​It is heartening to welcome the New Year wishing all a very happy year ahead full of good health, peace and prosperity with a positive note to open up myself saying 'Seventy is New Sixty', if we are to believe and follow that maxim ~ Old Age is ten years and more elder than oneself very much like 40+ is New 30+ for whosoever want to be clubbed in the category of the Youth. This could well be rational in view of the growing population of the Youth as well as Elderly people increasing in our society. This is attributed to the medical care and financial soundness added to that increase the human life-span. I could not lay my hands on nor could browse through the internet if the same thing is with other lives in this planet say, a dog that surpasses many earthly souls in being faithful to the master with eroding values in the society. Try to appease them your best, yet they are up to themselves to prove their salt. Selfishness rule supreme for them that is part of our life. The same thing goes here too, fits so well staying in the settlement called Kyongsa/Kingston of the Black Hill as well.

We arrived here some six months back to take part in the Gai Jatra (it is only here outside Nepal) that helps the Newars to move ahead with life leaving behind the sad episode of life losing a close member of the family during the previous year. It is though very hard to part away with our dear and near ones who had been much loved and adored in our life so easily. Yet we try to pay them tribute by performing annual rites praying the departed soul to rest in peace forever to add  pace to face the hard realities of life. So, wrapping up sad things of the recent past is not that easy as we remember them even while we welcome the year ahead. Seeking the blessings that we do performing Nandi Mukhi Shraddha in their memory before taking up any new big event in the family - be it Vratbandh, Ihee, wedding or even Jankwa. 

So to move ahead with a positive note here is The Five most important rules in Life someone shared on Facebook to remind that you would like to know and pass on as reminding us of 

Power of Positivity: 
Never forget these things -

1. Overthinking can ruin happiness. 
2. Everyone is on a different journey. 
3. Positive thoughts create a better life. 
4. Kindness does not cost a thing. 
5. The Past cannot be changed.

Adding some more to it from a similar post that needs no elaboration:

6. Things get better with time.
7. Opinions don't define your realities.
8. Judgements are a confession of character.
9. Happiness is found within.
10. Positive thoughts create positive things.
11. You only fail if you quit.
12. What goes around comes around.
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Where should I start that gives me a boost of being 70 is New 60 in spite of many a hurdles on the way reaching thus far to step in welcoming the New Year with a galore of hopes and aspirations yet unfulfilled. Never know when is the last day or would you be here at all to see the next sunrise over Majestic Mount Kanchenjungha from my residence 'Jaisri' at Kingston, Rhenock in the Black Hill. We opted deciding reknocking here, where my Buba and Muma welcomed my new bride Ranjana 42 year ago with many dreams together to fulfill and realize. We should be back here to take on life to carry on our responsibility to the house that was, otherwise, going lifeless without a human soul residing here. 

Opting for a rural way after all life spent in the capital was something not generally expected. In spite of all the good things brought here, all are unanimous that it would/could never be at par or even near the city life of Gangtok. Many, as such, find it better to move to Siliguri and even some metropolitan cities for their golden age citing medical facilities available there that no one can deny. Otherwise, in last few years a lot has improved here the way people moved ahead with times. Earlier, we used to have potatoes Rhenock was famous for like the paddy and chiura but now eggs and poultry of local breed or even fish local or by hawkers have been rare to fetch a price in Gangtok. Mutton is available from time to time while other meat products too are available locally with poultry units coming up here. We get milk delivered at home with some seasonal vegetables and even seasonal flower saplings, chhurpi/cottage cheese and dahi/yoghurt coming to our doors. Hawkers are seen trying sell mosquito-nets,  linens, blankets and carpets as well as plastic wares, but yet to come across aluminium/steel utensils exchanged for household scraps as in the past. During our absence someone took away wheel barrow and antique broken iron safe besides many things finding all of more use to them earn few extra bucks  than see them just lying unused here. These are the prices we had to pay and the other day a part-time labourer was taking away a piece of plastic pipe during the lunch break while he was found one fine early dusk collecting stealthily grass from the bamboo given for some mourning family nearby previous day  without my knowledge. Khurpa, Bamphok and other sundry tools and implements often fall prey and found missing. That leaves many doubt the people who frequent the place, yet we can not blame them taking it to be a part of life here. So much so that even some bagfuls of sand, delivered the previous day, was found lifted overnight from the frontyard. No wonder when water-tank or steel bars were lifted under the cover of darkness but it was large family that someone heard the sound and go to the culprit get the teenager  bring them back the same night. A few slaps to correct the juvenile and save the teacher himself being wise by not taking all the trouble going to the Police Station. Our neighbour knew well to have a lesson perhaps how unfructuous it was doing such folly from the glaring case we experienced not many years ago here. These seem petty  but noteworthy things compared to the motor-bike that was left few hundred metres away the previous night as roof-truss makers Subrata-Manik find something gone wrong mechanically that saved them and their two-wheeler. This was at Kingston and previously it was at Chalisey when the scooter was left in Rungdung badly damaged and Police picked up someone who though pleaded not being guilty but the parents had to bear the brunt of footing the heavy bill for repairs with case yet to be settled. When heard of some jackals howling nearby the previous night I asked Shyam how he saves his poultry from them or such rascals, he says that his two dogs and their friend save them and the crops in the field from monkey, porcupine or even deer at night. Yet during the day one has to keep a vigil else you lose all the labour raising the crop over the time.
No amount of incentives and rewards would make them motivated that would many a head go swirling. When Dr. Hitler Pradhan asked if all the management learnt could be of use here that left me wondered wishing so. Well prepared to face such eventualities and willing to risk whatever comes my way but have to put stay here, if things are to improve my ancestral home. Otherwise, this might be not the right age to take up the cudgels. This makes me say that 70 is New 60 as many undone things have to be done having spen all my life working in the capital. Late to realize but a decade is not a long delay enough for homecoming - 'Subah ka bhula shaam ghar aaye to wah bhula nahin kahalata' ( roughly meaning, If one lost in the morning returns home in the evening would not to be taken as the one lost.) Homecoming gripping the Nation is also needed here seeing the celebrations around this time.
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​Read More - Top New Year Resolutions Of 2017

​Just thinking of how to go ahead with 25th episode of the Black Hill Journals on 25 December, last Sunday of the year, why not thank one and all who made it possible so that we could move ahead with life here in a positive note to welcome the New Year with Season's Greetings wishing everything best of health, peace and prosperity bringing in crowning success in all the endeavours!

It would be better to review the past few months though not that easy considering the history so glorious with heritage least bothered about. Some stories of unsung heroes yet to be written and many tasks ahead to accomplish. These all make me going contributing yet another episode to share this week to keep the show go on. As long as possible that one should try to instead of quitting it unless some compulsion creeps in - the fear that lurk behind every thought of mine these days. These notes may or may not help others  but helps somewhat to understand the things here. It is not that easy either at this age having spent all the while away - more so in recent years. A lot has happened here to see the sea change in the life and society while our own people drifting away due to the compulsions of being small family. With new settlements in and around the neighbourhood not only the basic amenities like water and electricity but even the labour has become scarce.This has invited many from outside to change the demography. Pollution in the air can be felt occasionally people resorting to burn the garbage with no systematic collection though garbage van reportedly passes through to Chalisey without a stop-over here. This leaves me disposing of the kitchen waste into pits or containers to feed vermicomposting while vegetable waste goes to feed cattle/goat with my milkman Arun Bhai taking them happily. Most of the carpenters use power plains these days and the wooden waste is taken by Shyam for his poultry unit. Foul smell emitting from the open toilet made by the labour working in the vicinity or from exhaust-pipes of numerous houses often spoil a beautiful evening who come out for a walk.

If we look back the life here, there is everything to find out here that any of the big cities have in their command - good things might not often go unnoticed but bad things always escape the due attention to tackle and hook them out. It might be due to time being the best healer of the wound inflicted upon leaving a deep scar not on the face but deep inside one's heart. But we have to carry on whatever be the bitterness people faced in the past. But one thing to observe from the incident in the recent past, i.e., within the last half of the year 2016 here would be the public coming to the street to attract the attention of the power that the Black Hill badly needed to come out of the darkness as things were going beyond their patience/bearing. It was defused just an hour before the ultimatum people served the concerned local authority. Soon to follow was to have here the brightly illuminated Vishva Vinayak Mandir blessing all with the almost uninterrupted power supply not seen ever before but again only to find early hours drowned in pitch darkness.  Since my six-month stay would not be enough to vouch for such a tall claim but to congratulate everyone for this much coming to our share. 

It was 150 years ago that the place was blessed for over a century with many good things happening after that sour episode of the local history when we fought each other a battle, some claim to be skirmishes when one section of the old settlers swearing to skin and play drums to the music of victory. Things were not so as  to let go easy by the new settlers too and it was the grit, determination and foresight of Taksari Chandrabir Newar to win over them and their heart too by swearing in blood brotherhood tying up bond of friendship with the most prominent influential of them all the Rhenock Kazi. As a proof of their cordiality, we have an old picture that the Facebook group 'Vintage Sikkim ~ Rare Old Pictures, Videos and Arts of Sikkim' posted titled "Denzong Chogyal & other Dignitaries. Date Photographed: 1894" To correct them my comment along with the picture of the cover page of my book The Newars World~Wide Connecting the Dots Sikkim that showed the same picture they had posted, "NOT Denzong Chogyal - Know who the dignitaries are from this book." Such is the fate of an important aspect of our history covered with the dust of time that the book tried to remove. Mistaken identity was that of the Rhenock Kazi taken as Denzong Chogyal while the other dignitary seated along is Taksari Chandrabir Newar  with the Britisher who authored a book with this picture standing in due respect along with many local gentries on a busy Hat day at Rhenock Bazar. It is, as such, the only picture of the Taksari known to us.

Their unity led to many good things to happen not only here but from here to take the tiny Himalayan Kingdom to reach the world map. Such an accomplishment was not just possible by exchanging of words in vow but by flowers blooming thereafter to spread the fragrance here, there, everywhere. Much fabled The Chandra Nursery was then a household name in both the hemispheres. Next generation too saw them contributing their best to the State much after Sikkim becoming the 22nd State and the sheen has not faded. Like the present day saw Anna Hazare doing in the village Raleygaon Siddhi was building a temple to unite the people to bring in brotherhood and instil sense of comeraderie in the society to usher in much needed progress and development, centuries ago Taksari Chandrabir had done the same thing to amalgamate the society by understanding well the role religion play therein by establishing Sri 3 Dhaneshwar Shivalaya Mahadev Mandir still to be seen in the heart of Rhenock Bazar. That was in the year 1887 as Dr. Shanti Chettri born and brought up here told me recently of having seen a copper Jaldhari with the name of the builder and year it was built inscribed along the rim some years ago when the previous Pandit* showed it to her. Unfortunately, such antique things  there are no more to be seen much to the dismay of the concerned and progeny.  This way many think that with the New Age following the inauguration of the Vishva Vinayak Mandir, which has many unique features of its own to make a landmark not only in Sikkim but in the entire region, country nay the world to augur in though the people had to digest many an unpalatable serving. It was like catching the right nerves to feel the pulses of the local residents as they have always been found in the wrong side of the fence. Let us hope with such a superb temple there would be change of heart in them to lead the place in right direction in the days ahead. Khamtu Tsering, who worked as the school peon when Buba was the Head Sir, was mentioning how he starts the day every morning having a darshan of the temple from the ground. He is heard chanting prayers while going out for the walk while me working on my laptop. The first thing for Muma while here was to visit with Thulo Maiju and Ranjana when Bijoy-Sunira had come to the Kothi last month. It would perhaps be possible for me too to be there soon in near future to be showered with blessings to lead a happy, peaceful and contended life. What else does one need these days of monitory crunch when one cannot get and spend one's own money as the many lament but agree and accept that cashless ATMs/Banks turning lesscash society have made many perforce save something at least, which is otherwise a feature lacking in most of us in the hills. As Achyut Bhai shares a line from Swami Vivekanand, 'Our first duty is not to hate ourselves, because to advance we must have faith in ourselves first and then in God. Those who have no faith in themselves can never have faith in God.' 'So did you visit the new temple here' was the question asked recently, I had not yet and 'could be due the faith one has with the one already here since ages' comes the reply for me as well. The old temple may not be the centre of attraction but omnipotent has been here blessing all irrespective of the caste, creed or gender. Yet with the time attempts made  to marginalize the heritage temple we all should be proud of rather as being something private property belonging to the Kothi. Doors are yet kept open to welcome all whosoever wishes to step in and offer prayers.

Rungdung GPU in the vicinity of the new temple and the Mata Golai and as far as TCP Junction abuzz occupied by tents when some units of SSB wanted to settle down here in the Black Hill some years back. They were interested in some land near the Reshi for the purpose but land-owners refused to part away with their ancestral property at the then prevailing Government rate, perhaps. Otherwise, the revised one is said to be quite attractive that favours the seller. Ultimately the SSB had to decide in favour of place somewhere else much to the dismay of many here. It was, for some, very much like missing the training school for the Sikkim Police or for farmers coming up here in the past. 

Though Rhenock lagged behind in the race for having the first Higher/Senior Secondary School in the sub-division, it has, however, bagged the first Degree College at Rungdung. For some years, like the Sikkim University, the college was run in private building to start with as the new premises was under construction nearby. This place reminds me a club there with Bhai Anup*, who was a great help to get chairs and utensils when we had organized the landmark ceremony of the Sahasra Chandra Darshanam/Maharatharohan or Jankwa of our Buba Jai Shanker Lall Shresta* and Muma Indira  in 2000. It was also blessed by the Rain God Indra, when we had, much to our relief, showers at night that helped us clean utensils used for the three-day celebrations with guests from Darjeeling Hills and Nepal.

Rungdung was recently in the news for doing a commendable job by some youth under the banner of 'Kids Interaction for Better Society' to organize the 15-day long Winter Recreation Camp to divert the mind of the students from bad influence and save them being spoilt attracted to social evils remaining idle during their winter holidays. Such an inspiration could be the outcome of the Chief Minister's speech during the inaugural ceremony of the Vishva Vinayak Mandir here and taking a hint from reportedly caustic but true remarks about the students here in general that needed some positive steps by the society like this to curb the menace from spreading further. It was good that some 92 students from different schools here were there to benefit from the training imparted on karate, music and dance. They were themselves resource persons providing the training with the knowledge they possessed while  a room was provided for the purpose of running the class free of cost by a generous resident. Unlike many such events held under some patronage or sponsorship, this one was held on their own with initiatives that deserves a mention.Many more such initiatives are needed not only in the Black Hill village but even in towns that would guide properly the young mind to mould them into good citizens which is the need of the time for a better society, of course. It could not, however, be gathered from the news-report if the kids had to pay some fee for the knowledge gained. Even if they had to, parents would heartily welcome and be grateful for having such a programme organized and support a good effort like this always without any doubt. "To expect an unexpected show thoroughly a modern intellect." as Oscar Wilde opined. 

Disclaimer: This is author’s personal account of memories updated to cherish and treasure often on a detour here and there en route to share the joy of the journey called life. Some names (*asterisk for those no more), quotes, places and events mentioned are just to connect with and no malice whatsoever intended. He can be reached at [email protected]. The Newars World~Wide Connecting the Dots Sikkim is available at the Rachna Books.

This piece is not only following the aftermath of demonetization here in the Black Hill that was onslaught on the Black Money countrywide but to account the colours of life that I saw here since my childhood and praise. Those were the days monochrome that too turning sepia fading with  each passing day gathering dust and me trying to uncover some of them. 

It was the Black and White era of Indian Cinema that celebrated 100 years in 2013 and we were all enjoying films like Raj Kapoor-Nutan starrer 'Dil Hi to Hai',  more than once at it was being screened here at Rhenock School Hall by the Army Unit stationed at Chalisey. We used to go even up  to the helipad at Aritar to enjoy the movie in the evening with public put to wrong side of the screen while the jawans on the side with projector, but that hardly mattered as every one enjoyed it for free, there being no other source of entertainment those days half a century ago. It was a big news if a movie had a little portion of the 3-hour long saga in technicolour like in 'Mughale Azam' showing the Sheeshmahal dance sequence with immortal song 'Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya'. This movie along with 'Naya Daur' and Hum Dono were re-released in 2004, 2007 and 2011 made fully into colour with the technology developed during past few years. These were just for experiment sake with lukewarm response and not many takers. This makes me conclude that monochrome cannot be substituted as they had their own value during their time that nothing could be added or reduced from what they were meant  to be. Many might remember 'Haqeeqat' the 1964-movie on 1962 war saga with that patriotic number still ringing in our ears sung by Mohammad Rafi with music composed by Madan Mohan to the lyrics penned by Kaifi Azami filmed on Dharmendra, Jayant and others - "Kar chale hum fida jan-o-tan saathiyon, ab tumhare hawale vatan saathiyon." Yes, the song is also mentioned earlier often and along with some others in my magnum opus "Sikkim : Three Decades toards Democracy - Evolution of the Legislative System"(2005)
~ ~ ~
While it is so difficult to grow a few plants these days more due to shortage of water for irrigation/gardening purpose that the dry winter days taking over this time of the season, I wonder how our ancestors used to grow such a large varieties of native as well as exotic kinds of flower, fruit and local  botanical varieties of plants that had least commercial value to meet the demand world-wide. Such products were catalogued in different price-lists in form of handy booklets, some of them even had cover beautifully printed in multi-colours - very much like the variety of plants they produced to cater to the connoiseurs spread over both the hemispheres and down the Equator to Australia and New Zealand even. This was about the time in the hey days of The Chandra Nursery. Following the family partition, the business was divided between 'Shanti Kutir' and 'Nirvana' - two Kothis 'wallo kothi' and 'pallo kothi' as locals know them here - belonging to Rai Saheb Ratna Bahadur Pradhan and Babu Durga Shamsher Pradhan after the demise of the elder in 1946. Its present condition is much to hurt many a family members  as well as the well-wishers but simply wishing do no magic unless some miracle happens as Keshab Mama put it to conclude in his memoirs. It was no wonder to find most of the flowers like gerbera, dahlia, chrysenthemum, etc. being hybridized and named after some of the dignitaries and family members. Such a tradition of dedicating some orchids hybridized and named so even today by a Taksari Chandrabir descendant Keshab Mama on very special occasions and VVIP visits. When I visited the government farm at Namli/Marchak along with the then agriculture secretary Hare Ram Pradhan, director K. K. Singh and others for my book "Vikasko Goreto Grameen Prodyogiki - Kam Dam Dher Gyanka Satheek Sujhauharu" (2001), a  horticulture officer tried to pass off showing a large gerbera flower to have been developed by them there in the garden. I could not stop myself and bring to their instantly that such a variety known as the 'Black Heart' was grown hybridized for quite a long time ago by our Ramesh daju at his home Ramalaya at Rhenock. He was the person who left the government job to chase his heart and pursue the dream project of plant tissue culture that made him, his work and this place in the Black Hill known in the horticulture world of the region if not of the country. Later some other descendant in Kalimpong followed him with this technique to make a name. It was way back in 1960s much before Dr. B. S. Basnet* joined and later to take over the Department as secretary from Dr. A. T. Sanyal*, officer on deputation/contract from West Bengal to head the department those days. His senior J. K. Thapa had by then served a term on deputation as Director Census Operations, Sikkim  for the Census of India 1981 to become Secretary in the Health and Family Welfare and few other departments thereafter. When he was a deputy director in the Agriculture department, I approached him for some job since I had Entomology as Special Paper in my M.Sc. but much to my dismay he found me much ahead of my time for Sikkim those days in 1969. Who knew that I was to serve the same department as Plant Protection Clerk for a few months in 1963 to be a Principal Secretary who flied high in the sky (past an age when many here get superannuated) besides his wife and daughter in order to bring home the idea that paragliding was possible by ourselves (not simply clapping hands while  afew pilots showed their skill during Maghey Mela at Jorethang) to see many youth taking wings to put Sikkim in the world paragliding map thus - me to retire as an Adviser State Planning Commission after a stint as its Member earlier. This is what the colours of life meant ​

​
With a year added to my life and also be being retired from the government service, the year 2016 is also coming to an end within days left with us in our hands. Many new resolutions would be cropping in our mind while taking the year in review how much we fared coping with the life that saw  the demonitization hitting one and all. A worker found it difficult to get his money for he had no bank account and the mason who had one, the bank had no money. He sent his mother to the bank but had to try another day again in the queue. He was telling me that Rhenock had two outlets and they were at two opposite ends of the bazar. One facing east had reached almost the other end and another at this side reached there - both lines meeting midway people chatting to each other across. Arvind was lucky to get cash in his earlier attempt by going to the bank at night as he was gone to work during the day. His father was going to market for paying the electricity bill but there too the State Bank of Sikkim refused ₹ 500/- the validity of which was not yet expired and he had to come back. I needed some medicines to buy but the medical store refused to accept the old notes as if its validity again expired very much like medicines - instead gave him the bill to pay later. We could have kept him waiting but thought it better to clear the due amount in the first opportunity getting the cash in crisp fresh purple notes when Ranjana was in Gangtok which son Raman managed. So, how I had the first look of the new ₹  2,000/- note? It was when a worker was flaunting fondly of achieving/owning one being the first among his friends working here. They were telling that Modi could be heard speaking from the note like the merchant was mentioning Ranjana when in the capital. When she sent one for recharging the mobile, Arvind brought a fresh ₹ 500/- note and that led me to believe that this denomination of new note had also arrived here at Rhenock. (Someone wrote yesterday that ₹ 500/- is yet to enter Sikkim?!)  We too are that much fortunate to see banks bringing them earliest to much needed relief from the cash crunch. Some say this was not good on part of the Government at this time of the year-end and could have waited till the New Year  at least. Some find it not fair on their part to make them suffer and I tell them it is matter of few days and for the good of the society and the country as a whole as it would not only help get rid of black money and corruption but also things could become cheaper and life easier in days to come. Otherwise, demonitization would put  a curb on many ills the society faced since ₹ 500/- and ₹ 1,000/- notes were the root cause of corruption, black money generation, terror and militant funding as Baba Ramdev was mentioning. Many wonder what would be its role in the game politicians play but seeing the Black Money stashed in thousands and lakhs that too a sizeable portion in the new ₹ 2,000/- notes to realize/believ that where there is a will, there is a way out for such corrupt people. I remember of a story my colleague Ganesh Gwongaju once shared an old story of such a person whom the king thought it best to transfer him to the stable thinking that there would be no scope whatsoever for corrupt practices. But there too this man had his way out and he cashed the opportunity by selling the horse-dung even stealthily to make those extra bucks. Well sincerity is the much needed rare thing at the present age like it was in old days as well to understand from this Akbar-Birbal story shared. Kumar, who is good in singing like in breaking stones but equally in his passion for drinks. His wife Kabita too is a good worker as good as some male workers but she too finds him unstoppable sometimes. Kumar goes missing once he gets wages paid that he wants immediately cleared to show up in between with a promise to come next day for sure but again! Kumar was mentioning of his experience while in Gangtok. He and his friend suddenly realized that they had not enough money left to return home. He finds himself at the door of a VIP there and he tells him his difficulty without forgetting to mention that they were his party supporters. "How many of you?" and he replied some five-six more waiting outside. The kind heart goes inside and gives him a wad that Kumar finds it to be ₹ 10,000/- that was more than expected and needed. Easy comes easy goes - them to enjoy and have a lot of fun. In fact they were just two guys only! 

Those who follow the news understand the phase not only we in the Black Hill but throughout the whole of the country passing through understood to be a common plight. As I handed out a ₹ 500/- note to a worker, Bihari carpenter Rajesh asked me if I had not seen Modi's speech last night and knew about the fate of these notes. I just asked him whether he needs it or not. It was being accepted till much later even after weeks as per time allowed. Pithakothey Kancha accepted it readily when I gave him for getting some 'Doko' for carrying the stones Kumar-Bablu had broken. Next day, he came and asked him how he managed to encash it. Local shop-keeper was kind enough to readily oblige him but on his own terms and conditions. It was not in cash but in kind - a good bargain reminding of the ancient barter system - groceries had to be purchased from him. There was rumour of some exchanging it discounted value of even ₹ 400/- taking benefit of the cash crunch. I recollect here reading about Bhutanese Ngultrum 100/- previously at discount of ₹ 10/- were fetching the same amount but in premium at the border town. When Mason Saurabh Ali wanted some payment I asked his bank account number. Since he did not have an account here nor back at home(?), next morning he brought along Deepak Kumar Prasad, a local grocer at Chalisey. He had owed him some money for the supplies made. So, I gave him a cheque for ₹ 10,000/- to settle the dues.  When I asked the mason Ravi for his bank account number in order to deposit their wages, what he gave was his State Bank of India, Pakyong number as he did not have an account with the bank I maintain nor they have a branch here. We had no way but to go cashless and he thought withdrawing money from ATM was no hitch either. But again when he reached the bazar, the ATM too was cashless. A cheque deposited too needed a long time for clearing even if in the same bank and deposited amount come to us known through an alert on our mobile. Ravi was anxious to know the amount deposited which I did not mention just to keep his and his team's curiosity nor did he mention me after a week by which it ought to reach his account. I had shown him the picture of the counterfoil for the amount to get him satisfied and convinced. As his co-workers were after him for the wage and those newly joined were more so, I gave him a ₹ 2,000/- note. It was a problem again how to disburse the amount and asked for it in Rs.500/- notes. Since Kumar-Kabita had to attend an important function in the Gurung Gumba at Aritar, I had to give another ₹ 2,000/- note to keep them happy in these days of difficulty, more with Ravi's attempt yet another time at night to take out cash from the ATM turned futile. He was then suddenly absent next day to know him having left for Rangpo to get some money out but here too he was disappointed being turned out to go to the branch where he has his account, i.e. Pakyong. Another day gone in waste but his team-mates could appreciate and realize how things were these days. What a way to suffer even after a month of demonetization amidst reports of ₹ 10 crores in new notes seized along with 127 kg of gold on the International Anti-Corruption Day when 70% of the Corporate employees reportedly feel that ban will curb graft while the news of  former Air Chief S. P. Tyagi being arrested by CBI in 2010 VVIP Chopper Scam involving AugustaWestland was another headline this day! It was heartening to read the news ~ "DEMONETIZATION: Problems Will Be Over In 10-15 Days, Government Tells Supreme Court - New Delhi: Defending the notes ban forcefully today, the government told the Supreme Court that it is 'not sitting around doing nothing' and all the problems will be over in '10-15 days'. The court asked the government why people couldn't be assured a minimum amount for withdrawal....The government said the withdrawal limit was restricted to ensure that everyone gets new currency." Source Darjeeling Times via NDTV. Earlier the news was - "Did you have a plan at all, Supreme Court asks govt on demonetisation move" Times of India

​Until not many days rather months ago I ever thought that some weeks or days later I would be here so soon in the place once called Black Hill, my much loved Rhenock where I spent most wonderful days of my life. It was years of yearning that I could be back reknocking this place where I first learnt my alphabets in Dhungay Class in one of the first five primary schools started by Christian Missionaries in Sikkim later to be metamorphosed into what it is known commonly as High School rather than Government Senior Secondary School. This change was much due to years of dedicated service of my Buba Jai Shanker Lall Shresta, M.A. (Commerce) Calcutta University after having been born and educated to be a graduate from the Banaras Hindu University that celebrated 100 years recently. Before finally settled down here he had a fair stint with his educational background to assume along with his cousins Laxmi and Deo the reigns of family business 'Hari Shanker Lall Ram Shanker Lall Nepali' established in 1886 that was breathing last by the time my parents and both my Thulo Mama and Sanu Mama thought it best for me to be under the loving care of the latter at Gangtok for my being deep rooted there in the Happy Valley of Development Area. It was sixty years ago and the first year of my education was from the Dak Bunglow, then the official residence of Sanu Mama Mohan Pratap Pradhan*  as the assistant magistrate starting his career to be the first chief secretary from the Nepalese community. It is here that presently to find the All India Radio Gangtok located after it was vacated by the first Chief Minister of Sikkim. It was where Kazi Lhendup Dorji Khangsarpa* stayed before he moved into Mintokgang, the offical residence. B. B. Lal*, who was elevated as the first Governor of the newly created 22nd State of India out of the Chogyal regime in Sikkim, was then residing there as the last Chief Executive that saw it evolving from Dewan /Princpal Administrative Officer/Sidlon of Sikkim of the Chogyal regime. I remember of visiting Kazi in the Dak Bunglow with my Sanu Mama then the Finance Secretary to seek permission for using a Government vehicle up to Kakarbita border as we had to go to Birgunj for my marriage in January 1975. Few weeks ago Bidhan Mama had tied the nuptial knot with Neera Maiju in Kathmandu and we had done with celebrating and feasting. The centre of attraction of this family affair was Kancha Mama Krishna Chandra Pradhan*, who had just been sworn-in as Agriculture Minister to attend his retinue of chaperones like P. P. Thapa*, whom I knew before working as a colleague of Ramesh Daju, who had taken me to a departmental picnic held at the Government Farm then in charge of J. K. Thapa* to later become the Director of Census Operations, Sikkim 1981. After a decade, I was in that position for the 1991 Census. I had also met N. K. Pradhan there in the picnic as a Hermonite later to serve Local Self Government Department for a long time and to resign therefrom to jump into the battle of hustings. He represented his constituency as many as four times until another Pradhan (Shyam) wrested the mantle from him contesting as a Sikkim Krantkari Morcha candidate but to jump the fence over to the greener pasture along with some others into the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front. That picnic was held at the place somewhere opposite the Saraswati/Dolma Mandir  as the Government Farm has mutated/metamorphosed into the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences alias Central Referral Hospital. During the marriage Mama Nirmal Chandra Prakash Pradhan* as the eldest son of the Nirvana Family had run the show as octogenarian Bajey Durga Shamsher Pradhan* still controlling the affairs of The Chandra Nursery looked after by second son Manohar Mama. Nirmal Mama was the person who took the legacy of The Chandra Nursery to Kalimpong to start Chandra Orchid and Bulb Nurseries in the land own by the family at 8.5 Mile where Cluny's Women's College is presently located. He told me himself being a school drop-out and not even a matriculate stood for himself all alone without any support from his father or family to establish himself and the flower business that Kalimpong as a whole became famous for. Whereas I had that high educational qualification that could take me to places, he said. He was the person who had thus advised me to go back to Gangtok instead of wasting time hunting for a job here and there in Nepal frustrated with the system but found myself landed in the thick forests of Manas Game Sanctuary of the Royal Government of Bhutan after my first encounter with the first-ever Sikkim Royal Civil Services Competitive Examination saw me eased out in the Viva-voce Test. I looked myself as amongst the successful civil servants sure for the next year seeing how things fared in 1971 to take me to Bhutan using my M. Sc. degree with Wildlife as a special paper. For me as a Zoology student, our Gita was E. P. Gee's Wildlife of India with the first Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru's (with whom I shared date of birth as all know also to be the Children's Day till then only popularised by Shankar's Weekly and Children's World magazines besides Children's Painting Contest that made me to visit the place at the Times of India Building on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in my first visit to Delhi in 1972) lines in the Foreword. It was a letter of introduction by Keshab Mama wrenched me the job breaking the jinx of being unemployed for nearly two years after completing my post graduation. What made me fascinated to land in for a job was also due to beautifully produced Bhutan Postage Stamps - more particularly 3-D and other stamps on Wildlife sent by my friend Jang Bir Pradhan of Melli Danra. Brother of my brother-in-law Bir Bal Pradhan*, who was then posted as Block Officer in-charge of Rhenock and with whom I had that wonderful trip hiking to Rachela and beyond. What a mesmerizing kaleidoscopic view of the hills and vales southwards of Pedong, Algarah, Kalimpong and so on and so forth to have from the height we reached in December 1962. The panoramic view of Mount Kanchanjungha range was just superb while camping there put always on alert of some wild animals like bear, tiger or elephant might not  come across as we spent the night under the open sky. I was then just a fresher from Darjeeling Government College for winter holidays and the imprint of those wonderful days is still there unfaded with memories deep embedded even after years of those momentum moments perched high in the sky with no knowledge whatsoever of the future had aplenty in store for me!
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