A Message of Strength on Gandhi Jayanti
On Gandhi Jayanti, we extend our respects and love to all our brothers and sisters across the nation.
Articles by Upendra M Pradhan
History of Darjeeling Shows We were Never Part of Bengal
On August 17, West Bengal tourism minister Gautam Deb addressed a press conference at Mirik in Darjeeling. Exuding his obvious concern for the Gorkhas and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) issue, he said, “If NRC is implemented in the Darjeeling hills, the hills will become empty, out of 15 Lakh people there will be no one to live there. Most Gorkha brothers and sisters and senior citizens they will be driven out from Darjeeling hills, both Darjeeling and Kalimpong, including Kurseong and this Mirik [sic].”
Darjeeling Hills: An Indictment of TMC-led Government
I want to begin my indictment of the TMC-led government by sharing a story about Pandit Oroan — a 35-year-old Adivasi man from Baroghoria Gram, which falls under Alipurduar district. In June 2017, Pandit Oroan and his wife were blessed with a baby boy – they named him Abhiraj. Sadly, Abhiraj was born with a birth defect, which prevented him from passing stool normally. All Abhiraj needed to function as a normal child was having a simple procedural operation, which would have cost around Rs 10,000 in a government hospital in Siliguri.
Gorkhaland – A Demand whose Time has Come
‘Gorkhaland’ the very name evokes strong sentiments – from a motley crew of passionate supporters to very dedicated gang of opposers, to a vast majority of well-meaning but clueless neutrals who irrespective of their understanding of the issue or absolute lack of it, comment on it passionately.
Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars: In a State of Limbo
There is a famous story about this king Satyavrata, who wanted to ascend heaven in his human form. He found a willing partner in Sage Viswamitra – who through his immense powers managed to send Satyavrata to heaven without dying, but Indra, the king of heaven, refused to permit a human to enter the realms of heaven, alive – for it was against the law of nature. Amid Indra’s refusal, and Viswamitra’s iron will — Satyavrata by now known as Trishank, hung upside down between heaven and earth and there he has remained ever since – in a state of limbo.
‘Syanu Tara Bisalu’: Mamata Banerjee’s 3 Mistakes in Darjeeling
The Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars are one of the most complex and complicated, cosmopolitan regions in India. This region is a miniature replica of our nation and the complexities surrounding it. Anyone wishing to govern such a complex piece of geography should have a thorough understanding of its history, polity, politics and socio-cultural fabric.
‘Baimaan Pahadbasira’ – Who’s Your Daddy Now?
Yesterday, when I read the news about TMC Mouthpiece Khaar 365 Din labelling the hill peole “Baimaan Pahadbasira”, I laughed my butts off. Literally, I could hear the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of TMC and their proxies being shattered into a million pieces, and every piece crying out loud… “Baimaan Pahadbasira”.
Dissolve GTA – TMC Has Lost Moral Grounds to Govern Our Hills Illegally
In a parallel to the Game of Thrones, it’s like the people of the North have finally decided to root out the distant, but highly dictatorial and tyrannical rulers from the South.
The Curious Case of Nicol Tamang
This article traces the arrest and subsequent disappearance of Nicol Tamang – who was and remains the prime accused in the Madan Tamang assassination case. The facts of this case are so convoluted, only the dumb or the willing will accept there was no conspiracy behind the assisination and disappearance of Nicol Tamang. Chances of security agencies, or at least their officers involved in the investigations and cover up is apparent for all to see.
The Game of Throwns: Making Sense of the Clusterf**k that is Darjeeling MLA Elections
In Darjeeling Vidhan Sabha (MLA) elections slated for May 19th 2019, a party with less than fingers can count followers Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL)…