THE CONSTITUTION (THIRTY-SIXTH AMENDMENT) ACT, 1975
Statement of Objects and Reasons appended to the Constitution
(Thirty-eighth Amendment) Bill, 1975 which was enacted as
the Constitution (Thirty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1975
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
The Sikkim Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on the 10th
April, 1975 which, inter alia, noted the persistent harmful activities
of the Chogyal which were aimed at undermining the responsible
democratic Government set up under the provisions of the May 8
Agreement of 1973 and the Government of Sikkim Act, 1974. The
Resolution declared that the Assembly had satisfied itself that these
activities of the Chogyal not only violated the objectives of the
Agreement of May 8, 1973, but also ran counter to the wishes of the
people of Sikkim and impeded their democratic development and
participation in the political and economic life of India.
Accordingly the Assembly solemnly declared and resolved that "The
institution of the Chogyal is hereby abolished and Sikkim shall
henceforth be a constituent unit of India, enjoying a democratic and
fully responsible Government".
2. The Assembly also resolved that this Resolution be submitted to
the people of Sikkim forthwith for their approval. A special opinion
poll conducted by the Government of Sikkim on the 14th April, 1975
resulted in a total of 59,637 votes in favour and 1,496 votes against
the Resolution out of a total electorate of approximately 97,000.
3. The result of this poll was communicated to the Government of
India by the Chief Minister of Sikkim on the 15th April, 1975. The
Chief Minister on behalf of the Council of Ministers strongly
requested the Government of India to make an immediate response and
accept the above decision, taking, as has been requested in the
Assembly Resolution of the 10th April, 1975, such measures as may be
necessary and appropriate to implement the decision as early as
possible.
4. The Chief Minister and other Ministers of Sikkim also visited New
Delhi on the 16th-17th April, 1975 and urged the Government of India
to take immediate action in this behalf.
5. Accordingly, it is proposed to include Sikkim as a full-fledged
State in the First Schedule to the Constitution and to allot to Sikkim
one seat in the Council of States and one seat in the House of the
People. It is also proposed to insert a new article containing the
provisions considered necessary to meet the special circumstances and
needs of Sikkim.
6. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objects.
NEW DELHI; Y. B. CHAVAN.
The 19th April, 1975.
THE CONSTITUTION (THIRTY-SIXTH AMENDMENT) ACT, 1975
[16th May, 1975.]
An Act further to amend the Constitution of India.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Twenty-sixth Year of the Republic
of India as follows:-
1. Short title and commencement.-(1) This Act may be called the
Constitution (Thirty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1975.
(2) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the date_668 on
which the Bill for this Act [introduced in the House of the People as
the Constitution (Thirty-eighth Amendment) Bill, 1975], as passed by
the House of the People, is passed by the Council of States.
2. Amendment of First Schedule.-In the First Schedule to the
Constitution, under the heading "I. THE STATES", after entry 21, the
following entry shall be inserted namely:-
"22. Sikkim The territories which immediately before the
commencement of the Constitution
(Thirty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1975, were
comprised in Sikkim.".
3. Insertion of new article 371F.-After article 371E of the
Constitution, the following article shall be inserted, namely:-
"371F. Special provisions with respect to the State of Sikkim.-
Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution,-
(a) the Legislative Assembly of the State of Sikkim shall consist of
not less than thirty members;
(b) as from the date of commencement of the Constitution (Thirty-sixth
Amendment) Act, 1975 (hereafter in this article referred to as the
appointed day)-
(i) the Assembly for Sikkim formed as a result of the elections held
in Sikkim in April, 1974 with thirty-two members elected in the said
elections (hereinafter referred to as the sitting members) shall be
deemed to be the Legislative Assembly of the State of Sikkim duly
constituted under this Constitution;
(ii) the sitting members shall be deemed to the members of the
Legislative Assembly of the State of Sikkim duly elected under this
Constitution; and
(iii) the said Legislative Assembly of the State of Sikkim shall
exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Legislative
Assembly of a State under this Constitution;
(c) in the case of the Assembly deemed to be the Legislative Assembly
of the State of Sikkim under clause (b), the references to the period
of five years in clause (1) of article 172 shall be construed as
references to a period of four years and the said period of four years
shall be deemed to commence from the appointed day;
(d) until other provisions are made by Parliament by law, there shall
be allotted to the State of Sikkim one seat in the House of the People
and the State of Sikkim shall form one parliamentary constituency to
be called the parliamentary constituency for Sikkim;
(e) the representative of the State of Sikkim in the House of the
People in existence on the appointed day shall be elected by the
members of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Sikkim;
(f) Parliament may, for the purpose of protecting the rights and
interests of the different sections of the population of Sikkim make
provision for the number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the
State of Sikkim which may be filled by candidates belonging to such
sections and for the delimitation of the assembly constituencies from
which candidates belonging to such sections alone may stand for
election to the Legislative Assembly of the State of Sikkim;
(g) the Governor of Sikkim shall have special responsibility for peace
and for an equitable arrangement for ensuring the social and economic
advancement of different sections of the population of Sikkim and in
the discharge of his special responsibility under this clause, the
Governor of Sikkim shall, subject to such directions as the President
may, from time to time, deem fit to issue, act in his discretion;
(h) all property and assets (whether within or outside the territories
comprised in the State of Sikkim) which immediately before the
appointed day were vested in the Government of Sikkim or in any other
authority or in any person for the purposes of the Government of
Sikkim shall, as from the appointed day, vest in the Government of the
State of Sikkim;
(i) the High Court functioning as such immediately before the
appointed day in the territories comprised in the State of Sikkim
shall, on and from the appointed day, be deemed to be the High Court
for the State of Sikkim;
(j) all courts of civil, criminal and revenue jurisdiction, all
authorities and all officers, judicial, executive and ministerial,
throughout the territory of the State of Sikkim shall continue on and
from the appointed day to exercise their respective functions subject
to the provisions of this Constitution;
(k) all laws in force immediately before the appointed day in the
territories comprised in the State of Sikkim or any part thereof shall
continue to be in force therein until amended or repealed by a
competent Legislature or other competent authority;
(l) for the purpose of facilitating the application of any such law as
is referred to in clause (k) in relation to the administration of the
State of Sikkim and for the purpose of bringing the provisions of any
such law into accord with the provisions of this Constitution, the
President may, within two years from the appointed day, by order, make
such adaptations and modifications of the law, whether by way of
repeal or amendment, as may be necessary or expedient, and thereupon,
every such law shall have effect subject to the adaptations and
modifications so made, and any such adaptation or modification shall
not be questioned in any court of law;
(m) neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall have
jurisdiction in respect of any dispute or other matter arising out of
any treaty, agreement, engagement or other similar instrument relating
to Sikkim which was entered into or executed before the appointed day
and to which the Government of India or any of its predecessor
Governments was a party, but nothing in this clause shall be construed
to derogate from the provisions of article 143;
(n) the President may, by public notification, extend with such
restrictions or modifications as he thinks fit to the State of Sikkim
any enactment which is in force in a State in India at the date of the
notification;
(o) if any difficulty arises in giving effect to any of the foregoing
provisions of this article, the President may, by order, do anything
(including any adaptation or modification of any other article) which
appears to him to be necessary for the purpose of removing that
difficulty:
Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of two
years from the appointed day;
(p) all things done and all actions taken in or in relation to the
State of Sikkim or the territories comprised therein during the period
commencing on the appointed day and ending immediately before the date
on which the Constitution (Thirty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1975, receives
the assent of the President shall, in so far as they are in conformity
with the provisions of this Constitution as amended by the
Constitution (Thirty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1975, be deemed for all
purposes to have been validly done or taken under this Constitution as
so amended.".
4. Amendment of Fourth Schedule.-In the Fourth Schedule to the
Constitution, in the Table,-
(a) after entry 21, the following entry shall be inserted, namely:---
"22. Sikkim 1";
(b) existing entries 22 to 25 shall be renumbered as entries 23 to 26
respectively;
(c) for the figures "231", the figures "232" shall be substituted.
5. Consequential amendments.-The following consequential amendments
shall be made in the Constitution, namely:-
(a) article 2A shall be omitted;
(b) in article 80, in clause (1), the words and figure "Subject to the
provisions of paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule," shall be omitted;
(c) in article 81, in clause (1), the words and figure "and paragraph
4 of the Tenth Schedule" shall be omitted;
(d) the Tenth Schedule shall be omitted.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, 9 November 2008
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
VP SPEAKS ON CHANGING POLITICAL CONTEXT IN INDIA'S NEIGHBOURHOOD'
Vice President addresses International seminar on ‘changing political context in India’s Neighbourhood’
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 NOV 2008
The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that our political commitment to closer ties with our neighbours in South-Asia is serious. India’s security interests are better served if our neighbours evolve as viable states with moderate and stable political and social environments and vibrant economies. Delivering key note address at the International Seminar on ‘Changing Political Context in India’s Neighbourhood: Prospects of Regional Security and Cooperation’ jointly organized by Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) and Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) here today, he said that we wished to see South Asia at peace with itself, leading to ever widening circles of security, peace and prosperity in the region.
He said that experience elsewhere in the world shows that political constraints need not be permanent barriers to economic cooperation and the later could help create a climate of opinion to resolve conflicts.
He expressed his concern that the Human Development Indices of most countries of South Asia are not flattering and it would be a miracle if the targets of the Millennium Development Goals are achieved. Yet, economic growth has continued as most of the South Asian Countries have liberalized and moved towards market economies. Regional Cooperation has made headway within the framework of SAARC which itself has expanded to include Afghanistan as well as nine observers.
He commended that the new initiatives on the operationlisation of the SAARC Food Bank, establishment of the SAARC Development Fund, setting up of the South Asian University, launching of negotiations to bring serves into SAFTA and signing of the Convention of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters are significant for regional integration.
Following is the text of the Vice President’s address:
“I feel privileged to be here amidst such a distinguished audience. Over the years the IDSA has provided the impulse for such gatherings of scholars and analysts. The end products add to the compendium of knowledge. The attention of this conference, I understand, would be on dimensions of change in South Asia and its possible implications. The logic of geography is compelling. For India, the neighbourhood radiates in concentric circles, buttressed by history, cultural affinities and economic necessities.
Our political commitment to closer ties with our neighbours in South Asia is serious. India’s security interests are better served if our neighbours evolve as viable states with moderate and stable political and social environments and vibrant economies. We wish to see South Asia at peace with itself, leading to ever widening circles of security, peace and prosperity in the region.
The theme of this seminar is twofold: security and regional cooperation. Both need to be understood in themselves as also in their mutual relationship. Their logical manifestations could be (1) security exclusively in national terms (2) regional security cooperation (3) regional economic cooperation and (4) a mix of all these resulting in comprehensive security. In terms of linkages, it would be valid to ask if the perceived regional economic cooperation is to be the first step in our quest for regional security cooperation, or vice versa.
Perceptions, as this audience is well aware, have changed overtime. At one point security in the conventional sense offered a menu of choices in regard to security cooperation and suggested options ranging from alliances to collective security, security regimes and security communities. At a later stage, frameworks for communication and dialogue emerged. Each of these was experimented with; results varied from region to region.
Regional economic cooperation has tended to be influenced by a set of factors relating to intra-regional relations and convergence of political interests and cultural compatibility. The potential for economic cooperation is stymied when historic fears cloud security perceptions.
South Asia presents a varied picture towards the end of 2008. In some areas, forces of change are resonating noticeably. Bhutan has opted for a new system of governance through a constitutional monarchy. Change is the message of the election in Maldives last week. Nepal has witnessed historic transition from a monarchy to a democratic republic with a new leadership, and a new constitution in the offing. Pakistan has reverted to civilian rule with a new Parliament and a democratically elected President.
Less specific are the readings on Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The former seeks a return to constitutional democracy and the latter an end to internecine strife.
The conflict in Afghanistan remains a source of considerable concern and calls for innovative solutions premised on national unity.
India, having registered rapid growth in recent years, is itself moving into a period of state and national elections.
The move towards popular and democratically elected governments in South Asia, however, has not eclipsed the existing challenges to governance in all the countries of the region. Poverty and economic disparities coupled with ethnic and social divisions have created political and social fault lines that have been exploited by non-state actors with their own agendas.
Human Development indices of most countries of South Asia are not flattering and it would a miracle if the targets of the Millennium Development Goals are achieved. Yet, economic growth has continued as most of the South Asian countries have liberalised and moved towards market economies. Regional cooperation has made headway within the framework of SAARC which itself has expanded to include Afghanistan as well as nine observers.
New initiatives on the operationalisation of the SAARC Food Bank, establishment of the SAARC Development Fund, setting up of the South Asian University, the launching of negotiations to bring services into SAFTA and signing of the Convention of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters are significant for regional integration.
The question that one must ask is whether the changed and changing political context in many SAARC countries would confine itself to domestic politics or go beyond it to develop a changed context for security and economic cooperation with India? In other words, do the new political elites in our neighbourhood harbour a new paradigm of bilateral and regional cooperation?
We have to admit that the traditional pattern of bilateral state-to-state relations has already been transformed in varying degrees as a result of globalisation. Governments today do not control information or patterns of human interaction. Across the region, we see a web of connectivities between political actors, media centres, civil society organisations and commercial entities. Common people freely exchange views and ideas on their governments and their lives.
The prospects of security and economic cooperation are thus correlated to the ability of States to broad-base their relations beyond the traditional frameworks.
Let me venture to summarise some overarching themes that characterise the emergence of this new political context.
First, there is recognition of the importance of good relations with India and an advocacy for closer economic and political relations. There is also a desire for updating, where relevant, the existing instrumentalities of such cooperation to reflect the new ground level realities. The question for renegotiating existing treaties has been raised in this context.
Second, India on its part has tried - incrementally and non-reciprocally - to incentives economic cooperation through confidence building measures. As a result, some in our neighbourhood have begun to feel that a prosperous and economically vibrant India is an opportunity for them to reap both economic and political benefits.
Third, political elites are increasingly emphasising that the desired economic outcomes transcend investments, growth or development. The focus is on the human development of people, the quality of the lives of citizens and even Gross National Happiness!
Fourth, all countries in South Asia realise that globalisation would be meaningless without the improvement of intra-regional connectivities. Informal trade and third country trade is still predominant with formal intra-regional trade constituting under 5% of South Asia’s overall trade.
On the other hand, negative security perceptions continue to cloud cooperation in tackling trans-national and cross-boundary issues. These include security concerns such as terrorism, drug-trafficking and money laundering, as well as economic and developmental issues such as food, water, climate change and energy security.
Some initiatives need to be mentioned. India has taken the lead in building infrastructure for intra-regional trade in the full knowledge that the economic importance of intra-regional trade is considerable for the smaller regional economies. Taking the theme of connectivity forward, the SAARC Transport Ministers identified specific corridors for implementation linking Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh. A draft Motor Vehicles Agreement and a draft Railway Agreement are also being negotiated.
The expectation is that cross-border trucking and container movements, improved regional air and rail links and upgraded customs and trade facilitation would knit our neighbourhood in a network of mutually beneficial economic partnerships contributing to long term political and social stability.
Such partnerships are the need of the hour and can help address problems that cannot be solved nationally. Two instances of these lie in (i) rivers and flood control; and (ii) energy generation, energy trade and energy transit. Both are critical to the achievement of development goals of the countries of South Asia.
Experience elsewhere in the world shows that political constraints need not be permanent barriers to economic cooperation and that the latter could help create a climate of opinion to resolve conflicts.
We live in times of great change. The challenges we confront overflow national frontiers. The public in South Asia has, in diverse ways, signalled its impatience with the politics of the status quo. This is most evident in the younger generation. It is now for the governments to think innovatively and encapsulate this impulse in national policies.
History is witness to occasions when bold thinking has led to creativity. Why should South Asia be an exception and remain embedded in the unproductive routine and ritual of six decades?
Would it then be altogether unrealistic to hope that South Asian cooperation would seek to achieve the following?
• Free travel and trade across frontiers, a euro-style single currency, environmentally sustainable and regionally balanced development.
• Security coordination resulting in Joint action on crime and terror.
• Speak with a single voice and work closely together on trade issues and development policy.
• Develop a mechanism for dispute resolution.
• Coordinate approaches on major foreign and defence policy questions?
The meandering River of Time is mighty and can flow in many directions. The answers to the above questions lie in harnessing it for common good and regional betterment. The analyst should go beyond identifying the obstacles and pitfalls to suggesting solutions. I venture to hope that today’s conclave would be part of such an effort. I thank Mr. Sisodia for inviting me today. I wish the Seminar all success”.
sOURCE: pib)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 NOV 2008
The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that our political commitment to closer ties with our neighbours in South-Asia is serious. India’s security interests are better served if our neighbours evolve as viable states with moderate and stable political and social environments and vibrant economies. Delivering key note address at the International Seminar on ‘Changing Political Context in India’s Neighbourhood: Prospects of Regional Security and Cooperation’ jointly organized by Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) and Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) here today, he said that we wished to see South Asia at peace with itself, leading to ever widening circles of security, peace and prosperity in the region.
He said that experience elsewhere in the world shows that political constraints need not be permanent barriers to economic cooperation and the later could help create a climate of opinion to resolve conflicts.
He expressed his concern that the Human Development Indices of most countries of South Asia are not flattering and it would be a miracle if the targets of the Millennium Development Goals are achieved. Yet, economic growth has continued as most of the South Asian Countries have liberalized and moved towards market economies. Regional Cooperation has made headway within the framework of SAARC which itself has expanded to include Afghanistan as well as nine observers.
He commended that the new initiatives on the operationlisation of the SAARC Food Bank, establishment of the SAARC Development Fund, setting up of the South Asian University, launching of negotiations to bring serves into SAFTA and signing of the Convention of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters are significant for regional integration.
Following is the text of the Vice President’s address:
“I feel privileged to be here amidst such a distinguished audience. Over the years the IDSA has provided the impulse for such gatherings of scholars and analysts. The end products add to the compendium of knowledge. The attention of this conference, I understand, would be on dimensions of change in South Asia and its possible implications. The logic of geography is compelling. For India, the neighbourhood radiates in concentric circles, buttressed by history, cultural affinities and economic necessities.
Our political commitment to closer ties with our neighbours in South Asia is serious. India’s security interests are better served if our neighbours evolve as viable states with moderate and stable political and social environments and vibrant economies. We wish to see South Asia at peace with itself, leading to ever widening circles of security, peace and prosperity in the region.
The theme of this seminar is twofold: security and regional cooperation. Both need to be understood in themselves as also in their mutual relationship. Their logical manifestations could be (1) security exclusively in national terms (2) regional security cooperation (3) regional economic cooperation and (4) a mix of all these resulting in comprehensive security. In terms of linkages, it would be valid to ask if the perceived regional economic cooperation is to be the first step in our quest for regional security cooperation, or vice versa.
Perceptions, as this audience is well aware, have changed overtime. At one point security in the conventional sense offered a menu of choices in regard to security cooperation and suggested options ranging from alliances to collective security, security regimes and security communities. At a later stage, frameworks for communication and dialogue emerged. Each of these was experimented with; results varied from region to region.
Regional economic cooperation has tended to be influenced by a set of factors relating to intra-regional relations and convergence of political interests and cultural compatibility. The potential for economic cooperation is stymied when historic fears cloud security perceptions.
South Asia presents a varied picture towards the end of 2008. In some areas, forces of change are resonating noticeably. Bhutan has opted for a new system of governance through a constitutional monarchy. Change is the message of the election in Maldives last week. Nepal has witnessed historic transition from a monarchy to a democratic republic with a new leadership, and a new constitution in the offing. Pakistan has reverted to civilian rule with a new Parliament and a democratically elected President.
Less specific are the readings on Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The former seeks a return to constitutional democracy and the latter an end to internecine strife.
The conflict in Afghanistan remains a source of considerable concern and calls for innovative solutions premised on national unity.
India, having registered rapid growth in recent years, is itself moving into a period of state and national elections.
The move towards popular and democratically elected governments in South Asia, however, has not eclipsed the existing challenges to governance in all the countries of the region. Poverty and economic disparities coupled with ethnic and social divisions have created political and social fault lines that have been exploited by non-state actors with their own agendas.
Human Development indices of most countries of South Asia are not flattering and it would a miracle if the targets of the Millennium Development Goals are achieved. Yet, economic growth has continued as most of the South Asian countries have liberalised and moved towards market economies. Regional cooperation has made headway within the framework of SAARC which itself has expanded to include Afghanistan as well as nine observers.
New initiatives on the operationalisation of the SAARC Food Bank, establishment of the SAARC Development Fund, setting up of the South Asian University, the launching of negotiations to bring services into SAFTA and signing of the Convention of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters are significant for regional integration.
The question that one must ask is whether the changed and changing political context in many SAARC countries would confine itself to domestic politics or go beyond it to develop a changed context for security and economic cooperation with India? In other words, do the new political elites in our neighbourhood harbour a new paradigm of bilateral and regional cooperation?
We have to admit that the traditional pattern of bilateral state-to-state relations has already been transformed in varying degrees as a result of globalisation. Governments today do not control information or patterns of human interaction. Across the region, we see a web of connectivities between political actors, media centres, civil society organisations and commercial entities. Common people freely exchange views and ideas on their governments and their lives.
The prospects of security and economic cooperation are thus correlated to the ability of States to broad-base their relations beyond the traditional frameworks.
Let me venture to summarise some overarching themes that characterise the emergence of this new political context.
First, there is recognition of the importance of good relations with India and an advocacy for closer economic and political relations. There is also a desire for updating, where relevant, the existing instrumentalities of such cooperation to reflect the new ground level realities. The question for renegotiating existing treaties has been raised in this context.
Second, India on its part has tried - incrementally and non-reciprocally - to incentives economic cooperation through confidence building measures. As a result, some in our neighbourhood have begun to feel that a prosperous and economically vibrant India is an opportunity for them to reap both economic and political benefits.
Third, political elites are increasingly emphasising that the desired economic outcomes transcend investments, growth or development. The focus is on the human development of people, the quality of the lives of citizens and even Gross National Happiness!
Fourth, all countries in South Asia realise that globalisation would be meaningless without the improvement of intra-regional connectivities. Informal trade and third country trade is still predominant with formal intra-regional trade constituting under 5% of South Asia’s overall trade.
On the other hand, negative security perceptions continue to cloud cooperation in tackling trans-national and cross-boundary issues. These include security concerns such as terrorism, drug-trafficking and money laundering, as well as economic and developmental issues such as food, water, climate change and energy security.
Some initiatives need to be mentioned. India has taken the lead in building infrastructure for intra-regional trade in the full knowledge that the economic importance of intra-regional trade is considerable for the smaller regional economies. Taking the theme of connectivity forward, the SAARC Transport Ministers identified specific corridors for implementation linking Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh. A draft Motor Vehicles Agreement and a draft Railway Agreement are also being negotiated.
The expectation is that cross-border trucking and container movements, improved regional air and rail links and upgraded customs and trade facilitation would knit our neighbourhood in a network of mutually beneficial economic partnerships contributing to long term political and social stability.
Such partnerships are the need of the hour and can help address problems that cannot be solved nationally. Two instances of these lie in (i) rivers and flood control; and (ii) energy generation, energy trade and energy transit. Both are critical to the achievement of development goals of the countries of South Asia.
Experience elsewhere in the world shows that political constraints need not be permanent barriers to economic cooperation and that the latter could help create a climate of opinion to resolve conflicts.
We live in times of great change. The challenges we confront overflow national frontiers. The public in South Asia has, in diverse ways, signalled its impatience with the politics of the status quo. This is most evident in the younger generation. It is now for the governments to think innovatively and encapsulate this impulse in national policies.
History is witness to occasions when bold thinking has led to creativity. Why should South Asia be an exception and remain embedded in the unproductive routine and ritual of six decades?
Would it then be altogether unrealistic to hope that South Asian cooperation would seek to achieve the following?
• Free travel and trade across frontiers, a euro-style single currency, environmentally sustainable and regionally balanced development.
• Security coordination resulting in Joint action on crime and terror.
• Speak with a single voice and work closely together on trade issues and development policy.
• Develop a mechanism for dispute resolution.
• Coordinate approaches on major foreign and defence policy questions?
The meandering River of Time is mighty and can flow in many directions. The answers to the above questions lie in harnessing it for common good and regional betterment. The analyst should go beyond identifying the obstacles and pitfalls to suggesting solutions. I venture to hope that today’s conclave would be part of such an effort. I thank Mr. Sisodia for inviting me today. I wish the Seminar all success”.
sOURCE: pib)
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
gorkhaland resolution at opportune time-sdf
Gorkhaland resolution at opportune time’
Staff Reporter
SIKKIM EXPRESS
GANGTOK, October 27: Though Darjeeling people are stilling pinning their hopes on the Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s promise to pass a resolution in the Assembly in support of separate Gorkhaland state, the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party today said that the resolution will be passed at an ‘opportune time’.
“The Chief Minister’s statement is on record. We will definitely pass the resolution at the opportune time like during the Nepali language movement”, said SDF party spokesperson and Press Advisor to the Chief Minister, BB Gooroong today.
Has the Chief Minister ever said that he will not pass the resolution?, Mr. Gooroong countered. He reminded that the present Gorkhaland movement is just begun and tripartite talks are being held with the Gorkhaland protagonists just handing documents to the Centre.
The Chief Minister has not showed his cards and he knows when to display his cards. The time has not come and we will act timely, said Mr. Gooroong.
Staff Reporter
SIKKIM EXPRESS
GANGTOK, October 27: Though Darjeeling people are stilling pinning their hopes on the Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s promise to pass a resolution in the Assembly in support of separate Gorkhaland state, the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party today said that the resolution will be passed at an ‘opportune time’.
“The Chief Minister’s statement is on record. We will definitely pass the resolution at the opportune time like during the Nepali language movement”, said SDF party spokesperson and Press Advisor to the Chief Minister, BB Gooroong today.
Has the Chief Minister ever said that he will not pass the resolution?, Mr. Gooroong countered. He reminded that the present Gorkhaland movement is just begun and tripartite talks are being held with the Gorkhaland protagonists just handing documents to the Centre.
The Chief Minister has not showed his cards and he knows when to display his cards. The time has not come and we will act timely, said Mr. Gooroong.
Thursday, 16 October 2008
Site to hear Tibetan singing bowls for health
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-PvVS-VUt0vQ/sound_healing_with_tibetan_singing_bowls/
http://130.166.124.2/himalaya_atlas1/index.html
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/758411/zenergy_healing_music_and_profound_art_vibrational_therapy/
http://130.166.124.2/himalaya_atlas1/index.html
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/758411/zenergy_healing_music_and_profound_art_vibrational_therapy/
Himalayan Atlas of Aerial Panoramas Vol I
Himalaya Atlas of Aerial Panoramas - Vol I
Tibet - Uttar Pradesh - Nepal - Sikkim - Bhutan - Arunachal Pradesh
Welcome to the Himalaya Atlas of Aerial Panoramas, one of a series of collections of photorealistic aerial views created by Dr. William A. Bowen, professor emeritus of the Department of Geography at California State University Northridge. The atlas contains over 700 computer generated panoramas that portray every square foot of the vast range between Arunachal Pradesh on the east and Uttar Pradesh on the west, including all of Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and portions of Tibet and the lowlands of India. Seeing the Earth from a high place allows us to grasp quickly the essential geography of vast regions that eludes those who are earth bound. Most of these panoramas were created between virtual elevation of 50 to 200 kilometers above sea level with a virtual 35 mm camera equipped with a 22 mm lens. Normally the vistas encompass much more than a thousand square miles (259,000 hectares) of the earth's surface.
Because of our lack of geographic experience and the unusual perspectives offered by this atlas, I recommend that users acquire copies of detailed national and regional maps and atlases. Equipped with such references, Himalaya Atlas users will be able to orient themselves better and identify all manner of detail. An outstanding introduction to the geography and people of these mountains is the Illustrated Atlas of the Himalaya, authored by David Zurick and Julsun Pacheco and published by The University Press of Kentucky in 2006.
The panoramas in this collection are named for urban places or principal natural features occurring within the field of view. The author has tried his best to locate and name each image as accurately as possible. Compass direction abbreviations are normally appended to each name in order that atlas users will at least have some general sense of the direction in which they are looking. Constructive comments and suggestions are always welcomed and should be emailed to Dr. Bowen.
One of the unfortunate realities of Web publications is that every user's computer screen will render the panoramas differently. Serious users may need to download the images and modify image color balance using their own software. The pictures are best viewed on a large monitor, because the panoramas measure 2100 x 900 pixels.
It is hoped that these unique aerial views will provide a new and valuable resource for those who seek to understand better the character of the Earth's mightiest mountain range and the people who occupy this high country. Many other atlases and aerial flights may be found in the Survey's Electronic Map Library.
The California Geographical Survey is a creation of Dr. William A. Bowen, and it is hosted by the Department of Geography and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at California State University, Northridge. The Survey operates for the benefit of the students and faculty of the California State University System, public and parochial school teachers and students, and the people of the State of California. It is the California Geographical Survey's intention to provide a variety of important geographic resources to the entire Internet community.
The materials of the California Geographical Survey are available without restrictions to the California State University Northridge campus community for non-profit, classroom use. All other persons should be aware that all original materials contained within this geographic archive are copyrighted and the sole property of Dr. William A. Bowen. Use of such copyrighted items without the permission of the owner is strictly forbidden. Individual students and teachers everywhere are specifically granted the right to use all materials for class assignments and lectures. In some cases, the author may extend additional legal rights to specific off-campus individuals and groups whose works he deems to be in the general public interest. Dr. Bowen's efforts are not funded by any government agency or private sponsor. His work is not in the public domain. Every item is copyrighted and is distributed with the clear understanding that its use for commercial and non-commercial purposes outside of public school and university classrooms is forbidden without his expressed approval. Please contact Dr. Bowen for additional information concerning copyright issues and the development of commercial projects.
California Geographical Survey People
Bill Bowen and his wife Marilyn live in Northridge, California, near the university he served for thirty-four years. Bill was educated as a geographer at U.C. Berkeley. He was privileged to have taken courses from Professors Clarence Glacken, John Kesseli, Ted Oberlander, James Parsons, Carl Sauer, Hilgard Sternberg, James Vance, Gunther Barth, Peter Birkeland, J. B. Jackson, and George Stewart. He joined the faculty at California State University, Northridge in 1970 and taught there until his retirement in 2004. Several years before his retirement, he decided to create the California Geographical Survey as a tool for better communicating his ideas and maps to students and other explorers who frequent the Web. He continues his work today at home, in a closet that contains two high-speed Macintosh computers.
Bill and Marilyn with Mozart in Vienna.
Although educated as a cultural geographer and physical geographer in the Sauerian tradition, he has always been fascinated with maps. This evolving collection of photorealistic, panoramic maps of the earth's landscapes can be traced to an undergraduate map reading course taught by Professor John E. Kesseli in 1962 and a cartography course taught by Professor Ted Oberlander in the Spring of 1963. He is forever in the debt of these fine scholars and the many other teachers who touched his life.
Robert Provin has provided essential technical support to the California Geographical Survey since its beginnings. He is a true scholar and valued colleague whose patient good thoughts and intelligence have kept the web service alive during challenging times. Until his retirement in June 2005, Robert was the senior scientific technician of the Department of Geography. He remains a highly regarded instructor, and an internationally renown expert in astronomical photography.
He has made many contributions to that science and coauthored the influential Manual of Advanced Celestial Photography. This book has been called "the most comprehensive book on astrophotography ever published." He and his coauthor Brad Willis are currently completing another volume entitled From Silver to Silicon . His photography may be seen on the Web at http://voltaire.csun.edu/Default.html. Robert is a graduate of California State University Northridge, where he earned both his Baccalaureate and Masters degrees.
Robert preparing for very remote sensing.
David Deis began providing technical support for the Survey's computer server in 2005. He is the chief cartographer for the Department of Geography, and in that capacity is an expert in digital mapping, image processing, and graphic design. He teaches courses in cartography and geographic information systems. David is a graduate of California State University Northridge, where he earned both his Baccalaureate and Masters degrees. He lives with his wife Tina in the San Fernando Valley.
Tibet - Uttar Pradesh - Nepal - Sikkim - Bhutan - Arunachal Pradesh
Welcome to the Himalaya Atlas of Aerial Panoramas, one of a series of collections of photorealistic aerial views created by Dr. William A. Bowen, professor emeritus of the Department of Geography at California State University Northridge. The atlas contains over 700 computer generated panoramas that portray every square foot of the vast range between Arunachal Pradesh on the east and Uttar Pradesh on the west, including all of Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and portions of Tibet and the lowlands of India. Seeing the Earth from a high place allows us to grasp quickly the essential geography of vast regions that eludes those who are earth bound. Most of these panoramas were created between virtual elevation of 50 to 200 kilometers above sea level with a virtual 35 mm camera equipped with a 22 mm lens. Normally the vistas encompass much more than a thousand square miles (259,000 hectares) of the earth's surface.
Because of our lack of geographic experience and the unusual perspectives offered by this atlas, I recommend that users acquire copies of detailed national and regional maps and atlases. Equipped with such references, Himalaya Atlas users will be able to orient themselves better and identify all manner of detail. An outstanding introduction to the geography and people of these mountains is the Illustrated Atlas of the Himalaya, authored by David Zurick and Julsun Pacheco and published by The University Press of Kentucky in 2006.
The panoramas in this collection are named for urban places or principal natural features occurring within the field of view. The author has tried his best to locate and name each image as accurately as possible. Compass direction abbreviations are normally appended to each name in order that atlas users will at least have some general sense of the direction in which they are looking. Constructive comments and suggestions are always welcomed and should be emailed to Dr. Bowen.
One of the unfortunate realities of Web publications is that every user's computer screen will render the panoramas differently. Serious users may need to download the images and modify image color balance using their own software. The pictures are best viewed on a large monitor, because the panoramas measure 2100 x 900 pixels.
It is hoped that these unique aerial views will provide a new and valuable resource for those who seek to understand better the character of the Earth's mightiest mountain range and the people who occupy this high country. Many other atlases and aerial flights may be found in the Survey's Electronic Map Library.
The California Geographical Survey is a creation of Dr. William A. Bowen, and it is hosted by the Department of Geography and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at California State University, Northridge. The Survey operates for the benefit of the students and faculty of the California State University System, public and parochial school teachers and students, and the people of the State of California. It is the California Geographical Survey's intention to provide a variety of important geographic resources to the entire Internet community.
The materials of the California Geographical Survey are available without restrictions to the California State University Northridge campus community for non-profit, classroom use. All other persons should be aware that all original materials contained within this geographic archive are copyrighted and the sole property of Dr. William A. Bowen. Use of such copyrighted items without the permission of the owner is strictly forbidden. Individual students and teachers everywhere are specifically granted the right to use all materials for class assignments and lectures. In some cases, the author may extend additional legal rights to specific off-campus individuals and groups whose works he deems to be in the general public interest. Dr. Bowen's efforts are not funded by any government agency or private sponsor. His work is not in the public domain. Every item is copyrighted and is distributed with the clear understanding that its use for commercial and non-commercial purposes outside of public school and university classrooms is forbidden without his expressed approval. Please contact Dr. Bowen for additional information concerning copyright issues and the development of commercial projects.
California Geographical Survey People
Bill Bowen and his wife Marilyn live in Northridge, California, near the university he served for thirty-four years. Bill was educated as a geographer at U.C. Berkeley. He was privileged to have taken courses from Professors Clarence Glacken, John Kesseli, Ted Oberlander, James Parsons, Carl Sauer, Hilgard Sternberg, James Vance, Gunther Barth, Peter Birkeland, J. B. Jackson, and George Stewart. He joined the faculty at California State University, Northridge in 1970 and taught there until his retirement in 2004. Several years before his retirement, he decided to create the California Geographical Survey as a tool for better communicating his ideas and maps to students and other explorers who frequent the Web. He continues his work today at home, in a closet that contains two high-speed Macintosh computers.
Bill and Marilyn with Mozart in Vienna.
Although educated as a cultural geographer and physical geographer in the Sauerian tradition, he has always been fascinated with maps. This evolving collection of photorealistic, panoramic maps of the earth's landscapes can be traced to an undergraduate map reading course taught by Professor John E. Kesseli in 1962 and a cartography course taught by Professor Ted Oberlander in the Spring of 1963. He is forever in the debt of these fine scholars and the many other teachers who touched his life.
Robert Provin has provided essential technical support to the California Geographical Survey since its beginnings. He is a true scholar and valued colleague whose patient good thoughts and intelligence have kept the web service alive during challenging times. Until his retirement in June 2005, Robert was the senior scientific technician of the Department of Geography. He remains a highly regarded instructor, and an internationally renown expert in astronomical photography.
He has made many contributions to that science and coauthored the influential Manual of Advanced Celestial Photography. This book has been called "the most comprehensive book on astrophotography ever published." He and his coauthor Brad Willis are currently completing another volume entitled From Silver to Silicon . His photography may be seen on the Web at http://voltaire.csun.edu/Default.html. Robert is a graduate of California State University Northridge, where he earned both his Baccalaureate and Masters degrees.
Robert preparing for very remote sensing.
David Deis began providing technical support for the Survey's computer server in 2005. He is the chief cartographer for the Department of Geography, and in that capacity is an expert in digital mapping, image processing, and graphic design. He teaches courses in cartography and geographic information systems. David is a graduate of California State University Northridge, where he earned both his Baccalaureate and Masters degrees. He lives with his wife Tina in the San Fernando Valley.
SNPP LAUNCHED IN SIKKIM FOR ASSOCIATE STATE STATUS
Gangtok, Oct 15: In a new political development, the Sikkim National Peoples’ Party (SNPP) was on Wednesday formally launched expressing its resolve to protect and promote the identity of the Sikkimese people by seeking restoration of the associate state status for the himalayan state as was the case prior to its merger with India in 1975.
Addressing a press conference after the launch of the SNPP, its President Biraj Adhikari defended his party’s stand for review of Sikkim’s merger on the ground that the grant of the associate state status was necessary for maintaining the distinct identity of the himalayan state and its people.
He also sought to question the process of Sikkim’s merger before 1975.
Claiming that the Centre had failed to maintain the distinct identity of Sikkim or protect the interests of the people and the state, Adhikari cited the dilution of the Article 371(F) of the Indian constitution by the Central governments over the years.
Alleging the integration of Sikkim and its people with India has not been realised even 33 years after the Himalayan state’s merger, he said it would be appropriate that the Centre should review the matter and grant Sikkim the status of an associate state.
Adhikari said that his party has launched a signature campaign from today itself for grant of the status of an associate state.
“We hope to get signatures of lakhs of people of Sikkim on the issue and the same would be forwarded to the Centre,” he said.
The SNPP would also seek to make the associate state demand a key political issue in the coming assembly polls in the state early next year, he said.
sOURCE: zEE nEWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Addressing a press conference after the launch of the SNPP, its President Biraj Adhikari defended his party’s stand for review of Sikkim’s merger on the ground that the grant of the associate state status was necessary for maintaining the distinct identity of the himalayan state and its people.
He also sought to question the process of Sikkim’s merger before 1975.
Claiming that the Centre had failed to maintain the distinct identity of Sikkim or protect the interests of the people and the state, Adhikari cited the dilution of the Article 371(F) of the Indian constitution by the Central governments over the years.
Alleging the integration of Sikkim and its people with India has not been realised even 33 years after the Himalayan state’s merger, he said it would be appropriate that the Centre should review the matter and grant Sikkim the status of an associate state.
Adhikari said that his party has launched a signature campaign from today itself for grant of the status of an associate state.
“We hope to get signatures of lakhs of people of Sikkim on the issue and the same would be forwarded to the Centre,” he said.
The SNPP would also seek to make the associate state demand a key political issue in the coming assembly polls in the state early next year, he said.
sOURCE: zEE nEWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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