I’ve recently been battling out the topic of stopping immigration in Sikkim in the forum of sikkimonline.info. The topic ranted about a Sikkimese being an alien in their own domain, being dominated or called chinkys, bahadur, etc. outside the state. This is how I responded:
I dont think you’re going to like what I’m going to say so apologies in advance.
Yes, I have been called a chinky and whistled at by these so-called perverts of our society when I’ve been outside the state. I agree that most of these people who indulge in such habits are cretins of the lowest kind and bring shame to our culture and country.
But I wonder why there is this tide of strong anti non-Sikkimese sentiments so rampant which says WE are superior to them. After all, even we as citizens of India have taken ample opportunity in terms of educations, jobs and a better life outside the state. Then why stop anyone from doing the same in Sikkim?
The government of Sikkim has already secured us by providing a certificate of Identification and we all know that govt jobs are accessible only to those holding a COI. Even most govt undertakings prefer to hire local people wherever possible.
What about people like Bhaichung Bhutia, Danny Denzongpa, Karma Paljor of CNN-IBN and thousands of other professionals opting to live and work in the various metros of the country? What made them leave our blissful state and struggle for life outside Sikkim that we know for sure isnt as laidback and cosy as home in the first place? Shouldnt the local people there too protest against their working there by hailing them “immigrants” and shooing them away?
So why should we do that here?
Yes, I feel more secure after crossing Rangpo. (Rangpo is the border which leads to Sikkim) Yes, I feel our people are far more civilized and tolerant and accommodating than others. Yes, the people from outside may disturb our peace and harmony.
But the point of self complacency has long gone past. Why should we feel worried about non locals snatching our jobs when we ourselves are unemployed by the dozen?
Forgive me for not being able to sign the petition. I evidently believe differently and I’m sure I’m one of the very few people to do so. I dont want to create an un-necessary argument in any case. I’m just voicing my opinion that we should live and let live.
To which the answer was:
hello rinchen,
thank you for your reply. it was really presented well and i really appreciate your outlook. but i still beg to differ.
yes i agree we have our people going outside of sikkim for better work opportunity since sikkim is not so exposed. but let me present you with this fact that only the educated lot go outside of sikkim for a better job. where as in the case of non sikkemese here, it is every tom,dick and harry pouring in. forget all this and just try to calculate the ratio of both the parties working in and outside of sikkim and you will come to know.be a judge yourself.
and when you mentioned the name of bhaichung,please there’s no comparison between a national hero and a general public. bhaichung has given so much to this country rather a other way round.
it is a ticking time bomb and if not stopped in time..may lead to disaster. if you still don’t believe me,wait until next decade.
have a good day and lets be practical.
reply is awaited.
To which, I in turn, replied:
Sure, lets be practical. Do you know who were the original inhabitants of Sikkim years back? Out of the Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalis, more than one tribe was considered ‘immigrant’ at different periods of time.
Cut to the present, the ‘plains-men’ you’re talking about are now the Immigrants! Even when we have a judicial system that verifies the origin of the people of Sikkim, we’re still so insecure of the outsiders. Why?
I believe a word better than ‘communal’ is – Racist. And if every race, community and religion started fighting for supremacy, we all would be mini versions of Hitler and have our own genocide camps to counter this issue.
Lets be practical. Take a long, hard look at the culture around us. Inter caste marriages have ensured that the surname gets carried on only for name’s sake. National integration is taking place whether one likes it or not.
As for who’s the next CM, I believe the colour of one’s skin is not the standard by which a state’s leader is chosen. As long as he or she is educated enough to have a vision to take our state to the next level of prosperity, that is okay by me.
Your move.
This one hurt. Ouch.
well said rinchen but i am still here standing for my people.
your thoughts are good and i really appreciate it but it can’t be applied everywhere. sometimes it is as good as your ear.
you must have read todays telegraph. there’s article relating about the recent turmoil in kashmire.
the chaos was triggered by a mere transfer of 40 hectres of land to the amarnath shrine board.this was how it was presented but in reality the kashmere people were afraid of the demographic changes it could bring into their society and their culture. even in tibet,china changed tibet’s demography by settling han chinese there in large number.
as of now i am just insisting on stopping the influx, i have never said we should flush out all those who have already settled in sikkim. but if we carry on like this the day will surely come when you will see our younger generation acting the same way like they did in guwahati and maharashtra. this is bound to happen if our attitude remain this way. i am not saying this is the right way and i don’t justify such act at all.
regarding the cm….i think you are day dreaming anil kapoor of movie nayak.
this is reality.
you please
This goes on for three pages. After which I was near about labelled an outsider myself as well as being unsupportive of “our people”. I wasnt calling the opposition a racist. All I wanted to do was make this point – Stop labelling people according to their community, caste, colour, creed and gender. We live in a democracy. Might as well act like it.
I gave up on the debate after a while but I thought I might was well publish the great debate on my blog; for what its worth, perhaps I may get more supporters here. And as for that last CM remark – this is what I had to say:
You were the one to bring up the CM issue, not me. Plus, I’m afraid I’m not a Bollywood fan like you so I dont see Anil Kapoor as my daytime hero.
phool bako chai…
ki druk bhako..
timi charity pura garda raicha hoi….malai pani euta flask pathai deo…tato pani rakhnoe lai.
Red one with flowers all over it, medium size. In working condition. Nothing was wrong with it.
Yeah, charity garera ta ahiley yo haal bhai rako cha. Abo chaina aru flask haru, tyo matrai thiyo, kanjoos.
malai chai kina kanzoon baneko…kanjoosni…hheheheh khana sana saap bokayra afai jancha…
Lu hera ta – I admit, mo khana bokera janchu office. Tara sacchi – timro kasam hola – ahiley samma SANA chai kahiley bokeko gaako chuina! By god.
thank you howray ko kasam chai khayena mero…
mero lagi pani khana pack garera pathai dinos na…maso chai khandina
Hawas. Abo mo Mumbai ko dabba-wala ko pani kaam garnu paryo. Masu-masu chai mo khai dinchu, sabzi-bhaat chai timi lai pathauchu la.
kura kura ma idea chai ramro cha………..dabbawala hoina….abho chai dabba wali…hehehhe..mo partner ship garoe..
paisa chai timi rakhnoe…tarah corruption chai nah garnoe ni..hehehe
Timro lagi rato uniform silai dinchu. Topi pani lagaunu parcha. Tawko ko size bhani dinu.
taoko size chai extra large….ho
rato banayo bani chai govinda lai rakhnoos la..muh chai lagoa dina..
timi lai chai payilo kurta lagai dino parcha…..
dress bayi haloe…..khana chai timi banaonu ….. langsha chai hundaina…timro student haroo lay khandaina hola…
As expected. Manchey besi smart bhayo bhaney brain ko size pani thulo huncha.
The uniform is red only. Govinda cancelled. You have to do it.
array timi lay malai smart consider gareko..i can’t believe my ear ra eyes deutai.thank you for the compliment..timi chai moh bandha besi smart cha…in that case timro taoko ko size chai kati hola…ehheehehe take it lightly la…hehehe
if govinda cancelled you still have two better options..what do you think of mithun and jetendra….they will even put on red shoes to match it.
Mo sita darauda raicha – joke ko pachi pani clarification garda raicha
Chalo, I took it lightly this time. Next time ko guarantee chaina – I can take it heavily then, alhile nai bhani deko.
clarification, i had to give otherwise who knows what upsets women…
alright…next time i will keep a tab on my tongue…so as not to annoy.
kaha cha ahilay…pugyo campus ma..
Nope. About to leave. No no no, let your tongue be. I’m used to it by now.
Abo janu atey ko. Rock On ko CD write gardai chu.
i heard that’s a nice movie…what about a wednesday.i heard it’s very good movie.
mero tongue sanga immune bhako….
Yep, Rock On is a nice movie. I liked the first half very much, remaining is predictable but the songs are awesome. Not watched A Wednesday – want to.
Chee…
Aju ta dui ta test cha. Guess will be busy in the morning. Timi chai timro flask nikala jhola bata and have cha. Mo uniform pathai dunchu, rato wala. Topi ko size payena.
even i have some work till noon..i will message you afterwards…till then you too finish up your test…give all the student 25 out of 25..la
la armani ko rato suit ho bani chai lagaochue la….
Armani? High hopes.
muh tah yehi suit matra lagao chu ta..yoh ta mero daily ko ho…hehehe
timi lai ke chahiyo bani bana la…designer matra lagao chu ma….lal market bara kindina chinese ko stuffs haru..
Siliguri ko Hongkong market bata hola ni… hahaha…
abhiiiii i hate that place..the place is infested with thugs. i really don’t like the atmosphere of siliguri….never tried to know the place better..
nah janoo tya…..tapai jasto keti lagi tah abha cosmos mall haro banako cha…hehehe
Unfortunately, never been to Cosmos. Everyone’s been raving about it… I want to go too… kahiley chutti huncha bhai sakyo.
anta assti tah siliguri gako bhai sanga bandai thiyo tha..jhotay ko malai…hehheheh
cosmos tah sikkim darjeeling ko manche ko lagi ta tirtha sthal jastai ho.
Dont tempt me – I’ll go to Cosmos tomorrow itself. Such a shame that I’ve never been there. I WANTED TO GO with my brother but we didnt. Planning to this dasai hols.
timi buddhi mani chao hoi….you want to have your hands on festive offers..hehehe sakay na yoh keti haro lai…
ani don’t forget to visit big bazaar in cosmos…you will have a good deal there.
Planning for a Siliguri trip with friends this hols. Probably Calcutta too, if it fits in.
Hey, monday’s bandh and a holiday! The first one in 10 years!
oh….good for you…
but what do you expect to do in siliguri…i never knew our people go there for holidays…i hope it has so much to offer. your next tour i hope it is not patna.
hehehehe
everyone is taking strike as a holiday….hoi..
My 29 partner’s got a place there. She’s suggested going down for a couple of days. Expecting to go to Cosmos, some new amusement park they opened, play 29, what else?
Anta strike chai holiday hoina kya?
pheri toi tass khelna gako…juwari ko gang cha kya..29 bandit queen.
29 ko brand ambassador timi lai banaoba parne raicha..
timro purse mah chai pakka pani 29 khelna lagi card hola..heheh
Hahaha… nope. We played after 2 years last time. Imagine – 2 years! Its our National Game and we’re extremely passionate about it. Ke garnu, totally addicted to it by now.
You play yourself and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
hoos i would not like to add another unwanted habit…..why dont you form a 29 club in sikkim…choose yourself the president again..
honorary guest chai malai banayi deo la..
Mo chai kati ora forums ko president hunu… too many commitments, I’m afraid.
Did you watch Kung Fu Panda? Amazing movie! I’m watching it again, too good
abha i am come off that age…but i will definitely give it a try since you are recommending it. have you watched
shawshank redemption, this is the best movie till date for me.
you are so much into 29 that you knowingly or unknowingly promoting 29 so often…so i really think you deserve the hot seat of president…i know you will do justice to it..
Nope, not watched it. I heard its a good one, will watch it when it comes on TV for sure. Abha, there’s no age for humour la, saathi. Okay, so Jack Black (my fave hero) is the Panda, only I didnt know that Dustin Hoffman’s the Master, Angelina Jolie’s the Tigress, Lucy Liu the Snake and Jackie Chan’s the Monkey!
Thats why I’m watching it again to hear their voices
Thanks for nominating me for president. I will make you my Vice President but you need to learn the game before that. You will need 3 more people to make up the group. You can clarify the rules with me if you get confused at any point of time, la. Free of charge from my side.
okey i will surely give it a try…but if it makes me snore…i know whom to catch..hehheehhe..
your friend can ditch you but not me, i will always stand by you and make sure you get all the dues for promoting 29. mam i am so humble to accept such honor…please, i recommend ashim…hehehhe
Timro nindra uraidiyena bhaney malai bhana… I will be telling you – I told you so.
Ke saro loyal timi ta. La la, if I ever need back up friends to play 29, I’ll think of you first hand.
Ashim plays a real mean game of 29. Tass kasta kya khilli uraucha…
so confident about the movie..
hubby and wife ko team lai sapai lai jitcha hola ni..you two will be deadly combination to beat ….
Uff… I was talking about YOU tying 29.
And you thought I was talking about the movie. Hahaha…
Although movie’s superb too. Please try both. My sincerest recommendation.
Nope, Ashim and I are on opposing teams. Kati khep bhannu – mero 29 ko partner is the girl I was talking about. She and I both suck at the game. The guys have a blast defeating us. Tara last few games ma chai – we both played extremely well. I think we’re improving…
okey mam….i got it …
but i still don’t want to try it….but i will definitely watch the movie..
so you are in the footstep of bhandari…do you remember the time when they were contesting against each other and calling each other bad name, mud throwing lasted several days and died soon after the election…
moral of the story ” bhura bhuri chai bhura bhuri nai huncha,chahe tyo opposing team ma hoos ya party mah, tesai karan chai trust garnoe hundaina.”
i should give myself a pat…
What nonsense! I dont usually hear politicians speak but if that’s the content of their speech, I think its very funny.
Mero pura loyalty chai – its with my 29 partner. Bichara kasto try garcha jitnu but we always lose.
Bhandari was contesting against whom? I’m afraid I dont know. You should be a historian like Himalayan Review. You sure know a lot about our state
Trust ko chai kurai chaina… dushman means dushman and friend meand friend. Capisce?
me a historian……..forget it..
it was done long before..i forgot against whom…but there was some mud splashing and all…
if i ever learn 29, i will make sure you are not team up with me…i don’t want a loser partner like you and your frined…jaile pani hari basscha..tass choray ra khelno ni..hehehhe
There goes your loyalty straight out of the window. Look, look – see it flying!!
when have i said, i won’t support you for the president…? president ko lagi chai full support beside that chai kuni..muh chai jaani jaani harnu aanta….
sikay bani taah jeetno lagai sikhchuni…or do you want me to learn and loose always….maan dukhcha baini
Anta kay huncha – saathi ley haryo bhani timi lai khushi hundaina?
You own words but twisted a little bit by me.
Hahaha… mann dukcha baini??? Arrgghhh… I hated these words immediately when I read them for the 1st time. Ke saro TOP!
you have a two kinds of tears in India:
gaam ka asu and kushi ka ansu. what name should i give when i loose a game then? i cant call it kushi when i have lost and neither can i call it gaam ka ansu when my friend has won..
kasto puzzling ansu hoi………hhehehehe
Pura asu ko po research gari basecha! Mo ta tesai historian suggestion dindina…
Very puzzling. But not as much as you
me a puzzle………….i am an open book…anyone can come and read it…but no one bothered to finish the last page.
Wah! Wah! Fantastic. What a line! Maney mailey timi lai… I liked this line very much.
mam, i am flattered ….i am piscean …. i am suppose to be a good poet..heheheheh