Nathu La: Pass To Prosperity But Also A Challenge

By Pushpita das, IDSA

July 4, 2006

Nathu La, identified as the third mountain pass for border trade between India and China, is officially slated to open on July 6, 2006 after a gap of 44 years. Previous attempts to open the border pass had to be postponed due to lack of proper infrastructure. This time around, the infrastructure from the Indian side is complete. A field visit to Nathu La on June 25, 2006 revealed that the approach road has been constructed. And the warehouses, customs and administrative offices, banks etc. at Sherathang, the designated trade mart situated 5 km from Nathu La, have been completed.
Nathu La, situated at 14,420 feet was an offshoot of the ancient Silk Route, which connected India with China, the Middle East and Europe. It was thus once a part of the thriving Indo-Tibetan trade accounting for 80 per cent of the border trade between India and China at the start of the 20th century. The British even envisaged constructing a rail line from Siliguri to Chumbi Valley to facilitate greater border trade between India and Tibet. The border trade was, however, discontinued following the 1962 border war between India and China. With the thawing of relations between the two countries, hopes for the resumption of trade through Nathu La were once again generated. Sikkim, the State adversely affected due to the stopping of the border trade, forcefully advocated for its resumption.
The opening of Nathu La represents the culmination of a process of resumption of border trade between India and China that began in December 1991. On July 1, 1992, both countries signed a Protocol on Entry and Exit Procedures for Border Trade. Border trade between India and China resumed in 1992-93, when two mountain passes at Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh and Lipu Lekh in Uttaranchal were opened. In June 2003, a MoU was signed between the two countries to resume border trade between Sikkim and Tibet. According to the MoU, Changgu in Sikkim and Renqinggang in Tibet Autonomous Region were designated as trade markets for India and China respectively. Nathu La was identified as the border pass for the entry and exit of persons, means of transport and commodities engaged in border trade. Both sides agreed to trade in 44 items (29 from export list and 15 from import list), which have been included in the border trade agreements of 1991, 1992 and 2003. Initially the trade will be tightly controlled, with just 60 vehicles and 100 traders allowed to pass through. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force will escort the Chinese traders and goods from Nathu La till Sherathang.
The border trade through Shipki La and Lipu Lekh did not provide any impetus to trade and commerce in the region. The importance of Nathu La, on the contrary, is believed to be immeasurable. The State government even constituted a Study Group headed by Mahendra P Lama of the Jawaharlal Nehru University to study the prospects of border trade. The Report of the Study Group titled, "Nathu La Trade: Prospects, Potentials and Opportunities," which was submitted on September 2005, had an optimistic tenor. According to the report, the opening of the trade route through Nathu La would not only benefit the landlocked state of Sikkim but also its adjoining regions like the North East Region and West Bengal. It suggested that trade though Nathu La should be integrated with movements of tourists and that a bus service between Gangtok and Lhasa should be started. The report also envisioned that border trade would transform Sikkim into a dry port and Siliguri in West Bengal into a major trading centre. If China avails the port facilities of Kolkata and Haldia, which are nearer to the southern and western regions of China, it would not only help cut its transportation costs but at the same benefit Kolkata and Haldia immensely. The report estimated that the trade volume would reach Rs. 353 crores by 2010 and by 2020 it would be approximately Rs. 573 crores.
The reopening of the Nathu La for border trade is seen as part of a greater confidence building measure between India and China. It would underscore China's policy of recognizing Sikkim as a constituent state of India. In his address to the Parliament in 2003, Atal Behari Vajpayee had said that the MoU on border trade through Nathu La in Sikkim was a significant development and "with this a process had started by which Sikkim would cease to be an issue in India-China relations." Economically, the benefits accruing to Sikkim are estimated to be immense. According to Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, the expected revenue generation from toll tax and license fee would be Rs. 81 lakhs for each of the first five years and is expected to go up to Rs. 3 crores. He also stated that revenue from tourists visiting Sheathing and Nathu La would be Rs. 181 lakhs and is expected to go up to Rs. 347 lakhs by 2010.
In the midst of the euphoria, a few voices of apprehension can also be heard. The general population of Sikkim appears to be sceptical about the benefits of the resumption of border trade. They feel that it would simply legalise the smuggling of goods, which has hitherto been carried out via Nepal. They fear that instead of Bagdogra and Siliguri, now Gangtok would be flooded with Chinese goods. As far as employment generation is concerned, a few hoteliers and transporters seem enthusiastic about the reopening of Nathu La. The local population, on the other hand, sees more opportunities in the tourism sector than in border trade. Moreover, border trade would initially benefit only the residents of the East Sikkim district (especially Bhutias), since only they will be allowed to trade with their Tibetan counterparts.
The people of Sikkim are also apprehensive that opening of the border pass would lead to a massive influx of Tibetan refugees. There is simmering resentment among the people of Sikkim towards the Tibetans. It is believed that during the late 1950s and early 1960s, substantial Tibetans crossed over to India and settled in Sikkim. In due course of time, they added "Bhutia" to their names and started availing the reservations facilities extended to the scheduled tribes of the state. Since the Tibetans were better educated compared to the local Bhutias, they were able to grab top positions in government as well as in other economic and social spheres.
In addition, a substantial influx of Tibetan refugees can also have adverse political implications. Sikkim is a small state with a population of approximately 5 lakhs. It has 32 constituencies with about 18,000 persons in each. Even a small addition of Tibetans to the voter's list can alter the political destiny of the state. Even if the security arrangements and the terrain around the border pass do not facilitate large scale Tibetan infiltration, complacency in guarding the borders can cost us dearly. The case of Bangladeshi refugees and illegal migrants do serve a good example to assess the impact of illegal migrants both in socio-economic and political life of the border states of India. The opening of the border pass can usher in an era of prosperity, but India should be prepared to meet the challenges it might pose in maintaining the peace and tranquillity of the strategically sensitive border regions.

Include millets in regular diet, say experts

M. Sai Gopal

source: The Hindu   

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Millets are nutritious, non-glutinous and are not acid-forming foods

The practice of consuming rice and its allied products are ingrained in our DNA and its influence in the nutritional habits is undisputed. In the last few years, however, thanks to research on the role of rice, especially polished rice, in diabetes and weight gain, nutritionists assert that there is a need to include millets in one's diet for a healthy living.

For those who are health conscious and are wary about what they eat, experts suggest that millets should be a part of their daily regular diet. Millets are nutritious, non-glutinous (non-sticky) and are not acid-forming foods, thus making them very easy to digest.

“Millets are low in carbohydrate and take longer to digest. That's why breakdown of glucose is slower. It takes longer for glucose to enter bloodstream and hence blood sugar levels are stable. This is beneficial for diabetics who have to control rapid rise and decline of glucose in blood. Millets are high on fibre and satiate hunger quickly preventing from overeating,” Professor (Food and Nutrition) and Associate Dean, College of Home Science, ANGRAU, Dr. Anurag Chaturvedi.

Best bet

As part of the attempts to promote consumption of millets, the ANGRAU Home Science College organised a Millet Festival at People's Plaza. “There is a need for dietary modifications because of sedentary lifestyle. A proper diet has become very important and millets are the best bet,” says Dean, Home Science College, ANGRAU, Dr.A. Sharada Devi.

Rich in minerals

The most common millets available at Jowar (Sorghum), Bajra (Pearl Millet), Ragi (Finger Millet), Korra (Foxtail millet), Sama (Little millet) and Variga (Proso millet). “They have huge nutritive value. Bajra and Sama are high on fat while Ragi has lowest fat. They are rich in Iron and phosphorus. Ragi has the highest Calcium content among all the food grains. They are rich sources in B vitamins especially in Niacin, B6, Folic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium and Zinc,” explains Ms. Anurag Chaturvedi.

There are myriad health benefits of millets. Regular consumption of millets is beneficial for postmenopausal women suffering from signs of heart ailments, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. They help women to combat occurrence of gallstones because they are rich in fibre.

They reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes because millets are rich in magnesium, which regulates secretion of glucose and insulin.

The Dilemma of Unemployment in Sikkim

KC Pradhan,

It was already midday [on Friday, 23 March 2012] and my driver had failed to return [to 6th Mile] in time from Gangtok. There was gherao at Sikkim University and all traffic jammed. On his return, he tells there were round 300 young people agitating for not having received any placement in the University’s recent recruitment process. They, I am told, were pacified only after the arrival of a convoy of VIP cars along with police and India Reserve Battalion personnel.
It made me both curious and sad.
Such a large number of our young people - well qualified, but jobless.
What they have looked forward to in life?
At the same time, a friend came calling for some advice along with her daughter who is well qualified with an MBA tagged to her name and still looking for a job in Sikkim. She was well placed in Kolkata, but her parents insisted that she return home only to leave her jobless here. Her frequent appearances in tests were to no avail, a situation made especially more complicated by the roster system consequent upon the politically-motivated Mandal Commission segregation of communities who had till 1994 been living in harmony, having come from the same economic background. I wondered why not have reservations on economic criteria across the board and not on the basis of tribe, class or caste as perpetuated in India for mere vote banks. Also, the luminaries who drafted the Constitution made it a point to highlight that the reservations were meant for 10 years only, but even after 60 years of independence, the malady continues dividing the society even further. Thanks to the Indian political system and our politicians’ farsightedness!
This dilemma of unemployment will grow manifolds and it needs in-depth study. Basically, it hinges on our educational system. We must plan how to spread our youth horizontally in various vocational courses rather than encourage them to go vertically only to churn out unemployable graduates. What is the glory of Universities when the educated youth are getting more or more unemployed and a liability on the society they aspire to serve? There is something wrong in our system and the curriculums so adopted. It is time to line up the opportunities on one hand and the educational talents required on the other to make a happy match for satisfaction of all.
Sikkim, in its wisdom, has made special privileges for its people - Indians of Sikkimese origin - as enshrined in the Constitution. The federal structure of States in the Union of India is coming very much in the news and the tempo will increase over the months. In Sikkim’s context, the privileges for its people are more than are available to subjects of any other state. It is time to look the issue de-novo, both legally and constitutionally, and ensure that the opportunities at whichever organization that makes a foothold in Sikkim - central, private etc - should first go to its people. Sikkim for Sikkimese should be the motto. But here I stop. This needs sacrifices. When the erstwhile kingdom was merged with the Union of India, there was no room for tribe or class. It was an afterthought in blatant violation of the sacred pledge when Sikkim as a country was merged. It is time to ponder whether we truly want to give a fair deal to our youth now and in the future. Eighteen years is a long time to empower those who were left out from the race. It is safe to say they have all come of age and at par due to the benevolence of the governance. It is now time to concentrate on the underprivileged and poor. This much of sacrifice should be forthcoming willingly and gracefully.
It is time to pull up our socks - all politics and communal trends kept at bay - and come out with a common voice which is loud and clear. This is the only course if the people of Sikkim want to ensure themselves a fair deal and live with dignity with their heads held high.
[the writer is a former Chief Secretary, Sikkim]

First Survey Reports On Red Panda in Sikkim Confirms 300 Red Pandas

Source: Sikkim Times

Gangtok, June 9: A recent survey conducted by the Sikkim forest department and the World Wildlife Fund has revealed that there are around 300 red pandas in the state.

The project, that started in 2008, was conducted in Pangolakha wildlife sanctuary in East Sikkim and Barsey rhododendron sanctuary in the West district and is the first census on the animals.

Red panda, the state animal of Sikkim and one of the endangered species categorised in the Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, is found in six protected areas of the state.

The first phase of the project — Long Term Survival of Red Pandas in Sikkim — that began in Pangolakha was completed recently.

A preliminary survey has started at the Barsey sanctuary this year to find out the number of pandas in the forest.

“By combining our findings at Pangolakha and Barsey we have estimated the population of red pandas in Sikkim to be around 300. This is just a rough and conservative estimate and more surveys are needed to come up with the correct number,” said WWF-India’s senior project officer Parthasarathi Ghosh.

He added that around 20-25 red pandas had been spotted at Pangolakha during the survey and two animals were seen at Barsey.

“We will also start our survey along with the forest department in the Kanchenjungha Biosphere Reserve and Kanchenjungha National Park, which covers West and North districts of Sikkim, from next year. The population estimation exercise will help us map out the habitat areas of the red panda in Sikkim and go a long way in conservation and forest management policies,” said forest secretary and principle chief conservator S.T. Lachungpa. He said the census reports would be published after 5-10 years.

“When the new figures come up we will be able to understand whether this is the result growth or a decrease in the population of red pandas in Sikkim. We will also understand the factors responsible for the growth or decline. It will help us in the scientific management of red panda habitats,” said Lachungpa.

The official said the findings would also help foresters take measures to protect the animals.

“Once we get proper findings we can regulate human activities in the red panda habitats and give proper training to our field staff. We can also plant bamboo and wild fruit trees which are food for the red pandas in these areas,” said Lachungpa.

He added that during the survey the foresters have also collected important data on other animals like the Himalayan pheasants, musk deer and ghoral that are found in the two areas.

Sikkim MPs meet Finance Minister seeking IT exemption for old settlers

NEW DELHI, 21 March: Sikkim MPs, Hishey Lachungpa and PD Rai, today called on Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee at his office in the Parliament House after the day’s morning session of the ongoing budget session.
During the half an hour meeting, the two Parliamentarians placed a fresh memorandum requesting the exemption of Central Service Tax from retrospective date in Sikkim as well as Income Tax exemption for the old settlers.
During the discussion, the MPs also informed the FM of the several memorandums submitted by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to the Prime Minister on these issues which are still pending with the Union Government and requested for an early resolution of the imbroglio.
The MPs also endorsed the memorandum submitted by the Joint Action Committee of All Sikkim Tourism Stakeholders before the Union Finance Minister demanding that the Central Service Tax be applicable in Sikkim from a Prospective Date, preferably from 01 April, 2012, rather than the retrospective date proposed.
The Union Finance minister was informed that summons were being issued repeatedly for collection of Central Service Tax with retrospective effect from 2006.
The MPs also cited several reasons as to why Service Tax should be implemented from a prospective date. Some of the reasons were lack of proper knowledge on Service Tax among the people of the state and the major slump on the tourism sector in Sikkim due to the devastating earthquake of September 18, 2011.
The issue of exemption of Income Tax for old settlers was also discussed with the FM. They informed that there were some 400 old settlers who have been living in Sikkim since prior to the promulgation of Sikkim Subject Regulation in 1961, and that the demand, which the Union Finance Minister was fully aware, was still awaiting a decision from the Central government.
Mr. Mukherjee was positive to the demands reiterated by the MPs and assured the two Parliamentarians that he would look into the matter and come up with some solution. [from PEMA L SHANGDERPA]

OBITUARY: Kunga Gyatso Bhutia

Remembering a Life Well Lived

Late Mr. Kunga Gyatso Bhutia was born on 20 June, 1951 in Gangtok, Sikkim. He did his graduation in Bachelor of Science [Agriculture] for which he was awarded the gold medal for topping the university. He did his post graduation in Master of Science [Agriculture] with distinction. He also participated in several international training courses, including ones in University of Philippines and in Virginia in U.S.A.
He joined the Sikkim Government services in 1972 as Technical Research Assistant and seerved as Agriculture Extension Officer, RPO, Plant Breeder, Joint Director, Additional Director & Director in Agriculture Department; as Principal Director in Horticulture Department; as Secretary in Department of Science & Technology, and retired as Secretary, Irrigation & Flood Control Department, Government of Sikkim on 30 June, 2009.
He started the first mushroom cultivation in Sikkim; introduced cabbage cultivation in Lachung, intensified seed potato cultivation, established base data for agricultural development and strengthened development of field crops in Sikkim being in agriculture; provided concept, action plan and initiation in respect of organic farming in the State; brought a breakthrough in floriculture and off-season vegetable development activities, including green house and participatory technologies; tried to promote science & technology and in effecting State Science Museum; reformed the activities of irrigation and flood control programmes, introducing Participatory Irrigation Management and formation of Water Users Associations and in drafting State Water Policy.
He is also associated with the publication of several scientific papers published in national and international journals and periodicals. He edited the bimonthly Krishi Samachar of Agriculture Department, Government of Sikkim and was engaged as the Chief Editor of Sikkim Science Society Newsletter for the initial five years.
He also brought out many books, such as Crop Area Statistics of Sikkim [a survey-based technical book brought out in 1992]; Land Utilization Statistics of Sikkim [a survey-based technical book brought out in 1996]; A Himalayan Bouquet [a literary, poetic work in English, brought out by UBSPD in 2001]; A poem is selected by The International Library of Poetry, U.S.A., and brought out under a compilation, titled Roomful of Starlight in 2002; Binding Undulations of Sikkim [a literary, poetic work in English, brought out by UBSPD in 2004]; a poem in the Sikkim Akademi’s compilation, titled Himavarta, souvenir of Seventh World Poetry Day in 2006; Cliché of Awareness [a literary, poetic work in English, brought out by UBSPD in 2007]; Dream of Complacency [a literary, poetic work in English, brought out by UBSPD in 2011] and Florid Haiku and Pseudo Haiku which is dated to be released by UBSPD in the month of February, 2012.
He has also won many awards and honours. In Academics, he won the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Gold Medal for topping the H.P. University in 1972. In Profession, he is the recipient of the Bharat Excellence Award from the Friendship Forum of India in 1997. In Literature, he is the recipient of the Editor’s Choice Award February 2002 from the poetry.com and the International Library of Poetry, U.S.A. [for poetry in English]; Commendation by the Nepali Sahitya Parishad, Gangtok, Sikkim in 2002 for contribution in literature; Winner of the International Poet of Merit Award for 2002 presented by the International Library of Poetry, U.S.A. [for poetic works in English]; Recipient of the Editor’s Choice Award March 2003 from the poetry.com and the International Library of Poetry, U.S.A. [for poetry in English] and Recipient of the “Best Poet of the Year 2003” Award, presented by the Poets International, Bangalore, India [for poetic works in English].

Shri Kunga Gyatso Bhutia passed away on 02/02/2012, after a brief illness of Cancer. His funeral was performed on 08/02/2012 at Dicheling, Chandmari. The funeral was attended by hundereds of well wishers, family members, relatives and office collegues, Ministers, Chief Whip to the Government of Sikkim, MLAs, former Chief Secretary, former Secretaries, etc., who bid tearful Adieu to Shri Bhutia.
Shri Bhutia also participated in the High Level Team delegation led by Hon’ble Chief Minister to Holland [Netherland] in the year 2006 regarding International Floriculture Show.
With the demise of Late Shri Kunga Gyatso Bhutia, the people of Sikkim have lost a man of great personality, a bureaucrat, a poet extra ordinaire, an expert and pioneer in the field of Agriculture and Horticulture of Sikkim. He is survived by his wife Dauden Bhutia, one daughter Pema Laden, two sons Sangay Chophel and Dorji Namgay, son-in-law Tenzing D. Denzongpa, two daughter-in-laws Linda Palmo and Stepheny and one grand-daughter Yosel Zangmula.

( Kunga Gyasto and I were class friends since childhood. With his death, I lost a great frend. May his Soul rest in Peace.)

On Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota…

Source: isikkim

By Rajen Upadhyay

Lakshmi Prasad Devkota, regarded as the father of romanticism in the Nepali literature, was deeply influenced by the writings of William Wordsworth, P.B. Shelley, Byron and John Keats. A pioneer of modernism in Nepali literature, Devkota is regarded as ‘Anshu Kavi’ (spontaneous poet). He could write poems with spontaneity even while signing autographs for his fans. His poetry depicts the romantic characteristics like humanism, metaphysical relationships, aesthetic values, past glories, praise of nature etc. Apart from romantic writings, he wrote some potent revolutionary poems possibly under the impact of P.B.Shelley.

The masterpiece which renders him an exalted position in Nepali Literature is his ‘Muna-Madan’, a short epic. In this the author depicts the deplorable economic condition of Nepal in the most celebrated characters of two youths Muna-a Nepali village girl and Madan-a Nepali peasant. The short epic can be compared to ‘Romeo and Juliet’ of William Shakespeare in the context of love and emotion ‘Muna-Madan’ is written in Jhyaurey prosody, the typical Nepali folk lore. This work of Devkota has even been translated into several languages like German, French, English, Russian, Hindi, Japanese, Chinese.

The glorious Nepali poet once visited the Demasong Valley. He was invited there by the APATAN Sahitya Parishad in November 1952. The Parishad is the pioneer literary association of Sikkim founded by four eminent Sikkimese Nepali poets namely Agam Singh Tamang, Padam Singh Subba, Tulshi Bahadur Chettri and Nima Wangdi Lepcha. This Association has contributed a lot in propagating literary ideas among the Sikkimese. He was felicitated at White Hall, Gangtok on November 15th 1952, where Lt. Kashi Raj Pradhan made an introductory speech about Devkota and Padam Singh Subba read the Letter of Appreciation. The then Sikkim Maharaja Tashi Namgyal roared in laughter when Devkota recited an English poem in Vedic prosody. His Majesty, the Maharaja of Sikkim Sir Tashi Namgyal was splendidly hailed by Mahakavi Lakshmi Prasad Devkota in a poem which read as follows:

Hail! Glorious ruler of this mountain state,

Sikkim, the paradise of peaceful peaceful hills,

This lively sweet abode of angels, great,

Great in thy name. Thy well known bounty fills

With plenty of thy kingdom. Stainless soul,

Deeply devoted to the God that thrills

Thy inmost depth, thou findest him all whole

Thy own angelic subjects in their wills

Amassed forever in love to their great good

Selflessly hast thou lived, the Buddha life

In thy keen veins where human love must brood

And multiply, rich and intense to thrive

Thy teeming millions to whom a holy shire

Thou dost with sense of human sacrifice aye in spire.

(Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota: 3rd from right in the first row on chair at a gathering of eminent literary personality of Nepali language and literature in Darjeeling in the1950s)

Born on 12th of November 1909 in Dillibazaar area of Kathmandu, Laxmi Prasad Devkota is arguably the best writer in the Nepali Language. His day of birth was the night of Gai Puja, when Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, is honoured. Considering this as omen, Devkota’s parents named him after the goddess. It was an omen indeed, but of a different kind. As it turned out, he was known as Mahakavi but the great poet lived and died a poor man. The God of Nepalese literature passed away at the young age of 50 on September 14, 1959.

About the author:

Rajen Upadhyay from Namchi, Sikkim is an Assistant Professor of History in the Namchi Government College. A passionate reader and sports enthusiast Rajen is working to revive the History of the land and its literature. You can read his blog sikkim-historyhunter

Gangtok: Nothing is permanent except change

Source: isikkim

Rajen Upadhyaya
Somebody has correctly quoted the topic of today’s post. Nothing is static in this world, it keeps on changing. The present capital of Sikkim has also witnessed a lively change over the past 50 years. If we believe James Claude White, a British government officer and civil engineer, Gangtok, during his stay was just a small town situated around present day Lall Bazaar.

(M.G Marg Gangtok during 1973 protest Pic. courtesy sikkimonline.info)

Gangtok made its dawdling progress after British established their upper hand in the internal politics of Sikkim. The establishment of British Residency at Gangtok saw the beginning of concrete buildings with European design. During the exile of Maharaja Thotub Namgyal, construction of the marvelous edifice of the residency was completed. But, even during the last years of Maharaja Thotub Namgyal Gangtok was merely confined between Sikkim Palace and British Residency.

After the Indian Independence when the charge of protection of Sikkim was handed over to her new master, the dimension of Gangtok was slightly elaborated. It was now extended up to present day M.G. Road, which has presently got a beautiful walking mall. In 1948, an Indian adventurer Mr. A.D. Moodie, while going to climb Lama Aden in North Sikkim has visited Gangtok. During a brief interaction with me he stated that it was a small market where people during Haat Day came for shopping.

Indian merchants based in Gangtok and other towns in Sikkim used bullock cart to bring their commodities from Siliguri. But, during other days today’s M.G. Road used to remain silent.

Bullock Cart and a truck plying together on the road to Gangtok Pic. Courtesy http://sikhim.blogspot.com

In a documentary prepared in 1966, Gangtok has been shown exactly as stated by Mr. Moodie during his interaction with me. Even after the span of nearly 18 years (1948-1966) Gangtok is having its Haat at today’s M.G. Road itself crowded with the villagers from far flung places. The only difference one can find in the said documentary and Mr. Moddie’s statement is that, the bullock carts have been replaced by big trucks as the core means of communication and the old tin houses were in the process of replacement by concrete buildings. Sikkim Nationalized Transport was started in 1944. But until recent years bullock carts were popularly used as a cheap means of communication in Sikkim.

“The year 1955 also witnessed the first Tata Mercedes Benz Truck; Model L 312/36 being use on the road from Gangtok to Rangpo, Gangtok- Darjeeling daily Passenger service in land rovers was also introduced. An agreement for the counter signature of route permits by the West Bengal Authorities and of Sikkim State Transport vehicle was negotiated”.

Gangtok began to make its rapid progress after 1960s. The earlier small township of Gangtok was in for a massive change. The establishment of various Government Offices in every nook and corner of Gangtok mark the beginning of modernization of the capital. It is to be noted here that during Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal’s wedding with American Hope Cooke the Capital town of the former Himalayan Kingdom was having a distinct identity as far as organization and cleanliness was concerned. It is said that Gangtok then was nicely organized as compare to the Capitals of neighbouring Himalayan Kingdoms.

Over all these years, Gangtok has changed a lot. Its earlier years are going to be disappear in the pages of History. Already, the small town which it used to be with hardly had a thousand population has now a Municipal Corporation. Once, a silent Gangtok has now become a busy place crammed with locals and outsiders. Some one has rightly termed Gangtok as Manchester of the East. It’s on the journey to be one.

The above post has been published on Rajen Upadhyaya’s blog

About the author:
Rajen Upadhyay from Namchi, Sikkim is an Assistant Professor of History in the Namchi Government College. A passionate reader and sports enthusiast Rajen is working to revive the History of Sikkim. You can read his blog sikkim-historyhunter

Read other posts by Rajen Upadhyaya:
Sikkim’s Museum Enterprise: Ram Gauri Sangrahalay
On Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota…