Wednesday, July 23, 2014

PD Rai stresses need for action plan to address climate change in NER





PRESS RELEASE
Press Secretary
Office of PD Rai, Lok Sabha MP for Sikkim


Sikkim Lok Sabha MP PD Rai has urged the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to prepare a white paper to address specific concerns arising out of climate change in the North-Eastern region. Speaking at the Parliamentary Debate on Demand for Grants relating to the Ministry in the Lok Sabha, Rai highlighted the political and economic impacts of climate change in the region. He also mentioned the steps taken by the Sikkim Government to address the issue.
Rai informed the House about the potential impact of climate change on agricultural yield in the North-Eastern region, particularly Sikkim’s North District, where impact is expected to be the highest in the region according to scientific studies. He also raised concerns over the reduction in budgetary allocation for North-Eastern region from Rs. 191 crore in the Interim Budget to about Rs. 181 crore in the current Budget.
Welcoming the new National Mission on Himalayan Studies - for promoting research for sustainable development of the Himalayan region - he expressed hope that the Centre will address both climate change and developmental issues in the region. He also highlighted the importance of forestry research in addressing climate change issues. He raised concerns over the low budgetary support for Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education, an institution of national importance. He said that lack of funding has adversely
Impacted the research output of the institution. He stressed the need for enhancing budgetary allocation to enable the institution to undertake new research projects for the rejuvenation of forests.
Furthermore, he highlighted the need for policy level intervention to specify the norms for forest cover for States in the country. He said that such a policy will enable States with high forest cover to undertake developmental initiatives.

Measures to Address Climate Change: Ideas from Sikkim – “Ten Minutes to Earth”
Rai apprised the House of the steps taken by the government of Sikkim to address climate change. He urged the nation to adopt the “Ten Minutes to Earth” program which was institutionalized in Sikkim by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling. The initiative, based on the concept of “One Person, One Tree, One Time”, has resulted in plantation of six lakh saplings of trees and flowering species within 10 minutes across the State every year since 2009.

Need for Amendment in Indian Forest Act to Promote Bamboo Industry
Outlining the importance of bamboo, Rai urged the Minister for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar to amend the Forest Act and list Bamboo as a grass. He said the amendment will lead to an improvement in the cultivation of bamboo.
Rai has been constantly pitching for the reclassification of bamboo as a grass and had even introduced a bill for the amendment of the Indian Forest Act in the Lok Sabha in 2013. He has argued that the change will provide steady and sustainable source of livelihood for millions of tribal and rural inhabitants in the North-Eastern region, particularly Sikkim.

Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Recognizes Importance of Issues
Raised by Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling and MP PD Rai

Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar welcomed the suggestions made by Rai and other members during the debate. He said that the Himalayan Mountain Initiative, raised by Rai, is an important issue for the nation. He said that the nation should work toward sustainable development of the Himalayan region. He informed the House that the Ministry has approved all seven eco-sensitive zone projects in Sikkim. He also apprised the House of his meeting with Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling and stated that the government had commenced work on the eco-sensitive projects from 20th July.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

MEUYCS TO HOST "HILL VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP"


Entry is open for all the interested teams of Sikkim, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Kurseong, Dooars, Bhutan, Nepal. Organized by Majhitar Educated Unemployed Youth Co-operative Society for the third successive term on the memory of Late Man Rupa Gurung. Cash Prize of Rs. 50,000 & Rs. 30,000 for Winner and Runners up respectively. The last date of entry is the 31st.July.2014 and the Final will be played on Independence Day on 15th August. For more information contact: 9775981169, 9851846643, 9851508686.

Sikkim goes for free education upto College

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at a meeting at Yangyang on July 22, 2014 announced that that no fees would be collected from the students studying in government schools upto colleges. Those who have already paid will be returned, was told.

pic: Tashi D Bhutia

Thursday, July 17, 2014

A good artist will perform any kind of song in any kind of situation : Nitish Pradhan



Meet Nitish Pradhan, an upcoming music heartthrob of Sikkim. His music reflects melody, youthfulness and about the lifestyle Sikkim. He is the one half of Sikkim’s first male/female pop.

1. Three music video in a short span, how do you see yourself in coming years? :
It’s not as easy as one views it. It entails so much hard work and labour to come up with a song first and then to make a music video is a totally different ball game altogether. As an artist it is natural to expect progression and growth. I wish that too. Hopefully in my upcoming songs everyone will see a different side to my artistry. At the end, it is a team work and my sincere thanks to each and every individual that I have worked with till now.
2. Your "Maya" video was highly appreciated, your say.
Even with relatively less promotion "Maya" surpassed our expectations. "Anisha-Nitesh" Duo is known for this song. I always believed that a good song will always get its due someday. We still get compliments for "Maya" from the audience. The video required such a grueling schedule for everyone involved but finally it all went smoothly.
3. Is it important to be in love to sing a romantic numbers? How do u define love?
A good artist will perform any kind of song in any kind of situation. However, being in love is never a bad thing! Although the sad part is I have been in love just once & it fizzled out quickly too (Laughs). I always believe love is unconditional. We should not have a pre-conceived notion of love. It may come and go anytime but that does not mean one should cringe and cry rather we should celebrate love in various other dimensions as a son, brother or a friend.
4. How do you make yourself comfortable from the expectation people have from Anisha -Nitesh duo?
I keep on getting queries from everyone what next? As a duo we have so many more avenues to explore and grow not only as artists but also as a human being. Anisha is out of Sikkim for her studies even I am busy here. We are glad that people have expectations from us. We always tried to give the listeners songs that are simple and melodious in their own way. Our next collaboration should be as good as "Maya". We will work on it once we have settled other commitments in life.
5. Any plan for a solo album...
Yes! It’s very exciting. Each song will show a different side of me. I really don't know at this point whether it will be a mini-album or a full-fledged one but it will surely be something very different from what I have done till now. There will be surprise collaborations with other artists too. The basic concept of the album is ready but there are many more things to work on it so I will not be in the position to comment on its release date.
6. What do u do apart from studies and music?
I am a current affairs junkie! I read magazines, Journals, watch news. I absolutely love Politics. Today our youths show disenchantment with the political system but that should not be the case. We must be part of the political system to shake or change it. I love hanging out with family and friends. I have a spiritual side too. I meditate & listen to the discourses of various spiritually enlightened beings from all faiths. In today's materialistic world it is very important to keep a tab on one's spiritual health.
7. How did u develop an interest in politics?
Coming from a politically aware background our dinner time conversation is politics! We love having political discussions on the dinner table. This is the way we have been brought up and I feel it’s very healthy that one is getting ideological mentoring from home itself.
8. Any last thoughts.
Do what your heart says. Follow your dreams passionately. Love and be happy with yourself first than only u can make people around you happy!! Lastly, spare some thought to the world around you. Be aware of things happening around. Love the universe!!!

Friday, July 11, 2014

Awareness programme on World population day held



SINGTAM. JULY 11: Chisopani JHS observed an awareness programme on the occasion of World Population Day at their school today.  The theme of the event was “Census and You”.  Highlight of the program was speech competitions on the topic of Population among the students and talks on consequences of over population and importance on Population Census. Interaction session between the teachers and students was also held that was more of a knowledge sharing experience.
Mahesh Dahal, Headmaster of the school was the host of the day, he briefed about the need of the observation of the day.  He addressed the students and staff of the school with presentation of the National Population charts and other information sheets provided by the Khamdong BAC. DP Pandey, senior teacher of the school was the Resource Person; he spoked on the importance of Population Census and shared his knowledge when he was a Census Officer of Chisopani.
Speech competition was held among the students. Around 20 students participated in it. Bindhya Gurung from Class VII was adjudged the best speaker of the competition.



Monday, July 07, 2014

PD Rai and RB Subba call on Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister In-Charge of Skilling India’s Workforce

 
PRESS RELEASE
Press Secretary
Office of PD Rai, Lok Sabha MP for Sikkim

Sikkim Lok Sabha MP and Sikkim’s Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs and Human Resource Development RB Subba called on the Union Minister for Sports, Youth, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Sarbananda Sonowal, in New Delhi on Friday, July 4. Rai and Subba’s discussion with Sonowal focussed primarily on skill development for the youth. They shared Sikkim’s experience in skill development and explained the work done by the State Institute of Capacity Building, the first such initiative in the country. Sonowal lauded the progress made by Sikkim, especially in the field of Organic Farming.
Subba also apprised the Union Minister about some of the initiatives of the Government of Sikkim in the field of Capacity Building, Youth and Sports Affairs. Sonowal, who hails from Assam, said that he will do everything to kindle entrepreneurship in the North-East Region. Speaking on Sikkim, he
mentioned that there is tremendous scope for entrepreneurship in the field of tourism.
Sonowal is in-charge of skilling India’s teeming workforce. According to an Economic Times report, “the Modi government's first Budget is expected to transfer most, if not all the skill development and training initiatives under at least 21 different ministries, to the newly created ministry for skill development and entrepreneurship headed by Sonowal.”

Sushen Pradhan from Gangtok completes PhD from Guwahati University

GANGTOK, JULY 7:  Sushen Pradhan, son of Shri T.B. Pradhan and Smt. D.K. Pradhan of Development Area, Gangtok has completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biotechnology from Guwahati University on June 30. His topic was “Development of tissue culture system for in vitro regeneration, biochemical and molecular characterization of ginger varieties grown in Sikkim”. Pradhan was under the guidance of Prof. P.J. Handique, Guwahati University.
Pradhan in his press release has acknowledged his family, Dr. B.C. Basistha (Additional Director), Department of Science and Technology & Climate Change and all the people who directly and indirectly supported him for the completion of his research work.
Graduated from Sikkim Government College, Tadong, Sushen Pradhan did his schooling at Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School. He completed his MSc form Bangalore University in 2007. Presently he is working as a research associate in Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology, Biotech Hub, Sajong, Rumtek. His areas of interest in research are particularly in cash crops and medicinal plants of Sikkim Himalaya.