Widow of late Madan Tamang to fast unto death, Morcha in deep trouble

8:22 PM

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gjm

Bharati Tamang, widow of late Madan Tamang, is going for fast unto death at Chowrasta in Darjeeling  from 14th June 2015. The decision was taken in order to protest against CBI for non execution of warrant of arrest issued by Ld. District and session court Kolkata against Bimal Gurung and 22 chargesheeted accused in connection with broad daylight murder of late Madan Tamang at club side, Darjeeling on 21.5.2010.

Bharati Tamang, Widow of late Madan Tamang to fast unto death

The declaration was made by AIGL general secretary Pratap Khati in the social media.

"No stay order has been issued as yet against the warrant of arrest. So why is the CBI delaying?" said Khati

The AIGL leader also demanded seizure of passports of the 23 GJM leaders.

The AIGL has written to the CBI director to apprise them about the delay and gave the agency 24-hour time failing which the fast will begin.

The CBI which was probing the Madan Tamang murder case, has recently filed its final chargesheet and named the entire GJM leadership including its president Bimal Gurung, his wife, party's Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri and Roshan Giri. Further Session Court Kolkata has issued arrest warrants against all the key leaders in connection with the murder of All India Gorkha League (AIGL) leader Tamang.

On the other hand Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) on Wednesday decided not to go for any immediate agitation in Darjeeling and wait till June 23.

GJM leadership in deep trouble over the CBI charge sheet had already taken up the issue with the top BJP leaders in Delhi as well as Union home minister. But neither the Centre nor the top BJP leaders in Delhi have offered any sort of help to the GJM leadership hence they are upset with the BJP.

During Wednesday's meeting at Patlebas in Darjeeling, many GJM leaders expressed their resentment about the role played by the BJP leadership in Delhi.

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“linguistic imperialism” by Bengal in Darjeeling

10:03 AM

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West Bengal

People of Darjeeling have started complaining of an attempt at “linguistic imperialism” by Bengal over the hills gaining predominance since the coming into power of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in the state and are citing the instance of hoardings and posters being erected in the town issuing public notices on various schemes of the government.

Hoarding in Bengli language over the locally prevalent Nepali language seen in Chowrasta

The posters often display government schemes such as RupayCard, Jan Dhan Yojana as well as private notices. In any case, the choice of the language defeats the purpose of these notifications as the common Gorkha people are unable to read and understand what is written in Bengali, say residents of Darjeeling.

According to the agitated denizens of the hill town, besides smacking of an attempt to impose a form of “linguistic imperialism,” by attempting to promote the Bengli language over the locally prevalent Nepali language, these hoardings, seen in Chowrasta area, Gandhi road, Darjeeling bus stand and other places where there is high density traffic, were also marring the natural ambiance of the queen of the hill stations.

It is complained that ever since the Trinamool has come to power, Nepali has almost ceased to exist as an official language. Many people have repeatedly highlighted the undermining of Nepali language by the Bengal government, but to no avail. “The continued undermining of Nepali and languages other than Bengali not only highlights the deliberate attempt by the Bengal government to undermine our mother tongue, but also points to the imposition of Bengali in almost every sphere of official business, and thus perpetuating a form of linguistic imperialism in the region,” says a veteran of Darjeeling.

Finding that political parties have not taken up the grievances of the common people despite being apprised about them,  Bishal Lama, who belongs to Darjeeling but is currently residing in Mumbai, has penned an online petition for the cause. The petition ‘Please mandate usage of Nepali in hoardings issued for public interest at Darjeeling’ has been openly forwarded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, GTA Chief Executive Bimal Gurung, M.P. of Darjeeling S.S. Ahluwalia and the district authorities of Darjeeling. The petition, available at ‘change.org,’ has currently acquired 164 followers who have signed in for the cause. (HS)

Source: EOI

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Baba Ramdev batted for Gorkhaland

9:46 AM

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Video

Televangelist Baba Ramdev today batted for Gorkhaland to the delight of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.

Baba Ramdev today held a yoga camp for hill residents at Chowrasta, which was jointly organised by the GTA and Hamro Swabhiman - a cultural unit of Patanjali Yogpeeth of Ramdev.

Later in the morning, at an interactive session between Ramdev, his aide Acharya Balkrishna, elected GTA members and the general public was organised at the Gorkha Rangamanch Bhawan.

During his speech here, Ramdev said: "If Gujaratis can have Gujarat, Bengalis Bengal, Telegus Telangana, what is wrong in creating Gorkhaland for Gorkhas. It is after much struggle that the Nepali language was recognised in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and Gorkhaland will also be created."

Gorkhaland Will Ensure National Security of India - Baba Ramdev

He added: "If a small state like Goa can be famous on the world map, why can't Gorkhaland? Gorkhaland will definitely be created," Ramdev said.

"During an agitation, obstacles will always come in your way, but achieving something without any obstacles will not be sweet. Move ahead with conviction and you will never lose," the yoga guru said.

The BJP-led NDA government has not said anything conclusive on the creation of Gorkhaland. The Bengal government is against the statehood demand.

Morcha chief Bimal Gurung, who had yesterday said that he had invited Ramdev not for political gains but for yoga, was visibly happy.

"I had not expected Baba Ramdev to speak what he has today. Baba Ramdev has spoken something that is dear to the hill people's hearts. Our face makes us foreigners in our own country. We elected a number of MPs and MLAs from our place but our aspirations were never fulfilled. However, we are now confident that Narendra Modi will fulfil our aspiration," Gurung said.

"We are hopeful that Baba Ramdev will take our cause even to the Prime Minister."

Last week, K. Keshava Rao, an MP of the TRS, had given support to the statehood demand.

Source: Telegraph

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Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev arrived at Darjeeling

11:23 PM

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GTA

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev arrived at Darjeeling on the afternoon today along with his companion Acharya Balkrishna. The Huge crowds along the way welcomed the Yoga Guru through out his way from Bagdogra to Darjeeling. He would be conducting a three-day yoga camp at Chowrasta from April 17 to 19.

According to the sources Baba Rambev is in Darjeeling to conduct a yoga camp for three days from April 17 to 19  On the request of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev arrived at Darjeeling with Bimal Gurung

The yoga camp will be conducted in various places in the town area for the residents benefit. “The main camp will be held at Chowrasta. We have also arranged other places including the Gorkha Ranga Manch Bhawan where yoga classes will be held simultaneously. Enthusiasts at the other camps will be able to see Baba Ramdev teaching yoga on giant LED screens,” said Binay Tamang, GTA sabhasad and GJM assistant secretary.

Baba Ramdev have stayed in Gymkhana Resort Darjeeling will inaugurate newly constructed Jogighat Steel Bridge at Riyangtar Mungpoo-Labdah constituency under the Kurseong sub-division.The groundbreaking ceremony for a unit of Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Pith will be held on the same day. Hamro Swabhiman will conduct its third International Conference and confer awards on the final day which will be followed by cultural dances and songs.

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People Not Happy With Proposed Electric Vehicles Around Mall Road Darjeeling

8:34 AM

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GTA

These Hideous Contraptions to Run Around Mall Road

The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will be spending Rs 35 Lakhs to buy and run these hideous contraptions around Mall road.

Hideous Contraptions  photo: Himalaya Darpan

Apparently this is supposed to help the tourist and locals stroll mall in an environmental friendly way, as these are battery run vehicles - also popularly known as e-rickshaws or electric carts.

The tranquility of mall road is maintained as no vehicle runs there... with the introduction of these vehicles, we feel that it will ruin the whole essence of Mall road.

These vehicles will be great if they run from near Bhanu Bhawan to Zoo, but definitely not around Mall road.

According to sources each of these vehicles cost around 1.5 Lakh, and by that account, around 20 of these vehicles will be introduced in Mall area by the upcoming tourist season.

While many may think of this as a great idea, here at TheDC we think it will ruin the tranquility of our beloved Mall Road and Chowrasta.

Apparently, the GTA is looking to hire women drivers fluent in English, Hindi and other languages to run these vehicles, which is a welcome thing.

But please NOT AROUND MALL ROAD... take them to Zoo, Shrubbery Park and Ropeway... spare our Chowrasta and Mall Road

Source: DC

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Adrian Pradhan in Darjeeling Winter Fest-2015

10:06 AM

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music

As the much-awaited Darjeeling Winter Festival-2015 kicked off to a flying start at Chowrastha here yesterday, the crowd jumped in joy, even as noted singer of the popular band, 1974 AD, Adrian Pradhan, kept the excited revelers on their toes as he belted out his popular numbers, one after the other.

Adrian Pradhan in Darjeeling Winter Festival-2015 

Though it was a cold winter’s evening in Darjeeling, Mr Pradhan’s fans said they could not afford to miss the golden opportunity to see him performing on stage, live.

“It’s cold and I am not keeping well, but how could I miss Adrian’s performance?” said Pragya Rai, a 19-year-old-girl from Darjeeling, when asked how excited she was to see the singer, songwriter and composer in her hometown.

Rahul Lama, another fan of Mr Pradhan, said: “I was sleeping at home, but when I heard Adrian was performing, I rushed to the fest. He has been my inspiration since long.”
Not only his fans, but the star himself was seemingly excited. “I feel lucky to be able to perform at the winter fest here, and I am really looking forward to the show,” he said as he was about to hit the stage.

“This is my first solo performance in Darjeeling,” he added.

Mr Pradhan said he is presently working on a Nepali album, which will be his 6th solo album, and it will include almost all his hits.

“The album is releasing on 18 August,” he said. He further said that he has plans to release an album of Hindi songs, as “the Hindi song I had recently released on Radio Misti in Siliguri has gained popularity.”

Organised by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in collaboration with the state government, the winter festival is the fourth one in Darjeeling.

People from all walks of life said they always look forward to the festival in the town.
“The winter fest adds charm to Darjeeling and it is a source of entertainment for people who don’t go anywhere during the biting cold winter days,” a shopkeeper at Dr Zakir Hussain Road here, meanwhile, said.

Fabian and his friends from Germany said they have just arrived in Darjeeling, “and to be welcomed by a fest like this, it feels great.”

Darjeeling as a popular tourist destination is also attracting celebrities, of late. Noted Bollywood singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya and his family were here for three days very recently. He roamed around Mall Road and was seen enjoying a cuppa at the Golden Tips tea boutique at Chowrastha.
“The beauty of Darjeeling is so enchanting that I have decided to visit Darjeeling every year from now onwards. This is my first visit here,” Mr Bhattacharya told reporters.

Ashish Vidyarthi, a popular actor known for his work in Bollywood, Tollywood and Telugu films, also visited Darjeeling this week with his family.

Source: sns

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Darjeeling winter festival 2015 begins with ‘Hamro ghar’ scheme

9:29 AM

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gta news

The 7-day winter festival at Chowrasta in Darjeeling began today with the distribution of cheques amounting to Rs 80,000 to 100 families of the below poverty line (BPL) as part of the first phase of the ‘hamro ghar’ scheme initiated by Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) today at the inaugural programme of winter festival 2015.

Darjeeling winter festival 2015 begins 

‘Hamro ghar’ scheme had been launched for the BPL people under GTA areas by the GTA, where 20 houses will be build in each constituency with a budget of rupees 1,60,000 for each house.

The 7-day festival is organised by the tourism department of GTA in collaboration with the state government. “Tea and tourism is Darjeeling’s identity, development in tea and tourism means all sectors of life in Darjeeling will benefit from it. This winter festival is also a means of tourist attraction” said the finance secretary of GTA, Mr D.B.Lepcha.

The winter festival was inaugurated by the GTA chief and Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJMM) supremo, Mr Bimal Gurung, by lighting a lamp which was followed by a welcome speech by Mr D.B.Lepcha. The programme then moved forward with ‘maruni nritya’, ‘pachhimi Chutka nritya’ and Nepali folk song by the Artists of Teesta Rangit Sanskritik Toli of Darjeeling.

The event also witnessed speeches by the MLA Darjeeling, Mr T K Dewan and Mr Cheyong Pulzar, the Excecutive Director of P&RD Department of ‘hamro ghar’ scheme. The ‘dhaan naach’ by an artist of Teesta Rangit Sanskritik Toli marked the last programme of the inaugural ceremony of the winter festival which was further followed by a speech from Mr Bimal Gurung.

The winter festival of 2015 will witness a host of star attractions and band performances like Bipul Chettri, Adreen Pradhan and Nima Rumba and bands like Mantra, Pralaya, Parichaya, US band, Wafwot band, Carnival and winners of International Hornbill Festival, Adams Apple and Nightmares “We want our local people coming up with their talents. That is why we have invited local stars to perform during this festival,” said Mr Gurung.

Adreen Pradhan who is a vocalist, composer and songwriter,
performed at Chowrastha in the evening amidst much cheers. When Mr Pradhan was asked about how he is feeling about performing at the festival, he said, “I am a bit excited.”

Source: Sns

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Darjeeling set for 111km mountain cycle rally to Sandakphu

10:13 AM

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Tourism

Bengal's highest point, Sandakphu, at an altitude of 11,929 feet, is set to be conquered by a group of cyclists.

Participants of the mountain bike rally at Chowrasta in Darjeeling on Sunday (picture by Suman Tamang)

Ten youths from Darjeeling and Bangalore today set out on a 111km mountain cycle rally to a region where even vehicles without a four-wheel drive refuse to travel. Sandakphu is 53km from here.

The region is inhospitable at this time of the year because of the cold unpredictable weather and the slippery cobbled roads. However, this has not deterred 13-year-old Nawang Tenzing Sherpa, the youngest in the group, from participating in the event.

"I have never been to Sandakphu before but this time I am cycling to the place and the thought itself is providing me much excitement," said the Class VII student of St Joseph's School (North Point).

The rally has 10 participants, including a youth from Bangalore, who has never cycled in a hilly area. "I have just heard of the names of these places (Sandakphu-Phalut). I have never cycled in the hills and this is going to be a new experience for me," said Dinesh Kumar, a resident of Bangalore.

The rally, which was flagged off from Chowrasta by Prakash Gurung, GTA Sabha elected member from Rimbick and Dawa Lepcha, executive GTA Sabha member in-charge of the tourism department, is being organised by Alpine Wheels, a Darjeeling based organisation of mountain bikers. The cyclists will stay overnight at Tumling today.

Tumling, is situated at an altitude of 9,600 feet and is 34km from Darjeeling.

"This is a six day event. After Tumling, we will halt at Sandakphu, Phalut, Gorkhey and Samendan before ending at Rimbick," said Tenzing Chomba Sherpa of Alipine Wheels. Even though the use of cycles in day to day life is non-existent in the hills given the steep gradient of the region, biking trails is slowly catching up in the hills as an adventure sport.

A few organisations have started mountain bike trails across the hills of late.

"We are trying to promote mountain bikes as an adventure sport in the hills and also make a component of eco-tourism. After all, this is an eco-friendly sport and also helps people keep fit," said Tenzing Chomba.

Migma Sherpa, another participant said: "The hills are a good place for mountain biking."

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had cancelled her October 14 trip to Sandakphu-Phalut. Nabanna sources had said that several senior bureaucrats had requested Mamata not to go on the trip, a part of which was planned as a trek, citing security, difficulty of terrain, the near lack of telecommunication network and the chilly weather as reasons.

Source: Vivek Chhetri for Telegraph

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Ponies banned at Chowrasta by Darjeeling municipality

7:49 AM

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Tourism

Any tourist’s Darjeeling visit will now be complete, even if s/he does not have a photograph taken on a pony at Chowrasta, the heart of Darjeeling and a popular tourist hangout in town.

Ponies banned at Chowrasta by Darjeeling municipality

The once famous ponies of Darjeeling are no longer seen idly lingering around the promenade, thanks to the Darjeeling municipality that has recently issued orders to pony owners to stop their business there.

Municipality Chairman Amar Singh Rai said such a decision was taken as the ponies had been “spoiling the ambiance of Chowrastha.”

According to him, he has received several complaints from people that said that the ponies had been littering the place.

“The ponies urinated and excreted anywhere in the middle of Chowrasta, and the area had started to stink,” Mr Rai said.
Samsher Tamang, the president of the Chowrasta Pony Association, however, lamented that the municipality order means big losses for them and that it will hit their livelihood.

“There are 22 ponies in the stables at Chowrastha, and pony rides have been a delight for the tourists since 1933,” he said.

Further, the Darjeeling Police has decided to be stricter when it comes to stop lighting up at Chowrastha. It may be mentioned that the place is already a ‘no-smoking zone,’ but people still smoke there, not giving two hoots to the ban in place.

“With government approval, we might raise the fine for smoking there from Rs 200 to Rs 500 in the coming days,” said S Sarkar, the Additional Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling.

Mr Rai, meanwhile, said that the Municipality is also working on plans to make the promenade a “no-vending zone.”

Source: SNS

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Shalika Gurung Set to Create History as the Only Female Driver in 1st Rally De Orange

10:17 AM

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sports news

Shakila Gurung has been driving for the past 25 years but this is her first stint as a driver in a car rally and she is really excited about it.

Shalika Gurung

Shakila from Mirik is the only female driver of Rally De Orange, the first car rally organised by GTA Sabha in association with The Telegraph.

“I am looking forward to a lot of a fun and adventure over the next two days,” said the 42-year-old lady, who would be assisted by her husband Navin as the navigator.

The two-day car rally will be flagged off from Gorkha Rangamancha Bhavan here tomorrow. Ramkrishna Race Performance Management is providing the technical support, while the event is being managed by Wind Oz, an organisation which promotes adventure tourism.

At the inaugural session held today, bands from Kumidini Homes, Kalimpong and Municipal Boys’ High School, Darjeeling, escorted the 22 participating teams in their cars from Gorkha Rangamancha Bhavan to Chowrasta.

Twenty-two teams will be participating in the car rally. While 15 are from the Darjeeling hills, seven teams are from different parts of the country.

Leg I of the rally will start from Gorkha Rangamancha Bhavan at 8am tomorrow and will proceed towards Ghoom. It will finish at Murti in Dooars at 4pm, covering a distance of 175km. On November 26, Leg II will be flagged off from Murti at 7am and terminate at Sittong, covering a distance of 130km. The rally will be held in the Time-Speed-Distance format where the participants are supposed to cover a particular distance within a stipulated time at a given speed.

“The car rally is an effort of the GTA to make adventure tourism popular in the hills,” said Sonam Bhutia, the executive director of GTA’s tourism department.

The winning team will receive a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and those in the second third and fourth positions will receive Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000,

Souece: Telegraph

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Darjeeling Cultural and Tourism Festival 2014 concluded

11:35 AM

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Tourism

The Darjeeling Cultural and Tourism Festival came to a close on Friday with fanfare after enthralling the tourists and the locals for a month.

Darjeeling Cultural and Tourism Festival 2014 concluded

Cultural events by local artists were performed in the last day with the “Carnival” group exciting the audience with their songs.

Tourists flocked to Chowrastha- the venue for the festival - to get a last chance to see the different culture and traditions of the Hills which was displayed by the participants.

The festival started on October in Darjeeling and was also organized in Kurseong and Kalimpong sub-divisions and in Mirik, in the foothills over the month.

The organizers gave a grand farewell to the month long festival by a fire work display in the evening much to the delight and awe of the crowd. The organizers also thanked the people for their support in making the event a success while assuring make the programme more glitzy next year.

Source:EOIC

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Darjeeling municipality decided to make Chowrasta “no-vending zone”

11:33 AM

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Darjeeling Municipality

This action on the part of the Darjeeling municipality might have been the triggered by I AM DARJEELING. article which went viral on Social media.

The Darjeeling municipality has decided to make the town’s main promenade Chowrasta a “no-vending zone” on the request of morning walkers.

Stalls along Mall road in Darjeeling. Picture by Suman Tamang

By “no-vending zone”, the municipality means other than 12 temporary hawkers’ stalls on Mall Road, no other shop would be allowed to be set up on Chowrasta.

Most of the shops are concentrated on Mall Road, which the municipality plans to remove. Nehru Road, a path to Chowrasta, would also be part of the no-vending zone, as will be the road leading to Hotel Alice Villa.

Civic chairman Amar Singh Rai said no vendors, other than the 12 allotted temporary space on Mall Road would be allowed in the area.

The municipality is yet to pass a resolution on this.

Chowrasta has seen a steady rise of hawkers in the past year. Around 40 vendors have stalls on the stretch leading to the Mahakal temple on Mall Road.

This morning, the Darjeeling Environment Conservation Awareness Programme, popularly known as the Morning Health Club, submitted a memorandum to Rai.

Many senior citizens are members of the club.

Tshering Dorjee, the president of the Darjeeling Environment Conservation Awareness Programme, wrote: “Mall and Chowrasta has always been a favourite spot both for tourists as well as locals, where people of all ages come to stroll and relax. But… hawkers stalls along the stretch leading towards Chowrasta makes (the roads) very narrow and inconvenient for commuters.”

Last year, vendors had been removed from Nehru Road and given space along the road that leads to Hotel Alice Villa.

Twelve hawkers could not be accommodated and were allotted space along the Mall Road.

This afternoon, Rai said: “We have heard the grievances of the Morning Health Club. It is true that only 12 hawkers who could not be accommodated along the road that leads to Hotel Alice Villa were allowed to put up stalls on the Mall Road.”

He said the municipality had “started conducting a survey from today”.

He added: “We will not allow any other vendor (except the 12) to put up stalls in the area. The municipality will soon adopt a resolution in the board meeting making Chowrasta a no-vending zone.”

Earlier this year, the Morning Health Club had opposed the construction of a hawkers’ market at Chowrasta.

The members have also opposed illegal construction in the Mall area. “We are aware that the municipality had allowed only 12 hawkers to put up stalls in the area purely on temporary basis. But over the months, the number of hawkers has multiplied at an alarming rate. We request the municipality to declare the area as a no-construction, no vending zone as well as free from advertising hoarding and flexes,” Dorjee said.

Alos read : Darjeeling municipality started dismantling buildings taller than the maximum 
and I AM DARJEELING.

Source: Vivek Chhetri for Telegraph

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