Darjeeling Calendar for a Cause

Here's one thing that all of us should support with our hearts and a bit of money...

Yours truely has also contributed 4 photographs in this Calendar!

Shanker Foundation Darjeeling Network of Positive People is the only foundation run by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the Darjeeling Hills. It believes and promotes the dignity and right to life of persons living with the disease.

Show you care by buying a Shanker Foundation Calendar and help people living with HIV AIDS in Darjeeling. (Rs 75/- only) An ideal gift for your loved ones for the year. 2008 Available at Glenarys, Das Studio and Products Himalaya

Contact - Roshan Rai +91-9932024812 & Vikram Rai +91-9832042879

The Positive Calendar 2008 for Darjeeling

The Shanker Foundation Darjeeling Network of Positive People (DjNP+) is a forum addressing the concerns of people living with HIV in the Darjeeling Hills. It believes and promotes the dignity and right to life of persons living with the disease. It provides care and support to Positive People as well as undertake community awareness programmes around the Darjeeling Hills.

The foundation has members from all walks of life: mothers, young adults, children…the list is endless and increasing rapidly. The disease is yet to be accepted due to lack of awareness. Increasing number of women and children living with HIV is adding challenges to the Network. Due to their positive status, women and children living with HIV are further marginalized in a society which already marginalizes this vulnerable group.

The social stigma and discrimination attached to HIV/AIDS has made it extremely difficult for Shanker Foundation to come out in the open. In this regard, Shanker Foundation has decided to take out a Calendar for the year 2008 in order to raise awareness on HIV & AIDS as well as raise funds for the network. In this calendar, which depicts the day to day activities of the network members, 5 of the active members have decided to come out in the open as a means of giving a face to HIV AIDS in the Darjeeling Hills to reduce stigma.

We would like to request you and your organization to kindly support this initiative by sponsoring one of the pages of the Calendar for 2008. The name and logo of your organization will be featured prominently on the page that you sponsor. We are printing 2000 copies of the Calendar which will be distributed in the Darjeeling Hills and will also be sent all across India and the world.

For further details and information please contact

Namrata Edwards @ 9851150132 and Samir Sharma @ 9434209887

Thanking you and looking forward to a positive response.

"PROUD TO BE FRIENDS OF SHANKER"

What Loreto College means to Darjeeling

The news of Loreto College Darjeeling to be handed back to the state government spells disaster for higher education in the hills. We already have a serious dearth of both good and enough number of colleges, forcing a brain drain from the Darjeeling hills. The latest development will cause more of our talents to flee the region.

Every girl child of the hills dreams of studying in Loreto College once she grows up. Loreto College Darjeeling is a symbol of women’s empowerment, opening doors to a brighter and a secure future. The goodwill of Loreto College is recognized not only nationally but even abroad, thus giving greater options to its wards.

We do not believe that the government can bring the same level of dedication and reputation to the college. Like other government-run colleges in the state, Loreto College once handed over, will also face a sharp drop in the quality of education imparted and the management of the institution itself. The future of our coming generations will be threatened.

We appeal to the Loreto fraternity to reconsider their decision to handover the college to the government. Loreto and Darjeeling share a deep bond, which would be ruinous for the hills if broken. We, as citizens, are committed to provide all the support that common people can bring to the cause and help to alleviate any difficulties the Loreto fraternity might be facing in running the college.

Save Loreto College. Save our Future.

Political turmoil and the Darjeeling Carnival 2007

Most of the volunteers for the Darjeeling Carnival are confused and worried on whether we can organise the Darjeeling Carnival 2007 or not. Cant blame them for their thoughts because the political situation in Darjeeling is volatile and confusing. The GNLF has been split into two and people dont know which sides to take.

We all feel that the show must go on as the Darjeeling Carnival is an apolitical outfit and we do not have any colours. We are here for the good of Darjeeling and we will carry on doing the good work. Cant say what the situation will be like in December but we still give it our best shot and move towards Darjeeling Carnival 2007.

Planning on meeting this weekend. Will inform everyone about the time and place for the meeting. Interested? Call me at 9434209887...samir

Rock Music and Darjeeling

Darjeeling is and has always been famous for its musicians. Every house hold has atleast one member who plays some musical instrument or the other with the guitar being the most famous. So it is not surprising to find many good bands who come out every six months in Darjeeling. Some make it big in other places such as Kathmandu and Bombay, some are lucky to create their own identity in Darjeeling, but most of them end up unsuccessful in making a career out of it.

The reason our rock bands cannot make a living / career out of music is there is not enough oppurtunities to perform shows and make a living out music. The only one place in town that offers rock bands a platform and some money is The Buzz at Glenary's. There is also the lack of good jobs available. In the cities one can work in the day time and perform shows at night. Out here its impossible to do that.

It is therefore very saddening to hear that Sahdev and Sanjit of The Reincarnation are leaving for Delhi to find jobs as Music teacher. Sahdev is perhaps one of the finest guitarists to have come out of Darjeeling and Sanjit is very good drummer as well as a singer. A month ago we were planning on reviving The Reincarnation as they were so good at one time with their single "Hijo Samma" reaching cult status and creating waves and fan following. While Mantra kept playing and stayed together as a band The Reincarnation guys split up and ended doing their own gigs separately. Their come back performance was at the recently held Inter College Fest CONFLUENCE in Gymkhana with the younger generation still going wild with their originals.

We always blame our rock bands being not up to the mark compared to the cities, but the truth is there is no proper way out for these guys. Unless and until our guys get propoer job opportunities right here in Darjeeling our music scenario will not change drastically.

Till such times our musicians have suitable day time jobs and can dedicate enough time to their music, we must be ready to see them off to Delhi, Bangalore and other major cities where they can earn a living and keep their dreams aside...

SCRATCH_War of DJs in Darjeeling

Threshold Entertainments is producing the first ever War of Djs "SCRATCH" in Darjeeling. The show will be held at the Darjeeling Gymkhana Club on 13 October from 3pm onwards. SCRATCH will encourage budding DJs from the Darjeeling Hills and provide a platform for them to showcase their talents. Each DJ will be allowed to play for 40 mins and will be adjudged on their style and mixing abilites.

The theme for this year is Get High on Life. Threshold Entertainments promotes subbstance abuse free shows and also promotes awareness on HIV & AIDS.
Interested DJs can get iin touch with Samir @ 9434209887 or Rajeev @ 9434180996 or write to them at thresholdentertainments@yahoo.com There will be no entry fee charged for the participating DJs.
COME AND JOIN THE FUN!!!

Prashant Tamang takes Darjeeling hills by Storm

Dear All,
Here's a banner for Prashant created by one of my friends, Benoy, a big fan of Prashant himself. Lets vote for this guy to win the Indian idol, he's brought us all together. Atleast we have someone to look up to at the moment...

CONFLUENCE 07_Inter College Fest Darjeeling_update

3 days of unending fun for college kids from 12 colleges around the Darjeeling Hills!!!! CONFLUENCE 2007, The Inter College Youth Festival of Darjeeling. Can u beat that???? There was everything from Rock sessions to Quiz contests, College King and Queen to Mobile videos, The Reincarnation to 5th Dimension....

HUTCH was the presenting sponsor with The Telegraph coming in as associate sponsor. Himalaya Darpan was the media partner for the vernacular print media. The event was also sponsored by The Rotary CLub of Darjeling, Darjeeling Inititiative and Inox.

Have a look at some of the pics...The girls were gorgeous in the Fashion Show. Am so proud of the Darjeeling Hills and its students.

Over all CONFLUENCE 07 Champions? St. Jospeh's College, Darjeeling. Followed closely by Mirik Degree College. The Superintendent of Police, Mr. Rajesh Subarno, gave away the prizes to the winners.

Way to go Mirik.....!!!!

CONFLUENCE 07, Inter College Youth Fest, Darjeeling

Threshold Entertainments is managIng and producing a three day Inter College Youth Fest "CONFLUENCE 07" involving Students from all the Colleges of Darjeeling District and Sikkim to be held at the sprawling Rink Hall of Darjeeling Gymkhana Club from 31 Aug to 02 Sept. Around 4000 students are expected to attend the Festival. Discussions and workshops on social issues, career fair and fun events are integral part of the Festival. This festival will also be a display of all the beautiful colours which make up our country.

The three days festivities also looks at promoting and increasing dialogue between youth and students of different colleges, creating an awareness on social issues and also encourage extra curricular activities to broaden the students’ interactive skills and over all perspective.

Objectives:

• Encourage cooperation as means to strengthen the role of young people in society.

• Reinforce associative youth networks and structures at a regional and national level.

• Promote and increase the dialogue between youth

• Promote dialogue between youth associations and local communities

• Provide students with career opportunities through career fairs and workshops

• Raise awareness on social issues such as HIV-AIDS, Substance abuse, Human trafficking etc.

The highlights of this year:

· Fun Games (quiz, dumb charades, Dance Competition, etc.)

· Career Fair and Workshops

· Debates

· Discussions and awareness workshops on social issues

· Musical and Cultural Presentations

· Fashion Show _ “Inter College King” and “Inter College Queen”

· Music Competition _ ” Inter College Idol”

· Professional Rock acts from India and Nepal

· Art & Photography Exhibition

confluencefest@gmail.com / 0354-2256254 / 9434180996 / 9434209887

The beauty of rural Darjeeling

A lot of people have been to Darjeeling for their vacation but how many of them have really taken time to see the sorrounding towns and villages? Foget the 7 points and the sunrise (if you are lucky enough to see through the morning mist). Or for that matter, even the local residents of Darjeeling hardly venture to see the beauty of our sorrounding hills. The simplicity and charm of the local people, the greenery and freshness in the air, the bustling weekly "haat bazar", all adds up to a thrilling experience, one you can never imagine in our crowded towns.

I was lucky to visit Pokhriabong, Manju and Bungkulung last month. Here are some pics to feast your eyes on...

Waste Art and Mixed Media Show, Darjeeling

PROTECT & PROMOTE

Waste Art & Mixed Media Show

Its time to get into action and our anti-plastic group is planning on a Waste Art & Multimedia Show to be held from 5th June to 8th June at Hayden Hall. As part of this year's World Environment Day celebrations we are planning this first of its kind show for Darjeeling. Am adding the concept note below so everyone can have a look.



Good news, the first lady of Bengal, Mrs. Tara Gandhi has agreed to inaugurate the show!

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BACKGROUND
The alarming waste, mainly plastic that saturates the region as landfill inspired PROD, Darjeeling Initiative, DLR Prerna and Darjeeling Police to organize an event that would motivate people to regard most discarded substance as a regenerative and recyclable resource conducive to the purpose of keeping Darjeeling clean.
We cannot alter the manner in which companies manufacture merchandise overnight, but we can change our conduct to be more ecologically friendly, saving our resources for another day and stopping places from becoming merely hosts for our garbage. Art can creatively bring attention to our careless, harmful, and unsustainable disposal practices by bringing the same refuse into the public's everyday life, and not allowing it simply to disappear into landfills, out of sight and consciousness. Those who see this prospective for art and encourage its practice can employ like devices in various arenas to increase the public's awareness and change individuals' actions.
While the prime goal of the event is of environmental awareness and a creative outlook to waste, the event also intends to arrive at the goal of providing a platform to the cultural and creative expression of the artists and creative professionals belonging to the Hills vis a vis the mixed media section of the show where creative liberty will not just limit them to the theme of recycled art.
All participating artists be it painters, photographers, cinematographers, designers (web and graphic), sculptors, tattoo artists, musicians, poets, writers and so forth will be sought to explore and showcase their respective art forms regardless of the theme.
Given the employment deprivation amongst deserving creative talent in the Hills, the event could also materialize as a means to garner beneficial professional clientele and outsourcing opportunities to the aspiring professionals.
THE EVENT
Darjeeling traditionally puts up a significant program very year commemorating World Environment Day on June 5th; for 2007 the Team proposes a four-day Waste Art and Mixed Media show to begin its involvement in the social and physical fabric of the Darjeeling Hills.

The primary objectives of the event would be
1. To create a platform for art and design in the Darjeeling Hills with a strong emphasis on recycling and waste while promoting local artists.
2. To highlight the availability and distribution of Art in terms of socio-economic structures of the region, by attaching importance to local resources and community wellbeing so that it is accessible to the broader, mainly the younger social groups in our society.
3. To inspire children and young adults to heed for waste as a renewable resource.

EVENT DETAILS
Title of the event PROTECT & PROMOTE Darjeeling
Theme Waste Art and Mixed Media Show
Duration June 5th 2007 through June 8th 2007
Venue Hayden Hall, Darjeeling
Timings 9 am – 5pm

THE PROGRAMTowards education and outreach Art education / promotion and career guidance workshops during the 4-day event are an integral part of the occasion. An auction towards the end of the event will be facilitated in an attempt to make it a profitable involvement for the artists concerned.
Rousing young minds with an environment friendly attitude in Darjeeling is necessary; hence the participation and mobilization of schools and colleges for the event is a priority. Projects according to the waste art theme will be given to educational institutions to incorporate in their curriculum as well as display them in the art show.
A prize incentive will be awarded to the school with the best entry which will be judged by esteemed personalities of our town.
Every evening of the event will be cultural. Local musicians will perform original music (both digital and instrumental). Poetry and book reading sessions will also be held.
Discussions on Art and Media, Design, Waste Management, Film screenings will also be an integral part of the program. The show will entertain guest speakers from all relative fields and senior classical and local musicians.
A small eatery with comfortable seating arrangements will serve as a healthy informal environment for art enthusiasts / critics to voice their thoughts and views on various issues of concern and interest. Space will also be allotted to workshops and seminars.

Omni Lounge open in Darjeeling

The Omni Lounge is finally open in Darjeeling! Saturday the 17th of March was the first day and what a crowd there was. Around 150 people jostling for space and trying to get their food and drinks ordered. All the young and hip were there trying to take in the new Lounge and its offerings. Thanks guys for showing up and making the place happen!

We have been getting a steady flow of people who enjoy lounging and enjoying good music. The food is good with mostly Chinese fare on offer. Suraj has been making great cocktails while I try my best to write the KOTs and the BOTs. Although getting home is still a problem with the place closing at 11 pm at night. I hate the long walk back in the dark. Same for Suraj.

We organised the first private party yesterday evening at our lounge! CHAI Project's donors from Starbucks USA were in town and they wanted to have a party before they left Darjeeling. Was good to see the CHAI and DEG guys enjoying the new place and savouring the Chinese delicacies provided by our Chef Nima. Suraj was busy concocting mocktail and enthralling the ladies with his skills! I was more into PR and serving the drinks and controlling the CHAI Project guys from going overboard with their drinks. There's another birthday bash lined up for this Friday. So more sloshed guys and late nights...

Trying to persuade Ozzman to do his acoustic numbers along with the Notorious Jack (JK) and Jigme (Cadenza).

Watch our for more news!!!Call me or Suraj at 9434209887 / 9733004886

Happy Lounging

Sam

My son's first step into academia

My son Nikunj has taken his first step towards school! I feel proud to reach him to the same kindergarten school that me, my sister and my daughter went to. Feel sorry for the little guy, waking him out of his bed and dressing him up and stuffing food into his mouth in the morning, but everyone must go to school. Although he's been enlisted for the Playgroup it must be a big change of environment for him.

I wonder how our parents must have felt when they took us to school for the very first time. Hoping and praying that their sons and daughters would be perfect human beings and responsible citizens. But look at what monsters some of us turn out to be, letting all the big dreams coming crashing down. I cannot say I have been the perfect son myself. I have made a lot of mistakes in life, some of which I am still trying to rectify.

So as my son gets into school and the whole process of academia I do not have too much expectation from him to over achieve or be ambitious. When his calling comes I'm sure he will rise to the occasion and be himself.

Darjeeling and International Women's Day

Today is the 8th of March and is International Women's Day. Today we celebrate the power and the glory of women and make them feel like queens. A lot of us are busy preparing for dinners and speeches to be held during the day. Racking our brains in order to find the most beautiful and politically apt word to describe women. Well, just for today. Tomorrow, we are back, treating them like dirt and doormats...

Darjeeling is no different when it comes to women you would say. But there is something different here, in this place. Although I cannot say that we treat our women in the best manner possible, I still feel there is a lot of respect for our women folks in this town. We are more liberal with our wives and out daughters compared to the rest of India I would feel. In Darjeeling, there is no difference between a boy or a girl and we celebrate the birth of a daughter with as much gusto as that of a son. A lot of parents have even started believing that a daughter is more valuable than a son these days! What with guys getting into alcohol and substance abuse...

There are instances of wife beating and there is also a "Women's Cell" under the Darjeeling Police in order to serve and protect women. But these are much less compared to the rest of India. We dont burn women for dowry and neither do we believe in killing a baby girl in the womb. Daughter and sisters are encouraged to go to college and work towards a career. Perhaps the change lies in the education in the Darjeeling Hills. There are a lot of co-educational institutions here and boys are exposed to girls at an early age. We never treated our girl friends in college with disrespect and it has never occurred to me or my friends to treat girls or women any other way.

Some of my best friends are women whom I've known ever since my higher secondary days and the love of my life are my wife, my daughter, my sister and my mother! Ofcourse, I love my son too, but he's turning out to be such a brat...

Plastic Bag Ban in Darjeeling

Well, the dream finally becomes a reality today! As of this morning, the ban on use of poly bags in Darjeeling has started. It is being initiatied by the Darjeeling Police along with the Darjeeling Municipality and concerned local citizens such as yours truely.

A lot of discussions have been held in the past as to whether a ban is the best solution. People have felt that a voluntary process whereby people would stop using plastic bags themselves could work. But its been tried and tested for the last 10 years without any success. I know plastic bags are bad and are choking my drains causing landslides and slips, but have I stopped using plastic bags? No. Therefore I feel it is necessary for the police and the municipality to use a "stick and carrot" policy in order to save Darjeeling from doom.

People ask me, what about the monsoons, then what do we do? How do we carry our goods? I say to them, what did we do back in the good old days? I still remember going shopping with mom with a jute carry bag and paper being used to wrap everything else. We've just beeen spoilt for choices in Darjeeling and everywhere in India. What the West is giving up as harmful after so many years the 3rd world is lapping it up eagerly.

Anyways, the more people you ask for opinions, the more it gets complicated. I feel the Superintendent of Darjeeling Police, Mr. Rajesh Subarno has done the right thing by initiating the ban and thanks to the Darjeeling Municipality it is being implemented seriously. Lets give this process a chance and not harp on too many development theories as to what will work and what wont. After all Singapore did not become a litter and chewing gum free country without fines and punishment beinig imposed. So chill and use paper bags instead. The mantra is Reduce, Recycle and Reuse...

OMNI_The New Lounge Bar in Darjeeling

Now that the Carnival is over I have finally found time to concentrate on setting up a Lounge Bar right here in Darjeeling. It will be named "OMNI" and will be situated near the TV Tower. Suraj is my partner in this venture and we hope to create an ambience where people can sit down, relax and enjoy their drinks. We will be serving a lot of snacks with sea food included to go with the drinks. Cocktails will also be an important feature with the latest lounge themes being played most of the time. We hope to have weekend parties with invitees only where R&B, Hip Hop and Techno Trance will be mixed by various DJs.

As of now, the sofas are ready. The painters are supposed to finish their job by Tuesday and then the flooring needs to be done. Am still looking around for artifacts for the walls and have come across some good stuffs at the local curios. Suraj will be sitting down with the staff this week and checking out all the F&B areas. We hope to start by February 1st week. So if you are around town then do drop in...
For reservations call 09434209887 / 09733004886
or write to me at omnilounge@gmail.com