Much has been said and written about the so-called ‘Permanent Political Solution’ from many quarters. There are online discussions, zoom meetings, and political rallies galore, on ‘Permanent Political Solution’ (PPS). Some seem to believe it will be the panacea to all the issues confronting our region and people, while others believe it will be just another ‘Hawa-Mithai’.
India today completed its 75th Independence Day and as always, everything in India is a festival. Today was no different. Small villages, towns, urban centers celebrated this grand day with much fun fervor, and enthusiasm and Darjeeling hills were no different This Ground report is from one of India’s such villages where change is happening silently.
“Annually, approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide with more than one million bags used every minute.” “A plastic bag just has an average…
In a shocking revelation, a letter written by the hill unit of the TMC-affiliated college teachers’ union WBCUPA, has claimed that teachers, both permanent and those under the State-Aided College Teachers, have not been paid their arrears since many years. In their memorandum to the Chief Minister, the members of WBCUPA has alleged that arrears of ROPA 2019 and of Career Advancement Schemes and other promotions, amounting to more than Rupees Six Crore, are due to the teachers and other staff members across hill colleges in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. It is interesting to note that while the teachers in the colleges in the plains have already received their ROPA and other arrears, their counterparts in the hill colleges have struggled to trace and claim their share of arrears and other benefits.
Private hospital in Siliguri have often come to disrepute due to their shoddy treatment practices and overinflated bills. Almost everyone in the region has a…
Eastern Frontier Rifles has to get recognition as a central para-military force, alike CAPFs, as the Jawans of the EFR fulfill the same criteria as other forces do, and are always available for the nation whenever in need. This will not just help this force to get recognition but at the same time, it will help generate employment and provide new avenues for the youths. It will also help secure the fate and future of this historic force, which has today become a pale shadow of itself due to the apathy and indifference of the state government.
However, what comes as a very sad surprise just after 2 days of results being declred is Kalimpong MLA elect Mr. Ruden Lepcha’s statement explaining his ‘developmental priorities and parameters’. He explicitly made it clear that he met all the necessary people inside his party and the GTA to express his decision that he would work exclusively for the booths and samastys where he had won majority of the votes, while for those where he had lost heavily, he would keep their development work on hold. He called it as “justice of work” in terms of his service.
It is very embarrassing and heart wrenching for me to get sarcastic remarks being an Indian Nepali or Gorkha in the rest part of Indian soul. Living away from the cold mountain air and friendly own community of the hill for Postgraduate and M.Phil. Studies did come across many times with such sarcastic remarks as Chinese because of having ‘Chimso’ eyes and “How Nepali language while living in Bengal!” considered as some bitter remarks are the inner pains of the Indian Gorkha who resides plains or rest part of Indian soil.
Often described as the Queen of the Hills for its stunning natural beauty, complemented by the world-famous and UNESCO world heritage – the Himalayan Railway, also holding an intoxicating political history the Darjeeling hills does not fail to mesmerize the tourists as well as the scholars. It is sad but not surprising that the Queen of the Himalayas has always been a victim of political betrayal (Dhoka) and there is neither a “ Queen” like leader, nor a permanent “Hills” like solution to achieve its true potentials.
Education is such a prime thing where no one wants to compromise. It is everything for everyone, which harbours the development and most importantly, evolution,…