Search Results for Darjeeling

Roads and High-Rises

Articles August 29, 2025

Roads and High-Rises Have Made Himalayan Towns Prone to Disaster

Darjeeling’s case is not an isolated one. Its problems are visible from Kashmir in the western Himalayas to Sikkim in the eastern Himalayas. From Nepal’s Melamchi to Uttarakhand’s Joshimath, the trend repeats itself across the Himalayas.

In Shimla, hotels collapsed during the 2023 monsoon. In June this year, Gangtok and Sikkim’s Teesta valley, cloudbursts tore apart dams and towns. On the other side of the border in Nepal, flooding of the Melamchi valley, which was compounded by unchecked construction, entombed homes and land in mud and slush. From Manali to Mustang, from Joshimath to Darjeeling, the cycle is the same: weak slopes, flouted laws, muffled voices.

What endures is the silence of the government and the tenacity of the common people.

Zeuxine yonzoneana

Gorkha Pride August 28, 2025

Zeuxine yonzoneana: A New Orchid Named After a Kalimpong Botanist

Zeuxine yonzoneana – The orchid was first discovered on 13th October, 2017 in the Samalbong area of Kalimpong District. A fragile plant 14 cm tall, it bears yellowish-white flowers, and its features have never been documented before. In a rare honour, the orchid now carries Dr. Yonzone’s surname, ensuring that his contribution will remain etched in botanical history.

Culture of Peace Research Support

Articles, Dr. Binu Sundas August 27, 2025

Culture of Peace Research Support: How important is this for us and our narrative?

The advertisement for the research grant for the Culture of Peace research programme by Zubaan in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Stiftung becomes significant to us. It is open to applicants from the eight Northeastern states, along with those from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong. The advertisement further states that our region has been included as a contiguous region. Though the institutions do not have any political reasons for our region’s inclusion but for us it is politically a very significant development. It indicates that certain organisations, have started to understand that our region’s inclusion is of paramount importance to establish the continuity of the northeast region.

Kanchan Mary Pradhan Teaching

Articles August 25, 2025

A Journey of Teaching, Learning, and Leading

I often look back at my childhood in the serene hills of Darjeeling and realize how deeply those early years shaped me. It was in those classrooms, surrounded by inspiring teachers, that I first began to dream of a life in education. Two teachers, in particular, left a lifelong mark on me, Ms. Tripti from St. Michael’s School, Darjeeling, and Ms. Renuka from St. Teresa’s HS School, Darjeeling. Their kindness, patience, and belief in me taught me lessons far beyond academics. They showed me the true power of a teacher’s influence, and I carry their spirit with me to this day.

Integrated Mountain Initiative

Articles August 23, 2025

Integrated Mountain Initiative Experts Ring Alarm Over Extreme Climate Events in the Himalayan Region

We in the Himalaya, are extremely aware that we have been facing the brunt of these disasters that are the result of global forces like climate crisis as well as development pathways chosen for and by the Himalaya.  There is a need for deep introspection and creating development pathways that are mountain centric and sensitive with a long term vision that is not extractive and destructive. In the face of the climate crisis, which is predicted to worsen, there is a commitment needed at the National and International level that supports development paradigms for the Himalaya that promote resilience and wellbeing.

B.Ed

Bicky August 18, 2025

B.Ed Degree Losing Its Credibility in West Bengal

The B. Ed course is designed to train the aspiring teachers through these very important domains. As such, the National Council for Teacher Education prescribes the possession of the B. Ed degree as one of the essential requirements for a candidate to be appointed as a teacher.

But, sadly enough, what was devised to usher a revolution in the process of teaching and learning, has potentially resulted in a nexus of corruption and forgery. There are growing concerns voiced by education stakeholders that the B. Ed course could amount to the largest number of fraudulent degrees in states like West Bengal.

The Himalayan Cleanup

Global, Local, National, Regional August 10, 2025

The Himalayan Cleanup Speaks: Insights to Action

The Himalayan Cleanup 2025 has put the spotlight on the Himalayan waste crisis and a call to action against plastic pollution.The Himalayan Cleanup waste and brand audit insights becomes more pertinent at the time of the global treaty negotiations to end plastic pollution. It highlights the need to have a vulnerable areas approach to the plastic waste crisis while adopting a complete life cycle perspective with producers taking responsibility as well as intersecting it with food and nutrition security, climate and biodiversity crisis. 

Crispin Chettri

Dr. Binu Sundas July 26, 2025

Crispin Chettri – The Pride of the Nation

Crispin’s achievement and contribution to the nation should be documented in the annals of Gorkha history. This beleaguered community has been fighting to establish its identity in India for a long time. Crispin’s achievement is historical not only for the nation but also for the Gorkha community. The Gorkha community of the country has to be thankful to Crispin for bringing the community into the imagination of the nation.