Sikkim’s oldest Bhatti bakery fades into oblivion

source:iSikkim

DEVIKA GURUNG

Gangtok: January 30, 2012

A yellow coloured, poorly lit, old, small, two story structure, in a decrepit state from outside to inside are the only words fit for the current state of the oldest bakery of Sikkim that stands there in Chandmari, Gangtok. The bakery once had the Royals of Sikkim as its customers but is now in a desperate need of maintenance. Nothing here looks like a bakery except for the chimney. A poorly made blue wooden gate greets and a glass case displaying a variety of baked stuffs…

“It has been ten years since this bakery shifted here. Earlier we were at Tibet Road, Gangtok at ‘Kumar Saab’s house”, says 60 year old Noor Mohammad (referring to the then prince as ‘Kumar Saab). Mohammad has been baking for last 25- 26 years since it was set up.

The oldest bakery of Sikkim had no branding but a popular local name ‘Bhatti’. Apart from the Royals of Sikkim, the nearly 30 year old bakery’s delicious stuffs has been tasted by lmost all the 1st and 2nd generations of Sikkimese post 70s.

Modern technology has not touched this bakery and old traditional methods are still applied. But Mohammed has a point to defend: “Preparing in machine is faster and easier but making it in the old way has its own flavour. Man made tastes better than machine made.”


Along with one help Mohammad bakes seven varieties of buns, cakes, biscuits, patties and rolls for ‘Baxawallas’ (vendors) who sell it in the town. The work starts at five in the morning till the day ends.

“At a time, four trays fit inside the oven and we are able to bake up to 1500-2000 biscuits, cake, patties etc.”, says Mohammad. But he mourns that the number of customers have dropped dramatically over the years. “Nowadays people prefer products from fancy bakeries. Still, people with real taste of baked goodies come for us.”

Of the many changes that have come to the bakery and its products, one is the smaller size of the cup cake ( called ‘Queen Cake’). “It’s all because of inflation. We need to compromise with size, but the quality is as good as ever. We charge just Rs 2.50 per queen cake. Do you think it’s costly?”

Branding and upgrading might have helped Mohammed to upgrade, serve more customers and remain as popular as ever but change doesn’t take everyone along.

source:Sikkim Mail

PINK CARD

Pink Card apprehensions

Pink Cards which are scheduled to be issued by the Government to genuine Sikkimese has been hitting the headlines these days. Doubts and apprehensions are being raised by all concerned, including the opposition. Though I do not have any political interests in relation to Pink Cards, I have few serious apprehensions regarding these cards to be issued.

The application form (which applicants are required to fill up) addressed to the secretary, Labour Department, Government of Sikkim provides that one can secure a pink card based on the Sikkim subject of his or her father/grand father/brother/brother of father. New, in case of a male citizen there does not arise any problem until he is the legal and direct descendent of old Sikkim Subject holder. However, in case of females the following points are debatable and are to be taken with concern.

1. A genuine Sikkimese person’s daughter/grand daughter/sister/niece is married to a man from other state/country consider that this lady is working in Sikkim even after her marriage to an outsider as mentioned above. New, this lady applies for a pink card based on the Sikkim Subject of her father/grand father/brother/brother of her father with an intention to reap tax benefits here in Sikkim, since her father and other relatives as mentioned above will always be ready to provide their Sikkim Subject for her benefit. With the Govt. allow this? If yes, how? Further, will this lady be considered a genuine Sikkimese even after her marriage to an outsider?

2. A genuine Sikkimese marries a woman from other state/country. After her marriage she secures a certificate of Identification and an Electoral Card. She not eligible to secure a pink card and reap the benefits as a wife of a genuine Sikkimese? Will she not be considered a genuine Sikkimese even after her marriage to a genuine Sikkimese person? If not, how? The application form does not provide for a wife of a genuine Sikkimese person why?

It is strongly felt that in case of a married woman the pink card should be issued based on her husband’s Sikkim Subject and not anyone else. In case of unmarried women “unmarried certificate” issued by a competent authority be insisted upon and the card be issued on the basis of her father’s Sikkim Subject.

It is requested that the above points be taken into consideration immediately and necessary rectification be made before it is late.

Kishor Kr. Sharma,
Soreng
source; sikkim express

SIKKIM STATE LEVEL COMMITTEE OF AOS-SIKKIM FORMED

ASSOCIATION OF OLD SETTLERS OF SIKKIM.
GANGTOK. SIKKIM.

PRESS RELEASE
22.10.2009


A State Level delegates meeting of Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim ( AOSS) was held in Gangtok on 22-10-09 which was attended by more than 350 delegates representing all towns and bazars of Sikkim.

The meeting which was called to deliberate on the socio-economic development of the old business community of Sikkim witnessed unprecedented enthusiasm in appreciation of sincere efforts and unstinted support of the Government led by Dr Pawan Chamling who has stood by the community which is in minority, at all times.

The meeting discussed enactment of Finance Act 2008 wherein the old settlers have been inadvertently left out from the exemption of Direct Taxes and appraised that the AOSS has been taking up the cause of these 9000 odd left out individuals who are two centuries old settlers and who are true Sikkimese earning and investing within the state.

Shri S.K.Sarda, President of the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim in his address appreciated that the SDF party itself in its Election manifesto had dealt with the matter in detail and promised that as soon as the Government comes into formation, the matter of Income tax Exemption to old settlers will be taken up. True to his words, Dr Chamling immediately after the formation of the Government for the 4th term visited New Delhi and urged Prime Minister of India to solve this problem. The president on behalf of the old settlers expressed gratitude to His Excellency the Governor and the Hon’ble C.M for having taken on record in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly the need to secure exemption from Income tax for them in their endeavor to deliver justice and equal rights to all.

Shri Suresh Agarwal, General Secretary appraised the meeting of the various steps taken by AOSS and the support received from the State Government in this regard. He said, upon the request of the AOSS the Government was kind enough to constitute a committee to look into its request for exemption to old settlers and recommend their case to Government of India. He said that the Committee in its first meeting held on 8.10.2009 has directed AOSS to obtain expert legal opinion which could help the State Government in pursuing for exemption for the old settlers with Government of India. He further said that this was a very positive signal from the State and that the AOSS shall faithfully discharge the responsibility given, by consulting legal luminaries and present their opinion before the committee.

The meeting adopted the following resolutions.

1. A Thirty One Member State Level Committee formed to obtain expert opinion from leading legal, constitutional and taxation luminaries.
2. As directed, the opinion(s) so received shall be submitted to the State Government for consideration and taking up the matter for exemption of Income tax to left out individuals with Government of India.
3. To support the popular demand of implementation of Income Tax act with prospective effect for PEOPLE SETTLED POST MERGER.
4. To inform the Income Tax Department of all developments in this regard by submitting copy of letter received from the Government of Sikkim and relevant extracts of the present meeting.




Anil Kumar Gupta
Secretary
Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS).
Gangtok, Sikkim