Lama Mela to appease Buddhists

one of the two MLAs of the SKM who represents Sangha. “The decision to organise the Lama Mela is a blatant attempt to appease the monks who have been neglected for 24 years of SDF’s rule,” said R B Subba, vicepresident, HSP.

SKM general secretary Jacob Khaling alleged, “We have demanded government’s support for the monasteries as well as financial help for the monks and monastic schools. But the administration did not pay any heed.”

SDF is also facing pressure from another front.

Sonam Lama of the SKM is instrumental in organising a relay hunger strike by Buddhist monks demanding the visit of Ogyen Trinley Dorje, recognised by the Dalai Lama as the 17th Karmapa to Sikkim.

The hunger strike in Gangtok started on July 10, 2016. The Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim is the Karmapa’s principal seat in exile though he lives in Himachal Pradesh due to security reasons.

The Karmapa issue is sensitive. It is believed that whosoever facilitates his visit would be supported by the Buddhist voters.

The SKM and the HSP have accused the Chamling government of not being serious on the Karmapa issue. 2

These hot dry winds create dust storms in Rajasthan. Anti-cyclonic flow over Rajasthan (air moving in clock wise direction) 1 Jammu & Kashmir 3

Punjab Haryana

2

Rajasthan

Himachal Pradesh

Uttarakhand

Uttar

Pradesh

3

This circulation channels the winds from Rajasthan to Haryana and Delhi and UP. The winds can’t move upwards because of the Himalayas. There has been intense heat and dearth of moisture in the north-western parts of India, making the soil dry. The westerly winds blowing close to the surface pick up ground dust and also bring in other ultrafine particles from construction sites, industrial areas and vehicles. The phenomenon won’t affect the onset of monsoon or pre-monsoon showers, say met department officials. Once the monsoon current picks up speed, cool easterly winds will push the westerly winds away. Relief is expected around June 17.

TEXT: JOYDEEP THAKUR