantly brings from a water source above his shop. He proudly tells his
visitors, drink as much as you want, no where you will get to drink water from
source, we still do not use anything to do with electricity. The river water
moves our wheels, which helps to move the crushing stones to give our flour. We grow and eat all
organic vegetables and pulses, the river water makes everything grow giant
size. He takes out a big size onion and said that this also grew in this land
here. He proudly said that you can take some of our potatoes; Delhi can never have
access to these tasty stuffs. This attitude that our people in the Himalaya
comes from being a part of the sustainable society with their food, clothing
and shelter, which they receive from the forests, rivers and air around them,
supported by a road access and tourism. </div>
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Travelling in the area of Kumaon
and Garhwal Himalaya, for a long time, I did not know how to name this
attitude, till I went for a meeting at the Wildrift Camp at Mukteswar and saw
the organizers of the camp wearing the T-Shirt with ‘Mast Pahari’ printed on
them, yes this is the best term, MAST PAHARI. Tourism has started taking a
front seat in the entire area with every possible turning, village, river bank
or hilltop developing innovative tourism infrastructure like basic camping to
luxury camping, old houses or estate homes being converted into heritage
tourist bungalows, modern hotel building to resorts, every pine, plum and peach
grove added with some tourism accommodation. Most of the regular livelihoods
have been complimented with tourism and has stopped several youths from
migrating to the so called developed cities in India.</div>
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Swami Vivekananda, after his
return from America, spent a long time in Almora, where he planned the
Ramakrishna Mission. He strongly believed that all the so called privileged people
of this country, those who have achieved a more confirmed future compared to
their counterparts in remote villages, will be called traitors if they did not
serve the millions back in villages, based on whom the confirmed future has
been achieved. Tourism in true sense has showed a way. I remember Subrata da,
as a bright young urban youth, who could confirm his future in any city of the
world, decided to start the first of its kind of camping in Kumaon Himalaya in
a then very remote place called Munshiyari. Today, we find so many such youths,
who are creating a new future across villages in the Uttaranchal Himalaya,
where they feel that the villages they work with are part of their own. They go
beyond tourism to create social and environmental development in their area of
work.</div>
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The Governments at the states or
centre still fail to recognize such efforts. Instead of appreciating these
initiatives, they threaten them with half hearted Government Tourists Lodges,
where being Governments, they occupy the prime locations. When the Wildlife
Sanctuaries and National Park management are handing over the tourism
infrastructure to the private players against a confirmation of enhancing the
conservation process, look at KNVN clinging on to locations like the lodge at
Binsar Sanctuary, which would have not only brought great revenue to the
organization, but also supported the conservation initiative if planned
properly and handed over to professional hands. Sorry, this is an example as I
was discussing Uttaranchal, but the same stands for all the states in India,
including the India Tourism initiatives with ITDC etc.</div>
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The time has come to question,
that when we have such strong tools like tourism working at micro levels, do we
really need these mega projects of Hydro-electric power project dams in our
rivers, where we are killing the common livelihoods by killing our river
systems, which has supported millions and created civilizations. A tourist
likes the luxury of lanterns, then the common electric lights. S/He is more influenced
by the local village markets than the urban malls, the local organic food which
is preferred over canned and packed food and above all it is the unspoilt
landscape which will bring the tourists back over and over again, making the
destination another home. Can we deprive the thousands of people, who have
lived through generations along the rivers, through this imperialistic policy
to finish their livelihood and culture by building dams?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4_Znrp14Ic/U-Og3Egx3gI/AAAAAAAAEWI/9Vv8l95RBzc/s1600/P1010694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4_Znrp14Ic/U-Og3Egx3gI/AAAAAAAAEWI/9Vv8l95RBzc/s1600/P1010694.JPG" height="224" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8S0wf7eOS8o/U-OhmeSZdOI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/GVSIDp3_EUQ/s1600/DSC_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8S0wf7eOS8o/U-OhmeSZdOI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/GVSIDp3_EUQ/s1600/DSC_0245.JPG" height="186" width="320" /></a>Nainital is the most popular
destination in the area. During my school excursion, when I had visited
Nainital then, much of it has changed, except the candle shop, which now calls
itself ‘The Pahari Store’, a must visit, if you are in the lake. In those days,
I could with lot of hardship visit Bhimtal, but recently I was amazed to visit
Naukuchia Taal. It is believed that it is only Arjun from Mahabharata, who
could see all the nine corners through his enlightened vision. Partha, my
friend, who is one of the few Asians to have participated in the White Water
Olympics (Slalom Kayaking) had put me on to The Lake Resort for my hospitality
at Naukuchia Taal. The Resort’s undisturbed forest contributed to the health of
the lake to some extent, but the best part was the bird life and the deer
population in the camping campus was extraordinary. </div>
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<b><i>The MAST PAHARI people, the fruit
orchards and holy landscape of Kumaon (Devbhumi) with all the legends makes
Kumaon a must visit in the Indian Himalaya.</i></b> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-74667133009906816162014-06-05T05:54:00.000-07:002014-06-05T08:18:31.116-07:00Own a House in Nagaland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_LQnixjIbA/U5BXnRDY1jI/AAAAAAAAEPc/fcFpiKo5Nus/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_LQnixjIbA/U5BXnRDY1jI/AAAAAAAAEPc/fcFpiKo5Nus/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-IIcV7VhNI/U5BYOyPBqMI/AAAAAAAAEPo/GsKHLVjAAF0/s1600/DSC_0051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-IIcV7VhNI/U5BYOyPBqMI/AAAAAAAAEPo/GsKHLVjAAF0/s1600/DSC_0051.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a>I had posted a <b>tree house photograph</b> on Facebook
during my stay in Pangti, Nagaland, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152841307263332&set=a.10152676788458332.1073741837.732133331&type=1&theater">https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152841307263332&set=a.10152676788458332.1073741837.732133331&type=1&theater</a>
and there were more than a hundred ‘like’ to the post, probably because of the
fact that I had mentioned that you can now own this house with a kitchen with
dining cum sitting in the ground floor. These images are from Pangti Village. The
Lotha community in Nagaland had built this village more than 600 years ago and
as they settled down, they practiced different agricultural patterns. To
protect their crops they build field houses, where they live temporary to look
after their house. The pattern of the house depends on the wild animal visiting
the field. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7OgStzezTbE/U5BZMRimRvI/AAAAAAAAEPw/GhJOOvitTHc/s1600/Amur+Falcon+in+flight+evening+Pangti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7OgStzezTbE/U5BZMRimRvI/AAAAAAAAEPw/GhJOOvitTHc/s1600/Amur+Falcon+in+flight+evening+Pangti.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5jrCJn_8Zx8/U5BZtC5FZ3I/AAAAAAAAEP4/V4E0--RLl_M/s1600/Samsung+24052014+075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5jrCJn_8Zx8/U5BZtC5FZ3I/AAAAAAAAEP4/V4E0--RLl_M/s1600/Samsung+24052014+075.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></div>
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The common visitors to this
village were elephants, tigers, wild boar, snakes, insects, birds and many
other known and unknown beings. Unknown, because many of the people are
believed to have seen the pygmy people, who prayed by the special fire stone or
Monkhumuv nchu. The Tiger Stone or Mhorhu Etsiphen which is there is meant for
measuring the tiger after killing. The largest number of visitors to this
Pangti village and some adjoining areas are the AMUR FALCONS, probably the
largest single species animal migration known to the world. The number
highlight has happened after the Doyung Reservoir was created.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-34LNnNOwoXQ/U5BavfLeLLI/AAAAAAAAEQE/CO9tlnCi64I/s1600/P1010539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-34LNnNOwoXQ/U5BavfLeLLI/AAAAAAAAEQE/CO9tlnCi64I/s1600/P1010539.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the meanwhile, because of the reservoir,
the rivers became less dynamic and the immediate effect was the huge reduction
in fish numbers. The fishermen union President, Zanthunga Shitiri said that our
fishing nets now leave the waters and are spread in the trees to arrest the
visitors, the Amur Falcons, in as many numbers possible... sometimes so much
that our fishermen cannot carry them. At the same time, the ‘slash and burn’
method of clearing for zoom cultivation is fast reducing the canopies in and
around Pangti. Lijon Ngullie, a local but enlightened farmer remarked that the
low rainfall and the loss of forest after the reservoir had been made, our
crops too have reduced and our people have to match the increasing fees of
children at school and the growing prices with growing consumer wishes do not
have any matching livelihood. And, hence the Amur Falcons.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNwR6Q3lXTQ/U5BdSJxORkI/AAAAAAAAEQg/llEqQpVxQwA/s1600/amur+sales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNwR6Q3lXTQ/U5BdSJxORkI/AAAAAAAAEQg/llEqQpVxQwA/s1600/amur+sales.jpg" height="176" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zBFHEUThbY/U5BfMdyQgkI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/5-uquIpvSOk/s1600/DSC_0217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zBFHEUThbY/U5BfMdyQgkI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/5-uquIpvSOk/s1600/DSC_0217.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was an SOS from our very
close friends Ramki and Bano, that Asit and I decided to visit the village. As
we heard the Pangti Village Chairman, Vice Chairman Ronchamo Shitini, Vice
Secretary S.Wabamo Kikon, we could not believe our ears. Last year with the
involvement of the big and International NGOs, Government and several other
well meaning individuals, the hunting of Amur Falcons were banned in Pangti,
posters were put up and awareness programs were run. Also, promises were made
to find out means of alternative income. With the return of the Amur Falcons,
the villagers still wait for the promises to be fulfilled. The Chairman clearly
said that this year it will be impossible to stop the hunting, we could not fulfil
any of the promises which we made on behalf of the several organizations and
individuals. The posters will reflect the thought process of the villagers.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2P-e0gpD6mw/U5BfwbQ9jnI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/nvyUYinIeog/s1600/Amur+on+wire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2P-e0gpD6mw/U5BfwbQ9jnI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/nvyUYinIeog/s1600/Amur+on+wire.jpg" height="342" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-mcgZHEfw0/U5BhFL_4w5I/AAAAAAAAERI/kOlfufBulKg/s1600/P1010556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-mcgZHEfw0/U5BhFL_4w5I/AAAAAAAAERI/kOlfufBulKg/s1600/P1010556.jpg" height="189" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Amur Falcon season is not far
away. If everything remains as usual, come October 2014 and they start arriving
and lives in and around the Pangti village upto the end of November. All
responsible tourists, travellers, nature lovers, photographers and tourism
associations, the time has come to respond to the call. Adopt one of the field
houses in the agricultural land and compensate the income of the family, earned
through killing of the visitors, ‘the AMUR FALCONS’. Come and live a month or
two with the Naga Village life, or invite your friends and relatives for a week
or more, before you end at the Hornbill Festival between 1<sup>st</sup> to 7<sup>th</sup>
of December, 2014.</div>
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<b>For details, please write to <a href="mailto:northeast@helptourism.com">northeast@helptourism.com</a> or call 9831031980.</b>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com284tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-83529298581509966802014-03-28T21:32:00.000-07:002014-03-28T21:32:10.201-07:00Shivalok, Devbhumi Uttarakhand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oc7zK4weFQE/UzUZtf80CVI/AAAAAAAAEKk/ig-Ferxwwn8/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oc7zK4weFQE/UzUZtf80CVI/AAAAAAAAEKk/ig-Ferxwwn8/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" height="386" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2PEXVncI_9k/UzUbM3rWmfI/AAAAAAAAEKw/Sj7SsUAeaQ0/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2PEXVncI_9k/UzUbM3rWmfI/AAAAAAAAEKw/Sj7SsUAeaQ0/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" height="470" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsdQYteZFXg/UzUbv2Dj1EI/AAAAAAAAEK4/F_Dh-6AOLH4/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsdQYteZFXg/UzUbv2Dj1EI/AAAAAAAAEK4/F_Dh-6AOLH4/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" height="182" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Uttarakhand is safe to visit, to give this message to the
world, the Adventure Tour Operators’ Association (ATOAI) inaugurated their 11</span><sup style="line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
Annual Convention at Shivpuri, about 20 kms River Ganga upstream along the
road. This is supposed to be a niche association at the National level in
India, considering the others that of tour operators, travel agents and
hoteliers. This was the first time that a National level tourism industry
association in India could come out of the four walls of hotels and the
wrappings of suits and ties, completely in the outdoors, where their stake lies
to organize their National convention. Congrats, and when you call Incredible
India, it itself means adventure. Several acts of responsibility and discussions
were the main show of the first day.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vZAb5Z7_8FU/UzUcNIM3PhI/AAAAAAAAELA/eNiR-JtCeug/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vZAb5Z7_8FU/UzUcNIM3PhI/AAAAAAAAELA/eNiR-JtCeug/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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The venue of the convention at day time (above) and in the evening (below)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YzmrYnFVrso/UzUcl5yxt4I/AAAAAAAAELI/FOeMoADciBU/s1600/DSC_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YzmrYnFVrso/UzUcl5yxt4I/AAAAAAAAELI/FOeMoADciBU/s1600/DSC_0086.JPG" height="366" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N_CnVwYlGiM/UzUfqy5s2NI/AAAAAAAAELU/gaOIg4EpuiY/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N_CnVwYlGiM/UzUfqy5s2NI/AAAAAAAAELU/gaOIg4EpuiY/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shivalok, the home of our great Lord Shiva. Devbhumi, the
land of the Gods. This is Uttarakhand, detached from Uttar Pradesh about 16
years ago. Being close to Delhi, there are many International visitors who come
to this land and so does a lot of domestic tourist and the largest number is
that of the pilgrims. Hence, this is also the face of India. About three
decades ago, I had an opportunity to work over here, particularly at Shivpuri,
at Rafting Camp. This was the only camp then which was started by Avinash
Kohli, who could be recognized as the first organizer of white water rafting as
a tourism activity in India. I had very little interaction with him, but I can
certainly say that all those who are engaged with white water tourism
activities in this country today owe him a salute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AOD5i1zREeY/UzUgTMwQ44I/AAAAAAAAELc/soljWKhfIwM/s1600/DSC_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AOD5i1zREeY/UzUgTMwQ44I/AAAAAAAAELc/soljWKhfIwM/s1600/DSC_0202.JPG" height="342" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYJ1ETgsYYg/UzUgzXweF2I/AAAAAAAAELk/O_Nb_e518-k/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bYJ1ETgsYYg/UzUgzXweF2I/AAAAAAAAELk/O_Nb_e518-k/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That was a time, a Swamiji or Sadhu (person who has left his
house and family to pray for the good of this world), lived beside the camp.
Shivpuri, was the samsan ghat (place for burning of dead human bodies near
river) of the local people and people were afraid to visit after dark. Khushi,
the cook and Vikram, the caretaker of the camp was often gone when there were
no tourists. I often shared the landscape with Swamiji. We had sanitary toilets
in the camp, but Swamiji woke up in the very early hours, it used to be almost
dark to go to the river bank and finish his toilet and bath by the river. While
he sat for toilet in the outdoors, he often drew a line around him on the sand
with a stick, chanting a mantra, and while he sat for downloading, not even a
ant or snake or any living being could enter the boundary line (rekha) which he
had drawn. Haridwar and beyond, we never thought of any non-vegetarian food, in
our camp even onion or garlic was not used in cooking, as this was supposed to
inauspicious near the River Ganga. Any liquor or alcoholic drink was strict
no-no. There were tourists and pilgrims then too, and the available
infrastructure then would fall short in the seasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rddJFFeKXrA/UzUpcBBNi7I/AAAAAAAAEL0/IjmZRvsFDIU/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rddJFFeKXrA/UzUpcBBNi7I/AAAAAAAAEL0/IjmZRvsFDIU/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My granny (mother’s mother) often told me this story in the
childhood, when Swami Bhola Giri used to live in Haridwar, his disciples often
referred to his age being 100 plus, yet strong in service of the people and
meditating. Once a half mad or crazy lady was going around Haridwar and often
called Swami Bhola Giri with names and beat him also in such a way as if he was
much younger to her. When Swami Bhola Giri’s disciples asked him, why he did
not object to her acts, he said “she is a few hundred years older to me, it is
her yogic powers which has kept her look young, she has achieved the power of
wish death of her body, and there are many such Siddhi sannyasis and sannyasins
(enlightened men and women) who live deep in the Himalaya and sometimes come to
localities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xl8D7MQtoA/UzUqcNSij1I/AAAAAAAAEL8/yNy6uTFiDTU/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xl8D7MQtoA/UzUqcNSij1I/AAAAAAAAEL8/yNy6uTFiDTU/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g87pd9qoq88/UzUq_4ALH_I/AAAAAAAAEME/91vNhm8IlUU/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g87pd9qoq88/UzUq_4ALH_I/AAAAAAAAEME/91vNhm8IlUU/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG" height="186" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I often thought that some of the Garhwali dialects often
sounded like Nepali and there were many similar words in use. Even the dance in
the evening yesterday at the ATOAI convention was very similar to Nepali folk.
This is when a local delegate, who ran angling and trekking groups confirmed
that this area was once ruled by the Nepal king and hence many traditions in
the Garhwal Himalaya matched with the people living in the Nepal Himalaya. Pilgrims
still come from remote villages of India and Nepal to Rishikesh and still today
prefer to walk to the Char Dham (four holy places). Here, at the convention, we
were discussing better roads, 02 phase entry flights (Delhi to
Dehradun/Rishikesh and then fixed wing sorties to more deep in the Himalaya)
mainly for tourists who did not have enough time and could effort the luxury.
The local raft operators complained about the increase in licence fees from 5000Rs
to 25000Rs and the step motherly attitude of the forest department towards
them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxvUJzeSjck/UzZJIKm0kyI/AAAAAAAAEMY/ndJIk0iWb7w/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxvUJzeSjck/UzZJIKm0kyI/AAAAAAAAEMY/ndJIk0iWb7w/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RyUy5NHEkmM/UzZJdhfVNyI/AAAAAAAAEMg/FhlOXGJXZtg/s1600/DSC_0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RyUy5NHEkmM/UzZJdhfVNyI/AAAAAAAAEMg/FhlOXGJXZtg/s1600/DSC_0164.JPG" height="186" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I walked along the banks of River Ganga at Shivpuri, I
still saw several birds and smaller animals, inspite of the back to back camps
on both sides of the rivers. They all served the best of the food at par with
Delhi. While drinking a cup of tea at a local shop, I overheard many
interesting discussions in connection to the upcoming elections. One local
person was complaining about the quality of education at the local village
schools. Most of the time the teachers would not be there, and this I knew was
a common problem across the Indian Himalaya. He also talked about an
extraordinary solution, all the Government jobs should go to only youths who
have passed out of Government schools and that all the Government service
holders should put their sons and daughters in Government schools. Also,
another local person was discussing about rafting licences, about 92 local
outfits with trained guides had their application for licence pending. He
suggested that if the Government was sincerely interested about local ownership
and empowerment through tourism, they must see the capability and quality of
the local outfits and give them the licence free of cost. These local outfits
should also be then given the responsibility of emergency rescue on the river
and conservation of nature in the local area. Another person discussed that the
forest Department should put most of the fees collected from the camps for
capacity building of the local youth, waste management and health facilities at
the local level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdQAu9Dky60/UzZJ8CLR4PI/AAAAAAAAEMo/7f5_qEA0U1A/s1600/DSC_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdQAu9Dky60/UzZJ8CLR4PI/AAAAAAAAEMo/7f5_qEA0U1A/s1600/DSC_0138.JPG" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was nice to see that some of the ATOAI active members had
adopted a local Government Health Centre, some supported the waste management
program, most of them trained and engaged local youths to a great extend and
most of them had a major stake in the region as per their operation strength. They
were able to contribute meaningfully during the last flood devastation during
monsoons. And finally this convention, supported by the local Government to
project a fresh face of this country through Uttarakhand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-20227041885186387532014-03-24T11:49:00.000-07:002014-03-24T12:03:05.535-07:00Loss in the Limboo Land<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QPIQszT7fuA/UzB4FVEbv3I/AAAAAAAAEIw/LsVXR_KKGKs/s1600/Hee+Barsey+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QPIQszT7fuA/UzB4FVEbv3I/AAAAAAAAEIw/LsVXR_KKGKs/s1600/Hee+Barsey+02.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The flowering season is approaching at Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZssM_xEWW7I/UzB4aKMgs_I/AAAAAAAAEI4/wob3o_6XmQI/s1600/Hee+Barsey+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZssM_xEWW7I/UzB4aKMgs_I/AAAAAAAAEI4/wob3o_6XmQI/s1600/Hee+Barsey+07.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The more you go up, the more you reach towards Hell, which is
what the cyclists told me during the Khangchendzonga Challenge Cup
International Mountain Bike Competition. Yes, this is the name of a place as
you climb up from Hee Bazaar to Hee Patal. Patal, the Indian word, translates
into Hell in English. When the Bikers reached the Red Panda gate of Barsey
Rhododendron Sanctuary, they forgot to collect their glucose, chocolate and
other energy boosters from us as they were undergoing the “wow” factor, seeing
the forests in front of them and the mighty snow capped ranges of
Mt.Khangchendzonga at their back.</span></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bctx36O3M74/UzB5n6x4BBI/AAAAAAAAEJE/wzwXpYwG42o/s1600/Hee+Barsey+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bctx36O3M74/UzB5n6x4BBI/AAAAAAAAEJE/wzwXpYwG42o/s1600/Hee+Barsey+08.jpg" height="419" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j84SX4uhoiE/UzB6KhMo74I/AAAAAAAAEJM/bZTg13vATeM/s1600/Hee+Barsey+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j84SX4uhoiE/UzB6KhMo74I/AAAAAAAAEJM/bZTg13vATeM/s1600/Hee+Barsey+04.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All of us, the advisors to event were putting up at the
Barsey Jungle Camp, next to this Red Panda gate, a typical Limboo homestay, the
400 years old residence of the Great Great Grandfather of Til Bahadur Subba. He
was the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Sikkim, Hee Bermiok
Constituency from 1979 to 1984. When I first went to meet him a few years ago,
I made sure that I should carry some sweets for the 79 years old ex-MLA (they
are supposed to be VIPs in India). Birendra, my friend and his elder son called
him as we walked through the forest and cardamom plantations. The ex-Mla was
atop of an almost 03 storied tall tree, cleaning the dry branches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wm84vfKQokI/UzB6kZT3LxI/AAAAAAAAEJU/pHZbYpldOIM/s1600/Hee+Barsey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wm84vfKQokI/UzB6kZT3LxI/AAAAAAAAEJU/pHZbYpldOIM/s1600/Hee+Barsey.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tourism still had not started in Hee. The process of
introducing tourism had just began with the then MLA, NK Subba organizing the
Kaleej Valley Ecotourism Festival. The old MLA, TBji and his wife at Hee Patal
were so far sighted that they agreed to start the first Homestay and engaged
their 02 sons and daughters in laws. TBji often referred to Sir Joseph Dalton
Hooker and other British officer using this route from Darjeeling through his
house. It is said that the entire area of Sikkim once was inhabited by the
Limboos and Lepchas. The Limboos extended from Eastern Nepal from Dharan-Dhankuta
to the present areas of West Sikkim. Slowly with more enlightened visitors to
this Homestay, the old man dreamt to have a Limboo Museum near his house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eYHdjQgLCY/UzB65U_a-UI/AAAAAAAAEJc/q-ydPfhk-VI/s1600/Hee+Homestay+owner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eYHdjQgLCY/UzB65U_a-UI/AAAAAAAAEJc/q-ydPfhk-VI/s1600/Hee+Homestay+owner.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>He also showed me a piece of land which he wanted to donate
for this museum. He and his wife had collected several items to be displayed in
this museum. I had approached several people to help with making this museum,
but my appeal was probably not as sincere. I thought I had time and the same
would happen, but TBji left for eternity 10 days ago. I cannot forgive myself;
I could not live his dream. I wonder how I shall face the mother of the house,
who laughed and happily shared her house with every guest.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ovm738Qoz4/UzB7NxW59yI/AAAAAAAAEJk/kVT9ZyxwqYY/s1600/DSC_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ovm738Qoz4/UzB7NxW59yI/AAAAAAAAEJk/kVT9ZyxwqYY/s1600/DSC_0514.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">All photographs in this post have been taken from Dr.Arunava Das, with whom I have </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">traveled to several places in Sikkim and North Bengal. The last painting is from the walls of Polestar School at Hee.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-30926902212493917932014-03-09T11:11:00.000-07:002014-03-09T11:17:46.426-07:00100 Years of Teesta valley, a book review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUUyEPO1TpU/UxyiriCOsMI/AAAAAAAAEGg/nZmaB6AiADI/s1600/DSC_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUUyEPO1TpU/UxyiriCOsMI/AAAAAAAAEGg/nZmaB6AiADI/s1600/DSC_0323.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is the third time that I have a slip-disc attack since
2001. Those who have suffered know how painful this can be, but I managed to
reach Siliguri with all the pain. Day before yesterday, Gourida (Gourishankar
Bhattacharya), a hardcore traveller and a popular travel writer in Bengali
language, who publishes his own books, heard of this mishap (he thinks so,
because he says Raj stagnant for the next 10 days is a punishment to him), and
visited me home yesterday and gave me his new publication, <i>Sinchular Chayay – Buxa Fort ‘o’ Ananya. </i>As I was opened the book
today morning, the first chapter which opened was on Teesta Valley Extension,
and extension of the World Heritage Site, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which is
history now. Started in 1915 and ran till 1951.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypUqPMWgPkk/UxyjVts5btI/AAAAAAAAEGo/v-xKIl-FK8E/s1600/DSC_3242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ypUqPMWgPkk/UxyjVts5btI/AAAAAAAAEGo/v-xKIl-FK8E/s1600/DSC_3242.JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was reading his description, he talks about his interview
with Runuda, one of the Teesta Valley Extension staff, who is still alive.
“Runuda used to be a Guard of the TVE Railway. Though he is old now, yet when I
suddenly asked him ‘Runuda, do you remember Geilkhola?’ How can I forget, one
day I was on duty, and the train had just crossed Baikanthapur and reached
Sevoke, my driver Sailen Chakraborty slowed down and shouted at me, ‘Runuda,
look at the Tiger drinking water’. Really, I could see the huge Royal Bengal
Tiger, bent in a crawling position, was drinking water from the Teesta. Almost
every trip, I used to see elephants, gaur, deer, wild boar and many birds. He
continued, after Sevoke, Kalijhora was the watering station for our tiny
engine. Kalijhora to Relli siding and then to Geilkhola. The ropeway from here
used to bring down raw wool, yak skin, butter, oranges, timber and many more
items. Main buyers were Sardarjis (Buyers from Punjab with traditional turbans)
from Amritsar, Ludhiana etc who waited here to them back home for brands like
Lal Imli, Dhariwal and many more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptN4-Gx49vA/UxykCEWj_9I/AAAAAAAAEGw/9-ur-bIx6h8/s1600/P1014936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptN4-Gx49vA/UxykCEWj_9I/AAAAAAAAEGw/9-ur-bIx6h8/s1600/P1014936.JPG" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tears roll down my cheeks voluntarily. It had happened once,
when I lost my mother. I did not want to cry, but tears kept rolling down from
my eyes, not wanting to stop. It remind me of the Nature Study and Adventure
Camps, which we organized at Samco and Najuk. Sudipto Majumdar used to be the Camp
Commander of each camp, my friend from my childhood days, but had his own
character and charisma in those days. Friends like Timir da, Nitish da, Biplab,
Konika, Soma, Ashukaku, Babu and Sanjib volunteered to be the Deputy Field
Director, Quarter Master, Instructers, Guides and so many more roles. There was
this goods ropeway from 29<sup>th</sup> Mile by NH31A to SAMCO on the other
side. Siemen Daju was on this side and Raphael Daju on the other side.
Temporary wooden benches were put and we tied the campers and officials to the
other side, crossing the Teesta and Relli rivers. We used to hear Raphael Daju
calling “Samtar calling, Samtar calling” and Siemen Daju used to reply from the
other side. Towards sunset, while we were still crossing, I often saw the
orange streams of Relli Khola, Geil Khola and 02 more of them meeting Teesta
with the pillars of the Teesta Valley Extension Railway remains at the
backdrop. When I see the hill between the Road and Najuk is gone, a dam, the
grand structure of development has replaced the hill, I cannot hold my tear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JDDxZCGy0eo/UxyknzqJRDI/AAAAAAAAEG8/iuUbdF2XyFc/s1600/1274436_169057296630297_704470667_o.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JDDxZCGy0eo/UxyknzqJRDI/AAAAAAAAEG8/iuUbdF2XyFc/s1600/1274436_169057296630297_704470667_o.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JFf69f6PN4o/UxylPt4sRcI/AAAAAAAAEHA/k3_C4AxgNhs/s1600/DSC_3045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JFf69f6PN4o/UxylPt4sRcI/AAAAAAAAEHA/k3_C4AxgNhs/s1600/DSC_3045.JPG" height="320" width="136" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dr.K.C.Bhanja in one of his books as described by Gourida,
mentions <i>Teesta Valley is one of the most
beautiful valleys in the world. Teesta Valley line was open for traffic in the
year 1915. First 12 miles from Siliguri the line crosses the deadly Terai, and
almost level tract of land lying at the foot of the Himalayan range...The train
enters the Sal forest and soon after crosses Sivoke River spanned by fine
bridge... From here right upto the terminus at Gielle Khola, the line passes
closely along the right bank of Teesta, the greatest and mightiest drainer of
the lofty snowy range of Kinchenjunga group...</i>the emerald green Teesta of
the winters, the white milky Teesta of the monsoons are now only memories. The
gushing Teesta of all times, the extreme under current is today merely a stream
being crossed by cattle and people alike in the winters. The 12,000 sq kms of
catchment area and drainage valleys through the approximately 300 kms river,
the home for the tiger, elephants, gaurs and royal pheasants are today shops,
defence settlements, power project settlements, village settlements,
educational hubs, mining colonies and development zones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qjiVh-zrL7M/UxymCkjPFFI/AAAAAAAAEHI/JA1vXSJAWc8/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qjiVh-zrL7M/UxymCkjPFFI/AAAAAAAAEHI/JA1vXSJAWc8/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VcWaVSItGhs/UxynDpFJC5I/AAAAAAAAEHU/Fcgu1nE-bvk/s1600/DSCN0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VcWaVSItGhs/UxynDpFJC5I/AAAAAAAAEHU/Fcgu1nE-bvk/s1600/DSCN0106.JPG" height="320" width="189" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Inspite of all this developments, we do not have any real
people to people passage through the ancient routes of Jelepla and Nathula, we
do not have any meaningful connection with the people in the hills and plains,
we do not have any priests who offer prayers for protecting Teesta Mother and
we do not have human hearts which cry for the dying Teesta. The train, let us
see the glorious Siliguri Station, which is now Siliguri Town station, the
traces of Siliguri Road Station, the turn table at the FOCIN gate of present
Kanchenjunga Stadium (earlier Tilak Maidan) are buried under development
(development? Please explain). The tax villa of the Jalpaiguri Raja, the map of
Sikkim Raja is all dumped under the boundaries of modern demands.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5NPAK2l3vKY/UxynukEwDTI/AAAAAAAAEHc/Y3OiC4zTwls/s1600/coronation+bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5NPAK2l3vKY/UxynukEwDTI/AAAAAAAAEHc/Y3OiC4zTwls/s1600/coronation+bridge.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I remember from my childhood days, a neighbour aunt, Uma
Kakima, who was a wonderful singer had one of her Gurujis visiting her once in
two years or so. The gentleman was a wonderful singer, the entire classical
world of Siliguri of those days would get together to listen to him. He was in
blind love with Teesta, he used to walk from Siliguri to Sevoke, sing to Teesta
for almost half the night and would then jump in the Teesta waters from Coronation
Bridge early in the morning. Later his hosts would find him senseless, lying on
the banks of Teesta, all drenched, but not sick. There is a spirit of the
Teesta, which people understood in the past, today for us this is just another
river.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJt_VyQbKVI/UxypJFifCdI/AAAAAAAAEH0/pj_IThrs9F0/s1600/P1019420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJt_VyQbKVI/UxypJFifCdI/AAAAAAAAEH0/pj_IThrs9F0/s1600/P1019420.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Handful of fishes, water for the paddy fields and so much of
life for all, how could you say that she is just a river, a river with water?
If she did not have life, how could she give life for hundreds of years? She
has been flowing on the path of Korotoya for than 02 centuries, the Korotoya,
which legend says the flows down the hand of Shiva and Parvati, when they were
getting married. For our Lepcha friends, Teesta is the river which has given
birth to all modern living beings, the mother of the region. Now, do you have
time to stop by her and softly say, Hi!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1gNM4vL_u28/UxyrHZ6Y6YI/AAAAAAAAEH8/TMzUa-Hz8Nw/s1600/DSCN0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1gNM4vL_u28/UxyrHZ6Y6YI/AAAAAAAAEH8/TMzUa-Hz8Nw/s1600/DSCN0095.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>In the pix:</i></b> The forests are now full of falling leaves. These leaves will decompose and the monsoons will spread a rich top soil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Toy Train pix: </i>These have been provided by photographer friend Sanjit Nandi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Elephant pix: </i>This has been taken by nature photographer Subhajit Roy of Aaranyak in North Bengal and has been provided by Gouri da.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-75513110538628637462014-02-25T10:45:00.000-08:002014-02-25T10:45:08.389-08:00The Language of Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eojorrGufk0/UwzM5gX3f_I/AAAAAAAAEDQ/2y6cmWgRJZc/s1600/DSC_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eojorrGufk0/UwzM5gX3f_I/AAAAAAAAEDQ/2y6cmWgRJZc/s1600/DSC_0128.JPG" height="393" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iWE7JFgSdfI/UwzOxUCIXvI/AAAAAAAAEDk/PB-JXiy6m6Y/s1600/DSC_0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iWE7JFgSdfI/UwzOxUCIXvI/AAAAAAAAEDk/PB-JXiy6m6Y/s1600/DSC_0513.JPG" height="194" width="320" /></a><b><i>21<sup>st</sup> February, 2014:</i></b>
Today, there are celebrations of International Mother Language Day across the
world. It was an opportunity to join
Sunil to MCCS, to see him address the students of classes IX and XI, and the
teachers on the need to develop a Palliative Care Forum for North Bengal. He
explained about the way to love people who were suffering from cancer, old age
and other terminal diseases. For doctors, any patient is treated for the
disease or suffering, but in Palliative Care, it is all about going towards
death with friends around you, trying to keep you happy on your last journey.
This is what only one can do voluntarily, and today we need more volunteers in
this society.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qeQ6NxnHhvI/UwzPqZ4KkwI/AAAAAAAAEDs/kCFkpvaLD-U/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qeQ6NxnHhvI/UwzPqZ4KkwI/AAAAAAAAEDs/kCFkpvaLD-U/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" height="466" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0OkviORxBE/UwzQMo62bJI/AAAAAAAAED0/Eq9rSB1A02A/s1600/DSC_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0OkviORxBE/UwzQMo62bJI/AAAAAAAAED0/Eq9rSB1A02A/s1600/DSC_0289.JPG" height="192" width="320" /></a>When Prince Siddhartha realized
that suffering and death are obvious once you are born, he left his palace in
search of the path, which can take you through the journey of life with more
happiness and peace. He sat under the Bodhi Tree and as the world says he
achieved Nirvana, an enlightenment through which He shows the path of Peace and
Happiness in this world even today as Buddha. Recently, as a part of the Green
Circuit Team we had gone to explore the Nirvana Trails of Lord Buddha under the
leadership of Deepak, an old friend from Nalanda from the UNDP Rural Tourism
days. Ajoy, the President of ACT was helping with the audio-visual documentation,
supported by Sayantan.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3aZ5VJKc4No/UwzRAUQdypI/AAAAAAAAED8/0Og0QCphiP0/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3aZ5VJKc4No/UwzRAUQdypI/AAAAAAAAED8/0Og0QCphiP0/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IiMnmhwTkwM/UwzRlGZzMsI/AAAAAAAAEEE/B7g3Ikjir8k/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IiMnmhwTkwM/UwzRlGZzMsI/AAAAAAAAEEE/B7g3Ikjir8k/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" height="174" width="320" /></a>After His Enlightenment, Lord
Buddha arrived at the village called Jethian (Jesthivan). The news of the
Enlightenment of Buddha as one of the Greatest teachers of all times was
already in awareness, and the then King Bimbhisara at Rajgir (Rajgriha) heard
about his arrival and reached Jethian with his entire court and army to receive
the Teacher. He requested Lord Buddha to give him the Diksha (accept him as his
disciple or student) and then took Him to Rajgir, where He accepted to stay at
Venuvan. This was the first royal patronage, which was later recognized by
Emperor Ashoka, who spread Buddha’s Teachings as the Dhamma, <i>way of life. </i>Even the Great Buddhist
Scholar and Chinese Pilgrim, Xuang Xang mentions spending 02 years at this blessed village
of Jethian.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JDFAvqwOc3w/UwzSccgSWlI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/x6hwFiccR_Y/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JDFAvqwOc3w/UwzSccgSWlI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/x6hwFiccR_Y/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DeLj2B_27gI/UwzS8YyvedI/AAAAAAAAEEY/wITnCosuLn0/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DeLj2B_27gI/UwzS8YyvedI/AAAAAAAAEEY/wITnCosuLn0/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" height="322" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8CKAdjaGbX8/UwzTrHu4-aI/AAAAAAAAEEg/s39wmnI7-tU/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8CKAdjaGbX8/UwzTrHu4-aI/AAAAAAAAEEg/s39wmnI7-tU/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" height="324" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1RX3Gwp1C8/UwzUMZdfHuI/AAAAAAAAEEo/s3i4GlvqsCE/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1RX3Gwp1C8/UwzUMZdfHuI/AAAAAAAAEEo/s3i4GlvqsCE/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a>The people living in Jethian
today, had migrated from Sambhalgarh in Rajasthan and are proud to be called
the ‘citizens of the first village of Enlightened Buddha’. Though their basic livelihoods
is mainly dependent on cattle rearing and to some extend on agriculture, yet
the hospitality of these people living below the poverty line is amazing. The
entire area with adjoining villages is a mine for Buddhist Treasures, wherever
you dig, there are remains of temples, statues, plaques and more. From the time
of Ashoka to the Pala Kings, it seems there was hardly any place in Asia which
was not influenced by the Teachings of Buddha, specially blessed was the
Magadha Landscape with East and Northeast India.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KF-M5xE01DQ/UwzVjJlw5DI/AAAAAAAAEE0/gtgsAp1hdR8/s1600/DSC_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KF-M5xE01DQ/UwzVjJlw5DI/AAAAAAAAEE0/gtgsAp1hdR8/s1600/DSC_0176.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQd2jjBPviQ/UwzgizynD5I/AAAAAAAAEFE/1aPt-SOS6yM/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQd2jjBPviQ/UwzgizynD5I/AAAAAAAAEFE/1aPt-SOS6yM/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG" height="342" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8uM1nMe3XL8/UwzhJXiHVEI/AAAAAAAAEFM/gjzcjV5AYXA/s1600/DSC_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8uM1nMe3XL8/UwzhJXiHVEI/AAAAAAAAEFM/gjzcjV5AYXA/s1600/DSC_0195.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a>The Green Circuit team had
village meetings and initiated the process of Homestays and Village Tourism at
Jethian. The adjoining villages were also visited, and the Heritage Protection
Teams in the villages were motivated and the village collections were also
documented by Ajoy. Finally, we reached the Cave, where Lord Buddha had
meditated, close to a village called Aer. All the villages still live as if in the
18<sup>th</sup> century, traditional livelihood and happy communities. The road
connectivity has improved in the past few years and mobile user numbers have
taken over toilet user numbers. Also lot of the forests, which were sources of
water have vanished. Scarcity of water, fuel-wood, livelihood opportunities and
empowerment have forced the youth to leave the villages.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6AXMcEkYYig/UwzhpBSiUII/AAAAAAAAEFU/ooBXd8jdoGw/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6AXMcEkYYig/UwzhpBSiUII/AAAAAAAAEFU/ooBXd8jdoGw/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LgQ_nzjRn3U/UwziD_sMHiI/AAAAAAAAEFc/wdbN77dRxbY/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LgQ_nzjRn3U/UwziD_sMHiI/AAAAAAAAEFc/wdbN77dRxbY/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edXCzfxSLu0/UwziimgRx8I/AAAAAAAAEFk/Pl9FVlCZiqk/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edXCzfxSLu0/UwziimgRx8I/AAAAAAAAEFk/Pl9FVlCZiqk/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" height="320" width="256" /></a>Lord Buddha, who has showed the
path of happiness by living with nature, the places where we have his footsteps
calls for the return of nature and this can only happen through volunteers of
love. Volunteers who can create compassionate destinations, through their acts
to mankind, nature and heritage. Volunteers who are not torn apart by the
worries of climate change and degrading social values, but are ready to learn
from traditions and help the citizens of this world to be part of the
sustainable development in villages are already going ahead. Like the old routes
from Nalanda, the volunteers from the sacred landscape of Magadha will be
connected to Silk Route and Sea Route Destinations across the Indian Himalaya,
India’s Northeast, the Eastern and Western coasts, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh
and Myanmar. <b><i>The opportunity lies by connecting The Green Circuit Team at ITB,
Berlin during 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> week of March, 2014.</i></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-9276855493479787502014-01-01T07:37:00.000-08:002014-01-01T07:37:36.133-08:00Present, Past and Future at Pelling Chautare<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It has been quite some months that
I have not contributed to Chautare blog. The major reason being the call to
visit the Chautare activities. Yesterday was the last day of the Pelling Winter
Festival and like many others I too was a part of the event, catching up with
friends who have been instrumental in creating this destination and friends who
are part of this destination. Tshering Wangdi, the President of the organizers,
PTDA (Pelling Tourism Development Association) in his own humorous way said
that this was the age of mobile and internet. This was followed by his joke “a
son took his father, who was suffering physically for quite some time to see
the doctor. When the doctor asked the son about what had happened with his
father, the son replied that he did not know what had happened, but his father
was in the <i>vibration mode</i>”.</div>
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The discussions at the Chautare
continued when Didi said “you know Raj, your today is the reflection of
yesterday, and your path for the future”. It was more than 20 years back that
Help Tourism with me as a part of the team had become a part of the Pelling
Chautare. The starting was the formation of PTDA, which was followed by the 1<sup>st</sup>
Ecotourism workshop in India being organized at Pelling. I still remember Nandita
Jain, who addressed the workshop then and all of us locally pledged that we
would go by the ecotourism guidelines. Only 02 weeks back, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara
in collaboration and guidance from Help Tourism, and supported by PTDA
organized the Bauddha Mahotsava at Pelling. This was the first of its kind of
event, which set the guidelines for Living Buddhism. The major points which
were agreed upon here was to enhance the role of monasteries to lead the way of
sustainable development for the societies around them and to propose the UN and
other concerned International communities to declare the Buddha Purnima as the <i>International Day for Compassion, Peace and
Tolerance</i>.</div>
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There is hardly any documentation
on Pelling, it is believed that the area was dominated by the Limboo community,
who till date follow Biodivinity as their religion, and when the wise men from
Tibet arrived here, they included the local faith in Buddhism and hence
Mt.Khangchendzonga remains to be the Guardian Deity of Sikkim and Darjeeling
Hills as a whole. Even the Bhutanese King had taken occupation of this place,
the ruins of the Dzong can still be found in the Pelling Senior Secondary
School compound, which was established in 1966. The Gorkha King also regularly
eyed on this area, which made the Sikkim King shift his 2<sup>nd</sup> capital
from here, further east. The 04 major monasteries of Sikkim: Pemayangtse, Tashiding,
Dubdi and Sangachoeling are in West Sikkim. Tashiding, which is believed to be the
seat of power, is at the heart of Sikkim and the spiritual centre of the entire
agrarian society of the East Himalayan region. The Pemayangtse Monastery is the
only Sikkimese religious hub of the only one of its kind. Once Nathula is
opened for the purpose of Spiritual Tourism, Pelling with West Sikkim will
again be the centre for Spiritual Tourism in the East Himalayan region.</div>
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<b>This is a dream come true, sooner
or later, but many of us may not live to see it happen. I often miss Pokhar
Kaka in my Pelling Chautare, who did not live to see this day of Pelling, but I
am sure that he had dreamt it. I try and sit down in a lazy winter afternoon, trying to stitch a new quilt, the old cotton is finished, but I cannot throw away... will you bring some new cotton for me in this new year so that I can live another winter.</b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-33772919029226810052013-10-09T03:13:00.001-07:002013-10-09T03:13:48.238-07:00Dooars Diary: Central Duars ECO-FEST<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-82vm_0Lt-K4/UlUh7ukn7yI/AAAAAAAAD8w/J0X3vX1V_fc/s1600/eco-fest-logo2+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-82vm_0Lt-K4/UlUh7ukn7yI/AAAAAAAAD8w/J0X3vX1V_fc/s640/eco-fest-logo2+final.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sitting on elephants back and meeting on lazy mornings, the organizers decided that they
would stick to the old British spelling ‘DUARS’. The Central Duars ECO-FEST, as
the organizers have said will be organized on the same date every year,
starting with 14<sup>th</sup> to 19<sup>th</sup> November in 2013. The major
aim goal of the festival will be to highlight the natural and cultural
diversity of Central Dooars and confirm community participation in
conservation. Hospitality owners, eco-guides, taxi drivers and NGOs are the
direct stakeholders in this festival, who seek the support of participation of
visitors in this festival. Other than the regular forest based nature
activities, there will be cultural shows with tribal dances, music and local
food. Adventure programs like river walks, treks, bicycle trails and rock
climbing will rock the show. Seminars and training programs for better
networking in conservation and livelihood will be the highlights of the
festival. </div>
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Mujnai Tea Estate, the 1807 tea
garden, which had almost died, has been brought back to life by the young and
energetic manager Kaushik Das. One of the oldest and best Tea Estate of Central
Dooars, once owned by the Nawabs of Jalpaiguri, Majnai’s landscape is
extraordinary. Kaushik is preparing his tea garden to be a part of the festival
in a big way. Watchtower, sunset point, tea processing and wildlife tracking
will be his strengths. He showed the tracks of wild elephants criss-crossing
his tea estate almost every night. He is planning to do a night safari in his
tea garden, early morning peacock trail and a nighthalt for the adventurous at
the watch tower.</div>
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Several new experiential
hospitality organizations are creating new units, whereas the old ones are
renovating their infrastructure. New and interesting local food menus are being
planned. Several of the ACT members are busy in creating new activities for the
well meaning travellers. The festival will see local football matches, whose
finals will be played during the festival days. There will be interesting film
shows and presentations. Traditional lifestyle of the people of Dooars will be
part of the hospitality during the festival, with the options of staying with
local people. Cultural exchanges and cooking classes are part of the
activities</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-21657571116459361592013-10-09T02:09:00.000-07:002013-10-09T02:09:58.844-07:00Dooars Diary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Op2_PEINmmI/UlURRo0NzII/AAAAAAAAD7Q/4csHxdKsz6A/s1600/jalpaiguri+map+calcuttaweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Op2_PEINmmI/UlURRo0NzII/AAAAAAAAD7Q/4csHxdKsz6A/s640/jalpaiguri+map+calcuttaweb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This small town of Siliguri of
our childhood days, in the last almost hundred years, from maybe a Himalayan
riverine area grew into a bustling city, the shopping lungs of 03 countries and
03 states of India’s Northeast, the headquarters of North Bengal. If you happen
to travel North from here to some of the higher areas, you will see several
riverine dry beds running through the city, most prominently, a noticeable one
through the Uttorayon and City Centre Mall. Within Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary,
it is walkable distance between the Mahananda River and legendary River Teesta.
The interesting fact is that Mahananda meets the Ganga, wheras Teesta meets the
Brahmaputra.</div>
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All these Himalayan rivers which
meet the Brahmaputra, form a very interesting landscape in the foothills of
Sikkim, West Bengal and Bhutan known as the <b>DOOARS</b>. In the past these would be dense forests interrupted by
markets and residential areas, whose names would end with ‘BARI’ or ‘GURI’ or
‘HAAT’, some even well fortified areas with good drainage facilities. Following
up the trade through the large rivers, traders in the past would travel north
towards the Silk Route in the Himalaya through these smaller rivers. After the
last navigable points, the goods had to be carried on human back or horse back
or elephant back.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ga5VYUoLHo/UlUWIbx2VKI/AAAAAAAAD70/YTobcyrttkQ/s1600/Dooars+surrounding+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ga5VYUoLHo/UlUWIbx2VKI/AAAAAAAAD70/YTobcyrttkQ/s640/Dooars+surrounding+map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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With the British, the roads and
rail developed. Human beings became the dominant factors of the Dooars
eco-system. Tea Estates replaced forests. Forests and the dominant wildlife
habitats have been reduced to Reserve Forests, Wildlife Sanctuaries and
National Parks. The era of post British India period has seen large settlements
of Defense Colonies as the region was torn into countries with strict borders,
controlled from the faraway capitals. Trade was badly affected, and the once
economically affluent areas gradually went below the poverty line. The traces
of the rich and wild nature, the tea culture and the diverse communities of
different origins remained.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lRQU926Kr8o/UlUXppvJHaI/AAAAAAAAD8I/7CcCWCrSuHY/s1600/chilapata+haat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lRQU926Kr8o/UlUXppvJHaI/AAAAAAAAD8I/7CcCWCrSuHY/s640/chilapata+haat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Compared to Darjeeling, tourism
in Dooars is a very recent development. Tourists now combine Sikkim and
Darjeeling Hills with Dooars, the main highlight being the National Parks and
Sanctuaries. Often visitors miss to trace the remains of the pre British
period, a happening which could not be buried with modern development. The
Bengal Dooars, between the River Teesta and River Diana may be considered as
Western Dooars, and between River Diana to River Sankosh as Central Dooars. The
tea clubs of western Dooars and central Dooars are good indicators for the
same. The rest upto Tezpur is Assam Dooars, where most of the landscape is in
the Bodoland administrative division. Beyond Tezpur, further east is dominated
by the Brahmaputra Headwater zone, the largest known fresh water capital of the
world.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-38413689097862753712013-09-03T04:23:00.000-07:002013-09-03T04:23:57.209-07:00Messengers of Peace in India’s Northeast – Part 02<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WlhcZMfEsuE/UiW2-ZNfGnI/AAAAAAAAD4w/Xf_6l1GGqPg/s1600/Tashiding+chortens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WlhcZMfEsuE/UiW2-ZNfGnI/AAAAAAAAD4w/Xf_6l1GGqPg/s1600/Tashiding+chortens.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Binita (name changed) in a remote village from the small
market place of the big Monastery, Tashiding was difficult to reach. Her
Grandparents wanted to marry off the 14 years old girl to a rather rich man in
Nepal, belonging to the same caste. Her mother did not agree as she had faced
the burden of bearing children at an early age. The mother and daughter were
running a small temporary shop at Tashiding during the festival of Bumchu. This
is the biggest festival of the East Himalaya agrarian society which attracts
pilgrims and believers from across Bhutan, Nepal and Darjeeling Hills. It was
after the festival that we went with them to their village, to reach them with
their left over and belongings from the temporary tea shop to their village. It
is here that we learnt that the mother and daughter did not agree as the
Government of Sikkim not only looked after her education, but she was eligible
to all facilities free from the Government till the time she studied and even
for her motherhood and child care after the age of 23.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Unlike the rest of India, where the family mother and
daughter had to fight against an age old social system for marriage of a girl
child, here there was the most innovative system built in by the good policies
of the Sikkim Government. There were more surprises when the Sikkim Chief
Minister, Shri.Pawan Chamling had come to inaugurate 03 days MCCS Gitanjali
Mango Festival and ACT Rural Tourism Mart at Siliguri during 7<sup>th</sup> of
June, 2013 and announced his next program to launch the ‘Pavitra Kranti’, a
revolution from the sacred land where the quality of life for the Sikkimese
Indian has been confirmed to be the best in the country. Also the Peace factor,
which is the prime jewel in tourism development, has been rewarded number of
times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The concept of Pavitra Kranti which Shri.Chamling launched at
the 3</span><sup style="line-height: 115%;">rd</sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> MCCS Gitanjali Mango Festival at Siliguri, he explained that
it is his dream to make the life of every Sikkimese Indian to be Pavitra in all
terms, in his words “ecotourism and organic farming is the way of life in a
Sikkim Village, the Forest Department has confirmed zero tree felling and zero
cattle </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">grazing in Protected Area of
Sikkim, killing of any wild animal or use of diclofenac and pesticides has been
stopped, through conservation of nature and deep rooted traditions combined
with good medical treatment, we have achieved some of our goals”. He further
added “through the concept of Khangchendzonga Region International Ecotourism
Park, I wish to spread this sacred green revolution to the entire region
covered under this landscape”.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sikkim Tourism History<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In page 60 of the
Sikkim Darbar Gazette, it mentions the entry conditions to Sikkim as per the
Darbar of the Maharaja of Sikkim. Great secret journeys were then taken up by
several Pundits, which is the only authentic record of the landscape of the
Himalayan Kingdoms, Sikkim and Tibet. Several English people did take up such
journeys but their record was specific to the opportunities of financial wealth
and a very western documentation of the then Governance of the Kingdoms. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NOTIFICATION<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">- Any person who needs
a permit for entry into Tibet and makes an unauthorised entry through Sikkim is
liable to simple imprisonment which may extend up to one month or fine of Rs.
500/- or both. Any person assisting such a person to make an unauthorised entry
whether personally permitted to do so with or without a permit is liable to
similar punishment. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">J. S. LALL, ICS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> 7.8.1950 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Dewan, Sikkim State<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For the purpose of tourism, the first
Foreign group consisting of US citizens, under the leadership of Donnel
Ferguson made it to Sikkim in 1954.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlNvw0uAcr4/UiW-aiNLnCI/AAAAAAAAD5k/SLJ9gLwAEiU/s1600/ACT+HT+Initiatives+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlNvw0uAcr4/UiW-aiNLnCI/AAAAAAAAD5k/SLJ9gLwAEiU/s1600/ACT+HT+Initiatives+%25284%2529.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sikkim
became a part of India in 1975 and tourism was thought about sometimes in 1985,
almost a century after Darjeeling. In the early days of tourism, Darjeeling
played a major role, as a few Foreign groups did day visit Gangtok from
Darjeeling. Gradually, overnight and 02 nights halt at Gangtok became a trend
in the late 80s. The Hotel Managers of Tashi Delek, Norkhill, Mayur etc went on
Christmas picnic to Tsomgo Lake. This was the time when I said that let us make
this a day excursion for visitors to Gangtok, so that the number of nighthalts
increases. There was not much of a permit procedure, with friends and tourists,
I often made it to Tsomgo lake, Kupup Lake and Memencho Lake. I remember spending
some full moon nights at Tsomgo Lake with army friends to see if the legend
lives, ‘the King and Queen of Sikkim visited the Lake on horseback on a certain
full moon night, a golden temple would rise from the waters of the holy Lake’. I
still remember some of the numbers of the first Maruti Vans on MG Marg, SK-04 0016..0019..0021...all
of them were owner driven taxis, the other day I met Kailash Daju at Bagdogra,
both of us became nostalgic...Sikkim has been my first love in tourism, it
still continues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-6773321606493324112013-08-24T01:09:00.000-07:002013-08-24T01:09:11.562-07:00Messengers of Peace in India’s Northeast – Part 01<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l10uhM3CVG4/UhhhDf6aQiI/AAAAAAAAD2c/dcqv7mOtXOI/s1600/P1010784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l10uhM3CVG4/UhhhDf6aQiI/AAAAAAAAD2c/dcqv7mOtXOI/s1600/P1010784.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LOGtmNUatfk/UhhiU7BpteI/AAAAAAAAD2k/1Z0_fXzuFHs/s1600/P1012017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LOGtmNUatfk/UhhiU7BpteI/AAAAAAAAD2k/1Z0_fXzuFHs/s1600/P1012017.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The 03 days Indo-Bangladesh Border Meet (Tripura Sector),
which is 82</span><sup style="line-height: 115%;">nd</sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> of its kind will be ending today at Agartala. Tripura,
connected by road, rail and air with the rest of India is probably one of the
remotest and less known states of the country. Like India’s Northeast, the
border Internationally is much more than the border with any state of the
country. Among the seven sisters and one brother of India’s Northeast, Tripura
has the least exposure with the country, the indicator being the ‘tourism
presence’. Like the rest of Northeast India, Tripura too had her share of the
insurgency, but with development and good governance taking the front seat, we
hardly hear about the same now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On 21</span><sup style="line-height: 115%;">st</sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> of August, 2013, while inaugurating the 03
days Buddhist Convention at Venuban Vihara, the Chief Minister of Tripura,
Shri.Manik Sarkar said that there needs to be more action from the Buddhist Monasteries
to stand beside the people, who are poor, downtrodden and isolated, and condemn
any move which intends to divide the state of Tripura through violence and misguidance.
Being one of the longest serving Chief Ministers of the country and being
associated with the CPIM (Communist Party of India-Marxist), it was almost
unexpected that a communist leader of his stature would attend a religious
meet. He made it very clear that his goals as a communist is not very different
from that of Lord Buddha’s Teachings, where priority is given to the sufferings
of human beings and lead the masses towards enlightenment through a democratic
process.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ErCzOJf5m1Q/UhhkJFBzZzI/AAAAAAAAD28/8NDtMXz2U1I/s1600/P1011342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ErCzOJf5m1Q/UhhkJFBzZzI/AAAAAAAAD28/8NDtMXz2U1I/s1600/P1011342.JPG" height="203" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With a similar dream, Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, the architect of the
Indian constitution asked several downtrodden and neglected Hindu communities, suppressed
because of cast culture of the Hindus, to convert into Buddhists. Those who
have been deeply involved with Indian culture understand that there was no
religious system in India and Dhamma was a way of life for the people to follow
as preached by different TEACHERS. Hence the teachings of Buddha has always
been very relevant to all periods, mainly it has become more important in the
modern and global age, when people are more self centred, consumer priority and
least patient. The time to bring back the values of monastic education, the
first form of organized education given to the world through the 05 great
Universities or Mahaviharas: Nalanda, Sompura, Odantapuri, Vikramshila and
Jaggaddala, all from the Eastern Indian subcontinent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y79XURTu78A/UhhkyNo5iiI/AAAAAAAAD3E/rKDbgc0GV4c/s1600/P1011408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y79XURTu78A/UhhkyNo5iiI/AAAAAAAAD3E/rKDbgc0GV4c/s1600/P1011408.JPG" height="452" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tripura has recently provided some priorities to the
development of tourism, after achieving great results in the fields of agriculture,
roads, use of IT, alternative energy and other basic people’s development.
Inspite of the 30 years of communist Government in the state, religion has been
the core of the society of Tripura. The heritage left by the royals are getting
priority as we see in the role of State Museum being shifted to the palace, a
ring road being planned around the lake that houses the Neer Mahal to stop the tendency
of encroachment of lake adjoining land in and out of water, the maintenance of
the Tripurari Temple etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The major move of opening up more trade borders with
Bangladesh is a positive move. The addition of making these trade borders as
model tourism gateways to India will help further to nurture the ‘peace process’
which has begun. In Bangladesh, when Cox’s Baazar, Chittagong Hill Tracts,
Mainamoti Buddhist Ruins, Sitakund etc are already popular tourism sites, it
will be easier for Tripura to combine the popular tourism sites like Unokoti,
Debtamura, Pilak and Boxnagar Buddhist Ruins, Neermahal, Trishna etc with
Bangladesh sites. The option for Indian domestic tourists, as well as foreign
tourists visiting India, it will be convenient for Tripura to use Chittagong as
a base then any Indian city like Guwahati or Kolkata. India must look forward
to Sabroom as one of the Gateways to India for the purpose of Tourism. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-82781861511806313882013-08-19T07:15:00.000-07:002013-08-19T07:15:57.717-07:00Calling for Independence of the Tourism Industry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">Dear member of the tourism industry of the Indian subcontinent,</b></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">It is you and your organization, who is a member of this tourism industry to have proudly taken forward the glorious image of India to the world in the post Independence period. Many regions which were even unknown to our own countrymen, you have highlighted these places. Keeping in view the status of the tourism industry in the pre-independence period and the status today, most of the credit will go to all of you, the members of this self made industry. From a country of snake charmers, India is today known for her diverse nature, culture, people, palaces, plantations and landscapes. As this is not as an organized sector like other industries, the employment and revenue the tourism industry generates is often not visible. This is the only industry through which you have touched the lives of people in the remotest parts of the country, without shifting them from their home or changing their landscape.</b>
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<span style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Travel has always been a part of the Indian culture, and people have moved in and out for pilgrimage, trade and many other purposes. India did play a lead role in the legendary Silk Route, mainly in connecting the mountains with seas. Travel has so much respect in this country that it is only in this Indian sub-continent, travel has become a part of the religion and traditionally ‘’Guests are considered as Gods’’. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In a country where we believe and follow ‘Guests are our Gods’ (ATITHI DEVI BHAVO), we cannot effort or think about using the tool of strikes or bandhs to stop the movement or activities of tourists from within our home or abroad. As a part of the pride of Indian culture, and a priority in every religion and community, India has been known for her hospitality. From the rich to the poor, from a pilgrim to an invader, every visitor to any part of this country has been given the opportunity to experience the greatness of Indian hospitality. It is beyond warmth and service, it is a part of Indian religion, offered with all the respect and holiness.</b></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">In a more modern context, when the world considers TOURISM as an economic affair and puts it under one of the fastest growing industry globally, many still believe it is much more beyond this simple economic affair, TOURISM is an <i>ism </i>or philosophy which explains the relation between Guests and Hosts. This has been best understood in the Indian culture and hence Guests have been considered as Gods. We in India need to respect this great and foremost Indian tradition, and it a point, both politically and legally to <i>keep tourism out of the purview of Bandhs or Strikes.</i></b>
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<span style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The time has arrived when the <i>tourism industry should also be declared as an emergency service. </i>Industries like health, cooking fuel, milk etc are already considered as emergency services and have been kept out of the purview of Bandhs or Strikes. Some states have also considered the IT industry as an emergency service and have kept the same out of the purview of Bandhs. Now, it is high time when the Tourism industry should also be brought under such consideration. The reasons are as follows:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 14px;">1)<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 14px;">This is an industry where the end user or consumer has to reach physically to the service provider or service manufacturer.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 14px;">2)<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 14px;">The services are all linked in a chain from Home to Home, and any break in the chain disrupts the entire program of the tourist or visitor.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 14px;">3)<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 14px;">The services are spread across a region and often involve multiple states and countries.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 14px;">4)<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 14px;">The tourist or visitor comes to contribute to a region economically, without staying in the region or being a part of the day to day issues of the area.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 14px;">5)<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 14px;">The reputation of an area or her people will depend upon the impression created on the tourist or visitor.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 14px;">There are also few issues we must request the Governments to consider. If the Bandh or Strike is a democratic right of a certain group of people with or without an organization, the right not to follow the same and allow free movement and activities of the people or individuals not interested in the said Bandh or Strike should also be considered and facilitated by the Governments.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 14px;">The </span><i style="line-height: 14px;">Insurance companies do not offer any coverage or compensation for any damage to life or property during BANDHS or Strikes, but the premium is taken by the companies for the said dates. </i><span style="line-height: 14px;">This should be considered as an advantage being taken by the Insurance companies for easy and illegal profit, and any damage of life or property during Bandhs or Strikes should be considered for legal compensation during BANDHS or Strikes by the Insurance companies, who in turn can fight with the Damage causing organizations for the compensation.</span></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-52754468727961350962013-08-06T22:11:00.001-07:002013-08-07T11:28:08.016-07:00The Banyan Tree of Tea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Jorhat, 7<sup>th</sup> August,
2013: The Ashes of the Father of Assam Tea arrives today at Jorhat. Standing amidst
of the 19 Hole Kaziranga Golf Course in Sangsua Tea Estate, I am told that
Assam has lost her Tea Deota (Father). Yes Deota, that is what most of his employees
and villagers called him. Today, when it is peak of the tea plucking season, the
entire tea industry of Assam assembles at Jorhat as the ashes of Dr.Hemendra
Prasad Barooah arrives here. He had left for his heavenly abode from Bangkok,
and his close people, who looked after him said that “Deota knew that he would
be leaving soon, as this was foretold by someone long back and he made sure
that all the employees who were temporary be made permanent and other
arrangement for smooth running of his company be confirmed”.<br />
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This was not easy. At his family residence,
the Thengal Manor in Jalukina Village, which is now open to tourist, there is a
extremely peaceful ‘Remembrance Park’ in memory of the Rhongiya Barooahs built
by Dr.Hemendra Prasad Barooah, where he has kept a memorial stone for himself,
with his son Amit Barooah on one side, who left him for his heavenly abode on 2<sup>nd</sup>
October, 2007 and his beloved wife, Usha Barooah on another side, who left him
on 5<sup>th</sup> July, 2011. His close employees say that Deota is survived by
his 02 daughters and daughter-in-law and their families and we want atleast one
of them must come and look after this tea empire as a token of respect to the
great soul.<br />
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It could be a sheer coincidence,
his Father, Rai Bahadur Shiva Prasad Barooah was awarded the Medal of high
respect His Majesty, The King-Emperor, in commemoration of Their Majesty’s
Coronation on 12<sup>th</sup> May, 1937. Rai Bahadur left for His heavenly
abode on 20<sup>th</sup> April, 1938. Dr.Hemendra Prasad Barooah was honoured
with the highest civilian award of India, the Padmasree on the 5<sup>th</sup> of
April, 2013. Both the Father and Son have achieved great honours before leaving
this world. It is said that Hem, as he was popularly known among his friend was
the first Havard MBA of 1949, where he was the batch mate of Henderson of
Shereton Group and Parker of the makers famous Parker Pens. From 02 Tea
Estates, which he inherited as a part of his family business, Dr.Barooah
expanded to 10 Tea Estates and was the 1<sup>st</sup> locally owned Tea Estates
of Assam under B&A were registered at the Calcutta (Kolkata), Bombay
(Mumbai) and Gauhati (Guwahati) Stock Exchanges. <br />
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Calcutta (Kolkata) was the home
for Dr.Hem Barooah till his last. He spent a lot of his valuable time with big
time artists, film makers, social workers and creative people there. He has a
remarkable collection of Paintings and Art and is also known for producing a
full length Bollywood film, Ek Pall. He did visit his Tea Estates, many of them
around Jorhat, he used them to create ‘Tea Tourism’ infrastructure, a major
part for Tee & Tea (Golf and Tea) and Tea Heritage. The almost 185 years
old Banyan Tree of Mistri Saheb Bungalow at Gatoonga is a witness to the Great
Tea Industry of Assam, the roots of modern tea drinking in the world.<br />
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<b>This is a trip which has been undertaken on behalf of www.teatourindia.com to pay homage to the Father of Assam Tea.</b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-71234019447891840732013-07-13T01:54:00.000-07:002013-07-13T01:54:07.369-07:00Alternative Arunachal Part 01 (Dree, the indigenous festival of monsoons, rice and changing people) <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The application is there with the UNESCO office for
recognization of the area with large valleys of rice surrounded by mountains of
Bamboo and Pine Sacred Groves as World Heritage Site. The Japanese experts say
that the indigenous variety of rice is the highest density known globally. This
grows in the Apatani Valley as wet cultivation, with fishes (mainly carps)
growing in the water of the rice valleys helping them to grow faster and the
bamboo and pine leaves and pine needles of the adjoining hills make the natural
compost, fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides for the fields. The communities
believe that the secret of this best rice crop of the world is in the sacred groves, where the souls of the
ancestors live and are free from human interference. This should not give an
idea that the Dree Festival is all about Rice and Fish, which is certainly the
daily market, but the festival for me is more of the delicious Dog and Mithun
dry meat with lots of black Apong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This was not that of a very planned or well thought journey
to Arunachal Pradesh. Casually I happened to reach Dibrugarh by Rajdhani
Express from Siliguri, after an overnight journey was picked up early morning
by Prashanta, the community leader who runs the Dihing River Camp with Help
Tourism. Next day, on the 3<sup>rd</sup> of July, 2013, we ferried over through
Bogibeel Ghat, where a 5kms long bridge on 42 pillars is expected to complete
by 2015. All these ferries in the Himalaya are a lifetime experience with
landscape and people in focus. Sometimes when I see these bridges being built,
I feel sad for an endangered Indian ferry culture, which supports thousands of
families and brings together diverse communities through their skills. The cost
of these bridges could have probably subsidised the ferry culture for the next
02 decades.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sorry, I often get carried away with the traditional culture
of the rivers which keep people connected to them because of their day to day
use. The entry was through the bordering Assam town of Shilapathar and finally
driving through the Ego River Valley landscape, where Help Tourism hosts their
guests in community camp sites, I reached the Along area for overnight rest.
While I was entering through the Leikabil check-post, the Incharge asked me if
I was there for the Dree Festival. I suddenly remembered about this main
festival of Central Arunachal Pradesh and I left early morning the next day driving
through the Subanshiri River Valley reached Ziro late in the evening on 4<sup>th</sup>
July.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First, I must tell you all about the good things that can
happen, I met the Ambassadors of Northeast at the Dree Festival at Ziro. Arif
Siddique, the famous photographer for representing India’s Northeast through
his lively and typically Northeast photographs, Lou Majaw for his globally famous
musical voice from Northeast, Tagge Kanno for his understanding of the NGO
movement of Northeast at the global level and Asit Biswas the main story
builder for National Geographic and BBC Wildlife filming in Northeast were at
the festival and we all got together to an extended celebration in the evening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Though the images will do most of the explanation, but to
talk about Dree, it is a festival of borrowing and lending of food grains to
balance stock at home and compensated after the harvest. The present fixed day
celebration of 5<sup>th </sup>July was started in 1967 in the Apatani valley of
Ziro. Though the festival is more about the Apatani tribe, but it remains
incomplete without the participation of the Nyishis and Galongs. The priests
and GaoBurrhas in warrior and traditional dresses complete the ceremonies of
chicken, egg and mithun sacrifice. The main headgear of the Apatanis, which has
been inherited generation after generation has a typical comb whose origin is
lost and may be found out through the picture enclosed. This headgear is taken
out, prayed and displayed only during the Dree Festival. The fusion of tradition
and modern fashion comes with a fine line and the elegance of this balanced
fusion is reflected in the entire festival. It is sometimes hard to believe at
places like the Apatani valley, which is supposed to be remote can display so
much of modern lifestyle too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>As I fly out of the valley with the setting sun in the
western sky, I believe that one day I would be flying out further East to the
neighbouring countries singing the success of India’s Look East Policy. An opportunity to find the origin of the hair-pin in the Apatani headgear, passed on from one generation to the other since time unknown.</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com4Ziro, 79112027.546764 93.81677400000000927.518607 93.77643350000001 27.574921 93.857114500000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-66514950098517380862013-07-12T06:39:00.000-07:002013-07-12T06:39:58.045-07:00Alternative Arunachal (A Series Dedicated to Indigenous Peoples Week, Aug 5-11) <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vlg3jqIxCQk/UeAAXux_tGI/AAAAAAAADqU/esGy9yoS59w/s1600/local+livelihood+for+children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vlg3jqIxCQk/UeAAXux_tGI/AAAAAAAADqU/esGy9yoS59w/s320/local+livelihood+for+children.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is my friend <b><span style="color: #e36c0a;">Marcus</span></b> who motivated me through a post in <b><span style="color: #00b050;">Google+</span></b>
to bring in this series for the Indigenous Peoples Week being celebrated for
the 2<sup>nd</sup> year in 2013, between August 5<sup>th</sup> to 11<sup>th</sup>.
I chose Arunachal Pradesh, a state of India for several reasons, one is the
fact that this is one of the states which is described to have a two third
population of indigenous population consisting of 26 tribes and more than a 100
subtribes. As copied from Wikipedia </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes Lists (Modification) Order</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>(1956
and as inserted by Act 69 of 1986) lists twelve tribes of Arunachal Pradesh
explicitly, but makes explicit that the list is non-exhaustive by noting that
"all tribes of the State, including" those listed are to be
considered "Scheduled".</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Md7ULq4SvpA/UeAB-_LhXvI/AAAAAAAADqk/2tAzJO1Vm-I/s1600/Raj10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Md7ULq4SvpA/UeAB-_LhXvI/AAAAAAAADqk/2tAzJO1Vm-I/s320/Raj10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is not about numbers, but every 20 kilometres that you
travel in Arunachal Pradesh, you will find a new group of people adopting their
own way in this natural habitat of 84,000 sq kms with a population density less
than 20 people per sq km. It was not possible for the Industrial Imperialistic
governance under the British Empire to understand these people who followed the
culture of BIODIVINITY. Even while explaining the several schools of thought,
following the different Teachers or Gurus, Dhamma, the way of life, taught by
the teachers in the society were brought under the broad term ‘religion’. In
the same way indigenous people who could not be understood were brought under
‘tribe’. The others were called ‘natives’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KOOVyjbWNLg/UeADH_SgVNI/AAAAAAAADq4/GifxXth75Aw/s1600/DSC_01481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" height="560" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KOOVyjbWNLg/UeADH_SgVNI/AAAAAAAADq4/GifxXth75Aw/s640/DSC_01481.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It has now been 70 years since the World War II. This area of
India’s Northeast, described as an important part of the CBI
(China-India-Burma) Theatre was the last happening and noted history of the
region. Before this, it is all through stories, culture and habitat, that we
can trace some of the untold histories. I have always felt that one of the best
ways to explore Arunachal Pradesh is through a journey, where we can avoid the
so called known and structured visitor infrastructure of Circuit
House/Inspection Bungalow and Hotels/Lodges. The best way because tourism till
date did not get an opportunity to flourish and hence the conventional tourism
infrastructure has not developed, thereby leaving an opportunity to develop
tourism in Arunachal Pradesh in an alternative way with homestays, local family
or community run infrastructure of camps/log huts/long houses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNP5FC0etc4/UeAFcAsec6I/AAAAAAAADrE/vImReUy8EuM/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNP5FC0etc4/UeAFcAsec6I/AAAAAAAADrE/vImReUy8EuM/s320/DSC_0151.JPG" width="222" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There are 03 main tourism circuits in Arunachal Pradesh,
East, West and Central, all approachable through several entry points in Assam,
with 02 main hubs in Upper Assam, Tezpur in North Bank and Dibrugarh in South
Bank. The most interesting part are the ferries through the Ghats in Assam,
which with the fast development of bridges may be an experience only for the
next 05 to 10 years, the last ferry experiences in the Himalaya. Till date,
because of the lack of bridges lot of Arunachal is cut off for the 03 monsoon
months and this probably helps in conservation of several traditional practices.
Most of the traditional festivals also take place in the monsoon months.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com1Arunachal Pradesh28.2179994 94.72775279999996224.6321484 89.564178799999965 31.8038504 99.891326799999959tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-25403969686441702072013-06-25T23:23:00.000-07:002013-06-25T23:23:39.869-07:00Australia extends its expertise in water resource management to Asia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SghFTBYbVZ4/Ucp_8kUdBdI/AAAAAAAADjI/qGTvJqANMeM/s1600/Kosi_river_shifting_courses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SghFTBYbVZ4/Ucp_8kUdBdI/AAAAAAAADjI/qGTvJqANMeM/s640/Kosi_river_shifting_courses.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Floods are probably the most recurring natural hazard or even human development initiated calamity in the Indian subcontinent. The syndrome is mostly seen with the Himalayan rivers. The Koshi River originates in the Tibet (China) and Nepal altitudes, the catchment being given birth by Mt.Everest and Mt.Khangchendzonga. The River finally joins the River Ganga in the state of Bihar, India. We all remember the Koshi Flood of August 2008 and it is said that it is mainly because of the change of course for the first time after 1950. We have all seen the changing courses of the Himalayan Rivers and forming large fans. This is an yearly event, but the mega floods comes once in 50 years or so, like the mega Earthquakes or even Bamboo flowering. In regard to our Rivers, we can be more cautious and responsible scientifically, less interfering in the name of development and more traditional in our respect for the resource. Sometimes there are hopes as we see in this press release:</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Canberra, Australia, 25 June 2013 -<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Scientists from Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">are applying their knowledge in transboundary river basin management to improve the livelihoods of people living in some of the poorest parts of Asia. CSIRO and its partners have begun work in the Koshi River Basin which stretches from China, across the Himalayas through Nepal and discharges into the Ganges River in India.<b><u></u><u></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Koshi Basin is home to millions of people who rely on its fertile floodplains for their livelihoods. There is growing pressure to address development challenges in the Basin, in particular population growth and an increasing demand for energy, whilst working within constraints of natural hazards exacerbated by a changing climate, such as floods, drought, landslides, sediment movement and debris flow.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In a collaborative four-year project, scientists from CSIRO’s Water for a Healthy Country Flagship will provide technical assistance to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development’s (ICIMOD) Koshi Basin Programme. CSIRO scientists will develop an integrated basin-wide modelling system to improve management of the Koshi River Basin. This system will incorporate information on water availability, freshwater environments and the ecosystem services they provide and social considerations such as the effect of changes in water availability on livelihoods. The system will contribute to development in the Koshi Basin in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner and support national and transboundary water reforms. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Australia has a long history of managing a scarce and variable water resource, and sharing this resource amongst competing users,” said CSIRO’s Water for a Healthy Country Flagship Director, Dr Carol Couch. “There is much the Australian water experience will bring to this project to help improve sustainable development and climate resilience, reduce water stress, and inform water-related decision making and transboundary issues. We will draw on the suite of large river basin assessments undertaken across Australia in recent years, such as the Murray-Darling Basin Sustainable Yields assessment.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Research will be undertaken as a partnership between Australian organisations and ICIMOD researchers, based in Nepal. We will also be learning from ICIMOD, particularly in relation to sediment movement, snow melt and glacial processes,” said Dr Couch. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“At ICIMOD, we have taken a long-term, transboundary approach to support river basin management. This includes testing, piloting, and monitoring the innovations needed to address common issues related to climate change, cryosphere, water resources management and livelihood promotion,” said Dr David Molden, Director General of ICIMOD.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“The Koshi Basin Programme will provide a platform for national and international researchers and decision makers to come together to promote transboundary cooperation and integrated water resource management practices and policies. This will also include the development of measures for risk management as well as equitable access to water for energy and food security,” said Dr Molden.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Work undertaken by CSIRO this year will consist of a review and analysis of the existing knowledge base, capacity building and the development of a prototype model for the Koshi River Basin that incorporates information on water, climate, hydropower, freshwater environments, irrigation and social issues including poverty alleviation. The knowledge gained from this project will culminate in the development of a robust integrated basin-wide modelling framework, using eWater’s hydrological modelling platform, Source.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Project partners<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This work is supported by the <a href="http://ausaid.gov.au/Pages/home.aspx" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)</a> through the Sustainable Development Investment Strategy. Through the Strategy, AusAID works with a portfolio of partners to address the challenges of water, food and energy security in South Asia.<b><u></u><u></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://www.icimod.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)</a> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge sharing centre serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.</span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-70783226765798367442013-06-24T01:37:00.000-07:002013-06-24T01:37:39.769-07:00Himalayan Tourism in India, today’s journey with sorrows and joys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aHuOcd-QaoI/Ucfl9I9bZyI/AAAAAAAADhM/RO59SdtKCzY/s1600/Kedarnath_temple_flood_landslide_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aHuOcd-QaoI/Ucfl9I9bZyI/AAAAAAAADhM/RO59SdtKCzY/s1600/Kedarnath_temple_flood_landslide_photo.jpg" height="283" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">The 03 day state mourning declared by the Uttarakhand Government came to an end day before yesterday. Several roads have opened and the Indian Forces, mainly ITBP is in the forefront of the entire rescue operations. The legendary Kedarnath Temple Complex, which had grown into a small town, along with the lower areas like Govindghat, Rudraprayag etc, has seen thousands stranded and hundreds missing. Every soul connected to the Indian Himalaya is heartbroken and many of them have reached the disaster areas to support rescue and relief.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Noi9kfPXQPY/UcfeC2D7AWI/AAAAAAAADg0/FPzl2Z-tJcI/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Noi9kfPXQPY/UcfeC2D7AWI/AAAAAAAADg0/FPzl2Z-tJcI/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Those who live in the East Himalaya will remember the Himalayan
Earthquake in Sikkim on 18</span><sup style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> September, 2011, the disaster which has
still to heal up. Official report says that pilgrims will not be able to pay
their homage to Kedarnath for the next 03 years. All this is probably due to
too much interference of human beings to capture the Indian Himalaya in the
name of development. If we look closely, most of the disaster is based around the
water bodies, lakes and rivers, the source for the entire country. Water is
nature’s strongest factor; water has the capacity to cut rocks and create
gorges or even flood large landscapes. Water is the life maker.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KkLv0ln2TmI/UcfetWg25jI/AAAAAAAADg8/tjjOVpiuwkI/s1600/Himalayan+Region+India+Map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KkLv0ln2TmI/UcfetWg25jI/AAAAAAAADg8/tjjOVpiuwkI/s1600/Himalayan+Region+India+Map.png" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We in India have regarded all the Himalayan Landscape as the “Abode of
the Gods” or the “Sangrila”. We prayed to every bit of nature as our providers
for all we have to live and have never lived as “masters of nature”, a human
culture which in greediness of economy has forgotten the necessity of social
and environmental aspects of life for sustainability. We still have the time to
go to the Himalaya, which is almost 16% of total India’s area with about 73% of
the Himalaya being in India. A close survey will show that almost 100 districts
in 12 states of India are under the Indian Himalaya. The states are Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, West
Bengal, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fhr2j1dmVBY/UcfnlH98SdI/AAAAAAAADhc/SeqT5SNkqGg/s1600/IMG_2602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fhr2j1dmVBY/UcfnlH98SdI/AAAAAAAADhc/SeqT5SNkqGg/s1600/IMG_2602.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The idea of 06 states in the Indian Himalaya was considered for many
years, till several scientific organizations like the ICIMOD, GB Pant
Institute, Indian Mountain Initiative, GTZ etc concluded that the Indian
Himalayan Region (IHR) spread across 10 states fully and 02 states partially
with a total area of 500,000 sq kms between latitudes
26<sup>o</sup>20’ and 35<sup>o</sup>40’ North, and between longitudes 74<sup>o</sup>50’
and 95<sup>o</sup>40’ East. Asia today holds the largest, highest and most
populated mountain system, the Hindu Kush Himalayan system, which was formed
because of the collision of India and Eurasia during the plate movement about
50 million years ago. This also became the first land based trade route to
connect continents, popularly known as Silk Route. Along with trade, the
culture of the people moved and religiously the Himalaya became the “Pavitra Bhumi”,
the holy or the sacred land as the nearest meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IlPbFF_Du2g/UcfssIIS8NI/AAAAAAAADhs/buEVySaLoj0/s1600/Incredible+India+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IlPbFF_Du2g/UcfssIIS8NI/AAAAAAAADhs/buEVySaLoj0/s1600/Incredible+India+poster.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Both trade and religion brought thousands and millions of
visitors to the Himalaya. Some made it a point of their transit, some settled
down and many migrated across passes following the rivers. This millennium is
dedicated to tourism, the philosophy of travel that binds the guest and host
community. With the strong lobbying of the ATOAI (Adventure Tour Operators’
Association of India), headquartered at New Delhi, the Minister of State with
Independent Charge of Tourism, Government of India, Dr.K.Cheeranjeevi has
announced the campaign “777 days of the Indian Himalaya” on the 20<sup>th</sup>
of June, 2013. The mission as he explained is promoting ‘Incredible Indian
Himalaya’ to attract International tourists during lean season and reminding
the world that 73% of Himalaya is in India.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U3j-T7IYz7I/Ucf5JqccbHI/AAAAAAAADh8/gdTzVO9lIcY/s1600/Chautare+Himalaya.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U3j-T7IYz7I/Ucf5JqccbHI/AAAAAAAADh8/gdTzVO9lIcY/s1600/Chautare+Himalaya.JPG" height="110" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The regional tourism associations also have decided not to
miss the bus, Travel Agents Association of Bengal (TAAB) with its headquarters
in Calcutta and Eastern Himalayan Travel and Tour Operators Association
(EHTTOA) with their headquarters at Siliguri have got together for the Himalaya
02 days ago. Based on the invitation of the Principal Secretary of West Bengal
Tourism to ATOAI, to hold their annual convention in West Bengal, the 02
associations have decided to use the occasion to promote Siliguri as the
Adventure Base Station for the East Himalaya Region, which includes the entire
Northeast India and parts of South and Southeast Asia. Also, West Bengal being
the largest source market for tourism in the Indian Himalaya, the 02
associations wishes to open a dedicated “Rescue and Relief” cell for visitors
to the Himalaya.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9w9kj4eRwI8/Ucf8SA0mnzI/AAAAAAAADiM/SEieG9rWybs/s1600/Yudhishtira.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9w9kj4eRwI8/Ucf8SA0mnzI/AAAAAAAADiM/SEieG9rWybs/s1600/Yudhishtira.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Better places for people to live in and visit, can we not
elaborate, Host to make a better home in the Himalaya and the Guest to make it better
through visit. Here ‘better home’ is a perfectly conserved Himalayan
Destination and the role of the visitor is through a missionary journey of how
the same can be conserved for better. Yes, every person concerned to take up
the responsibility. A process where we should know how to take responsibly from
the Himalaya, as Himalaya is here to give and contribute. The eldest Pandava
brother, Yudhistir in Mahabharata, after completing the post death ceremonies
for all relatives and friends he had lost in the War of Kurukshetra, left his
Kingdom, left all his joys and sorrows back and left for Mahaprasthan, the
eternal journey to the Himalaya, accompanied by his brothers and wife. While on
your journey to the Himalaya, leave all that you have which makes you feel like
a king, as you should be prepared to receive more during your visit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many a campaigns are undertaken, but for the tourism campaign to the Indian Himalaya should be more inclusive. Several extraordinary campaigns like the UN campaign on water etc have to be included in the initiative through institutionalization. Ending here with a
proposal of an immediate need to form a ‘Himalayan Tourism Resource Foundation’
with the initiative of ATOAI and India Tourism. The same to be partnered by as
many organizations as possible. TAAB and EHTTOA to start with the Bengal chapter
of the same. The Foundation to support research for right tourism products for
the Himalaya, promote the same, support capacity building, support responsible
destination campaigns, develop a rescue and relief cell, develop opportunities
of International Cross-Border tourism and be the guiding force for the right
kind of tourism in the Indian Himalayan Region. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4503012188435163798.post-70069095086172437862013-05-29T08:22:00.000-07:002013-05-29T08:22:08.073-07:00Everest Day & India the home for adventure in Himalaya<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lieutenant Colonel William Lambton was the Superintendent of
the Trigonometric Survey of India which he started in 1806. Much later he was succeeded
by Colonel Sir George Everest, who was the Surveyor General of India from 1830
to 1843, who continued the work and extended the same from South of India to
Nepal in the North, following the Meridian Arch, covering a distance of 2400
kms. He was immediately succeeded by Major General Sir Andrew Scott Wagh, who
had in his office Babu Radhanath Sikdar, a Derozian who was known for his
knowledge in mathematics was picked up by Sir George Everest himself, when
Radhanath was only 19. In 1852, Radhanath had pointed out to Andrew that ‘Peak
XV’ behind Mt.Khangchendzonga was the highest peak of the world. It was only in
1856, Andrew Wagh decided to announce the finding and proposed it to be named
after his Boss, George Everest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Everest himself had a lot of objections against naming the
peak after him, as he himself had passed an order that the peaks to be named
after the local names available. Radhanath’s work was never recognized the way
it should have been. The politics of the highest peak continues even today.
After 60 years of the first climb on Everest on this date by Tenzing Norgay and
Edmund Hillary, people still discuss about who climbed first and not about the fact
the great feat of the Tenzing Hillary, his nurture and respect in Darjeeling in
India, even being born to a Sherpa family in the Thengbuche, Khumbu in Nepal. A
comment of Tashi Tenzing, the Grandson of the Great Mountaineer, as published
in The Telegraph from UK shows<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #282828; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 17.0pt;">Mr
Tenzing, 49, said: “I think my grandfather should have been knighted. He was a
member of the expedition, not just a Sherpa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #282828; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 17.0pt;">“They just gave him a bloody
medal.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #282828; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 17.0pt;">Today’s anniversary would
provide a good opportunity for "a gesture from the Queen and the people of
England to recognise that my grandfather was the man who took their flag to the
summit," he argued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #282828; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 17.0pt;">The lack of official
recognition that Tenzing allegedly suffered has been attributed to prejudices
in the British establishment at the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How could he be knighted as a citizen of India, which was
then an independent country. Talking about his citizenship then, when he was
asked to which country did he belong, the simple man but the Great Climber
replied that Nepal is my mother who gave me birth, but India is my mother who
looked after me. Regarding the flag to the summit, he took a few things to the
summit, one is a blue and red pencil, which a small girl Nima from the Sherpa
Busty in Darjeeling had given her and the other was the ice axe with four flags:
UN, Britain, Nepal and India, the last given to him by his friend Rabindranath
Mitra, the owner of a printing press in Darjeeling. (Ref: the column by Gautam
Chakraborty published in ABP today).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My close friend, Tsering Wange was the first person to
promote Adventure Tourism from Arunachal Pradesh in India’s Northeast, this I
think was about 15 to 18 years ago. On May 18<sup>th</sup>, 2013, Anshu Jamshenpa,
his wife reached the summit for the third time. Anshu, mother of 02 daughters
had climbed the Everest twice in 10 days, 12<sup>th</sup> and 21<sup>st</sup>
of May, 2011, the only of its kind World Record. She was awarded the ‘Adventurer
of the Year 2011’ by the ATOAI (Adventure Tour Operators’ Association of India)
at their 9<sup>th</sup> Annual Convention held in Srinagar, Jammu &Kashmir,
India. 16 year old Nameirakpam Chingkheinganba from Manipur is the youngest
Indian to be at the top of the summit was with Anshu this year. Tarun Saikia of
Assam, David Zomanghaiha from Mizoram and Wangsuk Myrthong from Meghalaya were
also the first from their respective states to climb the Everest with Anshu.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chanda Gayen from West Bengal made to the summit on the same
date and is third woman from the state of India to make it after Kunga Bhutia
from Darjeeling in 1994 and Shipra mazumdar from Murshidabad in 2004. Her team
mates Ujjal Ray, Debdas Nandy and Tushi Das also made to the summit. Tushi
sells eggs in the local market to run the family and nurture the passion of
mountaineering. All four from very middle class families or so to say poor
families could make to the top because of their dedication and hard work, but
above all the adventure culture in India. The adventure clubs and associations
spread across the small and big towns and cities of India are the motivating
house for young Indians.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>The trend in India was always there, but not as western
mountaineering, but the great pilgrimages to the Himalaya, known for hundreds of
years in India. The facts, myths and stories of the sacred footfalls in the
Himalaya are never ending...</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277941600132918653noreply@blogger.com2