Columns

B.Ed

Bicky August 18, 2025

B.Ed Degree Losing Its Credibility in West Bengal

The B. Ed course is designed to train the aspiring teachers through these very important domains. As such, the National Council for Teacher Education prescribes the possession of the B. Ed degree as one of the essential requirements for a candidate to be appointed as a teacher.

But, sadly enough, what was devised to usher a revolution in the process of teaching and learning, has potentially resulted in a nexus of corruption and forgery. There are growing concerns voiced by education stakeholders that the B. Ed course could amount to the largest number of fraudulent degrees in states like West Bengal.

Crispin Chettri

Dr. Binu Sundas July 26, 2025

Crispin Chettri – The Pride of the Nation

Crispin’s achievement and contribution to the nation should be documented in the annals of Gorkha history. This beleaguered community has been fighting to establish its identity in India for a long time. Crispin’s achievement is historical not only for the nation but also for the Gorkha community. The Gorkha community of the country has to be thankful to Crispin for bringing the community into the imagination of the nation.

Restoring Democracy

Bicky May 14, 2025

“Restoring Democracy” by Beating Up Activists?

On the 2nd of May, an activist from Darjeeling – Sudhan Gurung, was brutally attacked by some men right in the heart of the town. The attack caused grievous injuries to Sudhan, deep cuts on his head and massive blood loss. Fortunately, he could be rushed to the hospital immediately, and was pulled out of danger.

Kalimpong

Sandip C Jain April 16, 2025

Bade Miyan Toh Bade Miya Chote Miya Subhan Allah

This is an issue that is pent up within the entire driving community in Kalimpong ( I am sure it’s the same elsewhere too but here I address this article only for Kalimpong) but no one has the guts or courage to speak up for fear of repression from the powers that be.

Queen of the hills

Sandip C Jain April 10, 2025

OF THE QUEEN AND THE CLOWNS

The British called our place THE QUEEN OF THE HILLS- if our place was really the queen then her palace was definitely the most beautiful of all. The lush green Hills, the crystal clear air, the view of the majestic Kanchenjunga and her sister mountains, the very amicable climate and the pure mountain springs rushing down the hills to rendezvous with the mighty Himalayan rivers- all made these Hills a palace worthy of the mighty Queen.

Darjeeling & Jinnah

Sandip C Jain March 7, 2025

Darjeeling – Queen of the Hills!!

The British discovered Darjeeling by coincidence. It was a stroke of sheer luck that the British chanced upon Darjeeling in the year 1829 and its discovery ended years of search for a Hill station in the Bengal province

Scheduled Tribe Re-Inclusion

Editorial, Upendra February 22, 2025

Scheduled Tribe Re-Inclusion Will Be Jeopardized

If there is communal strife in our region, it will, in all likelihood, give the Central Government an excuse to deny all the sub-tribes ST status, as center will show law and order problem.

I am therefore requesting all sub-tribes please don’t get involved in this manufactured tensions. The chances that those instigating you are working for the powers that be, or for money to foster communal strife and tension is very high.

il dolce far niente

Bal Krishna February 22, 2025

il dolce far niente

That’s what we did, we hung around in Chorwasta all day long, doing nothing, watch life happen. I recently realized, the Italians have philosophy and phrase for this – “Il dolce far niente – the sweetness of doing nothing.”

It could mean anything, from looking at time fly by, drinking a cup of tea, “season herdai – looking at people of opposite sex” or simply guffing. When you are devoting your time on do-nothing leisure activities, one is supposed to be experiencing “il dolce far niente.”

Teesta

Dr. Vimal Khawas, Sikkim February 17, 2025

Transboundary Teesta River  – A Dilemma

As an international river, there have been serious issues on table with regard to the management and sharing of its water between India and Bangladesh. Besides several existing and proposed mega hydro-dams in the Sikkim-Darjeeling catchment, the Government of West Bengal has diverted almost entire Teesta Water via artificial canals at Teesta (Gajoldoba) Barrage in Jalpaiguri to irrigate its thirsty North Bengal leaving little or no water for Bangladesh.

Gyalo Thondup Dalai Lama

Sandip C Jain February 9, 2025

Gyalo Thondup And His Place In Modern Tibetan History

Any book on Kalimpong which intends to document the past and present of this town would be shorn of its credibility if it does not tell the story of Gyalo Thondup, the elder brother of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and arguably the most colourful personality in Tibetan politics in the second half of the 20th century.