The Darjeeling Chronicle

The News Site that proudly supports GORKHALAND Statehood

[The Darjeeling Chronicle @TheDarjChron]

#SatyamevaJayate
Despite all acts of sabotage, we have survived
Despite all forms of tyranny, we have thrived
#Gorkhaland Endures, and so do we.

Jai Gorkha!! Jai #Gorkhaland!!
https://t.co/8VaUoTdUla

[The Darjeeling Chronicle @TheDarjChron]

HEART-BREAKING: Sikkim Tunnel Landslide: 12 Rescued, 8 Bodies Recovered, 18 Still Trapped as Rescue Operations Continue

A major landslide inside a tunnel at the Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Sikkim has left at least 8 people dead and 18 others trapped, even as rescue teams continue desperate efforts to reach the survivors.

The tragic incident occurred around 12:00 PM on Monday, 20 July 2026, at the project site located at Samardung, Jhulungay. The tunnel, approximately 7 kilometres long, is part of the hydroelectric project being executed by Patel Engineering Ltd. under NHPC.

According to preliminary reports, the landslide took place nearly 3 kilometres inside the tunnel from the Samardung (Thalthaley–Sirwani) side while an inspection team was inside. The team comprised 6 officials from NHPC, 12 officials from Patel Engineering, along with engineers, technical personnel and labourers. Around 25 or more persons are believed to have been inside the tunnel at the time of the collapse.

So far, 12 people have been rescued alive while the bodies of 8 victims have been recovered. Rescue teams fear that 18 or more individuals may still be trapped inside, though official confirmation of the exact number is still awaited.

Rescue operations have been severely hampered by continuous heavy rainfall, unstable tunnel conditions, and a suspected gas leakage following the landslide. Some rescuers have also sustained injuries during the operation.

A large-scale rescue effort is underway involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Sikkim Police, Fire and Emergency Services, district administration, and local residents, all working round the clock under extremely challenging circumstances.

Further updates on the rescue operation are awaited as teams push ahead with the difficult mission.

[The Darjeeling Chronicle @TheDarjChron]

SPAIN DESERVED TO WIN

Argentina was a ghost of their shelves...

Like the commentator was saying, "there was only one side thatbwas trying to win"

Congrats Spain

#ESPvsArg
#ArgentinaVsEspaña
#Argentina
#Spain

@Lamineeyamal__ @Yamal_Xtra @TeamMessi @WeAreMessi @Messismo10

[🅹🅹🅶 @JordenJigmie]

Great initiative 👏👏.
Additionally I have personally observed hill drivers stopping vehicles in any empty place of the journey for their tourists passengers to lighten. Along with the passenger the drivers too need to be penalised.
This is pathetic of our civic responsibility.

[Brig Rana-War Veteran 1971 @rana14r]

@cmohry @DC_Gurugram @MunCorpGurugram @OfficialGMDA @GauriSarin can Haryana in general and Gurgaon in specific place adopt the measures taken Darjiling with slight modifications

[Anand singh @anandsngh101]

Very good, should be replicated all over India @PMOIndia

[Soumasish @Goonnerboy]

Good Stuff ! #Darjeeling #Westbengal

[Upendra M Pradhan @UpendraMPradhan]

Not just that...

The failure of On-Screen Marking system (OMS) for CBSE Class 12 exams and the hint of ghotala/corruption in the handing over of contract to a failed agency for OMS further exposes him. The hurried enforcement of the three-language policy and delays in distributing new NCERT textbooks for the revised curriculum, has left many schools and students, especially in rural areas like Darjeeling and rest of North East reeling.

He must resign, before @narendramodi kicks him out

[The Darjeeling Chronicle @TheDarjChron]

MORAL LOW-GROUND: Dharmendra Pradhan and the Lack of Education

Editorial: @UpendraMPradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has been in office since July 2021. While he is credited with major initiatives like faster roll-out of New Education Policy, his tenure has also been marred with significant systemic failures.

The recurring challenges in the education system under him, has created a lot of controversy. This includes the ongoing protests in Jantar Mantar, Delhi and the related hunger strike by Sonam Wangchuk calling for his removal as the Education Minister of India.

Repeated examination scandals involving the National Testing Agency, including paper leaks and irregularities in NEET-UG examinations in 2024 and 2026, leading to cancellations and re-tests has exposed his lack of control over the Ministry. Controversies surrounding UGC-NET and CUET exams further showcase his inability. The compromised integrity of national level tests have affected millions of students across the nation.

The failure of On-Screen Marking system (OMS) for CBSE Class 12 exams and the hint of ghotala/corruption in the handing over of contract to a failed agency for OMS further exposes him. The hurried enforcement of the three-language policy showcases and delays in distributing new NCERT textbooks for the revised curriculum, has left many schools and students, especially in rural areas like Darjeeling and rest of North East reeling.

There was a time in Indian politics, when politicians took moral responsibility if something went wrong with their ministry and taking the moral high-ground resign from their post.

It is shameful that a minister, who has caused so much controversy and heart-ache among millions of youths is waiting for the Prime Minister to remove him. This is a moral low-ground.

It will bode well for the Minister to resign, before his incompetence causes the downfall of the government.

[🅹🅹🅶 @JordenJigmie]

Only in #Darjeeling
"DANG DANG RATI SANGRATI
UPIYA JA RUPIYA AIJHA.... "
#HamroDarjeeling

[Dipendra Khati 🇮🇳 @DipendraDipzo]

#SOS Missing Person Alert 🚨
Chandra Kumar Mangar aka Sangita (64) Pokhriabong, Darjeeling has been missing since 4 July 2026 (6:00 AM).

He use to live alone. As his wife and both sons works around Delhi, he could travelling for thre

Pliz help!!
@RailMinIndia @RajuBistaBJP

[The Darjeeling Chronicle @TheDarjChron]

KEEPING OUR TRADITIONS ALIVE: Thank You people of Ghoom-Jorebunglow

✍️ Mohan Raj Thakuri

श्रावण महिनाको पहिलो दिन मनाइने साउने संक्रान्तिको पावन अवसरमा घुमको जरुल हट्टा (मंगर गाउँ) मा प्रकृति माताको पूजा-अर्चना गर्दै साउने संक्रान्ति भव्य रूपमा पालन गरियो। स्थानीय अमर दीप समाज र गाउँवासीहरूको संयुक्त पहलमा आयोजित यस कार्यक्रममा पहाडको परम्परागत कृषि संस्कृति र प्रकृतिपूजक इतिहासलाई उजागर गरिएको छ ।

परम्परागत मान्यता अनुसार, असार १५ गतेदेखि सुरु भएको धान रोपाइँ साउने संक्रान्तिसम्ममा सम्पन्न हुने गर्दछ। हिलो र माटोसँग पौँठेजोरी खेलेर थाकेका किसानहरूका लागि यो दिन थकान मेटाउने, सामुदायिक भोज खाने र नयाँ बालीको सुरक्षाका लागि प्रार्थना गर्ने विशेष अवसर हो। बालीनालीलाई विभिन्न रोगव्याधि, कीरा-फट्याङ्ग्रा र वन्यजन्तुबाट बचाउन रातीको समयमा गाउँलेहरूले परम्परागत 'राके जुलुस' निकालेका थिए। जुलुसमा सहभागी गाउलेहरूले स्थानीय औषधीय जडिबुटीयुक्त बिरुवा 'पटपट्टे' सहितको आगोको राँको (अगुल्टो) बोकेर गाउँ र घर-आँगन साथै घुम क्षेत्रहको परिक्रमा गरे।

यस क्रममा "ढंग ढंगले राति... संक्रान्ति उपियाँ जा, रुपियाँ आइजा!" भन्दै चर्को स्वरमा सामूहिक नारा लगाइएको थियो। पटपट्टेको सुगन्धित धुवाँले हानिकारक कीराहरू मर्ने र आगोको राँकोले जंगली जनावरहरूलाई खेतबारीबाट टाढा राख्ने जनविश्वास रहिआएको छ। परम्परा अनुसार किसानहरूले खेतको तीन दिशामा बलिरहेको अगुल्टो फालेर दुःख-कष्टको अन्त्य र सुख-समृद्धिको कामना गरे।

आफ्नो पुर्खादेखि चलिआएको संस्कृतिलाई अक्षुण्ण राख्दै अमर दीप समाजद्वारा आयोजित उक्त राके जुलुसले घुम र आसपासका क्षेत्रहरूको परिक्रमा गरेको थियो। जुलुस समापनपछि गाउँवासीहरू एकै ठाउँ गाउँको खेल मैदानमा भेला भई सामुदायिक भोजमा सहभागी बने, जसले गाउँमा आपसी सद्भाव, भाइचारा र सामुदायिक ऐक्यवद्धतालाई अझ मजबुत बनाएको छ।

यसै अवसरमा कार्यक्रमलाई सम्बोधन गर्दै अमर दीप समाजका सभापति श्री रोशन कुमार ठकुरीले साउने संक्रान्तिको बहुआयामिक पक्षमाथि प्रकाश पारे। उनले यस पर्वलाई केवल कृषि पर्वमा मात्र सीमित नराखी यसको खगोलीय र स्वास्थ्यगत महत्वबारे गाउँवासीलाई अवगत गराउँदै भने, "साउने संक्रान्ति हाम्रो प्रकृतिपूजक सभ्यताको एउटा अद्वितीय र गौरवपूर्ण प्रतीक हो। वैज्ञानिक र खगोलीय दृष्टिकोणले आजकै दिन सूर्य कर्कट राशिमा प्रवेश गर्ने हुनाले यसलाई 'कर्कट संक्रान्ति' भनिन्छ, जसले सूर्यको दक्षिणायन यात्राको सुरुवातलाई संकेत गर्दछ। यसका साथै, असारको हिलोमा काम गर्दा लाग्न सक्ने छालाको रोग र संक्रमणबाट मुक्ति पाउन हाम्रा पुर्खाहरूले आजकै दिन 'लुतो फ्याँक्ने' औषधीय परम्परा सुरु गरेका थिए। यो पर्व शारीरिक र आध्यात्मिक शुद्धीकरणको माध्यम पनि हो।"

हाम्रो यो अनौठो परम्परालाई विश्वभरि छरिएर रहेका प्रत्येक गोर्खाली माझ पुर्‍याउनु र यसलाई जीवित राख्नु आजको आवश्यकता रहेको बताउँदै उनले सम्पूर्ण गाउँवासीलाई आफ्नो संस्कृतिप्रति गर्व गर्न र यसलाई भावी पुस्तासम्म हस्तान्तरण गर्न अपिल गरे।

उल्लेखनीय छ, अमर दीप समाज लगभग १०० वर्षभन्दा पुरानो समाजले प्रत्येक वर्ष परम्परागत रूपमा 'संसारी पूजा' र 'साउने संक्रान्ति' जस्ता मौलिक जातीय चाडपर्वहरू सामुदायिक स्तरमा मनाउँदै पहाडी संस्कृतिको संरक्षणमा एक बलियो स्तम्भको भूमिका निर्वाह गरिरहेको छ।

[Ye to bada toing hai @JDforall]

We need this implemented nationally. Inordinately high financial loss for anyone who breaks the law. Traffic, littering, ticketless travel, roadside urination etc etc. Money loss will have them remember never to repeat the offence.

[Amaltas @khushisinghal]

This is needed all over the country and more specifically in hill stations/religious places/near schools and hospitals/eco sensitive areas.
@MunCorpGurugram can we implement this in GurGAON too?

[Michael Carvalho @carvalho_mike]

@TheDarjChron Great initiative. Take their photos too and show them up prominently in a special website named Hall of Shame.

[🅹🅹🅶 @JordenJigmie]

This sort of #BJP nuisance must stop. Many from from neighbouring states displaying #BJP flags visit #Darjeeling. Second incident where they have threatened locals in the name of BJP.
#StopIt ❌️
@BJP4Bihar @BJP4Bengal @RajuBistaBJP
https://t.co/NtmIo61owV

[The Darjeeling Chronicle @TheDarjChron]

SHOCKING: Out of 130 PMGSY Road Constructed in Darjeeling Lok Sabha Constituency, 88 Found Unsatisfactory

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista has criticised the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government over the condition of rural roads in the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency, citing an official inspection report from the Ministry of Rural Development.

According to Union Rural Development Minister @ChouhanShivraj, quality inspections of 130 road works under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (#PMGSY) carried out by National Quality Monitors (NQMs) of the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA) found:

- Total works inspected: 130

- Unsatisfactory: 88
- Satisfactory but requiring improvement: 8
- Satisfactory: 34

The NQM report, shared below covered roads under construction, completed projects, and roads under the maintenance period.

MP Bista said "This is not just an administrative failure. This is systematic loot of public money by the TMC government and those running GTA. Crores of rupees sanctioned for PMGSY roads have been siphoned off through substandard construction, fake bills, and contractor-politician nexus, leaving behind broken roads that fail basic quality standards."

The Union Ministry has asked the West Bengal government to take corrective action and submit a compliance report.

Will the contractors who have build shoddy roads be made to rebuild the roads? Will the politicians, engineers, babus who have taken cut-money from the contractors who built shoddy roads be forced to return the bribe they have taken??

Interesting times ahead.

CC: @BanglarGorboMB @MamataOfficial @abhishekaitc

#Chor

[Upendra M Pradhan @UpendraMPradhan]

Herea a preview of why #Messi is able to do miracles

#Argentina
#WorldCup2026
#ArgvsSui

[The Darjeeling Chronicle @TheDarjChron]

CONGRATS: Argentina Through to the Finals, After a Closely Fought 2-1 Win

After a very rough first half, both Argentina and England played a good game of football.

But at the end of the day, Argentina were definitely the better team. They controlled the ball better and dominated the mid-field.

Who do you think will prevail in the final? Argentina or Spain??

[The Darjeeling Chronicle @TheDarjChron]

People shouldn't be surprised if Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee also join BJP indirectly

[Pooja Mehta @pooja_news]

#Breaking: Another setback for #MamataBanerjee, as #TMC leader Madan Mitra announces his resignation from all posts of the party & joins the Ritabrata Banerjee led faction of TMC.

This comes a day after ED summoned Madan Mitra’s two sons and wife in connection with municipal recruitment scam.