Monday, December 18, 2006

Darjeeling Carnival condemns the article of The Telegraph

The Darjeeling Initiative and the organizing committee of the Darjeeling Carnival 2006 strongly condemns the article "Fest against Ghising Politics " which appeared in The Telegraph dated 15 December 2006 and would like to state the following facts:

1. The Darjeeling Carnival is a cultural event and is organized by the citizens of Darjeeling to showcase the vibrant culture of the entire Darjeeling Hills to the whole world and also bring prosperity, harmony and unity in the entire Hills and is totally apolitical, devoid of any political leanings.

2. The organizers did not give any press statement to the concerned correspondent. Rather, the correspondent seems to have come along with another correspondent of a leading national magazine and the organizers were never introduced to this correspondent from The Telegraph. The organizers categorically spoke only to the correspondent of the national magazine and had no idea that a correspondent from The Telegraph was also present. Since no clarification was sought by the correspondent of The Telegraph, what has been printed in the impuned article is totally out of context and even the quotes attributed to Samir Sharma and Ajoy Edwards have been concocted by the correspondent.

3. We would like to state that members of the Darjeeling Initiative have never said that "the fest is a movement against Subash Ghising and his brand of politics". Infact, we respect the Administrator of DGHC Sri Subash Ghising and are grateful for all the work he is doing for the Darjeeling Hills. The Darjeeling Initiative is an apolitical body consisting of local youths and college students who are all volunteering their precious time to make Darjeeling a better place through positive initiatives like the Darjeeling Carnival. We do not dabble in politics and politics has never been our agenda.

4. The statement "the Carnival organizers also said they will not support the Sixth Schedule status…" is also wrong and was never stated by any organizers and the statement also defies logic as the Darjeeling Initiative consists mostly of college students and youngsters who hardly understand constitutional provisions like the Sixth Schedule status.

5. The Darjeeling Carnival is not a platform for politics but for bringing peace, prosperity and harmony to the entire Darjeeling Hills. The Carnival is not a platform to discuss Gorkhaland or Sixth Schedule Status or any other political matter of any sort. The Darjeeling Carnival is also not a platform to condemn the Govt. whether the State, Central or Local. Infact, the Darjeeling Carnival is a move towards working in harmony with all the Govt. departments and has always been supported by all Govt. agencies, local organisations and the citizens. The partners of the Darjeeling Carnival include the Darjeeling Police, Darjeeling Municipality and the district administration. Even DGHC tourism has actively supported by means of sponsorship and in the given light, the entire story is but a complete fabrication from the ground realities.
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6. Due to this article, the peaceful Darjeeling Carnival has been mired in controversy with its partners and local citizens of the entire Darjeeling Hills. There has been a lot of misunderstanding between the different participating organisations involved in the Carnival, due to this damning article. The credibility of your esteemed news paper has also come under the scanner and there has been spontaneous reaction to the published article by more than 20 organisations involved in the Darjeeling Carnival and it is being seen as a move in creating communal disharmony in this region.

7. Following the article, many sponsors and partners who have extended support to the Darjeeling Carnival, after understanding the aims and objectives of the fest, have immediately withdrawn support. Relationships that have taken years to build have been jeopardized by just this one damning article.

It is our sincere and urgent appeal to The Telegraph to rectify this matter as soon as possible and publish a corrigendum to this article .

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Darjeeling Carnival 2006 in Full Swing

We are all on familiar ground now with the Darjeeling Carnival in full swing. There’s a strange feeling of déjà vu every time of having been there, done that. The hick-ups and obstacles are always there, but after 3 years of organizing such a mega event the team is prepared and raring to face such challenges.

Need a car in 5 minutes? Call Ruben and its done. Orient Express needs sound check at 9am? No problem, Lipok, Gopal and Avinash are there, wiping sleepy dust (kachera) from their eyes. Security guards needs to be tightened? Rueben and the Gorkha Shield are there. The troupes arrived late or someone can’t find a room for the night? Well, Nita and Monlom are just a phone call away. Running short of volunteers? Sabina smiles, your volunteer’s there! Firefighting and motivation? Hey, we have Ajoy ready to hear you out and solve your problem.

You can also see Suraj kaku and his enthusiastic volunteers busy feeding everyone and making sure that the guests are being served hot cups of Darjeeling tea in the evening. Yangchen, in her own slow and sweet way, is making sure that the Cultural groups are on time and performing according to the schedule. Gatty and Sikher are in charge of playing the sponsor ads every evening and also controlling the stage light and doing a great job at that. Kundan is on tenter hooks trying to manage the Carnival Idol which is becoming a big hit by the day. Namgyal (Pala) and Suman can be seen on and off stage trying to get the best angle and shot with their cameras. And good old Rajeev? Well, he is everywhere, from designing flexes and posters to volunteering on stage and doing everything else that’s being left out for the last moment.

As for yours truly, well, I am gliding around, trying to be the odd job man. No department tag on my volunteer badge, so am free to butt into anything I feel. From whispering the last number to the bands, to distributing invitation cards for the exhibition, from pleasing sponsors with my sweet talks to going in search of the electricians. There is no excuse for feigning tiredness or being sick till the 17th. This is after all, Carnival time!!!