Darjeeling Krishi Mela 2015 Begins

11:01 AM

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Krishi Mela

The end of the winter festival in Darjeeling today marked the beginning of a nine-day Agro-Horti Techno Fair, popularly known as the ‘Krishi-Mela,’ at Jamuni here.

Being organised by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), the agriculture fair was inaugurated by GTA chief and chief of the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM), Bimal Gurung. Various modern applied techniques in farming, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and other sectors related to agriculture are on display in several stalls in the fair, while talks and seminars will also be held.

Darjeeling Krishi Mela 2015 Begins

The aim behind such a fair is to promote the various sectors related to farming to increase the agriculture productivity in the Hills, organisers said.

As he kicked open the fair, Mr Gurung also announced awards for toppers of various board examinations of class 10 and 12 in GTA areas for the 2014 batch.

On the GTA projects being undertaken presently, Mr Gurung said: “The GTA laid the foundation stone for a new tourist spot at Meghetar which is located at an altitude of about 1750m, and where we can get a 360 degree view of the mountains.”

According to him, the GTA is also constructing a road up to Meghetar from Kainjalia with a cost of Rs 4 crore.

“The GTA will develop the area keeping in mind the religious background of the place. We have decided to put up a statue of Lord Krishna with a small lake and a water fountain there. The GTA will also build small family cottages with pathways and train local people in horticulture. The total project cost of transforming Meghetar into a world class tourism place would be Rs 13 crore,” he said.
He added that a winter festival will be organised there from 7 to 15 February to promote the place.
“Our target is to develop areas under the GTA in full speed,” said Mr Gurung. He said that the Singla Sports Academy will also be transformed into a tourist place soon.

The ‘Krishi Mela’ will also be held at Jogihat from 14 to 16 Janauary and at Relli from 15 to 17 January 2015. Several cultural events are likely to be organised during the fair. “We may bring in Bollywood rapper Honey Singh to perform at the mela,” said Mr Gurung.

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CPM, ABGL and GNLF have virtually vanished from the hills - Bimal Gurung

10:14 AM

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Politics

Hitting out hard at the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung on Thursday said its era is long over and the handful of supporters still clinging on in hope must realise this fact at the earliest.

Bimal Gurung

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the GTA’s three-day Krishi Mela at Damphe Thar in Dudhay, Gurung said hill parties such as the CPM, ABGL and GNLF have now virtually vanished from the public stage. “All political parties enjoy their prime time and they should learn to deal with this fact,” he said.

The GTA chief added, “A day will also come when the people of the Darjeeling hills will turn towards a new political party by sidelining the GJM, but at present the mandate is with us.”

According to Gurung, there will only be chaos and mayhem if a political party tries to flex its muscles despite being well aware that its heydays are over. “Our rivals tried to coax GJM supporters into joining their fold and a number of them did leave us temporarily, but now they are all returning back,” claimed the GJM chief.

Putting in a word of praise for ally BJP, he said, “During the Kargil War, many Gorkha soldiers were martyred, but no leader from Kolkata or Delhi visited their families as a mark of respect. Only the BJP respects the contribution of the Gorkhas to the nation.”


Gurung cautioned the people not to view the Krishi Mela as an entertainment event, but as one being held to promote new farming techniques. “Once this mela is over, Dudhay will soon find a place in the tourism map of Darjeeling,” he concluded.

Source: EOI

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Bimal Gurung inaugurated Krishi Mela at Rangbhang Bishnudham Paryatan Kendra

9:09 PM

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Krishi Mela

Gorkhaland Territorial Administration chief executive Bimal Gurung today inaugurated a four-day long Krishi Mela at Rangbhang Bishnudham Paryatan Kendra while assuring the people of developing the entire region under the GTA. He said the council will make proper use of funds allotted by the central government and prove it to be the ideal option towards attaining statehood.

People welcoming GTA chief Bimal Gurung to
Krishi Mela in Mirik on Tuesday.

Gurung also claimed the GTA will generate enough employment opportunities for youths along with ensuring development of the region. He said the Darjeeling hills will become transformed into a self-sufficient region.

“I am only going to concentrate on development of the region. I will not care about allegations from the opposition,” announced the GTA chief.

He further said the GTA has already set aside Rs23 crore for the promotion of tourism in Mirik. He expressed dismay about the recent switchover of party affiliation by some of his party supporters, while appealing to GTA sabhasads to work with honesty for the development of the region.

The Krishi Mela has stalls set up by government, non-government and self-financed agencies among others. The fair will also showcase cultural programmes by representatives of the tourism department from Mirik, Nagari and Pokhraybong. The opening day of the Mela saw the participation of a large number of visitors from Mirik and its neighbouring areas.

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Bimal Gurung will invest Rs143 crore in Rangbhang area

7:13 PM

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Krishi Mela

Gorkhaland Territorial Administration  chief executive Bimal Gurung today inaugurated the four-day Krishi Mela at Rangbang Khola near Sukhiapokhri as he pledged to invest in developing the area.

Bimal Gurung

He said more than Rs100 crore would be pumped in from funds from the Centre to develop the area.

“We will be getting Rs200 crore as promised by the central government. From this, we will invest about Rs143 crore in the Rangbhang area for various infrastructural development works,” said the GTA chief while laying the foundation stone for a model high school at Magarjung near Sukhiapokhri, about 35 km from Darjeeling.

Speaking at the fair ground, Gurung said, “The GTA will focus on developing the hills with active cooperation from both the state and central governments. We have lined up various projects that will be implemented soon.”

He added, “The last round of agitation for statehood proved the people are more interested in development. Many supporters and people deserted our party then. With the general public voicing demand for development and with my returning to the GTA, I was compelled to resume office as its chief executive.”

The GTA chief added plans are on to prioritise development of the agriculture and tourism sectors to strengthen the economy of the hills.

The popular tourist destination of Mirik that neighbours Sukhaypokhari will also be developed soon and nearly Rs23 crore invested in the area, informed Gurung.

“I will make a field visit to Mirik soon to see what type of projects will benefit the area,” he said.

Further, the Gorkha Janmuki Morcha president warned contractors to refrain from indulging in corruption while executing house-building works for the poor under the Indira Awaas Yojana, a central government scheme. Under the scheme, 1,150 houses will be constructed in the GTA area with a budget of Rs75,000 set aside for each dwelling.

The model school at Magarjung, for which Gurung today laid the foundation stone, will come up at a cost of Rs6.14 crore. Indira Ojha Madhyamik School, which is in the same area and in a  dilapidated state, will be shifted to the new building once it is complete with facilities including a laboratory, toilet and hall among others. Gurung added the GTA has plans to build a college at Dhajey near Sukhaypokhari.

Source:EOI

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Krishi Mela 2014 started in Darjeeling, Kalimpong

10:44 AM

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Live News

The Darjeeling leg of the third Krishi Mela organised by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration got started today at Jamuney, about 15km from town.

Using the occasion, GTA sabhasads harped on ushering development in the hills with support from the state government.

Traditional huts at the Krishi Mela in Jamuney.

Inaugurating the Krishi Mela, GTA deputy chief executive Col (Retd) Ramesh Allay said, “We have a lot of projects to complete and also to start. The hills have been neglected for several years and now we must focus on changing the face of this place.”

The deputy chief executive said the year 2015 will be dedicated to green revolution. “We have been hosting the Krishi Mela since 2011. Keeping this in mind, we have lined up projects to bring about a green revolution in the hills. Our farmer brothers need to be promoted and the GTA will do so in the years to come,” he said.

But in order to achieve this, the state government should facilitate the release of the arrested GTA sabhasads, pointed out Allay.

“We need to have all our sabhasads actively participating, but there are still some in correctional homes. We need to have them attending office and giving a helping hand in formulating projects,” said the GTA deputy chief.

At the inauguration of Krishi Mela 2014 in Jamuney on Monday.

Of the 12 sabhasads arrested during the latest agitation for statehood, six are presently lodged in different correctional homes, while the remaining six are out on bail.

Binay Tamang, one of the arrested GTA members and presently released on bail, also emphasised the need for developing the hills, saying it should be prioritised.

“We will come out with a book for the benefit of the people listing various development projects that will be under taken by the GTA and also those already completed,” he said while addressing farmers and locals on the first day of the 14-day fair that will also be hosted by Kalimpong, Mirik and Kurseong.

The Mela will continue in Darjeeling till January 26. The Kalimpong chapter of the fair, at Relli, which also began today after being inaugurated by GTA chief executive Bimal Gurung, will end on January 16.

Meanwhile, in Mirik, the event will be held from January 14 to 17 at Rangbang Khola, while in Kurseong it will be organised from January 15 to 18 at Jogihaat.

The special features of the farmers’ fair as in the past years are the exhibition of traditional huts that have stalls showcasing live demonstrations on different aspects of agriculture related products including seminars and lectures by experts and resource persons. Apart from this, the GTA will also distribute free agro-fishery related equipment, saplings and livestock and tool kits for rural artisans.

GTA executive members Roshan Giri and Binay Tamang
 lighting the ceremonial lamp at the Krishi Mela
 in Jamuney on Monday.

“We want farmers to remain updated with the latest technology and equipment to facilitate better production. We must ensure that agriculture, which is neglected in the hills, gets a strong impetus as we have a lot of scope for it,” noted Tamang, adding stalls for free vaccination of animals have also been set up and participating banks will make farmers aware about various schemes for agriculture and loans that are available.

Further, the GTA will organise entertainment and cultural programmes and put up stalls serving traditional cuisine. Artistes from Kolkata and Mumbai have been invited to perform. The GTA will also hold a Village Olympic and circus along with adventure sports activities in the Mela venues.  It will also give away R500 each to 20 senior citizens from each constituency later this month.

Gorkha Territorial Administration chief executive Bimal Gurung today inaugurated the four-day long Krishi Mela in Kalimpong wherein he promised development of the Darjeeling hills within three years.

The inaugural ceremony was also attended by GJM study forum member Swaraj Thapa, agriculture department member Kalyan Dewan, GTA vice-president Lopsang Lama and others.

The Krishi Mela has more than 24 stalls hosted by the Forest and Health Department.

Gurung said that if he fails to develop the Darjeeling hills within three years, the people can discard his party, the GJM. He also announced several development plans and promised to establish a ropeway from Kalimpong to Relitar by the end of March. A hospital comprising 300 beds and a high school will be set up in Kalimpong, said the GTA chief.


Further, Gurung vowed to establish a 15-bed hospital in Barabat and to work on beautifying Reli by constructing parks for children and also a Reli Jheel. He added both the state and central governments will fund all development plans adequately.

Source:EOI

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Kalimpong - Krishi Mela from January 13 in Relitar

10:42 AM

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Live News

Bijay Sundas, president of the Kalimpong Krishi Mela Organising Committee, today held a press conference at the local office of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. The agenda was to discuss the four-day Krishi Mela starting from January 13 in Relitar.

Kalimpong - Krishi Mela

Sundas urged representatives of all political parties of the hills including the general public to attend the Mela.

Addressing farmers and agricultural department officials, Sundas appealed to them to conduct awareness programmes on agriculture. He also directed the department to make necessary arrangements to hold exhibition and skits during the mela to spread awareness on health. Organising committee secretary Subh Pradhan said GJM chief Bimal Gurung is expected to attend the inaugural function. He added organising committee convener Norden Lama, local GJM leaders such as Prem Chettri and Dipen Chettri will also be present.

Source :(EOIC)

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GTA Krishi Mela announced 11-day programme

10:00 AM

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Krishi Mela

The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration is holding a Krishi Mela in the three sub-divisions of the hills for the third consecutive year, from January 13 to 23, to promote agriculture activities and the farming fraternity of the region.

Binay Tamang GTA head of the information
and cultural department

Binay Tamang, GTA executive member and head of the information and cultural department, today announced an 11-day programme.

“As in the previous two years, this time too we have will hold a Krishi Mela in the hills. The aim is to promote agriculture and farmers of the region. We must remember that we do not only depend on the tea gardens,” he said.

In Darjeeling, the programme will be organised at Jamuney, about 15 km

from town, from January 13 to 23.  Similar events will be held at Relli in Kalimpong from January 14 to 17, at the Jogi Ghat area of Kurseong from January 15 to 18 and at Rangbang Khola in Mirik from Jaunary 14 to 17.

Tamang noted the events of 2011 and 2012 had been met with positive response and this prompted the GTA to hold the programme in a grand manner this year as well.

“The last two events were focused on the Darjeeling sub-division, but the positive feedback has spurred us to also hold it in the remaining two sub-divisions,” said the GTA executive member.

Tamang said agricultural products and equipment would be displayed alongside seminars conducted by experts for the benefit of farmers.

“We will showcase traditional houses, seminars related to agriculture, free distribution of animals and vaccination,” said Tamang, adding celebrities and performers from Kolkata and Mumbai will be invited for the event.

The GTA will also organise a village Olympic, floriculture show, circus, cultural programmes and adventure activities during the event. Further, banks will be invited to apprise farmers of the loans on offer. (EOIC)

Source:EOI

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