Muhammad Albar, bottlewala's son

We always thought that Sikkim is a beggar free state. We boosted saying that 'you will never find a single beggar in our state'. But this time, we were proven wrong. On a recent trip to Gangtok, we were completely shocked and sad at the same time when we encountered some beggars across the state.

Out of those beggars, we were very much surprised with one young lad whom we found begging on the way to Deorali Gumpa, Gangtok. We walked passed him unknown of the fact that he was there asking money to the passerby. 'Daju, 2 rupee dinuhos na!! [Brother give me 2 rupees]' a voice so innocent that we were compelled to have some talk with him.

He was around 12 years old and his name was Muhammad Albar*[as he said]. He narrated his story as, he studies in Bihar and has come to Sikkim to his parents. His parents collect bottles and earns a living. He also collects bottle sometimes.

'Hijo ta 12 ota bottle bhete hai! anta tesko 22 rupiya paye hai! [I collected 12 bottle yesterday and earned 22 rupees]', he said.
'Anta k garcha tyo paisa ko?[What do you do with that money?]' we asked.
'Chamal kincha!! [I buy rice]'.
'Anta aama-baba le kindaina? [Your parents dont buy rice?]'
'koi bela unarle kincha hai, koi bela mo kinchu hai [sometime they buy and sometime I buy]'.

We tried to make him understand that it is not good to beg, what more could we do.
'aja chai kati paisa bhayo? [How much did you earn today]'
And he replied '6 rupiya!'
'mo tala thiye hai, euta lama daju le prasad dinchu bhanera lyayo hai, anta ek jhola prasad diyo hai [I was begging down there in the market, a monk said he will give me prasad and brought me here and gave a one bag of fruits]' and he showed his bag which had apples and bananas in it.

Though people say that beggars should not be encouraged but those innocent talks..... we gave some amount to him and asked him not to stay there as many tourists were visiting the place. When we returned from the gumpa, he had left.

The intention in writing this article was just to make you feel the mentality of the poor boy. What will Muhammad Albar become when he'll grow up? For him, life is all about earning two meals a day. Hope he will not take the profession of his parents!!

SSG wishes him best of luck for his future.

Admin, SSG

At 12, he is newspaper editor, reporter and publisher

news courtesy: indiaedunews.net | img courtesy: NDTV.com

Allahabad: He is all of 12 years but Utkarsh Tripathi painstakingly brings out a handwritten newspaper every week to spread awareness among his peers on issues like the environment and female foeticide. And all this to satisfy his urge to "serve the country".

A Class 8 student of the Brij Bihari Sahai (BBS) Inter College in Allahabad, Utkarsh has been bringing out the newspaper Jagriti for the last one year. And for the four-page, black-and-white newspaper, Utkarsh not only dons the role of a reporter, editor and publisher, but also turns hawker for circulating the weekly.

Unlike other papers, readers of Jagriti don't have to spend a single penny -- Utkarsh distributes it free of cost.

"Yes, I manage it all alone. Right from gathering the content, its editing, publishing and ultimately distributing the copies to readers," Utkarsh, a resident of Khatju colony in Allahabad, told the sources.

"I know, you would like to know how I publish the newspaper. First I prepare a handwritten copy of Jagriti and later take out copies at a photocopy shop in my locality... It's simple," he explained. Jagriti has about 150 readers belonging to varied age groups in Allahabad, some 200 km from the state capital Lucknow.

"Children comprise the major chunk of Jagriti readers...my school friends, my seniors in school, teachers and also my neighbors," he said.

According to Utkarsh's father Hari Prasad, who runs a coaching institute, his son has a flair for writing and wanted to serve the country in some way.

"More than a year ago, he read an article on Indo-China relations in a Hindi daily. I don't know what came into his mind... After reading the article, he came to me and asked me to suggest a way he could serve the country," Prasad said.

"At that time I wasn't sure how serious he was about the question... I said that joining the defense services was one of the best options to serve the country... To this, he said that he wanted to start serving the society from his school life itself. I then suggested why not work like a journalist and make people aware of their rights," he added.

Utkarsh took the suggestion seriously and came up with Jagriti. "I named the newspaper Jagriti, as my mission was to make people aware of various issues affecting them," the 12-year-old said.

"I try to cover social issues pertaining to environment, female foeticide and others in the editorial section, and also information about public welfare schemes and important government policies for the betterment of the poor or children," Utkarsh added. Jagriti also has success stories of scientists, political leaders and other prominent personalities.

But how does he get time from his studies to bring out a weekly newspaper?

"I believe if anyone is passionate about something, he or she can take out some time to purse his passion, irrespective of the hectic schedule," Utkarsh replied.

"I spend some time daily on researching topics and gathering public utility information from sources like magazines, news dailies and the internet. On Sunday I get more time to work on my project and make pictorial representations that could go along with the articles," he said.

Utkarsh's efforts are much appreciated by people in Allahabad. "He has shown all of us that an ordinary person can contribute to the society in one way or other...You just need to have an urge for that," Kashi Kesarwani, a resident of Chandpur area, told the sources.

Nutan Devi, a local journalist and the boy's neighbor, said, "For me it's real journalism... It has revived the decades-old objective of journalism that seems to have now have got lost somewhere..."

"Sikkim Students Group salutes such a passionate kid and wishes him luck for his future."

~Sikkim Students Group [SSG]

A brutal murder of a 7-year-old

News states: "The Brutal Murder of a seven-years-girl from Namchi has shocked the entire District today.The minor girl hailing from Tingley in South Sikkim became the prey of psychopath, who not only killed her but also hanged the girl on a branch of tree with aim to give colour of suicide and not a murder.

SP South, Manoj Tiwari informed that the incident was of the afternoon of October 24, when the body was found hanging from the branch of a tree at the isolated place of Niz Raming in Tingley Village. The suruwal of the kurta which the victim was wearing was used to hang the body said Police. On receiving the information, the police reached the spot and recovered the body. After the case was registered under the section 174 CrPc as an unnatural death, Namchi Police started investigating into the incident.

Talking to media persons today, the SP said that the circumstantial evidences which the Police has gathered from the spot where that a girl of around seven years cannot hang herself to death. Secondly, the girl was found hanging in the tree branch with help of cloth which she was wearing and surprisingly at an isolated place. Police have also found suspicious mark on the neck of the victim girl.

Following these evidences ,police have converted the case from unnatural death to the case of murder. Investigations began after the case was registered at Temi PS under section 302/354 of the IPC. The SP further said that the suspect named Chota Lal Patel (25), a son of Bishan Deo Patel, original resident of Mothihari District, Bihar has been arrested by the Police and the interrogation is going on. Patel was working as a quilt maker in the area.

According to the SP, the medical report has cleared that the victim was not raped before she was killed. When asked as to why the girl was taken to an isolated place and killed, the SP said that the preliminary investigation showed that the case was like the infamous Nithari murder case where the psychopath was using the minor child as his prey for sexual satisfaction. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the killer was sexually frustrated and a psychopath, the SP said."

He has at the same time appealed the entire people of South Sikkim especially the rural areas to stay alert and keep close watch upon such suspicious persons in the area. He urged them to not to allow their children to visit the isolated place and go with unknown persons.

Seems this year has really been worst for Sikkim. One after another, so many similar type of incident repeated. Whats happening in our peaceful state?

Mommy I want to live

A girl child still in stomach of her mother....

Month 1: Mommy, I am only 8 inches long, but I have all my organs. I love the sound of your voice. Every time I hear it, I wave my arms and legs. The sound of your heart beat is my favorite lullaby.

Month 2: Mommy, today I learned how to suck my thumb. If you could see me, you could definitely tell that I am a baby. I'm not big enough to survive outside my home though. It is so nice and warm in here.

Month 3: You know what Mommy, I'm a girl!! I hope that makes you happy. I always want you to be happy. I don't like it when you cry. You sound so sad. It makes me sad too, and I cry with you even though you can't hear me.

Month 4: Mommy, my hair is starting to grow. It is very short and fine, but I will have a lot of it. I spend a lot of my time exercising. I can turn my head and curl my fingers and toes, and stretch my arms and legs. I am becoming quite good at it too.

Month 5: You went to the doctor today. Mommy, he lied to you. He said that I'm not a baby. I am a baby Mommy, your baby. I think and feel. Mommy, what's abortion?

Month 6: I can hear that doctor again. I don't like him. He seems cold and heartless. Something is intruding my home. The doctor called it a needle. Mommy what is it? It burns! Please make him stop! I can't get away from it! Mommy!! HELP ME!!

Month 7:
Mommy, I am okay. I am in God's arms. he is holding me. He told me about abortion. Why didn't you want me, Mommy?

Every abortion is just . . . One more heart that was stopped..... two more eyes that will never see..... two more hands that will never touch..... two more legs that will never run..... one more mouth that will never speak.....

"If a mother can kill her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill each other?"
Stop Abortion!!

~Sikkim Students

A Parent's Role in Education

Parents want their children to succeed in school, but a parent's role in that success must not be underestimated.n school as in life, consistent support from parents is crucial to sustaining a student's confidence and sense of achievement. understanding of these roles can help you help your child step up to the challenges of learning. Parents play four distinct roles in their child's education: cheerleader, friend, teacher and enforcer.

Be a Cheerleader
Real learning is not based on reward, but on the value your child places on the process itself. It's important to make something positive out of failure and to teach young learners this vital skill.

Be a Friend
Learning about math and reading isn't the only struggle your child faces in school. Maybe they're having problems with a teacher, a group of friends, or a bully on the playground. Sometimes what they really need is someone who is willing to hear what they're thinking--and that someone should be you.Listening respectfully to your child's concerns can be a major confidence booster all by itself. If you take your child seriously he's more likely to do the same for their education.

Be a Teacher
You can't just leave it all up to the teacher. Sure, it's their job, but even the best and brightest can be hard pressed to address the individual needs of every child, especially in a crowded classroom. Children still need personal attention, so it's the role of the parent to make sure they get it.

Be the Enforcer
Yes, sometimes you've go to be tough. But there's more to it than just discipline. Enforce in advance by helping your child set and keep schedules, reach goals and complete assignments on time. Be respectful. Don't expect your child to know how to use an assignment pad, or understand a class schedule. They won't get it right the first time.

"Nothing helps a child succeed like an involved parent. A little willingness from a child's parents can work wonders in the classroom"

Aren't we safe?

Driven by rage, a 21 year-old man chopped off the head of 14 year-old girl on 26 September. This macabre incident occurred at Singleybung, West Pendam at around 12:30 Noon on daylight of 26 September.

Budis rai has been charged with murder of Amrita Rai at Singleybung School ground. Amrita was a student of Class IV at Singleybung primary School. According to the local witness, the accused after chopping off the head carried it and walked towards the house of deceased only to throw the head in front of the girl’s family members.
Instantly, Budis while flinging the weapon (Khukuri) used in the gruesome murder straightway to his father Suk Dev Rai at Bardang and asked for Rs 100, after which he headed towards Singtam Bazaar. Soon news spread like a raging wildfire at Singtam Bazaar.

Budis anger did not end here.Even after reaching Singtam, he chased Rupen Subba and Kwang Lama carrying Khukuri with him on his hand. After tedious efforts, Singtam Police nabbed the Budis and was immediately taken into Police custody.

According to the Police the reason behind the gruesome murder is still on interrogation. Meantime the autopsy was done of girl’s body at STNM Hospital in Gangtok and body is being handed to the family member.

source: voiceofsikkim