Indian Gorkhas: culture

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Fellowship for Nepali Language Research Scholars and Artists

12:46 PM

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Ministry of Culture Initiates Fellowship for Nepali Language Research Scholars and Artists

Ministry of Culture has included Nepali and Santhali languages for Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) fellowship after a delegation led by Darjeeling MP Raju Bista met and requested for so. The delegation included the members from Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha (ANSS). Informing about the meeting and thanking ministry about the swift action taken by Ministry of Culture, Office of MP, Darjeeling has sent out a press release. Here is the full press release:

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista and Delegation with Cultural Minister Prahlad Singh Patel

"Office of MP, Darjeeling
Press Statement, 31st July 2019

On the 18th of July 2019, the Darjeeling MP Raju Bista had led a delegation of Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha (ANSS) members to meet with Hon’ble Prahalad Singh Patel Ji MoS (IC) for Culture and Tourism.

During the meeting with the Hon’ble Cultural Minister MP Bista highlighted how Nepali, despite being one of the National Languages of India under the VIIIth Schedule of our Constitution, had not been accorded due respect and support from the Central Government.

Among other things, MP Bista and the delegation informed the Hon’ble Minister that there was a need for support from the Ministry of Culture to our Nepali scholars and artists, and how Nepali had been kept out of the purview of languages that were receiving Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT).

Today, the Hon’ble Minister announced that the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training Fellowship will now be given to scholars and artists from Nepali language. Speaking to the Press, he said, ‘Under the Ministry of Culture there are provisions for fellowships and scholarships, a discrepancy had been brought to my notice. It had been brought to my notice that Nepali language had not been included under this fellowship and scholarship initiative. We have 22 Scheduled Languages in India, and despite English and Khasi not being a part of the Scheduled Languages Fellowships were being given to scholars in these languages, but despite Nepali and Santhali being part of the Scheduled Languages they were not included. Today, we have included both the languages (Nepali and Santhali) to be included under these Fellowships and Scholarships.”

Reacting to the development, MP Bista said, “ANSS executive members Dr. Khagen Sharma, Durga Khatiwada, Rudra Baral, and Dhaka Ram Kafley had brought to my attention some very important issues concerning the preservation and propagation of our mother tongue. Together, we had requested the Hon’ble Minister to look into our issues, Prahalad Singh Patel ji had assured us that he will take necessary action at the earliest. I am most thankful that the action has been very swift. I remain grateful to the Patel ji for this.”
MP Bista added, “We have raised many other important issues, which requires inter-Ministerial collaboration, with the Ministers concerned, and in due course of time, I will continue to follow up on the issues we have raised.” Among the issues, MP Bista is pursuing are:

1. Establishment of National Council for Promotion of Nepali Language

2. Establishment of Centre for Nepali Language Studies in Central Universities - JNU, DU, Himachal Pradesh Central University, Baba Sahab BR Ambedkar University Lucknow, Nalanda University, Visva Bharati (Santiniketan).

3. Appointment of at least two permanent Nepali language faculty members in Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIL)

4. Greater emphasis on Nepali language publication from National Book Trust

5. Establishment of dedicated Nepali Language channel in Doordarshan and All India Radio

6. Publication of Central Government Notifications and Advertisements in Nepali.

Office of Raju Bista
Member of Parliament, Darjeeling"

SAHITYA AKADEMI LITERARY PROGRAM ON INDIAN NEPALI LITERATURE HELD IN MANIPUR

8:26 AM

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nepali

Writes: Dinesh Sharma

Sahitya Akademi, Delhi and Nepali Sahitya Parishad, Manipur jointly hosted a one-day literary meet "Swatantratottar Bharatiya Nepali Kathako Pravriti" with a panel discussion on post-Independence Indian Nepali Literature, on 27th March, 2016. The program was held at Charhajare, a tiny Gorkha village in Senapati District bordering the hill district and the valleys of Manipur.

Shri Devendra Kumar Devesh, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Sahitya Academy Delhi and Shri Prem Pradhan, Nepali Language Advisory board (Sahitya Akademi) attended the program as Guests of Honor. Shri Lok Bahadur Basnet, President-Nepali Sahitya Parishad, and Smt. Durga Devi, retired Professor D.M College, Manipur also attended the program.

Other dignitaries present during the occassion were P.V Shelman from North-East Centre for Oral and Tribal Literature (NECOL), Manipur University and Shri Biswajit Roy from Kolkata, Shri Arjun Pradhan from Darjeeling, Sukraj Diyali from Silliguri, and Gopichandra Pradhan from Darjeeling.

PROGRAM ON INDIAN NEPALI LITERATURE HELD IN MANIPUR

The discussion of the one-day program centered around the changing trends in post-independence Indian Nepali literature. Ms. Pushpa Sharma, Lecturer Presidency College, Manipur presented a paper on "Swatantratottar Bharatiya Nepali kathako prabriti", a discussion on the changing trends in Indian Nepali short story.

Dr Tankanath Khatiwada, Lecturer Presidency College presented a paper on "Swatantratottar Bharatiya Nepali Sahitya maa Yuddhha", a discussion on post-independence Nepali war literature.

Shri Milan Bantawa from Darjeeling presented his paper on 'Swatantratottar Bharatiya Nepali Katha ani Uttar Adhunikta', a discussion on post-modern elements in Indian Nepali Literature.
The literary program was organized by Nepali Sahitya Parishad, Manipur and was supported by students, organizations and individuals from various Gorkha organizations across the state.

Calling the event a huge success, Kritimani Khatiwada, General Secretary stated that “this is perhaps the first time that a program of this scale was directly organized in collaboration with Sahitya Akademi, Delhi. The contribution of Manipur Gorkha scholars to Indian Nepali literature is immense and this is a fruitful recognition of the same.” While thanking all organizations and individuals and organizations for the success of the program, Khatiwada hopes that Manipur Gorkha community continues to witness more such programs in coming days and generate more interest amongst the youths and students towards the language.

POSTSCRIPT: In written records, the first Indian Nepali literature came out of Manipur as “Manipurko Ladaiko Sabai” in 1893 by Tulachand Aale . Nepali Sahitya Parishad, Manipur plans to hold an elaborate celebration of the literary milestone with its 125 years’ celebration in 2018. The proposal has been forwarded to Sahitya Akademi and the Parishad humbly request the support and wishes of everyone for this landmark celebration.

[Pictures courtesy: Rahul Rai]

Maruni dance to be performed on World Culture Festival by Art of Living

11:56 AM

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Sikkim

Writes: Prashant Acharya

A host of traditional Gorkha 'Maruni' dancers from Sikkim, the Darjeeling hills and the Dooars are set to create a world record by performing at the World Culture Festival on Saturday that is being organised by the Art of Living Foundation at Mayur Vihar in New Delhi.

Three hundred and fifty dancers and their team leaders have already reached New Delhi for performing on Saturday evening on a giant stage sprawled across 7 acres of land. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the function in the presence of officials from 155 nations.

The Maruni dancers from Sikkim and north Bengal have undergone rigorous practice over the past two months and will mesmerize an estimated audience of 35 lakh people during the three-day festival, aimed at celebrating diversity among world cultures and uniting peoples across geographical boundaries.

Ramkumar Lama, the dance coordinator from the Dooars, said, "The almost forgotten Nepali folk dance will see a grand revival and get promoted across the world. We intend to make it into the Guinness Book of world records."

Maruni dancers from Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Dooars en route to create world record

Meanwhile, Raj Sharma, the coordinator from Sikkim, said 118 dancers from the state’s West, East and South districts are participating and a huge contingent of Art of Living volunteers from Sikkim have already reached New Delhi to be part of the extravaganza.

“In the days of yore, men used to adorn women’s attire and enact female roles while performing the Maruni dance because women were forbidden to perform in public. But this has changed now, of course,” said Karuna Pradhan, the coordinator from Darjeeling. She said the song for the Maruni folk dance is in the 'Samala' beat and has been written by Rajen Ghimire while the dance choreographer is Lhamu Sherpa.

Via: ECOI

THE FACES IN OUR MIDST – NETRA PRASAD SHARMA

9:57 AM

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Sikkim

Bijay Sharma

At 84 years of age, Mr. Netra Prasad Sharma is still as active as most people would be in their 30s. Perhaps even more!!

Locals in his village Adarsh Gaon, Singtam – South Sikkim lovingly call him Netra Baje… and everyone is fond of him.

He retired from his job in the Power Department some 25 years ago and has kept himself occupied with one vocation or the other. But of late he has devoted himself to conserving our traditional instruments and equipments.

He makes - Madal, Damaru, Khaijadi, Kathtal, Khikurim Hatepakha, and various handicraft products using bamboo and mato (mud).

Netra Baje doesn’t make these instruments for money, rather he is passionate about transferring the art to youngsters, whom he hopes will carry on his passion and the dying art of making our traditional instruments are conserved.

Netra Prasad Sharma

Netra Baje is particularly popular amongst school going kids, who have often taken his work and showed it as theirs for the compulsory “Work Education” or “Crafts – Haat ko Kaam” classes and secured 1st class marks in their subjects

Netra Baje says “time is precious and we should all make the most of it… you don’t necessarily have to earn money doing something you love… you just need to keep your passion alive.”
Coming from an 84 year old, those are sage advice which we intend to take… and we hope our readers will as well.

If anyone wants to contact him, he can be reached at: 98323-82494

Bijay Sharma, Via: our partner organization The Times Dooars & TheDC

OPEN LETTER TO GNLF CHIEF MANN GHISING

3:05 PM

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Subash Ghisingh

Open letter to GNLF‬ president Mann Ghisingh on his controversial statement on traditional dress of Daura Sural and Chowbandi Choli in his recent press release.

Writes Dipendra Khati

Dear Mann Jojo,

I am very confused about on what language should I write this letter to you. Though English emanated from England (Official language of England), I found it to be universally accepted, so that is the language that I chose to communicate with you today, hope you will not be displeased with it, as it seems these days you are getting annoyed at things that are not from Darjeeling.

Late. Subhas Ghising always wore his Dhaka-Topi with pride

According to your official statement dated 21/8/2015, you claim that Daura Suruwal is the official dress of Nepal and people going to Delhi and Kolkata in this dress are ‘पट्ट मुर्खहरु - Patt Murkha haru”.

Here, I would like to inform you that Daura Suruwal is not just Official dress of Nepal, but also the traditional dress of Nepali/Gorkha people, though some communities have their own dresses, but majority of the Gorkhali people wear it. I don’t find any logic behind your statement. Do you want us to not use Daura Suruwal, Chaubandi Choli and all other Nepali dresses and ornaments just because they are – according to you – “Official dress of Nepal?”

Ok let me accept that…

But what about language? Your official statement came in Nepali language… isn’t that “Nepal ko Sarkari bhasa”??

Going by your logic we should not be using that language too, because it’s the “official language of Nepal.” So pray tell me, why did you choose to communicate in Nepali?

Our Nepali proverb, “काम पायिनस बुहारी कनिका पोखौंदै उठा" summarizes what you just did.

I think there are many issue and topic you can talk about, and of all the things you could have talked about, you chose to speak about our जातीय पोशाक??

Late. Subash Ghising must be turning in his grave, for he always wore his “जातीय ढाकाको टोपी” with pride and in fine style. I wonder what he would have said to your comment on our जातीय पोशाक??

Moreover, I found that you sound more hypocrite when you talk about “पुरनो रिती रिवाजहरुले भरिएको बहुमुल्य संस्कृतिलाई सन्बैधनिक सुरक्षा प्रदान गर्नको लागि साथ् साथै गोर्खा जातीको चिन्हारीलाई पनि सजिलै बोक्नसक्ने नयाँ नाम करण भएको "गोर्खा हिल्ल काउन्सिल” this and later you phrase out “नेपाल देश को सरकारी पोसाक लगएर दिल्ली कोलकाता”... don’t those Daura Suruwal come under “पुरनो रिती रिवाजहरुले भरिएको बहुमुल्य संस्कृति”????

Ohh and most important issue here, you said, “गोर्खा जाती को चिन्हारीलाई पनि सजिलै बोक्नसक्ने नयाँ नाम करण भएको "गोर्खा हिल्ल काउन्सिल” really?? If the नाम करण of ‘GORKHA Hill Council’ can carry carry गोर्खा जाती को चिन्हारी then why GORKHALAND Territorial Administration (I am not a supporter of GTA) wouldn’t do the same, if not better?

By the way it seems you were not told why our Aappa Late. Subhas Ghising came and fought for Gorkhaland. As I see no mention of word Gorkhaland in your official statement. May be you forgot or.....??....

You have said “यदी यी कुराहरुमा सरकार अघी बढ़दैन भने गो रा मु मो ले हाम्रो भुभागबारे केन्द्र सरकारसित वार्ता को बाटो खोल्न वाध्य हुनेछ” what was that? What stops you? Why not??

If you want to engage with central Govt. about our land, that will be very appreciable, but I am very suspicious about that comment of yours.

Sorry Jojo, I am no body to judge you, but what I felt is... ‘हजुर पनि त्यहि ढ्यांग को मुला हुनु हुदा रैछ”

Thank you
Dipendra Khati
Well wisher of Maato and Jaati... Not Neta or Party

Via The Darjeeling Chronicle

GNLF Mann Ghisingh's controversal statement on cultural dress

2:15 PM

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Politics

Writes: Vivek Chhetri

The president of the Gorkha National Liberation Front in a press release today termed the traditional dress of the Nepali community as the the official dress of Nepal, eliciting criticism from all hill parties.

GNLF president Mann Ghisingh controversal statement on traditional dress of Daura Sural and Chowbandi Choli
-Photo of the press release via The Darjeeling Chronicle's

GNLF president Mann Ghisingh stated in the statement in Nepali: "The Darjeeling hills has failed to recognize its own land (that would have come through the inclusion of the area in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution). Everybody became fools not to understand the Gorkha's own land and the Gorkha Hill Council. They started going to Delhi and Calcutta wearing the official dress of Nepal."

Mann's statement did not explain who the "they" referred to.

Many hill leaders have worn the traditional daura sural and chowbandi choli to meet state-level and central leaders on many occasions. Few years ago, the Morcha had issued a diktat making it compulsory for hill people to wear the attire for a month. Following backlash, it had removed the mandatory tag on the order.

"After having scored two major political victories, on August 22 and August 23, 1988, a third major political victory had been achieved by signing the tripartite agreement on December 6, 2005, to form the Gorkha Hill Council, that would have carried the distinct identity of the Indian Gorkhas," the signed statement reads.

The new council under the Sixth Schedule was to be named Gorkha Hill Council.

On August 22, 1988, the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council accord was signed and the next day, the Centre had issued a notification stating that all those living in India before 1950 were Indian citizens.

The GNLF is of the opinion that the citizenship issue of Gorkhas in India was clarified by the notification.

The GNLF's statement terming the traditional dress of daura sural and chowbandi choli as the official dress of Nepal has surprised others.

Binay Tamang, the assistant secretary of the Morcha said: "The dress is of our community and he (Mann Ghisingh) must clarify what we should wear now. Subash Ghisingh took our community behind by 25 years by indulging in controversies and now they are again taking our community behind by raking up unnecessary controversies."

Even ABGL and CPRM, allies of the GNLF in the newly-constituted Democratic Front, criticised the statement.

"This is not a correct statement. I hope the GNLF will ponder over the statement and rectify it," said Pratap Khati, general secretary of ABGL.

Govind Chhetri, spokesman of the CPRM, said: "The GNLF must retract and apologise for hurting the sentiments of the Indian Gorkhas."

Mann did not take calls today. Biren Lama, a central committee member of GNLF, said: "I don't think this is a controversial statement."

Towards the end of the press release, GNLF warns that the "Central and State Government will be responsible for any political instability in the future, and anything on toward happens in Darjeeling in the future."

Source: Telegraph

२०१औं भानु-जयन्तीको सुसन्देश

9:52 AM

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society

Nahakul Chhetri

सन् १८१४मा तनहूँ जिल्लाको रम्घा गाउँमा जन्म लिने भानुभक्त आचार्यलाई नेपाली साहित्यमा आदिकविको रूपमा मानिन्छ| भानुभक्त अघि पनि धेरै कविहरू थिए जस्तै-इन्दिरस, विद्यारण्यकेसरी अर्याल, हिनव्याकरणी आदि, तर उनीहरूको भाषा शुद्ध थिएन|भानुभक्तले नेपाली भाषा सरल,सरस औ शुद्ध बनाई त्यही मिठास रूपमा नेपाली रामायण जनसमूहलाई समर्पित गरे| यसलाई बाल,बनिता औ वृद्ध सबैले आत्मसाथ गरे|

नेपाली समाजलाई शिछाको ज्योति प्रदान गर्ने भानुभक्तलाई सम्मान गर्ने काम सर्वप्रथम दारजीलिड•बाट ग्यावली, पारसमणि औ धरणीधरहरूले गरे औ उनीहरूकै प्रयासमा चौरस्तामा भानुभक्तको bust निर्माण भयो| तर हालमा दार्जीलिड• पहाडमा भानु जयन्ती त्यो उत्साह औ उल्लाससाथ सायद विरलै मनाइन्छ| जहाँ अन्य समुदायका मानिसहरू आ-आफ्ना जातीय साहित्यकारहरूलाई सह्रदयबाट इज्जत गर्छन् भने दार्जीलिड• पहाडमा "सूचना औ विभाग" मन्त्रालय,GTA,ले करले कार्यक्रम गरछन् भने प्राय सबै स्कुल, कलेज तथा सरकारी संस्थानहरू बन्द गरिन्छ|
साहित्यिक संस्थाहरूमध्ये पनि विशिष्ठ साहित्यकारहरूलाई आफ्नो संस्थामा ल्याउने होड़बाजी देखिन्छ|नेपाली साहित्य एउटा व्यपार नभएर समाजसेवा भएकोले हाम्रा विशिष्ठ साहित्यकारहरू त्यस ठाउँमा जान आवश्यक छ जहाँ भानुभक्त र नेपाली भाषाको प्रचार जरूरी छ|फेरि कतिपय संघ -संस्थाहरूमा भानु-जयन्ती कम तर पुस्तक विमोचन बढ़ी देखिन्छ|
समयको गति अनुसार नेपाली साहित्य अघि बढ़िरहेको छ औ यो गति द्रुत हुन अत्यावश्यक छ| जहाँ अन्य समुदायमा कुनै समारोह मानिलिऊ-"गाँधी जयन्ती" मा गाँन्धी केन्द्रित कार्यक्रम हुन्छ|
1974AD ले "पिञ्जराको सुँगा","आमाको सपना" तथा अम्बर बहादुर गुरूड•ले अगमसिंह गिरीका "नौला तारा उदाय" लाई गीती रूप दिएका छन्| यस्तै प्रकारले भानुभक्तलाई केन्द्र बनाएर वहाँको श्रद्धा अनुरूप श्लोक ,pop, hip hop ,blues, jazz तथा heavy metal गीत भने नाटक तथा कविता आवृत्ति गरे सायद भानुभक्त केन्द्रित कार्यक्रम हुनसक्छ औ न्याय-संगत पनि देखिन्छ|
भानुभक्तको२००औं जन्म जयन्ती उपलछ्यमा वहाँका खनाति र खनातिनी व्रतराज आचार्य औ प्रभा भट्टराई दार्जीलिड• भ्रमणमा आउँदा पहाडको खुलेर प्रशंसा गरेका थिए| फेरि ममता बनर्जीले पुरै साल २०१४ भरी भानु जयन्ती मनाउने वाचा गरेकी थिई जुन उसले पुरा गरिन|
भानुभक्त हाम्रा जातीय कवि हुन्| हामीले उनको श्रद्धा गर्नु नेपाली समाजको सभ्य प्रतिरूप प्रस्तुत गर्नु हो| हामी सबै मिली स्वच्छ ह्रदयबाट आदिकविको श्रद्धा गरौं|

First ever Gorkha-Adivasi cultural festival starts in Jaigaon.

6:56 AM

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Jaigaon

The 1st ever Gorkha-Adivasi cultural festival has started with fanfare in Jaigaon.
The four day festival which is being organized at the local Gopi Mohan ground was inaugurated by GTA Chief Bimal Gurung and Adivasi leader John Barla.

First ever Gorkha-Adivasi cultural festival starts in Jaigaon.

Explaining that the program which has been organized jointly by the Gorkhali and Adivasi communities is an attempt at bringing together people from various communities.
Speaking to the Press, Adivasi leader Tulshi Oraon said "the Adivasis and Gorkhas have been living here like one family for the past 150 years, this is an unbreakable bond we have... but there has been repeated attempts to create friction and rivalry between our communities, so programs such as these are important to build stronger bonds..."
Representing the Gorkhas from Assam, Binod Khanal the Chief Advisor of International Nepali Cultural Council said, "we are displaying close to 2800 items used by our community... some of these are almost extinct now.. so conserving them and displaying them to educate our youngsters is necessary... we took over 40 years to collect this... and we are thankful that people in Dooars are appreciating our hard work."

Via : TheDT

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