Racism in the time of Corona!

2:40 PM

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social

Racism in the time of Corona!
Nothing can be an excuse to be Racist!

As the pandemic of Corona virus is spreading throughout the world, it is not only spreading fear but also bringing forth the worst face of Racism across the world. The Asian communities residing in Europe and US are facing constant hostility and racial abuses on account of spread of Corona. So is the case with India. As reported in some social media and published in the Indian Express yesterday, some female students from Darjeeling and Sikkim were racially abused and discriminated in many parts of Kolkata. A person racially abused some students calling them ‘Corona’. Even when confronted for his racist remarks, the person seems out rightly unapologetic about his wrong doing. A student shared his experience saying that people refused to sit near him, even when the public transportation was crowded. Since the news about spread of Corona from China to rest of the world, people with Mongoloid features (from North East states, Darjeeling, Ladakh etc) have been target of racial abuse in many parts of country. Though people with Mongoloid features in India face racism in everyday lives and is not a new thing for us but to face such discrimination and abuses at a time of major health crisis is truly disgusting and deplorable. We express our unconditional solidarity with the aggrieved students and vehemently condemn this racist act in strongest possible words. We demand immediate strong legal action against such racists under appropriate provisions of IPC. The larger society should also deeply introspect on their discriminatory, irrational and inhuman practice of Racism.

An Appeal to the Govt. and People of Darjeeling, Dooars and Terai to take measures against spreading of Corona virus

Darjeeling, Dooars and Terai region is situated in a very vulnerable zone, as we share borders with countries like Nepal & Bhutan and with other Indian states. The neighbouring state Sikkim and country Nepal has already started taking strict preventive measures. The closing of schools/colleges/universities are a welcome move but the administration needs to take further concrete precautionary steps in our region. We cannot afford to remain complacent. The government should introduce screening test (thermal fever testing) in Bagdogra Airport and at other entry points into our region. We also appeal to the people to voluntarily postpone/delay all social gatherings (marriage, community meetings etc), religious, political, cultural or festival gatherings, and sports events for coming 30 days. Even the arrival of domestic tourists should be stopped for at least 30 days in our region. In larger public interest, even malls and cinema halls should be closed for next 30 days. Even countries which have good government health facilities like Italy are facing difficulties in controlling the spread of the corona virus, so prevention of spreading of the virus is the best strategy to fight against it. We would like to appeal to the public not to believe in any unsubstantiated rumours, fake news circulated in social media and unscientific claims (like alcohol consumption, ayurvedic medicine or consumption of Cow Urine /cow dung curing Corona) regarding this disease. Measures like regularly cleaning hands with soap, using hand sanitizer, avoiding crowed places, avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth, should be followed. Let us all follow WHO guidelines (https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses), coordinate and cooperate with government health officials and follow their directions in case of any further development. Right now we should not Panic but we should definitely be extra careful and take all precautionary measures!

At this difficult time, let us unite and collectively fight against both Corona and Racism!

Gorkha Students, JNU                                 
18.03.2020

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Rewati Chetri crowned Miss International India 2016 will represent India at Miss International in Japan

10:33 PM

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Rewati Chettri

Nanda Kirati Dewan

Pune, Maharastra 12th Sept 2016: The gorgeous ‘Gorkhali Gabhuru’,  Asom Xontan and Pride of the North East Rewati Chetri was crowned Miss International India 2016 in its first edition of the beauty pageant that took place at Novotel Hotel in Pune on Sunday night. She bagged the title defeating 16 other contestants and will now represent India at the Miss International 2016 pageant happening next month in Tokyo, Japan.

23-year-old Rewati was born to Baburam Chetri and Mrs. Bina Chetri  born and broup up in a small town of Haflong, Assam. She attended her schooling from St. Agnes’ Convent High School, Haflong and graduated in commerce degree from Lumding College, Lumding.

Rewati Chetri at the grand finale of Senorita India Beauty Pageant 2016. The Crowning Momen

The full-time supermodel and also an actress, was a top 10 finalist at Femina Miss India 2015  pageant where she won Miss India Miss Popular and Miss Multimedia subtitles. Rewati represented India at World Miss University 2016 pageant, held in Beijing, where she bagged the continental crown of Miss Asia University.

In July, she made her debut film in a Hindi flim “Gangs of Northeast”, directed by Rupak Gogoi and co-produced by Sanjive Narain and Kenny Lyngdoh Talang.

Rewati Chetry 2nd from Right crowned Miss International India 2016

Speaking to this correspondent from her hotel in Pune the super model said, ‘I must thank my friends and supporters who lend their support and blessings Miss India happened last year. I cannot name all of them but I sincerely acknowledge immense support from my family and closed friends who stood by me thick and thin. I must credit the social media enthusiasts and North Eastern print and electronic media for their publicity and support that made the way for me to crown Miss International India.’

The super model further added I am now called ‘Gorkhali Gabhuru’ joni from the famous lyrics of Mahamanab Asom Ratna Dr, Bhupen Hazarika – the legend dedicated to Gorkhali beauty of Assam at Kapili river. I must thank my people back home for awarding me this title and keeping me in their prayers and blessing me through out. I will try my best to bring home for India the Miss International 2016, which will be the 56th Miss International pageant; it will be held on October 27, 2016 at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan. It is one of most prestigious and premier pageant in the word founded by the Japanese. She has soughed nation’s support for the Miss International contest.  If she makes it, she will be the first Indian to achieve this feat.

Back home her school, college, university friends have began celebration and social media is full or random shares of her crowned photos. The modeling and fashion fraternity have congratulated her for bringing laurels to the state. The All Assam Gorkhali Mahila Samitee, Greater Guwahati Gorkhali Mahila Samitee, AAGSU Guwahati City Committee, AAGSU and Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, Dima Hasao District committee and the GACDC have also extended congratulations message to Rewati Chetry. Several students and youth organizations, civil society organizations too have applauded the young model’s feat.

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World Wide Media Release by Mantraa Media

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JAC-PLAL opposes native status to Gorkhas

9:18 AM

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northeast gorkhas

Aug 24, 2016 IMPHAL, Aug 23: Opposing the demand of the Gorkha people to the State Government to ‘grant them native resident status’, the Joint Action Committee for Protecting Liangmai Ancestral Land (JAC-PLAL)has urged the Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the tribal affairs portfolio, not to pay any heed to the demand.In a lengthy memorandum submitted to the Deputy Chief Minister, the Liangmai JAC justified its stand pertaining to the Gorkha issue by highlighting certain background.

“The Gorkha might have come to Manipur sometime in the first decade of the last century but they came to the soil of Manipur as soldiers, cooks, milkmen, traders and agriculturists” it pointed out in its memorandum. According to JAC-PLAL,  then political agent in Manipur, Maj HD Maxwell had verbally ordered Gorkha to move towards Kanglatongbi, Kangpokpi, Irang Part I & II to rear cows and buffaloes on February 17, 1915.Another permission was also given to 42 Gorkha families at Matakong onAugust 23, 1957. The above two permissions speak of their (Gorkha) non-resident status, the Liangmai JAC confirmed.It said, “The Gorkha on the verbal permission of the then political agentcame and occupied Liangmai territory in 1915 without the consent of the original settlers and land owners.

Manipur

Even as they had come and occupied the land, the Gorkha agreed to pay annual tributes to the native land owners. Since then they had been paying the tributes to the land owners till today (Copies of the tribute receipts enclosed as Annexure 1). Besides this, occasionalagreement had been drawn between the Liangmai native villages and tenant (Gorkha) to the effect that the tenants would abide by the customary and traditional practices of the Naga villages.  (Copies of agreements enclosed as annexure 2).”According to JAC-PLAL, there is no Khasland in Liangmai territory.In this regard, the Liangmai JAC recalled a landmark ruling of the Guwahati High Court in Imphal permanent bench between the North East Council, Shillong, the State of Manipur and the Deputy Commisoner, Ukhrul versus the Hundung Victims of Development Project, in which the verdict was passed in favour of the petitioners whose land had been acquired by theNorth Eastern Council through the Government of Manipur.

The verdict is reproduced here below for necessary information— We are here concerned with Hill Areas of Ukhrul that there’s no Government Khaslandin Hill areas of Ukhrul…..”.JAC-PLAL said that every village in Liangmai area is well defined as a unit with clear demarcation of boundaries between the villages. While such was the clear position, the then authority had pushed the migrant Gorkha “to our country andhad caused the present crisis.“The then political agent of Manipur, C Gimson, ICS in his note to foreigners vide copy of Memo No.4770/MS dated 15/8/1943 had written an inspection note of Irang part I & II to the effect that no boundary fixation was required in thearea.

To substantiate the statement, an improvised copy of the said memo is enclosed herewith for necessary information as annexure 3,” it pointed out while adding, “Again another political agent in Manipur, GA Stewart, ICS had issued an order on the 2nd July 1938 to the effect that no grazer should move from onevillage to another without an expressed order from the political agent in Manipur. Improvised copy enclosed as annexure 4.“In the light of the above stated facts and points, it is crystal clear that the Gorkha are not native residents of the State and the land they occupy was given for their temporary stay under certain agreements and conditions.

It is unthinkable to grant them native resident status when theindigenous people of the State are crying for protection of indigenous rights,” the Liangmai JAC added.“It is therefore, requested to look into the matter judiciously and take necessary action not to grant native resident status to Gorkha (Gorkhas),” the JAC-PLAL urged the Deputy Chief Minister.

Via- Sangai news

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Gorkha found murdered at Karong,Senapati Manipur

9:39 AM

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northeast live news

Senapati Manipur, 11 Aug: In what could be termed as heinous crime, a Gorkha tenant from Kanglatongbi Mandir was found murdered this morning at a place near 3 Karong Villages Water Reservoirs, above Mao Karong, Senapati District Manipur.

The victim was identified as one Kumar Pokhrel, 35 years of age, s/o (L) Ram Chandra of Kanglatongbi Mandir and presently residing at Mao Karong for nearly two months. He was survived by his wife and one daughter.

The accused was identified as one K. Adahrii, aged about 49 years, s/o (L) Krehrii of Mao Karong Village. He is the present Chairman of Mao Karong village.

According to some villagers, the dead body was found only after the accused, who fled from the village after the incident, informed one of the villagers that he has committed the crime last night on suspicion of theft who has stolen a sum of Rs.79,000 from his house.

Gorkha found murdered at Karong, Senapati Manipur

On hearing the news, Mao Karong villagers along with some Gorkha residents at Karong went out in search of the dead body and later found at the spot with some bruises on his legs. Villagers said that the victim must have succumbed to some internal injuries as no serious injury was found on his body except a small bruise on the left side of his forehead.

In this connection, elders and leaders of Mao Karong and Kanglatongbi Mandir including Senapati Gorkha Samaj brought about an amicable solution to the problem so as avoid unwanted consequences in future and decided not register the case at Police station, but settled the case according to customary law.

According to the case settlement, the accused has been fined a sum of Rs.4 lakhs as penalty for committing the crime and ex-communicated from the village.

The dead body was later taken to his native village for cremation this afternoon.

Via Herald Today

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Gorkha Students JNU protests discriminatory citizenship policies of Assam Government (NRC)

8:49 AM

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northeast gorkhas

23rd June 2016 JNU Delhi Gorkha Students JNU brought up a poster on 23rd June in the campus protesting against highly exclusionary and discriminatory citizenship policies of Assam government.

"Given the recent history of exodus of Gorkhas from different North Eastern states, Bhutan and Burma, the current threat emanating from Assam and Manipur is highly credible and too large to ignore. Even under such threat the calculated silence maintained by political leaders claiming to represent ‘Gorkha cause’ are highly shameful and smacks of their opportunism. Why the loud chorus of praises made by Indian political establishment of bravery and the sacrifices made by Gorkha soldiers protecting this country somewhat transforms into morbid.

And indifference when that community is brazenly discriminated and vilified in public sphere. It is such numerous instances of political discrimination and exclusion which consolidates and justifies the demand for separate state of Gorkhaland." said Dawa Sherpa.

Gorkha Students JNU 

The Poster

Reject the exclusionary and divisive policies of ‘them’ and ‘us’ in Assam

“When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty!”- Thomas Jefferson

The wicked hands of majoritarian chauvinism have always tried to squeeze the identity and existence of marginalized communities through its clever tactic of othering and isolating people. History have witnessed, whenever such tendencies of racial and linguistic hatred have been unleashed it has brought misery to the weaker nations and unending guilt to those who practice it. But it seems humanity do not learn from history and so it repeat its mistakes time after time in all possible spaces on earth. Such an act of majoritarian exclusionary and divisive policies is manifested in the form of a National Registration Certificate in Assam, which identifies the Gorkhas and the Muslims as ‘outsiders’ in the NRC forms thus preparing them to be excluded from their rights in their own homeland. The NRC earlier had fixed the base year as 1951 as per which anybody who was enumerated in the NRC of 1951 and the electoral list of 1951 shall be declared as original inhabitant (OI) of Assam. But under recent specific government notification, the Gorkhas and Muslims are excluded from the category of OI in the NRC forms even though they had all the official documents proving their name enrolled in the NRC of 1951. Many British official documents(like by Krishna Ram Medhi, Sub Deputy Collector, Samuguri in 1937 and Deputy Commissioner of Darrang in 1937) shows that Gorkhas were living in Assam for about century with perfect harmony with the indigenous population. But situation changed after the beginning of Assam Movement in 1980s, when the Gorkhas, Muslims and some other linguistic and religious minorities were perceived by locals as cause of their underdevelopment and treat to their identity and opportunity. They were arbitrarily labeled as ‘immigrants’ who come to rob jobs and lands from the natives and some of them are labeled more brutally as ‘illegal migrants’. The irony is that even those people whose ancestors came during the British times and who have settled considering Assam as their home are branded as immigrants in popular culture. They are treated as undesirables in the society, thus ghettoizing and putting them under the lenses of suspicion always. The level of hatred towards these communities has always been at a high degree in Assam since many decades. The abhorrence spread by the Assam Movement in name of fighting against “foreigner” may be unseen by the majoritarian value system but to the minorities it was a propaganda specifically designed to put the Assamese society in illusion and prey of a false belief that hating specific communities could bring peace and development to them. Such hate propaganda was also seen in Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland in the late 80’s when thousands of Gorkhas were forced to leave their homes and many even died in some unwelcomed ethnic conflicts. All the people of Assam need is hope in the midst of multi-cultaralism where societies interact together in harmony as equal socio-political beings. The Gorkhas of Assam have always been in peaceful coexistence within the larger Assamese society. It even went to the extent of changing its very identity to ‘Assameli Nepali’( Gorkhas of Assam) and trying to intermix Gorkha culture with Assamese and other indigenous culture through various forms of socialisation like marriages, celebrations of indigenous festivals together and respecting the cultural values of everyone. On the contrary, it seems that a few anti-social majoritarian chauvinists do not want peaceful coexistence and want to divide society in name of language, ethnicity and religion. They want hatred to be spread everywhere so that they can divide people into ‘us’ and ‘them’ and rule everyone through the medium of fear and ignorance. Such brazen principles of exclusion and hatred are not only experimented in Assam but similar acts are peeping through the window to terrorize minority communities in Manipur in from of three new bills. Given the recent history of exodus of Gorkhas from different North Eastern states, Bhutan and Burma, the current threat emanating from Assam and Manipur is highly credible and too large to ignore. Even under such threat the calculated silence maintained by political leaders claiming to represent ‘Gorkha cause’ are highly shameful and smacks of their opportunism. Why the loud chorus of praises made by Indian political establishment of bravery and the sacrifices made by Gorkha soldiers protecting this country somewhat transforms into morbid silence and indifference when that community is brazenly discriminated and vilified in public sphere. It is such numerous instances of political discrimination and exclusion which consolidates and justifies the demand for separate state of Gorkhaland.
 
We condemn and reject such exclusionary and divisive policies which are pitted against linguistic and religious minority communities and demand immediate revocation of such discriminatory rules/bills from Assam and Manipur. Let us unite and fight against such majoritarian injustice!

 GORKHA STUDENTS, JNU

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Sushila Sonar's low cost electric Wheelchair

12:18 PM

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science news

Writes Sanjog Chamling

23rd June 2016 Arunachal Pradesh: Sushila Sonar, an Indian Gorkha, who recently won Gold for India in the International Taekwondo Championship held at Bhutan (Read here - Gorkhas Daughter wins Gold and Bronze in International Taekwondo Championship) has given us yet another reason  to be proud. Sushila, a student of BSc Interior Design from  Arunachal Pradesh has designed low cost electric wheelchair which is the hope for the physically challenged and elderly.They will no longer have to be at the mercy of someone to move from one place to another.And they will have no reason to compromise their dignity. she said.

She did her graduation from JD Institute of Fashion Technology Guwahaty. She believes that, her low cost electric wheel chair will be of great help who cannot afford expensive wheelchairs in the market.

Sushila Sonar an Indian Gorkha with her wheelchair

She was inspired to make such a wheelchair when she saw her friend's mother who is partially paralyzed."I call it a 'magic wheels' since it gives mobility to those who are otherwise dependent on others. I recon it gives more confidence to people." she added.

Sushila Sonar's interview
Ms. Sushila Sonar, a Gorkha resident of Arunachal from Naharlagun came up with a brilliant initiative of making low cost electric wheel chair out of  waste products for the Physically Handicapped people. The 'migic wheels' costs Rs 20,000 which is the cheapest so far available in the market.The avarage cost of the powered wheelchair in the market cost from Rs 60,000 to Rs10,00,000 Sonar said.

Sushila Sonar's low cost electric Wheelchair

" Architecture is not an inspirational business, it's a rational procedure to do sensible and hopefully beautiful things in Life "

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Two Indians among 25 killed in Kabul terrorist attack

8:05 PM

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terrorism news

“We have learnt that 2 Indian nationals, Ganesh Thapa & Govind Singh from Dehradun, died tragically in the blast in Kabul today morning,” external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted late on Monday night.

The Taliban and the Islamic State both claimed the first attack, which killed 14 security guards, including the Indians, working for the Canadian embassy in Kabul in a massive blast that left their yellow minibus spattered with blood.

Two Indians were among 25 people killed in a suicide blast in Kabul Monday. Officials said they worked for a private security company, Sabre International, and were probably deployed at the Canadian embassy. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast, which also killed 14 Nepalese guards working for the embassy. A suicide bomber on foot had targeted a mini bus transporting them.

Within hours, a second blast went off inside the vehicle of MP Ataullah Faizani in Chehlsitoon area, injuring him.

The Indian government is working with its Afghan counterpart to repatriate their bodies at the earliest, Swarup said without giving other details. MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, “Ganesh Thapa and Govind Singh from Dehradun died in the blast. The government is in touch with their families and is working to repatriate their mortal remains.”

An injured Nepalese security guard in Kabul - Source: AP

Soon after a Taliban spokesman on Twitter claimed the attack, the Islamic State’s affiliate in Afghanistan and Pakistan released a competing claim in which it named and pictured the alleged bomber, according to the SITE monitoring group. An Afghan intelligence source said officials were investigating the IS claim, which was denied by the Taliban.

Police said the attack on the security guards was carried out by a suicide bomber on foot on a key road leading east out of Kabul towards Jalalabad. The interior ministry said in a statement that five Nepali citizens and four Afghans were wounded. The Canadian embassy confirmed the “cowardly” attack in a tweet and said it had employed the guards.

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Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015 most harmful for Gorkha inhabitants

6:24 PM

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Politics

Writes: Binu Sundas

Fortunately for the Gorkha population residing in Manipur for years, the return of the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, recently, by the President of India, is a huge relief. This Bill along with the other two Bills, namely Manipur Land Reforms and Land Revenue (7th Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Manipur Shops and Establishment (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2015 would have had a very adverse impact on the life world of the Gorkha, to the extent that eviction from the state could have become a norm. Of the Bills, the most harmful for the Gorkha inhabitants would be the Manipur Protection of Peoples Bill, 2015. The Bill, if passed and enacted as law, can declare any individual as non Manipuri if (s)he is not enumerated in all three registers 1. The National Register of Citizens, 1951, 2. The Census Report of 1951 and 3. The Village Directory of 1951. Therefore, what the Bill is trying to do is to make it difficult for the migrants to prove their provenance in Manipur. If enacted, this Bill can create another Bhutan-like situation for the Gorkha populace in Manipur.

Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015

The crisis can be viewed from the migration and economic resources mobilisation paradigm. Nepalis migrated to different parts of India prior to its independence. In the course of their movement, Gorkha also entered the fertile land the North East and Manipur.  The Gorkha have fought wars both for the British as well as  against them in the North East .  Some scholars push back the history of the Gorkhas in Manipur to the beginning of the 16th Century
(http://www.veergorkha.com/2011/12/gorkha-history-of-northeast-india.html). The main cause for migration is mostly related with the economic reasons but socio-political, cultural, environmental and geographical factors have also resulted in migration.

There can be host of reasons which motivates an individual to migrate but it also provides a platform to forge new forms of social and cultural relations and identity among the indigenous population as well as the immigrants arriving in the receiving society because migration often brings sudden and unanticipated contact of two or more very unfamiliar cultural systems, the consequence of which can be felt at both the intra group and inter group level. It can result into an enhanced collective consciousness and solidarity among those who migrate, based on kinship, community and ethnicity as well as by class. Symbols of ethnicity like religion, language, indicates to the migrants their origin. Such markers of ethnicity establishes the who ‘we’ and ‘they’ are and further helps to protect themselves from the hostilities and antagonism of the receiving society, even if these migrants are not aware of sharing these markers prior to migration. The migrants further develop their own and separate institutions and organisation for cohesion and solidarity amongst them in response to the discriminatory practices and treatment they perceive and experience at the hands of the receiving community (Richmond, 1988). Therefore migration is crucial for the inter-ethnic relations in a multi-ethnic society of the developing and modernising world as the protection of the space and the economic opportunities that exist within it are central objectives of a local population, while the expansion of opportunities are to the migrants (Weiner, 1978). This may results in conflict between the recipient and the migrating communities. Therefore the struggle to monopolise the resource is the cause for the conflict between these two groups. ‘Economic exchange brings people into contact; it does not bring them into agreement. Historically it has often produced a deeper awareness of the differences between peoples and stimulated mutual fears’ (Huntington 1996; 218).

What is happening in Manipur and the introduction of this Bill can be examined from this paradigm. When the region was underdeveloped and large holding of land was unutilised the natives of these places did not have any issue with the Gorkha population coming into the area as they were industrious and with their assiduousness contributed towards the development of the area. They started farming and cattle rearing and even fought wars for the Manipuri king and importantly established institutions which would safeguard their identity. The resources in the region was sustainable for the population and therefore there was no perceived threat from the ‘others’ to the receiving community ad assimilation took place. However, post independence with the development among human resources and the growth in population, competition for resources became severe and a perceptible fear gradually started taking roots among some of the Manipuris that the migrants would appropriate all their resources. Symbolic as well as concrete efforts were made to diminish the legitimacy of the Gorkha community as being part of the Manipuri society which reflected the antagonistic relations between the two groups. A letter to the editor in Sangai Express puts this fear in perspective

“The estimated migrant population in Manipur is around 7 lakhs which constitutes a-fourth of the population. If this trend is not stopped the indigenous/native population of Manipur would be reduced to a minority in another 2 or 3 decades like in the case of Sikkim and Tripura. But one thing, those who came before 1951 have no problem; they become Manipuris.

Would any society or state in India or any country in the world ever accept it? This is the grim reality in Manipur today and people are fighting for their survival.”

(http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/no-malice-no-bias-only-truth/)

Further Sapamcha Jadumani, president of Federation of Regional Indigenous Societies, some years ago said,

“According to the 2001 census the population of Manipur was 22,93,896. Out of this, 7,51,822 was the strength of the majority Meitei population, the tribal population was 6,70782, Mayang (outsider) population was over 7 lakh. This means there are more outsiders than tribals. There is only a difference of 40,000 between Meiteis and outsiders. Thus, there is a danger of indigenous Manipuri population being wiped out along with their culture, history and language. In 1946, there were just 64 Nepali homes, now they account for 3 lakh,”

(http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/manipur-demand-to-ban–outsiders–grows/943232/)

Historical accounts suggests that the government as well as the people of Manipur have acknowledged the contribution of the Gorkha people by naming streets after  Gorkhalis and giving land holding pattas to them and asking them to settle in the hills when the land in the valley became scarce, but now the situation has changed due to the competition for insufficient resources. What is required now?

Firstly as the Bill mandates that people should be able to prove their identity of being part of the state before or in 1951, which looks like a daunting task as many would not have it and since they are proclaiming that in 1946 there were only 64 Nepali household there is bound to be a lot of opposition even if people produce the requisite documents. For this the Gorkha population have to do as much research and keep all the records intact as re-examination of the bill by legal and constitutional expert is suggested. Further the people must also get their own legal and constitutional help.

It is time for the Gorkha institutions and organisation to liaison with everybody and form a strong opposition to this Bill. They have to meet important political leaders of the state and the centre, civil society members, NGOs and academicians. Gorkha Foundation has raised the issue of protection of Gorkha in the North East when it met the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr. Kiran Rijiju and in an informal meeting with Shri R P Sharma, Member of Parliament. This is not enough and larger delegations must be sent to leaders to pressurise the policy makers. Keeping in the light, the problems faced by the Gorkha population in India, it needs to be highlighted that the 1950 Friendship Treaty between India and Nepal also needs to be re-examined and accordingly ratified.

Most important of all , the entire Gorkha population of India should unite and fight against any action against the Gorkha population anywhere in India and coordinated, planned protest all over India should be organised to pressurise the government. We have for a very long time lived a life of a second class citizen, depending on the benevolence of others, it is time that we assert ourselves.

Binu Sundas  (Ph.D, JNU)
New Delhi http://binusundas.blogspot.in/
Via DT

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Meriya Subba from Sikkim wins Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2016

9:02 AM

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Sikkim

Guwahati 19th June 2016 Gorkhas daughter Meriya Subba from Sikkim wins the 14th Edition of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2016 powered by Mega Entertainment. Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2016 which was started on 20th May in Itanagar was concluded with Grand Finale on 19th June 2016 at ITA Cultural Complex, Machkowa, Guwahati withn the crowning of Meriya Priya Darshani Subba who was also the 2nd Runners-up in the Miss Sikkim Diva 2015. Miss Licha Thosum from Arunachal Pradesh was crowned the 1st Runners Up and Miss Soibam Kanchan from Manipur was crowned the 2nd Runners up.

18-year-old Meriya Subba was crowned by Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2015 Jessica Marbaniang in front of a packed audience. She is the second young woman from Sikkim to take home the Sunsilk Mega Miss North East crown. Meriya, whose parents are school teachers, said that she must thank the people of Northeast for the support and specially her family members who supported her throughout her life. "I owe my success to my parents and mentors. Special thanks to the panel of judges and Mega Entertainment, and especially Abhijit Singha, for crowning me Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2016. I am overwhelmed and can't express my happiness... this is a dream coming true for me," said Meriya after winning the title.

Meriya Subba was crowned by Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2015 Jessica Marbaniang 

14th Sunsilk Mega Miss North East was organized by Mega Entertainment, a fashion and pageant event organizer in the North East. Sunsilk Mega Miss North East is inspired by Designer/ Fashion Choreographer the powerhouse of fashion & pageant industry Abhijit Singha who is the founder proprietor of Mega Entertainment.

Gorkhas daughter Meriya Subba from Sikkim wins the 14th Edition of Sunsilk
Mega Miss Northeast 2016 powered by Mega Entertainment.

Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2016 Prize Package Includes:

• An opportunity to get featured in print & outdoor advertisement campaign of Sunsilk
• To walk the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai for Reliance Trends
• Shows with ICSI in South East Asian Countries
• A Portfolio with leading fashion photographer Rahul Biswas
• Public Relation & Reputation Consultancy for a year by Life’s Purple
• Professional representation & travel opportunity for a year by Mega Entertainment
• Cash prize Rs50,000/- will be given / claim the winning prize only after successfully completion of the reigning period as the Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2016 on the fulfillment of all the terms and conditions set by Mega Entertainment and till the time she crowns her successor at the conclusion of the pageant next year.

The organizers of the event, Mega Entertainment, had shortlisted 49 women, who vied for the coveted title of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2016. The pageant is inspired by Designer/ Fashion Choreographer and the powerhouse of fashion & pageant industry Abhijit Singha.

Abhijit Singha, Founder of Mega Entertainment and Managing Director of Sunsilk Mega Miss North East, spoke during the crowning ceremony, "Through Sunsilk Mega Miss North East we look for a young and aspiring talent that is fit, intelligent and driven to be a role model - using her attributes to make a difference in the society. The pageant will not culminate with mere crowning of the winners. We also make it a mission to give them an international platform from where their dreams can take flight. Today's winner Meriya will walk for Reliance Trends at the Lakmé Fashion Week, which in itself is a dream-come-true for various well established models too. She will also get an opportunity to travel in the eight south Asian countries with ICSI and be a part of international shows."

The judges who sealed the fate of this year's winner included: Runner Up-Mega Mister North East 2009 and leading fashion designer from Shillong Arif Mukhim; Activation Manager for Hindustan Unilever brands Divya Ramakrishnan; Runner Up- Mega Miss North East 2013 and author of ‘Dear Bohemian Man' Subi Taba; marketing consultant and Brand Head at Kingfisher Naved Qureshi; and Entrepreneur and Hotelier Bobby Singh.

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Anirudh Thapa captain of the Indian National Football Team (Under-19)

8:45 AM

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sports news

After Sunil Chettri, here's our own Anirudh Thapa, born on 15th January 1998 in Uttarakhand, has given us more reason to watch and follow football, the most followed sport by our community, ever closely. The captain of the Indian National Football Team (Under-19) Thapa came into the spotlight when India defeated hosts Nepal to win the U-16 SAFF Championship. Anirudh Thapa is a talented midfielder whose dribbling and passing skills are a treat for the eyes.

He did his schooling from St. Stephen's in Chandigarh. This is where he started playing football at the age of 10. The 18-year-old comes from Dehradun in Uttarakhand and is currently plying his trade at the AIFF Elite Academy based in Goa.

Anirudh Thapa

Thapa joined the AIFF academy in Kalyani in 2012. He was also integrated in the India U15 squad in the same year.

In 2013, Thapa won the SAFF U16 Championship. He also participated in the AFC U16 Championship where he scored once in four appearances.

The attacking midfielder went to Malaysia to compete in the Asia U16 Championship in 2014.

In 2015, Thapa was the youngest member selected to be part of the India U19 squad who were runners-up in SAFF U19 Championship. Thapa scored twice in four matches in the competition.

He won the U19 I-league in 2015-2016 season when he captained the AIFF Elite Academy. He played 14 games and notched up three goals.

Thapa's family backs him to the hilt.

Football is his love, he eventually sees his growth in the world's most followed sport. Aspiring to become one of the best, he continues to dream to play for the national team in the foreseeable future.

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Reaction against BGP's clarification on meeting with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh

10:48 PM

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schedule tribe

Following are the various Reaction against Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) official clarification via social media on meeting with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh.

Dinesh Sharma Youth Leader writes in response to BGP Not surprising to see ‘desperate’ BGP putting up its antics again. This elite bunch of intellectuals are masters of press releases sitting inside their AC chambers in Delhi and Darjeeling. Here are some incidents I can recall.

Manipur - Their intellectuals almost got the Gorkhas of Manipur in a dangerous situation when they declared cut-off dates for Manipur Gorkha during the ILP agitation. Later, when asked, they had no answers and blamed it on their state executives. But the press release bears the name of their leader in Delhi and Darjeeling, and not from Manipur. How ironical? And mind you, they never apologized for such a huge mistake, perhaps it was beneath their dignity to apologize to the common man.

Assam: A leader of this premium organization goes to Assam and says Assam should be called Bodolond instead, and that he would pray to be born as a Bodo. After being warned by AAGSU, they went back to their ‘dens’ without an apology again.

Delhi: Not a person or representative of this ELITE group is seen during any emergency situation in the capital region. A leader calls for a clarification meeting on why they were not present. An emergency situation does not need clarification, it needs concern.

Darjeeling – Nobody gives them a damn anymore there after their fickle political stand agenda.

Across India – Now, this attempt to derail the ST demand and push forward their agenda for OBC is anti-community. While they are so concerned about Gorkhas across India, it is disheartening to see that Mizoram, where the organization was initiated, still don’t have Gorkha community in OBC list. Still no apology.
So the natural question is, where are you heading next?

Reaction against BGP clarification on meeting with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh

Jyoti Thapa - Author, Graphic Designer and Historian writes back to Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Official in response to their clarification note regarding the meeting they had with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh:

"In Delhi, there are many 'Gorkha' Organisations of various names and members who meet ministers projecting themselves as the representatives of the Gorkhas and 'Here Kind Sir, are our grievances and memorandum'. They represent you and me but I don't know them neither do you and most of all nobody has checked with me. The BGP's rebuttal letter is smoking with someone's seething anger. It writes of the questioning people as having 'erroneous and mischievous views ...erroneous, malicious and ill-conceived. ...individual fantasies and biased opinions...'. Why such accusations? The Gorkhas are a bunch of idiotic devils or what who know not what they do???? Every Gorkha is sensitive and as a race we are known to be hyper-sensitive. I am sure you meant well in your endeavour but the Gorkhas want an explanation...the simpler the better. The NE Gorkhas are no walk over and I see them as the strongest forces of the Gorkha community in the future".

Upendra - An Intellect writes back to Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Official in response to their clarification note regarding the meeting they had with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh:
This BGP cliarification is nothing but CYA (cover your ass)... their objectives may see, noble and honest, their intentions are suspect... Why are they meeting Central Ministers and demanding OBC status for Gorkhas at a time qhen the Central Govt has constituted a committee to examine ST status for all? Why NOW? Whose interest are they serving in assuming that the Central Govt move won't be welcome everywhere? Shouldn't they have waited till the Central Govt panel submitted their report?
BGP office bearers suffer from the foot in the mouth disease... they have earlier demanded, out of the blue, that 1971 census be taken into consideration while deciding Inner Line Permit qualifications for Manipur, thus jeopardizing the Gorkhalis living in Maniojr majority of whom were not allowd to register for voting/census etc till very recently. When questioned to clarify why they chose 1971 as cut off date, Mr. Munish Tamang who seems to know all the constitutional processes refused to anser, clarify or apologize.

Later same "all knowing" BGP "intellectuals" threatened the safety and security of Gorkhas in Assam by declaring in an eledtion rallh that all of Assam should be called Bodoland... such was the negativity associated with their irresponsible statement, that the All Assam Gorkha Students Union has told BGP "intellectuals" not to come to Assam and open their "all knowing" mouths in the future.
In BGP meeting various central Ministers and dmeqnding OBC instead of ST status for the Gorkhas, they are watering down our stand even before the process has begun, and their releasing of the statement reeking of "intellectual superiority" - that only we k ow rest don't, is the reason why BGP needs to either be disbanded or they should apologize to the greater Gorkhali community for working against the interest of the community.

Moreover, these predominantly around 50 year old male don't represent the Gorkha reality, nor does it represent the Gorkha aspirations, so a request to BGP please do not claim yourselves to be representative of all the Gorkhas - which you guys are not... as your representing yourself as such can influence Govt policies negatively...

Ranjana Pradhan Rai - An Educationist writes back to Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Official in response to their clarification note regarding the meeting they had with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh:

1. The domicile needs to be proven to claim the benefits of ST/ SC/ OBC status anyways whether at Centre/ State/ other levels.
2. Read between the lines: When you are an Indian Gorkha residing/ permanently settled in any of the States as per the Indian Constitution, All citizens have the Freedom to movement & Settlement within the Indian Jurisdiction. A citizen cannot claim benefits from multiple domicile status in a Social Strata.
3. The above point explains a Citizens Right to Claim benefits in multiple states compared to a Job Application in Union/ State government service where your ST/ SC/ OBC is claimed anyways as per domicile certificate. If any State government does mot recognize the Reservation Right, it can be rectified rather than leading to events impacting the Community at Large for personal interests. I myself have appeared for UPSE/ State Services Exams on General quota.
4. Will the ST/ SC status given to Indian Gorkhas be applicable to Gorkhas in other domicile states? Obviously, sort it out.
5. a. Is BGP a political party?
b. How is it Constituted as representative association?
c. Without our consent concerning Indian Gorkhas, how can BGP represent a political dialogue to fulfill it's ambition?
6. Indian Gorkha Citizens and Gorkha Associations are not living a Sissy Fantacy BGP. They are living in Blood & Slaughter!
7. Why BGP never published the points of Agenda for discussion and deliberation prior to their political dialogues with a Minister, that too concerning Indian Gorkhas of other States?
8. Forming mere associations does not lend you the right to claim decision making process for the Gorkhas.
9. If you were righteous, liaison with other Gorkha Association would have deliberation & strengthened a Collective Agenda including the point of domicile Rights on Reservation.
10. We don't know you as our leaders BGP. Even as Parisangh/ Council, you cannot work in isolation claiming leadership on our Community!
*******************

In high spirits I wrote these lines first time in Nepali,
Abo Chai Aayo Gorkhali!

(Pardon me for spelling mistakes please, those who can understand)
आबो चै आयो गोर्खाली।
याद गरौं आज द्वितीय विश्वयुद्ध को प्रहर मा बोस ले कसरी भारत को स्वतंत्रता संग्राम उद्देश्य लिएर हिटलर अथवा मुस्सलिनी संग साठ-गाठ गरी जापानी मिलिट्री को मदद ले नार्थईस्ट बाट भारत माँ धावा बोलेको थियो।
सम्भालिने समय आबो आयो साथी-भाई दीदी-बहिनी हरु,
हाम्रो बिबस्ता लाई लाचारी को चोगा न बनाऊँ,
हाम्रो सरल-विनम्रता को आचरण ले उन्नति को डोको भरौं।
कसरी निद्रा पुरौने? यो बिचार धारा बगी रहेछ त्यो निद्रा को सिरानो मा,
उच्चकोटि को व्यक्तित्व को खोज मा चली रहे छ यो यात्रा असफल,
आई दिनोस सबै जनसमृद्ध एक स्वर सादि दिउँ यो मधुर रचना को पहल मा,
यो हाथ बटाउँ नाता पनी थियो भनेर।
आखिर यो माटो नै त हो हामी?
आकृति कसको लिने भने त्यों रचना खोझुं-बोझों।
म् त कस्तूरी को खोज समझी रहे थे आज सम्म,
यो चमेली को गंध ले सन्तोष न पाउने छन्।
- रंजन प्रधान राई।

Prem Chhetri, Advocate in Supreme Court writes back to Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Official in response to their clarification note regarding the meeting they had with DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh:-
Hon'ble President BGP,
The reply show itself that you are trying to explain Gorkhas that BGP is only representative of Gorkhas and only BGP know about Law and other Gorkhas are ignorant...
Let's talk point to point
1. If List of ST is State/UT specific them why your body meet with Central Minister and not with State Chief Minister for such demand.
2. UT is governed by President with consultation of UNION hence don't say this is State/UT specific.
3. Whether BGP know that President may with respect to any State or UT by public notification specify the Tribes and tribal community. And Parliament by law include and exclude from list of ST specified in notification issued any tribe or tribal community as part of group.
4. BGP should know that it is Union Cabinet chaired by PM gives approval for introduction of Bill in order to modify list of ST in respect to state or UT so don't give wrong interpretation that ST is State/UT specific.
5. Recently Union cabinet introduced Bill to amend Constitution (SC ) Order 1950 and passed by Both house RS on 24.02.2016 to introduce certain community in list.
6. It is correct that one declared ST in state need not to be in another State/UT because of their inhabitance however that list of State/UT is prepare by Union under Article 342 of Constitution of India. Moreover List of ST passed by Union get benefits in all Centre Govt. Job, Schemes, Appointment, post etc.
7. Article 335 talks about reservation in matter of appointment post with affairs of Union which includes UPSC, EC, CAG, ETC.
8. Under article 338 President of India appoint special officer for welfare of SC and ST
9. Under Article 338A, National Commission for SC and ST established to look welfare of SC and ST in entire Nation.
10. Under Article 350A, President may issue such directions to any state for securing facility to ST.
11. BGP must know that Central Govt. drafted National Policy in 1999 regarding issue and welfare of ST in entire Nation and thereafter Union Gov't. established Ministry of Tribal Affairs for development of ST.
13. It is Union Gov't. who has power to include and exclude certain community in ST list hence don't fool us by saying it is State/UT specific. State/UT has no independent power to include and exclude list of ST.
14. BGP ingnores constitutional provisions and don't say others ignores it.
15. Take classic examples....Mina community belongs to Rajasthan is declared ST by Union Gov't. and thereafter they are getting all privileges in all Union Gov't. Job, appointment. Even Delhi Police gives reservations in ST. Even there is reservations in DDA scheme.
So don't fool us that demand is for only State and does not give privileges to others.
16. SC/ ST is always SC/ST whether HE is residing in One state or other. Have you ever heard that particular SC/ST has been denied privileges because he belongs to other state.
17. BGP should introspect and come out will clear vision. And act for the community at ground level.
18. Under article 342 it is Parliament passed Bill for inclusion or exclusion of ST in list hence State has no role to play. State can best recommend their list. That's why PM Modi declare to grant ST status to Gorkha and he already initiated for it. So whether State want or not, it is Parliament who has right to include Gorkha in ST list.
19. Those who are demanding OBC status are blackship to Gorkha Community. They deserves to social boycott. They are not our Representative.
20. BGP must know that status of OBC is different from place to place as per their status in said society/State hence it is foolish to compare status of OBC with ST.
21. BGP betrayed us demanding OBC status to Gorkhas with Hon'ble Minister Jitender Singh while Union Govt considering to give ST status to all Gorkhas.
22. Who is Parishang to demand different status to Gorkha residing in different status. By doing this, BGP is dividing all Gorkha into different groups which is clearly demonstrated in their clarification no. 4.
23. Is this hidden agenda of GBP to divide all Gorkha into different Groups.
24. Is this hidden agenda of BGP divide our voices in different groups.
25. Does not this divide policy will hamper demand of Gorkhaland.


Via GYASA

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Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh statement on meeting with Dr Jitendra Singh

5:35 PM

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schedule tribe

STATEMENT OF THE BHARATIYA GORKHA PARISANGH REGARDING THE MEETING IT HAD WITH DONER MINISTER DR JITENDRA SINGH

With reference to the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh’s meeting with Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Development of Northeast Region (DONER), and the reports on the meeting as carried by various national newspapers, including The Hindustan Times of News Delhi, The Hindu of Chennai and The Tribune of Chandigarh, certain erroneous and mischievous views are being circulated regarding the objectives of the Parisangh’s meeting. We are clarifying some points here.

1. The granting of Schedule Tribe status is state-specific. (According to the Union Tribal Ministry website: “The list of Scheduled Tribes is State/UT specific and a community declared as a Scheduled Tribe in a State need not be so in another State/UT.” http://tribal.nic.in/Con.../IntroductionScheduledTribes.aspx )

Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh logo

This clearly means that the demand for ST status in by the Sikkim Chief Minister and by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha will pertain only to Gorkhas in Sikkim and West Bengal, and will not automatically extend to Gorkhas living in other states of India. Therefore, to infer that Parisangh’s meeting with Dr Jitendra Singh jeopardizes the move to have ST status for Gorkhas across India ignores these constitutional provisions and is based on ill understanding of such provisions. Any suggestion that Parisangh is being used to throw a spanner in the demands arising out of Sikkim and Darjeeling is erroneous, malicious and ill-conceived.

2. The demand for OBC status for Gorkhas in the Northeast is entirely in the context of the Parisangh’s meeting with the DONER minister and not any other Union ministry. When ST status for Gorkhas in Northeast states was broached to the minister, Dr Jitendra Singh said there were pending issues about OBC status for Gorkhas in these states. The Parisangh said that the demand for OBC was an old one, and it wanted ST status for Gorkhas there. However, since the issues discussed pertained only to Gorkhas in the Northeast and not to Gorkhas in general across India, the Parisangh told the minister that it knew that because the entire Northeast region was a complex interplay of tribal affiliations, various state governments and the policymakers of the Northeast were reluctant to accord TRIBAL STATUS to Gorkhas. An example is Mizoram, where the Home Department has suggest OBC status for the Gorkhas, but the state cabinet has been reluctant to accord even OBC status, deciding instead to hold a new census of Gorkhas in the state. Since ST status may not be forthcoming for some time, the best alternative for Gorkhas to derive policy benefits in the region is through recognition as OBC.

3. Even OBC status is state-specific. Gorkhas, for instance, are OBCs in Uttarakhand but their OBC status does not confer similar status to Gorkhas in other Indian States nor to all Gorkhas at the Central level. The Parisangh, in its meeting with Dr Jitendra Singh, requested that he use his influence to have the Central Government extend the OBC status, in addition to ST/SC, given to Gorkhas in certain Northeast and other Indian states to the Central level, so that Gorkhas can still derive economic and development benefits of the Central Government.

4. The letter of the Parisangh, attached with this statement, to Union Tribal Welfare Minister Jual Oram clearly proves that the only pan-India social organization of the Gorkhas wants Scheduled Tribe status for all categories of Gorkhas across India. In fact, a resolution passed in the 3rd Mahaadhiveshan of the Parisangh in 2012 called for the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh to contact the authorities to confer special category statuses, including Schedule Tribes, Schedule Caste and OBC, wherever best applicable so that the Gorkhas are not left out of the development processes of the various states in which they are resident. The Parisangh is committed to ensuring that Gorkhas across India has access to whatever benefits the Constitution can accord under various provisions, whether they by ST, SC, OBC or other social categorizations.

5. It is a journalistic practice to contact the person/persons/organization about whom the journalist is writing something. When office bearers are unavailable to clarify points that may seem inadequate, the article normally mentions the fact that no one answered the journalist’s queries. It is, therefore, against journalistic practices to assume and infer malicious motives without having tried to ascertain the facts from the organization named. No one bothered to contact the Parisangh office bearers to seek their clarification, so the Parisangh rejects such articles as individual fantasies and biased opinions.

Sukhman Moktan
President, Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh.

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Gorkha community has served the nation in difficult times: Dr Jitendra Singh

12:05 PM

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West Bengal

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has said that the Gorkha community has served the nation in most difficult times, through thick and thin, and the stories of their bravery, valour and patriotism are an example for others.

Dr Jitendra Singh was speaking to a delegation of “Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha”, a national organization of Gorkhas in India, who called on him here yesterday for redressal of their long pending issues and sought his intervention, particularly considering the fact that out of over one crore Gorkha population in whole of India today, the major portion of over 35 lakh lives in the North-Eastern region of the country.

Dr Jitendra Singh Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region 

The delegation, led by its National President Shri S.M. Moktan, held a detailed meeting with Dr Jitendra Singh, wherein they brought up the issue of proper documents being provided to the members of the community to certify that they are permanent residents of the region. In the absence of such documents, they complained, they are sometimes seen as foreigners or illegal settlers or non-locals. In many States, they complained, that lack of such documentation has also deprived them from being enlisted in voters list.

Demanding OBC (Other Backward Class) status for Gorkha community, the members of the delegation requested for fair share in various incentives and avenues. They also urged that the Gorkhas living in the Northeast States may be involved in the development and economic activity in the region. The other demands put forward by the delegation included the request to include Gorkha language in the Eighth Schedule of Constitution and introduce Nepali language as a vernacular subject in schools and colleges.

Dr Jitendra Singh gave a patient hearing to the delegation. He said, the Ministry of DoNER recognizes their sensitivities and added that many of the demands put forward by them do not strictly pertain to his Ministry and therefore he will forward them to the concerned Departments and Ministries.

Prominent among the delegation members included Shri V.B. Thupu from Uttar Pradesh, Shri D.C. Poudiyal and Shri P.P. Pradhan from West Bengal, Shri Guman Bhoj Limbo from New Delhi, Shri Jagannath Koirala from Meghalaya and Shri Bhupendra Adhikari from Uttarakhand.


Press Information Bureau Government of India Ministry for Development of North-East Region

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Gorkhas Daughter wins Gold and Bronze in International Taekwondo Championship

11:07 AM

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Taekwondo

Gorkhas Daughter Sushila Sonar from Northeast India Arunachal Pradesh, who is a 4th Dan Black Belt, represented India in the above 76 kg category and has won Gold and Bronze medal in  2nd International Taekwondo championship 2016 which was held in Bhutan. Sushila Sonar won one gold and one bronze medal in Kyorugi in senior girls above 76 kg category and in Poomsae in U-39 year category.

In the event, Indian contingent comprised of 23 members. The International event was organized by Bhutan Taekwondo Federation and was sanctioned by World Taekwondo Federation.

You make our Indian Gorkha community, Northeast and country as a whole very proud!!!

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Avinash Chettri - first cadet from the North East to win President’s Gold Medal

8:18 PM

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northeast live news

Proud moment for us, the Indian Gorkha Community,  for the first time in the history of National Defence Academy (NDA), a Gorkha cadet from the North East has won the President’s Gold Medal for standing first in the overall order of merit and commanded the passing out parade (POP).

It was a proud occasion for Academy Cadet Captain Avinash Chhetry who is from Tezpur, Assam where he has witnessed the Army’s presence and their actions right from his childhood. The son of a paramilitary officer, he dreamt of joining the Indian Army since he was a child. He completed his schooling from the prestigious Rashtriya Indian Military School (RIMC), Dehradun before getting into NDA.

 Avinash Chettri - first cadet from the North East to win President’s Gold Medal

Speaking to Sakal Times, an elated Chhetry, said, “It is a proud moment for me and my parents as I have become the first cadet who has commanded the POP and won the gold medal. Since I have completed my studies in a military school, it was not that difficult for me to adjust to life at the academy.” Chhetry said that he would like to join either the Gorkha Rifles or Special Forces of the Indian Army as he wants to engage himself into combat roles in the future. According to Chhetry, the situation in the North East region has now much improved than it was in the past. Upon being asked whether he would like to lead an Army unit in his home state Assam, Chhetry quipped, “Why not?”



Via GYASA

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Gorkha girl scores 10 CGPA in CBSE Board exams

7:40 PM

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result

Congratulations to Ms. Priyanka Panthi a student of DAV Public School, Dehradun for scoring a perfect 10 CGPA in her CBSE Board exams.She had prepared by her own self study at her home, by studying regularly for 5-6 hrs at home.. growing up she wants to pursue a career as a Chartered Accountant and "will prepare for C.P.T (Common Proficiency Test) from class 11 onwards..." she added


Name: Pratigya Panthi
School: D.A.V. Public School, Dehradun
Father's Name: Pt. Govind Prasad Panthi
Mother's Name: Devki Panthi

Ms. Priyanka Panthi Gorkha girl  from Dehradun scores 10 CGPA in CBSE Board exams

 What gives us hope is that, even though she wants to be a CA, but she also wants to work for our GORKHA samaj in its overall development... and has made education her priority to achieve her goals.

When we asked her if she has any message for our youths, she said, "I want to request our Gorkha Samaj across India, especially youth that Education is the tool for Gorkhaland by which whole world can be conquered and demand of Gorkhaland will become successful... Only youth can bring this change"

We are PROUD of you Priyanka and CONGRATULATIONS to You for upholding the Gorkha name.


Via TheDC

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OBC quota for Gorkhas to continue in Uttarakhand / Dehradun

1:07 PM

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OBC

Uttarakhand / Dehradun, May 28 2016 Cabinet Minister Dinesh Aggarwal has said the Gorkha community will continue to get reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category in the state.

Dinesh Aggarwal, while addressing a press conference here today, said the state government in 2003 had put the Gorkha community in the OBC category.

He said under the Central Government guidelines, Brahmin and Thakur communities among Gorkhas were being excluded from the OBC category. Dinesh Aggarwal said the Uttarakhand Government was not bound to follow the Central guidelines. On May 26, the state government issued notification that sub castes under the Gorkha community would get OBC benefits.

 Gorkha community 

Dinesh Aggarwal said the Congress high command would take a call on the vacant RS seat in the state.

He said the country had seen unprecedented rise in inflation ever since the Modi government came to power at the Centre.

TNS

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अब पनि हामी बोलेनौँ भने कहिले पनि बोल्नसक्ने छैनौँ - गोर्खा भारती विचार मञ्च

8:53 AM

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Sikkim

भारत एउटा गणतान्त्रिक देश हो अनि यहाँ सबै नागरिकलाई अभिव्यक्तिको स्वतन्त्रता प्राप्त छ । तर अभिव्यक्तिको स्वतन्त्रताको आढ़मा कसैले पनि अनर्गल अनि जातिलाई नै भड़खालोमा हाल्ने प्रकारको वक्तव्य दिन्छ भने त्यो कुरो सहन गर्नु हुँदैन । चाहे त्यो व्यक्ति कुनै राज्यको मुख्य मन्त्री नै किन नहोस् । आज पनि हामी बोलेनौँ भने कहिले पनि बोल्नसक्ने छैनौँ । पवन कुमार चामलिङलाई हामी भारतका गोर्खाहरूले एक जातीय विभूतिकै रूपमा सधैँ हेर्ने गरेका छौँ । भारतका प्रत्येक राज्यका गोर्खाहरूले नै चामलिङलाई एक उद्धारकर्ताको रूपमा हेर्ने गर्दछन् । सर्वभारतीय स्तरमा चामलिङको नेतृत्वको सपना देख्नेहरू पनि धेरै नै छन। तर आज चामलिङले गोर्खाहरू नेपालबाट भारतको सेनामा काम गर्न आएका हुन् भन्ने उट्पटाङ विचार पोखेर गोर्खा जातिको घोर अपमान मात्र गरेका छैनन् तर आफ्नै छविलाई पनि धुल धुसरित बनाएका छन् । साथै भारतका गोर्खा अनि सिक्किमका नेपालीलाई पृथक-पृथक बताएर जाति विभाजनको घिनलाग्दो प्रयास पनि चलाएका छन् ।

यदि चामलिङले "हामी सिक्किमे नेपाली हौँ" भन्छ भने हामीलाई कुनै समस्या छैन, यो उनको व्यक्तिगत विचार हो । तर भारतका सम्पूर्ण गोर्खाहरूलाई नै इंगित गरेर यिनीहरू नेपालबाट भारतीय सेनामा काम गर्न आएर गोर्खा भएका हुन भन्ने आशयको मन्तव्य पोख्ने चामलिङको कुनै अधिकार छैन । सिक्किमको सत्तामा आफ्नो वर्चस्व कायम राख्नलाई गोर्खाको जातीय इतिहासलाई नै गलत बताउने यस कुत्सित प्रयासको हामीले कठोर शब्दमा भर्त्सना गर्नैपर्छ । यदि आफ्नो राजनैतिक शतरंजको बाजीमा गोर्खा जातिलाई मोहोरा बनाउन चाहन्छ भने त्यसको दूरगामी नतिजा भोग्नको निम्ति पनि चामलिङ तयार बस्नु पर्छ ।

परायाहरूले लगाएका घातहरू अनि दिएका चोटहरूले थिल्थिलो भएको गोर्खा अस्मितामाथि आफ्नैले थपेको यो विवेकहीन प्रहारले आज भारतका हतभागा डेड़ करोड़ गोर्खाहरू मर्माहत् बनेका छन् ।

भारतका सम्पूर्ण गोर्खाहरूको शिरमौर बन्नसक्ने चामलिङ यदि रम्फू खोलाको पारिको सानो क्षेत्रको मात्न नेता भएर बाँच्न चाहन्छन् भने यो उनको निजी मामला हो तर त्यो नेतृत्वलाई बचाइराख्न सम्पूर्ण जातिको भूत, वर्तमान अनि भविष्यसित खेलवाड़ गर्न चाहन्छ भने त्यो हामी कुनै हालतले पनि हुन दिने छैनौँ । मुख्यमन्त्रीको ओहोदालाई दिएको आदरभावलाई हाम्रो समर्पण सम्झिने भूल नगरियोस् ।

हामी गोर्खा हौँ भन्ने भारतका समस्त संघ-संस्था-संगठनहरू अनि व्यक्तिहरू मिलेर यस कुराको ठाड़ो विरोध गर्नै पर्छ । सत्ता मदमा जातिको हित र मर्यादाको पनि ख्याल नराख्ने मुख्यमन्त्रीलाई यो जातिघातक वक्तव्यई फिर्ता लिने अनुरोध अनि भएन भने चाप पनि दिनै पर्छ ।

याद राख्नोस् - अब पनि हामी बोलेनौँ भने कहिले पनि बोल्नसक्ने छैनौँ !!!(सभार पूर्वान्चल भारती)

गोर्खा भारती विचार मञ्च

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Lt Col Thapa UAV Test pilot who commanded DRDO's R-Day contingent 2012

9:10 AM

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northeast gorkhas

Indian Gorkha, Lt Col V S Thapa, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) external Test pilot, hailing from Dehradun, was selected to command Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Republic Day parade contingent in New Delhi in 1012. DRDO sources tell Express that Thapa was selected to lead the R-Day contingent after a vigorous selection process. “There were four other officers in the race and Thapa was selected after scrutinizing various parameters,” sources said. Thapa, was posted on a special assignment to Bangalore-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) – which is the abode of home-grown UAVs, including Nishant and Rustom.

Speaking to Express from Delhi, Thapa had said that it was a very esteemed occasion for him to command the unit. “It is a lifetime opportunity that has come my way and I am working hard to make it a success. The rehearsals have been good and we have fine-tuned everything before the big day,” the 44-year-old Thapa said.

Lt Col Thapa UAV Test pilot who commanded DRDO's R-Day contingent 2012

Thapa hit the headlines after conventionally flying Rustom-1 UAV for the first time in October 2010, after which he piloted (externally) nine flights of Rustom-1. An officer from the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army, Thapa was certified as an external pilot from Israeli Aerospace Industries, Malat, Israel. He was the part of Army's UAV team since 2000 and had handled Searcher Mk-I Alpha and Searcher Mk-II UAVs.

ADE Director P S Krishnan had said that the lab couldn't have asked for more with a member of his team being chosen to command the DRDO R-Day team. “A double honour for us, with Thapa and Rustom-1 chosen for the parade. The UAV by itself can be used for various reconnaissance purposes, though it is a technology demonstration vehicle for Rustom-2,” Krishnan said.

In addition to Rustom-1, Thapa had in his company missiles Agni-4 and Prahaar, in addition to a tableau depicting gen-next technologies used while handling hazards of snow and avalanches.

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Gorkha Students JNU condemns rape and murder of gorkha girl from Assam and the Dalit girl in Kerala.

7:32 AM

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student

"Gorkha Students, JNU condemns heinous acts of brutal rape and murder of gorkha girl from Assam and the Dalit girl, Jisha in Kerala. We condemn, in the strongest terms the despicable crimes committed against Jisha, against the girl from Assam who was brutally raped and murdered and to the continued apathy shown by the University officials towards the girl from Sikkim. We demand a proper investigation in all these cases with speedy trial for the perpetrators to be booked and be brought to justice." - Gorkha Students, JNU 

Gorkha Students, JNU  Condemn the rising atrocities on the Oppressed and Marginalized

The misery of the oppressed seems to be unending in the world’s largest democracy. Every minute we come across stories from the length and the breadth of our country about oppressed communities and their daily struggle for existence. This agony of the oppressed goes unheard, unattended and unaddressed.  Democracy fails us and the ugly Brahmanical exploitative structure rears it’s hydra head everywhere. Recently, a young Dalit student, Jisha was raped and brutally murdered in Kerala. The perpetrators of this despicable and horrendous act are yet to be punished. The atrocity that went unto raping and killing the young woman is pure evil. How is it, that ‘a body’ becomes prone to more torture, pain, and abuse and why is it that ‘this body’ belongs to an adivasi, a dalit, a minority and a woman. Our political institutions and society are yet to address these issues. However, they are but symptoms of a larger malaise affecting us all. For Jisha and many others, her identity as a woman and a Dalit was enough for the perpetrators to carry out the abhorrent crime with impunity. Such acts have been historically ignored and neglected. Becoming all though more troubling when we see that the so called ‘progressive’ fonts pays only lip service to such gross injustices, thereby, confabulating this struggle for justice and equality

 Rising atrocities on the Oppressed and Marginalized

In yet another similar incident, in Margherita, Assam, a young Gorkha girl of just 20 years was found to be raped and brutally murdered and thrown in a river (inset pic.1).  He deformed body later showed the degree of brutality meted out to her. When some public spirited citizens and organizations came forward and protested against such atrocity, the Tinsukia police rather than finding the culprits were quick to condemn such protests as fomenting anarchy. The police and the administration in no uncertain terms have tried to belittle the issue and with no media coverage of this heinous act, we fear that this incident too would be in the long lists of cases, where justice goes dying with the dead.

Sadly, this is not new. We encountered similar apathy of our government and our political leaders two years back when a student from Sikkim was sexually molested by her seniors and blackmailed into silence at the prestigious Visva-Bharati Central University in Bengal.  Social media uproar forced a few political leaders to speak on this, who vouched to fight for her and to put the accused behind the bars. Sadly, when the furore died down so did their promises. Till now, the girl still has to undergo medical treatment for her traumas while the culprits still roam free inside the campus, allegedly, because of help and protection from the officials of the University itself.  Her father however remains determined and continues to run from pillar to post hoping that one day he will be heard and his daughter will get the justice she deserves.

Our question remains, as to why that people from certain background are more easily prone to crime and criminals. Why is it easy for the perpetrators to carry out such horrendous acts without the fear of law or justice on the them.  Only too recently a girl from Manipur was abducted right from the middle of a street in a foiled attempt in the city of Bengaluru. Thankfully, the girl was able to free herself not because people chased away the perpetrator or caught him but because of the sheer grit and courage of the girl alone, while we see in the cctv captured video of the act that people stroll by in the vicinity as if nothing has happened. This is indeed shameful and reprehensible.

 Also, in continuation of the series of racial attacks. Closer to campus, on  May 2nd John Thapa and his friend John Rana hailing from Gorkhaland, were brutally beaten (inset pic. 2) up by the locals of Chakkarpur in Gurugram  for raising objection against throwing dirty water on them by the locals. Both of them were brutally beaten by rods and sticks by locals for daring to raise their voice. What is more disturbing is that last year similar kind of racial attack  had occurred on 18/05/2015 when Abishek Rai and his two friends all hailing from Teesta Valley, Gorkhaland, were brutally beaten up by their landlord's son and his friends in Gurugram. Everywhere there seems to be one common thing. The identity of the oppressed becomes an incentive for the oppressor to victimize them. These incidents clearly show that racism for people with certain ethnicity in India is daily living experience. It’s not alone limited to people from Northeast. Even non-north eastern people like the Gorkhas, the Ladakhis, and the Tibetans face it.

Also, it is alarming when we see that such casteist, racial, communal and linguistic discrimination seems to have permeated from our society and unto our political institutions as well. Allowing for a fascist and repressive system to thrive and which represses anything which comes as progressive or just. Such repression got showcased again when two people were killed over police firing in the Tawang District of Aruncahal Pradesh (inset pic 3). The victims were demanding the release of Gyatso, the Secretary of the Save Mon Region Federation (SMRF), who were questioning the building of the dams in an earthquake prone area and were demanding more local consensuses to be built on the issue. We have already seen such roughshodding when huge dams were built on the river Teesta in Sikkim and West Bengal repudiating the concerns raised by the locals about the adverse impact these dams might have on their life, livelihood and the environment. Sadly, we as a society seemed to have normalised this repression and given into the ideology advocated by this repressive regime that makes anyone standing against them typecast as criminals or anti-national. Such typecasting takes away from them their political rights and allows for the full force of the repressive machinery to be turned on them while the citizenry is lulled into looking the other way by the mantra of “greater good”. Such plundering of the tribal forest lands and flooding of huge hill areas are all carried out in the name of the greater good. However, the question remains whose greater good? Is it the good of the regimes over the blood of the oppressed nationalities or is it the blindness of the collective conscience which fails to see the dark side of this greater good? Violence against the oppressed communities has always been structured and programmed well by the authors of oppression, ever and always. History will never forget and forgive the killing of about 1500 people under the state repression during the 1986 Gorkhaland agitation or the atrocities that were meted out to people under the Armed Forces Special Power Act in the North East since 1958. Such state repression is sophisticatedly designed to combat and repress voices of dissent in any form.

In the recent times too we see how such forms of repression has permeated and penetrated even into our educational institutions like HCU, JNU, FTII or JU wherein all and any voices of dissent are criminalized. We have seen how the progressive environment of our own university too is being poisoned by the same repressive state apparatuses manifest in the recent dictatorial High level Enquiry Committee (HLEC) report and the farcical dossier which tries to isolate and profile certain sections of the student community and teachers as immoral and anti-national based on their caste, religion and racial ethnicity.

Such typecasting is what allows for certain sections of our society to be devoid of law and to their claim to its equality, justness or fairness. People with no claim to law are hence then found to be easy target of the repressive regime and the casteist and racial society that we have come to exist in. It is what has allowed the perpetrators of the heinous crime against Jisha to the reach the level of horrendousness yet unheard. It is what is making the Tinsukia administration and police to brush the horrible rape and murder of the bright young Gorkha girl under the carpet of nonchalance. It is the lulling and normalising of such depraved acts that has allowed the molesters in Shantiniketan to roam free, or the violent acts in Gurugram to be reported unheard. It is this ideology of supposed ‘growth’ which excels in repressing and killing its own people.

Gorkha Students, JNU condemns all such heinous acts and travesties of justice. We condemn, in the strongest terms the despicable crimes committed against Jisha, against the girl from Assam who was brutally raped and murdered and to the apathy shown by the University officials towards the girl from Sikkim. We demand a proper investigation in all these cases with speedy trial for the perpetrators to be booked and be brought to justice. Only the unity among an oppressed can break the chain of patriarchy, racism and castiesm!


Gorkha Students, JNU

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