Sport brings together Didi and brothers

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, Jan. 21: Sport was a great leveller today as didi, daju (elder brother) andbhai found a common ground to cultivate their relation that has been rocky since 2011.

Mamata Banerjee, Bimal Gurung and Bhaichung Bhutia showed mutual respect while sharing the stage on the Dali Police Grounds here today.

Bhaichung, who was referred to as bhai (brother) by Gurung, was conferred with the Bangla Gaurav award by Mamata at the prize distribution ceremony of the Himal-Terai-Dooars Sports Festival 2014-15 organised by the police department.

Bhutia, Trinamul's face for the Darjeeling seat in the last Parliamentary polls, said: "We must appreciate the role taken up by the police to promote sports. I believe that after such a tournament, they should select a pool of sportsmen who can be given further exposure. Bimal daju (elder brother) and Mamata didi are also here today and I would request that they should come up with an artificial turf in the hills. This will help football immensely as there is a lot of talent in these areas."

The two-month-long fest included football, taekwondo, archery and karate competitions along with the Darjeeling police marathon. The winners of different competitions were awarded at Dali today.

Gurung, who spoke after Bhaichung, said: "Bhaichung Bhutia bhai referred to a good point with regard to football. It will be good if we work towards it. The GTA can work for this. We will provide 100 per cent support. This kind of initiative will help bring our younger generation to the right track."

Gurung's relation with Bhaichung went sour after the footballer was nominated as the Trinamul candidate for the Darjeeling Parliament seat. Gurung's decision to support the BJP for the seat had also strained his ties with Mamata.

Today, Gurung spoke for around six minutes. "My best wishes, especially to Miss Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of Bengal. She loves Darjeeling and this is why she comes here often. She loves sports. It is because of sports that the relations between the hills and the plains are getting better."

Mamata during her nine-minute-long speech did not speak on political issues unlike in 2013 when she had said "Darjeeling is part of Bengal" at an official programme at Chowrasta here.

The comment had angered Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Gurung who has been demanding the Gorkhaland state.

Today, Mamata said: "Bhaichung talked about a team (pool of good sportsmen). I am telling him, we have given you responsibility and we will provide all help to you. There is a lot of quality in the hills and I love Darjeeling for this. We are proud of the sisters and brothers of Darjeeling and that is why I come to Darjeeling often. The Terai and Dooars are also moving ahead and we need to help the region. I want to work for the betterment of Darjeeling. Bimalji is there in the GTA and together we will do good work for the hills."

Tomorrow, a GTA delegation, including the three hill MLAs and GTA executive Sabha members Roshan Giri, Taranga Pandit and Tilak Chand Roka, will meet Mamata at Richmond Hill here to discuss GTA's functioning. Gurung will not be part of the delegation as he will leave for Nepal.

Morcha farmer wing

Morcha on Wednesday announced the formation of Janmukti Kisan Morcha, a new wing for farmers. "Kisan Morcha will be headed by Sawan Rai," said Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri. The party dissolved its Darjeeling subdivisional committee on Wednesday.