Curious we asked who the baker was, and we were pointed to a dynamic young man, Sanjok Gurung originally from Marybong T.E.

We sat down for a short interview with him….

TheDC: How and when did you decide to take up baking as a profession. What inspired you?

Sanjok: The decision to take up baking wasn’t premeditated or planned I was always drawn to the F&B industry and wanted to build something of my own. After BBA and MBA, with internships and industry exposure, I explored different roles, including event management and later HR at Hindustan Coca-Cola.

I moved into banking due to family priorities but felt unfulfilled. I wanted ownership of my work and time. Since my baking turned out well, I began experimenting, learning from scratch, and investing in professional training at IBPA, Delhi.

With family support and growing orders, I took a leap of faith and started Cake Crush in Salbari in 2018 with no Plan B.

TheDC: How difficult was the shift from Banking to Baking?

Sanjok: The transition wasn’t very tough but wasn’t easy either; my better half however was convinced that I would make a much better baker than a banker.

I left behind a stable salary for entrepreneurship, where I handle everything – production, marketing, accounts, and delivery.

But, I am thankful for all the Orders that came in, it made the transition easy. If I hadn’t received so many orders initially when I started it would have been very demotivating and I would have questioned and considered getting back to Banking. I’m grateful for the Clients who have been kind and supportive.

TheDC: Did your family support your decision?

Sanjok: Absolutely. Family support, both emotional and financial is crucial in this field.  Family support decides if any business thrives or dies.

Initially and even now, I consider them my team. The long hours and pressure are intense, but my discipline and consistency helped earn their trust. Today, they’re my biggest support system.

TheDC: When did Cake Crush start? What challenges did you face?

Sanjok: I started Cake Crush in 2018. Early challenges included lack of skilled help, limited suppliers, minimal access to information, and managing inventory and wastage.

I learned through experience, attended fairs, and kept upgrading my knowledge and skills.

TheDC: So what is the most satisfying part of being a baker?

Sanjok: The most satisfying part of Being a baker, is that I have a close, warm bonding with my customers. I’ve been part of their journeys—from engagements to weddings to birthdays. My cakes are part of their milestones.

I also love contributing to the community, training young people and creating products like healthy, local-ingredient-based cookies at Gorkhey Haat.

Baking gives me both happiness and challenges, but I wouldn’t go back to banking.

TheDC: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Sanjok: My Dream is to get Commissioned for cakes that are celebratory, luxurious, colossal, detailed and demand engineering precision, structural planning, artistic sculpting and culinary ability and are challenging. I also want to make quality cakes accessible at every budget.

I hope to open another outlet, take on more creative projects, and continue building meaningful work in the industry.

TheDC: What advice would you give someone, who wants to follow on your footsteps?

Sanjok: My advice would be, if time, finance permits then, be trained professionally, and work in a professional set up before opening your own venture. The experience is Priceless. Start small, find your niche, and focus on fundamentals.

Keep learning, price your work wisely. More importantly, develop your own style, don’t just copy trends, this is what truly makes us Artists.

Even though every baker’s journey is unique, I am always ready to help you out, if you seek my help.

You can reach out to Sanjok Gurung at: Cake Crush, Panchnai Enclave, Salbari/Shop no.103, or Upper Basement, Citycentre, Siliguri 734009

The post Sanjok Gurung – Baking happiness, one cake at a time appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

We sat down for a short interview with him…

• Name: Samir Sharma 
• School(s): St Roberts\ Ghoom Boys \ Krishnamaya memorial  
• College(s): Govt College Darjeeling 

TheDC: What are you doing these days

Samir: I am currently in Salbari, running a Sound Track Recording Studio. Music arrangement, composition, recording, and mixing are what I mainly do. This is both my addiction and my profession, and I stay deeply immersed in it. Other than this, I write lyrics, and compose music, both for myself and for my clients.

TheDC: When did you decide you wanted to get into music, what got you into this field.

Samir: My love for music and literature began in childhood through casual singing and writing poems, even though I didn’t fully understand why I was drawn to it then. I started formal music training only after college, learning vocal music and piano under several respected teachers in Darjeeling.

I learned vocal music for a few months from Pradeep Chhetri sir in Darjeeling. I then began learning piano from Surajmani Bermey sir, who taught me many important things. Later, I studied piano up to Grade 4 under veteran musician Jeevan Rai sir. I then had the opportunity to learn from Daju Ajnish Rai, a veteran singer, composer, and music arranger from Darjeeling. He had returned from Mumbai after receiving professional training in Hindustani classical and experience there. Getting his guidance felt like nectar to me.

Over time, I gained a deeper understanding of music, developed my skills in arrangement and song writing, and decided to pursue music as my full-time profession, leaving behind a stable job as a computer teacher at the prestigious St. Joseph’s School, Darjeeling.

TheDC: Where did you go?

Samir: Driven by passion, I moved to Mumbai and spent nearly ten years working and learning in studios and production houses. During this period, I recorded legendary singers like Udit Narayan, Shaan, Kailash Kher, and Zubeen Garg and many more celebrity artists. I learned sound engineering, worked extensively on TV serials, and built strong professional connections. Eventually, I returned to composing and arranging music, creating around 90 devotional songs for Shemaroo Entertainment.

Alongside this journey, I collaborated on meaningful documentary and non-commercial film projects with director and close friend Anant V. Keni. Though I am now based in Darjeeling and he is in Mumbai, we continue to work together, thanks to the internet. Many experiences from this journey remain untold, and I hope to share them in time.

TheDC: Not many from our region get into creating music for documentaries or nature based shows, how do you train, what keeps you motivated?

Samir: I grew up in villages and small settlements, always surrounded by streams, and nature. As a child, I spent a lot of time in the जंगल, playing, wandering, and doing all kinds of things. Those scenes have stayed alive inside me and feel timeless.

The very nature of Darjeeling is such that it touches and influences any artist. The social and political environment of the place where I grew up also shaped me deeply.

I have always felt that my work should be useful to society, and should serve people, humanity, and their well-being. That is why I am naturally drawn toward such themes in my creative work.

TheDC: Tell us about your interest in Nepali Children’s songs

Samir: I always felt strongly is that we must work for our children. From the Indian side or India, there have been very little meaningful work in Nepali children’s songs. Majority of children’s music produced in Nepali language in India are mostly for advertising.

With my own effort, I have prepared and uploaded around 65 new and old Nepali children’s songs with animation on the Nivriti Soundtrack YouTube channel.

My friend Santosh lad from Mumbai helped in animation. Nepali children and parents from both India and abroad have benefited from this. These songs are also being taught in various schools in Nepal, which gives me immense happiness.

TheDC: What brought you back to Darjeeling?

Samir: It was this same love for my place and my community that eventually brought me back to Darjeeling from Mumbai.

TheDC: Tell us about the Ugly Green Planet

Samir: That Ugly Green Planet by Anant V. Keni has won the Best International Animation Film Award at CAMPINAS Film Festival 2025 (Brazil). With this, the film has now received 2 international awards and 17 official selections so far.

I feel truly thankful for the love and recognition.

TheDC: What are you busy with these days?

Samir: Currently, I am involved in various projects as a professional at Studio Soundtrack, Salbari, including recent works related to senior songwriter-composer Late Gopal Singh Bhandari, Doordarshan musical projects, and other regular studio assignments.

From all these works, what I have learned is this: I should never treat them as just “work.” They deserve greater awareness, care, and responsibility. These experiences have guided me in that direction, and that is the path my future journey will follow.

TheDC: How do you balance music and your life with family?

Samir: Managing a music career alongside family life is challenging, and for me, family support has been the key factor. Without it, continuing in this field would have been very difficult. My musical and technical skills helped me survive in the industry, even after leaving my teaching job, and working with various production houses.

Now, I run my own recording studio in Salbari, which allows me to give time to my family and children, though the ups and downs never really go away. My family has mostly been supportive of my unconventional career choice, even if they sometimes have mixed feelings, which is only natural.

TheDC: Where do you see yourself, 5-years from today

Samir: The journey will continue, and creation will keep flowing. Where it will lead and where it will end, I have left that to time. Along with music, I have a deep interest in literature. I write Nepali songs and ghazals, I still continue to receive guidance in Hindustani classical music from Barnali Basu ma’am in Siliguri. I am on a journey.

TheDC: Any word of advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps

Samir: This path is exciting, but full of ups and downs. Talent alone is not enough here; one also has to work a lot on behaviour and professionalism, which not everyone can manage. If talent and behaviour are kept in balance, the journey becomes much smoother.

One more thing I would like to add: music, literature, and all creative fields are going through a major shift because of AI. In some ways, it is helpful, it makes processes faster and more accessible. But personally, I feel that at least the core creative fields should remain free from interference, so that human skill, emotion, and creative sense can continue to grow naturally.

You can reach out to Samir Sharma on FB

The post Samir Sharma – Silently adding music in our lives appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Biren Ghatani, is an individual who has refused to let life’s adversities hold him back. Our contributor Roshni Rai traces his story

On December 2, 2023, I witnessed a bike accident and rushed to a nearby shop for a water bottle. To my surprise, the shopkeeper, seemingly indifferent to the commotion, stayed put. My initial judgment was swift, I assumed he didn’t care. However, when he suggested I take a Sprite bottle filled with water instead, my perspective shifted.

I offered the water to a bleeding boy from the accident.

Returning to the shop later to return the borrowed Sprite bottle, I noticed a wheelchair tucked away in a corner. Curious, I inquired, and the shopkeeper, Mr. Biren Ghatani, confirmed its use.

Feeling remorseful for my hasty judgment, as I looked around, I discovered that Mr. Biren was not idly sitting there. In fact, he was engrossed in knitting a sweater using a machine.

While chatting with him, I got to know that his name is Biren Ghatani – once healthy until 2003, he progressively lost strength below his waist. Despite a decade-long search for a cure, none could be found. He turned adversity into opportunity, self-learning the art of knitting.

Now, Mr. Biren earns his livelihood by crafting sweaters.

I, was already in search of a black sweater for my court winter uniform, and took the opportunity to promptly place an order with him.

Today, I received a call from him to collect the meticulously crafted black sweater for a mere one thousand rupees.

Mr. Biren’s shop, nestled in the outskirts of Kallimpong near Hanuman Mandir in Dealo, not only produces sweaters but also exquisite chawbandis. Yet, he expressed his current struggle with scarcity of sweater orders.

Meeting Mr. Biren left me immensely proud. Despite being wheelchair-bound, he forges a livelihood in an industry he mastered out of necessity. Living in the hills, where sweaters are a necessity, I urge others to support Mr. Biren’s craft by placing orders and contributing to his resilient endeavor.

Contact details of: Biren Ghatani +918927773681

[Roshni Rai is Kalimpong based lawyer and a regular contributor to TheDC platform]

The post Biren Ghatani, Kalimpong appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Lazen Khando Yolmo is a woman on a mission, to ensrue inclusivity for those, who are often sidelined. Our contributor Uana Rai Yonzon profiles her.

In a world that sometimes struggles with differences, there are individuals who shine as examples of compassion and inclusivity. Lazen Khando Yolmo, the headmistress of the newly established CHAHAL Inclusive Preparatory School, is one such inspiring figure. Her unwavering dedication to creating an inclusive haven for children with Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome and hearing impairments not only deserves our admiration but is deeply personal to me. I’m fortunate to have her as my autistic daughter’s tutor, where my daughter can flourish without differences.

Lazen Khando Yolmo’s journey began with a simple yet powerful belief, every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of their unique challenges. With this vision in mind, she founded CHAHAL, a school that goes beyond traditional boundaries to provide an educational sanctuary for children who often face exclusion.

As a parent of a child with Autism, I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible impact of Lazen’s work. My daughter, like many others at CHAHAL, has found a place where differences are not only accepted but celebrated. It’s a place where she can truly flourish, thanks to the tailored programs and support systems Lazen has put in place.

CHAHAL Inclusive Preparatory School is more than just a place of learning; it’s a community of understanding and acceptance. In this inclusive setting, my daughter has not only grown academically but has also developed social skills and friendships that are invaluable. Lazen and her team’s commitment to fostering empathy and inclusiveness has created an environment where children thrive.

What sets CHAHAL apart is its holistic approach to education. Lazen Khando Yolmo understands that children like my daughter are not defined by their conditions but by their potential. She has created an educational environment that nurtures that potential, allowing these children to shine in their unique ways.

Lazen Khando Yolmo’s vision extends far beyond the school’s walls. She actively collaborates with experts, advocates, and parents to raise awareness about the importance of inclusiveness in education. Her advocacy efforts have initiated positive change not only in her community but also in the wider educational landscape.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Lazen Khando Yolmo’s work is the transformation it brings to children’s lives. Kids who were once struggling now find a place where they are celebrated for who they are. They discover their unique strengths and talents, unlocking a world of possibilities that they might not have imagined elsewhere.

I feel immensely grateful to have Lazen Khando Yolmo and her team as my daughter’s tutor. She has not only provided my daughter with a high-quality education but has also given her a safe and nurturing space to grow. It’s a place where my daughter can truly be herself, where her unique abilities and qualities are embraced, and where she can flourish without differences being a barrier.

As we celebrate the selflessness and vision of Lazen Khando Yolmo, let her story serve as an inspiration to us all. Let it remind us that inclusiveness is not just a goal but a fundamental value that enriches our society. And let it encourage us to support and champion the cause of inclusiveness, ensuring that every child, regardless of their abilities, can thrive and reach their full potential. With leaders like Lazen, a more inclusive future for all is within reach.

Lazen Khando Yolmo, an alumna of St. Teresa’s H.S School, and Loreto College (now Southfield College), Darjeeling has an M.A in Geography from the North Bengal University, B.Ed from AYJNIHH Calcutta University, Special Education LD, ADHD & Autism from Asian College of Teachers, Inclusive Education Cross Disability (NIEPMD), Certified Psychological Counsellor in a non-clinical and safe environemnt (ICPEM) and Art of Living Teacher for Nava Chetna Shibir and Shri Shri Sankar Kendra.

We are most grateful to our contributor Unna Rai Yonzon for this inspirational story

The post Lazen Khando Yolmo and CHAHAL Inclusive Preparatory School appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

We sat down for a short interview with her

Name:  Prerna Dewan Rai 
Ama:    Sumitra Dewan
Baba:    Jiwan Dewan
School(s): Loreto Convent, Darjeeling 
College(s): Southfield College (Bachelor’s Degree- English)
                    St  Joesph’s College( Master’s Degree)
                    Shree Ramakrishna B T college, Darjeeling

TheDC: Who or what inspired you to get into writing?
Prerna: Words have been my friend for as long as I can remember. You could say, my brain is a litter of words. Everything I have read from a little girl till now has inspired me in one way or another. During my college days, Virginia Woolf’s stream of consciousness technique in Mrs Dalloway intrigued me. In recent times, Ali Smith has to a great extent inspired me to open my notebook and scribble my thoughts.

TheDC: Tell us about your journey as a writer so far…
Prerna: ‘The Oblique Rays Of Sunshine’ is my first novel and perhaps my first step into the literary world. Until now, I have always been a writer in oblivion, without the intention of breaking the anonymity. I loved what I became when left alone with my thoughts and a notebook. With this novel, it is for the first time I have allowed my work the liberty of an audience. I guess the journey has just started.

TheDC: Tell us about the process, when you write… how do you eke out the characters, and are they based on real-life experiences, people or events?
Prerna: I believe fiction borrows from reality as much as reality borrows from fiction. Writers, along with vivid imagination and the ability to craft words, are extremely observant creatures. All the characters I have given life to are an amalgamation of all the people, friends and strangers, with whom I have crossed paths even if briefly. It is for a reason, they say, writers have the power to immortalise everything and anything under their radar…

TheDC: Your new book ‘The Oblique Rays of Sunshine’ what was the starting point? what inspired/triggered you to write this book?
Prerna: When I started drafting the novel, I was then living in Delhi with my husband. The novel I had imagined at the time was entirely different. It was a simple love story. When I actually started writing the novel, my husband and I, started living in a different country. The further I went from home, the more Darjeeling insisted to come to me. Every night, a new Darjeeling memory would unlock in my mind. Perhaps this is why I had almost six drafts of the novel. In 2020, when my son was born, spending sleepless nights, amidst newborn wails, I rewrote the novel. Thus a simple love story had now become the love story of Darjeeling town and its people.

TheDC: Grounded in the Andolan days of “chyasi”, your main character is ‘Charles Nepali Mukherjee’ – a very peculiar name. Could you care to tell us more about Charles and the inspiration behind this character if any?
Prerna: Firstly, I would like to point out that the major time frame of the novel is 1990 when the town had slowly started to witness the restoration of partial normalcy. However, the novel does not seek to answer in-depth the who, why, what, when or how of the Andolan. It is the aftermath, the life wallowing in grief, misery, in bereavement, yet the town and its people carry on with the Hope that one-day happiness will return just as the rhododendrons and the magnolias do every Spring. The resilient spirit of the town is what I wanted to capture. Most of the characters in my book have Nepali pet names like Kaila, Saila, Maila or even names of famous personalities like Pele, Charles, and Bairangi Kaila. It was a deliberate attempt to emphasise the importance of one’s name, lineage, the sense of community and identity. Basically to highlight the identity crisis. Through a queer name choice, Charles Nepali Mukherjee, it became convenient to put the point across.

TheDC: How did you go about finding a publisher?
Prerna: There were a lot of submissions and a waiting game. Thanks to social media, I stumbled upon a few pages that led me to find a suitable arrangement with my current publisher. I must say, nothing is impossible these days.

TheDC: Care to share the difficulties you faced along the way, and how you overcame them?
Prerna: Since the major part of the novel was re-written during my post-partum days, it was an arduous task but worth the pain. Discipline, writing despite the inconvenience, I discovered, is what differentiates a writer from an author. Now I am delighted to call myself one. Also being a woman, a mother and a wife, balancing domestic duties and writing was like surviving a whirlwind.

Regarding the writing process, I had a pertinent question in my mind. What would Darjeeling say if she could talk? Hence the idea to humanise a place, a town, germinated. Then to catch the narrator’s voice, to humanise a victim of trauma, the incoherent monologues, if you read carefully there is the repetition of lines, misinterpretation of a certain English word, to implement the stream–of–consciousness technique and flashbacks in the effort of personifying a non-living thing was quite a challenge.  In the end, Darjeeling ended up becoming an important character, the narrator of the protagonist’s story as well as her own.

TheDC: Where do you see yourself 10-years from now?
Prerna: Happy. Content. Wiser. Perhaps a second novel added to my name.

TheDC: Any messages for those who may want to follow in your footsteps?
Prerna: In school, on one of our diary pages, there was a line attributed to the founder of the institution,  Mary Ward. ‘Women in time to come will do much.’ Somehow it stuck in my brain since then.

To all the writers, never give up on your dreams.

To the women writers/ artists, do not wait for the right time. Time is here and now. Come out and shine!

We wish Prerna ‘Good Luck’ with the success of her first novel, and we hope it inspires others too to share their stories with us

You can order your copy of the book here: The Oblique Rays of Sunshine

The post Prerna Dewan Rai – Author of “The Oblique Rays of Sunshine” appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Darjeeling has a very rich history of producing sports superstars. Tragically due to lack of exposure and facilities, most of those with the potential to excel in sports had been relegated to the sidelines. However, all that is changing today, thanks to efforts put in by a few individuals, who are working hard behind the scenes to give a proper platform for our youths to perform to the best of their abilities. Ms. Kamlesh Rai is one such super coach under whose tutelage new sports stars are shining in the national sky. We are happy to report that one of Darjeeling’s own Rubi Kumari Prasad, who trained under Kamlesh Ma’am could be selected to the Indian National Hockey Team (women’s).

This is her story…

Name: Rubi Kumari Prasad
Ama: Heera Devi
Baba: Prem Kumar Prasad
School (s): St.Michael / St.Teresa Higher Secondary school Darjeeling
College (s): St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling

TheDC: What inspired you to want to pursue hockey?
Ans: Since my childhood, I was always interested in sports and when I reached class 5 my school started hockey practice then I joined. I have continued to play since then.

TheDC: Were your family supportive of your decision?
Ans: Yes my family is very supportive and only because of their support I reached where I am today.

TheDC: Tell us about your journey so far?
Ans: My journey was like a rollercoaster filled with ups and downs. Sometimes I even thought of quitting, but my love for hockey never let me do that. The most important thing is that I believed in myself.

TheDC: How did you prepare? What were the hurdles, how did you overcome them?
Ans: To be honest, if a person chooses to be a sportsman the individual shouldn’t think that any hurdles can stop them it’s nothing, and I believe that I’m a very strong woman. All these qualities which I have been taught by my own Guru Mom Miss Kamlesh, and I’m very lucky to have her. Thank you Miss Kamlesh for believing in me.

TheDC: Getting selected to Indian National Hockey Team is very difficult, can you please inform us about how that happened?
Ans: Everything is difficult until you make it simple by your self and I think I can’t grow without taking more responsibilities, challenges, and risks.

TheDC: Where do you see yourself, five years from today?
Ans: I hope to see myself five years from today playing for my Nation. Playing for India has always been a dream.

TheDC: What suggestions would you give those who want to follow in your footsteps?
Ans: Discipline, consistency, hard work, and self-belief. Everyone should have these qualities.

We wish Rubi very good luck and we hope that her story will inspire thousands of other youngsters to follow their dreams and work hard towards achieving them. We hope to see her play for India in Olympics one day.

The post Rubi Kumari Prasad Selected for Senior Women National Championship appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Aakritee Eza Rana – Serving it sweet

The pandemic in all its way has affected us and the way we live. The experience that now runs over 2 years has mostly been traumatic and has left most of us disadvantaged or in a state of loss – the extent of which varies from insignificant to unimaginable.

But we are humans after all. We find our ways through every time with every bit of hope and happiness that we can gather. As Pandora’s boxes have taught us, if we have miseries and troubles on one side, we have hope on the other side too.

One such story of hope and belief that emerged amidst the troubled time of the Covid crisis is that of young Aakritee Eza Rana, who took the time to turn herself into a baker and entrepreneur instead of being frustrated or demotivated. She now bakes beautiful cakes that get delivered all across. TheDC sat in for a short interview with Aakritee to know about her story.

Aama: Sona Subba Rana
Baba: Adwitya Raj Rana

TheDC: Tell us something about yourself.
Aakritee: I’m Aakritee Eza Rana and I am a 19 years old girl, currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree from Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok. I completed my plus two from Loreto Convent School, Darjeeling and I was born and brought up here. In my case, I did not excel in my academics but on the other side, I had a keen interest in extracurricular activities.

TheDC: Tell us about your journey into Baking.
Aakritee: It was not until the lockdown that I discovered my passion for baking. I started to bake at every opportunity I had, tried different recipes, applied various techniques, most of which were utterly new to me, and experimented with different flavours and colours. With time, I learnt the basics of baking and developed an interest in decorating art as well. I have been baking varieties of baking products like cookies, doughnuts, apple pies, cakes (both fondant and non-fondant) for my loved ones. My cakes are freshly baked and I make sure that it is made with love in my kitchen, with fresh hygienic ingredients. I give my best to make my bakes & cakes – delicious, moist and fresh. I am very certain that if you try my bakes & cakes, you will love them. It’s almost a year that I’ve been baking now and I have successfully supplied over 400+ cakes. I had also put up a stall in Gundri Bazar Siliguri Chapter and I got much more exposure there. The experience that I had in Gundri Bazar was beyond expectations. I’m planning on keeping my stall in the following Chapters of Gundri Bazar as well. The lockdown that happened in 2020 was a really good opportunity for me to know my talent and to start up my own business. I’m a self-taught baker and I have much more to learn.

TheDC: What motivated you to get into baking?
Aakritee: I was into cooking and baking since a very young age. What made me start up my business was the encouragement and the support that I got from my family, my friends, and my teachers. I had baked a cake for mother’s day last year and my family told me that I could start up a business. I’m really grateful to my mom and dad, my chema, and my best friend who have always been there to support me in each and every aspect. They were the ones who motivated me to set up my bakery.

TheDC: Who is your biggest inspiration?
Aakritee: My inspiration in the field of baking is The Home Baker from Siliguri. Looking at the amount of dedication, hard work, patience, and perfection that she puts into her cakes are just mind-blowing. Though she is a trained baker and I’m nothing compared to her right now, I look forward to being as good as she is.

Keeping baking aside my biggest inspirations is my mom and dad. They have always inspired me in every single way. They have always been someone to look up to from the tiniest thing to the biggest one.

TheDC: Can you elaborate on the role of your parents in nurturing your passion as a baker?
Aakritee: My parents play a vital role in my business. From the very beginning, they helped me in every possible way they could. I have at times received upto 6-7 orders a day which made things really hectic. But they would help me with blending the cream, packing, etc. As time passed by my parents also learned a lot about baking and if I got caught up with work or if I wasn’t at home, they would take my place and make sure that things went on. Apart from the manual support they’ve also supported me emotionally and mentally when things got fatiguing. My parents are the pillars of my life and my bakery. Without their support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

TheDC: With baking becoming a popular avenue through the lockdown and several online bakeries mushrooming through the period, what approach do you plan to adopt to stand apart?
Aakritee: I have successfully supplied over 400+ cakes and to date, I have never got a complaint regarding the taste or the looks of my cakes. I use the best of products which definably takes the price higher than that of the cakes from local bakeries. Regardless, I never try to compromise on the quality or taste of my confectioneries just to drag down the cost or price. I pay minute attention to each and every ingredient used for baking cakes. While catering to the customization and personalization of cakes, specific ingredients are on many occasions not available locally. I try to source these ingredients from other places and cities, mostly the metropolitans. I put in all my efforts and hard work to make the cake turn out as per the customer’s demand. I have also supplied cakes at the hardest of times during the lockdown. So, I believe I have a loyal set of customers.

TheDC: What are the challenges that you have faced as a budding entrepreneur of this young age?
Aakritee: There were many challenges as the business was totally new to my family and me. I didn’t have an idea as to how I should start-up and also faced losses at times. As the level of experience started to increase the difficulties started getting easier. People at first were skeptical about my products as my young age made it hard for them to trust me. Setting a base of customers initially by convincing them was a huge challenge in itself. Now as they are aware of my confectioneries, I would want to believe that things are smooth.

TheDC: Does Darjeeling as a place have any role in inspiring you?
Aakritee: Yes it definitely does. Though there are many home bakeries here in Darjeeling, it still has much more potential to develop. Home Bakeries are just coming into existence here in Darjeeling whereas there are hundreds of home bakeries in the metropolitan cities. If I continue this business I know I will be successful here in Darjeeling itself and I don’t need to go anywhere else.

TheDC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years down the line?
Aakritee: In the next 5 years I see myself as a successful baker. I look forward to expanding my home bakery and open outlets in Darjeeling and other hill stations.

TheDC: Anything else you would want to say?
Aakritee: I would like to say that I’m really thankful and grateful to all my customers for their love and support, without which my business wouldn’t have been what it is right now.

We are beyond impressed with Aakritee’s passion, confidence, and determination. We wish her all the best and we hope that she continues spreading sweetness across the hills and beyond, in good times or tough ones.

The post Aakritee Eza Rana – Serving it sweet appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

TheDC caught up with Srijana Lillian the owner of Coffeelicious, Salbari

Many a times, we see women with bright and illustrious career having to give up on their hard earned jobs and dreams just to be that one peg that keeps their family and home intact. The burden of responsibility of being a wife, daughter-in-law and a mother sometimes outweighs the dreams and passion that one may have.

However, today, we are going to share with you all a story about Srijana Lillian who once found herself in a similar position in life. The only difference is that she that instead of giving up, she decided to be strong, pursue her passion and work towards making her dreams come true.

This is her story…

Srijana Lillian, who completed her Bachelors in Economics from the prestigious St Joseph’s College, Darjeeling and received her Master’s degree in Economics from Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, was at the heights of her fortunes in terms of her career. Working for around a decade in Bangalore, she had made a name for herself and a career in Business Development working for companies like Dell, Aviva (Norwich Union) and Hewlett-Packard (HP).

That is before she faced a typical crossroads in life where she had to choose motherhood over her career. Like all loving mother, she chose motherhood.

That may sound like an end of her career to many, but then she bounced back with her passion and hard work and turned herself to an entrepreneur – running a one-of-its-kind cafe in Siliguri.

If you happen to come across a small yet beautiful cafe around Salbari, going by the name of Coffeelicious, you would be looking at Srijana’s dream materializing through her hard work and never-give-up attitude, which has provided a strong peg to the looming cafe culture in Siliguri. TheDC sat down with Srijana for a short interview.

TheDC: Can you tell us something about yourself?

Srijana: I was born and brought up in Darjeeling. I did my schooling from Loreto Convent here in Darjeeling, and studied Economics (Hons) from St Joseph’s college. I completed my Master’s degree from Tribhuvan University Kathmandu. After which, I started my career in Business Development and had the pleasure of working in companies like Dell, Aviva (Norwich Union) and Hewlett Packard. I was in Bangalore for more than 10 years.

During my stay in Kathmandu, I developed the liking and interest for coffee and its culture. The Himalayan Coffee was blooming at that time and slowly Coffee turned out to be my passion. Staying in Bangalore, filter coffee too was my favourite and working in Multi-National company fresh brewed coffee with fancy Italian Machines was a perk, which I loved the most.

There was a time in life when I had to choose between my career and my daughter, and that is how I became a full time mom for a few years. However, I felt that there was a glitch and a missing component in my life, which was always filled with a perfect cup of Coffee.

Between the quest for my passion, my family and children’s school, I used two summer and winter breaks for to go to Kathmandu and train myself on Coffee culture. I learned how to make Coffee, the types of plants, the roasting techniques and more details on Himalayan Coffee and its health benefits intrigued me more.

I am very lucky that I had a supportive family.

I completed my Barista training and also got a hands on training of how exactly it feels like working on a Cafe. The gathered knowledge, the studies, my little expertise and most importantly my immense love for Coffee is what it took me to Start “Coffeelicious “ – completely driven by passion.

TheDC: Why coffee and why not tea?

Srijana: Not many know that in our Darjeeling hills, Coffee plantation was done in 19th Century and is as old as Cinchona plantation. Most houses in Kalimpong village side still have coffee plants with Red berries and white blossoms. Many villages in Sittong (Kurseong Sub division) too have Coffee. At Coffeelicious we promote Himalayan Coffee and I hope this effort will eventually help lift help the Socio-Economic condition of Darjeeling Region.

I am grateful to God that today Coffeelicious is not just a Cafe but it’s a family of like-minded people united with coffee, Music, Art, literature rendering more to People and masses in each field.

TheDC: What motivated you to drop your full time housewife-cum-mom role to get into this business?

Srijiana: I had taken a stop gap in my career to take care of my daughter who was sick and when it was time to get back to work. I decided not to return to my job but to start up with my passion which was Coffee.

TheDC: What are the challenges that you faced being a woman/mother trying to start something new?

Srijana: It’s a juggle between work and home. The first thing to resolve was to look for a cafe space very near to my house where I could go time to time and check on my children at home. Today, my younger one who is now 5 year’s old is as involved with my work as she is the first one to taste and give suggestions of food cakes or bakes. My elder daughter helps me with online research. She gives me suggestions about the likes of the new generation kids and follows new cafe trends that we need to match up with time. My daughters are very well aware of what work I am doing and they understand the reason for times I am away from them.

TheDC: How supportive has your family been in your endeavour?

Srijana: My parents and my brother have been very supportive. At first they were uncertain of my sudden drift in career, it took time for me to make them understand. Eventually they asked me to follow my passion and helped me as much.

Coffeelicious – Ready for Christmas Season

TheDC: What do you think about the cafe culture in Siliguri?

Srijana: There is more to coffee and variations of coffee in a cafe. It is also about reading books or enjoying music and spending a good needed “me-time”. Place where people can go alone and yet have a good time. In early 2019 we also started with sharing co-working space where individual contributors could work from cafe. The cafe culture will surely evolve in Siliguri, and with work from home becoming a popular concept and individual contributor jobs in the rise, I am hopeful, Coffeelicious will be a new home/work for many from our place.

TheDC: How did COVID affect your business?

Srijana: The Global pandemic has hit us as badly as any other business in the scene. I am hopeful that we will be able to at least sustain the business until we wait for the Magic Vaccine to arrive.

TheDC: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Srijana: Working at plantation and production of coffee from saplings to the cappuccino in the cup. In five years hope to achieve self-production and create our very own Himalayan Coffee brand in itself. The next cafe will be in my hometown Darjeeling. Keeping fingers crossed and working towards it.

You can follow Coffeelicious Cafe at: Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/coffeelicioussiliguri

Instagram: @Coffeelicious_Cafe

Scan this QR code to connect with Coffeelicious:

The post Srijana Lillian of ‘Coffeelicious’ – Driven by Passion appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Ama: Shanti Tamang
Baba: Manikumar Waiba
School(s): up to Class X from Munsong High School, Higher Secondary: SUMI, Kalimpong
College(s): Government College, Darjeeling
University(s): North Bengal University

The DC: So tell us something about your journey, what got you interested in Music?

Deepankar: I started loving music from the very beginning, it probably came to me from my parents, though they are not musicians but they are music lovers. I remember unlike other kids who asked for toys or other stuffs from their parents, I used to ask for a guitar, I don’t know where that idea came to me at that age because I knew no one who played a guitar at that time. I started humming and singing at very early age, I even used to make my own flute with pieces of bamboos and pipes and play old Nepali and Hindi tunes.

Back then, my father owned a tape recorder and he used to make me and my brother sing and record our songs in a cassette, later during the evenings we used to sit together and listen to those recordings. My mother used to tell me that I will become a singer one day. I grew up listening to all kinds of music and also played various instruments, we formed rock bands in schools and I started composing music and doing live shows.

Later on during the college and university days I invested most of my time learning music and playing guitar. My friends who played with me, the musicians I met along the way and my cousin who is a professional flutist also inspired me a lot.

The DC: Is your family supportive of your musical endeavours?

Deepankar: Yes, they have always been supportive in all my endeavors in fact they love my singing and compositions, my father has also written a song for me which I have composed and recorded.

The DC: You are a WBCS officer, and a very talented artist too – so how do you identify yourself more as an economist/artist/musician or a bureaucrat?

Deepankar: There were times when I worked in different capacities, I started as a Social Worker, then as a Teacher , as an Administrator and Bureaucrat, my role has changed over time, right now I prefer to be identified as a Public Servant by Profession and a Musician by passion.

The DC: So how do you balance your time between your passion and your work?

Deepankar: People often ask this question, but you have to step out of your comfort zone to follow your passion. It seems difficult, but it is not if you only give a little thought and act accordingly. Through all these years I have learned that the most important thing that is required for balancing is to keep oneself disciplined. Since the amount of time you get is something that you cannot change, all you can do is change your habits; I try to keep myself healthy, do regular practice and follow strict schedules while working on my recordings and compositions. In order to save time I do all my recordings by myself and keep my arrangements as simple as possible.

The DC: How have the responses been so far?

Deepankar: Wonderful, people have immensely loved my singles, both ‘Akash Paari’ and ‘Darjeeling’ are doing great. Till now people from all ages having varied musical tastes and preferences have shown acceptance to the kind of music I have been doing, they have showered their love and support. Both the songs are creating a buzz.

Messages are pouring in from the content creators and other artists as well, appreciating my work and expressing their willingness to collaborate for various projects, I want to thank them all for their love and support. My compositions are loved not only by Nepali speaking people but people who speak other languages as well. I get messages from people asking for a translation of the songs that I have released. I am very much positive and excited to bring more songs of the like.

The DC: What were the difficulties you faced in your journey and how did you overcome them?

Deepankar: I was born and raised during the very hard times of eighties in the place called Munsong, which is a Government cinchona plantation in the erstwhile Sub-Division of Kalimpong, so the problems I have faced during my early days are typical to the problems faced by the youths from the Hills.

The opportunities were limited and the whole generation was in a grip of utter confusion and disorderly system. School-Drop outs, unemployment, substance abuses and crimes were rampant. But I never let myself lose my focus from studies. I did not consider my journey as a journey of myself alone, it was rather a journey of the entire village where I belonged, I was kind of representing hopes and dreams of many people. There is this typical thing about being a lad from a village, because unlike cities here everyone knows who you are and what you are doing, so there is some kind of expectation not only from your family but from the society as a whole.

So during the entire journey I always felt, and I still do, that I have shouldered a responsibility to prove that there is no alternative to education if that vicious circle is to be broken. The pressure of completing my education with good results and making a descent life came not from my parents, but I had to do it for the gamut of people who ran away from education and for those parents who never thought worthwhile in investing in their children’s education.

It was something that I understood in the very beginning and I had planed my journey accordingly. Cracking public service was a tedious task and required perseverance, there were difficult times, sometimes it was hard to manage things, but with the support of my friends and family I reached where I had to. I am glad that I did play my role thoroughly and it did yield the result, today I am glad to see that in our locality children’s education is given a primary place and people appreciate what I did. Amid all these, music was something which I never let to die; I kept learning and polishing my skill. I already had a plan on the back of my mind that I will bring my music to people and I felt this is the right time to do, so during the mid 2019,

I collaborated with my old college buddy Srijana Lilian who is a fantastic writer and I started working on my first single: ‘Akash Paari’ after that I did ‘Darjeeling’ and now I busy finalizing the works on a full length album, which will be released very soon.

The DC: What advice would you give others who may want to follow up in your shoes?

Deepankar: Do not give up your passion, keep working on it and focus on what you should be doing. You will come to know your inner self only by contemplating what you are meant to do. It does not matter if you are making it big or small or late or early, all that matters is whether you are giving enough time to know your true self. Since we are living in the age where knowledge of the entire universe is at the tip of our fingers, make the most out of it.

Keep learning and refining your skill. This is the time to break all stereotypes and explore your true capacity.

The post Deepankar Waiba – A Musical Bureaucrat appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Capt. Amber Singh Gurung was born on 15th of Nov 1923 in Thurbo T.E. Mirik.

If you are surprised about how we know the accurate dates? Well, Capt. Amber Singh Gurung remembers everything, who at a young age of 97 has more energy, vigour and enthusiasm than most of us.

His outstanding performance in the army can be adjudged from the fact that he has received Burma Star medals 9 times.

In 2011, his contribution to the army was recognized and he was felicitated on Kargil Day celebrations held at Batasia War Memorial.

His love for the community and dream of seeing a state of our own saw him participate at the GJM led ex-servicemen’s rally in Delhi, he was only 88 years old then.

He is a soldier’s soldier, whose love for the country and the Gorkhali community is unsurpassed.

We salute Capt. Gurung and wish for his long life!!

The post Capt. Amber Singh Gurung (Retd) World War – II Veteran appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.