06 April, 2004; NOW! 1

C M Y K

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MORE SUPRISES IN SDF’S FINAL LIST� CHAKUNG GETS GOLEY BACK � NAKUL

RAI BAGS LOK SABHA TICKET � FIVEMINISTERS, 5 MLAs DROPPED

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 05 April: The finallist of the Sikkim Democratic Frontcandidates for the upcoming simul-taneous polls was released today asexpected. Although rumours of whatit contained had started floatingfrom early morning, it was not untilway past noon, that the official listsubstantiated several of the rumours.The list came with many surprises.

Five ministers and five MLAshave been dropped by the party andincluding, the Lok Sabha candidate,SDF is offering eleven new facesto the voters of Sikkim.

The ministers dropped are ThutobBhutia, CK Mohra, Tseten Lepcha,OT Lepcha and KT Gyaltsen. The rul-ing party MLAs ignored this timearound are Tulsi Pradhan, Bhojraj Rai,Gopal Lamichaney, JK Bhandari and

Sonam Dorjee.Contrary to claims by senior

party leaders that the first list wasfinal, one change, which snow-balled to affect the political futuresof two others, was effected. PSTamang [Goley], was reverted toChakung, replacing Bina Rai,whose candidature had been an-nounced earlier. She has beendropped from the list of candidates.Replacing Mr. Tamang at CentralPendam is Somnath Poudyal.

It might be recalled that a hugedelegation of Chakung voters hadrolled into Gangtok to claim Mr.Tamang as their rightful candidateon 31 March. Party-insiders revealthat more than the show of strength,it was Mr. Tamang’s influence inmore constituencies than justChakung that convinced the party

TEAM SDFLOK SABHA: Nakul Rai

DAMTHANG: Pawan Chamling

YOKSUM: Kalawati Subba

TASHIDING: DN Takarpa

GEYZING: Sher Bdr. Subedi

DENTAM: Deepak Kr. Gurung

HEE-BERMIOK: Narendra Kr. Subba

RINCHENPONG: Dawcho Lepcha

CHAKUNG: Prem Singh Tamang

SORENG: Ram Bdr. Subba

DARAMDIN: Ran Bdr. Subba

JORETHANG-NAYA BAZAR: KN Rai

RALANG: Dorjee Dezum Bhutia

WOK: Chandra Bdr. Karki

MELLI: Girish Chandra Rai

TEMI-TARKU: Garja Man Gurung

CENTRAL/ EAST PENDAM: Somnath Poudyal

REGU: Karna Bdr. Chamling

PATHING: Mingma Tsh. Sherpa

SANG-MARTAM: Dorjee Tsh. Lepcha

RAKDONG-TINTEK: Norzang Lepcha

LACHEN MAGSHILA: Hishey Lachungpa

KABI-TINGDA: Thinley Tsh. Bhutia

RHENOCK: Bhim Dhungel

ASSAM-LINGZEY: Kunga Zangpo Bhutia

LOOSING-PACHEYKHANI: Manita Manger

GANGTOK: NK Pradhan

RANKA: Nimthit Lepcha

RUMTEK: Menlom Lepcha

KHAMDONG: DM Ramudamu

RATEYPANI-WEST PENDAM: AS Baraily

DZONGU: Sonam Gyatso Lepcha

First-timers shaded in grey

HAND-PICKED TO DRIVE SDF BACK TO POWER

turn to pg 7

DB GURUNG, SHERHANG BAGCONGRESS TICKETS

Cong accomodates dissident SDF leaders

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 05 April: Politics isdefinitely not about permanence.There are no permanent allies orenemies. The ruling party effectedadjustments in it’s list of candidateswithin a week of claiming that itwas final and barely days after asenior Congressman said that dis-sident SDF leaders could join Con-gress but not expect tickets, twoSDF leaders, expelled for alleged“anti-party” activities, not onlyjoined the Congress, but also wona Congress ticket each.

Media Coordinator, SPCC [I],BP Bajgain confirmed that formerDeputy Speaker, DB Gurung, andformer Chairman, Sherhang Subba[expelled from the SDF on 02April], called on the SikkimPradesh Congress Committee [I]president, Nar Bahadur Bhandari,at his Ranipool residence today andjoined the party.

With the joining, they were alsoawarded Congress tickets. WhileMr. Gurung will contest on a Con-gress ticket from Geyzing, Mr.Subba wins the ticket for Dentam.

The news has not surprised

many since the activities which trig-gered the expulsions came whenthe two were overlooked in the SDFticket-distribution process.

While Mr. Subba steps in uncon-tested domain within the Congress,Mr. Gurung has spiked the chancesof former Power Secretary and Con-gress leader, LP Tewari, who hasbeen cultivating the Geyzing con-stituency for quite some time. WhileMr. Gurung goes up against SDF’ssitting MLA and minister in the out-going government, SB Subedi, Mr.Subba has NK Subba of the SDF tocontend with.

INSIDE Mingma Sherpa impresses Pathing

voters with his easy charmDETAILS ON pg 4

Bharat Tenzing Chettri unhappy withGM Gurung’s candidature, offers to

contest as an IndependentDETAILS ON pg 7

2; NOW!; 06 April, 2004

C M Y K

Artist, filmmaker, keen photographer, columnist with internationalmagazines... It’s hard to pin Twan Yang down. Born to a Chinesefather and Tibetan mother, he grew up in Kalimpong and worked inSikkim. NOW! serializes Twan Yang’s autobiography, Houseboy in India...

NOW!FIRST WITH THE NEWS

ED-SPACE

-24-

I was given a place to sleep for the night,and the next morning was told to go tothe police station to report everything

about this bad sahib. I could not yet walk prop-erly, so Rahim Ali, a Sindhi and an enginecleaner, took me directly to the place by tram.

The police inspector was very kind to me.He promised to help me get the money frommy sahib. He asked my name, birthplace, andalso my caste. There was no use telling apolice sahib any lies about my life in India,so I told him the whole truth. I gave my propername as Twan Yang and said that I was bornof a Chinese family in Kalimpong. Then thepolice sahib said I should return to his officenext day at about ten o’clock to appear be-fore the bigger police sahib and be taken tothe house of the railway sahib.

I rested till late I the afternoon in the homeof my kind Muslim host. When he came homein the evening I paid my respects to him say-ing, “Salaam alaikum.” He was greatly sur-prised to hear me and returned my greeting in

The Kindness of Strangersthe same way, asking me where I had learnedto say “Salaam alaikum.” I told him I hadlearned it from the railway sahib’s cook, aMuslim, who had always told me tobecome a Muslim, but I had notwanted to do so. “It would be verygood for you to become a Mus-lim,” said the kind man, “be-cause then all the Muslims willbe kind to you and give youwork if you are without it. Es-pecially because you are an or-phan you should do it for thesake of your future.”

I began to see that what hewas saying was very sensible.I kept on thinking about this forthe remainder of the day.

The next morning I went tothe police station with Rahim Ali,

and showed the marks on my back. The policesahib looked at them very carefully and wrotedown everything on a sheet of paper. He told me

not to worry and he promised he would getsome money from my sahib. But first I

must go to the city hospital and seewhat the doctor said about my armand back. At the hospital the doctor

made a photograph of my arm. He said no dam-age had been done. When I returned to the po-lice station with the doctor’s letter, the policesahib asked me then whether I wanted to go backto Delhi or stay on here in Karachi. I said I pre-ferred to go back to Delhi if I could get the trainfare from the railway sahib. Then I was told tomeet the police sahib at the railway sahib’s house.

I went there with my friend, and soon thepolice sahib arrived. At first the railway sa-hib said he would not give me any money togo to Delhi, but at last he agreed. Only hedid not give me money, but a railway ticketto the place. The wages, which I was paid,came to eight rupees, and I was quite con-tent with this amount. It would have beensilly not to be satisfied; whatever the amountmight be which was due to me.

However, I did not go to Delhi. I sold theticket for ten rupees to someone going to Delhi.The buyer was happy to get it at a bargain price,and I had now eighteen rupees in all.

I kept then very carefully.-to be continued

A perceptive journalist of alocal paper once commented on the paradigm

shift that the spin-doctors of theGNLF had brought about in the lo-cal political scenario. He wrote thatthere was a time when political par-ties fought elections on the basis ofpromises that they would make tosolve voter problems such as un-employment, lack of drink-ing water etc.

The GNLF turned thison the head by evolvinga stratagem in whichthey went a step ahead.They enlightened thepublic on what actuallytheir problems were. Issues suchas the 6th schedule, no man’s landetc were purported as being the realproblems that the people faced andthe party was seen to be the onlyagency that would bring about asemblance of order in the madhouse of issues that the hills hadbecome.

In a sense this was a master-stroke.

You could, in corporate terms,equate it to a situation where a com-pany sells you cars and also the typeof fuel to run it with. The party itseemed was not just answeringquestions, but asking them too.Couple with that the covert threatthey issued in the name of being a

stabilising influence in the hills andit was game set and match for theGNLF. This, of course, is not to saythat they did anything other politi-cal parties had not done beforethem or would not do given eitherthe chance or the political acumen.

The fact of the matter is that fora long time the opposition was to alarge extent invisible, busy as they

were in inter-necine squab-bles. This time

too things do not appear to be verydifferent. The power equationsseem to have the same operatingvariables. The intrigues have startedto engage the public mind and thepolitical specimen’s imagination.Things get murkier by the day withstatements from both sides of thefence making up the sound bytes.In true political fashion issues arebeing unearthed every other day.And as much as these charges aregrave, there is also room to suspectthe intention in bringing themabout, given their timing.

I, fortunately, do not have any

THE VOTE NOTESpolitical leanings, and hence canafford to observe the spectacle fromthe vantage point of supreme de-tachment. A few observationstherefore are in order.

Like in the rest of the countrypoliticians here too are a much-ma-ligned tribe. They are either fawnedupon or ignored, with very fewwilling to look at them with the se-riousness that some deserve. But inone perceptible way, there is trend

here that is different fromthe rest of the country.While magazines like the

Time can feature the likesof businessmen turnedpoliticians such as Vijay

Mallya, in Kalimpong wehave seen the season ofpolitician-turned-busi-

nessmen. Of course, there’s noth-ing wrong in being unwilling to putall your eggs in one basket. Andalso there isn’t much that is differ-ent from engaging in the businessof politics to well, just business. Assomebody said, while in a democ-racy you vote with the ballot, incapitalism you do so with yourchequebook. What matters there-fore if in the fledgling outpost ofcapitalism and democracy that isKalimpong there are some whocommand your attention in bothways possible?

�

The Sangram ContinuesMembers of the Sikkim Sangram Parishad seem to take theparty name too seriously. They are constantly in a state ofSangram. Had this sense of agitation been directed outwards,as it was in 1984 when it was formed and then again in 1999when it performed well at the polls, one would have seen a muchbetter Opposition party in Sikkim in the past five years. The party,however, appears to have turned the mirror inwards and directedall the flak and aggression to its own office bearers. First, Mr.Bhandari opted for mercy killing by merging the party with theCongress. But even before the new signboards at CongressBhavan had dried, Rajendra Upreti and some others picked ona technicality and knocked out Mr. Bhandari’s claims of a merger.And now we have DB Basnet and his ilk claiming to have bootedout Mr. Upreti and his clique for hobnobbing with the SDF andfor anti-party activities. Mr. Upreti of course has countered withthe claim that Mr. Basnet resigned from SSP some time backand thus has no legal authority to make such expulsions. Butthese are political arguments and can stretch forever. The audi-ence is more concerned about what the party is going through.SSP truly heralded the arrival of the regional party in Sikkim. Itspoke local concerns and raised regional issues through thefourteen-odd years that it was in power. But like most other re-gional parties, it started disintegrating the moment it was up-staged. The party’s decline actually started in 1994 when theSDF came into power. It lost MLAs, then constituencies, thenyouth and then all semblance of any organisational network. Aresurgent Mr. Bhandari did manage to infuse some life into it in1999, but even though the party saw an increase in voter-share,its seats in the Assembly dropped. Along with it dropped out Mr.Bhandari from the public scene. Since the fate of political par-ties, specially regional ones, are so closely linked to the fates ofits Leaders, SSP double-marched towards annihilation the mo-ment Mr. Bhandari got more occupied with personal involve-ments to spare time for the party and its requirements. The situ-ation deteriorated to such an extent that at one time mergertalks were on with both Congress and the BJP. It is from such asituation that some managed to restore SSP. One does not usethe term revive because that remains debatable. All that hasbeen achieved thus far is an official endorsement of the continu-ing existence of the party. While aspersions have been cast onwhat motivated this resuscitation, fact remains that a regionalparty was rescued. What we have in effect at present are tworegional parties of the same mould. SSP is alive and SikkimPradesh Congress Committee [I] is for all intents and purposesbeing run like the SSP of old. A national party is finally getting acrash course in the parochial wisdom of regional politics.But if all this was really good, then why is there so much infight-ing plaguing the SSP? The party does not threaten anyone po-litically at present, so the only reason left to instigate trouble inits ranks is the massive real estate that lies in dispute.

For all of Iraq’s current problems, at least the oil-rich country now can trade with the outsideworld. That wasn’t the case in the mid-1990s.

In fact, after the 1991 Gulf War, Saddam Hussein’s re-fusal to prove he had rid his country of weapons of massdestruction was punished withUnited Nations sanctions that barredother countries from doing businesswith Iraq. But ordinary Iraqis would have suffered evenmore without a U.N. program that, starting in 1996, letIraq sell $65 billion of oil for food and other essentials.

Today, evidence suggests UN officials abused theprogram, enriching themselves, Saddam and favoredforeign companies. The Iraqi Governing Council has

hired accountants and lawyers to investigate Iraqi docu-ments it says provide proof of corruption and fraud inthe oil-for-food program.

Iraq’s media have cited at least 270 suspects, includingFrench and Russian firms, a senior UN official and

a company linked to the son of UNSecretary-General Kofi Annan. Lastmonth, a US congressional investiga-

tion esti- mated that Saddam siphoned $10 bil-lion or more from the program in kickbacks and bribes.

The charges could be shrugged off as the unfortu-nate but all-too-typical type of corruption that definesboth dictators and international aid programs, except

Corruption charges threaten valuable U.N. role in Iraq

lsewheree

turn to pg 6

06 April, 2004; NOW! 3

C M Y K

� NEWSSCAN

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 05 April: Thousands ofdevotees gathered at Hanuman Toktoday to celebrate Hanuman Jayanti.

They came here as early as 5 amin the morning to pray to LordHanuman, a symbol of strength anddevotion. The actual prayers startedin the temple at 6.30 am. This wasfollowed by the Jyoti Darshan andSabhamani Bhog Aarti. The Havanand the main Aarti took place in thepresence of several dignitaries whohad come to seek the blessings ofHanuman.

The Governor, V Rama Raowas the Chief Guest at the function.GOC, 17 Mountain Division, Ma-jor General, Awdesh Prakash, wasalso present at the prayers alongwith a host of political figures. GM

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GANGTOK, 05 April: “This is forthe information of the general publicof Gangtok and surrounding areas.That the Roads & Bridges Departmentis undertaking the task of improvingthe overall condition of major roadsin and around Gangtok. The said workentails a great deal of excavationworks as well as transportation of con-struction materials. As such, this mustcause inconvenience to all persons.We therefore appeal to public to bearwith us and extend full co-operationto enable the department to executethe work as per schedule.”

Thus read appeals in newspa-pers issued by the department. Butfor how long is the public expectedto bear this inconvenience? Onemonth? Two months? Or longer?

All this makes no sense to thepeople who have waited patientlyfor the last 6 months, if not more,for the roads in their vicinity to berepaired. Winter came and went, sodid the spring. Now when the cloudsare preparing to burst on us with

regular ferocity, the people are get-ting restive. There seems to be nosolution in sight. Mud, slush, over-flowing drains and the impossibil-ity of walking on certain stretchesis evidence that the state governmenthas failed to provide the most basiccivic facilities to the capital.

Speaking to NOW! earlier, thedepartment had blamed it on thedelay in giving out tenders.

“We don’t care for excuses,”says Karma Gyatso, a resident ofSyari, adding, “it’s getting worseeveryday.”So what is the problem?

It goes something like this.Over the last few months longstretches of road have been dug upin nearly all the residential coloniesof the capital. From DevelopmentArea to Arithang to Tadong. Theroads have been half dug up andseemingly left like that. There is nopoint in going into the daily miserythis causes the people of the areas.Suffice to say that with the weatherplaying truant, the misery has in-creased. And so has the apprehen-sion that it will get worse.

As if things were not badenough, the PHED has initiated afresh round of digging along theNH31A with sandbags and flagswarning people to stay away. Thepublic, too overwhelmed by all this‘digging’ manages the best theycan. After all, they have been toldit is for their own good.

“It is all for a reason,” says DSubba, Principal Chief Engineer cumSecretary, PHE. Apparently, whenGREF carpeted the highway, about500 manholes were covered. Thedepartment, at present is carrying onthe task of digging the manholes andconstructing them at surface level.This is being done to maintain the30 inch pipes that are laid underground. A stretch of 12 kilometersfrom Gangtok to Adampool, wherethe sewage treatment plant is locatedwill be covered by the department.

“At present if the pipe gets bro-ken, there is no provision of repair-ing, the water will seep into theground causing the soil to loosen,resulting in natural calamities, thusthe manholes are required to get in

and check the pipes, if there is nomaintenance then there is a fear ofa landslide,” informs Mr. Subba.

Makes good sense, except whynow? It has been nearly two yearssince the roads were carpeted. Is thisthe best time to dig up all the roads?With the tourist season coming up,followed by the rainy season!

Anyway, assaulted as the peopleof Gangtok are by the collective dig-ging up frenzy undertaken by all thedepartments at the same time, all theycan do is ask wearily, “How muchlonger do we have to bear this.”

[PH]ED UP WITH WORKS IN PROGRESS

Gangtokians step cautiously! There’s a lot of work in progress

Gurung, PS Goley, NK Pradhan,PD Rai and YB Thapa joined sen-ior government officials and gen-eral public in seeking blessings.

Bhajan and kirtan sessions tookplace along with a Langar, in whichprasad was distributed.

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Thousands throng to Hanuman Tok

The devout assembled atHanuman Tok on 05 April tocelebrate Hanuman Jayanti

4; NOW!; 06 April, 2004

C M Y K

POWERPLAY �

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 05 April: The AllSikkim Mangar Association hasasked for the inclusion ofSikkimese Mangars in the Sched-uled Tribe list to “ensure socialand political security to the com-munity.” The association has alsoasked for the Mangar language tobe taught in schools in areaswhere the Mangar community isin majority.

These demands were raised ina meeting called by the All SikkimMangar Association [ASMA] atSudunglakha Busty, East Sikkim on03 April. Mangars from all overSikkim are reported to have at-tended the meeting held at the resi-dence of Krishna Bahadur Mangarin large numbers.

The meeting which was pre-sided by Gyan Bahadur Magar,former Panchayat, Subani Dara,East Sikkim, acknowledged the roleplayed by the Sikkim Democratic

Front in promoting ASMA eco-nomically, socially, culturally andliterally. Offering its gratitude, theAssociation also appreciated thegovernment’s effort to mobilize theBackward Classes in the state.

The Association has unani-mously decided to project YBThapa, who is also the ASMApresident, as a leader of BackwardMangars in the forthcoming elec-tion so as to ensure the progres-sive well being of the communityin all facets.

ASMA will soon release a bookon the history of Mangars writtenby Santosh Alley, adds a press re-lease issued by the Association.

The meeting concluded with athanksgiving speech delivered byParsuram Thapa Mangar in whichhe said the main aim of the asso-ciation was to promote generalamiable camaraderie in the soci-ety and work towards theupliftment and bright future of thecommunity.

Mangars revive tribal demand, backYB as their representative

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GANGTOK, 05 April: The stateBJP president, HR Pradhan, told apress conference here today that theparty’s attempting at forging freshalliances was progressing well.

Speaking at the meet Mr.Pradhan said that communal har-mony was the main issue for them.“This communal harmony has beenplayed with by the SDF with theirpolicy of allotting reservations toonly certain communities”, Mr.Pradhan alleged.

“Initially, reservations were tobe provided for Gurungs, Bhutias,Lepchas and Sunuwars. But onlytwo of them have benefited. TheGurungs and Sunwars have beendeprived of reservations. This, forthem, is an injustice,” he added.

STATE-BJP CLAIMS IT’S GETTING FEELERS FROM SDF AND CONGRESS

DISSIDENTS; SAYS IT HAS ALREADY DECIDED ON 11 CANDIDATESLambasting the SDF, the state

BJP president pointed out that ofthe 133 promises made by the SDFduring the last elections, only 40per cent have been fulfilled.

“Actually, only 49 of the 133have been looked into, that makesfor less than 40 per cent,” he said.On the same note, he said that thegovernment had failed to pass theLocal Protection Act as promisedin its last manifesto.

“They have also failed to providereservations to Nepalis and Tsongsas promised by them even thoughthey have been included in the Sched-

uled Tribes list along with theTamangs. The delimitation is alreadyon the anvil and the Limbus andTamangs may not get their politicalrights until 2026 as the SDF has failedto submit a resolution passed by theAssembly of the state government tothe central government for necessaryenactment,” Mr. Pradhan alleged.

Another allegation levelled bythe state BJP was the misleading ofthe Chettri, Bahun, Newar and

Sanyasi communities by the SDF.“These communities were prom-

ised OBC status, but later the SDFgave OBC status to the Thami, Jogiand Dewan communities. They thenoffered OBC status to the left-outcommunities when some SSP mem-bers merged with the Congress. OBCstatus without clearance by the StateOBC Commission is nothing but apolitical gimmick,” said Mr. Pradhan.

Responding to queries, Mr.

SDF has fulfilled only 40% of its promises, alleges Pradhan

Pradhan revealed that the party hadalready decided on about eleven can-didates for the Assembly polls andalso revealed that they had been get-ting feelers from certain dissidentsfrom the SDF as well as the Congress.

“There are many youth who arejoining our party. As many as 80 hadalready joined till yesterday,” heclaimed. He also said that they had de-cided to recommend to the central BJPleadership to break ties with the SDF.

SIKKIM’S SAFFROM LEADERS WANT HIGHCOMMAND TO SEVER TIES WITH SDF

SARIKAH ATREYA

MAMRING-AMBA [PATHING,EAST SIKKIM], 05 April: A largenumber of people of 20-Pathingconverged from remote corners ofthis constituency to get up, closeand personal with their new neta atthe Panchayat Bhawan premiseshere today.

There were apprehensions andeven some indifference on their parteven as the Sikkim DemocraticFront candidate, Mingma TsheringSherpa was introduced to them byformer ministers, MLAs andPanchayat leaders of the area.

The veteran leader, however,won them over with his easy charm,wit and struck a direct rapport withthe villagers. Mr. Sherpa managedto ease the awkwardness and pro-jected himself as the winning can-didate from the constituency.

Having fought and won theRakdong-Tintek seat on a SikkimSangram Parishad ticket twice ina row, Mr. Sherpa who joined theSDF during the second term,proved that he was the man of thegrassroots. He even spoke theirlanguage.

“Most of you are under theimpression that I am a new face.Well, I am definitely not new. Iam 62 years old and have alreadyspent more than a decade in ac-tive politics. I have fought andwon two Assembly elections in arow. But for 20-Pathing, I am cer-tainly new. So, I need to be shownaround but definitely not carriedaround,” he quipped.

SDF high-command has senthim to a constituency which has notvoted for the SDF in the last twoelections. That too in the face ofmany other hopefuls. Ram Lepcha,former minister and SDF’s candi-date in the last elections, was in thefray as was Sonam Dorjee who won

on an SSP ticket last time andjoined SDF recently. So were CheliMorcha leader Karma Doma andLaxman Lepcha.

But today, all professed sup-port for Mr. Sherpa and promisedto elect him with a majority. Allthose who spoke at today’s meet-ing reminisced about the workdone by Mr. Sherpa in Rakdong-Tintek and expected the same paceof development and progress forthis “neglected and forgotten” con-stituency as well.

Present for the welcome cer-emony today were former minis-ter Ram Lepcha, minister andarea MLA, Rhegu, KBChamling, senior Cheli Morchaand Panchayat leaders from thearea and Youth members.

Mr. Sherpa, on his part, prom-ised to bring development to thedoorsteps of the people of Pathing.

“The poor janata need not cometo Gangtok for anything. I willmake sure that all benefits reachyou directly. This is my promise toyou,” he assured.

While asserting his completefaith and support in the leadershipof Chief Minister and party leader,Pawan Chamling and his policies,Mr. Sherpa asked the people tomove away from “caste lines” and

vote for the party that was basedon pro-poor polices.

Various issues that needed im-mediate attention were brought upduring the meeting and assured de-liverance by the SDF candidate.

About 8,531 voters will exer-cise their franchise from thePathing constituency.

Mingma Sherpa impresses Pathingvoters with his easy charm

Mingma Sherpa meets his new constituency’s voters on 5 April

06 April, 2004; NOW! 5

C M Y K

� NEWSSCAN

Vajra Guru Dhungdrupat Pemayangtse Monastery, West Sikkim

The Vajra Guru Dhungdrup or recitations at Pemayangtse Gompa,

Sikkim’s premier monastery in West Sikkim will commence from

8th April 2003 ( Lunar calendar : Dawa Nyipa Tsey Chopgay).

The recitations will be headed by his Eminence Yangthang

Rimpoche.

Devotees and interested persons from all over Sikkim who are

interested to participate at the recitations are invited to join us.

We would also like to inform that we will be providing free fooding

and lodging for those participating at the recitations. However,

please bring your own utensils like plates, mugs and spoons.

Once again all are invited to join us for the recitations.

Dueche, Pemayangtse Gompa

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DARJEELING, 05April: Thesensational saffron brigade dramaended on a drab note today with thename of Dr. G.S Yonzone beingannounced as the candidate fromthe Darjeeling parliamentary con-stituency.

Though the Hill BJP leadershad clearly expressed discontent

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 05 April: The JAK HI-Bird Cycle expedition took off fromNathula yesterday. The expeditionwas flagged off by Brig. RaviPandalai. The expedition, which isthe first of its kind to be undertakenin Sikkim will pass through Tsomgo,Rumtek Monastery, and Darjeelingbefore finishing at Sukna. One of-ficer, a JCO and 12 Other Ranks are

over the proposed candidature ofDr. Yonzone and there werechances of an all out rebellion,things ended on a quiet note today.

Most of the BJP Hill leadershave already softened their stand,the magical effects of meeting be-tween the district leaders and mem-bers of the BJP State Committee inSiliguri, yesterday clearly showing.

Dr. Yonzone had incurred the

wrath of the Hill BJP leaders whenhe claimed that the present BJP Dis-trict Committee with KishoreChandra Rai as the President andBalaram Chettri was “superficial.”

Tathagata Roy, the BJP StatePresident had to come to the res-cue of the committee clarifying thatthe BJP District Committee was the“actual one” and that no other com-mittee existed in Darjeeling, only

to then announce Dr. Yonzone’scandidature.

Balaram Chettri, General Sec-retary, Darjeeling BJP Committeesoftened his stand today. A few daysback he was on the verge of declar-ing an all out war on the proposedcandidature of Dr. Yonzone.

“I will wait for the high com-mand’s decision and then decide onmy stand,” he said today.

However, spitting out deep setdiscontent, he added, “Yonzonemay be educationally qualified buthe lacks quality.”

The Darj BJP president todaystated: “Though we will supportthe BJP candidate, deep inside wefeel hurt.”

Dr. Yonzone, the candidatehowever was not available forcomments.

Darj BJP’s discontent goes on slow burn

KARAN SHAH

KALIMPONG, 05 April: There isgood news now for all the worship-pers of the mythological deityHanuman . The Hanuman Park atDeorali Dara here was inauguratedtoday. The park, which covers a to-tal of 3 acres, is now adorned witha 31ft giant statue, a magnificentcreation of Virendra Pal fromKolkata. The intimidating presenceof such a giant Hanuman is cer-tainly something that the people ofKalimpong can be proud of.

The figure has enhanced thebeauty of the existing sacred sitesof the hill town such as the MangalDham, Kali Mandir and a host ofmonasteries. The statue is made en-tirely of fibre and weighs nearlyhalf a ton.

While speaking to NOW!,Dawa Sherpa, Executive-Councilor[Games & Sport Dept], DGAHC,informed that the entire project hadbeen taken up on a voluntary basis.

“The Marwari community hasplayed a great role in the makingof the park. They have contributedalmost 80 percent of the funds re-quired for the project, not forget-ting the many workers who havealso helped,” he said.

He also disclosed that Rs.

HANUMAN LANDSIN KALIMPONG

29,000 towards the constructionwas contributed by the DGHC, andthat some thirty percent of the workwas still to be completed.

“We intend to start cultivatingmedicinal plants in the park whichcould prove beneficial to studentsof Botany and also to the tourismin Kalimpong,” Mr. Sherpa added.

A couple of thousand peoplewere present at today’s inaugura-tion ceremony, along with SewaSamitis. Eminent town personali-ties, apart from Mr. Sherpa, in at-tendance were Dawa Pakhrin, Ex-ecutive Councilor [PHE] andGurudev Tulku Karma Wangchukfrom Darjeeling, who was also thechief guest for ceremony.

The programme commencedwith the Gurudev’s official opening

of the Park. Then, it was the turn ofthe Bahajan group to further cleansethe already purified atmosphere.

“We thank all those who haveput in such an effort, and also tothose who are present to witnessthis milestone event,” said Mr.Pakhrin who has himself put in alot of time and effort in the build-ing of the park.

“We are also planning to builda statue of Lord Buddha inKalimpong. If things go accordingto plan, its height should be about108 ft,” he added further.

The 31ft. statue of the Monkey God which lords over the 3 acre Hanuman Park in Kalimpong

Inner-Wheel to organisefree PAP-Smear camp

for Gangtok womena NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 05 April: InnerWheel Club of Gangtok, part of aninternational women’s organiza-tion, is holding a PAP-Smear Campfor detection of Cervical Cancer onWednesday, 07 April, to com-memorate World Health Day. Thisis to spread awareness that cervi-cal cancer is the most preventablecancer if detected in early stages.The camp will be held at Care Di-agnostics, Opposite Private BusStand, National Highway, Gangtokat noon.

Due to constraint of resourcespre-registration is a must. A nomi-nal charge of Rs. 50 shall be col-lected towards material cost only.

You can register at The Junc-tion, MG Marg, Sai Jewelers, NewMarket and Care Diagnostics, Op-posite Private Bus stand, NationalHighway.

taking part in this expedition cover-ing a total distance of approximately300 kms at heights ranging from8000 feet to 13000 feet. The expedi-tion is being undertaken to com-memorate Zorawar Day which fallson 13 April. Zorawar Day is celebratedby the J&K Rifles in homage to Gen.Zorawar Singh, the warrior who tookthe boundaries of Kashmir right up toChina. The expedition is being spon-sored by Safari cycles.

JaK SOLDIERS CYCLE ON

6; NOW!; 06 April, 2004

C M Y K

NEWSSCAN �

Kutse SheguThe 49th day Kutse Shegu of late Tshering Doma who leftfor her heavenly abode on 20th February 2004 falls on 7thApril 2004. All friends, relatives and well wishers arerequested to join us in offering prayers for the departed soulat our residence at Manjushree Niwas, Tadong, Gangtok.We heartily thank all those who stood by us during the timeof bereavement and regret our inability to do so individually.

H. R. Sharma (Husband), Vijay Sharma, Ajay Sharma (sons), Neelam

Sharma, Dr. Yogita Sharma (daughters)

Kutse SheguThe 49th Day “Shegu” of late Manoj Tamang whoexpired on 26th February 2004 falls on 14th April 2004.All relatives, fiends and well-wishers are requestedto join us in offering prayers for the departed soul atour residence at Ranipool Bazar, East Sikkim. Wewould also like to take this opportunity to thank all

those who extended their help in our hour of bereavement.Smt Man Maya Tamang, Smt Suk Maya Tamang (Mother), Smt Sakuntala Pradhan

(wife), Sisir Tamang, Basant Tamang, Sunil Tamang (Brothers), C Doma (Sister in

Law), ph: 03592- 251784® 251524® 94341- 43969(M).

Kutse SheguThe 49th day Kutse Shegu of late Sonam PintsoBhutia who left for his heavenly abode on 24th Feb-ruary 2004 falls on 12th April 2004.All friends, relatives and well-wishers are requestedto join us in offering prayers for the departed soul atour residence at Rongong, Phodong, North Sikkim.We also take this opportunity to thank all those who stood by usduring the time of bereavement and regret our inability to do soindividually.

Khamsum Bhutia (Father); Diki Doma (Mother); Pema Yangchen (Wife); Sonam

Tenzing (Daughter); Peden Bhutia (Sister); Sonam Thendup (Brother);

Tenzing Namgyal (Brother); Gita Pradhan-Bhutia (Sister-in-Law);

Dup Pintso Kaleon (Brother-in-Law)

ph: (Gangtok) 228419, (Mobile) 9832005509

Government of SikkimRoads & Bridges Department

Gangtok

APPEAL

This is for the information of thegeneral public of Gangtok andsurrounding areas;

That the Roads & Bridges Departmentis undertaking the task of improvingthe overall condition of major roadsin and around Gangtok. The saidworks entail a great deal of excavationworks as well as transportation ofconstruction materials. As such, thismust cause inconvenience to allpersons.

We therefore appeal to Public to bearwith us and extend full cooperation,to enable the department to executethe works as per schedule.

Inconvenience caused is sincerelyregretted.

Chief Engineer,Roads & Bridges Department

AKSHAY JAISA

KOI NAHIN

Even before he has had time to get his bearings, the verdict is out. Thenew SP East is no match for his predecessor. At least as far as public

perception goes. He’s been declared a softie by the taxi drivers, a breedwho now claim to be missing Akshay’s strict demeanour. But don’t forgetthese are the same fellows who always complained of the overbearingmanner of the former SP. But kya karein, absence makes the heart growfonder and these days all they can talk about is how the No Akshay factoris turning the Home Guards more relaxed and less efficient in their ways,which is of course having a spiralling effect on the drivers. The New SP,apart from getting more aggressive,better practice his Nepali [a matter ofsome amusement for traffic police andtaxi drivers] and throw in singingclasses as well, to make Gangtokiansget over the Akshay Act. With the elec-tion and tourist season on at the sametime, traffic management, he will find,could be as challenging as dealing withconfrontations between SIBLAC andGAC, as he did in his tenure as SPWest.

THE CANDIDATE

The list is finally out and HanumanJayanti has not proven to be very

auspicious for the ones who got leftbehind. KT Gyaltsen, the sitting MLAfrom Rumtek has been denied a ticketthis time, although he was quite cer-tain that he would be declared the can-didate in the second list. And you can’t blame him for feeling rejected. Asone of the few well educated, intelligent and high profile ministers, onewould have thought he would be a sure-shot for the ticket but ground-level realities have decided otherwise. Another ticket hopeful, who’s beenvery aggressive about campaigning for the party in the capital was YBThapa, but again NK Pradhan, with his bazaar vote bank was deemedmore suitable to take on Bhandari, who has Balchand Sarda to get thevyapari votes for him. In all this one feels sorry for Bina Rai, who wasfirst given the ticket from Chakung and then ignominiously dropped afterpressure from the people of the constituency, who wanted Goley and no

for one thing: The scandal tars anorganization that could play a cru-cial supporting role in US effortsto turn Iraq into a stable democracy.

The oil-for-food corruptionscandal raises serious questionsabout how the UN would handle thatdaunting job. And it focuses atten-tion on the potential for abuse in anymassive government reconstructionprogram. Indeed, charges have sur-faced in Iraq that some members ofthe governing council are profitingfrom rebuilding contracts.

As the US considers ways it canrely on the UN to help Iraq after itgains self-rule June 30, the fraudalleged in the oil-for-food programprovides a microcosm of the prob-lems that also could plague Iraq’srebuilding: Lax accounting. Properoversight could have caught abusesin the oil-for-food program. TheIraqi Governing Council’s investi-gation shows the way to preventfuture problems: Hire credible au-ditors to monitor the UN as theywould private businesses.

Bloated bureaucracy. The oil-for-food program - involving nine sepa-rate agencies, projects and funds - wasa classic example of the bureaucraticjumble that has been a UN hallmark.Two rounds of US-pushed reforms in1997 and 2002 to streamline the UNhave made limited progress.

Poor policing. Saddam was al-lowed to choose the companies andcountries the oil-for-food program didbusiness with - a clear invitation topick those open to bribery. Yet a UNspokesman said the organization hadno responsibility to investigate allega-tions of corruption. In fact, thoughcharges swirled for more than a year,the UN started a credible investiga-tion only after the Iraqi GoverningCouncil recently began its probe.

UN officials say they are deter-mined to get to the bottom of thescandal that overshadows the suc-cess of a program responsible forfeeding 60% of Iraq’s 27 millionpeople for seven years. Even if theydo, unmasking corrupt players fallsshort of the need to address the sys-temic UN failures that allowed itto happen in the first place.

As the UN considers taking ona bigger job in Iraq, its success de-pends on learning from this embar-rassing episode.

Corruption chargesthreaten valuableU.N. role in Iraq

Contd from pg 2

PositivePSummer Collection

STYLEHotel Golden Pagoda

MG Marg, Gangtok

one but Goley as their MLA. The gentleman himself must be mighty re-lieved not to have to take on two heavy weights like Bhandari and GMRai at Central Pendam.

LONE RANGER

If there is any one thing that is keeping the Congress flag flying in thecapital, it is literally the one atop a red Gypsy. The occupants of this

vehicle can be seen and heard many times a day driving up and down thehighway, cheering on the Congress and infusing some sign of life in theparty’s campaign for the Gangtok seat. It always leaves one wonderingthat if one vehicle can make so much noise, imagine what a dozen would

do. Guess the time to find out willsoon be here. By the way, the bazaarpeople were quite impressed by thepadyatra taken by the Congress Chieflast week in Gangtok town. And no,it is not for the reason you think andhe hopes for. Instead, People wereheard remarking that he still lookspretty ‘Handsome’ and ‘Debonair’.Let’s hope his telegenic ways stemsomewhat the huge SDF victory thatis being predicted in the state. Never-theless, the man was seen smirking allthrough Sunday having engineered thelatest SSP split.

MODEL CODE OF

CONDUCT

Much needless drama was witnessedat a not-to-be-named government de-partment recently, making reporters

turn out in droves, only to return with no story. Apparently, a girl who wasworking on Muster Roll was given an out of turn promotion and con-firmed in her job. Nothing so extraordinary in normal times. But these areelection times and we have a model code of conduct in place, which doesnot allow for anything of this sort to happen. So the rest of the folks onMuster Roll went on an impromptu protest against this favouritism. Aftermany arguments and discussions with officers in charge, including theSecretary of the department, the work order was taken back and the mat-ter laid to rest.

Like I said, no story.

06 April, 2004; NOW! 7

C M Y K

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high-command that he was morerequired in west Sikkim than in east,where he would be too occupied inhis battle against SPCC [I] president,Nar Bahadur Bhandari, and GACchairman, GM Rai to devote enoughtime to campaign in west.

BB Gooroong, political advisorto the SDF president, who releasedthe final list today, when asked toexplain the recall said, “PS Goleyhas been renominated from theChakung constituency due to po-litical exigencies and in the largerinterests of the party.”

New faces in the list of candidatesinclude Bhim Dhungel, fromRhenock, Kunga Zangpo Bhutia fromAssam Lingzey, and Ms. Nimkhit

Lepcha from Ranka and Ms. ManitaMangar from Loosing Pacheykhani.

Conspicuous in his absence fromthe list was Tourism Minister, KTGyaltsen, who lost Rumtek toMenlom Lepcha. Mr. Lepcha had in-cidentally won against Mr. Gyaltsenfrom Rumtek in 1994 on an SSP ticketbefore joining the ruling party and wasofficiating as the political secretary tothe CM till recently.

A surprise inclusion has alsobeen that of Nakul Rai, formerSIMFED chairman, for the party’sLok Sabha ticket. Mr. Rai’s namehad not cropped up in the list of con-tenders for the post till only recently.

The two reserved SC seats weregiven to BM Ramudamu and AitaSingh Baraily who will stand fromKhamdong and Rateypani-WestPendam, respectively.

The party, in pursuance of itspolicy adopted in the last elections,has decided not to field a candidatefor the Sangha seat. Mr. Gooroongsaid, “Our party will not contest theSangha seat, but will support whichever candidate is thrown up by theelectoral college of monks at Sangha.We did the same during the last elec-tions when we supported PaldenLachungpa, an independent candi-date from the Sangha constituency.”

“The SDF party does not be-lieve in mixing religion with poli-tics,” he emphasised.

Responding to a query on theselection of candidates, he said thatit was not so much as the candidatesas the leader who was important.“The image and quality of our leaderis what will win us the elections,” hesaid while stressing that SDF wouldreturn with a “big bang.”

Also revealed today were thenames of party seniors who formed theparliamentary board which decided thecandidates. They are: Pawan Chamling,DD Bhutia, Ran Bahadur Subba,Garjaman Gurung and KN Rai.

Contd from pg 1

a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 05 April: In a re-versal of sorts, reports had sur-faced of an assault on SDF work-ers on 29 March by former deputychief minister, PT Lucksom, andyouth owing allegiance to him inwest Sikkim.

The news made headlines andwas widely broadcast, now, Mr.Lucksom, president of SikkimNebhola National Liberation Front,has countered that the allegationsare “false” and he has sought the

KN Rai getsacquainted withhis new voters

PURAN TAMANG

NAMCHI, 05 April: The peopleof Jorethang constituency today gotthe opportunity to get acquaintedwith their new MLA candidate, KNRai in a programme held at theNamchi Dak Bungalow. It was anintroductory meeting in which thecandidate and the people attemptedto get familiar with each other.

Around 1,000 people fromJorethang constituency met theirnew candidate and related to himtheir problems.

Mr. Rai, while speaking toNOW! explained, “This is basicallya programme for us to get familiar-ised with each other.” He also vis-ited the Namchi General Hospitalwhere he chatted with patients be-longing to his constituency. a NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 05 April: BharatTenzing Chettri addressed a meet-ing here at his residence at Kaziroad today to gauge the mood ofhis supporters on the announce-ment of GM Gurung as the candi-date for Temi-Tarku, a constituencythat even he was eyeing.

Tseten Bhutia, while conduct-ing the meeting said that the meet-ing was called to arrive at a finaldecision on Mr. Chettri’s futurecourse of action. While speaking toNOW!, he claimed that representa-tives from all 34 blocks of TemiTarku were present to express theirsupport for Mr. Chettri as againstMr. Gurung who is the official partycandidate and also a minister in theoutgoing government.

Prem Tiwari, an active partyyouth said that the younger genera-tion at Temi-Tarku wanted a changeand suggested that even Mr.Gurung’s traditional vote-bankswere shifting their loyalties againsthim. The main grouse, no real de-velopment in the constituency inthe past ten years that Mr. Gurunghas represented it.

Speakers at the meeting pointedout that Mr. Gurung continued towin from Temi-Tarku because hewas an SDF candidate and not be-cause of personal appeal. “The peo-

While there will always bedissidence, there is also

unconditional supporta NOW REPORT

GANGTOK, 05 April: SDF can-didates who bagged a party ticketfor the upcoming polls have wel-comed the party decision as onetaken impartially and have soughtthe support of party workers to con-vert the tickets into winning com-binations for the party in Sikkim.

Those passed over in the final list,barring a few who are not taking thedenial too well, are also coming outin support of the party choices.

Rinzing Ongmu, who had wonfrom Ranka in 1994 on an SSP ticketand later joined the ruling SDF as aMinister, has supported the candi-dature to Ms. Nimthik Lepcha, in-forms an SDF press release.

Similarly, Gopal Lamichaney, PKLamichaney and Basant Lamichaney,all ticket hopefuls for Khamdong, arealso reported to have expressed theirsupport of BM Ramudamu who waspicked over them.

OP Bhandari, who was lobby-ing for the Loosing Pacheykhaniseat, has similarly assured full sup-port for first-timer Manita Mangar.

More suprises in SDF’s final list

“arrest of those persons who hadmade the false allegation on myprestige…”

Condemning media reports forsuggesting his participation in theassault, he has counter-alleged thatit was in fact the SDF which triedto stop him from attending a pub-lic meeting at Khanisirbong [westSikkim] on the day of the incidenteven though he had already beengiven permission by the concernedauthorities to hold a public meet-ing at the said place.

The SDF party had accused Mr.

Lucksom for hiring goons fromoutside Sikkim to beat up the twoSDF supporters. This, Mr. Lucksomvehemently denies and has de-manded proof to substantiate theallegation.

Mr. Lucksom goes on to defendhimself saying that his vehicle hadearlier been stoned and its wayblocked by boulders on theChakung-Khanisirbong road. In aletter to the DGP, he has demanded“immediate action” against thoseinvolved in harassing him on thesaid road.

LUCKSOM STRIKES BACK, SAYS THEATTACK WAS OTHER WAY ROUND

ple vote for him looking at the partypresident,” Mr. Tiwari said.

When it was Mr. Chettri’s turnto speak, he admitted that the peo-ple wanted a change - a change ofcandidate, not party, he stressedwhile adding that party high-com-mand should send observers toTemi-Tarku to get a better under-standing of what the people wanted.

While addressing voters fromthe constituency, Mr. Chettri evenoffered to step out of the race if theywanted so and said he was as will-ing to contest as an independent ifthe people backed him.

Mr. Chettri, while speaking toNOW!, admitted that he was not sat-isfied with ticket distribution as faras Temi-Tarku was concerned since

the people’s aspirations had been ig-nored. On his future course of action,he said that a final decision wouldbe arrived at within “two or three”days after his supporters sent backword from the constituency directinghim on what step to take next.

What momentum, Mr. Chettrican keep in face of Mr. Gurung’sfirst visit to Temi-Tarku since theannouncement of his candidaturescheduled for tomorrow [06 April]remains to be seen.

Bharat Tenzing Chettri challengesGM Gurung’s candidature

Bharat Tenzing Chettri speaks to representatives from Temi Tarku

People want change of candidate,not party, claims Chettri even as he offers

to contest as an Independent

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8; NOW!; 06 April, 2004

C M Y K

Published by Lt. Col. (retd) P. Dorjee and printed at Darpan Publications Pvt. Ltd, Siliguri. Editor: Pema Wangchuk. Executive Editor: Mita ZulcaNow! Near Ayurvedic Clinic, Gairi Gaon, Tadong. East Sikkim. ph: 03592 270949 email: sikkimnow@rediffmail.com

THEFINALONE �

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than usual now and you are inclined to pas-

sively withdraw. Confusion, vagueness, or

misrepresentation can occur in your rela-

tionships, so beware of making commit-

ments at this time. You're likely to see things

much more clearly and realistically later on.

GEMINI: This is a time for getting a

little loose and wild with friends, going

dancing, or doing something out of the or-

dinary that is stimulating and fun. An op-

portunity for a romance may arise which

is likely to be exciting, though short-lived.

CANCER: Positive feelings and inner

harmony engender smooth and comfort-

able relations with others at this time. Your

intuition or gut feelings are apt to be right

on the mark.

LEO: If you are a writer, teacher or stu-

dent or are involved in any intellectual

work, this is a positive time for you: ideas

flow and it is easier than usual to express

your thoughts. Also, this is a good time for

buying, selling, negotiating, and commu-

nications of all kinds.

VIRGO: This is a time when it is diffi-

cult to stay within a budget or on a diet, as

your tendency is to splurge on beautiful

things and to enjoy yourself as much as

possible. It's a good time for a party, as

long as you don't overdo it.

LIBRA: Right now, you are prone to feel

vaguely dissatisfied with your personal life,

especially the romantic side of it. In social

situations, there is an uneasiness, clumsi-

ness. If you do artistic or creative work,

you may be more critical of it than usual,

or simply feel a little dry and uninspired.

SCORPIO: Dreams, wishes, and fan-

tasies about love are strong now, and you

may be infatuated with someone you meet

at this time, only to be disappointed later.

You are simply not seeing people objec-

tively now.

SAGITTARIUS: You feel quite loving

and warm, with a desire to give and re-

ceive affection and appreciation. Also, your

desire for beauty stimulates your creativ-

ity. If you are artistic, your work will be par-

ticularly inspired now.

CAPRICORN: Your thoughts turn to

love and this is a favorable time to bring out

any concerns you have in your personal

relationships. Agreements and cooperation

can be achieved easily now. You readily dis-

cuss your personal needs and desires.

AQUARIUS: Confusion, vagueness,

or misrepresentation can occur in your

relationships, so beware of making com-

mitments at this time. You're likely to see

things much more clearly and realisti-

cally later on.

PISCES: Agreements, contracts, and

joining your efforts with others will work out

very much to your advantage now. A friend

or person in authority may offer help or

present an opportunity which will benefit

you now or in the future. Also, you will reap

rewards later for the generosity and aid

you extend to others at this time.

A comic-book characterreplaced a cartoon dog

at the top of the North Ameri-can box office on Sunday, as“Hellboy” emerged from thefiery depths to lead threeother newcomers aiming tocapitalize on school springvacations

Hellboy,” based on acomic book series about asensitive, crime-fightingdevil, sold an estimated$23.5 million worth of tick-ets over the weekend.

610 Lailat-ul Qadar, the night thekoran descended to Earth648 -BC- Earliest total solareclipse; chronicled by Greeks6 BC This day is believed bysome Biblical scholars to be theactual date of the historical birthof Jesus Christ.1199 Richard I the Lion-hearted,King of England, dies at 41.1866 Famous outlaw of the wildwest, Butch Cassidy is born.1874 Born, Harry Houdini fa-mous magician/escape artist.1893 Longest bout in boxing his-tory ends after 7 hrs in St Louis1896 First modern Olympic gamesbegin in Athens. American, JamesConnolly, wins 1st Olympic goldmedal in modern history.1906 First animated cartooncopyrighted.1909 Matthew Henson, explorer,leads a party of 6 to North Pole1966 Mihir Sen swims the PalkStrait between Sri Lanka & India1975 Chiang Kai-Shek National-ist Chinese leader, dies at 87.1992 Isaac Asimov science fic-tion writer (I Robot), dies at 72.

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If you want to know who’s overdoing and who’s underdoing when itcomes to moolah, the Globe has the tantalizing tally this week. Among

the tidbits in its multipage spread: Jay Leno spent $2 million on garagesfor his 160 vintage cars, and Celine Dion, with no more fashion sensethan God gave a cat, has a custom-built $200,000, 300-square-foot closetfor her 1,000-plus pairs of shoes. Mariah Carey, also a member of the1,000 shoes club, once bathed in 68 bottles of Cristal champagne, whichat $300 a bottle makes for a $20,000 bath. She must have felt really dirtybefore and after.

The speculation machine isworking overtime suggesting

that Cruise wants to go back to thefuture for his next romance. Yes,news is that he and ex-wife NicoleKidman may get together again.Say people close to him, “I thinkthere’s a real chance Tom andNicole might try and start again. Ibelieve that’s what Tom wants, butNicole I’m not so sure about.”Penélope Cruz apparently wasn’tso sure about Nicole either, oftengetting worried that the Far andAway stars might get their eyes wideshut together. Meanwhile, prettyPenny spent some quality time inMadrid with her possibly prettierSahara costar MatthewMcConaughey.

‘Hellboy’ Bedevils American Box Office

TOM FOR ACHANGE?

WASHINGTON AS

DRUG-LORD

The Oscar-winner knows a gooddeal when he sees it. He will

join his Training Day director,Antoine Fuqua, in a new film basedon a New York Magazine article byMark Jacobson. Tru Blu, a Uni-versal Pictures’ and Imagine Enter-tainment production, will tell thetrue story of Harlem drug lord FrankLucas, who once smuggled heroininto this country inside the casketsof soldiers killed in Vietnam. Afterhe was caught, Lucas helped thegovernment catch the people in dif-ferent countries who made moneyon the deal. No shooting schedulehas been announced yet.

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PATIENT WINNERWAITS A YEARTO CLAIM $23

MILLIONTORONTO: A Canadian whowaited nearly a year to claim aU$23 million lottery prize be-cause he didn’t want to “do any-thing rash” was being describedas the most patient man in thecountry on Friday.

Raymond Sobeski won the big-gest single jackpot in Canadian his-tory last April but only stepped for-ward to claim his prize a mere 12days before the ticket’s expiry date.

“It was the first time that a win-ner’s waited this long,” said KathyPittman, a spokeswoman for theOntario Gaming and Lottery Corp.“We thought it must be lost becausehow can someone sit on it for thislong? After meeting him, it’s per-fectly clear to me. He is a gentle-man who takes his time, care andcaution to make any decision. He’sa very patient, laid-back man.”

The 47-year-old self-employedcomputer repairman tucked thewinning ticket away in a safety de-posit box - not even telling his fam-ily - and got to work putting hisaffairs in order.

ODDLYENOUGH