THURSDAY, MAY , 22 ,   2008

SIKKIM RECORDS IMPRESSIVE ICSE AND ISC RESULTS
Six schools secures hundred percent results in both ISC and ICSE

Corporate responsibility the SBI way promotion:
SBI launches Adoption of Girl Child scheme

SAIMON PAUL RAI
GANGTOK, May 21: At a time when the girl child is deprived of equal access to education in comparison to the male child, the State Bank of India’s ‘Adoption of Girl Child’ scheme has come as a respite for 29 girl students in the State,
Through its national policy scheme, the SBI will provide a monthly scholarship of Rs 5,000 to 29 girls who are between 6 to 14 years and belonging either to orphanages or BPL families from within the State for the session 2008-09.
This was announced in a press conference held here today.
Talking to the media, the SBI officials said that the scholarship scheme, which is aimed at providing financial assistance to girl students in all their academic endeavours, will be disbursed through the heads of the school and school principals. In this regard, the heads of the schools and institutions will have to open a joint account along with the students in the bank for the fair and smooth utilization of the fund, the officials said.
The scholarship amount will be used entirely for the welfare of the students in terms of providing them with additional coaching (tuition) classes, to purchase stationary items, books, housedress, transportation and many others related to their annul academics in school.
The scheme is being coordinated by regional office of SBI at Gangtok, which has about 26 branch offices working under it. The regional office has designated six branch offices of SBI to take up the responsibility of sponsoring the underprivileged girl students and at the same time has deputed officials at these branch offices to monitor whether or not the scholarship amount is utilized properly for the well-being and betterment of the students.
While branch offices of SBI at Chungthang and Rumtek will sponsor and monitor 2 students each, Penangla (1), the other trio branch offices at Zeropoint, Deorali and Tadong will sponsor 8 students each for a period of one year.
Out of the selected 29 students, 11 are from Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School alongside one each from St Joseph’s School, Martam and Penlong Senior Secondary School. The remaining 16 are from Tadong Senior Secondary School. These students are presently availing primary education up to standard V in these schools.
Addressing the gathering of students, teachers, heads of schools and principals, the Chief General Manager, Bengal Circle, SBI JK informed that part from its banking, investment and commercial ideology, SBI also works for the welfare and betterment of the people through its community based services projects and schemes targeting in particular the deprived and downtrodden sections of the society.
The chief general manager also briefed the gathering with the sole objective to provide proper and quality education to girl students so as to enable the latter to become fully active members and citizens of the country. According to him education is the most important tool in this regard.
During the course of his deliberation, Mr. Sinha also highlighted that the ‘Adoption of Girl Child’ scheme is being initiated by 10,000 branch offices of SBI and that these branch offices has sponsored 8,500 girl children from across the country.
The Bengal circle has so far sponsored 850-girl children from the whole of West Bengal, Sikkim and Andamans and Nicobar Islands, he added.
It may be mentioned here that Bengal circle covers the whole of West Bengal, Sikkim and Andamans and Nicobar Islands.
Later, the chief general manager also handed over the cheques worth Rs 5,000 to the heads of the schools and principals.
Speaking to few of the teachers and school principals, they were in all praise for the resourceful and pioneering community services projects of SBI in the State.
“With the launch of the adoption of girl child scheme, it has paved an open way for the female students to avail of equal rights and opportunities as far as in the education sector is concerned,” opined MR Mukhia, Principal of Tadong Senior Secondary School.
Sister Alice, a staff from St Joseph’s School, Martam on her part stated that the scholarship money is nothing as compared to the pioneering initiative being undertaken by SBI to alter the mindset of the people that girl child is equally precious and dear and that they should be able to enjoy equal rights and privileges.
The 11-year-old Marina Gurung presently reading in standard V student is the lucky girl child from St Joseph’s School to avail the scholarship.

SE Report
GANGTOK, May 21: The recently formed Joint Action Committee for “Restoration of Democracy against Undeclared emergency of Sikkim” today submitted a ten-point memorandum to Governor Sudarshan Agarwal.
Formed by all the opposition parties and supported by some social organizations and non governmental organisation, JAC is headed by former chief minister and president of Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee NB Bhandari.
In the memorandum, which is also sent to the Prime Minister, home minister, IPA Chairperson and other political leaders in New Delhi, the committee has said that the “freedom of the Press has been totally suppressed in the State through attempt to subjugate bold and independent local press media by way of burning of the Press, entering into the office of the Press, stopping the release of the advertisements and threatening the newspaper vendors not to sell the newspapers.”
The memorandum signed by president SPCC, NB Bhandari, president of Sikkim State Bharatiya Janata Party, HR Pradhan, Committee member, Communist Party of India (Marxists) PP Koirala, president, Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party (SHRP) Dr. AD Subba, president, Sikkim State Nationalists Congress Party (NCP) Ashok Tsong, president, Sikkim Gorkha Prajatantrik Party (SGPP), GM RaI, CONVENER, Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) Tseten Tashi Bhutia, president, Sikkim Karnatikari Yuva Sangh (SKYS), Avinash Yakha, president, Affected Citizen’s of Teesta (ACT) Athup Lepcha also sought the Governor’s interference towards “restoring people’s democracy in the State at any cost.”
In the memorandum, JAC also complained about “no arrest made towards culprits engaged in torching of vehicles of opposition SHRP party.”
“For the State Administration, the Anti-Defacement Act apparently applies only on the opposition parties as the members of the opposition parties are arrested under the above cited Act. The entire police force is mobilized for removing the anti-Government postering whereas the ruling SDF party has been given the freedom to deface not only the private properties but also the public properties,” the memorandum reads.
It further states that “the opposition political parties’ meetings are disrupted/disturbed by the SDF party workers by forcibly causing closure of the markets or taking our procession and shouting slogans in and around the venues of the opposition party meetings including the one that happened in the meeting of SHRP in Melli recently.”
Besides including grievance of the ban on public meetings in the market places, the memorandum also brought to the fore “unnecessary harassment like obtaining clearance from the concerned departments for the venues of their meetings, fee requirement as compared to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF).
“While the ruling SDF party is allowed to make announcements for its meetings by using microphone in the mobile vehicles, the same is not allowed for the opposition political parties and the organizations,” the memorandum adds.
The newly formed committee has further raised concerns over the opposition political parties’ difficulties in hiring vehicles for transporting their supporters “as vehicle owners and the syndicates are threatened with dire consequences by the SDF party workers by involving State Motor Vehicles Department.”
The JAC memorandum also raised concerns over the State Government’s ignorance towards the Lepcha protestors, who have been undertaking hunger strike for over 334 days.
Meanwhile, it is informed that the Governor Agarwal assured the JAC team that he will brief to the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP and Secretary Motor Vehicles as soon as possible.

Our Correspondent
NAMCHI, May 21: The first coordination meeting for 2008-09 between the line department officials and Gram Panchayats was held for Melli Block Administrative Center here today at Sumbuk South Sikkim.
Organized by Melli Block Administrative Center, the meeting was presided by BDO Sumbuk, JP Rai.
The meeting was attended by the PRI (Panchayati Raj Institution) members of Sadam- Suntely, Turuk- Ramabung, Melli Dara- Payoung, Lungchok- Kamery and Sumbuk- Kartikry Gram Panchayat Unit, officials of Agriculture, Horticulture, HRDD and other line departments.
The meeting also accorded a warm welcome to Dendup Manger, RDA, Melli Payoung and Lakpa Sherpa, RDA, Sumbuk, who recently joined the RM&DD.
In his address, the BDO, Sumbuk highlighted on the importance of the coordination meeting and the building of the close relationship between the PRI members and the line departments to carry out various developmental works in proper manner and to achieve its goals towards poverty alleviation.
The Panchayats presented their status report of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) which was carried out in their respective GPUs related to the registration of households, job demands, job card issued, employment provided, payment made, asset created etc. A report on total sanitation campaign and its progress was also presented in the meeting by the respective Panchayats.
Both the Panchayats and the RDAs further highlighted the major problems faced during implementation of the schemes in the field and placed various suggestions to the BDO to streamline it.
Open discussion was also held regarding utilization of the grant in Aid funds given by the government to the respective Gram Panchayat Units from the various line departments wherein the BDO gave certain guidelines on how to use the funds effectively.
During the meeting, the Panchayats also placed their reports on various construction works, which been carried out in their GPUs.
“This kind of meeting will certainly help us to render good service to the public,” said one of the PRI members of Turuk Ramabung GPU.
Earlier, Suren Mohra, field facilitator of Sumbuk BAC welcomed the PRI members in the meeting.

Muslim organisation condemns Jaipur blasts

SE Report
GANGTOK, May 21: The general secretary of As-Salam Development and Welfare Organisation, Rangpo, Mohamad Khalid has condemned the serial blasts in Jaipur recently, which killed several innocent people.
While explaining that Islam is totally against terrorism, terrorists and terrorist acts, the general secretary condemned all kinds of violence, bloodshed, atrocity, brutality, targeting and killing innocent people, committing oppressions, bombing, suicidal attacks and hijacking. “These acts, which Islamic ‘Shariah’ does not approve it, whether the perpetrators are Muslims or non-Muslims are against Islam and Allah has no mercy for one who has no mercy for other people,” reads a press release issued by Mh Khalid.
The release further reads, “An act of violence against the human being or his unlawful killing is strictly prohibited in Islam, because the human soul is sacrosanct and violation of its sanctity and unlawful killing is strictly forbidden in Islam, as Almighty Allah says : “And don’t kill anyone whose killing Allah has forbidden” (Quran-17:33).”
It also says that Islam is the fountain head of peace and security and a religion which ensures and promotes love, brotherhood and harmony among people.
According to Islam, no human being irrespective of his/her religion or community, can be subjected to capital punishment except two kinds of people - murderer and the other a person who is held responsible for destroying peace in the society and country and spreading mischief on earth.

GANGTOK, May 21: The Minister of the State Agriculture Department, Somnath Poudyal said, youth have a major role in nation building and promotion of unity and brotherhood in the society.
Mr. Poudyal was speaking at the valedictory function of the week-long State Level National Integration Camp and the multicultural show organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Gangtok at Singtam.
Gracing the occasion as the chief guest, he said, “We are all Indian, we should condemn the groups who are creating disturbance in the country. India is a great democracy in the world as such depends on youth force to go ahead.”
In this week long campaign, started since May 13, 2008, about 110 numbers of youth from East, West, North and South districts of the State and from Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan participated in the camp.
In the field programme, the Zonal Project Officer, North East, A Rahaman, Zonal Director, IY Khang coordinated the volunteers for the success of the campaign. Among other, SDM East, Dr SB Karki, CMO, Singtam, DDO, East and Sub Area Organizer, SSB, Sikkim B Barthakur and para-medical staff of SSB department took active part in the this campaign.
On the closing ceremony, the state agriculture minister and Zilla Adhyaksha, East Bimal Dawari gave away mementos and certificates to the participants. (PIB)

GJMM ready for talks with West Bengal government

Our Correspondent
DARJEELING, May 21: The Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) has accepted the invitation for talks made by the West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, a top GJM leader said.
“We received the Chief Minister’s invitation to us (GJMM) for talks through the district magistrate of Darjeeling,” Rajesh Pandey, GJMM general secretary, Roshan Giri said.
An emergency party meeting decided that a four-member GJMM delegation comprising himself, vice-president Pradip Pradhan and two central committee members Amar Lama and Anmol Prasad would attend the talks to be held on May 22, Mr. Giri said.
The GJMM has been demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland for the Gorkhas comprising Darjeeling, Terai, Dooars and Siliguri.
“In this meeting, we will submit the proposed map of Gorkhaland to the Chief Minister and urge him to raise a bill in the state assembly and send it to the Centre after formally passing and recommending it”, Mr. Giri added.

WEDNESDAY, MAY , 21 ,   2008

West Sikkim gears up to prevent bird flu outbreak
All entry points on the West Sikkim-Darjeeling border under close watch

GYALSHING, May 20: An outbreak of Avian Influenza (bird flu) in areas of Bijanbari, Pool Bazaar and Gook Dara of Darjeeling District has been reported.
As per the information received from DIO, West, there are five bridges including one vehicular bridge across the Rambhang river which connects West Sikkim to the affected areas of Darjeeling District which include footbridges at Khani Khola which connects Chumbong block, Mangsari block under Soreng Constituency, Siktam block and Lunchok/Daramdin under Daramdin Constituency.
The West District administration is taking no chance and taking all possible precautionary measures to keep the bird flu away from the region. Spraying of all vehicles and goods has started in all these entry points.
So far, there are no reports of outbreak of bird flu in West Sikkim. Officials from State Police Department, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department and Forest Department have been deputed in each of these entry points. (IPR)

Public-private partnership needed for tourism promotion: Planning Commission

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, May 20: The member of the National Planning Commission, Anwarul Hoda today called for public-private partnership in the implementation of tourism related projects in Sikkim.
He said this while addressing a press conference here today.
While expressing his satisfaction over the developmental programme being implemented by the State Tourism Department, Mr. Hoda talked about the various shortcomings that have affected the main road links connecting the National Highway 31A. “Although 90 percent of the fund is earmarked for the development of North East, the cost incurred in road works exceeds the available cost. This in turn results in the slow progress, Mr. Hoda informed.
Shortages of hotels and absence of air connectivity are other factors, which needs to be dealt instantly, he said.
Mr. Hoda’s findings revealed that Tourism as the most important economic activity particularly in the state of Sikkim has tremendous scope in terms of revenue earning. “The maximum inflow of tourists is determined by the availability of good infrastructure facilities and proper and economical accommodation such as hotels, which needs to be developed in a much boarder way,” he said.
The State tourism minister, RB Subba said political stability in the State is an added advantage to the development of State tourism. Dwelling over the trade protocol in Nathula, the minister requested the central commission to expedite the pending works relating to Nathula highways and Pakyong air port.
Also present were commissioner-cum secretary, State Tourism Department GP Upadhayaya, Secretary IPR MG Kiran and other officials from the tourism department.

Independent Committee on Big Hydro Projects wants State Govt to suspend Panang project for five years
“Sikkim should go for small and micro hydro HEPs instead”

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, May 20: The six-member Independent Committee on Big Hydro Projects, who are just back after a trip from Dzongu today said that the 280 MW Panang Hydro Electric Project (HEP) will completely and permanently destroy the serene environment of Dzongu.
In a press conference held this evening at the BL House here, the members said that the project will “not only destroy the place with deep and unique religious sentiments attached but will also destroy the unique Lepcha community’s abode.”
Speaking with the media, the members said that the Sikkim government, partly under pressure from the central government, has hastily committed itself to develop about 42 big hydropower projects, without much consultation with the Sikkimese people or without considering the implications of the projects for the local people, environment, culture, future generations and even return on investment for the state or the people.
The team comprising of Souparno Lahiri (National Forum of Forest People and Forest workers, Delhi), Ravindra Nath (Rural Volunteers Centre, Akajan, Assam), Partho J Das (North Eastern Centre for Environmental Research and Development, Guwahati), Vimal Bhai (Matu Jan Sangathan, Delhi), Arnab (NESPON, Siliguri, West Bengal) and Himanshu Thakkar (South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, Delhi) said that the State Government instead of assessing and realising the potential of power generation in Dzongu and other regions of Sikkim has entered into an MOU with an unknown entity like the Himagiri company for 280 MW Panang HEP.
“The government should rather suspend or declare moratorium on this project for five years and in the meantime take up the small and micro hydro HEPs in this region and also see the how the Teesta V project performs,” they said.
Informing that the Panang Project still has not been given concurrence by the Central Electricity Authority under the Section 8 of electricity Act, the team stressed that the work, which has now commenced on this project is illegal.
“The State Government has also failed to consider the implications of the projects for the local people, environment, culture, future generations and even return on investment for the state people, the environmental team said. They went on to say that the State Government has also not seriously assessed the options available for electricity generation or options for development in general, which according to them was evident in the way the Teesta V has been developed and the way the Panang MOU has been signed or Teesta III implementation has started.
During their two-day visit to the State, the team visited a completed Public Sector Hydro Project like the 510 MW Teesta V HEP, the under construction private sector HEP like the 1200 MW Teesta III HEP and the Dzongu area, including the site of the proposed 280 MW Panang HEP.
The team also interacted with the affected people, elected representatives, project officials and contractors of the Teesta III HEP, NGOs, Public Relations officer of Himagiri, visited the Central Water Commission officer in Dzongu as well as went through the official documents, data and clearance letters.
While stating that company like Teesta Urja Limited who has no track record on projects is developing Teesta III project, the environmentalists opined that the State government should ensure that the company enters into MOU with the affected communities to ensure that all possible impacts are avoided or minimized and properly compensated when unavoidable.
“The Environment management plan is implemented as required and local people benefit rather than suffer adverse impacts, as happens in all hydro projects,” they informed.
As a policy for all HEPs, before any project is taken any further, complete videography of the houses, water sources, existing landslides and other structures should be immediately be done create a baseline data. The EIA-EMP should also be translated in full in local language and made available,” the members said.
Having discovered that scores of houses have discovered cracks as a result of Teesta Stage V and water sources of the community has dried up, the six-member team has suggested the State Government to ask the NHPC to institute credible independent review of the outstanding social and environmental issues in a time bound manner.
The team also feels that the State Government should penalize NHPC for not taking care of problems like accumulation of huge amount of silt behind the dam and the stoppage of power generation for the last five days. The have further demanded credible investigation into massive corruption in payments of compensations, unearthed by the affected people through RTI. “In some cases, the affected people have been paid Rs 5001- when records show they have been paid Rs 35,0001,” they said.
While expressing happiness over the announcement of the Chief Minister in scrapping Teesta IV project, earlier awarded to NHPC and four of the five other HEPs proposed in the Dzongu area, the environment activists hoped that the “CM will show statesmanship by suspending the Panang HEP for at least five years immediately to protect the sanctity of the Dzongu area.”
They have further suggested that the Sikkim government should take a pause for other proposed big HEPs and initiate a credible independent commission with participation of ACT and other concerned groups and persons. “It is also important to study the credibility of EIA, the siltation rates on Teesta basin, the downstream impacts, the cumulative impacts, the incidents of flash floods, requirement of minimum and flood flows in the rivers and so on in the meantime to ensure that whatever projects taken up are indeed in larger interest of the people, environment and future of the state,” thy said adding “if the projects now proposed are taken up, the very rivers of Sikkim will be completely destroyed.”
Meanwhile, the team also expressed concern over the deteriorating health conditions of the three activists of Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), who have been continuing with their indefinite hunger strike for the last 73 days.

ICSE, ISC results declared
Girls perform better than boys yet again

SE Report
GANGTOK, May 20: The results of the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and the Indian School Certificate (ISC) have been declared.
The class X and XII examinations conducted by the Indian Council for Secondary Education gave impressive results, with a pass percentage of 98.04 and 97.04 for the two classes respectively.
Girls outdid boys yet again in both the exams. In ICSE, girls have scored 98.63 pass percentage and boys have scored 97.57 percentage. They have passed the ISC exams with 98.23 percentage while boys have scored 96.10 percentage.
Janki Kriti Seth from Sulachana Devi Singhania public school, Mumbai has topped the ICSE exam with 98.6 per cent marks. Another student, Shruti Singh from St Joseph School, Varanasi has got 98.6 per cent marks.
Gaurav Sood of Doon School, Dehradun has scored 99 per cent marks in ISC exams.
North India has a pass percentage of 97.55, which is lowest amongst all four regions. East India has got 97.72 percentage, West India got 99.38 percentage and South India 99.22 percentage.
Thousands of students across India are flocking to centres to check their results.
This year's pass percentage for both the classes has gone up by 0.08 per cent over last year.
A total of 1,01,998 students, including 44,732 girls, appeared for the Class X examinations, while the number of those who appeared for Class XII exams was 47,977, which included 21,106 girls.
In Class X, out of the 57,876 boys who appeared for the examinations, 55,874 were successful. Among 44,732 girls, 44,125 cleared the exam.
Out of the 26,871 Class XII boys, 25,824 cleared the examinations, while the figures for girls were 21,106 and 20,732 respectively.

SE Report
GANGTOK, May 20: The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party has said that the newly-formed Joint Action Committee’s statement that there is no democracy in Sikkim is misleading and deceptive.
Terming the “Joint Action Committee for restoration of democracy and against undeclared emergency in Sikkim” as a vague committee with no public support, the party communiqué clarifies that democracy is very much prevalent in the State and that Sikkim has gained momentum in every developmental work.
“People are free to express their views and opinions openly through the media,” reads the party communiqué.
It further states that there are no communal or religious riots in Sikkim. The peaceful co-existence and tranquility in the State itself speaks volumes about democracy in the State,” the release adds.
Condemning the formation of the JAC, the release claims that democracy was restored in Sikkim 14 years back by the SDF party and its leaders.

Opposition JAC holds first meeting; decides to submit memorandum to Governor

SE Report
GANGTOK, May 20: The first meeting of the “Joint Action Committee for restoration of democracy against undeclared democracy” after its formation yesterday was held today here under the chairmanship of its chief convener, Nar Bahadur Bhandari.
According to the release, the meeting decided to submit a memorandum to Governor Sudarshan Agarwal on May 21.
It further informs that the JAC, through the memorandum will bring to the notice of the Governor about “suppression of democracy in the State”.
The meeting also decided to fax the copy of the memorandum to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, UPA Chairman Sonia Gandhi along with other political leaders in Delhi.
It also informs of printing the memorandum details in the form of pamphlets to be distributed to people across the State.
While opposing the “undemocratic act of the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling”, the meeting also decided to start up its activities more seriously as a result of which the Committee decided to hold a meeting on June 8.
The meeting also nominated former minister KN Upreti as the main co-coordinator of the JAC.

Our Correspondent

NAMCHI, May 20: The State Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department in collaboration with Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation, Kolkata organized an orientation course for working Librarians under the State Capacity Building Programme in different parts of the State with effect from May 5, this year.

The course organised with the initiation of the Chief Minister began here at the community hall from today and will continue up to May 22.

In the inaugural function today, the State Library Curator, PT Lepcha, who was present as the resource person highlighted the aims and objectives of organizing the orientation course. “The public Library is an institution for life long study and the librarians should treat everyone with equal consideration and courtesy. They should also encourage reader’s opinions and ideas and also provide an environment that is inclusive and diverse,” he said.

Another resource person, Library Superintendent, North Bengal University, BK Chettri while addressing the participants said that the “Library continues to embrace change and align itself to thrive on diversity, to support professional growth and opportunity, and to reward flexibility and innovation.” “Due to lack of awareness among the people, libraries have become like a store house of books in some places. So it is the duty of every librarian to create awareness among the people,” Mr. Chettri stressed. He also told the librarians to provide good service to the readers.

Speaking as the chief guest, SDM, Namchi, Tashi Chopel suggested the department to improve the standard of the district libraries. He also urged the participants to collect maximum information from this orientation course and to provide all the requirements to the readers in their respective libraries.

TUESDAY, MAY , 20 ,   2008

Nathula trade reopens minus Indian traders
Low trade volume and a redundant list of items for trade keeps away local traders

NIRMAL MANGAR
GANGTOK, May 19: Even in the face of Beijing raking up a border row by claiming a narrow strip of land near Gyangyong in northern Sikkim, the third year of bilateral trade between India and China today opened through the fabled trade route via the Nathula Pass after a delay of more than a fortnight.
The minister of the State Commerce and Industries Department, RB Subba along with officials of the department accorded a warm welcome to as many as 81 traders from the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China. The Chinese traders came in 16 vehicles for the opening ceremony here.
The Chinese traders, who had expected good response from the Indian traders were disappointed as none of the traders from Sikkim crossed the border on the first day of trade today.
SIKKIM EXPRESS has learned that the District Collectorate had issued 50 passes but none of the traders came to collect them. It is understood that the local traders are not too happy with the low trade volume registered during the last two seasons and the delay in the review and enhancement in the list of items for trade, which is believed to be one of the major bottlenecks in the trade till today.
Only one woman trader was present to do the business at the Sherathang Trade Mart today.
Border trade was earlier scheduled to open on May 1 but was postponed after Beijing requested New Delhi to delay the start following landslides in the TAR.
As usual, after completing their formalities at the immigration counter, the traders headed towards the Sherathang Trade Mart to carry on their usual business.
The twelve shops at Sherathang Mart wore a deserted look, as only one trader from Chandmari was present with her items.
To provide gusto for the traders on the first day, tourists visiting Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir were the first customers seen teeming up for buying the Chinese products outside the Sherathang Mart.
Talking with SIKKIM EXPRESS, Tshering Choden, the head of Commerce and Industries Department TAR said they would not mind with the absence of the Indian traders on the first day. She was hopeful that interested businessmen from India would join in the business in the coming days.
“Although we are sad to learn that there are no traders from India, we want the relationship between the two countries to be strengthened with this border trade,” she added.
The Chinese official also informed that the Indian traders are provided with three more additional shops at Rinchengang Mart from this season onwards.
Sources also inform that the Chinese Government has introduced a new vehicle scanner across the border to check every vehicle crossing the border.
Elated over the response of the Chinese traders, the minister of the State Commerce and Industries Department said that the volume of the trade would be enhanced in the near future. “We have already proposed to the Government of India a review of the list of items and have suggested at least 100 items for export. We are also expecting prompt reply from them,” Mr. Subba told SIKKIM EXPRESS.
He also apprised about expanding the shops at Sherathang Mart with more numbers of spacious selling counters.
“We will be having more developed infrastructural facilities including the parking space, cafeteria and others in the days to come,” the minister said.
Departmental officials inform that a team of Indian parliamentarians is visiting Sikkim on May 25 to discuss measures to boost two-way border trade through Nathula.
The director of the State Commerce and industries Department Ujjal Gurung, deputy secretary, Sumita Pradhan, SDM, Kincho Lepcha, Indo Tibetan Border Police, Army Commandant Brigadier and Sikkim Police customs were also present in the ceremony.
In terms of security, photography has become a major problem for the security personal in Sherathang. “The Indian traders are not allowed to take the cameras across the border while the Chinese counterparts are free to bring their cameras and take the photographs at Sherathang which would be quite unsafe in terms of security,” says one of the concerned officials.
As per the agreement reached between the two countries, trade takes place four days a week - Monday to Thursday - beginning May 1 each year and lasting until November 30 when snow makes the area impassable.

Opposition parties unite under one banner
Joint Action Committee for “restoration of democracy and freedom of speech and expression in Sikkim” formed

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, May 19: In what may be termed as a strategy eyeing the next Assembly election in the State, all opposition parties along with a few social organizations have come together under one umbrella and formed an alliance.
A meeting was held here today which led to the formation of the “Joint Action Committee for restoration of democracy and against undeclared autocracy and undeclared emergency in Sikkim” with former Chief Minister and Congress president, Nar Bahadur Bhandari as its chief convener. The Committee would seek “restoration of democracy and freedom of speech and expression in the State.”
The president of Sikkim State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) HR Pradhan, president of Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party (SHRP) Dr. AD Subba, president of Sikkim Gorkha Prajatantrik Party (SGPP) GM Rai, Balaram Adhikari of Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sikkim State, Ashok Tsong of Nationalists Congress Party (NCP), Jigmee N Kazi of Sikkim United, Tseten Tashi Bhutia of Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), Thukchuk Lachungpa from SHRP, Avinash Yakha of Sikkim Krantikari Yuva Sangthan were appointed as the conveners of the Committee.
“All the opposition parties were compelled to come on one platform and work unitedly to restore democracy in the State,” Mr. Bhandari said.
Meanwhile, the 11-member JAC will meet Governor Sudarshan Agarwal tomorrow and submit a memorandum pressing for restoration of democracy in the State and soliciting him for effective action.
The copy of the memorandum will also be sent to the Prime Minister, it is learnt.
“If the Governor does not take necessary action to react on the voices of the people, we will definitely take the initiative ourselves.” Mr. Bhandari said.

GANGTOK, May 19: Imminent personality and Indian classical dancer, Dr. Sonal Mansingh is all set for her maiden performance in the Capital.
She is here on the invitation of Governor Sudarshan Agarwal and will be performing at Raj Bhawan, here on May 20 at 1730 hrs.
Ms. Mansingh is an exponent of the Odissi dancing style and is also proficient in other Indian classical dancing styles including Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, and Chhau) and Indian classical music. Over the years, she has made many original choreographies based on Indian mythology as well as contemporary issues. Her work has embraced both form and content.
Lately, her work has veered more and more towards issues concerning women, environment, prison reforms and re-interpretation of ancient myths for contemporary times. In a career spanning almost half century on stage, Dr. Mansingh has performed in 82 countries of the world so far as well as extensively within India.
In recognition of her total and life long commitment to dance and for her singular contribution to enriching the lives of millions in India, she was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1992 by the then President of India and again with Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour, by the President of India in 2003. With this, Dr. Mansingh becomes the first woman dancer in independent India to receive this high honour. Her significant contribution has also been recognized with numerous other awards.
Dr. Mansingh is today acknowledged Master of interpreting India through dance and related artistic traditions. A philosopher among dancers, she has lived and experienced the many splendid dimensions of this art and its many related facets. She is constantly re-interpreting and relocating dance in the vortex of contemporary world.
Dr. Mansingh is widely traveled and has assimilated myriad dance art traditions of the world.

SUREN MOHRA
NAMCHI, May 19: The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has said that development cannot be achieved as envisioned by the Government if the people continue to show lack of discipline and responsibility towards this process.
He said this during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Peri Cholling Gompa at Maniram here today.
The day also coincided with the Buddha Jayanti.
Urging the devotees to follow the teachings of Lord Buddha and try and avoid pursuing materialistic gains, the Chief Minister said that spiritual knowledge always helped people to maintain a good state of mind. He also urged the people to develop positive attitude and positive thinking so as to eradicate all kinds of negative thoughts and activities.
The Chief Minister also informed the gathering that his government is providing grants and aids for the construction of religious places. Funds for the promotion of various religions in the State have already passed, he said adding, “Sikkim is the only place were there is a representative for religious affairs in the Legislative Assembly and fund allocation for construction of churches, monasteries and temples.”
One such initiative of his Government is the construction of Chaar Dhaam at Solophok. A five kilometer long Mane (prayer wheel) wall will be constructed in Namchi, which will be the world’s longest, the Chief Minister announced.
Mr. Chamling further sought people’s participation in conserving environment and wildlife as a step towards promoting the State as the religious destination and the land of gods and goddesses.
Peri Cholling Gompa should be an encouraging step to the future generation, he said.
The Gompa will be a three-storied structure. The first floor will have community place, second floor will have museum and library and the third floor will have a shrine along with the statues of Lord Buddha.
Earlier, the architect of the Peri Cholling Gompa, Kiran Rasaily presented the brief technical report.
Chief advisor of the committee and also the Zilla Upadakshya South, Himal Tamang while talking to this correspondent said that the cost for the construction of this monastery has been estimated above Rs 1 crore, which will be funded by the State Government. The monastery will be constructed in the area of 70 x 50, he informed.
Mr. Tamang also said that the committee was handed over the cheque of Rs. 25 lakhs by the CM today.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Bhutia Gompa at Bhutia Goan in Alley built at an estimated cost of Rs 5 lakhs.
Local monks also performed the rituals on the occasion.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Zilla Adakshya, South, Ravi Chandra Gurung, Upadakshya, Himal Tamang, Special Secretary of the State Ecclesiastical Department, DC South, SDM Namchi, DFO (T) South and other district officials. The programme was also attended by the members of the Gompa committee and the local populace.

NEW DELHI, May 19: The Indian School Certificate (ISC) and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) board results are going to be declared on Tuesday at 3 pm.
You can check your results on your mobile:
For class X results, SMS ICSE followed by your Index Number to 56388.
For class XII results, SMS ISC followed by your Index Number to 56388.
To check your results online, log on to cisce.ndtv.com.
For the results of Class XII examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), it will be announced on May 21 and 23.
While the results for the Chennai, Ajmer and Panchkula regions will be announced on May 21, those for Delhi, Guwahati and Allahabad regions will be out on May 23, according to a release from the CBSE.
A total of 5,48,815 students had appeared for the exams that were held from March one.
The results of the CBSE exams will be put up on the website: cbseresults.nic.in.

Central government sanctions Rs 6036.48 lakhs for tourism in Sikkim

GANGTOK, May 19: The Union Tourism Ministry has been according top priority to development of tourism in the area, since tourism has great potential for employment generation and economic growth.
This was stated by the Union Tourism Secretary S. Banerjee recently while reviewing the progress of projects sanctioned to the State Governments for development and promotion of tourism in the North-Eastern Region. He said during the 10th plan period, where a total amount of Rs. 319 crore was released to the North Eastern states including Sikkim, as against the mandatory provision of 10% amounting to Rs. 269 crore. Similarly in the first year of the 11th plan i.e. 2007-08, against the target of Rs.95.3 crore (10% allocation of the budget) the actual expenditure on the North East including HRD & publicity amounted to Rs.170 crore. Mr. Banerjee said out of this amount, the amount released to the States for infrastructure development, Fairs and Festivals, Capacity Building for Service Providers and Information Technology was Rs.139.7 crore.
For Sikkim, the ministry has sanctioned and released a total amount of Rs 6036.48 crore for 27 projects for the year 2007-08.
Mr. Banerjee said, the Ministry has continuously been promoting the North Eastern Region through its publicity campaigns in the print, online and electronic media. In 2006, 4.45 million foreign tourists arrived in the country, 0.038 million foreign tourists visited the North East region and the number of domestic tourists who visited the North East was 3.9 million. To tap the immense tourism potential of the region it is required that a concerted effort be made for upgrading infrastructure and ensuring better connectivity of important tourist destinations and circuits, the union tourism secretary said. (PIB)

SE Report
GANGTOK, May 19: A youth awareness programme of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) was held yesterday at Jalipool in East Sikkim.
The meeting was organized in view of the programme of the party to take the message of party in all nook and corners of the State.
According to a press release, relevant agendas were discussed, particularly stressing the youth to seriously follow the principle and guideline of the party.
The meeting also decided to oppose the views and opinions of the people who are raising their voice against hydel power projects in the State.
It also discussed to take the written message of the party president in the form of pamphlets and books to the people in the villages.
Another party communiqué informs that a meeting of SDF party was held at Karthok and Pakyong on May 17 and 18 wherein the people were informed about the party’s forthcoming activities.
All the party activities will be taken forth by the newly formed six groups comprising of 24 party workers each.

MONDAY, MAY , 19 ,   2008

Third year of Indo-China trade begins today
‘Local traders not keen to trade’

NIRMAL MANGAR
GANGTOK, May 18: A meeting between the traders of Sikkim and Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and a team of State Trade and Commerce Department officials led by its minister RB Subba is expected to be held tomorrow at Sherathang trade mart.
The third Nathula Border Trade for this year is also scheduled to commence from tomorrow.
The team is expected to accord a warm welcome to traders from the TAR. “We are opening the trade as per the letter which we have got from the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India,” informed one of the officials of the department.
The third border trade was earlier scheduled for May 9 but was postponed following massive landslides at the TAR.
No formal function will be held on the day, official sources inform.
Sources also inform that the traders from the TAR may have to return home empty handed as no traders, particularly influential ones from Sikkim will attend tomorrow’s ceremony thus raising several questions on the progress of the international trade.
Talking with SIKKIM EXPRESS, DC East Vishal Chauhan informed, none of the traders have taken the issued pass from the office of District Collectorate hitherto.
“Despite several intimations sent to the traders, none of them turned up for the trade passes,” he said.
It is obvious that the interest of the Sikkim traders have dwindled over the years, primarily due to the pending demand of the revision of the list of items, which is awaiting green signal from the Ministry of Commerce and Industries.
Some of the active traders told SIKKIM EXPRESS that the low volume of trade in the past two years have disinterested them from carrying the trade this year. “The postponement of the date of the resumption of the trade has lessened the energy and enthusiasm of the traders,” quipped another trader.
However, the border trade will resume without change in the timings- from 8am to 2pm.
Meanwhile, 15 members of Parliament from Delhi will be visiting Nathula on May 25.
Officials of the State Trade and Commerce Department informs that the team of MPs will be having an interactive meet on My 24 with higher officials of the department regarding the perspective of Nathula border trade.

SE Report
GANGTOK, May 18: His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorje is on an 18-day visit to New York, New Jersey, Boulder, Colo and Seattle.
The young spiritual leader was received by Ven Ponlop Rinpoche and representative of the Dalai Lama in New York on May 16, this year.
“It is the first time I’ve ever visited the United States, and it’s a bit like a dream,” he is quoted to have said in the New York Times.
This is the first visit over seas since he made headlines across the world at age 14 with his daring escape from China to India across the Himalayas in 1999.
On Saturday, he spoke to the faithful at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan and in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria on Sunday.
He is expected to visit his North American seat at the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra center in Woodstock, New York tomorrow.
According to Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, the organizer of the American trip, who is also the president and founder of Nalanda West in Seattle said that the Americans have been preparing for the visit of the Karmapa for a year and a half. “There is great joy and delight amongst the Americans and they can finally see the Karmapa,” he said.

SE Report
GANGTOK, May 18: The Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) has raised concerns over the re-occurrence of flash flood at Rangyong and have questioned whether the succession of the same is a warning signal for the reservoir of the Panang project.
Just when Himagiri was trying to start the drilling for the rock test at Lingzya, which had been abandoned after the flash flood of August 16, 2007, another flash flood has hit on May 16, this year.
An ACT press release informs that machines have been dropped at the site and the new batch of labourers have fled from the site following the recent flash flood, which continued to rage till the next day, giving the residents of the place jittery and sleepless nights.
Informing that the villages are engulfed in the stench of flood materials and that similar flash flood had claimed the life of four labourers last year, ACT questions as to how the project can be sustainable in the light of these floods.
“The dams in China affected by the recent earth quake are posing another great risk to the people and the surroundings. More than 44 dams have been damaged giving the Chinese authorities people and authorities sleepless nights,” the release reads.
The release has also brought out some of the findings of the Carrying Capacity Study report of the Teesta basin including positioning of the proposed project in the Seismic Zone IV of the seismic zoning map. According to the carrying capacity report, huge sediments flowing into the river through landslide activity may lead to siltation problem causing flash flood to occur endangering the structures.
Meanwhile, Ongchuk Lepcha who had been discharged from the hospital weeks back has again been admitted from May 16 as his jaundice level and ketones have again risen. Dawa and Tenzing continues the strike at BL House, the release further informs.

BLs welcome CM’s announcement of providing full protection to them; solicits immediate arrangement to rectify ‘discrepancies’

SE Report
GANGTOK, May 18: In a joint meeting held yesterday, the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO 371F) and the Denzong Chayrig Chogpa (DCC) have welcomed the announcement of the Chief Minister’s of providing full protection to the Sikkimese Bhutia Lepchas in every aspect.
A press release informs that the meeting held to discuss on the Chief Minister’s State Day speech was presided over by the SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia.
The release also informs that the meeting also expressed its apprehensions as to how the Chief Minister’s statement could be practical since his government has failed to provide BL seat reservation to the Sikkimese Bhutia Lepchas in the local bodies (Municipality and Panchayat) in Sikkim, despite the tribe’s enormous representatives and appraisals to the government including “the 12 so-called BL MLAs.”
Basing these issues, the three organisations have solicited the Chief Minister to make immediate arrangement to address the real BL issue in order to dispel such inherent confusions over the CM’s State Day address.
The meeting also wished if the Chief Minister would take necessary steps to resolve the Dzongu imbroglio in favour of the Dzongu Lepchas by scrapping the controversial power projects from the area.
To work to sort-out such discrepancies would be in real sense translate Chief Minister’s State Day address into practical meaning, the release states.
According to the release, “a lot of historic blunder has already been committed in the past regime including distortion of the BL’s identity in draconian legislations like the Sikkim Scheduled Tribe Order 1978 and Representative of Peoples (Amendment) Act 1980, etc.” While stating that these are the discrepancies committed long before the present regime assumed office, it states that the Sikkimese Bhutia Lepchas have always cherished to rectify such discrepancies and have always expected the same from the present regime including that of the proportionate increase of the BL seats in the Sikkim Assembly.
The meeting also expressed its belief that the only way to address the real BL issues would be through a ‘congenial dialogue’, for which the members expressed their readiness, any time and any where, with open mind.
“Unless these real BL issues are addressed, Chief Minister’s State Day address would be a ‘hollow compulsion’, but at the same time the Sikkimese Bhutia Lepchas would not give up their struggle for survival keeping in firm belief in the democratic and constitutional principals,” the release adds.

Our Correspondent
RANGPO, May 18: The Marwari and Bihari communities in Sikkim have expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for taking the initiative to put a demand before the Central Government in the exemption of Income Tax for the two communities living in Sikkim before 1975.
This gesture from the two communities has come after the Chief Minister’s State Day speech announcing to talk to the Central Government in the issue.
Talking to this correspondent, the president of Sikkim Bihari Jagaran Manch Central Committee, Swaminath Prasad said peace is compulsory to run any type of business.
“The Chief Minister has given us a peaceful climate to run our business. His recent statement has given us more relief and gave us hope for the cancellation of the notice of Central Income Tax Act,” he said.

SATURDAY, MAY , 17 ,   2008

Sikkim observes 34th State Day
CM unveils 9.10 feet tall statue of Sikkim’s first CM
What Sikkim is today is due to the perseverance of democrats like LD Kazi and other unsung heroes: Chamling

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, May 16: The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today unveiled the 9.10 feet tall statue of the first Chief Minister of Sikkim, Padma Vibhushan late LD Kazi at the vicinity of Chintan Bhawan here.
The day also coincided with the observance of the 34th State Day. Sikkim became a part of India on May 16, 1975.
A five-minute long documentary on the life of late Kazi Saheb was also screened on the occasion.
In his address, the Chief Minister said that the efforts of his Government were to fulfill the dreams of those visionaries of Sikkim during the time of merger. “What Sikkim is today is due to the perseverance of democrats like LD Kazi and other unsung heroes,” he said.
The Chief Minister also stressed on the point to learn more from the history and cherish the dreams of the democrats.
As a part of the newly set up government policy, he announced of the provision of 50 percent property rights to the divorced wife from her husband.
While resenting the regular negative feedbacks coming from the opposition parties on all developmental works taking place in the State, Mr. Chamling said that pessimistic politics prevails in the State. “Emotional integration binds the people in every aspect and it is the result of positive politics,” the CM added.
He also reminded that Sikkim has kept itself away from the tactics of blackmailing the Central Government but clarified that the State has had always made a humble approach to the Centre on various demands and proposals. “Peace, security and self respect are what the State has earned after the SDF government came to power,” he said.
The State stands first in terms of social justice, fourth in planning and fifth highest in per capita income, the Chief Minister said. Sikkim has only 19 percent people living below the poverty line and has an impressive 82 percent literacy rate, he added.
Talking on the infrastructural development in the State, the Chief Minister informed that an alpine plant garden would be developed in Gnathang with trout fish cultivation, butterfly sanctuary in Sigyip, Arizona sanctuary in Zuluk, young husband museum at Sherathang, Primula sanctuary in Tamjey, Fermium sanctuary in Tinkitam in the near future.
The CM also informed the gathering of organizing international rhododendron festival in 2008, International Alpine festival in 2010 and Sikkim’s participation in the World Orchid Show to be held in Singapore in 2011.
Urging the government officers to strengthen bureaucracy, he told them to go to villages and work for the people as per the government’s policy.
Later in the day, the second edition of the book, “Our natural resources our responsibilities” was also released by the Chief Minister.
The students of Middle Camp Secondary School and Assam Lingzey Senior Secondary School also presented a self composed patriotic song.

TWELVE WHO MADE SIKKIM PROUD
State Awards for excellence in various fields

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, May 16: The State Government today recognized the contributions made by 12 imminent personalities towards the socio-cultural development of the State.
The Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling presented 12 State awards in different categories to those who have made remarkable contributions in their respective fields on the occasion of the 34th State Day here today.
He handed the first LD Kazi award for democratic movement in the State posthumously to late Birkha Bahadur Gurung of Bimeray village, Rinchenpong, West Sikkim.
The award, comprising of Rs 1 lakh and a citation was received by his son, CK Gurung. Likewise, the award for excellence in fine arts was given away to Passang Sherpa of Namchi and Vijay Mani Thulung of Nandugoan, Namchi.
For excellence in the music, the awards were given to imminent singer and Nepali music’s first lady composer, Ms. Shanti Thatal and Ratna Kamal Dewan. Well-known Nepali singers, Ms. Bimala Pradhan, Siri Kumar Pakhrin and Naren Gurung got the best singer award.
In the field of literature, the award went to BB Muringla, Kedar Gurung and Sanu Bhai Sharma.
Puran Tamang, attached with Now!, a local English daily was given the best reporter award for rural reporting.
All the awards comprised of Rs 25,000 and a citation.

Our Correspondent
PAKYONG, May 16: A team of Akar Abhinav Consultants Private Limited based in Mumbai has started survey works at Pakyong airport from May 13, this year.
The team consists of surveyor Kishore Sinha and assistant surveyors Bijoy Ghoslee, Naneyshore Girashey and Sujit Sinha.
The team is expected to finish the topographical survey within one month which includes the detailed summary of the 200 acres land.
According to Mr. Sinha, the survey is being done with the help of Electronic Total Station (ETS). “Because of the topography, we find some difficulties for the initial survey but we will do our best and try to finish within a month,” he said.
The team is experienced and has finished surveying 100*500 meters within four days, Mr. Sinha told SIKKIM EXPRESS.
Two teams from the company are also expected to join the survey team within few days.
Machines like Global Positonic System (GPS) and Auto Level AL) will also be brought soon to speed up the work, the surveyor said adding, “bad weather may delay the work”.
Soon after finishing their survey, the company will submit their report to the Airport Authority of India.
It may be mentioned here that the land for the construction of the Airport was acquired from the landowners seven years back.

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, May 16: The opening ceremony of the State Support Center for Panchayat Mahila Shakti Abhiyan (PMSA) of Sikkim was held at the Sikkim Renewable Energy Development Agency (SREDA) Bhawan here today.
Chaired by KN Rai, Minister of the State Rural Management and Development Department as the chief guest, the function was also attended by Chairperson of Tourism Board Manita Mangar, Chairperson of Women Commission Subadra Bhutia, president PMSA Phurmit Lepcha, former chairperson Women Commission, Manita Pradhan among others.
Tracing the history of PMSA, the president briefed the gathering about the formation of the organization which came into affect during the year 2006. Since then the organization has worked tirelessly in shaping the future of woman, fighting for their justice and above all protecting the rights of women of rural areas.
After its formation, the PMSA has conducted several State and village level meetings to ensure that women are actively participating in the political events.
Highlighting the aims of the Abhiyan, the president said it primarily focuses on the improvement of women of grass root levels and guide and help in molding their personality.
Apart from this, the Abhiyan familiarizes the working of Panchayat unit and create awareness of their rights and duties.
The deputy secretary, Annapurna Alley highlighted on the structural and administrative aspect of the PMSA and also expressed her gratitude towards the RMDD department for their support since inception. She also mentioned the recent incorporation of Youth body in the PMSA.
In his address, the chief guest appreciated the concept of PMSA and its effective functioning. He urged for more women involvement in politics and in making their presence felt in the highest echelons of power as their male counterparts. The minister also spoke on the various roles of Panchayats and their vitality in shaping the future of the State.
During the event, many distinguished female personalities were offered khadas for their contribution towards the development of women in particular.