FROM THE STATESMAN

SILIGURI, 9 JAN: Confusion seems to be reigning in the GJMM camp as to whether the party should go for the GTA election prior to the land verification committee being chaired by retired justice Mr Shyamal Sen making its report public or it should wait till the committee announces its decision regarding the GJMM land clamour involving certain parts in the sensitive Terai-Dooars. Read the rest of this entry »

FROM THE STATESMAN

KURSEONG, 9 JAN: The GJMM’s youth affiliate has decided to defer a series of public meetings in support of statehood, but will continue with its planned signature campaign.

While the GJMM leadership is reviewing the progress of the Gorkhland Territorial Agreement (GTA in New Delhi, its youth wing has stepped up the Gorkhaland agitation with the signature campaign in Kurseong, which will continue until February, according to a Gorkha Jan Mukti Yuva Morcha (GJMYM) spokesman.

However, softening its stance a bit, the affiliate has decided to defer its proposed public meetings in support of the statehood cause. “We have taken our decision in view of the GTA stalemate. However, the signature campaign will continue,” said the affiliate general secretary, Mr Priyavardhan Rai.

The public rallies were slated to be held in Kurseong on 7 January, in Mirik on 12 January, in Kalimpong 22 January, in Siliguri on 29 January and in Darjeeling on 5 February.

“We are of the view that when the Centre and the state government have taken up the implementation of the 18 July GTA agreement in earnest we should desist from precipitating the situation,” Mr Rai said. Read the rest of this entry »

FROM THE TIMES OF INDIA

DARJEELING: Twenty-four-year-old Grace Rai is among the 22 Gorkha girls who will participate in the Mumbai marathon on January 15, wearing tee shirts that say, “We are Gorkhas and proud to be Indians”.

“We Gorkhas have an identity crisis. The Mumbai marathon is a huge platform and we can reach out to the world,” Rai said.

“Like the Kenyans and Ethiopians, who dominate long distance runs, people from the Hills too have great stamina and endurance due to the terrain we live in,” she remarked. Rai, an employee in the sports department of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, had come fourth in the Maharashtra marathon in 1999.

“Since then I have only run in a few local events. This shows the kind of enthusiasm and support that marathon generates in the Hills,” lamented Rai. But she believes that with good training and financial support the Hills could produce good runners.

“It is a dream come true for me to compete with the best marathon runners both nationally and internationally. Moreover, it would give me a learning curve,” said Rai.

On being asked about her chances of winning, she said, “Winning is always great but my main goal is to expose the hidden talents of the Hills.”  Read the rest of this entry »

FROM THE TIMES OF INDIA

DARJEELING: Twenty-four-year-old Grace Rai is among the 22 Gorkha girls who will participate in the Mumbai marathon on January 15, wearing tee shirts that say, “We are Gorkhas and proud to be Indians”.

“We Gorkhas have an identity crisis. The Mumbai marathon is a huge platform and we can reach out to the world,” Rai said.

“Like the Kenyans and Ethiopians, who dominate long distance runs, people from the Hills too have great stamina and endurance due to the terrain we live in,” she remarked. Rai, an employee in the sports department of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, had come fourth in the Maharashtra marathon in 1999.

“Since then I have only run in a few local events. This shows the kind of enthusiasm and support that marathon generates in the Hills,” lamented Rai. But she believes that with good training and financial support the Hills could produce good runners.

“It is a dream come true for me to compete with the best marathon runners both nationally and internationally. Moreover, it would give me a learning curve,” said Rai.

On being asked about her chances of winning, she said, “Winning is always great but my main goal is to expose the hidden talents of the Hills.”  Read the rest of this entry »