TheDC sat for a short interview with Rudy to know more about his story and his rendezvous with cooking:

TheDC: Tell us something about yourself.

Rudy: My name is Mahendra Thulung but I am mostly known as Rudy Thulung. I am a resident of Sonada. I was formerly working with Jet Airways as a cabin crew member and currently running a restaurant name by the name “Dallay” in Chennai since 2015. I did my schooling at St. Alphonsus School in Kurseong and graduated with a BA degree from Sonada Degree College. I had moved to Kolkata at the age of 19 where I started working as a call centre operator at Wipro BPO, where I worked for 3 years before I joined Jet Airways.

TheDC: When did you realise your passion for cooking?

Rudy: Though I never had to cook at home, and I never did, I knew I had this passion for cooking inside me before I moved to Kolkata.

TheDC: You said you were a flight attendant, where did you get the idea of moving into the restaurant business?

Rudy: Before joining Jet Airways, I spent 3 good years as a BPO employee. I was happily working there, but my heart somewhere always wanted something else. After serving Jet Airways for 4 years, I finally decided to take a leap of faith and follow my passion. That was when I opened my restaurant.

TheDC: What motivated you to become a chef? What is your biggest inspiration?

Rudy: Well, for this question, I don’t have a specific answer. I always enjoyed cooking good food and serving the same to the people. I may say that the joy that I would derive from doing so was my biggest motivation. Again, I have a friend, or rather a brother, who now runs a restaurant chain in Kolkata by the name “Momo I am”. He rose from scratch to become a successful entrepreneur, all of it by his hard work and determination. He is a person who has always inspired me and still continues to inspire me.

TheDC: Not having any formal training as a chef, you must have many faced challenges in getting into the business?

Rudy: As you pointed out, I don’t have any formal training as a chef, and yes, I have had my own share of challenges. I struggled a lot. I have struggled more than what I could ever put down in words. Cleaning the toilets of my restaurant, delivering orders to the customers, doing the dishes – you name anything and I have done it. It was a very tough period of 2 years for me after having made a shift from my comfort job. Slowly, I started getting fine with things.

TheDC: You talked about the hardships you faced. Were there times where you wanted to give up?

Rudy: There was indeed a lot of hardship and struggle. But despite everything, giving up was the only thing I never wanted to do or think about.

TheDC: Were your parents supportive about your decision of becoming a chef?

Rudy: Yes! I am here today only because of their love and support. In fact, my mom even helped me financially when my restaurant was going through a very rough phase. I don’t know what I would have done if not for her.

TheDC: The name of your restaurant itself suggests an inseparable aspect of Darjeeling. Do the hills influence your cooking as well?

Rudy: Definitely it does! One of the main motivations behind me opening the restaurant here in Chennai was that I wanted people here to know how amazing our food is. In fact, I want our cuisine to be served at 5-star restaurants.

TheDC: Tell us about your journey to MasterChef.

Rudy: Initially I wasn’t sure if I was capable enough or not, or maybe I had underestimated by capability. But then, I just thought that there was no harm giving it a try so that I didn’t have anything to regret about later. So, I went for the auditions and also went on getting selected round after round. It was an amazing experience.

TheDC: Where do you see yourself 5 years down the line?

Rudy: I see myself operating an international chain of restaurants serving my home cuisine. I also see myself giving consultations to 5-star restaurants.

TheDC: Final question – What would be your advice to those who want to follow your footsteps?

Rudy: Always believe in yourself and your instincts. Don’t let your weakness take over you, rather take it as a weapon and fight for your success. Never ever give up.

We are sure that a lot of people stand proud of Rudy and at the same time we are also sure that his journey from a BPO to the kitchen of MasterChef has in many ways inspired many of us. We extend our best wishes and prayers for him to be successful in the reality show, as well as in his other pursuits in life.

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“Respected all, I write this to draw your attention to the degree of corruption that is prevalent in the GTA. I am going to sight you an example and you may understand the gravity of the situation.
This is about a school.

Couple of months back a school named Hemlata Memorial Primary School, situated at Bhalutar, Sonada was granted fund from the DED department (Ghoom-Jorebunglow), GTA for dismantling and re-construction of the whole of the dilapidated three rooms of the school building. The cost of construction was whopping Rs. 33+ something lakhs (thirty three lakhs plus).

The construction of the school was handed to a group of boys from the locality. These boys are affiliated to GJMM (Binay faction). Their motive is just to earn profit. The old structure was dismantled but the cemented flooring of the old building was not touched. New pillars were erected but if you dig the floor you will not find any tie bim below.

Since Darjeeling lies in the earthquake prong zone I feel it is mandatory to tie all the pillars with bims so that it can withstand a mild earthquake. But here the lives of the students who come to study in the school are being compromised.

With 33+ lakhs for three rooms, means – 10+ lakhs per room of the size let’s say 15ft X 18ft. So with 10+ lakhs per room can’t we have tie bims? We request the officials of the GTA to take cognizance of the matter and do the needful.

We even request the police to investigate the matter.

We hear that a lot of money is misused in the name of donation to the GJMM (Binay faction) and official commission and this matter must be investigated. We hear that the distribution of cut money (from 33+ lakhs) has started from Kurseong Sub-division committee GJMM (Binay faction), Sonada –Pachyang Samasti Committee GJMM (Binay faction) and to the local leaders of GJMM (Binay faction).

Now our question is when all the level of GJMM (Binay faction) is involved in cut money then is Anit Thapa the Chairman of BOA, GTA clean or has he received the major share of the cut money. If Anit Thapa is clean then please look for the tie bim or else what are we to believe? Is the cut money being used to fill another sintex.

Please don’t play with the lives of the students. Let your greed not take life of the innocent and poor children’s.

Believe me this is not even a tip of the ice-burg. Imagine the magnitude.”
We hope the concerned authorities will take necessary and appropriate action against this

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The awards included first time title called PALDEN LEPCHA MEMORIAL AWARD given to the Outstanding Student Council Member of 2018-2019 session Mr Rakesh Sharma of B.Com Dept. Mr Sharma is President of the Student Council this year.

Palden’s Aunty gave away the award which consisted of a citation and a trophy.

Late Mr Palden Lepcha was President of the Student Council of 2016-2017 session at SCS. Hailing from Sangma village in the Sukhia Block Mr Lepcha is a role model to his juniors “for his humility and eagerness to help” as mentioned by the outgoing batch of 2019.

Palden passed away in the first week of October 2018 with health complications that set in due to TB, Jaundice, and Pneumonia.

Other awards were Presidential Award (Provincial’s Award) given to Ruchita Sinha of English department for outstanding Overall Performance, and Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence given to BA General student Deep Tshering Lepcha.

The departmental tally of graduates is as follows: English (38); Political Science (22); Education (21); BA General (18); Sociology (17); History (12); B.Com (12); BBA (3) and BCA (2).

“I am glad to see female students out number male students in this graduating session,” said Chief Guest, North Bengal University, Geography Department Prof. Sushma Rohatghi.

Prof Rohtaghi reminded audience of the International Women’s Day theme for 2019 “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change focuses on innovative ways in which we can advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure.”

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Firstly, I would like to apologize to everyone for writing this, please I am not pointing out single individual but all of us, so I don’t want to hurt but bringing out the reality is needed at times.

On 14th February, most of the people where busy celebrating Valentine’s Day with their loved ones, there were a small group of people who Expressed their love to the Darjeeling and mother nature. A few volunteers from the Environmental Awareness Group came forward to clean up the main road connecting Darjeeling to Sonada.

With the number of people less than 15, they started the clean up drive from the bus stand Darjeeling. Slowly and steadily they moved forward cleaning up plastics, covers and wrappers of chocolates, chips, remnants of cigarettes, Water bottles etc. They cleaned up everything which could be done. All through the clean up drive, only a handful of people came to support the volunteers.

Only three people came forward and helped the volunteers by giving some water and one individual offered Rs 100, while the other two people gave water. Remaining people just looked at the volunteers cleaning up and went off on their own way. But the spirit of those 15 people involved in the clean-up drive was high and they didn’t give up. They continued on their own and tried cleaning up almost everything that they could. It was difficult, but they persisted and managed to collect a pick-up van full of plastics.

Anyhow the clean up drive was the successful and the members of the of environmental awareness group were very happy.

But after a few days, that is on 17th of February, I went to Darjeeling and what I saw made me feel that our people will never understand the value of the cleanliness. Every place that was cleaned up by the Environmental Awareness Group was again turned into a mess by the locals. I don’t know whether the people are not aware of the health hazards that can be caused due to waste or pollution created by the plastic, or they are just waiting everyday for a group of volunteers to come and clean up the place.

Everyone is busy in blaming the terrorist that attacked the CRPF convoy but the actual problem we are not realising that the plastic we are using and the wrappers that we throw outside the window of the vehicles are also destroying our country internally and not only that but it is also contributing towards the destruction of mother earth.

A terrorist group was responsible for the attack done on the CRPF convoy at Pulwama district, but who will take the responsibility of making the country internally weak by making the country roads dirty and throwing plastics?

We talk about great ideas and great thoughts but until and unless we change our habits, nothing is going to prevent the world from ending, the humanity to become extinct and the Earth – our mother nature to be lifeless.

We still have time to act and save ourselves from the wrath of pollution. The least you can do is, if you cannot come forward and clean the town area on the roadside, please make sure that you don’t contribute towards the deposits of the waste.

Please don’t make our place dirty and walk off. There are always some good people who come forward to clean up, but please if you can’t lend your hands to clean up, then please do not discourage them by making the places, which they have cleaned up, dirty.

Writes: Rajat Thakuri

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RJ Samir coordinated the program marking 2nd World Radio Day celebrations at Salesian College.

The World Radio Day UNESCO event marks a time when people around the world celebrate the radio and how it shapes our lives.

RJ Bryan anchored the hour-long program by Radio Journalists of Radio Salesian 90.8 FM – Voice of the Hills which consisted of informative talks, video presentation on community radio feedback from listeners in Mirik, Sukhiapokri, Pokriabong, and Sonada, as well as a cultural fusion dance and panel discussion on the community radio programs and how each RJ packages it.

The program started with a brief introduction on World Radio Day by intern Puravi and the program was later concluded with a fusion dance by her.

Radio Salesian Director and Vice Principal Fr. C.M. Paul reminded saying, “Radio informs, transforms and unites us. It brings together people and communities from all backgrounds to foster positive dialogue for change. More specifically, radio is the perfect medium to counter the appeals for violence and the spread of conflict, especially in regions potentially more exposed to such realities.”

“Radio programming can also build tolerance and surpass the differences separating groups by uniting them under common goals and causes, like ensuring education for one’s children, providing information on job opportunities or addressing local health concerns,” he adds.

In a surprise item, Radio Salesian Program Coordinator RJ Samir asked senior Faculty member and Campus Coordinator Dr Terence Mukhia to hand over a plaque of appreciation to Radio Salesian Founder-Director Fr. C.M. Paul, SDB.

Radio Salesian, is the first college campus/community radio in Bengal and entire northeast India with daily 12 hour broadcast since December 2016, and 24 x 7 web radio presence from March 2018.

Writes: Samir Chhetri

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The Carol Broadcasts and voting started on Radio Salesian Facebook page from 3 pm on Saturday 22 December and ended on Friday 28 December 2018 at 3.00 pm.

The top three carols which got the highest number of ‘LIKES’ are – Diocesan Brothers of Salesian College Sonada – first prize, Church of Christ Pacheng – second prize, and St Theresa’s Parish Sonada won third prize.

St Theresa’s Parish Sonada won third prize

Seven groups were in the competition which this year consisted of two parts, radio and television segments.

Besides Salesian College Sonada group, three groups of Salesian College Brothers took part in the competition – Diocesan Brothers, as well as Brothers from Kolkata and Northeast India Salesian provinces respectively.

Among the church groups participating in the competition were EIC Church Mirik, Church of Jesus Christ Pacheng, and St Theresa’s parish Sonada.

“This year, besides certificates and cash prizes, were given through the generous sponsorship of Glenary Restaurant Darjeeling and Church Art Kolkata, we are also offering trophies to the winners,” says Radio Salesian Director.

Program Coordinator at Radio Salesian RJ Samir Chhetri explained, “The Carol competition consisted of creating one original Nepali or English language Christmas Carol by a team of ten or fewer members including musicians.”

This year, the carol groups besides recording songs for Radio Salesian also performed for Salesian Television which has been anchored by RJ Bryan and RJ Samir and distributed to Darjeeling TV, as well as Kurseong Television.

Writes: RJ Samir Chettri

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Darjeeling — Final year students of a hill’s college had a Fulbright scholar from U.S.A give ‘pathways’ — a life orientation programme through performing arts.

Prof Kanta Kochhar-Lindgren, a performance studies scholar and artist, directed six groups of third year students at Salesian College Sonada in a four day intensive program, from 5 to 8 March 2018.

Fulbright-Nehru Awards enable the most outstanding academics and professionals in India and the U.S. to study, research and teach in the host country. Indian scholars are selected through a rigorous application and interview process.

The workshop focused on how performance like dance and theatre in its many forms—from ritual, classical, vernacular, social to the experimental—can act as a kinesthetically collaborative mode of experiencing, bonding, mapping, and transforming each other,” says Prof Kochhar. “These undertakings can energize and transform our relationships with each other,” she says.

Dr Kochhar continues, “They [these undertakings] can also impact our experiences of urban spaces and the natural world across a range of site-specific locales, build greater cultural understanding, and generate exploratory spaces for change.”

In the concluding session the student teams are scheduled to show case their performances depicting ‘pathways’ to the future, on 8th March.

Dr Kochhar also conducted two short sessions on ‘performance and pedagogy” for faculty members to enable them to touch base in classroom situations.

Author of two books and many articles and a former editor of Theatre Topics Dr Kochhar’s work links dance and theatre research, workshop development, and performance production. Dr Kochhar’s work blends artistic research, experimentation, storytelling, and a range of methods for linking spatial and mapping practices from design, architecture, and geography to new ways of making dance, theatre, and community performances. She is scheduled to conduct similar programmes at Salesian College Siliguri campus for final year students.

Dr Kachhar is currently developing Traveling Architectures, (a Feature Grant, funded by Design Trust, Hong Kong), a series of site-specific performance and design projects, currently planned for Hong Kong, with subsequent phases planned for Kochi, India and elsewhere.

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“Study fare is a unique experiment we devised to help students make immediate preparation for the selection test being held next week,” says Campus Coordinator at Salesian College Sonada, Dr Terence Mukhia who conceived the idea.

The sessions lasted five hours each day, from 10 am to 3 pm.

Each day started in the auditorium with a brief meditation lead by Principal Dr George Thadathil and a brief motivational talk.

“It is a matter of pride that we are engaging in an experiment that no college in the hills has attempted,” said Dr Thadathil complimenting students and faculty engaged in the experiment.

On the first day, Dr Mukhia presented the study fare concept which consists of a “collective effort by teachers and students to catch up with syllabus – overview, preparation and sharing of notes as well as exposure to the university question bank.”

Students and faculty met in their respective departments to go over the syllabus and complete study notes in groups.

“It was a wonderful experience for everyone,” said Student Council President Aswin Tamang 3rd year student from History Department, “as we worked in cooperation to finish off our pending notes.”

First-year student Ragini Chettri from Sociology Department felt that “the carts and presentations prepared during the study fare will serve as materials to help us do well in our exams.”

Mass Communication first-year student Iqra Ahmed was thankful when she said, “our teachers were very patient with us and stayed with us through it all. They helped us clear our concepts.”

“I am overwhelmed by the enthusiasm both students and faculty members exhibited to complete the study fare experiment,” said new faculty member Shiba Khatoon.

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The NGO Tieedi Forest Garden Gorabari and Salesian College Gorabari NSS group organised the eight-day residential and experiential learning workshop for 12 students.

“The workshop aimed to reconnect students to nature and the community through socio-ecological outreach programmes especially to befriend and heal an ailing river at 8th Mile on NH 55 – the old Hill Cart Road between Gorabari and Chattakpur villages,” says Utsov Pradhan one of the NGO Tieedi (Take it easy, easy does it).

“Highlights of the camp included an Ecological Survey of the 8 Mile village; setting up of a fire-place and foraging for deadwood for the wood-fire to cook meals; grocery shopping for the week-long programme; cooking outdoors team activity, and sharing the learnings from the protracted observation during the ecological survey,” says one of three boys in the group first year BA student Gaurav Rai.

Second year student of English department Srijana Tamang tells, “After spending the first day in getting acquainted with the ecological factors of the focus area, we put up our brightest smile and reached out to the community with an extensive questionnaire to understand the social influencing factors that affect the folks living in the 8th Mile community.”

Her friend, first-year student Sushmita Gurung explains, “Through a process of deep introspection on the interlinking of the problems related to society and the ecological impact we had a brainstorming session on the problems highlighted during the community survey followed by an equally invigorating session where ingenious solutions were identified by the students themselves.”

Narrating camp learning experiences Cheki Sherpa was ecstatic saying, “We panned out to collect organic waste from the entire 8th Mile village and in the process also spread awareness about waste segregation and importance of composting. In the process, the students discovered the brilliant design of a ‘Doko’- an indigenous bamboo basket used in the hills that makes it possible for one to carry almost twice one’s weight on his/her back! We also discovered the simple yet impactful art of composting and sheet mulching.”

During the brainstorming session on what students could do to #BeTheChangeYouWishToSee, they unanimously opted to transform their college into a ‘Green College’. Hence, on the fifth day, the team went to review the green meter of the college so that the students could take forward and implement some of their learnings of the week.

In the afternoon, it was a hike in the pristine forest trails of Senchel Wildlife Reserve above the college with a session on personal wellbeing and fitness being thrown as one of the conversation topics.

On the way back, the students cleaned-up and picked all the trash along the way in the Old Military Road and Rajahatta village. The day finally ended with a musical evening with a bonfire at Dzomsa – the meeting place in the forest at Tieedi.

Seventh-day was the Ideas Execution Day! In the morning session, the students had a meeting to bring forth all the ideas that were brought to the table after the socio-ecological survey of 8 Mile. The day ended with the making and the launch of their song – ‘Hamro Darjeeling’ (Our Darjeeling) – a deeply heartfelt shout-out to all Darjeeling lovers to unite and save the hills!

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