GJM Supremo Bimal Gurung Latest Interview on 15 August 2013

ECONOMICS TIMES
The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) leadership will not abide by the diktats of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, averred party chief Bimal Gurung during a freewheeling chat over a cup of coffee with Tamal Sengupta on Thursday. It was perhaps the first such interaction with this elusive Gorkha leader who virtually rules the hills of Darjeeling. During the no-holds-barred interview, spanning well over 40 minutes, at his Sinmari party office in Darjeeling, Gurung made a scathing attack on Mamata, blamed her for practising double standard and pushing the Hills to the edge of an irretrievable crisis. Edited excerpts:

You had a very good relation with Mamata Banerjee. She visited Darjeeling a number of times since taking over as the chief minister and held talks with you. Do you have any special expectation from her?

Past is past. Now, she doesn't even like to hear the word, Gorkhaland. We don't have any expectation from her. She has adopted a suppressive measure to thwart our movement. But she did not realise that the current movement in Darjeeling is no longer a GJM movement, it has turned into a people movement. The people are coming on to the streets spontaneously and holding agitation to realise their demand for Gorkhaland. No such people movement can be stopped by the police and the military. It would not be possible for Mamata Banerjee to stop this movement.

Today is our Independence Day and we are observing it with great respect. But her government is still arresting our people, who are citizens of India. Such a move by her government will not solve the problem, and instead, will deteriorate the situation.

What message do you want to give to the chief minister today when the entire nation is celebrating the Independence Day?

I just want to convey a very simple message to the chief minister. We don't have any expectation from her. We know it very clearly that she is a double-faced woman. She had opposed deployment of central forces during the panchayat elections. But now she is bringing more and more central forces to frustrate our movement. Her action will force the people of Darjeeling to go for more severe movement. Of course, we will not follow the path of violence but, at the same time, we will not give up our demand for a separate state.

Mamata's government is following a violent policy to stop us from raising our voice for Gorkhaland. She has probably forgotten that we are also sons of the soil and not second-class citizens. We are not demanding a separate country for the Gorkhas, but a separate state as we have our own culture, language and geographical territory. Our culture is different from the people on the plains. Don't forget it's a 107-year-old demand.

We will not accept Mamata Banerjee's diktat. We will not obey her instructions. Darjeeling will go on its own way and Mamata Banerjee would never be able to establish her dominance in the Hills. The people of Darjeeling have rejected her. I have been told that some Trinamool Congress leaders have advised the Gorkhas to go to China or Nepal and stay there. I don't know how far it is true. But I can anticipate easily the attitude of the ruling party of Bengal towards us, the Gorkhas.

Are you making any moves to get in touch with the central government?

Not at the moment. Our delegation had met the Union home minister several times and submitted a memorandum in which we have categorically explained our position and we made it clear to the Centre that we want Gorkhaland. Now it is the Centre's turn to respond. The Centre can't shirk its responsibilities. It can't ignore a genuine demand of the people of Darjeeling. I want to give a simple message to the prime minister, to the Union home minister and to Sonia Gandhi on this auspicious Independence Day today: The Centre should interfere into the Darjeeling issue. They will have to consider our only demand of statehood with sympathy.

Do you think that the Centre will interfere?

They (the Centre) should. Even though law and order is a state subject, the Centre has the responsibility to listen to our demand with sympathy. Since the state government is taking suppressive measures against us, we want the Centre to interfere. This is what I feel and I don't know what the Centre would do. For whom does the Centre work? It is not America and neither Pakistan. It is our government and we, as citizens of this country, have the constitutional right to forward our demand to it.

You have relaxed the janata curfew till Sunday (August 18). But you haven't said anything on what would happen after Sunday. Will you continue with your movement?

Of course. We will decide our next steps during our meeting on Friday. I can tell you that all the Gorkhas in India are now with us. They are supporting our movement from the core of their heart. Our job will be to unite them and mount pressure on the Centre to accept the demand for Gorkhaland. If the Centre can consider Telangana statehood demand, what prevents them from considering the Gorkhaland issue, which is older than Telangana? I can tell you one thing. This time, we will not leave our movement halfway. We will not stop until the demand is accepted by the Centre. Our next movement might be fiercer than the current one. But we will not go for any armed revolution. We will take it forward as a democratic movement.

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A Conversation With: Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling

By SAMBUDDHA MITRA MUSTAFI

Tucked away in the Himalayas, India’s Sikkim state has averaged an annual growth of 12.6 percent over the last eight years. The state of 600,000 people is of strategic importance to India, surrounded by China, Nepal and Bhutan on three sides. The former monarchy of Sikkim joined the Indian federation of states in 1975 and has been the most peaceful among India’s strife-torn northeastern states. The chief minister, Pawan Kumar Chamling, has been in power since December 1994, making him the second longest-serving state chief in India’s history. In an interview with India Ink, Mr. Chamling explained how his government has managed to build a development consensus that has eluded Sikkim’s neighboring states.

Q.Sikkim is India’s fastest-growing state since 2004, but somehow its growth story has not been in the limelight as much as Gujarat or Bihar, for example.
 
A.Yes, we do not get as much recognition because we are a small state, in a remote part of the country. But we are a sensitive border state – landlocked by China, Nepal and Bhutan. Yet we are among the most peaceful and progressive states of India. The general impression of border states in India is that they are not peaceful, there is lack of development, leading to unemployment and strife. Sikkim, through its example, has changed that perception. Within five years Sikkim will become a poverty-free state, and it will become the first state to have 100 percent concrete houses.

Q.But fast economic growth often comes with environmental hazards, especially in a state that is part of the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. Has Sikkim’s environment taken a beating in the state’s pursuit of fast growth?
 
A.Our development mantra is innovative, based on natural resources, hydropower, organic farming, ecotourism, floriculture and clean industries. Only 14 percent of our land is inhabitable – the rest is taken up by Himalayan glaciers and jungles. But we have turned our locational disadvantage into an opportunity by protecting our biodiversity and inviting tourists to come and enjoy Sikkim’s natural beauty. We have banned grazing, killing of wildlife and eliminated deforestation. Every time we cut a tree for a development project, we plant 20 saplings elsewhere. We have banned pesticides, and in two years we will become a fully organic state. We have promoted clean industries – we have removed the polluting silicon industry out of the state. If the world adopts Sikkim’s model, global warming can be tackled.

Q.How have you brought about the development consensus among people, particularly in the rural areas, in what is still a very traditional society? In many parts of India we see the biggest impediment to development is that locals do not want to give up on land or traditional means of livelihood.
 
A. I consider the rural people my overlords – I tell them that I am their main servant. Sikkim is ours; we must build it together. I tell them we have to use our natural resources – our land, our water. If the government wants their land for a road or other construction, I am ready to pay them more than the market price. I don’t believe in compulsory taking away. I negotiate. I engage in dialogue. That is why people are with me in this quest for development. And our state is investment friendly – we invite industries as development partners of our state. They get good, secure conditions to invest, while locals are happy because it creates jobs.

Q.Some of your critics say that perhaps development has happened too fast for the local population. They claim that locals are not getting jobs, which are being taken away by immigrants.
 
A..Those people are backward in their thinking. We are just about entering India’s development mainstream and we have a lot of catching up to do to enter the global mainstream. We are still in the agricultural age, not even manufacturing. We are still way behind in terms of education, health and other social indicators. We have a long way to go, and it is my obsession that we do it quickly.
As for immigrants, if there is manpower demand there will be supply from outside sometimes. Sikkimese people do not like to do manual labor, so outsiders will come. But old laws still protect the right of Sikkimese people over land and other resources. So I do not see immigration as a problem.

Q.Trade with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region through the Nathu La Pass was one of your dream projects and the route finally opened up in 2005 for restricted trade. Has the project lived up to your expectations?
 
A..I strongly believe that trade through Nathu La should become full-fledged, and all items should flow across the border. People should also be allowed to cross the border for tourism – that can only bring benefits to Sikkim. I am actually unhappy with the Border Roads Organization (of the Indian Army) for not maintaining the road properly. Landslides have caused damage and affected trade more than we would want. On the Chinese side, the road looks in great condition, and this disparity has national security implications as well.

Q. You have now been in power for 18 years, which is quite unique in India, where state governments generally change every four years. Do you see yourself more as an Asian-style figurehead, or even a neo-royal in this former monarchy?
 
A. In a democracy, people are supreme. I have been elected four times because people have liked my work. Because our model is working, so people are happy with this model. I don’t think I am a royal figure or a father figure. I think Sikkimese people feel that this is their government. They believe that if their parents could not educate them, the government will. If we cannot eat, the government will provide. That is why they have faith in this government. And they think I am the top man in this government.
 
( Source :- http://india.blogs.nytimes.com)

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His first book "The Gurkha's Daughter"

well known Upcoming Gorkha Origin Writer Prajwal Parajuly's first book, "The Gurkha's Daughter" , will be launched in 2012, but He has already signed two books with Stieg Larsson's trilogy publisher Quercus. The 27-year-old Nepali from Gangtok, who is a student of creative writing at Oxford, tells Anuradha Sharma that there's still a lot ignorance about Indian Nepalis in India

What is " The Gurkha's Daughter" about?

It's a collection of short stories about Nepali-speaking people the world over. My family is originally from Kalimpong. I grew up in Gangtok, and my mother is from Nepal; so bringing together stories from all these places into a collection seemed only natural. The book will be out in England in late 2012 and will be distributed in India by Penguin books.

How did the Quercus deal happen? Is it true that you have got a "really big" and "tempting" advance?

Quercus is an amazing publisher. Susan Yearwood, at The Susan Yearwood Literary Agency, started circulating my manuscript among publishing circles in London. Once we discovered that we were in a position to choose, we selected Quercus because I was very comfortable with Jon Riley, the editor in chief. The advance was decent. It doesn't mean I will be living in a Fifth Avenue apartment anytime soon, though.

In the Quercus pipeline is also a novel by you, right?

Yes, "The Land where I flee", is a family saga. Various members of a family convene in Gangtok for a celebration, and things happen. That's all you will get for now.

Why did you quit your advertising job?

I was born into a Hindu family of lawyers, grew up right next door to a Protestant church and went to a school whose history and leanings were very Buddhist. So, yes, I attended Sunday school as a child and feel most at peace in a monastery. Gangtok to me is the happiest place in the world. After high school, Imoved to Truman State University in the US for my undergraduate degree, after which I worked in New York as an advertising executive at The Village Voice. Three years of working there convinced me that the answer to my dreams didn't lie in frivolous Manhattan events. When the only thing remotely creative I was doing was writing the occasional copy, which, let's face it, can be pretty stifling, I knew I needed out. The decreasing level of confidence in Nepali, a language I prided myself in being very well versed with, was another big push to quit the job and write.

Are you the next big thing in South Asian writing, as some sections of the media say? Does the hype bother you?

Questions such as these make me nervous. Do I get to decide if I am the next big thing? Is it the critics? Or the press? Or is it the book sales? You have to learn not to take these labels seriously. In the beginning, I was nervous about whether or not I would be able to live up to the hype. Now, I don't particularly care. I am writing about things I want to write about, the way I want - it's wonderful.

How have the situation in Darjeeling and the Gorkhaland movement shaped your literary thought?

You can't grow up in Sikkim and Darjeeling and not be affected by the Gorkhaland movement. Some of that might have been translated into my stories subconsciously.

Do you seek to make any political statements through your work?

For now, I am simply a writer who writes about his world. I address caste, class and identity issues in a number of my stories. Aspects of the Gorkhaland movement or the Bhutanese refugee situation might have found themselves in various stories. To be honest, I get intimidated when I am asked questions about my wanting to give the Gorkhaland movement an international platform and whether writing the book is my way of getting into the movement. It's a cause I believe in and am passionate about, but I doubt if I am well equipped to be directly involved in the movement. I am a writer doing his job with no political aspirations or agenda.

Indian Nepalis are an insecure lot. If in 1979, the then PM Morarji Desai's comment labelling them as foreigners stirred the hornet's nest, present-day generalization and stereotyping of the community as watchmen and canteen boys have not helped either. Identity and acceptance are the main demands of the Gorkhaland agitation. How do you look at it?

It is a sad state of affairs. This country loves its stereotypes and generalizations. When a Prime Minister makes statements as silly as that, what can one expect from the rest of the country? With time, there's been some improvement in the rest of the country's perception of Nepali-speaking Indians, but we still have a long way to go. Education is one way out. The more educated we become, the more "visible" we become. Yes, there are insecurities about having to stress our nationality each time we mention our ethnicity, but we must also realize that the minor irritant could be converted into an opportunity to educate ignorant people about where we come from and our history here.

How would you identify yourself?

I identify myself as a Nepali-speaking Indian writer writing in English.

( Times Of India)

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I am not interested in No.1 Race - Kareena

Kareena Kapoor needs no introduction. Her recent movie Bodyguard with Salman Khan has been declared a blockbuster. Her upcoming movie Ra.One with Shah Rukh Khan is creating a lot of buzz. With an interesting lineup of movies, she has been declared the #1 Heroine by the industry.

How does the success of Bodyguard feel? Did you expect it to be this big a hit?

It feels great. When we were shooting the film, we believed the film would be a huge super hit. But the movie has become such a monstrous hit and given us all a new high altogether.

Have you had time to celebrate the success in any way?

Not really. I haven’t had time to do any such thing as I am now shooting for Agent Vinod and I have been shooting every day. So I have been really busy.

Your next movie Ra.One again has all the makings of a blockbuster.

I think the movie is going to be huge. Ra.One is the biggest movie made in Bollywood and I really hope the movie is a blockbuster. I have a feeling the movie will do very well. Fingers crossed.

How was your experience working on Ra.One and with Shah Rukh Khan?

It is always a great experience working with Shah Rukh. He is a dear friend. Saif and I are extremely fond of both Shahrukh and Gauri. They are like family to us. Working in his production is like working in our home production.

All your upcoming movies are all with the Khans(Ra.One with SRK, Reema Khagti’s next with Aamir, Ek Main Aur Ek Tu with Imran and Agent Vinod with Saif). Was it a conscious decision to work only with the Khans?

It just happened so. The movies with Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir were offered to me in the same year. It was not a conscious decision. I think I was plain lucky.

Do you feel that when you work opposite the 3 big Khans, your work may go unnoticed?

No, that did not happen with Bodyguard. The girl is also the hero of the film. Without the girl, there is no film. It is not like I just do a dance sequence and disappear. It has always been the case. The decision before signing any film is that I need to have an equal role as the hero and that should always be the case.

Could you fill us in on Heroine? Has everything been sorted out?

Yes everything has been sorted out now and we start shooting for Heroine around the 20th of November.

With the lineup of movies that you have, the media is terming you as the unprecedented heroine #1 in Bollywood. Comments?

I definitely don’t feel that. I have never thought of it in that angle. My films have always supported me be it Golmaal 3, Bodyguard or 3 Idiots. I always say I am happy to be #100 and I am really not interested in the #1 tag and I have never been.

There were reports in the media that with Heroine you are now the top paid actress in Bollywood . Comments?

Nobody will ever know what I get for a movie. Speculations and rumors will always be there. I have always said everyone will get what they deserve and I always have got what I deserved.

The other highlight of your career is the unveiling of your wax statue at Madame Tussauds. Have you got to see the visuals of the statue as yet?

They keep sending me pictures, so I have seen the pictures. My look at Madam Tussauds is a glamorous one and a right representation of me. I am sure my fans won’t be disappointed with the look.

Who will accompany you for the big day?

My mom and my best friend Reena are going to accompany me for the event. Karishma is busy shooting for Dangerous Iskq. Saif won’t be able to make it as he will be busy shooting for Cocktail in South Africa.

Media always has stories on rivalries between Priyanka and you, Katrina and you. Any truth to it?

I am absolutely fine and co-ordial with everyone. There’s absolutely no competition as such. I am only interested in my work. I have always said I am not in any sort of race. Whatever is written in the media about fights or rivalries is completely false. For me there is more to life than all this. I am busy with my work, my personal life and my family. Beyond that for me there is nothing else.

With your hectic schedule how do you still manage to be fit and glowing?

I am quite fit and healthy because of yoga. I eat right. I try to get 8 hours of sleep. I am vegetarian and eat a lot of vegetables. Of course like a normal girl I do cheat at times.

Kareena, you have achieved a lot of fame, success and appreciation for your work. What more do you want in your career?

I just want to continue doing some great work. Acting has always been my passion and I want to continue doing that like Meryl Streep who is still doing great work at the age of 60. I am her biggest fan. I hope I can do that as well.

A message to your fans

Thank You for the constant love and warmth। Please don’t believe all the things that the media reports until they hear it from my mouth.

(Courtesy - PINKVILLA)

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Aparajita Rai Select IAS thisYear

Aparajita Rai, a 25 year girl from Sikkim has brought laurels for the state. She secured 768th rank in Civil Service Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). With more than 5 lakh applicants for just 920 posts puts CSE among the most difficult examinations in the world. But winners are those who make it happen and Aparajita Rai is winner in all sense. How was her journey till now?

Please tell us something about your family and educational background?

My father was a divisional forest officer and my mother is a graduate school teacher. I have one elder sister who is a doctor and currently she is preparing for her MD. As far as my educational background is concerned, I studied in Holy Cross Montessori School and St. Thomas School for initial days. Then from class 4 to class 12, I was in Tashi Namgyal Academy.

After completing my school I appeared in National Admission Test and went on to study law from WB National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata. From there I completed my BA LLB (Hons) in 2009 and wrote CSE same year. But I couldn’t make it that time. So I appeared again in 2010 and now here I am.

How was your performance in first attempt?

In my first attempt I could not even get through prelims. But I feel my performance in 2009 was much better than 2010 but one can’t say anything about UPSC. Only predictable thing is its unpredictability.

What prompted you to choose Civil Services as your career?

My dad passed away when I was just 8 year old. Even for small things it was either me or my mom who have to run around offices. There I witnessed lot of insensitivity among government officials and was aghast with their attitude towards society. So I always wanted to be a part of that system and be a person who will at least be responsive of people’s problem. Anyone who comes to me should not face the same harassment or agony which people generally encounter in government offices. That was one reason. Other reason was that I always wanted to be a part the administration as this is one of the best way to serve people.

Power and Prestige that comes along with it never fascinated you?

Even if I don’t get a promotion or a handsome salary, I would still join the services. Personally I am not a very ambitious person and neither have I joined the services to become a Cabinet Secretary one day. I think I have a vision and it’s always necessary to have a vision and not an ambition. Ambition dies once you achieve it but vision continues for ever.

How hard the journey to success was? Did you ever feel to give up while preparing?

See, if someone is joining this service to secure a job, my suggestion to that person would be please don’t join it. Civil Services are not about a job but about being an instrument in the process of change. If this is clear in one’s mind I don’t think anyone would leave in between. No doubt the journey is hard and tiring but patience, persistence and self belief are the key.

What were your subjects and what was your preparation plan?

My compulsory subjects were public administration and Law. Since I was doing law so it was a natural choice for me. My public administration teacher was such an inspiring figure that I just opted for it and also it is very much related with what we will eventually do in our service.

For my preparation plan I made a point to get up early in the morning and do swimming or aerobics because it is important to keep your body fit. I never studied for 18 hrs or 20 hrs. Instead I went with book wise and followed it with a strict deadline.

Are you a smart worker or a hard worker?

I don’t consider myself smart so I guess it must be hard work.

You secured 768th position. Will you apply again next year to improve it?

Yes I will. The best thing about this year exam was that it helped me to point out my areas of improvement. So I need to work harder. That’s all I can think as of now or probably need to add few more rings in my fingers!!

Why not many aspirants from Sikkim are able to make it to the UPSC?

Just go out on the street and ask any young girl or boy what is UPSC. I am sure not many people would able to answer. There is no awareness about Civil Services. Majority of us think that the best we can get is a government job. Many young guys from Sikkim don’t want to go out and compete. It is only when you sharpen your edges, you will be sharp.

Also there is a lack of seriousness. It is fine to have inclination towards fashion, music and lifestyle. These things are important as they have been a part of my life as well. But at a same it is important to be serious about serious stuff. Career is one such serious thing. Not only for Civil Services but it is applicable for any profession that one aspires to be in.

What is your advice to the future aspirants?

We have this attitude of thinking that people who mug up can score marks. But even to do that you need to put in hard work. There are people who are born genius but whatever I have achieved in my life is just because of sheer hard work. If you haven’t developed the habit of putting efforts then develop it because there is no other way you can crack this exam. Also there are lots of ups and downs and to carry oneself along these pulls and pushes requires strong inner motivation. You need to be passionate about this. As I mentioned earlier it is more than a job.

Had you not been selected in the Civil Services Examination, which other career would you have opted for?

My dad wanted me to be a lawyer. I still remember when I was little he made a statement that my daughter will become a lawyer because she is too witty and smart. That thing got stuck in my head. So after 12th I found this college and opted for law. I guess had I not been a public servant I would have become a corporate lawyer.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I always make a point that I learn new thing whenever I get an opportunity. I could not learn swimming at TNA because I was scared of water so I learned it in Kolkata. I also did a course on Bharatanatyam and I also started learning Guitar. Apart from that I love to do aerobics. I am also a big movie buff. I watch Bengali movies a lot and Satayjit Ray movies are my favorite. He made one on my name too! In English “Gone with the wind” movie; I just loved it and watched umpteen times. In music I like Scorpions and though Pop is not my taste but I get hooked to Justin Bieber.

What are your plans ahead?

I don’t know but I guess I will retire early to do other works which are close to my heart. I want to set up an NGO which will deal with giving free legal aid. This I think I would be able to do because of my legal background. Also I have seen this old building in Kolkata and I have a dream of buying it though it will cost a lot. May be if I save that much money or else if I get donation from my friends I will buy that and renovate it. I want to make its ground floor an old age home. But these are all tentative plans.

(Courtesy :-isikkim.com)

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