Category Archives: Regional

Bengal government’s Yatri Sathi app formally launched in Siliguri

August 18, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

The zero-commission app, police officials said, will provide cab and bike services at cheaper rates

TT Correspondent, Siliguri, 17.08.24 : The Siliguri Metropolitan Police on Friday formally launched Yatri Sathi, an app for booking cabs introduced by the state government.

“The Yatri Sathi app is an initiative of the Bengal government and was earlier launched in Calcutta. In Siliguri, we introduced it on a trial basis during the past month and formally launched it here today. Anybody can get registered from our assistance booths located at Bagdogra airport, Siliguri junction and New Jalpaiguri station,” said C. Sudhakar, the commissioner of Siliguri Metropolitan Police.

Sudhakar said around 600 cabs and 200 two-wheelers have already registered with the app. There is also a plan to introduce ambulance service through the app, sources said.

The zero-commission app, police officials said, will provide cab and bike services at cheaper rates.

“The private apps charge around 30 per cent commission from cabs and bike owners. Here, they will not have to pay any commission and, therefore, the rental charges are expected to be lower. Being a government-run app, it will also ensure the safety and security of passengers,” said a police officer.

“We want more and more cab owners and two-wheeler owners based in and around Siliguri to register themselves with Yatri Sathi,” he added.

The tourism industry has welcomed the initiative. Every day, thousands of tourists visit Siliguri and they can use the app to book a cab or bike, an industry stakeholder said.

Also, tourists often complain about overcharging by cab drivers, especially during peak tourist seasons. This problem can be resolved by availing cab services through the app, he said.

“We welcome the decision and would also request the Siliguri Metropolitan Police to hold a meeting with transporters to discuss and decide on the fares which would be charged for different destinations,” said Samrat Sanyal, general secretary of the Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network.

Crime, National, Regional

IJU Condemns Police Brutality Against Journalists in Manipur and Delhi

August 6, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

KalimNews, PR, New Imphal/Delhi, 6 August 2024: The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) has strongly condemned recent incidents of police brutality against journalists in Manipur and Delhi. On 1 August, Mutum Rameshchandra, a senior reporter with Impact TV News, was assaulted by a sub-inspector while covering a rally by internally displaced people (IDPs) in Imphal East district. Similarly, on 30 July, Poonam Pandey, assistant editor of the Hindi daily Navbharat Times, was detained by police while covering a Mahila Congress demonstration near Kartavya Path in Delhi. The IJU has demanded immediate action against the police officers involved in both cases.

In Delhi, Poonam Pandey reported that police obstructed her from filming the protest by covering her camera with a black cloth and attempting to seize her phone. Despite identifying herself as a journalist and showing her press ID, she was detained and placed on a bus with the protesters. Pandey also noted the absence of female police officers during the incident, although female CRPF personnel were involved in taking her phone and detaining her.

In Manipur, Mutum Rameshchandra recounted being punched and kicked by a sub-inspector, resulting in injuries to his right chin. His phone was destroyed, and he was struck with a service weapon. The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU), affiliated with the IJU, along with the Editors Guild of Manipur, organized a protest march from the Manipur Press Club to Chief Minister Biren Singh’s residence, demanding an impartial inquiry and appropriate action against the offending police officer.

IJU President and former Press Council of India member, Sabina Inderjit, alongside IJU Secretary General and IFJ Vice President, condemned these incidents. Inderjit emphasized that attacks on journalists are becoming increasingly common and represent a direct threat to press freedom. She stated that targeting journalists indicates a deliberate attempt by governments to suppress the free flow of information, urging the media community to unite against these violations of the fourth pillar of democracy.

Regional, West Bengal

CM doubles down on Teesta: Didi draws attention to water scarcity in North Bengal

July 31, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

The Bengal chief minister, while speaking on a resolution demanding the Indo-Bhutan Joint River Commission at the state Assembly, also questioned the Centre’s decision to initiate discussions with the Bangladesh government over the renewal of the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty without involving Bengal

Snehamoy Chakraborty, TT, Calcutta, 30.07.24 : Mamata Banerjee on Monday reiterated her opposition to sharing water from Teesta with Bangladesh, stressing that such an arrangement would result in scarcity of drinking water for the people of north Bengal.

“The central government unilaterally discussed the Teesta water-sharing agreement and the renewal of the Farakka agreement (Ganga Water Sharing Treaty) for 2026 without consulting the matter with Bengal. This is the first time that Bengal, the prime stakeholder in both issues, was not involved in the discussion,” Mamata said in the Assembly.

She said such accords would lead to the suffering of people, especially those in north Bengal who are facing a severe water crisis.

“Is there sufficient water in the Teesta that you (the Union government) want to share? Even in the rainy season, the Teesta remains almost dry as its water is blocked by Sikkim with its 14 hydropower projects in the upstream. Now, if Teesta’s water is shared with Bangladesh, the people of north Bengal will not even get drinking water… I will not allow anything like that,” she said, before underscoring her “love for Bangladesh.”

During Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed that India would help the neighbouring country in the conservation and management of the transboundary river. The proposal is part of India’s hydro diplomacy with Bangladesh, which has been waiting for a deal on sharing of Teesta water since 2011 when Mamata put a spanner on it.

A technical team from India is scheduled to visit Bangladesh soon to draw up the modalities of the project, which China is also keen to implement.

Mamata recounted how she was earlier consulted about important bilateral issues such as the exchange of enclaves by sealing the land boundary agreement or launching train and bus services between the two countries.

“But this time they did not involve us,” said Mamata referring to how former chief minister Jyoti Basu was felicitated in Bangladesh after the Ganga Water Treaty.

“When the Farakka agreement was done in 1996, Jyotibabu was invited to the neighbouring country and the Bangladesh government felicitated him. Now they have formed a committee to discuss the Farakka issue and I doubt whether there is a member from Bengal on the panel,” she added.

“Our priority is the people of our state. A discussion on those issues related to Teesta and Farakka without Bengal is a blow to federal unity and I have strong reservations about it. I have already written a letter to the Prime Minister informing the state’s opinion. The Bengal government is not ready to compromise with the issue (sharing of river water) at all,” she went on.

The Bengal chief minister mounted a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi government demanding that the Farakka Barrage Authority — which is under the Union government — has to take responsibility for controlling erosion and flood mitigation along a 120km stretch of the Ganga in keeping with the agreement signed in 1994.

“When the Farakka agreement was signed in 1996, the central government was responsible for taking care of 120km stretch — 80km downstream and 40km upstream — of the Ganga. They have curtailed the jurisdiction to 12.5km now,” she said.

Mamata, who was the key speaker in the discussion of the resolution demanding the Indo-Bhutan Joint River Commission, asked Speaker Biman Banerjee to form a committee comprising the members of the House who would meet the Union irrigation minister.

Career / Jobs, Regional

Darjeeling resident creates miniature toy train replicas for train enthusiasts

July 31, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

Anurag Lakandry, a resident of Tindharia in Kurseong subdivision, has been making miniature models of toy trains for 10 years and selling them to clients ranging from hotels to train enthusiasts

Binita Paul, TT, Siliguri, 30.07.24 : The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) — a Unesco-recognised world heritage site — has become the source of inspiration and income for a 30-year-old man from Darjeeling district.

Anurag Lakandry, a resident of Tindharia in Kurseong subdivision, has been making miniature models of toy trains for 10 years and selling them to clients ranging from hotels to train enthusiasts.

“I grew up with the toy train as my house is near the railway loco shed in Tindharia. Some of my family members have served in the DHR. I have developed a natural interest in the mountain railway,” said Anurag, who has made over 500 mini-models of the toy train.

Anurag uses metal sheets and scrap items. “I started making the models with cardboard and gradually switched to metal sheets. Also, I use nuts and bolts, fuse snips and wires to build the miniatures. I visit different shops to collect scraps and use those in making the models.”

The model trains are priced between ₹3,000 and ₹12,000.

Over the years, his work has earned him appreciation from various quarters. He even gets orders from the UK, Singapore and Russia.

Anurag said he got help from Michael Whitehouse, the chairman of UK-based Vintage Trains. “His help made me build perfect replicas of the toy train. He was the one who had sent me the motor tracks to make the models accurate,” he added.

In 2014, Anurag visited Thailand and Myanmar to attend workshops to improve

his skills.

Regional

स्वतन्त्रता दिवसदेखि माल रोड र चौरास्तालाई पसलमुक्त बनाउने अनित थापाको प्रतिबद्धता

July 28, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

कालिमन्यूज, दार्जीलिंग, २८ जुलाई २०२४: गोरखाल्याण्ड टेरिटोरियल एडमिनिस्ट्रेसन (GTA) का प्रमुख कार्यकारी अनित थापाले दार्जीलिंगको माल रोड र चौरास्ता स्वतन्त्रता दिवसको अवसरमा १५ अगस्तदेखि पसलमुक्त राख्ने घोषणा गरेका छन्। हालैको प्रेस विज्ञप्तिमा, थापाले भने, “स्वतन्त्रता दिवसको उपहारको रूपमा, म दार्जीलिंगको चौरास्ता र माल रोडलाई तिनीहरूको सफा, खुला, र पसलमुक्त अवस्थामा फर्काउनेछु।”

विज्ञप्तिमा चौरास्ता र माल रोडलाई दार्जीलिंगको हृदय मानिएको र यस क्षेत्रमा महाकाल बाबा मन्दिर रहेको उल्लेख गरिएको छ, जुन स्थानीय विश्वासको महत्वपूर्ण प्रतीक हो। थापाले फुटपाथमा पसलहरू सञ्चालन गर्दा पैदल यातायातमा अवरोध सिर्जना भएको चिन्ता व्यक्त गरे। उनले मन्दिर क्षेत्रको वरिपरि खाना पकाउने र बेच्ने बारेमा भक्तजनबाट आएको गुनासो पनि स्वीकार गरे।

चौरास्ता र माल रोड स्थानीय बासिन्दाहरूको लागि मात्र होइन, देशभरि र विश्वभरका पर्यटकहरूको लागि प्रमुख आकर्षण हुन्। “हामीले यी क्षेत्रहरूलाई सफा, सुन्दर र खुला राख्ने योजना बनाएका थियौं, र यो योजनालाई कार्यान्वयन गर्न हामीले काम गरिरहेका छौं,” थापाले स्पष्ट पारे। उनले पसलधारकहरूलाई विस्थापित गर्ने लक्ष्य नभइ, तिनीहरूको व्यवसायको लागि वैकल्पिक स्थान खोज्न प्राथमिकता रहेको जोड दिए। वैकल्पिक स्थानहरूको माध्यमबाट समस्यालाई समाधान गर्ने प्रयासहरू विगतमा सफल भएका थिएनन्, तर अहिले यो समस्यालाई समाधान गर्ने प्रयासहरू जारी छन्।

थापाले थप आश्वासन दिए, “म दार्जीलिंगका बासिन्दाहरूको लागि माल रोडलाई सफा र खुला अवस्थामा फर्काउने प्रतिबद्धता गर्दछु। स्वतन्त्रता दिवस, १५ अगस्तदेखि चौरास्ता र माल रोडमा कुनै पनि पसलको अनुमति दिइने छैन। यो दार्जीलिंगका जनताको लागि मेरो उपहार हुनेछ। जस्तोसुकै बासिन्दाहरूले माल रोडको सफा र खुला वातावरणमा हिँड्न रमाइलो गरे, म त्यो वातावरण फर्काउन काम गर्नेछु।”

विज्ञप्ति नागरिकहरूलाई फोहोर फाल्ने जिम्मेवारी लिने र सफाइ कायम राख्न आह्वान गर्दै समाप्त भएको छ। थापाले चौरास्ता वरिपरिका व्यापारिक समुदायलाई दार्जीलिंगलाई सफा र सुन्दर राख्न र फुटपाथमा पसल सेट अप गर्नको अभ्यास समाप्त गर्न मद्दत गर्न अपील गरे।

Regional

राष्ट्रिय एकता भ्रमणमा जलढाकाका विद्यार्थीहरूको राष्ट्रपति द्रौपदी मुर्मुसंग भेट

July 27, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

कालिमन्यूज, कालेबुंग, २७ जुलाई २०२४: कालेबुंग जिल्लाको जलढाका उच्चत्तर माध्यमिक विद्यालयका १८ जना विद्यार्थीहरूले २५ जुलाई २०२४ को दिन राष्ट्रपति द्रौपदी मुर्मुसँग राष्ट्रपति भवनमा भेट गरे। २०औं माउन्टेन डिभिजन (किरपान डिभिजन), बिन्नागुडीको ५औं राजपुताना राइफल्सद्वारा आयोजित राष्ट्रिय एकता भ्रमणका सहभागी भएर यी विद्यार्थीहरूलाई भारतका राष्ट्रपतिसंग अन्तर्क्रियाको विशेष अवसर प्राप्त गर्न सकेका थिए।

कक्षा नवौ र दशौका ९ जना छात्र अनि ९ जना छात्राहरू समावेश भएको टोलीमा शिक्षक बिकाश थापा र अरुणध्वती बसु पनि सामेल थिए। २१ जुलाईको दिन जलढाकाबाट सुरु भएको ११-दिने यात्राको चार दिन पछि, २५ जुलाईको दिन राष्ट्रपति मुर्मुसँग भेट गरे पछी विद्यार्थीहरूको भ्रमण जारी नै रहेको छ। टोलीले राष्ट्रपति मुर्मुलाई एक स्मृति चिन्ह पनि भेट गर्यो।

भेटको समय, विद्यार्थीहरूले राष्ट्रपतिसँग अन्तरक्रिया पनि गरे भने उनीसँग स्मरणीय क्षणहरू पनि साझा गर्ने अवसर प्राप्त गरे। राष्ट्रपति मुर्मुका प्रेरणादायी शब्दहरू र प्रोत्साहनले विद्यार्थीहरूमा गहिरो प्रभाव पारेको छ, जसले उनीहरूलाई उत्कृष्टता प्राप्त गर्न र समाज र राष्ट्रमा सकारात्मक योगदान दिन प्रेरित गरेको छ। दुई विद्यार्थी, अनुराधा शर्मा र विधान रायले पनि राष्ट्रपति मुर्मुसँग आफ्ना यात्रा अनुभवहरू साझा गर्ने अवसर पाए।

जलढाका उच्चत्तर माध्यमिक विद्यालयले यस प्रतिष्ठित राष्ट्रिय एकता भ्रमणका लागि आफ्नो विद्यालयलाई चयन गरेकोमा ५ औं राजपुताना राइफल्स २०औं पर्वतीय डिभिजनलाई हृदयपूर्वक आभार प्रकट गरेको छ।

स्मरण गराइन्छ यसवर्षको १८ मार्चमा, जलढाका क्षेत्रको गैरीबास उच्चत्तर माध्यमिक विद्यालयका विद्यार्थीहरूले पनि यसै कार्यक्रममा राष्ट्रपति मुर्मुसँग भेट गर्ने सौभाग्य प्राप्त गरेका थिए।

National, Regional

Son of Darjeeling Martyred 10 days before Kargil Vijay Diwas

July 17, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

EOI, 16 July 2024: Ten days before Kargil Vijay Diwas Darjeeling lad Captain Brijesh Thapa will be returning home wrapped in tricolor.

His father, a retired Army colonel Bhuwenesh Thapa, and mother Nilima were stunned after hearing their son’s martyrdom on Monday night at their Siliguri’s Sashtri Nagar residence around 11 pm. An unknown phone number rang and informed them that their son died while fighting with militants Mother Nilima could not stop crying since she heard the death of her only son who was about to come on leave this July or else in November and take her for holiday to Tura in Meghalaya.

Brijesh spoke to his parents last on Sunday stating that he was speaking from his basecamp down after trekking five hours journey from the field area where he is deployed with 50 other soldiers. Brijesh was a company commander and leading the troops in one of the toughest peaks of the war zone where no vehicles passed.

Brijesh joined the Indian Army in 2019with his own efforts despite of parent’s suggestion to join in Navy and Airforce.“He wanted to join Indian Army and when we were holidaying in Laddakh, he had worn a jacket with sticker of Indian Army and then he uploaded his pictures in social media stating this will be his real image after one year.

After completing his B.Tech from a college in Mumbai, Brijesh appeared for the Combined Defence Service (CDS) examination. In 2018, he passed the Short Service Commission (SSC) examination of the defense service and joined the Army in2019. He was a music lover and use to play guitar and drum, he had bought two guitars at home and used to play during his leave. His father Bhuwenesh said, “My son had come for 12 days leave in March last year to celebrate my birthday and extended one more week and since then we did not meetup. He was brave and talented and never used to complain about any hurdles he faced in life. Namita Sakya, an aunt of the martyred soldier, said that she still can’t believe that Brijesh is no more.

The chronology of terror attackson army in J&K in July 2024:

JULY 15: Four army personnel, including an officer,killed in a gunfight with terrorists in Doda district.

JULY 8: Five army personnel killed and as manyinjured in a terrorist ambush in Kathua district.

JULY 7: An army personnel injured in a terroristattack on a security post in Rajouri district

Health, Regional

NBMCH: State sanctions Rs 1 cr for renovation of super speciality block

July 10, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

MP, 9 July 2024, Siliguri: The Super specialty block of North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) is not yet fully operational. However, some wards of the block have been damaged even before they have become operational. False ceilings in many wards are damaged.

Parts of the false ceiling have come loose and have become a potential risk for patients. According to the sources, the Central agency that did the work denied taking further responsibility.

Hence, the state government has sanctioned Rs 1 crore to renovate the wards. Dr. Sanjay Mallick, the Superintendent of NBMCH said: “The Central agency constructed the building about a year ago. They have already clarified that after the handover, they will not take any responsibility for the building.

The state government has, therefore sanctioned Rs 1 crore for the renovation work. We will start the indoor wards after the renovation.” In 2014, the Union Ministry of Health sanctioned Rs 150 crore for building the super speciality block in NBMCH premises. The work for which started in 2015.

In 2018, the government cancelled the contract and blacklisted the company which had been doing the construction work for not completing the work on time. After that, a fresh tender was called.

The outdoor section of the block was opened in November 2022. Later, the building was handed over to the NBMCH authorities last year. The block is not yet fully operational due to a shortage of equipment.

Last month, Kaustav Nayek, Director of Medical Education (DME) visited the hospital and had given instructions to shift wards to the new block. It has been decided that the wards will be shifted only after renovation.

The six-storied building is spread over 15,000 square meters. Different departments will be shifted to this block and the old building will be renovated.

Courtesy& source- Millennium Post

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/nbmch-state-sanctions-rs-1-cr-for-renovation-of-super-speciality-block-571206

Regional

More rains in forecast for north Bengal: Very heavy rainfall expected till July 11

July 10, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

PTI, KOLKATA, JULY 9, 2024 : Heavy to very heavy rain is likely till July 11 in northern West Bengal, already affected by torrential downpours over the last several days, the Met Department said on Tuesday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday asked the administration to ensure round-the-clock monitoring of the situation.

An active monsoon trough and a cyclonic circulation in northeast Assam are very likely to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy downpours over northern West Bengal till July 11, the Met Department said.

The intensity of rain in the region is likely to decrease slightly on July 12 and 13, it said. Gajaldoba in Jalpaiguri district recorded the state’s highest rainfall at 180 mm in 24 hours till 8.30 am on Tuesday, it added.

The other places in northern West Bengal which recorded significantly high rainfall during the period are Sevoke (170mm), Buxaduar (150 mm), Nagrakata (140mm), Jalpaiguri town (130 mm) and Bhutanghat (120 mm), the data said.

Landslides in the hills, damaging roads, including National Highway 10 that connects West Bengal with Sikkim, and waterlogging at various places in the plains, have occurred owing to the unabated rainfall in the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri , Alipurduar and Cooch Behar.

Regional, West Bengal

Teesta River erosion leaves hundreds displaced

July 6, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

Dibyendu Sinha, MP, 5 July 2024, Jalpaiguri: Around 50 to 60 houses have been submerged in the erosion of the Teesta River basin, leaving hundreds homeless. Approximately 500 bighas of agricultural land, including a primary school and an ICDS centre, have been engulfed by the river.

This incident occurred in the Bahir Char area of Jalpaiguri Sadar Block, within the Bowalmari Nandan Pur Gram Panchayat area. According to local sources, river erosion began last week but intensified significantly over the past two days.

The issue has been reported to the local Gram Panchayat and block administration. Mihir Karmakar, BDO of Sadar Block, stated that authorities are investigating the matter. Meanwhile, the District Flood Control has issued a yellow alert for the unprotected area of Teesta in Jalpaiguri Domhani and a red alert for the unprotected area in Mekhliganj.

Jalpaiguri Sadar Block encompasses several basin areas along the Teesta River. Among them, Bahir Char, situated alongside Teesta in the Boalmari Nandanpur Gram Panchayat area, is the largest. This char, measuring 8-km-long and 4-km-wide, is home to 260 families with a population exceeding 2,000.

While the river’s water level rises every monsoon, recent years have seen exacerbated erosion issues. Last year, 2,000 bighas of land was lost to river erosion, a situation repeated this year.

Local resident Charan Mandal reported that his house and 20 bighas of land were lost to erosion on Thursday, with Sadhan Sarkar experiencing a similar loss of 15 bighas of land. Most of the damage occurred in the Dhar Para, Kanai Nagar and Kalampur areas.

Jiten Chandra Biswas, local Panchayat member, lamented: “The Char area previously housed the only primary school in Kalampur.

On Friday morning, the school was swept into the river, leaving the future uncertain for 50 students. The ICDS centre adjacent to the school suffered the same fate. Residents have demanded a protective ring dam to mitigate river erosion, but no action has been taken yet. If this situation persists, conditions will worsen in the days ahead.”

Meanwhile, the Sikkim Meteorological department has issued a red alert for five districts in North Bengal. Gopinath Raha, a department official, warned:

“These districts are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours, tapering off by Sunday.”

The Jalpaiguri district Irrigation department’s Flood Control reported periodic releases of water from the Gajoldoba Teesta Barrage, with 3,010 cumec water released on Friday afternoon.

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/teesta-river-erosion-leaves-hundreds-displaced-570747

Regional

गोरुबथानमा युद्धवीर गुरुङको प्रतिमा स्थापना गर्ने योजना

July 4, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

कालिमन्युज, कालेबुंग, ३ जुलाई २०२४: युद्धवीर गुरुङ जसको नाउँमा गोरुबथानको दुई सम्भवत प्रथम दुई शैक्षिक संस्थाहरू स्थापना गरिएको छ, उनको स्मृतिमा गोरुबथानको मालबस्तीमा प्रतिमा स्थापना गर्ने योजना राखिएको छ | गोरुबथानमा पहिलो स्थापित शैक्षिक संस्थान युद्धवीर मेमोरियल स्कुल थियो, जसलाई पछि युद्धवीर प्राथमिक विद्यालय भनियो र अन्ततः युद्धवीर निम्न बुनियादी पाठशाला(जुनियर बेसिक स्कुल)मा बढोत्तरी भएको थियो।

यसैगरी, यसलाई माध्यमिक शिक्षाको निम्ति युद्धवीर उच्च बुनियादी पाठशाला (सिनियर बेसिक स्कुल)मा बढोत्तरी गरियो, पछि यही उच्च बिद्यालयमा र अन्ततः बढोत्तरी गरिएर युद्धवीर उच्चत्तर माध्यमिक विद्यालय(हायर सेकेन्डरी स्कुल)मा परिणत भएको थियो। यही विधालय नै गोरुबथानको वर्तमान सरकारी कलेजको आधार पनि हो।

गोरुबथानमा शैक्षिक यात्राको विजारोपण गर्ने विद्यालय – जसको नाममा यी दूई विद्यालयहरु स्थापित गरिएको थियो अर्थात् युद्धवीर गुरुङको स्मृतिमा सालिक निर्माणार्थ गठन गरिएको युद्धवीर गुरुङ सालिक निर्माण समितिद्वारा आगामी ८ जुलाई सोमबारको दिन युद्धवीर उच्चतर माध्यमिक विद्यालयमा अपराह्न २ बजे आमसभा आयोजन भइरहेको छ। उक्त सभामा युद्धवीर जुनियर बेसिक पाठशाला, युद्धवीर उच्चतर माध्यमिक विद्यालयमा पठनपाठन गर्ने पूर्व विद्यार्थीलगायत गोरुबथानका बुद्धिजीवी, शुभचिन्तक सबैलाई आयोजक पक्षबाट उपस्थितिको निम्ति हार्दिक अनुरोध गरिएको छ।
उक्त सभामा युद्धवीर गुरुङको सालिक निर्माण, धर्मशालादेखि सेरिकल्चरसम्मको बाटोलाई युद्धवीर गुरुङ मार्ग नामाकरण अनि युद्धवीर गुरुङलाई दस्तावेजीकरण गर्नको निम्ति स्मारिका तयार गरिने विषयमाथि चर्चा, सुझाव, सरसल्लाह हुनेछ। तसर्थ यस महत्वपूर्ण सभामा सबैलाई उपस्थिति भइदिन आयोजक पक्षबाट सभापति पुरण राईले हार्दिक अपिल गरेका छन्।

युद्धवीरका आफन्तहरूले यो बिद्यालयको निम्ति आफ्नो जमिन दान गरेका थिए, जसलाई पछि धर्मशालाबाट शुरु भएको मूल प्राथमिक र माध्यमिक बिद्यालयहरूलाई आजको स्थानमा माल बस्तीमा स्थानान्तर गरिएको थियो।

गोरुबथानको शैक्षिक इतिहासको आधिकारिक दस्तावेज पल्ट्याउँदा शुरुमा नै युद्धवीर गुरुङको नाम स्वर्ण अक्षरले लेखिएको पाउँछौँ। ब्रिटिश इस्ट इण्डिया कम्पनीको जमानामा जहाँ उनीहरूको सन्तान र केही हुने खानेका छोराछोरीलाई मात्र लेख्ने/पढ्ने अवसर थियो। यस्तोमा हुँदा खानेका नानीहरूले पनि शिक्षा आर्जन गर्न पाउनुपर्छ भन्ने सोच राख्ने गोरुबथानका त्यस ताकका विद्वान/विदुषीहरूको परामर्शमा गोरुबथानमा पनि पाठशाला स्थापना गर्ने विचारको विजारोपन भयो। यही परिकल्पनालाई कार्यान्वयन गर्न स्व. डम्बरसिंह गुरुङ अघि आउनुभयो र आफ्नो बाबुको नाममा गोरुबथानको धर्मशाला नजिक एउटा घरलाई युद्धवीर गुरुङ मेमोरियल पाठशाला नामकरण गरी पठनपाठन शुरु गरियो। यही नै थियो गोरुबथानमा ज्ञानको ज्योति बाल्ने प्रथम आधिकारिक पहल।

स्व. युद्धवीर गुरुङकै नाममा स्थापित युद्धवीर बुनियादी पाठशाला, युद्धवीर उच्चतर माध्यमिक विद्यालयले गोरुबथान लगायत डुवर्सको ठूलो भागको शैक्षिक विकासमा गरिमामय योगदान पुराउँदै आइरहेको छ। गुरुङकै दूरदर्शिता एवं नि:स्वार्थ सहयोगकै कारण शिक्षाको भुकभुके उज्यालो पनि छिर्न नसकेको गोरुबथानको शैक्षिक स्तर अहिले लोभलाग्दो अवस्थामा आइपुगेको छ। यसले डुवर्सका मानिसहरूलाई विशेष गरि वरिपरिका १० देखि १५ चिया बगान र २० देखि ३० बस्तीहरुका विद्यार्थीहरुलाई प्राय ८६ वर्षदेखि शिक्षादान दिइरहेको छ |

1938 मा स्थापित युद्धवीर जुनियर बेसिक पाठशालाले 1958 मा सरकारी मान्यता पाएको थियो। जतिबेला स्कुल निरीक्षक पदमा यद्धवीर गुरुङकै नाति कृष्ण बहादुर गुरुङ आसिन थिए। युद्धवीर निम्न बुनियादी पाठशालालाई बढोत्तरी गरेर अहिलेको युद्धवीर उच्चतर माध्यमिक विद्यालय 1948 मा स्थापित गरिएको थियो। जुन वर्ष दार्जिलिङ सरकारी महाविद्यालयको पनि स्थापना भएको थियो।

Regional

Letter to Didi on machine of ‘health hazard’ in Darjeeling district hospital

July 4, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

The distributed antenna system is a health hazard with potential health risks. The GTA has initiated an enquiry into this and the initial reports reveal it was installed during the COVID but appears suspicious and alarming, wrote Amar Singh Rai

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, 3.07.24 : The Darjeeling District Hospital.: File picture

The chairman of the Rogi Kalyan Samity of Darjeeling district hospital wrote to chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday regarding the discovery of “telecommunication equipment” in the hospital building requesting her to personally look into the matter.

Amar Singh Rai, the chairman of the committee, termed the discovery surprising, suspicious and alarming.

“To everyone’s surprise only the other day, a ‘telecommunication equipment’ was found to have been installed inside the Darjeeling district hospital of which the concerned authorities like the GTA or even myself, as the chairman of the Rogi Kalyan Samity are unaware of,” said Rai.

Sources said that Rajesh Chauhan, deputy chairman, GTA Sabha, who is looking into the administrative affairs of the Darjeeling district hospital came across the distributed antenna system (DAS) for mobile service operators beside the office issuing birth and death certificates on the hospital’s fourth floor while inspecting the building on June 24.

DAS equipment enhances the signals.

Since the discovery of the system installed by a private party inside the hospital, questions have been raised regarding the people who took the initiative to install the system beside the office issuing birth and death certificates on the hospital’s fourth floor.

Also, the memorandum of understanding between the Space Tele Pvt Limited, which is headquartered in Gurugram and the “Darjeeling District Hospital” is signed on plain paper instead of stamped paper and there is no mention of any financial costs.

“How was the equipment installed inside a hospital without the GTA’s knowledge,” said Chauhan.

Soumya Purkait, principal secretary, GTA in a letter to Space Tele Pvt Limited on June 28 has flagged a number of anomalies in the installation process.

The GTA official stated that the equipment was installed on December 16, 2020, without approval from competent authorities and that the memorandum of understanding has been “executed in a plain paper”.

“The pinpoint location/schedule of property under contract for installation is also missing,” the letter states.

The GTA states that the MoU between the company and “District Hospital Darjeeling” for a period of 15 years cannot be considered legal but is considered “illegal and perverse in the eyes of the law.”

Purkait has also stated that “the potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure to waves emitted by such equipment are well-documented.”

“Given the presence of patients and staff in a hospital environment, the continued operation of this equipment poses a significant safety concern,” stated Purkait and has asked the private company to remove the equipment within seven days.

Abhijit Kumar Prasad, a representative of Space Tele on Monday said that equipment was installed at the behest of a doctor.

“In 2020, during the Covid-19 period, Dr Kumar of the Darjeeling hospital told us connectivity was an issue and patients too facing problems at the hospital. Based on his email, we installed the equipment but he refused to sign the MoU,” said Abhijit.

When contacted Dr Kumar S, refused to acknowledge that he had made the request through an email. “In fact, I was the one to protest when those equipment were being installed then,” said Dr Kumar.

Courtesy & source- The Telegraph

https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/letter-to-mamata-banerjee-on-machine-of-health-hazard-in-darjeeling-district-hospital/cid/2031167

Crime, Regional

Woman ends life after being humiliated in Kangaroo court, four arrested

July 3, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

MP, 2 July 2024, Siliguri: A housewife took her own life allegedly after being humiliated by a kangaroo court, where the woman and her husband were allegedly beaten up by the villagers.

The incident occurred in Bakravita area under Fulbari number 1 Gram Panchayat. New Jalpaiguri Police have arrested four people in connection with the case, based on a complaint lodged. She committed suicide by drinking poison.

The accused were produced at Jalpaiguri Court on Tuesday. The arrested have been identified as Brajen Adhikary, Swapna Adhikary wife of Brajen Adhikary, Sagar Roy and his wife Shibani Roy, all residents of the Bakravita area. The deceased has been identified as Savita Barman.

According to sources, Savita allegedly had an extra marital affair, therefore, she had left her husband a few days before the incident. Later, she had called her husband, Tapas Barman over the phone and expressed desire to return home with him.

Accordingly, he brought his wife back and dropped her at her parent’s house. However, some of Tapas’s neighbours asked him to bring Savita to Bakravita. On Friday, when Tapas brought her to the area, a mob consisting of the villagers allegedly began beating her up. When Tapas tried to save his wife, they allegedly beat up Tapas as well.

On Saturday, Sabita drank poison. Tapas admitted her to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH), where she died on Sunday.

Later, Tapas and Savita’s brother lodged a written complaint at the NJP Police Station, based on which the four were made.

On Tuesday, Deepak Sarkar, Deputy Commissioner of Police went to New Jalpaiguri Police station. He said: “Four people have been arrested so far. Investigation is underway.”

Courtesy & source- Millennium Pist

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/woman-ends-life-after-being-humiliated-in-kangaroo-court-four-arrested-570347

Regional

Call for independent investigation into construction of unauthorized highrises in Darjeeling

July 2, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

EOI, DARJEELING, JULY 1, 2024 : Questioning the functioning of the Darjeeling Municipality and alleged corruption, the People’s Forum, a non political organization, has submitted a memorandum to the Darjeeling district administration, demanding an independent investigation. The PF has alleged the Darjeeling Municipality is hand in glove with builders, allowing them to construct unauthorized structures. “There is rampant and unauthorized construction of high rises without proper approval.

Building plans have been passed without conversion of land,” PF convener Bhanu Lama said on Monday. Lama highlighted that buildings and other structures were being constructed on public footpaths and drains without proper authorization. “We have nothing to say on how people are constructing their structures. But the onus is on the municipality. How have they allowed such illegal constructions? Public roads, drains and footpaths have been occupied and encroached upon,” said Lama.

Interestingly, the Darjeeling Municipality a few days ago had issued notice to five hotels directing them to clear the public drains on which slabs have been constructed.
The PF convener said construction of massive high rises had turned Darjeeling into a concrete jungle which had the possibility of affecting tourism in the hills. “Key tourist panoramic view points are now blocked by unauthorized structures and buildings. This will affect tourism and the heritage charm of our area. Tourists come to the hills for its greenery and serenity,” said Lama.

Lama said heritage sites were under threat from illegal high rise and the Land Reform Act of 1955 under section 14 (C) of Tribal Land was being violated. “Apartments and shops have been constructed on tribal land without conversion of land and without obtaining permission from the tribal department. This has disrupted the demographic and cultural balance of the region. Illegal and rampant construction is a threat to the heritage sites of the place,” said the PF convener.

Lama said to curb such illegal activities within the municipality, an independent enquiry committee be formed to investigate and legal actions be taken on the defaulters.
“The district administration or the West Bengal Government should form an inquiry committee to investigate the activities and decisions of the board members of the Darjeeling Municipality. Strict legal actions should be taken against those found guilty of unauthorized approvals and construction including demolition of illegal structures and order to the registration officer not to entertain any documents for registration of a flat unless the number of floors to be built is specifically mentioned,” he said.

Lama also advocated for regular monitoring of construction of buildings, preservation of heritage sites and public spaces

Crime, Regional

Malda: Class VIII student kidnapped for Rs 60L ransom

July 1, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

MP, 30 June 2024, Malda: A Class VIII student of Boronagar Danga area under Kaliachak Police Station was allegedly kidnapped for ransom of Rs 60 lakh.

The police started an investigation and arrested one in the incident though the 14-year-old abducted boy is yet to be rescued.

The family and the villagers are in deep anxiety over the situation. The father of the abducted boy, Enamul Hoque, has filed a complaint with the police against his brother and nephew for this. Hoque said: “My son went to the field to graze our goats at around 4.30 pm on Friday but didn’t return though the goats returned on their own. We searched for him but in vain.

We then received ransom calls asking for Rs 60 lakh for his release else they would kill my son.

I am merely a door-to-door vendor of readymade clothes, from where will I manage so much money. There’s a family dispute with my brother and sister over ancestral property so I filed a complaint against my brother and nephew.”

Meanwhile, in another incident three school students of Class IX drowned in the River Ganga at Birnagar under Baishnabnagar Police Station at around 9.30 am on Saturday.

The deceased have been identified as Akash Mondal (14), Krishna Saha (15) and Tushar Saha (14) of which only the body of Akash could be recovered from the river till Sunday afternoon. The search is still on for the others.

These students of Birnagar High School had reached the banks of the river in school uniform to bathe. The local fishermen hearing the cry of other students managed to save one though the others could not be found.
A large contingent of police and disaster management personnel reached the spot and started the search with divers and speed boats.

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/malda-class-viii-student-kidnapped-for-rs-60l-ransom-570010

Crime, International, Regional

Bangladeshi nationals held for illegally entering India

July 1, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

MP, 30 June 2024: Siliguri: The Special Task Force (STF) Siliguri, apprehended two Bangladeshi nationals from the India-Bangladesh border for illegally entering India from Bangladesh on Saturday night.

The accused have been identified as Junait Minia (21 years) and Kabir Hossain (22 years), residents of Bangladesh.

Police sources said that based on secret information, a special team of STF raided the India-Bangladesh border in Fulbari on Saturday night, where they arrested the accused as they illegally crossed the border without any valid document.

During the preliminary interrogation, those arrested said that they had come to India from Bangladesh in search of work.

The accused were produced at Jalpaiguri District Court on Sunday. Meanwhile, the STF West Bengal arrested one more Bangladeshi National named Sarif Mondal (64 years) of Dhaka, Bangladesh from Cooch Behar.

Sources said, he had entered the North East states of India illegally from Bangladesh and later came to Cooch Behar for some illegal activity.

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/bangladeshi-nationals-held-570012

Crime, Politics, Regional

BJP demands CBI probe into torture of woman party leader in CoochBehar

June 30, 2024 Kalimpong News Leave a comment

Paul, who led a BJP delegation to the Mathabhanga area of the district, claimed that the woman, president of the local unit’s minority morcha, was beaten and stripped by TMC miscreants on June 25 while she was grazing cattle in the field.

PTI, 29 June 2024, Kolkata: BJP state general secretary Agnimitra Paul on Saturday demanded a CBI probe into the alleged incident of stripping and physical torture of a woman leader of the saffron party in West Bengal’s Coochbehar district, accusing police of inaction against the real perpetrators.

“Under the regime of a woman chief minister, a woman representing the mothers, sisters, and the minority community of Bengal was beaten, stripped, and verbally abused in public by a local TMC leader and his associates.

“Police and the government are turning a blind eye to such blatant violence against a woman. We have no faith in this administration. We demand a CBI probe,” she said.

Paul and other BJP leaders briefly blocked the road in Choupti near the police lines and later met Additional SP and the woman involved.

However, a police officer said the incident appeared to be a domestic dispute, and seven out of the ten persons named in the FIR have been arrested. The remaining three will be apprehended soon, he added.

TMC spokesperson Partha Pratim Roy countered BJP’s claims, stating that they were politicising a family dispute following their defeat in the Lok Sabha elections in Coochbehar.

BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led government was diverting attention from the incident by suddenly highlighting issues like hawkers encroaching on pavements.

“I have personally spoken to the traumatised woman. She is experiencing pain in her head. We are arranging for her treatment in Kolkata,” Majumdar told reporters.

Another TMC spokesperson Trinankur Bhattacharya told PTI that BJP was trying to politicise every minor incident to disrupt peace in Bengal after their electoral defeat and discredit the state government. “They are making baseless allegations. In every unfortunate incident, police take action and apprehend the culprits. However, these people do not belong to our party,” he added.