Dying Cinchona industry to finally get some government attention

At a meeting called by the CPI [M]-led Darjeeling Cinchona Bagan Mazdoor Union Mungpoo Cinchona Plantation [Kurseong] in September, the Urban Development Minister, Ashok Bhattacharya informed that a one-man committee headed by Sabyasachi Sen,  [Principal Secretary of the Commerce and Industries Department] had been formed to look into the problems of the cinchona plantations.

            The government had also stated that diversification initiatives into other products like cardamom, ginger and citrus fruits would also be taken to resurrect the plantations.

            In response to the requisition submitted by the Darjeeling Constituency MP, Dawa Norbula to the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs, the central government agencies have also raised their voice for assistance for this dying industry.

            “The National Medical Plants Board had sanctioned nine projects, in the last three financial years,” states an NMPB document in response to the memorandum submitted.

            “The NMPB would be very happy to fund any project which has a great deal of relevance and linkage with people for employment generation, livelihood and eventually economic developments” it further adds.

            However, the NMPB has also advised that the proposals need to the collectively submitted by the State Medical Plants Board and the Directorate of Cinchona, Government of West Bengal for cultivation of high value medicinal plants in North Bengal.

            However, the NMPB has also advised that the proposals need to be collectively submitted by the State Medial Plants Board and the Directorate of Cinchona, Government of West Bengal for cultivation of high value medicinal plants in North Bengal.

            But the 26,000-arece industry feeding almost fifty thousand families still has a long way to go before things finally settle down. 

Source: 27October,2004,The NOW

Kpg’s  poor infrastructure keeps tourists away

      along with the State institute of Rural Development, Karfectar, South Sikkim and was attended by the DC South, all district officers, Zilla Adhakshya (S), NGOs, hoteliers, and members from the business community.

The programme, which focused on village Tourism and its management stated with the lighting of the butter lamp by P.Lepcha, Zilla Adhakshya, south, followed by introduction of the participants.

            PD Rai, Chairman, ECOSS, spoke on the tourism development of Gangtok and the present scenario while KN Bhutia, Vice Chairman, ECOSS, focused on tourism products and their development and adverse impacts.  Mr. Bhutia said that Namchi was now gradually acquiring the status of a potential tourism centre.

            The executive director, Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation, PK Dong, in his address said that publicity of any kind is helpful for any destination to find a place on the tourism map and stressed on the need for wide publicity to promote Namchi.

            The workshop also included a question and answer round on suitable tourism.

            The Chief Guest in her address said that a joint effort and community participation was essential to develop tourism in Namchi.  She also expressed her gratitude to ECOSS and SIRD for taking the initiative for the same. She further stated that the follow up meeting in this regard would be held by the 20 January at the same venue.

             The programme concluded with the formation of Namchi Tourism Development Society (NTDS) adhoc committee under the supervision of S Pradhan Joint Director, SIRD.  The executive members are: Chaiman, P. Lepcha, Zilla Adhakshya (S), Vice Chairmen, V. Chuhan, D.C. (S) and B.M.Rai, Upadhakshya (S), General Secretary, Sonam Lepcha, Joint Secretary, K. Thatal and Treasurer, T.Prashad. Eleven other members were also chosen.

Source: 9 January,2004,The Telegraph

Sarangi drowns in modernity din

The influence of modernity has changed the Gandharva way of life, and there are very few who have either the time or the inclination to learn how to play folk and classical music on an instrument that is difficult to master.

            Rohini,  a hamlet around 10 km from here, is home to a Gandharva family that is among the last to cling to its traditional occupation of playing the sarangi.  Prem Gandharva, in his mid-thirties, and his father, B. B. Gandharva, both play the instrument “handed to us by our forefathers”

            “I have been playing the sarangi for 20 years.  My father has played it for much longer.  To the best of my knowledge there are hardly any players left in the hills, though I have been told that the number is comparatively higher in Nepal,” said prem.

            Both father and son said they were saddened by the dwindling interest in an instrument that “lies at the heard of traditional Nepali music”

            “We may be able to keep the instrument in museums, but there will probably be no Gandharvas left to play it.  Since our own community has abandoned it, one cannot really expect that others will learn how to play it,” said Prem.

            The sarangi is a four-string instrument carved from bamboo.  It is played with a bow made from the hair of horse’s tail.

            Musicologists and intellectuals in the Gorkha community are of the opinion that the paucity of players will be a “big blow to Nepali culture’ as the sarangi a vital part of hill heritage.

            “One can preserve the instrument but if there are no players, it will no longer serve any real purpose.  This will certainly affect our culture,” said a Kurseong-based musician.

            Prem claimed that the sarangi was dying because people are no longer interested in preserving their cultural heritage.

            “The youngsters here prefer to be associated with Western music.  This is a good thing in a way because that (Western) tradition is also rich.  But young people should realize that learning their traditional instruments will help them become even better musicians,” said Prem.

            “Unfortunately, they feel playing the sarangi will not help them in the field of music,” he added.

Namchi Mahotsav concludes on a high note

The chief guest for the final day, RB Subba, Minister for tourism, declared the closing the Utsav.

            Speaking on the occasion, Subba said that tourism industry in Sikkim had a potential for growth and further development because of the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty the state has to offer.  However, for this industry to flourish, the government needed the support and involvement of the people of Sikkim he added. 

            The minister also congratulated the organizers for organizing such a historical festival in the south district, which attracted both domestic and foreign tourists to Namchi and Sikkim as a whole.

            The construction of tourist spots at Solphok and Chemchey will be completed within the year, which would bring more tourists to Namchi in the future, the minister said while assuring that the next Mahotsav will be even bigger and better to attract tourists to the state.

            Presenting a detailed report of the tourism and cultural festival during the valedictory function, the district Collector (South), Vishal Chuhan, asserted that the festival was a huge success.  For this, he thanked the cooperation and excellent coordination of the state government,  Tourism Department  and district officials of different departments.

            “The officers of different departments who formed the committed team are responsible for the festival’s success, and it would be hard for other districts to get such a dedicated team, “ he added.

            The four traditional food stalls did excellent business with the sales figures reaching around Rs Five lakh, whereas the exhibition-cum-sale stalls collected between Rs two to three lakh, the DC (South) informed.  The daily enactment of the traditional marriage ceremonies of different communities also attracted a large number of national and international tourists, he added.

            Early on October 16, the fourth day of the festival, the Minister for Rural Management and Development Department, KN Rai, was the chief guest. He said that the success of the festival was an example of cooperation between the different communities of the state, which he said was the greatest wealth of the state.   He urged the people to maintain this unity among them forever for the peace and prosperity of Sikkim and its people.

            He also emphasized that it was everyone’s duty to preserve their tradition, culture and customs, and that they should be a part of every day life and not just of occasions like these.

            On October 16, during the first session, artists from EZCE presented different cultural programmes in the main market where more than 2000 people had gathered to witness the programme.  Later during the second session held at Baichung Stadium, a traditional marriage ceremony of Lepcha community was enacted for the visitors. 

            The evening saw a large number of renowned artists from Nepal, including Sukmit Gurung, Bulu Muharung, Navraj Lamshal who works with Radio Nepal , Shrawan Mikarung,  Roshan Gurung and other artists, who resented “Nepal Folk Night”.  In an enchanting performacnce, these artists performed folk dance and music that included genres like Dohori, Sangini, Balan, Maruni, etc., as well as a number of modern Nepali songs, and dances that attracted a huge gathering.

            One the first day of the Mahotsav, Chief Minister, Dr. Pawan Chamling, was the chief guest, whereas Minister for Human Resource Development, GM Gurung, and Upa-Adhyaksha (South), BM Rai, were the chief guests on the second and third day respectively.

Source: Sikkim Express, October 19th, 2004

Delivering the welcome address, the commissioner-cum-Secretary Tourism Mr. Alok Srivastav briefed the participants on rendering and etiquette while handling the tourist.  Mr.  Srivastava said that since drivers are the first person to meet the tourist and the last to see them off, it is of utmost necessity that these faculty is trained and well prepared to receive the tourist so that the state benefits as a repeat tourist destination.

            In his introductory speech,  the Executive Director,  STDC Mr.  P.K. Dong,  briefed the drivers on the basic elements of tourism system where it was revealed that in or state, the budget on transport and 43.7% on Hotel charges.  Comparatively the National average on Transport being 9.3% and 52.6% on Hotels. 

            As a result, tourist visiting Sikkim spends almost the same amount on transport and on Hotels He further cautioned  the drivers on various hazards due to negligence and earlier driving. He stressed on accident free trips and making the tourist fully satisfied and their visit memorable. 

            Other highlights of the programme were Talk on Traffic Rules,  Motor vehicle Rules, First aid, parking and urban facilities for vehicles movement by various resource persons from Motor vehicle Department,  UD & HD Department,  S.T.N.M. Hospital,  Police Department etc.

            President, Angling Association also enlightened the gathering about the new tourist  attractions like: finishing in Sikkim, talk travel industry in Sikkim was delivered by President Travel Agents Association of Sikkim followed by a talk on hotel industry by the President,  Sikkim Hotel & Restaurant Association.

            The afternoon session was followed by subtraction between the drivers and the resource persons followed by distribution of certificates to the participants of the quiz competitions held earlier.

Source: Sikkim Herald, 8th October, 2004