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Darjeeling Protest

Articles November 25, 2019

Three-Tier Panchayat in Darjeeling – A Context

We, the people of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, wholeheartedly welcome the initiative to initiate Constitutional Amendment to implement the three-tier Panchayati Raj in these two districts. Panchayati Raj has been the backbone of Indian democracy. It envisaged incorporating all the villages and its population in the nation-building processes. Further, as the majority of the population lived in the villages it was an endeavour to make them equal stakeholders in the decision-making the process and the developmental activities. Panchayati Raj system came into existence when the Community Development Programmes failed due to the lack of governance and monopoly of the few. Panchayati raj was implemented to decentralise democracy.

Brave 13 Kumaon Regiment

Articles November 17, 2019

The Bravest of the Brave

On a freezing and unforgiving November night, 123 Indian soldiers – frostbitten, weary, hungry and heavily outnumbered – defied the might of the rampaging Chinese Army.

Grandmother

Articles November 5, 2019

Of Cinema, My Grandmother and Me

How do people remember Grandmothers? Most of the time, it is due to the stories that they tell. Stories enriched with mythology and folk tales. But my Grandmother (Maternal) was a bit different. I did not enjoy the good fortune of having grandparents from my father’s side. They departed this world pretty early even before my parents got married. My father was left alone brazing this world all by himself.

Oh Darjeeling

Articles October 25, 2019

Oh Darjeeling! Where have all the Wildflowers Gone, Where are You?

Two decades, not a very long time passing, I walked away from the hills leaving behind the perfect chill hanging in the air, the muscatel cuppa tea amid those mountains, life then was always beautiful with the lovely smell of the pines and the burning dry leaves. The mist and the medley of the sun rays passing through the burnt orange leaves of the solitary maple across the famous patisserie “Glenarys” still resonate in my mind as I keep walking my imaginary walk through the mist towards the tempered sunlight of yore….

Information Security

Articles October 10, 2019

Information Security for Everyone

In today’s era information is key. You may have met a person taking a survey in a mall who notes your details and registers you for a free lucky draw. In the cybersecurity world, this is a simple form of a social engineering attack. The information that you so freely disclose is sold in the market for as less as 0.10p per individual to advertisers and scammers.

STD Glenary

Articles September 29, 2019

STD or Subscriber Trunk Dialling and the Forgotten Love Romances

I was delivering a lecture in one of my classes, where I stumbled upon the word STD. Something struck me at that instant, and so I happened to ask one of the boys about what he understood by the word term STD. He was prompt, loud and clear – he replied that it’s a disease which is sexually transmitted. I wanted to hear something else from him, so I asked if there were other meanings of STD. He was silent. Then I opened the question for the entire class, and still, nobody knew any other meaning.

Mirik

Articles September 29, 2019

Things Mirik Says

Mirik is a small hamlet with lots of interesting people who really knows how to humour. There are regional dialogues and sayings that would never get old and some of which will just be a fad. Mirik comes up with many that I have experienced myself originating within the circle, here I have mentioned most of the things that I remember and please let me know if you want to add more. And if you somewhere think that I am wrong, just know that I am never wrong and neither are you. We might just it do it our way. Shanti hai!

Gautam Deb Darjeeling District

Question Your Leaders September 18, 2019

Open Letter to TMC Leader Gautam Deb

On the outset let me inform you that the statement you made in Mirik regarding the consequences of NRC is false. Though the statement you made is appalling, we understand that it is only false propaganda. We have seen enough of the politics that the intellectual bhadralok plays with our emotions. But the times have changed, we have evolved over the years politically, socially and intellectually except the few who are still standing on your side, so such false propaganda will not have any impact on us.

Darjeeling

Stories September 11, 2019

The Darjeeling Connection: Yes Benedict Cumberbatch Was Here During His Gap Year

Not many know that the actor most famous for portraying Sherlock Holmes in TV series of the same name, who has recently portrayed the role of Julian Assange in the movie The Fifth Estate has spent a good chunk of his time in Darjeeling. He thoroughly enjoyed his stay in Darjeeling and has given credit to his stay here for his calmness and ability to focus. Speaking about Darjeeling days, Mr Cumberbatch recently told a London based journalist: