heaven scent, arcandian sunrise, ruby rose..all in a pot

 Yes! We can

The cherished dream of Sikkim hosting the top football league was realized just last year when United Sikkim Football Club (USFC), a professional football club started by Bhaichung became one of the fourteen teams to play in the I-League. The state known for producing good footballers in national level, has majority of football lovers. Football has always been dominant in state and this game of ball was always exciting to watch for every generations. Even in the remote villages football tournaments are organized as a festival. Be it 15^th August or Dasai or Gandhi Jayanti or any occasion, they love to play and love to watch.

Being a home team, USFC has always got support of the Sikkimese people, despite of their poor performances. However, now it seems to be losing or rather will lose, if the situation goes this way. Once packed crowds during the start of the season, they are slowly fading away. The fans are slowly losing their trust after continuous defeats faced by the home club. The football lovers in Sikkim are not satisfied who had very high expectations from their local team. But, amidst all these failures it should not be forgotten that the club is very young with few good players and a decent economy. The other football giants in the league like Mohan Bagan and East Bengal have been playing since over 100 years and have very strong budget. USFC trying to make a place in the league itself is a big thing. But again, if they cannot afford to dream high, they even cannot afford to lose. If they cannot hold on to being in the top league it might then be very hard to gain back the place and the respect. Nobody wants to go back and play in second division after having played in the top league. 
At the moment, there is a huge pressure mounting over our USFC players and managements. Couple of months ago a coach was sacked after a poor display by the team. A new one replaces him in the middle of the season. But no changes so far. The team lies at the bottom. Something somewhere seems to be lacking. People can be heard judging, ‘If this had happened’. ‘If he was replaced’. ‘But he has to be there’. There are many ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’. Everybody is concerned. The new born team is pressurized. They are criticized. Public walks out in between the game. Where is the support? 
The club from Sikkim is heading towards a possible exit from the league although everything not over yet.  Like nothing can be decided until the last moment, none can say it’s all over. We just need to stay calm. We need to support after all its ‘USFC’, our ‘own’ and ‘first ever’ home team. Who knows with our optimistic support and faith there might be a win for USFC and more wins may follow and the home team may bounce back, alive and with zeal. Yes! We can.

Buddha Park in Ravangla, soon to be inaugurated by HH Dalai Lama

The team of the fashion magazine, Marie Claire is in the capital to shoot for the International Flower Show 2013. The main topic for the photo shoot is flowers, keeping in mind the theme of the Flower Festival. The team is here on a three-day visit which includes shooting in different locations around the capital like Rumtek, Lingdum, Hidden Forest and M.G. Marg. The main idea for the shoot is not only to capture clothes which have big names of the fashion industry like Armani, Christian Dior, etc. but also to showcase the beauty of the state. The team comprises of Pearl Shah, Fashion Director, Marie Claire, Aneev Rao, Photographer, Puneet Kumar, Assistant Photographer, Avni Rambia, Make-up Artist and Heta 
Bhuta, Booking Editor.

“People of Sikkim are the most welcoming and we are having an amazing time here. Though the weather is overcast, God has not been favorable since it has been raining, but the beauty of Sikkim is just stunning and we are sure the photo shoot is going to be brilliant despite the rain factor” - Pearl Shah

  

JukeBox's Mahima

The grand finale of the ‘Red Ribbon Unplugged’ Multimedia Campaign, 2012-13 was held at Manan Kendra in the evening of 17th February. On the whole, there were 6 Red Ribbon Unplugged finalist Bands who battled out for the title and cash prize of Rupees Hundred thousand.  Crazy Guns, Lazy Fingers, B Tunes and M Stones all from Gangtok and Road House Invasion from Namchi performed two numbers each. The program also saw guest performance from local Rapper duo of Urban Inc. This was followed by ACDC and Jimi Hendrix numbers from Girish & the Chronicles. After the online and SMS voting and points were put together, Crazy Guns was affirmed as this year's winner followed by Lazy Fingers and Road House Invasion on second and third places. The program ended with a routine by Juke Box, the finalist band of   Multi Media Campaign, 2011-12

Girish N the Chronicles (Photo Courtesy: Joseph Lepcha)

HIV has been a universal dilemma and hence in order to bring awareness in particular among the youth regarding AIDS, Substance Abuse and other related problems, the Sikkim State Aids Control Society had organized Multi Media Campaign in two divisions. The First part consisted of an Open Drama Competition based on HIV/AIDS which came to an end on February 15. Through these two parts campaign, the SSACS is trying to send HIV/AIDS preventive messages to every nook and corner of Sikkim. Through the Plays/drama performance, the awareness regarding the AIDS and other social issues shall reach not only the urban population but also the far-flung countryside of Sikkim. This musical extravaganza is held every year and every winner has achieved popularity and success through this launch pad.

snow capped mountain peak