HCM with Mamata infection earth-quik

 CM Inspecting Secretariat after Earth-quak - 6.8 (Sunday) pic. Pappu Mallick

 Mamta Banerjee visit SMU after Earth-quak - 6.8 (Sunday) pic. Pappu Mallick

  Mamta Banerjee visit SMU after Earth-quak  - 6.8 (Sunday) pic. Pappu Mallick

Staffs outside the Secretariat after quak - 6.8 (Sunday) pic. Pappu Mallick

USGS upgrades Sikkim Earthquake to 6.9

Gangtok, September 20: National Earthquake Information Center of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has upgraded the largest Sikkim quake from 6.8 magnitude to a 6.9, and the other two at magnitudes 4.8 and 4.6. All three occurred within an hour and 15 minutes, the U.S. agency said. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has held on that the largest earthquake was 6.8 magnitude, 5.7 magnitude and 5.3 magnitude.

In terms of energy, each whole number increase in the intensity of earthquake corresponds to an increase of about 31.6 times the amount of energy released. Therefore, a 7.0 earthquake on the Richter scale releases 31.623 times more energy than a 6.0 and a 8.0 on the Richter scale releases 1000 times more energy than a 7.0. A 0.1 increase in earthquake on Richter scale suggests nearly three times more powerful earthquake. Hence the difference between 6.8 and 6.9 is significant. A 6.0–6.9 Strong earthquake is destructive in areas up to about 160 kilometres (100 mi) across in populated areas.

The US agency said that the region has experienced relatively moderate seismicity in the past, with 18 earthquakes of Magnitude 5 (M 5) or greater over the past 35 years within 100 km of the epicenter of the September 18 event. The largest of these was a M 6.1 earthquake in November of 1980, 75 km to the southeast.

USGS said that the depth of the earthquake was 19.7 km (12.2 miles) with an uncertainly of horizontal +/- 13.5 km (8.4 miles); vertical+/- 3.5 km (2.2 miles).

Sikkim Earthquake USGS

The IMD has said that a slight magnitude earthquake (M:3.9) also occurred at 06 hours 22 minutes IST on 19th September, 2011 in the Latur district of Maharashtra. Though the event is located about 1500 kms away from the epicenter of the earthquake in Sikkim-Nepal border region of 18th September, 2011 and hence felt not directly related to it.

The most recent powerful earthquake in the area was the Sikkim earthquake of 14.02.2006 (M: 5.7) and Bhutan earthquake of 21.09.2009 (M:6.2). The IMD has also said that the entire area of Sikkim lies in Zone IV, which is considered fairly dangerous.

 DEATH TOLL IN SIKKIM EARTHQUAKE

As per the latest figures released by the Sikkim Government, as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the number of dead bodies of victims of the Sunday evening earthquake stands at 52. The district-wise breakup of casualties is as follows:

N. SIKKIM: 35, E. SIKKIM: 12, W. SIKKIM: 04, S. SIKKIM: 01

Rai fresher’s welcome and traditional fashion show held

Pappu Mallick

GANGTOK September 4: All Sikkim College Rai fresher’s welcome and traditional Rai fashion show programme was held today here at Janta Bhawan.

The programme was organised by Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh College unit, Tadong and former Rai students.

 During the occasion MLA Bek Bahadur Rai was the chief guest.

Addressing the gathering, general secretary of All Sikkim Rai student Association Hemant Rai said that the association has been conducting social work and want to preserve culture, tradition and language of the Rai community. The association does not want to see generation gap and want to encourage the coming generation to preserve the culture, traditional and language.

Similarly, the president of All Sikkim Rai youth Wing Ashit Rai said that the association has been organizing such type of programme every year. Speaking about the role of youth, he said they will have to play vital role. He added that the State Government has also been encouraging youths by initiating different types of training programme.

                On the occasion traditional fashion show and culture programme were also performed by the Rai students, who later welcomed the freshers. (Pic & Text Pappu Mallick)

BDOs & Panchayats sensitised on issuance of trade license

‘Issuance of trade license by Panchayats has added a new chapter in the delegation of power’

Pappu Mallick

GANGTOK, September 2: The State level orientation programme on the issue of ‘trade and hawker license’ by PRIs was held today here at Chintan Bhawan.

The programme organised by the State Rural Management and Development Department in co-ordination with the State Urban Development and Housing Department saw the presence of BDOs and Panchayats of all four districts.

In his opening remarks, the Secretary RM&DD, AK Ganeriwala informed that the issuance of trade license by the Panchayats has added a new chapter in the delegation of power in the State. This programme, he said has been organised to sensitise the BDOs and Panchayats on the issuance of trade license so that the very objective could be fulfilled in true spirit. Stating further, he said that 10 Gram Prashasan Kendra are under construction and 20 others will also be constructed in the near future. Highlighting on the enhancement of seats for women in Panchayat, he said that the bill which was recently passed by the Assembly, empowers women of the rural areas by giving equal status in local governance.

The Secretary lamented that the monthly honorarium is also being provided to the Panchayats by the State Government and in the same manner he also appealed to them to be vigilant and transparent while discharging their duties.

The Addl. Secretary UD&HD, Sonam D. Chankapa and other officials of the department made the power point presentation on the guidelines for issue of trade and hawker licenses and announcements of notified towns and bazaars classification.

According to their presentation, the Licensing Authority is the Secretary UD&HD. The issuance of trade and hawker licenses in the rural areas and the Municipal areas have been delegated to the Gram Panchayats, Gangtok Municipal Council and the Nagar Panchayats.

There are some criteria for the issuance of licenses like the applicant must be 18 years and above and should possess Sikkim Subject Certificate or Certificate of Identification. NOC from house owner, occupancy certificate of building in case premises fall under notified area, recommendation from MLA etc. are other criteria.  

The meeting also elaborated on the other procedures for obtaining trade licenses, criteria for the issue of hawker license, validity of license, conditions for renewal and cancellation. The bazaars and towns of all the districts have also been identified as Bazaar class-I, Bazaar class-II, Bazaar class III, and Rural Marketing Centres.

Earlier, the programme began with the welcome address by Deputy Secretary, RM&DD while the programme was rounded off by the vote of thanks proposed by Director Panchayat.

Cancer patient pleas for funds

Pappu Mallick

GANGTOK, September 1: A resident of  32 No., near Singtam in East Sikkim, Shyam Kumar Chettri (18), who has been suffering from knee cancer since January 2011 is being compelled to stay at STNM hospital here owing to lack of finance.

Speaking to media persons here today, Chandra Bahadur Chettri, the patient’s step father said he failed to take Shyam Kumar for treatment outside of the State as the amount of Rs 20,000 given by the State Government did not reach him on time. “A person who received this amount on my behalf misused the money and failed to reach me,” said Chandra Bahadur, an illiterate farmer. 

He did not disclose the name of the person who had misused his money but said the amount was given back only when a neighbour lodged a police complaint. “If I had got the money on time, my step son would have been cured by now,” he said.

However, when the his condition worsened, there was no option but to re-admit Shyam Kumar at STNM Hospital on August 28.

According to the doctors at STNM, the patient, who has been referred to a hospital in Delhi, should be immediately taken there and treatment started as soon as possible.

Losing all hope, Chettri has appealed to all people to help him save his step son’s life. Individuals and organizations willing to chip in help are required to contact (Pappu Mallick) in this number 9609869271.

Sacked & Admitted on Seventh Day

 (Pic by Pappu Mallick)

Progressive farmer Yong Tsehring Lepcha (44) was today admitted at STNM hospital at 5.20 pm after his health deteriorated on the 7^th day of his fast in support of national anti-corruption campaign of Anna Hazare. He was conducting his hunger strike from the parking lot near Paljor Stadium since last Saturday.

            “I agreed to be admitted in the hospital on doctor’s advice. I was okay during the day but when doctors checked me again, I was advised to be admitted in the hospital. I will continue my fast in support of Hazare from the hospital bed. My fast continues”, said Lepcha who is being administrated drips at the hospital.  

            Lepcha, the SDF youth front vice-convener from Nimtar was also expelled from the party today.

SHRP goes bald against Public Order bill

PAPPU MALLICK

GANGTOK, August 25: Continuing the party’s strong protest against the disputed Sikkim Prevention and Control of Public Order bill, ten members of Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP) party today shaved their heads and walked bald around in the heart of the capital with placards hanging down their necks.

            Defining their act as a ‘peaceful protest’ against the bill, the SHRP workers walked from Nam Nang towards MG Marg and concluded at Titanic Park. Those SHRP functionaries participating in this protest were Gyalpo Tamang, MB Rai, LM Limboo, Om Prakash Bista, Dhan Bahadur Mangar, SP Sharma, RL Ghimirey, KB Dahal, Jacob Tamang and SB Subba.

            Speaking to reporters, SHRP president AD Subba warned the State government that if it does not withdraw the Public Order bill tomorrow in the Assembly, his party will start a ‘jail bharo’ movement from Gangtok. We have many programmes and are waiting to see what happens in the Assembly tomorrow, he said.

            SHRP general secretary Tara Shrestha said that the party has many programmes and activities lined up for this year.