Black smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating no decision has been made after the first voting session on the second day of the election of a new pope, at the Vatican

It has been decided by the Government of India and the RBI to introduce one billion pieces of Rs. 10 notes in polymer/plastic on a field trial basis. The field trial will be conducted in five cities viz. Kochi, Mysore, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar and Shimla with varied geographical locations and climatic conditions. The primary objective of introduction of polymer notes is to increase its life, it could also help in combating counterfeiting.

This was stated by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Marian Meena in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha (the Upper House) today

 15^th edition of VKS produced a lively literary event

Vichar Kala Sangam (VKS), a literary platform for the aspiring youths, completed its 15^th episode with the commingling of literary dialogue, recitation of poems and songs by literary and art aspirants. The programme was chaired by Arjun Piyush (Senior Journalist) and had the presence of Deepa Rai (noted Artist/poet) as the Chief Guest. The programme was also attended by the President of Press Club of Sikkim, Bhim Rawat and General Secretary, Joseph Lepcha.

The programme started with poetry recitation in English and by Samir Hang Limboo as he metaphorically narrated an English poem on the beauty of a lady laying stress on “Art for Art’s sake”. Dweep Mustang recited a translated English poem from Prabin Khaling’s sequence of Nepali poems. The Chief Guest of the event Deepa Rai also read an untitled Nepali poem which portrayed the dogma of women in the present society. The poetry presentation ended with the Nepali poetry recitation by Prabin Khaling entitled Jhari and others which exposed the bucolic life in the country side, quest for salvation and the mentality of our society. Menuka Pandey and Senior Journalist Neeta Nirash refreshed the crowd, the former with her songs and the latter with her recital of jokes.

This also led to an intense discussion on Language and the gradual decrease in the quality of Nepali language used in Radio, FM, Television and Media. Rupesh Sharma and Arjun Piyush (both senior journalists) stressed on the usage of proper Nepali terminology and linguistic nuances in order to protect the nature of word from getting diminished.

On this Women's Day...

If you thought that women’s liberation has reached its zenith, think again. Though many women in progressive societies enjoy some liberation, several thousands of them are suppressed and tortured under the garb of morality.

Gender discrimination exists at all levels. At the workplace, where gender inequalities are brushed under the carpet, women workers are often subjected to sexual objectification, harassment, and molestation. Women employees are discouraged from seeking higher positions in management as they are deemed as liabilities. Workplace surveys report that women receive lower wages than their male counterparts.

Why is this so? Are women considered less capable of managing their jobs? Are women pushed to a corner, until they give in to male dominance? Do we live in a repressed society where men are considered the superior sex and women the inferior one?

A society that strangulates the woman that raises her voice will forever remain backward and regressive. New thoughts, ideas, and philosophy will fail to take root within the constricted walls of dominance. Perverted ideals and sexism are often the cause of women's subjugation.

Help women fight their cause by recognizing them as human beings. Respect your women colleagues, friends and family. Inspire women to take on the mantle of women's liberation on this women’s day. Reach out to the millions of muffled female voices by championing their cause.

The time is ripe for young beauties from Sikkim to step out and enter the contest for the most coveted crown of Miss Sikkim, as PRIMO Events & Entertainment, will be organizing Miss Sikkim 2013, this coming June. To make things easier and accessible for the contestants, a website has been launched by this event management company.   

The theme for this year’s pageant is “Beauty with Compassion”. This is the second beauty contest being organized by PRIMO. Last year, only 25 candidates had turned up for Miss Sikkim 2012 out of which one girl has been crowned Miss North East, the other one figured among the Miss India finalists. It is a great career, also a stepping stone.

The beauty contest would be open for anyone who has been residing in Sikkim for the last 6 months and is above 18 years of age. The upper age limit is 25 years. The registration form and the terms and conditions for the contest are available online at  www.misssikkim.com. 

 Sikkim’s positive shift from urban to rural tourism

Rural tourism is gradually becoming a popular and trendy concept in Sikkim. With its natural beauty and diverse culture and traditions, Sikkim is becoming a hot spot for village tourism drawing tourist from near and far.  At one point of time, Sikkim was known only for adventure travel, monastic tours, trekking and bird watching but now the culture and traditions are also coming into limelight because of rural tourism and home stays. The home stay not only provides the comfort of home to tourists, but also helps villagers generate some extra income.

Village tourism has emerged as a very new concept in the Sikkim tourism industry.   Sikkim government has implemented a brand new concept of village tourism where the guests visit villages and meet local people and understand their culture and stay in their houses as a family member. For that, the government is taking an initiative to construct two rooms with attached bathrooms for the beneficiaries.

The government has identified around 720 home stay projects out of which 400 have already been issued workouts, informed Tourism Secretary. “All these projects are done by village cooperative itself. Each home stay is constructed at an estimated value of 7 lakhs by the government itself. The beneficiaries don’t need to pay. All they need to do is provide space for construction. The model for the home stay has been designed by an engineering team from the state”, he acquainted.

The Sikkim government’s village tourism project showcases the unique traditions and distinctive cultural features of the Sikkimese society; a typical  village where tourists get to see the lifestyle of the state's rural folk, the way they build their houses, their folk dances, handicrafts, their magic and puppet shows etc.

The Sikkim government also hopes to set up a model village with suitable modifications to suit local lifestyles. The government is also providing tourism related trainings to the villagers. Through various central and state programs, the youths are getting training on hospitality, service, food production and hygiene.

Earlier tourism prospered only in urban areas like Gangtok and Pelling but now slowly the gap between the urban and rural areas is being shortened with this rural tourism project. With the village tourism, there are chances to explore the real villages unlike having spent short time in different villages on trek. The accommodation will be in actual home, allowing the guest to feel the cross-cultural exchange in the more authentic way unlike staying at the local lodge filled with other backpackers. Tourist will be observing the real Sikkimese cultural tradition from the closest quarter and intermingle with the locals. Besides, any expenses made at that level directly contribute to the welfare of the local community.

R Ongmu takes over as state’s 1^st woman Chief Secretary

Rinchen Ongmu, (IAS 1979 batch) has taken over the charge of the Chief Secretary of the state, today. Ongmu, during her tenure with the state Government has served as District Collector, West and later as Secretary and Head of various department such as Urban Development and Housing Department, Rural Management and Development Department, Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Finance, Planning and Development Department, Ecclesiastical Department and also as Secretary to the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling.

Ongmu’s appointment is significant as she would be the first women to assume the office of Chief Secretary in the State of Sikkim.