Kalimpong is a vibrant town in India located 4000 ft above sea level amid beautiful rolling hills of the Darjeeling district. It is also the place most Bhutanese students opt for in their pursuit of higher secondary education.

It's been that way since a long time ago. Bhutan's prime minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley is an alumnus of Dr Graham's Homes, one of the renowned schools in Kalimpong. Other high Bhutanese officials, a number of them, can trace their education roots to Kalimpong.

Some of the place's other famous education institutes are Scottish Universities Mission Institution (SUMI) established in 1886, St Augustine's School, St Joseph's Convent, BMC College, Good Shepherd and Rockvale Academy.

At present, more than 1,000 Bhutanese students study in different schools and colleges in Kalimpong. For the vast outstation population of Bhutanese students studying there, Kalimpong is second home.

A hotel management student, Lachoe, told Kuensel that the place is away from the hustle and bustle of the overpopulated and polluted cities of India. It makes sense to study in Kalimpong as the environment is conducive to learning.

It has a pleasant climate with average summer temperatures between 28ºC and 32ºC, and winter temperatures of 12ºC to 16ºC.

"The weather here is similar to Thimphu and people are cultured and friendly too." said a first year student. Besides tourism, the economic foundation of Kalimpong is its educational sector. It provides a good source of income to local businessmen, comprising book-sellers, hawkers, restaurant owners, garment sellers and taxi drivers.

"The student population here is the key revenue for us," said a local businessman. Whenever schools shut in winter, the economy becomes dormant. During their first year students mostly stay in hostels, while most seniors group together and rent apartments. Paying guest apartments are available too, but most students complain about not being able to adjust especially with food.

According to Bhutanese students studying there, staying in hostels costs around Nu 50,000 and rented apartments around Nu 70,000 per semester (six months).

Student life here is smooth and efficient but, of late, strikes in June this year by Gorkha janmukti morcha (GJM), following clashes with the Gorkha national liberation front (GNLF) protesting for a separate Gorkhaland state, things have changed a bit. And it showed in the admission figures.

Usually around 5000 to 7000 foreign students enrold every year. Last year, in one of the premier institutes, B B Pradhan Management College, a total of 197 Bhutanese students were admitted, but this year, because of the strikes, only 97 students have enrolled.

"Though the education sector remained unaffected by the movement, most parents feared that their children's education might get disturbed and avoided the hills," said a final year student from BMC College.

At present the political scene has relaxed and everything is returning to normalcy.

Bhutanese students, witnessing a strike for the first time, tried to leave their colleges. To most senior students, such things was not much of a bother.

"Such things happen at times in India but students are the least affected everywhere," said a final year BBA student.

Earlier, the attack on the building belonging to Deepak Gurung, the GNLF leader, and where some Bhutanese students lived, caused panic among parents and relatives in Bhutan who have their children studying in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong.

But sources confirm that students were allowed to come out peacefully in Darjeeling and were not targetted.

By Passang Norbu
passa@kuensel.com.bt

Source: kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=11317