The students from Sikkim were tremendously fortunate to listen to the immortal teachings of His Holiness, whose effects will be remembered by each young mind in years to come and will certainly make a huge positive impact in their lives. Dalai Lama`s down-to-earth humanity whose charismatic teachings coupled with funny anecdotes, his wisdom (not hackneyed through time) every time fresh to every listener, will reverberate in the hearts of students. To exemplify this fact, when he was asked today if he believes himself to be a living God, he smilingly answered, “Nonsense, I`m just a Tibetan Buddhist monk.”

HH Dalai Lama consecrated statue of Lord Buddha

The dream of many came true today when His Holiness, the XIV^th Dalai Lama consecrated the statue of Lord Buddha at Tathagata Tsal, amidst scores of devotees. In the eminent presence of the Governor of Sikkim, BP Singh, Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling, council of ministers and host of other dignitaries, the Tibetan spiritual leader performed the consecration ceremony.

After the ceremony while addressing the gathering HH was all praise for the CM for conceptualizing the place and drew comparisons with the great emperor Ashoka for his endless devotion towards spreading Buddhism and tirelessly working towards promoting Buddhism. He also expressed his utmost happiness and satisfaction to be at Tathagata Tsal on this momentous occasion.

“Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has done many good works in the state and I pray that all his plans and works succeed in future”, said the Dalai Lama. He thanked the CM for taking initiative to establish the statue of Lord Buddha in Ravangla, a beautiful place where people of different communities have been residing since many years.

“This place is not only for Buddhists but for everyone. Anyone can come here and take pleasure” said HH and added, “Now time has come to built Buddha in our hearts”.

He said that people should not follow others but learn themselves. There is lot to be learned he said and added that he is already nearing late seventies but still enjoys learning.

HH, who had visited Sikkim in 1956 through Nathu-la border recalled his past memories about the state and said the state has been gradually developing which is wonderful.

“We need material development but at the same time our mind should also develop. You cannot buy healthy mind, it must develop through mental training. Only prayer and faith will not bring peace and happiness, it should be developed through study and mental training”, asserted the Dalai Lama.

The Governor, B.P Singh who also addressed the gathering thanked HH for blessing the place and the people of Sikkim with his eminent presence and also highlighted on the teachings of Lord Buddha. He also showered his praise to the CM for conceptualizing the place and coming up with such a beautiful idea.

Later in the afternoon, the teaching of ‘Thirty Seven Practices of Bodhisattva’ was given by HH.

Prayag United’s Ranti Martins downs USFC

A solitary goal claimed by Ranti Martins, coupled with United Sikkim’s poor run surely renders the rest of the contest a formality. The Goan club made heavy weather of holding at bay the USFC who felt aggrieved they had nothing to show for their defiant endeavors.

Ranti Martins, who shattered USFC in their yard on November 10^th last year with his five goals in 10-1 victory, destroyed the failing USFC at home too today, though this time it was only one.

The home team dominated the first half in terms of possession, and they were rewarded many opportunities but they have not been able to find the net since last three games.

While it looked like the lions were finding an equalizer after the break, and went close on a couple of occasions through Pablo Rodriguez and Nurudeen Salau, the home team was unable to level the game and score what would have been a crucial point and relief.

Backed by a fervent home support, USFC were quick out of the blocks, and after conceding a goal in the 25^th minute, the pressure shifted back to the home side.

Prayag United were struggling to get on the ball early on as the hosts sprayed it around confidently, with Linekar Machado pulling the strings in midfield and Salao threatening down the right-hand side. The individual battle between Martins and Anwar Ali had all the makings of a pivotal contest.

The two teams started on the offensive, looking to gain an early advantage. However, an alert defense stopped Lalkamal Bhowmick from testing USFC`s goal keeper, Rakshit Pawar in goal, while a poor first touch often let down United Sikkim’s two forwards, when they got into a dangerous areas.

The home team`s only sight of goal during the game saw Salau get away from Machado on the edge of the penalty box, but as the striker shaped to shoot, the defenders didn’t provide any space and saw it run out of play. Machado, who had been a peripheral figure for much of the first half, did well to win the possession and as he fed Salau just inside the box, the Nigerian’s shot, which looked destined for the back of the net, was somehow clawed away by Subrata Paul.

In truth, it has been a disappointing display by the forwards of the home team, and there was plenty for Nathan Hall to mull over at the break.

While the home team was relying on counter attacks in a bid to get back into the game, attacks were continually breaking down, largely due to a combination of resolute defending from Prayag United side and a poor final ball from United Sikkim.

Machado, Ashish and Pablo exchanged passes wide on the left, and as the midfielder sent a hopeful cross into the box,  did well to head it into the path of Salao who fired inches over the bar.

Six minutes of added time were signaled, but the snow lions were unable to profit from the possession, and in the dying minutes when it looked like the side had chances they didn’t manage to find the net with the Prayag united defenders clearing away the ball everytime.

The snow lions will have to win all the remaining matches and expect some miracles if they are to survive in the I-league after Ranti Martins’ goal on the 25^th minute proved the difference between the two sides at the Paljor Stadium.

“I am very happy with our performance except the outcome which is very disappointing”, said the USFC Manager Nathan Hall who is yet to win a game with this club.

It will take a big performance in front of the home supporters to win the next game against Air India on 27^th but having put pressure on bigger opponents in the past, the players will feel hopeful of upsetting Air India in Paljor Stadium.

National School of Drama, Sikkim breaks language barrier

Women have been made to surrender their individualities at the altars of socio political violence and over reaching patriarchal society. In such juncture, a translated Hindi into Nepali language drama named “Hum Hi Apne Aap” was presented in the National School Drama (NSD) complex of Tripura by the NSD students of Sikkim, today. The Universal theme “God helps those who help themselves” of the drama with feminist approach was highly applauded by the huge attendants.

This drama had its first show in the month of November, 2012 in Sikkim, which led to the outsourcing of this act to other states like Rajasthan, West Bengal and Goa. The drama is circumscribed by the construct of social obligations and pessimistic belief of the traditional Eastern society and each plot is located in the setting of a conflict torn self. Also certain section of this drama with feminism as its outlook reflects the desire to trespass spaces denied to women in the personal as well as public platform.

Bipin Kumar, Director of NSD, Sikkim, informed that NSD, Sikkim was opened in the year 2011, to nurture creativity in the state. Sikkim has a long way to go and can transform their passion into occupation, he said. Moreover, he cited the success behind Tripura Chapter to be the hard work of the entire theatre artistes.

Anil Magar, a senior artiste of NSD Sikkim, acknowledged the efforts of NSD. He said, “We are maturing as an artiste under the guidance of Bipin Kumar and I believe the state government will recognize the company with much concern in the coming days”.

The play is inspired by Padma Sachdeva’s Hindi novel, ‘Ab Na Banegi Dehari’, scripted by Asif Ali Haider Khan.  Jagdish Sharma is the one to have translated the play into bi-lingual form. This Nepali play though had language barriers, was highly recognized and applauded by the audience of Tripura which has set a new outlook of the Sikkimese society to the outside world.

With success already in the pocket, “Kaalo Sunakhari” another interesting Nepali Drama will be showcased tomorrow by NSD, Sikkim for the people of Tripura.

                                                                                                   ...source: Dweep Mustang

HH, the Dalai Lama consecrated statue of Buddha, today at Ravangla.