Columns

NO LAND FOR TEA GARDEN, CINCHONA GARDEN WORKERS – But…

I cannot help but wonder, why would the WB Govt post a quarter page ad on the front page of a leading Nepali language daily, about Parja Patta rights being given to “refugees” in Nadia, while denying the same rights to the people from Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars?

It’s because TMC knows that they will get away with murder, literally, as long as it happens in the North. They will continue to deny us our rights, for as long as we remain divided. They will keep the South appeased, as there are more MP and MLA seats in the south. They will to keep the indigenous communities of the North deprived, because they can afford to do so.

But, can we, the people from the North, afford to keep on appeasing a government that discriminates our region and people deliberately?




Ajit Doval – An Open Letter to the National Security Advisor

We know Sir, you must have multiple agenda and issues to deal with nationally, so I felt I will help you with avoiding some issues, while you relax with your family here, and perhaps meet with politicians who have won the recent elections and ink a few deals on “Political Solution” (fact that Mamata Banerjee hasn’t said a word against your presence here is a dead give-away).


TEA TOURISM, EXPLOITATION?

The tea garden workers despite working for generations, are still deprived of their right to land – Parja Patta, they are paid less wages than what other workers, even unskilled labourers make in West Bengal, the facilities they are entitled to are rarely provided. Adding salt to their woes, the WB Govt has allowed the tea garden owners to build commercial real-estate labeling it “tea tourism”.



The Art of Having One’s Cake and Eating It Too

‘Our Party’ and Chief ‘Our Da’ are against any elections to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). In fact, they are in fact on the frontlines of the anti-GTA elections front. However, if they don’t contest the elections then someone else will win. This is why, keeping aside their strongest objections to the GTA elections, they have decided to contest, so that bad people don’t win.


Thank You, Sikkim

They Say “Blood is thicker than Water” and A friend in need is a friend indeed and Sikkim has proven the old adage true once again. Sikkim stands with us not just as our neighbour and friend but also our extended family of Blood and Bones.


Rise Above Petty Politics – Why Darjeeling Municipality Needs Our Support

Ruing the state of Darjeeling, a friend had recently told me, “हाम्रो दार्जीलिंग त टिका लगाएर छोड़ेको सांड जतिकै भई सक्यो जसको कोहि मालिक छैन, यहाँ जसको शक्ति उसकै भक्तिको चलनले गर्दा हाम्रो ठाउँ र जाति तुरी सक्यो…”


PEN DOWN IN GHOOM JOREBUNGLOW COLLEGE – Who’s to be blamed?

The Ghoom Jorebunglow Degree, Darjeeling has consistently been a source of news and stories in recent times, ironically most of the times for reasons not related to education. What should have been a centre for knowledge and learning has contrarily become a floodgate for controversies, debates and politics. The college has yet again become a centre of attention with the staff members of the college holding a complete pen down strike starting last Friday. i.e., 29th of April – their one point demand being for the college to be formally recognised by the state Govt.