Interlocutor ToR includes “Addressing Gorkha Aspirations within the constitutional framework.”

Answering to a question raised by the Trinamool Congress MP from Maturapur, Bapi Halder, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityananda Rai has informed the Lok Sabha that the Government of India had “appointed an Interlocutor to hold constructive dialogue with various stakeholders”, as “there was no representation of the Government of West Bengal in two tripartite meetings, and no substantial representation in one meeting”, held on issues related to the Gorkha community.

The Minister said the “Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) was formed following a tripartite agreement in 2011 between the Government of India, the Government of Bengal and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. In July 2017, all elected members of the GTA resigned. In view of the absence of elected members in the GTA and repeated requests for dialogue by Gorkha leaders, the Home Ministry convened three tripartite meetings on October 7, 2020, October 12, 2021, and April 3, 2025.

Subsequently, the Government of India appointed an Interlocutor fromer Dy NSA and IPS Officer Pankaj Kumar Singh to engage with various stakeholders, including representatives of Gorkha organizations, on issues concerning Gorkhas.

The interlocutor’s term is one year. The interlocutor will engage in constructive dialogue with various stakeholders and suggest measures to resolve these issues.

The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the interlocutor are as follows:

(i) To undertake constructive dialogue with various stakeholders including representatives of Gorkha organizations on the issues relating to Gorkhas in Darjeeling Hills, Tarai and Dooars region of West Bengal and suggest measures to resolve issues and roadmap in this regard.

(ii) To hold discussions with other stakeholders in Darjeeling Hills, Tarai and Dooars region of West Bengal in this regard.

(iii) Recommend measures for socio-economic upliftment, cultural recognition, and preservation of cultural heritage of Gorkhas in the region, and addressing their aspirations within the Constitutional framework.

It should be noted that interlocutor former Dy NSA Pankaj Kuma Singh (IPS) has been visiting the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region, and has held talks with various representatives here.

The post MHA Makes Interlocutor “Terms of Reference” Public appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

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.

Nepathya Live in Siliguri marks the band’s debut performance in the city, a moment long anticipated by audiences across North Bengal, Sikkim, and the Eastern Himalayan region – where Nepathya’s songs have circulated for years through recordings, memory, and cultural inheritance, but never before through a Siliguri stage

The concert will be held at Utsodhaara Teesta Township, behind Kawakhali Ground, placing Siliguri – often described as a gateway city – at the center of a rare cross-border cultural convergence.

The event is presented by PVE Network, Club Gravity, and Mainali International Human Resources. PVE Network – owner of the IP Let’s Get Loud India Series, which featured Sajjan Raj Vaidya – is also serving as the curator for the Siliguri project, framing the concert as part of a broader vision for culturally rooted, regionally significant live music platforms in eastern India.

Over the years, Nepathya has distinguished itself as one of the region’s most formidable live acts. The band has performed hundreds of concerts across Nepal, India, Australia, Europe, Japan, and North America, frequently drawing crowds in the tens of thousands. In Nepal, their open-air shows have repeatedly ranked among the largest ticketed live music events staged by a homegrown band, noted for disciplined sound, minimal spectacle, and a strong sense of collective participation.

According to Bikesh Kayastha, Founder of PVE Network, the decision to bring Nepathya to Siliguri was driven by a belief that audiences in this part of the country have long been underserved when it comes to landmark live performances.

“The idea of bringing Nepathya to Siliguri came from a simple conviction – that people in and around this region deserve to experience a band of this stature live,” Mr. Kayastha said. “This is about extending the live concert experience to the eastern side of the country and raising the benchmark for production and presentation, so the audience here receives the same quality of experience seen elsewhere.”

Early indicators suggest that the Siliguri concert’s appeal extends well beyond the city. Fans from parts of Bhutan and Nepal are expected to attend, while within India, a significant volume of early inquiries has come from Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and across the Northeast region, reflecting Nepathya’s enduring resonance among urban and diasporic audiences alike.

Following the announcement, Early Bird tickets were released online and have seen rapid uptake, with only a limited number now remaining. Tickets are available via the District by Zomato App and Web.

In an era when live music is increasingly driven by scale and speed, Nepathya’s first appearance in Siliguri stands apart – arriving deliberately, and carrying with it the weight of geography, memory, and shared cultural history.

Event Details:
Event: Nepathya Live in Siliguri
Date: 28 February 2026
Venue: Utsodhaara Teesta Township, behind Kawakhali Ground, Siliguri
Presented By: PVE Network | Club Gravity | Mainali International Human Resources
Tickets: Early Bird tickets [limited availability] on District by Zomato App & Web

Note: For the first time, Nepathya bring their voice to Siliguri and we are honoured to be a part of their journey as a Media Partner.

We have not charged any money from the organisers or the band for the promotion, and are promoting the event as a mark of respect for the legendary Nepathya band.

The post Nepathya Live: For the First Time, Nepathya Bring Their Voice to Siliguri appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?

The Special Intensive Revision is a comprehensive overhaul of the electoral roll, where voter verification is done from scratch. This is different from the regular annual summary revision that accounts for new voters, deaths, and migration. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered this for Bihar, and now it will be implemented in 12 states and UTs, including West Bengal.

Since 1951 to 2004, it has been done 8-times. The last SIR was done in 2002-2004.

विशेष गहन संशोधन (SIR) भनेको के हो?

विशेष गहन संशोधन भनेको मतदाता सूचीको पूर्ण पुनरावलोकन हो, जहाँ मतदाता प्रमाणीकरण शून्यबाट सुरु गरिन्छ। यो वार्षिक सारांश पुनरावलोकनभन्दा फरक हुन्छ, जसमा नयाँ मतदाता थप्ने, मृत्यु भएका व्यक्तिहरू हटाउने, र स्थानान्तरण भएका व्यक्तिहरूको विवरण अद्यावधिक गर्ने गरिन्छ। निर्वाचन आयोग (ECI) ले यो प्रक्रिया बिहारमा सुरु गरेको छ र र अब यो १२ राज्यहरू तथा संघीय क्षेत्रहरूमा लागू गरिनेछ, जसमा पश्चिम बङ्गाल पनि समावेश छ।

सन् १९५१ देखि २००४ सम्म यो ८ पटक गरिएको छ। अन्तिम एसआईआर सन् २००२-२००४ मा गरिएको थियो।

Why is the 2002 Voter List Important?

The 2002 voter list is a significant document. If your name was on the 2002 electoral roll, you are already considered a valid voter in India, and generally, no further proof of citizenship is required by the Election Commission. You would only need to submit the relevant page from the 2002 electoral roll as proof.

२००२ को मतदाता सूची किन महत्वपूर्ण छ?

२००२ को मतदाता सूची एक महत्वपूर्ण दस्तावेज हो। यदि तपाईंको नाम २००२ को मतदाता सूचीमा समावेश छ भने, तपाईंलाई भारतको मान्य मतदाता मानिन्छ र सामान्यतया नागरिकता प्रमाणित गर्न अन्य थप कागजात आवश्यक पर्दैन। तपाईंले २००२ को मतदाता सूचीको सम्बन्धित पृष्ठ मात्र पेश गर्नुपर्छ।

Required Documents Based on Year of Birth:

The required documents may vary based on your date of birth. Here is a likely scenario based on the process in other states:

• Born before January 1, 1987: If your name is in the 2002 electoral roll, a copy of that page is sufficient. Otherwise, you will need to provide one of the specified documents to prove your eligibility.
• Born between January 1, 1987, and January 1, 2002: You will need to provide one of the specified documents for yourself. Additionally, if your father’s or mother’s name is on the 2002 electoral roll, a copy of that page will suffice. Otherwise, one of the specified documents for either parent will be required.
• Born after January 1, 2002: You will need to provide one of the specified documents for yourself. For both parents, if their names are on the 2002 electoral roll, you need to submit a copy of that page. If not, one of the specified documents for each parent will be necessary.

जन्म मिति अनुसार आवश्यक कागजातहरू:

जन्म मिति अनुसार आवश्यक कागजातहरू फरक पर्न सक्छन्। अन्य राज्यहरूमा लागू प्रक्रियाका आधारमा सम्भावित अवस्था यस्तो हुन सक्छ:

• १ जनवरी १९८७ भन्दा पहिले जन्मिएकाहरू: यदि तपाईंको नाम २००२ को मतदाता सूचीमा छ भने, त्यसको प्रतिलिपि पर्याप्त हुन्छ। नभएमा, तपाईंले निर्दिष्ट कागजातहरू मध्ये कुनै एक पेश गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ।
• १ जनवरी १९८७ र १ जनवरी २००२ बीच जन्मिएकाहरू: तपाईंले स्वयम्‌का लागि निर्दिष्ट कागजात पेश गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ। साथै, यदि तपाईंका बुबा वा आमा २००२ को मतदाता सूचीमा छन् भने, त्यसको प्रतिलिपि पर्याप्त हुन्छ। नभएमा, बुबा वा आमामध्ये एकजनाका लागि निर्दिष्ट कागजात पेश गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ।
• १ जनवरी २००२ पछि जन्मिएकाहरू: तपाईंले स्वयम्‌का लागि निर्दिष्ट कागजात पेश गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ। साथै, दुबै अभिभावकको नाम २००२ को मतदाता सूचीमा भएमा तिनको प्रतिलिपि पेश गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ। यदि छैन भने, दुबै अभिभावकका लागि निर्दिष्ट कागजात आवश्यक पर्छ।

What is the Enumeration Form?

Every person aged 18 and above who wishes to be included in the voter list must fill out an enumeration form. This form will be provided by the Booth Level Officer (BLO) or can be filled out online through the NVSP (National Voter Service Portal).

गणना फारम (Enumeration Form) के हो?

१८ वर्ष वा सोभन्दा बढी उमेर भएका हरेक व्यक्तिले मतदाता सूचीमा नाम समावेश गराउन गणना फारम भर्नुपर्छ। यो फारम बुथ तहका अधिकृत (BLO) मार्फत दिइनेछ वा राष्ट्रिय मतदाता सेवा पोर्टल (NVSP) बाट अनलाइन भर्न सकिनेछ।

Common Concerns and Solutions:

• Change in EPIC Number: If your EPIC (Elector’s Photo Identity Card) number has changed since 2002, there is no need to worry. The Election Commission can link your old and new numbers.
• Spelling or Date of Birth Errors: Minor errors in the 2002 electoral roll are generally not a cause for concern, especially if your current EPIC has the correct information. For significant errors, you can use one of the alternative documents with the correct details.
• Address Change (especially for women after marriage): Even if your address has changed, if your name was on the 2002 electoral roll, you are still considered a valid voter. You just need to provide the relevant page from the 2002 list.
• Applying from outside the state: The enumeration form can be filled out online through the NVSP portal once the process officially begins in West Bengal.
• Documents and photos can also be uploaded online.

सामान्य चिन्ता र समाधानहरू:

• EPIC नम्बर परिवर्तन भएको छ भने:
  यदि २००२ यताका वर्षहरूमा तपाईंको मतदाता परिचय पत्र (EPIC) नम्बर परिवर्तन भएको छ भने चिन्ता लिनुपर्ने आवश्यक छैन। निर्वाचन आयोगले पुरानो र नयाँ नम्बरलाई आपसमा जोड्न सक्छ।
• नामको हिज्जे वा जन्म मिति त्रुटि:
  २००२ को सूचीमा साना गल्तीहरू सामान्यतया ठूलो समस्या मानिँदैन, विशेष गरी तपाईंको हालको EPIC कार्डमा सही विवरण छ भने। तर यदि गम्भीर त्रुटि छ भने, तपाईंले सही विवरण भएको वैकल्पिक कागजात प्रयोग गर्न सक्नुहुन्छ।
• ठेगाना परिवर्तन (विशेष गरी विवाहपछिको महिलाहरूका लागि):
  यदि तपाईंको ठेगाना परिवर्तन भएको भए पनि, तपाईंको नाम २००२ को मतदाता सूचीमा समावेश छ भने, तपाईं अझै मान्य मतदाता मानिनुहुन्छ। तपाईंले त्यसको प्रतिलिपि मात्र पेश गर्नुपर्छ।
• अन्य राज्यबाट आवेदन दिने:
  पश्चिम बंगालमा प्रक्रिया सुरु भएपछि गणना फारम NVSP पोर्टलमा अनलाइन भर्न सकिनेछ। आवश्यक कागजातहरू र फोटोहरू पनि अनलाइन अपलोड गर्न सकिनेछ।

2002 VOTERS LIST – To download, click on the link below

Those from Darjeeling can check 2002 list here: DARJEELING

Those from Kalimpong can check 2002 list here: KALIMPONG

Those from Kurseong can check 2002 list here: KURSEONG

Those from Siliguri can check 2002 list here: SILIGURI

Those from Phansidewa can check 2002 list here: PHANSIDEWA

Those from Mal can check 2002 list here: MAL BAZAR

Those from Kalchini can check 2002 list here: KALCHINI

Those from Madarihat can check 2002 list here: MADARIHAT

Those from Nagrakata can check 2002 list here: NAGRAKATA

Those from Kumargram can check 2002 list here: KUMARGRAM

Those from Alipurduar can check 2002 list here: ALIPURDUAR

Those from Falakata can check their 2002 list here: FALAKATA

Those from Dhupguri can check their 2002 list here: DHUPGURI

Those from Nagrakata can check their 2002 list here: NAGRAKATA

Those from Mainaguri can check their 2002 list here: MAINAGURI

Those from Kranti can check their 2002 list here: KRANTI

Those from Jalpaiguri can check their 2002 list here: JALPAIGURI

Those from Rajganj can check their 2002 list here: RAJGANJ

Those from Chopra can check their 2002 list here: CHOPRA

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Pankaj Kumar Singh, a seasoned national security specialist, has been appointed as the Interlocutor for taking forward the Gorkha related talks.

New Delhi, October 16, 2025: In a significant move concerning Gorkha demands in the Darjeeling region, the Government of India has appointed former Deputy National Security Advisor Pankaj Kumar Singh (IPS Retd), as the interlocutor for talks with Gorkha representatives.

The announcement, made late Thursday by the Ministry of Home Affairs, signals New Delhi’s renewed commitment to addressing the aspirations of the people from Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region.

Singh, a 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Rajasthan cadre and a seasoned national security specialist, brings decades of experience in border security and high-stakes diplomacy to the role. Sources close to the development described Singh’s selection as “strategic,” citing his “unimpeachable track record in handling sensitive national security issues”.

Pankaj Kumar Singh (born December 19, 1962) rose through the ranks to become the 29th Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) from August 2021 until his retirement on December 31, 2022. Post-retirement, Singh was appointed as Deputy National Security Advisor (DNSA) in the National Security Council Secretariat in January 2023 for a two-year term. His expertise in ethnic conflicts, honed through earlier postings in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast, positions him ideally for the Gorkha brief.

“Singh’s calm demeanor and negotiation skills have de-escalated crises before; this is a masterstroke,” said a former Home Ministry official, speaking anonymously.

The post Pankaj Kumar Singh Appointed Interlocutor for Crucial Gorkha Talks appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

“Revisiting the Old Gorkha Thum Dorjeling: Then & Now The Darjeeling Odyssey” by Pratap Chandra Pradhan – ISBN 978-81-987416-2-2 – Reviewed by Dr. Samar Sinha

Pratap Chandra Pradhan, a well-known littérateur and film-maker in Nepali, has established himself as a chronicler of Darjeeling with his Nepali book Purano Gorkha Thum, Dorling: uhile ra ahile, published in 1984. Since this book was banned in India, when I met him for the first time in 2011, I asked him for a copy, which he couriered a photocopy a week later.

          Revisiting the Old Gorkha Thum Dorjeling: Then and Now, with a subtitle, The Darjeeling Odyssey, is an updated English version of the same earlier book, an odyssey from Darjeeling’s past to its future as Gorkhaland. He relegates the popular British narrative on Darjeeling, beginning with the Deed of Grant in 1835. Although he does not cite the sources, Pradhan mentions that Darjeeling was part of the Kingdom of Prag Jyotishpur; later, it was under the Bodo and Koch dominion in the 16th century. Further, he provides an account of Darjeeling as a thum (lit. hillock), an administrative unit for taxation under the Kirat rule.

          Pradhan cites the earliest Sikkimese record of 1761, which mentions a monastery at Mahakal Dara (the Observatory Hill) at the present-day Darjeeling town. He does not say that Darjeeling was/is a part of Mayelyang(of the Lepchas)as toponyms and hydronyms suggest, but he writes, “local place names, archaeological findings and historical records indicate that the area was inhabited by … the Lepcha, Bhote, Limbu, Kirat Rai and Magar” (pg. 20). With his vast repository of references across the chapters, Pradhan establishes that “prior to 1835, …present day Darjeeling and Sikkim was home to …Nepali speaking communities.” (pg. 26) rather than of the immigrants.                         

          He narrates that from 1789 to 1816, Darjeeling was a part of Nepal. In the Anglo-Nepal War (1814-16) and the subsequent Treaty of Sugauli in 1816, Nepal had to cede Darjeeling to the East India Company (EIC). It was the Treaty of Titalia with Sikkim in 1817, the EIC reinstated Darjeeling to Sikkim, making the latter a buffer state between Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. However, Antu, a hilltop now in Nepal, remained a contention between Sikkim and Nepal. In 1828, Captain (later, General) Lloyd and Grant set foot on Darjeeling to mediate the issue, and the British romance with Darjeeling began from then.

          In 1835, through the Deed of Grant, the EIC acquired, “…out of friendship … all the land south of the Great Rungeet River, east of the Balasan River, Kalyail and Little Rungeet Rivers, and west of the Rungus and Mahanadi Rivers”(Mainwaring 1876: viii). Besides, he has elaborated on the ‘push and pull factors’ that led to Darjeeling’s transformation, and the birth of Nepalipan and the emergence of Gorkha. These parts of Darjeeling’s history are often repeated in several chapters in the book.

          By Captain Lloyd’s estimate, “all the land” was “30 miles long and 10 miles at some places in breadth,” and was referred to as the “Darjeeling Tract” (Pinn 1986: 15) rather than Darjeeling. This polysemy of Darjeeling between “Darjeeling Tract” and the Darjeeling district (see Mukherjee and Mercer (1962) on the formation of the Darjeeling district) is blurred, and often the reader gets an impression of today’s Darjeeling rather than the “Darjeeling Tract.”

          Kalimpong, a Bhutanese territory, was integrated with Darjeeling following the Treaty of Sinchula in 1865. In 2017, the Darjeeling district was bifurcated into Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. He narrates that the trade relations with Sikkim, Bhutan and Tibet flourished via Kalimpong. Ultimately, Pradhan provides how “Kalimpong (which) was considered insignificant” (pg. 23) became a strategically important satellite town of Darjeeling, and became “a contact zone” (see Viehbeck 2017).

          Pradhan makes reading pleasant in his several accounts on the etymology of Darjeeling and its spellings. Although he has not mentioned Waddell (1899/1998) and Wangyal (2023) for various other etymologies of Darjeeling, including its forgotten version as Dorjeelingka – a place of thunderstone (corresponding to Norbulingka in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India). He mentions how Darjulyang (lit. abode of Gods in Lepcha, see Plaisier 2007: 176), Dorjeling (the cave of the mystic thunderbolt, see Waddell 1899/1998), Dorling, Darjiling became Darjeeling to refer to Queen of Hill Stations, Queen of Hills, Old Gorkha Station, Purano Gorkha Thum, summer capital, etc. and became famous for Tea, Tourism and Timber or toy-train.

In a similar spirit, in nine chapters, he traces the status of Darjeeling as a sanatorium, as a part of the Rajshahi under the EIC, under the Bhagalpur administrative division in the post-Bengal division, Excluded Area, Partially Excluded Area, Absorbed Area, Greater Nepal, a separate administrative unit (for Darjeeling) under the Hillmen’s Association (1917), integration with Assam by Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (1943), Gorkhasthan including Sikkim by Communist Party of India (1947), Gorkhaland movement and its backdrop (under Subash Ghising and Bimal Gurung), limited autonomy under Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) and Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA), demand for the Sixth Schedule tribal council, etc. In essence, he has dwelled upon every aspect of Darjeeling, including language movement, Gorkha vs. Nepali, the perception created by the 1950 Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty, establishment of political parties, 15 Development Boards, Darjeeling-Sikkim merger, Five-Decimal Plot, proposal for integration of Darjeeling into the North East Council (NEC), etc.

          Pradhan has proposed a narrative (opposed to the colonial account) to ascertain a deeper symbiotic relationship, background, and aspirations between Darjeeling and its populace, revealing undocumented, unwritten, hidden aspects, or bringing into the forefront those kept in the shadows. In chapter IX, by highlighting the contemporary development regarding ‘Permanent Political Solution’ (PPS), and the existential angst that Darjeeling and its people face, he opines that a “Think Tank Organisation” to steer towards Gorkhaland. Penultimately, as an elderly statesman, he has placed “Key Points for Consideration” (pg. 164) – a hope that can be effective in the future struggle for Gorkhaland.

          It is important to flag out that “the Lepcha and Bhutia …these tribes are descendants of those migrated from eastern Sikkim to settle in Sikkim” (pg. 28-29) is true regarding the Bhutias, not the Lepchas. In chapter II, Pradhan has stirred up a hornet’s nest – “tribe,” a problematic category as it evokes and connotes different meanings to different sectors of the Indian population (see Sinha & Turin in press). On the issue of “tribe” in Darjeeling, Pradhan has surprisingly taken recourse to the 1991 Constitution of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (pg. 40), for no apparent empirical reason. It is an unwanted anchorage and could have been avoided by the author. There are a few editing errors like “Hooker historian” (pg. 26); “migrated eastwards into Sikkim” rather than “migrated southwards into Sikkim” (pg. 27); Ballabh Mani (not Vallabhmani pg. 30); Kalyail (not Khare pg. 37); “prposed” (pg. 75); “The words indigenous, tribe, native, immigrant, and forest-dweller are actually derived from Nepali” (pg. 39) and “Gorkhaland or Nepali land” (pg. 44), on Khye Bumsa, etc. need further elaboration. Similarly, “Madan Tamang, a former leader of the Darjeeling Hill Council” (pg. 74) and his discussion of the sociological categories are off track. Although he has cited 34 references, Waddell (1899/1998), Pinn (1986), Namgyal & Dolma (1908), Pradhan (2008) and Mainali (BS 2070/2071) are felt to be missing prominently.

          Revisiting the Old Gorkha Thum Dorjeling: Then and Now, with a foreword by Durga Pradhan (author’s close relative and social activist), is a result of Pratap Chandra Pradhan’s longitudinal study of Darjeeling, driven by personal anecdotes, supported by various individuals and institutions as mentioned in his acknowledgements. The book dedicated to the martyrs owes its genesis to the idea of “preserving the knowledge of the past, present, and future of the historical soil of our ancestors.” It is enriched with maps, photographs, followed by references and a glossary. The book cover, illustrated by Avishkar Chandra Pradhan (the author’s son, a Bangalore-based artist), has lent an additional idyllic charm to Darjeeling and its toy train. The book is supplemented with quotes and Nepali proverbs (in English) and pointers to the literary works that make reading enjoyable, but the in-text citation is awkward. He has used Roman as well as Devanagari for the Nepali and other terms, which have successfully captured the essence in addition to the glossary of these words. However, printed on the FSC-certified paper, the pagination does not adhere to the publication standards. One realises that the book could have been better curated by the publisher.

          Despite these matters not so diverting, Revisiting the Old Gorkha Thum Dorjeling: Then and Now, a narrative on the transformation of Darjeeling, offers a ground to engage with the communities and autonomy. The book is without any theoretical underpinnings that make it easily accessible to common readers. Like his personality, Pradhan is soft, mild, polite, cautious, wise, as well as essentialist in his writing too. Revisiting the Old Gorkha Thum Dorjeling also (re)establishes the tradition of storytelling about Darjeeling, and Pradhan as a tall chronicler. In addition, undoubtedly, it is not only a new landmark in the study of Darjeeling (in English), but also stimulating enough to pursue the PPS of Darjeeling as Gorkhaland, yet another Darjeeling’s transformation that the author envisions.

References

• Mainali, Mohan. BS 2070/2071. Mukam Ranamaidan. Kathmandu: BookHill.
• Mainwaring, G. B. 1876. A Grammar of the Róng (Lepcha) Language. Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press.
• Mukherjee, B.K. & Mercer, A.V. A. 1962. A Short History of Darjeeling and its People. (Publisher not mentioned).
• Namgyal, Thutob & Dolma, Yeshay. 1908. History of Sikkim. (Translated by Kazi Dousandup)(Publisher not mentioned).
• Pinn, Fred. 1986. The Road of Destiny: Darjeeling Letters 1839. Calcutta: Oxford University Press.
• Plaisier, Heleen. 2007. A Grammar of Lepcha. Leiden: Brill.
• Pradhan, Gupta. 2008. Dhumil Pristaharu. Darjeeling: Gama Prakashan.
• Pradhan, Kumar. 2004. Darjeelingmaa nepali jaati ra janjaatiyaa chinarikaa nayaa adhanharu. The Mahesh Chandra Regmi Lecture 2004. Kathmandu: Social Science Baha.
• Pradhan, Pratap Chandra. 1984. Purano Gorkha Thum Darjeeling uhile ra ahile Gorkhalandtira. Darjeeling: Deepa Prakashan.
• Sinha, Samar & Turin, Mark. in press. The Tribal Languages of Sikkim.In Devy, G.N. & Temsen, Grace (eds.), People’s Linguistic Survey of India. Tribal Languages of India — the North East, Vol. 40. Delhi: Orient BlackSwan
• Viehbeck, Markus. (ed.). 2017. Transcultural Encounters in the Himalayan Borderlands: Kalimpong as a “Contact Zone.” doi: https://doi.org/10.17885/heiup.301.409
• Waddell, L.A. 1899/1998. Among the Himalayas. Delhi: Pilgrims Book Pvt. Ltd. 
• Wangyal, Sonam B. 2023. Darjeeling Place Names. Darjeeling: BukAnt.

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Samar Sinha (PhD, JNU) teaches Linguistics and Semiotics in the Department of Nepali, Sikkim University. He is the Coordinator of the Centre for Endangered Languages at Sikkim University, Sikkim, India.

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This large-scale recruitment drive is for the appointment of Staff Nurses Grade-II across multiple categories.

Candidates interested can apply for the recruitment from 13 August 2025 on the board’s official website, www.hrb.wb.gov.in.

The application process will begin on 13 August 2025 (10:00 AM) and will remain open until 3 September 2025 (2:00 PM) through the official WBHRB website.

Please SHARE, someone in your timeline may benefit.

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PepsiCo, Coco-Cola, Kaisha Industries, Natural water Industries, Parle, Vinayaka Industries, Hornbill Industries, ITC, CG Foods, Perfetti Van Melle were revealed as the top 10 polluters of the Indian Himalayan Region for 2025 at the webinar ‘The Himalayan Cleanup Speaks: Insights to Action’ 8 August 2025 – Zero Waste Himalaya Day. The top polluters were identified through The Himalayan Cleanup audits were conducted across 8 mountain states in which 12500 volunteers cleaned 148 sites and audited 217854 plastic waste collected.

Zero Waste Himalaya and Integrated Mountain Initiative have been anchoring The Himalayan Cleanup since 2018, with a waste and brand audit to name the companies that pollute the Himalaya, and call them out to take responsibility for their plastic waste including designing out of the system. The call is also for the extended producer responsibility rule implementation with targeted focus for the Himalaya that recognises the importance and fragility of the landscape. 

The webinar’s context setting highlighted that existing policies and practices are not sensitive and sufficient to respond to the Himalayan waste crisis, and that there was a need to acknowledge the socio-ecological importance, fragility and challenges of the Himalaya. The need to shift the solution narrative beyond the broom, bin, landfill, burn and roll it downhill and to towards systemic solutions was stressed.The presentation on findings of THC 2025 by Ms. Priya Shrestha, member of Zero Waste Himalaya, highlighted that 217854 plastic waste collected was 93% of the total waste collected. 47% of the plastic waste collected was non-recyclable, thus challenging recycling as a complete solution. There has been a dramatic reduction in the   non-recyclable plastic collected in THC2025 compared to the past 6 years that needs a deeper trends analysis.  53% of plastic waste collected was recyclable and shows that the mountains are struggling with collecting and linking recyclable plastics for processing. 

Food packaging was consistently the highest trashed item at 93% of all plastics that shows the continued trend in the consumption of junk ultraprocessed food and the contribution of Big Food to the Himalayan waste crisis. 52% of food packaging audited was non-recyclable which highlights the limitations of recycling as a solution. 47.5 % of the food packaging was beverage bottles and 11% of it was the energy drink Sting, which had very high consumption among students, though it was not labelled as not recommended for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. While Sting still topped the list, THC2025 showed an increase in the number of energy drinks . The food and waste intersect was highlighted as very concerning for mountain communities, as there is clear evidence showing that junk ultraprocessed food and beverage to be the leading cause of non-communicable diseases and contributing to mental ill health.

Along with the top 10 polluters, Nimoj Industries, Parshuram Packaged Drinking Water, Nestle, Fresho Beverages, Linggi Lehmo Beverages, Haldirams, Pran, Dabur, Mondelez, Reliance were found in the top 20 companies polluting the Indian Himalayan Region from the Himalayan Cleanup 2025. While the top global and national brands have continued their presence as top polluters, THC2025 showed a big jump of local brands and bottled water brands that calls on targeted localised actions to reduce their plastic pollution. RK Paul Chawang, Amyaa – Arunachal Pradesh; Shirshendu S Das, Midway Journey – Assam; Kamlesh Rai, Biruwa – Darjeeling/Kalimpong; Abdul Rashid Bhatt, Kashmir University – Jammu & Kashmir; Preeti Chauhan, Little Green World -Leh Ladakh; Yoyung Shaiza, Enfogal – Manipur; Subhashish Dasgupta, MIMDI – Meghalaya; Mery Chakma, Mizoram Waste Solutions – Mizoram; Niksungla, Living for Environment – Nagaland; Tshering Uden Bhutia, KCC, Sikkim shared their key insights across the Indian Himalayan Region anchoring the THC2025 in their respective states and regions. While there is a need to look at the Himalaya with focussed urgency, contextual nuances across the IHR including local plastic brands and plastic used in religious spaces have to be factored in too in response to the waste crisis. These reflections also committed to taking THC insights as well as the Zero Waste Himalaya movement further into their states and regions through engagement with educational institutions, communities and Swachh Bharat Missions. 

Representatives of GAIA Ambily Adithyan and Break Free from Plastic Miko Alino responded to THC results and insights bringing in National, South Asia and Global perspectives. Miko stressed the need to go beyond the visual narrative of waste as well as end of life management issues and explore multiple pathways including legal and human rights to redress plastic pollution. Curb on production and systemic changes that also ensures a just transition was shared and put into perspective with global negotiations that are underway to end plastic pollution. Ambily shared her continued surprise about the amount of recyclables collected that shows challenges in mountain waste management systems which is not experienced in the big cities. She shared about the inclusion of mountains in the draft EPR policy that was submitted. The need for expanding allies in the health, wellbeing and front of packaging labelling was also expressed. 

Jigme Bhutia, MD SBM (Sikilkim) mentioned that THC had been instrumental in informing local waste management strategies and hoped that the demand of EPR would lead to meaningful outcomes.

Mr Ramesh Negi, President IMI in his closing remarks reiterated the Himalayan agenda and called out the need for mountain sensitive policies and allocation of adequate resources. He called out a development paradigm for the Himalaya that is not extractive and polluting and congratulated the organisers and volunteers of THC for their stewardship.

Mr RP Gurung, founding member of Zero Waste Himalaya and Integrated Mountain Initiative thanked all the participants and speakers for THC2025. He called out the launch of the Plastic Freedom Challenge 2025 where individuals go without plastic for a week coming out of THC as well as calling out Independence Day Celebrations to be plastic free.

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Recruitment of Gorkha Sepoys is being done by Odisha Police – here are the details and forms

Applications are invited from the willing Gorkha male candidates for filling up of 135 vacancies in Odisha Special Armed Police 2nd Battalion, Jharsuguda, Odisha in the rank of Gurkha Sepoy.

The applications should reach:

The office of the Commandant,
OSAP 2nd Bn., Jharsuguda,
Odisha, India,
PIN No. 768204

Deadline: 10.09.2025 in the prescribed form with 3 (three) recent passport size photograph, along with all other connected documents mentioned in para-11.

Applications received after 10.09.2025 and also incomplete application shall not be entertained.

The recruitment test will be held at OSAP 2nd Bn. Jharsuguda parade ground from 17.09.2025 onwards.

The candidates should report at the Parade Ground of OSAP 2nd Bn. Jharsuguda by 07.00 A.M. on 15.09.2025.

MANDATORY ELIGIBILITY:
A Candidate must be a bonafide Gorkha and an inhabitant of India or Nepal.

The Gorkha Candidate residing in India must have a Residential certificate issued by D.M./A.D.M./BDO and Certificate of a bonafide Indian Gurkha from a recognized Organisation.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION:
A candidate must have passed Class-VII pass or equivalent examination from any recognized institution. However, the candidates who have passed H.S.C. or equivalent examination will be given preference.

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Earlier, students who had Physics as their elective, honours or Masters/PhD could take Physics as their optional subject, those with Economics could take economics, those with Maths could take Maths, those with Bangla could take Bangla or Hindi or Santhali or Urdu etc. But students who studied Nepali in their undergraduate or masters/PhD level did not have this option. They were forced to take other subjects.

With the inclusion of Nepali as an optional subject, this historic wrong has been finally corrected. Now students who have Nepali as a subject in undergraduate and above have to option to choose Nepali as their main subjects in the WBCS Mains exams.

The credit for this historic change goes to the Hill Students’ Association, North Bengal University who lead on this issue from the front this year, and created massive pressure on the West Bengal government and all political parties to act.

It may be recalled that the inclusion of Nepali as one of the Optional Subjects in the main exams had not been done despite Nepali being an Official Language in West Bengal since 1961, and also one of the National Languages of India recognised in the VIIth Schedule of the Constitution of India since 1992.

In 2015, the then GJM Kurseong MLA Dr. Rohit Sharma had taken up this issue, while he had been assured of change it wasn’t done. Later Darjeeling MP Raju Bista too has taken up this issue at various levels since 2021. This year, along with Raju Bista, GTA Chief Anit Thapa and IGJF Chief Ajoy Edwards too had spoken in favour of inclusion of Nepali as an Optional Subject in WBCS. Recently, Kalchini MLA Bishal Lama too had demanded the inclusion of Nepali as an Optional Subject in the WB Legislative Assembly.

We thank and congratulate all those who have stood in unity with the Hill Students’ Association, in their just demand for inclusion.

This incident also shows that the youths are the heralders of change and in unity lies our strength.

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