Tamang sets growth vision for 2020

Vivek Chhetri, TT,  Apr 03, 2018, Darjeeling: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration chief, Binay Tamang, on Monday made a commitment to ensure the development of GTA area under the "Mission 2020 Darjeeling Hill" and appealed for everyone's help in his endeavour.

In a written statement issued to the media on Monday, he said: "It is my vision and commitment to ensure development in the hills under the Mission 2020 Darjeeling Hill. However, for this I request each one of you to help me in this endeavour by assuring me that we will first bring about a positive behavioural change in our attitudes and in our society."

Sources said the statement was in consonance with the action plan that was discussed at the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's central committee meeting held at Soureni near Mirik on Sunday.

In a rather emotional statement, Tamang has said: "If we desire change then first and foremost it is vital that we bring about a change in our thoughts, our actions and our wishes. Until and unless we bring a positive change in our attitudes all forms of physical and territorial progress will remain futile. In this respect we have much to learn from the developed countries and their citizens."

Tamang urged the people to have a sense of belonging for the place adding "the apathy on our part makes me feel that there is great dearth of this sense amidst us" and has called upon the people to "reflect upon" and take a "pledge to work selflessly for our home and our future generations."

In the hills, where politics is guided more by emotions, Tamang's message has come across differently.

Even though Tamang has not specified the details of the mission, he has been stressing on the need to improve, education, health, infrastructure and greater thrust on tourism among others in recent times.

A Morcha source, who was present at the meeting said: "Our party president spoke for almost 2.5 hours at the central committee yesterday and his thrust was on having a vision to develop the hills instead of undertaking knee-jerk development activities. His thrust was on moving ahead in a planned manner in every sphere."

Drug arrest

Darjeeling police have busted a drug peddling ring and recovered banned chemical substances from four persons.

A senior police officer said: "We arrested Naushad Ali and Nikesh Thapa from near Darjeeling Railway station on Sunday and today (Monday), we arrested Rakesh Rai and Ranjib Mukhia who are into peddling of drugs from the Toongsoong road in Darjeeling."