https://www.facebook.com/117214206351419/

MTNews, Siliguri (2026)

03/05/2026

📰 Kalimpong’s Pride: Dr. Pratigya Rizal Achieves PhD in Chemistry

Kalimpong, West Bengal:
In a moment of immense pride for the hill town, Dr. Pratigya Rizal, daughter of Mahendra Rizal and Neera Rizal from Lower Echhey, Kalimpong, has successfully completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry from North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong.

Her academic journey stands as a shining example of dedication, consistency, and excellence. Dr. Rizal began her education at JN Memorial School, Lower Echhey, where she was recognized as a bright student from an early age. She completed her secondary and senior secondary education from Kalimpong Girls Higher Secondary School, followed by her Bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling. She then pursued her Master’s degree at the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, before advancing to her doctoral studies at NEHU.

This remarkable achievement has brought great pride not only to her family but also to the entire Kalimpong community. Her success reflects years of hard work and a strong commitment to academic excellence.

Family members and well-wishers have extended heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Rizal for this milestone. Special appreciation has also been expressed for her parents, whose constant support and encouragement played a vital role in her journey.

Dr. Pratigya Rizal’s accomplishment serves as an inspiration for aspiring students across the region, especially young women pursuing careers in science and research.

20/03/2026

Hills Set Development Agenda Ahead of Polls
Public in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong seek jobs, healthcare expansion and institutional reforms in party manifestos

Darjeeling/Kalimpong/Kurseong, March 20:
As political parties prepare their manifestos for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, public expectations across the Darjeeling Hills, Kalimpong and Kurseong are increasingly centered on development, employment and institutional reforms.

Across the region, there is a visible shift in public discourse, with residents placing greater emphasis on practical and result-oriented policies rather than symbolic assurances. Conversations among youth, workers and civil society groups indicate that the electorate is looking for clear commitments that directly address everyday challenges and long-term growth.

Employment has emerged as the most pressing concern. Many residents have stressed the need to ensure that local youth are able to secure jobs within the Hills. The demand for region-specific recruitment systems and priority for local candidates has gained momentum, as migration continues to rise due to limited opportunities.

Closely linked to this is the growing call for the establishment and effective functioning of a Hills Public Service Commission. People believe that such an institution would enable transparent recruitment processes, ensure fair representation and help fill government vacancies in a timely manner.

Healthcare infrastructure is another major area of concern. Residents have highlighted the urgent need for a Medical College in Kalimpong, which they believe would significantly improve access to advanced medical services and reduce dependency on facilities outside the region. The proposed institution is also expected to create employment opportunities and strengthen the overall healthcare ecosystem.

There is also increasing demand for the establishment of Nursing and Pharmacy Councils in the Hills. Students and professionals feel that such institutions would enhance educational standards, provide local recognition and reduce the need to move outside the region for professional certification.

In addition, calls have grown for the creation of a dedicated West Bengal Health Recruitment Board for the GTA region. According to public opinion, this would address staff shortages in hospitals and health centres while creating more employment opportunities for trained local candidates.

Land-related issues continue to remain a key concern for several communities. Residents have emphasized the need for clear policies addressing land rights for tea garden workers, cinchona garden workers, forest villagers and those residing on DI Fund land. Many believe that resolving these issues is essential for ensuring long-term security and stability in the region.

Workers across the Hills have also expressed the need for broader support beyond wage increases. There is a growing expectation for improved housing, healthcare facilities and sustainable plans for the tea and cinchona sectors, which remain central to the local economy.

At the same time, the region’s strong sporting culture has brought attention to the need for better infrastructure. Many residents have called for the development of a national-level football stadium in Kalimpong, which they believe could promote local talent, generate employment and boost tourism.

Environmental concerns have also found a place in public discussions, particularly the demand for inclusion of the Relli River under the Brahmaputra Board for better river management and flood control.

However, amid these rising expectations, a key question is being increasingly raised across the Hills—will these demands find place in the manifestos of political parties?

Residents and observers note that while many of these issues have been discussed over the years, their actual inclusion in policy documents and subsequent ex*****on has remained inconsistent. As parties prepare to present their vision for the region, the electorate is expected to closely watch whether these long-standing demands are formally acknowledged and backed by clear implementation plans.

Observers further point out that this election could be shaped not just by promises, but by which party demonstrates seriousness in adopting these public demands into their manifesto and delivering on them.

With elections approaching, the message from the Hills is becoming increasingly clear—development, employment and institutional reforms are no longer optional talking points, but central expectations. The coming days will reveal whether political parties align their manifestos with the voice of the people.

निर्वाचनअघि पहाडले विकासको एजेन्डा तय गर्दै
दार्जिलिङ, कालिम्पोङ र कुर्सियाङमा रोजगारी, स्वास्थ्य र संस्थागत सुधारप्रति जनअपेक्षा बढ्दो

दार्जिलिङ/कालिम्पोङ/कुर्सियाङ, मार्च २०:
आगामी पश्चिम बंगाल विधानसभा निर्वाचन नजिकिँदै जाँदा दार्जिलिङ पहाड, कालिम्पोङ र कुर्सियाङ क्षेत्रमा जनताको अपेक्षा क्रमशः विकास, रोजगारी र संस्थागत सुधारतर्फ केन्द्रित हुँदै गएको देखिन्छ।

क्षेत्रभरि सार्वजनिक छलफलमा स्पष्ट परिवर्तन देखिएको छ, जहाँ नागरिकहरूले अब प्रतीकात्मक आश्वासनभन्दा बढी व्यवहारिक र परिणाममुखी नीतिहरूको माग गर्न थालेका छन्। युवा, मजदुर र नागरिक समाजबीचका कुराकानीले देखाउँछ कि जनताले दैनिक जीवन र दीर्घकालीन विकाससँग प्रत्यक्ष सम्बन्धित स्पष्ट प्रतिबद्धता चाहिरहेका छन्।

रोजगारी अहिले सबैभन्दा प्रमुख मुद्दाको रूपमा अघि आएको छ। धेरैले पहाडका युवाहरूलाई पहाडमै रोजगारी सुनिश्चित गरिनुपर्छ भन्ने माग उठाएका छन्। क्षेत्रीय स्तरमा भर्ती प्रणाली निर्माण र स्थानीयलाई प्राथमिकता दिनुपर्ने माग बलियो बन्दै गएको छ, किनकि रोजगारी अभावका कारण बाहिरी स्थानमा पलायन बढिरहेको छ।

यससँगै हिल्स पब्लिक सर्भिस कमिसन स्थापना र त्यसको प्रभावकारी कार्यान्वयनको माग पनि तीव्र बनेको छ। स्थानीयहरूको विश्वास छ कि यस्तो संस्थाले पारदर्शी भर्ती प्रक्रिया सुनिश्चित गर्ने, सरकारी पदहरू छिटो भर्ने र स्थानीय प्रतिनिधित्वलाई बलियो बनाउनेछ।

स्वास्थ्य सेवा पनि अर्को महत्वपूर्ण चिन्ताको विषय बनेको छ। स्थानीयहरूले कालिम्पोङमा मेडिकल कलेज स्थापनाको माग गरेका छन्, जसले उन्नत स्वास्थ्य सेवामा पहुँच बढाउने र बाहिरी क्षेत्रप्रति निर्भरता घटाउने अपेक्षा गरिएको छ। यसले स्वास्थ्य क्षेत्रमा रोजगारीका अवसरहरू पनि सिर्जना गर्नेछ।

त्यसैगरी, नर्सिङ काउन्सिल र फार्मेसी काउन्सिल स्थापना गर्नुपर्ने माग पनि बढ्दो छ। विद्यार्थी र पेशाकर्मीहरूका अनुसार यस्ता संस्थाहरूले शिक्षा स्तर सुधार गर्ने र बाहिर जानुपर्ने बाध्यता कम गर्नेछन्।

यसै क्रममा जीटीए क्षेत्रका लागि छुट्टै पश्चिम बंगाल स्वास्थ्य भर्ती बोर्ड स्थापना गर्ने माग पनि उठिरहेको छ। यसले अस्पताल र स्वास्थ्य केन्द्रहरूमा कर्मचारी अभाव समाधान गर्न र स्थानीय प्रशिक्षित युवाहरूलाई अवसर प्रदान गर्न सहयोग गर्ने विश्वास गरिएको छ।

जग्गासम्बन्धी मुद्दाहरू अझै पनि धेरै समुदायका लागि महत्वपूर्ण विषय बनेका छन्। चिया बगान मजदुर, सिन्कोना बगानका कामदार, वन बस्तीका बासिन्दा र डीआई फन्ड जमिनमा बसोबास गर्नेहरूको अधिकार सुनिश्चित गर्ने नीति आवश्यक रहेको जनताको भनाइ छ। यी मुद्दाहरू समाधान नभएसम्म दीर्घकालीन स्थायित्व सम्भव नहुने धारणा व्यक्त गरिएको छ।

मजदुरहरूले तलब वृद्धिभन्दा बाहिर गएर व्यापक सहयोगको अपेक्षा गरेका छन्। राम्रो आवास, स्वास्थ्य सेवा र चिया तथा सिन्कोना उद्योगका लागि दिगो योजनाहरू आवश्यक रहेकोमा जोड दिइएको छ।

यसैबीच, पहाडको बलियो फुटबल संस्कृतिलाई ध्यानमा राख्दै कालिम्पोङमा राष्ट्रियस्तरको फुटबल रंगशाला निर्माणको माग पनि उठिरहेको छ। यसले स्थानीय प्रतिभालाई प्रोत्साहन, रोजगारी सिर्जना र पर्यटन प्रवर्द्धन गर्ने अपेक्षा गरिएको छ।

पर्यावरणीय विषयहरू पनि चर्चामा आएका छन्, विशेष गरी रेली खोला ब्रह्मपुत्र बोर्डमा समावेश गर्नुपर्ने माग, जसले बाढी नियन्त्रण र नदी व्यवस्थापनमा सहयोग पुर्‍याउने विश्वास गरिएको छ।

यद्यपि, यी सबै अपेक्षाबीच एउटा महत्वपूर्ण प्रश्न उठिरहेको छ—के यी मागहरू राजनीतिक दलहरूको घोषणापत्रमा समावेश हुनेछन्?

स्थानीय बासिन्दा र विश्लेषकहरूका अनुसार विगतमा यस्ता मुद्दाहरू उठाइए पनि घोषणापत्रमा समावेश र कार्यान्वयन दुवै असंगत देखिएको छ। त्यसैले यसपटक जनताले घोषणापत्रमा यी मागहरू कत्तिको स्पष्ट रूपमा समावेश हुन्छन् र कार्यान्वयनको योजना कस्तो हुन्छ भन्ने कुरालाई नजिकबाट नियाल्ने अपेक्षा गरिएको छ।

निर्वाचन नजिकिँदै गर्दा पहाडबाट स्पष्ट सन्देश आएको छ—विकास, रोजगारी र संस्थागत सुधार अब विकल्प होइन, आवश्यकता हो। अब हेर्न बाँकी छ कि राजनीतिक दलहरूले जनताको आवाजलाई आफ्नो घोषणापत्रमा कत्तिको स्थान दिन्छन्।

Ajoy Edwards Anit Thapa

10/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/189SLbXekc/

Address

Siliguri

Website

facebook.com

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when MTNews posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

MTNews

03/05/2026

20/03/2026

10/02/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request